He sent Hawk a last look, too, this one not nearly as nice.
When he was gone, Jenna collapsed onto the settee. She crumpled boneless to the cushions as if it had taken all her strength to remain standing until now, and her knees could no longer support her weight.
Hawk leapt into motion and went to her. “Your Highness—”
“I’m fine,” she said, waving him away. Unconvinced, he squatted on the floor in front of her, ready to assist in any way he could. Her head was in her hands, and through her fingers and a curtain of golden hair, she peeked at him. “And you don’t have to call me that. In fact, I insist you don’t. It’s so . . . pretentious.” She sighed, a heavy exhalation accompanied by a shudder, and Hawk thought he’d never seen anyone so weighted, her thoughts and responsibilities and th
