A Court of Splintered Harmony by Sarah J. Maas

Here is a summary for A Court of Splintered Harmony by Sarah J. Maas

Azriel’s childhood is shown first. He grows up confined in his father’s keep, allowed outside for only a short time each day and permitted to see his mother for an hour each week. His half-brothers torment him and threaten his mother, whom they insult because of her relationship with their father; they talk about what they will personally do to her once they come of age. After his hands are burned and permanently scarred, Azriel begins communicating with shadows that tell him about the world beyond his cell. They reveal the existence of a violet-eyed boy, a young Illyrian living in harsh conditions, and a blonde girl imprisoned beneath a mountain. When he overhears his half-brothers planning to harm his mother, he breaks out of his cell and attacks them. His shadows allow him to disappear from his father’s grasp, revealing the extent of his abilities. Rather than seeing his son as a threat to eliminate, Azriel’s father recognizes that his shadowsinging could be useful. He questions Azriel about what the shadows know, learns that they can reveal secrets, and arranges for Azriel and his mother to leave for Lord Devlon’s training camp. Azriel has no intention of becoming his father’s heir and privately plans to return someday to exact revenge.

In the present, approximately four weeks after the events of House of Flame and Shadow, Azriel investigates reports that powerful magical objects are awakening on the continent. His spies have detected activity near Koschei’s territory, including at Montesere’s Rothorn Peak, where strange windwolves guard the area. Azriel discovers that representatives from several territories are searching for a Made object and discussing an ancient book and a six-sided box believed to contain Koschei’s death. Whoever possesses the box may be able to control the deathless being. The searchers come from territories including Vallahan, Rask, and Montesere, suggesting that the kingdoms may be cooperating. Azriel’s shadows are detected, forcing him to withdraw before he can learn everything the group knows. He reports back to the Night Court, where Rhysand and Feyre are already trying to prevent the continent’s growing political tensions from becoming another war.

Rhysand, Feyre, and Mor travel to Storr, a neutral meeting place between Prythian and the continent, to negotiate with representatives of Vallahan and Montesere. Rask does not send anyone. Feyre offers assistance, including food and agricultural resources, while Rhysand presses the representatives to sign a treaty protecting the human lands from invasion. The negotiations reveal that the continent’s rulers resent Prythian’s attempts to influence their decisions. They argue that the human lands historically belonged to the Fae and question why they should obey a treaty proposed by Rhysand, whose authority does not extend over their kingdoms nor even over all of Prythian. The representatives are also concerned about the Night Court’s collection of powerful Made objects, particularly the Dread Trove. Feyre uses her abilities to determine that the delegates do not currently possess a Made object, but they admit that they are searching for one. They resist answering questions about Koschei and refuse to promise that they will leave the human lands alone. A delegate who opposes the proposed war privately warns the Night Court that an invasion is likely once the continent’s kingdoms acquire their own magical weapons. Azriel follows the Vallahan royals after the meeting and learns that their prince is being sent to search for a Made object.

The failed negotiations expose the Night Court’s internal problems. The Inner Circle remains divided over Nesta’s decision to give Bryce Quinlan the Mask from the Dread Trove, even though Bryce eventually returned it. The others believe Nesta endangered Prythian by allowing an immensely powerful object to leave their world without consulting them. Nesta stands by her decision because she believed it was necessary, but the incident has damaged her relationships with Rhysand, Cassian, and Azriel. Azriel is particularly resentful because Bryce also took Truth-Teller, his dagger, and he has struggled with the implications of what he learned about his weapon. Nesta has stopped attending Valkyrie training, and Azriel has stopped teaching it, Nesta doesn’t know if Cassian is continuing the training with the others or not. The Inner Circle agrees that the continent’s kingdoms may be searching for their own Made objects under Koschei’s influence and that the Night Court must discover what they are seeking before the weapons can be used. Mor plans to return to Vallahan after Nyx’s naming ceremony to investigate. Amren argues that Feyre and Rhysand should travel to Fomoria and other territories to secure additional allies, but Feyre insists that Prythian must first become united. Their disagreement becomes heated, with both females believing they are right in their decision. Everyone else watching is unpriced that Feyre would go toe to toe with Amren, High Lady or not. The group postpones its larger plans until after Nyx’s ceremony.

Nesta leaves the meeting angry and goes looking for Cassian, who has been avoiding her. Their conversation turns into an argument about Bryce, the Mask, and the trust Cassian feels Nesta has broken. The mating bond still connects them, but Cassian’s anger prevents him from offering the support Nesta wants. Nesta has also been teaching herself to winnow after watching Bryce travel between worlds and realizing that the ability could help her reach the Prison. While practicing near the water, Nesta loses control and nearly drowns. Beneath the surface, she senses a mysterious object and hears a presence calling for her to find it. Rhysand rescues her and becomes furious that she attempted the journey alone. He warns her that something in the area is unknown even to him and tells her that if she wants to learn to winnow, she should ask him for help instead of risking her life. Nesta keeps the encounter largely to herself, but the mysterious presence strengthens her belief that the Prison contains something connected to her powers and purpose.

Azriel has been pursuing Elain despite Rhysand’s previous warning that he must stay away from her while she remains mated to Lucien. Azriel believes the Cauldron may have made a mistake by pairing Elain with Lucien, particularly because Azriel’s brothers are mated to Elain’s sisters. However, he has not developed a realistic plan for what a relationship with Elain would mean or how it would affect the Night Court’s alliances. He continues meeting her secretly, and his feelings become more consuming. When Rhysand discovers them together, he confronts Azriel and explains that Lucien could invoke a Blood Duel if he discovers the affair. A confrontation could destroy the Night Court’s political relationships and provoke a wider conflict. Rhys mentions that he was devastated when his mate was sharing a bed with his enemy, even though she had no idea about it. So Rhys is appalled that Azriel could do that, knowing that Elaine knows who her mate is. Rhysand is also disappointed that Azriel has ignored his orders and is behaving in a way that could endanger the court for a personal desire. He removes Azriel from the planned mission involving Lucien and the Autumn Court, intending to carry out the assignment himself. Azriel feels humiliated and becomes even more determined to pursue Elain without being caught again.

Nesta continues spending time alone at the House of Wind’s library and at the symphony, where she listens to music and avoids the people who have been making her feel unwelcome. She treasures a magical music box, called the Symphonia, that Cassian gave her. It has recorded his voice saying that he loves her, and she repeatedly listens to the recording because it is one of the few things that makes her feel connected to him while he is absent. Eventually, Nesta returns to the House of Wind and finds Azriel there, also struggling with the consequences of his choices. They exchange cutting remarks, but Nesta recognizes that both of them are dealing with the possibility of a coming war and with unresolved personal problems. She decides that the events surrounding Bryce must be recorded accurately, especially because the information may become important in the future. Nesta invites Azriel to come with her to report as he was the one who found Bryce. The history Nesta wants to preserve concerns Theia, the original High Queen of Prythian, and her husband, Fionn. Theia ruled an eighth court associated with the Prison, a place that had once been full of life. Her power over starlight eventually became connected to ambition and corruption. Theia betrayed Fionn and took his great sword, Gwydion. She then led her people and her two daughters into another world, apparently intending never to return. Her younger daughter, Silene, eventually found her way back to Prythian but was separated from her mother and sister. Silene recorded the history of what had happened, carving the account into the rocks and catacombs beneath the Prison. Those carvings were the information Nesta and Bryce uncovered. Nesta believes the discovery is too important to be forgotten, particularly because Bryce’s experiences revealed a connection between Prythian’s history, the star associated with Bryce, and the magical weapons in their possession. Although the star on Nesta’s back has disappeared, Nesta wants the events and their implications documented for future generations.

Meanwhile, Cassian travels to the Autumn Court to meet Eris. Their conversation concerns the political situation and the possibility of Eris eventually moving against his father, Beron. Eris warns Cassian that the other territories are unlikely to cooperate with the Night Court and that Mor’s planned mission to Vallahan may not succeed. He argues that the balance of power is changing and that the Fae on the continent remember the historical conflicts over the human lands differently from Prythian. Cassian warns that innocent humans will suffer if the kingdoms invade, but Eris points out that the Fae have also suffered substantial losses in past conflicts. Eris also taunts Cassian about his new mate Nesta. He can sense that something is off, and tells Cassian he is always available if his mate chooses differently.

Back in Velaris, Azriel’s shadows warn him of an approaching enemy. He is worried momentarily because only he, Mor and Nesta are in the city. So if there is a true enemy, they would have a hard time containing it. Azriel finds a strange, enormous sea creature that has arrived to deliver a message from Hybern. The creature announces that Hybern wants an alliance and wants to meet, then dies after delivering its message. Azriel is disturbed by the possibility that the former enemy is seeking a new partnership, but he does not immediately tell the others, but plans on doing so after the naming ceremony.

Feyre and Rhysand next visit Vassa, Jurian, and Lucien in the human lands to learn more about Koschei. Vassa explains that Koschei’s influence is spreading and that the six-sided box containing his death is central to the danger. She believes she and the other women cursed by Koschei descend from the Fae woman who originally trapped him at the lake. Koschei may be trying to use that bloodline to escape his imprisonment. Rhysand asks to examine Vassa’s memories, but she refuses, unwilling to share more of her experience than she chooses. Feyre and Rhysand therefore have limited information about Koschei’s intentions. Rhysand proposes that Lucien travel to the Autumn Court under the pretense of acting as Tamlin’s second-in-command and cooperating with Koschei. Lucien would use a Veritas orb to record what he learns and provide evidence of any alliance between Koschei and Beron. The mission is dangerous because Lucien could be caught between the Spring and Autumn Courts, but Rhysand sees it as a way to uncover information that might persuade other territories to join their side. Lucien considers the proposal without immediately committing. Feyre, unaware of the full extent of the conflict between Lucien and Azriel, invites Lucien to Nyx’s naming ceremony; even Rhys is surprised that she invited him.

Feyre and Rhysand then travel to the Summer Court to persuade Tarquin to join their alliance. Tarquin refuses, arguing that his people have only recently recovered from war and that he will not send them into another conflict without a clear reason or a realistic chance of success. He also questions why Prythian has not already offered more direct assistance to the humans who are threatened by the continent’s rulers. Feyre and Rhys leave without securing his support. Their failure deepens their disagreement about how to protect their territories. Feyre argues that they should have followed Amren’s suggestion to approach Fomoria and seek allies beyond the existing courts. Rhys begins considering a more defensive strategy: rebuilding the wall between the Fae and human lands, potentially strengthening the boundaries around Prythian and the Night Court as well. Feyre also suggests that Rhysand becoming High King could help unite the territories, but he rejects the idea angrily. He believes the title would bring additional enemies, undermine their freedom, and make their lives more dangerous rather than solving the political crisis.

Nesta continues to struggle with her isolation. She wants to reconcile with Cassian but cannot understand why he has stayed away instead of speaking to her directly. She visits the library, where Clotho gives her a special ribbon intended as a gift for Feyre, Rhysand, and Nyx’s naming ceremony. Nesta also tries to reconnect with Gwyn, who has largely withdrawn from the world since the Blood Rite. Gwyn refuses to help Nesta record the events involving Bryce and declines the invitation to attend the ceremony. Nesta recognizes that Gwyn, like herself, has retreated from training and from the relationships that once helped her. She challenges Gwyn’s tendency to hide in the library and asks her to reconsider living only within its walls. Nesta’s own feelings about the Valkyries remain complicated: she misses the training and the sense of purpose it provided, but her anger and guilt have kept her away. Gwen has also continued practicing privately, despite the absence of Azriel and Cassian from the training sessions.

On the day of Nyx’s naming ceremony, Cassian finally returns, and Nesta is cold toward him because he has repeatedly avoided the conversation she wants to have. Lucien arrives as well, although Elain is uncomfortable with his presence and resents that Feyre invited him without properly preparing her. The ceremony begins with blessings and gifts for Nyx. Mor offers him the gift of truth, while Cassian wishes him lasting friendship. When Nesta prepares to give her gift using Clotho’s ribbon, the ceremony is interrupted by the return of Bryaxis. The creature unleashes nightmares so powerful that all members of the Inner Circle cannot distinguish their fears from reality. Feyre, Rhys, Cassian, Mor, Azriel, and others are overwhelmed by visions of their worst possible experiences. Nesta is able to recognize that the terror is an illusion because many of the things she once feared have already happened to her. She takes action while the others remain incapacitated and confronts Bryaxis, using her newly developing ability to winnow to pursue the creature as it retreats.

Nesta follows Bryaxis to the library beneath the House of Wind, where Clotho intervenes. Clotho explains that the library is a sanctuary and that Bryaxis has an agreement with the priestesses. The creature has returned to its home, and the priestesses will protect it there. Feyre is furious that Bryaxis attacked her family and endangered Nyx, but the library’s sanctuary and the agreement with Clotho prevent her from simply destroying the creature. Back at the River House, Nyx is found to be unharmed, while Nesta’s arm is badly injured. The Inner Circle tries to understand why Bryaxis returned and whether the attack was connected to the growing influence of Koschei. The possibility that Bryaxis has become more dangerous—or that someone deliberately directed it against them—adds to their growing concerns.

After the attack, Nesta and Cassian finally have the conversation they have both been avoiding. Nesta is upset that she could not kill Bryaxis and that Cassian has been angry with her over the Mask. She explains that giving it to Bryce felt right at the time and that, despite her regret over the damage to their relationships, she would make the same decision again if she believed it was necessary. She is frightened by the Dread Trove and does not fully understand the forces connected to it, but she wants to use her judgment to protect others rather than simply obey the Inner Circle. Cassian admits that he felt shut out when Nesta made such a consequential decision without consulting him. They recognize that their conflict has been made worse by their failure to communicate honestly and by Cassian’s decision to withdraw instead of working through the disagreement with her. They reconcile, tell each other that they love one another, and resume their relationship. Their reconciliation does not erase the political consequences of Nesta’s choice, but it restores some of the trust between them.

Lucien, who has remained at the River House, follows Elain to her room and discovers her having sex with Azriel. He confronts them, and the argument draws the others into the hallway. Lucien asks Rhysand whether he knew about the relationship and learns that he did. He is furious that Rhys continued asking him to undertake a dangerous mission while knowing that Azriel was secretly involved with his mate. Lucien also feels betrayed by Feyre and the rest of the Inner Circle, who allowed the situation to continue without telling him. He declares that he will no longer work for them and promises never to bother Elain again. When Azriel continues to provoke him, Lucien attacks. Rhysand prevents the confrontation from becoming a full fight, while Cassian restrains Azriel. Mor removes Azriel from the scene and confronts him about his self-destructive behavior and his tendency to pursue women who are unavailable to him. She warns him that if Lucien invokes a Blood Duel, Azriel will have to face the consequences without her protection. Nesta and Feyre stay behind to comfort a crying Elain, and the three stay together that night.

Azriel’s relationship with Elain is further complicated by his own self-hatred and by the behavior of his shadows. He has convinced himself that Elain represents something pure and desirable that he does not deserve, while also believing that she is the person he should have been with all along. Yet his shadows often avoid Elain and behave differently around Gwyn, whose singing seems to draw them toward her. Azriel struggles to understand their reactions and continues to treat himself harshly, even as the fallout from the affair leaves him isolated from the Inner Circle. Gwyn remains in the library, still dealing with the memories that have kept her from returning fully to the outside world. Azriel’s actions have damaged his relationships with Rhysand, Mor, and Lucien, while Elain’s decision has pushed her farther away from the family that has been trying to decide what she should do about her mating bond.

That night Feyre is thinking about how to have a better world so her son can grow up in it. She starts forming a plan to do so, but does not elaborate.

The next morning, Rhys gives Nesta back the Dread Trove and the magical weapons, including Ataraxia and Gwydion. He acknowledges that if Nesta had possessed the objects during Bryaxis’s attack, she might have been better equipped to fight the creature. Not only that, but Cassian shared with Rhys that Nesta is afraid of the trove, and that gives Rhys another reason to give it back. Nesta asks Rhysand to teach her how to create pocket dimensions, establish wards, move through magical spaces, and use her power to destroy her enemies, just as Rhys does. She wants to understand the weapons she carries and become capable of protecting the people she loves. Rhys agrees to train her. Soon after Nesta and Feyre talk to Elaine. She mentions that it is her life, and while her sisters seems to have come to terms with their fae changes, she has not. She hates that something told her who her mate is, because she had someone that she loved before this that she choose. On top of that she believes her sisters are treating her as a fragile being, she wants to do more. In response Nesta tells her no one is stopping her except for herself. Elain leaves not wanting to talk more about it. Nesta than invites Feyre to train with the Valkyries Feyre agrees, and Nesta even gives her one of the made swords. Feyre appreciates the gesture, but doesn’t want it until there is blood to be shed. She also once again, mentions in her head, that she doesn’t want it until her plan has been fulfilled.

Azriel, meanwhile, is left to deal with the consequences of his affair and his growing isolation. Cassian finds him exercising and helps him train until he is exhausted. Although Cassian is angry with him, he does not abandon him entirely. Azriel continues using his shadows to investigate the political situation, including sending Erebos to watch Lucien in case he contacts the Autumn Court. He is also troubled by questions surrounding Truth-Teller and Gwydion, the two related blades. His shadows refer to Truth-Teller as a blade that sings and suggest a connection to a greater magical history that Azriel does not yet understand. He remains preoccupied with Elain and considers how they might continue their relationship without provoking another confrontation. His actions have made it increasingly difficult for him to separate his personal desires from his responsibilities as Rhysand’s spymaster.

Nesta eventually returns to the coast to attempt to reach the Prison again. Amren finds her and tells her that she must decide whether she considers herself part of the Night Court or whether her purpose lies somewhere beyond it. Amren urges Nesta to apologize to Rhysand for giving Bryce the Mask and to work with him rather than continuing to act alone. Nesta resists the idea that she should simply submit to the Night Court’s authority, insisting that Feyre is her sister rather than someone to whom she owes unquestioning allegiance. Amren argues that Nesta has the ability to follow a different path and that the Prison may hold answers connected to her future. Nesta finally manages to winnow directly to the Prison. She brings Gwydion with her, but as she enters, the Prison takes the sword from her hand and its light disappears.

Mor is preparing to travel to Vallahan to investigate the continent’s plans when Elain asks to accompany her. Elain explains that she needs distance from the River House and the complications surrounding Lucien and Azriel. She also argues that her abilities as a Made Fae and a Seer could make her useful in negotiations. Mor is initially reluctant to take her, but Elain insists that she wants to contribute rather than remain protected and excluded from important decisions. Mor eventually agrees, and the two leave together for Vallahan.