In the days before the wedding, guests flood the Spring Court for constant meals and celebrations. Feyre endures the attention with a fixed smile, telling herself that once the wedding is over she will no longer have to perform for anyone. Tamlin claims he dislikes the gatherings too, but Feyre notices that he sometimes enjoys them, while Feyre feels increasingly disconnected from both him and his court.

At one evening gathering, Feyre stays close to Ianthe because Ianthe can manage conversations that Feyre cannot. Two guards, Bron and Hart, approach and praise Feyre for surviving Under the Mountain, especially her trial with the Middengard Wyrm. Their admiration only worsens Feyre’s distress because they speak of her suffering as if it were entertainment. When Hart asks whether Feyre has heard from Rhysand, Feyre firmly says no and warns that Rhysand is not the type to run scared, showing a rare flash of assertiveness before leaving the party.

Back in her room, Feyre realizes she cannot remember the last time she truly laughed. She falls asleep and has another nightmare about Amarantha’s trials, reliving her terror of being chained beneath descending spikes. After waking in a panic, Feyre stands by the window and tries to calm herself by insisting that the coming marriage will bring healing and peace to everyone, including herself.

The next day, Feyre is dressed for the ceremony in an elaborate gown chosen by Ianthe, complete with gloves meant to hide the tattoo on Feyre’s hand. Alis notices Feyre’s dread and tells her she sounds as if she is going to a funeral. When Feyre enters the garden, hundreds of guests rise to watch her. Although Tamlin looks radiant waiting at the dais, the spectacle, the red and white petals, and the memory of blood and public judgment begin to overwhelm Feyre.

As Feyre nears Tamlin, panic fully takes hold. Feyre feels trapped by the ceremony, by the vow of forever, and by the fear that Tamlin does not understand how damaged she is. Feyre silently begs for someone to stop the wedding, even as Tamlin reaches for her and Ianthe urges her forward. Before Feyre can force out a refusal, thunder cracks through the garden, darkness erupts, and Rhysand appears before the stunned crowd, abruptly interrupting the ceremony.