Chapter 46

Bree and Nick wake together on their final day at Penumbra, briefly joking about hiding in bed and surviving on muffins. The warmth fades when both acknowledge they cannot simply run: if Bree leaves Erebus, the Shadow King will come after her and endanger everyone she loves.

Bree confesses more of her bargain with Erebus. Bree asked Erebus to train her and to take Sel to Natasia in hopes that Sel’s mother could help his demonia, but Bree also still owes Erebus an unspecified debt. Nick reassures Bree that sending Sel to Natasia was the right choice, but when Bree explains Erebus can claim the debt and has threatened her loved ones, Nick’s first instinct is to think of killing Erebus. Bree stops him, insisting that she wants to defeat Erebus without losing more people.

After breakfast, Mikael’s guests gather for the final communion before the auction. Bianca and Lawson arrive to escort Nick and Bree, but Nick asks to use the bathroom and is taken away by Bianca while Lawson seats Bree, Zoe, and Mariah in the front row. As the show begins, Nick does not return, and Bree grows increasingly afraid that something has gone wrong.

Mikael announces that, because one suspect has already been eliminated, the day’s communion will include four tribute questions and will investigate who wounded his guard. When Bree expects to be called, Nick instead walks onstage. Mikael reveals that Nick has proposed taking both his and Bree’s slots, answering ten questions in exchange for sparing Bree from communion.

Under Mikael’s magic, Nick denies attacking the guard and denies knowing who did, using a narrow truth to protect Bree. Mikael then turns the remaining questions into tribute, pressing Nick for painful truths. Nick reveals that he took Bree’s place because he believes he does not deserve her, that he ran when Bree needed him, and that he fled because he sensed death around Erebus and believed Sel would die protecting Bree or Nick.

Mikael pushes further, forcing Nick to admit he knows Bree and Sel shared something more than friendship. Nick names relief that Bree and Sel might find happiness and heartache that their happiness may be with each other. When Mikael tries to extract anger toward Bree, Nick says he has none because Bree is worthy and because, though Nick has lost faith in the world, he has never lost faith in her. Mikael ends the communion to applause, and Nick staggers offstage after one last look at Bree.