The Prisoner's Throne

Oak wakes in the tower feeling a rare comfort after weeks of captivity. However, that comfort is quickly disrupted when Fernwaif arrives to tell him he is to leave with the tide. Though relieved to go home, Oak is conflicted, as he knows that returning to Elfhame with Wren will present new complications. His persona as a carefree courtier feels increasingly suffocating to him, and he wonders if it’s time to adopt a different approach. Grima Mog’s knights arrive with fresh clothing and a sword, and as Oak dresses in Elfhame’s livery, he feels a sense of homesickness. Outside, he reunites with his horse, Damsel Fly, and learns that the messenger he sent, Daggry, reached the Elfhame camp safely.

The journey to the ship is tense, with the army of Elfhame stationed nearby and Wren’s retinue in tow, including Hyacinthe, Bogdana, and the falcon guards. Grima Mog delivers a scroll for Oak to bring to the High King and Queen, stating that her army will remain until a treaty is signed, and Oak promises that word will come soon. As they pass the troll kings guarding the Citadel, Wren approaches them and entrusts them with her lands in her absence. The troll kings bow to her.

Oak hesitates before boarding the rowboat, insisting that Wren’s party go first. To his surprise, Wren’s falcon guards transform into birds and fly to the ship, a sign that she has mastered her power and can now control their transformation at will. Once aboard the ship Moonskimmer, Oak reflects on his gambit. He is managing to delay the war but suspects that Bogdana sees Wren’s potential marriage to him as a way to gain proximity to power and exact her long-desired revenge on the Greenbriars. 

Oak approaches Wren and thanks her for accepting his proposal. Wren responds that while she may honor her word, she doubts his sincerity. Later, Oak joins Tiernan, who updates him on Madoc’s situation: He’s back in Elfhame and offering unwanted advice to Jude. Oak also talks with Tiernan about the latter’s lingering feelings for Hyacinthe.

On the first night of the three-day sea journey to Elfhame, Oak listens to Randalin boast about his role in the peace negotiations while Wren manipulates the councilor’s ego. Despite having the freedom to visit her, Oak hesitates but still longs for the connection they once had. 

On the second day, Oak is summoned to Wren’s cabin. There, she proposes the dissolution of their engagement after a suitable delay, suggesting they both play along until she is granted the former Court of Teeth to rule. That night, the crew gathers on the deck to tell stories. Bogdana shares a dark tale about a girl with a matchbook, capable of immense destructive power but ultimately undone by love. Oak realizes the story is a thinly veiled allegory about Wren and himself, and is meant to serve as both a warning and a threat. 

Afterward, Oak follows Wren back to her cabin, where he attempts to demonstrate his persuasive magic. Although his words are sincere, Wren reacts angrily, accusing him of cruelty for offering her dreams she cannot have. The tension between them deepens, leaving Oak troubled by how easily his magic can manipulate emotions.

At dawn, the ship is attacked by merrows and a sea monster named Sablecoil, sent by Cirien-Cròin, a rival power in the Undersea. The merrows demand that Oak and Wren be handed over. Oak, pretending to cooperate, uses the opportunity to launch a surprise attack, killing several merrows and helping defend the ship. However, in the chaos, Tiernan is dragged underwater by Sablecoil. Hyacinthe dives in after him, and with Oak’s help, they rescue Tiernan. Wren uses her power to unmake the monster, but the strain visibly weakens her. Bogdana then conjures a storm that lifts the ship into the air, carrying them toward Elfhame. After Wren collapses from exhaustion, Oak carries her to her cabin. She admits her struggles with her powers and inability to trust others’ kindness. She also asks him if he “ever wondered if anyone loved [him]” (174).

Later, Hyacinthe and Tiernan argue about the fight, and Oak leaves to ask the Ghost if someone helped Dain poison Liriope. The Ghost warns that Locke knew the answer, and it didn’t help him. When Oak presses him on the issue, he suggests Oak should ask Taryn about it.

When Oak was a child, after he crowned Cardan, Oriana told him the tragic story of Liriope, his birth mother, whose beauty and sweet words made her irresistible. She was first the king’s consort but later became involved with Prince Dain, who ultimately fathered Oak. Hearing that Dain poisoned her and left her to die to protect his position shocks Oak, who struggles to understand how someone can kill a person they love.

Oriana gently explains the complex, often selfish nature of love and power in Faerie and urges Oak to be better than Dain. She also warns him about the power he inherited from his mother. Like Liriope, he has the ability to see into others’ hearts and become what they most desire. While this ability might seem like a gift, Oriana cautions him against losing himself by twisting into whatever others want him to be. Despite her warnings, Oak finds it difficult to understand why it would be a problem for everyone to love him.

Oak returns to Elfhame with Wren and the rest of their party, drawing a large crowd eager to witness their arrival. The onlookers, including Oak’s family and the Living Council, speculate about whether the betrothal signifies love, an alliance, or something more sinister. Cardan and Jude greet Wren with pointed remarks about her transformation and her role in Lady Nore’s death. Wren, despite her weakened state, responds with cold composure. 

The already tense situation is further complicated by Bogdana, who demands the wedding take place within three days. The demand alarms Jude and Cardan, but Oak deflects by suggesting that propriety requires more time. Wren declines to stay in the palace, opting instead to conjure the cottage from the magic walnut given to her by Mother Marrow.

Oak reunites with his family and returns to the palace. Once in his chambers, Jude demands an explanation for his actions. He recounts how he sought out Wren because of her ability to command Lady Nore. Jude questions Oak’s trust in Wren—given her power to unmake things, including people—but chooses to trust him for the time being.