Candice stood a few steps inside the chamber, her hands clasped in front of her as if she needed to keep herself from shaking. Althea could feel Gavriel’s arm still locked around her waist, as if even this moment required him to keep her close.

Candice took a deep breath before she continued, “My father explained that the Luminis Shard is not just a relic. It is a living magical core. And, as I said, it cannot be fully controlled by just anyone, aside from the House of Aetherion. He ...