Selene ignored the surly guard. But on the inside, she felt the shaft of his words burrow deep. She did not belong. A chilling numbness spread over her, stealing away the verbal barb until she felt nothing at all. This was where she was safe. Where nothing could touch her heart.

Cohen turned his attention toward her. “Good morning, Lady Selene.”

“Good morning.” Her voice came across as crisp and cool.

Cohen frowned and studied her until Damien and Taegis walked over.

“I was able to secure six horses,” Taegis said with a smile. “That means we should be able to make it to Rone in half the time.”

“That’s great news,” Cohen said.

“I agree. Thank you, Taegis,” Damien said.

“I also was able to obtain enough supplies to see us to Rone. If we start now, we should be there by early evening tomorrow.”

Damien nodded as he rubbed his chin. “And after that, almost a week to reach Nor Esen.”

“As long as we don’t run into any trouble,” Sten replied.

“Or bad weather,” Karl said ominously.

Selene remained silent, watching the exchange between the men. There was a tightness in her chest. Rone. Nor Esen. These were unfamiliar places to her. While the men were excited to reach home, those names only reminded her that she had left her home, land, and all she knew behind.

But I am alive. That, at least, is worth it.

3

Amara stood in the back of the audience chamber of Rook Castle, the cowl of her cloak pulled over her head, hiding her face from those present. Captain Stanton and his men knelt before the obsidian throne, heads bowed, waiting for her mother to speak. Sunlight poured in along the high windows, but the light brought neither warmth nor comfort.

Lady Ragna placed her hand on one of the stone ravens that flanked the throne and gazed out over the men. Her hair was pulled over her shoulder and her gown followed her curves. She raised her dark eyes and spoke. “House Maris has taken my daughter and fled. Lady Selene must be brought back at all costs.”

Captain Stanton glanced up. “And what if the water-wall has been raised between our lands?”

“See if there is a weakness or a place where you can cross. They are over two days ahead. If you can cross, you can reach them before Lord Maris makes his way back to Nor Esen.”

“And what do we do if we catch up to Lord Maris?”

She narrowed her eyes. “Whatever you must to get Lady Selene back.”

“Anything?”

“He has broken faith with our house and our people.”

Captain Stanton bowed in acknowledgment. “And if we can’t cross?”

“Then set up a patrol along the entire Hyr River. Lord Damien is young and inexperienced. He can’t keep the wall up forever. The moment it comes down, send a message by raven.”

Captain Stanton pressed a fist to his chest and stood. His men stood with him. “Yes, my lady.” He shouted out a command, and the men turned around and started for the double doors in the back. Amara stepped deeper into the shadows and watched from beneath the hood of her cloak as the men departed.