Chapter 81

Rhysand observes his found family—including his mate Feyre—laughing together in his home, a moment of joy and gratitude after their recent harrowing trials. He reflects on how close they came to losing each other and resolves to cherish every moment going forward.

Rhysand stands in the kitchen of his residence in Velaris, listening to Feyre, Mor, Azriel, and others laughing together in another room. He watches them from the window, moved by the beauty and relief in Feyre's laughter—recognizing it as his mate's voice and feeling the connection through their bond. Cassian and Azriel find him in the kitchen and invite him to join the gathering, offering him a drink. When Rhysand hesitates, Azriel quietly acknowledges that what they have—their survival, their reunion—is real. Rhysand reflects that they came perilously close to never seeing this moment again, and proposes that they avoid such trials for another five hundred years. Mor calls for them to bring food, and Rhysand leads his brothers back to rejoin the group, feeling the future Feyre once showed him becoming tangible. He commits to savoring every heartbeat of their shared life going forward.