Chapter 41

Feysand spends weeks training while waiting for Amren to decode the Book and for the mortal queens to respond to their alliance request. When the queens finally agree to meet, Feysand, her sisters, Cassian, Azriel, and Mor gather at the family estate in the human realm. Five mortal queens arrive precisely at eleven o'clock, winnowing into the sitting room with their guards.

Feysand visits Amren's apartment to bring her blood and check on her progress decoding the Book. Amren reveals she is relearning an ancient language and will need the second half of the Book before proceeding. Varian has sent Amren a diamond and ruby necklace to prevent Tarquin from declaring a blood feud, softening her earlier intent to destroy Adriata for the blood ruby.

The chapter then moves forward through weeks of waiting. Feysand trains mornings with Cassian at the House of Wind, building strength and learning to wield an Illyrian blade. Afternoons with Rhys involve developing her stolen powers—flame, water, ice, and darkness—with Rhys teaching her about the High Lords from whom she took these abilities. Azriel continues attempting to infiltrate the mortal queens' courts without success. Feysand and Rhys exchange notes about her lost painting, his aspirations as High Lord, and develop an easy banter. Cassian visits the mortal realm to see Nesta, returning frustrated, suggesting a difficult encounter.

When winter loosens its grip, word arrives that the mortal queens have finally accepted the meeting. Feysand and Rhys travel to her family estate in the human realm, where her sisters Nesta and Elain wait, dressed formally. Cassian and Azriel position themselves as guards. The queens issue three demands: no weapons, the exact layout and location of the house, and the meeting begins precisely at eleven o'clock. At eleven, five mortal queens winnow into the sitting room with their guards—revealing they possess winnowing ability.