The Raven King theory- Spoilers
Okay theory time.
After Adam kissed Ronan on the porch and they went inside, Adam said “Unguibus et rostro” which means “Claws and beak”. He could mean anything really. He could be talking about their relationship or just Ronan, but that’s a talk for another time. The real catch here is when it is said again.
“The demon kept pulling him unconscious, and in those short bursts of blackness, the dreamer snatched at light, and when he swan back to consciousness, he thrust the dream into reality. He shaped them in to flapping creatures and earthbound stars and flaming crowns and golden notes that sang by themselves and mint leaves scattered across the blood streaked pavement and scraps of paper with jagged hand writing on them: Unguibus et rostro.
Here it is said from Ronan this time and not Adam. My theory in that Ronan truly believed that he was going to die so he dreamt things or his friends. “Flaming crowns” and “Mint plants” are for Gansey. “Earthbound stars” are for Blue (because he overheard when Artimus asked Blue if she ever missed the strars) and then the piece of paper for Adam. So that in the case that Ronan did die, Adam would read it and remember when he said that and know that it was special to Ronan till the very end.
I WOULD LIKE TO ADD:
I searched up what the meaning of unguibus et rostro meant and what I got was the same thing: Claws and Beak. but upon further searching, it’s is a motto that means: with beak and talon, or tooth and nail.
Which means: to fight with tooth and nails, biting and scratching, with weapons, with all the powers at one’s command. OR: Fight fiercely, with all one’s resources; cling tenaciously. Which, would imply that Adam will fight or do anything for Ronan. Or that he cares enough that he would do that for him. Or that he knows that that is what his tattoo stands for, the fact that Ronan continues to fight with everything he has.
Either or, it’s super significant to their understanding of one another.
