Chapter 35 Summary: Plot, Themes, and Key Takeaways

⚠️ Spoiler Warning: This guide contains detailed spoilers for the entire novel. Proceed only if you've finished reading or are comfortable knowing the plot.

You have been warned.

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But first, the summary.

Summary

Two days after storming out of Jordan's room, Quell's irritation with him still lingers, but she's kept busy helping Abby prepare for her Cotillion. While Abby fusses over her gown and accessories, Quell admits she's far from relaxed: she's spent the last two nights thinking about Nore and the unanswered letter, hoping for a reply that never came. She's also returned to the forest to use her forbidden magic, haunted by Octos's warning to keep her dark magic in check.

Abby asks Quell to promise she'll visit her at the Healer facility where she'll intern for a year. Quell agrees, though she privately thinks it might be easier that Abby leaves first, since Quell doesn't know where she'll go after her own Cotillion. Abby's family arrives with flowers and cameras, and Mynick escorts Quell to the ballroom.

At the Grand Ballroom, Quell notices that Shelby is missing from the ceremony—there are six chairs but only five daggers. She questions Mynick about Nore Ambrose. Mynick says no one gets close to Nore, that she's sheltered to the extreme, and that she hasn't set foot inside Dlaminaugh in years. Quell is stunned, especially since Nore attended the Tea and acted normal. As Abby performs her dance and binds with her magic, officially joining the House of Marionne, Mynick reveals more: Nore lives in a private cottage on the grounds, takes private lessons, and never comes out. A planned diplomatic tour never materialized, and everything about Nore is weird.

Quell then asks if the Council has ever visited Dlaminaugh. Mynick says only once, and it was Headmistress Perl. This sends a chill through Quell, who fears that Beaulah—who is more savvy at recognizing signs of forbidden magic—might have already reached Nore, and could reach her next.

Key Events

Quell remains annoyed with Jordan two days after their argument, but focuses on Abby's Cotillion preparations.
Quell has been using forbidden magic in the forest, worrying about Octos's warning.
Abby asks Quell to visit her at the Healer facility during her year-long internship.
Abby's family arrives, and Mynick escorts Quell to the ballroom.
Quell notices Shelby is missing from the ceremony.
Mynick reveals that Nore hasn't set foot in Dlaminaugh in years and lives in a private cottage with private lessons.
Abby completes her dance and binds with her magic, becoming a full member of the House of Marionne.
Mynick mentions that a planned diplomatic tour for Nore never happened.
Quell learns that Headmistress Perl was the only Council member to visit Dlaminaugh, raising her fear that Beaulah may have reached Nore.

Character Development

Quell is caught between her desire for connection and her fear of exposure. Her annoyance with Jordan shows her emotional volatility, but her care for Abby reveals her loyalty. Her repeated use of forbidden magic, despite Octos's warning, demonstrates her growing dependence on it and her internal conflict. Her intense curiosity about Nore stems from a deep need to find someone like herself—another heir with the same affliction—which makes her feel less broken. The revelation that Nore is isolated and hidden shakes Quell, because it suggests that even someone who has survived this long lives in fear. Quell's dread about Beaulah shows her vulnerability and the constant threat she faces.

Abby is on the cusp of a new life. Her excitement and nervousness about the Cotillion are palpable, and her request that Quell visit her shows her genuine friendship. Her successful binding marks a major milestone, but her dazed expression afterward hints at the overwhelming nature of the ritual.

Mynick serves as an informant, though he admits he knows little about Nore. His casual remarks about Nore's seclusion and the failed diplomatic tour add to the mystery. He also shows his loyalty to Abby by celebrating her success.

Themes, Symbols, or Motifs

Secrecy and Surveillance: The chapter emphasizes how little is known about Nore, and how the House of Marionne keeps her hidden. Quell's fear of Beaulah underscores the constant surveillance she feels.
Isolation: Nore's physical and social isolation mirrors Quell's own emotional isolation. Quell's relief that Abby is leaving first suggests she expects to be alone soon.
Forbidden Magic: Quell's continued use of forbidden magic, despite warnings, highlights her internal struggle and the danger she poses to herself.
Friendship and Loss: Abby's departure marks a turning point in Quell's support system, and Quell's promise to visit is tinged with uncertainty.
Identity and Belonging: The Cotillion ceremony is a ritual of belonging, but Quell's outsider status is reinforced by her questions about Nore and her own hidden identity.

Why This Chapter Matters

This chapter deepens the mystery of Nore Ambrose and raises the stakes for Quell. The revelation that Nore is completely isolated—and that the Council has only visited once—suggests that Beaulah's reach may already extend into Dlaminaugh. Quell's fear that Beaulah could get to her next creates a palpable sense of danger. Additionally, Abby's departure removes a key emotional anchor for Quell, leaving her more vulnerable. The chapter also reinforces the theme of surveillance and the cost of hiding one's true self, as Quell sees in Nore a possible future for herself.

Study Questions and Answers

**1. Why does Quell feel that it's