Chapter 10

Trystan holds back from attacking King Benedict because Benedict is gripping Kingsley and could kill the frog instantly. Furious that escape was so close, Trystan thinks of Massacre Manor as the only place where he feels less broken and decides he will do whatever is necessary to get Evie Sage back there safely.

Trystan moves Sage behind him and summons his dark-gray magical mist around Benedict, preparing to strike. Sage unexpectedly asks about the gray fog, revealing that she can see Trystan’s magic even though Benedict cannot. The discovery unsettles Trystan, but he masks the fear with threats toward Benedict.

Sage then acts to free Kingsley by calling out a lesson she taught him. Kingsley bites Benedict’s hand, forcing the king to release him, and Trystan retrieves the frog while beginning to steer Sage toward the back terrace doors. Trystan learns Sage trained Kingsley to bite after noticing the frog’s weak jaws while feeding him pie.

As guards advance, Benedict threatens that the kingdom will know Sage’s name and want her dead. Benedict also threatens to take Sage’s mother into custody and tries to wound Sage by implying that her mother abandoned her because of Sage’s own failings.

Sage answers by implying that one of Benedict’s knights has already betrayed the king, confirming to Trystan that Sage has turned at least one Valiant Guard to their side. Sage then reveals she has hidden letters signed by Nura Sage, suggesting evidence connected to her mother. Trystan drags Sage away before Benedict can fully see the letters or understand their importance.

Sage tells Benedict he is wrong about both her mother and herself, then waves and taunts him as Trystan pulls her toward escape. Benedict screams in outrage while Trystan, Sage, and Kingsley run for their lives.