Contents
9 Meryn
Overview
Meryn hosts Sovereign Alpha Siegrid and her party, meeting Alphas Hannelore and Tormun, and the envoy Noemi, who shares a close history with Stark. Siegrid assigns Tormun to hunt Killian and schedules Meryn’s coronation for three weeks, sending Noemi and Stark to secure nobles. Meryn wins concessions to brief the hunt and execute Killian if captured, but feels sidelined. That night, she checks on sleeping Saela before Stark arrives to tattoo the kill marks she owes.
Summary
Before a formal dinner welcoming the Sovereign Alpha, Meryn tries to ease her wary new attendant, Brionna, and steels herself for Siegrid’s arrival. She reflects on Saela’s silence and the failed search for a Siphon cure. Meryn dresses, dons the wolf crown, and enters with her friends, seated opposite Siegrid, who pointedly takes the head of the table.
Siegrid presents Kryptos Alpha Hannelore, Phylax Alpha Tormun, and Strategos Beta Egith, along with Noemi, a half‑noble Phylax assigned as Meryn’s envoy to the fiefdoms. Stark arrives late; Noemi greets him intimately, stirring Meryn’s unexpected jealousy. During dinner, Siegrid announces Tormun will lead a hunt to eliminate Killian. Meryn demands to join, citing Killian’s access to her magic, but Siegrid refuses. Meryn compromises: she will brief Tormun and claims the right to execute Killian if captured.
Siegrid sets Meryn’s coronation for three weeks, assigns Izabel to planning, and requires meetings with the Mother Priestess. Noemi will tour the seven fiefdoms to secure noble attendance, with Stark ordered to accompany her for leverage. Stark resents the decision; Noemi soothes him. Meryn feels increasingly sidelined despite her crown.
After the meal, Meryn quietly checks on sleeping Saela and locks her door, hoping her sister is free of Siphon influence while she rests. Stark then visits Meryn’s chambers with a tattoo pen, reminding her she must take the marks for the Bonded she killed in the arena, confronting the weight of her actions as they’re left alone together.
Who Appears
- MerynQueen of shadows; hosts Siegrid, negotiates Killian hunt terms, accepts swift coronation, struggles with jealousy, tends Saela, faces kill marks.
- Sovereign Alpha Siegrid TherionArrives to assert control; assigns Tormun to hunt Killian, sets three-week coronation, dispatches Noemi and Stark to secure nobles.
- Valstark (Stark)Daemos Alpha; close to Noemi, ordered to accompany her to nobles; later brings tattoo pen to mark Meryn’s kills.
- NoemiHalf-noble Phylax envoy; stunning, familiar with Stark; tasked to secure noble attendance across fiefdoms.
- Tormun BelrosePhylax Alpha; appointed to lead specialized party to hunt and kill Killian; confident Siphon slayer.
- EgithStrategos Beta; former instructor, supportive presence at dinner, part of Siegrid’s party.
- Hannelore WoodwardKryptos Alpha; accompanies Siegrid, present for strategic decisions.
- SaelaMeryn’s Siphon sister; sleeps peacefully while guarded; focus of Meryn’s worry and resolve.
- IzabelFriend and interim Councilor; tapped to help plan the coronation.
- VennaFriend and interim Councilor; declines coronation planning, occupied with other tasks.
- TomisonFriend and interim Councilor; attends dinner, provides levity.
- NevahFriend and interim Councilor; attends dinner and supports Meryn.
- BrionnaNew primary attendant; initially fearful, relaxes as Meryn reassures her.
- AnassaMeryn’s wolf; offers wry commentary, guards Saela’s door.