The Legendborn Cycle, #3
Oathbound
by Tracy Deonn
Contents
Chapter 27
Overview
Natasia’s attempt to learn from Daeza fails, but her return exposes a far larger truth when Selwyn detects Bree’s scent on her and becomes violently fixated. Selwyn reveals that Bree is his true Scion of Arthur and that Faye Matthews was Natasia’s, reframing Natasia’s past with Faye and Bree’s current danger.
Natasia realizes Selwyn’s demonic state was caused by consuming Bree’s Bloodcrafted power, making his desire to reach Bree both emotionally charged and physically dangerous. The chapter ends with Natasia choosing her Kingsmage duty over her maternal instincts, fighting Selwyn to keep Bree safe.
Summary
Natasia returns to the cabin from Daeza’s club and goes directly to Selwyn’s warded room, calling the visit a failure. Selwyn is meditating behind a dense crystalline aether ward and refuses to speak, so Natasia tries to provoke him gently by teasing him about his friends and Nicholas Davis. When Natasia mentions the new Scion of Arthur, Selwyn’s body betrays a strong reaction, confirming that this Scion matters deeply to him.
Natasia attempts to connect with Selwyn by explaining that she understands what it means to be trapped by the Kingsmage Oath and betrayed by what they were taught. Selwyn still shuts Natasia out. When Natasia casually mentions the demon she visited, the air conditioning carries a scent from Natasia to Selwyn, and Selwyn abruptly rushes to the ward, pressing his face into the burning bars because he smells and feels Bree on Natasia.
As Selwyn injures himself against the ward, Natasia panics and drops the barrier. Selwyn demands Bree’s location, revealing that Bree is his Scion of Arthur, his rightful sovereign, and the person who should have been bonded to him. Selwyn then tells Natasia that Faye Matthews was also a true Scion of Arthur and should have been Natasia’s bonded king, forcing Natasia to remember signs she had missed: Faye’s pull toward Excalibur’s resting place, Faye’s leadership, courage, and bloodred power.
Natasia realizes Selwyn is telling the truth and connects it to Faye’s Bloodcraft and the hidden memory Faye once asked Natasia to place in Bree. Natasia also understands that Bree’s condition has been altered by a force beyond Natasia’s own mesmering, and that Bree carries the same dangerous, world-changing power as Faye. Selwyn confirms that consuming Bree’s power tipped Selwyn into demonia, making Natasia fear for Bree more than for herself or even her son.
Selwyn insists he must find and capture his king, but Natasia refuses because Selwyn’s craving for Bree makes him a threat rather than a protector. Selwyn taunts Natasia with Faye’s death and summons an aether staff, forcing Natasia to forge a matching weapon while promising herself not to escalate beyond what Selwyn uses first. As mother and son clash, Natasia embraces her old Kingsmage duty and vows to protect Bree from every threat, even Selwyn.
Who Appears
- NatasiaSelwyn’s mother; learns Bree and Faye’s significance and chooses to protect Bree from Selwyn.
- Selwyn KaneAltered Kingsmage; reacts violently to Bree’s scent and demands to find his true Scion.
- Bree MatthewsAbsent but central; revealed as Selwyn’s true Scion of Arthur and a Bloodcrafted danger.
- Faye MatthewsRemembered by Natasia; revealed as the true Scion Natasia should have protected.
- DaezaDemon Natasia visited unsuccessfully before returning with traces that trigger Selwyn.