Dawn light cut through the high windows of the Empress's antechamber.
Aiden stood with his back to the door, white hair still matted with blood from the night before. New fracture lines ran across his chest like black lightning under his open tunic. His golden eyes looked tired but sharp.
The Empress sat on a low couch across the room, amber hair loose around her shoulders, red eyes watching everything without hurry.
Catherine stood in the center of the room, arms crossed, sword still belted at her hip.
"You countermanded my order," Aiden said. His voice was flat. "Flora was supposed to be ready for the sealing mission."
Catherine met his stare. "She's my daughter. The last mission nearly took her arm. I'm not sending her out there to feed your fractures again."
Aiden took one step closer. Pain pulled at his ribs with the movement. "We need every fighter. The merged rift opens today. If we don't seal the core, the breach stays permanent."
