Three Dark Crowns

Content Warning: This section of the guide includes discussion of graphic violence, physical abuse, emotional abuse, and death.

Bree and Elizabeth believe Mirabella has a “young man” since they found her “flushed and breathless” after the Hunt (353). Mirabella asks if they’ve seen Luca, fearful the high priestess is angry with her, and they reassure her that Luca is just busy. The priestesses have been acting strangely all day, and Bree finds it suspicious.

While preparing the spell for the Quickening, Madrigal tells Arsinoe that Jules saw her with Billy, and Arsinoe gets angry. The queen has many runes carved into her hand already, so Madrigal says she must draw this one, soak it in the potion, and press it to the bear’s head. All this must be done after Arsinoe drinks most of the potion, which will contain her blood and the bear’s. When Jules returns with the bear’s blood, she’ll add it to the potion and bring it to the stage. 

Luke spreads the news of Queen Arsinoe and her great brown bear, and many people turn out to watch her performance. They always thought of her as a failure, but now they seem hopeful.