Chapter 42

Feyre meets with five mortal queens to request their half of a magical Book needed to defend against an incoming war. The queens refuse to provide military support or hand over the Book, claiming it is not in their interests to defend the territory. Rhysand and Mor make impassioned appeals grounded in history and morality, with Mor revealing the five-hundred-year-old secret of Miryam and Drakon's peaceful, integrated society. The queens demand proof of Rhysand's peaceful intentions before reconsidering.

Feyre enters a sitting room in her childhood home where five mortal queens have gathered—an elderly queen in blue, two middle-aged queens in black and white, a cunning younger queen, and a strikingly beautiful golden-haired queen who appears to lead. Rhysand greets them formally while Cassian and Azriel remain positioned as guards. The eldest queen notes that a sixth queen could not attend due to illness and confirms Feyre is the emissary. When Rhysand introduces Mor as his cousin, the queens react with recognition and fear upon learning her identity as the Morrigan from the War. Feyre explains that war is coming and appeals for the queens' help defending their territory and surrendering their half of the Book of Breathings. The eldest and golden queens coldly reject both requests, arguing it is not their interest to defend such a small territory and that the Book cannot leave their sacred palace. Nesta angrily challenges their cowardice. Feyre makes a desperate personal appeal, recounting how she was killed by one of Hybern's commanders and asking the queens to imagine the devastation an army of such warriors could inflict. The golden queen dismisses her as naïve. Rhysand intervenes sharply, refusing to allow Feyre to be condescended to. Mor then rises and invokes her gift of truth, revealing that she fought alongside Miryam in the War and that Miryam and Drakon still live on a hidden island with their integrated society of Fae and humans thriving peacefully for five hundred years—a secret that has apparently been kept hidden. Rhysand subtly signals disapproval at the revelation. The ancient queen demands proof of Rhysand's claim to be a male of peace. Rhysand cryptically agrees to provide proof but refuses to be summoned, suggesting they return at his word. The queens depart with the golden queen's parting smirk, leaving the room in tense silence. Elain remarks bitterly that she hopes they all burn in hell.