The "library" we winnowed into was humongous, a vast sprawling entity of its own, with shadowy sublevels leading down into pits of darkness. As soon as my feet touched the rocky sublevel, I felt a tugging deep within my stomach, drawing me to peer down into the spiraling inky blackness. The oddest feeling overcame me; As though something I had lost was waiting down there... But Rhysand was quicker, drawing me into one of the alcove offices on level 6.

The empty office was of decent size, modest, with a large wooden desk perched in the middle of the space, topped with towering sheaves of paper and dusty tomes. A glamour had been cast over a small window behind the desk, making it appear as though we were amongst the clouds. Fat lazy cotton dollops drifted by on an appealing blue sky that stretched to the horizon. Flashes of rolling green fields and roses caressed my mind. Though I had just left a few moments ago, an odd ache burned deep in my chest. I wondered if he was ok…he really did need to get some sleep. He was probably on the verge of collapse by now. Especially after everything he had been through in the past couple days.

"I seem to have lost track of the ladies" Rhysand's deep voice cut suddenly into my reprieve.

I spun around to face him, awkwardly toppling over an ink pot onto the desk in the process. He arched one perfect eyebrow as my face burned brightly. "Apologies" I murmured, flourishing my wrist as the ink flowed in reverse and dropped back into the jar. I had to get it together. This was unbecoming. Putting all thoughts of Tamlin out of my head, I nodded with as much dignity I could muster. "Well, I do not have any qualms with waiting while you locate them." The clipped smile I added at the end was too forced to be believable.

As he nodded his assent and made for the door, in walked four young women. I knew the first three immediately. Nesta lead the charge, as I knew she would, her slender neck held high and pretty face set. As her blue eyes appraised me, I could see the question forming in her gaze, but she did not bear the cruel look she once wore. Feyre came in second, her skin still shone from the glow of motherhood, and I already had a feeling she knew everything Rhysand did as they shared the bond. I returned the tentative smile she gave me as Elain followed up at the rear. She was dreamy and beautiful as always, but she too looked curious as she took me in. Behind her stepped a robed and hooded figure, and I knew her to be one of the priestesses from the shining adornment she wore at the top of her hood.

Clotho. Her name flitted across my mind.

Before anyone could utter a word, Clotho stopped stark still, although I could not see her face, her body began to tremble violently. As the others turned to her, a sheaf of parchment flew to my face, the script so scribbled It took me a second to understand what was the one word written on it.

"Goddess?"

As everyone looked at each other quizzically, a deep tolling bell sounded, shaking the very room we were in. A sudden feeling of overwhelming claustrophobia began to surge within my chest as Clotho, bowing deeply approached me. She crossed herself, touching the helm of her crown again and again shakily as she stopped before me. I could not help the shaky step back of my own I took.

"Clotho-are you ok?" It was Nesta's worried voice that sounded, as she and Feyre approached Clotho and gently touched her back.

Ignoring them, she quickly gestured for me to follow her, the tolling bells still reverberating throughout the library. As my feet numbly stepped of their own accord, I could feel the cold narrow gaze of Rhysand's as I followed her out of the room and back onto the level landing.

As many as 40 priestesses alone were already packed onto the sub level we stood on, marvel and wonder plastering their faces, some were even shaking and crying, clutching each other to keep from completely toppling over. I could hear the rustlings of others on the levels above and below us, as they pushed to get a glimpse of me. Even though the area we stood in was partly in shadow, I felt as though a great searing light was beaconed on me, illuminating me for all eyes to see in the gloom.

"What the-" Feyre's shocked voice drifted as they stood in the doorway of the office we had left, observing the scene that was unfolding.

A young priestess with beautiful seafoam eyes and auburn hair approached me on trembling legs, her eyes wide and tear filled. "Welcome Goddess, we have awaited your arrival." She murmured, throwing back her hood and dropping to her knees in front of me. In unnatural unison, all of the priestesses repeated her movements, their voices echoing eerily along every level as they threw their hoods back and dropped to their knees. The rustle of fabric and bodies kneeling reverberated along the library, shaking the very floor.

The hyperventilation rose quickly from my chest to my throat, constricting my airway as I gazed down at all of their silent willing bodies. Only Feyre, Nesta and Elain remained standing, their faces shone at me in pure shock as they took in the spectacle before them. I could make out a pair of sparkling eyes behind them, but nothing else.

My vision spun, and time ground to a halt.

I had to take another shaking step back as I suddenly blinked at the sunshine that burned my eyes. The giant marble podium I stood on overlooked a sprawling moonstone metropolis. My opened hair whipped in the warm summery wind, and my shining gold and silver armor glinted in the sunlight. Before me, there knelt a concession of women in similar gear. My warriors. All waiting for me to anoint them as such. The heavy golden sword in my right hand was inlaid with dancing cherubs and celestial deities, and when I raised it, the sunlight sent a million sparkling colors dancing across their shining armor.

Time folded back in on itself, and I was back in the gloomy underground library, the expectant priestesses still kneeling before me. I drew in a deep breath as their devotion thrummed something along my spine.

"Remember who you are". I had drilled that into Tamlin, it was time I listened to my mother's words and did the same thing for myself.

"Rise my sisters, we kneel to no one!" My voice rang out suddenly, clear and loud, projecting to the utmost levels of the library. The voice of a celestial goddess once more.

Through the fray I cut my eyes directly to Rhysand's own purple ones as he stood over Feyre's shoulder. Letting him understand who I really was. In the same unnatural formation, all of the priestesses slowly rose. I could feel layer upon layer of the sadness, anger and injustice they had all suffered, but what really brought tears to my eyes as I stepped forward to embrace them, was the ultimate hope, faith and goodness that radiated from them despite what they had endured. These were my warriors incarnate.

As I let their soft hands flutter over me, I released the tears I had held in. I did not know exactly for what I cried, but once the tears flowed it was though it opened something within the priestesses themselves. Painful sobbing broke out as they all embraced each other, some soothing, some just letting loose the horrible things they had suffered. I touched every one of them I could, embracing them and letting my power fill their courageous hearts.

Eventually, I wound back in front of the sisters and Rhysand. They all gaped at me.

"Uh-I am sorry, but who in the world are you?" It was Feyre that spoke.

Before I could answer, Nesta cut in. "Why do they call you goddess? There are no goddesses in the Fae realms-is there Rhysand." She looked expectedly to his too still figure, and both Feyre and Elain looked at him for an answer as well.

"Please, let me explain. I-I was not expecting such an event to happen." I gestured amazedly at the priestesses who still held each other. "I was hoping that we might speak all together as I explained my story. It is so lovely to finally meet you all in the flesh."

"Nesta-dear cold queen" I smiled to her "If it was not for you, I would not even be here. I must thank you first and foremost."

Nesta shot me an incredulous look, but before she could say anything else Rhysand spoke. "I-I feel it be best if we were to return to the house for this conversation. I can winnow us back there now.

Clammy sweat marred his immaculate brow and as he avoided meeting my eyes, I could not suppress the quite chuckle that rose to my lips. Feyre's eyes lingered as well on her mate, and I could almost hear their confused conversation that strummed through their bond.

I knew the house we entered was not a main residency for Rhysand and Feyre, but there was still a homey feel to the place despite the howling wind that rattled window panes and moaned through the hallways. The room we entered into was airy and spacious, with peaked ceilings and comfy armchairs laid around. The view however had me spellbound immediately. We were perched literally on top of Velaris, the city of artisans and dreamers. Here the view of bright sunshine illuminated every nook and cranny of the city down within the valley. Miniscule bodies moved around in the bustle of every-day life, and the rooftops glimmered like jewels in the sun. The sheer vibrancy of it all made me catch my breath.

I was still standing by the giant window, marveling at the sights when the door clicked open and in walked two Illyrian warriors, still in their training leathers. A short woman with a bluntly cut bob and shimmery eyes followed in their wake. The two males were…intimidating to say the least, but the burlier of the two walked straight to Nesta and embraced her. I knew this had to be Cassian, her mate. The second male was leaner, and taller but he walked in a swirling cloud of shadows. This had to be Azriel, the Shadowsinger. His hazel eyes lingered on me intently, but he did not breathe a word as he stopped at Rhysand's side.

It was when my eyes met those of the short female did I get the tingling down my spine once more. Her eyes narrowed, then widened reflexively as she took me in.

"This is my inner circle; they can hear anything you have to say as I honestly would converge with them at the end of this meeting regardless." Rhysand gestured to the two males as he formally introduced them. When he stopped at the female, he called Amren, she slowly raised her hand to silence him, glaring at him with a strange manic look in her eyes.

"Rhysand, you foolish boy. Do you know who you speak to with such nonchalance and disregard?" Her voice shook as she shot a nervous glance at me.

"Ok. What the fuck is really happening? Because now this is all getting really weird." Nesta proclaimed, striding towards Amren as she waved a hand at her panicked face.

Nobody was expecting the gallant Amren to drop suddenly to one knee, bowing her head lowly to me. Something stirred deep within me. Another memory it seemed. Amren-I knew her from somewhere. Back those millennia ago. She was in another form then, but those grey eyes had stayed the same.

Closing my eyes, I saw myself as I was seated on a grand palladium, embezzled with gold and bedecked with jewels unimaginable on this planet. It was right as we had celebrated the defeat of the planet Cyrus. A great crowd was converged before where me and my siblings sat in exulted glory. My battle sword, Serpentine hung at my side. People gazed up at us in awe, murmuring their prayers and words of gratitude at the base of the stage. The procession all took turns bowing and proclaiming praises before they were pushed on for the next set of people to drop in lowly worship. With the new onlookers I sensed a set of large silver eyes gazing up at me from a small face within the crowd. As I smiled down at the small shaking body she dropped to her knees; eyes modestly down as the scent of her fear and awe spiraled up to me.

"Rise Amren." I whispered to her adult form. "I am no longer the goddess which you knew all of those many years ago. I am only Celeste now. Please, there is no need to fear me."

The silence reverberated around the room as they took in their fearless phoenix kneeling to me.

"Goddess?" Cassian's incredulous tone cut in as he looked me up and down again. "I'm sorry, but what kind of joke is this?"

Amren rose swiftly, eyes dangerous as she stormed over to Cassian.

"Have some respect you common oaf! This is the Lady Celestia herself. If she is here, that means… a great War is on the horizon." Amren was shivering as Cassian gently held her hands and steered her to a seat.

The room erupted in loud clamoring, everyone speaking over each other as they appraised me with new and worried eyes. I could only imagine how rattled they became seeing Amren act this way.

"Please, everyone be quiet!" I cried to the room, my voice echoing loudly on the high ceilings and even Rhysand flinched as they all quieted down.

"Just-just relax. Please, why don't we all have a seat for this. It is quite a tale to tell. There are many things I myself do not understand. But I will try to be as helpful as I can to you all."

Rhysand and Feyre sat together, his arm draped protectively over her shoulder, while Cassian and Nesta shared one big armchair. Amren still sat shaking on a loveseat while the silent Azriel sat on her left, and Elian on her right. They all gazed at me expectantly as I sat in a fuzzy armchair where they could all see me. Drawing in a deep breath, another nostalgic feeling hit me and suddenly I knew what it was.

"Rhysand, where is Bryaxis?"

"Bryaxis? He asked, confusion further plastering his handsome face.

"Bryaxis?!" Cassian repeated, his own voice faint and quivery as he appraised at me. "What in Hell would you want to know about that Nightmare for? Wherever it is, I can only pray it stays there. Bryaxis has been unleashed and has not returned since the last war." Cassian trembled, and I could see the bone deep terror in his eyes as he had gazed at the face of the creature of nightmares.

I tipped my head back and laughed until tears ran down my face. My laughter was pealing bells around the room as Cassian's fear turned to anger.

"Listen, I understand you may claim to be some renowned and feared goddess, but Bryaxis is nothing to be laughed at."

"I said watch your mouth boy!" Amren snarled to Cassian as my laughter finally died down and I wiped away the remaining tears.

"It is quite alright Amren." I smiled kindly at her. "You see, Bryaxis was…hmm…what would you all call it…Right-a pet! He was a pet of mine, and my companion in many great wars. As you can imagine, we were quite the sight riding into battle." I smiled pointedly at the squirming Ilyrian.

The silence was deafening.

"You-you mean to tell me the horrifying creature that was bound to that library for Mother knows how long…was what you rode into battle?" Nesta asked, a perfectly manicured eyebrow raised as she took in my smiling face.

"Yes!" I nodded vigorously. "He was, and still is-the protector of innocents. How do you believe he managed to remain down there with those priestesses for so many years? He knew they were innocents. He knew his sworn allegiance would have been to them in any event."

Swearing under his breath, Cassian got up and strode to the window, running a hand over his disheveled hair.

"Wow" Elain whispered, her dreamy eyes looking me up and down with awe.

"Yeah, wow is surely right. How do you have the power to control something like Bryaxis?" Feyre asked. "I never saw it-his-full figure, but just being within radius of him was terror inducing. In the last war I made a bargain with him. He-he wanted to see the sun and stars in exchange for helping us." She mused as she continued observing me, and I could tell she began putting pieces together.

"Please, Celeste. We are all very curious as to your story and how you even happen to be here. Will you share with us your tale?" Rhysand asked. I could feel the clear curiosity that burned from him, and everyone else in the room. Azriel had not taken his eyes off of me from the moment he arrived, and I could not help but find his deep hazel eyes slightly intimidating. I shot him a wan smile and was surprised to see his eyes actually flicker away as spots of color bloomed on his tanned skin.

"Well, it is quite hard to fully explain everything in detail. It also would be efficient for time to allow you into my mind to see certain things for yourself. I understand you and Feyre are daementi, but I can allow insight for all here if need be."

"Your story began with a cauldron, but mine began millennia before that…" I began, getting comfortable in the arm chair.