Chapter 43

As night falls, Diem keeps watch over Luther, whose godstone wound steadily bleeds. She scours her mother’s journal and fixates on a marginal note linking Coeurîle, godstone, and life, but finds no real cure. Weighing impossible options, she considers a prison break for her mother but heeds her hunch to stay.

Diem confides in Teller, revealing their mother was indeed the Guardians’ leader and that she had known their mother was alive. Teller feels betrayed, accuses Diem of manipulating him, and storms out. Lily comforts Diem, revealing how deeply Luther has loved Diem and how seldom he has wanted anything for himself.

Overwhelmed, Diem nearly loses control of her power and flees the suite. In the corridor, Aemonn intercepts her; tempers flare as Diem challenges his past threats and moral posturing. She urges him to examine his resentment toward Taran and the violence of his father’s legacy, arguing life is too short for such grudges.

At Luther’s door, Diem confronts a bloodlock and presses Aemonn about a mortal boy he trampled, pushing him to prove he is not the monster he fears becoming. Using Aemonn’s blade to draw blood, Diem unlocks the room and realizes Luther keyed his locks to her, trusting her to protect the exiled children he secretly saved.

Before shutting Aemonn out, Diem grants him a second chance: be honorable, reconcile with Taran, and warn Iléana Hanoverre to keep House Hanoverre away from Zalaric. Diem reenters Luther’s chambers, resolved to guard his secrets while searching for a way to save him.