Chapter 6

On the eve of her wedding to Tamlin, Feyre endures days of court introductions and festivities that leave her emotionally exhausted. After a nightmare about her time Under the Mountain, she proceeds through the wedding ceremony itself, walking down the aisle while experiencing a severe panic attack as she confronts her guilt and trauma. Just as she reaches the breaking point unable to proceed, Rhysand dramatically arrives through a sudden burst of darkness and thunder.

Feyre has spent days before the wedding being paraded through Tamlin's court, introduced to nobles and his inner circle, her face aching from forced smiles. She finds comfort in Ianthe's presence and company during the endless social gatherings. In a conversation near the great hall, two High Fae guards named Bron and Hart approach Ianthe and praise Feyre's trial performance, triggering memories of the Middengard Wyrm. Hart questions her about Rhysand, and Feyre defends him assertively, causing visible surprise. That night, Feyre suffers a vivid nightmare of her time Under the Mountain, chained and facing impalement by spikes, gasping awake in terror and sweat. She stands at her window contemplating her upcoming marriage and her role as savior.

The next day, dressed in an elaborate and uncomfortable wedding gown selected by Ianthe, Feyre prepares to walk down the aisle. As she stands at the garden doors, she observes three hundred of Tamlin's court assembled, with the High Lord waiting on the dais in resplendent finery. Walking toward him, she becomes overwhelmed by guilt and trauma—fixating on her hands being "filthy" despite wearing gloves to hide her markings, and the red rose petals on the path trigger memories of the Fae youth she murdered. Her panic intensifies as she approaches the dais, her body trembling with an uncontrollable inner force. Unable to take the final steps, she retreats from Tamlin's outstretched hand as the crowd murmurs confusion. As she stands frozen, unable to voice her refusal, thunder cracks violently behind her, darkness erupts, and Rhysand materializes through the chaos.