Chapter 14

Feyre ventures into the western woods to trap the Suriel using Lucien's instructions, hoping to gain answers about her situation. She successfully captures the creature and learns shocking truths: Tamlin is a High Lord of the Spring Court, there are seven Courts of Prythian, and a dark blight threatening the realm originates from the King of Hybern across the sea who sent infiltrators decades ago. Her interrogation is interrupted by the arrival of naga—shadow creatures—forcing her to flee.

Feyre leaves the manor alone with bow, quiver, knife, and a dead chicken to set a trap in the western woods following Lucien's directions. She finds a glen of birch trees near a stream, establishes escape routes, and waits in an oak tree. A creature arrives and is caught in her snare—the Suriel, a ancient, skeletal faerie with a veiled face and milky white eyes. Despite her terror, Feyre questions it. The Suriel reveals that Tamlin is the High Lord of the Spring Court, one of seven High Lords ruling the Courts of Prythian. When Feyre asks about the blight spreading across Prythian, the Suriel explains that the King of Hybern—a powerful faerie king ruling an island kingdom where humans no longer exist—has long resented the Treaty granting freedom to humans. A hundred years ago, he sent his most deadly warriors to infiltrate the various High Fae courts as spies and lovers for fifty years. Nearly five decades ago, one of these commanders, called the Deceiver, disobeyed the king. The Suriel urges Feyre to stay close to Tamlin for safety and warns her not to seek further answers. Before it can finish its explanation, the Suriel senses the approach of naga—shadow creatures made of darkness, hate, and rot—attracted by its screams. It demands Feyre free it and run back to the manor immediately.