Feyre faces her second trial under Amarantha’s watch in a cavernous chamber, where the Attor and other faeries mock her. Tamlin stands silently behind Amarantha, his presence a fleeting comfort. The queen taunts Feyre about her unsolved riddle, offering a cruel “practice” round. As Feyre struggles to maintain composure, the floor suddenly lowers her into a pit, isolating her from Tamlin and the spectators above. The tension escalates as she realizes the trial’s deadly stakes, with Amarantha’s smug confidence underscoring Feyre’s vulnerability.

The pit reveals a divided chamber: one side holds Feyre, the other Lucien, chained and terrified. A spiked grate begins descending from above, threatening to crush them both. Feyre spots three levers and an inscribed riddle on the wall—her only hope for survival. Panic sets in as she recognizes her illiteracy; the carved words are indecipherable to her. Lucien’s frantic shouts amplify her desperation, while Amarantha’s glee and the faeries’ bets heighten the cruelty of the setup.

Time runs out as the glowing, red-hot spikes inch closer, filling the pit with oppressive heat. Feyre’s inability to read the riddle leaves her paralyzed, and Lucien’s distant position makes his help impossible. The scene underscores her isolation and the brutal whims of Amarantha’s games. The chapter’s tension peaks as the grate nears the levers, symbolizing Feyre’s impending doom and the queen’s twisted entertainment.

The chapter ends on a cliffhanger, with Feyre staring at the levers, her fate hanging in the balance. The physical and psychological torment—Amarantha’s manipulation, Lucien’s peril, and Feyre’s illiteracy—converge into a moment of sheer helplessness. The trial’s design exposes Feyre’s weaknesses while testing her resilience, leaving readers anxious for her next move. The narrative masterfully blends action, emotion, and stakes, reinforcing the series’ dark, high-stakes tone.

In Chapter 40 of “A Court of Thorns and Roses,” the protagonist faces her second trial under the cruel manipulation of Amarantha. She is led into a smaller cavern, stark and undecorated, where Amarantha, seated confidently, introduces the challenge. The atmosphere is tense, with the presence of the Attor—a sinister creature—adding to her unease. The protagonist’s resolve is tested as she confronts the intimidating environment and the looming threat of death, all while trying to maintain her composure in front of Tamlin and the other faeries. The trial’s psychological pressure is palpable, emphasizing her resilience amid fear.

The scene intensifies as the floor beneath her begins to sink, revealing a disturbing sight: Lucien chained and suffering, a pawn in Amarantha’s torment. The protagonist’s concern for Lucien heightens her desperation, knowing she cannot reach him physically due to the iron gate and the perilous environment. Amarantha’s cruel games are evident as she manipulates the situation, forcing the protagonist to choose between her own safety and the life of her friend. The tension builds with the descending spikes and the ominous presence of the chained Lucien, emphasizing the deadly stakes of her predicament.

Amarantha presents a puzzle inscribed on the wall, accompanied by three levers labeled I, II, and III. The protagonist struggles with illiteracy, recognizing only basic words and feeling overwhelmed by the unfamiliar script. Time is running out as the deadly spikes approach, and the heat intensifies, creating a life-or-death urgency. The challenge is compounded by her inability to read the inscription, which contains the key to solving the riddle. Her internal turmoil grows as she recognizes her disadvantage, knowing that her literacy deficiency could cost her her life and the life of Lucien.

As the pressure mounts, the protagonist’s focus narrows on the inscription and the levers. She is paralyzed by her inability to decipher the question, while the deadly spikes inch closer. Lucien’s desperate shouts urge her to answer, but her mind is clouded by fear and confusion. The chapter culminates in a moment of crisis, with her life hanging in the balance as she faces the horrifying prospect of being killed by the fiery spikes—an agonizing and brutal end. The chapter underscores her vulnerability, resilience, and the cruel power Amarantha wields over her.