Chapter 22: Feyre

Cassian confronts Nesta outside the House after she leaves the Solstice gathering, attempting to walk her home and give her a gift. Their tense exchange reveals deep conflict between them: Cassian's frustration with her coldness and withdrawal contrasts sharply with Nesta's refusal to engage. The chapter then shifts to Nesta's perspective as she returns to her isolated apartment across the city, where she remains emotionally numb and traumatized, haunted by memories of the battle with Hybern.

Cassian pursues Nesta as she departs the House with her books, insisting on walking her home despite her resistance. He reveals he has a Solstice gift for her—a small wrapped parcel he spent months finding—but Nesta refuses it, claiming she wants nothing from him. Their argument escalates as Cassian grows frustrated with her coldness and isolation, urging her to try harder and suggesting she move into the House of Wind with her sisters. Nesta responds by telling him to stop following her and stop trying to integrate her into their circle. When Cassian attempts to hold her hand and get her to talk, she pulls away, dismisses him with a snort as though he is beneath her notice, and continues toward her apartment. Cassian, in anger and hurt, throws the gift box into the Sidra River. The perspective then shifts to Nesta in her sparse apartment. She locks herself in and lights the faelight to signal Cassian waiting outside, though she is tempted not to. She examines a folded banknote Feyre gave her—enough for three months' rent—but feels no shame. Nesta reveals she has been in a state of emotional numbness for months since the battle with Hybern, unable to feel anything but occasional sharp anger. She is plagued by trauma, loss of time, weight loss, and avoidance of fire (which reminds her of breaking bones and snapping necks). She sits alone in darkness and silence, feeling nothing as Cassian's wings rustle outside.