Chapter 26

Jo spends a sleepless night processing Acker’s intrusion and her choice to be with Fredrich. With Acker soon to depart, she resolves to reveal the truth about his father. She rides east, removes her mangi, follows the Bond to Acker, and finds him arguing with Irina, who longs to return to Strou. Jo promises to let Acker’s ship pass unchallenged and asks him to follow her through the Bond.

Jo leads Acker to a countryside cottage and warns him to remain unseen. The door opens to Grenadine—Cadence—whom Jo knew in Alaha. Inside, Jo presses Cadence to tell Acker the full scope of Edmond’s depravity. Cadence hesitates, then explains Edmond siphoned her magic using a legendary slatstone, extracting it through wounds and stalling her healing with hearthstone. She fled with Greta’s help after nearly dying, later supported in Maile.

As Cadence speaks, Acker listens invisibly, learning Edmond targeted him as a child and that Cadence, an elemental of metal like Acker, ran to protect him. Acker infers Edmond’s secret mine trips likely source more slatstone. The revelations confirm that Edmond steals others’ gifts, matching Beau’s warning.

Cadence then pivots, demanding Jo reveal why Roison gave her the crown, and exposes Jo’s pact to spare Acker’s life. Realizing Acker is present, Cadence snatches a jam knife; Acker wrenches it away, revealing himself by action. Cadence breaks down, begging forgiveness. Shaken and red-eyed, Acker orders Jo to leave, and Jo departs to the sound of Cadence’s sobs.