He had no doubt the words were meant for him. Without thinking, he reached for her hand. Tucked it against his chest, feeling that was where it should be. Her eyes went from their hands to his Markings. Perry’s heart slammed against his ribs. She had to feel it.

“Will you be the Tides’ Blood Lord?” she asked.

“I will.” His own words amazed him. He’d wanted to be Blood Lord for so long. He’d never have imagined it happening this way. But he knew in every part of him that he needed to go home and win the right to lead the Tides. They couldn’t spend the winter hungry, with infighting and people vying for Blood Lord. They’d need him. Then he remembered the Croven, camped in the plateau. Waiting for him. How would he get out of Marron’s before winter came?

Perry looked down at the small hand pressed against his skin. He knew where he had to go, but what about her? “Aria, what are you going to do?” Somehow, in asking the question, he felt like he was failing her.

“I’m going to Bliss. I need to find out if my mother is alive. Marron and I talked last night. When the Croven leave, he’s going to let me take some of his men. I can’t just wait for news that might not ever come.”

“Aria, I’ll take you. I have to go home. I can take you to Bliss first.”

Perry tensed. What had he just said? What had he just offered?

“No, Perry. Thank you, but no.”

“We had a deal. Allies, remember?” he heard himself say.

“Our deal was to come here and fix the Smarteye.”

“It was to find Talon and your mother. We haven’t done that yet.”

“Bliss is south, Perry.”

“It’s not far. Another week. Doesn’t matter. I’ll get you better shoes this time. And I’ll carry your rocks for you. I’ll even answer all your questions.”

Perry didn’t know what he had just done. Where was the wisdom in heading a week out of the way when his tribe needed him? There was no sense in it, and recognizing that, his blood went cold.

“Will you answer a question now?” Aria asked.

“Yes.” He suddenly couldn’t keep still. He had to leave. He needed to think.

“Why did you really offer to take me to Bliss?”

“I want to,” he said. Even as he spoke, he wasn’t sure if he’d told the truth. It hadn’t felt like a want. It felt more like a need.