Chapter 24: Unholy Ceremony and Chapter 25: The End Of Days Summary

Inside the Queen's apartments, Raisa sees Speaker Horas Redfern, Gavan and Fiona Bayar are waiting. The Queen beams at Raisa, asking her how she likes the flowers, candles and other decorations. Raisa is stunned when her mother announces that she wants her to marry Micah Bayar, despite the fact that a union between a royal and a wizard is forbidden by the Naeming. Raisa also adds that her father should be there, and sees a flicker of something in Bayar's eyes as though he knows something. Speaker Redfern drunkenly tells her that he's issued a dispensation, allowing her to marry Micah, who tries to grab her while she is distracted. He grabs for a talisman under his shirt, and Raisa gets another surprise. He isn't supposed to...