The Wicked King

Jude considers her options, then decides to spend the night in Balekin’s large and empty house. After resting, she goes to the palace and finds her way in from above. From there she makes her way to Cardan’s room. She tells him of Balekin and Orlagh’s plans to kill him and asks about the price he paid for her release. Cardan speaks of his past and his feelings for Jude.

The Roach and the Bomb enter and accuse Jude of coming to kill Cardan. Jude explains that she cannot be glamoured, though she pretended to go along with Balekin’s plan. None of them know where the Ghost is. Together they discuss their plans for Balekin, Grimsen, and the coming ball.

Jude goes to the market to find a new dress for the ball. There she meets a woman she met earlier at court, whom she thwarted in trying to trick Cardan. Jude trades her pearl earrings for a dress and a bowl of soup. Afterwards, Jude goes to Balekin’s home. She prepares for the ball, and they go over the plan to poison Cardan.

At the ball, Jude confronts Locke about his attempt to kill her. Taryn intervenes, and Jude lets the matter drop. Lord Roiben, the termite king, greets them and expresses his wish to speak with Cardan, who has not arrived. Around the room Jude recognizes Madoc, Oriana, and Cardan’s mother. Finally, Cardan enters in a spectacle, apparently very drunk. When Jude tries to remove him, he kisses her, and she realizes he’s been poisoned.

As she pulls Cardan away, Balekin announces that the king has been poisoned. Jude realizes that he’s set her up, since the vial of poison is still in her pocket. She manages to deflect Balekin’s commands, thereby revealing her immunity to his glamours, and take Cardan away from the party.

Jude leads Cardan inside and tries to keep him alert. They reminisce about their families. The Bomb enters and tells Cardan that Balekin is offering the antidote in exchange for the crown. Jude volunteers to get the antidote.

She and Balekin meet outdoors, and Jude brings her vial of poison with her. She demands that Balekin allow her to drink the poison first so that she may test the antidote before bringing it to Cardan. Once she does this, he feeds the antidote into her mouth. She spits it into the now-empty vial and reveals that it had only contained water. She gives it to the Bomb, who runs off. Balekin and Jude duel, and Jude kills Balekin.

When Jude returns to Cardan, he’s been cured. He tells her he granted her the favor she asked for, which confuses Jude. He explains that Jude came in and asked for Madoc to be released from his vow to the crown. He also asked for half of the army; they realize it was Taryn pretending to be Jude. Cardan, falling for the trick, agreed to both requests.

Madoc has taken half of Cardan’s army. Jude considers her options. Cardan summons her to speak, and he asks her to release him from her year and a day of power. They debate, and Cardan asks her to become the Queen of Elfhame by his side. They agree, and exchange marriage vows. Jude releases Cardan from her power.

The next morning, a messenger arrives to tell Cardan that Balekin is dead. Cardan and Jude prepare to meet with Orlagh, who is demanding retribution.

Cardan and Jude meet Orlagh and her sea court, including Nicasia. She accuses him of letting Balekin die, and demands he give her Jude in payment. He refuses, and Orlagh challenges him to war. In response, Cardan uses his newly released magic to raise the earth from under the sea, creating a new island. He causes a tree to grow around Nicasia until Orlagh agrees to a truce. Cardan then invites Nicasia to stay on land with them in Balekin’s place.

Cardan delivers his punishment to Jude for murdering his brother: She will be banished to the mortal world. Jude argues that he can’t banish her because she’s queen, but no one believes her. She is led away from the others.

Jude is living with Vivi and Oak in the mortal realm. Heather has left after discovering that Vivi enchanted her. Both Vivi and Jude are miserable. Jude considers her next move.