Chapter 23
JULIAN POV The castle never slept. Neither did its rulers. Long after dinner had ended, I stood alone on the western balcony overlooking the cliffs. The sea below crashed violently against the rocks, sending white foam high into the darkness. The wind carried the scent of rain. Behind me, the castle had returned to its routine. Servants whispered through the halls. Guards changed shifts. Candles burned in every corridor. As though King Darius had never existed. That was the cruelest part of being born a Valerius. A king died. The kingdom continued. A quiet pair of footsteps approached. “I thought I’d find you here.” Magnus. He stopped beside me, folding his arms across his chest. “You’ve been avoiding everyone.” “I’ve been thinking.” “Dangerous habit.” A faint smile alm
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