Chapter 73

As Feysand's forces assault the Cauldron's location, Feyre and Amren climb toward it while the Weaver creates a crucial diversion by engaging the King of Hybern himself. The King brutally kills the Weaver and tosses her body to naga-hounds, then departs toward where Nesta is channeling her power. Reaching the unguarded Cauldron, Feyre places her hand on it and is overwhelmed by its power, only to discover that Amren has deceived her—she never intended to use the Book to leash the king, and Feyre has walked into a trap.

The chapter opens with Feyre and Amren advancing through a war zone toward the Cauldron, which sits atop a craggy overlook. Amren systematically breaks through magical wards while Feyre hears Hybern commanders discussing which of their allies they wish to kill, including Cassian, Nesta, Azriel, and others. Looking back, Feyre sees Mor and Viviane holding off soldiers with aid from Winter Court forces. As they climb the gray hill toward the Cauldron, they encounter Stryga, the Weaver, who bears Rhys's bargain-mark on her forearm. The Weaver smiles at them, then deliberately attacks nearby guards to create a diversion, allowing Feyre and Amren to slip past. Moments later, the King of Hybern arrives, drawn by the commotion. He approaches the Weaver, flatters her beauty, then swiftly snaps her neck and tosses her body to naga-hounds below, who devour her. The king pauses, sensing Nesta's power surging in the distance, then winnows away. Recognizing this as the window they've been given—bought at terrible cost by Cassian and Nesta—Feyre charges up the hill to the Cauldron. Amren produces the Book, and Feyre places her hand on the Cauldron, immediately overwhelmed by its vast, terrible power. As Feyre clings to her sense of self, Amren simply closes the Book and kicks it aside. The chapter ends with Feyre's realization that Amren has lied about her intentions all along; the plan was never to leash the king, and Feyre has walked directly into a trap.