Wildfire and Stars Eternal

Chapter 32: The Point of No Return

"Are you really so stubborn that you will let the entire world die for your own arrogance?" I finally yelled, throwing my hands up. 

Mor had arrived in Illyria not long after I'd finished talking to Rowan. She was the only one who knew the extent of what had happened in the Spring Court. We couldn't afford the news of it all to get out. She'd winnowed us back to Velaris, where I'd told my family my plan. 

Nesta had arrived half an hour later. She'd sat through me telling her my plan without saying a word. But when I'd finished, she'd only said, "I can't." 

Now, her jaw clenched. "I can't." She repeated. 

"You'll have to, girl," Amren said from the doorway. "Unless you want to kiss this world goodbye, I suggest you follow Feyre's plan." 

Nesta's hands clenched into fists against her thighs. "Why can't Rhysand or Morrigan do it?" 

"Because Deanna knows who they are," I cut in as Amren's mouth opens. "But you are Cauldron-Made. She won't be able to resist the pull of your magic." 

"So I am to be bait again." 

Again. Right. Because she'd used herself as bait to pull the King of Hybern away. And that had turned out so well. 

"You will not be so unprotected this time," I said, crossing my arms. Nesta's gaze flicked around the room, noting Azriel, Rhys, Mor, Amren, and me. Noting who was missing. 

"Where do I have to go?" She asked suddenly, standing up and smoothing out the skirt of her dress. My brows rose in surprise. I'd expected more of a fight from her. 

"It's like you said," She snapped, not meeting my eyes. "If I don't, the entire world is at stake." She crossed her arms, mirroring me and meeting my eyes, clear and cold light flickering in her irises. "Tell me what to do." 

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"Do you really think this will work?" Rhys slid his hand into mine, squeezing tightly as we watched Nesta pace across the grass, staring at her open palms.

"Yes," I answered with all the confidence I could muster. "Deanna may be an immortal, but she has flaws, just like the rest of us. She won't be able to resist all that raw power, ripe for the taking." 

"And if she comes with backup?" 

"We want her to come with backup," I replied. "We need her to bring Aelin." 

"She'll suspect a trap," Rhys said, his eyes flicking to me. 

"I'm counting on that. We need her to come to us, not the other way around." 

"It sometimes amazes me how fast you grasped our ways, Feyre darling," He kissed the top of my head. "If this works, remind me to tell you how brilliant you are." 

I smiled. Prick, I thought. When he didn't react, my smile wavered. Right. Our daemati powers were currently in the hands of the Queen of Terrasen. 

After so long having his voice in my head to comfort me, I felt as if I'd lost a part of myself. He seemed to understand, because he wrapped an arm around my waist, pulling me close. 

"We'll get it all back, Feyre darling. Then we'll finally have some peace." He rested a hand lightly on my abdomen. "We'll have the time to enjoy it all. Every second of it. The three of us." 

"The three of us," I murmured back. 

"No goodbyes," Rhys said. I shook my head. 

"No goodbyes." Out of the corner of my eyes, I saw a bright flash of light. We both turned towards it, and my pulse quickened when I saw the pillar of white fire shooting into the sky miles away.