Moonfall, #2
The Ballad of Falling Dragons
by Sarah A. Parker
Contents
Chapter 81
Overview
Arkyn reads Elluin Neván’s diary, exposing that Kyzari is the daughter of Elluin and Kaan, and that Elluin died in childbirth after being coerced into binding for political cover. Arkyn tortures Kaan and claims Kyzari is dying in Raeve’s former cell. To stop the torture, Raeve offers herself to distract Arkyn while she prepares to unleash her buried power.
Summary
Arkyn forces Raeve to listen as he opens Elluin Neván’s diary, revealing Elluin rose from princess to queen of The Shade. He taunts Kaan, claiming to be his elder brother, and reads entries describing Elluin’s early prowess, her arranged binding after her family’s poisoning, and her secret love affair with Kaan.
Arkyn cites the passage where Elluin records Kaan gifting her a token and their coupling before her binding to Tyroth. He declares their pah discovered the affair and manipulated Elluin: to spare Slátra and protect the unborn child, Elluin must proceed with the binding and sever Kaan. Elluin then left Kaan a cruel note as cover.
Arkyn claims Kyzari is imprisoned in Raeve’s former cell and near death, calling her weak for having Kaan’s blood. He reads the final entries: Elluin feared a Bloodlace test would expose Kaan as the father and expected to die in childbirth, professing undying love for Kaan. Kaan breaks, while Raeve realizes Kyzari is their daughter.
When Kaan roars, Arkyn lashes him with a whip of flame, flaying him. Raeve intervenes, commanding Arkyn to stop and offering herself willingly if he ceases the torture. Arkyn, enthralled, orders the table cleared and has Raeve bound for his spectacle.
As Arkyn begins burning Raeve to “prepare” her for the pits, she tells Kaan to close his eyes and retreats inward, confronting buried trauma about Fallon and her past. She resolves to unleash the cold, ancient force within—her Other—vowing to rupture the world if needed to save Kaan and Kyzari.
Who Appears
- RaevePOV; endures Arkyn’s burning, bargains herself to stop Kaan’s torture, and prepares to unleash her Other to save Kaan and Kyzari.
- ArkynAntagonist; reads Elluin’s diary, reveals Kyzari’s parentage, tortures Kaan, claims Kyzari is dying, demands Raeve’s submission for a show.
- Kaan VaegorTortured by Arkyn; learns Kyzari is his daughter with Elluin; breaks down as Raeve intervenes to protect him.
- Elluin NevánRevealed through her diary; queen of The Shade, loved Kaan, coerced into binding, died in childbirth with Kyzari.
- KyzariOffstage; revealed as Kaan and Elluin’s daughter, imprisoned in Raeve’s former cell, presumed near death.
- TyrothPah/king; discovered the affair, coerced Elluin to bind for cover, positioned as possible false sire.
- FallonRaeve’s lost companion; recalled in Raeve’s inner descent, fueling her resolve to face pain and fight.