Chapter39 Summary: Wales
⚠️ 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
In 2022, Evelyn and Arden wait on a picnic blanket in the Welsh hills, hours before their powers are set to activate at dawn. The chapter opens around two in the morning, with Evelyn acutely aware of the pain in her hip from a previous injury and the risk that her mother might report her missing, triggering a police search. Arden reassures her that even if they are arrested, they will be called back to the Underrealm, so the plan to confront the Mother remains unchanged.
They discuss practicalities: Arden carries a knife, but they doubt it will accompany them into the Underrealm, since only their souls descended last time. Evelyn recalls a past life in Argentina where she killed Arden, and self-loathing washes over her. They consider the Mother's protectors, wondering if any might be bound against their will and could rebel. Evelyn asks about the number of marked souls, and Arden notes the pyramid-scheme nature of the bargains. She asks if he ever considered offering her mother a deal to save Gracie, but Arden refuses, explaining the slippery phrasing and the risk of her mother ending up like him.
As they lie together, Evelyn reflects on their long history—farmers, soldiers, thieves, royals—and feels both infinitesimal and infinite. She dreams of an ordinary life: growing old with Arden, a wedding, a home, a child. She realizes that she has always believed Arden to be the villain, but now understands that she is the one who has killed him many times, and yet he loves her still.
They share a tender, intimate moment, kissing for the first time since Siberia. Their lovemaking is both desperate and tender, a culmination of centuries of longing. Afterwards, Arden reads poetry from a notebook he had hidden in his writing desk. As dawn approaches, helicopters crest the mountains, but before they can reach the couple, an invisible force drags them both through the fabric of the mortal world into the Underrealm.
Key Events
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Evelyn and Arden wait for their powers to activate at dawn, discussing the risk of a police search.
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They plan to confront the Mother in the Underrealm, though they doubt the knife will come with them.
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They speculate about the Mother's protectors and hope some might rebel.
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Evelyn asks about marked souls and the nature of the bargains; Arden explains the pyramid scheme.
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They share a moment of reflection on their long history and Evelyn's dream of an ordinary life.
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Evelyn realizes she is the villain, not Arden, and that he loves her despite everything.
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They become intimate for the first time since Siberia, a deeply emotional and physical union.
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Arden reads poetry from his notebook.
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As dawn breaks, helicopters arrive, but an invisible force pulls them into the Underrealm.
Character Development
This chapter marks a profound shift in Evelyn's self-perception. Throughout the novel, she has viewed Arden as the villain, the one fated to kill her. Here, she confronts the truth: she has killed him many times, and she is the one who has caused him pain. Her self-loathing is palpable, yet Arden's unwavering love forces her to reconsider her identity. She says, “I’d always believed him to be the villain, but he wasn’t. I was.” This admission is a turning point, as she accepts her own culpability and the complexity of their eternal bond.
Arden, too, shows vulnerability. He trembles, asks for consent, and expresses his love with tears in his eyes. Their intimacy is not just physical but a healing of centuries of trauma. The chapter shows them as equals, both having killed each other, both seeking redemption through love. Evelyn’s dream of an ordinary life—growing old, having a child—highlights her longing for mortality, a stark contrast to their eternal curse.
Themes, Symbols, or Motifs
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Eternal Love vs. Mortality: Evelyn’s dream of growing old with Arden underscores the tragedy of their immortality. The intimacy they share is a fleeting moment of humanity, set against the backdrop of an eternal cycle of death and rebirth.
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Self-Loathing and Guilt: Evelyn’s internal refrain, “Devil, devil, you’re a devil,” and her realization that she is the villain reflect her deep-seated guilt. This theme is central to her character arc.
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Countdown to Power: The chapter is structured around the countdown to dawn, creating tension and urgency. The helicopters and the forced descent emphasize the inevitability of their fate.
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Soul-Body Separation: The discussion of whether the knife will accompany them, and the eventual dragging of their souls into the Underrealm, highlights the distinction between the physical and spiritual realms.
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Bargains and Pyramid Schemes: Arden’s explanation of the bargains as a pyramid scheme critiques the exploitative nature of the Mother’s power, suggesting that even her followers may be trapped.
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The Dream of Ordinary Life: Evelyn’s list item—growing old with the love of her life—represents the ultimate unattainable desire for someone cursed with immortality.
Why This Chapter Matters
Chapter 39 is the emotional climax of Evelyn and Arden’s relationship. It is the first time they fully consummate their love, a moment they have waited for across lifetimes. This intimacy humanizes them, making their impending confrontation with the Mother more poignant. The chapter also sets up the descent into the Underrealm, transitioning from the mortal world to the supernatural. Evelyn’s realization that she is the villain reframes the entire narrative, adding moral complexity to the story. The chapter’s focus on their love and the dream of an ordinary life makes the stakes feel personal, even as the plot moves toward a cosmic battle.
Study Questions and Answers
- How does Evelyn’s perception of herself change in this chapter?
Evelyn has always believed Arden to be the villain, but here she admits that she is the one who has killed him many times. She says, “I’d always believed him to be the villain, but he wasn’t. I was.” This shift is crucial because it forces her to accept her own guilt and the complexity of their eternal bond, setting the stage for her actions in the Underrealm.
- What is the significance of the intimate scene between Evelyn and Arden?
The scene is a culmination of centuries of longing and a moment of healing. It is the first time they are together since Siberia, and it represents a union of body and soul. The tenderness and consent underscore their mutual love and vulnerability, contrasting with the violence of their past. It also serves as a farewell, as they face an uncertain fate.
- How does the chapter use the countdown to dawn to build tension?
The chapter repeatedly notes the time remaining—fifty minutes, forty, thirty, twenty, ten, five—creating a sense of urgency. The helicopters arriving at the last moment, only to be interrupted by the invisible force, heightens the suspense. The countdown emphasizes the inevitability of their descent into the Underrealm and the impending confrontation with the Mother.
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