At a glittering ball held in her honor, Feyre stays close to Nesta and wrestles with guilt over leaving Tamlin, recalling Lucien’s disappointment and her failure to act on the growing threat in Prythian.

The next day at lunch, Feyre learns the Beddor family died in a house fire and that Clare’s body was never found. Realizing she had given Clare’s name to Rhysand, Feyre suspects Clare was taken and that the escalating blight endangers Tamlin. Feyre warns her family to prepare to flee at any sign of faerie trouble and to watch the wall. In private, Nesta grasps the threat, supports Feyre’s decision to return, and presses for practical defenses; Feyre advises acquiring ash wood.

Nesta helps Feyre arm and dress for the journey, sharing her fierce resolve and future ambitions. Elain, whose memories resurface, provides a horse and supplies and tearfully says farewell. Feyre departs without another goodbye to their father, determined to reach Tamlin and confess her love.

Feyre rides north, finds an invisible wall, and after two days locates a faerie gate. Crossing into Prythian, she senses unnatural silence as she approaches the Spring Court. She discovers the estate gates bent, doors torn, and rooms shattered—no Tamlin, no Lucien, no servants—only wreckage. Alone in the ruins, Feyre understands they are gone.