["across\tits\tmouth\u2014currently\tbeneath\tthe\tsurface. Ship-Breaker,\t the\t chain\t was\t called.\t Crusted\t with\t barnacles\t and\t draped\t in\t scarves\t of seaweed,\tit\twas\tconnected\tto\ta\twatchtower\ton\teither\tside\tof\tthe\tbay,\twhere\tguards\twould raise\tand\tlower\tthe\tchain\tto\tlet\tships\tout.\tOr\tkeep\tships\tin\tuntil\tthey\u2019d\tpaid\tthe\thefty\ttolls. They\u2019d\tbeen\tlucky\tthat\tthe\tchain\thad\talready\tbeen\tlowered\tin\tanticipation\tof\tthe\tstorm. Since\ttheir\tplan\tfor\tannouncing\tthemselves\twould\tbe\t\u2026\tcalm.\tDiplomatic. Which\tit\twould\tneed\tto\tbe,\tgiven\tthat\tthe\tlast\ttime\tAelin\thad\tset\tfoot\tin\tSkull\u2019s\tBay, two\t years\t ago,\t she\u2019d\t wrecked\t that\t chain.\t And\t taken\t out\t one\t of\t the\t now-rebuilt watchtowers\t (Rolfe,\t it\t seemed,\t had\t added\t a\t sister-tower\t across\t the\t bay\t since\t then),\t plus half\t the\t town.\t And\t disabled\t the\t rudders\t on\t every\t ship\t in\t the\t harbor,\t including\t Rolfe\u2019s prized\tone,\tthe\tSea\tDragon. Rowan\t wasn\u2019t\t surprised,\t but\t seeing\t the\t scope\t of\t the\t hell\t she\t had\t unleashed\t \u2026\t Holy gods. So\t Dorian\u2019s\t announcement\t of\t his\t arrival\t would\t be\t the\t opposite\t of\t that.\tThey\u2019d\ttake rooms\tat\ta\treputable\tinn\tand\tthen\trequest\tan\taudience\twith\tRolfe.\tProper\tand\tdignified. Lightning\t flashed,\t and\t Rowan\t swiftly\t scanned\t the\t street\t ahead,\t a\t hand\t gripping\t his hood\tto\tkeep\tthe\twind\tfrom\trevealing\this\tFae\theritage. An\temerald-painted\tinn\tlay\tat\tthe\tother\tend\tof\tthe\tblock,\tits\tgilded\tsign\tclacking\tin\tthe wild\twind.\tTHE\tOCEAN\tROSE. The\t nicest\t inn\t in\t town,\t the\t dockmaster\t had\t claimed\t when\t they\t asked.\t Since\t they\t at least\tneeded\tto\tappear\tlike\tthey\tcould\tmake\tgood\ton\tthe\tmoney\tthey\u2019d\toffer\tRolfe. And\t get\t some\t rest,\t if\t only\t for\t a\t few\t hours.\t Rowan\t stepped\t toward\t it,\t nearly\t sagging with\trelief,\tand\tlooked\tover\ta\tshoulder\tto\tmotion\tthe\tking\tto\tfollow. But\t as\t if\t the\t gods\t themselves\t wanted\t to\t test\t him,\t a\t gust\t of\t rain-cooled\t wind\t sprayed into\ttheir\tfaces,\tand\tsome\tsense\tpricked\tin\tits\twake.\tA\tshift\tin\tthe\tair.\tLike\ta\tgreat\tpocket of\tpower\tgathered\tclose,\tbeckoning. The\t knife\t at\t his\t side\t was\t instantly\t in\t his\t soaked\t hand\t as\t he\t searched\t the\t rooftops, revealing\t only\t plumes\t of\t rain.\t Rowan\t quieted\t his\t mind,\t listening\t to\t the\t city\t and\t storm around\tthem. Dorian\t swept\t his\t dripping\t hair\t out\t of\t his\t face,\t mouth\t open\t to\t speak\u2014until\t he\t noted the\tknife.\t\u201cYou\tfeel\tit,\ttoo.\u201d Rowan\tnodded,\train\tsliding\tdown\this\tnose.\t\u201cWhat\tdo\tyou\tsense?\u201d The\t king\u2019s\t raw\t power\t might\t pick\t up\t different\t feelings,\t different\t clues,\t than\t what\t his wind\tand\tice\tand\tinstinct\tcould\tdetect.\tBut\twithout\tthe\ttraining,\tit\tmight\tnot\tbe\tclear. \u201cIt\t feels\t \u2026\t old.\u201d\t Dorian\t winced,\t and\t said\t over\t the\t storm,\t \u201cFeral.\t Ruthless.\t I\t can\u2019t glean\tanything\tmore.\u201d \u201cDoes\tit\tremind\tyou\tof\tthe\tValg?\u201d","If\tthere\twas\tone\tperson\twho\u2019d\tknow,\tit\u2019d\tbe\tthe\tking\tbefore\thim. \u201cNo,\u201d\tDorian\tsaid,\tgaze\tshuttering.\t\u201cThey\twere\tabhorrent\tto\tmy\tmagic.\tThis\tthing\tout there\t \u2026\t It\t just\t makes\t my\t magic\t curious.\t Wary,\t but\t curious.\t But\t it\u2019s\t concealed\u2014 somehow.\u201d Rowan\tsheathed\this\tknife.\t\u201cThen\tstay\tclose\tand\tkeep\talert.\u201d Dorian\thad\tnever\tbeen\tin\tsuch\ta\tplace\tas\tSkull\u2019s\tBay. Even\t with\t the\t heavy\t rain\t lashing\t them\t as\t they\t hunted\t the\t source\t of\t that\t power\t down the\t main\t street,\t he\u2019d\t marveled\t at\t the\t blend\t of\t lawlessness\t and\t complete\t order\t of\t the island-city.\t It\t bowed\t to\t no\t king\t of\t royal\t blood\u2014yet\t was\t ruled\t by\t a\t Pirate\t Lord\t who\t had clawed\this\tway\tto\tpower\tthanks\tto\thands\ttattooed\twith\ta\tmap\tof\tthe\tworld\u2019s\toceans. A\tmap,\trumor\tclaimed,\tthat\thad\trevealed\twhere\tenemies,\ttreasure,\tand\tstorms\tawaited him.\tThe\tcost:\this\teternal\tsoul. Aelin\t had\t once\t confirmed\t that\t Rolfe\t was\t indeed\t soulless\t and\t indeed\t tattooed.\t As\t for the\t map\t \u2026\t She\u2019d\t shrugged,\t saying\t Rolfe\t claimed\t it\t stopped\t moving\t when\t magic\t fell. Dorian\twondered\tif\tthat\tmap\tnow\tindicated\tthat\the\tand\tRowan\twalked\tthrough\this\tcity\u2014 if\tit\tmarked\tthem\tas\tenemies. Perhaps\tAelin\u2019s\tarrival\twould\tbe\tknown\twell\tbefore\tshe\tset\tfoot\ton\tthis\tisland. Cloaked\tand\thooded\tand\tthoroughly\tsoaked,\tDorian\tand\tRowan\tmade\ta\twide\tcircuit\tof the\t surrounding\t streets.\t People\t had\t quickly\t vanished,\t and\t the\t ships\t in\t the\t harbor\t rocked wildly\t with\t the\t waves\t lapping\t over\t the\t broad\t quay\t and\t onto\t the\t cobblestones.\t Palms thrashed\tand\thissed,\tand\tnot\teven\tgulls\tstirred. His\tmagic\tremained\tdormant,\trumbling\twhen\the\u2019d\tstiffen\tat\ta\tloud\tnoise\tfrom\twithin the\t taverns,\t inns,\t homes,\t and\t shops\t they\t passed.\t At\t his\t side,\t Rowan\t plowed\t through\t the storm,\tthe\train\tand\twind\tseeming\tto\tpart\tfor\thim. They\treached\tthe\tquay,\tRolfe\u2019s\tmassive\tprize\tship\tlooming\tout\tin\tthe\theaving\twaters, sails\ttied\tdown\tagainst\tthe\tstorm. At\tleast\tRolfe\twas\there.\tAt\tleast\tthat\thad\tgone\tright. Dorian\t was\t so\t busy\t observing\t the\t ship\t that\t he\t nearly\t slammed\t into\t Rowan\u2019s\t back\t as the\twarrior-prince\thalted. He\tstaggered\tback,\tRowan\tmercifully\tnot\tcommenting\ton\tit,\tthen\tscanned\tthe\tbuilding that\thad\tsnagged\tthe\tprince\u2019s\tattention. His\tmagic\tperked\tup\tlike\ta\tstartled\tdeer. \u201cI\tshouldn\u2019t\teven\tbe\tsurprised,\u201d\tRowan\tgrumbled,\tand\tthe\tblue-painted\tsign\tclattered in\tthe\twinds\tabove\tthe\ttavern\tentrance.\tTHE\tSEA\tDRAGON. Two\t guards\t stood\t halfway\t down\t the\t block\u2014guards\t not\t for\t any\t uniform,\t but\t for\t the fact\tthat\tthey\twere\tstanding\tin\tthis\tstorm,\thands\ton\ttheir\tswords.","Rowan\tangled\this\thead\tin\ta\tway\tthat\ttold\tDorian\tthe\tprince\twas\tlikely\tcontemplating whether\tit\twas\tworth\tit\tto\tchuck\tthe\tmen\tinto\tthe\troiling\tharbor.\tBut\tno\tone\tstopped\tthem as\t Rowan\t gave\t Dorian\t a\t warning\t look\t and\t opened\t the\t door\t to\t the\t Pirate\t Lord\u2019s\t personal tavern.\tGolden\tlight,\tspices,\tpolished\twood\tfloors\tand\twalls\tgreeted\tthem. It\twas\tempty,\tdespite\tthe\tstorm.\tUtterly\tempty,\tsave\tfor\tthe\tdozen\tor\tso\ttables. Rowan\t shut\t the\t door\t behind\t Dorian,\t scanning\t the\t room,\t the\t small\t stairs\t in\t the\t back. From\twhere\tthey\tstood,\tDorian\tcould\tsee\tthe\tletters\tcovering\tmost\tof\tthe\ttables. Storm-Chaser.\tLady\tAnn.\tTiger-Star. The\tsterns\tof\tships.\tEvery\ttable\twas\tmade\tfrom\tthem. They\thadn\u2019t\tbeen\ttaken\tfrom\twrecks.\tNo,\tthis\twas\ta\ttrophy\troom\u2014a\treminder\tto\tthose who\tmet\twith\tthe\tPirate\tLord\tof\thow,\texactly,\the\thad\tgained\this\tcrown. All\tthe\ttables\tseemed\tcentered\taround\tone\tin\tthe\tback,\tbigger\tand\tmore\tworn\tthan\tthe others.\t Thresher.\t The\t enormous\t slats\t were\t flecked\t with\t burn\t marks\t and\t gouges\u2014but\t the lettering\t remained\t clear.\t As\t if\t Rolfe\t never\t wanted\t to\t forget\t what\t ship\t was\t used\t as\t his personal\tdining\ttable. But\tas\tfor\tthe\tman\thimself\tand\tthat\tpower\tthey\u2019d\tfelt\t\u2026\tNo\tsign\tof\teither. A\t door\t behind\t the\t bar\t opened,\t and\t a\t slim,\t brown-haired\t young\t woman\t stepped\t out. Her\tapron\tmarked\ther\tas\tthe\tbarmaid,\tbut\ther\tshoulders\twere\tback,\thead\thigh\u2014gray\teyes sharp\tand\tclear\tas\tshe\tscanned\tthem\tand\tremained\tunimpressed.\t\u201cHe\twas\twondering\twhen you\ttwo\twould\tcome\tsnooping,\u201d\tshe\tsaid,\ther\taccent\trich\tand\tthick\u2014like\tAedion\u2019s. Rowan\tsaid,\t\u201cOh?\u201d The\t barmaid\t jerked\t her\t delicate\t chin\t toward\t the\t narrow\t wood\t stairs\t in\t the\t back. \u201cCaptain\twants\tto\tsee\tyou\u2014in\this\toffice.\tOne\tflight\tup,\tsecond\tdoor\tdown.\u201d \u201cWhy.\u201d Even\tDorian\tknew\tnot\tto\tignore\tthat\ttone.\tBut\tthe\tgirl\tjust\tgrabbed\ta\tglass,\theld\tit\tto the\t candlelight\t to\t inspect\t for\t smudges,\t and\t pulled\t a\t rag\t from\t her\t apron.\t Twin\t tattoos\t of roaring\tgray\tsea\tdragons\tsnaked\taround\ther\ttan\tforearms,\tthe\tbeasts\tseeming\tto\tslither\tas her\tmuscles\tshifted\twith\tthe\tmovement. Their\t scales,\t he\t realized,\t matched\t her\t eyes\t perfectly\t as\t she\t flicked\t her\t stare\t over Dorian\tand\tRowan\tonce\tmore\tand\tsaid\tcoolly,\t\u201cDon\u2019t\tkeep\thim\twaiting.\u201d Dorian\tmurmured\tto\tRowan\tas\tthey\tascended\tthe\tcreaky,\tdim\tstairs,\t\u201cIt\tcould\tbe\ta\ttrap.\u201d \u201cPossibly,\u201d\tRowan\tsaid\twith\tequal\tquiet.\t\u201cBut\tconsider\tthat\twe\twere\tallowed\tto\tcome to\thim.\tIf\tit\twas\ta\ttrap,\tthe\tsmarter\tmove\twould\thave\tbeen\tto\tcatch\tus\tunawares.\u201d Dorian\tnodded,\tsomething\tin\this\tchest\teasing.\t\u201cAnd\tyou\u2014your\tmagic\tis\t\u2026\tbetter?\u201d That\thard\tface\tyielded\tnothing.\t\u201cI\u2019ll\tmanage.\u201d\tNot\tan\tanswer. Along\tthe\tsecond-level\thallway,\tfour\tsteely-eyed\tyoung\tmen\thad\tbeen\tstationed,\teach","armed\t with\t fine\t swords\t whose\t hilts\t were\t fashioned\t after\t attacking\t sea\t dragons\u2014surely the\tmark\tof\ttheir\tcaptain.\tNone\tbothered\tto\tspeak\tas\the\tand\tRowan\tmade\tfor\tthe\tindicated door. The\tFae\tPrince\tknocked\tonce.\tA\tgrunt\twas\tall\tthey\tgot\tin\tresponse. Dorian\tdidn\u2019t\tknow\twhat\the\texpected\tfrom\tthe\tLord\tof\tPirates. But\ta\tdark-haired\tman,\ta\tday\tpast\tthirty\tif\tthat,\tlounging\ton\ta\tred\tvelvet\tchaise\tbefore the\train-splattered\tcurve\tof\twindows\twas\tnot\tit.","21 The\t Pirate\t Lord\t of\t Skull\u2019s\t Bay\t did\t not\t turn\t from\t where\t he\t was\t sprawled\t on\t the\t chaise, piles\tof\tpapers\tlittering\tthe\tworn\tcobalt\trug\tbeneath\tit.\tFrom\tthe\tneat\tcolumns\tthat\tDorian could\t barely\t make\t out\t from\t where\t he\t and\t Rowan\t stood\t a\t few\t feet\t into\t the\t man\u2019s\t office, the\tpapers\tseemed\tcrammed\twith\ttallies\tof\tgoods\tor\texpenses\u2014ill-gained\tor\totherwise. But\tRolfe\tcontinued\tmonitoring\tthe\tships\ttilting\tand\tbobbing\tin\tthe\tharbor,\tthe\tshadow of\tShip-Breaker\u2019s\tsagging\tchain\tcleaving\tthe\tstorm-tossed\tworld\tbeyond\tthem. Rolfe\t had\t likely\t learned\t of\t their\t arrival\t not\t due\t to\t any\t magic\t map,\t but\t from\t sitting here.\t Indeed,\t dark\t leather\t gloves\t adorned\t his\t hands\u2014the\t material\t scarred\t and\t cracked with\tage.\tNot\ta\thint\tof\tthe\tlegendary\ttattoos\tlurking\tbeneath. Rowan\t didn\u2019t\t move;\t barely\t blinked\t as\t he\t took\t in\t the\t captain,\t the\t office.\t Dorian himself\thad\tbeen\tpart\tof\tenough\tpolitical\tmaneuverings\tto\tknow\tthe\tuses\tof\tsilence\u2014the power\tin\twho\tspoke\tfirst.\tThe\tpower\tin\tmaking\tsomeone\twait. The\t rain\t drumming\t on\t the\t windows\t and\t the\t muffled\t dripping\t of\t their\t own\t soaked clothes\ton\tthe\tthreadbare\tcarpet\tfilled\tthe\tquiet. Captain\tRolfe\ttapped\ta\tgloved\tfinger\ton\tthe\tarm\tof\tthe\tchaise,\twatching\tthe\tharbor\tfor a\theartbeat\tlonger\u2014as\tif\tto\tmake\tsure\tthe\tSea\tDragon\tstill\tfloated\u2014and\tfinally\tturned\tto them. \u201cTake\toff\tyour\thoods.\tI\twant\tto\tknow\twho\tI\u2019m\ttalking\tto.\u201d Dorian\t stiffened\t at\t the\t command,\t but\t Rowan\t said,\t \u201cYour\t barmaid\t implied\t that\t you know\tdamn\twell\twho\twe\tare.\u201d A\twry\thalf\tsmile\ttugged\ton\tRolfe\u2019s\tlips,\tthe\tupper-left\tcorner\tflecked\twith\ta\tsmall\tscar. Hopefully\tnot\tfrom\tAelin.\t\u201cMy\tbarmaid\ttalks\ttoo\tmuch.\u201d \u201cThen\twhy\tkeep\ther?\u201d \u201cEasy\ton\tthe\teyes\u2014hard\tto\tcome\tby\taround\there,\u201d\tRolfe\tsaid,\tuncoiling\tto\this\tfeet.\tHe was\t about\t Dorian\u2019s\t height\t and\t clothed\t in\t simple\t but\t well-made\t black.\t An\t elegant\t rapier hung\tat\this\tside,\talong\twith\ta\tmatching\tparrying\tknife. Rowan\tsnorted,\tbut\tto\tDorian\u2019s\tsurprise,\tremoved\this\thood. Rolfe\u2019s\t sea-green\t eyes\t flared\u2014no\t doubt\t at\t the\t silver\t hair,\t pointed\t ears,\t and\t slightly elongated\tcanines.\tOr\tthe\ttattoo.\t\u201cA\tman\twho\tlikes\tink\tas\tmuch\tas\tI\tdo,\u201d\tRolfe\tsaid\twith an\tappreciative\tnod.\t\u201cI\tthink\tyou\tand\tI\twill\tget\talong\tjust\tfine,\tPrince.\u201d \u201cMale,\u201d\tRowan\tcorrected.\t\u201cFae\tmales\tare\tnot\thuman\tmen.\u201d","\u201cSemantics,\u201d\t Rolfe\t said,\t flicking\t his\t attention\t to\t Dorian.\t \u201cSo\t you\u2019re\t the\t king everyone\u2019s\tin\tsuch\ta\ttizzy\tover.\u201d Dorian\tfinally\ttugged\tback\this\thood.\t\u201cWhat\tof\tit?\u201d With\t that\t gloved\t hand,\t Rolfe\t pointed\t toward\t a\t paper-covered\t desk\t and\t two upholstered\tchairs\tbefore\tit.\tLike\tthe\tman\thimself,\tit\twas\telegant,\tbut\tworn\u2014either\tfrom age,\tuse,\tor\tbattles\tpast.\tAnd\tthose\tgloves\t\u2026\tTo\tcover\tthe\tmaps\tinked\tthere? Rowan\t gave\t Dorian\t a\t nod\t to\t sit.\t The\t flames\t on\t the\t candles\t burning\t throughout guttered\tas\tthey\tpassed,\tand\tclaimed\ttheir\tseats. Rolfe\tedged\taround\tthe\tstacks\tof\tpapers\ton\tthe\tfloor\tand\ttook\tup\this\tspot\tat\tthe\tdesk. His\t carved,\t high-backed\t chair\t might\t very\t well\t have\t been\t a\t throne\t from\t some\t distant kingdom.\t\u201cYou\tseem\tremarkably\tcalm\tfor\ta\tking\twho\u2019s\tjust\tbeen\tdeclared\ta\ttraitor\tto\this crown\tand\trobbed\tof\this\tthrone.\u201d Dorian\twas\tglad\the\twas\tin\tthe\tprocess\tof\tsitting\tdown. Rowan\tlifted\ta\tbrow.\t\u201cAccording\tto\twhom?\u201d \u201cAccording\tto\tthe\tmessengers\twho\tarrived\tyesterday,\u201d\tRolfe\tsaid,\tleaning\tback\tin\this seat\tand\tcrossing\this\tarms.\t\u201cDuke\tPerrington\u2014or\tshould\tI\tcall\thim\tKing\tPerrington\tnow? \u2014issued\t a\t decree,\t signed\t by\t the\t majority\t of\t Adarlan\u2019s\t lords\t and\t ladies,\t naming\t you, Majesty,\t an\t enemy\t to\t your\t kingdom,\t and\t claiming\t that\t he\t liberated\t Rifthold\t from\t your claws\t after\t you\t and\t the\t Queen\t of\t Terrasen\t slaughtered\t so\t many\t innocents\t this\t spring.\t It also\t claims\t that\t any\t ally\u201d\u2014a\t nod\t toward\t Rowan\u2014\u201cis\t an\t enemy.\t And\t that\t you\t will\t be crushed\tunder\this\tarmies\tif\tyou\tdo\tnot\tyield.\u201d Silence\t filled\t his\t head.\t Rolfe\t went\t on,\t perhaps\t a\t bit\t more\t gently,\t \u201cYour\t brother\t has been\tnamed\tPerrington\u2019s\their\tand\tCrown\tPrince.\u201d Oh\tgods.\tHollin\twas\ta\tchild,\tbut\tstill\t\u2026\tsomething\thad\trotted\tin\thim,\tfestered\u2014 He\thad\tleft\tthem\tthere.\tRather\tthan\tdeal\twith\this\tmother\tand\tbrother,\the\u2019d\ttold\tthem\tto stay\tin\tthose\tmountains.\tWhere\tthey\twere\tnow\tas\tgood\tas\tlambs\tsurrounded\tby\ta\tpack\tof wolves. He\twished\tChaol\twere\twith\thim.\tWished\tfor\ttime\tto\tjust\t\u2026\tstop\tso\the\tmight\tsort\tout all\tthese\tfractured\tpieces\tof\thimself,\tput\tthem\tinto\tsome\tkind\tof\torder,\tif\tnot\tback\ttogether entirely. Rolfe\t said,\t \u201cFrom\t the\t look\t on\t your\t face,\t I\u2019m\t guessing\t your\t arrival\t indeed\t has something\t to\t do\t with\t the\t fact\t that\t Rifthold\t now\t lies\t in\t ruin,\t its\t people\t fleeing\t wherever they\tcan.\u201d Dorian\t shoved\t out\t the\t insidious\t thoughts\t and\t drawled,\t \u201cI\t came\t to\t learn\t what\t side\t of the\tline\tyou\tstand\ton,\tCaptain,\tin\tregard\tto\tthis\tconflict.\u201d Rolfe\t sat\t forward,\t resting\t his\t forearms\t on\t the\t desk.\t \u201cYou\t must\t be\t desperate\t indeed, then.\u201d\tA\tglance\tat\tRowan.\t\u201cAnd\tis\tyour\tqueen\tequally\tdesperate\tfor\tmy\taid?\u201d \u201cMy\tqueen,\u201d\tRowan\tsaid,\t\u201cis\tnot\ta\tpart\tof\tthis\tdiscussion.\u201d","Rolfe\t only\t grinned\t at\t Dorian.\t \u201cYou\t wish\t to\t know\t what\t side\t of\t the\t line\t I\t stand\t on?\t I stand\ton\tthe\tside\tthat\tkeeps\tthe\thell\tout\tof\tmy\tterritory.\u201d \u201cRumor\t has\t it,\u201d\t Rowan\t countered\t smoothly,\t \u201cthat\t the\t easternmost\t part\t of\t this archipelago\tis\tno\tlonger\tyour\tterritory\tat\tall.\u201d Rolfe\t held\t Rowan\u2019s\t gaze.\t A\t heartbeat\t passed.\t Then\t another.\t A\t muscle\t flickered\t in Rolfe\u2019s\tjaw. Then\t he\t pulled\t off\t those\t gloves\t to\t reveal\t hands\t tattooed\t from\t fingertip\t to\t wrist.\t He turned\tthem\tpalm\tup,\trevealing\ta\tmap\tof\tthe\tarchipelago,\tand\twhat\u2014 Dorian\t and\t Rowan\t leaned\t forward\t as\t the\t blue\t waters\t did\t indeed\t flow,\t little\t dots among\tit\tsailing\tby.\tAnd\tin\tthe\teasternmost\ttip\tof\tthe\tarchipelago,\tcurving\tout\tto\tsea\u2026 Those\t waters\t were\t gray,\t the\t islands\t a\t ruddy\t brown.\t But\t nothing\t moved\u2014no\t dots indicated\tships.\tAs\tif\tthe\tmap\thad\tfrozen. \u201cThey\thave\tmagic\tthat\tshields\tthem\u2014even\tfrom\tthis,\u201d\tRolfe\tsaid.\t\u201cI\tcan\u2019t\tget\ta\tcount of\ttheir\tships,\tor\tmen,\tor\tbeasts.\tScouts\tnever\treturn.\tThis\twinter,\twe\u2019d\thear\troaring\tfrom the\tislands\u2014some\talmost-human,\tsome\tdefinitely\tnot.\tOften,\twe\u2019d\tspy\t\u2026\tthings\tstanding out\t on\t those\t rocks.\t Men,\t but\t not.\t We\t let\t it\t go\t unchecked\t for\t too\t long\u2014and\t paid\t the price.\u201d \u201cBeasts,\u201d\tDorian\tsaid.\t\u201cWhat\tsort\tof\tbeasts?\u201d A\t grim\t smile,\t scar\t stretching.\t \u201cOnes\t to\t make\t you\t consider\t fleeing\t this\t continent, Majesty.\u201d The\t condescension\t snapped\t something\t loose\t in\t Dorian\u2019s\t temper.\t \u201cI\t have\t walked through\tmore\tnightmares\tthan\tyou\trealize,\tCaptain.\u201d Rolfe\tsnorted,\tbut\this\teyes\twent\tto\tthat\tpale\tline\tacross\tDorian\u2019s\tthroat. Rowan\t leaned\t back\t in\t his\t chair\t with\t lazy\t grace\u2014the\t War\t Commander\t incarnate.\t \u201cIt must\tbe\ta\tsolid\ttruce\tyou\thold,\tthen,\tif\tyou\u2019re\tstill\tcamped\there\twith\tminimal\tships\tin\tyour harbor.\u201d Rolfe\t simply\t tugged\t on\t his\t worn\t gloves.\t \u201cMy\t fleet\t does\t have\t to\t do\t a\t little\t pirating every\tnow\tand\tthen,\tyou\tknow.\tBills\tto\tpay\tand\tall\tthat.\u201d \u201cI\u2019m\tsure.\tEspecially\twhen\tyou\temploy\tfour\tguards\tto\twatch\tyour\thallway.\u201d Dorian\tcaught\tRowan\u2019s\ttrain\tof\tthought\tand\tsaid\tto\tthe\tFae\tPrince,\t\u201cI\tdidn\u2019t\tscent\tthe Valg\tin\ttown.\u201d\tNo,\twhatever\tthat\tpower\thad\tbeen\t\u2026\tit\thad\tflickered\tinto\tnothing\tnow. \u201cThat\u2019s\tbecause,\u201d\tRolfe\tdrawled,\tcutting\tthem\toff,\t\u201cwe\tkilled\tmost\tof\tthem.\u201d Wind\trattled\tthe\twindows,\tsmearing\tthe\train\tacross\tthem. \u201cAnd\tas\tfor\tthe\tfour\tmen\tin\tthe\thall\u2014they\tare\tall\tthat\u2019s\tleft\tof\tmy\tcrew.\tThanks\tto\tthe battle\twe\thad\tearly\tthis\tspring\tto\treclaim\tthis\tisland\tafter\tPerrington\u2019s\tgeneral\tstole\tit\tfrom us.\u201d Dorian\tswore\tlow\tand\tviciously.\tThe\tcaptain\tnodded.","\u201cBut\t I\t am\t again\t Pirate\t Lord\t of\t Skull\u2019s\t Bay,\t and\t if\t the\t eastern\t islands\t are\t as\t far\t as Morath\tplans\tto\tgo,\tthen\tPerrington\tand\this\tbeasts\tcan\thave\tthem.\tThe\tDead\tEnd\tis\tbarely more\tthan\tcaves\tand\trock\tanyway.\u201d \u201cWhat\tmanner\tof\tbeasts,\u201d\tDorian\tsaid\tagain. Rolfe\u2019s\t pale\t green\t eyes\t darkened.\t \u201cSea-wyverns.\t Witches\t rule\t the\t skies\t with\t their wyverns\u2014but\tthese\twaters\tare\tnow\truled\tby\tbeasts\tbred\tfor\tnaval\tbattle,\tfoul\tcorruptions of\t an\t ancient\t template.\t Imagine\t a\t creature\t half\t the\t size\t of\t a\t first-rate\t ship\u2014faster\t than\t a racing\tdolphin\u2014and\tthe\tdamage\tit\tcan\tcause\twith\ttooth\tand\tclaw\tand\ta\tpoisoned\ttail\tbig as\ta\tmast.\tWorse,\tif\tyou\tkill\tone\tof\ttheir\tvicious\toffspring,\tthe\tadults\twill\thunt\tyou\tto\tthe ends\t of\t the\t earth.\u201d\t Rolfe\t shrugged.\t \u201cSo\t you\t will\t find,\t Majesty,\t that\t I\t have\t no\t interest\t in disturbing\t the\t eastern\t islands\t if\t they\t do\t not\t disturb\t me\t any\t further.\t I\t have\t no\t interest\t in doing\t anything\t but\t continuing\t to\t profit\t from\t my\t endeavors.\u201d\t He\t waved\t a\t vague\t hand\t to the\tpapers\tscattered\tthroughout. Dorian\theld\this\ttongue.\tThe\toffer\the\u2019d\tbeen\tplanning\tto\tmake\t\u2026\tHis\tcoffers\tbelonged to\tMorath\tnow.\tHe\tdoubted\tprivateers\twould\tvolunteer\tbased\ton\tcredit. Rowan\tgave\thim\ta\tlook\tthat\tsaid\tthe\tsame.\tAnother\troute\tto\twin\tRolfe\tto\ttheir\tcause, then.\tDorian\tsurveyed\tthe\toffice,\tthe\ttaste\tleaning\ttoward\tfinery\tand\tyet\tso\tlittle\tthat\twas not\t worn.\t The\t half-wrecked\t town\t around\t them.\t The\t four\t surviving\t crew.\t The\t way\t Rolfe had\tlooked\tat\tthat\tband\tof\twhite\talong\this\tthroat. Rowan\topened\this\tmouth,\tbut\tDorian\tsaid,\t\u201cThey\tweren\u2019t\tjust\tkilled,\tyour\tcrew.\tSome were\ttaken,\tweren\u2019t\tthey?\u201d Rolfe\u2019s\tsea-green\teyes\twent\tcold. Dorian\t pushed,\t \u201cCaptured,\t along\t with\t others,\t and\t taken\t into\t the\t Dead\t Islands.\t Used for\tinformation\tabout\thow\tand\twhere\tto\tstrike\tyou.\tThe\tonly\tway\tto\tfree\tthem\twhen\tthey were\tsent\tback\tto\tyou,\tdemons\twearing\ttheir\tbodies,\twas\tto\tbehead\tthem.\tBurn\tthem.\u201d Rowan\tasked\troughly,\t\u201cWas\tit\trings\tor\tcollars\tthey\twore,\tCaptain?\u201d Rolfe\u2019s\t throat\t bobbed\t once.\t After\t a\t long\t moment,\t he\t said,\t \u201cRings.\t They\t said\t they\u2019d been\t set\t free.\t But\t they\t weren\u2019t\t the\t men\t who\u2026\u201d\t A\t shake\t of\t the\t head.\t \u201cDemons,\u201d\t he breathed,\tas\tif\tit\texplained\tsomething.\t\u201cThat\u2019s\twhat\the\tput\tin\tthem.\u201d So\tRowan\ttold\thim.\tOf\tthe\tValg,\ttheir\tprinces,\tand\tof\tErawan,\tthe\tlast\tValg\tking. Even\t Rolfe\t had\t the\t wits\t to\t look\t unnerved\t as\t Rowan\t concluded,\t \u201cHe\t has\t cast\t off\t the disguise\tas\tPerrington.\tHe\tis\tonly\tErawan\tnow\u2014King\tErawan,\tapparently.\u201d Rolfe\u2019s\t eyes\t again\t drifted\t to\t Dorian\u2019s\t neck,\t and\t it\t was\t an\t effort\t not\t to\t touch\t the\t scar there.\t \u201cHow\t did\t you\t survive\t it?\t We\t even\t cut\t the\t rings\t off\u2014but\t my\t men\t \u2026\t they\t were gone.\u201d Dorian\tshook\this\thead.\t\u201cI\tdon\u2019t\tknow.\u201d\tNo\tanswer\tdidn\u2019t\tmake\tRolfe\u2019s\tmen\tsound\t\u2026 lesser\tfor\tnot\thaving\tsurvived.\tMaybe\the\u2019d\tbeen\tinfested\tby\ta\tValg\tprince\twho\u2019d\tsavored taking\this\ttime.","Rolfe\t shifted\t a\t piece\t of\t paper\t on\t his\t desk,\t reading\t it\t again\t for\t a\t heartbeat\u2014as\t if\t it were\ta\tmere\tdistraction\twhile\the\tthought.\tHe\tsaid\tat\tlast,\t\u201cWiping\twhat\u2019s\tleft\tof\tthem\tfrom the\tDead\tIslands\twon\u2019t\tdo\tshit\tagainst\tthe\tmight\tof\tMorath.\u201d \u201cNo,\u201d\t Rowan\t countered,\t \u201cbut\t if\t we\t hold\t the\t archipelago,\t we\t can\t use\t these\t islands\t to wage\t a\t battle\t from\t the\t seas\t while\t we\t strike\t from\t the\t land.\t We\t can\t use\t these\t islands\t to house\tfleets\tfrom\tother\tkingdoms,\tother\tcontinents.\u201d Dorian\t added,\t \u201cMy\t Hand\t is\t currently\t in\t the\t southern\t continent\u2014in\t Antica\t itself.\t He will\tpersuade\tthem\tto\tsend\ta\tfleet.\u201d\tChaol\twould\tdo\tnothing\tless\tfor\thim,\tfor\tAdarlan. \u201cNone\twill\tcome,\u201d\tRolfe\tsaid.\t\u201cThey\tdidn\u2019t\tcome\tten\tyears\tago;\tthey\tcertainly\twon\u2019t come\t now.\u201d\t He\t surveyed\t Rowan\t and\t added\t with\t a\t small\t smirk,\t \u201cEspecially\t not\t with\t the latest\tnews.\u201d This\tcouldn\u2019t\tend\twell,\tDorian\tdecided\tas\tRowan\tasked\tflatly,\t\u201cWhat\tnews?\u201d Rolfe\t didn\u2019t\t answer,\t instead\t watching\t the\t stormy\t bay,\t or\t whatever\t out\t there\t held\t his interest.\t A\t rough\t few\t months\t for\t the\t man,\t Dorian\t realized.\t Someone\t holding\t on\t to\t this place\t through\t sheer\t arrogance\t and\t will.\t And\t all\t those\t tables\t below,\t assembled\t from\t the wreckage\t of\t conquered\t ships\t \u2026\t How\t many\t enemies\t were\t circling,\t waiting\t for\t a\t shot\t at revenge? Rowan\t opened\t his\t mouth,\t no\t doubt\t to\t demand\t an\t answer,\t when\t Rolfe\t thumped\t his booted\tfoot\tthrice\ton\tthe\tworn\tfloorboards.\tAn\tanswering\tthump\ton\tthe\twall\tsounded. Silence\t fell.\t Given\t Rolfe\u2019s\t hatred\t for\t the\t Valg,\t Dorian\t doubted\t Morath\t was\t about\t to spring\tshut\ta\ttrap,\tbut\t\u2026\the\tslid\tdeep\tinto\this\tmagic\tas\tfootsteps\tthudded\tdown\tthe\thall. From\t the\t tight\t cast\t of\t Rowan\u2019s\t tattooed\t face,\t he\t knew\t the\t prince\t was\t doing\t the\t same. Especially\tas\tDorian\tfelt\this\tmagic\treach\ttoward\tthe\tFae\tPrince\u2019s,\tas\tit\thad\tdone\tthat\tday with\tAelin\tatop\tthe\tglass\tcastle. Those\tfootsteps\tpaused\toutside\tthe\toffice\tdoor,\tand\tagain,\tthat\tpulse\tof\tforeign,\tmighty magic\trose\tup.\tRowan\u2019s\thand\tslid\tinto\tcasual\tdistance\tof\tthe\thunting\tknife\tat\this\tthigh. Dorian\t focused\t on\t his\t breathing,\t on\t hauling\t up\t lines\t and\t pieces\t of\t his\t magic.\t Ice\t bit into\this\tpalms\tas\tthe\toffice\tdoor\topened. Two\tgolden-haired\tmales\tappeared\tin\tthe\tdoorway. Rowan\u2019s\tsnarl\treverberated\tthrough\tthe\tfloorboards\tand\talong\tDorian\u2019s\tfeet\tas\the\ttook in\tthe\tmuscle,\tthe\tpointed\tears,\tthe\tgaping\tmouths\tthat\trevealed\telongated\tcanines\u2026 The\ttwo\tstrangers,\tthe\tsource\tof\tthat\tpower\t\u2026\tThey\twere\tFae. The\t one\t with\t night-dark\t eyes\t and\t an\t edged\t grin\t looked\t Rowan\t over\t and\t drawled,\t \u201cI liked\tyour\thair\tlonger.\u201d A\t dagger\t embedding\t itself\t in\t the\t wall\t not\t an\t inch\t from\t the\t male\u2019s\t ear\t was\t Rowan\u2019s only\tanswer.","22 Dorian\tdidn\u2019t\tsee\tthe\tFae\tPrince\tthrow\tthe\tdagger\tuntil\tthe\tblade\tthudded\tinto\tthe\twooden wall,\tits\thilt\tstill\tbobbing\twith\tthe\timpact. But\tthe\tdark-eyed,\tbronze-skinned\tmale\u2014so\thandsome\tthat\tDorian\tblinked\u2014smirked at\tthe\tdagger\tshivering\tbeside\this\thead.\t\u201cWas\tyour\taim\tthat\tshitty\twhen\tyou\tcut\tyour\town hair?\u201d The\tother\tmale\tbeside\thim\u2014tan,\ttawny-eyed,\twith\ta\tsteady\tsort\tof\tquiet\tto\thim\u2014lifted his\tbroad,\ttattooed\thands.\t\u201cRowan,\tput\tyour\tblades\tdown.\tWe\u2019re\tnot\there\tfor\tyou.\u201d For\t there\t were\t already\t more\t weapons\t gripped\t in\t Rowan\u2019s\t hands.\t Dorian\t hadn\u2019t\t even heard\thim\tstand,\tlet\talone\tdraw\tthe\tsword,\tor\tthe\telegant\thatchet\tin\tthe\tother\thand. Dorian\u2019s\t magic\t writhed\t in\t his\t veins\t as\t it\t studied\t the\t two\t strangers.\t Here\tyou\tare,\t it sang. Alone\twith\tRowan,\this\tmagic\thad\tbecome\taccustomed\tto\tthe\tprince\u2019s\tstaggering\tabyss of\tpower,\tbut\tthe\tthree\tof\tthese\tmales\ttogether,\tancient\tand\tpowerful\tand\tprimal\t\u2026\tThey were\ttheir\town\tmaelstrom.\tThey\tcould\twreck\tthis\tcity\twithout\teven\ttrying.\tHe\twondered if\tRolfe\trealized\tit. The\tPirate\tLord\tsaid\tdrily,\t\u201cI\ttake\tit\tyou\tknow\teach\tother.\u201d The\tsolemn,\tgolden-eyed\tone\tnodded,\this\tpale\tclothes\tso\tlike\tthe\tones\tRowan\tfavored: layered,\t efficient\t fabric,\t fit\t for\t battlefields.\t A\t band\t of\t black\t tattoos\t encircled\t the\t male\u2019s muscled\t neck.\t Dorian\u2019s\t stomach\t lurched.\t From\t a\t distance,\t it\t might\t very\t well\t have\t been another\tsort\tof\tblack\tcollar. Rowan\tsaid\ttightly,\t\u201cGavriel\tand\tFenrys\tused\tto\t\u2026\twork\twith\tme.\u201d Rolfe\u2019s\tsea-green\teyes\tdarted\tamong\tthem\tall,\tassessing,\tweighing. Fenrys\u2014Gavriel.\tDorian\tknew\tthose\tnames.\tRowan\thad\tmentioned\tthem\tduring\ttheir journey\there\t\u2026\tTwo\tmembers\tof\tRowan\u2019s\tcadre. Rowan\texplained\tto\tDorian,\t\u201cThey\tare\tblood-sworn\tto\tMaeve.\tAs\tI\tused\tto\tbe.\u201d Meaning\tthey\twere\there\tunder\ther\torders.\tAnd\tif\tMaeve\thad\tsent\tnot\tone,\tbut\ttwo\tof her\tlieutenants\tto\tthis\tcontinent,\twhen\tLorcan\twas\talready\there\u2026 Rowan\t said\t through\t his\t teeth\t but\t sheathed\t his\t weapons,\t \u201cWhat\t is\t your\t business\t with Rolfe?\u201d Dorian\t released\t his\t magic\t into\t himself.\t It\t settled\t into\t his\t core\t like\t a\t bit\t of\t dropped ribbon.","Rolfe\twaved\ta\thand\tto\tthe\ttwo\tmales.\t\u201cThey\u2019re\tthe\tbearer\tof\tthe\tnews\tI\tpromised\tyou \u2014among\tother\tthings.\u201d \u201cAnd\twe\twere\tjust\tsitting\tdown\tto\tlunch,\u201d\tFenrys\tsaid,\tthose\tdark\teyes\tdancing.\t\u201cShall we?\u201d Fenrys\tdidn\u2019t\twait\tfor\tthem\tas\the\tducked\tback\tinto\tthe\thall\tand\twalked\tout. The\ttattooed\tone\u2014Gavriel\u2014sighed\tquietly.\t\u201cIt\u2019s\ta\tlong\ttale,\tRowan,\tand\tone\tyou\tand the\tKing\tof\tAdarlan\u201d\u2014a\tflick\tof\ttawny\teyes\tin\this\tdirection\u2014\u201cmust\thear.\u201d\tHe\tgestured\tto the\thall\tand\tsaid,\tutterly\tstone-faced,\t\u201cYou\tknow\thow\tcranky\tFenrys\tgets\twhen\the\tdoesn\u2019t eat.\u201d \u201cI\theard\tthat,\u201d\tcalled\ta\tdeep\tmale\tvoice\tfrom\tthe\thall. Dorian\t reined\t in\t his\t smile,\t watching\t Rowan\t for\t his\t reaction\t instead.\t But\t the\t Fae Prince\tonly\tjerked\this\thead\tat\tGavriel\tin\tsilent\torder\tto\tlead\tthe\tway. None\t of\t them,\t not\t even\t Rolfe,\t spoke\t as\t they\t descended\t into\t the\t main\t room.\t The barmaid\t was\t gone,\t only\t sparkling\t glasses\t behind\t the\t bar\t hinting\t that\t she\u2019d\t been\t there. And,\t indeed\t digging\t into\t a\t steaming\t bowl\t of\t what\t smelled\t like\t fish\t stew,\t Fenrys\t now waited\tfor\tthem\tat\ta\ttable\tin\tthe\tback. Gavriel\t slid\t into\t a\t seat\t beside\t the\t warrior,\t his\t mostly\t full\t bowl\t sloshing\t a\t bit\t as\t the table\tshifted,\tand\tsaid\tto\tRowan\twhen\tthe\tprince\thalted\thalfway\tthrough\tthe\troom,\t\u201cIs\u2026\u201d The\t Fae\t warrior\t paused,\t as\t if\t weighing\t the\t words\t and\t how\t Rowan\t might\t react\t if\t the question\t was\t posed\t poorly.\t Dorian\t knew\t why\t the\t exact\t next\t moment.\t \u201cIs\t Aelin Galathynius\twith\tyou?\u201d Dorian\t didn\u2019t\t know\t where\t to\t look:\t at\t the\t warriors\t now\t at\t the\t table,\t at\t Rowan\t beside him,\tor\tat\tRolfe,\tbrows\traised\tas\the\tleaned\tagainst\tthe\tstair\tbanister,\twith\tno\tidea\tthat\tthe queen\twas\this\tgreat\tenemy. Rowan\tshook\this\thead\tonce,\ta\tswift,\tcutting\tmove.\t\u201cMy\tqueen\tis\tnot\tin\tour\tcompany.\u201d Fenrys\t flicked\t his\t brows\t up\t but\t continued\t devouring\t his\t meal,\t his\t gray\t jacket unbuttoned\tto\treveal\tthe\tmuscled\tbrown\tchest\tpeeking\tthrough\tthe\tvee\tof\this\twhite\tshirt. Gold\t embroidery\t swirled\t along\t the\t lapels\t of\t the\t jacket\u2014the\t only\t sign\t of\t wealth\t among them. Dorian\tdidn\u2019t\tquite\tknow\twhat\thad\thappened\tthis\tpast\tspring\twith\tRowan\u2019s\tcadre,\tbut \u2026\tthey\tobviously\thadn\u2019t\tparted\ton\tgood\tterms.\tAt\tleast\ton\tRowan\u2019s\tend. Gavriel\t rose\t to\t drag\t over\t two\t chairs\u2014closest\t to\t the\t exit,\t Dorian\t noticed.\t Perhaps Gavriel\twas\tthe\tone\twho\tkept\tthe\tpeace\tamong\tthe\tcadre. Rowan\t didn\u2019t\t make\t a\t move\t for\t them.\t It\t was\t so\t easy\t to\t forget\t that\t the\t prince\t had centuries\tof\thandling\tforeign\tcourts\u2014had\tgone\tto\twar\tand\tback\tagain.\tWith\tthese\tmales. Rowan\tdidn\u2019t\tbother\twith\tdiplomacy,\thowever,\tas\the\tsaid,\t\u201cTell\tme\twhatever\tthe\thell this\tnews\tis.\u201d Fenrys\t and\t Gavriel\t exchanged\t a\t look.\t The\t former\t just\t rolled\t his\t eyes\t and\t gestured","with\this\tspoon\tfor\tGavriel\tto\tspeak. \u201cMaeve\u2019s\tarmada\tsails\tfor\tthis\tcontinent.\u201d Dorian\twas\tglad\the\tdidn\u2019t\thave\tanything\tin\this\tstomach. Rowan\u2019s\twords\twere\tguttural\tas\the\tasked,\t\u201cIs\tthat\tbitch\tallying\twith\tMorath?\u201d\tHe\tcut what\tDorian\tconsidered\tto\tbe\tthe\tdefinition\tof\tan\ticy\tstare\tat\tRolfe.\t\u201cAre\tyou\tallying\twith her?\u201d \u201cNo,\u201d\tGavriel\tsaid\tevenly. Rolfe,\tto\this\tcredit,\tjust\tshrugged.\t\u201cI\ttold\tyou,\tI\twant\tno\tpart\tin\tthis\twar.\u201d \u201cMaeve\tisn\u2019t\tthe\tsort\tto\tshare\tpower,\u201d\tGavriel\tcut\tin\tcalmly.\t\u201cBut\tbefore\twe\tleft,\tshe was\treadying\ther\tarmada\tto\tleave\u2014for\tEyllwe.\u201d Dorian\twhooshed\tout\ta\tbreath.\t\u201cWhy\tEyllwe?\tIs\tit\tpossible\tshe\tcould\tbe\tsending\taid?\u201d From\t the\t look\t on\t Rowan\u2019s\t face,\t Dorian\t could\t tell\t the\t prince\t was\t already\t cataloging and\tmarking,\tanalyzing\twhat\the\tknew\tof\this\tformer\tqueen,\tof\tEyllwe,\tand\thow\tit\ttied\tto everything\telse. Dorian\ttried\tto\tcontrol\this\tthundering\theart,\tknowing\tthey\tcould\tlikely\thear\tits\tshift\tin rhythm. Fenrys\t set\t down\t his\t spoon.\t \u201cI\t doubt\t she\u2019s\t sending\t aid\t to\t anyone\t at\t all\u2014at\t least\t not where\tthis\tcontinent\tis\tconcerned.\tAnd\tagain,\tshe\tdidn\u2019t\ttell\tus\ther\tspecific\treasons.\u201d \u201cShe\t always\t tells\t us,\u201d\t Rowan\t countered.\t \u201cShe\u2019s\t never\t contained\t information\t like that.\u201d Fenrys\u2019s\t dark\t eyes\t flickered.\t \u201cThat\t was\t before\t you\t humiliated\t her\t by\t leaving\t her\t for Aelin\t of\t the\t Wildfire.\t And\t before\t Lorcan\t abandoned\t her\t as\t well.\t She\t trusts\t none\t of\t us now.\u201d Eyllwe\t\u2026\tMaeve\thad\tto\tknow\thow\tdear\tthe\tkingdom\twas\tto\tAelin.\tBut\tto\tlaunch\tan armada\t \u2026\t There\t had\t to\t be\t something\t there,\t something\t worth\t her\t while.\t Dorian\t ran through\tevery\tlesson\the\u2019d\tbeen\ttaught,\tevery\tbook\the\u2019d\tread\ton\tthe\tkingdom.\tBut\tnothing sparked. Rowan\t said,\t \u201cMaeve\t cannot\t believe\t she\t can\t conquer\t Eyllwe\u2014at\t least\t not\t for\t any extended\t period\t of\t time,\t not\t without\t drawing\t all\t her\t armies\t here,\t and\t leaving\t her\t realm undefended.\u201d But\t perhaps\t it\u2019d\t spread\t Erawan\t thin,\t even\t if\t the\t cost\t of\t Maeve\u2019s\t invasion\t would\t be steep\u2026 \u201cAgain,\u201d\t Fenrys\t drawled,\t \u201cwe\t don\u2019t\t know\t details.\t We\t only\t told\t him\u201d\u2014a\t jerk\t of\t the chin\t toward\t where\t Rolfe\t still\t leaned\t against\t the\t banister\t with\t crossed\t arms\u2014\u201cas\t a courtesy\twarning\u2014among\tother\tthings.\u201d Dorian\tnoted\tthat\tRowan\tdidn\u2019t\task\tif\tthey\u2019d\thave\textended\tthe\tcourtesy\tto\tthem\thad they\tnot\tbeen\there.\tOr\twhat,\texactly,\tthose\tother\tthings\twere.\tThe\tprince\tsaid\tto\tRolfe,\t\u201cI","need\tto\tdispatch\tmessages.\tImmediately.\u201d Rolfe\t studied\t his\t gloved\t hands.\t \u201cWhy\t bother?\t Won\u2019t\t the\t recipient\t arrive\t soon enough?\u201d \u201cWhat?\u201d\tDorian\tbraced\thimself\tat\tthe\tsimmering\ttemper\tin\tRowan\u2019s\ttone. Rolfe\t smiled.\t \u201cRumor\t has\t it\t Aelin\t Galathynius\t destroyed\t General\t Narrok\t and\t his lieutenants\tover\tin\tWendlyn.\tAnd\tthat\tshe\taccomplished\tthis\twith\ta\tFae\tPrince\tat\ther\tside. Impressive.\u201d Rowan\u2019s\tcanines\tflashed.\t\u201cAnd\tyour\tpoint\tis,\tCaptain?\u201d \u201cI\tjust\twish\tto\tknow\twhether\tHer\tMajesty,\tQueen\tof\tFire,\texpects\ta\tgrand\tparade\twhen she\tarrives.\u201d Dorian\tdoubted\tRolfe\twould\tvery\tmuch\tlike\ther\tother\ttitle\u2014Adarlan\u2019s\tAssassin. Rowan\u2019s\tsnarl\twas\tsoft.\t\u201cAgain,\tshe\u2019s\tnot\tcoming\there.\u201d \u201cOh?\t You\t mean\t to\t tell\t me\t that\t her\t lover\t goes\t to\t rescue\t the\t King\t of\t Adarlan,\t and instead\t of\t taking\t him\t north,\t he\t brings\t him\t here\u2014and\t it\t doesn\u2019t\t somehow\t mean\t I\u2019m\t to soon\tplay\thost\tto\ther?\u201d At\tthe\tmention\tof\tlover,\tRowan\tgave\tFenrys\ta\tlethal\tstare.\tThe\tbeautiful\tmale\u2014really, there\twas\tno\tway\tto\tdescribe\thim\tother\tthan\tthat\u2014just\tshrugged. But\tRowan\tsaid\tto\tRolfe,\t\u201cShe\tasked\tme\tto\tbring\tKing\tDorian\tto\tpersuade\tyou\tto\tjoin our\tcause.\tBut\tas\tyou\thave\tno\tinterest\tin\tany\tagenda\tbut\tyour\town,\tit\tseems\tour\ttrip\twas wasted.\t So\t we\t have\t no\t further\t use\t for\t you\t at\t this\t table,\t especially\t if\t you\u2019re\t incapable\t of dispatching\tmessengers.\u201d\tRowan\tflicked\this\teyes\ttoward\tthe\tstairs\tbehind\tRolfe.\t\u201cYou\u2019re dismissed.\u201d Fenrys\tchoked\ton\ta\tdark\tlaugh,\tbut\tGavriel\tstraightened\tas\tRolfe\thissed,\t\u201cI\tdon\u2019t\tcare who\tyou\tare\tand\twhat\tpower\tyou\twield.\tYou\tdon\u2019t\tgive\tme\torders\tin\tmy\tterritory.\u201d \u201cYou\u2019d\t better\t get\t used\t to\t taking\t them,\u201d\t Rowan\t said,\t his\t voice\t calm\t in\t that\t way\t that made\tDorian\u2019s\tevery\tinstinct\tprepare\tto\trun.\t\u201cFor\tif\tMorath\twins\tthis\twar,\tthey\twill\tnot\tbe content\t to\t let\t you\t flounce\t about\t these\t islands,\t pretending\t to\t be\t king.\t They\t will\t lock\t you out\tof\tevery\tport\tand\triver,\tdeny\tyou\ttrade\twith\tcities\tthat\tyou\thave\tcome\tto\tdepend\tupon. Who\tshall\tyour\tbuyers\tbe\twhen\tthere\tare\tnone\tleft\tto\tpurchase\tyour\tgoods?\tI\tdoubt\tMaeve will\tbother\u2014or\tremember\tyou.\u201d Rolfe\t snapped,\t \u201cIf\t these\t islands\t are\t sacked,\t we\t will\t sail\t to\t others\u2014and\t others.\t The seas\tare\tmy\thaven\u2014upon\tthe\twaves,\twe\twill\talways\tbe\tfree.\u201d \u201cI\u2019d\thardly\tcall\tsquatting\tin\tyour\ttavern\tin\tfear\tof\tValg\tassassins\tfree.\u201d Rolfe\u2019s\t gloved\t hands\t flexed\t and\t unfurled,\t and\t Dorian\t wondered\t if\t he\u2019d\t go\t for\t the rapier\tat\this\tside.\tBut\tthen\tthe\tPirate\tLord\tsaid\tto\tFenrys\tand\tGavriel,\t\u201cWe\twill\tmeet\there tomorrow\tat\televen.\u201d\tWhen\this\tgaze\tshifted\tto\tRowan,\tit\thardened.\t\u201cSend\thowever\tmany damn\tmessages\tyou\twant.\tYou\tmay\tstay\tuntil\tyour\tqueen\tarrives,\twhich\tI\thave\tno\tdoubt she\twill.\t At\t that\t time,\t I\t will\t hear\t what\t the\t legendary\t Aelin\t Galathynius\t has\t to\t say\t for","herself.\tUntil\tthen,\tget\tthe\thell\tout.\u201d\tHe\tjerked\this\tchin\ttoward\tGavriel\tand\tFenrys.\t\u201cYou can\t talk\t to\t the\t princes\t at\t their\t own\t damn\t lodgings.\u201d\t Rolfe\t stalked\t to\t the\t front\t door, yanking\tit\topen\tto\treveal\ta\twall\tof\train\tand\tthe\tfour\tyoung\tbut\thard-looking\tmen\tlingering on\t the\t soaked\t quay.\t Their\t hands\t shot\t to\t their\t weapons,\t but\t Rolfe\t made\t no\t move\t to summon\tthem.\tHe\tonly\tpointed\tout\tthe\tdoor. Rowan\tstared\tdown\tthe\tman\tfor\ta\tmoment,\tthen\tsaid\tto\this\tformer\tcompanions,\t\u201cLet\u2019s go.\u201d They\tweren\u2019t\tstupid\tenough\tto\targue. This\twas\tbad.\tUndeniably\tbad. Rowan\u2019s\tmagic\tfrayed\tapart\tas\the\tworked\tto\tkeep\tthe\tshields\taround\thim\tand\tDorian intact.\tBut\the\tdidn\u2019t\tlet\tFenrys\tor\tGavriel\tget\ta\twhiff\tof\tthat\texhaustion,\tdidn\u2019t\treveal\tone bit\tof\tthe\teffort\tit\ttook\tto\thold\tthe\tmagic\tand\tconcentrate. Rolfe\t might\t very\t well\t be\t a\t lost\t cause\t against\t Erawan\t or\t Maeve\u2014especially\t once\t he saw\t Aelin.\t If\t Aelin\t had\t been\t present\t during\t this\t conversation,\t Rowan\t had\t a\t feeling\t it would\thave\tended\twith\tthe\tSea\tDragon\u2014both\tthe\tinn\tand\tthe\tship\tanchored\tin\tthe\tharbor \u2014aflame.\tBut\tthose\tsea-wyverns\t\u2026\tAnd\tMaeve\u2019s\tarmada\t\u2026\tHe\u2019d\tthink\tabout\tthat\tlater. But\tshit.\tJust\u2014shit. The\tno-nonsense\tinnkeeper\tat\tthe\tOcean\tRose\tasked\tno\tquestions\tas\tRowan\tpurchased two\t rooms\u2014the\t best\t the\t inn\t had\t to\t offer.\t Not\t when\t he\t laid\t a\t gold\t piece\t on\t the\t counter. Two\t weeks\u2019\t accommodations,\t plus\t all\t meals,\t plus\t stabling\t of\t their\t horses\t if\t they\t had them,\tand\tunlimited\tlaundry,\tshe\u2019d\toffered\twith\ta\tknowing\tlook\tat\this\tclothes. And\t whatever\t guests\t he\t wished,\t she\t added\t as\t Rowan\t whistled\t sharply,\t and\t Dorian, Fenrys,\t and\t Gavriel\t crossed\t the\t flagstone\t courtyard,\t hoods\t on\t as\t they\t edged\t around\t the burbling\t fountain.\t Rain\t pattered\t on\t the\t potted\t palms,\t rustling\t the\t magenta\t bougainvillea crawling\tup\tthe\twalls\ttoward\tthe\twhite-painted\tbalconies,\tstill\tshuttered\tagainst\tthe\tstorm. Rowan\t asked\t the\t woman\t to\t send\t up\t what\t was\t likely\t enough\t food\t for\t eight\t people, then\tstalked\tfor\tthe\tpolished\tstairs\tat\tthe\tback\tof\tthe\tdim\tdining\troom,\tthe\tothers\tfalling\tin behind\t him.\t Fenrys,\t mercifully,\t kept\t his\t mouth\t shut\t until\t they\t reached\t Rowan\u2019s\t room, discarded\ttheir\tcloaks,\tand\tRowan\tlit\ta\tfew\tcandles.\tThe\tact\talone\tleft\ta\thole\tin\this\tchest. Fenrys\tsank\tinto\tone\tof\tthe\tcushioned\tchairs\tbefore\tthe\tdark\tfireplace,\trunning\ta\tfinger down\tthe\tblack-painted\tarm.\t\u201cSuch\tfine\taccommodations.\tWhich\tof\tthe\troyals\tis\tpaying, then?\u201d Dorian,\t who\t had\t been\t about\t to\t claim\t the\t seat\t by\t the\t small\t desk\t before\t the\t shuttered windows,\tstiffened.\tGavriel\tgave\tFenrys\ta\tlook\tthat\tsaid,\tPlease\tno\tbrawling. \u201cDoes\tit\tmake\ta\tdifference?\u201d\tRowan\tasked\tas\the\twent\twall\tto\twall,\tlifting\tthe\tframed pictures\t of\t lush\t flora\t for\t any\t spy\t holes\t or\t access\t points.\t Then\t he\t checked\t beneath\t the white-sheeted\t bed,\t its\t posts\t of\t twirled\t black\t wood\t kissed\t with\t the\t candlelight,\t trying\t not to\tconsider\tthat\tfor\tall\this\tresolutions\t\u2026\tshe\u2019d\tshare\tthis\troom\twith\thim.\tThis\tbed.","The\tspace\twas\tsecure\u2014serene,\teven,\twith\tthe\tbeat\tof\tthe\train\tin\tthe\tcourtyard\tand\ton the\troof,\tthe\tsmell\tof\tsweet\tfruit\theavy\tin\tthe\tair. \u201cSomeone\u2019s\t got\t to\t have\t money\t to\t finance\t this\t war,\u201d\t Fenrys\t purred,\t watching\t Rowan at\tlast\tlean\tagainst\ta\tlow\tdresser\tbeside\tthe\tdoor.\t\u201cThough\tmaybe\tconsidering\tyesterday\u2019s decree\tfrom\tMorath,\tyou\u2019ll\tbe\tmoving\tto\tmore\t\u2026\teconomical\tquarters.\u201d Well,\tthat\tsaid\tenough\tabout\twhat\tFenrys\tand\tGavriel\tknew\tregarding\tErawan\u2019s\tdecree concerning\tDorian\tand\this\tallies.\t\u201cWorry\tover\tyour\town\tbusiness,\tFenrys,\u201d\tGavriel\tsaid. Fenrys\t snorted,\t toying\t with\t a\t small\t curl\t of\t golden\t hair\t at\t his\t nape.\t \u201cHow\t you\t even manage\t to\t walk\t with\t that\t much\t steel\t on\t you,\t Whitethorn,\t has\t always\t been\t a\t mystery\t to me.\u201d Rowan\t said\t smoothly,\t \u201cHow\t no\t one\t has\t ever\t cut\t out\t your\t tongue\t just\t to\t shut\t you\t up has\talways\tbeen\ta\tmystery\tto\tme\tas\twell.\u201d An\tedged\tchuckle.\t\u201cI\u2019ve\tbeen\ttold\tit\u2019s\tmy\tbest\tfeature.\tAt\tleast\tthe\twomen\tthink\tso.\u201d A\t low\t laugh\t escaped\t Dorian\u2014the\t first\t sound\t like\t it\t Rowan\t had\t witnessed\t from\t the king. Rowan\tbraced\this\thands\ton\tthe\tdresser.\t\u201cHow\tdid\tyou\tkeep\tyour\tscents\thidden?\u201d Gavriel\u2019s\ttawny\teyes\tdarkened.\t\u201cA\tnew\ttrick\tof\tMaeve\u2019s\u2014to\tkeep\tus\tnearly\tinvisible in\ta\tland\tthat\tdoes\tnot\treceive\tour\tkind\twarmly.\u201d\tHe\tjerked\this\tchin\tat\tDorian\tand\tRowan. \u201cThough\tit\tseems\tit\u2019s\tnot\twholly\teffective.\u201d Rowan\tsaid,\t\u201cYou\ttwo\tbetter\thave\ta\tdamn\tgood\texplanation\tfor\twhy\tyou\u2019re\there\u2014and why\tyou\tdragged\tRolfe\tinto\twhatever\tit\tis.\u201d Fenrys\t drawled,\t \u201cYou\t get\t everything\t you\t want,\t Rowan,\t yet\t you\u2019re\t still\t a\t stone-cold bastard.\tLorcan\twould\tbe\tproud.\u201d \u201cWhere\u2019s\tConnall?\u201d\twas\tRowan\u2019s\tmocking\treply,\tnaming\tFenrys\u2019s\ttwin. Fenrys\u2019s\tface\ttightened.\t\u201cWhere\tdo\tyou\tthink?\tOne\tof\tus\tis\talways\tthe\tanchor.\u201d \u201cShe\u2019d\tstop\tkeeping\thim\tas\tcollateral\tif\tyou\tdidn\u2019t\tmake\tyour\tdiscontent\tso\tobvious.\u201d Fenrys\t had\t always\t been\t a\t pain\t in\t his\t ass.\t And\t Rowan\t had\t not\t forgotten\t that\t it\t was Fenrys\t who\t had\t wanted\t the\t task\t of\t handling\t Aelin\t Galathynius\t this\t past\t spring.\t Fenrys loved\tanything\tthat\twas\twild\tand\tbeautiful,\tand\tto\tdangle\tAelin\tbefore\thim\t\u2026\tMaeve\thad known\tit\twas\ttorture. Perhaps\t it\t was\t torture,\t too,\t for\t Fenrys\t to\t be\t so\t far\t from\t Maeve\u2019s\t grip\u2014but\t to\t know that\this\ttwin\twas\tback\tin\tDoranelle,\tthat\tif\tFenrys\tnever\tcame\tback\t\u2026\tConnall\twould\tbe punished\tin\tunspeakable\tways.\tIt\twas\thow\tthe\tqueen\thad\tensnared\tthem\tin\tthe\tfirst\tplace: offspring\twere\trare\tamong\tthe\tFae\u2014but\ttwins?\tEven\trarer.\tAnd\tfor\ttwins\tto\tbe\tborn\tgifted with\tstrength,\tto\tgrow\tinto\tmales\twhose\tdominance\trivaled\tthat\tof\twarriors\tcenturies\tolder than\tthem\u2026 Maeve\t had\t coveted\t them.\t Fenrys\t had\t refused\t the\t offer\t to\t join\t her\t service.\t So\t she\u2019d","gone\t after\t Connall\u2014the\t dark\t to\t Fenrys\u2019s\t gold,\t quiet\t to\t Fenrys\u2019s\t roar,\t thoughtful\t to Fenrys\u2019s\trecklessness. Fenrys\t got\t what\t he\t wanted:\t women,\t glory,\t wealth.\t Connall,\t though\t skilled,\t was forever\tin\this\ttwin\u2019s\tshadow.\tSo\twhen\tthe\tqueen\tapproached\thim\tabout\tthe\tblood\toath,\tat a\ttime\twhen\tFenrys,\tnot\tConnall,\thad\tbeen\tselected\tto\tfight\tin\tthe\twar\twith\tthe\tAkkadians \u2026\tConnall\thad\tsworn\tit. And\t when\t Fenrys\t returned\t to\t find\t his\t brother\t bound\t to\t the\t queen,\t and\t learned\t what Maeve\t forced\t him\t to\t do\t behind\t closed\t doors\t \u2026\t Fenrys\t had\t bargained:\t he\u2019d\t swear\t the oath,\t but\t only\t to\t get\t Maeve\t to\t back\t off\t his\t brother.\t For\t over\t a\t century\t now,\t Fenrys\t had served\t in\t the\t queen\u2019s\t bedroom,\t had\t sat\t chained\t by\t invisible\t shackles\t beside\t her\t dark throne. Rowan\tmight\thave\tliked\tthe\tmale.\tRespected\thim.\tIf\tit\tweren\u2019t\tfor\tthat\tdamned\tmouth of\this. \u201cSo,\u201d\tFenrys\tsaid,\twell\taware\the\thad\tnot\tanswered\tRowan\u2019s\tdemand\tfor\tinformation, \u201care\twe\tsoon\tto\tcall\tyou\tKing\tRowan?\u201d Gavriel\tmurmured,\t\u201cGods\tabove,\tFenrys.\u201d\tHe\tgave\tthe\tsigh\tof\tthe\tlong-suffering\tand added\tbefore\tFenrys\tcould\topen\tthat\tstupid\tmouth,\t\u201cYour\tarrival,\tRowan,\twas\ta\tfortunate turn\tof\tevents.\u201d Rowan\t faced\t the\t male\t beside\t him\u2014second-in-command\t for\t Maeve\t now\t that\t Rowan had\tvacated\tthe\ttitle.\tAs\tif\tthe\tgolden-haired\twarrior\tread\tthe\tname\tfrom\this\teyes,\tGavriel asked,\t\u201cWhere\tis\tLorcan?\u201d Rowan\t had\t been\t debating\t how\t to\t answer\t that\t question\t from\t the\t moment\t he\u2019d\t seen them.\tThat\tGavriel\thad\tasked\t\u2026\tWhy\thad\tthey\tcome\tto\tSkull\u2019s\tBay? \u201cI\tdon\u2019t\tknow\twhere\tLorcan\tis,\u201d\tRowan\tsaid.\tNot\ta\tlie.\tIf\tthey\twere\tlucky,\this\tformer commander\t would\t get\t the\t other\t two\t Wyrdkeys,\t realize\t Aelin\t had\t tricked\t him,\t and\t come running\u2014delivering\tthe\ttwo\tkeys\tfor\tAelin\tto\tthen\tdestroy. If\tthey\twere\tlucky. Gavriel\tsaid,\t\u201cYou\tdon\u2019t\tknow\twhere\the\tis\u2014but\tyou\u2019ve\tseen\thim.\u201d\tRowan\tnodded. Fenrys\tsnorted.\t\u201cAre\twe\treally\tgoing\tto\tplay\ttruths\tand\tlies?\tJust\ttell\tus,\tyou\tbastard.\u201d Rowan\tpinned\tFenrys\twith\ta\tlook.\tThe\tWhite\tWolf\tof\tDoranelle\tsmiled\tright\tback\tat him. Gods\thelp\tthem\tall\tif\tFenrys\tand\tAedion\tever\tsat\tin\ta\troom\ttogether. Rowan\tsaid,\t\u201cAre\tyou\there\ton\tMaeve\u2019s\tcommand\u2014ahead\tof\tthe\tarmada?\u201d Gavriel\tshook\this\thead.\t\u201cOur\tpresence\thas\tnothing\tto\tdo\twith\tthe\tarmada\tsailing.\tShe sent\tus\tto\thunt\thim.\tYou\talready\tknow\tthe\tcrime\the\tcommitted.\u201d An\tact\tof\tlove\u2014though\tonly\tin\tthe\ttwisted\tway\tthat\tLorcan\tcould\tlove\tthings.\tOnly\tin the\ttwisted\tway\the\tloved\tMaeve.","\u201cHe\tclaims\tto\tbe\tdoing\tit\tin\ther\tbest\tinterest,\u201d\tRowan\tsaid\tcasually,\taware\tof\tthe\tking seated\t beside\t him.\t Rowan\t knew\t most\t underestimated\t the\t sharp\t intelligence\t under\t that disarming\tsmile.\tKnew\tthat\tDorian\u2019s\tvalue\twasn\u2019t\this\tgodlike\tmagic,\tbut\this\tmind.\tHe\u2019d latched\t on\t to\t Rolfe\u2019s\t fear\t and\t trauma\t at\t the\t hands\t of\t the\t Valg\t and\t laid\t the\t foundation\u2014 one\the\u2019d\tmake\tsure\tAelin\twould\texploit. \u201cLorcan\u2019s\talways\tbeen\tarrogant\tthat\tway,\u201d\tFenrys\tdrawled.\t\u201cThis\ttime,\the\tcrossed\tthe line.\u201d \u201cSo\tyou\u2019ve\tbeen\tsent\there\tto\tbring\tLorcan\tback?\u201d Those\t tattoos\t on\t Gavriel\u2019s\t throat\u2014marks\t Rowan\t himself\t had\t inked\u2014bobbed\t with each\tword\tas\the\tsaid,\t\u201cWe\u2019ve\tbeen\tsent\there\tto\tkill\thim.\u201d","23 Holy\tgods. Rowan\tfroze.\t\u201cThat\texplains\tthe\ttwo\tof\tyou,\tthen.\u201d Fenrys\t tossed\t his\t hair\t out\t of\t his\t dark\t eyes.\t \u201cThree,\t actually.\t Vaughan\t left\t yesterday afternoon\t to\t fly\t north\u2014while\t we\t take\t the\t South.\u201d\t Vaughan,\t with\t his\t osprey\t form,\t could cover\tthe\tfar\tharsher\tterrain\tmore\teasily.\t\u201cWe\tlanded\tin\tthis\tshithole\ttown\tto\tsee\tif\tRolfe had\tdealings\twith\tLorcan\u2014to\tbribe\thim\tto\ttip\tus\toff\tif\tLorcan\tshould\tcome\tthrough\there again,\t looking\t to\t hire\t a\t boat.\u201d\t Skull\u2019s\t Bay\t would\t be\t one\t of\t the\t few\t ports\t where\t Lorcan could\tdo\tsuch\ta\tthing\twithout\tquestions.\t\u201cWarning\tRolfe\tabout\tMaeve\u2019s\tarmada\twas\tpart of\tconvincing\tthe\tbastard\tto\thelp\tus.\tWe\u2019re\tto\tmake\tour\tway\tonto\tthe\tcontinent\tfrom\there \u2014start\t our\t hunt\t in\t the\t South.\t And\t since\t these\t lands\t are\t rather\t large\u2026\u201d\t A\t flash\t of\t white teeth\t in\t a\t feral\t smile.\t \u201cAny\t inkling\t about\t his\t general\t whereabouts\t would\t be\t much appreciated,\tPrince.\u201d Rowan\t debated\t it.\t But\t if\t they\t caught\t Lorcan,\t and\t the\t commander\t had\t possession\tof even\t one\t of\t the\t Wyrdkeys\t \u2026\t If\t they\t brought\t both\t commander\t and\t keys\t back\t to\t Maeve, especially\tif\tshe\twas\talready\tsailing\tfor\tEyllwe\tfor\twhatever\treasons\tof\ther\town\u2026 Rowan\tshrugged.\t\u201cI\twashed\tmy\thands\tof\tyou\tall\tthis\tspring.\tLorcan\u2019s\tbusiness\tis\this own.\u201d \u201cYou\tprick\u2014\u201d\tFenrys\tsnarled. Gavriel\tcut\tin,\t\u201cIf\twe\tcould\tbargain?\u201d There\twas\tsomething\tlike\tpain\u2014and\tregret\u2014in\tGavriel\u2019s\teyes.\tOf\tall\tof\tthem,\tGavriel had\tprobably\tbeen\this\tonly\tfriend. Rowan\tdebated\tif\the\tshould\ttell\thim\tabout\tthe\tson\twho\tnow\twas\tmaking\this\tway\there. Debated\t if\t Aedion\t would\t like\t the\t chance\t to\t meet\t his\t father\t \u2026\t perhaps\t before\t war\t made corpses\tof\tthem\tall. But\tRowan\tsaid,\t\u201cHas\tMaeve\tgiven\tyou\tleave\tto\tbargain\ton\ther\tbehalf?\u201d \u201cWe\tonly\treceived\tour\torders,\u201d\tFenrys\tdrawled,\t\u201cand\tthe\tpermission\tto\tuse\tany\tmeans necessary\tto\tkill\tLorcan.\tShe\tdid\tnot\tmention\tyour\tqueen\tat\tall.\tSo\tthat\tamounts\tto\ta\tyes.\u201d Rowan\tcrossed\this\tarms.\t\u201cYou\tsend\tme\tan\tarmy\tof\tDoranelle\twarriors,\tand\tI\u2019ll\ttell\tyou where\tLorcan\tis,\tand\twhere\the\tplans\tto\tgo.\u201d Fenrys\t let\t out\t a\t harsh\t laugh.\t \u201cMother\u2019s\t tits,\t Rowan.\t Even\t if\t we\t could,\t the\t armada\u2019s already\tin\tuse.\u201d \u201cI\tsuppose\tI\u2019ll\thave\tto\tmake\tdo\twith\tyou\ttwo,\tthen.\u201d","Dorian\t had\t the\t good\t sense\t not\t to\t look\t as\t surprised\t as\t Rowan\u2019s\t former\t brothers-in- arms. Fenrys\tburst\tout\tlaughing.\t\u201cWhat\u2014work\tfor\tyour\tqueen?\tFight\tin\tyour\tbattles?\u201d \u201cIsn\u2019t\t that\t what\t you\t want,\t Fenrys?\u201d\t Rowan\t fixed\t him\t with\t a\t stare.\t \u201cTo\t serve\t my queen?\tYou\u2019ve\tbeen\tpulling\ton\tthe\tleash\tfor\tmonths.\tWell,\there\u2019s\tyour\tshot.\u201d All\tamusement\tfaded\tfrom\tFenrys\u2019s\tbeautiful\tface.\t\u201cYou\u2019re\ta\tbastard,\tRowan.\u201d Rowan\t turned\t to\t Gavriel.\t \u201cI\u2019m\t assuming\t Maeve\t didn\u2019t\t specify\t when\t you\t had\t to\t do this.\u201d\tA\tshallow\tnod\twas\this\tonly\tconfirmation.\t\u201cAnd\tyou\twill\ttechnically\tbe\tfulfilling\ther command\t to\t you.\u201d\t The\t blood\t oath\t operated\t on\t specific,\t clear\t demands.\t And\t relied\t on close\tphysical\tcontact\tto\tenable\tthat\ttug\tto\tget\tthe\tbody\tto\tyield.\tThis\tfar\taway\t\u2026\tthey\thad to\t obey\t Maeve\u2019s\t orders\u2014but\t could\t use\t any\t loopholes\t in\t the\t language\t to\t their\t own advantage. \u201cLorcan\tmight\tvery\twell\tbe\tgone\tby\tthe\ttime\tyou\u2019ve\tconsidered\tour\tbargain\tfulfilled,\u201d Fenrys\tcountered. Rowan\t smiled\t a\t bit.\t \u201cAh,\t but\t the\t thing\t is\t \u2026\t Lorcan\u2019s\t path\t will\t eventually\t lead\t him right\t back\t to\t me.\t To\t my\t queen.\t Who\t knows\t how\t long\t it\t will\t take,\t but\t he\t will\t find\t us again.\t At\t which\t time,\t he\u2019ll\t be\t yours.\u201d\t He\t tapped\t a\t finger\t against\t his\t bicep.\t \u201cPeople\t are going\tto\tbe\ttalking\tabout\tthis\twar\tfor\ta\tthousand\tyears.\tLonger.\u201d\tRowan\tjerked\this\tchin\tat Fenrys.\t\u201cYou\u2019ve\tnever\tshied\tfrom\ta\tfight.\u201d \u201cThat\u2019s\t if\t we\t survive,\u201d\t Fenrys\t said.\t \u201cAnd\t what\t of\t Brannon\u2019s\t gifts?\t How\t long\t will\t a single\t flame\t last\t against\t the\t darkness\t that\t gathers?\t Maeve\t hid\t her\t motives\t about\t the armada\tand\tEyllwe,\tbut\tshe\tat\tleast\ttold\tus\twho\treally\treigns\tin\tMorath.\u201d When\t Rowan\t had\t walked\t through\t the\t door\t of\t the\t Sea\t Dragon,\t he\u2019d\t wondered\t what god\t had\t sent\t the\t storm\t that\t had\t pushed\t them\t to\t arrive\t in\t Skull\u2019s\t Bay\t on\t this\t day,\t at\t this time. Together,\t he\t and\t the\t cadre\t had\t taken\t on\t a\t legion\t of\t Adarlan\u2019s\t forces\t this\t spring\t and won\u2014easily. And\teven\tif\tLorcan,\tVaughan,\tand\tConnall\tweren\u2019t\twith\tthem\t\u2026\tOne\tFae\twarrior\twas as\tgood\tas\ta\thundred\tmortal\tsoldiers.\tMaybe\tmore. Terrasen\tneeded\tmore\ttroops.\tWell,\there\twas\ta\tthree-male\tarmy. And\tagainst\tthe\taerial\tIronteeth\tlegions,\tthey\twould\tneed\tFae\tspeed\tand\tstrength\tand centuries\tof\texperience. Together,\t they\t had\t sacked\t cities\t and\t kingdoms\t for\t Maeve;\t together,\t they\t had\t waged war\tand\tended\tit. Rowan\tsaid,\t\u201cTen\tyears\tago,\twe\tdid\tnothing\tto\tstop\tthis.\tIf\tMaeve\thad\tsent\ta\tforce,\twe might\t have\t kept\t it\t from\t growing\t so\t out\t of\t control.\t Our\t brethren\t were\t hunted\t and\t killed and\ttortured.\tMaeve\tlet\tit\thappen\tfor\tspite,\tbecause\tAelin\u2019s\tmother\twould\tnot\tyield\tto\ther wishes.\t So\t yes\u2014my\t Fireheart\t is\t one\t flame\t in\t the\t sea\t of\t darkness.\t But\t she\t is\t willing\t to","fight,\tFenrys.\tShe\tis\twilling\tto\ttake\ton\tErawan,\ttake\ton\tMaeve\tand\tthe\tgods\tthemselves,\tif it\tmeans\tpeace\tcan\tbe\thad.\u201d Across\tthe\troom,\tDorian\u2019s\teyes\thad\tshuttered.\tRowan\tknew\tthe\tking\twould\tfight\u2014and go\tdown\tswinging\u2014and\tthat\this\tgift\tcould\tmake\ta\tdifference\tbetween\tvictory\tand\tdefeat. Yet\t\u2026\the\twas\tuntrained.\tStill\tuntried,\tdespite\tall\the\u2019d\tendured. \u201cBut\tAelin\tis\tone\tperson,\u201d\tRowan\twent\ton.\t\u201cAnd\teven\ther\tgifts\tmight\tnot\tbe\tenough to\t win.\t Alone,\u201d\t he\t breathed,\t meeting\t Fenrys\u2019s\t stare,\t then\t Gavriel\u2019s,\t \u201cshe\t will\t die.\t And once\t that\t flame\t goes\t out,\t it\t is\t done.\t There\t is\t no\t second\t chance.\t Once\t that\t fire extinguishes,\twe\tare\tall\tdoomed,\tin\tevery\tland\tand\tevery\tworld.\u201d The\t words\t were\t poison\t on\t his\t tongue,\t his\t very\t bones\t aching\t at\t the\t thought\t of\t that death\u2014what\the\u2019d\tdo\tif\tit\tshould\thappen. Gavriel\tand\tFenrys\tlooked\tat\teach\tother,\tspeaking\tin\tthat\tsilent\tway\the\tused\tto\tdo\twith them.\tThere\twas\tone\tcard\tRowan\thad\tto\tplay\tto\tconvince\tthem\u2014to\tconvince\tGavriel. Even\tif\tthe\tspecificity\tof\tMaeve\u2019s\tcommand\tmight\tallow\tit,\tshe\tcould\tvery\twell\tpunish them\tfor\tacting\taround\ther\torders.\tShe\u2019d\tdone\tit\tbefore;\tthey\tall\tbore\tscars\tfrom\tit.\tThey knew\tthe\trisk\tof\tit\tas\twell\tas\tRowan\tdid.\tGavriel\tshook\this\thead\tslightly\tat\tFenrys. Before\t they\t could\t turn\t to\t say\t no,\t Rowan\t said\t to\t Gavriel,\t \u201cIf\t you\t do\t not\t fight\t in\t this war,\tGavriel,\tthen\tyou\tdoom\tyour\tson\tto\tdie.\u201d Gavriel\tfroze. Fenrys\tspat,\t\u201cBullshit.\u201d\tEven\tDorian\twas\tgaping\ta\tbit. Rowan\twondered\tjust\thow\tpissed\tAedion\twould\tbe\tas\the\tsaid,\t\u201cThink\ton\tmy\tproposal. But\tknow\tthat\tyour\tson\tmakes\tfor\tSkull\u2019s\tBay.\tYou\tmay\twant\tto\twait\tto\tdecide\tuntil\tyou meet\thim.\u201d \u201cWho\u2026\u201d\t Rowan\t wasn\u2019t\t sure\t Gavriel\t was\t breathing\t properly.\t The\t warrior\u2019s\t hands were\tclenched\tso\ttightly\tthe\tscars\tover\this\tknuckles\twere\tmoon\twhite.\t\u201cI\thave\ta\tson?\u201d Some\t part\t of\t Rowan\t felt\t like\t the\t prick\t Fenrys\t claimed\t he\t was\t and\t not\t the\t male\t that Aelin\tbelieved\thim\tto\tbe\tas\the\tnodded. The\tinformation\twould\thave\tgotten\tout\tsooner\tor\tlater. If\t Maeve\t had\t learned\t first,\t she\t might\t have\t schemed\t to\t ensnare\t Aedion\u2014might\t have sent\t the\t cadre\t to\t kill\t or\t steal\t him.\t But\t now,\t Rowan\t supposed,\t he\u2019d\t ensnared\t the\t cadre himself.\t It\t was\t only\t a\t matter\t of\t how\t desperately\t Gavriel\t wanted\t to\t meet\t his\t son\t \u2026\t and how\tafraid\tthey\twere\tof\tfailing\tMaeve\tshould\tthey\tnot\tfind\tLorcan. So\t Rowan\t said\t coldly,\t \u201cStay\t out\t of\t our\t way\t until\t they\t arrive\t and\t we\u2019ll\t stay\t out\t of yours.\u201d Putting\this\tback\tto\tthem\twent\tagainst\tevery\tinstinct,\tbut\tRowan\tkept\this\tshields\ttight, his\tmagic\tspread\tto\talert\thim\tif\teither\tso\tmuch\tas\tbreathed\twrong\twhile\the\ttwisted\tto\topen the\tbedroom\tdoor\tin\tsilent\tdismissal.\tHe\thad\tmuch\tto\tdo.\tStarting\twith\twriting\ta\twarning to\t the\t Eyllwe\t royals\t and\t Terrasen\u2019s\t forces.\t Ending\t with\t trying\t to\t figure\t out\t how\t the\t hell","they\tcould\tfight\ttwo\twars\tat\tonce. Gavriel\trose,\tslack-faced,\tpale\u2014something\tlike\tdevastation\twritten\tthere. Rowan\t caught\t the\t spark\t of\t realization\t that\t flashed\t across\t Dorian\u2019s\t eyes\t a\t heartbeat before\tthe\tking\tburied\tit.\tYes\u2014at\tfirst\tglance,\tAedion\tand\tAelin\tlooked\tlike\tsiblings,\tbut\tit was\tAedion\u2019s\tsmile\tthat\tgave\taway\this\theritage.\tGavriel\twould\tknow\tin\ta\theartbeat\t\u2026\tif Aedion\u2019s\tscent\tdidn\u2019t\tgive\tit\taway\tfirst. Fenrys\tstepped\tcloser\tto\tthe\tmale,\ta\thand\ton\this\tshoulder\tas\tthey\tentered\tthe\thallway. For\t both\t Rowan\t and\t Fenrys,\t Gavriel\t had\t always\t been\t their\t sounding\t board.\t Never\t each other\u2014no,\the\tand\tFenrys\t\u2026\tit\twas\teasier\tto\tbe\tat\teach\tother\u2019s\tthroats\tinstead. Rowan\tsaid\tto\tboth\tof\this\tformer\tcompanions,\t\u201cIf\tyou\tso\tmuch\tas\thint\tabout\tGavriel\u2019s son\tto\tMaeve,\tour\tbargain\tis\tover.\tYou\u2019ll\tnever\tfind\tLorcan.\tAnd\tif\tLorcan\tdoes\tshow\tup \u2026\t I\u2019ll\t gladly\t help\t him\t kill\t you.\u201d\t Rowan\t prayed\t it\t wouldn\u2019t\t come\t to\t it\u2014to\t a\t fight\t that brutal\tand\tdevastating. This\twas\twar,\tthough.\tAnd\the\thad\tno\tintention\tof\tlosing\tit.","24 The\tWind-Singer\t left\t Ilium\t at\t dawn,\t its\t crew\t and\t captain\t unaware\t that\t the\t two\t hooded individuals\u2014and\t their\t pet\t falcon\u2014who\t had\t paid\t in\t gold\t had\t no\t intention\t of\t going\t the entire\t journey\t to\t Leriba.\t Whether\t they\t pieced\t together\t that\t those\t two\t individuals\t were also\t the\t general\t and\t queen\t who\t had\t liberated\t their\t town\t the\t night\t before,\t they\t didn\u2019t\t let on. It\twas\tconsidered\tan\teasy\ttrip\tdown\tthe\tcoast\tof\tthe\tcontinent,\tthough\tAelin\twondered if\tvoicing\tthat\tstatement\twould\tguarantee\tit\twasn\u2019t\tan\teasy\ttrip.\tFirst,\tthere\twas\tthe\tmatter of\t sailing\t through\t Adarlan\u2019s\t waters\u2014near\t Rifthold,\t specifically.\t If\t the\t witches\t patrolled far\tout\tto\tsea\u2026 But\t they\t had\t no\t other\t choice,\t not\t with\t the\t net\t Erawan\t had\t stretched\t across\t the continent.\tNot\twith\this\tthreat\tto\tfind\tand\tcapture\tRowan\tand\tDorian\tstill\tringing\tfresh\tin her\t mind,\t along\t with\t the\t throbbing\t of\t the\t deep\t purple\t bruise\t on\t her\t chest,\t right\t over\t her heart. Standing\ton\tthe\tdeck\tof\tthe\tship,\tthe\trising\tsun\tstaining\tthe\tturquoise\tbay\tof\tIlium\twith gold\t and\t pink,\t Aelin\t wondered\t if\t the\t next\t time\t she\u2019d\t see\t these\t waters,\t they\u2019d\t be\t red. Wondered\thow\tlong\tthe\tAdarlanian\tsoldiers\twould\tremain\ton\ttheir\tside\tof\tthe\tborder. Aedion\tstepped\tto\ther\tside,\tfinished\twith\this\tthird\tinspection.\t\u201cEverything\tlooks\tfine.\u201d \u201cLysandra\t said\t all\t was\t clear.\u201d\t Indeed,\t from\t high\t up\t on\t the\t mainmast\t of\t the\t ship, Lysandra\u2019s\tfalcon\teyes\tmissed\tnothing. Aedion\t frowned.\t \u201cYou\t know,\t you\t ladies\t can\t let\t us\t males\t do\t things\t every\t now\t and then.\u201d Aelin\tlifted\ta\tbrow.\t\u201cWhere\twould\tthe\tfun\tbe\tin\tthat?\u201d\tBut\tshe\tknew\tthis\twould\tbe\tan ongoing\targument\u2014stepping\tback\tso\tthat\tothers,\tso\tthat\tAedion,\tmight\tfight\tfor\ther.\tIt\u2019d been\t bad\t enough\t in\t Rifthold,\t bad\t enough\t knowing\t that\t those\t rings\t and\t collars\t might enslave\tthem\u2014but\twhat\tErawan\thad\tdone\tto\tthat\toverseer\t\u2026\tas\tan\texperiment. Aelin\t glanced\t toward\t the\t scurrying\t crew,\t biting\t back\t her\t demand\t to\t hurry.\t Every minute\t delayed\t could\t be\t one\t that\t Erawan\t closed\t in\t on\t Rowan\t and\t Dorian.\t It\t was\t only\t a matter\t of\t time\t before\t a\t report\t reached\t him\t regarding\t where\t they\u2019d\t been\t spotted.\t Aelin tapped\ther\tfoot\ton\tthe\tdeck. The\trocking\tof\tthe\tship\ton\tthe\tcalm\twaves\techoed\tthe\tbeat\tof\ther\tfoot.\tShe\u2019d\talways loved\tthe\tsmell\tand\tfeel\tof\tthe\tsea.\tBut\tnow\t\u2026\teven\tthe\tlapping\tof\tthose\twaves\tseemed\tto say,\tHurry,\thurry. \u201cThe\t King\t of\t Adarlan\u2014and\t Perrington,\t I\t suppose\u2014had\t me\t in\t their\t grasp\t for\t years,\u201d","Aedion\tsaid.\tHis\tvoice\twas\ttight\tenough\tthat\tAelin\tturned\tfrom\tthe\tsea\tto\tface\thim.\tHe\u2019d gripped\t the\t wooden\t railing,\t the\t scars\t on\t his\t hands\t stark\t against\t his\t summer-tanned\t skin. \u201cThey\t met\t with\t me\t in\t Terrasen,\t in\t Adarlan.\t He\t had\t me\t in\t his\t rutting\t dungeon,\t gods above.\tAnd\tyet\the\tdidn\u2019t\tdo\tthat\tto\tme.\tHe\toffered\tme\tthe\tring\tbut\tdidn\u2019t\tnotice\tI\twore\ta fake\tinstead.\tWhy\tnot\tcleave\tme\topen\tand\tcorrupt\tme?\tHe\thad\tto\tknow\u2014he\thad\tto\tknow that\tyou\u2019d\tcome\tfor\tme.\u201d \u201cThe\tking\tleft\tDorian\talone\tfor\tas\tlong\tas\the\tcould\u2014perhaps\tthat\tgoodness\textended to\tyou,\ttoo.\tPerhaps\the\tknew\tthat\tif\tyou\twere\tgone,\tI\tmight\tvery\twell\thave\tdecided\tto\tlet this\tworld\tgo\tto\thell\tand\tnever\tfree\thim\tfor\tspite.\u201d \u201cWould\tyou\thave\tdone\tthat?\u201d The\tpeople\tyou\tlove\tare\tjust\tweapons\tthat\twill\tbe\tused\tagainst\tyou,\tRowan\thad\tonce told\ther.\t\u201cDon\u2019t\twaste\tyour\tenergy\tworrying\tabout\twhat\tcould\thave\tbeen.\u201d\tShe\tknew\tshe hadn\u2019t\tanswered\this\tquestion. Aedion\t didn\u2019t\t look\t at\t her\t as\t he\t said,\t \u201cI\t knew\t what\t happened\t in\t Endovier,\t Aelin,\t but seeing\tthat\toverseer,\thearing\twhat\the\tsaid\u2026\u201d\tHis\tthroat\tbobbed.\t\u201cI\twas\tso\tclose\tto\tthe\tsalt mines.\tThat\tyear\u2014I\twas\tcamped\twith\tthe\tBane\tright\tover\tthe\tborder\tfor\tthree\tmonths.\u201d She\t whipped\t her\t head\t to\t him.\t \u201cWe\u2019re\t not\t starting\t down\t this\t road.\t Erawan\t sent\t that man\tfor\ta\treason\u2014for\tthis\treason.\tHe\tknows\tmy\tpast\u2014wants\tme\tto\tknow\the\u2019s\taware\tof\tit \u2014and\twill\tuse\tit\tagainst\tme.\tAgainst\tus.\tHe\u2019ll\tuse\teveryone\twe\tknow,\tif\the\tneeds\tto.\u201d Aedion\t sighed.\t \u201cWould\t you\t have\t told\t me\t what\t happened\t last\t night\t if\t I\t hadn\u2019t\t been there?\u201d \u201cI\t don\u2019t\t know.\t I\t bet\t you\t would\t have\t awoken\t as\t soon\t as\t I\t unleashed\t my\t power\t on him.\u201d He\tsnorted.\t\u201cIt\u2019s\thard\tto\tmiss.\u201d The\t crying\t of\t gulls\t swooping\t overhead\t filled\t the\t quiet\t that\t followed.\t Despite\t her declaration\t not\t to\t linger\t in\t the\t past,\t Aelin\t said\t carefully,\t \u201cDarrow\t claimed\t you\t fought\t at Theralis.\u201d\tShe\u2019d\tbeen\tmeaning\tto\task\tfor\tweeks,\tbut\thadn\u2019t\tworked\tup\tthe\tnerve. Aedion\tfixed\this\tstare\ton\tthe\tchurning\twater.\t\u201cIt\twas\ta\tlong\ttime\tago.\u201d She\tswallowed\tagainst\tthe\tburning\tin\ther\tthroat.\t\u201cYou\twere\tbarely\tfourteen.\u201d \u201cI\twas.\u201d\tHis\tjaw\ttightened.\tShe\tcould\tonly\timagine\tthe\tcarnage.\tAnd\tthe\thorror\u2014not just\tof\ta\tboy\tkilling\tand\tfighting,\tbut\tseeing\tthe\tpeople\tthey\tcared\tfor\tfall.\tOne\tby\tone. \u201cI\u2019m\tsorry,\u201d\tshe\tbreathed.\t\u201cThat\tyou\thad\tto\tendure\tit.\u201d Aedion\tturned\ttoward\ther.\tNo\thint\tof\tthe\thaughty\tarrogance\tand\tinsolence.\t\u201cTheralis\tis the\tbattlefield\tI\tsee\tthe\tmost\u2014in\tmy\tdreams.\u201d\tHe\tscratched\tat\ta\tfleck\ton\tthe\trail.\t\u201cDarrow made\tsure\tI\tstayed\tout\tof\tthe\tthick\tof\tit,\tbut\twe\twere\toverwhelmed.\tIt\twas\tunavoidable.\u201d He\u2019d\t never\t told\t her\u2014that\t Darrow\t had\t tried\t to\t shield\t him.\t She\t put\t a\t hand\t atop Aedion\u2019s\t and\t squeezed.\t \u201cI\u2019m\t sorry,\u201d\t she\t said\t again.\t She\t couldn\u2019t\t bring\t herself\t to\t ask more.","He\t shrugged\t with\t a\t shoulder.\t \u201cMy\t life\t as\t a\t warrior\t was\t chosen\t long\t before\t that battlefield.\u201d Indeed,\t she\t couldn\u2019t\t imagine\t him\t without\t that\t sword\t and\t shield\u2014both\t currently strapped\tacross\this\tback.\tShe\tcouldn\u2019t\tdecide\tif\tit\twas\ta\tgood\tthing. Silence\tsettled\tbetween\tthem,\theavy\tand\told\tand\tweary. \u201cI\t don\u2019t\t blame\t him,\u201d\t Aelin\t said\t at\t last.\t \u201cI\t don\u2019t\t blame\t Darrow\t for\t blocking\t me\t from Terrasen.\tI\twould\tdo\tthe\tsame,\tjudge\tthe\tsame,\tif\tI\twere\thim.\u201d Aedion\tfrowned.\t\u201cI\tthought\tyou\twere\tgoing\tto\tfight\this\tdecree.\u201d \u201cI\tam,\u201d\tshe\tswore.\t\u201cBut\u2026\tI\tunderstand\twhy\tDarrow\tdid\tit.\u201d Aedion\tobserved\ther\tbefore\tnodding.\tA\tgrave\tnod,\tfrom\tone\tsoldier\tto\tanother. She\tput\ta\thand\tagainst\tthe\tamulet\tbeneath\ther\tclothes.\tIts\tancient,\totherworldly\tpower rubbed\tup\tagainst\ther,\tand\ta\tshiver\twent\tdown\ther\tspine.\tFind\tthe\tLock. Good\tthing\tSkull\u2019s\tBay\twas\ton\ttheir\tway\tto\tthe\tStone\tMarshes\tof\tEyllwe. And\tgood\tthing\tthat\tits\truler\tpossessed\ta\tmagical\tmap\tinked\ton\this\thands.\tA\tmap\tthat revealed\tenemies,\tstorms\t\u2026\tand\thidden\ttreasure.\tA\tmap\tto\tfind\tthings\tthat\tdid\tnot\twish\tto be\tfound. Aelin\tlowered\ther\thand,\tpropping\tboth\ton\tthe\trail\tand\texamining\tthe\tscar\tacross\teach palm.\tSo\tmany\tpromises\tand\toaths\tmade.\tSo\tmany\tdebts\tand\tfavors\tto\tstill\tcall\tin. Aelin\twondered\twhat\tanswers\tand\toaths\tshe\tmight\tfind\twaiting\tin\tSkull\u2019s\tBay. If\tthey\tgot\tthere\tbefore\tErawan\tdid.","25 Manon\t Blackbeak\t awoke\t to\t the\t sighing\t of\t leaves,\t the\t distant\t call\t of\t wary\t birds,\t and\t the reek\tof\tloam\tand\tancient\twood. She\t groaned\t as\t she\t opened\t her\t eyes,\t squinting\t at\t the\t dappled\t sunlight\t through\t heavy canopy\tcover. She\tknew\tthese\ttrees.\tOakwald. She\twas\tstill\tstrapped\tin\tthe\tsaddle,\tAbraxos\tsprawled\tbeneath\ther,\tneck\tcraned\tso\the could\tmonitor\ther\tbreaths.\tHis\tdark\teyes\twidened\twith\tpanic\tas\tshe\tmoaned,\ttrying\tto\tsit up.\t She\u2019d\t fallen\t flat\t onto\t her\t back,\t had\t undoubtedly\t lain\t here\t for\t some\t time,\t judging\t by the\tblue\tblood\tcoating\tAbraxos\u2019s\tsides. Manon\tlifted\ther\thead\tto\tpeer\tat\ther\tstomach\tand\tbit\tback\ta\tcry\tas\tmuscles\tpulled. Wet\twarmth\ttrickled\tfrom\ther\tabdomen.\tThe\twounds\thad\tbarely\tset,\tthen,\tif\tthey\twere tearing\tso\teasily. Her\thead\tpounded\tlike\ta\tthousand\tforges.\tAnd\ther\tmouth\twas\tso\tdry\tshe\tcould\tbarely shift\ther\ttongue. First\torder\tof\tbusiness:\tget\tout\tof\tthis\tsaddle.\tThen\ttry\tto\tassess\therself.\tThen\twater. A\tstream\tbabbled\tnearby,\tclose\tenough\tthat\tshe\twondered\tif\tAbraxos\thad\tchosen\tthis spot\tfor\tit. He\t huffed,\t shifting\t in\t worry,\t and\t she\t hissed\t as\t her\t stomach\t tore\t more.\t \u201cStop,\u201d\t she rasped.\t\u201cI\u2019m\t\u2026\tfine.\u201d She\twasn\u2019t\tfine,\tnot\teven\tclose. But\tshe\twasn\u2019t\tdead. And\tthat\twas\ta\tstart. The\t other\t bullshit\u2014her\t grandmother,\t the\t Thirteen,\t the\t Crochan\t claim\t \u2026\t She\u2019d\t deal with\tit\tonce\tshe\tdidn\u2019t\thave\tone\tfoot\tin\tthe\tDarkness. Manon\tlay\tthere\tfor\tlong\tminutes,\tbreathing\tagainst\tthe\tpain. Clean\tthe\twound;\tstaunch\tthe\tbleeding. She\thad\tnothing\ton\ther\tbut\ther\tleathers\u2014but\ther\tshirt\t\u2026\tShe\tdidn\u2019t\thave\tthe\tstrength to\tboil\tthe\tlinen\tfirst. She\u2019d\t just\t have\t to\t pray\t that\t the\t immortality\t gracing\t her\t blood\t would\t drive\t off\t any infection.","The\tCrochan\tblood\tin\ther\u2014 Manon\t sat\t up\t in\t a\t sudden\t jerk,\t not\t giving\t herself\t time\t to\t balk,\t biting\t down\t on\t her scream\tso\thard\ther\tlip\tbled,\ta\tcoppery\ttang\tfilling\ther\tmouth. But\t she\t was\t up.\t Blood\t dribbled\t from\t beneath\t her\t flying\t leathers,\t but\t she\t focused\t on unstrapping\tthe\tharness,\tone\tbuckle\tat\ta\ttime. She\twas\tnot\tdead. The\tMother\tstill\thad\tsome\tuse\tfor\ther. Free\tof\tthe\tharness,\tManon\tstared\tat\tthe\tdrop\toff\tAbraxos\tonto\tthe\tmossy\tground. Darkness\tsave\ther,\tthis\twas\tgoing\tto\thurt. Just\tshifting\ther\tbody\tto\tpivot\ther\tleg\tover\tone\tside\tmade\ther\tclench\ther\tteeth\tagainst the\tsobbing.\tIf\ther\tgrandmother\u2019s\tnails\thad\tbeen\tpoisoned,\tshe\u2019d\tbe\tdead. But\tthey\thad\tbeen\tleft\tjagged\u2014jagged\tinstead\tof\thoned,\tand\tfull\tof\trust. A\t large\t head\t nudged\t at\t her\t knee,\t and\t she\t found\t Abraxos\t there,\t neck\t stretched\u2014his head\tjust\tbelow\ther\tfeet,\tthe\toffer\tin\this\teyes. Not\t trusting\t consciousness\t to\t keep\t its\t grip\t much\t longer,\t Manon\t slid\t onto\t his\t wide, broad\thead,\tbreathing\tthrough\tthe\tripples\tof\tfiery\tpain.\tHis\tbreath\twarmed\ther\tchilled\tskin as\the\tgently\tlowered\ther\tonto\tthe\tgrassy\tclearing. She\tlay\ton\ther\tback,\tletting\tAbraxos\tnose\ther,\ta\tfaint\twhine\tbreaking\tfrom\thim. \u201cFine\t\u2026,\u201d\tshe\tbreathed.\t\u201cI\u2019m\u2026\u201d Manon\tawoke\tat\ttwilight. Abraxos\twas\tcurled\taround\ther,\this\twing\tangled\tto\tform\ta\tmakeshift\tcovering. At\tleast\tshe\twas\twarm.\tBut\ther\tthirst\u2026 Manon\t groaned,\t and\t the\t wing\t instantly\t snapped\t back,\t revealing\t a\t leathery\t head\t and concerned\t eyes.\t \u201cYou\t \u2026\t mother\t hen,\u201d\t she\t gasped\t out,\t sliding\t her\t arms\t beneath\t her\t and pushing\tup. Oh\tgods,\toh\tgods,\toh\tgods\u2014 But\tshe\twas\tin\ta\tsitting\tposition. Water.\tThat\tstream\u2026 Abraxos\t was\t too\t big\t to\t reach\t it\t through\t the\t trees\u2014but\t she\t needed\t water.\t Soon.\t How many\tdays\thad\tit\tbeen?\tHow\tmuch\tblood\thad\tshe\tlost? \u201cHelp,\u201d\tshe\tbreathed. Powerful\t jaws\t closed\t around\t the\t collar\t of\t her\t tunic,\t hoisting\t her\t up\t with\t such gentleness\tManon\u2019s\tchest\ttightened.\tShe\tswayed,\tbracing\ta\thand\ton\this\tleathery\tside,\tbut stayed\tupright.","Water\u2014then\tshe\tcould\tsleep\tmore. \u201cWait\there,\u201d\tshe\tsaid,\tstumbling\tto\tthe\tnearest\ttree,\ta\thand\ton\ther\tbelly,\tWind-Cleaver a\t weight\t on\t her\t back.\t She\t debated\t leaving\t the\t sword\t behind,\t but\t any\t extra\t movement, even\tunbuckling\tthe\tbelt\tfrom\tacross\ther\tchest,\twas\tunthinkable. Tree\t to\t tree,\t she\t staggered,\t nails\t digging\t into\t each\t trunk\t to\t keep\t herself\t upright,\t her ragged\tbreathing\tfilling\tthe\tsilent\tforest. She\twas\talive;\tshe\twas\talive\u2026 The\t stream\t was\t barely\t more\t than\t a\t trickle\t through\t some\t mossy\t boulders.\t But\t it\t was clear\tand\tfast\tand\tthe\tmost\tbeautiful\tthing\tshe\u2019d\tever\tseen. Manon\tsurveyed\tthe\twater.\tIf\tshe\tknelt,\tcould\tshe\tget\tback\tup? She\u2019d\tsleep\there\tif\tshe\thad\tto.\tOnce\tshe\tdrank. Carefully,\t muscles\t trembling,\t she\t knelt\t at\t the\t bank.\t She\t swallowed\t her\t cry\t as\t she bowed\t over\t the\t stream,\t as\t more\t blood\t slid\t out.\t She\t drank\t the\t first\t few\t handfuls\t without stop\u2014then\tslowed,\ther\tstomach\taching\tinside\tand\tout\tnow. A\ttwig\tsnapped,\tand\tManon\twas\ton\ther\tfeet,\tinstinct\toverriding\tpain\tso\tfast\tthe\tagony hit\ther\ta\tbreath\tlater.\tBut\tshe\tscanned\tthe\ttrees,\tthe\trocks\tand\tcanopy\tand\tlittle\thills. A\t cool\t female\t voice\t said\t from\t across\t the\t stream,\t \u201cIt\t seems\t you\t have\t fallen\t far\t from your\taerie,\tBlackbeak.\u201d Manon\tcouldn\u2019t\tplace\twho\tit\tbelonged\tto,\twhat\twitch\tshe\u2019d\tmet\u2026 From\tbehind\tthe\tshadows\tof\ta\ttree,\ta\tstunning\tyoung\twoman\temerged. Her\tbody\twas\tsupple\tyet\tlithe\u2014her\tunbound\tauburn\thair\tdraping\tto\tpartially\tcover\ther nakedness.\t Not\t a\t stitch\t of\t clothing\t covered\t that\t cream-colored\t skin.\t Not\t a\t scar\t or\t mark marred\t flesh\t as\t pure\t as\t snow.\t The\t woman\u2019s\t silken\t hair\t moved\t with\t her\t as\t she\t stepped closer. But\tthe\twoman\twas\tno\twitch.\tAnd\ther\tblue\teyes\u2026 Run.\tRun. Eyes\tof\tglacier\tblue\tgleamed\teven\tin\tthe\tshadowed\twood.\tAnd\ta\tfull\tred\tmouth\tmade for\t the\t bedroom\t parted\t in\t a\t too-white\t smile\t as\t she\t took\t in\t Manon,\t the\t blood,\t the\t injury. Abraxos\troared\tin\twarning,\tshaking\tthe\tground,\tthe\ttrees,\tthe\tleaves. \u201cWho\tare\tyou,\u201d\tManon\tsaid,\ther\tvoice\traw. The\t young\t woman\t cocked\t her\t head\u2014a\t robin\t studying\t a\t writhing\t worm.\t \u201cThe\t Dark King\tcalls\tme\this\tBloodhound.\u201d Manon\tmade\tevery\tbreath\tcount\tas\tshe\trallied\ther\tstrength. \u201cNever\theard\tof\tyou,\u201d\tManon\trasped. Something\ttoo\tdark\tto\tbe\tblood\tslithered\tunder\tthe\tcream-colored\tskin\tof\tthe\twoman\u2019s abdomen,\t then\t vanished.\t She\t traced\t a\t small,\t beautiful\t hand\t over\t where\t it\t had\t squirmed","across\tthe\tcurve\tof\ther\ttaut\tbelly.\t\u201cYou\twould\tnot\thave\theard\tof\tme.\tUntil\tyour\ttreachery, I\twas\tkept\tbeneath\tthose\tother\tmountains.\tBut\twhen\the\thoned\tthe\tpower\twithin\tmy\town blood\u2026\u201d\t Those\t blue\t eyes\t pierced\t Manon,\t and\t it\t was\t madness\t that\t glittered\t there.\t \u201cHe could\t do\t much\t with\t you,\t Blackbeak.\t So\t much.\t He\t sent\t me\t to\t bring\t his\t crowned\t rider\t to his\tside\tonce\tmore\u2026\u201d Manon\tbacked\taway\ta\tstep\u2014just\tone. \u201cThere\t is\t nowhere\t to\t flee.\t Not\t with\t your\t belly\t barely\t inside\t you.\u201d\t She\t tossed\t her auburn\t hair\t over\t a\t shoulder.\t \u201cOh,\t what\t fun\t we\u2019ll\t have\t now\t that\t I\u2019ve\t found\t you, Blackbeak.\tAll\tof\tus.\u201d Manon\t braced\t herself,\t drawing\t Wind-Cleaver\t as\t the\t woman\u2019s\t form\t glowed\t like\t a black\tsun,\tthen\trippled,\tthe\tedges\texpanding,\tmorphing,\tuntil\u2014 The\t woman\t had\t been\t an\t illusion.\t A\t glamour.\t The\t creature\t that\t stood\t before\t her\t had been\t birthed\t in\t darkness,\t so\t white\t she\t doubted\t it\t had\t ever\t felt\t the\t kiss\t of\t the\t sun\t until now.\t And\t the\t mind\t that\t had\t invented\t it\t \u2026\t The\t imagination\t of\t someone\t born\t in\t another world\u2014one\twhere\tnightmares\tprowled\tthe\tdark,\tcold\tearth. The\tbody\tand\tface\twere\tvaguely\thuman.\tBut\u2014Bloodhound.\tYes,\tthat\twas\tfitting.\tThe nostrils\twere\tenormous,\tthe\teyes\tso\tlarge\tand\tlidless\tshe\twondered\tif\tErawan\thimself\thad spread\ther\teyelids\tapart,\tand\ther\tmouth\t\u2026\tThe\tteeth\twere\tblack\tstumps,\tthe\ttongue\tthick and\tred\u2014for\ttasting\tthe\tair.\tAnd\tspreading\tfrom\tthat\twhite\tbody\u2014the\tmethod\tof\tManon\u2019s transportation:\twings. \u201cYou\tsee,\u201d\tthe\tBloodhound\tpurred.\t\u201cYou\tsee\twhat\the\tcan\tgive\tyou?\tI\tcan\tnow\ttaste\tthe wind;\tsmell\tits\tvery\tmarrow.\tJust\tas\tI\tsmelled\tyou\tacross\tthe\tland.\u201d Manon\tkept\tan\tarm\tcradled\tover\ther\tbelly\tas\tthe\tother\ttrembled,\tlifting\tWind-Cleaver. The\t Bloodhound\t laughed,\t low\t and\t soft.\t \u201cI\t shall\t enjoy\t this,\t I\t think,\u201d\t she\t said\u2014and pounced. Alive\u2014she\twas\talive,\tand\tshe\twould\tstay\tthat\tway. Manon\t jumped\t back,\t sliding\t between\t two\t trees,\t so\t close\t that\t the\t creature\t hit\t them,\t a wall\tof\twood\tin\ther\tway.\tThose\tcalf\teyes\tnarrowed\tin\trage,\tand\ther\twhite\thands\u2014tipped with\tearth-digging\tclaws\u2014sank\tinto\tthe\twood\tas\tshe\tbacktracked\u2014 Only\tto\tbe\tstuck. Maybe\tthe\tMother\twas\twatching\tover\ther. The\tBloodhound\thad\tlodged\therself\tbetween\tthe\ttwo\ttrees,\thalf\tin,\thalf\tout,\tthanks\tto those\twings,\twood\tsqueezing\u2014 Manon\tran.\tPain\tripped\tat\ther\twith\teach\tstep,\tand\tshe\tsobbed\tthrough\ther\tteeth\tas\tshe sprinted\tbetween\tthe\ttrees.\tA\tsnap\tand\tcrash\tof\twood\tand\tleaves\tfrom\tbehind. Manon\tpushed\therself,\ta\thand\tshoved\tagainst\ther\twound,\tgripping\tWind-Cleaver\ttight enough\tit\tshook.\tBut\tthere\twas\tAbraxos,\teyes\twild,\twings\talready\tflapping,\tpreparing\tfor flight.","\u201cGo,\u201d\tshe\trasped,\tflinging\therself\tat\thim\tas\twood\tcrunched\tbehind\ther. Abraxos\tlaunched\tfor\ther\tas\tshe\tleaped\tfor\thim\u2014not\tonto\thim,\tbut\tinto\this\tclaws,\tinto the\tmighty\ttalons\tthat\twrapped\ther\tunder\ther\tbreasts,\ther\tstomach\ttearing\ta\tbit\tmore\tas\the hefted\ther\tup,\tup,\tup,\tthrough\twood\tand\tleaf\tand\tnest. The\tair\tsnapped\tbeneath\ther\tboots,\tand\tManon,\teyes\tstreaming,\tpeered\tdown\tto\tsee\tthe Bloodhound\u2019s\tclaws\treaching\twildly.\tBut\ttoo\tlate. A\t shriek\t of\t rage\t on\t her\t lips,\t the\t Bloodhound\t backed\t a\t few\t steps\t to\t the\t edge\t of\t the clearing,\tpreparing\tto\tget\ta\trunning\tleap\tinto\tthe\tair,\tas\tAbraxos\u2019s\twings\tbeat\tlike\thell\u2014 They\t cleared\t the\t canopy,\t his\t wings\t shattering\t branches,\t raining\t them\t onto\t the Bloodhound. The\t wind\t tore\t at\t Manon\t as\t Abraxos\t sailed\t with\t her,\t higher\t and\t higher,\t heading\t east, toward\tthe\tplains\u2014east\tand\tsouth\u2026 The\tthing\twouldn\u2019t\tbe\tdetained\tlong.\tAbraxos\trealized\tit,\ttoo. Had\tplanned\tfor\tit. A\tflicker\tof\twhite\tbroke\tthrough\tthe\tcanopy\tbelow\tthem. Abraxos\tlunged,\ta\tswift,\tlethal\tdive,\this\troar\tof\trage\tmaking\tManon\u2019s\thead\tbuzz. The\tBloodhound\tdidn\u2019t\thave\ttime\tto\tbank\tas\tAbraxos\u2019s\tmighty\ttail\tslammed\tinto\ther, poison-coated\tsteel\tbarbs\thitting\thome. Black\tfestering\tblood\tsprayed;\tivory\tmembranous\twings\tsundered. Then\t they\t were\t sweeping\t back\t up\t and\t the\t Bloodhound\t was\t tumbling\t down\t through the\tcanopy\u2014dying\tor\tinjured,\tManon\tdidn\u2019t\tcare. \u201cI\twill\tfind\tyou,\u201d\tthe\tBloodhound\tscreeched\tfrom\tthe\tforest\tfloor. It\twas\tmiles\tbefore\tthe\tscreamed\twords\tfaded. Manon\tand\tAbraxos\tpaused\tonly\tlong\tenough\tfor\ther\tto\tcrawl\tonto\this\tback\tand\tstrap herself\t in.\t No\t signs\t of\t other\t wyverns\t in\t the\t skies,\t no\t hint\t of\t the\t Bloodhound\t pursuing them.\tPerhaps\tthat\tpoison\twould\tkeep\ther\tdown\tfor\ta\twhile\u2014if\tnot\tpermanently. \u201cTo\t the\t coast,\u201d\t Manon\t said\t over\t the\t wind\t as\t the\t sky\t bled\t crimson\t into\t a\t final blackness.\t\u201cSomewhere\tsafe.\u201d Blood\ttrickled\tfrom\tbetween\ther\tfingers\u2014faster,\tstronger\tthan\tbefore\u2014only\ta\tmoment before\tthe\tDarkness\tclaimed\ther\tagain.","26 Even\tafter\ttwo\tweeks\tin\tSkull\u2019s\tBay,\tbeing\tutterly\tignored\tby\tRolfe\tdespite\ttheir\trequests to\t meet\t with\t him,\t Dorian\t still\t wasn\u2019t\t entirely\t used\t to\t the\t heat\t and\t humidity.\t It\t hounded him\tday\tand\tnight,\tdriving\thim\tfrom\tsleep\tto\twake\tdrenched\tin\tsweat,\tchasing\thim\tinside the\tOcean\tRose\twhen\tthe\tsun\twas\tat\tits\tzenith. And\tsince\tRolfe\trefused\tto\tsee\tthem,\tDorian\ttried\tto\tfill\this\tdays\twith\tthings\tother\tthan complaining\tabout\tthe\theat.\tMornings\twere\tfor\tpracticing\this\tmagic\tin\ta\tjungle\tclearing\ta few\tmiles\taway.\tWorse,\tRowan\tmade\thim\trun\tthere\tand\tback;\tand\twhen\tthey\treturned\tat lunch,\the\thad\tthe\t\u201cchoice\u201d\tof\teating\tbefore\tor\tafter\tone\tof\tRowan\u2019s\tgrueling\tworkouts. Honestly,\tDorian\thad\tno\tidea\thow\tAelin\thad\tsurvived\tmonths\tof\tthis\u2014let\talone\tfallen in\t love\t with\t the\t warrior\t while\t she\t did.\t Though\t he\t supposed\t both\t the\t queen\t and\t prince possessed\ta\tsadistic\tstreak\tthat\tmade\tthem\tcompatible. Some\t days,\t Fenrys\t and\t Gavriel\t met\t them\t in\t the\t inn\u2019s\t courtyard\t to\t either\t exercise\t or give\t unwanted\t pointers\t on\t Dorian\u2019s\t technique\t with\t a\t sword\t and\t dagger.\t Some\t days, Rowan\tlet\tthem\tstay;\tothers,\the\tkicked\tthem\tout\twith\ta\tsnarl. The\t latter,\t Dorian\t realized,\t usually\t happened\t when\t even\t the\t heat\t and\t sun\t couldn\u2019t drive\t away\t the\t shadows\t of\t the\t past\t few\t months\u2014when\t he\t awoke\t with\t his\t sweat\t feeling like\tSorscha\u2019s\tblood,\twhen\the\tcouldn\u2019t\tabide\teven\tthe\tbrush\tof\this\ttunic\tagainst\this\tneck. He\t wasn\u2019t\t sure\t whether\t to\t thank\t the\t Fae\t Prince\t for\t noticing\t or\t to\t hate\t him\t for\t the kindness. During\tthe\tafternoons,\the\tand\tRowan\tprowled\tthe\tcity\tfor\tgossip\tand\tnews,\twatching Rolfe\u2019s\t men\t as\t closely\t as\t they\t were\t watched.\t Only\t seven\t captains\t of\t Rolfe\u2019s\t depleted armada\t were\t on\t the\t island\u2014eight\t including\t Rolfe,\t with\t fewer\t ships\t anchored\t in\t the\t bay. Some\t had\t fled\t after\t the\t Valg\t attack;\t some\t now\t slept\t with\t the\t fishes\t at\t the\t bottom\t of\t the harbor,\ttheir\tships\twith\tthem. Reports\t poured\t in\t from\t Rifthold:\t of\t the\t city\t under\t witch\t command,\t of\t most\t of\t it\t in ruin,\tits\tnobility\tand\tmerchants\tfleeing\tto\tcountry\testates\tand\tleaving\tthe\tpoor\tto\tfend\tfor themselves.\tThe\twitches\tcontrolled\tthe\tcity\tgates\tand\tthe\tdocks\u2014nothing\tand\tno\tone\tgot in\twithout\tthem\tknowing.\tWorse,\tships\tfrom\tthe\tFerian\tGap\twere\tsailing\tdown\tthe\tAvery toward\t Rifthold,\t carrying\t strange\t soldiers\t and\t beasts\t that\t turned\t the\t city\t into\t their\t own personal\thunting\tground. Erawan\twas\tno\tfool\twith\tplanning\tthis\twar.\tThose\tships\tprowling\tthe\tAvery\twere\ttoo small,\t Rowan\t had\t claimed,\t and\t there\t was\t no\t way\t the\t force\t at\t the\t Dead\t End\t was\t the entirety\tof\tErawan\u2019s\tarmada.\tSo\twhere\thad\tAdarlan\u2019s\tfleet\tbeen\tall\tthis\ttime?","Rowan\t discovered\t the\t answer\t five\t days\t into\t their\t stay:\t the\t Gulf\t of\t Oro.\t Some\t of\t the fleet\t had\t been\t positioned\t near\t Eyllwe\u2019s\t northwestern\t coast,\t some\t hidden\t in\t Melisande\u2019s ports,\t where,\t rumor\t had\t it,\t their\t queen\t was\t allowing\t Morath\t soldiers\t in\t through\t any direction\t they\t pleased.\t Erawan\t had\t skillfully\t divided\t his\t fleet,\t placing\t it\t in\t enough\t key locations\t that\t Rowan\t informed\t Dorian\t they\u2019d\t have\t to\t sacrifice\t land,\t allies,\t and geographical\tadvantages\tin\torder\tto\thold\tothers. Dorian\thad\thated\tto\tadmit\tto\tthe\tFae\twarrior\tthat\the\u2019d\tnever\theard\tany\tof\tthese\tplans these\t past\t years\u2014his\t council\t meetings\t had\t all\t been\t on\t policy\t and\t trade\t and\t slaves.\t A distraction,\t he\t realized\u2014a\t way\t to\t keep\t the\t lords\t and\t rulers\t of\t the\t continent\t focused\t on one\tthing\twhile\tother\tplans\twere\tset\tin\tmotion.\tAnd\tnow\t\u2026\tif\tErawan\tsummoned\tthe\tfleet from\t the\t gulf,\t they\u2019d\t likely\t sail\t around\t Eyllwe\u2019s\t southern\t coast\t and\t sack\t every\t city\t until they\treached\tOrynth\u2019s\tdoorstep. Perhaps\t they\u2019d\t get\t lucky\t and\t Erawan\u2019s\t fleet\t would\t collide\t with\t Maeve\u2019s.\t Not\t that they\u2019d\t heard\t anything\t of\t the\t latter.\t Not\t even\t a\t whisper\t of\t where\t and\t how\t fast\t her\t ships sailed.\tOr\ta\twhisper\tof\twhere\tAelin\tGalathynius\thad\tgone.\tIt\twas\tfor\tnews\tof\ther,\tDorian knew,\tthat\tRowan\thunted\tthrough\tthe\tcity\tstreets. So\t Dorian\t and\t Rowan\t collected\t kernels\t of\t information\t and\t would\t return\t to\t the\t inn each\t night\t to\t analyze\t them\t over\t spiced\t prawns\t from\t the\t warm\t waters\t of\t the\t archipelago and\t steaming\t rice\t from\t traders\t in\t the\t southern\t continent,\t their\t glasses\t of\t orange-infused water\tresting\tatop\tthe\tmaps\tand\tcharts\tthey\u2019d\tpurchased\tin\ttown.\tInformation\twas\tmostly second-\t or\t third-hand\u2014and\t a\t common\t whore\t patrolling\t the\t streets\t seemed\t to\t know\t as much\tas\tthe\tsailors\tlaboring\tat\tthe\tdocks. But\t none\t of\t the\t whores\t or\t the\t sailors\t or\t the\t traders\t had\t news\t of\t Prince\t Hollin\u2019s\t or Queen\t Georgina\u2019s\t fates.\t War\t was\t coming\u2014and\t the\t fate\t of\t a\t child\t and\t a\t flippant\t queen who\t had\t never\t bothered\t to\t take\t power\t for\t herself\t was\t of\t little\t concern\t to\t anyone\t but Dorian,\tit\tseemed. On\ta\tparticularly\tsteamy\tafternoon,\tcooling\toff\tnow\tthanks\tto\ta\tdazzling\tthunderstorm, Dorian\tset\tdown\this\tfork\tbeside\this\tplate\tof\tsteamed\treef\tfish\tand\tsaid\tto\tRowan,\t\u201cI\tfind I\u2019m\ttired\tof\twaiting\tfor\tRolfe\tto\tmeet\twith\tus.\u201d Rowan\u2019s\tfork\tclinked\tagainst\this\tplate\tas\the\tlowered\tit\u2014and\twaited\twith\tpreternatural stillness.\t Where\t Gavriel\t and\t Fenrys\t were\t for\t the\t afternoon,\t he\t didn\u2019t\t care.\t Dorian\t was actually\tgrateful\tfor\ttheir\tabsence\tas\the\tsaid,\t\u201cI\tneed\tsome\tpaper\u2014and\ta\tmessenger.\u201d Rolfe\tsummoned\tthem\tand\tthe\tcadre\tto\tthe\tSea\tDragon\ttavern\tthree\thours\tlater. Rowan\t had\t been\t teaching\t him\t about\t shielding\t these\t past\t few\t days\u2014and\t Dorian erected\t one\t around\t himself\t as\t Rolfe\t led\t the\t four\t of\t them\t along\t the\t upstairs\t hall\t of\t the tavern,\theading\tfor\this\toffice. His\tidea\thad\tunfolded\tsmoothly\u2014perfectly. No\tone\thad\tnoticed\tthat\tthe\tletter\tRowan\tmailed\tafter\tlunch\twas\tthe\tsame\tone\tthat\twas later\tdelivered\tto\tDorian\tat\tthe\tinn.","But\tRolfe\u2019s\tspies\tnoticed\tthe\tshock\tthat\tDorian\tdisplayed\twhile\treading\tit\u2014the\tdismay and\t fear\t and\t rage\t at\t whatever\t news\t he\u2019d\t received.\t Rowan,\t true\t to\t form,\t had\t paced\t and snarled\t at\t the\t news\t he\u2019d\t attained.\t They\t made\t sure\t the\t servant\t washing\t the\t hallway\t had overheard\t their\t mention\t of\t the\t war-altering\t information,\t that\t Rolfe\t himself\t could\t gain much\tfrom\tit\u2014or\tlose\teverything. And\t now,\t striding\t for\t the\t man\u2019s\t office,\t Dorian\t couldn\u2019t\t tell\t if\t it\t pleased\t or\t unnerved him\t that\t they\t were\t so\t closely\t watched\t that\t his\t plan\t had\t worked.\t Gavriel\t and\t Fenrys, thankfully,\tasked\tno\tquestions. The\t Pirate\t Lord,\t clad\t in\t a\t faded\t blue-and-gold\t jacket,\t paused\t before\t the\t oak\t door\t to his\t office.\t His\t gloves\t were\t on,\t his\t face\t a\t bit\t haggard.\t He\t doubted\t that\t expression\t would improve\twhen\tRolfe\trealized\tthere\twas\tno\tnews\twhatsoever\u2014and\the\u2019d\thave\tthis\tmeeting whether\the\twanted\tto\tor\tnot. Dorian\tcaught\tthe\tthree\tFae\tmales\tassessing\tRolfe\u2019s\teach\tbreath,\this\tposture,\tlistening to\tthe\tsounds\tof\tthe\tfirst\tmate\tand\tquartermaster\ta\tlevel\tbelow.\tAll\tthree\texchanged\tbarely perceptible\tnods.\tAllies\u2014at\tleast\tuntil\tRolfe\theard\tthem\tout. Rolfe\t unlocked\t the\t door,\t muttering,\t \u201cThis\t had\t better\t be\t worth\t my\t time,\u201d\t and\t stalked into\tthe\tawaiting\tdimness\tbeyond.\tThen\tstopped\tdead. Even\tin\tthe\twatery\tlight,\tDorian\tcould\tperfectly\tsee\tthe\twoman\tsitting\tat\tRolfe\u2019s\tdesk, her\t black\t clothes\t dirty,\t weapons\t gleaming,\t and\t her\t feet\t propped\t on\t the\t dark\t wooden surface. Aelin\t Galathynius,\t her\t hands\t laced\t behind\t her\t head,\t grinned\t at\t them\t all\t and\t said,\t \u201cI like\tthis\toffice\tfar\tbetter\tthan\tyour\tother\tone,\tRolfe.\u201d","27 Dorian\t didn\u2019t\t dare\t move\t as\t Rolfe\t let\t out\t a\t snarl.\t \u201cI\t have\t a\t distinct\t memory,\t Celaena Sardothien,\tof\tsaying\tthat\tif\tyou\tset\tfoot\tin\tmy\tterritory\tagain,\tyour\tlife\twas\tforfeit.\u201d \u201cAh,\u201d\tAelin\tsaid,\tlowering\ther\thands\tbut\tleaving\ther\tfeet\tstill\tpropped\ton\tRolfe\u2019s\tdesk, \u201cbut\twhere\twould\tthe\tfun\tbe\tin\tthat?\u201d Rowan\twas\tstill\tas\tdeath\tbeside\thim.\tAelin\u2019s\tgrin\tbecame\tfeline\tas\tshe\tfinally\tlowered her\tfeet\tand\tran\ther\thands\talong\teither\tside\tof\tthe\tdesk,\tassessing\tthe\tsmooth\twood\tas\tif\tit was\ta\tprize\thorse.\tShe\tinclined\ther\thead\tto\tDorian.\t\u201cHello,\tMajesty.\u201d \u201cHello,\tCelaena,\u201d\the\tsaid\tas\tcalmly\tas\the\tcould,\twell\taware\tthat\ttwo\tFae\tmales\tbehind him\tcould\thear\this\tthundering\theart.\tRolfe\twhipped\this\thead\ttoward\thim. Because\t it\t was\t Celaena\t who\t sat\t here\u2014for\t whatever\t purpose,\t it\t was\t Celaena Sardothien\tin\tthis\troom. She\tjerked\ther\tchin\tat\tRolfe.\t\u201cYou\u2019ve\tseen\tbetter\tdays,\tbut\tconsidering\thalf\tyour\tfleet has\tabandoned\tyou,\tI\u2019d\tsay\tyou\tlook\tdecent\tenough.\u201d \u201cGet\tout\tof\tmy\tchair,\u201d\tRolfe\tsaid\ttoo\tquietly. Aelin\t did\t no\t such\t thing.\t She\t just\t gave\t Rowan\t a\t sultry\t sweep\t from\t foot\t to\t face. Rowan\u2019s\texpression\tremained\tunreadable,\teyes\tintent\u2014near-glowing.\tAnd\tthen\tAelin\tsaid to\tRowan\twith\ta\tsecret\tsmile,\t\u201cYou,\tI\tdon\u2019t\tknow.\tBut\tI\u2019d\tlike\tto.\u201d Rowan\u2019s\tlips\ttugged\tupward.\t\u201cI\u2019m\tnot\ton\tthe\tmarket,\tunfortunately.\u201d \u201cPity,\u201d\t Aelin\t said,\t cocking\t her\t head\t as\t she\t noticed\t a\t bowl\t of\t small\t emeralds\t on Rolfe\u2019s\tdesk.\tDon\u2019t\tdo\tit,\tdon\u2019t\u2014 Aelin\t swiped\t up\t the\t emeralds\t in\t a\t hand,\t picking\t them\t over\t as\t she\t glanced\t at\t Rowan beneath\ther\tlashes.\t\u201cShe\tmust\tbe\ta\trare,\tstaggering\tbeauty\tto\tmake\tyou\tso\tfaithful.\u201d Gods\tsave\tthem\tall.\tHe\tcould\thave\tsworn\tFenrys\tcoughed\tbehind\thim. Aelin\t chucked\t the\t emeralds\t into\t the\t metal\t dish\t as\t if\t they\t were\t bits\t of\t copper,\t their plunking\tthe\tonly\tsound.\t\u201cShe\tmust\tbe\tclever\u201d\u2014plunk\u2014\u201cand\tfascinating\u201d\u2014plunk\u2014\u201cand very,\t very\t talented.\u201d\t Plunk,\t plunk,\t plunk\t went\t the\t emeralds.\t She\t examined\t the\t four\t gems remaining\tin\ther\thand.\t\u201cShe\tmust\tbe\tthe\tmost\twonderful\tperson\twho\tever\texisted.\u201d Another\tcough\tfrom\tbehind\thim\u2014from\tGavriel\tthis\ttime.\tBut\tAelin\tonly\thad\teyes\tfor Rowan\tas\tthe\twarrior\tsaid\tto\ther,\t\u201cShe\tis\tindeed\tthat.\tAnd\tmore.\u201d \u201cHmmm,\u201d\tAelin\tsaid,\trolling\tthe\temeralds\tin\ther\tscarred\tpalm\twith\texpert\tease. Rolfe\tgrowled,\t\u201cWhat.\tAre.\tYou.\tDoing.\tHere.\u201d","Aelin\tdumped\tthe\temeralds\tinto\ttheir\tdish.\t\u201cIs\tthat\tany\tway\tto\tspeak\tto\tan\told\tfriend?\u201d Rolfe\t stalked\t toward\t the\t desk,\t and\t Rowan\t trembled\t with\t restraint\t as\t the\t Pirate\t Lord braced\this\thands\ton\tthe\twooden\tsurface.\t\u201cLast\tI\theard,\tyour\tmaster\twas\tdead\tand\tyou\tsold the\tGuild\tto\this\tunderlings.\tYou\u2019re\ta\tfree\twoman.\tWhat\tare\tyou\tdoing\tin\tmy\tcity?\u201d Aelin\tmet\this\tsea-green\teyes\twith\tan\tirreverence\tthat\tDorian\twondered\tif\tshe\thad\tbeen born\twith\tor\thad\thoned\tthrough\tskill\tand\tblood\tand\tadventure.\t\u201cWar\tis\tcoming,\tRolfe.\tAm I\tnot\tallowed\tto\tweigh\tmy\toptions?\tI\tthought\tto\tsee\twhat\tyou\tplanned\tto\tdo.\u201d Rolfe\tlooked\tover\this\tbroad\tshoulder\tat\tDorian.\t\u201cRumor\thas\tit\tshe\twas\tyour\tChampion this\tfall.\tDo\tyou\twish\tto\tdeal\twith\tthis?\u201d Dorian\t said\t smoothly,\t \u201cYou\t will\t find,\t Rolfe,\t that\t one\t does\t not\t deal\t with\t Celaena Sardothien.\tOne\tsurvives\ther.\u201d A\tflash\tof\ta\tgrin\tfrom\tAelin.\tRolfe\trolled\this\teyes\tand\tsaid\tto\tthe\tassassin-queen,\t\u201cSo, what\t is\t the\t plan,\t then?\t You\t made\t a\t bargain\t to\t get\t out\t of\t Endovier,\t became\t the\t King\u2019s Champion,\tand\tnow\tthat\the\tis\tdead,\tyou\twish\tto\tsee\thow\tyou\tmight\tprofit?\u201d Dorian\ttried\tnot\tto\tflinch.\tDead\u2014his\tfather\twas\tdead,\tat\this\town\thands. \u201cYou\tknow\thow\tmy\ttastes\trun,\u201d\tAelin\tsaid.\t\u201cEven\twith\tArobynn\u2019s\tfortune\tand\tthe\tsale of\tthe\tGuild\t\u2026\tWar\tcan\tbe\ta\tprofitable\ttime\tfor\tpeople\twho\tare\tsmart\twith\ttheir\tbusiness.\u201d \u201cAnd\t where\t is\t the\t sixteen-year-old\t self-righteous\t brat\t who\t wrecked\t six\t of\t my\t ships, stole\ttwo\tof\tthem,\tand\tdestroyed\tmy\ttown,\tall\tfor\tthe\tsake\tof\ttwo\thundred\tslaves?\u201d A\t shadow\t flickered\t in\t Aelin\u2019s\t eyes\t that\t sent\t a\t chill\t down\t Dorian\u2019s\t spine.\t \u201cSpend\t a year\tin\tEndovier,\tRolfe,\tand\tyou\tquickly\tlearn\thow\tto\tplay\ta\tdifferent\tsort\tof\tgame.\u201d \u201cI\t told\t you\u201d\u2014Rolfe\t seethed\t with\t quiet\t venom\u2014\u201cthat\t you\u2019d\t one\t day\t pay\t for\t that arrogance.\u201d Aelin\u2019s\tsmile\tbecame\tlethal.\t\u201cIndeed\tI\tdid.\tAnd\tso\tdid\tArobynn\tHamel.\u201d Rolfe\t blinked\u2014just\t once,\t then\t straightened.\t \u201cGet\t out\t of\t my\t seat.\t And\t put\t back\t that emerald\tyou\tslipped\tup\tyour\tsleeve.\u201d Aelin\tsnorted,\tand\twith\ta\tflash\tof\ther\tfingers,\tan\temerald\u2014the\tfourth\tone\tDorian\thad forgotten\u2014appeared\t between\t her\t fingers.\t \u201cGood.\t At\t least\t your\t eyesight\t isn\u2019t\t failing\t in your\told\tage.\u201d \u201cAnd\tthe\tother\tone,\u201d\tRolfe\tsaid\tthrough\tclenched\tteeth. Aelin\t grinned\t again.\t And\t then\t leaned\t back\t in\t Rolfe\u2019s\t chair,\t tipped\t up\t her\t head,\t and spat\t out\t an\t emerald\t she\u2019d\t somehow\t kept\t hidden\t under\t her\t tongue.\t Dorian\t watched\t the gem\tarc\tneatly\tthrough\tthe\tair. Its\tplunk\tin\tthe\tdish\twas\tthe\tonly\tsound. Dorian\t glanced\t at\t Rowan.\t But\t delight\t shone\t in\t the\t prince\u2019s\t eyes\u2014delight\t and\t pride and\tsimmering\tlust.\tDorian\tquickly\tlooked\taway. Aelin\tsaid\tto\tthe\tPirate\tLord,\t\u201cI\thave\ttwo\tquestions\tfor\tyou.\u201d","Rolfe\u2019s\t hand\t twitched\t toward\t his\t rapier.\t \u201cYou\u2019re\t in\t no\t rutting\t position\t to\t ask questions.\u201d \u201cAren\u2019t\t I?\t After\t all,\t I\t made\t you\t a\t promise\t two\t and\t a\t half\t years\t ago.\t One\t that\t you signed.\u201d Rolfe\tsnarled. Aelin\tpropped\ther\tchin\ton\ta\tfist.\t\u201cHave\tyou\tor\thave\tany\tof\tyour\tships\tbought,\ttraded, or\ttransported\tslaves\tsince\tthat\t\u2026\tunfortunate\tday?\u201d \u201cNo.\u201d A\tsatisfied\tlittle\tnod.\t\u201cAnd\thave\tyou\tprovided\tsanctuary\tfor\tthem\there?\u201d \u201cWe\thaven\u2019t\tgone\tout\tof\tour\tway,\tbut\tif\tany\tarrived,\tyes.\u201d\tEach\tword\twas\ttighter\tthan the\t last,\t a\t spring\t about\t to\t burst\t forward\t and\t throttle\t the\t queen.\t Dorian\t prayed\t the\t man wouldn\u2019t\tbe\tdumb\tenough\tto\tdraw\ton\ther.\tNot\twith\tRowan\twatching\this\tevery\tbreath. \u201cGood\tand\tgood,\u201d\tAelin\tsaid.\t\u201cSmart\tof\tyou,\tnot\tto\tlie\tto\tme.\tAs\tI\ttook\tit\tupon\tmyself when\t I\t arrived\t this\t morning\t to\t look\t into\t your\t warehouses,\t to\t ask\t around\t in\t the\t markets. And\t then\t I\t came\t here\u2026\u201d\t She\t ran\t her\t hands\t over\t the\t papers\t and\t books\t on\t the\t desk.\t \u201cTo see\t your\t ledgers\t for\t myself.\u201d\t She\t dragged\t a\t finger\t down\t a\t page\t containing\t various columns\t and\t numbers.\t \u201cTextiles,\t spices,\t porcelain\t dining\t ware,\t rice\t from\t the\t southern continent,\tand\tvarious\tcontraband,\tbut\t\u2026\tno\tslaves.\tI\thave\tto\tsay,\tI\u2019m\timpressed.\tBoth\tat you\thonoring\tyour\tword\tand\tat\tyour\tthorough\trecord\tkeeping.\u201d A\tlow\tsnarl.\t\u201cDo\tyou\tknow\twhat\tyour\tstunt\tcost\tme?\u201d Aelin\t flicked\t her\t eyes\t toward\t a\t piece\t of\t parchment\t on\t the\t wall,\t various\t daggers, swords,\t and\t even\t scissors\t embedded\t in\t it\u2014target\t practice,\t apparently,\t for\t Rolfe.\t \u201cWell, there\u2019s\tthe\tbar\ttab\tI\tleft\tunpaid\t\u2026\t,\u201d\tshe\tsaid\tof\tthe\tdocument,\twhich\twas\tindeed\ta\tlist\tof items,\tand\u2014holy\tgods,\tthat\twas\ta\tlarge\tsum\tof\tmoney. Rolfe\t turned\t to\t Rowan,\t Fenrys,\t and\t Gavriel.\t \u201cYou\t want\t my\t assistance\t in\t this\t war? Here\u2019s\tthe\tcost.\tKill\ther.\tNow.\tThen\tmy\tships\tand\tmen\tare\tyours.\u201d Fenrys\u2019s\t dark\t eyes\t glittered,\t but\t not\t at\t Rolfe,\t as\t Aelin\t rose\t to\t her\t feet.\t Her\t black clothes\twere\ttravel-worn,\ther\tgolden\thair\tgleaming\tin\tthe\tgray\tlight.\tAnd\teven\tin\ta\troom of\t professional\t killers,\t she\t took\t the\t lion\u2019s\t share\t of\t air.\t \u201cOh,\t I\t don\u2019t\t think\t they\t will,\u201d\t she said.\t\u201cOr\teven\tcan.\u201d Rolfe\t whirled\t to\t her.\t \u201cYou\u2019ll\t find\t that\t you\t are\t not\t so\t skilled\t in\t the\t face\t of\t Fae warriors.\u201d She\tpointed\tto\tone\tof\tthe\tchairs\tbefore\tthe\tdesk.\t\u201cYou\tmight\twant\tto\tsit.\u201d \u201cGet\tthe\thell\tout\tof\u2014\u201d Aelin\t let\t out\t a\t low\t whistle.\t \u201cAllow\t me\t to\t introduce\t to\t you,\t Captain\t Rolfe,\t the incomparable,\t the\t beautiful,\t and\t the\t absolutely\t and\t all-around\t flawless\t Queen\t of Terrasen.\u201d","Dorian\u2019s\tbrows\tcreased.\tBut\tfootsteps\tsounded,\tand\tthen\u2014 The\t males\t shifted\t as\t Aelin\t Galathynius\t indeed\t strode\t into\t the\t room,\t clad\t in\t a\t dark green\ttunic\tof\tequal\twear\tand\tdirt,\ther\tgolden\thair\tunbound,\ther\tturquoise-and-gold\teyes laughing\tas\tshe\tstrode\tpast\ta\tslack-jawed\tRolfe\tand\tperched\ton\tthe\tarm\tof\tAelin\u2019s\tchair. Dorian\tcouldn\u2019t\ttell\u2014without\ta\tFae\u2019s\tsense\tof\tsmell,\the\tcouldn\u2019t\ttell. \u201cWhat\u2014what\tdevilry\tis\tthis,\u201d\tRolfe\thissed,\tyielding\ta\tsingle\tstep. Aelin\t and\t Aelin\t looked\t at\t each\t other.\t The\t one\t in\t black\t grinned\t up\t at\t the\t newcomer. \u201cOh,\tyou\tare\tgorgeous,\taren\u2019t\tyou?\u201d The\t one\t in\t green\t smiled,\t but\t for\t all\t its\t delight,\t all\t its\t wicked\t mischief\t \u2026\t It\t was\t a softer\t smile,\t made\t with\t a\t mouth\t that\t was\t perhaps\t less\t used\t to\t snarling\t and\t teeth-baring and\tgetting\taway\twith\tsaying\thideous,\tswaggering\tthings.\tLysandra,\tthen. The\ttwo\tqueens\tfaced\tRolfe. \u201cAelin\tGalathynius\thad\tno\ttwin,\u201d\the\tgrowled,\ta\thand\ton\this\tsword. Aelin\tin\tblack\u2014the\ttrue\tAelin,\twho\thad\tbeen\tamong\tthem\tall\talong\u2014rolled\ther\teyes. \u201cUgh,\tRolfe.\tYou\truin\tmy\tfun.\tOf\tcourse\tI\tdon\u2019t\thave\ta\ttwin.\u201d She\t jerked\t her\t chin\t at\t Lysandra,\t and\t the\t shifter\u2019s\t flesh\t glowed\t and\t melted,\t hair becoming\t a\t heavy,\t straight\t fall\t of\t dark\t tresses,\t her\t skin\t sun-kissed,\t her\t uptilted\t eyes\t a striking\tgreen. Rolfe\tbarked\tin\talarm\tand\tstaggered\tback\u2014only\tfor\tFenrys\tto\tsteady\thim\twith\ta\thand on\t his\t shoulder\t as\t the\t Fae\t warrior\t stepped\t forward,\t eyes\t wide.\t \u201cA\t shifter,\u201d\t Fenrys breathed. Aelin\t and\t Lysandra\t fixed\t the\t warrior\t with\t an\t unimpressed\t look\t that\t would\t have\t sent lesser\tmen\trunning. Even\t Gavriel\u2019s\t placid\t face\t was\t slack\t at\t the\t sight\t of\t the\t shape-shifter\u2014his\t tattoos bobbing\tas\the\tswallowed.\tAedion\u2019s\tfather.\tAnd\tif\tAedion\twas\there\twith\tAelin\u2026 \u201cAs\tintrigued\tas\tI\tam\tto\tsee\tthat\tthe\tcadre\tis\tpresent,\u201d\tAelin\tsaid,\t\u201cwill\tyou\tverify\tto His\tPirateness\tthat\tI\tam\twho\tI\tsay\tI\tam,\tand\twe\tcan\tmove\ton\tto\tmore\tpressing\tmatters?\u201d Rolfe\u2019s\tface\twas\twhite\twith\tfury\tas\the\trealized\tthey\u2019d\tall\tknown\twho\ttruly\tsat\tbefore them. Dorian\tsaid,\t\u201cShe\tis\tAelin\tGalathynius.\tAnd\tCelaena\tSardothien.\u201d But\tit\twas\tto\tFenrys\tand\tGavriel,\tthe\toutside\tparty,\tthat\tRolfe\tturned.\tGavriel\tnodded, Fenrys\u2019s\teyes\tnow\tfixed\ton\tthe\tqueen.\t\u201cShe\tis\twho\tshe\tsays\tshe\tis.\u201d Rolfe\tturned\tto\tAelin,\tbut\tthe\tqueen\tfrowned\tup\tat\tLysandra\tas\tthe\tshifter\thanded\ther\ta wax-sealed\ttube.\t\u201cYou\tmade\tyour\thair\tshorter.\u201d \u201cYou\ttry\thair\tthat\tlong\tand\tsee\tif\tyou\tlast\tmore\tthan\ta\tday,\u201d\tLysandra\tsaid,\tfingering the\thair\tbrushing\ther\tcollarbone.","Rolfe\tgaped\tat\tthem.\tAelin\tgrinned\tat\ther\tcompanion\tand\tfaced\tthe\tPirate\tLord. \u201cSo,\tRolfe,\u201d\tthe\tqueen\tdrawled,\ttossing\tthe\ttube\tfrom\thand\tto\thand,\t\u201clet\u2019s\tdiscuss\tthis little\tbusiness\tof\tyou\trefusing\tto\taid\tmy\tcause.\u201d","28 Aelin\tGalathynius\tdidn\u2019t\tbother\tto\tcontain\ther\tsmugness\tas\tRolfe\tpointed\tto\tthe\tlarge\ttable on\t the\t right\t side\t of\t his\t office\u2014far\t grander\t than\t the\t piece-of-shit\t office\t where\t he\u2019d\t once had\ther\tand\tSam\tmeet\thim. She\tmanaged\tall\tof\tone\tstep\ttoward\ther\tdesignated\tseat\tbefore\tRowan\twas\tat\ther\tside, a\thand\ton\ther\telbow. His\tface\u2014oh,\tgods,\tshe\u2019d\tmissed\tthat\tharsh,\tunyielding\tface\u2014was\ttight\tas\the\tleaned in\t to\t whisper\t with\t Fae\t softness,\t \u201cThe\t cadre\t is\t working\t with\t us\t on\t the\t condition\t that\t it\u2019ll lead\t them\t to\t Lorcan,\t since\t Maeve\t sent\t them\t to\t kill\t him.\t I\t refused\t to\t divulge\t his whereabouts.\tMost\tof\tAdarlan\u2019s\tfleet\tis\tin\tthe\tGulf\tof\tOro\tthanks\tto\tsome\tfoul\tagreement with\tMelisande\tto\tuse\ttheir\tports,\tand\tMaeve\u2019s\town\tarmada\tsails\tfor\tEyllwe\u2014whether\tto attack\tor\taid,\twe\tdon\u2019t\tknow.\u201d Well,\t it\t was\t nice\t to\t know\t absolute\t hell\t awaited\t them\t and\t that\t the\t information\t about Maeve\u2019s\tarmada\twas\tcorrect.\tBut\tthen\tRowan\tadded,\t\u201cAnd\tI\tmissed\tyou\tlike\thell.\u201d She\t smiled\t despite\t what\t he\u2019d\t told\t her,\t pulling\t back\t to\t look\t at\t him.\t Untouched, unharmed. It\twas\tmore\tthan\tshe\tcould\thave\thoped\tfor.\tEven\twith\tthe\tnews\the\u2019d\tdelivered. Aelin\tdecided\tshe\tdidn\u2019t\tparticularly\tgive\ta\tshit\twho\twas\twatching\tand\trose\tup\ton\ther toes\tto\tbrush\ther\tmouth\tagainst\this.\tIt\thad\ttaken\tall\ther\twits\tand\tabilities\tto\tavoid\tleaving traces\tof\ther\tscent\ttoday\tfor\thim\tto\tdetect\u2014and\tthe\tshocked\tdelight\ton\this\tface\thad\tbeen utterly\tworth\tit. Rowan\u2019s\t hand\t on\t her\t arm\t tightened\t as\t she\t pulled\t away.\t \u201cThe\t feeling,\t Prince,\u201d\t she murmured,\t\u201cis\tmutual.\u201d The\t others\t were\t doing\t their\t best\t not\t to\t watch\t them\u2014save\t for\t Rolfe,\t who\t was\t still seething. \u201cOh,\tdon\u2019t\tlook\tso\tput\tout,\tCaptain,\u201d\tshe\tsaid,\tturning\taway\tfrom\tRowan\tand\tsliding into\ta\tseat\tacross\tfrom\tRolfe.\t\u201cYou\thate\tme,\tI\thate\tyou,\twe\tboth\thate\tbeing\ttold\twhat\tto\tdo by\tbusybody,\toverlording\tempires\u2014it\u2019s\ta\tperfect\tpairing.\u201d Rolfe\t spat,\t \u201cYou\t nearly\t wrecked\t everything\t I\u2019ve\t worked\t for.\t Your\t silver\t tongue\t and arrogance\twon\u2019t\tget\tyou\tthrough\tthis.\u201d Just\t for\t the\t hell\t of\t it,\t she\t smiled\t and\t stuck\t out\t her\t tongue.\t Not\t the\t real\t thing\u2014but\t a forked\ttongue\tof\tsilver\tfire\tthat\twriggled\tlike\ta\tsnake\u2019s\tin\tthe\tair. Fenrys\tchoked\ton\ta\tdark\tlaugh.\tShe\tignored\thim.\tShe\u2019d\tdeal\twith\ttheir\tpresence\tlater.","She\tjust\tprayed\tshe\u2019d\tbe\table\tto\twarn\tAedion\tbefore\the\tran\tinto\this\tfather\u2014who\twas\tnow sitting\ttwo\tseats\tdown\tfrom\ther,\tgawking\tat\ther\tas\tif\tshe\thad\tten\theads. Gods,\teven\tthe\texpression\twas\tlike\tAedion\u2019s.\tHow\thadn\u2019t\tshe\tnoticed\tthat\tthis\tspring in\tWendlyn?\tAedion\thad\tbeen\ta\tboy\tthe\tlast\ttime\tshe\u2019d\tseen\thim\u2014but\tas\ta\tman\t\u2026\tWith Gavriel\u2019s\t immortality,\t they\t even\t looked\t the\t same\t age.\t Different\t in\t many\t ways,\t but\t that look\t\u2026\tit\twas\ta\treflection. Rolfe\twasn\u2019t\tsmiling.\t\u201cA\tqueen\twho\tplays\twith\tfire\tis\tnot\tone\twho\tmakes\ta\tsolid\tally.\u201d \u201cAnd\ta\tpirate\twhose\tmen\tabandoned\thim\tat\tthe\tfirst\ttest\tof\tallegiance\tmakes\tfor\ta\tshit naval\tcommander,\tyet\there\tI\tam,\tat\tthis\ttable.\u201d \u201cCareful,\tgirl.\tYou\tneed\tme\tmore\tthan\tI\tneed\tyou.\u201d \u201cDo\t I?\u201d\t A\t dance\u2014that\t was\t all\t this\t was.\t Long\t before\t she\u2019d\t set\t foot\t on\t this\t horrible island,\t it\t had\t been\t a\t dance,\t and\t she\t was\t now\t to\t enter\t into\t its\t second\t movement.\t She\t set Murtaugh\u2019s\tsealed\tletter\tof\trecommendation\ton\tthe\ttable\tbetween\tthem.\t\u201cThe\tway\tI\tsee\tit, I\t have\t the\t gold,\t and\t I\t have\t the\t ability\t to\t raise\t you\t up\t from\t a\t common\t criminal\t to\t a respectable,\testablished\tbusinessman.\tFenharrow\tcan\tdispute\twho\towns\tthese\tislands,\tbut \u2026\t what\t if\t I\t were\t to\t throw\t my\t support\t behind\t you?\t What\t if\t I\t were\t to\t make\t you\t not\t a Pirate\tLord\tbut\ta\tPirate\tKing?\u201d \u201cAnd\twho\twould\tverify\tthe\tword\tof\ta\tnineteen-year-old\tprincess?\u201d She\tjerked\ther\tchin\tat\tthe\twax-sealed\ttube.\t\u201cMurtaugh\tAllsbrook\twould.\tHe\twrote\tyou a\tnice,\tlong\tletter\tabout\tit.\u201d Rolfe\tpicked\tup\tthe\ttube,\tstudied\tit,\tand\tchucked\tit\tin\ta\tneat\tarc\u2014right\tinto\this\trubbish bin.\tThe\tthud\techoed\tthrough\tthe\toffice. \u201cAnd\t I\t would,\u201d\t Dorian\t said,\t leaning\t forward\t before\t Aelin\t could\t snarl\t at\t the\t ignored letter.\t \u201cWe\t win\t this\t war,\t and\t you\t have\t the\t two\t largest\t kingdoms\t on\t this\t continent proclaiming\t you\t the\t undisputed\t King\t of\t all\t Pirates.\t Skull\u2019s\t Bay\t and\t the\t Dead\t Islands become\tnot\ta\thideout\tfor\tyour\tpeople,\tbut\ta\tproper\thome.\tA\tnew\tkingdom.\u201d Rolfe\tlet\tout\ta\tlow\tlaugh.\t\u201cThe\ttalk\tof\tyoung\tidealists\tand\tdreamers.\u201d \u201cThe\tworld,\u201d\tAelin\tsaid,\t\u201cwill\tbe\tsaved\tand\tremade\tby\tthe\tdreamers,\tRolfe.\u201d \u201cThe\tworld\twill\tbe\tsaved\tby\tthe\twarriors,\tby\tthe\tmen\tand\twomen\twho\twill\tspill\ttheir blood\tfor\tit.\tNot\tfor\tempty\tpromises\tand\tgilded\tdreams.\u201d Aelin\tlaid\ther\thands\tflat\ton\tthe\ttable.\t\u201cPerhaps.\tBut\tif\twe\twin\tthis\twar,\tit\twill\tbe\ta\tnew world\u2014a\t free\t world.\t That\t is\t my\t promise\u2014to\t you,\t to\t anyone\t who\t will\t march\t under\t my banner.\tA\tbetter\tworld.\tAnd\tyou\twill\thave\tto\tdecide\twhere\tyour\tplace\tin\tit\tshall\tbe.\u201d \u201cThat\tis\tthe\tpromise\tof\ta\tlittle\tgirl\twho\tstill\tdoesn\u2019t\tknow\thow\tthe\tworld\ttruly\tworks,\u201d Rolfe\tsaid.\t\u201cMasters\tare\tneeded\tto\tmaintain\torder\u2014to\tkeep\tthings\trunning\tand\tprofitable. It\twill\tnot\tend\twell\tfor\tthose\twho\tseek\tto\tupend\tit.\u201d Aelin\t purred,\t \u201cDo\t you\t want\t gold,\t Rolfe?\t Do\t you\t want\t a\t title?\t Do\t you\t want\t glory\t or women\tor\tland?\tOr\tis\tit\tjust\tthe\tbloodlust\tthat\tdrives\tyou?\u201d\tShe\tgave\ta\tpointed\tglance\tat","his\tgloved\thands.\t\u201cWhat\twas\tthe\tcost\tfor\tthe\tmap?\tWhat\twas\tthe\tend\tgoal\tif\tthat\tsacrifice had\tto\tbe\tmade?\u201d \u201cThere\tis\tnothing\tyou\tcan\toffer\tor\tsay,\tAelin\tGalathynius,\tthat\tI\tcannot\tattain\tmyself.\u201d A\t sly\t smile.\t \u201cUnless\t you\t plan\t to\t offer\t me\t your\t hand\t and\t make\t me\t king\t of\t your\t territory \u2026\twhich\tmight\tbe\tan\tinteresting\tproposition.\u201d Bastard.\t Self-serving,\t awful\t bastard.\t He\u2019d\t seen\t her\t with\t Rowan.\t He\t was\t drinking\t in the\tstillness\twith\twhich\tboth\tof\tthem\tnow\tsat,\tthe\tdeath\tin\tRowan\u2019s\teyes. \u201cLooks\t like\t you\t bid\t on\t the\t wrong\t horse,\u201d\t Rolfe\t crooned.\t He\t flicked\t his\t eyes\t to Dorian.\t\u201cWhat\tnews\tdid\tyou\treceive?\u201d But\t that\t wrong\t horse\t cut\t in\t smoothly,\t \u201cThere\t was\t none.\t But\t you\u2019ll\t be\t glad\t to\t know your\t spies\t at\t the\t Ocean\t Rose\t are\t certainly\t doing\t their\t job.\t And\t that\t His\t Majesty\t is\t quite an\taccomplished\tactor.\u201d\tAelin\theld\tin\ther\tlaugh. Rolfe\u2019s\tface\tdarkened.\t\u201cGet\tout\tof\tmy\toffice.\u201d Dorian\tsaid\tcoldly,\t\u201cFor\ta\tpetty\tgrudge,\tyou\u2019d\trefuse\tto\tconsider\tallying\twith\tus?\u201d Aelin\tsnorted.\t\u201cI\u2019d\thardly\tcall\twrecking\this\tshit-poor\tcity\tand\tships\ta\t\u2018petty\tgrudge.\u2019\u201d \u201cYou\thave\ttwo\tdays\tto\tget\tyourselves\toff\tthis\tisland,\u201d\tRolfe\tsaid,\tteeth\tflashing.\t\u201cAfter that,\t my\t promise\t from\t two\t and\t a\t half\t years\t ago\t still\t holds.\u201d\t A\t sneer\t at\t her\t companions. \u201cTake\tyour\t\u2026\tmenagerie\twith\tyou.\u201d Smoke\tcurled\tin\ther\tmouth.\tShe\thad\texpected\tdebate,\tbut\t\u2026\tIt\twas\ttime\tto\tregroup\u2014 time\tto\tsee\twhat\tRowan\tand\tDorian\thad\tdone\tand\tplan\tout\tthe\tnext\tsteps. Let\tRolfe\tthink\tshe\twas\tleaving\tthe\tdance\tunfinished\tfor\tnow. Aelin\t hit\t the\t narrow\t hallway,\t a\t wall\t of\t muscle\t at\t her\t back\t and\t by\t her\t side,\t and\t faced another\tdilemma:\tAedion. He\t was\t loitering\t outside\t the\t inn\t to\t monitor\t for\t any\t unfriendly\t forces.\t If\t she\t stormed right\tto\thim,\tshe\u2019d\tbring\thim\tface-to-face\twith\this\tlong-lost,\tcompletely\toblivious\tfather. Aelin\tmade\tit\tall\tof\tthree\tsteps\tdown\tthe\thall\twhen\tGavriel\tsaid\tbehind\ther,\t\u201cWhere\tis he?\u201d Slowly,\tshe\tlooked\tback.\tThe\twarrior\u2019s\ttan\tface\twas\ttight,\this\teyes\tfull\tof\tsorrow\tand steel. She\tsmirked.\t\u201cIf\tyou\tare\treferring\tto\tsweet,\tdarling\tLorcan\u2014\u201d \u201cYou\tknow\twho\tI\u2019m\treferring\tto.\u201d Rowan\t took\t a\t step\t between\t them,\t but\t his\t harsh\t face\t yielded\t nothing.\t Fenrys\t slipped into\tthe\thall,\tshutting\tRolfe\u2019s\toffice\tdoor,\tand\tmonitored\tthem\twith\tdark\tamusement.\tOh, Rowan\t had\t told\t her\t lots\t about\t him.\t A\t face\t and\t body\t women\t and\t men\t would\t kill\t to possess.\tWhat\tMaeve\tmade\thim\tdo,\twhat\the\u2019d\tgiven\tfor\this\ttwin. But\t Aelin\t sucked\t on\t a\t tooth\t and\t said\t to\t Gavriel,\t \u201cIsn\u2019t\t the\t better\t question\t \u2018Who\t is","he?\u2019\u201d Gavriel\tdidn\u2019t\tsmile.\tDidn\u2019t\tmove.\tBuy\therself\ttime,\tbuy\tAedion\ttime\u2026 \u201cYou\tdon\u2019t\tget\tto\tdecide\twhen\tand\twhere\tand\thow\tyou\tmeet\thim,\u201d\tAelin\tsaid. \u201cHe\u2019s\tmy\tgods-damned\tson.\tI\tthink\tI\tdo.\u201d Aelin\tshrugged.\t\u201cYou\tdon\u2019t\teven\tget\tto\tdecide\tif\tyou\u2019re\tallowed\tto\tcall\thim\tthat.\u201d Those\t tawny\t eyes\t flashed;\t the\t tattooed\t hands\t curled\t into\t fists.\t But\t Rowan\t said, \u201cGavriel,\tshe\tdoes\tnot\tintend\tto\tkeep\tyou\tfrom\thim.\u201d \u201cTell\tme\twhere\tmy\tson\tis.\tNow.\u201d Ah\u2014there\t it\t was.\t The\t face\t of\t the\t Lion.\t The\t warrior\t who\t had\t felled\t armies,\t whose reputation\t made\t wintered\t soldiers\t shudder.\t Whose\t fallen\t warriors\t were\t tattooed\t all\t over him. But\tAelin\tpicked\tat\ther\tnails,\tthen\tfrowned\tat\tthe\tnow-empty\thall\tbehind\ther.\t\u201cHell\tif\tI know\twhere\the\u2019s\tgone\toff\tto.\u201d They\tblinked,\tthen\tstarted\tas\tthey\tbeheld\twhere\tLysandra\thad\tonce\tbeen.\tTo\twhere\tshe had\tnow\tvanished,\tflying\tor\tslithering\tor\tcrawling\tout\tof\tthe\topen\twindow.\tTo\tget\tAedion away. Aelin\tjust\tsaid\tto\tGavriel,\ther\tvoice\tflat\tand\tcold,\t\u201cDon\u2019t\tever\tgive\tme\torders.\u201d Aedion\t and\t Lysandra\t were\t already\t waiting\t at\t the\t Ocean\t Rose,\t and\t as\t they\t entered\t the pretty\t courtyard,\t Aelin\t barely\t dragged\t up\t the\t energy\t to\t remark\t to\t Rowan\t that\t she\t was shocked\the\thadn\u2019t\topted\tfor\twarrior-squalor. Dorian,\t a\t few\t steps\t behind,\t laughed\t quietly\u2014which\t was\t good,\t she\t supposed.\t Good that\the\twas\tlaughing.\tHe\thad\tnot\tbeen\tthe\tlast\ttime\tshe\tsaw\thim. And\tit\thad\tbeen\tweeks\tsince\tshe\u2019d\tlaughed\therself,\tfelt\tthat\tweight\tlift\tlong\tenough\tto do\tso. She\t gave\t Rowan\t a\t look\t that\t told\t him\t to\t meet\t her\t upstairs,\t and\t halted\t halfway\t across the\tcourtyard.\tDorian,\tsensing\ther\tintent,\tpaused\tas\twell. The\t evening\t air\t was\t heavy\t with\t sweet\t fruit\t and\t climbing\t flowers,\t the\t fountain\t in\t the center\tgurgling\tsoftly.\tShe\twondered\tif\tthe\towner\tof\tthe\tinn\thailed\tfrom\tthe\tRed\tDesert\u2014 if\tthey\u2019d\tseen\tthe\tuse\tof\twater\tand\tstone\tand\tgreenery\tat\tthe\tKeep\tof\tthe\tSilent\tAssassins. But\tAelin\tmurmured\tto\tDorian,\t\u201cI\u2019m\tsorry.\tAbout\tRifthold.\u201d The\tking\u2019s\tsummer-tanned\tface\ttightened.\t\u201cThank\tyou\u2014for\tthe\thelp.\u201d Aelin\tshrugged.\t\u201cRowan\u2019s\talways\tlooking\tfor\tan\texcuse\tto\tshow\toff.\tDramatic\trescues give\thim\tpurpose\tand\tfulfillment\tin\this\tdull,\timmortal\tlife.\u201d There\twas\ta\tpointed\tcough\tfrom\tthe\topen\tbalcony\tdoors\tabove\tthem,\tsharp\tenough\tto inform\t her\t that\t Rowan\t had\t heard\t and\t wouldn\u2019t\t forget\t that\t little\t quip\t when\t they\t were","alone. She\theld\tin\ther\tsmile.\tIt\thad\tbeen\ta\tsurprise\tand\ta\tdelight,\tshe\tsupposed,\tthat\tan\teasy, respectful\tcalm\tflowed\tbetween\tRowan\tand\tDorian\ton\ttheir\twalk\tover\there. She\t motioned\t for\t the\t king\t to\t continue\t with\t her\t and\t said\t quietly,\t well\t aware\t of\t how many\tspies\tRolfe\temployed\twithin\tthe\tbuilding,\t\u201cIt\tseems\tyou\tand\tI\tare\tcurrently\twithout crowns,\tthanks\tto\ta\tfew\tbullshit\tpieces\tof\tpaper.\u201d Dorian\tdidn\u2019t\treturn\ther\tsmile.\tThe\tstairs\tgroaned\tbeneath\tthem\tas\tthey\theaded\tfor\tthe second\t floor.\t They\t were\t almost\t to\t the\t room\t Dorian\t had\t indicated\t when\t he\t said,\t \u201cMaybe that\u2019s\ta\tgood\tthing.\u201d She\t opened\t and\t closed\t her\t mouth\u2014and\t opted,\t for\t once,\t to\t keep\t quiet,\t shaking\t her head\ta\tbit\tas\tshe\tentered\tthe\tchamber. Their\tmeeting\twas\thushed,\tthorough.\tRowan\tand\tDorian\tlaid\tout\tin\tprecise\tdetail\twhat had\t happened\t to\t them,\t Aedion\t pushing\t for\t counts\t of\t the\t witches,\t their\t armor,\t how\t they flew,\t what\t formations\t they\t used.\t Anything\t to\t feed\t to\t the\t Bane,\t to\t amplify\t their\t northern defenses,\tregardless\tof\twho\tcommanded\tthem.\tThe\tgeneral\tof\tthe\tNorth\u2014who\twould\ttake all\t those\t pieces\t and\t build\t their\t resistance.\t But\t the\t sheer\t ease\t with\t which\t the\t Ironteeth legion\thad\ttaken\tthe\tcity\u2026 \u201cManon\t Blackbeak,\u201d\t Aedion\t mused,\t \u201cwould\t be\t a\t valuable\t ally,\t if\t we\t can\t get\t her\t to turn.\u201d Aelin\t glanced\t at\t Rowan\u2019s\t shoulder\u2014where\t a\t faint\t scar\t now\t marred\t the\t golden\t skin beneath\this\tclothes. \u201cPerhaps\t getting\t Manon\t to\t turn\t on\t her\t kin\t would\t ignite\t an\t internal\t battle\t among\t the witches,\u201d\t she\t said.\t \u201cMaybe\t they\u2019ll\t save\t us\t the\t task\t of\t killing\t them\t and\t just\t destroy\t each other.\u201d Dorian\t straightened\t in\t his\t chair,\t but\t only\t cold\t calculation\t swirled\t in\t his\t eyes\t as\t he countered,\t \u201cBut\t what\t is\t it\t that\t they\t want?\t Beyond\t our\t heads,\t I\t mean.\t Why\t ally\t with Erawan\tat\tall?\u201d And\tall\tof\tthem\tthen\tlooked\tto\tthe\tthin\tnecklace\tof\tscars\tmarring\tthe\tbase\tof\tAelin\u2019s throat\u2014where\t the\t scent\t permanently\t marked\t her\t as\t a\t Witch\t Killer.\t Baba\t Yellowlegs\t had visited\tthe\tcastle\tthis\twinter\tfor\tthat\talliance,\tbut\thad\tthere\tbeen\tanything\telse? \u201cWe\tcan\tcontemplate\tthe\twhys\tand\thows\tof\tit\tlater,\u201d\tAelin\tdeclared.\t\u201cIf\twe\tencounter any\tof\tthe\twitches,\twe\ttake\tthem\talive.\tI\twant\tsome\tquestions\tanswered.\u201d Then\tshe\texplained\twhat\tthey\u2019d\twitnessed\tin\tIlium.\tThe\torder\tBrannon\thad\tgiven\ther: Find\tthe\tLock.\tWell,\the\tand\this\tlittle\tquest\tcould\tget\tin\tline. It\t was\t never-ending,\t she\t supposed\t while\t they\t dined\t that\t night\t on\t peppered\t crab\t and spiced\trice.\tThis\tburden,\tthese\tthreats. Erawan\t had\t been\t planning\t this\t for\t decades.\t Maybe\t for\t centuries,\t while\t he\u2019d\t slept, he\u2019d\tplanned\tall\tthis\tout.\tAnd\tshe\twas\tto\tbe\tgiven\tnothing\tmore\tthan\tobscure\tcommands","by\t long-dead\t royals\t to\t find\t a\t way\t to\t stop\t it,\t nothing\t more\t than\t gods-damned\t months\t to rally\ta\tforce\tagainst\thim. She\t doubted\t it\t was\t a\t coincidence\t that\t Maeve\t was\t sailing\t for\t Eyllwe\t at\t the\t same moment\t Brannon\t had\t commanded\t she\t go\t to\t the\t Stone\t Marshes\t on\t its\t southwestern peninsula.\tOr\tthat\tthe\tgods-damned\tMorath\tfleet\twas\tsquatting\tin\tthe\tGulf\tof\tOro\u2014right on\tits\tother\tside. There\twas\tnot\tenough\ttime,\tnot\tenough\ttime\tto\tdo\twhat\tshe\tneeded\tto,\tto\tfix\tthings. But\t\u2026\tsmall\tsteps. She\thad\tRolfe\tto\tdeal\twith.\tThe\tlittle\tmatter\tof\tsecuring\this\tpeople\u2019s\talliance.\tAnd\tthe map\tshe\tstill\tneeded\tto\tpersuade\thim\tto\tuse\tto\tassist\ther\tin\ttracking\tdown\tthat\tLock. But\tfirst\t\u2026\tbest\tto\tensure\tthat\tinfernal\tmap\tactually\tworked.","29 Too\t many\t animals\t loitering\t about\t the\t streets\t at\t this\t hour\t would\t attract\t the\t wrong\t sort\t of attention. But\t Aedion\t still\t wished\t that\t the\t shifter\t was\t wearing\t fur\t or\t feathers\t compared\t to\t \u2026 this. Not\tthat\tshe\twas\tsore\ton\tthe\teyes\tas\tan\tauburn-haired\tand\tgreen-eyed\tyoung\twoman. She\tcould\thave\tpassed\tfor\tone\tof\tthe\tlovely\tmountain\tmaidens\tof\tnorthern\tTerrasen\twith that\tcoloring.\tIt\twas\twho\tLysandra\twas\tsupposed\tto\tbe\tas\tthey\twaited\tjust\tinside\tan\talley. Who\the\twas\tsupposed\tto\tbe,\ttoo. Lysandra\tleaned\tagainst\tthe\tbrick\twall,\ta\tfoot\tpropped\tagainst\tit\tto\treveal\ta\tlength\tof creamy-white\t thigh.\t And\t Aedion,\t with\t his\t hand\t braced\t against\t the\t wall\t beside\t her\t head, was\tno\tmore\tthan\tan\thourly\tcustomer. No\tsound\tin\tthe\talley\tbut\tscuttling\trats\tdigging\tthrough\trotten,\tdiscarded\tfruit.\tSkull\u2019s Bay\twas\tprecisely\tthe\tshithole\the\texpected\tit\tto\tbe,\tright\tdown\tto\tits\tPirate\tLord. Who\tnow\tunwittingly\theld\tthe\tonly\tmap\tto\tthe\tLock\tthat\tAelin\thad\tbeen\tcommanded to\t find.\t When\t Aedion\t had\t complained\t that\t of\tcourse\t it\t was\t a\t map\t they\t could\t not\t steal, Rowan\thad\tbeen\tthe\tone\tto\tsuggest\tthis\t\u2026\tplan.\tTrap.\tWhatever\tit\twas. He\t glanced\t at\t the\t delicate\t gold\t chain\t dangling\t around\t Lysandra\u2019s\t pale\t throat,\t tracing its\t length\t down\t the\t front\t of\t her\t bodice,\t to\t where\t the\t Amulet\t of\t Orynth\t was\t now\t hidden beneath. \u201cAdmiring\tthe\tview?\u201d Aedion\tsnapped\this\teyes\tup\tfrom\tthe\tgenerous\tswells\tof\ther\tbreasts.\t\u201cSorry.\u201d But\tthe\tshifter\tsomehow\tsaw\tthe\tthoughts\tchurning\tin\this\thead.\t\u201cYou\tthink\tthis\twon\u2019t work?\u201d \u201cI\tthink\tthere\tare\tplenty\tof\tvaluable\tthings\ton\tthis\tisland\u2014why\twould\tRolfe\tbother\tto go\tafter\tthis?\u201d\tStorms,\tenemies,\tand\ttreasure\u2014that\twas\twhat\tthe\tmap\tshowed.\tAnd\tsince he\tand\tLysandra\twere\tnot\tthe\tfirst\ttwo\t\u2026\tonly\tone,\tit\tseemed,\twould\tbe\table\tto\tappear\ton that\tmap\tinked\ton\tRolfe\u2019s\thands. \u201cRowan\tclaimed\tRolfe\twould\tfind\tthe\tamulet\tinteresting\tenough\tto\tgo\tafter\tit.\u201d \u201cRowan\t and\t Aelin\t have\t a\t tendency\t to\t say\t one\t thing\t and\t mean\t something\t else entirely.\u201d\tAedion\theaved\ta\tbreath\tthrough\this\tnose.\t\u201cWe\u2019ve\talready\tbeen\there\tan\thour.\u201d She\tarched\tan\tauburn\tbrow.\t\u201cDo\tyou\thave\tsomewhere\telse\tto\tbe?\u201d","\u201cYou\u2019re\ttired.\u201d \u201cWe\u2019re\tall\ttired,\u201d\tshe\tsaid\tsharply. He\tshut\this\tmouth,\tnot\twanting\this\thead\tripped\toff\tjust\tyet. Each\t shift\t took\t something\t out\t of\t Lysandra.\t The\t bigger\t the\t change,\t the\t bigger\t the animal,\tthe\tsteeper\tthe\tcost.\tAedion\thad\twitnessed\ther\tmorph\tfrom\tbutterfly\tto\tbumblebee to\thummingbird\tto\tbat\twithin\tthe\tspan\tof\ta\tfew\tminutes.\tBut\tgoing\tfrom\thuman\tto\tghost leopard\t to\t bear\t or\t elk\t or\t horse,\t she\u2019d\t once\t demonstrated,\t took\t longer\t between\t shifts,\t the magic\t having\t to\t draw\t up\t the\t strength\t to\t become\t that\t size,\t to\t fill\t the\t body\t with\t all\t its inherent\tpower. Casual\t footsteps\t sounded,\t accented\t by\t a\t two-note\t whistle.\t Lysandra\u2019s\t breath\t brushed against\t his\t jaw\t at\t the\t sound.\t Aedion,\t however,\t stiffened\t slightly\t as\t those\t steps\t grew closer,\tand\the\tfound\thimself\tstaring\tat\tthe\tson\tof\this\tgreat\tenemy.\tKing,\tnow. But\tstill\ta\tface\the\u2019d\thated,\tsneered\tat,\tdebated\tcutting\tinto\ttiny\tpieces\tfor\tmany,\tmany years.\tA\tface\the\u2019d\tseen\tdrunk\tout\tof\this\tmind\tat\tparties\tmere\tseasons\tago;\ta\tface\the\u2019d\tseen buried\tagainst\tthe\tnecks\tof\twomen\twhose\tnames\the\u2019d\tnever\tbothered\tto\tlearn;\ta\tface\tthat had\ttaunted\thim\tin\tthat\tdungeon\tcell. That\tface\twas\tnow\thooded,\tand\tfor\tall\tthe\tworld,\the\tlooked\tlike\the\twas\there\tto\tinquire about\t Lysandra\u2019s\t services\u2014once\t Aedion\t had\t finished\t with\t her.\t The\t general\t clenched\t his teeth.\t\u201cWhat?\u201d Dorian\tlooked\tover\tLysandra,\tas\tif\tsurveying\tthe\tgoods,\tand\tAedion\tfought\tthe\turge\tto bristle.\t\u201cRowan\tsent\tme\tto\tsee\tif\tyou\thad\tany\tdevelopments.\u201d\tThe\tprince\tand\tAelin\twere back\tat\tthe\tinn,\tdrinking\tin\tthe\tdining\troom\u2014where\tall\tof\tRolfe\u2019s\tspying\teyes\tmight\tsee and\treport\tthem.\tDorian\tblinked\tat\tthe\tshifter,\tstarting.\t\u201cAnd\tgods\tabove\u2014you\treally\tcan take\ton\tany\thuman\tform.\u201d Lysandra\t shrugged,\t the\t irreverent\t street\t whore\t debating\t her\t rate.\t \u201cIt\u2019s\t not\t as interesting\tas\tyou\u2019d\tthink.\tI\u2019d\tlike\tto\tsee\tif\tI\tcould\tbecome\ta\tplant.\tOr\ta\tbit\tof\twind.\u201d \u201cCan\tyou\t\u2026\tdo\tthat?\u201d \u201cOf\tcourse\tshe\tcan,\u201d\tAedion\tsaid,\tpushing\toff\tthe\twall\tand\tcrossing\this\tarms. \u201cNo,\u201d\t Lysandra\t said,\t cutting\t a\t glare\t in\t Aedion\u2019s\t direction.\t \u201cAnd\t there\u2019s\t nothing\t to report.\tNot\teven\ta\twhiff\tof\tRolfe\tor\this\tmen.\u201d Dorian\tnodded,\tsliding\this\thands\tinto\this\tpockets.\tSilence. Aedion\u2019s\tankle\tbarked\tin\tpain\tas\tLysandra\tsubtly\tkicked\thim. He\treined\tin\this\tscowl\tas\the\tsaid\tto\tthe\tking,\t\u201cSo,\tyou\tand\tWhitethorn\tdidn\u2019t\tkill\teach other.\u201d Dorian\u2019s\t brows\t scrunched.\t \u201cHe\t saved\t my\t life,\t nearly\t got\t himself\t burned\t out\t to\t do\t it. Why\tshould\tI\tbe\tanything\tbut\tgrateful?\u201d\tLysandra\tgave\tAedion\ta\tsmug\tsmile. But\tthe\tking\tasked\thim,\t\u201cAre\tyou\tgoing\tto\tsee\tyour\tfather?\u201d","Aedion\t cringed.\t He\u2019d\t been\t glad\t for\t their\t venture\t tonight\t to\t avoid\t deciding.\t Aelin hadn\u2019t\tbrought\tit\tup,\tand\the\thad\tbeen\tcontent\tto\tcome\tout\there,\teven\tif\tit\tput\thim\tat\trisk\tof running\tinto\tthe\tmale. \u201cOf\t course\t I\u2019ll\t see\t him,\u201d\t Aedion\t said\t tightly.\t Lysandra\u2019s\t moon-white\t face\t was\t calm, steady\t as\t she\t watched\t him,\t the\t face\t of\t a\t woman\t trained\t to\t listen\t to\t men,\t to\t never\t show surprise\u2014 He\tdid\tnot\tresent\twhat\tshe\thad\tbeen,\twhat\tshe\tportrayed\tnow,\tonly\tthe\tmonsters\twho had\t seen\t the\t beauty\t the\t child\t would\t grow\t into\t and\t taken\t her\t into\t that\t brothel.\t Aelin\t had told\thim\twhat\tArobynn\thad\tdone\tto\tthe\tman\tshe\u2019d\tloved.\tIt\twas\ta\tmiracle\tthe\tshifter\tcould smile\tat\tall. Aedion\t jerked\t his\t chin\t at\t Dorian.\t \u201cGo\t tell\t Aelin\t and\t Rowan\t we\t don\u2019t\t need\t their hovering.\tWe\tcan\tmanage\ton\tour\town.\u201d Dorian\t stiffened,\t but\t backed\t down\t the\t alley,\t no\t more\t than\t a\t disgruntled\t would-be customer. Lysandra\t shoved\t a\t hand\t against\t Aedion\u2019s\t chest\t and\t hissed,\t \u201cThat\t man\t has\t endured enough,\tAedion.\tA\tlittle\tkindness\twouldn\u2019t\tkill\tyou.\u201d \u201cHe\tstabbed\t Aelin.\t If\t you\t knew\t him\t as\t I\t have,\t you\t wouldn\u2019t\t be\t so\t willing\t to\t fawn over\u2014\u201d \u201cNo\tone\texpects\tyou\tto\tfawn\tover\thim.\tBut\ta\tkind\tword,\tsome\trespect\u2014\u201d He\trolled\this\teyes.\t\u201cKeep\tyour\tvoice\tdown.\u201d She\tdid\u2014but\twent\ton,\t\u201cHe\twas\tenslaved;\the\twas\ttortured\tfor\tmonths.\tNot\tjust\tby\this father,\t but\t by\t that\t thing\t inside\t of\t him.\t He\t was\t violated,\t and\t even\t if\t you\t cannot\t draw\t up forgiveness\tfor\tstabbing\tAelin\tagainst\this\town\twill,\tthen\ttry\tto\thave\tsome\tcompassion\tfor that.\u201d\tAedion\u2019s\theart\tstuttered\tat\tthe\tanger\tand\tpain\ton\ther\tface.\tAnd\tthat\tword\tshe\u2019d\tused \u2014 He\t swallowed\t hard,\t checking\t the\t street\t behind\t them.\t No\t sign\t of\t anyone\t hunting\t for the\ttreasure\tthey\tbore.\t\u201cI\tknew\tDorian\tas\ta\treckless,\tarrogant\u2014\u201d \u201cI\t knew\t your\t queen\t as\t the\t same.\t We\t were\t children\t then.\t We\t are\t allowed\t to\t make mistakes,\t to\t figure\t out\t who\t we\t wish\t to\t be.\t If\t you\t will\t allow\t Aelin\t the\t gift\t of\t your acceptance\u2014\u201d \u201cI\tdon\u2019t\tcare\tif\the\twas\tas\tarrogant\tand\tvain\tas\tAelin,\tI\tdon\u2019t\tcare\tif\the\twas\tenslaved\tto a\tdemon\tthat\ttook\this\tmind.\tI\tlook\tat\thim\tand\tsee\tmy\tfamily\tbutchered,\tsee\tthose\ttracks\tto the\triver,\tand\thear\tQuinn\ttell\tme\tthat\tAelin\twas\tdrowned\tand\tdead.\u201d\t His\t breathing\t was uneven,\tand\this\tthroat\tburned,\tbut\the\tignored\tit. Lysandra\tsaid,\t\u201cAelin\tforgave\thim.\tAelin\tnever\tonce\theld\tit\tagainst\thim.\u201d Aedion\tsnarled\tat\ther.\tLysandra\tsnarled\tright\tback\tand\theld\this\tstare\twith\tthe\tface\tnot trained\t or\t built\t for\t bedrooms,\t but\t the\t true\t one\t beneath\u2014wild\t and\t unbroken\t and indomitable.\tNo\tmatter\twhat\tbody\tshe\twore,\tshe\twas\tthe\tStaghorns\tgiven\tform,\tthe\theart","of\tOakwald. Aedion\tsaid\thoarsely,\t\u201cI\u2019ll\ttry.\u201d \u201cTry\tharder.\tTry\tbetter.\u201d Aedion\tbraced\this\tpalm\tagainst\tthe\twall\tagain\tand\tleaned\tin\tto\tglower\tin\ther\tface.\tShe did\t not\t yield\t an\t inch.\t \u201cThere\t is\t an\t order\t and\t rank\t in\t our\t court,\t lady,\t and\t last\t I\t checked, you\twere\tnot\tnumber\tthree.\tYou\tdon\u2019t\tgive\tme\tcommands.\u201d \u201cThis\t isn\u2019t\t a\t battlefield,\u201d\t Lysandra\t hissed.\t \u201cAny\t ranks\t are\t formalities.\t And\t the\t last\t I checked\u2026\u201d\tShe\tpoked\this\tchest,\tright\tbetween\this\tpectorals,\tand\the\tcould\thave\tsworn\tthe tip\tof\ta\tclaw\tpierced\tthe\tskin\tbeneath\this\tclothes.\t\u201cYou\tweren\u2019t\tpathetic\tenough\tto\tenforce rank\tto\thide\tfrom\tbeing\tin\tthe\twrong.\u201d His\tblood\tsparked\tand\tthrummed.\tAedion\tfound\thimself\ttaking\tin\tthe\tsensuous\tcurves of\ther\tmouth,\tnow\tpressed\tthin\twith\tanger. The\t hot\t temper\t in\t her\t eyes\t faded,\t and\t as\t she\t retracted\t her\t finger\t as\t if\t she\u2019d\t been burned,\the\tfroze\tat\tthe\tpanic\tthat\tfilled\ther\tfeatures\tinstead.\tShit.\tShit\u2014 Lysandra\t backed\t away\t a\t step,\t too\t casual\t to\t be\t anything\t but\t a\t calculated\t move.\t But Aedion\ttried\u2014for\ther\tsake,\the\ttried\tto\tstop\tthinking\tabout\ther\tmouth\u2014 \u201cYou\ttruly\twant\tto\tmeet\tyour\tfather?\u201d\tshe\tasked\tcalmly.\tToo\tcalmly. He\tnodded,\tswallowing\thard.\tToo\tsoon\u2014she\twouldn\u2019t\twant\ta\tman\u2019s\ttouch\tfor\ta\tlong time.\t Maybe\t forever.\t And\t he\u2019d\t be\t damned\t if\t he\t pushed\t her\t into\t it\t before\t she\t wanted\t to. And\tgods\tabove,\tif\tLysandra\tever\tlooked\tat\tany\tman\twith\tinterest\tlike\tthat\t\u2026\the\u2019d\tbe\tglad for\ther.\tGlad\tshe\twas\tchoosing\tfor\therself,\teven\tif\tit\twasn\u2019t\thim\tshe\tpicked\u2014 \u201cI\u2026\u201d\t Aedion\t swallowed,\t forcing\t himself\t to\t remember\t what\t she\u2019d\t asked.\t His\t father. Right.\t\u201cDid\the\twant\tto\tsee\tme?\u201d\twas\tall\the\tcould\tthink\tto\task. She\t cocked\t her\t head\t to\t the\t side,\t the\t movement\t so\t feline\t he\t wondered\t if\t she\t was spending\ttoo\tmuch\ttime\tin\tthat\tghost\tleopard\u2019s\tfur.\t\u201cHe\tnearly\tbit\tAelin\u2019s\thead\toff\twhen she\trefused\tto\ttell\thim\twhere\tand\twho\tyou\tare.\u201d\tIce\tfilled\this\tveins.\tIf\this\tfather\thad\tbeen rude\tto\ther\u2014\u201cBut\tI\tgot\tthe\tsense,\u201d\tLysandra\tquickly\tclarified\tas\the\ttensed,\t\u201cthat\the\tis\tthe sort\tof\tmale\twho\twould\trespect\tyour\twishes\tif\tyou\tchose\tnot\tto\tsee\thim.\tYet\tin\tthis\tsmall town,\twith\tthe\tcompany\twe\u2019re\tkeeping\t\u2026\tthat\tmight\tprove\timpossible.\u201d \u201cDid\tyou\talso\tget\tthe\tsense\tthat\tit\tcould\tpersuade\thim\tto\thelp\tus?\tKnowing\tme?\u201d \u201cI\tdon\u2019t\tthink\tAelin\twould\tever\task\tthat\tof\tyou,\u201d\tLysandra\tsaid,\tlaying\ta\thand\ton\tthe arm\tstill\tbraced\tbeside\ther\thead. \u201cWhat\t do\t I\t even\t say\t to\t him?\u201d\t Aedion\t murmured.\t \u201cI\u2019ve\t heard\t so\t many\t stories\t about him\u2014the\tLion\tof\tDoranelle.\tHe\u2019s\ta\tgods-damned\twhite\tknight.\tI\tdon\u2019t\tthink\the\u2019ll\tapprove of\t a\t son\t most\t people\t call\t Adarlan\u2019s\t Whore.\u201d\t She\t clicked\t her\t tongue,\t but\t Aedion\t pinned her\twith\ta\tlook.\t\u201cWhat\twould\tyou\tdo?\u201d \u201cI\tcan\u2019t\tanswer\tthat\tquestion.\tMy\town\tfather\u2026\u201d\tShe\tshook\ther\thead.\tHe\tknew\tabout that\u2014the\tshifter-father\twho\thad\teither\tabandoned\ther\tmother\tor\tnot\teven\tknown\tshe\twas","pregnant.\t And\t then\t the\t mother\t who\t had\t thrown\t Lysandra\t into\t the\t street\t when\t she discovered\t her\t heritage.\t \u201cAedion,\t what\t do\t you\t want\t to\t do?\t Not\t for\t us,\t not\t for\t Terrasen, but\tfor\tyou.\u201d He\t bowed\t his\t head\t a\t bit,\t glancing\t sidelong\t at\t the\t quiet\t street\t again.\t \u201cMy\t whole\t life has\tbeen\t\u2026\tnot\tabout\twhat\tI\twant.\tI\tdon\u2019t\tknow\thow\tto\tchoose\tthose\tthings.\u201d No,\tfrom\tthe\tmoment\the\u2019d\tarrived\tin\tTerrasen\tat\tage\tfive,\the\u2019d\tbeen\ttrained\u2014his\tpath chosen.\t And\t when\t Terrasen\t had\t burned\t beneath\t Adarlan\u2019s\t torches,\t another\t hand\t had gripped\tthe\tleash\tof\this\tfate.\tEven\tnow,\twith\twar\tupon\tthem\t\u2026\tHad\the\ttruly\tnever\twanted something\t for\t himself?\t All\t he\u2019d\t wanted\t had\t been\t the\t blood\t oath.\t And\t Aelin\t had\t given that\taway\tto\tRowan.\tHe\tdidn\u2019t\tresent\ther\tfor\tit,\tnot\tanymore,\tbut\t\u2026\tHe\thad\tnot\trealized he\thad\tasked\tfor\tso\tlittle. Lysandra\tsaid\tquietly,\t\u201cI\tknow.\tI\tknow\twhat\tthat\tfeels\tlike.\u201d He\tlifted\this\thead,\tfinding\ther\tgreen\teyes\tagain\tin\tthe\tdarkness.\tHe\tsometimes\twished Arobynn\tHamel\twere\tstill\talive\u2014just\tso\the\tcould\tkill\tthe\tassassin-king\thimself. \u201cTomorrow\tmorning,\u201d\the\tmurmured.\t\u201cWill\tyou\tcome\twith\tme?\tTo\tsee\thim.\u201d She\twas\tquiet\tfor\ta\tmoment\tbefore\tshe\tsaid,\t\u201cYou\treally\twant\tme\tto\tgo\twith\tyou?\u201d He\t did.\t He\t couldn\u2019t\t explain\t why,\t but\t he\t wanted\t her\t there.\t She\t got\t under\t his\t skin\t so damn\t easily,\t but\t \u2026\t Lysandra\t steadied\t him.\t Perhaps\t because\t she\t was\t something\t new. Something\the\thad\tnot\tencountered,\thad\tnot\tfilled\twith\thope\tand\tpain\tand\twishes.\tNot\ttoo many\tof\tthem,\tat\tleast. \u201cIf\tyou\twouldn\u2019t\tmind\t\u2026\tyes.\tI\twant\tyou\tthere.\u201d She\tdidn\u2019t\trespond.\tHe\topened\this\tmouth,\tbut\tsteps\tsounded. Light.\tToo\tcasual. They\t ducked\t deeper\t into\t the\t shadows\t of\t the\t alley,\t its\t dead-end\t wall\t looming\t behind them.\tIf\tthis\twent\tpoorly\u2026 If\t it\t went\t poorly,\t he\t had\t a\t shape-shifter\t capable\t of\t shredding\t apart\t droves\t of\t men\t at his\tside.\tAedion\tflashed\tLysandra\ta\tgrin\tas\the\tleaned\tover\ther\tonce\tmore,\this\tnose\twithin grazing\tdistance\tof\ther\tneck. Those\tsteps\tneared,\tand\tLysandra\tloosed\ta\tbreath,\ther\tbody\tgoing\tpliant. From\t the\t shadows\t of\t his\t hood,\t he\t monitored\t the\t alley\t ahead,\t the\t shadows\t and\t shafts of\tmoonlight,\tbracing\thimself.\tThey\u2019d\tpicked\tthe\tdead-end\talley\tfor\ta\treason. The\tgirl\trealized\ther\tmistake\ta\tstep\ttoo\tlate.\t\u201cOh.\u201d Aedion\tlooked\tup,\this\town\tfeatures\thidden\twithin\this\thood,\tas\tLysandra\tpurred\tto\tthe young\t woman\t who\t perfectly\t matched\t Rowan\u2019s\t description\t of\t Rolfe\u2019s\t barmaid,\t \u201cI\u2019ll\t be done\tin\ttwo\tminutes,\tif\tyou\twant\tto\twait\tyour\tturn.\u201d Color\t stained\t the\t girl\u2019s\t cheeks,\t but\t she\t gave\t them\t a\t flinty\t look,\t scanning\t them\t from head\tto\ttoe.\t\u201cWrong\tturn,\u201d\tshe\tsaid.","\u201cYou\tsure?\u201d\tLysandra\tcrooned.\t\u201cA\tbit\tlate\tin\tthe\tevening\tfor\ta\tstroll.\u201d Rolfe\u2019s\tbarmaid\tfixed\tthem\twith\tthat\tsharp\tstare\tand\tsauntered\tback\tdown\tthe\tstreet. They\twaited.\tA\tminute.\tFive.\tTen.\tNo\tothers\tcame. Aedion\t at\t last\t pulled\t away,\t Lysandra\t now\t watching\t the\t alley\t entrance.\t The\t shifter wound\tan\tauburn\tcurl\taround\ther\tfinger.\t\u201cShe\tseems\tan\tunlikely\tthief.\u201d \u201cSome\t would\t say\t similar\t things\t about\t you\t and\t Aelin.\u201d\t Lysandra\t hummed\t in agreement.\tAedion\tmused,\t\u201cPerhaps\tshe\twas\tjust\ta\tscout\u2014Rolfe\u2019s\teyes.\u201d \u201cWhy\tbother?\tWhy\tnot\tjust\tcome\ttake\tthe\tthing?\u201d Aedion\t glanced\t again\t at\t the\t amulet\t that\t disappeared\t beneath\t Lysandra\u2019s\t bodice. \u201cMaybe\tshe\tthought\tshe\twas\tlooking\tfor\tsomething\telse.\u201d Lysandra,\t wisely,\t didn\u2019t\t fish\t the\t Amulet\t of\t Orynth\t out\t from\t her\t dress.\t But\t his\t words hung\tbetween\tthem\tas\tthey\tcarefully\tpicked\ttheir\tway\tback\tto\tthe\tOcean\tRose.","30 After\t two\t weeks\t of\t inching\t across\t the\t muddy\t open\t plains,\t Elide\t was\t tired\t of\t using\t her mother\u2019s\tname. Tired\t of\t constantly\t being\t on\t alert\t to\t hear\t it\t barked\t by\t Molly\t to\t clean\t up\t after\t every meal\t(a\tmistake,\tno\tdoubt,\tto\thave\tever\ttold\tthe\twoman\tshe\thad\tsome\texperience\twashing dishes\tin\tbusy\tkitchens),\ttired\tof\thearing\tOmbriel\u2014the\tdark-haired\tbeauty\tnot\ta\tcarnival act\t at\t all\t but\t Molly\u2019s\t niece\t and\t their\t money-keeper\u2014use\t it\t when\t questioning\t about\t how she\u2019d\thurt\ther\tleg,\twhere\ther\tfamily\tcame\tfrom,\tand\thow\tshe\u2019d\tlearned\tto\tobserve\tothers so\tkeenly\tthat\tshe\tcould\tturn\ta\tcoin\tas\tan\toracle. At\t least\t Lorcan\t barely\t used\t it,\t as\t they\u2019d\t hardly\t spoken\t while\t the\t caravan\t trudged through\t the\t mud-laden\t fields.\t The\t ground\t was\t so\t saturated\t with\t the\t daily\t afternoon summer\t rain\t that\t the\t wagons\t often\t became\t stuck.\t They\u2019d\t barely\t covered\t any\t distance\t at all,\t and\t when\t Ombriel\t would\t catch\t Elide\t gazing\t northward,\t she\u2019d\t ask\u2014yet\t another recurring\t question\u2014what\t lay\t in\t the\t North\t to\t draw\t her\t attention\t so\t frequently.\t Elide always\t lied,\t always\t evaded.\t The\t sleeping\t situation\t between\t Elide\t and\t her\t husband, fortunately,\twas\tmore\teasily\tavoided. With\t the\t sodden\t earth,\t sleeping\t on\t it\t was\t nearly\t impossible.\t So\t the\t women\t laid\t out wherever\t they\t could\t in\t the\t two\t wagons,\t leaving\t the\t men\t to\t draw\t straws\t each\t night\t for who\twould\tget\tany\tremaining\tspace\tand\twho\twould\tsleep\ton\tthe\tground\tatop\ta\tmakeshift floor\t of\t reeds.\t Lorcan,\t somehow,\t always\t got\t the\t short\t straw,\t either\t by\t his\t own\t devices, sleight\tof\thand\tfrom\tNik,\twho\tran\tsecurity\tand\tthe\tnightly\tstraw-drawing,\tor\tsimply\tfrom sheer\tbad\tluck. But\t at\t least\t it\t kept\t Lorcan\t far,\t far\t away\t from\t her,\t and\t kept\t their\t interactions\t to\t a minimum. Those\tfew\tconversations\tthey\u2019d\thad\u2014held\twhen\the\tescorted\ther\tto\tdraw\twater\tfrom\ta swollen\t stream\t or\t gather\t whatever\t firewood\t could\t be\t found\t on\t the\t plain\u2014weren\u2019t\t much to\tbother\ther,\teither.\tHe\tpressed\ther\tfor\tmore\tdetails\tregarding\tMorath,\tmore\tinformation about\tthe\tguards\u2019\tclothes,\tthe\tarmies\tcamped\taround\tit,\tthe\tservants\tand\twitches. She\u2019d\t started\t at\t the\t top\t of\t the\t Keep\u2014with\t the\t aeries\t and\t wyverns\t and\t witches.\t Then she\u2019d\t descended,\t floor\t by\t floor.\t It\t had\t taken\t them\t these\t two\t weeks\t to\t work\t their\t way down\t to\t the\t sublevels,\t and\t their\t companions\t had\t no\t idea\t that\t while\t the\t young,\t married couple\t snuck\t off\t for\t more\t \u201cfirewood,\u201d\t whispering\t sweet\t nothings\t was\t the\t last\t thing\t on their\tminds. When\t the\t caravan\t stopped\t that\t night,\t Elide\t aimed\t for\t a\t copse\t of\t trees\t in\t the\t heart\t of the\t field\t to\t see\t what\t could\t be\t used\t at\t their\t large\t campfire.\t Lorcan\t trailed\t at\t her\t side,\t as"]
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