Selene turned toward him, and a smile slipped across her lips. “I would like that.”

Damien faltered onto his next words. “Also, I should let you know that tomorrow I will present you to Nor Esen. Usually a union of this sort is announced ahead of time, and the ceremony a public affair. This is the first time in a long time that House Maris has had a marital arrangement like the one we have.”

“You mean one of circumstance.”

Damien let out his breath. “Yes.”

“I understand.” The smile fell from her face.

He frowned. Did he say something he shouldn’t have?

“I also heard from Caiaphas today,” he said quickly, trying to restore the pleasant mood.

She turned her head sharply. “Father?”

“Yes. He sent word almost immediately after we escaped. He inquired after you.”

Her face softened slightly. “That was kind of him.” She said nothing more, nothing about missing her father, or even asking how things were back at Rook Castle. Perhaps it was too soon, and the pain of losing everything still too fresh. Damien chose to remain silent the rest of the way.

They arrived at the door that led into her room. As he turned toward Selene, he was strangely reluctant to let her go, even though he was feeling the aftereffects of his injury and could probably use another dose of Healer Sildaern’s medicine. And she appeared ready to retire for the night.

He reached for the door and opened it for her. He wanted to reach for her hand as well but held back, a part of him wondering at these sudden thoughts and impulses. “Good night,” he said softly as she headed inside.

She turned back briefly within the doorway. In the candlelight cast by the sconce on the opposite wall, he caught sight of a single tear in the corner of her eye.

“Selene?” he whispered, his heart twisting inside his chest.

“Good night, Lord Damien.” Then she bowed and entered her room.

Damien stared after her before slowly closing the door. He remained there, staring at the wood grains and patterns along the surface.

Was it possible she regretted this marriage?

He swallowed the lump in his throat and headed for his own door. Yes, it had been an arrangement of circumstances. But it had the chance of becoming more. He was open to the idea. Did she not feel the same way?

Damien entered his room, the candle near his bed lit for the evening, along with a fire in the fireplace. He walked toward his changing screens, his heart and mind still mulling over Selene and the marriage announcement tomorrow. He stripped off the day’s garments and pulled on a clean undershirt and pants.

He stumbled over to his bed and found a vial of medicine and a glass of water waiting for him, sent by Healer Sildaern. After drinking both, he put out the candle by his bed and slipped under the covers.

He stared at the fire across the room. By marrying Selene, had he condemned himself to a loveless marriage? His chest tightened, and he rolled onto his back. He always wanted to marry for love. Instead, he married to save a woman he barely knew.