The Revered and the Pariah (Fae of Alastríona Book 2)

by J.E. Reed

He’d allowed her solitude the first time, thinking his company unwelcome, but she’d tugged at their bond so hard it had sent him into a frenzy. She wanted solitude, just not from him.

He wasn’t sure what the council’s magic had done to him, but he’d never quite recovered, even with Arianna’s healing abilities. It still felt as though a sliver of ice was trapped somewhere in his body and it left him shivering most nights. Not that he’d told Arianna about it.

“Breathe,” his gentle voice coaxed, nothing at all like the slick nightmarish one she’d heard seconds ago. And his face, it didn’t carry that horrid smirk. His eyes were calm. Concerned. “You’re safe.”

“Let me love you. Let me in despite your demons, and let me face them myself when the time comes.”

They had eternity to work together, learn, and grow as a mated pair. And once that bond solidified, she’d feel things from him she’d never feel from another. His pleasure. His pain. And she wanted nothing more.

Gods, how had their paths crossed so perfectly? She was the light in the darkness. A sweet summer rain after a long drought. Perfect and resilient and full of hope. He deserved none of it, yet he drank it up greedily, like a man starved for bread. To feel her soft skin against his was a drug. To know every sweet caress came from a place of love was his addiction.

Talon laid back and draped an arm over his eyes. She heard his heart pounding and he inhaled deeply before saying, “I’m in love with a queen I can’t have.” Arianna froze, her breath hitched, and the world around her shifted to ice. One wrong move and it would shatter into a million pieces.

Arianna smiled and leaned back into his strong frame. Rion hadn’t attacked. He’d come to her aid, a weapon waiting to be used.

“You don’t understand.” His voice was thick with emotion. “I never thought I’d have something like this. I never thought I’d get the chance to feel this way about anyone or have them feel anything for me in return. I’d walk through fire and sell my soul to keep it even if it were only for a few seconds more.”

She giggled. “And if I asked for the moon?” He tilted his head up toward the half crescent in the starry sky. “Then I’ll spend the rest of my life reaching for it.”

“You want a queen you can control, one that will act as your puppet and grant you power over the masses. I am not her. “Peace,” she continued, “can’t be found when we have chains around the innocent.” She locked eyes with Niall. “I will not be paraded around, I will not be manipulated to your will, and I most certainly won’t stand for slavery, whether they’re Fae, half-breeds, or humans.” Silence. Deafening silence.

“Thank you. Truly, thank you, Niall.” He bowed at the waist, but his eyes never left hers. “It is my absolute pleasure.”

“To know someone wants to fight for me. Kill for me. It’s . . . not a feeling I have words for.”

the villagers shared their heartbreaking stories. Each one felt worse than the next. They spoke of a very different male from the one who had kissed her farewell that morning. Her soul felt raw and bare, like they’d ripped her heart from her chest and bruised it with their heartache.

Those in Ruadhán constantly talked about the peace she’d bring as if she could heal the land single handedly. But maybe it wasn’t a single action that would bring that peace about. Maybe it was this, the four nations working together to achieve a common goal.

Arianna made a promise to herself. She wouldn’t be that weak little female plagued by darkness and memories any more. She’d place that female in a box full of plush blankets and books and chocolates and protect her from the outside world. She’d give that female love and comfort and nothing, absolutely nothing, would ever hurt her again.

She finally looked up. “Friends, then?” Niall smiled again. “Friends. Though if you ever decide you want more,” he kissed the back of her hand and his heated gaze twisted her stomach. “Know I’m already yours.”

“And whose prison is it?" Gavin looked between her and Ellie. “I thought you already knew.” His gaze traveled back to the balcony and her frustration spiked again. “Niall,” he whispered. “He’s had you glamoured since you arrived.”

“That’s for her to decide.” Yes, it was and he was ready to take whatever Arianna threw at him. He wouldn’t beg, nor would he try to change her mind. He wouldn’t make her suffer in his presence if she didn’t want him near. But even as he told himself those things, Rion recognized them for the lies they were. Because he knew he’d grovel on his knees for just one more second in her presence.

Niall eyed Rion and she stepped closer to her mate as if she could shield him from the male’s wrath. “The revered and the pariah.” He chuckled. “Fate really is a cruel thing, isn’t it?”

Standing before them beside The Divine and previously hidden behind the walls of the temple was a male. A male with stones at his feet and grains of sand coursing down his arms. A male who stood beside The Divine as if he were ready to lay the world at her feet. Not her enemy. Not a demon or an abomination. Her mate.

Rion’s breath hitched. “So you’re telling me . . .” Eimear smiled as if Rion were a child again. “Yes. You are the rightful king of this continent, and the male carved in that stone was the best ruler this land has ever known.”

“She was looking for you.” He chuckled. “Yes, and when we finally faced off against one another, I knew the only way to free her was to release her from this world.” Ellie’s mouth went dry. “You . . . you killed The Divine?”

“What’s your goal, exactly? And no more riddles.” He knelt over Kirian and Ellie held her breath. “Destroy Alastríona and its prophecies. Once I’m certain they’re gone, we’ll move to a new continent and begin a new life. The Divine will cease to exist.” “That’s genocide.” “Sometimes sacrifice is the only way to freedom.”