Keira stared out the plane window, watching New York's skyline emerge through the clouds. After weeks in Wystovia's palace, the familiar skyscrapers felt both welcoming and strange, like returning to a favorite childhood book you've outgrown.

"Almost home," Alexei said, his hand covering hers on the armrest.

"Almost," she agreed, turning to meet his gaze. "Though I'm not sure where home is anymore."

He smiled, lifting her hand to press a kiss to her knuckles. "Home is wherever we are ...