At dawn in his private study at the House of Wind, Rhysand meets with Azriel after a sleepless night caused by Eris’s warning about Tamlin and the Spring Court’s vulnerable borders. Azriel brings reports showing that unrest is spreading through more Illyrian clans than Rhysand expected, though Azriel clarifies that the dissent is not universal within those camps.

Rhysand and Azriel argue over the Illyrians’ resentment after the war. Azriel, bitter over their hypocrisy and losses, calls them cruelly corrupt, while Rhysand insists the Illyrians cannot be disbanded because Prythian may need their army again. Rhysand decides to monitor the dissenters and delay telling Cassian the full scope until after Solstice so Cassian can have a brief reprieve.

The discussion shifts to wider political instability: the human queens remain gathered in their joint palace, Hybern’s people resent defeat, and the fallen wall leaves human lands exposed to possible Fae incursions. Rhysand explains that Vassa and Jurian are still with Graysen in the human lands, but he does not want the Night Court to intervene too aggressively because humans must be allowed to govern themselves and learn to trust the Fae.

Azriel suggests sending Lucien, but Rhysand reveals that Lucien has gone to the Spring Court for Solstice after Tamlin invited him back. This leads Rhysand to admit that he intends to visit Spring himself to learn whether Tamlin is neglecting or opening his borders. Rhysand expects Feyre will not want to accompany him, and he does not plan to persuade her, partly because his anger toward Tamlin remains unresolved.

Rhysand and Azriel briefly discuss Bryaxis, who has not been found since the war, and Rhysand decides to let the creature remain unpursued through Solstice. The conversation eases into holiday matters as Azriel says he will visit Rosehall after Solstice and still needs to shop; Rhysand asks Azriel to buy a gift on his behalf, knowing Azriel likely will not charge it to him.