Contents
16 Meryn
Overview
Direwolves publicly pledge loyalty to Meryn and Anassa, shifting power dynamics at court. During the lavish but unsettling reception, political tensions flare with nobles and the Mother Priestess, who tries to claim both Goddess Tears. After a quiet moment with Stark, catastrophe strikes: Izabel is poisoned by Meryn’s goblet, revealing an assassination attempt.
Summary
As the coronation concludes, a pack of direwolves floods the throne room, including pups, culminating in Anassa’s haunting howl. The wolves bow to Anassa and Meryn, a public pledge that unsettles the nobles and asserts the true seat of power. The ceremony resumes with a hollow chorus of “Long live the queen.”
At the reception, decadent Valtiere traditions dominate, including an erotic performance Meryn tolerates for political optics. She endures a receiving line: some nobles are respectful, others condescending. Meryn spars verbally with Councilor Gerhold Herzog and endures Lord Eisenfall’s demeaning claims over Noemi, responding with barbed wit. Lady Heir Blumenfall presents a gift with genuine-seeming support.
The Mother Priestess confronts Saela to seize the opal Tear necklace, declaring Meryn unworthy to hold two sacred relics. Controlling her shadows, Meryn asserts authority and orders Siegrid to remove the priestess, preserving custody of both Tears and exposing a rift with the temple.
Overwhelmed, Meryn seeks air on a balcony, where Stark joins her. Their charged but quiet exchange hints at deepening feelings and trust as Stark notes her exhaustion. Before Meryn can confide her fears about Killian’s shadow realm, Siegrid summons her back for toasts.
During the toasts, Izabel and Tomison join Meryn, joking until Izabel drinks from Meryn’s engraved crystal goblet. Izabel suddenly chokes, collapses, and convulses, frothing blood-red foam. Realizing the drink was likely poisoned for her, Meryn calls for Anassa and healers, but Anassa is far away with the hunt. The celebration continues obliviously as Meryn and Tomison cradle Izabel amid the unfolding catastrophe.
Who Appears
- MerynNewly crowned queen; manages nobles, rebukes the Mother Priestess, shares a tense moment with Stark, and witnesses Izabel’s poisoning from her goblet.
- AnassaDirewolf queen; leads wolves in a formal pledge, later away hunting when Meryn calls for healing aid.
- IzabelMeryn’s friend and packmate; jokes at the head table, drinks from Meryn’s goblet, and is violently poisoned.
- StarkBonded warrior; offers steady presence on the balcony, showing concern and growing intimacy with Meryn.
- SiegridSovereign Alpha; orchestrates court optics, removes the Mother Priestess, and ushers Meryn back for toasts.
- SaelaSiphon and Meryn’s sister; delights in the feast, wears the opal Tear, and is targeted by the Mother Priestess.
- Mother PriestessReligious leader; tries to seize both Goddess Tears, declaring Meryn unworthy, and is escorted out.
- TomisonPackmate; banters with Izabel, then supports her as she collapses from poisoning.
- Gerhold HerzogCouncilor of Sturmfrost; confronts Meryn over ceremony changes with leering disrespect.
- Lord EisenfallOstentatious noble; demeans Noemi as a possession and flaunts status before Meryn.
- NoemiBonded associated with House Eisenfall; appears subdued beside her dismissive father.
- Lady Heir BlumenfallPragmatic noble heir; offers a gift and signals genuine support for Meryn.
- Lord BlumenfallElder noble; formally pledges allegiance alongside his heir.