Rose in Chains

Year two of school begins, and Rory and Cordelia’s relationship becomes more visible. Briony lets Didion kiss her, but she doesn’t feel a spark, so she tries to avoid him. Evermore is hot in summer, and the Bomardi boys begin swimming in the pond outside Briony’s window, and she watches as Toven strips off to his undergarments before jumping into the water. She attempts to find peace under her favorite tree, but she finds Toven there, his collar undone and shoes off, showing his mismatched socks. Briony tries another day, and Toven is still there, so she approaches and demands he vacate her favorite spot. He refuses, so she joins him, sitting against the other side of the tree. They begin racing each day to see who can reach the tree first, and one day Toven trips and hits his head. Briony notices that he’s bleeding, so she uses her magic to heal the back of his head until she realizes they’re unchaperoned and alone. She sends him back to the healers while she remains under the tree. When Didion finds her there the next day, she lets him kiss her and touch her chest, though she thinks of Toven.