The Lost Bride Trilogy, #3
The Seven Rings
by Nora Roberts
Contents
Chapter Thirty-One
Overview
Amid a violent haunting, Sonya and Owen retrieve Catherine’s and then Astrid’s rings, with Sonya briefly trapped alone with Astrid. Empowered by all seven rings, the group forms a protective circle at the seawall and performs a ritual that forces Dobbs to burn and vanish. The seven brides reclaim their rings and choose peace, and the Gold Room stands cleansed, confirming the curse is broken.
Summary
As the manor erupts—books flying, windows slashing open, blood dripping—Trey and Cleo battle the storm while Owen and Sonya spill from the mirror with five recovered rings. With time running, they target Catherine’s ring. In darkness, Sonya removes it from trance-walking Catherine on her fatal wedding night, then returns to the besieged present.
They push for the final ring: Astrid’s. In Astrid’s bridal room, panic knocks Owen back; the mirror seals, forcing Sonya to face Astrid alone. Recognizing shared knowledge and fate, Astrid freely gives her ring, warning it frees the brides but won’t end Dobbs. Sonya returns charged with power from all seven rings.
Outside at the seawall, Cleo casts a salt circle and begins the ritual using Dobbs’s blooded crystals, the raven’s cloth, Trey’s shirt, and Owen’s Poole blood. Dobbs arrives, human and deranged, seeking the rings. Jones lunges but is called back; Dobbs’s fire and wind test the circle. As midnight passes to three, Cleo and Owen ignite and combine cloth from then and now, casting the burning token to sea to break the curse.
Dobbs’s own wind feeds the flames that catch her dress and hair; she burns, screaming, then vanishes to silence. With Dobbs ended, the seven brides appear. At Sonya’s offer, they reclaim their rings—Astrid first—some choosing to remain in the house. Strength spent, Sonya steadies as the adrenaline fades.
They ascend to the Gold Room, now only a dusty bedroom, its malign presence gone. Declaring the house clean and the curse broken, they affirm Sonya as mistress of Poole Manor, sealing the victory with kisses and music as love and light replace the darkness.
Who Appears
- Sonya PooleProtagonist; retrieves Catherine’s and Astrid’s rings, wields all seven, lures Dobbs, and oversees the brides’ release.
- TreyDefends Sonya, times the mirror jumps, supports her at the seawall, helps restrain Jones, and anchors the group.
- CleoLeads the ritual with salt, blood, and burning tokens; coordinates defenses; confirms the house’s cleansing.
- OwenTravels through the mirror, provides Poole blood, ignites the token, and assists Cleo to break the curse.
- Hester DobbsAntagonist; assaults the manor, confronts the circle, and is consumed by flames, ending her reign.
- Astrid Grandville PooleFirst bride; gives her ring freely to Sonya and leads the brides’ release after Dobbs’s fall.
- CatherineBride in a trance on her wedding night; Sonya removes her ring before Catherine steps into the blizzard.
- CloverModern bride; confirms the manor is calm, chooses to stay, and joyfully reunites with Charlie.
- JohannaLast to suffer the curse; thanks the group and reclaims her ring, choosing peace in the manor.
- MarianneBride who speaks of her children and Hugh; reclaims her ring to dwell happily again.
- AgathaBride once denied her role as mistress; reclaims her ring and returns to the house.
- LisbethBride who recalls happy times; reclaims her ring and opts to stay for a while.
- JonesProtective dog; attacks Dobbs’s dress on command, then stands down to preserve the circle.
- PyeCat; stays within the circle during the confrontation, signaling the house’s turmoil.