Chapter 73

Trystan believes Evie has been fatally wounded after she falls, and his panic drives his death mist to strike the crossbowman who shot at them. The remaining Valiant Guards retreat, warning that more soldiers are coming, but Trystan abandons pursuit after one moment because Evie is his priority.

When Trystan reaches Evie, he discovers she is alive, breathing, and unharmed. Evie explains that the arrow never touched her: her dagger glowed, her scar burned, and the arrow broke in two. Trystan realizes the dagger’s hidden magic protected Evie, just after Evie had nearly given it away to save him and then risked herself again.

Evie points out that the fleeing guards will reveal their location, and Trystan sends his gray mist after them. The mist overtakes and kills both remaining guards near the fortress gates, but afterward Trystan collapses to his knees, far weaker than usual after using his magic.

Trystan tells Evie that his death magic feels wrong, sick, and changing. Because Evie is the only person who can see the mist and the change began after it revealed itself to her, Trystan fears her connection to it may be affecting him. Believing he cannot fight Benedict or remain The Villain without reliable magic, Trystan tells Evie they should keep their distance for now, deeply hurting her.

As they return toward the fortress to warn Lady Fortis and the others, Evie cries, and Trystan awkwardly tries to comfort and distract her with grim jokes about torture. Their banter briefly softens the hurt, but as they near the doors, a piercing scream rings out. Evie identifies the scream with horror and flat certainty as her mother’s.