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Niall’s smile widened. “It’s my job to always look nice, otherwise I’d be the laughing stock of Ruadhán.”

“You’ve been here a long time.” She already knew that, but Arianna wasn’t sure how else to fill the silence. They’d already spoken about the decor and food and he’d listed off the names to every noble. Names she quickly forgot.

He nodded. “I also came on and off as a child, so I already knew most of the council members before moving here.”

“It doesn’t sound like you got to stay home much.”

He shook his head. “I didn’t, and I resented my father for a long time because of it, but he showed me the continent and I’ve come to appreciate it as an adult.” He voice lowered to a whisper. “But now that you’re here, I have little desire for travel.”

She looked away, trying to ignore the subtle meaning in his tone. “I don’t understand how everyone can just accept who I am. No one even knows me.”

“They trust the gods and their decisions. They don’t need to know you.”

“But what do they expect me to do? What does bringing peace actually mean?”

“I believe,” he said, “that’s something only you can know, otherwise we would have done it centuries ago.” He offered her another smile. “But we’re at a party, why dwell on such things?”

“Because it’s stressful.”

“We don’t expect a miracle.” He grinned, seeming amused by her frazzled state. “Fae live very, very long lives. We have plenty of time.”

She loosed a breath. She often forgot that part, especially when she’d spent every day of the last two years fighting for her life. “Then what do they expect from me first?” She didn’t want to disappoint them, and the way they all kept looking at her told Arianna they expected great things.

“How about I just tell you to live?”

“Live?”

He grinned again. “You’re so young. Live your life. Experience that life through the eyes of others. Convince those in doubt that you are good at heart and simply wish for their happiness.”

Talon cleared his throat and Arianna almost jumped out of her skin. “Save a dance for me?” Arianna breathed a sigh of relief. Niall clenched his jaw, clearly unhappy with the interruption, but offered Talon a slight nod of his head and Arianna’s hand before excusing himself.

Talon pulled her across the floor and she fell into easy steps with him. “You looked like you needed saving,” Talon said.

Arianna ensured Niall was out of hearing range. “Thanks for that, he can be a bit . . .”

“Intense?” Talon offered. She nodded. “I hear nothing but good things about him from the guards.” He shook his head. “It almost seems like they worship him already.”

“That makes sense though, right? I mean, he’s been here for five hundred years and he’s supposed to be the king one day.”

Talon was silent for a moment and a revelation seemed to wash through him. She watched his face pale and brows furrow. His heart rate spiked, then he seemed to collect himself again. But the action was strained and the smile that he tried to muster didn’t quite reach his eyes.

“What is it?” she asked.

Talon shook his head and tried to take a calming breath. “The one you choose to marry will be the king. Your mate.” Arianna’s lips parted. “Niall doesn’t automatically get the title because of the prophecy. The decision is yours.”

“What are you saying?”

“Niall’s position is threatened, and I think he’ll do anything to ensure he gets the title he’s worked centuries to obtain.”

Arianna swallowed hard. She hadn’t really thought it through and it seemed so stupid now. Niall had proposed a fake marriage to unify the country, but if she ultimately decided she didn’t want to rule with him at her side. If she married Rion—

Gods, she’d already told Niall she didn’t want to marry him. She had outright refused, which meant Rion was an obstacle in his path. Maybe all his kind words had only been to placate and win her over. What if he tried—she spun suddenly, searching the crowd for those familiar green eyes, but Rion was nowhere to be found.

Chapter Forty-four

Rion

Rion finally loosed a sigh of relief when Talon cut in for a dance. He wished he could have done it himself and he cursed all the years he’d neglected to learn the art of dancing. He swore that by Arianna’s coronation, he’d know every one. Even if he had to deal with Talon’s hands on her for a while longer.