Empire of Storms

Elide and Lorcan perform as part of the troupe. Elide watches as Lorcan performs his sword-throwing act and feels jealous of the woman ogling him. Lorcan asks why she does not become intimate with any of the men who clearly admire her, and Elide admits that she is a virgin. Lorcan asks if anyone sexually assaulted her at Morath. Elide says no but admits that she frequently faced sexual harassment. Before their conversation can continue, the troupe is attacked by ilken—demonic winged creatures with poisonous claws. Lorcan tells Elide to hide and confronts the ilken. The creatures ask about Elide, using her real name; this moment makes Lorcan aware of her lie, but he claims that there is no one in the troupe who matches her description. The ilken say that they are hungry.

Elide hides until she cannot hear the screaming anymore. When she comes out of her hiding spot, Lorcan chides her for moving so conspicuously and angrily tells her that he knows her true identity. He knows that her uncle is Erawan’s right hand, and she is his prized possession: a lady of high regard. Elide replies that she is no one’s possession, and tells him that she would rather die than go back to Morath.