The halls fell silent following the ridge battle. An unsettling quiet permeated the atmosphere. Smoke still drifted above the pines, and the wards hummed steadily once more. Though wolves limped by and guards rotated, Talia's primary sensation was the absence of Lucian from the war room where she had anticipated him.
A guard located her.
“His Majesty requests your presence, Luna.”
A knot formed in her stomach. Lucian's father did not summon individuals; he commanded entire cities. If he intended to address her alone, it signaled a cause for concern.
His chamber was unexpected. There was no throne, no opulent jewels. Instead, it was illuminated by firelight, with maps adorning the walls. The King stood by the window, cloak draped over one arm, appearing as though caught between his duti
