Chapter Eleven

Nesta refuses to enter the private library when the House locks her out for ignoring lunch. At dinner, she clashes violently with Cassian over his ultimatum that she train by week's end, leading him to declare he is done with her. Later, Cassian confides in Feyre about his frustration, and they discuss Nesta and Feyre's troubled sisterhood before Cassian has a revelation about how to proceed.

Nesta attempts to force her way into the locked private library, frustrated after a long day of shelving books for the priestesses. The House, angered that she ignored the sandwich it prepared, refuses to let her enter. Desperate for food and a book, Nesta goes to the dining room where she finds Cassian and Azriel eating. Azriel mentions he will be staying at the House of Wind, winnowing back and forth to investigate dangerous matters with Vassa and the enchanted human queen. Nesta grows internally agitated hearing Vassa's name, remembering how her father showed courage for the queen but not for his own family. When Azriel questions Nesta's fading black eye, Cassian claims she fell down the stairs. Azriel asks why Nesta refuses to train, and Cassian escalates the conversation by reminding her of the consequences of not training by week's end. Nesta attacks Rhysand's character, prompting angry responses from both males. Cassian declares he is done with her, stating the training was meant to help, not punish, before leaving. Alone with Azriel, Nesta feels exposed by his penetrating gaze and flees to the library to continue shelving books in silence. Later, Cassian sits atop the House of Wind's mountain, troubled by his failure with Nesta. Feyre winnows to him, and they discuss Nesta's refusal to train and the long-standing rift between the sisters. Feyre reveals their mother favored Nesta, and the sisters' relationship deteriorated during their fall into poverty when Feyre began hunting. Cassian and Feyre agree the library alone will not help Nesta heal. As they sit together, Cassian has a sudden realization about what to do next.