The council chamber was colder than any battlefield. It was made up of stone walls, iron thrones, and now with silence that hummed like a warning. I wasn’t supposed to be here. But waiting for news while Reule stood trial for me? That was never going to happen.

Landon didn’t stop me. He just gave me a long look, like a man too tired to argue with fate. I slipped through the side gallery, my heart pounding against my ribs. Hidden behind one of the columns, I scanned the room below. ...