["quiet\tas\tthe\thissing\tgrasses\taround\tthem.\tThe\tnickering\tof\tthe\thorses\tand\tclamor\tof\ttheir companions\t readying\t for\t the\t evening\t meal\t faded\t behind,\t and\t Elide\t frowned\t as\t her\t boot sank\tdeep\tinto\ta\tpocket\tof\tmud.\tShe\tyanked\ton\tit,\tankle\tbarking\tat\tbearing\ther\tweight,\tand gritted\ther\tteeth\tuntil\u2014 Lorcan\u2019s\t magic\t pushed\t against\t her\t leg,\t an\t invisible\t hand\t freeing\t her\t boot,\t and\t she tumbled\tinto\thim.\tHis\tarm\tand\tside\twere\tas\thard\tand\tunyielding\tas\tthe\tmagic\the\u2019d\tused, and\tshe\trebounded\taway,\ttall\tgrass\tcrunching\tbeneath\ther.\t\u201cThank\tyou,\u201d\tshe\tmurmured. Lorcan\t stalked\t ahead\t and\t said\t without\t looking\t back,\t \u201cWe\t finished\t at\t the\t three dungeons\tand\ttheir\tentrances\tyesterday\tnight.\tTell\tme\tabout\twhat\u2019s\tinside\tthem.\u201d Her\t mouth\t went\t a\t bit\t dry\t as\t she\t recalled\t the\t cell\t she\u2019d\t squatted\t in,\t the\t darkness\t and tight\tair\u2026 \u201cI\tdon\u2019t\tknow\twhat\u2019s\tinside,\u201d\tshe\tlied,\tfollowing\thim.\t\u201cSuffering\tpeople,\tno\tdoubt.\u201d Lorcan\t stooped,\t his\t dark\t head\t disappearing\t beneath\t a\t wave\t of\t grass.\t When\t he emerged,\ttwo\tsticks\twere\tgripped\tin\this\tmassive\thands.\tHe\tsnapped\tthem\twith\tlittle\teffort. \u201cYou\tdescribed\teverything\telse\twith\tno\tproblem.\tYet\tyour\tscent\tchanged\tjust\tnow.\tWhy?\u201d She\t strode\t past\t him,\t bending\t over\t and\t over\t to\t collect\t whatever\t scattered\t wood\t she could\t find.\t \u201cThey\t did\t horrible\t things\t down\t there,\u201d\t she\t said\t over\t a\t shoulder.\t \u201cYou\t could sometimes\thear\tpeople\tscreaming.\u201d\tShe\tprayed\tTerrasen\twould\tbe\tbetter.\tIt\thad\tto\tbe. \u201cWho\t did\t they\t keep\t down\t there?\t Enemy\t soldiers?\u201d\t Potential\t allies,\t no\t doubt,\t for whatever\the\tplanned\tto\tdo. \u201cWhoever\t they\t wanted\t to\t torture.\u201d\t The\t hands\t of\t those\t guards,\t their\t sneers\u2014\t \u201cI assume\t you\u2019re\t going\t to\t leave\t as\t soon\t as\t I\t finish\t describing\t the\t last\t pit\t of\t Morath?\u201d\t She plucked\tup\tstick\tafter\tstick,\tankle\tobjecting\twith\teach\tshift\tin\ther\tbalance. \u201cIs\tthere\ta\tproblem\tif\tI\tdo?\tThat\twas\tour\tbargain.\tI\u2019ve\tstayed\tlonger\tthan\tI\tintended.\u201d She\tturned,\tfinding\thim\twith\tan\tarmful\tof\tlarger\tsticks.\tHe\tunceremoniously\tdumped them\t into\t the\t small\t pile\t in\t her\t arms\t and\t thumbed\t free\t the\t hatchet\t at\t his\t side\t before prowling\t to\t the\t curving,\t fallen\t branch\t behind\t him.\t \u201cSo,\t am\t I\t just\t to\t play\t the\t abandoned wife,\tthen?\u201d \u201cYou\u2019re\t already\t playing\t the\t oracle,\t so\t what\t difference\t does\t another\t role\t make?\u201d Lorcan\t brought\t his\t hatchet\t down\t upon\t the\t branch\t with\t a\t solid\t thwack!\t The\t blade\t sank unnervingly\tdeep;\twood\tgroaned.\t\u201cDescribe\tthe\tdungeons.\u201d It\twas\tonly\tfair,\tand\tit\thad\tbeen\ttheir\tbargain,\tafter\tall:\this\tprotection\tand\thelp\tto\tget her\t out\t of\t harm\u2019s\t way,\t in\t exchange\t for\t what\t she\t knew.\t And\t he\u2019d\t been\t complacent\t in\t all the\tlies\tshe\u2019d\tspun\tto\ttheir\tcompany\u2014quiet,\tbut\the\u2019d\tgone\talong\twith\tit. \u201cThe\t dungeons\t are\t gone,\u201d\t Elide\t managed\t to\t say.\t \u201cOr\t most\t of\t them\t should\t be.\t Along with\tthe\tcatacombs.\u201d Thwack,\t thwack,\t thwack.\t Lorcan\t severed\t the\t branch,\t the\t wood\t yielding\t with\t a splintering\tcry.\tHe\tset\tto\tcutting\tanother\tsection\tapart.\t\u201cTaken\tout\tin\tthat\tblast?\u201d\tHe\tlifted","his\taxe,\tthe\tmuscles\tin\this\tpowerful\tback\tshifting\tbeneath\this\tdark\tshirt,\tbut\tpaused.\t\u201cYou said\t you\t were\t near\t the\t courtyard\t when\t the\t blast\t happened\u2014how\t do\t you\t know\t the dungeons\tare\tgone?\u201d Fine.\tShe\thad\tlied\tabout\tit.\tBut\t\u2026\t\u201cThe\texplosion\tcame\tfrom\tthe\tcatacombs\tand\ttook out\tsome\tof\tthe\ttowers.\tOne\twould\tassume\tthe\tdungeons\twould\tbe\tin\tits\tpath,\ttoo.\u201d \u201cI\tdon\u2019t\tmake\tplans\tbased\ton\tassumptions.\u201d\tHe\tresumed\thacking\tapart\tthe\tbranch,\tand Elide\trolled\ther\teyes\tat\this\tback.\t\u201cTell\tme\tthe\tlayout\tof\tthe\tnorthern\tdungeon.\u201d Elide\t turned\t toward\t the\t sinking\t sun\t staining\t the\t fields\t with\t orange\t and\t gold\t beyond them.\t\u201cFigure\tit\tout\tyourself.\u201d The\tthud\tof\tmetal\ton\twood\thalted.\tEven\tthe\twind\tin\tthe\tgrasses\tdied\tdown. But\t she\t had\t endured\t death\t and\t despair\t and\t terror,\t and\t she\t had\t told\t him\t enough\u2014 turned\tover\tevery\thorrible\tstone,\tlooked\taround\tevery\tdark\tcorner\tat\tMorath\tfor\thim.\tHis rudeness,\this\tarrogance\t\u2026\tHe\tcould\tgo\tto\thell. She\thad\tbarely\tset\tone\tfoot\tinto\tthe\tswaying\tgrasses\twhen\tLorcan\twas\tbefore\ther,\tno more\tthan\ta\tlethal\tshadow\thimself.\tEven\tthe\tsun\tseemed\tto\tavoid\tthe\tbroad\tplanes\tof\this tan\tface,\tthough\tthe\twind\tdared\truffle\tthe\tsilken\tblack\tstrands\tof\this\thair\tacross\tit. \u201cWe\thave\ta\tbargain,\tgirl.\u201d Elide\t met\t that\t depthless\t gaze.\t \u201cYou\t did\t not\t specify\t when\t I\t had\t to\t tell\t you.\t So\t I\t may take\tas\tmuch\ttime\tas\tI\twish\tto\trecall\tdetails,\tif\tyou\tdesire\tto\twring\tevery\tlast\tone\tof\tthem from\tme.\u201d His\tteeth\tflashed.\t\u201cDo\tnot\ttoy\twith\tme.\u201d \u201cOr\twhat?\u201d\tShe\tstepped\taround\thim\tas\tif\the\twere\tno\tmore\tthan\ta\trock\tin\ta\tstream.\tOf course,\twalking\twith\ttemper\twas\ta\tbit\tdifficult\twhen\tevery\tother\tstep\twas\tlimping,\tbut\tshe kept\ther\tchin\thigh.\t\u201cKill\tme,\thurt\tme,\tand\tyou\u2019ll\tstill\tbe\tout\tof\tanswers.\u201d Faster\tthan\tshe\tcould\tsee,\this\tarm\tlashed\tout\u2014gripping\ther\tby\tthe\telbow.\t\u201cMarion,\u201d\the growled. That\tname.\t She\t looked\t up\t at\t his\t harsh,\t wild\t face\u2014a\t face\t born\t in\t a\t different\t age,\t a different\tworld.\t\u201cTake\tyour\thand\toff\tme.\u201d Lorcan,\tto\ther\tsurprise,\tdid\tso\timmediately. But\this\tface\tdid\tnot\tchange\u2014not\ta\tflicker\u2014as\the\tsaid,\t\u201cYou\twill\ttell\tme\twhat\tI\twish to\tknow\u2014\u201d The\t thing\t in\t her\t pocket\t began\t thrumming\t and\t beating,\t a\t phantom\t heartbeat\t in\t her bones. Lorcan\t yielded\t a\t step,\t his\t nostrils\t flaring\t delicately.\t As\t if\t he\t could\t sense\t that\t stone awakening.\t\u201cWhat\tare\tyou,\u201d\the\tsaid\tquietly. \u201cI\t am\t nothing,\u201d\t she\t said,\t voice\t hollow.\t Maybe\t once\t she\t found\t Aelin\t and\t Aedion, she\u2019d\t find\t some\t purpose,\t some\t way\t to\t be\t of\t use\t to\t the\t world.\t For\t now,\t she\t was\t a","messenger,\ta\tcourier\tof\tthis\tstone\u2014to\tCelaena\tSardothien.\tHowever\tElide\tmight\tfind\tone person\tin\tsuch\tan\tendless,\tvast\tworld.\tShe\thad\tto\tget\tnorth\u2014and\tquickly. \u201cWhy\tdo\tyou\tgo\tto\tAelin\tGalathynius?\u201d The\t question\t was\t too\t tense\t to\t be\t casual.\t No,\t every\t inch\t of\t Lorcan\u2019s\t body\t seemed restrained.\tLeashed\trage\tand\tpredatory\tinstincts. \u201cYou\tknow\tthe\tqueen,\u201d\tshe\tbreathed. He\tblinked.\tNot\tin\tsurprise,\tbut\tto\tbuy\thimself\ttime. He\tdid\tknow\u2014and\the\twas\tconsidering\twhat\tto\ttell\ther,\thow\tto\ttell\ther\u2014 \u201cCelaena\tSardothien\tis\tin\tthe\tqueen\u2019s\tservice,\u201d\the\tsaid.\t\u201cYour\ttwo\tpaths\tare\tone.\tFind one\tand\tyou\u2019ll\tfind\tthe\tother.\u201d He\tpaused,\twaiting. Would\t this\t be\t her\t life,\t then?\t Wretched\t people,\t always\t looking\t out\t for\t themselves, every\tkindness\tcoming\tat\ta\tcost?\tWould\ther\town\tqueen\tat\tleast\tgaze\tat\ther\twith\twarmth\tin her\teyes?\tWould\tAelin\teven\tremember\ther? \u201cMarion,\u201d\the\tsaid\tagain\u2014the\tword\tlaced\twith\ta\tgrowl. Her\t mother\u2019s\t name.\t Her\t mother\u2014and\t her\t father.\t The\t last\t people\t who\t had\t looked\t at her\t with\t true\t affection.\t Even\t Finnula,\t all\t those\t years\t locked\t in\t that\t tower,\t had\t always watched\ther\twith\tsome\tmixture\tof\tpity\tand\tfear. She\tcouldn\u2019t\tremember\tthe\tlast\ttime\tshe\u2019d\tbeen\theld.\tOr\tcomforted.\tOr\tsmiled\tat\twith any\tgenuine\tlove\tfor\twho\tshe\twas. Words\twere\tsuddenly\thard,\tthe\tenergy\tto\tdredge\tup\ta\tlie\tor\tretort\ttoo\tmuch\tto\tbother with.\tSo\tElide\tignored\tLorcan\u2019s\tcommand\tand\theaded\tback\ttoward\tthe\tcluster\tof\tpainted wagons. Manon\t had\t come\t for\t her,\t she\t reminded\t herself\t with\t each\t step.\t Manon,\t and\t Asterin, and\tSorrel.\tBut\teven\tthey\thad\tleft\ther\talone\tin\tthe\twoods. Pity,\t she\t reminded\t herself\u2014self-pity\t would\t do\t her\t no\t good.\t Not\t with\t so\t many\t miles between\ther\tand\twhatever\tshred\tof\ta\tfuture\tshe\tstood\ta\tchance\tof\tfinding.\tBut\teven\twhen she\t arrived,\t handed\t over\t her\t burden,\t and\t found\t Aelin\t \u2026\t what\t could\t she\t offer?\t She couldn\u2019t\teven\tread,\tgods\tabove.\tThe\tmere\tthought\tof\texplaining\tthat\tto\tAelin,\tto\tanyone\u2014 She\u2019d\tthink\ton\tit\tlater.\tShe\u2019d\twash\tthe\tqueen\u2019s\tclothes\tif\tshe\thad\tto.\tAt\tleast\tshe\tdidn\u2019t need\tto\tbe\tliterate\tfor\tthat. Elide\tdidn\u2019t\thear\tLorcan\tthis\ttime\tas\the\tapproached,\tarms\tladen\twith\tmassive\tlogs. \u201cYou\twill\ttell\tme\twhat\tyou\tknow,\u201d\the\tsaid\tthrough\this\tteeth.\tShe\talmost\tsighed,\tbut\the added,\t\u201cOnce\tyou\tare\t\u2026\tbetter.\u201d She\tsupposed\tthat,\tto\thim,\tsorrow\tand\tdespair\twould\tbe\tsome\tsort\tof\tsickness. \u201cFine.\u201d","\u201cFine,\u201d\the\tsaid\tright\tback. Their\t companions\t were\t smiling\t when\t she\t and\t Lorcan\t returned.\t They\t had\t found\t dry ground\ton\tthe\tother\tside\tof\tthe\twagons\u2014solid\tenough\tfor\ttents. Elide\tspied\tthe\tone\tthat\thad\tbeen\traised\tfor\ther\tand\tLorcan\tand\twished\tit\twould\train. Lorcan\t had\t trained\t enough\t warriors\t to\t know\t when\t not\t to\t push.\t He\u2019d\t tortured\t enough enemies\t to\t know\t when\t they\t were\t one\t slice\t or\t snap\t away\t from\t breaking\t in\t ways\t that would\tmake\tthem\tuseless. So\tMarion,\twhen\ther\tscent\thad\tchanged,\twhen\the\u2019d\tfelt\teven\tthe\tstrange,\totherworldly power\thidden\tin\ther\tblood\tshift\tto\tsorrow\t\u2026\tworse,\tto\thopelessness\u2026 He\u2019d\twanted\tto\ttell\ther\tnot\tto\tbother\twith\thope\tanyway. But\t she\t was\t barely\t into\t womanhood.\t Perhaps\t hope,\t foolish\t as\t it\t was,\t had\t gotten\t her out\tof\tMorath.\tAt\tleast\ther\tcleverness\thad,\tlies\tand\tall. He\u2019d\t dealt\t with\t enough\t people,\t killed\t and\t bedded\t and\t fought\t alongside\t enough people,\t to\t know\t Marion\t wasn\u2019t\t wicked,\t or\t conniving,\t or\t wholly\t selfish.\t He\t wished\t she was,\tbecause\tit\u2019d\tmake\tit\teasier\u2014make\this\ttask\tso\tmuch\teasier. But\tif\tshe\tdidn\u2019t\ttell\thim\tabout\tMorath,\tif\the\tbroke\ther\tfrom\tpushing\ttoo\tmuch\t\u2026\tHe needed\tevery\tadvantage\twhen\the\tslipped\tinto\tthat\tKeep.\tAnd\twhen\the\tslipped\tout\tagain. She\u2019d\t done\t it\t once.\t Perhaps\t Marion\t was\t the\t only\t person\t alive\t who\t had\t managed\t to escape. He\twas\tabout\tto\texplain\tthat\tto\ther\twhen\the\tsaw\twhat\tshe\twas\tstaring\tat\u2014the\ttent. Their\ttent. Ombriel\t came\t forward,\t throwing\t her\t usual\t wary\t glance\t his\t way,\t and\t slyly\t informed Elide\tthey\u2019d\tfinally\thave\ta\tnight\talone\ttogether. Arms\t full\t of\t logs,\t Lorcan\t could\t only\t watch\t as\t that\t pale\t face\t of\t sorrow\t and\t despair transformed\tinto\tyouth\tand\tmischief,\tinto\tblushing\tanticipation,\tas\teasily\tas\tif\tMarion\thad held\t up\t a\t mask.\t She\t even\t gave\t him\t a\t flirting\t glance\t before\t beaming\t at\t Ombriel\t and rushing\tto\tdump\ther\tarmful\tof\tsticks\tand\ttwigs\tinto\tthe\tpit\tthey\u2019d\tcleared\tfor\tthe\tnightly fire. He\t possessed\t the\t good\t sense\t to\t at\t least\t smile\t at\t the\t woman\t who\t was\t supposed\t to\t be his\t wife,\t but\t by\t the\t time\t he\u2019d\t followed\t to\t drop\t his\t own\t burden\t into\t the\t fire\t pit,\t she\u2019d stalked\toff\tfor\tthe\ttent\tset\ta\tgood\tdistance\taway\tfrom\tthe\tothers. It\twas\tsmall,\the\trealized\twith\tno\ttiny\tamount\tof\thorror.\tProbably\tmeant\tfor\tthe\tsword- thrower\t who\u2019d\t last\t used\t it.\t Marion\u2019s\t slim\t figure\t slipped\t through\t the\t white\t canvas\t flaps with\thardly\ta\tripple.\tLorcan\tjust\tfrowned\ta\tbit\tbefore\tducking\tinside. And\t remained\t ducking\t slightly.\t His\t head\t would\t go\t straight\t through\t the\t canvas\t if\t he stood\tto\this\tfull\theight.\tWoven\tmats\tatop\tgathered\trushes\tcovered\tthe\tstuffy\tinterior,\tand","Marion\t stood\t on\t the\t other\t side\t of\t the\t tent,\t cringing\t at\t the\t sleeping\t roll\t on\t the\t makeshift floor. The\ttent\tprobably\thad\tenough\troom\tfor\ta\tproper\tbed\tand\ttable,\tif\tneed\tbe,\tbut\tunless they\twere\tcamping\tlonger\tthan\ta\tnight,\the\tdoubted\tthey\u2019d\tget\tany\tof\tthose\tthings. \u201cI\u2019ll\tsleep\ton\tthe\tground,\u201d\the\toffered\tblandly.\t\u201cYou\ttake\tthe\troll.\u201d \u201cWhat\tif\tsomeone\tcomes\tin?\u201d \u201cThen\tyou\u2019ll\tsay\twe\tgot\tinto\ta\tfight.\u201d \u201cEvery\t night?\u201d\t Marion\t pivoted,\t her\t rich\t eyes\t meeting\t his.\t The\t cold,\t weary\t face\t was back. Lorcan\t considered\t her\t words.\t \u201cIf\t someone\t walks\t into\t our\t tent\t without\t permission tonight,\tno\tone\there\twill\tmake\tthe\tsame\tmistake\tagain.\u201d He\u2019d\tpunished\tmen\tin\this\twar\tcamps\tfor\tless. But\t her\t eyes\t remained\t weary\u2014wholly\t unimpressed\t and\t unmoved.\t \u201cFine,\u201d\t she\t said again. Too\tclose\u2014far\ttoo\tclose\tto\tthe\tedge\tof\tsnapping\tentirely.\t\u201cI\tcould\tfind\tsome\tbuckets, heat\twater,\tand\tyou\tcould\tbathe\tin\there,\tif\tyou\twant.\tI\u2019ll\tstand\twatch\toutside.\u201d Creature\tcomforts\u2014to\tget\ther\tto\ttrust\thim,\tbe\tgrateful\tto\thim,\tto\twant\tto\thelp\thim.\tTo ease\tthat\tdangerous\tbrittleness. Indeed,\tMarion\tpeered\tdown\tat\therself.\tThe\twhite\tshirt\tthat\twas\tnow\tdirt-flecked,\tthe brown\tleather\tpants\tthat\twere\tfilthy,\tthe\tboots\u2026 \u201cI\u2019ll\toffer\tOmbriel\ta\tcoin\tto\twash\tit\tall\tfor\tyou\ttonight.\u201d \u201cI\thave\tno\tother\tclothes\tto\twear.\u201d \u201cYou\tcan\tsleep\twithout\tthem.\u201d Wariness\tfaded\tin\ta\tflash\tof\tdismay.\t\u201cWith\tyou\tin\there?\u201d He\tavoided\tthe\turge\tto\troll\this\teyes. She\tblurted,\t\u201cWhat\tabout\tyour\town\tclothes?\u201d \u201cWhat\tof\tthem?\u201d \u201cYou\t\u2026\tthey\u2019re\tfilthy,\ttoo.\u201d \u201cI\tcan\twait\tanother\tnight.\u201d\tShe\u2019d\tlikely\tbeg\tto\tsleep\tin\tthe\twagon\tif\the\twas\tnaked\tin here\u2014 \u201cWhy\tshould\tI\tbe\tthe\tonly\tone\tnaked?\tWouldn\u2019t\tthe\truse\twork\tbetter\tif\tyou\tand\tI\tboth took\tthe\topportunity\tat\tonce?\u201d \u201cYou\tare\tvery\tyoung,\u201d\the\tsaid\tcarefully.\t\u201cAnd\tI\tam\tvery\told.\u201d \u201cHow\told?\u201d","She\u2019d\tnever\tasked. \u201cOld.\u201d She\t shrugged.\t \u201cA\t body\t is\t a\t body.\t You\t reek\t as\t badly\t as\t I\t do.\t Go\t sleep\t outside\t if\t you won\u2019t\twash.\u201d A\ttest\u2014not\tdriven\tby\tany\tdesire\tor\tlogic,\tbut\t\u2026\tto\tsee\tif\the\u2019d\tlisten\tto\ther.\tWho\twas in\t control.\t Get\t her\t a\t bath,\t do\t as\t she\t asked\t \u2026\t Let\t her\t get\t a\t sense\t of\t control\t over\t the situation.\tHe\tgave\ther\ta\tthin\tsmile.\t\u201cFine,\u201d\the\techoed. When\t Lorcan\t pushed\t through\t the\t tent\t again,\t laden\t with\t water,\t he\t discovered\t Marion seated\ton\tthe\tbedroll,\tboots\toff,\tthat\truined\tankle\tand\tfoot\t stretched\t out\t before\t her.\t Her small\t hands\t were\t braced\t on\t the\t mangled,\t discolored\t flesh,\t as\t if\t she\u2019d\t been\t rubbing\t the ache\tfrom\tit. \u201cHow\tbadly\tdoes\tit\thurt\tevery\tday?\u201d\tHe\tsometimes\tused\this\tmagic\tto\tbrace\tthe\tankle. When\the\tremembered.\tWhich\twasn\u2019t\toften. Marion\u2019s\t focus,\t however,\t went\t right\t to\t the\t steaming\t cauldron\t he\u2019d\t set\t on\t the\t floor, then\tthe\tbucket\the\u2019d\thauled\tover\ta\tshoulder\tfor\ther\tto\tuse\tas\twell. \u201cI\u2019ve\thad\tit\tsince\tI\twas\ta\tchild,\u201d\tshe\tsaid\tdistantly,\tas\tif\thypnotized\tby\tthe\tclean\twater. She\trose\ton\tuneven\tfeet,\twincing\tat\ther\twrecked\tleg.\t\u201cI\tlearned\tto\tlive\twith\tit.\u201d \u201cThat\u2019s\tnot\tan\tanswer.\u201d \u201cWhy\tdo\tyou\teven\tcare?\u201d\tThe\twords\twere\tbarely\tmore\tthan\ta\tbreath\tas\tshe\tunbraided her\tlong,\tthick\thair,\tstill\tfixated\ton\tthe\tbath. He\twas\tcurious;\the\twanted\tto\tknow\thow\tand\twhen\tand\twhy.\tMarion\twas\tbeautiful\u2014 surely\t marring\t her\t like\t that\t had\t been\t done\t with\t some\t ill\t intent.\t Or\t to\t prevent\t something worse. She\t at\t last\t cut\t him\t a\t glance.\t \u201cYou\t said\t you\u2019d\t stand\t watch.\t I\t thought\t you\t meant outside.\u201d He\t snorted.\t Indeed\t he\t did.\t \u201cEnjoy\t yourself,\u201d\t he\t said,\t pushing\t out\t of\t the\t tent\t once more. Lorcan\tstood\tin\tthe\tgrasses,\tmonitoring\tthe\tbusy\tcamp,\tthe\twide\tbowl\tof\tthe\tdarkening sky.\tHe\thated\tthe\tplains.\tToo\tmuch\topen\tspace;\ttoo\tmuch\tvisibility. Behind\t him,\t his\t ears\t picked\t up\t the\t sigh\t and\t hiss\t of\t leather\t sliding\t down\t skin,\t the rustle\tof\trough-woven\tcloth\tbeing\tpeeled\toff.\tThen\tfainter,\tsofter\tsounds\tof\tmore\tdelicate fabric\tsliding\taway.\tThen\tsilence\u2014followed\tby\ta\tvery,\tvery\tquiet\trustling.\tLike\tshe\tdidn\u2019t want\t even\t the\t gods\t hearing\t what\t she\t was\t doing.\t Hay\t crunched.\t Then\t a\t thud\t of\t the mattress\troll\tlifting\tand\tfalling\u2014 The\t little\t witch\t was\t hiding\t something.\t The\t hay\t snapped\t again\t as\t she\t returned\t to\t the cauldron. Hiding\t something\t under\t the\t mattress\u2014something\t she\u2019d\t been\t carrying\t with\t her\t and","didn\u2019t\twant\thim\tknowing\tabout.\tWater\tsplashed,\tand\tMarion\tlet\tout\ta\tmoan\tof\tsurprising depth\tand\tsincerity.\tHe\tshut\tout\tthe\tsound. But\teven\tas\the\tdid,\tLorcan\u2019s\tthoughts\tdrifted\ttoward\tRowan\tand\this\tbitch-queen. Marion\t and\t the\t queen\t were\t about\t the\t same\t age\u2014one\t dark,\t one\t golden.\t Would\t the queen\tbother\tat\tall\twith\tMarion\tonce\tshe\tarrived?\tLikely,\tif\ther\tcuriosity\twas\tpiqued\tabout why\tshe\twished\tto\tsee\tCelaena\tSardothien,\tbut\t\u2026\twhat\tabout\tafter? It\twasn\u2019t\this\tconcern.\tHe\u2019d\tleft\this\tconscience\ton\tthe\tcobblestones\tof\tthe\tback\tstreets of\tDoranelle\tfive\tcenturies\tago.\tHe\u2019d\tkilled\tmen\twho\thad\tbegged\tfor\ttheir\tlives,\twrecked entire\tcities\tand\tnever\tonce\tlooked\tback\tat\tthe\tsmoldering\trubble. Rowan\t had,\t too.\t Gods-damned\t Whitethorn\t had\t been\t his\t most\t effective\t general, assassin,\t and\t executioner\t for\t centuries.\t They\t had\t laid\t waste\t to\t kingdoms\t and\t then\t drunk and\tbedded\tthemselves\tinto\tstupors\tin\tthe\tfollowing\tdays-long\tcelebrations\ton\tthe\truins. This\t winter,\t he\u2019d\t had\t a\t damn\t fine\t commander\t at\t his\t disposal,\t brutal\t and\t vicious\t and willing\tto\tdo\tjust\tabout\tanything\tLorcan\tordered. The\tnext\ttime\the\u2019d\tseen\tRowan,\tthe\tprince\thad\tbeen\troaring,\tdesperate\tto\tfling\thimself into\t lethal\t darkness\t to\t save\t the\t life\t of\t a\t princess\t with\t no\t throne.\t Lorcan\t had\t known\u2014in that\tmoment. Lorcan\thad\tknown,\tas\the\u2019d\tpinned\tRowan\tinto\tthe\tgrass\toutside\tMistward,\tthe\tprince thrashing\t and\t screaming\t for\t Aelin\t Galathynius,\t that\t everything\t was\t about\t to\t change. Knew\tthat\tthe\tcommander\the\u2019d\tvalued\twas\taltered\tirrevocably.\tNo\tlonger\twould\tthey\tglut themselves\t on\t wine\t and\t women;\t no\t longer\t would\t Rowan\t gaze\t toward\t a\t horizon\t without some\tglimmer\tof\tlonging\tin\this\teyes. Love\thad\tbroken\ta\tperfect\tkilling\ttool.\tLorcan\twondered\tif\tit\twould\ttake\thim\tcenturies more\tto\tstop\tbeing\tso\tpissed\tabout\tit. And\tthe\tqueen\u2014princess,\twhatever\tAelin\tcalled\therself\t\u2026\tShe\twas\ta\tfool.\tShe\tcould have\t bartered\t Athril\u2019s\t ring\t for\t Maeve\u2019s\t armies,\t for\t an\t alliance\t to\t wipe\t Morath\t off\t the earth.\tEven\tnot\tknowing\twhat\tthe\tring\twas,\tshe\tcould\thave\tused\tit\tto\ther\tadvantage. But\tshe\u2019d\tchosen\tRowan.\tA\tprince\twith\tno\tcrown,\tno\tarmy,\tno\tallies. They\tdeserved\tto\tperish\ttogether. Marion\u2019s\t soaked\t head\t popped\t out\t of\t the\t tent,\t and\t Lorcan\t twisted\t to\t see\t the\t heavy wool\t blanket\t wrapped\t around\t her\t like\t a\t gown.\t \u201cCan\t you\t bring\t the\t clothes\t now?\u201d\t She chucked\ther\tpile\tout.\tShe\u2019d\tbundled\ther\tunderthings\tin\ther\twhite\tshirt,\tand\tthe\tleathers\t\u2026 They\u2019d\t never\t be\t dry\t before\t morning\u2014and\t would\t likely\t shrink\t beyond\t use\t if\t washed improperly. Lorcan\tstooped,\tpicking\tup\tthe\tbundle\tof\tclothes\tand\ttrying\tnot\tto\tpeer\tinto\tthe\ttent\tto learn\twhat\tshe\u2019d\thidden\tbeneath\tthe\tbedroll.\t\u201cWhat\tabout\tstanding\tguard?\u201d Her\thair\twas\tplastered\tto\ther\thead,\theightening\tthe\tsharp\tlines\tin\ther\tcheekbones,\ther fine\t nose.\t But\t her\t eyes\t were\t bright\t again,\t her\t full\t lips\t once\t more\t like\t a\t rosebud,\t as\t she","said,\t\u201cPlease\tget\tthem\twashed.\tQuickly.\u201d Lorcan\tdidn\u2019t\tbother\tconfirming\tas\the\tcarried\ther\tclothes\taway\tfrom\tthe\ttent,\tleaving her\tto\tsit\tin\tpartial\tnakedness\tinside.\tOmbriel\twas\tin\tthe\tmiddle\tof\tcooking\twhatever\twas in\t the\t pot\t over\t the\t fire.\t Likely\t rabbit\t stew.\t Again.\t Lorcan\t examined\t the\t clothes\t in\t his hands. Thirty\tminutes\tlater,\the\treturned\tto\tthe\ttent,\tplate\tof\tfood\tin\thand.\tMarion\twas\tperched on\tthe\tbedroll,\tfoot\tstretched\tout\tbefore\ther,\tblanket\ttucked\tunder\ther\tshoulders. Her\tskin\twas\tso\tpale.\tHe\u2019d\tnever\tseen\tsuch\twhite\tunmarred\tskin. As\tif\tshe\u2019d\tnever\tbeen\tlet\toutside. Her\tdark\tbrows\tfurrowed\tat\tthe\tplate\u2014then\tat\tthe\tbundle\tunder\this\tarm. \u201cOmbriel\twas\tbusy\u2014so\tI\twashed\tyour\tclothes\tmyself.\u201d She\tflushed. \u201cA\tbody\tis\ta\tbody,\u201d\the\trepeated\tsimply\tto\ther.\t\u201cSo\tare\tundergarments.\u201d She\t frowned,\t but\t her\t attention\t was\t again\t riveted\t on\t the\t plate.\t He\t set\t it\t down\t before her.\t \u201cI\t got\t you\t dinner,\t since\t I\t assumed\t you\t didn\u2019t\t want\t to\t sit\t among\t everyone\t in\t your blanket.\u201d\t He\t dumped\t the\t pile\t of\t clothes\t on\t her\t bedroll.\t \u201cAnd\t I\t got\t you\t clothes\t from Molly.\tShe\u2019s\tcharging\tyou,\tof\tcourse.\tBut\tat\tleast\tyou\twon\u2019t\tsleep\tnaked.\u201d She\tdug\tinto\tthe\tstew\twithout\tso\tmuch\tas\tthanking\thim. Lorcan\t was\t about\t to\t leave\t when\t she\t said,\t \u201cMy\t uncle\t \u2026\t He\t is\t a\t commander\t at Morath.\u201d Lorcan\tfroze.\tAnd\tlooked\tright\tto\tthe\tbedroll. But\tMarion\tcontinued\tbetween\tbites,\t\u201cHe\t\u2026\tlocked\tme\tin\tthe\tdungeon\tonce.\u201d The\t wind\t in\t the\t grasses\t died;\t the\t campfire\t far\t beyond\t their\t tent\t flickered,\t the\t people around\tit\thuddling\tcloser\ttogether\tas\tthe\tnighttime\tinsects\twent\tsilent\tand\tthe\tsmall,\tfurred creatures\tof\tthe\tplains\tscampered\tinto\ttheir\tburrows. Marion\t either\t didn\u2019t\t notice\t the\t surge\t of\t his\t dark\t power,\t the\t magic\t kissed\t by\t Death himself,\tor\tdidn\u2019t\tcare.\tShe\tsaid,\t\u201cHis\tname\tis\tVernon,\tand\the\tis\tclever\tand\tcruel,\tand\the will\t likely\t try\t to\t keep\t you\t alive\t if\t you\t are\t caught.\t He\t wields\t people\t to\t gain\t power\t for himself.\tHe\thas\tno\tmercy,\tno\tsoul.\tThere\tis\tno\tmoral\tcode\tthat\tguides\thim.\u201d She\twent\tback\tto\ther\tfood,\tdone\tfor\tthe\tnight. Lorcan\tsaid\tquietly,\t\u201cWould\tyou\tlike\tme\tto\tkill\thim\tfor\tyou?\u201d Her\t limpid,\t dark\t eyes\t rose\t to\t his\t face.\t And\t for\t a\t moment,\t he\t could\t see\t the\t woman she\u2019d\t become\u2014was\t already\t becoming.\t Someone\t who,\t regardless\t of\t where\t she\u2019d\t been born,\tany\tqueen\twould\tprize\tat\ther\tside.\t\u201cWould\tthere\tbe\ta\tcost?\u201d Lorcan\t hid\t his\t smile.\t Smart,\t cunning\t little\t witch.\t \u201cNo,\u201d\t he\t said,\t and\t meant\t it.\t \u201cWhy did\the\tlock\tyou\tin\tthe\tdungeon?\u201d","Marion\u2019s\twhite\tthroat\tbobbed\tonce.\tTwice.\tShe\tseemed\tto\thold\this\tstare\tthrough\teffort of\twill,\tthrough\ta\trefusal\tnot\tto\tback\tdown\tfrom\thim,\tbut\tfrom\ther\town\tfears.\t\u201cBecause\the wished\tto\tsee\tif\this\tbloodline\tcould\tbe\tcrossed\twith\tthe\tValg.\tThat\twas\twhy\tI\twas\tbrought to\tMorath.\tTo\tbe\tbred\tlike\ta\tprize\tmare.\u201d Every\tthought\temptied\tout\tof\tLorcan\u2019s\thead. He\thad\tseen\tand\tdealt\tand\tendured\tmany,\tmany\tunspeakable\tthings,\tbut\tthis\u2026 \u201cDid\the\tsucceed?\u201d\the\tmanaged\tto\task. \u201cNot\twith\tme.\tThere\twere\tothers\tbefore\tme\twho\t\u2026\tHelp\tcame\ttoo\tlate\tfor\tthem.\u201d \u201cThat\texplosion\twas\tnot\taccidental,\twas\tit.\u201d A\tsmall\tshake\tof\tthe\thead. \u201cYou\tdid\tit?\u201d\tHe\tglanced\tto\tthe\tbedroll\u2014to\twhatever\tshe\thid\tbeneath. Again\tthat\tshake\tof\tthe\thead.\t\u201cI\twill\tnot\tsay\twho,\tor\thow.\tNot\twithout\trisking\tthe\tlives of\tthe\tpeople\twho\tsaved\tme.\u201d \u201cAre\tthe\tilken\u2014\u201d \u201cNo.\t The\t ilken\t are\t not\t the\t creatures\t that\t were\t bred\t in\t the\t catacombs.\t Those\t \u2026\t those came\tfrom\tthe\tmountains\taround\tMorath.\tThrough\tfar\tdarker\tmethods.\u201d Maeve\t had\t to\t know.\t She\t had\t to\t know\t what\t they\t were\t doing\t in\t Morath.\t The\t horrors being\t bred\t there,\t the\t army\t of\t demons\t and\t beasts\t to\t rival\t any\t from\t legend.\t She\t would never\t ally\t with\t such\t evil\u2014never\t be\t foolish\t enough\t to\t ally\t with\t the\t Valg.\t Not\t when\t she warred\twith\tthem\tmillennia\tago.\tBut\tif\tshe\tdid\tnot\tfight\t\u2026\tHow\tlong\twould\tit\tbe\tbefore these\tbeasts\twere\thowling\taround\tDoranelle?\tBefore\tit\twas\this\town\tcontinent\tunder\tsiege? Doranelle\t could\t hold\t out.\t But\t he\t would\t likely\t be\t dead,\t once\t he\t found\t some\t way\t to destroy\t the\t keys\t and\t Maeve\t punished\t him.\t And\t with\t him\t dead\t and\t Whitethorn\t likely carrion,\ttoo\t\u2026\thow\tlong\twould\tDoranelle\tlast?\tDecades?\tYears? A\t question\t snagged\t in\t Lorcan\u2019s\t mind,\t drawing\t him\t to\t the\t present,\t to\t the\t stuffy\t little tent.\t \u201cYour\t foot\t has\t been\t ruined\t for\t years,\t though.\t He\t locked\t you\t in\t the\t dungeon\t that long?\u201d \u201cNo,\u201d\tshe\tsaid,\tnot\teven\tflinching\tat\this\trough\tdescription.\t\u201cI\twas\tonly\tin\tthe\tdungeon for\ta\tweek.\tThe\tankle,\tthe\tchain\t\u2026\tHe\tdid\tthat\tto\tme\tlong\tbefore.\u201d \u201cWhat\tchain.\u201d She\tblinked.\tAnd\the\tknew\tshe\u2019d\tmeant\tto\tavoid\ttelling\thim\tthat\tone\tparticular\tdetail. But\tnow\tthat\the\tlooked\t\u2026\the\tcould\tmake\tout,\tamong\tthe\tmass\tof\tscars,\ta\twhite\tband. And\tthere,\taround\ther\tperfect,\tlovely\tother\tankle,\twas\tits\ttwin. A\twind\tlaced\twith\tthe\tdust\tand\tcoldness\tof\ta\ttomb\tgnawed\tthrough\tthe\tfield. Marion\tmerely\tsaid,\t\u201cWhen\tyou\tkill\tmy\tuncle,\task\thim\tyourself.\u201d","31 Well,\ton\tthe\tone\thand,\tat\tleast\tRolfe\u2019s\tmap\tworked. It\thad\tbeen\tRowan\u2019s\tidea,\tactually.\tAnd\tshe\tmight\thave\tfelt\tslightly\tguilty\tfor\tletting Aedion\t and\t Lysandra\t believe\t the\t Pirate\t Lord\t had\t only\t gone\t after\t the\t Amulet\t of\t Orynth, but\t \u2026\t at\t least\t they\t now\t knew\t his\t unholy\t map\t functioned.\t And\t that\t the\t Pirate\t Lord\t was indeed\tliving\tin\tterror\tof\tthe\tValg\treturning\tto\tthis\tharbor. She\twondered\twhat\tRolfe\tmade\tof\tit\u2014what\this\tmap\thad\tshown\thim\tof\tthe\tWyrdkey. If\tit\trevealed\tthe\tdifference\tbetween\tit\tand\tthe\tWyrdstone\trings\this\tmen\thad\tbeen\tenslaved with.\tWhatever\tthe\treason,\tthe\tPirate\tLord\thad\tsent\this\tbarmaid\tto\tscout\tfor\tany\thint\tof\tthe Valg,\tnot\trealizing\tRowan\thad\tselected\tthat\tdead-end\talley\tto\tensure\tonly\tsomeone\tsent\tby Rolfe\twould\tventure\tso\tfar\tdown\tit.\tAnd\tsince\tAelin\thad\tno\tdoubt\twhatsoever\tthat\tAedion and\t Lysandra\t had\t snuck\t through\t the\t streets\t unnoticed\t \u2026\t Well,\t at\t least\t that\t part\t of\t her evening\thad\tgone\tright. As\tfor\tthe\trest\tof\tit\t\u2026\tIt\twas\tjust\tpast\tmidnight\twhen\tAelin\twondered\thow\tthe\thell\tshe and\tRowan\twould\tever\tgo\tback\tto\tnormalcy\tif\tthey\tsurvived\tthis\twar.\tIf\tthere\u2019d\tbe\ta\tday when\tit\twasn\u2019t\teasy\tto\tleap\tover\trooftops\tas\tif\tthey\twere\tstones\ton\ta\tstream,\tto\tbreak\tinto someone\u2019s\troom\tand\thold\ta\tblade\tto\tthe\toccupant\u2019s\tthroat. They\tdid\tthe\tfirst\ttwo\twithin\tthe\tspan\tof\tfifteen\tminutes. And\tas\tthey\tfound\tGavriel\tand\tFenrys\twaiting\tfor\tthem\tin\ttheir\tshared\troom\tin\tthe\tSea Dragon\tinn,\tAelin\tsupposed\tshe\tneedn\u2019t\tbother\twith\tthe\tthird.\tEven\tif\tboth\tshe\tand\tRowan kept\t their\t hands\t within\t casual\t reach\t of\t their\t daggers\t while\t they\t leaned\t against\t the\t wall beside\t the\t now-shut\t window.\t They\u2019d\t unlocked\t it\t with\t Rowan\u2019s\t wind\u2014only\t to\t have\t a candle\t ignite\t the\t moment\t the\t window\t swung\t away.\t Revealing\t two\t stone-faced\t Fae warriors,\tboth\tdressed\tand\tarmed. \u201cYou\tcould\thave\tused\tthe\tdoor,\u201d\tFenrys\tsaid,\tarms\tcrossed\u2014a\tbit\ttoo\tcasually. \u201cWhy\tbother\twhen\ta\tdramatic\tentrance\tis\tso\tmuch\tmore\tfun?\u201d\tAelin\tcountered. Fenrys\u2019s\tbeautiful\tface\ttwitched\twith\tamusement\tthat\tdidn\u2019t\tquite\tmeet\this\tonyx\teyes. \u201cWhat\ta\tshame\tit\u2019d\tbe\tfor\tyou\tto\tmiss\tout\ton\tany\tof\tthat.\u201d She\tgrinned\tat\thim.\tHe\tgrinned\tat\ther. She\tsupposed\tboth\tof\ttheir\tsmiles\twere\tless\tof\ta\tgrin\tand\tmore\t\u2026\tteeth-exposing. She\tsnorted.\t\u201cYou\ttwo\tlook\tlike\tyou\tenjoyed\tyour\tsummer\tin\tDoranelle.\tHow\u2019s\tsweet Aunt\tMaeve?\u201d Gavriel\u2019s\ttattooed\thands\tclosed\tinto\tloose\tfists.\t\u201cYou\tdeny\tme\tthe\tright\tto\tsee\tmy\tson","and\t yet\t you\t barge\t into\t our\t room\t in\t the\t dead\t of\t the\t night\t to\t demand\t we\t divulge information\tabout\tour\tblood-sworn\tqueen.\u201d \u201cOne,\tI\tdid\tnot\tdeny\tyou\tanything,\tkitty-cat.\u201d Fenrys\tlet\tout\twhat\tmight\thave\tbeen\ta\tchoking\tsound. \u201cIt\u2019s\tyour\tson\u2019s\tdecision,\tnot\tmine.\tI\tdon\u2019t\thave\tenough\ttime\tto\toversee\tor\treally\tcare.\u201d Lies. \u201cIt\tmust\tbe\thard\tto\tfind\tthe\ttime\tto\tcare\tat\tall,\u201d\tFenrys\tcut\tin,\t\u201cwhen\tyou\tare\tfacing\ta mortal\tlife\tspan.\u201d\tA\tsly,\tcutting\tglance\tat\tRowan.\t\u201cOr\tis\tshe\tdue\tto\tSettle\tsoon?\u201d Oh,\t he\t was\t a\t bastard.\t A\t bitter,\t hard-edged\t bastard,\t the\t laughing\t side\t of\t the\t coin\t to Lorcan\u2019s\tsullen\tbrooding.\tMaeve\tcertainly\thad\ta\ttype. Rowan\u2019s\t face\t yielded\t nothing.\t \u201cThe\t matter\t of\t Aelin\u2019s\t Settling\t is\t none\t of\t your concern.\u201d \u201cIsn\u2019t\tit?\tKnowing\tif\tshe\u2019s\timmortal\tchanges\tthings.\tMany\tthings.\u201d \u201cFenrys,\u201d\tGavriel\twarned. She\tknew\tenough\tabout\tit\u2014the\ttransition\tpureblooded\tFae,\tand\tsome\tdemi-Fae,\twent through\tonce\ttheir\tbodies\tlocked\tinto\timmortal\tyouth.\tIt\twas\ta\trough\tprocess,\ttheir\tbodies and\t magic\t needing\t months\t to\t adjust\t to\t the\t sudden\t freezing\t and\t reordering\t of\t their\t aging process.\tSome\tFae\thad\tno\tcontrol\tover\ttheir\tpower\u2014some\tlost\tit\tentirely\tduring\tthe\ttime it\ttook\tto\tSettle. And\tdemi-Fae\t\u2026\tsome\tmight\tbe\tlonger-lived,\tsome\tmight\thave\tthe\ttrue\timmortal\tgift given\tto\tthem.\tLike\tLorcan.\tAnd\tpossibly\tAedion.\tThey\u2019d\tfind\tout\tin\tthe\tnext\tfew\tyears\tif he\u2019d\ttake\tafter\this\tmother\t\u2026\tor\tthe\tmale\tsitting\tacross\tthe\troom\tfrom\ther.\tIf\tthey\tsurvived the\twar. And\t as\t for\t her\t \u2026\t She\t did\t not\t let\t herself\t think\t about\t it.\t Precisely\t for\t the\t reasons Fenrys\tclaimed.\t\u201cI\tdon\u2019t\tsee\twhat\tit\twould\tchange,\u201d\tshe\tsaid\tto\thim.\t\u201cThere\u2019s\talready\tone immortal\tqueen.\tSurely\ta\tsecond\twould\tbe\tnothing\tnew.\u201d \u201cAnd\t will\t you\t hand\t out\t blood\t oaths\t to\t males\t who\t catch\t your\t eye,\t or\t will\t it\t just\t be Whitethorn\tat\tyour\tside?\u201d She\tcould\tfeel\tthe\taggression\tbeginning\tto\tpour\toff\tRowan,\tand\tshe\twas\thalf\ttempted to\tgrumble,\tThey\u2019re\tyour\tfriends.\tDeal\twith\tthem.\tBut\the\tkept\tquiet,\tcontaining\thimself,\tas she\tsaid,\t\u201cYou\tdidn\u2019t\tseem\tnearly\tso\tinterested\tin\tme\tthat\tday\tat\tMistward.\u201d \u201cTrust\tme,\the\twas,\u201d\tGavriel\tmuttered. Aelin\tlifted\ta\tbrow.\tBut\tFenrys\twas\tgiving\tGavriel\ta\tlook\tthat\tpromised\ta\tslow\tdeath. Rowan\texplained,\t\u201cFenrys\twas\tthe\tone\twho\t\u2026\tvolunteered\tto\ttrain\tyou\twhen\tMaeve told\tus\tyou\u2019d\tcome\tto\tWendlyn.\u201d Was\the,\tnow.\tInteresting.\t\u201cWhy?\u201d Rowan\t opened\t his\t mouth,\t but\t Fenrys\t cut\t him\t off.\t \u201cIt\t would\t have\t gotten\t me\t out\t of","Doranelle.\t And\t we\t likely\t would\t have\t had\t far\t more\t fun,\t anyway.\t I\t know\t what\t a\t bastard Whitethorn\tcan\tbe\twhen\tit\tcomes\tto\ttraining.\u201d \u201cYou\ttwo\twould\thave\tstayed\ton\tthat\trooftop\tin\tVarese\tand\tdrunk\tyourselves\tto\tdeath,\u201d Rowan\tsaid.\t\u201cAnd\tas\tfor\ttraining\t\u2026\tYou\u2019re\talive\ttoday\tbecause\tof\tthat\ttraining,\tboyo.\u201d Fenrys\trolled\this\teyes.\tYounger,\tshe\trealized.\tStill\told\tby\thuman\tstandards,\tbut\tFenrys was\tand\tfelt\tyounger.\tWilder. \u201cSpeaking\tof\tVarese,\u201d\tAelin\tsaid\twith\tcool\tamusement.\t\u201cAnd\tDoranelle\u2026\u201d \u201cI\twill\twarn\tyou,\u201d\tGavriel\tsaid\tquietly,\t\u201cthat\tthere\tis\tlittle\twe\tknow\tregarding\tMaeve\u2019s plans,\tand\tless\tstill\twe\tcan\treveal\twith\tthe\tblood\toath\u2019s\tconstraints.\u201d \u201cHow\tdoes\tshe\tdo\tit?\u201d\tAelin\tasked\tbaldly.\t\u201cWith\tRowan,\tit\u2019s\tnot\t\u2026\tEvery\torder\tI\tgive him,\teven\tcasual\tones,\tare\this\tto\tdecide\twhat\tto\tdo\twith.\tOnly\twhen\tI\tactively\tpull\ton\tthe bond\tcan\tI\tget\thim\tto\t\u2026\tyield.\tAnd\teven\tthen\tit\u2019s\tmore\tof\ta\tsuggestion.\u201d \u201cIt\t is\t different\t with\t her,\u201d\t Gavriel\t said\t softly.\t \u201cDependent\t on\t the\t ruler\t it\t is\t sworn\t to. You\ttwo\ttook\tthe\toath\tto\teach\tother\twith\tlove\tin\tyour\thearts.\tYou\thad\tno\tdesire\tto\town\tor rule\thim.\u201d Aelin\ttried\tnot\tto\tflinch\tat\tthe\ttruth\tof\tthat\tword\u2014love.\tThat\tday\t\u2026\twhen\tRowan\thad looked\tinto\ther\teyes\tas\the\tdrank\ther\tblood\t\u2026\tshe\u2019d\tstarted\tto\trealize\twhat\tit\twas.\tThat\tthe feeling\t that\t passed\t between\t them,\t so\t powerful\t there\t was\t no\t language\t to\t describe\t it\t \u2026\t It was\tnot\tmere\tfriendship,\tbut\tsomething\tborn\tof\tand\tstrengthened\tby\tit. \u201cMaeve,\u201d\tFenrys\tadded,\t\u201coffers\tit\twith\tthose\tthings\tin\tmind.\tAnd\tso\tthe\tbond\titself\tis born\t of\t obedience\t to\t her\u2014no\t matter\t what.\t She\t orders,\t we\t submit.\t For\t whatever\t she wishes.\u201d\tShadows\tdanced\tin\tthose\teyes,\tand\tAelin\u2019s\tfingers\tcurled\tinto\tfists.\tThat\tMaeve felt\t the\t need\t to\t force\t any\t of\t them\t into\t her\t bed\t \u2026\t Rowan\t had\t told\t her\t their\t familial bloodline,\t while\t distant,\t was\t still\t close\t enough\t that\t it\t had\t kept\t Maeve\t from\t seeking\t him out,\tbut\tthe\tothers\u2026 \u201cSo\tyou\tcouldn\u2019t\tbreak\tit\ton\tyour\town.\u201d \u201cNever\u2014if\t we\t did\t so,\t the\t magic\t that\t binds\t us\t to\t her\t would\t kill\t us\t in\t the\t process,\u201d Fenrys\tsaid.\tShe\twondered\tif\the\u2019d\ttried.\tHow\tmany\ttimes.\tHe\tangled\this\thead\tto\tthe\tside, the\tmovement\tpurely\tlupine.\t\u201cWhy\tare\tyou\tasking\tthis?\u201d Because\t if\t Maeve\t somehow\t can\t claim\t ownership\t over\t Aedion\u2019s\t life\t thanks\t to\t his bloodline,\tI\tcan\u2019t\tdo\ta\tdamn\tthing\tto\thelp\thim. Aelin\t shrugged.\t \u201cBecause\t you\t sidetracked\t me.\u201d\t She\t gave\t him\t a\t little\t smile\t that\t she knew\tdrove\tRowan\tand\tAedion\tinsane,\tand\u2014yes.\tIt\tseemed\tit\twas\ta\tsurefire\tway\tto\tpiss off\tany\tFae\tmale,\tbecause\tire\tflashed\tacross\tFenrys\u2019s\tstupidly\tperfect\tface. She\tpicked\tat\ther\tnails.\t\u201cI\tknow\tyou\ttwo\tare\told\tand\tup\tpast\tyour\tbedtime,\tso\tI\u2019ll\tkeep this\t quick:\t Maeve\u2019s\t armada\t sails\t for\t Eyllwe.\t We\t are\t now\t allies.\t But\t my\t path\t might\t take me\tinto\tdirect\tconflict\twith\tthat\tfleet,\tmaybe\twith\ther,\twhether\tI\tdesire\tit\tor\tnot.\u201d\tRowan had\t tensed\t slightly,\t and\t she\t wished\t it\t wouldn\u2019t\t look\t weak\t to\t glance\t at\t him,\t try\t to\t read whatever\thad\tsparked\tthe\treaction.","Fenrys\t looked\t to\t Rowan\u2014as\t if\t it\t were\t habit.\t \u201cI\t think\t the\t bigger\t concern\t is\t whether Maeve\tsails\tto\tjoin\tErawan.\tShe\tcould\tgo\teither\tway.\u201d \u201cOur\u2014her\t network\t of\t information\t is\t too\t vast,\u201d\t Rowan\t countered.\t \u201cThere\u2019s\t not\t a chance\tshe\tdoesn\u2019t\talready\tknow\tthe\tempire\u2019s\tfleet\tis\tcamped\tout\tin\tthe\tGulf\tof\tOro.\u201d Aelin\t wondered\t how\t often\t her\t Fae\t Prince\t had\t to\t silently\t correct\t himself\t about\t what terms\tto\tuse.\tOur,\ther\t\u2026\tWondered\tif\the\tever\tmissed\tthe\ttwo\tmales\tfrowning\tat\tthem. \u201cMaeve\t could\t be\t going\t to\t intercept\t it,\u201d\t Gavriel\t mused.\t \u201cVanquish\t Morath\u2019s\t fleet\t as proof\tof\ther\tintentions\tto\tassist\tyou,\tthen\t\u2026\tplay\tit\tinto\twhatever\tagenda\tshe\thas\tbeyond that.\u201d Aelin\t clicked\t her\t tongue.\t \u201cEven\t with\t Fae\t soldiers\t on\t those\t ships,\t she\t couldn\u2019t\t be stupid\tenough\tto\trisk\tsuch\tcatastrophic\tlosses\tjust\tto\tget\tinto\tmy\tgood\tgraces\tagain.\u201d\tNo matter\tthat\tAelin\tknew\tshe\u2019d\taccept\tany\toffer\tof\taid\tfrom\tMaeve,\trisk\tor\tno. Fenrys\u2019s\tedged\tsmile\tflashed.\t\u201cOh,\tthe\tlosses\tof\tFae\tlives\twould\tbe\tof\tlittle\tconcern\tto her.\tIt\tlikely\tjust\tincreases\ther\texcitement\tabout\tit.\u201d \u201cCareful,\u201d\tGavriel\tsaid.\tGods,\the\tnearly\tsounded\tidentical\tto\tAedion\twith\tthat\ttone. Aelin\t went\t on,\t \u201cRegardless.\t You\t two\t know\t what\t we\t face\t with\t Erawan;\t you\t know what\t Maeve\t wanted\t from\t me\t in\t Doranelle.\t What\t Lorcan\t left\t to\t do.\u201d\t Their\t faces\t had resumed\ttheir\twarrior-calm\tand\tdidn\u2019t\tso\tmuch\tas\tflicker\tas\tshe\tasked,\t\u201cDid\tMaeve\tgive you\t an\t order\t to\t take\t those\t keys\t from\t Lorcan\t as\t well?\t And\t the\t ring?\t Or\t is\t it\t just\t his\t life you\u2019ll\tbe\tclaiming?\u201d \u201cIf\t we\t say\t she\t gave\t us\t the\t order\t to\t take\t everything,\u201d\t Fenrys\t drawled,\t bracing\t his hands\tbehind\thim\ton\tthe\tbed,\t\u201cwill\tyou\tkill\tus,\tHeir\tof\tFire?\u201d \u201cIt\u2019ll\tdepend\ton\thow\tuseful\tyou\tprove\tto\tbe\tas\tan\tally,\u201d\tAelin\tsimply\tsaid. The\tweight\thanging\tbetween\ther\tbreasts\tbeneath\ther\tshirt\trumbled\tas\tif\tin\tanswer. \u201cRolfe\thas\tweapons,\u201d\tGavriel\tsaid\tquietly.\t\u201cOr\twill\tbe\treceiving\tthem.\u201d Aelin\tlifted\ta\tbrow.\t\u201cAnd\twill\thearing\tabout\tit\tcost\tme?\u201d Gavriel\twasn\u2019t\tstupid\tenough\tto\task\tfor\tAedion.\tThe\twarrior\tjust\tsaid,\t\u201cThey\u2019re\tcalled firelances.\t Alchemists\t in\t the\t southern\t continent\t developed\t them\t for\t their\t own\t territory wars.\t More\t than\t that,\t we\t don\u2019t\t know,\t but\t the\t device\t can\t be\t wielded\t by\t one\t man\u2014to devastating\teffect.\u201d And\t with\t magic-users\t still\t so\t new\t to\t their\t returned\t gifts,\t or\t mostly\t dead\t thanks\t to Adarlan\u2026 She\twould\tnot\tbe\talone.\tNot\tthe\tonly\tfire-wielder\ton\tthat\tbattlefield. But\tonly\tif\tRolfe\u2019s\tarmada\tbecame\thers.\tIf\the\tdid\twhat\tshe\twas\tcarefully,\tso\tcarefully, guiding\t him\t to\t do.\t Reaching\t out\t to\t the\t southern\t continent\t could\t take\t months\t she\t didn\u2019t have.\tBut\tif\tRolfe\thad\talready\tordered\ta\tsupply\t\u2026\tAelin\tnodded\tat\tRowan\tonce\tmore,\tand they\tpushed\toff\tthe\twall.","\u201cThat\u2019s\t it?\u201d\t Fenrys\t demanded.\t \u201cDo\t we\t get\t to\t know\t what\t you\t plan\t to\t do\t with\t this information,\tor\tare\twe\tjust\tyour\tlackeys,\ttoo?\u201d \u201cYou\tdon\u2019t\ttrust\tme;\tI\tdon\u2019t\ttrust\tyou,\u201d\tAelin\tsaid.\t\u201cIt\u2019s\teasier\tthat\tway.\u201d\tShe\tnudged open\tthe\twindow\twith\ther\telbow.\t\u201cBut\tthank\tyou\tfor\tthe\tinformation.\u201d Fenrys\u2019s\tbrows\trose\thigh\tenough\tthat\tshe\twondered\tif\tMaeve\thad\tuttered\tthose\twords in\this\thearing.\tAnd\tshe\thonestly\twished\tshe\u2019d\tmelted\ther\taunt\tthat\tday\tin\tDoranelle. She\t and\t Rowan\t leaped\t and\t climbed\t the\t rooftops\t of\t Skull\u2019s\t Bay,\t the\t ancient\t shingles still\tslick\tfrom\tthe\tday\u2019s\train. When\t the\t Ocean\t Rose\t glittered\t like\t a\t pale\t jewel\t a\t block\t ahead,\t Aelin\t paused\t in\t the shadows\tbeside\ta\tchimney\tand\tmurmured,\t\u201cThere\tis\tno\troom\tfor\terror.\u201d Rowan\tlaid\ta\thand\ton\ther\tshoulder.\t\u201cI\tknow.\tWe\u2019ll\tmake\tit\tcount.\u201d Her\t eyes\t burned.\t \u201cWe\u2019re\t playing\t a\t game\t against\t two\t monarchs\t who\t have\t ruled\t and schemed\t longer\t than\t most\t kingdoms\t have\t existed.\u201d\t And\t even\t for\t her,\t the\t odds\t of outsmarting\tand\toutmaneuvering\tthem\t\u2026\t\u201cSeeing\tthe\tcadre,\thow\tMaeve\tcontains\tthem\t\u2026 She\tcame\tso\tclose\tto\tseparating\tus\tthis\tspring.\tSo\tclose.\u201d Rowan\t traced\t his\t thumb\t over\t her\t mouth.\t \u201cEven\t if\t Maeve\t had\t kept\t me\t enslaved,\t I would\thave\tfought\ther.\tEvery\tday,\tevery\thour,\tevery\tbreath.\u201d\tHe\tkissed\ther\tsoftly\tand\tsaid onto\t her\t lips,\t \u201cI\t would\t have\t fought\t for\t the\t rest\t of\t my\t life\t to\t find\t a\t way\t to\t return\t to\t you again.\t I\t knew\t it\t the\t moment\t you\t emerged\t from\t the\t Valg\u2019s\t darkness\t and\t smiled\t at\t me through\tyour\tflames.\u201d She\tswallowed\tthe\ttightness\tin\ther\tthroat\tand\traised\ta\tbrow.\t\u201cYou\twere\twilling\tto\tdo that\tbefore\tall\tthis?\tSo\tfew\tbenefits\tback\tthen.\u201d Amusement\t and\t something\t deeper\t danced\t in\t his\t eyes.\t \u201cWhat\t I\t felt\t for\t you\t in Doranelle\t and\t what\t I\t feel\t for\t you\t now\t are\t the\t same.\t I\t just\t didn\u2019t\t think\t I\u2019d\t ever\t get\t the chance\tto\tact\ton\tit.\u201d She\t knew\t why\t she\t needed\t to\t hear\t it\u2014he\t knew,\t too.\t Darrow\u2019s\t and\t Rolfe\u2019s\t words danced\taround\tin\ther\thead,\tan\tendless\tchorus\tof\tbitter\tthreats.\tBut\tAelin\tonly\tsmirked\tat him.\t\u201cThen\tact\taway,\tPrince.\u201d Rowan\tlet\tout\ta\tlow\tlaugh,\tand\tsaid\tnothing\telse\tas\the\tclaimed\ther\tmouth,\tnudging\ther back\t against\t the\t crumbling\t chimney.\t She\t opened\t for\t him,\t and\t his\t tongue\t swept\t in, thorough,\tlazy. Oh,\tgods\u2014this.\tThis\twas\twhat\tdrove\ther\tout\tof\ther\tmind\u2014this\tfire\tbetween\tthem. They\t could\t burn\t the\t entire\t world\t to\t ashes\t with\t it.\t He\t was\t hers\t and\t she\t was\t his,\t and they\t had\t found\t each\t other\t across\t centuries\t of\t bloodshed\t and\t loss,\t across\t oceans\t and kingdoms\tand\twar. Rowan\t pulled\t back,\t breathing\t heavily,\t and\t whispered\t against\t her\t lips,\t \u201cEven\t when you\u2019re\tin\tanother\tkingdom,\tAelin,\tyour\tfire\tis\tstill\tin\tmy\tblood,\tmy\tmouth.\u201d\tShe\tlet\tout\ta soft\tmoan,\tarching\tinto\thim\tas\this\thand\tgrazed\ther\tbackside,\tnot\tcaring\tif\tanyone\tspotted","them\tin\tthe\tstreets\tbelow. \u201cYou\tsaid\tyou\twouldn\u2019t\ttake\tme\tagainst\ta\ttree\tthe\tfirst\ttime,\u201d\tshe\tbreathed,\tsliding\ther hands\tup\this\tarms,\tacross\tthe\tbreadth\tof\this\tsculpted\tchest.\t\u201cWhat\tabout\ta\tchimney?\u201d Rowan\t huffed\t another\t laugh\t and\t nipped\t at\t her\t bottom\t lip.\t \u201cRemind\t me\t again\t why\t I missed\tyou.\u201d Aelin\t chuckled,\t but\t the\t sound\t was\t quickly\t silenced\t as\t Rowan\t claimed\t her\t mouth again\tand\tkissed\ther\tdeeply\tin\tthe\tmoonlight.","32 Aedion\thad\tbeen\tup\thalf\tthe\tnight,\tdebating\tthe\tmerits\tof\tevery\tpossible\tplace\tto\tmeet\this father.\t On\t the\t beach\t seemed\t like\t it\t was\t asking\t for\t a\t private\t conversation\t he\t wasn\u2019t entirely\tsure\the\twanted\tto\thave;\tin\tRolfe\u2019s\theadquarters\tfelt\ttoo\tpublic;\tthe\tinn\tcourtyard felt\t too\t formal\t \u2026\t He\u2019d\t tossed\t and\t turned\t on\t his\t cot,\t nearly\t asleep\t when\t he\t heard\t Aelin and\t Rowan\t returning\t well\t past\t midnight.\t Not\t surprising\t they\u2019d\t snuck\t out\t without\t telling anyone.\tBut\tat\tleast\tshe\u2019d\tgone\twith\tthe\tFae\tPrince. Lysandra,\t sleeping\t like\t the\t dead,\t hadn\u2019t\t stirred\t as\t their\t steps\t had\t creaked\t in\t the\t hall outside.\tShe\u2019d\tbarely\tmade\tit\tthrough\tthe\tdoor\thours\tearlier,\tDorian\talready\tasleep\ton\this cot,\tbefore\tshe\u2019d\tshifted\tback\tinto\ther\tusual\tbody\tand\tswayed\ton\ther\tfeet. Aedion\t had\t hardly\t noticed\t her\t nakedness\u2014not\t when\t she\t teetered\t and\t he\t lunged\t to grab\ther\tbefore\tshe\tate\tcarpet. She\u2019d\tblinked\tdazedly\tat\thim,\ther\tskin\tdrained\tof\tcolor.\tSo\the\u2019d\tgently\tset\ther\ton\tthe edge\tof\tthe\tbed,\tgrabbed\tthe\tthrow\tacross\tit,\tand\tdraped\tit\taround\ther. \u201cYou\u2019ve\tseen\tnaked\twomen\tplenty,\u201d\tshe\u2019d\tsaid,\tnot\tbothering\tto\thold\tit\tin\tplace.\t\u201cIt\u2019s too\thot\tfor\twool.\u201d So\t the\t blanket\t slid\t off\t her\t back\t as\t she\t leaned\t forward,\t bracing\t her\t forearms\t on\t her knees\tand\tbreathing\tdeep.\t\u201cGods,\tit\tmakes\tme\tso\tdizzy.\u201d Aedion\tput\ta\thand\ton\ther\tbare\tback\tand\tgently\tstroked.\tShe\tstiffened\tat\tthe\ttouch,\tbut he\tmade\tbroad,\tlight\tcircles\tover\tthat\tvelvet-soft\tskin.\tAfter\ta\tmoment,\tshe\tlet\tout\ta\tsound that\tmight\thave\tbeen\ta\tpurr. The\t silence\t went\t on\t for\t long\t enough\t that\t Aedion\t realized\t she\u2019d\t somehow\t fallen asleep.\tAnd\tnot\tnormal\tsleep,\tbut\tthe\tsleep\tthat\tAelin\tand\tRowan\tsometimes\twent\tinto\tin order\t to\t let\t their\t magic\t recover.\t So\t deep\t and\t thorough\t no\t training\t could\t pierce\t it,\t no instincts\t could\t override\t it.\t The\t body\t had\t claimed\t what\t it\t needed,\t at\t any\t cost,\t at\t any vulnerability. Easing\t her\t into\t his\t arms\t before\t she\t could\t fall\t right\t onto\t her\t face,\t Aedion\t hauled\t her over\t a\t shoulder\t and\t carried\t her\t around\t to\t the\t head\t of\t the\t bed.\t He\t flipped\t back\t the\t crisp cotton\tsheets\twith\tone\thand\tand\tthen\tlaid\ther\tdown,\ther\tonce-again\tlong\thair\tcovering\ther high,\tfirm\tbreasts.\tSo\tmuch\tsmaller\tthan\tthe\tones\the\u2019d\tfirst\tseen\ther\twith.\tHe\tdidn\u2019t\tcare what\tsize\tthey\twere\u2014they\twere\tbeautiful\tin\tboth\tforms. She\thadn\u2019t\tawoken\tagain,\tand\the\u2019d\tdrifted\tto\this\town\tcot.\tHe\tonly\tslept\tonce\tthe\tlight had\tshifted\tto\tthe\twatery\tgray\ttrickle\tbefore\tdawn,\tawoke\tjust\tpast\tsunrise,\tand\tgave\tup\ton sleep\tentirely.\tHe\tdoubted\tany\tsort\tof\trest\twould\tcome\tuntil\tthis\tmeeting\twas\tpast\thim.","So\tAedion\tbathed\tand\tdressed,\tdebating\tif\tit\tmade\thim\ta\tfool\tto\tbrush\this\thair\tfor\this father. Lysandra\twas\tawake\tas\the\tpadded\tback\tinto\tthe\troom,\tthe\tcolor\tmercifully\treturned\tto her\tcheeks,\tthe\tking\tstill\tasleep\ton\this\tcot. But\tthe\tshifter\tlooked\tAedion\tover\tand\tsaid,\t\u201cThat\u2019s\twhat\tyou\u2019re\twearing?\u201d Lysandra\tmade\thim\tchange\tout\tof\this\tdirty\ttravel\tclothes,\tbarged\tinto\tAelin\tand\tRowan\u2019s room\twearing\tno\tmore\tthan\ther\town\tbedsheet,\tand\ttook\twhatever\tshe\twanted\tfrom\tthe\tFae Prince\u2019s\tarmoire. Aelin\u2019s\t barked\t Get\t out!\t was\t likely\t heard\t from\t across\t the\t bay,\t and\t Lysandra\t was smirking\t with\t feline\t wickedness\t as\t she\t returned,\t chucking\t the\t green\t jacket\t and\t pants\t at him. When\the\temerged\tfrom\tthe\tbathing\troom,\tthe\tlady\twas\tin\tclothes\tof\ther\town\u2014where she\u2019d\tgotten\tthem,\the\thad\tno\tidea.\tThey\twere\tsimple:\tblack,\ttight\tpants,\tknee-high\tboots, and\t a\t tucked-in\t white\t shirt.\t She\u2019d\t left\t her\t hair\t half\t down,\t half\t up,\t and\t now\t twisted\t the silken\tmass\tof\tit\tover\ta\tshoulder.\tLysandra\tsurveyed\thim\twith\tan\tapproving\tsmirk.\t\u201cMuch better.\tMuch\tmore\tprincely\tand\tless\t\u2026\tderelict.\u201d Aedion\tgave\ther\ta\tmocking\tbow. Dorian\t stirred,\t a\t cool\t breeze\t fluttering\t in\t as\t if\t his\t magic\t awoke\t as\t well,\t squinted\t at them\tboth,\tthen\tat\tthe\tclock\tatop\tthe\tmantel.\tHe\thauled\tthe\tpillow\tover\this\teyes\tand\twent back\tto\tsleep. \u201cVery\tkingly,\u201d\tAedion\ttold\thim,\theading\tfor\tthe\tdoor. Dorian\tgrumbled\tsomething\tthrough\tthe\tpillow\tthat\tAedion\tchose\tnot\tto\thear. He\tand\tLysandra\tgrabbed\ta\tquiet\tbreakfast\tin\tthe\tdining\troom\u2014though\the\thad\tto\tforce half\t the\t food\t down.\t The\t shifter\t asked\t no\t questions,\t either\t from\t consideration\t or\t because she\twas\tso\tbusy\tstuffing\ther\tface\twith\tevery\tsingle\tmorsel\toffered\tat\tthe\tbuffet\ttable. Gods,\t the\t females\t in\t his\t court\t ate\t more\t than\t he\t did.\t He\t supposed\t the\t magic\t burned through\t their\t energy\t reserves\t so\t fast\t it\t was\t a\t miracle\t they\t weren\u2019t\t constantly\t biting\t his head\toff. They\t walked\t to\t Rolfe\u2019s\t tavern\t in\t silence,\t too,\t the\t sentries\t out\t front\t stepping\t aside without\t so\t much\t as\t a\t question.\t He\t reached\t for\t the\t handle\t when\t Lysandra\t finally\t said, \u201cYou\u2019re\tsure?\u201d He\tnodded.\tAnd\tthat\twas\tthat. Aedion\t opened\t the\t door,\t finding\t the\t cadre\t precisely\t where\t he\u2019d\t guessed\t they\u2019d\t be\t at this\thour:\teating\tbreakfast\tin\tthe\ttaproom.\tThe\ttwo\tmales\thalted\tas\tthey\tentered. And\tAedion\u2019s\teyes\twent\tright\tto\tthe\tgolden-haired\tman\u2014one\tof\ttwo,\tbut\t\u2026\tthere\twas no\tdenying\twhich\tone\twas\t\u2026\this.","Gavriel\tset\this\tfork\ton\this\thalf-eaten\tplate. He\twore\tclothes\tlike\tRowan\u2019s\u2014and\tlike\tthe\tFae\tPrince,\the\twas\theavily\tarmed,\teven\tat breakfast. Aelin\t was\t the\t other\t side\t of\t his\t fair\t coin,\t but\t Gavriel\t was\t a\t murky\t reflection.\t The honed,\t broad\t features;\t the\t harsh\t mouth\u2014that\t was\t where\t he\u2019d\t gotten\t them\t from.\t The cropped\tgolden\thair\twas\tdifferent;\tmore\tsunshine\tto\tAedion\u2019s\tshoulder-length\thoney\tgold. And\tAedion\u2019s\tskin\twas\tAshryver\tgolden\u2014not\tthe\tsun-kissed,\tdeep\ttan. Slowly,\tGavriel\tstood.\tAedion\twondered\tif\the\u2019d\talso\tinherited\tthat\tgrace,\tthe\tpredatory stillness,\tthe\tunreadable,\tintent\tface\u2014or\tif\tthey\u2019d\tboth\tbeen\ttrained\tthat\tway. The\tLion\tincarnate. He\u2019d\twanted\tto\tdo\tit\tthis\tway,\tlittle\tmore\tthan\tan\tambush,\tso\this\tfather\twouldn\u2019t\thave time\t to\t prepare\t pretty\t speeches.\t He\t wanted\t to\t see\t what\t his\t father\t would\t do\t when confronted\twith\thim,\twhat\tsort\tof\tmale\the\twas,\thow\the\treacted\tto\tanything\u2014 The\t other\t warrior,\t Fenrys,\t was\t glancing\t between\t them,\t a\t fork\t still\t raised\t to\t his\t open mouth. Aedion\t made\t himself\t walk,\t knees\t surprisingly\t steady,\t even\t if\t his\t body\t felt\t as\t if\t it belonged\t to\t someone\t else.\t Lysandra\t kept\t at\t his\t side,\t solid\t and\t bright-eyed.\t With\t every step\the\ttook,\this\tfather\tsurveyed\thim,\tface\tyielding\tnothing,\tuntil\u2014 \u201cYou\tlook\t\u2026\t,\u201d\tGavriel\tbreathed,\tsinking\tinto\this\tchair.\t\u201cYou\tlook\tso\tmuch\tlike\ther.\u201d Aedion\t knew\t Gavriel\t didn\u2019t\t mean\t Aelin.\t Even\t Fenrys\t looked\t at\t the\t Lion\t now,\t at\t the grief\trippling\tin\tthose\ttawny\teyes. But\t Aedion\t barely\t remembered\t his\t mother.\t Barely\t recalled\t anything\t more\t than\t her dying,\twrecked\tface. So\the\tsaid,\t\u201cShe\tdied\tso\tyour\tqueen\twouldn\u2019t\tget\ther\tclaws\ton\tme.\u201d He\t wasn\u2019t\t sure\t his\t father\t was\t breathing.\t Lysandra\t stepped\t closer,\t a\t solid\t rock\t in\t the thrashing\tsea\tof\this\trage. Aedion\tpinned\this\tfather\twith\ta\tlook,\tnot\tsure\twhere\tthe\twords\tcame\tfrom,\tthe\twrath, but\tthere\tthey\twere,\tsnapping\tfrom\this\tlips\tlike\twhips.\t\u201cThey\tcould\thave\tcured\ther\tin\tthe Fae\t compounds,\t but\t she\t wouldn\u2019t\t go\t near\t them,\t wouldn\u2019t\t let\t them\t come\t for\t fear\t of Maeve\u201d\u2014he\t spat\t the\t name\u2014\u201cknowing\t I\t existed.\t For\t fear\t I\u2019d\t be\t enslaved\t to\t her\t as\t you were.\u201d His\t father\u2019s\t tan\t face\t had\t drained\t of\t all\t color.\t Whatever\t Gavriel\t had\t suspected\t until now,\t Aedion\t didn\u2019t\t care.\t The\t Wolf\t snarled\t at\t the\t Lion,\t \u201cShe\t was\t twenty-three\t years\t old. She\tnever\tmarried,\tand\ther\tfamily\tshunned\ther.\tShe\trefused\tto\ttell\tanyone\twho\u2019d\tsired\tme, and\ttook\ttheir\tdisdain,\ttheir\thumiliation,\twithout\tan\tounce\tof\tself-pity.\tShe\tdid\tit\tbecause she\tloved\tme,\tnot\tyou.\u201d And\t he\t suddenly\t wished\t he\u2019d\t asked\t Aelin\t to\t come,\t so\t he\t could\t tell\t her\t to\t burn\t this warrior\tinto\tashes\tlike\tthat\tcommander\tin\tIlium,\tbecause\tlooking\tat\tthe\tface\u2014his\tface\t\u2026","he\t hated\t him.\t He\t hated\t him\t for\t the\t twenty-three-year-old\t his\t mother\t had\t been,\t younger than\the\tnow\twas\twhen\tshe\u2019d\tdied,\talone\tand\tsorrowful. Aedion\t growled,\t \u201cIf\t your\t bitch\t of\t a\t queen\t tries\t to\t take\t me,\t I\u2019ll\t slit\t her\t throat.\t If\t she hurts\tmy\tfamily\tany\tmore\tthan\tshe\talready\thas,\tI\u2019ll\tslit\tyours,\ttoo.\u201d His\tfather\trasped,\t\u201cAedion.\u201d The\tsound\tof\tthe\tname\this\tmother\thad\tgiven\thim\ton\this\tlips\t\u2026\t\u201cI\twant\tnothing\tfrom you.\tUnless\tyou\tplan\tto\thelp\tus,\tin\twhich\tcase\tI\twill\tnot\tobject\tto\tthe\t\u2026\tassistance.\tBut beyond\tthat,\tI\twant\tnothing\tfrom\tyou.\u201d \u201cI\u2019m\t sorry,\u201d\t his\t father\t said,\t those\t Lion\u2019s\t eyes\t full\t of\t such\t grief\t Aedion\t wondered\t if he\u2019d\tjust\tstruck\ta\tmale\talready\tdown. \u201cI\u2019m\tnot\tthe\tone\tyou\tneed\tto\tapologize\tto,\u201d\the\tsaid,\tturning\ttoward\tthe\tdoor. His\tfather\u2019s\tchair\tscraped\tagainst\tthe\tfloor.\t\u201cAedion.\u201d Aedion\tkept\twalking,\tLysandra\tfalling\tinto\tplace\tbeside\thim. \u201cPlease,\u201d\this\tfather\tsaid\tas\tAedion\u2019s\thand\tclamped\tdown\ton\tthe\thandle. \u201cGo\tto\thell,\u201d\tAedion\tsaid,\tand\tleft. He\tdidn\u2019t\treturn\tto\tthe\tOcean\tRose.\tAnd\the\tcouldn\u2019t\tstand\tto\tbe\taround\tpeople,\tto\tbe around\ttheir\tsounds\tand\tsmells.\tSo\the\tstrode\tfor\tthe\tdense\tmountain\tabove\tthe\tbay,\tlosing himself\t in\t the\t jungle\t of\t leaves\t and\t shade\t and\t damp\t soil.\t Lysandra\t stayed\t a\t step\t behind him,\tsilent\tas\the\twas. It\twasn\u2019t\tuntil\the\u2019d\tfound\ta\trocky\toutcropping\tjutting\tfrom\tthe\tside\tof\tthe\tmountain\tto overlook\t the\t bay,\t the\t town,\t the\t pristine\t waters\t beyond,\t that\t he\t paused.\t That\t he\t sat.\t And breathed. Lysandra\tsat\tbeside\thim\ton\tthe\tflat\trock,\tcrossing\ther\tlegs\tbeneath\ther. He\tsaid,\t\u201cI\tdidn\u2019t\texpect\tto\tsay\tany\tof\tthat.\u201d She\twas\tgazing\ttoward\tthe\tnearby\twatchtower\tnestled\tat\tthe\tbase\tof\tthe\tmountain.\tHe watched\ther\tgreen\teyes\tsurvey\tthe\tlower\tlevel\twhere\tShip-Breaker\twas\twrapped\taround\ta massive\t wheel,\t the\t spiraling\t exterior\t staircase\t up\t the\t tower\t itself,\t all\t the\t way\t up\t to\t the upper\tlevels,\twhere\ta\tcatapult,\tand\ta\tturret-mounted,\tmassive\tharpoon\u2014or\twas\tit\ta\tgiant crossbow?\u2014was\t locked\t into\t place,\t its\t wielder\u2019s\t seat\t and\t arrow\t aimed\t at\t an\t invisible enemy\tin\tthe\tbay\tbelow.\tWith\tthe\tsize\tof\tthe\tweapon\tand\tthe\tmachine\tthat\thad\tbeen\trigged to\t launch\t it\t into\t the\t bay,\t he\t had\t no\t doubt\t it\t could\t smash\t through\t a\t hull\t and\t do\t lethal damage\tto\ta\tship.\tOr\tspear\tthree\tmen\ton\tit. Lysandra\tsaid\tsimply,\t\u201cYou\tspoke\tfrom\tyour\theart.\tPerhaps\tit\u2019s\tgood\the\theard\tthat.\u201d \u201cWe\tneed\tthem\tto\twork\twith\tus.\tI\tmight\thave\tmade\tan\tenemy\tof\thim.\u201d She\t tucked\t her\t hair\t over\t a\t shoulder.\t \u201cTrust\t me,\t Aedion,\t you\t have\t not.\t If\t you\u2019d\t told him\tto\tcrawl\tover\thot\tcoals,\the\twould\thave.\u201d \u201cHe\u2019ll\trealize\tsoon\tenough\twho,\texactly,\tI\tam,\tand\tperhaps\tnot\tbe\tso\tdesperate.\u201d","\u201cWho,\texactly,\tdo\tyou\tthink\tyou\tare?\u201d\tShe\tfrowned\tat\thim.\t\u201cAdarlan\u2019s\tWhore?\tIs\tthat what\t you\t still\t think\t of\t yourself?\t The\t general\t who\t held\t his\t kingdom\t together,\t who\t saved his\t people\t when\t they\t were\t forgotten\t even\t by\t their\t own\t queen\u2014that\u2019s\t the\t man\t I\t know.\u201d She\tsnarled\tsoftly,\tand\tnot\tat\thim.\t\u201cAnd\tif\the\tstarts\tpointing\tfingers,\tI\u2019ll\tremind\thim\tthat he\u2019s\tserved\tthat\tbitch\tin\tDoranelle\tfor\tcenturies\twithout\tquestion.\u201d Aedion\tsnorted.\t\u201cI\u2019d\tpay\tgood\tmoney\tto\tsee\tyou\tgo\ttoe-to-toe\twith\thim.\tAnd\tFenrys.\u201d She\tnudged\thim\twith\tan\telbow.\t\u201cYou\tsay\tthe\tword,\tGeneral,\tand\tI\u2019ll\ttransform\tinto\tthe face\tof\ttheir\tnightmares.\u201d \u201cAnd\twhat\tcreature\tis\tthat?\u201d She\tgave\thim\ta\tknowing\tlittle\tsmile.\t\u201cSomething\tI\u2019ve\tbeen\tworking\ton.\u201d \u201cI\tdon\u2019t\twant\tto\tknow,\tdo\tI?\u201d White\tteeth\tflashed.\t\u201cNo,\tyou\treally\tdon\u2019t.\u201d He\t laughed,\t surprised\t he\t could\t even\t do\t so.\t \u201cHe\u2019s\t a\t handsome\t bastard,\t I\u2019ll\t give\t him that.\u201d \u201cI\tthink\tMaeve\tlikes\tto\tcollect\tpretty\tmen.\u201d Aedion\tsnorted.\t\u201cWhy\tnot?\tShe\thas\tto\tdeal\twith\tthem\tfor\teternity.\tThey\tmight\tas\twell be\tpleasant\tto\tlook\tat.\u201d She\tlaughed\tagain,\tand\tthe\tsound\tloosed\ta\tweight\tfrom\this\tshoulders. Bearing\tboth\tGoldryn\tand\tDamaris\tfor\tonce,\tAelin\twalked\tinto\tthe\tSea\tDragon\ttwo\thours later\t and\t wished\t for\t the\t days\t when\t she\t could\t sleep\t without\t the\t dread\t or\t urgency\t of something\tpulling\tat\ther. Wished\tfor\tthe\tdays\twhen\tshe\tmight\thave\thad\tthe\ttime\tto\tbed\ther\tgods-damned\tlover and\tnot\tchoose\tto\tcatch\ta\tfew\thours\tof\tsleep\tinstead. She\u2019d\t meant\t to.\t Last\t night,\t they\u2019d\t returned\t to\t the\t inn,\t and\t she\u2019d\t bathed\t faster\t than she\u2019d\tever\twashed\tbefore.\tShe\u2019d\teven\temerged\tfrom\tthe\tbathing\troom\tnaked\t\u2026\tand\tfound her\tFae\tPrince\tasleep\tatop\tthe\tglowingly\twhite\tbed,\tstill\tclothed,\tlooking\tfor\tall\tthe\tworld like\the\u2019d\tintended\tto\tclose\this\teyes\twhile\tshe\twashed. And\t the\t heavy\t exhaustion\t on\t him\t \u2026\t She\t let\t Rowan\t rest.\t Had\t curled\t up\t beside\t him above\t the\t blankets,\t still\t naked,\t and\t had\t been\t unconscious\t before\t her\t head\t had\t settled against\this\tchest.\tThere\twould\tbe\ta\ttime,\tshe\tknew,\twhen\tthey\twould\tnot\tbe\table\tto\tsleep so\tsafely,\tso\tsoundly. A\t grand\t total\t of\t five\t minutes\t before\t Lysandra\t barged\t in,\t Rowan\t had\t awoken\u2014and begun\tthe\tprocess\tof\tawakening\ther,\ttoo.\tSlowly,\twith\ttaunting,\tproprietary\tstrokes\tdown her\tbare\ttorso,\ther\tthighs,\taccented\twith\tlittle\tbiting\tkisses\tto\ther\tmouth,\ther\tear,\ther\tneck. But\t as\t soon\t as\t Lysandra\t had\t thundered\t through\t the\t room\t to\t steal\t clothes\t for\t Aedion, as\tsoon\tas\tshe\u2019d\texplained\twhere\tAedion\twas\tgoing\t\u2026\tthe\tinterruption\thad\tlasted.\tMade","her\t remember\t what,\t exactly,\t she\t needed\t to\t accomplish\t today.\t With\t a\t man\t currently inclined\tto\tkill\ther\tand\ta\tscattered,\tpetrified\tfleet. Gavriel\tand\tFenrys\twere\tnow\tsitting\twith\tRolfe\tat\tthe\ttable\tin\tthe\tback\tof\tthe\ttaproom, no\tsign\tof\tAedion,\tboth\ta\tbit\twide-eyed\tas\tshe\tswaggered\tin. She\t might\t have\t preened\t at\t the\t look,\t had\t Rowan\t not\t prowled\t in\t right\t behind\t her, already\tprepared\tto\tslit\ttheir\tthroats. Rolfe\tshot\tto\this\tfeet.\t\u201cWhat\tare\tyou\tdoing\there?\u201d \u201cI\twould\tbe\tvery,\tvery\tcareful\thow\tyou\tspeak\tto\ther\ttoday,\tCaptain,\u201d\tFenrys\tsaid\twith more\t wariness\t and\t consideration\t than\t she\u2019d\t seen\t him\t use\t yesterday.\t His\t eyes\t were\t fixed on\t Rowan,\t who\t was\t indeed\t watching\t Rolfe\t as\t if\t he\t were\t dinner.\t \u201cChoose\t your\t words wisely.\u201d Rolfe\tglanced\tat\tRowan,\tsaw\this\tface,\tand\tseemed\tto\tget\tit. Maybe\t that\t caution\t would\t make\t Rolfe\t more\t inclined\t to\t agree\t to\t her\t request\t today.\t If she\tplayed\tit\tright.\tIf\tshe\u2019d\tplayed\tall\tof\tit\tright. Aelin\t gave\t Rolfe\t a\t little\t smile\t and\t leaned\t against\t the\t vacant\t table\t beside\t theirs,\t the chipped\tgold\tlettering\ton\tthe\tslats\treading\tMist-Cutter.\tRowan\ttook\tup\ta\tspot\tbeside\ther, his\tknee\tbrushing\thers.\tLike\teven\ta\tfew\tfeet\tof\tdistance\twas\tunbearable. But\tshe\tsmiled\ta\tbit\twider\tat\tRolfe.\t\u201cI\tcame\tto\tsee\tif\tyou\u2019d\tchanged\tyour\tmind.\tAbout my\talliance.\u201d Rolfe\t drummed\t his\t tattooed\t fingers\t on\t the\t table,\t right\t over\t some\t gilded\t letters\t that read\tThresher.\tAnd\tbeside\tit\t\u2026\ta\tmap\tof\tthe\tcontinent\thad\tbeen\tspread\tbetween\tRolfe\tand the\tFae\twarriors. Not\tthe\tmap\tshe\treally,\ttruly\tneeded\tnow\tthat\tshe\tknew\tthe\tdamn\tthing\tworked,\tbut\u2014 Aelin\tstiffened\tat\twhat\tshe\tbeheld. \u201cWhat\t is\t that,\u201d\t she\t said,\t noting\t the\t silver\t figurines\t camped\t across\t the\t middle\t of\t the continent,\t an\t impenetrable\t line\t from\t the\t Ferian\t Gap\t to\t the\t mouth\t of\t the\t Avery.\t And\t the additional\tfigures\tin\tthe\tGulf\tof\tOro.\tAnd\tin\tMelisande\tand\tFenharrow\tand\tnear\tEyllwe\u2019s northern\tborder. Gavriel,\tlooking\ta\tbit\tlike\tsomeone\thad\tknocked\thim\tin\tthe\thead\u2014gods,\thow\thad\tthe meeting\twith\tAedion\tgone?\u2014said\tbefore\tRolfe\tcould\tget\this\tthroat\tripped\tout\tby\tRowan with\t whatever\t response\t he\t had\t brewing,\t \u201cCaptain\t Rolfe\t received\t word\t this\t morning.\t He wanted\tour\tcounsel.\u201d \u201cWhat\tis\tthis,\u201d\tshe\tsaid,\tstabbing\ta\tfinger\tnear\tthe\tmain\tline\tof\tfigures\tstretched\tacross the\tmiddle\tof\tthe\tcontinent. \u201cIt\u2019s\tthe\tlatest\treport,\u201d\tRolfe\tdrawled,\t\u201cof\tthe\tlocations\tof\tMorath\u2019s\tarmies.\tThey\thave moved\tinto\tposition.\tAid\tto\tthe\tNorth\tis\tnow\timpossible.\tAnd\tthey\tstand\tpoised\tto\tstrike Eyllwe.\u201d","33 \u201cEyllwe\thas\tno\tstanding\tarmy,\u201d\tAelin\tsaid,\tfeeling\tthe\tblood\tdrain\tfrom\ther\tface.\t\u201cThere is\tnothing\tand\tno\tone\tto\tfight\tafter\tthis\tspring\u2014save\tfor\trebel\tmilitia\tbands.\u201d Rowan\tsaid\tto\tRolfe,\t\u201cDo\tyou\thave\texact\tnumbers?\u201d \u201cNo,\u201d\t the\t captain\t said.\t \u201cThe\t news\t was\t given\t only\t as\t a\t warning\u2014to\t keep\t any shipments\t away\t from\t the\t Avery.\t I\t wanted\t their\t opinions\u201d\u2014a\t nod\t of\t the\t chin\t toward\t the cadre\u2014\u201cfor\thandling\tit.\tThough\tI\tsuppose\tI\tshould\thave\tinvited\tyou,\ttoo,\tsince\tthey\tseem intent\ton\ttelling\tyou\tmy\tbusiness.\u201d None\tof\tthem\tdeigned\tto\trespond.\tAelin\tscanned\tthat\tline\u2014that\tline\tof\tarmies. Rowan\tsaid,\t\u201cHow\tfast\tdo\tthey\tmove?\u201d \u201cThe\t legions\t departed\t Morath\t nearly\t three\t weeks\t ago,\u201d\t Gavriel\t supplied.\t \u201cThey moved\tfaster\tthan\tany\tarmy\tI\u2019ve\tever\tseen.\u201d The\ttiming\tof\tit\u2026 No.\tNo\u2014no,\tit\tcouldn\u2019t\tbe\tbecause\tof\tIlium,\tbecause\tshe\u2019d\ttaunted\thim\u2026 \u201cIt\u2019s\tan\textermination,\u201d\tRolfe\tsaid\tbaldly. She\tclosed\ther\teyes,\tswallowing\thard.\tEven\tthe\tcaptain\tdidn\u2019t\tdare\tspeak. Rowan\t slid\t a\t hand\t along\t her\t lower\t back,\t a\t silent\t comfort.\t He\t knew\u2014was\t piecing\t it together,\ttoo. She\t opened\t her\t eyes,\t that\t line\t burning\t into\t her\t vision,\t her\t heart,\t and\t said,\t \u201cIt\u2019s\t a message.\tFor\tme.\u201d\tShe\tunfurled\ther\tfist,\tgazing\tat\tthe\tscar\tthere. \u201cWhy\t attack\t Eyllwe,\t though?\u201d\t Fenrys\t asked.\t \u201cAnd\t why\t move\t into\t position\t but\t not sack\tit?\u201d She\t couldn\u2019t\t say\t the\t words\t aloud.\t That\t she\u2019d\t brought\t this\t upon\t Eyllwe\t by\t mocking Erawan,\tbecause\the\tknew\twho\tCelaena\tSardothien\thad\tcared\tfor,\tand\the\twanted\tto\tbreak her\t spirit,\t her\t heart,\t by\t showing\t her\t what\t his\t armies\t could\t do.\t What\t they\t would\t do, whenever\t he\t now\t felt\t like\t it.\t Not\t to\t Terrasen\t \u2026\t but\t to\t the\t kingdom\t of\t the\t friend\t she\u2019d loved\tso\tdearly. The\tkingdom\tshe\thad\tsworn\tto\tprotect,\tto\tsave. Rowan\tsaid,\t\u201cWe\thave\tpersonal\tties\tto\tEyllwe.\tHe\tknows\tit\tmatters\tto\ther.\u201d Fenrys\u2019s\teyes\tlingered\ton\ther,\tscanning.\tBut\tGavriel,\tvoice\tsteady,\tsaid,\t\u201cErawan\tnow holds\t everything\t south\t of\t the\t Avery.\t Save\t for\t this\t archipelago.\t And\t even\t here,\t he\t has\t a","foothold\tin\tthe\tDead\tEnd.\u201d Aelin\tstared\tat\tthat\tmap,\tat\tthe\tspace\tthat\tnow\tseemed\tso\tsmall\tto\tthe\tnorth. To\t the\t west,\t the\t vast\t expanse\t of\t the\t Wastes\t spread\t beyond\t the\t mountainous continental\tdivide.\tAnd\ther\tgaze\tsnagged\ton\ta\tsmall\tname\talong\tthe\twestern\tcoast. Briarcliff. The\t name\t clanged\t through\t her,\t shuddering\t her\t awake,\t and\t she\t realized\t they\u2019d\t been talking,\tdebating\thow\tsuch\tan\tarmy\tmight\tmove\tso\tquickly\tover\tthe\tterrain. She\trubbed\ther\ttemple,\tstaring\tat\tthat\tspeck\ton\tthe\tmap. Considering\tthe\tlife\tdebt\towed\tto\ther. Her\tgaze\tdragged\tdown\u2014south.\tTo\tthe\tRed\tDesert.\tWhere\tanother\tlife\tdebt,\tmany\tlife debts,\twaited\tfor\ther\tto\tclaim\tthem. Aelin\trealized\tthey\thad\tasked\ther\tsomething,\tbut\tshe\tdidn\u2019t\tcare\tto\tfigure\tit\tout\tas\tshe said\tquietly\tto\tRolfe,\t\u201cYou\u2019re\tgoing\tto\tgive\tme\tyour\tarmada.\tYou\u2019re\tgoing\tto\tarm\tit\twith those\tfirelances\tI\tknow\tyou\u2019ve\tordered,\tand\tyou\twill\tship\tany\textras\tto\tthe\tMycenian\tfleet when\tthey\tarrive.\u201d Silence. Rolfe\tbarked\ta\tlaugh\tand\tsat\tagain.\t\u201cLike\thell\tI\tam.\u201d\tHe\twaved\tthat\ttattooed\thand\tover the\t map,\t the\t waters\t inked\t on\t it\t churning\t and\t changing\t in\t some\t pattern\t she\t wondered\t if only\the\tcould\tread.\tA\tpattern\tshe\tneeded\thim\tto\tbe\table\tto\tread,\tto\tfind\tthat\tLock.\t\u201cThis just\tshows\thow\tutterly\toutmatched\tyou\tare.\u201d\tHe\tchewed\tover\ther\twords.\t\u201cThe\tMycenian fleet\tis\tlittle\tmore\tthan\ta\tmyth.\tA\tbedside\ttale.\u201d Aelin\t looked\t to\t the\t hilt\t of\t Rolfe\u2019s\t sword,\t to\t the\t inn\t itself\t and\t his\t ship\t anchored\t just outside. \u201cYou\tare\tthe\their\tof\tthe\tMycenian\tpeople,\u201d\tAelin\tsaid.\t\u201cAnd\tI\thave\tcome\tto\tclaim\tthe debt\tyou\towe\tmy\tbloodline\ton\tthat\taccount,\ttoo.\u201d Rolfe\tdid\tnot\tmove,\tdid\tnot\tblink. \u201cOr\twere\tall\tthe\tsea\tdragon\treferences\tfrom\tsome\tpersonal\tfetish?\u201d\tAelin\tasked. \u201cThe\tMycenians\tare\tgone,\u201d\tRolfe\tsaid\tflatly. \u201cI\t don\u2019t\t think\t so.\t I\t think\t they\t have\t been\t hiding\t here,\t in\t the\t Dead\t Islands,\t for\t a\t long, long\ttime.\tAnd\tyou\tsomehow\tmanaged\tto\tclaw\tyour\tway\tback\tto\tpower.\u201d The\tthree\tFae\tmales\twere\tglancing\tbetween\tthem. Aelin\tsaid\tto\tRolfe,\t\u201cI\thave\tliberated\tIlium\tfrom\tAdarlan.\tI\ttook\tback\tthe\tcity\u2014your ancient\thome\u2014for\tyou.\tFor\tthe\tMycenians.\tIt\tis\tyours,\tif\tyou\tdare\tto\tclaim\tyour\tpeople\u2019s inheritance.\u201d Rolfe\u2019s\thand\tshook\tslightly.\tHe\tfisted\tit,\ttucking\tit\tbeneath\tthe\ttable. She\tallowed\ta\tflicker\tof\ther\tmagic\tto\trise\tto\tthe\tsurface\tthen,\tallowed\tthe\tgold\tin\ther","eyes\t to\t glow\t like\t bright\t flame.\t Gavriel\t and\t Fenrys\t straightened\t as\t her\t power\t filled\t the room,\tfilled\tthe\tcity.\tThe\tWyrdkey\tbetween\ther\tbreasts\tbegan\tthrumming,\twhispering. She\tknew\tthere\twas\tnothing\thuman,\tnothing\tmortal\ton\ther\tface. Knew\tit\tbecause\tRolfe\u2019s\tgolden-brown\tskin\thad\tpaled\tto\ta\tsickly\tsheen. She\tclosed\ther\teyes\tand\tloosed\ta\tbreath. The\t tendril\t of\t power\t she\u2019d\t gathered\t rippled\t away\t in\t an\t invisible\t line.\t The\t world shuddered\tin\tits\twake.\tA\tcity\tbell\tchimed\tonce,\ttwice,\tin\tits\tforce.\tEven\tthe\twaters\tin\tthe bay\tshivered\tas\tit\tswept\tpast\tand\tout\tinto\tthe\tarchipelago. When\tAelin\topened\ther\teyes,\tthe\tmortality\thad\treturned. \u201cWhat\tthe\trutting\thell\twas\tthat?\u201d\tRolfe\tat\tlast\tdemanded. Fenrys\tand\tGavriel\tbecame\tvery\tinterested\tin\tthe\tmap\tbefore\tthem. Rowan\tsaid\tsmoothly,\t\u201cMilady\thas\tto\trelease\tbits\tof\ther\tpower\tdaily\tor\tit\tcan\tconsume her.\u201d Despite\t herself,\t despite\t what\t she\u2019d\t done,\t she\t decided\t she\t wanted\t Rowan\t to\t call\t her milady\tat\tleast\tonce\tevery\tday. Rowan\t continued\t on,\t pressing\t Rolfe\t about\t the\t moving\t army.\t The\t Pirate\t Lord,\t who Lysandra\thad\tconfirmed\tweeks\tago\twas\tMycenian\tthanks\tto\tArobynn\u2019s\town\tspying\ton\this business\tpartners,\tseemed\tbarely\table\tto\tspeak,\tthanks\tto\tthe\toffer\tshe\u2019d\tlaid\tout\tfor\thim. But\tAelin\tmerely\twaited. Aedion\t and\t Lysandra\t arrived\t after\t some\t time\u2014and\t her\t cousin\t only\t spared\t Gavriel\t a passing\t glance\t as\t he\t stood\t over\t the\t map\t and\t fell\t into\t that\t general\u2019s\t mindset,\t demanding details\tlarge\tand\tminute. But\tGavriel\tsilently\tstared\tup\tat\this\tson,\twatching\ther\tcousin\u2019s\teyes\tdart\tover\tthe\tmap, listening\tto\tthe\tsound\tof\this\tvoice\tas\tif\tit\twere\ta\tsong\the\twas\ttrying\tto\tmemorize. Lysandra\tdrifted\tto\tthe\twindow,\tmonitoring\tthe\tbay. Like\tshe\tcould\tsee\tthat\tripple\tAelin\thad\tsent\tout\tinto\tthe\tworld. The\tshifter\thad\ttold\tAedion\tby\tnow\u2014of\twhy\tthey\thad\ttruly\tgone\tto\tIlium.\tNot\tonly\tto see\tBrannon,\tnot\tonly\tto\tsave\tits\tpeople\t\u2026\tbut\tfor\tthis.\tShe\tand\tthe\tshifter\thad\thatched\tthe plan\t during\t the\t long\t night\t watches\t together\t on\t the\t road,\t considering\t all\t pitfalls\t and benefits. Dorian\tstrolled\tin\tten\tminutes\tlater,\this\teyes\tgoing\tstraight\tto\tAelin.\tHe\u2019d\tfelt\tit,\ttoo. The\tking\tgave\ta\tpolite\tgreeting\tto\tRolfe,\tthen\tremained\tsilent\tas\the\twas\tbriefed\ton\tthe positioning\tof\tErawan\u2019s\tarmies.\tThen\the\tslid\tinto\ta\tseat\tbeside\ther\twhile\tthe\tother\tmales continued\tdiscussing\tsupply\troutes\tand\tweapons,\tbeing\tled\tin\tcircle\tafter\tcircle\tby\tRowan. Dorian\tjust\tgave\ther\tan\tunreadable\tglance\tand\tfolded\this\tankle\tover\ta\tknee. The\t clock\t struck\t eleven,\t and\t Aelin\t rose\t to\t her\t feet\t in\t the\t middle\t of\t whatever\t Fenrys","had\tbeen\tsaying\tabout\tvarious\tarmor\tand\tRolfe\tpossibly\tinvesting\tin\tthe\tore\tto\tsupply\tthe demand. Silence\tfell\tagain.\tAelin\tsaid\tto\tRolfe,\t\u201cThank\tyou\tfor\tyour\thospitality.\u201d And\tthen\tturned\taway.\tShe\tmade\tit\ta\tstep\tbefore\the\tdemanded,\t\u201cThat\u2019s\tit?\u201d She\t looked\t over\t her\t shoulder,\t Rowan\t approaching\t her\t side.\t Aelin\t let\t a\t bit\t of\t that flame\t rise\t to\t the\t surface.\t \u201cYes.\t If\t you\t will\t not\t give\t me\t an\t armada,\t if\t you\t will\t not\t unite what\tis\tleft\tof\tthe\tMycenians\tand\treturn\tto\tTerrasen,\tthen\tI\u2019ll\tfind\tsomeone\telse\twho\twill.\u201d \u201cThere\tis\tno\tone\telse.\u201d Again,\t her\t eyes\t went\t to\t the\t map\t on\t his\t table.\t \u201cYou\t once\t said\t I\t would\t pay\t for\t my arrogance.\t And\t I\t did.\t Many\t times.\t But\t Sam\t and\t I\t took\t on\t your\t entire\t city\t and\t fleet\t and destroyed\tit.\tAll\tfor\ttwo\thundred\tlives\tyou\tdeemed\tless\tthan\thuman.\tSo\tperhaps\tI\u2019ve\tbeen underestimating\tmyself.\tPerhaps\tI\tdo\tnot\tneed\tyou\tafter\tall.\u201d She\t turned\t again,\t and\t Rolfe\t sneered,\t \u201cDid\t Sam\t die\t still\t pining\t after\t you,\t or\t did\t you finally\tstop\ttreating\thim\tlike\tfilth?\u201d There\twas\ta\tchoking\tsound,\tand\ta\tslam\tand\trattle\tof\tglasses.\tShe\tlooked\tslowly\tto\tfind Rowan\t with\t his\t hand\t around\t Rolfe\u2019s\t neck,\t the\t captain\t pressed\t onto\t the\t map,\t the\t figures scattered\teverywhere,\tRowan\u2019s\tsnarling\tteeth\tclose\tto\tripping\toff\tRolfe\u2019s\tear. Fenrys\tsmirked\ta\tbit.\t\u201cI\ttold\tyou\tto\tchoose\tyour\twords\tcarefully,\tRolfe.\u201d Aedion\tseemed\tto\tbe\tdoing\this\tbest\tto\tignore\this\tfather\tas\the\tsaid\tto\tthe\tcaptain,\t\u201cNice to\t meet\t you.\u201d\t Then\t he\t strolled\t toward\t where\t Aelin,\t Dorian,\t and\t Lysandra\t waited\t by\t the door. Rowan\t leaned\t in,\t murmuring\t something\t in\t Rolfe\u2019s\t ear\t that\t made\t him\t blanch,\t then shoved\thim\ta\tbit\tharder\tinto\tthe\ttable\tbefore\tstalking\tfor\tAelin. Rolfe\tset\this\thands\ton\tthe\ttable,\tpushing\tup\tto\tbark\tsome\tsurely\tstupid\twords\tat\tthem, but\twent\trigid.\tAs\tif\tsome\tpulse\tthrashed\tthrough\this\tbody. He\tturned\this\thands\tover,\tfitting\tthe\tedges\tof\this\tpalms\ttogether. His\teyes\tlifted\u2014but\tnot\tto\ther.\tTo\tthe\twindows. To\tthe\tbells\tthat\thad\tbegun\tringing\tin\tthe\ttwin\twatchtowers\tflanking\tthe\tmouth\tof\tthe bay. The\tfrantic\tpealing\tset\tthe\tstreets\tbeyond\tthem\thalting,\tsilencing. Each\tbleat\u2019s\tmeaning\twas\tclear\tenough. Rolfe\u2019s\tface\twent\tpale. Aelin\t watched\t as\t black\u2014darker\t than\t the\t ink\t that\t had\t been\t etched\t there\u2014spread across\this\tfingers,\tto\this\tpalms.\tBlack\tsuch\tas\tonly\tthe\tValg\tcould\tbring. Oh,\tthere\twas\tno\tdoubt\tnow\tthat\tthe\tmap\tworked. She\tsaid\tto\ther\tcompanions,\t\u201cWe\tleave.\tNow.\u201d","Rolfe\twas\talready\tstorming\ttoward\ther\u2014toward\tthe\tdoor.\tHe\tsaid\tnothing\tas\the\tflung it\t open,\t striding\t onto\t the\t quay,\t where\t his\t first\t mate\t and\t quartermaster\t were\t already sprinting\tfor\thim. Aelin\tshut\tthe\tdoor\tbehind\tRolfe\tand\tsurveyed\ther\tfriends.\tAnd\tthe\tcadre. It\t was\t Fenrys\t who\t spoke\t first,\t rising\t to\t his\t feet\t and\t watching\t through\t the\t window\t as Rolfe\tand\this\tmen\trushed\tabout.\t\u201cRemind\tme\tnever\tto\tget\ton\tyour\tbad\tside.\u201d Dorian\tsaid\tquietly,\t\u201cIf\tthat\tforce\treaches\tthis\ttown,\tthese\tpeople\u2014\u201d \u201cIt\twon\u2019t,\u201d\tAelin\tsaid,\tmeeting\tRowan\u2019s\tstare.\tPine-green\teyes\theld\ther\town. Show\tthem\twhy\tyou\u2019re\tmy\tblood-sworn,\tshe\tsilently\ttold\thim. A\thint\tof\ta\twicked\tsmile.\tRowan\tturned\tto\tthem.\t\u201cLet\u2019s\tgo.\u201d \u201cGo,\u201d\tFenrys\tblurted,\tpointing\tto\tthe\twindow.\t\u201cWhere?\u201d \u201cThere\u2019s\ta\tboat,\u201d\tAedion\tsaid,\t\u201canchored\ton\tthe\tother\tside\tof\tthe\tisland.\u201d\tHe\tinclined his\thead\ttoward\tLysandra.\t\u201cYou\u2019d\tthink\tthey\u2019d\tnotice\ta\tskiff\tbeing\ttugged\tout\tto\tsea\tby\ta shark\tlast\tnight,\tbut\u2014\u201d The\tdoor\tbanged\topen,\tand\tRolfe\u2019s\ttowering\tfigure\tfilled\tit.\t\u201cYou.\u201d Aelin\tput\ta\thand\ton\ther\tchest.\t\u201cMe?\u201d \u201cYou\tsent\tthat\tmagic\tout\tthere;\tyou\tsummoned\tthem.\u201d She\tbarked\ta\tlaugh,\tpushing\toff\tthe\ttable.\t\u201cIf\tI\tever\tlearn\tsuch\ta\tuseful\ttalent,\tI\u2019d\tuse\tit for\t summoning\t my\t allies,\t I\t think.\t Or\t the\t Mycenians,\t since\t you\t seem\t so\t adamant\t they don\u2019t\texist.\u201d\tShe\tglanced\tover\this\tshoulder\u2014the\tsky\twas\tstill\tclear.\t\u201cGood\tluck,\u201d\tshe\tsaid, stepping\taround\thim. Dorian\tblurted,\t\u201cWhat?\u201d Aelin\tlooked\tthe\tKing\tof\tAdarlan\tover.\t\u201cThis\tisn\u2019t\tour\tbattle.\tAnd\tI\twon\u2019t\tsacrifice\tmy kingdom\u2019s\t fate\t over\t a\t skirmish\t with\t the\t Valg.\t If\t you\t have\t any\t sense,\t you\t won\u2019t,\t either.\u201d Rolfe\u2019s\tface\tcontorted\twith\twrath\u2014even\tas\tfear,\tdeep\tand\ttrue,\tshone\tin\this\teyes.\tShe\ttook a\t step\t toward\t the\t chaotic\t streets\t but\t paused,\t turning\t to\t the\t Pirate\t Lord.\t \u201cI\t suppose\t the cadre\twill\tbe\tcoming\twith\tme,\ttoo.\tSince\tthey\u2019re\tnow\tmy\tallies.\u201d Silently,\t Fenrys\t and\t Gavriel\t approached,\t and\t she\t could\t have\t sighed\t with\t relief\t that they\tdid\tso\twithout\tquestion,\tthat\tGavriel\twas\twilling\tto\tdo\twhatever\tit\ttook\tto\tstay\tnear his\tson. Rolfe\thissed,\t\u201cYou\tthink\twithholding\tyour\tassistance\twill\tsway\tme\tinto\thelping\tyou?\u201d But\tfar\tbeyond\tthe\tbay,\tbetween\tthe\tdistant,\thumped\tislands,\ta\tcloud\tof\tdarkness\tgathered. \u201cI\tmeant\twhat\tI\tsaid,\tRolfe.\tI\tcan\tdo\tfine\twithout\tyou,\tarmada\tor\tno.\tMycenians\tor\tno. And\t this\t island\t has\t now\t become\t dangerous\t for\t my\t cause.\u201d\t She\t inclined\t her\t head\t toward the\t sea.\t \u201cI\u2019ll\t offer\t a\t prayer\t to\t Mala\t for\t you.\u201d\t She\t patted\t the\t hilt\t of\t Goldryn.\t \u201cA\t bit\t of advice,\tfrom\tone\tprofessional\tcriminal\tto\tthe\tother:\tcut\toff\ttheir\theads.\tIt\u2019s\tthe\tonly\tway\tto kill\tthem.\tUnless\tyou\tburn\tthem\talive,\tbut\tI\tbet\tmost\twould\tjump\tship\tand\tswim\tto\tshore","before\tyour\tflaming\tarrows\tcan\tdo\tmuch\tdamage.\u201d \u201cAnd\t what\t of\t your\t idealism\u2014what\t of\t that\t child\twho\tstole\ttwo\thundred\tslaves\tfrom me?\tYou\u2019d\tleave\tthe\tpeople\tof\tthis\tisland\tto\tperish?\u201d \u201cYes,\u201d\tshe\tsaid\tsimply.\t\u201cI\ttold\tyou,\tRolfe,\tthat\tEndovier\ttaught\tme\tsome\tthings.\u201d Rolfe\tswore.\t\u201cDo\tyou\tthink\tSam\twould\tstand\tfor\tthis?\u201d \u201cSam\t is\t dead,\u201d\t she\t said,\t \u201cbecause\t men\t like\t you\t and\t Arobynn\t have\t power.\t But Arobynn\u2019s\t reign\t is\t now\t over.\u201d\t She\t smiled\t at\t the\t darkening\t horizon.\t \u201cSeems\t like\t yours might\tend\trather\tsoon\tas\twell.\u201d \u201cYou\tbitch\u2014\u201d Rowan\tsnarled,\ttaking\tall\tof\ta\tstep\tbefore\tRolfe\tflinched\taway. Rushing\t footsteps\t sounded,\t then\t Rolfe\u2019s\t quartermaster\t filled\t the\t doorway.\t He\t panted as\the\trested\ta\thand\ton\tthe\tthreshold,\tthe\tother\tgripping\tthe\tsea\tdragon-shaped\tpommel\tof his\tsword.\t\u201cWe\tare\tknee-deep\tin\tshit.\u201d Aelin\tpaused.\tRolfe\u2019s\tface\ttightened.\t\u201cHow\tbad?\u201d\tthe\tcaptain\tasked. He\twiped\tthe\tsweat\tfrom\this\tbrow.\t\u201cEight\twarships\tteeming\twith\tsoldiers\u2014at\tleast\ta hundred\t on\t each,\t more\t on\t the\t lower\t levels\t I\t couldn\u2019t\t see.\t They\u2019re\t flanked\t by\t two\t sea- wyverns.\tAll\tmoving\tso\tfast\tthat\tit\u2019s\tlike\tstorm\twinds\tcarry\tthem.\u201d Aelin\tcut\ta\tglance\tat\tRowan.\t\u201cHow\tquickly\tcan\twe\tget\tto\tthat\tboat?\u201d Rolfe\twas\tgazing\tat\tthe\tfew\tships\tin\this\tharbor,\this\tface\tdeathly\tpale.\tAt\tShip-Breaker out\t in\t the\t bay,\t the\t chain\t currently\t beneath\t the\t calm\t surface.\t Fenrys,\t seeing\t the\t captain\u2019s stare,\tobserved,\t\u201cThose\tsea-wyverns\twill\tsnap\tthat\tchain.\tGet\tyour\tpeople\toff\tthis\tisland. Use\tevery\tskiff\tand\tsloop\tyou\thave\tand\tget\tthem\tout.\u201d Rolfe\tslowly\tturned\tto\tAelin,\this\tsea-green\teyes\tsimmering\twith\thate.\tAnd\tresignation. \u201cIs\tthis\tan\tattempt\tto\tcall\tmy\tbluff?\u201d Aelin\ttoyed\twith\tthe\tend\tof\ther\tbraid.\t\u201cNo.\tIt\u2019s\tconvenient\ttiming,\tbut\tno.\u201d Rolfe\t surveyed\t them\t all\u2014the\t power\t that\t could\t level\t this\t island\t if\t they\t chose.\t His voice\twas\thoarse\tas\the\tat\tlast\tspoke.\t\u201cI\twant\tto\tbe\tadmiral.\tI\twant\tthis\tentire\tarchipelago.\tI want\tIlium.\tAnd\twhen\tthis\twar\tis\tover,\tI\twant\tLord\tin\tfront\tof\tmy\tname,\tas\tit\twas\tbefore my\tancestors\u2019\tnames\tlong\tago.\tWhat\tof\tmy\tpayment?\u201d Aelin\t surveyed\t him\t in\t turn,\t the\t entire\t room\t deathly\t quiet\t compared\t to\t the\t chaos\t of outside.\t \u201cFor\t every\t Morath\t ship\t you\t sack,\t you\t can\t keep\t whatever\t gold\t and\t treasure\t is aboard\t it.\t But\t weapons\t and\t ammunition\t go\t to\t the\t front.\t I\u2019ll\t give\t you\t land,\t but\t no\t royal titles\t beyond\t those\t of\t Lord\t of\t Ilium\t and\t King\t of\t the\t Archipelago.\t If\t you\t bear\t any offspring,\t I\t will\t recognize\t them\t as\t your\t heirs\u2014as\t I\t would\t any\t children\t Dorian\t might bear.\u201d Dorian\t nodded\t gravely.\t \u201cAdarlan\t will\t recognize\t you\t and\t your\t heirs,\t and\t this\t land\t as yours.\u201d","Rolfe\t ground\t out,\t \u201cYou\t send\t those\t bastards\t down\t to\t the\t inky\t black,\t and\t my\t fleet\t is yours.\t I\t cannot\t guarantee\t the\t Mycenians\t will\t rise,\t though.\t We\u2019ve\t been\t scattered\t too\t far and\t too\t long.\t Only\t a\t small\t number\t live\t here,\t and\t they\t will\t not\t stir\t without\t proper\t \u2026 motivation.\u201d\tHe\tglanced\ttoward\tthe\tbar,\tas\tif\the\u2019d\texpected\tto\tsee\tsomeone\tbehind\tit. But\tAelin\theld\tout\ther\thand,\tsmiling\tfaintly.\t\u201cLeave\tthat\tto\tme.\u201d Tattooed\tskin\tmet\tscarred\tflesh\tas\tRolfe\tshook\ther\thand.\tHard\tenough\tto\tbreak\tbones, but\tshe\tdid\tit\tright\tback.\tSent\ta\tlittle\tflame\tsearing\tinto\this\tfingers. He\thissed,\tpulling\tback\this\thand,\tand\tAelin\tgrinned.\t\u201cWelcome\tto\tHer\tMajesty\u2019s\tarmy, Privateer\tRolfe.\u201d\tShe\tgestured\tto\tthe\topen\tdoor.\t\u201cShall\twe?\u201d Aelin\twas\tinsane,\tDorian\trealized.\tBrilliant\tand\twicked,\tbut\tinsane. And\tperhaps\tthe\tgreatest,\tmost\tunremorseful\tliar\the\u2019d\tever\tencountered. He\u2019d\tfelt\ther\tsummons\tsweep\tthrough\tthe\tworld.\tFelt\tfire\thum\tagainst\this\tskin.\tThere was\tno\tmistaking\twho\tit\tbelonged\tto.\tAnd\tthere\twas\tno\tmistaking\tthat\tit\thad\tgone\tright\tto the\t Dead\t End,\t where\t the\t forces\t dwelling\t there\t would\t know\t there\t was\t one\t person\t alive with\tthat\tkind\tof\tflame\tat\ther\tdisposal,\tand\ttrack\tthe\tmagic\tback\there. He\tdidn\u2019t\tknow\twhat\thad\ttriggered\tit,\twhy\tshe\u2019d\tchosen\tnow,\tbut\u2014 But\t Rowan\t had\t informed\t Aelin\t how\t the\t Valg\t haunted\t Rolfe.\t How\t he\t had\t this\t city watched\tday\tand\tnight,\tterrified\tof\ttheir\treturn.\tSo\tAelin\thad\tused\tit\tto\ther\tadvantage.\tThe Mycenians\u2014holy\t gods.\t They\t were\t little\t more\t than\t a\t bedtime\t story\t and\t cautionary\t tale. But\there\tthey\twere,\tcarefully\thidden\taway.\tUntil\tAelin\thad\tsmoked\tthem\tout. And\tas\tthe\tPirate\tLord\tand\tQueen\tof\tTerrasen\tshook\thands\tand\tshe\tgrinned\tat\tRolfe, Dorian\trealized\the\t\u2026\tperhaps\the\tcould\tdo\twith\ta\tbit\tmore\twickedness\tand\tinsanity,\ttoo. This\twar\twould\tnot\tbe\twon\ton\tsmiles\tand\tmanners. It\twould\tbe\twon\tby\ta\twoman\twilling\tto\tgamble\twith\tan\tentire\tisland\tfull\tof\tpeople\tto get\twhat\tshe\tneeded\tto\tsave\tthem\tall.\tA\twoman\twhose\tfriends\twere\tequally\twilling\tto\tplay along,\tto\trip\ttheir\tsouls\tto\tshreds\tif\tit\tmeant\tsaving\tthe\tgreater\tpopulation.\tThey\tknew\tthe weight\t of\t the\t lives\t panicking\t around\t them\t if\t they\t gambled\t wrong.\t Aelin\t perhaps\t more than\tanyone\telse. Aelin\t and\t Rolfe\t stalked\t through\t the\t open\t tavern\t doorway\t and\t into\t the\t street\t beyond. Behind\thim,\tFenrys\tlet\tout\ta\tlow\twhistle.\t\u201cGods\thelp\tyou,\tRowan,\tthat\twoman\tis\u2026\u201d Dorian\t didn\u2019t\t wait\t to\t hear\t the\t rest\t as\t he\t followed\t the\t pirate\t and\t the\t queen\t into\t the street,\tAedion\tand\tLysandra\ttrailing.\tFenrys\tkept\tat\ta\tdistance\tfrom\tthe\tothers,\tbut\tGavriel remained\t close,\t his\t gaze\t still\t fixed\t on\t his\t son.\t Gods,\t they\t looked\t so\t much\t alike,\t moved alike,\tthe\tLion\tand\tthe\tWolf. Rolfe\t barked\t to\t his\t men\t waiting\t in\t a\t line\t before\t him,\t \u201cEvery\t ship\t that\t can\t bear\t men sails\tnow.\u201d\tHe\trattled\toff\torders,\tdelegating\this\tmen\tto\tvarious\tships\tlong\tbereft\tof\tcrew\tto run\tthem,\tincluding\this\town,\twhile\tAelin\tstood\tthere,\thands\tbraced\ton\ther\thips,\twatching","them\tall. She\tsaid\tto\tthe\tcaptain,\t\u201cWhat\u2019s\tyour\tfastest\tship?\u201d He\tpointed\tat\this\town. She\theld\this\tstare,\tand\tDorian\twaited\tfor\tthe\twild,\treckless\tplan.\tBut\tshe\tsaid\twithout looking\tat\tany\tof\tthem,\t\u201cRowan,\tLysandra,\tFenrys,\tand\tGavriel,\tyou\u2019re\twith\tme.\tAedion, you\t get\t on\t the\t northern\t watchtower\t and\t man\t the\t mounted\t harpoon.\t Any\t ship\t gets\t too close\t to\t the\t chain,\t you\t blast\t a\t hole\t through\t their\t gods-damned\t side.\u201d\t Dorian\t stiffened\t as she\t at\t last\t addressed\t him,\t seeing\t the\t orders\t already\t in\t her\t eyes.\t He\t opened\t his\t mouth\t to object,\tbut\tAelin\tsaid\tsimply,\t\u201cThis\tbattle\tis\tno\tplace\tfor\ta\tking.\u201d \u201cAnd\tit\u2019s\tone\tfor\ta\tqueen?\u201d There\twas\tno\tamusement,\tnothing\tbut\ticy\tcalm\tas\tshe\thanded\thim\ta\tsword\the\thadn\u2019t realized\tshe\u2019d\tbeen\tcarrying\tat\ther\tside.\tDamaris. Goldryn\twas\tstill\tstrapped\tacross\ther\tback,\tits\truby\tglowing\tlike\ta\tliving\tember\tas\tshe said,\t\u201cOne\tof\tus\thas\tto\tlive,\tDorian.\tYou\ttake\tthe\tsouthern\twatchtower\u2014stay\tat\tthe\tbase, and\tget\tyour\tmagic\tready.\tAny\tforces\tthat\ttry\tto\tcross\tthe\tchain,\tyou\ttake\tthem\tout.\u201d Not\t with\t steel,\t but\t magic.\t He\t fastened\t Damaris\t to\t his\t sword\t belt,\t its\t weight\t foreign. \u201cAnd\twhat\tare\tyou\tgoing\tto\tdo?\u201d\the\tdemanded.\tAs\tif\tin\tanswer,\this\tpower\twrithed\tin\this gut,\tlike\tan\tasp\tcurling\tto\tstrike. Aelin\t glanced\t at\t Rowan,\t at\t his\t tattooed\t hand.\t \u201cRolfe,\t get\t whatever\t iron\t chains\t you have\tleft\tfrom\tyour\tslave-mongering.\tWe\u2019re\tgoing\tto\tneed\tthem.\u201d For\ther\u2014for\tRowan.\tAs\ta\tcheck\tagainst\ttheir\tmagic,\tif\tit\tgot\tout\tof\tcontrol. Because\t Aelin\t \u2026\t Aelin\t was\t going\t to\t sail\t that\t ship\t right\t into\t the\t heart\t of\t the\t enemy fleet\tand\tblow\tthem\tall\tout\tof\tthe\twater.","34 She\twas\ta\tliar,\tand\ta\tmurderer,\tand\ta\tthief,\tand\tAelin\thad\ta\tfeeling\tshe\u2019d\tbe\tcalled\tmuch worse\tby\tthe\tend\tof\tthis\twar.\tBut\tas\tthat\tunnatural\tdarkness\tgathered\ton\tthe\thorizon,\tshe wondered\t if\t she\t might\t have\t bitten\t off\t more\t than\t she\t and\t all\t her\t fanged\t friends\t could chew. She\tdid\tnot\tgive\ther\tfear\tan\tinch\tof\tspace. Did\tnot\tdo\tanything\tbut\tlet\tblack\tfire\tripple\tthrough\ther. Securing\t this\t alliance\t was\t only\t part\t of\t it.\t The\t other\t part,\t the\t bigger\t part\t \u2026\t was\t the message.\tNot\tto\tMorath. But\tto\tthe\tworld. To\t any\t potential\t allies\t watching\t this\t continent,\t contemplating\t if\t it\t was\t indeed\t a\t lost cause. Today\ther\tmessage\twould\tthunder\tacross\tthe\trealms. She\twas\tnot\ta\trebel\tprincess,\tshattering\tenemy\tcastles\tand\tkilling\tkings. She\twas\ta\tforce\tof\tnature.\tShe\twas\ta\tcalamity\tand\ta\tcommander\tof\timmortal\twarriors of\tlegend.\tAnd\tif\tthose\tallies\tdid\tnot\tjoin\twith\ther\t\u2026\tshe\twanted\tthem\tto\tthink\tof\ttoday,\tof what\tshe\twould\tdo,\tand\twonder\tif\tthey\tmight\tfind\ther\ton\ttheir\tshores,\tin\ttheir\tharbors,\tone day,\ttoo. They\thad\tnot\tcome\tten\tyears\tago.\tShe\twanted\tthem\tto\tknow\tshe\thad\tnot\tforgotten\tit. Rolfe\t finished\t barking\t orders\t to\t his\t men\t and\t rushed\t aboard\t the\t Sea\t Dragon,\t Aedion and\tDorian\thurtling\tfor\thorses\tto\tcarry\tthem\tto\ttheir\trespective\twatchtowers.\tAelin\tturned to\t Lysandra,\t the\t shifter\t calmly\t monitoring\t all.\t Aelin\t said\t quietly,\t \u201cDo\t you\t know\t what\t I need\tyou\tto\tdo?\u201d Lysandra\u2019s\tmoss-green\teyes\twere\tbright\tas\tshe\tnodded. Aelin\tdid\tnot\tallow\therself\tto\tembrace\tthe\tshifter.\tDid\tnot\tallow\therself\tto\tso\tmuch\tas touch\t her\t friend\u2019s\t hand.\t Not\t with\t Rolfe\t watching.\t Not\t with\t the\t citizens\t of\t this\t town watching,\tthe\tlost\tMycenians\tamong\tthem.\tSo\tAelin\tmerely\tsaid,\t\u201cGood\thunting.\u201d Fenrys\tlet\tout\ta\tchoked\tsound,\tas\tif\the\trealized\twhat\tshe\thad\tindeed\tdemanded\tof\tthe shape-shifter.\t Beside\t him,\t Gavriel\t was\t still\t too\t busy\t staring\t after\t Aedion,\t who\t hadn\u2019t\t so much\t as\t glanced\t at\t his\t father\t before\t fastening\t his\t shield\t and\t sword\t across\t his\t back, mounting\ta\tsorry-looking\tmare,\tand\tgalloping\tfor\tthe\twatchtower. Aelin\tsaid\tto\tRowan,\tthe\twind\talready\tdancing\tin\tthe\tsilver\thair\tof\ther\twarrior-prince,","\u201cWe\tmove\tnow.\u201d So\tthey\tdid. People\t were\t panicking\t in\t the\t streets\t as\t the\t dark\t force\t took\t shape\t on\t the\t horizon: massive\tships\twith\tblack\tsails,\tconverging\ton\tthe\tbay\tas\tif\tthey\twere\tindeed\tcarried\ton\ta preternatural\twind. But\tAelin,\tLysandra\tclose\tto\ther,\tstalked\tfor\tthe\ttowering\tSea\tDragon,\tRowan\tand\this two\tcompanions\tfalling\tinto\tstep\tbehind\tthem. People\thalted\tand\tgawked\twhile\tthey\tascended\tthe\tgangway,\tsecuring\tand\trearranging their\t weapons.\t Knives\t and\t swords,\t Rowan\u2019s\t hatchet\t gleaming\t while\t he\t hooked\t it\t at\t his side,\ta\tbow\tand\tquiver\tfull\tof\tblack-feathered\tarrows\tthat\tAelin\tassumed\tFenrys\tcould\tfire with\tdeadly\taccuracy,\tand\tmore\tblades.\tAs\tthey\tprowled\tonto\tthe\tgently\trocking\tdeck\tof the\t Sea\t Dragon,\t the\t wood\t meticulously\t polished,\t Aelin\t supposed\t that\t together\t they formed\ta\twalking\tarmory. Gavriel\t had\t no\t sooner\t set\t foot\t on\t board\t than\t the\t gangway\t was\t hauled\t up\t by\t Rolfe\u2019s men.\t The\t others,\t seated\t on\t benches\t flanking\t the\t deck,\t lifted\t oars,\t two\t men\t to\t a\t seat. Rowan\tjerked\this\tchin\tat\tGavriel\tand\tFenrys,\tand\tthe\ttwo\twordlessly\twent\tto\tjoin\tthe\tmen, his\tcadre\tfalling\tinto\trank\tand\trhythms\tthat\twere\tolder\tthan\tsome\tkingdoms. Rolfe\t stalked\t out\t a\t door\t that\t no\t doubt\t led\t to\t his\t chambers,\t two\t men\t behind\t him bearing\tenormous\tiron\tchains. Aelin\t strode\t for\t them.\t \u201cAnchor\t them\t to\t the\t mainmast\t and\t make\t sure\t there\u2019s\t enough room\tfor\tthem\tto\treach\tright\t\u2026\there.\u201d\tShe\tpointed\tto\twhere\tshe\tnow\tstood\tin\tthe\theart\tof the\tdeck.\tEnough\tspace\tclear\tof\teveryone,\tenough\tspace\tfor\ther\tand\tRowan\tto\twork. Rolfe\t barked\t an\t order\t to\t begin\t rowing,\t glancing\t once\t at\t Fenrys\t and\t Gavriel\u2014who each\tmanned\tan\toar\tthemselves,\tteeth\tbared\tas\tthey\tthrew\ttheir\tconsiderable\tstrength\tinto the\tmotion. Slowly,\tthe\tship\tbegan\tmoving\u2014the\tothers\taround\tthem\tstirring\tas\twell. But\tthey\thad\tto\tbe\tout\tof\tthe\tbay\tfirst,\thad\tto\tget\tpast\tthe\tboundary\tof\tShip-Breaker. Rolfe\u2019s\tmen\tlooped\tthe\tchains\taround\tthe\tmast,\tleaving\tenough\tlength\tto\treach\tAelin. Iron\t would\t provide\t a\t bite,\t an\t anchor\t to\t remind\t her\t who\t she\t was,\t what\t she\t was.\t Iron would\t keep\t her\t tethered\t when\t the\t sheer\t vastness\t of\t her\t magic,\t of\t Rowan\u2019s\t magic, threatened\tto\tsweep\ther\taway. The\tSea\tDragon\tinched\tover\tthe\tharbor,\tthe\tcall\tand\tgrunting\tof\tRolfe\u2019s\tmen\tas\tthey rowed\tdrowning\tout\tthe\tdin\tof\tthe\ttown\tbehind\tthem. She\t flicked\t a\t glance\t toward\t either\t watchtower\t to\t see\t Dorian\t arrive\u2014then\t Aedion\u2019s golden\t hair\t racing\t up\t the\t outer\t spiral\t staircase\t to\t the\t enormous\t mounted\t harpoon\t at\t the top.\t Her\t heart\t strained\t for\t a\t moment\t as\t she\t flashed\t between\t now\t and\t a\t time\t when\t she\u2019d seen\tSam\trunning\tup\tthose\tsame\tstairs\u2014not\tto\tdefend\tthis\ttown,\tbut\tto\twreck\tit. She\tshook\toff\tthe\ticy\tgrip\tof\tmemory\tand\tturned\tto\tLysandra,\tstanding\tat\tthe\tdeck\trail,","watching\ther\tcousin\tas\twell.\t\u201cNow.\u201d Even\tRolfe\tpaused\this\tordering\tat\tthe\tword. Lysandra\tgracefully\tsat\ton\tthe\tbroad\twooden\trailing,\tpivoted\ther\tlegs\tover\tthe\tside\t\u2026 and\tdropped\tinto\tthe\twater. Rolfe\u2019s\tmen\trushed\tto\tthe\trail.\tPeople\tin\tboats\tflanking\tthem\tdid\tthe\tsame,\tspotting\tthe woman\tplunge\tinto\tthe\tvivid\tblue. But\tit\twas\tnot\ta\twoman\twho\tcame\tout. Below,\t deep\t down,\t Aelin\t could\t make\t out\t the\t glow\t and\t shift\t and\t spread.\t Men\t began cursing. But\t Lysandra\t kept\t growing\t and\t growing\t beneath\t the\t surface,\t along\t the\t sandy\t harbor floor. Faster,\tthe\tmen\trowed. But\t the\t ship\u2019s\t speed\t was\t nothing\t compared\t to\t the\t speed\t of\t the\t creature\t that\t emerged from\tthe\twaves. A\tbroad\tjade-green\tsnout,\tpeppered\twith\tshredding\twhite\tteeth,\thuffed\ta\tmighty\tbreath then\tarced\tback\tunder\tthe\twater,\trevealing\ta\tflash\tof\ta\tmassive\thead\tand\tcunning\teyes\tas she\tdisappeared. Some\tmen\tscreamed.\tRolfe\tbraced\ta\thand\ton\tthe\twheel.\tHis\tfirst\tmate,\tthat\tsea\tdragon sword\tfreshly\tpolished\tat\this\tside,\tdropped\tto\this\tknees. Lysandra\tdove,\tand\tshe\tlet\tthem\tsee\tthe\tlong,\tpowerful\tbody\tthat\tbroke\tthe\tsurface\tbit by\t bit\t as\t she\t plunged\t down,\t her\t jade\t scales\t gleaming\t like\t jewels\t in\t the\t blinding\t midday sun.\tSee\tthe\tlegend\tstraight\tfrom\ttheir\tprophecies:\tthe\tMycenians\twould\tonly\treturn\twhen the\tsea\tdragons\tdid. And\tso\tAelin\thad\tensured\tthat\tone\tappeared\tright\tin\ttheir\tgods-damned\tharbor. \u201cHoly\tgods,\u201d\tFenrys\tmuttered\tfrom\twhere\the\trowed. Indeed,\t that\t was\t about\t the\t only\t reaction\t Aelin\t could\t muster\t as\t the\t sea\t dragon\t dove down\tdeep,\tthen\tswam\tahead. For\tthose\twere\tmighty\tfins\u2014wings\tthat\tLysandra\tspread\tbeneath\tthe\twater,\ttucking\tin her\tsmall\tfront\tarms\tand\tback\tlegs,\ther\tmassive,\tspiked\ttail\tacting\tas\ta\trudder. Some\tof\tRolfe\u2019s\tmen\twere\tmurmuring,\t\u201cA\tdragon\u2014a\tdragon\tto\tdefend\tour\town\tship \u2026\tThe\tlegends\tof\tour\tfathers\u2026\u201d\tIndeed,\tRolfe\u2019s\tface\twas\tpale\tas\the\tstared\ttoward\twhere Lysandra\t had\t vanished\t into\t the\t blue,\t still\t clutching\t the\t wheel\t as\t if\t it\u2019d\t keep\t him\t from falling. Two\tsea-wyverns\t\u2026\tagainst\tone\tsea\tdragon. For\tall\tthe\tfire\tin\tthe\tworld\twould\tnot\twork\tbeneath\tthe\tsea.\tAnd\tif\tthey\twere\tto\tstand a\t chance\t of\t decimating\t those\t ships,\t there\t could\t be\t no\t interference\t from\t beneath\t the surface.","\u201cCome\ton,\tLysandra,\u201d\tAelin\tbreathed,\tand\tsent\ta\tprayer\tto\tTemis,\tthe\tGoddess\tof\tWild Things,\tto\tkeep\tthe\tshifter\tswift\tand\tunfaltering\tbeneath\tthe\twaves. Aedion\t chucked\t off\t the\t shield\t from\t his\t back\t and\t slammed\t into\t the\t seat\t before\t the\t giant iron\tharpoon,\tits\tlength\tperhaps\ta\thand\ttaller\tthan\thim,\tits\thead\tbigger\tthan\this\town.\tThere were\tonly\tthree\tspears.\tHe\u2019d\thave\tto\tmake\this\tshots\tcount. Across\t the\t bay,\t he\t could\t just\t make\t out\t the\t king\t taking\t up\t a\t position\t along\t the battlement\ton\tthe\tlowest\tlevel\tof\tthe\ttower. In\tthe\tbay\titself,\tRolfe\u2019s\tship\trowed\tcloser\tand\tcloser\tto\tShip-Breaker\u2019s\tlowered\tchain. Aedion\t stomped\t on\t one\t of\t the\t three\t operating\t pedals\t that\t allowed\t him\t to\t pivot\t the mounted\tlauncher,\tgripping\tthe\thandles\ton\teither\tside\tthat\tpositioned\tthe\tspear\tinto\tplace. Carefully,\t precisely,\t he\t aimed\t the\t harpoon\t toward\t the\t very\t outer\t edge\t of\t the\t bay,\t where the\ttwo\tbranches\tof\tthe\tisland\tleaned\ttoward\teach\tother\tto\tprovide\ta\tnarrow\tpassage\tinto the\tharbor. Waves\t broke\t just\t beyond\u2014a\t reef.\t Good\t for\t breaking\t ships\t against\u2014and\t no\t doubt where\t Rolfe\t would\t plant\t his\t ship,\t in\t order\t to\t fool\t Morath\u2019s\t fleet\t into\t skewering themselves\ton\tit. \u201cWhat\t the\t hell\t is\t that?\u201d\t one\t of\t the\t sentries\t manning\t the\t gunner\t breathed,\t pointing toward\tthe\tbay\twaters. A\tmighty,\tlong\tshadow\tswept\tunder\tthe\twater\tahead\tof\tthe\tSea\tDragon,\tfaster\tthan\tthe ship,\t faster\t than\t a\t dolphin.\t Its\t long,\t serpentine\t body\t soared\t through\t the\t sea,\t carried\t on wings\tthat\tmight\thave\talso\tbeen\tfins. Aedion\u2019s\theart\tstopped\tdead.\t\u201cIt\u2019s\ta\tsea\tdragon,\u201d\the\tmanaged\tto\tsay. Well,\tat\tleast\the\tnow\tknew\twhat\tsecret\tform\tLysandra\thad\tbeen\tworking\ton. And\t why\t Aelin\t had\t insisted\t on\t getting\t inside\t Brannon\u2019s\t temple.\t Not\t just\t to\t see\t the king,\t not\t just\t to\t reclaim\t the\t city\t for\t the\t Mycenians\t and\t Terrasen,\t but\t \u2026\t for\t Lysandra\t to study\tthe\tlife-size,\tdetailed\tcarvings\tof\tthose\tsea\tdragons.\tTo\tbecome\ta\tliving\tmyth. The\ttwo\tof\tthem\t\u2026\tOh,\tthose\tcrafty,\tscheming\tdevils.\tA\tqueen\tof\tlegends\tindeed. \u201cHow\t \u2026\t how\u2026\u201d\t The\t sentry\t turned\t toward\t the\t others,\t babbling\t among\t themselves. \u201cIt\u2019s\tgonna\tdefend\tus?\u201d Lysandra\t approached\t Ship-Breaker,\t still\t lowered\t under\t the\t surface,\t twirling\t and arcing,\t banking\t along\t rocks\t as\t if\t getting\t a\t feel\t for\t her\t new\t form.\t Getting\t a\t feel\t for\t it\t in whatever\tlittle\ttime\tthey\thad.\t\u201cYes,\u201d\tAedion\tbreathed\tas\tterror\tflooded\this\tveins.\t\u201cYes,\tshe is.\u201d The\twater\twas\twarm,\tand\tquiet,\tand\tageless. And\t she\t was\t a\t scaled\t shadow\t that\t set\t the\t jewel-colored\t fish\t darting\t into\t their\t coral homes;\tshe\twas\ta\tsoaring\tmenace\tthrough\tthe\twater\tthat\tmade\tthe\twhite\tbirds\tbobbing\ton","the\tsurface\tscatter\tinto\tflight\tas\tthey\tsensed\ther\tpassing\tbelow. Sunbeams\tstreamed\tin\tpillars\tthrough\tthe\twater,\tand\tLysandra,\tin\tthe\tsmall\tpart\tof\ther that\tremained\thuman,\tfelt\tas\tif\tshe\twere\tgliding\tthrough\ta\ttemple\tof\tlight\tand\tshadow. But\tthere\u2014far\tout,\tcarried\ton\techoes\tof\tsound\tand\tvibration\u2014she\tfelt\tthem. Even\tthe\tlarger\tpredators\tof\tthese\twaters\tflitted\toff,\ttaking\tto\tthe\topen\tseas\tbeyond\tthe islands.\tNot\teven\tthe\tpromise\tof\twater\tstained\tred\tcould\tkeep\tthem\tin\tthe\tpath\tof\tthe\ttwo forces\tabout\tto\tcollide. Ahead,\t the\t mighty\t links\t of\t Ship-Breaker\t sagged\t into\t the\t deep,\t like\t the\t colossal necklace\tof\tsome\tgoddess\tleaning\tdown\tto\tdrink\tthe\tsea. She\t had\t been\t reading\t about\t them\u2014the\t long-forgotten\t and\t long-dead\t sea\t dragons\u2014at Aelin\u2019s\t behest.\t Because\t her\t friend\t had\t known\t that\t strong-arming\t Rolfe\t with\t the Mycenians\twould\tonly\tget\tthem\tso\tfar,\tbut\tif\tthey\twere\tto\twield\tthe\tpower\tof\tmyth\tinstead \u2026\t its\t people\t might\t rally\t around\t it.\t And\t with\t a\t home\t to\t finally\t offer\t them,\t among\t these islands\tand\tin\tTerrasen\u2026 Lysandra\t had\t studied\t the\t carvings\t of\t the\t sea\t dragons\t at\t the\t temple,\t once\t Aelin\t had burned\taway\tthe\tdirt\ton\tthem.\tHer\tmagic\thad\tfilled\tin\tgaps\tthe\tcarvings\tdidn\u2019t\tshow.\tLike the\t nostrils\t that\t picked\t apart\t each\t scent\t on\t the\t current,\t the\t ears\t that\t unraveled\t varying layers\tof\tsound. Lysandra\t swept\t for\t the\t reef\t just\t beyond\t the\t parted\t lips\t of\t the\t island.\t She\u2019d\t have\t to retract\tthe\twings,\tbut\there\t\u2026\there\tshe\twould\tmake\ther\tstand. Here\t she\t would\t have\t to\t unleash\t every\t wild\t instinct,\t yielding\t the\t part\t of\t her\t that\t felt and\tcared. These\tbeasts,\thowever\tthey\twere\tmade,\twere\tonly\tthat:\tbeasts.\tAnimals. They\twould\tnot\tfight\twith\tmorals\tand\tcodes.\tThey\twould\tfight\tto\tthe\tdeath,\tand\tfight for\tsurvival.\tThere\twould\tbe\tno\tmercy,\tno\tcompassion. She\twould\thave\tto\tfight\tas\tthey\tdid.\tShe\thad\tdone\tso\tbefore\u2014had\tturned\tferal\tnot\tjust that\t day\t the\t glass\t castle\t had\t shattered,\t but\t the\t night\t she\u2019d\t been\t captured\t and\t those\t men had\ttried\tto\ttake\tEvangeline.\tThis\twould\tbe\tno\tdifferent. Lysandra\tdug\ther\tbone-shredding,\tcurved\ttalons\tinto\tthe\treef\tshelf\tto\thold\ther\tposition against\tthe\tcurrent\u2019s\tnudging,\tand\tpeered\tinto\tthe\tsilent\tblue\tstretching\tendlessly\tahead. So\tshe\tbegan\ther\tdeath\tvigil.","35 Perched\ton\tthe\trail\tof\tthe\tSea\tDragon,\tgripping\tthe\trope\tladder\tflowing\tfrom\tthe\tlooming mast,\tAelin\tsavored\tthe\tcooling\tspindrift\tthat\tsprayed\ther\tface\tas\tthe\tship\tplowed\tthrough the\t waves.\t Once\t the\t ship\t was\t clear\t of\t the\t others,\t Rowan\t had\t let\t his\t winds\t fill\t its\t sails, setting\tthe\tSea\tDragon\tflying\ttoward\tthe\tmammoth\tchain. It\t was\t hard\t not\t to\t look\t back\t as\t they\t passed\t over\t the\t submerged\t chain\t \u2026\t and\t then Ship-Breaker\tbegan\tto\trise\tfrom\tthe\twater. Sealing\tthem\tout\tof\tthe\tbay\u2014where\tRolfe\u2019s\tother\tships\twould\twait\tsafely\tbehind\tthe chain\u2019s\tline\u2014to\tguard\tthe\ttown\tnow\tsilently\twatching\tthem. If\tall\twent\twell,\tthey\twould\tonly\tneed\tthis\tboat,\tshe\u2019d\ttold\tRolfe. And\tif\tit\twent\tbadly,\tthen\this\tships\twouldn\u2019t\tmake\ta\tdifference\tanyway. Tightly\tgrasping\tthe\trope,\tAelin\tleaned\tout,\tthe\tvibrant\tblue\tand\twhite\tbelow\tpassing in\t a\t swift\t blur.\t Not\t too\t fast,\t she\u2019d\t told\t Rowan.\t Don\u2019t\t waste\t your\t strength\u2014you\t barely slept\tlast\tnight. He\u2019d\tjust\tleaned\tin\tto\tnip\tat\ther\tear\tbefore\tsliding\tonto\tGavriel\u2019s\tbench\tto\tconcentrate. He\t was\t still\t there,\t his\t power\t letting\t the\t men\t cease\t their\t rowing\t and\t prepare\t for\t what swept\t toward\t them.\t Aelin\t again\t looked\t ahead\u2014toward\t those\t black\t sails\t blotting\t the horizon. The\tWyrdkey\tat\ther\tchest\tmurmured\tin\tresponse. She\t could\t feel\t them\u2014her\t magic\t could\t taste\t their\t corruption\t on\t the\t wind.\t No\t sign\t of Lysandra,\tbut\tshe\twas\tout\tthere. The\t sun\t was\t blinding\t on\t the\t waves\t as\t Rowan\u2019s\t magic\t slowed,\t bringing\t them\t into\t a steady\tglide\ttoward\tthe\ttwo\tpeaks\tof\tthe\tisland\tthat\tcurved\ttoward\teach\tother. It\twas\ttime. Aelin\tswung\toff\tthe\trailing,\tboots\tthudding\ton\tthe\tsoaked\twood\tof\tthe\tdeck.\tSo\tmany eyes\tturned\tto\ther,\tto\tthe\tchains\tspread\tacross\tthe\tmain\tdeck. Rolfe\t stalked\t toward\t her,\t descending\t from\t the\t raised\t quarterdeck,\t where\t he\u2019d\t been manning\tthe\twheel\thimself. She\tpicked\tup\ta\theavy\tiron\tchain,\twondering\twho\tit\u2019d\tpreviously\theld.\tRowan\trose\tto his\tfeet\tin\ta\tsteady,\tgraceful\tmovement.\tHe\treached\ther\twhen\tRolfe\tdid. The\tcaptain\tdemanded,\t\u201cWhat\tnow?\u201d","Aelin\tjerked\ther\tchin\ttoward\tthe\tships\tnear\tenough\tto\tmake\tout\tfigures\tcrammed\tonto the\tvarious\tdecks.\tMany,\tmany\tfigures.\t\u201cWe\tdraw\tthem\tin\tas\tclose\tas\twe\tcan.\tWhen\tyou can\tsee\tthe\twhites\tof\ttheir\teyes,\tyou\tshout\tat\tus.\u201d Rowan\tadded,\t\u201cAnd\tthen\tyou\tlay\tanchor\toff\tthe\tstarboard\tside.\tSwing\tus\taround.\u201d \u201cWhy?\u201d\tRolfe\tasked\tas\tRowan\thelped\ther\tfasten\tthe\tmanacle\taround\ther\twrist. She\tbalked\tat\tthe\tiron,\ther\tmagic\ttwisting.\tRowan\tgripped\ther\tchin\tbetween\this\tthumb and\tforefinger,\tmaking\ther\tmeet\this\tunflinching\tgaze,\teven\tas\the\tsaid\tto\tRolfe,\t\u201cBecause we\tdon\u2019t\twant\tthe\tmasts\tin\tthe\tway\twhen\twe\topen\tfire.\tThey\tseem\tlike\ta\trather\timportant part\tof\tthe\tship.\u201d Rolfe\tgrowled\tand\tstalked\toff. Rowan\u2019s\tfingers\tslid\tto\tcup\ther\tjaw,\this\tthumb\tbrushing\ther\tcheek.\t\u201cWe\tdraw\tout\tour power,\tslow\tand\tsteady.\u201d \u201cI\tknow.\u201d He\tangled\this\thead,\tbrows\tlifting.\tA\thalf\tsmile\tcurved\this\tsinful\tmouth.\t\u201cYou\u2019ve\tbeen spiraling\tdown\tinto\tyour\tpower\tfor\tdays\tnow,\thaven\u2019t\tyou?\u201d She\t nodded.\t It\t had\t taken\t most\t of\t her\t focus,\t had\t been\t such\t an\t effort\t to\t stay\t in\t the present,\tto\tstay\tactive\tand\taware\twhile\tshe\twas\tburrowing\tdown\tand\tdown,\tdrawing\tup\tas much\t of\t her\t power\t as\t she\t could\t without\t attracting\t any\t notice.\t \u201cI\t didn\u2019t\t want\t to\t take\t any chances\there.\tNot\tif\tyou\twere\tdrained\tfrom\tsaving\tDorian.\u201d \u201cI\u2019ve\trecovered,\tI\u2019ll\thave\tyou\tknow.\tSo\tthis\tmorning\u2019s\tlittle\tdisplay\u2026\u201d \u201cA\t way\t to\t take\t off\t the\t power\u2019s\t full\t edge,\u201d\t she\t said\t wryly.\t \u201cAnd\t make\t Rolfe\t piss himself.\u201d\t He\t chuckled\t and\t released\t her\t face\t to\t pass\t her\t the\t other\t manacle.\t She\t hated\t its ancient,\thideous\ttouch\ton\ther\tskin,\ton\this,\tas\tshe\tclamped\tit\taround\this\ttattooed\twrist. \u201cHurry,\u201d\tRolfe\tsaid\tfrom\twhere\the\u2019d\treturned\tto\this\tspot\tat\tthe\twheel. Indeed,\t the\t ships\t were\t gaining\t on\t them.\t No\t sign\t of\t those\t sea-wyverns\u2014though\t the shifter\talso\tremained\tout\tof\tsight. Rowan\tpalmed\this\thunting\tknife,\tthe\tsteel\tbright\tin\tthe\tblazing\tsun.\tHigh\tnoon. Precisely\twhy\tshe\u2019d\tgone\tinto\tRolfe\u2019s\toffice\tnearly\ttwo\thours\tbeforehand. She\u2019d\tpractically\trung\tthe\tdinner\tbell\tfor\tthe\thost\tin\tthe\tDead\tEnd.\tShe\u2019d\tgambled\tthat they\t wouldn\u2019t\t wait\t until\t nightfall,\t but\t they\t apparently\t feared\t the\t wrath\t of\t their\t master\t if she\t slipped\t their\t nets\t more\t than\t they\t feared\t the\t light\t itself.\t Or\t were\t too\t stupid\t to\t realize Mala\u2019s\their\twould\tbe\tat\ther\tmost\tpowerful. \u201cDo\t you\t want\t to\t do\t the\t honors,\t or\t should\t I?\u201d\t Rowan\t said.\t Fenrys\t and\t Gavriel\t had risen\t to\t their\t feet,\t blades\t out\t as\t they\t monitored\t from\t a\t safe\t distance.\t Aelin\t held\t out\t her free\t hand,\t her\t palm\t scarred,\t and\t took\t the\t knife\t from\t him.\t A\t quick\t slice\t had\t her\t skin stinging,\twarm\tblood\theating\ther\tseawater-sticky\tskin. Rowan\thad\tthe\tknife\ta\theartbeat\tlater,\tand\tthe\tscent\tof\this\tblood\tfilled\ther\tnose,\tset\ther","senses\ton\tedge.\tBut\tshe\textended\ther\tbloodied\tpalm. Her\tmagic\tswirled\tinto\tthe\tworld\twith\tit,\tcrackling\tin\ther\tveins,\ther\tears.\tShe\treined\tin the\turge\tto\ttap\ther\tfoot\ton\tthe\tground,\tto\troll\ther\tshoulders. \u201cSlow,\u201d\t Rowan\t repeated,\t as\t if\t sensing\t the\t hair-trigger\t that\t her\t power\t was\t now\t on, \u201cand\tsteady.\u201d\tHis\tshackled\tarm\tslid\taround\ther\twaist\tto\thold\ther\tto\thim.\t\u201cI\u2019ll\tbe\twith\tyou every\tstep\tof\tthe\tway.\u201d She\tlifted\ther\thead\tto\tstudy\this\tface,\tthe\tharsh\tplanes\tand\tthe\tcurving\ttattoo.\tHe\tleaned in\tto\tbrush\ta\tkiss\tto\ther\tmouth.\tAnd\tas\this\tlips\tmet\thers,\the\tjoined\ttheir\tbleeding\tpalms. Magic\t jolted\t through\t her,\t ancient\t and\t wicked\t and\t cunning,\t and\t she\t arched\t against him,\tknees\tbuckling\tas\this\tcataclysmic\tpower\troared\tinto\ther. All\tanyone\ton\tdeck\tsaw,\tshe\tknew,\twas\ttwo\tlovers\tembracing. But\t Aelin\t tunneled\t down,\t down,\t down\t into\t her\t power,\t felt\t him\t doing\t the\t same\t with his,\t felt\t every\t ounce\t of\t ice\t and\t wind\t and\t lightning\t go\t slamming\t from\t him\t into\t her.\t And when\tit\treached\ther,\tthe\tcore\tof\this\tpower\tyielded\tto\ther\town,\tmelted\tand\tbecame\tembers and\t wildfire.\t Became\t the\t molten\t heart\t of\t the\t earth,\t shaping\t the\t world\t and\t birthing\t new lands. Deeper\tand\tdeeper,\tshe\twent. Aelin\thad\ta\tvague\tsense\tof\tthe\tship\trocking\tbeneath\tthem,\tfelt\tthe\tfaint\tbite\tof\tthe\tiron as\t it\t rejected\t her\t magic,\t felt\t the\t presence\t of\t Fenrys\t and\t Gavriel\t flickering\t around\t them like\tcandles. It\thad\tbeen\tmonths\tsince\tshe\u2019d\tdrawn\tfrom\tso\tdeep\tin\tthe\tabyss\tof\ther\tpower. During\t the\t time\t she\u2019d\t trained\t with\t Rowan\t in\t Wendlyn,\t her\t power\u2019s\t limit\t had\t been self-imposed.\t And\t then\t that\t day\t with\t the\t Valg,\t she\u2019d\t broken\t through\t it\u2014had\t discovered an\t entire\t hidden\t level\t beneath.\t She\t had\t drawn\t from\t it\t when\t she\u2019d\t encircled\t Doranelle with\ther\tpower,\thad\ttaken\ta\twhole\tday\tto\ttunnel\tthat\tfar,\tto\tdraw\tup\twhat\tshe\tneeded. Aelin\thad\tbegun\tthis\tdescent\tthree\tdays\tago. She\u2019d\t expected\t it\t to\t stop\t after\t the\t first\t day.\t To\t hit\t that\t bottom\t she\u2019d\t sensed\t once before. She\thad\tnot. And\tnow\t\u2026\tnow\twith\tRowan\u2019s\tpower\tjoining\thers\u2026 Rowan\u2019s\t arm\t still\t held\t her\t tightly\t against\t him,\t and\t she\t had\t the\t distant,\t murky sensation\t of\t his\t coat\t scratching\t lightly\t against\t her\t face,\t of\t the\t hardness\t of\t the\t weapons strapped\tbeneath,\tthe\tscent\tof\thim\twashing\tover\ther,\tsoothing\ther. She\twas\ta\tstone\tplunked\tinto\tthe\tsea\tof\ther\tpower\u2014their\tpower. Down and","down and down There\u2014there\twas\tthe\tbottom.\tThe\tash-lined\tbottom,\tthe\tpit\tof\ta\tdormant\tcrater. Only\tthe\tfeeling\tof\ther\town\tfeet\tagainst\tthe\twood\tdeck\tkept\ther\tfrom\tsinking\tinto\tthat ash,\tlearning\twhat\tmight\tslumber\tbeneath\tit. Her\t magic\t whispered\t to\t start\t digging\t through\t that\t ash\t and\t silt.\t But\t Rowan\u2019s\t grip tightened\ton\ther\twaist.\t\u201cEasy,\u201d\the\tmurmured\tin\ther\tear.\t\u201cEasy.\u201d Still\t more\t of\t his\t power\t flowed\t into\t her,\t wind\t and\t ice\t churning\t with\t her\t power, eddying\tinto\ta\tmaelstrom. \u201cClose\tnow,\u201d\tRolfe\twarned\tfrom\tnearby\u2014from\tanother\tworld. \u201cAim\t for\t the\t middle\t of\t the\t fleet,\u201d\t Rowan\t ordered\t her.\t \u201cSend\t the\t flanking\t ships scattering\t onto\t the\t reef.\u201d\t Where\t they\u2019d\t founder,\t leaving\t any\t survivors\t to\t be\t picked\t off with\t arrows\t shot\t by\t Fenrys\t and\t Rolfe\u2019s\t men.\t Rowan\t had\t to\t be\t alert,\t then\u2014watching\t the approaching\tforce. She\t could\t feel\t them\u2014feel\t her\t magic\u2019s\t hackles\t rise\t in\t response\t to\t the\t blackness gathering\tbeyond\tthe\thorizon\tof\ther\tconsciousness. \u201cAlmost\tin\trange,\u201d\tRolfe\tcalled. She\tbegan\tpulling\tup,\tdragging\tthe\tabyss\tof\tflame\tand\tembers\twith\ther. \u201cSteady,\u201d\tRowan\tmurmured. Higher,\thigher,\tAelin\trose,\tback\ttoward\tthe\tsea\tand\tsunlight. Here,\tthat\tsunlight\tseemed\tto\tbeckon.\tTo\tme. Her\tmagic\tsurged\tfor\tit,\tfor\tthat\tvoice. \u201cNow!\u201d\tRolfe\tbarked. And\tlike\ta\tferal\tbeast\tfreed\tof\tits\tleash,\ther\tmagic\terupted. She\u2019d\tbeen\tdoing\twell\tas\tRowan\thad\thanded\tover\this\tpower\tto\ther. She\u2019d\tbalked\tand\tbobbed\ta\tfew\ttimes,\tbut\t\u2026\tshe\thad\tthe\tdescent\tunder\tcontrol. Even\t if\t her\t power\t \u2026\t the\t well\t had\t gone\t deeper\t than\t before.\t It\t was\t easy\t to\t forget\t she was\tstill\tgrowing\u2014that\ther\tpower\twould\tmature\twith\ther. And\twhen\tRolfe\tshouted,\tNow!\tRowan\tknew\the\thad\tforgotten\tto\this\tdetriment. A\tpillar\tof\tflame\tthat\tdid\tnot\tburn\terupted\tfrom\tAelin,\tslamming\tinto\tthe\tsky,\tturning the\tworld\tinto\tred\tand\torange\tand\tgold. Aelin\twas\tripped\tfrom\this\tarms\twith\tthe\tforce\tof\tit,\tand\tRowan\tgrabbed\ther\thand\tin\ta crushing\t grip,\t refusing\t to\t let\t her\t break\t that\t line\t of\t contact.\t Men\t around\t them\t stumbled","back,\tfalling\tonto\ttheir\tasses\tas\tthey\tgawked\tupward\tin\tterror\tand\twonder. Higher,\tthat\tcolumn\tof\tflame\tswirled,\ta\tmaelstrom\tof\tdeath\tand\tlife\tand\trebirth. \u201cHoly\tgods,\u201d\tFenrys\twhispered\tbehind\thim. Still\tAelin\u2019s\tmagic\tpoured\tinto\tthe\tworld.\tStill\tshe\tburned\thotter,\twilder. Her\tteeth\twere\tgritted,\ther\thead\tarched\tback\tas\tshe\tpanted,\teyes\tshut. \u201cAelin,\u201d\t Rowan\t warned.\t The\t pillar\t of\t flame\t began\t expanding,\t laced\t now\t with\t blue and\tturquoise.\tFlame\tthat\tcould\tmelt\tbone,\tcrack\tthe\tearth. Too\tmuch.\tHe\thad\tgiven\ther\ttoo\tmuch,\tand\tshe\thad\tdelved\ttoo\tdeep\tinto\ther\tpower\u2014 Through\t the\t flames\t encasing\t them,\t Rowan\t glimpsed\t the\t frantic\t enemy\t fleet,\t now hurling\tthemselves\tinto\tmotion\tto\tflee,\tto\tget\tout\tof\trange. Aelin\u2019s\tongoing\tdisplay\twas\tnot\tfor\tthem. Because\tthere\twas\tno\tescape,\tnot\twith\tthe\tpower\tshe\u2019d\tdragged\tup\twith\ther. The\tdisplay\twas\tfor\tthe\tothers,\tfor\tthe\tcity\twatching\tthem. For\tthe\tworld\tto\tknow\tshe\twas\tno\tmere\tprincess\tplaying\twith\tpretty\tembers. \u201cAelin,\u201d\tRowan\tsaid\tagain,\ttrying\tto\ttug\ton\tthat\tbond\tbetween\tthem. But\tthere\twas\tnothing. Only\tthe\tgaping\tmaw\tof\tsome\timmortal,\tancient\tbeast.\tA\tbeast\tthat\thad\topened\tan\teye, a\tbeast\tthat\tspoke\tin\tthe\ttongue\tof\ta\tthousand\tworlds. Ice\tflooded\this\tveins.\tShe\twas\twearing\tthe\tWyrdkey. \u201cAelin.\u201d\t But\t Rowan\t felt\t it\t then.\t Felt\t that\t bottom\t of\t her\t power\t crack\t open\t as\t if\t the beast\t within\t that\t Wyrdkey\t stomped\t its\t foot,\t and\t ash\t and\t crusted\t rock\t crumbled\t away beneath\tit. And\trevealed\ta\troiling,\tmolten\tcore\tof\tmagic\tbeneath\tit. As\tif\tit\twere\tthe\tfiery\theart\tof\tMala\therself. Aelin\tplunged\tinto\tthat\tpower.\tBathed\tin\tit. Rowan\ttried\tto\tmove,\ttried\tto\tscream\tat\ther\tto\tstop\u2014 But\t Rolfe,\t eyes\t wide\t with\t what\t could\t only\t be\t terror\t and\t awe,\t roared\t at\t her,\t \u201cOpen fire!\u201d She\theard\tthat.\tAnd\tas\tviolently\tas\tit\thad\tpierced\tthe\tsky,\tthat\tpillar\tof\tfire\tshot\tdown, shot\tback\tinto\ther,\tcoiling\tand\twrapping\tinside\ther,\tfusing\tinto\ta\tkernel\tof\tpower\tso\thot\tit sizzled\tinto\thim,\tsearing\this\tvery\tsoul\u2014 The\tflames\twinked\tout\tat\tthe\tsame\tsecond\tshe\treached\tinto\tRowan\twith\tburning\thands and\ttore\tthe\tlast\tremnants\tof\this\tpower\tfrom\thim. Just\tas\tshe\tripped\ther\thand\tfrom\this.\tJust\tas\ther\tpower\tand\tthe\tWyrdkey\tbetween\ther","breasts\tmerged. Rowan\t collapsed\t to\t his\t knees,\t and\t there\t was\t a\t crack\t inside\t his\t head,\t as\t if\t thunder cleaved\tthrough\thim. As\t Aelin\t opened\t her\t eyes,\t he\t realized\t it\t wasn\u2019t\t thunder\u2014but\t the\t sound\t of\t a\t door slamming\topen. Her\tface\tturned\texpressionless.\tCold\tas\tthe\tgaps\tbetween\tthe\tstars.\tAnd\ther\teyes\u2026 Turquoise\tburned\tbright\t\u2026\taround\ta\tcore\tof\tsilver.\tNo\thint\tof\tgold\tto\tbe\tfound. \u201cThat\u2019s\tnot\tAelin,\u201d\tFenrys\tbreathed. A\t faint\t smile\t blossomed\t on\t her\t full\t mouth,\t born\t of\t cruelty\t and\t arrogance,\t and\t she examined\tthe\tiron\tchain\twrapped\taround\ther\twrist. The\tiron\tmelted\taway,\tmolten\tore\tsizzling\tthrough\tthe\twooden\tdeck\tand\tinto\tthe\tdark below.\tThe\tcreature\tthat\tstared\tout\tthrough\tAelin\u2019s\teyes\tfurled\ther\tfingers\tinto\ta\tfist.\tLight leaked\tthrough\ther\tclenched\tfingers. Cold\twhite\tlight.\tTendrils\tflickered\u2014silver\tflame\u2026 \u201cGet\taway,\u201d\tGavriel\twarned\thim.\t\u201cGet\taway\tand\tdon\u2019t\tlook.\u201d Gavriel\twas\tindeed\ton\this\tknees,\thead\tbowed\tand\teyes\taverted.\tFenrys\tfollowed\tsuit. For\twhat\tgazed\tat\tthe\tdark\tfleet\tassembled,\twhat\thad\tfilled\this\tbeloved\u2019s\tbody\t\u2026\tHe knew.\tSome\tprimal,\tintrinsic\tpart\tof\thim\tknew. \u201cDeanna,\u201d\t Rowan\t whispered.\t She\t flicked\t her\t eyes\t to\t him\t in\t question\t and confirmation. And\tshe\tsaid\tto\thim,\tin\ta\tvoice\tthat\twas\tdeep\tand\thollow,\tyoung\tand\told,\t\u201cEvery\tkey has\t a\t lock.\t Tell\t the\t Queen\t Who\t Was\t Promised\t to\t retrieve\t it\t soon,\t for\t all\t the\t allies\t in\t the world\t shall\t make\t no\t difference\t if\t she\t does\t not\t wield\t the\t Lock,\t if\t she\t does\t not\t put\t those keys\tback\twith\tit.\tTell\ther\tflame\tand\tiron,\ttogether\tbound,\tmerge\tinto\tsilver\tto\tlearn\twhat must\tbe\tfound.\tA\tmere\tstep\tis\tall\tit\tshall\ttake.\u201d\tThen\tshe\tlooked\taway\tagain. And\t Rowan\t realized\t what\t the\t power\t in\t her\t hand\t was.\t Realized\t that\t the\t flame\t she would\tunleash\twould\tbe\tso\tcold\tit\tburned,\trealized\tit\twas\tthe\tcold\tof\tthe\tstars,\tthe\tcold\tof stolen\tlight. Not\twildfire\u2014but\tmoonfire. One\tmoment\tshe\twas\tthere.\tAnd\tthen\tshe\twas\tnot. And\tthen\tshe\twas\tshoved\taside,\tlocked\tinto\ta\tbox\twith\tno\tkey,\tand\tthe\tpower\twas\tnot hers,\ther\tbody\twas\tnot\thers,\ther\tname\twas\tnot\thers. And\tshe\tcould\tfeel\tthe\tOther\tthere,\tfilling\ther,\tlaughing\tsilently\tas\tshe\tmarveled\tat\tthe heat\tof\tthe\tsun\ton\ther\tface,\tat\tthe\tdamp\tsea\tbreeze\tcoating\ther\tlips\twith\tsalt,\tat\tthe\tpain\tof the\thand\tnow\thealed\tof\tits\twound.","So\tlong\u2014it\thad\tbeen\tso\tlong\tsince\tthe\tOther\thad\tfelt\tsuch\tthings,\tfelt\tthem\twholly\tand not\tas\tsomething\tin\tbetween\tand\tdiluted. And\tthose\tflames\u2014her\tflames\tand\ther\tbeloved\u2019s\tmagic\t\u2026\tthey\tbelonged\tto\tthe\tOther now. To\ta\tgoddess\twho\thad\twalked\tthrough\tthe\ttemporary\tgate\thanging\tbetween\ther\tbreasts and\tseized\ther\tbody\tas\tif\tit\twere\ta\tmask\tto\twear. She\thad\tno\twords,\tfor\tshe\thad\tno\tvoice,\tno\tself,\tnothing\u2014 And\t she\t could\t only\t watch\t as\t if\t through\t a\t window\t as\t she\t felt\t the\t goddess,\t who\t had perhaps\t not\t protected\t her\t but\t hunted\t her\t the\t entirety\t of\t her\t life,\t for\t this\t moment,\t this opportunity,\texamine\tthe\tdark\tfleet\tahead. So\teasy\tto\tdestroy\tit. But\t more\t life\t glimmered\u2014behind.\t More\t life\t to\t obliterate,\t to\t hear\t their\t dying\t cries with\t her\t own\t ears,\t to\t witness\t firsthand\t what\t it\t was\t to\t cease\t to\t be\t in\t a\t way\t the\t goddess never\tcould\u2026 She\t watched\t as\t her\t own\t hand,\t wreathed\t in\t pulsing\t white\t flame,\t began\t to\t move\t from where\tit\thad\tbeen\taimed\ttoward\tthe\tdark\tfleet. Toward\tthe\tunprotected\tcity\tat\tthe\theart\tof\tthe\tbay. Time\t slowed\t and\t stretched\t as\t her\t body\t pivoted\t toward\t that\t town,\t as\t her\t own\t arm lifted,\ther\tfist\taimed\ttoward\tthe\theart\tof\tit.\tThere\twere\tpeople\ton\tthe\tdocks,\tthe\tscions\tof\ta lost\tclan,\tsome\trunning\tfrom\tthe\tdisplay\tof\tfire\tshe\u2019d\tunleashed\tmoments\tago.\tHer\tfingers began\tto\tunfurl. \u201cNo!\u201d The\tword\twas\ta\troar,\ta\tplea,\tand\tsilver\tand\tgreen\tflashed\tin\ther\tvision. A\tname.\tA\tname\tclanged\tthrough\ther\tas\the\thurled\thimself\tin\tthe\tpath\tof\tthat\tfist,\tthat moonfire,\tnot\tjust\tto\tsave\tthose\tinnocents\tin\tthe\tcity,\tbut\tto\tspare\ther\tsoul\tfrom\tthe\tagony if\tshe\tdestroyed\tthem\tall\u2014 Rowan.\t And\t as\t his\t face\t became\t clear,\t his\t tattoo\t stark\t in\t the\t sun,\t as\t that\t fist\t full\t of unimaginable\tpower\tnow\topened\ttoward\this\theart\u2014 There\twas\tno\tforce\tin\tany\tworld\tthat\tcould\tkeep\ther\tcontained. And\t Aelin\t Galathynius\t remembered\t her\t own\t name\t as\t she\t shattered\t through\t the\t cage that\t goddess\t had\t shoved\t her\t into,\t as\t she\t grabbed\t that\t goddess\t by\t the\t damned\t throat\t and hurled\ther\tout,\tout,\tout\tthrough\tthat\tgaping\thole\twhere\tshe\thad\tinfiltrated\ther,\tand\tsealed it\u2014 Aelin\tsnapped\tinto\ther\tbody,\ther\tpower. Fire\tlike\tice,\tfire\tstolen\tfrom\tthe\tstars\u2014 Rowan\u2019s\thair\twas\tstill\tmoving\tas\the\tslammed\tinto\ta\tstop\tbefore\ther\tuncoiling\tfist.","Time\t launched\t again,\t full\t and\t fast\t and\t unrelenting.\t Aelin\t had\t only\t enough\t of\t it\t to throw\therself\tsideways,\tto\tangle\tthat\tnow-open\tfist\taway\tfrom\thim,\tpoint\tit\tanywhere\tbut at\thim\u2014 The\t ship\t beneath\t her,\t the\t center\t and\t left\t flank\t of\t the\t dark\t fleet\t beyond\t her,\t and\t the outer\tedge\tof\tthe\tisland\tbehind\tit\tblew\tapart\tin\ta\tstorm\tof\tfire\tand\tice.","36 There\t was\t such\t quiet\t beneath\t the\t waves,\t even\t as\t the\t muffled\t sounds\t of\t shouting,\t of collision,\tof\tdeath\techoed\ttoward\ther. Aelin\t drifted\t down,\t as\t she\t had\t drifted\t into\t her\t power,\t the\t weight\t of\t the\t Wyrdkey around\ther\tneck\tlike\ta\tmillstone\u2014 Deanna.\tShe\tdidn\u2019t\tknow\thow,\tdidn\u2019t\tknow\twhy\u2014 The\tQueen\tWho\tWas\tPromised. Her\tlungs\tconstricted\tand\tburned. Shock.\tPerhaps\tthis\twas\tshock. Down\tshe\tdrifted,\ttrying\tto\tfeel\ther\tway\tback\tinto\ther\tbody,\ther\tmind. Salt\twater\tstung\ther\teyes. A\tlarge,\tstrong\thand\tgripped\tthe\tback\tof\ther\tcollar\tand\tyanked,\thauling\ther\tup\tin\ttugs \u2014in\tsteady\tstrokes. What\thad\tshe\tdone\twhat\thad\tshe\tdone\twhat\thad\tshe\tdone\u2014 Light\t and\t air\t shattered\t around\t her,\t and\t that\t hand\t grasping\t her\t collar\t now\t banded around\ther\tchest,\ttugging\ther\tagainst\ta\thard\tmale\tbody,\tkeeping\ther\thead\tabove\tthe\troiling waves. \u201cI\u2019ve\tgot\tyou,\u201d\tsaid\ta\tvoice\tthat\twas\tnot\tRowan\u2019s. Others.\tThere\thad\tbeen\tothers\ton\tthe\tship,\tand\tshe\thad\tas\tgood\tas\tkilled\tthem\tall\u2014 \u201cMajesty,\u201d\tthe\tmale\tsaid,\ta\tquestion\tand\tquiet\torder. Fenrys.\tThat\twas\this\tname. She\tblinked,\tand\ther\tname,\ther\ttitle,\ther\tgutted\tpower\tcame\tthrashing\tback\tinto\ther\u2014 the\tsea\tand\tthe\tbattle\tand\tthe\tthreat\tof\tMorath\tswarming. Later.\tLater,\tshe\u2019d\tdeal\twith\tthat\trutting\tgoddess\twho\thad\tthought\tto\tuse\ther\tlike\tsome temple\t priestess.\t Later,\t she\u2019d\t contemplate\t how\t she\u2019d\t shred\t through\t every\t world\t to\t find Deanna\tand\tmake\ther\tpay. \u201cHold\t on,\u201d\t Fenrys\t said\t over\t the\t chaos\t now\t filtering\t in:\t the\t screaming\t of\t men,\t the groaning\tof\tbreaking\tthings,\tthe\tcrackle\tof\tflames.\t\u201cDon\u2019t\tlet\tgo.\u201d Before\tshe\tcould\tremember\thow\tto\tspeak,\tthey\tvanished\tinto\u2014nothing.\tInto\tdarkness that\twas\tboth\tsolid\tand\tinsubstantial\tas\tit\tsqueezed\ther\ttightly.","Then\t they\t were\t in\t the\t water\t again,\t bobbing\t beneath\t the\t waves\t as\t she\t reoriented herself\t and\t sputtered\t for\t air.\t He\u2019d\t moved\t them,\t somehow\u2014jumped\t between\t distances, judging\tby\tthe\twholly\tdifferent\tflotsam\tspinning\taround\tthem. Fenrys\theld\ther\tagainst\thim,\this\tpanting\tlabored.\tAs\tif\twhatever\tmagic\the\tpossessed\tto leap\tbetween\tshort\tdistances\ttook\teverything\the\thad.\tHe\tsucked\tin\ta\tdeep\tbreath. Then\tthey\twere\tgone\tagain,\tinto\tthat\tdark,\thollow,\tyet\tsqueezing\tspace.\tOnly\ta\thandful of\theartbeats\tpassed\tbefore\tthe\twater\tand\tsky\treturned. Fenrys\tgrunted,\tarm\ttightening\taround\ther\tas\the\tswam\twith\tthe\tother\ttoward\tthe\tshore, shoving\taside\tdebris.\tHis\tbreathing\twas\ta\twet\trasp\tnow.\tWhatever\tthat\tmagic\twas,\tit\twas spent. But\tRowan\u2014where\twas\tRowan\u2014 She\tmade\ta\tsound\tthat\tmight\thave\tbeen\this\tname,\tmight\thave\tbeen\ta\tsob. Fenrys\tpanted,\t\u201cHe\u2019s\ton\tthe\treef\u2014he\u2019s\tfine.\u201d She\tdidn\u2019t\tbelieve\thim.\tThrashing\tagainst\tthe\tFae\twarrior\u2019s\tarm\tuntil\the\treleased\ther, she\t slid\t into\t the\t cold\t open\t water\t and\t twisted\t toward\t where\t Fenrys\t had\t been\t headed. Another\tsmall\tsound\tcracked\tfrom\ther\tas\tshe\tbeheld\tRowan\tstanding\tknee-deep\tin\twater atop\t the\t reef.\t His\t arm\t was\t already\t outstretched,\t even\t though\t thirty\t yards\t still\t separated them. Fine.\tUnscathed.\tAlive.\tAnd\tan\tequally\tsoaked\tGavriel\tstood\tbeside\thim,\tfacing\u2014 Oh,\tgods,\toh,\tgods. Blood\tstained\tthe\twater.\tThere\twere\tbodies\teverywhere.\tAnd\tMorath\u2019s\tfleet\u2026 Most\tof\tit\twas\tgone.\tNothing\tmore\tthan\tblack\twood\tsplintered\tacross\tthe\tarchipelago and\tburning\tbits\tof\tcanvas\tand\trope.\tBut\tthree\tships\tremained. Three\t ships\t now\t converging\t on\t the\t ruins\t of\t the\t Sea\t Dragon\t as\t it\t took\t on\t water, looming\tlike\tthunderclouds\u2014 \u201cYou\t have\t to\t swim,\u201d\t Fenrys\t growled\t beside\t her,\t his\t sodden\t golden\t hair\t plastered\t to his\thead.\t\u201cRight\tnow.\tAs\tfast\tas\tyou\tcan.\u201d She\twhipped\ther\thead\ttoward\thim,\tblinking\taway\tburning\tseawater. \u201cSwim\t now,\u201d\t Fenrys\t snapped,\t canines\t flashing,\t and\t she\t didn\u2019t\t let\t herself\t consider what\twas\tprowling\tbeneath\tthem\tas\the\tgrabbed\ther\tcollar\tagain\tand\tpractically\tthrew\ther ahead\tof\thim. Aelin\tdidn\u2019t\twait.\tShe\tfocused\ton\tRowan\u2019s\toutstretched\thand\tas\tshe\tswam,\this\tface\tso carefully\tcalm\u2014the\tcommander\ton\ta\tbattlefield.\tHer\tmagic\twas\tbarren,\ther\tmagic\twas\ta wasteland,\tand\this\t\u2026\tShe\thad\tstolen\this\tpower\tfrom\thim\u2014 Think\t of\t that\t later.\t Aelin\t shoved\t through\t and\t ducked\t under\t larger\t bits\t of\t debris, past\u2026 Past\tmen.\tRolfe\u2019s\tmen.\tDead\tin\tthe\twater.\tWas\tthe\tcaptain\tamong\tthem\tsomewhere?","She\u2019d\tlikely\tkilled\ther\tfirst\tand\tonly\thuman\tally\tin\tthis\twar\u2014and\ther\tonly\tdirect\tpath to\tthat\tLock.\tAnd\tif\tnews\tof\tthe\tformer\tspread\u2014 \u201cFaster!\u201d\tFenrys\tbarked. Rowan\tsheathed\this\tsword,\this\tknees\tbent\u2014 Then\t he\t was\t swimming\t to\t her,\t fast\t and\t smooth,\t cutting\t between\t and\t beneath\t the waves,\tthe\twater\tseeming\tto\tpart\tfor\thim.\tShe\twanted\tto\tgrowl\tshe\tcould\tmake\tit\therself, but\u2014 He\treached\ther,\tsaying\tnothing\tbefore\the\tslipped\tbehind\ther.\tGuarding\twith\tFenrys. And\t what\t could\t he\t do\t in\t the\t water\t with\t no\t magic,\t against\t a\t gaping\t maw\t of\t a\t sea- wyvern? She\t ignored\t the\t crushing\t tightness\t in\t her\t chest\t and\t hurtled\t for\t the\t reef,\t Gavriel\t now waiting\twhere\tRowan\thad\tbeen.\tBeneath\ther,\tthe\tshelf\tof\tthe\tcoral\tat\tlast\tspread,\tand\tshe nearly\t sobbed,\t her\t muscles\t trembling\t as\t Gavriel\t crouched\t so\t she\t could\t reach\t his outstretched\thand. The\t Lion\t easily\t hauled\t her\t out\t of\t the\t water.\t Her\t knees\t buckled\t as\t her\t boots\t steadied on\tthe\tuneven\tcoral\theads,\tbut\tGavriel\tkept\this\tgrip\ton\ther,\tsubtly\tletting\ther\tlean\tagainst him.\t Rowan\t and\t Fenrys\t were\t out\t a\t heartbeat\t later,\t and\t the\t prince\t instantly\t was\t there, hands\ton\ther\tface,\tslicking\tback\ther\tsoaked\thair,\tscanning\ther\teyes. \u201cI\u2019m\t fine,\u201d\t she\t rasped,\t her\t voice\t hoarse.\t From\t the\t magic\t or\t the\t goddess\t or\t the\t salt water\tshe\u2019d\tswallowed.\t\u201cI\u2019m\tme.\u201d That\t was\t good\t enough\t for\t Rowan,\t who\t faced\t the\t three\t ships\t now\t bearing\t down\t on them. On\ther\tother\tside,\tFenrys\thad\tdoubled\tover,\thands\ton\this\tknees\tas\the\tpanted.\tHe\tlifted his\thead\tat\ther\tgaze,\thair\tdripping,\tbut\tsaid\tto\tRowan,\t\u201cI\u2019m\tout\u2014we\u2019ll\thave\tto\teither\twait for\tit\tto\treplenish\tor\tswim\tto\tshore.\u201d Rowan\tgave\thim\ta\tsharp\tnod\tthat\tAelin\tinterpreted\tas\tunderstanding\tand\tthanks,\tand she\tglanced\tbehind\tthem.\tThe\treef\tseemed\tto\tbe\tan\textension\tof\tthe\tblack\trocky\tshore\tfar behind,\tbut\twith\tthe\ttide\tout,\tthey\u2019d\tindeed\thave\tto\tswim\tin\tspots.\tHave\tto\trisk\twhat\twas beneath\tthe\twater\u2026 Beneath\tthe\twater.\tWith\tLysandra. There\twas\tno\tsign\tof\twyvern\tor\tdragon. Aelin\tdidn\u2019t\tknow\tif\tthat\twas\ta\tgood\tor\tbad\tthing. Aelin\tand\tthe\tFae\tmales\thad\tmade\tit\tto\tthe\treef\tand\tnow\tstood\tknee-deep\tin\twater\tatop\tit. Whatever\thad\thappened\t\u2026\tit\thad\tgone\thorribly\twrong.\tSo\twrong\tthat\tLysandra\tcould have\tsworn\tthe\tferal,\twild\tpresence\twho\thad\tnever\tonce\tforgotten\ther\thad\tducked\tinto\ther long\tshadow\tas\tthe\tworld\tabove\texploded.","She\u2019d\t tumbled\t off\t the\t coral,\t the\t current\t cleaving\t and\t eddying.\t Wood\t and\t rope\t and canvas\trained\tonto\tthe\tsurface,\tsome\tplunging\tdeep.\tThen\tbodies\tand\tarms\tand\tlegs. But\u2014there\t were\t the\t captain\t and\t his\t first\t mate\t thrashing\t against\t the\t flotsam\t that tangled\tthem,\ttrying\tto\tdrag\tthem\tdown\tto\tthe\tsandy\tfloor. Shaking\toff\ther\tshock,\tLysandra\tswept\tfor\tthem\tboth. Rolfe\t and\t his\t man\t froze\t at\t her\t approach,\t reaching\t for\t weapons\t at\t their\t sides\t beneath the\twaves.\tBut\tshe\tripped\taway\tthe\tdebris\tsurely\tdrowning\tthem,\tthen\tlet\therself\tgo\tstill\u2014 let\tthem\tgrab\ton\tto\ther.\tShe\tdidn\u2019t\thave\tmuch\ttime\u2026 Rolfe\tand\this\tfirst\tmate\tlatched\ton\tto\ther\tlegs,\tclinging\tlike\tbarnacles\tas\tshe\tpropelled them\t through\t the\t water\u2014past\t the\t now-scorched\t ruin.\t The\t work\t of\t a\t minute\t had\t her depositing\t them\t onto\t a\t rocky\t shelf,\t and\t she\t emerged\t only\t long\t enough\t to\t gulp\t down\t a breath\tbefore\tdiving. There\t were\t more\t men\t struggling\t in\t the\t water.\t She\t aimed\t for\t them,\t dodging\t debris, until\u2014 Blood\t laced\t the\t current.\t And\t not\t the\t puffs\t that\t had\t been\t staining\t the\t water\t since\t the ship\texploded. Great,\t roiling\t clouds\t of\t blood.\t As\t if\t massive\t jaws\t clamped\t around\t a\t body\t and squeezed. Lysandra\t launched\t forward,\t mighty\t tail\t snapping\t back\t and\t forth,\t body\t undulating, racing\t for\t the\t three\t boats\t bearing\t down\t on\t the\t survivors.\t She\t had\t to\t act\t now,\t while\t the wyverns\twere\tdistracted\twith\tglutting\tthemselves. The\t stench\t of\t the\t black\t boat\t reached\t her\t even\t under\t the\t waves.\t As\t if\t the\t dark\t wood had\tbeen\tsoaked\tin\trotted\tblood. And\tas\tshe\tapproached\tthe\tclosest\tship\u2019s\tfat\tunderbelly,\ttwo\tmighty\tshapes\ttook\tform out\tin\tthe\tblue. Lysandra\tfelt\ttheir\tattention\tlock\ton\ther\tthe\tmoment\tshe\tslammed\ther\ttail\tinto\tthe\thull. Once.\tTwice. Wood\tcracked.\tMuffled\tshouts\treached\ther\tfrom\tabove. She\tdrifted\tback,\tcoiling,\tand\tslammed\ther\ttail\tinto\tthe\thull\ta\tthird\ttime. Wood\ttore\tand\tripped\tinto\ther,\tpeeling\taway\tscales,\tbut\tthe\tdamage\twas\tdone.\tWater sucked\tin\tpast\ther,\tmore\tand\tmore,\ttearing\tthrough\tthe\twood\tas\tits\tdeath-wound\tgrew\tand grew.\t She\t backtracked\t out\t of\t the\t water\u2019s\t pull\u2014flipping\t down,\t down,\t down\t as\t the\t two wyverns\tfeasting\ton\tfrantic\tmen\tpaused. Lysandra\traced\tfor\tthe\tnext\tship.\tGet\tthe\tships\tsinking,\tthen\ttheir\tallies\tcould\tpick\toff the\tstruggling\tsoldiers\tone\tby\tone\tas\tthey\tswam\tto\tshore. The\tsecond\tship\twas\twiser. Spears\t and\t arrows\t whizzed\t through\t the\t water,\t lancing\t for\t her.\t She\t dove\t to\t the\t sandy","floor,\t then\t shot\t up,\t up,\t up,\t aiming\t for\t the\t vulnerable\t belly\t of\t the\t ship,\t body\t bracing\t for impact\u2014 She\tdidn\u2019t\treach\tthe\tship\tbefore\tanother\timpact\tcame. Faster\t than\t she\t could\t sense,\t slipping\t around\t the\t side\t of\t the\t ship,\t the\t sea-wyvern slammed\tinto\ther. Talons\t tore\t and\t sliced,\t and\t she\t flipped\t on\t instinct,\t whipping\t her\t tail\t so\t hard\t that\t the wyvern\twent\ttumbling\tout\tinto\tthe\twater. Lysandra\tlunged\tback,\tgetting\tan\teyeful\tof\tit\tas\tit\tstared\ther\tdown. Oh,\tgods. It\t was\t nearly\t double\t her\t size,\t made\t of\t the\t deepest\t blue,\t its\t underside\t white\t and speckled\t with\t paler\t blue.\t The\t body\t was\t almost\t serpentine,\t wings\t little\t more\t than\t fins along\t its\t sides.\t Built\t not\t for\t speed\t or\t cruising\t through\t oceans,\t but\t \u2026\t but\t for\t the\t long, curving\ttalons,\tfor\tthe\tmaw\tthat\twas\tnow\topen,\ttasting\tthe\tblood\tand\tsalt\tand\tscent\tof\ther, revealing\tteeth\tas\tnarrow\tand\tsharp\tas\tan\teel\u2019s. Hooked\tteeth.\tFor\tclamping\tdown\tand\tshredding. Behind\tthe\twyvern,\tthe\tother\tfell\tinto\tformation. Men\t were\t splashing\t and\t screaming\t above\t her.\t If\t she\t did\t not\t get\t those\t enemy\t ships down\u2026 Lysandra\ttucked\ther\twings\tin\ttight.\tShe\twished\tshe\thad\ttaken\ta\tbigger\tgulp\tof\tair,\thad filled\tthese\tlungs\tto\tcapacity.\tFanning\ther\ttail\tin\tthe\tcurrent,\tshe\tlet\tthe\tblood\tstill\tleaking from\twhere\tthe\tship\u2019s\twood\thad\tpierced\ther\thide\tdrift\tto\tthem. She\tknew\tthe\tmoment\tit\treached\tthe\twyverns. The\tmoment\tthey\trealized\tshe\twas\tnot\tjust\tan\tordinary\tanimal. And\tthen\tLysandra\tdove. Fast\t and\t smooth,\t she\t plunged\t into\t the\t deep.\t If\t they\t had\t been\t bred\t for\t brute\t killing, then\tshe\u2019d\tuse\tspeed. Lysandra\tswept\tbeneath\tthem,\tpassing\tunder\ttheir\tdark\tshadows\tbefore\tthey\tcould\tso much\tas\tpivot.\tToward\tthe\topen\tocean. Come\ton,\tcome\ton,\tcome\ton\u2014 Like\thounds\tafter\ta\thare,\tthey\tgave\tchase. There\twas\ta\tsandbar\tflanked\tby\treefs\tjust\tto\tthe\tnorth. She\taimed\tfor\tit,\tswimming\tlike\thell. One\t of\t the\t wyverns\t was\t faster\t than\t the\t other,\t swift\t enough\t that\t its\t snapping\t maw rippled\tthe\twater\tat\ther\ttail\u2014 The\twater\tbecame\tclearer,\tbrighter.\tLysandra\tshot\tstraight\tfor\tthe\treef\tlooming\tup\tout","of\tthe\tdeep,\ta\tpillar\tof\tlife\tand\tactivity\tgone\tstill.\tShe\tcurved\taround\tthe\tsandbar\u2014 The\tother\twyvern\tappeared\tin\tfront\tof\ther,\tthe\tsecond\tstill\tclose\ton\ther\ttail. Clever\tthings. But\t Lysandra\t threw\t herself\t to\t the\t side\u2014into\t the\t shallows\t of\t the\t sandbar,\t and\t let momentum\tflip\ther,\tover\tand\tover,\tcloser\tand\tcloser\tto\tthat\tnarrow\tspit\tof\tsand.\tShe\tdug her\tclaws\tin\tdeep,\tslowing\tto\ta\tstop,\tsand\tspraying\tand\tcrusting\ther,\tand\thad\ther\ttail\tlifted, her\tbody\tso\tmuch\theavier\tout\tof\tthe\twater\u2014 The\twyvern\tthat\thad\tthought\tto\tcatch\ther\toff\tguard\tby\tswimming\taround\tthe\tother\tway launched\titself\tout\tof\tthe\twater\tand\tonto\tthe\tsandbar. She\tstruck,\tfast\tas\tan\tasp. Its\tneck\texposed,\tshe\tclamped\ther\tjaws\taround\tit\tand\tbit\tdown. It\tbucked,\ttail\tslashing,\tbut\tshe\tslammed\ther\town\tonto\tits\tspine.\tCracking\tits\tback\tas she\tcracked\tits\tneck. Black\tblood\tthat\ttasted\tof\trancid\tmeat\tflooded\ther\tthroat. Dropping\t the\t dead\t wyvern,\t she\t scanned\t the\t turquoise\t seas,\t the\t flotsam,\t the\t two remaining\tships\tand\tharbor\u2014 Where\twas\tthe\tsecond\twyvern?\tWhere\tthe\thell\twas\tit? Clever\t enough,\t she\t realized,\t to\t know\t when\t death\t was\t upon\t it\t and\t to\t seek\t an\t easier quarry. For\tthat\twas\ta\tspiked\tdorsal\tfin\tnow\tsubmerging.\tHeading\ttoward\u2026 Toward\t where\t Aelin,\t Rowan,\t Gavriel,\t and\t Fenrys\t stood\t atop\t the\t reef,\t swords\t out. Surrounded\tby\twater\ton\tall\tsides. Lysandra\tplunged\tinto\tthe\twaves,\tsand\tand\tblood\twashing\taway.\tOne\tmore\u2014just\tone more\twyvern,\tthen\tshe\tcould\twreck\tthe\tboats\u2026 The\t remaining\t wyvern\t reached\t the\t coral\t outcropping,\t gathering\t speed,\t as\t if\t it\u2019d\t leap from\tthe\twater\tand\tswallow\tthe\tqueen\tdown\twhole. It\tdidn\u2019t\tget\twithin\ttwenty\tfeet\tof\tthe\tsurface. Lysandra\t hurled\t into\t it,\t both\t of\t them\t hitting\t the\t coral\t so\t hard\t it\t shuddered\t beneath them.\t But\t her\t claws\t were\t in\t its\t spine,\t her\t mouth\t around\t the\t back\t of\t its\t neck,\t shaking, yielding\twholly\tto\tthe\tsong\tof\tsurvival,\tto\tthe\tscreaming\tdemands\tof\tthis\tbody\tto\tkill,\tkill, kill\u2014 They\ttumbled\tinto\topen\twater,\tthe\twyvern\tstill\tfighting,\ther\tgrip\ton\tits\tneck\tloosening \u2014 No.\t A\t warship\t loomed\t overhead,\t and\t Lysandra\t dug\t down\t deep,\t rallying\t her\t strength one\tlast\ttime\tas\tshe\tspread\tthose\twings\tand\tflapped\tup\u2014 She\t slammed\t the\t sea-wyvern\t into\t the\t hull\t of\t the\t boat\t now\t above\t them.\t The\t beast","roared\t its\t fury.\t She\t slammed\t it\t again,\t and\t again.\t The\t hull\t snapped.\t And\t so\t did\t the\t sea- wyvern\u2019s\tbody. She\t watched\t the\t beast\t go\t limp.\t Watched\t the\t water\t rush\t into\t the\t cleaved\t belly\t of\t the ship.\tListened\tto\tthe\tsoldiers\taboard\tbegin\tshouting. She\teased\ther\tclaws\tfrom\tthe\tbeast\tand\tlet\tit\tdrift\tto\tthe\tbottom\tof\tthe\tsea. One\tmore\tship.\tJust\tone\tmore\u2026 She\twas\tso\ttired.\tShifting\tafterward\tmight\tnot\teven\tbe\tpossible\tfor\ta\tfew\thours. Lysandra\tbroke\tthe\tsurface,\tdrawing\tdown\tair,\tbracing\therself. Aelin\u2019s\tscreaming\thit\ther\tbefore\tshe\tcould\tsubmerge\tagain. Not\tin\tpain\t\u2026\tbut\twarning.\tOne\tword,\tover\tand\tover.\tOne\tword\tfor\ther. Swim. Lysandra\tcraned\ther\thead\ttoward\twhere\tthe\tqueen\tstood\tatop\tthe\treef.\tBut\tAelin\twas pointing\tbehind\tLysandra.\tNot\tat\tthe\tremaining\tship\t\u2026\tbut\tthe\topen\twater. Where\tthree\tmassive\tforms\traged\tthrough\tthe\twaves,\taiming\tright\tfor\ther.","37 Aedion\u2019s\t queen\t was\t on\t the\t reef,\t Rowan\t beside\t her,\t his\t father\t and\t Fenrys\t flanking\t them. Rolfe\tand\tmost\tof\this\tmen\thad\tmade\tit\tto\tthe\topposite\tside\tof\tthe\tnarrow\tbay\tmouth\u2014atop the\treef\tthere. And\tthrough\tthe\tchannel\tbetween\tthem\u2026 One\twarship. One\tsea\tdragon. And\tthree\tsea-wyverns. Adult\tsea-wyverns.\tThe\tfirst\ttwo\t\u2026\tthey\thadn\u2019t\tbeen\tfull-grown. \u201cOh,\tshit,\u201d\tthe\tsentry\tbeside\tAedion\ton\tthe\twatchtower\tbegan\tchanting.\t\u201cOh,\tshit.\tOh, shit.\tOh,\tshit.\u201d The\t sea-wyverns\t that,\t Rolfe\t had\t claimed,\t would\t go\t to\t the\t ends\t of\t the\t earth\t to slaughter\t whoever\t killed\t their\t offspring.\t Only\t being\t in\t the\t heart\t of\t the\t continent\t might save\tyou\u2014but\teven\tthen,\twaterways\twould\tnever\tbe\tsafe. And\tLysandra\thad\tjust\tkilled\ttwo. It\tseemed\tthey\thad\tnot\tcome\talone.\tAnd\tfrom\tthe\tcheering\tof\tthe\tValg\tsoldiers\ton\tthat remaining\twarship\t\u2026\tit\thad\tbeen\ta\ttrap.\tThe\toffspring\thad\tbeen\tthe\tbait. They\thad\tbeen\tonly\tslightly\tbigger\tthan\tLysandra.\tThe\tadults\u2014the\tbulls\u2014were\tthrice her\tsize. Longer\t than\t the\t warship\t now\t sitting\t there,\t archers\t firing\t at\t the\t men\t trying\t to\t swim ashore\tin\tthe\tchannel\tthat\thad\tbecome\ta\tdeath\ttrap\tfor\tthe\tgreen\tsea\tdragon. The\t green\t sea\t dragon\t who\t now\t stood\t between\t the\t three\t monstrous\t creatures\t and\t his queen,\t stranded\t on\t those\t rocks\t with\t not\t even\t an\t ember\t of\t magic\t left\t in\t her\t veins.\t His queen,\tscreaming\tover\tand\tover\tand\tover\tat\tLysandra\tto\tswim,\tto\tshift,\tto\trun. But\tAedion\thad\tseen\tLysandra\ttake\ton\tthe\ttwo\toffspring. By\t the\t second,\t she\u2019d\t been\t lagging.\t And\t he\u2019d\t seen\t her\t change\t shapes\t so\t often\t these past\t months\t to\t know\t she\t couldn\u2019t\t shift\t fast\t enough\t now,\t perhaps\t might\t not\t have\t enough strength\tleft\tto\tdo\tit\tat\tall. She\twas\tstranded\tin\ther\tform,\tas\tsurely\tas\this\tcompanions\twere\tstuck\ton\tthe\treef.\tAnd if\t Lysandra\t even\t tried\t to\t climb\t onto\t shore\t \u2026\t He\t knew\t the\t bulls\t would\t reach\t her\t before she\tcould\tso\tmuch\tas\thaul\ther\tbody\tout\tof\tthe\tshallows."]
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