Nesta and Feyre watch in shock as their father’s long-absent fleet arrives, and Nesta weeps at the sight of the ship named for her. Feyre realizes he may have spent his disappearance secretly gathering aid after learning how grave the threat had become. When Rhys asks Drakon whether Vassa’s curse has ended, the answer appears over the water: Vassa attacks Hybern’s fleet in the form of a blazing firebird, while the human armada spreads out to engage the enemy ships.

The new arrival gives Prythian only a slim chance, but it is enough for Rhys to act. He orders Drakon to get his legion onto land, and after a tense moment over learning that Jurian fights on their side, Drakon yields command of his forces to Cassian. While the sea battle erupts and Vassa leaves burning wreckage behind her, the reinforcements begin to stabilize a fight that had been collapsing.

Feyre then insists that she and Amren must go at once for the Cauldron, hoping the chaos will let them reach it. Nesta stops her and offers herself as bait, reasoning that the king will come after her if he thinks she is about to use the power she stole from the Cauldron. Cassian immediately refuses to let her go alone and agrees to protect her, while Rhys fiercely objects to risking them both. Cassian answers that this diversion is their best chance and that Rhys has already sacrificed enough for all of them.

Nesta says that Amren has taught her enough to gather her power, and she quietly asks Feyre to thank their father. Then Nesta and Cassian fly away toward a stand of trees behind the battlefield to draw the king off. Rhys, straining not to follow, tells Feyre that Cassian will not survive. Feyre moves Elain to the far edge of camp, Rhys returns to the thickest fighting, and Feyre veils herself and Amren with a glamour before they run for the Cauldron without looking back.