Chapter 12

Evie is attacked in the kitchens by a blade-wielding intruder who blocks her escape. With her magic fading, Evie fights back physically, stabbing his hand and using her heels, but he overpowers her and slams her into the wall. He reveals himself as Otto Warsen’s son, blaming Evie for his father’s death and raising a blade to kill her.

As the blade descends, Trystan’s dark mist arrests the strike. The attacker briefly takes Evie hostage, nicking her throat, but Trystan’s magic lashes out and the man throws Evie, injuring her further. Seeing Evie hurt and her hair in the attacker’s hands, Trystan snaps; Evie stops him from killing the man, prompting Trystan to knock the attacker unconscious instead.

Trystan orders Marv and Min to double-chain the prisoner in the dungeons for questioning. Evie, concussed and exhausted, asks to join the interrogation later. Trystan gathers her into his arms, admitting the gilded tattoo burned and led him to her. He vows he would never ignore it and will always find her if she’s in danger.

With his magic volatile—snuffing candles and shattering a chalice—Trystan insists no one else touch Evie as he carries her to the healer. Evie drifts in and out, registering his possessiveness and the deepening, dangerous intimacy between them as the immediate threat turns into an opportunity to interrogate a captured enemy.