Three days before Solstice, Feyre walks through the crowded Rainbow toward Ressina’s studio with paints and a canvas. The festive city energy contrasts with Feyre’s anxiety: Feyre has never painted with a group, rarely shares her work, and fears what might emerge the first time Feyre returns to a canvas.

Feyre’s unease is sharpened by Rhysand’s plan to visit Tamlin the next day. Rhysand had asked Feyre to come, but Feyre refused because, despite owing Tamlin for saving Rhysand and wishing Tamlin peace, Feyre does not want to see or speak to Tamlin for a long time, perhaps ever.

As Feyre hesitates outside Ressina’s studio, Rhysand checks on Feyre through the bond. Rhysand offers to come support Feyre, jokes about being a nude model, and reassures Feyre that entering the studio or leaving is entirely Feyre’s choice. The exchange steadies Feyre enough for Feyre to recognize what Feyre actually wants.

Rather than join Ressina’s group, Feyre winnows into a boarded-up gallery and studio farther down the street. The abandoned space is cold and damaged from the attack on Velaris, with boarded windows, broken glass, old sinks, paint-stained counters, and the lingering smell of paint.

Feyre realizes that the former artist, Polina, likely used the front gallery as both studio and exhibition space. Feyre accepts that Feyre is not ready to make this first painting in front of others, summons faelight and flame to warm and illuminate the gallery, and searches for a stool so Feyre can begin alone.