Chapter 70 Summary, Themes, and Key Moments
⚠️ 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
After the battle, Max forcibly takes Geraldine back to Aqua House to recover, while Tory squeezes her tightly and commands her to rest. Darius shoves the sole surviving Dragon shifter—now in his Fae form, naked and despairing—ahead of him. Darius raises flames to the man's head, demanding a reason not to kill him. Orion intervenes, suggesting the prisoner might have information. The Dragon shifter spits insults and warns that Lionel will march on the grounds and destroy them all. Darius kicks him, and Orion presses for details. The prisoner reveals they have only two days before Lionel's army arrives. Darius kills him with an axe, despite Orion's frustration. Gabriel, who has landed nearby, confirms through his visions that Lionel will bring his army to their door in two days. Darcy proposes marching on Lionel first, and Tory agrees, ordering the army to move at dawn. Gabriel promises to prepare the forces and takes off into the sky.
Tory and Darcy exchange a heavy look, acknowledging they are out of time. Darcy whispers that it's time for goodbyes, but Tory insists it's not goodbyes—just making sure everything is said. They hug, and Darcy takes Orion's hand and leads him toward Asteroid Place. Seth and Caleb share an intense look, and Tory notes they haven't had enough time together. Tory turns from Darius, unable to bear looking at him with the weight of what tomorrow may bring. She strides toward the Earth Caverns, with Darius shadowing her steps.
As they walk, they pass a group of new recruits being led toward Rump Island. Several call out to Tory, but she can't summon a smile, only raising a hand in acknowledgment. A female recruit, Cindy Lou, approaches effusively, claiming she knew Darius would be waiting for her. She is revealed to be Darius's stalker, the one who sent him naked photos and hair. As she speaks, she urinates on herself, and soldiers haul her away. Darius remarks that she was his stalker, and they exchange banter about her obsession and his irresistibility.
Inside the Earth Caverns, the central space is filled with flame-imbued swords that Tory and Darcy helped create, and swordsmiths work in a new forge. Tory leads Darius down narrow passageways to a private cavern she has claimed. There, on a wooden dummy, is a set of perfectly crafted golden armour. Tory explains she worked with a smith to design it for Darius's frame and used a technique from a book on Phoenixes to forge the metal with her Order's flames. The armour is lightweight yet strong enough to withstand a battering ram, and it has clasps that release automatically for shifting. It is made of solid gold and strengthened with Phoenix magic, designed to protect and replenish Darius's magic. Darius is awestruck, calling it priceless. Tory admits she worked herself to death over it, and she commands him not to die on the battlefield, to bring his father's head, and to live with her through grey hair and rocking chairs. Darius kisses her, and they share a passionate embrace, with Tory reflecting that their love will leave a scar on the world and their memory will linger no matter what happens.
Key Events
-
Max takes Geraldine to Aqua House to recover.
-
Darius captures the sole surviving Dragon shifter and threatens to kill him.
-
Orion suggests the prisoner might have information, but Darius kills him after the prisoner reveals Lionel's plan.
-
Gabriel confirms via visions that Lionel's army will arrive in two days.
-
Tory orders the army to march at dawn, deciding on a preemptive strike.
-
Darcy and Orion leave for Asteroid Place; Seth and Caleb share a moment.
-
Tory and Darius encounter Cindy Lou, Darius's stalker, who urinates on herself.
-
Tory reveals the golden armour she forged for Darius using Phoenix flames.
-
Tory commands Darius not to die and to bring his father's head; they kiss.
Character Development
Tory shows both fierce resolve and deep vulnerability. She orders the army to march, demonstrating her leadership, but she also struggles to look at Darius, overwhelmed by the impending battle. Her gift of the armour reveals her love and her determination to protect him at all costs. She admits she worked herself to death over it, showing her willingness to sacrifice for those she loves. Her command that Darius not die and bring his father's head underscores her brutal pragmatism and her hope for a future together.
Darius is initially consumed by rage and vengeance, wanting to kill the prisoner immediately. Orion's intervention shows a more strategic side, but Darius's impulsive kill highlights his emotional state. When he sees the armour, he is moved to awe, calling it priceless. His reaction softens his usual arrogance, and he acknowledges Tory's effort. His kiss is described as trying to memorize her, indicating his fear of losing her.
Darcy emerges as a decisive leader, proposing the preemptive strike. Orion's pragmatism is evident when he suggests extracting information from the prisoner. Gabriel's role as a seer is crucial, as his visions confirm the timeline and guide the decision. Cindy Lou serves as a comic foil, her obsession and embarrassing accident providing a moment of levity amid the tension, while also highlighting the chaos of war preparations.
Themes, Symbols, or Motifs
-
Impending War and Preemptive Strike: The chapter centers on the decision to march first rather than wait for Lionel's attack. Tory and Darcy choose to seize the initiative, reflecting a theme of proactive resistance.
-
Time Running Out: The two-day deadline creates urgency. Tory and Darcy acknowledge they are out of time, and the chapter emphasizes the scarcity of moments for goodbyes and preparation.
-
Love Against Death: Tory's gift of armour and her command that Darius not die symbolize love as a force against mortality. The kiss and Tory's reflection on their legacy suggest that love transcends even death.
-
Legacy and Remembrance: Tory thinks about how their love will leave a scar on the world and that their memory will linger. This motif ties to the idea that their actions and bonds will outlast the war.
-
Sacrifice: Tory's exhaustion from forging the armour and her willingness to follow Darius into death highlight the theme of sacrifice for loved ones.
-
Forging as Symbol: The golden armour, forged with Phoenix flames, represents Tory's dedication and the strength she wishes to bestow upon Darius. It is both a physical protection and a symbol of their bond.
Why This Chapter Matters
This chapter is pivotal because it sets the stage for the final confrontation. The decision to march on Lionel's army rather than wait transforms the strategy from defensive to offensive, raising the stakes. The emotional core is Tory's gift of the golden armour, which crystallizes her love for Darius and her determination to protect him. The chapter also provides a moment of dark humor with Cindy Lou, balancing the tension. Most importantly, it establishes the characters' emotional states as they face the possibility of death, making the upcoming battle more personal and resonant.
Study Questions and Answers
1. Why does Tory decide to march on Lionel's army instead of waiting for his attack?
Tory decides to march first because Gabriel's vision confirms that Lionel will bring his army to their door in two days. She believes a preemptive strike gives them an advantage, and Darcy agrees, leading Tory to order the army to move at dawn.
2. What is the significance of the golden armour Tory gives Darius?
The armour is forged using Phoenix flames, making it lightweight yet strong enough to withstand a battering ram. It is designed to protect Darius and replenish his magic, symbolizing Tory's love and her desire to keep him safe in battle. It also represents her sacrifice and dedication, as she worked exhaustively to create it.
3. How does the encounter with Cindy Lou affect the tone of the chapter?
Cindy Lou's appearance provides a moment of absurdity and dark humor. Her obsessive behavior and embarrassing accident lighten the mood momentarily, contrasting with the grim war preparations. It also highlights Darius's unwanted attention and the chaos surrounding the army, while reinforcing the theme of time running out as even this distraction is quickly dealt with.
Navigation
-
Book Hub