A QoS (set just before Chaol’s meeting with Arobynn Hamel) fanfic. Focused on Riona and Chaol, though the pairing is Riona/Dorian. @icedriven
Riona laid in her bed, bound to the place she and Chaol were hiding in. Her silk sheets that she’d had in the castle were gone, replaced by scratchy fabrics. She supposed that it was all they could get. They were lucky to have a place to stay at all. Chaol insisted that she stay in the building as much as possible, saying that it was for the faerie’s safety. She knew that was what he wholeheartedly believed; he would do absolutely anything to keep her safe and reunite her and Dorian.
But she felt so useless. She hated being cooped up; she hated that she’d never been trained to fight, not the way Rowan had. Her elder brother was a great warrior, and Riona knew that even without his magic, he’d make a formidable opponent. She had been trained as a scout, a protector, and a healer. She knew how to defend herself, and her Fae senses would give her an advantage, but it was nothing against these Valg guards that roamed the streets, not to mention they would flock to her immediately with the stench of magic she gave off.
The most she could do is make stars imbued with protection spells. She made Chaol, Nesryn, and all of Chaol’s men at the castle carry one at all times, and she had them in place at every entrance to her and Chaol’s hideaway. She was glad it was a two bedroom place, because she often cried herself to sleep, feeling the Valg trying to eat at Dorian through her mate bond with the prince, and she knew that Chaol would be even more miserable if he knew just how little she slept.
She was both grateful and angry with her mate bond. She was grateful, because it allowed her to cling to the knowledge that Dorian wasn’t yet gone. She knew that he was still in there, still fighting. But she also felt the darkness from the Valg, and that killed her. She knew that Dorian would be permanently scarred from this encounter, should she and Chaol find a way to save him.
She often tried to reach out to Dorian. She knew it generally only worked with two full Faes, to be able to really connect and communicate with their mate through the bond, but she had to try. It never worked, and it often left her feeling drained.
It was soon after her latest attempt that Chaol appeared, leaning in her doorway.
“You know, Dorian won’t be very happy if you drain so much energy that you’re dead when he comes back.”
“I have to do something, Chaol. You at least get to patrol, save people. I’m stuck here. If only I had my Fae form. I could do some scouting for us, then.”
Chaol sat on the bed next to her. “Come with me tonight. I’m meeting someone, and something tells me that he’ll respond better if there’s a beautiful woman on my arm.”
Her lips quirked up, just a little. “So you took notes when Dorian was charming the ladies?”
Chaol gave her a smirk. “Perhaps.”
She shoved his shoulder. “Ass.”
“Put on a nice dress, but wear a hood. We don’t want anyone to recognize you, and you were at court for so long that someone would if we’re not careful.”
“Okay. Thank you, Chaol.”
“Dorian won’t forgive me if you’re miserable when he comes back. It’s the least I can do.”
Riona looked at him, right in the eyes, emerald meeting bronze. “You really think we’re going to get him back, Chaol? It’s been months. Yes, he’s in there, but how much of him will have survived? If we get the Valg out, he’s going to have to live with the things the darkness did to his mind, did with his body.”
Riona wanted to believe everything that this man was saying. Chaol was Dorian’s best friend, and had been for at least ten years. He knew Dorian better than she ever would. But she knew what the darkness did better than Chaol. Chaol could barely remember what it was like to live in a world with magic. She was centuries older, and had lived with magic for much longer. She knew the price Dorian would pay, even if they freed him.
Chaol then got down on his knees, and he took her hand. “Dorian has always been the most important person in my life. He is my brother in soul. And for you, for me, I will save Dorian. And we will help him recover from this. We will dispel the darkness.”
Riona squeezed his hand. “Thank you, Chaol,” she whispered, tears welling up and rolling down her cheeks. “I would drive myself insane if it weren’t for you.”
“Dorian would have made you his Queen. Will make you his Queen,” he corrected. “That makes you family. I will protect and serve you just as I did him.” He wiped away her tears gently.
“And who’s protecting you, Chaol?” She caught his hand, holding it against her cheek.
“You are,” he answered strongly. “With your stars. Nesryn is on the streets. Now, get ready. We can’t be late.” He stood up and walked to the door.
“You’re a good man, Chaol Westfall.”
He gave her a sad smile, and then she was alone once more.