Contents
Chapter Fifty-Three: Arin
Overview
Arin, imprisoned by Essiya, reveals that Hanim is his mother and that Rawain took him as a child. Essiya realizes Hanim betrayed Jasad believing their shared heir would secure the throne. Resolved to raise the fallen fortress despite the fatal cost, Essiya departs, while Arin passively endures ensuing abuse.
Summary
Arin sits in a warded cell, shaken after Essiya finds the portrait of Hanim in his coat. He recalls Hanim whipping Essiya and recognizes the pain the portrait caused. When Essiya presses him, Arin explains his hair was black only as a very young child because Rawain took him before age four, implying a concealed lineage.
Arin states he resembled his real mother until age two, and, under Essiya’s scrutiny, reveals that Hanim is his mother. The revelation devastates Essiya as memories and clues align: in a trial vision, Soraya questioned why Hanim would help Rawain and Nizahl. Essiya realizes Hanim believed Rawain would grant her Jasad’s throne because they shared an heir—Arin—and that Hanim sabotaged Soraya with the wrong enchantment.
Essiya reframes Hanim’s cruelty: she had been forced to watch Arin rise under Rawain while stuck with an heir she despised. Concluding that Hanim wanted their line off the throne, Essiya reveals her own plan to raise the fallen fortress, accepting it will kill her and extinguish her magic. Veins of gold and silver creep up her neck, signaling the cost already taking hold.
Called away, Essiya leaves with grim resolve, telling Arin he will appreciate the plan’s symmetry. Arin, emptied by the void of feeling and unmoored by the confession, remains motionless. When seven jeering men enter his cell later, Arin does not resist, surrendering to their impending abuse.
Who Appears
- ArinImprisoned; reveals Hanim is his mother, exposing Rawain’s abduction and the motive behind Hanim’s betrayal; submits to abuse.
- Essiya (Jasad Malika)Learns Arin is Hanim’s son; connects Hanim’s betrayal to securing the throne; plans to raise the fortress despite fatal cost.
- HanimArin’s mother and Essiya’s tormentor; betrayed Jasad believing her shared heir with Rawain would secure the throne.
- RawainAbducted Arin as a child; his implied promise to Hanim underpins her betrayal of Jasad.
- SorayaHer trial vision helps Essiya deduce Hanim’s motive and the false enchantment.