Cassian insists on walking Nesta home, despite her protestations that she wants nothing from him. He offers her the Winter Solstice gift he got her, but she refuses it. Finally, he loses his temper and suggests she at least try with her sisters, even if she has no wish to be part of Rhys and Feyre’s inner circle. She reminds him that she did not ask to be High Fae, and he angrily suggests that she leave Velaris, knowing full well that she has no means to do so. Before she finally leaves him behind, she looks at him as if he is nothing, bringing back his memories of being treated like a low-born child without a father. He throws his gift for her into the frozen river and lets her walk away.

The perspective changes to Nesta’s. She enters her apartment, knowing that Cassian followed her home until he knew she was safe, even if he remained hidden. She turns on her lamp so that Cassian will see it and finally leave, knowing she is safe inside her apartment. She feels hollow, acknowledging to herself that despite the occasional anger, she feels nothing most of the time, just letting life pass by without registering the time passing.