To Kill a Kingdom

Elian lies to his crew about Queen Galina of Eidýllio wanting to keep him all to herself so that he can meet with her alone, wanting to protect them from her. Kye, the only one who knows the truth about Galina, offers to go with Elian, but the prince refuses. He enters her throne room, which is scarred from burning and smells of smoke and ash. He meets Queen Galina but avoids her touch: Any man who touches a female member of her bloodline becomes devoted to her to the point of losing himself. Galina herself is afraid to remarry because she lost her first husband for refusing to allow him to touch her. She has also resolved not to have any children, so as not to pass on her curse. However, her lack of husband or heirs has made her kingdom vulnerable to Kardiá, a rival country that is gaining power. Elian shows her a piece of parchment that holds the answer to her problem.

Elian heads to the Serendipity, where he and his crew typically stay while docked in Eidýllio. He thinks that he’s rid himself of Lira, but she follows him. She teases him for his princely clothes and uses his magic knife, at his protest, to cut the sleeves on his shirt to look more suitable for a pirate.