Light, I have no idea. But I’m willing to try.

Damien quietly got up and made his way around the beds to where his tunic lay. It was still slightly damp, but at least it smelled better, unlike the rest of him. He shrugged into the tunic, pulled on his boots, and headed out.

His men were already downstairs, dressed and ready, except for Sten, who’d had guard duty last night and was now sleeping.

“Good morning, my lord,” Taegis said with a bow. The other men greeted him in similar fashion. “Cohen and I were about to head out and see what we could find for provisions for the trip to Nor Esen. I think it will be best for us to be on the road before noon.”

Damien nodded. “Good idea.” The young monk grinned. No doubt he was excited to see Rone. Once again, Damien was glad he had brought Cohen along. The more the young man saw of the world, the more prepared he would be to take over for Father Dominick and lead Baris Abbey.

“Karl will stay here with you.”

Karl stood on the other side of Taegis, his arms folded, his hair wet and slicked back.

As Taegis and Cohen left, Mildred came into the main room through the back door, black clothing over one arm. “My lord,” she said and bowed her head. “I have Lady Maris’s clothing for her.”

Damien frowned. Lady Maris? Then he balked. That’s right. Selene was now Lady Maris. He fought the urge to run a hand across the back of his neck. Hearing that title was going to take some getting used to. “Her clothing?”

“Yes, I washed them last night. I’m afraid you were gone when I came back downstairs, or else I would have been happy to serve you as well.”

“Thank you.”

Mildred bowed again and headed for the stairs to deliver the clothes to Selene. Damien let out a sigh of relief. He would let Mildred be the one to wake Selene up. He wasn’t sure she would appreciate a man waking her up if all she had on was a tunic, even if that man was her husband.

His stomach fluttered, and he pinched his nose as another thought came to him. Where exactly would Selene room when they reached Northwind Castle? His room? Separate quarters? There was the spare room next to his, but was that really the precedent he wanted for their marriage? He had a feeling Lady Ragna and Caiaphas did not share a room. Most of the Great Houses did not share bedchambers with their spouses. But his parents had.

Damien pushed the thought aside. He would have time enough to think about it later. Right now, he needed to get ready to leave.

Damien helped Karl retrieve the horses and saddlebags. After securing their mounts, bags, and swords, he returned to the inn just as Selene stepped off the stairs and into the main dining area. Sunlight filled the inn with a soft glow, and the smell of baking bread spread across the room.