Chapter 11

Diem encounters Henri in the palace while wearing the Crown. Henri reacts with shock, grief, and anger, reaching for a hidden knife as guards close in. Diem feigns formality to draw him away, pleading for privacy to explain.

On the way, Henri is transfixed by a room where Luther throttles Aemonn. Henri recognizes Luther as the man who killed a mortal boy, confirming Diem’s worst suspicions. She urges discretion, promising justice if Henri remains unseen, and hustles him into a vacant bedroom to avoid guards near her chambers.

Alone, Henri realizes Diem is the new Queen. Diem insists she only learned of her Descended heritage when the Crown manifested, suspects her unknown birth father, and doubts her mother’s complicity. Probing about flameroot, Henri prompts Diem to recall childhood “visions,” leading her to conclude the powder suppressed her Descended magic.

Henri pivots, asking whether flameroot could negate other Descended traits and if more can be obtained. Diem understands he wants it as a weapon for the Guardians. Choosing Henri over strict loyalty to the Descended, she offers to find more and professes love, proposing he attend the Ascension Ball as her betrothed to gather intelligence.

Henri suggests striking the Houses at the Ball; Diem urges delay until after coronation to protect her nascent authority. He agrees that patience could benefit a “Guardian Queen.” Their reconciliation turns fervent as Diem asks him to “be my King,” but their intimacy is abruptly cut short when Luther appears in the doorway.