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The thought of being queen terrified her. There were so many ways she could mess up. So much that could go wrong. And she’d have to deal with the political agendas of the High Lords within each country. She’d witnessed her father dealing with their advisors on occasion. It looked like a nightmare.

Arianna flexed her toes and wiped at her eyes. She would have loved to stay longer, but her magic had given out and her body wasn’t far behind. The last thing she wanted was to burden Eoghan further.

She stood. Her balance left her, but Eoghan was at her side before gravity could pull her down. She was so, so tired. Maybe she could lie beneath a tree for a bit, just to gather her strength. She had Eoghan to look after her.

“I could carry you,” he offered.

“I wouldn’t want to trouble you.”

“No, please,” he knelt, “let me help you for once.”

Awkwardly, Arianna climbed onto his back and Eoghan wrapped his hands beneath her knees. He stood with ease, as if the weight of her body was nothing, and began the slow trek back toward the cabin.

Arianna let her eyes drift shut, the rhythm of his breathing and gait lulling her into those blissful moments before sleep. Then his body went rigid, and she jolted awake at the scent of his fear. Her head shot up, but her magic was spent, even in the face of an unknown threat.

Rion stood in the path before them. A beautiful, deadly creature with earth circling his body in agitated spirals. Her heart slowed as relief washed through her.

“Put. Her. Down.”

Eoghan bowed his head and knelt, but Arianna barely had the strength to stand. Particles of sand wrapped around her trembling body and Rion was at her side a second later, hands and eyes searching for a wound, blood, anything that might explain her weakened state.

She pressed her body into his, relishing in his scent and the heat radiating from him.

“I’m okay.”

“What’s wrong?”

“I’m okay,” she repeated.

“Lady Arianna overused her magic and—”

Rion growled at him, low and cruel, but Arianna drew his attention back to her. “I just need rest. Don’t punish him.” Her eyes were so heavy. She just needed to lie down for a while. A few hours and she’d be fine. But if she did, would Rion hurt Eoghan? Kill him?

Arianna reached for Rion’s arm and his earth lightly wrapped around her hand. “Please,” she whispered. “He’s not at fault for anything.”

Rion huffed then picked her up in his arms like he’d done when she was sick. Arianna curled into his chest but kept her hands to herself. He’d promised when he returned, but she wanted to be awake for it. She wanted to cherish each and every moment.

RION THOUGHT he knew pain when he’d scented her blood in the cabin. He thought he knew pain when the assassination leader put a knife to her throat but seeing her so weak fractured something in the core of his being. He couldn’t fix this, whatever was wrong with her.

Rion had growled at anyone in his path, far too many for his liking. They were all staring at Arianna, whispering amongst themselves.

Divine. Savior.

He’d only been gone five days, running as fast as his body would carry him to get back. What had she done in his absence to garner so much attention?

Once inside, he laid her on the bed, lit a fire, and curled up next to her. She needed rest and despite the worry plaguing him, he’d let her have it.

Rion shifted her hair and pulled the blanket over her freezing body. At this point, he’d give her anything. No matter what it cost him.

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.

Chapter Twenty-Four

Arianna

When her eyes fluttered open, Arianna’s breath hitched at the sight of Rion’s face mere inches from her own. His lips parted, his heart rate spiked, and the way his green eyes sparked had her half wondering if she was still dreaming.