She went pale, realizing the reason why it had taken so long for Kell to find her was not because he had waited but because the message had not gone through him first. And he'd had to advocate for her, to explain she was not a harm. He'd had to convince them.

Her fingers tightened on his. She thought of the guard and his blade and wondered how quickly he could have cut her down if he'd really felt she was a danger.

(Worse, how quickly she could have cut him down to keep herself safe.)

Neria held his gaze for a long moment. And then, softly, she asked, "When would you like for me to see them?" If Kell had fought for her, for her safety and their privacy, then she would fight just as hard to convince them she meant no harm and would do her best to return. She'd need to find ways to ensure Asora could not leak over into Arnes.

But then, she might have to close the door on Kell's world forever, and truly never see him again.