Chapter 20 Summary and Analysis: Rune's Story

⚠️ 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

Rune begins the day by sneaking into the first-class library, where she curls up in a plush armchair and sleeps until late morning. She deliberately avoids the cabin she shares with Gideon, hoping to sidestep him entirely. Her real objective, however, is reconnaissance: she wants to determine whether the Arcadia could serve as an escape vessel to smuggle the sibyl, herself, and potentially the Roseblood heir out of the New Republic. Since they can't board as passengers without being caught by witch hunters and hounds, Rune hopes to find a cargo hold and learn how and when it's loaded.

Throughout the day, she repeatedly tries to reach the ship's lower levels, but her clothing marks her as a passenger, not staff. Every time she gets past a door, a crew member spots her and escorts her back, assuming she's lost. She considers using spells to unlock doors, but the blood marks and crimson moth signatures would leave a trail straight to the two police officers hunting her. By evening, she's made no progress.

That night, Gideon proposes a no-drinking policy as they head to Deck C to meet Abbie and her friends. Rune is cold and shivering, and Gideon drapes his jacket over her shoulders—a gesture that draws the attention of Abbie's companions. The group is playing Poor Man's Trap, a form of trapshooting where they fire at broken china plates. Rune meets William, the crew member who had brought her wine the previous night, and Ash Singh, a veteran of the New Dawn revolution.

Ash reveals that he and Abbie both fought alongside Gideon in the revolution. He also expresses political disillusionment, saying the Republic has become what it meant to correct—a nation ruled by fear, like the Reign of Witches without the witches. Abbie quickly shuts down the political talk.

Rune, despite Gideon's warning that she shoots dangerously, insists on trying the rifle. She misses repeatedly, and her shots go wildly wide. As she struggles, she notices Gideon and Abbie talking at the railing, their easy intimacy sparking jealousy in Rune. Abbie flirts openly—sliding her hand into Gideon's elbow, biting her lip, looking up at him through her lashes. Distracted and upset, Rune fires without aiming, and the shot nearly hits Gideon and Abbie.

Gideon storms over, takes the rifle, and then—instead of scolding her—positions Rune in front of him and begins teaching her proper shooting form. The lesson becomes intensely intimate: his hands guide hers, his breath warms her neck, and he presses his chest against her back. He asks about the dream she had the previous night, the one where she called out for him. Rune deflects, but the tension between them is palpable. Finally, she hits a plate, and her pride surges.

Abbie interrupts to invite Gideon to a card game, and he leaves with her immediately, abandoning Rune without a second thought. William, who has been watching, offers to show Rune a warm place. She accepts, hoping he can help her reach the cargo holds, and leaves Gideon's jacket crumpled on the deck behind her.

Key Events

Rune spends the day exploring the Arcadia in search of cargo holds, but is repeatedly escorted back by staff.
She avoids using spells because the blood marks would lead police to her.
On Deck C, Rune meets William and Ash Singh, both of whom fought in the New Dawn.
Ash expresses political disillusionment with the New Republic.
Rune accidentally fires toward Gideon and Abbie, nearly hitting them.
Gideon teaches Rune proper shooting form in an intimate, charged lesson.
Gideon asks about Rune's dream from the previous night; she deflects.
Rune finally hits a plate, then watches Gideon leave with Abbie.
William offers to show Rune a warm place; she accepts, hoping to reach the cargo holds.

Character Development

Rune shows her strategic, survival-focused side in this chapter. Her methodical exploration of the ship—and her decision to avoid spells to prevent detection—reveals how carefully she weighs risks. Her jealousy over Gideon and Abbie exposes a vulnerability she tries to suppress, and her internal refrain that Abbie is a