Selene watched the young woman brush out the gown, then walk across the room and place the gown on the other side of the changing screen.

“Thank you.”

Essa smiled and bobbed her head. “My pleasure, my lady. I will be happy to do your hair once you’re dressed.”

Selene disappeared around the screens. Essa was the complete opposite of Renata. Her hands trembled as she took off her nightgown and pulled on the dress.

Renata.

Selene took in a shaky breath and finished dressing. She ate the simple food, then sat down for Essa to finish the last of her grooming. As her maidservant put the finishing touches on the small braids wrapped around her head, there was a knock at the door. Selene turned back to her tea as Essa went to answer.

“Is Lady Selene here?”

Damien’s voice drifted into the room. Her body went rigid at the sound, her nightmares flashing once again across her mind.

“Yes, my lord.”

Selene stood and walked toward the door. Damien looked over Essa’s shoulder and spotted her. “Lady Selene.”

Essa backed away with a bow as Selene approached Damien, her heart thumping inside her chest. For what reason could he be here?

“I was wondering if you would like to take a walk with me. I would still like to show you my home—our home—here, in the Northern Shores.”

Her eyebrows shot up. Oh. That was not what she was expecting. His words and the genuine earnestness on his face disarmed her a little. “I would like that.”

If she was going to be living here for the rest of her life, she wanted to know more about this place. And she couldn’t deny how much she had longed to see the sea. She retrieved her cloak and walked out the door, leaving Essa behind to straighten up the bedroom.

He started with a tour of Northwind Castle, pointing out paintings and sculptures along the corridors. The castle was about the same size as Rook Castle, but unlike her former home with open airways, steep ravines, and tall mountain peaks, Northwind Castle stood on the highest cliff above the city of Nor Esen, and every architectural detail was made of smooth lines and waves, almost as if the castle itself was the sea.

“How are you finding your accommodations?” Damien asked as they started down a windowed corridor along the second floor.

“The room is nice. And comfortable.” What more should she say? It was just a room like any other—

Her breath hitched in her throat as she caught sight of a wide expanse of deep blue-grey. Selene stepped toward the windows, her heart held in suspension inside her chest. Even though she had seen the sea the other night outside Damien’s windows, it still left her in awe. The water appeared unending, melding into the grey sky above, with a flock of white birds soaring along the stone cliffs to the west, and tall pine trees to the east.