She crushed her right hand into a fist. If there were any regrets she had about leaving Rook Castle and her house behind, it was the people who could be hurt by her decision.

And yet . . . wouldn’t more be saved if the Ravenwoods no longer killed with their gift? If the cycle of hatred was broken?

She stood. These thoughts were too much to bear inside the empty room. Outside, the sun still shone, but evening was already descending. She doubted anyone would mind if she went for a walk along the gardens she had seen around the palace. Exercise had a way of clearing her mind and helping her work through her emotions.

Selene grabbed her cloak, pulled the hood up over her head, and exited the rooms. Karl followed her like a shadow, discreetly enough so it was as if she was alone, but she could still feel his presence behind her.

Every few minutes, she would hear a muffled sob or low whispers echo along the gleaming hallway. With each sound, her heart slowly slipped open to the grief that was pervading the palace. These people loved the family of Luceras. It wasn’t the same as the deep love she had seen and experienced Nor Esen feel for Damien, but it was still there, if only a little bit. It only reminded her of how different House Ravenwood and the mountain people were.

How different she was.

Was it possible it could change someday? Would discovering House Ravenwood’s true purpose in dreamwalking change both her family and their people?

She hoped so.

She found the entrance to the vast gardens on the first floor. Double doors opened up to a small valley of towering trees, flowers of every color and size, and paths made of river stone that led out into a green forest.

She stood there for a moment and took in a deep breath, letting the beauty soak into her being. The air was cool and held the fragrance of soil and sweetness. She took a step forward, the river stone crunching beneath her boots, her fingers trailing along the leaves from the trees as she walked. The valley was easily three times the size of the garden back at Rook Castle and filled with more flowers than she had ever seen.

Ophie would love this place.

Selene smiled tenderly as she went for the path on the left, imagining her sister laughing as she ran down the trail, stopping to smell every flower and climb every tree.

Sunlight trickled through the forest in rays of pure gold, and the flowers raised their faces to drink it in. Birds sang in the trees, and a light blue butterfly danced along the flower petals.

In this place, she could believe in the Old Ways, in the Light who gave light and beauty to everything. This garden seemed to almost sing of his presence. Not even the cloak of death could hide the splendor of this place. She remembered Damien’s words from the day of the Festival of Light, when he showed her his gift and told her about the Light. “Does the sun disappear when clouds come? Or is the sun still there?” It is still there. Just like the Light.