41 Meryn

Stark urges pragmatic sacrifice, yet confesses he would choose Meryn over the realm, and Meryn refuses a political marriage that visions show ends in Killian’s victory and her loved ones’ deaths. She shares a confusing viable vision of an ancient seaside tower with Stark, who doesn’t recognize it. Determined to learn Killian’s plans, Meryn asks Stark to let her face the dream alone despite his reluctance; he agrees to wait unless danger escalates.

That night, with Stark and the direwolf Anassa guarding nearby, exhaustion drops Meryn into the shadow realm. Killian greets her with manipulative tenderness. Meryn feigns remorse and fear to draw him out, claiming Stark has kept them apart and she seeks forgiveness and guidance.

Probing him, Meryn learns the border attack was orchestrated by Alistair to punish Meryn’s loyalists, signal strength to Lucien, and keep Meryn and Lucien out of Nocturna while Alistair searches for something. When Meryn presses, Killian instead boasts he can rule with her and defeat both brothers.

Killian then reveals a critical asset: the Mother Priestess’s signet ring—another Goddess Tear—with powers that provoke worship, exceeding Siphon mind control. To lower his guard, Meryn claims Lucien also has a Tear-necklace and could be tricked into yielding it. Killian outlines his strategy to find more Tears to counter Alistair and Lucien.

Meryn tests him about the thrall bracelet; Killian insists he spared her mind and designed it to target her power so they could be “equals,” exposing his coercive logic. As he moves to kiss her, Meryn fakes Stark’s approach and forces herself out of the shadows, struggling against the realm until it releases her.

At dawn she wakes to Stark and reports the revelation: Killian possesses the fifth Goddess Tear, the Mother Priestess’s ring, and is actively hunting more while Alistair searches and blocks their return.