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“Why?” Rion demanded.
The male lifted his head slightly, his gaze darting to her and back to Rion. “Because she’s The Divine and it isn’t my place to question the queen.”
Arianna placed a gentle hand on Rion’s chest and her mate visibly relaxed. “I’d love to see the library, if you have the time.”
The male beamed, even if his gaze remained cautious. “O-Of course, please follow me.”
Rion’s magic didn’t stop moving around them and the male kept a healthy distance. He offered her a sheepish smile. “I’m Gavin, by the way.” His gaze flicked toward Rion, trying to gauge his reactions. Submissive, almost . . . childish.
“How old are you?”
“Seventeen.”
Rion’s magic relaxed at that. “The Regent sent a child to spy on us?”
“I resent that,” he said, then quickly stepped back as if he’d forgotten the threat that stood before him.
“Rion isn’t going to hurt you.”
“Unless you hurt her,” Rion added.
“Hurt her? She’s the queen,” he said, as if that was reason enough. “To even be talking to you,” his face turned red, “gods, I didn’t even bow properly, I’m sorry, I—”
“Don’t,” Arianna said when he made to drop to one knee. She glanced around, glad to find the hall empty. “Please, I’m not really used to the whole queen thing yet.”
The male smiled and for some reason she knew he wasn’t a threat. She couldn’t explain it. Maybe it was the childlike mirth in his eyes or the fact that they were basically the same age.
“How long have you been here?” she asked, taking a few steps down the hall.
Gavin jumped forward to lead the way. “A year. I mostly function as Lord Niall’s assistant. I keep track of the paperwork and take notes at the meetings.”
“The council meetings?”
“Yes, I’ll be the one leading you there in the morning. As long as you want to go; Niall made sure to stress that you’re free to decide if you’re not ready. I mean, of course you’re ready, I just mean to say he doesn’t want you to feel—"
Arianna held up her hand and he quieted. “I’ll be there and I appreciate your help.” Silence settled over them as they continued, but the way the male kept wringing his hands together told Arianna he was brimming with questions and curiosity.
“What do you do when you’re not working?” she asked to break the silence.
“I read. The library is my second home, but I guess it’ll be yours too, with all the studying you have to do.” He grimaced. “Sorry, I just overheard the council talking. I didn’t mean to insinuate—”
“It’s okay. It’s actually refreshing to have someone talk to me like I’m a real person instead of,” she paused.
“A queen.”
“Yeah.”
He loosed a sigh of relief. “Well, just make sure to tell me if I do anything to offend.” His gaze darted to Rion. “Preferably before you resort to violence. I swear if I do something, I don’t mean it.” He scratched the back of his head. “What’s your name?”
Rion’s brow rose and her mate actually looked a bit taken back by Gavin’s sincerity.
“Rion.”
The male slapped his forehead. “Right, of Brónach. I knew that.” He grimaced again. “They keep threatening to send me back to Pádraigín if I don’t get my facts memorized.”
“Why is someone so young the Regent’s assistant?”
“We’re related. They’re all about family bloodlines in Pádraigín and I’m the only remaining living nephew.” He grimaced at her sympathetic expression. “Don’t worry, I never knew my older siblings. They passed long before I was born.” He cleared his throat. “Lord Niall actually wanted my sister, but she was blessed with a little one recently and refused to leave the child. He wasn’t happy when I first arrived, but I think I’m growing on him.”
