17 Meryn

Meryn screams for help as Izabel convulses from poisoned emberwine and dies despite Stark and Tomison’s efforts. Venna’s grief erupts while Meryn realizes the drink was intended for her. The shock unlocks a surge of shadebending; shadows wreath Meryn, snuff lights, and slam the ballroom doors.

Commanding the darkness, Meryn demands the culprit. She drags forward the fair-haired server who admits she was tasked to deliver the queen’s goblet by a man claiming to act for Nocturna. Under Meryn’s pressure, the server points out Councilor Gerhold of Sturmfrost.

Meryn’s shadows seize Gerhold, suspending him above his table. He denies Meryn’s rule, exalts Killian, and shows no remorse for Izabel’s death. Meryn’s fury spikes; shadows engulf the entire table. When the darkness recedes, Gerhold and his family lie dead, shocking Meryn as she realizes she has killed more than her target.

Steeling herself, Meryn addresses the hall, framing Gerhold’s execution as justice for treason and asserting that nobles, Bonded, and commoners hold equal value. She vows swift consequences for any further plots, even as her conscience needles her loss of control and Anassa’s approval thrums in her mind.

Meryn orders Stark to clear the bodies and instructs Siegrid to secure the grounds so conspirators cannot escape. As the terrified crowd is released, Meryn returns to Izabel’s body. Venna seeks comfort; the two embrace and weep. Anassa and Skaia arrive, but even their presence cannot ease the grief.