Chapter no 33 – 34

Chapter no 33

The narrator, determined to save Tamlin, arms herself with a bow, arrows, and daggers, despite knowing they would offer little defense against the deadly faeries of Prythian. Led by Alis, she treks through silent woods and hills, burdened by guilt for failing to save Tamlin before. Alis brings her to a dark cave—an ancient, dangerous shortcut to Amarantha’s court “Under the Mountain.” Alis warns her of the dangers ahead, emphasizing the importance of not trusting anyone and staying vigilant. Though frightened, the narrator resolves to move forward, knowing she must face whatever lies ahead to make things right.

As the narrator enters the cave, the suffocating darkness and cold dampness make her progress slow and perilous. She cautiously inches forward, wary of unseen traps or pits, until a crack of light and faint voices break the silence. Finding an obscure passageway, she hesitates but steels herself to continue, knowing Tamlin has already been held captive for weeks. She begins navigating the fire-lit corridors, trying to remain unnoticed, fully aware of the stakes and the likelihood of encountering Amarantha’s deadly forces.

Her progress is tense, with every step bringing new doubts and fears. The haunting memories of faerie cruelty, such as the wingless Summer Court faerie, linger in her mind, but she presses on, forcing herself to focus on finding Tamlin. The halls are quiet, almost deceptively so, but the narrator remembers Alis’s warning not to trust her senses. She relies on her instincts to stay hidden, though the lack of concealment in the wide, open corridors makes her feel exposed and vulnerable.

Despite her fear, the narrator pushes forward, knowing this might be her only chance to rescue Tamlin. Her resolve is tested when she is suddenly grabbed by long, bony fingers. A leathery, gray face emerges—the Attor, one of Amarantha’s most terrifying minions. Its familiar, taunting voice paralyzes her with fear, bringing back the nightmares she thought she had left behind. Caught and defenseless, the narrator is now face-to-face with one of her worst enemies.

The encounter with the Attor underscores the peril of her mission. Alone, outmatched, and surrounded by danger, the narrator’s journey into Amarantha’s lair becomes a true test of her courage and determination. As the Attor confronts her, she must rely on every ounce of strength and wit to survive and continue her quest to save Tamlin and undo the devastation wrought by her earlier choices.

Chapter no 34

The Attor drags the narrator to Amarantha’s throne room, its icy grip and sinister demeanor a constant reminder of her precarious position. Despite being armed, the narrator knows her weapons are useless against the monstrous faeries surrounding her. As she is shoved into a grand chamber teeming with ornate carvings and decadent displays, she sees Tamlin on a throne beside Amarantha. His impassive face and lack of recognition fill her with despair, confirming that he is bound by Amarantha’s power. The queen herself exudes a terrifying presence, her beauty cold and calculated, masking the malice within.

Amarantha mocks the narrator’s declaration of love for Tamlin and exposes the cruelty of the situation. She reveals that Clare Beddor, whose name the narrator had given Rhysand, was tortured and killed in her place. Clare’s mangled corpse is displayed as a chilling reminder of the queen’s brutality and the consequences of the narrator’s choices. Overcome with guilt and horror, the narrator still boldly demands Tamlin’s freedom, even as Amarantha taunts her and questions her loyalty to someone complicit in such violence.

Amarantha offers the narrator a bargain: complete three tasks or solve a riddle, and Tamlin, his court, and their freedom will be hers. Failure, however, will result in her death. The tasks are shrouded in mystery, and Amarantha’s terms make it clear that the challenges will test the narrator’s strength, loyalty, and intelligence. Despite warnings from Tamlin’s widened eyes and the clear danger ahead, the narrator accepts the bargain, driven by love and a desperate need to undo the devastation she has caused.

The moment the agreement is sealed, Amarantha orders the faeries to give the narrator a “greeting worthy of her hall.” What follows is a brutal beating at the hands of faerie minions, their blows reducing the narrator to a broken, bloodied heap. Despite the excruciating pain and humiliation, she endures, her resolve unbroken as she clings to the hope of saving Tamlin and fulfilling her bargain.

The chapter ends with the narrator unconscious, her body battered but her spirit still defiant. Her journey into Amarantha’s court has begun with violence and suffering, a foretaste of the trials to come. Yet, her acceptance of the impossible challenge reveals her unyielding determination to fight for love and redemption, even in the face of overwhelming odds.