Chapter 62: Facing Grief at the Ocean
⚠️ 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
Six days after Samkiel's departure, Dianna grows restless and lonely, wandering the house and forest. When Samkiel finally returns, she confronts him angrily. He apologizes and takes her on a walk, explaining he wants to help her regain her powers. During the walk, Dianna shares her past with Kaden—her first relationship and how he broke her trust. Samkiel reciprocates by revealing his own feelings of being seen only as a crown. He leads her to a secluded ocean, triggering her grief over her sister Gabby, whose ashes she scattered in the sea. Dianna initially refuses to engage, but Samkiel insists she must face the memories rather than bury them. Eventually, she agrees to try. They spend time swimming and playing in the water, and Dianna finally breaks down sobbing in his arms, realizing he truly sees and cares for her.
Key Events
- Dianna spends six days alone, growing increasingly irritable and lonely.
- Samkiel returns and Dianna attacks him with pillows; he calms her.
- They walk through the forest; Samkiel asks about Yejedin; Dianna opens up about Kaden.
- Samkiel shares his own feelings of being seen only as a king, not a man.
- Samkiel leads Dianna to the ocean, triggering traumatic memories of scattering Gabby's ashes.
- Dianna panics and tries to run; Samkiel gently insists she confront the pain.
- Samkiel explains why he brought her: to prevent her from erasing Gabby's memory like his father did.
- Dianna agrees to try; they swim and play in the water; she finally cries in his arms.
Character Development
- Dianna: Reveals deep emotional wounds from Kaden's betrayal; admits her jealousy and trust issues stem from that relationship. She allows herself to be vulnerable by talking about Gabby and eventually breaks down, showing she is ready to heal.
- Samkiel: Confesses that others see him only as a ruler, not a person; he longs to be known. His patience and empathy deepen as he comforts Dianna and insists on helping her face her grief.
- Their relationship: Shifts from antagonism to genuine emotional intimacy; Dianna acknowledges Samkiel sees her for who she is.
Themes, Symbols, and Motifs
- Grief as love: Samkiel's lesson that grieving is a form of love, and burying memories erases the loved one.
- The ocean: Symbol of memory and loss; Dianna's phobia of the ocean represents her suppressed grief.
- Vulnerability and trust: Dianna must trust Samkiel to face the ocean; their shared confessions build mutual trust.
- Being seen: Both characters struggle with being reduced to roles (weapon, crown) and crave genuine recognition.
Why This Chapter Matters
This chapter marks a crucial turning point. Dianna begins to process her grief over Gabby and her trauma with Kaden, moving from suppression to healing. Her willingness to trust Samkiel again re-establishes their partnership and sets the stage for her eventual recovery of powers. Samkiel's vulnerability also humanizes him, deepening their bond.
Study Questions and Answers
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Why does Dianna react so violently to the ocean?
She associates the ocean with her sister Gabby's death, as she scattered Gabby's ashes there. The sound of waves triggers painful memories she has tried to suppress. -
How does Samkiel's personal story help persuade Dianna?
He shares that his father burned all reminders of his mother after her death, erasing her. Samkiel refuses to let Dianna do the same with Gabby, urging her to feel the pain so she can keep the love. -
What does Dianna realize at the end of the chapter?
She realizes that Samkiel genuinely cares for her and sees her as more than a weapon. This understanding allows her to break down and start healing.