Chapter 44

Summary

• Tamlin is wounded by a blade wielded by the protagonist, but his wound starts healing too slowly.
• Characters Rhysand and Amarantha are present, with Rhysand grinning and Amarantha getting to her feet after an event.
• The protagonist’s attempt at killing is seen as a victory by some in the crowd, demanding freedom for the cursed.
• Amarantha reveals that the promise of freedom did not specify a time-frame and implies the freedom may come upon the protagonist's death.
• Amarantha attacks the protagonist with magic, causing intense pain and breaking her bones.
• Amarantha tries to coerce the protagonist into admitting she doesn’t love Tamlin to spare herself from pain.
• Despite suffering, the protagonist refuses to denounce her love for Tamlin.
• Rhysand attempts to intervene and is met with violent magic from Amarantha, who calls him a traitor.
• The protagonist feels a connection with Rhysand and suffers not only physically but also through a surge of painful memories.
• Tamlin begs for Amarantha to stop the torture, apologizing for a past insult related to someone named Clythia.
• Tamlin’s attempts at apologizing are ignored, as Amarantha continues to inflict pain.
• The protagonist embraces her love for Tamlin, even as Amarantha tries to break her spirit.
• As her vision darkens from pain and imminent death, the protagonist whispers that the answer to the riddle is love.
• The chapter ends with Tamlin’s shocked reaction and the protagonist feeling something in her spine break permanently.