Curse of Shadows and Thorns

“I’d avoided this moment, but with my twentieth turn on the horizon, it was only a matter of time. What men would bid once the king opened the dowry barter? […] Timoran culture was archaic. Dowry barters reminded me of some primal competition on who had the most wealth and strength. No doubt for his sister’s second daughter, the king would select someone haughty and pompous. Most dowry barters were overseen by fathers, but my father could hardly leave his bed chamber most days. It had been known for some time Zyben would oversee the Lysander daughters.”

This quote comes just after Elise learns from Bevan that her father has opened up bidding for her dowry, introducing the theme of The Importance of Choice in Love. This is one of many times where Elise laments what little choice she has over her life, highlighting the subjugated role of women in Timoran society. This also emphasizes the Timoran royals’ concern with power over justice, something Elise greatly disapproves of.

“His tone was rife with pity. Bevan knew as well as I that life would not be the same. In fact, everything would change. Timoran wives were given purses to spend at their leisure, they turned heads when their husbands took mistresses, kept silent over matters of state. A voice? No, thinking was better left to the men.”

This continuation of the previous quote shows how outsiders interpret the strict rules and regulations of Timoran society, denying The Importance of Choice in Love for women. Bevan, whom Elise believes to be an Ettan, knows she must further lose her agency with marriage. Later in the novel, Elise will learn that this is not how all marriages work, and that the marriages of Timoran royals are particularly strict and oppressive, especially for women.

“‘I must confess, I’m surprised, Kvinna. I stare because I find myself on edge, wondering what you might say or do next. I thought one thing before coming here, and as I said, now I find myself rather unsettled.’ […] ‘Dare I ask what you expected to find?’ […] ‘From my experience, women at your station would live for fetes like your sister’s betrothal ball, not escape to the balcony. Certainly, they would not befriend serfs, prefer books to conversation, or sneak into game halls on respite eve.’”

This conversation between Legion and Elise occurs when Legion takes the time to get to know her by sitting and reading with her. Through this action, he learns that Elise, whom he knew to be kind, is also much more complex than any Timoran noble he has met. After this quote, Elise confirms that Legion is not like she expected, either, showing their shifting and growing relationship, and how they bond over the ways they stand out in society.