KATHERINE

"Shhh," he brings a finger to his lips, signaling for me to stay quiet.

I immediately press my lips together. The Duke closes the door and steps closer, his brow furrowed as his gaze drops to my chest.

I watch as he sits on the edge of the bed, my mind a whirlwind of memories, my urge to bombard him with a thousand questions barely contained.

He leans toward me, and I shudder at the closeness, his deep, low voice pouring into my ear.

"Don't call me by my title here. No one can know our identities. We're just a married couple who were attacked by bandits on the road," he whispers, and I swallow hard, nodding.

He straightens slightly, his piercing blue eyes too close.

I start to feel nervous—not just because of his proximity, but because I might have done something unnatural to heal myself.

Did the Duke notice my magic?

He couldn’t have—otherwise, he’d be tying me to a tree and setting me on fire like a torch.

"I… thank you for saving me, Du— I mean, E… Elliot," I say, tasting