~ Lucian’s POV

After the last rogue’s life had drained from his body, I felt a momentary sense of calm. The hunt had served its purpose. I glanced down at my bloodstained hands and clothes. The stench of death clung to me, and I knew I couldn’t go back to the palace looking like this. I needed to wash up and clear away the evidence of what I had just done.

I made my way to a nearby river, one I had used plenty of times after nights like this. The cold water was a sharp contrast to the heat of battle, and as I washed the blood from my...