A Court of Silver Flames
Chapter Twenty
by J, Maas, SarahNesta struggles with unresolved tension between herself and Cassian as they fly to the river house for a meeting. The proximity to him unsettles her, reminding her of their intense encounter the previous night. Upon arrival, the bustling city overwhelms her after weeks of isolation at the House. Cassian reassures her the meeting will be brief, but Nesta remains anxious about facing the others, particularly after her recent conflict with Elain. The grandeur of the river house does little to ease her discomfort as she braces herself for the inevitable judgment from Rhysand and the Inner Circle.
Inside the house, Cassian pauses to admire a painting of Ramiel, the sacred mountain from the Blood Rite, which Feyre has depicted with striking accuracy. The moment of quiet reflection is brief, as they soon proceed to the study where Rhysand, Feyre, Azriel, and Amren await. The atmosphere is tense, especially when Amren locks eyes with Nesta, their strained relationship palpable. Feyre’s guarded demeanor contrasts with her warmth toward Cassian, highlighting the lingering rift between the sisters.
Azriel delivers a critical report on Queen Briallyn’s activities, revealing her alliance with the death-lord Koschei and her quest to reclaim the Cauldron to restore her youth. He explains that Briallyn is not merely a puppet but a willing collaborator with Koschei, who seeks the Dread Trove—a set of ancient, powerful artifacts—to free himself from his prison. The group discusses the implications, with Amren dismissing Briallyn’s chances of success due to the Cauldron’s heavily guarded location. However, Azriel’s grave tone underscores the seriousness of the threat.
Nesta inquires about the Dread Trove, prompting Amren to explain its terrifying nature. The Trove consists of three legendary objects—the Mask, the Harp, and the Crown—each possessing immense and dangerous powers. The Mask, for instance, can raise the dead, hinting at the catastrophic potential of these artifacts. The chapter ends on a foreboding note as the group contemplates the looming danger posed by Briallyn and Koschei, setting the stage for future conflicts and challenges.
FAQs
1. How does Nesta’s internal conflict manifest in her interactions with Cassian at the beginning of the chapter?
Answer:
Nesta experiences intense emotional turmoil around Cassian, feeling both drawn to and repelled by him after their intimate encounter. The text states she “could barely stand to be near him,” with every glance, scent, or touch grating on her nerves while simultaneously reminding her of her desire for him (“starved for any taste of him”). This creates a palpable tension where Cassian’s silence—which would normally annoy her—becomes a relief. The chapter effectively portrays Nesta’s struggle between attraction and self-protection through physical descriptions (her churning stomach, inability to speak) and behavioral contrasts (her awareness of him versus his deliberate avoidance).2. What symbolic significance does Feyre’s painting of Ramiel hold in the context of Night Court mythology?
Answer:
The painting of Ramiel serves as a visual representation of the Night Court’s insignia and sacred history. As Cassian identifies, the barren mountain with its black monolith peak and three glowing stars directly mirrors the court’s emblem—connecting the physical realm to their cultural identity. The mountain’s “thrumming presence” despite its lifeless appearance suggests latent power, mirroring themes of hidden strength in the series. Additionally, its association with the Blood Rite (a brutal survival challenge) foreshadows upcoming trials for the characters, particularly Nesta, who studies the painting intently before facing her own metaphorical “rite” in the meeting that follows.3. Analyze how Azriel’s report about Queen Briallyn expands the novel’s central conflict. What new threats does it introduce?
Answer:
Azriel’s revelation shifts the conflict from political maneuvering to supernatural peril by exposing Briallyn’s alliance with Koschei and their pursuit of the Dread Trove. This introduces three escalating threats: (1) Briallyn’s personal motive to reclaim youth via the Cauldron, making her more dangerous than a mere puppet; (2) Koschei’s manipulation to free himself using the Trove, implying an ancient, malevolent force entering the game; and (3) the risk of the Trove’s artifacts—like the Mask that “can raise the dead”—falling into enemy hands. The report also implicates Beron’s potential knowledge of these plans, widening the conflict to include Autumn Court treachery. These developments raise stakes exponentially by combining personal vendettas with world-ending magic.4. Compare Amren’s and Nesta’s tense interaction in this chapter with their previous mentor-student relationship. What does this suggest about their changed dynamic?
Answer:
Their exchange—marked by Amren’s curled lips and Nesta’s refusal to look away—showcases a complete reversal of their earlier dynamic. Previously, Amren acted as Nesta’s harsh but invested mentor during magic training, while Nesta oscillated between resistance and reluctant respect. Now, their mutual glare reflects severed trust after Nesta’s withdrawal from their circle. Amren’s predatory smile (reminiscent of her vampiric origins) and Nesta’s defiance position them as near-equals in hostility, suggesting their bond has deteriorated into a power standoff rather than a hierarchical relationship. The absence of dialogue underscores how words have failed between them, leaving only charged silence where instruction once flowed.5. Why might Sarah J. Maas have chosen to reveal information about the Dread Trove through Amren’s exposition? How does this narrative choice affect reader engagement?
Answer:
Using Amren as the primary expositor on the Dread Trove serves three key purposes: (1) It leverages her credibility as a former divine being with ancient knowledge, making the Trove’s lore feel authentically mythic; (2) It creates dramatic irony—readers understand the danger while Nesta (and even Feyre) are still processing, heightening tension; and (3) It subtly reminds us of Amren’s value to the group after her power loss, reinforcing her role as their historian. This choice maintains pacing by avoiding dry info-dumps—Amren’s terse delivery (“The Mask can raise the dead”) makes the revelations chillingly efficient. By tying the explanation to a character’s expertise rather than narration, the worldbuilding feels organic and ominous, priming readers to fear the Trove’s introduction to the plot.
Quotes
1. “Nesta could barely stand to be near Cassian as they flew over Velaris. Every glance, every scent of him, every touch while he carried her down to the river house grated along her skin, threatening to bring her back to last night, when she’d been starved for any taste of him.”
This quote captures the intense emotional and physical tension between Nesta and Cassian, highlighting their complicated relationship and Nesta’s internal struggle with her feelings. It sets the tone for their interactions in the chapter.
2. ““Briallyn wishes to find the Cauldron again. In order to retrieve her youth.””
This revelation by Azriel is a key plot point, revealing Queen Briallyn’s desperate motivation and her alliance with the death-lord Koschei. It introduces the central conflict of the chapter and foreshadows the danger to come.
3. ““The Mask can raise the dead,” Amren answered for Rhys. “It is a death-lord’s tool, and Koschei would wield it to free himself from his lake.””
This quote defines the power of one of the Dread Trove objects, the Mask, and explains its significance to the overarching threat. It underscores the high stakes and the ancient, malevolent forces at play in the story.
4. ““Briallyn is not the puppet we believed her to be—she and Koschei are allies.””
This statement by Azriel shifts the understanding of Briallyn’s role, revealing her as a willing collaborator with Koschei rather than a manipulated pawn. It adds complexity to the antagonists’ dynamics and raises the urgency of the protagonists’ response.
5. “Nesta had a feeling none of them were good.”
This succinct line reflects Nesta’s intuition about the Dread Trove objects and subtly reinforces the dark nature of the artifacts being discussed. It serves as a moment of foreshadowing and aligns with the chapter’s ominous tone.