The Divine and the Cursed (Fae of Alastríona, #1)

by J.E. Reed

“Let me help you.”

“What’s wrong?” His usually rough voice was soft, yet still commanding. “I’m fine.” She tried to pull back from him, but the ceiling and floor fought for dominance. Rion pulled her closer as if cradling her to his side. “No, you’re not.”

She didn’t understand the feelings coursing through her body, especially in her sick state, but there was one thing she did know. For reasons beyond her control, Arianna wanted this male to trust her. She wanted him to talk to her and the way he’d been fussing over her the last two days made her wonder if he felt the same.

“You didn’t answer my question.” Arianna’s face heated. “Why did you touch me?” “I guess I just … wanted to.” Embarrassment flooded through her, but she couldn’t move. Not with him holding her in place. “I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have done so without your permission.” She could feel Rion’s eyes on her, but Arianna couldn’t bring herself to meet his gaze. His body was warmer now and she could feel her own responding, a need forming in the pit of her stomach.

He ran and ran and ran, but no matter how far he went, he couldn’t get her out of his head. That female had wanted the exact same thing. He’d smelled it on her and damn it all, he could still smell it now, as if it were following him. Plaguing him. Tempting him.

She was a daughter of Móirín. One touch could leave him incapacitated for the rest of his life. One touch could kill him and yet he wanted her hands all over him. He wanted to put his hands all over her.

She’d honestly never had anyone make her feel the way Rion did, and it was the most electrifying and terrifying thing she’d ever experienced.

“The Divine and the Cursed. How fitting.” He stepped back and started toward the cabin, glancing behind to see if she’d follow. She did, her entire body flushed from their brief, yet intense encounter. Arianna couldn’t help but smile. Rion. The general of Brónach’s army. Her greatest enemy and the most feared warrior in Alastríona had just kissed her.

He clenched his fists. Someone had taken her from him. Someone had taken his Arianna. And he’d ensure their suffering rivaled his own.

“Because you can hurt me in ways I’ve never been hurt. Without lifting a finger, you could shatter me completely.”

Arianna didn’t know what her future would hold. She didn’t know how hard it would be to keep Rion in her life, but she knew one thing with utmost certainty. No matter what challenges they’d have to face, she wanted this male at her side. “I want you.”

“Thank you,” he whispered, his voice hoarse. Her hand stilled. “For what?” “For loving me. For allowing me what you did.”

And in that moment, Arianna made a vow. She swore she’d never let Rion feel alone again. Not so long as she lived. Because he was hers to protect now and she was his.

He didn’t stop, and every fiber in Arianna’s body screamed at her to protect the male in her arms. To protect her mate.

“You will not touch my mate.” He froze and for the first time, she tasted fear. Genuine fear. Those surrounding didn’t move as she challenged each in turn. “If anyone else comes after him, I will kill you.” Her words didn’t sound like her own. They were words of command, of threat.

“You’re mine, and there is nothing you could ever say that would change that.”

“You will never, never have to spend another day in this life alone. I won’t allow it.”