Celaena lounges on the roofs of Varese, the capital of Wendlyn, where the king of Adarlan has sent her to assassinate Crown Prince Galan Ashryver. She has decided not to carry out her mission and instead wallows in her hopelessness and powerlessness. In honor of her late friend Nehemia, Celaena plans to seek out Maeve, the queen of the Fae, who is immortal and, therefore, may be able to help her find a way to free Adarlan from its demonic king.

In the streets of Varese, a Fae warrior named Rowan approaches Celaena and tells her that Maeve has summoned her. He has a striking tattoo in Fae writing going down his face and body. Celaena initially feigns her usual bravado, but she follows Rowan anyway because she needs to see the queen of the Fae.

Chaol is plagued by his knowledge of Celaena’s true identity and the threat she poses to Dorian. His loyalty is split between them, but his main priority is to protect Dorian. While Chaol and Dorian attempt to mend their friendship after the events of Crown of Midnight, Aedion Ashryver, the “infamous General of the North and cousin to Aelin Galathynius” (20), arrives at the castle, summoned by the king.