Before — Chapter 18

With her guardians away, Isla secretly portals into Grim’s chamber to repay an unclaimed debt and seek peace. She brings a Wildling-developed healing elixir for the chest wound she gave him and hopes to ease tensions before the Centennial. Caught hiding in his bath, she offers the vial; Grim contemptuously smashes it and orders her out.

Refusing to leave matters there, Isla asks what he wants; Grim says she has nothing of value. Desperate to end his enmity, she challenges Grim to a duel: if she wins, they start anew at the Centennial. He accepts on the condition that, if he wins, Isla will never return to his lands.

Grim portals her to the Wildling newland, where Isla arms herself and leads him into the forest she knows well. Grim attacks with overwhelming skill, forcing Isla back while she relies on years of training and intimate knowledge of the terrain to stay alive.

Shifting the fight, Isla maneuvers Grim onto a patch of bog sand that traps him to the ankles. Despite being ensnared, Grim matches her blows and grows more aggressive. In a sudden move, he grabs Isla’s shirt, pulls her atop him, and positions his blade at her heart, ending the duel.

Claiming victory, Grim declares he never wants to see Isla in his lands again and instantly portals away. He leaves Isla collapsing face-first into the bog sand, her attempt at peace failed and her vulnerability starkly exposed.