Throne of Glass, #4
Queen of Shadows
by Sarah J. Maas
Contents
Chapter 31
Overview
Manon discovers that Perrington has turned Kaltain into a weapon capable of inflicting unbearable pain through shadowfire, and Perrington demonstrates his brutality by murdering the tortured soldier afterward. Perrington also threatens the witches with Valg princes and hints that Manon’s grandmother is creating additional weapons, raising the stakes of the Ironteeth alliance with Morath. Meanwhile, Elide hides with Abraxos and overhears Manon secretly organizing Blackbeak defenses, only for Manon to reveal that Elide was never unnoticed.
Summary
Manon storms into Duke Perrington’s war tent demanding to know why the Thirteen have been denied access to the Yellowlegs coven. Instead, Manon finds Kaltain using a newly awakened power called shadowfire on a kneeling soldier. Kaltain explains that the fire comes from within herself and has been reshaped; when Kaltain curls her fingers, the shadowfire inflicts terrible pain without burning the soldier’s skin.
Manon asks why Perrington is torturing one of his own men, and Kaltain answers that the victim is only a simple soldier. Perrington orders Kaltain to stop and sends Kaltain to lie down, then snaps the soldier’s neck in front of Manon. Manon understands the killing as a warning to stay silent, but Manon resolves to write to her grandmother about Kaltain and the missing Yellowlegs.
Manon presses Perrington about the Yellowlegs and the work under the mountains. Perrington says the Yellowlegs experiment was successful, threatens to send Valg princes against the witch barracks if Manon disobeys again, and warns that any scouts sent beneath the mountains will not return. Perrington also reveals that Manon’s grandmother is making weapons for him, suggesting that Kaltain is only one of multiple weapons being prepared for war against mortal armies.
Later, Elide wakes in the aerie beside Abraxos, who has shielded her with a warm wing after Elide fled her room because someone seemed to be waiting inside. Hidden by Abraxos’s body and scent, Elide overhears Manon ordering the Thirteen to spread word among Blackbeak covens, set constant watches, and keep their defenses secret. Manon refuses to warn the Yellowlegs or Bluebloods, acknowledging that the Blackbeaks can only resist Perrington so far.
As Elide tries to slip away without rattling her chains, Elide hears Sorrel ask whether Perrington might use shadowfire against the witches themselves. Manon admits Perrington might hold it over them. Just as Elide nears the door, Manon addresses Elide directly, revealing that Manon knew Elide was hiding and implying Elide should have waited until the witches left.
Who Appears
- Manon BlackbeakConfronts Perrington, witnesses shadowfire, protects Blackbeak interests, and secretly organizes defenses.
- Duke PerringtonUses Kaltain’s shadowfire, murders a soldier, threatens the witches, and reveals new weapons.
- KaltainHollow, weaponized woman whose awakened shadowfire inflicts agony without visible burns.
- Elide LochanHides in the aerie with Abraxos, overhears Blackbeak defenses, and is discovered by Manon.
- AbraxosShelters Elide with his warmth and wing, helping conceal Elide from the witches.
- Asterin BlackbeakQuestions Manon’s secrecy and challenges how much the witches should obey Perrington.
- Sorrel BlackbeakSupports Manon’s orders and asks whether shadowfire may be used against the witches.
- Young soldierPerrington’s own man, tortured by Kaltain’s shadowfire and killed as a warning.