["She\twiped\tat\tthe\tblood\ton\ther\tface,\tthen\twinced\tat\tthe\ttender\twrist\u2014and\tbroken\tnose. He\u2019d\t have\t to\t tend\t to\t that.\t Even\t then,\t it\t might\t very\t well\t be\t slightly\t crooked\t forever.\t He doubted\tshe\u2019d\tcare. Knew\tshe\u2019d\tperhaps\tsee\tthat\tcrooked\tnose\tas\ta\tsign\tthat\tshe\u2019d\tfought\tand\tsurvived. Lorcan\t put\t her\t down\t at\t last,\t atop\t the\t crate\t of\t apples\u2014right\t where\t he\t could\t see\t her. She\t sat\t silently\t as\t he\t took\t up\t the\t pole\t and\t pushed\t them\t away\t from\t the\t dock,\t from\t that hateful\t town,\t glad\t for\t the\t cover\t of\t mist\t as\t they\t drifted\t downstream.\t They\t could\t perhaps afford\t two\t more\t days\t on\t the\t river\t before\t they\u2019d\t have\t to\t cut\t inland\t to\t shake\t any\t enemies trailing\tthem.\tGood\tthing\tthey\twere\tclose\tenough\tto\tEyllwe\tnow\tto\tmake\tit\tin\ta\tmatter\tof days\ton\tfoot. When\tthere\twas\tnothing\tbut\twafting\tmist\tand\tthe\tlapping\tof\tthe\triver\tagainst\tthe\tboat, Lorcan\tspoke\tagain.\t\u201cYou\twouldn\u2019t\thave\tstopped\tthat\tdagger.\u201d She\t didn\u2019t\t respond,\t and\t the\t silence\t went\t on\t long\t enough\t that\t he\t turned\t to\t where\t she perched\ton\tthe\tcrate. Tears\trolled\tdown\ther\tface\tas\tshe\tstared\tat\tthe\twater. He\tdidn\u2019t\tknow\thow\tto\tcomfort,\thow\tto\tsoothe\u2014not\tin\tthe\tway\tshe\tneeded. So\t he\t set\t down\t the\t pole\t and\t sat\t beside\t her\t on\t the\t crate,\t the\t wood\t groaning.\t \u201cWho\t is Manon?\u201d He\u2019d\theard\tmost\tof\twhat\tVernon\thad\thissed\tinside\tthat\tprivate\tdining\troom\twhile\the\u2019d been\tsetting\this\ttrap\tin\tthe\tcourtyard,\tbut\tsome\tdetails\thad\tevaded\thim. \u201cThe\t Wing\t Leader\t of\t the\t Ironteeth\t legion,\u201d\t Elide\t said,\t voice\t trembling,\t the\t words snagging\ton\tthe\tblood\tclogging\ther\tnose. Lorcan\ttook\ta\tshot\tin\tthe\tdark.\t\u201cShe\twas\tthe\tone\twho\tgot\tyou\tout.\tThat\tday\u2014she\twas why\tyou\u2019re\tin\twitch\tleathers,\twhy\tyou\twound\tup\twandering\tin\tOakwald.\u201d A\tnod. \u201cAnd\tKaltain\u2014who\twas\tshe?\u201d\tThe\tperson\twho\u2019d\tgiven\ther\tthat\tthing\tshe\tcarried. \u201cErawan\u2019s\t mistress\u2014his\t slave.\t She\t was\t my\t age.\t He\t put\t the\t stone\t inside\t her\t arm\t and made\ther\tinto\ta\tliving\tghost.\tShe\tbought\tme\tand\tManon\ttime\tto\trun;\tshe\tincinerated\tmost of\tMorath\tin\tthe\tprocess,\tand\therself.\u201d Elide\treached\tinto\ther\tjacket,\ther\tbreathing\tthick\twith\ttears\tstill\tsliding\tdown\ther\tface. Lorcan\u2019s\tbreath\tcaught\tas\tshe\tpulled\tout\ta\tscrap\tof\tdark\tfabric. The\tscent\tclinging\tto\tit\twas\tfemale,\tforeign\u2014broken\tand\tsad\tand\tcold.\tBut\tthere\twas another\tscent\tbeneath\tit,\tone\the\tknew\tand\thated\t\u2026 \u201cKaltain\tsaid\tto\tgive\tthis\tto\tCelaena\u2014not\tto\tAelin,\u201d\tElide\tsaid,\tshaking\twith\ther\ttears. \u201cBecause\tCelaena\t\u2026\tshe\tgave\ther\ta\twarm\tcloak\tin\ta\tcold\tdungeon.\tAnd\tthey\twouldn\u2019t\tlet Kaltain\ttake\tthe\tcloak\twith\ther\twhen\tthey\tbrought\ther\tto\tMorath,\tbut\tshe\tmanaged\tto\tsave this\tscrap.\tTo\tremember\tto\trepay\tCelaena\tfor\tthat\tkindness.\tBut\t\u2026\twhat\tsort\tof\tgift\tis\tthis","thing?\tWhat\tis\tthis?\u201d\tShe\tpulled\tback\tthe\tfold\tof\tcloth,\trevealing\ta\tdark\tsliver\tof\tstone. Every\tdrop\tof\tblood\tin\this\tbody\twent\tcold\tand\thot,\tawake\tand\tdead. She\t was\t sobbing\t quietly.\t \u201cWhy\t is\t this\t payment?\t My\t very\t bones\t say\t to\t not\t touch\t it. My\u2014a\tvoice\ttold\tme\tnot\tto\teven\tthink\tabout\tit\t\u2026\u201d It\twas\twrong.\tThe\tthing\tin\ther\tbeautiful,\tfilthy\thand\twas\twrong.\tIt\tdid\tnot\tbelong\there, should\tnot\tbe\there\u2014 The\tgod\twho\thad\twatched\tover\thim\this\twhole\tlife\thad\trecoiled. Even\tdeath\tfeared\tit. \u201cPut\tit\taway,\u201d\the\tsaid\troughly.\t\u201cRight\tnow.\u201d Hand\tshaking,\tshe\tdid\tso.\tOnly\twhen\tit\twas\thidden\tinside\ther\tjacket\tdid\the\tsay,\t\u201cLet\u2019s clean\tyou\tup\tfirst.\tSet\tthat\tnose\tand\twrist.\tI\u2019ll\ttell\tyou\twhat\tI\tknow\twhile\tI\tdo.\u201d She\tnodded,\tgaze\ton\tthe\triver. Lorcan\treached\tout,\tgrasping\ther\tchin\tand\tforcing\ther\tto\tlook\tat\thim.\tHopeless,\tbleak eyes\tmet\this.\tHe\tbrushed\taway\ta\tstray\ttear\twith\this\tthumb.\t\u201cI\tmade\ta\tpromise\tto\tprotect you.\tI\twill\tnot\tbreak\tit,\tElide.\u201d She\tmade\tto\tpull\taway,\tbut\the\tgripped\ther\ta\tlittle\tharder,\tkeeping\ther\teyes\ton\thim. \u201cI\twill\talways\tfind\tyou,\u201d\the\tswore\tto\ther. Her\tthroat\tbobbed. Lorcan\twhispered,\t\u201cI\tpromise.\u201d Elide\tsifted\tthrough\tall\tLorcan\thad\ttold\ther\twhile\the\tcleaned\ther\tface,\tinspected\ther\tnose and\twrist,\tbound\tthe\tlatter\tin\tsoft\tcloth,\tand\tquickly,\tbut\tnot\tviciously,\tset\ther\tnose. Wyrdkeys.\tWyrdgates. Aelin\thad\tone\tWyrdkey.\tWas\tlooking\tfor\tthe\tother\ttwo. Soon\tto\tbe\tonly\tone\tmore,\tonce\tElide\tgave\ther\tthe\tkey\tshe\tcarried. Two\tkeys\u2014against\tone.\tPerhaps\tthey\twould\twin\tthis\twar. Even\t if\t Elide\t didn\u2019t\t know\t how\t Aelin\t could\t use\t them\t and\t not\t destroy\t herself.\t But\t \u2026 she\u2019d\tleave\tit\tup\tto\ther.\tErawan\tmight\thave\tthe\tarmies,\tbut\tif\tAelin\thad\ttwo\tkeys\t\u2026 She\t tried\t not\t to\t think\t about\t Manon.\t Vernon\t had\t lied\t about\t Lorcan\t leaving\u2014to\t break her\tspirit,\tto\tget\ther\tto\tcome\twillingly.\tPerhaps\tManon\twas\tnot\tdead,\teither. She\twouldn\u2019t\tbelieve\tit\tuntil\tshe\thad\tproof.\tUntil\tthe\twhole\tworld\tscreamed\tat\ther\tthat the\tWing\tLeader\twas\tgone. Lorcan\t was\t back\t at\t the\t prow\t by\t the\t time\t she\u2019d\t changed\t into\t one\t of\t his\t own\t shirts while\ther\tleathers\tdried.\tHer\twrist\tthrobbed,\ta\tdull,\tinsistent\tache,\ther\tface\twas\tno\tbetter and\tLorcan\thad\tpromised\tshe\u2019d\tlikely\thave\ta\tblack\teye\tfrom\tit,\tbut\t\u2026\ther\thead\twas\tclear.","She\tcame\tup\tbeside\thim,\twatching\thim\tpush\tthe\tpole\tagainst\tthe\tmucky\tbottom\tof\tthe river.\t\u201cI\tkilled\tthose\tthings.\u201d \u201cYou\tdid\ta\tfine\tjob\tof\tit,\u201d\the\tsaid. \u201cI\tdon\u2019t\tregret\tit.\u201d Dark,\tdepthless\teyes\tslid\tto\ther.\t\u201cGood.\u201d She\tdidn\u2019t\tknow\twhy\tshe\tsaid\tit,\twhy\tshe\tfelt\ta\tneed\tor\tlike\tit\twas\tworth\tanything\tto him\t at\t all,\t but\t Elide\t stood\t on\t her\t toes,\t kissed\t his\t stubble-rough\t cheek,\t and\t said,\t \u201cI\t will always\tfind\tyou,\ttoo,\tLorcan.\u201d She\tfelt\thim\tstaring\tat\ther,\teven\twhen\tshe\u2019d\tclimbed\tinto\tbed\tminutes\tlater. When\tshe\tawoke,\tclean\tstrips\tof\tlinen\tfor\ther\tcycle\twere\tnext\tto\tthe\tbed. His\town\tshirt,\twashed\tand\tdried\tovernight\u2014now\tcut\tup\tfor\ther\tto\tuse\tas\tshe\twould.","51 Eyllwe\u2019s\tcoast\twas\tburning. For\t three\t days,\t they\t sailed\t past\t village\t after\t village.\t Some\t still\t burning,\t some\t only cinders.\tAnd\tat\teach\tof\tthem,\tAelin\tand\tRowan\thad\tlabored\tto\tput\tout\tthose\tflames. Rowan,\tin\this\thawk\tform,\tcould\tfly\tin,\tbut\t\u2026\tIt\tkilled\ther.\tAbsolutely\tkilled\ther\tthat they\t could\t not\t afford\t to\t halt\t long\t enough\t to\t go\t to\t shore.\t So\t she\t did\t it\t from\t the\t ship, burrowing\t deep\t into\t her\t power,\t stretching\t it\t as\t far\t as\t it\t could\t go\t across\t sea\t and\t sky\t and sand,\tto\twink\tout\tthose\tfires\tone\tby\tone. By\tthe\tend\tof\tthe\tthird\tday,\tshe\twas\tflagging,\tso\tthirsty\tthat\tno\tamount\tof\twater\twas able\tto\tslake\tit,\ther\tlips\tchapped\tand\tpeeling. Rowan\thad\tgone\tto\tshore\tthree\ttimes\tnow\tto\task\twho\thad\tdone\tit. Each\t time\t the\t answer\t was\t the\t same:\t darkness\t had\t swept\t over\t them\t in\t the\t night,\t the kind\tthat\tblotted\tout\tthe\tstars,\tand\tthen\tthe\tvillages\twere\tburning\tbeneath\tflaming\tarrows not\tspotted\tuntil\tthey\thad\tfound\ttheir\ttargets. But\twhere\tthat\tdarkness,\twhere\tErawan\u2019s\tforces\twere\t\u2026\tthere\twas\tno\tsign\tof\tthem. No\tsign\tof\tMaeve,\teither. Rowan\t and\t Lysandra\t had\t flown\t high\t and\t wide,\t searching\t for\t either\t force,\t but\t \u2026 nothing. Ghosts,\t some\t villagers\t were\t now\t claiming,\t had\t attacked\t them.\t The\t ghosts\t of\t their unburied\tdead,\traging\thome\tfrom\tdistant\tlands. Until\tthey\tstarted\twhispering\tanother\trumor. That\tAelin\tGalathynius\therself\twas\tburning\tEyllwe,\tvillage\tby\tvillage.\tFor\tvengeance that\tthey\thad\tnot\taided\ther\tkingdom\tten\tyears\tago. No\t matter\t that\t she\t was\t putting\t out\t the\t flames.\t They\t did\t not\t believe\t Rowan\t when\t he tried\tto\texplain\twho\tsoothed\ttheir\tfires\tfrom\taboard\tthe\tdistant\tship. He\ttold\ther\tnot\tto\tlisten,\tnot\tto\tlet\tit\tsink\tin.\tSo\tshe\ttried. And\tit\thad\tbeen\tduring\tone\tof\tthose\ttimes\tthat\tRowan\thad\trun\this\tthumb\tover\tthe\tscar on\ther\tpalm,\tleaning\tto\tkiss\ther\tneck.\tHe\u2019d\tbreathed\ther\tin,\tand\tshe\tknew\the\tdetected\tan answer\tto\tthe\tquestion\tthat\thad\tcaused\thim\tto\tflee\tthat\tmorning\ton\tthe\tship.\tNo,\tshe\twas not\tcarrying\this\tchild. They\t had\t only\t discussed\t the\t matter\t once\u2014last\t week.\t When\t she\u2019d\t crawled\t off\t him, panting\tand\tcoated\tin\tsweat,\tand\the\u2019d\tasked\tif\tshe\twas\ttaking\ta\ttonic.\tShe\tmerely\ttold\thim","no. He\u2019d\tgone\tstill. And\t then\t she\t had\t explained\t that\t if\t she\u2019d\t inherited\t so\t much\t of\t Mab\u2019s\t Fae\t blood,\t she might\tvery\twell\thave\tinherited\tthe\tFae\u2019s\tstruggle\tto\tconceive.\tAnd\teven\tif\tthe\ttiming\twas horrible\t \u2026\t if\t this\t was\t to\t be\t the\t one\t shot\t she\t had\t of\t providing\t Terrasen\t a\t bloodline,\t a future\t \u2026\t she\t would\t not\t waste\t it.\t His\t green\t eyes\t turned\t distant,\t but\t he\u2019d\t nodded,\t kissing her\tshoulder.\tAnd\tthat\thad\tbeen\tthat. She\thadn\u2019t\tmustered\tthe\tnerve\tto\task\tif\the\twanted\tto\tsire\ther\tchildren.\tIf\the\twanted\tto have\tchildren,\tgiven\twhat\thad\thappened\tto\tLyria. And\tduring\tthat\tbrief\tmoment\tbefore\the\u2019d\tflown\tback\tto\tshore\tto\tput\tout\tmore\tflames, she\t hadn\u2019t\t possessed\t the\t nerve\t to\t explain\t why\t she\u2019d\t hurled\t her\t guts\t up\t that\t morning, either. The\tpast\tthree\tdays\thad\tbeen\ta\tblur.\tFrom\tthe\tmoment\tFenrys\thad\tuttered\tthose\twords, Nameless\tis\tmy\tprice,\teverything\thad\tbeen\ta\tblur\tof\tsmoke\tand\tflame\tand\twaves\tand\tsun. But\t as\t the\t sun\t set\t on\t the\t third\t day,\t Aelin\t again\t shoved\t those\t thoughts\t away\t as\t the escort\tship\tbegan\tsignaling\tahead,\tthe\tcrew\tfrantically\tworking\tto\tdrop\tanchor. Sweat\t beaded\t on\t her\t brow,\t her\t tongue\t parchment-dry.\t But\t she\t forgot\t her\t thirst,\t her exhaustion,\tas\tshe\tbeheld\twhat\tRolfe\u2019s\tmen\thad\tspied\tmoments\tago. A\tflat,\twaterlogged\tland\tunder\ta\tcloudy\tsky\tspread\tinland\tas\tfar\tas\tthe\teye\tcould\tsee. Moldy\t green\t and\t bone-white\t grasses\t crusted\t the\t bumps\t and\t hollows,\t little\t islands\t of\t life among\tthe\tmirror-smooth\tgray\twater\tbetween\tthem.\tAnd\tamong\tthem\tall,\tjutting\tup\tfrom brackish\t water\t and\t humped\t land\t like\t the\t limbs\t of\t an\t ill-buried\t corpse\t \u2026\t ruins.\t Great, crumbling\truins,\ta\tonce-lovely\tcity\tdrowned\ton\tthe\tplain. The\tStone\tMarshes. Manon\tlet\tthe\thumans\tand\tFae\tmeet\twith\tthe\tcaptains\tof\tthe\tother\ttwo\tships. She\theard\tthe\tnews\tsoon\tenough:\twhat\tthey\tsought\tlay\tabout\ta\tday\tand\ta\thalf\tinland. Precisely\twhere,\tthey\tdidn\u2019t\tknow\u2014or\thow\tlong\tit\u2019d\ttake\tto\tfind\tits\texact\tlocation.\tUntil they\treturned,\tthe\tships\twould\tremain\tanchored\there. And\tManon,\tit\tseemed,\twould\tjoin\tthem\ton\ttheir\ttrip\tinland.\tAs\tif\tthe\tqueen\tsuspected that\tif\tshe\twere\tleft\tbehind,\ttheir\tlittle\tfleet\twould\tnot\tbe\tintact\twhen\tthey\treturned. Clever\twoman. But\t that\t was\t the\t other\t problem.\t The\t one\t facing\t Manon\t right\t now,\t already\t looking anxious\tand\tput-out. Abraxos\u2019s\t tail\t lashed\t a\t bit,\t the\t iron\t spikes\t scraping\t and\t scratching\t the\t pristine\t ship deck.\tAs\tif\the\u2019d\theard\tthe\tqueen\u2019s\torder\ta\tminute\tago:\tthe\twyvern\thas\tto\tgo. On\tthe\tflat,\topen\texpanse\tof\tthe\tmarshes,\the\u2019d\tbe\ttoo\tnoticeable.","Manon\t placed\t a\t hand\t on\t his\t scarred\t snout,\t meeting\t those\t depthless\t black\t eyes.\t \u201cYou need\tto\tlie\tlow\tsomewhere.\u201d A\twarm,\tsorrowful\thuff\tinto\ther\tpalm. \u201cDon\u2019t\twhine\tabout\tit,\u201d\tManon\tsaid,\teven\tas\tsomething\ttwisted\tand\troiled\tin\ther\tbelly. \u201cStay\t out\t of\t sight,\t keep\t alert,\t and\t come\t back\t in\t four\t days\u2019\t time.\u201d\t She\t allowed\t herself\t to lean\t forward,\t resting\t her\t brow\t against\t his\t snout.\t His\t growl\t rumbled\t her\t bones.\t \u201cWe\u2019ve been\ta\tpair,\tyou\tand\tI.\tA\tfew\tdays\tis\tnothing,\tmy\tfriend.\u201d He\tnudged\ther\thead\twith\this\town. Manon\tswallowed\thard.\t\u201cYou\tsaved\tmy\tlife.\tMany\ttimes.\tI\tnever\tthanked\tyou\tfor\tit.\u201d Abraxos\tlet\tout\tanother\tlow\twhine. \u201cYou\tand\tme,\u201d\tshe\tpromised\thim.\t\u201cFrom\tnow\tuntil\tthe\tDarkness\tclaims\tus.\u201d She\t made\t herself\t pull\t away.\t Made\t herself\t stroke\t his\t snout\t just\t once\t more.\t Then backed\ta\tstep.\tThen\tanother.\t\u201cGo.\u201d He\tdidn\u2019t\tmove.\tShe\tbared\ther\tiron\tteeth.\t\u201cGo.\u201d Abraxos\tgave\ther\ta\tlook\tfull\tof\treproach,\tbut\this\tbody\ttensed,\twings\tlifting. And\t Manon\t decided\t she\t had\t never\t hated\t anyone\t more\t than\t she\t hated\t the\t Queen\t of Terrasen\t and\t her\t friends.\t For\t making\t him\t leave.\t For\t causing\t this\t parting,\t when\t so\t many dangers\thad\tnot\tbeen\table\tto\tcleave\tthem. But\t Abraxos\t was\t airborne,\t the\t sails\t groaning\t in\t the\t wind\t of\t his\t wings,\t and\t Manon watched\t until\t he\t was\t a\t speck\t on\t the\t horizon,\t until\t the\t longboats\t were\t being\t readied\t to bring\tthem\tto\tthe\thigh\tgrasses\tand\tstagnant\tgray\twater\tof\tthe\tmarshes\tbeyond. The\t queen\t and\t her\t court\t readied,\t donning\t weapons\t like\t some\t people\t adorned themselves\twith\tjewelry,\tmoving\tabout\tin\tquestion\tand\tanswer\tto\tone\tanother.\tSo\tsimilar, to\t her\t Thirteen\u2014similar\t enough\t that\t she\t had\t to\t turn\t away,\t ducking\t into\t the\t shadows\t of the\tforemast\tand\tschooling\ther\tbreathing\tinto\tan\teven\trhythm. Her\thands\ttrembled.\tAsterin\twas\tnot\tdead.\tThe\tThirteen\twere\tnot\tdead. She\u2019d\t kept\t the\t thoughts\t about\t it\t at\t bay.\t But\t now,\t with\t that\t flower-smelling\t wyvern vanishing\tover\tthe\thorizon\t\u2026 The\tlast\tpiece\tof\tthe\tWing\tLeader\thad\tvanished\twith\thim. A\tmuggy\twind\ttugged\ther\tinland\u2014toward\tthose\tmarshes.\tDragging\ther\tred\tcape\twith it. Manon\tran\ta\tfinger\tdown\tthe\tcrimson\tcloak\tshe\u2019d\tmade\therself\twear\tthis\tmorning. Rhiannon. She\u2019d\tnever\theard\ta\twhisper\tthat\tthe\tCrochan\troyal\tbloodline\thad\twalked\toff\tthat\tfinal killing\tfield\tfive\tcenturies\tago.\tShe\twondered\tif\tany\tof\tthe\tCrochans\tbeyond\ther\thalf\tsister knew\tthe\tchild\tof\tLothian\tBlackbeak\tand\ta\tCrochan\tPrince\thad\tsurvived.","Manon\t unfastened\t the\t brooch\t clasping\t the\t cloak\t at\t her\t shoulders.\t She\t weighed\t the thick\tbolt\tof\tred\tfabric\tin\ther\thands. A\tfew\teasy\tswipes\tof\ther\tnails\thad\ther\tclutching\ta\tlong,\tthin\tstrip\tof\tthe\tcloak.\tA\tfew more\tmotions\thad\ther\ttying\tit\taround\tthe\tend\tof\ther\tbraid,\tthe\tred\tstark\tagainst\tthe\tmoon white\tof\ther\thair. Manon\t stepped\t out\t of\t the\t shadows\t behind\t the\t foremast\t and\t peered\t over\t the\t edge\t of the\tship. No\tone\tcommented\twhen\tshe\tdumped\ther\thalf\tsister\u2019s\tcloak\tinto\tthe\tsea. The\t wind\t carried\t it\t a\t few\t feet\t over\t the\t waves\t before\t it\t fluttered\t like\t a\t dying\tleaf\tto land\t atop\t the\t swells.\t A\t pool\t of\t blood\u2014that\u2019s\t how\t it\t looked\t from\t the\t distance\t as\t the\t tide carried\tit\tout,\tout,\tout\tinto\tthe\tocean. She\t found\t the\t King\t of\t Adarlan\t and\t Queen\t of\t Terrasen\t waiting\t at\t the\t railing\t of\t the main\tdeck,\ttheir\tcompanions\tclimbing\tinto\tthe\tawaiting\tlongboat\tbobbing\ton\tthe\twaves. She\tmet\teyes\tof\tsapphire,\tthen\tthose\tof\tturquoise\tand\tgold. She\t knew\t they\u2019d\t seen\t it.\t Perhaps\t not\t understood\t what\t the\t cloak\t had\t meant,\t but\t \u2026 understood\tthe\tgesture\tfor\twhat\tit\twas. Manon\tflicked\ther\tiron\tteeth\tand\tnails\tback\tinto\ttheir\tslits\tas\tshe\tapproached\tthem. Aelin\tGalathynius\tsaid\tquietly,\t\u201cYou\tnever\tstop\tseeing\ttheir\tfaces.\u201d It\twas\tonly\twhen\tthey\twere\trowing\tfor\tthe\tshore,\tspindrift\tsoaking\tthem,\tthat\tManon realized\t the\t queen\t hadn\u2019t\t meant\t the\t Thirteen.\t And\t Manon\t wondered\t if\t Aelin,\t too,\t had watched\tthat\tcloak\tfloating\tout\tto\tsea\tand\tthought\tit\tlooked\tlike\tspilled\tblood.","52 They\tdidn\u2019t\tget\tto\tLeriba.\tOr\tto\tBanjali.\tThey\tdidn\u2019t\teven\tget\tclose. Lorcan\tfelt\tthe\tpush\ton\this\tshoulder\tthat\thad\tguided\tand\tshaped\tthe\tcourse\tof\this\tlife \u2014that\tinvisible,\tinsistent\thand\tof\tshadow\tand\tdeath.\tSo\tthey\twent\tsouth,\tthen\twest,\tsailing swiftly\tdown\tthe\tnetwork\tof\twaterways\tthrough\tEyllwe. Elide\t didn\u2019t\t object\t or\t question\t when\t he\t explained\t that\t if\t Hellas\t himself\t was\t nudging him,\tthat\tthe\tqueen\tthey\thunted\twas\tlikely\tin\tthat\tdirection.\tWherever\tit\twould\tlead.\tThere were\tno\tcities\tout\tthere,\tonly\tendless\tgrasslands\tthat\tskirted\tOakwald\u2019s\tsouthernmost\ttip, then\tmarshes.\tThe\tabandoned\tpeninsula\tfull\tof\truins\tamong\tthe\tmarshes. But\tif\tthat\twas\twhere\the\twas\ttold\tto\tgo\t\u2026\tThe\tdark\tgod\u2019s\ttouch\ton\this\tshoulder\thad never\tsteered\thim\twrong.\tSo\the\u2019d\tsee\twhat\the\u2019d\tfind. He\tdid\tnot\tlet\thimself\tdwell\ttoo\tlong\ton\tthe\tfact\tthat\tElide\tcarried\ta\tWyrdkey.\tThat\tshe was\ttrying\tto\tbring\tit\tto\this\tenemy.\tPerhaps\this\tpower\u2019s\tsummons\twould\tlead\tthem\tboth\tto it\u2014to\ther. And\tthen\the\u2019d\thave\ttwo\tkeys,\tif\the\tplayed\this\tcards\tright. If\the\twas\tsmarter\tand\tfaster\tand\tmore\truthless\tthan\tthe\tothers. Then\tthe\tmost\tdangerous\tpart\tof\tall:\ttraveling\twith\ttwo\tkeys\tin\this\tpossession,\tinto\tthe heart\t of\t Morath,\t to\t hunt\t down\t the\t third.\t Speed\t would\t be\t his\t best\t ally\t and\t only\t shot\t at survival. And\the\u2019d\tlikely\tnever\tsee\tElide\tor\tany\tof\tthe\tothers\tagain. They\u2019d\tat\tlast\tabandoned\ttheir\tbarge\tthat\tmorning,\tcramming\twhatever\tsupplies\twould fit\t into\t their\t packs\t before\t setting\t off\t through\t the\t rippling\t grasses.\t Hours\t later,\t Elide\u2019s breathing\t was\t ragged\t as\t they\t ascended\t a\t steep\t hill\t deep\t in\t the\t plain.\t He\u2019d\t been\t scenting brine\tfor\ttwo\tdays\tnow\u2014they\thad\tto\tbe\tclose\tto\tthe\tedge\tof\tthe\tmarshes.\tElide\tswallowed hard,\tand\the\tpassed\ther\tthe\tcanteen\tas\tthey\tcrested\tthe\tsummit\tof\tthe\thill. But\tElide\thalted,\tarms\tslackening\tat\ther\tsides. And\tLorcan\thimself\tfroze\tat\twhat\tspread\tbefore\tthem. \u201cWhat\tis\tthis\tplace?\u201d\tElide\tbreathed,\tas\tif\tfearful\tthe\tland\titself\twould\thear. As\tfar\tas\tthe\teye\tcould\tsee,\tflowing\tinto\tthe\thorizon,\tthe\tland\thad\tsunk\ta\tgood\tthirty feet\u2014a\tsevere,\tbrutal\tcrack\tfrom\tthe\tedge\tof\tthe\tcliff,\tnot\thill,\ton\twhich\tthey\tstood,\tas\tif some\tfurious\tgod\thad\tstomped\ta\tfoot\tacross\tthe\tplain\tand\tleft\tan\timprint. Silvery\tbrackish\twater\tcovered\tmost\tof\tit,\tstill\tas\ta\tmirror,\tinterrupted\tonly\tby\tgrassy","islands\tand\tmounds\tof\tearth\u2014and\tcrumbling,\texquisite\truins. \u201cThis\tis\ta\tbad\tplace,\u201d\tElide\twhispered.\t\u201cWe\tshouldn\u2019t\tbe\there.\u201d Indeed,\t the\t hair\t on\t his\t arms\t had\t risen,\t every\t instinct\t on\t alert\t as\t he\t scanned\t the marshes,\tthe\truins,\tthe\tbrambles,\tand\tthick\tfoliage\tthat\thad\tchoked\tsome\tof\tthe\tislands. Even\tthe\tgod\tof\tdeath\thalted\this\tnudging\tand\tducked\tbehind\tLorcan\u2019s\tshoulder. \u201cWhat\tdo\tyou\tsense?\u201d Her\tlips\twere\tbloodless.\t\u201cSilence.\tLife,\tbut\tsuch\t\u2026\tsilence.\tAs\tif\t\u2026\u201d \u201cAs\tif\twhat?\u201d\the\tpushed. Her\t words\t were\t a\t shudder\t of\t breath.\t \u201cAs\t if\t all\t the\t people\t who\t once\t lived\t here,\t long ago,\t are\t still\t trapped\t inside\u2014still\t \u2026\t beneath.\u201d\t She\t pointed\t to\t a\t ruin\u2014a\t curved,\t broken dome\tof\twhat\thad\tlikely\tbeen\ta\tballroom\tattached\tto\tthe\tspire.\tA\tpalace.\t\u201cI\tdon\u2019t\tthink\tthis is\ta\tplace\tfor\tthe\tliving,\tLorcan.\tThe\tbeasts\tin\tthese\twaters\t\u2026\tI\tdo\tnot\tthink\tthey\ttolerate trespassers.\tNor\tdo\tthe\tdead.\u201d \u201cIs\tit\tthe\tstone\tor\tthe\tgoddess\twho\twatches\tyou\ttelling\tyou\tsuch\tthings?\u201d \u201cIt\u2019s\tmy\theart\tthat\tmurmurs\ta\twarning.\tAnneith\tis\tsilent.\tI\tdon\u2019t\tthink\tshe\twants\tto\tbe anywhere\tnear.\tI\tdon\u2019t\tthink\tshe\twill\tfollow.\u201d \u201cShe\tcame\tto\tMorath,\tbut\tnot\there?\u201d \u201cWhat\tis\tinside\tthese\tmarshes?\u201d\tshe\tasked\tinstead.\t\u201cWhy\tis\tAelin\theaded\tinto\tthem?\u201d That,\t it\t seemed,\t was\t the\t question.\t For\t if\t they\t picked\t up\t on\t it,\t surely\t the\t queen\t and Whitethorn\twould\tsense\tit,\ttoo\u2014and\tonly\ta\tgreat\treward\tor\tthreat\twould\tdrive\tthem\there. \u201cI\t don\u2019t\t know,\u201d\t he\t admitted.\t \u201cNo\t towns\t or\t outposts\t exist\t anywhere\t nearby.\u201d\t Yet\t this was\t where\t the\t dark\t god\t had\t led\t him\u2014and\t where\t that\t hand\t still\t pushed\t him\t to\t venture, even\tif\tit\tquaked. Nothing\tbut\truins\tand\tdense\tfoliage\ton\tthose\ttoo-small\tislands\tof\tsafety\tfrom\twhatever dwelled\tbeneath\tthe\tglassy\twater. But\t Lorcan\t obeyed\t the\t nudging\t god\t at\t his\t shoulder\t and\t led\t the\t Lady\t of\t Perranth onward. \u201cWho\tlived\there?\u201d\tElide\tasked,\tstaring\tat\tthe\tweather-worn\tface\tof\tthe\tstatue\tjutting\tfrom a\t near-collapsed\t stone\t wall.\t It\t teetered\t on\t the\t outer\t edge\t of\t the\t little\t island\t they\t were standing\ton,\tand\tthe\tmoss-speckled\twoman\tcarved\tthere\thad\tno\tdoubt\tonce\tbeen\tbeautiful, as\t well\t as\t a\t bit\t of\t support\t for\t beams\t and\t a\t roof\t that\t had\t since\t rotted\t away.\t But\t the\t veil she\u2019d\tbeen\tcarved\twearing\tnow\tseemed\tlike\ta\tdeath\tshroud.\tElide\tshivered. \u201cThis\tplace\twas\tforgotten\tand\twrecked\tcenturies\tbefore\tI\twas\teven\tborn,\u201d\tLorcan\tsaid. \u201cDid\tit\tbelong\tto\tEyllwe?\u201d \u201cIt\twas\ta\tpart\tof\ta\tkingdom\tthat\tis\tnow\tgone,\ta\tlost\tpeople\twho\twandered\tand\tmerged","with\tthose\tof\tdifferent\tlands.\u201d \u201cThey\tmust\thave\tbeen\tvery\ttalented,\tto\thave\tmade\tsuch\tbeautiful\tbuildings.\u201d Lorcan\tgrunted\tin\tagreement.\tIt\thad\tbeen\ttwo\tdays\tof\tinching\tacross\tthe\tmarshes\u2014no sign\tof\tAelin.\tThey\thad\tslept\tin\tthe\tshelter\tof\tthe\truins,\tthough\tneither\tof\tthem\treally\tgot true\t rest.\t Elide\u2019s\t dreams\t had\t been\t filled\t with\t the\t pale,\t milky-eyed\t faces\t of\t people\t she\u2019d never\tmet,\tcrying\tout\tin\tsupplication\tas\twater\tshoved\tdown\ttheir\tthroats,\ttheir\tnoses.\tEven waking,\tshe\tcould\tsee\tthem,\thear\ttheir\tcries\ton\tthe\twind. Just\tthe\tbreeze\tthrough\tthe\tstones,\tLorcan\tgrumbled\tthat\tfirst\tday. But\tshe\u2019d\tseen\tit\tin\this\teyes.\tHe\theard\tthe\tdead,\ttoo. Heard\t the\t thunder\t of\t the\t cataclysm\t that\t had\t dropped\t the\t land\t right\t from\t underneath them,\theard\tthe\trushing\twater\tthat\tdevoured\tthem\tall\tbefore\tthey\tcould\trun.\tCurious\tbeasts from\t sea\t and\t swamp\t and\t river\t had\t converged\t in\t the\t years\t following,\t making\t the\t ruins\t a hunting\tground,\tfeasting\ton\tone\tanother\twhen\tthe\twaterlogged\tcorpses\tran\tout.\tChanging, adapting\u2014growing\tfatter\tand\tcleverer\tthan\ttheir\tancestors\thad\tbeen. It\t was\t thanks\t to\t those\t beasts\t that\t it\t took\t so\t long\t to\t cross\t the\t marshes.\t Lorcan\t would scan\t the\t too-still\t water\t between\t those\t islands\t of\t safety.\t Sometimes\t it\t was\t clear\t to\t wade through\tthe\tchest-deep,\tsalty\twater.\tSometimes\tit\twas\tnot. Sometimes\teven\tthe\tislands\twere\tnot\tsafe.\tTwice\tnow,\tshe\u2019d\tspotted\ta\tlong,\tscaled\ttail \u2014plated\tlike\tarmor\u2014sliding\tbehind\ta\tstone\twall\tor\tbroken\tpillar.\tThrice,\tshe\u2019d\tseen\tgreat golden\teyes,\tslitted\tdown\tthe\tpupil,\twatching\tfrom\tthe\treeds. Lorcan\thad\thauled\ther\tover\ta\tshoulder\tand\trun\twhenever\tthey\trealized\tthey\twere\tnot alone. Then\tthere\twere\tthe\tsnakes\u2014who\tliked\tto\tdangle\tfrom\tthe\twraithlike\ttrees\tdraining\tan existence\tfrom\tthe\tislands.\tAnd\tthe\tincessant,\tbiting\tmidges,\twho\twere\tnothing\tcompared to\tthe\tclouds\tof\tmosquitoes\tthat\tsometimes\thounded\tthem\tfor\thours.\tOr\tuntil\tLorcan\tsent a\twave\tof\this\tdark\tpower\tinto\tthem\tand\tthey\tall\tdropped\tto\tthe\tearth\tin\ta\tdark\train. But\tevery\ttime\the\tkilled\t\u2026\tshe\tfelt\tthe\tearth\tshudder.\tNot\tin\tfear\tof\thim\t\u2026\tbut\tas\tif\tit were\tawakening.\tListening. Wondering\twho\tdared\twalk\tacross\tit. On\t the\t fourth\t night,\t Elide\t was\t so\t tired,\t so\t on\t edge,\t she\t wanted\t to\t whimper\t as\t they curled\tinto\ta\trare\tsanctuary:\ta\truined\thall,\twith\tpart\tof\tits\tmezzanine\tintact.\tIt\twas\topen\tto the\tsky,\tand\tvines\tchoked\tthe\tthree\twalls,\tbut\tthe\tstone\tstair\thad\tbeen\tsolid\u2014and\twas\thigh enough\toff\tthe\tisland\tthat\tnothing\tmight\tcrawl\tout\tof\tthe\twater\tto\tprey\tupon\tthem.\tLorcan had\t rigged\t the\t base\t and\t top\t of\t the\t stairs\t with\t trip\t wires\t of\t vines\t and\t branches\u2014to\t alert them\tif\tany\tbeasts\tslithered\tup\tthe\tsteps. They\t didn\u2019t\t dare\t risk\t a\t fire,\t but\t it\t was\t warm\t enough\t that\t she\t didn\u2019t\t miss\t one.\t Lying beside\tLorcan,\this\tbody\ta\tsolid\twall\tbetween\ther\tand\tthe\tstone\tto\ther\tleft,\tElide\twatched the\t flickering\t stars,\t the\t drowsy\t buzz\t of\t insects\t a\t constant\t drone\t in\t her\t ears.\t Something roared\tin\tthe\tdistance.","The\tinsects\tpaused.\tThe\tmarsh\tseemed\tto\tturn\tits\tattention\ttoward\tthat\tferal,\tdeep\troar. Slowly,\tlife\tresumed\tagain\u2014though\tquieter.\tLorcan\tmurmured,\t\u201cSleep,\tElide.\u201d She\tswallowed,\ther\tfear\tthick\tin\ther\tblood.\t\u201cWhat\twas\tthat?\u201d \u201cOne\tof\tthe\tbeasts\u2014either\ta\tmating\tcall\tor\tterritorial\twarning.\u201d She\tdidn\u2019t\twant\tto\tknow\thow\tbig\tthey\twere.\tGlimpses\tof\teyes\tand\ttails\twere\tenough. \u201cTell\tme\tabout\ther,\u201d\tElide\twhispered.\t\u201cYour\tqueen.\u201d \u201cI\tdoubt\tit\u2019ll\thelp\tyou\tsleep\tany\tbetter.\u201d She\tturned\tonto\ther\tother\tside,\tfinding\thim\tlying\ton\this\tback,\twatching\tthe\tsky.\t\u201cWill she\t truly\t kill\t you\t for\t what\t you\u2019ve\t done?\u201d\t A\t nod.\t \u201cYet\t you\t risk\t it\u2014for\t her\t sake.\u201d\t She propped\ther\thead\tup\twith\ta\tfist.\t\u201cDo\tyou\tlove\ther?\u201d Those\t eyes,\t darker\t than\t the\t gaps\t between\t the\t stars,\t slid\t to\t her.\t \u201cI\t have\t been\t in\t love with\tMaeve\tsince\tI\tfirst\tlaid\teyes\ton\ther.\u201d \u201cAre\tyou\u2014are\tyou\ther\tlover?\u201d\tShe\thad\tnot\tdared\task\tit,\thadn\u2019t\treally\twanted\tto\tknow. \u201cNo.\tI\toffered\tonce.\tShe\tlaughed\tat\tme\tfor\tthe\tinsolence.\u201d\tHis\tmouth\ttightened.\t\u201cSo\tI have\tmade\tmyself\tinvaluable\tin\tother\tways.\u201d Again,\t that\t roar\t in\t the\t distance\t that\t silenced\t the\t world\t for\t a\t few\t heartbeats.\t Was\t it closer,\tor\thad\tshe\timagined\tit?\tWhen\tshe\tglanced\tback\tat\thim,\tLorcan\u2019s\teyes\twere\ton\ther mouth. She\t said,\t \u201cPerhaps\t she\t uses\t your\t love\t to\t her\t own\t advantage.\t Perhaps\t it\u2019s\t in\t her\t best interest\tto\tdrag\tyou\talong.\tMaybe\tshe\u2019ll\tchange\ther\tmind\twhen\tyou\tseem\tthe\tmost\tlikely to\t\u2026\tleave.\u201d \u201cI\tam\tblood-sworn\tto\ther.\tI\twill\tnever\tleave.\u201d Her\t chest\t hurt\t at\t that.\t \u201cThen\t she\t can\t rest\t assured\t knowing\t you\u2019ll\t pine\t after\t her\t for eternity.\u201d The\twords\tcame\tout\tsharper\tthan\tshe\tintended,\tand\tshe\tmade\tto\tlook\tat\tthe\tstars,\tbut Lorcan\t gripped\t her\t chin,\t faster\t than\t she\t could\t detect.\t He\t peered\t into\t her\t eyes,\t scanning them.\t\u201cDo\tnot\tmake\tthe\tmistake\tof\tbelieving\tme\tto\tbe\ta\tromantic\tfool.\tI\tdo\tnot\thold\tany shred\tof\thope\tfor\ther.\u201d \u201cThen\tthat\tdoes\tnot\tseem\tlike\tlove\tat\tall.\u201d \u201cAnd\twhat\tdo\tyou\tknow\tof\tlove?\u201d\tHe\twas\tso\tclose\u2014had\tneared\twithout\ther\trealizing it. \u201cI\tthink\tlove\tshould\tmake\tyou\thappy,\u201d\tElide\tsaid,\tremembering\ther\tmother\tand\tfather. How\t often\t they\t had\t smiled\t and\t laughed,\t how\t they\t had\t gazed\t at\t each\t other.\t \u201cIt\t should make\tyou\tinto\tthe\tbest\tpossible\tversion\tof\tyourself.\u201d \u201cAre\tyou\timplying\tI\tam\tneither\tof\tthose\tthings?\u201d \u201cI\tdon\u2019t\tthink\tyou\teven\tknow\twhat\thappiness\tis.\u201d","His\tface\tgrew\tgrave\u2014thoughtful.\t\u201cI\tdo\tnot\tmind\t\u2026\tbeing\taround\tyou.\u201d \u201cIs\tthat\ta\tcompliment?\u201d A\thalf\tsmile\tcut\tacross\this\tgranite-hewn\tface.\tAnd\tshe\twanted\t\u2026\twanted\tto\ttouch\tit. That\tsmile,\tthat\tmouth.\tWith\ther\tfingers,\ther\town\tlips.\tIt\tmade\thim\tyounger,\tmade\thim\t\u2026 handsome. So\tshe\treached\tup\twith\ttrembling\tfingers\tand\ttouched\this\tlips. Lorcan\tfroze,\tstill\thalf\tabove\ther,\this\teyes\tsolemn\tand\tintent. But\tshe\ttraced\tthe\tcontours\tof\this\tmouth,\tfinding\tthe\tskin\tthere\tsoft\tand\twarm,\tsuch\ta contrast\tto\tthe\tharsh\twords\tthat\tusually\tcame\tout\tof\tit. She\t reached\t the\t outer\t corner\t of\t his\t lips,\t and\t he\t turned\t his\t face\t into\t her\t hand,\t resting his\t rough\t cheek\t against\t her\t palm.\t His\t eyes\t grew\t heavy-lidded\t as\t she\t brushed\t a\t thumb over\tthe\thard\tplane\tof\this\tcheekbone. Elide\twhispered,\t\u201cI\twould\thide\tyou.\tIn\tPerranth.\tIf\tyou\t\u2026\tif\tyou\tdo\twhat\tyou\tneed\tto do,\tand\tneed\tsomewhere\tto\tgo\t\u2026\tYou\twould\thave\ta\tplace\tthere.\tWith\tme.\u201d His\t eyes\t snapped\t open,\t but\t there\t was\t nothing\t hard,\t nothing\t cold,\t about\t the\t light shining\tin\tthem.\t\u201cI\twould\tbe\ta\tdishonored\tmale\u2014it\u2019d\treflect\tpoorly\tupon\tyou.\u201d \u201cIf\tanyone\tthinks\tthat,\tthey\twould\thave\tno\tplace\tin\tPerranth.\u201d His\tthroat\tbobbed.\t\u201cElide,\tyou\tneed\tto\u2014\u201d But\tshe\trose\tup\tslightly,\treplacing\ther\tmouth\twhere\ther\tfingers\thad\tbeen. The\tkiss\twas\tsoft,\tand\tquiet,\tand\tbrief.\tBarely\ta\tgrazing\tof\ther\tlips\tagainst\this. She\t thought\t Lorcan\t might\t have\t been\t trembling\t as\t she\t pulled\t back.\t As\t heat\t bloomed across\ther\tcheeks.\tBut\tshe\tmade\therself\tsay,\tsurprised\tto\tfind\ther\tvoice\tsteady,\t\u201cYou\tdon\u2019t need\tto\tanswer\tme\tnow.\tOr\tever.\tYou\tcould\tshow\tup\ton\tmy\tdoorstep\tin\tten\tyears,\tand\tthe offer\twould\tstill\tstand.\tBut\tthere\tis\ta\tplace\tfor\tyou,\tin\tPerranth\u2014if\tyou\tshould\tever\tneed or\twish\tfor\tit.\u201d Something\tlike\tagony\trippled\tin\this\teyes,\tthe\tmost\thuman\texpression\tshe\u2019d\tseen\thim make. But\t he\t leaned\t forward,\t and\t despite\t the\t marshes,\t despite\t what\t gathered\t in\t the\t world, for\tthe\tfirst\ttime\tin\tten\tyears,\tElide\tfound\therself\tnot\tat\tall\tafraid\tas\tLorcan\tcaressed\ther lips\t with\t his\t own.\t Not\t afraid\t of\t anything\t as\t he\t did\t it\t again,\t kissing\t one\t corner\t of\t her mouth,\tthen\tthe\tother. Such\t gentle,\t patient\t kisses\u2014his\t hands\t equally\t so\t as\t they\t stroked\t the\t hair\t back\t from her\tbrow,\tas\tthey\ttrailed\tover\ther\thips,\ther\tribs.\tShe\tlifted\ther\town\thands\tto\this\tface\tand dragged\ther\tfingers\tinto\this\tsilken\thair\tas\tshe\tarched\tup\tinto\thim,\tcraving\tthe\tweight\tof\this body\ton\thers. Lorcan\u2019s\t tongue\t brushed\t against\t the\t seam\t of\t her\t mouth,\t and\t Elide\t marveled\t at\t how natural\tit\tfelt\tto\topen\tfor\thim,\thow\ther\tbody\tsang\tat\tthe\tcontact,\this\thardness\tagainst\ther","softness.\tLorcan\tgroaned\tat\tthe\tfirst\tcaress\tof\this\ttongue\tagainst\ther\town,\this\thips\tgrinding against\t hers\t in\t a\t way\t that\t made\t heat\t scorch\t through\t her,\t made\t her\t own\t body\t undulate against\this\tin\tanswer\tand\tdemand. He\tkissed\ther\tdeeper\tat\tthat\trequest,\ta\thand\tsliding\tdown\tto\tgrip\ther\tthigh,\tspreading her\tlegs\ta\tbit\twider\tso\the\tcould\tsettle\tfully\tbetween\tthem.\tAnd\tas\tall\tof\thim\tlined\tup\twith her\t\u2026\tShe\twas\tpanting,\tshe\trealized,\tas\tshe\tground\therself\tagainst\thim,\tas\tLorcan\ttore\this mouth\tfrom\thers\tand\tkissed\ther\tjaw,\ther\tneck,\ther\tear.\tShe\twas\ttrembling\u2014not\twith\tfear, but\twith\twant\tas\tLorcan\tbreathed\ther\tname\tover\tand\tover\tonto\ther\tskin. Like\t a\t prayer,\t that\t was\t how\t her\t name\t sounded\t on\t his\t lips.\t She\t took\t his\t face\t in\t her hands,\tfinding\this\teyes\tblazing,\this\tbreathing\tas\tragged\tas\ther\town. Elide\tdared\tto\trun\ther\tfingers\tfrom\this\tcheek\tdown\this\tneck,\tright\tbeneath\tthe\tcollar\tof his\tshirt.\tHis\tskin\twas\tlike\theated\tsilk.\tHe\tshuddered\tat\tthe\ttouch,\thead\tbowing\tso\tthat\this inky\thair\tspilled\tonto\ther\tbrow,\tand\this\thips\tdrove\tinto\thers\tjust\tenough\tthat\ta\tsmall\tgasp came\tout\tof\ther.\tMore,\tshe\trealized\u2014she\twanted\tmore. His\teyes\tmet\thers\tin\tsilent\tquestion,\ther\thand\tpausing\tover\tthe\tskin\tabove\this\theart.\tIt was\ta\traging,\tthunderous\tbeat. She\t lifted\t her\t head\t to\t kiss\t him,\t and\t as\t her\t mouth\t again\t met\t his,\t she\t whispered\t her answer\u2014 Lorcan\u2019s\thead\tsnapped\tup.\tHe\twas\tinstantly\ton\this\tfeet,\twhirling\ttoward\tthe\tnortheast. Where\ta\tdarkness\thad\tbegun\tto\tspread\tacross\tthe\tstars,\twiping\tthem\tout\tone\tby\tone. Any\tbit\tof\theat,\tof\tdesire,\twinked\tout\tof\ther. \u201cIs\tthat\ta\tstorm?\u201d \u201cWe\tneed\tto\trun,\u201d\tLorcan\tsaid.\tBut\tit\twas\tthe\tdead\tof\tthe\tnight\u2014dawn\twas\tat\tleast\tsix hours\t off.\t To\t cross\t the\t marshes\t now\t \u2026\t More\t and\t more\t stars\t were\t gobbled\t up\t by\t that gathering\tdarkness. \u201cWhat\t is\t that?\u201d\t It\t spread\t farther\t with\t each\t heartbeat.\t Far\t out,\t even\t the\t marsh\t beasts stopped\troaring. \u201cIlken,\u201d\tLorcan\tmurmured.\t\u201cThat\tis\tan\tarmy\tof\tilken.\u201d Elide\tknew\tthey\tweren\u2019t\tcoming\tfor\ther.","53 Two\tdays\tinto\tthe\tendless\tlabyrinth\tof\tthe\tStone\tMarshes\u2014two,\tnot\tthe\tday\tand\ta\thalf\tthat gods-damned\t Rolfe\t had\t suggested\u2014Aelin\t was\t inclined\t to\t burn\t the\t whole\t place\t to\t the ground.\tWith\tthe\twater\tand\thumidity,\tshe\twas\tnever\tdry,\talways\tsweating\tand\tsticky.\tAnd worse:\tthe\tinsects. She\tkept\tthe\tlittle\tdemons\taway\twith\ta\tshield\tof\tinvisible\tflame,\trevealed\tonly\tby\tthe zinging\tas\tthey\tslammed\tinto\tit.\tShe\tmight\thave\tfelt\tbad,\thad\tthey\tnot\ttried\tto\teat\ther\talive the\t first\t day\t here.\t Had\t she\t not\t scratched\t at\t the\t dozens\t of\t swollen\t red\t bites\t until\t her\t skin bled\u2014and\tRowan\tstepped\tin\tto\theal\tthem. After\t the\t Bloodhound\u2019s\t attack,\t her\t own\t healing\t abilities\t had\t remained\t depleted.\t So Rowan\t and\t Gavriel\t played\t healer\t for\t all\t of\t them,\t tending\t to\t the\t itching\t bites,\t the\t welts from\tstinging\tplants,\tthe\tscratches\tfrom\tsubmerged,\tjagged\tchunks\tof\tthe\truins\tthat\tsliced into\tthem\tif\tthey\tweren\u2019t\tcareful\twhile\twading\tthrough\tthe\tbrackish\twater. Only\tManon\tseemed\timmune\tto\tthe\tmarshes\u2019\tdrain,\tfinding\tthe\tferal,\trotting\tbeauty\tof the\t marshes\t to\t be\t pleasing.\t She\t indeed\t reminded\t Aelin\t of\t one\t of\t the\t horrid\t river\t beasts that\t ruled\t this\t place\u2014with\t those\t golden\t eyes,\t those\t sharp,\t gleaming\t teeth\t \u2026\t Aelin\t tried not\tto\tthink\ton\tit\ttoo\tmuch.\tTried\tto\timagine\tgetting\tout\tof\tthis\tplace\tand\tonto\tdry,\tcrisp land. But\tin\tthe\theart\tof\tthis\tdead,\twretched\tsprawl\twas\tMala\u2019s\tLock. Rowan\t was\t scouting\t ahead\t in\t hawk\t form\t as\t the\t sun\t inched\t toward\t the\t horizon, Lysandra\tsurveying\tthe\twaters\tbetween\tthe\tsmall\thills\tas\tsome\tslimy,\tscaled\tmarsh\tthing that\tAelin\thad\tgrimaced\tat,\teliciting\tan\tindignant\thiss\tof\ta\tforked\ttongue\tbefore\tthe\tshifter splashed\tinto\tthe\twater. Aelin\t grimaced\t again\t as\t she\t trudged\t up\t one\t of\t those\t little\t hills,\t crusted\t in\t thorny brambles\t and\t crowned\t with\t two\t fallen\t pillars.\t A\t maze\t designed\t to\t scratch\t and\t stub\t and tear. So\tshe\tsent\ta\tblast\tof\tfire\tacross\tthe\thill,\tturning\tit\tto\twilting\tashes.\tIt\tclung\tto\ther\twet boots\tas\tshe\tpassed\tover\tit,\ta\tsodden\tgray\tmush. Fenrys\t chuckled\t at\t her\t side\t as\t they\t descended\t the\t hill.\t \u201cWell,\t that\u2019s\t one\t way\t to\t get through\tit.\u201d\tHe\theld\tout\ta\thand\tto\tlead\ther\tthrough\tthe\twater,\tand\tpart\tof\ther\tbalked\tat\tthe idea\tof\tbeing\tescorted,\tbut\t\u2026\tshe\u2019d\tbe\tdamned\tif\tshe\tfell\tinto\ta\twatery\tpit.\tShe\thad\ta\tvery, very\tgood\tidea\tof\twhat\twas\tdeep\tbeneath\tthem.\tShe\thad\tno\tinterest\tin\tswimming\tamong the\trotted\tremnants\tof\tpeople. Fenrys\t gripped\t her\t hand\t tightly\t as\t they\t waded\t through\t the\t chest-deep\t water.\t He","hauled\ther\tonto\tthe\tbank\tfirst,\tthen\tclimbed\tout\thimself.\tHe\tcould\tno\tdoubt\tleap\tthe\tgaps between\t the\t islands\t in\t wolf\t form,\t as\t could\t Gavriel.\t Why\t they\t bothered\t staying\t in\t Fae form\twas\tbeyond\ther. Aelin\t used\t her\t magic\t to\t dry\t off\t as\t best\t she\t could,\t then\t used\t a\t tendril\t to\t dry\t Fenrys\u2019s and\tGavriel\u2019s\tclothes,\ttoo. A\t harmless,\t casual\t expenditure\t of\t power.\t Even\t if\t using\t it\t for\t three\t days\t straight\t on Eyllwe\u2019s\t burning\t coast\t had\t drained\t her.\t Not\t the\t flame,\t but\t just\t \u2026\t physically.\t Mentally. She\t still\t felt\t like\t she\t could\t sleep\t for\t a\t week.\t But\t the\t magic\t murmured.\t Incessantly, relentlessly.\t Even\t if\t she\t was\t tired\t \u2026\t the\t power\t demanded\t more.\t Drying\t their\t clothes between\tdips\tinto\tthe\tmarsh\twater,\tat\tleast,\tkept\tthe\tdamn\tthing\tquiet.\tFor\tnow. Lysandra\t popped\t her\t hideous\t head\t up\t from\t a\t tangle\t of\t brambles,\t and\t Aelin\t yelped, falling\t back\t a\t step.\t The\t shifter\t grinned,\t revealing\t two\t very,\t very\t sharp\t fangs.\t Fenrys loosed\t a\t low\t laugh,\t scanning\t the\t shifter\t as\t she\t slithered\t a\t few\t feet\t ahead.\t \u201cSo\t you\t can change\tskin\tand\tbone,\tbut\tthe\tbrand\tremains?\u201d Lysandra\tpaused\ta\tfew\tinches\tfrom\tthe\twater,\tand\ton\tthe\tisland\tahead,\tAedion\tseemed to\tgo\ttense,\teven\tas\the\tcontinued\ton.\tGood.\tAt\tleast\tshe\twasn\u2019t\tthe\tonly\tone\twho\u2019d\trip\tout anyone\u2019s\tthroat\tif\tthey\tso\tmuch\tas\tmocked\tLysandra.\tBut\ther\tfriend\tshifted,\tglowing\tand expanding,\tuntil\ther\tform\tbecame\thumanoid\u2014Fae. Until\t Fenrys\t was\t looking\t at\t himself,\t albeit\t a\t smaller\t version\t to\t fit\t into\t the\t woman\u2019s clothes.\tGavriel,\tclearing\tthe\tbank\tbehind\tthem,\tstumbled\ta\tstep\tat\tthe\tsight. Lysandra\tsaid,\ther\tvoice\tnear-identical\tto\tFenrys\u2019s\tdrawl,\t\u201cI\tsuppose\tit\tshall\talways\tbe my\t tell.\u201d\t She\t extended\t her\t wrist,\t pushing\t back\t the\t sleeve\t of\t her\t jacket\t to\t reveal\t his golden-brown\tskin,\tmarred\twith\tthat\tbrand. But\t she\t kept\t peering\t down\t at\t herself\t as\t they\t all\t continued\t wading\t and\t climbing,\t and finally\t remarked,\t \u201cYour\t hearing\t is\t better.\u201d\t Lysandra\t ran\t her\t tongue\t over\t the\t slightly elongated\tcanines.\tFenrys\tcringed\ta\tbit.\t\u201cWhat\u2019s\tthe\tpoint\tof\tthese?\u201d\tshe\tasked. Gavriel\t edged\t closer\t and\t nudged\t the\t shape-shifter\t along,\t walking\t a\t few\t paces\t ahead with\ther.\t\u201cFenrys\tis\tthe\tlast\tperson\tto\task.\tIf\tyou\twant\tan\tappropriate\tanswer,\tthat\tis.\u201d Lysandra\t chuckled,\t smiling\t at\t the\t Lion\t as\t they\t ascended\t the\t hill.\t Odd\u2014to\t see\t her smile\ton\tFenrys\u2019s\tface.\tFenrys\tcaught\tAelin\u2019s\teye\tand\tgrimaced\tagain,\tno\tdoubt\tfinding\tit equally\tunnerving.\tShe\tchuckled. Wings\t flapped\t ahead,\t and\t Aelin\t took\t a\t moment\t to\t marvel\t as\t Rowan\t sailed\t hard\t and fast\tto\tthem.\tSwift,\tstrong\u2014unfaltering. Gavriel\t fell\t back\t a\t few\t paces\t as\t Lysandra\t stilled\t beside\t Aedion\t atop\t the\t hill\t and shifted\t into\t her\t own\t form.\t She\t swayed\t a\t bit,\t and\t Aelin\t lunged\u2014only\t for\t Aedion\t to\t beat her\tto\tit,\tgripping\tLysandra\tgently\tunder\ther\telbow\tas\tRowan\tlanded\tand\tshifted\thimself. They\tall\tneeded\ta\tnice,\tlong\trest. Her\tFae\tPrince\tsaid,\t\u201cDead\tahead\u2014we\u2019ll\tbe\tthere\tby\ttomorrow\tafternoon.\u201d Whenever\t she\t saw\t Rolfe\t again,\t they\u2019d\t have\t a\t little\t chat\t about\t how,\t exactly,\t he","calculated\tdistances\ton\tthat\tinfernal\tmap\tof\this. But\tRowan\u2019s\tface\thad\tpaled\tbeneath\tthe\ttattoos.\tAfter\ta\tmoment,\the\tadded,\t\u201cI\tcan\tfeel it\u2014my\tmagic\tcan\tfeel\tit.\u201d \u201cTell\tme\tit\u2019s\tnot\tunder\ttwenty\tfeet\tof\twater.\u201d A\t swift,\t cutting\t shake\t of\t the\t head.\t \u201cI\t didn\u2019t\t want\t to\t risk\t getting\t too\t close.\t But\t it reminds\tme\tof\tthe\tSin-Eater\u2019s\ttemple.\u201d \u201cSo,\ta\treally\tlovely,\twelcoming,\tand\trelaxing\tplace\tto\tbe,\tthen,\u201d\tshe\tsaid. Aedion\t laughed\t under\t his\t breath,\t eyes\t on\t the\t horizon.\t Dorian\t and\t Manon\t hauled themselves\tonto\tthe\tbank\tbelow,\tdripping\twet,\tthe\twitch\tscanning\tthe\tsea\tof\tislands\tahead. If\tshe\tnoted\tanything,\tthe\twitch\tsaid\tnothing. Rowan\tsurveyed\tthe\tisland\tthey\tstood\tatop:\thigh,\tshielded\tby\ta\tcrumbling\tstone\twall on\tone\tside,\tthorns\ton\tthe\tother.\t\u201cWe\u2019ll\tcamp\there\ttonight.\tIt\u2019s\tsecure\tenough.\u201d Aelin\tnearly\tsagged\tin\trelief.\tLysandra\tuttered\ta\tfaint\tthank-you\tto\tthe\tgods. Within\tminutes,\tthey\u2019d\tcleared\tenough\tof\ta\tgeneral\tarea,\tthrough\tphysical\tand\tmagical toiling,\t to\t find\t seats\t among\t the\t huge\t blocks\t of\t stone,\t and\t Aedion\t set\t about\t cooking:\t a rather\t sad\t meal\t of\t hard\t bread\t and\t the\t swamp\t creatures\t Gavriel\t and\t Rowan\t had\t hunted, deeming\t them\t safe\t enough\t to\t eat.\t Aelin\t didn\u2019t\t watch\t her\t cousin,\t preferring\t not\t to\t know what\tthe\thell\tshe\twas\tabout\tto\tshove\tdown\ther\tthroat. The\t others\t seemed\t inclined\t to\t avert\t their\t attention\t as\t well,\t and\t though\t Aedion managed\t to\t wield\t their\t meager\t spices\t with\t surprising\t talent,\t some\t of\t the\t meat\t was\t \u2026 chewy.\tSlimy.\tLysandra\thad\tpolitely,\tbut\tthoroughly,\tgagged\tat\tone\tpoint. Night\tset\tin,\ta\tsea\tof\tstars\ttwinkling\tinto\texistence.\tAelin\tcouldn\u2019t\trecall\tthe\tlast\ttime she\t had\t been\t so\t far\t from\t civilization\u2014perhaps\t on\t the\t ocean\t crossing\t to\t and\t from Wendlyn. Aedion,\tseated\tbeside\ther,\tpassed\tthe\ttoo-light\tskin\tof\twine.\tShe\tswigged\tfrom\tit,\tglad for\tthe\tsour\tslide\tthat\twashed\taway\tany\tlingering\ttaste\tof\tthe\tmeat. \u201cDon\u2019t\t ever\t tell\t me\t what\t that\t was,\u201d\t Aelin\t murmured\t to\t him,\t watching\t the\t others quietly\tfinish\tup\ttheir\town\tfood.\tLysandra\tmuttered\ther\tagreement. Aedion\t grinned\t a\t bit\t wickedly,\t surveying\t the\t others\t as\t well.\t A\t few\t feet\t away,\t half\t in shadow,\tManon\tmonitored\tit\tall.\tBut\tAedion\u2019s\tgaze\tlingered\ton\tDorian,\tand\tAelin\tbraced herself.\tBut\ther\tcousin\u2019s\tsmile\tturned\tsofter.\t\u201cHe\tstill\teats\tlike\ta\tfine\tlady.\u201d Dorian\u2019s\thead\tsnapped\tup\u2014but\tAelin\tbit\tback\ta\tlaugh\tat\tthe\tmemory.\tTen\tyears\tago, they\u2019d\tsat\taround\ta\ttable\ttogether\tand\tshe\u2019d\ttold\tthe\tHavilliard\tprince\twhat\tshe\tthought\tof his\ttable\tmanners.\tDorian\tblinked\tas\tthe\tmemory\tno\tdoubt\tresurfaced,\teven\tas\tthe\tothers glanced\tbetween\tthem. The\tking\tgave\ta\tmagnanimous\tbow.\t\u201cI\u2019ll\ttake\tthat\tas\ta\tcompliment.\u201d\tIndeed,\this\thands were\tmostly\tclean,\this\tnow-dry\tclothes\timmaculate.","Her\t own\t hands\t \u2026\t Aelin\t fished\t into\t a\t pocket\t for\t her\t handkerchief.\t The\t thing\t was\t as filthy\t as\t the\t rest\t of\t her,\t but\t \u2026\t better\t than\t using\t her\t pants.\t She\t plucked\t out\t the\t Eye\t of Elena\t from\t where\t it\t was\t usually\t wrapped\t inside,\t setting\t it\t on\t her\t knee\t as\t she\t wiped\t the smear\tof\tspices\tand\tfat\tfrom\ther\tfingers,\tthen\toffered\tthe\tscrap\tof\tsilk\tto\tLysandra.\tAelin casually\tran\ther\tfingers\tover\tthe\tbent\tmetal\tof\tthe\tEye\tas\tthe\tshifter\tcleaned\ther\thands,\tthe blue\tstone\tin\tits\tcore\tflickering\twith\tcobalt\tfire. \u201cAs\tfar\tas\tI\trecall,\u201d\tDorian\twent\ton\twith\ta\tsly\tgrin,\t\u201cyou\ttwo\u2014\u201d The\tattack\thappened\tso\tfast\tthat\tAelin\tdidn\u2019t\tsense\tor\tsee\tit\tuntil\tit\twas\tover. One\t moment,\t Manon\t was\t seated\t at\t the\t edge\t of\t the\t fire,\t the\t marshes\t a\t dark\t sprawl behind\ther. The\t next,\t scales\t and\t flashing\t white\t teeth\t were\t snapping\t for\t her,\t erupting\t from\t the brush\t on\t the\t bank.\t And\t then\u2014stillness\t and\t silence\t as\t the\t enormous\t marsh\t beast\t froze\t in place. Halted\tby\tinvisible\thands\u2014strong\tones. Manon\u2019s\tsword\twas\thalf\tout,\ther\tbreathing\tragged\tas\tshe\tstared\tdown\tthe\tmilky-pink maw\t spread\t wide\t enough\t to\t snap\t off\t her\t head.\t The\t teeth\t were\t each\t as\t long\t as\t Aelin\u2019s thumb. Aedion\tswore.\tThe\tothers\tdidn\u2019t\tso\tmuch\tas\tmove. But\tDorian\u2019s\tmagic\theld\tthe\tbeast\tstill,\tfrozen\twith\tno\tice\tto\tbe\tseen.\tThe\tsame\tpower as\t the\t one\t he\u2019d\t wielded\t against\t the\t Bloodhound.\t Aelin\t surveyed\t him\t for\t any\t tether,\t any gleaming\t thread\t of\t power,\t and\t found\t none.\t He\t hadn\u2019t\t even\t lifted\t a\t hand\t to\t direct\t it. Interesting. Dorian\tsaid\tto\tManon,\tthe\twitch\tstill\tpeering\tinto\tthe\tyawning\tdeath\tinches\tbefore\ther face,\t\u201cShall\tI\tkill\tit\tor\tset\tit\tfree?\u201d Aelin\tmost\tcertainly\thad\tan\topinion\ton\tthe\tmatter,\tbut\ta\twarning\tlook\tfrom\tRowan\thad her\tshutting\ther\tmouth.\tAnd\tgaping\ta\tbit\tat\ther\tprince. Oh,\tyou\tcrafty\told\tbastard.\tHis\tharsh,\ttattooed\tface\trevealed\tnothing. Manon\tglanced\ttoward\tDorian.\t\u201cFree\tit.\u201d The\tking\u2019s\tface\ttightened\u2014then\tthe\tbeast\twent\tcareening\toff\tinto\tthe\tdark,\tas\tif\ta\tgod had\thurled\tit\tacross\tthe\tmarshes.\tA\tdistant\tsplash\tsounded. Lysandra\tsighed.\t\u201cAren\u2019t\tthey\tbeautiful?\u201d Aelin\tcut\ther\ta\tlook.\tThe\tshifter\tgrinned. But\t Aelin\t looked\t back\t at\t Rowan,\t holding\t his\t stare.\t How\t convenient\t that\t your\t shield vanished\tright\tas\tthat\tthing\twaddled\tup.\tWhat\tan\texcellent\topportunity\tfor\ta\tmagic\tlesson. What\tif\tit\thad\tgone\twrong? Rowan\u2019s\teyes\tglittered.\tWhy\tdo\tyou\tthink\tthe\thole\topened\tup\tby\tthe\twitch? Aelin\t swallowed\t her\t laugh\t of\t dismay.\t But\t Manon\t Blackbeak\t was\t taking\t in\t the\t king,","her\t hand\t still\t on\t her\t sword.\t Aelin\t didn\u2019t\t bother\t to\t pretend\t looking\t as\t if\t she\t wasn\u2019t watching\t them\t as\t the\t witch\t shifted\t those\t gold\t eyes\t to\t her.\t To\t the\t Eye\t of\t Elena\t still balanced\ton\tAelin\u2019s\tknee. Manon\u2019s\tlip\tcurled\tback\tfrom\ther\tteeth.\t\u201cWhere\tdid\tyou\tget\tthat.\u201d The\thair\ton\tAelin\u2019s\tarms\trose.\t\u201cThe\tEye\tof\tElena?\tIt\twas\ta\tgift.\u201d But\tthe\twitch\tagain\tglanced\tto\tDorian\u2014as\tif\tsaving\ther\tfrom\tthat\tthing\t\u2026\tOh,\tRowan hadn\u2019t\tlowered\tthe\tshield\tjust\tfor\ta\tmagic\tlesson,\thad\the?\tAelin\tdidn\u2019t\tdare\tglance\tat\thim this\ttime,\tnot\tas\tManon\tdipped\ther\tfingers\tinto\tthe\tmuddy\tearth\tto\tsketch\ta\tshape. A\t large\t circle\u2014and\t two\t overlapping\t circles,\t one\t atop\t the\t other,\t within\t its circumference.\t \u201cThat\t is\t the\t Three-Faced\t Goddess,\u201d\t Manon\t said,\t her\t voice\t low.\t \u201cWe\t call this\t \u2026\u201d\t She\t drew\t a\t rough\t line\t in\t the\t centermost\t circle,\t in\t the\t eye-shaped\t space\t where they\t overlapped.\t \u201cThe\t Eye\t of\t the\t Goddess.\t Not\t Elena.\u201d\t She\t circled\t the\t exterior\t again. \u201cCrone,\u201d\t she\t said\t of\t the\t outermost\t circumference.\t She\t circled\t the\t interior\t top\t circle: \u201cMother.\u201d\tShe\tcircled\tthe\tbottom:\t\u201cMaiden.\u201d\tShe\tstabbed\tthe\teye\tinside:\t\u201cAnd\tthe\theart\tof the\tDarkness\twithin\ther.\u201d It\twas\tAelin\u2019s\tturn\tto\tshake\ther\thead.\tThe\tothers\tdidn\u2019t\tso\tmuch\tas\tblink. Manon\t said\t again,\t \u201cThat\t is\t an\t Ironteeth\t symbol.\t Blueblood\t prophets\t have\t it\t tattooed over\ttheir\thearts.\tAnd\tthose\twho\twon\tvalor\tin\tbattle,\twhen\twe\tlived\tin\tthe\tWastes\t\u2026\tthey were\tonce\tgiven\tthose.\tTo\tmark\tour\tglory\u2014our\tbeing\tGoddess-blessed.\u201d Aelin\tdebated\tchucking\tthe\tgods-damned\tamulet\tinto\tthe\tmarsh,\tbut\tsaid,\t\u201cThe\tday\tI first\tsaw\tBaba\tYellowlegs\t\u2026\tthe\tamulet\tturned\theavy\tand\twarm\tin\ther\tpresence.\tI\tthought it\twas\tin\twarning.\tPerhaps\tit\twas\tin\t\u2026\trecognition.\u201d Manon\t studied\t the\t necklace\t of\t scars\t marring\t Aelin\u2019s\t throat.\t \u201cIts\t power\t worked\t even with\tmagic\tcontained?\u201d \u201cI\t was\t told\t that\t certain\t objects\t were\t \u2026\t exempt.\u201d\t Aelin\u2019s\t voice\t strained.\t \u201cBaba Yellowlegs\tknew\tthe\tentire\thistory\tof\tthe\tWyrdkeys\tand\tgates.\tShe\twas\tthe\tone\twho\ttold me\tabout\tthem.\tIs\tthat\ta\tpart\tof\tyour\thistory,\ttoo?\u201d \u201cNo.\t Not\t in\t those\t terms,\u201d\t Manon\t said.\t \u201cBut\t Yellowlegs\t was\t an\t Ancient\u2014she\t knew things\tnow\tlost\tto\tus.\tShe\tripped\tdown\tthe\twalls\tof\tthe\tCrochan\tcity\therself.\u201d \u201cThe\tlegends\tclaim\tthe\tslaughter\twas\t\u2026\tcatastrophic,\u201d\tDorian\tsaid. Shadows\tflickered\tin\tManon\u2019s\teyes.\t\u201cThat\tkilling\tfield,\tthe\tlast\tI\theard,\tis\tstill\tbarren. Not\t a\t blade\t of\t grass\t grows\t on\t it.\t They\t say\t it\u2019s\t from\t Rhiannon\t Crochan\u2019s\t curse.\t Or\t from the\tblood\tthat\tsoaked\tit\tfor\tthe\tfinal\tthree\tweeks\tof\tthat\twar.\u201d \u201cWhat\tis\tthe\tcurse,\texactly?\u201d\tLysandra\tasked,\tbrows\tfurrowing. Manon\texamined\ther\tiron\tnails,\tlong\tenough\tthat\tAelin\tthought\tshe\twouldn\u2019t\tanswer. Aedion\t chucked\t the\t wineskin\t back\t into\t her\t lap,\t and\t Aelin\t swigged\t from\t it\t again\t as Manon\t at\t last\t replied.\t \u201cRhiannon\t Crochan\t held\t the\t gates\t to\t her\t city\t for\t three\t days\t and three\t nights\t against\t the\t three\t Ironteeth\t Matrons.\t Her\t sisters\t were\t dead\t around\t her,\t her","children\t slaughtered,\t her\t consort\t spiked\t to\t one\t of\t the\t Ironteeth\t war\t caravans.\t The\t last Crochan\tQueen,\tthe\tfinal\thope\tof\ttheir\tthousand-year\tdynasty\t\u2026\tShe\tdid\tnot\tgo\tgently.\tIt was\tonly\twhen\tshe\tfell\tat\tdawn\ton\tthe\tfourth\tday\tthat\tthe\tcity\twas\ttruly\tlost.\tAnd\tas\tshe lay\tdying\ton\tthat\tkilling\tfield,\tas\tthe\tIronteeth\tripped\tdown\tthe\twalls\tof\tthe\tcity\taround\ther and\t butchered\t her\t people\t \u2026\t she\t cursed\t us.\t Cursed\t the\t three\t Matrons,\t and\t through\t them, all\tIronteeth.\tShe\tcursed\tYellowlegs\therself\u2014who\tgave\tRhiannon\ther\tfinishing\tblow.\u201d None\tof\tthem\tmoved\tor\tspoke\tor\tbreathed\ttoo\tloudly. \u201cRhiannon\tswore\ton\ther\tlast\tbreath\tthat\twe\twould\twin\tthe\twar,\tbut\tnot\tthe\tland.\tThat for\twhat\twe\thad\tdone,\twe\twould\tinherit\tthe\tland\tonly\tto\tsee\tit\twilt\tand\tdie\tin\tour\thands. Our\tbeasts\twould\tshrivel\tand\tkeel\tover\tdead;\tour\twitchlings\twould\tbe\tstillborn,\tpoisoned by\tthe\tstreams\tand\trivers.\tFish\twould\trot\tin\tlakes\tbefore\twe\tcould\tcatch\tthem.\tRabbits\tand deer\t would\t flee\t across\t the\t mountains.\t And\t the\t once-verdant\t Witch\t Kingdom\t would become\ta\twasteland. \u201cThe\t Ironteeth\t laughed\t at\t it,\t drunk\t on\t Crochan\t blood.\t Until\t the\t first\t Ironteeth witchling\t was\t born\u2014dead.\t And\t then\t another\t and\t another.\t Until\t the\t cattle\t rotted\t in\t the fields,\tand\tthe\tcrops\twithered\tovernight.\tBy\tthe\tend\tof\tthe\tmonth,\tthere\twas\tno\tfood.\tBy the\t second,\t the\t three\t Ironteeth\t Clans\t were\t turning\t on\t one\t another,\t ripping\t themselves\t to pieces.\t So\t the\t Matrons\t ordered\t us\t all\t into\t exile.\t Separated\t the\t Clans\t to\t cross\t the mountains\tand\twander\tas\twe\twould.\tEvery\tfew\tdecades,\tthey\twould\tsend\tgroups\tto\ttry\tto work\t the\t land,\t to\t see\t if\t the\t curse\t still\t held.\t Those\t groups\t never\t returned.\t We\t have\t been wanderers\t for\t five\t hundred\t years\u2014the\t wound\t made\t worse\t by\t the\t fact\t that\t humans eventually\ttook\tit\tfor\tthemselves.\tAnd\tthe\tland\tresponded\tto\tthem.\u201d \u201cBut\tyou\tplan\tto\treturn\tto\tit\tstill?\u201d\tDorian\tasked. Those\tgolden\teyes\twere\tnot\tof\tthis\tearth.\t\u201cRhiannon\tCrochan\tsaid\tthere\twas\tone\tway \u2014only\t one\u2014to\t break\t the\t curse.\u201d\t Manon\t swallowed\t and\t recited\t in\t a\t cold,\t tight\t voice, \u201cBlood\t to\t blood\t and\t soul\t to\t soul,\t together\t this\t was\t done,\t and\t only\t together\t it\t can\t be undone.\t Be\t the\t bridge,\t be\t the\t light.\t When\t iron\t melts,\t when\t flowers\t spring\t from\t fields\t of blood\u2014let\tthe\tland\tbe\twitness,\tand\treturn\thome.\u201d\tManon\ttoyed\twith\tthe\tend\tof\ther\tbraid, the\t scrap\t of\t red\t cloak\t she\u2019d\t tied\t around\t it.\t \u201cEvery\t Ironteeth\t witch\t in\t the\t world\t has pondered\tthat\tcurse.\tFor\tfive\tcenturies,\twe\thave\ttried\tto\tbreak\tit.\u201d \u201cAnd\tyour\tparents\t\u2026\ttheir\tunion\twas\tmade\tin\torder\tto\tbreak\tthis\tcurse?\u201d\tAelin\tpushed \u2014carefully. A\t sharp\t nod.\t \u201cI\t did\t not\t know\u2014that\t Rhiannon\u2019s\t bloodline\t survived.\u201d\t And\t now\t ran through\tManon\u2019s\tblue\tveins. Dorian\tmused,\t\u201cElena\tpredates\tthe\twitch\twars\tby\ta\tmillennium.\tThe\tEye\thad\tnothing to\tdo\twith\tthat.\u201d\tHe\trubbed\this\tneck.\t\u201cRight?\u201d Manon\tdidn\u2019t\treply,\tonly\textending\ta\tfoot\tto\twipe\taway\tthe\tsymbol\tshe\u2019d\ttraced\tin\tthe dirt. Aelin\t drained\t the\t rest\t of\t the\t wine\t and\t shoved\t the\t Eye\t back\t into\t her\t pocket.\t \u201cMaybe now\tyou\tunderstand,\u201d\tshe\tsaid\tto\tDorian,\t\u201cwhy\tI\u2019ve\tfound\tElena\tjust\ta\tbit\tdifficult\tto\tdeal","with.\u201d The\tisland\twas\twide\tenough\tthat\ta\tconversation\tcould\tbe\thad\twithout\tbeing\toverheard. Rowan\t supposed\t that\t was\t precisely\t what\t his\t former\t cadre\t wanted\t as\t they\t found\t him on\t watch\t atop\t the\t vine-choked,\t crumbling\t spiral\t stairwell\t that\t overlooked\t the\t island\t and its\t surroundings.\t Leaning\t against\t a\t section\t that\t had\t once\t been\t the\t curving\t wall,\t Rowan demanded,\t\u201cWhat?\u201d Gavriel\tsaid,\t\u201cYou\tshould\ttake\tAelin\ta\tthousand\tmiles\tfrom\there.\tTonight.\u201d A\t wave\t of\t his\t magic\t and\t honed\t instincts\t told\t him\t all\t was\t safe\t in\t the\t immediate vicinity,\tcalming\tthe\tkilling\trage\the\u2019d\tslipped\tinto\tat\tthe\tthought. Fenrys\t said,\t \u201cWhatever\t awaits\t us\t tomorrow,\t it\t has\t been\t waiting\t for\t a\t long\t time, Rowan.\u201d \u201cAnd\thow\tdo\teither\tof\tyou\tknow\tthis?\u201d Gavriel\u2019s\ttawny\teyes\tgleamed\tanimal-bright\tin\tthe\tdarkness.\t\u201cYour\tbeloved\u2019s\tlife\tand the\twitch\u2019s\tare\tentwined.\tThey\thave\tbeen\tled\there,\tby\tforces\teven\twe\tcannot\tunderstand.\u201d \u201cThink\tabout\tit,\u201d\tFenrys\tpushed.\t\u201cTwo\tfemales\twhose\tpaths\tcrossed\ttonight\tin\ta\tway we\u2019ve\trarely\twitnessed.\tTwo\tqueens,\twho\tmight\tcontrol\teither\thalf\tof\tthis\tcontinent,\ttwo sides\tof\tone\tcoin.\tBoth\thalf-breeds.\tManon,\tan\tIronteeth\tand\ta\tCrochan.\tAelin\t\u2026\u201d \u201cHuman\tand\tFae,\u201d\tRowan\tfinished\tfor\thim. \u201cBetween\t them,\t they\t cover\t the\t three\t main\t races\t of\t this\t earth.\t Between\t the\t two\t of them,\tthey\tare\tmortal\tand\timmortal;\tone\tworships\tfire,\tthe\tother\tDarkness.\tDo\tI\tneed\tto\tgo on?\tIt\tfeels\tas\tif\twe\u2019re\tplaying\tright\tinto\tthe\thands\tof\twhoever\thas\tbeen\trunning\tthis\tgame \u2014for\teons.\u201d Rowan\tgave\tFenrys\ta\tstare\tthat\tusually\thad\tmen\tbacking\taway.\tEven\tas\the\tconsidered it. Gavriel\t interrupted\t to\t say,\t \u201cMaeve\t has\t been\t waiting,\t Rowan.\t Since\t Brannon.\t For someone\twho\twould\tlead\ther\tto\tthe\tkeys.\tFor\tyour\tAelin.\u201d Maeve\t had\t not\t mentioned\t the\t Lock\t this\t spring.\t She\t hadn\u2019t\t mentioned\t Mala\u2019s\t ring, either.\t Rowan\t said\t slowly,\t his\t words\t a\t death\t promise,\t \u201cDid\t Maeve\t send\t you\t because\t of this\tLock,\ttoo?\u201d \u201cNo,\u201d\t Fenrys\t said.\t \u201cNo\u2014she\t never\t mentioned\t that.\u201d\t He\t shifted\t on\t his\t feet,\t turning toward\t a\t distant,\t brutal\t roar.\t \u201cIf\t Maeve\t and\t Aelin\t go\t to\t war,\t Rowan,\t if\t they\t meet\t on\t a battlefield\t\u2026\u201d He\ttried\tnot\tto\tlet\thimself\timagine\tit.\tThe\tcataclysmic\tcarnage\tand\tdestruction. Perhaps\tthey\tshould\thave\tremained\tin\tthe\tNorth,\tshoring\tup\ttheir\tdefenses. Fenrys\tbreathed,\t\u201cMaeve\twill\tnot\tallow\therself\tto\tlose.\tAlready,\tshe\u2019s\treplaced\tyou.\u201d Rowan\twhirled\ton\tGavriel.\t\u201cWho.\u201d","Those\tlion\u2019s\teyes\tdarkened.\t\u201cCairn.\u201d Rowan\u2019s\tblood\ticed\tover,\tcolder\tthan\this\tmagic.\t\u201cIs\tshe\tinsane?\u201d \u201cShe\ttold\tus\tof\this\tpromotion\ta\tday\tbefore\twe\tleft.\tHe\twas\tgrinning\tlike\ta\tcat\twith\ta canary\tin\tits\tmouth\tas\twe\twalked\tout\tof\tthe\tpalace.\u201d \u201cHe\u2019s\ta\tsadist.\u201d\tCairn\t\u2026\tNo\tamount\tof\ttraining,\tboth\toff\tthe\tbattlefield\tand\ton\tit,\thad ever\t broken\t the\t Fae\t warrior\t of\t his\t penchant\t for\t cruelty.\t Rowan\t had\t locked\t him\t up, flogged\t him,\t disciplined\t him,\t wielded\t whatever\t shred\t of\t compassion\t he\t could\t muster\t in himself\t\u2026\tnothing.\tCairn\thad\tbeen\tborn\tsavoring\tthe\tsuffering\tof\tothers. So\tRowan\thad\tkicked\thim\tout\tof\this\town\tarmy\u2014dumped\thim\tinto\tLorcan\u2019s\tlap.\tCairn had\t lasted\t about\t a\t month\t with\t Lorcan\t before\t he\t was\t packed\t off\t to\t an\t isolated\t legion, commanded\tby\ta\tgeneral\twho\twas\tnot\tcadre\tand\thad\tno\tinterest\tin\tbeing\tone.\tThe\ttales\tof what\tCairn\tdid\tto\tthe\tsoldiers\tand\tinnocents\the\tencountered\t\u2026 There\twere\tfew\tlaws\tagainst\tmurder\twith\tthe\tFae.\tAnd\tRowan\thad\tconsidered\tsparing the\tworld\tof\tCairn\u2019s\tvileness\tevery\ttime\the\u2019d\tseen\thim.\tFor\tMaeve\tto\tappoint\thim\tto\tthe cadre,\tto\tgive\thim\talmost\tunchecked\tpower\tand\tinfluence\u2014 \u201cI\u2019d\t bet\t every\t bit\t of\t gold\t I\t have\t that\t she\u2019s\t going\t to\t let\t Aelin\t nearly\t break\t herself destroying\tErawan\t\u2026\tthen\tstrike\twhen\tshe\u2019s\tweakest,\u201d\tFenrys\tmused. For\t Maeve\t not\t to\t have\t given\t either\t male\t a\t gag\t order\t through\t the\t blood\t oath\t \u2026\t She wanted\thim\u2014wanted\tAelin\u2014to\thave\tthis\tknowledge.\tTo\tworry\tand\tspeculate. Fenrys\t and\t Gavriel\t swapped\t wary\t glances.\t \u201cWe\t still\t serve\t her,\t Rowan,\u201d\t Gavriel murmured.\t\u201cAnd\twe\tstill\thave\tto\tkill\tLorcan\twhen\tthe\ttime\tcomes.\u201d \u201cWhy\tbring\tthis\tup\tat\tall?\tI\twon\u2019t\tget\tin\tyour\tway.\tNeither\twill\tAelin,\tbelieve\tme.\u201d \u201cBecause,\u201d\t Fenrys\t said,\t \u201cMaeve\u2019s\t style\t isn\u2019t\t to\t execute.\t It\u2019s\t to\t punish\u2014slowly.\t Over years.\tBut\tshe\twants\tLorcan\tdead.\tAnd\tnot\thalf\tdead,\tor\tthroat\tslit,\tbut\tirrevocably\tdead.\u201d \u201cBeheaded\tand\tburned,\u201d\tGavriel\tsaid\tgrimly. Rowan\tloosed\ta\tbreath.\t\u201cWhy?\u201d Fenrys\t cast\t his\t glance\t over\t the\t edge\t of\t the\t stairs\u2014to\t where\t Aelin\t slept,\t her\t golden hair\tshining\tin\tthe\tmoonlight.\t\u201cLorcan\tand\tyou\tare\tthe\tmost\tpowerful\tmales\tin\tthe\tworld.\u201d \u201cYou\t forget\t Lorcan\t and\t Aelin\t can\u2019t\t even\t stand\t to\t be\t in\t the\t same\t breathing\t space.\t I doubt\tthere\u2019s\ta\tchance\tof\tan\talliance\tbetween\tthem.\u201d \u201cAll\twe\u2019re\tsaying,\u201d\tFenrys\texplained,\t\u201cis\tthat\tMaeve\tdoes\tnot\tmake\tdecisions\twithout considerable\t motive.\t Be\t ready\t for\t anything.\t Sending\t her\t armada,\t wherever\t it\t is,\t is\t only the\tstart.\u201d The\tmarsh\tbeasts\troared,\tand\tRowan\twanted\tto\troar\tright\tback.\tIf\tAelin\tand\tCairn\tever encountered\teach\tother,\tif\tMaeve\thad\tsome\tplan\tbeyond\ther\tgreed\tfor\tthe\tkeys\t\u2026 Aelin\tturned\tin\ther\tsleep,\tscowling\tat\tthe\truckus,\tLysandra\tdozing\tbeside\ther\tin\tghost leopard\tform,\tthat\tfluffy\ttail\ttwitching.\tRowan\tpushed\toff\tthe\twall,\tmore\tthan\tready\tto\tjoin","his\t queen.\t But\t he\t found\t Fenrys\t staring\t at\t her\t as\t well,\t his\t face\t tight\t and\t drawn.\t Fenrys\u2019s voice\t was\t a\t broken\t whisper\t as\t he\t said,\t \u201cKill\t me.\t If\t that\t order\t is\t given.\t Kill\t me,\t Rowan, before\tI\thave\tto\tdo\tit.\u201d \u201cYou\u2019ll\tbe\tdead\tbefore\tyou\tcan\tget\twithin\ta\tfoot\tof\ther.\u201d Not\t a\t threat\u2014a\t promise\t and\t a\t plain\t statement\t of\t fact.\t Fenrys\u2019s\t shoulders\t slumped\t in thanks. \u201cI\u2019m\tglad,\tyou\tknow,\u201d\tFenrys\tsaid\twith\tunusual\tgraveness,\t\u201cthat\tI\tgot\tthis\ttime.\tThat Maeve\tunintentionally\tgave\tme\tthat.\tThat\tI\tgot\tto\tknow\twhat\tit\twas\tlike\u2014to\tbe\there,\tas\ta part\tof\tthis.\u201d Rowan\tdidn\u2019t\thave\twords,\tso\the\tlooked\tto\tGavriel. But\t the\t Lion\t was\t merely\t nodding\t as\t he\t stared\t down\t at\t the\t little\t camp\t below.\t At\t his sleeping\tson.","54 The\tlast\tleg\tof\tthe\ttrek\tthe\tnext\tmorning\twas\tthe\tlongest\tyet,\tManon\tthought. Close\u2014so\t close\t to\t this\t Lock\t the\t queen\t with\t a\t witch\t emblem\t in\t her\t pocket\t was seeking. She\u2019d\tfallen\tasleep,\tpondering\thow\tit\tcould\tbe\tconnected,\tbut\tgleaned\tnothing.\tThey\u2019d all\t been\t awake\t before\t dawn,\t dragged\t to\t consciousness\t by\t the\t oppressive\t humidity,\t so heavy\tit\tfelt\tlike\ta\tblanket\tweighing\ton\tManon\u2019s\tshoulders. The\tqueen\twas\tmostly\tquiet\tfrom\twhere\tshe\twalked\tat\tthe\thead\tof\ttheir\tcompany,\ther mate\t scouting\t overhead,\t and\t her\t cousin\t and\t the\t shape-shifter\t flanking\t her,\t the\t latter wearing\t the\t skin\t of\t a\t truly\t horrific\t swamp\t viper.\t The\t Wolf\t and\t the\t Lion\t brought\t up\t the rear,\tsniffing\tand\tlistening\tfor\tanything\twrong. The\t people\t who\t had\t once\t dwelled\t within\t these\t lands\t had\t not\t met\t easy\t or\t pleasant ends.\tShe\tcould\tfeel\ttheir\tpain\teven\tnow,\twhispering\tthrough\tthe\tstones,\trippling\tthrough the\t water.\t That\t marsh\t beast\t that\t had\t snuck\t up\t on\t her\t last\t night\t was\t the\t mildest\t of\t the horrors\there.\tAt\ther\tside,\tDorian\tHavilliard\u2019s\ttense\ttan\tface\tseemed\tto\tsuggest\the\tfelt\tthe same. Manon\twaded\twaist-deep\tthrough\ta\tpool\tof\twarm,\tthick\twater\tand\tasked,\tif\tonly\tto\tget it\tout\tof\twhere\tit\trattled\tin\ther\tskull,\t\u201cHow\twill\tshe\tuse\tthe\tkeys\tto\tbanish\tErawan\tand\this Valg?\tOr,\tfor\tthat\tmatter,\tget\trid\tof\tthe\tthings\the\u2019s\tcreated\tthat\taren\u2019t\tof\this\toriginal\trealm, but\tare\tsome\thybrid?\u201d Sapphire\teyes\tslid\ttoward\ther.\t\u201cWhat?\u201d \u201cIs\t there\t a\t way\t of\t weeding\t out\t who\t belongs\t and\t who\t doesn\u2019t?\t Or\t will\t all\t those\t with Valg\t blood\u201d\u2014she\t put\t a\t hand\t on\t her\t sodden\t chest\u2014\u201cbe\t sent\t into\t that\t realm\t of\t darkness and\tcold?\u201d Dorian\u2019s\t teeth\t gleamed\t as\t he\t clenched\t them.\t \u201cI\t don\u2019t\t know,\u201d\t he\t admitted,\t watching Aelin\t nimbly\t hop\t over\t a\t stone.\t \u201cIf\t she\t does,\t I\t assume\t she\u2019ll\t tell\t us\t when\t it\u2019s\t most convenient\tfor\ther.\u201d And\tthe\tleast\tconvenient\tfor\tthem,\the\tdidn\u2019t\tneed\tto\tadd. \u201cAnd\tshe\tgets\tto\tdecide,\tI\tsuppose?\tWho\tstays\tand\twho\tgoes.\u201d \u201cBanishing\tpeople\tto\tlive\twith\tthe\tValg\tisn\u2019t\tsomething\tAelin\twould\twillingly\tdo.\u201d \u201cBut\tshe\tdoes\tdecide,\tultimately.\u201d Dorian\tpaused\tatop\ta\tlittle\thill.\t\u201cWhoever\tholds\tthose\tkeys\tgets\tto\tdecide.\tAnd\tyou\u2019d better\tpray\tto\twhatever\twicked\tgods\tyou\tworship\tthat\tit\u2019s\tAelin\tholding\tthem\tin\tthe\tend.\u201d","\u201cWhat\tabout\tyou?\u201d \u201cWhy\tshould\tI\twish\tto\tgo\tanywhere\tnear\tthose\tthings?\u201d \u201cYou\u2019re\tas\tpowerful\tas\tshe\tis.\tYou\tcould\twield\tthem.\tWhy\tnot?\u201d The\t others\t were\t swiftly\t pulling\t ahead,\t but\t Dorian\t remained\t still.\t Even\t had\t the audacity\tto\tgrip\ther\twrist\u2014hard.\t\u201cWhy\tnot?\u201d\tThere\twas\tsuch\tunyielding\tcoldness\tin\tthat beautiful\tface.\tShe\tcouldn\u2019t\tturn\taway\tfrom\tit.\tA\thot,\thumid\tbreeze\tshoved\tpast,\tdragging her\thair\twith\tit.\tThe\twind\tdidn\u2019t\ttouch\thim,\tdidn\u2019t\truffle\tone\traven-dark\thair\ton\this\thead. A\tshield\u2014he\twas\tshielding\thimself.\tAgainst\ther,\tor\twhatever\twas\tin\tthis\tswamp?\tHe\tsaid softly,\t\u201cBecause\tI\twas\tthe\tone\twho\tdid\tit.\u201d She\twaited. His\tsapphire\teyes\twere\tchips\tof\tice.\t\u201cI\tkilled\tmy\tfather.\tI\tshattered\tthe\tcastle.\tI\tpurged my\town\tcourt.\tSo\tif\tI\thad\tthe\tkeys,\tWing\tLeader,\u201d\the\tfinished\tas\the\treleased\ther\twrist,\t\u201cI have\tno\tdoubt\tthat\tI\twould\tdo\tthe\tsame\tonce\tmore\u2014across\tthis\tcontinent.\u201d \u201cWhy?\u201d\tshe\tbreathed,\ther\tblood\tchilling. She\t was\t indeed\t a\t bit\t terrified\t of\t the\t icy\t rage\t rippling\t from\t him\t as\t Dorian\t said, \u201cBecause\tshe\tdied.\tAnd\teven\tbefore\tshe\tdid,\tthis\tworld\tsaw\tto\tit\tthat\tshe\tsuffered,\tand\twas afraid,\tand\talone.\tAnd\teven\tthough\tno\tone\twill\tremember\twho\tshe\twas,\tI\tdo.\tI\twill\tnever forget\t the\t color\t of\t her\t eyes,\t or\t the\t way\t she\t smiled.\t And\t I\t will\t never\t forgive\t them\t for taking\tit\taway.\u201d Too\tbreakable\u2014he\u2019d\tsaid\tof\thuman\twomen.\tNo\twonder\the\u2019d\tcome\tto\ther. Manon\thad\tno\tanswer,\tand\tshe\tknew\the\twasn\u2019t\tlooking\tfor\tone,\tbut\tshe\tsaid\tanyway, \u201cGood.\u201d She\tignored\tthe\tglimmer\tof\trelief\tthat\tflashed\tacross\this\tface\tas\tshe\tmoved\tahead. Rowan\u2019s\tcalculations\thadn\u2019t\tbeen\twrong:\tthey\treached\tthe\tLock\tby\tmidday. Aelin\tsupposed\tthat\teven\tif\tRowan\thadn\u2019t\tscouted\tahead,\tit\twould\thave\tbeen\tobvious from\t the\t moment\t they\t beheld\t the\t waterlogged,\t labyrinthine\t complex\t of\t wrecked\t pillars that\t the\t Lock\t likely\t lay\t in\t the\t half-crumbling\t stone\t dome\t in\t its\t center.\t Mostly\t because everything\u2014every\tchoking\tweed\tand\tdrop\tof\twater\u2014seemed\tto\tbe\tleaning\taway\tfrom\tit. Like\tthe\tcomplex\twas\tthe\tdark,\trippling\theartbeat\tof\tthe\tmarshes. Rowan\tshifted\tas\the\tlanded\tbefore\twhere\tthey\thad\tall\tgathered\ton\ta\tgrassy,\tdry\tbit\tof land\t on\t the\t outskirts\t of\t the\t sprawling\t complex,\t not\t even\t missing\t a\t step\t as\t he\t walked\t to her\tside.\tShe\ttried\tnot\tto\tlook\ttoo\trelieved\tas\the\tsafely\treturned. She\t really\t tortured\t them,\t she\t realized,\t by\t shoving\t her\t way\t into\t danger\t whenever\t she felt\t like\t it.\t Perhaps\t she\u2019d\t try\t to\t be\t better\t about\t it,\t if\t this\t dread\t was\t at\t all\t like\t what\t they felt. \u201cThis\twhole\tplace\tis\ttoo\tquiet,\u201d\tRowan\tsaid.\t\u201cI\tprobed\tthe\tarea,\tbut\t\u2026\tnothing.\u201d","Aedion\t drew\t the\t Sword\t of\t Orynth\t from\t across\t his\t back.\t \u201cWe\u2019ll\t circle\t the\t perimeter, making\tsmaller\tpasses\tuntil\twe\tget\tup\tto\tthe\tbuilding\titself.\tNo\tsurprises.\u201d Lysandra\t stepped\t back\t from\t them,\t bracing\t for\t the\t shift.\t \u201cI\u2019ll\t take\t the\t water\u2014if\t you hear\ttwo\troars,\tget\tto\thigher\tground.\tOne\tquick\troar,\tand\tit\u2019s\tclear.\u201d Aelin\t nodded\t in\t confirmation\t and\t order\t to\t go\t ahead.\t By\t the\t time\t Aedion\t had\t strode for\t the\t outer\t wall\t of\t the\t complex,\t Lysandra\t had\t slipped\t into\t the\t water,\t all\t scales\t and talons. Rowan\t jerked\t his\t chin\t to\t Gavriel\t and\t Fenrys.\t Both\t males\t silently\t shifted\t and\t then trotted\tahead,\tthe\tlatter\tjoining\tAedion,\tthe\tformer\tin\tthe\topposite\tdirection. Rowan\tkept\tto\tAelin\u2019s\tside,\tDorian\tand\tthe\twitch\tat\ther\tback,\tas\tthey\twaited\tfor\tthe\tall clear. When\t Lysandra\u2019s\t solitary,\t swift\t roar\t cleaved\t the\t air,\t Aelin\t murmured\t to\t Rowan, \u201cWhat\u2019s\tthe\tcatch?\tWhere\t is\t the\t catch?\t It\u2019s\t too\t easy.\u201d\t Indeed,\t there\t was\t nothing\t and\t no one\there.\tNo\tthreat\tbeyond\twhat\tmight\tbe\trotting\taway\tin\tthe\tpits\tand\tsinkholes. \u201cBelieve\tme,\tI\u2019ve\tbeen\tconsidering\tit.\u201d She\t could\t almost\t feel\t him\t sliding\t into\t that\t frozen,\t raging\t place\u2014where\t born\t instinct and\t centuries\t of\t training\t had\t him\t seeing\t the\t world\t as\t a\t killing\t field,\t and\t willing\t to\t do anything\t to\t eradicate\t any\t threats\t to\t her.\t Not\t just\t his\t Fae\t nature\u2014but\t Rowan\u2019s\t nature.\t To protect,\tto\tshield,\tto\tfight\tfor\twhat\tand\twho\the\tloved. Aelin\t stepped\t close\t and\t kissed\t him\t on\t the\t neck.\t Those\t pine-green\t eyes\t warmed slightly\tas\tthey\tshifted\tfrom\tthe\truin\tto\tscan\ther\tface. \u201cWhen\t we\t get\t back\t to\t civilization,\u201d\t he\t said,\t his\t voice\t deepening\t as\t he\t kissed\t her cheek,\ther\tear,\ther\tbrow,\t\u201cI\u2019m\tgoing\tto\tfind\tyou\tthe\tnicest\tinn\ton\tthe\twhole\tgods-damned continent.\u201d \u201cOh?\u201d\tHe\tkissed\ther\tmouth.\tOnce,\ttwice. \u201cWith\tgood\tfood,\ta\tdisgustingly\tcomfortable\tbed,\tand\ta\tbig\tbathtub.\u201d Even\tin\tthe\tmarshes,\tit\twas\teasy\tto\tbecome\tdrunk\ton\thim,\ton\tthe\ttaste\tand\tsmell\tand sound\t and\t feel\t of\t him.\t \u201cHow\t big?\u201d\t she\t murmured,\t not\t caring\t what\t the\t others\t thought\t as they\treturned. \u201cBig\tenough\tfor\ttwo,\u201d\the\tsaid\tonto\ther\tlips. Her\tblood\tturned\tsparkling\tat\tthe\tpromise.\tShe\tkissed\thim\tonce\u2014briefly\tbut\tdeeply.\t\u201cI have\tno\tdefenses\tagainst\tsuch\toffers.\tEspecially\tthose\tmade\tby\tsuch\ta\tpretty\tmale.\u201d He\tscowled\tat\tpretty,\t nipping\t at\t her\t ear\t with\t his\t canines.\t \u201cI\t keep\t a\t tally,\t you\t know, Princess.\t To\t remind\t myself\t to\t repay\t you\t the\t next\t time\t we\u2019re\t alone\t for\t all\t the\t truly wonderful\tthings\tyou\tsay.\u201d Her\t toes\t curled\t in\t her\t soggy\t boots.\t But\t she\t patted\t him\t on\t the\t shoulder,\t looking\t him over\t with\t absolute\t irreverence,\t saying\t as\t she\t walked\t ahead,\t \u201cI\t certainly\t hope\t you\t make","me\tbeg\tfor\tit.\u201d His\tanswering\tgrowl\tfrom\tbehind\tmade\theat\tbloom\tin\ther\tcore. The\t feeling\t lasted\t for\t about\t a\t minute,\t however.\t Within\t a\t few\t turns\t into\t the\t maze\t of crumbling\t walls\t and\t pillars,\t leaving\t Dorian\t to\t guard\t the\t entrance\t and\t Rowan\t slipping ahead,\tAelin\tfound\therself\tbeside\tthe\twitch\u2014who\tlooked\tmore\tbored\tthan\tanything.\tFair enough.\tShe\u2019d\tbeen\tdragged\there,\tafter\tall. Wading\t as\t quietly\t as\t they\t could\t into\t the\t towering\t archways\t and\t pillars\t of\t stone, Rowan\tsignaled\tfrom\ta\tcrossroads\tahead.\tThey\twere\tgetting\tclose. Aelin\tunsheathed\tGoldryn,\tManon\tdrawing\ther\town\tsword\tin\tanswer. Aelin\t lifted\t her\t brows\t as\t she\t glanced\t between\t their\t two\t blades.\t \u201cWhat\u2019s\t your\t sword called?\u201d \u201cWind-Cleaver.\u201d Aelin\tclicked\ther\ttongue.\t\u201cGood\tname.\u201d \u201cYours?\u201d \u201cGoldryn.\u201d A\tslash\tof\tiron\tteeth\tas\tthey\twere\tbared\tin\ta\thalf\tsmile.\t\u201cNot\tas\tgood\ta\tname.\u201d \u201cBlame\tmy\tancestor.\u201d\tShe\tcertainly\tdid.\tFor\tmany,\tmany\tthings. They\t reached\t a\t crossroads\u2014one\t leading\t left,\t one\t right.\t Neither\t offering\t a\t hint\t of\t the direct\tpath\tto\tthe\tcenter\tof\tthe\truin. Rowan\tsaid\tto\tManon,\t\u201cYou\tgo\tleft.\tWhistle\tif\tyou\tfind\tanything.\u201d Manon\t stalked\t off\t among\t the\t stones\t and\t water\t and\t reeds,\t shoulders\t tight\t enough\t to suggest\tshe\thadn\u2019t\tappreciated\tthe\torder,\tbut\tshe\twasn\u2019t\tdumb\tenough\tto\ttangle\twith\thim. Aelin\t smiled\t a\t bit\t at\t the\t thought\t as\t she\t and\t Rowan\t continued\t on.\t Running\t her\t free palm\tover\tthe\tcarved\twalls\tthey\tpassed,\tshe\tsaid\tcasually,\t\u201cThat\tsunrise\tMala\tappeared\tto you\u2014what,\texactly,\tdid\tshe\tsay?\u201d He\tslashed\ta\tglance\tin\ther\tdirection.\t\u201cWhy?\u201d Her\theart\tturned\tthunderous,\tand\tmaybe\tit\tmade\ther\ta\tcoward\tto\tsay\tit\tnow\u2014 Rowan\tgripped\ther\telbow\tas\the\tread\ther\tbody,\tscented\ther\tfear\tand\tpain.\t\u201cAelin.\u201d She\tbraced\therself,\tnothing\tbut\tstone\tand\twater\tand\tbramble\taround\tthem,\tand\tturned a\tcorner. And\tthere\tit\twas. Even\tRowan\tforgot\tto\tdemand\tan\tanswer\tto\twhat\tshe\u2019d\tbeen\tabout\tto\ttell\thim\tas\tthey surveyed\tthe\topen\tspace\tflanked\tby\tcrumbling\twalls\tand\tpunctuated\tby\tfallen\tpillars.\tAnd at\tits\tnorthern\tend\t\u2026\t\u201cBig\tsurprise,\u201d\tAelin\tmuttered.\t\u201cThere\u2019s\tan\taltar.\u201d \u201cIt\u2019s\ta\tchest,\u201d\tRowan\tcorrected\twith\ta\thalf\tsmile.\t\u201cIt\u2019s\tgot\ta\tlid.\u201d","\u201cEven\tbetter,\u201d\tshe\tsaid,\tnudging\thim\twith\tan\telbow.\tYes\u2014yes,\tshe\u2019d\ttell\thim\tlater. The\twater\tseparating\tthem\tfrom\tthe\tchest\twas\tstill\tand\tsilver\tbright\u2014too\tmurky\tto\tsee if\t there\t was\t a\t bottom\t at\t all\t beyond\t the\t steps\t up\t to\t the\t dais.\t Aelin\t reached\t for\t her\t water magic,\thoping\tit\u2019d\twhisper\tof\twhat\tlay\tbeneath\tthat\tsurface,\tbut\ther\tflames\twere\tburning too\tloudly. Splashing\t issued\t across\t the\t way,\t and\t Manon\t appeared\t around\t an\t opposite\t wall.\t Her focus\t went\t to\t the\t enormous\t stone\t chest\t at\t the\t rear\t of\t the\t space,\t the\t stone\t cracked\t and overflowing\twith\tweeds\tand\tvines.\tShe\tbegan\teasing\tacross\tthe\twater,\tone\tstep\tat\ta\ttime. Aelin\tsaid,\t\u201cDon\u2019t\ttouch\tthe\tchest.\u201d Manon\tjust\tgave\ther\ta\tlong\tlook\tand\tkept\theading\tfor\tthe\tdais. Trying\t not\t to\t slip\t on\t the\t slick\t floor,\t Aelin\t crossed\t the\t space,\t sloshing\t water\t over\t the dais\tsteps\tas\tshe\tmounted\tthem,\tRowan\tclose\tbehind. Manon\t leaned\t over\t the\t chest\t to\t study\t the\t lid\t but\t did\t not\t open\t it.\t Studying,\t Aelin realized,\tthe\tcountless\tWyrdmarks\tcarved\tinto\tthe\tstone. Nehemia\t had\t known\t how\t to\t use\t the\t marks.\t Had\t been\t taught\t them\t and\t was\t fluent enough\tin\tthem\tto\thave\twielded\ttheir\tpower.\tAelin\thad\tnever\tasked\thow\tor\twhy\tor\twhen. But\there\twere\tWyrdmarks,\tdeep\twithin\tEyllwe. Aelin\tstepped\tup\tto\tManon,\texamining\tthe\tlid\tmore\tclosely.\t\u201cDo\tyou\tknow\twhat\tthose are?\u201d Manon\tbrushed\tback\ther\tlong\twhite\thair.\t\u201cI\u2019ve\tnever\tseen\tsuch\tmarkings.\u201d Aelin\texamined\ta\tfew,\ther\tmemory\tstraining\tfor\tthe\ttranslation.\t\u201cSome\tof\tthese\taren\u2019t symbols\tI\u2019ve\tencountered\tbefore.\tSome\tare.\u201d\tShe\tscratched\ther\thead.\t\u201cShould\twe\tthrow\ta rock\t at\t it\u2014see\t what\t it\t does?\u201d\t she\t asked,\t twisting\t to\t where\t Rowan\t peered\t over\t her shoulder. But\t a\t hollow\t throb\t of\t air\t pulsed\t around\t them,\t silencing\t the\t incessant\t buzz\t of\t the marshes\u2019\t inhabitants.\t And\t it\t was\t that\t utter\t silence,\t the\t bark\t of\t surprise\t from\t Fenrys,\t that had\tAelin\tand\tManon\tshifting\tinto\tflanking,\tdefensive\tpositions.\tAs\tif\tthey\u2019d\tdone\tthis\ta hundred\ttimes\tbefore. But\tRowan\thad\tgone\tstill\tas\the\tscanned\tthe\tgray\tskies,\tthe\truins,\tthe\twater. \u201cWhat\tis\tit?\u201d\tAelin\tbreathed. Before\t her\t prince\t could\t answer,\t Aelin\t felt\t it\t again.\t A\t pulsing,\t dark\t wind\t demanding their\tattention.\tNot\tthe\tValg.\tNo,\tthis\tdarkness\twas\tborn\tof\tsomething\telse. \u201cLorcan,\u201d\tRowan\tbreathed,\ta\thand\ton\this\tsword\u2014but\tnot\tdrawing\tit. \u201cIs\t that\t his\t magic?\u201d\t Aelin\t shuddered\t as\t that\t death-kissed\t wind\t shoved\t at\t her.\t She batted\tit\taway\tas\tif\tit\twere\ta\tgnat.\tIt\tsnapped\tat\ther\tin\tanswer. \u201cIt\u2019s\this\twarning\tsignal,\u201d\tRowan\tmurmured.","\u201cFor\twhat?\u201d\tManon\tasked\tsharply. Rowan\twas\tinstantly\tmoving,\tscaling\tthe\thigh\twalls\twith\tease,\teven\tas\tstone\tcrumbled away.\tHe\tbalanced\ton\tits\ttop,\tsurveying\tthe\tland\ton\tthe\tother\tside\tof\tthe\twall. Then\the\tsmoothly\tclimbed\tback\tdown,\this\tsplash\tas\the\tlanded\techoing\toff\tthe\tstones. Lysandra\t slithered\t around\t a\t cluster\t of\t weeds\t and\t halted\t with\t a\t swift\t thrust\t of\t her scaled\ttail\tas\tRowan\tsaid\ttoo\tcalmly,\t\u201cThere\tis\tan\taerial\tlegion\tapproaching.\u201d Manon\tbreathed,\t\u201cIronteeth?\u201d \u201cNo,\u201d\t Rowan\t said,\t meeting\t Aelin\u2019s\t gaze\t with\t an\t icy\t steadiness\t that\t had\t seen\t him through\tcenturies\tof\tbattle.\t\u201cIlken.\u201d \u201cHow\tmany?\u201d\tAelin\u2019s\tvoice\tturned\tdistant\u2014hollow. Rowan\u2019s\tthroat\tbobbed,\tand\tshe\tknew\the\u2019d\tbeen\ttaking\tin\tthe\thorizon\tand\tsurrounding lands\t not\t for\t any\t chance\t of\t winning\t the\t battle\t that\t was\t sure\t to\t come,\t but\t for\t any\t shot\t at getting\ther\tout.\tEven\tif\tthe\trest\tof\tthem\thad\tto\tbuy\ther\ttime\twith\ttheir\town\tlives. \u201cFive\thundred.\u201d","55 Lorcan\u2019s\t breath\t singed\t his\t throat\t with\t every\t inhalation,\t but\t he\t kept\t running\t through\t the marshes,\tElide\tlaboring\tbeside\thim,\tnever\tcomplaining,\tonly\tscanning\tthe\tskies\twith\twide, dark\teyes. Lorcan\tsent\tout\tanother\tflickering\tblast\tof\this\tpower.\tNot\ttoward\tthe\twinged\tarmy\tthat raced\t not\t too\t far\t ahead,\t but\t farther\u2014toward\t wherever\t Whitethorn\t and\t his\t bitch-queen might\t be\t in\t this\t festering\t place.\t If\t those\t ilken\t reached\t them\t long\t before\t Lorcan\t could arrive,\tthat\tWyrdkey\tthe\tbitch\tcarried\twould\tbe\tas\tgood\tas\tlost.\tAnd\tElide\t\u2026\tHe\tshut\tout the\tthoughts. The\tilken\tflew\thard\tand\tfast,\theading\ttoward\twhat\thad\tto\tbe\tthe\theart\tof\tthe\tmarshes. What\tthe\thell\thad\tbrought\tthe\tqueen\tout\there? Elide\t flagged,\t and\t Lorcan\t gripped\t her\t under\t an\t elbow\t to\t keep\t her\t upright\t as\t she stumbled\t over\t a\t bit\t of\t pockmarked\t stone.\t Faster.\t If\t the\t ilken\t caught\t them\t unawares,\t if they\tstole\this\trevenge\tand\tthat\tkey\t\u2026 Lorcan\tsent\tout\tburst\tafter\tburst\tof\this\tpower\tin\tevery\tdirection. Keys\t aside,\t he\t didn\u2019t\t want\t to\t see\t the\t look\t on\t Elide\u2019s\t face\t if\t the\t ilken\t got\t there\t first. And\tthey\tfound\twhatever\twas\tleft\tof\tthe\tfire-breather\tand\ther\tcourt. There\twas\tnowhere\tto\tgo. In\tthe\theart\tof\tthis\tfestering\tplain,\tthere\twas\tnowhere\tto\trun,\tor\thide. Erawan\t had\t tracked\t them\t here.\t Had\t sent\t five\t hundred\t ilken\t to\t retrieve\t them.\t If\t the ilken\thad\tfound\tthem\ton\tthe\tsea\tand\tin\tthis\tendless\twasteland,\tthey\u2019d\tno\tdoubt\tbe\table\tto find\tthem\tif\tthey\ttried\thiding\tamong\tthe\truins. They\twere\tall\tsilent\tas\tthey\tgathered\ton\ta\tgrassy\thill\tat\tthe\tedge\tof\tthe\truins,\twatching that\t black\t mass\t take\t form.\t Deep\t in\t the\t ruins\t behind\t them,\t the\t chest\t still\t waited. Untouched. Aelin\t knew\t the\t Lock\t couldn\u2019t\t help\u2014other\t than\t to\t waste\t their\t time\t by\t opening\t its container.\tBrannon\tcould\tget\tin\tline\tto\tcomplain. And\t Lorcan\t \u2026\t somewhere\t out\t there.\t She\u2019d\t think\t on\t that\t later.\t At\t least\t Fenrys\t and Gavriel\thad\tremained,\trather\tthan\tcharging\toff\tto\tfulfill\tMaeve\u2019s\tkill\torder. Rowan\tsaid,\teyes\tpinned\ton\tthose\tswift,\tleathery\twings\tfar\ton\tthe\thorizon,\t\u201cWe\u2019ll\tuse the\truin\tto\tour\tadvantage.\tForce\tthem\tto\tbottleneck\tin\tkey\tareas.\u201d\tLike\ta\tcloud\tof\tlocusts, the\tilken\tblocked\tout\tthe\tclouds,\tthe\tlight,\tthe\tsky.\tA\tdull,\tglazed\tsort\tof\tcalm\tswept\tover","Aelin. Eight\tagainst\tfive\thundred. Fenrys\tquickly\ttied\tback\this\tgolden\thair.\t\u201cWe\tdivide\tit\tup,\ttake\tthem\tout.\tBefore\tthey can\t get\t close\t enough.\t While\t they\u2019re\t still\t in\t the\t air.\u201d\t He\t tapped\t his\t foot\t on\t the\t ground, rolling\this\tshoulders\u2014as\tif\tshaking\toff\tthe\tgrip\tof\tthat\tblood\toath\troaring\tat\thim\tto\thunt down\tLorcan. Aelin\trasped,\t\u201cThere\u2019s\tanother\tway.\u201d \u201cNo,\u201d\twas\tRowan\u2019s\tresponse. She\t swallowed\t hard\t and\t lifted\t her\t chin.\t \u201cThere\t is\t nothing\t and\t no\t one\t out\t here.\t The risk\tof\tusing\tthat\tkey\twould\tbe\tminimal\u2014\u201d Rowan\u2019s\tteeth\tflashed\tas\the\tsnarled,\t\u201cNo,\tand\tthat\u2019s\tfinal.\u201d Aelin\tsaid\ttoo\tquietly,\t\u201cYou\tdon\u2019t\tgive\tme\torders.\u201d She\tsaw\tas\tmuch\tas\tshe\tfelt\tRowan\u2019s\ttemper\trise\twith\tdizzying\tspeed.\t\u201cYou\twill\thave to\tpry\tthat\tkey\tout\tof\tmy\tcold,\tdead\thands.\u201d He\tmeant\tit,\ttoo\u2014he\u2019d\tmake\ther\tkill\thim\tbefore\the\tlet\ther\tuse\tthe\tkey\tin\tany\tcapacity beyond\twielding\tthe\tLock. Aedion\t let\t out\t a\t low,\t bitter\t laugh.\t \u201cYou\t wanted\t to\t send\t a\t message\t to\t our\t enemies about\t your\t power,\t Aelin.\u201d\t Closer\t and\t closer\t that\t army\t came,\t and\t Rowan\u2019s\t ice\t and\t wind licked\tat\ther\tas\the\ttunneled\tdown\tinto\this\tmagic.\tAedion\tjerked\this\tchin\ttoward\tthe\tarmy approaching.\t\u201cIt\tseems\tErawan\tsent\this\tanswer.\u201d Aelin\thissed,\t\u201cYou\tblame\tme\tfor\tthis?\u201d Aedion\u2019s\teyes\tdarkened.\t\u201cWe\tshould\thave\tstayed\tin\tthe\tNorth.\u201d \u201cI\thad\tno\tchoice,\tI\u2019ll\thave\tyou\tremember.\u201d \u201cYou\tdid,\u201d\tAedion\tbreathed,\tnone\tof\tthe\tothers,\tnot\teven\tRowan,\tstepping\tin.\t\u201cYou\u2019ve had\ta\tchoice\tall\talong,\tand\tyou\topted\tto\tflash\tyour\tmagic\taround.\u201d Aelin\tknew\tvery\twell\tthat\ther\teyes\twere\tnow\tflickering\twith\tflames\tas\tshe\ttook\ta\tstep toward\thim.\t\u201cSo\tI\tguess\tthe\t\u2018you\u2019re\tperfect\u2019\tstage\tis\tover,\tthen.\u201d Aedion\u2019s\tlip\tcurled\toff\this\tteeth.\t\u201cThis\tisn\u2019t\ta\tgame.\tThis\tis\twar,\tand\tyou\tpushed\tand pushed\t Erawan\t to\t show\t his\t hand.\t You\t refused\t to\t run\t your\t schemes\t by\t us\t first,\t to\t let\t us weigh\tin,\twhen\twe\thave\tfought\twars\u2014\u201d \u201cDon\u2019t\t you\t dare\t pin\t this\t on\t me.\u201d\t Aelin\t peered\t inside\t herself\u2014to\t the\t power\t there. Down\tand\tdown\tit\twent,\tto\tthat\tpit\tof\teternal\tfire. \u201cThis\tisn\u2019t\tthe\ttime,\u201d\tGavriel\toffered. Aedion\tthrew\tout\ta\thand\tin\this\tdirection,\ta\tsilent,\tvicious\torder\tfor\tthe\tLion\tto\tshut\this mouth.\t\u201cWhere\tare\tour\tallies,\tAelin?\tWhere\tare\tour\tarmies?\tAll\twe\thave\tto\tshow\tfor\tour efforts\t is\t a\t Pirate\t Lord\t who\t might\t very\t well\t change\t his\t mind\t if\t he\t hears\t about\t this\t from","the\twrong\tlips.\u201d She\theld\tin\tthe\twords.\tTime.\tShe\thad\tneeded\ttime\u2014 \u201cIf\twe\u2019re\tgoing\tto\tstand\ta\tchance,\u201d\tRowan\tsaid,\t\u201cwe\tneed\tto\tget\tinto\tposition.\u201d Embers\tsparked\tat\ther\tfingertips.\t\u201cWe\tdo\tit\ttogether.\u201d\tShe\ttried\tnot\tto\tlook\toffended\tat their\traised\tbrows,\ttheir\tslightly\tgaping\tmouths.\t\u201cMagic\tmight\tnot\tlast\tagainst\tthem.\tBut steel\twill.\u201d\tShe\tjerked\ther\tchin\tat\tRowan,\tat\tAedion.\t\u201cPlan\tit.\u201d So\t they\t did.\t Rowan\t stepped\t to\t her\t side,\t a\t hand\t on\t her\t lower\t back.\t The\t only\t comfort he\u2019d\tshow\u2014when\the\tknew,\tthey\tboth\tknew,\tit\thadn\u2019t\tbeen\this\targument\tto\twin.\tHe\tsaid\tto the\tFae\tmales,\t\u201cHow\tmany\tarrows?\u201d \u201cTen\tquivers,\tfully\tstocked,\u201d\tGavriel\tsaid,\teyeing\tAedion\tas\the\tremoved\tthe\tSword\tof Orynth\tfrom\this\tback\tand\trebuckled\tit\tat\this\tside. Returned\tto\ther\thuman\tform,\tLysandra\thad\tdrifted\tto\tthe\tedge\tof\tthe\tbank,\tback\tstiff\tas the\tilken\tgathered\ton\tthe\thorizon. Aelin\t left\t the\t males\t to\t sort\t out\t their\t positions\t and\t slipped\t up\t beside\t her\t friend.\t \u201cYou don\u2019t\thave\tto\tfight.\tYou\tcan\tstay\twith\tManon\u2014guard\tthe\tother\tdirection.\u201d Indeed,\t Manon\t was\t already\t scaling\t one\t of\t the\t ruin\t walls,\t a\t quiver\t with\t unnervingly few\tarrows\tslung\tover\ther\tback\tbeside\tWind-Cleaver.\tAedion\thad\tordered\ther\tto\tscout\tthe other\t direction\t for\t any\t nasty\t surprises.\t The\t witch\t had\t looked\t ready\t to\t debate\u2014until\t she seemed\tto\trealize\tthat,\ton\tthis\tbattlefield\tat\tleast,\tshe\twas\tnot\tthe\tapex\tpredator. Lysandra\t loosely\t braided\t her\t black\t hair,\t her\t golden\t skin\t sallow.\t \u201cI\t don\u2019t\t know\t how they\thave\tdone\tthis\tso\tmany\ttimes.\tFor\tcenturies.\u201d \u201cHonestly,\tI\tdon\u2019t\tknow,\teither,\u201d\tAelin\tsaid,\tglancing\tover\ta\tshoulder\tat\tthe\tFae\tmales now\t analyzing\t the\t layout\t of\t the\t marshes,\t the\t flow\t of\t the\t wind,\t whatever\t else\t to\t use\t to their\tadvantage. Lysandra\trubbed\tat\ther\tface,\tthen\tsquared\ther\tshoulders.\t\u201cThe\tmarsh\tbeasts\tare\teasily enraged.\t Like\t someone\t I\t know.\u201d\t Aelin\t jabbed\t the\t shifter\t with\t an\t elbow,\t and\t Lysandra snorted,\teven\twith\tthe\tarmy\tahead.\t\u201cI\tcan\trile\tthem\tup\u2014threaten\ttheir\tnests.\tSo\tthat\tif\tthe ilken\tland\t\u2026\u201d \u201cThey\twon\u2019t\tjust\thave\tus\tto\tdeal\twith.\u201d\tAelin\tgave\ther\ta\tgrim\tsmile. But\t Lysandra\u2019s\t skin\t was\t still\t pale,\t her\t breathing\t a\t bit\t shallow.\t Aelin\t threaded\t her fingers\tthrough\tthe\tshifter\u2019s\tand\tsqueezed\ttightly. Lysandra\t squeezed\t back\t once\t before\t letting\t go\t to\t shift,\t murmuring,\t \u201cI\u2019ll\t signal\t when I\u2019m\tdone.\u201d Aelin\tjust\tnodded,\tlingering\ton\tthe\tbank\tfor\ta\tmoment\tto\twatch\tthe\tlong-legged\twhite bird\tflap\tacross\tthe\tmarsh\u2014toward\tthat\tbuilding\tdarkness. She\t turned\t back\t to\t the\t others\t in\t time\t to\t see\t Rowan\t jerk\t his\t chin\t to\t Aedion,\t Gavriel, and\tFenrys.\t\u201cYou\tthree\therd\tthem\u2014to\tus.\u201d","\u201cAnd\tyou\tlot?\u201d\tAedion\tsaid,\tsizing\tup\ther,\tRowan,\tand\tDorian. \u201cI\tget\tthe\tfirst\tshot,\u201d\tAelin\tsaid,\tflames\tdancing\tin\ther\teyes. Rowan\t inclined\t his\t head.\t \u201cMy\t lady\t wants\t the\t first\t shot.\t She\t gets\t the\t first\t shot.\t And when\tthey\u2019re\tscattering\tin\ta\tblind\tpanic,\twe\tcome\tin.\u201d Aedion\tgave\ther\ta\tlong\tlook.\t\u201cDon\u2019t\tmiss\tthis\ttime.\u201d \u201cAsshole,\u201d\tshe\tsnapped. Aedion\u2019s\t smile\t didn\u2019t\t reach\t his\t eyes\t as\t he\t strode\t to\t fetch\t extra\t weapons\t from\t their packs,\tgrabbing\ta\tquiver\tof\tarrows\tin\teither\thand,\tslinging\tone\tof\tthe\tlongbows\tacross\this broad\t back\t along\t with\t his\t shield.\t Manon\t had\t already\t stationed\t herself\t atop\t the\t wall behind\tthem,\tgrunting\tas\tshe\tstrung\tAedion\u2019s\tother\tbow. Rowan\twas\tsaying\tto\tDorian,\t\u201cShort\tbursts.\tFind\tyour\ttargets\u2014the\tcenter\tof\tgroups\u2014 and\tuse\tonly\twhat\tmagic\tis\tnecessary.\tDon\u2019t\twaste\tit\tall\tat\tonce.\tAim\tfor\tthe\theads,\tif\tyou can.\u201d \u201cWhat\tabout\tonce\tthey\tstart\tlanding?\u201d\tDorian\tasked,\tsizing\tup\tthe\tterrain. \u201cShield\tyourself,\tattack\twhen\tyou\tcan.\tKeep\tthe\twall\tto\tyour\tback\tat\tall\ttimes.\u201d \u201cI\twon\u2019t\tbe\this\tprisoner\tagain.\u201d Aelin\ttried\tto\tshut\tout\twhat\the\u2019d\tmeant\tby\tit. But\tManon\tsaid\tfrom\tthe\twall\tabove\tthem,\tan\tarrow\tnow\tnocked\tloosely\tin\ther\tbow, \u201cIf\tit\tcomes\tto\tthat,\tprinceling,\tI\u2019ll\tkill\tyou\tbefore\tthey\tcan.\u201d Aelin\thissed,\t\u201cYou\twill\tdo\tno\tsuch\tthing.\u201d Both\tof\tthem\tignored\ther\tas\tDorian\tsaid,\t\u201cThank\tyou.\u201d \u201cNone\tof\tyou\tare\tbeing\ttaken\tprisoner,\u201d\tAelin\tgrowled,\tand\twalked\taway. And\tthere\twould\tbe\tno\tsecond\tor\tthird\tshots. Only\tthe\tfirst\tshot.\tOnly\ther\tshot. Perhaps\tit\twas\ttime\tto\tsee\thow\tdeep\tthat\tnew\twell\tof\tpower\twent.\tWhat\tlived\tinside\tit. Perhaps\tit\twas\ttime\tfor\tMorath\tto\tlearn\tto\tscream. Aelin\t stepped\t up\t to\t the\t water\u2019s\t edge,\t then\t leaped\t onto\t the\t next\t island\t of\t grass\t and stone.\tRowan\tsilently\tcame\tup\tbeside\ther,\tmeeting\ther\tpace\tfor\tpace.\tIt\twasn\u2019t\tuntil\tthey reached\tthe\tnext\thill\tthat\the\tangled\this\tface\ttoward\ther,\this\tgolden\tskin\tstretched\ttaut,\this eyes\tas\tcold\tas\ther\town. Only\t that\t anger\t was\t directed\t at\t her\u2014perhaps\t more\t livid\t than\t she\u2019d\t seen\t him\t since Mistward.\tShe\tbared\ther\tteeth\tin\ta\tferal,\tgrim\tsmile.\t\u201cI\tknow,\tI\tknow.\tJust\tadd\tsuggesting to\tuse\tthe\tWyrdkey\tto\tthat\ttally\tof\tall\tthe\thorrible\tthings\tI\tdo\tand\tsay.\u201d Leathery,\tmassive\twings\tbeat\tthe\tair,\tand\tshrieking\tcries\tat\tlast\tbegan\tto\ttrickle\ttoward them.\t Her\t knees\t quaked,\t but\t she\t clamped\t down\t on\t the\t fear,\t knowing\t he\t could\t scent\t it,","knowing\tthe\tothers\tcould,\ttoo. So\t she\t willed\t herself\t to\t take\t another\t step\t onto\t the\t sodden,\t reed-laden\t plain\u2014toward that\tilken\tarmy.\tThey\u2019d\tbe\tupon\tthem\tin\tminutes\u2014less,\tmaybe. And\thorrible,\tmiserable\tLorcan\thad\tbought\tthem\tthat\textra\ttime.\tWherever\tthe\tbastard was. Rowan\t didn\u2019t\t object\t as\t she\t took\t another\t step,\t then\t another.\t She\t had\t to\t put\t distance between\t them\t all\u2014had\t to\t make\t sure\t that\t every\t last\t ember\t was\tcapable\tof\treaching\tthat army\tand\tthat\tshe\tdidn\u2019t\twaste\ther\tstrength\tby\ttraveling\tfar\tto\tdo\tso. Which\tmeant\tstriding\tout\tinto\tthe\tmarshes\talone.\tTo\twait\tfor\tthose\tthings\tto\tbe\tclose enough\tto\tsee\ttheir\tteeth.\tThey\thad\tto\tknow\twho\tnow\tmarched\tthrough\tthe\treeds\ttoward them.\tWhat\tshe\u2019d\tdo\tto\tthem. But\tstill\tthe\tilken\tcharged. In\tthe\tdistance,\tfar\tto\tthe\tright,\tmarsh\tcreatures\tbegan\tto\troar\u2014no\tdoubt\tin\tLysandra\u2019s wake.\tShe\tprayed\tthe\tbeasts\twere\thungry.\tAnd\tthat\tthey\tdidn\u2019t\tmind\tMorath-bred\tmeat. \u201cAelin.\u201d\tRowan\u2019s\tvoice\tcut\tacross\twater\tand\tplant\tand\twind.\tShe\tpaused,\tlooking\tover a\tshoulder\tat\twhere\the\tnow\tstood\ton\tthe\tsandbank,\tas\tif\tit\u2019d\tbeen\timpossible\tnot\tto\tfollow her. The\tstrong,\tunyielding\tbones\tof\this\tface\twere\tset\twith\tthat\twarrior\u2019s\tbrutality.\tBut\this pine-green\t eyes\t were\t bright\u2014almost\t soft\u2014as\t he\t said,\t \u201cRemember\t who\t you\t are.\t Every step\tof\tthe\tway\tdown,\tand\tevery\tstep\tof\tthe\tway\tback.\tRemember\twho\tyou\tare.\tAnd\tthat you\u2019re\tmine.\u201d She\t thought\t of\t the\t new,\t delicate\t scars\t on\t his\t back\u2014marks\t from\t her\t own\t nails,\t that he\u2019d\trefused\tto\theal\twith\this\tmagic,\tand\tinstead\thad\tset\twith\tseawater,\tthe\tsalt\tlocking\tthe scars\tinto\tplace\tbefore\tthe\timmortal\tbody\tcould\tsmooth\tit\tover.\tHer\tclaiming\tmarks,\the\u2019d breathed\t into\t her\t mouth\t the\t last\t time\t he\u2019d\t been\t inside\t her.\t So\t he\t and\t anyone\t who\t saw them\twould\tknow\tthat\the\tbelonged\tto\ther.\tThat\the\twas\thers,\tjust\tas\tshe\twas\this. And\tbecause\the\twas\thers,\tbecause\tthey\twere\tall\thers\t\u2026 Aelin\tturned\taway\tfrom\thim\tand\tsprinted\tacross\tthe\tplain. With\t every\t step\t toward\t the\t army\t whose\t wings\t she\t could\t just\t make\t out,\t she\t watched for\tthose\tbeasts\tLysandra\triled,\teven\tas\tshe\tbegan\ta\tswift,\tdeadly\tdescent\tinto\tthe\tcore\tof her\tmagic. She\thad\tbeen\thovering\taround\tthe\tmiddle\tledge\tof\ther\tpower\tfor\tdays\tnow,\tone\teye\ton the\t churning,\t molten\t abyss\t far\t below.\t Rowan\t knew.\t Fenrys\t and\t Gavriel,\t definitely. Shielding\tthem,\tdrying\ttheir\tclothes,\tkilling\tthe\tinsects\tthat\tplagued\tthem\t\u2026\tall\tlittle\tways to\trelieve\tthe\tstrain,\tto\tkeep\therself\tsteady,\tto\tgrow\taccustomed\tto\tits\tdepth\tand\tpressure. For\tthe\tdeeper\tshe\twent\tinto\ther\tpower,\tthe\tmore\ther\tbody,\ther\tmind,\tsqueezed\tunder the\t pressure\t of\t it.\t That\t was\t the\t burnout\u2014when\t that\t pressure\t won,\t when\t the\t magic\t was drained\ttoo\tfast\tor\ttoo\tgreedily,\twhen\tit\twas\tspent\tand\tstill\tthe\tbearer\ttried\tto\tclaw\tdeeper","than\tit\tshould. Aelin\tslammed\tto\ta\tstop\tin\tthe\theart\tof\tthe\tplain.\tThe\tilken\thad\tspied\ther\tsprinting\tand now\tflapped\ttoward\ther. Unaware\t of\t the\t three\t males\t who\t crept\t far\t out,\t bows\t at\t the\t ready\t to\t push\t Erawan\u2019s soldiers\tonto\ther\tflames. If\tshe\tcould\tburn\tthrough\ttheir\tdefenses.\tShe\u2019d\thave\tto\tdrag\tup\tevery\tbit\tof\ther\tpower to\tincinerate\tthem\tall.\tThe\ttrue\tmight\tof\tAelin\tFire-Bringer.\tNot\tan\tember\tless. So\t Aelin\t abandoned\t every\t trapping\t of\t civilization,\t of\t conscience\t and\t rules\t and humanity,\tand\tplummeted\tinto\ther\tfire. She\t flew\t for\t that\t flaming\t abyss,\t only\t distantly\t aware\t of\t the\t humidity\t lying\t thick\t on her\tskin,\tof\tthe\tpressure\tbuilding\tin\ther\thead. She\u2019d\tshoot\tstraight\tdown\u2014and\tpush\toff\tthe\tbottom,\tbringing\tall\tthat\tpower\twith\ther to\t the\t surface.\t The\t drag\t would\t be\t enormous.\t And\t it\t would\t be\t the\t test,\t the\t true\t test,\t of control\t and\t strength.\t Easy\u2014so\t easy\t to\t spear\t into\t the\t heart\t of\t fire\t and\t ash.\t The\t hard\t part was\tbringing\tit\tup;\tthat\twas\twhen\tthe\tcracking\twould\toccur. Deeper\tand\tdeeper,\tAelin\tshot\tinto\ther\tpower.\tThrough\tdistant,\tmortal\teyes,\tshe\tnoted the\t ilken\t sweeping\t closer.\t A\t mercy\u2014if\t they\t had\t once\t been\t human,\t perhaps\t obliterating them\twould\tbe\ta\tmercy. Aelin\tknew\tshe\u2019d\treached\tthe\tformer\tedge\tof\ther\tpower\tthanks\tto\twarning\tbells\tin\ther blood\tthat\tpealed\tin\ther\twake.\tThat\tpealed\tas\tshe\tlaunched\therself\tinto\tthe\tburning\tdepths of\thell. The\tQueen\tof\tFlame\tand\tShadow,\tthe\tHeir\tof\tFire,\tAelin\tof\tthe\tWildfire,\tFireheart\t\u2026 She\t burned\t through\t each\t title,\t even\t as\t she\t became\t them,\t became\t what\t those\t foreign ambassadors\thad\thissed\twhen\tthey\treported\ton\ta\tchild-queen\u2019s\tgrowing,\tunstable\tpower\tin Terrasen.\tA\tpromise\tthat\thad\tbeen\twhispered\tinto\tthe\tblackness. The\tpressure\tbegan\tto\tbuild\tin\ther\thead,\tin\ther\tveins. Far\tbehind,\tsafely\tout\tof\ther\trange,\tshe\tfelt\tthe\tflickers\tof\tRowan\u2019s\tand\tDorian\u2019s\tmagic as\tthey\trallied\tthe\tblasts\tthat\twould\tanswer\ther\town. Aelin\tsoared\tinto\tthe\tuncharted\tcore\tof\ther\tpower. The\tinferno\twent\ton\tand\ton.","56 Lorcan\tknew\tthey\twere\tstill\ttoo\tslow,\twarning\tsignal\tor\tnot. Elide\twas\tgasping\tfor\tbreath,\tweaving\ton\ther\tfeet\tas\tLorcan\thalted\ton\tthe\toutskirts\tof a\t massive,\t flooded\t plain.\t She\t pushed\t back\t a\t stray\t strand\t of\t hair\t from\t her\t face,\t Athril\u2019s ring\t glinting\t on\t her\t finger.\t She\t hadn\u2019t\t questioned\t where\t it\t had\t come\t from\t or\t what\t it\t did when\t he\u2019d\t slipped\t it\t onto\t her\t finger\t this\t morning.\t He\u2019d\t only\t warned\t her\t to\t never\t take\t it off,\tthat\tit\tmight\tbe\tthe\tone\tthing\tto\tkeep\ther\tsafe\tfrom\tthe\tilken,\tfrom\tMorath. The\t force\t had\t swept\t northward\t and\t away\t from\t where\t Lorcan\t and\t Elide\t had\t hauled ass,\t no\t doubt\t to\t secure\t some\t better\t approach.\t And\t at\t the\t far\t end\t of\t the\t plain,\t too\t distant for\t Elide\u2019s\t human\t eyes\t to\t clearly\t make\t out,\t Whitethorn\u2019s\t silver\t hair\t glinted,\t the\t King\t of Adarlan\tat\this\tside.\tMagic,\tbright\tand\tcold,\tswirling\taround\tthem.\tAnd\tfarther\tout\u2014 Gods\t above.\t Gavriel\t and\t Fenrys\t were\t in\t the\t reeds,\t bows\t drawn.\t And\t Gavriel\u2019s\t son. Aimed\tat\tthe\tarmy\tapproaching.\tWaiting\tfor\u2014 Lorcan\ttracked\twhere\tthey\twere\tall\tfacing. Not\tthe\tarmy\tclosing\tin\ton\tthem. But\tthe\tqueen\tstanding\talone\tin\tthe\theart\tof\tthe\tflooded\tplain. Lorcan\t realized\t a\t moment\t too\t late\t that\t he\t and\t Elide\t were\t on\t the\t wrong\t side\t of\t the demarcation\tline\u2014too\tfar\tnorth\tof\twhere\tAelin\u2019s\tcompanions\tstood\tsafely\tbehind\ther. Realized\t it\t the\t exact\t heartbeat\t that\t Elide\u2019s\t eyes\t fell\t on\t the\t golden-haired\t woman facing\tthat\tarmy. Her\tarms\tslackened\tat\ther\tsides.\tHer\tface\tdrained\tof\tcolor. Elide\tstaggered\tone\tstep\u2014one\tstep\ttoward\tAelin,\ta\tsmall\tnoise\tcoming\tout\tof\ther. That\u2019s\twhen\the\tfelt\tit. Lorcan\thad\tsensed\tit\tonce\tbefore,\tthat\tday\tat\tMistward.\tWhen\tthe\tQueen\tof\tTerrasen had\tlaid\twaste\tto\tthe\tValg\tprinces,\twhen\ther\tpower\thad\tbeen\ta\tbehemoth\tsurging\tfrom\tthe deep,\tsetting\tthe\tworld\ttrembling. That\twas\tnothing\u2014nothing\u2014compared\tto\tthe\tpower\tthat\tnow\troared\tinto\tthe\tworld. Elide\tstumbled,\tgaping\tat\tthe\tspongy\tearth\tas\tthe\tmarsh\twater\trippled. Five\thundred\tilken\tclosed\tin\taround\tthem.\tThey\thad\ttaken\this\twarning\u2014and\tset\ta\ttrap. And\tthat\tpower\t\u2026\tthat\tpower\tAelin\twas\tnow\tdragging\tup\tfrom\twhatever\thellhole\twas inside\ther,\tfrom\twhatever\tfiery\tpit\tshe\u2019d\tbeen\tdamned\tto\tendure\t\u2026\tIts\twake\twould\twash","over\tthem. \u201cWhat\tis\t\u2026\t,\u201d\tElide\tbreathed,\tbut\tLorcan\tlunged\tfor\ther,\thurling\tthem\tto\tthe\tground, covering\t her\t body\t with\t his.\t He\t threw\t a\t shield\t over\t them,\t plummeting\t hard\t and\t fast\t into his\tmagic,\tthe\tdrop\tnearly\tuncontrolled.\tHe\tdidn\u2019t\thave\ttime\tto\tdo\tanything\tbut\tpour\tevery ounce\t of\t power\t into\t his\t shield,\t into\t the\t one\t barrier\t that\t would\t keep\t them\t from\t being melted\tinto\tnothing. He\tshouldn\u2019t\thave\twasted\tthe\teffort\twarning\tthem.\tNot\twhen\tit\twas\tnow\tlikely\tto\tget him\tand\tElide\tkilled. Whitethorn\t knew\u2014even\t at\t Mistward\u2014that\t the\t queen\t hadn\u2019t\t yet\t stepped\t into\t her birthright.\t Knew\t that\t this\t sort\t of\t power\t came\t around\t once\t in\t an\t eon,\t and\t to\t serve\t it,\t to serve\ther\t\u2026 A\tcourt\tthat\twouldn\u2019t\tjust\tchange\tthe\tworld.\tIt\twould\tstart\tthe\tworld\tover. A\tcourt\tthat\tcould\tconquer\tthis\tworld\u2014and\tany\tother\tit\twished. If\tit\twished.\tIf\tthat\twoman\ton\tthe\tplain\tdesired\tto.\tAnd\tthat\twas\tthe\tquestion,\twasn\u2019t it? \u201cLorcan,\u201d\t Elide\t whispered,\t her\t voice\t breaking\t in\t longing\t for\t the\t queen,\t or\t terror\t of her,\the\tdidn\u2019t\tknow. Didn\u2019t\thave\ttime\tto\tguess,\tas\ta\tferal\troar\twent\tup\tfrom\tthe\treeds.\tA\tcommand. And\t then\t a\t hail\t of\t arrows,\t precisely\t and\t brutally\t aimed,\t flew\t from\t the\t marshes\t to strike\tat\tthe\touter\tflanks\tof\tthe\tilken.\tHe\tmarked\tFenrys\u2019s\tshots\tby\tthe\tblack-tipped\tarrows that\teasily\tfound\ttheir\tmarks.\tGavriel\u2019s\tson\tdidn\u2019t\tmiss,\teither.\tIlken\ttumbled\tfrom\tthe\tsky, and\tthe\tothers\tpanicked,\tflapping\tinto\tone\tanother,\tcareening\tinward. Right\tto\twhere\tthe\tQueen\tof\tTerrasen\tunleashed\tthe\tfull\tforce\tof\ther\tmagic\tupon\tthem. The\tmoment\tLysandra\troared\tto\tsignal\tthat\tthe\tmarsh\tbeasts\twere\triled\tand\tshe\twas\tsafely behind\ttheir\tlines\tagain,\tthe\tmoment\tthe\tilken\tgot\tso\tclose\tAedion\tcould\tshoot\tthem\tout\tof the\tsky\tlike\tgeese,\this\tqueen\terupted. Even\twith\tAelin\u2019s\taim\taway\tfrom\tthem,\teven\twith\tRowan\u2019s\tshield,\tthe\theat\tof\tthat\tfire burned.\t\u201cHoly\tgods,\u201d\tAedion\tfound\thimself\tsaying\tas\the\tstumbled\tback\tthrough\tthe\treeds, falling\tfarther\tbehind\ther\tline\tof\tattack.\t\u201cHoly\trutting\tgods.\u201d The\theart\tof\tthe\tlegion\tdidn\u2019t\thave\tthe\tchance\tto\tscream\tas\tthey\twere\twashed\taway\tin a\tsea\tof\tflame. Aelin\twas\tno\tsavior\tto\trally\tbehind,\tbut\ta\tcataclysm\tto\tbe\tweathered. The\tfire\tgrew\thotter,\this\tbones\tgroaning\tas\tsweat\tbeaded\ton\this\tbrow.\tBut\tAedion\ttook up\t a\t new\t spot,\t glancing\t to\t ensure\t his\t father\t and\t Fenrys\t had\t done\t the\t same\t across\t the drowned\t plain,\t and\t aimed\t for\t the\t ilken\t veering\t out\t of\t the\t flame\u2019s\t path.\t He\t made\t his arrows\tcount.","Ashes\tfell\tto\tthe\tearth\tin\ta\tslow,\tsteady\tsnow. Not\tfast\tenough.\tAs\tif\tsensing\tAelin\u2019s\tdragging\tpace,\tice\tand\twind\terupted\toverhead. Where\t gold-and-red\t flame\t did\t not\t melt\t Erawan\u2019s\t legion,\t Dorian\t and\t Rowan\t ripped them\tapart. The\tilken\tstill\theld\tout,\tas\tif\tthey\twere\ta\tstain\tof\tdarkness,\tharder\tto\twash\taway. Still\tAelin\tkept\tburning.\tAedion\tcouldn\u2019t\teven\tsee\ther\tin\tthe\theart\tof\tthat\tpower. There\twas\ta\tcost\u2014there\thad\tto\tbe\ta\tcost\tto\tsuch\tpower. She\thad\tbeen\tborn\tknowing\tthe\tweight\tof\ther\tcrown,\ther\tmagic.\tHad\tfelt\tits\tisolation long\tbefore\tshe\u2019d\treached\tadolescence.\tAnd\tthat\tseemed\tlike\tpunishment\tenough,\tbut\t\u2026 there\thad\tto\tbe\ta\tprice. Nameless\tis\tmy\tprice.\tThat\twas\twhat\tthe\twitch\thad\tsaid. Understanding\tglimmered\tat\tthe\tedge\tof\tAedion\u2019s\tmind,\tjust\tout\tof\tgrasp.\tHe\tfired\this second-to-last\tarrow,\tstraight\tbetween\tthe\teyes\tof\ta\tfrantic\tilken. One\tby\tone,\ttheir\town\tfoul-bred\tresistance\tto\tmagic\tyielded\tto\tthose\tbursts\tof\tice,\tand wind,\tand\tflame. And\tthen\tWhitethorn\tbegan\twalking\tinto\tthe\tfirestorm\tfifty\tfeet\tahead.\tToward\tAelin. Lorcan\tpinned\tElide\tto\tthe\tearth,\tthrowing\tevery\tlast\tshadow\tand\tpocket\tof\tdarkness\tinto that\tshield.\tThe\tflames\twere\tso\thot\tthat\tsweat\tdripped\tdown\this\tbrow,\tright\tinto\ther\tsilken hair,\tspread\ton\tthe\tgreen\tmoss.\tThe\tmarsh\twater\taround\tthem\tboiled. Boiled.\t Fish\t floated\t belly-up.\t The\t grasses\t dried\t out\t and\t caught\t fire.\t The\t entire\t world was\ta\thell-realm,\twith\tno\tend\tand\tno\tbeginning. Lorcan\u2019s\tshredded,\tdark\tsoul\ttipped\tits\thead\tback\tand\troared\tin\tunison\tto\ther\tpower\u2019s burning\tsong. Elide\t was\t cringing,\t fists\t balled\t in\t his\t shirt,\t face\t buried\t against\t his\t neck\t as\t he\t gritted his\t teeth\t and\t weathered\t the\t firestorm.\t Not\t just\t fire,\t he\t realized.\t But\t wind\t and\t ice.\t Two other,\tmighty\tmagics\thad\tjoined\ther\u2014shredding\tthe\tilken.\tAnd\this\town\tshield. Wave\tafter\twave,\tthe\tmagic\tbattered\this\tpower.\tA\tlesser\tgift\tmight\thave\tbeen\tbroken against\tit\u2014a\tlesser\tmagic\tmight\thave\ttried\tto\tfight\tback,\tand\tnot\tjust\tlet\tthe\tpower\twash over\tthem. If\tErawan\tgot\ta\tcollar\taround\tAelin\tGalathynius\u2019s\tneck\t\u2026\tit\twould\tbe\tover. To\tleash\tthat\twoman,\tthat\tpower\t\u2026\tWould\ta\tcollar\teven\tbe\table\tto\tcontain\tthat? There\twas\tmovement\tthrough\tthe\tflames. Whitethorn\twas\tprowling\tacross\tthe\tboiling\tmarshes,\this\tsteps\tunhurried. The\tflame\tswirled\taround\tthe\tdome\tof\tRowan\u2019s\tshield,\teddying\twith\this\ticy\twind.","Only\ta\tmale\twho\u2019d\tlost\this\tdamn\tmind\twould\twander\tinto\tthat\tstorm. The\t ilken\t died\t and\t died\t and\t died,\t slowly\t and\t not\t at\t all\t cleanly,\t as\t their\t dark\t magic failed\tthem.\tThose\tthat\ttried\tto\tflee\tthe\tflame\tor\tice\tor\twind\twere\tfelled\tby\tarrows.\tThose that\tmanaged\tto\tland\twere\tshredded\tapart\tby\tambushes\tof\tclaws\tand\tfangs\tand\tsnapping, scaled\ttails. They\u2019d\t made\t every\t minute\t of\t his\t warning\t count.\t Had\t easily\t set\t a\t trap\t for\t the\t ilken. That\tthey\u2019d\tfallen\tfor\tit\tso\tswiftly\u2014 But\tRowan\treached\tthe\tqueen\tin\tthe\theart\tof\tthe\tmarshes\tas\ther\tflames\twinked\tout.\tAs his\town\twind\tdied\tout,\tand\tplumes\tof\tunforgiving\tice\tshattered\tthe\tfew\tilken\tflapping\tin the\tskies. Ash\t and\t glittering\t ice\t rained\t down,\t thick\t and\t swirling\t as\t snow,\t embers\t dancing between\tthe\tclumps\tthat\thad\tonce\tbeen\tthe\tilken.\tThere\twere\tno\tsurvivors.\tNot\tone. Lorcan\tdidn\u2019t\tdare\tlift\this\tshield. Not\tas\tthe\tprince\tstepped\tonto\tthe\tsmall\tisland\twhere\tthe\tqueen\twas\tstanding.\tNot\tas Aelin\tturned\ttoward\tRowan,\tand\tthe\tonly\tflame\tthat\tremained\twas\ta\tcrown\tof\tfire\tatop\ther head. Lorcan\twatched\tin\tsilence\tas\tRowan\tslid\ta\thand\tover\ther\twaist,\tthe\tother\tcupping\tthe side\tof\ther\tface,\tand\tkissed\this\tqueen. Embers\tstirred\ther\tunbound\thair\tas\tshe\twrapped\ther\tarms\taround\this\tneck\tand\tpressed close.\t A\t golden\t crown\t of\t flame\t flickered\t to\t life\t atop\t Rowan\u2019s\t head\u2014the\t twin\t to\t the\t one Lorcan\thad\tseen\tburning\tthat\tday\tat\tMistward. He\t knew\t Whitethorn.\t He\t knew\t the\t prince\t wasn\u2019t\t ambitious\u2014not\t in\t the\t way\t that immortals\t could\t be.\t He\t likely\t would\t have\t loved\t the\t woman\t if\t she\u2019d\t been\t ordinary.\t But this\tpower\t\u2026 In\this\twasteland\tof\ta\tsoul,\tLorcan\tfelt\tthat\ttug.\tHated\tit. It\t was\t why\t Whitethorn\t had\t strode\t to\t her\u2014why\t Fenrys\t was\t now\t halfway\t across\t the plain,\tdazed,\tattention\twholly\tfixed\ton\twhere\tthey\tstood,\ttangled\tin\teach\tother. Elide\tstirred\tbeneath\thim.\t\u201cIs\u2014is\tit\tover?\u201d Given\t the\t heat\t with\t which\t the\t queen\t was\t kissing\t her\t prince,\t he\t wasn\u2019t\t entirely\t sure what\tto\ttell\tElide.\tBut\the\tlet\ther\tsquirm\tout\tfrom\tbeneath\thim,\ttwisting\tto\ther\tfeet\tto\tspy the\ttwo\tfigures\ton\tthe\thorizon.\tHe\trose,\twatching\twith\ther. \u201cThey\tkilled\tthem\tall,\u201d\tshe\tbreathed. An\tentire\tlegion\u2014gone.\tNot\teasily,\tbut\u2014they\u2019d\tdone\tit. Ash\tcontinued\tto\tfall,\tclumping\ton\tElide\u2019s\tsilky\tnight-dark\thair.\tHe\tgently\tpicked\tout a\tbit,\tthen\tput\ta\tshield\tover\ther\tto\tkeep\tit\tfrom\tlanding\ton\ther\tagain. He\thadn\u2019t\ttouched\ther\tsince\tlast\tnight.\tThere\thadn\u2019t\tbeen\ttime,\tand\the\thadn\u2019t\twanted to\t think\t about\t what\t her\t kiss\t had\t done\t to\t him.\t How\t it\t had\t utterly\t wrecked\t him\t and\t still","twisted\tup\this\tguts\tin\tways\the\twasn\u2019t\tsure\the\tcould\tlive\twith. Elide\tsaid,\t\u201cWhat\tdo\twe\tdo\tnow?\u201d It\t took\t him\t a\t moment\t to\t realize\t what\t she\u2019d\t meant.\t Aelin\t and\t Rowan\t at\t last\t pulled apart,\tthough\tthe\tprince\tleaned\tin\tto\tnuzzle\ther\tneck. Power\t called\t to\t power\t among\t the\t Fae.\t Perhaps\t Aelin\t Galathynius\t was\t unlucky\t the cadre\t had\t been\t drawn\t to\t Maeve\u2019s\t power\t long\t before\t she\t was\t born,\t had\t chained themselves\tto\ther\tinstead. Perhaps\tthey\twere\tthe\tunlucky\tones,\tfor\tnot\tholding\tout\tfor\tsomething\tbetter. Lorcan\tshook\this\thead\tto\tclear\tthe\tuseless,\ttraitorous\tthoughts. That\twas\tAelin\tGalathynius\tstanding\tthere.\tDrained\tof\ther\tpower. He\tfelt\tit\tnow\u2014the\tutter\tlack\tof\tsound\tor\tfeeling\tor\theat\twhere\tthere\thad\tbeen\tsuch\ta riotous\tstorm\tmoments\tbefore.\tA\tcreeping\tcold. She\u2019d\temptied\ther\tentire\tcache.\tThey\tall\thad.\tMaybe\tWhitethorn\thad\tgone\tto\ther,\tput his\tarms\taround\ther,\tnot\tbecause\the\twanted\tto\tmount\ther\tin\tthe\tmiddle\tof\tthe\tmarshes,\tbut to\tkeep\ther\tupright\tonce\tthat\tpower\twas\tgone.\tOnce\tshe\twas\tleft\tvulnerable. Open\tto\tattack. What\tdo\twe\tdo\tnow?\tElide\thad\tasked. Lorcan\tsmiled\tslightly.\t\u201cWe\tgo\tsay\thello.\u201d She\tbalked\tat\tthe\tshift\tin\this\ttone.\t\u201cYou\u2019re\tnot\ton\tfriendly\tterms.\u201d Certainly\t not,\t and\t he\t wasn\u2019t\t about\t to\t be,\t not\t when\t the\t queen\t was\t within\t his\t sights. Not\twhen\tshe\thad\tthat\tWyrdkey\t\u2026\tthe\tsibling\tto\tthe\tone\tElide\tcarried. \u201cThey\t won\u2019t\t attack\t me,\u201d\t he\t said,\t and\t began\t heading\t for\t them.\t The\t marsh\t water\t was near-scalding,\tand\the\tgrimaced\tat\tthe\tfish\tfloating,\tmilky\teyes\topen\twide\tto\tthe\tsky.\tFrogs and\tother\tbeasts\tbobbed\tamong\tthem,\twobbling\tin\this\tripples. Elide\thissed\tat\tentering\tthe\thot\twater\tbut\tfollowed\tafter\thim. Slowly,\tLorcan\tclosed\tin\ton\this\tprey,\ttoo\tfocused\ton\tthe\tfire-breathing\tbitch\tto\tnotice that\tFenrys\tand\tGavriel\thad\tvanished\tfrom\ttheir\tpositions\tin\tthe\treeds.","57 Every\tstep\ttoward\tAelin\twas\tan\teternity\u2014and\tevery\tstep\twas\tsomehow\ttoo\tswift. Elide\t had\t never\t been\t more\t aware\t of\t her\t limp.\t Of\t her\t dirty\t clothes;\t of\t her\t long, unshaped\thair;\tof\ther\tsmall\tbody\tand\tlack\tof\tany\tdiscernible\tgifts. She\thad\timagined\tAelin\u2019s\tpower,\tdreamed\tof\thow\tit\thad\tshattered\tthe\tglass\tcastle. She\t hadn\u2019t\t considered\t that\t the\t reality\t of\t seeing\t it\t unleashed\t would\t make\t her\t bones quail\t in\t terror.\t Or\t that\t the\t others\t would\t possess\t such\t harrowing\t gifts\t as\t well\u2014ice\t and wind\t twining\t with\t fire,\t until\t only\t death\t rained\t down.\t She\t almost\t felt\t bad\t for\t the\t ilken they\u2019d\tslaughtered.\tAlmost. Lorcan\twas\tsilent.\tTense. She\t was\t able\t to\t read\t his\t moods\t now,\t the\t little\t tells\t that\t he\t believed\t no\t one\t could detect.\t But\t there\u2014that\t faint\t twitch\t on\t the\t left\t side\t of\t his\t mouth.\t That\t was\t his\t attempt\t to suppress\twhatever\trage\twas\tnow\triding\thim.\tAnd\tthere,\tthat\tslight\tangle\tof\this\thead\tto\tthe right\t \u2026\t that\t was\t his\t assessing\t and\t reassessing\t every\t surrounding,\t every\t weapon\t and obstacle\twithin\tsight.\tWhatever\tthis\tmeeting\twas,\tLorcan\tdidn\u2019t\tthink\tit\twould\tgo\twell. He\texpected\tto\tfight. But\tAelin\u2014Aelin\u2014had\tnow\tturned\ttoward\tthem\tfrom\twhere\tshe\tstood\ton\tthat\tmound of\tgrass.\tHer\tsilver-haired\tprince\tpivoted\twith\ther.\tTook\ta\tcasual\tstep\tin\tfront\tof\ther.\tAelin sidestepped\t around\t him.\t He\t tried\t to\t block\t her\t again.\t She\t nudged\t him\t with\t an\t elbow\t and held\ther\tground\tat\this\tside.\tThe\tPrince\tof\tDoranelle\u2014her\tqueen\u2019s\tlover.\tHow\tmuch\tsway would\t his\t opinion\t hold\t over\t Aelin?\t If\t he\t hated\t Lorcan,\t would\t his\t contempt\t and\t mistrust for\ther\tas\twell\tbe\timmediate? She\t should\t have\t thought\t of\t it\u2014how\t it\u2019d\t look\t to\t be\t with\t Lorcan.\t Approach\t with Lorcan. \u201cRegretting\tyour\tchoice\tin\tallies?\u201d\tLorcan\tsaid\twith\tcutting\tcalm.\tLike\the\u2019d\tbeen\table to\tread\ther\ttells,\ttoo. \u201cIt\tsends\ta\tmessage,\tdoesn\u2019t\tit?\u201d She\t could\t have\t sworn\t something\t like\t hurt\t flashed\t in\t his\t eyes.\t But\t it\t was\t typical Lorcan\u2014even\twhen\tshe\u2019d\tripped\tinto\thim\tatop\tthat\tbarge,\the\u2019d\tbarely\tflinched. He\tsaid\tcoolly,\t\u201cIt\twould\tseem\tour\tbargain\twith\teach\tother\tis\tabout\tto\tend\tanyway.\tI\u2019ll be\tsure\tto\texplain\tthe\tterms,\tdon\u2019t\tworry.\tI\u2019d\thate\tfor\tthem\tto\tthink\tyou\twere\tslumming\tit with\tme.\u201d \u201cThat\u2019s\tnot\twhat\tI\tmeant.\u201d","He\tsnorted.\t\u201cI\tdon\u2019t\tcare.\u201d Elide\t halted,\t wanting\t to\t call\t him\t a\t liar,\t half\t because\t she\t knew\t he\t was\t lying\t and\t half because\ther\town\tchest\ttightened\tat\tthe\twords.\tBut\tshe\tkept\tsilent,\tletting\thim\twalk\tahead, that\tdistance\tbetween\tthem\tyawning\twider\twith\this\tevery\tstorming\tstep. But\twhat\twould\tshe\teven\tsay\tto\tAelin?\tHello?\tHow\tdo\tyou\tdo?\tPlease\tdon\u2019t\tburn\tme? Sorry\tI\u2019m\tso\tfilthy\tand\tlamed? A\tgentle\thand\ttouched\ther\tshoulder.\tPay\tattention.\tLook\taround. Elide\t glanced\t up\t from\t where\t she\u2019d\t been\t wincing\t at\t her\t dirty\t clothes.\t Lorcan\t was perhaps\ttwenty\tfeet\tahead,\tthe\tothers\tmere\tfigures\tnear\tthe\thorizon. The\tinvisible\thand\ton\ther\tshoulder\tsqueezed.\tObserve.\tSee. See\twhat?\tAsh\tand\tice\trained\tto\tthe\tright,\truins\trose\tup\ton\tthe\tleft,\tnothing\tbut\topen marshes\tspreading\tahead.\tBut\tElide\thalted,\tscanning\tthe\tworld\taround\ther. Something\twas\twrong.\tSomething\tmade\tany\tcreatures\tthat\thad\tsurvived\tthe\tmaelstrom of\tmagic\tgo\tsilent\tagain.\tThe\tburnt\tgrasses\trustled\tand\tsighed. Lorcan\tkept\twalking,\this\tback\tstiff,\tthough\the\thadn\u2019t\treached\tfor\this\tweapons. See\tsee\tsee. See\twhat?\t She\t turned\t in\t place\t but\t found\t nothing.\t She\t opened\t her\t mouth\t to\t call\t to Lorcan. Golden\teyes\tflickered\tin\tthe\tbrush\tnot\tthirty\tpaces\tahead. Enormous\tgolden\teyes,\tfixed\ton\tLorcan\tas\the\tstrode\tmere\tfeet\taway.\tA\tmountain\tlion, ready\tto\tpounce,\tto\tshred\tflesh\tand\tsever\tbone\u2014 No\u2014 The\tbeast\texploded\tfrom\tthe\tburnt\tgrasses. Elide\tscreamed\tLorcan\u2019s\tname. He\twhirled,\tbut\tnot\tto\tthe\tlion.\tToward\ther,\tthat\tfurious\tface\tshooting\ttoward\ther\u2014 But\tshe\twas\trunning,\tleg\tshrieking\tin\tpain,\tas\tLorcan\tfinally\tsensed\tthe\tattack\tabout\tto swoop\tdown\ton\thim. The\tmountain\tlion\treached\thim,\tthose\tthick\tclaws\tgoing\tlow\twhile\tits\tteeth\twent\tright for\this\tthroat. Lorcan\tdrew\this\thunting\tknife,\tso\tfast\tit\twas\tonly\tthe\tglint\tof\tgray\tlight\ton\tsteel. Beast\tand\tFae\tmale\twent\tdown,\tright\tinto\tthe\tmuddy\twater. Elide\t hurtled\t for\t him,\t a\t wordless\t scream\t breaking\t from\t her.\t Not\t a\t normal\t mountain lion.\tNot\teven\tclose.\tNot\twith\tthe\tway\tit\tknew\tLorcan\u2019s\tevery\tmove\tas\tthey\trolled\tthrough the\t water,\t as\t they\t dodged\t and\t swiped\t and\t lunged,\t blood\t spurting,\t magic\t clashing,\t shield against\tshield\u2014","Then\tthe\twolf\tattacked. A\tmassive\twhite\twolf,\tsprinting\tout\tof\tnowhere,\twild\twith\trage\tand\tall\tof\tit\tfocused\ton Lorcan. Lorcan\t broke\t from\t the\t lion,\t blood\t streaming\t down\t his\t arm,\t his\t leg,\t panting.\t But\t the wolf\thad\tvanished\tinto\tnothing.\tWhere\twas\tit,\twhere\twas\tit\u2014 It\t appeared\t out\t of\t thin\t air,\t as\t if\t it\t had\t stepped\t through\t an\t invisible\t bridge,\t ten\t feet from\tLorcan. Not\tan\tattack.\tAn\texecution. Elide\t cleared\t a\t gap\t between\t two\t mounds\t of\t land,\t icy\t grass\t slicing\t into\t her\t palms, something\tcrunching\tin\ther\tleg\u2014 The\t wolf\t leaped\t for\t Lorcan\u2019s\t vulnerable\t back,\t eyes\t glazed\t with\t bloodlust,\t teeth shining. Elide\tsurged\tup\tthe\tlittle\thill,\ttime\tspinning\tout\tbeneath\ther. No\tno\tno\tno\tno\tno. Vicious\twhite\tfangs\tneared\tLorcan\u2019s\tspine. Lorcan\theard\ther\tthen,\theard\tthe\tshuddering\tsob\tas\tshe\tthrew\therself\tinto\thim. His\t dark\t eyes\t flared\t in\t what\t looked\t like\t terror\t as\t she\t slammed\t into\t his\t unprotected back. As\the\tnoticed\tthe\tdeath\tblow\tnot\tcoming\tfrom\tthe\tlion\tat\this\tfront,\tbut\tthe\twolf\twhose jaws\tclosed\taround\ther\tarm\tinstead\tof\tLorcan\u2019s\tneck. She\t could\t have\t sworn\t the\t wolf\u2019s\t eyes\t flared\t in\t horror\t as\t it\t tried\t to\t pull\t back\t the physical\t blow,\t as\t a\t dark,\t hard\t shield\t slammed\t into\t her,\t stealing\t her\t breath\t with\t its unflinching\tsolidity\u2014 Blood\tand\tpain\tand\tbone\tand\tgrass\tand\tbellowing\tfury. The\t world\t tilted\t as\t she\t and\t Lorcan\t went\t down,\t her\t body\t thrown\t over\t his,\t the\t wolf \u2019s jaws\twrenching\tout\tof\ther\tarm. She\t curled\t over\t Lorcan,\t waiting\t for\t the\t wolf\t and\t mountain\t lion\t to\t end\t it,\t to\t take\t her neck\tin\ttheir\tjaws\tand\tcrunch\tdown. No\tattack\tcame.\tSilence\tcleaved\tthe\tworld. Lorcan\t flipped\t her\t over,\t his\t breathing\t ragged,\t his\t face\t bloody\t and\t pale\t as\t he\t took\t in her\tface,\ther\tarm.\t\u201cElideElideElide\u2014\u201d She\t couldn\u2019t\t draw\t breath,\t couldn\u2019t\t see\t around\t the\t sensation\t that\t her\t arm\t was\t mere shredded\tflesh\tand\tsplintered\tbone\u2014 Lorcan\t grabbed\t her\t face\t before\t she\t could\t look\t and\t snapped,\t \u201cWhy\t did\t you\t do\t that? Why?\u201d\t He\t didn\u2019t\t wait\t for\t an\t answer.\t He\t lifted\t his\t head,\t his\t snarl\t so\t vicious\t it\t echoed\t in her\tbones,\tmade\tthe\tpain\tin\ther\tarm\tsurge\tviolently\tenough\tthat\tshe\twhimpered.","He\tgrowled\tto\tthe\tlion\tand\tthe\twolf,\this\tshield\ta\tswirling,\tobsidian\twind\taround\tthem, \u201cYou\u2019re\tdead.\tYou\u2019re\tboth\tdead\u2014\u201d Elide\tshifted\ther\thead\tenough\tto\tsee\tthe\twhite\twolf\tstaring\tat\tthem.\tAt\tLorcan.\tSee\tthe wolf\tchange\tin\ta\tflash\tof\tlight\tinto\tthe\tmost\tbeautiful\tman\tshe\u2019d\tever\tbeheld.\tHis\tgolden- brown\tface\ttightened\tas\the\ttook\tin\ther\tarm.\tHer\tarm,\ther\tarm\u2014 \u201cLorcan,\twe\twere\tordered,\u201d\tsaid\tan\tunfamiliar,\tgentle\tmale\tvoice\tfrom\twhere\tthe\tlion, too,\thad\ttransformed\tinto\ta\tFae\tmale. \u201cDamn\tyour\torders\tto\thell,\tyou\tstupid\tbastard\u2014\u201d The\t wolf-warrior\t hissed,\t chest\t heaving,\t \u201cWe\t can\u2019t\t fight\t against\t the\t command\t much longer,\tLorcan\u2014\u201d \u201cPut\tthe\tshield\tdown,\u201d\tthe\tcalmer\tone\tsaid.\t\u201cI\tcan\theal\tthe\tgirl.\tLet\ther\tget\taway.\u201d \u201cI\u2019ll\tkill\tyou\tboth,\u201d\tLorcan\tswore.\t\u201cI\u2019ll\tkill\tyou\u2014\u201d Elide\tlooked\tat\ther\tarm. There\twas\ta\tpiece\tmissing.\tFrom\ther\tforearm.\tThere\twas\tblood\tgushing\tinto\tthe\tburnt remnants\tof\tgrass.\tWhite\tbone\tjutting\tout\u2014 Maybe\tshe\tstarted\tscreaming\tor\tsobbing\tor\tsilently\tshaking. \u201cDon\u2019t\t look,\u201d\t Lorcan\t snapped,\t squeezing\t her\t face\t again\t to\t draw\t her\t eyes\t to\t his\t own. His\tface\twas\tlined\twith\tsuch\twrath\tshe\tbarely\trecognized\tit,\tbut\the\tmade\tno\tmove\tagainst the\tmales. His\t power\t was\t drained.\t He\u2019d\t nearly\t wiped\t it\t out\t shielding\t against\t Aelin\u2019s\t flame\t and whoever\t had\t borne\t that\t other\t magic\t on\t the\t field.\t This\t shield\t \u2026\t this\t was\t all\t Lorcan\t had left. And\tif\the\tlowered\tit\tso\tthey\tcould\theal\ther\t\u2026\tthey\u2019d\tkill\thim.\tHe\thad\twarned\tthem\tof the\tattack,\tand\tthey\u2019d\tstill\tkill\thim. Aelin\u2014where\twas\tAelin\u2014 The\tworld\twas\tblackening\tat\tthe\tedges,\ther\tbody\tbegging\tto\tsubmit\trather\tthan\tendure the\tpain\tthat\treordered\teverything\tin\ther\tlife. Lorcan\ttensed\tas\tif\tsensing\tthe\toblivion\tthat\tthreatened.\t\u201cYou\theal\ther,\u201d\the\tsaid\tto\tthe gentle-eyed\tmale,\t\u201cand\tthen\twe\tcontinue\u2014\u201d \u201cNo,\u201d\tshe\tgot\tout.\tNot\tfor\tthis,\tnot\tfor\ther\u2014 Lorcan\u2019s\tonyx\teyes\twere\tunreadable\tas\the\tscanned\ther\tface.\tAnd\tthen\the\tsaid\tquietly, \u201cI\twanted\tto\tgo\tto\tPerranth\twith\tyou.\u201d Lorcan\tdropped\tthe\tshield. It\t was\t not\t a\t hard\t choice.\t And\t it\t did\t not\t frighten\t him.\t Not\t nearly\t as\t much\t as\t the\t fatal wound\tin\ther\tarm\tdid.","Fenrys\thad\thit\tan\tartery.\tShe\u2019d\tbleed\tout\tin\tminutes. Lorcan\thad\tbeen\tborn\tfrom\tand\tgifted\twith\tdarkness.\tReturning\tto\tit\twas\tnot\ta\tdifficult task. But\t letting\t that\t glimmering,\t lovely\t light\t before\t him\t die\t out\t \u2026\t In\t his\t ancient,\t bitter bones,\the\tcould\tnot\taccept\tit. She\t had\t been\t forgotten\u2014by\t everyone\t and\t everything.\t And\t still\t she\t had\t hoped.\t And still\tshe\thad\tbeen\tkind\tto\thim. And\tstill\tshe\thad\toffered\thim\ta\tglimpse\tof\tpeace\tin\tthe\ttime\the\u2019d\tknown\ther. She\thad\toffered\thim\ta\thome. He\t knew\t Fenrys\t wouldn\u2019t\t be\t able\t to\t fight\t Maeve\u2019s\t kill\t order.\t Knew\t Gavriel\t would stay\t true\t to\t his\t word\t and\t heal\t her,\t but\t Fenrys\t couldn\u2019t\t hold\t out\t against\t the\t blood\t oath\u2019s command. He\t knew\t the\t bastard\t would\t regret\t it.\t Knew\t the\t wolf\t had\t been\t horrified\t the\t moment Elide\thad\tjumped\tbetween\tthem. Lorcan\tlet\tgo\tof\this\tshield,\tpraying\tshe\twouldn\u2019t\twatch\twhen\tthe\tbloodletting\tstarted. When\t he\t and\t Fenrys\t went\t claw-to-claw\t and\t fang-to-fang.\t He\u2019d\t last\t against\t the\t warrior. Until\tGavriel\tjoined\tback\tin. The\t shield\t vanished,\t and\t Gavriel\t was\t instantly\t kneeling,\t reaching\t with\t his\t broad hands\tfor\ther\tarm.\tPain\tparalyzed\ther,\tbut\tshe\ttried\ttelling\tLorcan\tto\trun,\tto\tput\tthe\tshield back\tup\u2014 Lorcan\tstood,\tshutting\tout\ther\tpleading. He\t faced\t Fenrys.\t The\t warrior\t was\t trembling\t with\t restraint,\t his\t hands\t clenched\t at\t his sides\tto\tkeep\tfrom\tgoing\tfor\tany\tof\this\tblades. Elide\twas\tstill\tsobbing,\tstill\tbegging\thim. Fenrys\u2019s\ttaut\tfeatures\twere\tlined\twith\tregret. Lorcan\tjust\tsmiled\tat\tthe\twarrior. It\tsnapped\tFenrys\u2019s\tleash. His\tsentinel\tleaped\tfor\thim,\tsword\tout,\tand\tLorcan\tlifted\this\town,\talready\tknowing\tthe move\t Fenrys\t planned\t to\t use.\t He\u2019d\t trained\t him\t how\t to\t do\t it.\t And\t he\t knew\t the\t guard Fenrys\tlet\tdrop\ton\this\tleft\tside,\tjust\tfor\ta\theartbeat,\texposing\this\tneck\u2014 Fenrys\tlanded\tbefore\thim,\tswiping\tlow\tand\tdodging\tright. Lorcan\tangled\this\tblade\tfor\tthat\tvulnerable\tneck. They\twere\tboth\tblown\tback\tby\tan\ticy,\tunbreakable\twind.\tWhatever\twas\tleft\tof\tit\tafter the\tbattle. Fenrys\t was\t up,\t lost\t to\t the\t blood\t fury,\t but\t the\t wind\t slammed\t into\t him.\t Again.\t Again. Holding\thim\tdown.\tLorcan\tstruggled\tagainst\tit,\tbut\tthe\tshield\tWhitethorn\thad\tthrown\tover","them,\t the\t raw\t power\t he\t now\t used\t to\t keep\t them\t pinned,\t was\t too\t strong\t when\t his\t own magic\twas\tdepleted. Boots\tcrunched\ton\tthe\tburnt\tgrass.\tSprawled\ton\tthe\tbank\tof\ta\tlittle\thill,\tLorcan\tlifted his\thead.\tWhitethorn\tstood\tbetween\thim\tand\tFenrys,\tthe\tprince\u2019s\teyes\tglazed\twith\twrath. Rowan\tsurveyed\tGavriel\tand\tElide,\tthe\tlatter\tstill\tweeping,\tstill\tbegging\tfor\tit\tto\tstop. But\ther\tarm\t\u2026 A\t scratch\t marred\t that\t moon-white\t arm,\t but\t Gavriel\u2019s\t rough\t battlefield\t healing\t had filled\tthe\tholes,\tthe\tmissing\tflesh\tand\tbroken\tbones.\tHe\tmust\thave\tused\tall\this\tmagic\tto\u2014 Gavriel\tswayed\tever\tso\tslightly. Whitethorn\u2019s\t voice\t was\t like\t gravel.\t \u201cThis\t ends\t now.\t You\t two\t don\u2019t\t touch\t them. They\u2019re\tunder\tthe\tprotection\tof\tAelin\tGalathynius.\tIf\tyou\tharm\tthem,\tit\twill\tbe\tconsidered an\tact\tof\twar.\u201d Specific,\tancient\twords,\tthe\tonly\tway\ta\tblood\torder\tcould\tbe\tdetained.\tNot\toverridden \u2014just\tdelayed\tfor\ta\tlittle\twhile.\tTo\tbuy\tthem\tall\ttime. Fenrys\tpanted,\tbut\trelief\tflickered\tin\this\teyes.\tGavriel\tsagged\ta\tbit. Elide\u2019s\tdark\teyes\twere\tstill\tglassy\twith\tpain,\tthe\tsmattering\tof\tfreckles\ton\ther\tcheeks stark\tagainst\tthe\tunnatural\twhiteness\tof\ther\tskin. Whitethorn\tsaid\tto\tFenrys\tand\tGavriel,\t\u201cAre\twe\tclear\ton\twhat\tthe\thell\twill\thappen\tif you\tstep\tout\tof\tline?\u201d To\tLorcan\u2019s\teternal\tshock,\tthey\tlowered\ttheir\theads\tand\tsaid,\t\u201cYes,\tPrince.\u201d Rowan\tlet\tthe\tshields\tdrop,\tand\tthen\tLorcan\twas\thurtling\tto\tElide,\twho\tstruggled\tto\tsit up,\t gaping\t at\t her\t nearly\t healed\t arm.\t Gavriel,\t wisely,\t backed\t away.\t Lorcan\t examined\t her arm,\ther\tface,\tneeding\tto\ttouch\ther,\tsmell\ther\u2014 He\t didn\u2019t\t notice\t that\t the\t light\t footsteps\t in\t the\t grass\t didn\u2019t\t belong\t to\t his\t former companions. But\t he\t knew\t the\t female\t voice\t that\t said\t from\t behind\t him,\t \u201cWhat\t the\t rutting\t hell\t is going\ton?\u201d Elide\thad\tno\twords\tto\texpress\tto\tLorcan\twhat\tshe\u2019d\tfelt\tin\tthat\tmoment\the\u2019d\tlet\tthe\tshield drop.\tWhat\tshe\u2019d\tfelt\twhen\tthe\tsilver-haired,\ttattooed\twarrior-prince\thad\thalted\tthat\tfatal bloodshed. But\tshe\thad\tno\tbreath\tin\ther\tbody\twhen\tshe\tlooked\tover\tLorcan\u2019s\tbroad\tshoulder\tand beheld\tthe\tgolden-haired\twoman\tstriding\ttoward\tthem. Young,\tand\tyet\ther\tface\t\u2026\tIt\twas\tan\tancient\tface,\twary\tand\tcunning\tand\tlimned\twith power.\t Beautiful,\t with\t the\t sun-kissed\t skin,\t the\t vibrant\t turquoise\t eyes.\t Turquoise\t eyes, with\ta\tcore\tof\tgold\taround\tthe\tpupil. Ashryver\teyes.","The\tsame\tas\tthe\tgolden-haired,\thandsome\tman\twho\tcame\tup\tbeside\ther,\tmuscled\tbody tense\tas\the\tassessed\twhether\the\u2019d\tneed\tto\tspill\tblood,\ta\tbow\tdangling\tfrom\this\thand. Two\tsides\tof\tthe\tsame\tgolden\tcoin. Aelin.\tAedion. They\twere\tboth\tstaring\tat\ther\twith\tthose\tAshryver\teyes. Aelin\tblinked.\tAnd\ther\tgolden\tface\tcrumpled\tas\tshe\tsaid,\t\u201cAre\tyou\tElide?\u201d It\t was\t all\t Elide\t could\t do\t to\t nod.\t Lorcan\t was\t taut\t as\t a\t bowstring,\t his\t body\t still\t half angled\tover\ther. Aelin\t strode\t closer,\t eyes\t never\t leaving\t Elide\u2019s\t face.\t Young\u2014she\t felt\t so\t young compared\tto\tthe\twoman\twho\tapproached.\tThere\twere\tscars\tall\tover\tAelin\u2019s\thands,\talong her\tneck,\taround\ther\twrists\t\u2026\twhere\tshackles\thad\tbeen. Aelin\t slid\t to\t her\t knees\t not\t a\t foot\t away,\t and\t it\t occurred\t to\t Elide\t that\t she\t should\t be bowing,\thead\tto\tthe\tdirt\u2014 \u201cYou\t look\t \u2026\t so\t much\t like\t your\t mother,\u201d\t Aelin\t said,\t her\t voice\t cracking.\t Aedion silently\tknelt,\tputting\ta\tbroad\thand\ton\tAelin\u2019s\tshoulder. Her\tmother,\twho\thad\tgone\tdown\tswinging,\twho\thad\tdied\tfighting\tso\tthis\twoman\tcould live\u2014 \u201cI\u2019m\t sorry,\u201d\t Aelin\t said,\t shoulders\t curving\t inward,\t head\t dropping\t low\t as\t tears\t slid down\t her\t flushed\t cheeks.\t \u201cI\u2019m\t so\t sorry.\u201d\t How\t many\t years\t had\t those\t words\t been\t locked up? Elide\u2019s\t arm\t ached,\t but\t it\t didn\u2019t\t stop\t her\t from\t touching\t Aelin\u2019s\t hand,\t clenched\t in\t her lap. Touching\tthat\ttanned,\tscarred\thand.\tWarm,\tsticky\tskin\tmet\ther\tfingertips. Real.\tThis\twas\u2014Aelin\twas\u2014real. As\t if\t Aelin\t realized\t the\t same,\t her\t head\t lifted.\t She\t opened\t her\t mouth,\t but\t her\t lips wobbled,\tand\tthe\tqueen\tclamped\tthem\ttogether. None\tof\tthe\tgathered\tcompany\tspoke. And\tat\tlast\tAelin\tsaid\tto\tElide,\t\u201cShe\tbought\tme\ttime.\u201d Elide\tknew\twho\tthe\tqueen\tmeant. Aelin\u2019s\thand\tbegan\tshaking.\tThe\tqueen\u2019s\tvoice\tbroke\tentirely\tas\tshe\tsaid,\t\u201cI\tam\talive today\tbecause\tof\tyour\tmother.\u201d Elide\tonly\twhispered,\t\u201cI\tknow.\u201d \u201cShe\t told\t me\t to\t tell\t you\t \u2026\u201d\t A\t shuddering\t inhale.\t But\t Aelin\t didn\u2019t\t break\t her\t stare, even\tas\ttears\tcontinued\tcutting\tthrough\tthe\tdirt\ton\ther\tcheeks.\t\u201cYour\tmother\ttold\tme\tto\ttell you\t that\t she\t loves\t you\u2014very\t much.\t Those\t were\t her\t last\t words\t to\t me.\t \u2018Tell\t my\t Elide\t I love\ther\tvery\tmuch.\u2019\u201d","For\t over\t ten\t years,\t Aelin\t had\t been\t the\t sole\t bearer\t of\t those\t final\t words.\t Ten\t years, through\tdeath\tand\tdespair\tand\twar,\tAelin\thad\tcarried\tthem\tacross\tkingdoms. And\there,\tat\tthe\tedge\tof\tthe\tworld,\tthey\thad\tfound\teach\tother\tagain.\tHere\tat\tthe\tedge of\t the\t world,\t just\t for\t a\t heartbeat,\t Elide\t felt\t the\t warm\t hand\t of\t her\t mother\t brush\t her shoulder. Tears\tstung\tElide\u2019s\teyes\tas\tthey\tslipped\tfree.\tBut\tthen\tthe\tgrass\tcrunched\tbehind\tthem. She\tsaw\tthe\twhite\thair\tfirst.\tThen\tthe\tgolden\teyes. And\tElide\tsobbed\tas\tManon\tBlackbeak\temerged,\tsmiling\tfaintly. As\tManon\tBlackbeak\tsaw\ther\tand\tAelin,\tknee-to-knee\tin\tthe\tgrass,\tand\tmouthed\tone word. Hope. Not\tdead.\tNone\tof\tthem\twere\tdead. Aedion\tsaid\thoarsely,\t\u201cIs\tyour\tarm\u2014\u201d Aelin\t grabbed\t it\u2014gently.\t Inspecting\t the\t shallow\t cut,\t the\t new\t pink\t skin\t that\t revealed what\thad\tbeen\tmissing\tmere\tmoments\tbefore.\tAelin\ttwisted\ton\ther\tknees,\tsnarling\tat\tthe wolf-warrior. The\tgolden-haired\tmale\taverted\this\teyes\tas\tthe\tqueen\tglared\ther\tdispleasure.\t\u201cIt\twasn\u2019t his\tfault,\u201d\tElide\tmanaged\tto\tsay. \u201cThe\tbite,\u201d\tAelin\tsaid\tdrily,\tturquoise\teyes\tlivid,\t\u201cwould\tsuggest\totherwise.\u201d \u201cI\u2019m\tsorry,\u201d\tthe\tmale\tsaid,\teither\tto\tthe\tqueen\tor\tElide,\tshe\tdidn\u2019t\tknow.\tHis\teyes\tlifted to\tAelin\u2014something\tlike\tdevastation\tthere. Aelin\t ignored\t the\t words.\t The\t male\t flinched.\t And\t the\t silver-haired\t prince\t seemed\t to give\thim\ta\tbrief\tpitying\tglance. But\tif\tthe\torder\thadn\u2019t\tcome\tfrom\tAelin\tto\tkill\tLorcan\t\u2026 Aelin\tsaid\tto\tthe\tother\tgolden-haired\tmale\tbehind\tElide,\tthe\tone\twho\thad\thealed\ther\u2014 the\t lion,\t \u201cI\t assume\t Rowan\t told\t you\t the\t deal.\t You\t touch\t them,\t you\t die.\t You\t so\t much\t as breathe\twrong\tin\ttheir\tdirection,\tand\tyou\u2019re\tdead.\u201d Elide\ttried\tnot\tto\tcringe\tat\tthe\tviciousness.\tEspecially\twhen\tManon\tsmiled\tin\twicked delight. Aelin\ttensed\tas\tthe\twitch\tcame\tat\ther\texposed\tback\tbut\tallowed\tManon\tto\tsettle\ton\ther right.\tTo\tlook\tover\tElide\twith\tthose\tgold\teyes.\t\u201cWell\tmet,\twitchling,\u201d\tManon\tsaid\tto\ther. Manon\tfaced\tLorcan\tjust\tas\tAelin\tdid. Aelin\tsnorted.\t\u201cYou\tlook\ta\tbit\tworse\tfor\twear.\u201d \u201cLikewise,\u201d\tLorcan\tsnapped\tat\ther. Aelin\u2019s\tgrin\twas\tterrifying.\t\u201cGot\tmy\tnote,\tdid\tyou?\u201d","Aedion\u2019s\thand\thad\tslid\tto\this\tsword\u2014 \u201cThe\t Sword\t of\t Orynth,\u201d\t Elide\t blurted,\t noticing\t the\t bone\t pommel,\t the\t ancient markings.\tAelin\tand\tLorcan\tpaused\tbeing\tat\teach\tother\u2019s\tthroats.\t\u201cThe\tsword\t\u2026\tyou\t\u2026\u201d Vernon\thad\tmocked\ther\tabout\tit\tonce.\tSaid\tit\thad\tbeen\ttaken\tby\tthe\tKing\tof\tAdarlan and\tmelted\tdown.\tBurned,\talong\twith\tthe\tantler\tthrone. Aedion\u2019s\tturquoise\teyes\tsoftened.\t\u201cIt\tsurvived.\tWe\tsurvived.\u201d The\tthree\tof\tthem,\tthe\tremnants\tof\ttheir\tcourt,\ttheir\tfamilies. But\tAelin\twas\tagain\tsizing\tup\tLorcan,\tbristling,\tthat\twicked\tgrin\treturning.\tElide\tsaid softly,\t\u201cI\tsurvived,\tMajesty,\tbecause\tof\thim.\u201d\tShe\tpointed\twith\ther\tchin\tto\tManon.\t\u201cAnd because\tof\ther.\tI\tam\there\tbecause\tof\tboth\tof\tthem.\u201d Manon\t nodded,\t focus\t going\t to\t the\t pocket\t where\t she\u2019d\t seen\t Elide\t hide\t that\t scrap\t of stone.\t The\t confirmation\t she\u2019d\t been\t looking\t for.\t The\t reminder\t of\t the\t third\t part\t of\t the triangle. \u201cI\u2019m\there,\u201d\tElide\tsaid\tas\tAelin\tfixed\tthose\tunnervingly\tvivid\teyes\ton\ther,\t\u201cbecause\tof Kaltain\t Rompier.\u201d\t Her\t throat\t clogged,\t but\t she\t pushed\t past\t it\t as\t her\t trembling\t fingers fished\tout\tthe\tlittle\tbit\tof\tcloth\tfrom\ther\tinside\tpocket.\tThe\totherworldly\tfeel\tof\tit\tpulsed in\ther\tpalm. \u201cShe\tsaid\tto\tgive\tthis\tto\tyou.\tTo\tCelaena\tSardothien,\tI\tmean.\tShe\tdidn\u2019t\tknow\tthey\t\u2026 you\t were\t the\t same.\t She\t said\t it\t was\t payment\t for\t \u2026\t for\t a\t warm\t cloak\t offered\t in\t a\t cold dungeon.\u201d\tShe\twasn\u2019t\tashamed\tof\tthe\ttears\tthat\tfell,\tnot\tin\thonor\tof\twhat\tthat\twoman\thad done.\tAelin\tstudied\tthe\tscrap\tof\tcloth\tin\tElide\u2019s\tshaking\tpalm.\t\u201cI\tthink\tshe\tkept\tthis\tas\ta reminder\tof\tkindness,\u201d\tElide\tsaid\thoarsely.\t\u201cThey\t\u2026\tthey\tbroke\ther,\tand\thurt\ther.\tAnd\tshe died\talone\tin\tMorath.\tShe\tdied\talone,\tso\tI\twouldn\u2019t\t\u2026\tso\tthey\tcouldn\u2019t\t\u2026\u201d\tNone\tof\tthem spoke\tor\tmoved.\tShe\tcouldn\u2019t\ttell\tif\tit\tmade\tit\tworse.\tIf\tthe\thand\tthat\tLorcan\tlaid\ton\ther back\tmade\ther\tcry\tharder. The\t words\t tumbled\t out\t of\t Elide\u2019s\t shaking\t mouth.\t \u201cShe\t said\t t-to\t remember\t your promise\tto\tpunish\tthem\tall.\tAnd\ts-said\tthat\tyou\tcan\tunlock\tany\tdoor,\tif\tyou\tonly\thave\tthe k-key.\u201d Aelin\tclamped\ther\tlips\ttogether\tand\tclosed\ther\teyes. A\tbeautiful,\tdark-haired\tman\tnow\tapproached.\tHe\twas\tperhaps\ta\tfew\tyears\tolder\tthan her,\t but\t carried\t himself\t so\t gracefully\t that\t she\t felt\t small\t and\t unmolded\t before\t him.\t His sapphire\teyes\tfixed\ton\tElide,\tclever\tand\tunruffled\u2014and\tsad.\t\u201cKaltain\tRompier\tsaved\tyour life?\tAnd\tgave\tyou\tthat?\u201d He\tknew\ther\u2014had\tknown\ther. Manon\tBlackbeak\tsaid\tin\ta\tfaint,\tamused\tvoice,\t\u201cLady\tElide\tLochan\tof\tPerranth,\tmeet Dorian\tHavilliard,\tKing\tof\tAdarlan.\u201d\tThe\tking\tlifted\this\tbrows\tat\tthe\twitch. \u201cM-majesty,\u201d\tshe\tstammered,\tinclining\ther\thead.\tShe\tshould\treally\tget\tup.\tReally\tstop lying\ton\tthe\tground\tlike\ta\tworm.\tBut\tthe\tcloth\tand\tstone\tstill\tlay\tin\ther\thand.","Aelin\t wiped\t her\t damp\t face\t on\t a\t sleeve,\t then\t straightened.\t \u201cDo\t you\t know\t what\t it\t is you\tcarry,\tElide?\u201d \u201cY-yes,\tMajesty.\u201d Turquoise\t eyes,\t haunted\t and\t weary,\t lifted\t to\t her\t own.\t Then\t slid\t to\t Lorcan.\t \u201cWhy didn\u2019t\t you\t take\t it?\u201d\t The\t voice\t was\t hollow\t and\t hard.\t Elide\t suspected\t she\u2019d\t be\t lucky\t if\t it was\tnever\tused\ton\ther. Lorcan\tmet\ther\tgaze\twithout\tflinching.\t\u201cIt\twasn\u2019t\tmine\tto\ttake.\u201d Aelin\tnow\tglanced\tbetween\tthem,\tseeing\ttoo\tmuch.\tAnd\tthere\twas\tno\twarmth\ton\tthe queen\u2019s\tface,\tbut\tshe\tsaid\tto\tLorcan,\t\u201cThank\tyou\u2014for\tbringing\ther\tto\tme.\u201d The\tothers\tseemed\tto\tbe\ttrying\tnot\tto\tlook\ttoo\tshocked\tat\tthe\twords. But\tAelin\tturned\tto\tManon.\t\u201cI\tlay\tclaim\tto\ther.\tWitch-blood\tin\ther\tveins\tor\tno,\tshe\tis Lady\tof\tPerranth,\tand\tshe\tis\tmine.\u201d Gold\t eyes\t gleamed\t with\t the\t thrill\t of\t challenge.\t \u201cAnd\t if\t I\t claim\t her\t for\t the Blackbeaks?\u201d \u201cBlackbeaks\u2014or\tthe\tCrochans?\u201d\tAelin\tpurred. Elide\t blinked.\t Manon\u2014and\t the\t Crochans?\t What\t was\t the\t Wing\t Leader\t doing\t here? Where\t was\t Abraxos?\t The\t witch\t said,\t \u201cCareful,\t Majesty.\t With\t your\t power\t reduced\t to embers,\tyou\u2019ll\thave\tto\tfight\tme\tthe\told-fashioned\tway\tagain.\u201d That\tdangerous\tgrin\treturned.\t\u201cYou\tknow,\tI\u2019ve\tbeen\thoping\tfor\tround\ttwo.\u201d \u201cLadies,\u201d\tthe\tsilver-haired\tprince\tsaid\tthrough\tclenched\tteeth. They\t both\t turned,\t giving\t Rowan\t Whitethorn\t horrifyingly\t innocent\t smiles.\t The\t Fae Prince,\tto\this\tcredit,\tonly\twinced\tafter\tthey\tlooked\taway\tagain. Elide\t wished\t she\t could\t hide\t behind\t Lorcan\t as\t both\t women\t fixed\t that\t near-feral attention\t on\t her\t again.\t Manon\t reached\t forward,\t tipping\t Elide\u2019s\t hand\t over\u2014to\t where Aelin\u2019s\twaited.\t\u201cThere\tyou\tgo,\tover\tand\tdone\twith,\u201d\tManon\tsaid. Aelin\t cringed\t slightly\t but\t pocketed\t the\t cloth\t and\t the\t key\t inside.\t A\t shadow\t instantly lifted\tfrom\tElide\u2019s\theart,\ta\twhispering\tpresence\tnow\tsilenced. Manon\tordered,\t\u201cOn\tyour\tfeet.\tWe\twere\tin\tthe\tmiddle\tof\tsomething.\u201d She\treached\tto\tpull\tElide\tup,\tbut\tLorcan\tstepped\tin\tand\tdid\tit\thimself.\tHe\tdidn\u2019t\tlet\tgo of\tElide\u2019s\tarm,\tand\tshe\ttried\tnot\tto\tlean\tinto\this\twarmth.\tTried\tnot\tto\tmake\tit\tseem\tlike\tshe hadn\u2019t\tjust\tmet\ther\tqueen,\ther\tfriend,\ther\tcourt,\tand\t\u2026\tsomehow\tnow\tfound\tLorcan\tto\tbe the\tsafest\tof\tthem\tall. Manon\tsmirked\tat\tLorcan.\t\u201cYour\tclaim\ton\ther,\tmale,\tis\tat\tthe\tvery\tbottom\tof\tthe\tlist.\u201d Iron\t teeth\t slid\t out,\t turning\t that\t beautiful\t face\t petrifying.\t Lorcan\t didn\u2019t\t let\t go.\t Manon crooned\tin\tthat\tway\tthat\tusually\tmeant\tdeath,\t\u201cDon\u2019t.\tTouch.\tHer.\u201d \u201cYou\t don\u2019t\t give\t me\t orders,\t witch,\u201d\t Lorcan\t said.\t \u201cAnd\t you\t have\t no\t say\t in\t what\t is between\tus.\u201d","Elide\tfrowned\tat\thim.\t\u201cYou\u2019re\tmaking\tit\tworse.\u201d \u201cWe\t like\t to\t call\t it\t \u2018territorial\t male\t nonsense,\u2019\u201d\t Aelin\t confided.\t \u201cOr\t \u2018territorial\t Fae bastard\u2019\tworks\tjust\tas\tnicely.\u201d The\tFae\tPrince\tcoughed\tpointedly\tbehind\ther. The\t queen\t looked\t over\t a\t shoulder,\t brows\t raised.\t \u201cAm\t I\t forgetting\t another\t term\t of endearment?\u201d The\twarrior-prince\u2019s\teyes\tglowed,\teven\tas\this\tface\tremained\tset\twith\tpredatory\tintent. \u201cI\tthink\tyou\tcovered\tit.\u201d Aelin\twinked\tat\tLorcan.\t\u201cYou\thurt\ther,\tand\tI\u2019ll\tmelt\tyour\tbones,\u201d\tshe\tmerely\tsaid,\tand walked\taway. Manon\u2019s\tiron-clad\tsmile\tgrew,\tand\tshe\tgave\tLorcan\ta\tmocking\tincline\tof\tthe\thead\tas she\tfollowed\tin\tthe\tqueen\u2019s\twake. Aedion\t looked\t Lorcan\t over\t and\t snorted.\t \u201cAelin\t does\t whatever\t she\t wants,\t but\t I\t think she\u2019d\t let\t me\t see\t how\t many\t of\t your\t bones\t I\t can\t break\t before\t she\t melts\t them.\u201d\t Then\t he, too,\twas\twalking\ttoward\tthe\ttwo\tfemales.\tOne\tsilver,\tone\tgold. Elide\t almost\t screamed\t as\t a\t ghost\t leopard\t appeared\t out\t of\t nowhere,\t twitched\t its whiskers\t in\t Lorcan\u2019s\t direction,\t and\t then\t trotted\t after\t the\t women,\t its\t puffy\t tail\t swishing behind\tit. Then\t the\t king\t left,\t then\t the\t Fae\t males.\t Until\t only\t Prince\t Rowan\t Whitethorn\t stood there.\tHe\tgave\tElide\ta\tLook. Elide\t immediately\t shrugged\t out\t of\t Lorcan\u2019s\t grip.\t Aelin\t and\t Aedion\t had\t stopped ahead,\twaiting\tfor\ther.\tSmiling\tfaintly\u2014welcomingly. So\tElide\theaded\tfor\tthem,\ther\tcourt,\tand\tdid\tnot\tlook\tback. Rowan\thad\tkept\tquiet\tduring\tthe\tpast\tfew\tminutes,\tobserving. Lorcan\t had\t been\t willing\t to\t die\t for\t Elide.\t Had\t been\t willing\t to\t put\t aside\t his\t quest\t for Maeve\t in\t order\t for\t Elide\t to\t live.\t And\t had\t then\t acted\t territorial\t enough\t to\t make\t Rowan wonder\tif\the\tseemed\tso\tridiculous\taround\tAelin\tall\tthe\ttime. Now\talone,\tRowan\tsaid\tto\tLorcan,\t\u201cHow\tdid\tyou\tfind\tus?\u201d A\tcutting\tsmile.\t\u201cThe\tdark\tgod\tnudged\tme\ttoward\there.\tThe\tilken\tarmy\tdid\tthe\trest.\u201d The\tsame\tLorcan\the\u2019d\tknown\tfor\tcenturies,\tand\tyet\t\u2026\tnot.\tSome\thard\tedge\thad\tbeen dulled\u2014no,\tsoothed. Lorcan\t stared\t toward\t the\t source\t of\t that\t soothing,\t but\t his\t jaw\t clenched\t as\t his\t focus shifted\t to\t where\t Aelin\t walked\t beside\t her.\t \u201cThat\t power\t could\t just\t as\t easily\t destroy\t her, you\tknow.\u201d \u201cI\tknow,\u201d\tRowan\tadmitted.\tWhat\tshe\u2019d\tdone\tminutes\tago,\tthe\tpower\tshe\u2019d\tsummoned and\tunleashed\t\u2026\tIt\thad\tbeen\ta\tsong\tthat\thad\tmade\this\tmagic\terupt\tin\tkind."]
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