The night after the coronation, Duskfall shimmered under quiet stars. The songs of celebration had faded, replaced by a rare peace.
The city exhaled beneath its new banners, under a new king.
Liam stood by the window of his chamber in silence. He didn’t sleep right away. He was afraid of what might come when he closed his eyes.
But sleep came—and with it, Marius. It was anything but restful.
This time, the dream felt different. Liam stood in the center of the throne room. It was silent. Empty. The windows glowed with an unnatural light.
Marius appeared from behind the throne. “You look like him,” he said quietly.
“Like who?” Liam asked.
“Leon.” Marius lifted his eyes. “I regret everything. The loyalty I gave to the wrong man. The envy. The silence. I wish I had stood beside you wh
