Damien stepped around the desk and reached his hand out as he crossed the room. Before she could move, he swept her fingers up and kissed her across the knuckles, sending a jolt through her body. “I was not expecting you,” he said as he let go, a gentle smile across his face.

Her hand dropped to her side, but she could still feel the soft coolness of his lips across her skin. Her heart fluttered inside her chest, and her throat was suddenly tight. “You said you wished for my advice concerning the Great Houses.” Her voice came out higher than usual. She glanced at Damien, wondering if he had caught the strange pitch of her voice.

“Yes, I did. Let me see if I can procure a chair for you.”

Selene turned and watched Damien head to the door and speak to Karl outside.

He had changed from the man she had left in the library after revealing the vile secrets of her house. Damien had been more cordial ever since their more recent talk. He could be hiding how he really felt inside, but even if he was, he was at least trying.

The tension from that morning slowly slipped away, allowing her to relax a little as Damien turned back around. His eyes met hers, and her mouth went dry again. Such a stunning blue.

Dart’an!

Selene spun around and grasped her hands together and stared out the window ahead.

“I’m glad you came this morning.” Damien’s soft tenor tone carried behind her. He came around and stood by his desk. “I was going to find you today. I have a surprise for you.”

Her heart started thumping again. “A surprise?” she asked, thankful that this time her voice remained even. What was going on with her? She was acting like a shy young maiden.

“Yes. Taegis told me about your conversation with the weaponsmith, and I just received word that your swords are done.”

Her mind latched onto his last words. “Swords?”

Damien leaned against his desk and ran a hand along the back of his neck. “Yes. You had mentioned to Taegis that you didn’t want to lose your skills. I’ll warn you, though, it’s not common for a woman to use a weapon here at Northwind Castle.”

Selene went rigid. Was he going to tell her to behave like other ladies? Like how she imagined Lady Adalyn Luceras or Lady Ayaka Rafel did?

He looked up. “But I know this is important to you. And I said I would help you. Taegis thought doing something familiar would help you adjust to your new life here at Northwind Castle, and I agree.”

Selene blinked. Her first thoughts were wrong. Even though women training with weapons wasn’t something done here, he would encourage it anyway. To help her. Just like he said he would.

“Would you like to see them now? Maybe even test them out? I could use a break. I’ve been here all morning.”