Chapter 23

In the dungeon, Diem clumsily practices ballroom steps with Lily as Teller relays research on the Twenty Houses, noting Corbois’s relative support for mortals and Hanoverre’s hostility. Diem observes Lily and Teller’s mutual affection, torn between protecting them and the inevitability of their mortal-Descended divide.

Luther arrives, witnessing the dance. He apologizes for the previous night and agrees to Diem’s terms: they will be friends, not advisors or more. He also chooses to “let it be” with Lily and Teller, though he theatrically intimidates Teller before departing. When Luther offers to help Diem dance, she refuses, struggling to restrain her attraction.

Their conversation turns intimate as they discuss scars. Diem proudly shows several from her mortal childhood, reframing them as memories rather than pain. In return, Luther reveals a massive, lightning-like scar across his chest, clearly from an attempt on his life. He refuses to name the culprit, promising to tell Diem after she survives the Challenging and reaches coronation, using the secret as motivation to keep her alive.

Diem probes his faith and service to Lumnos, and they recall sharing a battlefield vision. A curious unmarred spot on Luther’s chest mirrors that vision, hinting at divine intervention, but he remains guarded about past revelations from Lumnos.

Taran and Alixe arrive for training, breaking the charged moment. Taran playfully attacks to demonstrate that rank doesn’t apply in training, while Luther and Alixe explain that Descended power is accessed most readily through strong emotion. Diem, aware that mastery is her only path to survival, steels herself to begin.