Starlight

21

"The war is upon us, there is no more time to prepare. We have winnowed as many humans as we possibly could, there is nothing more we can do then ready ourselves for an attack at any moment." I say within the war tent, resting a hand on my swollen stomach.

"You are sitting this one out, Celesta." Rhys says, meeting my eyes from across the tent. I clench my jaw and stare back, anger swirling in my eyes. Vossan looks to me, his eyes pleading to me. "I will not risk you or my niece again."

"I will remain at the camp for this battle, but do not think I will miss the final moments of that King's life. I will be there when Hybern is slaughtered." I tell him, my power rumbling through the room. Rhysand meets it with his own, looking back to the battle plans sat atop the table.

"This will not be a battle like before. We will meet them with the full force of every High Lord gathered as one, Azriel and Vossan's scouts have discovered they move closer to us. We have taken position on the high ground, but this battle will still be a blood bath." Cassian says, moving the pawn of our armies beneath the camp.

"The three of us will take the front lines," Vossan says, looking to Rhys and Azriel. "Cassian will lead the Illyrians from the sky. We draw them and slaughter as many as we can. The other High Lords will lead their armies beside us, bringing one final show of force. Even with them, we are greatly outmatched by the Cauldron. With Amren's new knowledge of how to stop it, this may be our final chance to avoid defeat." I look to Feyre, she watches in shock as the men plot out the war ahead. Mor has taken a similar interest in the High Lady, watching her reactions closely. Feyre has not faced a battle like this, she did not live through the horrors of the Great War.

"The Wall is gone, we are the realm's last chance at survival. If we fail, Hybern will sweep through Prythian and move to the humans next. We will not fail." Rhysand says, each of us nod.

"If the battle should falter, I will take to the sky and reduce them to ash." I say, Rhysand and Vossan's eyes snap to mine. "Do not attempt to tell me no, I am much less vulnerable when dragon scales take the place of my skin."

"You will join only if the battle seems to be lost. Only if it appears we have no other options." Azriel says, emerging from the shadows. Rhys nods in agreement, locking his eyes on mine.

"Feyre and Mor will remain at camp, watching for any of Hybern's men that manage to slip through." Rhysand says, looking around to meet eyes with each member of his court. "Understood?"

"Yes, my Lord." Mor says, we all bow our heads to my brother and his mate.

"Now rest, we'll need all we can get before tomorrow's battle." Rhysand tells us, we all leave the tent without question.

...

Vossan sits at the edge of our bed within the tent, watching as I walk closer to him. He loosely opens his legs, allowing me to stand closer to him as I take my face in his hands. I rub a thumb across his cheeks, carefully taking in every inch of his face.

"Promise me you will be safe." I say, his eyes look deep within mine. "I cannot lose you again, Vossan." He gently cups my legs in his hands, his arms lying lazily on his thighs.

"I swear to you I will be by your side for eternity, Celesta. There will not be another moment that we are apart. I will be safe tomorrow, and I will return to you once more." He says, leaning out of my hands to plant a kiss atop my stomach, onto the child that grows within, before standing to kiss me.

...

I wake to see Vossan already gone, a note lies on the beside table.

Hybern moves faster than we expected, I had to leave earlier than planned. I did not want to wake you, you looked so beautiful asleep.
I will see you soon, I love you.
~ V

I hold the parchment against my chest, taking a deep breath in before sending a kiss down the mating bond. Vossan's magic tickles against it, sending a rush of warmth through my body.

I stand as my handmaidens enter the tent, carrying newly fashioned Illyrian armor. Irina and Elena, brought to remain by my side by Rhysand as the birth of my child approaches faster and faster. The chest plate holds more space around my stomach, and stronger armor to protect the womb below. The handmaiden's fasten it to me, placing my row of daggers across my bicep and my thigh. They braid my hair back from my face, intertwining my small crown of the Night Court so it remains secure upon my head. They hold my hands and we say one last prayer to the gods before I walk out to meet the rest of the court.

They stand overlooking the armies readied below, the other High Lords among them. Vossan holds his hand out to me, likely sensing my approach through the bond, and I take a deep breath. I spot Hybern's army marching ever closer, a sea of them approaching. My breath hitches as I take in their sheer numbers, the unimaginable power that radiates from the Cauldron behind them.

As I take in the horror of what lies beyond, a searing pain rips through my stomach, shooting down my legs. I groan and press a hand to my child, stumbling backwards. Vossan is beside me in a second, looking to me with fear in his eyes. The pain fades, remaining for a moment as an ache below my skin.

"I'm... I'm fine." I say with heavy breaths. The other's surround me, looking with worry across their faces.

"Celesta, we need to get you-" Vossan starts, another excruciating pain tears through my body. I cry out and hunch forward, Rhysand closes the distance between us. I suddenly look up, the terrifying realization dawning on me. Clenching my teeth at the pain, I untie the strings of my pants without a care who stands around me, shoving my hand within and pulling it out to reveal blood soaking my fingertips. My wide eyes meet Vossan's.

"Baby's coming." I tell him, Vossan shakes his head.

"Get the handmaiden's now!" My husband shouts, Helion immediately disappears within the camp. My gaze moves back to the army that closes further and further in, my mate places a hand on my face and allows me to only look at him.

"They need you-" I start, groaning as another sharp pain rips through me. "They need you down there." Sweat drips across my skin, my breaths grow heavier. I meet Rhysand's eyes, pleading against them as my brother looks to me in fear.

"Our strength will falter if your place remains open, Vossan." Rhys says, placing a hand on his spymaster's arm. Vossan whips to meet his High Lord's eyes, anger fueled by fear consuming his own.

"I will not leave my wife, Rhysand. I will not leave her unprotected." Vossan growls at him, Rhys glances back to the approaching battle. The handmaidens arrive with Helion on their heels.

"Princess!" Irina exclaims, quickly wiping away that sweat that drips down my face. Another pain shoots through me, a sob racks through my body.

"Hybern will sense the birth the moment he arrives, he will know this is a weakness and he will send his men after it. My place is no longer at the front lines, it is outside my mate's tent." Vossan says, not letting go of Rhysand's eyes. The High Lord hesitates, glancing back to me, before nodding in agreement.

"I will send two more soldiers to defend beside you." Rhys says, turning back to his court. "For now we must go." My brother takes one more look at me, placing a kiss atop my forehead. "I love you, sister. I will see you again when you hold my niece in your arms." Vossan quickly wraps his arm around me, leading me back within the camp.