Wildfire and Stars Eternal

Chapter 33: The Made and The Maker

Aelin had decided that at this point, she would never stop owing the High Lady of the Night Court. She would never be able to pay off the debt of what she'd done for her. 

But that certainly wouldn't stop her from trying. 

Morrigan appeared in front of her again, Feyre's hand clamped in hers as they fell to the ground in a heap. Aelin darted forward, dragging Feyre to her feet and pulling her into a hug. 

"You are the craziest, bravest, stupidest woman I've ever met, Feyre Archeron," She said, digging her fingers into Feyre's flying leathers. Feyre laughed and returned the embrace. 

"I'll take that as a compliment," She said, pulling back and looking Aelin over. "I hope I didn't scare you too much." 

Aelin only laughed. "You sister scared me more. You really had me there for a moment." 

After Nesta had pulled them both over the cliff, Deanna's hold on Aelin had vanished. She'd been free to slap the eldest Archeron away just before Mor had appeared in front of them, grabbing them both and winnowing them to safer ground. According to Mor, the whole thing had been Feyre's idea. 

Feyre reached into the bushes next to them and pulled out an Illyrian blade and sheath, handing them to Aelin. "Here. You'll need these." 

"I can't go near Deanna-" 

"You won't. Not yet, at least. We're not going after Deanna." Feyre said. Aelin's brow furrowed. 

"What are we doing, exactly? You just left your mate and mine, alone, to fight the entire host of gods!" The reality of it all set into Aelin's mind. "Oh, Hell. You left them-"

"I know. Believe me, I know," Feyre said, her voice tight with worry. "But if we want to have any chance, we need you." 

"Amren left to find help," Mor offered. "Others should be here soon. But right now, we need your help. We need the Lock." 

Aelin wondered for a moment if she'd heard right. "You need the what?" 

"The Lock. If we can summon the Lock to us, we can use it to banish Deanna," Feyre explained. "We need you to bring it out." 

"But I- the Lock isn't real!" Aelin said, throwing her hands out. "It's not a material thing that I can just summon at will!" 

"No, but you can harness its power, can't you? You're the one who made it, after all." Aelin turned towards Nesta, who was standing to the side, watching them all. 

"I don't know. I guess-" Aelin shook her head. "But Deanna broke it." 

"So we fix it," Feyre said determinedly. "We have to. We can't let Deanna win." 

Aelin turned away, crossing her arms over her chest. "I don't know if I'll be able to wield it." 

"You have to try, Aelin," Morrigan insisted. Aelin balled her hands into fists. 

"Of course I'll try," She said, turning back to them all. "We have no other choice." She walked over to a rock and sat down, clasping her hands together. "But first I have to find it." 

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Aelin could feel it. Laughing at her. Taunting her. 

So close, she is, it whispered, that power between worlds, between doors. So close to the mark.

Shut up. She grumbled. Where are you? 

Close.

Not helpful.

She clenched her eyes tighter, searching for that place she'd been to before, with Dorian. Where they'd forged the Lock together, using the most familiar shape to both of them. She searched for that shape now, casting out her will and her power. Where are you?

 And then, suddenly, it was before her, as if it was answering her question. She felt her mouth pop open. Broken, Deanna had said. Cracked. 

But this was nothing like Aelin had pictured. The Eye of Elena stood before her, glowing with Wyrmarks and the power of Mala Light-bringer. It was cobwebbed by crevices and cracks, the light slowly leaking out. 

She reached out a hand. I created you. You know me well. And you will obey me alone.

Before it could stop her, she grabbed the Lock with both hands, pulling it towards her. You are mine. 

She pulled all that power towards her own. You hold within you the power of Mala Light-bringer. I am her descendant, Aelin Ashryver Whitethorn Galathynius. You will obey me. You will help me save this world. 

To her surprise, it listened. The Lock splintered, forming a chain that fell over her head to rest on her neck, leaving the pendant sitting against her heart. 

Aelin understood. It was made by her own sacrifice. It would obey her, and her alone.

She would pay the toll it demanded later. 

Aelin gasped, her eyes flying open as she fell forward. Feyre caught her, pulling her back into a sitting position. Feyre's eyes widened as Aelin straightened up. 

"I think it worked," She said, pointing to Aelin's forehead. 

"Nameless is my price," Aelin whispered, knowing exactly what Wyrdmark burned against her skin. "I think you're right." 

"That was easier than I thought," Nesta said, causing Morrigan to scowl at her. "What now?" 

Aelin turned away from them, looking to the north, where she could see plumes of shadow, Moon-fire, and sun-kissed flames shooting into the sky. 

Aelin felt the Lock snap open, and a long-forgotten heat rushed into her veins. Flames raced down her arms, coating her body in ash and embers. Lovely, welcome fire graced her brow in a diadem of blue and gold flames. 

She reached out a hand, closing her eyes. "First, I return what was stolen." She commanded the power thrumming through her to separate into two. It wasn't hard to find what didn't belong. That starry smoke that had resided within her didn't take much convincing to return to its rightful owner, either. 

Dimly, she heard Feyre gasp as all that power slammed into her once more. She felt as the rest of it raced away, to the son of Night that it belonged to. 

"You really did it," Feyre gasped. Aelin opened her eyes and turned to her friend, who grinned at her as shadows, ice, and stars trailed from her fingertips. Aelin returned the grin, relishing in the feel of the power she'd once had. That she hadn't realized she'd so sorely missed. 

"Now..." She clasped the High Lady's hand in her own. "We go take down that bitch. We take back this world." 

Fire-breathing bitch queen cosplay by corinne_thorn!

(reposting this chapter as well because ugh I forgot Rowan was a thing🤦‍♀️)