Chapter 8

Feyre and Lucien retaliate against Hybern royals for murdering humans by siccing a Bogge on them, infuriating Tamlin and triggering a violent confrontation in his study. The next day, Feyre orchestrates the exposure of High Priestess Ianthe's orchestration of a naga attack on the estate to position herself as a savior, manipulating events to reveal Ianthe's callousness and Tamlin's dangerous reliance on her judgment.

Tamlin furiously confronts Feyre and Lucien over their unauthorized retaliation against Dagdan and Brannagh for murdering humans. Feyre argues passionately that all lives matter equally, rejecting Tamlin's willingness to tolerate Hybern's brutality for the sake of alliance. When Tamlin orders Lucien out and continues to berate her, Feyre states bluntly that Tamlin sold them out to Hybern to rescue her. Tamlin loses control, his magic destroying the study and striking Feyre, leaving her bleeding and bruised. Lucien intervenes and helps her leave. Through their bond, Rhysand senses her injury and expresses rage at Tamlin, while Feyre downplays the incident. Over the following days, Feyre keeps her injuries visible and unhealed while maintaining a facade of forgiveness. She invites High Priestess Ianthe to the house, subtly praising both Tamlin and Ianthe publicly. That night, naga attack the estate but are repelled by Ianthe, who claims a Cauldron-sent warning vision saved them. A sentry is found with the gate keys and is brought before Tamlin for punishment. Feyre, having tracked Ianthe's movements, uses her power to free the sentry's suppressed memory: Ianthe took the keys, lulled him to sleep with magic, then orchestrated the naga attack to play the hero. When the sentry accuses Ianthe, she protests and questions his credibility against a High Priestess. Brannagh's comment about Tamlin's weakness influences his decision. Despite Feyre's pleas for mercy toward the sentry, Tamlin orders him whipped twenty-one times, prioritizing Ianthe's standing over his own sentries' loyalty and honor. The guards recognize they have been betrayed in favor of Hybern and its allies, fracturing the court further.