Chapter 35

Reighven confronts Toven and Briony on their arrival, taunting Toven about keeping Briony hidden. Toven asserts a binding agreement and forces a tense pass-by, then escorts Briony to a private dinner with Biltmore elites and their Barlowe Girls.

Instead of wagering gold, the men gamble with secrets. As play intensifies, they reveal intelligence: Starksen losing recruits, a suspected traitor near Tremelo, and a northern sighting of Velicity Punt. Toven withholds who crossed Javis; Liam hints at high-ranking visitors. Briony attempts a performative kiss to sell their act, but Toven flinches, risking suspicion.

In the final round, Canning offers Cordelia Hardstark’s location in exchange for a kiss from Briony. After a drawn hand, he still tempts the trade. Determined to learn about Cordelia, Briony kisses Canning and forces the reveal: Cordelia is being moved frequently, seen at the Locklin estate and even the Seat’s Castle, still defiant despite losing magic.

At the arena stands afterward, a strawberry-blonde Barlowe Girl—once Briony’s maid at Claremore—boldly kisses Briony in front of Toven and Liam. Toven abruptly portals them home, and he and Briony argue: he claims kissing is too intimate and that she made him look weak; she counters that his refusal jeopardizes their cover and that she acted to obtain crucial information.

Alone, Briony discovers a thin slip of parchment tucked under her collar—likely planted during the strawberry-blonde’s kiss—reading, “no dragon, don’t Worry.” Recognizing the capitalized nickname “Worry” for Rory, Briony realizes the note comes from someone in her tiny inner circle, signaling a secret ally inside Biltmore.