Chapter 43

Acker and Jovie dress after consummating their Bond, feeling the tether tighten as departure looms. Jovie warns that entering the palace without Irina or Beau will expose Acker’s defiance to his father and get Acker and Fredrich killed. Acker insists on his plan, but Jovie presses for alternatives.

Jovie reveals she has already ordered her mother’s armada up the Yanka River to camp west of the capital. Acker admits he deciphered the message from the quill’s metal nib. Jovie argues she must meet and command those forces to prevent an invasion that could derail Acker’s coup. Reluctantly, Acker accepts the compromise.

Downstairs, Fredrich backs the plan, warning of Queen Evelyn’s wrath if they do otherwise. Jovie takes Acker’s father’s sword. Irina, calmer and more content since leaving Kenta, provides furs and offers Jovie a coat. In return, Jovie promises to arrange a ship from the valley camp to carry Irina across the gulf back to Strou, which Irina welcomes.

Messer barges in, disheveled and naked, and, under Jovie’s firm questioning, confirms Kai accepted the agreement Acker made. Jovie sends Fredrich to ready the horses, and Irina steps out with him. Jovie demands an apology from Messer for acting behind her back; he quickly complies.

The tension eases as Acker comforts Jovie through the Bond. Messer teases them about finally yielding to their attraction, calling it animal instinct from his shifter senses. Acker jokes about roasting him, and the group moves toward departure under the new plan.