Back at the Mordrake headquarters, the atmosphere was frigid. Despite the security lockdown, Helena had used her remaining influence to bypass the lobby, standing in Czar’s office like a ghost of the empire she once ruled.
"I am here to end this, Czar," Helena said, her voice uncharacteristically soft. She stood by the floor-to-ceiling window, looking out over the city. "Our relationship is more important than a merger. If you love this girl... I will accept her. I will welcome her as my daughter-in-law. Let’s stop this war before there is nothing left to rule."
Czar remained behind his desk, his expression unreadable. "You expect me to believe you’ve had a change of heart overnight?"
"I’m your mother," she whispered. Then, shifting the subject with practiced ease, she asked, "How have
