Chapter 73 Summary – The Wager and the Octimar Binding
⚠️ 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
Raeve wins a gambling game against highfliers, amassing a pile of gold. Kaan Vaegor enters, dismisses the other players, and confronts her about their past. He reveals that she once bound with another male, yet still declares his love for her. Raeve proposes two options: leave with the gold to hire a Moltenmaw, or play a wager bound by the octimar’s magic. If she wins, they will pretend to be their former selves until next aurora rise; then she will have a Mindweft erase him from her memory and receive one wish. If Kaan wins, he gets three truthful answers. As the game begins, Kaan asks about someone she lost, triggering her distress. She tries to flee but the octimar restrains her; Kaan reminds her they must finish.
Key Events
- Raeve slaps down a winning hand (Moonplume, Moltenmaw, Sabersythe) and taunts the highfliers.
- Kaan enters, orders the highfliers out, and sits opposite Raeve.
- Kaan states that she was someone important to him until she bound with another male.
- Kaan confesses: “Raeve, you could flay me down the middle and I’d still fucking love you.”
- Raeve proposes two options: leaving immediately with the gold, or a wager.
- The octimar binds both players to the table with magical inscriptions on their palms.
- Kaan wins the right to ask three questions; Raeve’s prize is one night of pretending plus a wish.
- Kaan asks “You lost someone …”, triggering Raeve’s emotional response.
- Raeve attempts to leave; the octimar’s tentacle chokes her.
- Kaan helps her up and insists they continue the game.
Character Development
- Raeve reveals a deep internal conflict: she values the lost memories with Kaan but sees them as dangerous. Her proposal to erase him shows her determination to protect herself and him, even at the cost of her own heart.
- Kaan demonstrates unwavering devotion, despite knowing she bound with another. His love remains intact, and he uses the wager to try to uncover her secrets.
- The octimar acts as an impartial enforcer, underlining the seriousness of the vow.
Themes, Symbols, or Motifs
- Boundaries and bargains: The octimar binding literalizes the stakes of emotional commitment. The wager forces both characters to confront their past without escape.
- Memory as poison: Raeve’s reluctance to uncork Elluin’s secrets suggests that painful memories can be self-destructive. She prefers erasure over healing.
- Love despite betrayal: Kaan’s confession “I’d still fucking love you” contrasts with Raeve’s view that love is a “death wish.” The chapter explores love’s persistence beyond rational choice.
Why This Chapter Matters
This chapter deepens the emotional stakes between Raeve and Kaan. The binding game introduces a magical mechanism that forces them to follow through on their bargain, raising the tension for future chapters. Raeve’s resolve to erase Kaan from her mind underscores her trauma and the lengths she will go to avoid vulnerability.
Study Questions and Answers
- What does Kaan reveal about Raeve’s past relationship?
Kaan states that she bound with another male, which is why their relationship ended. - What are the two prizes in the wager?
If Kaan wins, he receives three truthful answers. If Raeve wins, they pretend to be their former selves until next aurora rise, after which she will have a Mindweft erase him from her memory and she will receive one wish. - What prevents Raeve from leaving the table during the game?
The octimar’s magical binding on their palms creates a pact that forces them to stay until the game is finished. When Raeve tries to leave, the octimar wraps a tentacle around her throat, choking her.