Feyre is stunned by the Cauldron's blast, which has erased the Bone Carver and countless soldiers. She mourns him and the dead while the surviving Illyrians, Peregryns, and human troops force themselves back into formation, but the scale of the loss makes clear that another strike from the Cauldron could destroy them.

As Nesta says the Cauldron has gone quiet again, Cassian rushes to her and Rhys orders both Cassian and Azriel back to the fighting. Azriel offers to fly straight at the Cauldron despite his injured wings, and Feyre silently confirms with Amren that the two of them might still be able to stop it. Looking over the battlefield, Feyre sees that their allies are barely holding against Hybern's larger forces.

The situation worsens when a new fleet appears from the west. Feyre realizes it is the rest of Hybern's army, which means their forces are now trapped between two enemies. Amren urges retreat, and Rhys tells Feyre to try to reach the king or the army in time but to run and survive if everything collapses. He sends Azriel to the northern flank and Cassian to the southern flank as everyone prepares for what feels like a final stand.

Before Feyre can leave, horns sound from the eastern sea. Rhys lifts Feyre into the air, and Cassian brings Nesta up as well, revealing a massive new host approaching: Drakon's Seraphim flying above a vast armada. Drakon greets Rhys and explains that he and Miryam had been hidden on Cretea behind a glamour for centuries, which is why Rhys could not find them. He confirms they came after hearing of Hybern and Miryam's danger, and that the ships below include Miryam's people.

Drakon then reveals that most of the fleet came not from him but for Prythian, led by Queen Vassa. He explains that a man calling himself the Prince of Merchants discovered the human queens' betrayal months earlier, gathered an independent human army, and helped find Vassa. As the lead ships come into view, Feyre sees they are named Feyre, Elain, and Nesta. The chapter ends with the emotional revelation that the man commanding them is Feyre and Nesta's father, who has come to fight Hybern at last.