The Fragile Threads of Power

Lark brings Kosika a tray and regales her with gossip from the feast below. He leaves her with a birthday gift of a few sugar cubes, a nod to their street urchin days when they would share a rare treat. After he leaves, Kosika asks Holland if he remembers the day they met in the Silver Woods, when she found his body and put a sugar cube in his hand. He appears puzzled and tells her he doesn’t remember. She tries to brush this off but wonders what it means that he didn’t recognize her from the woods.

A year earlier, she frantically scrubs any traces of Black London off her body. She worries that she disturbed something there that will now contaminate her world. That night, she dreams that Holland comes to her in the flesh, and she kneels and calls him her king.

Lila awakens in the palace and goes to find Kell. She is uncomfortable with the wealth there and irritated that the servants call her “my lady” instead of “Captain.”

She finds Kell playing with Ren and has an uncomfortable conversation with Nadiya. Though Nadiya considers Lila family, Lila dislikes her. Nadiya tries to persuade Lila to let her study Lila’s Antari magic, saying, “Your magic holds the keys to countless doors.