The Nightshade Crown, #1
The Foxglove King
by Hannah Whitten
Contents
Chapter Fourteen
Overview
Bastian reveals that the horse Lore raised is still independently animate, proving that Lore's Mortem power behaves in ways neither Lore nor Gabriel understands. The discovery gives Bastian leverage and deepens the uncertainty around whether Bastian is an enemy, a manipulator, or something more complicated than August and Anton claim.
Gabriel and Lore choose not to tell August and Anton yet, strengthening their fragile alliance while exposing how dangerous Lore's position has become. Court invitations also pull Lore deeper into Citadel society, and Alienor's invitation reveals Gabriel's past engagement and lingering emotional tension.
Summary
In the stables, Lore faces the horse she accidentally reanimated in the Southwest Ward. Bastian presents the animal, now renamed Claude, as a curiosity: the horse does not eat, drink, sleep, or behave like a corpse controlled by an active channeler, yet continues to move with unsettling independence.
Lore realizes Claude should not be possible under known rules of Mortem. Bastian claims friendly guards found the horse wandering and suggests leftover minor-god magic, but Lore recognizes the story as false. Bastian's manner makes clear that he knows, or strongly suspects, Lore is connected to the horse, and Gabriel removes Lore from the stable under the excuse that she needs rest.
Back in their suite, Lore and Gabriel discuss the implications. Gabriel confirms that neither of them can sense another person channeling Mortem, so Claude's continued animation may be a lingering effect of Lore's own unprecedented power. Gabriel briefly becomes accusatory, but Lore challenges him, and Gabriel backs down, admitting that Lore seems as confused and frightened by her abilities as anyone else.
Lore and Gabriel then debate what Bastian knows and whether Bastian is truly a Kirythean informant. Lore argues that August and Anton may not have told them the full truth and that Bastian's actions do not necessarily fit the accusation. Gabriel remains inclined to trust Anton's suspicions, but he agrees not to report Claude to August and Anton yet, understanding that doing so could make Lore useless as a spy and endanger her further.
The conversation shifts when Lore finds a stack of court invitations. Bastian's attention has made Lore socially desirable, while Gabriel is less welcome because he is a Presque Mort on hiatus. One invitation, from Alienor, invites both Lore and Gabriel to croquet, prompting Gabriel to reveal that Alienor was once his arranged fiancée until his dedication to the Presque Mort ended the match when he was ten. Tired of the suite and court pressures, Gabriel offers to take Lore somewhere else.
Who Appears
- LoreConfronts the independently animated horse she raised and fears Bastian has discovered her secret.
- GabrielHelps Lore analyze Claude, briefly distrusts her, then agrees to keep the discovery secret.
- BastianDisplays Claude to Lore, lies about finding him, and implies he knows her connection.
- ClaudeFormerly Horse; remains undead, independent, and physically decayed despite no active channeling.
- AlienorSends a croquet invitation, prompting Gabriel to reveal she was once his arranged fiancée.