ashalightwood

[ashalightwood]

A Little Legendborn/Bloodmarked (In prep for Oathbound) Who’s Your Daddy? Theory  

*Spoilers for both books ahead and mentions of Oathbound teaser*

We have about 41 days (at the time of writing) until Oathbound drops and what better time than now to explore a theory I have been kicking around ever since we met the illustrious Valechaz.  Those who have hung around my little page are not new to this, but if you are, welcome.  It is no secret that I think Erebus/Shadow King/The Hunter is the father of the one and only Valec AND Selwyn Kane.   There are ideas I have kicked around and figured it a good time to document them, so…

Here goes

Scent Signature Profile

Some time ago I did a scent theory profile for our crew (linked below) and in revisiting that, I noticed that Valec, Erebus, and Sel have a similar profile that falls in the oriental/woody category which brings forth scents of resins, vetiver, leather, incense and smoke.  In addition, the three of them share a similar color profile (also linked below).  There are many instances of black, reds, and golds.  All of them at some point are described as emerging from some sort of shadow.  These are the most shallow bits of evidence but…maybe not.

Valechaz and Selwyn (Who’s the Pappy?!)

“Told you not to mess with that red-eyed devil, but you did, didn’t you?  Ain’t nothing good coming from a man you meet at the crossroads, Pearl. Nothing.”

I have always found it very curious that the identity of both Valec and Selwyn’s fathers is shrouded in mystery.  Not to mention the name of Valec’s bar is referenced here.  In the Oathbound teaser, we learn that Erebus is essentially a shapeshifter who can wear many faces and be in many places at once.  We also know that he has lurked around the Rootcraft community for eons protecting his “investment.”  It is not yet known who the “Red-eyed devil” is, but knowing his capabilities it is not out of the realm of possibility.

“He may look like a baby, but that is their disguise.  They cannot be trusted because it is their nature to lie.  You know this, Pearl.  Just like his father, he will turn on you one day.”

I found this interesting because it suggests that this community had dealings with this type of demon/shapeshifter before.  Katherine says Pearl KNOWS this as if this knowledge is something common and she should know better.

“When I was young, my mother was killed by an uchel while on a mission.  After that, my human father fell into a liquor bottle and never came out.”

Selwyn says this with so much certainty only for us to find out a few pages later that, that was not the truth. It is never stated that he actually met this human father and if he had, it would be quite easy for the Shadow King to impersonate him especially since he was close to Natasia.  In essence, the identity of both boys’ fathers is unknown.

Peek a Boo, I See You

“Poor little cambion, little Kingsmage.  Leashed by the Order his whole pathetic existence and now manacled by them too?”

Valec’s taunting of Sel is top-tier, pure I will flirt with your girl and whoop your ass in front of her, older brother energy.  Their interactions are always tense and teetering on the razor’s edge of violence.  Selwyn despises Valec, not only because he flirts with Bree, but because he can see him for everything that he is.  He highlights his shortcomings and exposes them to the group.  I can imagine Sel felt this being in proximity to Nick in another way.  Nick being all the things he wants to be and be close to, but Valec exposes all of the things he is.

In all of Valec’s taunting (and ass-whooping) he also empathizes with Sel.  For perspective, as a formerly enslaved person, he would be well within his rights to hate Sel and everything he stands for, but he doesn’t.  He shows him mercy and understanding.

“When you’re a cambion, you’re caught between two worlds.  Always.  Not just two cultures or two communities, but literally two states of being.  Life.  Death. This plane, and the one that calls us back home in the middle of the night.  Most of us go a very long time without feeling like we belong anywhere.”

This was not only heartbreaking because we know in bondage, Valec experienced horror, not to mention being cast out.  The fact that he recognized the unique position of cambions in this universe and offered that grace to Sel only comes with the wisdom gained from the life he’s led. 

It does not seem coincidental that Tracy has given them this dynamic.  The line that he says to Bree “You can’t belong to an idea, Bree,”  The idea of slavery, mental and physical bondage, the Order.  You don’t belong to these things.  The idea that you were born as a unique being and that your spirit is autonomous even if your body isn’t.

Shadow Daddy

This brings me to Erebus.  Here is what we know:

He can shift form and travel through time and space rapidly.  He was in a close relationship with Selwyn’s mother (as Erebus) and has followed the Rootcraft community (whoring around if you ask me).  He is an opportunist and slips into bargains and situations that serve his purpose which is to gain power and ultimately get his crown back.  He is ancient.

The Parallels

The parallels and foreshadowing between him and the boys (I know Valec is old as hell) are glaring.  

The SK nameplate on Selwyn’s door

The fact that they have the same three-letters associated with their names (S.E.K)

Similar scent profiles and color profiles

Bree made a deal with Erebus at a crossroads in her journey, after seemingly exhausting every possibility

Valec’s bar being the Crossroads Lounge and he and Selwyn both being described as “Crossroads children”

The fact that Valec knows there is a Shadow Court, but Selwyn describes it as made-up children’s stories to scare young Merlins, hinting that he doesn't know as much history as he thinks he does.  

Also, in the Oathbound teaser, he has two Black children that he describes as his “Wards.”  I have so many questions.  Was Valec a “Ward” at one point?  I find it interesting that they are Black as well.

The lineage comes into play too.  Valec is evenly split.  Pearl was human and his apparent father was a demon *Whispers SEX DEMON*.  He says balanced cambions are rare.

Natasia is split but if Erebus (Shadow King) is Sel’s father that makes him more demon than human, not to mention the “Assload of oaths” he has attached to him, which are wreaking havoc on his life.  

I hope we get more answers to Valec’s and Sel's lineage in book three.  Either way, I am excited as hell.  I believe he will be key in helping our crew gain balance and send his daddy back to where he belongs.  

I would love to hear your thoughts, especially if you have the same theory that I do!  I have also linked some of my other nerdy works below.  Happy reading!

Scent Theory Part One

Scent Theory Part Two

LB/BM Top Ten

*Color theory is linked in one of the scent theories*

[ashalightwood]

At the same time, I wanna see How Nick abused that Power. Because Sel says they did to each other ALL the time but the only time we see Nick using is in a situation where is justifiable and deserving.

Acting as defense lawyers for Bree, Sel, and Nick

In defense of Nick punching Sel, he didn't like feeling murderous thoughts toward Bree through his and Sel's bond. Any other time, he apparently likes the murderous thoughts, just not directed at Bree

In defense of Sel trying to kill Bree at every second, he was just tunnel visioned on protecting Nick (his "former" crush) and at least he didn't use Alice as a scare tactic like Martin Davis did. Sel tried to keep the one sided beef strictly to Bree

In defense of Bree, she would be able to think wiser if it literally weren't for all the racism thrown at her while in the midst of grieving her mother and worrying for her father's safety. She's exhausted at always having to prove herself even when clear evidence is running in her blood/magical powers. So yeah let her kiss up on Sel and Nick in Bloodmarked without definite labels yet cuz she survived getting knocked, rocked, drugged, kidnapped, stalked, mesmered, magic surgery from getting gutted, and was almost killed countless times. And she had to hold in her pee cuz of the racist gas station owners in Bloodmarked. I'd be acting irrational too.

I'd take my chances with the demons like Shadow King atp with her cuz Bree got too many human opps/there's just too many options. At least Shadow King is evil to her fucking face and not hiding it like the cowardly Order

[ashalightwood]

Perfect!!!!

I'm very tired of the "Is Bree a cheater" conversation, really.

Two things can be true:

1- Nick and Bree were building something and he probably (probably) will be upset with the fact she kissed Sel

2- Bree and Nick weren't in a oficial exclusive relationship and she did not cheat on anyone.

"Ah, but they both felt guilty about the Kiss"

Yes, because it's going to mess with someone they both care about. Still doesn't mean It's cheating.

"But Sel refered to Nick as Bree's boyfriend"

Yes, he did when he was being a menace and reading Bree. And he isn't the person who gets to put a label on them. Bree and Nick never refered to each other as "boyfriend"/"girlfriend". Bree say the world ONCE in Legendborn as a question to herself that IS never awnsered. When Alice says she is "dating" Nick, she is quick to correct her and stay they are "seeing" each other.

"Selbree shippers don't want to admit It was cheating because It would "tarnish" the moment

HA HA HA. I'm a poly shipper with a preference to selbree and I personally don't Care If my ship started as cheating. Sometimes is even better!

Furthemore, Bree knew Nick for a few weeks, she knows Sel for a few months. We are talking about 17-18yo figuring stuff out. It's not that deep. Some of you would survive Will/Tessa/Jem storyline. It's a love triangle, she'll get involved with BOTH of them.

[ashalightwood]

He definetely has a type😭

Honestly, Sel has a type cuz both Bree and Nick are stubborn scions that barely listen to him when Sel either gives some solid warnings/orders, desperately trying to protect them lol. Nick and Bree are competing in giving Sel a heart attack cuz they love trouble (intentionally and unintentionally.)

Nick especially in book 1 Legendborn doing all these unconventional things after publicly renouncing his "birthright" just to reclaim it again for Bree's sake in learning the truth about her mother. And Bree doing the most in Bloodmarked, like leaving the protective wards and wandering alone, knowing she is a Wanted Woman by so many magical/inhuman entities.

Like, Sel may complain but these are the types he's attracted to. And it makes it funnier on reread how hostile he is to Nick and Bree, but then how broken he gets if he feels he can't be their shield or something. All Sel's trying to do is his job, even if it annoys him cuz Nick and Bree are magnets for bloodthirsty enemies/assassins and make questionable choices in the books.

[ashalightwood]

OMG, that's Savage😭😭😭

Me and my friend didn't know how to adress the trio (Sel, Bree and Nick) without confusing Legendborn with Harry Potter or Percy Jackson. One day we realized neither of them have mothers... So we began calling them "The motherless trio".

[ashalightwood]

I'm very tired of the "Is Bree a cheater" conversation, really.

Two things can be true:

1- Nick and Bree were building something and he probably (probably) will be upset with the fact she kissed Sel

2- Bree and Nick weren't in a oficial exclusive relationship and she did not cheat on anyone.

"Ah, but they both felt guilty about the Kiss"

Yes, because it's going to mess with someone they both care about. Still doesn't mean It's cheating.

"But Sel refered to Nick as Bree's boyfriend"

Yes, he did when he was being a menace and reading Bree. And he isn't the person who gets to put a label on them. Bree and Nick never refered to each other as "boyfriend"/"girlfriend". Bree say the world ONCE in Legendborn as a question to herself that IS never awnsered. When Alice says she is "dating" Nick, she is quick to correct her and stay they are "seeing" each other.

"Selbree shippers don't want to admit It was cheating because It would "tarnish" the moment

HA HA HA. I'm a poly shipper with a preference to selbree and I personally don't Care If my ship started as cheating. Sometimes is even better!

Furthemore, Bree knew Nick for a few weeks, she knows Sel for a few months. We are talking about 17-18yo figuring stuff out. It's not that deep. Some of you would survive Will/Tessa/Jem storyline. It's a love triangle, she'll get involved with BOTH of them.

[ashalightwood]

Here are my predictions for Oathbound but first a warning....

Potential spoilers from both Legendborn and Bloodmarked so please ignore this post if you are not caught up.

Okay my predictions (not in any order).

1. There will be two POVs: Bree (main) and Nick (secondary)

2. There will be 60 chapters: 40-45 in Bree's pov and 15-20 in Nick's pov.

3. Both Legendborn and Bloodmarked had 4 parts so Oathbound won't be any different. I think the names of each part will be: (1) Confinement, (2) Isolation, (3) Deal- Breaker or Escape, and (4) Horizon or Hope

4. Sel will not make a physical appearance until Part 3 or 4 but will be mentioned a lot by both Bree and Nick.

5. Natasia will make her first physical appearance in Part 3 or 4.

6. "Erebus" (the Shadow King) or Isaac Sorensen is responsible for the mysterious kidnappings and deaths of Merlins.

7. Nick will not be the same. He will become more ruthless and cruel especially when it comes to dealing with the Regents. With everything he has been through, he will unleash built up rage and sadness.

7. In the synopsis it says that Nick invoke an ancient law that will grant him an audience with Regents. I do believe he has some demands will mainly be about helping find Bree and Sel. The synopsis also said that Nick might have some secrets and those secrets are mainly about how to end the Legendborn without harming/killing Bree.

8. Bree, our brave and magnificent protagonist, will suffer both mentally and physically during her time with the Shadow King. She will endure harsh trainings and lessons almost losing her life every single time. Without her ancestral connections, Bree will struggle of not being "corrupted."

9. Bree will end up being friends or allies with Zoelle and Elijah who might help her escape.

10. Bree will use her unregulated deal with the Shadow King to her advantage to help her escape but not before she can harness and use her powers to their full potential.

I have more predictions but this post will be far too long than it already is.

[ashalightwood]

catching everyone off guard by drawing fanart of yet another completely random media I have never talked about before.

Here's sel bree and nick from legendborn in the one Anne Hathaway pose people were redrawing maybe a year ish ago.

(anyway, hoping their endgame is as a throuple)

[ashalightwood]

Lark couldn't handle ONE day on Sel's job and would rather make a plan to break him off jail so he could quit. I think Sel win😂

Do think sel would win against lark

asdfghjkl; i wanna poll this haha

[ashalightwood]

Well, It's MY birthday too and Matthew is my favorite Cassandra 's character, so I'm gonna pretend the "happy birthday" in her tags is to me!

snippet

A little snippet from A Sea Change (the Matthew novella.)

A small line appeared between Sylvain’s eyebrows. “What about you?” he said. “You are the son of the Consul, you and your parabatai are famous. James Herondale and Matthew Fairchild.” He didn’t sound bitter now, just curious. “Everything you and your friends have done — why would you leave after working so hard to make your world safe?”

[ashalightwood]

Once again obssessed of how touch is important for selbree

[ashalightwood]

dark rise spoilers !!!

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

justice’s fine ass is dead ??

[ashalightwood]

So beautiful ♥️

"I am the product of violence and I am the Scion of Arthur, and I don't want to be either. I just want to be me."

[ashalightwood]

THIS IS PERFECT😭🥰

A Little Legendborn/Bloodmarked

Top 10 Selwyn Kane Moments

Happy Gemini Season!  What better time to reflect on my favorite chaotic, angsty, and delightfully poetic Cambion.  Sel has given us so many moments that either made us want to ask “Who the F@$K you talking to?”, want to give him an all encompassing full bodied squeeze, or left our jaws on the floor at his assholery or reverent sweetness.  Whatever the case, Selly knows how to make an entrance and leave an impression.  There are so many Selwyn Kane moments that live rent free while hiking up the thermostat in my mind, but here are my top 10.  Hope you enjoy!

10. Weirdo in The Woods 

“I wouldn’t do that if I were you.  A wry voice from behind startles me and sends a few birds, hidden in the canopy above, squawking into the sky.  I hadn’t seen anyone approach through the underbrush, but a tall, dark-haired  boy leans casually against the tree as if he’d been there the whole time; arms over his chest and black combat boots crossed at the ankles.”

When I read this scene, I could not believe the level of nerve and confidence this dude had.  The lurking in the darkness was creepy as hell and then he upped the ante by putting his pale paws on Bree!  I thought “Why the fuck is he touching her!?”  I had to reread to make sure I wasn’t hallucinating.  Not only did he have a smart ass, arrogant vibe, but getting handsy to boot?  We would have been rolling around in the woods… and I don’t mean the fun way. 

9. Dripping Wet at The Door

“Half a second after that I’m struck thoughtless-because Sel flings the door open wearing nothing but a deeply annoyed expression and a pair of low-slung jeans.  I can’t help but follow the banded muscles from his abdomen to his chest.  Intricate black and gray tattoos encircle his arms, cover his shoulders, and connect in a Celtic knot on his breastbone.”

This delightful turning point had me squealing with antici…pation.  Tracy’s got some nerve really.  I remember being this age, and having an angsty, beautiful, asshole fling open the door half naked would have been a problem.  This was the point where Sel begins to soften for Bree.  The point where the two of them set off on a journey of personal discovery and develop a deeply intimate bond. They share a moment of realization about their mothers and how parallel that loss runs, about Nick, and about their own relationship.  I loved this moment so much because their masks begin to slip ever so slightly.  Bree being able to recognize the grief in Sel that she had become accustomed to, was beautifully written.  It gave us a bit of depth into his inner chaos and the pain that drives him.

8. The Gala/Kneel

“He admires my hair, taking in the size and shape of it, then his eyes follow the line of my temple to my borrowed earrings, down my neck and shoulders.  ‘You look stunning this evening Briana, it’s the truth,’ he says with a shrug.  ‘You do.  Even Though you’re distraught’.”  

“I’m not distraught.”

“He leans down so close that his lips brush against my ear when he whispers, ‘Liar’.”

This moment was so delicious. First, the way Sel takes her into his senses is divine.  His attention to detail in everything he does, whether in his detective work or being a silver-tongued devil, encompasses a space.  The act of admiring Bree’s appearance, covering every inch of her face and hair was top notch adoration. The two of them dancing at the gala was playful and intimate. I mean, telling someone you can smell their magic is…next level.  Bree was tuned into his very essence and he responded in kind, whispering LIAR in her ear as his lips brushed the delicate flesh, splaying his hands across her back knowing the heat from them radiated   through her gown.  Admiring all that she was becoming to him. Not to mention turning her around to face Nick while holding her at the hips, and whispering in her ear as he stewed across the room. It wouldn’t be right if he didn’t put a little Selly in it.

“I fight against Arthur’s will, but he will not yield-not on this.  He demands obeisance.  Homage. And deference.  Especially after Davis’ public betrayal.  Thankfully, no one moves.  Then someone does."

"No," I whisper, because I don’t want to hear it.  But when Sel speaks, his voice is strong and clear.

"Y llinach yw’r ddeddf."

"The Line is Law.”

In the Ogof we get another glimpse of what makes Sel tick. The fact that he is so married to the idea of honor and procedure (to a fault) shines in these moments because of what he is constantly willing to do to show his care for Bree. It is telling when he witnesses Bree pull Excalibur and he falls right in step with his duty to his King.  When he is the one to kneel and speak before her, it is because of duty and procedure yes, but his devotion for her leaps off the page.  

7. Mother

“Suddenly, Sel is on his feet. He paces to the end of the room, the back of his hand pressed hard against his mouth like doesn’t trust what could come out of himself.  It takes everything in me to stay seated when he kicks his closet door and the wood splinters into a boot shaped hole.”

On the heels of coming to the door half naked, we begin to see some of Sel’s inner turmoil made real.  Unpacking this a bit, we know Sel has been lied to and we are watching in real time how it hits him.  He is dutiful, procedural, and used to being in control in some respect.  He seems to enjoy the fact that he is needed, deep down, he wants to be wanted, not out of duty, but out of sheer enjoyment of his company, his being.  This revelation about his mother causes his mask to slip.  The hard exterior cracks enough that Bree is able to seep into the jagged edges, and he lets her, if only briefly.  This was such a revealing moment because it is one of many instances that they see not only each other, but also themselves mirrored in one another.

6. Cariad

“I feel Sel’s attention on my cheeks-and wonder when the sparks in his eyes had become a comforting heat…’You are my king now, cariad.’ His voice carries all the intimacy of a caress and his eyes are a melted gold.  I turn away, overwhelmed at the meaning in both.”

I don’t know why I didn’t have sense enough to Google what cariad meant at the time I first read Legendborn.  Perhaps it was because Tracy blew my wig back with the story of Briana Irene, that I needed a moment to collect my thoughts.  This was the point in the story that Selwyn vocalized his feelings for Bree.  It was another peak at the vulnerability he would ever so slightly let come out to play.  And because our Selwyn is precise, his intent (in my opinion) was also.  He has studied Bree, yet she still mystifies him, challenges him.  Calling her cariad, however, was laced with a bit of challenge in and of itself.  He knows she is determined and inquisitive and if she really wanted to know she would do what needed to be done to find out.  We also get that at that moment she was not ready to know, despite her curiosity.  It was just enough of a breadcrumb for her to follow, if SHE chose to.  Also, his sense of duty and willingness to accept her as King even when the order so readily wanted her gone when she did not serve their purpose or fit their shitty standards.  It was such a sweet, quiet moment after all they had been through that left us hanging onto that balcony for dear life. 

5. The Not So Safe, Safe House Bathroom

“Can I tell you a secret, Briana?” His voice slips into the sliver of air between us, silk and heat. “ I like hearing the way people respond to me.  A pause. You in particular.”  

“It’s involuntary.”

“Oh, I know.” His mouth quirks…..Sel’s amusement skips across my cheeks.  “See something you like?”

First of all, telling someone, ANYONE, that you like hearing the way people respond to you is full on iconic, sex demon realness.  Excuse me, sir?  You just walk around doing shit to tie folks up in flustered knots? Kick your combat booted feet up and watch your handiwork?   And you like it?  My kind of fun!  The way Joniece Abbott Pratt (she voices our favesl in the books) reads this scene is so deliciously spicy and devilish.  She put an extra bit of Sazon on it.  It was the closeness for me.  He knew what he was doing (aside from mesmering Bree to oblivion) , caging her between his arms and enveloping her in full on Cambion heat.  It is almost as if the tease is more fun.  Taking off his shirt to pull her in. Catching her gaze in the mirror.  Acting like he can’t put tape on his wounds (because of course a dude who can forge shit out of thin air can’t operate tape!), telling her he likes how her body is responding, asking her if she sees something she likes!  Bree has the resolve of a bug that hangs onto your windshield while you are doing 90 on the freeway. 

4. Sel’s Birthday Surprise (Cariad Part Two)

“Okay.  All right.  His voice is low and soothing.  He takes a slow step closer with an outreached hand, as if waiting for me to bolt.  “This isn’t an interrogation.  I am sorry.  It is your birthday.  And I had questions…but I don’t want you to leave.” His fingers wrap around mine, and he rubs a slow circle across my palm with his thumb."  

 I nod.  “Okay.” 

“Let’s keep this simple?” He smiles softly.  “Tell me what you learned about cariad?”  

Talk about a full circle moment.  For damn near two books, this man has been stewing about cariad and why Bree had not mentioned it again.  After being attacked by Jonas, and Bree begins to speak a bit of Welsh to William, I could almost envision Sel saying “Yeah, you over here practicing with William, but what about that cariad shit though?”  Ok, I know he wouldn’t have said it that way, but sometimes I read with my own voice in my head.  First of all, the planning.  The fact that he discovered a hidden gem in the woods with fireflies no less, and decided to make it a present (not a gift) to honor Bree’s birthday was delightful.  Plus being in the woods seems to be his happy place.   It was full circle in more ways than one because when we meet Sel (in the woods yet again) he is the epitome of ASSHOLE. This scene showed us how far the two of them had come and let us see that he truly values how Bree sees him and how much he wants her to have joy.  It seems like everytime these two are in the woods they have some sort of revelation.  The way he teases kisses on each cheek, then her forehead (third eye) showed us that he was done hiding and wanted her to fully understand the depth of his feelings.  And when she takes the kiss she wants, he responds in kind letting himself have the wish he has been denying himself by Merlin twirling her into the tree bark and KISSING HER DOWN!  Then, not only does he stop himself, but stops to watch the effect he is having on her, while telling her he likes it.  Damn you Selwyn Kane!  

3. Sharing Root With Bree/Most Gifted Merlin in a Generation

“Sel gasps, head thrown back as my aether climbs up his forearms, spiraling around his elbows.  For a moment, it feels like I’m wrapped around him.  His eyes snap open, and then he’s on his feet, bringing his hands together so the flames spread faster.  FWOOOM!  We explode together.”

I was shouting in my car listening to this scene.  Sel had been manacled by Erebus (to Valec’s amusement).  I remember thinking “Ain’t no way they are going out like this!” This was an edge of your seat, shout at the screen, moment.  The way he was in sync with Bree and knew exactly what to do when she shared her root was the boost I needed in that moment.  Sel was back like he never left!  Hair all shiny and shit!  The unspoken communication, the desperation in his eyes when he thought it wasn’t working was equal parts nerve wracking and rage inducing.  Plus, the whole scene was infused with a hint of sexy Cambion tension.  That last line is a double entendre if you ask me.  What better way to explode together than to blow Erebus’ ass back into the opportunistic shadows from whence he came?

“I’m not gonna….”

“Yes, you are!”  The muscles work in his jaw.  His eyes shine-he blinks it away.  “You are.  You just have to hold on a little longer, Bree.  For me–”  His eyes are fixed on my side, a strained grimace on his face.  His hands hover an inch above my flesh.  Aether shimmers in the space between my body and his palms in a thin layer.”

“Don’t move,” he grits out.”

“What are you…”

“I’ve got you.  Stay with me.”

“The floating dullness claims me again, but Sel’s magic is there on the edges, keeping the darkness at bay.”

“Stay with me, Bree.”

On the coattails of the high I felt when Sel and Bree took Erebus out of the game (if only temporarily), was the accompaniment of Sel holding Bree together for three hours when she was nearly killed by demons in the woods.  I tell you, Tracy knows how to make you feel the discomfort and pain of constant loss.  No sooner than I cheered for the two of them, before I knew it I was biting my nails again.  The terror he feels here is palpable.  Nick has just run away from both of them.  He has just done the seemingly impossible and made a root bomb (untrained move) with Bree to stave off Erebus.  Now he is at the threshold of loss yet again.  I can’t imagine having all of that occur in the span of 30 minutes.  Not only that, he creates tiny aether constructs to serve as medical aid for Bree not knowing how long he can maintain it while pushing down the hurt and fear.  Even Valec thought she was not savable.  Thought only to be able to use his aether for violence, it was beautiful to see Sel use his aether to sustain life.  It really hints at how special his abilities are and how much about himself outside of the order’s grip he doesn’t know.  When he says, “I’ve got you” and “Stay with me,” I had to step away from the book for a hot lil minute. 

2. No Other Merlin 

“No other Merlin can protect you like I can, because no other Merlin feels about you the way I do.  I want you to live, because I want you to be happy.  Not because of a spell, but because so very many things would break and go dark if you weren’t in the world.  Myself included.”

Can we talk about how down bad Selly is here?  Like, the boy is threw! I say “Gah damn!” everytime I read and/or listen to these words. He let her know, “Ain’t nobody got you like I got you!”  Something about the most powerful and gifted Merlin of his generation saying he would break and go dark if Bree was not in the world.  Sheesh! It’s the kind of soul-bearing that makes you sit up straight.  Have you rethinking your whole approach to life.  That is a far cry from questioning how she managed to keep ending up in his path.  A far cry from trying to wipe her off the face of the earth!  I love this scene because at this point we are seeing the power and effect of experiencing softness, love, care.  Being touched and him letting the wave of vulnerability settle in.  The willingness to lay himself bare in front of her despite his many fuck ups.  He told her, I want you to be happy even if I am not the one, just as long as you are here.  Tracy certainly wrote him hella mannish! But in all seriousness, this was a bar.  Had that man pouring out his soul in the middle of the woods.

1. Worth This and More 

“Merlin crawls on hands and knees.  ‘Just know Briana Matthews,’ he says, ‘That you are worth this and more.’ Without a second’s hesitation, he pulls me close enough that we nearly kiss-and inhales my power into his body.  Devours it whole.”

This scene hit me right in the gut for so many reasons.  It was the culmination of all that Selwyn had learned, endured, and sacrificed…for Bree.  Despite how much he had risked throughout Bloodmarked, he was still ready and willing to risk even more for her.  Pure veneration and sacrifice just for her.  In the Ogof, he kneeled to Bree and here he crawls to her, spent, and wants her to know that even at this moment he would do it again without question.  The poetry in how he approaches her.  The juxtaposition of kissing her in the woods and losing himself to that moment (even though briefly), giving in to that bit of euphoria and vulnerability, to losing himself as we know him totally, by devouring her root.  Because he knew the cost of that act and did it anyway, nearly did me in!  Tracy wrote the hell out of that and it is one of the chapters I have a hard time going back to.  Something about reaching a point of seemingly no return and pushing forward against all odds because you love the person before you so deeply. 

 No other Merlin indeed. 

What’d you think? I think I kicked Gemini season off right!  What are your favorite Selwyn Kane moments? What lives rent free in your head?  I am so excited that there are two more books to look forward to.  For me, those are more opportunities to talk my shit! 

Also, in case you missed it, here are my Top 10 Briana Matthews Moments

Happy Gemini Season Y'all!!!!

[ashalightwood]

Me too. I asked this question for Matthew. It is sad that he is the only one in TLH gang with a shitty sibling and for his sake (and Charlotte and Henry) I Hope Charles at least attempt to become a better person. Not that would erase anything that he did, but at least other people wouldn't be hurt anymore and I always Hope people try to become better and not being AH's for the rest of their lives.

Hii, Cassie! Can you tell us If Matthew and Charles relationship gets better with time? If they learn to understand each other better?

I would say yes, over the years. I think it already got better in TLH — it isn't perfect by the end of the trilogy, but they've made progress, which is often all you can hope for.

[ashalightwood]

Okay, but Alec and Izzy choose him! More recognizion for my Lightwood siblings( and that include Jace!)!!!!

Do you guys ever think about how Jace probably felt like no one would ever choose him in his life? How he had been rejected over and over by Valentine? How happy and genuinely joyful he was when Clary chose to bring him back as his Raziel wish, because it meant that she was choosing HIM over even world peace or global domination?

Rereading that, it stuck out to me in a way that it didn't when I was younger. Jace has finally found someone who picked HIM, who loves him more than the universe.

[ashalightwood]

Constantinopla? That means he can meet James and Cordelia????

Is there a chance for a crumb from the novella a certain free spirited (or not!) character is getting very soon?

ha! Okay. but no more SH snippets for a while...

“And where did you say you were from, Mr. Worthing?”

Matthew set his wineglass down. He hadn’t drunk any of the wine, of course, but he found that simply twirling the stem between his fingers and occasionally gesturing with the glass was enough to fool most people, which avoided annoying questions about why he was abstaining.

“My family’s estate is in Hampshire,” he said, in as plummy an accent as he could manage. He had decided that for the purposes of this sea voyage, he would adopt the persona of a British upper-class twit of the fox-hunting variety. Hunting poor little helpless foxes all around the grounds of some massive house, he thought. Why not try something actually difficult, like hunting a Feroci demon through the back alleys of London? “I will return there after I visit Constantinople, having completed my Grand Tour.”