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fertility-control

Gabriel's inability to control his fertility causes emotional distance and unease in his relationship with Snake, highlighting themes of bodily autonomy and trust.

1 chapter across 1 book

Dreamsnake (1978)Vonda N. McIntyre

Chapter 7

In Chapter 7 of Dreamsnake, Snake wakes before Gabriel and reflects on their uneasy intimacy due to his fertility issues, gaining empathy for his loneliness. Later, she encounters Melissa, a scarred but competent stable-hand child, and confronts the stablemaster's cruelty towards her. The chapter ends with Snake being attacked and robbed of her serpent-case, which she recovers after a brief struggle, leaving her bruised but unharmed.