The Veiled Kingdom

While they return to the warriors’ quarters, Nyra thanks Dacre for healing her, though she assumes that he heals all his warriors. She then becomes jealous at the thought of Dacre touching other women and hurries to her room. However, there are boots on the door handle, indicating that Wren has a romantic partner in their room. Dacre tells Nyra to come to his room instead, but she resists, so he picks her up and carries her there. He tells her to strip out of her wet shirt and wear some of his clothing. As she changes, he refuses to look at her. When he turns, he sees her the scars from her lashing and demands to know who hurt her. Nyra doesn’t answer him; she simply reminds him that traitors have scars. They get in bed together, and Nyra is shocked to find comfort in lying beside Dacre. She falls asleep.

Dacre wakes and realizes that he and Nyra are cuddling. His father pounds on the door and tells him that a new recruit has found tunnels beneath the palace; Davian wants Dacre to join him in investigating. Dacre agrees. As he leaves to meet his father, he feels conflicted about Nyra. He doesn’t trust her, but he feels protective and possessive of her. He hates the idea of Eiran spending time with her, as Eiran always covets what Dacre has and has only risen to prominence because his father, Reed, is close with Dacre’s father. Dacre is reminded of his mother and remembers how much she loved their family; he reflects that she was a mother first and a rebel second. He wonders if his father even remembers how much his mother loved them. Dacre arrives at the training grounds and heads out with Davian, Reed, and some other fighters.

Nyra wakes in Dacre’s bed, alone and embarrassed, clutching a pillow that smells like him. She goes to the training grounds and is upset when she cannot find Dacre. At training, Wren tells her that everyone will be meeting for some fun tonight, including Eiran. This news briefly takes Nyra’s mind off Dacre. Wren also reveals that her previous roommates had to wait in the hall whenever she has romantic liaisons; Dacre never invited them into his room.

Wren helps Nyra to dress in a revealing shirt, then she and Eiran lead Nyra to their secret spot in the hidden city. Eiran holds her hand to guide her. Nyra enjoys Eiran’s touch but prefers Dacre’s. When they arrive at the secret spot, Dacre is already there; he and the warriors are already intoxicated. He asks if she plans to sleep in Eiran’s bed and tells everyone that Nyra spent last night in his bed. This embarrasses Nyra, who angrily approaches him. He makes a sexual comment and angers her further, although she feels a measure of lust despite her embarrassment. He tries to spar with her, but she goes to sit with Wren and Eiran by the fire. Dacre sits across from them and continues to taunt Nyra with sexual comments. Wren tells him to stop drinking, and he agrees to give her his bottle of wine in exchange for Nyra. Eiran tells Nyra not to go with Dacre, but she goes anyway.

While wandering through the cavern, Dacre expresses his jealousy about Nyra and Eiran’s relationship. Nyra chides him but calls him handsome. Dacre leads her to a clear blue pool in the cavern. Nyra asks Dacre why he is drinking so much, and he admits that he wants to forget what he saw during today’s scouting. He reveals that the sons of Griffin, one of the king’s advisors, were killed because Griffin was supplying the rebellion with intel. Nyra, who knew Griffin’s sons personally, is horrified. She privately reflects that her father must have had them killed. Meanwhile, Dacre flirts with her, and she tries to leave but cannot see in the dark. Dacre finds her and grabs her as they hear Eiran and Wren searching for them. Their argument leads to a passionate kiss. Dacre touches her intimately, aroused by the idea of Eiran searching for Nyra nearby. Afterwards, Eiran finds them, and Nyra leaves Dacre there.