The Stolen Heir Duology, #1
The Stolen Heir
by Holly Black
Contents
Chapter 18
Overview
Bogdana presses Suren to petition the High Court for recognition and to found a new court at the Citadel, while concealing Oak’s captivity. Suren asserts authority, frees the cursed falcon soldiers, and is hailed as queen. Visiting Oak’s cell, Suren resists his pleas for explanation and flees, hardening her resolve.
Summary
Bogdana leads Suren and Hyacinthe into the Citadel, where servants bow out of fear akin to what they showed Lady Nore and Lord Jarel. Bogdana urges Suren to write the High Court claiming loyal service: recovering Mab’s bones, ending Nore, and freeing the Grand General, then asking to remain and found a new court. She advises reporting Oak as injured and temporarily in Suren’s care.
Suren rebukes Bogdana’s presumption, vowing not to repeat Mellith’s mistakes. Hyacinthe warns that Tiernan and Madoc will alert Elfhame about Oak’s captivity, but Suren suggests delays, hinting Bogdana might raise storms and that Madoc’s wounds could slow them. Weighing power and fear, Suren surveys the hall of cursed falcons.
Sensing the magic, Suren locates and unknots the bindings on the falcons, dissolving the curses. The transformed soldiers regain faerie bodies and hail her as their queen. Although the acclaim confirms her authority, Suren feels emotionally numb, as though her heart remains locked away.
Drawn to the prisons, Suren observes Oak in an iron cage. He recognizes her presence, begs to speak, and offers to atone, but Suren remains silent, recalling his lies and manipulations. When Oak presses closer, pleading, Suren flees rather than risk being swayed, even as she thrills to the sound of him calling her name.
Who Appears
- Suren (Wren)Asserts control at the Citadel, frees cursed falcon soldiers, contemplates founding a court, and refuses Oak’s pleas in his cell.
- BogdanaUrges Suren to petition the High Court, conceal Oak’s captivity, and begin a new court; implicitly offers storms to delay news.
- HyacintheWarns that Tiernan and Madoc will inform Elfhame about Oak’s imprisonment; observes Suren’s changing resolve.
- Prince OakImprisoned in iron and bridled; pleads to explain and atone, but Suren rejects him and flees.
- Former falcon soldiersCursed soldiers restored to faerie forms by Suren; hail her as their queen, affirming her authority.