Sleep no longer brought Kaelira peace.
It brought memories.
Not clear memories.
Fragments.
A child’s laughter echoing through marble halls.
The scent of jasmine drifting through an open window.
Small hands reaching for hers.
Then—
Fire.
Screams.
Blood on white stone.
Kaelira jolted awake, her heart pounding against her ribs. Her nightgown clung to her skin with sweat.
The dream felt different this time.
It wasn’t just something she had seen.
It was something she had lived.
Unable to sleep again, Kaelira wrapped a cloak around her shoulders and wandered through the silent palace.
The halls were empty.
The servants had long since retired, and the guards kept their distance.
Her feet carried her without thinking.
Down winding corridors…
Past forgotten portraits…
Until she
