Contents
Chapter Fifty
Overview
Neema urges Sunur to take Suru and escape on the dawn boat as Katsan is shipped to the mainland, but Tala rejects the plea and expels Neema. Back in her rooms, Neema discovers proof that Havoc visited Gaida the night she died, implicating him in her poisoning. Meanwhile, Sol grows possessive and secretly plans to separate Neema from Cain.
Summary
Neema wakes Tala and Sunur to report that Cain has been beaten by Havoc’s Hounds. She then reveals the emperor’s ruling: Katsan has confessed to stealing the Blade of Peace and will be shipped to the mainland at dawn. Neema urges Sunur to use the boat to escape with Suru, arguing the island is a trap.
Sunur admits she wants to leave, but Tala, facing the Bear Trial and suspecting Neema’s motives, refuses and pushes Neema out. As Neema tries to clarify she did not sever Katsan’s arm—that it was amputated due to injuries—Tala slams the door, ending the confrontation.
Returning to her rooms, Neema finds Navril’s attendee list from Gaida’s afterparty. She spots Havoc Arbell-Ranor’s name, realizing his throne-room remark about speaking with Gaida after the opening ceremony places him at the gathering. Neema concludes Havoc poisoned Gaida, likely on higher orders, and curses him.
Alone, Neema murmurs a farewell for Benna and unsettles Pink-Pink, who hisses at her. Sol, the Raven, bristles at the presence he dislikes, preens over Neema’s loyalty to Cain, and, growing possessive, devises a plan to remove obstacles so that he and Neema can be "alone together."
Who Appears
- NeemaWarns Sunur to flee with Suru at dawn; rebuffed by Tala. Discovers Havoc’s presence at Gaida’s party and suspects him of poisoning.
- TalaPreparing for the Bear Trial; distrusts Neema’s motives and ejects her, refusing to flee.
- SunurFears the island is a trap; considers escaping with Suru on the dawn boat.
- SolThe Raven grows possessive and secretly plans to isolate Neema from Cain.
- Havoc Arbell-RanorImplicated by the guest list as attending Gaida’s party; Neema concludes he poisoned Gaida.
- KatsanConfessed to stealing the Blade; scheduled to depart at dawn after an arm amputation.
- CainOff-page, beaten by Havoc’s Hounds; Neema’s loyalty to him fuels Sol’s jealousy.
- NavrilGaida’s servant; provides the attendee list that exposes Havoc’s presence.
- GaidaMurder victim; the attendee list ties Havoc to her final party.
- Pink-PinkNeema’s pet hisses at her return, unsettling Sol.