Gwendafyn is the second daughter of King Celrin and Queen Firea. While their royal highnesses and their eldest daughter, Yvrea, stay in Haven and continue to build the Elves' alliance with Calnor, Fyn serves as acting regent back home. Her etiquette and behavior is overseen by her Aunt Lorius; it's deperately needed because Fyn can't quite emulate the serenity, grace and poise a royal of Lessa should possess. She's a little too brash, a little too loud. She likes sword fighting. She's so much her sister is not.
Benjimir is the eldest son of King Petyrr and Queen Luciee. In the previous book, The Red Rope of Fate, he plotted to get rid of Lady Tari (the bondmate of the Captain of the Guard Lord Arion) to keep her from spoiling the good opinion of his bondmate, Yvrea. (It wasn't in Tari's nature, but unrequited love can make people do strange things.) After he's discovered, he's stripped of his crown prince status and sent on a tour visiting neighboring and allied countries. He's now back after 3 years of unofficial exile, to discover that Yvrea is deciding between 2 suitors for her hand. "It was an impossible, beautiful dream." While he is certain that he'll never love another, it soon becomes obvious (to us, the reader) that he wears a mask, even around her.
Even though he's pining for Yvrea, Gwendafyn proposes marriage: it would give him some legitimacy and her some freedom. Although he initially resists, he quickly comes around to the idea. Little do they know that they are a perfect match (and one that made me smile).
One of the things I really liked about this book is the idea that there is someone out there that will get you, who will see, appreciate and love you for the person that you are. Fyn's main struggle is how constricting Elven tradition is. When she marries Benjimir, he appreciates all the things that Lorius so quickly condemned (like her sword fighting and passionate temperament); he even stands up to Lorius and quietly rebukes her for mistreating Fyn.
"I thought sanctimonious know-it-alls were a sort of person unique to humankind. I'm glad to see that it is not so... And if I ever catch you dripping such poison in her ear again, you will come to regret it... you'll discover why I was dishonored and exiled... it's because I don't care about consequences, and I'll do whatever I feel is necessary to accomplish my goal."
In turn, Fyn soon sees the scarred and broken boy that hides behind his mask (Queen Luciee is a real piece of work.) and quickly comes to care for him. Even as her feeling grow, she fights to not indulge them because 'he's in love with Yvrea.'
He trailed off and stared past Gwendafyn. Gwendafyn waited for a moment before she realized he wasn't going to finish. Curiousm she turned around and all of her good cheer left her... Of course, Yvrea. Outwardly, Gwendafyn kept her smile on, but inwardly she drooped. That's right... this is an act. He wasn't really happy to see me; he was. just pretending since we're in public. He still loves Yvrea. As usual, I have to stand in her shadow...
We, of course, get to hear his inner thoughts and know that his affections have changed.
He had spoken the truth to Gwendafyn when she asked to come. Somewhere between her joyous laughter and warm welcomes, she had become too precious to him to risk on the battlefield. When he was with her, he didn't even think about Yvrea, or regret his life. ...Gwendafyn gazed at him with her breathtaking purple eyes, and in that moment Benjimir would have given anything for her.
To resolve this disconnect, Shea leans heavily on the trope where family and friends help the lovers realize their feelings, although it's mostly persuading Gwendafyn that Benjimir loves her. (After all, he's supposed to be in love with her sister.)
"But he loves you," Tari insisted. No, no. He loves Yvrea, Gwendafyn grimly reminded herself... "He treats you with an affection he doesn't treat others," Tari continued. "He is at ease with you." ...Gwendafyn could not help the snort that escaped her. ..."I don't know that I can get through to him," Gwendafyn confessed. "At least not in the way you are thinking..." "You will, Fyn," Tari predicted. "You match each other." "Just be true to yourself," Seer Ringali continued... "Prince Benjimir will love you, not the image you have been raised to pretend to be."
"That's why I'm so very happy you married Benjimir," King Petyrr continued... "You are special, daughter-in-law, in that you see things for what they really are, and you not only accept them but delight in them," King Petyrr said. "Benjimir has never let anyone in. He has always behaved well--he appears polite..." Gwendafyn considered the observation for a moment. "Perhaps, but he isn't afraid to speak his mind." "Not since marrying you," King Petyrr agreed. "He wasn't always so open--even before his exile... But he let you in. You are the first he has allowed to do so." ... "That cannot be true," she said. "He and Yvrea are very close. He adores her." "He does adore his bond partner," King Petyrr said. "But do you really think he ever shared his concerns or worries with her?" Gwendafyn shifted in her saddle. "Perhaps." "No," King Petyrr said with absolute certainty. "There is a reason you are the first member of the Lessa Royal Family to see our lands, Gwendafyn. It is because Benjimir wishes you to be here, and he doesn't mind if you see him for who he really is."
It's one I find a little annoying, because it so often comes off as a literary device, rather than it being a naturally-occurring, organic result of the relationship. But, for all that it felt forced, it was also cool to see how aware Yvrea was about what was going on with her bondmate. She wasn't as clueless as both of them thought.
Yvrea smiled at Gwendafyn. "I think it's your influence on Benji." ... "He's more open in public ever since he married you," Yvrea whispered... "He used to be unapproachable. I knew it was an act -- Benji is secretly soft-hearted -- but it seemed like he thought he couldn't let anyone know that." "I don't know that I would call him soft-hearted," Gewndafyn said carefully... "He is," Yvrea insisted. "He holds back -- and not because he's afraid. It's more like...he couldn't be bothered because there wasn't anyone important to him that would motivate him to do so." ...Gwendafyn snorted. "You are incredibly important to him, Yvrea." Yvrea shook her head. "It's not the same."
I enjoyed the carry through of characters from the previous book and the further development of Elven culture. Calnor is medieval England -- if there are magic and elves. (But this iteration of elves is more benevolent than the elves we might find in the LOTR or Dragonlance.) But I find that I enjoyed the couple and their relationship more than the romance of Tari and Arion (Book 1). He's a bit snarky. She's a bit unconventional, even for Elves. They're both a little more accessible (and I love all the ways he expresses his feelings through physical affection). The romantic moments that happen as they fall in love make my heart squee in such a good way:
"The show is unnecessary, Benjimir. You don't have to pretend when it's just me." His face went blank before he slapped on a smirk. "What if I'm not acting?" He leaned so close, Gwendafyn could feel the heat of his body.
Even so, she couldn't help the warmth that settled in her heart as Benjimir slid his hand soothingly up and down her back, pausing only to lightly tug her braid, even as he continued his conversation with his brother.
Benjimir frowned a little at her words. It's natural for her to brush my words aside, he reminded himself. We said love wouldn't be part of our marriage. I just never expected...this.
Whatever passion he had once held for Yvrea had faded almost completely. It likely was in no small part because of the wild and beautiful creature he called his wife. Yvrea was familiarity, warmth, and peace. Gwendafyn burned like the fill moon and was filled with unbridled beauty and passion that called to him. There was no comparison -- they were very different, after all. But I never could have dreamed that someone like Gwendafyn existed.
In the beginning, it had been easy to remain uncaring about Benjimir's one-sided love, but now...it was gradually becoming painful. Particularly because Gwendafyn could see the ways Benjimir had become more comfortable with her. At the start of their false relationship, they walked arm-in-arm -- maybe hand-in-hand if they particularly wanted to tout their "love." But now Benjimir often tucked an arm around her hips...and was all too prone to whisper sly comments in her ear that made her want to step on his foot.
Benjimir was still for a moment, then started to sit up. He paused when he was entirely upright, then leaned into her. "Good morning," he whispered into her ear. Gwendafyn stiffened her spine to keep from shivering. "You already said that," she pointed out. "Did I?" Benjimir's voice was lazy and unconcerned as he kissed her cheek. "You did," Gwendafyn confirmed. Bejimir grumbled under his breath and briefly rested his forehead against her shoulder so his breath brushed her neck. "Right, I'll get up," he said -- even thought he didn't budge. "Why would you have to get up?" Gwendafyn asked. "So we can eat?" Benjimir suggested as he kissed her cheek again.
That moment where he stands up for her is so good!
"You will lose your position for this mishandling of me," Lorius said. Benjimir laughed mirthlessly. "As if that would really scare me." His insincere smile fell from his lips, and his usually hidden ruthlessness lined the set of his lips and made his expression frigid. "What I care about most in this life in Gwendafyn. You have just threatened her and insulted her. I don't care if it costs me my title, my honor, or my life, I will erase your existence from Haven before you hurt her again... and maybe I will do so simply because you have hurt her already."
Overall, it's a good successor to The Red Rope of Fate. In fact, I think it's an improvement in the story.
4 out of 5 stars
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