Chapter 29

On the way to the House Receptions, Diem and Eleanor reflect on the ball and Luther’s confession. Eleanor urges Diem to trust her core values despite her engagement to Henri, reframing the phoenix as survival, not rebirth. Taran and Luther arrive; Luther bristles protectively at Diem’s tears. He escorts Diem and affirms his promise to protect her loved ones, warning that presenting her father publicly will carry risks.

They discuss Evrim Benette’s profit-driven tactics before entering the meeting room, where Andrei bonds with Eleanor and Taran. Diem formally appoints Eleanor and Andrei as advisors and acknowledges Luther as High General. Garath objects to a mortal on the Council, but Diem stands firm. Evrim arrives; Diem opens with flattery, but he probes her origins. Remis intervenes with a lie to conceal Diem’s half-mortal heritage, and Garath supports the ruse.

Evrim invites Diem to abandon House Corbois; she refuses. He then demands the torture of suspects, public executions of Guardians, imprisonment of families, and conscription of mortals—policies that would enrich his armories. Andrei challenges the plan’s efficacy. Remis proposes a compromise: exemptions for mortals employed by the Houses and forced exile of rebels’ families or arrest for treason. Diem’s godhood surges in anger, but Luther wordlessly steadies her; she defers any decision, citing consultation with advisors.

After the meeting, alone with Andrei, Diem is chastised for leading with emotion. Andrei suggests resigning to reduce political damage; wounded by his disapproval, Diem accepts his resignation and sends him home, resolving to face the Houses and the coming Challenges without him.