House of Flame and Shadow
by Sarah J. Maas
Contents
Chapter Eighty
Overview
Ithan, newly made Prime, asks Jesiba to secure the Under-King’s help because Connor’s spirit is calling to him, and he fears repeating past disasters with the dead. Jesiba relays Bryce’s demand to bring Hypaxia’s antidote to the Eternal City and warns Ithan to evacuate vulnerable wolves and arrive with fighters, suggesting a looming battle.
Bryce learns from Ruhn that Pollux attacked the Depth Charger, killed mer, and kidnapped Lidia’s sons to the palace, turning the rescue into an urgent new objective. As Bryce prepares to fly to the Eternal City, Hel’s full army marches into Midgard, raising the stakes of the coming confrontation.
Summary
Ithan meets with Jesiba at the House of Flame and Shadow, bristling at her teasing that he left to sell medicine and returned as Prime. Now responsible for the wolves, Ithan asks Jesiba to get him an audience with the Under-King because Connor’s spirit is trying to reach him, and Ithan wants help to avoid repeating his past failures with the dead.
Ithan reflects on Hypaxia distributing the antidote at the Den: Perry took it first, and the wolves’ long-buried bloodline powers appear to be emerging. Ithan orders that this information be contained within the Den, and the wolves obey him, underscoring the new authority he doesn’t feel ready to wield.
Jesiba confirms Bryce called from Avallen two hours earlier, demanding an update and requesting the antidote be brought to the Eternal City tomorrow. Jesiba warns Ithan to evacuate pups and vulnerable wolves out of Lunathion and the Den, then take whatever fighters remain to the Eternal City, implying an imminent confrontation.
Overwhelmed by guilt over Sigrid’s fate and doubting his leadership, Ithan presses Jesiba again about secondlight and the truth that souls are consumed by the Under-King and the Asteri. Jesiba admits it has sickened her for millennia but urges focus; she agrees to see what she can do to help and instructs Ithan to bring Hypaxia.
At the wall, Bryce ducks into a guard booth to process that she sent Ember and Randall into the Fae world, but Ruhn calls with urgent news: Pollux intercepted the Depth Charger near Avallen’s mists, slaughtered mer, discovered Lidia’s sons, and kidnapped them to the palace. Ruhn, Flynn, and Declan are heading to the Eternal City, and Bryce commits to joining immediately.
Outside in brutal cold, Bryce finds Hunt and Aidas strategizing as Isaiah and Naomi hover uneasily near the Prince of Hel. Celestina has flown to Ephraim’s fortress to keep him occupied, and Bryce watches Hel’s vast armies march from the wall to the still-open Rift—monsters and soldiers held in disciplined silence—before she tells Ruhn they are coming, and they are not coming alone.
Who Appears
- Bryce QuinlanLearns Pollux took Lidia’s sons; commits to the Eternal City as Hel’s army marches.
- Ithan HolstromNewly made Prime; seeks Under-King’s help to contact Connor and prepare wolves for conflict.
- Jesiba RogaAdvises Ithan to evacuate wolves, bring fighters, and deliver antidote to the Eternal City.
- Ruhn DanaanCalls Bryce with news of Pollux’s attack and kidnapping; heads to the Eternal City.
- AidasPrince of Hel present at the wall, coordinating as Hel’s armies enter Midgard.
- Hunt AthalarStands with Bryce and Aidas at the wall, tense before Hel’s marching host.
- Hypaxia EnadorHer antidote unlocks wolf powers; Jesiba orders Ithan to bring her to the Eternal City.
- PolluxIntercepts the Depth Charger, kills mer, and kidnaps Lidia’s sons to the palace.
- Lidia CervosTargeted through her children; her sons are taken, forcing an urgent rescue.
- Connor HolstromDeceased brother whose spirit is reportedly howling for Ithan’s attention.
- CelestinaFlies to Ephraim’s fortress to keep him occupied while others move on the palace.
- Isaiah TiberianStays near Hunt at the wall, wary in Aidas’s presence.
- NaomiStands with Isaiah near the wall, unsettled by Hel’s prince and armies.
- Ember QuinlanOff-page; Bryce grapples with sending her mother into the Fae world.
- Randall SilagoOff-page; Bryce reflects on sending her stepfather beyond the Asteri’s reach.
- PerryTakes the antidote first; no longer presents as Omega, implying new awakened power.
- SigridMentioned as Ithan’s regret; her transformation into a Reaper haunts his leadership.
- FlynnTravels with Ruhn toward the Eternal City after Pollux’s strike.
- Declan EmmetJoins Ruhn and Flynn en route to the Eternal City via transport pod.
- EphraimAway at his fortress; Celestina goes to distract him during the looming palace conflict.