Page 233 of The Revered and the Pariah

Rion

He kept pushing.

Even after voices faded around him.

Even after he stopped scenting bodies and their movements.

Even when Arianna fell silent. Still breathing. Perfectly alive. But silent.

He wasn’t worried. He knew they’d watch over their queen.

Rion cursed, gritting his teeth. The city wasn’t slowing any more. His legs were weak and his body was nearly at its limit. He had pushed as hard as he could, but it hadn’t been enough.

He’d told Saoirse to leave with her half-breed and help those who still needed it. She’d commanded him to make it out alive. He’d only nodded, knowing she’d scent the lie if he tried to speak.

The bond lengthened, telling him Arianna had escaped. She was safe, but he didn’t know how many civilians were still above.

Rion’s knee collided with the ground hard and the entire city tilted. He strained to keep it upright, but it wouldn’t move. His mind teetered on the edge of darkness. Just a little more. He could hold it just a little more.

“I know you’re not giving up already,” a familiar voice said.

Panic laced through every cell in his body. Rion cracked his eyes open to find a pair of brown boots before him. He scented her magic and cursed again. “What the hell are you doing here?”

Ellie smirked as if they didn’t have an entire city barreling toward them. “Saving your ass, what does it look like?”

“Dammit, get out of here.” He pushed hard, willing strength to his body, but it wouldn’t listen.

She looked around. “Yeah, I don’t think that’s an option for us at this point.” Water formed along his skin and her magic flooded around his feet.

“Arianna can’t lose you, too.”

“Oh, I have no plans for her to lose either of us.”

Rion wanted to yell at her, but he chuckled instead. “I don’t think I’ve ever met a more stubborn Fae.”

She tilted her head in amusement, but her face was determined, concentrated. “I’d like to think defiance is in my nature.”

Her magic kept circling his body, but Rion couldn’t figure out what she had planned. His vision was blurring. The sounds around him diming.

“Just a few more minutes,” she promised, seeming to sense his fading magic. Would he feel it when the city crashed into his body? Would he hear Ellie’s final scream? Rion swallowed hard. Would he feel the bond snap as his heart came to a sudden stop?

Rion’s magic spluttered out and Ellie’s arms circled his body before he hit the ground.

Rion wanted to tell Ellie so many things. He wanted to thank her for trusting him and treating him like a normal Fae when no one else ever had. He wanted to thank her for being his friend and for coming back for him. For not treating him like a monster.

He thought his lips hadn’t formed words, but she whispered back, “You’re welcome.” Then they plunged into icy darkness.

Chapter Ninety-three

Ellie

The sheer force of the impact above sent them shooting through the channel she’d dug a lot faster than Ellie had anticipated. She clutched Rion’s limp hand, desperate to keep hold of him, but his fingers slipped from her grasp when the sideways underground current slammed into their bodies.

Ellie tugged at the water, willing it to obey, and reached for Rion again. She found his sleeve and clutched the material with every ounce of strength she possessed. She wouldn’t lose him. If she did, she’d never be able to face her sister again.

Ellie propelled them through the water. She had intended to pull air down with them, but Rion’s magic hadn’t held out for as long as she’d hoped. Now she was left with a single mouthful of air and no idea when they’d reach the surface again.

Another current spun her in a circle then slammed her against a wall, knocking the little bit of breath she had from her lungs. She fought the urge to gasp and opened her eyes beneath the surging water. Black surrounded her on all sides.

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