A Ruin of Roses

Everlass is the plant at the heart of the curse—a symbol for Finley and Nyfain’s pasts and for their developing romantic relationship. Finley and Nyfain have each gained knowledge of the everlass’s healing properties—Finley through trial and Nyfain through passed-down knowledge. They both begin the story with a working understanding of how the plant could aid them against the demons, and this shared knowledge is the catalyst that brings them together. Nyfain’s care for the everlass makes Finley realize there is more to him than angry brooding, and Finley’s dedication to learning the plant’s secrets lets Nyfain see her as more than a commoner. Combined, their determination to unearth the everlass’s secrets leads them to respect other, and this respect turns toward romance as their physical desires strengthen. Alluding to the original Beauty and the Beast story, the everlass is also representative of the rose at the center of the main couple’s romance.

Individually, Finley and Nyfain also reveal their backstories through their relationships with the everlass. For Finley, the plant is a symbol of hope because it has allowed her to manufacture a potion that slows the effects of the curse’s illness. Thus, Finley’s determination is directly related to her willingness to try new things, and her confidence has been bolstered by her success with the everlass.