Chapter 10

Diem reaches Luther as a second explosion rocks the Guardian camp. She cuts his bonds and they share a brief, reckless kiss before Alixe’s warning yanks them back into the fight. With Diem’s magic suppressed by flameroot, the trio carves a path through the chaos as Diem begs for restraint against the mortals.

Cordellia confronts them but cannot call off her people. When multiple attackers target Luther, a Guardian charges with a godstone blade. Diem tackles the assailant and, in the scramble, accidentally runs him through with her own broadsword, killing a mortal to save Luther. The shock paralyzes Diem until decoy firebombs—Taran’s ruse—sail into the campfire and erupt, scattering attackers and causing devastating collateral damage.

Seizing the opening, Diem, Luther, Alixe, and Taran abandon plans to split up and sprint into the forest under arrow fire. After a long, punishing chase, they conceal themselves inside a hollow tree to see if pursuers pass. In the dark, Diem checks Luther for wounds; he’s cut but untouched by godstone. They share a tender, urgent moment as Luther demands she stop risking herself, but Diem refuses, pledging instead to protect her people, including him.

They exchange critical updates: Luther reports Diem’s brother is safe under heavy guard with Perthe nearby. Diem reveals she already learned from Cordellia that her mother is a Guardian imprisoned in Fortos and how she reached the island. Acknowledging mutual secrecy, Diem and Luther promise future honesty and unity, recognizing their survival may depend on it.