The first rail line broke ground.
Not in Verona.
In the city.
Connecting the empire to the world.
And the world took notice.
---
The ceremony was held at dawn.
Not because Christabel wanted to make a statement. Because she wanted to avoid the press. The cameras. The questions.
But the press came anyway.
Cameras flashed. Journalists shouted. Questions flew through the air like bullets.
"Mrs. Moreau, what does this rail line mean for your empire?"
"Mr. Moreau, is it true that you're planning to expand internationally?"
"Christabel, over here! Look this way!"
Damien stood beside her.
His hand on her back.
Steady. Warm. Present.
"Just smile," he murmured.
"I don't want to smile."
"Then don't."
"I want to go home."
"Soon."
---
The ceremony lasted an hour.
Christabel cut the ribbon. Shook hands. Posed for photographs.
Her face was calm.
Her eyes were cold.
Inside, she was exhausted.
---
The drive back to the penthouse was silent.
Lena was with the nanny.
Damien sat beside Christabel.
Her head was on his shoulder.
"You did well," he said.
"I survived."
"Same thing."
"Different intention."
---
The penthouse was dark.
The city was bright.
Christabel walked to the bedroom.
Damien followed.
"You need to rest," he said.
"I need to forget."
"Forget what?"
"Today. The cameras. The questions. The pressure."
He walked to her.
Stood in front of her.
"Then let me help you forget."
---
He undressed her slowly.
Not rushing.
Not savoring.
Methodically.
Like he was unwrapping something precious.
Her jacket. Her blouse. Her skirt.
She stood before him in nothing but lace.
"You're beautiful," he said.
"I'm tired."
"You're beautiful."
---
He led her to the bathroom.
The tub was already filled.
Hot water. Steam. The smell of lavender.
"How did you—"
"I planned it."
"You planned a bath?"
"I planned to take care of you."
---
He helped her into the water.
She sank into the heat.
Her muscles relaxed.
Her eyes closed.
He undressed and climbed in behind her.
His chest against her back.
His arms around her waist.
His lips on her neck.
"I love you," he said.
"I know."
"I love taking care of you."
"I know."
"I love watching you fall apart."
---
She turned her head.
Looked at him.
"Then watch."
---
She moved.
Turned in his arms.
Straddled his lap.
The water sloshed over the sides.
His hands found her hips.
Her hands found his shoulders.
"This is what I needed," she said.
"What?"
"You. Us. This."
---
He kissed her.
Soft at first.
Then harder.
His tongue against hers.
Her nails on his back.
The water was hot.
Their bodies were hotter.
"I want you," she said.
"You have me."
"I want all of you."
"You have all of me."
---
She lowered herself onto him.
Slowly.
Deeply.
The water moved around them.
The steam rose.
She rode him in the bath.
Slow at first.
Then faster.
Then slower again.
His hands guided her hips.
Her hands braced on his shoulders.
Their eyes locked.
"You're so beautiful," he said.
"You're so mine."
"Always."
---
She came apart.
Whispering his name.
Holding him close.
He followed.
And when it was over, they lay in the water.
Her head on his chest.
His hand on her back.
"I forgot," she said.
"Forgot what?"
"Today. The cameras. The questions. The pressure."
"Good."
"I love you."
"I know."
"I love you so much it terrifies me."
"Good." He kissed her forehead. "It should."
---
They stayed in the bath until the water went cold.
Then they moved to the bed.
Naked. Tangled. Together.
"The rail line is just the beginning," Christabel said.
"I know."
"The next city is already planned."
"I know."
"The empire is growing."
"I know."
"Are you scared?"
He looked at her.
"Terrified."
"Good." She kissed his chest. "Me too."
---
The next morning, Christabel woke before Lena.
Not because the baby was crying. Because she wanted to.
She walked to the nursery.
Stood over the crib.
Lena was sleeping. Her tiny chest rose and fell.
"Good morning, little one," Christabel whispered.
Lena didn't stir.
"Your father took care of me last night. He held me in the bath. He made me forget."
She touched Lena's cheek.
"He's very good at that."
---
Damien appeared in the doorway.
"She's awake," he said.
"She's hungry."
"I'll make a bottle."
"She wants to nurse."
He walked to her.
Sat on the floor beside the rocking chair.
"How are you feeling?"
"Restored."
"That's new."
"It is."
"What changed?"
She looked at him.
"You did."
---
Lena finished nursing.
Fell asleep against Christabel's chest.
"She's out," Christabel said.
"She's perfect."
"She's ours."
Damien stood.
Took Lena from her arms.
Laid her in the crib.
Then he walked back to Christabel.
Took her hand.
"Come with me."
"Where?"
"The study."
---
He showed her the plans.
Not the rail line.
The next city.
It was called Aurelia.
Located on the coast. Three hours from Verona. A former fishing village that had been dying for decades.
"I found it last month," Damien said.
"Why didn't you tell me?"
"I wanted to be sure."
"Sure of what?"
"That it was right for us."
---
Christabel studied the plans.
The buildings. The streets. The harbor.
"It's perfect."
"It needs a leader."
"You."
"Us."
She looked at him.