Chapter 72

As the battle rages between the human armada (including Feyre's father) and Hybern's forces, Vassa—revealed to be a firebird queen—devastates enemy ships. Nesta volunteers herself as bait to lure King Hybern away from the Cauldron, with Cassian agreeing to protect her despite Rhys's opposition. Feyre and Amren prepare to make their move toward the Cauldron while the distraction unfolds.

The chapter opens with Feyre witnessing her father's fleet arrive in battle, naming ships after his daughters. Rhys introduces Nesta and Feyre to Drakon, a dragon prince. As Hybern's forces close in, Vassa—the human queen long cursed—appears as a firebird, burning Hybern's ships while Feyre's father and the human army engage the enemy. Drakon orders his legion to land and receives instructions from Cassian. Rhys mentions that Jurian fights for their side, triggering cold rage in Drakon before he departs. Nesta then proposes using herself as bait to draw King Hybern away from the Cauldron, knowing he will sense the power she absorbed and come to kill her. Cassian insists on accompanying her to set a trap, refusing Rhys's objections. In an emotional confrontation, Cassian invokes the debt of Rhys's fifty years of suffering and asks to repay it by buying time for Rhys and Feyre. Rhys reluctantly allows it. Cassian and Nesta fly to distant trees while Rhys joins the battle. Feyre then travels with Amren under a glamour toward the Cauldron, moving quickly without looking back.