Chapter 3

Maevyth jolts awake from a nightmare in which a voice she identifies as Morsana urges her to kill the sleeping Aleysia. Shaken, she joins Zevander and confirms Aleysia has not stirred. When Maevyth presses for truths, Zevander reveals mortals cannot cross the Umbravale into Aethyria, even with help, unless blood-bound and truly Aethyrian—an option too risky and uncertain.

Confronted with the reality that Aleysia may be trapped in Mortasia, they decide to remain in the Crone’s cabin for now, gather supplies, and begin training at first light. Zevander offers steady support, and they choose to let Aleysia’s condition play out while considering whether a spell or blood-binding might be keeping her asleep.

As they lie together for comfort, Maevyth notices a faint sigil seared into Zevander’s chest. He explains it is the mark tied to sablefyre and his curse, recounting that Cadavros threw him into a vein of that flame as an infant before pulling him out, possibly to consume or recruit his power. Zevander also shares that Cadavros is blood-bound to Prince Dorjan via an amulet—killing Cadavros would kill Dorjan and unleash a catastrophic plague.

They debate the danger of Cadavros and Zevander’s refusal to ever join him. Maevyth urges caution about deepening their intimacy until they have clarity about Aleysia, and Zevander reaffirms he will not leave her in Mortasia.

A sudden mishearing triggers Zevander: he thinks Maevyth called him “filth…the mark of the slave.” The phrase resurrects old abuse, and he recoils, calling himself chattel. Maevyth insists she never said it, affirms their earlier intimacy was her choice, and rejects any shame. The tension cools; they agree to end the argument and pause physical closeness while standing together amid uncertainty.