The sky burns the color of old blood as Solmire collapses around me. Stone screams as it tears from the vaulted ceiling, and I’m frozen—watching history repeat itself.\n\nThen he’s there. Sean. My enemy. My shadow. He shoves me aside, takes the pillar on his back, and grins like it’s a jest. ‘This ends it, Princess,’ he gasps, blood on his teeth. ‘No more debts. No more chains.’\n\nI scream his name as the light leaves his eyes.\n\nAnd then—I wake up.\n\nSunlight filters through silk curtains. I’m fifteen again. The empire still stands. And Sean walks into the council chamber, alive, hating me, unaware that I just felt his last breath against my cheek.\n\nA servant whispers: ‘Princess Lyra awaits your counsel on the garden arrangements for the Harvest Ball.’\n\nMy hands tremble. This is my second chance.\n\nDo I change fate… or fulfill it?