Blood & Honey
“Blood & Honey” by Shelby Mahurin is the second installment in the “Serpent & Dove” trilogy, a young adult fantasy-romance series. Following a near-fatal encounter with the Dames Blanches, protagonists Lou, Reid, Coco, and Ansel become fugitives, fleeing from coven, kingdom, and church. The narrative revolves around their journey to secure allies while navigating escalating dangers, including deadly witches and internal conflicts. The book shifts tone from the first installment, focusing more on tension and survival than romance. Key themes include loyalty, sacrifice, and the struggle between destiny and choice. The novel ends on a cliffhanger, setting up the trilogy’s conclusion. With 528 pages, it expands the dark, magical world of Belterra while deepening character arcs and conflicts.
Dagger of Bone: Lou
byMahurin, Shelby
The chapter opens with Lou and Deveraux hastily departing Beauchêne to evade authorities after a violent incident. Deveraux, an enigmatic figure who seems unnaturally resilient, takes the reins while Lou reluctantly joins him in the wagon. Her thoughts linger on Reid, who is traveling separately in the “amber wagon” with Coco, sparking jealousy despite their apparent reconciliation. Lou’s frustration grows as Deveraux evades her probing questions about his past, family, and motives, leaving her suspicious yet dependent on his aid.
As they travel through the night, Lou presses Deveraux for answers about his age and identity, but he responds cryptically, stating he simply “is.” Their conversation circles themes of love and loss, with Deveraux hinting at a long, mysterious life marked by two great loves. Lou grows increasingly bewildered by his refusal to conform to her expectations, yet she senses a strange sincerity in his actions. By dawn, they near Cesarine, where Deveraux announces they must part ways, promising to arrange safe lodgings through Madame Labelle’s contacts.
Lou’s suspicion wars with gratitude as she bids Deveraux farewell, though his parting words—”Be safe until we meet again”—hint at future encounters. Her focus shifts to Reid, who remains distant when she knocks on the wagon door. The silence between them mirrors a childhood memory of her mother’s ruthless disposal of a nobleman, leaving Lou feeling similarly hollow and adrift. Reid’s coldness and Coco’s sympathetic exit amplify her despair, as she grapples with the emotional chasm she’s created.
The chapter closes with Lou confronting the weight of her actions, comparing her emotional turmoil to sinking into darkness. Reid’s refusal to engage and Coco’s temporary departure underscore her isolation. Lou’s introspection reveals a deeper conflict between her hardened upbringing and her desire for connection, leaving her stranded between guilt and hope for reconciliation. The unresolved tension with Reid and Deveraux’s cryptic presence set the stage for further developments in their journey.
FAQs
1. What are the key mysteries surrounding Claud Deveraux’s character based on this chapter, and how do they contribute to the story’s intrigue?
Answer:
Claud Deveraux is shrouded in mystery, which fuels the narrative’s tension. He claims to be “very old” yet appears middle-aged, mentions having loved only twice “in all [his] years,” and evades direct questions about his identity with cryptic answers like “I simply… am.” His motives for helping Lou’s group are unclear—he claims it’s to spread love over hate, but Lou remains suspicious. These ambiguities (his age, species, and true intentions) create an aura of unpredictability, making him both fascinating and unsettling. His refusal to conform to expectations (“Why must I bind myself to fit your expectations?”) further deepens the enigma, leaving readers—and Lou—questioning whether he’s an ally or a hidden threat.2. How does Lou’s internal conflict about Reid manifest in this chapter, and what does it reveal about her emotional state?
Answer:
Lou’s turmoil over Reid is palpable. She resents being separated from him (and Coco) in the amber wagon, yet their strained relationship leaves her feeling “petulant” and desperate. The silence between them feels like “leaping into the sea with rocks in [her] chest,” a metaphor for suffocating guilt and helplessness. Her childhood memory of her mother’s lover—whose death left her sick with shame—parallels her current pain, suggesting she views her actions (likely her betrayal or lies) as similarly destructive. Her tentative knocking and unreturned smile highlight her vulnerability, while her insistence that Reid’s coldness is “fine” reveals defensive self-deception. This conflict underscores her fear of irreversible damage to their relationship.3. Analyze the significance of Lou’s childhood memory about her mother’s lover. How does it reflect her moral struggles and her relationship with Morgane?
Answer:
The memory reveals Lou’s early exposure to violence and moral ambiguity. Morgane’s brutal disposal of the lover—filling his corpse with rocks—contrasts with her soothing words (“some secrets must be kept”), illustrating the hypocrisy Lou grew up with. Lou’s shame (“I’d been sick”) shows her innate morality clashing with her mother’s ruthless pragmatism. This moment foreshadows Lou’s current guilt over her own secrets (possibly involving Reid) and mirrors her feeling of being “cut open” by her actions. It also highlights her complicated bond with Morgane: while she once sought reassurance from her mother, she now recognizes the toxicity of such “pretty” lies, fueling her determination to confront hard truths.4. How does the chapter use setting and time to enhance the mood and themes?
Answer:
The pre-dawn journey—from “pitch black” to “dazzling pink” skies—mirrors Lou’s emotional transition from frustration (with Deveraux’s evasions) to tentative hope (as they near Cesarine). The “chimney smoke” at dawn symbolizes both danger (potential discovery) and refuge (Labelle’s contacts). The rocking wagon and nighttime setting amplify Lou’s instability, while Deveraux’s decision to part ways at daybreak underscores the precariousness of their situation. The “L’Eau Mélancolique” (Melancholic Water) from Lou’s memory reinforces themes of hidden sins and unresolved grief. These elements weave a mood of tension and melancholy, emphasizing the characters’ precarious balance between survival and emotional reckoning.5. Evaluate Deveraux’s parting words to Lou: “Be safe, my darling, while we part. Be safe until we meet again.” What might this suggest about his role in the larger narrative?
Answer:
Deveraux’s farewell carries ominous warmth. His repetition of “be safe” feels protective yet foreboding, hinting at impending danger in Cesarine. The phrase “until we meet again” implies inevitability, suggesting he has a larger plan involving Lou—whether as a mentor, manipulator, or antagonist. His earlier claim that their separation is “for now” reinforces this intentionality. Given Lou’s suspicion of hidden motives, his words could foreshadow future betrayal or a test of loyalty. Alternatively, they might reflect genuine care, positioning him as a cryptic guardian. Either way, his insistence on reunion plants narrative tension, leaving readers to question whether his role will ultimately align with or oppose Lou’s goals.
Quotes
1. “Perhaps because the world needs a whit less hate and a trifle more love. Does that answer suffice?”
This quote captures Deveraux’s enigmatic but philosophical approach to helping the protagonists, revealing his deeper motivations despite his mysterious nature. It stands out as a rare moment of sincerity in their otherwise evasive conversation.
2. “Love. The most elusive of mistresses. In all my years, I must confess to finding her only twice.”
Deveraux’s reflection on love hints at his longevity and tragic romantic history, adding layers to his character while maintaining his air of mystery. The poetic phrasing makes it particularly memorable.
3. “Why must I bind myself to fit your expectations?”
This statement perfectly encapsulates Deveraux’s refusal to conform to societal norms or Lou’s attempts to categorize him, representing the chapter’s theme of embracing ambiguity and rejecting rigid definitions.
4. “Though a secret is a lie in pretty clothing, some secrets must be kept.”
Lou’s memory of her mother’s chilling wisdom reveals the moral complexity of their world and foreshadows the difficult choices Lou faces. The elegant phrasing makes this dark truth particularly impactful.
5. “This silence between Reid and me felt something like that—like leaping into the sea with rocks in my chest, helpless to stop sinking.”
Lou’s visceral metaphor powerfully conveys the emotional weight of her strained relationship with Reid, making this one of the chapter’s most poignant and well-crafted passages.