A few drops of rain splattered across the stone railing, and one hit the tip of her nose. She glanced up. It looked like the heavens were about to burst open. Damien finished his speech, waved again, and turned, his hand still in hers. A few more drops fell from the sky, and the wind picked up.

The door was open and waiting for them. Damien stepped back and motioned for her to enter first. As she walked by, he placed his hand on her back and gently guided her. Every nerve inside of her felt his contact, as if his hand was a hot poker pressing into her back.

“There is a special dinner tonight in our honor. Some of the same people you met last night will be there.”

“And who are they?”

Damien led her down the stairs, following the path of water that ran along either side of the walkway toward the doors ahead. The people in the wings were already filing out. “Members from a handful of lesser houses, some wealthy families whose source of income is trade, and people handpicked by me. And Taegis, of course. Do you need anything, or are you ready to head to the dining hall?”

“No, I’m ready.”

He kept his hand on her back, guiding her along the lit corridor. Two guards followed.

“So who exactly is Taegis?” Selene asked, still feeling the pressure of his fingers along her back. “A councilor? Captain?”

“He’s my guardian. And he was my father’s guardian before me. He acts as a personal bodyguard, counselor, and friend.”

“I see.” In some ways like Mother’s Hagatha, although Hagatha served more as a servant than a guardian.

“I don’t know what I would have done without him when my family passed away.” There was a hint of sadness in his voice. He cleared his throat. “By the way, you looked radiant standing there on the balcony.” His smile was back. “I think the people of Nor Esen approve of you.”

“Thank you,” she said as they turned a corner. But did he approve? She clenched her hand against her side as doubts flooded back into her mind. Did Damien want her? Now wasn’t the time, but eventually she was going to ask him, even if the answer was the one she feared, the one that haunted her nightmares. At least then she would know the truth.

I never wanted to marry you. I only married you to save myself.

14

Damien stood up from his desk and stretched his arms over his head, giving each elbow a tug before dropping his hands. It had been two days since he had made the official announcement about his marriage to House Ravenwood and three days since he had sent messages to Houses Vivek, Luceras, and Merek. He didn’t expect a response for at least a moon cycle, given how far each house had to travel from Rook Castle back to their lands, but it was hard to wait. He wanted to know what had happened in their own words, and he wanted to confer with each house on what to do next. And the fact that both Lord Rune and Lady Runa had been assassinated by Lady Ragna Ravenwood needed to be worked through as well.