Chapter 10

The Tithe ceremony arrives, during which the Spring Court's inhabitants make payments to Tamlin. Feyre watches in discomfort as Tamlin coldly denies mercy to a water-wraith facing starvation, then secretly gives her own jewelry to help. The act triggers a confrontation with Tamlin about his cruelty, and during their argument, Feyre accidentally breaches Lucien's mind—a power she realizes comes from Rhysand.

Tamlin has been absent for most of the week, returning only the night before the Tithe. Feyre sits beside him on a dais as emissaries from across the Spring Court present their tributes in gold, jewels, crops, and other goods. A water-wraith approaches to request an exemption from payment, explaining that the lake has no fish left to sustain her kind. Tamlin ruthlessly denies her plea and gives her three days to pay in full or face doubled tribute next month, unmoved by her desperation. Feyre is disturbed by his cruelty and leaves the dais seeking air. She catches up with the departing water-wraith and privately gives her several pieces of jewelry—a ruby bracelet, gold necklace, and diamond earrings—asking for nothing in return. At dinner, Tamlin confronts her about undermining court law and making him appear weak. Feyre argues passionately that she has lived through starvation and cannot stand by while others suffer, invoking memories of her own hunger and her sisters. When Lucien attempts to mediate, Tamlin snaps at him, and Feyre finds herself mentally breaching Lucien's mind in a moment of rage—a power she recognizes as coming from Rhysand. Shaken, she leaves the table, fearing they noticed burned handprints on the wood and that Lucien discovers the violation.