Chapter 44
Contains spoilers
Summary
- Tamlin is wounded by a blade wielded by the protagonist, but his wound starts healing too slowly.
- Characters Rhysand and Amarantha are present, with Rhysand grinning and Amarantha getting to her feet after an event.
- The protagonist’s attempt at killing is seen as a victory by some in the crowd, demanding freedom for the cursed.
- Amarantha reveals that the promise of freedom did not specify a time-frame and implies the freedom may come upon the protagonist's death.
- Amarantha attacks the protagonist with magic, causing intense pain and breaking her bones.
- Amarantha tries to coerce the protagonist into admitting she doesn’t love Tamlin to spare herself from pain.
- Despite suffering, the protagonist refuses to denounce her love for Tamlin.
- Rhysand attempts to intervene and is met with violent magic from Amarantha, who calls him a traitor.
- The protagonist feels a connection with Rhysand and suffers not only physically but also through a surge of painful memories.
- Tamlin begs for Amarantha to stop the torture, apologizing for a past insult related to someone named Clythia.
- Tamlin’s attempts at apologizing are ignored, as Amarantha continues to inflict pain.
- The protagonist embraces her love for Tamlin, even as Amarantha tries to break her spirit.
- As her vision darkens from pain and imminent death, the protagonist whispers that the answer to the riddle is love.
- The chapter ends with Tamlin’s shocked reaction and the protagonist feeling something in her spine break permanently.