Gothikana Chapter 9: Madness and the Forbidden Kiss
⚠️ 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
Corvina wakes from a vivid nightmare in which she sees a girl drowning in black water while her mother, shuffling tarot cards, warns her of an approaching storm. The mother’s eyes are fully black, and she shows Corvina three major arcana cards: The Devil, The Lovers, and The Tower. As Corvina is pulled into the water, she screams and wakes. Jade (her roommate) comforts her. Troubled, Corvina decides to walk off the dream. She takes her mother’s tarot deck and a candle and slips outside into the night. She heads to the ruins in the forest—her private refuge. To her surprise, Vad Deverell is already there, repairing a piano found among the junk. Their conversation is tense; he asks why she is out late, and she deflects. He notices her tarot cards, and they discuss their views on destiny. Corvina blurts an awkward compliment about his face, leading to a question about Jax. Vad’s jealousy surfaces when he asks how well she knows Jax and whether they hold hands. He then confronts her directly, stating that whatever is between them “cannot happen” because he is her teacher and “dangerous.” He confesses that she makes him want things—raw, possessive, sexual things. Corvina, feeling the same pull, touches his lips and whispers, “If this is madness, drown me in it.” They kiss fiercely, a moment of deep connection that feels like recognition of shared darkness. But after the kiss, Vad’s expression shifts to regret. Corvina hides her hurt, saying she has no expectations. He tells her to go back. As she collects her fallen cards, she finds three face-up on the ground: The Devil, The Lovers, and The Tower—exactly the cards from her nightmare.
Key Events
- Corvina experiences a symbolic nightmare involving a drowning girl, her mother, and three tarot cards.
- She wakes screaming; Jade reassures her.
- Corvina goes for a late-night walk to the ruins, taking her tarot deck.
- She discovers Vad Deverell already at the ruins, repairing a piano.
- They have a charged conversation about tarot, destiny, and Vad’s jealousy over Jax.
- Vad confesses that his attraction to Corvina is a dangerous “madness” and warns her off.
- Corvina initiates a passionate kiss, which he returns.
- After the kiss, Vad shows regret; Corvina downplays it.
- She finds the same three tarot cards (Devil, Lovers, Tower) on the ground—mirroring her nightmare.
Character Development
- Corvina – This chapter deepens her vulnerability and desire. She is shaken by the nightmare and her mother’s ominous message. Her boldness in touching Vad and initiating the kiss shows a growing sexual agency, even as she later feels embarrassed by his regret. Her observation about his “unconventional” face reveals she sees beyond surface attractiveness.
- Vad Deverell – He is revealed as intensely possessive and self-aware. He acknowledges his dangerous reputation and warns Corvina away, yet cannot resist the kiss. His jealousy over Jax underscores his primal need to claim her. The regret after the kiss hints at internal conflict between desire and responsibility.
- Jade – Acts as a supportive, cautious friend, urging Corvina to take a lantern and checking on her after the nightmare.
- Jax (mentioned) – Remains a point of tension; Vad’s questions suggest a love triangle element.
Themes, Symbols, or Motifs
- Tarot Cards as Omens – The Devil, The Lovers, and The Tower appear both in Corvina’s dream and in reality, suggesting a predetermined fate or warning. The cards symbolize temptation (The Devil), choice and union (The Lovers), and upheaval (The Tower).
- The Storm Metaphor – Corvina’s mother says, “A storm. The only safe place is the eye. He is the storm. He will keep you safe.” This aligns Vad with both danger and protection, reinforcing the mad, tumultuous nature of their connection.
- Madness vs. Lust – Vad distinguishes between mere lust and a consuming “barbaric need to possess.” Corvina redefines it as madness she willingly embraces. The kiss becomes a surrender to that madness.
- Eyes and Sight – The mother’s fully black eyes and Vad’s “silver” eyes create a motif of seeing beyond the ordinary—clairvoyance, danger, and recognition. Corvina’s “violet” eyes also stand out as unique.
- The Ruins and Piano – The ruined setting suggests decay and forgotten history; Vad repairing the piano implies an attempt to restore something broken, mirroring his own fractured nature.
Why This Chapter Matters
This chapter is a turning point in Corvina and Vad’s relationship. Their kiss confirms the powerful, magnetic attraction between them, but also introduces immediate regret and the weight of taboo (teacher-student, danger). The nightmare foreshadows future peril and ties Corvina’s psychic sensitivity to her mother’s legacy. The appearance of the same tarot cards in waking life blurs the line between dream and reality, suggesting that fate is actively intervening. This chapter deepens the gothic atmosphere and dark-romance tension.
Study Questions and Answers
- What is the significance of the three tarot cards (Devil, Lovers, Tower) appearing both in Corvina’s nightmare and later on the ground?
Answer: The cards act as a symbolic prophecy. The Devil represents temptation and forbidden desire (Vad’s possessive attraction). The Lovers signify choice and union (Corvina’s decision to kiss Vad). The Tower foretells upheaval and destruction (likely the chaos their relationship will bring). Their repeated appearance suggests that Corvina’s fate may be inescapable. - How does Vad’s warning—“Girls I interact with dance with death much sooner than they should”—affect the reader’s understanding of his character?
Answer: It establishes Vad as a man who believes he is cursed or dangerous, and that getting close to him leads to harm. This creates sympathy and heightens the stakes of the romance. It also introduces a mystery about his past and the deaths of previous women. - Why does Corvina feel hurt by Vad’s regret after the kiss, and how does she cope with it?
Answer: She interprets his regret as rejection of her, which makes her feel embarrassed and vulnerable. To protect herself, she puts on a deliberate smile and insists she has no expectations, downplaying the intensity of the moment. She resolves not to be alone with him again.