Chapter 26

Summary

• Lucien joined the narrator and Tamlin for lunch, which was breakfast for them.
• Lucien had been on border patrol the previous night and mentioned a rumor about the narrator and Tamlin not returning until after dawn.
• The narrator and Tamlin exchanged flirtatious comments during lunch, although Lucien expressed discomfort.
• Lucien reported tragic news from the Winter Court about a blight that had killed two dozen younglings by burning through their magic and breaking their minds; the blight was moving south.
• This information cast a shadow over the meal, and the narrator feared the blighet's effects.
• Suddenly, Tamlin sensed a threat and instructed Lucien to protect the narrator, Fayre, by a window using a glamour to hide her presence.
• They braced for the arrival of an intruder, who turned out to be Rhysand, a powerful figure from the Night Court.
• Rhysand taunted Tamlin and Lucien, revealing an awareness of events at Tamlin’s estate and referring to an unpleasant "present" he had sent.
• After Lucien insulted Rhysand, tension rose, and Rhysand acknowledged his complicated relationship with Amarantha.
• Rhysand, revealed as a High Lord, exerted influence and expressed disdain toward the Spring Court’s lack of action against current threats.
• It was implied that Rhysand had some sort of history or former partnership with Tamlin.
• Rhysand's conversation took a menacing turn when he detected Feyre's presence despite the glamour.
• Tamlin and Lucien prepared to defend Feyre, but did not attack Rhysand, suggesting a possible catastrophic outcome of a fight between High Lords.
• Rhysand seized mental control over Feyre, demonstrating his significant power and causing her distress.
• Rhysand commanded Tamlin to beg for Feyre's safety and not to reveal her to Amarantha, to which Tamlin reluctantly complied.
• When Rhysand asked Feyre her name, she gave him a false one, “Clare Beddor,” to protect her identity and relatives.
• Rhysand left, teasing about their inevitable confrontation in a place called "Under the Mountain," leaving the others in shock and silence.