Chapter Thirty-Eight

During training at the House of Wind, Emerie and Gwyn tease Nesta about her night with Cassian. Gwyn introduces Nesta to Mind-Stilling, a Valkyrie technique for calming the mind, which intrigues her. Cassian then begins instructing Nesta in swordplay with a wooden practice blade, and she discovers an unexpected affinity for it, channeling her rage and determination into the movements.

The chapter opens with Emerie and Gwyn teasing Nesta about exchanging looks with Cassian during the morning's training session. Nesta reluctantly confirms she slept with him but refuses to elaborate. When pressed about her absence the previous day, Nesta mentions it involves the Trove but keeps details secret. Gwyn offers knowledge of Mind-Stilling, a Valkyrie mental discipline taught through deep breathing and body awareness to achieve calm and composure, which Nesta finds intriguing. She asks Gwyn to obtain copies of the relevant chapter. Cassian interrupts their conversation, clearly aware they were discussing him, and challenges Nesta to prove her readiness by learning swordplay. He provides her with a wooden practice sword and teaches her eight basic cuts and blocks (block, slice, thrust variations), which she practices in combinations. As Nesta executes the movements, she channels her rage against past enemies—the King of Hybern, the Cauldron, the Ravens, Tomas, and those who witnessed the Archerons' poverty—into increasingly confident sword work. A powerful resolve crystallizes with each movement: never again will she be weak, powerless, or at anyone's mercy. Cassian watches with understanding and fierce pride, and Emerie and Gwyn observe without fear, seemingly recognizing the same determination.