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Dim light filtered through the window, but the overcast sky made it impossible for her to tell whether it was dawn or dusk. Rain still pelted the glass and she wondered if it would ever cease. She missed the sunshine.

Arianna slid her hand away from Rion’s and carefully crawled from the bed.

He didn’t move. A first.

She padded across the wooden floor, limping from her injury, and cracked the door open to find another guard with a tray of food. Arianna silently thanked them and they handed her a note.

She studied it, remembering the last notes she’d received. But the Móirín warrior didn’t appear panicked and Arianna certainly didn’t want to risk rousing Rion with her own.

She nodded and slid back into the room, setting the tray on the bedside table before unfolding the note.

We’re meeting in the living room in an hour. There’s a lot to discuss. See you then.

Avalon

Arianna folded the paper and inclined her head to listen. She didn’t hear anyone outside and wondered if they’d vacated the house to give her and Rion some privacy.

No, not just her, his mother and Saoirse, too. She hoped the female was eating more than Rion had last night.

Arianna stretched and scanned the room. Rion still slept soundly on top of the tan sheets and blanket. A pair of small end tables stood on either side of the bed with a dresser directly across from it. She eyed the single picture frame depicting a black bear and wondered if it had reminded the caretaker of their own animal form or that of a lover’s. Perhaps neither.

Arianna crawled back into bed, but this time Rion stirred. His eyes cracked open and he blinked a few times before looking around as if struggling to remember where he was.

Then his gaze locked with hers and relief settled through him.

“It wasn’t a dream.”

She smiled, her heart filling with warmth at the site of his sleepy half-lidded stare. “It wasn’t a dream.”

Arianna’s eyes ran down his neck and chest, noting how thin he’d become. She placed a tentative hand over his heart and ran her fingers over the smooth skin. Rion stilled, watching her every move.

She wanted to touch every inch of him and let him do the same. Maybe then she could convince her mind he wasn’t something to be feared.

“We have a meeting in an hour.”

Rion sniffed then glanced toward the tray. He wiped a hand across his face before sitting up. “I’m afraid I’m all out of formal attire.”

She smirked. “Making jokes already?”

“It’s either that or wallow in misery, and I’ve had enough of that.”

Her smile faded. “Me, too.” Arianna reached for the tray and set it between them. She could have sworn Rion’s eyes lit up.

It was a simple breakfast. Scrambled eggs with toast, bacon, and a side of jam. He didn’t even hesitate before cramming a piece of bacon into his mouth.

“I’d eat slowly,” she cautioned.

He seemed to consider before taking a bite of the eggs. Rion’s brows scrunched. “What happened to the rug?”

Arianna followed his gaze to the bare wooden floor. “I had it burned, along with your clothes.” He raised a brow. “I’m not sure the stain would have come out anyway.”

He swallowed, though if he were embarrassed, he showed no signs of it. “What’s the meeting about?”

Arianna shrugged then showed him the note.

“Your father seems . . . different.”

She wouldn’t say different, but perhaps he was a bit more relaxed. Especially around Rion. Maybe someone had finally talked some sense into him. Or maybe he’d just had enough time to sort it all out himself.