Chapter 2

Ace escapes court petitioners by eating in the kitchen and slipping through concealed palace passages to a hidden gate. He moves through a hushed, depleted capital to the blacksmith, reflecting on secrecy, the city’s stillness, and the weight of war.

At the forge, Ace confirms supply lines: Dusty in Auden can match 500 pieces of armor soon, but Trey’s iron was lost to bandits, delaying production to the front. Wells’s curt demeanor escalates into open frustration over constant demands for arms amid shortages and pressure.

Following Wells inside, Ace discovers their home in disarray and black hearthstone weapons on the table. Wells reveals the king delivered hearthstone and ordered mass forging, an unprecedented and alarming move given hearthstone’s lethal power and recall to the maker. Ace, blindsided, realizes the scope and secrecy of the order.

Wells shares that Olivia has been sent north and is pregnant, heightening his fear of the future under the king’s collars. Tensions spike as Wells claims Jovie once offered a truce, while Ace counters she demanded the king’s head. Wells explodes, condemning Ace for sparing the man who enslaves them with collars.

Wells argues that Maile’s restraint suggests different motives and begs Ace to end the war “by any means,” insisting Jovie would listen because of their Match. Ace, burdened by guilt, suspicion, and duty, refuses to engage on love or motives, promises to seek more iron, and departs—haunted and divided, returning to his wife.