Page 187 of The Revered and the Pariah

But it left her wondering how Niall planned to obtain information about Raevina.

Everything in Saoirse’s body went rigid when she turned to find Niall smiling at her. Then Saoirse heard the scream and saw the female they were dragging in from a side door.

Her mouth went dry.

“You didn’t think the games were over yet, did you?” He hadn’t looked away, even as Màili was dragged down the aisle, tears streaming down her beautiful face.

“What is this?” Saoirse demanded.

Niall glanced between her and Màili. “This is the female you were infatuated with just a few short months ago.”

“What does she have to do with anything?”

Niall chuckled. “Do you want to tell her or shall I?” It took Saoirse a moment to realize he hadn’t been addressing her. He was talking to Màili.

Màili’s pleading eyes met Saoirse’s. “It wasn’t like that. It—”

“Wasn’t it?” Niall interrupted. “I recall several letters detailing events in Nàdiar that were nothing short of classified.” Niall tapped his chin. “In fact, I remember one such letter when you were caught in Saoirse’s office. You played that part so well that the sister of the High Lord even invited you to her bed.”

Saoirse clenched her fists. “So,” Niall said. “Now I have to ask what a traitor’s life means to the ambassador of Brónach.”

“No,” Màili cried again. “You don’t understand. He made me, he threatened my family—”

“Was it all fake then?” Saoirse asked, her voice deadly calm. She’d shared things with Màili she’d never shared with anyone. Not information about Alec or her nation, but secrets about herself, her dreams and goals and fears.

“No, it started that way, but—”

“But you fell in love,” Niall scoffed. “It’s always the same story wrapped a different way. Throw feelings into the mix and suddenly you’re forgiven.” Niall placed his blade beneath her throat and Màili whimpered. “We’ll see if those feelings hold any value momentarily.” Niall directed his cold gaze to Saoirse. “Tell me what I want to know."

“You’re not going to kill a pure blood.”

She could have sworn something glinted in Niall’s gaze. “I killed the council.”

Saoirse couldn’t stop herself from looking at the bodies. “You said they betrayed you.”

“And what do you think you’ve done?”

She shrugged. “Nothing.”

“Nothing,” he echoed, brows raised. “You’ve committed treason by plotting against me. The punishment for that is death.”

Saoirse narrowed her eyes at him. “Go ahead and try it.”

He clicked his tongue and dug the point of his sword deeper.

“Saoirse?” Màili’s frightened voice cut through her anger. She’d deal with the female’s betrayal later. Right now she just needed to get Màili away from Niall.

“You’ll be okay,” Saoirse promised.

Niall laughed, then tilted his head. “I’m waiting, Saoirse. And despite what I’ve let everyone believe, I am not a patient male.”

“I have nothing to say to you.”

He sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose with his free hand. “I thought I’d made enough demonstrations already. I suppose it’s a good thing there are two females you admire, even if your second choice makes me nauseous.” The blade gleamed in the light as he tilted it. “To think not one but two ambassadors have fallen for half-breeds.”

“What are you—” but before she could get the words out, Niall had spun with his weapon.

Saoirse’s scream filled the cavernous hall when Màili’s head left her shoulders and rolled across the marble floor. She ran for the female, hands outstretched as if she might be able to put her back together.

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