Chapter 27

Feyre trains alone in a snowy forest to develop her magical powers while Rhysand watches from afar via their bond connection. After an hour of failed attempts to light a candle, she exchanges flirtatious letters with Rhysand through magic. Her training session is violently interrupted when the Attor—a creature from her nightmares—suddenly appears and seizes her from behind, threatening to break her neck.

Feyre and Rhysand begin their day off by traveling to a snowy forest to train her nascent powers. Rhysand shows her a map of the Night Court territories, including the Steppes and Velaris, and explains his earlier caution about hiding information when she was under Tamlin's control. He instructs her to attempt lighting and manipulating a candle using fire, water, and air magic, then departs to give her privacy, as his presence interferes with her concentration. Over the next hour, Feyre's attempts to ignite the candle fail completely, leaving her frustrated. She takes a break and finds provisions in her pack along with a note from Rhysand. The two exchange playful written messages via magic—Rhysand reports on Cassian and Nesta arguing in the breakfast room, and they engage in flirtation. While Feyre waits for his next letter, completely focused on her palm, someone attacks her from behind. A hand clamps over her mouth and yanks her upward. As she struggles, thrashing and clawing, a rasping voice speaks in her ear, threatening to snap her neck. Feyre recognizes the voice immediately: it belongs to the Attor, a creature that haunts her nightmares.