Chapter Forty-Six

Nesta, learning that Amren voted against her gaining control of her power, bursts into Amren's apartment and confronts her. The argument escalates when Nesta reveals to Feyre the truth about her pregnancy—that the baby's Illyrian wings will likely kill both her and the child during labor, a fact Rhysand and the others have hidden from her. Cassian, tracking Nesta's movements, arrives at the River House where Rhys receives Feyre's mental report of the revelation and responds with murderous rage.

Nesta crosses Velaris consumed by fury, making her way to Amren's loft. She shatters the door with her power and finds Amren in bed with Varian, Prince of Adriata. She confronts Amren about voting against her mastering her powers, accusing her of choosing Feyre's side. Their argument becomes bitter and personal; Amren insists she stopped supporting Nesta when Nesta used that loyalty as a shield against everyone else. When Feyre arrives at the apartment, sent word by Varian, Nesta exploits the opportunity. She reveals to Feyre that the unborn child's Illyrian wings will become lodged in Feyre's Fae body during labor, killing both mother and child—a truth that Rhysand and the inner circle have concealed. Feyre's horror and pain at learning this, especially that Rhysand knew, breaks something in Nesta. She flees the apartment. Meanwhile, Cassian had revealed to Nesta how her powers work, and when she disappeared, he tracked her to Amren's location. He arrives at the River House where Rhysand receives Feyre's mental report of Nesta's revelation. Rhysand's response is one of barely contained murderous rage; he orders Cassian to remove Nesta from the city immediately.