Chapter 46

Raeve receives a threatening message from Sereme via the Elding Squire, ordering her to travel to Bhoggith and eliminate a fae with silver hair and eyes. When Raeve refuses to comply without more information, the Squire uses a magical quill to inflict severe pain through a blood bond, forcing her obedience. Líri kills the Squire, and Siharna witnesses the aftermath, urging Raeve to be honest with Kaan about her situation.

Raeve is confronted by an Elding Squire bearing a parchment lark containing a note and map from Sereme. The note manipulates Raeve by claiming her survival caused the deaths of green recruits, and orders her to travel to Bhoggith's western outpost to kill a fae with silver hair and silver eyes, supposedly a threat to The Flourish as foreseen by a miskunn. Raeve demands more information and refuses to comply, questioning the legitimacy of the order. The Squire responds by producing a magical red quill linked to a silver vial—a tool Sereme uses to control Raeve through the blood bond she shares with her. He drags the quill across an engraving, causing excruciating pain that nearly suffocates Raeve, and threatens that if she fails, The Flourish will fall and she will be killed. Raeve yields under the torture. As the Squire leaves, Líri suddenly attacks, snatching him from the bridge and tearing him apart in mid-air. Siharna, carrying her newborn son, appears on the bridge and witnesses the aftermath. Raeve apologizes for the bloodshed in her village. Siharna questions whether Kaan knows about Raeve's blood bond, and when Raeve hesitates, Siharna warns her not to keep secrets, recounting how her own partner Zior never told her where he was going before he disappeared, depriving her of the chance to save him or avenge his death. She urges Raeve to let Kaan fully in. After Siharna leaves, Raeve resolves to complete Sereme's job, then find a way to eliminate Sereme permanently and confront the Elding about his methods. She considers whether she should learn Bulder's language to become stronger, realizing Kaan previously taught Elluin this knowledge, meaning she may retain it within her own mind.