Feyre visits Amren’s apartment the next afternoon and asks whether Amren will be able to decode the Book once they obtain the second half. Amren explains that she first needs to relearn the ancient language, and Feyre brings her several pints of warm lamb’s blood, which Amren gratefully drinks. Their conversation reveals more of Amren’s strange nature, her preference for animal blood over human blood, and her dislike of luxury despite owning great wealth.

While talking, Feyre notices that Amren is using Tarquin’s blood ruby as a paperweight. Amren says Rhys did not persuade her to spare Adriata; instead, Varian sent her a ruby-and-diamond necklace from Tarquin’s treasure to soften the insult of the blood feud. Amren admits Varian interests her, though nothing has happened between them.

The narrative then moves through weeks of waiting. Amren studies the Book’s language, and Azriel repeatedly fails to penetrate the mortal queens’ courts. During this delay, Feyre trains every morning with Cassian, rebuilding her strength and learning to use an Illyrian blade, and she notices Cassian returns from a visit to her sisters in a foul mood after delivering another message to the queens.

Most afternoons, Feyre trains with Rhys to understand the powers she inherited from the High Lords, including flame, water, ice, and darkness. Rhys teaches her the histories and characters of the other High Lords because he believes understanding the source of her power matters as much as wielding it. Their bond deepens through quiet written exchanges and teasing notes, including a more serious conversation in which Feyre admits she no longer knows what she wants and cannot paint, while Rhys explains that he once chose to become a different kind of High Lord than his father.

At last, Rhys informs Feyre that the mortal queens have answered and will come to her family’s estate the next day. Feyre travels there with the Night Court and finds Nesta and Elain prepared for the meeting. The queens had imposed strict conditions: an exact time, no visible weapons, and precise details about the house and room. When eleven strikes and five queens appear with armed guards in the exact arranged space, Feyre realizes their demands were not only precautionary—they were necessary because the queens can winnow.