Chapter Seventeen: Rhen – Summary & Analysis
⚠️ 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
Two weeks have passed since Lilith last appeared. With less than a month before Grey marches on Emberfall, Rhen feels dread weighing on him. He watches Harper spar with Zo outside his window; they will ride to Silvermoon later to inspect the Grand Marshal’s pledged army. Rhen’s spy Chesleigh Darington is expected back from Syhl Shallow with intelligence, including a possible weapon against Grey—and perhaps against Lilith.
The cold weather reminds Rhen of the curse’s perpetual autumns; he fears Grey may use magic against him like Lilith did. A brutal memory surfaces: Lilith torturing Rhen and Grey, breaking Grey’s bones and driving a sword through his shoulder, then pulling Rhen’s teeth while he begged for death. Afterward, Rhen ordered Grey never to defend him again, which Grey eventually obeyed until he left.
Back in the present, Rhen joins Harper for a sparring session. Their interaction is tender but strained; Rhen wants to kiss her but only kisses her forehead, believing everything must be earned. He then visits Zo in the guard quarters, surprising her by apologizing for dismissing her and offering her a new position as Harper’s personal guard. Zo accepts after testing Rhen’s sincerity, noting she would have done it for free for Harper—but Rhen says he would have paid ten times as much for Harper’s safety.
Key Events
- Rhen recalls Lilith’s horrific torture of both him and Grey during an early season of the curse.
- After the memory, Rhen remembers ordering Grey never to defend him from Lilith again.
- In the present, Rhen spars with Harper and observes her improved sword technique, which she learned from Zo—and originally from Grey.
- Rhen visits the Royal Guard quarters, triggering a childhood memory of overhearing guards arguing and learning they had lives beyond the Crown.
- Rhen knocks on Zo’s door; she initially assumes he has come to dismiss her.
- Rhen apologizes for stripping Zo of her guard role and offers her a position as Harper’s personal guardian.
- Zo challenges Rhen, questioning his motives, but accepts the offer after naming a high salary—which Rhen agrees to without hesitation.
Character Development
Rhen – The chapter is steeped in guilt and self-doubt. He carries the weight of past orders to Grey, the trauma of Lilith’s abuse, and the fear that everyone expects the worst of him. His decision to apologize to Zo and entrust Harper’s protection to her shows growth: he is learning to consider others’ perspectives instead of acting out of pride.
Harper – Though not the POV character, her presence shapes Rhen’s actions. Her patience in sparring and her loyalty to him despite Grey’s departure highlight her steadfastness. Rhen sees her as someone who protects him rather than the reverse.
Zo – A complex figure whose deep friendship with Harper fuels her distrust of Rhen. She speaks bluntly, forcing Rhen to acknowledge his mistakes. Her willingness to serve Harper for free underscores her selfless loyalty, but she also tests Rhen’s sincerity by naming an outrageous salary.
Grey (referenced) – Rhen’s memories of Grey during the curse reveal the depth of their former bond and Grey’s unflinching courage. The gap between that past and Grey’s current betrayal haunts Rhen.
Themes, Symbols, or Motifs
Memory and Trauma – The chapter opens with Rhen unable to shake the memory of Lilith’s torture. The visceral details (bones snapping, teeth pulled) show how trauma shapes his present fears and his perception of Grey as a potential magical threat.
Trust and Forgiveness – Rhen’s visit to Zo is an explicit attempt to build trust. He offers an apology and a tangible gesture (a paid guard position) to bridge their conflict. Zo’s challenge—“until the next time, when you do not [resolve differences]”—underscores the fragility of forgiveness.
Loyalty and Duty – The contrast between Rhen’s guard (who value his life above all) and Zo’s loyalty to Harper illustrates two kinds of duty: institutional oath vs. personal devotion. Rhen’s childhood memory of guards arguing humanizes the Crown’s servants, deepening this theme.
The Curse’s Legacy – Lilith’s lingering influence on Rhen’s psyche, the use of magic by Grey (feared), and the seasonal shift all point to the curse’s long-term consequences on Rhen’s rule and relationships.
Why This Chapter Matters
Chapter 17 deepens Rhen’s internal conflict by linking his past trauma with Lilith to his current fear of Grey’s magic. It provides the first extended look at Rhen’s guilt over his command that Grey never defend him—a decision that may have pushed Grey away. The chapter also repairs the rift between Rhen and Zo, establishing a new protective arrangement for Harper that will matter in the coming conflict. Finally, it humanizes Rhen as a leader trying to earn trust rather than demand it.
Study Questions and Answers
1. Why does Rhen order Grey never to defend him again, and how does that order haunt their relationship?
Rhen gives the order after watching Lilith torture Grey nearly to death. He cannot bear to see Grey destroyed season after season because of Rhen’s own failure to love the enchantress. The order creates a rift: Grey obeys it until he finally leaves the castle, and Rhen now regrets that he drove away the one guard who would have died for him.
2. How does the sparring scene with Harper reveal Rhen’s emotional state?
During the spar, Rhen notices Harper’s improved footwork and realizes she learned swordplay from Grey. This discovery tugs at sadness and jealousy. His restraint when he wants to kiss her—settling for a forehead kiss—shows his fear of losing her and his belief that he must earn her affection through patience.
3. What does Zo’s negotiation over her salary reveal about her character and her view of Rhen?
By demanding a salary far above the standard, Zo tests whether Rhen truly values Harper’s safety. When Rhen immediately agrees, she is shocked, but she later admits she would have done the job for free. This shows she is both fiercely loyal to Harper and deeply skeptical of Rhen’s intentions; she needed proof he was sincere, not just offering empty words.