Chapter 31

Still affected by the Heart Village flowers, Evie enters the village in a euphoric state and is dazzled by its canals, shops, music, and cheerful crowds. Trystan keeps close to prevent Evie from wandering, while Clare and Tatianna are sent to investigate the barrier and seek an enchantress consult. Clare also slips by calling Kingsley “Alexander,” which Evie notices but does not pursue.

Evie runs toward a bread vendor, and Trystan follows, buying Evie a cloud-shaped sweet roll. The playful moment briefly softens Trystan, but his concern returns when Evie admits she has been having trouble sleeping and mentions the sleeping-death fruit antidote. Realizing Evie faked her death by eating the dangerous fruit, Trystan pulls Evie into an alley and angrily questions the risk Evie took.

Evie explains that Becky obtained the fruit, Gideon smuggled Evie into the castle, and Gideon gave Evie the antidote before Evie was brought into the ballroom. Trystan is upset by the danger and by Evie’s sleep problems, but Evie insists the plan worked and frames it as part of their larger goal: revenge, stopping the king’s prophecy, and taking Rennedawn from the king. Their exchange also touches on love when Trystan says he believes in love, but not for himself, because he sees himself as unworthy of being loved.

As the flower’s effect begins to fade, Evie asks where they should begin searching in Heart Village. Trystan suggests asking questions in shops and casually mentioning Evie’s mother, Nura Sage, so they do not appear suspicious. Before they can leave the alley, several oddly dressed men tackle Trystan and pin him to the ground.

The men brandish a wanted flyer that no longer uses a false or cartoonish image of The Villain. The poster reveals Trystan’s real face and true name, identifying him as Trystan Maverine and offering a thousand gold pieces as a reward. The chapter ends with the men announcing that they have caught The Villain.