Chapter Fifty-Three

Nesta and Cassian descend into the Prison to retrieve the Harp from a hidden chamber. Upon touching it, Nesta experiences a vision connecting her to Briallyn, who wears the Crown and can now sense Nesta's location. As they attempt to escape with the Harp, the door to Lanthys's cell suddenly opens.

Nesta and Cassian hike to the Prison, a desolate mountain fortress surrounded by heavy wards that prevent magic from piercing them. Rhysand has given Nesta a sword she Made, called Ataraxia, to test it in this dangerous place. Following strict rules—including holding Cassian's hand and not speaking of certain topics—they enter the Prison's dark depths. As they descend past cells containing terrible creatures, Nesta reflects on her mistreatment of Amren, who was imprisoned here for thousands of years. They reach a hidden chamber Nesta glimpsed in her earlier scrying, one that predates the Prison itself and contains protective wards and carved constellation markings. The chamber holds the golden Harp, an artifact that exists outside time. Nesta determines the wards will allow her through alone, while Cassian's presence might trigger a trap. She enters the chamber and approaches the Harp, but upon touching it, she is seized by a vision. The Harp reveals memories of its past use: ancient Fae being trapped within stone by someone wielding its terrible power. Worse, she experiences a direct mental connection to Briallyn, who wears the Crown and is now able to see Nesta and sense her location. Briallyn threatens Gwyn and Emerie. The Harp, a sentient instrument, communicates with Nesta as if they are sisters, calling her by that name and offering to help her escape the wards' crushing pressure. When Nesta plucks the first string, the wards release her and the connection to Briallyn closes. She reunites with Cassian and they begin their escape. As they leave, Nesta names her sword Ataraxia and confesses to Cassian that she considers him a friend. He reciprocates the sentiment with visible emotion. However, as they near the main prison path, Cassian suddenly throws Nesta behind him in terror: the cell door of Lanthys has opened.