The heavy oak doors of their bedroom closed, shutting out the roar of the reception downstairs. For the first time in months, the music, laughter, and carefully practiced smiles disappeared. There were no elders watching them, no powerful families waiting for their greetings, and no Antonov relatives standing nearby. There were no cameras, no curious eyes, and no expectations to satisfy. There was only Aciel and Xylia.
Xylia stood in the center of the enormous bedroom, almost unsure of what to do now that the long day had finally ended. The room was dimly illuminated by the warm glow of several lamps, while the floor-to-ceiling windows overlooked the city below. Thousands of lights shimmered against the darkness, and the distant sounds of traffic reached them faintly. Even the city seemed strangely far away.
