Cassian's POV
The Valtoria Empire was.…..strange. I had known that when I had agreed to this diplomatic mission. The Emperor was brilliant but distracted. The court was a nest of vipers. And the political situation with the Southern territories was delicate enough without adding assassination attempts and dark mana rituals into the mix.
But I had stayed. Because of the diamond trade. Because of my duty to my people. Because—
No.
Because of her.
I emerged from the catacombs into the wine cellar, then made my way up through the servants' passages. The palace was silent at this hour, most of the inhabitants asleep in their beds.
Except for the guards posted outside the Imperial Academy.
I nodded to them as I passed, heading for the small suite they had given me near Roxanne's recovery room. Not in her room, the Emperor had been very clear about that, but close enough that I could reach her in seconds if needed.
She's asleep at the moment.
