Starlight

23

I soar above the battlefield, my breath of fire reducing the enemy soldiers below to ash. The ships of the Hybern come into view, I fly over them until they are nothing but splinters.

Celesta, you should not be out here so soon.

I push Rhysand's voice from my head and continue on, my focus falling solely on resisting the pain for as long as I can. Every part of my mind is focused on protecting my child, my husband, the people of this realm. I care not how much of myself I must sacrifice for them. I watch as the enemy falters, their forces beginning to dwindle, when a massive beast of golden magic explodes into the air. It wipes out the rest of what I could not, a power not from this world. Amren, it appears she has truly escaped her mortal prison.

I look to my right to see the body of the King lying on the grass, Nesta holding his severed head within her grasp. With one last breath of fire, I land beside the Cauldron and feel my intense magic fade away. The pain I felt before, it is nothing compared to the immeasurable pain I feel now. My legs give out beneath me, I crumble to the grass as blood drips down my legs. High Lord Thesan drops his blade in an instant, pulling me into his arms. His warm hands glow with golden magic, he places one atop my forehead. Azriel appears beside him in a heartbeat, horror fills his eyes as he drops to my side.

"Celesta," He whispers, taking my hand in his own.

"Only if the battle seems lost, spymaster." I say, my words echoing his own. Azriel meets Thesan's eyes, his face full of worry.

"The wounds from her labor will take much longer to heal now, but she will live." The High Lord tells him, I see the shadowsinger let out a breath of relief. My eyes begin to droop, exhaustion overcoming every inch of my being, as I turn my head towards the Cauldron. Beside it lays Feyre, holding my brother's unmoving body in her arms.

"Rhysand," I call, reaching my weak hand to the side before falling unconscious.

...

My eyes slowly open to meet the gentle glow of candles, my body tucked into my bed at the House of Wind. My skin is scrubbed clean, loose nightclothes have replaced my birthing gown. My waist aches, my uterus throbbing as I slowly sit up. Vossan stands facing away from me on the balcony, leaning against its railing as he takes in the morning sky. His head perks up just as my eyes fall upon him, he quickly turns to face me.

"Starlight." He breathes, rushing to my side. He places a hand on my cheek, studying every inch of my face.

"Where is Rhysand?" I ask, the memory of his body fresh in my mind. A smile pulls at Vossan's lips, I feel relief wash over my body.

"Right now, the High Lord and High Lady watch over their niece." I gently smile up at him, he places a kiss atop my brow. "After you succumbed to exhaustion, the High Lords gathered to bring back Rhysand just as they did with Feyre. Even Tamlin dropped a bit of his own power in to bring back the High Lord." Vossan holds my hand tight in his own, kissing my knuckles. "I should have never let you join that fight so soon after labor, but I do not know if we would have won without your power." I carefully lean up and place a kiss on his lips.

"I want to see our child, my moon." He smiles at me, slowly standing and offering his hand to me.

"Come, starlight." I carefully lean to my feet, Vossan patiently helping me rise from the bed. His hands are gentle as he pulls my nightclothes off, replacing them with a simple black silk gown. I run a brush through my hair, letting it hang loose down my back, and link my arm in Vossan's. We begin the slow walk down the hall, I lean into Vossan almost completely as we make our way through the House of Wind.

Standing upon the balcony of the dining hall is my brother, cradling my daughter within his arms. His eyes light up when he sees me, Feyre looks to me with pure joy on her face.

"Sister," Rhys says, taking a step closer as Vossan and I approach him. "I have never been more grateful to see you awake and moving."

"And I am just as happy to see you, Rhys." I tell him, a moment passes before I open my arms to him. He passes me my child, I look upon those bright eyes once more.

"In the chaos of war and healing time after, she never got a name." Feyre says, Vossan wraps his arms around my waist and smiles at me. The night before battle, when both of us could not find it easy to rest, we began to work through names for our beautiful girl. We spent hours thinking, sharing different ideas, before settling on one.

"Kaia." I tell them, placing a kiss atop my daughter's forehead. My brother steps closer, letting the little girl wrap her tiny hand around his finger. She looks up at him with wide eyes, taking in every inch of his face.

"Beautiful Kaia." Rhys says, grinning down at his niece. "Kaia, who is going to say 'uncle' before she says 'mama'" I roll my eyes and shove his shoulder, he laughs and steps back, turning to look at Feyre. "Let's head to the townhouse, Feyre darling."

"We'll see you three for dinner." Feyre says before Rhys sweeps her into his arms, taking to the sky. Vossan stands with his arms around my waist, his back pressed to mine as he peers over my shoulder at our child. We begin to sway back and forth, I hum that familiar song as the silence hangs around us.

"I love you, starlight." Vossan says, his voice quiet. The feeling of true peace settles in as I watch the sun shine down on Velaris, casting its rays upon my family.

"I love you, my moon." I say, closing my eyes and resting my head back against his chest.