| “ | Ressina's eye for design was impeccable, good enough that I'd asked her to help me plan the river-house. That's what I was calling it. Since "river-manor"... No. "House" it would be, even if it was the largest home in this city. | ” |
–Feyre Archeron talking about the river house, A Court of Frost and Starlight | ||
The river house is the home Rhysand and Feyre Archeron build together to support their growing family and the Inner Circle.
History[]
A Court of Frost and Starlight[]
During the attack on Velaris, many of the homes of the residents were destroyed. In the aftermath of the destruction Rhysand explains to Feyre that many of the people fled to the country with family, or they died fighting for their homes. One such family who lived along the Sidra, the river that winds through Velaris, found their house destroyed and left to live with relatives.
For a Solstice present, Rhysand buys the land for Feyre to build a house for the Inner Circle of the Night Court. She designs it together with her friend Ressina and builds the home by the end of A Court of Frost and Starlight.
A Court of Silver Flames[]
The River House is now the primary residence of Feyre and Rhysand. Elain also resides here, with room enough for all of the inner circle (and Lucien) to come visit. It is the location of Nesta's intervention during ACOSF, Chapter 1.
Description[]
General[]
It is described as a manor house more than a townhouse by Nesta when she visits in the Epilogue of A Court of Frost and Starlight. It is described as large and pristine, but also cozy and welcoming. It is referenced that Feyre may have built a studio for herself, a training ring for the Illyrians, an office, a giant library for Amren, a garden for Elain, a master bedroom with a bath big enough for two (with wings), and a nursery. On the bottom floor there is a sitting room full of books, enough rooms for all their family members, comfy chairs, and a fireplace. The inner circle appears to be able to winnow within the house.[1]
Entry / Foyer[]
The front entrance has a towering marble archway, and opens to a grand hall with winding staircases to the upper levels of the house. It is decorated in shades of ivory and sand, with a large hand-blown glass chandelier made by Verlaris artisans. The floors are a pale wood with plush blue rugs and it is decorated with potted ferns and handmade wooden furniture. There is a hallway of rooms on either side of the staircase (left has formal rooms for business) and a wall of windows just under the arch of the stairs with a view of the lawn and river below.[2]
During this visit Nesta notes that the house is filled with paintings by Feyre. There are paintings of landscapes, scenes from the previous books, and the Inner Circle. Nesta notes that there is even a painting of her father and Elain. There isn't one of her though.
As a mating present to Nesta, Feyre gifts her a portrait of Nesta holding the line at the Pass of Enalius. This portrait now hangs on the wall in the Grand Entry.
Sitting Room[]
The room has double doors, and is spelled against eavesdroppers. The study opened into a lush garden courtyard. It had a black marble hearth and floor-to-ceiling bookshelves. The room was wood paneled and had sapphire velvet furniture.
Rhysand's Study[]
The room itself is described as a two-level atrium with entry on the first floor at the North end of the business wing (to the left of the staircase at the entry to the home). It has green glass lamps and an iron chandelier. Feyre decorated it with hand-knotted blue carpet from Cesere. Rhys has a desk at one end with a self-portrait of Feyre behind him, to "watch over him". There are two long tables near bookshelves. The far end has a daïs in a raised alcove with a model of the world. Rhys built it himself centuries ago; it can tell time, track the sun and displays the world, planets, stars, etc. The mezzanine is accessed by a wrought iron spiral staircase to the left of the entry. It contains more books, glass cabinets of delicate objects and paintings by Feyre. This room also has a view of the river.[2]