Three days had passed since Kael left.
At first, Nerine thought she'd feel his absence like a heavy ache, but life had a way of keeping her too busy to linger on missing him. Madam Helen's home was lively, filled with noise and tasks that left no room for loneliness.
Every morning, she helped in the kitchen. Every afternoon, she went down to the marketplace, selling jewelry crafted from stones — emerald pendants, ruby rings, crystal pins that caught the sunlight.
Just as she did before.
Today, the store was unusually busy. A warm breeze rolled through the open doors, carrying the scent of roasted chestnuts from a nearby vendor. Nerine stood behind the counter, her sleeves rolled to her elbows, humming softly as she polished a necklace.
The bell above the door chimed.
She glanced up, ready with her usual greeting — and froze.
Selene.
Her heart thudded painfully against her ribs.
