House of Flame and Shadow
by Sarah J. Maas
Contents
Chapter Sixty-Five
Overview
Ithan and Hypaxia reach Avallen to retrieve Sofie’s body, only to find the mist barrier opening by itself and the island transformed into an unsettling paradise. On Avallen, Bryce reels from the Asteri’s mass killings but chooses action over hiding, declaring Avallen a refuge for loved ones and other refugees while she and Hunt continue the war.
Bryce and Hunt commit to opening the Northern Rift at Nena to involve Hel, and Bryce plans a public strike by revealing proof she killed Micah to destabilize Rigelus and buy time. Ithan and Hypaxia’s arrival culminates in an unexpected reunion as Hunt lands before them with Bryce in his arms.
Summary
Ithan travels with Hypaxia on a battered fishing boat crewed by shark shifters, heading for Avallen’s mist wall to retrieve Sofie’s body. Hypaxia confirms Morven is the only one who should be able to let them through, but as they near the barrier, the mists shudder and part on their own.
Beyond the wall, the sea turns turquoise and the air warms; Avallen appears transformed into a lush paradise. Hypaxia, alarmed, insists this is not the Avallen she has known, warning that something enormous has changed as they sail toward shore.
On Avallen, Hunt finds Bryce alone atop tower ruins, surrounded by flowers and vines that seem to respond to her. Bryce is crushed by the Asteri’s latest atrocities and apologizes for how she treated Hunt’s grief, while arranging for Fury and June to escort Bryce’s parents, Emile (Cooper), and Syrinx to Avallen for safety.
Bryce admits the temptation to hide on Avallen but rejects it: she will allow refugees in, yet she and Hunt must keep fighting. She believes Avallen’s protection comes from massive quantities of black salt, not the mists, and interprets Urd’s “gift” as showing her what she could have if she chose safety—then deciding to leave it behind to end the Asteri.
Hunt and Bryce begin shaping a plan: they will go to Nena to open the Northern Rift and bring Hel into the war, but they also need a distraction. Bryce concludes Rigelus fears the public learning Archangels can be killed, so she decides to go public about killing Micah and asks to speak with Jesiba, who possesses video proof. The chapter ends as Ithan and Hypaxia land on the beach and are stunned when Hunt descends from the sky carrying Bryce.
Who Appears
- Bryce QuinlanNew queen; grieves Asteri attacks, declares Avallen a refuge, plans to open Northern Rift and expose Micah’s death.
- Hunt AthalarBryce’s partner; comforts her, commits to fighting, helps shape strategy and supports bringing Hel into war.
- Ithan HolstromTravels with Hypaxia to Avallen to retrieve Sofie’s body; witnesses the mist barrier part and meets Hunt and Bryce.
- Hypaxia EnadorFormer witch-queen; accompanies Ithan, senses Avallen has changed dramatically and remains wary.
- Jesiba RogaArranges Ithan and Hypaxia’s trip; holds video evidence of Bryce killing Micah, which Bryce wants to use.
- MorvenMentioned as prior gatekeeper of Avallen’s barrier and holder of Sofie’s body; expected to hand it over.
- RigelusAsteri leader; Bryce believes he fears public proof Archangels can be killed, making him vulnerable to distraction.
- SofieHer body is the retrieval goal for Ithan and Hypaxia, believed stored on Avallen.
- Fury AxtarPreparing to escort Bryce’s family and allies by helicopter to Avallen for safety.
- JuneTraveling with Fury to bring Bryce’s family and allies to Avallen as refugees.
- Bryce’s parentsBeing moved to Avallen to be protected after the Asteri’s escalating attacks.
- Emile (Cooper)Included in the evacuation group Bryce orders brought to Avallen for safety.
- SyrinxBryce’s chimera companion; included in the helicopter evacuation to Avallen.
- MicahDead Archangel; Bryce plans to reveal video proof she killed him to undermine Asteri control.