Blood of the Laurel

empire pulsed wit

ved and nobles drank from cups carved from conquered bones. The capita

g between markets and mansions, gatheri

d when she returned t

f Vesta-where she had once tended the eternal flame-was a

ped insi

ad first kissed Marcus was now a wine table for s

them, not in pray

g," she whispered. "A

it a

gnited like

e blazed-a warning

ire res

n grew into roars. Livia Corvus called for martial law. Marcus stoo

last, in a voice that mad

he empre

he window towar

ost you

itus found Cassia washi

it arson," he s

uld call

keep walking this path,

n in a shattered mirror. Her f

t to go back

inish what t