Chapter 20

Feyre travels with Rhysand deep into the Prison beneath the mountain to meet the Bone Carver, a mysterious ancient creature imprisoned there. Through a dangerous exchange of secrets and personal truths, she learns vital information about the Cauldron—a legendary artifact of immense power—and discovers that the King of Hybern has been collecting its severed feet to restore it to full strength.

Amren visits Feyre's bedroom and lends her a protective amulet that once freed Amren from the Prison, warning her to return it after her task is complete. Feyre and Rhysand climb the steep, misty slope of the Prison mountain. During the ascent, Rhysand reveals details about his inner circle: Cassian is his finest warrior and leads his armies; Azriel suffered horrific childhood abuse at the hands of his family and has scarred hands as a result; Mor serves as his Third, overseeing both courts; and Amren, his Second, is a mysterious, powerful being of unknown origin, possibly trapped in the Prison millennia ago. At the mountain's peak, Rhysand opens bone-gates using his power, and they descend into the pitch-black cavern system where the Prison's inmates are held. The guards are ancient magical entities dwelling within the stone itself. Deeper still, they reach the Bone Carver's cell—a creature who appears to Feyre as a dark-haired boy of eight but appears differently to Rhysand. Rhysand gives the Bone Carver a bone from Feyre's kill of the Middengard Wyrm. Through a question-for-question exchange, Feyre describes her experience of death: hearing her neck break, entering darkness, sensing a tether to Rhysand through their bargain, and being remade. The Bone Carver confirms there is no afterlife beyond that darkness. When Feyre asks if a person could be resurrected from preserved bone, the Bone Carver reveals the existence of the Cauldron—an ancient artifact containing all magic, capable of forging new life. He explains the temples were ransacked to collect the Cauldron's three severed feet, and reveals that the King of Hybern possesses it. Rhysand's subtle reaction suggests he suspected this. The Bone Carver then discloses the existence of the Book of Breathings, split into two halves after the War—one held by the High Lord of Summer, the other by the mortal queens. The Book contains spells to control or negate the Cauldron's power. The mortal queens' half is magically bound so it can only be freely given, not stolen. Feyre, prompted by the Cauldron revelation, confesses another truth: when forced to kill faeries for Amarantha, she intended to kill herself afterward, only choosing to live when Amarantha killed her and she realized her purpose was unfulfilled. Rhysand shows visible devastation at this confession. As they leave, the Bone Carver reveals he saw Jurian—a figure from Rhysand's past—rather than the boy form he showed Feyre, and promises to carve Feyre's death into his work.