Chapter 12

Brynn awakens after over fifteen hours to find Acker still hiding in her room, recovered enough to exercise. They share food in tense silence until Acker needles her about Kai’s professed love. Brynn asserts she owes no explanation, but Acker presses, saying he saw her realize she isn’t Alaha and urging her to leave.

Lowering his voice because of neighbors and patrols, Acker challenges Brynn’s history of the exile. He explains the territories, Mother Nature’s gifted magic, and the Alaha’s innate power of influence meant to prevent conflict. He claims the Alaha’s leader abused that power to conquer lands—revealed to be Captain Wren—who, as an Heir, is centuries old.

Acker further alleges Kai possesses weak influence inherited through smuggled soil used at the Market and in the blood oath, and that Kai has been subtly compelling Brynn for years. Brynn rejects this, insisting magic isn’t real and that Kai would never manipulate her. She resolves to attend training despite Acker’s warning that Wren keeps women subservient.

The argument escalates; Acker catches Brynn’s raised hand and hushes her for fear of being overheard. Brynn proposes using the Matching Ceremony in two days as the best time to commandeer a boat, intending to part ways afterward. Acker refuses to leave without her, their proximity sparking charged tension, and he vows to take her by force if needed. Brynn ends the standoff, refusing to go down with a sinking ship.