Before — Chapter 46

Isla and Grim train within an illusion of the cave guarding the cursed sword, overcoming every defense until a dragon’s spiked tail blocks their final approach. Without sufficient power to pass or climb, they consider luring the dragon away as their next tactic.

Grim then transports Isla to vast fields of deep-purple flowers he calls nightbane. At his urging, Isla smells one and recognizes the scent as identical to the Wildling healing elixir. Grim explains that the same nectar becomes a euphoria-inducing drug under Nightshade extraction but a healing serum under Wildling touch, revealing a shared source for poison and remedy.

Seizing the opportunity, Isla proposes a covert arrangement: Nightshade provides nightbane, and Wildlings supply healing elixirs, with Isla requesting hearts from those Grim already intends to kill and other needed resources. Grim agrees, and they seal the deal with a handshake as he portals them back to Isla’s room.

Back in the room, their mutual trust and attraction crest as Grim seeks explicit consent to continue. Just before they kiss, Grim senses a breach in the scar—an urgent threat—and vanishes, leaving their alliance newly forged but their personal moment unresolved.