Chapter summaries The Fallen and the Kiss of Dusk Carissa Broadbent

Chapter 87: Asar – A King’s Uneasy Throne

⚠️ Spoiler Warning: This guide contains detailed spoilers for the entire novel. Proceed only if you've finished reading or are comfortable knowing the plot.

Summary

In Chapter 87 (titled “Asar”), King Asar, Esme, and Mische gather around a dead border guard from the House of Shadow. The corpse smells unusually foul, and its blackened, peeling flesh hints at something beyond natural decay. Asar’s sister, Egrette, is suspected of kidnapping and killing guards as a provocation. Mische’s lineage as Alarus’s heir has helped secure loyalty from religious villages, but peace remains fragile. Esme confirms the rot is unnatural—likely magical experimentation from the House of Shadow’s resources. With Gideon dead and Ryvenhaal’s secrets still dangerous, the group faces threats from Egrette, Nyaxia, and the White Pantheon. Asar and Mische hold Alarus’s heart, eye, and mask, but Esme reminds them that divine artifacts are fragile protection. She insists on disposing of the corpse before Nightborn guests arrive.

Key Events

  • Asar, Esme, Mische, and Luce examine the reeking corpse of a border guard.
  • Esme declares the rot is not typical decay and points to Asar’s sister (Egrette) as responsible.
  • Mische’s status as Alarus’s heir wins over religious communities in the House of Death.
  • Asar reflects on the tenuous peace after repairing Morthryn and the underworld.
  • Egrette’s pattern of kidnapping and murdering guards suggests an impending conflict.
  • The body shows signs of magical experimentation; Gideon’s death is mentioned as only a small reassurance.
  • Esme reminds the group of the god war involving Acaeja, Nyaxia, and the White Pantheon.
  • Esme urges discarding the corpse before Nightborn visitors smell it.

Character Development

  • Asar: Displays dry wit and stress as a new ruler. He is more skilled with the dead than the living, but relies on Mische and Esme for practical advice. His concern over Egrette shows his protective instincts.
  • Esme: Sharp, knowledgeable, and unafraid to speak bluntly. She uses her wit to deflect tension but clearly takes the threat seriously. Her wounded chest hints at a past sacrifice or injury.
  • Mische: Cheerful and diplomatic, using her divine lineage to win hearts. She is observant and supportive, exchanging playful banter with Esme.
  • Egrette (mentioned): Asar’s sister, a recurring antagonist, escalating her violence through kidnappings and unnatural experiments.

Themes, Symbols, or Motifs

  • Decay vs. unnatural corruption: The corpse’s blackened flesh symbolizes how Egrette’s experiments pervert natural death.
  • Transition and fragility of power: Asar’s rule is new and dependent on alliances; peace is threatened from within and without.
  • Divine conflict: The god war (Acaeja, Nyaxia, White Pantheon) looms over every decision, making even small victories feel temporary.
  • Knowledge as armor: Esme’s expertise and Mische’s religious authority are the group’s most reliable defenses.

Why This Chapter Matters

Chapter 87 deepens the political and divine stakes after the restructuring of the underworld. It shows Asar’s vulnerability as a ruler and the persistent threat from Egrette. The mysterious corpse introduces a new form of magical aggression that may foreshadow larger battles. Esme’s reminder of the god war grounds the story in its cosmic scale, while Mische’s role as Alarus’s heir reinforces the importance of legacy and faith.

Study Questions and Answers

  1. What does the condition of the guard’s corpse suggest about Egrette’s methods?
    The blackened, peeling flesh is not ordinary rot. Esme’s confirmation that it is unnatural points to magical experimentation or a new weapon from the House of Shadow. Egrette is likely using forbidden knowledge, possibly from Ryvenhaal, to create deadly effects.

  2. How does Mische’s lineage help stabilize Asar’s new rule?
    Mische is the heir of Alarus, a divine figure. The religious villages within the House of Death honor old ways, so her presence and authority earn their loyalty. This allows Asar to secure peace without brute force.

  3. Why does Esme insist on disposing of the body before the Nightborn arrive?
    The Nightborn are allies or guests who would detect the abnormal smell. Esme wants to maintain an appearance of control and avoid revealing that Egrette’s attacks are escalating. Disposal hides the evidence of a brewing conflict.

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