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.
Two Named Wrath and Envy: Reid
byMahurin, Shelby
The chapter opens with Reid, a Chasseur captain, training rigorously in the yard, his frustration evident as he reflects on his recent failure to capture a witch. His shirt remains on, a self-imposed punishment, while his comrades train shirtless. The memory of Célie’s disappointment and the escaped witch weighs heavily on him, fueling his anger. His longtime friend and fellow Chasseur, Jean Luc, provokes him with taunts about the incident and Reid’s interactions with a thief, testing Reid’s patience and highlighting the tension between them.
Reid and Jean Luc’s relationship is revealed to be strained, their once-close bond eroded by Reid’s promotion and Jean Luc’s envy. Their sparring session becomes a metaphor for their conflict, with Reid’s physical strikes mirroring his emotional turmoil. Jean Luc’s jabs about Reid’s failures and the Archbishop’s disapproval escalate the tension, while Ansel, another Chasseur, attempts to mediate. Reid struggles to control his anger, counting silently to regain composure, a technique taught by the Archbishop.
The Archbishop’s arrival shifts the focus, as he reassures Reid of his trust and assigns him to accompany him to a theater matinee, despite Reid’s reluctance. Jean Luc’s resentment simmers in the background, his envy of Reid’s position and favor with the Archbishop becoming increasingly apparent. The chapter underscores the growing rift between the two friends, with Reid acknowledging the shift in their dynamic—once rooted in mutual respect, now tainted by jealousy.
In the final moments, Reid reflects on the bitterness of their fractured friendship, recognizing Jean Luc’s envy as the source of their discord. The chapter closes with Reid in a carriage, contemplating the sting of regret and the irreversible change in their relationship. The themes of duty, failure, and the corrosive effects of envy are central, painting a vivid picture of Reid’s internal and external conflicts.
FAQs
1. What internal conflict is Reid grappling with in this chapter, and how does it manifest in his interactions with Jean Luc?
Answer:
Reid is struggling with feelings of failure and self-doubt after letting a witch escape and disappointing both the Archbishop and Célie Tremblay. This internal conflict manifests in his tense sparring session with Jean Luc, where Reid responds aggressively to his friend’s teasing (elbowing him hard, creating welts) and nearly loses control of his anger. The chapter reveals Reid’s struggle to maintain composure through counting exercises, showing how his professional failures bleed into personal relationships. Jean Luc’s pointed remarks about Reid’s privileges and responsibilities further exacerbate this tension.2. Analyze the significance of the counting ritual Reid performs when angered. What does this reveal about his character and upbringing?
Answer:
Reid’s counting ritual (reaching seven while recalling the Archbishop’s childhood instruction to “master yourself”) reveals his disciplined upbringing under church authority and his ongoing battle with anger management. This coping mechanism shows how deeply the Archbishop’s teachings are ingrained in him, presenting Reid as someone who struggles to reconcile his emotional nature with rigid expectations of control. The ritual’s partial success—he still feels bitter regret later—suggests his emotional complexity beneath the disciplined exterior, making him more than just a zealous Chasseur.3. How does Jean Luc’s dialogue serve to develop both his character and the central tensions in the chapter?
Answer:
Jean Luc’s barbed teasing (“Still thinking about your witches?”), scripture-quoting wit, and pointed observations about Reid’s privileged position serve multiple purposes: 1) They establish their long-standing but strained friendship through casual cruelty masked as humor; 2) They highlight the envy Jean Luc feels toward Reid’s captain status (“Reid alone enjoys the privileges”); 3) They force Reid to confront his failures publicly. Jean Luc’s blend of humor and hostility makes him a foil who exposes Reid’s vulnerabilities while revealing his own resentment, deepening the chapter’s themes of envy and fractured camaraderie.4. What symbolic meaning might be inferred from Reid keeping his sweat-soaked shirt on during training while others discard theirs?
Answer:
Reid’s clinging shirt symbolizes his self-imposed punishment for recent failures—the physical discomfort mirrors his mental anguish. Unlike Jean Luc, who trains shirtless and carefree, Reid’s choice suggests he denies himself relief, literally and figuratively “stewing” in his mistakes. The wet fabric chafing his skin parallels how his regrets irritate him psychologically. This detail reinforces his self-flagellating nature and contrasts with his comrades’ more relaxed attitudes, visually underscoring his isolation as captain.5. Evaluate how the Archbishop’s appearance affects the power dynamics between Reid and Jean Luc.
Answer:
The Archbishop’s arrival shifts the power dynamic decisively in Reid’s favor: 1) He singles out Reid for a special assignment, validating his status despite recent failures; 2) Jean Luc’s visible frown and “flashing eyes” show his resentment at this preferential treatment; 3) The Archbishop explicitly absolves Reid of blame (“Last night was not your fault”), contradicting Jean Luc’s earlier accusations. This interaction confirms Jean Luc’s envy is rooted in reality—Reid does enjoy institutional favor—while showing the Archbishop’s role in maintaining hierarchy among the Chasseurs.
Quotes
1. “Our respect had also once been mutual. But that was before.”
This quote captures the central tension between Reid and Jean Luc, highlighting how their childhood friendship has deteriorated due to professional rivalry and envy. It marks a turning point in their relationship dynamic within the chapter.
2. “‘Perhaps it is fair and just for Reid alone to bear the consequences.’”
Jean Luc’s pointed remark reveals the growing resentment beneath their camaraderie, emphasizing the burden of leadership and unequal accountability. This represents a key moment where their conflict comes to a head during training.
3. “I complied. Slowly, surely, the tension in my shoulders eased. The heat on my face cooled. My breath came easier.”
This passage demonstrates Reid’s internal struggle with anger management and his disciplined adherence to the Archbishop’s teachings. It shows his character development and the psychological toll of his responsibilities.
4. “We shall catch the witches, and we shall burn their pestilence from the earth.”
The Archbishop’s declaration encapsulates the chapter’s central conflict and the Chasseurs’ mission. This quote represents the ideological foundation that drives Reid’s actions and the story’s larger witch-hunting narrative.
5. “Our respect had once been mutual. But that was before the envy.”
The chapter’s closing line powerfully bookends the opening statement about their relationship, now explicitly naming envy as the corrosive force. This conclusion leaves readers with a clear understanding of the transformed dynamic between the characters.