AFTERWORD

Chapter 46

Chapter 45

Overview

At a war council meeting with the High Lords, tensions escalate as Rhysand confirms his alliance with Feyre's court against Hybern. Thesan introduces Nuan, a master craftsperson and alchemist who has created an antidote to faebane, but Tamlin remains hostile and skeptical. The chapter culminates in a violent confrontation when Beron insults Rhysand's past sacrifice, triggering Feyre's explosive magical response.

Summary

The High Lords convene to discuss their strategy against Hybern. Rhysand silences Tamlin through magical compulsion, then demonstrates restraint by releasing him and declaring belief in his commitment to defend Prythian. Tarquin forgives the Night Court's earlier deception and removes the blood ruby debt, offering friendship instead. Eris makes a disrespectful comment about Elain, prompting Azriel to attack him viciously, though Feyre calms the shadowsinger and defends him publicly. Helion produces documents and proposes two strategies: destroying Hybern's faebane caches and evacuating the Spring Court. Thesan then reveals Nuan, a High Fae craftsperson with a mechanical hand who has created a powder antidote to faebane based on samples Lucien secretly obtained. Nuan explains the antidote will protect their powers from faebane, though physical faebane weapons remain dangerous. Beron challenges Nuan's trustworthiness due to her family's Xian origins, but she and Eris both affirm her loyalty to Prythian. Nesta points out that evacuating Spring Court refugees will burden the Seasonal Courts while the Solar Courts remain safe. The council discusses evacuating human settlements, which Feyre insists is her concern despite Beron's refusal to help, calling him a coward. Beron retaliates by blaming Feyre for human deaths under the Mountain and mocking Rhysand's sacrifice to Amarantha, attacking both their honor and integrity. Feyre's rage ignites, and she unleashes white-hot magical fire at Beron in response.

Characters

  • RhysandDemonstrates restraint toward Tamlin, offers friendship to Tarquin, and participates in the faebane discussion; nearly loses control of his temper when Beron insults him
  • FeyreSpeaks in defense of Nuan and humans, confronts Beron's cowardice, and attacks him with fire after he insults Rhysand's past
  • TamlinHeld magically silent by Rhysand; remains hostile throughout, accusing the Night Court of disabling his forces and leaving his people vulnerable to Hybern
  • TarquinForgives the Night Court's theft and deception, offers friendship without debt, and proposes taking in evacuees from the Spring Court
  • BeronQuestions Nuan's loyalty, refuses to help evacuate humans or commit forces to war, and attacks both Feyre and Rhysand with cruel accusations
  • ErisBlocks his mother from danger, receives an insult from Azriel, apologizes to Morrigan under pressure, and shows concern about his father's refusal to fight
  • AzrielAttacks Eris violently in response to an insult toward Mor; is calmed by Feyre and sits beside her for support
  • MorDefends herself verbally against Eris's insult; shakes with emotion after Azriel's attack and receives comfort from Cassian
  • NuanA master tinkerer and alchemist who presents her faebane antidote, defends her Prythian heritage against Beron's accusations
  • ThesanPresents Nuan and her solution; advocates for accepting evacuees; cuts off Beron's hostility toward the alchemist
  • HelionProduces document replicas, proposes the two-part strategy, and bets on Azriel's reaction to Eris's insult
  • CassianAttempts to intervene in Azriel's fight with Eris, trembles with rage when Beron insults him as a bastard
  • NestaMoves her seat for Azriel, responds dryly to Tamlin's silence, explains the human queens' alliance with Hybern, and defends Cassian against Beron's insult
  • KalliasAppears unconvinced of Tamlin's loyalty; growls in anger at Beron's threat toward his wife
  • VivianeChallenges Beron's dismissal of her input in the war council, stands up for wives' right to have a say
  • VarianReceives a glare from Tarquin for his unsanctioned warning; offers to help destroy faebane caches
  • LucienMentioned as secretly obtaining faebane samples for Nuan without informing Rhysand