Lord Damien and Selene disappeared. Amara sank back down onto her feet, her mind coming back to the present. A man stumbled sideways and bumped into her.

“Pardon me,” he muttered.

Amara ignored him. She was already creating a mental list of everything she would need to know in order to pull off her first mission: where Lord Damien was staying, who else was with him, the best way to access his room, his habits, the ins and outs of the palace, and the security and guard rotation of Palace Levellon. She was thankful for the small map her mother had drawn from her memories of Palace Levellon, one less thing she would need to study.

Amara didn’t have much time, but with her skills and resources, she felt confident of forming a plan. And when the moment presented itself, she would strike.

38

Morning broke the next day in an array of light. Selene watched the sun’s rays move across the stone floor from the large windows across the room from her pillow.

Damien shifted beside her. Moments later, he kissed the back of her head. “I’m going to support the Luceras family today in any way I can,” he said. “Would you like to go with me?”

Selene stiffened. “I’m not sure how much help I would be. They barely know me. Perhaps it’s better if you go alone, since you’ve known them from childhood.” And I would have no idea what to say or do.

“I understand.” He sat up, pulling the covers with him and letting the cold air in.

Selene shivered, having half a mind to pull the blankets back and stay where she was. Another dreamless night had left her body fatigued. But if Damien could get up and help others, then she could at least get up.

By the time she had dressed, the chill in the air had turned to a warmer temperature. Damien placed a sleeveless jacket over his black tunic, closed the wooden chest, and looked up at her. The dark tunic matched his hair and caused his eyes to appear even more brilliantly blue in the morning light, sending a flutter across her heart. She would never tire of those eyes.

He walked over to her and held out his hand. “I thought we could break our fast together in the common room before I go.”

Selene tugged on a lock of hair. “I haven’t done my hair yet.”

“Then let me.”

She tilted her head to the side. “You?”

He smiled back. “Yes.”

Before she could answer, he crossed the bedchamber, picked up the brush she had left on the desk the night before, then approached her again.

Selene blinked and turned around. She had decided not to bring Essa on this trip, as there was no reason to bring the young woman on such a long journey when she could take care of herself. Could Damien really do any better?

He brushed out the long black strands, then pulled all of her hair back and began to braid it. “When my mother was sick, I took care of her hair every morning.”