A Court This Cruel and Lovely

While the other ladies discuss court politics at the dinner, Prisca grows increasingly uneasy due to Lorian’s potential impact on her plans. Afterward, he pulls her aside and confronts her about her presence in the castle when she was supposed to have left the city altogether. They argue, and he kisses her. After he warns her to stay away from him, she leaves.

Later, Prisca and Tibris return to the dungeon. While Tibris goes to tend to Asinia and Demos, Prisca stops to talk to Wila, who says that she has been sentenced to death for what the incident with the fire. She makes Prisca promise to continue the fight against the king. Prisca turns to Lorian for help, begging him to save Wila. Lorian refuses, saying that a rescue would be too risky. The following day, the king announces Wila’s execution during a formal breakfast and says that he is looking for hybrids among the servants, although the ladies are exempt from scrutiny. Overwhelmed by grief and guilt, Prisca breaks down crying in a storage room, and Lorian finds her and comforts her. He admits that, just like her, he is driven by his desire for revenge on the king, who took everything from his