Rhysand keeps Tamlin magically silenced long enough to frame the larger issue: whether the courts will unite against Hybern. Instead of condemning Feyre and Rhysand for stealing from the Summer Court, Tarquin acknowledges that the Night Court came to Adriata’s aid without demanding payment and rescinds the blood rubies, signaling a fragile reconciliation. Rhysand then publicly says that he believes Tamlin will fight for Prythian, choosing practicality over old hatred as war draws closer.

The meeting nearly collapses when Eris insults Morrigan. Azriel reacts instantly, smashing through Eris’s shield, choking him, and refusing to stop until Feyre personally intervenes. Feyre calms Azriel, shields him from Beron’s retaliatory attack, and warns Eris that any further insult to her family will have consequences. Eris then apologizes to Morrigan, revealing both the depth of old wounds and how unstable the alliance remains.

Attention shifts to Tamlin’s intelligence on Hybern. After Helion reviews Tamlin’s documents, discussion turns to faebane, and Thesan reveals that he has secretly brought in Nuan, a master craftsperson and alchemist from the Dawn Court. Nuan explains that, using samples Lucien quietly sent from Velaris, she has created a powder that can protect magical power from faebane’s nullifying effects. Rhysand and Feyre immediately support using it, while Beron questions Nuan’s background and refuses to trust her, exposing both his prejudice and his unwillingness to cooperate.

Tamlin then accuses Feyre of leaving the Spring Court vulnerable by turning his own forces against him, and says Hybern has burned villages while he has struggled to rebuild trust and gather his people in the east. Helion argues that the Spring Court should be evacuated, and Tarquin offers refuge for Tamlin’s innocent people. The conversation expands to the broader war, including the danger to the human lands, but Beron dismisses humans as beneath concern and refuses to commit his forces, despite Cassian’s warning that there is no time to delay.

Beron’s insults grow more vicious, targeting Cassian’s birth, Rhysand’s abuse under Amarantha, and Feyre’s history with humans. Nesta coldly defends Cassian, and Tarquin tries to rein Beron in, but Beron continues, twisting Rhysand’s sacrifice into mockery. Overwhelmed by rage and the memories Beron deliberately stirs, Feyre stops listening and unleashes a blast of white-hot fire directly at Beron, ending the chapter in open violence.