Chapter 17: Raihn — A Friend’s Return and a Confession of Guilt
⚠️ 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
Raihn reunites with Mische, who has returned to Sivrinaj despite his warnings to stay away. After a warm embrace, Mische presses him to recount everything that happened during and after the Kejari. The telling forces Raihn to confront his own story in a single narrative for the first time. Mische’s initial excitement turns to deep sadness as she hears the truth. Raihn tries to downplay the trauma, but Mische sees through his lies. She insists on staying, both for Raihn and for Oraya. Raihn admits that things are bad, thinking of Oraya’s sobs and her words “I do hate you.” He reflects that breaking Oraya is a sin he can never atone for. Mische expresses relief that Raihn is alive, but Raihn is not sure he is glad to be alive—he had accepted death as the right choice for Oraya and the House of Night. Mische then confronts him about why he entered the Kejari. Raihn remembers that Mische forced his hand after learning his true identity as the Heir of the Rishan line. She had entered the Kejari first, and Raihn followed to protect her. Though he was furious then, he never told her how he felt. Mische deflects Raihn’s concern about her own well-being, hiding her own pain behind a cheerful facade.
Key Events
- Mische returns to Sivrinaj and finds Raihn.
- She hugs him tightly and drags him to her sitting room to demand the full story.
- Raihn recounts everything from the final trial and beyond in a sparse, detached way.
- Mische’s excitement fades to raw sadness; she gives him a quiet, supportive hug.
- Raihn tells Mische she should leave the capital, but she refuses.
- He admits that things are bad, thinking of Oraya’s grief and hatred toward him.
- Mische says she is glad Raihn is not dead; Raihn internally questions whether he is glad.
- Raihn recalls the night he confessed his identity to Mische and her reaction—excitement, which hurt him.
- Mische reveals she entered the Kejari first, forcing Raihn to follow.
- The chapter closes with Raihn admitting (to himself) that he is happy Mische is there.
Character Development
- Raihn shows deep vulnerability for the first time in the chapter as he tells his story. His guilt over Oraya is a new layer of his character—he acknowledges that breaking her is an unforgivable sin. His internal conflict about whether he wanted to survive after dying in the final trial adds complexity to his arc. He also reveals a long-buried resentment toward Mische for manipulating him into the Kejari, yet he still loves her as family.
- Mische is portrayed as impulsive, reckless, and deeply empathetic. Her ability to sense Raihn’s pain and her determination to stay despite danger show her loyalty. However, her own scars and evasions hint at hidden trauma. She is both a source of comfort and a reminder of Raihn’s difficult past.
Themes, Symbols, or Motifs
- Guilt and Atonement: Raihn’s central burden is the belief that he can never make amends for breaking Oraya. This guilt defines his current emotional state.
- Sacrifice vs. Survival: Raihn thought dying was the right choice, but coming back has made everything messy. The chapter questions whether sacrifice is truly noble if it brings more pain.
- Family, Blood or Not: Mische is Raihn’s self-chosen family. Their bond is tested by the secrets Raihn keeps and the weight of their shared history.
- Manipulation and Agency: Mische’s excitement about Raihn’s identity led her to force him into the Kejari. The chapter explores how love can become a form of coercion, even with good intentions.
Why This Chapter Matters
This chapter provides crucial backstory for Raihn’s motivation to enter the Kejari—it was never about power or the House of Night, but about protecting Mische. It deepens his guilt over Oraya and humanizes him beyond the ruthless leader he appears to be. Mische’s return also creates a sounding board for Raihn’s internal conflicts and sets up potential future tension between her, Raihn, and Oraya. The revelation of how Mische manipulated him into the Kejari adds a layer of complexity to their relationship and raises questions about Mische’s own secret motives.
Study Questions and Answers
1. Why did Raihn really enter the Kejari?
Raihn entered the Kejari because Mische forced his hand. After learning his identity as the Heir of the Rishan line, Mische became excited about what he could achieve. She entered the Kejari first, knowing Raihn would follow to protect her. He never told her how angry or uncomfortable that made him.
2. What is Raihn’s greatest regret regarding Oraya?
Raihn regrets “breaking Oraya.” He considers this a sin he can never atone for, worse than any murder he has committed. He thinks of her sobs and her declaration “I do hate you” as evidence of the damage he caused.
3. How does Mische respond when Raihn tells her to leave Sivrinaj?
Mische refuses to leave. She says it was boring away from the capital and that she would not abandon Raihn—or Oraya. She demonstrates her loyalty and her belief that things will eventually turn out well, despite Raihn’s pessimism.