I am Pax's father, Tameka's husband, the Prince of Cinder, mentor to the Shadow, and a Concerted Emperor of Iona Pax. While you've never thought of me as a monster, Rayne, there was a time in my life when I'm certain I was one.

It's my turn to tell the story of our complicated histories. Not because I fear you following in my footsteps, but because I fear you think those footsteps are worth following.

You need to know everything-everything-about who I am and what I've done to understand why I need our Shadow together. Maybe I'll answer a few of your burning questions along the way. Like was I ever a galactic space pirate? How did I meet our allies and form our empire? Or what do I really think of Nox?

Because I know you, Rayne. You need to know all of this as much as I need to tell it, so I can atone for my mistakes. And so you can finally understand Celindria.