Danielle’s Comments (group member since May 19, 2014)

Danielle’s comments from the Danielle L. Jensen's Reader Group group.

Pili wrote: "1.- I usually hate it the other way around... I hate when the romance overtakes the plot! I don't necessarily mind romance in my books, but I want a good balance and sometimes it NEEDS to take the ..."

Hi Pili,
I'm also not a huge fan of romance totally taking over (unless it's a romance novel!). When characters are in dire situations but they can't get past their romantic angst, I start to get bored. That's one of the reasons why there is so little focus on the romance in Warrior Witch.

Karim wrote: "1. To me romance is important, but it really depends on the plotline whether it is necessary or not. For example in the Twilight Saga books and the Mortal Instruments series the romance between the..."

Hi Karim
You always have the most well thought answers!!
I think Roland seems like an obvious choice to us as readers, because he's so awful. But do you think Tristan would've forgiven Cecile for murdering his brother in cold blood?

Ellie wrote: "OMG those last two lines. So hard hitting. I kind of wish this was kept in because it layers their relationship so much!"

I kept those last two lines in for just that reason :)

So this is an early version of the events that happen in Chapter 35. There are a few inconsistencies, such as Sabine not being there, but it’s very similar content, just delivered in a different way. The reason I changed the scene was that I was trying to build the tension between Tristan and Cécile to the moment where she snaps, and this was too light-hearted to accomplish that. Plus, I wanted her argument to come from a position of strength, and I felt that having her be jealous of the server and sort of….petulant really undermined that. So I rewrote the scene to make it tenser and darker. But feel free to tell me which you prefer :D


We’d stayed at the scene of the fire until it was nearly out, Tristan doing something with magic to keep the neighboring buildings from catching fire and burning the whole quarter to the ground. I hadn’t wanted to leave Catherine’s body, but Tristan and Chris had convinced me that it was for the best, saying the people who had known her would take care of her funeral.

After having wiped the soot from our faces as best we could, we found a cafe close to the opera house were we could get a drink and talk. Souris sat on my knee at the table, and I fed him bits of pork sausage while I sipped at my ale, the coldness sweet against my raw throat.
Catherine was dead, the grimoire was either burned or lost, and Anushka knew we were on her trail. And we’d lost all way of tracking her. Our quarry seemed more elusive than ever, and already I could feel a headache growing, and I knew the sleepless nights and obsessive behavior would soon set in. What had happened tonight did not matter to the troll king. My word still bound me.

“I could try to find another spell,” I said, patting the dog on his back. “There are other grimoires in the world, and other witches who might be willing to help me.” Although I was reluctant to get anyone else involved.

“No,” Tristan said, leaning back in his chair. “Even if we had the time, I don’t think it would work. Not now that she knows you’re hunting us.” He looked around the cafe, and the serving girl was at his arm in an instant, eyes full of undisguised admiration as he ordered us another round.

“What do you propose?” I asked, my eyes sweeping the room. Every woman, with the exception of those drowned in glasses of green absinthe, were watching Tristan like vultures.
“For hundreds of years, we’ve been tracking her. Chasing her. Hunting her down. And it’s never worked. Anushka’s too sly and canny to be caught that way. But what if we tried luring her out?”

Chris frowned. “Using what as bait?”

As soon as he said it, I knew what Tristan was suggesting. “Absolutely not.”

Chris raised an eyebrow.

“He’s suggesting using himself as bait,” I explained. “But no. The sun will rise in the west before I allow it.”

A slow smile rose on Chris’s face, his eyes flicking to Tristan’s. “Bossy, isn’t she?”

Tristan laughed, and I couldn’t say anything more because the serving girl had arrived with our drinks. Scowling, I fished small coins out of my pocket to pay, my temper rising as she took the time to wipe the table (yet again), and to ask Tristan whether he wanted more to eat. Any excuse to linger at our table a minute longer. “We’ve got honey cakes,” she told him, smiling prettily. “On the house.”

He smiled back at her, making her blush. “I really couldn’t eat another bite.”

Her lips turned to a little pout. “Well let me know if you change your mind.” Giving the table a final wipe, she finally left us in peace.

“Friendly girl,” he said, taking a long mouthful of his drink.

“Isn’t she just,” I muttered, ignoring the snickers of amusement coming from Chris’s direction. “I’m sure for you, all sorts of things are on the house.” I knew I was being spiteful, but I couldn’t seem to help it. With the lone exception of Anaïs, I hadn’t had to deal with other girls trying to steal his attention in Trollus. One did not flirt with the crown prince - it just wasn’t done. But out here, Tristan was just another young man with an exceptionally handsome face. He was fair game, and although I knew in my heart that he wouldn’t take anyone up on an offer, I also knew that a big part of him would enjoy the novelty of having girls flirt with him. The novelty of being normal.

“So what’s this plan of yours?” Chris asked.

“There is no plan,” I said, but they both ignored me, leaning conspiratorially towards each other.

“It’s rather simple,” Tristan said. “Anushka has dedicated her entire existence to keeping the trolls captive. Nothing matters more to her. And here I am - not just a troll, but the descendant of the troll who she hated above all others - free as a bird. The knowledge will infuriate her. She’ll feel compelled to do something about it, and that will require her getting close to me.”

“Close so she can kill you,” I said.

Tristan shrugged. “I don’t doubt that she’ll try, but the fact remains, she’ll need to get close to me to do it. And I’ll be ready for her.”

Chris nodded thoughtfully as though the plan were brilliant, which made me think they were both idiots. Tristan’s tone was too confident, and that troubled me. He sometimes acted as though he were invincible - like nothing could harm him - when recent history had demonstrated that that was decidedly not the case.

“I think you’re underestimating her,” I said, interrupting their conversation. “She’s too clever to be caught this easily.”

“Do you have a better idea?” Tristan asked.

That was the problem. I didn’t have a better idea. I had only my doubts, and he wouldn’t listen to those. Biting at my lip, I said nothing in favor of patting Souris on the head.

“I guess its inevitable she’ll discover you’re free,” Chris said, trying to diffuse the tension.

“Anushka obviously knows Cécile is hunting for her, and I’d bet all of next year’s pay that she’s watching her. Which means she’ll see you soon, if she hasn’t already.”

“I suppose that makes us both bait,” I said, glancing up at Tristan.

His eyes searched mine for a long time, then he said, “No. The last thing we need is Anushka believing that Cécile is more than another one of our paid minions. If she discovered who Cécile really is, we might as well paint a target on her back.”

I looked away from him, digging my nails into my palms to keep from saying something I might regret later.

“How are you going to get her attention, then?” Chris asked. “With magic?”

“No,” Tristan replied. “With money.”

I snorted loud enough that the other patrons turned to look at me. “With what money? Last time I checked, it was Chris and me who have been buying your drinks tonight, and I guarantee that neither of us has enough to catch anyone’s attention.”

“So sorry that I didn’t have the chance to fill my pockets with gold before I left home,” Tristan retorted. “But since you asked, I do have access to all the gold I need and more, I just need the time to retrieve it.”

“Would you two keep it down,” Chris hissed. “You’re attracting a great deal of attention.”
I ground my teeth together. “Fine.”

Chris grinned at the rest of the patrons. “Lover’s quarrel!”

A few of them chuckled, and they all went back to their drinks.

“I don’t understand,” Chris said, turning back to us. “How’s gold going to catch Anushka’s attention? Haven’t we been thinking all this time that she’s got plenty of coin and been playing court with all the nobles of Trianon?”

Tristan had his arms crossed, and for a minute, I thought he might be too annoyed with me to answer. “That’s exactly it,” he eventually muttered. “With enough money, I can infiltrate their ranks. Go to their dinners, their parties. It won’t be long before she realizes who I am, and it will be easy for her to get close to me.”

“And you’ll kill her?” Chris whispered, glancing around to make sure no one was still listening.

“I haven’t decided what I’m going to do with her.”

Because after all, it was his decision. Rising sharply to my feet, I tucked Souris under my arm and started towards the exit.

“Cécile?”

I ignored Tristan, weaving between tables.

“Cécile, where are you going?”

I looked over my shoulder at him. “Home. I’ll leave you two to your machinations, since clearly my involvement isn’t necessary.” The bell on the door chimed as I shoved it open, my heels thudding against the boardwalk as I hurried down the street. The bell chimed again, and a second later, Tristan was standing in front of me.

“Humans don’t move that fast,” I said, pushing past him. “You’re going to get yourself noticed. But that’s your plan, isn’t it?”

He fell into stride next to me. “What’s wrong with you?”

“There isn’t anything wrong with me. I’m angry. At you.”

He huffed out a breath. “I gathered that. Now are you going to tell me why?”

“You’re clever, figure it out yourself.”

“Why won’t you just tell me and save us both the frustration of me trying to guess?”

I lurched to a halt and glared up at him. “It is frustrating, isn’t it? Being kept in the dark, forced to guess, and speculate, and fabricate your own answers? Well, welcome to what it’s like being me.” Shifting Souris in my arms, I started walking again. My blood felt hot enough to boil over, my pulse loud in my ears. For months, I had been on my own, making my own plans and decisions. But from the moment I’d broken him free, Tristan had stepped back into the role of the leader, and me the follower. And I didn’t like it.

“I know you don’t like my plan,” he said, easily keeping up to my swift pace. “But if you stop to think about it, surely you can see how it will work.”

“I see perfectly well how it will work,” I said, turning down the street of the townhouse. “Only I’m not fool enough to believe it will go so smoothly as you seem to think! But that isn’t why I’m angry.”

Tristan caught hold of my arm at the foot of the steps leading up to my home. “Is it because I didn’t tell you before telling Chris?”

A little laugh escaped my throat. “No, Tristan. It’s because you told me your plan. And you told me I wouldn’t be involved.”

He stared silently at me, and then very slowly, he nodded. “It’s a habit, I suppose. And you’re not the first to tell me it’s a bad one.”

“You’ve a few of those.” I didn’t know why I was attacking him. He’d been through enough without me turning on him, but the words wouldn’t stop coming out. “I’m a blasted open book to you,” I said, my voice shaking. “I tell you everything. I’ve told you everything that has happened since I left, all the choices I’ve made, the mistakes I’ve made. All the dark and ugly things I’ve done. Everything. And you’ve told me nothing.” My eyes burned, but I blinked away the threat of tears because I was afraid they’d undermine my point. “I know a great deal has happened to you in these past months, and that many things have changed. But I don’t know what. You won’t even tell me what has happened to my friends…” I broke off, sinking my teeth into my front lip so hard I tasted blood. “I know you’re angry with me, too. And I know it’s about more than just your name.”

Silence. It was a weapon I almost never used. Words, sound, and expression - they were how I fought my battles. How I defended myself. Silence was Tristan’s domain, a tactic he employed to both protect himself and undermine others. And he was using it now. Snow had begun to fall on the darkness of the city streets and the tiny flakes made more sound than him. He stood motionless as stone, and the only way I could tell he felt anything at all was the cacophony building in my head.

“I keep secrets, Cécile.” His voice was barely audible. “It’s the way I am. You’ve always known that.”

My chest felt tight, my feet unsteady. “I know. But never once have I told you that I’m content with that.”

Chapter Summaries Cont...

Chapter 34
Cécile and Tristan are on the way to Pigalle when they hear someone following them. Hiding in an alley, they wait to see who it is. It ends up being Chris and Sabine. Chris is surprised, but happy to see Tristan, but Sabine is less enthused. They all make their way to Catherine’s shop.
When they arrive, the house is on fire and Cécile tries to run in to save Catherine and the grimoire. She feels guilty that she dragged her into this mess. Distraught, she has to be held back and Tristan goes in. He finds Catherine with her throat slit, but there is no sign of Anushka’s grimoire. Cécile finds Souris the dog and holds him tightly. While she is hugging him her attention is drawn to a door on Catherine’s house. There is an “A” on the door. Anushka wants them to know that it was her.

Chapter 35
Tristan contains the fire so it doesn’t burn down other houses around it, while Cécile, Sabine, and Chris walk around trying to get more information about the fire. When they don’t discover any new information, they regroup and Chris goes over their plan to meet tomorrow. Sabine is still having a hard time accepting Tristan and Cécile reminds her that when she was in Trollus, she was the outsider and he accepted her. Chris offers to walk Sabine home. When they leave Tristan tells Cécile that they must find the grimoire immediately, because he can see the affects of the promise she made his father written all over her. But instead of hearing sympathy in his voice, she hears blame, and she snaps. She asks him what he would have done in her situation, telling him that she feels more allied with Thibault that she does with him at the moment. Feeling disheartened, she explains how she broke him free – that a true name was a necessary element. She explains that she learned it when she was near death after Roland’s attack – that it was given to her by a man who glowed like the sun in lands of endless summer. Tristan realizes that she’s referring to his many-times great uncle, the King of Summer, but can’t believe that’s how Cécile learned the information. He tells her that she doesn’t know what she’s talking about, and she tells him that if that’s so, it’s because Tristan has chosen to keep her in the dark. He tells her that’s the way she is and, resigned, she tells him she won’t always accept that.
Cécile walks back to the townhouse alone, deeply depressed by events. She is standing in the front entry when Tristan knocks at the door. He apologizes, then explains everything that was happening in Trollus, including how he was finally seeing his dreams coming to fruition when she called him away. She apologizes, but he explains that while he’s angry, he’s not angry at her, but at the situation. He wants to be with her. His honesty cuts through the tension between them, and they kiss. But the toll of all she’s been through finally takes hold of Cécile and she faints.

Chapter Summaries

Chapter 26
Furious about the announcement of the betrothal between Roland and Anaïs (Lessa), Tristan storms into the throne room to confront his father, finding him sitting on the throne in front of table laden with food. Too incensed to speak immediately about the true source of his anger, Tristan lashes out at his father for being glutinous while the rest of the city is on rations. Thibault tells him that food is one of the few pleasures in his life, and he will not give it up while he is king. Then he inquires whether Tristan is here to take the throne, tossing the crown at him. Tristan’s astonishment gives him a moment of clarity, and he realizes the betrothal is not his father’s idea, but Lessa’s. They have a rare moment of frank conversation about Lessa posing as Anaïs, including the half-bloods ability to lie (which the King discovered via Lessa’s mother). They both acknowledge that Lessa has her eye on the crown and will stop at nothing to get it. Thibault confirms that he believes Angouleme is in possession of Roland’s name, putting him in complete power over the boy. The conversation devolves, the King all but daring Tristan to try to kill him, but Tristan walks away, telling him he’ll take power when he’s ready.
Outside, Tristan encounters a human man he doesn’t recognize, though he suspects him to be of the nobility from his clothing. The man is obviously one of the King’s minions, but just as obviously hates his master. Tristan takes a risk, and tells the man to tell Cécile that there is a loophole in the promise she made.

Chapter 27
Cécile is at a rehearsal for the masque in the company of Genevieve and the rest of the company. They have her on a swing above the rest of the performers, but her thoughts are for the locator spell she used the prior night and the significance of the dead women. She wonders if there is something that links them. She leans back in the swing to stretch her stiff muscles, her eyes taking in all the portraits of performers gracing the walls. Then she notices a woman in one of the portraits is wearing a golden necklace identical to Cécile’s – and what’s more, she recognizes the name on the plaque beneath it.

Chapter 28
That night, Cécile returns to the opera house in the company of Sabine and Chris. Sabine distracts the guard while Cécile and Chris sneak into the foyer de la danse with a ladder. They compare the list of names Cécile compiled from the grave markers to the portraits in the room, finding all of those who lived and died in the last two hundred years (the length of time the opera house has been in existence). All of them are wearing Cécile’s necklace, and given that she knows it to be a family heirloom, she believes all the women are her ancestors. Knowing that blood relation is important to magic, she realizes that all these women are descendants of Anushka, as is she herself. Chris notices a sort of strange pattern to the dates of the women’s deaths, but it isn’t strong enough to predict when Anushka will make her move. But Cécile also realizes that she isn’t Anushka’s next target – Genevieve is.
They leave the theater before they get caught by the guard, and run into Fred outside. After he rudely sends Chris away, he tells Cécile that he spoke to Lord Aiden, the Regent’s son, about the trolls. He says that Aiden wants to help her get free of her promise. But instead of feeling relief, the power of her oath takes control of her and she pulls a knife on her brother. Realizing that no one is safe around her while she’s under compulsion, she tells him to leave. But instead of going, he holds a cloth soaked with a magic potion over her mouth, and she falls unconscious.

Chapter 29
Cécile regains consciousness in the darkness of Catherine’s cellar, realizing immediately that her brother has betrayed her. She hears her brother’s voice above her, as well as a man she suspects to be Lord Aiden. Fred is showing signs of regretting his choices, but Aiden sends him away before he can do anything. Catherine and Aiden have clearly been embroiled in this plot together for some time, and they discuss Lady Marie’s involvement with Anushka. Aiden believes her ignorant to both the witch and the trolls, but Catherine isn’t convinced. And neither is Cécile. Catherine tells Aiden that she’ll cast the spell to find Anushka only after he grants her a pardon for her crimes. Before the conversation can go further, there are sounds of a scuffle. Aiden catches Sabine, who has been looking for Cécile, and ties her up and puts her in the cellar. The pair listen while Catherine explains why she believes Cécile nothing more than a peon in the trolls’ plots – that if she’d really wanted to free them, that she’d have done so already. She explains that the curse is an act of will cemented by magic, and that it could be broken by will and magic if Cécile wanted it badly enough.
But Aiden doesn’t care. He tells Catherine about the loophole in Cécile’s promise – that she need only bring Anushka to the beach, not past the barrier itself. He explains his plan to use Cécile to control Tristan, and thus control the trolls. He intends to let Anushka live on so that the curse will remain in place forever. Catherine agrees to cast the spell to find the other witch that very night.

Chapter 30
Tristan returns to his rooms to change the bandages on his wrists (the metal piercing his skin has caused iron rot) only to discover Lessa is waiting for him, her Anaïs mask firmly in place. He tells her to get out, but she only laughs and tells him she wants to help. She summarizes his predicament: “Cécile made a promise to the King to find Anushka. There is nothing he desires more, and his obsession will force her to the grave if she does not succeed. You promised the half-bloods you’d build a stone tree for them, which frankly, requires you to be alive. Except that you know Cécile’s time is short, which means your time is short, and you are driven to work day and night without rest, which is driving you to the point where you’ll burn out your power. Especially given the iron rot that is consuming you. Such a sordid circle of things: the King’s desire creates Cécile’s obsession, which drives your addiction to your work. Work that the King does not care to see completed, which makes him want the curse broken all the more. Around and around we go… Spiraling down until someone dies.”
She offers him a solution: that he takes a new wife (her). United, they would kill the King and take control, and with their combined power, no one would be able to stand against them. Tristan is horrified, and tells her he will never agree to it. Morbidly curious, he asks why she wants to be queen so badly, and she reveals her entirely selfish motivations. He realizes that she hates her human blood. He tells her that it will never happen, not because of her bloodline, but because she isn’t worthy. Furious, she attacks him.

Chapter 31
Catherine and Aiden leave the shop, and Cécile and Sabine struggle to get free. They know they need to get Anushka’s grimoire back from Catherine, so Cécile goes in search of her while Sabine goes to warn Chris. But Cécile’s search is fruitless. She has to make a choice: submit to Aiden’s plan to get free of her promise or do what it takes to break the curse herself.
She leaves the city and trades her necklace for an ox, an axe, and a lantern. With these tools, she goes down to the beach to cast her spell. She knows Anushka got power from the curse by killing the troll king, Alexis, and that she is going to need all the power she can get to trump that. She sets up the scene, and as the sun sets, she kills the ox, taking power from its death as well as the elements. She feels her will collide with Anushka’s, and they struggle. But Cécile fails. She realizes she needs the true name of the creatures the witch cursed, but more than that, she doesn’t want them freed as badly as Anushka wants them contained. At least, not all of them. Then a name – Tristan’s true name – swims out of the depths of her mind, and with the last of her power, she forces her will towards freeing him, and ordering him to come to her, before she collapses in a faint on the beach.

Chapter 32
Lessa catches Tristan with a noose of magic, strangling him. He’s severely handicapped by the steel in his wrists, but still more powerful, and he manages to get free. Marc and the twins arrive on the scene, and Victoria punches Lessa in the face “for Anaïs”, and Lessa threatens to make them pay. But she swiftly determines she’s in no position to make threats, and flees. Tristan is relieved to see his friends, especially Marc, but the power of his promise to finish the tree has grown overwhelming, magnified even more by the desperation he feels from Cécile. His friends agree to help him with the construction, and they go out into Trollus.
But something unexpected happens. Instead of just half-bloods working on the construction, full bloods are working too. Even some of the nobility join in to help, and Tristan sees his dream coming together: all of Trollus unified with no regard for power and class. But the euphoria is short-lived as he hears Cécile’s voice in his mind, using his true name to call him to her. He has no choice but to listen even though he knows the curse will keep him from following through. He asks Marc to go fetch his parents to kill him before he tears apart Trollus trying to get free, then speaks with Tips as he walks towards the River Road. He tells him to keep fighting, that Trollus is desperate for change and that it will happen with or without him. Then he runs towards the barrier, loving and cursing Cécile for her actions all in the same thought.

Chapter 33
Heart weighted down by her failure, Cécile returns to the opera house to find her friends, where she learns that her mother has skipped her final performance and treated to the countryside, claiming she is unwell. Cécile decides to perform one last time before she submits to Aiden’s plan. Taking to the stage, she performs as she never has before, putting all of her heartbreak and emotion into her voice, feeling in that moment as though Tristan is closer to her than he’s been since she left Trollus. Afterwards, she remains on stage, waiting, even after all the cast and crew have departed. The theater is dark, but she hears the doors to the lobby open, and she’s afraid because she believes it’s Aiden come to force her into helping with his plan. But when she opens her eyes, a familiar ball of light is floating in front of her face. Tristan is there. She runs into his arms, but their reunion is not how she expects. He is cold and withdrawn. She explains everything that has happened, including Aiden’s involvement as she takes him into a back room to remove the manacles from his wrists. She sees the affects of the iron rot and is horrified by the damage even as she realized that he’s ashamed by it. With tension still creating unease between them, Tristan agrees that they must find Catherine and retrieve Anushka’s grimoire before they realize Tristan is free and try to destroy it.

Fun Facts!

Chapter 26 – The King reveals to Tristan in this chapter that he learned about the half-bloods ability to lie from Lessa’s mother – and that he killed her for it. That particular bit of information is extremely key to the King’s character, and you’ll find out more about it in Warrior Witch.

Chapter 27 – As I mentioned in earlier chapters, the Trianon Opera House is inspired by the Palais Garnier in Paris. The foyer de la danse is a room in the Palais Garnier, and I tried to replicate the description of it in Hidden Huntress. I’m including some photos, but feel free to Google if you want to see more of the location.







Chapter 28 – So… true story: I included Cécile’s gold necklace in Stolen Songbird knowing that I’d use it in some way, but with no idea how. Its significance didn’t become clear to me until I was drafting Hidden Huntress and trying to figure out how Anushka was staying immortal. Because YUP, I didn’t have that figured out until I was about a third of the way into drafting the novel.

Chapter 29 – My favorite part of this chapter is how Cécile finally sees just how deeply the King was manipulating her and Tristan – that thus far, she’s done everything he wanted her to do. I also like how Aiden took the clue Tristan gave him and twisted it to his own advantage. Everyone has plots and plans in this novel, which made it both fun and extremely tricky to write.

Chapter 30 – I really love Lessa as a villain, because there is nothing she won’t do to get ahead. She is playing everyone: the King, Angouleme, and Tristan, and she is constantly switching her loyalties. They all think they have her pegged, but… they are wrong. She’s MUCH more dangerous than any of them give her credit for.

Chapter 31 ¬– I frequently am asked whether I was hesitant to include anything in my novels, like violence or sexual content, and this is the one and only scene I’ve ever been worried about. Because… Cécile kills an ox with an axe blow to the head. It’s pretty bad stuff. I was waiting for my agent or editor to tell me to tone it down, but no one said a word.

Chapter 32 – This is my favorite chapter in Hidden Huntress. In a city without hope, we finally see a glimmer of something… Tristan’s dream is becoming a reality, and he sees it all coming together, and then the moment is fractured because he thinks he won’t be able to see it through. That in calling him to her, Cécile has killed them both, and how he loves her and hates her at the same time. This is also the moment, I think, where Tristan says goodbye to Trollus.

Chapter 33 – When I first wrote the scene of Tristan and Cécile’s reunion, I made it all sappy and romantic. AND IT SUCKED. It just felt so fake and false, because too much has happened and the situation is too dire for them to fall into bed whispering sweet nothings.

Chapter 34 – I’ve had so many people tell me how glad they were that I saved Souris (which means mouse in French, btw). Tristan and the dog form quite the little friendship in this novel, and YES, Souris does have a part to play in Warrior Witch.

Chapter 35 – This chapter shows how the power dynamic between Tristan and Cécile has equalized. She’s been on her own and fighting her own battles, and she isn’t willing to put up with some of his less desirable characteristics like she used to. As much as she’s scared about the consequences of doing so, I feel this is the moment she draws a line in the sand to say that they will be equals or they are done. Which I think was very brave of her to do.

Discussion Questions

1. How important is it to you that a novel/series has romantic plotline? Does it bother you when the romance becomes less of a focus?

2. Up until chapter 30, Lessa never speaks as herself. In Stolen Songbird, her actions were scripted by Lady Damia, and throughout Hidden Huntress, she is speaking as Anaïs. But in this chapter, the reader (and Tristan!) get some insight into who she really is. What do you think of her? Were you at all sympathetic to her plight, or are her plans too evil/insane for you to feel badly for her at all?

3. For half a book, you were probably waiting for the big reunion between Cécile and Tristan. But I bet it didn’t go as you expected. Were you disappointed? If so, tell me how you wanted it to go.

4. Cécile doesn’t tell Tristan that she’s descended from Anushka. Why do you think she chose to withhold that information?

5. Sabine says the following when she meets Tristan: “You know perfectly well you don’t disappoint…I’d thought you’d be something I could pity, and that pity would allow me to forgive you for what you did to her. I was wrong.” What do you think she meant by that?

Thissi wrote: "1. I have never stopped reading a book series because one of my favorite characters died because even if they do die, the plot moves forward and the story goes on. I have however stopped reading a ..."

Hi Thissi,
A few of you have mentioned characters doing a complete 180. Do you have examples of this? Does it bother you because the character because someone you dislike, or because you think the author isn't being true to the character they created?

Karim wrote: "1. Yes I have. I eventually finished it but I was unhappy with the outcome, particularly since it was very unexpected.
2. Difficult to say. I do believe she should have learned more before delving ..."

Hi Karim,
It's a very good question how much of what Cecile does is motivated by the compulsion she's under. If she'd been acting entirely of her own free will would she have done things differently? Impossible to know, although Tristan contemplates that very question at the beginning of Warrior Witch.

Ashley wrote: "1. I haven’t yet had one of my favorite characters from a book series die on me, so no, I haven’t quit reading something because of that. I have quit a few tv shows though. And it’s not so much tha..."

Hi Ashley,
I'm a total character killer, so hopefully I don't aggravate you too badly!!

Kelsea wrote: "1. Oh never! I don't think I could ever just stop reading a story I would always have to know what happened, especially why that character needed to die!! I hope this isn't foreshadowing something ..."

Hi Kelsea
I do enjoy pushing the moral limits of my characters, because I've always found it interesting how far people will go to save themselves, someone they care about, or to accomplish something important.

Brittani wrote: "1. I HAVE stopped reading a series when one of my favorite characters dies before. I'm one of those people who reads the ending before I start the book and if I don't like where they end up, I eith..."

Hi Brittani!
Gahhhhhhhh!!! The idea of reading the ending first is like sacrilege to me. I've never done it, and I never will.

I also stopped watching Supernatural because they kill all the female characters. Annoys me to no end that the male characters can die/almost die, then be resurrected/saved a zillion times, but the girls never get the same treatment.

Ellie wrote: "1. I haven't... yet. lol We shall see Walking Dead... We shall see...

2. I think she was right to perform it. I know it's dark and all that... but maybe I think more darkly too? lol

3. I totally..."

Yesssss. Given the King had no interest in Tristan marrying Anais because of the affliction in her bloodline, it makes no sense that he'd want her to marry Roland. Plus, he knows who she is, and as villainous as he is, the King does have his limits on how far he'll go with certain matters. Lessa, on the other hand...

Pili wrote: "1.- There is no perfect answer to that question. Reviews are a personal opinion and one that is tinted by the reader's own likes and dislikes. I'm sure some reviews can be helpful to the author but..."

Tristan and Cécile are both impulsive, but it usually manifests in different ways. He tends to focus on the bigger picture, which causes consequences for the individual. Cécile focuses on the individual, and often loses sight of how that will affect the bigger picture. They are such opposites, my little lovebirds <3

Aretha wrote: "1. Yes a writer should read reviews... but not to be sad if they were bad . Writing is such a journey in life; whether it's good or bad authors should be able to read them if they want, but they sh..."

Lessa lived under the radar for a very long time – that's how she was able to get away with the impersonation. Everyone forgot about her :)

Ellie wrote: "Aaaw I love Chris and Cécile. I wish more could have been kept in between them. I also wouldn't mind Chris and Sabine ;P"

I'd read that fan fic ;-)

Erika (The Nocturnal Fey) wrote: "1. I don't remember I stopped reading a series because my favorite characters died. lol

2. It kind of creeped me out at some point. Dark magic is somewhat scary (reminds me of Hex Hall lol). But C..."

Hi Erika,
There is no limit to how far Lessa is willing to go, that's for sure. Incest aside, she's pretending to be Anais, who was only 17 when she died, which is why no one in Trollus is too concerned about the age gap. I sort of had Tommen and Margaery from Game of Thrones in mind for that plot twist.

Mandy wrote: "1. I've read alot of books where a favorite character dies unfortunately,I never stopped reading though, they usually end up being my favorite series weirdly enough. I think it'd be different if th..."

Hi Mandy
Killing off the love interest is certainly risky business (which means I'd totally be down with doing it, hahah!). If the novel is classified as a romance, you couldn't get away with it. But if the romance is only a subplot, that's different. A good example is Carrie Ryan's (view spoiler)[Forest of Hands and Teeth. Which is a great novel, imho. (hide spoiler)]

As I mentioned in this week's fun facts, Catherine's character went through several iterations. This deleted scene is an intro to Cecile going to visit her for instructions back when she was more of a teacher/mentor type character.

“What excuse did you give your employer?” I asked Chris, keen to break the silence that had sat between us since he’d retrieved me and chased away my trepidation.

He shrugged. “Didn’t really have to give one. Told him that Fleur had been acting up and you’d requested she be exercised. It’s one of my duties.”

I nodded, glad that his accompanying me wouldn’t jeopardize his job. “Do you enjoy working there?”

Chris looked over his shoulder at me, one eyebrow raised. “You’re full of questions.”

The smile I gave him was a weak one, but I couldn’t seem to muster much more. I’d been restless all night, and what sleep I’d gotten had been plagued with nightmares. My head had throbbed continually and the need to be out on the streets searching had been almost unbearable. Twice I’d woken up to find myself dressing in dark clothing, and the third time, I didn’t wake until I was halfway down the stairs. After that, I’d refused to let myself fall asleep again for fear of what might happen.

“I’m curious about what you do,” I said. “I feel like all we ever talk about when we’re together is our hunt for her, and our problems to do with them.”

He turned forward, reining Fleur around a large puddle so it wouldn’t splash up on us. “It’s probably more important to talk about her and them than about how many loads of horse shit I shoveled this week.”

“How many?”

His shoulders shook with laughter. “I think I lost count after the first hundred or so.”

I giggled. “I remember how that feels. Just be glad it’s horses and not pigs.”

“I give thanks everyday for that!” He was quiet for a minute. “It’s hard work, but I like being with the horses. Taking care of them, brushing them, riding them. We get lots owned by travelers who are only here for a few days, and I like seeing the different sorts. Then there’s the regulars, like old Fleur here.” He patted my mare on the neck.

“She isn’t old,” I protested. “She’s not yet six.”

“I know, I know.” He looked back over his shoulder at me. “Do you remember when my Pa and I brought her over for you on your thirteenth birthday? I’ve never seen anyone so excited over a horse before.”

“I was happy!” I grinned at the memory, but it slipped away as I remembered what else had happened that day. “That was the birthday my mother asked me to come to Trianon. It seems so long ago. And yet like yesterday.” I watched the shoddy houses slipping past us, my brief moment of good humor fading away.

“Can I ask you something?” I said the words quietly, not sure if I wanted the answer.

Chris nodded.

“What happened when you realized I was gone?”

He shifted in the saddle, slowly my horse to a walk. “I saw Fleur running through our fields, saddle and bridle on. She was all lathered up and spooked something fierce, and it took me ages to catch her. I should’ve left her and gone looking for you straight away, but all I could think was how upset you’d be if anything happened to her.” He shook his head and made a soft noise of frustration. “Can’t say the number of times that I’ve wondered if maybe I could have stopped Luc from taking you if I hadn’t stopped to catch your horse.”

My eyes burned at the idea that he’d blamed himself, just like Sabine.

“Pa and I went opposite directions on the road, and that was when I found the broken eggs. I thought maybe you’d fallen off and taken no harm, and had gone to look for your horse. So I went up and down the road calling your name, and my Pa went into town. Fred arrived about that time, and he talked to Sabine, who, by our reckoning, was the last person to see you.”
I bit the insides of my cheek, trying to chase away pain with pain.

“We figured by then that something bad had happened to you. That maybe you’d run afoul of a bear or a mountain cat. But there wasn’t any blood or tracks. So we kept looking. The whole bloody town came out to search the woods and fields for you. Sabine even saddled up her little pony to come with me and your brother, and you know how she fears horses.”

A shudder ran through me. “She blamed herself. Last night she told me that when everyone thought I was dead, that she believed it was her fault.”

Chris was quiet for a minute. “I know. She told me as much herself.” He sighed. “It was after the first time I had seen you in Trollus, and I felt terrible about not being able to say something to ease her conscience.”