Rose in Chains
by Julie Soto
Contents
Chapter 27
Overview
Toven brings Briony to a private dinner of successors, where women heartsprings serve and the elixir’s coercive effects are laid bare. Lorne tests boundaries, but Toven forcefully asserts exclusive control over Briony. Briony recognizes the guests as successors, learns Cordelia was husked, and involuntarily unleashes magic, exposing herself to them.
Summary
Toven arrives late to Canning’s private dinner and takes the seat of honor opposite him. Briony joins the line of collared women serving behind the men and recognizes several, including Jellica Reeve, Octavia, Cecily Weape, and a former Claremore maid. The room is stocked for indulgence, and the women’s collars and behaviors mark their subjugation.
As the men trade banter, Toven toasts Mallow and casually demeans Briony’s past illness for show. Lorne tests Briony’s limits by flirting with violence, cutting her dress strap; Toven instantly disarms him with magic and publicly declares Briony’s body and magic his alone, forbidding anyone to touch her. He then pulls Briony into his lap, shifting the room’s tone as others follow suit with their heartsprings.
Briony notes dark-gem rings and realizes the men are successors to the Ten. Canning probes Toven about Briony’s sexual use and the elixir; Jellica’s desperate, elixir-driven need underscores its coercion. Toven claims he does not use the elixir and boasts of managing without it, subtly needling Liam. Canning invites Briony to “partake” next week and mentions the arena, where he intends to draw strength from Jellica.
The dinner devolves into crude stories and public coercion, with Cecily forced to intimate acts by Collin. Amid talk of the arena, the men mention that Hardstark was husked, revealing to Briony that Cordelia’s magic was drained. The shock and revulsion build until Briony loses control, releasing a burst of magic that shatters glass across the table.
Toven reacts instantly, turning with protections as the men jolt to their feet. Collin’s hand bleeds from the broken glass while Cecily retreats. Briony realizes she has exposed her power in front of multiple successors, escalating her danger inside Hearst’s world.
Who Appears
- Briony RosewoodObserves the successors’ dinner, recognizes subjugated women, learns Cordelia was husked, and accidentally unleashes magic, revealing power.
- Toven HearstAsserts exclusive control over Briony, disarms Lorne with magic, refuses elixir participation, and shields Briony after her magic burst.
- CanningHosts the dinner, showcases elixir-fueled control of Jellica, pressures Toven, and plans to fight in the arena drawing on heartspring power.
- LorneProvokes Briony by cutting her dress strap; is magically checked by Toven; later idly toys with Octavia.
- Jellica ReeveCanning’s heartspring; visibly desperate under elixir’s influence, clinging to him and calming only with contact.
- Cecily WeapeCollin’s assigned heartspring; forced into intimate acts at the table, visibly ill and resigned.
- Liam QuillTrades barbs with Toven; his heartspring is a man; participates in the revelry and jokes.
- CollinForces Cecily to serve him sexually; injures his hand when glass shatters after Briony’s magic burst.
- OctaviaLorne’s heartspring; emaciated, anxious around his knife; later sits in his lap while he gambles.
- FinnSuccessor wearing the dark-gem ring; prompts arena talk and joins in crude stories.
- KleveSuccessor who keeps apart from the excess; leaves to fetch more wine, largely displeased.
- Strawberry-blond maid (unnamed)Former Claremore maid Briony once saved; now collared and serving as Liam’s heartspring.
- General TremeloMentioned as having taken interest in Toven’s heartspring, prompting Toven’s lateness.