Chapter 40

Zevander, frustrated by slow glyph training and wary of Branimir’s volatility, drinks alone until Rykaia bursts in, panicked that a spider dragged Maevyth into Branimir’s cell. Zevander forces the dungeon door with black flame and lowers a mirror, finding Maevyth cradling Branimir as she sings, calming him.

Descending, Zevander orders Maevyth to leave. Branimir, peaceful for once, confirms he chooses isolation. When Maevyth resists, Zevander lifts her with power, then regrets threatening Branimir. He escorts Maevyth out, locks the cell, and declares she will sleep in the tower’s upper level.

Maevyth questions Branimir’s imprisonment and the curse. Zevander explains they share the same affliction, worsened in Branimir by undergoing the ritual older. He admits Branimir has killed, but not innocents. Maevyth argues Zevander is the greater danger, highlighting the contradiction in where she’s kept.

Maevyth negotiates to bring Branimir food and sing to him. Zevander, uneasy and possessive, agrees only if he accompanies her and limits it to one song. He notes Branimir prefers raw meat and leads Maevyth to an upper chamber—his late mother’s room—moving her away from the dungeons.

In the new room, Maevyth admires the space and asphodels, while Zevander battles jealousy over her tenderness toward Branimir. Their exchange ends on a tense, tender note, with Zevander masking desire behind brusque goodnights yet allowing closely supervised contact with his brother.