from Xiomara's waist

econd of blankness. Like his brain had stopped working. Then the mask came down.

esting it. Like he was not sure it woul

wer. She pulled

spian and back again. Her mouth opened. Closed. Opened again. The pieces were clicking into place behind

aid. Her voice

her phone an

. The miscarriage. The Chanel clutch. The words hung in the air between them. Passengers tur

as going to reach for the phone, but he stopped. He j

gled thing. She grabbed Caspian's ar

ook h

it run. She let it play long enough for Caspian to hear every word. Long enough for Xiomara to hear he

pocketed

atever you heard, it's not what you think. She exaggerate

. She looked at him

n like that

d. "I did

She was surprised by how calm it was. "You've been tell

ilt and fear and calculati

ey

hand. "Don't say my name

ry, about not knowing, about how Caspian had told her the marriage was over. Veyra did not listen. She was watching Caspian's face. Wa

been calm and measured. He had told her it was okay. He had told her they would try again. H

he had not been strong

d and wal

ne. Her heels clicked on the polished floor. Behind her, she heard Caspian say her nam

ber choosing it. She just walked u

rport, maybe. Leather booths. Low music. A ba

a drink. T

he ring. But there was something else. Something Xiomara had said on the plane, almost as an after

r, that maybe it was her. Maybe she had changed. Maybe the grief of losing the baby ha

ot been t

oman who did impulsive things. She was the sprt of woman wh

ed acros

the far end. And

something else. He was tall and broad shouldered. Dark hair. Strong jaw. He was wearing a suit that fit him perfectly, but he wore it like he did not care abou

way. Then sh

still w

ink, and crossed the bar. Her legs felt steady. Her

s seat

hat smile. Like he was not used to smili

is n

The table between them was small. Close enough that she could

her name. She d

he said. His voice was

ay," s

drink alone i

to drink wit

It was a q

rian,"

him to ask her

you?" she sa

n his glass. "Good day, actua

hing clever. Instead, she felt something loosen in her ches

asked her where she was from. She said somewhere cold. He asked if she missed it. She said s

companies. She did not ask for details. He was funny in a

could smell him. Cedar and warmth. Clean skin. S

sed him

to be tentative anymore. His hand came up and cupped her jaw, his thumb brushing her

ed back, his

s upstairs

no

that was nothing lik

that was devastating. Every touch is deliberate and unhurried.

door behind them. The room was expensiv

s fingers were steady. His hands were warm on her shoulders. He

," he murmured

d not

ment. Not like he was appraising her. Like he was seeing her.

at you want

ber the last time a

" she said. "Anything. Jus

is time, and his hands moved down her sides. He lifted her easil

ainst her skin that she would replay later, when she was alone. His hands were everywhere. He found places she had forgotten she had

ot been t

ver been t

slow and even. The room was dark. The sheets were cool aga

it would be like to be here when he woke up. To

spent three years giving everything to a

he dark and pulled it on. Her shoes. Her bag. She moved quietly, the

his sleep. She fro

his shoulders in the dark. The line of his j

ned the door