The Outer Houses rebelled.
They attacked the northern ports, burning banners and breaching the sigils. Lucien fought like a demon.
Aurelia summoned a skyfire storm that wiped out an entire fleet.
But victory came bitter.
"Every time we win," she said, "we lose something."
Lucien touched her hand. "Then let's lose it together."
But even as they held each other... neither spoke of what they had truly lost.