Her toes were as numb as her nose by the time they reached the inner gate and entered the courtyard. Karl opened the front door for her and spoke to the guards inside. Selene stamped out her boots, then headed toward her own room to change into warm, dry clothes.

“Lady Selene.”

Selene turned around and found Taegis approaching from one of the other hallways.

“Hello, Taegis. Karl and I just arrived from Baris Abbey.”

“Good. I was about to head out and escort you back.”

Selene began tugging at the tips of her gloves. “How is Lord Damien doing?” she asked, hoping Taegis would tell her more about what was truly ailing Damien.

Taegis stopped in front of her. “He is still in his room. But he should be better in a day or two.”

“I see. Thank you for letting me know.” Selene finished pulling off the gloves and turned just as Taegis called out again.

“My lady.”

Selene turned back.

Taegis opened his mouth, then closed it, then opened it again. “If I may say, you might be able to help him.”

“Help him?”

Taegis stepped closer. “Two years ago today Damien lost his brother and parents and became grand lord of House Maris.”

Selene stared down at her gloves. “I overheard the monks talking about it.”

“Forgive me for not telling you beforehand. Damien wishes to be left alone during this time. A dual loss and responsibility like that is a heavy burden. The people know he is grieving today, but it is more than sorrow. There is a hole inside of him he keeps hidden away from everyone.”

She lifted her head. “Everyone but you?”

“I’ve known Lord Damien since he was a little boy. There is very little he can hide from me.”

A hole inside of Damien. Selene recalled the hint of darkness she sensed within his luminous soul in his dreamscape. Was that the same hole Taegis spoke of? The loss of his family?

“I’m not sure what I can do.” She knew nothing of this kind of hurt or love. Still, that same powerful urge from the library swept over her again, the desire to comfort him. But how?

“Be with him. I’ve talked to Damien before, but I am his counselor and guard and can only do so much. Perhaps, as his wife, you can speak to his heart in ways I cannot.”

Speak to his heart? Selene almost laughed. Taegis knew nothing of her past. What did she know of speaking to someone in pain? She only knew how to hurt others and find their weaknesses in the dreamscape.

However, she had helped Damien during his fever when they first arrived at Northwind Castle. But he wasn’t sleeping at the moment. And neither of them had spoken of that night.

“Please, Lady Selene,” Taegis implored. She could see the love in the older man’s eyes for his lord, and it touched her heart. So many people loved Damien and cared about him. So different than the mountain people’s reaction to House Ravenwood.