The Broken Blades Trilogy, #3
Three Shattered Souls
by Mai Corland
Contents
Chapter Fifteen
Overview
Sora recognizes courtesan Misha as Sun-ye, a fellow graduate of poison school and Seok’s assassin targeting Count Rune. In a private confrontation, they hold blades to each other, trade truths about Seok’s coercion, and form a tentative alliance.
Sora’s open grief over Daysum sways Sun-ye to delay or nullify her report.
Summary
At Rune’s residence, Sora recognizes the unveiled courtesan as Sun-ye from poison school. Fearing exposure would get Sun-ye killed, Sora asks to be excused, and Sun-ye escorts her to a powder room. Both draw hidden blades, grappling against the wall with mutual kill-shots poised.
They confirm identities and motives: Sun-ye was sent by Seok to kill Count Rune in exchange for freedom for herself and her twin, Rayna. Sora reveals Seok similarly used her, sending her after King Joon and later selling Daysum, who has since died.
Sora’s controlled breakdown over Daysum’s death softens Sun-ye, who loosens her guard while keeping her dagger out. They acknowledge their shared past under Madame Iseul and Seok’s threats, then repair their appearances, maintaining practiced composure.
Sun-ye admits she has observed Rune for a week per Seok’s terms and is to report before receiving a kill signal. Questioned why Rune still lives, she cites the requirement to surveil first, hinting her next report could trigger action.
Confronted with Sora’s vow for revenge on Seok and the cost to their sisters, Sun-ye signals a pause in hostilities and suggests her report may be blank. They sheath weapons and shake hands, agreeing to be allies for now, leaving Rune’s immediate safety precarious but improved.
Who Appears
- SoraProtagonist; recognizes Sun-ye, confronts her, grieves Daysum, and forges a tentative alliance to thwart Seok.
- Sun-ye (alias Misha)Courtesan-assassin sent by Seok to kill Rune; bargains for Rayna’s freedom; pauses mission after truce with Sora.
- Count RuneRahway’s count and political ally; target of Seok’s assassination plot, unaware of the powder room standoff.
- SeokUsurper-king orchestrating assassinations; coerces Sun-ye with Rayna’s fate and caused Daysum’s death.
- RaynaSun-ye’s twin; held under Seok’s control, her safety leveraged to compel Sun-ye’s mission.
- DaysumSora’s sister; sold to Sterling and now dead, catalyzing Sora’s resolve and moving Sun-ye.
- Lord SterlingOffstage noble implicated in Daysum’s sale, underscoring Seok’s cruelty.