Chapter 24

Feyre moves her sisters and Lucien to the town house from the House of Wind, discovering that Nesta has gained a terrifying power over death from the Cauldron. As preparations begin for a trip to the Hewn City, Feyre witnesses an intimate moment between Elain and Lucien—her mate—and makes the difficult decision to invade Lucien's mind to assess his loyalty, though she later wrestles with guilt over this violation.

Feyre returns to the House of Wind to check on her sisters before departing for the Hewn City. She finds Elain has left her room for the first time, though she remains withdrawn and speaks in cryptic half-riddles about hearing heartbeats and a bird made of fire. Nesta is keeping close watch over her. Feyre pulls Nesta aside to discuss Elain's condition, and they discover Lucien has entered the library. Unable to resist, Feyre enters Lucien's mind and experiences his internal struggle as he encounters Elain: he recognizes her as his mate, feels the pull of the bond, but also senses her fragility and the guilt of his role in her traumatic capture at Hybern. Elain confronts him about his betrayal, mentioning her broken betrothal. After Feyre exits his mind, she decides the situation requires a change of environment and orders her sisters and Lucien moved to the town house immediately. During the move, Rhysand flies Nesta deliberately fast, making her violently ill. When she emerges from the powder room, her eyes burn with a molten, ice-like flame—a manifestation of death itself. Lucien, Cassian, and Rhys recognize this as a power Nesta extracted from the Cauldron, though she refuses to explain. Azriel takes Elain to the garden, where they share a quiet moment as he reads reports. In her bedroom, Feyre discusses mating bonds with Rhys, wondering why Elain is bonded to Lucien when she seems more comfortable with Azriel. Rhys explains that bonds can be rejected and that different courts have different laws protecting females who do so. Feyre confesses her violation of Lucien's mind and struggles with guilt; Rhys reassures her that she was justified in protecting her sister and urges her not to agonize over it. They prepare for the Hewn City, donning matching crowns—Rhys in his raven-feather crown and Feyre in a tiara—as Lord and Lady Night.