“Lord Damien awaits your presence in the audience hall.”

Selene dipped her head. “Thank you.”

She gathered the thick folds of her burgundy gown and headed down the hallway. The buzz of conversation filled the corridors, interspersed with laughter. Candlelight twinkled everywhere she looked. Garlands made of pine branches and pine cones were draped across mantels, doorways, and banisters.

It was all so different from her life back at Rook Castle. Winter was the darkest month, and not only because of the shorter days. It always felt cold and lonely. And when she started training to be a dreamkiller, her entire being felt like it was encased in ice—frozen, unable to feel, unable to breathe.

Here, there was light and laughter and life, even in the middle of winter. In fact, they celebrated it. Selene smiled. She couldn’t wait to see what else was in store.

At the audience hall, Karl reached forward and opened the door for her. The tall columns with streams of water weaving between the pillars, the walkway that led up to the glass throne with a waterfall on either side, and Damien standing at the head, waiting for her with his hand extended. It was just as it was the day when Damien had publicly announced their marriage, only this time candles were lit all over the hall, their lights flickering on the surface of the water and glass. The sky beyond the throne was almost dark, with a bit of grey streaking across the horizon.

A sense of wonder overtook Selene as she headed for the throne. Damien’s smile grew as she approached, causing her heart to race. His blue eyes matched his regalia, his dark hair brushed back and falling to one side of his face, his entire ensemble proclaiming him to be the lord of a Great House.

“Good evening,” he said as he took her hand. In his usual fashion, he lifted her fingers and brushed his lips across her knuckles. Such a simple gesture, but it sent shock waves across her body. “Welcome to the Festival of Light. As soon as night falls, Baris Abbey will present Nor Esen with their gift. Come, we will watch from the balcony.” He grinned, and his eyes sparkled in the candlelight. “You don’t want to miss this.”

Selene followed Damien around the throne to the door that led out onto the balcony that overlooked the city of Nor Esen. Thousands of lights flickered across the city, and the gentle sound of the sea provided the background music.

Selene pulled up the hood of her dress and came to stand beside Damien at the balcony. There was hardly a breeze tonight, as if the Northern Shores was holding its breath for what would happen next. Then, one by one, the lights began to go out across the city. It started at the far end where the gates were, then moved upward toward Northwind Castle.

“What’s going on? Is something wrong?” Selene leaned over the balcony, trying to see who or what was putting out the lights.