Chapter Thirty

Nesta wakes from a nightmare about the Cauldron, finding Cassian has spent the night watching over her. Later, Cassian meets with Rhysand and Azriel to discuss devastating news: Feyre's unborn baby has wings, creating serious complications for her pregnancy and potentially dangerous political fallout.

Nesta awakens from a terrifying nightmare where she heard both Cassian's and Rhysand's voices guiding her back to safety. She finds Cassian asleep in a chair beside her bed, having kept vigil through the night. The sight of him—his devoted protection and kind nature—nearly breaks her composure, though she manages to maintain her usual defenses. After a comfortable breakfast together, Nesta trains with Emerie and Gwyn, where she admits her nightmare was about the Cauldron. Gwyn shares that she too suffers from nightmares, and their mutual honesty seems to lighten the burden. Meanwhile, Cassian meets with Rhysand and Azriel at the river house. Rhysand reveals that Feyre's baby has wings—a consequence of her having been in full Illyrian form when the child was conceived. Madja has forbidden Feyre from any shape-shifting during her pregnancy to protect the baby, creating significant danger during labor. Azriel raises the political implications: Tamlin will eventually learn of the pregnancy and may destabilize, jeopardizing their alliance and military strength during a time of potential war with Briallyn and Koschei. They decide to station Lucien permanently at the Spring Court to manage any fallout and monitor Tamlin. Rhysand, terrified and barely holding together, agrees to the plan.