Ten years had come and gone. The tale of two Queens, ruling side by side in a kingdom where outcasts are welcome and justice is served, made its way across the continent. Over there, the people would say, you are safe. You are free.

Queen Eileen and Commander Lyra watched over their country from the tallest tower of their castle, hand-in-hand. Their daughter, Hope—whom they had found abandoned against two mares one fateful day—was fast asleep four floors down.

As the two Queens held each other and renewed their vows in private, Lyra closed her eyes.

Finally, she knew what it was like to be alive.