Throne of Glass, #3
Heir of Fire
by Sarah J. Maas
Contents
Chapter 65
Overview
Chaol openly breaks with the king after Sorscha’s murder, and Dorian reveals his magic to save Chaol’s life. Dorian’s sacrifice lets Chaol escape, but the king captures Dorian and enslaves him with a Wyrdstone collar, drastically raising the danger in Rifthold.
Aedion is taken to the dungeons as bait, while Chaol rescues Fleetfoot and vital items before reaching Ren. With Sorscha dead, Dorian collared, and Aedion imprisoned, Chaol and Ren become the remaining rebel force in the capital and vow to free them.
Summary
After Sorscha’s execution, Chaol is frozen by horror until Dorian stops screaming. When the king dismisses Chaol and orders him to return to Anielle, Chaol draws his sword, renounces service to the king, and declares that Dorian is the true king. Chaol also invokes Aelin in the north as a symbol of hope the king cannot destroy.
The king orders Chaol killed, but Dorian’s magic erupts when a hidden crossbow bolt flies at Chaol. Dorian freezes the bolt, subdues the guards with ice, and attacks his father with wind and light. Understanding that the trap was meant to force Dorian to reveal his power, Dorian orders Chaol to run, telling him to return and burn the castle down. Chaol tells Dorian he loves him, then escapes while Dorian holds off the king’s black power.
Aedion, bound and being taken to the dungeons, realizes the castle’s shuddering means events have worsened. He accepts that he took the blame to save Chaol because Aelin would have been devastated by Chaol’s death, and he believes Dorian is creating a distraction for Chaol to flee. Aedion does not pray for rescue and only regrets that he may die without seeing Aelin once.
Dorian is overpowered after spending his strength to save Chaol. Dorian reaches toward Sorscha’s body and asks his father to kill him, but the king instead produces a Wyrdstone collar. Dorian recognizes the horror of what the collar can do from what Chaol reported and from what happened to others; guards restrain him, and the collar locks around Dorian’s throat just as he touches Sorscha’s hand. Darkness consumes him.
Chaol flees through the castle, retrieves Fleetfoot, Damaris, gold, and the books on magic from Celaena’s rooms and tomb, and leaves a message with Mort in case Celaena returns. He escapes through the secret passages into the sewer route as the castle falls silent after several blasts, unable to know whether Dorian is alive or dead. At the hidden apartment, Chaol tells Ren what happened; Ren realizes Sorscha was his informant and grieves. The two men clasp hands and commit to finding a way to free both Aedion and Dorian.
Who Appears
- Chaol WestfallRenounces the king, escapes Dorian’s sacrifice, and allies with Ren to rescue captives.
- Dorian HavilliardReveals his magic to save Chaol, fights his father, and is collared with Wyrdstone.
- King of AdarlanOrders Chaol’s death, overpowers Dorian, and enslaves his son with a Wyrdstone collar.
- Aedion AshryverIs led to the dungeons after taking blame to protect Chaol and Aelin’s cause.
- Ren AllsbrookLearns Sorscha was his informant and joins Chaol in planning to free Aedion and Dorian.
- SorschaHer execution drives Dorian’s grief, Chaol’s defiance, and Ren’s realization of her rebel role.
- FleetfootCelaena’s dog, retrieved by Chaol during his escape from the castle.
- MortReceives Chaol’s message for Celaena while remaining motionless at the tomb entrance.