Chapter 39

As rain hammers their forest camp, Hallis challenges Acker for delaying their advance, accusing him of cushioning Jovie before court and of falling for her. He warns there are no secrets in court and mentions Acker’s betrothal to the Princess of Strou. Unseen, Jovie’s consciousness projects from sleep and witnesses the exchange until Acker notices her.

Jovie jolts awake and confronts Acker about the betrothal. Acker, rattled by her ability, demands to know how long she has been projecting and even suspects she might be Wren’s plant. Jovie denies this, and when she explains her experience—her mind manifesting near him—Acker’s anger softens into guilt.

Acker admits he’s been betrothed to Strou’s princess since thirteen, and that Jovie had been his original betrothal before her disappearance. He insists the current wedding will be canceled after speaking to his father, but Jovie challenges the political costs, pointing out Maile’s stronger army and questioning whether Acker courted Strou to secure alliances. The argument escalates as Jovie doubts the “matching bond” and Acker calls for Beau to verify his feelings.

Acker seizes Jovie and kisses her; resistance melts into desire, and their magics meet and intertwine—metal-sense flares across miles, shared between them. Jovie tears away, burning handprints into Acker’s chest, and declares she still does not trust him. Acker says he only needs her to trust herself and vows to kill Kai for what was done to her. He douses the fire, leaving the camp in near-darkness as Jovie’s skin glows faintly.