A Court of Silver Flames

The initial part of the book is called “Novice,” and this segment demonstrates the reason for that name. Although Nesta was unwilling to subject herself to the mockery of the trainees at Windhaven, she is interested in combat training on the roof of the House of Wind. Cassian demonstrates his understanding of what bothers her by offering this alternative. He also coaxes her to train by offering her a favor in return. The ploy works well:

Appearing foolish, making herself vulnerable—she’d rather die. Would rather sit on a freezing rock in the icy wind for hours than look like a fool in front of anyone, especially arrogant warriors predisposed to mock any female who attempted to fight like them (134).

Even though Nesta remains alienated from the royal family, she is beginning to form personal attachments, highlighting the theme of Alienation and Connection. She begins by cultivating a friendship with Gwyn that will eventually extend to encompass the rest of the priestesses. As Nesta begins to develop confidence in her physical ability to protect herself, she wants to extend this benefit to others. This is the first indication in the novel that she is capable of thinking about anyone other than herself or her injuries.

When her sign-up sheet fails to elicit a response from the fearful priestesses, she decides to show them what she is learning about self-defense. Her strategy of demonstrating her newfound skills with Cassian coaching her in the library overcomes the resistance of at least one priestess. Nesta wins her first convert when Gwyn signs up for training. Cassian also begins to appreciate both her strategic thinking and her altruism in making this move:

So she’d shown the priestesses what she was learning, day after day. More than that […] Clotho […] had ordered him down here. Where Nesta had used him in a demonstration. Not for herself, but for the priestesses who’d drifted over to watch (264-65).

The focus on learning to defend oneself is amplified by the introduction of the legendary Valkyries. Nesta’s desire to help Gwyn is rewarded when the priestess shares her knowledge of the ancient female warriors. While later segments will elaborate on their techniques, the reader receives a quick introduction to the female warrior cult through Merrill’s research project on the group: “They hailed from every type of Fae, usually recruited from birth or early childhood. They had three stages of training: Novice, Blade, and finally Valkyrie. To become one was the highest honor in their land” (154). The first three parts of the novel take their names from stages of Valkyrie training.

Alienation and Connection continue to dominate this segment in other ways. The appearance of the Dread Trove introduces the symbolism of magical objects and their psychological connection to those made by the Cauldron: Elain, Nesta, and Briallyn. When asked to help locate the Trove, Nesta once again asserts her preference for isolation. However, she overcomes her resistance when she realizes Elain might be at greater risk if she searches for the objects. Similarly, Nesta is not immune to the appeal of her other sister when Feyre announces that she is pregnant. Nesta frequently and loudly protests her hatred for her entire family yet cannot deny them assistance when they need it. To do so, she must overcome a little more of her self-loathing. This process proceeds by painful degrees throughout the novel, but this segment initiates that pattern:

Even during their squabbles in the cottage, fighting over who got clothes or boots or ribbons, it had never been like this. Those fights had been petty, born of misery and discomfort. This was a different beast entirely, from a place as dark as the gloom at the base of the library (206-07).

Nesta’s hesitant steps toward reconnecting with others receive a major push when she begins a sexual relationship with Cassian. She repeatedly states that their encounters are only physical. In taking this stance, she is simply trying to distance herself emotionally from the intense feelings that he arouses in her. Cassian is far less resistant to admitting his true feelings for Nesta to himself, though he also fears rejection for much the same reason that she does. Both have acknowledged, at least to themselves, that they are unworthy of being loved. It will take many more segments before this knotty problem is untangled. Ironically, neither sees the other as unworthy. Their judgment and hatred are reserved only for themselves.