Throne of Glass Chapters 29–32 Summary & Analysis

Summary: Chapters 29–32

Chapter 29

The next test requires that the Champions spar in twos, and the loser of the test will be selected from the losers of the duels. Cain beats Grave, and Celaena goes up against Verin. During their duel, Celaena decides to stop feigning weakness and beats him, weaponless, within moments.

Back in her room, Celaena feels lonely in this whole adventure. She misses Sam, but is comforted by Elena’s amulet around her neck, feeling connected to her through their shared homeland of Terrasen.

Kaltain watches a circus performance alongside Queen Georgina, a privilege arranged for her by Duke Perrington. She has been suffering horrible headaches as of late, and nightmares. When the performance is over, Kaltain lies to the queen and tells her that Dorian doesn’t come to court because he is shy. The queen tells Kaltain that she already knew this about her son, and tells Kaltain she thinks she would be a good match for Dorian despite Kaltain’s assumed connection to Duke Perrington.

Chapter 30

Chaol trains Celaena in archery, and she tells him that Cain has discovered her true identity. Two guards run up to Chaol to alert him of the death of another Champion, and Chaol invites Celaena to come investigate with him. Upon arriving at the crime scene, Celaena is shocked. Verin’s chest has been ripped open, the ground is riddled with claw marks, and there are two Wyrdmarks by the corpse. She infers that whatever killed him had been lying in wait while someone disarmed Verin and held him down to be eaten alive. She realizes that whoever is killing the Champions is likely the “evil” that Elena warned her about.

Celaena goes back to researching in her rooms, where Dorian finds her hunched over a book. Dorian pries into her past and Celaena refuses to reveal anything to him other than why she likes music so much. While they are talking, Celaena realizes she has feelings for him.

Chaol watches Perrington over dinner, and notes a strange darkness that overtakes the duke’s features throughout the night. Chaol distrusts Perrington, and sees also that Kaltain is coldly watching the duke. Perrington’s eyes turn black whenever he looks at the ring on his finger.

Chapter 31

Celaena wakes to find Elena’s spirit standing at the foot of her bed. Elena reminds her that Celaena needs to win the competition, and delivers a warning: for Celaena to “keep an eye on her right.” Before Celaena can ask more questions, Elena disappears.

At the test the following day, Celaena and the other champions need to place an array of poisons in order from least harmful to deadliest within a time limit. She knows all but the first and last, and upon looking to her right receives a tip from Pelor, who she remembers once said he was trained in poisons. When time is up, each Champion drinks the goblet they deemed least harmful, and many need to take antidotes. Celaena and Paylor both succeed, and Celaena realizes that Elena had given her the tip that had helped her win the test. She begins to trust Elena.

Chapter 32

Celaena and Nehemia walk through the castle and grounds, and Nehemia tells Celaena that she is there for her should Celaena ever need help. Nehemia leads them to the royal kennel, where they find Dorian playing with the newest puppies. He tells them that because one of the puppies isn’t responding to commands, he will have to put it down. Celaena protests, and he promises not to kill it to please her. After they leave, Nehemia suggests that there is something romantic between Celaena and Dorian, and Celaena grows angry at the idea of being with a Havilliard. They part a little while later, and Celaena runs into Cain, who is in a strange fit. His eyes are bulging and his hand is around his own throat. She realizes that he looks bigger than ever, and he runs away from her at a disconcerting speed.

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