Chapter 30: Paedyn

Contains spoilers

Overview

Paedyn narrowly escaped drowning when Kai hauled her back over the Reckoning’s railing, freeing her from her bonds and killing her attackers. In the aftermath, they confronted Captain Torri, whose evasions led Kai and Paedyn to deduce he is a Hyper who knowingly ignored Paedyn’s abduction during the storm. They plan to deal with the crew and Torri once back in Ilya, while preparing to reach Izram by midday tomorrow. Paedyn and Kai’s bond deepened through relief, anger, and intimacy as they resolved to keep Paedyn armed at all times.

Summary

As Paedyn fell toward the sea, Kai lunged and caught the only thing within reach—Adena’s vest. The seams began to rip under Paedyn’s weight, but Kai held on, then managed to hook an arm around her waist and heave her over the railing, collapsing with her on the rain-slick deck. He cut the ropes from her wrists and ankles with his sword, revealing the bloodied bodies of the Illusionist and the Tele/Gust attackers he had killed.

Paedyn, shaken but alive, assured Kai she was uninjured and thanked him. Kai explained he had been drugged in his sleep and deceived by an Illusionist casting Paedyn’s likeness beside him. Paedyn recounted waking immobilized as three sailors dragged her away, tied and gagged, with no crew coming to her aid. Rageful, Kai vowed they would deal with those responsible upon returning to Ilya, and Paedyn, less fearful of blood, accepted the prospect of retribution depending on whose blood was spilled. They shared a fierce kiss.

By morning, Paedyn and Kai met Captain Torri in his dining room. Paedyn noticed an old map depicting lands beyond Izram, seemingly embellished with mythic places that inspired sailors’ quests. Torri offered a hurried apology, insisting the three attackers acted alone and that few men were on deck during the storm due to exhausted shift rotations. Kai pressed him about the absence of an apology and about an Illusionist being aboard; Torri claimed he had requested one from the king to create decoys for a sea beast.

Kai also questioned who helmed the ship; Torri boasted that he himself captained through the storm until Kai interrupted him the previous night. Kai ended the meeting with a thinly veiled warning, saying Torri should watch his men and that he was capable of doing so. Once alone, Kai revealed his conclusion: only Torri could have seen and heard Paedyn during the downpour, meaning Torri is a Hyper who chose not to intervene.

Paedyn accepted this deduction with bitter resignation. Kai promised to deal with Torri when they returned to Ilya, but until then ordered Paedyn to keep her dagger on her person at all times, even with him. Their exchange turned tender and teasing, underscoring their strengthened intimacy as they prepared to reach Izram by midday the next day.

Who Appears

  • Paedyn Gray
    protagonist; nearly drowned, was saved by Kai, recounts her abduction, challenges Captain Torri, resolves to stay armed, grows closer to Kai.
  • Kai
    Enforcer and Paedyn’s lover; killed the attackers, saved Paedyn from falling, confronted Torri, deduced Torri is a Hyper, vows to address the crew and Torri in Ilya, insists Paedyn remain armed.
  • Captain Torri
    captain of the Reckoning; offers a belated apology, claims the attackers acted alone, admits requesting an Illusionist from the king, boasts of helming the storm; revealed/assessed as a Hyper who ignored Paedyn’s cries.
  • The Illusionist
    attacker; created a false Paedyn, killed by Kai; discussed posthumously.
  • The Tele
    attacker; had telekinetic choking power used by Kai briefly, killed by Kai; discussed posthumously.
  • The Gust
    attacker; thrown overboard by Kai; discussed posthumously.
  • Adena
    Paedyn’s lost friend; referenced via Paedyn’s vest, which was torn during the rescue.
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