Chapter 14

Trystan, despite hating meetings, gathers his core team—Tatianna, Rebecka, Clare, Gushiken (Blade), Keeley with Gideon, and finally Sage—for a coordinated response to their mounting crises: the missing female guvre, King Benedict’s pressure, and restoring Rennedawn’s magic. Sage arrives bruised and distant, which unsettles Trystan. Gideon offers insider help to infiltrate the Gleaming Palace, and Keeley proposes sending Malevolent Guards to supervise him if used.

Trystan delegates: Rebecka is to assess and reinforce the thorn barrier, potentially with her brother Roland; Blade must research guvre younglings and keep the male guvre contained after recent incidents. Trystan then reveals a breakthrough—one of the manor’s stained-glass windows may hold the fourth prophecy object—and orders total secrecy due to a suspected informant. The team is to discreetly disassemble and restore the windows, watching for sunlight-revealed text.

After the meeting, Sage asks to join the dungeon interrogation. Trystan initially refuses, citing her recovery, but relents when Sage identifies the captive as Otto Warsen’s son; she may attend only as an observer, treating it as part of her apprenticeship. The exchange underscores Trystan’s protective stance and their strained, charged rapport.

As Trystan turns to work, Kingsley suddenly seems absent—less like the enchanted frog prince and more like an ordinary frog—before shakily signaling he is present. The moment alarms Trystan, hinting at a deeper instability affecting Kingsley just as their plans begin to cohere.