Accomplice to the Villain

Kingsley notices that Trystan is upset and tries comforting him. Trystan doesn’t mention what happened with Evie but reiterates his regret about failing to undo Kingsley’s frog curse. He spent years unsuccessfully seeking out a cure. When Trystan then tasks Kingsley with checking on Evie, Kingsley infers that they kissed. Suddenly, Kingsley becomes confused and disoriented. He can’t continue the exchange with Trystan.

Gideon formulates a plan for the impending excursion to the Gleaming Palace with Keeley. Later, he and Nura reiterate their gratitude to Keeley for saving Lyssa. However, something about Keeley’s manner unnerves Gideon, and he wonders if she’s hiding something.

Trystan bursts into Tatiana’s room, desperate for her to see Kingsley, who hasn’t been himself lately. Trystan worries that something is wrong. Tatiana reminds Trystan that Kingsley was turned into a frog because of Trystan’s mother, Amara Maverine. Amara tried to use an enchantress’s curse on Trystan, but hit Kingsley instead. Tatianna then suggests that Trystan ask Blade for help with Kingsley—Tatianna can’t heal animals.

Kingsley has been feeling disoriented but doesn’t know why, and he is annoyed when Trystan and Evie worry over him. Kingsley laments how much his friendships with Trystan, Clare, and Tatiana have changed.

Suddenly, the sun blasts through the window, illuminating the broken pieces of stained glass that Trystan and Evie have been studying. They read the inscription aloud, realizing that the “fourth piece of the prophecy” (105) is about Kingsley, as he is Rennedawn’s true prince.

Evie and her companions discuss the new revelation about the prophecy. They determine that they have to undo Kingsley’s curse to “save the magic in Rennedawn” (107). Trystan and Evie decide to ask the Curse Consultant for help again.

As the companions ride through the Hickory Forest in search of the Curse Consultant, Trystan and Evie get distracted flirting until they hear Tatianna and Clare screaming.

Trystan and Evie catch up to Tatianna and Clare, who are being attacked by a giant bat. The bat swirls around them, leading them into a trap.

A herd of angry deer surrounds the companions. Then, Curse Consultant Lionel appears, introducing them to his bat, Betsy.

Trystan and his friends tell Lionel they need help undoing Kingsley’s curse. Lionel is surprised—he thought they were there to ask about the curse that is on Trystan.

Evie argues that Trystan isn’t cursed, but Lionel insists otherwise. He guesses that Trystan’s curse is darker and more unnatural than Kinglsey’s. As for Kingsley, they will need to locate the enchantress who created the curse that affected him and collect a wand to reverse the spell.

Suddenly, King Benedict rides toward them through the forest. Trystan protects Evie as they flee.

Upset, Evie demands to know what Lionel meant about Trystan’s curse. Trystan explains that his magic has been cursed for a decade, which is why he’s been unable to control it. He now wonders if Benedict is to blame.

Back at the manor, Becky introduces Blade to her brother, Roland. While wandering the grounds, they notice something is wrong with the thorny grove around the manor. They wonder if this is how the intruder Calvin got in.

At Massacre Manor that evening, Gideon shares a map of Gleaming Palace, and they make a plan for him and Keeley to seek out the guvre there. Then, everyone discusses the meeting with Lionel. They’re unsure how to find the enchantress who cursed Kingsley, but Trystan proposes to ask one of his lord friends for a wand.

Kingsley anxiously listens to Trystan and Evie’s conversation about his situation. Hungry and upset, he starts eating flies. Then he passes out.

Evie finds Lyssa and Nura in her room that evening. Evie scours the mysterious notes Lyssa found in the prison cell of her malicious father, Griffin, who was revealed to be a malefactor in the previous novel. After Lyssa leaves, Evie lashes out at Nura for her absence from their lives, which meant Evie had to act as a parent for her younger siblings over the years without getting a chance to be a child herself. Nura insists she tried leaving clues to help Evie navigate her situation. Convinced Nura will never understand all that she has suffered, Evie leaves. In the hall, Trystan grabs Evie and pulls her into a closet.

In the closet, Evie and Trystan discuss their concerns about Kingsley. Trystan insists they leave in search of the wand immediately. Evie is thrilled that he wants her to accompany him.

As Evie and Tatianna prepare for their journey, Becky joins them and confesses that she has feelings for Blade but doesn’t know how to express them. Her friends give her advice and remind her that they are her sisters.

Trystan and his companions head out in search of Lord Edmund Fowler, his friend with the wand. Halfway there, the Valiant Guard appears and endangers Evie. Trystan tries fighting back but loses consciousness.

Clare and her companions wake up in a library. Clare realizes they were shot with poison darts. She is horrified to discover that their attacker took Trystan and Evie. She then realizes that they are at Lord Fowler’s place.

Evie and Trystan wake up in a hot air balloon with Lord Fowler. Fowler taunts Trystan and leers at Evie until a furious Trystan pushes him out of the basket.

Fowler floats back up into the basket. Evie is stunned that Fowler can fly and realizes Trystan only pushed him because he knew he’d survive the fall. Fowler then promises to give Trystan the wand if Trystan attends a dinner party. Trystan begrudgingly agrees.

Gideon and Keeley set out on their adventure. Gideon still isn’t sure he should trust her, but he can’t deny his attraction to her.

Evie prepares for Fowler’s dinner party. Tatianna exclaims at her beauty, insisting that Trystan will be delighted at her appearance.

At the dinner party, Trystan is overwhelmed by emotion when he sees Evie. The two chat and flirt. Trystan reveals that he still has the sketch of himself that Evie drew weeks ago. When Fowler joins them, Trystan jokes about torturing Calvin. Evie flees. Trystan worries that he upset her.

Trystan catches up with Evie, apologizing for making light of Calvin’s torture. Evie reveals that she left because she started laughing when he mentioned torture and was embarrassed. The two rejoin the party just as Fowler is welcoming everyone. He then announces a game: Kingsley has gone missing. Whoever recovers him will get to spend the night with Evie.