a P

ghs of the canopy, setting the sky abl

ls was steadily filling with clean, cool silver energy; my skin had regained its natural, porcelain luster, and whe

oor beneath my b

e synchronized, rhythmic thrum of the World Tree's master con

s, the clouds over the Middle Reach

ironwood, flanked by gilded outriggers and bearing the t

eir riders armored in blinding platinum plate, their spears trailing ribbons of

t dropped to their balconies, a

avy doors of the sanc

tly decorum. No w

-gold battle plate strode into the room, his

tched with the ruthless lines of an imperial commander, but his g

g cloak, her fine features pale, her hands trembling so

ing, their armor bearing the distinct insignias of the Hig

h Sovereign Will that the crystal cha

e chamber, past the jade cradles

en sound tore

ia.

d forward, her knees giving out just b

next heartbeat, I was engulfed in an embrace so fierce, so

ing with a raw, guttural grief that

shoulders, my hair, as if trying to reassemble twenty-six years of lost memories in a single seco

h overwhelming affection. In the Buck household, touch was always a

che unfurled deep in my chest. The residual scent of pine, winter snow

t foreign on my tongue

gh to frame my face in her soft, trembling hands. "Yes, my darl

m's most ruthless First Houses, a male who had reportedly beheaded Abyssal dukes with

is wife, his massive, calloused

ating with absolute, terrifying devotion. "You have retu

ward, their expressions a mixture of awe, hea

gh Inquisitor, stepped to the side of the bed. He pulled a pristine, silk kerch

r than a crypt. "The laws of the Great Council exist to serve our family, Elia.

-line skirmishes, slammed his armored fist against his

ord, and my knights will reduce Clan Buck and Hous

haired youth with the wild, arrogant grin of a Gryphon ace, shoved past

your Uncle Holden. When you can walk, I'm giving you both your o

ts this instant!" Barbara snapped, swatting his shoulder with enoug

we boarded!" Holden protested, rubbing his arm with a

military power in the realm, I felt the tight, suffocating kn

ine smile tou

ened, and he leaned in, pressin

a falling tear. "Your exile is over. Tomorrow, we teach this