But perhaps reaching out his hand was a first step in getting to know her more.

7

Selene slowly woke to a clear sky above and something warm between her fingers. She blinked and looked over to find Damien still asleep, his hand in hers. She listened to his soft breathing while studying every contour of his face. Her throat tightened. She almost didn’t tell him last night. He would never have known she dreamwalked inside his mind to find peace.

But the longer she was with him, the more the guilt of her deception had grown until she finally spoke last night. If she was going to put the past behind her, including the Ravenwood secrets, then she had to speak up, even if he turned away from her.

But he didn’t.

She swallowed as she gazed at him. More than anything she wanted to know this man. Damien was unlike any other lord she had met. And his soul . . .

Sten sat up and rubbed his eyes. Grey stubble covered his chin, and his hair was even messier than usual.

Selene yanked her hand away and tucked it inside her cloak, hoping he didn’t see. Her gaze traveled across the rest of the camp. Karl sat on the other side of the camp with a bored expression on his face, his dark hair almost covering one eye. Cohen snored near one of the trees. Taegis sat with his back against a nearby tree trunk, his arms folded and his eyes closed.

Damien blinked and shifted onto his back. Cohen started moving as well, which meant soon everyone would be awake and it would be time to get on the road again.

Selene stood. After smoothing out her clothes, she reached for the blanket and headed for the trees to shake out the dirt and leaves. Behind her, she could hear the men speaking in soft tones. When she returned, she found Damien sitting up and conversing with Taegis, while Sten dug around in their supplies. Karl stared at her from across the camp, his lips tight.

“Good morning, my lady,” Cohen said as he walked in her direction.

“Good morning,” she replied as he passed her and headed into the trees.

At the sound of her voice, Damien turned.

Her heart leapt into her throat as he gazed at her. Her body alternated between hot and cold, and adrenaline raced across her nerves. Selene swallowed nervously. What was wrong with her?

Sten broke their connection as he passed out small loaves of brown bread and a waterskin to share. After a quick meal, the horses were loaded and the small party was back on Trader’s Road. The air was muggy from yesterday’s rain, but already a cool wind was blowing the humidity away, leaving a fresh, clean feel to the bare forest. Small insects thrummed beneath fallen leaves, and the occasional squirrel chattered overhead.

Sten led the way, Cohen beside him. Selene rode alone between the men, the beige mare rocking gently beneath her saddle. She knew where Damien was behind her. It was as though every part of her was attuned to him. She could hear his words as he spoke to Taegis and could almost feel his gaze upon her back every few minutes.