Throne of Glass

Celaena tells Chaol that Cain knows who she is. When a sixth competitor is found murdered, Chaol invites Celaena to investigate the crime scene with him. Celaena notices Wyrdmarks surrounding the mutilated corpse. Reading the clues at the scene, Celaena deduces that the man must have been held in place by the murderer while some creature devoured him alive. Celaena realizes that the murderer could also be “Elena’s mysterious evil force” (226).

Dorian finds Celaena reading about Wyrdmarks in her rooms, late at night. After they discuss the murders and a new litter of puppies from one of Dorian’s hounds, Dorian asks Celaena about her past, so Celaena tells him she wanted to be a healer when she was little. Dorian declares his desire to marry for love, but Celaena scolds him for being naïve—he will have to make an advantageous marriage as Crown Prince. Dorian is offended, but Celaena insists that Dorian, who will be King someday, should prioritize his citizens over himself. When Dorian asks about her silver and amethyst ring, Celaena conceals that it was a gift from Chaol.

In the dining hall, Chaol watches Perrington, who is suspiciously unconcerned over the latest murder and is wearing a strange black ring. A shadow crosses Perrington’s face several times during the dinner, as he watches Chaol in turn.

Celaena wakes to find the spirit of Elena at the food of her bed. Elena reminds Celaena that she must win the competition and tells Celaena “Look to your right. You’ll find the answers there” (236).

Two days after another murder is discovered, the competitors are given a timed Test in which they must identify different poisons and arrange them in order of lethality. At the end, each competitor must drink from the goblet they deem to be safest. Celaena is stumped by two goblets which seem to contain only wine and water, respectively. She looks to her right, where the poison specialist signals to Celaena that the goblet of water is actually the most lethal, containing bloodbane, a painful hallucinogenic which is undetectable in liquid. Celaena and the poisoner are the only two competitors to correctly order the goblets of poison, and the other competitors are administered antidotes as needed. Celaena is grateful for Elena’s help but determined to win the competition for her own reasons. 

After their language lesson, Nehemia invites Celaena to accompany her to one of the Queen’s acrobatics shows, but Celaena knows she won’t be allowed to go. Whenever “Lillian” is ready to reveal her secrets, Nehemia will be there to hear them because they are friends.

Nehemia and Celaena arrive at Dorian’s kennel to see the new puppies. A silver-gold puppy hiding in the corner will soon be killed as its disposition is not right for hunting or racing. Celaena, distraught, demands that Dorian find a home for the puppy instead, and he agrees. Nehemia teases Celaena about the obvious attraction between Celaena and Dorian.

Later, when Celaena is alone, she notices Cain behind her, panting heavily. Cain runs off, and Celaena sends messages to Nox to stay hidden that night. 

Perrington visits Kaltain, who is smoking opium to relieve another headache and visibly weakened. Perrington encourages the vulnerable Kaltain’s suspicions of “Lady Lillian” and supports Kaltain’s suggestion that Dorian must be protected from the outsider.

Nehemia visits Celaena, devastated by the news that the King of Adarlan has massacred 500 Eyllwe rebels, including women and children. Celaena, speechless, can only hold Nehemia while she cries. 

Celaena rests in her room, finally healthy enough for her menstrual cycle to return. Chaol visits her, upset by the new of the massacre, when she vomits from the pain of her menstrual cramps. Chaol helps Celaena into bed, and then leaves awkwardly.

Dorian comes in to talk to Celaena. He feels guilty over the coming Yulemas celebrations in light of the recent massacre and wonders how Celaena must feel as a citizen of Terrasen, another conquered kingdom. Dorian wants nothing to do with his father’s legacy, and regrets that he’s not able to stand up to the King. Celaena assures Dorian that she doesn’t hate him. Dorian wishes that Celaena could attend the Yulemas masquerade, and kisses Celaena on the cheek.

Celaena stares out the window, disappointed at not being allowed to attend the masquerade. She wonders if Chaol intended to ask her to attend before she vomited. Celaena is unable to sleep, thinking of the massacred Eyllwe rebels. 

Chaol cannot reconcile his fear of Celaena as a professional killer with his growing respect for her as a survivor of the Endovier death camp. Chaol realizes that he trusts Celaena.

Celaena and Dorian walk through the garden. Three more competitors have been murdered, which leaves only six people vying for Champion: Celaena, Nox, Cain, and three others. Dorian asks Celaena about her new amulet, nothing that it resembles the legendary Eye of Elena, a magic necklace that saved Elena and Gavin from the demon Erawan centuries ago. Celaena demurs, but secretly wonders at Elena’s motivations for giving her such a powerful token. Later, Celaena finds dozens of Wyrdmarks written in chalk under her bed and scrubs them away.

Late at night, Celaena she finds Nehemia reading an advanced book about Wyrdmarks written in the common tongue of Adarlan; Nehemia has only been pretending not to be fluent in Adarlan’s language. After Celaena asks her whether she has motive for sabotaging the King’s future Champion, Nehemia storms out.