Arianna spent the hours before dawn unable to sleep, her mind spinning through scenarios and contingencies. Through the bond, she could feel Duncan's restless energy mirroring her own—he wasn't sleeping either, though he was trying to shield her from the worst of his anxiety.

*You don't have to hide what you're feeling,* she sent through the bond. *I can sense it anyway.*

*Force of habit,* came his reply. *Kings aren't supposed to show weakness, even to their mates.*

*Good thing I'm not one of your subjects then.*

She felt his amusement, followed by a wave of affection so strong it made her breath catch. The mate bond was still new,...