A Court of Wings and Ruin: The Soap Opera Version

Part 6

Chapters 38-43

Spoilers

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Discussion

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Spoilers 🪽 Discussion 🪽

Cursebreaker

Recap and Discussion

In the aftermath of the Battle of the Summer Court, Feyre and Mor are sent to meet with Tarquin, who greets them with displeasure. He holds Feyre responsible, believing that without her betrayal at the Spring Court, and her role in its internal collapse, Hybern would not have gained a stronghold at the Spring Court, nor would he have been positioned to attack his people so readily. Recall back to the events during ACOWAR part 2-5, it's clear that Tarquin did not seek help from the Night Court. Prince Varian alerted Amren with a warning about Hybern. Rhysand joined the battle out of a sense of duty.

Arriving shortly after Feyre and Mor, Rhysand attempted once more to persuade Tarquin to attend the meeting of the High Lords. However, Tarquin, still harboring resentment, demanded that the Night Court leave his territory. After Feyre's remark: "Attend to your wounded," Tarquin attempted to assert his dominance, which was when Rhysand proudly declared Feyre as the High Lady of the Night Court, affirming her as his equal in all respects.

Photo Credit:Jenny Burnett @ Pinterest

The Summer Court

Rhysand is convinced that Hybern's actions, including the attacks on the library and Adriata, were personal. They were meant to draw him out. As they consider their next steps, Feyre proposes advancing their meeting to three days from now, as they cannot afford to delay due to Hybern's assaults. She also advises Rhysand that it's time to unveil the true face of the Night Court. Rhysand agrees to stop manipulating the other High Lords, but with one condition: Feyre's powers must remain hidden, except for the one she received from Rhysand, which is justifiable by her title as the High Lady.

Nesta Archeron

photo credit: ⁽⁠⁽⁠ଘ ۝ ଓ⁠⁾⁠⁾ @ Pinterest

The Night Court has suffered losses in the Battle of The Summer Court, and it is Cassian and Azriel’s duty to inform the families of the fallen. Cassian's absence notably affects Nesta, who typically dismisses him. Mor, uncharacteristically harsh, warned Nesta, "When he returns, keep your forked tongue behind your teeth." It's unclear if Mor is privy to Cassian's feelings for Nesta or if she's envious. Regardless, Nesta remains unresponsive and steadfast. Meanwhile, Amren is seen wearing the ruby necklace from Prince Varian, coinciding with the delivery of blood rubies to the Night Court, hinting at a possible romance.

With Hybern escalating his assaults, Feyre believes they still need the Bone Carver's assistance. Despite her doubts about mastering the ouroboros mirror, she and Rhysand clandestinely visit the prison to negotiate. The Bone Carver insists on this specific payment and compels Feyre to reveal to Rhysand that he manifests to her as their future first-born son.

Upon their return to the townhouse, Rhysand and Feyre found Elain in the kitchen with Nuala and Cerridwen, learning to make bread and apparently taking pleasure in it. At last! It seems our girl is finding her path again! Of all the characters and their transformations, Elain's journey touched my heart the most. (For now)

The last arrangements for the High Lords' meeting are underway. Six out of the Seven have consented to the date of the assembly. However, the venue remains undecided. In a related matter, the Spring Court has yet to respond with their RSVP. Owing to its central position, the Dawn Court has been chosen to host the gathering at the eleventh hour. Although the Winter Court lies at a more central point, Kallias, the Winter Lord, is adamant about not permitting outsiders into his domain.

While the Night Court reviews the Dawn Court palace plans for alternative routes of escape if things go wrong during the meeting, Feyre is haunted by memories. Memories of their botched effort to seize the cauldron from Hybern. To alleviate her distress, Rhysand escorts Feyre to view the family jewels and invites her to choose her favorite. This has become one of my favorite scenes of the series.

Rhys had crowned me at each and every meeting and functions we'd had, long before I was his mate, long before I was his High Lady. Even Under the Mountain.

Night Triumphant - and The Stars Eternal

As everyone began to gather in the foyer for the departure to the Meeting of the High Lords, Nesta made a striking entrance, dressed to the nines in a dark blue gown at the top of the stairs. This marked the first encounter between Cassian and Nesta since Adriata, leaving Cassian utterly speechless. Nesta had resolved to change her legacy; she refused to be remembered as a coward when it mattered most. She was determined to fight for the humans living beneath the wall. Rhys informed Nesta that with Feyre now the High Lady, she would no longer serve as his emissary to the human realm, and he offered her the position instead. Nesta accepted with gladly, securing not only a source of income but also affirming the Night Court as her new home.

The Dawn Court

This gathering will signify the first assembly of all the High Lords, except for Tamlin, in a single location since the events Under the Mountain. It will also serve as a chance to scrutinize their powers and the abilities that Feyre has acquired from them, as well as their individual domains.

• Spring Court - Tamlin - Shapeshifting

• Summer Court - Tarquin - Control of the element water

• Winter Court - Kallias - Control of the element ice

• Autumn Court - Beron - Control of the element Fire

• Night Court - Rhysand - Control of the mind/telepathy/Daemati

• Dawn Court - Thesan - Healing

• Day Court - Helion Spell-Cleaver - Bright Light as seen at the conclusion of ACOMAF. More to come on this. I’m sure there’s more to his power than blinding light.

Here, we delve deeper into the lives of the other High Lords and their consorts, as well as their ties with the Night Court. Kallias's wife, Vivianne, is not just his spouse but also his mate. She and Mor are close friends who haven't seen each other for a while. Feyre observes tension between Rhysand and Kallias, the details of which, stemming from their time Under the Mountain, remain undisclosed. We also discover that Kallias and Viviane have been friends since childhood. He has secretly loved her all his life and has done everything in his power to protect her. As Amarantha's curse took effect Under the Mountain, he expended his remaining power to send a message to the Winter Court. He warned her about Amarantha, confessed his love, and pleaded with her to safeguard their people. They married shortly after Amarantha was defeated.

The arrival of Beron, accompanied by his wife and sons, created some tension, but it was Tamlin's unexpected appearance that truly rattled the Day Court to its core.