DAMO

ble when secrets linger between us. How lon

***

are smile to my lips. I watch from the terrace as Eli and Zane race across t

huffing with indignation

s, only to trip over a loose

m, sending both of them sprawling. Their nanny rushes over, fussing and checki

. They are my joy and my pride, and no matter what

pots me. She bounds toward me, her silv

she barrels into my arms.

ims, her eyes shin

, who are already daring me with their smi

er is answ

echoing as they dart around bushes and trees. Eli tries to outmaneuver me, b

I declare t

, but his overconfidence costs him a

grinning. "Now, whe

iding behind a large oak tree. She shrieks

e wolf," I tease, s

nt, all feels ri

race, letting the joy of the moment linger. But my t

s ch

way she looks at me, the way she pulls away from my touch-it's as if th

ds time. And yet, there's a part of me that can't

our pups, more devoted than ever.

eated by the window with a letter in her hand.

y, stepping

tching the letter

tch the flicker of somethi

ask, nodding to

y, folding the parchment and tucki

ce steady but probing. "T

she says, standing abruptly

sing my arms. "You've never kep

nk she'll argue. But instead, she brushes

s over her shoulder.

eight of her dismiss

y chambers, I wrest

lenge, every battle, every decision that earned me the title o

my imag

ecrets she's keeping are a wedge between us, and I

ring myself to con

e she's come to my bed, weeks since I've felt the warmth of her touch. T

. Liam wants me to go to her chambers now, force her to talk to me

iding something, she'll come to me when she's ready. Until then, I can

he dining hall as she pours juice for the c

, and the sound stirs something d

. But the warmth I once saw in her gaze is go

am

ice pulls me f

say, turn

ilver hair catching the morning li

hen nod. "She

e patient with her. Whatever she's go

er words bring

he garden, I watch from the terrace

s Nora

ore whatever it