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“Good, very good.” Niall took the papers and waved over a female Arianna had never seen before. She bowed low, careful not to meet Arianna’s gaze. “Be sure these get where they need to go.”
“Yes, my lord.” The female snatched the papers and ran off. Arianna watched her, curious.
“She was never a slave,” Niall said, breaking the silence. “She’s been an assistant of mine for many years. She’s quiet but does her job so well I could never hope to replace her.”
Arianna glanced at the door where the female had disappeared. “But she’s a pure blood.”
“And comes from a line without magic. Many think it’s a consequence to breeding with humans, though her family claims their lineage is pure. She’s an outcast, so I brought her here.” Niall’s gaze softened. “I want to apologize. It was never our intention to place such a huge burden on your shoulders. We wanted to give you time to adjust to your new home, but I must admit, I am glad to see you taking such a serious interest in the welfare of your country.”
“I made promises,” she said. “I intend to keep them.”
He looked toward the sky again. “It’s rare to find a Fae that’s so pure in her intentions and words. So many like to weave their own agendas into the mix.”
“Do you?” Arianna asked.
“Of course. How else do you think I’ve maintained order? One must not always tell whole truths when speaking to the Fae if one wants to accomplish their goals. I sincerely hope you never have to learn that.”
She tilted her head, feeling bolder with him by the day. “Do you do that with me?”
“You’re quite forward.” She waited and he finally said, “I will strive to tell you the truth in anything you ask of me.”
Well, that was about as Fae of an answer as she’d ever get. “Okay.”
They stood in silence for a time and Arianna was just about to wander back to her room when Niall said, “I’ve been meaning to ask you a question involving a potentially sensitive subject. Would now be an appropriate time?” Unsure what to do with herself, Arianna only nodded.
“Your father appointed Lady Evelyn as Levea’s next High Lady. Why is that?”
“Has she heard you call her that?”
Niall smirked. “She demanded I call her by her full name, as only her friends are permitted to refer to her as Ellie.” Of course she had.
Niall waited and Arianna summoned her courage. Ellie had made her look strong in front of the council and Arianna had made a stand against them where the slaves were concerned. But her stripped title as heir was still a wound that refused to heal.
“My father thought I was too weak to handle it.”
“Physically or mentally?”
“Both?”
“You’re unsure?”
She sighed. “I think—I’m relearning myself. Sometimes I think the person I used to be might have died in those chains.” She glanced at her wrists. “That my years spent in iron changed me.”
“Tragedy changes most. Some for better, others for worse.”
“How do you know which is which?”
He paused to think. “You have several who care for you. I’d say that speaks volumes. You are brilliant and have such a fire in your soul to correct the unjust things of our world. It could be for that very reason that the gods blessed you as The Divine.”
“You think the gods guide me?”
He nodded. “Many do.”
One could only hope.
It was her turn to ask a difficult question. “Why didn’t Ruadhán intervene during the war?”
Niall didn’t respond at first. “Walk with me?” She followed him down the garden path and Rion remained close. He never spoke much around Niall, but she supposed if someone desired her mate, she wouldn’t be inclined to speak to them either.
