Three weeks in the Shadowfall Keep had transformed the rhythm of my life.
The suffocating weight that used to settle on my chest every morning was entirely gone. In its place was a crisp, invigorating clarity. The Sunfire Suite’s private balcony overlooked the lower training grounds, where elite Shadowfall vanguards drilled in tight, disciplined formations beneath the shadow of the glacial peaks.
Nora sat beside me at the outdoor iron table, enthusiastically digging into a plate of warm cinnamon pastries and fresh berries. Her laughter echoed lightly against the stone walls—a sound so pure, vibrant, and frequent now that it often brought a quiet tear to my eyes. The Healers had officially declared her in full remission two days ago; the Star-Lotus treatment had eradicated every trace of
