Contents
1. Harlow
Overview
Harlow endures a tense family banquet as the Drained menace the city. She confronts the public proximity of her sister Aidia’s abuser, Mayor Rafe, while maintaining the Carrenwell facade. Harlow’s parents reveal Mountain Haven survived and returns to power. They then bind Harlow to a political marriage with the Havenwoods’ heir, upending her plans.
Summary
Harlow listens to Lunameade’s warning bells as the Drained approach and withdraw, then hides her flask and steels herself for a compulsory dinner of high magical houses. She meets Aidia in the shadows, sees fresh bruising, and they reaffirm their secret support ritual, revealing Harlow’s quiet thirst for retribution and her reliance on Aidia’s glamour pendant for covert work.
Escorted by her wary bodyguard Gaven, Harlow enters a room blazing with auras only the Carrenwells can see. She is seated in an unusual position beside her brother Kellan, who senses something is amiss. Banter with Kellan and his wife Libby underscores family tensions and the rumor of Harlow’s nightly escapades, which conceal her darker, independent agenda.
Across the table, Aidia’s husband, Mayor Rafe Mattingly—blessed by Polm with manipulation—flaunts impunity and camaraderie with Harlow’s brother Able, inflaming Harlow’s restrained fury. Aidia slips in, ignored by their parents, and takes a seat beside Rafe, heightening Harlow’s resolve to bide her time for vengeance rather than act rashly.
Harlow’s father announces stunning news: Mountain Haven (long presumed destroyed and renamed Fallen Hold) survived by going underground and has rebuilt. The room erupts as he explains the Havenwoods still rule and have a son and heir, implying an opportunity for renewed alliances and power.
Finally, Harlow’s parents reveal the real purpose of the dinner: the Havenwoods arrive tomorrow, and a preliminary marriage contract binds their heir to Harlow. Though internally reeling, Harlow maintains the required public composure amid the toast to her supposed sacrifice, privately resolving to extract her own price for this forced alliance.
Who Appears
- Harlow CarrenwellPoison-blessed widow and narrator; protects Aidia, clashes with family politics, and is unwillingly pledged to the Havenwoods’ heir.
- Aidia CarrenwellHarlow’s sister; glamour-weaver with fresh bruises from her husband; shares a secret support ritual with Harlow.
- Rafe MattinglyMayor of Lunameade; Aidia’s abusive husband; blessed by Polm with manipulation; basks in influence beside Able.
- GavenHarlow’s vigilant bodyguard; counsels caution after increased Drained attacks and senses looming risks.
- Kellan CarrenwellHarlow’s brother, captain of the city watch; concerned about the dinner’s purpose and Harlow’s safety.
- Liza CarrenwellHarlow’s mother; prioritizes appearances, co-announces Mountain Haven’s return and Harlow’s betrothal.
- Harlow’s fatherPatriarch of the Carrenwells; leads the dinner, reveals Mountain Haven’s survival, and declares Harlow’s political marriage.
- Able CarrenwellEldest brother; seen fraternizing with Rafe, signaling political alignment at the head of the table.
- Libby CarrenwellKellan’s wife; offers small talk and concern, highlighting family dynamics amid rising tensions.