Chapter 46

In the observatory, Theron tends Zevander’s manacle wounds, noting Zevander never betrayed anyone despite torture. General Loyce arrives, taunting his resilience and demanding to know who devised a prior betrayal involving Vaelora. Fearing what Loyce might do to Theron, Zevander names Dravien Nockvayne to deflect punishment.

Loyce reveals personal history: her adoptive general father was executed for failing to deliver King Jeret’s bastard children—the ones Zevander’s father hid—claiming fate tied their families. She debates duty versus cruelty with Zevander, confessing a fixation on him that vacillates between desire and violence.

Dismissing Theron, Loyce offers Zevander a path to freedom: earn her trust as part of her Gildona, seducing rivals to extract secrets and killing them afterward. She proposes eventual excursions and even visits to his mother and sister, but only after a bond to her, reinforced by a cruel piercing ensuring he can find no fulfillment elsewhere.

When Zevander challenges her, Loyce declares she won’t reward lies and reveals Dravien had already informed on Zevander, saying her offer was a loyalty test. Pressed to name who truly betrayed her, Zevander refuses to implicate Theron. Loyce departs, leaving Zevander bound by circumstance yet defiantly unbroken.