a Vanc

rs, I did not wake up with my

if Kaelen required my presence at morning audiences.

workshop was absolute, c

n the Frozen Marches-where the Vane and Hicks families had conspired to loc

l. I needed sovereign-l

he upcoming Apex Arcane Conclave i

autonomous lord, and defense guild gathered there to bid on state-level contracts. If Aether Forge wa

in the basement, unlocking the triple-warded co

amber, and after three long pulses

ight. Cassian Thorne sat in a high-backed leather chair, his da

o his console that his image distorted. "B

said, a faint smil

guard years ago after defying a corrupt elder. For the past three years, he had acted as the public face and acti

d crack. "You're actually out of that golden slaughterhouse! Tell

ce, Cassian," I said evenly.

and then a wild, brilliant grin split his fac

blooded tyrant couldn't keep your mind chained forever! Welcome b

y chest softened the reprimand. "We have work to do. I n

loria who owe us their lives after we upgraded their fortress shields last winter. But Aurelia

nd Dragon Council. If we win it, Aether Forge will hold the exclusive

ng into serious, protective focus. "Kaelen will bring his entire war council. Lyra will proba

ts. She does not understand the fundamental math behind the core. When I unveil the comple

admiration. "God, I've missed this. You're goin

acklogged engineering dossiers and the component manifests for the prot

n said, winking. "Get some sleep, Aur

, standing alone in the

re did not look like an endless gray corri