Brigitte Knightley’s latest offering, The Exquisite Torment of Loving Your Enemy, the second installment in her acclaimed Dearly Beloathed romantasy series, is set to captivate readers on July 7th. Published by Ace, the novel delves into a complex and perilous romance set against a backdrop of warring factions and a looming plague, promising an intricate tapestry of forbidden love and high-stakes adventure.
A Forbidden Alliance: Assassin Meets Healer
At the heart of The Exquisite Torment of Loving Your Enemy lies the volatile dynamic between Osric, a skilled assassin belonging to the notorious Fyren Order, and Aurienne, a scholar-healer from the Haelan Order. Their worlds are defined by stark moral opposition: Osric’s guild thrives on lethal contracts, while the Haelans adhere to the principle of "Harm to none." This fundamental ideological chasm, a clear demarcation of good versus evil, light versus dark, is the initial barrier that their burgeoning connection must overcome.
The narrative begins to unravel when Osric, in need of healing, bribes Aurienne. What starts as a clandestine transaction—Aurienne illicitly healing the assassin under the cover of the full moon—blurs the meticulously drawn lines between their respective moral codes. Each healing session serves not only to mend Osric’s physical wounds but also to intricately weave their lives together, fostering unexpected and unwanted feelings within Osric for Aurienne’s capable hands and compassionate spirit.
Aurienne, whose life has been characterized by scholarly pursuits and adherence to her Order’s principles, finds her ordered existence thrown into disarray by the arrival of a devastatingly handsome assassin. The illicit nature of their encounters, confined to the full moon, becomes a source of internal conflict as she grapples with an attraction that threatens to transcend the boundaries of her vows and the established order of her world.
Unraveling a Deadly Conspiracy: The Tæendoms Plague
The personal stakes of Osric and Aurienne’s relationship are amplified by the emergence of a far greater threat: the deadly Tæendoms plague. This devastating outbreak, deliberately unleashed upon the world, appears to be the work of an unknown and malevolent Order, one whose capacity for destruction far surpasses anything Osric and Aurienne have previously encountered. As the plague spreads, the fragile balance between their worlds, and indeed the wider realm, begins to tremble. The ensuing chaos forces them to confront not only their developing feelings for each other but also the very real possibility of an all-consuming war.
A Glimpse into the Narrative: An Excerpt
A vivid excerpt from the novel offers a compelling introduction to the characters and their complex relationship, highlighting their sharp wit and the underlying tension that crackles between them. The passage opens with Aurienne’s disoriented arrival at Rosefell Hall, a journey made unsettling by the disorienting effects of waystone travel. Her disorientation is met by the unexpected appearance of Mordaunt, a figure cloaked in darkness, whose sardonic greeting hints at a shared history and a complicated dynamic.
Mordaunt’s appearance, characterized by his deep hood and the stark visibility of his pale eyes, immediately sets a tone of mystery and intrigue. His subsequent unveiling of a scar-crossed grin elicits an unexpected pang of gladness in Aurienne, a feeling she quickly suppresses, indicating a deeper, more complicated emotional landscape beneath their surface antagonism. Mordaunt’s effusive welcome, though laced with his characteristic arrogance and mockery, is tempered by a visible thinness to his face, suggesting recent illness. Aurienne’s direct inquiry about his well-being, stemming from her role as his Haelan, reveals a level of care that belies their adversarial banter.
Their verbal sparring is sharp and rapid, a rapid-fire exchange of insults and provocations that showcases their intellectual prowess and their deeply ingrained animosity. Mordaunt’s assessment of Aurienne’s attire as "Lonely Adventuress" is met with a similarly cutting remark about his own somber ensemble, implying a shared history of conflict and a penchant for biting wit. This verbal jousting, characterized by terms like "Paroxysm," "Adhesion," "Vortex," and "Fiasco," underscores the volatile nature of their relationship, a constant push and pull between irritation and an undeniable magnetic attraction.
Rosefell Hall: A Setting of Decay and Character
The narrative then transports readers to Rosefell Hall, Mordaunt’s dilapidated estate. The description of the hall, with its "crumbling, rambling" structure and overgrown state, paints a picture of a once-grand edifice now succumbing to neglect. This setting mirrors the internal disarray of its inhabitants and the precarious state of the world they inhabit. Mordaunt’s attire, a "splendidly cut silver suit," offers a stark contrast to the surrounding decay, highlighting his flamboyant nature and his disregard for conventional appearances.
The introduction of Mordaunt’s pack of dogs, each named after a legal or criminal transgression—Rigor Mortis, Arson, Perjury, Forgery, Outraging Public Decency, High Treason, and Crème Brûlée—adds a touch of dark humor and character to the estate. Their enthusiastic greeting of Aurienne, despite Mordaunt’s attempts to control them, signifies her integration, however reluctant, into this eccentric household. The presence of Mrs. Parson, the steward, and Mr. Parson, the groundskeeper, provides a grounding element amidst the chaos, offering a glimpse into the mundane responsibilities that persist even in such an unusual environment.
The sitting room itself is described as a testament to "rococo exuberance" where an "art gallery and an antique shop had fought," with the antique shop ultimately winning, leaving "debris upon every surface." This chaotic yet opulent setting serves as a microcosm of the larger narrative, where disparate elements clash and collide. Aurienne’s practical act of clearing the coffee table to make space for Grette’s pies from "Publish or Perish" highlights her grounded nature and her role in bringing order to the disarray.
The Færwundor and the Quest for a Cure
The excerpt then pivots to the more serious matter at hand: the investigation into the Færwundor, the Druidic headquarters located on Glastonbury Tor. Aurienne presents a map of the Tor, a crucial piece of intelligence for their research. Mordaunt’s "plan," a comically brief "Make a plan," elicits exasperation from Aurienne, further emphasizing their contrasting approaches to problem-solving. This exchange highlights Mordaunt’s unconventional and often infuriating methods, which consistently test Aurienne’s patience.
The revelation that Mordaunt has not actually infiltrated the Færwundor, despite killing its Seer, adds another layer of complexity. The fact that this assassination occurred at a restaurant during the Seer’s birthday party underscores Mordaunt’s brazen disregard for conventional morality and societal norms, a fact that deeply unsettles Aurienne. The widening gap between their principles is starkly illustrated in this moment, leading to their pointed labels of "Immoralist" and "Valkyrie."
Their research into the Færwundor is based on a precarious foundation of "ill-sourced, poor-quality, unverified anecdotes" and fabricated translations of ancient texts. Professor Widdershins’s incomplete translations of the Monafyll Stone, describing a healing pilgrimage, form the basis of their understanding. Despite the dubious nature of their research, the fact that Aurienne has managed to arrest Mordaunt’s "seith degeneration" through these "fairy stories" is presented as a significant, albeit uncertain, triumph. This medical breakthrough, achieved through unconventional means, leaves them in a state of cautious optimism, a delicate balance between celebrating a potential cure and acknowledging the possibility of mere coincidence.
The Shadow-Walk and the Dusken Path
The narrative then introduces a radical and perilous element: Mordaunt’s proposed method for infiltrating the Færwundor. He suggests "shadow-walking," a technique that involves traversing the Dusken Path, a realm typically avoided by Haelans due to its inherent dangers. Aurienne’s shock and disbelief are palpable, as her Order strictly forbids such practices. Mordaunt’s nonchalant offer to "carry" her along, treating her as a "sack of potatoes" or a "bride," further underscores his reckless approach.
The description of the shadow-walk is visceral and disorienting. Aurienne experiences a profound sense of physical and mental turmoil, her "molecules had spun out and joined the iniquitous dark," her breathing oppressed, and her body subjected to a nauseating internal churning. The immediate aftermath of the shadow-walk leaves her weak and physically ill, a testament to the extreme nature of the experience. Mordaunt’s observation, "Bit vomity, eh?" and his subsequent amusement, highlight his detached amusement at her distress, a stark contrast to her genuine suffering.
Despite her profound discomfort and the physical toll, Mordaunt insists on attempting the shadow-walk again. Aurienne’s desperate plea, "If I die tonight, see to it that someone feeds my cat," underscores her apprehension. The second attempt, though resulting in Aurienne falling again, is framed by Mordaunt as progress: "You’re doing better." This grim assessment, coupled with Aurienne’s profound desire to "die," emphasizes the extreme challenges and the profound physical and psychological impact of traversing the Dusken Path, especially for someone as rigidly bound by tradition as a Haelan.
Underlying Themes and Future Implications
The Exquisite Torment of Loving Your Enemy appears poised to explore profound themes of morality, destiny, and the transformative power of love against seemingly insurmountable odds. The stark contrast between Osric/Mordaunt and Aurienne’s Orders, and their respective approaches to life and death, sets the stage for intense conflict and character development. The encroaching plague adds a sense of urgency and high stakes, forcing the protagonists to confront their deepest fears and desires.
The dynamic between Aurienne and Mordaunt, characterized by their sharp wit and undeniable chemistry, suggests a romance that will be forged in the crucible of shared danger and mutual defiance. Their inability to communicate or understand each other’s fundamental principles, as evidenced by their reactions to Mordaunt’s assassination of the Seer, presents a significant hurdle that their burgeoning affection must overcome.
The impending exploration of the Færwundor, with its mythical associations with healing and eternal youth, hints at a journey into the heart of ancient mysteries and the potential for profound discoveries. The success of their unconventional "treatment" for Mordaunt’s seith degeneration suggests that the boundaries of conventional understanding may be challenged and redefined within this fantastical world. The ultimate success of their quest to combat the Tæendoms plague and navigate their forbidden romance will undoubtedly hinge on their ability to bridge the chasm between their opposing worlds and find common ground in their shared fight for survival and love. The narrative promises a compelling blend of action, intrigue, and emotional depth, making The Exquisite Torment of Loving Your Enemy a highly anticipated release for fans of the romantasy genre.
