The Legendborn Cycle, #3
Oathbound
by Tracy Deonn
Contents
Chapter 41
Overview
Mikael’s communions reveal that his “tributes” are coerced confessions, which he uses to feed on guilt, shame, and other human emotions. Bree glimpses Mikael’s true Nightshade form beneath his illusion, confirming both his demonic nature and his physical instability.
In the aftermath, Bree tells Nick that the Shadow King is alive and that returning the crown could stop him from hunting Rootcrafters, forcing Nick to reassess the mission and Bree’s choices. Ava then reveals the Morgaines’ long custody of the crown, admits manipulating Nick toward danger, and exposes that Nick still has an unexplained bargain with her.
Summary
After dinner, Bree, Zoe, and Mariah attend the first set of Mikael’s communions in a theater-style auditorium. Nick is absent because he has gone to gather information from the Collectors. Mikael announces that each guest will answer five questions, with the final three serving as “tribute,” and warns that resistance will be punished.
As Mikael questions the first masked participant, Bree, Zoe, and Mariah See green aether leave Mikael and invade the man’s body. Bree realizes the tribute is not an object but a confession, and that Mikael is feeding on the painful human emotions attached to hidden wrongdoing. The man admits he forged his father’s will to steal his siblings’ inheritance, and Mikael consumes the shame and guilt released by the confession.
The next communions expose attempted murders, betrayal, and financial crimes. When a woman nearly resists, Mikael says resistance is itself a confession and forces her to admit destroying her company for insurance money, ruining lives and taking pleasure in the suffering. Mikael’s illusion briefly thins, revealing his monstrous Nightshade form beneath the gentlemanly image before the glamour returns.
Afterward, Nick rejoins Bree, Zoe, and Mariah and says he saw enough to be disturbed. In the secret library, the group discusses what Mikael’s powers mean: his illusion only hides his true form, while his feeding magic is unlike anything Nick knows. Zoe explains that Nightshades are original demon knights of the Shadow Court, and Nick notices Zoe speaks as if the Shadow King is still alive.
Bree admits to Nick that the Shadow King survived, is weakened without his crown, and could stop hunting Rootcrafters if he regains it. This leads to revelations about missing Rootcrafter girls and the warlock Bree saw, but Nick is shaken that Bree may be working with the demon he knows as an ancient tyrant. Ava then appears, mocks the Order and the Legendborn, and reveals she planted or exploited false information to push Nick toward danger, hoping to get him killed and worsen conflict between Mikael and the Round Table.
Ava claims the Morgaines guarded the Shadow King’s crown for fifteen centuries until a warlock stole it three months ago, and she wants it back for power and control. After Ava leaves, Bree confronts Nick about his bargain with Ava, but Nick says he cannot and will not explain what Ava offered him. Bree chooses not to press him, and after Nick leaves, Zoe and Mariah silently comfort Bree.
Who Appears
- BreeWatches Mikael feed, reveals the Shadow King lives, and confronts Nick about Ava.
- Mikael / MikaelazNightshade hosting the communions; feeds on coerced confessions while hiding his monstrous form.
- NickGathers intel, learns the Shadow King survived, and refuses to explain his bargain with Ava.
- AvaMorgaine operative who admits manipulating Nick and claims her family guarded the crown.
- ZoeSupports Bree, explains Nightshades and the Shadow Court, and reluctantly exposes dangerous knowledge.
- MariahWitnesses the communions, questions Ava’s motives, and comforts Bree after Nick leaves.
- CollectorsMasked attendees who relish the confessions and support Mikael’s brutal communion ritual.