Glow

Slade explains that he must replenish the rip to keep it open by feeding it his fae magic every few months. This is different from his rot power. Auren is impressed by his magical prowess. Auren watches as Slade fires every ounce of magic he possesses into the rip, exhausting himself in the process. When he finishes, Auren is more determined than ever to control her own gold power. She tells Slade that she is ready to accompany him to Fourth Kingdom.

At Cauval Castle in Seventh Kingdom, Queen Malina is enjoying the royal treatment she receives from Fasso and Friano. Once she recovers from the ordeal of her journey, Malina learns that the twins need her help to restore the kingdom. They have powers that work together. Fasso says, “‘I can instill something new.’ ‘And I can restore something old,’ Friano finishes” (464).

They intend to restore the former glory of Seventh Kingdom, but they require a few drops of Malina’s blood to complete the ritual. In exchange, she will receive some of Fasso’s power. Since Malina is a powerless human, rejected by everyone as not fit to rule her father’s kingdom, she leaps at the proposal and strikes a deal.

Later, she is visited by the assassin sent to kill her while Midas was still alive. He comes to offer a warning: “Look around you […] See. Observe. You can’t trust the people here” (468). Malina is enthralled by the idea of possessing magical powers of her own, so she doesn’t listen.

After four days of hard travel via timberwing, Slade, Auren, and their party arrive at Brackhill Castle, the capital of Fourth Kingdom. Auren is struck by the balmy climate. Slade leads Auren to his quarters to change clothes and clean up. She thinks, “Go wherever you like and do whatever you please. He said it so casually. As if it’s normal. As if I’ve ever heard it before in my life, when in fact, I have not” (481).

When Slade awakens the next morning, he finds Auren missing. Raising the alarm, he makes everyone search the castle until Digby points out the obvious place where Auren is likely to be. Slade goes to the top turret and finds Auren on the roof basking in the rays of the sun. She is in a joyful mood.

Slade and his inner circle accompany Auren on her first visit to the city. Instead of riding in a coach, she chooses to go on horseback and draws the notice of the townsfolk. Immediately, ugly gossip starts to swirl about her murder of Midas and how she might steal the local king’s power as well.

This is the first time that Auren has heard these rumors because the rest of the group never told her. She is incensed that “even though he’s dead, [Midas is] still steering [her] public reputation” (502). She defiantly throws back her hood and lets the people gawk at her.

The group stops to eat and drink at a pub called the “Burnt Cat,” which improves Auren’s mood. Afterward, everyone goes back outside, where Auren hears even more insulting rumors implying that she hops from one king to another. She chooses to ride back in the carriage, away from the gaze of the townsfolk. Slade joins her in the covered coach, realizing that something has disturbed her.

Slade presses for an explanation, and Auren repeats what the townsmen said about her. She fears the rumors may be partly true, saying, “I’ve gone from Zakir, to Midas, to you. Letting men take care of me” (518).

Auren wonders if she should strike out on her own to find out who she is. She asks him if Slade would try to control her if she did. He replies, “You are mine, and I am yours, and whatever pleasure you seek, I will be there to watch you get it” (526). Then, he initiates a lovemaking session inside the coach, with no one outside the wiser.

The couple’s sexual tryst continues all the way back to the castle. Afterward, Auren says to herself, “Those men back at the market? They weren’t wrong. I did jump from one king to another—from one male to another. But the difference? This time, I actually chose right” (538).

Back at the castle, Auren and Slade dress to receive a visit from Queen Kaila’s brother, Manu. Before he arrives for dinner, Slade introduces Auren to a couple named Warken and Isalee Streah, along with their daughter, Barley. They are the Premiers who run the country in Slade’s absence. This is necessary because he maintains a dual identity as King Ravinger (aka King Rot) and as the head of the army, Commander Rip. However, Ryatt frequently doubles in that role when Slade can’t be in two places at once.

The Streahs report that while the natural resources of Fourth Kingdom are plentiful, the other kingdoms are refusing to honor trade agreements with them. The intention is to starve out Fourth Kingdom unless Slade surrenders Auren.

Manu finally joins the group in the dining room. Auren had formed a favorable opinion of him during their earlier encounters. Now, she thinks, “I wonder if everyone, including me, has underestimated her brother—and if that’s exactly what he wants” (553).

Manu diplomatically presents the terms of surrender to Slade, indicating that Auren must be questioned by the Conflux. This is a general meeting of the rulers of the other kingdoms. Slade refuses to comply and threatens to rot all the other realms. Manu says he will wait seven days for a final answer.

Later, Slade consults his inner circle and learns that Fourth Kingdom only has enough food supplies for four weeks. He immediately mobilizes resources to step up agricultural production. Auren offers to go to the Conflux, but Slade immediately vetoes that decision.

Osrik the army commander is leading his weary troops back to the border of Fourth Kingdom, not realizing the trouble brewing at home. During the march, he has tried to avoid Rissa, even though he feels a strong attraction developing between them. Finally, Rissa takes the initiative and proposes that they have sex, but Osrik declines. He wants to be something more than a one-night stand, though he doesn’t tell this to Rissa. She departs in a huff, leaving him to wonder if he made the right decision.

Flying on Argo, Slade goes to meet the army when it encamps near the city. His presence immediately improves morale until Slade explains the true state of affairs to Osrik and Ryatt. The latter is furious that his brother won’t surrender Auren. He accuses Slade of shifting his priorities and failing to protect his people. Slade suggests that his brother has never had to make hard decisions.

Ryatt storms out of the room. Judd volunteers to negotiate a trade deal with First Kingdom for supplies, while Lu will go to Sixth Kingdom to keep an eye on Queen Kaila. Slade orders extra guards to watch the borders. Slade says he is unafraid to antagonize the other kingdoms.