Chapter Twenty-Four

Cassian visits the House of Wind's library to address Nesta's unauthorized combat training in the stacks. He discovers she has deliberately practiced in plain view of the priestesses as a demonstration of what they could learn, then leaves her a battle strategy manuscript. The next day, a priestess named Gwyn signs up for training.

Cassian meets with Clotho, the library's high priestess, who complains that Nesta has ignored her requests to stop practicing combat in the library for five days. Cassian descends to Level Five and finds Nesta throwing punches at books arranged as striking targets. He corrects her technique on a right hook, demonstrating proper form with careful physical guidance. Realizing they are being watched by priestesses along the railings, Cassian understands Nesta's strategy: she deliberately practiced in visible areas and baited Clotho into sending him so the priestesses could witness his teaching methods and her capabilities. Later that evening, Nesta finds The Dance of Battle, a bound manuscript on warfare strategy, on her nightstand—left by Cassian and bearing his scent. She reads it obsessively through the night, gaining insight into his tactical knowledge. The next day, Nesta returns to the library with renewed dread about the empty sign-up sheet, but Clotho halts her with excitement and points to a single name written in bold letters: Gwyn.