Selene:
I didn’t notice I was smiling until Helena pointed it out, and that should have been my first warning.
I walked into the concubine hall with my notebook tucked under my arm, my hair thrown loosely over one shoulder, and a lightness in my chest that I had been trying not to examine too closely since leaving Alexander’s rooms.
The night before had stayed with me in ways I hadn’t expected, not only the things that had happened between us, but everything that came after: the couch where we’d sat, the ridiculous story about seven guards, the way he had listened without looking at me like I was something broken, the way he’d kissed my hand when the story stopped being funny. And then there were the words that kept circling in my head: I want you by my side, Serena. He hadn’t promised
