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Arianna met Niall and the rest of their traveling companions just as the sun crested the horizon, bathing the sky in vibrant pinks and deep purples.

She still wasn’t certain about going. She wanted to help. Gods, she wanted to help more than anything, but the way Rion had cradled her against his chest and held her tighter than he’d ever done made her question everything.

The way his kiss had been so desperate and needful. The way his hands had lingered as if he wouldn’t be permitted to touch her again.

Arianna had seen the consequences of war. She knew firsthand the horrors many suffered. But something about this place rattled Rion to his core. She felt his shame and guilt as if it were her own. Her chest ached with raw emotion, but Rion wouldn’t let her change her mind. He had said she needed to go, needed to see the people she was supposed to rule.

Then he’d turned away and she had walked from the room with a heart so heavy she wondered how she managed to move at all.

She wanted Rion at her side. But he couldn’t be at her side for this, for the sake of those who’d suffered at his hands.

Rion had confessed his sins already. They’d walked that path. He’d told her he was responsible for countless deaths. But this would be the first time she’d lay witness to those things. And it terrified her mate beyond reason.

Talon met her at the edge of the platform, glancing past those who’d gathered to finish strapping supplies to the wagons. “Is he not seeing you off?”

Arianna chewed her lip and clutched her chest as if she could quell the ache there. “He wants to give me space, I think.” She hated this. Every second. Maybe it could all wait. There wasn’t a reason to rush. Niall had everything under control and—

“Come on, before you change your mind.”

She grimaced. “That obvious?”

“You might as well have a sign plastered to your head.” Silence, then Talon shifted a long pack from his shoulder and handed it to her.

She raised a brow. “Dumping your bags on me now?”

He chuckled. “Open it.” Arianna eyed him, then shifted the rolled leather bag. She pulled at the strings and slowly unrolled it, determined not to drop whatever lay inside.

“I’ve missed a few birthdays and Yule celebrations, and you never really had a mating ceremony, so I suppose I can lump them in with that as well.”

“This is—”

“I wasn’t sure when to give them to you, but since we’re traveling, today seemed as good as any.”

Arianna tentatively ran a hand over the silver scabbard encrusted with fine white and blue gems lining the whirling patterns etched into the metal.

A twin pair of perfectly crafted long knives.

“You’ve always been faster with the shorter blades.”

She opened her mouth to speak but words wouldn’t form. Arianna set the leather pack on the ground and slid one of the knives from its sheath.

It glided effortlessly and without sound. She wrapped her hand around the hilt and marveled at how well it fit. At the lightness of the blade.

“I don’t know what to say.”

Talon grinned broadly and cocked his head. “’Thank you’ would be a good start. They cost a fortune.”

“You didn’t have to—”

“Yes, I did, though your sister is probably going to skin me alive for giving you my present first. You can just pretend you like hers better, though we’ll both know the truth.” He winked, but Arianna’s throat was thick with unshed tears. “And no crying. Niall already dislikes me and I don’t need Rion thinking I’m over here bullying you.”

She gave a strangled laugh, wiped at her tears, and clutched the blades to her chest.

“You mean you don’t have a present to placate those two?”

Talon grimaced. “I’m pretty sure Niall owns at least half the city and gets anything he wants. As to Rion, I’m not sure we’re at the gift giving stage yet.”

“Too awkward?”