Contents
Chapter 18
Overview
Jo’s circle confirms Wren allied with Edmond for knowledge of stealing magic, doubts Kai’s intentions, and reaffirms Maile’s defensive pact. Tensions flare when Messer goads Fredrich and Drake about Jo. On a walk, Jo reveals a traumatic Bond vision of Acker with Irina; Messer admits past love for Aurora. Messer’s prank sends Drake to Jo’s room, which Jo angrily rebuffs.
Summary
Jo, Messer, Beau, Drake, Fredrich, and Sam review Kai’s message: Wren joined Edmond seeking knowledge to take others’ magic. They doubt Edmond would share methods and note Kai remains at the front, unpredictable. Despite debate, they agree the priority is Maile’s defense and holding the Roison accord while Strou movements pause.
As the meeting breaks, banter turns tense. Messer needles Fredrich about courting Jo; Fredrich refuses out of respect for Jo’s Matching Bond. Drake jokes he does not care, and Fredrich sharply forbids it. Jo sends Fredrich outside, warns him never to speak for her again, and he agrees. After, Messer apologizes; Jo forgives him but remains wary.
Walking home, Jo explains why intimacy is fraught: without stones, the Bond once dragged her into Acker’s room on his wedding night, forcing her to witness him with Irina. Messer empathizes, confessing he once loved Aurora but hid it to avoid his father’s leverage, only to lose her to a political marriage with Kai. They part with uneasy understanding.
Later, Drake appears at Jo’s door, saying Messer claimed Jo requested his “services.” Mortified, Jo denies it and slams the door, vowing vengeance on Messer. The night ends with Maile’s strategy intact but relationships strained by jealousy, past wounds, and Messer’s ill-timed prank.
Who Appears
- JoLeader in Maile; maintains defense plan; sets boundaries with Fredrich; reveals traumatic Bond vision of Acker and Irina; rebuffs Drake.
- MesserJo’s meddlesome ally; apologizes; admits hidden love for Aurora; plays prank sending Drake to Jo’s room, angering her.
- DrakeNaval commander; flirts at tavern; later arrives at Jo’s room after Messer’s ruse; is firmly rejected.
- FredrichShielder and ally; refuses notion of courting Jo due to her Matching Bond; oversteps, then accepts Jo’s boundary.
- BeauJo’s close ally; cautions against underestimating her father; frustrated by circular strategy talk; supports Jo.
- SamAlly who confirms current plans and Strou status; departs abruptly mid-discussion.
- AckerJo’s Match; subject of Jo’s painful Bond vision with Irina on his wedding night, intensifying her conflict.
- IrinaAcker’s wife; appears in Jo’s Bond vision on their wedding night, deepening Jo’s emotional trauma.