Page 84 of The Revered and the Pariah

Ellie scrunched her face and returned to rolling the fruit around on her plate. “I haven’t gotten into their main offices yet; we’re still learning the rotations.”

“We?” Arianna lifted a brow. Ellie gestured to Kirian and Arianna pinched the bridge of her nose. “Gods, she’s dragged you into this?”

“He’s quite crafty for a half-breed,” Ellie joked, but her smile faded. “There’s something big going on. I don’t know what they mean yet, but I found ledgers detailing recent large shipments. They’re all written in code.”

Talon sat back in his seat. “Well, that’s obvious. It’s just supplies for the coronation. It’ll be the biggest event on the continent since,” he shrugged. “Well, since forever.”

Ellie shook her head. “The dates were from over a year ago. No one knew about Arianna then.”

“It could be anything,” Rion said, but Arianna could see the doubt in his gaze.

“It could be,” Ellie agreed. “But you don’t go through the trouble of hiding something in a secret compartment and writing it in code if it’s not important.”

“Ellie,” Arianna said, her tone serious. “I want you to be careful.” Ellie rolled her eyes. “I’m serious. We don’t know what these people are capable of.”

“They don’t know what we’re capable of, either. Speaking of which,” her eyes brightened and a feral grin spread across her face. “You’ve been way too sedentary. I think it’s time we start up a training routine, right Talon?” Arianna paled.

Talon nodded. “I couldn’t agree more.”

***

Her muscles already hurt and they weren’t even to the training yard yet. She had looked to Rion to save her, but to her dismay, he had also agreed, claiming he needed to do the same. She supposed sculpted muscles didn’t maintain themselves.

Arianna would have preferred to return to the library to study, or visit the slave quarters to see how things were progressing, but her sister claimed there would be time to do those things later. She wasn’t getting out of it.

The trio ambled down a long path filled with gardens, fountains, and strolling Fae before descending a flight of stairs carved into the side of a small hill. At the base, five massive circular platforms made from thick stone slabs stood close together in a ring.

As they drew closer, Arianna glimpsed the differing colors in the stone, telling her it had been broken and replaced more times than she could probably count. The outer bricks looked original, at least.

Ellie threw the bag she’d run back to her room to collect against one of the stone benches and extended her arms toward the sky. Talon joined her, stretching his joints even though Arianna was pretty sure he had already run before breakfast. She’d eventually need to start doing that again, too. Maybe after dance lessons were over.

Arianna sighed. “I’m not getting out of this am I?”

Rion chuckled. “It’ll be good for both of us.”

“Gods, please don’t let my sister hear you say that.”

“Too late,” Ellie called. She’d seated herself on the ground and was pulling at her legs. “Now get stretched out; some of us have important things to do later.”

Right. Important and illegal and dangerous things.

Arianna joined them. With last night’s excitement, they’d skipped their dancing lesson. It didn’t feel right after recent events. Neither did training, but Arianna knew her sister was right. She needed to start moving again.

Arianna reached for the ground and wrapped her hands behind her ankles, letting gravity pull her down. When she felt loose, Arianna sank into a stance and glided through several forms. She summoned her magic, keeping it light and easy as she lost herself in the flow of familiar movement. She only paused upon noticing Rion’s stare.

She blushed, suddenly shy in his presence. She hated this. She’d never done well with an audience. Not after her father had publicly humiliated her in front of his council and stripped her of her title as heir. It had been a horribly humiliating day that she would never forget.

“What’s first?” Arianna asked no one in particular.

She assumed Talon would lead as he usually did, but a mischievous smile spread over Ellie’s face. “How about we spar and test that new magic of yours?”

Arianna blanched. “It’s not new magic. It’s the shift. It’s just making things crazy right now.”

“Yes, but the shift also unlocks the rest of your abilities,” Ellie said as if reciting from a textbook. “Your magic isn’t fully matured until then.” She smiled. “Maybe all you need is a little push and,” she clapped her hands, “perhaps you’ll grow wings or a tail, or itty-bitty feet.”

“Wings would be nice.” Arianna had always wanted to fly, ever since she’d seen Talon take off and soar through the clear sky. She glanced toward Rion, then those who were gathering at the top of the stairs. She grimaced. “We don’t need to spar.”

“Of course we do. How else are we going to know what you need to focus on?”

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