Chapter 3

By the time I left the Pearl Palace, the sun was already sinking in the west. The red palace walls glowed as if they'd been stained with blood by the setting sun.

I headed back, and when I passed through the palace gardens, I caught sight of Ambrose.

He was perched atop the rocks, a flask of wine in his hand. He wore only a thin robe, and the wind made it cling to him, showing off his lean back.

That was the back of an empire's ruler.

I walked over and scrambled up the rocks, settling down next to…