Chapter Twenty-Two: An Evening Before the Full Moon
⚠️ 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
Callum tries to soothe Aurora’s growing dread the evening before the full moon. He offers to kill James and promises to stay at her side. Alfie arrives with a request from Elsie for help in the kitchens. Callum decides to speak with Ryan, who appears to be wallowing over his argument with Becky. In the Lowfell kitchens, Aurora finds Elsie struggling with live lobsters intended for dinner. When Aurora recalls her brother Philip’s cruel story of how lobsters are boiled alive—a story that mirrors her own sense of being trapped—she shares her feelings of helplessness. Elsie instantly decides to free the lobsters. Joined by young Alfie, the three women (and boy) rush off to release the creatures into the loch.
Key Events
- Aurora stands at the window, watching Ryan throw stones into the loch. She feels suffocated by her emotions.
- Callum approaches her, places her hand on his chest, and reassures her. He offers to kill James and take the kingdom for her.
- Alfie knocks and requests Aurora’s help in the kitchens on Elsie’s behalf.
- Callum jokes about Aurora’s cooking, then says he will talk to Ryan about his mood.
- Aurora kisses Callum; he teases her about passing the time.
- In the kitchen, Elsie chases two live lobsters. Alfie shrieks and spills potatoes.
- Aurora helps pick up potatoes and asks what is happening. Elsie explains Blake arranged a meal with lobsters.
- Aurora shares a memory: when she was ten, her brother Philip described how lobsters are boiled alive, slowly, unaware until too late.
- Aurora confesses she has felt like those lobsters—trapped and slowly destroyed—and wonders if escaping the palace only led her into another fire.
- Elsie slams the counter, declares they cannot eat the lobsters, and decides to free them in the loch.
- Aurora laughs, and the three of them (including Alfie) set off to release the lobsters.
Character Development
- Aurora opens up more than she usually does. She shares a painful childhood story with Elsie, revealing how deeply the memory of her brother’s cruelty and the analogy of the trapped lobsters has affected her. This moment shows Aurora beginning to trust others and voice her fears rather than bury them.
- Callum demonstrates a softer, protective side. He not only offers physical comfort but also a violent remedy (killing James) and emotional reassurance. His easy interaction with Alfie reveals a paternal warmth, suggesting he would be a good father.
- Elsie emerges as an impulsive, kind-hearted friend. Her immediate decision to free the lobsters, despite the practical consequences, shows her solidarity with Aurora and her willingness to challenge authority (Blake’s meal plan) for a greater good.
- Alfie remains a lively, innocent presence. His mimicry of Elsie’s curse words and his gleeful cry of “Free the lobsters!” underscore the lighter, hopeful counterpoint to Aurora’s dark mood.
Themes, Symbols, or Motifs
- Trapped vs. Escape: The central symbol is the lobster in a pot. Aurora’s retelling of Philip’s story parallels her own life: she was born into a cold, violent court and felt slowly destroyed without noticing. Even after fleeing, she fears she has jumped from the pot into the fire. The act of freeing the lobsters becomes a small but powerful act of rebellion and hope.
- Female Solidarity: Elsie’s instant decision to free the lobsters, without hesitation, underscores a bond between women forged through shared understanding and compassion. This contrasts with the predatory, territorial male Wolves who are focused on power.
- The Weight of the Past: Aurora’s memory of Philip shows how her childhood trauma continues to shape her present anxiety. The lobster story is not just a metaphor but a lived pain that colors her view of the Northlands.
- Full Moon Anticipation: The chapter is set the evening before the full moon, which heightens the sense of impending change and danger. The characters are all on edge, preparing for what will come.
Why This Chapter Matters
This chapter deepens Aurora’s internal conflict and provides a break from action-focused plot beats. It humanizes the central couple by showing their vulnerable, tender moments. More importantly, it cements Elsie as a significant ally for Aurora, not just a comic foil. The lobster metaphor ties together Aurora’s past trauma, her present fears about James’s bite, and her uncertain future with Callum. By freeing the lobsters, Aurora and Elsie reclaim a small measure of agency—a theme that will become crucial as the full moon rises.
Study Questions and Answers
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Question: What memory does Aurora share in the kitchen, and why does it affect her so strongly?
Answer: Aurora recalls her brother Philip telling her when she was ten that lobsters are boiled alive from cold water, unaware until it is too late. She sees the lobsters as a parallel to her own life in the palace and wonders if escaping was just jumping from one trap into another. -
Question: How does Callum try to comfort Aurora at the beginning of the chapter? What does his offer to “kill him for you” reveal about his character?
Answer: Callum physically holds Aurora, places her hand on his steady heart, and promises to stay at her side. He offers to kill James for her, which shows his fierce protectiveness and willingness to use violence, but also his helplessness in the face of her emotional pain. -
Question: What does Elsie’s decision to free the lobsters signify for the story’s theme of escape?
Answer: Elsie’s impulsive act shows that small, meaningful actions can disrupt cycles of oppression. By freeing the lobsters, she gives Aurora a tangible example of escape and hope, reinforcing the idea that Aurora can choose her own path rather than remain a victim.