Serpent & Dove
Blood, Water, and Smoke: Lou
by Mahurin, ShelbyThe chapter opens with Lou waking up in an intimate embrace with Reid, her husband, which flusters her as she realizes her nightgown has ridden up during the night. Their playful banter sets a lighthearted tone as Reid prepares for training, but Lou insists they attend the Saint Nicolas Day festival instead. She eagerly describes the festival’s delights, particularly the food, and insists on buying Reid a gift despite his protests. Their dynamic is affectionate and teasing, showcasing their growing closeness.
Lou and Reid arrive at the East End festival, where the lively atmosphere is filled with the scents of cinnamon treats and the sights of decorated evergreens and bustling crowds. Lou’s enthusiasm for the festivities contrasts with Reid’s more reserved demeanor, especially when she eyes the desserts hungrily. Their playful disagreement over her appetite adds humor, while the festive setting—complete with snow and wreaths—paints a vivid picture of the holiday cheer in Cesarine.
Amid the celebrations, Lou notices flyers advertising a performance by the “Ye Olde Sisters” in honor of Archbishop Florin Cardinal Clément, Reid’s middle name, which she mocks. The flyers hint at a larger plot or conflict, but Lou dismisses them and focuses on her mission to find a gift for Reid. She insists on splitting up to shop, despite Reid’s reluctance, demonstrating her independent streak and determination to surprise him.
Lou visits the blacksmith Abe, hoping to purchase a copper-handled dagger for Reid, but the encounter turns tense when Abe accuses her of betraying East End’s underworld to the constables. His hostility reveals the consequences of Lou’s past actions, and her attempt to smooth things over with money fails as Abe condemns her marriage to Reid. The confrontation ends on a sour note, hinting at lingering tensions and challenges in Lou’s new life.
FAQs
1. How does Lou’s morning interaction with Reid reveal the evolving nature of their relationship?
Answer:
The morning scene shows a blend of intimacy and lingering awkwardness that reflects their developing relationship. Lou wakes up physically close to Reid, savoring the sensation of his skin against hers, which indicates growing comfort and attraction. However, her panic at realizing her nightgown had ridden up reveals residual self-consciousness, suggesting she’s still adjusting to their marital intimacy. Reid’s amused reaction (“Good morning”) and his blush show he’s both aware of and pleased by their closeness, while Lou’s “treacherously warm” cheeks betray her conflicted feelings. This mix of ease and tension highlights their transition from a forced marriage to a genuine, if still uncertain, emotional connection.2. Analyze the significance of the Saint Nicolas Day festival as a setting. How does it contrast with the underlying tensions in the chapter?
Answer:
The festive setting of Saint Nicolas Day—with its treats, decorations, and communal joy—creates a stark contrast with the darker tensions simmering beneath the surface. Lou’s enthusiasm for the ginger macarons and her insistence on celebrating (“They must be experienced”) reflect her desire for normalcy and pleasure amidst their fraught circumstances. However, this cheer is undercut by the “gauche flyers” advertising Florin Cardinal Clément’s event, a reminder of the political and religious threats they face. The festival’s warmth (both literal and metaphorical) clashes with the cold reality of East End’s distrust toward Lou, exemplified by the blacksmith’s hostility. This juxtaposition heightens the sense that their momentary happiness is fragile.3. What does Lou’s confrontation with the blacksmith Abe reveal about the consequences of her alliance with the Chasseurs?
Answer:
Abe’s fury demonstrates the social cost of Lou’s cooperation with the Chasseurs. His accusation—”You sold out Andre and Grue”—shows how her actions have disrupted East End’s underworld, making her a pariah among former allies. The constables’ increased presence (“sniffing around”) has stifled local business, turning Abe’s livelihood precarious. His disgust at her marriage to a “blue pig” (a Chasseur) underscores the cultural divide between Lou’s old life and her new loyalties. Lou’s attempt to smooth things over with coin (“an olive branch”) reflects her pragmatic approach, but Abe’s rejection (“I didn’t think even you could stoop that low”) forces her to confront the irreversible rift she’s created. This scene underscores the theme of betrayal and the sacrifices demanded by her choices.4. How does Lou’s voice and behavior in this chapter reflect her dual identity as both a street-savvy rogue and a newlywed navigating emotional vulnerability?
Answer:
Lou’s dialogue and actions oscillate between her trademark bravado and uncharacteristic tenderness. Her playful demand that Reid buy her “something good” and her swaggering entrance into the smithy (“old man!”) are classic Lou, showcasing her streetwise confidence. Yet her giddy excitement over festival treats and gifts reveals a softer, almost whimsical side. Similarly, her panic at waking up half-dressed and her defensive reply to Abe (“I did what I had to”) hint at vulnerability beneath her tough exterior. This duality is most poignant when she shrugs off Reid’s concern about splitting up—asserting independence while subtly seeking his trust. The chapter paints her as a woman caught between two worlds: the hardened survivor and the woman learning to embrace connection.5. Evaluate the foreshadowing in the flyer for Florin Cardinal Clément’s event. How might this event impact Lou and Reid in future chapters?
Answer:
The flyer’s prominence (“tacked to every building”) and its jarring interruption of the festive mood signal impending conflict. Florin’s title (“His Eminence”) and the event’s location (Cathédral Saint-Cécile) suggest a show of power, likely to assert Church authority over figures like Lou and Reid. Lou’s mockery of Florin’s name—and Reid’s quiet revelation that it’s his middle name—hints at personal stakes, possibly tied to Reid’s past. The event’s timing (“tomorrow morning”) creates narrative urgency, implying the couple’s respite will be short-lived. Given Abe’s hostility and the constables’ presence, the performance may force Lou to choose between hiding or confronting Florin, while Reid’s ties to the Church could resurface. This foreshadowing builds tension, suggesting a public confrontation that will test their alliance and survival.
Quotes
1. “I arched into him sleepily, savoring the sensation of his skin against my own—then froze. My nightgown had pooled around my waist in the night, and my legs and belly were bare against him.”
This intimate moment captures Lou’s conflicted feelings about her growing physical and emotional closeness to Reid, showcasing both her vulnerability and her instinct to retreat from intimacy.
2. “I love buying presents almost as much as I love receiving them.”
This line reveals Lou’s playful, materialistic nature while also hinting at her deeper desire for connection and generosity, contrasting with her usual self-serving tendencies.
3. “Marrying a blue pig. I didn’t think even you could stoop that low.”
This harsh condemnation from the blacksmith Abe highlights the social tensions and consequences of Lou’s marriage to Reid, a Chasseur, showing how her choices have alienated her from her former underworld connections.
4. “I did what I had to. I don’t expect you to understand.”
Lou’s defensive response encapsulates her character arc - making difficult choices for survival while struggling with others’ judgments, showing her growing self-awareness and willingness to stand by her decisions despite criticism.