Rose in Chains
by Julie Soto
Contents
Chapter 26
Overview
Toven escorts Briony to a lavish Biltmore revel and parades her before Bomard’s elite, including Hap Gains and Daward’s General Tremelo, who subtly questions Bomard’s treatment of her. Briony sees Phoebe collared to Aron Carvin and hears of an arena and a recent incident with Cordelia. The night culminates in a private upstairs gathering led by Canning Trow, positioning Briony as the centerpiece.
Summary
Briony arrives at Biltmore with Toven, recalling her childhood there amid visible Bomardi occupation and rebuilt docks. At the gate, guards with familiars note her, and Toven warns Briony to obey and avoid contact. Inside, Ilana—another collared woman—greets them and signals notable attendees, excluding Reighven and Mallow.
In the crowded hall, Toven circuits the room to display Briony. Briony spots Katrina, vacant and collared beside Caspar Quill, and then Phoebe, collared and escorted by Aron Carvin. Lorne Vult and Collin Twindle accost them with crude interest; Toven rebuffs any sharing and mentions a forthcoming “suite.”
At the stairs, Toven greets Hap Gains and Daward’s General Tremelo. Tremelo pointedly acknowledges Briony as King Jacquel’s daughter, exposing the dissonance between Bomard’s narrative and reality. Gains touts “golden heartsprings,” hinting at an arena where Aron and Toven might compete. Toven cites Mallow’s priorities, while Tremelo observes Briony’s apparent health, prompting Briony to briefly read his mind and sense concern about Bomard’s expansion.
Toven leads Briony upstairs to her father’s former open-air dining room. Inside, seven young men drink and smoke while seven collared women stand by. Among them are Finn Raquin, Liam Quill, Lorne, Collin, and others. Canning Trow presides, rises to toast Briony’s arrival, and declares the “golden heartspring” has come, signaling a controlled, ominous private revel.
Who Appears
- Briony RosewoodProtagonist; paraded at Biltmore, observes collared friends, senses Daward’s scrutiny, and is delivered to Canning’s private suite.
- Toven HearstEscort and supposed master; warns Briony to obey, displays her to elites, maneuvers politics, and brings her to the upstairs suite.
- Canning TrowHost of the upstairs gathering; publicly claims the moment, framing Briony as the coveted golden heartspring.
- General TremeloDaward general; recognizes Briony’s lineage, questions Bomard’s practices, and signals foreign concern over Mallow’s expansion.
- Hap GainsBomardi elite; smirks through innuendo, discusses golden heartsprings and arena prospects, pressures Toven to display Briony.
- Phoebe RosewoodBriony’s cousin; collared and escorted by Aron Carvin, avoids or misses Briony amid the revel.
- IlanaCollared greeter at Biltmore; provides the guest list and confirms Mallow’s absence.
- Lorne VultBomardi climber; makes crude inquiries about sharing Briony and joins the upstairs suite.
- Collin TwindleStatus-obsessed heir; leers at Briony, jokes crudely, and attends the suite.
- Liam QuillPresent in the suite; part of the young elite gathering around Briony.
- Finn RaquinPresent at the upstairs table; another young elite participant.
- Caspar QuillSeen downstairs with Katrina; emblematic of elites flaunting collared companions.
- Aron CarvinSecond in line for the Seat; escorts collared Phoebe and is linked to arena talk.
- KatrinaCollared companion to Caspar Quill; appears vacant and controlled.
- RothGate guard with wolf familiar; recognizes Toven and assesses Briony on entry.