Prologue - Winter Bloom

The birthing chamber door swung open. A maid stepped into the hallway, scanning for the Duke, unaware he stood just beside the doorway.

She jumped at the sight of him and bowed quickly. "My lord, a girl has been born."

"A girl?"

"Yes, my lord."

He strode past her into the chamber. His wife lay unconscious on the bed, blonde hair plastered to her face with sweat. Midwives hovered around her, patting her skin with damp cloths.

"Is she alright?" the Duke demanded.

"She fainted from exhaustion, my lord," the head midwife replied. "But she will recover."

His gaze shifted to the bundle in the woman's arms.

"Your daughter, my lord." The midwife stepped forward, offering the infant.

The Duke took the child carefully. The moment he looked down, he froze.

The newborn's hair, eyebrows, and even her lashes were entirely white. It was as though something had drained all color from her.

"Is she sick?"

"No, my lord." The midwife's voice wavered. "She is perfectly healthy. Strong heartbeat, steady breathing. There is nothing wrong with her."

He stared at the child in his arms. "Then why is her hair white? Why is everything white?"

The midwife shook her head. "I cannot say, my lord."

The infant blinked awake. Her eyes were pale, frosted blue, gleaming faintly in the candlelight.

The Duke's breath caught. " It looks like God didn't bless her."

"Cassian." A weak voice came from the bed.

The Duchess had woken. She weakly patted the mattress beside her. "Lay her next to me."

He hesitated, then placed the baby beside his wife.

The Duchess's eyes widened at the sight of the newborn.

"Cassian," she whispered, looking up at him. "What happened?"