The Veiled Kingdom

Nyra trains with Wren the next day because Dacre is absent. Their training is interrupted by the arrival of Dacre and Davian, who tell Nyra and Wren that they must participate in a mission beyond the borders of the hidden city. Nyra is nervous, and Wren tells her to stay close. They go to the surface with Davian, Mal, and some other warriors. Davian meets with Faris, a commander in the king’s army who feeds the rebellion information. Nyra is afraid, and she hides from view because she knows that Faris might recognize her. Faris tells Davian that he has information about the lost Princess Verena’s whereabouts, which could be significant because the princess could be used as a bargaining chip. Suddenly, Faris recognizes Nyra and throws a knife at her and Wren. Nyra is cut on the arm but deflects the blade. Wren throws a dagger at Faris, killing him. As Faris dies, he utters the word “princess,” which worries Nyra. Davian grabs and strangles Nyra, demanding to know who she is. He eventually releases her, and Wren goes to her side. Nyra, whose real name is Verena, admits to herself that she misses the real Nyra, her late mother.