Promises and Shadows.

After dinner, Corrine and I sat in the living room talking about her first pregnancy. The house was quiet. Vanda had gone to the study, Ben had returned home to Serena, and even with guards outside, it felt like we were the only ones for miles. The warm lamplight and the crackling fire calmed my mind. I listened to Corrine’s stories until she got to her labor. She said she was too tired to finish but promised she’d tell me the rest tomorrow.

I walked her to the stairs and wished her goodnight. She kissed my forehead with a smile that crinkled her eyes, then went up to her guest room.

It had been a long time since my real mother kissed me goodnight, but Corrine’s kiss brought the memory back. Mother used to tuck Serena in first, then come to my room, check the window, close the curtains, kiss my hairline, tell me to sleep well, and leave the door cracked just enough for light.

I held the stair railing until I heard Corrine’s door close. I put out the fire, fluffed the pillows on the co