During the night, Feyre wakes from a nightmare and lies awake brooding over Rhys, Cresseida, and her own role in Summer. Hurt and jealous after assuming Rhys spent the night with Cresseida, Feyre tells herself she is only a weapon in the search for the Book and briefly longs for Velaris and the warmth of Rhys's inner circle. She avoids breakfast, then secretly practices Tarquin's water-gift in her bath by shaping the water into small creatures before Nuala dresses her to meet Tarquin.

In the main hall, Feyre waits under the watch of Summer Court guards and pointedly refuses to acknowledge Rhys when Tarquin arrives with him and Amren from political discussions. Tarquin escorts Feyre away, while Rhys brushes against her mental shields with dark emotion that feels like a warning and jealousy. Feyre deliberately responds by moving closer to Tarquin and giving him a bright smile, which silences Rhys's mental touch.

Tarquin brings Feyre to a hidden underground treasure chamber that opens only to his hand. As Tarquin shows her jewels, weapons, and ancient finery, Feyre searches for any magical sign of the Book, but finds nothing. Tarquin then gives her a necklace of black diamonds, partly to thank her for helping save him Under the Mountain and partly because she was the first person not to mock his hope of breaking class barriers in Summer.

Alone with Feyre beneath the palace, Tarquin asks for her help in a broader sense: he wants Rhys's alliance, peace for his people, and support in the human realm. He explains that Rhys once spared him and his cousin Brutius Under the Mountain and suggests Rhys may have endured Amarantha to protect others from her attention. Feyre refuses to reveal Rhys's secrets, but when Tarquin bluntly asks whether Tamlin locked her up and whether the Night Court rescued her, Feyre confirms both; in return, Tarquin promises not to mention her presence unless asked. He shows her more troves, including a room of books and another of artwork, but Feyre still cannot find the Book and leaves feeling guilty and desperate.

Back in her room, Feyre finds Rhys waiting on her bed, and their argument quickly turns personal. Rhys assumes Tarquin's charm has made her sympathize with him, while Feyre accuses Rhys of sleeping with Cresseida for information. Rhys reveals he never took Cresseida to bed, and the quarrel exposes that both of them are jealous: Feyre of Cresseida, and Rhys of Tarquin. Rhys finally admits he envies Tarquin's easier position, because Tarquin can be kind, loved, and politically neutral without endangering everyone around him, unlike those in the Court of Dreams. Moved by his honesty, Feyre shares a drink with Rhys, and they end the chapter with a toast to star-gazers and answered dreams.