The Legendborn Cycle, #3
Oathbound
by Tracy Deonn
Contents
Chapter 45
Overview
Bree and Nick reunite after Ava’s escape and overhear that a mysterious late bidder may enter Mikael’s auction, adding another unpredictable threat before the crown can be reached. Nick reveals Ava stunned him with subtle Morgaine power, while Bree realizes tomorrow’s communion may expose or kill them before the auction begins.
The chapter also deepens Bree and Nick’s relationship: they acknowledge desire, fear, guilt, and the damage Erebus has done to Bree. Nick refuses to take more from Bree while she is still trapped in danger and missing parts of herself, but they choose one night of comfort as themselves.
Summary
Bree is shoved into a dark closet and discovers her captor is Nick. Before Bree can demand answers, Bianca and Lawson pass nearby. Bree and Nick overhear them discuss an uninvited wealthy newcomer who wants to join the auction; Bianca decides Mikael must personally vet the late bidder and, if accepted, keep him masked, isolated, and limited to the auction itself.
After Bianca and Lawson leave, Bree and Nick consider whether the newcomer could be Erebus. Bree argues it is unlikely because Erebus can monitor Bree through the bloodmark, is patient, wants the crown and his Court restored, and cannot touch the crown himself because of Morgaine bewitchment. Nick distrusts the coincidence, but they have no way to confront Mikael or Bianca and must wait until the auction.
Nick explains that he was absent because he chased Ava into the gardens, where Ava used subtle Morgaine power to stun him and escape. Nick blames himself for leaving Bree alone, but Bree challenges his guilt and connects it to Nick’s larger regret about past choices. Their conversation turns to Bree’s plan to recover the crown for Erebus to protect the girls, the danger that Erebus could then destroy the Order, and Nick’s belief that the Order does not deserve Bree’s life or death.
Hidden in the closet, Bree and Nick allow a rare moment of intimacy. Nick touches Bree directly, loosens Bree’s scarf, and kisses Bree’s neck before pulling back and leading Bree safely to their room. After Bree showers, the memory of Mikael killing Ava’s coerced thief makes Bree fear the next communion; Bree worries that Nick may have to reveal dangerous truths, and Mikael will not accept that no one is guilty of the second crime.
In their room, Bree and Nick confront the tension between them. Nick admits he does want to touch Bree and says he is “drowning” in her, prompting them to kiss passionately. When the encounter escalates, Nick stops, explaining that he does not want Bree under the false identities and mortal danger of Penumbra, and that Bree is still recovering what Erebus took from her. Bree accepts that Nick wants Bree whole and entire, and they agree to sleep in each other’s arms while pretending, for one night, to simply be Nick and Bree.
Who Appears
- Bree MatthewsArthur’s Scion; fears the communion, debates Erebus’s motives, and seeks comfort and honesty with Nick.
- Nick DavisLancelot’s Scion; reunites with Bree, admits desire, but refuses to exploit Bree’s wounded state.
- BiancaMikael’s lieutenant; manages fallout from the communion and controls access for a late auction bidder.
- LawsonWarlock working with Mikael’s operation; reports the wealthy newcomer waiting outside the gates.
- AvaEscaped schemer; uses subtle Morgaine power to stun Nick and avoid capture.
- MikaelAuction host whose authority and deadly communions threaten Bree and Nick’s survival.
- ErebusShadow King; remains offstage but influences Bree’s mission, the crown’s stakes, and Nick’s caution.