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“It’s fine. This honeymoon is proving to be full of new experiences for you, isn’t it?”

He glares at me. “Not exactly ones that are mentioned in etiquette books.”

I’m diverted. “There’s an etiquette for honeymoons? I thought we just fucked until our dicks fell off.”

Branok clears his throat and we both jump.

“Sorry,” Levi murmurs. “Okay. We get into the private apartments and the library. If Xander is there, we can have a conversation with him.”

Branok nods, his eyes soft. “If anyone knows anything ’twill be him. There was never a man more observant than my Xander. He read people very well for a lord.”

“Why did you say it like that?” I ask curiously. “Did you not like the aristocracy?”

“I have no love for them. I once said to Xander that one of his kind cost me the greatest love of my life, which was my career at sea. I was removed from my position when I protested an admiral’s behaviour at sea. It was rather ironic that one of his kind also gave me the greatest love—Xander.”

“Do you have a message for him?” Levi asks softly. “I just know if this were me and Blue, I would want him to know I love him and that I’m working to get back to him.”

There’s a short silence and then Branok smiles. “He already knows that,” he says with a gentle surety. “But if you must tell him anything, tell him I remember the moors, the mist, and the tiny room at the inn. Tell him that I would do everything the same in my life if it meant I had those stolen hours again.” His eyes are faraway, but then they come back into focus and his face closes down. “Sleep tonight,” he says gently. He pats the dog. “We will watch over the house, will we not, Dog?”

The little dog gives a shrill bark as if in agreement, his tail wagging.

I stand up and grab Levi’s hand. “We’ll get to the bottom of this,” I assure the spirit.

Branok smiles grimly. “Of that I have no doubt. I just wonder how many more nasty little surprises have been hidden from me by my loss of memory.”

The sun is shining as we pull up outside Dowran Hall. “Good day for breaking and entering,” I say, rubbing my hands.

Levi groans. “Please stop saying that.” He’s got steadily more agitated on the drive here.

I nudge him. “You’ll be great.”

“I will? Don’t you mean you’ll be fine?”

“No. I don’t think Xander will appear to me.”

“Why?” He raises his eyebrows.

“Because he obviously sees something in you that he appreciates. Think about it,” I urge. “He had every chance to appear to me, but he stayed hidden. I don’t blame him.” I tuck a loose strand of his hair behind his ear. It’s like silk on my fingers and his shampoo leaves a trace of familiar scent. We share all our toiletries now, and somehow, that feels just as intimate as sharing a bed. “I would choose you to confide in over anyone.”

“Yes, but you’re ever so slightly biased.”

I boop him on the nose, laughing as he grimaces. “Guilty as charged.”

“Which is something we’re going to be if we’re caught in the back apartments,” he says grimly.

“It’ll be fine. I’ve done a fair share of breaking and entering in my time and you only get caught if you hesitate.”

“Oh well. Now you’ve said that I feel so much better. Hesitation is my middle name.”

“No, it isn’t. It’s procrastination.” I smile at him. “It’ll be fine. We’ll get in and get it done, and then I’ll treat you to an iced bun at the bakery we passed in the village.” I go to get out of the car but he puts his hand on my arm. “You alright?” I ask.

He nods. “Has it occurred to you how odd this is?”

“You’ll have to narrow that down, macushla. There’s a lot of odd around on this honeymoon.” He faffs with his sleeve, tugging at a loose strand on his jumper until I put out my hand and cover his. “Tell me,” I say softly.

“Well, I’m seeing ghosts and I really shouldn’t be doing that.”

I take a slow breath. “I’ve been wondering about that.”