Nova's POV
The lawn is bright with afternoon sun.
I spot them from the second-floor corridor — Aurora moving through the grass with her arms out wide, Noah darting between her hands, shrieking with laughter every time she nearly catches him.
I glance sideways.
My brother is standing at the window with his arms folded across his chest, watching the lawn. I have known him for twenty-six years and I have never seen that look on his face. Unguarded. Soft. The corner of his mouth is doing something it almost never does.
Damien Blackwood is smiling.
I stare at him for a full three seconds.
"You are absolutely hopeless," I tell him.
He doesn't look at me. "Go away, Nova."
I go downstairs.
Aurora has her shoes off by the time I reach her. Noah has declared himself the winner of whatever
