Rhysand has called in his bargain he made with Feyre Under the Mountain and she is required to stay with him for the week in the Night Court. She confronts his about his behavior Under the Mountain and how confused she was by it. She hated him for forcing her to drink and dance and how he mocked her. But at the same time she knows he is the one that truly saved her life. Even though she is engaged to Tamlin and claims to be happy in preparations for their wedding, Rhysand is sensing that she isn't actually as happy as she pretends to be. He is trying hard to respect her wishes, but is concerned that something is wrong. He cannot admit his love for her or that he has discovered they are mates for fear it will wrongly influence her, but his love tests his patience in how he handles her rebukes.

Feyre, still stuck with Rhysand as part of the bargain to stay with him for a week each month, argues with him that she should not have to keep her end of the bargain. She accuses him of holding her hostage and having bad intentions just to hurt Tamlin. She accuses him of using her as a pawn and gets very mad with him. He makes it clear she is not a hostage but he will not let her out of the bargain. He questions how much she really wants to be at the Spring Court. They argument is heated.

Rhysand looking to make amends from their earlier argument comes to say goodnight to Feyre and to apologize for pushing her. She accepts the apology but continues to question Rhysand about his behavior. She doesn't understand him. He can be so cruel and so cold and yet he is always the one who seems to want what's best for her. She is still experiencing PTSD from what happened Under the Mountain and she has terrible nightmares. Rhysand immediately feels horribly guilty for his part in her trauma and apologizes for everything he did to her there. He breaks down and admits how much he hates himself for it. They both have a vulnerable moment and almost kiss, and then Rhysand stops it and leaves thinking he does not deserve her.

It's a month later and Feyre is returning for her next visit at the Night Court. At first Rhysand plays it cool and pretends to be nonplussed. Then he realizes something is wrong and that Feyre does not seem well. At first he is very concerned trying to understand if she's okay and what has happened. She has clearly lost a lot of weight. She seems paler and more despondent. Then he gets very angry because he figures that Tamlin is at fault. He questions if Tamlin has even noticed. Feyre is unsure what to admit to Rhys. She knows she is unhappy and she's started to think about leaving Tamlin and the Spring Court but she doesn't know if she can trust Rhys and where should would even go.

Feyre, still unsure if she can trust Rhys, hesitantly opens up about her unhappiness in the Spring Court, and Rhys must navigate his own feelings to offer her guidance without scaring her off.

Feyre, still torn between her love for Tamlin and growing feelings for Rhys, asks him to teach her how to mask her emotions, leading to a charged and intimate moment between them.

Feyre demands to know why Rhysand pulled away, leading to a tense conversation about their feelings, boundaries, and the secrets Rhysand keeps hidden.