Chapter Seventy-Three
Contains spoilersOverview
The Valbaran Summit convenes in the Psamathe Desert, where Hunt is paraded in manacles under Sandriel’s control. Queen Hypaxia is revealed as the medwitch and formally anointed. The Asteri appear remotely, asserting dominance and pressing an end to the human war, pointedly focusing on Hunt. Ruhn secretly offers Hunt telepathic support as Micah commences proceedings.
Summary
Held in a desert conference center, the Summit begins after five days of Hunt’s imprisonment. Dressed in black and bound with gorsian manacles, Hunt is positioned among Sandriel’s 45th, enduring Pollux’s gloating while noting the Harpy, Helhound, and Hawk. Across the aisle stand Isaiah and Naomi with the 33rd, while Fury watches alone. Hunt broods on Bryce’s lineage and their fractured trust.
A ceremonial procession arrives: Jesiba Roga; then the witches led by Queen Hypaxia, whom Hunt recognizes as the medwitch; the mer with Tharion and the River Queen’s daughter; the wolves, with the frail Prime choosing the stairs over the escalator; and the Fae, with the cold Autumn King and Ruhn. The Asterian Guard descends in immaculate formation, followed by Micah and Sandriel, before all leaders assemble in a tiered hall ringed by seven levels of attendees and guarded exits.
Central seats go to the Prime of Wolves, the Autumn King, both Governors, the River Queen’s daughter, Hypaxia, and Jesiba; their seconds, including Sabine, Ruhn, Tharion, and an elder witch, take the next ring. Hunt is stationed between Asterian Guards. Vidscreens reveal the crystal thrones of the Asteri, whose remote presence chills the room and forces nearly all to kneel.
As the Asteri survey the assembly, only a few hold their gaze—Tharion, Ruhn, Declan Emmet, and Hypaxia. Ruhn opens a clandestine telepathic link to Hunt, discreetly offering help and confirming he hadn’t known Hypaxia’s identity. The Asteri formally recognize Hypaxia as Queen of the Valbaran Witches, then signal the agenda: end the human war and heed Sandriel’s testimony, with a pointed, unsettling focus on Hunt.
Rigelus’s attention rattles Hunt until Sandriel’s icy warning forces him to lower his eyes. When the Asteri depart, the room exhales. Micah declares the Summit open, cementing the oppressive stakes: Sandriel’s control over Hunt, the Asteri’s iron grip, and a volatile political stage now set.
Who Appears
- Hunt Athalar
Imprisoned and paraded in gorsian manacles; endures Sandriel’s control and Asteri scrutiny; receives telepathic support from Ruhn.
- Sandriel
Governor and Hunt’s owner; displays him before the Summit and subtly enforces obedience with chilling power.
- Micah Domitus
Governor of Lunathion; co-leads proceedings and officially opens the Summit after the Asteri depart.
- Ruhn Danaan
Fae prince; secretly contacts Hunt via telepathy, offers help, and is shocked by Hypaxia’s true identity.
- Queen Hypaxia Enador
Revealed as the medwitch; formally anointed Queen of the Valbaran Witches by the Asteri.
- Pollux Antonius (the Hammer)
Sandriel’s triarii commander; taunts Hunt and embodies the 45th’s menace.
- The Autumn King
Fae ruler; takes a central seat, cold and distant, reinforcing Bryce’s line and political stakes.
- Sabine Fendyr
Alpha of the wolves; serves as second to the Prime, overseeing their delegation.
- The Prime of Wolves
Aged wolf leader; pointedly takes the stairs, asserting pride despite frailty.
- Tharion Ketos
Mer captain; escorts the River Queen’s daughter and is among the few to meet the Asteri’s gaze.
- Jesiba Roga
Sorceress representing the House of Flame and Shadow; takes a central seat without revealing emotion.
- Fury Axtar
Assassin observing alone from the galleries, quietly assessing the room.
- Rigelus (the Bright Hand)
Asteri figurehead who focuses on Hunt; part of the six exerting overwhelming control.
- Isaiah Tiberian
Commander of the 33rd; attends with full regalia, maintaining formal discipline.
- Naomi Danaan
33rd triarii; stands in formal uniform, poised at Isaiah’s side.
- Declan Emmet
Tech and Fae ally; one of the few who openly meets the Asteri’s gaze.