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“Just a bit.”

She choked on a laugh and eyed the knives again. “Thank you, Talon. Truly, they mean a lot.”

“Yeah, yeah, now let’s get moving before you try to change your mind again, and we’ll pray you don’t ever have to use them.”

***

Niall hadn’t dressed down despite their destination. In fact, the pommels of his weapons were crested with jewels that sparkled in the rising sun. His boots were freshly polished, and his hair finely combed.

“Are you ready, my Lady?”

Arianna furrowed her brow at the carriage stationed in the center of the platform before her. “As long as I don’t have to ride in that.”

He stared at it, seeming confused by the remark. But he didn’t know how much she’d loathed the three day journey to Ruadhán. “Would you rather ride on horseback?”

“I would, actually.” She eyed the horses and their extravagant saddles. She couldn’t remember the last time she’d ridden. Well before her capture. She hoped she didn’t make a fool out of herself trying.

Niall quickly made the arrangements and a guard led a brown mare toward her moments later. The creature was strong and beautiful and gladly dipped her head for Arianna to stroke her muzzle.

They brought Talon one too, the horse as beautiful and black as the midnight sky. Talon offered Arianna a foothold so she could mount before he gracefully jumped onto his own.

Then the platform was moving, carrying them all into the clouds and down toward the ground in a steady fluid motion.

Arianna glanced up and noticed the figure that stood at the edge of the metal fence, the wind whipping at his red hair. Her heart lurched, hating the growing space between them. She gave a tentative wave and he returned it before clouds and mist hid him from view.

It’s just for today. They could handle that. Talon would watch over her, and Ellie would watch over Rion.

Niall led his horse to Arianna’s side and brushed a hand down the creature’s neck. “Your mate trusts your friend a great deal. Talon, wasn’t it?”

Arianna nodded, though she didn’t believe for one minute that Niall didn’t remember Talon’s name. He seemed to remember everything. “I trust him and that’s good enough.”

His gaze floated toward the horizon and Niall was silent for so long Arianna wasn’t sure he would speak again. She thought he might tell her about the village or give her some clue as to what they’d be walking into. Instead, his next words took her by surprise.

“Will there ever be a day you trust me like that?” She blanched. Trust him? She barely knew him. In fact, she was fairly certain he was at least somewhat responsible for what had happened the other night. Not to mention the way he kept antagonizing her mate. She was about to open her mouth to respond when he shook his head. “Forgive me, that was out of line.”

Arianna closed her mouth. She eyed Niall over her shoulder. “Trust is built over time.” His jaw feathered and she lowered her voice. “But maybe one day.”

When he didn’t offer anything more, Arianna said, “Tell me about the village.”

Niall ran a hand through his hair as if he were trying to collect himself. “They’ve suffered a great deal, but its residents are strong, so they’re recovering quickly.

“Before the war, the village was a central trading post. It was an obvious choice given the nearby river. Supplies were easily moved, merchants stopped by to rest and trade their wares, and their small community was flourishing into something more.

“Sadly though, Brónach and Móirín fought to dominate the territory, but Brónach’s forces were harsher and did irreversible damage. The merchants stopped coming and the villagers eventually refused Móirín’s aid for fear of the repercussions.”

“And Rion was part of those repercussions?”

He nodded, his face grave. “I hope you’ll forgive their animosity. They’ll likely smell him on you.”

She nodded, hoping she could contain herself, but Arianna wasn’t sure how she would handle it at all.

They followed a dirt path at an easy pace until the sun beat down on them from directly overhead.

The wind caressed her hair, pulling tendrils loose from her braid and Arianna tilted her head back, soaking in the warmth of the sun’s rays.

She was traveling to a village to help. She’d freed a group of slaves, was already making strides toward freeing many more, and now she was assisting the refugees.

Maybe the gods were finally smiling down on her. Perhaps all the hardships she had faced until now were the direct result of refusing her title. Perhaps the gods weren’t patient and her refusal to accept her role had angered them.