Chapter Sixty-Two

Nesta and Cassian meet with Eris in the Middle, where he warns them of Beron's secret dealings with Briallyn and urges them not to pursue the Crown. After they return to Velaris, tension erupts between Nesta and Cassian over the mating bond when he publicly declares her as his mate, leading her to invoke their bargain and send him away for a week. That night, an unknown male intruder appears in Emerie's home where Nesta is staying with friends, and Nesta is knocked unconscious as Gwyn screams.

Spring has arrived in Velaris with no military movements from Briallyn or Beron, though a red star omen troubles the city and Rhys worries over Feyre's impending birth with no solution in sight. Nesta channels her anxiety into training with the priestesses alongside Cassian and Azriel. Eris summons them to a forest clearing in the Middle, where he reveals that Beron recently visited the continent to meet with Briallyn in secret. Eris warns them the world is holding its breath and demands to know if they possess the Harp—Nesta's involuntary reaction confirms it. Cassian deflects Eris's suspicions with courtier-like composure, asserting they have no plans to use the Trove, and warns Eris that Rhys has his own strategies. Cassian also cryptically mentions that the weapons Nesta made shield against the Trove's power. When Eris renews his romantic offer to Nesta, she coldly rejects him, saying the Night Court won't need him once they possess the Crown. Cassian and Nesta fly back to Velaris together in companionable silence. Walking along the Sidra afterward, their public affection prompts Nesta to question whether being with him undermines her warrior image. This triggers Cassian to press her about the mating bond. She resists the word 'mate,' claiming it means nothing to her and frightens her because it strips away her last shred of humanity. Cassian reveals he vanished after Solstice because he recognized the mating bond but didn't want to scare her. When he finally shouts the truth—that they are mates—Nesta panics. Cassian, in anger, calls himself 'shackled' to her, which devastates her. Rather than lash out violently as instinct demands, Nesta invokes their bargain, ordering Cassian to leave for the House of Wind and not contact her for a week. The bargain compels him to obey despite his resistance. Nesta flees to Emerie's shop, where she breaks down recounting what happened. Mor brings Gwyn to support her, and the three friends spend the evening together. Nesta falls asleep planning to apologize to Cassian the next day. She awakens to an unfamiliar male scent in her room—one filled with hate—and hears Gwyn scream down the hall before falling silent. As she reaches for her power and a knife, something cold and wet is pressed to her face, burning her nostrils and consciousness away into darkness.