Latest / Deep Trope Fantasy & Romance Podcast / Dire Bound by Sable Sorensen Episode 3: Chapters 16–35 | The Purge, Power Shifts & That Alpha Reveal

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Dire Bound by Sable Sorensen Episode 3: Chapters 16–35 | The Purge, Power Shifts & That Alpha Reveal · Deep Trope Fantasy & Romance Podcast

• Rachel: Welcome to Deep Trope, where we go deep into fantasy and romance books, one trope at a time. We're your two book besties gushing over plot, characters, Easter eggs, theories, and of course, our favorite spicy moments. I'm Rachel, Romantasy Theorist. Kate: and I'm Kate, lover of all things dark and spicy. Rachel: And this is episode three of our deep dive into Dire Bound by Sable Sorensen. and while this episode will only cover chapters 16 to 35 of the book, we're discussing it from the perspective of two people who have read the full book. So that means spoilers! If you haven't finished the book yet, pause the podcast and finish reading before joining us. Kate: And as a reminder, the triggers and content warnings in the book also apply to our discussions. So between that and our general inability to censor ourselves, please be advised that this podcast is for adults. Rachel: From Lee's true identity to Meryn's new title, we have a lot to cover in this episode. So I say we get right into it. What do you think, Kate? Kate: Yes, let's dive in. Rachel: The Rawbonds are standing before the king and all his nobles at presentation, and Meryn is when she sees Lee, I mean, Prince Killian, alongside his father, Cyril. She tries to tell herself that she is hallucinating like her mother. Seething with rage, she accepts it is in fact her beloved, Lee. Killian and his father descend from their dais to inspect the raubans, and the king leers at and gropes them. As Killian passes, she feels something brush her hand and realizes he passed her a note. She looks around to see if anyone notices, and of course, Stark is glaring at her Kate: He's always looking at her, always glaring at her. How is no one else noticing his obsession with her? He literally never takes his eyes off of her. And I've got to imagine it gets awkward having a conversation with him while he's openly glaring at somebody else the entire time. Rachel: The tension is thick. Kate: Like, he is not subtle. Rachel: The king touches Meryn's hair, noting that it is unusual. When Stark interrupts, suggesting that the Rawbonds show them what they can do, King Cyril directs the Rawbonds to kill the weakest recruit, realizes that the Dire Blade has some kind of control over them. The wolves seem maddened, immediately circling one another, and Meryn reaches out to Anassa through the bond, but she still has her blocked out. A young Kryptos Rawbond falls off his wolf, screaming in pain, and immediately draws the attention of the pack. As they descend him, Meryn cries out, no, turning the wolves' attention to her. Jonah, ugh, of course, looks at her and lets out a battle cry. Kate: It was interesting here to see the shift from going after a physical weakness of the bond that fell off his wolf to then attacking Meryn for what's perceived as an emotional weakness. So I feel like that's interesting that the wolves see both as a threat to pack dynamic. ⁓ I mean, which weakness do you think the wolves would see as a bigger threat? Rachel: that's a great point. It's like they don't respect the fact that she wants to show mercy and that she questions they're killing their own, which comes up later too, because at one point they ⁓ mention culling will continue and she's like, why are we culling one another? We need all the fighters we can get. So obviously mercy is, it seems like the biggest weakness with them. Kate: Like, right? they turned on her quick. So it is interesting that they're not just going after the weakest physically. They find her emotional depth to be ⁓ weakness as well. Rachel: and Meryn assumes that going to lead the attack against her. Anassa leaps and Meryn lunges for her throat but misses. Anassa then knocks into Jonah's wolf and stands in front of Meryn snarling and the pack turns away, resuming their attack on the Kryptos boy and his wolf. as the crowd of nobles cheers on the gory scene In the end, the boy's wolf makes the final blow, ending the suffering for both of them. As the blood flows into the divots, Meryn noticed on the arena floor, she realizes that they are drains designed to carry the blood away. Not all, but most of the Rawbonds celebrate, and when Meryn looks back at Stark, she notices him glaring at her again. And she reads a silent message on his face indicating that he wants her dead. So this scene has a lot to unpack. And it's our first insight into the Dire Blade and what it do. I also need to point out that she just has such a bad read on Stark, but you can also kind of see her point. He seems so evil here when he interrupts the king to say, why don't we see them kill one another? knowing what happens at the end of the book, knowing his true intentions, he's actually protecting Meryn. Kate: she really does have such a read on him. She always assumes the worst him ⁓ and assumes the best in Killian. ⁓ And so her judgment is all out of whack. Rachel: It really is. I'm also cracking up at the note. do you remember, was this a thing you? I know you're a few years younger than me. In like the ⁓ 90s, early 2000s in school, the way passed notes like, we would fold them up like hot dog style twice and then like this complicated sort of diagonal until it became a square. Yes. Kate: Yes. Yeah, it was like a form of origami and it was very intricate, but yeah, it was like to make it small enough to be inconspicuous. Yeah. Rachel: Yes! Easily passed. Yes, easily passed. You could like throw it across the room if you wanted to. That's I'm just imagining Killian at his little, I mean, it's I'm sure it's not little he's the Prince, but I'm just imagining Killian at his desk folding up his tiny little note for Meryn. Kate: Well, and also, I mean, we'll get into it, but the note says, and then just ⁓ folding it up real tiny, like, he's ⁓ such dork, honestly. Rachel: Also need to point it was just, for me, so cringe when Meryn attacked Anassa. Like it was obvious as a reader that Meryn, that Anassa was coming to Meryn's defense and she's lunging for her throat. Kate: Okay, but Anassa's refusal to communicate with Meryn is still driving me up a wall. Meryn is so in the dark. She's so unprepared for everything that is happening right now. ⁓ And no matter offended Anassa is by Meryn not wanting to be bonded or not trusting her yet, like Anassa is still the one with so much explaining to do. She's the one that knows what the hell is going on and her massive wolf-sized ego is I think the real problem here, like I know that Meryn kind of took a big leap there with her assumptions, but she's so... She doesn't understand what the dynamic is. She sees wolves turning on their riders more than once. She's already seen wolves kill their riders. So I'm not so surprised that she jumped to that conclusion, not trusting Anassa, not having Anassa communicate with her at all. So yeah, it was definitely the wrong assumption there, but I can see where she got to that conclusion. And I'm still just so annoyed at Anassa right now. Rachel: Yes. hear you. It is this was a painful section to reread quite honestly, because it was just very much like watching two, as you said wolf size egos, but I think it's like two queen size egos, and being stubborn with one another and who is going to be the most stubborn and it was just like, like nails on a chalkboard for me. Kate: Yeah. I know, like they're both so stubborn, but Anassa is the one that has the information. Like Meryn is stubborn because she doesn't understand what's going on. Anassa is stubborn because of her ego. Rachel: Right. Right, yes, I agree. Back at the dorms, Meryn reads Killian's note. East garden at midnight, please, kitten. And I imagine he also drew a little ⁓ there, don't you think? Kate: Yeah, cause he's a fucking dork. Rachel: is so conflicted here. She feels alone and she misses Lee and she also feels angry and betrayed and she has questions. So I'm curious, what would you do in Meryn's place? Kate: I mean, I would definitely go, like I want to hear what he has to say, ⁓ but I would not trust a single word out of his mouth literally ever again. And also somehow writing the word kitten just feels even worse than saying it out loud. Like it's one thing to kind of just like say it offhandedly, but to have the intention to write it in a note is so yucky. So what would you do here? I mean, I would go and hear him out again, assuming that I would never trust him again, but what would you do? Rachel: I would hear him ⁓ ⁓ I don't know. I think because. Kate: I I wouldn't, again, I wouldn't believe him, but I wanna hear what he has to say even just out of curiosity. Rachel: I personally am a big proponent of no contact. Like I will put people on block. Like when I break up with people, I put them on block and they're gone and they are no longer in my life. Then I don't know her, you know what I'm saying? it's tough because I understand like wanting. Kate: Shut it down. Rachel: the answers. So maybe I would go and then I would put him on block. Kate: Yeah, like I'm just, like my curiosity I don't think would allow me to not get at least some insight into what the fuck is going on. But yeah, I would not continue the relationship. Rachel: After presentation, the packs celebrate together in the Rawbond common room, drinking emberwine ⁓ and are just ⁓ making on the couch in front of everyone. Izabel explains that this might help your wolf find their mate. Though rare, bonded wolves have extra powers and can communicate with one another even in different packs. Somehow, when riders have sex, it helps wolves find their mate. Kate: So I think we kind of, know, when they had the contraceptive draft earlier, got the sense that this ⁓ was to be a fuckfest, but when the came up, I just could not stop hearing Titus Andromedon from Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt in my head, just saying, it was a total bang fest. You know, talking about his time at the camp for boys to, try to make them less musical. Rachel: I mean, this is this is camp for 20 somethings. Like, yeah. don't know what else you'd expect. Meryn stalks off to bed through the Strategos anteroom where she finds Nevah alone and staring into the flames. We learn here that Nevah's partner died on the ascent. This seems to be the final straw that helps Meryn decide to meet Killian that night in the beautiful, heated garden, seeking the closure that we would apparently also want to get as well. Of course, he says everything she could ever want to hear. He never wanted to hurt her. When he met her, she was quote, the blinding beauty of the sun personified. He tells her that he has been doing everything in his power to find Saela and stop the Nabbers. He'd do anything for her, even abdicate the throne. Despite all of this, She manages to leave him, telling him there is no longer a we. I found this scene very triggering. And if anybody has ever been love bombed, I'm sure you did as well. Kate: Yeah, I mean, you probably saw me just now rolling my eyes through the entire thing. Like, it's clearly he is just so good at manipulating her. And to your point, he's absolutely love bombing her right now. But just knowing how deep his lie ran, I mean, he didn't just neglect to tell her who he really is. He made up an entire new identity for himself. It was so intricate. Rachel: Mm-hmm. Kate: He even went so far as to acquire an appropriately commoner priced fuck pad for them to meet in. She should know that he would say anything to keep her and he's just an incredibly skilled liar. Like, how is she gonna trust anything that he says when everything that he ever told her about himself was a lie and she believed it immediately? So what's changed now that she is gonna believe anything that he says. So yeah, technically she left and says, ⁓ there's no longer a we, but this girl's judgment is. non-existent. Rachel: No, she needs to put them on block. But I guess it would have been a shorter book if she had. Kate: 100%. Yeah, right. And the book ends there. Okay. Rachel: On her way back to the dorms, Meryn is attacked by a Daemos Rawbond who grabs her hair from behind. She pulls out her knife and chops off her hair, freeing herself from his grasp. When the assailant falls forward, she attacks, slicing off his hand. She shoves his hand down his throat and chokes him to death on it. She... Kate: Damn. Rachel: She feels a brief sense of approval from Anassa down her bond. Kate: That was brutal. Rachel: This is the first time Meryn has killed a man. She shows him no mercy and she feels no shame, no regret. She only feels calm. think that this is the first time her powers begin to show. She says, quote, shadows move over my vision and enter me expanding in my chest. So we're shadow watch in this book. Shadows are mentioned throughout the book, both in reference to Meryn as well Stark And at the end of the book, we learn that Meryn is a shadow mommy. She can wield as part of her Sturmfrost heiress powers. Was this the first evidence of her shadow powers? Kate: I mean, I think it's the first reference to it that is pretty obvious. know, like it's very direct in saying the shadows were in her. So yeah, I think so. Rachel: Mm-hmm. Right. And as I would say part two to the same theory, as the Sturmfrost heir, I am wondering if she has all the powers of every pack. So she also says a darkness overtakes her mind. Is this her Daemos instinct, which we know they kind of lose themselves in battle? ⁓ it's so different from how she treated the man who tried to attack her in chapter one. It seems like a very abrupt shift in her personality. Kate: I agree. ⁓ initial instinct in all of her previous fights was to not kill her opponent if she could avoid it. I guess could maybe see it as her just being so worked up in this moment after her emotional talk with Killian, ⁓ but I agree you. I think that her personality is starting to shift following her bond to Anassa and her powers emerging. I mean, like you said, it was pretty abrupt. difference and the fact that she's not feeling any regret or any trepidation afterwards of like, oh my gosh, what did I just do? Yeah, it seems like like her personality is definitely changing. Rachel: The next morning at breakfast, Stark furiously stomps into the room, demanding to know who was responsible for killing another Rawbond. Killing one another is strictly banned outside of training. People immediately start to turn to Meryn, noting her new bobbed hair, and she admits she did it in self-defense. You think you are above the rules, princess? Then he calls her to the front of the room and we learn the meaning behind the bonded tattoos. Tattoos on their arms and torsos serve to count siphon kills, while tattoos on their necks are to honor bonded they've killed in training. They explain that the bonded cherish life and get the tattoos to remember the cost of war. Meryn notes this explanation makes no sense. If they valued life so much, did they murder a Rawbond in the arena last night? Kate: Yeah, like this is not the cost of war. You're not at war yet. You're training for war. So, and Meryn has mentioned this before of like, we want as many bonded riders as possible? Like, why would we ⁓ killing them ⁓ this stage when we could really use them in battle? So with Meryn on this one. It's, it feels very hypocritical of them to encourage the weeding out of the Rawbonds that they deem unworthy. Well then, also permanently marking them when they do exactly that. Right? So there's just like a lot of contradictions happening here of they're branding people for doing the killing that is really pretty encouraged at this stage. And also, again, saying that it's the cost of war when they're not at war yet. And they, I would think could use every soldier and warrior that they have. Rachel: Meryn is to receive the first tattoo of the bonding trials. When Stark grabs her jaw to hold her neck up, Meryn feels sparks on her skin and she hears him click his tongue in irritation. In this scene, we also get a jaw feathers, which feels like the baby step to jaw tick. Meryn describes a part of her yawning wide with hunger and rage at Stark's touch. And I think we all know what part of her that is. Kate: It's definitely a new one for me. I don't think I've ever heard a vagina described as yawning wide with hunger before, but that's definitely the visual that I got here. So that's new. ⁓ And I don't know. mean, I don't know if I dislike it, but I'm a little confused by it, I guess. Rachel: And then Stark tattoos her, he licks her, which we learn the bonded do to help the tattoos heal faster. And of course she is wildly turned on. And in this proximity to Stark, she notices a scar on the edge of his jaw. So a few things here about Stark. She's always describing him ⁓ drawing his brows together and I'm here for it. Like he's just constantly frustrated with the situation. We also get our first princess. While this isn't my favorite nickname, I do think it's much better than Kitten. What do you think? Kate: Definitely better than Kitten. This one is hinting at the true power that she has rather than reducing her to like a small plaything. Rachel: Yes, that's a good point. I wish it was queen, but maybe it becomes queen. Kate: Well, and maybe Queen would be a little too on the nose, know, like Stark still has to keep his secrets right now. Rachel: Mm-hmm. No, it makes sense why it's princess, but I'm just saying like pretty, pretty princess, like, okay. But I get what it's hinting at. And I'm saying the same way that violence in fourth wing, her nickname evolved from violence to then love. ⁓ I'm hoping that it starts to evolve in book two. Kate: sure. Will we get a My Queen? Let's hope so. Rachel: Where's my wife? I hope we get a where's my wife. That's probably book three. Kate: Yeah, yeah. Rachel: What do you think Stark's scar is from? Kate: I mean, hopefully a bite, right? Rachel: Like from Cratos? Kate: From anybody, I don't know. Somebody got feisty with him and gave him a little nibble. Rachel: I hope that it's like some epic battle scene. Maybe it's a bite. Kate: I mean, just because they described it as like a small, you know, like she only saw it when she was really close to him. Rachel: Right. We're definitely going to, that's going to come back because they mentioned that at least twice in the book, if not more than twice. So I think that's definitely going to come back. Kate: Sounds like a nibble to me. Rachel: We also need to talk about the tattoos. This explanation, I think, adds more fuel to my theory that the tattoos are runes imbuing the marked ones with some kind of a power. Or the runes are, and I hope this isn't the case, siphoning power to the king. At the end of the chapter, when Meryn gets the chance to look at her tattoo in the mirror, she notices that it's similar to other quote, runic tattoos that she's seen, but it has decorative swirls. So I'm wondering if in fact, the bonded that are trained to give the tattoos are trained to essentially create runes and Stark gave her like special features in hers. Kate: hope so. mean, like we talked about in the previous episode, ⁓ We talked previously about the runes as the pack names, ⁓ and what that could for their powers. ⁓ So I really like the idea that runes could be playing a part here too. again, I mean, they're described as runic tattoos. So I don't think that's a coincidence. Rachel: I agree. I'm also leaning toward them being runes that the bonded own and not something that's being siphoned to the king because of the fact that they have this like backstory that it's to make the backstory of the tattoos are to remember the cost of war. And I think that that kind of hints at like they started with the mark, they started with the bonded and not with the siphons, but I don't know, maybe I'm being optimistic there. Kate: mean, the bonded have the control, the bonded have the control over them, right? Like, they're the ones that are giving the tattoos. And it's also kind of a personal exchange. When you're getting the tattoo, like, yes, a lot of times the tattoos are given in a public place, with some notable exceptions coming up. ⁓ But they are still, you know, one on one. the bonded leader giving the tattoo to the Rawbond. ⁓ ⁓ feels kind of personal, you know, so I would not be surprised if there was more meaning there ⁓ ⁓ bonded control over what they mean or what they represent. Rachel: Mm-hmm. What if the licking is part of that? Like, because I read the licking as this sort of like just animalistic ritual that connects them to the wolves, but I'm wondering if it has something to do with the magic of the runes and some sort of like exchange of life forces or something like that. Kate: That would be interesting, like something in the saliva. Rachel: Like some kind of a DNA thing, I don't know. Kate: Maybe. Anything is possible at this point. Rachel: That afternoon, they have their first riding lesson with Beta Egith The voice trial, which is one month away, will include a complex obstacle and their ability to navigate it will demonstrate how well rider-wolf pairs communicate. So training for the day includes a fairly simple obstacle course where the main goal is to just not fall off your wolf. Anassa sidesteps Meryn when she approaches her and then she bats her down with her paw. when she tries to climb on top of her. She keeps her locked out mentally the entire session, and Meryn is just fighting to stay on top of her as she navigates the course. It's a mess, and it's very obvious to Meryn that the other bonded Rider-Wolf pairs are working together as a team, not in spite of one another. Kate: This miscommunication trope is just getting old. I was annoyed at Anassa when I first read it, but the more we talk about it, the more annoyed I get at her. Honestly, I'm just, I'm so over it at this point. Rachel: Got a few more chapters of it left. Kate: I know. Rachel: After class, Beta Egith takes Meryn to her own private room. Since she was attacked last night, they have determined that she is potentially being targeted and have given her a private room for her safety. But that puts an even larger target on her back. As Meryn shows Izabel her new room, Tomison stops by as well, and they discuss who made the order to give her a private room. and they wonder if Meryn caught the king's eye. Of course, Meryn assumes it was Killian, but she doesn't share that with them. As Meryn considers how to keep her room a secret, Tomison shrugs it off, telling her to own it and leaves. Izabel is clearly annoyed by him. And I have two here. popularity ⁓ here. Do you think he's just charming? Or is this something we should keep an eye out for book two? Like a possible betrayal. Kate: mean, I feel like we've all known somebody who is just that charming of like, somehow they get along with everybody. So I'm not ruling that out. And I do feel like every, every book needs somebody kind of like that. I mean, like in fourth wing, we have Riddick who is kind of, again, ⁓ gets along with everybody. And it's just kind of that charming, not quite a comedic relief yet here with Tomison, but in that same kind of vein. So I, I'm not suspicious of it yet, but you know, we haven't learned that much about him yet. Rachel: The other thought I have do we think Izabel has a thing for Tomison and that's why she's annoyed with him? Kate: I mean, of course, I feel like it's hard to get that annoyed by somebody if they're not under your skin. Rachel: The next morning at breakfast, Perielle a beautiful Strategos rider tells her that everyone has heard about her room and demands to know who she is fucking. jumps to Meryn's defense. Quote, why you asking? Are you worried there's someone here you haven't banged yet? Which I loved. ⁓ Burn! Kate: Get her. Rachel: Perielle reveals that she already found her wolf's mate, and it's Jonah's wolf. Then Perielle swipes Meryn's plate off the table, shattering it across the floor. And when Meryn reaches down to pick it up, Perielle kicks her. So Meryn tells her if she does it again, she will cut off her foot and feed it to Anassa, who of course loves this, and Meryn can sense her approval down the bond. Kate: mean, ⁓ do kind love this very aggressive version of Meryn that is coming out who is ⁓ less Rachel: I mean, of course, of course, the two bullies are the mated pair. Of course. And I totally agree, like watching Meryn just like threaten her the grossest way possible. It's just fantastic. Kate: I mean, yeah. Rachel: Next, we learn more about the direwolf connections in their wolf communication class with the Kryptos instructor, Gamma Sampson White. The wolves are not in their heads at all time, seeing through their eyes. In fact, only the most powerful wolves can see through their rider's eyes. The bond links their thoughts and emotions so they hear everything happening. Right now, of the connections are completely open, But Gamma White explains that the strongest bonds are selective and you can open and close a mental wall between the rider and the wolf. Meryn unsuccessfully attempts to penetrate the wall between her and Anassa. So clearly, Meryn and Anassa have an incredibly strong connection, even if they don't get along, because they have this thick wall between them that they seem to have full control over. Whereas the rest of the bonded are like, my wolf is in my head at all times, get them out. Kate: Yeah, definitely makes it sound like even being able to sense that wall between them is advanced, let alone controlling it, like you said. I mean, Meryn has been able to block Anassa. It's not even just coming from Anassa's side. So it's it is interesting to hear that that's indication of a really strong bond when every other indication that we've gotten from them so far is that they are struggling hard, which they still are, but I guess in different ways. Rachel: Mm-hmm. It's our little ⁓ inkling of hope for the two of them. Kate: Right. Rachel: A week later, leader Aldrich asks Meryn and Henrey to go to his office for a private class. As commoners, he intends to teach them information the other rawbonds learned growing up, such as the history of the wolves and pack dynamics. Kate: I mean, my God, this would have been so helpful earlier, like right away after they bonded rather than after some pretty important events that have already taken place. Rachel: Right, like why wasn't this day one? They waited a week. Kate: Seriously. Rachel: Leader Aldrich provides an overview of the Direwolf packs. Be sure to tune into our last episode where we provide a guide to the Direwolf packs if you haven't listened already. And we learned some details about the pack structure. Each pack has one alpha in command, then there are betas who handle operations and gammas to support the betas. At the top of the chain of command sits the sovereign alpha Siegrid Therion While most wolves can only communicate with their own packs, the Sovereign Alpha can communicate with every wolf and serves as the king's second-in-command. The Sovereign Alpha is passed down through the Therion family line. And finally, mated bonds. We learn that dire wolves mate for life, and it allows the riders to communicate telepathically across packs rather than going through the Sovereign Alpha. Mated pairs have become more rare in the past several hundred years. So a pretty big data dump here because we learned that Stark is the heir to the sovereign alpha role. And what's going on with the mated pairs? Why have they become more rare in the past hundred years? Kate: So I might actually have a little bit of a theory here myself. I know that Rachel is typically the theorist, but I had an idea here when I was looking through our notes. What if we know that the Dire Blade controls the wolves, what if it can also influence their bonds in some way? It would be in the siphon's best interest to limit the wolves' power to communicate across packs and keep the packs more separated. It makes them easier to control if they're less connected to each other. So what if there's influence the king can have the wolf bonds. Rachel: So the king is stopping them from mating. Kate: potentially influencing their bonds and just keeping them less connected. Rachel: And that's why shitty-ass Perielle found her mate already it's like she was like one of the weakest ones, which we learn about later. Kate: Maybe, I don't know. It's my theory and I'm not the theorist here so I don't feel super confident in it but I wanted to share. Rachel: I feel great about it. Great theory. Kate: So we'll keep an eye on that. Rachel: Meryn asks why the king controls the direwolves when he isn't bonded. Leader Aldrich explains that this is to ensure an equal balance of power. Meryn notes that this makes sense in theory, but what do they do when the king is too focused on using the Rawbonds for sex to notice the nabbers? this feels very applicable to real life circumstances in the United States. Kate: I think we know that that kind of power in one person's hands is always going to be ripe for corruption. Rachel: And even when there is an intention to have... checks and balances, sometimes that can still go the wrong way. you can, right, ⁓ Kate: Where are the checks? Where are the balances? Rachel: Something else to note in this scene, they describe a silver door that leads to Leader Aldrich's office and it has a wolf engraved on it with a ruby eye. And I have to ask, is this another magical ruby? Kate: Maybe. Rachel: I'm not sure what it would do, but now I don't trust gemstones at all. Kate: No, I mean, if it was worth noting, maybe it means something. Rachel: Right, like why did they describe it otherwise? On the way out of training, Henrey and Meryn get talking and she is shocked to discover he also doesn't know what Nabbers are. He's from Blumenfall which is much closer to the front lines of the war, so you would imagine that Nabbers would be a huge problem there. So I believe this is the third person now who has not heard of Nabbers. Kate: I like I said in the earlier episode, it just never made sense to me that the nabbing would be happening so frequently, so far beyond the front lines of the war, if they were being perpetrated by the enemy siphons. At least not with everyone else seemingly unaware of what's going on. It just doesn't add up. So at this point in my first read, I was already assuming that the Royals had something to do with it because I just don't believe that they would be ignorant of something like that happening literally right outside their front gates. It's just, it's not adding up at all. So even on my first read, I was super skeptical and I really felt strongly that the Royals were involved. Rachel: So did that bother you or did you think that that was an interesting sort of technique to get our Spidey senses up so that we're questioning everything as we read it? Kate: I mean, this book had so many twists and turns that I think it was just, you know, another way to keep us guessing and to just not trust anything that anybody's saying, especially those in power. I, yeah, I wasn't necessarily annoyed by it. I felt like it was just another intrigue of, okay, clearly something super corrupt and fishy is going on here. So let's see what actually happens. Rachel: In battle training that day, they train with swords for the first time. Stark looks amused by Meryn's lack of prowess. Perielle hits her in the ribs with her practice sword, and Meryn doubles over in pain. Stark rushes over, pulls her off Anassa, and pulls her shirt up in front of everyone, revealing Meryn's entire bruised torso. He even pokes at her ribs where Perielle hit her, and then Meryn spits in his face. And this scene is just so delicious because then Stark's black eyes slowly drag up her body to look Meryn in the face. And she knows he will make her pay someday. And I say he is going to make her spit on something else next time. Kate: ⁓ hell yeah! Rachel: Stark just turns to Anassa while pointing at Meryn's ribs and says, want to do anything about that? When Stark instructs them to resume combat, Meryn says she sees red with fury and she senses Anassa through the iron wall in their bond with what feels like anticipation. ⁓ us, Anassa is just dying for them to kiss. Kate: 100%. Kiss, kiss, just do it already. Rachel: Yeah. Meryn leaves, still covered in bruises, and when she arrives in her room, Killian is waiting for her. Meryn tells him to leave, but he offers to tend to her wounds and opens a bag of supplies. She asks if he's responsible for her private room and he looks at her with a look she's seen before indicating he will always take care of her. Kate: Really? Is that what it's indicating, Meryn? Or are you just dogshit at reading this man? Get it together. Rachel: Killian tells her not to trust the bonded and he says things will be different when he is king. He reveals there is a hidden panel at the back of her wardrobe that leads to a servant passageway that ends at his rooms. And I just thought this was so wild. We know having read the whole book that Stark was the one who set up her private room. So he can't have known that passageway exists, right? Like that seems like he would not want there to be that connection with her and Killian that it would just put Meryn in danger. So now I'm wondering, does that servants passageway just exist to all of the private rooms? and this was an oversight for Stark or was this something that's, ⁓ I don't know how else this would have happened. Kate: this interesting because at this point, like I hadn't guessed, ⁓ especially the hidden passageway, that Stark was the one responsible for her I definitely thought that had arranged it at this point because it just makes sense that he would want to have this easy access to her. That, you know, it would make it easier for him to control her. ⁓ and just have that connection that was kind of on the DL. So it really was not something that I anticipated that Stark was actually the one that gave her that room just because of this passageway. It would not make sense for Stark to want that in place and to allow Killian to get to her so easily. What about you? Rachel: I don't remember what I thought of my first read, but I will say that like, it does seem like there's no way that Stark was the one that set this up when there's the passageway there. it seems like it was clearly there to be like the fuck buddy back entrance for the Royals, because we know that they're- doing that with a lot of the Rawbonds. Kate: it feels like it's beyond ⁓ just like servants passageways, which we is a thing ⁓ in royal households you they don't want to actually see the servants. So they have these separate passageways. But when it's just linking two bedrooms and nothing else, you know, that seems ⁓ Rachel: Well, but does it just link to bedrooms and nothing else? We shall see. Kate: Well, that's true. It is ⁓ probably a more complex set of passageways, but still it just... seemed to be a weird connection. Rachel: After Killian leaves, Meryn goes to Izabel and Venna and asks them for help training, particularly with swords, since she has never used one before today. They take her to Tomison who Izabel calls, quote, a regrettably good teacher. Not only does he agree, within 20 minutes they are in the training yard sparring. Not only does he agree, within 20 minutes they are in the training yard sparring. Tomison is an excellent teacher. And at the end of the session, he also gives her a strength training program that will help her stay on top of her wolf. And Meryn finally begins to feel hope. She has a training plan. It's a difficult plan, but she has a plan. And she feels kinship with Tomison, Izabel, and Venna She's never had friends before, so this is very meaningful for her. and she finds herself wondering at Killian's warning about pack-mates stabbing her in the back. Kate: girl, please just wake up and recognize your found family. Killian is the nastiest skank bitch you've ever met. Do not trust him. He is a fugly slut. Okay, fine. He's clearly not fugly, but he is a nasty skank bitch slut. So please do not listen to anything that he says ever again. Rachel: she's just so dicknotized Kate: It's like there's so much better dick out there for you. I promise. Some of it might be glaring at you constantly. Wake up. Rachel: After weeks of training, the voice trial arrives and Meryn has a vivid nightmare. She is at her mother's medic, but he is treating Meryn instead of her mother, telling her the delusions will start soon. Then her mother is standing before her, Lucid, standing in a pool of blood wearing a bloody crown. She says, it's time for you to join me. Nocturn commands it. Kate: I don't know, it's probably just another gibberish delusion. Definitely doesn't reek of foreshadowing to me. What did you think? Rachel: obviously we know what this is for the most part. We still don't know Nocturn though. ⁓ you know, so going to be interesting to see play out in book two because obviously that's something that is going to come into play, I assume as one of the gods, one of the lovelorn gods. Kate: That's true. Yeah, ⁓ there's a lot of players and ⁓ characters in these visions that we don't fully learn about. So there's a lot still to uncover in the series. Rachel: In the morning, the Rawbonds arrive in the arena for the voice trial, and of course, the stands are full of nobles who have come to watch. Meryn takes in the complex and terrifying maze that has been constructed, consisting of four obstacles which the bonded pairs will compete to finish quickest while hitting moving targets. First, we have the ascending platforms, which Anassa will need to leap across. Second, we have a narrow bridge, barely wide enough for a direwolf's paw, suspended over a sea of flames. Third, we have a spiral descent. And finally, the leap of faith, a platform that drops out from beneath the wolf and the pair must twist midair, hit three targets, and then land on a small designated spot. Wow. I wouldn't survive, I'll tell you that right now. selects daggers as her weapon and watches the pairs before her. and easily the course and Henrey makes it, but he's slower than the others. When it's Meryn's turn, the wall between her and thins. As she mounts her, Anassa sends Meryn a vision of the path she plans to take up the platforms. As they navigate the course, Meryn is able to anticipate Anassa's move so that she can shift her weight as necessary. The two become united in their desire to win the challenge, proving themselves the strongest in the pack. In the end, they come in third, which seems great. But Anassa slams the iron wall in their bond closed again as soon as Meryn thinks, quote, if she just listened to me, we might actually slam shut. So in this scene, Anassa are described as two predators who've agreed to hunt together for the sake of a kill. ⁓ it's just so painful to read these two stubborn characters going head to head yet again. Kate: You already know how I feel about this. Miscommunication is my least favorite trope. Just fucking talk to each other for fuck's sake. Rachel: Following the voice trial, the nightly party in the common lounge is crazier than ever. Eight Rawbonds died during the voice trial, including two from And even Meryn wants to unwind after the voice trial and she accepts a glass of emberwine which is described as warmed spice alcohol. And I think like a cup of it too. I need that recipe. Kate: Same. It reminds me of the mulled wine that you can get at the Christmas village in Philly, which is one of my favorite yearly treats. It's so good. Rachel: it makes sense because it's like they live in this cold weather climate. So it totally makes sense that that's their go to drink. Kate: Absolutely. Rachel: Even the instructors are at the party hanging out together by the fireplace, but Stark, of course, is sulking in quote, a shadowed corner. When a pretty Rawbond woman approaches him, he turns her away, which we love to see. After her second glass of wine, Meryn gets a little chatty. So when the twins press her on why she isn't searching for her direwolf's mate, she admits that she is nursing a broken heart. from someone who is in the castle. Before she tells them the full story, Meryn gets up to refill her glass and Stark stops her. Quote, better pace yourself, princess. Shaken, she chugs her drink heads to bed. Of course, despite their hangovers, Izabel brings up the conversation at breakfast the next morning. this whole scene I love because it was just so real. Like how many times after two glasses of wine do I start to get into some kind of a story with somebody and I'm like, wait, let me just get another glass and then I'll tell you the real story here. Kate: No holding back. Rachel: And then like, yeah, no holding back. And then like her friends being so nosy and bringing it up the next morning, like that, I just felt like I know exactly who in my friend group would do all of those things. Kate: But I mean, it feels kind of like a party foul to me of that was the wine talking. We don't talk about it again now that we're sober. Rachel: That's a great point. That's a great point. Beta Egith calls Meryn to her office, where she challenges her performance at the voice trial. Though they completed the course quickly, it was clear Anassa and Meryn were merely begrudgingly cooperating, not working as a single unit as they should have. She tells her the bonded treat you like an outsider because you act like one. And she doesn't even know why Anassa has chosen her when she continues to reject her. This seems to shake Meryn. who never really thought she was the one rejecting Anassa, but more the other way around. Kate: And I'm still on Meryn's side at this point. I am firmly in the camp that Anassa is to blame for their challenges because she has the information. Meryn is reacting to a situation where she is completely in the dark. I can't blame her for being frustrated and keeping Anassa at bay. Rachel: They attend their history of war class where we learn more about the siphons and what happened to Meryn's father. This is what we call a Mr. Cooper alert. Since the siphons drained all of the humans in Astreona, they survive now by feeding on captured soldiers and Meryn thinks like my father. So I guess we know fate they think he came to. And it also makes sense why they don't question the fact that he never came back from war. Here we also learn about siphon blood magic, which can control minds and weave illusions. And we learned that they can turn drained humans into siphons and live to be basically immortal. Kate: Well, I was just assuming it was about this point in your reread that you began thinking about your theory for Killian's control over Meryn. Rachel: Well, I started thinking that immediately in my reread but that's because I had this information. Yes. and also like a classic vampire's thrall, right? That's like a classic thing with vampires. Meryn thinking like my father ⁓ and in the same scene that they can turn drained into siphons. Kate: Mm-hmm. Rachel: I think that's probably Mr. Cooper's fate, don't you think? Kate: think it's a really good possibility. I'm curious ⁓ the humans they turn into siphons, if they are like an undead army or if they still have their free will. Rachel: They describe that most of the siphons that they encounter in battle are newly turned siphons, that the older, more ancient, immortal, so to speak, siphons are really buried behind enemy lines. really not... at risk. they're actually ⁓ sitting on the throne. Kate: ⁓ Right? But this is like a tactic to basically create cannon fodder with newly turned siphons. Rachel: Yes. Yes. that evening, Meryn ascends the wolf terraces with dried sage as a peace offering, which we learn is like catnip for dire wolves, which is just very funny. She sits at the edge of Anassa's terrace. Of course, Anassa is at the one at like the very top and it takes her a half an hour to climb up these steps. And she just sits there at the edge, humbling herself before her. And Meryn finally, for the first time, Hears Anassa's voice. You finally wish to be here. voice is deep, rich, and wise. Meryn a sense of rightness inside of her at Anassa's voice. Meryn apologizes to her, and Anassa agrees to work with her, but tells her that she chose her for a reason and warns her not to make her forget it. And this is such a relief. I could not handle any more chapters of these two stubborn queens fighting one another. Kate: Absolutely, I was so over it. Rachel: The next day training is a complete 180. Anassa doesn't need to communicate with Meryn using words or images. She just knows what Anassa is thinking and what she will do next. They a single unit. commands pack to run their combat training over and over, Each time directing them to go harder at Cooper. Despite being surrounded by multiple bonded pairs, Anassa and Meryn fight them all off. At the end of class, they are tired, but undefeated and satisfied. And Anassa heals Meryn's wounds. As she leaves, Meryn looks over at Stark, looking for some sign of approval, but she just gets his usual scowl. When will she realize that scowling is Stark's love language? Kate: Seriously, wake up, Meryn. That scowl is your approval. Take it. Enjoy it. Relish in it. Rachel: Back in her room, Meryn finds a note from Killian telling him to come to his quarters because he has an update on the Nabbers. As she navigates her way through the servant's passage, the seem to move on their own again, making her dizzy. There is a fork in the path, that same path that Killian said will go directly to his room. And soon she realizes that she must have taken the wrong fork in the path because she has descend rather than ascend to where the rooms are. carving in the stone wall depicting a woman sitting on a dire wolf wearing a crown of two wolves leaping at one another. Anassa's attention ripples down the bond and Meryn hears whispers in her mind before losing consciousness. Do you think that Killian wanted her to find this carving? He told her the passageway would lead directly to his rooms, but obviously that's not true. Were the shadows coming from Meryn? Was this something within her powers that are driving her to discover the truth? Was it coming from the crown itself? Are these part of those delusions that aren't actually delusions, but more so visions? What do you think? Kate: think that this might be of the only points where Meryn's subconscious, whether it's ⁓ powers ⁓ herself or ⁓ the crown, like you're saying, I'm not sure which one it is, but I do think that there is a force ⁓ Meryn's side guiding her this way ⁓ ⁓ is guiding her this way. think that they... this is the only point where those two forces are kind of on the same page because they both want her to find out the truth about herself, though for obviously very different reasons. But I do think that there are multiple forces kind of pulling her in this direction. Rachel: Meryn wakes in Killian's bed, and she learns that she's been sleeping for hours. She asks Killian if he saw a carving on the wall when he found her, but he says no and looks concerned, obviously gaslighting her. Kate: Fuck this gaslighting motherfucker. I cannot stand him at all. I don't care how pretty he is. I'm done with him now. Rachel: Block his number. Finally, he reveals that they caught a nabber and Meryn demands he take her to the nabber right now. They arrive in the castle dungeons to question him and he won't reveal anything. So Killian tortures him for information. We learn he is a poor man from the southern quarter. He, his brother and some friends were paid by a man in a mask. to kidnap the children and bring them to a warehouse. From there, they move them out of the city. And he doesn't remember anyone named Saela. Kilian tells the guards to kill him, but Meryn says this kill is hers. Just like when she killed the Daemos Rawbond, she feels shadows in her visions despite his pleas for mercy, she kills him with her dagger. So as I mentioned, I think this is Meryn exhibiting Daemos power. When she goes all berserker mode, it's that Daemos frenzy that we've heard about. ⁓ this is now two kills where she is not showing any mercy. Kate: I agree. I still think that this is a great theory from you ⁓ and I'm excited to see her power shift. I mean, we're seeing a lot of her Daemos power here, but I am excited to see other ways that her power can show itself. Rachel: Back in Killian's rooms, a luxurious bath is already waiting for her. Killian tells her that he'll give her privacy to clean up. He undresses her and Meryn slams the iron wall between her and Anassa closed when she senses the direwolf's interest. Because Anassa is nosy. ⁓ Kate: You Rachel: He bathes her, which quickly turns into more. So we get a spicy scene here and there's two things to note within this scene. Of course, he nibbles at her neck, which as we've said, I believe he bites her in some form or another in every spicy scene. So we're just gonna note it every time. He also says, come for me, kitten. And she does so immediately. We've discussed that we think, that Killian has her in some sort of a thrall. And this makes me wonder if that's part of it. So what do you think? Is this just spice or is it a clue? Kate: I rarely think that spice in a book is just spice. think it's both. think that, yes, spice is fun, but it also helps to move the plot forward. And we do get important pieces of knowledge from these spicy scenes. So do think that it's teaching us about the characters and there's some important elements moving the story forward here. So yeah, I don't think that this is something that we can just write off. I think that those hints are important and that we can't just write off a spicy scene as just a fun interlude. Rachel: The quantity of spice in this book is definitely higher than I think a lot of popular romantasy books. ⁓ And I think that you're right, it's for a reason. And that each scene is giving us a little more information that we need to pay attention to. But I do need to ask, what did you say at the beginning of that phrase? Because I took French in high school, not Spanish. Kate: qué no los dos? Why not Right? again, this is like the millennial in me coming out. It's from that old El Paso commercial of the little girl. ⁓ talking about like, do you want a ⁓ hard shell or a soft shell? I think maybe. Like, you know, trying to decide what kind of tacos to have for dinner that night. And she says, "¿Por qué no los dos? like, why can't we have both? Rachel: she wants a Crunchwrap Supreme. Kate: Yeah, I don't remember the detail. I'll have to rewatch it. I don't remember all the details. I just remember that it was old El Paso and the little girl and they were asking her a question of like, what kind of taco do you want? And she said that she wants both. So say that a lot. Because why can't we have both? Why do we have to choose? Why choose? Rachel: Why choose? Why choose? At training the next morning, Beta Egith teaches them about pack unity, which is when individual wolf and rider pairs are fully aligned as one, which then allows the pack connection to become stronger, and they can all tap into their greatest powers. So the strategos can understand troop movements, spot weaknesses within the enemy lines, and calculate odds. The pairs then meditate. attempting to align with their wolves and receive visions from them. But of course, Anassa has shut Meryn out again. Fortunately, this does not go on for long because following class, Meryn confronts Anassa, asking her why she shut her out. And Anassa basically returns with the same thought. Though Anassa isn't pleased, they finally land on a solution where Meryn will allow Anassa to sense her emotions when she is with Killian, but she does want privacy, so she's going to put a barrier down the bond. We learn a few things in this conversation. The Rawbonds don't actually need to have sex to help the dire wolves find their mates. The wolves just allow it to give the Rawbonds something enjoyable during training. Also, Anassa has a mate who she has known for years, and she will reveal his identity to Meryn only when she proves herself worthy. Kate: What does that mean though? What does it mean to prove herself worthy? Like that's so vague. How does Anassa continue to shut Meryn out and keep things from her while demanding that Meryn open up and let Anassa in? It's infuriating. Rachel: Right, right. What does she have to do to prove herself? Great question. That night, Meryn has yet another nightmare of her mother standing in the center of the arena wearing a crown covered in blood. She says to her, quote, Nocturn is calling. Are you listening? But then Meryn wakes up exactly where her mother stood in her nightmare, on top of the grates in the center of the arena. So now we're not just having these crazy nightmares visions, but we're also getting some sleepwalking. Things are really escalating. The next day, they train with both Egith and Stark, working on pack unity during combat training, and the pack reaches this euphoria of pack unity. They move as one until Meryn has visions of blood pouring down the walls. Terrified, she breaks away, and of course, Stark is glaring at her. After class, Egith warns her that the pack can sense that she was the one who broke their bond, weakening pack unity, and this type of behavior is what could drive them to eliminate her during the purge trials. Down the bond, Anassa reassures her. She tells her to focus her mind and not to let it wander while riding her. But she also tells her that she would not stop these visions because they may mean something. What do you think the vision meant? Kate: Honestly, I really didn't know what to think at this point. seemed obviously to me like a warning, but beyond that, I really wasn't sure exactly what it was trying to warn her of. But it does seem ⁓ to note that she got this vision when they reached ⁓ unity, which is when ⁓ powers are supposed to be like strongest, right? So what do you think? Rachel: Mm-hmm. think there are two options for what it could mean. It could mean that it's this sort of prophecy, vision, that the call is coming from the inside, the siphons have infiltrated the castle, or it could be sort of a brief glimpse of a battle to come, because she does have this thought like what could cause so much blood? And I can't imagine it. That sounds disgusting. Kate: Yeah, mean, blood pouring down the walls is never a good sign for any situation. ⁓ bells going off here, but yeah, to exact end? I think either of us is sure at this point, but I know you had noted before that. foresight kind one of the strategos powers and they describe it as a glimpse a possible immediate future which doesn't really align with the kind of visions that Meryn is getting but do you think that there's some connection there? Rachel: Mm-hmm. I do. think that we learn that when they reach pack unity, that's when they can really tap in to their full powers. So I definitely think it's a vision. I do believe as Sturmfrost heir Meryn has access to all of the powers of all the packs and greatest level of power that they each have. So I could see this just being a very, very strong vision. that isn't just the immediate future, but potentially it's further down the line. Kate: so if the average strategos has this little glimpse of the future, Meryn's power is so great that she could ⁓ much further. into the future. Rachel: Yeah, like maybe they can only see like 15 minutes into the future and Meryn can see a year into the future. I think that's what we'll find out. Kate: Yeah, it's good theory. Rachel: The night before the Purge, everyone is on edge and no one drinks or parties, which is rare for this group. On the bright side, if they do survive the purge, they will all have leave the next day and they can go home to visit their families. Meryn realizes that she could die tomorrow without telling Killian that she loves him. So she leaves and goes to Killian's quarters, Meryn finds Killian working at his desk where she sits on his lap and tells him she loves him. and he returns the sentiment. He asks her to give him permission to publicly claim her. And rather than responding, Meryn says, quote, if I die tomorrow, find Saela for me, get her to safety. And he swears it. And then spicy scene on the desk. In this spicy scene, we add to our bite count, Killian's teeth nip at Meryn's jaw and they passionately kiss and he bites back when she nips his lip. We also get a good girl in this scene. And Kate, I have a surprise for you. That's actually my outfit for today. I don't know if you can see this, but I did wear my good girl t-shirt. Kate: ⁓ I love it. Rachel: honor of our first good girl of the book. Kate: Is that one that you are wearing out in public? Rachel: No, it's not. It's not even. No, I'm tangled. No, it's not. It's not even one I actually It's not even a very comfortable shirt. Like it's not good quality. This is probably going to be like doing yard work. But I couldn't resist it. You know, those online ads, they really, they know their audience. Kate: Instagram knows us very well at this point. Rachel: In this scene, Killian tells her to keep her eyes closed no matter what. This again calls back to that very first spicy scene where he tells her to hold on to the table leg. It's like diet bondage, but she has full say in it, no question. There's nothing keeping her eyes closed. There's nothing holding her hands on that table leg in that first scene. So I'm wondering again, is this a subtle reference to the hold he has over her? Or does she actually have a say in the matter? Kate: It's a good question. I do think that a dominating partner would appeal to Meryn. She's always needed to be so in control to care for her family, keep them afloat through her mother's illness and her father's disappearance. So I do think that having someone else be in control and give her direction would naturally be appealing to her. But I also don't trust Killian even a little bit. So I wouldn't be surprised if he was using some kind of magic on her to control her. instead of just putting in the work to get her to trust him naturally. But again, I think it's a good question because I don't think it's out of the realm of possibility that Meryn would just be attracted to this kind of dominating partner just for being able to finally give up control to somebody. Rachel: Yes, I agree. I do think that she likes it. Even if it is part of the hold he has over her, I do think that she likes it. And I'm interested to see how Sable Sorensen handles this in later books when hopefully, I would be shocked if it doesn't happen, but hopefully she ends up with Stark and what his style is like, because there obviously has to be something very different between Stark's approach and Killian's approach. But how does he do it in a way that is still satisfying to her? Kate: I'm looking forward to finding out. Rachel: Similar to the last spicy scene, Killian says, let go now, and she does so instantly. And again, this feels important. think this has to be the control he has over her. This has to be this like vampire thrall So spicy scene trope count. We have a you're mine. We have a good girl. Killian tells her to strip and then swipes his hand across the desk to clear it, which I feel like is a trope. I don't know what you'd call that. Like, I guess a swiping the desk trope, but feel like that's a trope, right? Kate: Yeah, clear the desk. I mean, it definitely feels like a trope. If not for books, how many millions of times have we seen it on television and in movies, right? Rachel: Yes. Yes. Kate: If it doesn't exist already, I'm calling this clear the desk trope. Rachel: Okay, clear the desk. they fall asleep together and Meryn falls into a dreamless sleep. She's awake by a which she at first thinks isn't real, but Anassa is alert in back of Meryn's consciousness. She wakes up Killian and then hears another scream, which he doesn't react to. Instead, he looks at her with concern, asking her to talk to him. Meryn of course assumes the scream was not real and she tries to fall back asleep thinking, even if I survive the purge, it won't keep me following my mother into madness. shocking, more gaslighting. Kate: This fucking guy. Rachel: The day has come for the Purge Trial. Strategos drew the short straw to go first, and the 23 Strategos, wolves, and riders stand in a circle facing the center of the arena. The arena is packed full of nobles, Killian is next to his father And Stark is on the balcony as well. Their eyes meet and Meryn reads the malicious smugness in his gaze to say, today the day you die, princess. And she wants to prove him wrong. Kate: She has such a terrible read on men. Do you think it's because of her daddy issues? Rachel: Interesting. But Igor... Igor kind of fixed that. No? Kate: like absent father. mean, she's got, her problems are coming from somewhere, but she cannot interpret a look to save her life. Rachel: Wait, what if that's part of the vampire thrall? cause they can give right? So what if he's like changing her perceptions of him? Kate: But can't other people see Stark glaring at her? Rachel: Yeah, I mean, I think he is glaring at her, but I'm saying that she can't interpret it as like, love and attraction. Kate: anything other than, yeah, maybe. I mean, if that's true, if Killian is controlling her, like our theory, it could account for so many things, but I still think that she has daddy issues and that's playing a part as well. Rachel: I mean, she might. She might also have daddy issues. The king thrust his sword into the platform floor and the purge begins. Meryn notes something passed between the wolves and she realizes they are making a decision on who to purge. And the riders are not privy to that conversation. A silver wolf lunges for Anassa Peitr one of Perielle's friends. And Meryn realizes they've been chosen. Anassa's jaw locks around the flank of Peitr's wolf and they fall back. But two more pairs approach to join the attack. Of course, Perielle and her wolf are one of the pairs. Meryn notes Perielle's arrogance, which she recognizes as a weakness. And the other wolves sense it too. And she hears Anassa instruct the others at the same time that she hears herself say, her. Again, Meryn feels shadows edge into her vision, which I assume is that Daemos power. Perielle's wolf bucks her off and Anassa rips out her throat and then the rest of the wolves attack. Meryn realizes the wolves planned their fight with Peitr as bait to see Perielle's arrogance at play. The wolves continue the ritual, circling as they identify their next target. And Meryn realizes it's Nevah Izabel and Tomison bolt over to defend her. And Meryn thinks that though Nevah is standoffish, she isn't weak and she doesn't deserve to die. And Anassa agrees. She leaps to Nevah's defense. From the communication Meryn can catch between Anassa and the other Wolves, it sounds like they aren't willing to go against all four of them if they believe that Nevah should live. Before the test is over, two more riders are killed, leaving 20 bonded pairs within the Strategos pack. Anassa tells Meryn she doesn't regret any of it, and that she did well in coming to Nevah's aid. Meryn hopes that Nevah can realize that friendship can be a strength, not a weakness. And they sit down to watch the rest of the trials. Killian gives Meryn a thumbs up, which she doesn't think anyone sees, but of course, the hair on the back of her neck stands up and she looks to see Stark staring at her. Kate: he's literally always watching her. If he's in the room with her, she can assume that he sees everything. Rachel: Literally everything. The Strategos common room is fairly quiet and full of grief following the culling, but they are finding comfort in their closeness with one another. As Meryn gets ready for bed, Stark knocks on her door and he forces his way inside, then slams the door behind him. And we all collectively held our breath, hoping this was the fuck it moment we were all waiting for. But alas, Meryn realizes that he is there to tattoo her. since she is the one responsible for Perielle's death. He licks the tattoo when done, and again, Meryn feels a fierce rush of arousal, but she tells herself it's just an exhausted response to the day, and she senses Anassa silently listening. Girl. Come on. Anassa's is literally like, I sent him to your bedroom. He said he had, I think it was three or four other people that had tattooed first. Anassa's is like, no, I told Cratos to tell him do you last. I wanted him to go find you in your bedroom. Kate: Like, how many opportunities are you going to waste here? Because I'm dying. Rachel: The next day, Meryn sees Henrey at breakfast he has a fresh tattoo as well. She asks how he plans to spend the day And Henrey says he's going to go into the city to try to find something to wear to the ball that night since they need formal attire. And he tells her that he borrowed a formal jacket from his packmate Oliver, but he was torn to pieces by several wolves yesterday, including Henrey's. And I just wanted to note this because it really shows the cruelty of the Purge trials. Henrey took part in, and according to his tattoo, maybe he even led, the purging of someone who was kind to him. And it very easily could have been Meryn and Izabel the place of these two. Kate: Yeah, I mean, these trials are definitely chipping away at their humanity. Rachel: Meryn feels out of place as she and Anassa make the trip home. She is struck by how much smaller and dirtier everything feels than it used to. It's been just two months since she was one of the people in the streets watching the bonded come through. but they're treated like disposable toys by the king and his nobles. She thinks how rather than resenting the bonded, she and her neighbors should resent the nobles and the king instead. Kate: I mean, yes, girl, welcome to class consciousness. We're happy to have you here. Let's eat the rich. Rachel: Another thing I wanted to note in this scene, did you ever go back and visit your elementary school? Kate: think I did one time when I was in middle school maybe, I went back and I was honestly just shocked at how small the toilets were. Rachel: to my elementary school and everything seemed smaller. Like the hallway smaller, everything ⁓ And then when I was in high I felt the same way about the middle school and this big scary place that I was really terrified to go to was just ⁓ a building. ⁓ And I think it's just sense that you get. when your world opens up for the first time in your life that Meryn's describing. Back in her quarter, Meryn is overwhelmed by the poverty around her, and she thinks about how Killian will improve things once he is king. She thinks, why wait for the king's natural death when there's someone more fit to rule the throne? To which Anassa replies, there is. And this is some excellent foreshadowing, and we can start to understand the journey that Meryn is on and the path that Killian is guiding her down to kill the king. But at the same time, Anassa, without the ability to speak about it, is doing what she can to hint at her true destiny. At Meryn's home, we get a very warm fuzzy scene. Her mother is lucid and healthy. Meryn asks if she's on a new medication, but she says she just got well out of nowhere. The house is clean and in good repair, and apparently Lee, who we know as Killian, sent tradesmen to fix up the house and has been bringing food and firewood each week. Her mother fusses over Anassa, and Anassa bows to her, which is just hilarious. This whole interaction between the two of them is hilarious. Igor also visits, joining them for a meal. Meryn learns during this meal that the Nabbings have actually increased since she's been away. Three more children were taken that week. her mother gives her the opal pendant and insists she wears it to the that night. It needs to be seen. As they're talking about it, her mother's eyes momentarily glaze over. She puts the necklace on Meryn's neck Meryn notices that it is unnaturally warm. She thinks it feels almost alive. When she is wearing the necklace, she sees relief, fear, and triumph cross her mother's face, and Anassa comes to attention. asks Anassa why she cares about the necklace, but she doesn't respond. When Meryn heads back to the castle, she says, I love you both. I'll be in touch soon. And she thinks it feels like a final goodbye to her old life, knowing that even after graduation, she'll live in the bonded city. What did you think here? Kate: So I was thinking that the fact that her mother was lucid in the scene meant that her mother's madness might be lifting as Meryn comes into her power. So ⁓ the opal is activated in some way and is helping to fend off the visions. ⁓ I also thought that when her mother gave her the opal that it meant that she was going to be in more danger after handing over the necklace. Like the necklace was providing some kind of protection when, you know, as the power was increasing and that handing it over to Meryn meant that her was at risk. Rachel: think you're right here. I think it has to be because didn't she say in the first scene that had the opal in it that she thought it would protect her? Yeah. So I think you're spot on with that. thought after this interaction both her mother and Igor would die. All of her thoughts about Saela not being there, but they'd be together soon just felt like this very dark foreshadowing that nothing would be well ever again. Kate: Yeah, this was definitely a final goodbye. mean, Meryn could feel it too in some way. ⁓ Rachel: Back in the Strategos common room, the Rawbonds are excitedly getting ready for the ball. Meryn the beautiful they brought for her. Meryn goes back to her room to get ready and prepare mentally as well because she knows this ball is just another kind of trial. She opens her bedroom door to find a beautiful dress on the bed. Emerald silk cascading in waterfalls trimmed with delicate black lace and beaded with jewels. She notes that this is something that could feed her entire neighborhood for a year. There are also black satin gloves and even elegant heels to accompany the dress. There's no note, so she thinks it must be from Killian to lay claim to her without words. That being said, Meryn cannot wait to be seen in this dress. It fits her perfectly and she completes her outfit with her mother's necklace. Kate: I really hope that we get an adaptation of this series just so that I can see this outfit in action. mean, hopefully one of the really talented fan art accounts will have a visual of this in the meantime, but I would love to see this on a big screen. Rachel: Same, I mean, you know I'm here for the passion. I preferred the slutty little purple dress, but like this one does seem just so beautiful. Kate: Yes. I mean, it's very regal, right? She's gonna look a queen in this. Rachel: I think that was the intent. The anteroom goes silent when she walks in and the compliments start pouring in. Izabel says she looks like a goddess which of course I think is foreshadowing. Meryn's dress is just so different from the other dresses. Izabel and Venna are in black and silver versions of the same skimpy dresses with plunging necklines and sheer skirts. and Nevah's wearing a gown with a wide inverted V shaped opening up to the upper thigh and a neckline that cuts the navel. So she's like full JLo at the Grammys. You know what I'm talking about? Kate: ⁓ yes, the iconic green dress, yes. Rachel: the iconic green dress. As a group, this fly ass pack heads to the Royal Wing for the ball. The nobles stand out from the Raw Bonds because of their extravagant clothes, which are more modest and look more expensive than the Rawbond outfits. Stark stands on the edge in a perfectly tailored all black suit, In contrast, Killian sits with his father on his dais dressed in gold and royal purple. So two very different MMCs here. The twins are gossiping and Meryn notes that they say something about an affair a bastard child. And I'm curious if this is just to set the tone of the event ⁓ if this is something that will come up in book two. Kate: feel like bastard children really tend to play important roles in fantasy stories, you know? it ⁓ intrigued me. didn't necessarily think of anything specific with this, but it... Rachel: Yes. Kate: did seem worth noting. Rachel: We're gonna keep an eye out in book two for that. Kate: add it to our ever-growing list. Rachel: Meryn sees Killian talking to other women and of course she feels jealous as she attempts to make her way to him, she is stopped by a middle-aged noble couple who talk about her like cattle saying, look at this one. And they even go so far as to touch her and chastise her for her conservative attire. She feels a presence behind her that scares the man off and she assumes it's Killian and she turns to find Stark. glaring down at her. Again, she's describing him as glaring at her in a menacing way. And it seems again, like we know, she is just a terrible judge of character. Kate: Figure it out. Like figure it out, Meryn. Jesus. Rachel: There's an important quote here. His glare could raise the shadows from the corners of the room and snuff out the light. Yet again, they've mentioned shadows in relation to Stark. ⁓ we know at the end of this book that Meryn has shadow powers ⁓ in the tropes that have been released for Fury Bound, Shadow Mommy is one of the tropes. So we know that she will continue to have shadow powers. But I really... can't help but think that Stark will have them too. Kate: I really, really hope so. I mean, I haven't read a story yet where there are... a pair of shadow wielders. You know, it's usually it's one or the other ⁓ in the books that I've read so far. So I would be really excited to hear that they're both shadowy, dark, magical beings. That would be a lot of fun, I think. Rachel: I think so too. Yeah, I think I can't wait to see where this goes. He seems livid and Meryn thanks him for the save wanting to move away from him. Stark insists they need to keep talking and demands that she dance with him, telling her it wasn't a request, princess. They fall into step with ease like they've been dance partners for years and she describes him as leading with quote, immense force and precision. Swoon. Kate: Yes, please. Rachel: He points out her necklace and says it could draw attention for a commoner. And then he asks her where she got it. He tells her to read up on the history of something like that before wearing it. Before she can ask about it though, Killian cuts in with a terrifying calm expression, which Meryn knows means he's livid. And I, this, like, I can see this so vividly in my mind, this interaction between them. Kate: Yes. Rachel: Stark says, the lady is spoken for, which Meryn responds by saying, am. ⁓ claimed by Crown Prince Killian. And the whole room goes quiet. People are shocked. And Meryn feels Anassa's attention, but of course she slams down the iron wall on their bond again. Killian signals the musicians to resume and Meryn and Killian begin to waltz. He tells her she looks like a queen in her dress and she thanks him for it. He never acknowledges that he gave it to her because he didn't. He just says he can't wait to take it off of her. Vom Vom Killian introduces Meryn to his father. The king formally approves of their relationship with the phrase, ⁓ acknowledged with due approbation. What do you think that means? Because Meryn doesn't know and I don't know either. Kate: Approbation means with very high regard. So not only is the king of but is saying basically like, ⁓ I specially approve. This is a great choice. Well done, son. So what did Meryn do to make him feel so incredibly strongly ⁓ about their ⁓ You know, what does he know about her beyond just her status as a Rawbond? Because she hasn't really done anything in the trials yet to ⁓ that kind of approval from him, so he must know something else about her to make him really happy about this match. That's my thought. Rachel: Okay, so that's our vocabulary word of the day. After they walk away, Meryn tells Killian the nabbings have increased, and he promises to look into it, but quickly turns the conversation to the plans he has for her that evening. They slip out of the ballroom, through the servants' entrance, and against a wall, Killian strips Meryn and pins her arms in place. He asks her who she belongs to, and she tells him I'm yours, and we get yet another spicy scene. During which, He sinks his teeth into her neck, so we get a full on bite. And we get another good girl and mine. Afterwards, they fall asleep in Killian's room. Kate: This scene was also giving me similar vibes to when... they were outside of her house before Saela got taken of like, know that you're super concerned and I know that you're worried about your family, but ⁓ can I get my dick wet? So it still just gave me that like gross feeling because she's just told him that this thing that is pretty much her main concern of the nabbings and Saela and, you know, the whole issue of all these children going missing is not being resolved despite what she thought was the action that she had taken to resolve it of killing that guy. And he just brushes her off. Like, what the fuck? Rachel: Yeah, no, I think he was intentionally distracting her because when she heads back to her room and places her mother's necklace in her closet, she finally lets the wall down between her and Anassa and gets this wave of just terrible emotions running through her body an overwhelming sense of grief from the entire back. And Anassa is just livid at her that she blocked them out for her pleasure while her pack suffered. She finds Beta Egith in the center of the Strategos' anteroom looking devastated and her packmates are around her in various states of distress. She learns that Strategos Alpha Marcos Blackwood, the leader of their entire pack, was killed during a siphon assault in Grunfall last night. Meryn asks how, but Egith already debriefed the pack while she was with Killian. Everyone looks at her with disdain, like she was with him to gain standing. And I just wonder. Was he behind it? he know that the alpha had been killed? Kate: I mean, wouldn't put anything past him. He's a slimy little dickweed and I don't trust him at all. So if anything bad happens, I would not be surprised if he's behind it. Rachel: Egith her that the Sovereign Alpha is coming to discuss the situation with the King while the direwolves select their new strategos Alpha. Days go by and the mourning continues. Izabel is taking Anassa's strategy of freezing Meryn out and in training the two spar during which Izabel reveals that she's mad that Meryn hid her relationship with the prince from her for months. As they're discussing it, horns blare announcing the arrival of the sovereign alpha. Izabel storms off before they can finish their conversation. Later. They finally get the chance to finish the conversation when Meryn finds both twins in the Kryptos quarters. She sits at their feet and apologizes to both of them. She tells them all of the details about her relationship with Killian, including when it actually started. But suddenly the door bangs open and a messenger announces that Meryn is being summoned to see Sovereign Alpha Siegrid immediately. And when she follows the messenger, Anassa is waiting. They enter the sovereign's chambers where Sovereign Alpha Siegrid Therion is there in her mid fifties with graying brown hair with a blood red streak. And she is heavily tattooed just like Stark. She stands with her massive black wolf and inclines her head in a bow to Anassa. She assesses Meryn. In response, Meryn bows the Sovereign Alpha. tells her to stand. she says that in all of her time, she has never seen anything like this. Meryn she is talking about her and Killian, and she tries to explain the relationship. But Siegrid cuts her off saying the Strategos direwolves have chosen Anassa as their new leader, making Meryn the new Strategos Alpha. And this is just, ugh, so cringe. Like, Meryn has probably never bowed in her life, but she's just standing there before this woman who's probably staring at her in judgment, and she just felt so awkward. She's like, I don't know what else to do. This has to be it, right? She's waiting for me to bow. Kate: so awkward. And again, we're just really struck by how fish out of water Meryn is in this whole scenario. I mean, she has no idea what's going on. She doesn't understand the dynamics. She doesn't understand like what it actually means to be in the presence the sovereign alpha. Like, she's just she has no idea what's going on. she like She's just trying to figure it out and she's like awkwardly kind of bumbling around and then she assumes that the Sovereign Alpha is worried about her relationship with Killian, which sure he's a royal, so ⁓ that would be important, but like the thought of the ⁓ Alpha giving a shit about her love life, you know, like, but she's just like, I don't know what's going on. Somebody please clue me in. Rachel: No, it's a tough scene. This is the end of our recap for today. And gotta like, know this was a long episode and a long section of the book, but I'm so excited for the rest of the book. Like, I felt like this is definitely, you know, in the romantasy journey or... story journey. This was definitely the bottom of the bowl, right? This was our valley and things are just rapid fire from here. Next episode Kate: Mm-hmm. Rachel: we're going to see Meryn enter her alpha training with Stark, and we're going to get some really good yummy moments there. So I'm definitely excited for what's to come. what I did really enjoy about this part of the book that I think Sable Sorensen knew there was a lot of world building, a lot of hinting, just a lot of difficult... Kate: Mmm. Rachel: scenes to get through and they helped us along with just an excessive amount of spicy scenes, which I really, really appreciate. Kate: I just need that little carrot dangling, you ⁓ Rachel: Exactly. They know what keeps us motivated. They know what keeps our attention. Alright, should we do our trope count for today? Kate: Yes, go for it. Rachel: So I think we have one, two, three, four, five. Okay, I think we have eight. Kate: I'm gonna say nine. Rachel: Seven, nine, ⁓ wow. Okay. Let's get into it. Let's just count them down. We have the nickname. I think a nickname's a trope. We have the family heirloom. Kate: Well, how many, let's see. Okay. even if it's a gross one. Rachel: Well, this is a good one, princess. We didn't count kitten. Kate: I guess that's true. Because Kitten comes up in this one in a still infuriating way. Rachel: We get the family heirloom. We get multiple good girls. We get mine. We get another Cinderella moment with the dress. We get a chosen one. And I believe you have fish out of water here. that zero, is that O-O-W? Kate: Yes. I was taping quickly, okay. So yes, fish out of water because again, I feel like there's just so many points in this section where see Meryn just kind of struggling to figure out the dynamics of everything and she ⁓ just ⁓ comfortable ⁓ all of the ceremony of everything that's happening. ⁓ definitely felt like fish out of water. then I'll also add miscommunication here because ⁓ are just hit over the head over and over again in these chapters ⁓ Anassa and Meryn just ⁓ talking to each other and it causing so many problems for them. So I'll add that to the list. Rachel: Okay, so we have eight. Kate: Okay, that's a good number. I feel like we're going to continue to see many, tropes. Rachel: That is a good number. That's right. Should we end with a fuck marry kill? Kate: Of course. Rachel: what you think we should do for this one? think we've got a, ⁓ we have a decent number of side characters to choose from. Do we wanna go with all the bad guys? Kate: Yeah, let's talk about some bad guys. Rachel: Okay, so we have Jonah, Perielle, and Killian. What's your fuck-marry-kill for Jonah, Perielle, and Killian? Kate: So I think that Jonah and Perielle are very on par with me, I think, because they're both incredibly arrogant, incredibly narcissistic ⁓ ⁓ and just kind of nasty people. ⁓ I think I'm going to... ⁓ fuck Perielle because even though she's super arrogant, ⁓ she's also super from the that they had her. ⁓ So I can deal with it you know, that. ⁓ But I don't have any interest in... ⁓ Rachel: Okay. Kate: ⁓ Marrying Jonah, so I'm going to kill him and then I guess that means that I'll marry Killian, which you know that I Don't like him at all at this point. I don't trust him worth a dime, but He's still a prince so I'm sure that there would be some benefits to marrying him and I just can't imagine wanting to be around Perielle for more than like an hour or two, so guess that's what I would go with. not, I mean, not a lot of great choices for a marriage partner in that group. What do you think? Rachel: immediately going to kill Perielle She is the kind of stank bitch hoe that like, I cannot stand like needs to die. when swipes Meryn's plate off the table and then when Meryn has to bend down and pick it up because everybody's looking at her like it was her fault because Perielle is so beautiful. Meryn has the ability to kill her. Like she is such a strong fighter. She could have killed her in that moment. And she has to like swallow her pride and just threaten her instead. Killing Perielle in this part of the book was like the highlight of the book for me. Highlight of that section. Kate: I I get it. She's awful. But so is Jonah. Rachel: Yeah, but Jonah's kinda hot. I don't know, there's something hot about Jonah. Kate: I mean, I guess that's true. They're all, I mean, they're all beautiful, right? Rachel: He's in Daemos. Yeah, but Jonah's in Daemos. And I think that's the difference. This goes back to the too many cooks in the kitchen. I don't understand how Strategos functions with so many leaders. ⁓ Like at least Jonah, like Jonah, he's Daemos. Like she's gonna put him in his place. I think there's a reason that Jonah survives this book and that he's going to have some sort of a redemption arc. Kate: Sorensen is going to have to do some real work to get me to ⁓ hate Jonah. Rachel: well think about it, like he lost his wolf's mate. Like he, I think he's gonna have a big shift in his character, I think. So I'm gonna marry Jonah. Kate: Wow. Rachel: I'm gonna marry Jonah. I can fix him. I can fix it. I killed Perielle I can fix it. ⁓ Kate: Okay. You've got... You killed his mate. Rachel: Mm-hmm. I killed Perielle and I can fix him. And then I guess I'll fuck Killian of the three options because we know he's good at that. Kate: That's true. I fair choices there. I think you have a lot more faith in a redemption arc than I do for Jonah, but there's no wrong choices here. Mostly because they're all wrong choices. Rachel: Yeah, you know, that's why we that's why you have to do it with characters that are like similar in some way. You have to it doesn't work. It doesn't work if we say, ⁓ would you fuck Mary kill Henrey Tomison and Jonah, because we've know the answer. Kate: Ha Well, because then when you choose to marry Jonah, then we really know that you've got issues. Rachel: Hahaha Thank you everyone for tuning in. ⁓ And if you enjoyed this episode, please give us a like and a review and subscribe so you never miss an episode. And next week we'll be entering alpha training. So we get a little, he trains her, ⁓ which is a highlight for me. Kate: Something to look forward to for next week. Rachel: That's right. All right, thanks everyone. See you next week. Kate: Bye.