She turned and glanced at herself in the mirror, her heart thumping. That was good, right? She had hoped someday that the man she married would be someone she respected and loved. Perhaps her hope was coming true.

So what was next?

The room suddenly grew hot. Selene tugged at the edge of her tunic above her collarbone as her face flushed. Their marriage was still in name only. Was she ready for more?

“I will never do anything without asking you first.” Damien’s words came back to her from that morning when he first kissed her.

She stared directly at her image and dropped her hands to her sides. “Do you want this marriage or not?” Her lips moved with her words in the reflection. “There is no place for fear, remember?”

She would keep telling herself that. Besides, what did she have to be afraid of, other than the unknown? Sure, there was the chance that Damien might prove to be a different man than she thought he was, but she was almost certain she knew him. After all, she had walked in his dreams and seen his soul.

The new year was almost here. Selene lifted her chin and stared herself straight in the eye. She could make it a new start to their marriage as well.

Remember, no fear.

After she finished dressing, she stepped out of her room, surprised to see Sten standing guard at her door. Selene had only seen the older guard in passing since their arrival at Northwind Castle. He must have been the one she had heard humming out in the hallway.

“Sten, it’s good to see you.”

“My lady,” he said with a bow.

As they walked to the training room, Selene asked, “What can you tell me about the Festival of Light? I’ve never heard of it until now.”

Sten smiled. “Ah yes, our Festival of Light. It is a time when the people of the Northern Shores come together and remember hope and light. And eat good food.” He winked at Selene. “It is also customary to give gifts.”

“Give gifts?”

“Aye. When I was young, every year my mother would craft mittens for me and my brothers from rabbit fur. They were the softest gloves I’ve ever worn.”

“And what do you do now for gifts?”

“If I’m not on duty, I spend the day with my brothers and their families and usually bring something I’ve whittled from wood. Gifts given during the Festival of Light are to come from the heart, from one person to another.”

“I see.” She wrinkled her brow in thought.

“Along with the gifts, the monks from Baris Abbey visit Nor Esen and bring their own kind of special gift.”

“What is it?”

Sten smiled again. “You’ll see. I don’t want to spoil it for you.”

Puzzled, she made her way into the training room. Sten whistled a tune as he headed back down the hall.

Her mind turned back to Sten’s comment about gifts. What kind of gifts did people give each other? He said they were heartfelt. Did Damien plan on giving her a gift? She had nothing to give to him, nothing in her possession that could be offered as a gift. And even if she did, what could she give that came from her heart?