Chapter 34

Feyre, Amren, and Rhysand arrive at Adriata, the capital of the Summer Court, under the guise of Rhysand's newest pet. Their true mission is to locate and steal the first half of the Book from High Lord Tarquin. Upon arrival, Feyre experiences an inexplicable connection to Tarquin and realizes she now possesses a fragment of his power. Tensions simmer throughout a tense dinner as Cresseida threatens to return Feyre to Tamlin per faerie law, prompting Rhysand to issue a deadly warning.

Rhysand winnows Feyre and Amren to Adriata, a breathtaking island-city of pale stone and coral-white buildings perched in a half-moon bay. They are greeted by High Lord Tarquin and his court, including Princess Cresseida and Prince Varian. Feyre is disoriented by an unexpected, unexplainable connection to Tarquin—a deep recognition that suggests she carries a fragment of his power. At dinner in an elegant hall overlooking the bay, Tarquin questions Feyre about her relationship to Rhysand and makes probing inquiries about her origins. Cresseida then directly threatens to return Feyre to Tamlin under faerie law, which grants masters claim over their sworn brides. Rhysand responds with an icy promise that anyone who attempts to return Feyre to the Spring Court will be killed. The tension breaks when Feyre makes a sardonic toast about immortality, earning Tarquin's laughter and Rhysand's approval through their bond. Tarquin offers to host a party aboard his pleasure barge that evening and grants them freedom to explore the city afterward.