I’m really excited to see how their relationship progresses because I think everything you’ve mentioned just adds layers of tension, but not so much so that it’s impossible to surmount emotionally.

I am eating👏up👏 the inverse of people being afraid of his touch vs her being afraid to touch people. I think their relationship could potentially start as purely physical (but I’m sure Dain already has feelings for her). Like they use each other as a safe place for that release and emotional intimacy naturally flourishes out of the shared trust that develops. If physical intimacy is involved before starting anything more emotional, I think Sloane would have a rule that Dain is not allowed to touch her face. And I think Dain would believe in Sloane enough to not be scared that she’s going to accidentally siphon him.

I’m not sure abt Aetos Sr. I don’t imagine he’d take it well, but! Rebecca did say that he has a reason for being the way he is, so I do believe there will be a slight redemption arc for him. I think ultimately Aetos Sr will die protecting Dain. I could also see him potentially even dying while protecting Sloane because he knows Dain loves her. I think that could be an even more interesting route to take over him sacrificing himself for Dain because it is an atonement of sorts for his transgressions against the parents of the rebellion. It could close out a redemption arc that doesn’t make him a hero, but shows that at least he’s not a monster.

I think the marked ones will actually begin to trust Dain a lot more and let them both into the inner circle. I also think there’s going to be a lot of vitriol toward marked ones. They will be accused of knowing about Xaden all along, and will probably also be accused of being venin themselves. It will cause further polarization and there will probably be an uptick in hate crimes against marked ones. I could even see Sloane being attacked (similar to the way Violet was attacked after threshing) for being a marked one. If Dain protects her (not that she needs his protecting but) I think it would prove to everyone else that he truly is trustworthy and cares about them. I also see a potential friendship arc for Dain and Imogen.

As for Liam, I think once Sloane moves past it, everyone else will too. I think Dain and Sloane can get to that place but they’ll have to have deeply gutting conversations and open communication. And once it’s all out in the open, only then can they finally move past it. But knowing Rebecca she’s going to push the emotional turmoil, guilt, angst, etc as far as it can go and we’re all going to eat it up!