He raised an eyebrow. “Can I get you something else?”

“No, but thank you.”

He gave her a smile before turning to Taegis and starting a conversation. Selene continued to take small bites of her fish, interspersed with light talk with the stout older woman who sat next to her, a Lady Morvand. However, whenever there was a pause, her gaze would return to Damien.

She remembered their time that morning, how he had shared his special spot and heart with her as his festival gift. She still had so many questions, but seeing his faith had answered some of them. His words were like his soul: beautiful.

And she hadn’t given him anything in return.

If she were at Rook Castle, maybe she could have had a sword commissioned by the weaponsmith or searched over the wares brought in by traveling merchants. She couldn’t embroider, so a handkerchief was out of the question. Same with a painting. She couldn’t cook or sew.

She mentally shook her head. Those gifts weren’t from the heart, anyway. And he’d said he didn’t need a gift, but she wanted to give something back to him. Something as special as he had given her—

Selene paused, her fork hovering over the last bite of fish. Her heart began to beat faster, and her mouth grew dry. Only days ago she’d looked in the mirror and told herself she wanted to make this marriage work. There was one thing she could give him. One thing only she could offer.

Heat crept up her cheeks, and the hair along her arms rose. He said he would never do anything without asking. Did she really want to wait for that? She glanced at Damien from the corner of her eye. He was laughing at something Taegis had said. The way he smiled lit up his entire face and showed such joy. How could she not love a man like him?

Her heart pounded at the thought, and her palms grew sweaty. There was a mixture of trepidation and anticipation circling inside of her. Did every woman experience these contrary feelings? She reached for the closest goblet—

Damien’s hand stretched out at the same moment and their fingers met. He grinned, his fingers still touching hers. “We need to stop meeting this way.”

That one touch sent every nerve flying. Her lips twitched while her heart hammered even harder inside her chest. “Perhaps I would say we need two goblets, but I don’t mind sharing,”

Damien chuckled, then pushed the goblet toward her. “Ladies first.”

Her throat was so tight she wasn’t sure if she would get the liquid down. She breathed in, forcing a trained calmness across her body, and took a sip. She raised her eyes and found Damien studying her, the lightness from moments earlier gone, replaced with an intensity. She stared back, pulled into his gaze until the liquid began to burn at the back of her throat, forcing her to swallow.

After taking another drink, she handed him the cup, then spotted a couple across the table watching them with knowing smiles. Her cheeks flushed as she glanced away, but she couldn’t hide her own smile.