Chapter Thirty-Eight

Lore and Alie are marched in chains through Dellaire to the Citadel as crowds jeer Lore but regard Alie with awe. In the throne room, Apollius—inhabiting Bastian—greets Alie as “sister,” publicly recasts her as Alienor Arceneaux and blames her abduction on rogue priests, signaling protection rather than punishment.

Apollius unveils a plan to merge Auverraine and Kirythea under one crown by uniting their families. He presents Alie’s betrothed as Jax Aronicus—revealed to be Caius—explaining prior intrigues and Kirythea’s compliance. Alie refuses, but Apollius proceeds, with Jax bowing like a devotee.

Turning to Lore, Apollius abandons the expected sentencing and instead claims Farramark’s tests prove Amelia bombed the decoy ship. He publicly credits Lore for discovering the truth and immediately weds her, using Alexis to read minimal vows. Lore, still bloodstained, endures the ceremony without resistance and is kissed before the court.

Apollius escorts Lore to the North Sanctuary, staged like a bridal chamber. When Lore rejects him and strikes with Mortem, he counters with Spiritum, noting their evenly matched, canceling power. He threatens to retrieve the fugitives, promising gentler means for most but vowing to kill Gabe (Hestraon), and taunts Lore with Bastian’s continued presence.

Provoked, Lore denies Nyxara’s love for Apollius. Pain and fury crack his control; Bastian surfaces briefly, horrified, warning Lore to keep away before Apollius reasserts himself. He delays further confrontation until nightfall, intending to speak to his “wife” when his hold may waver, and leaves Lore confined to the sanctuary.