Chapter 23

Briony anxiously listens for news of Toven’s recovery until Serena visits, confirming Toven’s extensive injuries are healing with Vesper’s help and pointedly encouraging Briony’s mind barrier studies. Briony realizes it is Toven’s birthday and impulsively enters his unlocked room to apologize, only to find Finn Raquin present, forcing her to retreat in embarrassment after wishing Toven a hurried happy birthday.

Later, Finn appears in Briony’s rooms, teasing her with rumors Toven spread about their supposed bonded intimacy and claiming his mother Ember is “gone” and Larissa is dead for disloyalty to Mallow. Briony challenges his credibility, but Finn deflects and leaves, hinting at her knowledge of Toven’s birthday.

Seeking focus, Briony studies advanced mind barrier techniques in the library, shelving traumatic memories to keep only happy family recollections accessible. Toven approaches; the strain cracks her mental “bookshelves.” He warns the technique makes her too visibly dulled and confirms she skipped intermediate work.

Briony presses for answers. Toven states Larissa is dead for disloyalty—matching Finn’s wording—then explains heartspring bonds: mutual blood-imbued jewelry creates a two-way link, while Bomardi collars siphon one-way. He reveals Briony’s heart magic can’t be taken because her lifelong boosting formed a twin-based heartspring bond with Rory; her collar is ornamental without their bonding. He also admits they’d dosed her with Gowarnus elixir to suppress her magic but stopped so she could build barriers.

They share a brief, tentative closeness before Serena announces guests. Liam Quill barges in with Canning Trow and Finn Raquin, interrupting Briony and Toven and setting up a charged confrontation.