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Rion smirked and Arianna wanted to die. “Be quiet,” she hissed, mortified. She couldn’t stomach looking at the audience seated on the stairs now.
Her sister smiled. “Then focus.”
Arianna refused to look at him again for the rest of the session. It wasn’t until Ellie declared them done for the day that Arianna finally glanced toward her mate. He was breathing hard, a sword in hand, and moved in a way that reminded her of the warriors from Brónach.
The earth moved with him, like it was breathing, rushing toward him and back out over and over.
He must have sensed her staring because when he turned toward her, a look of hunger filled his gaze.
Arianna all but dragged him back to their room.
Once showered and sated, Arianna headed toward the slave quarters. Though they’d been freed of their duties, many were skeptical anything would change. Some wondered if they should have traveled to Levea or whether the few that had were suffering a worse fate. Arianna tried to assure them their friends were fine and she promised to relay any messages once they received word.
Zylah was constantly on the move, organizing and preparing.
By nightfall, Arianna was in the library, studying by the light of the lanterns lining the walls, but it didn’t feel right, not after everything that had happened and all the work that still needed to be done. She should be helping Zylah.
Arianna rubbed her eyes and Rion slid the book from her hands. “You’re working too hard.”
“I’m not working hard enough.”
Rion offered her a gentle smile. “There will always be things to do, but they don’t need to be done this week or the next. You can take your time.”
“You just want me to yourself,” she teased.
“I want you to be free,” he said. “I want you to relax.”
Arianna looked away. “I’m not sure I’m afforded that luxury anymore.” At least not for a while. “But a walk might be nice.”
Rion pulled her to her feet and Arianna followed him down the stairs, through the halls, and out the garden doors. Night had fallen and the manor was largely empty aside from the souls who wandered the moonlit gardens.
They walked hand in hand and Arianna breathed in the crisp air. Winter was still trying to cling to the edges of spring, reluctant to be forgotten so soon.
Former slaves ambled about, no longer bound by curfew. Her heart warmed to watch their newfound freedom, knowing how relieving something so simple could be.
She’d eventually ensure they received proper education, too. Then they could pursue whatever path they wished to walk in life. It would never replace the time they’d lost, but at least they might fulfill some of their dreams. Make their mark on the world if they wished to.
The pair rounded a corner and found Zylah seated on a bench, scribbling furiously in a little book. The female’s hair fell around her face and Arianna wondered if she’d found purpose in her new task. Their reunion had been so brief. She hadn’t found time to ask the female how she’d been or how those in Levea were being treated. Whether her friend was happy.
Zylah glanced up and closed her book. She smiled at Arianna, opened her mouth, then closed it again upon spotting Rion at her side. Zylah glanced at their clasped hands and her brow furrowed.
“Hi,” Arianna said. “How are things going?”
Zylah’s nostrils flared and her gaze shifted to Rion again before she replied. “We’re making progress. Pádraigín’s Lord has been helpful, though I expect his efforts are only to impress you.” She sighed and glanced down at her notebook. “The Fae are already complaining there aren’t enough workers now that the slaves have been freed.” She twisted the pen in her hand.
“I have a meeting with the council in the morning. I’ll sort all the details and ensure everyone is treated fairly.” Zylah didn’t respond and the way she looked at Rion again had the hair on the back of Arianna’s neck standing on end.
“I spoke to former slaves in Levea,” Zylah said, but Arianna knew she wasn’t talking to her anymore. “They told me what you did. Many of them regard you as their savior.”
Rion shifted on his feet, clearly uncomfortable. “I am no such thing.” Arianna clutched his hand tighter.
Zylah lowered her gaze to her book again. “You liberated hundreds of slaves over the decades. You reunited families and pulled them from a life of torment.” She paused and Arianna’s heart clenched, knowing exactly what the female was going to ask next. “So why didn’t you help those in your war camp?”
The world stilled. Arianna’s instincts made her want to lash out and defend her mate, but memories gnawed at a festering wound she wasn’t sure would ever heal. A male who had cared for his fellow slaves, dead in an instant. The young who had resisted, gone without a sound. The many slaves who had been beaten, chained, and left to die. A hollow existence that left them forgotten.
Rion met Zylah’s eyes without flinching. “I could offer you a million reasons, but they’d all amount to little more than excuses.” Rion’s gaze drifted toward her and Arianna felt guilt trickle down the bond. “The truth is, I stopped caring.”
Zylah stopped spinning the pen in her hand. “Yet, you still ran slaves to the border. I don’t understand.” And she’d sit here until she got an answer, Arianna realized. She wanted to know what had been different, why she’d never been given the same chance as those who’d obtained their freedom.
