Natalie POV
The heavy iron-trimmed shutters of the grand suite were thrown wide, letting the crisp, biting air of the post-solstice dawn wash through the cavernous room. The frantic chaos of the vanguard’s campaign had completely faded from the lower courtyard, replaced by the steady, measured rhythm of an empire settling into its new alignment. Below, the supply wagons were being loaded with grains and medicinal winter-sage from the royal storehouses, their heavy wheels crunching into the frozen gray slush as they prepared to head down toward the newly secured southern watchtowers.
I stood before the wide black marble hearth, watching the thick cedar logs crackle and spit orange sparks against the stone.
The heavy emerald velvet gown had been replaced by a soft, structured tunic of mid
