["\u201cFar.\u201d She\tlowered\ther\thands,\ther\tfeatures\tstark\tand\tbone\twhite.\t\u201cHow\tdo\tI\tget\tthere?\tHow do\t\u2026\u201d\tShe\trubbed\tat\ther\tchest. \u201cI\tcan\tget\tyou\ta\tmap,\u201d\the\tfound\thimself\tsaying.\tJust\tto\tsee\tif\tshe\u2019d\task\thim\tto\tstay. Her\tthroat\tbobbed,\tand\tshe\tshook\ther\thead,\ther\tblack\thair\tflowing.\t\u201cIt\u2019d\tbe\tno\tuse.\u201d \u201cMaps\tare\talways\tuseful.\u201d \u201cNot\tif\tyou\tcan\u2019t\tread.\u201d Lorcan\t blinked,\t wondering\t if\t he\u2019d\t heard\t her\t right.\t But\t color\t stained\t her\t pale\t cheeks, and\t that\t was\t indeed\t shame\t and\t despair\t clouding\t her\t dark\t eyes.\t \u201cBut\t you\t \u2026\u201d\t There\t had been\t no\t opportunity\t for\t it\t these\t weeks,\t he\t realized\u2014no\t chance\t where\t she\t might\t have revealed\tit. \u201cI\tlearned\tmy\tletters,\tbut\twhen\u2014when\teverything\thappened,\u201d\tshe\tsaid,\t\u201cand\tI\twas\tput in\tthat\ttower\t\u2026\tMy\tnursemaid\twas\tilliterate.\tSo\tI\tnever\tlearned\tmore.\tSo\tI\tforgot\twhat\tI did\tknow.\u201d He\twondered\tif\the\twould\thave\tever\tnoticed\tif\tshe\thadn\u2019t\ttold\thim.\t\u201cYou\tseem\tto\thave survived\trather\timpressively\twithout\tit.\u201d He\tspoke\twithout\tconsidering,\tbut\tit\tseemed\tto\tbe\tthe\tright\tthing\tto\tsay.\tThe\tcorners\tof her\tmouth\ttwitched\tupward.\t\u201cI\tsuppose\tI\thave,\u201d\tshe\tmused. Lorcan\u2019s\tmagic\tpicked\tup\ton\tthe\tgarrison\tbefore\the\theard\tor\tscented\tthem. It\tslithered\talong\ttheir\tswords\u2014rudimentary,\thalf-rusted\tweapons\u2014and\tthen\tbathed\tin their\trising\tfear,\texcitement,\tperhaps\teven\ta\ttinge\tof\tbloodlust. Not\tgood.\tNot\twhen\tthey\twere\theaded\tright\tto\tthem. Lorcan\t closed\t the\t distance\t to\t Elide.\t \u201cIt\t seems\t our\t friends\t at\t the\t carnival\t wanted\t to make\tan\teasy\tsilver\tcoin.\u201d The\thelpless\tdesperation\ton\ther\tface\tsharpened\tinto\twide-eyed\talertness.\t\u201cGuards\tare coming?\u201d Lorcan\t nodded,\t the\t footsteps\t now\t close\t enough\t for\t him\t to\t count\t how\t many approached\t from\t the\t garrison\t in\t the\t heart\t of\t the\t town,\t no\t doubt\t meant\t to\t trap\t them between\t their\t swords\t and\t the\t river.\t If\t he\t were\t the\t betting\t sort,\t he\u2019d\t gamble\t that\t the\t two bridges\tthat\tspanned\tthe\triver\u2014ten\tblocks\tup\ton\teither\tside\tof\tthem\u2014were\talready\tfull\tof guards. \u201cYou\tget\ta\tchoice,\u201d\the\tsaid.\t\u201cEither\tI\tcan\tend\tthis\tmatter\there,\tand\twe\tcan\tgo\tback\tto the\tinn\tto\tlearn\tif\tNik\tand\tOmbriel\twanted\tto\tget\trid\tof\tus\t\u2026\u201d\tHer\tmouth\ttightened,\tand he\tknew\ther\tchoice\tbefore\the\toffered,\t\u201cOr\twe\tcan\tget\ton\tone\tof\tthose\tbarges\tand\tget\tthe hell\tout\tright\tnow.\u201d \u201cThe\tsecond,\u201d\tshe\tbreathed. \u201cGood,\u201d\twas\this\tonly\treply\tas\the\tgripped\ther\thand\tand\ttugged\ther\tforward.\tEven\twith","his\tpower\tsupporting\ther\tleg,\tshe\twas\ttoo\tslow\u2014 \u201cJust\tdo\tit,\u201d\tshe\tsnapped. So\tLorcan\thauled\ther\tover\ta\tshoulder,\tfreeing\this\thatchet\twith\this\tother\thand,\tand\tran for\tthe\twater. Elide\t bounced\t and\t slammed\t into\t Lorcan\u2019s\t broad\t shoulder,\t craning\t her\t head\t enough\t to watch\t the\t street\t behind\t them.\t No\t sign\t of\t guards,\t but\t \u2026\t that\t little\t voice\t who\t often whispered\tin\ther\tear\tnow\ttugged\tand\tbegged\ther\tto\tgo.\tTo\tget\tout. \u201cThe\t gates\t at\t the\t city\t entrance,\u201d\t she\t gasped\t as\t muscle\t and\t bone\t pummeled\t into\t her gut.\t\u201cThey\u2019ll\tbe\tthere,\ttoo.\u201d \u201cLeave\tthem\tto\tme.\u201d Elide\t tried\t not\t to\t imagine\t what\t that\t meant,\t but\t then\t they\t were\t at\t the\t docks,\t Lorcan sprinting\t for\t a\t barge,\t thundering\t down\t the\t steps\t of\t the\t quay\t and\t onto\t the\t long\t wooden dock.\t The\t barge\t was\t smaller\t than\t the\t others,\t its\t one-room\t chamber\t in\t the\t center\t painted bright\tgreen.\tEmpty\u2014aside\tfrom\ta\tfew\tboxes\tof\tcargo\ton\tits\tprow. Lorcan\t pocketed\t the\t axe\t he\u2019d\t thumbed\t free,\t and\t Elide\t gripped\t his\t shoulder,\t fingers digging\t into\t muscle,\t as\t he\t set\t her\t over\t the\t high\t lip\t of\t the\t barge\t and\t onto\t the\t wooden planks.\tShe\tstumbled\ta\tstep\tas\ther\tlegs\tadjusted\tto\tthe\tbobbing\tof\tthe\triver,\tbut\u2014 Lorcan\t was\t already\t whirling\t toward\t the\t reed-slim\t man\t who\t barreled\t toward\t them,\t a knife\tout.\t\u201cThat\u2019s\tmy\tboat,\u201d\the\tbleated.\tHe\trealized\twho,\texactly,\the\twould\tbe\tfighting\tas he\t cleared\t the\t short\t wooden\t ladder\t onto\t the\t dock\t and\t took\t in\t Lorcan\u2019s\t size,\t the\t hatchet and\t sword\t now\t in\t the\t warrior\u2019s\t broad\t hands,\t and\t the\t expression\t of\t death\t surely\t on\t his face. Lorcan\tsaid\tsimply,\t\u201cIt\u2019s\tour\tboat\tnow.\u201d The\t man\t glanced\t between\t them.\t \u201cYou\u2014you\t won\u2019t\t clear\t the\t bridges\t or\t the\t city\t walls \u2014\u201d Moments.\tThey\thad\tonly\tmoments\tbefore\tthe\tguards\tcame\u2014 Lorcan\tsaid\tto\tthe\tman,\t\u201cGet\tin.\tNow.\u201d The\tman\tbegan\tbacking\taway. Elide\t braced\t her\t hand\t on\t the\t broad,\t raised\t side\t of\t the\t boat\t and\t said\t calmly,\t \u201cHe\t will kill\t you\t before\t you\t clear\t the\t ladder.\t Get\t us\t out\t of\t the\t city,\t and\t I\t swear\t you\u2019ll\t be\t set\t free once\twe\u2019re\tclear.\u201d \u201cYou\u2019ll\tslit\tmy\tthroat\tthen,\tas\tgood\tas\tyou\twill\tnow,\u201d\tthe\tman\tsaid,\tgulping\tin\tair. Indeed,\t Lorcan\u2019s\t hatchet\t bobbed\t in\t that\t way\t she\u2019d\t learned\t meant\t he\t was\t about\t to throw\tit. \u201cI\twould\task\tyou\tto\treconsider,\u201d\tElide\tsaid. Lorcan\u2019s\twrist\ttwitched\tever\tso\tslightly.\tHe\u2019d\tdo\tit\u2014he\u2019d\tkill\tthis\tinnocent\tman,\tjust","to\tget\tthem\tfree\u2014 The\tman\u2019s\tknife\tdrooped,\tthen\tvanished\tinto\tthe\tsheath\tat\this\tside.\t\u201cThere\u2019s\ta\tbend\tin the\triver\tpast\tthe\ttown.\tDrop\tme\toff\tthere.\u201d That\t was\t all\t Elide\t needed\t to\t hear\t as\t the\t man\t rushed\t toward\t them,\t untying\t lines\t and leaping\t into\t the\t boat\t with\t the\t ease\t of\t someone\t who\u2019d\t done\t it\t a\t thousand\t times.\t He\t and Lorcan\tgrabbed\tthe\tpoles\tto\tpush\tout\tinto\tthe\triver,\tand\tas\tsoon\tas\tthey\twere\tloose,\tLorcan hissed,\t \u201cIf\t you\t betray\t us,\t you\u2019ll\t be\t dead\t before\t the\t guards\t can\t even\t board.\u201d\t The\t man nodded,\tnow\tsteering\tthem\ttoward\tthe\teastern\texit\tof\tthe\ttown,\tas\tLorcan\tdragged\ther\tinto the\tone-room\tcabin. The\tcabin\tinterior\twas\tlined\twith\twindows,\tall\tclean\tenough\tto\tsuggest\tthe\tman\ttook some\tpride\tin\this\tboat.\tLorcan\thalf\tshoved\ther\tunder\ta\ttable\tin\tits\tcenter,\tthe\tembroidered cloth\tcovering\tit\tshielding\ther\tfrom\tanything\tbut\tsounds:\tLorcan\u2019s\tfootsteps\tgoing\tsilent, though\tshe\tcould\tfeel\thim\ttaking\tup\ta\thiding\tplace\tto\tmonitor\tthe\tproceedings\tfrom\twithin the\tcabin;\tthe\tpatter\tof\train\ton\tthe\tflat\troof;\tthe\tthud\tof\tthe\tpole\tas\tit\toccasionally\tknocked into\tthe\tside\tof\tthe\tbarge. Her\tbody\tsoon\tached\tfrom\tholding\therself\tstill\tand\tquiet. Was\t this\t to\t be\t her\t life\t for\t the\t foreseeable\t future?\t Hunted\t and\t hounded\t across\t the world? And\tfinding\tAelin\t\u2026\tHow\twould\tshe\tever\tdo\tthat?\tShe\tcould\tgo\tback\tto\tTerrasen,\tbut she\t didn\u2019t\t know\t who\t ruled\t from\t Orynth.\t If\t Aelin\t had\t not\t taken\t back\t her\t throne\t \u2026 Perhaps\t it\t was\t an\t unspoken\t message\t that\t danger\t lay\t there.\t That\t all\t was\t not\t well\t in Terrasen. But\tto\tgo\tto\tEyllwe\ton\ta\tbit\tof\tspeculation\t\u2026\tOf\tall\tthe\trumors\tElide\thad\tlistened\tto\tin the\tpast\ttwo\thours,\tthat\tcaptain\u2019s\treasons\thad\tbeen\tthe\twisest. The\tworld\tseemed\tto\tstill\twith\tsome\tunspoken\ttension,\ta\tripple\tof\tfear. But\t then\t the\t man\u2019s\t voice\t was\t calling\t out\t again,\t and\t metal\t groaned\u2014a\t gate.\t The\t city gates. She\tstayed\tunder\tthe\ttable,\tcounting\ther\tbreaths,\tthinking\tthrough\tall\tthat\tshe\u2019d\theard. She\tdoubted\tthe\tcarnival\twould\tmiss\tthem. And\tshe\u2019d\tbet\tall\tthe\tmoney\tin\ther\tboot\tthat\tNik\tand\tOmbriel\thad\tbeen\tthe\tones\twho\u2019d set\t the\t guards\t on\t them,\t deciding\t she\t and\t Lorcan\t were\t too\t much\t of\t a\t threat\u2014especially with\t the\t ilken\t hunting\t her.\t She\t wondered\t if\t Molly\t had\t known\t all\t along,\t from\t that\t very first\t meeting,\t that\t they\t were\t liars\t and\t had\t let\t Nik\t and\t Ombriel\t sell\t them\t out\t when\t the bounty\twas\ttoo\tgood\tto\tpass\tup,\tthe\tcost\tof\tloyalty\ttoo\tgreat. Elide\tsighed\tthrough\ther\tnose.\tA\tsplash\tsounded,\tbut\tthe\tboat\tambled\tonward. At\t least\t she\u2019d\t taken\t the\t little\t bit\t of\t stone\t with\t her,\t though\t she\u2019d\t miss\t her\t clothes, shabby\tas\tthey\twere.\tThese\tleathers\twere\tgrowing\tstuffy\tin\tthe\toppressive\theat,\tand\tif\tshe were\tto\tgo\tto\tEyllwe,\tthey\u2019d\tbe\tsweltering\u2014","Lorcan\u2019s\tfootsteps\tsounded.\t\u201cGet\tout.\u201d Wincing\t as\t her\t ankle\t barked\t in\t pain,\t she\t crawled\t from\t under\t the\t table\t and\t peered around.\t\u201cNo\ttrouble?\u201d He\tshook\this\thead.\tHe\twas\tsplattered\twith\train\tor\triver\twater.\tShe\tpeered\taround\thim to\twhere\tthe\tman\thad\tbeen\tsteering\tthe\tboat.\tNo\tone\tthere\u2014or\tin\tthe\trear\tof\tthe\tboat. \u201cHe\tswam\tto\tshore\tback\tat\tthe\tbend,\u201d\tLorcan\texplained. Elide\t loosed\t a\t breath.\t \u201cHe\t might\t very\t well\t run\t to\t town\t and\t tell\t them.\t It\t won\u2019t\t take long\tfor\tthem\tto\tcatch\tup.\u201d \u201cWe\u2019ll\tdeal\twith\tit,\u201d\tLorcan\tsaid,\tturning\taway.\tToo\tfast.\tHe\tavoided\ther\teyes\ttoo\tfast \u2014 She\t took\t in\t the\t water,\t the\t stains\t now\t on\t the\t sleeves\t of\t his\t shirt.\t Like\t \u2026\t like\t he\u2019d washed\this\thands\tquickly,\tsloppily. She\t glanced\t at\t the\t hatchet\t at\t his\t side\t as\t he\t strode\t out\t of\t the\t cabin.\t \u201cYou\t killed\t him, didn\u2019t\tyou?\u201d\tThat\twas\twhat\tthe\tsplash\thad\tbeen.\tA\tbody\tbeing\tdumped\tover\tthe\tside. Lorcan\t halted.\t Looked\t over\t a\t broad\t shoulder.\t There\t was\t nothing\t human\t in\t his\t dark eyes.\t\u201cIf\tyou\twant\tto\tsurvive,\tyou\thave\tto\tbe\twilling\tto\tdo\twhat\tis\tnecessary.\u201d \u201cHe\t might\t have\t had\t a\t family\t depending\t on\t him.\u201d\t She\u2019d\t seen\t no\t wedding\t ring,\t but\t it didn\u2019t\tmean\tanything. \u201cNik\t and\t Ombriel\t didn\u2019t\t give\t us\t that\t consideration\t when\t they\t reported\t us\t to\t the garrison.\u201d\tHe\tstalked\tonto\tthe\tdeck,\tand\tshe\tstormed\tafter\thim.\tLush\ttrees\tlined\tthe\triver, a\tliving\tshield\taround\tthem. And\tthere\u2014there\twas\ta\tstain\ton\tthe\tplanks,\tshining\tand\tdark.\tHer\tstomach\trose. \u201cYou\tplanned\tto\tlie\tto\tme\tabout\tit,\u201d\tshe\tseethed.\t\u201cBut\thow\twould\tyou\texplain\tthat?\u201d A\tshrug.\tLorcan\ttook\tup\tthe\tpole\tand\tmoved\twith\tfluid\tgrace\tto\tthe\tside\tof\tthe\tbarge, where\the\tpushed\tthem\taway\tfrom\tan\tapproaching\tsandbank. He\thad\tkilled\tthat\tman\u2014\t\u201cI\tswore\tto\thim\the\u2019d\tbe\tset\tfree.\u201d \u201cYou\tswore\tit,\tnot\tme.\u201d Her\tfingers\tcurled\tinto\tfists.\tAnd\tthat\tthing\u2014that\tstone\u2014wrapped\tin\tthat\tbit\tof\tcloth inside\ther\tjacket\tbegan\tto\tstir. Lorcan\tstilled,\tthe\tpole\tgripped\ttight\tin\this\thands.\t\u201cWhat\tis\tthat,\u201d\the\tsaid\ttoo\tsoftly. She\theld\ther\tground.\tLike\thell\tshe\u2019d\tback\tdown\tfrom\thim,\tlike\thell\tshe\u2019d\tallow\thim\tto intimidate\ther,\toverrule\ther,\tkill\tpeople\tso\tthey\tcould\tescape\u2014 \u201cWhat.\tIs.\tThat.\u201d She\t refused\t to\t speak,\t to\t even\t touch\t the\t lump\t in\t her\t pocket.\t It\t thrummed\t and grumbled,\t a\t beast\t opening\t an\t eye,\t but\t she\t didn\u2019t\t dare\t to\t reach\t out,\t to\t so\t much\t as acknowledge\tthat\tstrange,\totherworldly\tpresence.","Lorcan\u2019s\teyes\twidened\tslightly,\tthen\the\twas\tsetting\tdown\tthe\tpole\tand\tstalking\tacross the\tdeck\tand\tinto\tthe\tcabin.\tShe\tlingered\tby\tthe\tedge,\tunsure\twhether\tto\tfollow\tor\tperhaps jump\tinto\tthe\twater\tand\tswim\tto\tshore,\tbut\u2014 There\twas\ta\tthud\tof\tmetal\ton\tmetal,\tas\tif\tsomething\twas\tbeing\tcracked\topen,\tand\tthen \u2014 Lorcan\u2019s\t roar\t shook\t the\t boat,\t the\t river,\t the\t trees.\t Long-legged\t river\t birds\t hauled themselves\tinto\tflight. Then\t Lorcan\t flung\t open\t the\t door,\t so\t violently\t it\t nearly\t ripped\t off\t its\t hinges,\t and hurled\t what\t looked\t to\t be\t the\t shards\t of\t a\t broken\t amulet\t into\t the\t river.\t Or\t he\t tried\t to. Lorcan\t threw\t it\t hard\t enough\t that\t it\t cleared\t the\t river\t entirely\t and\t slammed\t into\t a\t tree, gouging\tout\ta\tchunk\tof\twood. He\t whirled,\t and\t Elide\u2019s\t anger\t stumbled\t a\t step\t at\t the\t blistering\t wrath\t twisting\t his features.\tHe\tprowled\tfor\ther,\tgrabbing\tthe\tpole\tas\tif\tto\tkeep\tfrom\tthrottling\ther,\tand\tsaid, \u201cWhat\tis\tit\tthat\tyou\tcarry?\u201d And\tthe\tdemand,\tthe\tviolence\tand\tentitlement\tand\tarrogance,\thad\ther\tseeing\tred,\ttoo. So\t Elide\t said\t with\t quiet\t venom,\t \u201cWhy\t don\u2019t\t you\t just\t slit\t my\t throat\t and\t find\t out\t for yourself?\u201d Lorcan\u2019s\tnostrils\tflared.\t\u201cIf\tyou\thave\ta\tproblem\twith\tmy\tkilling\tsomeone\twho\treeked of\t itching\t to\t betray\t us\t the\t moment\t he\t got\t the\t chance,\t then\t you\t are\t going\t to\t love\t your queen.\u201d For\ta\twhile\tnow,\the\u2019d\thinted\tthat\the\tknew\tof\ther,\tthat\the\tknew\tof\ther\twell\tenough\tto call\ther\thorrible\tthings,\tbut\u2014\t\u201cWhat\tdo\tyou\tmean?\u201d Lorcan,\t gods\t above,\t looked\t as\t if\t his\t temper\t had\t at\t last\t slipped\t its\t leash\t as\t he\t said, \u201cCelaena\t Sardothien\t is\t a\t nineteen-year-old\t assassin\u2014who\t calls\t herself\t the\t best\t in\t the world.\u201d\tA\tsnort.\t\u201cShe\tkilled\tand\treveled\tand\tshopped\ther\tway\tthrough\tlife\tand\tnever\tonce apologized\t for\t it.\t She\t gloried\t in\t it.\t And\t then\t this\t spring,\t one\t of\t my\t sentinels,\t Prince Rowan\tWhitethorn,\twas\ttasked\tto\tdeal\twith\ther\twhen\tshe\twashed\tup\ton\tWendlyn\u2019s\tshores. Turns\t out,\t he\t fell\t in\t love\t with\t her\t instead,\t and\t she\t with\t him.\t Turns\t out,\t whatever\t they were\tdoing\tup\tin\tthe\tCambrian\tMountains\tgot\ther\tto\tstop\tcalling\therself\tCelaena\tand\tstart going\tby\ther\ttrue\tname\tagain.\u201d\tA\tbrutal\tsmile.\t\u201cAelin\tGalathynius.\u201d Elide\tcould\tbarely\tfeel\ther\tbody.\t\u201cWhat?\u201d\twas\tabout\tthe\tonly\tword\tshe\tcould\tmanage. \u201cYour\tfire-breathing\tqueen?\tShe\u2019s\ta\tgods-damned\tassassin.\tTrained\tto\tbe\ta\tkiller\tfrom the\t moment\t your\t mother\t died\t defending\t her.\t Trained\t to\t be\t no\t better\t than\t the\t man\t who butchered\tyour\tmother\tand\tyour\troyal\tfamily.\u201d Elide\tshook\ther\thead,\ther\thands\tslackening.\t\u201cWhat?\u201d\tshe\tsaid\tagain. Lorcan\t laughed\t mirthlessly.\t \u201cWhile\t you\t were\t locked\t in\t that\t tower\t for\t ten\t years,\t she was\t indulging\t in\t the\t riches\t of\t Rifthold,\t spoiled\t and\t coddled\t by\t her\t master\u2014the\t King\t of the\t Assassins\u2014whom\t she\t murdered\t in\t cold\t blood\t this\t spring.\t So\t you\u2019ll\t find\t that\t your long-lost\t savior\t is\t little\t better\t than\t I\t am.\t You\u2019ll\t find\t that\t she\t would\t have\t killed\t that\t man","the\tsame\tas\tI\tdid,\tand\twould\thave\tas\tlittle\ttolerance\tfor\tyour\twhining\tas\tI\tdo.\u201d Aelin\t\u2026\tan\tassassin.\tAelin\u2014the\tsame\tperson\tshe\u2019d\tbeen\ttasked\tto\tgive\tthe\tstone\tto\t\u2026 \u201cYou\t knew,\u201d\t she\t said.\t \u201cThis\t whole\t time\t we\u2019ve\t been\t together\u2014you\t knew\t I\t was looking\tfor\tthe\tsame\tperson.\u201d \u201cI\ttold\tyou\tthat\tto\tfind\tone\twould\tbe\tto\tfind\tthe\tother.\u201d \u201cYou\tknew,\tand\tyou\tdidn\u2019t\ttell\tme.\tWhy?\u201d \u201cYou\t still\t haven\u2019t\t told\t me\t your\t secrets.\t I\t don\u2019t\t see\t why\t I\t should\t tell\t all\t of\t mine, either.\u201d She\t squeezed\t her\t eyes\t shut,\t trying\t to\t ignore\t the\t dark\t stain\t on\t the\t wood\u2014trying\t to soothe\tthe\tsting\tof\this\twords\tand\tseal\tthe\thole\tthat\thad\topened\tbeneath\ther\tfeet.\tWhat\thad been\tin\tthat\tamulet?\tWhy\thad\the\troared\tand\u2014 \u201cYour\tlittle\tqueen,\u201d\tLorcan\tsneered,\t\u201cis\ta\tmurderer,\tand\ta\tthief,\tand\ta\tliar.\tSo\tif\tyou\u2019re going\tto\tcall\tme\tsuch\tthings,\tthen\tbe\tprepared\tto\tfling\tthem\tat\ther,\ttoo.\u201d Her\t skin\t was\t too\t tight,\t her\t bones\t too\t brittle\t to\t bear\t the\t anger\t that\t took\t control.\t She scrambled\tfor\tthe\tright\twords\tto\thurt\thim,\twound\thim,\tas\tif\tthey\twere\tfistfuls\tof\trocks\tthat she\tcould\thurl\tat\tLorcan\u2019s\thead. Elide\thissed,\t\u201cI\twas\twrong.\tI\tsaid\tyou\tand\tI\twere\tthe\tsame\u2014that\twe\thad\tno\tfamily,\tno friends.\tBut\tI\thave\tnone\tbecause\tland\tand\tcircumstance\tseparate\tme\tfrom\tthem.\tYou\thave none\tbecause\tno\tone\tcan\tstomach\tbeing\taround\tyou.\u201d\tShe\ttried\u2014and\tsucceeded,\tif\tthe\tire that\trippled\tin\this\teyes\twas\tany\tindication\u2014to\tlook\tdown\ther\tnose\tat\thim,\teven\twith\thim towering\tover\ther.\t\u201cAnd\tyou\tknow\twhat\tis\tthe\tbiggest\tlie\tyou\ttell\teveryone,\tLorcan?\tIt\u2019s that\t you\t prefer\t it\t that\t way.\t But\t what\t I\t hear,\t when\t you\t rant\t about\t my\t bitch-queen?\t All\t I hear\tare\tthe\twords\tof\tsomeone\twho\tis\tdeeply,\tdeeply\tjealous,\tand\tlonely,\tand\tpathetic.\tAll I\t hear\t are\t the\t words\t of\t someone\t who\t saw\t Aelin\t and\t Prince\t Rowan\t fall\t in\t love\t and resented\t them\t for\t their\t happiness\u2014because\tyou\t are\t so\t unhappy.\u201d\t She\t couldn\u2019t\t stop\t the words\tonce\tthey\tstarted\tflinging\tout.\t\u201cSo\tcall\tAelin\ta\tmurderer\tand\ta\tthief\tand\ta\tliar.\tCall her\t a\t bitch-queen\t and\t a\t fire-breather.\t But\t forgive\t me\t if\t I\t take\t it\t upon\t myself\t to\t be\t the judge\t of\t those\t things\t when\t I\t meet\t her.\t Which\t I\t will\t do.\u201d\t She\t pointed\t to\t the\t muddy\t gray river\tflowing\taround\tthem.\t\u201cI\u2019m\tgoing\tto\tEyllwe.\tTake\tme\tashore\tand\tI\u2019ll\twash\tmy\thands of\tyou\tas\teasily\tas\tyou\twashed\tthe\tblood\tof\tthat\tman\toff\tyours.\u201d Lorcan\tlooked\ther\tover,\tteeth\tbared\tenough\tto\tshow\tthose\tslightly\telongated\tcanines. But\tshe\tdidn\u2019t\tcare\tabout\this\tFae\theritage,\tor\this\tage,\tor\this\tability\tto\tkill. After\t a\t moment,\t he\t went\t back\t to\t pushing\t the\t pole\t against\t the\t river\t bottom\u2014not\t to bring\tthem\tto\tshore,\tbut\tto\tguide\tthem\talong. \u201cDid\tyou\tnot\thear\twhat\tI\tsaid?\tTake\tme\tto\tshore.\u201d \u201cNo.\u201d Her\t rage\t overcame\t any\t sort\t of\t common\t sense,\t any\t warning\t from\t Anneith\t as\t she stormed\tover\tto\thim.\t\u201cNo?\u201d","He\t let\t the\t pole\t drag\t in\t the\t water\t and\t turned\t his\t face\t to\t her.\t No\t emotion\u2014not\t even anger\t lingered\t there.\t \u201cThe\t river\t veered\t southward\t two\t miles\t ago.\t From\t the\t map\t in\t the cabin,\twe\tcan\ttake\tit\tstraight\tsouth,\tthen\tfind\tthe\tfastest\troute\tto\tBanjali.\u201d\tShe\twiped\tthe rain\t from\t her\t dripping\t brow\t as\t Lorcan\t brought\t his\t face\t close\t enough\t for\t them\t to\t share breath.\t \u201cTurns\t out,\t I\t now\t have\t business\t with\t Aelin\t Galathynius,\t too.\t Congratulations, Lady.\tYou\tjust\tgot\tyourself\ta\tguide\tto\tEyllwe.\u201d A\tcold,\tkilling\tlight\twas\tin\this\teyes,\tand\tshe\twondered\twhat\tthe\thell\the\u2019d\troared\tabout. But\tthose\teyes\tdipped\tto\ther\tmouth,\tclamped\ttight\tin\ther\trage.\tAnd\ta\tpart\tof\ther\tthat had\t nothing\t to\t do\t with\t fear\t went\t still\t at\t the\t attention,\t even\t as\t other\t parts\t went\t a\t bit molten. Lorcan\u2019s\t eyes\t at\t last\t found\t her\t own,\t and\t his\t voice\t was\t a\t midnight\t growl\t as\t he\t said, \u201cAs\tfar\tas\tanyone\u2019s\tconcerned,\tyou\u2019re\tstill\tmy\twife.\u201d Elide\t didn\u2019t\t object\u2014even\t as\t she\t walked\t back\t into\t the\t cabin,\t his\t insufferable\tmagic helping\twith\ther\tlimp,\tand\tslammed\tthe\tdoor\tshut\tso\thard\tthe\tglass\trattled. Storm\t clouds\t drifted\t away\t to\t reveal\t a\t star-flecked\t night\t and\t a\t moon\t bright\t enough\t for Lorcan\tto\tnavigate\tthe\tnarrow,\tsleepy\triver. He\tsteered\tthem\thour\tafter\thour,\tcontemplating\tprecisely\thow\the\twas\tgoing\tto\tmurder Aelin\t Galathynius\t without\t Elide\t or\t Whitethorn\t getting\t in\t the\t way,\t and\t then\t how\t he\t was going\tto\tslice\tup\ther\tcorpse\tand\tfeed\tit\tto\tthe\tcrows. She\t had\t lied\t to\t him.\t She\t and\t Whitethorn\t had\t tricked\t him\t that\t day\t the\t prince\t had handed\tover\tthe\tWyrdkey. There\u2019d\t been\t nothing\t inside\t the\t amulet\t but\t one\t of\t those\t rings\u2014an\t utterly\t useless Wyrdstone\t ring,\t wrapped\t in\t a\t bit\t of\t parchment.\t And\t on\t it\t was\t written\t in\t a\t feminine scrawl: Here\u2019s\thoping\tyou\tdiscover\tmore\tcreative\tterms\tthan\t\u201cbitch\u201d\tto\tcall\tme\twhen\tyou\tfind\tthis. With\tall\tmy\tlove, A.A.G. He\u2019d\t kill\t her.\t Slowly.\t Creatively.\t He\u2019d\t been\t forced\t to\t swear\t a\t blood\t promise\t that Mala\u2019s\tring\ttruly\toffered\timmunity\tfrom\tthe\tValg\twhen\tit\twas\tworn\u2014he\thadn\u2019t\tthought\tto demand\tthat\ttheir\tWyrdkey\twas\treal,\ttoo. And\tElide\u2014what\tElide\tcarried,\twhat\thad\tmade\thim\trealize\tit\t\u2026\tHe\u2019d\tthink\tabout\tthat later.\tContemplate\twhat\tto\tdo\twith\tthe\tLady\tof\tPerranth\tlater. His\tonly\tconsolation\twas\tthat\the\u2019d\tstolen\tMala\u2019s\tring\tback,\tbut\tthe\tlittle\tbitch\tstill\thad the\tkey.\tAnd\tif\tElide\tneeded\tto\tgo\tto\tAelin\tanyway\t\u2026\tOh,\the\u2019d\tfind\tAelin\tfor\tElide. And\the\u2019d\tmake\tthe\tQueen\tof\tTerrasen\tcrawl\tbefore\tthe\tend\tof\tit.","44 The\tworld\tbegan\tand\tended\tin\tfire. A\tsea\tof\tfire\twith\tno\troom\tfor\tair,\tfor\tsound\tbeyond\tthe\tcascading\tmolten\tearth.\tThe true\theart\tof\tfire\u2014the\ttool\tof\tcreation\tand\tdestruction.\tAnd\tshe\twas\tdrowning\tin\tit. Its\t weight\t smothered\t her\t as\t she\t thrashed,\t seeking\t a\t surface\t or\t a\t bottom\t to\t push\t off from.\tNeither\texisted. As\t it\t flooded\t her\t throat,\t surging\t into\t her\t body\t and\t melting\t her\t apart,\t she\t began screaming\tnoiselessly,\tbegging\tit\tto\thalt\u2014 Aelin. The\t name,\t roared\t into\t the\t core\t of\t flame\t at\t the\t heart\t of\t the\t world,\t was\t a\t beacon,\t a summons.\tShe\u2019d\tbeen\tborn\twaiting\tto\thear\tthat\tvoice,\thad\tblindly\tsought\tit\ther\twhole\tlife, would\tfollow\tit\tunto\tthe\tending\tof\tall\tthings\u2014 \u201cAELIN.\u201d Aelin\tbowed\toff\tthe\tbed,\tflame\tin\ther\tmouth,\ther\tthroat,\ther\teyes.\tReal\tflame. Golds\t and\t blues\t wove\t among\t simmering\t swaths\t of\t reds.\t Real\t flame,\t erupting\t from her,\t the\t sheets\t scorched,\t the\t room\t and\t the\t rest\t of\t the\t bed\t spared\t from\t incineration,\t the ship\t in\t the\t middle\t of\t the\t sea\t spared\t from\t incineration,\t by\t an\t uncompromising, unbreakable\twall\tof\tair. Hands\t wrapped\t in\t ice\t squeezed\t her\t shoulders,\t and\t through\t the\t flame,\t Rowan\u2019s snarling\tface\tappeared,\tcommanding\ther\tto\tbreathe\u2014 She\ttook\ta\tbreath.\tMore\tflame\trushed\tdown\ther\tthroat. There\t was\t no\t tether,\t no\t leash\t to\t bring\t her\t magic\t to\t heel.\t Oh,\t gods\u2014oh,\t gods,\t she couldn\u2019t\teven\tfeel\ta\tburnout\tthreatening\tnearby.\tThere\twas\tnothing\tbut\tthis\tflame\u2014 Rowan\t gripped\t her\t face\t in\t his\t hands,\t steam\t rippling\t where\t his\t ice\t and\t wind\t met\t her fire.\t\u201cYou\tare\tits\tmaster;\tyou\tcontrol\tit.\tYour\tfear\tgrants\tit\tthe\tright\tto\ttake\tover.\u201d Her\tbody\tarced\toff\tthe\tmattress\tagain,\tutterly\tnaked.\tShe\tmust\thave\tburned\ther\tclothes \u2014Rowan\u2019s\tfavorite\tshirt.\tHer\tflames\tburned\twilder. He\tgripped\ther\thard,\tforcing\ther\tto\tmeet\this\teyes\tas\the\tsnarled,\t\u201cI\tsee\tyou.\tI\tsee\tevery part\tof\tyou.\tAnd\tI\tam\tnot\tafraid.\u201d I\twill\tnot\tbe\tafraid. A\tline\tin\tthe\tburning\tbrightness.","My\tname\tis\tAelin\tAshryver\tGalathynius\t\u2026 And\tI\twill\tnot\tbe\tafraid. As\tsurely\tas\tif\tshe\tgrabbed\tit\tin\ther\thand,\tthe\tleash\tappeared. Darkness\tflowed\tin,\tblessed\tand\tcalm\twhere\tthat\tburning\tpit\tof\tflame\thad\traged. She\tswallowed\tonce,\ttwice.\t\u201cRowan.\u201d His\teyes\tgleamed\twith\tnear-animal\tbrightness,\tscanning\tevery\tinch\tof\ther. His\theartbeat\twas\trampant,\tthundering\u2014panicked.\t\u201cRowan,\u201d\tshe\trepeated. Still\t he\t did\t not\t move,\t did\t not\t stop\t staring\t at\t her,\t searching\t for\t signs\t of\t harm. Something\tin\ther\town\tchest\tshifted\tat\this\tpanic. Aelin\tgrasped\this\tshoulder,\tdigging\tin\ther\tnails\tat\tthe\tviolence\trampant\ton\tevery\tline of\t his\t body,\t as\t if\t he\u2019d\t loosed\t whatever\t leashes\t he\t kept\t on\t himself\t in\t anticipation\t of fighting\tto\tkeep\ther\tin\tthis\tbody\tand\tnot\tsome\tgoddess\tor\tworse.\t\u201cCalm\tdown.\tNow.\u201d He\tdid\tno\tsuch\tthing.\tRolling\ther\teyes,\tshe\ttugged\this\thands\tfrom\ther\tface\tto\tlean\tover and\tthrow\tthe\tsheets\toff\tthem.\t\u201cI\tam\tfine,\u201d\tshe\tsaid,\tenunciating\teach\tword.\t\u201cYou\tsaw\tto that.\tNow,\tget\tme\tsome\twater.\tI\u2019m\tthirsty.\u201d A\tbasic,\teasy\tcommand.\tTo\tserve,\tin\tthe\tway\the\u2019d\texplained\tthat\tFae\tmales\tliked\tto\tbe needed,\tto\tfulfill\tsome\tpart\tof\tthem\tthat\twanted\tto\tfuss\tand\tdote.\tTo\tdrag\thim\tback\tup\tto that\tlevel\tof\tcivilization\tand\treason. Rowan\u2019s\t face\t was\t still\t harsh\t with\t feral\t wrath\u2014and\t the\t insidious\t terror\t running beneath\tit. So\t Aelin\t leaned\t in,\t nipped\t his\t jaw,\t making\t sure\t her\t canines\t scratched,\t and\t said\t onto his\tskin,\t\u201cIf\tyou\tdon\u2019t\tstart\tacting\tlike\ta\tprince,\tyou\tcan\tsleep\ton\tthe\tfloor.\u201d Rowan\t pulled\t back,\t his\t savage\t face\t not\t wholly\t of\t this\t world,\t but\t slowly,\t as\t if\t the words\tsank\tin,\this\tfeatures\tsoftened.\tHe\twas\tstill\tlooking\tpissy,\tbut\tnot\tso\tnear\tkilling\tthat invisible\tthreat\tagainst\ther,\tas\the\tleaned\tin,\tnipping\ther\tjaw\tin\treturn,\tand\tsaid\tinto\ther\tear, \u201cI\u2019m\tgoing\tto\tmake\tyou\tregret\tusing\tsuch\tthreats,\tPrincess.\u201d Oh,\t gods.\t Her\t toes\t curled,\t but\t she\t gave\t him\t a\t simpering\t smile\t as\t he\t rose\t to\t his\t feet, every\t muscle\t in\t his\t naked\t body\t rippling\t with\t the\t movement,\t and\t watched\t him\t pad\t with feline\tgrace\tto\tthe\twashstand\tand\tewer\tatop\tit. The\t bastard\t had\t the\t nerve\t to\t look\t her\t over\t as\t he\t lifted\t the\t jug.\t And\t then\t give\t her\t a satisfied,\tmale\tsmile\tas\the\tpoured\ta\tglass\tright\tto\tthe\tbrim,\thalting\twith\texpert\tprecision. She\t debated\t sending\t a\t lick\t of\t flame\t to\t burn\t his\t bare\t ass\t as\t he\t set\t down\t the\t jug\t with emphasized\tcare\tand\tcalm.\tAnd\tthen\tstalked\tback\tto\tthe\tbed,\teyes\ton\ther\tevery\tstep\tof\tthe way,\tand\tset\tthe\twater\ton\tthe\tsmall\ttable\tbeside\tit. Aelin\trose\ton\tsurprisingly\tsteady\tknees\tand\tfaced\thim. Only\tthe\tcreaking\tof\tthe\tship\tand\thissing\tof\tthe\twaves\tagainst\tit\tfilled\tthe\troom.","\u201cWhat\twas\tthat?\u201d\tshe\tasked\tquietly. His\teyes\tshuttered.\t\u201cIt\twas\t\u2026\tme\tlosing\tcontrol.\u201d \u201cWhy?\u201d He\tglanced\tat\tthe\tporthole\tand\tmoon-kissed\tsea\tbeyond.\tSo\trare\tfor\thim\tto\tavoid\ther stare. \u201cWhy?\u201d\tshe\tpushed. Rowan\tat\tlast\tmet\ther\tgaze.\t\u201cI\tdidn\u2019t\tknow\tif\tshe\u2019d\ttaken\tyou\tagain.\u201d\tNo\tmatter\tthat the\tWyrdkey\tnow\tlay\tbeside\tthe\tbed\tand\tnot\taround\ther\tneck.\t\u201cEven\twhen\tI\trealized\tyou were\t just\t in\t the\t magic\u2019s\t thrall,\t I\t still\t \u2026\t The\t magic\t took\t you\t away.\t It\u2019s\t been\t a\t long\t time since\t I\t wasn\u2019t\t certain\t \u2026\t since\t I\t didn\u2019t\t know\t how\t to\t get\t you\t back.\u201d\t He\t bared\t his\t teeth, loosing\t a\t jagged\t breath,\t the\t wrath\t now\t directed\t inward.\t \u201cBefore\t you\t call\t me\t a\t territorial Fae\tbastard,\tallow\tme\tto\tapologize\tand\texplain\tthat\tit\tis\tvery\tdifficult\u2014\u201d \u201cRowan.\u201d\t He\t stilled.\t She\t crossed\t the\t small\t lingering\t distance\t between\t them,\t every step\tlike\tthe\tanswer\tto\tsome\tquestion\tshe\u2019d\tasked\tfrom\tthe\tmoment\ther\tsoul\thad\tsparked into\texistence.\t\u201cYou\tare\tnot\thuman.\tI\tdo\tnot\texpect\tyou\tto\tbe.\u201d He\talmost\tseemed\tto\trecoil.\tBut\tshe\tput\ta\thand\ton\this\tbare\tchest,\tover\this\theart.\tIt\tstill thundered\tbeneath\ther\tpalm. She\t said\t softly,\t feeling\t that\t heart\t beneath\t her\t hand,\t \u201cI\t do\t not\t care\t if\t you\t are\t Fae,\t or human,\t if\t you\t are\t Valg\t or\t a\t gods-damned\t skinwalker.\t You\t are\t what\t you\t are.\t And\t what\t I want\t\u2026\twhat\tI\tneed,\tRowan,\tis\tsomeone\twho\tdoes\tnot\tapologize\tfor\tit.\tFor\twho\tthey\tare. You\t have\t never\t once\t done\t so.\u201d\t She\t leaned\t forward\t to\t kiss\t the\t bare\t skin\t where\t her\t hand had\t been.\t \u201cPlease\t don\u2019t\t start\t doing\t it\t now.\t Yes,\t sometimes\t you\t piss\t me\t the\t hell\t off\t with that\t Fae\t territorial\t nonsense,\t but\t \u2026\t I\t heard\t your\t voice.\t It\t woke\t me\t up.\t It\t led\t me\t out\t of that\t\u2026\tplace.\u201d He\tbowed\this\thead\tuntil\this\tbrow\tleaned\tagainst\thers.\t\u201cI\twish\tI\thad\tmore\tto\toffer\tyou \u2014during\tthis\twar,\tand\tbeyond\tit.\u201d She\t slid\t her\t arms\t around\t his\t bare\t waist.\t \u201cYou\t offer\t me\t more\t than\t I\t ever\t hoped\t for.\u201d He\tseemed\tto\tobject,\tbut\tshe\tsaid,\t\u201cAnd\tI\tfigured\tsince\tboth\tDarrow\tand\tRolfe\tinformed me\tI\tneeded\tto\tsell\tmy\thand\tin\tmarriage\tfor\tthe\tsake\tof\tthis\twar,\tI\tshould\tdo\tthe\topposite.\u201d A\tsnort.\t\u201cTypical.\tBut\tif\tTerrasen\tneeds\u2014\u201d \u201cHere\tis\tthe\tway\tI\tsee\tit,\u201d\tshe\tsaid,\tpulling\tback\tto\texamine\this\tharsh\tface.\t\u201cWe\tdo\tnot have\t the\t luxury\t of\t time.\t And\t a\t marriage\t to\t a\t foreign\t kingdom,\t with\t its\t contracts\t and distances,\tplus\tthe\tmonths\tit\ttakes\tto\traise\tand\tsend\tan\tarmy\t\u2026\twe\tdo\tnot\thave\tthat\ttime. We\tonly\thave\tnow.\tAnd\twhat\tI\tdon\u2019t\tneed\tis\ta\thusband\twho\twill\ttry\tto\tget\tinto\ta\tpissing contest\t with\t me,\t or\t who\t I\u2019ll\t have\t to\t cloister\t somewhere\t for\t his\t own\t safety,\t or\t who\t will hide\tin\ta\tcorner\twhen\tI\twake\tup\twith\tflames\tall\taround\tme.\u201d\tShe\tkissed\this\ttattooed\tchest again,\tright\tover\tthat\tmighty,\tthundering\theart.\t\u201cThis,\tRowan\u2014this\tis\tall\tI\tneed.\tJust\tthis.\u201d The\treverberations\tof\this\tdeep,\trattling\tbreath\techoed\tinto\ther\tcheek,\tand\the\tstroked\ta hand\tover\ther\thair,\talong\ther\tbare\tback.\tLower.\t\u201cA\tcourt\tthat\tcan\tchange\tthe\tworld.\u201d","She\t kissed\t the\t corner\t of\t his\t mouth.\t \u201cWe\u2019ll\t find\t a\t way\u2014together.\u201d\t The\t words\t he\u2019d given\ther\tonce,\tthe\twords\tthat\thad\tbegun\tthe\thealing\tof\ther\tshattered\theart.\tAnd\this\town. \u201cDid\tI\thurt\u2014\u201d\tHer\twords\twere\ta\trasp. \u201cNo.\u201d\tHe\tbrushed\ta\tthumb\tover\ther\tcheekbone.\t\u201cNo,\tyou\tdidn\u2019t\thurt\tme.\tOr\tanything else.\u201d Something\tin\ther\tchest\tcaved\tin,\tand\tRowan\tgathered\ther\tin\this\tarms\tas\tshe\tburied\ther face\tin\this\tneck.\tHis\tcalloused\thands\tcaressed\ther\tback,\tover\teach\tand\tevery\tscar\tand\tthe tattoos\the\u2019d\tinked\ton\ther. \u201cIf\t we\t survive\t this\t war,\u201d\t she\t murmured\t after\t a\t while\t onto\t his\t bare\t chest,\t \u201cyou\t and\t I are\tgoing\tto\thave\tto\tlearn\thow\tto\trelax.\tTo\tsleep\tthrough\tthe\tnight.\u201d \u201cIf\t we\t survive\t this\t war,\t Princess,\u201d\t he\t said,\t running\t a\t finger\t down\t the\t groove\tof\ther spine,\t\u201cI\u2019ll\tbe\thappy\tto\tdo\tanything\tyou\twant.\tEven\tlearn\thow\tto\trelax.\u201d \u201cAnd\t if\t we\t never\t have\t a\t moment\u2019s\t peace,\t even\t after\t we\t get\t the\t Lock,\t the\t keys,\t and send\tErawan\tback\tto\this\thellhole\trealm?\u201d The\tamusement\tfaded,\treplaced\tby\tsomething\tmore\tintent\tas\this\tfingers\tstilled\ton\ther back.\t \u201cEven\t if\t we\t have\t threats\t of\t war\t every\t other\t day,\t even\t if\t we\t have\t to\t host\t fussy emissaries,\teven\tif\twe\thave\tto\tvisit\tgod-awful\tkingdoms\tand\tplay\tnice,\tI\u2019ll\tbe\thappy\tto\tdo it,\tif\tyou\u2019re\tat\tmy\tside.\u201d Her\t lips\t trembled.\t \u201cOch,\t you.\t Since\t when\t did\t you\t learn\t to\t make\t such\t pretty speeches?\u201d \u201cI\tjust\tneeded\tthe\tright\texcuse\tto\tlearn,\u201d\the\tsaid,\tkissing\ther\tcheek. Her\t body\t went\t taut\t and\t molten\t in\t all\t the\t right\t places\t as\t his\t mouth\t moved\t lower, pressing\t gentle,\t biting\t kisses\t to\t her\t jaw,\t her\t ear,\t her\t neck.\t She\t dug\t her\t fingers\t into\t his back,\tbaring\ther\tthroat\tas\this\tcanines\tscratched\tlightly. \u201cI\t love\t you,\u201d\t Rowan\t breathed\t onto\t her\t skin,\t and\t flicked\t his\t tongue\t over\t the\t spot where\t his\t canines\t had\t scratched.\t \u201cI\u2019d\t walk\t into\t the\t burning\t heart\t of\t hell\t itself\t to\t find you.\u201d He\talmost\thad\tmere\tminutes\tago,\tshe\twanted\tto\tsay.\tBut\tAelin\tonly\tarched\ther\tback\ta bit\t more,\t a\t small,\t needy\t noise\t coming\t out\t of\t her.\t This\u2014him\t \u2026\t Would\t it\t ever\t stop\u2014the wanting?\t The\t need\t to\t not\t only\t be\t near\t him,\t but\t to\t have\t him\t so\t deep\t in\t her\t she\t felt\t their souls\ttwining,\ttheir\tmagic\tdancing\t\u2026\tThe\ttether\tthat\thad\tled\ther\tout\tof\tthat\tburning\tcore of\tmadness\tand\tdestruction. \u201cPlease,\u201d\tshe\tbreathed,\tnails\tdigging\tinto\this\tlower\tback\tin\temphasis. Rowan\u2019s\t low\t groan\t was\t his\t only\t answer\t as\t he\t hoisted\t her\t up.\t She\t wrapped\t her\t legs around\this\twaist,\tletting\thim\tcarry\ther\tnot\tto\tthe\tbed,\tbut\tto\tthe\twall,\tand\tthe\tsensation\tof the\tcool\twood\tagainst\ther\tback,\tcompared\tto\tthe\theat\tand\thardness\tof\thim\tpushing\tinto\ther front\u2014 Aelin\tpanted\tthrough\ther\tgritted\tteeth\tas\the\tagain\tdragged\this\ttongue\tover\tthat\tspot\ton","her\tneck.\t\u201cPlease.\u201d She\tfelt\this\tsmile\tagainst\ther\tskin\tas\tRowan\tthrust\tinto\ther\tin\ta\tlong,\tpowerful\tstroke \u2014and\tbit\tdown\ton\ther\tneck. A\t claiming,\t mighty\t and\t true,\t that\t she\t understood\t he\t so\t desperately\t needed.\t That\t she needed,\t and\t with\t his\t teeth\t in\t her,\t his\t body\t in\t her\t \u2026\t She\t was\t going\t to\t combust,\t she\t was going\tto\tsplinter\tapart\tfrom\tthe\toverwhelming\tneed\u2014 Rowan\u2019s\thips\tbegan\tto\tmove,\tsetting\ta\tlazy,\tsmooth\tpace\tas\the\tkept\this\tcanines\tburied in\t her\t neck.\t As\t his\t tongue\t slid\t along\t the\t twin\t points\t of\t pleasure\t edged\t with\t finest\t pain, and\the\ttasted\ther\tvery\tessence\tas\tif\tit\twere\twine. He\t laughed,\t low\t and\t wicked,\t as\t release\t had\t her\t biting\t down\t on\t his\t shoulder\t to\t keep from\tscreaming\tloud\tenough\tto\twake\tthe\tcreatures\tsleeping\ton\tthe\tbottom\tof\tthe\tsea. When\tRowan\tfinally\tdrew\this\tmouth\taway\tfrom\ther\tneck,\this\tmagic\thealing\tthe\tsmall holes\t he\u2019d\t left,\t his\t hands\t tightened\t on\t her\t thighs,\t pinning\t her\t to\t the\t wall\t as\t he\t moved deeper,\tharder. Aelin\t only\t dragged\t her\t fingers\t through\t his\t hair\t as\t she\t gave\t him\t a\t savage\t kiss,\t and tasted\ther\town\tblood\ton\this\ttongue. She\twhispered\tonto\this\tmouth,\t\u201cI\u2019ll\talways\tfind\ta\tway\tback\tto\tyou.\u201d This\ttime,\twhen\tAelin\twent\tover\tthe\tedge,\tRowan\tplummeted\twith\ther. Manon\tBlackbeak\tawoke. There\thad\tbeen\tno\tsound,\tno\tsmell,\tno\thint\tof\twhy\tshe\u2019d\tawoken,\tbut\tthose\tpredatory instincts\thad\tsensed\tsomething\tamiss\tand\tsent\ther\ttumbling\tfrom\tsleep. She\t blinked\t as\t she\t sat\t up,\t her\t wound\t now\t a\t dull\t ache\u2014and\t found\t her\t head\t clear\t of whatever\tthat\thaze\thad\tbeen. The\troom\twas\tnear-black,\tsave\tfor\tthe\tmoonlight\tthat\ttrickled\tthrough\tthe\tporthole\tto illuminate\t her\t cramped\t cabin.\t How\t long\t had\t she\t been\t lost\t to\t sleep\t and\t hideous melancholy? She\t listened\t carefully\t to\t the\t creaking\t of\t the\t ship.\t A\t faint\t grumbling\t sounded\t from above\u2014Abraxos.\tStill\talive.\tStill\u2014sleeping,\tif\tshe\tknew\tthat\tdrowsy,\twheezing\tgrumble. She\ttested\tthe\tmanacles\ton\ther\twrists,\tlifting\tthem\tto\tpeer\tat\tthe\tlock.\tA\tclever\tsort\tof contraption,\t the\t chains\t thick\t and\t anchored\t soundly\t into\t the\t wall.\t Her\t ankles\t were\t no better. She\t couldn\u2019t\t remember\t the\t last\t time\t she\u2019d\t been\t in\t chains.\t How\t had\t Elide\t endured\t it for\ta\tdecade? Maybe\t she\u2019d\t find\t the\t girl\t once\t she\t got\t out\t of\t here.\t She\t doubted\t the\t Havilliard\t king had\tany\tnews\tof\tthe\tThirteen\tanyway.\tShe\u2019d\tsneak\tonto\tAbraxos\u2019s\tback,\tfly\tfor\tthe\tcoast, and\tfind\tElide\tbefore\ttracking\tdown\ther\tcoven.\tAnd\tthen\t\u2026\tshe\tdidn\u2019t\tknow\twhat\tshe\u2019d","do.\tBut\tit\twas\tbetter\tthan\tlying\there\tlike\ta\tworm\tin\tthe\tsun,\tletting\twhatever\tdespair\thad seized\tcontrol\tthese\tdays\tor\tweeks\twreak\thavoc\ton\ther. But\tas\tif\tshe\u2019d\tsummoned\thim,\tthe\tdoor\topened. Dorian\tstood\tthere,\ta\tcandle\tin\this\u2014 Not\ta\tcandle.\tPure\tflame\twreathed\this\tfingers.\tIt\tset\this\tsapphire\teyes\tglowing\tbright as\the\tfound\ther\tlucid.\t\u201cWas\tit\tyou\u2014who\tsent\tthat\tripple\tof\tpower?\u201d \u201cNo.\u201d\t Though\t it\t didn\u2019t\t take\t much\t guessing\t to\t suspect\t who\t it\u2019d\t been,\t then.\t \u201cWitches don\u2019t\thave\tmagic\tlike\tthat.\u201d He\tangled\this\thead,\this\tblue-black\thair\tstained\tgold\tby\this\tflames.\t\u201cBut\tyou\u2019re\tlong- lived.\u201d She\tnodded,\tand\the\ttook\tthat\tas\tan\tinvitation\tto\tslide\tinto\this\tusual\tchair.\t\u201cIt\u2019s\tcalled the\t Yielding,\u201d\t she\t said,\t a\t chill\t brushing\t down\t her\t spine.\t \u201cThe\t bit\t of\t magic\t we\t have.\t We usually\t cannot\t summon\t or\t wield,\t but\t for\t one\t moment\t in\t a\t witch\u2019s\t life,\t she\t can\t summon great\t power\t to\t unleash\t upon\t her\t enemies.\t The\t cost\t is\t that\t she\t is\t incinerated\t in\t the\t blast, her\tbody\tyielded\tto\tthe\tDarkness.\tIn\tthe\twitch\twars,\twitches\ton\tboth\tsides\tmade\tYieldings during\tevery\tbattle\tand\tskirmish.\u201d \u201cIt\u2019s\tsuicide\u2014to\tblow\tyourself\tinto\tsmithereens\t\u2026\tand\ttake\tenemies\twith\tyou.\u201d \u201cIt\tis,\tand\tit\u2019s\tnot\tpretty.\tAs\tthe\tIronteeth\twitch\tyields\tlife\tto\tthe\tDarkness,\tits\tpower fills\t her,\t and\t unleashes\t from\t her\t in\t an\t ebony\t wave.\t A\t manifestation\t of\t what\t lies\t in\t our souls.\u201d \u201cHave\tyou\tseen\tit\tdone?\u201d \u201cOnce.\t By\t a\t scared\t young\t witch\t who\t knew\t she\t wouldn\u2019t\t win\t glory\t any\t other\t way. Only,\tshe\ttook\tout\thalf\tour\tIronteeth\tforce\tas\twell\tas\tthe\tCrochans.\u201d Her\tmind\tsnagged\ton\tthe\tword.\tCrochans.\tHer\tpeople\u2014 Not\ther\tpeople.\tShe\twas\ta\tgods-damned\tBlackbeak\u2014 \u201cWill\tthe\tIronteeth\tuse\tit\ton\tus?\u201d \u201cIf\tyou\u2019re\tfacing\tlower-level\tcovens,\tyes.\tOlder\tcovens\tare\ttoo\tarrogant,\ttoo\tskilled\tto choose\t the\t Yielding\t instead\t of\t fighting\t their\t way\t out.\t But\t younger,\t weaker\t covens\t get spooked,\tor\twish\tto\twin\tvalor\tthrough\tsacrifice.\u201d \u201cIt\u2019s\tmurder.\u201d \u201cIt\u2019s\t war.\t War\t is\t sanctioned\t murder,\t no\t matter\t what\t side\t you\u2019re\t on.\u201d\t Ire\t flickered\t on his\tface,\tand\tshe\tasked,\t\u201cHave\tyou\tever\tkilled\ta\tman?\u201d He\topened\this\tmouth\tto\tsay\tno,\tbut\tthe\tlight\tin\this\thand\tdied. He\t had.\t When\t he\u2019d\t been\t collared,\t she\t guessed.\t The\t Valg\t inside\t him\t had\t done\t it. Multiple\ttimes.\tAnd\tnot\tcleanly. \u201cRemember\twhat\tthey\tmade\tyou\tdo,\u201d\tManon\tsaid,\t\u201cwhen\tyou\tface\tthem\tagain.\u201d","\u201cI\tdoubt\tI\u2019ll\tever\tforget\tit,\twitchling.\u201d\tHe\tstood,\theading\tfor\tthe\tdoor. Manon\tsaid,\t\u201cThese\tchains\tare\trubbing\tmy\tskin\traw.\tSurely\tyou\u2019ve\tsome\tsympathy\tfor chained\tthings.\u201d\tDorian\tpaused.\tShe\tlifted\ther\thands,\tdisplaying\tthe\tchains.\t\u201cI\u2019ll\tgive\tmy word\tnot\tto\tdo\tany\tharm.\u201d \u201cIt\u2019s\tnot\tmy\tcall.\tNow\tthat\tyou\u2019re\ttalking\tagain,\tmaybe\ttelling\tAelin\twhat\tshe\u2019s\tbeen pushing\tyou\tabout\twill\tget\tyou\ton\ther\tgood\tside.\u201d Manon\t had\t no\t idea\t what\t the\t queen\t had\t been\t demanding\t of\t her.\t None.\t \u201cThe\t longer\t I stay\tin\there,\tprinceling,\tthe\tmore\tlikely\tI\tam\tto\tdo\tsomething\tstupid\twhen\tyou\trelease\tme. Let\tme\tat\tleast\tfeel\tthe\twind\ton\tmy\tface.\u201d \u201cYou\u2019ve\tgot\ta\twindow.\tGo\tstand\tin\tfront\tof\tit.\u201d Part\tof\ther\tsat\tup\tstraight\tat\tthe\tharshness,\tthe\tmaleness\tin\tthat\ttone,\tin\tthe\tset\tof\tthose broad\tshoulders.\tShe\tpurred,\t\u201cIf\tI\thad\tbeen\tasleep,\twould\tyou\thave\tlingered\tto\tstare\tat\tme for\ta\twhile?\u201d Icy\tamusement\tgleamed\tthere.\t\u201cWould\tyou\thave\tobjected?\u201d And\t perhaps\t she\t was\t reckless\t and\t wild\t and\t still\t a\t bit\t stupid\t from\t blood\t loss,\t but\t she said,\t \u201cIf\t you\t plan\t to\t sneak\t in\t here\t in\t the\t darkest\t hours\t of\t the\t night,\t you\t should\t at\t least have\tthe\tdecency\tto\tensure\tI\tget\tsomething\tout\tof\tit.\u201d His\t lips\t twitched,\t though\t the\t smile\t was\t cold\t and\t sensuous\t in\t a\t way\t that\t made\t her wonder\twhat\tplaying\twith\ta\tking\tblessed\twith\traw\tmagic\tmight\tbe\tlike.\tIf\the\u2019d\tmake\ther beg\t for\t the\t first\t time\t in\t her\t long\t life.\t He\t looked\t capable\t of\t it\u2014perhaps\t willing\t to\t let\t a little\t cruelty\t into\t the\t bedroom.\t Her\t blood\t thrummed.\t \u201cAs\t tempting\t as\t seeing\t you\t naked and\t chained\t might\t be\t \u2026\u201d\t A\t soft\t lover\u2019s\t laugh.\t \u201cI\t don\u2019t\t think\t you\u2019d\t enjoy\t the\t loss\t of control.\u201d \u201cAnd\tyou\u2019ve\tbeen\twith\tso\tmany\twomen\tto\tbe\table\tto\tjudge\ta\twitch\u2019s\twants\tso\teasily?\u201d That\tsmile\tturned\tlazy.\t\u201cA\tgentleman\tnever\ttells.\u201d \u201cHow\tmany?\u201d\tHe\twas\tonly\ttwenty\u2014though\the\twas\ta\tprince,\tnow\ta\tking.\tWomen\thad likely\tbeen\tfalling\tover\tthemselves\tfor\thim\tsince\this\tvoice\thad\tdeepened. \u201cHow\tmany\tmen\thave\tyou\tbeen\twith?\u201d\the\tcountered. She\t smirked.\t \u201cEnough\t to\t know\t how\t to\t handle\t the\t needs\t of\t mortal\t princelings.\t To know\twhat\twill\tmake\tyou\tbeg.\u201d\tNever\tmind\tthat\tshe\twas\tcontemplating\tthe\topposite. He\tdrifted\tacross\tthe\troom,\tpast\tthe\trange\tof\ther\tchains,\tright\tinto\ther\town\tbreathing space.\tHe\tleaned\tover\ther,\tnearly\tnose-to-nose,\tnothing\tat\tall\tamused\tin\this\tface,\tin\tthe\tcut of\this\tcruel,\tbeautiful\tmouth,\tas\the\tsaid,\t\u201cI\tdon\u2019t\tthink\tyou\tcan\thandle\tthe\tsort\tof\tthings\tI need,\twitchling.\tAnd\tI\tam\tnever\tbegging\tfor\tanything\tagain\tin\tmy\tlife.\u201d And\tthen\the\tleft.\tManon\tstared\tafter\thim,\ta\thiss\tof\trage\tslipping\tfrom\ther\town\tlips.\tAt the\topportunity\tshe\thadn\u2019t\ttaken\tto\tgrab\thim,\thold\thim\thostage,\tand\tdemand\ther\tfreedom; at\t the\t arrogance\t in\t his\t assumption;\t at\t the\t heat\t that\t had\t gathered\t in\t her\t core\t and\t now throbbed\tinsistently\tenough\tthat\tshe\tclamped\ther\tlegs\ttogether.","She\thad\tnever\tbeen\tdenied.\tMen\thad\tfallen\tto\tpieces,\tsometimes\tliterally,\tto\tcrawl\tinto her\t bed.\t And\t she\t \u2026\t She\t didn\u2019t\t know\t what\t she\t would\t have\t done\t if\t he\t had\t taken\t up\t her offer,\t if\t she\t would\t have\t decided\t to\t learn\t what\t the\t king\t could\t do,\t exactly,\t with\t that beautiful\tmouth\tand\ttoned\tbody.\tA\tdistraction\u2014and\tan\texcuse\tto\tloathe\therself\teven\tmore, she\tsupposed. She\twas\tstill\tseething\tat\tthe\tdoor\twhen\tit\topened\tagain. Dorian\t leaned\t against\t the\t aged\t wood,\t his\t eyes\t still\t glazed\t in\t a\t way\t she\t couldn\u2019t\t tell was\tlust\tor\thatred\tor\tboth.\tHe\tslid\tthe\tlock\tshut\twithout\tlooking\tat\tit. Her\t heartbeat\t picked\t up,\t her\t entire\t immortal\t focus\t narrowed\t to\t his\t steady,\t unhurried breathing,\tthe\tunreadable\tface. His\t voice\t was\t rough\t as\t he\t said,\t \u201cI\t won\u2019t\t waste\t my\t breath\t telling\t you\t how\t stupid\t it would\tbe\tto\ttry\tto\ttake\tme\thostage.\u201d \u201cI\twon\u2019t\twaste\tmine\ttelling\tyou\tto\ttake\tonly\twhat\tI\toffer\tyou\tand\tnothing\tmore.\u201d Her\tears\tstrained\tto\tlisten,\tbut\teven\this\tdamned\theart\twas\ta\tsolid\tbeat.\tNot\ta\twhiff\tof fear.\tHe\tsaid,\t\u201cI\tneed\tto\thear\tyou\tsay\tyes.\u201d\tHis\teyes\tflicked\tto\tthe\tchains. It\t took\t her\t a\t moment\t to\t comprehend,\t but\t she\t let\t out\t a\t low\t laugh.\t \u201cSo\t considerate, princeling.\tBut\tyes.\tI\tdo\tthis\tof\tmy\town\tfree\twill.\tIt\tcan\tbe\tour\tlittle\tsecret.\u201d She\twas\tnothing\tand\tno\tone\tnow\tanyway.\tSharing\ta\tbed\twith\ther\tenemy\twas\tnothing compared\tto\tthe\tCrochan\tblood\tthat\tflowed\tin\ther\tveins. She\tbegan\tto\tunbutton\tthe\twhite\tshirt\tshe\u2019d\tbeen\twearing\tfor\tgods\tknew\thow\tlong,\tbut he\tgrowled,\t\u201cI\u2019ll\tdo\tit\tmyself.\u201d Like\thell\the\twould.\tShe\ttouched\tthe\tsecond\tbutton. Invisible\thands\twrapped\taround\ther\twrists,\ttightly\tenough\tthat\tshe\tdropped\tthe\tshirt. Dorian\t prowled\t to\t her.\t \u201cI\t said\t that\t I\u2019d\t do\t it.\u201d\t Manon\t took\t in\t each\t inch\t of\t him\t as\t he towered\tover\ther,\tand\ta\tshiver\tof\tpleasure\trippled\tthrough\ther.\t\u201cI\tsuggest\tyou\tlisten.\u201d The\tpure\tmale\tarrogance\tin\tthat\tstatement\talone\u2014 \u201cYou\u2019re\tcourting\tdeath\tif\tyou\u2014\u201d Dorian\tlowered\this\tmouth\tto\thers. It\t was\t a\t featherlight\t graze,\t barely\t a\t whisper\t of\t touch.\t Intent,\t calculated,\t and\t so unexpected\tshe\tarched\tinto\tit\ta\tbit. He\t kissed\t the\t corner\t of\t her\t mouth\t with\t the\t same\t silken\t gentleness.\t Then\t the\t other corner.\tShe\tdidn\u2019t\tmove,\tdidn\u2019t\teven\tbreathe\u2014like\tevery\tpart\tof\ther\tbody\twas\twaiting\tto see\twhat\the\u2019d\tdo\tnext. But\t Dorian\t pulled\t back,\t studying\t her\t eyes\t with\t a\t cool\t detachment.\t Whatever\t he beheld\tthere\tmade\thim\tstep\taway. The\tinvisible\tfingers\ton\ther\twrists\tvanished.\tThe\tdoor\tunlatched.\tAnd\tthat\tcocky\tgrin","returned\t as\t Dorian\t shrugged\t with\t one\t shoulder\t and\t said,\t \u201cMaybe\t another\t night, witchling.\u201d Manon\talmost\tbellowed\tas\the\tslipped\tout\tthe\tdoor\u2014and\tdidn\u2019t\treturn.","45 The\twitch\twas\tlucid\tbut\tpissed\toff. Aedion\t had\t the\t pleasure\t of\t serving\t her\t breakfast\t and\t tried\t not\t to\t note\t the\t lingering scent\tof\tfemale\tarousal\tin\tthe\tcabin,\tor\tthat\tDorian\u2019s\tscent\twas\tentwined\tamong\tit. The\tking\twas\tentitled\tto\tmove\ton,\tAedion\treminded\thimself\thours\tlater\tas\the\tscanned the\t late\t afternoon\t horizon\t from\t the\t ship\u2019s\t helm.\t In\t the\t quiet\t hours\t of\t his\t watches,\t he\u2019d often\tmulled\tover\tthe\tthorough\tscolding\tLysandra\thad\tgiven\thim\tregarding\this\tanger\tand cruelty\t toward\t the\t king.\t And\t maybe\u2014just\t maybe\u2014Lysandra\t was\t right.\t And\t maybe\t the fact\t that\t Dorian\t could\t even\t look\t at\t a\t female\t with\t interest\t after\t seeing\t Sorscha\t beheaded was\ta\tmiracle.\tBut\t\u2026\tthe\twitch?\tThat\twas\twhat\the\twanted\tto\ttangle\twith? He\tasked\tLysandra\tas\tmuch\twhen\tshe\tjoined\thim\tthirty\tminutes\tlater,\tstill\tsoaked\tfrom patrolling\tthe\twaters\tahead.\tAll\tclear. Lysandra\tfinger-combed\ther\tinky\tsheet\tof\thair,\tfrowning.\t\u201cI\thad\tclients\twho\tlost\ttheir wives\tor\tlovers,\tand\twanted\tsomething\tto\tdistract\tthem.\tWanted\tthe\topposite\tof\twho\ttheir beloved\t had\t been,\t perhaps\t to\t make\t the\t act\t feel\t wholly\t separate.\t What\t he\t went\t through would\t change\t anyone.\t He\t might\t very\t well\t find\t himself\t now\t attracted\t to\t dangerous things.\u201d \u201cHe\talready\thad\ta\tpenchant\tfor\tthem,\u201d\tAedion\tmurmured,\tglancing\tto\twhere\tAelin\tand Rowan\t sparred\t on\t the\t main\t deck,\t sweat\t gleaming\t golden\t as\t the\t afternoon\t light\t shifted toward\tevening.\tDorian\tperched\ton\tthe\tnearby\tsteps\tup\tto\tthe\tquarterdeck,\tDamaris\tbraced over\this\tknees,\thalf\tawake\tin\tthe\theat.\tPart\tof\tAedion\tsmiled,\tknowing\tRowan\twould\tno doubt\tkick\this\tass\tfor\tit. \u201cAelin\t was\t dangerous,\t but\t still\t human,\u201d\t Lysandra\t observed.\t \u201cManon\t is\t \u2026\t not.\t He probably\tlikes\tit\tthat\tway.\tAnd\tI\u2019d\tstay\tout\tof\tit\tif\tI\twere\tyou.\u201d \u201cI\u2019m\t not\t getting\t in\t the\t middle\t of\t that\t disaster,\t don\u2019t\t worry.\t Though\t I\t wouldn\u2019t\t let those\t iron\t teeth\t near\t my\t favorite\t part\t if\t I\t were\t him.\u201d\t Aedion\t grinned\t as\t Lysandra\t tipped her\thead\tback\tand\tlaughed.\tHe\tadded,\t\u201cBesides,\twatching\tAelin\tand\tthe\twitch\tgo\thead-to- head\t this\t morning\t about\t Elide\t was\t enough\t to\t remind\t me\t to\t stay\t the\t hell\t back\t and\t enjoy the\tspectacle.\u201d Little\tElide\tLochan\u2014alive\tand\tout\tthere,\tsearching\tfor\tthem.\tGods\tabove.\tThe\tlook\ton Aelin\u2019s\tface\twhen\tManon\thad\trevealed\tdetail\tafter\tdetail,\twhat\tVernon\thad\ttried\tto\tdo\tto the\tgirl\t\u2026 There\twould\tbe\ta\treckoning\tin\tPerranth\tfor\tthat.\tAedion\thimself\twould\thang\tthe\tlord by\t his\t intestines.\t While\t Vernon\t was\t still\t breathing.\t And\t then\t he\u2019d\t get\t started\t on\t paying","Vernon\t back\t for\t the\t ten\t years\t of\t horror\t Elide\t had\t endured.\t For\t the\t maimed\t foot\t and\t the chains.\tFor\tthe\ttower. Locked\tin\ta\ttower\u2014in\ta\tcity\the\u2019d\tvisited\tso\tmany\ttimes\tin\tthe\tpast\tten\tyears\the\thad\tno count.\t She\t might\t have\t even\t watched\t the\t Bane\t from\t that\t spire\t as\t they\t came\t and\t left\t the city.\tPossibly\tthinking\the\u2019d\tforgotten\tor\tdidn\u2019t\tcare\tabout\ther,\teither. And\tnow\tshe\twas\tout\tthere.\tAlone. With\t a\t permanently\t mangled\t foot,\t no\t training,\t and\t no\t weapons.\t If\t she\t was\t lucky, perhaps\tshe\u2019d\trun\tinto\tthe\tBane\tfirst.\tHis\tcommanders\twould\trecognize\ther\tname,\tprotect her.\tThat\tis,\tif\tshe\tdared\tto\treveal\therself\tat\tall. It\t had\t taken\t all\t his\t self-control\t not\t to\t strangle\t Manon\t for\t abandoning\t the\t girl\t in\t the middle\tof\tOakwald,\tfor\tnot\tflying\ther\tright\tto\tTerrasen. Aelin,\thowever,\thadn\u2019t\tbothered\twith\trestraint. Two\tstrikes,\tboth\tso\tfast\teven\tthe\tWing\tLeader\tdidn\u2019t\tsee\tthem. A\tbackhanded\tblow\tto\tManon\u2019s\tface.\tFor\tleaving\tElide. And\tthen\ta\tring\tof\tfire\taround\tManon\u2019s\tthroat,\tslamming\ther\tinto\tthe\twood,\tas\tAelin made\ther\tswear\tthe\tinformation\twas\tcorrect. Rowan\t had\t drily\t reminded\t Aelin\t that\t Manon\t was\t responsible\t for\t Elide\u2019s\t escape\t and rescue,\ttoo.\tAelin\thad\tmerely\tsaid\tif\tManon\thadn\u2019t\tbeen,\tthe\tfire\twould\talready\tbe\tdown her\tthroat. And\tthat\twas\tthat. Aelin,\t from\t the\t fervor\t with\t which\t she\t sparred\t with\t Rowan\t across\t the\t deck,\t was\t still pissed. The\twitch,\tfrom\tthe\tsnarling\tand\tscent\tin\ther\tcabin,\twas\tstill\tpissed. Aedion\twas\tmore\tthan\tready\tto\tget\tto\tthe\tStone\tMarshes\u2014even\tif\twhat\tawaited\tthem there\tmight\tnot\tbe\tso\tpleasant. Three\tmore\tdays\tlay\tbetween\tthem\tand\tthe\teastern\tcoast.\tAnd\tthen\t\u2026\tthen\tthey\u2019d\tall see\thow\tmuch\tRolfe\u2019s\talliance\twas\tworth,\tif\tthe\tman\tcould\tbe\ttrusted. \u201cYou\tcan\u2019t\tavoid\thim\tforever,\tyou\tknow,\u201d\tLysandra\tsaid,\tdrawing\this\tattention\tto\tthe other\treason\the\tneeded\tto\tget\toff\tthis\tship. His\tfather\tsat\tnear\twhere\tAbraxos\thad\tcurled\talong\tthe\tprow,\tguarding\tand\tobserving the\twyvern.\tLearning\thow\tto\tkill\tthem\u2014where\tto\tstrike. No\tmatter\tthat\tthe\twyvern\twas\tlittle\tmore\tthan\tan\toversized\thound,\tdocile\tenough\tthat they\t hadn\u2019t\t bothered\t to\t chain\t him.\t They\t had\t none\t big\t enough\t anyway,\t and\t the\t beast would\t likely\t refuse\t to\t leave\t this\t ship\t until\t Manon\t did.\t Abraxos\t only\t moved\t to\t hunt\t for fish\t or\t larger\t game,\t Lysandra\t escorting\t him\t in\t sea\t dragon\t form\t beneath\t the\t waves.\t And when\tthe\tbeast\twas\tsprawled\ton\tthe\tdeck\t\u2026\tthe\tLion\tkept\thim\tcompany. Aedion\thad\tbarely\tspoken\tto\tGavriel\tsince\tSkull\u2019s\tBay.","\u201cI\u2019m\tnot\tavoiding\thim,\u201d\tAedion\tsaid.\t\u201cI\tjust\thave\tno\tinterest\tin\ttalking\tto\thim.\u201d Lysandra\tflipped\ther\twet\thair\tover\ta\tshoulder,\tfrowning\tat\tthe\tdamp\tsplotches\ton\ther white\t shirt.\t \u201cI,\t for\t one,\t would\t like\t to\t hear\t the\t story\t of\t how\t he\t crossed\t paths\t with\t your mother.\tHe\u2019s\tkind\u2014for\tone\tof\tMaeve\u2019s\tcadre.\tBetter\tthan\tFenrys.\u201d Indeed,\t Fenrys\t made\t Aedion\t want\t to\t shatter\t things.\t That\t laughing\t face,\t the swaggering,\t dark\t arrogance\t \u2026\t It\t was\t another\t mirror,\t he\t realized.\t But\t one\t who\t tracked Aelin\teverywhere\tlike\tsome\tdog.\tOr\twolf,\the\tsupposed. Aedion\t hadn\u2019t\t pitted\t himself\t against\t the\t male\t in\t the\t sparring\t ring,\t but\t he\u2019d\t carefully watched\t Fenrys\t take\t on\t Rowan\t and\t Gavriel,\t both\t of\t whom\t had\t trained\t the\t male.\t Fenrys fought\tas\the\u2019d\texpect\ta\twarrior\twith\tcenturies\tof\ttraining\tby\ttwo\tlethal\tkillers\tto\tfight.\tBut he\t had\t not\t glimpsed\t another\t whisper\t of\t the\t magic\t that\t allowed\t Fenrys\t to\t leap\t between places\tas\tif\twalking\tthrough\tsome\tinvisible\tdoorway. As\t if\t his\t thoughts\t summoned\t the\t immortal\t warrior,\t Fenrys\t swaggered\t out\t from\t the shadows\tbelow\tdeck\tand\tsmirked\tat\tthem\tall\tbefore\ttaking\tup\this\tsentry\tposition\tnear\tthe foremast.\t They\t were\t all\t on\t a\t schedule\t of\t watches\t and\t patrols,\t Lysandra\t and\t Rowan usually\t tasked\t with\t flying\t far\t out\t of\t sight\t to\t survey\t behind\t and\t ahead\t or\t communicate with\t the\t two\t escort\t ships.\t Aedion\t hadn\u2019t\t dared\t tell\t the\t shifter\t that\t he\t often\t counted\t the minutes\t until\t she\t returned,\t that\t his\t chest\t always\t felt\t unbearably\t tight\t until\t he\t spotted whatever\twinged\tor\tfinned\tform\tshe\twore\treturning\tto\tthem. Like\this\tcousin,\the\thad\tno\tdoubt\tthe\tshifter\twouldn\u2019t\ttake\twell\tto\this\tfussing. Lysandra\t was\t carefully\t watching\t Aelin\t and\t Rowan,\t their\t blades\t like\t quicksilver,\t as they\t met\t each\t other\t blow\t for\t blow.\t \u201cYou\u2019ve\t been\t doing\t well\t with\t your\t lessons,\u201d\t Aedion told\tthe\tshifter. Lysandra\u2019s\t green\t eyes\t crinkled.\t They\u2019d\t all\t been\t taking\t turns\t walking\t the\t shifter through\t handling\t various\t weapons\t and\t hand-to-hand\t combat.\t Lysandra\t knew\t some\t from her\t time\t with\t Arobynn\u2014he\u2019d\t taught\t her\t as\t a\t way\t of\t ensuring\t the\t survival\t of\t his investment,\tshe\u2019d\ttold\thim. But\tshe\twanted\tto\tknow\tmore.\tHow\tto\tkill\tmen\tin\ta\tmyriad\tof\tways.\tIt\tshouldn\u2019t\thave thrilled\thim\tas\tmuch\tas\tit\thad.\tNot\twhen\tshe\u2019d\tlaughed\toff\tthe\tclaim\tAedion\thad\tmade\ton the\t beach\t that\t day\t in\t Skull\u2019s\t Bay.\t She\t hadn\u2019t\t mentioned\t it\t again.\t He\t hadn\u2019t\t been\t stupid enough\tto,\teither. Aedion\ttrailed\tLysandra,\tunable\tto\thelp\tit,\tas\tshe\tdrifted\ttoward\twhere\tthe\tqueen\tand prince\t sparred,\t Dorian\t scooting\t over\t on\t the\t steps\t to\t silently\t offer\t her\t a\t space.\t Aedion marked\tthe\tgesture\tand\tthe\tking\u2019s\trespect,\tshoving\taside\this\town\twarring\tfeelings\tabout\tit as\the\tlingered\tabove\tthem,\tand\tfocused\ton\this\tcousin\tand\tRowan. But\t they\u2019d\t worked\t themselves\t into\t an\t impasse\u2014enough\t so\t that\t Rowan\t called\t it\t off and\tsheathed\this\tsword.\tThen\tflicked\tAelin\u2019s\tnose\twhen\tshe\tlooked\tpissy\tat\tnot\twinning. Aedion\tlaughed\tunder\this\tbreath,\tglancing\tto\tthe\tshifter\tas\tthe\tqueen\tand\tprince\tstrode\tfor the\twater\tjug\tand\tglasses\tagainst\tthe\tstair\trailing\tand\thelped\tthemselves. He\t was\t about\t to\t offer\t Lysandra\t a\t final\t round\t in\t the\t ring\t before\t the\t sun\t set\t when","Dorian\t braced\t his\t arms\t on\t his\t knees\t and\t said\t to\t Aelin\t through\t the\t stair\t railing,\t \u201cI\t don\u2019t think\tshe\u2019ll\tdo\tanything\tif\twe\tlet\ther\tout.\u201d Aelin\t took\t a\t dainty\t sip\t of\t her\t water,\t still\t breathing\t hard.\t \u201cDid\t you\t arrive\t at\t that conclusion\tbefore,\tduring,\tor\tafter\tyou\tvisited\ther\tin\tthe\tmiddle\tof\tthe\tnight?\u201d Oh,\tgods.\tIt\twas\tgoing\tto\tbe\tthat\tsort\tof\tconversation. Dorian\tgave\ta\thalf\tsmile.\t\u201cYou\thave\ta\tpreference\tfor\timmortal\twarriors.\tWhy\tcan\u2019t\tI?\u201d It\twas\tthe\tfaint\tclick\tof\ther\tglass\ton\tthe\tsmall\ttable\tthat\tmade\tAedion\tbrace\thimself\u2014 really\t start\t calculating\t the\t layout\t of\t the\t various\t decks.\t Fenrys\t still\t monitored\t them\t from the\tforemast,\tLysandra\tremained\ton\tDorian\u2019s\tother\tside.\tHe\tsupposed\tthat,\tstanding\tabove Dorian\ton\tthe\tstairs\tand\tAelin\tbeside\tthem,\the\u2019d\tbe\tright\tin\tthe\tmiddle. Exactly\twhere\the\u2019d\tsworn\tnot\tto\tbe. Rowan,\ton\tthe\tother\tside\tof\tAelin,\tsaid\tto\tDorian,\t\u201cIs\tthere\ta\treason,\tMajesty,\tthat\tyou believe\tthe\twitch\tshould\tbe\tfree?\u201d Aelin\t shot\t him\t a\t look\t of\t pure\t flame.\t Good\u2014let\t the\t prince\t deal\t with\t her\t wrath.\t Even days\t after\t the\t claiming\t that\t had\t left\t everyone\t pretending\t they\t didn\u2019t\t notice\t the\t two puncture\t wounds\t on\t Rowan\u2019s\t neck\t or\t the\t delicate,\t vicious\t scratches\t over\t his\t shoulders, the\t Fae\t Prince\t still\t looked\t like\t a\t male\t who\t had\t barely\t survived\t a\t storm\t and\t had\t enjoyed every\twild\tsecond\tof\tit. Not\tto\tmention\tthe\ttwin\twounds\ton\tAelin\u2019s\tneck\tthis\tmorning.\tHe\u2019d\talmost\tbegged\ther to\tfind\ta\tscarf. \u201cWhy\tdon\u2019t\twe\tlock\tone\tof\tyou\tin\ta\troom\u201d\u2014Dorian\tpointed\twith\this\tchin\tat\tthe\tFae warriors\t across\t the\t deck,\t at\t Lysandra\t to\t his\t right\u2014\u201cand\t see\t how\t well\t you\t fare\t after\t so much\ttime.\u201d Aelin\tsaid,\t\u201cEvery\tinch\tof\ther\thas\tbeen\tdesigned\tto\tensnare\tmen.\tTo\tmake\tthem\tthink she\u2019s\tharmless.\u201d \u201cTrust\tme,\tManon\tBlackbeak\tis\tanything\tbut\tharmless.\u201d Aelin\t charged\t on,\t \u201cShe\t and\t her\t kind\t are\t killers.\t They\t are\t raised\t without\t conscience. Regardless\t of\t what\t her\t grandmother\t did\t to\t her,\t she\t will\t always\t be\t that\t way.\t I\t will\t not endanger\t the\t lives\t of\t the\t people\t on\t this\t ship\t so\t you\t can\t sleep\t better\t at\t night.\u201d\t Her\t eyes shone\twith\tthe\tunspoken\tjab. They\t all\t shifted,\t and\t Aedion\t was\t about\t to\t ask\t Lysandra\t to\t spar,\t conversation\t closed, when\tDorian\tsaid\ta\tbit\ttoo\tquietly,\t\u201cI\tam\tking,\tyou\tknow.\u201d Turquoise-and-gold\teyes\tsnapped\tto\tDorian.\tAedion\tcould\talmost\tsee\tthe\twords\tAelin fought\t to\t think\t through,\t her\t temper\t begging\t her\t to\t shut\t down\t the\t challenge.\t With\t a\t few choice\t sentences,\t she\t could\t fillet\t his\t spirit\t like\t a\t fish,\t further\t shredding\t the\t scraps\t of\t the man\twho\tremained\tafter\tthe\tValg\tprince\thad\tviolated\thim.\tAnd\tin\tdoing\tso,\tlose\ta\tstrong ally\tshe\u2019d\tneed\tnot\tjust\tin\tthis\twar,\tbut\tif\tthey\tsurvived\tit.\tAnd\u2014those\teyes\tsoftened\ta\tbit. A\tfriend.\tShe\u2019d\tlose\tthat,\ttoo.","Aelin\t rubbed\t at\t the\t scars\t on\t her\t wrists,\t stark\t in\t the\t golden\t light\t of\t the\t setting\t sun. Ones\t that\t made\t Aedion\t sick\t to\t look\t at.\t She\t said\t to\t Dorian\t after\t a\t moment,\t \u201cControlled movements.\t If\t she\t leaves\t the\t room,\t she\t stays\t under\t guard\u2014one\t of\t the\t Fae\t at\t any\t given time,\tplus\tone\tof\tus.\tShackles\ton\ther\twrists,\tnot\tfeet.\tNo\tchains\tfor\tthe\troom,\tbut\ta\tguard outside\tthe\tdoor.\u201d Aedion\tcaught\tthe\tthumb\tRowan\tbrushed\tover\tone\tof\tthose\tscars\ton\ther\twrist. Dorian\tjust\tsaid,\t\u201cFine.\u201d Aedion\t debated\t telling\t the\t king\t that\t a\t compromise\t from\t Aelin\t should\t be\t outright celebrated. Aelin\u2019s\tvoice\tdropped\tto\tthat\tlethal\tpurr.\t\u201cAfter\tyou\tfinished\tflirting\twith\ther\tthat\tday in\tOakwald,\tshe\tand\ther\tcoven\ttried\tto\tkill\tme.\u201d \u201cYou\t provoked\t her,\u201d\t Dorian\t countered.\t \u201cAnd\t I\t sit\t here\t today\t because\t of\t what\t she risked\twhen\tshe\tcame\tto\tRifthold\ttwice.\u201d Aelin\twiped\tthe\tsweat\tfrom\ther\tbrow.\t\u201cShe\thas\ther\town\treasons,\tand\tI\thighly\tdoubt\tit was\tbecause\tshe,\tin\ther\tone\thundred\tyears\tof\tkilling,\tdecided\tyour\tpretty\tface\twould\tturn her\tgood.\u201d \u201cYours\tturned\tRowan\tfrom\tthree\tcenturies\tof\ta\tblood\toath.\u201d It\twas\tAedion\u2019s\tfather\twho\tsaid\tcalmly\tas\the\tleft\this\tperch\tnear\tAbraxos\ton\tthe\tprow to\tapproach\tthem,\t\u201cI\u2019d\tsuggest,\tMajesty,\tthat\tyou\tpick\tanother\targument.\u201d Indeed,\tAedion\u2019s\tevery\tinstinct\tcame\tto\tattention\tat\tthe\tfrozen\tanger\tnow\tlimning\tthe prince\u2019s\tevery\tmuscle. Dorian\tnoticed\tit,\ttoo,\tand\tsaid,\tperhaps\ta\tbit\tguiltily,\t\u201cI\tmeant\tno\toffense,\tRowan.\u201d Gavriel\t angled\t his\t head,\t golden\t hair\t sliding\t over\t his\t broad\t shoulder,\t and\t said\t with\t a ghost\tof\ta\tsmile,\t\u201cDon\u2019t\tworry,\tMajesty.\tFenrys\thas\tgiven\tWhitethorn\tenough\tshit\tfor\tit\tto last\thim\tanother\tthree\tcenturies.\u201d Aedion\tblinked\tat\tthe\thumor,\tthe\thint\tof\ta\tsmile. But\t Aelin\t saved\t him\t the\t effort\t of\t deciding\t whether\t or\t not\t to\t answer\t that\t smile\t by saying\tto\tDorian,\t\u201cWell?\tLet\u2019s\tsee\tif\tthe\tWing\tLeader\twould\tlike\tto\ttake\ta\tturn\tabout\tthe deck\tbefore\tdinner.\u201d Dorian\twas\tright\tto\tlook\twary,\tAedion\tdecided.\tBut\tAelin\twas\talready\theading\tfor\tthe opposite\t side\t of\t the\t deck,\t Fenrys\t peeling\t off\t from\t his\t post\t by\t the\t foremast,\t that\t edged, bitter\tgaze\tsliding\tover\tthem\tall\twhile\tthey\tpassed. But\tFenrys\twould\tfollow,\tno\tdoubt.\tLike\thell\twould\tthey\tunleash\tthe\twitch\twithout\tall of\tthem\tthere.\tEven\tthe\tcadre\tseemed\tto\tunderstand\tthat. So\t Aedion\t trailed\t after\t his\t queen\t into\t the\t dimness\t of\t the\t ship,\t night\t setting\t in\t above them,\tand\tprayed\tAelin\tand\tManon\tweren\u2019t\tabout\tto\trip\tthe\tboat\tto\tshreds.","Climbing\tinto\tbed\twith\ta\twitch.\tAelin\tground\ther\tteeth\tas\tshe\theaded\tfor\tManon\u2019s\troom. Dorian\t had\t once\t been\t notorious\t when\t it\t came\t to\t women,\t but\t this\t \u2026\t Aelin\t snorted, wishing\tChaol\twere\tpresent,\tif\tonly\tto\tsee\tthe\tlook\ton\this\tface. Even\t if\t it\t eased\t something\t tight\t in\t her\t chest\t to\t know\t Chaol\t and\t Faliq\t were\t in\t the South.\t Perhaps\t raising\t an\t army\t to\t cross\t the\t Narrow\t Sea\t and\t march\t northward.\t If\t they were\tall\tlucky. If.\t Aelin\t hated\t that\t word.\t But\t \u2026\t her\t friendship\t with\t Dorian\t was\t precarious\t enough. She\u2019d\t yielded\t to\t his\t request\t partially\t out\t of\t some\t scrap\t of\t kindness,\t but\t mostly\t because she\t knew\t there\t was\t more\t Manon\t had\t to\t tell\t them\t about\t Morath.\t About\t Erawan.\t Lots more. And\tshe\tdoubted\tthe\twitch\twould\tbe\tforthcoming\u2014especially\twhen\tAelin\thad\tlost\ther temper\t just\t a\t little\t bit\t this\t morning.\t And\t maybe\t it\t made\t her\t a\t conniving,\t hideous\t person for\tusing\tDorian\u2019s\tinterest\tas\ta\tveil\tto\tbutter\tup\tthe\twitch,\tbut\t\u2026\tit\twas\twar. Aelin\t flexed\t her\t hand\t as\t she\t neared\t the\t witch\u2019s\t room,\t the\t lights\t swaying\t in\t the rougher\twaves\tthey\u2019d\tencountered\tsince\tmidday. Rowan\thad\thealed\tthe\tbruise\ton\tthe\tback\tof\ther\tknuckles\tfrom\tthe\tblow\tshe\u2019d\tdealt\tthe witch\u2014and\tshe\u2019d\tthanked\thim\tby\tlocking\tthe\tdoor\tto\ttheir\troom\tand\tgetting\ton\ther\tknees before\thim.\tShe\tcould\tstill\tfeel\this\tfingers\tfisted\tin\ther\thair,\tstill\thear\this\tgroan\u2014 Rowan,\tnow\ta\tstep\tbeside\ther,\twhipped\this\thead\tin\ther\tdirection.\tWhat\tthe\thell\tare\tyou thinking\tabout? But\this\tpupils\thad\tflared\tenough\tthat\tshe\twas\twell\taware\the\tknew\tprecisely\twhere\ther mind\thad\tgone\tas\tthey\twalked\tdown\tto\tthe\twitch\u2019s\tcabin.\tThat\tFenrys\thung\tfar\tback\tdown the\thall\ttold\ther\tenough\tabout\tthe\tchange\tin\ther\tscent. The\tusual\tthings,\tshe\tshot\tback\tat\tRowan\twith\ta\tsimpering\tsmile.\tKilling,\tcrocheting, how\tto\tmake\tyou\temit\tthose\tnoises\tagain\u2014 Rowan\u2019s\t face\t took\t on\t a\t pained\t expression\t that\t had\t her\t grinning.\t Especially\t as\t his throat\tbobbed\twhile\the\tswallowed\u2014hard.\tRound\ttwo,\the\tseemed\tto\tsay.\tAs\tsoon\tas\tthis\tis dealt\twith.\tWe\u2019re\thaving\tround\ttwo.\tThis\ttime,\tI\tget\tto\tsee\twhat\tnoises\tyou\tmake. Aelin\t nearly\t walked\t into\t the\t doorpost\t of\t Manon\u2019s\t open\t cabin.\t Rowan\u2019s\t low\t laugh made\ther\tfocus,\tmade\ther\tstop\tsmiling\tlike\ta\tlust-addled,\tlovesick\tidiot\u2014 Manon\twas\tsitting\tupright\tin\tbed,\tgolden\teyes\tdarting\tbetween\tRowan\tand\tDorian\tand her. Fenrys\tslid\tin\tbehind\tthem,\this\tattention\tgoing\tright\tto\tthe\twitch.\tNo\tdoubt\tstunned\tby the\tbeauty,\tthe\tgrace,\tthe\tblah-blah-blah\tperfectness\tof\ther. Manon\tsaid,\tlow\tand\tflat,\t\u201cWho\tis\tthis?\u201d Dorian\t lifted\t a\t brow,\t following\t her\t gaze.\t \u201cYou\u2019ve\t met\t him\t before.\t He\u2019s\t Fenrys\u2014 sworn\twarrior\tof\tQueen\tMaeve.\u201d","It\twas\tthe\tnarrowing\tof\tManon\u2019s\teyes\tthat\thad\tsome\tinstinct\tpricking.\tThe\tflare\tof\tthe witch\u2019s\tnostrils\tas\tshe\tscented\tthe\tmale,\this\tsmell\tbarely\tdetectable\tin\tthe\tcramped\tcabin \u2014 \u201cNo,\the\u2019s\tnot,\u201d\tManon\tsaid. The\twitch\u2019s\tiron\tnails\tflashed\tout\ta\theartbeat\tbefore\tFenrys\tstruck.","46 It\twas\tstill\tinstinct\tto\tgo\tfor\ta\tknife\tbefore\tAelin\twent\tfor\ther\tmagic. And\t as\t Fenrys\t leaped\t for\t Manon\t with\t a\t snarl,\t it\t was\t Rowan\u2019s\t power\t that\t sent\t him slamming\tthrough\tthe\troom. Before\t the\t male\t had\t finished\t sliding\t across\t the\t floor,\t Aelin\t had\t a\t wall\t of\t flame\t up between\tthem.\t\u201cWhat\tthe\thell,\u201d\tshe\tspat. On\this\tknees,\tFenrys\tclawed\tat\this\tthroat\u2014at\tthe\tair\tRowan\twas\tchoking\toff. The\t cabin\t was\t too\t small\t for\t them\t all\t to\t fit\t without\t getting\t too\t close.\t Ice\t danced\t at Dorian\u2019s\tfingertips\tas\the\tslid\tbeside\tManon,\tstill\tchained\tby\tthe\tbed. \u201cWhat\t did\t you\t mean,\t that\u2019s\t not\t Fenrys?\u201d\t Aelin\t said\t to\t the\t witch\t without\t taking\t her eyes\toff\thim.\tRowan\tlet\tout\ta\tgrunt\tbehind\ther. And\tAelin\twatched\twith\ta\tmix\tof\thorror\tand\tfascination\tas\tFenrys\u2019s\tchest\texpanded\tin a\tmighty\tbreath.\tAs\the\tgot\tto\this\tfeet\tand\tsurveyed\tthat\twall\tof\tflame. As\tif\tRowan\u2019s\tmagic\thad\tworn\toff. And\t as\t Fenrys\u2019s\t skin\t seemed\t to\t glow\t and\t melt\t away,\t as\t a\t creature\t as\t pale\t as\t fresh snow\t emerged\t from\t the\t vanishing\t illusion,\t Aelin\t gave\t Aedion\t a\t subtle\t look\t over\t her shoulder. Her\tcousin\tinstantly\tmoved,\tkeys\tto\tManon\u2019s\tchains\tappearing\tfrom\this\tpocket. But\tManon\tdidn\u2019t\tmove\tas\tthe\tthing\ttook\tform,\tall\tthe\tspindly\tlimbs,\tits\twings\ttucked in\ttight;\tthe\thideous\twarped\tface\tsniffing\tthem\u2014 Manon\u2019s\tchains\tclanked\tfree. Aelin\tsaid\tto\tthe\tthing\tbeyond\ther\twall\tof\tflame,\t\u201cWhat\tare\tyou?\u201d Manon\tanswered\tfor\tit.\t\u201cErawan\u2019s\tBloodhound.\u201d The\tthing\tsmiled,\trevealing\trotted\tblack\tstumps\tof\tteeth.\t\u201cAt\tyour\tservice,\u201d\tit\tsaid.\tShe said,\tAelin\trealized\tas\tshe\tnoted\tthe\tsmall,\tshriveled\tbreasts\ton\tits\tnarrow\tchest.\t\u201cSo\tyour guts\tstayed\tin,\u201d\tit\tpurred\tto\tManon. \u201cWhere\tis\tFenrys?\u201d\tAelin\tdemanded. The\t Bloodhound\u2019s\t smile\t didn\u2019t\t falter.\t \u201cOn\t patrol\t of\t the\t ship,\t on\t another\t level,\t I assume.\t Unaware,\t just\t as\t you\t were\t unaware,\t that\t one\t of\t your\t own\t wasn\u2019t\t truly\t with\t you while\tI\u2014\u201d \u201cUgh,\t another\t talker,\u201d\t Aelin\t said,\t flipping\t her\t braid\t over\t a\t shoulder.\t \u201cLet\t me\t guess:","you\tkilled\ta\tsailor,\ttook\this\tplace,\tlearned\twhat\tyou\tneeded\tto\tabout\thow\tto\tget\tManon\toff this\tship\tand\tour\tpatrols,\tand\t\u2026\twhat?\tYou\tplanned\tto\tcarry\ther\toff\tinto\tthe\tnight?\u201d\tAelin frowned\tat\tthe\tthing\u2019s\tthin\tbody.\t\u201cYou\tlook\tlike\tyou\tcould\tbarely\tlift\ta\tfork\u2014and\thaven\u2019t in\tmonths.\u201d The\tBloodhound\tblinked\tat\ther\u2014then\thissed. Manon\tlet\tout\ta\tlow\tlaugh. Aelin\t said,\t \u201cHonestly?\t You\t could\t have\t just\t snuck\t in\t here\t and\t saved\t yourself\t a thousand\tstupid\tsteps\u2014\u201d \u201cShifter,\u201d\tthe\tthing\thissed,\thungrily\tenough\tthat\tAelin\u2019s\twords\tstumbled. Its\t enormous\t eyes\t had\t gone\t right\t to\t Lysandra,\t snarling\t softly\t in\t the\t corner\t in\t ghost leopard\tform. \u201cShifter,\u201d\tit\thissed\tagain,\tthat\tlonging\ttwisting\tits\tfeatures. And\t Aelin\t had\t a\t feeling\t she\t knew\t what\t this\t thing\t had\t begun\t as.\t What\t Erawan\t had trapped\tand\tmutilated\tin\tthe\tmountains\taround\tMorath. \u201cAs\t I\t was\t saying,\u201d\t Aelin\t drawled\t as\t best\t she\t could,\t \u201cyou\t really\t brought\t this\t upon yourself\u2014\u201d \u201cI\tcame\tfor\tthe\tBlackbeak\their,\u201d\tthe\tBloodhound\tpanted.\t\u201cBut\tlook\tat\tyou\tall:\ta\ttrove worth\tyour\tweight\tin\tgold.\u201d Its\teyes\twent\tmurky,\tas\tif\tit\twere\tno\tlonger\there,\tas\tif\tit\thad\tdrifted\tinto\tanother\troom \u2014 Shit. Aelin\tattacked\twith\ther\tflame. The\tBloodhound\tscreamed\u2014 And\tAelin\u2019s\tflame\tmelted\taway\tinto\tsteam. Rowan\twas\tinstantly\tthere,\tshoving\ther\tback,\tsword\tout.\tHer\tmagic\u2014 \u201cYou\t should\t have\t given\t me\t the\t witch,\u201d\t the\t Bloodhound\t laughed,\t and\t ripped\t the porthole\tclean\tout\tof\tthe\tside\tof\tthe\tship.\t\u201cNow\the\tknows\twho\tyou\ttravel\twith,\twhat\tship you\tsail\t\u2026\u201d The\tcreature\tlunged\tfor\tthe\thole\tit\thad\thewn\tin\tthe\tside\tof\tthe\tship,\tspindrift\tmisting in. A\tblack-tipped\tarrow\tslammed\tinto\tits\tknee,\tthen\tanother\tone. The\tBloodhound\twent\tdown\tan\tinch\tfrom\tfreedom. Snarling\t as\t he\t stepped\t into\t the\t room,\t Fenrys\t fired\t another,\t pinning\t its\t shoulder\t into the\twood\tplanks. Apparently,\the\tdidn\u2019t\ttake\twell\tto\tbeing\timpersonated.\tHe\tgave\tRowan\ta\tseething\tlook","that\tsaid\tas\tmuch.\tAnd\tthat\tdemanded\thow\tthey\tall\thadn\u2019t\tnoticed\tthe\tdifference. But\t the\t Bloodhound\t wrenched\t herself\t up,\t black\t blood\t spraying\t the\t room,\t filling\t it with\t her\t reek.\t Aelin\t had\t a\t dagger\t angled,\t ready\t to\t fly;\t Manon\t was\t about\t to\t pounce; Rowan\u2019s\thatchet\twas\tcocked\u2014 The\tBloodhound\tchucked\ta\tstrap\tof\tblack\tleather\tinto\tthe\tcenter\tof\tthe\troom. Manon\tstopped\tdead. \u201cYour\t Second\t screamed\t when\t Erawan\t broke\t her,\u201d\t the\t Bloodhound\t said.\t \u201cHis\t Dark Majesty\tsends\tthis\tto\tremember\ther\tby.\u201d Aelin\t didn\u2019t\t dare\t take\t her\t eyes\t off\t the\t creature.\t But\t she\t could\t have\t sworn\t Manon swayed. And\tthen\tthe\tBloodhound\tsaid\tto\tthe\twitch,\t\u201cA\tgift\tfrom\ta\tKing\tof\tthe\tValg\t\u2026\tto\tthe last\tliving\tCrochan\tQueen.\u201d Manon\t stared\t and\t stared\t at\t that\t braided\t leather\t band\u2014the\t one\t Asterin\t had\t worn\t every day,\t even\t when\t battle\t did\t not\t demand\t it\u2014and\t did\t not\t care\t what\t the\t Bloodhound\t had declared\tto\tthe\tothers.\tDid\tnot\tcare\tif\tshe\twas\their\tto\tthe\tBlackbeak\tWitch-Clan\tor\tQueen of\tthe\tCrochans.\tDid\tnot\tcare\tif\u2014 Manon\tdid\tnot\tfinish\tthe\tthought\tover\tthe\troar\tthat\tsilenced\teverything\tin\ther\thead. The\troar\tthat\tcame\tout\tof\ther\tmouth\tas\tshe\tlaunched\therself\tat\tthe\tBloodhound. The\tarrows\tthrough\tthe\tbeast\tscratched\tat\tManon\tas\tshe\ttackled\tthat\tdewy,\tbony\tbody into\tthe\twood.\tClaws\tand\tteeth\tslashed\tfor\ther\tface,\tbut\tManon\tgot\ther\thands\taround\tthat neck,\tand\tiron\ttore\tthrough\tdamp\tskin. Then\t those\t claws\t were\t pinned\t in\t the\t wood\t beneath\t phantom\t hands\t as\t Dorian sauntered\t over,\t face\t so\t unyieldingly\t unmoved.\t The\t Bloodhound\t thrashed,\t those\t claws trying\tto\twrench\tfree\u2014 The\tcreature\tscreamed\tas\tthose\tinvisible\thands\tcrunched\tdown\ton\tbone. Then\tthrough\tit. Manon\t gaped\t at\t the\t severed\t hands\t a\t moment\t before\t the\t Bloodhound\t screamed,\t so loud\ther\town\tears\trang.\tBut\tDorian\tcrooned,\t\u201cBe\tdone\twith\tit.\u201d Manon\tlifted\ther\tother\thand,\twanting\tiron\tto\tshred\ther\tand\tnot\tsteel. The\tothers\twatched\tbehind\tthem,\tweapons\tready. But\t the\t Bloodhound\t panted,\t \u201cDon\u2019t\t you\t want\t to\t know\t what\t your\t Second\t said\t before she\tdied?\tWhat\tshe\tbegged\tfor?\u201d Manon\thesitated. \u201cWhat\t a\t horrible\t brand\t on\t her\t stomach\u2014unclean.\t Did\t you\t do\t that\t yourself, Blackbeak?\u201d","No.\tNo,\tno,\tno\u2014 \u201cA\tbaby;\tshe\tsaid\tshe\u2019d\tbirthed\ta\tstillborn\twitchling.\u201d Manon\tfroze\tentirely. And\tdidn\u2019t\tparticularly\tcare\tas\tthe\tBloodhound\tlunged\tfor\ther\tthroat,\tteeth\tbared. It\twas\tnot\tflame\tor\twind\tthat\tsnapped\tthe\tBloodhound\u2019s\tneck. But\tinvisible\thands. The\t crunch\t echoed\t through\t the\t room,\t and\t Manon\t whirled\t on\t Dorian\t Havilliard.\t His sapphire\teyes\twere\tutterly\tmerciless.\tManon\tsnarled.\t\u201cHow\tdare\tyou\ttake\tmy\tkill\u2014\u201d Men\ton\tthe\tdeck\tbegan\tscreaming,\tand\tAbraxos\troared. Abraxos. Manon\t turned\t on\t her\t heel\t and\t sprinted\t through\t the\t wall\t of\t warriors,\t careening\t down the\thall,\tup\tthe\tstairs\u2014 Her\tiron\tnails\ttore\tchunks\tout\tof\tthe\tslippery\twood\tas\tshe\thauled\therself\tup,\tstomach aching.\tMuggy\tnight\tair\thit\ther,\tthen\tthe\tsea\u2019s\tscent,\tthen\u2014 There\twere\tsix\tof\tthem. Their\tskin\twas\tnot\tbone\twhite\tlike\tthe\tBloodhound\u2019s,\tbut\trather\ta\tmottled\tdarkness\u2014 bred\tfor\tshadows\tand\tstealth.\tWinged,\tall\twith\thumanoid\tfaces\tand\tbodies\u2014 Ilken,\tone\tof\tthem\thissed\tas\tit\tdisemboweled\ta\tman\tin\tone\tswipe\tof\tits\tclaws.\tWe\tare the\t ilken,\t and\t we\t have\t come\t to\t feast.\t Indeed,\t pirates\t were\t dead\t on\t the\t deck,\t blood\t a coppery\ttang\tthat\tfilled\ther\tsenses\tas\tshe\traced\tfor\twhere\tAbraxos\u2019s\troar\thad\tsounded. But\the\twas\tairborne,\tflapping\thigh,\ttail\tswinging. The\tshape-shifter\tin\twyvern\tform\tat\this\tside. Taking\ton\tthree\tof\tthe\tsmaller\tfigures,\tso\tmuch\tmore\tnimble\tas\tthey\u2014 Flame\tblasted\tinto\tthe\tnight,\talong\twith\twind,\tand\tice. One\t ilken\t melted.\t The\t second\t had\t its\t wings\t snapped.\t And\t the\t third\u2014the\t third\t froze into\ta\tsolid\tblock\tand\tshattered\tupon\tthe\tdeck. Eight\tmore\tilken\tlanded,\tone\tripping\tinto\ta\tscreaming\tsailor\u2019s\tneck\ton\tthe\tforedeck\u2014 Manon\u2019s\t iron\t teeth\t snapped\t down.\t Flame\t blasted\t again,\t spearing\t for\t the\t approaching terrors. Only\tfor\tthem\tto\tsail\tthrough\tit. The\t ship\t became\t a\t melee\t as\t wings\t and\t talons\t tore\t into\t delicate\t human\t hides,\t as\t the immortal\twarriors\tunleashed\tthemselves\tupon\tthe\tilken\tthat\tlanded\ton\tthe\tdeck. Aedion\thurtled\tafter\tAelin\tthe\tmoment\tthe\twyvern\troared.","He\tgot\tas\tfar\tas\tthe\tmain\tdeck\tbefore\tthose\tthings\tattacked. Before\t Aelin\u2019s\t flame\t ruptured\t from\t the\t deck\t ahead,\t and\t he\t realized\t his\t cousin\t could look\t after\t herself\t because\t shit,\t the\t Valg\t king\t had\t been\t busy.\t Ilken,\t they\u2019d\t called themselves. There\twere\ttwo\tof\tthem\tnow\tbefore\thim\ton\tthe\tquarterdeck,\twhere\the\u2019d\trun\tto\tspare the\tfirst\tmate\tand\tcaptain\tfrom\thaving\ttheir\torgans\tripped\tout\tof\ttheir\tbellies.\tBoth\tbeasts were\tnearly\teight\tfeet\tand\tborn\tof\tnightmares,\tbut\tin\ttheir\teyes\t\u2026\tthose\twere\thuman\teyes. And\ttheir\tscents\t\u2026\tlike\trotted\tmeat,\tbut\t\u2026\thuman.\tPartially. They\t stood\t between\t him\t and\t the\t stairs\t back\t to\t the\t main\t deck.\t \u201cWhat\t a\t bounty\t this hunt\thas\tyielded,\u201d\tone\tsaid. Aedion\tdidn\u2019t\tdare\ttake\this\tattention\toff\tthem,\tthough\the\tvaguely\theard\tAelin\tordering Rowan\tto\tgo\thelp\tthe\tother\tships.\tVaguely\theard\ta\twolf\tand\ta\tlion\u2019s\tsnarl,\tand\tfelt\tthe\tkiss of\tcold\tas\tice\tslammed\tinto\tthe\tworld. Aedion\tgripped\this\tsword,\tflipping\tit\tonce,\ttwice.\tHad\tthe\tPirate\tLord\tsold\tthem\tout\tto Morath?\tThe\tway\tthat\tBloodhound\thad\tlooked\tat\tLysandra\u2014 His\trage\tbecame\ta\tsong\tin\this\tblood. They\t sized\t him\t up,\t and\t Aedion\t flipped\t his\t sword\t again.\t Two\t against\t one\u2014he\t might stand\ta\tchance. That\twas\twhen\tthe\tthird\tlunged\tfrom\tthe\tshadows\tbehind\thim. Aelin\tkilled\tone\twith\tGoldryn.\tBeheading. The\tother\ttwo\t\u2026\tThey\thadn\u2019t\tbeen\ttoo\tpleased\tby\tit,\tif\ttheir\tincessant\tshrieking\tin\tthe moments\tfollowing\twas\tany\tindication. A\tlion\u2019s\troar\tcleaved\tthe\tnight,\tand\tAelin\tprayed\tGavriel\twas\twith\tAedion\tsomewhere \u2014 The\t two\t in\t front\t of\t her,\t blocking\t the\t way\t belowdecks,\t finally\t stopped\t their\t hissy\t fits long\tenough\tto\task,\t\u201cWhere\tare\tyour\tflames\tnow?\u201d Aelin\t opened\t her\t mouth.\t But\t then\t Fenrys\t leaped\t out\t of\t a\t patch\t of\t night\t as\t if\t he\u2019d simply\trun\tthrough\ta\tdoorway,\tand\tslammed\tinto\tthe\tone\tnearest.\tHe\thad\ta\tscore\tto\tsettle, it\tseemed. Fenrys\u2019s\tjaws\twent\taround\tthe\tilken\u2019s\tthroat,\tand\tthe\tother\twhirled,\tclaws\tout. She\twas\tnot\tfast\tenough\tto\tstop\tit\tas\ttwo\tsets\tof\tclaws\tslashed\tthrough\tthe\twhite\tcoat, through\tthe\tshield\the\tkept\ton\thimself,\tand\tFenrys\u2019s\tcry\tof\tpain\tbarked\tacross\tthe\twater. Twin\tswords\tof\tflame\tplunged\tthrough\ttwo\tilken\tnecks. Heads\trolled\tonto\tthe\tblood-slick\tdeck. Fenrys\t staggered\t back,\t making\t it\t all\t of\t a\t step\t before\t he\t crashed\t to\t the\t planks.\t Aelin surged\tfor\thim,\tswearing.","Blood\tand\tbone\tand\tgreenish\tslime\u2014poison.\tLike\tthose\ton\tthe\twyverns\u2019\ttails. Like\tblowing\tout\ta\tthousand\tcandles,\tshe\tpushed\taside\ther\tflame,\trallied\tthat\thealing water.\t Fenrys\t shifted\t back\t into\t a\t male,\t his\t teeth\t clenched,\t swearing\t low\t and\t vicious,\t a hand\tagainst\this\ttorn\tribs.\t\u201cDon\u2019t\tmove,\u201d\tshe\ttold\thim. She\u2019d\timmediately\tsent\tRowan\tto\tthe\tother\tships,\tand\the\u2019d\ttried\tto\targue,\tbut\t\u2026\thad obeyed.\tShe\thad\tno\tidea\twhere\tthe\tWing\tLeader\twas\u2014the\tCrochan\tQueen.\tHoly\tgods. Aelin\treadied\ther\tmagic,\ttrying\tto\tcalm\ther\traging\theart\u2014 \u201cThe\tothers,\u201d\tpanted\tAedion,\tlimping\tfor\tthem,\tcoated\tin\tblack\tblood,\t\u201care\tfine.\u201d\tShe almost\t sobbed\t in\t relief\u2014until\t she\t noticed\t the\t way\t her\t cousin\u2019s\t eyes\t shone,\t and\t that\t \u2026 that\t Gavriel,\t bloodied\t and\t limping\t worse\t than\t Aedion,\t was\t a\t step\t behind\t his\t son.\t What the\thell\thad\thappened? Fenrys\tgroaned,\tand\tshe\tfocused\ton\this\twounds,\tthat\tpoison\tslithering\tinto\this\tblood. She\topened\ther\tmouth\tto\ttell\tFenrys\tto\tlower\this\thand\twhen\twings\tflapped. Not\tthe\tkind\tshe\tloved. Aedion\twas\tinstantly\tbefore\tthem,\tsword\tout,\tgrimacing\tin\tpain\u2014but\tone\tof\tthe\tilken lifted\ta\tclaw-tipped\thand.\tParley. Her\tcousin\thalted.\tBut\tGavriel\tshifted\timperceptibly\tcloser\tto\tthe\tilken\tas\tit\tsniffed\tat Fenrys\tand\tsmiled. \u201cDon\u2019t\tbother,\u201d\tthe\tthing\ttold\tAelin,\tlaughing\tquietly.\t\u201cHe\twon\u2019t\thave\tmuch\tlonger\tto live.\u201d Aedion\tsnarled,\tpalming\this\tfighting\tknives.\tAelin\trallied\ther\tflame.\tOnly\tthe\thottest of\ther\tfire\tcould\tkill\tthem\u2014anything\tless\tand\tthey\tremained\tunscathed.\tShe\u2019d\tthink\tabout the\tlong-term\timplications\tof\tit\tlater. \u201cI\t was\t sent\t to\t deliver\t a\t message,\u201d\t the\t ilken\t said,\t smiling\t over\t a\t shoulder\t toward\t the horizon.\t\u201cThank\tyou\tfor\tconfirming\tin\tSkull\u2019s\tBay\tthat\tyou\tcarry\twhat\tHis\tDark\tMajesty seeks.\u201d Aelin\u2019s\tstomach\tdropped\tto\ther\tfeet. The\tkey.\tErawan\tknew\tshe\thad\tthe\tWyrdkey.","47 Rowan\thauled\tass\tback\tto\ttheir\tship,\this\tmagic\tnear-flinging\thim\tthrough\tthe\tair. The\tother\ttwo\tships\thad\tbeen\tleft\tundisturbed\u2014they\u2019d\teven\thad\tthe\tnerve\tto\tdemand what\tthe\thell\tall\tthe\tshouting\twas\tabout. Rowan\thadn\u2019t\tbothered\tto\texplain\tother\tthan\tan\tenemy\tattack\tand\tto\tdrop\tanchor\tuntil it\twas\tover\tbefore\the\u2019d\tleft.\tHe\u2019d\treturned\tto\tcarnage. Returned\twith\this\theart\tbeating\tso\twildly\the\tthought\the\u2019d\tvomit\twith\trelief\tas\the\tswept in\t for\t the\t landing\t and\t beheld\t Aelin\t kneeling\t on\t the\t deck.\t Until\t he\t saw\t Fenrys\t bleeding beneath\ther\thands. Until\tthat\tlast\tilken\tlanded\tbefore\tthem. His\trage\thoned\titself\tinto\ta\tlethal\tspear,\this\tmagic\trallying\tas\the\tdove\tthrough\tthe\tsky, aiming\t for\t the\t deck.\t Concentrated\t bursts,\t he\u2019d\t discovered,\t could\t get\t through\t whatever repellant\thad\tbeen\tbred\tinto\tthem. He\u2019d\trip\tthe\tthing\u2019s\thead\tright\toff. But\t then\t the\t ilken\t laughed\t right\t as\t Rowan\t landed\t and\t shifted,\t looking\t over\t its\t thin shoulder.\t \u201cMorath\t looks\t forward\t to\t welcoming\t you,\u201d\t the\t creature\t smirked,\t and\t launched skyward\tbefore\tRowan\tcould\tlunge\tfor\tit. But\t Aelin\t wasn\u2019t\t moving.\t Gavriel\t and\t Aedion,\t bloodied\t and\t limping,\t were\t barely moving.\tFenrys,\this\tchest\ta\tbloody\tmess\twith\tgreenish\tslime\u2014poison\t\u2026 Power\t glowed\t at\t Aelin\u2019s\t hands\t as\t she\t knelt\t over\t Fenrys,\t concentrating\t on\t that\t bit\t of water\tshe\u2019d\tbeen\tgiven,\ta\tdrop\tof\twater\tin\ta\tsea\tof\tfire\t\u2026 Rowan\topened\this\tmouth\tto\toffer\tto\thelp\twhen\tLysandra\tpanted\tfrom\tthe\tshadows,\t\u201cIs anyone\tgoing\tto\tdeal\twith\tthat\tthing,\tor\tshould\tI?\u201d Indeed,\tthe\tilken\twas\tflapping\tfor\tthe\tdistant\tcoast,\tbarely\tmore\tthan\ta\tbit\tof\tblackness against\tthe\tdarkened\tsky,\thurtling\tfor\tthe\tcoast,\tno\tdoubt\tto\tfly\tright\tto\tMorath\tto\treport. Rowan\tsnatched\tup\tFenrys\u2019s\tfallen\tbow\tand\tquiver\tof\tblack-tipped\tarrows. None\t of\t them\t stopped\t him\t as\t he\t strode\t to\t the\t railing,\t blood\t splashing\t beneath\t his boots. The\tonly\tsounds\twere\tthe\ttapping\twaves,\tthe\twhimpering\tof\tthe\tinjured,\tand\tthe\tgroan of\t the\t mighty\t bow\t as\t he\t nocked\t an\t arrow\t and\t drew\t back\t the\t string.\t Farther\t and\t farther. His\tarms\tstrained,\tbut\the\thoned\tin\ton\tthat\tdark\tspeck\tflapping\taway. \u201cA\tgold\tcoin\tsays\the\tmisses,\u201d\tFenrys\trasped.","\u201cSave\tyour\tbreath\tfor\thealing,\u201d\tAelin\tsnapped. \u201cMake\tit\ttwo,\u201d\tAedion\tsaid\tbehind\thim.\t\u201cI\tsay\the\thits.\u201d \u201cYou\t can\t all\t go\t to\t hell,\u201d\t Aelin\t snarled.\t But\t then\t added,\t \u201cMake\t it\t five.\t Ten\t says\t he downs\tit\twith\tthe\tfirst\tshot.\u201d \u201cDeal,\u201d\tFenrys\tgroaned,\this\tvoice\tthick\twith\tpain. Rowan\tgritted\this\tteeth.\t\u201cRemind\tme\twhy\tI\tbother\twith\tany\tof\tyou.\u201d Then\the\tfired. The\tarrow\twas\tnearly\tinvisible\tas\tit\tsailed\tthrough\tthe\tnight. And\twith\this\tFae\tsight,\tRowan\tsaw\twith\tperfect\tclarity\tas\tthat\tarrow\tfound\tits\tmark. Right\tthrough\tthe\tthing\u2019s\thead. Aelin\tlaughed\tquietly\tas\tit\thit\tthe\twater,\tits\tsplash\tvisible\teven\tfrom\tthe\tdistance. Rowan\tturned\tand\tscowled\tdown\tat\ther.\tLight\tshimmered\tat\ther\tfingertips\tas\tshe\theld them\t over\t Fenrys\u2019s\t ravaged\t chest.\t But\t he\t turned\t his\t glare\t on\t the\t male,\t then\t on\t Aedion, and\tsaid,\t\u201cPay\tup,\tpricks.\u201d Aedion\t chuckled,\t but\t Rowan\t caught\t the\t shadow\t in\t Aelin\u2019s\t eyes\t as\t she\t resumed healing\t his\t former\t sentinel.\t Understood\t why\t she\u2019d\t made\t light\t of\t it,\t even\t with\t Fenrys injured\tbefore\ther.\tBecause\tif\tErawan\tnow\tknew\ttheir\twhereabouts\t\u2026\tthey\thad\tto\tmove. Fast. And\tpray\tRolfe\u2019s\tdirections\tto\tthe\tLock\tweren\u2019t\twrong. Aedion\twas\tsick\tof\tsurprises. Sick\tof\tfeeling\this\theart\tstop\tdead\tin\this\tchest. As\tit\thad\twhen\tGavriel\thad\tleaped\tto\tsave\this\tass\twith\tthe\tilken,\tthe\tLion\ttearing\tinto them\twith\ta\tferocity\tthat\thad\tleft\tAedion\tstanding\tthere\tlike\ta\tnovice\twith\this\tfirst\tpractice sword. The\t stupid\t bastard\t had\t injured\t himself\t in\t the\t process,\t earning\t a\t swipe\t down\t his\t arm and\tribs\tthat\tset\tthe\tmale\troaring\tin\tpain.\tThe\tvenom\tcoating\tthose\tclaws,\tmercifully,\thad been\tused\tup\ton\tother\tmen. But\t it\t was\t the\t tang\t of\t his\t father\u2019s\t blood\t that\t launched\t Aedion\t into\t action\u2014that coppery,\t mortal\t scent.\t Gavriel\t had\t only\t blinked\t at\t him\t as\t Aedion\t had\t ignored\t the throbbing\t pain\t in\t his\t leg,\t courtesy\t of\t a\t blow\t moments\t before\t right\t above\t his\t knee,\t and they\u2019d\tfought\tback-to-back\tuntil\tthose\tcreatures\twere\tnothing\tbut\ttwitching\theaps\tof\tbone and\tflesh. He\t hadn\u2019t\t said\t a\t word\t to\t the\t male\t before\t sheathing\t sword\t and\t shield\t across\t his\t back and\tstalking\tto\tfind\tAelin. She\tstill\tknelt\tover\tFenrys,\toffering\tRowan\tnothing\tmore\tthan\ta\tpat\ton\this\tthigh\tas\the","stormed\t past\t to\t help\t with\t the\t other\t wounded.\t A\t pat\t on\t the\t thigh\u2014for\t making\t a\t shot\t that Aedion\twas\tfairly\tcertain\tmost\tof\this\tBane\twould\thave\tjudged\tto\tbe\timpossible. Aedion\t set\t down\t the\t pail\t of\t water\t she\u2019d\t asked\t him\t to\t get\t for\t Fenrys,\t trying\t not\t to wince\tas\tshe\twiped\taway\tthe\tgreen\tpoison\tthat\toozed\tout.\tA\tfew\tfeet\taway,\this\tfather\twas tending\tto\ta\tblubbering\tpirate\u2014who\thad\tbarely\tmore\tthan\ta\ttear\tto\tthe\tthigh. Fenrys\thissed,\tand\tAelin\tlet\tout\ta\tgrunt\tof\tpain\therself.\tAedion\tpushed\tin.\t\u201cWhat?\u201d Aelin\tshook\ther\thead\tonce,\ta\tsharp\tdismissal.\tBut\the\twatched\tas\tshe\tlocked\teyes\twith Fenrys\u2014locked\t and\t held\t them\t in\t a\t way\t that\t told\t Aedion\t whatever\t she\t was\t about\t to\t do would\thurt.\tHe\u2019d\tseen\tthat\tsame\tlook\tpass\tbetween\thealer\tand\tsoldier\ta\thundred\ttimes\ton killing\tfields\tand\tin\tthe\thealers\u2019\ttents\tafterward. \u201cWhy,\u201d\tFenrys\tpanted,\t\u201cdidn\u2019t\u201d\u2014another\tpant\u2014\u201cyou\tjust\tmelt\tthem?\u201d \u201cBecause\t I\t wanted\t to\t get\t some\t information\t out\t of\t them\t before\t you\t charged\t in,\t you bossy\tFae\tbastard.\u201d\tShe\tgritted\ther\tteeth\tagain,\tand\tAedion\tbraced\ta\thand\ton\ther\tback\tas the\t poison\t no\t doubt\t brushed\t against\t her\t magic.\t As\t she\t tried\t to\t wash\t it\t out.\t She\t leaned\t a bit\tinto\this\ttouch. \u201cCan\theal\ton\tmy\town,\u201d\tFenrys\trasped,\tnoting\tthe\tstrain.\t\u201cGet\tto\tthe\tothers.\u201d \u201cOh,\tplease,\u201d\tshe\tsnapped.\t\u201cYou\u2019re\tall\tinsufferable.\tThat\tthing\thad\tpoison\ton\tits\tclaws \u2014\u201d \u201cThe\tothers\u2014\u201d \u201cTell\t me\t how\t your\t magic\t works\u2014how\t you\t can\t leap\t between\t places\t like\t that.\u201d\t A clever,\teasy\tway\tto\tkeep\thim\tfocused\telsewhere. Aedion\tscanned\tthe\tdeck,\tmaking\tsure\the\twasn\u2019t\tneeded,\tand\tthen\tcarefully\tsopped\tup the\t blood\t and\t poison\t leaking\t from\t Fenrys\u2019s\t chest.\t It\t had\t to\t hurt\t like\t hell.\t The\t insistent throbbing\tin\this\tleg\twas\tlikely\tnothing\tby\tcomparison. \u201cNo\t one\t knows\t where\t it\t comes\t from\u2014what\t it\t is,\u201d\t Fenrys\t said\t between\t shallow breaths,\tfingers\tcurling\tand\tuncurling\tat\this\tsides.\t\u201cBut\tit\tlets\tme\tslip\tbetween\tfolds\tin\tthe world.\tOnly\tshort\tdistances,\tand\tonly\ta\tfew\ttimes\tbefore\tI\u2019m\tdrained,\tbut\t\u2026\tit\u2019s\tuseful\ton a\tkilling\tfield.\u201d\tHe\tpanted\tthrough\this\tclenched\tteeth\tas\tthe\touter\tedges\tof\this\tgash\tbegan to\t reach\t for\t each\t other.\t \u201cAside\t from\t that,\t I\u2019ve\t got\t nothing\t special.\t Speed,\t strength,\t swift healing\t\u2026\tmore\tthan\tthe\taverage\tFae,\tbut\tthe\tsame\tstock\tof\tgifts.\tI\tcan\tshield\tmyself\tand others,\tbut\tcan\u2019t\tsummon\tan\telement.\u201d Aelin\u2019s\thand\twavered\tslightly\tover\this\twound.\t\u201cWhat\u2019s\tyour\tshield\tmade\tof,\tthen?\u201d Fenrys\t tried\t and\t failed\t to\t shrug.\t But\t Gavriel\t muttered\t from\t where\t he\t worked\t on\t the still-whimpering\tpirate,\t\u201cArrogance.\u201d Aelin\tsnorted,\tbut\tdidn\u2019t\tdare\ttake\ther\teyes\toff\tFenrys\u2019s\tinjury\tas\tshe\tsaid,\t\u201cSo\tyou\tdo have\ta\tsense\tof\thumor,\tGavriel.\u201d The\t Lion\t of\t Doranelle\t gave\t a\t wary\t smile\t over\t his\t shoulder.\t The\t rare-sighted, restrained\ttwin\tto\tAedion\u2019s\town\tflashing\tgrins.\tAelin\thad\tcalled\thim\tUncle\tKitty-Cat\tall\tof","one\t time\t before\t Aedion\t had\t snarled\t viciously\t enough\t to\t make\t her\t think\t carefully\t before using\t the\t term\t again.\t Gavriel,\t to\t his\t credit,\t had\t merely\t given\t Aelin\t a\t long-suffering\t sigh that\tseemed\tto\tbe\tused\tonly\twhen\tshe\tor\tFenrys\twere\taround. \u201cThat\t sense\t of\t humor\t only\t appears\t about\t once\t every\t century,\u201d\t Fenrys\t rasped,\t \u201cso you\u2019d\t better\t hope\t you\t Settle,\t or\t else\t that\u2019s\t the\t last\t time\t you\u2019ll\t see\t it.\u201d\t Aelin\t chuckled, though\t it\t faded\t quickly.\t Something\t cold\t and\t oily\t slid\t into\t Aedion\u2019s\t gut.\t \u201cSorry,\u201d\t Fenrys added,\twincing\teither\tat\tthe\twords\tor\tthe\tpain. Aelin\tasked\tbefore\tAedion\tlet\this\twords\tsink\tin,\t\u201cWhere\tdid\tyou\tcome\tfrom?\tLorcan, I\tknow,\twas\ta\tbastard\tin\tthe\tslums.\u201d \u201cLorcan\t was\t a\t bastard\t in\t Maeve\u2019s\t palace,\t don\u2019t\t worry,\u201d\t Fenrys\t smirked,\t his\t bronze face\t wan.\t Aelin\u2019s\t lips\t twitched\t toward\t a\t smile.\t \u201cConnall\t and\t I\t were\t the\t sons\t of\t nobles who\tdwell\tin\tthe\tsoutheastern\tpart\tof\tMaeve\u2019s\tlands\t\u2026\u201d\tHe\thissed. \u201cYour\tparents?\u201d\tAedion\tpressed\twhen\tAelin\therself\tseemed\tto\tbe\tstraining\tfor\twords. He\u2019d\tseen\ther\theal\tlittle\tcuts,\tand\tslowly\trepair\tManon\u2019s\twound\tover\tdays,\tbut\t\u2026 \u201cOur\tmother\twas\ta\twarrior,\u201d\tFenrys\tsaid,\teach\tword\tlabored.\t\u201cShe\ttrained\tus\tas\tsuch. Our\tfather\twas,\ttoo,\tbut\twas\toften\taway\tat\twar.\tShe\twas\ttasked\twith\tdefending\tour\thome, our\tlands.\tAnd\treporting\tto\tMaeve.\u201d\tRasping,\tlaboring\tbreaths\tfrom\tboth\tof\tthem.\tAedion shifted\t so\t that\t Aelin\t could\t lean\t wholly\t against\t him,\t biting\t down\t on\t the\t weight\t it\t put\t on his\talready-swollen\tknee.\t\u201cWhen\tCon\tand\tI\twere\tthirty,\twe\twere\tstraining\tat\tthe\tleash\tto go\t to\t Doranelle\t with\t her\u2014to\t see\t the\t city,\t meet\t the\t queen,\t and\t do\t \u2026\t what\t young\t males like\tto\tdo\twith\tmoney\tin\ttheir\tpockets\tand\tyouth\ton\ttheir\tsides.\tOnly\tMaeve\ttook\tone\tlook at\tus\tand\t\u2026\u201d\tHe\tneeded\tlonger\tto\tcatch\this\tbreath\tthis\ttime.\t\u201cIt\tdidn\u2019t\tgo\twell\tfrom\tthere.\u201d Aedion\tknew\tthe\trest;\tso\tdid\tAelin. The\tlast\tof\tthe\tgreen\tslime\tslid\tout\tof\tFenrys\u2019s\tchest.\tAnd\tAelin\tbreathed,\t\u201cShe\tknows you\thate\tthe\toath,\tdoesn\u2019t\tshe?\u201d \u201cMaeve\t knows,\u201d\t Fenrys\t said.\t \u201cAnd\t I\t have\t no\t doubt\t she\t sent\t me\t here,\t hoping\t I\u2019d\t be tortured\tby\tthe\ttemporary\tfreedom.\u201d Aelin\u2019s\t hands\t were\t shaking,\t her\t body\t shuddering\t against\t his\t own.\t Aedion\t slipped\t an arm\taround\ther\twaist.\t\u201cI\u2019m\tsorry\tyou\u2019re\tbound\tto\ther,\u201d\twas\tall\tAelin\tmanaged. The\t wounds\t in\t Fenrys\u2019s\t chest\t began\t knitting\t together.\t Rowan\t stalked\t over\t as\t if sensing\tshe\twas\tfading. Fenrys\u2019s\tface\twas\tstill\tgrayish,\tstill\ttaut,\tas\the\tglanced\tup\tat\tRowan\tand\tsaid\tto\tAelin, \u201cThis\t is\t what\t we\t are\t meant\t to\t do\u2014protect,\t serve,\t cherish.\t What\t Maeve\t offers\t is\t \u2026\t a mockery\tof\tthat.\u201d\tHe\tsurveyed\tthe\twounds\tnow\thealing\ton\this\tchest,\tmending\tso\tslowly. \u201cBut\tit\tis\twhat\tcalls\tto\ta\tFae\tmale\u2019s\tblood,\twhat\tguides\thim.\tWhat\twe\u2019re\tall\tlooking\tfor, even\twhen\twe\tsay\twe\u2019re\tnot.\u201d Aedion\u2019s\tfather\thad\tgone\tstill\tover\tthe\twounded\tpirate. Aedion,\t surprising\t even\t himself,\t said\t over\t his\t shoulder\t to\t Gavriel,\t \u201cAnd\t do\t you\t find Maeve\tfulfills\tthat\u2014or\tare\tyou\tlike\tFenrys?\u201d","His\tfather\tblinked,\tabout\tall\tthe\tshock\the\u2019d\tshow,\tand\tthen\tstraightened,\tthe\twounded sailor\tbefore\thim\tnow\tsleeping\toff\tthe\thealing.\tAedion\tbore\tthe\tbrunt\tof\this\ttawny\tstare, tried\t to\t shut\t out\t the\t kernel\t of\t hope\t that\t shone\t in\t the\t Lion\u2019s\t eyes.\t \u201cI\t come\t from\t a\t noble house\t as\t well,\t the\t youngest\t of\t three\t brothers.\t I\t wouldn\u2019t\t inherit\t or\t rule,\t so\t I\t took\t to soldiering.\tIt\tearned\tMaeve\u2019s\teye,\tand\ther\toffer.\tThere\twas\u2014is\tno\tgreater\thonor.\u201d \u201cThat\u2019s\tnot\tan\tanswer,\u201d\tAedion\tsaid\tquietly. His\tfather\trolled\this\tshoulders.\tFidgeting.\t\u201cI\tonly\thated\tit\tonce.\tOnly\twanted\tto\tleave once.\u201d He\tdidn\u2019t\tcontinue.\tAnd\tAedion\tknew\twhat\tthe\tunspoken\twords\twere. Aelin\tbrushed\ta\tstrand\tof\thair\tout\tof\ther\tface.\t\u201cYou\tloved\ther\tthat\tmuch?\u201d Aedion\ttried\tnot\tto\tlet\this\tgratitude\tthat\tshe\u2019d\tasked\tfor\thim\tshow. Gavriel\u2019s\thands\twere\twhite-knuckled\tas\tthey\tfolded\tinto\tfists.\t\u201cShe\twas\ta\tbright\tstar\tin centuries\tof\tdarkness.\tI\twould\thave\tfollowed\tthat\tstar\tto\tthe\tends\tof\tthe\tearth,\tif\tshe\thad let\t me.\t But\t she\t didn\u2019t,\t and\t I\t respected\t her\t wishes\t to\t stay\t away.\t To\t never\t seek\t her\t out again.\tI\twent\tto\tanother\tcontinent\tand\tdidn\u2019t\tlet\tmyself\tlook\tback.\u201d The\t ship\u2019s\t creaking\t and\t the\t groaning\t of\t the\t injured\t were\t the\t only\t sounds.\t Aedion clamped\tdown\ton\tthe\turge\tto\tstand\tand\twalk\taway.\tHe\u2019d\tlook\tlike\ta\tchild\u2014not\ta\tgeneral who\u2019d\tfought\this\tway\tthrough\tknee-deep\tgore\ton\tkilling\tfields. Aelin\tsaid,\tagain\tbecause\tAedion\tcouldn\u2019t\tbring\thimself\tto\tsay\tthe\twords,\t\u201cYou\twould have\ttried\tto\tbreak\tthe\tblood\toath\tfor\ther?\tFor\tthem?\u201d \u201cHonor\tis\tmy\tcode,\u201d\tGavriel\tsaid.\t\u201cBut\tif\tMaeve\thad\ttried\tto\tharm\teither\tyou\tor\ther, Aedion,\tI\twould\thave\tdone\teverything\tin\tmy\tpower\tto\tget\tyou\tout.\u201d The\t words\t hit\t Aedion,\t then\t flowed\t through\t him.\t He\t didn\u2019t\t let\t himself\t think\t about\t it, the\ttruth\the\u2019d\tfelt\tin\teach\tword.\tThe\tway\this\tname\thad\tsounded\ton\this\tfather\u2019s\tlips. His\t father\t checked\t the\t injured\t pirate\t for\t any\t lingering\t injuries,\t then\t moved\t on\t to another.\tThose\ttawny\teyes\tslid\tto\tAedion\u2019s\tknee,\tswollen\tbeneath\this\tpants.\t\u201cYou\tneed\tto tend\tto\tthat,\tor\tit\u2019ll\tbe\ttoo\tstiff\tto\tfunction\tin\ta\tfew\thours.\u201d Aedion\t felt\t Aelin\u2019s\t attention\t snap\t to\t him,\t scanning\t him\t for\t injury,\t but\t he\t held\t his father\u2019s\tgaze\tand\tsaid,\t\u201cI\tknow\thow\tto\ttreat\tmy\town\tinjuries.\u201d\tThe\tbattlefield\thealers\tand the\tBane\thad\ttaught\thim\tenough\tover\tthe\tyears.\t\u201cTend\tto\tyour\town\twounds.\u201d\tIndeed,\tthe male\thad\tblood\tcrusting\this\tshirt.\tLucky\u2014so\tlucky\tthe\tvenom\thad\talready\tbeen\twiped\toff those\t claws.\t Gavriel\t blinked\t down\t at\t himself,\t his\t band\t of\t tattoos\t bobbing\t as\t he swallowed,\tthen\tcontinued\twithout\tanother\tword. Aelin\t pushed\t off\t Aedion\t at\t last,\t trying\t and\t failing\t to\t get\t to\t her\t feet.\t Aedion\t reached for\ther\tas\tthe\tfocus\twent\tout\tof\ther\tnow-dull\teyes,\tbut\tRowan\twas\talready\tthere,\tsmoothly sweeping\t her\t up\t before\t she\t kissed\t the\t planks.\t Too\t fast\u2014she\t must\t have\t drained\t her reserves\ttoo\tfast,\tand\twithout\tany\tfood\tin\ther\tsystem. Rowan\t held\t his\t stare,\t Aelin\u2019s\t hair\t limp\t as\t she\t rested\t her\t head\t against\t his\t chest.\t The","strain\u2014Aedion\u2019s\tguts\ttwisted\tat\tit.\tMorath\tknew\twhat\tit\twas\tgoing\tup\tagainst.\tWho\tit\twas going\t up\t against.\t Erawan\t had\t built\t his\t commanders\t accordingly.\t Rowan\t nodded\t as\t if\t in confirmation\tof\tAedion\u2019s\tthoughts,\tbut\tonly\tsaid,\t\u201cElevate\tthat\tknee.\u201d Fenrys\thad\tslipped\tinto\ta\tlight\tsleep\tbefore\tRowan\tcarried\tAelin\tbelow. So\tAedion\tkept\this\town\tcompany\tfor\tthe\trest\tof\tthe\tnight:\tfirst\ton\twatch,\tthen\tsitting against\t the\t mast\t on\t the\t quarterdeck\t for\t a\t few\t hours,\t knee\t indeed\t elevated,\t unwilling\t to descend\tinto\tthe\tcramped,\tdim\tinterior. Sleep\twas\tfinally\tstarting\tto\ttug\tat\thim\twhen\twood\tgroaned\ta\tfew\tfeet\tbehind,\tand\the knew\tit\tdid\tso\tonly\tbecause\tshe\twilled\tit,\tto\tkeep\tfrom\tstartling\thim. The\tghost\tleopard\tsat\tbeside\thim,\ttail\ttwitching,\tand\tmet\this\teyes\tfor\ta\tmoment\tbefore she\tlaid\ther\tenormous\thead\ton\this\tthigh. In\t silence,\t they\t watched\t the\t stars\t flicker\t over\t the\t calm\t waves,\t Lysandra\t nuzzling\t her head\tagainst\this\thip. The\tstarlight\tstained\ther\tcoat\twith\tmuted\tsilver,\tand\ta\tsmile\tghosted\tAedion\u2019s\tlips.","48 They\tworked\tthrough\tthe\tnight,\tweighing\tanchor\tonly\tlong\tenough\tfor\tthe\tcrew\tto\tpatch up\t the\t hole\t in\t Manon\u2019s\t room.\t It\t would\t hold\t for\t now,\t the\t captain\t told\t Dorian,\t but\t gods help\tthem\tif\tthey\thit\tanother\tstorm\tbefore\tthey\tgot\tto\tthe\tmarshes. They\t tended\t to\t the\t wounded\t for\t hours,\t and\t Dorian\t was\t grateful\t for\t the\t little\t healing magic\tRowan\thad\ttaught\thim\tas\the\tpieced\tflesh\tback\ttogether.\tPretending\tit\twas\ta\tpuzzle, or\tbits\tof\ttorn\tcloth,\tkept\this\tmeager\tdinner\tfrom\tcoming\tback\tup.\tBut\tthe\tpoison\t\u2026\tHe left\tthat\tto\tRowan,\tAelin,\tand\tGavriel. By\t the\t time\t the\t morning\t had\t shifted\t into\t a\t sickly\t gray,\t their\t faces\t were\t sallow,\t dark smudges\tetched\tdeep\tbeneath\ttheir\teyes.\tFenrys,\tat\tleast,\twas\tlimping\taround,\tand\tAedion had\tlet\tAelin\ttend\tto\this\tknee\tonly\tlong\tenough\tto\tget\thim\twalking\tagain,\tbut\t\u2026\tThey\u2019d seen\tbetter\tdays. Dorian\u2019s\tlegs\twere\twobbling\ta\tbit\tas\the\tscanned\tthe\tblood-soaked\tdeck.\tSomeone\thad dumped\tthe\tcreatures\u2019\tbodies\toverboard,\talong\twith\tthe\tworst\tof\tthe\tgore,\tbut\t\u2026\tIf\twhat the\tBloodhound\thad\tsaid\twas\ttrue,\tthey\tdidn\u2019t\thave\tthe\tluxury\tof\tpulling\tinto\ta\tharbor\tto fix\tthe\trest\tof\tthe\tdamage\tto\tthe\tship. A\tlow,\trumbling\tgrowl\tsounded,\tand\tDorian\tlooked\tacross\tthe\tdeck,\tto\tthe\tprow. The\twitch\twas\tstill\tthere.\tStill\ttending\tto\tAbraxos\u2019s\twounds,\tas\tshe\thad\tbeen\tall\tnight. One\tof\tthe\tcreatures\thad\tbit\thim\ta\tfew\ttimes\u2014thankfully,\tno\tpoison\tin\ttheir\tteeth,\tbut\t\u2026 he\u2019d\tlost\tsome\tblood.\tManon\thad\tnot\tlet\tanyone\tnear\thim. Aelin\t had\t tried\t once,\t and\t when\t Manon\t snarled\t at\t her,\t Aelin\t had\t cursed\t enough\t to make\t everyone\t else\t halt,\t saying\t she\u2019d\t rutting\t deserve\t it\t if\t the\t beast\t died.\t Manon\t had threatened\t to\t rip\t out\t her\t spine,\t Aelin\t had\t given\t her\t a\t vulgar\t gesture,\t and\t Lysandra\t had been\tforced\tto\tmonitor\tthe\tspace\tbetween\tthem\tfor\tan\thour,\tperched\tin\tthe\trigging\tof\tthe mainmast\tin\tghost\tleopard\tform,\ttail\tswaying\tin\tthe\tbreeze. But\t now\t \u2026\t Manon\u2019s\t white\t hair\t was\t limp,\t the\t warm\t morning\t wind\t tugging\t lazily\t at the\tstrands\tas\tshe\tleaned\tagainst\tAbraxos\u2019s\tside. Dorian\t knew\t he\t was\t toeing\t a\t dangerous\t line.\t The\t other\t night,\t he\u2019d\t been\t ready\t to slowly\t strip\t her\t naked,\t to\t put\t those\t chains\t to\t good\t use.\t And\t when\t he\u2019d\t found\t her\t gold eyes\tdevouring\thim\tas\tintently\tas\the\twanted\tto\tdevour\tother\tparts\tof\ther\t\u2026 As\tif\tsensing\this\tstare,\tManon\tpeered\tover\tat\thim. Even\tfrom\tacross\tthe\tdeck,\tevery\tinch\tbetween\tthem\twent\ttaut. Of\t course,\t Aedion\t and\t Fenrys\t instantly\t noted\t it,\t pausing\t where\t they\t now\t washed","blood\t off\t the\t deck,\t and\t the\t latter\t snorted.\t Both\t had\t healed\t enough\t to\t walk,\t but\t neither moved\tto\tinterfere\tas\tManon\tprowled\ttoward\thim.\tIf\tshe\thadn\u2019t\tfled\tor\tattacked\tyet,\tthey must\thave\tdecided\tshe\twasn\u2019t\tgoing\tto\tbother\tdoing\tso\tnow. Manon\t took\t up\t a\t space\t at\t the\t rail,\t gazing\t out\t at\t the\t endless\t water,\t the\t wisps\t of\t pink clouds\tsmeared\talong\tthe\thorizon.\tDark\tblood\tstained\ther\tshirt,\ther\tpalms.\t\u201cDo\tI\thave\tyou to\tthank\tfor\tthis\tfreedom?\u201d He\tbraced\this\tforearms\ton\tthe\twooden\trail.\t\u201cMaybe.\u201d Gold\teyes\tslid\tto\thim.\t\u201cThe\tmagic\u2014what\tis\tit?\u201d \u201cI\tdon\u2019t\tknow,\u201d\tDorian\tsaid,\tstudying\this\thands.\t\u201cIt\tfelt\tlike\tan\textension\tof\tme.\tLike real\thands\tI\tcould\tcommand.\u201d For\t a\t heartbeat,\t he\t thought\t of\t how\t they\u2019d\t felt\t pinning\t her\t wrists\u2014how\t her\t body\t had reacted,\t loose\t and\t tense\t where\t he\t usually\t liked\t it\t to\t be,\t while\t his\t mouth\t had\t barely caressed\t hers.\t Her\t golden\t eyes\t flared\t as\t if\t recalling\t it\t as\t well,\t and\t Dorian\t found\t himself saying,\t\u201cI\twouldn\u2019t\tharm\tyou.\u201d \u201cYou\tliked\tkilling\tthe\tBloodhound,\tthough.\u201d He\tdidn\u2019t\tbother\tkeeping\tthe\tice\tfrom\this\teyes.\t\u201cYes.\u201d Manon\t stepped\t close\t enough\t to\t brush\t a\t finger\t over\t the\t pale\t band\t around\t his\t throat, and\t he\t forgot\t that\t there\t was\t a\t ship\t full\t of\t people\t watching.\t \u201cYou\t could\t have\t made\t her suffer\u2014you\twent\tfor\ta\tclean\tblow\tinstead.\tWhy?\u201d \u201cBecause\teven\twith\tour\tenemies,\tthere\u2019s\ta\tline.\u201d \u201cThen\tyou\thave\tyour\tanswer.\u201d \u201cI\tdidn\u2019t\task\ta\tquestion.\u201d Manon\t snorted.\t \u201cYou\u2019ve\t had\t that\t look\t in\t your\t eyes\t all\t night\u2014if\t you\u2019re\t becoming\t a monster\tlike\tthe\trest\tof\tus.\tThe\tnext\ttime\tyou\tkill,\tremind\tyourself\tof\tthat\tline.\u201d \u201cWhere\tdo\tyou\tstand\ton\tthat\tline,\twitchling?\u201d She\t met\t his\t gaze,\t as\t if\t willing\t him\t to\t see\t a\t century\t of\t all\t that\t she\u2019d\t done.\t \u201cI\t am\t not mortal.\tI\tdo\tnot\tplay\tby\tyour\trules.\tI\thave\tkilled\tand\thunted\tmen\tfor\tsport.\tDo\tnot\tmistake me\tfor\ta\thuman\twoman,\tprinceling.\u201d \u201cI\thave\tno\tinterest\tin\thuman\twomen,\u201d\the\tpurred.\t\u201cToo\tbreakable.\u201d Even\tas\the\tsaid\tit,\tthe\twords\tstruck\tsome\tdeep,\taching\twound\tin\thim. \u201cThe\tilken,\u201d\the\tsaid,\tpushing\tpast\tthat\tpain.\t\u201cDid\tyou\tknow\tabout\tthem?\u201d \u201cI\tassume\tthey\tare\ta\tpart\tof\twhatever\tis\tin\tthose\tmountains.\u201d A\thoarse\tfemale\tvoice\tsnapped,\t\u201cWhat\tdo\tyou\tmean,\twhatever\tis\tin\tthose\tmountains?\u201d Dorian\t nearly\t leaped\t out\t of\t his\t skin.\t Aelin,\t it\t seemed,\t had\t been\t taking\t some\t notes from\t her\t ghost\t leopard\t friend.\t Even\t Manon\t blinked\t at\t the\t blood-drenched\t queen\t now behind\tthem.","Manon\t eyed\t Aedion\t and\t Fenrys\t as\t they\t heard\t Aelin\u2019s\t demand\t and\t came\t over, followed\t by\t Gavriel.\t Fenrys\u2019s\t shirt\t was\t still\t hanging\t in\t strips.\t At\t least\t Rowan\t was\t now keeping\t watch\t from\t the\t rigging,\t and\t Lysandra\t was\t off\t flying\t overhead,\t scouting\t for danger. The\twitch\tsaid,\t\u201cI\tnever\tsaw\tthe\tilken.\tOnly\theard\tof\tthem\u2014heard\ttheir\tscreaming\tas they\tdied,\tthen\ttheir\troaring\tas\tthey\twere\tremade.\tI\tdidn\u2019t\tknow\tthat\u2019s\twhat\tthey\twere.\tOr that\t Erawan\t would\t send\t them\t so\t far\t from\t their\t aerie.\t My\t Shadows\t caught\t a\t glimpse\t of them,\tjust\tonce.\tTheir\tdescription\tmatches\twhat\tattacked\tlast\tnight.\u201d \u201cAre\tthe\tilken\tmostly\tscouts\tor\twarriors?\u201d\tAelin\tsaid. The\tfresh\tair\tseemed\tto\thave\tmade\tManon\tamenable\tto\tdivulging\tinformation,\tbecause she\tleaned\ther\tback\tagainst\tthe\trailing,\tfacing\tthe\tcabal\tof\tkillers\taround\tthem.\t\u201cWe\tdon\u2019t know.\tThey\tused\tthe\tcloud\tcover\tto\ttheir\tadvantage.\tMy\tShadows\tcan\tfind\tanything\tthat doesn\u2019t\twant\tto\tbe\tfound,\tand\tyet\tthey\tcould\tnot\thunt\tor\ttrack\tthese\tthings.\u201d Aelin\ttensed\ta\tbit,\tscowling\tat\tthe\twater\tflowing\tpast\tthem.\tAnd\tthen\tshe\tsaid\tnothing, as\tif\tthe\twords\thad\tvanished\tand\texhaustion\u2014something\theavier\tthan\tthat\u2014had\tset\tin. \u201cSnap\tout\tof\tit,\u201d\tManon\tsaid. Aedion\tloosed\ta\twarning\tgrowl. Aelin\tslowly\tlifted\ther\teyes\tto\tthe\twitch,\tand\tDorian\tbraced\thimself. \u201cSo\t you\t miscalculated,\u201d\t Manon\t said.\t \u201cSo\t they\t tracked\t you.\t Don\u2019t\t get\t distracted\t with the\tminor\tdefeats.\tThis\tis\twar.\tCities\twill\tbe\tlost,\tpeople\tslaughtered.\tAnd\tif\tI\twere\tyou,\tI would\tbe\tmore\tconcerned\tabout\twhy\tthey\tsent\tso\tfew\tof\tthe\tilken.\u201d \u201cIf\t you\t were\t me,\u201d\t Aelin\t murmured\t in\t a\t tone\t that\t had\t Dorian\u2019s\t magic\t rising,\t ice cooling\t his\t fingertips.\t Aedion\u2019s\t hand\t slid\t to\t his\t sword.\t \u201cIf\t you\t were\t me.\u201d\t A\t low,\t bitter laugh.\tDorian\thad\tnot\theard\tthat\tsound\tsince\t\u2026\tsince\ta\tblood-soaked\tbedroom\tin\ta\tglass castle\t that\t no\t longer\t existed.\t \u201cWell,\t you\t are\t not\t me,\t Blackbeak,\t so\t I\u2019ll\t trust\t you\t to\t keep your\tmusings\ton\tthe\tmatter\tto\tyourself.\u201d \u201cI\tam\tnot\ta\tBlackbeak,\u201d\tManon\tsaid. They\tall\tstared\tat\ther.\tBut\tthe\twitch\tmerely\twatched\tthe\tqueen. Aelin\tsaid\twith\ta\twave\tof\ther\tscar-flecked\thand,\t\u201cRight.\tThat\tmatter\tof\tbusiness.\tLet\u2019s hear\tthe\tstory,\tthen.\u201d Dorian\t wondered\t if\t they\t would\t come\t to\t blows,\t but\t Manon\t simply\t waited\t a\t few heartbeats,\t looked\t toward\t the\t horizon\t again,\t and\t said,\t \u201cWhen\t my\t grandmother\t stripped me\tof\tmy\ttitle\tas\their\tand\tWing\tLeader,\tshe\talso\tstripped\tmy\theritage.\tShe\ttold\tme\tthat\tmy father\twas\ta\tCrochan\tPrince,\tand\tshe\thad\tkilled\tmy\tmother\tand\thim\tfor\tconspiring\tto\tend the\tfeud\tbetween\tour\tpeoples\tand\tbreak\tthe\tcurse\ton\tour\tlands.\u201d Dorian\t glanced\t to\t Aedion.\t The\t Wolf\t of\t the\t North\u2019s\t face\t was\t taut,\t his\t Ashryver\t eyes shining\tbright,\tchurning\tat\tthe\tpossibilities\tof\tall\tthat\tManon\timplied. Manon\tsaid\ta\tbit\tnumbly,\tas\tif\tit\twas\tthe\tfirst\ttime\tshe\u2019d\teven\tspoken\tit\tto\therself,\t\u201cI","am\tthe\tlast\tCrochan\tQueen\u2014the\tlast\tdirect\tdescendant\tof\tRhiannon\tCrochan\therself.\u201d Aelin\tonly\tsucked\ton\ta\ttooth,\tbrows\tlifting. \u201cAnd,\u201d\tManon\tcontinued,\t\u201cwhether\tmy\tgrandmother\tacknowledges\tit\tor\tnot,\tI\tam\their to\tthe\tBlackbeak\tClan.\tMy\twitches,\twho\thave\tfought\tat\tmy\tside\tfor\ta\thundred\tyears,\thave spent\tmost\tof\tit\tkilling\tCrochans.\tDreaming\tof\ta\thomeland\tthat\tI\tpromised\tto\treturn\tthem to.\t And\t now\t I\t am\t banished,\t my\t Thirteen\t scattered\t and\t lost.\t And\t now\t I\t am\t heir\t to\t our enemy\u2019s\tcrown.\tSo\tyou\tare\tnot\tthe\tonly\tone,\tMajesty,\twho\thas\tplans\tthat\tgo\tawry.\tSo\tget yourself\ttogether\tand\tfigure\tout\twhat\tto\tdo\tnext.\u201d Two\tqueens\u2014there\twere\ttwo\tqueens\tamong\tthem,\tDorian\trealized. Aelin\t closed\t her\t eyes\t and\t let\t out\t a\t rough,\t breathy\t laugh.\t Aedion\t again\t tensed,\t as\t if that\t laugh\t might\t easily\t end\t in\t violence\t or\t peace,\t but\t Manon\t stood\t there.\t Weathering\t the storm. When\t Aelin\t opened\t her\t eyes,\t her\t smile\t subdued\t but\t edged,\t she\t said\t to\t the\t Witch- Queen,\t\u201cI\tknew\tI\tsaved\tyour\tsorry\tass\tfor\ta\treason.\u201d Manon\u2019s\tanswering\tsmile\twas\tterrifying. The\tmales\tall\tseemed\tto\tloosen\ta\ttight\tbreath,\tDorian\thimself\tincluded. But\t then\t Fenrys\t pulled\t at\t his\t lower\t lip,\t scanning\t the\t skies.\t \u201cWhat\t I\t don\u2019t\t get\t is\t why wait\tso\tlong\tto\tdo\tany\tof\tthis?\tIf\tErawan\twants\tyou\tlot\tdead\u201d\u2014a\tnod\ttoward\tDorian\tand Aelin\u2014\u201cwhy\tlet\tyou\tmature,\tgrow\tpowerful?\u201d Dorian\ttried\tnot\tto\tshudder\tat\tthe\tthought.\tHow\tunprepared\tthey\u2019d\tbeen. \u201cBecause\t I\t escaped\t Erawan,\u201d\t Aelin\t said.\t Dorian\t tried\t not\t to\t remember\t that\t night\t ten years\tago,\tbut\tthe\tmemory\tof\tit\tsnapped\tthrough\thim,\tand\ther,\tand\tAedion.\t\u201cHe\tthought\tI was\tdead.\tAnd\tDorian\t\u2026\this\tfather\tshielded\thim.\tAs\tbest\the\tcould.\u201d Dorian\tshut\tout\tthat\tmemory,\ttoo.\tEspecially\tas\tManon\tangled\ther\thead\tin\tquestion. Fenrys\tsaid,\t\u201cMaeve\tknew\tyou\twere\talive.\tOdds\tare,\tso\tdid\tErawan.\u201d \u201cMaybe\tshe\ttold\tErawan,\u201d\tAedion\tsaid. Fenrys\twhipped\this\thead\tto\tthe\tgeneral.\t\u201cShe\u2019s\tnever\thad\tany\tcontact\twith\tErawan,\tor Adarlan.\u201d \u201cAs\tfar\tas\tyou\tknow,\u201d\tAedion\tmused.\t\u201cUnless\tshe\u2019s\ta\ttalker\tin\tthe\tbedroom.\u201d Fenrys\u2019s\t eyes\t darkened.\t \u201cMaeve\t does\t not\t share\t power.\t She\t saw\t Adarlan\t as\t an inconvenience.\tStill\tdoes.\u201d Aedion\tcountered,\t\u201cEveryone\tcan\tbe\tbought\tfor\ta\tprice.\u201d \u201cNameless\t is\t the\t price\t of\t Maeve\u2019s\t allegiance,\u201d\t Fenrys\t snapped.\t \u201cIt\t can\u2019t\t be purchased.\u201d Aelin\twent\tutterly\tstill\tat\tthe\twarrior\u2019s\twords. She\t blinked\t at\t him,\t her\t brows\t narrowing\t as\t her\t lips\t silently\t mouthed\t the\t words\t he\u2019d","said. \u201cWhat\tis\tit?\u201d\tAedion\tdemanded. Aelin\tmurmured,\t\u201cNameless\tis\tmy\tprice.\u201d\tAedion\topened\this\tmouth,\tno\tdoubt\tto\task what\t had\t snagged\t her\t interest,\t but\t Aelin\t frowned\t at\t Manon.\t \u201cCan\t your\t kind\t see\t the future?\tSee\tit\tas\tan\toracle\tcan?\u201d \u201cSome,\u201d\tManon\tadmitted.\t\u201cThe\tBluebloods\tclaim\tto.\u201d \u201cCan\tother\tClans?\u201d \u201cThey\tsay\tthat\tfor\tthe\tAncients,\tpast\tand\tpresent\tand\tfuture\tbleed\ttogether.\u201d Aelin\t shook\t her\t head\t and\t walked\t toward\t the\t door\t that\t led\t to\t the\t hall\t of\t cramped cabins.\t Rowan\t swooped\t off\t the\t rigging\t and\t shifted,\t his\t feet\t hitting\t the\t planks\t just\t as\t he finished.\tHe\tdidn\u2019t\tso\tmuch\tas\tlook\tat\tthem\tas\the\tfollowed\ther\tinto\tthe\thall\tand\tshut\tthe door\tbehind\tthem. \u201cWhat\twas\tthat\tabout?\u201d\tFenrys\tasked. \u201cAn\tAncient,\u201d\tDorian\tmused,\tthen\tmurmured\tto\tManon,\t\u201cBaba\tYellowlegs.\u201d They\t all\t turned\t to\t him.\t But\t Manon\u2019s\t fingers\t brushed\t against\t her\t collarbone\u2014where the\tnecklace\tof\tAelin\u2019s\tscars\tfrom\tYellowlegs\tstill\tringed\ther\tneck\tin\tstark\twhite. \u201cThis\t winter,\t she\t was\t at\t your\t castle,\u201d\t Manon\t said\t to\t him.\t \u201cWorking\t as\t a\t fortune- teller.\u201d \u201cAnd\t what\u2014she\t said\t something\t to\t that\t degree?\u201d\t Aedion\t crossed\t his\t arms.\t He\u2019d known\tof\tthe\tvisit,\tDorian\trecalled.\tAedion\thad\talways\tkept\tan\teye\ton\tthe\twitches\u2014on\tall the\tpower\tplayers\tof\tthe\trealm,\the\u2019d\tonce\tsaid. Manon\tstared\tthe\tgeneral\tdown.\t\u201cYellowlegs\twas\ta\tfortune-teller\u2014a\tpowerful\toracle.\tI bet\tshe\tknew\twho\tthe\tqueen\twas\tthe\tmoment\tshe\tsaw\ther.\tAnd\tsaw\tthings\tshe\tplanned\tto sell\t to\t the\t highest\t bidder.\u201d\t Dorian\t tried\t not\t to\t flinch\t at\t the\t memory.\t Aelin\t had\t butchered Yellowlegs\t when\t she\u2019d\t threatened\t to\t sell\t his\t secrets.\t Aelin\t had\t never\t implied\t a\t threat against\t her\t own.\t Manon\t continued,\t \u201cYellowlegs\t wouldn\u2019t\t have\t told\t the\t queen\t anything outright,\tonly\tin\tveiled\tterms.\tSo\tit\u2019d\tdrive\tthe\tgirl\tmad\twhen\tshe\tfigured\tit\tout.\u201d A\tpointed\tglance\tat\tthe\tdoor\tthrough\twhich\tAelin\thad\tvanished. None\tof\tthem\tsaid\tanything\telse,\teven\tas\tthey\tlater\tate\tcold\tporridge\tfor\tbreakfast. The\tcook,\tit\tseemed,\thadn\u2019t\tmade\tit\tthrough\tthe\tnight. Rowan\t knocked\t on\t the\t door\t of\t their\t private\t bathing\t room.\t She\u2019d\t locked\t it.\t Walked\t into their\troom,\tthen\tinto\tthe\tbathing\troom,\tand\tlocked\thim\tout. And\tnow\tshe\twas\tpuking\ther\tguts\tup. \u201cAelin,\u201d\the\tgrowled\tsoftly. A\tragged\tintake\tof\tbreath,\tthen\tretching,\tthen\u2014more\tvomiting.","\u201cAelin,\u201d\the\tsnarled,\tdebating\thow\tlong\tuntil\tit\twas\tsocially\tacceptable\tfor\thim\tto\tbreak down\tthe\tdoor.\tAct\tlike\ta\tprince,\tshe\u2019d\tsnarled\tat\thim\tthe\tother\tnight. \u201cI\tdon\u2019t\tfeel\twell,\u201d\twas\ther\tmuffled\tresponse.\tHer\tvoice\twas\thollow,\tflat\tin\ta\tway\the hadn\u2019t\theard\tfor\tsome\ttime\tnow. \u201cThen\tlet\tme\tin\tso\tI\tcan\ttake\tcare\tof\tyou,\u201d\the\tsaid\tas\tcalmly\tand\trationally\tas\the\tcould. She\u2019d\tlocked\thim\tout\u2014locked\thim\tout. \u201cI\tdon\u2019t\twant\tyou\tto\tsee\tme\tlike\tthis.\u201d \u201cI\u2019ve\t seen\t you\t wet\t yourself.\t I\t can\t handle\t vomiting.\t Which\t I\t have\t also\t seen\t you\t do before.\u201d Ten\t seconds.\t Ten\t more\t seconds\t seemed\t like\t a\t fair\t enough\t amount\t of\t time\t before\t he crunched\tdown\ton\tthe\thandle\tand\tsplintered\tthe\tlock. \u201cJust\u2014give\tme\ta\tminute.\u201d \u201cWhat\twas\tit\tabout\tFenrys\u2019s\twords\tthat\tset\tyou\toff?\u201d\tHe\u2019d\theard\tit\tall\tfrom\this\tpost\ton the\tmast. Utter\t silence.\t Like\t she\t was\t spooling\t the\t raw\t terror\t back\t into\t herself,\t shoving\t it\t down into\ta\tplace\twhere\tshe\twouldn\u2019t\tlook\tat\tit\tor\tfeel\tit\tor\tacknowledge\tit.\tOr\ttell\thim\tabout\tit. \u201cAelin.\u201d The\tlock\tturned. Her\tface\twas\tgray,\ther\teyes\tred-rimmed.\tHer\tvoice\tbroke\tas\tshe\tsaid,\t\u201cI\twant\tto\ttalk\tto Lysandra.\u201d Rowan\t looked\t at\t the\t bucket\t she\u2019d\t half\t filled,\t then\t at\t her\t bloodless\t lips.\t At\t the\t sweat beaded\ton\ther\tbrow. His\t heart\t stopped\t dead\t in\t his\t chest\t as\t he\t contemplated\t that\t \u2026\t that\t she\t might\t not\t be lying. And\twhy\tshe\tmight\tbe\till.\tHe\ttried\tto\tscent\ther,\tbut\tthe\tvomit\twas\ttoo\toverpowering, the\tspace\ttoo\tsmall\tand\tfull\tof\tbrine.\tHe\tstumbled\tback\ta\tstep,\tshutting\tout\tthe\tthoughts. Without\tanother\tword,\the\tleft\ttheir\troom. He\twas\tnumb\tas\the\thunted\tdown\tthe\tshifter,\tnow\treturned\tand\tin\thuman\tform\tas\tshe devoured\t a\t cold,\t soggy\t breakfast.\t With\t a\t concerned\t look,\t Lysandra\t silently\t did\t as\t he commanded. Rowan\t shifted\t and\t soared\t so\t high\t that\t the\t ship\t turned\t into\t a\t bobbing\t speck\t below. Clouds\tcooled\this\tfeathers;\tthe\twind\troared\tover\tthe\tpure\tpanic\tthundering\tin\this\theart. He\t planned\t to\t lose\t himself\t in\t the\t awakening\t sky\t while\t scouting\t for\t danger,\t to\t sort himself\t out\t before\t he\t returned\t to\t her\t and\t started\t asking\t questions\t that\t he\t might\t not\t be ready\tto\thear\tthe\tanswers\tto. But\tthe\tcoast\tappeared\u2014and\tonly\this\tmagic\tkept\thim\tfrom\ttumbling\tout\tof\tthe\tsky\tat","what\tthe\tfirst\trays\tof\tthe\tsun\trevealed. Broad,\tsparkling\trivers\tand\tsnaking\tstreams\tflowed\tthroughout\tthe\tundulating\temerald and\tgold\tof\tthe\tgrasslands\tand\treeds\tlining\tthem,\tthe\tburnt\tgold\tof\tthe\tsandbanks\tflanking either\tside. And\twhere\tlittle\tfishing\tvillages\thad\tonce\twatched\tover\tthe\tsea\t\u2026\tFire. Dozens\tof\tthose\tvillages\tburning. On\tthe\tship\tbeneath\thim,\tthe\tsailors\tbegan\tto\tshout,\tcalling\tto\tone\tanother\tas\tthe\tcoast at\tlast\tbroke\tover\tthe\thorizon\tand\tthe\tsmoke\tbecame\tvisible. Eyllwe. Eyllwe\twas\tburning.","49 Elide\tdidn\u2019t\tspeak\tto\tLorcan\tfor\tthree\tdays. She\twouldn\u2019t\thave\tspoken\tto\thim\tfor\tanother\tthree,\tmaybe\tfor\tthree\tdamn\tmonths,\tif necessity\thadn\u2019t\trequired\tthem\tto\tbreak\ttheir\thateful\tsilence. Her\tcycle\thad\tcome.\tAnd\tthrough\twhatever\tsteady,\thealthy\tdiet\tshe\u2019d\tbeen\tconsuming this\tpast\tmonth,\tit\thad\tgone\tfrom\tan\tinconsistent\ttrickle\tto\tthe\tdeluge\tshe\u2019d\tawoken\tto\tthis morning. She\u2019d\t hurtled\t from\t the\t narrow\t bed\t in\t the\t cabin\t to\t the\t small\t privy\t on\t board,\t rifled through\tevery\tdrawer\tand\tbox\tshe\tcould\tfind,\tbut\t\u2026\tclearly,\ta\twoman\thad\tnever\tspent\tany time\ton\tthis\tinfernal\tboat.\tShe\tresorted\tto\tripping\tup\tthe\tembroidered\ttablecloth\tfor\tliners, and\tby\tthe\ttime\tshe\u2019d\tcleaned\therself\tup,\tLorcan\twas\tawake\tand\talready\tsteering\tthe\tboat. She\tsaid\tflatly\tto\thim,\t\u201cI\tneed\tsupplies.\u201d \u201cYou\tstill\treek\tof\tblood.\u201d \u201cI\tsuspect\tI\twill\t reek\t of\t blood\t for\t several\t more\t days,\t and\t it\t will\t get\t worse\t before\t it gets\tbetter,\tso\tI\tneed\tsupplies.\tNow.\u201d He\tturned\tfrom\this\tusual\tspot\tnear\tthe\tprow,\tsniffing\tonce.\tHer\tface\twas\tburning,\ther stomach\ta\tknotted\tmess\tof\tcramping.\t\u201cI\u2019ll\tstop\tat\tthe\tnext\ttown.\u201d \u201cWhen\twill\tthat\tbe?\u201d\tThe\tmap\twas\tof\tno\tuse\tto\ther. \u201cBy\tnightfall.\u201d They\u2019d\tsailed\tright\tthrough\tevery\ttown\tor\toutpost\talong\tthe\triver,\tsurviving\ton\tthe\tfish Lorcan\thad\tcaught.\tShe\u2019d\tbeen\tso\tannoyed\tat\ther\town\thelplessness\tthat\tafter\tthe\tfirst\tday, she\u2019d\t started\t copying\t his\t movements\u2014and\t had\t earned\t herself\t a\t fat\t trout\t in\t the\t process. She\u2019d\tmade\thim\tkill\tit\tand\tgut\tit\tand\tcook\tit,\tbut\t\u2026\tshe\u2019d\tat\tleast\tcaught\tthe\tthing. Elide\tsaid,\t\u201cFine.\u201d Lorcan\tsaid,\t\u201cFine.\u201d She\t aimed\t for\t the\t cabin\t to\t find\t some\t other\t fabrics\t to\t tide\t her\t over,\t but\t Lorcan\t said, \u201cYou\tbarely\tbled\tthe\tlast\ttime.\u201d The\tlast\tthing\tshe\twanted\tto\tdo\twas\thave\tthis\tconversation.\t\u201cPerhaps\tmy\tbody\tfinally felt\tsafe\tenough\tto\tbe\tnormal.\u201d Because\t even\t with\t him\t murdering\t that\t man,\t lying,\t and\t then\t spitting\t the\t truth\t about Aelin\t in\t her\t face\t \u2026\t Lorcan\t would\t go\t up\t against\t any\t threat\t without\t a\t second\t thought. Perhaps\t for\t his\t own\t survival,\t but\t he\u2019d\t promised\t her\t protection.\t She\t was\t able\t to\t sleep","through\tthe\tnight\tbecause\the\tlay\ton\tthe\tfloor\tbetween\ther\tand\tthe\tdoor. \u201cSo\t\u2026\tthere\u2019s\tnothing\twrong,\tthen.\u201d\tHe\tdidn\u2019t\tbother\tto\tlook\tat\ther\tas\the\tsaid\tit. But\tshe\tcocked\ther\thead,\tstudying\tthe\thard\tmuscles\tof\this\tback.\tEven\twhile\trefusing to\tspeak\tto\thim,\tshe\u2019d\twatched\thim\u2014and\tmade\texcuses\tto\twatch\tas\the\twent\tthrough\this exercises\teach\tday,\tusually\tshirtless. \u201cNo,\t there\u2019s\t nothing\t wrong,\u201d\t she\t said.\t At\t least,\t she\t hoped.\t But\t Finnula,\t her nursemaid,\thad\talways\tclicked\ther\ttongue\tand\tsaid\ther\tcycles\twere\tspotty\u2014too\tlight\tand irregular.\t For\t this\t one\t to\t have\t come\t precisely\t a\t month\t later\t \u2026\t She\t didn\u2019t\t feel\t like wondering\tabout\tit. Lorcan\tsaid,\t\u201cGood.\tIt\u2019d\tdelay\tus\tif\tit\twere\totherwise.\u201d She\trolled\ther\teyes\tat\this\tback,\tnot\tat\tall\tsurprised\tby\tthe\tanswer,\tand\tlimped\tinto\tthe cabin. He\u2019d\t needed\t to\t stop\t anyway,\t Lorcan\t told\t himself\t as\t he\t watched\t Elide\t barter\t with\t an innkeeper\tin\ttown\tfor\tthe\tsupplies\tshe\tneeded. She\u2019d\t wrapped\t her\t dark\t hair\t in\t a\t discarded\t red\t kerchief\t she\t must\t have\t scrounged\t up on\tthat\tpitiful\tlittle\tbarge,\tand\teven\tused\ta\tnasally\taccent\twhile\tshe\tspoke\tto\tthe\twoman, her\t entire\t countenance\t a\t far\t cry\t from\t the\t graceful,\t quiet\t woman\t he\u2019d\t spent\t three\t days ignoring. Which\t had\t been\t fine.\t He\u2019d\t used\t these\t three\t days\t to\t sort\t out\t his\t plans\t for\t Aelin Galathynius,\thow\the\u2019d\treturn\tthe\tfavor\tshe\u2019d\tdealt\thim. The\t inn\t seemed\t safe\t enough,\t so\t Lorcan\t left\t Elide\t to\t her\t bartering\u2014turned\t out,\t she wanted\t new\t clothes,\t too\u2014and\t wandered\t the\t ramshackle\t streets\t of\t the\t backwater\t town\t in search\tof\tsupplies. The\tstreets\twere\tabuzz\twith\triver\ttraders\tand\tfisherfolk\tmooring\tfor\tthe\tnight.\tLorcan managed\tto\tintimidate\this\tway\tinto\tbuying\ta\tcrate\tof\tapples,\tdried\tvenison,\tand\tsome\toats for\t half\t their\t usual\t price.\t Just\t to\t get\t him\t away,\t the\t merchant\t along\t the\t crumbling\t quay threw\tin\ta\tfew\tpears\u2014for\tthe\tlovely\tlady,\the\u2019d\tsaid. Lorcan,\tarms\tfull\tof\this\twares,\twas\talmost\tto\tthe\tbarge\twhen\tthe\twords\techoed\tin\this head,\tan\toff-kilter\tpealing. He\t hadn\u2019t\t taken\t Elide\t past\t that\t section\t of\t the\t quay.\t Hadn\u2019t\t spied\t the\t man\t while\t he\u2019d been\tdocking,\tor\twhen\tthey\u2019d\tleft.\tRumor\tcould\taccount\tfor\tit,\tbut\tthis\twas\ta\triver\ttown: strangers\twere\talways\tcoming\tand\tgoing,\tand\tpaid\tfor\ttheir\tanonymity. He\thurried\tback\tto\tthe\tbarge.\tFog\thad\trippled\tin\tfrom\tthe\triver,\tclouding\tthe\ttown\tand the\t opposite\t bank.\t By\t the\t time\t he\t dumped\t the\t crate\t and\t wares\t onto\t the\t boat,\t not\t even bothering\tto\ttie\tthem\tdown,\tthe\tstreets\thad\temptied. His\t magic\t stirred.\t He\t scanned\t the\t fog,\t the\t splotches\t of\t gold\t where\t candles\t shone\t in windows.\tNot\tright,\tnot\tright,\tnot\tright,\this\tmagic\twhispered.","Where\twas\tshe? Hurry,\t he\t willed\t her,\t counting\t the\t blocks\t they\u2019d\t taken\t to\t the\t inn.\t She\t should\t have been\tback\tby\tnow. The\tfog\tpressed\tin.\tSqueaking\tsounded\tat\this\tboots. Lorcan\t snarled\t at\t the\t cobblestones\t as\t rats\t streamed\t past\u2014toward\t the\t water.\t They flung\tthemselves\tinto\tthe\triver,\tcrawling\tand\tclawing\tover\tone\tanother. Something\twasn\u2019t\tcoming\u2014something\twas\there. The\tinnkeeper\tinsisted\tshe\ttry\ton\tthe\tclothes\tbefore\tshe\tbought\tthem.\tShe\tbundled\tthem\tin Elide\u2019s\tarms\tand\tpointed\ther\ttoward\ta\troom\tin\tthe\tback\tof\tthe\tinn. Men\tstared\tat\ther\u2014too\teagerly\u2014as\tshe\tpassed\tand\tstrode\tdown\ta\tnarrow\thall.\tTypical\tof Lorcan\t to\t leave\t her\t while\t he\t sought\t whatever\t he\t needed.\t Elide\t shoved\t into\t the\t room, finding\tit\tblack\tand\tchilled.\tShe\ttwisted,\tscanning\tfor\ta\tcandle\tand\tflint. The\tdoor\tsnapped\tshut,\tsealing\ther\tin. Elide\tlunged\tfor\tthe\thandle\tas\tthat\tlittle\tvoice\twhispered,\tRun\trun\trun\trun\trun\trun. She\tslammed\tinto\tsomething\tmuscled,\tbony,\tand\tleathery. It\treeked\tof\tspoiled\tmeat\tand\told\tblood. A\tcandle\tsparked\tto\tlife\tacross\tthe\troom.\tRevealing\ta\twooden\ttable,\tan\tempty\thearth, sealed\twindows,\tand\t\u2026 Vernon.\tSitting\ton\tthe\tother\tside\tof\tthe\ttable,\tsmiling\tat\ther\tlike\ta\tcat. Strong\t hands\t tipped\t in\t claws\t clamped\t on\t her\t shoulders,\t nails\t cutting\t through\t her leathers.\tThe\tilken\theld\ther\tfirmly\tas\ther\tuncle\tdrawled,\t\u201cWhat\tan\tadventure\tyou\u2019ve\thad, Elide.\u201d","50 \u201cHow\tdid\tyou\tfind\tme?\u201d\tElide\tbreathed,\tthe\treek\tof\tthe\tilken\tnearly\tenough\tto\tmake\ther vomit. Her\tuncle\trose\tto\this\tfeet\tin\ta\tfluid,\tunhurried\tmovement,\tstraightening\this\tgreen\ttunic. \u201cAsking\t questions\t to\t buy\t yourself\t time?\t Clever,\t but\t expected.\u201d\t He\t jerked\t his\t chin\t to\t the creature.\tIt\tloosed\ta\tlow,\tguttural\tclicking\tsound. The\tdoor\topened\tbehind\tit,\trevealing\ttwo\tother\tilken\tnow\tcrowding\tthe\thall\twith\ttheir wings\tand\thideous\tfaces.\tOh\tgods.\tOh,\tgods. Think\tthink\tthink\tthink\tthink. \u201cYour\t companion,\t last\t we\t heard,\t was\t putting\t supplies\t on\t his\t boat\t and\t unmooring\t it. You\tprobably\tshould\thave\tpaid\thim\tmore.\u201d \u201cHe\u2019s\t my\t husband,\u201d\t she\t hissed.\t \u201cYou\t have\t no\t right\t to\t take\t me\t from\t him\u2014none.\u201d Because\tonce\tshe\twas\tmarried,\tVernon\u2019s\twardenship\tover\ther\tlife\tended. Vernon\t let\t out\t a\t low\t laugh.\t \u201cLorcan\t Salvaterre,\t Maeve\u2019s\t second-in-command,\t is\t your husband?\tReally,\tElide.\u201d\tHe\twaved\ta\tlazy\thand\tto\tthe\tilken.\t\u201cWe\tdepart\tnow.\u201d Fight\tnow\u2014now,\tbefore\tthey\thad\tthe\tchance\tto\tmove\ther,\tto\tget\ther\taway. But\twhere\tto\trun?\tThe\tinnkeeper\thad\tsold\ther\tout,\tsomeone\thad\tbetrayed\ttheir\tlocation on\tthis\triver\u2014 The\t ilken\t tugged\t at\t her.\t She\t planted\t her\t heels\t onto\t the\t wooden\t slats,\t little\t good\t it would\tdo. It\tlet\tout\ta\tlow\tlaugh\tand\tbrought\tits\tmouth\tto\ther\tear.\t\u201cYour\tblood\tsmells\tclean.\u201d She\t recoiled,\t but\t it\t gripped\t her\t hard,\t its\t grayish\t tongue\t tickling\t the\t side\t of\t her\t neck. Thrashing,\t she\t still\t could\t do\t nothing\t as\t it\t twisted\t them\t into\t the\t hall\t and\t toward\t the\t two waiting\tilken\tin\tit.\tTo\tthe\tback\tdoor,\tnot\tten\tfeet\taway,\talready\topen\tto\tthe\tnight\tbeyond. \u201cYou\t see\t what\t I\t shielded\t you\t from\t at\t Morath,\t Elide?\u201d\t Vernon\t crooned,\t falling\t into step\tbehind\tthem.\tShe\tslammed\ther\tfeet\tinto\tthe\twooden\tfloor,\tover\tand\tover,\tstraining\tfor the\twall,\tfor\tanything\tto\thave\tleverage\tto\tpush\tand\tfight\tagainst\tit\u2014 No. No. No. Lorcan\t had\t left\u2014he\u2019d\t gotten\t everything\t he\t needed\t from\t her\t and\t left.\t She\u2019d\t slowed","him\tdown,\thad\tbrought\tenemy\tafter\tenemy\tafter\thim. \u201cAnd\t whatever\t will\t you\t do\t back\t at\t Morath,\u201d\t Vernon\t mused,\t \u201cnow\t that\t Manon Blackbeak\tis\tdead?\u201d Elide\u2019s\tchest\tcracked\topen\tat\tthe\twords.\tManon\u2014 \u201cGutted\t by\t her\t own\t grandmother\t and\t thrown\t off\t the\t side\t of\t the\t Keep\t for\t her disobedience.\t Of\t course,\t I\u2019ll\t shield\t you\t from\t your\t relatives,\t but\t \u2026\t Erawan\t will\t be interested\tto\tlearn\twhat\tyou\u2019ve\tbeen\tup\tto.\tWhat\tyou\t\u2026\ttook\tfrom\tKaltain.\u201d The\tstone\tin\ther\tjacket\u2019s\tbreast\tpocket. It\tthrummed\tand\twhispered,\tawakening\tas\tshe\tbucked. No\tone\tin\tthe\tnow-silent\tinn\tat\tthe\topposite\tend\tof\tthe\thall\tbothered\tto\tcome\taround the\t corner\t and\t investigate\t her\t wordless\t shouting.\t Another\t ilken\t stepped\t into\t view\t just beyond\tthe\topen\tback\tdoor. Four\tof\tthem.\tAnd\tLorcan\thad\tleft\u2014 The\tstone\tat\ther\tbreast\tbegan\tto\tseethe. But\t a\t voice\t that\t was\t young\t and\t old,\t wise\t and\t sweet,\t whispered,\t Do\t not\t touch\t it.\t Do not\tuse\tit.\tDo\tnot\tacknowledge\tit. It\thad\tbeen\tinside\tKaltain\u2014had\tdriven\ther\tmad.\tHad\tmade\ther\tinto\tthat\t\u2026\tshell. A\tshell\tfor\tsomething\telse\tto\tfill. The\topen\tdoor\tloomed. Think\tthink\tthink. She\tcouldn\u2019t\tbreathe\tenough\tto\tthink,\tthe\tilken\treek\taround\ther\tpromising\tthe\tsort\tof horrors\tshe\u2019d\tendure\twhen\tthey\tgot\ther\tback\tto\tMorath\u2014 No,\tshe\twouldn\u2019t\tgo.\tShe\twouldn\u2019t\tlet\tthem\ttake\ther,\tbreak\tand\tuse\ther\u2014 One\tshot.\tShe\u2019d\thave\tone\tshot. No,\twhispered\tthe\tvoice\tin\ther\thead.\tNo\u2014 But\tthere\twas\ta\tknife\tat\ther\tuncle\u2019s\tside\tas\the\tstrolled\tahead\tand\tout\tthe\tdoor.\tIt\twas all\tshe\u2019d\tneed.\tShe\u2019d\tseen\tLorcan\tdo\tit\tenough\twhile\thunting. Vernon\tpaused\tin\tthe\tback\tcourtyard,\ta\tlarge,\trectangular\tiron\tbox\twaiting\tbefore\thim. There\twas\ta\tsmall\twindow\tin\tit. And\thandles\ton\ttwo\tof\tits\tedges. She\tknew\twhat\tthe\tilken\twere\tfor\tas\tthe\tthree\tothers\tfell\tinto\tplace\taround\tit. They\u2019d\tshove\ther\tinside,\tlock\tthe\tdoor,\tand\tfly\ther\tback\tto\tMorath. The\tbox\twas\tlittle\tbigger\tthan\ta\tcoffin\tstanding\tupright. Its\tdoor\twas\talready\topen.","The\tilken\twould\thave\tto\trelease\ther\tto\tthrow\ther\tinside.\tFor\ta\theartbeat,\tthey\u2019d\tlet\tgo. She\u2019d\thave\tto\tuse\tit\tto\ther\tadvantage. Vernon\tloitered\tbeside\tthe\tbox.\tShe\tdidn\u2019t\tdare\tlook\tat\this\tknife. A\tsob\tbroke\tfrom\ther\tthroat.\tShe\u2019d\tdie\there\u2014in\tthis\tfilthy\tcourtyard,\twith\tthese\tawful things\taround\ther.\tShe\u2019d\tnever\tsee\tthe\tsun\tagain,\tor\tlaugh,\tor\thear\tmusic\u2014 The\tilken\tstirred\taround\tthe\tbox,\twings\trustling. Five\tfeet.\tFour.\tThree. No,\tno,\tno,\tthe\twise\tvoice\tbegged\ther. She\twould\tnot\tbe\ttaken\tback\tto\tMorath.\tShe\twould\tnot\tlet\tthem\ttouch\ther\tand\tcorrupt her\u2014 The\t ilken\t shoved\t her\t forward,\t a\t violent\t thrust\t meant\t to\t send\t her\t staggering\t into\t the box. Elide\t twisted,\t slamming\t face-first\t into\t the\t edge\t instead,\t her\t nose\t crunching,\t but\t she whirled\ton\ther\tuncle.\tHer\tankle\troared\tas\tshe\tset\ther\tweight\ton\tit\tto\tlunge\tfor\tthe\tknife\tat his\tside. Vernon\t didn\u2019t\t have\t time\t to\t realize\t what\t she\t intended\t as\t she\t whipped\t the\t knife\t free from\tits\tsheath\tat\this\thip.\tAs\tshe\tflipped\tthe\tknife\tin\ther\tfingers,\ther\tother\thand\twrapping around\tthe\thilt. As\ther\tshoulders\tcurved\tinward,\ther\tchest\tcaving,\tand\tshe\tdrove\tthe\tblade\thome. Lorcan\thad\tthe\tkill\tshot. Hidden\t in\t the\t fog,\t the\t four\t ilken\t couldn\u2019t\t detect\t him\t as\t the\t man\t he\t was\t certain\t was Elide\u2019s\tuncle\thad\tthat\tilken\thaul\ther\ttoward\tthat\tprison-box. It\twas\ton\thim\tthat\tLorcan\thad\ttrained\this\thatchet. Elide\twas\tsobbing.\tIn\tterror\tand\tdespair. Each\tsound\twhetted\this\trage\tinto\tsomething\tso\tlethal\tLorcan\tcould\tbarely\tsee\tstraight. Then\tthe\tilken\tthrew\ther\tinto\tthat\tiron\tbox. And\tElide\tproved\tshe\twasn\u2019t\tbluffing\tin\ther\tclaim\tto\tnever\treturn\tto\tMorath. He\theard\ther\tnose\tbreak\tas\tshe\thit\tthe\trim\tof\tthe\tbox,\theard\ther\tuncle\u2019s\tcry\tof\tsurprise as\tshe\trebounded\tand\tlunged\tfor\thim\u2014 And\tgrabbed\this\tdagger.\tNot\tto\tkill\thim. For\tthe\tfirst\ttime\tin\tfive\tcenturies,\tLorcan\tknew\ttrue\tfear\tas\tElide\tturned\tthat\tknife\ton herself,\tthe\tblade\tangled\tto\tplunge\tup\tand\tinto\ther\theart. He\tthrew\this\thatchet. As\t the\t tip\t of\t that\t dagger\t pierced\t the\t leather\t over\t her\t ribs,\t the\t wooden\t handle\t of\t his","hatchet\tslammed\tinto\ther\twrist. Elide\twent\tdown\twith\ta\tcry,\tthe\tdagger\tflying\twide\u2014 Lorcan\twas\talready\tmoving\tas\tthey\twhirled\ttoward\twhere\the\u2019d\tperched\ton\tthe\trooftop. He\t leaped\t to\t the\t nearest\t one,\t to\t the\t weapons\t he\u2019d\t positioned\t there\t minutes\t before, knowing\tthey\u2019d\temerge\tfrom\tthis\tdoor\u2014 His\tnext\tknife\twent\tthrough\tthe\twing\tof\tan\tilken.\tThen\tanother\tto\tkeep\tit\tdown\tbefore they\t pinpointed\t his\t location.\t But\t Lorcan\t was\t already\t sprinting\t to\t the\t third\t rooftop flanking\tthe\tcourtyard.\tTo\tthe\tsword\the\u2019d\tleft\tthere.\tHe\thurled\tit\tright\tthrough\tthe\tface\tof the\tclosest\tone. Two\tleft,\talong\twith\tVernon,\tscreaming\tnow\tto\tget\tthe\tgirl\tin\tthe\tbox\u2014 Elide\t was\t running\t like\t hell\t for\t the\t narrow\t alley\t out\t of\t the\t courtyard,\t not\t the\t broad street.\t The\t alley,\t too\t small\t for\t the\t ilken\t to\t fit,\t especially\t with\t all\t the\t debris\t and\t trash littered\tthroughout.\tGood\tgirl. Lorcan\tleaped\tand\trolled\tonto\tthe\tnext\troof,\tto\tthe\ttwo\tremaining\tdaggers\u2014 He\tthrew\tthem,\tbut\tthe\tilken\thad\talready\tlearned\this\taim,\this\tthrowing\tstyle. They\thadn\u2019t\tlearned\tElide\u2019s. She\thadn\u2019t\tjust\tgone\tinto\tthe\talley\tto\tsave\therself.\tShe\u2019d\tgone\tafter\tthe\thatchet. And\tLorcan\twatched\tas\tthat\twoman\tcrept\tup\tbehind\tthe\tdistracted\tilken\tand\tdrove\tthe hatchet\tinto\tits\twings. With\tan\tinjured\twrist.\tWith\ther\tnose\tleaking\tblood\tdown\ther\tface. The\tilken\tscreamed,\tthrashing\tto\tgrab\ther,\teven\tas\tit\tcrashed\tto\tits\tknees. Where\tshe\twanted\tit. The\taxe\twas\tswinging\tagain\tbefore\tits\tscream\tfinished\tsounding. The\tsound\twas\tcut\toff\ta\theartbeat\tlater\tas\tits\thead\tbounced\tto\tthe\tstones. Lorcan\thurtled\toff\tthe\troof,\taiming\tfor\tthe\tone\tremaining\tilken\tnow\tseething\tat\ther\u2014 But\tit\tpivoted\tand\tran\tto\twhere\tVernon\twas\tcowering\tby\tthe\tdoor,\this\tface\tbloodless. Sobbing,\t her\t own\t blood\t sprayed\t on\t the\t stones,\t Elide\t whirled\t toward\t her\t uncle,\t too. Axe\talready\tlifting. But\tthe\tilken\treached\ther\tuncle,\tsnatched\thim\tup\tin\tits\tstrong\tarms,\tand\tlaunched\tthem both\tinto\tthe\tsky. Elide\tthrew\tthe\thatchet\tanyway. It\tmissed\tthe\tilken\u2019s\twing\tby\ta\twhisper\tof\twind. The\taxe\tslammed\tto\tthe\tcobblestones,\ttaking\tout\ta\tchunk\tof\trock.\tRight\tnear\tthe\tilken with\tthe\tshredded\twings\u2014now\tcrawling\ttoward\tthe\tcourtyard\texit. Lorcan\t watched\t as\t Elide\t picked\t up\t his\t axe\t and\t walked\t toward\t the\t hissing,\t broken","beast. It\tlashed\tat\ther\twith\tits\tclaws.\tElide\teasily\tsidestepped\tthe\tswipe. It\tscreamed\tas\tshe\tstomped\ton\tits\twrecked\twing,\thalting\tits\tcrawl\tto\tfreedom. When\tit\tfell\tsilent,\tshe\tsaid\tin\ta\tquiet,\tmerciless\tvoice\the\u2019d\tnever\theard\ther\tuse,\tclear despite\tthe\tblood\tclogging\tone\tnostril,\t\u201cI\twant\tErawan\tto\tknow\tthat\tthe\tnext\ttime\the\tsends you\tafter\tme\tlike\ta\tpack\tof\tdogs,\tI\u2019ll\treturn\tthe\tfavor.\tI\twant\tErawan\tto\tknow\tthat\tthe\tnext time\tI\tsee\thim,\tI\twill\tcarve\tManon\u2019s\tname\ton\this\tgods-damned\theart.\u201d\tTears\trolled\tdown her\t face,\t silent\t and\t unending\t as\t the\t wrath\t that\t now\t sculpted\t her\t features\t into\t a\t thing\t of mighty\tand\tterrible\tbeauty. \u201cBut\t it\t seems\t like\t tonight\t isn\u2019t\t really\t your\t night,\u201d\t Elide\t said\t to\t the\t ilken,\t lifting\t the hatchet\t again\t over\t a\t shoulder.\t The\t ilken\t might\t have\t been\t whimpering\t as\t she\t smiled grimly.\t\u201cBecause\tit\ttakes\tonly\tone\tto\tdeliver\ta\tmessage.\tAnd\tyour\tcompanions\tare\talready on\ttheir\tway.\u201d The\taxe\tfell. Flesh\tand\tbone\tand\tblood\tspilled\tonto\tthe\tstones. She\tstood\tthere,\tstaring\tat\tthe\tcorpse,\tat\tthe\treeking\tblood\tthat\tdribbled\tfrom\tits\tneck. Lorcan,\t perhaps\t a\t bit\t numbly,\t walked\t over\t and\t took\t the\t axe\t from\t her\t hands.\t How she\u2019d\tbeen\table\tto\tuse\tit\twith\tthe\tsore\twrist\u2014 She\thissed\tand\twhimpered\tat\tthe\tmovement.\tAs\tif\twhatever\tforce\thad\trushed\tthrough her\tblood\thad\tvanished,\tleaving\tonly\tpain\tbehind. She\t clutched\t her\t wrist,\t utterly\t silent\t as\t he\t circled\t the\t dead\t ilken\t and\t severed\t their heads\tfrom\ttheir\tbodies.\tOne\tafter\tanother,\tretrieving\this\tweapons\tas\the\twent. People\tinside\tthe\tinn\twere\tstirring,\twondering\tat\tthe\tnoise,\twondering\tif\tit\twas\tsafe\tto come\tout\tto\tsee\twhat\thad\thappened\tto\tthe\tgirl\tthey\u2019d\tso\twillingly\tbetrayed. For\ta\theartbeat,\tLorcan\tdebated\tending\tthat\tinnkeeper. But\tElide\tsaid,\t\u201cEnough\tdeath.\u201d Tears\t streaked\t through\t the\t splattered\t black\t blood\t on\t her\t cheeks\u2014blood\t that\t was\t a mockery\tof\tthe\tsmattering\tof\tfreckles.\tBlood,\tcrimson\tand\tpure,\tran\tfrom\ther\tnose\tdown her\tmouth\tand\tchin,\talready\tcaking. So\the\tsheathed\tthe\thatchet\tand\tscooped\ther\tinto\this\tarms.\tShe\tdidn\u2019t\tobject. He\t carried\t her\t through\t the\t fog-wrapped\t town,\t to\t where\t their\t boat\t was\t tied.\t Already, onlookers\t had\t gathered,\t no\t doubt\t to\t scavenge\t their\t supplies\t when\t the\t ilken\t left.\t A\t snarl from\tLorcan\thad\tthem\tskittering\tinto\tthe\tmist. As\t he\t stepped\t onto\t the\t barge,\t the\t boat\t rocking\t beneath\t him,\t Elide\t said,\t \u201cHe\t told\t me you\u2019d\tleft.\u201d Lorcan\tstill\tdidn\u2019t\tset\ther\tdown,\tholding\ther\taloft\twith\tone\tarm\tas\the\tuntied\tthe\tropes. \u201cYou\tbelieved\thim.\u201d"]
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