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    A Court of Frost and Starlight

    by Maas, Sarah J.
    “A Court of Frost and Starlight” by Sarah J. Maas is a novella set after the events of “A Court of Wings and Ruin,” bridging the original trilogy and the subsequent series. The story follows Feyre Archeron, now High Lady of the Night Court, and her mate Rhysand as they navigate the aftermath of war, rebuilding Velaris and preparing for the Winter Solstice. Themes of recovery, family dynamics, and post-war trauma are explored through the perspectives of Feyre, Rhysand, and their inner circle. The work serves as a transitional piece, deepening character relationships and setting the stage for future conflicts in the series.
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    A Court of Frost and Starlight

    Chapter 17: Feyre

    by Maas, Sarah J.

    The chap­ter opens with Feyre wak­ing up on Sol­stice morn­ing, her birth­day, to the bright sun­light reflect­ing off the snow. She is grog­gy from the pre­vi­ous night’s cel­e­bra­tions, but her dis­com­fort is quick­ly over­shad­owed by the dis­cov­ery of a beau­ti­ful­ly wrapped gift beside her. Rhys, her mate, watch­es her with amuse­ment, hav­ing placed the present there as a birth­day sur­prise. Their play­ful ban­ter sets a warm and inti­mate tone, high­light­ing their deep con­nec­tion and Rhys’s thought­ful­ness.

    Feyre unwraps the first gift—a lux­u­ri­ous black leather sketch­book mono­grammed with her ini­tials. The present is per­fect­ly suit­ed to her artis­tic nature, and she is deeply touched by Rhys’s atten­tion to detail. Their affec­tion­ate exchange con­tin­ues as Rhys reveals more gifts: a soft sky-blue scarf to replace the one she often bor­rowed from Mor, and a new satchel for her paint­ing sup­plies. Each gift reflects Rhys’s under­stand­ing of her pref­er­ences, empha­siz­ing his devo­tion and the sim­plic­i­ty of their love.

    The chap­ter takes a play­ful turn as Feyre decides to draw Rhys as a birth­day gift to her­self. Their flir­ta­tious inter­ac­tion esca­lates when Rhys, with a hint of mis­chief, pos­es nude for her, bask­ing in the sun­light. Feyre fills sev­er­al pages of her sketch­book with detailed draw­ings of him, cap­tur­ing his wings, tat­toos, and oth­er inti­mate fea­tures. The scene under­scores their mutu­al admi­ra­tion and the joy they find in each oth­er’s com­pa­ny, blend­ing romance with light­heart­ed humor.

    The chap­ter con­cludes with Feyre and Rhys join­ing the rest of their com­pan­ions for break­fast. The qui­et morn­ing is inter­rupt­ed when Cass­ian and Azriel, dressed in Illyr­i­an leathers, drag Rhys away for what promis­es to be a row­dy adven­ture. Feyre, amused but uncon­cerned, con­tin­ues her meal, trust­ing them to return Rhys unharmed. The end­ing leaves a sense of cama­raderie and antic­i­pa­tion, hint­ing at the live­ly dynam­ics of their close-knit group.

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    FAQs

    • 1. How does Rhysand demonstrate his thoughtfulness in selecting gifts for Feyre’s birthday?

      Answer:
      Rhysand shows deep consideration for Feyre’s preferences by choosing practical yet meaningful gifts that align with her personality and interests. Instead of opting for traditional luxuries like jewels, he selects a high-quality sketchbook (personalized with her initials), a soft wool scarf to replace the one she kept borrowing from Mor, and a satchel for her painting supplies—complete with new tools. These gifts reflect his attention to her artistic passions and daily needs. His comment about jewels not being “high on your list” confirms he prioritizes her genuine happiness over flashy displays, reinforcing their emotional connection (Chapter 17).

      2. Analyze the significance of Feyre’s request to draw Rhysand as her “birthday present to me.” What does this reveal about their relationship?

      Answer:
      Feyre’s desire to sketch Rhysand—especially nude—symbolizes intimacy, trust, and mutual appreciation in their relationship. Art is deeply personal for Feyre, and her choice to focus on him highlights how she cherishes their bond. Rhysand’s playful compliance (“Do your worst, Cursebreaker”) and his later approval of her sketches further underscore their comfort and shared humor. The scene also echoes an earlier promise Rhys made about posing nude, showing how their dynamic blends romance with lightheartedness. This exchange reinforces their equality as mates, where both give and receive joy in ways that honor each other’s strengths (Chapter 17).

      3. What role does humor play in the interactions between Feyre and Rhysand in this chapter? Provide specific examples.

      Answer:
      Humor serves as a cornerstone of their relationship, easing tension and deepening affection. Examples include Feyre groaning about her hangover while Rhys teases her for drinking “a whole bottle,” his exaggerated arrogance (“The rules don’t apply to you”), and their banter about forgetting her birthday. Even the nude sketching scene is laced with playful teasing, as Rhys quips about her accuracy in drawing “certain areas.” This lightheartedness balances the intensity of their roles as High Lady and Lord, showcasing how their love thrives on joy as much as passion (Chapter 17).

      4. How does the chapter’s closing scene with Cassian and Azriel contrast with the earlier moments of solitude between Feyre and Rhysand?

      Answer:
      The quiet, intimate morning—filled with gift-giving and sketching—shifts abruptly when Cassian and Azriel arrive, injecting chaos with their “shit-eating grins” and dragging Rhys away. This juxtaposition highlights two key aspects of their lives: the private tenderness of their bond versus the rowdy camaraderie of their Inner Circle. While Feyre and Rhys cherish solitude, the interruption reminds readers of their found family’s presence. Feyre’s calm reaction (“Please bring him back in one piece”) also shows her acceptance of this balance, embracing both love for her mate and the humor of their friends (Chapter 17).

      5. Why might the author have chosen to include details about Feyre’s physical state (e.g., hangover, exhaustion) at the start of the chapter?

      Answer:
      These details ground the scene in realism, making the characters relatable despite their supernatural world. Feyre’s hangover (“peeling my tongue from the roof of my mouth”) and headache humanize her, emphasizing that even powerful figures experience mundane struggles. It also reinforces the festive atmosphere of Solstice, showing the consequences of their celebrations. Additionally, her discomfort contrasts with Rhys’s playful energy, underscoring their dynamic. By starting with such visceral details, the author draws readers into Feyre’s perspective, making the subsequent romantic moments feel more earned and authentic (Chapter 17).

    Quotes

    • 1. “Happy birthday, Feyre darling.”

      This opening line from Rhys to Feyre establishes the warm, intimate tone of the chapter and their relationship dynamic. It introduces the Solstice/birthday celebration theme while showcasing Rhys’s playful affection.

      2. “It’s your birthday. The rules don’t apply to you.”

      Rhys’s declaration encapsulates his devotion to Feyre and their shared philosophy of bending traditions for loved ones. This quote represents their mutual rejection of rigid formalities in favor of personal meaning.

      3. “A sketchbook. Just for you.” / “So you can stop stealing Mor’s.”

      These paired gift presentations reveal Rhys’s thoughtful understanding of Feyre’s true desires (artistic expression) and his playful attention to her daily habits. The gifts symbolize how well he knows her beyond superficial luxuries.

      4. “Do your worst, Cursebreaker.”

      This provocative challenge from Rhys marks a turning point where playful banter becomes sensual intimacy. The use of Feyre’s title “Cursebreaker” blends their personal and political identities in their relationship.

      5. “Please bring him back in one piece.” / “We’ll take good care of him.”

      This humorous exchange between Feyre and Cassian captures the found-family dynamic of the Inner Circle. It shows both Feyre’s resigned acceptance of their antics and the brotherly teasing between the Illyrian warriors.

    Quotes

    1. “Happy birthday, Feyre darling.”

    This opening line from Rhys to Feyre establishes the warm, intimate tone of the chapter and their relationship dynamic. It introduces the Solstice/birthday celebration theme while showcasing Rhys’s playful affection.

    2. “It’s your birthday. The rules don’t apply to you.”

    Rhys’s declaration encapsulates his devotion to Feyre and their shared philosophy of bending traditions for loved ones. This quote represents their mutual rejection of rigid formalities in favor of personal meaning.

    3. “A sketchbook. Just for you.” / “So you can stop stealing Mor’s.”

    These paired gift presentations reveal Rhys’s thoughtful understanding of Feyre’s true desires (artistic expression) and his playful attention to her daily habits. The gifts symbolize how well he knows her beyond superficial luxuries.

    4. “Do your worst, Cursebreaker.”

    This provocative challenge from Rhys marks a turning point where playful banter becomes sensual intimacy. The use of Feyre’s title “Cursebreaker” blends their personal and political identities in their relationship.

    5. “Please bring him back in one piece.” / “We’ll take good care of him.”

    This humorous exchange between Feyre and Cassian captures the found-family dynamic of the Inner Circle. It shows both Feyre’s resigned acceptance of their antics and the brotherly teasing between the Illyrian warriors.

    FAQs

    1. How does Rhysand demonstrate his thoughtfulness in selecting gifts for Feyre’s birthday?

    Answer:
    Rhysand shows deep consideration for Feyre’s preferences by choosing practical yet meaningful gifts that align with her personality and interests. Instead of opting for traditional luxuries like jewels, he selects a high-quality sketchbook (personalized with her initials), a soft wool scarf to replace the one she kept borrowing from Mor, and a satchel for her painting supplies—complete with new tools. These gifts reflect his attention to her artistic passions and daily needs. His comment about jewels not being “high on your list” confirms he prioritizes her genuine happiness over flashy displays, reinforcing their emotional connection (Chapter 17).

    2. Analyze the significance of Feyre’s request to draw Rhysand as her “birthday present to me.” What does this reveal about their relationship?

    Answer:
    Feyre’s desire to sketch Rhysand—especially nude—symbolizes intimacy, trust, and mutual appreciation in their relationship. Art is deeply personal for Feyre, and her choice to focus on him highlights how she cherishes their bond. Rhysand’s playful compliance (“Do your worst, Cursebreaker”) and his later approval of her sketches further underscore their comfort and shared humor. The scene also echoes an earlier promise Rhys made about posing nude, showing how their dynamic blends romance with lightheartedness. This exchange reinforces their equality as mates, where both give and receive joy in ways that honor each other’s strengths (Chapter 17).

    3. What role does humor play in the interactions between Feyre and Rhysand in this chapter? Provide specific examples.

    Answer:
    Humor serves as a cornerstone of their relationship, easing tension and deepening affection. Examples include Feyre groaning about her hangover while Rhys teases her for drinking “a whole bottle,” his exaggerated arrogance (“The rules don’t apply to you”), and their banter about forgetting her birthday. Even the nude sketching scene is laced with playful teasing, as Rhys quips about her accuracy in drawing “certain areas.” This lightheartedness balances the intensity of their roles as High Lady and Lord, showcasing how their love thrives on joy as much as passion (Chapter 17).

    4. How does the chapter’s closing scene with Cassian and Azriel contrast with the earlier moments of solitude between Feyre and Rhysand?

    Answer:
    The quiet, intimate morning—filled with gift-giving and sketching—shifts abruptly when Cassian and Azriel arrive, injecting chaos with their “shit-eating grins” and dragging Rhys away. This juxtaposition highlights two key aspects of their lives: the private tenderness of their bond versus the rowdy camaraderie of their Inner Circle. While Feyre and Rhys cherish solitude, the interruption reminds readers of their found family’s presence. Feyre’s calm reaction (“Please bring him back in one piece”) also shows her acceptance of this balance, embracing both love for her mate and the humor of their friends (Chapter 17).

    5. Why might the author have chosen to include details about Feyre’s physical state (e.g., hangover, exhaustion) at the start of the chapter?

    Answer:
    These details ground the scene in realism, making the characters relatable despite their supernatural world. Feyre’s hangover (“peeling my tongue from the roof of my mouth”) and headache humanize her, emphasizing that even powerful figures experience mundane struggles. It also reinforces the festive atmosphere of Solstice, showing the consequences of their celebrations. Additionally, her discomfort contrasts with Rhys’s playful energy, underscoring their dynamic. By starting with such visceral details, the author draws readers into Feyre’s perspective, making the subsequent romantic moments feel more earned and authentic (Chapter 17).

    Note