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Overwhelming excitement washed through her. “Yes, yes of course.”

Niall’s gaze darkened and her heart plummeted when his gaze slid to Rion. “I’m afraid your companion won’t make for a welcome sight.”

Arianna opened her mouth to argue, ready to tell them Rion went wherever she went and she was tired of hearing otherwise, but she snapped her mouth shut.

Refugees. They were refugees from the war. Would they know her mate if they saw him? Scented him? She turned to meet Rion’s gaze, but her mate had turned away and guilt swam down the murky bond. He knew.

“Talon will come with us,” she declared, and to her surprise, Niall didn’t object. Maybe he was finally getting the hint that one of them would always be with her no matter what he wanted.

Niall motioned Gavin over. The male was strangely pale and refused to meet her gaze. Perhaps he’d had too much to drink as well and just needed a chance to recover. Considering his age, she was willing to bet older Fae had pressured him into drinking more than his body could tolerate.

Gavin unrolled a large map that covered the area surrounding Ruadhán, then placed a weight at each end to prevent it from curling back in on itself.

Arianna stood with Niall, leaning over the page to get a better look. She’d always been fascinated with maps and the landmarks on their pages. Someone long ago had traveled the entire area, marking each river and mountain with utmost precision. Even today, map makers scouted for ways to improve upon the designs and mark the ever-changing villages that popped up and vanished.

Niall pointed to a black dot just to the northeast and glanced over her shoulder to ensure Rion was watching. “We won’t be far.” He met her stare. “I wanted to be sure your mate knew where you’d be. Just in case.”

Arianna nodded and looked at the map again. “Thank you.” They wouldn’t be far at all, though it was hard to believe the war had stretched so far west.

Niall bowed. “Until tomorrow, then.”

“Until tomorrow,” she echoed.

Arianna left the room with a smile on her face, but Rion wasn’t smiling and why would he be? She was leaving Ruadhán and he wasn’t coming along. She would ensure Ellie remained close by, just to prevent anyone from trying to set him up again.

Of course, if he wanted, Rion could always accompany her to the outskirts of the village and wait for her there. Her face scrunched. Not that that would be a very good time for him.

Before she realized where they were going, Arianna found herself at the entrance to the hedge maze. Rion still hadn’t looked at her and her stomach plummeted. She knew he wouldn’t want her to go for a plethora of reasons, but had she overstepped? Was traveling with Niall and Talon going too far?

He walked onto the path and she followed, trying to decipher his emotions. They were more veiled than usual, which tended to happen when one of them was overly anxious or overwhelmed.

He wouldn’t even look at her.

Arianna bit her lip. Rion had promised not to hinder her, but maybe this was too far. She could always just help with the village below the city. They housed refugees there, too.

“Rion?” He didn’t respond and she touched his arm, jolting her mate from whatever dark thoughts had begun plaguing his mind. After last night, this was too soon. “I don’t have to go.”

He shook his head. “You want to.”

“I just want to help, but if it bothers you that much, I’ll just find some other way. Maybe I—”

“No,” he said. “It was going to come to this eventually.”

Her brow furrowed. “Come to what?”

Rion finally faced her. She studied the emotions swimming in his gaze, the way his jaw had tensed. He took her hand and kissed her fingers. “I know the village he’s taking you to.”

Oh. She waited for more and bit the inside of her cheek. “Is it dangerous?” But she already knew the answer, even as he shook his head.

“I did terrible things there.” His gaze wasn’t on her, nor was it on the hedges he stared at. "Such terrible things.”

Arianna pulled him close and drew his gaze back to hers. She tried offering him a reassuring smile. “It’ll be fine. They’re rebuilding. They have help."

Rion only shook his head. “Just send someone to tell me if you don’t want me in your room when you return.”

Chapter Forty-six

Arianna