Chapter Seventy-One
Summary
- Hunt spends a distressing night in a cell, anticipating his future after the Summit, likely to be imprisoned in Sandriel's castle in the mountains of northwestern Pangera.
- He's constantly reminded of Bryce by a photo feed, left as a reminder of what could be lost if he rebels or disobeys Sandriel.
- As his wings regenerate and heal, he fears that Sandriel will not let him out of the dungeons, as he is now her payment for her debts.
- He is taken from his cell by an armed guard led by the golden-haired commander of Sandriel's triarii, Pollux Antonius, and transported into the elevator.
- Bryce rushes to the scene, begging Sandriel not to take Hunt away. She offers to buy him for ninety-seven million gold marks and an ancient, valuable necklace despite the steep implications for her own life.
- Her plea is rejected, and in desperation, she offers to trade her own life for Hunt's freedom. This is rejected by her brother Ruhn, who claims her as "property" of their father, dismissing her proposal.
- Hunt tells Bryce to stop fighting for him and to never come looking for him again, tearing both of them emotionally, as they are separated and Hunt is transported away.
- Ruhn is confronted by his friends, Flynn and Declan, about not revealing that Bryce is their Fae princess. He insists he was following orders not to tell anyone
- Bryce retreats to the Black Dock, wishing for her deceased friend Danika to be there with her. As she mourns her failure and Hunt's impending doom, she is attacked by a kristallos demon.