Chapter 37

Rhysand confronts what he believes is the King of Hybern aboard a ship during the naval battle, engaging in a tense verbal and magical duel. The encounter reveals the king's motivations regarding the Loyalist faction and his personal interest in Feysand before the king reveals himself to be merely an illusion, leaving Rhysand to slaughter the remaining Hybern soldiers on deck.

During the naval battle in the harbor, Rhysand isolates himself to confront the King of Hybern aboard a ship, deliberately walking into what he suspects is a trap. The king appears unarmed and unbloodied, taunting Rhysand about his past with Amarantha and probing the source of Feysand's powers. Through their exchange, Rhysand communicates with Feysand via their bond, debating whether to kill the king outright or attempt to capture him alive to extract information about the Cauldron and the spell dampening their forces. The king threatens Feysand directly, claiming he will take her after Rhysand's death and offers to give her to Tamlin. When Rhysand presses him on his motivations, the king explains the Loyalists' grievances: they believe the new world Rhysand champions leaves no room for those who disagree, forcing their people to suffer while mortals receive protection and resources. The king reveals his philosophy of reclaiming what he views as rightfully theirs. Rhysand launches a magical attack, but it passes through the king harmlessly—he is only an illusion, a shade sent to taunt and test them. The king vanishes, his magic dissipating from the ship, and Rhysand slaughters the remaining Hybern soldiers aboard in fury.