Tamlin confronts Feyre and Lucien in his study after they lure the Bogge toward Dagdan and Brannagh in retaliation for the murdered human pilgrims. Feyre openly condemns Hybern’s cruelty and Tamlin’s willingness to protect the alliance anyway, making sure the guards outside can hear the argument. When Feyre accuses Tamlin of selling out his court to Hybern, Tamlin loses control of his power and blasts apart the room; Feyre deliberately does not shield herself, allowing the debris to injure her before Lucien and the sentries witness the aftermath.

Lucien helps Feyre from the wrecked study while Tamlin is left horrified by what he has done. Feyre also prevents her healing magic from closing her visible wounds, letting the cut on her face and the bruises remain as evidence. Later, Rhysand checks on her through their bond, is furious that Tamlin hurt her, and urges her to come home soon, but Feyre stays focused on her plan.

The next day Feyre rides with Bron and Hart so Tamlin’s guards can see her injuries for themselves. At dinner Tamlin begs forgiveness and receives it, but Lucien remains cold toward him. Feyre also uses her wounds to delay accompanying Jurian and the Hybern royals to the wall, while she keeps up mental shields that are exhausting her. Meanwhile, she draws Ianthe close, praises her publicly, and subtly encourages the priestess’s vanity and desire for influence.

That night seven naga enter the estate grounds, but the attack is stopped after Ianthe claims a Cauldron-sent warning vision. The next morning, Tamlin prepares to punish a sentry whose keys were used to open the gate and who was found asleep. When Tamlin raises the whip, Feyre uses her power to free the sentry’s hidden memory and speech, allowing him to accuse Ianthe of stealing the keys. Feyre knows the accusation is true: Ianthe staged the attack so she could appear as the court’s savior.

Feyre then pressures the moment further by asking that the sentry be heard, while Ianthe overplays her hand by insisting on tradition and demanding punishment. Tamlin realizes Ianthe is likely guilty, but Brannagh’s scorn and the presence of Hybern’s observers push him toward a show of strength. Choosing control, political appearance, and Ianthe’s status over the word of his own guard, Tamlin orders the sentry gagged and whipped. Feyre watches the sentries understand that Tamlin has betrayed one of their own for Hybern and Ianthe, deepening the fractures she has been working to create inside the Spring Court.