Throne of Glass, #5
Empire of Storms
by Sarah J. Maas
Contents
CHAPTER 63
Overview
With Aelin and Manon trapped inside the mirror, Rowan assumes command of a badly outmatched fleet facing Maeve’s armada. The chapter exposes Maeve’s cruelty toward Lorcan, Fenrys, and Gavriel, clarifying why their loyalty is fractured and why Rowan’s alliance with them is dangerous.
Rowan tries to stall by telling Maeve’s messenger that Aelin is absent, but Maeve responds with an attack rather than negotiation. The battle begins before Aelin can return, forcing the fleet to fight for time and survival.
Summary
Elide watches the fleet prepare against Maeve’s armada as chaos erupts below. Rowan lands on deck in fear, and Aedion emerges furious, followed by Dorian with a bruised eye. Aedion explains that Dorian solved Deanna’s riddle and sent Aelin and Manon into the mirror, the Lock, hoping they can learn how to save everyone.
In the cargo hold, Aedion and Rowan try to reopen or trace the mirror, but it gives them nothing. Back on deck, Elide urges Aedion to accept that they cannot wait for Aelin and Manon before preparing for battle. Aedion lashes out at Elide, but Elide answers that Aedion is not the only one afraid of losing Aelin again.
Rowan takes command despite Aelin’s absence and warns Lorcan, Fenrys, and Gavriel that Maeve likely knows they are present and will use the blood oath when it can hurt them most. The Fae males debate whether fighting for Rowan will doom them. Fenrys reveals that after the males secretly answered Rowan’s call to defend Mistward, Maeve brutally punished them, including having Lorcan whipped for two days, and that Lorcan ordered the others to keep it from Rowan.
The revelation devastates Rowan and deepens Elide’s understanding of Lorcan, who may have stayed silent to spare Rowan guilt. Gavriel and Fenrys decide to stay unless commanded otherwise, even knowing the odds are terrible. Lorcan pledges his sword to Rowan on the condition that Elide be sent safely to shore under guard, and Rowan agrees.
Rowan distributes command across the fleet: Fenrys, Lorcan, and Gavriel are placed toward the center and rear, while Rowan and Aedion take the front and Dorian and Ansel command behind them. Lysandra waits beneath the waves in sea dragon form, ready to attack Maeve’s ships from below. Dawn comes, but Aelin still does not return.
Maeve sends a small boat demanding Aelin’s surrender. Rowan tells the messenger that Queen Aelin Galathynius is not present anywhere nearby and offers to leave in peace if Maeve does the same. Maeve answers not with words but with a massive volley of magic-wrapped arrows, forcing Rowan and the other defenders to raise shields as her armada begins advancing.
Who Appears
- Rowan WhitethornTakes command after Aelin vanishes and prepares the fleet against Maeve’s assault.
- Elide LochanChallenges Aedion’s anger, worries for Aelin, and becomes Lorcan’s condition for fighting.
- Aedion AshryverFurious over Aelin’s disappearance, but still follows Rowan’s battle command.
- Lorcan SalvaterreRevealed to have suffered Maeve’s punishment; offers his sword if Elide reaches shore.
- FenrysExplains Maeve’s whipping punishment and recognizes her efforts to fracture their unity.
- GavrielChooses to remain and fight despite the danger of Maeve’s blood oath.
- Dorian HavilliardSent Aelin and Manon into the mirror and prepares to shield ships in battle.
- MaeveDemands Aelin’s surrender and begins the battle with magic-wrapped arrows.
- LysandraWaits underwater in sea dragon form to damage enemy ships from below.
- Ansel of BriarcliffCommands ships behind Rowan’s front line alongside Dorian.
- Aelin GalathyniusAbsent inside the mirror, leaving her allies to fight and wait for her return.
- Manon BlackbeakAbsent with Aelin inside the mirror, seeking knowledge of the Lock.