Chapter 29

Feyre returns home to her family's manor, enriched by the fortune left by her supposed aunt. She reconnects with her sisters—finding Elain joyful and content while Nesta remains distant and watchful. Feyre struggles with her lingering feelings for Tamlin and the fading magical glow from her time in Prythian, visiting the old cottage where she realizes how much has changed within herself.

Feyre has returned to her father's house with a fabricated story about caring for Aunt Ripleigh, who died and left her a substantial fortune in gold and uncut jewels. Her father is revitalized by this wealth, his health improved by a healer's tonic and salve that Feyre credits to Tamlin's kindness. In the garden with Elain, Feyre learns about her younger sister's contentment with gardening and plans to visit the continent's tulip fields next spring. Elain mentions that Nesta had attempted to visit Feyre but claimed her carriage broke down. Feyre observes that she has changed—her face carries a magical glow from her time in Prythian, and even human food tastes like ash compared to what she consumed there. Days pass in melancholy; Feyre spends time with the joyful Elain while Nesta remains withdrawn and silent. After her father counts the jewels, Feyre takes bags of money and walks the familiar road to the old cottage, hoping for some sign from Tamlin though she receives none. At the cottage, Feyre reflects on how the place that once seemed like a prison now appears ordinary and plain. She realizes that while Elain found hope and shelter in their poverty, Feyre only found hatred—and understands that Elain's perspective made her the stronger of the two.