Chapter Forty-One

Helion, High Lord of the Day Court, arrives at the Night Court's mountain palace to help with the Mask of the Dread Trove. He assesses the enchanted Autumn Court soldiers and determines they are affected by a fog-like influence rather than a spell—likely connected to Briallyn's possession of the Crown. Helion creates blood-keyed wards on the room housing the Mask. Rhys assigns Cassian and Nesta to visit Eris the next day, while forbidding Azriel from spying on Briallyn. The chapter ends with an intimate encounter between Cassian and Nesta in her bedroom.

Helion arrives at the Hewn City on his rare black pegasus, Meallan, impressing the Night Court group. Rhys reveals Feyre's pregnancy to Helion, who congratulates them warmly. In a private meeting, Helion examines the two captured Autumn Court soldiers and reports that their condition resembles a fog or mist rather than a magical binding—an influence rather than enchantment. This revelation prompts Feyre and Rhys to disclose the full threat: Queen Briallyn possesses the Crown from the Dread Trove, Koschei is involved, and the Mask has already been retrieved by Nesta. Theories emerge that Briallyn may have had the Crown for months and used it to control soldiers sent to retrieve the Mask from Oorid. Helion is shown the Mask and reacts with visceral discomfort to its power. He teaches Nesta how to create blood-keyed wards, pricking her finger with Truth-Teller to bind the magic to her. When offered knowledge of how to unlock the wards, Nesta refuses, claiming she doesn't want such information if captured—though Cassian suspects her true motive is self-protection regarding temptation by the Mask. Rhys receives the unlocking spell instead. Azriel volunteers to spy on Briallyn in the human lands, but both Feyre and Rhys forbid it, citing the Crown's danger. Azriel bristles but ultimately yields. Helion departs to explore the palace. Later, Cassian brings Nesta books on military history and siege tactics, learning she intends to study warfare comprehensively and potentially lead a small unit of females in the future. That night, Cassian visits Nesta's bedroom, where they engage in intimate relations. Nesta expresses insecurity about whether Cassian enjoyed their previous encounter, and he reassures her passionately. They escalate to explicit sexual activity, with Nesta initiating and setting boundaries, ultimately finding profound physical connection and mutual desire.