Rhysand brings Feyre to his private townhouse in Velaris and welcomes her to his home. Feyre is immediately overwhelmed by the idea of a living city outside, expecting devastation after Amarantha’s rule, but Rhys explains that the house is heavily warded and that Velaris itself has remained protected for five thousand years. He tells Feyre she is safe, free to go where she wishes, and able to control who may enter the house.

Before Feyre can process this, members of Rhysand’s Inner Circle arrive at the front door, loudly demanding to be let in. Their banter reveals a surprisingly casual, familial dynamic around Rhys, and Feyre briefly sees a lighter, more mortal side of him. Too exhausted and emotionally heavy to meet them, Feyre chooses to go upstairs instead of facing new people.

Nuala and Cerridwen take Feyre to a warm bedroom overlooking a winter garden and help her get settled. When Feyre asks who was downstairs, the twins explain that they are Rhysand’s Inner Circle and note that most High Lords are not so informal, but Rhysand is different. Their care and the normal domestic atmosphere contrast sharply with the oppressive life Feyre left behind.

As Feyre realizes Rhysand’s claim means Velaris survived Amarantha untouched, she presses the twins to explain how the city was preserved. Nuala and Cerridwen refuse, saying that story belongs to Rhysand to tell. After Feyre asks them to leave the curtains open because darkness now unsettles her, she lies down and reflects on her trauma, on the possibility that Amarantha has still won by hollowing her out, and on the thought that never returning to the Spring Court might be a fitting punishment for Tamlin. Then she falls into a deep sleep.