His leg began to protest from sitting too long. And the wound area was still tender, even though Healer Sildaern had used a special salve that had done wonders already. Once again he was amazed at what Sildaern was capable of and wondered if the man carried a hint of the Rafel gift of healing.

Damien slowly stood and stretched out his leg. He should check on Selene. She would be up by now and likely overwhelmed by a new place and new people. Taegis assured him that she was looked after when they arrived, but maybe seeing a somewhat familiar face would put her at ease.

Then again, he was the reason she was here in the first place. He ran a hand along his face. Life could be so complicated.

As Damien made his way down the corridor, he overheard two servants talking as they cleaned.

“Did you see her?”

“Who?”

“That woman yesterday. The one in black.”

Damien slowed near the corner, listening.

“I did. She looked mysterious.”

“I heard she’s Lord Damien’s new wife.”

“Her? She doesn’t look like a proper lady at all.”

“Someone said she’s from Ravenwood.”

“Ravenwood? I’ve heard bad things about Ravenwood.”

Their voices drifted down the hall until they disappeared.

It was just gossip, but it still gave him a picture of what Selene would have to overcome. There was distrust of other houses amongst his own people, especially toward unknown houses like Ravenwood.

A heaviness settled across his chest.

Damien continued down the hall toward his own room, past the long windows that overlooked the sea. He slowed, then paused beside one of them. A memory came flooding back from the first time he met Selene, almost a month ago, during their first meal. She had asked him questions about the sea with excitement in her eyes. Maybe he could show her his home before dinner.

Correction. Their home.

The thought lightened his heart a little, and he moved forward again.

Once he reached the door next to his own room, he stopped and knocked. “Selene?”

There was no answer. He waited a moment, then knocked again. The door opened, but it was a young maidservant with a white cap over her head and a simple blue frock who greeted him, not Selene.

Her eyes went wide. “My-my lord!” she said and bowed to him.

“I’m looking for Lady Selene.”

“She is with the seamstress, my lord.”

Damien blinked. Of course she would be. She had brought no clothing with her. “When will she be finished?”

“By dinnertime, my lord.”

“I see.” Well, that changed his plans for the rest of the afternoon. “Would you tell her I will see her at dinner tonight?”

The maidservant bowed again. “I will, my lord.”

“Thank you.”

His leg began to ache again, and he cast a glance at his own bedroom door. Perhaps he would take the healer’s advice and actually rest.

Damien eased into the chair at the head of the dining table later that evening. Seated along either side were members from the lower houses, along with his councilors and people of note, including Taegis.