THIRTY-FOUR
High in the mountains, huddled closely together to share the warmth of their tiny campfire, Yun waved at the city in the valley below. "The second largest city in my father's kingdom, crowned by the Winter Palace. This will be your home, my Empress."
Ava still wasn't used to the title. She doubted she ever would be. In her mind, the Empress was an incredibly courageous woman who had used her dying moments to save her son's life. And the traditional crowns of the Emperor and Empress, which Yun had found in the saddle bags on the first night, were almost too heavy for her to lift, let alone wear.
"I am afraid," Ava admitted. "Afraid that I will never live up to the honour of the title that your mother held."
"You have nothing to be afraid of, my Empress. You are the fish who
