Chapter 32

Samkiel leaves Dianna chained under Cameron and Xavier’s watch and composes himself despite her cutting words. He confers with Imogen and Logan: he will speak to unsettled mortals, rebuild the Guild and the map, and return Dianna to the ruins of Rashearim. Imogen is sent to brief the council, and Logan is left in charge while Vincent is abroad.

After repairs restore the Guild, ambassadors request a gathering, relieved by Dianna’s capture. In the shower, Samkiel fixates on Dianna’s anger and Kaden’s sabotage via the betrothal revelation, blaming Kaden for widening the rift between them.

A flashback surfaces: Samkiel confronts his father over a public push to wed Imogen. Samkiel insists he does not love Imogen and refuses a political bond. His father reveals the fates’ decree that Samkiel’s true mate was born but died, arguing partnership is still required to share rule. The confession devastates Samkiel and explains his father’s emptiness after his mother’s death.

Back in the present, Samkiel centers on Dianna’s heartbeat below and concludes the universe is brutal, not merely cruel. He prepares to relieve the guards and deliver the map to Vincent, intent on rebuilding and securing Dianna.

Roccurrem materializes and apologizes, claiming what follows is necessary for Dianna. Two void-mouthed figures accompany him. A psychic assault floors Samkiel despite his resistance, and Roccurrem knocks him unconscious, signaling a calculated betrayal undertaken “in her best interest.”