“WHY?” Thalia asked, lifting a hand to her cheek. “Is there dirt on my face?”
The servants froze, their eyes widening in disbelief. Even Count Aston stood motionless, stunned by the sight of her standing at the entrance of the dining hall. Weeks had passed since Count Darvan’s death, and in all that time, Thalia had not once left her chamber. She had shut herself away from the world, mourning day and night, refusing every attempt to draw her out of her grief. Then the Hiax had triggered and rampaged beyond her control, yet in that moment of chaos, Kayne and the Emperor had appeared in her chamber. She had been barely aware of her surroundings, yet she remembered the chill that crept over her skin and the dark, lingering scent that clung to Kallixto when their hands had brushed.
At that p
