Chapter 33. Now: Maris

Maris leaves the Citadel after pressing a whalebone knife into Ophelius’s hand, granting the death Ophelius wanted and the release of her godsblood. Racing to her family villa, Maris sheds her Magistrate’s robes, frees caged finches, and gathers valuables to bribe her way across the bridge, realizing the Consul has signaled Valshad and the New Legion is unaware.

In her mother’s room, Théo appears, armorless, and delivers a godsblood-infused Esdran medallion—Luca’s attempt to give Maris a new identity. Before Maris can flee, legionnaires pound at the doors. Théo positions himself to ambush them and, as soldiers sweep the villa, he silently counts their number by the light shifting on the floor.

Théo kills the first three men quickly and brutally—slitting throats and running one through—then disables a fourth with a hairpin to the collar gap and strangles the last with a ribbon. As the blood spreads across the white stone, the distant blare of horns and the clang of artillery roll in from outside the walls, and red tunics flood the bridges from the Ilyrium.

Maris recognizes the attack is coming from beyond Isara: Valshad has arrived. With more legionnaires swarming the stairs and no escape for both, Maris orders Théo to go. He hesitates, then slips away, honoring his vow to Luca by living to protect him.

Left alone, Maris faces the approaching soldiers and the collapse of the city. The Loyal Legion and Magistrates’ households panic in the streets as the New Legion’s artillery pounds an external foe Maris knows are the Valshad under their green banners. She braces for capture amid the breaking of Isara.