Lilith sat at her usual perch in the Underwood estate's library, staring at the waning afternoon sun.
After a few minutes, she slipped away, moving back to the cozy spot hidden in the middle of the library that she'd been using.
She sat down, surrounded by books, many she had pulled from the shelves but hadn't touched.
She was supposed to be studying the history of Albion's noble houses, but her mind refused to focus. Her thoughts had been consumed by one thing—well, one person—since the moment Ren had ridden away.
She found her fingers tracing the edge of the coin he had given her, her grip tightening and loosening in a rhythmic motion. The weight of it was reassuring, grounding. A promise. One day, he would return.
And when he did, things would be different.
She closed her eyes and allowed herself to imagine it.
Would he be taller? Stronger?
