Milan walked beside him, with Cleora and Raayani following close behind. The steps leading down from the building were wide and grand, designed to make those ascending feel small and those descending feel exposed.
A crowd had gathered in the plaza below; word of the disruption had spread quickly. People pressed forward, craning their necks to see the young baron who had defied the imperial court and shaken the entire city with his power.
But Jolthar's attention was drawn to a figure standing at the base of the steps, positioned as if he'd been waiting specifically for this moment.
