["are\ttoo\trough.\\\"\tThat\texplained\tthe\tfight\tshe'd\tseen\twith\tthat\tyoung\tman.\tHe\ttook a\t step\t toward\t her.\t \\\"But\t you.\t Gods,\t from\t the\t moment\t I\t saw\t you\t outside\t the Willows,\tI've\tknown\thow\tgood\twe'd\tbe\ttogether.\tThe\tthings\twe'll\taccomplish.\\\" \\\"I\t know,\\\"\t she\t said,\t looking\t into\t those\t green\t eyes,\t so\t bright\t in\t the\t matching lights\tof\tthe\tportal.\t\\\"Archer,\tI\tknow.\\\" He\tdidn't\tsee\tthe\tdagger\tcoming\tuntil\tshe'd\tshoved\tit\tinto\thim. But\t he\t was\t fast--too\t fast--and\t turned\t just\t in\t time\t to\t have\t it\t pierce\t his shoulder\tinstead\tof\this\theart. He\tstaggered\tback\twith\tdazzling\tspeed,\twrenching\ther\tdagger\tso\tswiftly\tthat she\tlost\ther\tgrip\ton\tthe\tblade\tand\thad\tto\tbrace\ta\thand\ton\tthe\tarch\tof\tthe\tportal\tto keep\t from\t stumbling.\t Her\t bloodied\t palm\t slapped\t against\t the\t stones,\t and\t a greenish\tlight\tflared\tbeneath\ther\tfingers.\tA\tWyrdmark\tburned,\tthen\tfaded. Not\t giving\t herself\t time\t to\t look\t at\t what\t she'd\t done,\t she\t leapt\t for\t him\t with\t a roar,\tdropping\tDamaris\tto\tgrab\ttwo\tmore\tdaggers.\tHe\thad\this\town\tblade\tup\tin\ta moment,\tdancing\taway\tlightly\tas\tshe\tsliced\tfor\thim. \\\"I'm\tgoing\tto\ttear\tyou\tapart\tpiece\tby\tpiece,\\\"\tshe\thissed,\tcircling\thim. But\t then\t a\t shudder\t ran\t through\t the\t floor,\t and\t something\t in\t the\t void\t made\t a sound.\tA\tguttural\tgrowl. Fleetfoot\tlet\tout\ta\tlow,\twarning\twhine.\tShe\trushed\ttoward\tCelaena,\tpushing against\ther\tshins,\therding\ther\ttoward\tthe\tstairs. The\t void\t shifted,\t mist\t now\t swirling\t inside,\t parting\t long\t enough\t to\t reveal rocky,\tashen\tground.\tAnd\tthen\ta\tfigure\temerged\tthrough\tthe\tmist. \\\"Nehemia?\\\"\tshe\twhispered.\tShe'd\tcome\tback--come\tback\tto\thelp,\tto\texplain everything. But\tit\twas\tnot\tNehemia\twho\tstepped\tthrough\tthe\tportal. Chaol\tcouldn't\tsleep.\tHe\tstared\tup\tat\tthe\tcanopy\tof\this\tbed,\tthe\twill\the'd\tseen on\t Celaena's\t desk\t glared\t in\t his\t mind.\t He\t couldn't\t stop\t thinking\t about\t it.\t He'd just\tlet\ther\tkick\thim\tout\tof\ther\trooms\twithout\ttelling\ther\twhat\tthe\twill\tmeant\tto him.\t And\t maybe\t he\t deserved\t her\t hate,\t but.\t but\t she\t had\t to\t know\t that\t he\t didn't want\ther\tmoney. He\thad\tto\tsee\ther.\tJust\tlong\tenough\tto\texplain. He\tran\ta\tfinger\talong\tthe\tscab\tdown\this\tcheek.","Rushing\tfootsteps\tsounded\tdown\tthe\thall,\tand\tChaol\twas\talready\tout\tof\tbed and\t half-dressed\t by\t the\t time\t someone\t began\t pounding\t on\t his\t door.\t The\t person on\t the\t other\t side\t got\t all\t of\t one\t knock\t in\t before\t Chaol\t flung\t open\t the\t door,\t a dagger\tconcealed\tbehind\this\tback. He\tlowered\tthe\tblade\tthe\tsecond\the\tbeheld\tDorian's\tface,\tshining\twith\tsweat, but\t he\t didn't\t sheath\t it.\t Not\t when\t he\t saw\t the\t raw\t panic\t in\t Dorian's\t eyes,\t the sword\tbelt\tand\tscabbard\tdangling\tfrom\tthe\tprince's\tclenched\tfingers. Chaol\t believed\t in\t trusting\t his\t instinct.\t He\t didn't\t think\t humans\t had\t survived for\t so\t long\t without\t developing\t some\t ability\t to\t tell\t when\t things\t were\t wrong.\t It wasn't\tmagic--it\twas\tjust.\tgut\tfeeling. And\t it\t was\t Chaol's\t instinct\t that\t told\t him\t who\t this\t was\t about\t before\t Dorian opened\this\tmouth. \\\"Where?\\\"\twas\tall\tChaol\tasked. \\\"Her\tbedroom,\\\"\tDorian\tsaid. \\\"Tell\tme\teverything,\\\"\tChaol\tordered,\thurrying\tback\tinto\this\troom. \\\"I\tdon't\tknow--I.\tI\tthink\tshe's\tin\ttrouble.\\\" He\twas\talready\tshrugging\ton\ta\tshirt\tand\ttunic;\tthen\the\tstomped\this\tfeet\tinto his\tboots\tbefore\tgrabbing\this\tsword.\t\\\"What\tkind\tof\ttrouble?\\\" \\\"The\tkind\tthat\thad\tme\tcoming\tto\tget\tyou,\tinstead\tof\tthe\tother\tguards.\\\" That\tcould\tmean\tanything--but\tChaol\tknew\tDorian\twas\ttoo\tsmart,\ttoo\taware of\t how\t easily\t words\t could\t be\t overheard\t in\t this\t castle.\t He\t sensed\t the\t tightening in\tDorian's\tbody\ta\theartbeat\tbefore\tthe\tprince\tlaunched\tinto\ta\trun,\tand\tgrabbed the\tprince\tby\tthe\tback\tof\this\ttunic.\t\\\"Running,\\\"\tChaol\tsaid\tunder\this\tbreath,\t\\\"will attract\tattention.\\\" \\\"I\talready\twasted\ttoo\tmuch\ttime\tcoming\tto\tget\tyou,\\\"\tDorian\tretorted,\tbut\the matched\tChaol's\tbrisk\tbut\tcalm\tpace.\tIt'd\ttake\tfive\tminutes\tto\tget\tto\ther\trooms-- five,\tif\tthey\tkept\tthis\tspeed.\tIf\tthere\twere\tno\tdistractions. \\\"Is\tanyone\thurt?\\\"\the\tsaid\tquietly,\ttrying\tto\tkeep\this\tbreathing\teven,\tkeep\this focus. \\\"I\tdon't\tknow,\\\"\tDorian\tsaid. \\\"You\t have\t to\t give\t me\t more\t than\t that,\\\"\t Chaol\t snapped.\t The\t leash\t on\t his temper\tstrained\twith\teach\tstep.","\\\"I\thad\ta\tdream,\\\"\tDorian\tsaid,\tso\tsoft\tonly\the\tcould\thear.\t\\\"I\twas\twarned\tthat she\twas\tin\tdanger--that\tshe\twas\ta\tdanger\tto\therself.\\\" Chaol\talmost\tstopped,\tbut\tDorian\thad\tsaid\tit\twith\tsuch\tconviction. \\\"You\tthink\tI\twanted\tto\tcome\tget\tyou?\\\"\tDorian\tsaid,\tnot\tlooking\tat\thim. Chaol\t didn't\t reply,\t but\t hurried\t his\t steps\t as\t much\t as\t he\t could\t without attracting\t undue\t attention\t from\t the\t servants\t and\t guards\t still\t on\t duty.\t He\t could feel\t his\t heart\t hammering\t through\t every\t inch\t of\t him\t by\t the\t time\t they\t got\t to\t her suite\tdoors.\tChaol\tdidn't\tbother\twith\tknocking,\tand\tnearly\ttook\tthe\tfront\tdoor\toff its\thinges\tas\the\tburst through,\tDorian\ton\this\theels. He\t was\t at\t her\t bedroom\t door\t in\t an\t instant,\t and\t didn't\t bother\t knocking\t on\t it, either.\tBut\tthe\thandle\tdidn't\tmove.\tThe\tdoor\twas\tlocked.\tHe\tshoved\tinto\tit\tagain. \\\"Celaena?\\\"\t Her\t name\t was\t more\t of\t a\t growl\t that\t rippled\t out\t of\t him.\t No answer.\tHe\tfought\tthe\trising\tpanic,\teven\tas\the\tdrew\ta\tdagger,\teven\tas\the\tlistened for\tany\tsigns\tof\ttrouble.\t\\\"Celaena.\\\" Nothing. Chaol\t waited\t all\t of\t a\t second\t before\t he\t slammed\t his\t shoulder\t into\t the\t door. Once.\t Twice.\t The\t lock\t snapped.\t The\t door\t burst\t open,\t revealing\t her\t empty bedroom. \\\"Holy\tgods,\\\"\tDorian\twhispered. The\t tapestry\t on\t the\t wall\t had\t been\t folded\t back\t to\t reveal\t an\t open\t door--a secret,\tstone\tdoor\tthat\topened\tinto\ta\tdark\tpassage. It\twas\thow\tshe'd\tgotten\tout\tto\tkill\tGrave. Dorian\tdrew\this\tsword\tfrom\tthe\tscabbard.\t\\\"In\tmy\tdream,\tI\twas\ttold\tI'd\tfind this\tdoor.\\\" The\tprince\tstepped\tforward,\tbut\tChaol\tstopped\thim\twith\tan\tarm.\tHe'd\tthink about\t Dorian\t and\t his\t clairvoyant\t dreams\t later--much\t later.\t \\\"You're\t not\t going down\tthere.\\\" Dorian's\teyes\tflashed.\t\\\"Like\thell\tI'm\tnot.\\\" As\t if\t in\t answer,\t a\t guttural,\t bone-grinding\t growl\t sounded\t from\t within.\t And then\ta\tscream--a\thuman\tscream,\tfollowed\tby\ta\thigh-pitched\tbark. Chaol\twas\trunning\tfor\tthe\tpassage\tentrance\tbefore\the\tcould\tthink.","It\t was\t pitch\t black,\t and\t Chaol\t almost\t tumbled\t down\t the\t stairs,\t but\t Dorian, close\tbehind,\tgrabbed\ta\tcandle. \\\"Stay\t upstairs!\\\"\t Chaol\t ordered,\t still\t charging.\t If\t he'd\t had\t time,\t he\t would have\tlocked\tDorian\tin\tthe\tcloset\trather\tthan\trisk\tbringing\tthe\tCrown\tPrince\tinto danger,\tbut.\tWhat\tthe\thell\thad\tthat\tgrowl\tbeen?\tThe\tbark\the\tknew--the\tbark\twas Fleetfoot.\tAnd\tif\tFleetfoot\twas down\tthere. Dorian\t kept\t following\t him.\t \\\"I\t was\t sent\t here,\\\"\t he\t said.\t Chaol\t took\t the\t stairs by\t twos\t and\t threes,\t hardly\t hearing\t the\t prince's\t words.\t Had\t that\t scream\t been hers?\tIt\thad\tsounded\tmale.\tBut\twho\telse\tcould\tbe\tdown\there\twith\ther? Blue\tlight\tflashed\tfrom\tthe\tbottom\tof\tthe\tstairs.\tWhat\twas\tthat? A\troar\tshook\t the\t ancient\tstones.\t That\twas\tnot\thuman,\tnor\t was\tit\tFleetfoot. But\twhat-- They\thad\tnever\tfound\tthe\tcreature\tthat\thad\tbeen\tkilling\tthe\tchampions.\tThe murders\t had\t just\t stopped.\t But\t the\t damage\t he'd\t seen\t to\t those\t corpses..\t No, Celaena\thad\tto\tbe\talive. Please,\the\tbegged\tany\tgods\twho\twould\tlisten. Chaol\t leapt\t onto\t the\t landing\t and\t found\t three\t doorways.\t The\t blue\t light\t had flashed\tfrom\tthe\tright.\tThey\tran. How\thad\tsuch\ta\tmassive\tcavern\tof\tchambers\tbeen\tforgotten?\tAnd\thow\tlong had\tshe\tknown\tabout\tthem? He\t flew\t down\t a\t spiral\t staircase.\t And\t then\t a\t new,\t greenish\t light\t began shining\tsteadily,\tand\the\tturned\tonto\ta\tlanding\tto\tsee. He\t didn't\t know\t where\t to\t look\t first.\t At\t the\t long\t hallway,\t where\t one\t wall glowed\twith\tan\tarch\tof\tgreen\tsymbols.\tAt\tthe.\tthe\tworld\tthat\tshowed\tthrough\tthe arch,\tdepicting\ta\tland\tof\tmist\tand\trock. At\tArcher,\tcowering\tagainst\tthe\topposite\twall,\tchanting\tstrange\twords\tfrom a\tbook\theld\tin\this\thands. At\tCelaena,\tprostrate\ton\tthe\tfloor. Or\t at\t the\t monster--a\t tall,\t sinewy\t thing,\t but\t definitely\t not\t human.\t Not\t with those\tunnaturally\tlong\tfingers\ttipped\twith\tclaws,\tthe\twhite\tskin\tthat\tlooked\tlike crumpled\tpaper,\tthe\tdistended\tjaw\tthat\trevealed\tfish-like\tteeth,\tand\tthose\teyes-- milky\tand\ttinged\twith\tblue.","And\t there\t was\t Fleetfoot,\t hackles\t raised\t and\t fangs\t bared,\t refusing\t to\t let\t the demon\t anywhere\t near\t Celaena,\t even\t as\t the\t half-grown\t pup\t limped,\t even\t as\t the blood\tpooled\tfrom\tthe\twound\tin\ther\tright\thind leg. Chaol\thad\tall\tof\ttwo\theartbeats\tto\tsize\tup\tthe\tmonster,\tto\ttake\tin\tevery\tdetail, to\tmark\this\tsurroundings.\t\\\"Go,\\\"\the\tsnarled\tat\tDorian\tbefore\tlaunching\thimself\tat the\tcreature.","She\t didn't\t remember\t anything\t after\t the\t first\t two\t swings\t of\t her\t sword,\t only that\t she'd\t suddenly\t seen\t Fleetfoot\t come\t flying\t at\t the\t creature.\t The\t sight\t had distracted\ther\tenough\tfor\tthe\tdemon\tto\tget\tpast\ther\tguard,\tits\tlong,\twhite\tfingers grabbing\ther\tby\tthe\thair\tand\tslamming\ther\thead\tinto\tthe\twall. Then\tdarkness. She\twondered\twhether\tshe'd\tdied\tand\tawoken\tin\thell\tas\tshe\topened\ther\teyes to\t a\t pulsing\t headache--and\t the\t sight\t of\t Chaol\t circling\t the\t pale\t demon,\t blood dripping\tfrom\tboth\tof\tthem.\tAnd\tthen\tthere\twere\tcool\thands\ton\ther\thead,\ton\ther neck,\tand\tDorian\tcrouching\tin\tfront\tof\ther\tas\the\tsaid,\t\\\"Celaena.\\\" She\tstruggled\tto\ther\tfeet,\ther\thead\taching\teven\tmore,\tShe\thad\tto\thelp\tChaol. Had\tto-- She\t heard\t a\t rip\t of\t clothing\t and\t a\t yelp\t of\t pain,\t and\t she\t looked\t at\t Chaol\t in time\t to\t see\t him\t grasp\t the\t cut\t on\t his\t shoulder,\t inflicted\t by\t those\t filthy,\t jagged nails.\t The\t creature\t roared,\t its\t overlong\t jaw\t gleaming\t with\t saliva,\t and\t it\t lunged again\tfor\tthe\tcaptain. Celaena\ttried\tto\tmove,\tbut\tshe\twasn't\tfast\tenough. But\tDorian\twas. Something\tinvisible\tslammed\tinto\tthe\tcreature,\tsending\tit\tflying\tinto\tthe\twall with\t a\t crunch.\t Gods.\t Dorian\t didn't\t just\t have\t magic--he\t had\t raw\t magic.\t The rarest,\t and\t deadliest\t kind.\t Sheer\t undiluted\t power,\t capable\t of\t being\t shaped\t into whatever\tform\tthe\twielder\tdesired. The\tcreature\tcrumpled\tbut\tinstantly\tgot\tup,\twhirling\ttoward\ther\tand\tDorian. The\tprince\tjust\tstood\tthere,\thand\toutstretched. The\tmilky-blue\teyes\twere\travenous\tnow. Through\t the\t portal\t Celaena\t heard\t the\t rocky\t earth\t crunching\t beneath\t more pairs\tof\tbare,\tpale\tfeet.\tArcher's\tchanting\tgrew\tlouder. Chaol\t attacked\t the\t thing\t again.\t It\t surged\t toward\t him\t just\t before\t his\t sword struck,\tswiping\twith\tthose\tlong\tfingers,\tforcing\tthe\tcaptain\tto\tdart\tback.","She\tgrabbed\tDorian.\t\\\"We\thave\tto\tclose\tit.\tThe\tportal\tshould\tclose\ton\tits\town eventually,\t but--but\t the\t longer\t it's\t open,\t the\t greater\t the\t threat\t of\t more\t coming through\tbefore\tit\tdoes.\\\" \\\"How?\\\" \\\"I--I\t don't\t know,\t I.\\\"\t Her\t head\t spun\t so\t badly\t her\t knees\t wobbled.\t But\t she turned\t to\t Archer,\t who\t stood\t across\t the\t hall,\t separated\t from\t them\t by\t the\t pacing creature.\t\\\"Give\tme\tthe\tbook.\\\" Chaol\twounded\tthe\tdemon\tacross\tits\tabdomen\twith\ta\tsure,\tdeft\tstroke,\tbut\tit didn't\t even\t slow\t down.\t Even\t from\t a\t few\t feet\t away,\t the\t tang\t of\t the\t dark\t blood reached\ther\tnose. Celaena\t watched\t Archer\t take\t it\t all\t in,\t his\t eyes\t wide,\t panicked\t beyond reason.\t And\t then\t he\t sprinted\t down\t the\t hall,\t taking\t with\t him\t the\t book--and\t any hope\tof\tshutting\tthe\tportal. Dorian\t couldn't\t move\t fast\t enough\t to\t stop\t the\t handsome\t man\t from\t fleeing with\tthe\tbook\tin\this\thands,\tdidn't\tdare,\twith\tthat\tdemon\tbetween\tthem.\tCelaena, her\tforehead\tbleeding,\tmade\ta\tlunge\tfor\thim,\tbut\tthe\tman\twas\ttoo\tfast.\tHer\teyes kept\t darting\t to\t Chaol,\t who\t was\t keeping\t the\t thing\t distracted.\t Dorian\t knew without\tbeing\ttold\tthat\tshe\tdidn't\twant\tto\tleave\tthe\tcaptain. \\\"I'll\tgo--\\\"\tDorian\tbegan. \\\"No.\t He's\t dangerous\t and\t these\t tunnels\t are\t a\t labyrinth,\\\"\t she\t panted.\t Chaol and\t the\t creature\t circled\t each\t other,\t the\t thing\t slowly\t backing\t toward\t the\t portal entrance.\t\\\"I\tcan't\tclose\tit\twithout\tthat\tbook,\\\"\tshe\tmoaned.\t\\\"There\tare\tmore\tbooks upstairs,\tbut\tI--\\\" \\\"Then\t we\t flee,\\\"\t Dorian\t breathed,\t grabbing\t her\t by\t the\t elbow.\t \\\"We\t flee\t and try\tto\tget\tto\tthose\tbooks.\\\" He\t dragged\t her\t with\t him,\t not\t daring\t to\t take\t his\t eyes\t off\t Chaol\t or\t the creature.\t She\t swayed\t in\t his\t grasp.\t The\t wound\t to\t her\t head\t must\t be\t as\t bad\t as\t it looked.\tSomething\twas\tglowing\tat\ther\tthroat--the\tamulet\tshe'd\ttold\thim\twas\tjust a\t\\\"cheap\treplica,\\\"\tshining\tlike\ta\ttiny\tblue\tstar. \\\"Go,\\\"\tChaol\ttold\tthem,\tstaring\tdown\tthe\tthing\tin\tfront\tof\thim.\t\\\"Now.\\\" She\tstumbled,\ttugging\ttoward\tChaol,\tbut\tDorian\tpulled\ther\tback. \\\"No,\\\"\tshe\tgot\tout,\tbut\tthe\twound\tto\ther\thead\tmade\ther\tsag\tin\tDorian's\tgrip. As\tif\trealizing\tthat\tshe'd\tbe\ta\thindrance\tto\tChaol,\tshe\tstopped\tfighting\tDorian\tas","he\thauled\ther\ttoward\tthe\tstairs. Chaol\tknew\the\tcouldn't\twin\tthis\tfight.\tHis\tbest\toption\twas\tto\tflee\twith\tthem, to\t guard\t the\t way\t until\t they\t could\t get\t to\t that\t stone\t door\t far,\t far\t above\t and\t lock the\t creature\t down\t here.\t But\t he\t wasn't\t sure\t he'd\t even\t make\t it\t to\t the\t stairs.\t The creature\tthwarted\this\tattacks\tso\teasily\tit\tseemed\tto\thave\tan\tuncanny\tintelligence. At\tleast\tCelaena\tand\tDorian\thad\treached\tthe\tstairs.\tHe\tcould\taccept\tthis\tend if\tit\tmeant\tthey\tcould\tescape.\tHe\tcould\tembrace\tthe\tdarkness\twhen\tit\tcame. The\t creature\t paused\t just\t long\t enough\t for\t Chaol\t to\t gain\t a\t few\t more\t feet\t of distance.\tHe\tbacked\ttoward\tthe\tbottom\tstep. But\tthen\tshe\tstarted\tshouting--the\tsame\tword\tagain\tand\tagain\tas\tDorian\ttried to\tkeep\tdragging\ther\tup\tthe\tstairs. Fleetfoot. Chaol\t looked.\t In\t a\t dark\t shadow\t by\t the\t wall,\t Fleetfoot\t had\t been\t left\t behind, her\tleg\ttoo\tinjured\tto\trun. The\tcreature\tlooked\ttoo. And\t there\t was\t nothing\t he\t could\t do,\t absolutely\t nothing\t as\t the\t creature whirled,\tgrabbed\tFleetfoot\tby\ther\tinjured\thind\tleg,\tand\tdragged\ther\tthrough\tthe portal\twith\tit. There\twas\tnothing\the\tcould\tdo,\the\trealized,\texcept\trun. Celaena's\tscream\twas\tstill\techoing\tthrough\tthe\tpassageway\tas\tChaol\tleapt\toff the\tstairs\tand\thurtled\tthrough\tthe\tmisty\tportal\tafter\tFleetfoot. If\t she\t had\t thought\t she'd\t known\t fear\t and\t pain\t before,\t it\t was\t nothing compared\t to\t what\t went\t through\t her\t when\t she\t saw\t Chaol\t running\t through\t the portal\tafter\tFleetfoot. Dorian\t didn't\t see\t her\t coming\t as\t she\t whirled,\t slamming\t his\t head\t into\t the stone\twall\thard\tenough\tthat\the\tcrumpled\tto\tthe\tsteps,\tfreeing\ther\tfrom\this\tgrip. But\tshe\tdidn't\tcare\tabout\tDorian,\tdidn't\tcare\tabout\tanything\texcept\tFleetfoot and\tChaol\tas\tshe\tsprinted\tdown\tthose\tfew\tstairs\tand\tacross\tthe\thall.\tShe\thad\tto get\tthem\tout,\tget\tthem\tback\tbefore\tthe\tportal\tshut\tforever. She\twas\tthrough\tin\ta\theartbeat. And\twhen\tshe\tsaw\tChaol\tshielding\tFleetfoot\twith\tnothing\tbut\this\tbare\thands, his\t discarded\t sword\t snapped\t in\t two\t by\t the\t demon\t who\t hovered\t over\t them,\t she","didn't\tthink\ttwice\tbefore\tshe\tunleashed\tthe\tmonster\tinside\therself. From\tthe\tcorner\tof\this\teye,\tChaol\tsaw\ther\tcoming,\tthe\tancient\tsword in\ther\thands\tand\ther\tface\tset\twith\tferal\trage. The\t moment\t she\t burst\t through\t the\t portal,\t something\t changed.\t It\t was\t like\t a fog\t vanished\t from\t her\t face,\t her\t features\t sharpening,\t her\t steps\t becoming\t longer and\tmore\tgraceful.\tAnd\tthen\ther\tears--her\tears\tshifted\tinto\tdelicate\tpoints. The\t creature,\t sensing\t it\t was\t about\t to\t lose\t its\t prey,\t made\t a\t final\t lunge\t for Chaol. It\twas\tblasted\taway\tby\ta\twall\tof\tblue\tflame. The\t fire\t vanished\t to\t reveal\t the\t creature\t slamming\t into\t the\t ground,\t flipping again\t and\t again.\t It\t was\t on\t its\t feet\t before\t it\t finished\t rolling,\t whirling\t toward Celaena\tin\tthe\tsame\tmove. She\t was\t between\t them\t now,\t sword\t raised.\t She\t roared,\t revealing\t elongated canines,\t and\t the\t sound\t was\t unlike\t anything\t he'd\t ever\t heard.\t There\t was\t nothing human\tin\tit. Because\t she\t wasn't\t human,\t Chaol\t realized,\t gaping\t up\t at\t her\t from\t where\t he still\tcrouched\tover\tFleetfoot. No--she\twasn't\thuman\tat\tall. Celaena\twas\tFae.","She\t knew\t the\t shift\t had\t happened,\t because\t it\t hurt\t like\t hell.\t A\t flash\t of blinding\t pain\t as\t her\t features\t ripped\t free\t of\t the\t hold\t that\t hid\t them.\t The\t demon lunged,\t and\t she\t plummeted\t into\t the\t well\t of\t power\t that\t was\t suddenly overflowing\tinside\tof\ther. Magic,\tsavage\tand\tunforgiving,\terupted\tout\tof\ther,\tpunching\tinto\tthe\tcreature and\t sending\t it\t flying.\t Flame--years\t ago,\t her\t power\t had\t usually\t manifested\t as some\tform\tof\tfire. She\tcould\tsmell\teverything,\tsee\teverything.\tThe\theightened\tsenses\tpulled\ther attention\t every\t which\t way,\t all\t telling\t her\t that\t this\t world\t was\t wrong,\t and\t she needed\tto\tget\tout\tnow. But\tshe\twouldn't\tget\tout,\tnot\tuntil\tChaol\tand\tFleetfoot\tmade\tit\tto\tsafety. The\tcreature\tstopped\trolling,\ton\tits\tfeet\tin\tan\tinstant,\tand\tCelaena\tput\therself between\tit\tand\tChaol.\tThe\tdemon\tsniffed\tat\ther,\tsinking\tonto\tits\thaunches. She\tlifted\tDamaris\tand\tbellowed\ther\tchallenge. From\tfar\toff\tin\tthe\tmist,\troars\tanswered.\tOne\tof\tthem\tcame\tfrom the\tthing\tin\tfront\tof\ther. She\t looked\t at\t Chaol,\t still\t crouched\t over\t Fleetfoot,\t and\t bared\t her\t teeth, canines\tglistening\tin\tthe\tgray\tlight. Chaol\t was\t just\t staring\t up\t at\t her.\t She\t could\t smell\t his\t terror,\t and\t his\t awe. Smell\this\tblood,\tso\thuman\tand\tordinary.\tShe\tfelt\tthe\tmagic\twelling\tup\tmore\tand more\tand\tmore,\tuncontrollable\tand\tancient\tand\tburning. \\\"Run,\\\"\t she\t snarled,\t more\t a\t plea\t than\t a\t command,\t because\t the\t magic\t was\t a living\tthing,\tand\tit\twanted\tout,\tand\tshe\twas\tjust\tas\tlikely\tto\thurt\thim\tas\tshe\twas to\t hurt\t the\t creature.\t Because\t that\t portal\t might\t close\t at\t any\t moment\t and\t seal them\there\tforever. She\tdidn't\twait\tto\tsee\twhat\tChaol\tdid.\tThe\tcreature\trushed\tfor\ther,\ta\tblur\tof withered\t white\t flesh.\t She\t ran\t toward\t it,\t flinging\t her\t immortal\t power\t like\t a phantom\tpunch.\tIt\tshot\tout\tin\ta\tblue\tburst\tof\twildfire,\tbut\tthe\tcreature\tdodged\tit, and\tthe\tnext\tblow\tand\tthe\tnext.","Celaena\tswung\tDamaris,\tand\tthe\tcreature\tducked\tbefore\tjumping\tback\ta\tfew paces.\tThe\troars\tin\tthe\tdistance\twere\tgetting\tcloser. Crunching\trock\tsounded\tbehind\ther,\tand\tshe\tknew\tChaol\twas\tmaking\tfor\tthe portal. The\t demon\t began\t pacing.\t Then\t the\t crunching\t stopped.\t That\t meant\t Chaol was\t in\t the\t passageway\t again--he\t must\t have\t carried\t Fleetfoot\t with\t him.\t He\t was safe.\tSafe. This\tthing\twas\ttoo\tsmart,\tand\ttoo\tfast--too\tstrong,\tdespite\tits\tgangly\tlimbs. And\tif\tothers\twere\tcoming.\tif\tmore\tgot\tthrough\tthe\tportal\tbefore\tit\tclosed. Her\t magic\t was\t building\t again,\t the\t spring\t deeper\t now.\t Celaena\t gauged\t the distance\tbetween\tthem\tas\tshe\tbacked\ttoward\tthe\tportal. She\t had\t little\t control\t over\t the\t power,\t but\t she\t did\t have\t a\t sword--a\t sacred sword\tmade\tby\tthe\tFae,\tcapable\tof\twithstanding\tmagic.\tA\tconduit. Not\tgiving\therself\ttime\tto\tthink\tit\tthrough,\tshe\tthrew\tall\ther\traw\tpower\tinto the\tgolden\tsword.\tIts\tblade\tglowed\tred-hot,\tits\tedges\tcrackling\twith\tlightning. The\tcreature\ttensed,\tas\tif\tsensing\twhat\tshe\twas\tabout\tto\tdo\tas\tshe\tlifted\tthe sword\tover\ther\thead.\tWith\ta\tbattle\tcry\tthat\tshattered\tthrough\tthe\tmists,\tCelaena plunged\tDamaris\tinto\tthe\tearth. The\tground\tcracked\ttoward\tthe\tdemon,\ta\tburning\tweb\tof\tlines\tand\tfissures. And\tthen\tthe\tground\tbetween\tthem\tbegan\tto\tcollapse,\tfoot\tby\tfoot,\tuntil\tthe creature\twas\tsprinting\taway.\tSoon\tthere\twas\tjust\ta\tsmall\tlip\tof\tland\tsurrounding Celaena,\tbacked\tby\tthe\topen\tportal,\tand\tan\tever-growing\tchasm\tbefore\ther. She\twrenched\tDamaris\tfrom\tthe\tbroken\tearth.\tShe\tknew\tshe\thad\tto\tget\tout-- get\t out\t now.\t But\t before\t she\t could\t move,\t before\t she\t could\t get\t to\t the\t portal,\t the magic\t rippled,\t so\t violently\t that\t she\t sagged\t to\t her\t knees.\t Pain\t flashed\t and\t she shifted\tback\tinto\ther\tclumsy,\tfrail\tmortal\tbody. And\t then\t there\t were\t strong\t hands\t under\t her\t shoulders,\t hands\t she\t knew\t so well,\tdragging\ther\tback,\tthrough\tthe\tportal\tand\tinto\tErilea,\twhere\ther\tmagic\twas snuffed\tout\tlike\ta\tcandle. Dorian\t came\t to\t just\t in\t time\t to\t see\t Chaol\t hauling\t Celaena\t back\t through\t the portal.\t She\t was\t conscious,\t but\t was\t a\t dead\t weight\t in\t the\t captain's\t arms\t as\t he dragged\ther\tacross\tthe\tground.\tOnce\tthey\twere\tover\tthe\tborder,\the\tdropped\ther as\tif\tshe\twere\tmade\tof\tflame,\tand\tCelaena\tlay\tpanting\ton\tthe\tstones.","What\thad\thappened?\tThere\thad\t been\t a\tland\tof\trock\t beyond\tthe\tportal,\t and now.\t now\t there\t was\t nothing\t but\t a\t small\t ledge\t and\t a\t massive\t crater.\t The\t pale creature\twas\tgone. Celaena\t pushed\t herself\t up\t onto\t her\t elbows,\t her\t limbs\t wobbling.\t Dorian's head\t ached,\t but\t he\t managed\t to\t walk\t to\t them.\t He'd\t been\t dragging\t her\t one moment,\tand\tthen--then\tshe'd\tknocked\thim\tout.\tWhy? \\\"Close\t it,\\\"\t Chaol\t was\t saying\t to\t her,\t his\t face\t so\t white\t that\t the\t blood splattered\ton\tit\tstood\tout\teven\tmore\tstarkly.\t\\\"Close\tit.\\\" \\\"I\t can't,\\\"\t Celaena\t breathed.\t Dorian\t gripped\t the\t wall\t to\t keep\t himself\t from falling\t to\t his\t knees\t from\t the\t ache\t in\t his\t head.\t He\t made\t it\t to\t where\t they\t were positioned\tin\tfront\tof\tthe\tportal,\tFleetfoot\tnuzzling\tCelaena. \\\"They're\t going\t to\t keep\t coming\t through,\\\"Chaol\t panted.\t Something\t was wrong,\t Dorian\t realized--something\t was\t wrong\t between\t them.\t Chaol\t wasn't touching\ther,\twasn't\thelping\ther\tup. Beyond\t the\t crater\t inside\t the\t portal,\t the\t roaring\t was\t growing\t louder.\t No doubt,\tthose\tthings\twould\tfind\tsome\tway\tto\tget\tthrough. \\\"I'm\t drained--I\t don't\t have\t anything\t left\t to\t close\t this\t gate.\\\"\t Celaena\t winced, and\tlifted\ther\teyes\tto\tDorian's.\t\\\"But\tyou\tdo.\\\" From\t the\t corner\t of\t her\t eye,\t Celaena\t saw\t Chaol\t whirl\t to\t face\t Dorian.\t She staggered\t to\t her\t feet.\t Fleetfoot\t had\t again\t put\t herself\t between\t Celaena\t and\t the portal,\tsnarling\tsoftly.\t\\\"Help\tme,\\\"\tshe\twhispered\tto\tthe\tprince,\tsome\tsemblance of\tenergy\treturning. Dorian\tdidn't\tlook\tat\tChaol.\tHe\tstepped\tforward.\t\\\"What\tmust\tI\tdo?\\\" \\\"I\tneed\tyour\tblood.\tThe\trest\tI\tcan\tdo.\tAt\tleast,\tI\thope\tI\tcan.\\\"\tChaol\tstarted\tto object,\t and\t Celaena\t gave\t him\t a\t faint,\t bitter\t smile.\t \\\"Don't\t worry.\t Only\t a\t cut\t on the\tarm.\\\" Sheathing\t his\t sword,\t Dorian\t rolled\t up\t the\t sleeve\t of\t his\t shirt\t and\t drew\t a dagger.\tBlood\twelled\tfrom\tthe\tcut,\tquick\tand\tbright. Chaol\tgrowled,\t\\\"How\tdid\tyou\tlearn\tto\topen\ta\tportal?\\\" \\\"I\tfound\ta\tbook,\\\"\tshe\tsaid.\tIt\twas\tthe\ttruth.\t\\\"I\twanted\tto\tspeak\tto\tNehemia.\\\" Silence\tfell--pitying,\thorrifying\tsilence. But\tthen\tshe\tadded:\t\\\"I--I\tthink\tI\taccidentally\tchanged\ta\tsymbol.\\\"\tShe\tpointed to\t the\t Wyrdmark\t she'd\t smeared,\t the\t one\t that\t had\t rearranged\t itself.\t \\\"It\t went\t to","the\twrong\tplace.\tBut\tthis\tmight\tclose\tthe\tdoor--if\twe're\tlucky.\\\" What\tshe\tdidn't\ttell\tthem\twas\tthat\tthere\twas\ta\tgood\tchance\tit\twouldn't\twork. But\t because\t there\t were\t no\t other\t books\t in\t her\t rooms,\t and\t because\t Archer\t had taken\t The\t Walking\t Dead\t with\t him,\t all\t she\t had\t left\t was\t that\t sealing\t spell\t she'd used\ton\tthe\tdoor\tin\tthe\tlibrary.\tAnd\tthere\twas\tno\tway--no\tway\tin\thell--she\twas going\t to\t abandon\t this\t open\t portal,\t or\t leave\t one\t of\t them\t to\t guard\t it.\t The\t portal would\t eventually\t close\t on\t its\t own--but\t she\t didn't\t know\t when.\t More\t of\t those things\tcould\tcreep\tthrough\tat\tany\ttime.\tSo\tshe'd\ttry\tthis,\tbecause\tit\twas\ther\tonly option.\tShe'd\tfigure\tout\tsomething\telse\tif\tit\tdidn't\twork. It\twill\twork,\tshe\ttold\therself. Dorian\t put\t a\t warm,\t reassuring\t hand\t on\t her\t back\t as\t she\t dipped\t her\t fingers into\this\tblood.\tShe\thadn't\trealized\thow\tfreezing\ther\thands\twere\tuntil\tthe\theat\tof his\t blood\t warmed\t her\t fingertips.\t One\t by\t one,\t she\t drew\t the\t sealing\t marks\t over the\tgreen-glowing\tsymbols.\tDorian\tnever\tlet\tgo\tof\ther--only\tstepped\teven\tcloser when\tshe\tswayed.\tChaol\tsaid\tnothing. Her\t knees\t buckled,\t but\t she\t finished\t covering\t the\t symbols\t with\t Dorian's blood.\t A\t lingering\t roar\t echoed\t through\t the\t damned\t world\t as\t the\t final\t symbol flared,\tthe\tmists\tand\trock\tand\travine\tfading\tinto\tblack,\tthen\tinto\tfamiliar\tstone. Celaena\t kept\t her\t breathing\t steady,\t throwing\t all\t her\t focus\t into\t that.\t If\t she could\tkeep\ther\tbreathing,\tshe\twouldn't\tfall\tapart. Dorian\tlowered\this\tarm\tand\tloosed\ta\tsigh,\tfinally\tletting\tgo\tof\ther. \\\"Let's\t go,\\\"\t Chaol\t ordered,\t scooping\t up\t Fleetfoot,\t who\t whined\t in\t pain\t and gave\thim\ta\twarning\tgrowl. \\\"I\tthink\twe\tall\tneed\ta\tdrink,\\\"\tDorian\tsaid\tquietly.\t\\\"And\tan\texplanation.\\\" But\t Celaena\t looked\t down\t the\t hall,\t to\t the\t stairwell.\t To\t where\t Archer\t had fled.\tHad\tit\tonly\tbeen\tminutes\tago?\tIt\thad\tfelt\tlike\ta\tlifetime. But\tif\tit\thad\tonly\tbeen\tminutes.\tHer\tbreathing\tstumbled.\tShe\thad\tdiscovered only\t one\t way\t out\t of\t the\t castle,\t and\t she\t was\t certain\t that\t was\t where\t Archer\t had gone.\t After\t what\t he'd\t done\t to\t Nehemia,\t after\t taking\t the\t book\t and\t abandoning them\tto\tthat\tcreature.\tExhaustion\twas\treplaced\tby\tfamiliar\tanger.\tThe\tanger\tthat burned\tthrough\teverything,\tjust\tas\tArcher\thad\tdestroyed\twhat\tshe\tloved. Chaol\tstepped\tin\ther\tpath.\t\\\"Don't\tyou\teven\tthink--\\\" Panting,\tshe\tsheathed\tDamaris.\t\\\"He's\tmine.\\\"","Before\tChaol\tcould\tgrab\ther,\tshe\thurtled\tdown\tthe\tstairs.","Though\t Celaena's\t Fae\t senses\t were\t extinguished,\t she\t could\t swear\t she\t still smelled\tArcher's\tcologne\tas\tshe\tmoved\ttoward\tthe\tsewer\ttunnel,\tstill\tsmelled\tthe blood\ton\thim. He\t had\t destroyed\t everything.\t He'd\t had\t Nehemia\t assassinated,\t had manipulated\tthem\tboth,\thad\tused\tNehemia's\tdeath\tto\tdrive\ta\twedge\tbetween\ther and\tChaol,\tall\tin\tthe\tname\tof\tpower\tand\trevenge. She\twould\ttake\thim\tapart.\tSlowly. I\tknow\twhat\tyou\tare,\the'd\tsaid.\tShe\tdidn't\tknow\twhat\tArobynn\thad\ttold\thim about\t her\t heritage,\t but\t Archer\t had\t no\t idea\t what\t sort\t of\t darkness\t lurked\t inside her,\tor\twhat\tsort\tof\tmonster\tshe\twas\twilling\tto\tbecome,\tin\torder\tto\tmake\tthings right. Ahead\t of\t her,\t she\t could\t hear\t muffled\t curses\t and\t banging\t against\t metal.\t By the\t time\t she\t reached\t the\t sewer\t tunnel,\t she\t knew\t what\t had\t happened.\t The\t grate had\tslid\tshut,\tand\tnone\tof\tArcher's\tattempts\tto\topen\tit\thad\tworked.\tPerhaps\tthe gods\tdid\tlisten\tsometimes.\tCelaena\tsmiled,\tdrawing\tboth\tof\ther\tdaggers. She\twalked\tthrough\tthe\tarchway,\tbut\tthe\tpassage\twas\tempty\ton\teither\tside\tof the\t small\t river.\t She\t stepped\t farther\t onto\t the\t walkway,\t peering\t into\t the\t water, wondering\tif\the'd\ttried\tto\tswim\tdeep\tenough\tto\tgo\tunder\tthe\tgrate. She\tsensed\thim\ta\theartbeat\tbefore\the\tattacked\tfrom\tbehind. She\t met\t his\t sword\t with\t both\t her\t daggers\t raised\t over\t her\t head,\t darting\t back to\tgive\therself\tenough\ttime\tto\tassess.\tArcher\thad\ttrained\twith\tthe\tassassins--and from\tthe\tway\the\twielded\this\tblade,\tcoming\tafter\ther\tagain\tand\tagain,\tshe\tknew he'd\tkept\tup\tthose\tlessons. She\twas\texhausted.\tArcher\twas\tat\tfull\tstrength,\tand\this\tblows\tmade\ther\tarms quake. He\t swiped\t for\t her\t throat,\t but\t she\t ducked,\t slicing\t for\t his\t side.\t Swift\t as lightning,\the\tleapt\tto\tavoid\ther\tgutting\thim. \\\"I\t killed\t her\t for\t our\t sake,\\\"\t Archer\t panted\t as\t she\t scanned\t for\t any\t weakness, any\t opening.\t \\\"She\t would\t have\t ruined\t us.\t And\t now\t that\t you\t can\t open\t portals","without\t the\t keys,\t think\t of\t what\t we\t could\t do.\t Think,\t Celaena.\t Her\t death\t was\t a worthy\tsacrifice\tto\tkeep\ther\tfrom\tdestroying\tthe\tcause.\tWe\tmust\trise\tup\tagainst the\tking.\\\" She\t lunged,\t feigning\t left,\t but\t he\t caught\t the\t attack.\t She\t growled,\t \\\"I\t would rather\tlive\tin\this\tshadow\tthan\tin\ta\tworld\twhere\tmen\tlike\tyou\trule.\tAnd\twhen\tI'm done\twith\tyou,\tI'm\tgoing\tto\tfind\tall\tyour\tfriends\tand\treturn\tthe\tfavor.\\\" \\\"They\tdon't\tknow\tanything.\tThey\tdon't\tknow\twhat\tI\tknow,\\\"\the\tsaid,\tdancing past\t all\t her\t attacks\t with\t maddening\t ease.\t \\\"Nehemia\t was\t hiding\t something\t else about\t you.\t She\t didn't\t want\t you\t involved,\t and\t I\t thought\t it\t was\t just\t because\t she didn't\twant\tto\tshare\tyou\twith\tus.\tBut\tnow\tI\twonder\twhy,\texactly.\tWhat\tmore\tdid she\tknow?\\\" Celaena\tlaughed\tsoftly.\t\\\"You're\ta\tfool\tif\tyou\tthink\tI'll\thelp\tyou.\\\"\t\\\"Oh,\tonce my\tmen\tstart\tworking\ton\tyou,\tyou'll\tsoon\tchange\tyour\tmind.\tRourke\tFarran\twas a\t customer\t of\t mine--before\t he\t was\t killed,\t that\t is.\t You\t remember\t Farran,\t don't you?\tHe\thad\ta\tspecial\tlove\tfor\tpain.\tHe\ttold\tme\tthat\ttorturing\tSam\tCortland\twas the\tmost\tfun\the ever\thad.\\\" She\t could\t hardly\t see\t through\t the\t blood\t lust\t that\t seized\t her\t in\t that\t moment, hardly\tremember\ther\town\tname. Archer\t feinted\t toward\t the\t river\t to\t get\t her\t to\t back\t to\t the\t wall--\t where\t she'd impale\t herself\t on\t his\t blade.\t But\t Celaena\t knew\t that\t move,\t too--knew\t it\t because she\therself\thad\ttaught\tit\tto\thim\tall\tthose\tyears\tago.\tSo\tas\the\tstruck,\tshe\tducked past\this\tguard\tand\trammed\tthe\tpommel\tof\ther\tdagger\tup\tinto\this\tjaw. He\tdropped\tlike\ta\tstone,\tsword\tclattering,\tand\tshe\twas\tupon\thim\tbefore\the'd finished\tfalling,\ther\tdagger\tat\this\tthroat. \\\"Please,\\\"\the\twhispered\thoarsely. She\t pushed\t the\t edge\t of\t the\t blade\t into\t his\t skin,\t wondering\t how\t she\t could make\tthis\tlast\twithout\tkilling\thim\ttoo\tquickly. \\\"Please,\\\"\t he\t begged,\t chest\t heaving.\t \\\"I'm\t just\t doing\t it\t for\t our\t freedom.\t Our freedom.\tWe're\ton\tthe\tsame\tside\tin\tthe\tend.\\\" One\tflick\tof\tthe\twrist,\tand\tshe\tcould\tslit\this\tthroat.\tOr\tshe\tcould\tdisable\thim the\t way\t she'd\t disabled\t Grave.\t She\t could\t give\t him\t the\t injuries\t Grave\t had\t given Nehemia.\tShe\tsmiled.","\\\"You're\tnot\ta\tmurderer,\\\"\the\twhispered. \\\"Oh,\t I\t am,\\\"\t she\t purred,\t torchlight\t dancing\t on\t the\t dagger\t as\t she\t considered what\tto\tdo\twith\thim. \\\"Nehemia\twouldn't\twant\tthis.\tShe\twouldn't\twant\tyou\tto\tdo\tthis.\\\" And\tthough\tshe\tknew\tshe\tshouldn't\tlisten,\tthe\twords\tstruck\thome. Don't\tlet\tthat\tlight\tgo\tout. The\t darkness\t that\t thrived\t in\t her\t soul\t had\t no\t light\t left.\t No\t light,\t save\t for\t a kernel,\t a\t faint\t flicker\t that\t grew\t smaller\t by\t the\t day.\t Wherever\t she\t was\t now, Nehemia\tknew\thow\tsmall\tthe\tflame\thad\tbecome. Don't\tlet\tthat\tlight\tgo\tout. Celaena\t felt\t the\t tension\t go\t out\t of\t her\t body,\t but\t she\t kept\t her\t dagger\t on Archer's\tthroat\tuntil\tshe\twas\ton\ther\tfeet. \\\"You're\tleaving\tRifthold\ttonight,\\\"\tshe\ttold\thim.\t\\\"You\tand\tall\tof your\tfriends.\\\" \\\"Thank\tyou,\\\"\tArcher\tbreathed,\tstanding. \\\"If\t I\t find\t out\t you're\t still\t in\t the\t city\t at\t dawn,\\\"\t she\t said,\t putting\t her\t back\t to him\t as\t she\t stalked\t toward\t the\t tunnel\t stairs,\t \\\"I'll\t kill\t you.\\\"\t Enough.\t It\t was enough. \\\"Thank\tyou,\\\"\tArcher\tsaid\tagain. She\tkept\twalking,\tlistening\tfor\tany\tsign\tof\thim\tmoving\tto\tattack\ther\tback. \\\"I\tknew\tyou\twere\ta\tgood\twoman,\\\"\the\tsaid. Celaena\thalted.\tTurned. There\t was\t a\t hint\t of\t triumph\t in\t his\t eyes.\t He\t thought\t he'd\t won.\t Manipulated her\t again.\t One\t foot\t after\t another,\t she\t walked\t back\t toward\t him\t with\t predatory calmness. She\tstopped,\tclose\tenough\tto\tkiss\thim.\tHe\tgave\ther\ta\twary\tsmile. \\\"No,\tI'm\tnot,\\\"\tshe\tsaid.\tThen\tshe\tmoved,\ttoo\tfast\tfor\thim\tto\tstand\ta\tchance. Archer's\teyes\twent\twide\tas\tshe\tslid\tthe\tdagger\thome,\tjamming\tit\tup\tinto\this heart. He\tsagged\tin\ther\tarms.\tShe\tbrought\ther\tmouth\tto\this\tear,\tholding\thim\tupright","with\t one\t hand\t and\t twisting\t the\t dagger\t with\t the\t other\t as\t she\t whispered,\t \\\"But Nehemia\twas.\\\"","Chaol\twatched\tblood\tbubble\tout\tof\tArcher's\tlips\tas\tCelaena\tlet\thim\tslump\tto the\tstone\tfloor.\tShe\tstared\tdown\tat\tthe\tbody,\ther\tfinal\twords\tto\thim\thovering\tin the\t air,\t running\t claws\t over\t Chaol's\t already-chilled\t skin.\t She\t closed\t her\t eyes, tilting\t her\t head\t back\t as\t she\t took\t a\t long\t breath--as\t if\t she\t were\t embracing\t the death\tbefore\ther,\tand\tthe\tstain\tit\tleft\tas\tpayment\tfor\ther\tvengeance. He\t had\t arrived\t in\t time\t to\t hear\t Archer\t beg\t for\t his\t life--and\t utter\t the\t words that\thad\tbeen\this\tlast\tmistake.\tChaol\tshifted\this\tboot\tagainst\tthe\tstep\tto\twarn\ther that\t he\t was\t there.\t How\t much\t of\t her\t Fae\t senses\t did\t she\t retain\t when\t she\t looked like\ta\thuman? Archer's\tblood\tspread\tacross\tthe\tdark\tstones,\tand\tCelaena\topened\ther\teyes\tas she\t slowly\t turned\t to\t Chaol.\t The\t blood\t had\t soaked\t the\t ends\t of\t her\t hair,\t turning them\t a\t brilliant\t red.\t And\t her\t eyes.\t There\t was\t nothing\t there,\t as\t if\t she'd\t been hollowed\tout.\tFor\ta\theartbeat,\the\twondered\tif\tshe'd\tkill\thim,\ttoo--just\tfor\tbeing there,\tor\tfor\tseeing\tthe\tdark\ttruth\tof\ther. She\t blinked,\t and\t the\t killing\t calm\t in\t her\t eyes\t vanished,\t replaced\t only\t by bone-deep\t weariness\t and\t sorrow.\t An\t invisible\t burden\t that\t he\t couldn't\t begin\t to imagine\t made\t her\t shoulders\t slump.\t She\t picked\t up\t the\t black\t book\t that\t Archer had\tdropped\ton\tthe\tdamp\tstones,\tbut\tlet\tit\tdangle\tfrom\ther\tfingers\tas\tif\tit\twere\ta piece\tof\tdirty\tclothing. \\\"I\towe\tyou\tan\texplanation,\\\"\twas\tall\tshe\tsaid. Celaena\t refused\t to\t let\t the\t healer\t look\t at\t her\t until\t Fleetfoot's\t leg\t had\t been fixed.\t It\t was\t only\t a\t long\t scratch,\t but\t it\t was\t deep.\t Celaena\t had\t held\t Fleetfoot's head\tin\ther\tarms\tas\tthe\tthrashing\tdog\twas\tforced\tto\tswallow\twater\tlaced\twith\ta sedative.\t Dorian\t helped\t as\t best\t he\t could\t while\t the\t healer\t worked\t on\t the\t dog lying\tunconscious\ton\tCelaena's\tdining\troom\ttable.\tChaol\tleaned\tagainst\tthe\twall of\t the\t room,\t arms\t crossed\t over\t his\t chest.\t He'd\t said\t nothing\t to\t Dorian\t since they'd\tgone\tdown\tinto\tthe\tpassageway. The\t young,\t brown-haired\t healer\t didn't\t ask\t any\t questions,\t either.\t Once Fleetfoot\t was\t patched\t up\t and\t moved\t to\t Celaena's\t bed,\t Dorian\t insisted\t Celaena get\ther\thead\tlooked\tat.\tBut\tCelaena\twaved\thim\toff,\tand\ttold\tthe\thealer\tthat\tif\tshe didn't\t inspect\t the\t Crown\t Prince\t first,\t she'd\t report\t her\t to\t the\t king.\t Scowling,","Dorian\tlet\tthe\tyoung\twoman\tclean\tthe\tsmall\twound\ton\this\ttemple\treceived\twhen Celaena\thad\tknocked\thim\tout\tcold.\tConsidering\thow\tbloody\tCelaena\tand\tChaol were,\the\tfelt\tutterly\tridiculous,\teven\tif\this\thead\tstill\tpounded. The\t healer\t finished\t with\t him,\t giving\t him\t a\t timid,\t slightly\t concerned\t smile. And\t when\t it\t was\t time\t to\t decide\t who\t should\t be\t looked\t at\t next,\t the\t glaring contest\tbetween\tChaol\tand\tCelaena\twas\tone\tfor\tthe\tages. At\tlast,\tChaol\tjust\tshook\this\thead\tand\tslumped\tinto\tthe\tseat\tthat\tDorian\thad recently\t vacated.\t He\t had\t blood\t everywhere,\t and\t ended\t up\t peeling\t off\t his\t tunic and\tshirt\tso\tthe\thealer\tcould\tcleanse\this\tminor\twounds.\tDespite\tthe\tscratches\tand cuts,\t the\t abrasions\t on\t his\t hands\t and\t knees,\t the\t healer\t still\t asked\t no\t questions, her\tpretty\tface\tan\tunreadable,\tprofessional\tmask. Celaena\tturned\tto\tDorian,\ther\tvoice\tquiet.\t\\\"I'll\tcome\tto\tyour\trooms\twhen\tI'm done\there.\\\" From\tthe\tcorner\tof\this\teye,\the\tsensed\tChaol\tstiffening,\tand\tDorian\tbit\tdown on\this\tsurge\tof\tjealousy\tas\the\trealized\the\twas\tbeing\tdismissed.\tThe\tcaptain\twas making\ta\tgood\tshow\tof\tnot\tlooking\tat\tthem.\tWhat\thad\thappened\tduring\tthe\ttime he'd\tblacked\tout?\tAnd\twhat\thad\thappened\twhen\tshe'd\tgone\tto\tkill\tArcher? \\\"Fine,\\\"\tDorian\tsaid,\tand\tthanked\tthe\thealer\tfor\ther\thelp. At\t least\t he\t had\t time\t now\t to\t piece\t himself\t together,\t to\t sort\t through\t all\t that had\t happened\t in\t the\t last\t few\t hours.\t And\t to\t plan\t how\t to\t explain\t his\t magic\t to Chaol. But\t even\t as\t he\t walked\t out\t of\t the\t dining\t room,\t part\t of\t him\t realized\t that\t his magic--that\the--was\tthe\tleast\tof\ttheir\tconcerns.\tBecause\teven\tfrom\tthat\tfirst\tday in\tEndovier,\tthis\thad\talways\tbeen\tabout\tthem. Celaena\t didn't\t need\t a\t healer\t to\t look\t at\t her\t head.\t When\t the\t magic\t had\t taken her\t over,\t it\t had\t healed\t everything.\t All\t that\t was\t left\t of\t her\t wounds\t now\t was bloodstains\tand\ttorn\tclothing.\tAnd\texhaustion--\tutter\texhaustion. \\\"I'm\t taking\t a\t bath,\\\"\t she\t told\t Chaol,\t who\t still\t sat\t shirtless\t under\t the\t healer's ministrations. She\tneeded\tto\twash\tArcher's\tblood\toff\tof\ther. She\t shucked\t off\t her\t clothing\t and\t bathed,\t scrubbing\t herself\t until\t her\t skin hurt,\t washing\t her\t hair\t twice.\t When\t she\t emerged,\t she\t slipped\t into\t a\t clean\t tunic and\tpants,\tand\tjust\tas\tshe\tfinished\tcombing\tout\ther\tdripping\thair,\tChaol\twalked into\ther\tbedroom\tand\tsat\tat\tthe\tchair\tbefore\ther\tdesk.\tThe\thealer\tgone,\the'd\tput","his\tshirt\tback\ton,\tand\tshe\tcould\tsee\tthe\twhite\tbandages\tpeeking\tthrough\tthe\trips in\tthe\tdark\tcloth. Celaena\t checked\t on\t Fleetfoot,\t who\t was\t still\t unconscious\t on\t the\t bed,\t and then\t walked\t to\t the\t sealed\t balcony\t doors.\t She\t studied\t the\t night\t sky\t for\t a\t long moment,\t seeking\t out\t a\t familiar\t constellation--\t the\t stag,\t the\t Lord\t of\t the\t North. She\ttook\ta\tlong\tbreath. \\\"My\t great-grandmother\t was\t Fae,\\\"\t she\t said.\t \\\"And\t even\t though\t my\t mother couldn't\t switch\t into\t an\t animal\t form\t the\t way\t the\t Fae\t can,\t I\t somehow\t inherited the\tability\tto\tshift.\tBetween\tmy\tFae\tform\tand\tmy\thuman\tform.\\\" \\\"And\tyou\tcan't\tshift\tany\tmore?\\\" She\tlooked\tover\ther\tshoulder\tat\thim.\t\\\"When\tmagic\tstopped\tten\tyears\tago,\tI lost\tmy\tability.\tIt's\twhat\tsaved\tmy\tlife,\tI\tthink.\tAs\ta\tchild,\twhen\tI\twas\tscared\tor upset\tor\thad\ttantrums,\tI\tcouldn't\tcontrol\tthe\tshift.\tI\twas\tlearning\tto\tmaster\tit,\tbut I\twould\thave\tgiven\tmyself\taway\tat\tsome\tpoint.\\\" \\\"But\tin\tthat.\tthat\tother\tworld,\tyou\tcould.\\\" She\t turned\t to\t face\t him,\t seeing\t the\t haunted\t gleam\t in\t his\t eyes.\t \\\"Yes.\t In\t that world,\t magic\t or\t something\t like\t it\t still\t exists.\t And\t it\t is\t just\t as\t awful\t and overwhelming\t as\t I\t remembered.\\\"\t She\t eased\t onto\t the\t edge\t of\t her\t bed,\t the distance\t between\t them\t feeling\t like\t leagues.\t \\\"I\t had\t no\t control\t over\t it--over\t the shift,\t or\t the\t magic,\t or\t myself.\t I\t was\t as\t likely\t to\t hurt\t you\t as\t I\t was\t to\t hurt\t that creature.\\\"\tShe\tclosed\ther\teyes,\ther\thands\tshaking\ta\tbit. \\\"So\tyou\tdid\topen\ta\tportal\tto\tanother\tworld.\tHow?\\\" \\\"All\t those\t books\t I've\t been\t reading\t on\t the\t Wyrdmarks.\t they\t had\t spells\t to open\t temporary\t portals.\\\"\t And\t then\t she\t explained\t about\t finding\t the\t passage\t on Samhuinn,\t and\t the\t tomb\t and\t Elena's\t command\t to\t become\t the\t Champion,\t and what\tCain\thad\tbeen\tdoing\tand\thow\tshe\thad\tkilled\thim,\tand\thow\ttonight\tshe\thad wanted\tto\topen\ta\tportal\tto\tsee\tNehemia.\tShe\tleft\tout\tthe\tWyrdkeys,\tthe\tking,\tand what\tshe\tsuspected\the\tmight\tbe\tdoing\twith\tKaltain\tand\tRoland. When\tshe\tfinished,\tChaol\tsaid,\t\\\"I\twould\tsay\tyou're\tinsane,\texcept\tI\thave\tthe blood\tof\tthat\tcreature\ton\tme,\tand\twent\tinto\tthat\tworld\tmyself.\\\" \\\"If\t anyone\t knew--not\t just\t about\t the\t spells\t to\t open\t portals,\t but\t about\t what\t I am,\\\"\tshe\tsaid\twearily,\t\\\"you\tunderstand\tthat\tI\twould\tbe\texecuted.\\\" His\teyes\tflashed.\t\\\"I'm\tnot\tgoing\tto\ttell\tanyone.\tI\tswear\tit.\\\"","She\t bit\t her\t lip,\t nodding,\t and\t walked\t back\t to\t the\t window.\t \\\"Archer\t told\t me that\the\twas\tthe\tone\twho\thad\tNehemia\tassassinated,\tbecause\tshe\twas\ta\tthreat\tto his\tcontrol\tover\tthe\tgroup.\tHe\tposed\tas\tCouncilor\tMullison\tand\thired\tGrave.\tHe kidnapped\t you\t to\t lure\t me\t away.\t He\t planted\t that\t anonymous\t threat\t against\t her life,\ttoo.\tBecause\the\twanted\tme\tto\tblame\tyou\tfor\ther\tdeath.\\\" Chaol\t swore,\t but\t she\t kept\t gazing\t out\t the\t window,\t kept\t looking\t at\t that constellation. \\\"But\t even\t though\t I\t know\t you're\t not\t responsible,\\\"\t she\t said\t softly,\t \\\"I\t still.\\\" She\tfound\this\tface\tfull\tof\tanguish. \\\"You\tstill\tcan't\ttrust\tme,\\\"\the\tfinished. She\tnodded.\tIn\tthis,\tshe\tknew\tArcher\thad\twon,\tand\thated\thim\tfor\tit.\t\\\"When\tI look\t at\t you,\\\"\t she\t whispered,\t \\\"all\t I\t want\t to\t do\t is\t touch\t you.\t But\t what\t happened that\tnight.\tI\tdon't\tknow\tif\tI\tcan\tever\tforget\tit.\\\"\tThe\tdeepest\tcut\ton\this\tcheek\thad scabbed,\tand\tshe\tknew\tit\twould\tscar.\t\\\"For\tmy\tpart,\tI\tam\tsorry\tfor\twhat\tI\tdid\tto you.\\\" He\t stood,\t wincing\t at\t his\t wounds,\t and\t walked\t over\t to\t her.\t \\\"We\t both\t made mistakes,\\\"\the\tsaid\tin\tthat\tvoice\tthat\tmade\ther\theart\tstumble. She\t found\t the\t nerve\t to\t turn\t to\t him,\t gazing\t up\t into\t his\t face.\t \\\"How\t can\t you still\tlook\tat\tme\tlike\tthat\twhen\tyou\tknow\twhat\tI\ttruly\tam?\\\"\tHis\tfingers\tgrazed\ther cheeks,\twarming\ther\tchilled\tskin.\t\\\"Fae,\tassassin.\tNo\tmatter\twhat\tyou\tare,\tI--\\\" \\\"Don't.\\\"\tShe\tstepped\tback.\t\\\"Don't\tsay\tit.\\\" She\tcouldn't\tgive\thim\teverything\tagain--not\tnow.\tIt\twouldn't\tbe\tfair\tto\teither of\t them.\t Even\t if\t she\t ever\t learned\t to\t forgive\t him\t for\t picking\t the\t king\t over Nehemia,\ther\tjourney\tto\tfind\tthe\tWyrdkeys\twould\trequire\ther\tto\tgo\tto\tfar\taway, to\ta\tplace\twhere\tshe\twould\tnever\task\thim\tto\tfollow. \\\"I\tneed\tto\tprepare\tArcher's\tbody\tto\tpresent\tto\tthe\tking,\\\"\tshe\tgot\tout.\tBefore he\tcould\tsay\tanything\telse,\tshe\tpicked\tup\tDamaris\tfrom\twhere\tshe'd\tdropped\tit by\tthe\tdoor,\tand\tvanished\tinto\tthe\tpassage. She\twaited\tuntil\tshe\twas\tdeep\tinside\tbefore\tshe\tlet\tthe\ttears\tstart\tflowing. Chaol\t stared\t at\t where\t she\t had\t gone,\t and\t wondered\t if\t he\t should\t follow\t her into\t that\t ancient\t darkness.\t But\t he\t thought\t of\t all\t that\t she'd\t told\t him,\t all\t the secrets\tshe'd\trevealed,\tand\tknew\the\tneeded\ttime\tto\tcomprehend\tit\tall. He\t could\t tell\t that\t she\t had\t left\t out\t information.\t She'd\t told\t him\t only\t the","vaguest\t details;\t and\t then\t there\t was\t the\t matter\t of\t her\t Fae\t heritage.\t He'd\t never heard\tof\tanyone\tinheriting\ttheir\tpowers\tin\tsuch\ta\tthrowback\tway,\tbut\tthen\tagain, no\t one\t spoke\t of\t the\t Fae\t nowadays.\t It\t explained\t how\t she\t knew\t the\t ancient dirges. With\ta\tgentle\tpat\ton\tFleetfoot's\thead,\the\tleft\tthe\troom.\tThe\thalls\twere\tempty and\tsilent. And\tDorian--she\thad\tacted\tlike\tDorian\thad\tsome\tpower,\ttoo.\tThere\thad\tbeen the\tmoment\twhen\tthe\tcreature\twas\tblasted\taway\tby\tan\tinvisible\twall.\tBut\tit\twas impossible\tfor\tDorian\tto\thave\tpower.\tHow\tcould\the,\twhen\tCelaena's\town--own magic\thad\tdisappeared\tas\tsoon\tas\tshe\treturned\tto\tthis\tworld? Celaena\t was\t Fae,\t and\t heir\t to\t a\t power\t she\t couldn't\t control.\t Even\t if\t she couldn't\tshift,\tif\tanyone\tever\tdiscovered\twhat\tshe\twas. It\t explained\t why\t she\t was\t so\t terrified\t of\t the\t king,\t why\t she\t never\t said anything\t about\t where\t she'd\t come\t from,\t or\t what\t she'd\t been\t through.\t And\t living here.\tthis\twas\tthe\tmost\tdangerous\tplace\tfor\ther--or\tany\tFae--to\tbe. If\tsomeone\tfound\tout\twhat\tshe\twas,\tthey\tcould\tuse\tthat\tinformation\tagainst her,\tor\thave\ther\tkilled.\tAnd\tthere\twould\tbe\tnothing\the\tcould\tdo\tto\tsave\ther.\tNo lie\t he\t could\t tell,\t no\t strings\t he\t could\t pull.\t How\t long\t before\t someone\t else\t went digging\tinto\ther\tpast?\tHow\tlong\tbefore\tsomeone\tdecided\tto\tgo\tright\tto\tArobynn Hamel\tand\ttorture\thim\tfor\tthe\ttruth? Chaol's\t feet\t knew\t where\t he\t was\t going\t long\t before\t he'd\t made\t the\t choice, formed\tthe\tplan.\tMinutes\tlater,\the\tfound\thimself\tknocking\ton\ta\twooden\tdoor. His\tfather's\teyes\twere\tbleary\twith\tsleep,\tand\tthey\tnarrowed\tas\tthey\tsaw\thim. \\\"Do\tyou\tknow\twhat\ttime\tit\tis?\\\" He\t didn't,\t and\t he\t didn't\t care.\t Chaol\t shouldered\t his\t way\t into\t the\t room\t and shut\tthe\tdoor,\tscanning\tthe\tdimness\tfor\tany\tother\tpeople.\t\\\"I\thave\ta\tfavor\tto\task you,\tbut\tbefore\tI\tdo,\tpromise\tyou\twon't\task\tany\tquestions.\\\" His\t father\t gave\t him\t a\t slightly\t bemused\t look,\t then\t crossed\t his\t arms.\t \\\"No questions.\tMake\tyour\trequest.\\\" Beyond\t the\t window,\t the\t sky\t was\t beginning\t to\t lighten\t into\t a\t softer\t shade\t of black.\t\\\"I\tthink\tthat\twe\tshould\tsend\tthe\tKing's\tChampion\tto\tWendlyn\tto\tdispatch the\troyal\tfamily.\\\" His\t father's\t brows\t rose.\t Chaol\t went\t on,\t \\\"We've\t been\t at\t war\t with\t them\t for two\tyears,\tand\thave\tyet\tto\tbreak\tpast\ttheir\tnaval\tdefenses.\tBut\tif\tthe\tking\tand\this","son\t are\t eliminated,\t we\t might\t stand\t a\t chance\t of\t getting\t through\t in\t the\t ensuing chaos.\t Especially\t if\t the\t King's\t Champion\t also\t gets\t her\t hands\t on\t their\t naval defense\t plans.\\\"\t He\t took\t a\t breath,\t keeping\t his\t voice\t disinterested.\t \\\"I\t want\t to present\tthe\tidea\tto\tthe\tking\tthis\tmorning.\tAnd\tI\twant\tyou\tto\tsupport\tme.\\\" Because\tDorian\twould\tnever\tagree\tto\tit,\tnot\twithout\tknowing\twhat\tCelaena was.\tAnd\tChaol\twould\tnever\ttell\tanyone,\tDorian\tincluded.\tBut\twith\tan\tidea\tthis drastic,\the'd\tneed\tas\tmuch\tpolitical\tmuscle\tas\the\tcould\tget. \\\"An\t ambitious,\t ruthless\t plan.\\\"\t His\t father\t smiled.\t \\\"And\t if\t I\t support\t this\t idea and\tconvince\tmy\tallies\ton\tthe\tcouncil\tto\tsupport\tit,\ttoo,\tthen\twhat\tcan\tI\texpect\tin return?\\\"\tFrom\tthe\tway\this\teyes\tgleamed,\this\tfather\talready\tknew\tthe\tanswer. \\\"Then\t I\t will\t go\t back\t to\t Anielle\t with\t you,\\\"\t Chaol\t said.\t \\\"I\t will\t leave\t my position\tas\tCaptain\tand.\treturn\thome.\\\" It\t wasn't\t his\t home,\t not\t anymore,\t but\t if\t it\t meant\t getting\t Celaena\t out\t of\t the country.\tWendlyn\twas\tthe\tlast\tstronghold\tof\tthe\tFae\tand\tthe\tone\tplace\tin\tErilea where\tshe'd\tbe\ttruly\tsafe. Whatever\tshred\tof\thope\the'd\thad\tfor\ta\tfuture\twith\ther\twas\tgone.\tShe\tstill\tfelt something\t for\t him,\t she'd\t admitted,\t but\t she'd\t never\t trust\t him.\t She'd\t always\t hate him\tfor\twhat\the'd\tdone. But\t he\t could\t do\t this\t for\t her.\t Even\t if\t he\t never\t saw\t her\t again,\t even\t if\t she abandoned\ther\tduties\tas\tKing's\tChampion,\tand\tstayed\twith\tthe\tFae\tin\tWendlyn forever.\t as\t long\t as\t he\t knew\t that\t she\t was\t safe,\t that\t no\t one\t could\t hurt\t her.\t He'd sell\this\tsoul\tagain\tand\tagain\tfor\tthat. His\tfather's\teyes\tgleamed\twith\ttriumph.\t\\\"Consider\tit\tdone.\\\"","When\t Celaena\t finished\t telling\t Dorian\t the\t story\t she'd\t told\t Chaol--\t albeit\t a much\tmore\tlimited\tversion--he\tlet\tout\ta\tlong\tsigh\tand\tfell\tback\tonto\this\tbed.\t\\\"It sounds\t like\t something\t out\t of\t a\t book,\\\"\t he\t said,\t staring\t at\t the\t ceiling.\t She\t sat down\ton\tthe\tother\tside\tof\tthe\tbed. \\\"Believe\tme,\tI\tthought\tI\twas\tgoing\tmad\tfor\ta\twhile.\\\" \\\"So\t you\t actually\t opened\t a\t portal\t to\t another\t world?\t Using\t these Wyrdmarks?\\\" She\tnodded.\t\\\"You\talso\tknocked\tthat\tcreature\taside\tlike\tit\twas\ta\tleaf\tcaught\tin a\t wind.\\\"\t Oh,\t she\t hadn't\t forgotten\t about\t that.\t Not\t for\t one\t moment\t had\t she forgotten\twhat\tit\tmeant\tfor\thim\tto\thave\tsuch\traw\tpower. \\\"That\twas\tdumb\tluck.\\\"\tShe\twatched\thim,\tthis\tkind,\tclever\tprince\tof\thers.\t\\\"I still\tcan't\tcontrol\tit.\\\" \\\"In\tthe\ttomb,\\\"\tshe\tsaid,\t\\\"there\tis\tsomeone\twho\tmight.\toffer\tyou\tsome\tadvice on\thow\tto\tcontrol\tit.\tWho\tmight\thave\tsome\tinformation\tabout\tthe\tkind\tof\tpower you've\t inherited.\\\"\t Right\t then,\t though,\t she\t didn't\t exactly\t know\t how\t to\t explain Mort\t to\t him,\t so\t she\t just\t said,\t \\\"Someday\t soon,\t you\t and\t I\t could\t go\t down\t there and\tmeet\thim.\\\" \\\"Is\the--\\\" \\\"You'll\t see\t when\t we\t get\t there.\t If\t he\t deigns\t to\t speak\t to\t you.\t It\t might\t take\t a while\tfor\thim\tto\tdecide\the\tlikes\tyou.\\\" After\t a\t moment,\t Dorian\t reached\t over\t and\t took\t her\t hand,\t bringing\t it\t to\t his lips\tfor\ta\tswift\tkiss.\tNothing\tromantic--a\tgesture\tof\tthanks.\t\\\"Even\tthough\tthings are\tdifferent\tbetween\tus\tnow,\tI\tmeant\twhat\tI\tsaid\tafter\tthe\tduel\twith\tCain.\tI\twill always\tbe\tgrateful\tthat\tyou\tcame\tinto\tmy\tlife.\\\" Her\tthroat\ttightened,\tand\tshe\tsqueezed\this\thand. Nehemia\thad\tdreamed\tof\ta\tcourt--that\tcould\tchange\tthe\tworld,\ta\tcourt\twhere loyalty\t and\t honor\t were\t more\t valued\t than\t blind\t obedience\t and\t power.\t The\t day Nehemia\t had\t died,\t Celaena\t had\t thought\t the\t dream\t of\t that\t court\t forever vanished.","But\t looking\t at\t Dorian\t as\t he\t smiled\t at\t her,\t this\t prince\t who\t was\t smart\t and thoughtful\tand\tkind,\twho\tinspired\tgood\tmen\tlike\tChaol\tto\tserve\thim. Celaena\t wondered\t if\t Nehemia's\t impossible,\t desperate\t dream\t of\t that\t court might\tyet\tcome\tto\tpass. The\treal\tquestion\tnow\twas\tif\this\tfather\tknew\twhat\ta\tthreat\this\tson\tposed. The\tKing\tof\tAdarlan\thad\tto\tgive\tthe\tcaptain\tcredit;\tthe\tplan\twas\truthless\tand bold,\t and\t would\t send\t a\t message\t not\t just\t to\t Wendlyn,\t but\t to\t all\t their\t enemies. With\t the\t embargo\t between\t their\t countries,\t Wendlyn\t refused\t to\t let\t Adarlanian men\tinto\ttheir\tborders.\tBut\twomen\tand\tchildren\tseeking\trefuge\tcould\tstill\tenter. It\tmade\tsending\tanyone\telse\timpossible,\tbut\this\tChampion.. The\t king\t looked\t down\t his\t council\t table,\t where\t the\t captain\t was\t waiting\t for his\t decision.\t Westfall's\t father\t and\t four\t others\t had\t immediately\t supported\t the idea.\tAnother\tbit\tof\tunexpected\tcunning from\tthe\tcaptain.\tHe'd\tbrought\tallies\tto\tthis\tmeeting. Dorian,\t however,\t was\t watching\t the\t captain\t with\t barely\t concealed\t surprise. Clearly,\t Westfall\t hadn't\t thought\t Dorian\t would\t support\t his\t decision.\t If\t only Westfall\t had\t been\t his\t heir\t instead--his\t warrior's\t mind\t was\t sharp,\t and\t he\t didn't balk\tfrom\tdoing\twhat\tneeded\tto\tbe\tdone.\tThe\tprince\thad\tyet\tto\tlearn\tthat\tkind\tof ruthlessness. Getting\t the\t assassin\t away\t from\t his\t son\t would\t be\t an\t unexpected\t benefit.\t He trusted\tthe\tgirl\tto\tdo\this\tdirty\twork--but\the\tdidn't\twant\ther\taround\tDorian. She'd\t brought\t Archer\t Finn's\t head\t to\t him\t this\t morning,\t not\t a\t day\t later\t than she'd\tpromised\thim,\tand\texplained\twhat\tshe'd\tdiscovered:\tthat\tArcher\thad\tbeen responsible\t for\t Nehemia's\t assassination\t due\t to\t their\t mutual\t involvement\t in\t that traitorous\tsociety.\tHe\twasn't\tsurprised\tthat\tNehemia\twas\tinvolved. But\twhat\twould\tthe\tassassin\thave\tto\tsay\tabout\tthis\tjourney? \\\"Summon\t my\t Champion,\\\"\t he\t said.\t In\t the\t ensuing\t silence,\t the\t council members\tmurmured\tto\teach\tother,\tand\this\tson\ttried\tto\tcatch\tWestfall's\teye.\tBut the\tcaptain\tavoided\tlooking\tat\tthe\tprince. The\t king\t smiled\t slightly,\t twisting\t the\t black\t ring\t on\t his\t finger.\t A\t pity Perrington\twasn't\there\tto\tsee\tthis.\tHe\twas\toff\tdealing\twith\tthe\tslave\tuprising\tin Calaculla--news\tof\twhich\thad\tbeen\tkept\tso\tsecret\tthat\teven\tthe\tmessengers\thad forfeited\ttheir\tlives.\tThe\tduke\twould\thave\tbeen\tgreatly\tamused\tby\ttoday's\tturn\tof events.\t But\t he\t wished\t Perrington\t here\t for\t more\t important\t reasons,\t too--to\t help","him\tfind\tout\twho\thad\topened\ta\tportal\tlast\tnight. He'd\tsensed\tit\tin\this\tsleep--a\tsudden\tshift\tin\tthe\tworld.\tIt\twas\topen\tfor\tonly\ta few\t minutes\t before\t someone\t closed\t it\t again.\t Cain\t was\t gone;\t who\t else\t in\t this castle\tpossessed\tthat\tkind\tof\tknowledge,\tor\tthat\tpower\tin\tthe\tblood?\tWas\tit\tthe same\tperson\twho\thad\tkilled\tBaba\tYellowlegs? He\tput\ta\thand\ton\tNothung,\this\tsword. There\thad\tbeen\tno\tbody--but\the\tdidn't\tthink\tfor\tone\tmoment\tthat\tYellowlegs had\tjust\tdisappeared.\tThe\tmorning\tafter\tshe'd\tvanished,\the'd\tgone\tto\tthe\tcarnival himself\tto\tlook\tat\tthe\truined\twagon.\tHe'd\tseen\tthe\tflecks\tof\tdark\tblood\tstaining the\twooden\tfloor. Yellowlegs\t had\t been\t a\t queen\t among\t her\t people,\t one\t of\t the\t three\t brutal factions\t that\t had\t destroyed\t the\t Crochan\t family\t five\t hundred\t years\t ago.\t They'd relished\t erasing\t much\t of\t the\t wisdom\t of\t the\t Crochan\t women\t who\t had\t ruled justly\t for\t a\t thousand\t years.\t He'd\t invited\t the\t carnival\t here\t to\t meet\t with\t her--to purchase\ta\tfew\tof\ther\tmirrors,\tand\tlearn\twhat\tremained\tof\tthe\tIronteeth\tAlliance that\thad\tonce\tbeen\tstrong\tenough\tto\trip\tapart\tthe\tWitch\tKingdom. But\t before\t she\t had\t yielded\t any\t decent\t information,\t she\t had\t died.\t And\t it frustrated\thim\tnot\tto\tknow\twhy.\tHer\tblood\thad\tbeen\tspilled\tat\this\tcastle;\tothers might\tcome\tto\tdemand\tanswers\tand\tretribution.\tIf\tthey\tcame,\the\twould\tbe\tready. Because\t in\t the\t shadows\t of\t the\t Ferian\t Gap,\t he'd\t been\t breeding\t new\t mounts for\this\tgathering\tarmies.\tAnd\this\twyverns\tstill\tneeded\triders. The\t doors\t to\t the\t council\t room\t opened.\t The\t assassin\t walked\t in,\t shoulders thrown\tback\tin\tthat\tinsufferable\tway\tof\thers.\tShe\tcoolly\ttook\tin\tthe\tdetails\tof\tthe room\t before\t stopping\t a\t few\t feet\t away\t from\t the\t table\t and\t bowing\t low.\t \\\"Your Majesty\tsummoned\tme?\\\" She\t kept\t her\t eyes\t averted,\t as\t she\t usually\t did.\t Except\t for\t that\t delightful\t day when\tshe'd\tcome\tin\tand\tpractically\tflayed\tMullison\talive.\tPart\tof\thim\twished\the didn't\tnow\thave\tto\tfree\tthe\tsniveling\tcouncilman\tfrom\tthe\tdungeons. \\\"Your\t companion,\t Captain\t Westfall,\t has\t come\t up\t with\t a\t rather.\t unusual idea,\\\"\t the\t king\t said,\t and\t waved\t a\t hand\t at\t Chaol.\t \\\"Why\t don't\t you\t explain, Captain?\\\" The\t Captain\t twisted\t in\t his\t chair,\t then\t rose\t to\t his\t feet\t to\t face\t her.\t \\\"I\t have suggested\tthat\twe\tsend\tyou\tto\tWendlyn\tto\tdispatch\tthe\tking\tand\this\their.\tWhile you\tare\tthere,\tyou\twill\talso\tseize\ttheir\tnaval\tand\tmilitary\tdefense\tplans--so\tthat","once\t the\t country\t is\t in\t chaos,\t we\t will\t be\t able\t to\t navigate\t their\t impenetrable barrier\treefs\tand\ttake\tthe\tcountry\tfor\tourselves.\\\" The\tassassin\tlooked\tat\thim\tfor\ta\tlong\tmoment,\tand\tthe\tking\tnoticed\tthat\this son\thad\tgone\tvery,\tvery\tstill.\tThen\tshe\tsmiled,\ta\tcruel,\ttwisted\tthing.\t\\\"It\twould be\t an\t honor\t to\t serve\t the\t crown\t in\t such\t a\t way.\\\"\t He\t had\t never\t learned\t anything about\tthe\tmark\tthat\thad\tglowed\ton\ther\thead\tduring\tthe\tduel.\tThe\tWyrdmark\twas impossible\t to\t decipher.\t It\t either\t meant\t \\\"nameless\\\"\t or\t \\\"unnamed\\\"\t or\t something akin\tto\t\\\"anonymous.\\\"\tBut\tgods-blessed\tor\tnot,\tfrom\tthe\twicked\tgrin\ton\ther\tface, the\tking\tknew\tshe'd\tenjoy\tthis\ttask. \\\"Perhaps\t we'll\t have\t some\t fun\t with\t it,\\\"\t the\t king\t mused.\t \\\"Wendlyn\t is\t having their\tSolstice\tball\tin\ta\tfew\tmonths.\tWhat\ta\tmessage\tit\twould\tsend\tif\tthe\tking\tand his\tson\twere\tto\tmeet\ttheir\tend\tright\tunder\tthe\tnoses\tof\ttheir\town\tcourt,\ton\ttheir day\tof\ttriumph.\\\" Though\t the\t captain\t shifted\t on\t his\t feet\t at\t the\t sudden\t change\t of\t plans,\t the assassin\t smiled\t at\t him\t again,\t dark\t glee\t written\t all\t over\t her.\t What\t hellhole\t had she\tcome\tfrom,\tto\tfind\tdelight\tin\tsuch\tthings?\t\\\"A\tbrilliant\tidea,\tYour\tMajesty.\\\" \\\"It's\t done\t then,\\\"\t the\t king\t said,\t and\t they\t all\t looked\t at\t him.\t \\\"You'll\t leave tomorrow.\\\" \\\"But,\\\"\this\tson\tinterrupted,\t\\\"surely\tshe\tneeds\tsome\ttime\tto\tstudy\tWendlyn,\tto learn\tits\tways\tand--\\\" \\\"It's\t a\t two-week\t journey\t by\t sea,\\\"\t he\t said.\t \\\"And\t then\t she'll\t need\t time\t to infiltrate\t the\t castle\t in\t time\t for\t the\t ball.\t She\t can\t take\t whatever\t materials\t she needs\tand\tstudy\tthem\tonboard.\\\" Her\t brows\t had\t lifted\t slightly,\t but\t she\t just\t bowed\t her\t head.\t The\t captain\t was still\tstanding,\tstiffer\tthan\tusual.\tAnd\this\tson\twas\tglaring--\tglaring\tat\thim,\tat\tthe captain,\tso\tangry\tthat\the\twondered\tif\the'd\tsnap. But\t the\t king\t wasn't\t particularly\t interested\t in\t their\t petty\t dramas,\t not\t when this\tbrilliant\tplan\thad\tarisen.\tHe'd\thave\tto\tsend\triders\timmediately\tto\tthe\tFerian Gap\tand\tthe\tDead\tIslands,\tand\thave\tGeneral\tNarrok\tready\this\tlegion.\tHe\tdidn't mean\tto\tmake\tmistakes\twith\tthis\tone\tchance\tin\tWendlyn. And\t it\t would\t be\t the\t perfect\t opportunity\t to\t test\t a\t few\t of\t the\t weapons\t he'd been\tforging\tin\tsecret\tall\tthese\tyears. Tomorrow. She\twas\tleaving\ttomorrow.","And\t Chaol\t had\t come\t up\t with\t the\t idea?\t But\t why?\t She\t wanted\t to\t demand answers,\t wanted\t to\t know\t what\t he\t was\t thinking\t when\t he'd\t come\t up\t with\t this plan.\t She'd\t never\t told\t him\t the\t truth\t about\t the\t king's\t threats--that\t he\t would execute\t Chaol\t if\t she\t didn't\t return\t from\t a\t mission,\t if\t she\t failed.\t And\t she\t could fake\tthe\tdeaths\tof\tpetty\tlords\tand\tmerchants,\tbut\tnot\tthe\tKing\tand\tCrown\tPrince of\tWendlyn.\tNot\tin\ta\tthousand\tlifetimes\tcould\tshe\tfind\ta\tway\tout\tof\tit. She\tpaced\tand\tpaced,\tknowing\tChaol\twouldn't\tbe\tback\tin\this\trooms\tyet,\tand wound\tup\tgoing\tdown\tto\tthe\ttomb,\tif\tonly\tto\tgive\therself\tsomething\tto\tdo. She\texpected\tMort\tto\tlecture\ther\tabout\tthe\tportal--which\the\tdid\tthoroughly-- but\t she\t didn't\t expect\t to\t find\t Elena\t waiting\t for\t her\t inside\t the\t tomb.\t \\\"You\t have enough\t power\t to\t appear\t to\t me\t now,\t but\t you\t couldn't\t help\t close\t the\t portal\t last night?\\\" She\ttook\tone\tlook\tat\tthe\tqueen's\tfrown\tand\tbegan\tpacing\tagain. \\\"I\t could\t not,\\\"\t Elena\t said.\t \\\"Even\t now,\t this\t visit\t is\t draining\t me\t faster\t than\t it should.\\\" Celaena\t scowled\t at\t her.\t \\\"I\t can't\t go\t to\t Wendlyn.\t I--I\t cant\t go.\t Chaol\t knows what\tI'm\tdoing\tfor\tyou--so\twhy\twould\the\tmake\tme\tgo\tthere?\\\" \\\"Take\ta\tbreath,\\\"\tElena\tsaid\tsoftly. Celaena\t glared\t at\t her.\t \\\"This\t ruins\t your\t plans,\t too.\t If\t I'm\t in\t Wendlyn,\t then\t I can't\t deal\t with\t the\t Wyrdkeys\t and\t the\t king.\t And\t even\t if\t I\t pretended\t to\t go\t and instead\twent\tquesting\tacross\tthis\tcontinent,\tit\twouldn't\ttake\tlong\tfor\tthe\tking\tto realize\tI'm\tnot\twhere\tI'm\tsupposed\tto\tbe.\\\" Elena\t crossed\t her\t arms.\t \\\"If\t you\t are\t in\t Wendlyn,\t then\t you\t will\t be\t near Doranelle.\tI\tthink\tthat's\twhy\tthe\tcaptain\twants\tyou\tto\tgo.\\\" Celaena\t barked\t a\t laugh.\t Oh,\t what\t a\t tangled\t mess\t he'd\t gotten\t her\t into!\t \\\"He wants\t me\t to\t go\t hide\t with\t the\t Fae\t and\t never\t come\t back\t to\t Adarlan?\t That's\t not going\tto\thappen.\tNot\tonly\twill\the\tbe\tkilled,\tbut\tthe\tWyrdkeys--\\\" \\\"You\t will\t sail\t to\t Wendlyn\t tomorrow.\\\"\t Elena's\t eyes\t glowed\t bright.\t \\\"Leave the\t Wyrdkeys\t and\t the\t king\t for\t now.\t Go\t to\t Wendlyn,\t and\t do\t what\t needs\t to\t be done.\\\" \\\"Did\tyou\tplant\tthis\tidea\tin\this\thead\tsomehow?\\\" \\\"No.\tThe\tcaptain\tis\ttrying\tto\tsave\tyou\tthe\tonly\tway\the\tknows\thow.\\\"\tCelaena shook\t her\t head,\t looking\t at\t the\t sunlight\t pouring\t into\t the\t tomb\t from\t the\t shaft","above.\t \\\"Will\t you\t ever\t stop\t giving\t me\t commands?\\\"\t Elena\t let\t out\t a\t soft\t laugh. \\\"When\tyou\tstop\trunning\tfrom\tyour\tpast,\tI\twill.\\\" Celaena\t rolled\t her\t eyes,\t then\t let\t her\t shoulders\t droop.\t A\t shard\t of\t memory sliced\t through\t her.\t \\\"When\t I\t spoke\t to\t Nehemia,\t she\t mentioned.\t mentioned\t that she\tknew\ther\town\tfate.\tThat\tshe\thad\tembraced\tit.\tThat\tit'd\tset\tthings\tin\tmotion. Do\t you\t think\t she\t somehow\t manipulated\t Archer\t into.\\\"\t But\t she\t couldn't\t finish saying\t it.\t Couldn't\t let\t herself\t voice\t what\t the\t horrible\t truth\t might\t be:\t that Nehemia\t had\t engineered\t her\t own\t death,\t knowing\t that\t she\t might\t change\t the world--change\tCelaena--more\tthrough\tdying\tthan\tliving. A\tcold,\tslender\thand\tgrasped\thers.\t\\\"Cast\tthat\tthought\tinto\tthe\tfar\treaches\tof your\t mind.\t Knowing\t the\t truth,\t whatever\t it\t may\t be,\t will\t not\t change\t what\t you must\tdo\ttomorrow--where\tyou\tmust\tgo.\\\" And\t even\t though\t Celaena\t knew\t the\t truth\t in\t that\t moment,\t knew\t it\t just\t from Elena's\t refusal\t to\t answer\t at\t all,\t she\t did\t as\t the\t queen\t commanded.\t There\t would be\t other\t moments,\t other\t times\t to\t take\t out\t that\t truth\t to\t examine\t every\t dark\t and unforgiving\tfacet.\tBut\tright\tnow.\tRight\tnow. Celaena\t studied\t the\t light\t pouring\t into\t the\t tomb.\t Such\t a\t little\t light,\t holding the\tdarkness\tat\tbay.\t\\\"Wendlyn,\tthen.\\\" Elena\tsmiled\tgrimly\tand\tsqueezed\ther\thand.\t\\\"Wendlyn,\tthen.\\\"","When\t the\t council\t meeting\t was\t over,\t Chaol\t did\t his\t best\t not\t to\t look\t at\t his father,\twho\thad\tbeen\twatching\thim\tso\tcarefully\twhile\the'd\tannounced\this\tplans to\tthe\tking,\tor\tat\tDorian,\twhose\tsense\tof\tbetrayal\trippled\toff\thim\tas\tthe\tmeeting went\t on.\t He\t tried\t to\t hurry\t back\t to\t the\t barracks,\t but\t he\t wasn't\t all\t that\t surprised when\ta\thand\tclapped\ton\this\tshoulder\tand\tturned\thim\taround. \\\"Wendlyri?\\\"\tDorian\tsnarled. Chaol\t kept\t his\t face\t blank.\t \\\"If\t she's\t capable\t of\t opening\t a\t portal\t like\t she\t did last\tnight,\tthen\tI\tthink\tshe\tneeds\tto\tget\tout\tof\tthe\tcastle\tfor\ta\twhile.\tFor\tall\tof\tour sakes.\\\"\tDorian\tcouldn't\tknow\tthe\ttruth. \\\"She'll\tnever\tforgive\tyou\tfor\thaving\ther\tshipped\toff\tlike\tthat,\tto\ttake\tdown\ta whole\tcountry.\tAnd\tin\tsuch\ta\tpublic\tway--making\ta\tspectacle\tout\tof\tit.\tAre\tyou mad?\\\" \\\"I\tdon't\tneed\ther\tforgiveness.\tAnd\tI\tdon't\twant\tto\tworry\tabout\ther\tletting\tin\ta horde\tof\totherworldly\tcreatures\tjust\tbecause\tshe's\tmissing\ther\tfriend.\\\" He\thated\teach\tlie\tthat\tcame\tout\tof\this\tmouth,\tbut\tDorian\tdrank\tthem\tup,\this eyes\tseeming\tto\tglow\twith\trage.\tThis\twas\tthe\tother\tsacrifice\the'd\thave\tto\tmake; because\tif\tDorian\tdidn't\thate\thim,\tif\the\tdidn't\twant\tChaol\tgone,\tthen\tleaving\tfor Anielle\twould\tbe\tthat\tmuch\tmore\tdifficult. \\\"If\t anything\t happens\t to\t her\t in\t Wendlyn,\\\"\t Dorian\t growled,\t refusing\t to\t back down,\t\\\"I'll\tmake\tyou\tregret\tthe\tday\tyou\twere\tborn.\\\" If\tanything\thappened\tto\ther,\tChaol\twas\tfairly\tcertain\the'd\tforever\tregret\tthat day,\ttoo. But\the\tjust\tsaid,\t\\\"One\tof\tus\thas\tto\tstart\tleading,\tDorian,\\\"\tand\tstalked\toff. Dorian\tdidn't\tfollow\thim. Dawn\t was\t just\t breaking\t as\t Celaena\t arrived\t at\t Nehemia's\t grave.\t The\t last\t of the\t winter\t snows\t had\t melted,\t leaving\t the\t world\t barren\t and\t brown,\t waiting\t for spring. In\ta\tfew\thours,\tshe'd\tset\tsail\tacross\tthe\tocean.","Celaena\t dropped\t to\t her\t knees\t on\t the\t damp\t ground\t and\t bowed\t her\t head before\tthe\tgrave. Then\t she\t said\t the\t words\t she'd\t wanted\t to\t say\t to\t Nehemia\t last\t night.\t The words\t that\t she\t should\t have\t said\t from\t the\t beginning.\t Words\t that\t wouldn't change,\tno\tmatter\twhat\tshe\tlearned\tabout\tNehemia's\tdeath. \\\"I\twant\tyou\tto\tknow,\\\"\tshe\twhispered\tto\tthe\twind,\tto\tthe\tearth,\tto\tthe\tbody\tfar beneath\t her,\t \\\"that\t you\t were\t right.\t You\t were\t right.\t I\t am\t a\t coward.\t And\t I\t have been\trunning\tfor\tso\tlong\tthat\tI've\tforgotten\twhat\tit\tis\tto\tstand\tand\tfight.\\\" She\tbowed\tdeeper,\tputting\ther\tforehead\tagainst\tthe\tdirt. \\\"But\tI\tpromise,\\\"\tshe\tbreathed\tinto\tthe\tsoil,\t\\\"I\tpromise\tthat\tI\twill\tstop\thim.\tI promise\t that\t I\t will\t never\tforgive,\t never\t forget\t what\t they\tdid\t to\t you.\t I\t promise that\t I\t will\t free\t Eyllwe.\t I\t promise\t that\t I\t will\t see\t your\t father's\t crown\t restored\t to his\thead.\\\" She\traised\therself,\tdrawing\ta\tdagger\tfrom\ther\tpocket,\tand\tsliced\ta\tline\tacross her\t left\t palm.\t Blood\t welled,\t ruby-bright\t against\t the\t golden\t dawn,\t sliding\t down the\tside\tof\ther\thand\tbefore\tshe\tpressed\ther\tpalm\tto\tthe\tearth. \\\"I\tpromise,\\\"\tshe\twhispered\tagain.\t\\\"On\tmy\tname,\ton\tmy\tlife,\teven\tif\tit\ttakes until\tmy\tlast\tbreath,\tI\tpromise\tI\twill\tsee\tEyllwe\tfreed.\\\" She\t let\t her\t blood\t soak\t into\t the\t ground,\t willing\t it\t to\t carry\t the\t words\t of\t her oath\t to\t the\t Otherworld\t where\t Nehemia\t was\t safe\t at\t last.\t From\t now\t on,\t there would\tbe\tno\tother\toaths\tbut\tthis,\tno\tother\tcontracts,\tno\tother\tobligations.\tNever forgive,\tnever\tforget. And\tshe\tdidn't\tknow\thow\tshe\twould\tdo\tit,\tor\thow\tlong\tit\twould\ttake,\tbut\tshe would\tsee\tit\tthrough.\tBecause\tNehemia\tcouldn't. Because\tit\twas\ttime.","The\t shattered\t lock\t on\t Celaena's\t bedroom\t door\t still\t wasn't\t fixed\t by\t the\t time Dorian\t appeared\t after\t breakfast,\t a\t stack\t of\t books\t in\t his\t arms.\t She\t stood\t before her\t bed,\t stuffing\t clothing\t into\t a\t large\t leather\t satchel.\t Fleetfoot\t was\t the\t first\t to acknowledge\thim,\tthough\the\thad\tno\tdoubt\tCelaena\theard\thim\tcoming\tfrom\tthe hallway. The\t dog\t limped\t to\t him,\t tail\t wagging,\t and\t Dorian\t set\t the\t books\t on\t the\t desk before\tkneeling\ton\tthe\tplush\trug.\tHe\tran\this\thands\tover\tFleetfoot's\thead,\tletting her\tlick\thim\ta\tfew\ttimes. \\\"The\t healer\t said\t her\t leg\t is\t going\t to\t be\t fine,\\\"\t Celaena\t said,\t still\t focused\t on her\t satchel.\t Her\t left\t hand\t was\t bandaged--a\t wound\t he\t hadn't\t noticed\t last\t night. \\\"She\tjust\tleft\ta\tfew\tminutes\tago.\\\" \\\"Good,\\\"\t Dorian\t said,\t rising\t to\t his\t feet.\t She\t was\t wearing\t a\t heavy\t tunic\t and pants\t and\t a\t thick\t cloak.\t Her\t brown\t boots\t were\t sturdy\t and\t sensible,\t far\t more subdued\t than\t her\t usual\t attire.\t Traveling\t clothes.\t \\\"Were\t you\t going\t to\t leave without\tsaying\tgood-bye?\\\" \\\"I\t thought\t it'd\t be\t easier\t this\t way,\\\"\t she\t said.\t In\t two\t hours,\t she'd\t sail\t to Wendlyn,\tthat\tland\tof\tmyths\tand\tmonsters,\ta\tkingdom\tof\tdreams and\tnightmares\tmade\tflesh. Dorian\tapproached\ther.\t\\\"This\tplan\tis\tmadness.\tYou\tdon't\thave\tto\tgo.\tWe\tcan convince\tmy\tfather\tto\tdo\tsomething\telse.\tIf\tthey\tcatch\tyou\tin\tWendlyn--\\\" \\\"They\twon't\tcatch\tme.\\\" \\\"There\t will\t be\t no\t help\t for\t you,\\\"\t Dorian\t said,\t putting\t a\t hand\t on\t the\t satchel. \\\"If\t you\t are\t captured,\t if\t you\t are\t hurt,\t you\t are\t beyond\t our\t reach.\t You\t will\t be entirely\ton\tyour\town.\\\" \\\"I'll\tbe\tfine.\\\" \\\"But\tI\twon't\tbe.\tEvery\tday\tthat\tyou're\tthere,\tI\twill\twonder\twhat\thas\tbecome of\tyou.\tI\twon't..\tI\twon't\tforget\tyou.\tNot\tfor\tone\thour.\\\" Her\t throat\t bobbed,\t the\t only\t sign\t of\t emotion\t she\t allowed\t to\t show,\t and\t she","looked\ttoward\ther\tdog,\twatching\tthem\tfrom\tthe\trug.\t\\\"Will\tyou.\\\"\tHe\twatched\ther swallow\t again\t before\t meeting\t his\t gaze.\t The\t gold\t in\t her\t eyes\t glowed\t in\t the morning\tsun.\t\\\"Will\tyou\tlook\tafter\ther\twhile\tI'm\tgone?\\\" He\t took\t her\t hand,\t squeezing.\t \\\"As\t if\t she's\t one\t of\t my\t own.\t I'll\t even\t let\t her sleep\tin\tthe\tbed.\\\" She\t gave\t him\t a\t small\t smile,\t and\t he\t had\t a\t feeling\t that\t any\t greater\t sign\t of emotion\t would\t shatter\t her\t self-control.\t He\t waved\t a\t hand\t to\t the\t books\t he'd brought.\t \\\"I\t hope\t you\t don't\t mind,\t but\t I\t need\t a\t place\t to\t store\t these,\t and\t your rooms\tmight\tbe.\tsafer\tthan\tmine.\\\" She\t glanced\t at\t the\t desk\t but,\t to\t his\t relief,\t didn't\t go\t to\t it.\t The\t books\t he'd brought\t would\t only\t lead\t to\t more\t questions.\t Genealogies,\t royal\t chronicles, anything\ton\thow\tand\twhy\the\tmight\thave\tmagic.\t\\\"Of\tcourse,\\\"\twas\tall\tshe\tsaid.\t\\\"I think\t The\t Walking\t Dead\t is\t still\t floating\t around\t in\t here\t anyway.\t Maybe\t it'll\t be glad\tto\thave\tcompany.\\\" He\t might\t have\t smiled\t had\t it\t not\t been\t eerily\t true.\t \\\"I'll\t leave\t you\t to\t your packing.\t I\t have\t a\t council\t meeting\t at\t the\t same\t time\t your\t ship\t departs,\\\"\t he\t said, fighting\tthe\tache\tin\this\tchest.\tIt\twas\ta\tlie--and\ta\tbad\tone.\tBut\the\tdidn't\twant\tto be\t at\t the\t docks,\t not\t when\t he\t knew\t someone\t else\t would\t be\t there\t to\t see\t her\t off. \\\"So.\t I\t suppose\t this\t is\t good-bye.\\\"\t He\t didn't\t know\t whether\t he\t was\t allowed\t to embrace\t her\t anymore,\t so\t he\t stuffed\t his\t hands\t into\t his\t pockets\t and\t gave\t her\t a smile.\t\\\"Take\tcare\tof\tyourself.\\\" A\tfaint\tnod. They\t were\t friends\t now,\t and\t he\t knew\t that\t the\t physical\t boundaries\t between them\t had\t been\t altered,\t but.\t He\t turned\t away\t rather\t than\t let\t her\t see\t the disappointment\the\tknew\twas\tall\ttoo\tclear\ton\this\tface. He\ttook\tall\tof\ttwo\tsteps\ttoward\tthe\tdoor\tbefore\tshe\tspoke,\tthe\twords\tsoft\tand strained.\t \\\"Thank\t you\t for\t all\t that\t you\t have\t done\t for\t me,\t Dorian.\t Thank\t you\t for being\tmy\tfriend.\tFor\tnot\tbeing\tlike\tthe\tothers.\\\" He\t paused,turning\t to\t face\t her.\t She\t kept\t her\t chin\t high,\t but\t her\t eyes\t were gleaming. \\\"I'll\tcome\tback,\\\"\tshe\tsaid\tquietly.\t\\\"I'll\tcome\tback\tfor\tyou.\\\"\tAnd\the\tknew\tthat there\twas\tmore\tthat\tshe\twasn't\tsaying,\tsome\tbigger\tmeaning\tbehind\tthose\twords. But\tDorian\tstill\tbelieved\ther. The\t docks\t were\t crowded\t with\t sailors\t and\t slaves\t and\t workers\t loading\t and","unloading\tcargo.\tThe\tday\twas\twarm\tand\tbreezy,\tthe\tfirst\thint\tof\tspring\tin\tthe\tair, and\tthe\tsky\twas\tcloudless.\tA\tgood\tday\tfor\tsailing. Celaena\tstood\tbefore\tthe\tship\tthat\twould\tcarry\ther\tthrough\tthe\tfirst\tleg\tof\tthe journey.\t It'd\t sail\t to\t a\t prearranged\t location\t where\t a\t ship\t from\t Wendlyn\t would meet\tit,\tto\ttake\taboard\trefugees\tfleeing\tthe\tshadow\tof\tAdarlan's\tempire.\tMost\tof the\t women\t traveling\t on\t her\t ship\t were\t already\t below\t decks.\t She\t shifted\t the fingers\t of\t her\t bandaged\t left\t hand,\t wincing\t at\t the\t dull\t pain\t radiating\t outward from\ther\tpalm. She\thad\thardly\tslept\tthat\tnight,\tholding\tFleetfoot\tclose\tto\ther\tinstead.\tSaying good-bye\tan\thour\tago\thad\tbeen\tlike\tripping\tout\ta\tpiece\tof\ther\theart,\tbut\tthe\tdog's leg\twas\tstill\ttoo\tinjured\tfor\ther\tto\trisk\tthe\tjourney\tto\tWendlyn. She\t hadn't\t wanted\t to\t see\t Chaol,\t hadn't\t bothered\t saying\t good-bye,\t because she\thad\tso\tmany\tquestions\tfor\thim\tthat\tit\twas\teasier\tnot\tto\task\tat\tall.\tHadn't\the known\twhat\tan\timpossible\ttrap\the\twas\tsetting\tfor\ther\tnow? The\t ship\t captain\t bellowed\t a\t five-minute\t departure\t warning.\t The\t sailors started\t scrambling,\t doubling\t their\t efforts\t to\t prepare\t to\t leave\t the\t harbor\t and\t set out\tdown\tthe\tAvery,\tand\tthen\ton\tinto\tthe\tGreat\tOcean\titself. To\tWendlyn. She\tswallowed\thard.\tDo\twhat\tneeds\tto\tbe\tdone,\tElena\thad\ttold\ther.\tDid\tthat mean\tactually\tkilling\tthe\troyal\tfamily\tof\tWendlyn,\tor\tsomething\telse? A\tsalty\tbreeze\truffled\ther\thair,\tand\tshe\tstepped\tforward. But\tsomeone\temerged\tfrom\tthe\tshadows\tof\tthe\tbuildings\tlining\tthe\tdocks. \\\"Wait,\\\"\tChaol\tsaid. Celaena\t froze\t as\t he\t walked\t to\t her,\t and\t didn't\t move\t even\t when\t she\t found herself\tlooking\tup\tinto\this\tface. \\\"Do\tyou\tunderstand\twhy\tI\tdid\tthis?\\\"\the\tasked\tsoftly. She\tnodded,\tbut\tsaid:\t\\\"I\thave\tto\treturn\there.\\\" \\\"No\\\"\the\tsaid,\this\teyes\tflashing.\t\\\"You--\\\" \\\"Listen\\\" She\thad\tfive\tminutes.\tShe\tcouldn't\texplain\tit\tto\thim--couldn't\texplain\tthat\tthe king\t would\t kill\t him\t if\t she\t didn't\t return.\t That\t knowledge\t could\t be\t fatal\t to\t him. And\teven\tif\the\tran\taway,\tthe\tking\thad\tthreatened\tNehemia's\tfamily,\ttoo.","But\t she\t knew\t that\t Chaol\t was\t trying\t to\t protect\t her.\t And\t she\t couldn't\t leave him\twholly\tignorant.\tBecause\tif\tshe\tdid\tdie\tin\tWendlyn,\tif\tsomething\thappened to\ther. \\\"Listen\tcarefully\tto\twhat\tI\tam\tabout\tto\ttell\tyou.\\\" His\tbrows\trose.\tBut\tshe\tdidn't\tgive\therself\ta\tmoment\tto\treconsider, to\tsecond-guess\ther\tdecision. As\t succinctly\t as\t she\t could,\t she\t told\t him\t about\t the\t Wyrdkeys.\t She\t told\t him about\tthe\tWyrdgates,\tand\tabout\tBaba\tYellowlegs.\tShe\ttold\thim\tabout\tthe\tpapers she'd\t stashed\t down\t in\t the\t tomb--the\t riddle\t with\t the\t locations\t of\t the\t three Wyrdkeys.\t And\t then\t she\t told\t him\t that\t she\t knew\t the\t king\t had\t at\t least\t one.\t And that\t there\t was\t a\t dead\t creature\t sealed\t beneath\t the\t library.\t And\t that\t he\t should never\topen\tthe\tdoor\tto\tthe\tcatacombs--never.\tAnd\tthat\tRoland\tand\tKaltain\tmight be\tpart\tof\tsome\tbigger,\tdeadlier\tplan. And\t when\t that\t horrible\t truth\t had\t been\t revealed,\t she\t unfastened\t the\t Eye\t of Elena\tfrom\ther\tneck\tand\tfolded\tit\tinto\this\tpalm.\t\\\"Never\ttake\tit\toff.\tIt\twill\tprotect you\tfrom\tharm.\\\" He\t was\t shaking\t his\t head,\t his\t face\t deathly\t pale.\t \\\"Celaena,\t I\t can't--\\\"\t \\\"I\t don't care\t if\t you\t go\t looking\t for\t the\t keys,\t but\t someone\t has\t to\t know\t about\t them. Someone\t other\t than\t me.\t All\t the\t proof\t is\t in\t the\t tomb.\\\"\t Chaol\t grabbed\t her\t hand with\this\tfree\tone.\t\\\"Celaena--\\\" \\\"Listen,\\\"\t she\t repeated.\t \\\"If\t you\t hadn't\t convinced\t the\t king\t to\t send\t me\t away, we\tcould\thave.\thave\tfigured\tthem\tout\ttogether.\tBut\tnow.\\\"\tTwo\tminutes,\tthe\tsea captain\tshouted.\tChaol\twas\tjust\tstaring\tat\ther,\tsuch\tgrief\tand\tfear\tin\this\teyes\tthat words\tfailed\ther. And\t then\t she\t did\t the\t most\t reckless\t thing\t she'd\t ever\t done\t in\t her\t life.\t She stood\ton\ther\ttoes\tand\twhispered\tthe\twords\tinto\this\tear. The\t words\t that\t would\t make\t him\t understand,\t understand\t why\t it\t was\t so important\t to\t her,\t and\t what\t it\t meant\t when\t she\t said\t she'd\t return.\t And\t he\t would hate\ther\tforever\tfor\tit,\tonce\the\tunderstood. \\\"What\tdoes\tthat\tmean?\\\"\the\tdemanded. She\t smiled\t sadly.\t \\\"You'll\t figure\t it\t out.\t And\t when\t you\t do.\\\"\t She\t shook\t her head,\t knowing\t she\t shouldn't\t say\t it,\t but\t doing\t it\t anyway.\t \\\"When\t you\t do,\t I\t want you\t to\t remember\t that\t it\t wouldn't\t have\t made\t any\t difference\t to\t me.\t It's\t never made\t any\t difference\t to\t me\t when\t it\t came\t to\t you.\t I'd\t still\t pick\t you.\t I'll\t always","pick\tyou.\\\" \\\"Please--please,\tjust\ttell\tme\twhat\tthat\tmeans.\\\" But\tthere\twas\tno\ttime,\tso\tshe\tshook\ther\thead\tand\tstepped\tback. Chaol\ttook\tone\tstep\ttoward\ther,\tthough.\tOne\tstep,\tthen\the\tsaid,\t\\\"I\tlove\tyou.\\\" She\t strangled\t the\t sob\t that\t built\t in\t her\t throat.\t \\\"I'm\t sorry,\\\"\t she\t said,\t hoping he'd\tremember\tthose\twords\tlater--later,\twhen\the\tknew\teverything. Her\tlegs\tfound\tthe\tstrength\tto\tmove.\tShe\ttook\ta\tbreath.\tAnd\twith\ta\tfinal\tlook at\tChaol,\tshe\tstrode\tup\tthe\tgangplank.\tTaking\tno\tnotice\tof\tthose\tonboard,\tshe\tset down\ther\tsack\tdown\tand\ttook\tup\ta\tplace\tby\tthe\trailing.\tShe\tlooked\tdown\tat\tthe dock\tto\tfind\tChaol\tstill\tstanding\tby\tthe\twalkway\tas\tit\twas\tlifted. The\t ship's\t captain\t called\t for\t them\t to\t cast\t off.\t Sailors\t scurried,\t ropes\t were untied,\ttossed,\tand\ttied\tagain,\tand\tthe\tship\tlurched.\tHer\thands\tclasped\tthe\trailing so\thard\tthey\thurt. The\t ship\t began\t moving.\t And\t Chaol--the\t man\t she\t hated\t and\t loved\t so\t much that\tshe\tcould\thardly\tthink\taround\thim--just\tstood\tthere,\twatching\ther\tgo. The\t current\t grabbed\t the\t ship,\t and\t the\t city\t began\t to\t diminish\t with\t distance. The\tocean\tbreeze\tsoon\tcaressed\ther\tneck,\tbut\tshe\tnever\tstopped\tstaring\tat\tChaol. She\t stared\t toward\t him\t until\t the\t glass\t castle\t was\t a\t sparkling\t speck\t in\t the distance.\tShe\tstared\ttoward\thim\tuntil\tthere\twas\tonly\tgleaming\tocean\taround\ther. She\t stared\t toward\t him\t until\t the\t sun\t dropped\t beyond\t the\t horizon\t and\t a smattering\tof\tstars\thung\toverhead. It\t was\t only\t when\t her\t eyelids\t drooped\t and\t she\t swayed\t on\t her\t feet\t that Celaena\tstopped\tstaring\ttoward\tChaol. The\t smell\t of\t salt\t filled\t her\t nostrils,\t so\t different\t from\t the\t salt\t of\t Endovier, and\ta\tspirited\twind\twhipped\tthrough\ther\thair. With\t a\t hiss\t through\t her\t teeth,\t Celaena\t Sardothien\t turned\t her\t back\t on Adarlan\tand\tsailed\ttoward\tWendlyn.","Chaol\tdidn't\tunderstand\twhat\tshe'd\ttold\thim,\tthe\twords\tshe'd\twhispered\tin\this ear.\tIt\twas\ta\tdate.\tNot\teven\ta\tyear\tattached\tto\tit.\tA\tmonth\tand\ta\tday--a\tdate\tthat had\t passed\t weeks\t and\t weeks\t ago.\t It\t was\t the\t day\t that\t Celaena\t had\t left\t the\t city. The\t day\t she\t had\t snapped\t at\t Endovier\t a\t year\t before.\t The\t day\t her\t parents\t had died. He\tstayed\ton\tthe\tdocks\tlong\tafter\tthe\tship\twas\tout\tof\tthe\tharbor,\twatching\tits sails\t become\t smaller\t and\t smaller\t as\t he\t mulled\t over\t the\t date\t again\t and\t again. Why\t had\t she\t told\t him\t everything\t about\t those--\t those\t Wyrdkeys,\t but\t made\t this hint\t so\t obscure?\t What\t could\t possibly\t be\t more\t important\t than\t the\t horrible\t truth about\tthe\tking\the\tserved? The\t Wyrdkeys,\t while\t they\t terrified\t him,\t made\t sense.\t They\t explained\t so much.\t The\t king's\t great\t power,\t his\t journeys\t that\t ended\t with\t the\t whole\t party mysteriously\t dying,\t how\t Cain\t had\t become\t so\t strong.\t Even\t that\t time\t Chaol\t had looked\tat\tPerrington\tand\tseen\this\teyes\tdarken\tso\tstrangely.\tBut\twhen\tshe'd\ttold him,\t had\t she\t known\t what\t kind\t of\t choice\t she'd\t left\t him?\t And\t what\t could\t he possibly\tdo\tabout\tit\tfrom\tAnielle? Unless\the\tcould\tfind\ta\tway\tout\tof\tthe\tvow\the'd\tmade.\tHe'd\tnever\tsaid\twhen he'd\tgo\tto\tAnielle.\tHe\tcould\tthink\tabout\tthat\ttomorrow.\tFor\tnow. When\tChaol\treturned\tto\tthe\tcastle,\the\twent\tto\ther\trooms,\tsorting\tthrough\tthe contents\tof\ther\tdesk.\tBut\tthere\twas\tnothing\tabout\tthat\tdate.\tHe\tchecked\tthe\twill she'd\t written,\t but\t that\t had\t been\t signed\t several\t days\t after.\t The\t silence\t and emptiness\t of\t her\t chambers\t threatened\t to\t swallow\t him\t whole,\t and\t he\t was\t about to\t leave\t when\t he\t spotted\t the\t stack\t of\t books\t half-hidden\t in\t the\t shadows\t of\t her desk. Genealogies\t and\t countless\t royal\t chronicles.\t When\t had\t she\t brought\t these books\there?\tHe\thadn't\tseen\tthem\tthe\tother\tnight.\tWas\tit\tsomehow\tanother\tclue? Standing\tbefore\tthe\tdesk,\the\tpulled\tout\tthe\troyal\tchronicles--all\tfrom\tthe\tthe\tpast eighteen\tyears--and\tstarted\tback,\tone\tby\tone.\tNothing. Then\tcame\tthe\tchronicle\tfrom\tten\tyears\tago.\tIt\twas\tthicker\tthan\tall\tthe\trest-- as\t it\t should\t be,\t given\t the\t events\t that\t had\t happened\t that\t year.\t But\t when\t he\t saw what\twas\twritten\tabout\tthe\tdate\tshe\thad\tgiven,\teverything\tfroze.","This\tmorning,\tKing\tOrlon\tGalathynius,\this\tnephew\tand\their, Rhoe\t Galathynius,\t and\t Rhoe's\t wife,\t Evalin\t Ashryver,\t were\t found assassinated.\tOrlon\twas\tmurdered\tin\this\tbed\tat\tthe\troyal\tpalace\tin\tOrynth,\tand Rhoe\tand\tEvalin\twere\tfound\tdead\tin\ttheir\tbeds\tat\ttheir\tcountry\testate\talong\tthe River\t Florine.\t There\t is\t no\t word\t yet\t about\t the\t fate\t of\t Rhoe\t and\t Evalin's daughter,\tAelin. Chaol\tgrabbed\tfor\tthe\tfirst\tgenealogy\tbook,\tthe\tone\ton\tthe\tbloodlines\tof\tthe royal\thouses\tof\tAdarlan\tand\tTerrasen.\tWas\tCelaena\ttrying\tto\ttell\thim\tshe\tknew the\t truth\t about\t what\t had\t happened\t that\t night--that\t she\t might\t know\t where\t the lost\tprincess\tAelin\twas\thiding? That\tshe\thad\tbeen\tthere\twhen\tthis\tall\thappened? He\tflipped\tthrough\tthe\tpages,\tscanning\tthe\tgenealogies\the\thad\talready\tread. But\t then\t he\t remembered\t something\t about\t the\t name\t written\t above\t Aelin's: Evalin\tAshryver.\tAshryver. Evalin\t had\t come\t from\t Wendlyn,\t had\t been\t a\t princess\t of\t the\t king's\t court. Hands\tshaking,\the\tyanked\tout\ta\tbook\tcontaining\tWendlyn's\troyal\tfamily\ttree. On\t the\t last\t page,\t Aelin\t Ashryver\t Galathynius's\t name\t was\t written\t at\t the bottom,\t and\t above\t it,\t Evalin's.\t But\t the\t family\t tree\t traced\t only\t the\t female\t line. The\tfemale,\tnot\tthe\tmale,\tbecause-- Two\tspots\tabove\tEvalin's\tname\twas\twritten\tMab.\tAelin's\tgreatgrandmother. She\t was\t one\t of\t the\t three\t Fae\t Sister-Queens:\t Maeve,\t Mora,\t and\t Mab.\t Mab,\t the youngest,\tthe\tfairest,\twho,\twhen\tshe\tdied,\thad\tbeen\tmade\tinto\ta\tgoddess,\tknown to\tthem\tnow\tas\tDeanna,\tgoddess\tof\tthe\thunt. The\t memory\t hit\t him\t like\t a\t brick\t to\t the\t face.\t That\t Yulemas\t morning,\t when Celaena\t had\t looked\t so\t uncomfortable\t to\t be\t receiving\t the\t golden\t arrow\t of Deanna--the\tarrow\tof\tMab. And\tChaol\tcounted\tdown\tthe\tfamily\ttree,\tone\tafter\tone,\tuntil-- My\tgreatgrandmother\twas\tFae. Chaol\thad\tto\tbrace\ta\thand\tagainst\tthe\tdesk.\tNo,\tit\tcouldn't\tbe.\tHe\tturned\tback to\tthe\tchronicle\tstill\tlying\topen,\tand\tturned\tto\tthe\tnext\tday. Aelin\tGalathynius,\their\tto\tthe\tthrone\tof\tTerrasen,\tdied\ttoday,\tor\tsometime\tin the\tnight.\tBefore\thelp\tcould\treach\ther\tdeceased\tparents'\testate,\tthe\tassassin\twho had\t missed\t her\t the\t night\t before\t returned.\t Her\t body\t has\t still\t not\t been\t found,","though\tsome\tbelieve\tit\twas\tthrown\tinto\tthe\triver\tbehind\ther\tparents'\thouse. She'd\tonce\tsaid\tthat\tArobynn\thad.\thad\tfound\ther.\tFound\ther half-dead\tand\tfrozen.\tOn\ta\triverbank. He\twas\tjust\tjumping\tto\tconclusions.\tMaybe\tshe\tmerely\twanted\thim\tto\tknow that\tshe\tstill\tcared\tabout\tTerrasen,\tor-- There\twas\ta\tpoem\tscribbled\tat\tthe\ttop\tof\tthe\tAshryver\tfamily\ttree,\tas\tthough some\tstudent\thad\tdashed\tit\tdown\tit\tas\ta\treminder\twhile\tstudying. Ashryver\t Eyes\t The\t fairest\t eyes,\t from\t legends\t old\t Of\t brightest\t blue,\t ringed with\tgold. Bright\t blue\t eyes,\t ringed\t with\t gold.\t A\t strangled\t cry\t came\t out\t of\t him.\t How many\t times\t had\t he\t looked\t into\t those\t eyes?\t How\t many\t times\t had\t he\t seen\t her avert\ther\tgaze,\tthat\tone\tbit\tof\tproof\tshe\tcouldn't\thide,\tfrom\tthe\tking? Celaena\tSardothien\twasn't\tin\tleague\twith\tAelin\tAshryver\tGalathynius. Celaena\t Sardothien\t was\t Aelin\t Ashryver\t Galathynius,\t heir\t to\t the\t throne\t and rightful\tQueen\tofTerrasen. Celaena\twas\tAelin\tGalathynius,\tthe\tgreatest\tliving\tthreat\tto\tAdarlan,\tthe\tone person\twho\tcould\traise\tan\tarmy\tcapable\tof\tstanding\tagainst\tthe\tking.\tNow,\tshe was\t also\t the\t one\t person\t who\t knew\t the\t secret\t source\t of\t the\t king's\t power--and who\tsought\ta\tway\tto\tdestroy\tit. And\the\thad\tjust\tsent\ther\tinto\tthe\tarms\tof\ther\tstrongest\tpotential\tallies:\tto\tthe homeland\tof\ther\tmother,\tthe\tkingdom\tof\ther\tcousin,\tand\tthe\tdomain\tof\ther\taunt, Queen\tMaeve\tof\tthe\tFae. Celaena\twas\tthe\tlost\tQueen\tof\tTerrasen. Chaol\tsank\tto\this\tknees.","More\tthan\tanyone,\tthis\tnovel\tbelongs\tto\tSusan\tDennard.\tFor\tbeing\tthe\tkind of\tfriend\tthat\tusually\texists\tonly\tin\tbooks.\tFor\tbeing\ta\tfriend\tworth\twaiting\tfor. For\tbeing\tmy\tanam\tcara.\tThank\tyou\tfor\tthe\t(mis)\tadventures,\tfor\tlaughing\tuntil our\tstomachs\thurt,\tand\tfor\tall\tthe\tjoy\tyou've\tbrought\tinto\tmy\tworld.\tLove\tyou. Endless\tgratitude\tto\tmy\tA\tTeam:\tmy\tincredible\tagent,\tTamar\tRydzinski,\tmy stellar\t editor,\t Margaret\t Miller,\t and\t the\t incomparable\t Michelle\t Nagler.\t I'm tremendously\t blessed\t to\t have\t you\t in\t my\t corner.\t Thank\t you\t for\t everything you've\tdone\tfor\tme. To\t my\t good\t friend\t and\t critique\t partner,\t Alex\t Bracken,\t who\t never\t fails\t to offer\t sage\t advice\t and\t brilliant\t ideas,\t and\t who\t has\t talked\t me\t off\t many,\t many ledges.\t Thank\t you\t for\t being\t one\t of\t the\t bright\t lights\t on\t this\t journey.\t To\t Erin \\\"Ders\\\"\tBowman,\tfor\tthe\tFriday\tchats,\tshenanigans\tin\t\\\"Wilderness,\\\"\tand\tbeing\ta fellow\t survivor\t of\t the\t brutal\t 2012\t crawfish\t attack\t in\t Lake\t Glenville,\t North Carolina.\tI'm\tso\tglad\tI\te-mailed\tyou. Thanks\tare\talso\tdue\tto\tAmie\tKaufman,\tKat\tZhang,\tand\tJane\tZhao,\twho\thave been\t everything\t from\t sounding\t boards\t to\t critique\t partners\t to\t cheerleaders,\t but always\twonderful\tfriends.\tTo\tDan\t\\\"DKroks\\\"\tKrokos,\tfor\tbeing\ta\ttrue\tfriend\tand partner\tin\tcrime.\tTo\tthe\tlegendary\tRobin\tHobb,\tfor\ttaking\ttwo\tdebut\tauthors\tto dinner\tin\tDecatur,\tGeorgia--\tthank\tyou\tfor\tthe\twisdom\tand\tkindness\tyou\tshowed me\tand\tSusan. There\tare\tso\tmany\tpeople\twho\twork\tso\ttirelessly\tto\tmake\tmy\tbooks\ta\treality and\t get\t them\t into\t readers'\t hands.\t Thank\t you\t from\t the\t bottom\t of\t my\t heart\t to Erica\t Barmash,\t Emma\t Bradshaw,\t Susannah\t Curran,\t Beth\t Eller,\t Alona\t Fryman, Shannon\t Godwin,\t Natalie\t Hamilton,\t Bridget\t Hartzler,\t Katy\t Hershberger, Melissa\t Kavonic,\t Linette\t Kim,\t Ian\t Lamb,\t Cindy\t Loh,\t Donna\t Mark,\t Pat McHugh,\tRebecca\tMcNally,\tRegina\tRoff\tFlath,\tRachel\tStark,\tand\tBrett\tWright. And\ta\thuge\tthank-you\tto\tthe\tentire\tworldwide\tteam\tat\tBloomsbury--it's\tan\thonor to\twork\twith\tyou\tall. A\t giant\t hug\t for\t my\t parents,\t family,\t and\t friends--thank\t you\t for\t the unwavering\t support.\t And\t to\t my\t amazing\t husband,\t Josh:\t there\t aren't\t enough words\tin\tany\tlanguage\tto\tdescribe\thow\tmuch\tI\tlove\tyou. Thank\t you\t to\t Janet\t Cadsawan,\t who\t makes\t the\t world\t of\t Throne\t of\t Glass come\t alive\t with\t her\t stunning\t jewelry.\t And\t thank\t you\t to\t Kelly\t de\t Groot\t for\t the","map,\tthe\tenthusiasm,\tand\tjust\tfor\tbeing\tawesome. To\tmy\treaders:\tthank\tyou\tfor\tmaking\tthis\tjourney\tsuch\ta\tfairy\ttale;\tthank\tyou for\tthe\tletters\tand\tart\tand\tfor\tcoming\tto\tmy\tevents;\tthank\tyou\tfor\tspreading\tthe word\tabout\tthis\tseries;\tthank\tyou\tfor\tletting\tCelaena\tinto\tyour\thearts.\tYou\tmake the\tlong\thours\tand\thard\twork\tabsolutely\tworth\tit. And\tlastly,\tI'd\tlike\tto\tthank\tmy\tFictionPress\treaders,\twho\thave\tbeen\twith\tme for\tso\tmany\tyears,\tand\tto\twhom\tI\towe\ta\tdebt\tI\tcan\tnever\trepay.\tNo\tmatter\twhere this\troad\ttakes\tme,\tI'll\tbe\tforever\tgrateful\tthat\tit\tbrought\tyou\tinto\tmy\tlife.\tThank you,\tthank\tyou,\tthank\tyou."]
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