But more than that—more shocking than the informal scene—was Heena's expression.
Just a moment before she'd noticed them, she'd been smiling. Actually, genuinely smiling. Her eyes had been soft and warm as she looked at Larus. Her whole face had been relaxed and affectionate in a way none of them had ever, *ever* seen directed at them.
Even after all these years of marriage—even during the brief honeymoon period when they'd first married her—they had never seen that expression on her face.
Never seen her smile like that.
Never seen her look at anyone with such unguarded fondness.
And this man—this newcomer, this sixth husband, this pretty prince who'd only been married to her for a few months—could get that expression from her so easily?
It felt like a knife twisting in their chests.
The moment Heena noticed them, her entire expression changed.
It was like watching a door slam shut. Like watching warmth drain out of a room. Like watching the sun disappear behind storm clouds.
