The ruins were silent.

Too silent.

Lucien stood among the broken stones of the Eastern Palace, staring at the place where the First Mother and the Sovereign had disappeared.

The seven crowns were gone.

Their ancient power had vanished from the sky.

For the first time since the war began, there was no strange light on the horizon.

No awakened throne.

No army of the dead.

No voice calling from beneath the earth.

But Lucien couldn't shake the feeling that they had missed something.

A hand touched his shoulder.

"Lucien."

He turned.

Seraphina stood behind him.

"You've been standing here for hours."

He looked back at the ruins.

"She knew."...