The Wicked King

The Living Council meets, and the members discuss the Undersea threat. Madoc asks Jude to speak, arguing that she tried to warn them, and no one listened. She explains that Balekin is receiving messages in his cell, and they consider their strategies. Cardan summons Nicasia to the room.

When she arrives, Cardan is angry with her and rejects her mother’s threats. Nicasia attempts to convince him of the wisdom of an alliance. After she leaves, Cardan throws the others out but commands Jude to stay. She rejects the order and leaves.

Outside, Jude considers possible options for the coming conflict. She remembers the woman in the tower who knew her mother and wonders how she can use her to pass false information through Balekin. She asks the Bomb to retrieve her from her cell, and the Bomb tells Jude the woman is Cardan’s mother.

Jude and the Roach interrogate Cardan’s mother, Lady Asha. She tells them how she and Jude’s mother used to visit the human world, and that a prophecy was told that one of Eva’s children was destined to become a great weapon. Asha tries to bargain for her freedom and the condition that Cardan will never know she’s escaped. Jude declines but tells her she will consider it if Asha remembers anything of more value. The Roach compliments Jude on her ability to play games with others.

Jude receives a gift of luxurious clothes from Taryn. At a council meeting, Madoc proposes to use Oak as bait to lure out the sea queen. Jude disagrees but finds herself outmaneuvered in the argument. As Jude leaves the meeting, another member stops her and suggests she use her power to remove Madoc from the council.

Jude meets Cardan in his throne room; he is overseeing a disagreement between two musicians. After the room empties, Cardan shows her a note he received from Balekin. She admits that she intercepted other messages, and they discuss strategies for getting more information. Jude suggests he go to Nicasia and charm her. She reveals that it was Nicasia who shot Cardan earlier. Angered at the suggestion of seduction, Cardan approaches Jude and they make love.

Jude goes to Locke’s house and holds him at knifepoint. He assumes Jude is Taryn at first, which leads Jude to caution Locke that he shouldn’t marry her sister if he believes she would have a knife to his throat. She confronts him and demands that he stop tormenting her, stop playing with Cardan, and be loyal to Taryn after their wedding. They come to a shaky peace with each other.