["Celaena\t dipped\t her\t spoon\t into\t her\t porridge,\t tasted\t it,\t then\t dumped\t in\t a mountain\tof\tsugar.\t\\\"I\tmuch\tprefer\teating\tbreakfast\ttogether\tthan\tgoing\tout\tin\tthe freezing\t cold.\\\"\t Fleetfoot,\t her\t head\t on\t Celaena's\t lap,\t huffed\t loudly.\t \\\"I\t think\t she does\ttoo,\\\"\tshe\tadded\twith\ta\tgrin. Nehemia\tlaughed\tsoftly\tbefore\ttaking\ta\tbite\tof\ther\tbread.\t\\\"It\tseems\tlike\tthis is\tthe\tonly\ttime\tof\tday\teither\tof\tus\tget\tto\tsee\tyou,\\\"\tshe\tsaid\tin\tEyllwe. \\\"I've\tbeen\tbusy.\\\" \\\"Busy\thunting\tdown\tthe\tconspirators\ton\tthe\tking's\tlist?\\\"\tA\tpointed\tglance\tin her\tdirection--another\tbite\tof\ttoast. \\\"What\t do\t you\t want\t me\t to\t say?\\\"\t She\t stirred\t the\t sugar\t into\t her\t porridge, focusing\ton\tthat\tinstead\tof\tthe\tlook\ton\ther\tfriend's\tface. \\\"I\twant\tyou\tto\tlook\tme\tin\tthe\teye\tand\ttell\tme\tthat\tyou\tthink\tyour\tfreedom\tis worth\tthis\tprice.\\\" \\\"Is\tthis\twhy\tyou've\tbeen\tso\ton-edge\tlately?\\\" Nehemia\t set\t down\t her\t toast.\t \\\"How\t can\t I\t tell\t my\t parents\t about\t you?\t What excuses\t can\t I\t make\t that\t will\t convince\t them\t that\t my\t friendship\t with\t the\t King's Champion,\\\"\t she\t used\t the\t common\t tongue\t language\t for\t the\t two\t words,\t spitting them\t out\t like\t poison,\t \\\"is\t in\t any\t way\t an\t honorable\t thing?\t How\t can\t I\t convince them\tthat\tyour\tsoul\tisn't\trotted?\\\" \\\"I\tdidn't\trealize\tthat\tI\tneeded\tparental\tapproval.\\\" \\\"You\tare\tin\ta\tposition\tof\tpower--and\tknowledge--and\tyet\tyou\tjust\tobey.\tYou obey\t and\t you\t do\t not\t question,\t and\t you\t work\t only\t toward\t one\t goal:\t your freedom.\\\" Celaena\tshook\ther\thead\tand\tlooked\taway. \\\"You\tturn\tfrom\tme\tbecause\tyou\tknow\tit's\ttrue.\\\" \\\"And\twhat\tis\tso\twrong\twith\twanting\tmy\tfreedom?\tHaven't\tI\tsuffered\tenough to\tdeserve\tit?\tSo\twhat\tif\tthe\tmeans\tare\tunpleasant?\\\"\t\\\"I\twon't\tdeny\tthat\tyou\thave suffered,\t Elentiya,\t but\t there\t are\t thousands\t more\t who\t have\t also\t suffered--and","suffered\tmore.\tAnd\tthey\tdo\tnot\tsell\tthemselves\tto\tthe\tking\tto\tget\twhat\tthey,\ttoo, deserve.\t With\t each\t person\t you\t kill,\t I\t am\t finding\t fewer\t and\t fewer\t excuses\t for remaining\tyour\tfriend.\\\" Celaena\t flung\t her\t spoon\t down\t on\t the\t table\t and\t stalked\t to\t the\t fireplace.\t She wanted\tto\trip\tdown\tthe\ttapestries\tand\tthe\tpaintings\tand\tsmash\tall\tthe\tsilly\tlittle baubles\t and\t ornaments\t she'd\t bought\t to\t decorate\t her\t room.\t Mostly\t she\t just wanted\t to\t make\t Nehemia\t stop\t looking\t at\t her\t like\t that--like\t she\t was\t just\t as\t bad as\t the\t monster\t who\t sat\t on\t that\t glass\t throne.\t She\t took\t a\t breath,\t then\t another, listening\tfor\tsigns\tof\tanyone\telse\tin\ther\tchambers,\tthen\tturned. \\\"I\thaven't\tkilled\tanyone,\\\"\tshe\tsaid\tsoftly. Nehemia\twent\tstill.\t\\\"What?\\\" \\\"I\thaven't\tkilled\tanyone.\\\"\tShe\tremained\twhere\tshe\twas\tstanding,\tneeding\tthe distance\tbetween\tthem\tto\tget\tthe\twords\tout\tright.\t\\\"I\tfaked\tall\tof\ttheir\tdeaths\tand helped\tthem\tflee.\\\" Nehemia\t ran\t her\t hands\t over\t her\t face,\t smearing\t the\t powdered\t gold\t she'd dusted\ton\ther\teyelids.\tAfter\ta\tmoment,\tshe\tlowered\ther\tfingers. Her\t lovely\t dark\t eyes\t were\t wide.\t \\\"You\t haven't\t killed\t a\t single\t person\t he's ordered\tyou\tto\tkill?\\\" \\\"Not\ta\tsingle\tone.\\\" \\\"What\tabout\tArcher\tFinn?\\\" \\\"I\toffered\tArcher\ta\tbargain:\tI'll\tgive\thim\tuntil\tthe\tend\tof\tthe\tmonth\tto\tget\this affairs\tin\torder\tbefore\the\tfakes\this\tdeath\tand\tflees,\tand\the'll\tgive\tme\tinformation about\tthe\tactual\tenemies\tof\tthe\tking.\\\"\tShe\tcould\ttell\tNehemia\tthe\trest\tof\tit\tlater- -the\tking's\tplans,\tthe\tlibrary\tcatacombs--but\tmentioning\tthose\tthings\tnow\twould only\tbring\tup\ttoo\tmany\tquestions. Nehemia\ttook\ta\tsip\tof\ther\ttea,\tthe\tliquid\tinside\tthe\tcup\tsloshing\tas\ther\thands shook.\t\\\"He'll\tkill\tyou\tif\the\tfinds\tout.\\\" Celaena\tlooked\tto\tthe\tbalcony\tdoors,\twhere\ta\tbeautiful\tday\twas\tdawning\tin the\twide-open\tworld\tbeyond.\t\\\"I\tknow.\\\" \\\"And\t this\t information\t that\t Archer\t is\t giving\t you--what\t will\t you\t do\t with\t it? What\tsort\tof\tinformation\tis\tit?\\\" Celaena\t briefly\t explained\t what\t he'd\t told\t her\t about\t the\t people\t involved\t in putting\t Terrasen's\t lost\t heir\t back\t on\t the\t throne,\t even\t telling\t her\t what\t had","happened\twith\tDavis.\tNehemia's\tface\tpaled.\tWhen\tCelaena\tfinished,\tNehemiah took\tanother\ttrembling\tsip\tof\ttea.\t\\\"And\tyou\ttrust\tArcher?\\\" \\\"I\t think\t he\t values\t his\t life\t more\t than\t he\t values\t anything\t else.\\\"\t \\\"He's\t a courtesan--how\tcan\tyou\tbe\tsure\tyou\ttrust\thim?\\\" Celaena\t slipped\t back\t into\t her\t chair,\t Fleetfoot\t curling\t between\t her\t feet. \\\"Well,you\ttrust\tme,\tand\tI'm\tan\tassassin.\\\" \\\"It's\tnot\tthe\tsame.\\\" Celaena\t looked\t to\t the\t tapestry\t along\t the\t wall\t to\t her\t left,\t and\t the\t chest\t of drawers\t in\t front\t of\t it.\t \\\"While\t I'm\t telling\t you\t everything\t that\t could\t get\t me executed,\t I\t have\t something\t else\t that\t I\t should\t bring\t up.\\\"\t Nehemia\t followed\t her line\t of\t sight\t to\t the\t tapestry.\t After\t a\t moment,\t she\t let\t out\t a\t gasp.\t \\\"Is\t that--that's Elena\tin\tthe\ttapestry,\tisn't\tit?\\\" Celaena\tsmiled\tcrookedly\tand\tcrossed\ther\tarms.\t\\\"That's\tnot\teven\tthe\tworst\tof it.\\\" As\t they\t walked\t down\t to\t the\t tomb,\t Celaena\t told\t Nehemia\t about\t everything that\t had\t occurred\t between\t her\t and\t Elena\t since\t Samhuinn--\t and\t all\t the adventures\t that\t had\t befallen\t her.\t She\t showed\t her\t the\t room\t where\t Cain\t had summoned\t the\t ridderak,\t and\t as\t they\t approached\t the\t tomb,\t Celaena\t winced\t as she\tremembered\tone\tmiserable\tnew\tdetail.\t\\\"Brought\ta\tfriend?\\\" Nehemia\t yelped.\t Celaena\t greeted\t the\t bronze,\t skull-shaped\t door\t knocker. \\\"Hello,\tMort.\\\" Nehemia\tsquinted\tat\tthe\tskull.\t\\\"How\tis\tthis--\\\"\tShe\tlooked\tover\ther\tshoulder at\tCelaena.\t\\\"How\tis\tthis\tpossible?\\\" \\\"Ancient\t spells\t and\t nonsense,\\\"\t Celaena\t said,\t cutting\t off\t Mort\t as\t he\t began recite\t the\t story\t of\t how\t King\t Brannon\t created\t him.\t \\\"Someone\t used\t a\t spell\t with the\tWyrdmarks.\\\" \\\"Someone!\\\"\tMort\tsputtered.\t\\\"That\tsomeone\tis--\\\" \\\"Shut\t it,\\\"\t Celaena\t said,\t and\t flung\t open\t the\t tomb\t door,\t letting\t Nehemia inside.\t\\\"Save\tit\tfor\tsomeone\twho\tcares.\\\" Mort\t huffed\t what\t sounded\t like\t a\t violent\t stream\t of\t curses,\t and\t Nehemia's eyes\ttwinkled\tas\tthey\tentered\tthe\ttomb.\t\\\"It's\tincredible,\\\"\tthe\tprincess\twhispered, gazing\tat\tthe\twalls\twhere\tthe\tWyrdmarks\thad\tbeen\twritten. \\\"What\tdoes\tit\tsay?\\\"","\\\"Death,\t Eternity,\t Rulers,\\\"\t Nehemia\t recited.\t \\\"Standard\t tomb\t posturing.\\\"\t She continued\t moving\t through\t the\t room.\t As\t Nehemia\t strode\t about,\t Celaena\t leaned against\t a\t wall\t and\t slumped\t to\t the\t ground.\t Sighing,\t she\t rubbed\t her\t heel\t against one\t of\t the\t raised\t stars\t on\t the\t floor,\t examining\t the\t curve\t that\t they\t made\t across the\troom. Do\tthey\tmake\ta\tconstellation? Celaena\t rose\t to\t her\t feet\t and\t stared\t down.\t Nine\t of\t the\t stars\t made\t up\t a familiar\tpattern--the\tDragonfly.\tHer\tbrows\trose.\tShe'd\tnever\trealized\tit\tbefore.\tA few\t feet\t away\t another\t constellation\t lay\t on\t the\t floor--the\t Wyvern.\t It\t sat\t at\t the head\tof\tGavin's\tsarcophagus. A\tsymbol\tof\tAdarlan's\thouse,\tas\twell\tas\tthe\tsecond\tconstellation\tin\tthe sky. Celaena\t followed\t the\t line\t that\t the\t shapes\t made,\t weaving\t through\t the\t tomb. The\t night\t sky\t passed\t beneath\t her\t feet,\t and\t by\t the\t time\t she\t reached\t the\t final constellation,\t she\t would\t have\t collided\t with\t the\t wall\t had\t Nehemia\t not\t grabbed her\tby\tthe\tarm. \\\"What\tis\tit?\\\" Celaena\twas\tstaring\tdown\tat\tthe\tlast\tconstellation,\tthe\tStag--the\tLord\tof\tthe North.\t The\t symbol\t of\t Terrasen,\t Elena's\t home\t country.\t The\t constellation\t faced the\twall,\tand\tits\thead\tseemed\tto\tbe\tpointed\tupward,\tas\tthough\tit\twere\tlooking\tat something. Celaena\t followed\t the\t stag's\t stare,\t up\t through\t the\t dozens\t of\t Wyrdmarks\t that covered\tthe\twall,\tuntil-- \\\"By\tthe\tWyrd.\tLook\tat\tthis,\\\"\tshe\tsaid,\tpointing. An\teye,\tno\tlarger\tthan\ther\tpalm,\twas\tetched\tto\tthe\twall.\tA\thole\twas\tbored\tin its\t center,\t a\t perfectly\t crafted\t puncture\t that\t had\t been\t carefully\t concealed\t within the\teye.\tThe\tWyrdmark\titself\tmade\ta\tface,\tand\twhile\tthe\tother\teye\twas\tfilled\tin and\tsmooth,\tthis\tone\theld\ta\thollowed-out\tiris. It\t is\t only\t with\t the\t eye\t that\t one\t can\t see\t rightly.\t There\t was\t no\t way\t she\t was that\t lucky--it\t was\t surely\t no\t more\t than\t coincidence.\t Calming\t her\t growing excitement,\tshe\tlifted\tonto\ther\ttoes\tto\tsee\tinto\tthe\teye. How\t she\t not\t noticed\t this\t before?\t She\t took\t a\t step\t back,\t and\t the\t Wyrdmark faded\t into\t the\t wall.\t She\t stepped\t back\t onto\t the\t constellation\t and\t it\t appeared","again. \\\"You\tcan\tonly\tsee\tthe\tface\twhen\tyou\tstand\ton\tthe\tstag,\\\"\tNehemia\twhispered. Celaena\tran\ther\thands\tover\tthe\tface,\tfeeling\tfor\tany\tcracks\tor\tslight\tbreezes that\t might\t suggest\t a\t door\t into\t another\t room.\t Nothing.\t With\t a\t deep\t breath,\t she rose\tonto\ther\ttoes\tand\tfaced\tthe\teye,\ther\tdagger\theld\taloft\tin\tcase\tanything\tleapt out\t at\t her.\t Nehemia\t chuckled\t softly.\t And\t Celaena\t conceded\t a\t smile\t as\t she\t put her\teye\tagainst\tthe\tstone\tand\tpeered\tinto\tthe\tgloom. There\t was\t nothing.\t Just\t a\t distant\t wall\t illuminated\t with\t a\t small\t shaft\t of moonlight. \\\"It's\t just--just\t a\t blank\t wall.\t Does\t that\t make\t any\t sort\t of\t sense?\\\"\t She'd\t been jumping\t to\t conclusions--trying\t to\t see\t things\t and\t make\t connections\t that\t weren't there.\t Celaena\t stepped\t away\t so\t Nehemia\t could\t see\t for\t herself.\t \\\"Mort!\\\"\t she hollered\twhile\tthe\tprincess\tlooked.\t\\\"What\tthe\thell\tis\tthat\twall?\tDoes\tit\tmake\tany sense\tto\tyou\twhy\tit'd\tbe\there?\\\" \\\"No,\\\"\tMort\tsaid\tdully. \\\"Don't\tlie\tto\tme.\\\" \\\"Lie\t to\t you?\t To\t you?\t Oh,\t I\t couldn't\t lie\t to\t you.\t You\t asked\t me\t if\t it\t makes sense,\t and\t I\t said\t no.\t You\t must\t learn\t to\t ask\t the\t right\t questions\t before\t you\t can receive\tthe\tright\tanswers.\\\" Celaena\t growled.\t \\\"What\t sort\t of\t question\t might\t I\t ask\t to\t receive\t the\t right answer?\\\" Mort\t clicked\t his\t tongue.\t \\\"I'll\t have\t none\t of\t that.\t Come\t back\t when\t you\t have some\tproper\tquestions.\\\" \\\"You\tpromise\tyou'll\ttell\tme\tthen?\\\" \\\"I'm\t a\t door\t knocker--it's\t not\t in\t my\t nature\t to\t make\t promises.\\\"\t Nehemia stepped\t away\t from\t the\t wall\t and\t rolled\t her\t eyes.\t \\\"Don't\t listen\t to\t his\t teasing.\t I can't\t see\t anything\t either.\t Perhaps\t it\t is\t just\t a\t prank.\t Old\t castles\t are\t full\t of nonsense\t intended\t only\t to\t confuse\t and\t bother\t later\t generations.\t But\t all\t these Wyrdmarks.\\\" Celaena\t took\t a\t too-short\t breath,\t and\t then\t made\t the\t request\t that\t she'd\t been contemplating\tfor\tsome\ttime\tnow.\t\\\"Could\tyou--could\tyou\tteach\tme\thow\tto\tread them?\\\" \\\"Oho!\\\"\t cackled\t Mort\t from\t the\t hall.\t \\\"Are\t you\t sure\t you're\t not\t too\t dim\t to","understand?\\\" Celaena\tignored\thim.\tShe\thadn't\ttold\tNehemia\tabout\tElena's\tlatest\tdemand\tto uncover\tthe\tking's\tsource\tof\tpower,\tbecause\tshe\tknew\twhat\tNehemia's\tresponse would\tbe:\tlisten\tto\tthe\tdead\tqueen.\tBut\tthe\tWyrdmarks\tseemed\tso\tconnected\tto everything,\t somehow,\t even\t that\t eye\t riddle\t and\t this\t stupid\t trick\t wall.\t And perhaps\tif\tshe\tlearned\thow\tto\tuse\tthem,\tthen\tshe\tcould\tunlock\tthat\tiron\tdoor\tin the\t library\t and\t find\t some\t answers\t beyond\t it,\t too.\t \\\"Maybe.\t maybe\t just\t the basics?\\\"\tNehemia\tsmiled.\t\\\"The\tbasics\tare\tthe\thardest\tpart.\\\" Usefulness\taside,\tit\twas\ta\tforgotten\tsecret\tlanguage\tand\tsystem\tof\taccessing a\tstrange\tpower.\tWho\twouldn't\twant\tto\tlearn\tabout\tit?\t\\\"Morning\tlessons\tinstead of\tour\twalk,\tthen?\\\" Nehemia\tbeamed,\tand\tCelaena\tfelt\ta\ttwinge\tof\tguilt\tfor\tnot\ttelling\ther\tabout the\tcatacombs\tas\tthe\tprincess\tsaid:\t\\\"Of\tcourse.\\\" When\tthey\tleft,\tNehemia\tspent\ta\tfew\tminutes\tstudying\tMort--\tmostly\tasking him\tquestions\tabout\this\tcreation\tspell,\twhich\the\tclaimed\tto\thave\tforgotten,\tthen claimed\twas\ttoo\tprivate,\tthen\tclaimed\tshe\thad\tno\tbusiness\thearing. After\t Nehemia's\t near-infinite\t patience\t wore\t thin,\t they\t cursed\t Mort\t soundly and\t stormed\t back\t upstairs,\t where\t Fleetfoot\t was\t anxiously\t waiting\t in\t the bedroom.\tThe\tdog\trefused\tto\tset\tfoot\tin\tthe\tsecret\tpassage--probably\tbecause\tof some\tfoul\tstench\tleft\tover\tfrom\tCain\tand\this\tcreature.\tEven\tNehemia\thadn't\tbeen able\tto\tcoax\ther\tdownstairs\twith\tthem. Once\tthe\tdoor\twas\tclosed\tand\thidden,\tCelaena\tleaned\tagainst\ther\tdesk.\tThe eye\t in\t the\t tomb\t hadn't\t been\t the\t solution\t to\t the\t riddle.\t Now\t she\t wondered\t if Nehemia\tmight\thave\ta\tbetter\tsense\tof\twhat\tit\twas\tabout. \\\"I\tfound\ta\tbook\ton\tWyrdmarks\tin\tDavis'\toffice.\tI\tcan't\ttell\tif\tit's\ta\triddle\tor\ta proverb,\tbut\tsomeone\twrote\tthis\ton\tthe\tinside\tback\tcover: It\tis\tonly\twith\tthe\teye\tthat\tone\tcan\tsee\trightly,\\\"\tshe\ttold\tNehemia.\tNehemia frowned.\t\\\"Sounds\tlike\tan\tidle\tlord's\tnonsense\tto\tme.\\\"\t\\\"But\tdo\tyou\tthink\tit's\tjust coincidence\tthat\the\twas\ta\tpart\tof\tthis\tmovement\tagainst\tthe\tking\tand\thad\ta\tbook on\tWyrdmarks?\tWhat\tif\tthis\tis\tsome\tsort\tof\triddle\tabout\tthem?\\\" Nehemia\tsnorted.\t\\\"What\tif\tDavis\twasn't\teven\tin\tthis\tgroup?\tPerhaps\tArcher had\t his\t information\t wrong.\t I\t bet\t that\t book\t had\t been\t there\t for\t years--and\t I\t bet Davis\tdidn't\teven\tknow\tit\texisted.\tOr\tmaybe\the\tsaw\tit\tin\ta\tbookshop\tand\tbought it\tto\tlook\tdaring.\\\"","But\t maybe\t he\t didn't--and\t maybe\t Archer\t was\t onto\t something.\t She\t would question\t him\t when\t she\t saw\t him\t next.\t Celaena\t fiddled\t with\t the\t chain\t of\t her amulet--then\twent\trod-straight.\tThe\tEye.\t\\\"Do\tyou\tthink\tit\tcould\tbe\tthis\tEye?\\\" \\\"No,\\\"\tNehemia\tsaid.\t\\\"It\twouldn't\tbe\tthat\teasy.\\\" \\\"But--\\\"\tCelaena\tpushed\toff\tthe\tdesk. \\\"Trust\t me,\\\"\t Nehemia\t said.\t \\\"It's\t a\t coincidence--just\t like\t that\t eye\t in\t the\t wall. 'The\t eye'\t could\t refer\t to\t anything--anything\t at\t all.\t And\t having\t eyes\t plastered\t all over\tthings\tused\tto\tbe\tquite\tpopular\tcenturies\tago\tas\ta\tward\tagainst\tevil.\tYou'll drive\tyourself\tmad,\tElentiya.\tI\tcan\tdo\tsome\tresearch\ton\tthe\tsubject,\tbut.\tit\tmight take\ta\twhile\tbefore\tI\tfind\tanything.\\\" Celaena's\t face\t warmed.\t Fine--maybe\t she\t was\t wrong.\t She\t didn't\t want\t to believe\tNehemia,\tdidn't\twant\tto\tthink\tthat\tthe\triddle\tcould\tbe\tthat\timpossible\tto solve,\t but.\t The\t princess\t knew\t far\t more\t about\t ancient\t lore\t than\t she\t did.\t So Celaena\t sat\t down\t at\t her\t breakfast\t table\t again.\t Her\t porridge\t had\t gone\t cold,\t but she\t ate\t it\t anyway.\t \\\"Thank\t you,\\\"\t she\t said\t in\t between\t mouthfuls\t as\t Nehemia\t sat down\tagain,\ttoo.\t\\\"For\tnot\texploding\ton\tme.\\\" Nehemia\t laughed.\t \\\"Elentiya,\t I'm\t honestly\t surprised\t you\t told\t me.\\\"\t An opening\tand\tclosing\tdoor,\tthen\tfootsteps,\tthen--Philippa\tknocked\tand\tbustled\tin, carrying\ta\tletter\tfor\tCelaena.\t\\\"Good\tmorning, beautiful\t ladies,\\\"\t she\t clucked,\t making\t Nehemia\t grin.\t \\\"A\t letter\t for\t our\t most esteemed\tChampion.\\\" Celaena\t beamed\t at\t Philippa\t and\t took\t it,\t and\t her\t smile\t grew\t as\t she\t read\t the contents\tas\tsoon\tas\tthe\tservant\tleft.\t\\\"It's\tfrom\tArcher,\\\"\tshe\ttold\tNehemia.\t\\\"He's given\t me\t some\t names\t for\t people\t that\t might\t be\t involved\t in\t this\t movement-- people\tassociated\twith\tDavis.\\\"\tShe\twas\ta\tlittle\tshocked\the'd\trisk\tputting\tit\tall\tin a\tletter.\tPerhaps\tshe\tneeded\tto\tteach\thim\ta\tthing\tor\ttwo\tabout\tcode-writing. Nehemia\thad\tstopped\tsmiling,\tthough.\t\\\"What\tsort\tof\tman\tjust\thands\tout\tthis information\tlike\tit's\tnothing\tmore\tthan\tmorning\tgossip?\\\" \\\"A\t man\t who\t wants\t his\t freedom\t and\t has\t had\t enough\t of\t serving\t pigs.\\\" Celaena\t folded\t the\t letter\t and\t stood.\t If\t the\t men\t on\t this\t list\t were\t anything\t like Davis,\t then\t perhaps\t handing\t them\t over\t to\t the\t king\t and\t using\t them\t as\t leverage wouldn't\t be\t so\t horrible\t after\t all.\t \\\"I\t should\t get\t dressed--I\t need\t to\t go\t into\t the city.\\\"\t She\t was\t halfway\t to\t her\t dressing\t room\t when\t she\t turned.\t \\\"We'll\t have\t our first\tlesson\tover\tbreakfast\ttomorrow?\\\"","Nehemia\tnodded,\tdigging\tinto\ther\tfood\tagain. It\t took\t her\t all\t day\t to\t hunt\t down\t the\t men--to\t learn\t where\t they\t lived,\t whom they\tspoke\tto,\thow\twell-guarded\tthey\twere.\tNone\tof\tit\tyielded\tanything\tuseful. She\twas\ttired\tand\tcranky\tand\thungry\twhen\tshe\ttrudged\tback\tto\tthe\tcastle\tat sundown,\t and\t her\t mood\t only\t took\t a\t turn\t for\t the\t worse\t when\t she\t arrived\t at\t her rooms\t and\t found\t a\t note\t from\t Chaol.\t The\t king\t had\t commanded\t her\t to\t be\t on guard\tduty\tyet\tagain\tfor\tthe\troyal\tball\tthat\tnight.","Chaol\t knew\t Celaena\t was\t in\t a\t foul\t mood\t without\t even\t speaking\t to\t her. Actually,\t he\t hadn't\t dared\t speak\t to\t her\t since\t before\t the\t ball\t had\t started,\t other than\tto\tposition\ther\toutside\ton\tthe\tpatio,\thidden\tin\tthe\tshadows\tof\ta\tpillar.\tA\tfew hours\tin\tthe\twinter\tnight\twould\tcool\ther\tdown. From\t his\t spot\t inside,\t tucked\t into\t an\t alcove\t near\t a\t servant's\t entrance,\t he could\t keep\t an\t eye\t on\t the\t glittering\t ball\t in\t front\t of\t him,\t as\t well\t as\t the\t assassin standing\t watch\t just\t outside\t the\t towering\t balcony\t doors.\t Not\t that\t he\t didn't\t trust her--but\thaving\tCelaena\tin\tone\tof\tthese\tmoods\talways\tset\thim\ton\tedge,\ttoo. She\t was\t currently\t leaning\t against\t the\t pillar,\t arms\t crossed--not\t hiding\t in\t the shadows,\tas\the'd\ttold\ther\tto.\tHe\tcould\tsee\tthe\ttendrils\tof\ther\tbreath\tcurling\tin\tthe night\tair,\tand\tthe\tmoonlight\tglinting\toff\tthe\thilt\tof\tone\tof\tthe\tdaggers\tshe\twore\tat her\tside. The\t ballroom\t had\t been\t decorated\t in\t hues\t of\t glacier\t blue\t and\t white,\t with swaths\t of\t silk\t floating\t from\t the\t ceiling\t and\t ornate\t glass\t baubles\t hanging between.\tIt\twas\tsomething\tout\tof\ta\twinter\tdream,\tand\tit\twas\tin\thonor\tof\tHollin of\t all\t people.\t A\t few\t hours\t of\t entertainment\t and\t a\t small\t fortune\t spent\t for\t a\t boy who\t was\t currently\t sulking\t on\t his\t little\t glass\t throne,\t shoveling\t sweets\t down\t his throat\tas\this\tmother\tsmiled\tat\thim. He'd\t never\t tell\t Dorian,\t but\t Chaol\t dreaded\t the\t day\t when\t Hollin\t would\t grow into\t a\t man.\t A\t spoiled\t child\t was\t easy\t enough\t to\t deal\t with,\t but\t a\t spoiled,\t cruel leader\twould\tbe\tanother\tmatter\tentirely.\tHe\thoped\tbetween\thim\tand\tDorian,\tthey could\t check\t whatever\t corruption\t was\t already\t rotting\t away\t in\t Hollin's\t heart-- once\tDorian\tascended\tto\tthe\tthrone. The\their\twas\ton\tthe\tdance\tfloor,\tfulfilling\this\tobligation\tto\tcourt\tand\tcrown by\t dancing\t with\t whatever\t ladies\t demanded\t his\t attention.\t Which,\t not surprisingly,\t was\t almost\t all\t of\t them.\t Dorian\t played\t his\t role\t well\t and\t smiled throughout\t the\t waltzes,\t a\t graceful\t and\t competent\t partner,\t never\t once complaining\tor\tturning\tany\tlady\taway.\tThe\tdance\tfinished,\tDorian\tbowed\tto\this partner,\t and\t before\t he\t could\t take\t one\t step,\t another\t courtier\t was\t curtsying\t in front\tof\thim.\tIf\tChaol\thad\tbeen\tin\tDorian's\tshoes,\the\twould\thave\twinced,\tbut\tthe prince\tjust\tgrinned,\ttook\tthe\tlady's\thand,\tand\tswept\ther\taround\tthe\tfloor.","Chaol\tglanced\toutside\tagain\tand\tstraightened.\tCelaena\twasn't\tby\tthe\tpillar. He\tstifled\ta\tsnarl.\tTomorrow,\tthey\twere\tgoing\tto\thave\ta\tnice,\tlong\tchat\tabout the\trules\tand\tthe\tconsequences\tof\tabandoning\tposts\twhile\ton\tguard\tduty. A\trule\tthat\the\twas\tbreaking,\the\trealized\tas\the\tslipped\tfrom\tthe\talcove\tand\tout the\tdoor\tthat\thad\tbeen\tleft\tajar\tto\tallow\tfresh\tair\tinto\tthe\ttoasty\tballroom. Where\t in\t hell\t had\t she\t gone?\t Perhaps\t she'd\t actually\t seen\t some\t sign\t of trouble--not\t that\t there'd\t ever\t been\t an\t attack\t on\t the\t palace,\t and\t not\t that\t anyone would\tever\tbe\tfoolish\tenough\tto\ttry\tit\tduring\ta\troyal\tball. But\the\tstill\tput\ta\thand\ton\tthe\thilt\tof\this\tsword\tas\the\tapproached\tthe\tcolumns at\tthe\ttop\tof\tthe\tstairs\tleading\tdown\tinto\tthe\tfrosted\tgarden.\tShe'd\tbeen\tstanding right\there,\tand-- Chaol\tspotted\ther. Well,\t she'd\t certainly\t abandoned\t her\t post.\t But\t not\t to\t face\t some\t potential threat. Chaol\tcrossed\this\tarms.\tCelaena\thad\tleft\ther\tpost\tto\tdance. The\tmusic\twas\tloud\tenough\tthat\tit\treached\tthem\tout\there,\tand\tat\tthe\tfoot\tof the\tsteps,\tCelaena\twaltzed\twith\therself.\tShe\teven\theld\tthe\tedge\tof\ther\tdark\tcloak in\tone\thand\tas\tif\tit\twere\tthe\tskirts\tof\ta\tball\tgown,\ther\tother\thand\tpoised\ton\tthe arm\tof\tan\tinvisible\tpartner.\tHe\tdidn't\tknow\tif\the\tshould\tlaugh,\tor\tyell,\tor\tjust\tgo back\tinside\tand\tpretend\the'd\tnever\tseen\tit. She\t turned,\t an\t elegant\t sweeping\t motion\t that\t brought\t her\t to\t face\t him,\t and halted. Well,\t the\t last\t option\t was\t no\t longer\t a\t possibility.\t Laughter\t or\t yelling,\t then. Though\tneither\tfelt\tappropriate\tnow. Even\tin\tthe\tmoonlight,\the\tcould\tsee\ther\tscowl.\t\\\"I'm\tbored\tto\ttears\tand\tnearly dead\twith\tcold,\\\"\tshe\tsaid,\tdropping\ther\tcloak. He\tremained\tatop\tthe\tstairs,\tjust\twatching\ther. \\\"And\tit's\tyour\tfault,\\\"\tshe\twent\ton,\tstuffing\ther\thands\tinto\ther\tpockets.\t\\\"You made\tme\tcome\tout\there,\tand\tsomeone\tleft\tthe\tbalcony\tdoor\topen,\tso\tI\tcould\thear all\t that\t lovely\t music.\\\"\t The\t waltz\t was\t still\t playing,\t filling\t the\t frozen\t air\t around them\t with\t sound.\t \\\"So\t you\t should\t really\t reconsider\t who's\t to\t blame.\t It\t was\t like putting\t a\t starving\t man\t in\t front\t of\t a\t feast\t and\t telling\t him\t not\t to\t eat.\t Which,\t by the\tway,\tyou\tactually\tdid\twhen\tyou\tmade\tme\tgo\tto\tthat\tstate\tdinner.\\\"","She\t was\t babbling,\t and\t her\t face\t was\t dark\t enough\t for\t him\t to\t know\t she\t was beyond\tmortified\tthat\the'd\tcaught\ther.\tHe\tbit\ton\this\tlip\tto\tkeep\tfrom\tsmiling\tand walked\tdown\tthe\tfour\tsteps\tto\tthe\tgravel\tpath\tof\tthe\tgarden.\t\\\"You're\tthe\tgreatest assassin\tin\tErilea,\tand\tyet\tyou\tcan't\tstand\twatch\tfor\ta\tfew\thours?\\\" \\\"What's\t there\t to\t watch?\\\"\t she\t hissed.\t \\\"Couples\t sneaking\t out\t to\t fondle\t each other\t between\t the\t hedges?\t Or\t His\t Royal\t Highness,\t dancing\t with\t every\t eligible maiden?\\\" \\\"You're\tjealous?\\\" She\t barked\t a\t laugh.\t \\\"No!\t Gods--no.\t But\t I\t can't\t say\t it's\t particularly\t fun\t to watch\thim.\tOr\twatch\tany\tof\tthem\tenjoying\tthemselves.\tI\tthink\tI'm\tmore\tjealous of\tthat\tgiant\tbuffet\tno\tone\tis\teven\ttouching.\\\" He\t chuckled\t and\t glanced\t up\t the\t stairs,\t to\t the\t patio\t and\t the\t ballroom\t doors beyond.\tHe\tshould\tbe\tback\tinside\talready.\tBut\there\the\twas,\ttoeing\tthat\tline\tthat he\tcouldn't\tstay\taway\tfrom. He'd\tmanaged\tto\tstay\ton\tthis\tside\tof\tit\tlast\tnight,\teven\tthough\tseeing\ther\tcry during\t Rena\t Goldsmith's\t song\t had\t stirred\t him\t so\t bone-deep\t it\t was\t like\t he'd found\ta\tpart\tof\thim\the\thadn't\teven\trealized\twas\tmissing.\tHe'd\tmade\tthem\trun\tan extra\t mile\t this\t morning,\t not\t to\t punish\t her\t for\t it,\t but\t because\t he\t couldn't\t stop thinking\tabout\tthe\tway\tshe'd\tlooked\tat\thim. She\tsighed\tloudly\tand\tstudied\tthe\tmoon.\tIt\twas\tso\tbright\tit\tdrowned\tout\tthe stars.\t \\\"I\t heard\t the\t music\t and\t I\t just\t wanted\t to\t dance\t for\t a\t few\t minutes.\t To\t just. forget\teverything\tfor\tone\twaltz\tand\tpretend\tto\tbe\ta\tnormal\tgirl.\tSo,\\\"\tshe\tglared at\t him\t now,\t \\\"go\t ahead\t and\t snarl\t and\t snap\t at\t me\t about\t it.\t What\t will\t my punishment\tbe?\tThree\textra\tmiles\ttomorrow?\tAn\thour\tof\tdrills?\tThe\track?\\\" There\twas\ta\tsort\tof\tbleak\tbitterness\tin\ther\twords\tthat\tdidn't\tsit\twell\twith\thim. And\tyes,\tthey\twould\thave\ta\tconversation\tabout\tabandoning\tposts,\tbut\tright\tnow. Right\tnow. Chaol\tstepped\tup\tto\tthe\tline. \\\"Dance\twith\tme,\\\"\the\tsaid,\tand\theld\tout\this\thand\tto\ther. Celaena\tstared\tat\tChaol's\toutstretched\thand.\t\\\"What?\\\" The\tmoonlight\tcaught\tin\this\tgolden\teyes,\tsetting\tthem\tshining.\t\\\"What\tdidn't you\tunderstand?\\\" Nothing.\t Everything.\t Because\t when\t he'd\t said\t it,\t it\t hadn't\t been\t the\t way","Dorian\t had\t asked\t her\t to\t dance\t at\t the\t Yulemas\t ball.\t That\t had\t merely\t been\t an invitation.\tBut\tthis.\tHis\thand\tremained\treaching\ttoward\ther. \\\"As\t far\t as\t I\t recall,\\\"\t she\t said,\t lifting\t her\t chin,\t \\\"at\t Yulemas,\t I\t asked\t you\t to dance,\t and\t you\t flat-out\t refused\t me.\t You\t said\t it\t was\t too\t dangerous\t for\t us\t to\t be seen\tdancing\ttogether.\\\" \\\"Things\t are\t different\t now.\\\"\t Again,\t another\t layered\t statement\t she\t couldn't begin\tto\tsort\tthrough\tnow. Her\t throat\t tightened\t and\t she\t looked\t at\t his\t extended\t hand,\t flecked\t with calluses\tand\tscars. \\\"Dance\twith\tme,\tCelaena,\\\"\the\tsaid\tagain,\this\tvoice\trough. When\t her\t eyes\t found\t his,\t she\t forgot\t about\t the\t cold,\t and\t the\t moon,\t and\t the glass\t palace\t looming\t above\t them.\t The\t secret\t library\t and\t the\t king's\t plans\t and Mort\t and\t Elena\t faded\t into\t nothing.\t She\t took\t his\t hand,\t and\t there\t was\t only\t the music\tand\tChaol. His\t fingers\t were\t warm,\t even\t through\t his\t gloves.\t He\t slid\t his\t other\t hand around\t her\t waist\t as\t she\t braced\t one\t of\t hers\t on\t his\t arm.\t She\t looked\t up\t at\t him when\t he\t began\t to\t move--a\t slow\t step,\t then\t another,\t and\t another,\t easing\t into\t the steady\trhythm\tof\tthe\twaltz. He\t stared\t back\t at\t her,\t neither\t of\t them\t smiling--somehow\t beyond\t smiling\t at that\tmoment.\tThe\twaltz\tbuilt,\tlouder,\tfaster,\tand\tChaol\tsteered\ther\tinto\tit,\tnever stumbling. Her\tbreathing\tturned\tuneven,\tbut\tshe\tcouldn't\tlook\taway\tfrom\thim,\tcouldn't stop\tdancing.\tThe\tmoonlight\tand\tthe\tgarden\tand\tthe\tgolden\tglow\tof\tthe\tballroom blurred\t together,\t now\t miles\t away.\t \\\"We'll\t never\t be\t a\t normal\t boy\t and\t girl,\t will we?\\\"\tshe\tmanaged\tto\tsay. \\\"No,\\\"\the\tbreathed,\teyes\tblazing,\t\\\"we\twon't.\\\" And\t then\t the\t music\t exploded\t around\t them,\t and\t Chaol\t took\t her\t with\t it, spinning\t her\t so\t that\t her\t cloak\t fanned\t out\t around\t her.\t Each\t step\t was\t flawless, lethal,\tlike\tthat\tfirst\ttime\tthey'd\tsparred\ttogether\tso\tmany\tmonths\tago.\tShe\tknew his\t every\t move\t and\t he\t knew\t hers,\t as\t if\t they'd\t been\t dancing\t this\t waltz\t together all\ttheir\tlives.\tFaster,\tnever\tfaltering,\tnever\tbreaking\ther\tstare. The\t rest\t of\t the\t world\t quieted\t into\t nothing.\t In\t that\t moment,\t after\t ten\t long years,\tCelaena\tlooked\tat\tChaol\tand\trealized\tshe\twas\thome.","Dorian\t Havilliard\t stood\t at\t the\t ballroom\t window,\t watching\t Celaena\t and Chaol\t dance\t in\t the\t garden\t beyond,\t their\t cloaks\t dark\t and\t flowing\t around\t them like\tthey\twere\tno\tmore\tthan\ttwo\twraiths\tspinning\tthrough\tthe\twind.\tAfter\thours of\t dancing,\t he'd\t finally\t managed\t to\t get\t free\t of\t the\t ladies\t demanding\t his attention,\tand\thad\tcome\tto\tthe\twindow\tto\tget\tsome\tmuch-needed\tfresh\tair. He'd\tintended\tto\tgo\toutside,\tbut\tthen\the'd\tseen\tthem.\tThat\thad\tbeen\tenough to\t still\t his\t steps--but\t not\t enough\t to\t get\t him\t to\t walk\t away.\t He\t knew\t he\t should. He\tshould\twalk\taway\tand\tpretend\the\thadn't\tseen\tit,\tbecause\teven\tthough\tit\twas just\ta\tdance. Someone\t stepped\t beside\t him,\t and\t he\t glanced\t over\t in\t time\t to\t see\t Nehemia stop\t at\t the\t window.\t After\t months\t of\t being\t scarce\t around\t the\t court\t due\t to\t the rebel\t massacre\t in\t Eyllwe,\t she'd\t made\t an\t appearance\t tonight.\t She\t was resplendent\t in\t a\t cobalt\t gown\t with\t gold\t thread\t accents,\t her\t hair\t coiled\t and braided\t in\t a\t coronet\t atop\t her\t head.\t Her\t delicate\t golden\t earrings\t glittered\t in\t the light\tof\tthe\tchandelier,\tdrawing\this\teye\tto\ther\telegant\tneck.\tNehemia\twas\teasily the\t most\t stunning\t woman\t in\t the\t ballroom,\t and\t he\t hadn't\t failed\t to\t notice\t how many\tmen--and\twomen--had\tbeen\twatching\ther\tall\tnight. \\\"Don't\t cause\t trouble\t for\t them,\\\"\t she\t said\t quietly,\t her\t accent\t still\t thick,\t but much\t improved\t since\t she'd\t arrived\t in\t Rifthold.\t Dorian\t raised\t an\t eyebrow. Nehemia\t traced\t an\t invisible\t pattern\t on\t the\t glass\t pane.\t \\\"You\t and\t I.\t We\t will always\t stand\t apart.\t We\t will\t always\t have.\\\"\t she\t searched\t for\t the\t word. \\\"Responsibilities.\t We\t will\t always\t have\t burdens\t that\t no\t one\t else\t can\t ever understand.\t That\t they,\\\"\t she\t inclined\t her\t head\t toward\t Chaol\t and\t Celaena,\t \\\"will never\tunderstand.\tAnd\tif\tthey\tdid,\tthen\tthey\twould\tnot\twant\tthem.\\\" They\twould\tnot\twant\tus,\tis\twhat\tyou\tmean. Chaol\t spun\t Celaena,\t and\t she\t flowed\t smoothly\t through\t the\t air\t before snapping\tback\tinto\this\tarms. \\\"I've\t already\t decided\t to\t move\t on,\\\"\t Dorian\t said\t with\t equal\t quiet.\t It\t was\t the truth.\tHe'd\tawoken\tthis\tmorning\tfeeling\tlighter\tthan\the\thad\tin\tweeks. Nehemia\t nodded,\t the\t gold\t and\t jewels\t in\t her\t hair\t twinkling.\t \\\"Then\t I\t thank you\tfor\tthat.\\\"\tShe\ttraced\tanother\tsymbol\ton\tthe\twindow.\t\\\"Your\tcousin,\tRoland, told\t me\t that\t your\t father\t has\t approved\t Councilman\t Mullison's\t plans\t to\t swell Calaculla's\tranks--to\texpand\tthe\tlabor\tcamp\tto\taccommodate.\tmore.\tpeople.\\\" He\tkept\this\tface\tblank.\tThere\twere\tfar\ttoo\tmany\teyes\ton\tthem.\t\\\"Roland\ttold you\tthat?\\\"","Nehemia\tlowered\ther\thand\tfrom\tthe\twindow.\t\\\"He\twants\tme\tto\ttell\tmy\tfather that\t I\t support\t his\t agenda--to\t get\t my\t father\t to\t make\t the\t expansion\t as\t easy\t as possible.\tI\trefused.\tHe\tsays\tthere's\ta\tcouncil\tmeeting\ttomorrow\twhere\tthey\twill vote\ton\tMullison's\tplans.\tI'm\tnot\tallowed\tto\tattend.\\\" Dorian\tfocused\ton\this\tbreathing.\t\\\"Roland\thad\tno\tright\tto\tdo\tthat.\tAny\tof\tit.\\\" \\\"Would\t you\t stop\t it,\t then?\\\"\t Her\t dark\t eyes\t fixed\t on\t his\t face.\t \\\"Speak\t to\t your father\tat\tthe\tcouncil\tmeeting--convince\tthe\tothers\tto\tsay\tno.\\\"\tNo\tone\texcept\tfor Celaena\tdared\tspeak\tto\thim\tlike\tthat.\tBut\ther\tboldness\thad\tnothing\tto\tdo\twith\this response\tas\tDorian\tsaid:\t\\\"I\tcan't.\\\"\tHis\tface\twarmed\tas\tthe\twords\tcame\tout,\tbut\tit was\t true.\t He\t couldn't\t tackle\t Calaculla,\t not\t without\t causing\t a\t lot\t of\t trouble\t for both\t himself\t and\t Nehemia.\t He'd\t already\t convinced\t his\t father\t to\t leave\t Nehemia alone.\tDemanding\the\tshut\tdown\tCalaculla\tcould\tforce\thim\tto\tchoose\tsides.\tand make\ta\tchoice\tthat\tcould\tdestroy\teverything\the\thad. \\\"You\tcan't,\tor\tyou\twill\tnot?\\\"\tDorian\tsighed,\tbut\tshe\tcut\thim\toff.\t\\\"If\tCelaena was\t shipped\t to\t Calaculla,\t would\t you\t free\t her?\t Would\t you\t put\t a\t stop\t to\t the camp?\t When\t you\t took\t her\t from\t Endovier,\t did\t you\t think\t twice\t about\t the thousands\t you\t left\t behind?\\\"\t He\t had,\t but.\t but\t not\t for\t as\t long\t as\t he\t should\t have. \\\"Innocents\t work\t and\t die\t in\t Calaculla\t and\t Endovier.\t By\t the\t thousands.\t Ask Celaena\t about\t the\t graves\t they\t dig\t there,\t prince.\t Look\t at\t the\t scars\t on\t her\t back and\t realize\t that\t what\t she\t went\t through\t is\t a\t blessing\t compared\t to\t what\t most endure.\\\"\tPerhaps\the'd\tjust\tgotten\tused\tto\ther\taccent,\tbut\the\tcould\thave\tsworn\tshe was\t speaking\t more\t clearly.\t Nehemia\t pointed\t at\t the\t garden--at\t Celaena\t and Chaol,\t who\t had\t stopped\t dancing\t and\t were\t talking\t now.\t \\\"If\t she\t was\t sent\t back, would\tyou\tfree\ther?\\\" \\\"Of\t course\t I\t would,\\\"\t he\t said\t carefully.\t \\\"But\t it's\t complicated.\\\"\t \\\"There\t is nothing\tcomplicated.\tIt\tis\tthe\tdifference\tbetween\tright\tand\twrong.\tThe\tslaves\tin those\tcamps\thave\tpeople\twho\tlove\tthem\tjust\tas\tmuch\tas\tyou\tloved\tmy\tfriend.\\\" He\t glanced\t around\t them.\t Ladies\t were\t eagerly\t watching\t from\t behind\t their fans,\t and\t even\t his\t mother\t had\t noticed\t their\t lengthy\t conversation.\t Outside, Celaena\thad\tresumed\ther\tpost\tby\tthe\tpillar.\tAt\tthe\tother\tend\tof\tthe\troom,\tChaol slipped\t through\t one\t of\t the\t patio\t doors\t and\t took\t up\t his\t spot\t in\t an\t alcove,\t face blank,\t as\t if\t the\t dance\t had\t never\t happened.\t \\\"This\t isn't\t the\t place\t for\t this conversation.\\\" Nehemia\tstared\tat\thim\tfor\ta\tlong\tmoment\tbefore\tnodding.\t\\\"You\thave\tpower in\t you,\t prince.\t More\t power\t than\t you\t realize.\\\"\t She\t touched\t his\t chest,\t tracing\t a symbol\tthere,\ttoo,\tand\tsome\tof\tthe\tcourt\tladies\tgasped.\tBut\tNehemia's\teyes\twere","locked\t on\t his.\t \\\"It\t sleeps,\\\"\t she\t whispered,\t tapping\t his\t heart.\t \\\"In\t here.\t When\t the time\tcomes,\twhen\tit\tawakens,\tdo\tnot\tbe\tafraid.\\\"\tShe\tremoved\ther\thand\tand\tgave him\ta\tsad\tsmile.\t\\\"When\tit\tis\ttime,\tI\twill\thelp\tyou.\\\" With\t that,\t she\t walked\t away,\t the\t courtiers\t parting\t before\t swallowing\t up\t her wake.\tHe\tstared\tafter\tthe\tprincess,\twondering\twhat\ther\tlast words\thad\tmeant. And\t why,\t when\t she\t had\t said\t them,\t deep\t inside\t him\t something\t ancient\t and slumbering\thad\topened\tan\teye.","Celaena\t sat\t in\t the\t parlor\t of\t Archer's\t townhouse,\t frowning\t at\t the\t crackling fireplace.\t She\t hadn't\t touched\t the\t tea\t the\t butler\t had\t laid\t out\t for\t her\t on\t the\t low- lying\t marble\t table,\t though\t she'd\t certainly\t indulged\t in\t two\t cream\t puffs\t and\t one chocolate\t torte\t while\t waiting\t for\t Archer\t to\t return.\t She\t could\t have\t come\t back later,\tbut\tit\twas\tfreezing\toutside,\tand\tafter\tstanding\ton\tguard\tduty\tlast\tnight,\tshe was\texhausted.\tAnd\tin\tneed\tof\tanything\tto\tdistract\ther\tfrom\treliving\tthat\tdance with\tChaol. After\t the\t waltz\t had\t finished,\t he'd\t merely\t told\t her\t that\t if\t she\t abandoned\t her post\t again,\t he'd\t break\t a\t hole\t through\t the\t ice\t in\t the\t trout\t pond\t and\t toss\t her\t in. And\t then,\t as\t if\t he\t hadn't\t just\t danced\t with\t her\t in\t a\t way\t that\t made\t her\t knees tremble,\the\tstalked\tback\tinside\tand\tleft\ther\tto\tsuffer\tin\tthe\tcold.\tHe\thadn't\teven mentioned\t the\t dance\t this\t morning\t during\t their\t run.\t Maybe\t she'd\t just\t imagined the\twhole\tthing.\tMaybe\tthe\tfrigid\tnight\tair\thad\tmade\ther\tstupid. She'd\t been\t distracted\t during\t her\t first\t Wyrdmarks\t lesson\t with\t Nehemia\t that morning--and\t had\t earned\t a\t fair\t amount\t of\t scolding\t as\t a\t result.\t She\t blamed\t the complex,\t near-nonsensical\t language.\t She'd\t learned\t a\t few\t languages\t before-- enough\tto\tget\tby\tin\tplaces\twhere\tAdarlan's\tlanguage\tlaws\thadn't\ttaken\troot--but Wyrdmarks\twere\tcompletely\tdifferent.\tTrying\tto\tlearn\tthem\twhile\talso\ttrying\tto unravel\tthe\tlabyrinth\tthat\twas\tChaol\tWestfall\twas\timpossible. Celaena\t heard\t the\t front\t door\t open.\t Muffled\t words,\t hurried\t footsteps,\t then-- Archer's\tbeautiful\tface\tpopped\tin.\t\\\"Just\tgive\tme\ta\tmoment\tto\tfreshen\tup.\\\" She\t stood.\t \\\"That\t won't\t be\t necessary.\t This\t won't\t take\t long.\\\"\t Archer's\t green eyes\t glimmered,\t but\t he\t slipped\t into\t the\t parlor,\t shutting\t the\t mahogany\t door behind\thim. \\\"Sit,\\\"\t she\t told\t him,\t not\t particularly\t caring\t that\t this\t was\t his\t house.\t Archer obeyed,\t taking\t a\t seat\t in\t the\t armchair\t across\t from\t the\t couch.\t His\t face\t was flushed\tfrom\tthe\tcold,\tmaking\this\tlovely\teyes\teven\tgreener. She\tcrossed\ther\tlegs.\t\\\"If\tyour\tbutler\tdoesn't\tstop\tlistening\tat\tthe\tkeyhole,\tI'm going\tto\tcut\toff\this\tears\tand\tshove\tthem\tdown\this\tthroat.\\\"\tThere\twas\ta\tmuffled cough,\t then\t retreating\t footsteps.\t Once\t she\t was\t sure\t no\t one\t else\t was\t listening, she\tleaned\tback\tin\tthe\tcouch\tcushions.\t\\\"I\tneed\tmore\tthan\ta\tlist\tof\tnames.\tI\tneed","to\tknow\twhat,\texactly,\tthey're\tplanning--how\tmuch\tthey\tknow\tabout\tthe\tking.\\\" Archer's\tface\tpaled.\t\\\"I\tneed\tmore\ttime,\tCelaena.\\\" \\\"You\thave\tlittle\tmore\tthan\tthree\tweeks\tleft.\\\" n-\t>>> Give\tme\tfive. \\\"The\t king\t only\t gave\t me\t a\t month\t to\t kill\t you.\t I\t already\t have\t a\t hard\t time convincing\teveryone\tyou're\ta\tdifficult\ttarget.\tI\tcan't\tgive\tyou\tmore\ttime.\\\" \\\"But\t I\t need\t it--to\t wrap\t up\t things\t here\t in\t Rifthold,\t and\t to\t get\t you\t more information.\tWith\tDavis\tdead,\tthey're\tall\tbeing\textra-careful.\tNo\tone\tis\ttalking. No\tone\tdares\twhisper\tanything.\\\" \\\"Do\tthey\tknow\tDavis\twas\ta\tmistake?\\\" \\\"Mistakes\thappen\toften\tenough\tin\tRifthold\tfor\tus\tto\tknow\tthat\tmost\tof\tthem are\t anything\t but\t mistakes.\\\"\t He\t ran\t his\t hands\t through\t his\t hair.\t \\\"Please.\t Just\t a little\tmore\ttime.\\\" \\\"I\tdon't\thave\tmore\ttime\tto\tgive\tyou.\tI\tneed\tmore\tthan\tnames,\tArcher.\\\" \\\"What\tabout\tthe\tCrown\tPrince?\tAnd\tthe\tCaptain\tof\tthe\tGuard?\tPerhaps\tthey have\tthe\tinformation\tyou\tneed--you're\tclose\twith\tboth\tof\tthem,\taren't\tyou?\\\" She\t bared\t her\t teeth\t at\t him.\t \\\"What\t do\t you\t know\t about\t them?\\\"\t Archer\t gave her\t a\t steady,\t calculating\t look.\t \\\"You\t think\t I\t didn't\t recognize\t the\t Captain\t of\t the Guard\t the\t day\t you\t just\t happened\t to\t run\t into\t me\t outside\t of\t the\t Willows?\\\"\t His attention\tflicked\tto\ther\tside,\twhere\ther\thand\tcurrently\trested\ton\ta\tdagger.\t\\\"Have you\ttold\tthem\tabout\tyour\tplan\tto\tkeep\tme\talive?\\\" \\\"No,\\\"\tshe\tsaid,\ther\tgrip\ton\tthe\tdagger\trelaxing.\t\\\"No,\tI\thaven't.\tI\tdon't\twant\tto involve\tthem.\\\" \\\"Or\tis\tit\tbecause\tyou\tdon't\tactually\ttrust\teither\tof\tthem?\\\" She\tshot\tto\ther\tfeet.\t\\\"Don't\tpresume\tto\tknow\tanything\tabout\tme,\tArcher.\\\" She\tstalked\tto\tthe\tdoor\tand\tflung\tit\topen.\tThe\tbutler\twas\tnowhere\tto\tbe\tseen. She\t looked\t over\t her\t shoulder\t at\t Archer,\t whose\t eyes\t were\t wide\t as\t he\t watched her.\t\\\"You\thave\tuntil\tthe\tend\tof\tthe\tweek--six\tdays--to\tget\tme\tmore\tinformation. If\tyou\tdon't\tgive\tme\tanything\tby\tthen,\tmy\tnext\tvisit\twon't\tbe\tnearly\tas\tpleasant.\\\" Not\t giving\t him\t the\t time\t to\t reply,\t she\t stormed\t out\t of\t the\t room,\t grabbed\t her cloak\tfrom\tthe\tfront\tcloset,\tand\tstrode\tback\tinto\tthe\ticy\tcity\tstreets.","The\tmaps\tand\tfigures\tin\tfront\tof\tDorian\thad\tto\tbe\twrong.\tSomeone\thad\tto\tbe playing\ta\tjoke,\tbecause\tthere\twas\tno\tway\tCalaculla\thad\tthis\tmany\tslaves.\tSeated at\t the\t long\t table\t in\t his\t father's\t council\t chamber,\t Dorian\t glanced\t at\t the\t men around\t him.\t None\t looked\t surprised,\t none\t looked\t upset.\t Councilman\t Mullison, who\thad\ttaken\ta\tspecial\tinterest\tin\tCalaculla,\twas\tpractically\tbeaming. He\t should\t have\t fought\t to\t get\t Nehemia\t into\t this\t council\t meeting.\t But\t there was\tprobably\tnothing\tshe\tcould\tsay\tright\tnow\tthat\twould\thave\tany\timpact\ton\ta decision\tthat\thad\tclearly\talready\tbeen\tmade. His\t father\t was\t smiling\t faintly\t at\t Roland,\t his\t head\t propped\t on\t a\t fist.\t The black\tring\ton\tthe\tking's\thand\tglinted\tin\tthe\tdim\tlight\tfrom\tthe\tbeastly\tfireplace-- that\tmouth-shaped\thearth\tthat\tseemed\tpoised\tto\tdevour\tthe\troom. From\this\tspot\tbeside\tPerrington,\tRoland\tgestured\tto\tthe\tmap.\tAnother\tblack ring\tglinted\ton\tRoland's\thand--the\tsame\tas\tthe\tone\tPerrington\twore,\ttoo.\t\\\"As\tyou can\tsee,\tCalaculla\tcan't\tsupport\tthe\tcurrent\tnumber\tof\tslaves.\tThere\tare\ttoo\tmany to\t even\t fit\t in\t the\t mines\t as\t it\t is--and\t though\t we\t have\t them\t digging\t for\t new deposits,\tthe\twork\thas\tbeen\tstagnant.\\\"\tRoland\tsmiled.\t\\\"But,\tif\tyou\tlook\tslightly to\t the\t north,\t right\t along\t the\t southern\t end\t of\t Oakwald,\t our\t men\t discovered\t an iron\t deposit\t that\t seems\t to\t cover\t a\t large\t area.\t It's\t close\t enough\t to\t Calaculla\t that we\t could\t erect\t a\t few\t new\t buildings\t to\t house\t additional\t guards\t and\t overseers, bring\tin\teven\tmore\tslaves\tif\twe\twant,\tand\tstart\twork\ton\tit\tright\taway.\\\" Impressed\tmurmurs,\tand\ta\tnod\tfrom\this\tfather\tto\tRoland\tthat\tmade\tDorian's jaw\t clench.\t Three\t matching\t rings--three\t black\t rings\t to\t signify\t what?\t That\t they were\t bound\t in\t some\t way\t to\t each\t other?\t How\t had\t Roland\t gotten\t past\t his\t father and\t Perrington's\t defenses\t so\t quickly?\t Because\t of\t his\t support\t of\t a\t place\t like Calaculla? Nehemia's\t words\t from\t the\t night\t before\t kept\t ringing\t in\t his\t head.\t He'd\t seen the\t scars\t on\t Celaena's\t back\t up\t close--a\t brutal\t mess\t of\t flesh\t that\t made\t him\t sick with\trage\tto\tlook\tat.\tHow\tmany\tlike\ther\twere\trotting\taway\tin\tthese\tlabor\tcamps? \\\"And\t where\t will\t the\t slaves\t sleep?\\\"\t Dorian\t suddenly\t asked.\t \\\"Will\t you\t build shelter\tfor\tthem,\ttoo?\\\" Everyone,\t including\t his\t father,\t turned\t to\t look\t at\t him.\t But\t Roland\t just shrugged.\t\\\"They're\tslaves.\tWhy\tshelter\tthem,\twhen\tthey\tcan\tsleep\tin\tthe\tmines? Then\twe\twouldn't\twaste\ttime\tbringing\tthem\tin\tand\tout\tevery\tday.\\\" More\t murmurs\t and\t nods.\t Dorian\t stared\t at\t Roland.\t \\\"If\t we\t have\t a\t surplus\t of slaves,\t then\t why\t not\t let\t some\t of\t them\t go?\t Surely\t they're\t not\t all\t rebels\t and","criminals.\\\" A\tgrowl\tfrom\tdown\tthe\ttable--his\tfather.\t\\\"Watch\tyour\ttongue,\tprince.\\\" Not\ta\tfather\tto\this\tson,\tbut\ta\tking\tto\this\their.\tStill,\tthat\ticy\trage\twas\tgrowing, and\t he\t kept\t seeing\t Celaena's\t scars,\t seeing\t her\t too-thin\t body\t the\t day\t they'd pulled\ther\tout\tof\tEndovier,\ther\tgaunt\tface\tand\tthe\thope\tand\tdesperation\tmingling in\t her\t eyes.\t He\t heard\t Nehemia's\t words:\t What\t she\t went\t through\t is\t a\t blessing compared\tto\twhat\tmost\tendure. Dorian\t peered\t down\t the\t table\t at\t his\t father,\t whose\t face\t was\t dark\t with irritation.\t\\\"Is\tthis\tthe\tplan?\tNow\tthat\twe've\tconquered\tthe\tcontinent,\tyou'll\tthrow everyone\tinto\tCalaculla\tor\tEndovier,\tuntil\tthere's\tno\tone\tleft\tin\tthe\tkingdoms\tbut people\tfrom\tAdarlan?\\\"\tSilence. The\t rage\t dragged\t him\t down\t to\t the\t place\t where\t he'd\t felt\t that\t flicker\t of ancient\t power\t when\t Nehemia\t had\t touched\t his\t heart.\t \\\"You\t keep\t tightening\t the leash,\t and\t it's\t going\t to\t snap,\\\"\t Dorian\t said\t to\t his\t father,\t then\t looked\t across\t the table\t to\t Roland\t and\t Mullison.\t \\\"How\t about\t you\t spend\t a\t year\t in\t Calaculla,\t and when\t you're\t done,\t you\t two\t can\t sit\t here\t and\t tell\t me\t about\t your\t plans\t for expansion.\\\" His\t father\t slammed\t his\t hands\t on\t the\t table,\t rattling\t the\t glasses\t and\t pitchers. \\\"You\t will\t mind\t your\t mouth,\t prince,\t or\t you\t will\t be\t thrown\t out\t of\t this\t room before\tthe\tvote.\\\" Dorian\tshot\tout\tof\this\tseat.\tNehemia\thad\tbeen\tright.\tHe\thadn't\tlooked\tat\tthe others\tin\tEndovier.\tHe\thadn't\tlet\thimself.\t\\\"I've\theard\tenough,\\\"\the\tsnarled\tat\this father,\tat\tRoland\tand\tMullison,\tand Perrington,\tand\tall\tthe\tlords\tand\tmen\tin\tthe\troom.\t\\\"You\twant\tmy\tvote?\tThen here\tit\tis:\tNo.\tNot\tin\ta\tthousand\tyears.\\\" His\t father\t growled,\t but\t Dorian\t was\t already\t walking\t across\t the\t red\t marble floor,\t past\t that\t horrible\t fireplace,\t out\t the\t doors\t and\t into\t the\t bright\t halls\t of\t the glass\tcastle. He\t didn't\t know\t where\t he\t was\t going,\t only\t that\t he\t was\t freezing\t cold--a\t cold that\t fueled\t the\t glittering,\t calm\t rage.\t He\t took\t flight\t after\t flight\t of\t stairs,\t down into\tthe\tstone\tcastle,\tthen\tlong\thallways\tand\tnarrow\tstaircases,\tuntil\the\tfound\ta forgotten\thall\twhere\tthere\twere\tno\teyes\tto\tsee\thim\tas\the\tdrew\tback\this\tfist\tand punched\tthe\twall. The\tstone\tcracked\tunder\this\thand.","Not\t a\t small\t crack,\t but\t a\t spider-web\t that\t kept\t growing\t and\t growing\t toward the\twindow\ton\tthe\tright,\tuntil-- The\twindow\texploded,\tglass\tshowering\teverywhere\tas\tDorian\tdropped\tinto\ta crouch\tand\tcovered\this\thead.\tAir\trushed\tin,\tso\tcold\this\teyes\tblurred,\tbut\the\tjust knelt\tthere,\tfingers\tin\this\thair,\tbreathing,\tbreathing,\tbreathing\tas\tthe\tanger\tebbed out\tof\thim. It\t wasn't\t possible.\t Maybe\t he'd\t just\t hit\t the\t wall\t in\t the\t wrong\t spot,\t and\t the damn\tthing\twas\tso\tancient\tthat\tit\thad\tonly\tbeen\twaiting\tfor\tsomething\tlike\tthis to\t happen.\t He'd\t never\t heard\t of\t stone\t cracking\t that\t way--spreading\t out\t like\t a living\tthing--and\tthen\tthe\twindow. Heart\t racing,\t Dorian\t lowered\t his\t hands\t from\t his\t head\t and\t looked\t at\t them. There\t wasn't\t a\t bruise\t or\t a\t cut,\t or\t even\t a\t trace\t of\t pain.\t But\t he'd\t hit\t that\t wall\t as hard\t as\t he\t could.\t He\t could\t have--should\t have--\t broken\t his\t hand.\t Yet\t his knuckles\twere\tunharmed--only\twhite\tfrom\tgripping\this\tfingers\tin\ta\ttight\tfist. On\ttrembling\tlegs,\tDorian\trose\tand\tsurveyed\tthe\tdamage. The\t wall\t had\t splintered,\t but\t remained\t intact.\t But\t the\t ancient\t window\t had shattered\tcompletely.\tAnd\taround\thim,\taround\twhere\the\thad\tcrouched. A\t perfect\t circle,\t clean\t of\t debris,\t as\t if\t the\t glass\t and\t wood\t had\t showered everything\tbut\thim. It\twasn't\tpossible.\tBecause\tmagic. Magic. Dorian\tdropped\tto\this\tknees\tand\twas\tviolently\tsick. Curled\ton\tthe\tcouch\tbeside\tChaol,\tCelaena\ttook\ta\tsip\tof\ther\ttea\tand\tfrowned. \\\"Can't\tyou\thire\ta\tservant\tlike\tPhilippa,\tso\twe\tcan\thave\tsomeone\tbring\tus\ttreats?\\\" Chaol\traised\tan\teyebrow.\t\\\"Don't\tyou\tever\tstay\tin\tyour\town\trooms\tanymore?\\\" No.\t Not\t if\t she\t could\t help\t it.\t Not\t with\t Elena\t and\t Mort\t and\t all\t that\t nonsense just\t a\t secret\t door\t away.\t Ordinarily,\t she\t might\t have\t sought\t sanctuary\t in\t the library,\tbut\tnot\tnow.\tNot\twhen\tthe\tlibrary\theld\tso\tmany\tsecrets\tit\tmade\ther\thead spin\t to\t think\t about\t them.\t For\t a\t moment,\t she\t wondered\t if\t Nehemia\t had discovered\t anything\t about\t the\t riddle\t in\t Davis'\t office.\t She'd\t have\t to\t ask\t her tomorrow. She\tkicked\tChaol\tin\tthe\tribs\twith\ta\tsock-covered\tfoot.\t\\\"All\tI'm\tsaying\tis\tthat I'd\tlike\tsome\tchocolate\tcake\tevery\tnow\tand\tthen.\\\"","He\tclosed\this\teyes.\t\\\"And\tan\tapple\ttart,\tand\ta\tloaf\tof\tbread,\tand\ta\tpot\tof\tstew, and\ta\tmountain\tof\tcookies,\tand\ta--\\\"\tHe\tchuckled\tas\tshe\tput\ther\tfoot\tagainst\this face\t and\t pushed.\t He\t grabbed\t her\t foot,\t and\t wouldn't\t let\t go\t when\t she\t tried yanking\ther\tleg\tback.\t\\\"It's\ttrue,\tand\tyou\tknow\tit,\tLaena.\\\" \\\"So\t what\t if\t it\t is?\t Haven't\t I\t earned\t the\t right\t to\t eat\t as\t much\t as\t I\t want, whenever\t I\t want?\\\"\t She\t wrenched\t her\t foot\t out\t of\t his\t grasp\t as\t the\t smile\t faded from\this\tface. \\\"Yes,\\\"\t he\t said\t quietly,\t barely\t audible\t over\t the\t crackling\t fire.\t \\\"You\t have.\\\" After\ta\tfew\tmoments\tof\tsilence,\the\tstood\tup\tand\twalked\tto\tthe\tdoor. She\tsat\tup\ton\ther\telbows.\t\\\"Where\tare\tyou\tgoing?\\\" He\topened\tthe\tdoor.\t\\\"To\tget\tyou\tchocolate\tcake.\\\" When\t he\t returned,\t and\t after\t they'd\t both\t eaten\t half\t of\t the\t cake\t he'd\t swiped from\tthe\tkitchens,\tCelaena\tlay\tback\ton\tthe\tcouch,\ta\thand\ton\ther\tfull\tbelly.\tChaol was\talready\tsprawled\tacross\tthe\tcushions,\tsleeping\tsoundly.\tStaying\tup\tuntil\tthe middle\tof\tthe\tnight\tat\tthe\tball,\tthen\tawakening\tfor\ttheir\tsunrise\trun\tthis\tmorning had\tbeen\texhausting.\tWhy\thadn't\the\tjust\tcanceled\tthe\trun? You\tknow,\tthe\tcourts\tweren't\talways\tlike\tthis,\tNehemia\thad\tsaid.\tThere\twas\ta time\t when\t people\t valued\t honor\t and\t loyalty--when\t serving\t a\t ruler\t wasn't\t about obedience\tand\tfear.\tDo\tyou\tthink\tanother\tcourt\tlike\tthat\tcould\tever\trise\tagain? Celaena\thadn't\tgiven\tNehemia\tan\tanswer.\tHadn't\twanted\tto\ttalk\tabout\tit.\tBut looking\tat\tChaol\tnow,\tat\tthe\tman\the\twas,\tand\tthe\tman\the\twas\tstill\tbecoming. Yes,\t she\t thought.\t Yes,\t Nehemia.\t It\t could\t rise\t again,\t if\t we\t could\t find\t more men\tlike\thim. But\t not\t in\t a\t world\t with\t this\t king,\t she\t realized.\t He'd\t crush\t a\t court\t like\t that before\tNehemia\tcould\tmuster\tone\ttogether.\tIf\tthe\tking\twere\tgone,\tthen\tthe\tcourt that\t Nehemia\t dreamed\t of\t could\t change\t the\t world.\t That\t court\t could\t undo\t the damage\tof\ta\tdecade\tof\tbrutality\tand\tterror,\tit\tcould\trestore\tthe\tlands\travaged\tby conquest,\t and\t renew\t the\t hearts\t of\t the\t kingdoms\t that\t shattered\t when\t Adarlan marched\tin. And\tin\tthat\tworld.\tCelaena\tswallowed\thard.\tShe\tand\tChaol\twould\tnever\tbe\ta normal\t boy\t and\t girl,\t but\t perhaps\t in\t that\t world\t they\t could\t make\t a\t life\t of\t their own.\t She\t wanted\t that\t life.\t Because\t even\t though\t he'd\t pretended\t nothing\t had happened\tafter\tthe\tdance\tthey'd\tshared\tlast\tnight,\tsomething\thad.\tAnd\tmaybe\tit'd taken\ther\tthis\tlong\tto\trealize\tit,\tbut\tthis\tman.\tShe\twanted\tthat\tlife\twith\thim.","The\t world\t Nehemia\t dreamed\t about,\t and\t the\t world\t she\t sometimes\t dared\t let herself\tconsider,\twas\tnothing\tmore\tthan\ta\tshred\tof\thope\tand\ta\tmemory\tof\twhat the\tkingdoms\thad\tonce\tbeen.\tBut\tperhaps\tthe\trebel\tmovement\ttruly\tknew\tabout the\t king's\t plans\t and\t how\t to\t ruin\t them--\t how\t to\t destroy\t him,\t with\t or\t without Aelin\tGalathynius\tand\twhatever\tarmy\tthey\tclaimed\tshe\twas\traising. Celaena\tsighed\tand\teased\t off\tthe\tcouch,\tgently\t shifting\tChaol's\tlegs\tso\t she didn't\tdisturb\thim\tShe\tturned\tback,\tthough--just\tonce,\tleaning\tdown\tto\tgraze\ther fingers\tthrough\this\tshort\thair,\tthen\tbrush\tthem\talong\this\tcheek.\tThen\tshe\tquietly slipped\tfrom\this\troom,\ttaking\tthe\tremnants\tof\tthe\tchocolate\tcake\twith\ther. She\twas\twondering\twhether\teating\tthe\trest\tof\tthe\tchocolate\tcake\twould\tmake her\t severely\t sick\t when\t she\t turned\t down\t her\t hallway\t and\t spotted\t Dorian\t sitting on\tthe\tfloor\toutside\ther\trooms.\tHe\tlooked\tover\twhen\the\tsaw\ther,\this\teyes\tgoing to\tthe\tcake\tin\ther\thands.\tCelaena\tblushed\tand\tlifted\ther\tchin.\tThey\thadn't\tspoken since\t their\t argument\t over\t Roland.\t Perhaps\t he'd\t come\t to\t apologize.\t Served\t him right. But\t as\t she\t neared\t and\t Dorian\t got\t to\t his\t feet,\t she\t took\t one\t look\t at\t the expression\tin\this\tsapphire\teyes\tand\tknew\the\twasn't\there\tfor\tan\tapology. \\\"It's\ta\tbit\tlate\tfor\ta\tvisit,\\\"\tshe\tsaid\tby\tway\tof\tgreeting. Dorian\tput\this\thands\tin\this\tpockets\tand\tleaned\tagainst\tthe\twall.\tHis\tface\twas pale,\this\teyes\thaunted,\tbut\the\tgave\ther\thalf\ta\tsmile.\t\\\"It's\ta\tbit\tlate\tfor\ta\tchocolate cake,\ttoo.\tBeen\traiding\tthe\tkitchens?\\\" She\tremained\toutside\ther\troom,\trunning\tan\teye\tover\thim.\tHe\tlooked\tfine--no bruises,\tno\tsigns\tof\tinjury--yet\tsomething\twas\toff.\t\\\"What\tare\tyou\tdoing\there?\\\" He\t avoided\t her\t gaze.\t \\\"I\t was\t looking\t for\t Nehemia,\t but\t her\t servants\t said\t she was\t out.\t I\t thought\t they\t meant\t here,\t then\t thought\t you\t two\t might\t be\t out\t for\t a stroll.\\\" \\\"I\t haven't\t seen\t her\t since\t this\t morning.\t Is\t there\t something\t you\t want\t from her?\\\" Dorian\ttook\ta\tragged\tbreath,\tand\tCelaena\tsuddenly\trealized\tjust\thow\tcold\tit was\t in\t the\t hallway.\t How\t long\t had\t he\t been\t sitting\t here\t on\t the\t freezing\t floor? \\\"No,\\\"\t he\t said,\t shaking\t his\t head\t as\t if\t convincing\t himself\t of\t something.\t \\\"No, there\tisn't.\\\" He\tbegan\twalking\taway.\tShe\tstarted\tspeaking\tbefore\tshe\tknew\tshe'd\topened her\tmouth.\t\\\"Dorian.\tWhat's\twrong?\\\"\tHe\tturned.","For\ta\theartbeat,\tthere\twas\tsomething\tin\this\teyes\tthat\treminded\ther\tof\ta\tworld long-since\t burned--a\t glimmer\t of\t color\t and\t power\t that\t still\t stalked\t the\t edges\t of her\t nightmares.\t But\t he\t blinked,\t and\t it\t was\t gone.\t \\\"Nothing.\t There's\t nothing wrong\t at\t all.\\\"\t He\t strode\t away,\t hands\t still\t in\t his\t pockets\t \\\"Enjoy\t your\t cake,\\\"\t he said\tover\this\tshoulder,\tand\tthen\twas\tgone.","Chaol\t stood\t before\t the\t king's\t throne,\t almost\t boring\t himself\t to\t tears\t as\t he gave\t yesterday's\t report.\t He\t tried\t not\t to\t think\t about\t last\t night--\t how\t the\t brief touch\tof\tCelaena's\tfingers\tthrough\this\thair,\ton\this\tface,\thad\tsent\ta\tpang\tof\tdesire through\t him\t so\t strong\t he'd\t wanted\t to\t grab\t her\t and\t pin\t her\t on\t the\t couch.\t It'd taken\tall\this\tself\tcontrol\tto\tkeep\this\tbreathing\tsteady,\tto\tkeep\tpretending\tthat\the was\tasleep.\tAfter\tshe'd\tleft,\this\theart\thad\tbeen\tpounding\tso\thard\tit\ttook\thim\tan hour\tto\tcalm\tenough\tto\tactually\tsleep. Looking\t at\t the\t king\t now,\t Chaol\t was\t glad\t he'd\t controlled\t himself.\t The\t line between\t him\t and\t Celaena\t was\t there\t for\t a\t reason.\t Crossing\t it\t could\t call\t into question\t his\t loyalty\t to\t the\t king\t before\t him--not\t to\t mention,\t the\t way\t it'd\t impact his\t friendship\t with\t Dorian.\t The\t prince\t had\t made\t himself\t scarce\t this\t past\t week; Chaol\twould\thave\tto\tmake\ta\tpoint\ttoday\tto\tgo\tsee\thim. Dorian\tand\tthe\tking\twere\twhere\this\tloyalty\tlay.\tWithout\this\tloyalty,\the\twas no\tone.\tWithout\tit,\the'd\tgiven\tup\this\tfamily,\this\ttitle,\tfor\tnothing. Chaol\t finished\t explaining\t his\t plans\t for\t security\t on\t the\t carnival\t that\t would arrive\t today,\t and\t the\t king\t nodded.\t \\\"Very\t well,\t Captain.\t Make\t sure\t your\t men watch\tthe\tcastle\tgrounds,\ttoo.\tI\tknow\twhat\tsort\tof\tfilth\tlikes\tto\ttravel\twith\tthese carnivals,\tand\tI\tdon't\twant\tthem\twandering\taround.\\\" Chaol\tbowed\this\thead.\t\\\"Consider\tit\tdone.\\\" Normally,\t the\t king\t would\t dismiss\t him\t with\t a\t grunt\t and\t a\t wave,\t but\t today, the\t man\t merely\t studied\t him,\t an\t elbow\t propped\t on\t the\t arm\t of\t his\t glass\t throne. After\t a\t moment\t of\t silence--during\t which\t Chaol\t wondered\t if\t a\t castle\t spy\t had somehow\t been\t looking\t through\t the\t keyhole\t when\t Celaena\t touched\t him--the king\tspoke. \\\"Princess\tNehemia\tneeds\tto\tbe\twatched.\\\" Of\t all\t the\t things\t the\t king\t could\t have\t said,\t this\t was\t not\t what\t Chaol\t had expected.\tBut\the\tkept\this\tface\tblank\tand\tdid\tnot\tquestion\tthe\twords\tthat\timplied so\tmuch. \\\"Her.\t influence\t is\t starting\t to\t be\t felt\t in\t these\t halls.\t And\t I\t am\t starting\t to","wonder\tif\tperhaps\tthe\ttime\thas\tcome\tto\tremove\ther\tback\tto\tEyllwe.\tI\tknow\tthat we\talready\thave\tsome\tmen\twatching\ther,\tbut\tI\talso\treceived\tword\tthat\tthere\twas an\t anonymous\t threat\t on\t her\t life.\\\"\t Questions\t roared\t through\t him,\t along\t with\t a rising\tsense\tof\tdread.\tWho\thad\tthreatened\ther?\tWhat\thad\tNehemia\tsaid\tor\tdone to\twarrant\tthe\tthreat? Chaol\tstiffened.\t\\\"I\thaven't\theard\tanything\tabout\tthat.\\\" The\t king\t smiled.\t \\\"No\t one\t has.\t Not\t even\t the\t princess\t herself.\t It\t seems\t she's made\tsome\tenemies\toutside\tthe\tpalace\tas\twell.\\\" \\\"I'll\thave\textra\tguards\twatch\ther\trooms\tand\tpatrol\ther\twing\tof\tthe\tcastle.\tI'll alert\ther\timmediately\tof--\\\" \\\"There\tis\tno\tneed\tto\talert\ther.\tOr\tanyone.\\\"\tThe\tking\tgave\thim\ta\tpointed\tlook. \\\"She\tmight\ttry\tto\tuse\tthe\tfact\tthat\tsomeone\twants\ther\tdead\tas\ta\tbargaining\tchip-- might\ttry\tto\tmake\therself\tinto\ta\tmartyr\tof\tsorts.\tSo\ttell\tyour\tmen\tto\tstay\tquiet.\\\" He\tdidn't\tthink\tNehemia\twould\tdo\tthat,\tbut\tChaol\tkept\this\tmouth\tshut.\tHe'd tell\this\tmen\tto\tbe\tdiscreet. And\t he\t wouldn't\t tell\t the\t princess--or\t Celaena.\t Just\t because\t he\t was\t friendly with\t Nehemia,\t just\t because\t she\t was\t Celaena's\t friend,\t it\t didn't\t change\t anything. While\the\tknew\tthat\tCelaena\twould\tbe\tfurious\tthat\the\tdidn't\ttell\ther,\the\twas\tthe Captain\tof\tthe\tGuard.\tHe\thad\tfought\tand\tsacrificed\tnearly\tas\tmuch\tas\tCelaena\tto get\t to\t this\t position.\t He'd\t let\t her\t get\t too\t close\t by\t asking\t her\t to\t dance--he'd\t let himself\tget\ttoo\tclose. \\\"Captain?\\\" Chaol\tblinked,\tthen\tbowed\tlow.\t\\\"You\thave\tmy\tword,\tYour\tMajesty.\\\" Dorian\tpanted,\tswinging\tthe\tsword\tthrough\tthe\tair\tin\ta\tprecise\tparry\tthat\tsent the\tguard\tscrambling.\tHis\tthird\tmatch,\tand\this\tthird\topponent\tabout\tto\tgo\tdown. He\thadn't\tslept\tlast\tnight,\tnor\thad\the\tbeen\table\tto\tsit\tstill\tthis\tmorning.\tSo\the'd come\t to\t the\t barracks,\t hoping\t to\t have\t someone\t wear\t him\t down\t enough\t for exhaustion\tto\ttake\tover. He\t parried\t and\t deflected\t the\t guard's\t assault.\t It\t had\t to\t be\t a\t mistake.\t Maybe he'd\t dreamed\t it\t all\t up.\t Maybe\t it\t had\t just\t been\t a\t combination\t of\t the\t right elements\t at\t the\t wrong\t time.\t Magic\t was\t gone,\t and\t there\t was\t no\t reason\t that\t he should\t have\t that\t power,\t when\t not\t even\t his\t father\t had\t been\t gifted\t with\t magic. Magic\thad\tbeen\tdormant\tin\tthe\tHavilliard\tbloodline\tfor\tgenerations. Dorian\t got\t past\t the\t guard's\t defense\t in\t an\t easy\t maneuver,\t though\t when\t the","young\t man\t raised\t his\t hands\t in\t defeat,\t the\t prince\t had\t to\t wonder\t if\t he'd\t let\t him win.\t The\t thought\t sent\t a\t growl\t rippling\t through\t him.\t He\t was\t about\t to\t demand another\tmatch\twhen\tsomeone\tsauntered\tover\tto\tthem.\t\\\"Mind\tif\tI\tjoin?\\\" Dorian\t stared\t at\t Roland,\t whose\t rapier\t looked\t like\t it\t had\t hardly\t ever\t been used.\t The\t guard\t took\t one\t look\t at\t Dorian's\t face,\t bowed,\t and\t found\t someplace else\tto\tbe.\tDorian\twatched\this\tcousin,\tthe\tblack\tring\ton\tRoland's\tfinger.\t\\\"I\tdon't think\tyou\twant\tto\tdance\twith\tme\ttoday,\tcousin.\\\" \\\"Ah,\\\"\t Roland\t said,\t frowning.\t \\\"About\t yesterday.\t I'm\t sorry\t for\t that.\t Had\t I known\tthe\tlabor\tcamps\twere\tsuch\ta\tsensitive\tmatter\tfor\tyou,\tI\tnever\twould\thave broached\t the\t subject\t or\t worked\t with\t Councilor\t Mullison.\t I\t called\t off\t the\t vote after\tyou\tleft.\tMullison\twas\tfurious.\\\"\tDorian\traised\this\tbrows.\t\\\"Oh?\\\" Roland\tshrugged.\t\\\"You\twere\tright.\tI\tdon't\tknow\tanything\tabout\twhat\tit's\tlike in\t those\t camps.\t I\t only\t took\t up\t the\t cause\t because\t Perrington\t suggested\t that\t I work\t with\t Mullison,\t who\t stood\t to\t gain\t a\t lot\t from\t the\t expansion\t because\t of\t his ties\tto\tthe\tiron\tindustry.\\\" \\\"And\tI'm\tsupposed\tto\tbelieve\tyou?\\\" Roland\tgave\thim\ta\twinning\tsmile.\t\\\"We\tare\tfamily,\tafter\tall.\\\"\tFamily.\tDorian had\tnever\treally\tconsidered\thimself\tto\tbe\tin\tan\tactual\tfamily.\tAnd\tcertainly\tnot now.\t If\t anyone\t found\t out\t about\t what\t had\t happened\t in\t that\t hallway\t yesterday, about\tthe\tmagic\the\tmight\thave,\this\tfather\twould\tkill\thim.\tHe\thad\ta\tsecond\tson, after\tall.\tFamilies\tweren't\texactly\tsupposed\tto\tthink\tlike\tthat,\twere\tthey? Dorian\thad\tgone\tlooking\tfor\tNehemia\tlast\tnight\tout\tof\tdesperation,\tbut\tin\tthe light\tof\tmorning,\the\twas\tgrateful\the\thadn't\tseen\ther.\tIf\tthe\tprincess\thad\tthat\tsort of\t information\t about\t him,\t she\t could\t use\t it\t to\t her\t advantage--blackmail\t him\t all she\twanted. And\t Roland.\t Dorian\t began\t walking\t away.\t \\\"Why\t don't\t you\t save\t your maneuvering\tfor\tsomeone\twho\tcares?\\\" Roland\tkept\tpace\tbeside\thim.\t\\\"Ah,\tbut\twho\telse\tis\tmore\tworthy\tthan\tmy\town cousin?\tWhat\tgreater\tchallenge\tthan\twinning\tyou\tover\tto\tmy\tschemes?\\\"\tDorian shot\thim\ta\twarning\tglare\tand\tfound\tthe\tyoung\tman\tgrinning.\t\\\"If\tonly\tyou'd\tseen the\t chaos\t that\t erupted\t after\t you\t left,\\\"\t Roland\t went\t on.\t \\\"As\t long\t as\t I\t live,\t I'll never\t forget\t the\t look\t on\t your\t father's\t face\t when\t you\t growled\t at\t them\t all.\\\" Roland\tlaughed,\tand,\tdespite\thimself,\tDorian\tfound\ta\tsmile\ttugging\ton\this\tlips. \\\"I thought\tthe\told\tbastard\twould\tcombust\tright\tthere.\\\"","Dorian\tshook\this\thead.\t\\\"He's\thanged\tmen\tfor\tcalling\thim\tless\tthan\tthat,\tyou know.\\\" \\\"Yes,\tbut\twhen\tyou're\tas\thandsome\tas\tI\tam,\tdear\tcousin,\tyou'd\tbe\tsurprised by\thow\tmuch\tmore\tyou\tcan\tget\taway\twith.\\\" Dorian\trolled\this\teyes,\tbut\tconsidered\this\tcousin\tfor\ta\tfew\tmoments.\tRoland might\tbe\tclose\twith\tPerrington\tand\this\tfather,\tbut.\tperhaps\the'd\tjust\tbeen\tpulled into\t Perrington's\t schemes\t and\t needed\t someone\t to\t steer\t him\t right.\t And\t if\t his father\t and\t the\t other\t councilmen\t thought\t that\t they\t could\t use\t Roland\t to\t win support\t for\t their\t dark\t dealings,\t well\t then\t it\t was\t time\t for\t Dorian\t to\t play\t the game,\t too.\t He\t could\t turn\t his\t father's\t pawn\t against\t him.\t Between\t the\t two\t of them,\t surely\t they\t could\t sway\t enough\t of\t the\t council\t to\t oppose\t more\t unsavory proposals. \\\"You\treally\tcalled\toff\tthe\tvote?\\\" Roland\t waved\t a\t hand.\t \\\"I\t think\t you're\t right\t that\t we're\t pushing\t our\t luck\t with the\t other\t kingdoms.\t If\t we\t want\t to\t keep\t control,\t we\t need\t to\t find\t a\t balance. Shoving\t them\t into\t slavery\t won't\t help--it\t might\t just\t turn\t more\t people\t toward rebellion.\\\" Dorian\t nodded\t slowly,\t and\t paused.\t \\\"I\t have\t somewhere\t to\t be,\\\"\t he\t lied, sheathing\this\tsword,\t\\\"but\tperhaps\tI'll\tsee\tyou\tin\tthe\tHall\tfor\tdinner.\\\" Roland\t gave\t him\t an\t easy\t smile.\t \\\"I'll\t try\t to\t muster\t up\t a\t few\t lovely\t ladies\t to keep\tus\tcompany.\\\" Dorian\t waited\t until\t Roland\t was\t around\t the\t corner\t before\t heading\t outside, where\t the\t chaos\t of\t the\t courtyard\t sucked\t him\t up.\t The\t carnival\t his\t mother\t had commissioned\t for\t Hollin--her\t belated\t Yulemas\t present\t to\t him--had\t finally arrived. It\twas\tnot\ta\tmassive\tcarnival--only\ta\tfew\tblack\ttents,\ta\tdozen\tcage-wagons, and\tfive\tcovered\twagons\thad\tbeen\tset\tup\tin\tthe\topen\tcourtyard.\tThe\twhole\tthing felt\t rather\t somber,\t despite\t the\t fiddler\t sawing\t away\t and\t the\t merry\t shouts\t of\t the workers\tscrambling\tto\tfinish setting\tup\tthe\ttents\tin\ttime\tto\tsurprise\tHollin\tthat\tevening. People\t hardly\t looked\t Dorian's\t way\t as\t he\t meandered\t through\t the\t throng. Then\t again,\t he\t was\t dressed\t in\t sweaty,\t old\t clothes\t and\t had\t his\t cloak\t wrapped tightly\t around\t him.\t Only\t the\t guards--highly-trained\t and\t aware\t of\t everything-- noticed\thim,\tbut\tthey\tunderstood\this\tneed\tfor\tanonymity\twithout\tbeing\ttold.","A\t stunningly\t beautiful\t woman\t walked\t out\t of\t one\t of\t the\t tents--\t blonde, slender\t and\t tall,\t and\t dressed\t in\t fine\t riding\t clothes.\t A\t mountain-sized\t man\t also emerged,\t carrying\t long\t poles\t of\t iron\t that\t Dorian\t doubted\t most\t men\t could\t even lift. Dorian\t passed\t by\t one\t of\t the\t large\t covered\t wagons,\t pausing\t at\t the\t words written\tin\twhite\tpaint\ton\tits\tside: The\tCarnival\tof\tMirrors! See\tReality\tand\tTruth\tCollide! He\tfrowned.\tHad\this\tmother\teven\tput\ta\tmoment's\tconsideration\tinto\tthe\tgift, into\t how\t it\t might\t appear,\t the\t message\t it'd\t send?\t Carnivals,\t with\t their\t illusions and\t tricks,\t always\t pushed\t the\t limit\t of\t outright\t treason.\t Dorian\t snorted.\t Perhaps he\tbelonged\tin\tone\tof\tthese\tcages. A\thand\tlanded\ton\this\tshoulder,\tand\tDorian\twhirled\tto\tfind\tChaol\tsmiling\tat him.\t\\\"I\tthought\tI'd\tfind\tyou\there.\\\"\tHe\twasn't\tsurprised\tin\tthe\tleast\tthat\tChaol\thad recognized\thim. Dorian\t was\t about\t to\t smile\t back\t when\t he\t noticed\t who\t was\t with\t the\t captain. Celaena\t was\t standing\t at\t one\t of\t the\t covered\t cages,\t listening\t through\t the\t black velvet\tcurtains\tto\twhatever\twas\tinside.\t\\\"What\tare\tyou\ttwo\tdoing\there\tso\tearly? The\t unveiling's\t not\t until\t nightfall.\\\"\t Nearby,\t the\t gargantuan\t man\t began hammering\tfoot-long\tspikes\tinto\tthe\tfrozen\tearth. \\\"She\t wanted\t a\t walk,\t and--\\\"\t Chaol\t suddenly\t gave\t a\t violent\t curse.\t Dorian didn't\tparticularly\twant\tto,\tbut\the\tfollowed\tafter\tChaol\tas\the\tstalked\tto\tCelaena and\t yanked\t her\t arm\t away\t from\t the\t black\t curtain.\t \\\"You'll\t lose\t your\t hand\t like that,\\\"\tthe\tcaptain\twarned\ther,\tand\tshe glared\tat\thim. Then\t she\t gave\t Dorian\t a\t close-lipped\t smile\t that\t felt\t more\t like\t a\t wince.\t He hadn't\t lied\t to\t her\t last\t night\t about\t wanting\t to\t see\t Nehemia.\t But\t he'd\t also\t found himself\t wanting\t to\t see\t her.\t until\t she\t appeared\t with\t that\t ridiculous\t half-eaten cake,\twhich\tshe\tclearly\thad\tplans\tto\tdevour\tin\tprivate. He\t couldn't\t begin\t to\t imagine\t how\t she'd\t look\t at\t him\t if\t she\t found\t out\t he might--might,\the\tkept\ttelling\thimself--have\tsome\ttrace\tof\tmagic\twithin\thim. Nearby,\t the\t beautiful\t blonde\t woman\t perched\t on\t a\t stool\t and\t began\t playing the\tlute.\tHe\tknew\tthat\tthe\tmen--and\tguards--starting\tto\tflock\tto\ther\tweren't\tjust here\tfor\tthe\tlovely\tmusic.","Chaol\tshifted\ton\this\tfeet,\tand\tDorian\trealized\tthat\tthey'd\tbeen\tstanding\tthere silently,\tnot\tsaying\tanything.\tCelaena\tcrossed\ther\tarms.\t\\\"Did\tyou\tfind\tNehemia last\tnight?\\\" He\thad\ta\tfeeling\tshe\talready\tknew\tthe\tanswer,\tbut\the\tsaid:\t\\\"No.\tI\twent\tback to\tmy\troom\tafter\tI\tsaw\tyou.\\\" Chaol\tlooked\tat\tCelaena,\twho\tmerely\tshrugged.\tWhat\tdid\tthat\tmean? \\\"So,\\\"\t Celaena\t said,\t surveying\t the\t carnival,\t \\\"do\t we\t really\t have\t to\t wait\t for your\t brother\t before\t we\t can\t see\t what's\t inside\t all\t these\t cages?\t Looks\t like\t the performers\tare\talready\tstarting.\\\"\tAnd\tthey\twere.\tAll\tsorts\tof\tjugglers\tand\tsword- swallowers\tand\tfire-breathers\tmilled\tabout,\tand\ttumblers\tbalanced\ton\timpossible things:\tchair\tbacks,\tpoles,\ta\tbed\tof\tnails. \\\"I\tthink\tthis\tis\tjust\tpractice,\\\"\tDorian\tsaid,\tand\the\thoped\the\twas\tright,\tbecause if\tHollin\tlearned\tthat\tanyone\thad\tstarted\twithout\this\tapproval.\tOh,\tDorian\twould make\tsure\the\twas\tfar\taway\tfrom\tthe\tcastle\twhen\tthat\ttantrum\toccurred. \\\"Hmm,\\\"\tCelaena\tsaid,\tand\twalked\tdeeper\tinto\tthe\tteeming\tcarnival. Chaol\twas\twatching\tthe\tprince\twarily.\tThere\twere\tquestions\tin Chaol's\t eyes--questions\t that\t Dorian\t had\t no\t intention\t of\t answering--\t so\t he strode\t after\t Celaena,\t because\t leaving\t the\t carnival\t would\t feel\t too\t much\t like drawing\t a\t line.\t They\t made\t their\t way\t to\t the\t last\t and\t largest\t wagon\t in\t the\t rough semi-circle\tof\ttents\tand\tcages. \\\"Welcome!\t Welcome!\\\"\t shouted\t an\t old\t woman,\t bent\t and\t gnarled\t with\t age, from\ta\tpodium\tat\tthe\tfoot\tof\tits\tstairs.\tA\tcrown\tof\tstars\tadorned\ther\tsilver\thair, and\t though\t her\t tanned\t face\t was\t saggy\t and\t speckled,\t there\t was\t a\t spark\t in\t her brown\teyes. \\\"Look\t into\t my\t mirrors\t and\t see\t the\t future!\t Let\t me\t examine\t your\t palm\t so\t I might\ttell\tyou\tmyself!\\\"\tThe\told\twoman\tpointed\twith\ta\tknotted\tcane\tat\tCelaena. \\\"Care\tto\thave\tyour\tfortune\ttold,\tgirl?\\\"\tDorian\tblinked--then\tblinked\tagain\tat\tthe sight\t of\t the\t woman's\t teeth.\t They\t were\t razor-sharp,\t like\t a\t fish's,\t and\t made\t of metal.\tOf--of\tiron. Celaena\tpulled\ther\tgreen\tcloak\ttightly\taround\ther,\tbut\tremained\tstaring\tat\tthe crone. Dorian\t had\t heard\t the\t legends\t of\t the\t fallen\t Witch\t Kingdom,\t where bloodthirsty\t witches\t had\t overthrown\t the\t peaceful\t Crochan\t Dynasty\t and\t then ripped\t apart\t the\t kingdom\t stone\t by\t stone.\t Five\t hundred\t years\t later,\t songs\t were","still\t sung\t of\t the\t deadly\t wars\t that\t had\t left\t the\t Ironteeth\t Clans\t the\t only\t ones standing\t on\t a\t killing\t field,\t dead\t Crochan\t queens\t all\t around\t them.\t But\t the\t last Crochan\tQueen\thad\tcast\ta\tspell\tto\tensure\tthat\tas\tlong\tas\tIronteeth\tbanners\tflew no\tbit\tof\tsoil\twould\tyield\tlife\tto\tthem. \\\"Come\tinto\tmy\twagon,\tdear-heart,\\\"\tthe\told\twoman\tcrooned\tat\tCelaena,\t\\\"and let\t old\t Baba\t Yellowlegs\t take\t a\t look\t into\t your\t future.\\\"\t Sure\t enough,\t peeking beneath\ther\tbrown\trobe\twere\tsaffron-colored\tankles. Celaena's\tface\thad\tdrained\tof\tcolor,\tand\tChaol\twent\tto\ther\tside\tand\ttook\ther elbow.\t Despite\t the\t way\t the\t protective\t gesture\t made\t Dorian's\t gut\t twist,\t he\t was glad\t Chaol\t had\t done\t it.\t But\t this\t was\t all\t just\t a\t sham--that\t woman\t had\t probably put\t on\t a\t fake\t set\t of\t iron\t teeth\t and\t sheer\t yellow\t stockings,\t and\t called\t herself Baba\tYellowlegs\tto\tmake\tthe\tcarnival\tpatrons\thand\tover\tgood\tcoin. \\\"You're\ta\twitch,\\\"\tCelaena\tsaid,\ther\tvoice\tstrangled.\tShe\tdidn't\tthink\tit\twas\ta sham,\tapparently.\tNo,\ther\tface\twas\tstill\twhite\tas\tdeath.\tGods--\twas\tshe\tactually scared? Baba\tYellowlegs\tlaughed,\ta\tcrow's\tcackle,\tand\tbowed.\t\\\"The\tlast-born\twitch in\t the\t Witch\t Kingdom.\\\"\t To\t Dorian's\t shock,\t Celaena\t took\t a\t step\t back,\t closer\t to Chaol\t now,\t a\t hand\t going\t to\t the\t necklace\t she\t always\t wore.\t \\\"Care\t to\t have\t your fortune\tread\tnow?\\\" \\\"No,\\\"\tCelaena\tsaid,\talmost\tleaning\tinto\tChaol. \\\"Then\t get\t out\t of\t my\t way\t and\t let\t me\t go\t about\t my\t business!\t I've\t never\t seen such\ta\tcheap\tcrowd!\\\"\tBaba\tYellowlegs\tsnarled,\tand\tlifted\ther\thead\tto\tlook\tover them.\t\\\"Fortunes!\tFortunes!\\\" Chaol\ttook\ta\tstep\ttoward\ther,\ta\thand\ton\this\tsword.\t\\\"Don't\tbe\tso\trude\tto\tyour customers.\\\" The\t crone\t smiled,\t her\t teeth\t glinting\t in\t the\t afternoon\t light\t as\t she\t sniffed\t at him.\t \\\"And\t what\t would\t a\t man\t who\t smells\t of\t the\t Silver\t Lake\t do\t to\t an\t innocent old\twitch\tlike\tme?\\\" A\t chill\t went\t down\t Dorian's\t spine,\t and\t it\t was\t Celaena's\t turn\t to\t grab\t onto Chaol's\t arm\t as\t she\t tried\t to\t pull\t him\t away.\t But\t Chaol\t refused\t to\t move.\t \\\"I\t don't know\t what\t sort\t of\t sham\t you're\t running,\t old\t woman,\t but\t you'd\t best\t mind\t your tongue\tbefore\tyou\tlose\tit.\\\" Baba\tYellowlegs\tlicked\ther\trazor-sharp\tteeth.\t\\\"Come\tand\tget\tit,\\\"\tshe\tpurred. Challenge\t flashed\t in\t Chaol's\t eyes,\t but\t Celaena\t was\t still\t so\t pale\t that\t Dorian","took\t her\t by\t the\t arm,\t leading\t her\t away.\t \\\"Let's\t go,\\\"\t he\t said,\t and\t the\t old\t woman shifted\ther\teyes\tto\thim.\tIf\tshe\tcould\tindeed\ttell\tthings\tabout\tthem,\tthen\tthe\tlast place\the\twanted\tto\tbe\twas\there.\t\\\"Chaol,\tlet's\tgo.\\\" The\t witch\t was\t grinning\t at\t him\t as\t she\t used\t a\t long,\t metallic\t nail\t to\t pick\t out something\tfrom\ther\tteeth.\t\\\"Hide\tfrom\tfate\tall\tyou\tlike,\\\"\tBaba Yellowlegs\tsaid\tas\tthey\tturned\taway.\t\\\"But\tit\tshall\tsoon\tfind\tyou!\\\" \\\"You're\tshaking.\\\" \\\"No,\tI'm\tnot,\\\"\tCelaena\thissed,\tbatting\tChaol's\thand\tfrom\ther\tarm.\tIt\twas\tbad enough\t that\t Dorian\t was\t there,\t but\t for\t Chaol\t to\t witness\t her\t coming\t face\t to\t face with\tBaba\tYellowlegs. She\tknew\tthe\tstories--legends\tthat\thad\tgiven\ther\tbrutal\tnightmares\tas\ta\tchild, a\tfirsthand\taccount\tthat\ta\tformer\tfriend\thad\tonce\ttold\ther.\tGiven\thow\tthat\tfriend had\t foully\t betrayed\t and\t nearly\t killed\t her,\t Celaena\t had\t hoped\t that\t the\t horrific stories\tabout\tthe\tIronteeth\twitches\twere\tjust\tmore\tlies.\tBut\tseeing\tthat\twoman. Celaena\t swallowed\t hard.\t Seeing\t that\t woman,\t feeling\t the\t sense\t of\t otherness that\tradiated\tfrom\ther,\tCelaena\thad\tno\ttrouble\tbelieving\tthat\tthese\twitches\twere capable\t of\t consuming\t a\t human\t child\t until\t nothing\t but\t clean-picked\t bones remained. Frozen\t down\t to\t her\t core\t now,\t she\t followed\t Dorian\t as\t he\t strode\t away\t from the\tcarnival.\tWhile\tshe'd\tbeen\tstanding\tin\tfront\tof\tthat\twagon,\tall\tshe'd\twanted, for\t some\t reason,\t was\t to\t get\t inside\t it.\t Like\t there\t was\t something\t waiting\t for\t her within.\t And\t that\t crown\t of\t stars\t the\t witch\t had\t been\t wearing.\t And\t then\t her amulet--it\t had\t started\t feeling\t heavy\t and\t warm,\t the\t way\t it\t had\t the\t night\t she'd seen\tthat\tperson\tin\tthe\thall. If\t she\t ever\t came\t back\t to\t the\t carnival,\t she\t should\t bring\t Nehemia\t with\t her, just\t to\t see\t if\t Yellowlegs\t was\t indeed\t what\t she\t claimed\t to\t be.\t She\t didn't\t give\t a damn\t about\t what\t was\t in\t the\t cages.\t Not\t anymore,\t not\t with\t Yellowlegs\t to\t hold her\tinterest.\tShe\tfollowed\tDorian\tand\tChaol\twithout\thearing\ta\tsingle\tword\tthey said\tuntil\tthey\thad\tsomehow\tarrived\tat\tthe\troyal\tstables,\tand\tDorian\twas\tleading them\tinside. \\\"I\twas\tgoing\tto\tgive\tit\tto\tyou\ton\tyour\tbirthday,\\\"\the\tsaid\tto\tChaol,\t\\\"but\twhy wait\tanother\ttwo\tdays?\\\" Dorian\tstopped\tbefore\ta\tstall.\tChaol\texclaimed,\t\\\"Are\tyou\tout\tof your\tmind?\\\"","Dorian\t grinned--an\t expression\t she\t hadn't\t seen\t in\t so\t long\t that\t it\t made\t her remember\tlate\tnights\tspent\ttangled\tup\twith\thim,\tthe\twarmth\tof\this\tbreath\ton\ther skin.\t\\\"What?\tYou\tdeserve\tit.\\\" A\t night-black\t Asterion\t stallion\t stood\t within\t the\t pen,\t staring\t at\t them\t with ancient,\tdark\teyes. Chaol\twas\tbacking\taway,\thands\traised.\t\\\"This\tis\ta\tgift\tfor\ta\tprince,\tnot--\\\" Dorian\tclicked\this\ttongue.\t\\\"Nonsense.\tI'll\tbe\toffended\tif\tyou\tdon't\taccept.\\\" \\\"I\tcan't.\\\"\tChaol\tshifted\tpleading\teyes\tto\tCelaena,\tbut\tshe\tshrugged. \\\"I\t had\t an\t Asterion\t mare\t once,\\\"\t she\t admitted,\t and\t both\t of\t them\t blinked. Celaena\twent\tup\tto\tthe\tstall\tand\theld\tout\ther\tfingers,\tletting\tthe\tstallion\tsniff\ther. \\\"Her\t name\t was\t Kasida.\\\"\t She\t smiled\t at\t the\t memory,\t stroking\t the\t stallion's velvet-soft\tnose.\t\\\"It\tmeant\tDrinker\tof\tthe\tWind\tin\tthe\tdialect\tof\tthe\tRed\tDesert. She\tlooked\tlike\ta\tstorm-tossed\tsea.\\\" \\\"How\t did\t you\t get\t an\t Asterion\t mare?\t They're\t worth\t even\t more\t than\t the stallions,\\\"\tDorian\tsaid.\tIt\twas\tthe\tfirst\tnormal-sounding\tquestion\the'd\tasked\ther in\tweeks. She\tlooked\tover\ther\tshoulder\tat\tthem\tand\tflashed\ta\tfiendish\tgrin.\t\\\"I\tstole\ther from\tthe\tLord\tof\tXandria.\\\"\tChaol's\teyes\tgrew\twide,\tand\tDorian\tcocked\this\thead. It\t was\t comical\t enough\t that\t she\t started\t laughing.\t \\\"I\t swear\t on\t the\t Wyrd\t it's\t the truth.\t I'll\t tell\t you\t the\t story\t some\t other\t time.\\\"\t She\t backed\t away,\t nudging\t Chaol toward\t the\t pen.\t The\t horse\t huffed\t at\t his\t fingers,\t and\t beast\t and\t man\t looked\t at each\tother. Dorian\twas\tstill\twatching\ther\twith\tnarrowed\tbrows,\tbut\twhen\tshe\tcaught\thim staring,\t he\t turned\t to\t Chaol.\t \\\"Is\t it\t too\t early\t to\t ask\t what\t you'll\t be\t doing\t for\t your birthday?\\\" Celaena\t crossed\t her\t arms.\t \\\"We\t have\t plans,\\\"\t she\t said\t before\t Chaol\t could reply.\tShe\tdidn't\tmean\tto\tsound\tso\tsharp,\tbut.\twell,\tshe'd\tbeen\tplanning\tthe\tnight for\ta\tfew\tweeks\tnow. Chaol\tlooked\tat\ther\tover\ta\tshoulder.\t\\\"We\tdo?\\\" Celaena\t gave\t him\t a\t venomously\t sweet\t smile.\t \\\"Oh,\t yes.\t It\t might\t not\t be\t an Asterion\tstallion,\tbut.\t\\\" Dorian's\teyes\tflashed.\t\\\"Well,\tI\thope\tyou\thave\tfun,\\\"\the\tinterrupted. Chaol\t quickly\t looked\t back\t at\t the\t horse\t as\t Celaena\t and\t Dorian\t faced\t each","other.\t Whatever\t familiar\t expressions\t he'd\t once\t worn\t were\t now\t gone.\t And\t part of\t her--the\t part\t that\t had\t spent\t so\t many\t nights\t looking\t forward\t to\t seeing\t that handsome\tface--truly\tmourned\tit.\tLooking\tat\thim\tbecame\tdifficult. She\tleft\tthem\tin\tthe\tstables\twith\ta\tbrief\tgood\tnight,\tcongratulating\tChaol\ton his\tnew\tgift.\tShe\tdidn't\tdare\tturn\tin\tthe\tdirection\tof\tthe\tcarnival,\twhere\tthe\tsound of\t the\t crowd\t suggested\t that\t Hollin\t had\t made\t his\t appearance\t and\t unveiled\t the cages.\t Instead,\t she\t sprinted\t up\t the\t stairs\t to\t the\t warmth\t of\t her\t rooms,\t trying\t to shut\tout\tthe\timage\tof\tthe\twitch's\tiron\tteeth,\tand\tthe\tway\tshe'd\tcalled\tafter\tthem with\tthose\twords\tabout\tFate,\tso\tsimilar\tto\twhat\tMort\thad\tsaid\ton\tthe\tnight\tof\tthe eclipse. Perhaps\t it\t was\t intuition,\t or\t perhaps\t it\t was\t because\t she\t was\t a\t miserable person\twho\tcouldn't\teven\ttrust\tthe\tadvice\tof\ta\tfriend,\tbut\tshe\twanted\tto\tgo\tback to\t the\t tomb.\t Alone.\t Maybe\t Nehemia\t was\t wrong\t about\t the\t amulet\t being irrelevant.\tAnd\tshe\twas\ttired\tof\twaiting\tfor\ther\tfriend\tto\tfind\tthe\ttime\tto\tresearch the\teye\triddle. She'd\tgo\tback\tjust\tonce,\tand\tnever\ttell\tNehemia.\tBecause\tthe\thole\tin\tthe\twall was\tshaped\tlike\tan\teye,\tits\tiris\tremoved\tto\tform\ta\tspace\tthat\twould\tperfectly\tfit the\tamulet\tshe\twore\taround\ther\tneck.","\\\"Mort,\\\"\tCelaena\tsaid,\tand\tthe\tskull\tknocker\topened\tan\teye. \\\"It's\tterribly\trude\tto\twake\tsomeone\twhen\tthey're\tsleeping,\\\"\the\tsaid\tdrowsily. \\\"Would\tyou\thave\tpreferred\tif\tI\thad\tknocked\ton\tyour\tface?\\\"\tHe\tglared\tat\ther. \\\"I\t need\t to\t know\t something.\\\"\t She\t held\t out\t the\t amulet.\t \\\"This\t necklace--does\t it truly\thave\tpower?\\\" \\\"Of\tcourse\tit\tdoes.\\\" \\\"But\tit's\tthousands\tof\tyears\told.\\\" \\\"So?\\\"\tMort\tyawned.\t\\\"It's\tmagic.\tMagical\tthings\trarely\tage\tas\tnormal\tobjects do.\\\" \\\"But\twhat\tdoes\tit\tdo?\\\" \\\"It\tprotects\tyou,\tas\tElena\tsaid.\tIt\tguards\tyou\tfrom\tharm,\tthough\tyou\tcertainly seem\tto\tdo\tyour\tbest\tto\tget\tinto\ttrouble.\\\" Celaena\topened\tthe\tdoor.\t\\\"I\tthink\tI\tknow\twhat\tit\tdoes.\\\"\tPerhaps\tit\twas\tmere coincidence,\t but\t the\t riddle\t had\t been\t worded\t so\t specifically.\t Perhaps\t Davis\t had been\t looking\t for\t the\t same\t thing\t Elena\t wanted\t her\t to\t find:\t the\t source\t of\t the king's\tpower.\tThis\tcould\tbe\tthe\tfirst\tstep toward\tuncovering\tthat. \\\"You're\t probably\t wrong,\\\"\t Mort\t said\t as\t she\t walked\t by.\t \\\"I'm\t just\t warning you.\\\" She\tdidn't\tlisten.\tShe\twent\tright\tup\tto\tthe\thollow\teye\tin\tthe\twall\tand\tstood\ton tiptoe\t to\t look\t through.\t The\t wall\t on\t the\t other\t side\t was\t still\t blank.\t Unfastening her\tnecklace,\tCelaena\tcarefully\tlifted\tthe\tamulet\tto\tthe\teye,\tand-- It\tfit.\tSort\tof.\tHer\tbreath\tcaught\tin\ther\tthroat,\tand\tCelaena\tleaned\tup\tagainst the\thole,\tpeering\tthrough\tthe\tdelicate\tgold\tbands. Nothing.\t No\t change\t on\t the\t wall\t or\t on\t the\t giant\t Wyrdmark.\t She\t turned\t the necklace\tupside\tdown,\tbut\tit\twas\tthe\tsame.\tShe\ttried\tit\ton\teither\tside,\tbackward, angled\t but\t nothing.\t Just\t the\t same\t blank\t stone\t wall,\t illuminated\t by\t a\t shaft\t of moonlight\t from\t some\t vent\t above.\t She\t pushed\t against\t the\t stone,\t feeling\t for\t any","door,\tany\tmoveable\tpanel. \\\"But\t it's\t the\t Eye\t of\t Elena!\t It\t is\t only\t with\t the\t eye\t that\t one\t can\t see\t rightly! What\tother\teye\tis\tthere?\\\" \\\"You\tcould\trip\tout\tyour\town\tand\tsee\tif\tit\tfits,\\\"\tMort\tsang\tfrom\tthe\tdoorway. \\\"Why\t won't\t it\t work?\t Do\t I\t need\t to\t say\t a\t spell?\\\"\t She\t glanced\t at\t the sarcophagus\t of\t the\t queen.\t Perhaps\t the\t spell\t would\t be\t triggered\t by\t ancient words--words\t right\t under\t her\t nose.\t Wasn't\t that\t always\t how\t these\t things happened?\tShe\trefitted\tthe\tamulet\tinto\tthe\tstone.\t\\\"Ah!\\\"\tshe\tcalled\tinto\tthe\tnight air,\t reciting\t the\t words\t engraved\t at\t Elena's\t feet.\t \\\"Time's\t Rift!\\\"\t But\t nothing happened. Mort\tcackled.\tShe\tsnatched\tthe\tamulet\tout\tof\tthe\twall.\t\\\"Oh,\tI\thate\tthis!\tI\thate this\t stupid\t tomb,\t and\t I\t hate\t these\t stupid\t riddles\t and\t mysteries!\\\"\t Fine--fine, Nehemia\t was\t right\t that\t the\t amulet\t was\t a\t dead\t end.\t And\t she\t was\t a\t wretched, horrible\tfriend\tfor\tbeing\tso\tdistrustful\tand\timpatient. \\\"I\ttold\tyou\tit\twouldn't\twork.\\\" \\\"Then\t what\t will\t work?\t That\t riddle\t does\t reference\t something\t in\t this\t tomb-- behind\tthat\twall,\tdoesn't\tit?\\\" \\\"Yes,\tit\tdoes.\tBut\tyou\tstill\thaven't\tasked\tthe\tproper\tquestion.\\\" \\\"I've\tasked\tyou\tdozens\tof\tquestions!\tAnd\tyou\twon't\tgive\tme\tany\tanswers!\\\" \\\"Come\t back\t another--\\\"\t he\t started,\t but\t Celaena\t had\t already\t stalked\t up\t the stairs. Celaena\t stood\t on\t the\t barren\t edge\t of\t a\t ravine,\t a\t chill\t northern\t wind\t ruffling her\thair.\tShe'd\thad\tthis\tdream\tbefore;\talways\tthis\tsetting,\talways\tthis\tnight\tof\tthe year. Behind\ther\tsloped\ta\trocky,\twasted\tplain,\tand\tbefore\ther\tstretched\ta\tchasm\tso long\t it\t disappeared\t into\t the\t starlit\t horizon.\t Across\t the\t ravine\t was\t a\t lush,\t dark wood,\trustling\twith\tlife. And\t on\t the\t grassy\t lip\t of\t the\t other\t side\t stood\t the\t white\t stag,\t watching\t her with\t ancient\t eyes.\t His\t massive\t antlers\t glowed\t in\t the\t moonlight,\t wreathing\t him in\tivory\tglory,\tjust\tas\tshe\tremembered.\tIt\thad\tbeen\ton\ta\tchill\tnight\tlike\tthis\tthat she'd\tspotted\thim\tthrough\tthe\tbars\tof\ther\tprison\twagon\ton\tthe\tway\tto\tEndovier,\ta glimmer\tof\ta\tworld\tbefore\tit\twas\tburned\tto\tash. They\twatched\teach\tother\tin\tsilence.","She\t took\t a\t half-step\t closer\t to\t the\t edge,\t but\t paused\t as\t loose\t pebbles\t trickled free,\t tumbling\t into\t the\t ravine.\t There\t was\t no\t end\t to\t the\t darkness\t in\t that\t ravine. No\tend,\tand\tno\tbeginning,\teither.\tIt\tseemed\tto\tbreathe,\tpulsing\twith\twhispers\tof faded\tmemories,\tforgotten\tfaces.\tSometimes,\tit\tfelt\tas\tif\tthe\tdarkness\tstared\tback at\ther--and\tthe\tface\tit\twore\twas\ther\town. Beneath\t the\t dark,\t she\t could\t have\t sworn\t she\t heard\t the\t rushing\t of\t a\t half- frozen\triver,\tswollen\twith\tmelting\tsnow\toff\tthe\tStaghorns.\tA\tflash\tof\twhite,\tthe thud\t of\t hooves\t on\t soft\t earth,\t and\t Celaena\t looked\t up\t from\t the\t ravine.\t The\t stag had\tcome\tcloser,\this\thead\tnow\tangled,\tas\tif\tinviting\ther\tto\tjoin\thim. But\t the\t ravine\t only\t seemed\t to\t grow\t wider,\t like\t the\t maw\t of\t a\t giant\t beast opening\tto\tdevour\tthe\tworld. So\tCelaena\tdid\tnot\tcross,\tand\tthe\tstag\tturned\taway,\this\tsteps\tnear-silent\tas\the disappeared\tbetween\tthe\ttangled\ttrees\tof\tthe\tageless\twood. Celaena\t awoke\t to\t darkness.\t The\t fire\t was\t nothing\t but\t cinders\t and\t the\t moon had\tset. She\t studied\t the\t ceiling,\t the\t faint\t shadows\t cast\t by\t the\t city\t lights\t in\t the distance.\tIt\twas\talways\tthe\tsame\tdream,\talways\tthis\tone\tnight. As\tif\tshe\tcould\tever\tforget\tthe\tday\twhen\teverything\tshe\thad\tloved\thad\tbeen wrenched\tfrom\ther,\tand\tshe'd\tawoken\tcovered\tin\tblood\tthat\twas\tnot\ther\town. She\t got\t out\t of\t bed,\t Fleetfoot\t leaping\t down\t beside\t her.\t She\t walked\t a\t few steps,\t then\t paused\t in\t the\t center\t of\t the\t room,\t staring\t into\t the\t dark,\t into\t the endless\t ravine\t still\t beckoning\t to\t her.\t Fleetfoot\t nuzzled\t her\t bare\t legs,\t and Celaena\treached\tdown\tto\tstroke\tthe\thound's\thead. They\tremained\tthere\tfor\ta\tmoment,\tgazing\tinto\tthat\tblackness\twithout\tend. Celaena\tleft\tthe\tcastle\tlong\tbefore\tdawn\tbroke. When\tCelaena\tdidn't\tmeet\tChaol\tat\tthe\tbarracks\tdoor\tthat\tdawn,\the\tgave\ther ten\t minutes\t before\t stalking\t up\t to\t her\t rooms.\t Just\t because\t she\t didn't\t feel\t like going\t out\t in\t the\t cold\t wasn't\t an\t excuse\t to\t be\t lax\t with\t her\t training.\t Not\t to mention,\t he\t was\t particularly\t interested\t in\t hearing\t the\t story\t about\t how\t she'd stolen\t an\t Asterion\t mare\t from\t the\t Lord\t of\t Xandria.\t He\t smiled\t at\t the\t thought, shaking\this\thead.\tOnly\tCelaena\twould\thave\tthe\tnerve\tto\tdo\tsomething\tlike\tthat. His\tsmile\tfaded\twhen\the\treached\ther\tchambers\tand\tfound\tNehemia\tsitting\tat the\t small\t table\t in\t the\t foyer,\t a\t cup\t of\t tea\t steaming\t before\t her.\t There\t were\t some books\t piled\t in\t front\t of\t the\t princess,\t and\t she\t looked\t up\t from\t one\t of\t them\t as\t he","entered.\tChaol\tbowed.\tThe\tprincess\tjust said,\t\\\"She\tis\tnot\there.\\\" Celaena's\t bedroom\t door\t was\t open\t wide\t enough\t to\t reveal\t that\t the\t bed\t was empty\tand\talready\tmade.\t\\\"Where\tis\tshe?\\\" Nehemia's\teyes\tsoftened\tand\tshe\tpicked\tup\ta\tnote\tthat\twas\tlying\tamong\tthe books.\t\\\"She\thas\ttaken\ttoday\toff,\\\"\tshe\tsaid,\treading\tfrom\tthe\tnote\tbefore\tsetting\tit down.\t\\\"If\tI\twere\tto\tguess,\tI'd\tsay\tthat\tshe\tis\tas\tfar\taway\tfrom\tthe\tcity\tas\tshe\tcan get\tin\thalf\ta\tday's\tride.\\\" \\\"Why?\\\" Nehemia\t smiled\t sadly.\t \\\"Because\t today\t is\t the\t tenth\t anniversary\t of\t her parents'\tdeath.\\\"","Chaol's\t breath\t caught.\t He\t remembered\t her\t screaming\t at\t the\t duel\t with\t Cain, when\t Cain\t had\t taunted\t her\t about\t the\t brutal\t murder\t of\t her\t parents--when\t she'd awoken\tcovered\tin\ttheir\tblood.\tShe'd\tnever\ttold\thim\tanything\telse,\tand\the\thadn't dared\t ask.\t He\t knew\t she'd\t been\t young,\t but\t he\t hadn't\t realized\t she'd\t only\t been eight.\tEight. Ten\t years\t ago,\t Terrasen\t had\t been\t in\t upheaval,\t and\t anyone\t who\t had\t defied Adarlan's\t invading\t forces\t had\t been\t slaughtered.\t Entire\t families\t had\t been dragged\t out\t of\t their\t homes\t and\t murdered.\t His\t stomach\t clenched.\t What\t horrors had\tshe\twitnessed\tthat\tday? Chaol\tran\ta\thand\tover\this\tface.\t\\\"She\ttold\tyou\tabout\ther\tparents\tin\ther\tnote?\\\" Maybe\t it\t held\t a\t shred\t more\t information--anything\t for\t him\t to\t better\t understand what\t sort\t of\t woman\t he'd\t be\t facing\t when\t she\t returned,\t what\t sort\t of\t memories he'd\thave\tto\tcontend\twith. \\\"No,\\\"\tNehemia\tsaid.\t\\\"She\tdidn't\ttell\tme.\tBut\tI\tknow.\\\"\tShe\twatched\thim\twith a\tcalculated\tstillness.\tA\tswitch\tto\tthe\tdefensive\tthat\the\trecognized.\tWhat\tsort\tof secrets\twas\tshe\tprotecting\tfor\ther\tfriend?\tAnd\twhat\tsort\tof\tsecrets\tdid\tNehemia herself\tkeep\tthat\thad\tcaused\tthe\tking\tto\thave\ther\twatched?\tThe\tfact\tthat\the\tdidn't know\tanything\tabout\tit,\tabout\thow\tmuch\tthe\tking\tknew,\tenraged\thim\tto\tno\tend. And\t then\t there\t was\t the\t other\t question:\t who\t had\t threatened\t the\t princess's\t life? He'd\tordered\tmore\tguards\tto\tlook\tafter\ther,\tbut\tso\tfar,\tthere\thad\tbeen\tno\tsign\tof anyone\twanting\tto\tharm\ther. \\\"How\tdo\tyou\tknow\tabout\ther\tparents?\\\"\the\tasked. \\\"Some\tthings\tyou\thear\twith\tyour\tears.\tOthers,\tyou\thear\twith\tyour\theart.\\\"\tHe looked\taway\tfrom\tthe\tintensity\tin\ther\teyes. \\\"When\tis\tshe\tcoming\tback?\\\" Nehemia\treturned\tto\tthe\tbook\tin\tfront\tof\ther.\tIt\tlooked\tlike\tit\twas\tfilled\twith strange\t symbols--vaguely\t familiar\t markings\t that\t tickled\t at\t his\t memory.\t \\\"She said\t she\t won't\t be\t back\t until\t after\t nightfall.\t If\t I\t were\t to\t guess,\t I'd\t say\t she\t didn't want\tto\tspend\tone\tmoment\tof\tdaylight\tin\tthis\tcity--especially\tin\tthis\tcastle.\\\" In\tthe\thome\tof\tthe\tman\twhose\tsoldiers\thad\tprobably\tbutchered\ther\tfamily.","Chaol\ttook\tthe\tmorning\ttraining\trun\talone.\tHe\tran\tthrough\tthe\tmist-shrouded game\tpark\tuntil\this\tvery\tbones\twere\texhausted. In\tthe\tmisty\tfoothills\tabove\tRifthold,\tCelaena\tstrode\tbetween\tthe\ttrees\tof\tthe small\t forest,\t barely\t more\t than\t a\t sliver\t of\t darkness\t winding\t through\t the\t woods. She\thad\tbeen\twalking\tsince\tbefore\tdawn,\tletting\tFleetfoot\tfollow\tas\tshe\twould. Today,\teven\tthe\tforest\tseemed\tsilent. Good.\t Today\t was\t not\t a\t day\t for\t sounds\t of\t life.\t Today\t was\t for\t the\t hollow wind\t rustling\t branches,\t for\t the\t rushing\t of\t a\t half-frozen\t river,\t for\t the\t crunch\t of snow\tunder\ther\tboots. On\t this\t day\t last\t year,\t she'd\t known\t what\t she\t had\t to\t do--had\t seen\t every\t step with\t such\t brutal\t clarity\t that\t it\t had\t been\t easy\t when\t the\t time\t came.\t She'd\t once told\tDorian\tand\tChaol\tthat\tshe'd\tsnapped\tthat\tday\tin\tthe\tsalt\tmines\tof\tEndovier, but\t it\t was\t a\t lie.\t Snapped\t implied\t too\t human\t a\t feeling,\t nothing\t like\t the\t cold, hopeless\trage\tthat\thad\ttaken hold\t and\t shut\t everything\t down\t when\t she'd\t awoken\t from\t the\t dream\t of\t the stag\tand\tthe\travine. She\tfound\ta\tlarge\tboulder\tnestled\tbetween\tthe\tbumps\tand\thollows\tand\tsank down\ton\tits\tsmooth,\tice-cold\ttop,\tFleetfoot\tsoon\tsitting\tbeside\ther.\tWrapping\ther arms\taround\tthe\tdog,\tCelaena\tlooked\tout\tinto\tthe\tstill\tforest\tand\tremembered\tthe day\tshe'd\tunleashed\therself\tupon\tEndovier. Celaena\tpanted\tthrough\ther\tbared\tteeth\tas\tshe\tyanked\tthe\tpickax\tout\tof\tthe overseer's\tstomach.\tThe\tman\tgurgled\tblood,\tclutching\tat\this\tgut\tas\the\tglanced\tto the\t slaves\t in\t supplication.\t But\t one\t look\t from\t Celaena,\t one\t flash\t of\t eyes\t that showed\tshe\thad\tgone\tbeyond\tthe\tedge,\tkept\tthe\tslaves\tat\tbay. She\t merely\t smiled\t down\t at\t the\t overseer\t as\t she\t swung\t the\t ax\t into\t his\t face. His\tblood\tsprayed\ther\tlegs. The\t slaves\t still\t stayed\t far\t away\t when\t she\t brought\t down\t the\t ax\t upon\t the shackles\tthat\tbound\ther\tankles\tto\tthe\trest\tof\tthem.\tShe\tdidn't\toffer\tto\tfree\tthem, and\tthey\tdidn't\task----they\tknew\thow\tuseless\tit\twould\tbe. The\twoman\tat\tthe\tend\tof\tthe\tchain\tgang\twas\tunconscious.\tHer\tback\tpoured blood,\tsplit\topen\tby\tthe\tiron-tipped\twhip\tof\tthe\tdead\toverseer.\tShe\twould\tdie\tby tomorrow\t ifher\t wounds\t were\t not\t treated.\t Even\t if\t they\t were,\t she'd\t probably\t die from\tinfection.\tEndovier\tamused\titself\tlike\tthat. Celaena\t turned\t from\t the\t woman.\t She\t had\t work\t to\t do,\t and\t four\t overseers","who\thad\tto\tpay\ta\tdebt\tbefore\tshe\twas\tdone. She\t stalked\t from\t the\t mineshaft,\t pickax\t dangling\t from\t her\t hand.\t The\t two guards\t at\t the\t end\t of\t the\t tunnel\t were\t dead\t before\t they\t realized\t what\t was happening.\t Blood\t soaked\t her\t clothes\t and\t her\t bare\t arms,\t and\t Celaena\t wiped\t it from\t her\t face\t as\t she\t stormed\t down\t to\t the\t chamber\t where\t she\t knew\t the\t four overseers\tworked. She\t had\t marked\t their\t faces\t that\t day\t they'd\t dragged\t that\t young\t Eyllwe woman\t behind\t the\t building,\t marked\t every\t detail\t about\t them\t as\t they\t used\t her, then\tslit\ther\tthroat\tfrom\tear\tto\tear. Celaena\t could\t have\t taken\t the\t swords\t from\t the\t fallen\t guards,\t but\t for\t these four\tmen,\tit\thad\tto\tbe\tthe\tax.\tShe\twanted\tthem\tto\tknow\twhat\tEndovier\tfelt\tlike. She\t reached\t the\t entrance\t to\t their\t section\t of\t the\t mines.\t The\t first\t two overseers\tdied\twhen\tshe\theaved\tthe\tax\tinto\ttheir\tnecks--slashing\tback\tand\tforth between\t them.\t Their\t slaves\t screamed,\t backing\t against\t the\t walls\t as\t she\t raged past\tthem. When\tshe\treached\tthe\tother\ttwo\toverseers,\tshe\tlet\tthem\tsee\ther,\tlet\tthem\ttry to\tdraw\ttheir\tblades.\tShe\tknew\tit\twasn't\tthe\tweapon\tin\ther\thands\tthat\tmade\tthem stupid\t with\t panic,\t but\t rather\t her\t eyes--the\t eyes\t that\t told\t them\t they\t had\t been tricked\t these\t past\t few\t months,\t that\t cutting\t her\t hair\t and\t whipping\t her\t hadn't been\t enough,\t that\t she\t had\t been\t baiting\t them\t into\t forgetting\t that\t Adarlan's Assassin\twas\tin\ttheir\tmidst. But\tshe\thad\tnot\tforgotten\ta\tsecond\tof\tpain,\tnor\twhat\tshe\thad\tseen\tthem\tdo\tto the\tothers--to\tthat\tyoung\twoman\tfrom\tEyllwe,\twho\thad\tbegged\tto\tgods\twho\tdid not\tsave\ther. The\tmen\tdied\ttoo\tquickly,\tbut\tCelaena\thad\tone\tmore\ttask\tto\tcomplete\tbefore she\twould\tmeet\ther\tend.\tShe\tprowled\tback\tup\tthe\tmain\ttunnel\tthat\tled\tout\tof\tthe mines.\tGuards\tfoolishly\tcame\trushing\tout\tof\ttunnel\tmouths\tto\tmeet\ther. She\t surged\t upward,\t hacking\t and\t swinging\t as\t she\t went.\t Two\t more\t guards went\t down,\t and\t she\t took\t up\t their\t swords,\t leaving\t the\t ax\t behind.\t The\t slaves didn't\tcheer\tas\ttheir\toppressors\tfell--they\tjust\twatched\tin\tsilence,\tunderstanding. This\twas\tnot\ta\tfight\tfor\tescape. The\tlight\tof\tthe\tsurface\tmade\ther\tblink,\tbut\tshe\twas\tready.\tHer\teyes\thaving to\t adjust\t to\t the\t sun\t would\t be\t her\t greatest\t weakness.\t That\t was\t why\t she\t had waited\t until\t the\t softer\t light\t of\t afternoon.\t Twilight\t would\t have\t been\t better,\t but that\t time\t of\t day\t was\t too\t heavily\t guarded\t and\t there\t were\t too\t many\t slaves\t then","that\t could\t be\t caught\t in\t the\t crossfire.\t This\t last\t hour\t of\t full\t daylight,\t when\t the warm\tsun\tlulled\tmany\tto\tsleep,\twas\twhen\tthe\tsentries\twent\tlax\ton\twatch\tbefore the\tevening\tinspection. The\t three\t sentries\t at\t the\t entrance\t to\t the\t mines\t didn't\t know\t what\t was happening\t below.\t Everyone\t was\t always\t screaming\t in\t Endovier.\t Everyone sounded\t the\t same\t when\t they\t died.\t And\t the\t three\t sentries\t screamed\t just\t like\t the others. And\t then\t she\t was\t running,\t sprintingfor\t the\t death\t that\t beckoned\t to\t her, making\tfor\tthe\ttowering\tstone\twall\tat\tthe\tother\tend\tof\tthe\tcompound. Arrows\twhizzed\tpast,\tand\tshe\tzig-zagged.\tThey\twouldn't\tkill\ther--\tby\torder\tof the\t king.\t An\t arrow\t through\t the\t shoulder\t or\t leg,\t maybe.\t But\t she'd\t make\t them reconsider\ttheir\torders\tonce\tthe\tcarnage\twas\ttoo\tmassive\tto\tignore. Other\tsentries\tcame\trushing\tfrom\teverywhere,\tand\ther\tblades\twere\ta\tsong\tof steel\tfury\tas\tshe\tcut\tthrough\tthem.\tSilence\tsettled\tover\tEndovier. She\ttook\ta\tgash\tin\ther\tleg--deep,\tbut\tnot\tdeep\tenough\tto\tcut\tthe\ttendon.\tThey still\twanted\ther\table\tto\twork.\tBut\tshe\twouldn't\twork----not\tagain,\tnot\tfor\tthem. When\t the\t body\t count\t was\t high\t enough,\t they'd\t have\t no\t choice\t but\t to\t put\t that arrow\tthrough\ther\tthroat. But\tthen\tshe\tneared\tthe\tgate\tand\tthe\tarrows\tstopped. She\tstarted\tlaughing\twhen\tshe\tfound\therself\tsurrounded\tby\tforty\tguards,\tand laughed\teven\tmore\twhen\tthey\tcalled\tfor\tirons. She\t was\t laughing\t when\t she\t lashed\t out\t one\t last\t time--one\t final\t attempt\t to touch\tthe\twall.\tFour\tmore\twent\tdown\tin\ther\twake. She\t was\t still\t laughing\t when\t the\t world\t went\t black\t and\t her\t fingers\t hit\t the rocky\tground--barely\tan\tinch\taway\tfrom\tthe\twall. Chaol\tstood\tfrom\this\tseat\tat\ther\tfoyer\ttable\tas\tthe\tfront\tdoor\tquietly\topened. The\t outside\t hall\t was\t dark,\t the\t lights\t burned\t out--most\t of\t the\t castle\t asleep\t and tucked\tinto\ttheir\tbeds.\tHe'd\theard\tthe\tclock\tchime\tmidnight\tsome\ttime\tago,\tbut he\t knew\t it\t wasn't\t exhaustion\t weighing\t down\t Celaena's\t shoulders\t when\t she slipped\t into\t her\t rooms.\t Her\t eyes\t were\t purple\t beneath,\t her\t face\t wan,\t lips colorless. Fleetfoot\trushed\tto\thim,\ttail\twagging,\tand\tlicked\thim\ta\tfew\ttimes on\tthe\thand\tbefore\tshe\ttrotted\tinto\tthe\tbedroom,\tleaving\tthem\talone.","Celaena\t glanced\t once\t at\t him,\t those\t turquoise-and-gold\t eyes\t weary\t and haunted,\t and\t began\t unfastening\t her\t cloak\t as\t she\t walked\t past\t him\t into\t the bedroom. Wordlessly,\the\tfollowed\ther,\tif\tonly\tbecause\tshe\thadn't\thad\ta\thint\tof\twarning or\treproach\tin\ther\texpression--but\trather\ta\tbleakness\tthat\tsuggested\tshe\twouldn't have\tcared\tif\tshe'd\tfound\tthe\tKing\tof\tAdarlan\thimself\tin\ther\trooms. She\t removed\t her\t coat,\t then\t her\t boots,\t leaving\t them\t wherever\t she\t happened to\tdiscard\tthem.\tHe\tlooked\taway\tas\tshe\tunbuttoned\ther\ttunic\tand\twalked\tinto\tthe dressing\troom.\tA\tmoment\tlater,\tshe\twalked\tback\tout,\twearing\ta\tnightgown\tthat was\tfar\tmore\tmodest\tthan\ther\tusual\tlacy\tattire.\tFleetfoot\thad\talready\thopped\tinto bed,\tsprawling\tagainst\tthe\tpillows. Chaol\tswallowed\thard.\tHe\tshould\thave\tgiven\ther\tprivacy\tinstead\tof\twaiting here.\tIf\tshe'd\twanted\thim\tto\tbe\there,\tshe\twould\thave\twritten\thim\ta\tnote. Celaena\tstopped\tbefore\tthe\tdim\tfireplace\tand\tused\tthe\tpoker\tto\tstir\tthe\tcoals before\ttossing\tanother\ttwo\tlogs\ton.\tShe\tstared\tdown\tat\tthe\tflames.\tHer\tback\twas still\tto\thim\twhen\tshe\tspoke. \\\"If\tyou're\ttrying\tto\tfigure\tout\twhat\tto\tsay\tto\tme,\tdon't\tbother.\tThere's\tnothing that\tcan\tbe\tsaid,\tor\tdone.\\\" \\\"Then\t let\t me\t keep\t you\t company.\\\"\t If\t she\t realized\t how\t much\t he\t knew,\t she didn't\tcare\tto\task\thow. \\\"I\tdon't\twant\tcompany.\\\" \\\"Want\t and\t need\t are\t different\t things.\\\"\t Nehemia,\t probably,\t should\t have\t been here--another\t child\t of\t a\t conquered\t kingdom.\t But\t he\t didn't\t want\t Nehemia\t to\t be the\tone\tshe\tturned\tto.\tAnd\tdespite\this\tloyalty\tto\tthe\tking,\the\tcouldn't\tturn\taway from\ther--not\ttoday. \\\"So\t you're\t just\t going\t to\t stay\t here\t all\t night?\\\"\t She\t flicked\t her\t eyes\t to\t the couch\tbetween\tthem. \\\"I've\tslept\tin\tworse\tplaces.\\\" \\\"I\tthink\tmy\texperience\twith\t'worse\tplaces'\tis\ta\tlot\tmore\thorrible\tthan\tyours.\\\" Again,\t that\t twisting\t in\t his\t gut.\t But\t then\t she\t looked\t through\t the\t open\t bedroom door,\tto\tthe\tfoyer\ttable,\tand\ther\tbrows\trose.\t\\\"Is\tthat.\tchocolate\tcake?\\\" \\\"I\tthought\tyou\tmight\tneed\tsome.\\\" \\\"Need,\tnot\twant?","A\tghost\tof\ta\tsmile\twas\ton\ther\tlips,\tand\the\talmost\tsagged\tin\trelief\tas\the\tsaid: \\\"For\tyou,\tI'd\tsay\tthat\tchocolate\tcake\tis\tmost\tdefinitely\ta\tneed.\\\" She\t crossed\t from\t the\t fireplace\t to\t where\t he\t stood,\t stopping\t a\t hand's\t breadth away\tand\tstaring\tup\tat\thim.\tSome\tof\tthe\tcolor\thad\treturned\tto\ther\tface. He\tshould\tstep\tback,\tput\tmore\tdistance\tbetween\tthem.\tBut\tinstead,\the\tfound himself\treaching\tfor\ther,\ta\thand\tslipping\taround\ther\twaist\tand\tthe\tother\ttwining itself\tthrough\ther\thair\tas\the\theld\ther\ttightly\tto\thim.\tHis\theart\tthundered\tthrough him\t so\t hard\t he\t knew\t she\t could\t feel\t it.\t After\t a\t second,\t her\t arms\t came\t around him,\ther\tfingers\tdigging\tinto\this\tback\tin\ta\tway\tthat\tmade\thim\trealize\thow\tclose they\tstood. He\tshoved\tthat\tfeeling\tdown,\teven\tas\tthe\tsilken\ttexture\tof\ther\thair\tagainst\this fingers\t made\t him\t want\t to\t bury\t his\t face\t in\t it,\t and\t the\t smell\t of\t her,\t laced\t with mist\t and\t night,\t had\t him\t grazing\t his\t nose\t against\t her\t neck.\t There\t were\t other kinds\tof\tcomfort\tthat\the\tcould\tgive\ther\tthan\tmere\twords,\tand\tif\tshe\tneeded\tthat kind\t of\t distraction.\t He\t shoved\t down\t that\t thought,\t too,\t swallowing\t it\t until\t he nearly\tchoked\ton\tit. Her\tfingers\twere\tmoving\tdown\this\tback,\tstill\tdigging\tinto\this\tmuscles\twith\ta fierce\t kind\t of\t possession.\t If\t she\t kept\t touching\t him\t like\t that,\t his\t control\t was going\tto\tslip\tcompletely. And\t then\t she\t pulled\t back,\t just\t far\t enough\t to\t look\t up\t at\t him\t again,\t so\t close their\t breath\t mingled.\t He\t found\t himself\t gauging\t the\t distance\t between\t their\t lips, his\t eyes\t flicking\t between\t her\t mouth\t and\t her\t eyes,\t the\t hand\t he\t had\t entwined\t in her\thair\tstilling. Desire\troared\tthrough\thim,\tburning\tdown\tevery\tdefense\the'd\tput\tup,\terasing every\tline\the'd\tconvinced\thimself\the\thad\tto\tmaintain. And\tthen\tshe\tsaid,\tso\tquietly\tit\twas\thardly\tmore\tthan\ta\tmurmur:\t\\\"I\tcan't\ttell if\t I\t should\t be\t ashamed\t of\t wanting\t to\t hold\t you\t on\t this\t day,\t or\t grateful\t that, despite\twhat\thappened\tbefore\tnow,\tit\tsomehow\tbrought\tme\tto\tyou.\\\" He\t was\t so\t startled\t by\t the\t words\t that\t he\t let\t go,\t let\t go\t and\t stepped\t back.\t He had\this\tobstacles\tto\tovercome,\tbut\tso\tdid\tshe--perhaps\tmore\tobstacles\tthan\the'd even\trealized. He\t had\t no\t response\t to\t what\t she'd\t said.\t But\t she\t didn't\t give\t him\t the\t time\t to think\t of\t the\t right\t words\t before\t she\t walked\t to\t the\t chocolate\t cake\t in\t the\t foyer, plunked\tdown\tin\tthe\tchair,\tand\tdug\tin.","The\t silence\t of\t the\t library\t wrapped\t around\t Dorian\t like\t a\t heavy\t blanket, interrupted\tonly\tby\tthe\tturning\tof\tpages\tas\the\tread\tthrough\this\tfamily's\textensive genealogical\tcharts,\trecords,\tand\thistories.\tHe\tcouldn't\tbe\tthe\tonly\tone--if\the\tdid truly\thave\tmagic,\tthen\twhat\tabout\tHollin?\tIt\thad\ttaken\tuntil\tnow\tto\tmanifest,\tso perhaps\t it\t wouldn't\t reveal\t itself\t in\t Hollin\t for\t another\t nine\t years.\t Hopefully\t by then,\t he'd\t figure\t out\t how\t to\t suppress\t it\t and\t teach\t Hollin\t to\t do\t the\t same.\t He might\tnot\tbe\tfond\tof\this\tbrother,\tbut\the\tdidn't\twish\tthe\tboy\tdead--especially\tnot the\tkind\tof\tdeath\ttheir\tfather\twould\tgive\tthem\tif\the\tlearned\twhat\tdwelled\tin\ttheir blood.\tBeheading,\tdismemberment,\tthen\tburning.\tComplete\tannihilation. No\twonder\tthe\tFae\thad\tfled\tthe\tcontinent.\tThey\thad\tbeen\tpowerful\tand\twise, but\t Adarlan\t had\t military\t might\t and\t a\t frantic\t public\t looking\t for\t any\t solution\t to the\tfamine\tand\tpoverty\tthat\thad\tplagued\tthe\tkingdom\tfor\tdecades.\tIt\thadn't\tjust been\t the\t armies\t that\t had\t made\t the\t Fae\t run--no,\t it\t was\t also\t the\t people\t who\t had lived\tin\tan\tuneasy\ttruce\twith\tthem,\tas\twell\tas\tthe\tmortals\tgifted\twith\tmagic,\tfor generations. How\t would\t those\t people\t react\t if\t they\t knew\t that\t the\t heir\t to\t the\t throne\t was plagued\twith\tthe\tsame\tpowers? Dorian\t ran\t a\t finger\t down\t his\t mother's\t family\t tree.\t It\t was\t dotted\t with Havilliards\talong\tthe\tway--a\tclose\tmingling\tof\ttheir\ttwo\tfamilies\tfor\tthe\tpast\tfew centuries\tthat\thad\tgiven\trise\tto\tnumerous\tkings. But\the'd\tbeen\there\tfor\tthree\thours\tnow\tand\tnone\tof\tthe\trotting\told\tbooks\theld any\tmention\tof\tmagic-wielders.\tIn\tfact,\tthere\thad\tbeen\ta\tdrought\tin\tthe\tline\tfor centuries.\tSeveral\tgifted\tpeople\thad\tmarried\tinto\tthe\tbloodline,\tbut\ttheir\tchildren hadn't\t been\t born\t with\t the\t power,\t no\t matter\t what\t manner\t of\t gifts\t their\t parents possessed.\tWas\tit\tcoincidence\tor\tdivine\twill? Dorian\t closed\t the\t book\t and\t stalked\t back\t into\t the\t stacks.\t He\t reached\t the section\talong\tthe\tback\twall\tthat\theld\tall\tthe\tgenealogical\trecords\tand\tpulled\tout the\toldest\tbook\the\tcould\tfind--one\tthat\theld\trecords\tdating\tback\tto\tthe\tfounding of\tAdarlan\titself. There,\ton\tthe\ttop\tof\tthe\tfamily\ttree,\twas\tGavin\tHavilliard,\tthe\tmortal\tprince who\t had\t taken\t his\t war-band\t into\t the\t depths\t of\t the\t Rhunn\t Mountains\t to","challenge\t the\t Dark\t Lord\t Erawan.\t The\t war\t had\t been\t long\t and\t brutal,\t and\t in\t the end,\t only\t a\t third\t of\t the\t men\t who\t had\t ridden\t with\t Gavin\t came\t out\t of\t those mountains.\t But\t Gavin\t also\t emerged\t from\t that\t war\t with\t his\t bride--the\t princess Elena,\t the\t half-Fae\t daughter\t of\t Brannon,\t Terrasen's\t first\t king.\t It\t was\t Brannon himself\twho\tgave\tGavin\tthe\tterritory\tof\tAdarlan\tas\ta\twedding\tgift--\tand\treward for\t the\t prince\t and\t princess's\t sacrifices\t during\t the\t war.\t And\t since\t then,\t no\t Fae blood\t had\t bred\t into\t their\t line.\t Dorian's\t eyes\t followed\t the\t tree\t down\t and\t down. Just\tlong-forgotten\tfamilies\twhose\tlands\twere\tnow\tcalled\tby\tdifferent\tnames. Dorian\t sighed,\t set\t down\t the\t book,\t and\t browsed\t through\t the\t stack.\t If\t Elena had\t gifted\t the\t line\t with\t her\t power,\t then\t perhaps\t answers\t could\t be\t found elsewhere. He\t was\t surprised\t to\t see\t the\t book\t sitting\t there,\t given\t how\t his\t father\t had destroyed\t that\t noble\t house\t ten\t years\t ago.\t But\t there\t it\t was,\t a\t history\t of\t the Galathynius\t line,\t starting\t with\t the\t Fae\t King\t Brannon\t himself.\t Dorian\t flipped through\tthe\tpages,\tbrows\thigh.\tHe'd\tknown\tthe\tline\twas\tblessed\twith\tmagic,\tbut this... It\twas\ta\tpowerhouse.\tA\tbloodline\tso\tmighty\tthat\tother\tkingdoms\thad\tlived\tin terror\tof\tthe\tday\tthe\tLords\tof\tTerrasen\twould\tcome\tto\tclaim\ttheir\tlands. But\tthey\tnever\thad. While\tthey'd\tbeen\tgifted,\tthey'd\tnever\tonce\tpushed\ttheir\tborders--\teven\twhen wars\t came\t to\t their\t doorstep.\t When\t foreign\t kings\t had\t threatened\t them,\t the retribution\t had\t been\t swift\t and\t brutal.\t But\t always,\t no\t matter\t what,\t they\t kept\t to their\tborders.\tKept\tthe\tpeace. As\tmy\tfather\tshould\thave\tdone. Despite\tall\ttheir\tpower,\tthough,\tthe\tGalathynius\tfamily\thad\tfallen,\tand\ttheir noble\t lords\t with\t them.\t In\t the\t book\t he\t held,\t no\t one\t had\t bothered\t to\t mark\t the houses\this\tfather\thad\texterminated,\tor\tthe\tsurvivors\tsent\tinto\texile.\tWithout\tthe heart\tor\tthe\tknowledge\tto\tdo\tit\thimself,\tDorian\tclosed\tthe\tbook,\tgrimacing\tas\tall those\tnames\tburned\tin\this\tvision.\tWhat\tsort\tof\tthrone\twould\the\tinherit\tsomeday? If\tthe\their\tof\tTerrasen,\tAelin\tGalathynius,\thad\tlived,\twould\tshe\thave\tbecome a\tfriend--an\tally?\tHis\tbride,\tperhaps? He'd\tmet\ther\tonce,\tin\tthe\tdays\tbefore\ther\tkingdom\tbecame\ta\tcharnel\thouse. The\t memory\t was\t hazy,\t but\t she'd\t been\t a\t precocious,\t wild\t girl--and\t had\t set\t her brutish,\t nasty\t older\t cousin\t on\t him\t in\t order\t to\t teach\t Dorian\t a\t lesson\t for\t spilling tea\t on\t her\t dress.\t Dorian\t rubbed\t his\t neck.\t Of\t course,\t as\t fate\t would\t have\t it,\t her","cousin\t wound\t up\t becoming\t Aedion\t Ashryver,\t his\t father's\t prodigy\t general\t and the\tfiercest\twarrior\tin\tthe\tnorth.\tHe'd\tmet\tAedion\ta\tfew\ttimes\tover\tthe\tyears,\tand at\t each\t encounter\t with\t the\t haughty\t young\t general,\t he'd\t gotten\t the\t distinct impression\tthat\tAedion\twanted\tto\tkill\thim. And\twith\tgood\treason. Shuddering,\t Dorian\t replaced\t the\t book\t and\t stared\t at\t the\t bookcase,\t as\t if\t it'd yield\t any\t answers.\t But\t he\t already\t knew\t there\t was\t nothing\t here\t that\t could\t help him. When\tthe\ttime\tcomes,\tI\twill\thelp\tyou. Did\t Nehemia\t know\t what\t dwelt\t inside\t him?\t She\t had\t acted\t so\t strangely\t that day\tat\tthe\tduel,\tdrawing\tsymbols\tin\tthe\tair\tand\tthen\tfainting.\tAnd\tthen\tthere\thad been\tthe\tmoment\twhen\tthat\tmark\thad\tburned\ton\tCelaena's\tbrow. A\tclock\tchimed\tsomewhere\tin\tthe\tlibrary,\tand\the\tglanced\tdown\tthe\taisle.\tHe should\tgo.\tIt\twas\tChaol's\tbirthday,\tand\the\tshould\tat\tleast\tsay\thello\tto\this\tfriend before\t Celaena\t whisked\t him\t off.\t Of\t course\t he\t hadn't\t been\t invited.\t And\t Chaol hadn't\ttried\tto\tsuggest\tthat\tDorian\twas\twelcome,\teither.\tWhat\tdid\tshe\tplan\tto\tdo, exactly? The\ttemperature\tin\tthe\tlibrary\tdropped,\tsome\tfrozen\tdraft\tblowing\tin\tfrom\ta distant\tcorridor. Not\tthat\the\tcared.\tHe'd\tmeant\tit\twhen\the\tswore\tto\tNehemia\tthat\the\twas\tdone with\tCelaena.\tAnd\tmaybe\the\tshould\thave\ttold\tChaol\tthat\the\tcould\thave\ther.\tNot that\t she'd\t ever\t belonged\t to\t him--or\t that\t she'd\t even\t tried\t to\t suggest\t that\t he belonged\tto\ther. He\tcould\tlet\tgo.\tHe\thad\tlet\tgo.\tHe'd\tlet\tgo.\tLet\tgo.\tLet-- Books\t flew\t from\t their\t shelves,\t dozens\t upon\t dozens\t bursting\t into\t flight,\t and this\ttime,\tthey\tslammed\tinto\thim\tas\the\tstaggered\tback\ttoward\tthe\tend\tof\tthe\trow. He\t shielded\t his\t face,\t and\t when\t the\t sound\t of\t leather\t and\t paper\t stopped,\t Dorian braced\ta\thand\ton\tthe\tstone\twall\tbehind\thim\tand\tgaped. Half\t of\t the\t books\t in\t the\t row\t had\t been\t tossed\t off\t their\t shelves\t and\t scattered about,\tas\tif\tthrown\tby\tsome\tinvisible\tforce. He\t rushed\t to\t them,\t shoving\t volumes\t back\t into\t their\t shelves\t in\t no\t order whatsoever,\t working\t as\t fast\t as\t he\t could\t before\t one\t of\t the\t crotchety\t royal librarians\tcame\thobbling\tover\tto\tsee\twhat\tthe\tnoise\twas\tabout.\tIt\ttook\thim\ta\tfew minutes\tto\tget\tthem\tall\tback,\this\theart\tpounding\tso\thard\the\tthought\the'd\tbe\tsick","again. His\t hands\t trembled--and\t not\t just\t with\t fear.\t No,\t there\t was\t some\t force\t still running\tthrough\thim,\tbegging\thim\tto\tunleash\tit\tagain,\tto\topen\thimself\tup. Dorian\tcrammed\tthe\tlast\tbook\tback\tonto\tthe\tshelf\tand\ttook\toff\tat\ta\trun. He\tcould\ttell\tno\tone.\tTrust\tno\tone. When\the\treached\tthe\tmain\thall\tof\tthe\tlibrary,\the\tslowed\tto\ta\twalk,\tfeigning\ta lazy\t carelessness.\t He\t even\t managed\t to\t smile\t at\t the\t old,\t withered\t librarian\t who bowed\tto\thim\tas\the\tpassed.\tDorian\tgave\thim\ta\tfriendly\twave\tbefore\tstriding\tout of\tthe\ttowering\toak\tdoors. He\tcould\ttrust\tno\tone. That\twitch\tat\tthe\tcarnival--she\thadn't\trecognized\thim\tas\tthe\tprince.\tStill,\ther gift\t had\t rung\t true,\t at\t least\t when\t talking\t to\t Chaol.\t So\t it\t was\t a\t risk,\t but\t perhaps Baba\tYellowlegs\thad\tthe\tanswers\the\tneeded. Celaena\t wasn't\t nervous.\t She\t had\t nothing--absolutely\t nothing--to\t be\t worried about.\t It\t was\t just\t a\t dinner.\t A\t dinner\t she'd\t spent\t weeks\t arranging\t whenever\t she had\t a\t spare\t moment\t while\t spying\t on\t those\t men\t in\t Rifthold.\t A\t dinner\t at\t which she'd\tbe\talone.\tWith\tChaol.\tAnd\tafter\tlast\tnight. Celaena\t took\t a\t surprisingly\t shaky\t breath\t and\t checked\t herself\t in\t the\t mirror one\tlast\ttime.\tThe\tdress\twas\tpale\tblue--almost\twhite--\tand\tencrusted\twith\tcrystal beading\t that\t made\t the\t fabric\t look\t like\t the\t shimmering\t surface\t of\t the\t sea. Perhaps\t it\t was\t a\t bit\t much,\t but\t she'd\t told\t Chaol\t to\t dress\t well,\t so\t hopefully\t he'd be\twearing\tsomething\tnice\tenough\tto\tmake\ther\tfeel\tless\tself-conscious. Celaena\t huffed.\t Gods\t above,\t she\t was\t feeling\t self-conscious,\t wasn't\t she?\t It was\t ridiculous,\t really.\t It\t was\t just\t a\t dinner.\t Fleetfoot\t was\t with\t Nehemia\t for\t the night,\tand.\tand\tif\tshe\tdidn't\tleave\tnow,\tshe'd\tbe\tlate. Refusing\t to\t let\t herself\t sweat\t another\t second\t longer,\t Celaena\t grabbed\t her ermine\tcloak\tfrom\twhere\tPhilippa\thad\tleft\tit\tout\ton\tthe\tottoman\tin\tthe\tcenter\tof her\tdressing\troom. When\tshe\treached\tthe\tentrance\thall,\tChaol\twas\talready\twaiting\tfor\ther\tby\tthe doors.\tEven\tfrom\tacross\tthe\tmassive\tspace,\tshe\tcould\ttell\this\teyes\twere\ton\ther\tas she\t descended\t the\t stairs\t into\t the\t hall.\t Not\t surprisingly,\t he\t wore\t black--but\t at least\t it\twasn't\t his\tuniform.\t No,\t his\ttunic\tand\t pants\tlooked\tof\t fine\tmake,\tand\t it seemed\tlike\the'd\teven\trun\ta\tcomb\tthrough\this\tshort\thair.","He\t watched\t her\t every\t step\t across\t the\t hall,\t his\t face\t unreadable.\t At\t last\t she stopped\tin\tfront\tof\thim,\tthe\tcold\tair\tfrom\tthe\topen\tdoors\tbiting\tinto\ther\tface.\tShe hadn't\t gone\t for\t their\t run\t this\t morning,\t and\t he\t hadn't\t come\t to\t drag\t her\t outside. \\\"Happy\tbirthday,\\\"\tshe\tsaid\tbefore\the\tcould\tobject\tto\ther\tclothes. His\t eyes\t rose\t to\t her\t face,\t and\t he\t gave\t her\t a\t half\t smile,\t that\t unreadable, closed-off\t expression\t vanishing.\t \\\"Do\t I\t even\t want\t to\t know\t where\t you're\t taking me?\\\" She\t grinned\t at\t him,\t her\t nerves\t melting\t away.\t \\\"Somewhere\t utterly inappropriate\t for\t the\t Captain\t of\t the\t Guard\t to\t be\t seen.\\\"\t She\t inclined\t her\t head toward\t the\t carriage\t that\t waited\t outside\t of\t the\t castle\t doors.\t Good.\t She'd threatened\tto\tflay\tthe\tdriver\tand\tfootmen\talive\tif\tthey\twere\tlate.\t\\\"Shall\twe?\\\" As\t they\t rode\t through\t the\t city,\t sitting\t on\t opposite\t sides\t of\t the\t carriage,\t they talked\t about\t anything\t but\t last\t night--the\t carnival,\t Fleetfoot,\t Hollin's\t daily tantrums.\t They\t even\t debated\t whether\t spring\t would\t start\t showing\t itself\t at\t last. When\t they\t reached\t the\t building--\t an\t old\t apothecary--Chaol\t raised\t his\t brows. \\\"Just\twait,\\\"\tshe\tsaid,\tand\tled\thim\tinto\tthe\twarmly-lit\tshop. The\t owners\t smiled\t at\t her,\t beckoning\t them\t up\t the\t narrow\t stone\t staircase. Chaol\tsaid\tnothing\tas\tthey\twent\tup\tand\tup\tthe\tstairs,\tpast\tthe\tsecond\tlevel,\tand the\t third,\t until\t they\t reached\t a\t door\t at\t the\t uppermost\t landing.\t The\t landing\t was small\t enough\t that\t he\t brushed\t against\t the\t skirts\t of\t her\t gown,\t and\t when\t she turned\tto\thim,\tone\thand\ton\tthe\tdoorknob,\tshe\tgave\thim\ta\tsmall\tsmile.\t\\\"It\tmight not\tbe\tan\tAsterion\tstallion,\tbut.\t\\\" She\topened\tthe\tdoor,\tstepping\taside\tso\the\tcould\tenter. Wordlessly,\the\twalked\tin. She'd\t spent\t hours\t arranging\t everything,\t and\t in\t the\t daylight\t it\t had\t looked lovely,\tbut\tat\tnight.\tIt\twas\texactly\tas\tshe'd\timagined\tit'd\tbe. The\t roof\t of\t the\t apothecary\t was\t an\t enclosed\t glass\t greenhouse,\t filled\t with flowers\tand\tpotted\tplants\tand\tfruit\ttrees\tthat\thad\tbeen\thung\twith\tlittle,\tglittering lights.\t The\t whole\t place\t had\t been\t transformed\t into\t a\t garden\t out\t of\t an\t ancient legend.\t The\t air\t was\t warm\t and\t sweet,\t and\t by\t the\t windows\t overlooking\t the expanse\tof\tthe\tAvery\tRiver\tstood\tthe\tsmall\ttable\tset\tfor\ttwo. Chaol\t surveyed\t the\t room,\t turning\t in\t place.\t \\\"It's\t the\t Fae\t woman's\t garden-- from\tRena\tGoldsmith's\tsong,\\\"\the\tsaid\tsoftly.\tHis\tgolden\teyes\twere\tbright. She\tswallowed\thard.\t\\\"I\tknow\tit's\tnot\tmuch--\\\"","\\\"No\tone\thas\tever\tdone\tanything\tlike\tthis\tfor\tme.\\\"\tHe\tshook\this\thead\tin\tawe, looking\tback\tat\tthe\tgreenhouse.\t\\\"No\tone.\\\" \\\"It's\t just\t a\t dinner,\\\"\t she\t said,\t rubbing\t her\t neck\t and\t walking\t to\t the\t table,\t if only\tbecause\tthe\turge\tto\tgo\tto\thim\twas\tso\tstrong\tthat\tshe\tneeded\ta\ttable\tbetween them. He\tfollowed\ther,\tand\tan\tinstant\tlater,\ttwo\tservants\tappeared\tto\tpull\tout\ttheir chairs\t for\t them.\t She\t smiled\t a\t little\t as\t Chaol's\t hand\t shot\t to\t his\t sword,\t but\t upon seeing\tthat\tthey\twere\tnot\tbeing\tambushed,\the\tgave\ther\ta\tsheepish\tglance\tand\tsat down. The\t servants\t poured\t two\t glasses\t of\t sparkling\t wine,\t then\t bustled\t off\t for\t the food\t that\t they'd\t spent\t all\t day\t preparing\t in\t the\t apothecary's\t kitchen.\t She'd managed\t to\t hire\t the\t cook\t from\t The\t Willows\t for\t the\t night--for\t a\t fee\t that\t had made\t her\t consider\t punching\t the\t woman's\t throat.\t It\t was\t worth\t it,\t though.\t She lifted\ther\tflute\tof\tsparkling\twine. \\\"Many\t happy\t returns,\\\"\t she\t said.\t She'd\t had\t a\t little\t speech\t prepared,\t but\t now that\tthey\twere\there,\tnow\tthat\this\teyes\twere\tso\tbright,\tand\the\twas\tlooking\tat\ther that\tway\the\thad\tlast\tnight.\tall\tthe\twords\twent\tright\tout\tof\ther\thead. Chaol\t lifted\t his\t glass\t and\t drank.\t \\\"Before\t I\t forget\t to\t say\t it:\t Thank\t you.\t This is.\\\"\t He\t examined\t the\t glittering\t greenhouse\t again,\t then\t looked\t out\t to\t the\t river beyond\tthe\tglass\twalls.\t\\\"This\tis.\\\"\tHe\tshook\this\thead\tonce\tmore,\tsetting\tdown\this glass,\tand\tshe\tcaught\ta\tglimmer\tof\tsilver\tin\this\teyes\tthat\tmade\ther\theart\tclench. He\t blinked\t it\t away\t and\t looked\t back\t at\t her\t with\t a\t small\t smile.\t \\\"No\t one\t has thrown\tme\ta\tbirthday\tparty\tsince\tI\twas\ta\tchild.\\\" She\t scoffed,\t fighting\t past\t the\t tightness\t in\t her\t chest.\t \\\"I'd\t hardly\t call\t this\t a party--\t\\\" \\\"Stop\t trying\t to\t downplay\t it.\t It's\t the\t greatest\t gift\t I've\t been\t given\t in\t a\t long while.\\\" She\t crossed\t her\t arms,\t leaning\t back\t in\t her\t chair\t as\t the\t servants\t arrived, bringing\t their\t first\t course--roast\t boar\t stew.\t \\\"Dorian\t got\t you\t an\t Asterion stallion.\\\" Chaol\t was\t staring\t down\t at\t his\t soup,\t brows\t high.\t \\\"But\t Dorian\t doesn't\t know what\t my\t favorite\t stew\t is,\t does\t he?\\\"\t He\t glanced\t up\t at\t her,\t and\t she\t bit\t her\t lip. \\\"How\tlong\thave\tyou\tbeen\tpaying\tattention?\\\" She\tbecame\tvery\tinterested\tin\ther\tstew.\t\\\"Don't\tflatter\tyourself.\tI\tjust\tbullied","the\t castle's\t head\t cook\t to\t tell\t me\t what\t dishes\t you\t favored.\\\"\t He\t snorted.\t \\\"You might\tbe\tAdarlan's\tAssassin,\tbut\teven\tyou\tcouldn't\tbully\tMeghra.\tIf\tyou'd\ttried, I\tthink\tyou'd\tbe\tsitting\tthere\twith\ttwo\tblack\teyes\tand\ta\tbroken\tnose.\\\" She\t smiled,\t taking\t a\t bite\t of\t stew.\t \\\"Well,\t you\t might\t think\t you're\t mysterious and\t broody\t and\t stealthy,\t captain,\t but\t once\t you\t know\t where\t to\t look,\t you're\t a fairly\teasy\tbook\tto\tread.\tEvery\ttime\twe\thave\troast\tboar\tstew,\tI\tcan\tbarely\tget\ta spoonful\t before\t you've\t eaten\t the\t whole\t tureen.\\\"\t He\t tipped\t his\t head\t back\t and laughed,\tand\tthe\tsound\tsent\theat coursing\tthrough\tevery\tpart\tof\ther.\t\\\"And\there\tI\twas,\tthinking\tI'd\tmanaged\tto hide\tmy\tweaknesses\tso\twell.\\\" She\tgave\thim\ta\twicked\tgrin.\t\\\"Just\twait\tuntil\tyou\tsee\tthe\tother\tcourses.\\\" When\t they'd\t eaten\t the\t last\t crumb\t of\t chocolate-hazelnut\t cake\t and\t drunk\t the last\t of\t the\t sparkling\t wine,\t and\t when\t the\t servants\t had\t cleared\t everything\t away and\t bid\t their\t farewells,\t Celaena\t found\t herself\t standing\t on\t the\t small\t balcony\t at the\tfar\tedge\tof\tthe\troof,\tthe\tsummer\tplants\tburied\tunder\ta\tblanket\tof\tsnow.\tShe held\ther\tcloak\tclose\tto\ther\tas\tshe\tstared\ttoward\tthe\tdistant\tspot\twhere\tthe\tAvery met\tthe\tocean,\tChaol\tbeside\ther,\tleaning\tagainst\tthe\tiron\trailing. \\\"There's\t a\t hint\t of\t spring\t in\t the\t air,\\\"\t he\t said\t as\t a\t mild\t wind\t whipped\t past them. \\\"Thank\tthe\tgods.\tAny\tmore\tsnow\tand\tI'll\tgo\tmad.\\\" In\t the\t glow\t of\t the\t lights\t from\t the\t greenhouse,\t his\t profile\t was\t illuminated. She'd\t meant\t the\t dinner\t to\t be\t a\t nice\t surprise--a\t way\t to\t tell\t him\t how\t much\t she appreciated\thim--but\this\treaction.\tHow\tlong\thad\tit\tbeen\tsince\the\tfelt\tcherished? Apart\tfrom\tthat\tgirl\twho\thad\ttreated\thim\tso\tfoully,\tthere\twas\talso\tthe\tmatter\tof the\tfamily\tthat\thad\tshunned\thim\tjust\tbecause\the\twanted\tto\tbe\ta\tguard,\tand\tthey were\t too\t proud\t to\t have\t a\t son\t serve\t the\t crown\t in\t that\t manner.\t Did\t his\t parents have\t any\t idea\t that\t in\t the\t entire\t castle,\t in\t the\t entire\t kingdom,\t there\t was\t no\t one more\tnoble\tand\tloyal\tthan\thim?\tThat\tthe\tboy\tthey'd\tthrown\tout\tof\ttheir\tlives\thad become\tthe\tsort\tof\tman\tthat\tkings\tand\tqueens\tcould\tonly\tdream\tof\thaving\tserve in\t their\t courts?\t The\t sort\t of\t man\t that\t she\t hadn't\t believed\t existed,\t not\t after\t Sam, not\tafter\teverything\tthat\thad\thappened. The\t king\t had\t threatened\t to\t kill\t Chaol\t if\t she\t didn't\t obey\t his\t orders.\t And, considering\thow\tmuch\tdanger\tshe\twas\tputting\thim\tin\tright\tnow,\tand\thow\tmuch she\twanted\tto\tgain--not\tjust\tfor\therself,\tbut\tfor\tthem... \\\"I\thave\tto\ttell\tyou\tsomething,\\\"\tshe\tsaid\tsoftly.\tHer\tblood\troared\tthrough\ther"]
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