Emerie and Gwyn have already made it through the Breaking, so Nesta knows her sacrifice at the pass has succeeded. Nesta focuses on one goal: survive Bellius until dawn, when the Blood Rite will end and her power will return. That hope becomes her only advantage as Bellius presses his attack.

Bellius fights faster and more cleanly than before, using Nesta’s exhaustion against her. In the middle of thickening snow, thunder, and lightning, Bellius keeps Nesta on the defensive, drives her toward the archway, and finally disarms her by knocking away both her shield and sword. The storm makes the ground slick and visibility poor, but Bellius adapts faster and turns the chaos to his benefit.

With Nesta weaponless, Bellius cuts her repeatedly and then lands a blow that sends her crashing into a boulder. Seeing Nesta barely able to rise, Bellius throws aside his own weapons because he wants the satisfaction of killing her with his bare hands. Nesta is battered, bleeding, and close to collapse.

At that lowest point, Nesta realizes that although her friends are safe, she does not want to die. Nesta chooses life, happiness, and the future she wants for herself. Bellius mocks the idea that Nesta can beat him in hand-to-hand combat, but Nesta steadies herself, blocks his first punch, smashes her fist into his nose, and declares that her mate taught her well.