Chapter 24

Talyara refuses King Ostern's proposal for an arranged marriage to his son Tyroth, and her father Pah supports her decision. Sent away while the kings discuss politics, Talyara spends time with her Moonplume Allume in the hutch, where she notices her silent, traumatized brother Haedeon shows no response to anything around him.

King Ostern of The Burn visits to arrange a marriage between Talyara and his son Tyroth Vaegor as a political alliance to increase The Shade's agricultural output. Talyara vehemently refuses, declaring she would rather endure any hardship than wed Tyroth, whose eyes and smile are cruel. Pah surprises her by refusing to sell her into the arrangement despite political pressure, calling her remarkable and affirming his support. Dismissed from the political discussions, Talyara goes to the hutch with Allume, her Moonplume. There she observes Haedeon, who has returned from Netheryn but remains emotionally and verbally withdrawn—he no longer laughs, eats butterberry chews, or speaks. Talyara reflects that Haedeon's childhood dream was to ride his own Moonplume, and she hopes that giving him this experience might restore his ability to smile. She notes that Allume's wing is strengthening and will soon be ready for her first flight.