Contents
Clasp
Overview
Isla and Grim hold a public wedding in the greenhouse, sealing their bond with a clasped necklace that binds until death. Their dance reopens intimacy and tension, but a guard’s alert leads Grim to portal them to desecrated graves marked by a Wildling sign. Convinced Terra and Poppy are traitors, Isla confronts them and—despite their denials—orders Grim to imprison them. The chapter deepens Isla’s alignment with Grim and severs her ties to her former guardians.
Summary
On her wedding day, Isla is prepared in silence by attendants, conflicted about agreeing to a second ceremony with Grim. Astria escorts her to the greenhouse Grim built for her, where Eta, leader of the prophet-followers, officiates. Eta calls their union fated and binds their hands with a chain for the clasp ritual. Isla fastens the necklace on Grim, accepting a bond that lasts until death.
They dance, Isla armed beneath her gown, and Grim reveals how well he knows her habits, fears, and nightmares. He admits his nightmares stopped when he met her and pleads to make amends, but Isla remains torn, refusing his presence in her chambers after the festivities. The celebration moves outside; Isla and Grim maintain appearances while emotions simmer.
A guard arrives with urgent news. To divert the watching crowd, Isla initiates a passionate kiss; Grim portals them mid-embrace to a remote cliff, revealing that the Nightshade burial grounds have been desecrated. A serpent sign in the disturbed earth points to a Wildling culprit, and Isla immediately suspects betrayal from within her own ranks.
Isla storms to the Wildling stronghold and confronts Terra and Poppy. Poppy is distraught; Terra is cold and dismissive. Isla accuses them of killing the nightbane, desecrating graves, and plotting her death, tying them to warnings of traitors. Despite their firm denials and Poppy’s fear, Isla summons Grim through her necklace and orders their imprisonment.
Grim hesitates but complies at Isla’s insistence. Isla leaves to the sound of Poppy’s cries and Terra’s curses, cementing a decisive break from her former guardians and further entwining her fate with Grim’s rule and methods.
Who Appears
- IslaProtagonist; publicly weds Grim, binds him by clasp; suspects betrayal, confronts Terra and Poppy, and orders their imprisonment.
- GrimRuler of Nightshade; marries Isla, dances and confides; portals to desecrated graves; obeys Isla’s command to imprison Terra and Poppy.
- TerraIsla’s former guardian; coolly denies accusations of treachery and grave desecration; imprisoned on Isla’s order.
- PoppyIsla’s former guardian; distraught, denies involvement; pleads wordlessly as Isla has her imprisoned.
- AstriaIsla’s cousin; escorts her to the ceremony and provides the chain used in the clasp ritual.
- EtaLeader of the prophet-followers; officiates, declares the union fated, and performs the binding clasp.
- Nightshade guardBrings news that graves were desecrated, prompting Grim and Isla to leave the celebration.