Kingsbane

***Kingsbane*** is the second novel in *The Empirium Trilogy*. It was written by Claire Legrand, and was originally published on May 21, 2019 by Sourcebooks Fire. The previous book was *Furyborn* and the next book is *Lightbringer*.

## Synopsis

"Rielle Dardenne has been anointed Sun Queen, but her trials are far from over. The Gate keeping the angels at bay is falling. To repair it, Rielle must collect the seven hidden castings of the saints. Meanwhile, to help her prince and love Audric protect Celdaria, Rielle must spy on the angel Corien―but his promises of freedom and power may prove too tempting to resist.

Centuries later, Eliana Ferracora grapples with her new reality: She is the Sun Queen, humanity's long-awaited savior. But fear of corruption― fear of becoming another Rielle― keeps Eliana's power dangerous and unpredictable. Hunted by all, racing against time to save her dying friend Navi, Eliana must decide how to wear a crown she never wanted―by embracing her mother's power, or rejecting it forever."

## Dedication

"*For Erica, my light in the darkness*"

The dedication is about one of Legrand's friends, Erica Messmer, for her support throughout the process of writing and editing this book.

## Plot

### A Traveler and a Stranger

Simon Randell wakes up to the sight of snow and frigid cold. The portal meant to take him and the newborn princess to Borsvall somehow brought him- and only him- to some period of time. To make matters worse, he cannot tap into his marque magic; the empirium is completely inaccessible to him. Realizing he is stuck in an unknown location and time, having failed his mission, Simon crawls into a ball of misery, letting the snow cover him.

Days go by before someone finds him. The figure is garbed in such a way that Simon cannot see any of their features. They cannot disguise their voice though, both when speaking aloud or in Simon's mind. The sound of it strikes a cord of familiarity. As Simon is taken down from the mountaintop, the figure identifies themselves as the Prophet, and they request his help.

### Chapter 1

Suffering from period cramps, Rielle Dardenne wants nothing more than to lay in bed for the rest of the day. Unfortunately for her, the people of Carduel await her appearance. Audric Courverie comforts her with kisses and reminds her that this is their last stop.

For the past month, Rielle, Audric, Ludivine Sauvillier, Taliesin Belounnon, and several other important people- including Rielle's new Sun Guard- have been traveling to various Celdarian towns and villages. The tour is intended to introduce Rielle as the Sun Queen as well as give those who suffered as a result of the fire trial massacre their condolences. The address given in Carduel's House of Light proceeds much like the others did until Ludivine picks up an intent to kill. Using mind-speak, she warns Rielle about the attack, and that a woman is about to interrupt Taliesin.

Sure enough a woman does, venting her grief over her recently deceased daughter and Rielle's inability to save everyone. The attack comes on the heels of the woman's criticism, Rielle effortlessly burning arrows as they fly towards her. One of her attackers is subdued, but when she goes to give her condolences, the archer speaks in a language she cannot understand. His clouded gaze and oddly familiar expression, however, is understandable enough: Corien knows where she is and wants to reunite.

Terrified by this show of power, Ludivine frantically ushers Rielle and Audric to Atheria. Rielle does not want to leave the terrified citizens behind, but she is not given the chance; Ludivine enters her and Audric's minds, forcing them to mount Atheria. Once she is on the godsbeast too, Ludivine has Rielle order Atheria to fly, which Rielle does.

### Chapter 2

After awaking from a nightmare, Eliana exits her rooms. She is currently residing in Dyrefal, the dwelling of Astavari royalty. She is been given her own personal guard, two members of which stand outside her door. Uncomfortable by their awe, she manages to convince them to let her wonder the halls alone.

Eliana walks to the tower where Navi's rooms are, but she gets attacked by Navi along the way. Still affected by Fidelia's experiments, Navi acts on instinct, much like a beast. For the first time, Eliana's scrapes and pains do not immediately disappear. Since her storm at Karajak Bay, Eliana's healing ability has vanished. The power she unleashed has likewise not reappeared.

Struggling through her pain, imploring Simon not to hurt her friend, Eliana references a past conversation she had with Navi. This manages to get Navi to be more like herself. As Navi begins to sob, Eliana sees Simon's expression and knows what it means: he still believes that Navi cannot be saved, a belief Eliana vehemently rejects.

### Chapter 3

Rielle has Atheria touch down near some woodlands. Both she and Audric are furious at Ludivine for entering their minds and forcing them to retreat. They understand that she did it out of fear, but her impulsive decision might have harmed public opinion concerning Rielle and the crown. Ludivine stands by her choice, though she concedes that her actions were rash.

Despite his frustration, Audric sees a silver lining in all of this: since Princess Runa's death, he has been exchanging letters with Prince Ilmaire Lysleva of Borsvall. They have discussed not just his sister's death, but about the mysterious attacks along the border between Celdaria and Borsvall, as well as the not-so-natural disasters affecting Borsvall's west coast.

In addition to an offer to rekindle old ties, Ilmaire has also requested Rielle's help. Ludivine is hesitant to help out a prince of an enemy nation, but Rielle accepts the offer, if only to be contrary. All three mount Atheria once again and fly off to a coastal village near Borsvall's capital, where they meet Ilmaire and his twin sister Ingrid. The meeting starts out friendly enough, until Ingrid and several of her soldiers restrain Rielle and Ludivine, and Ingrid threatens Audric's life. Ilmaire manages to stop his sister, stating his request for Rielle to use her powers to subdue the various disasters plaguing his kingdom.

As they talk, a massive tidal wave looms on the horizon, hurtling towards the city that rests along the coast. Via mind-speak, Ludivine talks Rielle into helping them, pointing out that Corien would love it if Rielle acted out and started a war between Celdaria and Borsvall. Audric urges Rielle to accept as well. Though she is tempted to let the wave drown the city, Rielle knows that Audric is right. Swallowing her anger for now, she mounts Atheria and flies into the sky.

### Chapter 4

Eliana and Remy sit in the council chamber with the Astavari royals, their consort Lady Ama Amaruk, Commander Lianti Haakorat, and a few Red Crown members. The discussion revolves around the Empire attack that Navi had intelligence on. King Tavik is happy to inform everyone that the attack was successfully thwarted. Perhaps too successfully: Simon is quick to point out that the battle ended too satisfactorily in their favor for it to be anything more than part of grander scheme. His suggestion that it could include the Kaavalan Passage is dismissed.

Throughout the conversation, Commander Haakorat shoots Remy annoyed glances. He eventually bursts out in indignation at the presence of a child listening in on sensitive matters. He questions how trustworthy Remy, Hob, and Eliana can be, which makes Eliana bristle. She sharply reminds him about what she did for his people before exiting the chamber. Simon catches up to her out in the hall. They talk about Navi's seemingly unstoppable mutation, about how Eliana's power has not made another appearance. Simon wants her to leave Astavar with him, but Eliana will not hear of it. She is determined to figure out how fix Navi.

Luckily, Zahra has a potential solution: there exists an antidote that rests in an underground market called the Nest. However, the Nest is heavily guarded by both humans and wraiths, neither of which are loyal to the Empire nor Red Crown. Zahra will take Eliana to the Nest under the condition that she learn how to access her power and control it. If Eliana refuses to do this, Zahra will let Navi die.

### Chapter 5

Rielle, riding on top of Atheria, delights in the feeling of her powers, even showing off to the public below before riding to meet the massive wave. Through a combination of prayer and pure will, Rielle manages to subdue the Gate-made wave and storm, though the effort leaves her exhausted. When she returns to the village, Ilmaire, his Grand Magisters, the royal guard, and even Ingrid kneel before Rielle, though Ingrid is far from pleased to do so. As the Borsvall public turn out in droves to cheer her on, Rielle grasps a hand from Audric and Ludivine and raises them up into the sky.

Hours later, Rielle is coaxed awake from a deep sleep by Ludivine, Audric following soon afterward. Ilmaire, Ingrid, and an escort of guards enter the apartment provided for Rielle, Audric, and Ludivine. Ilmaire apologizes for the mistreatment they suffered, but Rielle is still too angry to be forgiving. Audric steps in to smooth over Rielle's harsh words, Ludivine using mind-speak to nudge Audric into asking for help transporting them to them to the Gate. Ilmaire readily accepts and plans on having himself and his sister join them on their trip.

### Chapter 6

Zahra takes Eliana underneath Dyrefal to an abandoned retreat where she wants Eliana to practice using her powers. The retreat used to belong to Saint Nerida, prompting Eliana to ask after Zahra's motive for protecting her instead of hating her. Whatever feelings Zahra has towards the Saints pale in comparison to the destruction Corien will do if not stopped. Not just to Avitas, but to other worlds as well. Eliana does not understand what she means by that, so Zahra offers to show her a vision.

In the vision, Eliana and Zahra- now looking like her former angelic self- float above a world resplendent with greenery and water. The clear blue sky is scarred by a large bruise-like shape. Zahra is showing Eliana the moment that the Saints created the Gate from the other side. The angels had been led to believe that they would be entering another world, but as soon as they poured into the Deep, the illusion collapsed. Eliana feels first hand what loosing one's body was like for the angels.

The vision shifts to show the Saints and Aryava in front of the Gate on Avitas's side. They are talking about the great lie they built. A couple of the Saints point out the ruthlessness of it but both Saint Katell and Aryava know it is the only way to bring peace.

Zahra puts an end to the vision. She and Eliana discuss what she showed and what the full implications of what it means: that the Saints were not powerful enough to reach new worlds, that Eliana might be, and if Corien finds her, he will use her to travel to those other worlds in search of answers. Zahra postpones a discussion regarding the questions those answers belong to, which Eliana allows by switching subjects: she wants to practice with Zahra instead of Simon, but Zahra wants her to make a casting first. And the only person who may know how to do that is Simon.

Eliana returns to her room to find Remy in tears. Remy drags Eliana to the palace's first floor where she sees Harkan sitting on the ground. He is bruised and bloody, but still very much alive.

### Chapter 7

On the ship provided for them, Rielle and Audric lay together in the depths of the *Kaalvitsi*. Rielle had been suffering from seasickness ever since departing from Borsvall, Audric staying by her side to comfort her. One comfort takes its form as love making, but when Rielle and Audric begin the foreplay, Corien chooses that moment to contact Rielle for the first time since the fire trial massacre.

In a mental landscape, both he and Rielle are within his rooms somewhere far away. Corien taunts her while also wishing she was by his side; if she was, she would not have to answer to anyone. They embrace, but Rielle's feelings are tumultuous. She closes her eyes for a moment and when she opens them she is back on the *Kaalvitsi* in Audric's arms. She lies about not observing anything, Corien's words echoing through her mind.

At that moment, they arrive at Iastra, the island where the Gate rests. Rielle, her companions, and the Borsvall royals all depart the ship to see a group of Obex members waiting for them. Ilmaire introduces himself to Jodoc Indarien, leader of the Sunderland Obex and an archer like the rest of them. Ilmaire announces their intentions to observe the Gate. His introductions of the rest of the traveling crew are interrupted once he gets to Rielle. When Jodoc glances at Ludivine, he sees her for what she truly is and shoots a blightblade into one of her shoulders. The wraith inhabiting Ludivine's body is sucked up into the blade, leaving behind a lifeless corpse.

Audric and Rielle are forced to inform the Borsvall royals about Ludivine actually being a wraith. Rielle demands to know what the blightblade is; according to Jodoc, it is a copper object soaked in the blood of an alien being known as a cruciata. Any wraiths who come into contact with it are trapped in the object and irrevocably scarred. Rielle does not accept either option, snapping the blightblade in two and allowing the wraith to return to Ludivine's body. Rielle vows to heal Ludivine before Jodoc has her and the rest of the travelers follow him to the Gate.

### Chapter 8

Astonished that Harkan is still alive, Eliana throws herself around Harkan's neck. As King Tavik ushers everyone out of the room, Simon follows suit taking an exited Remy with him. Before disappearing, he shares a quick glance with Eliana that leaves her feeling ashamed for reasons she cannot understand.

In her room that night, Eliana tells Harkan everything that has happened since their separation, up to and including Rozen's death and the storm she created. Harkan's attempts to come up with logical explanations fall on deaf ears; though Eliana desperately does not want to believe she is the Blood Queen's daughter, it is the only thing that explains the storm and her miraculous healing ability when she was still the Dread of Orline. Unfortunately, Eliana brings up the fact that she killed Rozen at the same time Remy arrives at her room. Distraught by the news, he departs in a rush after calling her a monster.

Remy takes to avoiding her over the next two days. Deciding to give him space, Eliana takes to burying herself in the palace's archives. During one such excursion, she calls Simon to her to explain why she wants a casting: to ensure that she will not unwittingly create another destructive storm again or something even worse. She has done her research and plans to use her childhood amulet as a base. Simon will help her in this endeavor and she wants to get started that night.

### Chapter 9

As Jodoc guides the traveling party through a forest, Rielle gets the sense that their guide is taking them on a longer route to the Gate in order to confuse them. She silently breaks off from the group, letting her vision go fuzzy and instinct guide her.

When she gets to the Gate, Rielle sees the fissures in its surface clearly. Before she can touch it, however, Atheria flies down and positions herself between the Gate and Rielle. It is clear the godsbeast does not want Rielle to get nearer to the Gate, but Rielle insists that she must try to fix it. Using windsinger powers, she shoves Atheria aside then traps the godsbeast inside a golden net. The faint voices of Audric and Ludivine call out to her as she slowly advances toward the Gate, Corien urging her forward. Audric, Ludivine, and the rest of the traveling party arrive just as she touches the Gate. Instead of mending it, though, she is hurt by it and Ludivine's suggestion that she must wait until she is stronger only infuriates her. A burst of power shoots from her sends her careening back and knocks her unconscious.

Rielle awakes a full day later. She lies in a bed with Audric and Ludivine next to her. Audric informs her that Atheria flew off and has not returned. Jodoc, four other Obex members, Ilmaire, Ingrid, and three of their own guard burst into the room. Since Rielle's attempt to fix the Gate, at least a dozen reports of Gate related disasters have come through via the Obex marques. Furthermore, the Gate is in a worse state than it originally was. Though Ludivine confirms that no angels have slipped out, if any more should, the Obex's supply of blightblades will not last forever.

Poking around in Jodoc's head reveals to Ludivine that he has an idea, which she tells Rielle about. Rielle in turn provokes Jodoc into saying it out loud: the Saints's castings might remember how the Gate was formed. If Rielle were to use the castings, it is possible she might be able to mend the Gate. However, Jodoc is not willing to hand over confidential information regarding where the castings are hidden, not even for the sake of saving Avitas; Rielle's actions have furthered Jodoc's distrust in her and he warns Ludivine to stay out of the Obex's heads or else they will all die ate their own hands in order to protect their ancient secrets. That is not to say Rielle is not given any starting point: Jodoc hints that information about Saint Katell's casting's whereabouts is in Baingarde.

### Chapter 10

Eliana and Simon follow a scholar named Ikari into the Forge of Vintervok. Once they arrive at the Forge's hearth, Ikari explains the casting-making process. Eliana tells her what she wants her casting to look like: two disks to rest against her palms, a thin chain keeping them attached to her wrists. She does not start making the casting until the next night, when Ikari has a sketch of what Eliana described. Once all the prep work is done, Eliana begins the forging process. Though Simon watches, he is not allowed to assist Eliana in any of the steps. Eventually, the casting is finished. After she etches a design onto each of the disks, Eliana- exhausted, weary, and even feverish from the heat of the forge- allows herself to rest in Simon's arms.

### Chapter 11

As soon as they return to Styrdalleen, the king's healer intercepts them with urgent news: there is something very strange about King Hallvard Lysleva. Ilmaire follows the healer, allowing Audric, Rielle, and Ludivine to come with him. Even before they enter the King's rooms, Ludivine can sense something off but is not sure what or why. Once they are in his apartments, they soon learn the that ill king is possessed by an angel named Bazrifel who works for Corien, the Undying Emperor. He tells them what Corien wants, though his wording is very vague. Bazrifel exits Hallvard's body and subsequently the castle, leaving behind a corpse.

Back in their rooms, Rielle, Audric, and Ludivine are waiting for something when Ilmaire arrives. The discussion regarding what happened earlier is cut short when Borsvall's Grand Magister of the Forge interrupts them. The Borsvall Obex walk in carrying Saint Grimvald's hammer. They are aware of Jodoc's decree and they do not agree with it; they believe swift action in the face of the Gate's potential fall to be more important than any games or puzzles. Rielle only hesitates for a second before taking the hammer.

## Characters

* Debut
* Reoccurring

* Ilmaire Lysleva
* Ingrid Lysleva
* Hallvard Lysleva
* Jodoc Indarien
* Vaska
* Ama Amaruk
* Tavik Amaruk
* Malik Amaruk
* Eri Amaruk
* Merovec Sauvillier
* Alantiah
* Bazrifel
* Ravikant
* Razerak
* Jessamyn
* Obritsa Nevemskaya
* Artem
* Sarash
* Dani
* Akim Yeravest
* Danizet Keshavarzian
* Arzen Keshavarzian
* Ester
* Lord Tabris
* Zuka
* Lianti Haakorat
* Ikari
* Meli
* Varos
* Bastien
* Nigel
* Nicodemus
* Ivaine

* Rielle Dardenne
* Audric Courverie
* Genoveve Courverie
* Eliana Ferracora
* Remy Ferracora
* Ludivine Sauvillier
* Simon Randell
* Garver Randell
* Corien
* Navana Amaruk
* Zahra
* Harkan
* Taliesin Belounnon
* Sloane Belounnon
* Evyline
* Dashiell
* Riva
* Ivaine
* Jeannette
* Maylis
* Fara
* Hob Cavaserra
* Patrik Cavaserra
* Miren Ballastier

## Trivia

* *Kingsbane* is the first book in the trilogy to include chapters with other character's points-of-view that are not Rielle or Eliana.

## References

1. ↑ Legrand, Claire (May 21, 2019). ***Kingsbane***. Sourcebooks Fire. ISBN 9781492656654. pg. 100.
2. ↑ Kingsbane (The Empirium Trilogy), *Amazon.com*. Retrieved February 9th, 2020.