"Isn't Cassia waiting for you?" she asked, gently patting at her hair.

"We agreed not to see each other until after the Coronation Ceremony," he replied, releasing her and walking over to his closet. There was really no need for him to search for clothing, as they would both be wearing their official royal garments in honor of the occasion, but he felt chilled.

Nodding, she said nothing as she turned back to the view, pretending that she couldn't feel the weight of his gaze on her back. She loved Marius very much; he would always be a part of her very soul, and there was nothing that could change that. But she couldn't, and didn't try to, deny that over the centuries, their love had changed from all-consuming passion into a quiet, temperate flame. They had become best friends who worked well together above anything else as they shared the joy of governing a kingdom and raising a child. By mutual agreement, they had maintained the front of being madly in love when around their subjects or guardians, while behind closed doors they acted more like siblings.