More on this book
Community
Kindle Notes & Highlights
For some reason, Rion wanted to erase the emptiness in those eyes. He wanted to make them shine. He wanted to know what they might look like if—
His lips parted as she picked one up, speaking to it in hushed tones, and for the first time in his existence, Rion found himself believing in fairytales.
“You just have to trust me.” He let out a breath, showering her in his scent. “You ask the one thing I find impossible.” His eyes remained locked with hers. Hungry. Full of desire. “But I can try.”
“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.
His clenched his fists. Someone had taken her from him. Someone had taken his Arianna. And he’d ensure their suffering rivaled his own.
And he’d never leave again. To hell with the war. To hell with his country. The only thing he needed was sleeping right beside him.
Most knew Rion as a monster, but she’d seen another side. A Fae male, battle-hardened and isolated his entire life because of false prejudices written in an old book by elders who no longer lived.
“Dare I ask what prompted you to come here in the first place?” Rion stared after the creature’s retreating form. “Maybe I hoped the monsters would welcome one of their own.”
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.”
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.
“You’re not real.” Her brow creased. “You’re an ethereal dream come to torment me, granting every wish only to strip them away when I’m content. You’re the beautiful wave before it crashes over the shore, dragging everything out to an icy sea.” His voice lowered. “You’re my salvation and my damnation.”
“You wanted us—you wanted us strong? You lied to me about my mother because you wanted us strong?” She shoved the table across the room, rage and panic coursing through her body.
Some sins couldn’t be forgiven, but perhaps one day, with a little help, others would begin seeing her little brother in a different light. And if she could somehow fix this, then maybe she’d fix the stain on her own soul as well. Saoirse stood at his side, but she didn’t reach for him again, and they both watched the sun rise over the horizon, bathing the city in its golden light.
The very thought of him should disgust her, but no matter how hard she tried, no matter what she did, Arianna couldn’t bring herself to hate the male who’d stolen her heart.
“I killed our father.” His lips parted, searching for the lie in her words. Almost as if he hoped for it. “Why?” Saoirse shook off her tears. “Because I watched a father try to kill his son for no other reason than being different. Then I watched a nation rise against a child who’d done no wrong. A brother who, at ten years old, understood the need to protect his sister. And then I let him. Like a coward, I let that child suffer from pain and exile.”
Please. He begged whatever god might be listening. Please. Curse him, hate him, let his soul be devoured by the worst creatures imaginable. Just please don’t touch her.
“So, you are jealous,” Rion smirked. “Sorry to disappoint.” “The only disappointment is discovering I no longer want to.” And damn him, it sounded like he cared.
Her father. He hadn’t insisted she come to the meeting because this is what he’d been planning. He wanted Rion gone. Dead. She turned to him, growling so low and deep she didn’t recognize her own voice. And her father, her strong, courageous father, the male who’d declared her too weak to lead, yielded a step.
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.
“I love you, Rion. I will always love you, no matter what you’ve done.” She lowered her voice to a whisper. “You will never, never have to spend another day in this life alone. I won’t allow it.”
“No matter what you might think is best. Promise you’ll never leave.” “I promise. So long as you don’t order me away, I’ll stay by your side for the rest of my existence.”
“That Demon Arianna is protecting—” “Isn’t the one who killed your mate,” Talon finished.
“The shadows are gathering. I hope you’re prepared for another war.”
