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Talon’s magic burst from his body, coating the floor in a thick layer of hoarfrost. It crawled up the male’s leg and steam rose from the male’s body as he desperately tried to fight against the bitter cold.
Fear shown in the male’s gaze and Talon threw him to the ground, disappointment flooding through him at the male’s weakness. Aiden moved to clamp the shackles around his wrists and tightened the chains.
“I’ll give you an hour to reconsider. When I come back, we’re moving on to different methods.”
The male didn’t look at him or bite back. He simply lay on the floor, the other side of his lip busted, and shivered from the cold surrounding his shirtless form.
Aiden followed Talon out of the cell and locked the door behind them. “Do you want to talk about it?” his second asked, not for the first time that week.
Talon ignored the question. “Have the troops arrived?”
“The last of them were set to file in early this morning. They tell us there’s been more attacks close to home and they’re ready to march again at your command.”
“Tell them to stand by.”
More attacks. More to defend. Rumors were spreading about Arianna being The Divine and not everyone was happy about it.
Talon stomped up the stairs, passing cell after cell. Most cowered away, but there were an arrogant few who strayed too close, some even leaning against the bars, hoping Talon might carelessly stumble within their reach. He knew they’d snap his neck without a second thought.
The brisk morning air met his sweat covered face and Talon took a deep breath, letting the soft breeze chase away the dampness in his lungs. He spent too much time beneath the ground. He wanted to soar through the air, feel the wind beneath his wings, but he couldn’t stop until he had answers.
Talon marched straight for the warriors’ barracks, washed his hands and face, changed his clothes, then headed for the manor.
Ellie was waiting for him.
Again.
She’d sat in the same place all week, asking the same question whenever he emerged from the dungeons.
“He hasn’t talked.”
She bristled, anger rising from her. Talon knew she wanted vengeance just as much as he did. “Maybe you should let me in there with him.”
“Absolutely not. Your father would have my head.”
“Yeah, well, he doesn’t have to know, does he?” She eyed him as he came to stand beside her, gazing out at the falls. “You’re both so edgy lately.”
Talon didn’t respond; instead, he glanced toward her wounds, noting her missing bandages. “You’ve healed nicely.” He remembered her extensive injuries and the worry that had plagued them all as they wondered whether she’d make it.
“Arianna healed the rest of them yesterday. She’d heal your wounds, too, if you went and saw her.”
She would, but seeing her meant also seeing—Talon felt anger rise in him like a white hot flame. What was wrong with him? It wasn’t as though he had a right to Arianna. She wasn’t his. She didn’t belong to anyone. Yet some stupid instinctual part of him thought that maybe if he’d finished that Demon off on the battlefield . . .
Ellie cleared her throat. “You know, you don’t have to hide it from me. I’ve known how you felt about her since we were kids.” She leaned against the rail beside him. “I know you go down to that cell every morning to blow off steam.”
Was it jealousy? Is that what fueled his rage?
Ellie tapped her finger and tried again. “I saw more warriors arrive this morning. Is that the last of them?”
Talon finally nodded. “Their stay home might not be as long as they’d like. Many are celebrating The Divine, but it seems just as many are raging about her being a fake.”
“A simply flick of her wrist will prove them wrong.”
“Even if we wanted, we couldn’t take her out into the open. Not with the reports I’ve heard. They’ve killed females just for looking like her.”
“Don’t tell Arianna that.” She sighed. “How do we quell the hostility?”
Talon shrugged. “I don’t know yet.”
