The Legendborn Cycle, #3
Oathbound
by Tracy Deonn
Contents
Chapter 37
Overview
Bree and Nick settle into their assigned suite under Mikael’s surveillance and begin cautiously rebuilding trust while trapped together at Penumbra. Nick reveals himself as the Scion of Lancelot, and Bree recovers a fragment of memory connecting him to the boy who tried to stop her from leaving.
The chapter deepens Bree’s ties to both Nick and Selwyn, confirming that Sel may still be alive or reachable despite earlier assumptions. Bree’s bloodmark also exposes the Shadow King’s continued claim on her power, but Nick responds with solidarity rather than condemnation before Zoe makes secret contact.
Summary
A warlock escorts Bree and Nick to the Chambord Suite, where Nick gives Bree the only key so she will not feel controlled by him while they pretend to be engaged. The room is lavish but has only one large bed, prompting awkward banter about where Nick will sleep before Nick shifts focus to security.
Nick warns Bree not to say or do anything magical until he checks the suite for cameras or listening devices, reasoning that Mikael likely gathers secrets for leverage. While Nick searches, Bree studies the suite and worries about Zoe, Mariah, and their inability to contact Elijah or Erebus after Mikael confiscated devices and sealed Penumbra.
Bree reflects on the mission to steal the King’s crown and stop the King from harming Rootcrafters, but Mikael’s heightened security makes another theft attempt dangerous and Elijah’s plans useless. Nick finds and crushes a hidden camera with aether, revealing himself as a Scion. When he manifests silver-blue armor and twin swords, Bree identifies him as the Scion of Lancelot.
Nick removes his mask, and seeing his full face triggers a partial memory for Bree: Nick was the boy who chased after her and tried to stop her from leaving. Their closeness becomes painful and tense when Nick stops Bree from touching his face, making clear that he cannot or will not cross that boundary again.
Nick asks whether Bree remembers Sel, and Bree pieces together that Selwyn was Nick’s Kingsmage and the Merlin boy who sacrificed himself for her. Nick says Sel is not gone because he still feels him, and Bree realizes she feels him too, deciding with Nick to hold on to that truth until they can find him.
Bree’s bloodmark suddenly flares crimson, signaling the Shadow King’s call and exposing to Nick that the demon still gauges her growing power and intends to consume it. Instead of judging Bree, Nick reframes that strength as something they can eventually turn against those who seek to control them. A knock interrupts them, and a whispered voice from the other side of the wall reveals Zoe has found their room.
Who Appears
- BreeProtagonist trapped in the suite; regains memories, confronts the King’s call, and worries about the mission.
- NickLegendborn posing as Bree’s fiancé; clears surveillance, reveals he is Lancelot’s Scion, and supports Bree.
- ZoeBree’s partner in the infiltration; secretly reaches Bree and Nick through the suite wall.
- SelwynAbsent Kingsmage remembered by Bree and felt by Nick; his possible survival becomes a shared hope.
- MikaelAuction host whose surveillance and security measures keep Bree and Nick under threat.
- The Shadow KingDemon mentor and captor whose call flares Bree’s bloodmark to gauge her power.
- MariahRootcrafter-like figure Bree worries over and suspects may have recognized her with hope.
- Warlock escortUnnamed servant who leads Bree and Nick to the Chambord Suite and explains the room provisions.