Feyre receives Lucien in the sitting room while Elain sits nearby in silence. Lucien has brought Solstice presents, but he declines Feyre's invitation to stay the night, explaining that he has been spending time at the Spring Court and mostly living with Jurian and Vassa in a manor in the human lands.

Lucien describes Jurian as effectively keeping the human territories organized and Vassa as savoring her temporary freedom while still trapped by her curse. The discussion touches on the unstable postwar world, the human queens, and the uncertain future of the lands beyond the fallen wall, but Elain leaves the room rather than participate.

Once Elain is gone, Lucien asks Feyre how Elain is. Feyre tells Lucien that Elain is better but still grieving Graysen, and Lucien struggles with rage and pain over Elain's lost engagement and her rejection of the mating bond. Feyre urges Lucien to stay in Velaris and spend time with Elain, but Lucien says Elain cannot tolerate being near him and that he cannot bear depending on Rhys's support.

The conversation worsens when Feyre questions Lucien's attachment to Jurian and Vassa. Lucien reveals that the three call themselves the Band of Exiles and admits he has nowhere else to go: Feyre's deception ruined his standing in the Spring Court, Elain rejects him in the Night Court, and Tamlin has sent all Lucien's belongings away after Rhys's recent visit. Lucien warns Feyre that Rhys should not have kicked Tamlin while he was down because Tamlin may still be needed as an ally, then leaves after saying which gifts are for Feyre and Elain.

Feyre finds Elain in the kitchen and challenges her for refusing even basic courtesy to Lucien. Elain sharply argues that Lucien's gift does not entitle him to her time or affection and states that she does not want a mate or a male. Feyre recognizes that Elain has the right to choose for herself, even though Feyre dislikes seeing both Elain and Lucien unhappy.

Mor finds Feyre on the stairs, offers her a drink, and advises Feyre to stay out of Elain and Lucien's bond because neither is ready. Mor also tells Feyre that her need to fix her sisters' lives comes from guilt over their being Made. To distract Feyre, Mor takes her to the mountain cabin, where Feyre discovers Rhys, Cassian, and Azriel engaged in their long-running Solstice snowball fight, a ridiculous childhood tradition that softens the chapter's tension.