54. Henry

Henry prepares in a city boarding house, anxious about leaving his parents to defend the fort during the three darkest days. He and Harlow choose to stay away from Carrenwell House to appear independent while Carter, Naima, and Bryce covertly assist. Watching Carter and Naima’s easy intimacy, Henry reflects on the closeness he has denied himself for the sake of vengeance.

Focused on earning back Harlow’s trust after revealing he is Deathless and after Gaven’s death, Henry notes Harlow’s tension about returning home and seeing her sister. As they dress for Agony night, Harlow practices a believable grief for her dead husband and asks Henry to repay his earlier lie by publicly accusing Rafe of orchestrating the Drained attack on Mountain Haven using Polm-taught manipulation.

Henry refuses at first, believing her parents were responsible, calling the demand a betrayal of Holly and the dead of Mountain Haven. Harlow counters that vengeance requires ugly sacrifices, accusing Henry of being involved but not committed. She details the costs she has borne—lies, marriage, sex, and killing—to protect women and maintain her work, insisting he surrender his ego for their plan.

The confrontation escalates until Henry concedes the strategic value of her request. He swears to the Divine he will lie, naming Rafe as the threat at the upcoming reception. The vow defuses the standoff, and their volatile attraction erupts into an urgent sexual encounter, underscoring their fraught alliance.

Afterward, as they ready themselves for the ceremony, Henry accepts that he is no longer merely involved. By agreeing to this public lie, he commits fully to Harlow’s path and the perilous costs of their revenge.