Throne of Glass, #6
Tower of Dawn
by Sarah J. Maas
Contents
Chapter Eighteen
Overview
Yrene’s healing produces a major breakthrough when Chaol regains controlled movement in his toes, suggesting that the Valg-like darkness in his injury can be fought back. The achievement deepens their emotional connection, but Yrene is quickly pulled into court politics when Hasar pressures her to spy on Chaol.
Hasar reveals strategic knowledge of the northern war, including Perrington’s forces and the disappearances of Dorian and Aelin, and frames Chaol and Nesryn as potential manipulators. By threatening Yrene’s future passage across the Narrow Sea, Hasar turns Yrene’s wish to return home into leverage.
Summary
Yrene watches Chaol move his toes and confirms he can control the motion. The breakthrough appears to have come from Yrene reaching past the Valg-like darkness inside his injury and finding a deeper point of connection, where her magic burned away just enough of the dark presence to restore a small amount of function.
The success leaves both Yrene and Chaol shaken. Yrene, bloodied and exhausted after the healing, asks to use Chaol’s bath and borrow his clothes while food is ordered. Chaol tells Yrene to take whatever she wants, and Yrene senses a new side of Chaol emerging now that some of the darkness has been pushed back.
Later, Princess Hasar summons Yrene for tea and complains about being neglected. Yrene reflects on her complicated friendship with Hasar, which began when Yrene assisted Hafiza in healing the princess, and on Hasar’s devoted relationship with Renia. Hasar teases Yrene about wearing Chaol’s clothes and about Chaol’s attractiveness, then steers the conversation toward Kashin and the dangerous politics of succession.
Hasar reveals concern over the library murder and the attack that threatened Yrene, promising to kill whoever is responsible. Yrene considers what she has learned about Valg demons and cautiously raises the possibility that war in the north and enemies in Antica may be connected. Hasar counters that Chaol and Nesryn might be manipulating the situation to make the khaganate ally with them.
Hasar shows Yrene maps of the northern continent, including Duke Perrington’s forces, a small army in Terrasen, an unaccounted-for Dorian Havilliard, and a missing Aelin Galathynius. Hasar wants Yrene to learn from Chaol where Aelin is or what Chaol believes has happened to her. When Yrene resists spying, Hasar reminds Yrene that Hasar controls the armadas and the Narrow Sea, threatening Yrene’s ability to leave Antica unless Yrene cooperates.
Yrene agrees to see what she can learn. Hasar then instructs Yrene to attend Tehome’s feast in two days, offering to occupy Kashin so Yrene can focus on Chaol, and reveals that she has already chosen a dress for Yrene to wear.
Who Appears
- Yrene TowersHealer who achieves progress with Chaol, then is pressured by Hasar to gather information.
- Chaol WestfallYrene’s patient; regains controlled movement in his toes after an intense healing.
- HasarKhagan’s daughter; loyal but ruthless, threatens Yrene into spying on Chaol.
- ReniaHasar’s devoted lover, discussed as part of Hasar’s private life and ambitions.
- KashinHasar’s brother, repeatedly pushed toward Yrene and used in Hasar’s social maneuvering.
- Aelin GalathyniusMissing Queen of Terrasen whose location Hasar wants Yrene to uncover from Chaol.
- Dorian HavilliardMissing king of Adarlan, noted on Hasar’s strategic maps as unaccounted for.
- Duke PerringtonEnemy commander whose forces dominate Hasar’s map of the northern continent.
- HafizaHealer on High who once introduced Yrene to Hasar and is tied to Yrene’s status.
- Nesryn FaliqChaol’s companion, suspected by Hasar of possibly aiding political manipulation.