The morning after her nightmare, Feyre feels Rhysand watching her but appreciates that he does not pressure her. When they are waiting for Cassian before leaving for the Prison, Rhysand finally asks whether she needs to talk. Feyre admits the nightmare has torn open something in her that had been healing, and she tells Rhysand everything. Speaking the memory aloud eases its hold on her, and Rhysand answers with quiet affection before Cassian arrives and interrupts them.

Rhysand winnows Feyre and Cassian to the Prison, where the cold, misty mountain immediately feels hostile. Before they climb, Rhysand warns Feyre that the Prison's ancient wards will cut off their bond and orders both of them not to let the other out of sight. As Feyre and Cassian make the steep ascent, they discuss the risk of freeing the Bone Carver. Cassian explains that the Carver is said to be one of Prythian's old gods, powerful enough to slaughter armies, which means he could help against Hybern only if they can somehow control him. Feyre also realizes they still do not know how to free him, except that Amren might.

When the great bone gates open, Feyre and Cassian enter the Prison together, hand in hand and armed. The place feels suffocating and ancient, with unseen beings lurking behind the rock. Feyre admits the plan may be terrible, and Cassian agrees, saying war has left them choosing only between bad options. At the Bone Carver's cell, Feyre's touch opens the door immediately, confirming that her powers still grant her access.

Inside, the Bone Carver appears in a form that shocks Feyre: a dark-haired boy with Rhysand's coloring and Feyre's mouth. Feyre understands that he has chosen to look like a son she and Rhysand might one day have if they survive the coming war. The Carver congratulates her on her marriage and asks for a gift, so Feyre throws him a shard of the Attor's bone. He is delighted, but the exchange quickly turns darker when he tells Feyre he smells his sister on her, invoking the Weaver and reminding Feyre of old dangers.

The Bone Carver then turns his attention to Cassian and begins speaking in riddles about what happened to Nesta in Hybern. He claims that something ancient and terrible emerged from that experience, that Nesta took something from the darkness, and that she now calls to Cassian like a queen. His words visibly rattle Cassian, and Feyre finally cuts him off to force the conversation back to its purpose. Feyre reveals that they recovered the Book of Breathings and that someone has been deciphering spells that might send beings like Amren, and possibly the Bone Carver, back to their own world. That promise immediately captures the Carver's full interest.