the sel pov in the fourth book is gonna hit like crack cocaine in the 80's good god I can not wait
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@tenselevens
the sel pov in the fourth book is gonna hit like crack cocaine in the 80's good god I can not wait

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I LOVE IT WHEN ENDINGS CIRCLE BACK TO THE BEGINNING!!!
I LOVE IT WHEN CHARACTERS MIRROR EACH OTHER!!!!!
I LOVE IT WHEN CHARACTERS SEAL THEIR FATES IN THEIR FIRST SCENES!!!!
I LOVE IT WHEN CHARACTERS' GREATEST TRAITS ARE ALSO WHAT DOOM THEM IN THE END!!!!!
Also this was me when nick and sel were talking about Bree in modern welsh. That’s my love triangle right there!
I love Tracy subverting the tropes and switching up expectations in Legendborn Cycle.
Bree really gets to debate 2 sides of the same coin with Sel and Nick, expanding their minds by giving her objective outsider opinion on how they living and popping their white boy bubble that I rarely see in media. It makes their dynamic way more interesting than the typical love triangle young adult stuff and that's without diving into the polyam vibes of the trio. Usually, when I see a modern interracial couple play out in shows/books/movies, the topic of racism isn't breached as seriously as how Legendborn does it. Here, Bree gets to express how reality is very different for her than it is for Sel and Nick sans the secret magic legacy world. She actually has multiple conversations backed up with micro and macroaggressions about how people view her as anything but a human teenage girl that happens to be Black and Sel and Nick in turn get more protective of her after being made aware. They even get angry on her behalf on how unfair it is that despite everyone being in pain/traumatized, Bree is the one who is the most isolated in her trauma. She can relate to everyone else going through it with deep empathy, but no one can fully relate to her, not even the Rootcrafters she meets who know their history and how to use their magic since Bree's maternal legacy is cursed.
You'd also think Sel would be the rule breaking broody dark haired bad boy, but he is very much dedicated to the Order and his duty like nbd's business and it takes him a minute to realize it's not worth his energy, effort, and time (never has been honestly)
Meanwhile Nick who is the golden boy legacy kid blondie that's destined to be the esteemed leader is the most vocal about hating the Order and wanting no parts in their foolishness (especially when he gets schooled by Bree on how racist/anti Black the organization is)
It takes Sel, who's been indoctrinated and groomed to risk his life and is steered to control his demon by making oaths, a bit of time to see the folly of everything he's been taught through Bree challenging his rigid views (which is why he is snappy and disgruntled cuz his opinions are changing at a fast pace with Bree calling BS on everything)
Nick has been indoctrinated too, but got disillusioned at a young age with his mom being taken from him due to his legacy status. So it's easier for him to join Bree's cause even if he doesn't know all the details, he just knows what the Order's willing to do to maintain power even if it costs Nick's loyalty as the Regents proved the Scions aren't that influential and protected and respected as once believed.
Dante. that’s all.

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Parallels are paralleling y'all
Lancelot betrayed Arthur by having an affair with Arthur’s love, Guinevere.
With Nick as the scion of Lancelot and Bree as his King, the scion of Arthur, AND the girl he loves, and him being both her love AND her knight, he is free to reach his full potential as both loyal knight and loverboy towards the same person.
I feel like Alice, Bree, and Mariah would throw a big party after Camlann and play California girls. Valec and Sel would try to sing along and Nick would sing so loud that everybody stops and it's his solo lol.
(Willam and Lark would be kissing somewhere)
all i want for the legendborn cycle book 4 is the trio on the cover
Oathbound thoughts (+spoilers)
*
Bree’s decision at the end. a choice between her soul or her soul sister. i am deeply unwell.

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If the legendborn cycle becomes a show, I feel like it HAS to be animated. I cant imagine Selwyns big, dramatic, showy entrances and transformations and fight scenes being able to be portrayed to the fullest without animation. Brees root and aether, Nicks eyes glowing, the magic in the air.Can you imagine the scenes? The changes in Selwyns eye color, his transformation between animal and man. That one scene where his hands fly up as he creates demons for that thingy that happened in book one. (like the trail thingy, its been awhile and I don't have the books with me). Brees root vs her aether,The potential of her pulling out the sword, her getting possessed, Nicks amour coming in and out as he paces Infront of Selwyns door, the way his eyes glow and shit. Animation has that advantage over other films because of how it can portray magic. Will write a bigger paragraph later.
I WANT IT TO BE A PRODUCTION TO RIVAL SPIDERVERSE, DEMON SLAYER, AND AOT ODM SCENES.
i dont care that selwyn is going full demon, he deserves to be a little evil. as a treat.
i think it's so funny how, after two books of haunting the story, natasia kane finally showed up and...? accomplishes absolutely nothing. fixing selwyn? doesn't work. keeping him contained? failed. is so relieved bree's not involved in all this? she's literally arthur's scion on the run w/ huge chunks of her memory missing. thinks sel's never been to hazel and lu's? he was there literally just a few months ago. tries to hide bree's trail? doesn't work for a SECOND. natasia kane took only Ls the entire book and honestly? iconic.
sis was just there to record voice notes, i love her, give her a podcast
The cruel prince and legendborn similarities
one of my absolute favorite things about these two series is Briana’s and Cardan’s parallels.
when Briana was awakened and Cardan was crowned. everyone kneeled for them. Outsiders who never expected to be in command is one of my favorite tropes ever
Scion of Arthur High King of Elfhame
High King of the Round Table
oh and jude = selwyn hear me out on this one or am i too delusional or are they alike? both extremely loyal and dangerously ambitious to protect the king
MY TWO WORLDS COLLIDING WAIT
A Little Legendborn/Bloodmarked/Oathbound Nick Davis Top 15 Moments
Oathbound Spoilers Ahead!!!
Well, well, well. It appears we have finally made it to the Nick Davis portion of my series! I guess Tracy wanted to quiet the voices that said Nick was boring and only smelled like laundry. I have to say, in book three, Nick came with that energy. Bust right through the door and let you “Study him” before letting you know that he is not the one or the two.
The chaotic Gemini/Incubus is a tough act to follow, but Nicky did NOT come to play.
As a refresher, I’ll take you through Legendborn and Bloodmarked to the delicious yearning and heartstoppers of Oathbound. Happy reading.
15. Calling Bree by Her Whole “Gubment” Name
“Briana Irene Matthews! I freeze, then pivot slowly to look for the sort of asshole who calls out someone’s full name in public to get their attention.”
I love this moment because, upon rereading it in the context of what we now know, it left so many delectable clues to Nick’s character. First of all, he is bold. This is the child who denounced his throne and gave the proverbial middle finger to his father and the Order, but it also lets us peek into what he will become.
“I found out when your last class ended. Made a guess as to when you’d hit dinner, then estimated how long it’d take for you to get through the buffet line in Lenoir, find a table, and eat at that hour of the day. All I had to do was show up and wait outside the exit closest to Old East.”
This gives us a glimpse into how cunning Nick can be and how innately calculated he is. He later hits us with, “Not a creep, just clever.” He will later go on to show us how clever he can be.
14. Reminder For Selwyn
“Using the momentum of his next step, Nick throws a fast, hard punch to Sel’s jaw. The hit knocks the sorcerer back into the same oak that stunned the fox…”
“You know I can’t strike you in return.”
“In a voice made of iron, Nick says, ‘Precisely.’”
At this point in Legendborn, Nick had been attacked more than once and had been getting his ass handed to him. It was clear that he and Selwyn had a rift, but this was a show of force. A reminder, not just for Sel, but anyone else who meant to harm Bree. It also showed the imbalance of power between the two. For all of Sel’s outright disdain, this showed cracks in the mask of congeniality that Nick wore so expertly.
13. Nick Selects Bree as His Squire
“I, Nicholas Martin Davis, Scion of King Arthur Pendragon, first-ranked select Page Matthews, as my Squire. With her agreement, we will be bonded. For this war and beyond.”
Again, if Nick is nothing else, he is BOLD. I saw this as another proverbial middle finger laced with “F@%K all y’all!” The fact that he knew the tightly wound Vassels, Order folk, and some Legendborn did not like the idea of Blackness being so close to power made this moment gleeful. Of course, like Bree, he didn’t think it through, but he was ready to risk it all, come what may, as long as he had her by his side to do it. It was a moment that let the masks slip off of these puddle-deep spectators, showing that they never cared about the people, only the power and what they could siphon from being close to it.
12. Off With His Head
“Nick’s head jerks up, eyes red and shiny with grief and fury both. ‘No, you aren’t.’ In an instant, full armor flashes into place around his body, and twin blades appear in his hands. Max lunges. Faster than a Merlin, Nick’s crossed blades meet his opponent’s throat, then part–cleaving Max’s head from his body.”
“Daaaaamn!” is what I shouted when I read this. I am sure like most, I grew tired of Max and his brand of asshole. He had it coming in so many ways and I was glad that Nick was the one to give it to him. I also enjoyed how Nick has found what I like to call the “End you” point. The neck. In Oathbound, he chokes the shit out of his cousin for suggesting Bree stole his destiny.
“You choked me! Donovan croaks. He rubs at his throat while I search internally for remorse for my own actions.”
Then there is this moment with Zoe.
“‘These blades are razor-sharp and about a quarter inch from your jugulars.’ Nick’s voice is calm and deadly above me. ‘All they need is a little push.’ When I look up, I find Zoe’s red eyes glaring down at me from between Nick’s glowing aether swords. He is on one knee between us, arms up, holding the sharp edges of his blades in a tight cross beneath her throat.”
First of all the way he does not play about Bree is top tier, and secondly, this has become his move! At first, his own brutality scared him, then he decided “I like this shit!” I won’t get into the symbolism of going for the neck and the mind-body connection, but I will say that he also kisses Bree here, often.
11. Nick Flees (Goes Trouncing Through the Woods) Cue @paigeagainstdamachine
“The opening is here, now. Sel and Nick turn back to each other, eyes meeting again. Then some unspoken, silent understanding passes from charge to Kingsmage, and Sel sucks in a breath. ‘No…’”
“Nick takes one step back. Then another. And then I’m saying it, too. ‘No.’ He shakes his head, and the meaning is clear. He’s leaving. Without us.”
This moment stressed me out! I knew that Nick had to be leaving for good reason. Especially after telling Bree where they were. What we know now is that he saw Selwyn’s death at the hands of Erebus, and he was not having it. It was such a tense moment because we finally had them all together, but I know Nick is a play it close to the vest type of dude. He won’t show his hand until he needs to and this moment shows how far he is willing to go to protect those he loves.
10.Nick Goes After Bree in Arthur’s Fresh Hell
“‘No!’ Lancelot’s helmet is gone now. I can see the scruff on his chin now, the dark blonde hair matted in sweat against his forehead. ‘I can’t lose you; I won’t lose her…’”
This scene in Bloodmarked is one of those that is so hard for me to go back to. The pain and willing sacrifice from both boys do me in. I am a sucker for devotion and reverence and unwavering love. Nick is literally holding her as she continues to try to burn him away while Sel consumes her Root, knowing the outcome. This moment stings! It shows that they are willing to go to the ends of the earth for Bree, but it also shows Nick’s love and care for Sel. He is ever-present in his mind, and though their relationship has been tumultuous, you can begin to see how Nick is letting that mask of resentment slip. He says,
“‘We had faith,’ he says quietly. ‘That you’d know how to get us all out safely.’”
Bree describes his voice as a bond that encapsulates all three of them, and he describes the world being broken, essentially if the three of them were not in it together.
9. Nick Invokes the Curia
“No, I don’t think I will listen here,’” Nick says brightly. "In fact, I think you will listen to what I have to say. Every single word.”
When I say this was a boss move, and the fact that it pissed off the Regents? De-lish! In moment 15 I talked about how cunning Nick was, and I thought this was a full realization of just how cunning he could be. He used the structure of evil against itself and to read how it pissed them all off (Cestra in particular) filled me with joy. Plus, the fact that he was talking cash money shit to all of them, making them face themselves, was epic.
“Your supremacy," Nick says, brows tight. ‘Your misogyny. Your racism. Your cowardice.’”
I just know ass cheeks were clenched! Especially Aldrich (whom I hope Bree personally destroys and makes good on her words). Nick worked overtime to use his power and privilege to make the Regents bend to him.
8. Nick Reveals Abuse
“Nick scoffed. ‘Sel can hit me if it’s done in the name of 'training.’ William, you know that. He can do more than hit me if he’s been brainwashed to believe that hitting me is for my own good or praised for 'preparing' his Scion for battle. My father knew the way to Sel’s heart–and fists—was to tell him that sometimes, protection looked like violence. That was the only language Sel knew for a while. Until I renounced my title and we both learned better.”
This was another difficult scene to read. These kids have been so abused that even Willilam, with everything laid out for him, had a hard time believing his cousin would participate in such cruelty. It shows how Sel was used as a battle axe, crushing Nick in the name of duty and training. It shows how the machine of hate and power is fueled by the bodies of the young and vulnerable. It also shows that Nick is not okay. He is the veneer for the Order. He looks the part, and it does not matter to them if they break him in the process. They probably think that makes him a more formidable warrior. We saw that his father was willing to force his hand if he did not agree with his plan. The problem is, they did not count on Nick’s goodness and heart, which is hard to fathom when you have neither.
7. Nick Learns About His Inheritance
“The enhanced vision can’t be predicted or stopped. The first thing to know is that ‘vision’ is a complicated word. It’s both something you can possess and something you can receive. Something you use and something you create…”
While Donovan was a PhD level asshole, he was dropping knowledge about Lancelot’s abilities because that is what he prepared for. It was a treat to learn the inner workings of how Nick sees in the dark so to speak. That his vision is tailored to meet his King, a holy weapon in an earthly hand as it is called. It’s information such as this that lets us in on everything Nick has done in the prior two books. It explains his understanding, his running away, his rage. We see him move with much more confidence in this book because he is learning and honing his skills (as they all are), and I am here for it!
6. Nick Threatens Valec
“But when anger touches Nick, it only hardens his resolve. ‘You need to walk away, Valechaz. Now.”
“That so.’” Valec’s chin tips up, exposing glinting fangs beneath the stage lights. ‘Nicholas?'”
“Lightning flashes in Nick’s eyes. ‘A soul to kill and die for, right?’”
Well, shit! I adore Valec, but Nick said, “Not too much na!” Valec understood the assignment, and because he is also with the shits, he recognized his error and needed to step out (that made me chuckle). This is Nick’s Fuck around if you want to, era and ANYONE can get it. Nick is not one to raise his voice and rant and rave, but he has the quiet kind of rage that the well-versed in it see coming and promptly get out of the way. It is the Nick that Will saw clearly at the Curia and it scared him because he understood that this Nick would scorch the earth.
5. Spy Kids
“I send a fiery fist flying to his face, a deadly, root-powered right hook perfected from sparring with Elijah–and he catches it—God, he’s fast—grunting with the effort. Before I can jerk my fist away, he takes a slow breath—and the flames of my right hand disappear.”
The Mission Impossible vibes of this scene were palpable. One spy comes in to steal the precious object while being thwarted by another spy hell bent on doing the same. It was a far cry from Bree describing him as the newly recruited secret agent (even though he low-key was for Ava’s funky ass) at the Selection Gala. This scene shows how Nick’s precision combat and brute force made him vicious in a tight space. When he punched Bree in the face, I winced. I did however see the parallel of him kissing her in the elevator and avoiding her injury to when he did the same after they dispatched hounds on campus in Legendborn. He is attuned to her body as Sel is attuned to her essence (soul).
4. So Drown
“‘I…’” Nick steps closer. He searches my face, torment pulling at his features. His gaze claims my brows, my eyes, my lips. When he finally answers, his voice is a desperate rasp. ‘I’m drowning in you, Bree. I shouldn’t want to. I should fight it. But I can’t.’”
Lawd have mercy! My God, Tuhday! Why did Ms. Deonn make these dudes mannish! When I was this age, not one boy spoke this way, and if they did…I suppose that is a story for another day. The yearning is strong with this one! The tension here is pulled tighter than day one cornrows. I honestly don’t know how either boy was able to maintain, but the fact that he and Bree are playing married couple in this shared space is wild. His resolve is ironclad, but so is his respect for Bree (who is with the shits). The want, the desire, the heat…Tracy ain’t no good!
3. Nick Takes the Shard
“There, right at his breastbone, lies a small black fragment of metal no more than two inches long. Surrounding it is a layer of blue crosshatched magic.”
Nick revealing this arrangement with Ava was heart-sinking. He is determined to not have Bree feel the sting of Arthur’s possession again and made a huge leap to try and thwart it. He made a bargain and did not sort out the ways it could be harmful. He is not necessarily concerned with himself, but the impact to Bree and Sel. The ache from him saying that essentially, because Sel is in “Demonia” his loss will not hurt as much. The thought that he sat with this and thought about the impact without truly internalizing the hurt had me shaking my head. The implication is that this is a journey that he will need to take on his own. He says,
“Let me do this.”
Followed by “Not for this,” in reference to Bree reminding him that it’s “You and me.”
The parallel to the Firefly scene where Sel also utters “Not for this,” in reference to not trusting Bree to keep her eyes covered. The through-line of a character doing or not doing something that would call into question their logic and trust regarding their decisions. The way these three are willing to fall on the sword for each other is a painful reality that all of them have readily faced. I can’t wait to see how this unfolds in the last book.
2. My Blade is Yours
“When I finally whisper, ‘And if I want to burn it all to the ground?’ His answer is a quick grin against my lips. ‘My blade is yours.’”
The heat of the rooftop scene almost set my book ablaze. Almost melted my earbuds and fused them to my eardrums. Excuse me?! Considering that Nick and his clever hands had Bree rolling her hips and doing the dutty wine on his lap, this line was bathed in innuendo. The fact that his voice is described as a warning in this scene, like, are you sure? Because I am going to give you what you need right now. His focus on her throat, that mind-body connection,
“Nick paints reverence across my throat and seals wonder to my mouth.”
This scene was a culmination of him holding back, but giving Bree what she needed in the moment, what she asked for. He puts on full display his control of himself and his tenderness. He gives room for her be vulnerable, he listens to what she wants, he gives her space to think. He operates in her want, her desire. Come on, then Davis!
1. Confession
Look at you, you made it to my number one Nick moment. I hope you are okay! The scene at Penumbra when Nick takes on not only his questions but Bree’s had me taking a walk after I read it. When Mikael asks if he suspected something more than friendship with Sel, Nick says,
“I don’t think it; I know it.”
Nick says this through clenched teeth, from the fight to resist the demon and his feelings. When Mikael asks him how it makes him feel, he says,
“Relief, our lives are hard. Short. They both deserve happiness where they find it. Heartache. Because I don’t know what or how I’ll feel if…if their happiness is found with each other.”
When Mikael asks why he is not angry with Bree/Iris, he says,
“Because she is worthy. And while I have lost my faith in the world…I never lose faith in her.”
Nick lays himself bare in this chapter. The confession of knowing that she and Sel share an intimacy, a love (even if it is not named as such from her), a closeness and that he would be willing to accept that if they decided to take it further was like Mikael took that dagger to my chest. Sel also does this in the woods when Bree kisses him. He stops her and basically says he does not want her like this, especially if the three of them have not talked.
They not only prioritize Bree, but they prioritize each other. Though I know the two of them would internally melt if she chose one over the other, nobel shit aside, I love how Nick and Sel love each other. He reveals he ran into the woods because he saw Sel’s death. In Legendborn (shoutout @justbrainrot), he decided to answer Arthur’s call because he saw Rhaz hit Sel, possibly causing his death.
It is the love he has inside of him that wraps Bree and Sel in its safety. Loving people that deeply is a bond older than anything the Order can fathom. It is something the Shadow King cannot relate to, which is why his court is in shambles. It is the connective tissue that will see them defeat the Regents, the Order, and the deadbeat Shadow Daddy.
They won’t know what hit them.
Whew! You made it to the end! That was a hell of a ride, wasn’t it? What are some of your favorite moments from Mr. Davis?
Nicholas Martin Devonte Jamal Davis, certified lover boy, Mr “you and me, B”, Mr “you aren’t a monster and we were never brothers, Captain of the “F AROUND AND FIND OUT” division of “I am NOT the one” Corp, knight in shining aether armour…
ALEXA PLAY WHATTA MAN BY SALT N PEPA, BASS BOOSTED 8D AUDIO

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A Little Oathbound Symbolism (SPOILERS AHEAD!!!)
Hey y’all! If you’ve read Oathbound, how is everyone feeling tonight?! If you are like me, you probably needed several mental health support breaks to cope with the yearning, reverence, heart-stopping terror, and that ending. I loved the third installment of the series and especially enjoyed the new batch of symbolism Tracy poured into the pages. That being said, let’s get into it! But first, some definitions and happenings.
Penumbra - a space of partial illumination (as in an eclipse) between the perfect shadow on all sides and the full light. It is often described as a grey area. Shout out @medium-bloodcrafter-scion
In April 2024, there was a solar eclipse (the first I have ever seen). In 2025 there have been two lunar eclipses and in February a parade of planets was visible in the night sky. A rare celestial event that won’t show itself again until 2040.
Light and Dark (Shadows)
“Shadows are birthed from both light and darkness, Briana Matthews.”
Erebus says this to Briana after a particularly cruel training session. This series has played with duality from the beginning, and I love this turn of phrasing. No one is who they say or think they are (whether they are aware of it or not). We, as readers, are left to ponder what the shadows may mean in and for a character. When Erebus takes the chunk of Bree’s soul, the people she loves become a “Shapeless gray mass bathed in mist.”
“I am not a shadow.” I shake my head. “Take me back.”
Oh, but you are Bree. The parallels with the light and the dark with each of the boys mirror both sides of who Bree is. In Bloodmarked we get Sel saying, “I am not born of shadows!” and when Bree is being pursued by Merlin in the dreamscape, she proclaims, “I am not shadowborn!” After Merlin’s “There you are, little Cysgod.”
The Moon
In my reading, I found it intriguing that the moon is a feminine symbol representing immortality, enlightenment, eternity, and the dark side of nature. The moon’s gravitational pull controls the earth’s tides (Nick and the water references associated with him) and determines the length of our days and our seasons. It reflects inner knowledge and the realm between the conscious and unconscious. It is a symbol of the soul (Otherworld). It reflects light. Selwyn embodies these traits so effortlessly, just look at the pull he has had on the fandom. Epic.
“The clouds shift overhead to reveal a bright crescent moon hanging low in the sky.”
A crescent moon can symbolize a transition from one phase to another, a transformation. In the scene where Selwyn finally catches up to Bree and Nick, this is the moon described in the sky. As we know, Selwyn is headed for his new destiny. He has transitioned (quite literally in death) to his new form, his more eternal state of being, the Prince of Shadows. I believe that, going forward, this will be a period of growth, release, and change for Selly.
The Sun
“Nicholas Davis and Selwyn Kane. The sun and the moon. You are warmth and the light, and I am the bitter deep cold…”
I love this scene so much because it is a culmination of heartbreak and confession between both boys. It also shows how they see each other through the lens of everyone else but are slowly coming to the place where they truly see each other.
The sun is life, quite literally. A masculine symbol of divinity, enlightenment, and order that sustains life and lights the way for spiritual illumination. The sun represents the cycle of life with its rising (birth), its journey across the sky (life/living), and its setting (death/rebirth). It follows the soul’s journey. It is a catalyst for change and lights the way for enlightenment and self-discovery (Bree’s quest and his).
“Your supremacy,” Nick says, brows tight. “Your misogyny. Your racism. Your cowardice. I only state out loud that which you enact in plain sight. That which we can all see, if we can stand to bear witness.” Nick seethes. “Will you punish me for doing so? Your chosen son?”
The sun is also a symbol of authority and hope. Throughout this series, Nick is seen as the chosen one. The golden boy who will lead the Legendborn valiantly into battle. The way he uses his light to fight for a more righteous cause is masterful. He illuminates all the ways the Order and the Regents are evil. He casts light on all of the dark places they would like to remain hidden.
Solar Eclipse
“Sel blurs in front of him in a blink, eyes flashing up at the taller boy. He bares his fangs, words spiking between them with a hiss.”
Tracy rarely misses an opportunity to show us the size difference between the boys. Nick eclipses Sel’s form every time (he does this with everyone, really). Across time, solar eclipses have been seen as a gateway for transformation and renewal. The sun’s light is obscured, opening the door for revelation and insight. It is described as a cosmic dance that shows its interconnectedness with all things, inviting change and bringing individuals to their highest selves. Nick and Sel are doing that dance in this scene. While there is much to still discuss, these two cosmic forces align, one casting a shadow and the other illuminating the dark places.
The Center of The Universe - Bree Matthews
“A soul like yours is something to kill and die for, Briana Matthews. Your soul is the engine behind the power that could change the world. Unparalleled, in this dimension or the next. Beyond priceless…”
Valec says this with pure reverence and passion (with a hint of rage). In this series, Bree is the center, the plan, and the action, and she inspires everyone around her to be their highest selves. In relation to the boys, they are both sides of her, the light and the dark, the sun and the moon. She is their world. Earth is described as the cosmic cradle where life begins and thrives. The minute Sel and Nick meet Bree, their trajectory changes. Their destinies become something more. Mother Earth is power, nurturing its inhabitants.
“Honey wine. Amber. Green things growing. The tiniest hint of copper, like fresh blood. Something else…” A deep inhale, and I feel him shudder. “Power.”
Earth is the concrete physical reality in which we all live. It is this reality that Bree brought with her the minute she stepped on campus. Earth represents the balance of yin and yang (our sun and moon). It ushers in harmony.
“Epiphyllum oxypetalum.” Hazel’s eyes have gone teary. “More commonly known as queen of the night. These flowers require regular sunlight to flourish and yet they only bloom in darkness, only one night a year…”
“These flowers take faith, Bree. Even when we can’t see their progress, even when we forget they’re growing, they bloom. And they are worth the wait.”
Hazel’s words could not be more impactful. Much like this flower, Bree needed Nick’s warmth, his light, to flourish. She needed his safety and protection to rest and meet the task she faced. To bloom, she needed Sel. He carried her through the dark places (literally and figuratively) to help her be her best self. To help her flourish. She is now giving that to both boys.
King shit indeed.
Book three was so rich with themes and motifs. I could not get enough! Let me know your thoughts, I’d love to hear them!
P.S. I think it is high time for a Nick Davis and Valec top moments. Whew chiiiile, the material!
**taps mic** here is a little Oathbound piece (poem???) i wrote a couple days ago
contains ✨spoilers ✨
King, Knight, Prince
a king, a knight, a prince
threads intertwined, lives interlinked
written into history
predestined, irrevocable
knight, prince, king
the sun, the moon, the earth
and the stars aligning for them
held together by forces bigger than them
giving and sustaining life
warmth, comfort
stability, guiding rhythms
belonging
want
orbits and eclipses
a universe of three
prince, king, knight
there is no one without the others
to know one is to know the others
three lives woven
a line blurred between
loyalty and love
oaths, bonds
and binding ties
hopeless devotion
together they are limitless
a king, a knight, a prince
what shall they do?