Chapter 18

Feyre meets Rhysand's Inner Circle—the warriors Cassian and Azriel, the courtier Mor, and the mysterious Amren—at a family dinner in the House of Wind. Through their stories, she learns of their origins as outcasts and bastards, and Rhysand formally offers her a place in his court. The dinner concludes with a shocking revelation: the King of Hybern is attempting to resurrect Jurian using Feyre's Making as proof it's possible, and Rhys and Feyre must visit the Prison to consult the Bone Carver.

Rhysand introduces Feyre to his Inner Circle at an informal dinner. Cassian, the commander of his armies, and Azriel, his spymaster, are both Illyrian bastards whose scarred hands bear Siphons—stones that focus their raw magical power into precise tools of war. Mor, the only titled member of the group, is a High Fae who escaped the Court of Nightmares. Amren, Rhys's Second, is a powerful being who was remade into a new body and no longer eats mortal food. Through extended storytelling, the group reveals their shared history: Rhysand's half-Illyrian mother, who was nearly crippled by her people's barbaric tradition of clipping females' wings; how Cassian and Azriel became Rhys's closest allies during his training in the Illyrian war-camps; and how they were separated during the War five hundred years ago before reuniting under Rhysand's rule. Feyre shares her own story of poverty and survival as a hunter. Mor and the others encourage her to reject the restrictions placed on her in the Spring Court, validating her anger. When asked if she will work with them, Feyre accepts Rhysand's offer. Rhys then reveals the true purpose of the dinner: the King of Hybern plans to resurrect Jurian, the ancient warrior whose soul was imprisoned by Amarantha, using Feyre's Making as proof that resurrection is possible. The ring and finger bone containing Jurian have vanished, and temples have been raided. Amren refuses to visit the Prison to consult the Bone Carver, but Rhys announces he and Feyre will go instead, as the Bone Carver may speak to her—an immortal with a mortal soul. Feyre agrees to face this unknown danger.