House of Flame and Shadow
by Sarah J. Maas
Contents
Chapter Seventy-Six
Overview
Bryce and Hunt successfully force the Northern Rift to open to another world, landing a portal in Nesta’s living room and creating a volatile first contact. While Nesta threatens Bryce with dagger and silver flame, Bryce holds the line long enough to make her request: the Mask.
Elsewhere, Tharion and Sathia appeal to the River Queen for asylum for Crescent City, but her hostility toward Tharion and alarm at Bryce’s Hel ties turn the negotiation dangerous. The meeting detonates into personal crisis when the River Queen’s daughter bursts in, accusing them of betrayal.
Summary
Bryce uses Hunt’s lightning to channel power through the Horn and the star on her chest, trying to reorient the Northern Rift away from Hel. As Hunt steadily pours lightning into her, the Gate fills with star-flecked darkness and finally opens onto another world—revealing a shocked Nesta seated by a fireplace. Bryce greets Nesta, confirming the risky theory has worked.
In the Blue Court, Tharion and Sathia are brought to a control room by the west air lock, where the River Queen waits in a sterile, threatening setting meant for convenient disposal. Sathia remains composed and respectfully defiant as the River Queen needles Tharion about his past with her daughter and questions why she should listen to him at all.
Tharion formally asks, on Bryce Quinlan’s behalf as Queen of the Fae of Valbara and Avallen, for asylum for Crescent City’s people. Sathia backs the claim and emphasizes Bryce’s authority and alliances, while warning that killing Tharion would invite conflict with the Fae. The River Queen probes how Bryce gained power and reacts sharply to the mention of Bryce’s connection to the Princes of Hel, viewing it as treason against Midgard.
Tharion pushes back, arguing the Republic’s atrocity at Asphodel Meadows demands resistance and that refusing to oppose such slaughter makes the River Queen complicit. As the River Queen seems to reassess him, the meeting is abruptly interrupted when her daughter storms in, screaming “How could you?”—escalating the personal and political stakes at once.
Back at the opened portal, Ember and Randall whisper in confusion while Bryce realizes only she can understand Nesta’s language, forcing Bryce to act as translator. Nesta, armed with a dagger and gathering silver flame, demands Bryce shut the portal and questions Bryce’s intentions; Bryce refuses to close it until she speaks. Noting Hunt as Bryce’s mate, Nesta demands Bryce leave and return a stolen dagger, but Bryce ignores the jab and states her purpose clearly: Bryce needs Nesta to give her the Mask.
Who Appears
- Bryce QuinlanChannels Hunt’s lightning to redirect the Northern Rift; confronts Nesta and asks for the Mask.
- Hunt AthalarPowers Bryce with sustained lightning to open the Gate; stands ready as Bryce negotiates.
- NestaPortal’s unexpected recipient; threatens Bryce with dagger and silver flame; demands answers and closure.
- TharionPetitions the River Queen for asylum; defends opposing the Republic after Asphodel Meadows.
- SathiaTharion’s wife; maintains poise, counters the River Queen’s attacks, and supports Bryce’s request.
- The River QueenColdly interrogates Tharion and Sathia; balks at Bryce’s Hel alliances; considers the political cost.
- EmberWitnesses the portal opening; anxiously comments on Bryce’s escalating confrontation with Nesta.
- RandallPresent at the Gate; confused and wary during Bryce’s tense exchange with Nesta.
- The River Queen's daughterInterrupts the asylum negotiation, charging in to accuse them with rage and grief.