Catherine was beyond shocked.
As a prince raised within the strict customs of the Kingdom, Maximilian would have known exactly what cremation meant.
He had burned her?
And then followed her into the fire himself?
It was unthinkable.
Even traitors born into the royal family were spared cremation. Their blood alone guaranteed them that final dignity. No matter how grave their crimes, they were laid to rest according to tradition. Cremation was reserved for the worst criminals, for those considered beyond redemption.
How could Maximilian possibly do such a thing?
Then, suddenly, Catherine remembered the pain in Maximilian's face not long ago.
What you asked me to do...
Her breath caught.
Memory returned with merciless clarity.
As she lay dying in Maximilian's arms, after learning that it had been Dorian who had poisoned her, after realizing that the man holding her was dying alongside her...
She had asked him for one final thing.
