Chapter 37

After dinner, Diem is led to a candlelit salon where Centenaries lounge amid drugs, drink, and sex. She notes their isolation from the city and, with Zalaric’s commentary, recognizes how constant satisfaction has dulled their curiosity. Luther broods in a corner, briefly joined by Yrselle, then disappears.

Drusila, a pregnant Centenary, displays her glowing mating mark and explains the blood-bound ritual that forges an eternal bond. Taran is captivated and yearns for such a connection. When Diem teases Zalaric about mating, Taran bristles and stalks off, revealing hurt beneath his bravado.

Diem tries to soothe Taran, defending Zalaric’s secret aid to half-mortals and Luther’s character. Taran insists Luther would never purposely hurt Diem and reminds her of Luther’s devotion, pushing back against Diem’s shaken confidence. Yrselle interrupts, warns Taran not to harm her people, and engages Diem in conversation.

Yrselle defends culling her people to one hundred, saying many volunteered to die for honor and realm, and invites Diem to her library permanently, having preserved mortal histories. She hints Umbros told her crucial truths about Diem but postpones details.

Yrselle then reveals she senses her heir, meaning her own death approaches. She refuses to name the successor, warning they will become Diem’s greatest adversary, wedge her from loved ones, exact a terrible price, and might even cause Diem’s premature death. Debating fate versus choice, Yrselle adds that the Kindred are not truly dead; their bodies perish but they endure, though how to kill one is unknown.

Planning to enjoy what may be her last evening, Yrselle departs. Diem leaves the revel. Alixe catches up, saying she and Luther reconciled and that Luther praised both queens. Yet Alixe worries: Luther seemed diminished at the bathhouse, claiming only fatigue, which she finds ominously out of character.