Damien nodded, indicating that he had heard.

“Is there anything else you need?”

Damien turned around. “No. Get some rest, Taegis. We still have a long way to go before we reach Nor Esen and Northwind Castle.”

“I will, my liege. Good night.”

“Good night, Taegis. And leave the door cracked for a moment so I can see.”

Taegis bowed, then walked down the corridor.

Damien turned back. A lone figure lay in the third bed from the door. He walked toward the middle of the room. Selene was curled up on her side, her back to the door, her hair unbound and spread out behind her. She appeared to be asleep, evidenced by the even rise and fall of her body.

She looked different tonight. Was it because he had grown used to seeing her dressed in black, with her hair in a long braid? Or because of their encounter earlier?

He shoved the images out of his mind and pulled off his damp tunic, carefully laying it across the first bed so it could dry. Then he made note of how far the second bed was from the door and how narrow the gap was between the beds, then shut the door.

Using his right hand to feel along, Damien made his way to the second bed, pulled back the covers, and sat down. After removing his boots, he lay down on his side, with his back to Selene, and let out a long breath.

In some ways, he was glad Selene was already asleep. The moments they were alone together were awkward at best. He knew her, and yet he didn’t. The marriage bond had opened his eyes to her gift, yet he didn’t know what she thought of it or how Ravenwood had hidden it all these years or why. Would Selene even want to talk about it?

He didn’t even know what her favorite color was, or what her childhood was like, or what she thought of her family, things he knew about Lady Adalyn and Lady Bryren.

Damien closed his eyes. He would protect Selene. He had sworn to, both to her father and through his vows. But could he learn to love the stranger in the bed next to his?

6

Selene listened as Damien opened the door and light spilled into the room. She heard the exchange between Taegis and Damien, then the rustling of cloth before the door was shut, sending the room back into darkness. Boots clapped softly across the wooden floor, then Damien crawled into the bed next to hers and let out a long sigh.

She wondered at the sound, while keeping her own body still. It wasn’t the first time they had shared a room. But whether it was because of fatigue or the newness of it all, she hadn’t truly noticed his presence until now. Or was it because he had startled her awake during her bath?

She clenched her hand next to her chest, her body flooding with heat again at the memory. Luckily she had washed her hair and left it down, covering her. What if she had been facing the other way? Or pulled her hair up? She swallowed and clenched her hand tighter.