Feyre reflects on Jurian’s resurrection and madness, and on the larger danger Tamlin and Lucien are helping unleash by welcoming Hybern into the Spring Court. Tamlin keeps his promise to include Feyre in planning and tells her that Jurian will arrive with two Hybern commanders to inspect the Wall and find the best place to break it once the Cauldron regains strength. Feyre sets herself two goals: learn where Hybern will strike and how long the Cauldron needs to recover, then find a way to pass that information to Rhysand and the Night Court.

Before the meeting, Feyre remembers the only time she has dared use the mating bond since returning. She sent Rhysand a brief message saying she was safe and asking whether Cassian, Azriel, and the others were alive; Rhysand answered only that he loved her and that they were alive and healing. Because the bond feels distant and Feyre fears someone might detect it, she decides to use it as little as possible, even though the silence and uncertainty torment her.

When Jurian arrives with Prince Dagdan and Princess Brannagh, Feyre masks her rage with icy control. The Hybern royals frighten her more than Jurian because of their emotionless cruelty, and she immediately notices how closely linked the twins seem. Jurian tries to provoke her, but Feyre turns the exchange to her advantage, pointedly calling the Spring Court her home and making Tamlin see her as protective of him and the estate. Tamlin responds with possessive approval, and Feyre recognizes this as the first step in making him trust her completely before she eventually tears his alliances apart.

At lunch, Feyre studies Dagdan and Brannagh and suspects they may be Daemati because of their silent communication and unsettling focus. Brannagh announces that they will go to the Wall the next day and need guides who know its weak points, and Feyre quickly volunteers to go with Lucien. Tamlin allows it, which both gives Feyre access to Hybern’s plans and confirms that he is trying to include her. During the meal, Jurian needles Lucien about his eye and mate, insults the Illyrians, and taunts Feyre about Rhysand, Miryam, and Drakon, exposing both his bitterness and his obsession.

While Jurian keeps the table distracted, Feyre realizes the twins are trying to slip into Tamlin’s and Lucien’s minds. Because her own shields are already up, she covertly uses her power to block Dagdan and Brannagh with a black mental barrier around Tamlin and Lucien, then strikes back at the twins’ shields as a warning. When Tamlin notices the sudden tension, Feyre smoothly blames it on the royals’ weariness from travel. The attack leaves her with a headache, but the meal ends with Hybern warned off, Tamlin still unsuspecting, and Feyre more certain that the real battle in the Spring Court is already underway.