For the first time in days, Eryndor was quiet.

Not the unnatural silence that had filled the kingdom under Evelyne's rule.

This was different.

Peaceful.

The black clouds had disappeared from the sky. The red banners of the Eastern Empire had been torn from the palace walls, and the surviving soldiers had surrendered or fled.

But nobody celebrated.

Not yet.

Too many people were missing.

Too many buildings had been destroyed.

And too many questions remained unanswered.

Lucien stood on the palace balcony, staring at the city below.

Seraphina approached quietly.

"You haven't slept."

"I'm fine."

She folded her arms.

"You always say that when you're not."

Lucien smiled faintly....