Chapter 38 Summary: Confessions and a Cryptic Lead
⚠️ 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 (Complete and Chronological)
Arwen finds Mari in the castle throne room, pulls her aside, and learns Mari has lost the ability to do magic since waking up. Mari believes the amulet she stole from Kane was the source of her power. Arwen now suspects Mari’s lineage is connected to the amulet’s creator, a long-vanished coven. Mari also reveals that Griffin has been cold and distant since she awoke. Arwen explains that Griffin never left her bedside during her unconsciousness, implying his feelings for her run deep.
Fedrik approaches Arwen and renews his offer for her to return to Azurine with him. Kane overhears and a tense exchange erupts between the two men. Arwen pulls Fedrik aside and privately admits she is in love with Kane, though she believes it would be unfair to act on that love given the dangers ahead. Fedrik leaves, and Arwen reflects on whether her silence is foolish or merciful.
Leigh, who eavesdropped, confronts Arwen about her feelings and her own fears for the future. Arwen realizes Leigh looks to her for strength and promises to teach her sword fighting. Later, Ryder mentions that a famous thief, Drake Alcott, was held in the castle’s torture chamber—the same thief who, according to earlier information, was sent to Hemlock Isle five years ago, the time the blade went missing. Arwen rushes off to find Kane with this new lead.
Key Events
- Mari confesses she has lost all her magic and suspects the amulet was responsible.
- Arwen deduces that Mari’s heritage may be tied to the amulet’s original maker.
- Griffin’s aloof behavior toward Mari is explained; he had stayed by her side for days.
- Fedrik presses Arwen to leave with him for Azurine; Kane reacts with jealousy.
- Arwen admits to Fedrik that she loves Kane but chooses not to tell Kane directly.
- Leigh overhears and challenges Arwen, voicing her own fear of the coming war.
- Ryder’s remark about Drake Alcott sparks a realization: the thief may be connected to the missing blade.
- Arwen races to the garden to find Kane and share her discovery.
Character Development
Arwen finally accepts her love for Kane and stops denying it, though she still struggles with whether to confess it. She also steps into a supportive role for Mari and a protective, guiding role for Leigh. Her decision to teach Leigh sword fighting marks a shift from being the one who needs protection to offering it.
Mari shows vulnerability for the first time, admitting her loss of magic and her hurt over Griffin’s distance. Her usual fiery demeanor softens as she confides in Arwen.
Leigh openly expresses her fear of the war and her anger at Arwen for not being braver. This confrontation deepens the sisters’ relationship and reveals Leigh’s need for a role model.
Fedrik remains a persistent but respectful suitor; his departure without bitterness shows maturity.
Griffin is not directly present, but his devotion to Mari is revealed through Arwen’s explanation.
Kane appears briefly, his possessiveness and protective streak on display when he threatens Fedrik.
Themes, Symbols, or Motifs
Love vs. Practicality: Arwen’s internal debate about whether to confess her love to Kane—knowing she might die soon—reflects the tension between emotional honesty and emotional self-protection.
Fear and Bravery: Leigh’s accusation that Arwen cannot afford to be scared because someone must be brave underscores the theme that courage is not the absence of fear but a role others rely on.
Home: Arwen refers to Shadowhold as “home” for the first time, and her daydream of autumn leaves blends her past in Abbington with her present in Onyx, symbolizing integration and belonging.
Hidden Knowledge: The clue about Drake Alcott’s imprisonment and the blade’s disappearance ties back to the idea that answers may be hidden in plain sight within the castle itself.
Why This Chapter Matters
Chapter 38 is a turning point for relationships and plot. Mari’s magic loss introduces a personal crisis that may have larger implications for her lineage and the amulet’s history. Arwen’s confession of love—though not to Kane—solidifies her emotional arc and sets up future choices. The discovery that Drake Alcott, a thief imprisoned in the castle, was sent to Hemlock Isle five years ago when the blade vanished provides a concrete lead for the quest. Additionally, Arwen’s decision to support Mari and teach Leigh signals her growth from a passive survivor into an active leader among her allies.
Study Questions and Answers
1. Why does Mari believe the amulet was the source of her magic, and what does Arwen suspect about Mari’s lineage?
Mari thinks the amulet artificially boosted her power and that without it she is magicless. Arwen recalls that the amulet was made by a long-lost coven related to Briar’s family; since Mari could use it, she may be descended from that same line.
2. How does Leigh’s confrontation with Arwen change their relationship?
Leigh admits she is afraid and angry that Arwen seems afraid too. Arwen realizes Leigh looks to her for strength, steps into a more maternal role, and promises to teach her sword fighting—shifting the dynamic from dependent siblings to mentor and student.
3. What new clue does Ryder provide, and how does it connect to the missing blade?
Ryder mentions that the famous thief Drake Alcott was held in the castle’s torture chamber and later sent to Hemlock Isle. Since Niclas earlier said Alcott was exiled five years ago—the same time the blade disappeared—Arwen deduces that Alcott might have taken the blade or knows where it is.