Throne of Glass, #4
Queen of Shadows
by Sarah J. Maas
Contents
Chapter 70
Overview
Rowan and Aedion reach the base of the clock tower with the hellfire, but the Wyrdstone nearly incapacitates them and Lorcan’s betrayal leaves them trapped by seven Wyrdhounds. In the throne room, Aelin’s identity is exposed, and the King of Adarlan torments Dorian to pressure her for information about the Wyrdkeys. Aelin reveals the Eye of Elena as a true key just as noon strikes, but the clock tower remains intact, putting the entire plan in jeopardy.
Summary
Rowan and Aedion creep through the ancient passage beneath the glass castle, carrying vats of hellfire toward the base of the clock tower. The passage bears signs of claw damage and reeks of death, but Rowan stays focused on the plan: plant the explosives, ignite them from a safe distance, and then rejoin Aelin with magic restored.
At the bottom of the tower, the Wyrdstone overwhelms Rowan and Aedion, causing brutal headaches and nosebleeds. They place the hellfire and begin retreating with the fuse, but the oppressive darkness and wrongness of the stone slow them. As they back into the tunnel, Rowan realizes the liquid falling on him is not blood.
Seven Wyrdhounds appear on the ceiling above them. A torn piece of Rowan’s cloak falls from one creature’s mouth, revealing that Lorcan lied: he did not kill the remaining hounds, but used Rowan’s scent to set them on Rowan and Aedion.
In the throne room, Aelin drops the pretense of being only Celaena and faces the King of Adarlan as Aelin Ashryver Galathynius. The king reveals that he saw the truth through Dorian’s mind and dismisses his guards, while Chaol sheds his false restraints. The king mocks Aelin’s past as assassin, slave, Champion, and princess, and discards the forged rings because he already understands the deception.
Aelin stalls for time while waiting for the clock tower to fall, demanding to know where the Wyrdkeys are. The king instead demonstrates his control by ordering the possessed Dorian to kneel and torturing him with darkness. Chaol repeatedly tries to reach Dorian and finally begs the king to free him, but the king offers only a cruel exchange: Aelin as a new Valg vessel.
As noon arrives and the bells begin ringing, Aelin declares that the king murdered her family and deserves destruction in return. She reveals the Eye of Elena, not merely as a ward but as a key capable of unlocking Erawan’s tomb. The king recognizes the danger, but the chapter ends with the tower still standing, meaning Rowan and Aedion’s part of the plan has failed or been delayed.
Who Appears
- Aelin Ashryver GalathyniusFaces the king openly, stalls for time, and reveals the Eye of Elena’s true power.
- Rowan WhitethornCarries hellfire beneath the tower and discovers Lorcan used his scent to lure Wyrdhounds.
- Aedion AshryverHelps Rowan plant the hellfire and prepares to fight the ambushing Wyrdhounds.
- King of AdarlanExposes Aelin, mocks her past, tortures Dorian, and seeks Wyrdkey knowledge.
- Chaol WestfallDrops his false restraints, tries to reach Dorian, and begs for his freedom.
- Dorian HavilliardPossessed prince controlled and tortured by the king as leverage against Aelin and Chaol.
- Lorcan SalvaterreAbsent but revealed to have lied about killing the Wyrdhounds and betrayed Rowan.