["Brannon\t had\t first\t placed\t his\t foot\t upon\t the\t continent\t before\t sailing\t up\t the\t Florine\t to\t its source\t at\t the\t base\t of\t the\t Staghorns.\t How\t the\t Little\t Folk\t had\t known\t how\t to\t render\t the temple\tfor\ther,\tshe\thad\tno\tidea. Ilium\u2019s\t stout,\t sprawling\t temple\t had\t been\t erected\t on\t a\t pale\t cliff\t with\t commanding views\t of\t the\t storm-worn,\t pretty\t town\t behind\t it\t and\t the\t endless\t ocean\t beyond\u2014so\t blue that\tit\treminded\tAelin\tof\tthe\ttranquil\twaters\tof\tthe\tSouth. Waters\t where\t Rowan\t and\t Dorian\t should\t now\t be\t headed,\t if\t they\t were\t lucky.\t Aelin tried\tnot\tto\tdwell\ton\tthat,\teither.\tWithout\tthe\tFae\tPrince\tat\ther\tside,\tthere\twas\ta\thorrible, endless\tsilence. Almost\t as\t quiet\t as\t the\t white\t walls\t of\t the\t town\u2014and\t the\t people\t inside.\t Hooded\t and armed\t to\t the\t teeth\t beneath\t their\t heavy\t cloaks,\t Aelin\t and\t Aedion\t rode\t through\t the\t open gates,\t no\t more\t than\t two\t cautious\t pilgrims\t on\t their\t way\t to\t the\t temple.\t Disguised\t for secrecy\u2014and\tfor\tthe\tlittle\tfact\tthat\tIlium\twas\tnow\tunder\tAdarlanian\toccupation. Lysandra\t had\t brought\t the\t news\t that\t morning\t after\t flying\t ahead,\t lingering\t in\t human form\tonly\tlong\tenough\tto\tinform\tthem. \u201cWe\tshould\thave\tgone\tnorth\tto\tEldrys,\u201d\tAedion\tmurmured\tas\tthey\trode\tpast\ta\tcluster of\thard-faced\tsentries\tin\tAdarlanian\tarmor,\tthe\tsoldiers\tonly\tglancing\ttheir\tway\tto\tnote\tthe sharp-eyed,\t sharper-beaked\t falcon\t perched\t on\t Aelin\u2019s\t shoulder.\t None\t marked\t the\t shield hidden\t amongst\t Aedion\u2019s\t saddlebags,\t carefully\t veiled\t by\t the\t folds\t of\t his\t cloak.\t Or\t the swords\t they\u2019d\t both\t concealed\t as\t well.\t Damaris\t remained\t where\t she\u2019d\t stored\t it\t these weeks\t on\t the\t road:\t strapped\t beneath\t the\t heavy\t bags\t containing\t the\t ancient\t spellbooks she\u2019d\tborrowed\tfrom\tDorian\u2019s\troyal\tlibrary\tin\tRifthold.\t\u201cWe\tcan\tstill\tturn\taround.\u201d Aelin\tshot\thim\ta\tglare\tbeneath\tthe\tshadows\tof\ther\thood.\t\u201cIf\tyou\tthink\tfor\tone\tmoment I\u2019m\tleaving\tthis\tcity\tin\tAdarlan\u2019s\thands,\tyou\tcan\tgo\tto\thell.\u201d\tLysandra\tclicked\ther\tbeak\tin agreement. The\tLittle\tFolk\thad\tnot\tbeen\twrong\tto\tsend\tthe\tmessage\tto\tcome\there,\ttheir\trendering of\tthe\ttemple\tnear-perfect.\tThrough\twhatever\tmagic\tthey\tpossessed,\tthey\thad\tforeseen\tthe news\t long\t before\t it\t ever\t reached\t Aelin\t on\t the\t road:\t Rifthold\t had\t indeed\t fallen,\t its\t king vanished\t and\t the\t city\t sacked\t by\t witches.\t Emboldened\t by\t this,\t and\t by\t the\t rumor\t that\t she was\t not\t taking\t back\t her\t throne\t but\t rather\t running\t as\t well,\t the\t Lord\t of\t Meah,\t Roland Havilliard\u2019s\t father\t and\t one\t of\t the\t most\t powerful\t lords\t in\t Adarlan,\t had\t marched\t his garrison\tof\ttroops\tjust\tover\tthe\tborder\tinto\tTerrasen.\tAnd\tclaimed\tthis\tport\tfor\thimself. \u201cFifty\tsoldiers\tare\tcamped\there,\u201d\tAedion\twarned\ther\tand\tLysandra. The\tshifter\tonly\tpuffed\tout\ther\tfeathers\tas\tif\tto\tsay,\tSo? His\tjaw\tclenched.\t\u201cBelieve\tme,\tI\twant\ta\tpiece\tof\tthem,\ttoo.\tBut\u2014\u201d \u201cI\t am\t not\t hiding\t in\t my\t own\t kingdom,\u201d\t Aelin\t cut\t in.\t \u201cAnd\t I\t am\t not\t going\t to\t leave without\tsending\ta\treminder\tof\twho\tthis\tland\tbelongs\tto.\u201d Aedion\tkept\tquiet\tas\tthey\trounded\ta\tcorner,\taiming\tfor\tthe\tsmall\tseaside\tinn\tLysandra had\talso\tscouted\tthat\tmorning.\tOn\tthe\tother\tside\tof\tthe\tcity\tfrom\tthe\ttemple.","The\ttemple\tthe\tsoldiers\thad\tthe\tnerve\tto\tuse\tas\ttheir\tbarracks. \u201cIs\tthis\tabout\tsending\ta\tmessage\tto\tAdarlan,\tor\tto\tDarrow?\u201d\tAedion\tasked\tat\tlast. \u201cIt\tis\tabout\tfreeing\tmy\tpeople,\twho\thave\tdealt\twith\tthese\tAdarlanian\tpieces\tof\tshit\tfor too\tlong,\u201d\tAelin\tsnapped,\treining\ther\tmare\tin\tto\ta\thalt\tbefore\tthe\tinn\tcourtyard.\tLysandra\u2019s talons\t dug\t into\t her\t shoulder\t in\t silent\t agreement.\t Mere\t feet\t beyond\t the\t weatherworn courtyard\twall,\tthe\tsea\tgleamed\tsapphire-bright.\t\u201cWe\tmove\tat\tnightfall.\u201d Aedion\t remained\t quiet,\t his\t face\t partially\t hidden\t as\t the\t inn\u2019s\t owner\t scuttled\t out\t and they\t secured\t a\t room\t for\t the\t night.\t Aelin\t let\t her\t cousin\t brood\t a\t bit,\t wrangling\t her\t magic under\tcontrol.\tShe\thadn\u2019t\treleased\tany\tof\tit\tthis\tmorning,\twanting\tit\tto\tbe\tat\tfull\tforce\tfor what\t they\t were\t to\t do\t tonight,\t but\t the\t strain\t now\t tugged\t at\t her,\t an\t itch\t with\t no\t relief,\t an edge\tshe\tcould\tnot\tdull. Only\twhen\tthey\twere\tensconced\tin\ttheir\ttiny,\ttwo-bed\tchamber,\tLysandra\tperched\ton the\t windowsill,\t did\t Aedion\t say,\t \u201cAelin,\t you\t know\t I\u2019ll\t help\u2014you\t know\t I\t want\t these bastards\t out\t of\t here.\t But\t the\t people\t of\t Ilium\t have\t lived\t here\t for\t centuries,\t aware\t that\t in war,\tthey\tare\tthe\tfirst\tto\tbe\tattacked.\u201d And\tthese\tsoldiers\tcould\teasily\treturn\tas\tsoon\tas\tthey\tleft,\the\tdidn\u2019t\tneed\tto\tadd. Lysandra\t pecked\t the\t window\u2014a\t quiet\t request.\t Aelin\t strode\t over,\t shoved\t open\t the window\tto\tlet\tthe\tsea\tbreeze\tflit\tin.\t\u201cSymbols\thave\tpower,\tAedion,\u201d\tshe\tsaid,\twatching\tthe shifter\t fan\t her\t speckled\t wings.\t She\u2019d\t read\t books\t and\t books\t on\t it\t during\t that\t ridiculous competition\tin\tRifthold. He\t snorted.\t \u201cI\t know.\t Believe\t me\u2014I\u2019ve\t wielded\t them\t to\t my\t advantage\t as\t often\t as\t I can.\u201d\tHe\tpatted\tthe\tbone\tpommel\tof\tthe\tSword\tof\tOrynth\tfor\temphasis.\t\u201cCome\tto\tthink\tof it,\t I\t said\t the\t same\t exact\t thing\t once\t to\t Dorian\t and\t Chaol.\u201d\t He\t shook\t his\t head\t at\t the memory. Aelin\t just\t leaned\t against\t the\t windowsill.\t \u201cIlium\t used\t to\t be\t the\t stronghold\t of\t the Mycenians.\u201d \u201cThe\t Mycenians\t are\t nothing\t more\t than\t a\t myth\u2014they\t were\t banished\t three\t hundred years\tago.\tIf\tyou\u2019re\tlooking\tfor\ta\tsymbol,\tthey\u2019re\tfairly\toutdated\u2014and\tdivisive.\u201d She\t knew\t that.\t The\t Mycenians\t had\t once\t ruled\t Ilium\t not\t as\t nobility,\t but\t crime\t lords. And\tduring\tsome\tlong-ago\twar,\ttheir\tlethal\tfleet\thad\tbeen\tso\tcrucial\tin\twinning\tthat\tthey\u2019d been\t turned\t legitimate\t by\t whatever\t king\t ruled\t at\t the\t time.\t Until\t they\t had\t been\t exiled centuries\tlater\tfor\ttheir\trefusal\tto\tcome\tto\tTerrasen\u2019s\taid\tin\tanother\twar. She\t met\t Lysandra\u2019s\t green-eyed\t stare\t as\t the\t shifter\t lowered\t her\t wings,\t sufficiently cooled.\t She\u2019d\t been\t distant\t on\t the\t road\t this\t week,\t preferring\t feathers\t or\t fur\t to\t skin. Perhaps\t because\t some\t piece\t of\t her\t heart\t now\t rode\t for\t Orynth\t with\t Ren\t and\t Murtaugh. Aelin\tstroked\ther\tfriend\u2019s\tsilken\thead.\t\u201cThe\tMycenians\tabandoned\tTerrasen\tso\tthey\twould not\tdie\tin\ta\twar\tthey\tdid\tnot\tbelieve\tin.\u201d \u201cAnd\t they\t disbanded\t and\t vanished\t soon\t after\t that,\t never\t to\t be\t seen\t again,\u201d\t Aedion countered.\t \u201cWhat\u2019s\t your\t point?\t You\t think\t liberating\t Ilium\t will\t summon\t them\t again?","They\u2019re\tlong\tgone,\tAelin,\ttheir\tsea\tdragons\twith\tthem.\u201d Indeed,\tthere\twas\tno\tsign\tanywhere\tin\tthis\tcity\tof\tthe\tlegendary\tfleet\tand\twarriors\twho had\tsailed\tto\twars\tacross\tdistant,\tviolent\tseas,\twho\thad\tdefended\tthese\tborders\twith\ttheir own\t blood\t spilled\t upon\t the\t waves\t beyond\t the\t windows.\t And\t the\t blood\t of\t their\t sea dragons,\tboth\tallies\tand\tweapons.\tOnly\twhen\tthe\tlast\tof\tthe\tdragons\thad\tdied,\theartsick\tto be\tbanished\tfrom\tTerrasen\u2019s\twaters,\thad\tthe\tMycenians\ttruly\tbeen\tlost.\tAnd\tonly\twhen\tthe sea\t dragons\t returned\t would\t the\t Mycenians,\t too,\t come\t home.\t Or\t so\t their\t ancient prophecies\tclaimed. Aedion\tbegan\tremoving\tthe\textra\tblades\thidden\tin\ttheir\tsaddlebags,\tsave\tfor\tDamaris, and\t strapped\t them\t on,\t one\t by\t one.\t He\t double-checked\t that\t Rowan\u2019s\t knife\t was\t securely buckled\tat\this\tside\tbefore\the\tsaid\tto\tAelin\tand\tLysandra,\tstill\tby\tthe\twindow,\t\u201cI\tknow\tyou two\tare\tof\tthe\topinion\tthat\twe\tmales\tare\there\tto\tprovide\tyou\twith\ta\tpretty\tview\tand\tmeals, but\tI\tam\ta\tgeneral\tof\tTerrasen.\tWe\tneed\tto\tfind\ta\treal\tarmy\u2014not\tspend\tour\ttime\tchasing ghosts.\tIf\twe\tdon\u2019t\tget\ta\thost\tto\tthe\tNorth\tby\tmid-fall,\tthe\twinter\tstorms\twill\tkeep\tit\taway by\tland\tand\tsea.\u201d \u201cIf\t you\u2019re\t so\t versed\t in\t symbols\t wielding\t such\t power,\t Aedion,\u201d\t she\t said,\t \u201cthen\t you know\twhy\tIlium\tis\tvital.\tWe\tcan\u2019t\tallow\tAdarlan\tto\thold\tit.\tFor\ta\tdozen\treasons.\u201d\tShe\twas certain\ther\tcousin\thad\talready\tcalculated\tall\tof\tthem. \u201cSo\t take\t back\t the\t town,\u201d\t Aedion\t challenged.\t \u201cBut\t we\t need\t to\t sail\t by\t dawn.\u201d\t Her cousin\u2019s\teyes\tnarrowed.\t\u201cThe\ttemple.\tIt\u2019s\talso\tthat\tthey\ttook\tthe\ttemple,\tisn\u2019t\tit?\u201d \u201cThat\t temple\t is\t my\t birthright,\u201d\t Aelin\t said.\t \u201cI\t cannot\t allow\t that\t insult\t to\t go unchecked.\u201d\tShe\trolled\ther\tshoulders.\tRevealing\ther\tplans,\texplaining\therself\t\u2026\tIt\twould take\t some\t getting\t used\t to.\t But\t she\u2019d\t promised\t she\u2019d\t try\t to\t be\t more\t \u2026\t open\t about\t her plotting.\tAnd\tfor\tthis\tmatter,\tat\tleast,\tshe\tcould\tbe.\t\u201cBoth\tfor\tAdarlan\tand\tfor\tDarrow.\tNot if\tI\tam\tto\tone\tday\treclaim\tmy\tthrone.\u201d Aedion\tconsidered.\tThen\tsnorted,\ta\thint\tof\ta\tsmile\ton\this\tface.\t\u201cAn\tundisputed\tqueen of\t not\t just\t blood,\t but\t also\t of\t legends.\u201d\t His\t face\t remained\t contemplative.\t \u201cYou\t would\t be the\tundisputed\tqueen\tif\tyou\tgot\tthe\tkingsflame\tto\tbloom\tagain.\u201d \u201cToo\t bad\t Lysandra\t can\t only\t shift\t herself\t and\t not\t things,\u201d\t Aelin\t muttered.\t Lysandra clicked\ther\tbeak\tin\tagreement,\tpuffing\ther\tfeathers. \u201cThey\t say\t the\t kingsflame\t bloomed\t once\t during\t Orlon\u2019s\t reign,\u201d\t Aedion\t mused.\t \u201cJust one\tblossom,\tfound\tin\tOakwald.\u201d \u201cI\t know,\u201d\t Aelin\t said\t quietly.\t \u201cHe\t kept\t it\t pressed\t within\t glass\t on\t his\t desk.\u201d\t She\t still remembered\tthat\tsmall\tred-and-orange\tflower,\tso\tsimple\tin\tits\tmake,\tbut\tso\tvibrant\tit\thad always\t snatched\t her\t breath\t away.\t It\t had\t bloomed\t in\t fields\t and\t across\t mountains throughout\t the\t kingdom\t the\t day\t Brannon\t set\t foot\t on\t this\t continent.\t And\t for\t centuries afterward,\t if\t a\t solitary\t blossom\t was\t ever\t found,\t the\t current\t sovereign\t was\t deemed blessed,\tthe\tkingdom\ttruly\tat\tpeace. Before\t the\t flower\t was\t found\t in\t Orlon\u2019s\t second\t decade\t of\t kingship,\t the\t last\t one\t had been\tspotted\tninety-five\tyears\tearlier.\tAelin\tswallowed\thard.\t\u201cDid\tAdarlan\u2014\u201d","\u201cDarrow\t has\t it,\u201d\t Aedion\t said.\t \u201cIt\t was\t the\t only\t thing\t of\t Orlon\u2019s\t he\t managed\t to\t grab before\tthe\tsoldiers\ttook\tthe\tpalace.\u201d Aelin\t nodded,\t her\t magic\t flickering\t in\t answer.\t Even\t the\t Sword\t of\t Orynth\t had\t fallen into\tAdarlan\u2019s\thands\u2014until\tAedion\thad\twon\tit\tback.\tYes,\ther\tcousin\tunderstood\tperhaps more\tthan\tanyone\telse\tthe\tpower\ta\tsingle\tsymbol\tcould\twield.\tHow\tthe\tloss\tor\treclaiming of\tone\tcould\tshatter\tor\trally\tan\tarmy,\ta\tpeople. Enough\u2014it\twas\tenough\tdestruction\tand\tpain\tinflicted\ton\ther\tkingdom. \u201cCome\t on,\u201d\t she\t said\t to\t Lysandra\t and\t Aedion,\t heading\t for\t the\t door.\t \u201cWe\u2019d\t better\t eat before\twe\traise\thell.\u201d","13 It\thad\tbeen\ta\tlong\twhile\tsince\tDorian\thad\tseen\tso\tmany\tstars. Far\t behind\t them,\t smoke\t still\t stained\t the\t sky,\t the\t plumes\t illuminated\t by\t the\t crescent moon\t overhead.\t At\t least\t the\t screams\t had\t faded\t miles\t ago.\t Along\t with\t the\t thump\t of mighty\twings. Seated\t behind\t him\t in\t the\t one-masted\t skiff,\t Prince\t Rowan\t Whitethorn\t gazed\t over\t the calm\tblack\texpanse\tof\tthe\tsea.\tThey\u2019d\tsail\tsouth,\tpushed\tby\tthe\tprince\u2019s\town\tmagic,\tto\tthe Dead\t Islands.\t The\t Fae\t warrior\t had\t gotten\t them\t quickly\t to\t the\t coast,\t where\t he\u2019d\t had\t no qualms\t about\t stealing\t this\t boat\t while\t its\t owner\t was\t focused\t on\t the\t panicking\t city\t to\t the west.\tAnd\tall\tthe\twhile,\tDorian\thad\tbeen\tsilent,\tuseless.\tAs\the\thad\tbeen\twhile\this\tcity\twas destroyed,\this\tpeople\tmurdered. \u201cYou\tshould\teat,\u201d\tRowan\tsaid\tfrom\tthe\tother\tend\tof\tthe\tsmall\tboat. Dorian\t glanced\t toward\t the\t sack\t of\t supplies\t Rowan\t had\t also\t stolen.\t Bread,\t cheese, apples,\tdried\tfish\t\u2026\tDorian\u2019s\tstomach\tturned. \u201cYou\t were\t impaled\t by\t a\t poisoned\t barb,\u201d\t Rowan\t said,\t his\t voice\t no\t louder\t than\t the waves\tlapping\tagainst\ttheir\tboat\tas\tthe\tswift\twind\tpushed\tthem\tfrom\tbehind.\t\u201cYour\tmagic was\tdrained\tkeeping\tyou\talive\tand\twalking.\tYou\tneed\tto\teat,\tor\telse\tit\twon\u2019t\treplenish.\u201d\tA pause.\t\u201cDidn\u2019t\tAelin\twarn\tyou\tabout\tthat?\u201d Dorian\tswallowed.\t\u201cNo.\tShe\tdidn\u2019t\treally\thave\tthe\ttime\tto\tteach\tme\tabout\tmagic.\u201d\tHe looked\t toward\t the\t back\t of\t the\t boat,\t where\t Rowan\t sat\t with\t a\t hand\t braced\t on\t the\t rudder. The\tsight\tof\tthose\tpointed\tears\twas\tstill\ta\tshock,\teven\tmonths\tafter\tmeeting\tthe\tmale.\tAnd that\tsilver\thair\u2014 Not\tlike\tManon\u2019s\thair,\twhich\twas\tthe\tpure\twhite\tof\tmoonlight\ton\tsnow. He\t wondered\t what\t had\t become\t of\t the\t Wing\t Leader\u2014who\t had\t killed\t for\t him,\t spared him. Not\tspared\thim.\tRescued\thim. He\twasn\u2019t\ta\tfool.\tHe\tknew\tshe\u2019d\tdone\tit\tfor\twhatever\treasons\twere\tuseful\tto\ther.\tShe was\tas\talien\tto\thim\tas\tthe\twarrior\tsitting\tat\tthe\tother\tend\tof\tthe\tboat\u2014more\tso. And\tyet,\tthat\tdarkness,\tthat\tviolence\tand\tstark,\thonest\tway\tof\tlooking\tat\tthe\tworld\t\u2026 There\twould\tbe\tno\tsecrets\twith\ther.\tNo\tlies. \u201cYou\t need\t to\t eat\t to\t keep\t up\t your\t strength,\u201d\t Rowan\t went\t on.\t \u201cYour\t magic\t feeds\t on your\t energy\u2014feeds\t on\t you.\t The\t more\t rested\t you\t are,\t the\t greater\t the\t strength.\t More important,\tthe\tgreater\tthe\tcontrol.\tYour\tpower\tis\tboth\tpart\tof\tyou\tand\tits\town\tentity.\tIf\tleft","to\tits\town\tdevices,\tit\twill\tconsume\tyou,\twield\tyou\tlike\ta\ttool.\u201d\tA\tflash\tof\tteeth\tas\tRowan smiled.\t\u201cA\tcertain\tperson\twe\tknow\tlikes\tto\tsiphon\toff\ther\tpower,\tuse\tit\ton\tfrivolous\tthings to\tkeep\tits\tedge\tdull.\u201d\tDorian\tcould\tfeel\tRowan\u2019s\tstare\tpin\thim\tlike\ta\tphysical\tblow.\t\u201cThe choice\t is\t yours\t how\t much\t you\t allow\t it\t into\t your\t life,\t how\t to\t use\t it\u2014but\t go\t any\t longer without\tmastering\tit,\tMajesty,\tand\tit\twill\tdestroy\tyou.\u201d A\tchill\twent\tdown\tDorian\u2019s\tspine. And\tmaybe\tit\twas\tthe\topen\tocean,\tor\tthe\tendless\tstars\tabove\tthem,\tbut\tDorian\tsaid,\t\u201cIt wasn\u2019t\t enough.\t That\t day\t \u2026\t that\t day\t Sorscha\t died,\t it\t wasn\u2019t\t enough\t to\t save\t her.\u201d\t He spread\this\thands\ton\this\tlap.\t\u201cIt\tonly\twishes\tto\tdestroy.\u201d Silence\tfell,\tlong\tenough\tthat\tDorian\twondered\tif\tRowan\thad\tfallen\tasleep.\tHe\thadn\u2019t dared\task\twhen\tthe\tprince\thimself\thad\tlast\tslept;\the\u2019d\tcertainly\teaten\tenough\tfor\ta\tstarved man. \u201cI\twas\tnot\tthere\tto\tsave\tmy\tmate\twhen\tshe\twas\tmurdered,\teither,\u201d\tRowan\tsaid\tat\tlast. Dorian\tstraightened.\tAelin\thad\ttold\thim\tplenty\tof\tthe\tprince\u2019s\thistory,\tbut\tnot\tthis.\tHe supposed\tit\twasn\u2019t\ther\tsecret,\ther\tsorrow\tto\tshare.\t\u201cI\u2019m\tsorry,\u201d\tDorian\tsaid. His\t magic\t had\t felt\t the\t bond\t between\t Aelin\t and\t Rowan\u2014the\t bond\t that\t went\t deeper than\t blood,\t than\t their\t magic,\t and\t he\u2019d\t assumed\t it\t was\t just\t that\t they\t were\t mates,\t and hadn\u2019t\tannounced\tit\tto\tanyone.\tBut\tif\tRowan\talready\thad\ta\tmate,\tand\thad\tlost\ther\u2026 Rowan\tsaid,\t\u201cYou\u2019re\tgoing\tto\thate\tthe\tworld,\tDorian.\tYou\tare\tgoing\tto\thate\tyourself. You\twill\thate\tyour\tmagic,\tand\tyou\twill\thate\tany\tmoment\tof\tpeace\tor\thappiness.\tBut\tI\thad the\tluxury\tof\ta\tkingdom\tat\tpeace\tand\tno\tone\tdepending\tupon\tme.\tYou\tdo\tnot.\u201d Rowan\t shifted\t the\t rudder,\t adjusting\t their\t course\t farther\t out\t to\t sea\t as\t the\t coastline jutted\tto\tmeet\tthem,\ta\trising\twall\tof\tsteep\tcliffs.\tHe\u2019d\tknown\tthey\twere\ttraveling\tswiftly, but\t they\t had\t to\t be\t almost\t halfway\t to\t the\t southern\t border\u2014and\t traveling\t far\t faster\t than he\u2019d\trealized\tunder\tthe\tcover\tof\tdarkness. Dorian\tsaid\tat\tlast,\t\u201cI\tam\tthe\tsovereign\tof\ta\tbroken\tkingdom.\tMy\tpeople\tdo\tnot\tknow who\trules\tthem.\tAnd\tnow\tthat\tI\tam\tfleeing\u2026\u201d\tHe\tshook\this\thead,\texhaustion\tgnawing\ton his\tbones.\t\u201cHave\tI\tyielded\tmy\tkingdom\tto\tErawan?\tWhat\u2014what\tdo\tI\teven\tdo\tfrom\there?\u201d The\t ship\u2019s\t creaking\t and\t the\t rush\t of\t water\t were\t the\t only\t sounds.\t \u201cYour\t people\t will have\tlearned\tby\tnow\tthat\tyou\twere\tnot\tamong\tthe\tdead.\tIt\tis\tupon\tyou\tto\ttell\tthem\thow\tto interpret\tit\u2014if\tthey\tare\tto\tsee\tyou\tas\tabandoning\tthem,\tor\tif\tthey\tare\tto\tsee\tyou\tas\ta\tman who\tis\tleaving\tto\tfind\thelp\u2014to\tsave\tthem.\tYou\tmust\tmake\tthat\tclear.\u201d \u201cBy\tgoing\tto\tthe\tDead\tIslands.\u201d A\t nod.\t \u201cAelin,\t unsurprisingly,\t has\t a\t fraught\t history\t with\t the\t Pirate\t Lord.\t You\t don\u2019t. It\u2019s\tin\tyour\tbest\tinterest\tto\tmake\thim\tsee\tyou\tas\tan\tadvantageous\tally.\tAedion\ttold\tme\tthe Dead\tIslands\twere\tonce\toverrun\tby\tGeneral\tNarrok\tand\tseveral\tof\tErawan\u2019s\tforces.\tRolfe and\this\tfleet\tfled\u2014and\tthough\tRolfe\tis\tnow\tonce\tmore\truler\tof\tSkull\u2019s\tBay,\tthat\tdisgrace might\t be\t your\t way\t in\t with\t him.\t Convince\t him\t you\t are\t not\t your\t father\u2019s\t son\u2014and\t that you\u2019ll\tgrant\tRolfe\tand\this\tpirates\tprivileges.\u201d","\u201cYou\tmean\tturn\tthem\tinto\tprivateers.\u201d \u201cYou\t have\t gold,\t we\t have\t gold.\t If\t promising\t Rolfe\t money\t and\t free\t rein\t to\t loot Erawan\u2019s\tships\twill\tsecure\tus\tan\tarmada\tin\tthe\tSouth,\twe\u2019d\tbe\tfools\tto\tshy\tfrom\tit.\u201d Dorian\tconsidered\tthe\tprince\u2019s\twords.\t\u201cI\u2019ve\tnever\tmet\ta\tpirate.\u201d \u201cYou\tmet\tAelin\twhen\tshe\twas\tstill\tpretending\tto\tbe\tCelaena,\u201d\tRowan\tsaid\tdrily.\t\u201cI\tcan promise\tyou\tRolfe\twon\u2019t\tbe\tmuch\tworse.\u201d \u201cThat\u2019s\tnot\treassuring.\u201d A\t huffed\t laugh.\t Silence\t fell\t between\t them\t again.\t At\t last,\t Rowan\t said,\t \u201cI\u2019m\t sorry\u2014 about\tSorscha.\u201d Dorian\t shrugged,\t and\t hated\t himself\t for\t the\t gesture,\t as\t if\t it\t diminished\t what\t Sorscha had\tmeant,\thow\tbrave\tshe\u2019d\tbeen\u2014how\tspecial.\t\u201cYou\tknow,\u201d\the\tsaid,\t\u201csometimes\tI\twish Chaol\twere\there\u2014to\thelp\tme.\tAnd\tthen\tsometimes\tI\u2019m\tglad\the\u2019s\tnot,\tso\the\twouldn\u2019t\tbe\tat risk\tagain.\tI\u2019m\tglad\the\u2019s\tin\tAntica\twith\tNesryn.\u201d\tHe\tstudied\tthe\tprince,\tthe\tlethal\tlines\tof his\tbody,\tthe\tpredatory\tstillness\twith\twhich\the\tsat,\teven\tas\the\tmanned\ttheir\tboat.\t\u201cCould you\u2014could\t you\t teach\t me\t about\t magic?\t Not\t everything,\t I\t mean,\t but\t \u2026\t what\t you\t can, whenever\twe\tcan.\u201d Rowan\tconsidered\tfor\ta\tmoment,\tand\tthen\tsaid,\t\u201cI\thave\tknown\tmany\tkings\tin\tmy\tlife, Dorian\t Havilliard.\t And\t it\t was\t a\t rare\t man\t indeed\t who\t asked\t for\t help\t when\t he\t needed\t it, who\twould\tput\taside\tpride.\u201d Dorian\t was\t fairly\t certain\t his\t pride\t had\t been\t shredded\t under\t the\t claws\t of\t the\t Valg prince. \u201cI\u2019ll\t teach\t you\t as\t much\t as\t I\t can\t before\t we\t arrive\t in\t Skull\u2019s\t Bay,\u201d\t Rowan\t said.\t \u201cWe may\tfind\tsomeone\tthere\twho\tescaped\tthe\tbutchers\u2014someone\tto\tinstruct\tyou\tmore\tthan\tI can.\u201d \u201cYou\ttaught\tAelin.\u201d Again,\t silence.\t Then,\t \u201cAelin\t is\t my\t heart.\t I\t taught\t her\t what\t I\t knew,\t and\t it\t worked because\t our\t magics\t understood\t each\t other\t deep\t down\u2014just\t as\t our\t souls\t did.\t You\t are\t \u2026 different.\t Your\t magic\t is\t something\t I\t have\t rarely\t encountered.\t You\t need\t someone\t who grasps\t it,\t or\t at\t least\t how\t to\t train\t you\t in\t it.\t But\t I\t can\t teach\t you\t control;\t I\t can\t teach\t you about\tspiraling\tdown\tinto\tyour\tpower,\tand\ttaking\tcare\tof\tyourself.\u201d Dorian\tnodded\this\tthanks.\t\u201cThe\tfirst\ttime\tyou\tmet\tAelin,\tdid\tyou\tknow\t\u2026\t?\u201d A\tsnort.\t\u201cNo.\tGods,\tno.\tWe\twanted\tto\tkill\teach\tother.\u201d\tThe\tamusement\tflickered.\t\u201cShe was\t\u2026\tin\ta\tvery\tdark\tplace.\tWe\tboth\twere.\tBut\twe\tled\teach\tother\tout\tof\tit.\tFound\ta\tway\u2014 together.\u201d For\t a\t heartbeat,\t Dorian\t could\t only\t stare.\t As\t if\t reading\t his\t mind,\t Rowan\t said,\t \u201cYou will\tfind\tyour\tway,\ttoo,\tDorian.\tYou\u2019ll\tfind\tyour\tway\tout.\u201d He\tdidn\u2019t\thave\tthe\tright\twords\tto\tconvey\twhat\twas\tin\this\theart,\tso\the\tsighed\tup\tat\tthe starry,\tendless\tsky.\t\u201cTo\tSkull\u2019s\tBay,\tthen.\u201d","Rowan\u2019s\tsmile\twas\ta\tslash\tof\twhite\tin\tthe\tdarkness.\t\u201cTo\tSkull\u2019s\tBay.\u201d","14 Clothed\t in\t battle-black\t from\t head\t to\t toe,\t Aedion\t Ashryver\t kept\t to\t the\t shadows\t of\t the street\tacross\tfrom\tthe\ttemple\tand\twatched\this\tcousin\tscale\tthe\tbuilding\tbeside\thim. They\u2019d\t already\t secured\t passage\t on\t a\t ship\t for\t tomorrow\t morning,\t along\t with\t another messenger\t ship\t to\t sail\t to\t Wendlyn,\t bearing\t letters\t beseeching\t the\t Ashryvers\t for\t aid\t and signed\tby\tboth\tAelin\tand\tAedion\thimself.\tBecause\twhat\tthey\u2019d\tlearned\ttoday\u2026 He\u2019d\t been\t to\t Ilium\t enough\t times\t over\t the\t past\t decade\t to\t know\t his\t way\t around. Usually,\t he\t and\t his\t Bane\t had\t camped\t outside\t the\t town\t walls\t and\t enjoyed\t themselves\t so thoroughly\tat\tthe\ttaverns\tthat\the\u2019d\twound\tup\tpuking\tin\this\town\thelmet\tthe\tnext\tmorning. A\t far\t cry\t from\t the\t stunned\t silence\t as\t he\t and\t Aelin\t had\t walked\t down\t the\t pale,\t dusty streets,\tdisguised\tand\tunsociable. In\t all\t those\t visits\t to\t the\t town,\t he\u2019d\t never\t imagined\t traversing\t these\t streets\t with\t his queen\u2014or\tthat\ther\tface\twould\tbe\tso\tgrave\tas\tshe\ttook\tin\tthe\tfrightened,\tunhappy\tpeople, the\tscars\tof\twar. No\tflowers\tthrown\tin\ttheir\tpath,\tno\ttrumpets\tsinging\ttheir\treturn.\tJust\tthe\tcrash\tof\tthe sea,\tthe\thowl\tof\tthe\twind,\tand\tthe\tbeating\tsun\toverhead.\tAnd\tthe\trage\trippling\toff\tAelin\tat the\tsight\tof\tthe\tsoldiers\tstationed\taround\tthe\ttown\u2026 All\t strangers\t were\t watched\t enough\t that\t they\u2019d\t had\t to\t be\t careful\t about\t securing\t their ship.\t To\t the\t town,\t the\t world,\t they\u2019d\t be\t boarding\t the\t Summer\t Lady\t at\t midmorning, heading\t north\t to\t Suria.\t But\t they\t would\t instead\t be\t sneaking\t onto\t the\t Wind-Singer\t just before\tsunrise\tto\tsail\tsouth\tcome\tdawn.\tThey\u2019d\tpaid\tin\tgold\tfor\tthe\tcaptain\u2019s\tsilence. And\tfor\this\tinformation.\tThey\thad\tbeen\tabout\tto\tleave\tthe\tman\u2019s\tcabin\twhen\the\u2019d\tsaid, \u201cMy\t brother\t is\t a\t merchant.\t He\t specializes\t in\t goods\t from\t distant\t lands.\t He\t brought\t me news\t last\t week\t that\t ships\t were\t spotted\t rallying\t along\t the\t western\t coast\t of\t the\t Fae territory.\u201d Aelin\thad\tasked,\t\u201cTo\tsail\there?\u201d\tat\tthe\tsame\ttime\tAedion\thad\tdemanded,\t\u201cHow\tmany ships?\u201d \u201cFifty\u2014all\t warships,\u201d\t the\t captain\t had\t said,\t looking\t them\t over\t carefully.\t No\t doubt assuming\tthey\twere\tagents\tof\tone\tof\tthe\tmany\tcrowns\tat\tplay\tin\tthis\twar.\t\u201cAn\tarmy\tof\tFae warriors\tcamped\ton\tthe\tbeach\tbeyond.\tThey\tseemed\tto\tbe\twaiting\tfor\tthe\torder\tto\tsail.\u201d The\tnews\twould\tlikely\tspread\tfast.\tPanic\tthe\tpeople.\tAedion\thad\tmade\ta\tnote\tto\tsend warning\tto\this\tSecond\tto\tbrace\tthe\tBane\tfor\tit\u2014and\tcounter\tany\twild\trumors. Aelin\u2019s\t face\t had\t gone\t a\t bit\t bloodless,\t and\t he\u2019d\t braced\t a\t steadying\t hand\t between\t her shoulder\tblades.\tBut\tshe\thad\tonly\tstood\tstraighter\tat\this\ttouch\tand\tasked\tthe\tcaptain,\t\u201cDid","your\tbrother\tget\tthe\tsense\tthat\tQueen\tMaeve\thas\tallied\twith\tMorath,\tor\tthat\tshe\tis\tcoming to\tassist\tTerrasen?\u201d \u201cNeither,\u201d\tthe\tcaptain\thad\tcut\tin.\t\u201cHe\twas\tonly\tsailing\tpast,\tthough\tif\tthe\tarmada\twas out\t like\t that,\t I\t doubt\t it\t was\t secret.\t We\t know\t nothing\t else\u2014perhaps\t the\t ships\t were\t for another\twar.\u201d His\tqueen\u2019s\tface\tyielded\tnothing\tin\tthe\tdimness\tof\ther\thood.\tAedion\tmade\this\tdo\tthe same. Except\t her\t face\t had\t remained\t like\t that\t the\t entire\t walk\t back,\t and\t in\t the\t hours\t since, when\t they\u2019d\t honed\t their\t weapons\t and\t then\t slipped\t back\t onto\t the\t streets\t under\t cover\t of darkness.\tIf\tMaeve\twas\tindeed\trallying\tan\tarmy\tto\tstand\tagainst\tthem\u2026 Aelin\tpaused\tatop\tthe\troof,\tGoldryn\u2019s\tbright\thilt\twrapped\tin\tcloth\tto\thide\tits\tgleaming, and\t Aedion\t glanced\t between\t her\t shadowy\t figure\t and\t the\t Adarlan\t watch\t patrolling\t the temple\twalls\tmere\tfeet\tbelow. But\this\tcousin\tturned\ther\thead\ttoward\tthe\tnearby\tocean,\tas\tif\tshe\tcould\tsee\tall\tthe\tway to\tMaeve\tand\ther\tawaiting\tfleet.\tIf\tthe\timmortal\tbitch\tallied\twith\tMorath\t\u2026\tSurely\tMaeve would\tnot\tbe\tso\tstupid.\tPerhaps\tthe\ttwo\tdark\trulers\twould\tdestroy\teach\tother\tin\ttheir\tbid for\tpower.\tAnd\tlikely\tdestroy\tthis\tcontinent\tin\tthe\tprocess. But\ta\tDark\tKing\tand\ta\tDark\tQueen\tunited\tagainst\tthe\tFire-Bringer\u2026 They\thad\tto\tact\tquickly.\tCut\toff\tone\tsnake\u2019s\thead\tbefore\tdealing\twith\tthe\tother. Cloth\t on\t skin\t hissed,\t and\t Aedion\t glanced\t at\t where\t Lysandra\t waited\t behind\t him,\t on the\t lookout\t for\t Aelin\u2019s\t signal.\t She\t was\t in\t her\t traveling\t clothes\u2014a\t bit\t worn\t and\t dirty. She\u2019d\t been\t reading\t an\t ancient-looking\t book\t all\t afternoon.\t Forgotten\t Creatures\t of\t the Deep\t or\t whatever\t it\t had\t been\t called.\t A\t smile\t tugged\t at\t his\t lips\t as\t he\t wondered\t whether she\u2019d\tborrowed\tor\tstolen\tthe\ttitle. The\t lady\t looked\t to\t where\t Aelin\t still\t stood\t on\t the\t roof,\t no\t more\t than\t a\t shadow. Lysandra\tcleared\ther\tthroat\ta\tbit\tand\tsaid\ttoo\tsoftly\tfor\tanyone\tto\thear,\teither\tthe\tqueen\tor the\tsoldiers\tacross\tthe\tstreet,\t\u201cShe\u2019s\taccepted\tDarrow\u2019s\tdecree\ttoo\tcalmly.\u201d \u201cI\u2019d\t hardly\t call\t any\t of\t this\t calm.\u201d\t But\t he\t knew\t what\t the\t shifter\t meant.\t Since\t Rowan had\tgone,\tsince\tword\tof\tRifthold\u2019s\tfall\thad\tarrived,\tAelin\thad\tbeen\thalf\tpresent.\tDistant. Lysandra\u2019s\t pale\t green\t eyes\t pinned\t him\t to\t the\t spot.\t \u201cIt\u2019s\t the\t calm\t before\t the\t storm, Aedion.\u201d Every\tone\tof\this\tpredatory\tinstincts\tperked. Lysandra\u2019s\t eyes\t again\t drifted\t to\t Aelin\u2019s\t lithe\t figure.\t \u201cA\t storm\t is\t coming.\t A\t great storm.\u201d Not\tthe\tforces\tlurking\tin\tMorath,\tnot\tDarrow\tplotting\tin\tOrynth\tor\tMaeve\tassembling her\tarmada\u2014but\tthe\twoman\ton\tthat\troof,\thands\tbraced\ton\tthe\tedge\tas\tshe\tcrouched\tdown. \u201cYou\u2019re\t not\t frightened\t of\t \u2026\t ?\u201d\t He\t couldn\u2019t\t say\t the\t rest.\t He\u2019d\t somehow\t grown accustomed\t to\t having\t the\t shifter\t guard\t Aelin\u2019s\t back\u2014had\t found\t the\t idea\t mighty","appealing.\t Rowan\t at\t her\t right,\t Aedion\t at\t her\t left,\t Lysandra\t at\t her\t back:\t nothing\t and\t no one\twould\tget\tto\ttheir\tqueen. \u201cNo\u2014no,\tnever,\u201d\tLysandra\tsaid.\tSomething\teased\tin\this\tchest.\t\u201cBut\tthe\tmore\tI\tthink about\tit,\tthe\tmore\t\u2026\tthe\tmore\tit\tseems\tlike\tthis\twas\tall\tplanned,\tlaid\tout\tlong\tago.\tErawan had\t decades\t before\t Aelin\t was\t born\t to\t strike\u2014decades\t during\t which\t no\t one\t with\t her powers,\t or\t Dorian\u2019s\t powers,\t existed\t to\t challenge\t him.\t Yet,\t as\t fate\t or\t fortune\t would\t have it,\the\tmoves\tnow.\tAt\ta\ttime\twhen\ta\tFire-Bringer\twalks\tthe\tearth.\u201d \u201cWhat\tare\tyou\tgetting\tat?\u201d\tHe\u2019d\tconsidered\tall\tthis\tbefore,\tduring\tthose\tlong\twatches on\tthe\troad.\tIt\twas\tall\thorrifying,\timpossible,\tbut\u2014so\tmuch\tof\ttheir\tlives\tdefied\tlogic\tor normalcy.\tThe\tshifter\tnext\tto\thim\tproved\tthat. \u201cMorath\t is\t unleashing\t its\t horrors,\u201d\t Lysandra\t said.\t \u201cMaeve\t stirs\t across\t the\t sea.\t Two goddesses\twalk\thand\tin\thand\twith\tAelin.\tMore\tthan\tthat,\tMala\tand\tDeanna\thave\twatched over\ther\tthe\tentirety\tof\ther\tlife.\tBut\tperhaps\tit\twasn\u2019t\twatching.\tPerhaps\tit\twas\t\u2026\tshaping. So\tthey\tmight\tone\tday\tunleash\ther,\ttoo.\tAnd\tI\twonder\tif\tthe\tgods\thave\tweighed\tthe\tcosts of\tthat\tstorm.\tAnd\tdeemed\tthe\tcasualties\tworth\tit.\u201d A\tchill\tsnaked\tdown\this\tspine. Lysandra\t went\t on,\t so\t quietly\t that\t Aedion\t wondered\t if\t she\t feared\t not\t the\t queen hearing,\t but\t those\t gods.\t \u201cWe\t have\t yet\t to\t see\t the\t full\t extent\t of\t Erawan\u2019s\t darkness.\t And\t I think\twe\thave\tyet\tto\tsee\tthe\tfull\textent\tof\tAelin\u2019s\tfire.\u201d \u201cShe\u2019s\tnot\tsome\tunwitting\tpawn.\u201d\tHe\u2019d\tdefy\tthe\tgods,\tfind\ta\tway\tto\tslaughter\tthem,\tif they\t threatened\t Aelin,\t if\t they\t deemed\t these\t lands\t a\t worthy\t sacrifice\t to\t defeat\t the\t Dark King. \u201cIs\tit\treally\tthat\thard\tfor\tyou\tto\tjust\tagree\twith\tme\tfor\tonce?\u201d \u201cI\tnever\tdisagree.\u201d \u201cYou\talways\thave\tan\tanswer\tto\teverything.\u201d\tShe\tshook\ther\thead.\t\u201cIt\u2019s\tinsufferable.\u201d Aedion\tgrinned.\t\u201cGood\tto\tknow\tI\u2019m\tfinally\tgetting\tunder\tyour\tskin.\tOr\tis\tit\tskins?\u201d That\tstaggeringly\tbeautiful\tface\tturned\tpositively\twicked.\t\u201cCareful,\tAedion.\tI\tbite.\u201d Aedion\t leaned\t in\t a\t bit\t closer.\t He\t knew\t there\t were\t lines\t with\t Lysandra\u2014knew\t there were\tboundaries\the\twouldn\u2019t\tcross,\twouldn\u2019t\tpush\tat.\tNot\tafter\twhat\tshe\u2019d\tendured\tsince childhood,\tnot\tafter\tshe\u2019d\tregained\ther\tfreedom.\tNot\tafter\twhat\the\u2019d\tbeen\tthrough,\ttoo. Even\tif\the\thadn\u2019t\tyet\ttold\tAelin\tabout\tit.\tHow\tcould\the?\tHow\tcould\the\texplain\twhat had\tbeen\tdone\tto\thim,\twhat\the\u2019d\tbeen\tforced\tto\tdo\tin\tthose\tearly\tyears\tof\tconquest? But\t flirting\t with\t Lysandra\t was\t harmless\u2014for\t both\t him\t and\t the\t shifter.\t And\t gods,\t it was\tgood\tto\ttalk\tto\ther\tfor\tmore\tthan\ta\tminute\tbetween\tforms.\tSo\the\tsnapped\this\tteeth\tat her\tand\tsaid,\t\u201cGood\tthing\tI\tknow\thow\tto\tmake\twomen\tpurr.\u201d She\tlaughed\tsoftly,\tbut\tthe\tsound\tdied\tas\tshe\tlooked\ttoward\ttheir\tqueen\tagain,\tthe\tsea breeze\tshifting\ther\tdark\tsilken\thair.\t\u201cAny\tminute\tnow,\u201d\tshe\twarned\thim.","Aedion\tdidn\u2019t\tgive\ta\tshit\twhat\tDarrow\tthought,\twhat\the\tsneered\tabout.\tLysandra\thad saved\t his\t life\u2014had\t fought\t for\t their\t queen\t and\t put\t everything\t on\t the\t line,\t including\t her ward,\tto\trescue\thim\tfrom\texecution\tand\treunite\thim\twith\tAelin.\tHe\u2019d\tseen\thow\toften\tthe shifter\u2019s\t eyes\t had\t darted\t behind\t them\t the\t first\t few\t days\u2014as\t if\t she\t could\t see\t Evangeline with\tMurtaugh\tand\tRen.\tHe\tknew\teven\tnow\tpart\tof\ther\tremained\twith\tthe\tgirl,\tjust\tas\tpart of\tAelin\tremained\twith\tRowan.\tHe\twondered\tif\the\u2019d\tever\tfeel\tit\u2014that\tdegree\tof\tlove. For\t Aelin,\t yes\u2014but\t \u2026\t it\t was\t a\t part\t of\t him,\t as\t his\t limbs\t were\t a\t part\t of\t him.\t It\t had never\tbeen\ta\tchoice,\tas\tLysandra\u2019s\tselflessness\twith\tthat\tlittle\tgirl\thad\tbeen,\tas\tRowan\tand Aelin\t had\t chosen\t each\t other.\t Perhaps\t it\t was\t stupid\t to\t consider,\t given\t what\t he\u2019d\t been trained\t to\t do\t and\t what\t awaited\t them\t in\t Morath,\t but\t \u2026\t He\u2019d\t never\t tell\t her\t this\t in\t a thousand\tyears,\tbut\tlooking\tat\tAelin\tand\tRowan,\the\tsometimes\tenvied\tthem. He\t didn\u2019t\t even\t want\t to\t think\t about\t what\t else\t Darrow\t had\t implied\u2014that\t a\t union between\t Wendlyn\t and\t Terrasen\t had\t been\t attempted\t over\t ten\t years\t ago,\t with\t marriage between\thim\tand\tAelin\tthe\tasking\tprice,\tonly\tto\tbe\trejected\tby\ttheir\tkin\tacross\tthe\tsea. He\tloved\this\tcousin,\tbut\tthe\tthought\tof\ttouching\ther\tlike\tthat\tmade\this\tstomach\tturn. He\thad\ta\tfeeling\tshe\treturned\tthe\tsentiment. She\t hadn\u2019t\t shown\t him\t the\t letter\t she\u2019d\t written\t to\t Wendlyn.\t It\t hadn\u2019t\t occurred\t to\t him until\tnow\tto\task\tto\tsee\tit.\tAedion\tstared\tup\tat\tthe\tlone\tfigure\tbefore\tthe\tvast,\tdark\tsea. And\trealized\the\tdidn\u2019t\twant\tto\tknow. He\twas\ta\tgeneral,\ta\twarrior\thoned\tby\tblood\tand\trage\tand\tloss;\the\thad\tseen\tand\tdone things\tthat\tstill\tdrew\thim\tfrom\this\tsleep,\tnight\tafter\tnight,\tbut\t\u2026\tHe\tdid\tnot\twant\tto\tknow. Not\tyet. Lysandra\tsaid,\t\u201cWe\tshould\tleave\tbefore\tdawn.\tI\tdon\u2019t\tlike\tthe\tsmell\tof\tthis\tplace.\u201d He\t inclined\t his\t head\t toward\t the\t fifty\t soldiers\t camped\t inside\t the\t temple\t walls. \u201cObviously.\u201d But\tbefore\tshe\tcould\tspeak,\tblue\tflames\tsparked\tat\tAelin\u2019s\tfingertips.\tThe\tsignal. Lysandra\t shifted\t into\t a\t ghost\t leopard,\t and\t Aedion\t faded\t into\t the\t shadows\t as\t she loosed\ta\troar\tthat\tset\tthe\tnearby\thomes\ttumbling\tawake.\tPeople\tspilled\tout\tof\ttheir\tdoors just\t as\t the\t soldiers\t threw\t open\t the\t gates\t to\t the\t temple\t to\t see\t what\t the\t commotion\t was about. Aelin\t was\t off\t the\t roof\t in\t a\t few\t nimble\t maneuvers,\t landing\t with\t feline\t grace\t as\t the soldiers\tshoved\tinto\tthe\tstreet,\tweapons\tout\tand\teyes\twide. Those\t eyes\t grew\t wider\t as\t Lysandra\t slunk\t up\t beside\t Aelin,\t snarling.\t As\t Aedion\t fell into\tstep\ton\ther\tother\tside.\tTogether,\tthey\tpulled\toff\ttheir\thoods.\tSomeone\tgasped\tbehind them. Not\t at\t their\t golden\t hair,\t their\t faces.\t But\t at\t the\t hand\t wreathed\t in\t blue\t flame\t as\t Aelin lifted\tit\tabove\ther\thead\tand\tsaid\tto\tthe\tsoldiers\tpointing\tcrossbows\tat\tthem,\t\u201cGet\tthe\thell out\tof\tmy\ttemple.\u201d","The\tsoldiers\tblinked.\tOne\tof\tthe\ttownsfolk\tbehind\tthem\tbegan\tweeping\tas\ta\tcrown\tof fire\t appeared\t atop\t Aelin\u2019s\t hair.\t As\t the\t cloth\t smothering\t Goldryn\t burned\t away\t and\t the ruby\tglowed\tbloodred. Aedion\t smiled\t at\t the\t Adarlanian\t bastards,\t unhooked\t his\t shield\t from\t across\t his\t back, and\tsaid,\t\u201cMy\tlady\tgives\tyou\ta\tchoice:\tleave\tnow\t\u2026\tor\tnever\tleave\tat\tall.\u201d The\t soldiers\t exchanged\t glances.\t The\t flame\t around\t Aelin\u2019s\t head\t burned\t brighter,\t a beacon\tin\tthe\tdark.\tSymbols\thave\tpower\tindeed. There\tshe\twas,\tcrowned\tin\tflame,\ta\tbastion\tagainst\tthe\tgathered\tnight.\tSo\tAedion\tdrew the\tSword\tof\tOrynth\tfrom\tits\tsheath\talong\this\tspine.\tSomeone\tcried\tout\tat\tthe\tsight\tof\tthat ancient,\tmighty\tblade. More\t and\t more\t soldiers\t filled\t the\t open\t temple\t courtyard\t beyond\t the\t gate.\t And\t some dropped\ttheir\tweapons\toutright,\tlifting\ttheir\thands.\tBacking\taway. \u201cYou\t bleeding\t cowards,\u201d\t a\t soldier\t snarled,\t shoving\t to\t the\t front.\t A\t commander,\t from the\tdecorations\ton\this\tred-and-gold\tuniform.\tHuman.\tNo\tblack\trings\ton\tany\tof\tthem.\tHis lip\t curled\t as\t he\t beheld\t Aedion,\t the\t shield\t and\t sword\t he\t held\t angled\t and\t ready\t for bloodletting.\t\u201cThe\tWolf\tof\tthe\tNorth.\u201d\tThe\tsneer\tdeepened.\t\u201cAnd\tthe\tfire-breathing\tbitch herself.\u201d Aelin,\t to\t her\t credit,\t only\t looked\t bored.\t And\t she\t said\t one\t last\t time\t to\t the\t human soldiers\t gathered\t there,\t shifting\t on\t their\t feet,\t \u201cLive\t or\t die;\t it\u2019s\t your\t choice.\t But\t make\t it now.\u201d \u201cDon\u2019t\tlisten\tto\tthe\tbitch,\u201d\tthe\tcommander\tsnapped.\t\u201cSimple\tparlor\ttricks,\tLord\tMeah said.\u201d But\t five\t more\t soldiers\t dropped\t their\t weapons\t and\t ran.\t Outright\t sprinted\t into\t the streets.\t\u201cAnyone\telse?\u201d\tAelin\tasked\tsoftly. Thirty-five\tsoldiers\tremained,\tweapons\tout,\tfaces\thard.\tAedion\thad\tfought\tagainst\tand alongside\t such\t men.\t Aelin\t looked\t to\t him\t in\t question.\t Aedion\t nodded.\t The\t commander had\this\tclaws\tin\tthem\u2014they\twould\tonly\tretreat\twhen\tthe\tman\tdid. \u201cCome\ton,\tthen.\tLet\u2019s\tsee\twhat\tyou\thave\tto\toffer,\u201d\tthe\tcommander\ttaunted.\t\u201cI\u2019ve\tgot\ta lovely\tfarmer\u2019s\tdaughter\tI\twant\tto\tfinish\u2014\u201d As\tif\tshe\twere\tblowing\tout\ta\tcandle,\tAelin\texhaled\ta\tbreath\ttoward\tthe\tman. First\t the\t commander\t went\t quiet.\t As\t if\t every\t thought,\t every\t feeling\t had\t halted.\t Then his\tbody\tseemed\tto\tstiffen,\tlike\the\u2019d\tbeen\tturned\tto\tstone. And\tfor\ta\theartbeat,\tAedion\tthought\tthe\tman\thad\tbeen\tturned\tto\tstone\tas\this\tskin,\this Adarlanian\tuniform,\tturned\tvarying\tshades\tof\tgray. But\t as\t the\t sea\t breeze\t brushed\t past,\t and\t the\t man\t simply\t fell\t apart\t into\t nothing\t but ashes,\tAedion\trealized\twith\tno\tsmall\tamount\tof\tshock\twhat\tshe\thad\tdone. She\u2019d\tburned\thim\talive.\tFrom\tthe\tinside\tout.\tSomeone\tscreamed.","Aelin\tmerely\tsaid,\t\u201cI\twarned\tyou.\u201d\tA\tfew\tsoldiers\tnow\tbolted. But\tmost\theld\ttheir\tground,\thate\tand\tdisgust\tshining\tin\ttheir\teyes\tat\tthe\tmagic,\tat\this queen\u2014at\thim. And\t Aedion\t smiled\t like\t the\t wolf\t he\t was\t as\t he\t lifted\t the\t Sword\t of\t Orynth\t and unleashed\thimself\tupon\tthe\tline\tof\tsoldiers\traising\tweapons\ton\tthe\tleft,\tLysandra\tlunging to\tthe\tright\twith\ta\tguttural\tsnarl,\tand\tAelin\trained\tdown\tflames\tof\tgold\tand\truby\tupon\tthe world. They\ttook\tback\tthe\ttemple\tin\ttwenty\tminutes. It\t was\t only\t ten\t before\t they\t had\t control\t of\t it,\t the\t soldiers\t either\t dead\t or,\t if\t they\u2019d surrendered,\thauled\tto\tthe\ttown\tdungeon\tby\tthe\tmen\tand\twomen\twho\thad\tjoined\tthe\tfight. The\t other\t ten\t minutes\t were\t spent\t scouring\t the\t place\t for\t any\t ambushers.\t But\t they\t found only\t their\t trappings\t and\t refuse,\t and\t the\t sight\t of\t the\t temple\t in\t such\t disrepair,\t the\t sacred walls\t carved\t with\t the\t names\t of\t Adarlanian\t brutes,\t the\t ancient\t urns\t of\t never-ending\t fire extinguished\tor\tused\tfor\tchamber\tpots\u2026 Aelin\t had\t let\t them\t all\t see\t when\t she\t sent\t a\t razing\t fire\t through\t the\t place,\t gobbling\t up any\t trace\t of\t those\t soldiers,\t removing\t years\t of\t dirt\t and\t dust\t and\t gull\t droppings\t to\t reveal the\tglorious,\tancient\tcarvings\tbeneath,\tetched\tinto\tevery\tpillar\tand\tstep\tand\twall. The\t temple\t complex\t comprised\t three\t buildings\t around\t a\t massive\t courtyard:\t the archives,\t the\t residence\t for\t the\t long-dead\t priestesses,\t and\t the\t temple\t proper,\t where\t the ancient\tRock\twas\theld.\tIt\twas\tin\tthe\tarchives,\tthe\tmost\tdefensible\tarea\tby\tfar,\tthat\tshe\tleft Aedion\t and\t Lysandra\t to\t find\t anything\t suitable\t for\t bedding,\t a\t wall\t of\t flame\t now encompassing\tthe\tentire\tsite. Aedion\u2019s\t eyes\t still\t shone\t with\t the\t thrill\t of\t battle\t when\t she\t claimed\t she\t wanted\t a moment\talone\tby\tthe\tRock.\tHe\u2019d\tfought\tbeautifully\u2014and\tshe\u2019d\tmade\tsure\tto\tleave\tsome men\t alive\t for\t him\t to\t take\t down.\t She\t was\t not\t the\t only\t symbol\t here\t tonight,\t not\t the\t only one\twatched. And\t as\t for\t the\t shifter\t who\t had\t ripped\t into\t those\t soldiers\t with\t such\t feral\t savagery\t \u2026 Aelin\t left\t her\t again\t in\t falcon\t form,\t perched\t on\t a\t rotting\t beam\t in\t the\t cavernous\t archives, staring\tat\tthe\tenormous\trendering\tof\ta\tsea\tdragon\tcarved\tinto\tthe\tfloor,\tat\tlast\trevealed\tby that\t razing\t fire.\t One\t of\t many\t similar\t carvings\t throughout,\t the\t heritage\t of\t a\t people\t long since\texiled. From\t every\t space\t inside\t the\t temple,\t the\t crashing\t of\t waves\t on\t the\t shore\t far\t below whispered\tor\troared.\tThere\twas\tnothing\tto\tabsorb\tthe\tsound,\tto\tsoften\tit.\tGreat,\tsprawling rooms\t and\t courtyards\t where\t there\t should\t have\t been\t altars\t and\t statues\t and\t gardens\t of reflection\twere\twholly\tempty,\tthe\tsmoke\tof\ther\tfire\tstill\tlingering. Good.\tFire\tcould\tdestroy\u2014but\talso\tcleanse. She\tcrept\tacross\tthe\tdarkened\ttemple-complex\tgrounds\tto\twhere\tthe\tinnermost,\tholiest of\t sanctuaries\t sprawled\t to\t the\t lip\t of\t the\t sea.\t Golden\t light\t leaked\t onto\t the\t rocky\t ground before\t the\t inner\t sanctum\u2019s\t steps\u2014light\t from\t the\t now-eternally-burning\t vats\t of\t flame\t to","honor\tBrannon\u2019s\tgift. Still\tclothed\tin\tblack,\tAelin\twas\tlittle\tmore\tthan\ta\tshadow\tas\tshe\tdimmed\tthose\tfires\tto sleepy,\tmurmuring\tembers\tand\tentered\tthe\theart\tof\tthe\ttemple. A\tgreat\tsea\twall\thad\tbeen\tbuilt\tto\tpush\tback\tthe\twrath\tof\tstorms\tfrom\tthe\tstone\titself, but\teven\tthen,\tthe\tspace\twas\tdamp,\tthe\tair\tthick\twith\tbrine. Aelin\t cleared\t the\t massive\t antechamber\t and\t strode\t between\t the\t two\t fat\t pillars\t that framed\tthe\tinner\tsanctuary.\tAt\tits\tfar\tend,\topen\tto\tthe\twrath\tof\tthe\tsea\tbeyond,\tarose\tthe massive\tblack\tRock. It\twas\tsmooth\tas\tglass,\tno\tdoubt\tfrom\tthe\treverent\thands\tthat\thad\ttouched\tit\tover\tthe millennia,\tand\tperhaps\tas\tbig\tas\ta\tfarmer\u2019s\tmarket\twagon.\tIt\tjutted\tupward,\toverhanging the\tsea,\tand\tstarlight\tbounced\toff\tits\tpocked\tsurface\tas\tAelin\textinguished\tevery\tflame\tbut the\tsole\twhite\tcandle\tfluttering\tin\tthe\tcenter\tof\tthe\tRock. The\ttemple\tcarvings\trevealed\tno\tWyrdmarks\tor\tfurther\tmessages\tfrom\tthe\tLittle\tFolk. Just\tswirls\tand\tstags. She\u2019d\thave\tto\tdo\tthis\tthe\told-fashioned\tway,\tthen. Aelin\tmounted\tthe\tsmall\tstairs\tthat\tallowed\tpilgrims\tto\tgaze\tupon\tthe\tsacred\tRock\u2014 then\tstepped\tonto\tit.","15 The\tsea\tseemed\tto\tpause. Aelin\t tugged\t the\t Wyrdkey\t from\t her\t jacket,\t letting\t it\t rest\t between\t her\t breasts\t as\t she took\ta\tseat\ton\tthe\toverhanging\tlip\tof\tthe\tstone\tand\tpeered\tout\tinto\tthe\tnight-veiled\tsea. And\twaited. The\t sliver\t of\t crescent\t moon\t was\t beginning\t to\t descend\t when\t a\t deep\t male\t voice\t said behind\ther,\t\u201cYou\tlook\tyounger\tthan\tI\tthought.\u201d Aelin\t stared\t at\t the\t sea,\t even\t as\t her\t stomach\t tightened.\t \u201cBut\t just\t as\t good-looking, right?\u201d She\tdid\tnot\thear\tany\tfootsteps,\tbut\tthe\tvoice\twas\tdefinitely\tcloser\tas\the\tsaid,\t\u201cAt\tleast my\tdaughter\twas\tright\tabout\tyour\thumility.\u201d \u201cFunny,\tshe\tnever\timplied\tyou\thad\ta\tsense\tof\thumor.\u201d A\t whisper\t of\t wind\t to\t her\t right,\t then\t long,\t muscled\t legs\t beneath\t ancient\t armor appeared\t beside\t hers,\t sandaled\t feet\t dangling\t into\t the\t surf.\t She\t finally\t dared\t to\t turn\t her head,\tfinding\tthat\tarmor\tcontinued\tto\ta\tpowerful\tmale\tbody\tand\ta\tbroad-boned,\thandsome face.\tHe\tmight\thave\tfooled\tanyone\tinto\tthinking\the\twas\tflesh\tand\tblood\u2014were\tit\tnot\tfor the\tpale\tglimmer\tof\tblue\tlight\talong\this\tedges. Aelin\tbowed\ther\thead\tslightly\tto\tBrannon. A\thalf\tsmile\twas\this\tonly\tacknowledgment,\this\tred-gold\thair\tshifting\tin\tthe\tmoonlight. \u201cA\tbrutal\tbut\tefficient\tbattle,\u201d\the\tsaid. She\tshrugged.\t\u201cI\twas\ttold\tto\tcome\tto\tthis\ttemple.\tI\tfound\tit\toccupied.\tSo\tI\tunoccupied it.\tYou\u2019re\twelcome.\u201d His\tlips\ttwitched\ttoward\ta\tsmile.\t\u201cI\tcannot\tstay\tlong.\u201d \u201cBut\tyou\u2019re\tgoing\tto\tmanage\tto\tcram\tin\tas\tmany\tcryptic\twarnings\tas\tyou\tcan,\tright?\u201d Brannon\u2019s\t brows\t rose,\t his\t brandy-colored\t eyes\t crinkling\t with\t amusement.\t \u201cI\t had\t my friends\tsend\tyou\ta\tmessage\tto\tcome\tfor\ta\treason,\tyou\tknow.\u201d \u201cOh,\tI\u2019m\tsure\tof\tit.\u201d\tShe\twouldn\u2019t\thave\trisked\treclaiming\tthe\ttemple\totherwise.\t\u201cBut first\ttell\tme\tabout\tMaeve.\u201d\tShe\u2019d\thad\tenough\tof\twaiting\tuntil\tthey\tdumped\ttheir\tmessage into\ther\tlap.\tShe\thad\ther\town\tgods-damned\tquestions. Brannon\u2019s\tmouth\ttightened.\t\u201cSpecify\twhat\tyou\tneed\tto\tknow.\u201d \u201cCan\tshe\tbe\tkilled?\u201d","The\tking\u2019s\thead\twhipped\ttoward\ther.\t\u201cShe\tis\told,\tHeir\tof\tTerrasen.\tShe\twas\told\twhen\tI was\ta\tchild.\tHer\tplans\tare\tfar-reaching\u2014\u201d \u201cI\tknow,\tI\tknow.\tBut\twill\tshe\tdie\tif\tI\tshove\ta\tblade\tinto\ther\theart?\tCut\toff\ther\thead?\u201d A\tpause.\t\u201cI\tdon\u2019t\tknow.\u201d \u201cWhat?\u201d Brannon\t shook\t his\t head.\t \u201cI\t don\u2019t\t know.\t All\t Fae\t may\t be\t killed,\t yet\t she\t has\t outlived even\tour\textended\tlife\tspans,\tand\ther\tpower\t\u2026\tno\tone\treally\tunderstands\ther\tpower.\u201d \u201cBut\tyou\tjourneyed\twith\ther\tto\tget\tthe\tkeys\tback\u2014\u201d \u201cI\tdo\tnot\tknow.\tBut\tshe\tlong\tfeared\tmy\tflame.\tAnd\tyours.\u201d \u201cShe\u2019s\tnot\tValg,\tis\tshe?\u201d A\tlow\tlaugh.\t\u201cNo.\tAs\tcold\tas\tone,\tbut\tno.\u201d\tBrannon\u2019s\tedges\tbegan\tto\tblur\ta\tbit. But\the\tsaw\tthe\tquestion\tin\ther\teyes\tand\tnodded\tfor\ther\tto\tgo\ton. Aelin\tswallowed,\ther\tjaw\tclenching\ta\tbit\tas\tshe\tforced\tout\ta\tbreath.\t\u201cDoes\tthe\tpower ever\tget\teasier\tto\thandle?\u201d Brannon\u2019s\t gaze\t softened\t a\t fraction.\t \u201cYes\t and\t no.\t How\t it\t impacts\t your\t relationships with\tthose\taround\tyou\tbecomes\tharder\tthan\tmanaging\tthe\tpower\u2014yet\tis\ttied\tto\tit\tas\twell. Magic\tis\tno\teasy\tgift\tin\tany\tform,\tyet\tfire\t\u2026\tWe\tburn\tnot\tjust\twithin\tour\tmagic,\tbut\talso in\tour\tvery\tsouls.\tFor\tbetter\tor\tworse.\u201d\tHis\tattention\tflicked\tto\tGoldryn,\tpeeking\tover\ther shoulder,\tand\the\tlaughed\tin\tquiet\tsurprise.\t\u201cIs\tthe\tbeast\tin\tthe\tcave\tdead?\u201d \u201cNo,\tbut\the\ttold\tme\tthat\the\tmisses\tyou\tand\tyou\tshould\tpay\thim\ta\tvisit.\tHe\u2019s\tlonely\tout there.\u201d Brannon\tchuckled\tagain.\t\u201cWe\twould\thave\thad\tfun\ttogether,\tyou\tand\tI.\u201d \u201cI\u2019m\t starting\t to\t wish\t they\u2019d\t sent\t you\t to\t deal\t with\t me\t instead\t of\t your\t daughter.\t The sense\tof\thumor\tmust\tskip\ta\tgeneration.\u201d Perhaps\t it\t was\t the\t wrong\t thing\t to\t say.\t For\t that\t sense\t of\t humor\t instantly\t faded\t from that\tbeautiful\ttan\tface,\tthose\tbrandy\teyes\tgoing\tcold\tand\thard.\tBrannon\tgripped\ther\thand, but\t his\t fingers\t went\t through\t hers\u2014right\t down\t to\t the\t stone\t itself.\t \u201cThe\t Lock,\t Heir\t of Terrasen.\tI\tsummoned\tyou\there\tfor\tit.\tIn\tthe\tStone\tMarshes,\tthere\tlies\ta\tsunken\tcity\u2014the Lock\tis\thidden\tthere.\tIt\tis\tneeded\tto\tbind\tthe\tkeys\tback\tinto\tthe\tbroken\tWyrdgate.\tIt\tis\tthe only\t way\t to\t get\t them\t back\t into\t that\t gate\t and\t seal\t it\t permanently.\t My\t daughter\t begs\t you \u2014\u201d \u201cWhat\tLock\u2014\u201d \u201cFind\tthe\tLock.\u201d \u201cWhere\tin\tthe\tStone\tMarshes?\tIt\u2019s\tnot\texactly\ta\tsmall\u2014\u201d Brannon\twas\tgone. Aelin\tscowled\tand\tshoved\tthe\tAmulet\tof\tOrynth\tback\tinto\ther\tshirt.\t\u201cOf\tcourse\tthere\u2019s","a\tgods-damned\tlock,\u201d\tshe\tmuttered. She\tgroaned\ta\tbit\tas\tshe\teased\tto\ther\tfeet,\tand\tfrowned\tat\tthe\tnight-dark\tsea\tcrashing mere\tyards\taway.\tAt\tthe\tancient\tqueen\tacross\tit,\treadying\ther\tarmada. Aelin\tstuck\tout\ther\ttongue. \u201cWell,\t if\t Maeve\t wasn\u2019t\t already\t poised\t to\t attack,\t that\u2019ll\t certainly\t set\t her\t off,\u201d\t Aedion drawled\tfrom\tthe\tshadows\tof\ta\tnearby\tpillar. Aelin\tstiffened,\thissing. Her\t cousin\t grinned\t at\t her,\t his\t teeth\t moon\t white.\t \u201cYou\t think\t I\t didn\u2019t\t know\t you\t had something\t else\t up\t your\t sleeve\t for\t why\t we\t took\t back\t this\t temple?\t Or\t that\t this\t spring\t in Rifthold\ttaught\tme\tnothing\tabout\tyour\ttendency\tto\tbe\tplanning\ta\tfew\tthings\tat\tonce?\u201d She\t rolled\t her\t eyes,\t stepping\t off\t the\t sacred\t stone\t and\t stomping\t down\t the\t stairs.\t \u201cI assume\tyou\theard\teverything.\u201d \u201cBrannon\teven\twinked\tat\tme\tbefore\the\tvanished.\u201d She\tclenched\ther\tjaw. Aedion\t leaned\t his\t shoulder\t against\t the\t carved\t pillar.\t \u201cA\t Lock,\t eh?\t And\t when, precisely,\twere\tyou\tgoing\tto\tinform\tus\tabout\tthis\tnew\tshift\tin\tdirection?\u201d She\tstalked\tup\tto\thim.\t\u201cWhen\tI\trutting\tfelt\tlike\tit,\tthat\u2019s\twhen.\tAnd\tit\u2019s\tnot\ta\tshift\tin direction\u2014not\tyet.\tAllies\tremain\tour\tgoal,\tnot\tcryptic\tcommands\tfrom\tdead\troyals.\u201d Aedion\t just\t smiled.\t A\t ripple\t in\t the\t murky\t shadows\t of\t the\t temple\t snagged\t her attention,\tand\tAelin\theaved\ta\tsigh.\t\u201cYou\ttwo\tare\thonestly\tinsufferable.\u201d Lysandra\tflapped\tonto\tthe\ttop\tof\ta\tnearby\tstatue\tand\tclicked\ther\tbeak\trather\tsaucily. Aedion\tslid\tan\tarm\taround\tAelin\u2019s\tshoulders,\tguiding\ther\tback\ttoward\tthe\tramshackle residence\t within\t the\t compound.\t \u201cNew\t court,\t new\t traditions,\t you\t said.\t Even\t for\t you. Starting\t with\t fewer\t schemes\t and\t secrets\t that\t take\t years\t off\t my\t life\t every\t time\t you\t do\t a grand\treveal.\tThough\tI\tcertainly\tenjoyed\tthat\tnew\ttrick\twith\tthe\tash.\tVery\tartistic.\u201d Aelin\tjabbed\thim\tin\tthe\tside.\t\u201cDo\tnot\u2014\u201d The\t words\t halted\t as\t footsteps\t crunched\t on\t the\t dry\t earth\t from\t the\t nearby\t courtyard. The\twind\tdrifted\tby,\tcarrying\ta\tscent\tthey\tknew\ttoo\twell. Valg.\tA\tpowerful\tone,\tif\the\u2019d\twalked\tthrough\ther\twall\tof\tflame. Aelin\t drew\t Goldryn\t as\t Aedion\u2019s\t own\t blade\t whined\t softly,\t the\t Sword\t of\t Orynth gleaming\t like\t freshly\t forged\t steel\t in\t the\t moonlight.\t Lysandra\t remained\t aloft,\t ducking deeper\tinto\tthe\tshadows. \u201cSold\tout\tor\tshit-poor\tluck?\u201d\tAedion\tmurmured. \u201cLikely\tboth,\u201d\tAelin\tmuttered\tback\tas\tthe\tfigure\tappeared\tthrough\ttwo\tpillars. He\t was\t stocky,\t slightly\t overweight\u2014not\t at\t all\t the\t impossible\t beauty\t that\t the\t Valg princes\t preferred\t when\t inhabiting\t a\t human\t body.\t But\t the\t inhuman\t reek,\t even\t with\t that","collar\ton\this\twide\tneck\t\u2026\tSo\tmuch\tstronger\tthan\tusual. Of\tcourse,\tBrannon\tcouldn\u2019t\thave\tbeen\tbothered\tto\twarn\ther. The\tValg\tstepped\tinto\tthe\tlight\tof\tthe\tsacred\tbraziers. The\tthoughts\teddied\tfrom\ther\thead\tas\tshe\tsaw\this\tface. And\t Aelin\t knew\t that\t Aedion\t had\t been\t right:\t her\t actions\t tonight\t had\t sent\t a\t message. An\t outright\t declaration\t of\t her\t location.\t Erawan\t had\t been\t waiting\t for\t this\t meeting\t far longer\tthan\ta\tfew\thours.\tAnd\tthe\tValg\tking\tknew\tboth\tsides\tof\ther\thistory. For\tit\twas\tthe\tChief\tOverseer\tof\tEndovier\twho\tnow\tgrinned\tat\tthem. She\tstill\tdreamt\tof\thim. Of\t that\t ruddy,\t common\t face\t leering\t at\t her,\t at\t the\t other\t women\t in\t Endovier.\t Of\t his laughter\t when\t she\t was\t stripped\t to\t the\t waist\t and\t whipped\t in\t the\t open,\t then\t left\t to\t hang from\t her\t shackles\t in\t the\t bitter\t cold\t or\t blazing\t sun.\t Of\t his\t smile\t as\t she\t was\t shoved\t into those\t lightless\t pits;\t the\t grin\t still\t stretching\t wide\t when\t they\t removed\t her\t from\t them\t days or\tweeks\tlater. Goldryn\u2019s\t hilt\t became\t slimy\t in\t her\t hand.\t Flame\t instantly\t burned\t along\t the\t fingers\t of her\tother.\tShe\tcursed\tLorcan\tfor\tstealing\tback\tthe\tgolden\tring,\tfor\ttaking\taway\tthat\tone\tbit of\timmunity,\tof\tredemption. Aedion\twas\tglancing\tbetween\tthem,\treading\tthe\trecognition\tin\ther\teyes. The\tOverseer\tof\tEndovier\tsneered\tat\ther,\t\u201cAren\u2019t\tyou\tgoing\tto\tintroduce\tus,\tslave?\u201d The\t utter\t stillness\t that\t crept\t over\t her\t cousin\u2019s\t face\t told\t her\t enough\t about\t what\t he\u2019d pieced\ttogether\u2014along\twith\tthe\tglance\tat\tthe\tfaint\tscars\ton\ther\twrists\twhere\tshackles\thad been. Aedion\tslid\ta\tstep\tbetween\tthem,\tno\tdoubt\treading\tevery\tsound\tand\tshadow\tand\tscent to\tsee\tif\tthe\tman\twas\talone,\testimating\thow\thard\tand\tlong\tthey\u2019d\thave\tto\tfight\ttheir\tway out\tof\there.\tLysandra\tflapped\tto\tanother\tpillar,\tpoised\tto\tshift\tand\tpounce\tat\ta\tsingle\tword. Aelin\t tried\t to\t rally\t the\t swagger\t that\t had\t shielded\t and\t bluffed\t her\t way\t out\t of everything.\tBut\tall\tshe\tsaw\twas\tthe\tman\tdragging\tthose\twomen\tbehind\tthe\tbuildings;\tall she\t heard\t was\t the\t slam\t of\t that\t iron\t grate\t over\t her\t lightless\t pit;\t all\t she\t smelled\t were\t the salt\t and\t the\t blood\t and\t the\t unwashed\t bodies;\t all\t she\t felt\t was\t the\t burning,\t wet\t slide\t of blood\tdown\ther\travaged\tback\u2014 I\twill\tnot\tbe\tafraid;\tI\twill\tnot\tbe\tafraid\u2014 \u201cHave\tthey\trun\tout\tof\tpretty\tboys\tin\tthe\tkingdoms\tfor\tyou\tto\twear?\u201d\tAedion\tdrawled, buying\tthem\ttime\tto\tfigure\tout\tthe\todds. \u201cCome\t a\t bit\t closer,\u201d\t the\t overseer\t smirked,\t \u201cand\t we\u2019ll\t see\t if\t you\t make\t a\t better\t fit, General.\u201d Aedion\t let\t out\t a\t low\t chuckle,\t the\t Sword\t of\t Orynth\t lifting\t a\t bit\t higher.\t \u201cI\t don\u2019t\t think","you\u2019d\twalk\taway\tfrom\tit.\u201d And\tit\twas\tthe\tsight\tof\tthat\tblade,\ther\tfather\u2019s\tblade,\tthe\tblade\tof\ther\tpeople\u2026 Aelin\tlifted\ther\tchin,\tand\tthe\tflames\tencircling\ther\tleft\thand\tflickered\tbrighter. The\t overseer\u2019s\t watery\t blue\t eyes\t slid\t to\t hers,\t narrowing\t with\t amusement.\t \u201cToo\t bad you\t didn\u2019t\t have\t that\t little\t gift\t when\t I\t put\t you\t in\t those\t pits.\t Or\t when\t I\t painted\t the\t earth with\tyour\tblood.\u201d A\tlow\tsnarl\twas\tAedion\u2019s\tanswer. But\t Aelin\t made\t herself\t smile.\t \u201cIt\u2019s\t late.\t I\t just\t trounced\t your\t soldiers.\t Let\u2019s\t get\t this chat\tout\tof\tthe\tway\tso\tI\tcan\thave\tsome\trest.\u201d The\toverseer\u2019s\tlip\tcurled.\t\u201cYou\u2019ll\tlearn\tproper\tmanners\tsoon\tenough,\tgirl.\tAll\tof\tyou will.\u201d The\tamulet\tbetween\ther\tbreasts\tseemed\tto\tgrumble,\ta\tflicker\tof\traw,\tancient\tpower. Aelin\t ignored\t it,\t shutting\t out\t any\t thought\t of\t it.\t If\t the\t Valg,\t if\t Erawan,\t got\t one\t whiff that\tshe\tpossessed\twhat\the\tso\tdesperately\tsought\u2014 The\toverseer\tagain\topened\this\tmouth.\tShe\tattacked. Fire\tblasted\thim\tinto\tthe\tnearest\twall,\tsurging\tdown\this\tthroat,\tthrough\this\tears,\tup\this nose.\tFlame\tthat\tdid\tnot\tburn,\tflame\tthat\twas\tmere\tlight,\tblindingly\twhite\u2014 The\toverseer\troared,\tthrashing\tas\ther\tmagic\tswept\tinto\thim,\tmelded\twith\thim. But\t there\t was\t nothing\t inside\t to\t grab\t on\t to.\t No\t darkness\t to\t burn\t out,\t no\t remaining ember\tto\tbreathe\tlife\tinto.\tOnly\u2014 Aelin\t reeled\t back,\t magic\t vanishing\t and\t knees\t buckling\t as\t if\t struck.\t Her\t head\t gave\t a throb,\tand\tnausea\troiled\tin\ther\tgut.\tShe\tknew\tthat\tfeeling\u2014that\ttaste. Iron.\t As\t if\t the\t man\u2019s\t core\t was\t made\t of\t it.\t And\t that\t oily,\t hideous\t aftertaste\t \u2026 Wyrdstone. The\t demon\t inside\t the\t overseer\t let\t out\t a\t choked\t laugh.\t \u201cWhat\t are\t collars\t and\t rings compared\t to\t a\t solid\t heart?\t A\t heart\t of\t iron\t and\t Wyrdstone,\t to\t replace\t the\t coward\u2019s\t heart beating\twithin.\u201d \u201cWhy,\u201d\tshe\tbreathed. \u201cI\t was\t planted\t here\t to\t demonstrate\t what\t is\t waiting\t should\t you\t and\t your\t court\t visit Morath.\u201d Aelin\t slammed\t her\t fire\t into\t him,\t scouring\t his\t insides,\t striking\t that\t core\t of\t pure darkness\tinside.\tAgain,\tagain,\tagain.\tThe\toverseer\tkept\troaring,\tbut\tAelin\tkept\tattacking, until\u2014 She\tvomited\tall\tover\tthe\tstones\tbetween\tthem.\tAedion\thauled\ther\tupright. Aelin\tlifted\ther\thead.\tShe\u2019d\tburned\toff\this\tclothes,\tbut\tnot\ttouched\tthe\tskin.","And\t there\u2014pulsing\t against\t his\t ribs\t as\t if\t it\t were\t a\t fist\t punching\t through\u2014was\t his heart. It\tslammed\tinto\this\tskin,\tstretching\tbone\tand\tflesh. Aelin\tflinched\tback.\tAedion\tthrew\ta\thand\tin\ther\tpath\tas\tthe\toverseer\tarched\tin\tagony, his\tmouth\topen\tin\ta\tsilent\tscream. Lysandra\t flapped\t down\t from\t the\t rafters,\t shifting\t into\t leopard\t form\t at\t their\t side\t and snarling. Again,\t that\t fist\t struck\t from\t inside.\t And\t then\t bones\t snapped,\t punching\t outward, ripping\t through\t muscle\t and\t skin\t as\t if\t his\t chest\t cavity\t were\t the\t petals\t of\t a\t blooming flower.\tThere\twas\tnothing\tinside.\tNo\tblood,\tno\torgans. Only\ta\tmighty,\tageless\tdarkness\u2014and\ttwo\tflickering\tgolden\tembers\tat\tits\tcore. Not\tembers.\tEyes.\tSimmering\twith\tancient\tmalice.\tThey\tnarrowed\tin\tacknowledgment and\tpleasure. It\ttook\tevery\tounce\tof\ther\tfire\tto\tsteel\ther\tspine,\tto\ttilt\ther\thead\tat\ta\tjaunty\tangle\tand drawl,\t\u201cAt\tleast\tyou\tknow\thow\tto\tmake\ta\tgood\tentrance,\tErawan.\u201d","16 The\toverseer\tspoke,\tbut\tthe\tvoice\twas\tnot\this.\tAnd\tthe\tvoice\twas\tnot\tPerrington\u2019s. It\twas\ta\tnew\tvoice,\tan\told\tvoice,\ta\tvoice\tfrom\ta\tdifferent\tworld\tand\tlifetime,\ta\tvoice that\t fed\t on\t screams\t and\t blood\t and\t pain.\t Her\t magic\t thrashed\t against\t the\t sound,\t and\t even Aedion\tswore\tsoftly,\tstill\ttrying\tto\therd\ther\tbehind\thim. But\t Aelin\t stood\t fast\t against\t the\t darkness\t peering\t at\t them\t from\t the\t man\u2019s\t cracked chest.\t And\t she\t knew\t that\t even\t if\t his\t body\t hadn\u2019t\t been\t irreparably\t broken,\t there\t was nothing\tleft\tinside\thim\tto\tsave\tanyway.\tNothing\tworth\tsaving\tto\tbegin\twith. She\tflexed\ther\tfingers\tat\ther\tsides,\trallying\ther\tmagic\tagainst\tthe\tdarkness\tthat\tcoiled and\tswirled\tinside\tthe\tman\u2019s\tshattered\tchest. Erawan\tsaid,\t\u201cI\twould\tthink\tgratitude\tis\tin\torder,\tHeir\tof\tBrannon.\u201d She\t flicked\t her\t brows\t up,\t tasting\t smoke\t in\t her\t mouth.\t Easy,\t she\t murmured\t to\t her magic.\tCareful\u2014she\u2019d\thave\tto\tbe\tso\tcareful\the\tdid\tnot\tsee\t the\t amulet\t around\t her\t neck, sense\t the\t presence\t of\t the\t final\t Wyrdkey\t inside.\t With\t the\t first\t two\t already\t in\t his possession,\t if\t Erawan\t suspected\t that\t the\t third\t key\t was\t in\t this\t temple,\t and\t that\t his\t utter dominance\tover\tthis\tland\tand\tall\tothers\twas\tclose\tenough\tto\tgrab\t\u2026\tShe\thad\tto\tkeep\thim distracted. So\tAelin\tsnorted.\t\u201cWhy\tshould\tI\tthank\tyou,\texactly?\u201d The\tembers\tof\teyes\tslid\tupward,\tas\tif\tsurveying\tthe\thollow\tbody\tof\tthe\toverseer.\t\u201cFor this\tsmall\twarning\tpresent.\tFor\tridding\tthe\tworld\tof\tone\tmore\tbit\tof\tvermin.\u201d And\t for\t making\t you\t realize\t how\t fruitless\t standing\t against\t me\t will\t be,\t that\t voice whispered\tright\tinto\ther\tskull. She\t slammed\t fire\t outward\t in\t a\t blind\t maneuver,\t stumbling\t back\t into\t Aedion\t at\t the caress\t in\t that\t hideous,\t beautiful\t voice.\t From\t her\t cousin\u2019s\t pale\t face,\t she\t knew\t he\u2019d\t heard it,\ttoo,\tfelt\tits\tviolating\ttouch. Erawan\tchuckled.\t\u201cI\u2019m\tsurprised\tyou\ttried\tto\tsave\thim\tfirst.\tGiven\twhat\the\tdid\tto\tyou at\tEndovier.\tMy\tprince\tcould\tscarcely\tstand\tto\tbe\tinside\this\tmind,\tit\twas\talready\tso\tvile. Do\t you\t find\t pleasure\t in\t deciding\t who\t shall\t be\t saved\t and\t who\t is\t beyond\t it?\t So\t easy,\t to become\ta\tlittle,\tburning\tgod.\u201d Nausea,\ttrue\tand\tcold,\tstruck\ther. But\t it\t was\t Aedion\t who\t smirked,\t \u201cI\u2019d\t think\t you\u2019d\t have\t better\t things\t to\t do,\t Erawan, than\ttaunt\tus\tin\tthe\tdead\thours\tof\tthe\tmorning.\tOr\tis\tthis\tall\tjust\ta\tway\tto\tmake\tyourself feel\tbetter\tabout\tDorian\tHavilliard\tslipping\tthrough\tyour\tnets?\u201d","The\t darkness\t hissed.\t Aedion\t squeezed\t her\t shoulder\t in\t silent\t warning.\t End\t it\t now. Before\tErawan\tmight\tstrike.\tBefore\the\tcould\tsense\tthat\tthe\tWyrdkey\the\tsought\twas\tmere feet\taway. So\t Aelin\t inclined\t her\t head\t to\t the\t force\t staring\t at\t them\t through\t flesh\t and\t bone.\t \u201cI suggest\tyou\trest\tand\tgather\tyour\tstrength,\tErawan,\u201d\tshe\tpurred,\twinking\tat\thim\twith\tevery shred\tof\tbravado\tleft\tin\ther.\t\u201cYou\u2019re\tgoing\tto\tneed\tit.\u201d A\tlow\tlaugh\tas\tflames\tstarted\tto\tflicker\tin\ther\teyes,\theating\ther\tblood\twith\twelcome, delicious\twarmth.\t\u201cIndeed.\tEspecially\tconsidering\tthe\tplans\tI\thave\tfor\tthe\twould-be\tKing of\tAdarlan.\u201d Aelin\u2019s\theart\tstopped. \u201cPerhaps\t you\t should\t have\t told\t your\t lover\t to\t disguise\t himself\t before\t he\t snatched Dorian\tHavilliard\tout\tof\tRifthold.\u201d\tThose\teyes\tnarrowed\tto\tslits.\t\u201cWhat\twas\this\tname\t\u2026 Oh,\t yes,\u201d\t Erawan\t breathed,\t as\t if\t someone\t had\t whispered\t it\t to\t him.\t \u201cPrince\t Rowan Whitethorn\tof\tDoranelle.\tWhat\ta\tprize\the\tshall\tbe.\u201d Aelin\tplummeted\tdown\tinto\tfire\tand\tdarkness,\trefusing\tto\tyield\tone\tinch\tto\tthe\tterror creeping\tover\ther. Erawan\tcrooned,\t\u201cMy\thunters\tare\talready\ttracking\tthem.\tAnd\tI\tam\tgoing\tto\thurt\tthem, Aelin\t Galathynius.\t I\t am\t going\t to\t hone\t them\t into\t my\t most\t loyal\t generals.\t Starting\t with your\tFae\tPrince\u2014\u201d A\t battering\t ram\t of\t hottest\t blue\t slammed\t into\t that\t pit\t in\t the\t man\u2019s\t chest\t cavity,\t into those\tburning\teyes. Aelin\t kept\t her\t magic\t focused\t on\t that\t chest,\t on\t the\t bones\t and\t flesh\t melting\t away, leaving\tonly\tthat\theart\tof\tiron\tand\tWyrdstone\tuntouched.\tHer\tmagic\tflowed\taround\tit\tlike a\tstream\tsurging\tpast\ta\trock,\tburning\this\tbody,\tthat\tthing\tinside\thim\u2014 \u201cDon\u2019t\tbother\tsaving\tany\tpart\tof\thim,\u201d\tAedion\tsnarled\tsoftly. Her\t magic\t roaring\t out\t of\t her,\t Aelin\t glanced\t over\t a\t shoulder.\t Lysandra\t was\t now\t in human\tform\tbeside\tAedion,\tteeth\tgritted\tat\tthe\toverseer\u2014 The\tlook\tcost\ther. She\t heard\t Aedion\u2019s\t shout\t before\t she\t felt\t Erawan\u2019s\t punch\t of\t darkness\t crash\t into\t her chest. Felt\t the\t air\t snap\t against\t her\t as\t she\t was\t hurled\t back,\t felt\t her\t body\t bark\t against\t the stone\t wall\t before\t the\t agony\t of\t that\t darkness\t really\t sank\t in.\t Her\t breath\t stalled,\t her\t blood halted\u2014 Get\tup\tget\tup\tget\tup. Erawan\tlaughed\tsoftly\tas\tAedion\twas\tinstantly\tat\ther\tside,\tdragging\ther\tto\ther\tfeet\tas her\tmind,\ther\tbody\ttried\tto\treorder\titself\u2014 Aelin\t threw\t out\t her\t power\t again,\t letting\t Aedion\t believe\t she\t allowed\t him\t to\t hold\t her","upright\t simply\t because\t she\t forgot\t to\t step\t away,\t not\t because\t her\t knees\t were\t shaking\t so violently\tshe\twasn\u2019t\tsure\tshe\tcould\tstand. But\ther\thand\tremained\tsteady,\tat\tleast,\tas\tshe\textended\tit. The\ttemple\taround\tthem\tshuddered\tat\tthe\tforce\tof\tthe\tpower\tshe\thurled\tout\tof\therself. Dust\t and\t kernels\t of\t debris\t trickled\t from\t the\t ceiling\t high\t above;\t columns\t swayed\t like drunken\tfriends. Aedion\u2019s\t and\t Lysandra\u2019s\t faces\t glowed\t in\t the\t blue\t light\t of\t her\t flame,\t their\t features wide-eyed\tbut\tset\twith\tsolid\tdetermination\u2014and\twrath.\tShe\tleaned\tfarther\tinto\tAedion\tas her\tmagic\troared\tfrom\ther,\this\tgrip\ttightening\tat\ther\twaist. Each\theartbeat\twas\ta\tlifetime;\teach\tbreath\tached. But\tthe\toverseer\u2019s\tbody\tat\tlast\tripped\tapart\tunder\ther\tpower\u2014the\tdark\tshields\taround it\tyielding\tto\ther. And\tsome\tsmall\tpart\tof\ther\trealized\tthat\tit\tonly\tdid\tso\twhen\tErawan\tdeigned\tto\tleave, those\tamused,\tember-like\teyes\tguttering\tinto\tnothing. When\t the\t man\u2019s\t body\t was\t only\t ashes,\t Aelin\t reeled\t back\t her\t magic,\t cocooned\t her heart\tin\tit.\tShe\tgripped\tAedion\u2019s\tarm,\ttrying\tnot\tto\tbreathe\ttoo\tloudly,\tlest\the\thear\tthe\trasp of\ther\tbattered\tlungs,\trealize\thow\thard\tthat\tsingle\tplume\tof\tdarkness\thad\thit. A\theavy\tthud\techoed\tthrough\tthe\tsilent\ttemple\tas\tthe\tlump\tof\tiron\tand\tWyrdstone\tfell. That\twas\tthe\tcost\u2014Erawan\u2019s\tplan.\tTo\trealize\tthat\tthe\tonly\tmercy\tshe\tmight\toffer\ther court\twould\tbe\tdeath. If\t they\t were\t ever\t captured\t \u2026\t he\u2019d\t make\t her\t watch\t as\t they\t were\t all\t carved\t apart\t and filled\twith\this\tpower.\tMake\ther\tlook\tinto\ttheir\tfaces\twhen\the\u2019d\tfinished,\tand\tfind\tno\ttrace of\ttheir\tsouls\twithin.\tThen\the\u2019d\tget\tto\twork\ton\ther. And\t Rowan\t and\t Dorian\t \u2026\t If\t Erawan\t was\t hunting\t them\t at\t this\t very\t moment,\t if\t he learned\tthat\tthey\twere\tin\tSkull\u2019s\tBay,\tand\thow\thard\the\u2019d\tactually\tstruck\ther\u2014 Aelin\u2019s\t flames\t banked\t to\t a\t quiet\t ember,\t and\t she\t finally\t found\t enough\t strength\t in\t her legs\tto\tpush\taway\tfrom\tAedion\u2019s\tgrip. \u201cWe\t need\t to\t be\t on\t that\t ship\t before\t dawn,\t Aelin,\u201d\t he\t said.\t \u201cIf\t Erawan\t wasn\u2019t bluffing\u2026\u201d Aelin\t only\t nodded.\t They\t had\t to\t get\t to\t Skull\u2019s\t Bay\t as\t fast\t as\t the\t winds\t and\t currents could\tcarry\tthem. But\tas\tshe\tturned\ttoward\tthe\tarchway\tout\tof\tthe\ttemple,\theading\tfor\tthe\tarchives,\tshe glanced\tat\ther\tchest\u2014utterly\tuntouched,\tthough\tErawan\u2019s\tpower\thad\thit\ther\tlike\ta\thurled spear. He\u2019d\t missed.\t By\t three\t inches,\t Erawan\t had\t narrowly\t missed\t hitting\t the\t amulet.\t And possibly\tsensing\tthe\tWyrdkey\tinside\tit. Yet\tthe\tblow\tstill\treverberated\tagainst\ther\tbones\tin\tbrutal\tripples.","A\treminder\tthat\tshe\tmight\tbe\tthe\their\tof\tfire\t\u2026\tbut\tErawan\twas\tKing\tof\tthe\tDarkness.","17 Manon\t Blackbeak\t watched\t the\t black\t skies\t above\t Morath\t bleed\t to\t rotted\t gray\t on\t the\t last morning\tof\tAsterin\u2019s\tlife. She\t had\t not\t slept\t the\t entirety\t of\t the\t night;\t had\t not\t eaten\t or\t drank;\t had\t done\t nothing but\tsharpen\tWind-Cleaver\tin\tthe\tfrigid\topenness\tof\tthe\twyvern\u2019s\taerie.\tOver\tand\tover,\tshe had\thoned\tthe\tblade,\tleaning\tagainst\tAbraxos\u2019s\twarm\tside,\tuntil\ther\tfingers\twere\ttoo\tstiff with\tcold\tto\tgrip\tsword\tor\tstone. Her\t grandmother\t had\t ordered\t Asterin\t locked\t in\t the\t deepest\t bowels\t of\t the\t Keep\u2019s dungeon,\tso\theavily\tguarded\tthat\tescape\twas\timpossible.\tOr\trescue. Manon\t had\t toyed\t with\t the\t idea\t for\t the\t first\t few\t hours\t after\t the\t sentence\t had\t been given.\tBut\tto\trescue\tAsterin\twould\tbe\tto\tbetray\ther\tMatron,\ther\tClan.\tHer\tmistake\u2014it\twas her\town\tmistake,\ther\town\tdamned\tchoices,\tthat\thad\tled\tto\tthis. And\tif\tshe\tstepped\tout\tof\tline\tagain,\tthe\trest\tof\tthe\tThirteen\twould\tbe\tput\tdown.\tShe was\tlucky\tshe\thadn\u2019t\tbeen\tstripped\tof\ther\ttitle\tas\tWing\tLeader.\tAt\tleast\tshe\tcould\tstill\tlead her\tpeople,\tprotect\tthem.\tBetter\tthan\tallowing\tsomeone\tlike\tIskra\tto\ttake\tcommand. The\tFerian\tGap\tlegion\u2019s\tassault\ton\tRifthold\tunder\tIskra\u2019s\tcommand\thad\tbeen\tsloppy, chaotic\u2014not\t the\t systematic,\t careful\t sacking\t Manon\t would\t have\t planned\t had\t they\t asked her.\t It\t made\t no\t difference\t now\t whether\t the\t city\t was\t in\t full\t or\t half\t ruin.\t It\t didn\u2019t\t alter Asterin\u2019s\tfate. So\t there\t was\t little\t to\t be\t done,\t other\t than\t to\t sharpen\t her\t ancient\t blade\t and\t memorize the\tWords\tof\tRequest.\tManon\twould\thave\tto\tutter\tthem\tat\tthe\tright\tmoment.\tThis\tlast\tgift, she\tcould\tgive\ther\tcousin.\tHer\tonly\tgift. Not\tthe\tlong,\tslow\ttorture\tand\tbeheading\tthat\twas\ttypical\tof\ta\twitch\texecution. But\tthe\tswift\tmercy\tof\tManon\u2019s\town\tblade. Boots\tscuffed\ton\tstone\tand\tcrunched\tthe\thay\tlittering\tthe\taerie\tfloor.\tManon\tknew\tthat step\u2014knew\t it\t as\t well\t as\t Asterin\u2019s\t own\t gait.\t \u201cWhat,\u201d\t she\t said\t to\t Sorrel\t without\t looking behind\ther. \u201cDawn\tapproaches,\u201d\ther\tThird\tsaid. Soon\t to\t be\t Second.\t Vesta\t would\t become\t Third,\t and\t \u2026\t and\t maybe\t Asterin\t would\t at last\tsee\tthat\thunter\tof\thers,\tsee\tthe\tstillborn\twitchling\tthey\u2019d\thad\ttogether. Never\tagain\twould\tAsterin\tride\tthe\twinds;\tnever\tagain\twould\tAsterin\tsoar\ton\tthe\tback of\t her\t sky-blue\t mare.\t Manon\u2019s\t eyes\t slid\t to\t the\t wyvern\t across\t the\t aerie\u2014shifting\t on\t her two\tlegs,\tawake\twhen\tthe\tothers\twere\tnot.","As\tif\tshe\tcould\tsense\ther\tmistress\u2019s\tdoom\tbeckoning\twith\teach\tpassing\tmoment. What\twould\tbecome\tof\tthe\tmare\twhen\tAsterin\twas\tgone? Manon\t rose\t to\t her\t feet,\t Abraxos\t nudging\t the\t backs\t of\t her\t thighs\t with\t his\t snout.\t She reached\tdown,\tbrushing\this\tscaly\thead.\tShe\tdidn\u2019t\tknow\twho\tit\twas\tmeant\tto\tcomfort.\tHer crimson\tcape,\tas\tbloody\tand\tfilthy\tas\tthe\trest\tof\ther,\twas\tstill\tclasped\tat\ther\tcollarbone. The\tThirteen\twould\tbecome\ttwelve. Manon\t met\t Sorrel\u2019s\t gaze.\t But\t her\t Third\u2019s\t attention\t was\t on\t Wind-Cleaver,\t bare\t in Manon\u2019s\thand. Her\tThird\tsaid,\t\u201cYou\tmean\tto\tmake\tthe\tWords\tof\tRequest.\u201d Manon\ttried\tto\tspeak.\tBut\tshe\tcould\tnot\topen\ther\tmouth.\tSo\tshe\tonly\tnodded. Sorrel\tstared\ttoward\tthe\topen\tarchway\tbeyond\tAbraxos.\t\u201cI\twish\tshe\thad\tthe\tchance\tto see\tthe\tWastes.\tJust\tonce.\u201d Manon\tforced\therself\tto\tlift\ther\tchin.\t\u201cWe\tdo\tnot\twish.\tWe\tdo\tnot\thope,\u201d\tshe\tsaid\tto her\t soon-to-be\t Second.\t Sorrel\u2019s\t eyes\t snapped\t to\t her,\t something\t like\t hurt\t flashing\t there. Manon\ttook\tthe\tinner\tblow.\tShe\tsaid,\t\u201cWe\twill\tmove\ton,\tadapt.\u201d Sorrel\tsaid\tquietly,\tbut\tnot\tweakly,\t\u201cShe\tgoes\tto\ther\tdeath\tto\tkeep\tyour\tsecrets.\u201d It\twas\tthe\tclosest\tSorrel\thad\tever\tcome\tto\toutright\tchallenge.\tTo\tresentment. Manon\tsheathed\tWind-Cleaver\tat\ther\tside\tand\tstrode\tfor\tthe\tstairwell,\tunable\tto\tmeet Abraxos\u2019s\t curious\t stare.\t \u201cThen\t she\t will\t have\t served\t me\t well\t as\t Second,\t and\t will\t be remembered\tfor\tit.\u201d Sorrel\tsaid\tnothing. So\tManon\tdescended\tinto\tthe\tgloom\tof\tMorath\tto\tkill\ther\tcousin. The\texecution\twas\tnot\tto\tbe\theld\tin\tthe\tdungeon. Rather,\ther\tgrandmother\thad\tselected\ta\tbroad\tveranda\toverlooking\tone\tof\tthe\tendless drops\t into\t the\t ravine\t curled\t around\t Morath.\t Witches\t were\t crowded\t onto\t the\t balcony, practically\tthrumming\twith\tbloodlust. The\t Matrons\t stood\t before\t the\t gathered\t group,\t Cresseida\t and\t the\t Yellowlegs\t Matron flanked\t by\t each\t of\t their\t heirs,\t all\t facing\t the\t open\t doors\t through\t which\t Manon\t and\t the Thirteen\texited\tthe\tKeep\tproper. Manon\t did\t not\t hear\t the\t murmur\t of\t the\t crowd;\t did\t not\t hear\t the\t roaring\t wind\t ripping between\t the\t high\t turrets;\t did\t not\t hear\t the\t strike\t of\t hammers\t in\t the\t forges\t of\t the\t valley below. Not\twhen\ther\tattention\twent\tto\tAsterin,\ton\ther\tknees\tbefore\tthe\tMatrons.\tShe,\ttoo,\twas facing\t Manon,\t still\t in\t her\t riding\t leathers,\t her\t golden\t hair\t limp\t and\t knotted,\t flecked\t with blood.\tShe\tlifted\ther\tface\u2014","\u201cIt\t was\t only\t fair,\u201d\t Manon\u2019s\t grandmother\t drawled,\t the\t crowd\t silencing,\t \u201cfor\t Iskra Yellowlegs\t to\t also\t avenge\t the\t four\t sentinels\t slaughtered\t on\t your\t watch.\t Three\t blows apiece\tfor\teach\tof\tthe\tsentinels\tkilled.\u201d Twelve\tblows\ttotal.\tBut\tfrom\tthe\tcuts\tand\tbruises\ton\tAsterin\u2019s\tface,\tthe\tsplit\tlip,\tfrom the\tway\tshe\tcradled\ther\tbody\tas\tshe\tbent\tover\ther\tknees\t\u2026\tIt\thad\tbeen\tfar\tmore\tthan\tthat. Slowly,\tManon\tlooked\tat\tIskra.\tCuts\tmarred\ther\tknuckles\u2014still\traw\tfrom\tthe\tbeating she\u2019d\tgiven\tAsterin\tin\tthe\tdungeon. While\tManon\thad\tbeen\tupstairs,\tbrooding. Manon\topened\ther\tmouth,\ther\trage\ta\tliving\tthing\tthrashing\tin\ther\tgut,\ther\tblood.\tBut Asterin\tspoke\tinstead. \u201cBe\tglad\tto\tknow,\tManon,\u201d\ther\tSecond\trasped\twith\ta\tfaint,\tcocky\tsmile,\t\u201cthat\tshe\thad to\tchain\tme\tup\tto\tbeat\tme.\u201d Iskra\u2019s\teyes\tflashed.\t\u201cYou\tstill\tscreamed,\tbitch,\twhen\tI\twhipped\tyou.\u201d \u201cEnough,\u201d\tManon\u2019s\tgrandmother\tcut\tin,\twaving\ta\thand. Manon\tbarely\theard\tthe\torder. They\thad\twhipped\ther\tsentinel\tlike\tsome\tunderling,\tlike\tsome\tmortal\tbeast\u2014 Someone\tsnarled,\tlow\tand\tvicious,\tto\ther\tright. The\t breath\t went\t out\t of\t her\t as\t she\t found\t Sorrel\u2014unmovable\t rock,\t unfeeling\t stone\u2014 baring\ther\tteeth\tat\tIskra,\tat\tthose\tassembled\there. Manon\u2019s\t grandmother\t stepped\t forward,\t brimming\t with\t displeasure.\t Behind\t Manon, the\tThirteen\twere\ta\tsilent,\tunbreakable\twall. Asterin\tbegan\tscanning\ttheir\tfaces,\tand\tManon\trealized\ther\tSecond\tunderstood\tthat\tit was\tthe\tlast\ttime\tshe\u2019d\tdo\tso. \u201cBlood\t shall\t be\t paid\t with\t blood,\u201d\t Manon\u2019s\t grandmother\t and\t the\t Yellowlegs\tMatron said\t in\t unison,\t reciting\t from\t their\t eldest\t rituals.\t Manon\t steeled\t her\t spine,\t waiting\t for\t the right\t moment.\t \u201cAny\t witch\t who\t wishes\t to\t extract\t blood\t in\t the\t name\t of\t Zelta\t Yellowlegs may\tcome\tforward.\u201d Iron\tnails\tslid\tout\tfrom\tthe\thands\tof\tthe\tentire\tYellowlegs\tcoven. Asterin\tonly\tstared\tat\tthe\tThirteen,\ther\tbloody\tface\tunmoved,\teyes\tclear. The\tYellowlegs\tMatron\tsaid,\t\u201cForm\tthe\tline.\u201d Manon\tpounced. \u201cI\tinvoke\tthe\tright\tof\texecution.\u201d Everyone\tfroze. Manon\u2019s\t grandmother\u2019s\t face\t went\t pale\t with\t rage.\t But\t the\t other\t two\t Matrons,\t even Yellowlegs,\tjust\twaited.","Manon\t said,\t head\t high,\t \u201cI\t claim\t the\t right\t to\t my\t Second\u2019s\t head.\t Blood\t shall\t be\t paid with\tblood\u2014but\tat\tmy\tsword\u2019s\tedge.\tShe\tis\tmine,\tand\tso\tshall\ther\tdeath\tbe\tmine.\u201d For\t the\t first\t time,\t Asterin\u2019s\t mouth\t tightened,\t eyes\t gleaming.\t Yes,\t she\t understood\t the only\tgift\tManon\tcould\tgive\ther,\tthe\tonly\thonor\tleft. It\twas\tCresseida\tBlueblood\twho\tcut\tin\tbefore\tthe\tother\ttwo\tMatrons\tcould\tspeak.\t\u201cFor saving\tmy\tdaughter\u2019s\tlife,\tWing\tLeader,\tit\tshall\tbe\tgranted.\u201d The\tYellowlegs\tMatron\twhipped\ther\thead\tto\tCresseida,\ta\tretort\ton\ther\tlips,\tbut\tit\twas too\tlate.\tThe\twords\thad\tbeen\tspoken,\tand\tthe\trules\twere\tto\tbe\tobeyed\tat\tany\tcost. The\t Crochan\u2019s\t red\t cape\t fluttering\t behind\t her\t in\t the\t wind,\t Manon\t dared\t a\t look\t at\t her grandmother.\t Only\t hatred\t glowed\t in\t those\t ancient\t eyes\u2014hatred,\t and\t a\t flicker\t of satisfaction\tthat\tAsterin\twould\tbe\tended\tafter\tdecades\tof\tbeing\tdeemed\tan\tunfit\tSecond. But\tat\tleast\tthis\tdeath\twas\tnow\thers\tto\tgive. And\tin\tthe\teast,\tslipping\tover\tthe\tmountains\tlike\tmolten\tgold,\tthe\tsun\tbegan\tto\trise. A\thundred\tyears\tshe\u2019d\thad\twith\tAsterin.\tShe\u2019d\talways\tthought\tthey\u2019d\thave\ta\thundred more. Manon\tsaid\tsoftly\tto\tSorrel,\t\u201cTurn\ther\taround.\tMy\tSecond\tshall\tsee\tthe\tdawn\tone\tlast time.\u201d Sorrel\t obediently\t stepped\t forward,\t pivoting\t Asterin\t to\t face\t the\t High\t Witches,\t the crowd\tby\tthe\trail\u2014and\tthe\trare\tsunrise\tpiercing\tthrough\tMorath\u2019s\tgloom. Blood\tsoaked\tthrough\tthe\tback\tof\ther\tSecond\u2019s\tleathers. And\tyet\tAsterin\tknelt,\tshoulders\tsquare\tand\thead\thigh,\tas\tshe\tlooked\tnot\tat\tthe\tdawn \u2014but\t at\t Manon\t herself\t while\t she\t stalked\t around\t her\t Second\t to\t take\t a\t place\t a\t few\t feet before\tthe\tMatrons. \u201cSometime\tbefore\tbreakfast,\tManon,\u201d\ther\tgrandmother\tsaid\tfrom\ta\tfew\tfeet\tbehind. Manon\tdrew\tWind-Cleaver,\tthe\tblade\tsinging\tsoftly\tas\tit\tslid\tfree\tof\tits\tsheath. The\tsunlight\tgilded\tthe\tbalcony\tas\tAsterin\twhispered,\tso\tsoftly\tthat\tonly\tManon\tcould hear,\t\u201cBring\tmy\tbody\tback\tto\tthe\tcabin.\u201d Something\t in\t Manon\u2019s\t chest\t broke\u2014broke\t so\t violently\t that\t she\t wondered\t if\t it\t was possible\tfor\tno\tone\tto\thave\theard\tit. Manon\tlifted\ther\tsword. All\tit\twould\ttake\twas\tone\tword\tfrom\tAsterin,\tand\tshe\tcould\tsave\ther\town\thide.\tSpill Manon\u2019s\tsecrets,\ther\tbetrayals,\tand\tshe\u2019d\twalk\tfree.\tYet\ther\tSecond\tuttered\tno\tother\tword. And\tManon\tunderstood\tin\tthat\tmoment\tthat\tthere\twere\tforces\tgreater\tthan\tobedience, and\tdiscipline,\tand\tbrutality.\tUnderstood\tthat\tshe\thad\tnot\tbeen\tborn\tsoulless;\tshe\thad\tnot been\tborn\twithout\ta\theart. For\tthere\twere\tboth,\tbegging\ther\tnot\tto\tswing\tthat\tblade.","Manon\tlooked\tto\tthe\tThirteen,\tstanding\taround\tAsterin\tin\ta\thalf\tcircle. One\tby\tone,\tthey\tlifted\ttwo\tfingers\tto\ttheir\tbrows. A\tmurmur\twent\tthrough\tthe\tcrowd.\tThe\tgesture\tnot\tto\thonor\ta\tHigh\tWitch. But\ta\tWitch-Queen. There\t had\t not\t been\t a\t Queen\t of\t Witches\t in\t five\t hundred\t years,\t either\t among\t the Crochans\tor\tthe\tIronteeth.\tNot\tone. Forgiveness\t shone\t in\t the\t faces\t of\t her\t Thirteen.\t Forgiveness\t and\t understanding\t and loyalty\t that\t was\t not\t blind\t obedience,\t but\t forged\t in\t pain\t and\t battle,\t in\t shared\t victory\t and defeat.\tForged\tin\thope\tfor\ta\tbetter\tlife\u2014a\tbetter\tworld. At\t last,\t Manon\t found\t Asterin\u2019s\t gaze,\t tears\t now\t rolling\t down\t her\t Second\u2019s\t face.\t Not from\t fear\t or\t pain,\t but\t in\t farewell.\t A\t hundred\t years\u2014and\t yet\t Manon\t wished\t she\u2019d\t had more\ttime. For\ta\theartbeat,\tshe\tthought\tof\tthat\tsky-blue\tmare\tin\tthe\taerie,\tthe\twyvern\tthat\twould wait\tand\twait\tfor\ta\trider\twho\twould\tnever\treturn.\tThought\tof\ta\tgreen\trocky\tland\tspreading to\tthe\twestern\tsea. Hand\t trembling,\t Asterin\t pressed\t her\t fingers\t to\t her\t brow\t and\t extended\t them.\t \u201cBring our\tpeople\thome,\tManon,\u201d\tshe\tbreathed. Manon\tangled\tWind-Cleaver,\treadying\tfor\tthe\tstrike. The\tBlackbeak\tMatron\tsnapped,\t\u201cBe\tdone\twith\tit,\tManon.\u201d Manon\tmet\tSorrel\u2019s\teyes,\tthen\tAsterin\u2019s.\tAnd\tManon\tgave\tthe\tThirteen\ther\tfinal\torder. \u201cRun.\u201d Then\t Manon\t Blackbeak\t whirled\t and\t brought\t Wind-Cleaver\t down\t upon\t her grandmother.","18 Manon\tsaw\tonly\tthe\tflash\tof\ther\tgrandmother\u2019s\trusted\tiron\tteeth,\tthe\tglimmer\tof\ther\tiron nails\tas\tshe\traised\tthem\tto\tward\tagainst\tthe\tsword\u2014but\ttoo\tlate. Manon\tslashed\tWind-Cleaver\tdown,\ta\tblow\tthat\twould\thave\tcut\tmost\tmen\tin\thalf. Yet\t her\t grandmother\t darted\t back\t fast\t enough\t that\t the\t sword\t sliced\t down\t her\t torso, ripping\tfabric\tand\tskin\tas\tit\tcut\tbetween\ther\tbreasts\tin\ta\tshallow\tline.\tBlue\tblood\tsprayed, but\tthe\tMatron\twas\tmoving,\tblocking\tManon\u2019s\tnext\tblow\twith\ther\tiron\tnails\u2014iron\tso\thard that\tWind-Cleaver\tbounced\toff. Manon\tdid\tnot\tlook\tto\tsee\tif\tthe\tThirteen\tobeyed.\tBut\tAsterin\twas\troaring;\troaring\tand shouting\tto\tstop.\tThe\tcries\tgrew\tmore\tdistant,\tthen\techoed,\tas\tif\tshe\twere\tnow\tinside\tthe hall,\tbeing\tdragged\taway. No\tsounds\tof\tpursuit\u2014as\tif\tthe\tonlookers\twere\ttoo\tstunned.\tGood. Iskra\t and\t Petrah\t had\t swords\t out,\t iron\t teeth\t down\t as\t they\t stepped\t between\t their Matrons\tand\tManon,\therding\ttheir\ttwo\tHigh\tWitches\taway. The\t Blackbeak\t Matron\u2019s\t coven\t lunged\t forward,\t only\t to\t be\t halted\t by\t a\t hand.\t \u201cStay back,\u201d\t her\t grandmother\t commanded,\t panting\t as\t Manon\t circled\t her.\t Blue\t blood\t leaked down\ther\tgrandmother\u2019s\tfront.\tAn\tinch\tcloser,\tand\tshe\u2019d\thave\tbeen\tdead. Dead. Her\tgrandmother\tbared\ther\trusted\tteeth.\t\u201cShe\u2019s\tmine.\u201d\tShe\tjerked\ther\tchin\tat\tManon. \u201cWe\tdo\tthis\tthe\tancient\tway.\u201d Manon\u2019s\tstomach\troiled,\tbut\tshe\tsheathed\ther\tsword. A\tflick\tof\ther\twrists\thad\ther\tnails\tout,\tand\ta\tsnap\tof\ther\tjaw\thad\ther\tteeth\tdescending. \u201cLet\u2019s\tsee\thow\tgood\tyou\tare,\tWing\tLeader,\u201d\ther\tgrandmother\thissed,\tand\tattacked. Manon\thad\tnever\tseen\ther\tgrandmother\tfight,\tnever\ttrained\twith\ther. And\t some\t small\t part\t of\t Manon\t wondered\t if\t it\t was\t because\t her\t grandmother\t did\t not want\tothers\tto\tknow\thow\tskilled\tshe\twas. Manon\t could\t hardly\t move\t fast\t enough\t to\t avoid\t the\t nails\t ripping\t into\t her\t face,\t her neck,\ther\tgut,\tyielding\tstep\tafter\tstep\tafter\tstep. She\tonly\thad\tto\tdo\tthis\tlong\tenough\tto\tbuy\tthe\tThirteen\ttime\tto\tget\tto\tthe\tskies. Her\t grandmother\t slashed\t for\t her\t cheek,\t and\t Manon\t blocked\t the\t blow\t with\t an\t elbow, slamming\tthe\tjoint\tdown\thard\tinto\ther\tgrandmother\u2019s\tforearm.\tThe\twitch\tbarked\tin\tpain,","and\tManon\tspun\tout\tof\treach,\tcircling\tagain. \u201cIt\t is\t not\t so\t easy\t to\t strike\t now\t is\t it,\t Manon\t Blackbeak?\u201d\t her\t grandmother\t panted\t as they\tsurveyed\teach\tother.\tNo\tone\taround\tthem\tdared\tmove;\tthe\tThirteen\thad\tvanished\u2014 every\t last\t one\t of\t them.\t She\t almost\t sagged\t with\t relief.\t Now\t to\t keep\t her\t grandmother occupied\t long\t enough\t to\t avoid\t her\t giving\t the\t onlookers\t the\t order\t to\t pursue.\t \u201cSo\t much easier\t with\t a\t blade,\t the\t weapon\t of\t those\t cowardly\t humans,\u201d\t her\t grandmother\t seethed. \u201cWith\tthe\tteeth,\tthe\tnails\t\u2026\tYou\thave\tto\tmean\tit.\u201d They\t lunged\t for\t each\t other,\t some\t fundamental\t part\t of\t her\t cracking\t with\t every\t slash and\tswipe\tand\tblock.\tThey\tdarted\tapart\tagain. \u201cAs\tpathetic\tas\tyour\tmother,\u201d\ther\tgrandmother\tspat.\t\u201cPerhaps\tyou\u2019ll\tdie\tlike\ther,\ttoo\u2014 with\tmy\tteeth\tat\tyour\tthroat.\u201d Her\tmother,\twhom\tshe\u2019d\tkilled\tcoming\tout\tof,\twho\thad\tdied\tbirthing\ther\u2014 \u201cFor\tyears,\tI\ttried\tto\ttrain\ther\tweakness\tout\tof\tyou.\u201d\tHer\tgrandmother\tspat\tblue\tblood onto\tthe\tstones.\t\u201cFor\tthe\tgood\tof\tthe\tIronteeth,\tI\tmade\tyou\tinto\ta\tforce\tof\tnature,\ta\twarrior equal\tto\tnone.\tAnd\tthis\tis\thow\tyou\trepay\tme\u2014\u201d Manon\t didn\u2019t\t let\t the\t words\t unnerve\t her.\t She\t went\t for\t the\t throat,\t only\t to\t feint\t and slash. Her\t grandmother\t barked\t in\t pain\u2014genuine\t pain\u2014as\t Manon\u2019s\t claws\t shredded\t her shoulder. Blood\tshowered\ther\thand,\tflesh\tclinging\tto\ther\tnails\u2014 Manon\tstaggered\tback,\tbile\tburning\ther\tthroat. She\t saw\t the\t blow\t coming,\t but\t still\t didn\u2019t\t have\t time\t to\t stop\t it\t as\t her\t grandmother\u2019s right\thand\tslashed\tacross\ther\tbelly. Leather,\tcloth,\tand\tskin\tripped.\tManon\tscreamed. Blood,\thot\tand\tblue,\trushed\tout\tof\ther\tbefore\ther\tgrandmother\thad\tdarted\tback. Manon\tshoved\ta\thand\tagainst\ther\tabdomen,\tpushing\tagainst\tthe\tshredded\tskin.\tBlood dribbled\tthrough\ther\tfingers,\tsplattering\tonto\tthe\tstones. High\tabove,\ta\twyvern\troared. Abraxos. The\t Blackbeak\t Matron\t laughed,\t flicking\t Manon\u2019s\t blood\t off\t her\t nails.\t \u201cI\u2019m\t going\t to dice\tyour\twyvern\tinto\ttiny\tpieces\tand\tfeed\thim\tto\tthe\thounds.\u201d Despite\tthe\tagony\tin\ther\tbelly,\tManon\u2019s\tvision\thoned.\t\u201cNot\tif\tI\tkill\tyou\tfirst.\u201d Her\t grandmother\t chuckled,\t still\t circling,\t assessing.\t \u201cYou\t are\t stripped\t of\t your\t title\t as Wing\tLeader.\tYou\tare\tstripped\tof\tyour\ttitle\tas\their.\u201d\tStep\tafter\tstep,\tcloser\tand\tcloser,\tan adder\t looping\t around\t its\t prey.\t \u201cFrom\t this\t day,\t you\t are\t Manon\t Witch\t Killer,\t Manon\t Kin Slayer.\u201d","The\t words\t pelted\t her\t like\t stones.\t Manon\t backed\t toward\t the\t balcony\t rail,\t pushing against\t the\t wound\t in\t her\t stomach\t to\t keep\t the\t blood\t in.\t The\t crowd\t parted\t like\t water around\tthem.\tJust\ta\tlittle\tlonger\u2014just\tanother\tminute\tor\ttwo. Her\t grandmother\t paused,\t blinking\t toward\t the\t open\t doors,\t as\t if\t realizing\t the\t Thirteen had\tvanished.\tManon\tattacked\tagain\tbefore\tshe\tcould\tgive\tthe\torder\tto\tpursue. Swipe,\tlunge,\tslash,\tduck\u2014they\tmoved\tin\ta\twhirlwind\tof\tiron\tand\tblood\tand\tleather. But\tas\tManon\ttwisted\taway,\tthe\twounds\tin\ther\tstomach\tgave\tmore,\tand\tshe\tstumbled. Her\tgrandmother\tdidn\u2019t\tmiss\ta\tbeat.\tShe\tstruck. Not\twith\ther\tnails\tor\tteeth,\tbut\twith\ther\tfoot. The\t kick\t to\t Manon\u2019s\t stomach\t set\t her\t screaming,\t a\t roar\t again\t answered\t by\t Abraxos, locked\t high\t above.\t Soon\t to\t die,\t as\t she\t would.\t She\t prayed\t the\t Thirteen\t would\t spare\t him, let\thim\tjoin\tthem\twherever\tthey\twould\tflee. Manon\tslammed\tinto\tthe\tstone\trail\tof\tthe\tbalcony\tand\tcrumpled\tto\tthe\tblack\ttiles.\tBlue blood\tleaked\tfrom\ther,\tstaining\tthe\tthighs\tof\ther\tpants. Her\tgrandmother\tslowly\tapproached,\tpanting. Manon\tgrabbed\tthe\tbalcony\trail,\thauling\therself\tto\ther\tfeet\tone\tlast\ttime. \u201cDo\tyou\twant\tto\tknow\ta\tsecret,\tKin\tSlayer?\u201d\ther\tgrandmother\tbreathed. Manon\t slumped\t against\t the\t balcony\t rail,\t the\t drop\t below\t endless\t and\t a\t relief.\t They\u2019d take\t her\t to\t the\t dungeons\u2014either\t use\t her\t for\t Erawan\u2019s\t breeding,\t or\t torture\t her\t until\t she begged\tfor\tdeath.\tMaybe\tboth. Her\t grandmother\t spoke\t so\t softly\t that\t even\t Manon\t could\t barely\t hear\t over\t her\t own gasps\t for\t air.\t \u201cAs\t your\t mother\t labored\t to\t push\t you\t out,\t she\t confessed\t who\t your\t father was.\tShe\tsaid\tyou\t\u2026\tyou\twould\tbe\tthe\tone\twho\tbroke\tthe\tcurse,\twho\tsaved\tus.\tShe\tsaid your\tfather\twas\ta\trare-born\tCrochan\tPrince.\tAnd\tshe\tsaid\tthat\tyour\tmixed\tblood\twould\tbe the\tkey.\u201d\tHer\tgrandmother\tlifted\ther\tnails\tto\ther\tmouth\tand\tlicked\toff\tManon\u2019s\tblue\tblood. No. No. \u201cSo\t you\t have\t been\t a\t Kin\t Slayer\t your\t whole\t life,\u201d\t her\t grandmother\t purred.\t \u201cHunting down\t those\t Crochans\u2014your\t relatives.\t When\t you\t were\t a\t witchling,\t your\t father\t searched the\t lands\t for\t you.\t He\t never\t stopped\t loving\t your\t mother.\t Loving\t her,\u201d\t she\t spat.\t \u201cAnd loving\tyou.\tSo\tI\tkilled\thim.\u201d Manon\tgazed\tat\tthe\tdrop\tbelow,\tthe\tdeath\tthat\tbeckoned. \u201cHis\tdespair\twas\tdelicious\twhen\tI\ttold\thim\twhat\tI\u2019d\tdone\tto\ther.\tWhat\tI\twould\tmake you\tinto.\tNot\ta\tchild\tof\tpeace\u2014but\twar.\u201d Made. Made.","Made. Manon\u2019s\t iron\t nails\t chipped\t on\t the\t dark\t stone\t of\t the\t balcony\t rail.\t And\t then\t her grandmother\tsaid\tthe\twords\tthat\tbroke\ther. \u201cDo\t you\t know\t why\t that\t Crochan\t was\t spying\t in\t the\t Ferian\t Gap\t this\t spring?\t She\t had been\t sent\t to\t find\t you.\t After\t a\t hundred\t and\t sixteen\t years\t of\t searching,\t they\t had\t finally learned\tthe\tidentity\tof\ttheir\tdead\tprince\u2019s\tlost\tchild.\u201d Her\t grandmother\u2019s\t smile\t was\t hideous\t in\t its\t absolute\t triumph.\t Manon\t willed\t strength to\ther\tarms,\tto\ther\tlegs. \u201cHer\tname\twas\tRhiannon,\tafter\tthe\tlast\tCrochan\tQueen.\tAnd\tshe\twas\tyour\thalf\tsister. She\tconfessed\tit\tto\tme\tupon\tour\ttables.\tShe\tthought\tit\u2019d\tsave\ther\tlife.\tAnd\twhen\tshe\tsaw what\tyou\thad\tbecome,\tshe\tchose\tto\tlet\tthe\tknowledge\tdie\twith\ther.\u201d \u201cI\tam\ta\tBlackbeak,\u201d\tManon\trasped,\tblood\tchoking\ther\twords. Her\tgrandmother\ttook\ta\tstep,\tsmiling\tas\tshe\tcrooned,\t\u201cYou\tare\ta\tCrochan.\tThe\tlast\tof their\t royal\t bloodline\t with\t the\t death\t of\t your\t sister\t at\t your\t own\t hand.\t You\t are\t a\t Crochan Queen.\u201d Absolute\tsilence\tfrom\tthe\twitches\tgathered. Her\t grandmother\t reached\t for\t her.\t \u201cAnd\t you\u2019re\t going\t to\t die\t like\t one\t by\t the\t time\t I\u2019m finished\twith\tyou.\u201d Manon\tdidn\u2019t\tlet\ther\tgrandmother\u2019s\tnails\ttouch\ther. A\tboom\tsounded\tnearby. Manon\tused\tthe\tstrength\tshe\u2019d\tgathered\tin\ther\tarms,\ther\tlegs,\tto\thurl\therself\tonto\tthe stone\tledge\tof\tthe\tbalcony. And\troll\toff\tit\tinto\tthe\topen\tair. Air\tand\trock\tand\twind\tand\tblood\u2014 Manon\t slammed\t into\t a\t warm,\t leathery\t hide,\t screaming\t as\t pain\t from\t her\t wounds blacked\tout\ther\tvision. Above,\tsomewhere\tfar\taway,\ther\tgrandmother\twas\tshrieking\torders\u2014 Manon\t dug\t her\t nails\t into\t the\t leathery\t hide,\t burying\t her\t claws\t deep.\t Beneath\t her,\t a bark\tof\tdiscomfort\tshe\trecognized.\tAbraxos. But\tshe\theld\tfirm,\tand\the\tembraced\tthe\tpain\tas\the\tbanked\tto\tthe\tside,\tswerving\tout\tof Morath\u2019s\tshadow\u2014 She\tfelt\tthem\taround\ther. Manon\tmanaged\tto\topen\ther\teyes,\tflicking\tthe\tclear\tlid\tagainst\tthe\twind\tinto\tplace. Edda\t and\t Briar,\t her\t Shadows,\t were\t now\t flanking\t her.\t She\t knew\t they\u2019d\t been\t there, waiting\t in\t the\t shadows\t with\t their\t wyverns,\t had\t heard\t every\t one\t of\t those\t damning\t last","words.\t \u201cThe\t others\t have\t flown\t ahead.\t We\t were\t sent\t to\t retrieve\t you,\u201d\t Edda,\t the\t eldest\t of the\tsisters,\tshouted\tover\tthe\troar\tof\tthe\twind.\t\u201cYour\twound\u2014\u201d \u201cIt\u2019s\tshallow,\u201d\tManon\tsnapped,\tforcing\tthe\tpain\taside\tto\tfocus\ton\tthe\ttask\tat\thand.\tShe was\t on\t Abraxos\u2019s\t neck,\t the\t saddle\t a\t few\t feet\t behind\t her.\t One\t by\t one,\t every\t breath\t an agony,\tshe\treleased\ther\tnails\tfrom\this\tskin\tand\tslid\ttoward\tthe\tsaddle.\tHe\tevened\tout\this flight,\toffering\tsmooth\tair\tto\tbuckle\therself\tinto\tthe\tharness. Blood\tleaked\tfrom\tthe\tgouges\tin\ther\tbelly\u2014soon\tthe\tsaddle\twas\tslick\twith\tit. Behind\tthem,\tseveral\troars\tset\tthe\tmountains\ttrembling. \u201cWe\tcan\u2019t\tlet\tthem\tget\tto\tthe\tothers,\u201d\tManon\tmanaged\tto\tsay. Briar,\t black\t hair\t streaming\t behind\t her,\t swept\t in\t closer.\t \u201cSix\t Yellowlegs\t on\t our\t tail. From\tIskra\u2019s\tpersonal\tcoven.\tClosing\tin\tfast.\u201d With\ta\tscore\tto\tsettle,\tthey\u2019d\tno\tdoubt\tbeen\tgiven\tfree\trein\tto\tslaughter\tthem. Manon\tsurveyed\tthe\tpeaks\tand\travines\tof\tthe\tmountains\taround\tthem. \u201cTwo\t apiece,\u201d\t she\t ordered.\t The\t Shadows\u2019\t black\t wyverns\t were\t enormous\u2014skilled\t at stealth,\t but\t devastating\t in\t a\t fight.\t \u201cEdda,\t you\t drive\t two\t to\t the\t west;\t Briar,\t you\t slam\t the other\ttwo\tto\tthe\teast.\tLeave\tthe\tlast\ttwo\tto\tme.\u201d No\tsign\tof\tthe\trest\tof\tthe\tThirteen\tin\tthe\tgray\tclouds\tor\tmountains. Good\u2014they\thad\tgotten\taway.\tIt\twas\tenough. \u201cYou\t kill\t them,\t then\t you\t find\t the\t others,\u201d\t Manon\t ordered,\t an\t arm\t draped\t over\t her wound. \u201cBut,\tWing\tLeader\u2014\u201d The\ttitle\talmost\tsapped\ther\twill.\tBut\tManon\tbarked,\t\u201cThat\u2019s\tan\torder.\u201d The\tShadows\tbowed\ttheir\theads.\tThen,\tas\tif\tsharing\tone\tmind,\tone\theart,\tthey\tbanked to\teither\tdirection,\tpeeling\taway\tfrom\tManon\tlike\tpetals\tin\tthe\twind. Bloodhounds\t on\t a\t scent,\t four\t Yellowlegs\t split\t from\t their\t group\t to\t deal\t with\t each Shadow. The\t two\t in\t the\t center\t flew\t faster,\t harder,\t spreading\t apart\t to\t close\t in\t on\t Manon.\t Her vision\tblurred. Not\ta\tgood\tsign\u2014not\ta\tgood\tsign\tat\tall. She\tbreathed\tto\tAbraxos,\t\u201cLet\u2019s\tmake\tit\ta\tfinal\tstand\tworthy\tof\tsong.\u201d He\tbellowed\tin\tanswer. The\t Yellowlegs\t swept\t near\t enough\t for\t Manon\t to\t count\t their\t weapons.\t A\t battle\t cry shattered\tfrom\tthe\tone\tto\ther\tright. Manon\tdug\ther\tleft\theel\tinto\tAbraxos\u2019s\tside. Like\t a\t shooting\t star,\t he\t blasted\t down\t toward\t the\t peaks\t of\t the\t ashy\t mountains.\t The","Yellowlegs\tdove\twith\tthem. Manon\taimed\tfor\ta\travine\trunning\tthrough\tthe\tspine\tof\tthe\tmountain\trange,\ther\tvision flashing\tblack\tand\twhite\tand\tfoggy.\tA\tchill\tcrept\tinto\ther\tbones. The\t walls\t of\t the\t ravine\t closed\t around\t them\t like\t the\t maw\t of\t a\t mighty\t beast,\t and\t she pulled\ton\tthe\treins\tonce. Abraxos\tflung\tout\this\twings\tand\tcoasted\talong\tthe\tside\tof\tthe\travine\tbefore\tcatching\ta current\t and\t leveling\t out,\t flapping\t like\t hell\t through\t the\t heart\t of\t the\t crevasse,\t pillars\t of stone\tjutting\tfrom\tthe\tfloor\tlike\tlances. The\t Yellowlegs,\t too\t ensnared\t in\t their\t bloodlust,\t their\t wyverns\t too\t large\t and\t bulky, balked\tat\tthe\travine\u2014at\tthe\tsharp\tturn\u2014 A\tboom\tand\ta\tscreech,\tand\tthe\twhole\travine\tshuddered. Manon\tswallowed\ther\tbark\tof\tagony\tto\tpeer\tbehind.\tOne\tof\tthe\twyverns\thad\tpanicked, too\t big\t for\t the\t space,\t and\t slammed\t into\t a\t stone\t column.\t Broken\t bone\t and\t blood\t rained down. But\t the\t other\t wyvern\t had\t managed\t to\t bank,\t and\t now\t sailed\t toward\t them,\t wings\t so wide\tthey\tnearly\tgrazed\teither\tside\tof\tthe\travine. Manon\tpanted\tthrough\ther\tbloody\tteeth,\t\u201cFly,\tAbraxos.\u201d And\ther\tgentle,\twarrior-hearted\tmount\tflew. Manon\t focused\t on\t keeping\t to\t the\t saddle,\t on\t keeping\t the\t arm\t pressed\t against\t her wound\t to\t hold\t the\t blood\t in,\t keep\t that\t lethal\t cold\t away.\t She\u2019d\t gotten\t enough\t injuries\t to know\ther\tgrandmother\thad\tstruck\tdeep\tand\ttrue. The\travine\tswerved\tright,\tand\tAbraxos\ttook\tthe\tturn\twith\texpert\tskill.\tShe\tprayed\tfor the\tboom\tand\troar\tof\tthe\tpursuing\twyvern\tto\thit\tthe\twalls,\tbut\tnone\tcame. But\t Manon\t knew\t these\t deadly\t canyons.\t She\u2019d\t flown\t this\t path\t countless\t times\t on\t the endless,\t inane\t patrols\t these\t months.\t The\t Yellowlegs,\t sequestered\t in\t the\t Ferian\t Gap,\t did not. \u201cTo\tthe\tvery\tend,\tAbraxos,\u201d\tshe\tsaid.\tHis\troar\twas\this\tonly\tconfirmation. One\t shot.\t She\u2019d\t have\t one\t shot.\t Then\t she\t could\t gladly\t die,\t knowing\t the\t Thirteen wouldn\u2019t\tbe\tpursued.\tNot\ttoday,\tat\tleast. Turn\tafter\tturn,\tAbraxos\thurtled\tthrough\tthe\travine,\tsnapping\this\town\ttail\tagainst\tthe rock\tto\tsend\tdebris\tflying\tinto\tthe\tYellowlegs\tsentinel. The\trider\tdodged\tthe\trocks,\ther\twyvern\tbobbing\ton\tthe\twind.\tCloser\u2014Manon\tneeded her\tcloser.\tShe\ttugged\ton\tAbraxos\u2019s\treins,\tand\the\tchecked\this\tspeed. Turn\tafter\tturn\tafter\tturn,\tblack\trock\tflashing\tby,\tblurring\tlike\ther\town\tfading\tvision. The\tYellowlegs\twas\tnear\tenough\tto\tthrow\ta\tdagger. Manon\tlooked\tover\ta\tshoulder\twith\ther\tfailing\teyesight\tin\ttime\tto\tsee\ther\tdo\tjust\tthat.","Not\tone\tdagger\u2014but\ttwo,\tmetal\tgleaming\tin\tthe\tdim\tcanyon\tlight. Manon\tbraced\therself\tfor\tthe\timpact\tof\tmetal\tin\tflesh\tand\tbone. Abraxos\t took\t the\t final\t turn\t as\t the\t sentinel\t hurled\t her\t daggers\t at\t Manon.\t A\t towering, impenetrable\twall\tof\tblack\tstone\tarose,\tmere\tfeet\taway. But\tAbraxos\tsoared\tup,\tcatching\tthe\tupdraft\tand\tsailing\tout\tof\tthe\theart\tof\tthe\travine, so\tclose\tManon\tcould\ttouch\tthe\tdead-end\twall. The\ttwo\tdaggers\tstruck\tthe\trock\twhere\tManon\thad\tbeen\tmoments\tbefore. And\tthe\tYellowlegs\tsentinel,\ton\ther\tbulky,\theavy\twyvern,\tdid\tas\twell. Rock\tgroaned\tas\twyvern\tand\trider\tsplattered\tagainst\tit.\tAnd\tfell\tto\tthe\travine\tfloor. Panting,\ther\tbreath\ta\twet,\tbloody\trasp,\tManon\tpatted\tAbraxos\u2019s\tside.\tEven\tthe\tmotion was\tfeeble.\t\u201cGood,\u201d\tshe\tmanaged\tto\tsay. Mountains\tbecame\tsmall\tagain.\tOakwald\tspread\tbefore\ther.\tTrees\u2014the\tcover\tof\ttrees might\thide\ther\t\u2026\t\u201cOak\t\u2026\t,\u201d\tshe\trasped. Manon\tdidn\u2019t\tfinish\tthe\tcommand\tbefore\tthe\tDarkness\tswept\tin\tto\tclaim\ther.","19 Elide\t Lochan\t kept\t quiet\t during\t the\t two\t days\t she\t and\t Lorcan\t trekked\t through\t the\t eastern edges\tof\tOakwald,\theading\tfor\tthe\tplains\tbeyond. She\thad\tnot\tasked\thim\tthe\tquestions\tthat\tseemed\tto\tmatter\tthe\tmost,\tletting\thim\tthink her\ta\tfoolish\tgirl,\tblinded\tby\tgratitude\tthat\the\thad\tsaved\ther. He\u2019d\tquickly\tforgotten\tthat\tthough\the\u2019d\tcarried\ther\tout,\tshe\u2019d\tsaved\therself.\tAnd\the\u2019d accepted\ther\tname\u2014her\tmother\u2019s\tname\u2014without\tquestion.\tIf\tVernon\twas\ton\ther\ttrail\t\u2026 It\t had\t been\t a\t fool\u2019s\t mistake,\t but\t there\t was\t no\t undoing\t it,\t not\t without\t raising\t Lorcan\u2019s suspicions. So\tshe\tkept\ther\tmouth\tshut,\tswallowed\ther\tquestions.\tLike\twhy\the\u2019d\tbeen\thunting\ther. Or\twho\this\tmistress\twas\tto\tcommand\tsuch\ta\tpowerful\twarrior\u2014why\the\twanted\tto\tget\tinto Morath,\t why\t he\t kept\t touching\t some\t object\t beneath\t his\t dark\t jacket.\t And\t why\t he\t had looked\t so\t surprised\u2014though\t he\u2019d\t tried\t to\t hide\t it\u2014when\t she\u2019d\t mentioned\t Celaena Sardothien\tand\tAelin\tGalathynius. Elide\t had\t no\t doubt\t the\t warrior\t was\t keeping\t secrets\t of\t his\t own,\t and\t that\t despite\t his promise\tto\tprotect\ther,\tthe\tmoment\the\tgot\tevery\tanswer\the\tneeded,\tthat\tprotection\twould end. But\t she\t still\t slept\t soundly\t these\t last\t two\t nights\u2014thanks\t to\t the\t belly\t full\t of\t meat courtesy\tof\tLorcan\u2019s\thunting.\tHe\u2019d\tscrounged\tup\ttwo\trabbits,\tand\twhen\tshe\u2019d\tdevoured\tall of\thers\tin\tminutes,\the\u2019d\tgiven\ther\thalf\tof\twhat\twas\tleft\tof\this.\tShe\thadn\u2019t\tbothered\tbeing polite\tby\trefusing. It\t was\t midmorning\t by\t the\t time\t the\t light\t in\t the\t forest\t turned\t brighter,\t the\t air\t fresher. And\tthen\tthe\troaring\tof\tmighty\twaters\u2014the\tAcanthus. Lorcan\t stalked\t ahead,\t and\t Elide\t could\t have\t sworn\t even\t the\t trees\t leaned\t away\t from him\tas\the\theld\tup\ta\thand\tin\ta\tsilent\tmotion\tto\twait. She\tobeyed,\tlingering\tin\tthe\tgloom\tof\tthe\ttrees,\tpraying\the\twouldn\u2019t\tmake\tthem\treturn to\tthe\ttangle\tof\tOakwald,\tthat\tshe\twouldn\u2019t\tbe\tdenied\tthis\tstep\tinto\tthe\tbright,\twide-open world\u2026 Lorcan\tmotioned\tagain\u2014to\tcome\tforward.\tAll\twas\tclear. Elide\twas\tsilent\tas\tshe\tstepped,\tblinking\tat\tthe\tflood\tof\tsunshine,\tfrom\tthe\tlast\tline\tof trees\tto\tstand\tbeside\tLorcan\ton\ta\thigh,\trocky\triverbank. The\t river\t was\t enormous,\t shades\t of\t rushing\t gray\t and\t brown\u2014the\t last\t of\t the\t ice\t melt from\t the\t mountains.\t So\t wide\t and\t wild\t that\t she\t knew\t she\t could\t not\t swim\t it,\t and\t that\t the","crossing\t had\t to\t be\t somewhere\t else.\t But\t past\t the\t river,\t as\t if\t the\t water\t were\t a\t boundary between\ttwo\tworlds\u2026 Hills\tand\tmeadows\tof\thigh\temerald\tgrasses\tswayed\ton\tthe\tother\tside\tof\tthe\tAcanthus, like\ta\thissing\tsea\tunder\ta\tcloudless\tblue\tsky,\tstretching\taway\tforever\tto\tthe\thorizon. \u201cI\tcan\u2019t\tremember,\u201d\tshe\tmurmured,\tthe\twords\tbarely\taudible\tover\tthe\troaring\tsong\tof the\triver,\t\u201cthe\tlast\ttime\tI\tsaw\u2026\u201d\tIn\tPerranth,\tlocked\tin\tthat\ttower,\tshe\u2019d\tonly\thad\ta\tview of\t the\t city,\t perhaps\t the\t lake\t if\t the\t day\t was\t clear\t enough.\t Then\t she\u2019d\t been\t in\t that\t prison wagon,\tthen\tin\tMorath,\twhere\tit\twas\tonly\tmountains\tand\tash\tand\tarmies.\tAnd\tduring\tthe flight\twith\tManon\tand\tAbraxos,\tshe\thad\tbeen\ttoo\tlost\tin\tterror\tand\tgrief\tto\tnotice\tanything at\tall.\tBut\tnow\t\u2026\tShe\tcould\tnot\tremember\tthe\tlast\ttime\tshe\u2019d\tseen\tsunlight\tdancing\ton\ta meadow,\tor\tlittle\tbrown\tbirds\tbobbing\tand\tswooping\ton\tthe\twarm\tbreeze\tover\tit. \u201cThe\t road\t is\t about\t a\t mile\t upriver,\u201d\t Lorcan\t said,\t his\t dark\t eyes\t unmoved\t by\t the Acanthus\t or\t the\t rippling\t grasses\t beyond.\t \u201cIf\t you\t want\t your\t plan\t to\t work,\t now\t would\t be the\ttime\tto\tprepare.\u201d She\t cut\t him\t a\t glance.\t \u201cYou\t need\t the\t most\t work.\u201d\t A\t flick\t of\t black\t brows.\t Elide clarified,\t\u201cIf\tthis\truse\tis\tto\tsucceed,\tyou\tat\tleast\tneed\tto\t\u2026\tpretend\tto\tbe\thuman.\u201d Nothing\tabout\tthe\tman\tsuggested\this\thuman\theritage\theld\tsway. \u201cHide\tmore\tof\tyour\tweapons,\u201d\tshe\twent\ton.\t\u201cLeave\tonly\tthe\tsword.\u201d Even\t the\t mighty\t blade\t would\t be\t a\t dead\t giveaway\t that\t Lorcan\t was\t no\t ordinary traveler. She\tfished\tan\textra\tstrap\tof\tleather\tout\tof\ther\tjacket\tpocket.\t\u201cTie\tback\tyour\thair.\tYou\u2019ll look\t less\u2026\u201d\t She\t trailed\t off\t at\t the\t faint\t amusement\t tinged\t with\t warning\t in\t his\t eyes. \u201cSavage,\u201d\t she\t made\t herself\t say,\t dangling\t the\t leather\t strap\t between\t them.\t Lorcan\u2019s\t broad fingers\tclosed\taround\tit,\ta\tfrown\ton\this\tlips\tas\the\tobeyed.\t\u201cAnd\tunbutton\tyour\tjacket,\u201d\tshe said,\t rummaging\t through\t her\t mental\t catalog\t of\t traits\t she\t had\t noted\t seemed\t less threatening,\tless\tintimidating.\tLorcan\tobeyed\tthat\torder,\ttoo,\tand\tsoon\tthe\tdark\tgray\tshirt beneath\t his\t tight-fitting\t black\t jacket\t was\t showing,\t revealing\t the\t broad,\t muscled\t chest.\t It looked\tmore\tinclined\tfor\tsolid\tlabor\tthan\tkilling\tfields,\tat\tleast. \u201cAnd\tyou?\u201d\the\tsaid,\tbrows\tstill\thigh. Elide\t surveyed\t herself,\t and\t set\t down\t her\t pack.\t First,\t she\t removed\t the\t leather\t jacket, even\t though\t it\t left\t her\t feeling\t like\t a\t layer\t of\t skin\t had\t peeled\t off,\t then\t she\t rolled\t up\t the sleeves\tof\ther\twhite\tshirt.\tBut\twithout\tthe\ttight\tleather,\tthe\tfull\tsize\tof\ther\tbreasts\tcould\tbe seen\u2014marking\ther\tas\ta\twoman\tand\tnot\ta\tslip\tof\ta\tgirl\tthat\tpeople\tassumed\tshe\twas.\tShe then\ttook\tto\ther\thair,\truffling\tit\tout\tof\tits\tbraid\tand\trestyling\tit\tinto\ta\tknot\tatop\ther\thead.\tA married\twoman\u2019s\thairstyle,\tnot\tthe\tfree-flowing\tlocks\tor\tplait\tof\tyouth. She\tstuffed\ther\tjacket\tinto\ther\tpack,\tstanding\tup\tstraight\tto\tface\tLorcan. His\teyes\ttraveled\tfrom\ther\tfeet\tto\ther\thead,\tand\the\tfrowned\tagain.\t\u201cBigger\ttits\twon\u2019t prove\tor\thide\tanything.\u201d Her\t cheeks\t heated.\t \u201cPerhaps\t they\u2019ll\t keep\t men\t distracted\t just\t enough\t that\t they\t won\u2019t","ask\tquestions.\u201d With\tthat,\tshe\tstarted\tupstream,\ttrying\tnot\tto\tthink\tabout\tthe\tmen\twho\thad\ttouched\tand sneered\t in\t that\t cell.\t But\t if\t it\t got\t her\t safely\t across\t the\t river,\t she\u2019d\t use\t her\t body\t to\t her advantage.\tMen\twould\tsee\twhat\tthey\twanted\tto:\ta\tpretty\tyoung\twoman\twho\tdid\tnot\tbristle at\ttheir\tattention,\twho\tspoke\tkindly\tand\twarmly.\tSomeone\ttrustworthy,\tsomeone\tsweet\tyet unremarkable. Lorcan\t trailed,\t then\t caught\t up\t to\t walk\t beside\t her\t like\t an\t actual\t companion\t and\t not some\tpromise-bound\tescort\tfor\tthe\tfinal\thalf\tmile\taround\tthe\tbend\tof\tthe\triver. Horses\tand\twagons\tand\tshouts\tgreeted\tthem\tbefore\tthe\tsight\tdid. But\tthere\tit\twas:\ta\tbroad\tif\tworn\tstone\tbridge,\twagons\tand\tcarts\tand\triders\tlined\tup\tin droves\ton\teither\tside.\tAnd\tabout\ttwo\tdozen\tguards\tin\tAdarlanian\tcolors\tmonitoring\teither bank,\tcollecting\ttolls,\tand\u2014 Checking\twagons,\tinspecting\tevery\tface\tand\tperson. The\tilken\thad\tknown\tabout\ther\tlimp. Elide\t slowed,\t keeping\t close\t to\t Lorcan\t as\t they\t neared\t the\t two-story,\t derelict\t barracks on\ttheir\tside\tof\tthe\triver.\tDown\tthe\troad,\tflanked\tby\tthe\ttrees,\ta\tfew\tequally\tsorry-looking buildings\twere\ta\tflurry\tof\tactivity.\tAn\tinn\tand\ta\ttavern.\tFor\ttravelers\tto\twait\tout\tthe\tlines with\ta\tdrink\tor\tmeal,\tor\tperhaps\trent\ta\troom\tduring\tinclement\tweather. So\t many\t people\u2014humans.\t No\t one\t appeared\t panicked\t or\t hurt\t or\t sickly.\t And\t the guards,\t despite\t their\t uniforms,\t moved\t like\t men\t while\t they\t searched\t the\t wagons\t passing the\tbarracks\tthat\tserved\tas\ttollhouse\tand\tsleeping\tquarters. She\tsaid\tquietly\tto\tLorcan\tas\tthey\theaded\tfor\tthe\tdirt\troad\tand\tthe\tdistant\tback\tof\tthe line,\t\u201cI\tdon\u2019t\tknow\twhat\tmagic\tyou\tpossess,\tbut\tif\tyou\tcan\tmake\tmy\tlimp\tless\tnoticeable \u2014\u201d Before\t she\t could\t finish,\t a\t force\t like\t a\t cool\t night\t wind\t pushed\t against\t her\t ankle\t and calf,\tthen\twrapped\taround\tit\tin\ta\tsolid\tgrip.\tA\tbrace. Her\t steps\t evened\t out,\t and\t she\t had\t to\t bite\t back\t her\t urge\t to\t gawk\t at\t the\t feeling\t of walking\tstraight\tand\tsure.\tShe\tdidn\u2019t\tallow\therself\tto\tenjoy\tit,\tsavor\tit,\tnot\twhen\tit\twould likely\tonly\tlast\tuntil\tthey\tcleared\tthe\tbridge. Merchants\u2019\twagons\tidled,\tcrammed\twith\tgoods\tfrom\tthose\twho\thadn\u2019t\twanted\tto\trisk the\t Avery\t river\t to\t the\t north,\t their\t drivers\t tight-faced\t at\t the\t wait\t and\t impending inspections.\t Elide\t scanned\t the\t drivers,\t the\t merchants,\t the\t other\t travelers\t \u2026\t Each\t one\t of them\t made\t her\t instincts\t shout\t that\t they\u2019d\t be\t betrayed\t the\t second\t they\t asked\t to\t ride\t or offered\ta\tcoin\tto\tkeep\tquiet. To\ttrawl\tthe\tline\twould\tcatch\tthe\teye\tof\tthe\tguards,\tso\tElide\tused\tevery\tstep\tto\tstudy\tit while\t seemingly\t heading\t toward\t the\t back.\t But\t she\t reached\t the\t end\t of\t the\t line\t empty- handed. Lorcan,\t however,\t gave\t a\t pointed\t glance\t behind\t her\u2014toward\t the\t tavern,\t whitewashed","to\tno\tdoubt\thide\tthe\tnear-crumbling\tstones.\t\u201cLet\u2019s\tget\ta\tbite\tbefore\twe\twait,\u201d\the\tsaid,\tloud enough\tfor\tthe\twagon\tin\tfront\tof\tthem\tto\thear\tand\tdismiss\tit. She\tnodded.\tSomeone\telse\tmight\tbe\tinside,\tand\ther\tstomach\twas\tgrumbling.\tExcept\u2014 \u201cI\t don\u2019t\t have\t any\t money,\u201d\t she\t murmured\t as\t they\t approached\t the\t pale\t wooden\t door. Lie.\t She\t had\t gold\t and\t silver\t from\t Manon.\t But\t she\t wasn\u2019t\t about\t to\t flash\t it\t in\t front\t of Lorcan,\tpromise\tor\tno. \u201cI\u2019ve\tgot\tplenty,\u201d\the\tsaid\ttightly,\tand\tshe\tdelicately\tcleared\ther\tthroat. He\tlifted\this\tbrows. \u201cYou\u2019ll\twin\tus\tno\tallies\tlooking\tlike\tthat,\u201d\tshe\tsaid,\tand\tgave\thim\ta\tsweet\tlittle\tsmile. \u201cWalk\tin\tthere\tlooking\tlike\ta\twarrior\tand\tyou\u2019ll\tget\tnoticed.\u201d \u201cAnd\twhat\tam\tI\tto\tbe,\tthen?\u201d \u201cWhatever\twe\tneed\tyou\tto\tbe\twhen\tthe\ttime\tcomes.\tBut\t\u2026\tdon\u2019t\tglower.\u201d He\topened\tthe\tdoor,\tand\tby\tthe\ttime\ther\teyes\tadjusted\tto\tthe\tglow\tof\tthe\twrought-iron chandeliers,\tLorcan\u2019s\tface\thad\tchanged.\tHis\teyes\tmight\tnever\tbe\twarm,\tbut\ta\tbland\tsmile was\ton\this\tface,\this\tshoulders\trelaxed\u2014as\tif\the\twere\tslightly\tinconvenienced\tby\tthe\twait but\teager\tfor\ta\tgood\tmeal. He\talmost\tlooked\thuman. The\t tavern\t was\t packed,\t the\t noise\t so\t deafening\t that\t she\t could\t barely\t speak\t loudly enough\t to\t the\t nearest\t barmaid\t to\t order\t lunch.\t They\t squeezed\t between\t crammed\t tables, and\tElide\tnoticed\tthat\tmore\tthan\ta\tfew\tpairs\tof\teyes\twent\tto\ther\tchest,\tthen\ther\tface.\tAnd lingered. She\tpushed\tagainst\tthe\tcrawling\tfeeling\tand\tkept\ther\tsteps\tunhurried\tas\tshe\taimed\tfor a\ttable\ttucked\tagainst\tthe\tback\twall\tthat\ta\tweary-looking\tcouple\thad\tjust\tvacated. A\tboisterous\tparty\tof\teight\twas\tcrammed\taround\tthe\ttable\ta\tfew\tfeet\taway,\ta\tmiddle- aged\twoman\twith\ta\tbooming\tlaugh\tinstantly\tsingling\therself\tout\tas\ttheir\tleader.\tThe\tothers at\tthe\ttable\u2014a\tbeautiful,\traven-haired\twoman;\ta\tbarrel-chested\tbearded\tman\twhose\thands were\t as\t large\t as\t dinner\t plates;\t and\t a\t few\t rough-looking\t people\u2014all\t kept\t looking\t to\t the older\twoman,\tgauging\ther\tresponses\tand\tlistening\tcarefully\tto\twhat\tshe\thad\tto\tsay. Elide\t slid\t into\t the\t worn\t wooden\t chair,\t Lorcan\t claiming\t the\t one\t across\t from\t her\u2014his size\tearning\thim\ta\tlook\tfrom\tthe\tbearded\tman\tand\tthe\tmiddle-aged\twoman\tat\tthe\ttable. Elide\tweighed\tthat\tlook. Assessment.\tNot\tfor\ta\tfight;\tnot\tfor\ta\tthreat.\tBut\tin\tappreciation\tand\tcalculation. Elide\t wondered\t for\t a\t heartbeat\t if\t Anneith\t herself\t had\t nudged\t that\t other\t couple\t to move\taway\u2014to\tfree\tup\tthis\tone\ttable\tfor\tthem.\tFor\tthat\tvery\tlook. Elide\t laid\t her\t hand\t out\t on\t the\t table,\t palm\t up,\t and\t gave\t Lorcan\t a\t sleepy\t smile\t she\u2019d once\tseen\ta\tkitchen\tmaid\tgive\ta\tMorath\tcook.\t\u201cHusband,\u201d\tshe\tsaid\tsweetly,\twriggling\ther fingers.","Lorcan\u2019s\tmouth\ttightened,\tbut\the\ttook\ther\thand\u2014her\tfingers\tdwarfed\tin\this. His\t calluses\t scraped\t against\t her\t own.\t He\t noticed\t it\t at\t the\t same\t moment\t she\t did, sliding\this\thand\tto\tcup\thers\tso\the\tmight\tinspect\ther\tpalm.\tShe\tclosed\ther\thand,\trotating\tit to\tgrip\this\tagain. \u201cBrother,\u201d\tLorcan\tmurmured\tso\tno\tone\telse\tcould\thear.\t\u201cI\tam\tyour\tbrother.\u201d \u201cYou\t are\t my\t husband,\u201d\t she\t said\t with\t equal\t quiet.\t \u201cWe\t have\t been\t married\t three months.\tFollow\tmy\tlead.\u201d He\t glanced\t around,\t not\t having\t noticed\t the\t assessing\t stare\t they\u2019d\t been\t given.\t Doubt still\tdanced\tin\this\teyes,\talong\twith\ta\tsilent\tquestion. She\tsaid\tsimply,\t\u201cMen\twill\tnot\tfear\tthe\tthreat\tof\ta\tbrother.\tI\twould\tstill\tbe\tunclaimed \u2014still\t be\t open\t for\t \u2026\t invitations.\t I\t have\t seen\t how\t little\t respect\t men\t have\t for\t anything they\t think\t they\t are\t entitled\t to.\t So\t you\t are\t my\t husband,\u201d\t she\t hissed,\t \u201cuntil\t I\t say otherwise.\u201d A\tshadow\tflickered\tin\tLorcan\u2019s\teyes,\talong\twith\tanother\tquestion.\tOne\tshe\tdidn\u2019t\twant to\t and\t couldn\u2019t\t answer.\t His\t hand\t tightened\t on\t hers,\t demanding\t she\t look\t at\t him.\t She refused. Their\tfood\tarrived,\tmercifully,\tbefore\tLorcan\tcould\task\tit. Stew\u2014root\tvegetables\tand\trabbit.\tShe\tdug\tin,\tnearly\tmelting\tthe\troof\tof\ther\tmouth\tat the\tfirst\tbite. The\tgroup\tbehind\tthem\tbegan\ttalking\tagain,\tand\tshe\tlistened\tas\tshe\tate,\tselecting\tbits and\tpieces\tas\tif\tthey\twere\tshells\ton\ta\tshore. \u201cMaybe\twe\u2019ll\toffer\tthem\ta\tperformance\tand\tthey\u2019ll\tcut\tthe\ttoll\tfee\tin\thalf.\u201d\tFrom\tthe blond,\tbearded\tman. \u201cUnlikely,\u201d\t the\t leader\t said.\t \u201cThose\t pricks\t would\t charge\t us\t to\t perform.\t Worse,\t they enjoy\t our\t performance\t and\t demand\t we\t stay\t awhile.\t We\t can\u2019t\t afford\t that\t wait.\t Not\t when other\t companies\t are\t already\t on\t the\t move.\t We\t don\u2019t\t want\t to\t hit\t all\t the\t plains\t towns\t after everyone\telse.\u201d Elide\t almost\t choked\t on\t her\t stew.\t Anneith\t must\thave\tfreed\tthis\ttable,\tthen.\t Her\t plan had\t been\t to\t find\t a\t troupe\t or\t carnival\t to\t fall\t into,\t disguise\t themselves\t as\t workers,\t and this\u2026 \u201cWe\t pay\t full\t price\t on\t that\t toll,\u201d\t the\t beautiful\t woman\t said,\t \u201cand\t we\t might\t get\t to\t that first\ttown\thalf\tstarved\tand\tbarely\table\tto\tperform\tat\tall.\u201d Elide\tlifted\ther\teyes\tto\tLorcan\u2019s\u2014he\tgave\ta\tnod. She\ttook\ta\tsip\tof\ther\tstew,\tsteeling\therself,\tthinking\tof\tAsterin\tBlackbeak.\tCharming, confident,\tfearless.\tShe\u2019d\talways\thad\ther\thead\tat\ta\tjaunty\tangle,\ta\tlooseness\tto\ther\tlimbs, a\thint\tof\ta\tsmile\ton\ther\tlips.\tElide\ttook\ta\tbreath,\tletting\tthose\tmemories\tsink\tinto\tmuscle and\tflesh\tand\tbone.","Then\t she\t pivoted\t in\t her\t chair,\t an\t arm\t draped\t around\t the\t back\t as\t she\t leaned\t toward their\t table\t and\t said\t with\t a\t grin,\t \u201cSorry\t to\t interrupt\t your\t meal,\t but\t I\t couldn\u2019t\t help\t but overhear\t your\t conversation.\u201d\t They\t all\t turned\t toward\t her,\t brows\t high,\t the\t eyes\t of\t the leader\tgoing\tright\tto\tElide\u2019s\tface.\tShe\tsaw\tthe\tassessment:\tyoung,\tpretty,\tunblemished\tby a\thard\tlife.\tElide\tkept\ther\town\texpression\tpleasant,\twilled\ther\teyes\tto\tbrighten.\t\u201cAre\tyou some\t sort\t of\t performing\t troupe?\u201d\t She\t motioned\t to\t Lorcan\t with\t a\t tilt\t of\t her\t head.\t \u201cMy husband\t and\t I\t have\t been\t looking\t to\t fall\t in\t with\t one\t for\t weeks\t with\t no\t luck\u2014everyone\u2019s full.\u201d \u201cSo\tare\twe,\u201d\ttheir\tleader\tsaid. \u201cRight,\u201d\t Elide\t replied\t merrily.\t \u201cBut\t that\t toll\t is\t steep\u2014for\t anyone.\t And\t if\t we\t were\t to be\t in\t business\t together,\t perhaps\t on\t a\t temporary\t basis\u2026\u201d\t Lorcan\u2019s\t knee\t brushed\t hers\t in warning.\t She\t ignored\t him.\t \u201cWe\u2019d\t be\t glad\t to\t chip\t in\t on\t the\t fee\u2014make\t up\t any\t difference owed.\u201d The\twoman\u2019s\tassessment\tturned\twary.\t\u201cWe\tare\ta\tcarnival\tindeed.\tBut\twe\thave\tno\tneed of\tnew\tmembers.\u201d The\tbearded\tman\tand\tbeautiful\twoman\tshot\tglances\tat\tthe\twoman,\treprimand\tin\ttheir eyes. Elide\tshrugged.\t\u201cAll\tright,\tthen.\tBut\tin\tcase\tyou\tchange\tyour\tmind\tbefore\tyou\tdepart, my\thusband\u201d\u2014a\tgesture\tto\tLorcan,\twho\twas\tgiving\this\tbest\tattempt\tat\tan\teasy\tsmile\u2014\u201cis an\t expert\t sword-thrower.\t And\t in\t our\t previous\t troupe,\t he\t made\t good\t coin\t matching himself\tagainst\tmen\twho\tsought\tto\tbest\thim\tin\tfeats\tof\tstrength.\u201d The\tleader\tturned\ther\tkeen\teyes\ton\tLorcan\u2014on\tthe\theight\tand\tmuscles\tand\tposture. Elide\tknew\tshe\u2019d\tguessed\tright\ton\tthe\tvacancy\tthey\u2019d\tneeded\tfilled\twhen\tthe\twoman said\tto\ther,\t\u201cAnd\twhat\tdid\tyou\tdo\tfor\tthem?\u201d \u201cI\t worked\t as\t a\t fortune-teller\u2014they\t called\t me\t their\t oracle.\u201d\t A\t shrug.\t \u201cMostly\t just shadows\tand\tguesswork.\u201d\tIt\u2019d\thave\tto\tbe,\tconsidering\tthe\tlittle\tfact\tthat\tshe\tcouldn\u2019t\tread. The\twoman\tremained\tunimpressed.\t\u201cAnd\twhat\twas\tyour\ttroupe\u2019s\tname?\u201d They\tlikely\tknew\tthem\u2014knew\tevery\ttroupe\tthat\tpatrolled\tthe\tplains. She\tscanned\ther\tmemory\tfor\tanything\thelpful,\tanything\u2014 Yellowlegs.\t The\t witches\t in\t Morath\t had\t once\t mentioned\t Baba\t Yellowlegs,\t who\t had traveled\t in\t a\t carnival\t to\t avoid\t detection,\t who\t had\t died\t in\t Rifthold\t this\t winter\t with\t no explanation.\u2026\tDetail\tafter\tdetail,\tburied\tin\tthe\tcatacombs\tof\ther\tmemory,\tpoured\tout. \u201cWe\t were\t in\t the\t Carnival\t of\t Mirrors,\u201d\t Elide\t said.\t Recognition\u2014surprise,\t respect\u2014 sparked\t in\t the\t leader\u2019s\t eyes.\t \u201cUntil\t Baba\t Yellowlegs,\t our\t owner,\t was\t killed\t in\t Rifthold this\tpast\twinter.\tWe\tleft,\tand\thave\tbeen\tlooking\tfor\twork\tsince.\u201d \u201cWhere\tdid\tyou\tcome\tfrom,\tthen?\u201d\tthe\tbearded\tman\tasked. It\twas\tLorcan\twho\treplied,\t\u201cMy\tfamily\tlives\ton\tthe\twestern\tside\tof\tthe\tFangs.\tWe\u2019ve spent\tthe\tpast\tfew\tmonths\twith\tthem\u2014waited\tuntil\tthe\tsnows\tmelted,\tsince\tthe\tpass\twas","so\ttreacherous.\tStrange\tthings\thappening,\u201d\the\tadded,\t\u201cin\tthe\tmountains\tthese\tdays.\u201d The\tcompany\tstilled. \u201cIndeed,\u201d\t the\t raven-haired\t woman\t said.\t She\t looked\t to\t their\t leader.\t \u201cThey\t could\t help pay\t the\t toll,\t Molly.\t And\t since\t Saul\t left,\t that\t act\t has\t been\t empty\u2026\u201d\t Likely\t their\t sword- thrower. \u201cLike\t I\t said,\u201d\t Elide\t chimed\t in\t with\t Asterin\u2019s\t pretty\t smile,\t \u201cwe\u2019ll\t be\t here\tfor\ta\tlittle while,\tso\tif\tyou\tchange\tyour\tminds\t\u2026\tlet\tus\tknow.\tIf\tnot\u2026\u201d\tShe\tsaluted\twith\ther\tdented spoon.\t\u201cSafe\ttravels.\u201d Something\tflashed\tin\tMolly\u2019s\teyes,\tbut\tthe\twoman\tlooked\tthem\tover\tonce\tmore.\t\u201cSafe travels,\u201d\tshe\tmurmured. Elide\tand\tLorcan\treturned\tto\ttheir\tmeal. And\t when\t the\t barmaid\t came\t to\t take\t their\t money\t for\t it,\t Elide\t reached\t into\t her\t inner pocket\tand\tpulled\tout\ta\tsilver\tcoin. The\tbarmaid\u2019s\teyes\twere\twide,\tbut\tit\twas\tthe\tsharp\teyes\tof\tMolly,\tof\tthe\tothers\tat\tthat table,\tthat\tElide\tnoted\tas\tthe\tgirl\tslipped\taway\tand\tbrought\tback\ttheir\tchange. Lorcan\t kept\t silent\t as\t Elide\t left\t a\t generous\t tip\t on\t the\t table,\t but\t they\t both\t offered pleasant\tsmiles\tto\tthe\ttroupe\tas\tthey\tvacated\ttheir\ttable\tand\tthe\ttavern. Elide\t went\t right\t to\t the\t back\t of\t the\t line,\t still\t keeping\t that\t smile\t on\t her\t face,\t her\t back straight. Lorcan\tsidled\tup\tclose,\tnot\tat\tall\tnoteworthy\tfor\tthe\tfront\tthey\twere\tputting\ton.\t\u201cYou have\tno\tmoney,\tdo\tyou?\u201d She\tgave\thim\ta\tsidelong\tglance.\t\u201cLooks\tlike\tI\twas\tmistaken.\u201d A\tflash\tof\twhite\tteeth\tas\the\tsmiled\u2014genuinely\tthis\ttime.\t\u201cWell,\tyou\u2019d\tbetter\thope\tyou and\tI\thave\tenough,\tMarion,\tbecause\tMolly\u2019s\tabout\tto\tmake\tyou\tan\toffer.\u201d Elide\t turned\t at\t the\t crunch\t of\t dirt\t beneath\t black\t boots\t and\t found\t Molly\t before\t them, the\t others\t lingering\u2014some\t slipping\t around\t the\t corner\t of\t the\t tavern,\t to\t no\t doubt\t retrieve the\twagons. Molly\u2019s\t hard\t face\t was\t flushed\u2014as\t if\t they\u2019d\t been\t arguing.\t But\t she\t just\t clicked\t her tongue\t and\t said,\t \u201cTemporary\t stint.\t If\t you\u2019re\t shit,\t you\u2019re\t out,\t and\t we\t won\u2019t\t pay\t back\t the money\tfor\tthe\ttoll.\u201d Elide\tsmiled,\tnot\tentirely\tfaking\tit.\t\u201cMarion\tand\tLorcan,\tat\tyour\tservice,\tmadam.\u201d His\twife.\tGods\tabove. He\t was\t over\t five\t hundred\t years\t old\u2014and\t this\t \u2026\t this\t girl,\t young\t woman,\t she-devil, whatever\tshe\twas,\thad\tjust\tbluffed\tand\tlied\ther\tway\tinto\ta\tjob.\tA\tsword-thrower\tindeed. Lorcan\tlingered\toutside\tthe\ttavern,\tMarion\tat\this\tside.\tA\tsmall\ttroupe\u2014hence\tthe\tlack of\tfunds\u2014and\tone\tthat\thad\tseen\tbetter\tdays,\the\trealized\tas\tthe\ttwo\tyellow-painted\twagons","clattered\tand\twobbled\tinto\tview,\tpulled\tby\tfour\tnags. Marion\t carefully\t observed\t Molly\t climb\t into\t the\t driver\u2019s\t seat\t beside\t the\t raven-haired beauty,\twho\tpaid\tLorcan\tabsolutely\tno\theed. Well,\t having\t Marion\t as\t his\t gods-damned\t wife\t certainly\t put\t an\t end\t to\t anything\t more than\tappreciation\tof\tthe\tstunning\twoman. It\t was\t an\t effort\t not\t to\t growl.\t He\t hadn\u2019t\t been\t with\t a\t woman\t in\t months\t now.\t And\t of course\u2014of\t course\u2014he\u2019d\t have\t the\t time\t and\t interest\t in\t one\t \u2026\t only\t to\t be\t shackled\t by another\tone\u2019s\tlies. His\twife. Not\tthat\tMarion\twas\thard\ton\tthe\teyes,\the\tnoted\tas\tshe\tobeyed\tMolly\u2019s\tbarked\torder\tto climb\t into\t the\t back\t of\t the\t second\t wagon.\t Some\t of\t the\t other\t party\t members\t followed\t on piss-poor\thorses. Marion\t took\t the\t bearded\t man\u2019s\t extended\t hand\t and\t he\t easily\t hauled\t her\t into\t the wagon.\t Lorcan\t trailed,\t assessing\t everyone\t in\t the\t party,\t everyone\t in\t the\t makeshift\t little town.\tA\tnumber\tof\tmen,\tand\tsome\twomen,\thad\tnoticed\tMarion\twhen\tshe\tstrode\tby. The\t sweet\t face\t paired\t with\t sinful\t curves\u2014and\t without\t the\t limp,\t with\t her\t hair\t out\t of her\t face\t \u2026\t She\t knew\t exactly\t what\t she\t was\t doing.\t Knew\t people\t would\t notice\t those things,\tthink\tabout\tthose\tthings,\tinstead\tof\tthe\tcunning\tmind\tand\tlies\tshe\tfed\tthem. Lorcan\t ignored\t the\t hand\t the\t bearded\t man\t offered\t and\t jumped\t into\t the\t back\t of\t the wagon,\treminding\thimself\tto\tsit\tclose\tto\tMarion,\tto\tput\tan\tarm\taround\ther\tbony\tshoulders and\tlook\trelieved\tand\thappy\tto\thave\ta\ttroupe\tagain. Supplies\tfilled\tthe\twagon,\talong\twith\tfive\tother\tpeople\twho\tall\tsmiled\tat\tMarion\u2014and then\tquickly\tlooked\taway\tfrom\thim. Marion\t put\t a\t hand\t on\t his\t knee,\t and\t Lorcan\t avoided\t the\t urge\t to\t flinch.\t It\t had\t been\t a shock,\tearlier,\tto\tfeel\thow\trough\tthose\tdelicate\thands\twere. Not\tjust\ta\tprisoner\tin\tMorath\u2014but\ta\tslave. The\tcalluses\twere\told\tand\tdense\tenough\tthat\tshe\u2019d\tlikely\tworked\tfor\tyears.\tHard\tlabor, from\tthe\tlooks\tof\tit\u2014and\twith\tthat\truined\tleg\u2026 He\ttried\tnot\tto\tthink\tabout\tthat\ttang\tof\tfear\tand\tpain\the\u2019d\tsensed\twhen\tshe\u2019d\ttold\thim how\tlittle\tshe\tbelieved\tin\tthe\tkindness\tand\tdecency\tof\tmen.\tHe\tdidn\u2019t\tlet\this\timagination delve\ttoo\tdeep\tregarding\twhy\tshe\tmight\tfeel\tthat\tway. The\twagon\twas\thot,\tthe\tair\tsoaked\twith\thuman\tsweat,\thay,\tthe\tshit\tof\tthe\thorses\tlined up\tbefore\tthem,\tthe\ttang\tof\tiron\tfrom\tthe\tweapons. \u201cNot\tmuch\tby\tway\tof\tbelongings?\u201d\tasked\tthe\tbearded\tman\u2014Nik,\the\u2019d\tcalled\thimself. Shit.\tHe\u2019d\tforgotten\thumans\ttraveled\twith\tbaggage\tas\tif\tthey\twere\tmoving\tsomewhere \u2014 \u201cWe\tlost\tmost\tof\tit\ton\tour\ttrip\tout\tof\tthe\tmountains.\tMy\thusband,\u201d\tMarion\tsaid\twith","charming\t annoyance,\t \u201cinsisted\t we\t ford\t a\t rushing\t stream.\t I\u2019m\t lucky\t he\t even\t bothered\t to help\tme\tout,\tsince\the\tcertainly\tdidn\u2019t\tgo\tafter\tour\tsupplies.\u201d A\t low\t chuckle\t from\t Nik.\t \u201cI\t suspect\t he\t was\t more\t focused\t on\t saving\t you\t than\t on\t the packs.\u201d Marion\trolled\ther\teyes,\tpatting\tLorcan\u2019s\tknee.\tHe\tnearly\tcringed\tat\tevery\ttouch. Even\t with\t his\t lovers,\t outside\t the\t bed\t itself,\t he\t didn\u2019t\t like\t casual,\t careless\t contact. Some\tfound\tthat\tintolerable.\tSome\tthought\tthey\tcould\tbreak\thim\tinto\ta\tdecent\tmale\twho just\t wanted\t a\t home\t and\t a\t good\t female\t to\t work\t beside\t him.\t Not\t one\t of\t them\t had succeeded. \u201cI\t can\t save\t myself,\u201d\t Marion\t said\t brightly.\t \u201cBut\t his\t throwing\t swords,\t our\t cooking supplies,\t my\t clothes\u2026\u201d\t A\t shake\t of\t the\t head.\t \u201cHis\t act\t might\t be\t a\t bit\t lackluster\t until\t we can\tfind\tsomewhere\tto\tpurchase\tmore\tsupplies.\u201d Nik\tmet\tLorcan\u2019s\teyes,\tholding\tthem\tfor\tlonger\tthan\tmost\tmen\tdared.\tWhat\the\tdid\tfor the\t carnival,\t Lorcan\t wasn\u2019t\t sure.\t Sometime\t performer\u2014but\t definitely\t security.\t Nik\u2019s smile\tfaded\ta\tbit.\t\u201cThe\tland\tbeyond\tthe\tFangs\tisn\u2019t\tkind.\tYour\tpeople\tmust\tbe\thardy\tfolk to\tlive\tout\tthere.\u201d Lorcan\tnodded.\t\u201cA\trougher\tlife,\u201d\the\tsaid,\t\u201cthan\tI\twant\tfor\tmy\twife.\u201d \u201cLife\ton\tthe\troad\tisn\u2019t\tmuch\tbetter,\u201d\tNik\tcountered. \u201cAh,\u201d\t Marion\t chimed\t in,\t \u201cbut\t isn\u2019t\t it?\t A\t life\t of\t open\t skies\t and\t roads,\t of\t wandering where\t the\t wind\t takes\t you,\t answering\t to\t no\t one\t and\t nothing?\t A\t life\t of\t freedom\u2026\u201d\t She shook\ther\thead.\t\u201cWhat\tmore\tcould\tI\task\tthan\tto\tlive\ta\tlife\tunchecked\tby\tcages?\u201d Lorcan\tknew\tthe\twords\twere\tno\tlie.\tHe\thad\tseen\ther\tface\twhen\tthey\tbeheld\tthe\tgrassy plain. \u201cSpoken\t like\t someone\t who\t has\t spent\t long\t enough\t on\t the\t road,\u201d\t Nik\t said.\t \u201cIt\t always goes\t either\t way\t with\t our\t kind:\t you\t settle\t down\t and\t never\t travel\t again,\t or\t you\t wander forever.\u201d \u201cI\t want\t to\t see\t life\u2014see\t the\t world,\u201d\t Marion\t said,\t her\t voice\t softening.\t \u201cI\t want\t to\t see everything.\u201d Lorcan\t wondered\t if\t Marion\t would\t even\t get\t to\t do\t that\t if\t he\t failed\t in\t his\t task,\t if\t the Wyrdkey\the\tcarried\twound\tup\tin\tthe\twrong\thands. \u201cBest\tnot\twander\ttoo\tfar,\u201d\tNik\tsaid,\tfrowning.\t\u201cNot\twith\twhat\thappened\tin\tRifthold\u2014 or\twhat\u2019s\tbrewing\tdown\tin\tMorath.\u201d \u201cWhat\thappened\tin\tRifthold?\u201d\tLorcan\tcut\tin,\tsharply\tenough\tthat\tMarion\tsqueezed\this knee. Nik\tidly\tscratched\this\twheat-colored\tbeard.\t\u201cWhole\tcity\u2019s\tbeen\tsacked\u2014overrun,\tthey say,\t by\t flying\t terrors\t and\t demon-women\t as\t their\t riders.\t Witches,\t if\t one\t is\t to\t believe\t the rumors.\tIronteeth,\tstraight\tout\tof\tlegend.\u201d\tA\tshudder.","Holy\tgods.\tThe\tdestruction\twould\thave\tbeen\ta\tsight\tto\tbehold.\tLorcan\tforced\thimself to\t listen,\t to\t concentrate\t and\t not\t begin\t calculating\t casualties\t and\t what\t it\t would\t mean\t for this\t war,\t as\t Nik\t continued,\t \u201cNo\t word\t on\t the\t young\t king.\t But\t the\t city\t belongs\t to\t the witches\t and\t their\t beasts.\t They\t say\t to\t travel\t north\t is\t to\t now\t face\t a\t death\t trap;\t to\t travel south\tis\tanother\tdeath\ttrap\t\u2026\tSo\u201d\u2014a\tshrug\u2014\u201cwe\u2019ll\thead\teast.\tMaybe\twe\tcan\tfind\ta\tway to\tbypass\twhatever\u2019s\twaiting\tin\teither\tdirection.\tMaybe\twar\twill\tcome\tand\twe\u2019ll\tall\tscatter to\tthe\twinds.\u201d\tNik\tlooked\thim\tover.\t\u201cMen\tlike\tyou\tand\tme\tmight\tbe\tconscripted.\u201d Lorcan\t bit\t back\t a\t dark\t chuckle.\t No\t one\t could\t force\t him\t into\t anything\u2014save\t for\t one person,\tand\tshe\t\u2026\tHis\tchest\ttightened.\tIt\twas\tbest\tnot\tto\tthink\tof\this\tqueen. \u201cYou\t think\t either\t side\t would\t do\t that?\t Force\t men\t to\t fight?\u201d\t Marion\u2019s\t words\t were breathless. \u201cDon\u2019t\t know,\u201d\t Nik\t said,\t the\t scent\t and\t sound\t of\t the\t river\t now\t overwhelming\t enough that\tLorcan\tknew\tthey\twere\tnear\tthe\ttoll.\tHe\treached\tinto\this\tjacket\tfor\tthe\tmoney\tMolly had\tdemanded.\tFar\tmore\tthan\ttheir\tfair\tshare,\tbut\the\tdidn\u2019t\tcare.\tThese\tpeople\tcould\tgo\tto hell\t the\t moment\t they\t were\t safely\t hidden\t deep\t in\t the\t endless\t plains.\t \u201cDuke\t Perrington\u2019s forces\tmight\tnot\teven\twant\tus,\tif\tthey\u2019ve\tgot\twitches\tand\tbeasts\ton\ttheir\tside.\u201d And\t much\t worse,\t Lorcan\t wanted\t to\t say.\t Wyrdhounds\t and\t ilken\t and\t the\t gods\t knew what. \u201cBut\t Aelin\t Galathynius,\u201d\t Nik\t mused.\t Marion\u2019s\t hand\t went\t limp\t on\t Lorcan\u2019s\t knee. \u201cWho\tknows\twhat\tshe\twill\tdo.\tShe\thas\tnot\tcalled\tfor\taid,\thas\tnot\tasked\tsoldiers\tto\tcome to\ther.\tYet\tshe\theld\tRifthold\tin\ther\tgrip\u2014killed\tthe\tking,\tdestroyed\this\tcastle.\tBut\tgave\tthe city\tback.\u201d The\t bench\t beneath\t them\t groaned\t as\t Marion\t leaned\t forward.\t \u201cWhat\t do\t you\t know\t of Aelin?\u201d \u201cRumors,\there\tand\tthere,\u201d\tNik\tsaid,\tshrugging.\t\u201cThey\tsay\tshe\u2019s\tbeautiful\tas\tsin\u2014and colder\tthan\tice.\tThey\tsay\tshe\u2019s\ta\ttyrant,\ta\tcoward,\ta\twhore.\tThey\tsay\tshe\u2019s\tgods-blessed\u2014 or\t gods-damned.\t Who\t knows?\t Nineteen\t seems\t awfully\t young\t to\t have\t such\t burdens\t \u2026 Rumor\t claims\t her\t court\t is\t strong,\t though.\t A\t shape-shifter\t guards\t her\t back\u2014and\t two warrior-princes\tflank\ther\ton\teither\tside.\u201d Lorcan\t thought\t of\t that\t shape-shifter,\t who\t had\t so\t unceremoniously\t vomited\t not\t once, but\t twice,\t all\t over\t him;\t thought\t of\t those\t two\t warrior-princes\t \u2026\t One\t of\t them\t Gavriel\u2019s son. \u201cWill\t she\t save\t or\t damn\t us\t all?\u201d\t Nik\t considered,\t now\t monitoring\t the\t snaking\t line behind\ttheir\twagon.\t\u201cI\tdon\u2019t\tknow\tif\tI\tmuch\tlike\tthe\tthought\tof\teverything\tresting\tin\ther hands,\tbut\t\u2026\tif\tshe\twins,\tperhaps\tthe\tland\twill\tget\tbetter\u2014life\twill\tget\tbetter.\tAnd\tif\tshe fails\t\u2026\tperhaps\twe\tall\tdeserve\tto\tbe\tdamned\tanyway.\u201d \u201cShe\twill\twin,\u201d\tMarion\tsaid\twith\tquiet\tstrength.\tNik\u2019s\tbrows\trose. Men\tshouted,\tand\tLorcan\tsaid,\t\u201cI\u2019d\tsave\ttalk\tof\ther\tfor\tanother\ttime.\u201d Boots\t crunched,\t and\t then\t uniformed\t men\t were\t peering\t into\t the\t back\t of\t the\t wagon.","\u201cOut,\u201d\tone\tordered.\t\u201cLine\tup.\u201d\tThe\tman\u2019s\teyes\tsnagged\ton\tMarion. Lorcan\u2019s\t arm\t tightened\t around\t her\t as\t an\t ugly,\t too-familiar\t light\t filled\t the\t soldier\u2019s eyes. Lorcan\tbit\tback\this\tsnarl\tas\the\tsaid\tto\ther,\t\u201cCome,\twife.\u201d The\t soldier\t noticed\t him,\t then.\t The\t man\t backed\t away\t a\t step,\t a\t bit\t pale,\t then\t ordered the\tsupplies\tbe\tsearched. Lorcan\tjumped\tout\tfirst,\tbracing\this\thands\ton\tMarion\u2019s\twaist\tas\the\thelped\ther\toff\tthe wagon.\tWhen\tshe\tmade\tto\tstep\taway,\the\ttugged\ther\tback\tagainst\thim,\tan\tarm\tacross\ther abdomen.\tHe\tmet\teach\tsoldier\u2019s\tstare\tas\tthey\tpassed\tand\twondered\twho\twas\tlooking\tafter the\tdark-haired\tbeauty\tin\tthe\tfront. A\t moment\t later,\t she\t and\t Molly\t came\t around.\t A\t dark,\t rimmed\t hat\t was\t slung\t over\t the beauty\u2019s\thead,\thalf\tof\ther\tlight\tbrown\tface\tobscured,\ther\tbody\tconcealed\tin\ta\theavy\tcoat that\t drew\t the\t eye\t away\t from\t any\t feminine\t curves.\t Even\t the\t cast\t of\t her\t mouth\t was unpleasant\u2014as\tif\tthe\twoman\thad\tslipped\tinto\tanother\tperson\u2019s\tskin\tentirely. Still,\tMolly\tnudged\tthe\twoman\tbetween\tLorcan\tand\tNik.\tThen\ttook\tthe\tmoney\tpouch from\tLorcan\u2019s\tfree\thand\twithout\tso\tmuch\tas\ta\tthank-you. The\tdark-haired\tbeauty\tleaned\tforward\tto\tmurmur\tto\tMarion,\t\u201cDon\u2019t\tlook\tthem\tin\tthe eye,\tand\tdon\u2019t\ttalk\tback.\u201d Marion\tnodded,\tchin\tdipping\tas\tshe\tfocused\ton\tthe\tground.\tAgainst\thim,\the\tcould\tfeel her\tracing\theart\u2014wild,\tdespite\tthe\tcalm\tsubmission\twritten\tover\tevery\tline\tof\ther\tbody. \u201cAnd\t you,\u201d\t the\t beauty\t hissed\t at\t him\t as\t the\t soldiers\t searched\t their\t wares\u2014and\t took what\tthey\twanted.\t\u201cMolly\tsays\tif\tyou\tget\tinto\ta\tfight,\tyou\u2019re\tgone,\tand\twe\u2019re\tnot\tbailing you\tout\tof\tprison.\tSo\tlet\tthem\ttalk\tand\tlaugh,\tbut\tdon\u2019t\tinterfere.\u201d Lorcan\t debated\t saying\t he\t could\t slaughter\t this\t entire\t garrison\t if\t he\t pleased,\t but nodded. After\t five\t minutes,\t another\t order\t was\t shouted.\t Molly\t handed\t over\t Lorcan\u2019s\t money and\ther\town\tto\tpay\tthe\ttoll,\tplus\tmore\tfor\t\u201cexpedited\tpassage.\u201d\tThen\tthey\twere\tall\tback\tin the\twagon\tagain,\tnone\tof\tthem\tdaring\tto\tsee\twhat\thad\tbeen\tpilfered.\tMarion\twas\tshaking slightly\tagainst\twhere\the\tkept\ther\ttucked\tinto\this\tside,\tbut\ther\tface\twas\tblank,\tbored. The\t guards\t hadn\u2019t\t so\t much\t as\t questioned\t them\u2014hadn\u2019t\t asked\t after\t a\t woman\t with\t a limp. The\tAcanthus\troared\tbeneath\tthem\tas\tthey\tcrossed\tthe\tbridge,\twagon\twheels\tclattering on\tancient\tstones.\tMarion\tkept\tshaking. Lorcan\t studied\t her\t face\t again\u2014the\t hint\t of\t red\t along\t her\t high\t cheekbones,\t her\t tight mouth. Not\tshaking\tfrom\tfear,\the\trealized\tas\the\tcaught\ta\twhiff\tof\ther\tscent.\tA\tslight\ttang\tof\tit, perhaps,\tbut\tmostly\tsomething\tred-hot,\tsomething\twild\tand\traging\tand\u2014","Anger.\tIt\twas\tboiling\trage\tthat\tmade\ther\tshake.\tAt\tthe\tinspection,\tat\tthe\tleering\tof\tthe guards. An\t idealist\u2014that\u2019s\t what\t Marion\t was.\t Someone\t who\t wanted\t to\t fight\t for\t her\t queen, who\tbelieved,\tas\tNik\tdid,\tthat\tthis\tworld\tcould\tbe\tbetter. As\tthey\tcleared\tthe\tother\tside\tof\tthe\tbridge,\tthe\tsoldiers\tletting\tthem\tpass\twithout\tfuss, as\t they\t meandered\t past\t the\t line\t on\t that\t side,\t and\t emerged\t onto\t the\t plains\t themselves, Lorcan\twondered\tat\tthat\tanger\u2014at\tthat\tbelief\tin\ta\tbetter\tworld. He\tdidn\u2019t\tfeel\tlike\ttelling\teither\tMarion\tor\tNik\tthat\ttheir\tdream\twas\ta\tfool\u2019s\tone. Marion\trelaxed\tenough\tto\tpeer\tout\tthe\tback\tof\tthe\twagon\u2014at\tthe\tgrasses\tflanking\tthe wide\t dirt\t road,\t at\t the\t blue\t sky,\t at\t the\t roaring\t river\t and\t the\t looming\t sprawl\t of\t Oakwald behind\t them.\t And\t for\t all\t her\t rage,\t a\t tentative\t sort\t of\t wonder\t grew\t in\t her\t dark\t eyes.\t He ignored\tit. Lorcan\thad\tseen\tthe\tworst\tand\tbest\tin\tmen\tfor\tfive\thundred\tyears. There\twas\tno\tsuch\tthing\tas\ta\tbetter\tworld\u2014no\tsuch\tthing\tas\ta\thappy\tend. Because\tthere\twere\tno\tendings. And\t there\t would\t be\t nothing\t waiting\t for\t them\t in\t this\t war,\t nothing\t waiting\t for\t an escaped\tslave\tgirl,\tbut\ta\tshallow\tgrave.","20 Rowan\tWhitethorn\tjust\tneeded\ta\tplace\tto\trest.\tHe\tdidn\u2019t\tgive\ta\tshit\tif\tit\twas\ta\tbed\tor\ta\tpile of\thay\tor\teven\tbeneath\ta\thorse\tin\ta\tstable.\tAs\tlong\tas\tit\twas\tquiet\tand\tthere\twas\ta\troof\tto keep\tout\tthe\tdriving\tveils\tof\train,\the\tdidn\u2019t\tcare. Skull\u2019s\t Bay\t was\t what\t he\t expected,\t and\t yet\t not.\t Ramshackle\t buildings,\t painted\t every color\t but\t mostly\t in\t cracking\t disrepair,\t were\t bustling\t as\t residents\t shuttered\t windows\t and hauled\tin\tclotheslines\tagainst\tthe\tstorm\tthat\thad\tchased\tRowan\tand\tDorian\tinto\tthe\tharbor minutes\tago. Hooded\tand\tcloaked,\tno\tone\thad\tasked\tthem\tany\tquestions\tonce\tRowan\thad\tflipped\ta five-copper\t mark\t to\t the\t dockmaster.\t Enough\t to\t keep\t his\t mouth\t shut,\t but\t not\t enough\t to warrant\tany\tof\tthe\twould-be\tthieves\tmonitoring\tthe\tdocks\tto\tcome\tafter\tthem. Dorian\thad\tmentioned\ttwice\tnow\tthat\the\twasn\u2019t\tsure\thow\tRowan\twas\tstill\tfunctioning. To\tbe\thonest,\tRowan\twasn\u2019t,\teither.\tHe\u2019d\tallowed\thimself\tto\tdoze\tonly\tfor\thours\tat\ta\ttime over\t the\t past\t few\t days.\t The\t burnout\t loomed\u2014steadily\t fraying\t his\t grip\t on\t his\t magic,\t his focus. When\tRowan\thadn\u2019t\tbeen\twrangling\tthe\twinds\tto\tpropel\ttheir\tskiff\tthrough\tthe\tvibrant warm\t waters\t of\t the\t Dead\t Islands\u2019\t archipelago,\t he\u2019d\t been\t soaring\t high\t above\t to\t monitor for\t approaching\t enemies.\t He\u2019d\t seen\t none.\t Just\t turquoise\t ocean\t and\t white\t sands\t flecked with\tdark,\tvolcanic\tstone.\tAll\tof\tit\tringing\tthe\tdense\temerald\tfoliage\tcrusting\tmountainous islands\tthat\tspread\tas\tfar\tas\teven\ta\thawk\u2019s\teye\tcould\tsee. Thunder\tgrumbled\tacross\tSkull\u2019s\tBay,\tand\tthe\tturquoise\tsea\tbeyond\tthe\tharbor\tseemed to\t glow\t brighter,\t as\t if\t a\t distant\t lightning\t strike\t had\t lit\t up\t the\t entire\t ocean.\t Along\t the docks,\t a\t cobalt-painted\t tavern\t remained\t lightly\t guarded,\t even\t with\t the\t storm\t bearing down\ton\tthem. The\tSea\tDragon.\tRolfe\u2019s\town\theadquarters,\tnamed\tafter\this\tship,\tfrom\tAelin\u2019s\treports. Rowan\t debated\t going\t right\t up\t to\t it,\t no\t more\t than\t two\t lost\t travelers\t seeking\t shelter\t from the\tstorm. But\the\tand\tthe\tyoung\tking\thad\tchosen\tanother\troute,\tduring\tthe\tmany\thours\the\u2019d\tmade good\t on\t his\t promise\t to\t teach\t Dorian\t about\t magic.\t They\u2019d\t worked\t for\t only\t minutes\t at\t a time\u2014since\t it\u2019d\t be\t no\t use\t if\t the\t king\t wrecked\t their\t little\t boat\t should\t his\t power\t slip\t its leash.\t So\t it\t had\t been\t exercises\t with\t ice:\t summoning\t a\t ball\t of\t frost\t to\t his\t palm,\t letting\t it melt.\tOver\tand\tover. Even\tnow,\tstanding\tlike\ta\tstone\tamid\tthe\tstream\tof\tpeople\thauling\tin\twares\tfrom\tthe storm\u2019s\t fury,\t the\t king\t was\t curling\t and\t relaxing\t his\t fingers,\t letting\t Rowan\t glean\t their bearings\t while\t he\t gazed\t across\t the\t horseshoe-shaped\t bay\t to\t the\t colossal\t chain\t stretched"]
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