Throne of Glass, #3
Heir of Fire
by Sarah J. Maas
Contents
Chapter 57
Overview
After the battle at Mistward, Celaena recovers and begins reckoning with the consequences of publicly acting as Aelin Galathynius. A major revelation changes her mission: the lost Amulet of Orynth contains the third Wyrdkey and is likely in Arobynn Hamel’s possession in Rifthold.
Unable to share this secret with Rowan because Maeve controls him, Celaena instead shares the full truth of her past, strengthening their trust. Recovered and more self-possessed, she leaves Mistward for Doranelle, ready to face Maeve and move closer to reclaiming her future.
Summary
Celaena sleeps for two days after destroying Narrok and the Valg prince. While she recovers, Mistward is cleaned and repaired, the dead are buried, the surviving enemy soldiers kill themselves with hidden poison, and Rowan hides the recovered Wyrdstone collars in the woods rather than risk Maeve obtaining them.
As Rowan’s cadre departs, Gavriel remains behind to warn Rowan and Celaena to be careful when facing Maeve because the cadre will have reported to her by then. Rowan is cold, but Celaena recognizes the risk Gavriel takes by warning them while bound to Maeve and thanks him for both the warning and his hesitation during the battle.
Rowan takes Celaena to a forest pool, where he tells her that revealing herself as Aelin Galathynius means Adarlan’s king will know she is alive and hunt her. Celaena accepts this, then realizes that the Amulet of Orynth contained the third Wyrdkey. She understands that the amulet protected her after her fall into the river and that Arobynn Hamel must have taken it from her, meaning she must return to Rifthold to recover it.
Because Rowan is bound to Maeve, Celaena refuses to tell Rowan the truth about the third Wyrdkey, and Rowan agrees he should not know. Instead, Celaena gives Rowan another truth: the full story of her childhood as the princess of Terrasen, the fall of her kingdom, and Lady Marion’s sacrifice. Rowan listens, comforts her when she cries, and their bond deepens.
Celaena then manages to summon a tiny droplet of water, a meaningful sign of connection to her mother’s magic, and Rowan teases her before they playfully fall into the pool. After another week of recovery, Celaena attends a celebration, sees herself as changed and truly alive, and dances.
The next morning, Celaena decides it is time to leave. She says goodbye to Emrys and Luca, promises that the demi-Fae will have a home in Terrasen if she reclaims her kingdom, and offers Emrys, Luca, and Malakai a place in her household. Emrys tells her that her mother would be proud, and Celaena follows Rowan into the forest toward Doranelle and Maeve.
Who Appears
- Celaena Sardothien / Aelin GalathyniusRecovers from battle, discovers the third Wyrdkey’s location, shares her past, and leaves for Doranelle.
- Rowan WhitethornProtects Celaena during recovery, warns of her exposure, and supports her confession about Terrasen.
- GavrielWarns Celaena and Rowan about Maeve despite his own binding and lingering loyalty to Rowan.
- EmrysHosts the recovery celebration, prepares supplies, and receives Aelin’s promise of a future home.
- LucaSurvives Mistward’s attack, bears visible and emotional wounds, and says goodbye to Aelin.