Ivy stood at the entrance of Cassien’s villa, her gaze drawn toward the distance where the great palace wall rose tall against the fading twilight.

The Damaris crest gleamed faintly at its peak, proud and cold. She had seen it many times before, but now, after what happened in the woods, she couldn’t unsee what it meant.

The palace wasn’t just near. It was close, too close. No wonder she had run into him.

Her father.

The realization pressed heavily on her chest. She wrapped her cloak ...