Amren’s plan becomes clear: instead of trying to destroy the Cauldron, Feyre and the others will use a spell from the Book to sever the King of Hybern’s control over it and annihilate him with his army. Because the Cauldron nearly killed Feyre when she faced it alone, the work must be shared among those who were Made. The problem is timing: they can only reach the Cauldron during the chaos of battle, when Hybern is distracted enough for them to get close.

With Hybern advancing toward the human lands, the Night Court and its allies spend the night evacuating every family they can from his path. Feyre and Rhysand go first to Feyre’s old village, where she explains the danger and Rhys gently calms terrified minds. Some families comply quickly, but others refuse to believe them and resist out of fear and hatred, forcing Rhys to winnow them away against their will.

The rescue effort continues house by house, family by family, with every High Lord, commander, and noble strong enough to winnow helping. By dawn, a large camp of displaced humans has gathered in the forest outside Adriata, where Cresseida has prepared food, servants, and organization for the refugees. The effort drains everyone badly, especially Rhys, who is nearly spent by the time he returns to their tent and collapses into sleep.

Watching Rhys sleep, Feyre fully confronts what they all understand: the coming battlefield may kill them. She knows Rhys and the others are prepared to sacrifice themselves to buy time for Amren, Nesta, Elain, and Feyre to reach the Cauldron. Feyre also knows Rhys’s instinct will be to give everything first, and she decides she cannot let him bear that burden alone if there is any other chance to improve their odds.

Remembering that Amren did not mention Bryaxis or the Bone Carver in their war council, Feyre resolves to seek additional help herself, no matter the cost to her own mind or body. Drawing on the last of her power, she secretly winnows north to the Court of Nightmares. There, at the foot of a thousand-step stair leading to the chamber of the Ouroboros, she begins the climb toward the Mirror of Beginnings and Endings, hoping to secure the allies and advantage they desperately need before the final battle.