Lightbringer

***Lightbringer*** is the third and final novel in *The Empirium Trilogy*. It was written by Claire Legrand, and was originally published on October 13, 2020 by Sourcebooks Fire. The previous book was *Kingsbane*.

## Synopsis

"Queen Rielle, pushed away from everything she loves, turns to Corien and his promises of glory. Meanwhile, whispers from the empirium slowly drive her mad, urging her to open the Gate. Separated from Audric and Ludivine, she embraces the role of Blood Queen and her place by Corien's side, determined to become the monster the world believes her to be.

In the future, Eliana arrives in the Empire's capital as a broken shell of herself. Betrayed and abandoned, she fights to keep her power at bay ― and away from Corien, who will stop at nothing to travel back in time to Rielle, even if that means destroying her daughter.

But when the mysterious Prophet reveals themselves at last, everything changes, giving Rielle and Eliana a second chance for salvation ― or the destruction their world has been dreading."

## Plot

### A Beast and a Liar

Cold and hungry, Simon Randell watches his next dinner from behind a frost covered boulder. A knife in hand, he sees the hare come closer before pausing to sniff the frigid air. It seems to catch the scent of another being, but Simon knows that he is hidden well enough that the hare will not see him.

A year has passed since he found himself stranded on this snow covered mountain. Since then, Simon has gotten better at keeping himself hidden.

When the hare gets within range, Simon leaps out from his hiding place. He swiftly kills the hare then skins it. Not bothering with a fire, he tears into the hare's shoulders, being careful not to drop his knife.

Halfway through his dinner, Simon hears a sound. Dropping the hare, he turns around, preparing to fight or run. What he sees makes him pause.

A striking man is walking towards him. Back in Âme de la Terre, Simon hated and feared this man. But he has spent enough time in the unforgiving wilds of this desolate mountain to appreciate the sight of a familiar enemy.

The man places one of his hands on top of Simon's head. After so long without companionship, Simon cannot help the cry of longing that escapes his lips. He grasps the man's hand with one of his own.

As Corien brings himself down to Simon's level, Simon notices how Corien's eyes are black and lightless. Baring his teeth, Simon readies himself to attack.

Corien does not seem to notice his aggression, for he merely smiles and asks for his name.

Confusion stops Simon momentarily. Here was the angel that had destroyed his country, his neighborhood, his family. And Corien does not seem to remember any of it. The injustice is enough to make Simon briefly consider slitting Corien's throat just like he had done to the hare. However, he knows full well what angels can do; he would be stopped before he could even raise his knife.

Running is just as unthinkable, but for a different reason. For one long year, he had only had the mountain animals to talk to.

With angry tears running down his face, Simon pokes at Corien's memory: of course Corien knows him, does he not remember?

Corien goes quite. As his silence stretches on, fear crawls its way down Simon's back. He prepares himself to run, just like always.

Corien is puzzled: he does seem to know Simon, but he is not entirely sure why or how.

Simon does not know exactly what it feels like to have an angel invade one's mind. However, he has heard enough stories before and after King Audric Courverie's death to identify the feeling when Corien swiftly enters his own.

Then Cories comes to understand how he knows Simon, he says that he is the man he saw when Rielle's daughter came to her at the mountain, which leaves Simon entirely flummoxed.

Then, it is as if Corien is unfolding his mind with sly fingers, to see what lies beneath. A voice hisses in a language Simon cannot understand. As it moves, it grows louder and faster to the point where Simon's mind is fully consumed by it.

He tries to run but Corien shoves him to the ground. A force within his body builds, the pressure growing until it Simon fears that his body will burst. Before the words can spill out out of him, everything goes quiet.

Corien smiles an apology as he watches Simon writhe in pain. He wants to understand how exactly Simon got to this point. He wants to make sure that Simon will remain loyal to him and him alone. As Corien declares how much work the two of them will do together, Simon feels his mind shatter.

## Character Appearances

### Debut

* Ysabet
* Leevi
* Annick Caillabotte
* Malikel
* General Bartamos
* Ruusa
* Taya
* Rosette
* Sanya
* General Rakallo
* Jazan
* Bazko
* Miro
* Edran
* Sylvie

### Reoccurring

* Rielle Courverie
* Audric Courverie
* Eliana Ferracora
* Remy Ferracora
* Ioseph Ferracora
* Ludivine Sauvillier
* Merovec Sauvillier
* Simon Randell
* Garver Randell
* Corien
* Navana Amaruk
* Malik Amaruk
* Taliesin Belounnon
* Sloane Belounnon
* Miren Ballastier
* Evyline
* Hob Cavaserra
* Jessamyn
* Obritsa Nevemskaya
* Artem
* Atheria
* Varos
* Rahzavel
* Bazati Asdalla
* Fozeyah Asdalla
* Kamayin Asdalla
* The Archon
* Ilmaire Lysleva
* Ingrid Lysleva
* Odo Laroche
* The Prophet
* Zahra

## Trivia

* *Lightbringer* is the only novel in *The Empirium Triology* to include an epilogue.
* On February 26, 2020, the cover for *Lightbringer* and an excerpt from the prologue was revealed.
* To celebrate the release of *Lightbringer*, an online sweepstakes was held. For a limited time, participents could enter for a chance to win prizes by submitting proof that they pre-ordered *Lightbringer*.*[citation needed]*

## References

1. ↑ Legrand, Claire (October 13, 2020). ***Lightbringer***. Sourcebooks Fire. ISBN 9781492656685. pg. 509.
2. ↑ Claire Legrand. Lightbringer – Claire Legrand. Sourcebooks Fire. Retrieved on March 7, 2020.
3. ↑ Karen Rought (February 26, 2020). 'Lightbringer' cover, excerpt kick off the end to the Empirium Trilogy. Hypable. Retrieved on February 26, 2020.