Serpent & Dove
The Escape: Lou
by Mahurin, ShelbyLou, the protagonist, is enjoying a lavender-scented bath when her husband returns home. Anticipating his reaction, she deliberately leaves the washroom door removed, exposing herself to humiliate him. The scene is playful yet tense, as her husband is visibly flustered and angry, chastising Ansel for not fixing the door in time. Lou taunts him, reveling in his discomfort, while he struggles to maintain composure. Their dynamic is marked by a mix of antagonism and underlying tension, with Lou clearly enjoying the upper hand in this interaction.
The conversation shifts to the failed pursuit of Andre and Grue, two individuals Lou’s husband, a Chasseur, is hunting. He explains that they are monitoring the East End to apprehend the fugitives, who are wanted for assault and for information on a witch—Lou’s friend. Lou is skeptical but resigned, knowing the men’s incompetence might lead to their capture. The exchange reveals the ongoing conflict between Lou’s loyalties and her husband’s duty, highlighting the strained trust between them.
Lou’s husband notices her scars and asks about their origins. She dismissively recounts various violent encounters, including one with Andre, but becomes uneasy when he focuses on her throat. The moment is charged with unspoken vulnerability, as Lou deflects with humor while her husband expresses regret for not catching her attackers. Their interaction softens slightly, showing glimpses of concern beneath their usual antagonism, but Lou quickly regains her defiant demeanor.
The tension escalates when Lou learns that Bastien St. Pierre, a thief and likely her ally, has been arrested and faces execution. Panicked, she demands to see him, but her husband refuses. The chapter ends with Lou contemplating using magic to intervene, despite the risks. This revelation underscores her desperation and the deepening stakes of her predicament, setting the stage for further conflict between her secretive past and her husband’s rigid authority.
FAQs
1. How does Lou intentionally provoke her husband in this chapter, and what does this reveal about their relationship dynamic?
Answer:
Lou deliberately provokes her husband by bathing naked with the washroom door removed, knowing he would walk in on her (page 169-170). She enjoys his discomfort, evidenced by her cheery wave and commentary about his “humiliation.” This reveals a playful yet antagonistic dynamic where Lou asserts control through her sexuality and disregard for his modesty. Their interaction shows fundamental differences—Lou is irreverent and boundary-pushing, while her husband is rigid and easily flustered. The scene also hints at underlying tension and attraction, as he struggles to maintain composure despite his obvious discomfort.2. What significant revelation does Lou’s husband share about Bastien St. Pierre, and how does Lou react?
Answer:
Lou’s husband reveals that Bastien (“Bas”) has been arrested for killing a guard and will hang (page 172-173). This news shocks Lou, causing her to panic and plead for permission to see him. Her reaction—repeating “shit” and questioning Bas’s foolish decision to return—suggests deep concern for him. The text implies Bas may have returned for Lou, which evokes a mix of hope and despair in her. This moment also creates tension between Lou and her husband, as she realizes she might need to use magic to intervene, despite the risks.3. Analyze the significance of the scars Lou discusses with her husband. What do they reveal about her past and current situation?
Answer:
Lou’s scars, particularly the one on her throat from Andre (page 171-172), symbolize her dangerous past as a street survivor. Her casual tone when describing them (“Ran into the wrong end of a knife”) suggests she’s accustomed to violence, while her deflection about the throat scar hints at deeper trauma. The scars also serve as a bridge between her and her husband, who shows uncharacteristic empathy by apologizing for failing to catch her attackers. This moment humanizes their relationship, contrasting with their usual antagonism, and foreshadows potential emotional vulnerability.4. How does the chapter use humor to contrast Lou’s personality with her husband’s? Provide specific examples.
Answer:
The chapter highlights their contrasting personalities through situational humor. Lou grins at the thought of her husband’s embarrassment (page 169), flicks imaginary bubbles representing his face, and teases him about his modesty (“All my fun bits are covered,” page 171). Meanwhile, his exaggerated reactions—choking noises, slamming doors, and refusing to look—paint him as overly rigid. The humor underscores Lou’s playful defiance and his inability to handle unpredictability, emphasizing their mismatched temperaments. Even Lou’s internal monologue (“permanent stick up his ass”) adds a layer of comedic narration.5. What internal conflict does Lou face at the chapter’s end, and what might it foreshadow?
Answer:
Lou faces a moral dilemma: whether to use magic to help Bas despite the risks (page 173). Her panic and pleading show she cares deeply for him, but her husband’s refusal forces her to consider breaking rules. This foreshadows a potential escalation in her secret magical activities, which could jeopardize her marriage and safety. The conflict also raises questions about Bas’s importance to Lou—whether her desperation stems from loyalty, love, or guilt—and sets up future tension between her dual loyalties (her past with Bas vs. her present with her husband).
Quotes
1. “I grinned in anticipation. Though he was going to ruin my bath, the look on his face would make up for it.”
This quote captures Lou’s playful, mischievous nature and her dynamic with her husband. It sets the tone for their contentious yet charged relationship, showing her deliberate provocation and his predictable reaction.
2. “He had a permanent stick up his ass, this husband of mine.”
A blunt but revealing characterization of Lou’s view of her husband. This quote exemplifies the novel’s sharp wit and highlights the central tension between Lou’s free-spiritedness and her husband’s rigid demeanor.
3. “Andre.” I dipped my hair back into the water, smiling when he averted his eyes. “He got the jump on me when I first arrived in the city.”
This moment reveals Lou’s vulnerable past while maintaining her defiant attitude. The casual disclosure of violence contrasts with the intimate setting, showing how trauma underlies her tough exterior.
4. “Of course Bas had been arrested. Of course he’d murdered a guard instead of knocking him unconscious… Why hadn’t he been halfway across the sea?”
This internal monologue shows Lou’s panic and care for Bas while revealing key plot developments. The rhetorical questions demonstrate her frustration and foreshadow the difficult choices she’ll face to help him.
5. “Magic outside the infirmary was a huge risk, but it was one I’d have to take.”
A pivotal conclusion that reveals Lou’s willingness to break rules for those she cares about. This sets up major stakes for the story’s magical conflict and shows her moral complexity.