Throne of Glass, #4
Queen of Shadows
by Sarah J. Maas
Contents
Chapter 12
Overview
Perrington reveals a horrifying new use for the witches: he wants Manon to surrender a Blackbeak coven for Valg breeding experiments, turning the alliance into a threat against witch bodies and future witchlings. Manon’s refusal to openly rebel leads her to punish Asterin for protesting, destabilizing the Thirteen’s internal balance.
Manon also meets Elide Lochan, a chained servant who is connected to Vernon, secretly studies Manon’s maps, and carries witch blood. By the chapter’s end, Sorrel’s comments make clear that the Thirteen are fraying under Morath’s confinement and Manon’s grandmother’s shadow still controls Manon’s choices.
Summary
Manon is summoned from the aerie just as she is preparing to fly Abraxos, angering her because Duke Perrington treats her like a subordinate. Asterin follows Manon to the council room, where Perrington, Vernon Lochan, and the silent Kaltain are waiting. Perrington explains that he wants to begin experiments using a Blackbeak coven, claiming witches are compatible with the Valg because of their ancient bloodline.
Perrington orders Manon to choose a coven for a procedure that would let Valg into their bodies and potentially create children of Valg and witch blood. Manon rejects the idea of witches being used as breeders, but Perrington threatens Abraxos and the Thirteen if Manon interferes. Manon leaves before her anger makes her attack Perrington and Vernon.
On the way back, Asterin challenges Manon more directly than ever, arguing that witchlings are sacred and that Manon cannot allow the duke’s plan. Manon, pressured by her grandmother’s expectations and unwilling to appear disobedient, refuses to commit to resisting Perrington. When Asterin continues to protest, Manon wounds her and demotes Asterin from Second to Third, naming Sorrel as the new Second.
In Manon’s tower, Manon finds a chained servant named Elide cleaning the room. Elide presents herself as timid and harmless, but Manon notices the performance beneath the fear. Elide reveals that Vernon Lochan is her uncle and that he is Lord of Perranth; Manon threatens her if she is spying, tastes Elide’s blood, and realizes Elide has witch blood. After Elide leaves, Manon finds her scent and fingerprints on Manon’s map, confirming that Elide has been investigating something.
Later, Manon takes Sorrel to the war camp’s aerial blacksmith to inspect weapons. Manon demands lighter blades because the wyverns must carry riders, armor, supplies, and weapons in battle. Sorrel cautiously raises the matter of Asterin, arguing that the Thirteen are restless, purposeless, and strained without the order and fear Manon’s grandmother usually imposes. Sorrel also hints that Asterin has special reason never to forget what Manon’s grandmother can do, leaving Manon unsettled as the blacksmith returns with more blades.
Who Appears
- Manon BlackbeakWing Leader forced to consider Perrington’s Valg breeding order while controlling unrest among the Thirteen.
- Asterin BlackbeakManon’s Second, demoted after fiercely opposing the use of witches for Valg breeding.
- Elide LochanChained servant and Vernon’s niece; hides intelligence, studies Manon’s map, and has witch blood.
- Duke PerringtonAdarlanian commander who orders Manon to surrender a Blackbeak coven for Valg experiments.
- Vernon LochanElide’s uncle and Perrington’s associate, taunting Manon during the council meeting.
- Sorrel BlackbeakPromoted to Manon’s Second and cautiously questions Asterin’s punishment and the Thirteen’s confinement.
- AbraxosManon’s wyvern, whose safety Perrington threatens to force Manon’s compliance.
- KaltainSilent presence in Perrington’s council room, marked by a darkening scar.
- Aerial blacksmithMute, skilled smith whose weapons Manon inspects and criticizes for being too heavy.