Chapter 30

Feysande discovers that Nesta possesses an unexplained ability to understand how to repair the wall through the Cauldron. While showing Nesta the library beneath the House of Wind, they encounter two of the King of Hybern's Ravens—elite soldiers who have infiltrated Velaris and reveal that Nesta stole power from the Cauldron, which the king desperately wants back.

Feysande is too sore from previous events to train and sends word to Cassian and Azriel. Both arrive at the town house; Azriel brings salve while Cassian volunteers to fly Nesta to the House of Wind. Feysande notes her sisters at breakfast—Nesta in gray and Elain in dusty pink—and observes the tension between Cassian and Nesta, though Elain remains withdrawn and disturbed by Cassian's past injuries. Azriel escorts Elain to the garden while Feysande and Cassian fly to the House, where Cassian sets down Nesta before departing in apparent frustration.

In the library beneath the House, Feysande questions Nesta about her inexplicable knowledge of how to repair the wall. Nesta reveals only that Amren instructed her to "see if the information clicks," suggesting both intrigue and fear at this unknown ability. Feysande, uncertain how to connect with her sister emotionally, decides not to push further and instead focuses on searching the stacks. As they descend into deeper levels, discussing Feysande's reading difficulties and her gratitude that Rhysand taught her, Feysande asks why Nesta pushes everyone away except Elain—a vulnerable moment interrupted by a sudden tremor through the library.

Darkness begins to spread through the stacks, extinguishing faelights as it approaches. Feysande grabs Nesta and runs deeper into the library, attempting to winnow but finding her magic blocked. Two High Fae males emerge from the darkness wearing the coat of arms of Hybern—identified as the King's Ravens. They reveal they infiltrated the wards by manipulating a priestess's mind and came seeking Nesta. They disclose that Nesta stole power from the Cauldron, which is why it cannot shatter the wall, and that their master the king wants it back. Feysande realizes the King of Hybern has somehow breached Velaris's wards and attempts to contact Rhysand through their bond, but fails.