Bewitched Chapter 40: Selene Attempts to Sever the Bond

⚠️ 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

Selene continues to feel consumed by vengeance but grows dissatisfied with Sybil’s suggestion to make Memnon jealous through a flirtatious dress. The plan feels laughably inadequate for her bloodthirsty mood. While reading in the coven library, she becomes acutely aware of the soul mate bond thrumming in her chest, and Memnon’s amused voice intrudes. This prompts her to wonder whether soul mate bonds can be broken. She enters the sealed grimoire room, asks for a spell to sever a bond, and a thin black tome flies to the table, opening to a German text titled A Spell for Severing Amorous Bonds. After translating the incantation, she decides to proceed despite her hesitation. She gathers ingredients—seawater, roses, her own tears, and the last words of a person whose life was cut short—substituting where necessary. Late that night, she begins brewing the potion in the spellcasting kitchen. Memnon bursts through the front door, overturns the cauldron, and ruins the spell. He pins her to the island with his magic and confesses he has already stolen her memories. She attacks him, clawing his face, but he restrains her, burns the grimoire page, and then kisses her.

Key Events

Selene rejects Sybil’s revenge plan as too passive.
She becomes hyperaware of the soul mate bond and senses Memnon’s emotions.
She asks the grimoires for a bond-breaking spell, and a book responds.
The spell is in German; she translates it and decides to attempt it.
She gathers ingredients, using her own tears and the last words of a stranger.
Memnon arrives, destroys the cauldron, and confronts her.
He reveals he has stolen her memories without her knowledge.
Selene claws at his face; he catches her wrists and uses his magic to immobilise her.
He burns the grimoire page to prevent future attempts.
He kisses her, asserting his claim and introducing a layer of intimacy.

Character Development

Selene moves from passive resentment to active rebellion. Her decision to break the bond shows she is unwilling to accept the fate Memnon dictates. She is resourceful, finding substitutes for rare ingredients, and is driven by a fierce need for autonomy. Her violent reaction to memory theft underscores her deep hatred of being controlled.

Memnon reveals a possessive, manipulative side. He physically stops Selene and uses his magic to dominate her. His confession that he has already taken her memories proves he has been secretly eroding her agency. His kiss after the confrontation suggests he wants to reassert their emotional connection even as he destroys her efforts.

Themes, Symbols, and Motifs

Soul Mate Bond as a Trap: The bond is portrayed as something unnatural that Selene must escape. The existence of the severance spell implies it is not an unbreakable fate.
Forbidden Knowledge: The grimoire room holds dangerous spells. Selene’s use of the severance spell violates coven norms and provokes Memnon’s wrath.
Memory and Control: Memnon’s theft of her memories mirrors the original curse. Controlling memory means controlling identity.
Power Imbalance: Memnon’s magic overpowers Selene’s, highlighting the unequal dynamic in their relationship.

Why This Chapter Matters

This chapter is a turning point where Selene stops enduring the bond and actively tries to break it. Memnon’s intervention escalates the conflict from verbal sparring to physical confrontation and reveals a new layer of manipulation: secret memory theft. The kiss at the end complicates the power dynamic, adding romantic tension that will drive future interactions.

Study Questions and Answers

Why does Selene reject Sybil’s plan?
Selene finds the idea of making Memnon jealous through a sexy dress and flirting with other men too mild. She wants real vengeance, not petty manipulation, and believes she is too bloodthirsty for such a passive approach.
What does Memnon’s memory theft reveal about his character?
It shows he is willing to violate Selene’s mind to maintain control. He is calculating and has been secretly undermining her autonomy. His casual confession suggests he views her as an object he owns, not a partner.
How does the kiss change the power dynamics?
The kiss reintroduces intimacy into a scene of domination. It indicates Memnon wants to reclaim her affection even as he restrains her. For Selene, it adds confusion to her anger, potentially weakening her resolve.

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