The morning light inside the grand bedchamber did not feel like a blessing. It was a pale, cold glare that cut through the massive crystal glass wall, casting long, sharp shadows across the floor.
Lin Wan sat on the edge of the velvet mattress, her knees pulled up to her chest.
The white beast fur carpet beneath her bare feet was incredibly thick and soft, but to her, it felt like walking on a layer of heavy snow that was slowly freezing her skin.
She curled her toes, trying to find a patch of warmth, but there was none. The entire room, despite all its gold pillars and silk curtains, felt dead.
She took a shallow breath, her chest tightening as she looked around the room.
The space was enormous, easily four times the size of the rented courtyard she had lived in before. Beautiful silk banners of deep crimson hung from the high ceiling, embroidered with the golden crest of the manticore.
