A Court of Thorns and Roses

The High Fae are still at the table when Feyre returns, sipping from real gold goblets. Nesta used to call Feyre a “half-wild beast” as an insult, but now, Feyre realizes that all faeries see humans as beasts. As the blond High Fae tries to get Feyre to eat, Lucien calls him Tamlin. With prodding, Feyre finally sits at the far end of the table. Tamlin gets up, approaches her, and serves her, insisting it’s an honor. Ignoring the food, Feyre confirms that Tamlin and Lucien are High Fae. She asks if they plan to enslave her. Tamlin, offended, says he doesn’t enslave anyone. How Feyre spends her time is up to her, as long as she stays out of trouble. Feyre notes that her family has nothing to eat—isn’t there some other way to “atone”?

At this, Lucien asks if Feyre has apologized for murdering Andras and asks how she killed him. Feyre describes the murder, but Tamlin tells Lucien to leave the subject alone. Feyre returns to the subject of her starving family, but Tamlin assures Feyre that her family is being fed and cared for. Their argument escalates as Feyre accuses him of lying. Softly, Tamlin gives Feyre a warning: she can go where she wants in Prythian, but her family will suffer if she tries to run back to them—and whoever captures her next might not be so generous. He tells Feyre to eat and Lucien to play nice. It’s annoying how good the food is, and Feyre cleans her plate. Tamlin then dismisses her.

Before Feyre can leave, Lucien asks why she’s being so rude—the male High Fae have to be nicer to look at than human men. The faeries exchange a look when Feyre mentions a man at home, though she admits they aren’t in love and that she isn’t interested in women, either. But the line of questioning enrages her. Tamlin insists they just want to get to know her and tells her to ask the staff if she needs anything. When prodded, he says that Feyre is “insignificant” and that he kills too often, so he’d like to make up for it by treating her kindly.

Feyre sleeps fitfully and wakes before sunrise. She misses sleeping next to Nesta and Elain, though she figures Nesta must be enjoying the extra room in bed. Worried for their fate, Feyre thinks of Tamlin. He’s awkward, but he doesn’t seem so evil. A scream interrupts Feyre’s thoughts—Alis entered the room and got caught in Feyre’s booby trap. Alis scolds Feyre: a booby trap won’t stop a faerie from harming her or give her much time to run. And besides, why did she have to destroy the beautiful curtains? Feyre smiles at this and apologizes. She eats her breakfast, which is lavish, and attempts to question Alis. Alis cautions Feyre to be careful if she ventures out into the grounds, but she otherwise gives useless answers.

Feyre dresses in a purple tunic, the color of which greatly impresses her. As Alis braids Feyre’s hair, Feyre studies her reflection—she looks too much like her mother and Nesta for her comfort, and poverty hasn’t done her any favors. When Alis is done, Feyre decides to go for a walk. The house is empty, and for the first time, Feyre notices the paintings hung everywhere. They’re so beautiful and clearly made by faerie artists. Feyre wonders if perhaps the High Fae are kinder than she’s been led to believe.

Tamlin surprises Feyre at the door and awkwardly offers to give her a tour of the house and grounds. Feyre declines, and he snarls that he won’t kill her and that he keeps his promises. Angry, Feyre snaps that the Treaty almost certainly contains loopholes, given her recent experiences. With prodding, Tamlin explains that the Treaty bans faeries from enslaving humans, but they could absolutely destroy the wall and kill all humans if they wanted to (though Tamlin himself doesn’t). Andras was south of the wall because Prythian has been suffering a strange sickness for 50 years. It affects everyone’s magic (and is the reason everyone wears masks here—nobody can remove them). In theory it could affect mortals, but for now, things are stable. Tamlin asks about the trap Feyre set in her room, insisting he’s “civilized.” Feyre storms away, knowing that no High Fae will warn humans about the sickness.