Rose in Chains
by Julie Soto
Contents
Chapter 7
Overview
Imprisoned and shackled, Briony is assaulted by Reighven before Orion Hearst arrives to dose her with Gowarnus, nullifying her heart magic. Veronika Mallow inspects Briony, declares she will be auctioned and sterilized, and crushes Briony’s hopes of Evermore’s survival. After Briony bites Mallow, Mallow muzzles her, steals her voice, and threatens reprisals against the other Eversuns.
Summary
Shackled alone in a cell under the watch of Reighven’s black bird, Briony battles grief for Eden and considers why her heart magic still answered despite the collar. She reflects on Evermore’s fallen royal line and the likelihood of a Bomardi auction, recalling Bomard school memories and threats that now seem imminent.
Reighven enters, taunting and groping her, promising to buy her at auction. Orion Hearst interrupts with a vial of Gowarnus, forces Briony to swallow it, and her heart magic goes dormant. Orion coolly explains the collar’s failure could be Rosewood protections and that she must be dosed every three days. He goads her with news: Eden is dead; Velicity and Katrina are injured. Briony spits at him; Orion refuses to waste money killing a slave.
Veronika Mallow arrives with Gains and Reighven. Mallow appraises Briony, orders that she be auctioned and sterilized, and needles Briony’s hope for Evermore by claiming to have killed and burned the king. When Briony lunges and bites Mallow’s jaw, spells slam her back and pry her mouth open until Mallow halts the men.
Mallow, amused by Briony’s defiance, magically muzzles her and then steals her voice, declaring she’s kept alive because she is interesting and desired by Bomardi men. To ensure obedience, Mallow threatens to kill the remaining Eversuns—naming Cordelia Hardstark first—if Briony attempts escape again, fixing the terms of Briony’s captivity and the stakes for resistance.
Who Appears
- Briony RosewoodCaptured princess; reflects on losses, resists assault, is dosed with Gowarnus, bites Mallow, then is silenced and threatened.
- Veronika MallowBomardi ruler; orders Briony auctioned and sterilized, claims the king is dead, silences Briony, and threatens other Eversuns.
- Orion HearstRuthless Bomardi magnate; administers Gowarnus to suppress Briony’s magic, taunts her, and withholds costly violence.
- ReighvenPredatory enforcer; assaults Briony, intends to buy her, defers to Mallow and Orion when overruled.
- GainsBomardi handler; oversees Briony’s captivity and confirms plans to auction her.
- Reighven’s familiarBlack bird watching Briony’s cell, signaling Reighven’s presence and control.