Alex's anger at Abigail

[Mr. Mouse]

On the one hand, you can understand Alex's wounded pride at having his girlfriend poison him because she didn't think he could win the duel.  On the other hand, there's the knowledge that the Spirearch specifically ordered by Abigail and Grimm to prevent Alex from being killed, even to Grimm sacrificing his own life to protect Alex.

Sadly it seems out of character for Addison to tell Alex in the next book (to be finished in 2033) to get his head out of his fundament and marry the woman.

[Talby16]

On the one hand, you can understand Alex's wounded pride at having his girlfriend poison him because she didn't think he could win the duel.  On the other hand, there's the knowledge that the Spirearch specifically ordered by Abigail and Grimm to prevent Alex from being killed, even to Grimm sacrificing his own life to protect Alex.

Sadly it seems out of character for Addison to tell Alex in the next book (to be finished in 2033) to get his head out of his fundament and marry the woman.

I think the anger was also due to Abigail intentionally putting Grimm into harms way and saving Alex instead.

[Mr. Mouse]

I think the anger was also due to Abigail intentionally putting Grimm into harms way and saving Alex instead.

Abigail didn't ask Grimm to be Alex's second (which is what put him in harm's way). Alex did that himself.

[Dina]

But she knew he was his second by the time she poisoned him. I totally understand Alex's anger. I also understand Abigail's decision, but she had to know there was a chance he broke with her and do not forgive her.
What I do not think  is that Alex was angered because of his hurt pride.

[Talby16]

But she knew he was his second by the time she poisoned him. I totally understand Alex's anger. I also understand Abigail's decision, but she had to know there was a chance he broke with her and do not forgive her.
What I do not think  is that Alex was angered because of his hurt pride.

I agree, I do not think it is pride driving Alex's anger. I think that it is the fact that Abigail deliberately chose to send Grimm to his death. He is not a duelist. I think everyone looking at the fight expected the Warriorborn duelist to win. Did Abigail truly think that Grimm had a better chance to beat him than Alex did? Or, did she choose to sacrifice Grimm instead of Alex. That is what is eating at Alex and most likely causing his anger.

[Dina]

I am pretty sure Alex is as sure as I am that Abigail did not care. She thought Grimm was probably going to die, and she did not care, as long as Alex was safe.

[Braincandy]

But she knew he was his second by the time she poisoned him. I totally understand Alex's anger. I also understand Abigail's decision, but she had to know there was a chance he broke with her and do not forgive her.
What I do not think  is that Alex was angered because of his hurt pride.

This.

Part of why this works so well is because their are multiple layers to it. Everything I quoted is true and Abigail admits it to herself in an inner monologue. There is also an element of this, Valesco hurt Abigail and Bayard wanted personal satisfaction. Bayard is a proud duellist and Albions champ. To have the fight taken from him rankled his honor a bit. The fact that Abigail poisoned him, robbing him of his honor, just to send his best friend off to his death, was a killer.

But, this was not just about Abigail protecting Bayard. Abigail and Grimm had fairly explicit orders not to allow the duel to happen. Aurora counted on Bayards stiff honor to carry him to his death. They did not account for Abigail using treachery or Grimm being the one guy who could concoct a plan to win the duel with extreme levels of misdirection and guile.

It's good writing because it didn't rely on anyone being a superhuman. Just talented people playing to their strengths

[Dina]

Yes, you are right.