Chapter 34: The Thing About Leaning
⚠️ 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
Saeris and Carrion visit Taladaius to discuss the locked tomb and Belikon’s guards. Tal, who was entertaining seven naked Fae females (a mutually beneficial blood trade), explains he locked the door and posted guards for security. He gives Saeris a dangerous null blade he found, which causes him intense pain upon contact. The seamstress Yanica arrives to measure Saeris for the mandatory Evenlight Ball, where she must preside over the selection of a new Lord of Midnight. After the fitting, Saeris goes to the library, where she is surrounded by stargazers (paper birds). The birds form a cyclone, cut her cheek, then fall apart into pages that reassemble into a plain navy book with a silver butterfly – Edina’s long‑hidden alchemical book. Fisher arrives, and Saeris, despite Edina’s command to keep it secret, shows him the book. Fisher trusts her and says the revelations are for her alone.
Key Events
- Saeris and Carrion interrupt Tal’s intimate gathering; Tal reveals he locked the tomb and posted Anterrin and Khol to guard it.
- Tal hands Saeris a null blade – a weapon that causes extreme discomfort to Fae and seems to hate its wielder.
- Yanica the royal tailor measures Saeris and Carrion for the Evenlight Ball, which Saeris cannot avoid because she must open the celebrations and oversee the selection of a new Lord of Midnight.
- In the library, a flock of stargazers attacks Saeris, cuts her, then collapses into paper sheets that form a complete book.
- The book is revealed to be Edina’s work, containing alchemical knowledge; a droplet of Saeris’s blood on the inscription marks her as the intended recipient.
- Kingfisher finds Saeris, and she defies Edina’s command by showing him the book; Fisher honours his mother’s wishes and tells Saeris the book is meant only for her.
Character Development
- Saeris – Balances transparency and trust against compelling orders from Edina. She chooses to share the book with Fisher, demonstrating growth in her relationship with him and a refusal to keep secrets.
- Carrion – Struggles with his identity after being called Daianthus by Tal. He rejects the formal name, preferring Swift, and shows vulnerability when Saeris tries to comfort him about Gracia’s death.
- Kingfisher – Displays deep trust in Saeris and his mother’s judgment. Instead of demanding to read the book, he reaffirms that it belongs to Saeris, showing emotional maturity and the strength of their bond.
- Taladaius – Remains a shrewd, manipulative figure yet shows protective instincts. He is candid about his blood trade and uses the ball to push Saeris into accepting her queenly duties.
Themes, Symbols, or Motifs
- Trust vs. Secrecy – Edina’s command to hide the book from Fisher clashes with Saeris’s instinct to be honest. Her decision to share it underscores the value of openness in their relationship.
- Identity and Heritage – Carrion’s reluctant acceptance of the Daianthus name mirrors Saeris’s own struggles with her Fae heritage. Names and lineage become markers of belonging or rejection.
- Power and Burden – The null blade and Edina’s book both symbolise dangerous knowledge and heavy responsibility. Saeris must decide how to wield (or contain) each.
- Alchemy and Transformation – The stargazers – paper birds that become a book – represent hidden knowledge waiting to be unlocked. The silver butterfly on the cover hints at metamorphosis and rebirth.
Why This Chapter Matters
Chapter 34 is a turning point in Saeris’s quest. The discovery of Edina’s alchemical book finally provides a concrete source of information about her powers and the runes she must seal. At the same time, the chapter forces Saeris to confront the responsibilities of leadership: the Evenlight Ball is not optional, and the selection of a new Lord of Midnight places her decisions at the political heart of Ammontraíeth. Carrion’s emotional arc deepens, and Fisher’s unreserved trust strengthens the found‑family dynamics. The null blade introduces a new threat – a weapon that targets Fae specifically – raising the stakes for the conflicts to come.
Study Questions and Answers
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Why does Taladaius lock the tomb and post guards, even though a locked door cannot stop magic users?
Tal locks the door not to physically bar magic users but to create a delay. The guards are meant to alert him of intruders so he can personally decide how to respond, ensuring he remains in control of access to Ammontraíeth. -
What is the significance of the stargazers transforming into Edina’s book?
The stargazers were the pages of Edina’s book, magically dispersed throughout the library for centuries. By cutting Saeris and drawing her blood, they confirmed her identity as the intended reader. This reveals that the library kept a secret record of alchemical knowledge all along, now delivered to the one person who needs it most. -
Why does Saeris defy Edina’s command to keep the book from Fisher?
Saeris values honesty and partnership with her mate above the order given by a ghost. She recognises that keeping such a secret would harm the trust they have built, and she believes Fisher deserves to know about his mother’s legacy. Fisher’s response (respecting her decision) vindicates her choice and strengthens their bond.