Chapter 17

Summary

• The protagonist wakes from a night terror and hears screams and shouts coming from the front hall of the manor.
• Rushing to investigate, she sees Tamlin carrying an injured faerie into the manor, its back covered in blood from where its wings have been torn off.
• Landing on the grand staircase, she notes the faerie is from the Summer Court and that Tamlin and Lucien are urgently trying to help the wounded faerie.
• Despite the danger of bloody wounds, Tamlin struggles to use his healing abilities while the faerie repeatedly cries out about his missing wings.
• The protagonist helps Tamlin by holding the injured faerie down on the table as he attempts to treat the severe wounds.
• Lucien becomes overwhelmed at the sight of the injuries and leaves the room in disgust.
• The faerie fades, repeating the phrase "she took my wings" as death approaches.
• Tamlin depressingly accepts the faerie's inevitable death as their efforts to save him fail due to excessive blood loss and unclottable wounds.
• The protagonist compassionately lies to the dying faerie, promising the return of his wings, as a small comfort in his last moments.
• Tamlin recites an ancient prayer to usher the faerie into the afterlife as he takes his final breath, indicating the deep respect for the dying.
• After the faerie passes, the protagonist remains with the body, holding his hand until his blood turns cold.
• Tamlin eventually leads the protagonist away from the tragic scene, signaling his need to deal with the faerie's death privately.
• The protagonist expresses empathy and sorrow for the brutalized faerie, reflecting on the importance of companionship in death, despite her previously held prejudices against faeries.
• She confronts her guilt over the killing of Andras, a faerie she had previously killed, and expresses deep regret to Tamlin.
• The chapter ends with Tamlin carrying the dead faerie away for burial, not looking back, while the protagonist watches from above.