Axel began to walk out of Chancellor Greylark’s office, but he lingered at the threshold, almost hesitating. She needed to hear it again. “You’re wrong,” he said, his back still turned. “I don’t blame you for what happened to Father. I said things that can’t be unspoken. Know that I am different, Mother. Perhaps not the son you imagined I’d be, but the son you have.” Axel had never seen his mother cry, not once in his life. Not in front of him, at least. But as he turned over his shoulder, he saw her eyes turn glassy with unshed tears. He let them both retain their dignity and walked on,
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