Chapter 44

On a boat to Coeurîle for the Rite of Coronation, Diem basks in rare happiness after her victory and solidifying bonds, while acknowledging the Houses’ submission is fragile. She plans reforms and awaits responses from Remis, Garath, and Aemonn. She also intends to end her betrothal to Henri when possible.

Diem sends her gryvern Sorae home, unable to bring her to the island. She and Luther trade teasing comfort before aligning on their shared vision. Luther then offers his final secret: Avana is not his mother; his true mother is Florille, a mortal. To hide his half-mortal birth, King Ulther staged his parentage and later, upon discovering Florille’s return, attacked them both, leaving Luther scarred and Florille dying.

Luther recounts that the Blessed Mother saved him and showed a vision of him kneeling to a powerful grey-eyed queen, setting him on a path to protect mortals and, eventually, Diem. He explains why he proved loyalty through actions instead of declarations, given Diem’s past distrust, and affirms he was always meant to serve her.

They recall shared visions during the Challenging. Diem mentions a figure calling her “Daughter of the Forgotten,” and that the Umbros Queen once invaded her mind and urged her to stop taking flameroot. When Diem admits her mother dosed her daily, Luther realizes the implications and, furious at the manipulation, vows to retrieve Diem’s mother immediately after the coronation.

Arriving at Coeurîle, Diem steps onto the soil and feels her magic wrenched away, confirming the island suppresses power. With no weapons, escorts, or gryverns allowed, Luther can only send her on with a fierce kiss and a promise: get coronated, then they will save the realm—and her mother.