Contents
32 Meryn
Overview
Meryn’s party endures a tense journey south to Brightbane as personal rifts simmer. In the city, the Royal Chamberlain’s condescension collides with Stark’s demands, forcing proper accommodations for the direwolves. Meryn appoints her father as emissary to keep him near Saela. They await the king’s summons amid palpable hostility.
Summary
The group travels south through mounting heat toward Astreona. Meryn hides her engagement bracelet while worrying over Killian’s silence. Tension with Stark lingers as Noemi stays close to him. Saela bonds with Fredrich, and Noemi gently urges Meryn to recognize her father’s effort. Meryn asks Fredrich if Saela’s transformation can be reversed; he sorrowfully confirms it is permanent, deepening Meryn’s ache.
They crest the hill to Brightbane’s dazzling cityscape. Elias suggests leaving the direwolves outside, but Stark refuses. At the castle gates, Royal Chamberlain Felippe greets them instead of King Lucien, pointedly “summoning” them later. Elias then bows deeply to Meryn, a public signal of respect that unsettles Felippe.
When Felippe’s entourage derides the wolves as pets, Stark has Cratos bare fangs, compelling a swift apology and a promise of a garden with direct access to the Nocturnan quarters. Noemi smooths negotiations and requests rooms. Felippe leads them through opulent halls while making ignorant, condescending remarks about Nocturnans.
In their suite, Felippe assigns rooms and curtly tells Fredrich to leave. Saela’s distress pushes Meryn to name Fredrich an official emissary so he can remain. Felippe, still patronizing, asks if they eat raw meat; Noemi counters, asserting their humanity. Felippe departs, promising preparation for dinner, and Venna immediately seeks permission to spy.
Who Appears
- MerynQueen of Nocturna; navigates Brightbane’s hostility, secures respect for wolves, keeps father near Saela, struggles with Stark and Killian’s silence.
- StarkEnforcer and protector; refuses to part with wolves, intimidates Felippe’s entourage into proper accommodations, remains guarded with Meryn.
- FelippeRoyal Chamberlain; greets the party with condescension, mishandles protocol, then capitulates under pressure to arrange suitable quarters.
- NoemiMediator; defuses tensions, corrects dehumanizing remarks, aids in securing rooms and decorum with a diplomatic veneer.
- SaelaMeryn’s sister; bonds with their father, distressed at his dismissal, prompting Meryn to keep him at the castle.
- FredrichMeryn and Saela’s father; confirms Saela’s change is irreversible, stays as emissary to remain close to Saela.
- EliasAstreonan guide; advises leaving wolves, then publicly bows to Meryn, signaling respect that unsettles the court.
- AnassaMeryn’s direwolf; shares Meryn’s defiance, accompanies Cratos to new quarters, symbolizes Nocturnan strength.
- CratosStark’s direwolf; menaces a courtier to force respect, joins Anassa in the garden accommodations.
- VennaMeryn’s ally; shares grief over Izabel, asks to spy on the Astreonans after Felippe departs.