“I agree,” Selene said hurriedly. “There is a blanket on the mat. I’ll use that and you can use the quilt.”

“Good idea.”

Damien set about laying the quilt along the dirt floor while Selene put the last bit of ham and bread back into the larder. The air was tense and silent inside the cabin. She hated it, yet did not want to break it either. And Damien had yet to ask her about her gift. Her stomach twisted as she shut the cupboard door. That was a long explanation best left to a later time. She hoped Damien thought the same.

Selene headed over to the sleeping mat and removed her cloak. She still wore the same black tunic and leggings she had worn for her mission. Between two full days and nights of travel, not to mention slogging through a river, her clothing was beginning to smell ripe.

She sighed and placed the cloak down, folded, beside the mat. Nothing could be done about it. Besides, she was sure she wasn’t the only one who smelled. She removed her boots, then knelt down and undid the leather cord that held her hair in a braid and began to comb through her hair with her fingers, undoing the knots that had developed.

“I’m sorry we don’t have a brush,” Damien said behind her.

Her fingers froze, and she whipped her head around. He was watching her?

“After we leave tomorrow, it will be three days before we reach the town of Rone. Rone is a large center of commerce for the Northern Shores. We will be able to procure more supplies, as well as some personal items, such as a brush, or even clothing, if you wish.”

“That would be nice.” And she meant it. She never considered herself a lady who could not live without the luxuries of life, but right now she missed even the simple things.

“Good night . . . Selene.”

Her breath caught in her throat at his use of her first name. “Good night,” she said quickly and turned back around. She couldn’t say his name. And she couldn’t call him Lord Damien.

Selene finished rebraiding her hair, then crawled beneath the blanket, which smelled of hay, and curled up on her side with her back toward Damien. Slowly her muscles began to relax. No matter how agitated she felt, her body was too tired to care. Sleep. That’s all she wanted right now. To close her eyes, forget about the world and her new way of life, and rest.

Darkness. A grey haze. Filled with howling wolves. The fog slipped away, revealing burning trees. Then the screaming began. Renata stood next to a burning wagon, her hands held out, her eyes wide. “Please, my lady, save me—”

Selene woke with a start and sat up. She breathed heavily as she looked around. Where was she? Her hand reached out and brushed the edge of the sleeping mat. The last of the burning coals smoldered in the hearth. A figure slept beside it.