Before returning to her father’s manor, Feyre distributes silver and gold to the village poor, refusing gossip from former detractors. She passes Tomas Mandray, who leers, and then encounters Isaac Hale happily arm in arm with his new wife, which gives Feyre closure and a warm, detached well-wishing.

As a ball in her honor nears, Feyre gardens to fill her days, brooding over the blight in Prythian and her inability to paint since returning. Nesta approaches and challenges her about belonging, noting Feyre’s work-worn hands and implying that this life doesn’t fit her.

Nesta then reveals Tamlin’s glamour never affected her and produces a painted splinter from their table as proof. She recounts hiring a town mercenary with Feyre’s pelt money and trekking to the wall to rescue Feyre but failing to find a way through. Realizing Tomas would never have gone with her marks a break for Nesta, whose fierce loyalty surprises Feyre.

After Feyre recounts her time in Prythian, Nesta asks to learn to paint. They work together in seclusion while the house is adorned for the ball, Elain guiding the floral arrangements and their father praising her efforts, both content in their restored prosperity.

In private, Nesta admits she still hates their father for letting them starve and for not fighting to save their mother. She asserts Feyre would go to the ends of the earth for her High Lord, and Feyre quietly agrees, underscoring her enduring bond with Tamlin as the ball approaches.