Chapter 47

Late at night, Jovie confronts Acker about Irina’s presence and his failure to tell her. Her jealousy and anger erupt; she hurls light at Acker, who dodges and then subdues her with animated filigree, insisting he will never hurt her by choice. The charged restraint turns intimate until Jovie bites him, and Acker releases her, shifting focus to a planned meeting with a friend in the city.

Acker apologizes for not telling Jovie sooner and teases her jealousy, partly defusing tensions. As they leave, Jovie reports a guard’s leering. Acker dismisses the man; when the guard mutters an insult, Acker knocks out his tooth and removes him from duty, ordering the other guard to find a replacement.

They depart in a plain carriage driven by Harold. Along the ride, Acker urges Jovie to attend training to remind soldiers she is the lost princess of Maile, not just a light wielder. He explains that their betrothal once symbolized peace between territories and that her abduction shattered it.

Acker outlines the conclave of five territorial leaders and how Jovie’s mother closed Maile’s border after killing Osiris, growing hostile and accusing the conclave and the king of conspiracy. He asserts that Jovie’s visible return can restore hope and stability to his people as they go to meet an ally at the blacksmith’s.