CHAPTER FIFTY-THREE

Caledon

WHEN THE DOOR CLOSES, CAL feels a profound emptiness. Grief overtakes him, the same as when his father died. He is entirely alone in the world. Again. His heart feels like lead, weighing him down so that he can’t even bring himself to get up from the windowsill to watch her go down the steps.

He does not intend to be in Montrice when she and Hansen exchange vows. The mere thought of it makes him ill. He will leave by sunset.

Then he sees something he hadn’t noticed before. There’s a light purple handkerchief on the pillow. He picks it up. It is made of the purest silk, embroidered with a monogram: HRH, LD. Her Royal Highness, Lilac Dellafiore.

Just like the one she gave him in Serrone, it smells of perfume as well. Only this time, he recognizes the scent of freshly pressed lilac.