The Serpent and the Wings of Night

Content Warning: This section of the guide features discussions of flashbacks of rape and emotional abuse.

The genuine and unconditional nature of the love that Raihn and Ilana have for Oraya highlights the issues prevalent within the love that Vincent shows, namely the emotional abuse that he inflicts upon her. Until Ilana and Raihn come into Oraya’s life, Vincent’s love is the only “safe” love she’s ever known; it is through their love that Oraya realizes how harmful Vincent’s love actually is. He wants her to win the Kejari because “it was the only way to turn [Oraya] into something acceptable for him to love” (380). Vincent’s love might be real, but it’s conditional.

Emotional abuse occurs when a person uses words and emotions to gain power and control over another. Though Vincent loves his daughter, his fear for her safety and his ingrained bias toward the human species leads him to convey his love in unhealthy, destructive ways. By attempting to keep her safe and protected, Vincent does not intend to harm Oraya in any deep, painful, or lasting ways. This is proven by his rare moments of kindness and his final proclamation of love before he succumbs to death.