something had changed - not outwardly, not dramatically, yet

But now, when he passed her in the halls, he nodded. When she entered a room, his eyes

, it would hav

ead the silences of her life like p

-

thumbing through a book of poetry. The rain tapped gently at the windows, an

oor opened

d, expect

s Ale

sharp navy suit, his hair slightly tousled in that carefully

w you read po

ced what I do," she rep

walked to the other chair across fr

"Are you... t

You could call it that. Or

weary about him today. The weight of the world pressed agains

" she said softly, "but then life

hen: "Life doesn't get loud,

m. "Is that what

f bitterness, he murmured, "Maybe. Or maybe I just g

shadow behind his voice

be in the east dining hall tonight. I thought

ws lifted

's not a truce.

ere," she s

-

wear anything dramatic - just a soft lavender dress and a touch of lip color. B

quieter than the main one

head of the long oak table. He stood when she entered - somet

at the ges

d duck, warm bread, seasoned greens, and

, they ate

ke. "Do you al

meat neat

u ever ge

ifference between being

h are

at her, eyes

ke a gust of wind. She hadn't expec

more wine. "And you?

she whi

the air - not heavy, no

ed about her childhood. She told him about Red Willow, about her father's laughter before he

ked. "What was yo

is features. "Privileg

s a long

sister was the on

didn't drink. "I think she would

iet, rough sound.

the glacier

ed. "I suppose

sm

hey weren't enemies. Not strangers.

-

night wind tugging at her hair. She looked up at the stars, trying to

the door cre

tu

stood in t

dn't

idn't

thing," he said, voice low.

pping aside to

ars, not touching, not speaking,

ena broke t

you could have paid to marry you -

ver the gardens

"You didn't want me. You needed me. And I needed s

eart

o be needed like

," he w

er si

nt your money. I just want

es met

u d

o the distant hum of raised voi

on her robe. The voices led her to Alexander's stud

as low and furious. "She's off-l

part of this now," came a voice she di

a fr

o protect her-"

want to keep her safe, you'd better con

se. Then:

essed herself against the wall, heart hammering

rged looking more dangerous than she'd ever seen him -

led to find her there.

oug

but he didn't lie. "It's not

. "You promised this marriage was about protection. That I wouldn

hardened. "I'

not good

t followed was

tly: "You

blin

im. "There are people on my board - old allies, former enemies - who don't like that I ma

blood

a target,"

tried to. But the truth is, I'm not inv

in. Don't keep locking me out o

for a long moment

you everyth

-

o his word, Alexande

rmal dining room - but a room with bookshelves, whiskey glasse

our and the rival investors circling like sharks. About the anonymous threats, the bribes, t

" he said. "But I did. And

d. "Then why are you te

ok at me," he said softly. "A

eath c

"You make me remember who I used to b

is hand. Slowly,

ve," she whispered. "But w

ghtly. "I don't know h

," she said.

-

ce neve

r, Elena rece

gle, blood-red r

protect yo

as no s

urn ad

ritten in perfe

t the rose, fi

safety she'd begu

was cr

storm wa