Though Arcardius wasn’t her true home, and though she’d had to fight tooth and nail to win her place here...this planet was nearly hers now. These people, these floating mountains, the Nexus satellite floating in the sky, almost complete. All of it would belong to Nor the moment Androma came for her crew.

So it was with confidence that Nor relaxed back into her seat and turned her gaze to the window, drinking in the sight of her domain. For Arcardius would be hers—it was only a matter of time now. And once she had Arcardius, and Mirabel, firmly in her grasp...

Then Exonia would finally be free.

CHAPTER 16

VALEN

Valen pulled himself from his mind castle as Veronus came into view, his head wobbling and pulsing from the effort. Still, he smiled through the pain as he saw the city that was no longer trapped beneath his father’s iron rule.

To Valen, Veronus had always seemed to be made of stars. The buildings, largely crafted from glass and steel, glowed in the moonlight as the ship landed among them like a bird, polished silver wings outspread to catch the reflections of every admiring face in the city.

For the queen was coming down from her castle in the sky.

The tiny tendrils of fear Valen had felt as the ship soared away from Averia gradually melted away. As the ship’s loading ramp lowered, steam hissing from the cooling vents creating a gentle curtain of clouds, he heard the sound of his people cheering—a mighty roar that could not be silenced.

Everyone wanted to see the queen. Innumerable flags with the Solis family crest waved in Valen’s sights as soldiers lined up to escort Nor through the flanking crowds.

“Nor!” the people screamed. “The true queen!”

He had done this. Valen had never accomplished anything of true merit in his life until he’d met Nor, and even now, there were days when he had doubts about himself.

But this? This had been worth the wait.

Zahn called for his squadron to fall into formation, and they cut a solid pathway through the crowd, leaving just enough space for the queen’s group to pass through. Nor and Zahn walked side by side, guarded by Lira, Breck and Gilly, while Darai and Valen followed close behind.

“Stay close,” Zahn said over his shoulder to Valen as they moved toward the Academy. He felt a surge of irritation at the command—Zahn didn’t need to talk down to him as if he were a child. And where else would he be right now, but by his sister’s side?

Yet as the roar of the crowd pressed in around him, Valen’s annoyance gave way to awe, his eyes widening. His father had been adored by the Arcardian people, his speeches and rallies full of supporters...but this was something entirely different.