Chapter Seventy-Eight

Nesta reunites joyfully with Gwyn and Emerie after their victory in the Rite, learning they were healed by the stone. She then joins Cassian to meet newborn Nyx, Rhys and Feyre's son, before stepping away with Cassian to discuss what transpired: Nesta sacrificed her magic to the Cauldron to save her friends, though the Mother returned a portion and allowed her to make changes to herself. Cassian and Nesta affirm their mating bond.

In a parlor overlooking the river, Nesta finds Gwyn and Emerie healed but still in bloodied clothes. Though Gwyn initially declares she shouldn't forgive Nesta, the three embrace tearfully. Emerie explains the stone healed them upon bringing them out of the Rite and delivered them to this location. Nesta confirms that Mor is returning the three objects of the Trove to their original location, as no spell can prevent Nesta from summoning them. When Nesta expresses concern about Emerie's family punishing her for Bellius's death, Emerie reveals they will claim he fell in combat during the mountain hike—a lie that will remain between the three of them and the innermost circle. Gwyn jokes about the Illyrians' fury at their victory and her refusal of the Carynthian title, preferring to be called a Valkyrie. Nesta settles with them, content about her future. The scene shifts to Cassian holding newborn Nyx in Feyre and Rhys's chamber. The baby has dark hair, blue eyes glowing with his parents' starlight, and delicate wings. After Nesta arrives and exchanges a look with Cassian, he hands the infant to Azriel and follows Nesta outside to the back lawn. Nesta reveals she surrendered her magic to the Cauldron in exchange for knowledge to save Gwyn and Emerie, though the Mother allowed some power to remain. She has also altered herself physically to match what the Cauldron did for Feyre, preventing future childbirth complications, though she intends to drink contraceptive tea for now. When Cassian remarks she could have ruled the world with such power, Nesta states she only wants him. She offers him a stale biscuit from the birthing room as a mate-bond ritual, joking about his choice between that and a grand mating ceremony. Cassian promises to make it a coronation. They kiss on the riverbank as the spring sun warms them, with Nesta declaring her love and Cassian responding with another kiss.