Chapter 10 Selene gave the expression Adrian expected least of all: calm relief. The severing pact lay complete and signed; there was no tremor of panic in her face. That steadiness burned Adrian with a resentment he could hardly hide. He drew Cassandra close, smiling down at Selene with cruel satisfaction. "Next moon I will take Cassandra as my lawful Luna. You, as her sister, are invited. Unlike you, who could not give me an heir, Cassandra will bear the children who will carry the Blackthorn legacy." Cassandra's eyes widened with delighted surprise at the acceleration of Adrian's plans. "Selene, I know you loved him, but you can't force someone to return your love," Cassandra said, false pity in her voice. Selene clenched her fists to still them. Her composure held, though her soul felt pulverized by betrayal. It would have been one thing to be replaced; worse was Adrian's declaration that she could never be a mother. He trampled what little dignity remained. "Goodbye, Selene. If you like, I can make you one of my bridesmaids." Cassandra offered the insult with a mock smile. Selene fled the council hall with tears stinging her eyes. She collided with someone in the corridor and toppled backward. Strong arms caught her; a moment later she realized she was held firmly, not roughly. Looking up through blurred vision, she stammered an apology. "No-" the stranger said, and the single word stopped her. He wore a half mask; a strip of black leather covered one side of his face. Where she could see, his eyes were a startling, concerned green. "You owe me for that spill," he said, nodding at the scattered goblet. "Make it up." Selene fumbled for coin, but he stopped her. "Not like that. There's a bakery near the hall-buy me something." The absurd request made her stare, then pout. "If you plan to kidnap me, know I have no wealth and no kin to ransom," she muttered. He laughed-a light, unexpected sound. "All right, kidnap later," he said. "I'm not much of a kidnapper anyway." They walked to the clan's bakery. To her surprise he ordered a spread-raspberry pie, honey-dipped biscuits, a berry mead-everything she'd once called a guilty pleasure. They were seated near a window with a view of the river. Selene's anger gave way as the food warmed her like a small reprieve. "What are you not going to eat?" she asked, half annoyed at his indulgence. I don't like sweets, he replied, oddly gentle. She snorted "Then why did you make me buy this?" Her irritation broke into nervous laughter. Her appetite, struck by pregnancy and grief, devoured the offerings. When he rose to leave, she felt the sudden emptiness of sharing a table with a stranger. "Wait- do we know each other?" she asked. "Maybe, Selene. The words were soft, then he was gone. A server approached with a bouquet of yellow roses "Madam, the gentleman who dined with Chapter 9 no 9:39 pm P you left these. The bill is paid, and you are registered for a lifetime membership to our houses- wherever you go, you'll receive the best service." Selene accepted the bouquet and found a card tucked among the stems. The handwriting read: Welcome to the Eastern Lands, Selene-your friend, Damien. Damien Blackthorn. The name struck her; her breath caught. She had thought she had closed that door. Whoever he was-he had left the roses, he had paid the bill, he had signed the card. Back at the Blackthorn lodge, Adrian could not forget her presence. By morning he had set men searching for Selene in the Eastern Territories and ordered his steward to keep watch. He rifled through her things for any clue to where she might have gone. Opening Selene's chest, he found most of the gifts he had given her untouched-robes pristine, jewels unworn. Only a few of her own, simple garments were missing. He had meant to burn her belongings in fury; instead the sight of the untouched presents froze him. "Strange," he muttered. "A greedy woman-why leave these?" His fingers paused as a folded scroll fluttered free and fell to the floor. He picked it up. KIDNEY OFFERING DONOR NAME: Selene Rivers - The parchment in his hand dissolved the last of his certainty. 9:39 pm P & Discover our latest featured short drama reel. Watch now and enjoy the story!