Page 350 of Black Reign

I am seven.

Eight.

Ten.

Papa is beside me with grass stains on his trousers and a blanket beneath one arm, telling me stories that are half astronomy and half nonsense.

“Stars are code, ma puce.”

My throat tightens.

Xavier stops beside me.

His fingers find mine.

He doesn't ask.

He waits.

I look up.

“I haven't seen them from here in years.”

“I know.”

“They're different.”

“The stars?”

“Me.”

His thumb moves slowly across my wedding ring.

“Yes.”

The answer is so simple it makes me look at him.

Moonlight softens his face.

No suit jacket.

No tie.

Hair already losing whatever order it had earlier.

Ghost underneath Blackwell.

My husband underneath both.

“Do you regret it?” I ask.

He doesn't pretend not to understand.

“The marriage?”

I nod.

“No.”