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Contents ( 56)
  1. Cover
  2. Half Title Page
  3. Books by Morgan L. Busse
  4. Title Page
  5. Copyright Page
  6. Dedication
  7. Contents
  8. The Dominia Empire (Map)
  9. Character List
  10. 1
  11. 2
  12. 3
  13. 4
  14. 5
  15. 6
  16. 7
  17. 8
  18. 9
  19. 10
  20. 11
  21. 12
  22. 13
  23. 14
  24. 15
  25. 16
  26. 17
  27. 18
  28. 19
  29. 20
  30. 21
  31. 22
  32. 23
  33. 24
  34. 25
  35. 26
  36. 27
  37. 28
  38. 29
  39. 30
  40. 31
  41. 32
  42. 33
  43. 34
  44. 35
  45. 36
  46. 37
  47. 38
  48. 39
  49. 40
  50. 41
  51. 42
  52. 43
  53. 44
  54. About the Author
  55. Back Ads
  56. Back Cover

Selene shook her head. “It’s a private question.”

“Oh. Well, you could look through our texts.”

“But how will I know if I’ve received an answer? What if I miss it? Or”—she laced her fingers together on top of the table and leaned forward—“what if he doesn’t answer?” That was what she feared the most: that the Light would have no reason to answer someone like her.

“He’ll answer. But sometimes his words are as quiet as a soft breeze, and his light like the first rays of dawn. Only those looking for it will find it. You must listen and watch, and quiet your heart within. Then your answer will come.”

Selene stared at Cohen. Those were profound words coming from the awkward monk. “So listen and wait?”

“Yes. And study. Come by the abbey whenever you want and read from our library. Perhaps your question was asked by another.”

Selene nodded. “I will.” She stood up. “Thank you, Cohen.”

“My pleasure, Lady Selene. I hope you find what you are looking for.”

“As do I.” She turned to find Karl looking inquisitively at her before he glanced away, his blank façade moving back into place.

Cohen led the way across the abbey to the outer door. “Farewell, Lady Selene.”

Selene stepped out into the chilly mist with Karl by her side. “Good-bye, Cohen. Thank you again for seeing me today.”

The monk bowed his head. “We live to serve the Light and House Maris.”

Selene turned and started down the path back to Nor Esen and Northwind Castle. Questions once again filled her mind. Who was she? Why was House Ravenwood given the gift of dreamwalking? And who was the Light?

Cohen had given her ways to find out. And she would do just that.

17

Snow fell on the second day of winter. Damien watched as snowflakes collected along the edge of the glass pane, coating the windowsill in white. A fire burned brightly in the fireplace on the other side of his desk. Three long letters lay open on the wooden surface, one each from House Luceras, House Vivek, and House Merek. The first two were inquiries addressed to his steward, asking if he was at Northwind Castle. He had a feeling it was impressed upon the other houses that he, too, had been murdered or defected, and the letters that he had sent when he arrived at Northwind Castle, the ones letting them know he was alive, must have crossed theirs in the air. The last letter, the one from Lady Bryren, gave him the most information.

Grand Lord Damien,

More than ever I hope this letter finds you in good health, contrary to what Lady Ragna shared with us when you were discovered missing and Lord Rune and Lady Runa found dead. I might have even believed her explanation, save for the question you asked me the night of the gala about the mysterious murders amongst the lower houses and the death of my father. Because of that, I am sending you this letter and implore you to answer back quickly.