Chapter Forty-Two

Cassian arrives at the river house for a tense meeting where Rhysand reveals that the blacksmith has brought three cursed weapons that Nesta inadvertently imbued with magic while hammering them. The group grapples with the revelation that Nesta has created a new Dread Trove—objects of immense power comparable to the legendary magical artifacts of old—and debates whether to tell her, while Amren argues these blades could make Rhysand High King of all Prythian.

Cassian is summoned to Rhysand's office at dawn, where he finds Rhys, Amren, and Azriel gathered around three weapons the blacksmith has delivered in panic, claiming they are cursed. Cassian reveals he and Nesta visited the blacksmith days earlier, and she hammered all three blades while learning the craft. Amren recognizes that Nesta has infused the weapons with her power—the same power drawn from the Cauldron—making them magical artifacts like the legendary Dread Trove, something no one has created in over ten thousand years. The group debates keeping this knowledge from Nesta, with Amren warning that ignorance prevents her from accidentally creating weapons of nightmare, while Cassian and Azriel object to the deception. Rhys defers the decision to Feyre's judgment. Amren warns them not to unsheathe the blades and leaves. After she goes, Rhys shifts to a darker topic: Feyre's pregnancy. He reveals to Cassian and Azriel that he has learned from Drakon and Miryam that Feyre's labor will likely kill her—the Seraphim wings of their unborn child are rigid and incompatible with human birth, unlike the flexible wings of Drakon's line. Rhys admits he has not told Feyre and carries the terror alone. Cassian urges him to hold onto hope while sensing Az's doubt. Unable to resist, Cassian convinces Rhys to unsheathe the three blades using his magic. The great sword reveals itself as glowing moonlight with crackling iridescent sparks; the dagger radiates cold; the second sword seems hot and willful. Amren returns, unsurprised at their disobedience, and reveals that Amarantha once destroyed a magic sword called Narben by throwing it into the sea rather than let the King of Hybern possess it. She then declares that with these three blades, Rhys could become High King of all Prythian, uniting the seven courts. Though Cassian and Azriel see merit in this idea for strengthening their position against external threats like Montesere, Vallahan, and Rask, Rhys refuses categorically, saying he has no desire to conquer and that Feyre would never agree to be High Queen. Amren counters that the blades' creation is no accident but a sign from the Cauldron itself, and suggests that Nesta—especially wearing the Mask—would be an unstoppable weapon in service of Rhys's kingship. Cassian is disturbed by this suggestion. Rhys dismisses the entire notion and sends them away. As Cassian and Azriel leave, they observe Rhys alone at his desk, weighed down by impossible choices.