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The woman pressed her lips together, clearly fighting a smile. I attempted to shove my hands into my damp pockets, discovered that pockets full of seawater were useless, and settled for clasping them behind my back instead.

Suddenly, her bird appeared and landed on her shoulder. To my great chagrin, she seemed less surprised by its arrival than Adrien’s comments.

“Is that a white raven?” Adrien asked, pointing to the bird. His whole face had lit up in a way I’d never seen before.

“Aren’t you clever?” she remarked.

Clever was one word. I could think of others.

“Yes,” she continued. “She is a white raven.”

“How’d you train her to follow you?” Adrien inquired eagerly. “Do you keep biscuits in your pockets?”

I ruffled his dark, curly hair. “Don’t pry, Adrien.”

He shoved my hand away. “Stop. I’m trying to ask her about her raven.”

His lack of manners and social graces was embarrassing. She must think me the most irresponsible of fathers. But instead of looking down at me, she said, “The pot calls the kettle black, I see. You’re just as inquisitive as he is.”

Adrien gloated openly.

I tried to explain, but she just ignored me. Focused on Adrien, the witch crouched down and held out her wrist, and the bird hopped onto it. Adrien seemed just as captivated by her as I was. Perhaps it was because she was speaking to him not like an unruly child with a reputation for mischief, but kindly and with warmth.

“This is Della,” she said. “I don’t have to train her. She’s my familiar. She helps me. Mostly.” The bird clicked its beak, then squawked. “Well, it’s true,” she said.

Adrien laughed, and so did she. It was a rare, unguarded sound that pulled at my heart.

“Can I pet her?” he asked.

“We shouldn’t be petting strange magickal birds, Adrien,” came a stern voice. I glanced up to find Severin, my nephew, strolling up the pathway with an unamused look on his face. “I tried to stop him, Your Grace, but he escaped. Again.”

Severin took in my sopping wet clothing and the woman beside me and gave an unimpressed huff as he handed me the towel that had been draped over his arm. The usual pity in his dark eyes was verging on disappointment. I took the towel and handed it to the woman beside me.

Hesitantly, she accepted it and blotted the droplets from the bare skin above her low neckline. I had to look away before my son made another comment.

Clearing my throat, I said, “Allow me to escort you back to my home and get you a fresh set of clothing.” I didn’t know why, but I wasn’t ready to let her slip away.

The smile on her face fell, and her shoulders tensed. “I should be going.”

“Where are you staying? I could take you there.” I gestured to Severin. “Fetch the carriage, will you?”

“No,” she shot back. “I can walk.”

“I can walk, Your Grace,” Severin corrected her. “You have the pleasure of being rescued by Prince Yves Allard, the Duke of Valemer and Sea Lord of the Fleet. He is due the respect that comes with his title.”

Something in her expression shifted. She looked from me to Severin and back again. Her eyes became devoid of warmth. My title created an invisible wall between us.

“In that case,” she said, curtsying. “I shan’t be needing your carriage, Your Grace.” Then she tossed me the towel and the bird fluttered back onto her shoulder. “I’d hate to take advantage of your courtesy.” She waved to Adrien. “Adieu, mon ami.”

Both Adrien and I stood dumbfounded, staring after her as she disappeared down one of the twisting roads that led into the heart of Old Town. Drips of water trailing behind her. Gas lamps illuminating her steps as she dodged drunken revelers celebrating the Goddess of the Tide. Hips swaying like nothing that had happened this evening had bothered her at all. Carrying my jacket off into the night as though it was hers.

Meanwhile, my whole world felt like it had been shaken up and poured out.

“I think you’ve had enough entertainment for one night, young Master Adrien,” Severin said, breaking my trance. “Come, it’s time to return to your room.”

He was speaking to my son, but I had a suspicion he was also speaking to me, even though I was his lord. Severin knew, as well as I did, that there was a well-defined line that separated people like her and people like me. I knew I shouldn’t be pursuing a woman who wasn’t my mate. Especially not openly in front of my son and nephew.

The dream had come to an end.