House of Sky and Breath
by Sarah J. Maas
Contents
Chapter 8
Overview
As Celestina's arrival approaches, Bryce and Hunt quietly reaffirm that they will stand together against any new threat, while Bryce's decision to shelter Ithan creates tension inside her home. Hunt and Ithan's confrontation exposes old wounds over Bryce, Danika, and Connor, revealing how much history still surrounds her. At work, Bryce's grief for Lehabah and Jesiba's pointed advice force her to consider that her engagement to Cormac may be a power move she can potentially exploit, not just endure.
Summary
On the morning of the new Governor's arrival, Hunt prepares for duty while Bryce returns from seeing her parents and jokes that Ember has not yet called to rage about the engagement. When Bryce offers to accompany Hunt, Hunt refuses, but Bryce makes clear that she will back him against Celestina if necessary, reminding Hunt that they have already brought down two Archangels. Bryce also firmly decides that Ithan can remain in her apartment and that she will not hand him over to Sabine.
Ithan joins them for coffee, looking much improved, and he and Bryce briefly slip into warm college memories about drunken days with Danika. After Bryce leaves for work, Hunt warns Ithan not to bring trouble to Bryce's home. Their conversation quickly turns hostile as Hunt accuses Ithan of only defending Bryce now because of her new status, while Ithan insists he cared because Bryce had once been his best friend and because Danika, Connor, and the Pack of Devils had all stood by her.
The argument deepens old resentments. Hunt calls out Ithan for letting Amelie Ravenscroft torment Bryce for years, and Ithan reveals that Connor had been in love with Bryce for five years and still had only managed to secure one date. By telling Hunt this, Ithan implicitly challenges Hunt's confidence and underscores how long and complicated Bryce's history with the wolves truly is.
Later, at the Fae Archives, Bryce is unsettled by the constant noise and by the absence of Lehabah and Syrinx. Her grief over Lehabah resurfaces as she replays the sprite's death and wonders whether Bryce's own life was truly worth more. Bryce then calls Jesiba for help authenticating an ancient bust, and the conversation shifts to Bryce's secret engagement. Jesiba suggests the Autumn King arranged the match because Bryce's power unsettles him, notes that Bryce has done nothing with her Starborn gifts or the Horn, and warns Bryce to think carefully about the advantages of marrying Cormac before rejecting it outright. Bryce remains resistant, but Jesiba's advice reframes the marriage as a political opportunity rather than only a trap.
Who Appears
- Bryce Quinlansupports Hunt, shelters Ithan, mourns Lehabah, and resists but considers the implications of her engagement.
- Hunt Athalarprepares for Celestina's arrival, accepts Bryce's loyalty, and threatens Ithan over any danger to Bryce.
- Ithan Holstromrecovers in Bryce's apartment, defends his past bond with Bryce, and needles Hunt about Connor.
- Jesiba Rogaadvises Bryce on artifact verification and bluntly frames the engagement as a strategic political matter.
- Lehabahhaunts Bryce's thoughts as Bryce revisits her sacrifice and struggles with guilt over her death.
- Syrinxbegs for more breakfast and is noted as Bryce's absent companion at work.
- Connor Holstromappears in Ithan's account as the brother who loved Bryce for years.
- Danika Fendyrfigures in Bryce and Ithan's shared memories and as proof, to Ithan, that Bryce deserved loyalty.