His own emotions were like a wild storm inside of him. Another assassination, another attack within his room. Selene said she had stopped her sister, but this power was more than he had ever thought possible—than any of the houses had thought possible. Should anyone have this much power?

No. I can’t think about that right now. I need to comfort my wife.

Time ticked by, and slowly the sobs grew quiet. “I almost lost you tonight,” she whispered, breaking the silence.

She was right. There was no way he could have defended himself in his dreams. No one could. All lives were vulnerable in the dream world.

Selene lifted her head. Her dark eyes glistened in the candlelight, and her hair hung around her face in disarray. “Damien?”

“Yes?”

“I don’t ever want to lose you.” Her gaze lingered on his face a moment longer before she moved forward and brushed her lips across his.

Despite his recent thoughts and misgivings about her power, he loved this complex woman. Damien responded to her touch, pouring into his kiss all his fears and emotions. A fierce desire overtook him, filling him with a fire that roared inside his chest. He would do everything he could to keep Selene safe.

“I love you,” he whispered as he pulled back. “I don’t want to lose you either.” He finally said the words that had been dwelling inside his soul for months now. He loved Selene Ravenwood.

A strange look came over her face, but before he could ask about it, there was a knock at the door. Both of them turned, still in each other’s arms.

Taegis walked in with two of House Luceras’s guards. “Captain Hamon sent these men to retrieve the body while he and the rest of his guards search the palace.”

Selene stepped away from Damien. “Please, let me have a moment with my sister.”

The guards looked at Taegis and he nodded.

Selene took a deep breath and turned toward the bedchambers. Damien grabbed the candle and followed, but stopped in the doorway to allow Selene privacy.

She walked over to the prone body on the floor and knelt down. With her fingertips, she brushed Lady Amara’s eyes shut. Then she bent down and whispered something. Lastly, she reached for the discarded face scarf and carefully placed it over her sister’s face.

“She is gone now,” Selene said, looking down at her sister. “But I was able to show her who we were made to be—who the Light created us to be.”

The Light? It was the first time he’d heard Selene talk with such confidence about the Light. Apparently more had happened tonight than he was aware of. He wanted to know more. But this was not the time. This was the time to let his wife grieve.

“Now I understand the feelings you have over the death of your family.” She stood and placed a fist over her heart. “I feel them too.”

Taegis and the guards came to the doorway. Selene turned her attention toward the guards. “What do you plan on doing with my sister?”