Requesting an audience with the Emperor was no easy feat. The bureaucracy of the Imperium could be a nightmare to wade through. But Halden had an edge. He worked for the IAS. This could open doors that would otherwise remain closed.

He realized it might also go back down the chain to Marthus, but he could worry about that later.

Sending his request had been the first thing he’d done when he’d set foot on Assalin—before he was even flown to his hotel. Now he’d have to wait for an answer.

The city sprawled beneath them for miles and miles. There was only one here, for it covered the entire planet. It was simply known as Assalin, or Imperial City.

Green spires rose to touch the clouds, while gliders criss-crossed through the sky. Far below, gleaming walkways snaked around massive buildings made of jade and glass. Everything looked precious and fragile—though Halden knew the material used to build these structures could withstand the most violent blows.

He shared a glider with Vina, who had decided to book a room at the same place.

On the way there, he noticed she looked sad. When he questioned her about it, she offered him a small smile.

“I just wish you would trust me more.”

He blinked, surprised by her words.

“I don’t understand. Why would you think I don’t trust you?”

“You know everything about me, Halden, but what do I know about you? You’ve never shared anything about your past. All I know is that I look like someone you once knew—I assume someone who broke your heart. It’s not a reproach, it just makes me sad. I keep telling myself I have not earned your trust yet, and I must just be more patient.”

He stared at her for a moment. She turned away, blushing.

“I’m sorry,” she muttered, “I shouldn’t have said that. Forget I mentioned it.”

He remained quiet, pondering her words.

She was right, of course. He did know everything about her, though he hadn’t said much about himself. He wasn’t used to talking about himself. There were other reasons, of course, but...

He frowned as he looked through the window at the city below. Scientists like him had built this place. It was the most technologically advanced city in the known universe. And yet, his kin were forced to work in the dark, to hide who they were, what they did, what they could accomplish. And even when they came up with something new, it was kept under wraps. If the Emperor approved it, it would slowly be brought into daily usage, but with little fanfare about its origins. It was for their own safety, too. Because scientists were shunned now—thanks to Imperial edicts.

This had made him wary of others.

He glanced at Vina, wondering how she would react if she knew the truth. Would she be disgusted? Part of him feared she would not want to have anything to do with him anymore.

But there were other things he could tell her.

“Vina...”

She turned to look at him, concern in her eyes. He realized she probably had a similar fear. That he might reject her because of what she had said.

“It’s okay,” he said with a smile. “I’m not angry. You were right to say those things. I’ve been holding back, when I really have no reason to do so. At least... Well, I do have a reason for one thing. But...”

He took a deep breath, then told her about Marcia. How they had met, so many years ago, when they were both students. How they had fallen in love, married, and had a child—Lucy. How they had drifted apart when she wanted to stay on Elphine, where her work was, while he withered away. How their daughter had wanted to go with him when he’d decided to move back to Bernice. How Marcia had never forgiven him for this.

And then, of course, he told her about his sweet, adorable daughter. About Lucy. And Rees. And the accident.

He fell quiet, staring down at the floor of the glider.

She grabbed his hand and squeezed it.

“I’m sorry,” she muttered.

He wiped a tear from his eye and looked up at her.

Why would she shun him? This woman was a kind and beautiful person. He didn’t want to keep secrets from her.

“There’s something else,” he said.

“You don’t have to.”

“I do, though I fear you might hate me for it.” Before she could say anything, he blurted out the words. “I’m a scientist.”

She stared at him for a moment. Then a small smile crept up her lips.

“Really?”

He nodded.

“That’s amazing!”

The response stunned him. “You don’t hate me?”

“Of course not!” She waved at the city around them. “We wouldn’t have any of this without people like you. We should be praising your work rather than demeaning you.”

He smiled. “I appreciate that.”

The glider dropped them off at the hotel. After they’d settled in, they met at the restaurant for dinner and talked some more.

A few hours later, his wristpad beeped to warn him he had received a message.

He was summoned for a meeting at the palace in the morning.