Chapter summaries A Day of Fallen Night Samantha Shannon

Chapter 106: Tunuva – Confrontation, Confession, and the Weight of Memory

⚠️ 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

Tunuva visits the Lasian Basin clearing where Meren was buried. Canthe appears and reveals why she murdered Meren and stole Wulf: she sought a child with mage blood to help heal the earth, and believed a boy would not be missed. She admits she let Wulf go when her enemies threatened him, and she stayed away because she saw he was happy. Tunuva refuses to forgive her but accepts a bottle meant to protect against the waning stone’s drain. Canthe vows to become the Witch of Inysca and never return until Tunuva is dead. Back at the Priory, Tunuva tells Esbar the truth about the kiss in the tomb; Esbar forgives her. Esbar decides to leave a tablet requiring future queens of Inys to have a mage protector. Tunuva sings to Cleolind’s coffin, ending with “We remember. We remain.”

Key Events

  • Tunuva returns to Meren’s grave; Canthe appears and confesses why she killed him and took Wulf.
  • Canthe explains she wanted a mage-blooded heir to help restore the world’s magical balance; she let Wulf go when her enemies threatened him.
  • Tunuva deduces Canthe’s lingering affection and admits “you love me.”
  • Canthe gives Tunuva a bottle that will stop the waning stone from draining her magic too quickly.
  • Canthe leaves, vowing to become the Witch of Inysca and wait until Tunuva is dead.
  • After the comet’s departure, the world is quiet; Dedalugun’s beasts have retreated or died.
  • Tunuva and Esbar discuss the kiss; Esbar forgives Tunuva and says she planned to ask.
  • Esbar decides to leave a tablet commanding that every future Queen of Inys have a mage protector.
  • Tunuva lights the lamps in Cleolind’s tomb, sings to the Mother, and places a kiss on the coffin.

Character Development

Tunuva
Tunuva undergoes two major emotional arcs. First, she confronts Canthe with restrained grief rather than rage, showing how her pain has matured into quiet strength. She sees through Canthe’s justifications and names the witch’s love for her, acknowledging the complexity of their bond without forgiving the betrayal. Second, she confesses the kiss to Esbar, releasing a burden she carried for months. This honesty deepens her relationship with Esbar and marks a return to trust after the secrecy.

Canthe
Canthe finally reveals her full backstory: she lost a daughter, wanted a mage child to heal the world, and stole Wulf out of desperate hope. She admits regret for taking Tunuva’s child and says that is her greatest regret. In the end, she accepts isolation as her punishment, choosing to become the monstrous Witch of Inysca rather than continue to hurt Tunuva. Her exit is tragic—a creature of immense age and loneliness who cannot die but must walk alone.

Esbar
Esbar’s forgiveness is immediate and graceful. She has already processed her feelings before asking, which shows her emotional maturity and the strength of her bond with Tunuva. Her decision to leave a tablet about the Inysh protector reveals her willingness to learn from past errors (the Deceiver’s deception) and to protect Tunuva’s legacy even after both are gone.

Themes, Symbols, or Motifs

Honey and memory
Meren’s observation that “honey never rots away” becomes a symbol of enduring love and grief. The honeyguides lead Tunuva to his grave, and the honey on the tree remains unchanged, just as her memory of him remains sharp. Canthe’s presence taints that sweetness, as Tunuva says she will remember betrayal every time she tastes honey or hears bees.

Loneliness as a tangible force
Tunuva describes Canthe’s loneliness as “worse than death,” a grey tangle that spreads when they kiss. This motif—solitude as a physical weight—reinforces Canthe’s tragic isolation and Tunuva’s own horror at being drawn into it. It also contrasts with the warm, intertwined life Tunuva shares with Esbar.

Fire and depletion
The comet has “dampened all fire in the world,” and Tunuva’s magic is being drained by the waning stone. Canthe’s bottle offers a temporary remedy, but the stone’s hunger is a reminder that Tunuva’s connection to it is a slow sacrifice. This motif underscores the cost of the Priory’s duty and the lingering threat of uncontrolled magic.

Why This Chapter Matters

Chapter 106 is a turning point for both Tunuva’s personal arc and the novel’s larger emotional resolution. It provides the long-awaited explanation for Canthe’s actions, transforming her from a mere antagonist into a tragic figure whose motives are understandable even if unforgivable. The chapter also resolves Tunuva’s guilt over the kiss, strengthens her relationship with Esbar, and establishes a new tradition for the Priory (the Inysh protector). Finally, it closes with a ritual of remembrance—Tunuva singing to Cleolind—reinforcing the novel’s central theme: that the past, both personal and historical, must be honoured to move forward.

Study Questions and Answers

1. Why does Canthe give Tunuva the bottle, and what does this reveal about her true feelings?
Canthe claims she gives the bottle because Tunuva’s family needs her strong. However, the act also shows that Canthe cares for Tunuva beyond the need for trust or manipulation. She could have let the stone drain Tunuva’s magic, but she instead offers a fragile protection. This moment, combined with Tunuva’s insight that Canthe loves her, reveals that Canthe’s affection is genuine, even as she chooses to isolate herself.

2. How does Esbar’s reaction to the kiss differ from what Tunuva expected, and what does it say about their relationship?
Tunuva expected resentment or distance, but Esbar says she forgave Tunuva before asking the question. This demonstrates the deep trust and communication between them—Esbar waited until Tunuva was ready to speak, and she valued their honesty over her own jealousy. Their relationship is built on a foundation strong enough to survive a momentary lapse.

3. Why does Esbar decide to leave a tablet commanding a mage protector for Inysh queens, and how does it connect to the novel’s wider themes?
Esbar wants to protect a “part of [Tunuva] that will live on” (referring to Wulf’s descendants or the legacy of the Priory’s presence in Inys) and to have a way to watch the land of the Deceiver. This decision ties into the theme of memory and legacy: the past (the Deceiver’s lies about the Mother) must be guarded against by future generations. It also shows that even after the crisis, the Priory will remain politically and magically involved in the world.

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