Chapter Thirty-One

Nesta learns from Cassian that Feyre's baby has wings, which creates a life-threatening medical crisis for the High Fae mother. Nesta agrees to attempt scrying again to find the Mask of the Dread Trove. During the scrying, a dangerous otherworldly entity briefly takes control of Nesta; Cassian pulls her back by kissing her and warming her. The scrying reveals the Mask's location in the Bog of Oorid in the Middle, and Nesta insists they depart the next day.

Cassian arrives at dinner with injuries from sparring with Rhysand and explains that the baby has wings—a catastrophic complication since High Fae females lack the pelvic structure to safely birth winged children, and most die in labor. Rhys is traveling to seek alternative healing knowledge. Nesta and Cassian share a charged flirtation, with Nesta promising him sexual rewards once his bruises heal. The next afternoon, Nesta meets with Rhys, Feyre, Azriel, and Amren at the river house to attempt scrying for the Mask. As she searches, she enters a deep trance and becomes consumed by an otherworldly presence—silver fire burns in her eyes and something non-Fae looks out through them. The group cannot access her mind or pull her back. Cassian breaks through by kissing her, using his heat and arousal to anchor her and warm her frozen form until she returns to herself. The stones and bones fall onto the map, indicating the Mask lies in the Bog of Oorid in the Middle. Amren explains Oorid is a sacred place corrupted into darkness, filled with evil creatures. Feyre notes that the Weaver of the Wood once dwelled there, making it dangerous. Nesta refuses to delay and insists they leave the next morning, before she can reconsider.