Chapter 15

Feyre visits her sisters at the House of Wind in Velaris with Lucien in tow. Rhysand confronts Lucien about his treatment of Feyre, while Cassian and Azriel stand ready. Feyre finds Nesta adapted to her new immortal life but hostile, and discovers Elain in a severe depressive state, refusing to eat or leave her sun-filled room and longing to return to Tamlin.

Lucien arrives at the townhouse where Rhysand and Feyre greet him after they have consummated their mating bond and exchanged rings. Rhys and Feyre display their new mating bond openly before Lucien, who reacts with barely concealed disdain. When Lucien questions Feyre's honor, Rhysand responds with a violent threat, explaining he sensed Feyre's terror when Tamlin destroyed his study and sealed her in the manor. Rhys clarifies he was willing to lose Feyre to another male for her happiness, but would not tolerate her suffering. Lucien, recognizing the gravity of the situation, wisely requests to hear the full story. Feyre and Rhys recount their history with Cassian's contributions, explaining how they concealed their bond while courting in secret, leaving out vulnerable details. Lucien processes this revelation, acknowledging that the Night Court is unlike anything he expected and that Feyre genuinely loves Rhysand. He accepts his reduced role in her narrative. Feyre then brings Lucien to the House of Wind. At the grand estate carved into the mountain, Feyre separates from Lucien to visit her sisters first. She finds Nesta in the library, now devastatingly beautiful as High Fae, casually reading romance despite her icy demeanor toward Cassian. Nesta dismisses Feyre's concern, claiming indifference to her immortal transformation and stating she is better off than before. However, Nesta reveals that Elain is in severe distress—refusing to leave her room, unable to eat or sleep, and weeping constantly. When Feyre mentions Lucien's presence, Nesta erupts in rage, forbidding him near Elain and attacking both Feyre and Cassian verbally. Feyre assures Nesta that any meeting between Elain and Lucien will be Elain's choice. Feyre then visits Elain in her sun-flooded suite and finds her sister hollow and broken, sitting motionless before a window with bloodless lips and dull eyes. Elain repeatedly says she wants to go home, referring to her lost life with Tamlin. She expresses devastation about their ruined wedding and shows no emotional response to Feyre's apologies. Lucien appears in the doorway, having overheard Elain's despair, his face showing complete devastation at witnessing what has become of her.