As dusk falls, Rhys returns to the town house exhausted and snow-covered after a long day. Feyre notices his fatigue and, despite their looming visit to the Court of Nightmares, insists that he wash, change, and eat before they leave. Rhys tries to deflect with humor and desire, but Feyre discovers he has eaten only an apple all day and firmly makes him finish the food she brings.

Their teasing turns into a more serious exchange about Feyre’s new High Fae cycle, which brings severe pain twice a year. Feyre reflects on how Rhys cared for her through the last one, on the implications of Fae fertility and contraception, and on her concern that Nesta and Elain may soon endure similar pain after being Made. Feyre worries especially about Nesta facing it alone, while Elain remains distant from Lucien and still mourns Graysen and her lost human life.

Feyre raises the possibility of Lucien joining them for Solstice. Rhys says he can tolerate Lucien, but admits he still resents Lucien’s treatment of Feyre after Under the Mountain and cannot easily forgive those who hurt her. This leads to a discussion of Nesta: Feyre insists Nesta is family and that Rhys must eventually forgive her, while Rhys struggles to release his anger over Nesta allowing Feyre to suffer as a child.

Through their bond, Rhys asks Feyre to trade “a thought for a thought.” Feyre tells him about visiting the Rainbow and Ressina’s invitation to paint with other artists. Feyre admits she feels selfish taking time to paint while Velaris still needs rebuilding, and also fears what painful memories might emerge if she begins creating again. Rhys encourages Feyre to paint when she is ready and suggests making space for a studio, reminding Feyre that her own healing matters too.

The conversation softens into intimacy as Rhys notes that Solstice is also Feyre’s birthday and reflects on how she seemed destined for him. They exchange vulnerable memories about wanting each other before they understood the bond, and Feyre tells Rhys her heart knew he was hers long before she realized it. Their tenderness becomes physical, but Mor interrupts from outside the door to remind them that they must soon leave for the Court of Nightmares.

Rhys reluctantly pulls away and heads to bathe, joking that he needs to primp. Feyre later finds that Rhys has drawn an ice-cold bath, revealing that he is trying to cool himself after their interrupted moment. The chapter closes with their intimacy deferred by duty, as the necessary visit to the Hewn City still awaits.