Chapter 54

Jovie visits the palace kitchen, trading gossip and muffins with Henry before Beau arrives, exhausted from duties, and urges Jovie to come to Greta. In the hidden library, Greta produces an ancient Heir registry. Jovie learns Evelyn was an Air Elemental and is shocked to discover her father was not an Heir but a commoner who married the princess and later became king.

Browsing the lineage, Jovie studies portraits of King Edmond and the late queen. Recognizing the queen’s mischievous smile and features, Jovie realizes the woman looks exactly like Grenadine, the cantankerous neighbor from Alaha, implying Grenadine is—or was—Acker’s mother.

Alarmed, Jovie reaches through the bond and finds herself in Acker’s rooms, overhearing a confrontation. The king demands Acker either keep Jovie as a consort while marrying Irina of Strou, or send Jovie to Maile, arguing the realm needs the Strou alliance against looming war. Acker protests, citing love and the potential of an alliance with Evelyn, but the king rejects it.

The king announces Strou would accept Jovie as consort if Acker marries Irina and sires an heir, then threatens Acker with dungeon and a collar if he uses blood bonds or defies orders. After the king leaves, Jovie is jolted back to the library, shaken.

Struggling to breathe, Jovie centers herself and decides not to assume Acker’s capitulation. She resolves to give Acker the chance to confide in her and fight the edict, while Beau silently registers Jovie’s turmoil.