Chapter 28 Summary and 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

Alyce returns to Lavender House after a long, exhausting night. Her power is nearly spent, and the weak Shift she maintains is slipping out of control, leaving streaks of charcoal across the dawn sky. When she reaches her Lair, she finds Aurora waiting outside, having spent the night hidden in the hedges because Alyce's door was locked and her servant was away. Aurora claims she wanted to make sure Alyce was all right, but Alyce is too drained to hide her distress.

As Alyce unlocks the door and kicks a heavy sack inside, Aurora insists on helping her carry it. The sack tears on a nail, spilling gold coins. Aurora immediately realizes the sack contains a fortune and asks where Alyce got it and where she was going. Alyce deflects, but Aurora guesses the truth: Alyce was planning to leave Briar. Aurora warns that leaving is too dangerous—if her father, the king, discovers Alyce's absence, he could do to her what he did to the Grace at the trial. Alyce snaps back, asking if Aurora truly understands what it means to live at the mercy of someone who can take everything away.

Aurora admits she understands a little, confessing that she too dreams of running away from suitors, a cloistered life, and the constant judgment of court. Alyce accuses Aurora of wanting to be queen, and Aurora acknowledges that while she does want the throne, it is not the life she would choose for herself. The conversation turns to the trial, where a Grace was nearly bled to death. Alyce cruelly reminds Aurora of the event, but Aurora flinches and insists it was not her doing—she argued with her father but could not stop him. Alyce apologizes for her callousness, and the two sit together in a moment of shared grief.

Aurora reveals she kissed fifty suitors the previous day, and none of them broke her curse. She traces the curse mark on her skin, despair creeping into her voice. Alyce tries to comfort her, reminding her of the plan to use the Etherium mines. Aurora credits the idea to Prince Elias of Ryna, with whom she has been corresponding. Alyce is startled to hear Aurora call him by his first name, and jealousy flares. She accuses Aurora of hoping Elias will break the curse, and of abandoning their shared work. Aurora defends herself, saying she has little choice—she cannot refuse her suitors—and that she still wants Alyce by her side if Elias succeeds.

Alyce does not believe her. She sees herself as a means to an end, a distraction until the right man arrives. She throws gold into her safe, her anger building. Aurora pleads with her, saying she still wants to break the curse herself and that she wants Alyce to remain with her. But Alyce sees only the future queen's privilege and uncertainty. She concludes that she cannot depend on what Aurora might decide, and that there is no one but herself to rely on.

Key Events

Alyce returns to Lavender House with her power nearly exhausted, her Shift failing.
Aurora has waited all night outside Alyce's Lair, worried about her.
Aurora helps carry Alyce's sack of gold and discovers Alyce's plan to leave Briar.
The two argue about the trial and the danger Alyce faces from the king.
Aurora admits she kissed fifty suitors and none broke her curse.
Aurora reveals she has been corresponding with Prince Elias of Ryna, calling him by his first name.
Alyce accuses Aurora of hoping Elias will break the curse and of abandoning their shared goal.
Aurora insists she still wants Alyce by her side, but Alyce doubts her promises.
Alyce resolves to rely only on herself, feeling betrayed and disillusioned.

Character Development

Alyce is physically and emotionally depleted in this chapter. Her power is nearly gone, and her usual defenses are down. She is vulnerable, and Aurora's unexpected presence forces her to confront her own plans for escape. Alyce's jealousy over Elias reveals a deeper insecurity: she fears she is only a tool for Aurora, not a true companion. Her anger at Aurora is rooted in her own sense of powerlessness—she cannot control the curse, the king, or Aurora's choices. By the end, Alyce hardens, deciding that self-reliance is her only option. This marks a significant shift from her earlier tentative trust in Aurora to a defensive isolation.

Aurora shows both vulnerability and resolve. She admits her own desire to escape, but she also demonstrates a growing sense of duty. She is exhausted—the trial and the endless suitors have worn her down—yet she still clings to hope, even if that hope now includes Elias. Aurora's attempt to reassure Alyce is genuine, but her privilege blinds her to the depth of Alyce's fear. She cannot fully understand the danger Alyce faces, and her promise to keep Alyce by her side feels hollow to Alyce because it depends on a future that is far from certain. Aurora's character is caught between her royal obligations and her personal desires, and this chapter highlights that tension.

Themes, Symbols, or Motifs

Escape and Self-Reliance: Alyce's sack of gold symbolizes her attempt to buy freedom. The gold is a tangible means of escape, but it also represents her belief that she must rely on herself alone. Her final line, “There is no one but myself,” underscores the theme of self-reliance in a world where trust is dangerous.
Betrayal and Jealousy: Alyce's jealousy over Elias is not just romantic—it is a fear of being replaced and discarded. She sees Aurora's correspondence as a betrayal of their shared mission, and her accusation that Aurora is using her as a means to an end reflects her deep-seated insecurity.
Power Imbalance: The chapter emphasizes the unequal power between Alyce and Aurora. Aurora is a princess with some agency, while Alyce is a Graced outcast at the mercy of the king. Alyce's anger stems from this imbalance, and her decision to rely only on herself is a response to that powerlessness.
Hope vs. Despair: Aurora still hopes that Elias might break the curse, while Alyce has lost hope in their own efforts. The contrast between Aurora's tentative optimism and Alyce's growing despair drives the conflict.
The Curse Mark: Aurora's curse mark is a physical reminder of her mortality and the pressure she faces. Her tracing of it shows her anxiety and the weight of her situation.

Why This Chapter Matters

This chapter is pivotal for Alyce's emotional arc. It marks the moment she fully abandons her trust in Aurora and commits to a path of isolation. The argument over Elias exposes the fragility of their relationship and sets up future conflicts. Alyce's decision to rely only on herself will likely drive her actions in the coming chapters, making her more reckless and desperate. Additionally, the chapter deepens the theme of power and privilege, showing how even well-intentioned allies can fail to understand each other's struggles. The revelation of Aurora's correspondence with Elias also introduces a new potential plotline—the possibility that a prince might break the curse, which could undermine Alyce's role entirely.

Study Questions and Answers

1. Why does Alyce react so strongly to Aurora calling Prince Elias by his first name?

Alyce's reaction is rooted in jealousy and insecurity. She has been working with Aurora to break the curse, and she fears that Elias represents a threat to that partnership. By using his first name, Aurora signals a level of intimacy that Alyce has never shared with her. Alyce interprets this as evidence that Aurora is more invested in a prince than in their own efforts, and that Alyce is merely a temporary distraction until a suitable man arrives.

2. How does Aurora's perspective on escaping Briar differ from Alyce's?

Aurora acknowledges that she sometimes wants to run away from her life, but she frames it as a desire for freedom from suitors and court judgment. She does not face the same mortal danger as Alyce—the king could kill Alyce, but Aurora is protected by her status. Aurora also has a sense of duty to become queen and change things, whereas Alyce sees no future for herself in Briar. Their different positions highlight the power imbalance between them.

3. What does Alyce's decision to rely only on herself reveal about her character at this point in the story?

It reveals that Alyce has been deeply hurt by Aurora's perceived betrayal and that she has lost faith in the possibility of genuine alliance. She sees herself as fundamentally alone in a hostile world. This decision is both a defense mechanism and a declaration of independence, but it also isolates her from potential support. It shows that Alyce is willing to take risks and make hard choices, but it also sets her up for greater danger.

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