Selene swallowed uncomfortably. “Hmm.” She remembered her mother’s words that even House Luceras had employed House Ravenwood’s unique abilities on occasion without knowing it was House Ravenwood they were working with. Perhaps Damien only knew of the bright side of House Luceras. In any case, she wasn’t going to tell him what she knew, at least not at this moment.

“And the city itself is beautiful,” he continued. “It’s set amongst the rolling green hills of Serine. When you come into port, the sun shines on the city, causing it to look like gold.”

“And House Luceras?”

“They are like siblings to me. I grew up with Lords Leo, Tyrn, Elric, and Lady Adalyn. My brother and I—” His voice hitched for a moment and a shadow passed over his face. “We would play together. Leo was the serious one, usually off training. Tyrn, the second oldest, and my age, was always reading. And Elric, Adalyn, and Quinn were always together, whether in the castle gardens, or exploring the city, or off traipsing across the hills.” He let out a slow breath. “I miss them. It will be nice to see House Luceras again.”

Selene wondered if by them, he also meant Quinn. In fact, she was sure of it. Despite coming to know Damien more than ever, she still had not pinpointed what the shadow was that hovered behind the light of his soul, like a cold wind that was felt but never seen. Was that the cause of his doldrums? Was it the death of his brother? Or more?

“I hardly know House Luceras, and I have never visited Lux Casta.”

Damien turned to her and smiled. “Then I look forward to introducing you to both.”

Selene gave him a gentle smile back, but deep inside, she wasn’t so sure. The way Damien spoke of the Luceras siblings left a strange pulling sensation in her gut.

Hours later, as the sun reached its zenith in the sky, the city of Lux Casta came into view, just beyond the natural harbor that protected its port. Selene stared at the grand city, its beauty capturing her senses. Damien was right: it looked liked the personification of the Light itself. The buildings were made of white stone with orange-tiled roofs. The city curved around in a circle, with each ring higher than the first, until it reached the castle that sat in the middle of the city, higher than any other building. Hills of green and a bright blue sky were the backdrop for the magnificent city. It was clear that winter had lost its hold on the land weeks ago and spring was in full bloom.

Even the wind felt warmer and carried a sweet fragrance. So different than Nor Esen and her own home in the Magyr Mountains.

Captain Stout expertly maneuvered the Ros Marinus into port, bringing the ship alongside one of the wooden docks that connected to the wide boardwalk that lined the shoreline. There were dozens of other ships moored in the harbor, ranging from two-story warships to small fishing vessels. White gulls flew overhead as the banners of House Luceras—white with a shining sun in the middle—snapped in the wind.