A/N: Hello! Here is the final instalment of this story - and a long one too!

Heads up - the end of this chapter is slightly M rated - I am no smut writer so will not attempt it but it does reference it, and I might as well warn you.

Thank you to everyone who has reviewed or pressed the favourite/follow button over the course of these updates. Most importantly, thank you to every one of you who has read the story! I hope you have enjoyed it and will enjoy this final instalment!

There was an attack in Manchester last night at an Ariana Grande concert and to say that I am devastated is an understatement. I do not know anyone who was personally involved but to have an attack so close to home is frightening. What sickens me most about this attack is the fact that there were children at this concert - one of the victims who have passed away being only eight years old - and someone was so heartless and put these innocents in danger. These are horribly dark times that we live in at the moment...

This is something that I wrote in my Soothing Gestures and I feel like it could be fitting for today. "It is a necessity in life to witness the darkness inside all of us but prevail beyond that, and keep smiling." Sometimes something as simple as a smile can infinitely brighten someone's day...

I hope that everyone who is currently missing is found safe and just remember that good will prevail, evil cannot win.

So to everyone today, Stay Strong and Keep Smiling.

I decide to rest for a few moments, gathering my strength so I can make it back to Velaris. I can vividly picture it now - the colours, the smells, the company.

The image of a particular shop comes to mind then. Trying on a variety of delightfully sinful lacy underthings for my mate's pleasure. Modelling each set privately for him and allowing him to have his wicked way with me.

Arms suddenly wrap around my waist from behind. My heart stutters.

That sounds like a good idea to me, darling. Perfect in fact because I can ravish this delicious body.

I turn around in his arms, my gaze meeting his. A sob escapes from me, my vision becoming blurred as I see the love in his eyes.

Love for me.

My lips crash against his then, needing to taste him, to feel him. Rhys' arms tighten around my waist, crushing me against his front. My arms wind around his neck, my right hand threading into his hair. Our tongues slide together in a long-awaited and familiar dance, one that leaves us both utterly breathless.

We pant when we split, warm breath caressing one another's face. I draw back enough so I can look at my mate's face. His skin is noticeably tanner showing that he has spent more time in the sun, finally after all those years Under the Mountain, and his hair is slightly longer. I scratch my fingers against his scalp and Rhys purrs quietly at my touch.

My left hand moves to cup his jaw. Tears fall down my cheeks and I make no attempt to stop them.

"I love you." I say, my voice thick with emotion. "I love you so much."

"I love you too."

Rhys leans forwards and kisses away my tears with the upmost tenderness. He takes his time before drawing back so I can see his face again. I notice the droop in his wings, the slight bags beneath his violet orbs, the slump in his shoulders.

"Are you alright?" I ask, my voice practically a whisper, my other hand moving in his hair.

Rhys' eyes widen in surprise before he breathes out a laugh.

"After everything you have gone through, you are worrying about me?" he asks.

His forehead connects to mine and I stare into his eyes.

"I always worry about you, you prick." I say. "It is my job as your friend, as your mate."

Rhys runs his nose against mine, keeping it there, his arms squeezing tighter around my waist.

I've missed this; him.

"Smartass." he whispers endearingly before sobering. "I would be lying if I said I wasn't panicked when you shut me out. I could feel your power and your rage regardless. I knew that you were alright and that was the only thing keeping me calm in that moment."

The thumb of my left hand skims across his cheekbone.

"Did you hear our conversation? I left my shield open for you but didn't feel you there. You deserved to hear it."

Rhys pulls his head back and nods. He turns his head and presses a kiss to my palm, sending a pleasant shock up my arm.

"I sent the staff to Tarquin; I knew they would be safe there. How is everything between him and us?" I ask.

Guilt over our actions, my actions, in Summer lingers and I hate how I betrayed my friend in such a way.

"The blood rubies were withdrawn. Tarquin realised our point of view and after releasing his frustrations in our first meeting, I may have let him land a few blows, things have improved. Amren, being Amren, kept her ruby and I believe it is currently on her desk as a paperweight."

I smile.

"That doesn't surprise me." I say, eyes dropping for a second before reconnecting. "I just hope I did you proud."

"You were, and are, absolutely amazing darling." he says, his voice soft. "I am so honoured to have you as my High Lady; my mate."

I press my lips against his again, my arms tight around his neck. I slide my tongue over his supple lower lip and am immediately given entry to the warm cavern of his mouth. However, Rhys is holding back. I can feel it.

Just kiss me, please. I say to him down the bond, feeling it go taut between us. Don't hold back. Let me have all of you.

Rhys pulls back in that moment, pressing small kisses to my cheek in a path to the shell of my ear.

"We have time, darling." he purrs into my ear. "I intend to ravish your delicious body properly."

A shiver tingles across my spine at his words and I feel Rhys smile smugly against the side of my face. My hands slide down from his broad shoulders to the hard panes of his chest.

I can feel his heart thudding against my palm and I smile.

"How is everyone back home? My sisters, Cass and his wings, Az, Mor, Amren?"

Rhys smiles slightly. His right hand moves so his palm cups my jaw, his left also moving to rest on my hip where his thumb slides over the slight patch of skin at my midriff.

Neither of us can stop touching each other. Not that I am complaining...

"They're all fine, all unharmed. They are waiting for you to return home."

"I'm almost there, mate." I mumble softly.

Rhys frowns then, hand moving to run the knuckle of his pointer finger over my cheekbone. He has noticed the bruise that remains there after one of Tamlin's temper tantrums a couple of days previously. I can see his gaze darkening when he spots the bruises on my collarbone as well.

Rage barrels down the bond and I temper it with soothing darkness; lacing it strongly with my love for him. It works as I had hoped it would. Slowly, that rage dies down and I press a slight kiss to Rhys' chin.

"I couldn't heal myself properly, Rhys." I explain. "I healed everything that was out of sight, which wasn't much, but everything else had to stay."

Rhys continues to frown and I feel the gentle tingle and warmth of his magic as it surrounds me - healing me, I quickly realise. A satisfied smile consumes his lips before he surges forwards.

There is little tenderness or preamble now; this is purely passionate, desperate. Rhys' hands slide down my spine, sparking pleasure in his wake, before sliding beneath my rear. My noise of surprise as I am lifted up is swallowed by my mate's mouth.

Unable to resist as Rhys plunders my mouth, my hands slide to his wings and the pads of my fingers trace the strong muscle. They are drawn in tight before flaring out suddenly at my touch. Rhys growls, pulling his lips from mine before trailing a wet path across my jaw and down the column of my throat.

Poor, sensitive Illyrian baby. I croon down the bond, gasping when Rhys playfully bites my neck before soothing the hurt with his lips.

My eyes open and I watch my finger tracing his right wing, delighting at how my Rhys trembles at my touch. He groans, breathing slightly harsh, laboured. His feet shift beneath us.

Cruel, beautiful creature.

I giggle into his ear, kissing the shell before resting my head against his. By the Mother, I love him so much.

And yet you love me anyway.

Rhys exhales shakily and I don't hesitate to bring my forehead to his, eyes locking.

I love you with everything I am, my darling. His voice is so soft, so remorseful, as it travels down the bond.

Rhys, it's alright. I assure, my arms going around his shoulders again. I am back now. Nothing is going to tear us apart.

I see the rare vulnerability in his eyes. I run my nose against his, right hand curling into the hair at the nape of his neck.

Besides, I say, lighter, down the bond. who else is going to completely ravish me? I doubt Cassian or Az would be able to satisfy me.

Not at all. Rhys replies instantly, gaze darkening.

Their wingspan not as impressive as yours?

Rhys' laughter is like music to my ears. It makes me smile widely. His left hand runs up and down the back of my thigh as his right arm holds me up against him still.

I've missed your laugh, I probably sound like a complete sap but I could not give a single shit. and your smile, your eyes, your scent.

Rhys kisses the tip of my nose once, then twice, then a third time.

I've missed you too, darling.

"How are my sisters doing, Rhys?" I ask after a quiet moment. "Be honest."

"Elain has been troubled, retreating into herself a lot. Nesta is the spitfire you've told me about and has been nothing but stubborn and protective and angry - but none of us can blame her for that and I have helped her to realise that we are going to do nothing but help and support her, and Elain."

Rhys sighs, followed by a tight lipped smile.

"They have slowly opened up over the past month or two." he continues. "Amren has been training Nesta, trying to determine what she has been given by the Cauldron - we think she took something since it hasn't been used. They're making progress and Cass has helped her too - he finds her stubbornness endearing."

I blink in surprise.

"Poor Cassian." I say and Rhys breathes out a laugh. "What about Elain?"

"Mor has been helping her to adjust and she seems to have made a good friend in Az. Quite often he comes back from the House of Wind with a fresh bunch of flowers to have in the town house which she has grown."

That does sound like Elain - tending her flowers, sharing the blooms with kindness to see others smile.

"What about Lucien?"

"He has been extremely helpful. Amren keeps an eye on him and he doesn't dare cross her." Rhys says, pressing a kiss to my chin. "Elain hasn't spoken to him yet. Nesta has shot Lucien down a lot as he is persistent and does keep trying. She still wears that iron ring from her mortal fiancé."

I frown. Oh.

"Is she struggling with the idea of the mating bond or is it something else that scares her? Perhaps it is because it is her last link to what used to be home?"

"That is something I cannot tell you as I don't know." he says. "You will have to ask Nesta when we get home."

I nod, my eyes tracing his perfect features. My head moves so I can bury my face in his neck, mouth against his shoulder. The soothing scent of citrus, the sea and Rhysand fills my lungs.

What about Hybern - the King and Jurian?

Rhys increases his grip on me at my question.

"Thanks to the information you sent over, a few suggestions from Lucien and the combined force of the Courts, we have just fought another battle where we were highly outnumbered but still succeeded. We are positive that the next one we fight will result in complete victory and we will finally get our hands on that bloody Cauldron and destroy it."

I inhale Rhys' scent again, detecting the lingering hint of... death.

"You fought, didn't you." I say and Rhys nods against me, hand briefly running over my bare spine. "I'm proud of you, Rhys, and I promise to be there with you for the next fight, and every fight we may face after. I will never leave you."

My words are muffled by his shoulder but Rhys has understood every word.

I would love to argue against that but I know that any argument is futile. I just want to make sure you're safe from all of this.

You're stuck with me, I'm afraid.

Rhys kisses my hair. I can sense his smile.

I wouldn't have it any other way, darling.

I search down our bond, sensing Rhys' exhaustion which could effortlessly surpass my own. But, I can also sense our desperation that intertwines and grows like kindling catching alight.

The bond goes taut once more and I become hyperaware of every brush of Rhysand's fingers against my body, the fanning of singular strands of hair as they are caught in each exhale of his warm breath, the delicious press of our bodies against each other.

A tender kiss is pressed to the column of his throat before I extract my head so I can watch his handsome face again.

"You know that you can put me down." I say, kicking my legs ever so slightly as I remain suspended by his arms. "I'm far too heavy for this."

"You offend me, darling." Rhys says, a smirk on his lips. "And you offend yourself." he adds, softer, quieter. "You are perfect, Feyre; nothing less."

I move forwards, pressing a succession of tender kisses to his lips before drawing back.

"I love you so much." I whisper.

Rhys grins, left hand squeezing my hip.

"I love you too, my darling Feyre."

"Rhys?" My mate hums, head tilting questioningly. "Take me home."

His smile becomes more tender and the stars in his eyes shine brightly. Slowly, he slides me down his body until my feet are firmly on the ground once more. I immediately miss his warmth surrounding me.

"How would my delicious, beautiful High Lady like to return?" he asks me with a wolfish grin. "Your choice."

I trace the edge of a wing with my fingers and Rhys shivers. He immediately scoops me up in his arms and I giggle.

"Hold on tight." he rumbles in my ear before we shoot up in the sky.

...

When we arrive in Velaris, we end up in the Rainbow - not the townhouse as I had predicted considering the large amount of teasing on the flight over. Rhys lands gracefully and I move my face from his neck where I had shielded myself from the wind - and just could not resist my mate's scent.

My eyes grow wide as I am placed carefully on the ground.

We are surrounded by our people on both sides and in front of us. They all have smiles on their faces as if they are expecting us. No, expecting me.

The colours of the Rainbow are vibrant, glittering off the Sidra alongside the stars that shine in the sky. My gaze washes over our people before stopping on a particular group of people, my eyes surely becoming glassy and my heart beating harder. Rhys' hand rests on my back and I stare at them.

My family.

Amren is at one end of the group, a surprisingly soft smile on her painted lips. Next to her stands Mor who has tears already on her cheeks and a wide grin. Az stands strongly beside her, looking perhaps the most relaxed I have seen him in an elegant blue tunic and brown trousers, wings tucked in tight behind him.

Elain is next to him, tightly gripping Nesta's hand. Both of my sisters have slight smiles on their faces which banished the dark circles beneath Elain's eyes and the darker, and haunted, edge to Nesta's overall features. Cassian finishes off the line, standing close to Nesta - quite close, in fact - with a cheeky grin on his face, looking equally as relaxed as Az.

He has been looking forwards to you coming home. Rhys says to me. You're someone else he can annoy.

That doesn't surprise me. I reply and look at our people again.

There are so many smiling faces, the war seemingly having no effect on their mood. Small children are sitting on the shoulders of their parents, gasping excitedly as they catch a glimpse of us.

The warmth of Rhys' hand leaves my back and he moves to stand just in front of our family. He faces me, smiling broadly and lovingly at me.

Rhys?

My mate simply smiles wider at me. He then gets down on his knees, down on those mountains and stars, and bows his head. My eyes widen in surprise and I feel my hands shake slightly as everyone follows my mate's actions.

Tears burn in my eyes at the huge sign of respect from our people but I blink them away. I move forwards to Rhys and kneel in front of him, my hands falling on top of his and squeezing. Our knees touch and I lean my body in to his.

His head raises and I press a tender kiss to his cheek. I feel the wetness of tears that have fallen and nuzzle his jaw before kissing him properly.

I love you so much.

Rhys smiles and cups my cheek to kiss me again. We are both aware of everyone surrounding us but I cannot bring myself to care. Things are changing now - for the better. So what if they see our love - it is one of our many strengths, never a weakness.

My mate stands up, offering his hand to me. Once I am standing, Rhys moves so we are side-by-side. Everyone stands too, following our lead.

They want to hear from you, darling. Rhys squeezes my hand reassuringly. You are their beacon of hope.

I look at him and nod ever so slightly. I stay beside him as I address our people, feeling stronger with each second. I clear my throat quietly.

"Being your High Lady is a privilege I never expected but am honoured to have. It is not, nor will it ever be, about power or wealth, it is about you - our people. The past few moments have been difficult but every second away from my home, my family and my mate has been utterly worth it. Knowing that I have helped each and every one of you survive this long and be safe is worth any pain I am put through."

I look at my family, smiling at them.

"I have been fighting for my Court, my people and I will do so until the final beat of my heart. The Night Court, our Court, has been feared for too long and I refuse to allow that to be the case any longer. Hybern's forces are scared of us, and they should be. The united front of the Courts against Spring and Hybern is so close to victory.

"Now, I have returned to my home and I will not rest until peace once again reigns. I, Feyre Cursebreaker, defender of the Rainbow and High Lady of the Night Court promise to protect you, to fight for you, with you. Justice has been sought and now, we will be victorious!"

Deafening applause breaks out around us, people cheering at the top of their lungs. Rhys wraps his arm around my waist, pulling me to him. He kisses me then, dipping us and the cheers increase. My arms come up to wrap around his neck, tight so I can hold on despite knowing he would never let me go.

I break the kiss with a laugh and Rhys straightens us. I need him now, more than ever.

I quickly extract myself with a wink and move over to hug my sisters with a hurried explanation that I will talk to them both later on. They accept my words as if they were told to expect them, smiling at me. I also move to hug Mor tightly.

"We both know what you're up to." she whispers me. I pull back and she winks. That would explain lack of resistance from my sisters. "Enjoy yourself, you've earned it, and I will talk to you tomorrow; if you come out of your room, of course."

I flush slightly and Mor kisses my cheek. Amren surprises me and quickly draws me in for a hug. When she releases me, I am offered a smile and I then move back to my mate.

"Ready to ravish me?" I ask quietly and Rhys pulls me against his front, hands on my hips.

"Always, darling."

I hold on to Rhys' arms and use the last of my powers to winnow us to the town house - straight to our bedroom.

Rhys' eyes are fixed on me and I can see sadness creeping in alongside a flurry of other emotions.

"Rhys?"

His hands slide up the sides of my body before cupping my cheeks. I move my hands so they grip his strong wrists.

"I thought I was going to lose you." he whispers voice breaking. "Knowing you were back in that place alone and that I couldn't help you or even talk to you, feel you... It killed me."

My thumbs stroke over his pulse and I increase my grip.

"Every night, before I went to sleep in that big and empty bed, I sat on the balcony and watched the stars. I hoped that they would offer me some comfort, some connection to you. But... they were so different, so far away. Watching those stars just reminded me of home and you and made me feel such hurt and pain.

"Yet, I never stopped. I always went back to watching those stars."

Tears are in Rhys' eyes and I have ones to match. I won't keep anything from him.

"Why?" he questions, his voice barely above a whisper.

I swallow thickly, a few tears slipping down my cheeks to be caught by Rhys' hands.

"Because at least one of those nights, you were looking up at those stars too." I say, choking back a sob.

"Oh, my darling."

Rhys rests his forehead against mine. I squeeze my eyes shut, soaking in his presence.

"I don't think I can lose you like that again." he mumbles. "I truly think it will kill me - or at least Cass and Az will."

I snort lightly. "They don't enjoy you moping around like a lost puppy?"

Rhys kisses me, nipping playfully at my lower lip for my teasing.

"Lucky for them, that will not be happening again." Rhys says confidently.

I run my hands over his forearms before moving them so they rest on my mate's waist. My eyes are still shut and I run my nose against Rhys'.

"I've missed this." I say, pulling my head back.

I don't care that I keep saying it. It is the truth.

I open my eyes and see Rhys smile. I turn my head to kiss his palm and notice his sharp intake of breath as I do so. My lips press against the sensitive skin again, my tongue swiftly darting out.

Rhys audibly groans and his other hand moves down to my hip.

Cruel, wicked creature.

I smirk at my mate, feeling our need spiralling across our bond.

"I hope you aren't intending on sleeping tonight." Rhys growls.

My eyes take in his features and I reign in my need when I see how tired he is once again.

"We don't have to, Rhys. You look exhausted."

Rhys pulls me even closer.

"Do you want to, darling?" he asks me, hand massaging the back of my scalp and bringing his face closer to my own.

That's not fair. He knows what that does to me.

"Yes." I say, my voice extremely breathless from his touch.

Rhys smirks. He is so smug.

Prick. I say and fist his tunic in my hands. You can be so cocky sometimes.

He raises a singular eyebrow.

I thought you loved me cocky.

The snort that comes from me is completely unexpected and makes us both laugh. I have to let go of Rhys to grip my aching stomach.

Laughing had been a foreign concept these past few months. Now, it feels so good to let it out.

As the laughter dies down, Rhys grabs hold of my hips and my hands slide over his chest. Our gazes connect and the heat in the room suddenly increases tenfold.

Hands start moving and we silently undress each other, lips pressing to uncovered skin until we are completely bare. Rhys refuses to let me take the tiara off to begin with - since it was his mother's - but after trying to run his hand through my hair and the tiara almost falling off, he reverently removed it.

Rhys steps close to me, our bare fronts pressing together deliciously. I cup his cheeks once more, rising up on my toes to kiss him.

"Mine." I whisper.

Whatever restraint Rhys has disappears in that moment and he winnows us so I am laying flat in the middle of our bed, Rhys in the cradle of my thighs. He hovers above me.

"Mine." he echoes before he surges forwards and kisses me passionately.

It feels like he is pouring ever inch of himself into the kiss and it is almost overwhelming.

Yet, not enough.

Don't hide any part of yourself. I love every single bit of you, mate. Let me see you.

I can sense his single second of hesitation before he releases the damper on his powers. It fills every crevice of the room, every pore on my body.

This is who I love. This is the person I love with every part of my mortal heart. My Rhysand.

My hands tease his wings and they flare out over us, across the bed.

"Minx." Rhys mumbles into my jaw as he moves down to my collarbone.

I moan as his teeth graze the sensitive spot at the juncture of my neck and shoulder. I winnow us then to change our positions.

Rhys blinks and smiles up at me as I tightly straddle his lap. My hands run through his already tousled hair and I smile tenderly. His thumb runs over my lips and I kiss the pad.

"Mine." I repeat quietly. "Always mine."

Rhys pulls me tighter to him, love shining brightly in his eyes. I can feel his fingers laying with the end of my hair and then notice that there are tears are gathering in his violet orbs. He lets them fall and I kiss them away gently.

When I pull back, Rhys smiles and his wings spread out comfortably behind him. Those wings that are so precious to him.

"Until the light of every star within our skies has long died," he whispers, hands resting on my thighs. "I am yours."

I kiss him again, pouring every drop of love I have for him into the press of our lips, the brush of our tongues.

"Rhys?" My voice is shaky, my need for him reaching boiling point. It is almost equal to the need I felt for him when we first mated in the cabin.

"Feyre, darling?"

I smile. "Make love to me?"

My mate grins and I immediately decide that it is my favourite sight. Forget the stars or the colours within Velaris.

My Rhys happy, hair adorably mussed, eyes shining with his love and a smile on his face...

I never want it to go away.

"With the upmost pleasure, my beautiful, delicious mate."

Final end note: Please review! :)