Serpent & Dove
“Serpent & Dove” by Shelby Mahurin is a YA fantasy novel set in a French-inspired world where witches are hunted by the Church. The story follows Louise “Lou” le Blanc, a witch who has renounced magic and hides in the city of Cesarine, and Reid Diggory, a devout witch hunter. After a chance encounter forces them into an arranged marriage, their opposing loyalties and beliefs create tension. As Lou’s secrets threaten to unravel, the pair must navigate betrayal, forbidden romance, and a brewing war between witches and the Church. The novel explores themes of identity, prejudice, and the clash between duty and desire, blending fantasy, romance, and adventure.
A Mutually Beneficial Arrangement: Lou
byMahurin, Shelby
Lou wakes in the attic of the Soleil et Lune theater, disoriented and in pain from her injuries—a broken nose and swollen fingers—sustained the previous night. The noise from the matinee performance below reminds her of the urgency to relieve herself, but her bloodstained dress and battered face complicate her plans. She attempts to disguise herself with a hat and spectacles from the costume racks, though her injuries make changing impossible. Concern for her friend Coco lingers, but Lou focuses on her immediate need to navigate the crowded theater unnoticed.
Descending to the lobby, Lou draws unwanted attention from a haughty actress who questions her injuries and bloodstained clothing. Lou brushes off the concern with a hasty excuse, but the encounter leaves her uneasy. The bustling lobby, filled with nobles and merchants, proves challenging to navigate, though the crowd’s preoccupation with gossip works in her favor. Lou overhears rumors of the Archbishop’s attendance, heightening her anxiety, as she knows his reputation for ruthlessly hunting witches like herself.
In the restroom, Lou confronts her reflection, horrified by the extent of her bruises and bloodstains. She scrubs her face raw but fails to fully conceal the damage. A knock at the door forces her to feign illness, buying time to wait out the crowd. As the performance begins, the lobby empties, allowing Lou to slip out unnoticed—until a familiar voice freezes her in her tracks. The copper-haired man from her past, whose presence she dreads, spots her, leaving her with a chilling sense of impending danger.
The chapter ends on a cliffhanger as Lou locks eyes with the man, whose identity and connection to her remain ominously unresolved. Her instinct to flee wars with her curiosity, but the encounter suggests her troubles are far from over. The tension underscores Lou’s precarious existence, caught between hiding her true nature and the ever-present threat of discovery in a world hostile to witches.
FAQs
1. What challenges does Lou face when trying to leave the attic, and how does she attempt to solve them?
Answer:
Lou faces multiple challenges when trying to leave the attic: her physical injuries (broken nose, swollen fingers), bloodstains on her dress, and the crowded theater below during a matinee performance. She attempts to solve these by disguising herself with a bergère hat and wire spectacles, using her cloak to cover bloodstains, and relying on Angelica’s Ring as a potential escape tool. However, her injuries make changing clothes impossible, and her disguise proves insufficient when theater crew members notice her battered appearance. The chapter highlights her resourcefulness despite limited options.2. How does the chapter characterize the Archbishop, and why is his potential attendance at the theater significant?
Answer:
The Archbishop is characterized as a dangerous, obsessive figure who leads the Chasseurs in their crusade against witchcraft. The text describes him as having “a cruel light in his eye” and notes his reputation for burning witches. His potential attendance at the theater is significant because Lou—implied to be a witch—is hiding there. This creates tension, as his presence raises the stakes of her discovery. The chapter contrasts the theater’s frivolous gossip culture with the Archbishop’s lethal seriousness, emphasizing the danger he represents to Lou.3. Analyze the interaction between Lou and the “hook-nosed girl” backstage. What does this reveal about Lou’s situation?
Answer:
The interaction reveals Lou’s precarious position and the inadequacy of her disguise. The girl’s shift from haughtiness to concern (“Has someone hurt you?”) underscores how visibly injured Lou appears. Lou’s frantic denials and exaggerated smile betray her nervousness, while the girl’s mention of calling the constabulary hints at the risk of authorities getting involved. This exchange also shows Lou’s isolation—she cannot trust anyone with the truth, and even well-meaning attention threatens her safety. The scene reinforces her vulnerability in a public space.4. How does the author use sensory details to create atmosphere in Lou’s attic environment?
Answer:
The author immerses readers in Lou’s attic through vivid sensory details: “dusty rays of sunlight,” the noise of the theater below (“excited voices,” the overture), and tactile descriptions like the “moldy blankets” from the garbage. These details contrast the attic’s grim reality (pain, limited resources) with the lively theater world just beyond Lou’s reach. The “dusty costumes” and swollen fingers also emphasize her physical suffering. By grounding the scene in specific sensations, the author heightens the tension between Lou’s hidden suffering and the oblivious merriment around her.5. Why might Lou’s decision to check the mirror in the toilet be a turning point in the scene?
Answer:
The mirror scene forces Lou to confront the severity of her injuries and the failure of her disguise. Seeing her “shambles” of a face—purple bruises, bloodstains—explains why she drew attention earlier and confirms she cannot blend in. This moment of self-recognition escalates the danger, as it becomes clear she must avoid all interaction. It also underscores her resilience; despite the shock, she pragmatically cleans up and waits out the crowd. The mirror acts as a reality check, shifting her from hopeful disguise to strategic hiding.
Quotes
1. “But my subconscious chased me. Noises reverberated from the theater below as cast and crew called to one another, and excited voices drifted in from the window. I frowned, still clinging to the remnants of sleep.”
This opening quote establishes Lou’s disoriented state and the contrast between her traumatic reality and the bustling theater world around her. It introduces the chapter’s tension between hiding and being discovered.
2. “My nose had been smashed to bits, and I’d been forced to flee for my life.”
This blunt statement reveals the severity of Lou’s situation while maintaining her characteristic dark humor. It encapsulates the physical and emotional stakes driving her actions throughout the chapter.
3. “As father of the Chasseurs, the Archbishop guided their spiritual warfare against Belterra’s evil, proclaiming he’d been given a mandate from God to eradicate the occult. I’d seen him only once, from afar, but I’d recognized the cruel light in his eye for what it was: obsession.”
This quote provides crucial world-building about the story’s antagonist while revealing Lou’s perceptiveness. Her description of the Archbishop’s “obsession” foreshadows the central conflict between witches and the Church.
4. “I should’ve proceeded to the attic. I should’ve run—every instinct screamed at me to flee, flee, flee—but I didn’t.”
This moment of hesitation captures Lou’s character-defining mix of recklessness and curiosity. The repetition of “flee” emphasizes the danger while her inaction creates suspense for the encounter with the copper-haired man.
5. “The very tall, copper-haired man in a blue coat. ‘You,’ he said.”
This cliffhanger ending quote marks a pivotal encounter, with the single word “You” suggesting a preexisting connection between Lou and this mysterious figure. It leaves readers anticipating the consequences of this meeting.