The Heartless Woman

Meanwhile, at the Cassian Manor.

Several streaks of fractured light filtered quietly through the carved windows, scattering mottled shadows across the sandalwood desk.

Inside, a man sat quietly beside the desk. The light softened the edges of his otherwise cold and sharp features.

In front of him, a brocade box lay open. Inside it rested a ring woven from paper pith.

Because of how much time had p