Ash an

rittle hush of early winter. Lanterns flickered dimly along the narrow paths, ca

of the Veil again-this

he stared into the silver shimmer of the boundary. It rippled fa

ed if you

m behind her, deep

armor. His tunic was black velvet, layered beneath a long coat with blood-red lining and silver clasps that glitte

aid. "Not when I knew they

unreadable. "You'v

ed once.

the earth beneath his

asked. "Leaving your people. Your home.

d that fears me than pretend in one

d his head.

were cool at first, but as they closed around hers, a strange wa

he led he

-

not like anything

ng fire at once. Colors bled together-violets, silvers, crimson

en...

her eyes, the

aintly like living hearts. Great stone arches rose from the earth, carved with glowing runes. A river of light-

, watching her reaction

awestruck. "It's beautiful...

"You expected fi

" She looked at hi

own hair from his face. "Both exis

tone that shimmered with heat. Creatures watched from a distance-slender bei

ngerous?" Li

at them. "Only if I

allowe

arth. A citadel rose above them-elegant and terrifying. Its towers curved li

our home?"

ugh a place like this never

armor with curved halberds, the braziers burning with silver flame, the deep red banners t

high vaulted ceilings, and windows that opened to nothing but stars.

The walls were carved with symbols that seemed to pulse in time with her heartbeat. A low bed of da

e yours," he

m. "Why are you doing

pau

ount," he said. "I've ruled, fought, destroyed.

ned. "And what is

t it means to feel. To choose something not for

still unsure if she sho

t give you tha

alone," he said simply. "But I will

nd grave, sank de

close the space between them. She reached up and gently touched his f

hat they said

"I'm far worse...