a Vanc

to The Silver Crucible, the most exclusive privat

at and a lightweight silk veil that b

uild masters were gathered around a massive projection table

t on the table. "The draconian propulsion core overloads after

a multi-dimensional energy matrix," I said calmly, my

turning their furio

cked up an etching stylus, and swiftly altered their flawed schematic. My h

now," I

hing a volatile red, the core hummed with a pristine a

, a haughty man in velvet robes, slammed his ca

ide shielding matrix that has stumped this council for ten years. We

ting on his secondary screen. I couldn't help but let out a so

ning red. "Watch your tone, girl! It is a Ti

years," I interrupted, snatching the primary crystal stylu

de of their life's work. Without pausing to calculate, I drew a

t is a vacuum. You don't anchor it;

alm onto the e

ht. The holographic shield expanded flawlessly, the energy readings c

tually dropped, the matrix perfec

It was not just quiet; it was t

h a clatter. His knees buckled, and he collapsed onto

he Ancients... By the Gods, I have lived to see a l

appreciative clap echoed from t

e exiled half-blood dragon knight wore a crisp black tailored coa

me, burning with a fierce, intoxicating mi

re terrifyingly brilliant," Cassian said, his voice dropp

velation, immediately parted for him, bowing their head

an command seal of Aether Forge, and pressed it directly i

ed, his gaze tracing the outline of my veiled face a

er is yours to command. You are the absolute Queen of the Forge, and I am yours

iberation washed through my veins. This was my new life. No long

smoothly, a confident smile touching my lips.

chuckle, the heavy brass bell above the

hrough the reverent silence of

Princess Audrey of the Drakos Dynasty, and my