The Broken Blades Trilogy, #3
Three Shattered Souls
by Mai Corland
Contents
Chapter Seventeen
Overview
In Count Rune’s manor, the group splits into paired rooms for safety, revealing fractures—especially between Aeri and Royo. Aeri and Sora share a guarded night, taking luxurious but wary baths while Aeri hides weapons and worries about exposing relics. They comfort each other about loss, before Aeri senses an intruder.
Summary
Aeri notes Sora’s late return and beauty as the group faces six suites under servant watch. Royo refuses to room with Aeri after she agrees to consider Count Rune’s marriage proposal, deepening their rift. Mikail warns Rune can’t be trusted and urges everyone to sleep armed. The group pairs off: Royo with Mikail, Aeri with Sora, Gambria with Fallador.
In their grand room, Sora postpones explaining her absence until after baths. While attendants help, Aeri hides knives around the bed. Sora bathes first; Aeri follows, enjoying the luxury until a servant notices Aeri’s ring, reminding Aeri she exposed a relic.
Aeri’s unease grows as she recalls Rune’s reaction to the artifact and regrets being careless. Afterward, Sora closes the drapes and they share the massive bed. With servants gone, Sora delays her story until tomorrow. Exhausted from a day of danger and proposal, they settle in.
In the dark, Aeri apologizes for Daysum; Sora squeezes her hand and they affirm their love, offering mutual comfort. Aeri, unable to sleep, dwells on her strained connection with Royo—his care contrasted with distrust—hoping tomorrow is simpler.
As Aeri finally drifts toward sleep, she becomes alert again, realizing there is a third person breathing in the room, signaling an immediate, unseen threat.
Who Appears
- AeriNarrator; balances caution and vulnerability, hides weapons, worries over exposed relic, comforts Sora, senses an intruder.
- SoraShares a room with Aeri, postpones revelations, accepts comfort about Daysum, reciprocates affection, secures the room.
- RoyoAvoids Aeri and chooses to room with Mikail, highlighting tension after Aeri considers Rune’s proposal.
- MikailWarns the group not to trust Rune and to sleep armed; pairs with Royo.
- GambriaQuestions Rune’s trustworthiness; rooms with Fallador.
- FalladorQuietly observes group dynamics; rooms with Gambria.
- Count RuneHis marriage proposal and potential duplicity shape the group’s precautions and Aeri’s conflict.