The Never List

Rylee arrives at her friend Ivy Parcell’s house and struggles to shake off the encounter with Turner. Ivy shows Rylee invitations to The Choosing Ceremony, which states that participants who enter the Choosing are taking on a “binding contract,” and they should not enter unless they give “enthusiastic consent” to sexual acts with their hosts, the Legends of Chaos (32). Ivy’s invitation is real; Rylee’s is a convincing counterfeit. Ivy and Rylee joke about the appeal of having sex with the “part-god royal princes of Lumathyst,” which feels like a longshot (33). Rylee privately finds the idea of sex with multiple partners alluring, even when Ivy reminds her of the Legends’ dangerous reputations.

Ivy and Rylee are childhood friends, having discovered that they are both “demis,” or people with “goddess-granted powers” (36). Centuries ago, when the demis rebelled against the kings of Lumathyst, their names were placed on “the Never List, ensuring no one from that lineage could ever rise to high status again” (36). Most demis keep their power secret, as revealing their magical gifts leads to social ostracism and dangerous work assignments. Ivy can make plants grow with her magic. Rylee can control wind.

Ivy teases Rylee about her thrill-seeking nature, though she cautions her that this will lead to trouble. Rylee contends that she could help her people, the low-class Ashlanders, if chosen to be “a potential,” or one of the women vying for queenship. Most potentials do not last long, deterred either by the mercurial princes or by the daunting process of achieving immortality if chosen as queen.

Rylee worries that Erin, who disappeared after sneaking into the Choosing the year prior, was either arrested or sent on a dangerous mission. She spent the year planning and using the connections that Ivy, a middle-class Ari—a person who has undergone the Athanry, a magical process that connects them to one of the elemental powers ruled by the Legends—had inside the palace to plot her mission. Erin, a demi with a skill for escape, should not have been captured. Rylee regrets not accompanying Erin.

Layce Willis, one of Ivy and Rylee’s friends and another demi, arrives and teases Rylee about vying for queendom. Rylee counters that, in six years of trying to find a mate, the Legends have never found a partner; she, attending illegally, has no chance of being chosen. Ivy and Layce point out the benefits of accepting a numbered pin, anyway. Though this would mean that Rylee formally submits herself for Choosing, her odds are still unlikely, and the pins are valuable.

Rylee wears a dress that Laycee, a seamstress’ assistant, stole. Rylee thinks of the unfair system that the kings impose as she dresses. She uses makeup to cover up the cloud-shaped mark that indicates that she is a demi whose powers come from the goddess Neph.

Jax Lavine responds to a summons from his father, Baydel Lavine. Baydel, though ancient, looks only slightly aged, thanks to immortality granted by Jax’s goddess mother, Evaluna. Jax and Baydel snipe at one another about Jax and the other Legends not having a mate. Jax points out that Baydel’s mate—as well as the other Legends’ goddess mothers—abandoned their partners and children. Baydel urges that this year must yield a successful partner, though he refuses to explain his reasoning. Jax later explains that the Legends must find their mate to access their full powers. Baydel reminds Jax that choosing one mate for all four Legends is part of the contract with the slumbering goddesses who protect Lumathyst. Jax knows his perpetually dishonest father is keeping something from him.

They quibble about the validity of foreign threats against Lumathyst. Jax is furious when Baydel uses his immobilizing powers against him. Baydel warns against potential danger from Erithmore, their northern neighbor, and a possible demi uprising. Jax finds the latter unlikely, as demis have been stripped of their rights.

Jax meets Axl, another Legend. Axl is excited, even though Jax gets the final selection this year. Kal and Pierce, the other two Legends, join them; all four have come from similar meetings with their respective fathers. Jax suggests that Axl select the potential, as Jax has lost hope that they will ever find a mate interested in all four of them. Axl, who is optimistic, insists that Jax make the selection, though he says he will find someone if Jax doesn’t choose by midnight. Jax laments that they are likely to “go another year without [their] mate” and “risk closing [their] mothers’ protection of Lumathyst” (56).

At the Choosing, Rylee accepts a pin, deciding the money she will get from selling it is more valuable than the potential risk of being chosen. She hopes that choosing 13, an unlucky number, isn’t a bad omen. Rylee enjoys the thrill of taking an elevator up 300 floors, and marvels at the beautiful rooftop where the event is held. She recognizes the strategic benefit to hosting the Choosing in a place where the glass floor shows the massive plummet beneath them.

The Legends appear; Rylee notes their appearances behind their masks and makes a note to avoid them. The kings appear and force the partygoers to bow. When Rylee comments on the obviousness of the kings’ disregard, a man with purple eyes laughs. In Chapter 7, she learns this is Jax. Worried about detection, Rylee tries to hide in the crowd, though she admits to a frisson of attraction.

A pageant shows the story of the goddesses falling in love with the four kings. Evaluna, who rules over the moon and stars, wedded King Baydel Lavine. Tareena, who rules earth and water, married King Lucas Dawson. Eirdis, who represents wisdom and time, married King Brooks Bertrand, while Neph, of sky and sun, wedded King Jullian Erhart. The kings were each given immortality and ruled in peace, with the goddesses bestowing blessings on those they “deemed worthy.” This led to the demi rebellion. In response, the goddesses created a contract ordaining that their four sons would have one singular mate to remind them of the people rather than power for the sake of power. The goddesses entered a perpetual sleep to focus their powers on protecting Lumathyst.

Rylee notes that, even while listening to the story of their mates’ sacrifice for Lumathyst, the kings don’t seem sad. She wonders why the goddesses couldn’t create wards while awake. When she mutters another criticism of the kings, the purple-eyed man laughs again, startling her with his proximity. He echoes her thoughts about the goddesses’ sacrifice being unnecessary, which Rylee notes is considered heresy in Lumathyst.

Rylee sneaks away from the party to find the library. She covets books, as they are banned in the Ashlands. People there are only taught to read to benefit their kings. She finds the Never List and searches for her sister’s information. She finds her parents’ names and thinks of how they were sent, two decades prior, on a mission to Erithmore after being caught in fine clothing to celebrate their anniversary. Though the Never List doesn’t mark their deaths, Rylee assumes they are long gone. Rylee is upset that her sister’s name isn’t on the Never List, as this is how she hoped to find Erin. She unsuccessfully tries to convince herself that her sister found a better life.

Rylee is about to leave the library when the purple-eyed man enters. He and Rylee banter flirtatiously. He sweeps her into a dance but insists on leaving as midnight approaches. Four men mount the stage, revealing that the “Legends” standing at the front of the room all evening were decoys. One of the real Legends is the purple-eyed man; he calls Rylee’s number, 13.

Rylee panics as all eyes turn to her. If she is discovered as an Ashlander, she may be put to death. Ivy tells her that her only recourse is making the Legends fall in love with her so that they will spare her even if they learn the truth. Rylee keeps a brave face as she says goodbye, knowing it is unlikely she will ever see her friends again. She bows to the kings, feigning confidence, then is led to the masked Legends. She realizes that she danced with Jax, who is nicknamed “the Nightmare” due to his powers to control emotions and his ruthlessness. Though she is anxious among the Legends, she feels worse when they leave her alone.

The Legends lament the “tests” that the new potentials undergo after the Choosing. The other Legends comment on Jax dancing with Rylee, which he has never done with a potential before. Though Jax is attracted to Rylee, he maintains his practice of avoiding sexual contact with potentials, preferring to wait and see if a woman is put off by the other, less-frightening Legends first. Jax muses on her anti-monarchic comments during the Choosing and her anger and fear when she was chosen. They wait restlessly during the “first test,” surprised that they don’t hear screaming.

Rylee is alone only briefly before the four kings appear. Rylee finds Baydel and Lucas, Axl’s father, “slimy.” Jullian and Brooks, the other kings, don’t strike her this way. Rylee uses her knowledge of Cedar and Silk, where Ivy and Layce live, to provide background information without incriminating herself. She tries to remain calm under questioning, especially when she can feel the kings’ probing powers. Baydel’s ability to control people’s bodies alarms her the most; she has seen it used during public executions.

Baydel touches Rylee suggestively, commenting that, as kings, they have the right to have sex with her first. She refuses, though she fears this will result in violence. Baydel uses his power to freeze her, clearly enjoying her discomfort as he taunts her that he could force her to do whatever he wants. She insists that she will only have sex with the Legends. Baydel continues to touch her, making Rylee fear she will be raped, but Jullian pulls him away, reminding Baydel that Rylee “passed.” When Baydel tells her this was a test, she mentally contends that she will not back down from this game. The kings leave, and Rylee frantically plans her next moves. She tries to channel her sister’s bravery.

The Legends return, disarming Rylee with their unmasked beauty. She reminds herself not to be “starstruck,” as this will impede her plans for survival. Despite Baydel’s violation, she finds herself having thoughts of sex with the Legends. Kal and Axl are kind, but Jax is remote. When she asks about the next steps in their courtship, Jax makes a sexually explicit comment, arousing Rylee. Kal seeks to comfort her after her “encounter with [their] fathers” (104). Offended, Rylee insists she refused the kings, which surprises the Legends. When she reports she wasn’t forced, Kal is relieved, but Jax detects that she isn’t telling the whole truth. She admits that Baydel only stopped touching her when she pointed out that the Legends would be angry.

Rylee twists the truth as she gives her background. Pierce contends that only some of the rumors about the Legends are true. They talk for hours. When Rylee can no longer fight her exhaustion, she cautiously asks about sleeping arrangements. The Legends insist that, despite the language in the contract, any intimate or sexual contact will happen at her discretion. She will spend a month with each Legend in his home city; the order is her choice. She chooses Kal.

Kal shows Rylee to her bedroom. Though he declines her invitation to stay, they share an passionate kiss. She reminds herself that she must keep her wits about her to survive.

Mirren, a brusque and efficient member of the royal staff assigned to aid Rylee, rouses her early in the morning. Mirren is discomposed by Rylee’s disinterest in being waited upon but answers her questions about past Choosings. Mirren cautions that both the Legends and the tests put forth by the kings are unpredictable. The Occuli, magical advisors to the royal family, determine if a potential has passed each test. They see everything in public, and though they are banned from the Legends’ private residences, Mirren cautions Rylee to always be on guard. Rylee agrees with Mirren’s contention that the Legends need someone strong to be their match.

At the end of the tests, the Legends will give her their tokens if they deem her worthy, and if she chooses them, too, she will undergo “the Athanry,” the process to becoming immortal. None of the previous potentials have undergone the dangerous process. Mirren gives Rylee a contraceptive tonic to prevent pregnancy. Though previous potentials have worn the colors that correspond with the city they will be visiting, Rylee chooses a blue outfit instead of a red one that goes with Kal’s city. She tells Mirren she wants to be unpredictable.

Rylee looks at the art on the palace walls, which reminds her of Erin, an artist. She and Mirren encounter Jullian, who encourages Mirren to use his given name, despite her protests about impropriety. Jullian calls Rylee’s choice in outfit “very clever.” After he departs, Rylee teases Mirren about the friendliness between them, but Mirren reminds her that Jullian is mated to Neph, the same goddess who gave Rylee her powers.

Jullian gives her hope that the kings could be more equitable rulers, though these hopes are dashed when she finds Baydel yelling at a member of his guard. Rylee defends Mirren when Baydel criticizes her, which alarms Mirren.