Throne of Glass, #2
Crown of Midnight
by Sarah J. Maas
Contents
Chapter 31
Overview
After Celaena’s attempt to kill Chaol, Chaol imprisons Celaena in the dungeons while Dorian wrestles with grief, horror, and the secret magic he used to stop her. Chaol explains the chain of events around Nehemia’s murder, but the killer remains unknown, and both men realize the attack was deliberate and sadistic.
In captivity, Celaena collapses into grief and rage, speaks with Kaltain, and swears vengeance on those responsible. After three sedated days, Chaol returns Celaena to her rooms, understanding that his silence about the threat to Nehemia has destroyed Celaena’s trust in him.
Summary
Dorian follows Chaol as Chaol carries the unconscious Celaena from Nehemia’s bloody chamber to the castle dungeons. Chaol strips Celaena of every weapon, locks Celaena in the cell beside Kaltain, and warns Kaltain not to interact with her. Dorian is shaken by Nehemia’s death, Celaena’s feral attack, and Dorian’s own secret use of magic to stop Celaena from killing Chaol.
On the dungeon stairs, Chaol breaks down and tells Dorian what happened: Chaol was kidnapped by rebels, Celaena cut through them to free him, the king had warned Chaol of a threat to Nehemia, Archer revealed the threat meant assassination, and Celaena arrived too late. Chaol admits that Celaena moved with impossible speed, and Dorian, remembering the magic in his own veins, does not dismiss the claim. Dorian notes that the king was at dinner and likely did not personally order the murder at that time, leaving the killer unknown.
Celaena wakes in the dungeon and bitterly recognizes the pattern of loss, captivity, and violence from her past. She speaks with Kaltain, but Celaena’s thoughts stay fixed on Chaol’s failure to warn her or Nehemia about the threat. Celaena concludes that the king may not have committed the murder, yet Chaol’s silence still makes him responsible in her eyes.
Kaltain reveals that Duke Perrington is taking Kaltain to Morath in five days and that the king has offered Kaltain only marriage to Perrington or lifelong imprisonment. Kaltain also mutters about worsening headaches and wings, echoing Nehemia’s earlier nightmares of shadows and wings. Celaena, devastated by Nehemia’s death and Nehemia’s last accusation that Celaena was a coward, swears that everyone responsible will someday be punished.
For three days Celaena drinks the sedative-laced water given to her and sinks into bleak dreams where Nehemia’s accusation repeats. On the fourth day, Chaol visits, finds Celaena gaunt and filthy, and carries Celaena back to her rooms. Chaol reflects on the chaos after Nehemia’s murder, the king’s smug indifference, and the command to “get her in line,” but Chaol knows that by hiding the threat he has broken something beyond repair and lost Celaena forever.
Who Appears
- Celaena SardothienImprisoned after attacking Chaol; grieves Nehemia, blames Chaol, and swears vengeance.
- Chaol WestfallJails Celaena, confesses events to Dorian, and recognizes his silence destroyed her trust.
- Dorian HavilliardShaken by Nehemia’s death, Celaena’s savagery, and his secret use of magic.
- Kaltain RompierCelaena’s neighboring prisoner; reveals Perrington will take her to Morath and mentions wings.
- Nehemia YtgerMurdered princess whose death drives Celaena’s despair and Chaol’s guilt.
- King of AdarlanShows smug indifference to Nehemia’s death and orders Chaol to control Celaena.
- Duke PerringtonAbsent but important; plans to take Kaltain to Morath as his forced bride.
- RessGuard who reports Celaena’s condition to Chaol before Chaol removes her from the dungeon.
- PhilippaServant waiting in Celaena’s rooms to help clean and care for her.