The morning after their charged encounter, Cassian and Nesta are both embarrassed and aroused. At breakfast, Cassian struggles to hide how strongly Nesta affects him, while Nesta is mortified by her own flustered attempt at conversation. Cassian abruptly leaves for the training ring because he cannot trust himself to stay composed, and Nesta assumes his retreat means he is resisting the tension between them.

In the ring, Cassian shifts them into abdominal work after their warm-up. Nesta quickly discovers how weak her core is and grows frustrated when she cannot complete even brief holds or repetitions. When Nesta challenges him, Cassian demonstrates the full routine with ease, and Nesta is forced to watch him move with controlled strength. The exercise becomes another reminder of both his discipline and her growing attraction, but Cassian keeps the lesson professional.

To distract herself, Nesta asks about female fighting units among the Illyrians. Cassian explains that no such units exist because Illyrian society is deeply misogynistic and because any true warrior must survive the Blood Rite, a brutal coming-of-age trial in which young males are drugged, abandoned in the mountains without weapons or magic, and expected to fight, survive, and reach Ramiel. Cassian describes the Rite’s hierarchy and reveals that he, Rhysand, and Azriel reached the summit together and touched the sacred stone at the same moment, an almost unheard-of victory that proved the depth of their bond.

The discussion turns from Illyrian customs to the dangers females face, especially the threat of sexual violence. Thinking of the traumatized priestesses in the library, Nesta asks whether Cassian would train non-Illyrian females in the privacy of the House of Wind. Cassian warns that many priestesses may not be able to bear a male instructor, but he agrees to help and suggests involving a female teacher. Nesta rejects Feyre specifically, exposing how strained that relationship remains, yet Cassian still supports the plan and tells Nesta to seek Clotho’s permission and inform Feyre and Rhysand. His enthusiastic approval gives Nesta a new sense of purpose.