Chapter 38

After witnessing Rhysand's battle prowess through their bond, Feyre struggles with the psychological weight of warfare. She and Mor encounter Tarquin, who initially fears they've come to destroy the Summer Court on Hybern's behalf, but learns they fought to defend it. Rhysand arrives and reveals Feyre as his mate and High Lady of the Night Court, which Tarquin coldly rejects, still bitter over their previous deception.

Feyre is pulled from Rhysand's mind during his unleashed assault on soldiers, the experience leaving her physically ill. She vomits repeatedly as Mor comforts her, and Feyre processes the brutal reality of war—that it will forever change her soul. She observes a maelstrom of power driving back Hybern's fleet, apparently from Tarquin's and Rhysand's combined magic. The Illyrian legion sails inland. Feyre realizes the king was not physically present but used illusion magic, which is why Rhysand couldn't attack his mind directly. In the palace's middle level, now a chaotic scene of wounded soldiers and healers, Feyre encounters Varian, the Prince of Adriata, who directs her to the oak dining room where Tarquin waits. Tarquin, wearing gore-splattered armor and bearing a deep neck wound, confronts Feyre with cold fury. He admits he initially feared she had come to finish destroying the Summer Court alongside Hybern, believing her deception of him during her previous visit opened the door for Hybern's attack through the Spring Court. Rhysand arrives and calmly defends their actions while revealing Feyre as his mate. When Tarquin dismisses this claim and Rhysand announces they will keep forces camped nearby, Tarquin orders them to leave, refusing an alliance and warning Feyre not to give High Lords orders. Rhysand then publicly declares Feyre as High Lady of the Night Court, shocking the assembled Fae. Tarquin responds with bitter laughter at this defiance of tradition before ordering them out. Rhysand kisses Feyre's temple and they winnow away.