“We should be to Nor Esen by midday tomorrow,” she overheard Taegis say to Damien.

Nor Esen. The famed capital city of the Northern Shores.

After hearing her father describe the coastline and the city built along the cliffs overlooking the sea, Selene had always wanted to visit Nor Esen. And if her time in Damien’s dreams was any indication, the coast was lined with white sand, rocky cliffs, and water as far as the eye could see. A country far different than her own home in the Magyr Mountains.

But these were not the circumstances by which she had ever thought to visit Nor Esen. She would have come as an envoy of House Ravenwood on some diplomatic mission. She would have enjoyed the luxury of a visiting dignitary. And afterward, she would have returned to Rook Castle.

Instead, this city would be her home.

Selene gripped the reins tightly between her fingers as her stomach began to churn. What would the people of the Northern Shores think of their new grand lady? She had a feeling she was not what they were expecting. It was likely thought that House Maris would align with a more agreeable house, like House Luceras, or that Damien would marry someone from a lesser house within their own nation. Not the Lady of Ice of the mountain people. What would she do if they didn’t accept her?

What I’ve always done, she thought, lifting her head. She would survive by burying her heart.

“Watch out!”

Selene barely had time to register the words when an arrow zipped by her head, missing her by inches.

Her training took over.

She was already off her horse opposite the side of where the arrow had come from, using her mount as a shield. Shouts went up between Taegis and Sten as the men went into action. More arrows flew through the woods, this time from the front and back of the road, but still on the same side. That meant that the tree line behind her was the safest place at this moment.

With a sharp twist, Selene turned and dashed for the trees. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Cohen doing the same. Seconds later, she crouched behind a thick tree trunk and pressed her body as close as she could. Her heart thrummed inside her ears.

Selene moved her head to the right and looked out. Taegis and the other guards had their swords out and were surrounding Damien. From the other side of the road, a handful of men dressed in black stepped out of the forest, with dark pieces of fabric tied around their heads that hid all but their eyes. Each one carried a simple sword.

“What do you want?” Taegis said, his sword in position, as Sten’s eyes swept the tree line and noted Selene’s and Cohen’s positions. Karl stood on the other side of Damien, his sword drawn, facing the bandits on the other side of the road.