House of Sky and Breath
by Sarah J. Maas
Contents
Chapter 60
Overview
Ruhn abandons his planned meeting with Daybright when the Harpy and the Hind appear near the rendezvous point, signaling that his secret rebel contact may be under surveillance. Bryce and Hunt then accidentally uncover Hypaxia and Celestina’s hidden relationship, but Bryce turns a dangerous discovery into trust by promising silence and offering solidarity against the political and Asteri-controlled arrangements trapping them. Tharion, meanwhile, finally acts on his guilt over misleading the River Queen’s daughter and begins stepping away from that false attachment.
Summary
Ruhn slips into the garden expecting to meet Agent Daybright, but the Harpy appears instead. When Ruhn asks if she is Day, the Harpy is confused, and Ruhn realizes he has nearly exposed the secret contact. He immediately retreats to protect Daybright, then spots the Hind watching from the shadows, which convinces him the danger is even worse. Fearing the Hind and Harpy might be tracking him to a rebel source, Ruhn leaves the party without saying goodbye.
Elsewhere, Bryce and Hunt sneak down a hallway looking for privacy after the public success of Bryce’s plan to have Hunt recognized as her mate and a prince. Hunt breaks into a locked cloakroom, only for them to discover Celestina and Hypaxia together in an intimate moment. Celestina instantly turns threatening, power rising as she assumes Bryce and Hunt now endanger Hypaxia.
Bryce calms the confrontation by promising that neither she nor Hunt will reveal what they saw. Bryce goes further and frames them as allies, arguing that powerful females are often reduced to political tools and that she will support Celestina and Hypaxia if they ever choose each other over their arranged obligations to Ephraim and Ruhn. Celestina finally lowers her power and admits that she once encouraged Hypaxia’s political match with Ruhn, hoping they could later resume their relationship, but the Asteri’s order tying Celestina to Ephraim trapped them both further. Bryce swears secrecy, and the two women accept it.
After Hypaxia and Bryce leave together, Celestina privately asks Hunt why he accepted being made a prince despite the burden. Hunt answers that Bryce is worth it, but Celestina warns that love is a trap she cannot escape. Later, Tharion endures the ball as the River Queen’s daughter’s escort, then finally recognizes that he has been unfairly stringing her along for years. He asks her bodyguard Tritus to dance with her instead, sees that she is genuinely happy, and walks away relieved. At the bar, Tharion begins flirting with a beautiful leopard shifter whose voice seems oddly familiar.
Who Appears
- Bryce Quinlandiscovers Celestina and Hypaxia together, defuses the confrontation, and offers secrecy and support
- Hunt Athalarsneaks off with Bryce, prepares to defend her from Celestina, and reflects on love and princely duty
- Ruhn Danaanabandons his secret meeting with Daybright after spotting the Harpy and the Hind nearby
- CelestinaArchangel secretly involved with Hypaxia; admits Asteri pressure and Ephraim have trapped her
- Hypaxia Enadorwitch-queen and Celestina’s lover; accepts Bryce’s promise of silence and alliance
- Tharion Ketosescorts the River Queen’s daughter, decides to stop misleading her, and meets a striking leopard shifter
- River Queen’s daughterjoyfully attends the ball while Tharion realizes he has been unfair to her
- The Harpyinterrupts Ruhn in the garden and helps force him to cancel the rendezvous
- The Hindwatches Ruhn from the shadows, making him fear Daybright is being tracked
- Tritusbodyguard who takes the River Queen’s daughter onto the dance floor
- Unknown leopard shifterbeautiful, familiar-sounding woman at the bar who catches Tharion’s attention