LOL JK NVM
It's all better because MELISANDE LOOKED SURPRISED.
OH WAIT OH MY GOD.
At first I was like "well fuck, Melisande, way to kill the only surviving love interest," except it looks like Joscelin ISN'T NECESSARILY DEAD YET.
Is she gonna give a Bond villain speech???
OH NO THAT IS NOT THE GOOD KIND OF LESBIAN SEX
... ok Phedre I understand you're traumatized, but enough with the ill luck stuff. Melisande manufactures ill luck for other people! it's like her other superpower that comes with hotness! P.S. Can someone explain to me the using-Phedre-as-hunting-dog thing? She didn't ... exclusively sleep with Delaunay's allies ...
OH NO THIS IS THE WORLD'S WORST FIELD TRIP
actually wait
I already like hanging out with the Skaldi more than hanging out with Melisande and D'Essoms and even, SRY DELAUNAY, that whole awkward Casa Delaunay blossoming Alcuin/Delaunay whatever-it-was.
and now Joscelin and Phedre are playing my favorite game in sff literature, which is WHO GETS TO MAKE THE NOBLE SACRIFICE
"I will make the noble sacrifice!"
"No no you can't, I must make the noble sacrifice!"
"But I don't care what happens to me!"
"But I don't care what happens to me and I SWORE VOWS!"
"I SWORE VOWS INFINITY!"
"I SWORE VOWS INFINITY PLUS ONE!"
By page 467, Phedre has officially convinced Joscelin to cast aside his pride in favor of living three thousand million times. Also her remarks about Melisande make me fear that a lesbian reckoning is coming.