Chapter 6

The group prepares for and undertakes a journey to survey the wall's cleft. Feyre navigates tension between Ianthe's manipulative scheming, Tamlin's jealousy, and Lucien's guilt, while learning crucial information about magical bargains and past events. The chapter ends with an unexpected encounter at the wall itself.

At breakfast, Ianthe interrupts to report a mysterious blight around her temple that she claims reeks of naga activity, attempting to regain influence after yesterday's solstice incident. Feyre recognizes this as a transparent manipulation and handles it coolly. When Ianthe suggests Tamlin should accompany them to the wall and mentions the Night Court might attempt to retrieve Feyre, invoking Rhysand's burned wings as a bargaining chip, Feyre barely contains her rage but maintains her composure. Tamlin initially agrees to go but relents when Feyre touches his hand and assures him she'll be safe.

The group—Feyre, Lucien, the Hybern twins Dagdan and Brannagh, Jurian, and two sentries—travels via winnowing to the wall's cleft, arriving as darkness falls. That night in their shared tent, Lucien reveals he visited the Day Court scholars last winter seeking ways to break Feyre's bargain with Rhysand, and that Tamlin's recent rampage killed the sentries guarding the manor after learning of Feyre's letter. Lucien explains the magical binding of Tamlin's bargain with Hybern cannot be broken without severe consequences. When Feyre presses about their true strategy, Lucien hints at using the Hybern alliance to their advantage against other enemies, then deflects. The next morning, Jurian interrupts them sleeping closely together, clearly intent on using this against them with Tamlin. As they hike to the wall, Jurian suddenly curses and draws his sword—revealing three Children of the Blessed standing visible through the cleft in the wall.