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Guilt washed through her. Had she forced him here?
“I’m happy as long as you’re happy.”
Arianna tilted her face to look at him. “If you don’t want to be here, you can tell me. Gods, Rion,” she shook her head, “I’ve been so focused on everything else that I didn’t stop to consid—”
Rion pulled her toward him and pressed an achingly gentle kiss to her lips, but before she could deepen it, he leaned back. “I want to be wherever you are. No matter where that takes us.”
Arianna smiled softly. “I know, but you should get a say in where that place is.”
His gaze turned serious. “I will never hinder you. If you feel you’re needed here, then I’m here. If you want to run back to Móirín, I’d make it happen.” He swallowed. “And if you ever decide you want to leave this continent altogether, I’ll make sure we’re never found.”
Arianna tapped his nose. “I think this mating bond has gone to your head.”
He took her hand and pressed a lingering kiss to the inside of her wrist before putting it against his face. A movement he wouldn’t have done with anyone months ago. She trailed her palm down his neck and stopped over his heart.
“You don’t understand.” His voice was thick with emotion. “I never thought I’d have something like this. I never thought I’d get the chance to feel this way about anyone or have them feel anything for me in return. I’d walk through fire and sell my soul to keep it even if it were only for a few seconds more.”
Hot tears pricked the corners of her eyes. She recalled the horrid memories he’d shared the night the bond had presented itself. A father and teacher who tried to murder him. A lover—she growled, unable to stop the reaction, and Rion’s magic flew up to surround them.
“What’s wrong?”
She shook her head. “I was just thinking.”
“About what?”
“The ones who hurt you.” She clenched her fists. “I hate them so much.”
He closed his eyes and pressed his forehead to hers. His fingers trailed along her spine, tracing the scars through the fabric of her shirt. “I know.”
A comfortable silence filled the space and they stood in one another’s arms for a long while. She studied the shadows among the hedges, swearing some moved of their own accord, but whenever she tried to look closer, they returned to their normal state.
Guards patrolled below, some looking up to glance at the pair before turning away. Animals tried to blend in with the natural surroundings, but Arianna knew the prowling creatures were more than they appeared.
Rion caressed her hair and grief suddenly flowed down the bond so heavy it had her gasping. Arianna tilted her head to look at him again.
“What’s wrong?”
His fingers flexed. “I wish I could have seen her,” he said, his voice whisper quiet.
“Who—” she started then stopped herself. His mother. A female who’d disappeared from their lives without rhyme or reason. A female they’d presumed dead.
Arianna had lost her mother too, but she couldn’t fathom the pain of never knowing. To wonder every day if she were in trouble, if she’d abandoned them, or if her body lay in an unmarked grave.
“Was there ever a hint about what might have happened to her?” Arianna studied his emotions down the bond carefully. She didn’t want to upset him too much, but if he wanted to talk she was ready to listen.
Rion shook his head. “None. Despite what my father did, I know he loved my mother. I understand the bond now, so I can honestly say he exhausted every possible avenue to find her.”
And he’d failed.
“I’m sorry,” she said. “I didn’t know what Niall would show me.”
A slight smile crossed his face. “You apologize too much for things that aren’t your fault.”
She rested her head against his shoulder again, feeling the ache in his heart within her own. Why had Niall chosen that particular memory? He could have shown her anything and yet he’d chosen something that would strike out against her mate. Arianna knew it wasn’t a coincidence.
Niall seemed genuine, but that one moment revealed more about his character than he probably realized. He was just another person on a long list who wanted Rion out of her life.
Arianna clenched her teeth. If he tried to provoke her mate again, she’d address it with him directly.
