The Stolen Heir

Oak and Wren sneak into the Ice Needle Citadel, where they witness Lady Nore bring her creations of stick and snow to life. Wren shudders, noticing how they are like her, but at least “there is some difference that allows [her] to behave like a disobedient faerie daughter, when these creatures seem to make no choices at all” (279). She shares memories with Oak—of how Lady Nore and Lord Jarel tried bribing her to cease her crying, but when she continued, they began to curse her. She quickly became adept at breaking curses. Recalling Oak’s owed favor, Wren asks him to not leave her behind. They search Lady Nore’s room for Mab’s bones, to no avail. A trap springs, and though they attempt to run, they are quickly surrounded by guards.

The guards gag and bind Wren, leaving Oak free as they escort the pair to Lady Nore’s throne room. Sitting beside Lady Nore is the troll king, Hurclaw, who has allied with her to break the curse of The Stone Forest. Lady Nore asks Oak about Mellith’s heart, and he shocks Wren by stating he has “brought Mellith’s heart” (291); this statement should be impossible since “[he] cannot lie any more than the rest of [the fae]” (291).