Ace Books is set to release Brigitte Knightley’s highly anticipated second novel in the Dearly Beloathed romantasy series, The Exquisite Torment of Loving Your Enemy, on July 7th. The novel delves into a world where sworn enemies find their destinies intertwined, exploring themes of duty, forbidden attraction, and the blurring lines between good and evil. This excerpt offers a glimpse into the complex relationship between Osric, a member of the notorious Fyren Order of assassins, and Aurienne, a scholar-healer bound by the Haelan motto of "Harm to none."
A Clash of Worlds and Hearts
At its core, The Exquisite Torment of Loving Your Enemy presents a stark dichotomy: Osric, an assassin whose life is dedicated to lethal contract work, and Aurienne, a healer committed to preserving life. This fundamental opposition forms the bedrock of their initial interactions, painting a clear picture of light versus dark, right versus wrong. However, as the narrative unfolds, these absolutes begin to fray.
The excerpt details Osric’s initial, transactional approach to Aurienne, bribing her for his own healing. This pragmatic beginning unexpectedly blossoms into something far more profound. As Aurienne’s skilled hands tend to Osric’s physical wounds, they inadvertently begin to mend deeper emotional scars. Unforeseen feelings emerge for Osric, a development that challenges his hardened exterior and his very identity as an assassin.
Conversely, Aurienne’s meticulously ordered existence is thrown into disarray by the emergence of this dangerously charming assassin. Her commitment to her research and healing is tested by an illicit arrangement to treat Osric during each full moon, an activity that pulls her into a dangerous attraction she struggles to resist.
The plot thickens considerably with the introduction of a deadly plague, the "Pox," deliberately unleashed upon the TÄ«endoms. This widespread affliction appears to be the work of a malevolent Order, one that poses a threat even to seasoned individuals like Osric and Aurienne. As the characters grapple with this external danger, the internal conflict intensifies, forcing them to confront the precarious balance between peace and war, and the potent forces of love and hate that threaten to consume them.
An Unconventional Partnership Forms
The provided excerpt vividly illustrates the initial stages of this complex partnership, beginning with Aurienne’s disorienting arrival at Rosefell Hall. The jarring experience of waystone travel leaves her physically unsettled, a sensation amplified by the appearance of Mordaunt, a figure cloaked in darkness. His clandestine presence, revealed by his piercing pale eyes and distinctive silver-white hair, immediately elicits a strong reaction from Aurienne, though it is tempered by an unexpected flicker of gladness.
Mordaunt’s greeting, a blend of sardonic wit and veiled appreciation, highlights the charged dynamic between them. He refers to Aurienne as his "savior," a title that underscores her role in his well-being. Aurienne, in turn, responds with a sharp retort, dismissing his "theatrical ardours" and revealing a history of sharp-witted exchanges between them.
The dialogue quickly shifts to Mordaunt’s apparent ill health, a detail Aurienne observes with concern, noting the "thinness to his face." His dismissive response, attributing it to a "stomach bug," does little to assuage her worry. Her insistence on his well-being, rooted in her professional obligation as his "Haelan," reveals the depth of her care, a sentiment Mordaunt acknowledges with a lingering, yet unamused, smile.
Their interaction devolves into a characteristic war of words, a verbal sparring match that underscores their complex rapport. Mordaunt’s assessment of Aurienne’s attire, playfully suggesting she appears as a "Lonely Adventuress" or "Exploratrix," is met with a equally pointed critique of his own somber ensemble, described as that of a "Widow in mourning." This back-and-forth culminates in a rapid-fire exchange of insults, a linguistic duel that showcases their intellectual prowess and their undeniable, if exasperating, connection. Terms like "Paroxysm," "Adhesion," "Vortex," "Fiasco," and "Crisis" are thrown about, painting a picture of volatile yet deeply engaged individuals.
Rosefell Hall: A Sanctuary of Chaos
Following their verbal skirmish, Mordaunt leads Aurienne into Rosefell Hall, a sprawling and somewhat dilapidated estate. The narrative offers a detailed, almost whimsical, depiction of the manor’s interior, particularly the kitchens and the main sitting room. The presence of Mordaunt’s diverse pack of dogs—Rigor Mortis, Arson, Perjury, Forgery, Outraging Public Decency, High Treason, and Crème Brûlée—adds a layer of character and chaos to the scene. These canine companions, each with a name as eccentric as their owner, greet Aurienne with unrestrained affection, overwhelming her with their exuberance.
The introduction of Mrs. Parson, the sensible steward, and Mr. Parson, the quiet groundskeeper, grounds the fantastical elements of the story with a touch of domestic reality. Their presence suggests a semblance of order within the otherwise eccentric household of a Fyren assassin.
The sitting room itself is described as a testament to Mordaunt’s peculiar tastes, a chaotic fusion of an art gallery and an antique shop, where "debris upon every surface" hints at a life lived with flamboyant disregard for tidiness. Aurienne’s practical nature is evident as she clears the coffee table, replacing its eclectic clutter with Grette’s pies, a mundane act that provides a moment of normalcy amidst the unfolding events.
A Shared Mission and Divergent Methods
The excerpt transitions to the core of their shared objective: investigating the Pox and its origins. Aurienne presents a map of Glastonbury Tor, the site of the ancient Druidic stronghold, the Færwundor. This physical artifact serves as a tangible representation of their collaborative effort. Aurienne’s dedication to research is evident in her meticulous preparation, contrasting sharply with Mordaunt’s seemingly flippant "plan," which consists merely of "Make a plan."
This stark difference in approach fuels Aurienne’s frustration, pushing her patience to its limit. Her exasperated declaration that Mordaunt is "riding my last nerve" is met with his characteristic, albeit unnerving, response: "My favourite place to be."
The discussion then delves into Mordaunt’s past actions, specifically his involvement with the Druids’ Seer. Aurienne’s assumption that he had infiltrated the Færwundor is met with a surprising admission: he had killed the Seer at a restaurant in London, during the Seer’s birthday party. This revelation highlights the vast chasm in their moral and ethical frameworks, leading to a profound moment of mutual incomprehension. Aurienne’s dismay at his "immoralist" tendencies is met with Mordaunt’s detached observation that they might not be the "same species."
Despite their fundamental differences, the shared goal of understanding the Færwundor and its potential connection to the Pox propels them forward. Aurienne explains the limited information they possess: the map of Glastonbury Tor, detailing its position over ley lines and intersecting watercourses, and the vague translations from Professor Widdershins regarding a "healing pilgrimage" to be undertaken at the full moon. This "anecddata," as Aurienne terms it, forms the basis of their research, a testament to the unconventional nature of their investigation.
The most astonishing revelation from this research is that Aurienne’s healing sessions with Mordaunt, performed during the full moon and based on these dubious findings, have demonstrably slowed his "seith degeneration"—a previously incurable disease. This unexpected success, while potentially a coincidence, represents a significant triumph, a moment of hope amidst the uncertainty.
The Perilous Dusken Path
The narrative culminates in Mordaunt’s audacious proposal to traverse the Færwundor using "shadow-walking," a forbidden technique that involves traversing the Dusken Path. This method is anathema to Aurienne’s Haelan principles, as it deviates from the "Bright Path" she is sworn to follow. Her initial disbelief and apprehension are palpable, especially when Mordaunt casually reveals that previous individuals he has shadow-walked with did not survive to share their experiences.
Despite Aurienne’s vocal concerns about the risks involved, Mordaunt insists on proceeding, offering to carry her along. Their exchange about the mode of transport—whether she will be his "sack of potatoes" or his "bride"—reveals a playful, albeit dark, humor underlying their tense situation. Aurienne’s preference for the former, due to its perceived lack of intimacy, is met with Mordaunt’s teasing remark about her being "starchy."
The physical act of shadow-walking is described with visceral intensity. Aurienne experiences a profound sense of disorientation and physical distress, feeling as though her very molecules are being torn apart. The sensation is so overwhelming that she vomits, a testament to the extreme nature of the Dusken Path. Mordaunt, though seemingly unfazed, acknowledges her distress with a dry observation: "Bit vomity, eh?"
Upon their second attempt, Aurienne, despite her severe nausea, shows a slight improvement, a fact Mordaunt attributes to her "doing better." Aurienne, however, expresses a desperate wish to die, a sentiment that underscores the immense physical and psychological toll of the experience. Mordaunt’s reassurance and his offer to help her up, followed by another shadow-walk, demonstrate his unwavering determination, even as Aurienne questions the wisdom of his methods.
The excerpt concludes with Aurienne being lifted into Mordaunt’s arms for a second shadow-walk, this time held in a bridal-style embrace. The description of her internal sensations—the pressure of his seith, the awareness of her internal organs—emphasizes the unnatural and invasive nature of the Dusken Path. As they materialize again, Aurienne collapses once more, her physical and emotional state a stark indicator of the profound challenges they face. Mordaunt’s persistent, almost unnerving, optimism in the face of her distress highlights the stark contrast between their personalities and their approaches to peril. The implication is clear: their journey into the Færwundor will be fraught with danger, and their survival may depend on navigating not only external threats but also the volatile currents of their own complicated relationship.
