Chapter 37 Summary, Analysis, 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.

Summary

Evangeline wakes in a bright, unfamiliar flat, still held in Jacks's arms. She is embarrassed to realize she fell asleep in his lap, but she quickly reminds herself that Jacks only saved her because he needs her alive for the prophecy—not out of any genuine care. The room is decorated with bold yellow and orange flowers, glitter-speckled shelves, and books arranged by spine color. Across from them lounges LaLa, dressed in a sequined robe.

Jacks immediately reveals that LaLa is the Fate who poisoned Evangeline. LaLa glares at him and explains that she is indeed a Fate—the Unwed Bride—but she insists she never tried to kill Evangeline or Apollo. She admits her tears were the poison, but claims she sold off vials of her tears long ago and has no idea who might have used one. She also mentions that she fled north to start fresh after Jacks got the Fates exiled. The two Fates argue about the exile and about a woman—the empress's younger sister—who LaLa says broke Jacks's heart. Jacks visibly flinches at the mention of her, though he claims not to remember her.

Jacks tosses a newspaper onto Evangeline's lap: The Daily Rumor, with a headline by Kristof Knightlinger declaring Apollo's murder. The article reports that Apollo was killed in his wedding suite, that Evangeline's grief has been questioned, and that she has gone missing. It calls her a possible murderess and seductress who fled with the Prince of Hearts. Tiberius, the new crown prince, is quoted as believing Evangeline may have been kidnapped by the real killer, and soldiers have been sent to search for her.

Evangeline is devastated reading about Apollo's death in print. She feels responsible, wondering if Apollo might have survived the poison if she hadn't broken Jacks's spell on him and shattered his heart. She insists she must return to Wolf Hall to tell Tiberius the truth and clear her name. Jacks and LaLa both argue against this: Jacks says Tiberius only wants to find her so he can blame her for the murder, and LaLa agrees that Evangeline makes an excellent suspect—an orphan turned savior turned bride turned killer. Jacks even suggests Tiberius might have poisoned both Evangeline and Apollo to take the throne.

Evangeline is reluctant to trust Jacks, knowing he has a history of violence and that he only cares about her because of the prophecy. But she also knows she cannot search for the killer alone. She agrees to stay with him, but sets firm rules: this will be a true partnership, he will not leave her behind or keep secrets, and their only goal is finding Apollo's killer and clearing their names. If she suspects he is lying or has another agenda, she will walk away and tell Tiberius where to find him. LaLa cheers the speech but warns Evangeline she is making a terrible choice.

Soldiers searching nearby begin knocking on doors in the spire. Jacks compels them to leave without saying a word, demonstrating his power over emotions. Evangeline notes how unsettling this is and amends her speech, demanding Jacks tell her where they are going. He reveals they will visit Chaos, another Fate. LaLa reacts with alarm, calling Chaos a monster and a murderer. Jacks explains that Chaos is as old as the North, was never trapped in a deck of cards, and has spent centuries collecting favors, people, and information. He is the Lord of Spies and Assassins—and, as LaLa dryly adds, a vampire. If anyone knows who wanted Apollo dead, Jacks says, it will be Chaos.

Key Events

Evangeline wakes in Jacks's arms in LaLa's bright flat and realizes he only saved her because of the prophecy.
LaLa is revealed to be the Fate known as the Unwed Bride; she admits her tears were the poison but denies intent, claiming she sold vials long ago.
LaLa and Jacks argue about the Fates' exile and about the empress's younger sister who broke Jacks's heart.
Jacks shows Evangeline a newspaper reporting Apollo's murder and calling her a possible murderess who fled with the Prince of Hearts.
Evangeline wants to return to Wolf Hall to clear her name; Jacks and LaLa warn her that Tiberius intends to blame her.
Evangeline agrees to a true partnership with Jacks, setting explicit rules about honesty and shared goals.
Jacks uses his power to compel searching soldiers to leave the spire.
Jacks announces their next destination: Chaos, the Lord of Spies and Assassins, described as a vampire.

Character Development

Evangeline takes a significant step toward agency in this chapter. Though she is still physically dependent on Jacks, she refuses to be a passive passenger. Her decision to set terms for their partnership—demanding honesty, no secrets, and a single shared goal—shows growth from the girl who earlier trusted Apollo's kindness. She is also painfully self-aware: she knows Jacks's interest in her is tied to the prophecy, and she does not delude herself into thinking his rescue was romantic. Her grief over Apollo is complicated by guilt, as she wonders whether breaking Jacks's spell weakened Apollo's ability to fight the poison.

Jacks reveals a crack in his usual composure. When LaLa mentions the empress's younger sister, Evangeline feels his body flinch—a rare moment of vulnerability from a character who otherwise projects boredom and control. His claim that he doesn't remember the woman is undercut by his physical reaction. He also demonstrates his power more openly, compelling soldiers to leave without a word, which reminds Evangeline (and the reader) of how dangerous he truly is.

LaLa is fleshed out considerably. Though she is the Unwed Bride—a figure associated with rejection and unhappily ever afters—she is bold, confident, and unafraid to spar with Jacks. Evangeline envies her, noting that LaLa makes being alone seem like an adventure rather than a lonely fate. LaLa's insistence that she sold her tears long ago and has no idea who used them adds a layer of ambiguity: is she telling the truth, or is she hiding something?

Themes, Symbols, or Motifs

Trust vs. distrust is the central tension of this chapter. Evangeline must choose between trusting Tiberius, who publicly claims to be searching for her out of concern, and trusting Jacks, who openly admits he needs her for the prophecy. Both options are fraught. Jacks's argument that Tiberius wants to blame her for the murder is persuasive, but Evangeline knows Jacks has his own agenda. Her solution—a conditional partnership with explicit rules—reflects her attempt to navigate a world where no one is fully trustworthy.

Public perception and false accusations are explored through the newspaper article. The Daily Rumor shapes the narrative before Evangeline has a chance to defend herself. The words