Chapter 32

In a past timeline, Zevander is prepared for General Loyce’s Golden Bacchanal, his scars covered in gold clay while he battles memories of her abuses. A servant, Vaelora Vexmoor—secret bastard of King Jeret—begs him to pass a message to Aradia of the Bellatryx, hoping her brother Kael will be alerted. Zevander agrees reluctantly, warned to avoid elixirs and the charnelyth-filled pit beneath the rotunda.

At the lavish gathering, Zevander identifies Aradia by her scar and discreetly delivers Vaelora’s plea. Servants attempt to dose the slaves, but Zevander resists; Theron briefly steadies his senses with herbs. General Loyce then stages a spectacle, dragging Vaelora and Aradia before the crowd, accusing them—along with Zevander—of treachery.

Ignoring Vaelora’s panic, Loyce summarily beheads Aradia. When Loyce orders Vaelora thrown into the pit, Zevander breaks free of an orgoth, leaps in after her, and confronts the charnelyths. He improvises a spear from broken rock, lures a beast, and disembowels it to protect Vaelora.

As triumph surges, a second charnelyth seizes Vaelora and drags her toward its nest. Zevander lunges to help, but a hidden noose cinches his throat and hoists him; the charnelyth below pierces his thigh, its venom numbing his body. Vaelora is pulled into darkness while Zevander chokes and fades to black.