The moon cast eerie shadows across the palace gardens as Barnett and I stood facing each other, the tension between us thick enough to cut with a knife. His usually impeccable silver hair was slightly disheveled, and for the first time in centuries, I saw genuine emotion flicker across his aristocratic features.
With a mocking smile that didn't reach my eyes, I asked, "Only after her death did you realize she mattered to you?" My fingers absently played with the hem of my sleeve, the delicate embroidery rough beneath my touch.
