Chapter 35

Feyre awakens in Amarantha's dungeon after being beaten unconscious. Lucien visits to heal her injuries and reveals that Tamlin has refused Amarantha's advances. Feyre is brought before Amarantha's court, where she learns Lucien's ring contains Jurian's trapped eye and consciousness. Amarantha demands Feyre's name using psychological torture through Rhysand, forcing Feyre to reveal herself. The queen then presents Feyre with a riddle that, if solved, would free Tamlin's court immediately—but Feyre cannot answer it. She is returned to her cell to contemplate the puzzle as her first trial approaches.

Feyre regains consciousness in a dungeon cell under the Mountain, her face severely beaten. She realizes a full moon has passed since leaving her father's home and deduces she was unconscious for weeks. Lucien arrives and partially heals her broken nose and other injuries without fully restoring her appearance, so the guards won't suspect help. He reveals that Amarantha has summoned all High Lords, trapping them until Feyre's trials conclude, and confirms that Tamlin still refuses Amarantha's offer. Lucien shares the horrifying history of Jurian: Amarantha tortured him for weeks, keeping only his finger bone and eye, which she magically preserves to trap his soul and consciousness eternally. When guard rotations change, Lucien flees. After days in the cell, Feyre is brought to Amarantha's throne room, where she observes the layout, the exits, and Clare's decomposed body still displayed on the wall. Amarantha, wanting to know Feyre's name for their "friendship," uses psychological torture by having Rhysand hold Lucien's mind while his brothers—the remaining sons of the High Lord of the Autumn Court—threaten him with mindbreak. Feyre capitulates and gives her name. Amarantha then presents her with a riddle promising immediate freedom for Feyre and Tamlin's entire court if solved, but Feyre cannot answer it despite two days of contemplation. The full moon rises, signaling the beginning of her trials.