Sera’s pov:
I lied, and it was scary how easy it was.
The words just slid out of my mouth, smooth and polished, like I’d been saying them my whole life. Maybe that’s what really shook me… not the lie itself, but the fact that I didn't feel any guilt. My heart didn't even skip a beat when I said it.
“I just need some fresh air.”
The guard at my door didn't even blink. He looked down the hall, then back at me with a respectful little nod. He wasn't suspicious. He wasn't hovering. He wasn't the shadow he used to be.
“Of course, miss,” he said. “The garden?”
I just nodded and kept walking.
That was it. No radio calls, no backup, no one reminding me of the "rules." Damien had let go of the reins, and the rest of the house had followed his lead. He’d decided to trust me. He’d decided to g
