A Court of Ash and Fire

Chapter Twenty-Two

Aelin ripped her arm from Feyre's grip, gasping and gaping at the female opposite her. Feyre stared in shock back.

"What in the Mother's name just happened?" The blonde woman said, her caramel eyes wide.

"I think," Feyre whispered, her eyes darting around Aelin. "I think we bonded."

Rhysand turned to her in surprise. "What?"

She accepted his hand to help her to her feet. "Not like a mating bond, but a... destiny bond. Our souls seemed to touch."

Aelin got her feet back under her and smoothed back her ruffled hair. "When I blacked out, there was this voice... It spoke of a prophecy, I guess."

Rhysand looked to Feyre. "Can you remember it?"

Feyre recited it back to him, and Rhysand's frown deepened with every word. "Nameless and Named," he mused. "What does that mean?"

Aelin studied the way the Faelight glinted off her diamond dagger. "I am Nameless." Everyone turned to stare at her, confusion written clear across their faces. She stood a little straighter. "Nameless is my price."

Without meaning to, without knowing, the mark of the Nameless burned bright blue on her forehead. The Fae backed away slowly, the light bathing their faces in a blue glow.

"That means," Feyre said quietly, "I must be Named." Rhysand opened his mouth, but Feyre cut him off. "Listen, it makes sense. "One, a child of the moon". I was born on Winter Solstice, the longest night of the year. Aelin is gifted with the power of fire, so that fits "daughter of the sun". "Come forth, fire-blessed, and one of every kind". Again, this lines up. I have the power from every Court." She massaged her temples. "This can't be a coincidence."

Aelin rubbed her arms, suddenly cold. "This doesn't mean anything," she said to herself, though everyone heard. "That chapter of your life is done, you don't have to go back-"

"Aelin," Feyre said softly. Aelin turned traumatised eyes towards her as memories blended in her mind's eye. "I think this means... We have to defeat the Valg. Together."

~

Aelin shook her head, slowly backing away.

Valg

Cairn

Erawan

Maeve

"No," she whispered, her back hitting the wall. "I'm not doing this again. I won't. I can't."

Feyre slowly walked towards her, her blue-grey eyes hopeless. "Please, Aelin. Help me save our world."

Aelin stared at her shoes. "Not our world. Yours," she said, too quietly for even Fae ears to catch.

Feyre gently placed a finger under her chin, and Aelin allowed her to lift her chin up. "Please," she whispered.

Aelin took a deep breath, squeezing her eyes shut tight to halt the tears that threatened to spill over. You do not yield. "Okay."

Feyre gave her a small smile, but Aelin added, "on one condition."

Feyre dipped her head.

Aelin smirked at Rhysand. "I am no longer a wanted criminal in your lands. I have complete freedom."

Rhysand sighed, running a hand through his hair. "Done."

"Perfect," Aelin chirped, tossing her hair over her shoulder. She went to continue speaking when more screams sounded from outside.

Feyre glanced at Aelin, who nodded. They both sprinted towards the foyer, the Night Court close on their heels, Aelin informing her as they went.

"The Valg are creatures of darkness," she said, rounding a sharp corner. "Parasites. They will occasionally take a host body, but in this case, they are in their raw form. Their weakness is fire, so if you have that in your arsenal, use it."

Feyre nodded just as they skidded to a halt at the double doors of the mansion. Five more Valg continued to assault the stragglers of the ball, red and black blood splattering the walls.

Helion advanced into the throng, sending bolts of light towards the attackers. Slicing her knife around the skirt of her dress, Aelin shortened it to above her knees for easier movement. She leapt towards the nearest Valg, not waiting to see if Feyre followed.

She sent a blast of fire towards it. It released the victim it was holding, screaming as it crumbled into burning embers. A quick glance over her shoulder showed Feyre slicing a Valg in two with a wall of flame.

By the time Aelin had killed two more horrid creatures, Feyre had taken down another one. The others had help as best they could, distracting them enough for Aelin and Feyre to deliver the killing blows.

Finally, there was just one Valg left. It was the largest of them all, and bared tiny, sharp teeth at them. Obviously a higher-ranking Valg. Side by side, Aelin and Feyre ran at it, fire and flame at their command.

The Valg let out a blood-curdling scream, rushing towards them on a smudge of darkness-

When a sword pierced it's chest, made of... ice.

Hoarfrost spread over its body, encasing it in a icy cocoon. As the blade ripped itself from the frozen Valg icicle, the parasite shattered into a thousand pieces, ice chips clattering across the floor.

Panting, a scratch on her cheek dripping blood, Aelin turned stunned eyes towards their saviour.

Towards Rowan.