A week after Feyre returns to the Spring Court, the Tithe arrives. Tamlin has spent nearly all of that time away at the border, leaving Feyre isolated with her nightmares, vomiting, and grief. Ianthe visits only to prepare Feyre’s clothes and jewelry for the ceremony, and when the Tithe begins, Feyre sits beside Tamlin on a dais while emissaries from across the court bring their required payments.

The long procession reminds Feyre of Amarantha’s court, and her unease sharpens when a water-wraith approaches. The faerie explains that there are no fish left in the lake and begs for relief, but Tamlin refuses to make an exception. He insists that tradition must be upheld, gives the water-wraith three days to pay or face harsher consequences, and later tells Feyre that this is how his father ruled and how his son will rule after him. Feyre, who knows what hunger feels like, is appalled that Tamlin values precedent over mercy.

Unable to accept that decision, Feyre leaves the hall and follows the water-wraith outside. She asks how much is owed and gives the faerie her gold and jeweled jewelry so the debt can be paid and food can be bought. The water-wraith is startled that Feyre wants nothing in return, then accepts the gift, thanks Feyre, and vows that she and her sisters will remember the kindness.

At dinner, Tamlin confronts Feyre for undermining him with jewelry he had given her. Feyre argues that the Spring Court has more than enough wealth and that letting hungry people starve for the sake of custom is cruel. Tamlin counters that exceptions make the court look weak and calls the water-wraith gluttonous, which enrages Feyre further because her own human past taught her what it means to return home with no food. Lucien attempts to calm the argument, but Tamlin snaps at him as well.

As Feyre silently urges Lucien not to submit, the strange power inside her surges. For a brief instant, Feyre slips into Lucien’s mind and feels his older, sadder, guilt-ridden thoughts before being thrown back into herself. Realizing she has violated him with a gift she did not know how to control, Feyre abruptly ends the confrontation and storms out, shaken by both the fight with Tamlin and the proof that her powers are emerging in dangerous ways.