Broken

Falling from the storm, Isla wakes to searing pain over Lightlark’s heart-mark and blinding mist. At the last moment, Wraith shields Isla and Grim with torn wings before they crash. Grim’s power returns just in time to portal them into the sea for impact and then to a snowy cliff. Wraith is alive but badly injured; the charging ring is lost with the storm’s passing.

Back in the stables, Isla urges Grim to get Wildling healing elixir for Wraith. To hide Oro’s presence in her rooms, she asks Grim to portal her to his chambers so she can retrieve her starstick, then ports to her own, where Oro and Lynx await. Oro begs her to return to Lightlark for good, arguing they can stop Grim without killing him, but Isla insists her death and Nightshade’s are tied to Grim and that prophecy dooms her.

Determined to sever the bond for his safety, Isla lies about reveling in killing and shows bloodied daggers. She ports them to Oro’s room, where, torn but resolute, she returns his golden rose necklace, saying she has chosen Grim. Zed bursts in and unleashes three arrows; Oro blocks most, but one pierces Isla’s stomach. Oro roars, chains Zed, and uses water to close Isla’s wound as she declares she is marrying Grim again, then flees.

Isla collapses at the Wildling keep, where Grim gathers her, demanding the culprit. She stays silent to protect Oro and his friends. Wren presents the only remaining full healing vial. At Isla’s urging, Grim withholds it from her, restitches her wound himself, and orders the elixir used on Wraith. As Grim’s ruinous power swells, he promises to annihilate whoever hurt Isla; she grieves Oro and accepts there is no return.