The Legendborn Cycle, #3
Oathbound
by Tracy Deonn
Contents
Chapter 47
Overview
Bree chases Nick after his communion but is interrupted by a masked stranger who clearly knows Bree and realizes Bree has lost memories of him. When Bree reaches Nick, Nick reveals that Ava embedded a shard of the Shadow King’s crown in Nick’s chest at Nick’s own request.
Nick explains the hidden history of Morgaine magic and Enthralling, then admits Nick took the shard so Nick can pull Arthur’s spirit from Bree if Arthur ever possesses Bree again. The revelation reframes Nick’s secrecy as a self-sacrificial plan that could save Bree by killing Nick instead, leaving Bree horrified and unwilling to accept Nick’s decision.
Summary
Mariah and Zoe help Bree push through the departing guests so Bree can chase Nick after his public communion. Bree searches the estate, passing places tied to her and Nick’s earlier Penumbra memories, but instead collides with a masked middle-aged man who recognizes Bree despite her mask.
The stranger is startled that Bree does not know him and becomes amused when Bree cannot name him. Bree’s body reacts with intense fear, and Bree realizes her mind is blocking recognition. The man taunts Bree about what else Bree may have lost, and Bree flees to the Chambord Suite, suspecting the stranger may be the “new player” Bianca mentioned.
Bree finds Nick hiding in the bathroom with the shower running. Through the door, Bree reassures Nick that Mikael’s communion exploited his shame and argues that Nick killed Zhao in self-defense. Nick eventually comes out shirtless, revealing a black shard embedded in his chest, caged by undetectable blue aether.
Nick explains that the shard is a piece of the Shadow King’s crown, bound into Nick’s body by Ava’s Morgaine magic because Nick asked Ava to do it. Nick says the enchantment is tied to Nick’s heart and can only be removed safely by a Morgaine. Nick then recounts Lancelot’s visions: Morgaine secretly studied the crown, discovered its power to let the Shadow King and his Court walk without feeding, and later used shards to create Enthralling, a hidden process that passed Morgaine’s spirit and magical abilities between shard-bearing sorceresses.
Nick reveals that Nick did not seek Ava to join the Morgaines, but to use their technique against Arthur. After seeing Arthur possess Bree, Nick chose the shard so that if Arthur ever takes Bree again, Nick can take Arthur’s spirit from Bree instead. Nick admits this could let the Legendborn cycle stop if Nick dies afterward, sparing Bree, even though the plan could kill Nick or worsen Nick’s own curse.
Bree is horrified and argues that Nick is gambling with his life, especially because holding both Lancelot and Arthur could destroy Nick. Nick insists that the Order’s abusive system was built to protect people like him and burden people like Bree, so Nick feels responsible for dismantling it. Bree refuses to let Nick sacrifice himself, but Nick holds Bree and says that although they are “you and me,” this burden is not one Bree will share with Nick.
Who Appears
- Bree MatthewsChases Nick, fears a forgotten stranger, and rejects Nick’s plan to sacrifice himself for her.
- NickReveals the crown shard in his chest and his plan to take Arthur from Bree.
- Unknown masked manRecognizes Bree, realizes Bree does not remember him, and taunts her about lost knowledge.
- AvaAbsent but central; her Morgaine magic embedded and concealed the crown shard in Nick.
- MorgaineHistorical sorceress whose experiments with crown shards created Enthralling and Morgaine power.
- LancelotHis visions informed Nick about Morgaine’s secret history and the crown’s powers.
- Arthur PendragonThreatens Bree through possible possession; Nick intends to remove Arthur permanently if necessary.
- MariahHelps Bree clear a path through guests so Bree can run after Nick.
- ZoeHelps Mariah create space for Bree to leave the auditorium quickly.
- SelAbsent but important to Nick’s fears, prior attempts to save Bree, and potential grief.