Gyanal was running through the halls of the imperial palace, her high heels discarded long ago, her bare feet slapping against the marble floors.

While Airan and Reinhold were engaged in their standoff, Gyanal had used the ensuing chaos to slip away and sprint toward the heart of the palace. With Lowellina’s elite troops fully occupied outside, and even the palace guards rushing to assist Reinhold, it had become a strange and almost absurdly convenient opportunity.

"Linasien!"

Gyanal cried out for her sister with all her might.

Despite the fact that they had never been close, and Linasien had often …