The council chamber was still thick with smoke when Evelina and Damian returned.
Though the fires from the siege had been doused, the tension inside Arcadia's heart had not. Every noble seated around the war table looked drawn and stiff, their tunics dusted in ash, eyes bloodshot from too many sleepless nights.
King Lucien stood at the front of the room, with General Thorne and Lord Alderic by his side. Selene was positioned a bit to the side, her white robes looking fresh and clean, as if the ongoing siege hadn't affected her at all.
The moment Evelina walked in, Selene's gaze was fixed on her.
They all rose as Damian entered—he didn't wait for formality.
"We found him," he said without preamble. "Luther."
A collective gasp rippled through the room. Lord Alderic stiffened. Lucien's expression didn't change, but his hand curled against the edge of the table.
