Chapter 80

After the manor survives the attack, Trystan tries to manage his anger by interrogating a captured Valiant Guard. The manor’s magical protections are being hastily repaired, but the location is compromised, so Trystan plans to strengthen the grounds with dangerous thorn hedges as a physical defense.

Evie interrupts the interrogation and pulls Trystan into the hall. Evie tells Trystan that someone in the office slipped Lyssa the note that lured Lyssa to their father’s cell, meaning Griffin Sage had help escaping and may have had an accomplice involved in earlier sabotage. Trystan absorbs the news while struggling to contain his unstable magic and his anger.

Evie asks what the hands of destiny told Trystan, but Trystan dodges the question. Trystan instead asks whether Evie regrets walking into the woods the day Evie met Trystan, and Evie says she would not change it because the choice brought Evie work, friends, safety for Lyssa, and Trystan himself. The answer softens Trystan enough to spoil his appetite for torture.

Kingsley appears with a sign reading destiny, prompting Trystan to reveal that Kingsley was once human: Alexander Kingsley, a southern prince and Trystan’s friend. Evie admits Evie already figured this out from Clare’s slips and Trystan’s use of the prince’s name. Trystan then reveals that an enchantress changed Kingsley on Trystan’s mother’s orders; the curse was meant for Trystan and was meant to kill, but Kingsley arrived first.

Before Evie leaves to care for Lyssa, Trystan asks whether Evie met an older woman with three children at the job fair before they first met. Evie confirms the memory, and Trystan hides the full truth by saying destiny told him. After Evie leaves, Trystan privately reflects that destiny said the woman was actually an enchanter who guided Evie into Trystan’s path, and that Evie is meant to be Trystan’s downfall while Trystan is meant to be Evie’s undoing. Trystan decides to distance himself from Evie after completing one important task.