Throne of Glass, #3
Heir of Fire
by Sarah J. Maas
Contents
Chapter 47
Overview
Celaena is nearly enslaved by the king’s Wyrdstone-collared creature, whose power exposes how helpless even her fire can become against Valg-like darkness. Rowan saves her, and together they avoid leading the monster to Mistward by turning the forest’s other horrors against it.
Celaena’s desperate plan to lure the skinwalkers into the creature destroys or at least silences their pursuer, but it also confirms the terrifying scale of the enemy they face. The chapter deepens Celaena and Rowan’s trust as they survive only through teamwork, pain, restraint, and cunning.
Summary
Celaena searches the rain-soaked forest for the vanished creature and tries to signal Rowan, but the creature appears behind her. When its black eyes meet hers, Celaena freezes completely, her magic dies, and the creature reveals a beautiful young male face with a Wyrdstone torque around its neck. Its touch pulls Celaena into a comforting darkness that feeds on her agony and tempts her to surrender.
Rowan breaks the creature’s hold by dragging Celaena away and biting her between the neck and shoulder, using pain to anchor her back in reality. Celaena realizes the mutilated demi-Fae victims may have tried the same method to escape the creatures’ thrall. Rowan recognizes that even he is outmatched in the dark against an enemy that can kill without weapons, so Rowan and Celaena choose to run.
Celaena throws up a wall of flame to buy time, and Rowan leads her through the forest while using wind to hide their scent. They refuse to return to Mistward and instead flee deeper into the Cambrian Mountains, but the creature keeps pursuing them like a hound. When Celaena understands that it will not stop, Celaena proposes a dangerous plan.
Celaena goes alone to the skinned trees near the forgotten road, lights a torch, and deliberately summons the skinwalkers by sharpening her dagger and taunting them. Five skinwalkers arrive, threatening to torture her, but Celaena keeps them focused on her and then runs before they can surround her.
Celaena races downhill with the skinwalkers chasing her toward the place where Rowan has lured the king’s creature using her scent on her tunic. At the right moment, Celaena drops the torch, leaves the road, and hides behind a tree while Rowan uses wind to send her scent down the road. Rowan shields Celaena, then pulls her up into a tree and hides her scent as the skinwalkers follow the false trail directly into the creature.
From the tree, Celaena and Rowan listen as the skinwalkers and the king’s creature fight in the darkness. After nearly half an hour, the skinwalkers’ sounds turn victorious and the creature’s roars cease. Celaena and Rowan remain hidden together all night, too afraid to sleep.
Who Appears
- Celaena SardothienNearly enthralled by the creature; devises the plan to pit skinwalkers against it.
- Rowan WhitethornSaves Celaena from the creature, hides their trail, and helps execute her trap.
- The king’s creatureWyrdstone-collared monster that enthralls Celaena and relentlessly hunts her through the mountains.
- The skinwalkersFive carrion-scented monsters Celaena deliberately lures into a deadly clash with the creature.