The Legendborn Cycle, #3
Oathbound
by Tracy Deonn
Contents
Chapter 57
Overview
Bree reunites with her father Edwin, whose restored knowledge of Faye and Bree’s world gives Bree a brief emotional anchor after the loss of her memories. Their conversation reframes grief and love as practices Bree must recover along with her fractured soul.
The respite collapses when Natasia reveals that Selwyn escaped her care and is likely hunting Bree because he has consumed her root. The group realizes Hazel’s house may not be safe and that Selwyn may first follow Bree’s strongest magical trail to Asheville, where Zoe’s brother Elijah may be in danger.
Summary
Bree breaks down when she sees the man Nick identified as her father, recognizing their shared features even though Erebus has stolen her memories. Edwin comforts Bree inside Hazel’s house while their friends eat outside, and he explains that Natasia told him about recent events while Faye somehow used the ring and her old preparations to fill in the rest.
Edwin reassures Bree that Faye was always prepared and that Bree is not truly alone. When Bree admits that loving people hurts because loss keeps reopening grief, Edwin tells Bree that love is a practice and that grief must be met by continuing to live and love. Bree connects this to restoring her soul: recovering herself would also mean recovering the daily relationships and practices that made those loved ones real to her.
Outside, Hazel has prepared a large breakfast, and Lark reports that Valec is placing new wards while the crown is secured. Bree sits beside Natasia and asks the urgent question of where Selwyn is. Natasia admits that Natasia does not know, despite Erebus having sent Selwyn to Natasia because Bree told Erebus to do so.
Pressed by Bree, Nick, and Lark, Natasia reveals that Selwyn escaped her. Natasia tried experimental methods to help him, but Selwyn’s demonic hunger and anger were different from her own experience. Natasia also explains that she used the ring Faye had her mesmer to restore Edwin’s memory and brought Edwin to Hazel’s house for safety, because Selwyn wants Bree’s power after consuming Bree’s root when he saved Bree from Arthur’s dreamscape.
Valec and Lark realize Selwyn can track Bree by her root signature and may already be hunting her. Natasia initially believes Hazel’s house is safe because Selwyn would not know Bree had been there, but Lucille reveals that Selwyn and Bree were both at Hazel’s house months earlier. Natasia then tries to predict Selwyn’s route by tracing where Bree last used magic, leading the group to the Keep and then the Asheville house.
Zoe panics because Elijah is at the Asheville house and has not been answering his phone. Natasia warns that Selwyn’s senses have sharpened and that Bree used root at the Asheville property heavily and daily for months, making it a strong trail. Although Nick hopes Selwyn will not harm anyone who does not threaten him, Natasia warns that Selwyn is now driven by instinct, precision, and hunger, and that what Selwyn truly craves is Bree.
Who Appears
- Bree MatthewsReunites with her father, processes grief, and becomes Selwyn’s likely target.
- Edwin MatthewsBree’s father; comforts her and shares Faye’s guidance and restored knowledge.
- Natasia KaneSelwyn’s mother; reveals Selwyn escaped and explains his hunger for Bree’s power.
- Selwyn KaneAbsent but central threat; escaped Natasia and may be tracking Bree’s root.
- NickQuestions Natasia and worries about Selwyn’s intentions and possible violence.
- ValecSets wards, secures the crown, and identifies Selwyn’s ability to track Bree.
- LarkReports safety measures and explains how consuming Bree’s root affected Selwyn.
- ZoeFears for Elijah after realizing Selwyn may follow Bree’s trail to Asheville.
- LucilleReveals Selwyn already knows Hazel’s house because he visited with Bree.
- HazelHosts the group, provides breakfast, and offers temporary refuge at her home.
- WilliamParticipates in the group discussion and reacts to Natasia’s flawed safety assumption.