After a sleepless night, Feyre learns that Amren found no additional Hybern agents in Velaris, though the city is so frightened of her power that some residents leave lamb's blood at their doors as an offering. Rhys and Mor spend hours comforting the priestesses after the library attack and helping them recover from the mental violation that let Hybern's Ravens inside. Seeing Rhys and Mor work together, Feyre notices a lingering tension between them has eased, but she also feels more certain than ever that the war is no longer approaching from afar: Hybern is already striking.

With the meeting of the High Lords still ahead and Nesta still refusing to participate, attention turns to Lucien's mission. Armed with weapons from Cassian's stores and dressed for harsh travel, Lucien prepares to leave for the human continent to search for Vassa. Feyre thanks him sincerely, and Rhys offers him his hand in a quiet gesture of truce and support; despite their history, Lucien accepts.

Just before Rhys winnows him away, Lucien looks not at Feyre but at Elain, who has appeared silently on the stairs. They hold each other's gaze, but Elain says nothing and does not come down. Lucien bows and leaves without looking back, missing Elain's small movement as if she almost means to stop him, and after he is gone she withdraws before Feyre can speak to her.

Feyre waits for Rhys to return while Nesta continues Amren's mental training at the dining table, practicing the invisible walls meant to contain or shield her power. Nesta says only that Amren believes she is close enough to begin trying something tangible, suggesting progress even though she remains closed off. When Rhys returns safely, Feyre clings to him in relief, and a brief attempt at lightness ends when Nesta sharply objects to Rhys calling Elain a seer.

The moment of domestic calm ends when Amren bursts through the front door in a fury. She announces that Hybern has attacked the Summer Court and that Adriata is under siege. The news confirms Feyre's fear that the enemy is no longer preparing for war but actively waging it, forcing the Night Court into the next stage of the conflict.