Chapter 15

Diem meets Remis alone. He belittles Luther while positioning himself as indispensable. Diem insists she will attend the House Receptions personally and that his counsel will influence her advisor choices. Remis frames the Receptions as the Houses’ test for whether to Challenge her, noting their risk calculus and suggesting her unknown upbringing unsettles succession expectations.

Pressed on motives for a Challenge, Remis states the Houses would act if they believe Diem endangers all Twenty Houses. He introduces bonded bargains: magically enforced oaths that strip magic upon breach. Remis predicts the Houses will demand binding assurances on suppressing mortal rebellions and restricting mortals and half-mortals, provoking Diem’s anger, which she then masks, promising only vague security pledges.

Remis proposes strategy: Diem should play a vapid, compliant queen who defers all serious questions to him until after the Challenging, diverting negotiations to narrow House interests. He recommends a Corbois escort to manage marriage speculation, suggesting Aemonn. Diem agrees outwardly, seeing value in using Remis as a shield.

Remis seeks to formalize their alliance with a secret bonded bargain: Diem will claim House Corbois for her reign, and House Corbois will neither Challenge nor support a Challenge against her. Despite unease, Diem consents; they seal it with blood and a pulse of magic, and agree to keep it hidden to avoid internal retaliation.

To cement her cover, Remis produces a family record naming “Harold Corbois” as Diem’s deceased father. Diem notes the convenient, likely fabricated entry but accepts it as political camouflage, leaving with a throbbing wrist and a new, covert tie to House Corbois.