Blood Rubies, Broken Walls and More Bargains

Day 6

Chapters 45-54

The war drums are beating louder now. Secrets unravel, alliances fracture, and the Cauldron stirs with ominous intent. This stretch of chapters is a masterclass in court politics, emotional gut punches, and the kind of chaos only SJM can deliver. Let’s dive into the storm.

Blood Rubies & Blazing Tempers

Tarquin’s quiet act of grace, rescinding the blood rubies, reminds us that true allies ask for nothing in return. Tarquin didn’t ask for aid, but the Night Court came anyway, and they were the only ones who did. I wonder if Tarquin had asked the other courts for assistance. The Night Court didn’t ask for anything at all.

But diplomacy quickly devolves when Eris insults Mor, triggering Azriel’s wrath. Beron’s shield? Shattered like an eggshell. As a show of her power and authority, Rhysand quietly invites Feyre to pull Az back. Funnily enough, the Night Court wasn’t the only ones to place bets.

The first strategy emerges: destroy the faebane supply. Enter Nuan, Thesan’s master tinkerer (and Lucien’s eye-maker!). With Lucien’s help, she’s crafted an antidote. But Feyre’s sabotage of the Spring Court may have worked too well. They need those numbers now. Beron provokes Rhys with Amarantha’s history. Feyre won’t stand for it. She hurls her Fire magic at him, along with water and ice. Another Night Court brawl. Oops.

Power Unleashed

Feyre reveals her magic, every kernel of it, in front of the High Lords. The secret’s out. Beron, ever the charmer, calls her “human filth.” Rhys’s turn to retaliate. Beron storms off, alliance-less. But six of seven High Lords agree: unity is the only path forward.

Sisterhood & Scandal

Mor’s bond with Viviane of the Winter Court? Pure gold. Helion visits the Night Courts lodgings. Another secret revealed. It seems that Helion is one of the very few people who knows who he really is behind the Court of Nightmares mask. Did I mention that Helion is hilarious? Helion flirts shamelessly with the Inner Circle and extends another invitation to his bed. There are several revelations in this chapter, but one sticks out. Helion had saved the Lady of Autumn during the last war. Feyre connects the dots: Helion and the Lady of Autumn had a decades-long affair. Helion did not deny it. Lucien is Helion’s son. And no one knows. I don’t believe that to be true. I think Beron and all his sons know. Which makes me wonder…Does Lucien know? Court intrigue? Off the charts.

Helion’s chaotic charm and jaw-dropping revelations earned him the crown in our MVP poll.

Nesta appears, and she is worried. something’s wrong, yet they cannot find anything amiss.

The Wall Shatters

During another war council, Nesta’s distress peaks. Something is wrong with the Cauldron. Suddenly the world sways. Hybern has made his move. He used the Cauldron to attack the wall. It’s gone. Shattered.

Warning Bells & War Prep

Theory: Hybern hunted Nesta because she’s a Cauldron warning bell. I’m not convinced. How would Hybern even know that? Also, does Elain feel it too?

With the wall gone, human safety becomes urgent. Their best hope? Greysen’s fortified estate. Elain will be glamoured to appear human to give them a better chance of him agreeing to help. Feyre, haunted by Rhys’s willingness to sacrifice himself, seeks more protection. She turns to Amren, and to the pit-dweller: Bryaxis.

Bargains & Goodbyes

Feyre bargains with Bryaxis. She offers it freedom, but it doesn’t want to lose it’s home. it just wants a view outside. Amren offers a window. Deal struck. Tattoo inked.

This is our last glimpse of Velaris for a while. War calls. At the Illyrian war camp, Lord Devlon sees Nesta and recoils: “What is that?” Charming.

Next stop: the mortal lands. Time to face Greysen.

Triggers & Traitors

Feyre’s claustrophobia creeps back in, a quiet echo of her past trauma, but it’s Nesta’s admission to not being able to take baths that truly guts us. She washes up in buckets. Meanwhile, the plan begins to unravel. Lord Nolan (Greysen’s father) knows far more than he should, including Elain’s mating bond with Lucien. The source of the leak is revealed: Jurian. But in true SJM fashion, the betrayal twists into something more complicated. Jurian isn’t a traitor. He’s a double agent, working from within to earn redemption in the eyes of Miryam and Drakon. Jurian reveals Tamlin’s betrayal—he ran straight to Hybern after the High Lords’ meeting. Of course he did.

Greysen continues to treats Elain like garbage, breaking her heart in the process. Nesta doesn’t hesitate. She slaps him. Hard. And I cheered.

Poll: Choose your MVP (Most Volatile Player)

Choose your MVP

Azriel - went full rage mode on Eris

Feyre - Fire wielding, bargaining Queen

Jurian - Surprise! Double agent with a redemption arc

Helion - Freaky deaky High Lord, and Lucien's daddy

Nesta - deliverer of iconic slaps

Greysen's face - after Nesta rearranged it

When it came to choosing the MVP of this chaotic, emotionally charged section, we were divided, but one High Lord rose above the rest. Helion, with his scandalous secrets, flirtatious charm, and jaw-dropping reveal as Lucien’s true father, claimed the crown with 50% of the votes.

Helion’s win says it all: we love a scandalous reveal wrapped in flirtation and chaos. But Nesta’s slap and Azriel’s fury weren’t far behind. And yes, I voted for Greysen’s face. Iconic.

Final Thoughts

This section is a whirlwind of revelations, emotional reckonings, and shifting alliances. Feyre’s power is no longer a secret, Lucien’s lineage is a ticking time bomb, and Nesta’s instincts might be the key to everything. Bryaxis, the creature of nightmares, wants nothing more than a view of the outdoors. And Tamlin? Well, he’s exactly who we feared he’d be. As we leave Velaris behind, the stakes rise, and the heartache deepens. War is no longer coming. It’s here.

• Which High Lord surprised you most in this section?

• What do you make of Bryaxis, terrifying ally or misunderstood creature?

Let’s keep the conversation going below. Tomorrow, we march deeper into war, and deeper into the heart of this story.

#ACOWARBuddyRead #Day6 #HighLordsAndLowBlows #BryaxisBargain #NestaSlapsBack