Cover of Anathema (The Eating Woods, #1)

The Eating Woods, #1

Anathema

by Keri Lake


Genre
Fantasy, Romance, Paranormal
Year
2024
Pages
630
Contents

Chapter 33

Overview

Zevander informs Dolion of King Sagaerin’s plague-triggering amulet bound to Prince Dorjan and learns Dolion’s visions always come true, raising the stakes to protect the prince. To divert scrutiny, they plan to move the bloodstones to Calyxar. After Dolion pleads, Zevander reluctantly agrees to train Maevyth for two weeks, then send her away during Princess Calisza’s Becoming.

Summary

Zevander, still fighting off the effects of Nilmirth and his rising temper, drags Dolion to his office. He reports King Sagaerin’s new apprentice, Melantha, who reads auras and probed for proof Dolion lives. Zevander reveals the king’s Cadavros-forged amulet that will unleash a plague on Nyxteros if Prince Dorjan dies; Dolion identifies it as a soulbinder and admits his visions have always come true.

Accepting that Dorjan must be protected—especially with Princess Calisza’s upcoming Becoming drawing nobles and Solassions—Zevander orders continued secrecy around the bloodstones. Dolion proposes relocating them to Calyxar using a cloaking spell that needs vivicantem; Zevander provides a vial. Dolion pledges to return by giving Zevander his treasured Elvynira gold bands and plans to travel via Wyntertide by steed and ship.

They debate Maevyth’s training and safety. Dolion suggests taking her to Calyxar, while Zevander expects royal mages will guard the Becoming and advises leaving that night. Dolion urges Zevander to train Maevyth, arguing Zevander’s unique sablefyre experience and curiosity about why he couldn’t kill her might illuminate his curse and her powers.

Burdened by his failing control and Branimir’s worsening condition, Zevander resists, then yields when Dolion pleads his limits as a scholar. Zevander agrees to train Maevyth for two weeks so she can defend herself, on condition Dolion then takes her far away and she never returns.

Who Appears

  • Zevander
    Cursed Letalisz; informs Dolion about the soulbinder amulet, funds the cloaking spell, and reluctantly agrees to train Maevyth for two weeks.
  • Dolion
    Elvynira mage with reliable visions; proposes moving bloodstones to Calyxar, pledges return with gold bands, and pleads for Zevander to train Maevyth.
  • Rykaia
    Zevander’s sister; teases him and mentions assisting Maevyth, then yields the room.
  • Prince Dorjan
    His life is bound to a plague-triggering soulbinder; must be protected to prevent catastrophe.
  • Cadavros
    Creator of the soulbinder amulet; figure in Dolion’s visions, deepening the threat.
  • King Sagaerin
    Reveals the plague amulet and hosts the impending Becoming, heightening political risk.
  • Melantha
    Magelord’s new apprentice; aura-reader intent on proving Dolion lives, increasing scrutiny.
  • Princess Calisza
    Her Becoming will gather nobles and mages; used as cover for Dolion and Maevyth’s departure.
  • Torryn
    Assigned to assist training, though Dolion argues he lacks glyph expertise.
  • Allura
    Expert summoned from The Citadel to aid Maevyth’s training with glyphs.
  • Kazhimyr
    Tasked with returning to Eidolon with Allura for Maevyth’s instruction.
  • Branimir
    Zevander’s brother; failing under the curse, sharpening Zevander’s urgency and despair.
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