[Imperial Palace—Corridors of Midnight—LAVINIA'S POV]
The sound of armored boots echoed like thunder behind me. Each step, each clang of steel, was a drumbeat pounding in my skull—reminding me that this was no longer a tea party, no longer a game of words and whispers.
This was war.
My war.
…but also—
WHY IN ALL SAINTS' NAME WAS THERE A WHOLE DAMN ARMY BEHIND ME???
I swear, my hands actually shook as I sat perched stiffly on my horse, sword at my waist, cloak too heavy for comfort. Marshi padded loyally beside me, his massive tail swishing with battle-ready energy. And behind us… an endless sea of gleaming helmets and banners. Rows upon rows of imperial knights. An entire battalion. Maybe two. Maybe the whole empire, for all I knew.
I turned my head slowly, like a woman staring into her own doom.
Yep. Definitely the whole army.
