Iron Heart is a novella that was included in Broken Throne. It is told from the perspectives of Elane Haven and Evangeline Samos.
Summary[]
After the Nortan Civil War, Evangeline and Elane are living in Montfort where they can be together without judgement. This story follows them both as they try to adjust to this new country and a new way of being, while trying to let go of the past and create a new future together.
Plot[]
Evangeline and Elane have been living in Ascendant, in the home of Premier Dane Davidson, for over a month. There is increasing pressure to find a job for both of them, because they need to start pulling their own weight. Davidson offers Elane a job working as one of his aides because her ability as a shadow would come in handy, while Evangeline is thinking of joining patrol.
Meanwhile, King Ptolemus of the Rift is abdicating his throne, leaving the ancestral lands of House Samos to the Nortan States. This is a move directly opposed by the old Silver nobility, his own house included. For it to have meaning, his sister Queen Evangeline must abdicate alongside him. She does not want to, not because she is power-hungry, but because she does not want to return to Norta. There are too many ghosts there for her, especially after the death of King Volo of the Rift.
Evangeline has been dreading this abdication and return to Norta for a while. Elane, Carmadon, and Ptolemus all attempt to sway her into going back. Carmadon finds her in his gardens, so she storms back to her rooms, where Elane is waiting. After both failed to persuade Evangeline, Ptolemus finds her at Davidson's training grounds. They spar for a long time, Ptolemus eventually winning out. Evangeline decides to return to Norta after all and abdicate alongside her brother.
After her abdication, which is broadcasted live to the entire continent, she finds her mother in the statuary garden of the Ridge House. Larentia disowns both her and Ptolemus, saying that they are dead to her. Evangeline finds the strength to turn away from her, knowing that she will never see her mother again. She returns to Ascendant with Elane. Having the closure she needed with her mother, Evangeline is finally able to begin building a new life with Elane.
Characters[]
Mentioned[] |
Trivia[]
- This is the first time Elane's perspective is heard in the series.
- This story can be found in the Broken Throne audiobook, from Chapters 22 to 27 (2Hrs 11Min 7Sec).