That same gentleness spread from his mouth to his eyes. “Because I will never do anything without asking you first.”

Was he saying he would wait if she said no? But did she want to say no? Eventually, if her desire was for this marriage to flourish, she would need to say yes.

She curled her fingers beneath her palms. She wouldn’t do that to him. He had committed himself to her. She would not let fear rule her or her relationships.

Selene worked her jaw and lifted her chin. He stared back with such conviction that she felt like she could draw on that alone for strength. If there was someone with whom she could be vulnerable, could open up her innermost heart, who already knew her and still wanted to remain by her side despite her past, it was him. “Yes,” she said quietly. “You may kiss me.”

His eyes darkened further as he reached up and lightly brushed her cheek with his fingers. His touch sent tingles across her face and down her neck. Then he leaned in, slowly. She felt his breath across her lips and inhaled the earthy scent of tea.

His lips touched hers.

A torrent of feelings flooded her body, filling her with heat. His mouth lingered only for a moment before he pulled back, but it felt longer. And she wanted more. It was as if he had opened up a secret door inside her heart, one she had closed away, never letting anyone close. Until now.

“Thank you.”

Selene blinked, and Damien’s face came into focus. “What for?”

“For your kiss.” He leaned away, a grin on his face as he turned his attention back to the fireplace.

A bold spirit enveloped Selene. She smiled shyly and reached out her fingers, brushing the top of his knuckles. “I liked it.”

His head snapped around. “You did?”

She grinned back. “Yes.”

It was Damien’s turn to look as if the rug had been pulled out from beneath him as he stared at her with his mouth open. She brushed his hand again, almost laughing. It was odd, and yet thrilling, to know she could make him look as stunned as she had felt moments ago.

He leaned back toward her. “Then may I do it again?”

Selene smiled as the fire danced across the logs and snow fell outside the windows. “Yes.”

25

Damien couldn’t stop thinking about Selene as he stood inside the massive hall inside Brightforest Citadel days later. The way she had looked sitting beside him in front of the fireplace, the way she smiled as they shared the toasted bread and tea, the way her lips felt when he kissed her the first time. And his surprise when she kissed him again. His whole body warmed at the memory, driving away the chill.

And yet, he couldn’t dismiss the fact that he still wasn’t sure about the extent of her power. That same morning, a dozen servants and guards were found collapsed across the castle. Healer Sildaern had been able to revive them, but what were the chances this happened at the same time Selene was experiencing a nightmare and had called out to him?