Chapter 41

Raeve fights Hock in a combat trial to determine her fate. Though she initially gains the upper hand, Hock uses a venomous serpent to poison her, severely compromising her ability to fight. As she weakens and begins to lose, Kaan arrives with Rygun and Kaara, dramatically descending into the crater.

Raeve stands before the trial, determined to kill Hock and escape rather than submit to him as her bound mate. Saiza paints her with blood markings while Raeve silently curses her Fate Herder, whom she believes has manipulated her into this situation. She refuses the traditional role being forced upon her, insisting her body is her own. The fight begins with Raeve dodging Hock's initial charge and delivering several successful slashes with her axe. However, Hock produces a venomous serpent from his pocket and throws it at her, striking her chest with a bite that rapidly poisons her system. As the venom spreads through her body, causing dizziness and disorientation, Raeve struggles to maintain her combat effectiveness. Despite her determination and cunning—including tossing her axe as a distraction and using a leather bind to strangle Hock—she manages to render him unconscious. But before she can retrieve her axe to complete the ritual beheading, Hock awakens and strikes her head, causing her to collapse. The combat deteriorates as Hock repeatedly beats her while she lies vulnerable on the ground. When he pins her down and demands she submit, demanding "gúide," Raeve refuses despite her weakened state. Just as Hock raises his hand to strike the final blow, a Sabersythe appears overhead—revealed to be Rygun—and tears through the rope decorations with its claw. Kaan then drops into the crater, his face filled with fury as he moves toward Raeve and Hock.