Chapter 44

At a gathering of High Lords, Tamlin arrives unexpectedly and confronts Feysand about their mating bond and Feyre's role in Hybern's invasion of Spring. The confrontation escalates as Tamlin makes inflammatory accusations, while Rhysand is forced to reveal details about his captivity under Amarantha and witnesses uncomfortable truths about past atrocities. The chapter culminates when Rhysand silences Tamlin with his power, displaying the vast gulf between his abilities and those of other High Lords.

Feyre attends a High Lords' gathering in Thesan's territory where multiple courts' leaders assemble to discuss the threat of Hybern. Tamlin arrives without warning and immediately fixes his attention on Feyre, his gaze tracking her mating bond tattoo, crown, and ring—visible symbols of her union with Rhysand. His smile conceals barely restrained rage. When the meeting begins, Tamlin openly insults Feyre and Rhysand's relationship with crude remarks, calling Feyre a whore and accusing them of harboring ambitions to rule Prythian. He claims to have bartered his lands to Hybern solely to retrieve Feyre, and blames her for laying Spring bare to invasion out of spite. Kallias of Winter confronts Rhysand about his role under Amarantha, specifically the murder of two dozen Winter Court children that was carried out as punishment when Winter rebelled. Rhysand is forced to admit he was confined in Amarantha's bedroom and could not stop the massacre, though he attempted to protect Kallias himself. Feyre offers her belief in him through their bond as he reveals these painful secrets. Tamlin continues his assault, suggesting Rhysand may be Hybern's agent and presenting documents claiming to contain intelligence on Hybern's movements. Nesta and others defend against his insinuations. When Tamlin moves to continue his verbal attack on Feyre with explicit insults, Rhysand silences him completely, removing his ability to speak. The other High Lords visibly recognize the magnitude of Rhysand's power in that moment—his complete dominion over one of their own.