Celaena's time at Mistward settles into a rhythm of training with Rowan, exploring her fire magic, and working in the kitchens. As she coaxes stories from Rowan about his long life, she senses his deep grief and her hatred for Queen Maeve grows, fueling her magic. The fortress prepares for Beltane, a festival that triggers painful memories for Celaena of her childhood in Terrasen, where she was known as "Aelin Fireheart."
Chapter 41: Aelin Fireheart
On Beltane, Rowan tests Celaena by tasking her with igniting and controlling three large bonfires all night. As the demi-Fae celebrate, Celaena focuses on the flames, feeling her magic connect to the world. She understands that magic, like the Wyrdmarks, weaves the essence of reality. Pushing herself too far, she ignores the warning signs of exhaustion, and Rowan warns her of "burnout," a catastrophic magical depletion. She loses control, and the magic turns inward, consuming her with agonizing pain.
Rowan extinguishes the air around her to douse her inner flame and carries her to the fortress baths. The burnout is so severe that she boils the water, forcing Rowan to use his ice and wind magic to cool her. As she rests, he sees the horrific scars covering her back and demands to know who did it to her. When she reveals she was a slave in the Salt Mines of Endovier, he leaves the room without a word.
Chapter 42: Like a Good Soldier
The narrative shifts to Rowan Whitethorn's perspective. Consumed by rage, he flies away in his hawk form, realizing that Queen Maeve knew about Celaena's past and withheld the information. He is flooded with guilt over his cruelty toward her, and a powerful, protective instinct awakens within him. Worried she will misinterpret his departure, he forces himself to calm down and returns to Mistward.
He finds Celaena shivering in her room and carries her to his quarters, placing her in his warm bed. He tells her that she will be staying with him for her own safety and that Maeve never told him about her past. This prompts Celaena to finally open up, telling Rowan everything: her life as an assassin, the murder of Sam, her enslavement in Endovier, and her journey to becoming the King's Champion. They fall asleep holding hands, marking a profound shift in their relationship from animosity to trust and friendship, a key development in the theme of Found Family and Friendship.
Chapter 43: Carranam
For the next few days, Rowan Whitethorn insists that Celaena remain in bed, explaining that his protective behavior is a Fae male instinct. He introduces the concept of carranam, two Fae who are magically compatible and can share power. He notes the bond is rare and dangerous if misused. This discussion deepens Celaena's understanding of the Fae world.
The conversation turns to Celaena's scars. She explains that she keeps them as a reminder of her vow to free the slaves in Endovier and Calaculla, a pivotal moment in her journey toward Acceptance of Identity and Power. When Rowan presses her about Terrasen, she refuses, describing the "monster" she keeps locked inside. Rowan accuses her of collecting scars as self-punishment, a behavior he admits to sharing. He lies beside her, offering comfort, murmuring, "At least if you’re going to hell, then we’ll be there together." A few days later, on her nineteenth birthday, he gifts her chocolates. Once she has recovered, training resumes with a new focus, and Rowan teaches her to give her magic shape and form, starting with defense.
Chapter 44: The Crossing
The story shifts to Manon Blackbeak. Her wyvern, Abraxos, is flying better with the Spidersilk patches, and the Thirteen are operating as a unit. However, Manon is summoned by her grandmother, Mother Blackbeak, who is enraged that she learned of Abraxos's failure to make the Crossing from another Matron. She strikes Manon and issues an ultimatum: Manon and Abraxos will make the Crossing the next day, or they will die.
The following day, the witches gather to watch the trial. Manon’s grandmother forbids her Second and Third, Asterin and Sorrel, from helping her. As they prepare, Abraxos growls at Mother Blackbeak. In a stunning display of Loyalty and Oaths, the other twelve members of Manon's coven subtly ready their weapons, prepared to defend her. A deep beat begins to sound from the wyvern pits, a sound of solidarity that spreads through the covens. Manon looks into Abraxos's eyes and declares him one of the Thirteen, sealing their bond: "You are mine, and I am yours." Spurred on by the beat, she urges him forward. They plunge into the abyss, and Abraxos unfurls his wings. The Spidersilk patches hold strong, and he catches the wind, soaring up the other side of the Gap, having successfully completed the Crossing.
Chapter 45: We're Going Hunting
Rowan Whitethorn discovers that Celaena has been sneaking out to practice her magic, using the fortress's ward-stones as a training partner. Their training intensifies, and during quiet moments, Celaena thinks of Chaol Westfall.
Their training is interrupted by the discovery of another demi-Fae corpse. Celaena smells the familiar stench from the barrow-field and discovers black, oily blood under the victim's fingernails. She recognizes it from the creature she fought in the catacombs beneath the Rifthold library and realizes that the Valg-possessed creatures the King of Adarlan was creating with the Wyrdkeys are likely here in Wendlyn. She explains everything to Rowan, and they theorize the creatures are hunting demi-Fae as potential hosts. Rowan declares, "We're going hunting." As they wait in a tree, Celaena asks Rowan about the Fae mate bond, explaining that she tried to kill Chaol in a fit of rage. She questions whether she could have done that if he were truly her mate, seeking validation that their relationship was doomed from the start. Rowan offers to tell her the truth, but she declines.
Key Events
- Celaena suffers a near-fatal burnout during the Beltane festival, but Rowan helps her survive.
- Rowan sees the scars on Celaena's back, and she tells him about her time as a slave in Endovier.
- Rowan moves Celaena into his room to protect her, and she shares her full history with him, solidifying their trust and friendship.
- Celaena's training advances from raw power to control, as she learns to shape her fire into shields and weapons.
- Mother Blackbeak threatens to kill Manon and Abraxos if they do not complete the Crossing.
- Manon and Abraxos successfully make the perilous flight across the Gap with the support of the Thirteen and other witches.
- Celaena discovers evidence linking the mysterious deaths of the demi-Fae to the Valg creatures being created by the King of Adarlan.
Character Development
- Celaena Sardothien / Aelin Ashryver Galathynius: Celaena undergoes a significant emotional and magical breakthrough. The burnout forces her to confront the limits and dangers of her power, while the aftermath allows for a new level of vulnerability and trust with Rowan. By confessing her past and her vow to free the slaves, she begins to integrate the broken pieces of her identity, signifying her growing Acceptance of Identity and Power.
- Rowan Whitethorn: Rowan transforms from a harsh trainer into a fiercely protective ally. Learning about Celaena's trauma shatters his preconceived notions and awakens a deep sense of guilt and responsibility. He begins to see her not as a spoiled princess but as a fellow survivor, forging a bond of mutual respect and care.
- Manon Blackbeak: Manon's leadership and her bond with Abraxos are solidified. By defying her grandmother's cruelty and successfully making the Crossing, she proves her own strength and earns greater respect. The loyalty shown by the Thirteen marks a crucial shift in the coven's power dynamics and highlights the theme of Found Family and Friendship.
Themes & Symbols
Healing and Recovery from Trauma is central, as Celaena's burnout is a physical manifestation of her emotional and magical overload. Her recovery, facilitated by Rowan's care, is not just physical but emotional. Sharing her story is a critical step in processing her trauma. Rowan's confession that he, too, "collects scars" as penance creates a powerful parallel, suggesting that healing often comes from finding someone who understands your pain without judgment.
Acceptance of Identity and Power takes a major leap forward for Celaena. After her burnout, she fears her magic, but Rowan's training forces her to master it rather than be consumed by it. Learning to shape her fire into a shield is symbolic; she is learning to use her power not just for destruction, but for protection. Her vow to free the slaves gives her power a purpose, tying her identity as Aelin Galathynius to a noble cause rather than just a painful past.
The bond between Celaena and Rowan solidifies into a form of Found Family and Friendship. Their shared living space, mutual protection, and emotional vulnerability create a partnership that transcends their initial roles as student and teacher. Similarly, Manon's Thirteen demonstrate that their loyalty is to her, not just to the Blackbeak hierarchy. Their unified support during the Crossing shows the emergence of a powerful, chosen family unit bound by respect and shared experience.
Key Quotes
"At least if you’re going to hell, then we’ll be there together."
Rowan's words to Celaena after she reveals her past traumas highlight the deepening bond between them. He acknowledges her pain and offers unwavering support, suggesting that they will face whatever challenges lie ahead as partners. This shared understanding and commitment to stand by each other is a turning point in their relationship, solidifying their connection.
"You are mine, and I am yours."
Manon's declaration to Abraxos as they prepare for the Crossing signifies the unbreakable bond between them. She claims him as one of her Thirteen, elevating him from a mere mount to a valued member of her coven. This moment underscores the theme of loyalty and the power of chosen family, as Manon defies tradition and embraces her connection with Abraxos.
Significance
These chapters represent a turning point in the novel's primary relationships and plotlines. The foundation of Celaena and Rowan's deep bond is laid, built on shared trauma and mutual respect. This relationship becomes the cornerstone for Celaena's healing and her eventual acceptance of her identity as Aelin. Manon's successful Crossing establishes her as a formidable leader and sets the stage for future conflicts within the witch hierarchy. The discovery of the Valg connection in Wendlyn elevates the threat, directly linking Celaena's journey to the dark power wielded by the King of Adarlan and raising the stakes for the entire series.