["When\t the\t ilken\u2019s\t resistance\t had\t finally\t yielded\t beneath\t flame\t and\t ice\t and\t wind, Rowan\thadn\u2019t\tbeen\table\tto\tstifle\tthe\tyearning\tto\twalk\tinto\tthe\tburning\theart\tof\tthat\tpower and\tsee\ther\tglowing\twith\tit. Halfway\tacross\tthe\tplain,\the\u2019d\trealized\tit\twasn\u2019t\tjust\tthe\tallure\tof\tit\tthat\ttugged\tat\thim. It\twas\tthe\twoman\tinside\tit,\twho\tmight\tneed\tphysical\tcontact\twith\tanother\tliving\tbeing\tto remind\therself\tthat\tshe\thad\ta\tbody,\tand\tpeople\twho\tloved\ther,\tand\tto\tpull\tback\tfrom\tthat killing\t calm\t that\t so\t mercilessly\t wiped\t the\t ilken\t from\t the\t skies.\t But\t then\t the\t flames\t had vanished,\ttheir\tenemies\training\tdown\tas\tash\tand\tice\tand\tcorpses,\tand\tshe\u2019d\tlooked\tat\thim \u2026\tHoly\tgods,\twhen\tshe\u2019d\tlooked\tat\thim,\the\u2019d\talmost\tfallen\tto\this\tknees. Queen,\t and\t lover,\t and\t friend\u2014and\t more.\t He\t hadn\u2019t\t cared\t that\t they\t had\t an\t audience. He\t had\t needed\t to\t touch\t her,\t to\t reassure\t himself\t that\t she\t was\t all\t right,\t to\t feel\t the\t woman who\t could\t do\t such\t great\t and\t terrible\t things\t and\t still\t look\t at\t him\t with\t that\t beckoning, vibrant\tlife\tin\ther\teyes. You\tmake\tme\twant\tto\tlive,\tRowan. He\twondered\tif\tElide\tLochan\thad\tsomehow\tmade\tLorcan\twant\tto\tdo\tthe\tsame. He\tsaid\tto\tLorcan,\t\u201cAnd\twhat\tabout\tyour\tmission?\u201d Any\t softness\t vanished\t from\t Lorcan\u2019s\t granite-hewn\t features.\t \u201cWhy\t don\u2019t\t you\t tell\t me why\tyou\u2019re\tin\tthis\tshithole\tplace,\tand\tthen\twe\u2019ll\tdiscuss\tmy\tplans.\u201d \u201cAelin\tcan\tdecide\twhat\tto\ttell\tyou.\u201d \u201cSuch\ta\tgood\tdog.\u201d Rowan\t gave\t him\t a\t lazy\t smile\t but\t refrained\t from\t commenting\t on\t the\t delicate,\t dark- haired\tyoung\twoman\twho\tnow\theld\tLorcan\u2019s\town\tleash.","58 Kaltain\tRompier\thad\tjust\tturned\tthe\ttide\tin\tthis\twar. Dorian\thad\tnever\tbeen\tmore\tashamed\tof\thimself. He\tshould\thave\tbeen\tbetter.\tShould\thave\tseen\tbetter.\tThey\tall\tshould\thave. The\t thoughts\t swirled\t and\t eddied\t as\t Dorian\t kept\t back\t in\t the\t half-drowned\t temple complex,\t silently\t watching\t as\t Aelin\t studied\t the\t chest\t on\t the\t altar\t as\t if\t it\t were\t an opponent. The\tqueen\twas\tnow\tflanked\tby\tLady\tElide,\tManon\ton\tthe\tdark-haired\tgirl\u2019s\tother\tside, Lysandra\tsprawled\tin\tghost\tleopard\tform\tat\tthe\tqueen\u2019s\tfeet. The\t power\t in\t that\t cluster\t alone\t was\t staggering.\t And\t Elide\t \u2026\t Manon\t had\t murmured something\t to\t Aelin\t on\t their\t walk\t back\t into\t the\t ruins\t about\t Elide\t being\t watched\t over\t by Anneith. Watched\tover,\tas\tthe\trest\tof\tthem\tseemed\tto\tbe\tby\tother\tgods. Lorcan\t stepped\t into\t the\t ruins,\t Rowan\t at\t his\t side.\t Fenrys,\t Gavriel,\t and\t Aedion approached\tthem,\thands\ton\ttheir\tswords,\tbodies\tstill\tthrumming\twith\ttension\tas\tthey\tkept Lorcan\twithin\tsight.\tEspecially\tMaeve\u2019s\twarriors. Another\tring\tof\tpower. Lorcan\u2014Lorcan,\tblessed\tby\tHellas\thimself,\tRowan\thad\ttold\thim\ton\tthat\tskiff\tride\tinto the\tDead\tIslands.\tHellas,\tgod\tof\tdeath.\tWho\thad\ttraveled\there\twith\tAnneith,\this\tconsort. The\thair\ton\tDorian\u2019s\tarms\trose. Scions\u2014each\tof\tthem\ttouched\tby\ta\tdifferent\tgod,\teach\tof\tthem\tsubtly,\tquietly,\tguided here.\tIt\twasn\u2019t\ta\tcoincidence.\tIt\tcouldn\u2019t\tbe. Manon\tnoticed\thim\tstanding\ta\tfew\tfeet\taway,\tread\twhatever\twariness\twas\ton\this\tface, and\tbroke\tfrom\tthe\tcircle\tof\tquietly\ttalking\twomen\tto\tcome\tto\this\tside.\t\u201cWhat?\u201d Dorian\tclenched\this\tjaw.\t\u201cI\thave\ta\tbad\tfeeling\tabout\tthis.\u201d He\twaited\tfor\tthe\tdismissal,\tthe\tmockery.\tManon\tonly\tsaid,\t\u201cExplain.\u201d He\topened\this\tmouth,\tbut\tAelin\tstepped\tup\tto\tthe\tdais. The\tLock\u2014the\tLock\tthat\twould\tcontain\tthe\tWyrdkeys,\twould\tallow\tAelin\tto\tput\tthem back\t in\t their\t gate.\t Thanks\t to\t Kaltain,\t thanks\t to\t Elide,\t they\t only\t needed\t one\t more. Wherever\tErawan\thad\tit.\tBut\tgetting\tthis\tLock\t\u2026 Rowan\twas\tinstantly\tat\tthe\tqueen\u2019s\tside\tas\tshe\tpeered\tinto\tthe\tchest.","Slowly,\tshe\tlooked\tback\tat\tthem.\tAt\tManon. \u201cGet\tup\there,\u201d\tthe\tqueen\tsaid\tin\tan\tunnervingly\tcalm\tvoice. Manon,\twisely,\tdid\tnot\trefuse. \u201cThis\tisn\u2019t\tthe\tplace\tor\ttime\tfor\texploring\tit,\u201d\tRowan\tsaid\tto\tthe\tqueen.\t\u201cWe\tmove\tit back\tto\tthe\tship,\tthen\tfigure\tit\tout\tfrom\tthere.\u201d Aelin\tmurmured\ther\tagreement,\ther\tface\tpaling. Manon\tasked\tthem,\t\u201cWas\tthe\tLock\tever\there\tto\tbegin\twith?\u201d \u201cI\tdon\u2019t\tknow.\u201d\tDorian\thad\tnever\theard\tAelin\tutter\tthe\twords.\tIt\twas\tenough\tto\tsend him\tsplashing\tup\tthe\tstairs,\tdripping\twater\tbehind\thim\tas\the\tpeered\tin. There\t was\t no\t Lock.\t Not\t in\t the\t way\t that\t they\t had\t expected,\t not\t in\t the\t way\t the\t queen had\tbeen\tpromised\tand\tinstructed\tto\tfind\tit. The\tstone\tchest\theld\tonly\tone\tthing: An\t iron-bound\t mirror,\t the\t surface\t near-golden\t with\t age,\t speckled,\t and\t covered\t in grime.\tAnd\talong\tthe\ttwining,\tintricately\tcarved\tborder,\ttucked\tinto\tthe\tupper\tright\tcorner \u2026 The\tmarking\tof\tthe\tEye\tof\tElena.\tA\twitch\tsymbol. \u201cWhat\tthe\thell\tis\tit?\u201d\tAedion\tdemanded\tfrom\tthe\tsteps\tbelow. It\twas\tManon\twho\tanswered,\tglancing\tsidelong\tat\tthe\tgrim-faced\tqueen,\t\u201cIt\u2019s\ta\twitch mirror.\u201d \u201cA\twhat?\u201d\tAelin\tasked.\tThe\tothers\tedged\tcloser. Manon\ttapped\ta\tnail\ton\tthe\tstone\trim\tof\tthe\tchest.\t\u201cWhen\tyou\tkilled\tYellowlegs,\tdid she\t give\t any\t hint\t about\t why\t she\t was\t there,\t what\t she\t wanted\t from\t you\t or\t the\t former king?\u201d\tDorian\tsearched\this\town\tmemory\tbut\tfound\tnothing. \u201cNo.\u201d\tAelin\tglanced\tto\thim\tin\tquestion,\tbut\tDorian\tshook\this\thead\tas\twell.\tShe\tasked the\twitch,\t\u201cDo\tyou\tknow\twhy\tshe\twas\tthere?\u201d A\thint\tof\ta\tnod.\tA\tbreath\tof\thesitation.\tDorian\tbraced\thimself.\t\u201cYellowlegs\twas\tthere to\tmeet\twith\tthe\tking\u2014to\tshow\thim\thow\ther\tmagic\tmirrors\tworked.\u201d \u201cI\tsmashed\tmost\tof\tthem,\u201d\tAelin\tsaid,\tcrossing\ther\tarms. \u201cWhatever\tyou\tdestroyd\twere\tcheap\ttricks\tand\treplicas.\tHer\ttrue\twitch\tmirrors\t\u2026\tYou cannot\tbreak\tthose.\tNot\teasily,\tat\tleast.\u201d Dorian\thad\ta\thorrible\tfeeling\tabout\twhere\tthis\twas\theaded.\t\u201cWhat\tcan\tthey\tdo?\u201d \u201cYou\t can\t see\t the\t future,\t past,\t present.\t You\t can\t speak\t between\t mirrors,\t if\t someone possesses\t the\t sister-glass.\t And\t then\t there\t are\t the\t rare\t silvers\u2014whose\t forging\t demands something\t vital\t from\t the\t maker.\u201d\t Manon\u2019s\t voice\t dropped\t low.\t Dorian\t wondered\t if\t even among\t the\t Blackbeaks,\t these\t tales\t had\t only\t been\t whispered\t at\t their\t campfires.\t \u201cOther mirrors\t amplify\t and\t hold\t blasts\t of\t raw\t power,\t to\t be\t unleashed\t if\t the\t mirror\t is\t aimed\t at","something.\u201d \u201cA\t weapon,\u201d\t Aedion\t said,\t eliciting\t a\t nod\t from\t Manon.\t The\t general\t must\t have\t been piecing\t things\t together\t as\t well\t because\t he\t asked\t before\t Dorian\t could,\t \u201cYellowlegs\t met with\thim\tabout\tthose\tweapons,\tdidn\u2019t\tshe?\u201d Manon\twent\tsilent\tfor\tlong\tenough\tthat\the\tknew\tAelin\twas\tabout\tto\tpush.\tBut\tDorian gave\ther\ta\twarning\tstare\tto\tkeep\tquiet.\tSo\tshe\tdid.\tThey\tall\tdid. Finally,\tthe\twitch\tsaid,\t\u201cThey\u2019ve\tbeen\tmaking\ttowers.\tEnormous,\tyet\tcapable\tof\tbeing hauled\tacross\tbattlefields,\tlined\twith\tthose\tmirrors.\tFor\tErawan\tto\tuse\twith\this\tpowers\u2014to incinerate\tyour\tarmies\tin\ta\tfew\tblasts.\u201d Aelin\tclosed\ther\teyes.\tRowan\tlaid\ta\thand\ton\ther\tshoulder. Dorian\t asked,\t \u201cIs\t this\t \u2026\u201d\t He\t gestured\t to\t the\t chest,\t the\t mirror\t inside.\t \u201cOne\t of\t the mirrors\tthey\tplan\tto\tuse?\u201d \u201cNo,\u201d\tManon\tsaid,\tstudying\tthe\twitch\tmirror\twithin\tthe\tchest.\t\u201cWhatever\tthis\tmirror\tis \u2026\t I\u2019m\t not\t sure\t what\t it\t was\t meant\t for.\t What\t it\t can\t even\t do.\t But\t it\t surely\t isn\u2019t\t that\t Lock you\tsought.\u201d Aelin\tfished\tthe\tEye\tof\tElena\tfrom\ther\tpocket,\tweighing\tit\tin\ther\thand,\tand\tloosed\ta sharp\tsigh\tthrough\ther\tnose.\t\u201cI\u2019m\tready\tfor\ttoday\tto\tbe\tover.\u201d Mile\tafter\tmile,\tthe\tFae\tmales\tcarried\tthe\tmirror\tbetween\tthem. Rowan\tand\tAedion\tpushed\tManon\tfor\tdetails\ton\tthose\twitch\ttowers.\tTwo\twere\talready constructed,\tbut\tshe\tdidn\u2019t\tknow\thow\tmany\tmore\twere\tbeing\tbuilt.\tThey\twere\tstationed\tin the\t Ferian\t Gap,\t but\t with\t others\t possibly\t elsewhere.\t No,\t she\t didn\u2019t\t know\t the\t mode\t of transportation.\tOr\thow\tmany\twitches\tto\ta\ttower. Aelin\t let\t their\t words\t settle\t into\t some\t deep,\t quiet\t part\t of\t her.\t She\u2019d\t figure\t it\t out tomorrow\u2014after\tshe\tslept.\tFigure\tout\tthis\tdamn\twitch\tmirror\ttomorrow,\ttoo. Her\tmagic\twas\texhausted.\tFor\tthe\tfirst\ttime\tin\tdays,\tthat\tpit\tof\tmagic\tnow\tslumbered. She\tcould\tsleep\tfor\ta\tweek.\tA\tmonth. Each\tstep\tacross\tthe\tmarshes,\tback\ttoward\twhere\tthose\tthree\tships\twould\tbe\twaiting, was\t an\t effort.\t Lysandra\t frequently\t offered\t to\t shift\t into\t a\t horse\t and\t carry\t her,\t but\t Aelin refused.\tThe\tshifter\twas\tdrained\tas\twell.\tThey\tall\twere. She\twanted\tto\ttalk\tto\tElide,\twanted\tto\task\tabout\tso\tmany\tthings\tregarding\tthose\tyears apart,\t but\t \u2026\t The\t exhaustion\t that\t nagged\t at\t her\t rendered\t speech\t nearly\t impossible.\t She knew\twhat\tkind\tof\tsleep\tbeckoned\u2014the\tdeep,\trestorative\tslumber\tthat\ther\tbody\tdemanded after\ttoo\tmuch\tmagic\thad\tbeen\tspent,\tafter\tshe\u2019d\theld\ton\tto\tit\tfor\ttoo\tlong. So\t Aelin\t hardly\t spoke\t to\t Elide,\t leaving\t the\t lady\t to\t lean\t on\t Lorcan\t as\t they\t hurried\t to the\tcoast.\tAs\tthey\thauled\tthe\tmirror\twith\tthem. Too\tmany\tsecrets\u2014there\twere\tstill\ttoo\tmany\tsecrets\twith\tElena\tand\tBrannon\tand\ttheir","long-ago\t war.\t Had\t the\t Lock\t ever\t existed?\t Or\t was\t the\t witch\t mirror\t the\t Lock?\t Too\t many questions\twith\ttoo\tfew\tanswers.\tShe\u2019d\tfigure\tit\tout.\tOnce\tthey\twere\tback\tto\tsafety.\tOnce she\thad\ta\tchance\tto\tsleep. Once\t \u2026\t everything\t else\t fell\t into\t place,\t too.\t So\t they\t trudged\t through\t the\t marshes without\trest. It\t was\t Lysandra\t who\t picked\t up\t on\t it\t with\t that\t leopard\u2019s\t senses,\t half\t a\t mile\t from\t the white-sand\tbeach\tand\tthe\tcalm\tgray\tsea\tbeyond,\ta\twall\tof\tgrassy\tsand\tdunes\tblocking\tthe view\tahead. They\t all\t had\t weapons\t drawn\t as\t they\t scrambled\t up\t the\t dune,\t sand\t slipping\t from beneath\tthem.\tRowan\tdidn\u2019t\tshift\u2014the\tonly\tproof\the\u2019d\tshown\tof\this\tutter\texhaustion.\tHe made\tit\tup\tthe\thill\tfirst.\tDrew\this\tsword\tfrom\tacross\this\tback. Aelin\u2019s\t breath\t burned\t her\t throat\t as\t she\t halted\t beside\t him,\t Gavriel\t and\t Fenrys\t gently setting\tdown\tthe\tmirror\ton\ther\tother\tside. Because\ta\thundred\tgray\tsails\tstretched\tahead,\tsurrounding\ttheir\town\tships. They\t spread\t toward\t the\t western\t horizon,\t utterly\t silent\t save\t for\t the\t men\t they\t could barely\tmake\tout\ton\tboard.\tShips\tfrom\tthe\twest\t\u2026\tfrom\tthe\tGulf\tof\tOro. Melisande\u2019s\tfleet. And\t on\t the\t beach,\t waiting\t for\t them\t \u2026\t a\t party\t of\t twenty\t warriors,\t led\t by\t a\t gray- cloaked\twoman.\tLysandra\u2019s\tclaws\tslipped\tfree\tof\ttheir\tsheaths\tas\tshe\tlet\tout\ta\tlow\tsnarl. Lorcan\t shoved\t Elide\t behind\t him.\t \u201cWe\t retreat\t into\t the\t marshes,\u201d\t he\t said\t to\t Rowan, whose\tface\twas\tset\tin\tstone\tas\the\tsized\tup\tthe\tparty\ton\tthe\tbeach,\tthe\tlooming\tfleet.\t\u201cWe can\toutrun\tthem.\u201d Aelin\tslid\ther\thands\tinto\ther\tpockets.\t\u201cThey\u2019re\tnot\tgoing\tto\tattack.\u201d Lorcan\t sneered,\t \u201cYou\u2019re\t guessing\t this\t based\t on\t your\t many\t years\t of\t experience\t in war?\u201d \u201cWatch\tit,\u201d\tRowan\tsnarled. \u201cThis\t is\t absurd,\u201d\t Lorcan\t spat,\t twisting\t away,\t as\t if\t he\u2019d\t grab\t Elide,\t pale-faced\t at\t his side.\t\u201cOur\treservoirs\tare\tdrained\u2014\u201d Lorcan\t was\t halted\t from\t hauling\t Elide\t over\t a\t shoulder\t by\t a\t paper-thin\t wall\t of\t fire. About\tas\tmuch\tas\tAelin\tcould\tsummon. And\t by\t Manon\t and\t her\t iron\t nails\t stepping\t before\t him\t as\t she\t growled,\t \u201cYou\u2019re\t not taking\tElide\tanywhere.\tNot\tnow,\tand\tnot\tever.\u201d Lorcan\t rose\t to\t his\t full\t height.\t And\t before\t they\t could\t wreck\t everything\t with\t their brawling,\tElide\tlaid\ta\tdelicate\thand\ton\tLorcan\u2019s\tarm\u2014his\town\thand\twrapped\taround\tthe hilt\tof\this\tsword.\t\u201cI\tchoose\tthis,\tManon.\u201d Manon\tonly\tglanced\tat\tthe\thand\ton\tLorcan\u2019s\tarm.\t\u201cWe\u2019ll\tdiscuss\tthis\tlater.\u201d Indeed.\t Aelin\t looked\t Lorcan\t over\t and\t jerked\t her\t chin.\t \u201cGo\t brood\t somewhere\t else.\u201d","The\tcloaked\twoman\ton\tthe\tbeach,\talong\twith\ther\tsoldiers,\twas\tnow\tstriding\ttoward\tthem. Lorcan\tgrowled,\t\u201cIt\u2019s\tnot\tover,\tthis\tbusiness\tbetween\tus.\u201d Aelin\tsmiled\ta\tbit.\t\u201cYou\tthink\tI\tdon\u2019t\tknow\tthat?\u201d But\t Lorcan\t prowled\t to\t Rowan,\t his\t dark\t power\t flickering,\t rippling\t away\t across\t the waves\tas\tif\tin\ta\tsilent\tboom\tof\tthunder.\tTaking\tup\ta\tdefensive\tposition. Aelin\tlooked\tto\ther\tstone-faced\tprince,\tthen\tto\tAedion,\ther\tcousin\u2019s\tsword\tand\tshield angled\tand\tat\tthe\tready,\tthen\tthe\tothers.\t\u201cLet\u2019s\tgo\tsay\thello.\u201d Rowan\tstarted.\t\u201cAelin\u2014\u201d But\tshe\twas\talready\tstriding\tdown\tthe\tdune,\tdoing\ther\tbest\tto\tkeep\tfrom\tsliding\ton\tthe treacherous\t sand,\t to\t keep\t her\t head\t high.\t The\t others\t trailing\t behind\t were\t taut\t as bowstrings,\tbut\ttheir\tbreathing\tremained\teven\u2014primed\tfor\tanything. The\t soldiers\t were\t in\t heavy,\t worn\t gray\t armor,\t their\t faces\t rough\t and\t scarred,\t sizing them\tup\tas\tthey\thit\tthe\tsand.\tFenrys\tsnarled\tat\tone\tof\tthem,\tand\tthe\tman\taverted\this\teyes. But\tthe\tcloaked\twoman\tremoved\ther\thood\tas\tshe\tapproached\twith\tfeline\tgrace,\thalting perhaps\tten\tfeet\taway. Aelin\tknew\tevery\tdetail\tabout\ther. Knew\tthat\tshe\twas\ttwenty\tyears\told\tnow.\tKnew\tthat\tthe\tmedium-length,\twine-red\thair was\ther\treal\thair\tcolor.\tKnew\tthe\tred-brown\teyes\twere\tthe\tonly\tshe\u2019d\tseen\tin\tany\tland,\ton any\tadventure.\tKnew\tthe\twolf\u2019s\thead\ton\tthe\tpommel\tof\tthe\tmighty\tsword\tat\ther\tside\twas her\tfamily\u2019s\tcrest.\tShe\tknew\tthe\tsmattering\tof\tfreckles,\tthe\tfull,\tlaughing\tmouth,\tknew\tthe deceptively\tslim\tarms\tthat\thid\trock-hard\tmuscle\tas\tshe\tcrossed\tthem. That\t full\t mouth\t slanted\t into\t a\t half\t grin\t as\t Ansel\t of\t Briarcliff,\t Queen\t of\t the\t Wastes, drawled,\t\u201cWho\tgave\tyou\tpermission\tto\tuse\tmy\tname\tin\tpit\tfights,\tAelin?\u201d \u201cI\tgave\tmyself\tpermission\tto\tuse\tyour\tname\thowever\tI\tplease,\tAnsel,\tthe\tday\tI\tspared your\tlife\tinstead\tof\tending\tyou\tlike\tthe\tcoward\tyou\tare.\u201d That\tcocky\tsmile\twidened.\t\u201cHello,\tbitch,\u201d\tAnsel\tpurred. \u201cHello,\t traitor,\u201d\t Aelin\t purred\t right\t back,\t surveying\t the\t armada\t spread\t before\t them. \u201cLooks\tlike\tyou\tmade\tit\ton\ttime\tafter\tall.\u201d","59 Aelin\t felt\t the\t utter\t shock\t of\t her\t companions\t ripple\t from\t them\t as\t Ansel\t bowed dramatically,\tgesturing\tto\tthe\tships\tbehind\tthem,\tand\tsaid,\t\u201cAs\trequested:\tyour\tfleet.\u201d Aelin\tsnorted.\t\u201cYour\tsoldiers\tlook\tlike\tthey\u2019ve\tseen\tbetter\tdays.\u201d \u201cOh,\t they\t always\t look\t like\t that.\t I\u2019ve\t tried\t and\t tried\t to\t get\t them\t to\t focus\t on\t outside appearances\tas\tmuch\tas\timproving\ttheir\tinner\tbeauty,\tbut\t\u2026\tyou\tknow\thow\tmen\tare.\u201d Aelin\t chuckled.\t Even\t as\t she\t sensed\t her\t companions\u2019\t shock\t turning\t into\t something red-hot. Manon\t stepped\t forward,\t the\t sea\t breeze\t whipping\t strands\t of\t her\t white\t hair\t over\t her face,\tand\tsaid\tto\tAelin,\t\u201cMelisande\u2019s\tfleet\tbows\tto\tMorath.\tYou\tmight\tas\twell\tbe\tsigning an\talliance\twith\tErawan,\ttoo,\tif\tyou\u2019re\tworking\twith\tthis\t\u2026\tperson.\u201d Ansel\u2019s\t face\t drained\t of\t color\t at\t the\t iron\t teeth,\t the\t nails.\t And\t Aelin\t remembered\t the story\tthe\tassassin-turned-queen\thad\tonce\ttold\ther,\twhispered\tatop\trolling\tdesert\tsands\tand beneath\ta\tcarpet\tof\tstars.\tA\tchildhood\tfriend\u2014eaten\talive\tby\tan\tIronteeth\twitch. Then\t Ansel\t herself,\t after\t the\t slaughter\t of\t her\t family,\t had\t been\t spared\t when\t she\u2019d stumbled\tinto\tan\tIronteeth\twitch\u2019s\tcamp. Aelin\t said\t to\t Manon,\t \u201cShe\t is\t not\t from\t Melisande.\t The\t Wastes\t are\t allied\t with Terrasen.\u201d Aedion\tstarted,\tnow\tsizing\tup\tthe\tships,\tthe\twoman\tbefore\tthem. Manon\tBlackbeak\tsaid\tin\ta\tvoice\tlike\tdeath,\t\u201cWho\tis\tshe\tto\tspeak\tfor\tthe\tWastes?\u201d Oh,\tgods\tabove.\tAelin\tschooled\ther\tface\tinto\tbland\tirreverence\tand\tgestured\tbetween the\t two\t women.\t \u201cManon\t Blackbeak,\t Heir\t to\t the\t Blackbeak\t Witch-Clan\t and\t now\t the\t last Crochan\tQueen\t\u2026\tmeet\tAnsel\tof\tBriarcliff,\tassassin\tand\tQueen\tof\tthe\tWestern\tWastes.\u201d Roaring\t filled\t Manon\u2019s\t head\t as\t they\t rowed\t back\t to\t their\t ship,\t interrupted\t only\t by\t the splashing\tof\tthe\toars\tthrough\tthe\tcalm\twaves. She\twas\tgoing\tto\tkill\tthe\tred-haired\tbitch.\tSlowly. They\tremained\tsilent\tuntil\tthey\treached\tthe\ttowering\tship,\tthen\tclimbed\tits\tside. No\tsign\tof\tAbraxos. Manon\tscanned\tthe\tskies,\tthe\tfleet,\tthe\tseas.\tNot\ta\tscale\tto\tbe\tfound. The\trage\tin\ther\tgut\ttwisted\tinto\tsomething\telse,\tsomething\tworse,\tand\tshe\ttook\ta\tstep","for\tthe\truddy-faced\tcaptain\tto\tdemand\tanswers. But\t Aelin\t casually\t stepped\t in\t her\t path,\t giving\t her\t an\t adder\u2019s\t smile\t as\t she\t glanced between\t Manon\t and\t the\t red-haired\t young\t woman\t who\t now\t leaned\t against\t the\t stair\t post. \u201cYou\ttwo\tshould\thave\ta\tlittle\tchat\tlater.\u201d Manon\tstormed\taround\ther.\t\u201cAnsel\tof\tBriarcliff\tdoes\tnot\tspeak\tfor\tthe\tWastes.\u201d Where\twas\tAbraxos\u2014 \u201cBut\tyou\tdo?\u201d And\t Manon\t had\t to\t wonder\t if\t she\u2019d\t somehow\t \u2026\t somehow\t become\t tangled\t in whatever\t plans\t the\t queen\t had\t woven.\t Especially\t as\t Manon\t found\t herself\t forced\t to\t halt again,\tforced\tto\tturn\tback\tto\tthe\tsmirking\tqueen\tand\tsay,\t\u201cYes.\tI\tdo.\u201d Even\tRowan\tblinked\tat\tManon\tBlackbeak\u2019s\ttone\u2014the\tvoice\tthat\twas\tnot\twitch\tor\twarrior or\tpredator.\tQueen. The\tlast\tCrochan\tQueen. Rowan\t sized\t up\t the\t potentially\t explosive\t fight\t brewing\t between\t Ansel\t of\t Briarcliff and\tManon\tBlackbeak. He\t remembered\t all\t that\t Aelin\t had\t told\t him\t of\t Ansel\u2014the\t betrayal\t while\t the\t two woman\thad\ttrained\tin\tthe\tdesert,\tthe\tfight\tto\tthe\tdeath\tthat\thad\tleft\tAelin\tsparing\tthe\tred- haired\twoman.\tA\tlife\tdebt. Aelin\thad\tcalled\tin\tthe\tlife\tdebt\towed\tto\ther. Ansel,\twith\ta\tswaggering\tarrogance\tthat\tcompletely\texplained\twhy\tshe\tand\tAelin\thad become\t fast\t friends,\t drawled\t to\t Manon\t from\t where\t she\u2019d\t perched\t on\t the\t quarterdeck stairs,\t\u201cWell,\tlast\tI\theard,\tneither\tCrochan\tnor\tIronteeth\twitches\tbothered\tto\tlook\tafter\tthe Wastes.\t I\t suppose\t that\t as\t someone\t who\t has\t fed\t and\t guarded\t its\t people\t these\t past\t two years,\t I\t do\t get\t to\t speak\t for\t them.\t And\t decide\t who\t we\t help\t and\t how\t we\t do\t it.\u201d\t Ansel smirked\t at\t Aelin\t like\t the\t witch\t wasn\u2019t\t staring\t at\t her\t throat\t as\t if\t she\u2019d\t rip\t it\t out\t with\t her iron\t teeth.\t \u201cYou\t and\t I\t live\t next\t door\t to\t each\t other,\t after\t all.\t It\u2019d\t be\t un-neighborly\t of\t me not\tto\thelp.\u201d \u201cExplain,\u201d\t Aedion\t said\t tightly,\t his\t heartbeat\t thundering\t loud\t enough\t for\t Rowan\t to hear.\t The\t first\t word\t the\t general\t had\t uttered\t since\t Ansel\t had\t pulled\t back\t her\t hood.\t Since Aelin\u2019s\tlittle\tsurprise\thad\tbeen\twaiting\tfor\tthem\ton\tthe\tbeach. Ansel\t angled\t her\t head,\t the\t silky\t red\t hair\t catching\t the\t light,\t looking,\t Rowan\t realized, like\tthe\trichest\tred\twine.\tExactly\tas\tAelin\thad\tonce\tdescribed\tit.\t\u201cWell,\tmonths\tago,\tI\twas minding\t my\t own\t business\t in\t the\t Wastes,\t when\t I\t got\t a\t message\t out\t of\t the\t blue.\t From Aelin.\t She\t sent\t me\t a\t message\t loud\t and\t clear\t from\t Rifthold.\t Pit\t fighting.\u201d\t She\t chuckled, shaking\ther\thead.\t\u201cAnd\tI\tknew\tto\tget\tready.\tTo\tmove\tmy\tarmy\tto\tthe\tedge\tof\tthe\tAnascaul Mountains.\u201d Aedion\u2019s\t breathing\t snagged.\t Only\t centuries\t of\t training\t kept\t Rowan\u2019s\t from\t doing\t the","same.\t His\t cadre\t remained\t stalwart\t behind\t them\t all,\t positions\t they\u2019d\t taken\t hundreds\t of times\tover\tthe\tcenturies.\tReady\tfor\tbloodshed\u2014or\tto\tfight\ttheir\tway\tout\tof\tit. Ansel\tsmiled,\ta\twinning\tgrin.\t\u201cHalf\tof\tthem\tare\ton\ttheir\tway\tthere\tnow.\tReady\tto\tjoin with\t Terrasen.\t The\t country\t of\t my\t friend\t Celaena\t Sardothien,\t who\t did\t not\t forget\t it,\t even when\tshe\twas\tin\tthe\tRed\tDesert;\tand\twho\tdid\tnot\tstop\tlooking\tnorth\tevery\tnight\tthat\twe could\t see\t the\t stars.\t There\t was\t no\t greater\t gift\t I\t could\t offer\t to\t repay\t her\t than\t saving\t the kingdom\t she\t did\t not\t forget.\t And\t that\t was\t before\t I\t got\t her\t letter\t months\t ago,\t telling\t me who\t she\t was\t and\t that\t she\u2019d\t gut\t me\t if\t I\t didn\u2019t\t assist\t in\t her\t cause.\t I\t was\t on\t my\t way\t with my\tarmy\talready,\tbut\t\u2026\tthen\tthe\tnext\tletter\tarrived.\tTelling\tme\tto\tgo\tto\tthe\tGulf\tof\tOro. To\tmeet\ther\there\tand\tfollow\ta\tspecific\tset\tof\tinstructions.\u201d Aedion\t snapped\t his\t head\t to\t Aelin,\t salt\t water\t still\t gleaming\t on\t his\t tan\t face\t from\t the boat\tover.\t\u201cThe\tdispatches\tfrom\tIlium\u2014\u201d Aelin\twaved\ta\tlazy\thand\tto\tAnsel.\t\u201cLet\tthe\twoman\tfinish.\u201d Ansel\tstrolled\tto\tAelin\tand\tlinked\ther\tarm\tthrough\ther\telbow.\tShe\tsmirked\tlike\ta\tfiend. \u201cI\u2019m\tassuming\tyou\tlot\tknow\thow\tbossy\tHer\tMajesty\tis.\tBut\tI\tfollowed\tthe\tinstructions.\tI brought\t the\t other\t half\t of\t my\t army\t when\t I\t veered\t down\t south,\t and\t we\t hiked\t through\t the White\t Fangs\t and\t into\t Melisande.\t Its\t queen\t assumed\t we\t arrived\t to\t offer\t aid.\t She\t let\t us right\tin\tthe\tfront\tgates.\u201d Rowan\theld\this\tbreath. Ansel\tlet\tout\ta\tsharp\twhistle,\tand\ton\tthe\tnearest\tship,\tclopping\tand\tnickering\tsounded. And\tthen\tan\tAsterion\thorse\temerged\tfrom\tthe\tstables. The\thorse\twas\ta\tstorm\tmade\tflesh. Rowan\tcouldn\u2019t\tremember\tthe\tlast\ttime\the\u2019d\tseen\tAelin\tbeam\twith\tpure\tdelight\tas\tshe breathed,\t\u201cKasida.\u201d \u201cDo\t you\t know,\u201d\t Ansel\t went\t on,\t \u201cthat\t I\t rather\t enjoy\t pillaging?\t With\t Melisande\u2019s troops\t spread\t so\t thin\t for\t Morath,\t she\t really\t had\t no\t choice\t but\t to\t yield.\t Though\t she\t was particularly\t furious\t to\t see\t me\t claim\t the\t horse\u2014made\t worse\t when\t I\t took\t her\t out\t of\t her dungeon\t to\t reveal\t that\t Terrasen\u2019s\t flag\t now\t flies\t alongside\t my\t wolf\t at\t her\t own\t damn house.\u201d \u201cWhat,\u201d\tAedion\tblurted. Aelin\t and\t Ansel\t faced\t them,\t brows\t high.\t Dorian\t staggered\t forward\t a\t step\t at\t Ansel\u2019s words,\tand\tthe\tQueen\tof\tthe\tWastes\tgave\thim\ta\tlook\tthat\tsaid\tshe\u2019d\tlike\tto\tpillage\thim. Ansel\tgestured\tto\tthe\tships\taround\tthem\twith\ta\tbroad\tsweep\tof\ther\tarm.\t\u201cMelisande\u2019s fleet\t is\t now\t our\t fleet.\t And\t its\t capital\t is\t now\t ours,\t too.\u201d\t She\t jerked\t her\t chin\t at\t Aelin. \u201cYou\u2019re\twelcome.\u201d Manon\tBlackbeak\tburst\tout\tlaughing. Aedion\tdidn\u2019t\tknow\twho\tto\tbe\tmore\tfurious\twith:\tAelin,\tfor\tnot\ttelling\thim\tabout\tAnsel\tof","Briarcliff\tand\tthe\tgods-damned\tarmy\tshe\u2019d\tquietly\tordered\tto\tsack\tMelisande\tand\tseize\tits fleet,\tor\thimself,\tfor\tnot\ttrusting\ther.\tFor\tdemanding\twhere\ttheir\tallies\twere,\tfor\timplying all\tthat\the\thad\tin\tthose\tmoments\tbefore\tthe\tilken\tattack.\tShe\u2019d\tjust\ttaken\tit. As\t Ansel\u2019s\t words\t sank\t in\t to\t the\t company\t still\t gathered\t on\t the\t main\t deck,\t his\t cousin said\tquietly,\t\u201cMelisande\tmeant\tto\tassist\tMorath\tin\tcleaving\tthe\tNorth\tand\tSouth.\tI\tdid\tnot take\tits\tcity\tfor\tglory\tor\tconquest,\tbut\tI\twill\tnot\tallow\tanything\tto\tcome\tbetween\tme\tand defeating\t Morath.\t Melisande\t will\t now\t clearly\t understand\t the\t cost\t of\t allying\t with Erawan.\u201d He\t tried\t not\t to\t bristle.\t He\t was\t her\t general-prince.\t Rowan\t was\t her\t consort\u2014or\t close enough\tto\tit.\tAnd\tyet\tshe\thad\tnot\tentrusted\tthem\twith\tthis.\tHe\thadn\u2019t\teven\tcontemplated the\tWastes\tas\tan\tally.\tPerhaps\tthat\twas\twhy.\tHe\twould\thave\ttold\ther\tnot\tto\tbother. Aedion\t said\t to\t Ansel,\t \u201cMelisande\t has\t likely\t already\t sent\t word\t to\t Morath.\t Its\t own armies\t are\t no\t doubt\t rushing\t back\t to\t the\t capital\t city.\t Get\t your\t remaining\t men\t across\t the Fangs\tagain.\tWe\tcan\tlead\tthe\tarmada\tfrom\there.\u201d Ansel\t looked\t to\t Aelin,\t who\t nodded\t her\t agreement.\t The\t Queen\t of\t the\t Wastes\t then asked\thim,\t\u201cAnd\tthen\tmarch\tnorth\tto\tTerrasen\tand\tcross\tat\tthe\tAnascaul\tpasses?\u201d Aedion\t gave\t a\t single\t nod\t of\t confirmation,\t already\t calculating\t where\t he\u2019d\t place\t her men,\t who\t in\t the\t Bane\t he\u2019d\t give\t command\t over\t them.\t Without\t seeing\t Ansel\u2019s\t men\t fight \u2026\t Aedion\t began\t heading\t toward\t the\t stairs\t to\t the\t quarterdeck,\t not\t bothering\t to\t wait\t for permission. But\tAelin\thalted\thim\twith\ta\tcleared\tthroat.\t\u201cTalk\tto\tAnsel\tbefore\tshe\tleaves\ttomorrow morning\tabout\twhere\tto\tbring\ther\tarmy\tonce\tit\u2019s\twhole\tagain.\u201d He\tmerely\tnodded\tand\tcontinued\tup\tthe\tsteps,\tignoring\this\tfather\u2019s\tconcerned\tlook\tas he\twent.\tThe\tothers\teventually\tsplit\tup,\tand\tAedion\tdidn\u2019t\tcare\twhere\tthey\twent,\tonly\tthat he\thad\ta\tfew\tminutes\tto\thimself. He\t leaned\t against\t the\t rail,\t peering\t into\t the\t sea\t lapping\t against\t the\t side\t of\t the\t ship, trying\tnot\tto\tnotice\tthe\tmen\ton\tthe\tsurrounding\tships\tsizing\tup\thim\tand\this\tcompanions. Some\tof\ttheir\twhispers\thit\thim\tfrom\tacross\tthe\twater.\tThe\tWolf\tof\tthe\tNorth;\tGeneral Ashryver.\tSome\tbegan\tto\ttell\tstories\u2014most\toutright\tlies,\ta\tfew\tclose\tenough\tto\tthe\ttruth. Aedion\tlet\tthe\tsound\tof\tthem\tbleed\tinto\tthe\tplunk\tand\thiss\tof\tthe\twaves. Her\tever-changing\tscent\thit\thim,\tand\tsomething\tin\this\tchest\tloosened.\tLoosened\ta\tbit further\tat\tthe\tsight\tof\ther\tslim\tgolden\tarms\tas\tshe\tbraced\tthem\ton\tthe\trail\tbeside\this\town. Lysandra\tglanced\tover\ther\tshoulder\tto\twhere\tthe\twitch\tand\tElide\u2014gods\tabove,\tElide \u2014had\t gone\t to\t sit\t by\t the\t foremast,\t talking\t quietly.\t Probably\t recounting\t their\t own adventures\tsince\tparting\tways. The\t armada\t wouldn\u2019t\t sail\t until\t morning,\t he\u2019d\t overheard\t the\t captain\t saying.\t He doubted\tit\thad\tto\tdo\twith\tAelin\twaiting\tto\tsee\tif\tthe\tWing\tLeader\u2019s\tmissing\tmount\twould return. \u201cWe\tshouldn\u2019t\tlinger,\u201d\tAedion\tsaid,\tnow\tscanning\tthe\tnorthern\thorizon.\tThe\tilken\thad","come\tfrom\tthat\tdirection\u2014and\tif\tthey\thad\tfound\tthem\tso\teasily,\teven\twith\tan\tarmada\tnow around\tthem\t\u2026\t\u201cWe\u2019re\tcarrying\ttwo\tkeys\tand\tthe\tLock\u2014or\twhatever\tthe\thell\tthat\twitch mirror\tactually\tis.\tThe\ttide\u2019s\twith\tus.\tWe\tshould\tgo.\u201d Lysandra\tshot\thim\ta\tsharp\tlook.\t\u201cGo\ttake\tit\tup\twith\tAelin.\u201d Aedion\tstudied\ther\tfrom\thead\tto\ttoe.\t\u201cWhat\u2019s\tchewing\ton\tyou?\u201d She\u2019d\t been\t distant\t for\t the\t past\t few\t days.\t But\t now\t he\t could\t practically\t see\t that courtesan\u2019s\tmask\tsnap\tinto\tplace\tas\tshe\tseemed\tto\twill\ther\teyes\tto\tbrighten,\ther\tfrowning mouth\t to\t soften.\t \u201cNothing.\t I\u2019m\t just\t tired.\u201d\t Something\t about\t the\t way\t she\t glanced\t toward the\tsea\trubbed\tat\thim. Aedion\t said\t carefully,\t \u201cWe\u2019ve\t been\t battling\t our\t way\t across\t the\t continent.\t Even\t after ten\tyears\tof\tthis,\tit\tstill\tdrains\tme.\tNot\tjust\tphysically,\tbut\u2014in\tmy\theart.\u201d Lysandra\tran\ta\tfinger\tdown\tthe\tsmooth\twood\tof\tthe\trailing.\t\u201cI\tthought\t\u2026\tIt\tall\tseemed a\t grand\t adventure.\t Even\t when\t the\t danger\t was\t so\t horrible,\t it\t was\t still\t new,\t and\t I\t was\t no longer\tcaged\tin\tdresses\tand\tbedrooms.\tBut\tthat\tday\tin\tSkull\u2019s\tBay,\tit\tstopped\tbeing\tany\tof that.\tIt\tstarted\tbeing\t\u2026\tsurvival.\tAnd\tsome\tof\tus\tmight\tnot\tmake\tit.\u201d\tHer\tmouth\twobbled a\t bit.\t \u201cI\t never\t had\t friends\u2014not\t as\t I\t do\t now.\t And\t today\t on\t that\t beach,\t when\t I\t saw\t that fleet\tand\tthought\tit\tbelonged\tto\tour\tenemy\t\u2026\tFor\ta\tmoment,\tI\twished\tI\u2019d\tnever\tmet\tany of\tyou.\tBecause\tthe\tthought\tof\tany\tof\tyou\t\u2026\u201d\tShe\tsucked\tin\ta\tbreath.\t\u201cHow\tdo\tyou\tdo\tit? How\t have\t you\t learned\t to\t enter\t a\t battlefield\t with\t your\t Bane\t and\t not\t fall\t apart\t with\t the terror\tthat\tnot\tall\tof\tyou\tmight\twalk\toff\tit?\u201d Aedion\t listened\t to\t every\t word,\t assessed\t every\t shaking\t breath.\t And\t he\t said\t plainly, \u201cYou\t have\t no\t choice\t but\t to\t learn\t to\t face\t it.\u201d\t He\t wished\t she\t didn\u2019t\t need\t to\t think\t of\t such things,\thave\tsuch\tweight\ton\ther.\t\u201cThe\tfear\tof\tloss\t\u2026\tit\tcan\tdestroy\tyou\tas\tmuch\tas\tthe\tloss itself.\u201d Lysandra\t at\t last\t met\t his\t gaze.\t Those\t green\t eyes\u2014the\t sadness\t in\t them\t hit\t him\t like\t a blow\t to\t the\t gut.\t It\t was\t an\t effort\t not\t to\t reach\t for\t her.\t But\t she\t said,\t \u201cI\t think\t we\t will\t both need\tto\tremind\tourselves\tof\tthat\tin\tthe\ttimes\tahead.\u201d He\tnodded,\tsighing\tthrough\this\tnose.\t\u201cAnd\tremember\tto\tenjoy\twhat\ttime\twe\tdo\thave.\u201d She\u2019d\tlikely\tlearned\tthat\tas\tmany\ttimes\tas\the\thad. Her\t slender,\t lovely\t throat\t bobbed,\t and\t she\t glanced\t sidelong\t at\t him\t beneath\t lowered lashes.\t\u201cI\tdo\tenjoy\tit,\tyou\tknow.\tThis\u2014whatever\tthis\tis.\u201d His\t heart\t ratcheted\t to\t a\t thunderous\t beat.\t Aedion\t debated\t whether\t or\t not\t to\t go\t for subtlety\t and\t gave\t himself\t the\t span\t of\t three\t breaths\t to\t decide.\t In\t the\t end,\t he\t went\t for\t his usual\t method,\t which\t had\t served\t him\t well\t both\t on\t and\t off\t battlefields:\t a\t precise\t sort\t of blunt\tattack,\tedged\twith\tenough\toutright\tarrogance\tto\tthrow\this\topponents\toff\ttheir\tguard. \u201cWhatever\tthis\tis,\u201d\the\tsaid\twith\ta\thalf\tsmile,\t\u201cbetween\tus?\u201d Lysandra\tindeed\twent\ton\tthe\tdefensive\tand\tshowed\ther\thand.\t\u201cI\tknow\tmy\thistory\tis\t\u2026 unappealing.\u201d \u201cI\u2019m\tgoing\tto\tstop\tyou\tright\tthere,\u201d\tAedion\tsaid,\tdaring\ta\tstep\tcloser.\t\u201cAnd\tI\u2019m\tgoing","to\t tell\t you\t that\t there\t is\t nothing\t unappealing\t about\t you.\t Nothing.\t I\u2019ve\t been\t with\t just\t as many\tpeople.\tWomen,\tmen\t\u2026\tI\u2019ve\tseen\tand\ttried\tit\tall.\u201d Her\t brows\t had\t risen.\t Aedion\t shrugged.\t \u201cI\t find\t pleasure\t in\t both,\t depending\t on\t my mood\tand\tthe\tperson.\u201d\tOne\tof\this\tformer\tlovers\tstill\tremained\tone\tof\this\tclosest\tfriends\u2014 and\tmost\tskilled\tcommanders\tin\this\tBane.\t\u201cAttraction\tis\tattraction.\u201d\tHe\tsteeled\this\tnerve. \u201cAnd\tI\tknow\tenough\tabout\tit\tto\tunderstand\twhat\tyou\tand\tI\t\u2026\u201d\tSomething\tshuttered\tin\ther eyes,\t and\t the\t words\t slipped\t from\t him.\t Too\t soon.\t Too\t soon\t for\t this\t sort\t of\t talk.\t \u201cWe\t can figure\t it\t out.\t Make\t no\t demands\t of\t each\t other\t beyond\t honesty.\u201d\t That\t was\t really\t the\t only thing\the\tcared\tto\trequest.\tIt\twas\tnothing\tmore\tthan\the\u2019d\task\tof\ta\tfriend. A\tsmall\tsmile\tplayed\tabout\ther\tlips.\t\u201cYes,\u201d\tshe\tbreathed.\t\u201cLet\u2019s\tstart\tthere.\u201d He\tdared\tanother\tstep\tcloser,\tnot\tcaring\twho\twatched\ton\tthe\tdeck\tor\tin\tthe\trigging\tor in\tthe\tarmada\taround\tthem.\tColor\tbloomed\thigh\ton\tthose\tbeautiful\tcheekbones,\tand\tit\twas an\teffort\tnot\tto\tstroke\ta\tfinger\tacross\tthem,\tthen\this\tmouth.\tTo\ttaste\ther\tskin. But\the\u2019d\ttake\this\ttime.\tEnjoy\tevery\tmoment,\tas\the\thad\ttold\ther\tto\tdo. Because\t this\t would\t be\t his\t last\t hunt.\t He\t had\t no\t intention\t of\t wasting\t each\t glorious moment\t in\t one\t go.\t Of\t wasting\t any\t of\t the\t moments\t that\t fate\t had\t granted\t him,\t and\t all\t he wanted\tto\tshow\ther. Every\t stream\t and\t forest\t and\t sea\t in\t Terrasen.\t To\t see\t Lysandra\t laugh\t her\t way\t through the\t autumnal\t circle\t dances;\t to\t weave\t ribbons\t around\t the\t maypoles\t in\t the\t spring;\t and listen,\twide-eyed,\tto\tancient\ttales\tof\twar\tand\tghosts\tbefore\tthe\troaring\twinter\tfires\tin\tthe mountain\t halls.\t All\t of\t it.\t He\u2019d\t show\t her\t all\t of\t it.\t And\t walk\t onto\t those\t battlefields\t again and\tagain\tto\tensure\the\tcould. So\tAedion\tsmiled\tat\tLysandra\tand\tbrushed\ther\thand\twith\this\town.\t\u201cI\u2019m\tglad\twe\u2019re\tin agreement,\tfor\tonce.\u201d","60 Aelin\t and\t Ansel\t clinked\t bottles\t of\t wine\t over\t the\t long,\t scarred\t table\t in\t the\t galley\t and drank\tdeeply. They\twere\tto\tsail\tat\tfirst\tlight\ttomorrow.\tNorth\u2014back\tnorth.\tTo\tTerrasen. Aelin\tbraced\ther\tforearms\ton\tthe\tslick\ttable.\t\u201cHere\u2019s\tto\tdramatic\tentrances.\u201d Lysandra,\tcurled\ton\tthe\tbench\tin\tghost\tleopard\tform\twith\ther\thead\ton\tAelin\u2019s\tlap,\tlet out\ta\tlittle\tfeline\tlaugh.\tAnsel\tblinked\tin\twonder.\t\u201cSo\twhat\tnow?\u201d \u201cIt\u2019d\tbe\tnice,\u201d\tAedion\tgrumbled\tfrom\tdown\tthe\ttable,\twhere\the\tand\tRowan\tglared\tat them,\t\u201cto\tbe\tincluded\tin\tjust\tone\tof\tthese\tschemes,\tAelin.\u201d \u201cBut\tyour\tfaces\tare\tso\twonderful\twhen\tI\tget\tto\treveal\tthem,\u201d\tAelin\tcrooned. He\tand\tRowan\tgrowled.\tOh,\tshe\tknew\tthey\twere\tpissed.\tSo\tpissed\tthat\tshe\thadn\u2019t\ttold them\tabout\tAnsel.\tBut\tthe\tthought\tof\tdisappointing\tthem,\tof\tfailing\t\u2026\tShe\u2019d\twanted\tto\tdo this\ton\ther\town. Rowan,\t apparently,\t mastered\t his\t annoyance\t enough\t to\t ask\t Ansel,\t \u201cWere\t the\t ilken\t or Valg\tnot\tin\tMelisande?\u201d \u201cAre\tyou\timplying\tmy\tforces\tweren\u2019t\tgood\tenough\tto\ttake\tthe\tcity\tif\tthey\thad\tbeen?\u201d Ansel\t swigged\t from\t her\t wine,\t laughter\t dancing\t in\t her\t eyes.\t Dorian\t sat\t at\t the\t table between\t Fenrys\t and\t Gavriel,\t the\t three\t of\t them\t wisely\t keeping\t quiet.\t Lorcan\t and\t Elide were\t on\t the\t deck\u2014somewhere.\t \u201cNo,\t Prince,\u201d\t Ansel\t went\t on.\t \u201cI\t asked\t the\t Queen\t of Melisande\t about\t the\t lack\t of\t Morath-bred\t horrors,\t and,\t after\t some\t coaxing,\t she\t informed me\tthat\tthrough\twhatever\twiles\tand\tscheming,\tshe\tmanaged\tto\tkeep\tErawan\u2019s\tclaws\tfrom her.\tAnd\ther\tsoldiers.\u201d Aelin\tstraightened\ta\tbit,\twishing\tshe\u2019d\thad\tmore\twine\tthan\tthe\tthird\tof\ta\tbottle\tshe\u2019d already\t consumed\t as\t Ansel\t added,\t \u201cWhen\t this\t war\t is\t over,\t Melisande\t will\t not\t have\t the excuse\tof\tbeing\tin\tthrall\tto\tErawan\tor\tthe\tValg.\tEverything\tshe\tand\ther\tarmies\thave\tdone, their\tchoice\tin\tallying\twith\thim,\twas\ta\thuman\tchoice.\u201d\tA\tpointed\tglance\tto\tthe\tdarkest\tpart of\t the\t galley,\t where\t Manon\t Blackbeak\t sat\t alone.\t \u201cAt\t least\t Melisande\t will\t have\t the Ironteeth\tto\tcommiserate\twith.\u201d Manon\u2019s\tiron\tteeth\tflashed\tin\tthe\tdim\tlight.\tHer\twyvern\thadn\u2019t\tbeen\tspotted\tor\theard from\tsince\the\u2019d\tleft,\tapparently.\tAnd\tshe\tand\tElide\thad\ttalked\tfor\tover\tan\thour\ton\tthe\tdeck this\tafternoon. Aelin\tdecided\tto\tdo\tthem\tall\ta\tfavor\tand\tcut\tin,\t\u201cI\tneed\tmore\tmen,\tAnsel.\tAnd\tI\tdo\tnot have\tthe\tability\tto\tbe\tin\tso\tmany\tplaces\tat\tonce.\u201d\tThey\twere\tall\twatching\tnow.","Ansel\tset\tdown\tthe\tbottle.\t\u201cYou\twant\tme\tto\traise\tanother\tarmy\tfor\tyou?\u201d \u201cI\twant\tyou\tto\tfind\tme\tthe\tlost\tCrochan\twitches.\u201d Manon\tjerked\tupright.\t\u201cWhat.\u201d Aelin\tscratched\tat\ta\tmark\ton\tthe\ttable.\t\u201cThey\tare\tin\thiding,\tbut\tthey\u2019re\tstill\tout\tthere, if\t the\t Ironteeth\t hunt\t them.\t They\t might\t have\t significant\t numbers.\t Promise\t to\t share\t the Wastes\t with\t them.\t You\t control\t Briarcliff\t and\t half\t the\t coast.\t Give\t them\t inland\t and\t the South.\u201d Manon\t was\t prowling\t over,\t death\t in\t her\t eyes.\t \u201cYou\t do\t not\t have\t the\t right\t to\t promise such\t things.\u201d\t Rowan\u2019s\t and\t Aedion\u2019s\t hands\t shot\t to\t their\t swords.\t But\t Lysandra\t opened\t a sleepy\t eye,\t stretched\t out\t a\t paw\t on\t the\t bench,\t and\t revealed\t the\t needle-sharp\t claws\t that now\tstood\tbetween\tManon\u2019s\tshins\tand\tAelin. Aelin\t said\t to\t Manon,\t \u201cYou\t cannot\t hold\t the\t land,\t not\t with\t the\t curse.\t Ansel\t won\t it, through\tblood\tand\tloss\tand\ther\town\twits.\u201d \u201cIt\tis\tmy\thome,\tmy\tpeople\u2019s\thome\u2014\u201d \u201cThat\twas\tthe\tasking\tprice,\twasn\u2019t\tit?\tThe\tIronteeth\tget\ttheir\thomeland\treturned,\tand Erawan\tprobably\tpromised\tto\tbreak\tthe\tcurse.\u201d\tAt\tManon\u2019s\twide\teyes,\tAelin\tsnorted.\t\u201cOh \u2014the\t Ancients\t didn\u2019t\t tell\t you\t that,\t did\t they?\t Too\t bad.\t That\u2019s\t what\t Ansel\u2019s\t spies\t picked up.\u201d\t She\t looked\t the\t Wing\t Leader\t over.\t \u201cIf\t you\t and\t your\t people\t prove\t to\t be\t better\t than your\tMatrons,\tthere\twill\tbe\ta\tplace\tfor\tyou\tin\tthat\tland,\ttoo.\u201d Manon\t just\t stalked\t back\t to\t her\t seat\t and\t glared\t at\t the\t galley\u2019s\t small\t brazier\t as\t if\t she could\tfreeze\tit\tover. Ansel\tmurmured,\t\u201cSo\ttouchy,\tthese\twitches.\u201d Aelin\t clamped\t her\t lips\t together,\t but\t Lysandra\t let\t out\t another\t breathy\t cat\t laugh. Manon\u2019s\tnails\tclicked\tagainst\teach\tother\tfrom\tacross\tthe\troom.\tLysandra\tmerely\tanswered with\ther\town. Aelin\tsaid\tto\tAnsel,\t\u201cFind\tthe\tCrochans.\u201d \u201cThey\u2019re\tall\tgone,\u201d\tManon\tcut\tin\tagain.\t\u201cWe\u2019ve\thunted\tthem\tto\tnear-extinction.\u201d Aelin\tslowly\tlooked\tover\ta\tshoulder.\t\u201cWhat\tif\ttheir\tqueen\tsummoned\tthem?\u201d \u201cI\tam\tno\tmore\ttheir\tqueen\tthan\tyou\tare.\u201d They\u2019d\tsee\tabout\tthat.\tAelin\tlaid\ta\thand\tflat\ton\tthe\ttable.\t\u201cSend\tanything\tand\tanyone you\t find\t north,\u201d\t she\t said\t to\t Ansel.\t \u201cSacking\t Melisande\u2019s\t capital\t on\t the\t sly\t will\t at\t least piss\toff\tErawan,\tbut\twe\tdon\u2019t\twant\tto\tbe\tstuck\tdown\there\twhen\tTerrasen\tis\tattacked.\u201d \u201cI\t think\t Erawan\t was\t probably\t born\t pissed.\u201d\t Only\t Ansel,\t who\t had\t once\t laughed\t at death\t as\t she\u2019d\t leaped\t a\t ravine\t and\t convinced\t Aelin\t to\t nearly\t die\t doing\t the\t same,\t would mock\t a\t Valg\t king.\t But\t Ansel\t added,\t \u201cI\u2019ll\t do\t it.\t I\t don\u2019t\t know\t how\t effective\t it\u2019ll\t be,\t but\t I have\t to\t go\t north\t anyway.\t Though\t I\t think\t Hisli\t will\t be\t heartbroken\t to\t say\t farewell\t to Kasida\tonce\tagain.\u201d","It\twas\tno\tsurprise\tat\tall\tthat\tAnsel\thad\tmanaged\tto\thold\ton\tto\tHisli,\tthe\tAsterion\tmare she\u2019d\t stolen\t for\t herself.\t But\t Kasida\u2014oh,\t Kasida\t was\t just\t as\t beautiful\t as\t Aelin remembered,\teven\tmore\tso\tonce\tshe\u2019d\tbeen\tled\tover\ta\tgangway\tonto\tthe\tship.\tAelin\thad brushed\t the\t mare\t down\t when\t she\u2019d\t led\t her\t into\t the\t cramped,\t wet\t stables,\t and\t bribed\t the horse\tto\tforgive\ther\twith\tan\tapple. Ansel\tslugged\tfrom\tthe\tbottle.\t\u201cI\theard,\tyou\tknow.\tWhen\tyou\twent\tto\tEndovier.\tI\twas still\tfighting\tmy\tway\tonto\tthe\tthrone,\tbattling\tLord\tLoch\u2019s\thorde\twith\tthe\tlords\tI\u2019d\tbanded together,\tbut\t\u2026\teven\tout\tin\tthe\tWastes,\twe\theard\twhen\tyou\twere\tsent\tthere.\u201d Aelin\t picked\t at\t the\t table\t some\t more,\t well\t aware\t the\t others\t were\t listening.\t \u201cIt\t wasn\u2019t fun.\u201d Ansel\t nodded.\t \u201cOnce\t I\u2019d\t killed\t Loch,\t I\t had\t to\t stay\t to\t defend\t my\t throne,\t to\t make\t it right\tagain\tfor\tmy\tpeople.\tBut\tI\tknew\tif\tanyone\tcould\tsurvive\tEndovier,\tit\u2019d\tbe\tyou.\tI\tset out\tlast\tsummer.\tI\u2019d\treached\tthe\tRuhnn\tMountains\twhen\tI\tgot\tword\tyou\twere\tgone.\tTaken to\t the\t capital\t by\t \u2026\u201d\t She\t glanced\t at\t Dorian,\t stone-faced\t across\t the\t table.\t \u201cHim.\t But\t I couldn\u2019t\tgo\tto\tRifthold.\tIt\twas\ttoo\tfar,\tand\tI\thad\tbeen\tgone\ttoo\tlong.\tSo\tI\tturned\taround. Went\thome.\u201d Aelin\u2019s\twords\twere\tstrangled.\t\u201cYou\ttried\tto\tget\tme\tout?\u201d The\t fire\t cast\t Ansel\u2019s\t hair\t in\t ruby\t and\t gold.\t \u201cThere\t was\t not\t one\t hour\t that\t I\t did\t not think\t about\t what\t I\t did\t in\t the\t desert.\t How\t you\t fired\t that\t arrow\t after\t twenty-one\t minutes. You\ttold\tme\ttwenty,\tthat\tyou\u2019d\tshoot\teven\tif\tI\twasn\u2019t\tout\tof\trange.\tI\twas\tcounting;\tI\tknew how\tmany\tit\thad\tbeen.\tYou\tgave\tme\tan\textra\tminute.\u201d Lysandra\tstretched\tout,\tnuzzling\tAnsel\u2019s\thand.\tShe\tidly\tscratched\tthe\tshifter. Aelin\tsaid,\t\u201cYou\twere\tmy\tmirror.\tThat\textra\tminute\twas\tas\tmuch\tfor\tme\tas\tit\twas\tfor you.\u201d\tAelin\tclinked\ther\tbottle\tagainst\tAnsel\u2019s\tagain.\t\u201cThank\tyou.\u201d Ansel\tjust\tsaid,\t\u201cDon\u2019t\tthank\tme\tyet.\u201d Aelin\tstraightened.\tThe\tothers\thalted\ttheir\teating,\tutensils\tdiscarded\tin\ttheir\tstew. \u201cThe\t fires\t along\t the\t coast\t weren\u2019t\t set\t by\t Erawan,\u201d\t Ansel\t said,\t those\t red-brown\t eyes flickering\tin\tthe\tlantern\tlight.\t\u201cWe\tinterrogated\tMelisande\u2019s\tQueen\tand\ther\tlieutenants,\tbut \u2026\tit\twasn\u2019t\tan\torder\tfrom\tMorath.\u201d Aedion\u2019s\tlow\tgrowl\ttold\ther\tthey\tall\tknew\tthe\tanswer\tbefore\tAnsel\treplied. \u201cWe\tgot\ta\treport\tthat\tFae\tsoldiers\twere\tspied\tstarting\tthem.\tFiring\tfrom\tships.\u201d \u201cMaeve,\u201d\tGavriel\tmurmured.\t\u201cBut\tburning\tisn\u2019t\ther\tstyle.\u201d \u201cIt\u2019s\tmine,\u201d\tAelin\tsaid.\tThey\tall\tlooked\tat\ther.\tShe\tlet\tout\ta\thumorless\tlaugh. Ansel\tjust\tnodded.\t\u201cShe\u2019s\tbeen\tsetting\tthem,\tblaming\tyou\tfor\tit.\u201d \u201cTo\twhat\tend?\u201d\tDorian\tasked,\tdragging\ta\thand\tthrough\this\tblue-black\thair. \u201cTo\tundermine\tAelin,\u201d\tRowan\tsaid.\t\u201cTo\tmake\ther\tlook\tlike\ta\ttyrant,\tnot\ta\tsavior.\tLike a\tthreat\tworth\tbanding\tagainst,\trather\tthan\tallying\twith.\u201d","Aelin\tsucked\ton\ta\ttooth.\t\u201cMaeve\tplays\tthe\tgame\twell,\tI\u2019ll\tgive\ther\tthat.\u201d \u201cSo\tshe\u2019s\treached\tthese\tshores,\tthen,\u201d\tAedion\tsaid.\t\u201cBut\twhere\tthe\thell\tis\tshe?\u201d A\tstone\tof\tfear\tplunked\tinto\tAelin\u2019s\tstomach.\tShe\tcouldn\u2019t\tbring\therself\tto\tsay\tnorth. To\t suggest\t that\t perhaps\t Maeve\t now\t sailed\t for\t undefended\t Terrasen.\t A\t glance\t at\t Fenrys and\tGavriel\trevealed\tthem\talready\tshaking\ttheir\theads\tin\tsilent\tanswer\tto\tRowan\u2019s\tpointed look. Aelin\tsaid,\t\u201cWe\tleave\tat\tfirst\tlight.\u201d In\t the\t dim\t light\t of\t their\t private\t cabin\t an\t hour\t later,\t Rowan\t drew\t a\t line\t across\t the\t map spread\tin\tthe\tcenter\tof\tthe\tfloor,\tthen\ta\tsecond\tline\tbeside\tit,\tthen\ta\tthird\tbeside\tthat.\tThree lines,\troughly\tspaced\tapart,\tbroad\tswaths\tof\tthe\tcontinent\tbetween.\tAelin,\tstanding\tbeside him,\tstudied\tthem. Rowan\tdrew\tan\tinward\tarrow\tfrom\tthe\tleftmost\tline\ttoward\tthe\tone\tin\tthe\tcenter,\tand said\tquietly\tso\tthe\tothers\tin\tthe\tadjacent\trooms\tor\thall\tcouldn\u2019t\thear,\t\u201cAnsel\tand\ther\tarmy hammer\t from\t the\t western\t mountains.\u201d\t Another\t arrow\t in\t an\t opposite\t direction\u2014toward the\t line\t on\t the\t far\t right.\t \u201cRolfe,\t the\t Mycenians,\t and\t this\t armada\t strike\t from\t the\t eastern coast.\u201d\tAn\tarrow\tpointing\tdown\tinto\tthe\tright\tsection\tof\this\tlittle\tdrawing,\twhere\tthe\ttwo arrows\twould\tmeet.\t\u201cThe\tBane\tand\tthe\tother\thalf\tof\tAnsel\u2019s\tarmy\tsweep\tdown\tthe\tcenter, from\tthe\tStaghorns,\tto\tthe\theart\tof\tthe\tcontinent\u2014all\tconverging\ton\tMorath.\u201d\tThose\teyes were\tlike\tgreen\tfire.\t\u201cYou\u2019ve\tbeen\tmoving\tarmies\tinto\tposition.\u201d \u201cI\tneed\tmore,\u201d\tshe\tsaid.\t\u201cAnd\tI\tneed\tmore\ttime.\u201d His\tbrows\tnarrowed.\t\u201cAnd\twhat\tarmy\twill\tyou\tbe\tfighting\tin?\u201d\tHis\tmouth\ttwitched\tup at\ta\tcorner.\t\u201cI\tassume\tI\twon\u2019t\tbe\table\tto\tpersuade\tyou\tto\tstay\tbehind\tthe\tlines.\u201d \u201cYou\tknow\tbetter\tthan\tto\teven\ttry.\u201d \u201cWhere\twould\tthe\tfun\tbe,\tanyway,\tif\tI\tgot\tto\twin\tall\tthe\tglory\twhile\tyou\tsat\ton\tyour ass?\tI\u2019d\tnever\tlet\tyou\thear\tthe\tend\tof\tit.\u201d She\tsnorted,\tand\tsurveyed\tthe\tother\tmaps\tthey\u2019d\tspread\tacross\tthe\tfloor\tof\ttheir\tcabin. Together,\t they\t formed\t a\t patchwork\t of\t their\t world\u2014not\t just\t the\t continent,\t but\t the\t lands beyond.\tShe\tstood,\ttowering\tover\tit,\tas\tif\tshe\tcould\tspy\tthose\tarmies,\tboth\tnear\tand\tfar. Rowan,\tstill\tkneeling,\tlooked\tupon\tthe\tworld\tspread\tat\ther\tfeet. And\tshe\trealized\tit\tindeed\twas\u2014if\tshe\twon\tthis\twar,\twon\tthe\tcontinent\tback. Aelin\tscanned\tthe\tsprawl\tof\tthe\tworld,\twhich\thad\tonce\tseemed\tso\tvast\tand\tnow,\tat\ther feet,\tseemed\tso\t\u2026\tfragile.\tSo\tsmall\tand\tbreakable. \u201cYou\t could,\t you\t know,\u201d\t Rowan\t said,\t his\t tattoo\t stark\t in\t the\t lantern\t light.\t \u201cTake\t it\t for yourself.\t Take\t it\t all.\t Use\t Maeve\u2019s\t bullshit\t maneuvers\t against\t her.\t Make\t good\t on\t that promise.\u201d There\t was\t no\t judgment.\t Only\t frank\t calculation\t and\t contemplation.\t \u201cAnd\t would\t you join\tme\tif\tI\tdid?\tIf\tI\tturned\tconqueror?\u201d","\u201cYou\twould\tunify,\tnot\tpillage\tand\tburn.\tAnd\tyes\u2014to\twhatever\tend.\u201d \u201cThat\u2019s\tthe\tthreat,\tisn\u2019t\tit?\u201d\tshe\tmused.\t\u201cThe\tother\tkingdoms\tand\tterritories\twill\tspend the\trest\tof\ttheir\texistence\twondering\tif\tI\twill\tone\tday\tgrow\trestless\tin\tTerrasen.\tThey\twill do\ttheir\tbest\tto\tensure\twe\tstay\thappily\twithin\tour\tborders,\tand\tfind\tthem\tto\tbe\tmore\tuseful as\t allies\t and\t trade\t partners\t than\t potential\t conquests.\t Maeve\t attacked\t Eyllwe\u2019s\t coast, posing\tas\tme,\tperhaps\tto\tturn\tthose\tforeign\tlands\tagainst\tme\u2014to\thammer\thome\tthe\tpoint\tI made\twith\tmy\tpower\tat\tSkull\u2019s\tBay\t\u2026\tand\tuse\tit\tagainst\tus.\u201d He\tnodded.\t\u201cBut\tif\tyou\tcould\t\u2026\twould\tyou?\u201d For\ta\theartbeat,\tshe\tcould\tsee\tit\u2014see\ther\tface,\tcarved\tinto\tstatues\tin\tkingdoms\tso\tfar away\tthey\tdid\tnot\teven\tknow\tTerrasen\texisted.\tA\tliving\tgod\u2014Mala\u2019s\their\tand\tconqueror of\t the\t known\t world.\t She\t would\t bring\t music\t and\t books\t and\t culture,\t wipe\t out\t the corruption\tfestering\tin\tcorners\tof\tthe\tearth\t\u2026 She\tsaid\tsoftly,\t\u201cNot\tnow.\u201d \u201cBut\tlater?\u201d \u201cPerhaps\tif\tbeing\tqueen\tbores\tme\t\u2026\tI\u2019ll\tthink\tabout\tmaking\tmyself\tempress.\tTo\tgive my\toffspring\tnot\tone\tkingdom\tto\tinherit,\tbut\tas\tmany\tas\tthe\tstars.\u201d There\twas\tno\tharm\tin\tsaying\tit,\tanyway.\tIn\tthinking\tabout\tit,\tstupid\tand\tuseless\tas\tit was.\t Even\t if\t wondering\t about\t the\t possibilities\t \u2026\t perhaps\t it\t made\t her\t no\t better\t than Maeve\tor\tErawan. Rowan\t jerked\t his\t chin\t toward\t the\t nearest\t map\u2014toward\t the\t Wastes.\t \u201cWhy\t did\t you forgive\tAnsel?\tAfter\twhat\tshe\tdid\tto\tyou\tand\tthe\tothers\tin\tthe\tdesert?\u201d Aelin\t crouched\t again.\t \u201cBecause\t she\t made\t a\t bad\t choice,\t trying\t to\t heal\t a\t wound\t she couldn\u2019t\tever\tmend.\tTrying\tto\tavenge\tthe\tpeople\tshe\tloved.\u201d \u201cAnd\t you\t really\t set\t all\t this\t in\t motion\t when\t we\t were\t in\t Rifthold?\t When\t you\t were fighting\tin\tthose\tpits?\u201d She\t gave\t him\t a\t roguish\t wink.\t \u201cI\t knew\t if\t I\t gave\t the\t name\t Ansel\t of\t Briarcliff,\t it\u2019d somehow\t make\t its\t way\t to\t her\t that\t a\t red-haired\t young\t woman\t was\t using\t her\t name\t to slaughter\ttrained\tsoldiers\tin\tthe\tPits.\tAnd\tthat\tshe\u2019d\tknow\tit\twas\tme.\u201d \u201cSo\tthe\tred\thair\tback\tthen\u2014not\tjust\tfor\tArobynn.\u201d \u201cNot\teven\tclose.\u201d\tAelin\tfrowned\tat\tthe\tmaps,\tdissatisfied\tshe\thadn\u2019t\tspotted\tany\tother armies\thiding\tout\taround\tthe\tworld. Rowan\t dragged\t a\t hand\t through\t his\t hair.\t \u201cSometimes\t I\t wish\t I\t knew\t every\t thought\t in that\t head,\t each\t scheme\t and\t plot.\t Then\t I\t remember\t how\t much\t it\t delights\t me\t when\t you reveal\tit\u2014usually\twhen\tit\u2019s\tmost\tlikely\tto\tmake\tmy\theart\tstop\tdead\tin\tmy\tchest.\u201d \u201cI\tknew\tyou\twere\ta\tsadist.\u201d He\tkissed\ther\tmouth\tonce,\ttwice,\tthen\tthe\ttip\tof\ther\tnose,\tnipping\tit\twith\this\tcanines. She\thissed\tand\tbatted\thim\taway,\tand\this\tdeep\tchuckle\trumbled\tagainst\tthe\twooden\twalls.","\u201cThat\u2019s\tfor\tnot\ttelling\tme,\u201d\the\tsaid.\t\u201cAgain.\u201d But\tdespite\this\twords,\tdespite\teverything,\the\tlooked\tso\t\u2026\thappy.\tSo\tperfectly\tcontent and\thappy\tto\tbe\tthere,\tkneeling\tamong\tthose\tmaps,\tthe\tlantern\tdown\tto\tits\tlast\tdregs,\tthe world\tgoing\tto\thell. The\tjoyless,\tcold\tmale\tshe\u2019d\tfirst\tmet,\tthe\tone\twho\thad\tbeen\twaiting\tfor\tan\topponent good\tenough\tto\tbring\thim\tdeath\t\u2026\tHe\tnow\tlooked\tat\ther\twith\thappiness\tin\this\tface. She\ttook\this\thand,\tgripping\tit\thard.\t\u201cRowan.\u201d The\tspark\tdied\tfrom\this\teyes. She\tsqueezed\this\tfingers.\t\u201cRowan,\tI\tneed\tyou\tto\tdo\tsomething\tfor\tme.\u201d Manon\tlay\tcurled\ton\ther\tside\tin\ther\tnarrow\tbed,\tunable\tto\tsleep. It\t was\t not\t from\t the\t piss-poor\t sleeping\t conditions\u2014no,\t she\u2019d\t slept\t in\t far\t worse,\t even considering\tthe\tshoddily\tpatched\thole\tin\tthe\tside\tof\tthe\twall. She\t stared\t at\t that\t gap\t in\t the\t wall,\t at\t the\t moonlight\t leaking\t in\t on\t the\t salty\t summer breeze. She\t would\t not\t go\t find\t the\t Crochans.\t No\t matter\t what\t the\t Terrasen\t Queen\t called\t her, admitting\t to\t her\t bloodline\t was\t different\t from\t \u2026\t claiming\t it.\t She\t doubted\t the\t Crochans would\t be\t willing\t to\t serve\t anyway,\t given\t that\t she\u2019d\t killed\t their\t princess.\t Her\t own\t half sister. And\teven\tif\tthe\tCrochans\tdid\tchoose\tto\tserve\ther,\tfight\tfor\ther\t\u2026\tManon\tput\ta\thand\tto the\tthick\tscar\tnow\tacross\ther\tbelly.\tThe\tIronteeth\twould\tnot\tshare\tthe\tWastes. But\tit\twas\tthat\tmentality,\tshe\tsupposed\tas\tshe\ttwisted\tonto\ther\tback,\tpeeling\ther\thair from\ther\tsweat-sticky\tneck,\tthat\thad\tsent\tthem\tall\tinto\texile. She\t again\t peered\t through\t the\t gaps\t in\t that\t hole\t to\t the\t sea\t beyond.\t Waiting\t to\t spot\t a shadow\tin\tthe\tnight\tsky,\tto\thear\tthe\tboom\tof\tmighty\twings. Abraxos\tshould\thave\tbeen\there\talready.\tShe\tshut\tout\tthe\tcoiling\tdread\tin\ther\tstomach. But\tinstead\tof\twings,\tfootsteps\tcreaked\tin\tthe\thall\toutside. A\theartbeat\tlater,\tthe\tdoor\topened\ton\tnear-silent\thinges,\tthen\tshut\tagain.\tLocked. Manon\tdidn\u2019t\tsit\tup\tas\tshe\tsaid,\t\u201cWhat\tare\tyou\tdoing\there.\u201d The\t moonlight\t sifted\t through\t the\t king\u2019s\t blue-black\t hair.\t \u201cYou\t don\u2019t\t have\t chains anymore.\u201d She\t sat\t up\t at\t that,\t examining\t where\t the\t irons\t draped\t down\t the\t wall.\t \u201cIs\t it\t more enticing\tfor\tyou\tif\tthey\u2019re\ton?\u201d Sapphire\t eyes\t seemed\t to\t glow\t in\t the\t dark\t as\t he\t leaned\t against\t the\t shut\t door. \u201cSometimes\tit\tis.\u201d She\tsnorted,\tbut\tfound\therself\tsaying,\t\u201cYou\tnever\tweighed\tin.\u201d","\u201cOn\twhat?\u201d\the\tasked,\tthough\the\tknew\twhat\tshe\u2019d\tmeant. \u201cWhat\tI\tam.\tWho\tI\tam.\u201d \u201cDoes\tmy\topinion\tmatter\tto\tyou,\twitchling?\u201d Manon\t stalked\t toward\t him,\t stopping\t a\t few\t feet\t away,\t aware\t of\t every\t inch\t of\t night between\t them.\t \u201cYou\t do\t not\t seem\t outraged\t that\t Aelin\t sacked\t Melisande\t without\t telling anyone,\tyou\tdo\tnot\tseem\tto\tcare\tthat\tI\tam\ta\tCrochan\u2014\u201d \u201cDo\t not\t mistake\t my\t silence\t for\t lack\t of\t feeling.\t I\t have\t good\t reason\t to\t keep\t my thoughts\tto\tmyself.\u201d Ice\t glittered\t at\t his\t fingertips.\t Manon\t tracked\t it.\t \u201cWill\t it\t be\t you\t or\t the\t queen\t against Erawan\tin\tthe\tend,\tI\twonder.\u201d \u201cFire\tagainst\tdarkness\tmakes\tfor\ta\tbetter\tstory.\u201d \u201cYes,\tbut\tso\twould\tripping\ta\tdemon\tking\tto\tshreds\twithout\tusing\tyour\thands.\u201d A\thalf\tsmile.\t\u201cI\tcan\tthink\tof\tbetter\tuses\tfor\tmy\thands\u2014invisible\tand\tflesh.\u201d An\tinvitation\tand\ta\tquestion.\tShe\theld\this\tgaze. \u201cThen\tfinish\twhat\tyou\tstarted,\u201d\tManon\tbreathed. Dorian\u2019s\tanswering\tsmile\twas\tsoft\u2014edged\twith\tthat\tglimmer\tof\tcruelty\tthat\tmade\ther blood\theat\tas\tif\tthe\tFire-Queen\therself\thad\tbreathed\tflame\tinto\tit. She\t let\t Dorian\t back\t her\t against\t the\t wall.\t Let\t him\t hold\t her\t gaze\t while\t he\t tugged\t the top\tlaces\tof\ther\twhite\tshirt\tfree. One.\tBy.\tOne. Let\thim\tlean\tin\tto\tbrush\this\tmouth\tagainst\ther\tbare\tneck,\tright\tunder\ther\tear. Manon\tarched\tslightly\tat\tthat\tcaress.\tAt\tthe\ttongue\tthat\tflicked\tagainst\twhere\this\tlips had\tbeen.\tThen\the\tpulled\tback.\tAway. Even\tas\tthose\tphantom\thands\tcontinued\tto\ttrail\tup\ther\thips,\tover\ther\twaist.\tHis\tmouth parted\t slightly,\t body\t trembling\t with\t restraint.\t Restraint,\t where\t most\t males\t took\t and\t took when\t she\t offered\t it,\t gorging\t themselves\t on\t her.\t But\t Dorian\t Havilliard\t said,\t \u201cThe Bloodhound\twas\tlying\tthat\tnight.\tWhat\tshe\tsaid\tabout\tyour\tSecond.\tI\tfelt\ther\tlie\u2014tasted it.\u201d Some\ttight\tpart\tin\ther\tchest\teased.\t\u201cI\tdon\u2019t\twant\tto\ttalk\tabout\tthat.\u201d He\t stepped\t closer\t again,\t and\t those\t phantom\t hands\t trailed\t under\t her\t breasts.\t She gritted\ther\tteeth.\t\u201cAnd\twhat\tdo\tyou\twant\tto\ttalk\tabout,\tManon?\u201d She\twasn\u2019t\tsure\the\u2019d\tever\tsaid\ther\tname\tbefore.\tAnd\tthe\tway\the\u2019d\tsaid\tit\t\u2026 \u201cI\t don\u2019t\t want\t to\t talk\t at\t all,\u201d\t she\t countered.\t \u201cAnd\t neither\t do\t you,\u201d\t she\t added\t with\t a pointed\tglance. Again,\t that\t dark,\t edged\t smile\t appeared.\t And\t when\t he\t stepped\t close\t once\t more,\t his","hands\treplaced\tthose\tphantom\tones. Tracing\t her\t hips,\t her\t waist,\t her\t breasts.\t Unhurried,\t indolent\t circles\t that\t she\t allowed him\t to\t make,\t simply\t because\t no\t one\t had\t ever\t dared.\t Each\t brush\t of\t his\t skin\t against\t hers left\ta\twake\tof\tfire\tand\tice.\tShe\tfound\therself\ttransfixed\tby\tit\u2014by\teach\tcoaxing,\tluxurious stroke.\t She\t did\t not\t even\t consider\t objecting\t as\t Dorian\t slid\t off\t her\t shirt\t and\t surveyed\t her bare,\tscar-flecked\tflesh. His\tface\tturned\travenous\tas\the\ttook\tin\ther\tbreasts,\tthe\tplane\tof\ther\tstomach\u2014the\tscar slicing\tacross\tit. That\thunger\tshifted\tinto\tsomething\ticy\tand\tvicious:\t\u201cYou\tonce\tasked\tme\twhere\tI\tstand on\tthe\tline\tbetween\tkilling\tto\tprotect\tand\tkilling\tfor\tpleasure.\u201d\tHis\tfingers\tgrazed\tthe\tseam of\t the\t scar\t across\t her\t abdomen.\t \u201cI\u2019ll\t stand\t on\t the\t other\t side\t of\t the\t line\t when\t I\t find\t your grandmother.\u201d A\tchill\tran\tdown\ther\tbody,\tpeaking\ther\tbreasts.\tHe\twatched\tthem,\tthen\tcircled\ta\tfinger around\t one.\t Dorian\t bent,\t his\t mouth\t following\t the\t path\t where\t that\t finger\t had\t been.\t Then his\ttongue.\tShe\tbit\ther\tlip\tagainst\tthe\tgroan\trising\tup\ther\tthroat,\ther\thands\tsliding\tinto\tthe silken\tlocks\tof\this\thair. His\t mouth\t was\t still\t around\t the\t tip\t of\t her\t breast\t as\t he\t again\t met\t her\t eyes,\t sapphire framed\twith\tebony\tlashes,\tand\tsaid,\t\u201cI\twant\tto\ttaste\tevery\tinch\tof\tyou.\u201d Manon\t let\t go\t of\t all\t pretense\t of\t reason\t as\t the\t king\t lifted\t his\t head\t and\t claimed\t her mouth. And\t for\t all\t his\t wanting\t to\t taste\t her,\t as\t she\t opened\t for\t him,\t Manon\t thought\t the\t king tasted\t like\t the\t sea,\t like\t a\t winter\t morning,\t something\t so\t foreign\t and\t yet\t familiar\t it\t at\t last dragged\tthat\tmoan\tfrom\tdeep\tin\ther. His\t fingers\t slid\t to\t her\t jaw,\t tipping\t her\t face\t to\t thoroughly\t take\t her\t mouth,\t every movement\t of\t his\t tongue\t a\t sensuous\t promise\t that\t had\t her\t arching\t into\t him.\t Had\t her meeting\t him\t stroke\t for\t stroke\t as\t he\t explored\t and\t teased\t until\t she\t could\t hardly\t think straight. She\t had\t never\t contemplated\t what\t it\t would\t be\t like\u2014to\t yield\t control.\t And\t not\t have\t it be\tweakness,\tbut\ta\tfreedom. Dorian\u2019s\t hands\t slid\t down\t her\t thighs,\t as\t if\t savoring\t the\t muscle\t there,\t then\t around\u2014 cupping\t her\t backside,\t grinding\t her\t into\t every\t hard\t inch\t of\t him.\t The\t small\t noise\t in\t her throat\twas\tcut\toff\tas\the\thoisted\ther\tfrom\tthe\twall\tin\ta\tsmooth\tmovement. Manon\t wrapped\t her\t legs\t around\t his\t waist\t while\t he\t carried\t her\t to\t the\t bed,\t his\t mouth never\tleaving\thers\tas\the\tdevoured\tand\tdevoured\ther.\tAs\the\tspread\ther\tbeneath\thim.\tAs\the freed\ther\tpants\tbutton\tby\tbutton,\tthen\tslid\tthem\toff. But\t Dorian\t pulled\t back\t at\t last,\t leaving\t her\t panting\t as\t he\t surveyed\t her,\t utterly\t bare before\thim.\tHe\tcaressed\ta\tfinger\talong\tthe\tinside\tof\ther\tthigh.\tHigher.\t\u201cI\twanted\tyou\tfrom the\tfirst\tmoment\tI\tsaw\tyou\tin\tOakwald,\u201d\the\tsaid,\this\tvoice\tlow\tand\trough. Manon\treached\tup\tto\tpeel\toff\this\tshirt,\twhite\tfabric\tsliding\taway\tto\treveal\ttan\tskin\tand","sculpted\t muscle.\t \u201cYes,\u201d\t was\t all\t she\t told\t him.\t She\t unbuckled\t his\t belt,\t hands\t shaking. \u201cYes,\u201d\tshe\tsaid\tagain,\tas\tDorian\tbrushed\ta\tknuckle\tover\ther\tcore.\tHe\tlet\tout\tan\tapproving growl\tat\twhat\the\tfound. His\t clothes\t joined\t hers\t on\t the\t floor.\t Manon\t let\t him\t raise\t her\t arms\t over\t her\t head,\t his magic\tgently\tpinning\ther\twrists\tto\tthe\tmattress\tas\the\ttouched\ther,\tfirst\twith\tthose\twicked hands.\tThen\twith\this\twicked\tmouth.\tAnd\twhen\tManon\thad\tto\tbite\this\tshoulder\tto\tmuffle her\tmoaning\tas\the\tbrought\ther\tover\tthe\tedge,\tDorian\tHavilliard\tburied\thimself\tdeep\tinside her. She\tdid\tnot\tcare\twho\tshe\twas,\twho\tshe\thad\tbeen,\tand\twhat\tshe\thad\tonce\tpromised\tto be\t as\t he\t moved.\t She\t dragged\t her\t hands\t through\t his\t thick\t hair,\t over\t the\t muscles\t of\t his back\tas\tit\tflexed\tand\trippled\twith\teach\tthrust\tthat\tdrove\ther\ttoward\tthat\tshimmering\tedge again.\tHere,\tshe\twas\tnothing\tbut\tflesh\tand\tfire\tand\tiron;\there,\tthere\twas\tonly\tthis\tselfish need\tof\ther\tbody,\this\tbody. More.\tShe\twanted\tmore\u2014wanted\teverything. She\t might\t have\t whispered\t it,\t might\t have\t pleaded\t for\t it.\t Because\t Darkness\t save\t her, Dorian\tgave\tit\tto\ther.\tTo\tthem\tboth. He\tremained\tatop\ther\twhen\the\tat\tlast\tstilled,\this\tlips\tbarely\ta\thairsbreadth\tabove\thers \u2014hovering\tafter\tthe\tbrutal\tkiss\the\u2019d\tgiven\ther\tto\tcontain\this\troar\tas\trelease\tfound\thim. She\t was\t trembling\t with\t \u2026\t whatever\t he\u2019d\t done\t to\t her,\t her\t body.\t He\t brushed\t a\t strand of\thair\tout\tof\ther\tface,\this\town\tfingers\tshaking. She\t had\t not\t realized\t how\t silent\t the\t world\t was\u2014how\t loud\t they\t might\t have\t been, especially\twith\tso\tmany\tFae\tears\tnearby. He\t was\t still\t atop\t her,\t in\t her.\t Those\t sapphire\t eyes\t flicked\t to\t her\t mouth,\t still\t panting slightly.\t\u201cThis\twas\tsupposed\tto\ttake\tthe\tedge\toff.\u201d She\t kept\t her\t words\t low\t as\t his\t clothes\t slid\t over,\t hauled\t by\t phantom\t hands.\t \u201cAnd\t did it?\u201d He\ttraced\ther\tlower\tlip\twith\this\tthumb\tand\tshuddered\tas\tshe\tsucked\tit\tinto\ther\tmouth, flicked\tit\twith\ther\ttongue.\t\u201cNo.\tNot\teven\tclose.\u201d But\t that\t was\t the\t gray\t light\t of\t dawn\t creeping\t into\t the\t room,\t staining\t the\t walls\t silver. He\tseemed\tto\tnotice\tit\tat\tthe\tsame\tmoment\tshe\tdid.\tGroaning\tsoftly,\the\tpulled\thimself\toff her.\t She\t tugged\t on\t her\t clothes\t with\t trained\t efficiency,\t and\t only\t when\t she\t was\t lacing\t up her\tshirt\tdid\tDorian\tsay,\t\u201cWe\u2019re\tnot\tdone,\tyou\tand\tI.\u201d And\t it\t was\t the\t purely\t male\t promise\t that\t made\t her\t bare\t her\t teeth.\t \u201cUnless\t you\t would like\t to\t learn\t precisely\t what\t parts\t of\t me\t are\t made\t of\t iron\t the\t next\t time\t you\t touch\t me,\t I decide\tthose\tthings.\u201d Dorian\tgave\tanother\tpurely\tmale\tsmile,\tbrows\tflicking\tup,\tand\tsauntered\tout\tthe\tdoor as\t silently\t as\t he\u2019d\t arrived.\t He\t only\t seemed\t to\t pause\t on\t the\t threshold\u2014as\t if\t some\t word had\t snagged\t his\t interest.\t But\t he\t continued\t out,\t the\t door\t closing\t with\t barely\t a\t click. Unruffled,\tutterly\tcalm.","Manon\tgaped\tafter\thim,\tcursing\ther\tblood\tfor\theating\tagain,\tfor\t\u2026\twhat\tshe\u2019d\tallowed him\tto\tdo. She\t wondered\t what\t Dorian\t would\t say\t if\t she\t told\t him\t she\t had\t never\t allowed\t a\t male atop\ther\tlike\tthat.\tNot\tonce.\tWondered\twhat\the\u2019d\tsay\tif\tshe\ttold\thim\tshe\u2019d\twanted\tto\tsink her\tteeth\tinto\this\tneck\tand\tfind\tout\twhat\the\ttasted\tlike.\tPut\ther\tmouth\ton\tother\tparts\tand see\twhat\the\ttasted\tlike\tthere. Manon\tdragged\ther\thands\tthrough\ther\thair\tand\tslumped\tonto\tthe\tpillow. Darkness\tembrace\ther. She\tsent\ta\tsilent\tprayer\tfor\tAbraxos\tto\treturn\tsoon.\tToo\tmuch\ttime\u2014she\thad\tspent\ttoo much\tdamn\ttime\tamong\tthese\thumans\tand\tFae\tmales.\tShe\tneeded\tto\tleave.\tElide\twas\tsafe here\u2014the\tQueen\tof\tTerrasen\tmight\tbe\tmany\tthings,\tbut\tManon\tknew\tshe\u2019d\tprotect\tElide. But,\t with\t the\t Thirteen\t scattered\t and\t likely\t dead,\t regardless\t of\t what\t Dorian\t had claimed,\t Manon\t wasn\u2019t\t entirely\t sure\t where\t to\t go\t once\t she\t left.\t The\t world\t had\t never seemed\tquite\tso\tvast\tbefore. And\tso\tempty. Even\tutterly\texhausted,\tElide\tbarely\tslept\tduring\tthe\tlong\tnight\tshe\tand\tLorcan\tswayed\tin hammocks\twith\tthe\tother\tsailors.\tThe\tsmells,\tthe\tsounds,\tthe\trocking\tof\tthe\tsea\t\u2026\tAll\tof it\t nagged,\t none\t of\t it\t left\t her\t settled.\t A\t finger\t seemed\t to\t keep\t prodding\t her\t awake,\t as\t if telling\ther\tto\tbe\talert,\tbut\t\u2026\tthere\twas\tnothing. Lorcan\ttossed\tand\tturned\tfor\thours.\tAs\tif\tthe\tsame\tforce\tbegged\thim\tto\twake. As\tif\the\twas\twaiting\tfor\tsomething. His\t strength\t had\t been\t flagging\t by\t the\t time\t they\u2019d\t reached\t the\t ship,\t though\t he\t had showed\tno\tsigns\tof\tstrain\tbeyond\ta\tslight\ttightening\tin\this\tmouth.\tBut\tElide\tknew\the\twas near\twhat\the\u2019d\tdescribed\tas\ta\tburnout.\tKnew,\tbecause\tfor\thours\tafterward,\tthe\tsmall\tbrace of\tmagic\taround\ther\tankle\tkept\tflickering\tin\tand\tout\tof\tplace. After\t Manon\t had\t informed\t her\t of\t the\t uncertain\t fates\t of\t the\t Thirteen,\t Elide\t had\t kept mostly\t out\t of\t her\t companions\u2019\t way,\t letting\t them\t talk\t with\t that\t red-haired\t young\t woman who\tfound\tthem\ton\tthe\tbeach.\tSo\thad\tLorcan.\tHe\u2019d\tlistened\tto\tthem\tdebate\tand\tplan,\this face\ttaut,\tas\tif\tsomething\tcoiled\tin\thim\twound\titself\ttighter\twith\tevery\tpassing\tmoment. Watching\thim\tsleep\tmere\tfeet\taway,\tthat\tharsh\tface\tsmoothed\tto\tsoftness\tby\tslumber,\ta small\tpart\tof\tElide\twondered\tif\tshe\u2019d\tsomehow\tbrought\tanother\tdanger\tto\tthe\tqueen.\tShe wondered\tif\tthe\tothers\thad\tnoted\thow\toften\tLorcan\u2019s\tgaze\thad\tbeen\tfixed\ton\tAelin\u2019s\tback. Aimed\tat\ther\tback. As\tif\tsensing\ther\tattention,\tLorcan\topened\this\teyes.\tMet\ther\tstare\twithout\tso\tmuch\tas blinking.\tFor\ta\theartbeat,\tshe\ttook\tin\tthat\tdepthless\tgaze\tmere\tfeet\taway,\tmade\tethereal\tby the\tsilver\tlight\tbefore\tdawn. He\thad\tbeen\twilling\tto\toffer\tup\this\tlife\tfor\ther\town.","Something\tsoftened\tin\tthat\tharsh\tface\tas\this\teyes\tdipped\tto\twhere\ther\tarm\tdangled\tout of\t her\t hammock,\t the\t skin\t still\t a\t bit\t sore,\t but\t \u2026\t miraculously\t healed.\t She\u2019d\t thanked Gavriel\ttwice\tnow,\tbut\the\u2019d\tbrushed\tit\taside\twith\ta\tgentle\tnod\tand\tshrug. A\t faint\t smile\t bloomed\t on\t Lorcan\u2019s\t harsh\t mouth\t as\t he\t reached\t across\t the\t space between\t them\t and\t ran\t his\t calloused\t fingers\t down\t her\t arm.\t \u201cYou\t choose\t this?\u201d\t he murmured\tso\tthat\tit\twas\tlittle\tmore\tthan\tthe\tgroaning\tof\tthe\thammock\tropes.\tHe\tbrushed\ta thumb\tdown\ther\tpalm. Elide\tswallowed\tbut\tlet\therself\ttake\tin\tevery\tline\tof\tthat\tface.\tNorth\u2014they\twere\tgoing home\ttoday.\t\u201cI\tthought\tthat\twas\tobvious,\u201d\tshe\tsaid\twith\tequal\tquiet,\ther\tcheeks\theating. His\t fingers\t laced\t through\t hers,\t some\t emotion\t she\t couldn\u2019t\t place\t flickering\t like starlight\tin\tthose\tblack\teyes.\t\u201cWe\tneed\tto\ttalk,\u201d\the\trasped. It\twas\tthe\tshout\tof\tthe\twatch\tthat\tjolted\tthem.\tThe\tone\tof\tpure\tterror. Elide\t nearly\t flipped\t out\t of\t her\t hammock,\t the\t sailors\t rushing\t past.\t By\t the\t time\t she shoved\ther\thair\tfrom\ther\teyes,\tLorcan\twas\talready\tgone. The\tvarious\tdecks\twere\tpacked,\tand\tshe\thad\tto\tlimp\tonto\tthe\tstairs\tto\tview\twhat\thad roused\tthem.\tThe\tother\tships\twere\tawake\tand\tfrenzied.\tWith\tgood\treason. Sailing\tover\tthe\twestern\thorizon,\tanother\tarmada\theaded\tfor\tthem. And\tElide\tknew\tin\ther\tbones\tit\twas\tnot\tone\tthat\tAelin\thad\tschemed\tand\tplanned\tfor. Not\tas\tFenrys\tbreathed,\tsuddenly\tbeside\ther\ton\tthe\tsteps.\t\u201cMaeve.\u201d","61 They\thad\tno\tchoice\tbut\tto\tmeet\tthem.\tMaeve\u2019s\tarmada\thad\tthe\twind\tand\tthe\tcurrent,\tand they\twould\tnot\teven\treach\tthe\tshore\tbefore\tthey\twere\tcaught.\tAnd\toutrunning\tFae\tsoldiers \u2026\tNot\tan\toption. Rowan\t and\t Aedion\t laid\t out\t every\t course\t for\t Aelin.\t All\t paths\t arrived\t at\t one destination:\t confrontation.\t And\t she\t was\t still\t so\t drained,\t so\t exhausted,\t that\t \u2026\t She\t knew how\tthis\twould\tgo. Maeve\thad\ta\tthird\tmore\tships.\tAnd\timmortal\twarriors.\tWith\tmagic. It\ttook\tfar\ttoo\tlittle\ttime\tfor\tthose\tblack\tsails\tto\tfill\tthe\tsky,\tfor\tthem\tto\tglean\tthat\ttheir enemy\u2019s\t boats\t were\t better-made,\t their\t soldiers\t longer-trained.\t Rowan\t and\t the\t cadre\t had overseen\tmuch\tof\tthat\ttraining\u2014and\tthe\tdetails\tthey\tprovided\twere\tnot\theartening. Maeve\tsent\tone\tornately\tcarved\trowboat\tto\tthem,\tbearing\ta\tmessage. Surrender\u2014or\t be\t sent\t to\t the\t bottom\t of\t the\t ocean.\t Aelin\t had\t until\t dawn\t tomorrow\t to decide. An\tentire\tday.\tSo\tthat\tthe\tfear\twould\tfester\tand\tspread\tamong\ttheir\tmen. Aelin\t met\t with\t Rowan\t and\t Aedion\t again.\t The\t cadre\t was\t not\t summoned\t by\t their queen,\t though\t Lorcan\t paced\t like\t a\t caged\t beast,\t Elide\t watching\t with\t a\t face\t that impressively\trevealed\tnothing. She\thad\tno\tsolution.\tDorian\tremained\tquiet,\tthough\the\toften\tglanced\tbetween\ther\tand Manon.\tAs\tif\tsome\tpuzzle\twere\tlaid\tbefore\thim.\tHe\tnever\tsaid\twhat. Aedion\t pushed\t for\t attacking\u2014quietly\t rallying\t the\t boats\t and\t attacking.\t But\t Maeve would\t see\t that\t maneuver\t coming.\t And\t they\t could\t strike\t faster\t with\t magic\t than\t it\u2019d\t take for\tthem\tto\tfire\tarrows\tand\tharpoons. Time.\tThat\twas\tall\tshe\thad\tto\tplay\twith. They\t debated\t and\t theorized\t and\t planned.\t Rowan\t made\t a\t decent\t attempt\t at\t trying\t to suggest\tshe\trun.\tShe\tlet\thim\ttalk,\tonly\tto\tlet\thim\trealize\tin\tdoing\tso\twhat\ta\tstupid\tidea\tit was.\tAfter\tlast\tnight,\the\tshould\tbe\twell\taware\tshe\twas\tnot\tleaving\thim.\tNot\twillingly. So\tthe\tsun\tset.\tAnd\tMaeve\u2019s\tarmada\twaited,\tpoised\tand\twatching.\tA\tlounging\tpanther, ready\tto\tstrike\tat\tfirst\tlight. Time.\tHer\tonly\ttool\u2014and\ther\tdownfall.\tAnd\tshe\thad\trun\tout\tof\tit. Aelin\tcounted\tthose\tblack\tsails\tagain\tand\tagain\tas\tnight\tblanketed\tthem. And\thad\tno\tidea\twhat\tto\tdo.","It\twas\tunacceptable,\tRowan\thad\tdecided,\tduring\tthe\tlong\thours\tthey\u2019d\tdebated. Unacceptable\t that\t they\t had\t done\t so\t much,\t only\t to\t be\t halted\t not\t by\t Erawan,\t but Maeve. She\thadn\u2019t\tdeigned\tto\tmake\tan\tappearance.\tBut\tthat\twasn\u2019t\ther\tstyle. She\u2019d\t do\t it\t at\t dawn.\t Accept\t Aelin\u2019s\t surrender\t in\t person,\t with\t all\t eyes\t watching.\t And then\t\u2026\tRowan\tdidn\u2019t\tknow\twhat\tshe\u2019d\tdo\tthen.\tWhat\tMaeve\twanted,\tother\tthan\tthe\tkeys. Aelin\thad\tbeen\tso\tcalm.\tShock,\the\u2019d\trealized.\tAelin\thad\tgone\tinto\tshock.\tRowan\thad seen\ther\trage\tand\tkill\tand\tlaugh\tand\tweep,\tbut\the\thad\tnever\tseen\ther\t\u2026\tlost.\tAnd\the\thated himself\tfor\tit,\tbut\the\tcouldn\u2019t\tfind\ta\tway\tout.\tCouldn\u2019t\tfind\ta\tway\tfor\ther\tto\tget\tout\tof\tthis. Aelin\t was\t sleeping\t soundly\t as\t Rowan\t stared\t at\t the\t ceiling\t above\t their\t bed,\t then\t slid his\t gaze\t over\t her.\t He\t took\t in\t the\t lines\t of\t her\t face,\t the\t golden\t waves\t of\t her\t hair,\t every moon-white\tscar\tand\tdark\tswirl\tof\tink.\tLeaning\tin,\tsilent\tas\tsnow\tin\ta\twood,\the\tkissed\ther brow. He\twould\tnot\tlet\tit\tend\there,\tnot\tlet\tthis\tbe\twhat\tbroke\tthem. He\t knew\t the\t house\t flags\t that\t flew\t beneath\t Maeve\u2019s\t own\t crest.\t Had\t counted\t and cataloged\tthem\tall\tday,\tsorting\tthrough\tthe\tcatacombs\tof\this\tmemory. Rowan\tslid\tinto\this\tclothes\tand\twaited\tuntil\the\u2019d\tcrept\tinto\tthe\thall\tbefore\tbuckling\this sword\tbelt.\tStill\tgripping\tthe\tdoorknob,\the\tallowed\thimself\tone\tlast\tlook\tat\ther. For\ta\tmoment,\tthe\tpast\tsnared\thim\u2014for\ta\tmoment,\the\tsaw\ther\tas\the\u2019d\tfirst\tspied\ther on\tthe\trooftops\tof\tVarese,\tdrunk\tand\tbattered.\tHe\u2019d\tbeen\tin\thawk\tform,\tassessing\this\tnew charge,\t and\t she\u2019d\t noticed\t him\u2014broken\t and\t reeling,\t she\t had\t still\t spotted\t him\t there.\t And stuck\tout\ther\ttongue\tat\thim. If\tsomeone\thad\ttold\thim\tthat\tthe\tdrunken,\tbrawling,\tbitter\twoman\twould\tbecome\tthe one\tthing\the\tcould\tnot\tlive\twithout\t\u2026\tRowan\tshut\tthe\tdoor. This\twas\tall\the\tcould\toffer\ther. Rowan\treached\tthe\tmain\tdeck\tand\tshifted,\tlittle\tmore\tthan\ta\tgleam\tof\tmoonlight\tas\the shielded\thimself\tand\tflapped\tthrough\tthe\tbriny\tnight\u2014into\tthe\theart\tof\tMaeve\u2019s\tfleet. Rowan\u2019s\tcousin\thad\tenough\tgood\tsense\tnot\tto\ttry\tto\tkill\thim\ton\tsight. They\t were\t close\t enough\t in\t age\t that\t Rowan\t had\t grown\t up\t with\t him,\t raised\t in\t his uncle\u2019s\thouse\tbeside\thim\tafter\this\tparents\thad\tfaded.\tIf\this\tuncle\tever\tfaded,\tit\twould\tbe Enda\t who\t took\t up\t the\t mantle\t as\t head\t of\t their\t house\u2014a\t prince\t of\t considerable\t title, property,\tand\tarms. Enda,\tto\this\tcredit,\tsensed\this\tarrival\tbefore\tRowan\tslipped\tthrough\tthe\tflimsy\tshield on\tthe\twindows.\tAnd\tEnda\tremained\tsitting\ton\tthe\tbed,\talbeit\tdressed\tfor\tbattle,\ta\thand\ton his\tsword.","His\t cousin\t looked\t him\t over\t head\t to\t toe\t as\t Rowan\t shifted.\t \u201cAssassin\t or\t messenger, Prince?\u201d \u201cNeither,\u201d\tRowan\tsaid,\tinclining\this\thead\tslightly. Like\t him,\t Enda\t was\t silver-haired,\t though\t his\t green\t eyes\t were\t speckled\t with\t brown that\tcould\tsometimes\tswallow\tthe\tcolor\twhole\twhen\the\twas\tin\ta\trage. If\tRowan\thad\tbeen\tbred\tand\tbuilt\tfor\tbattlefields,\tEnda\twas\tsculpted\tfor\tintrigue\tand court\tmachinations.\tHis\tcousin,\twhile\ttall\tand\tmuscled\tenough,\tlacked\tRowan\u2019s\tbreadth\tof shoulders\t and\t solid\t bulk\u2014though\t that\t could\t also\t be\t from\t the\t different\t sorts\t of\t training they\u2019d\t received.\t Enda\t knew\t enough\t about\t fighting\t to\t warrant\t being\t here\t to\t lead\t his father\u2019s\t forces,\t but\t their\t own\t educations\t had\t crossed\t little\t after\t those\t first\t decades\t of youth,\twhen\tthey\thad\trun\twild\ttogether\tat\this\tfamily\u2019s\tmain\testate. Enda\tkept\this\thand\ton\tthe\thilt\tof\this\tfine\tsword,\tutterly\tcalm.\t\u201cYou\tlook\t\u2026\tdifferent,\u201d his\tcousin\tsaid,\tbrows\ttwitching\ttoward\teach\tother.\t\u201cBetter.\u201d There\t had\t been\t a\t time\t when\t Enda\t had\t been\t his\t friend\u2014before\t Lyria.\t Before\t \u2026 everything.\t And\t Rowan\t might\t have\t been\t inclined\t to\t explain\t who\t and\t what\t was responsible\tfor\tthis\tchange,\tbut\the\tdidn\u2019t\thave\ttime.\tNo,\ttime\twas\tnot\this\tally\tthis\tnight. But\tRowan\tsaid,\t\u201cYou\tlook\tdifferent\tas\twell,\tPrince.\u201d Enda\tgave\ta\thalf\tsmile.\t\u201cYou\tcan\tthank\tmy\tmate\tfor\tthat.\u201d Once,\tit\tmight\thave\tsent\ta\tpang\tof\tagony\tthrough\thim.\tThat\tEnda\tspoke\tof\tit\treminded him\t that\t his\t cousin\t might\t not\t be\t a\t battle-honed\t warrior,\t but\t the\t courtier\t was\t as\t good\t as any\t at\t marking\t important\t details\u2014noting\t Aelin\u2019s\t scent,\t now\t forever\t entwined\t with\t his own.\tSo\tRowan\tnodded,\tsmiling\ta\tbit\thimself.\t\u201cIt\twas\tLord\tKerrigan\u2019s\tson,\twasn\u2019t\tit?\u201d Indeed,\t there\t was\t another\u2019s\t scent\t woven\t through\t Enda\u2019s,\t the\t claiming\t deep\t and\t true. \u201cIt\t was.\u201d\t Enda\t again\t smiled\u2014now\t at\t a\t ring\t on\t his\t finger.\t \u201cWe\t were\t mated\t and\t married earlier\tthis\tsummer.\u201d \u201cYou\tmean\tto\ttell\tme\tyou\twaited\ta\thundred\tyears\tfor\thim?\u201d Enda\tshrugged,\this\tgrip\ton\this\tsword\tlightening.\t\u201cWhen\tit\tcomes\tto\tthe\tright\tperson, Prince,\twaiting\ta\thundred\tyears\tis\tworth\tit.\u201d He\tknew.\tHe\tunderstood\thim\tso\tdamn\twell\tthat\tit\tmade\this\tchest\tcrack\tto\tthink\tof\tit. \u201cEndymion,\u201d\the\tsaid\thoarsely.\t\u201cEnda,\tI\tneed\tyou\tto\tlisten.\u201d There\twere\tplenty\tof\tpeople\twho\tmight\thave\tcalled\tfor\tthe\tguards,\tbut\the\tknew\tEnda \u2014or\thad.\tHe\twas\tbut\tone\tof\tseveral\tcousins\twho\u2019d\tshoved\ttheir\tnoses\tinto\this\tbusiness\tfor years.\t Tried,\t Rowan\t now\t wondered,\t not\t for\t gossip\t but\t \u2026\t to\t fight\t to\t keep\t some\t small scrap\tof\thim\talive.\tEnda\tmore\tthan\tany\tof\tthem. So\t Endymion\t gave\t him\t the\t gift\t of\t listening.\t Rowan\t tried\t to\t keep\t it\t concise,\t tried\t to keep\this\thands\tfrom\ttrembling.\tIn\tthe\tend,\the\tsupposed\this\trequest\twas\tsimple. When\t he\t finished,\t Enda\t studied\t him,\t any\t response\t hidden\t behind\t that\t court-trained","mask\tof\tneutrality. Then\tEnda\tsaid,\t\u201cI\twill\tconsider\tit.\u201d It\t was\t the\t best\t Rowan\t could\t hope\t for.\t He\t said\t nothing\t else\t to\t his\t cousin\t before\t he shifted\t again\t and\t flapped\t into\t the\t night\u2014toward\t another\t banner\t he\t had\t once\t marched beside. And\tship\tto\tship,\tRowan\twent.\tThe\tsame\tspeech.\tThe\tsame\trequest. All\tof\tthem,\tall\this\tcousins,\thad\tthe\tsame\tanswer. I\twill\tconsider\tit.","62 Manon\twas\tawake\twhen\tDorian\tstormed\tinto\ther\troom\tan\thour\tbefore\tdawn.\tHe\tignored her\t unlaced\t shirt,\t the\t swell\t of\t those\t lush\t breasts\t he\u2019d\t tasted\t only\t yesterday,\t as\t he\t said, \u201cPut\tyour\tclothes\ton\tand\tfollow\tme.\u201d Mercifully,\tthe\twitch\tobeyed.\tThough\the\thad\ta\tfeeling\tit\twas\tmostly\tfrom\tcuriosity. When\t he\t reached\t Aelin\u2019s\t chamber,\t he\t bothered\t to\t knock\u2014just\t in\t case\t the\t queen\t and Rowan\twere\tutilizing\ttheir\tpotentially\tlast\tfew\thours\ttogether.\tBut\tthe\tqueen\twas\talready awake\tand\tdressed,\tthe\tprince\tnowhere\tto\tbe\tfound.\tAelin\ttook\tone\tlook\tat\tDorian\u2019s\tface. \u201cWhat\tis\tit?\u201d He\t didn\u2019t\t tell\t either\t woman\t anything\t as\t he\t led\t them\t down\t into\t the\t cargo\t hold,\t the upper\tlevels\tof\tthe\tship\talready\tastir\twith\tbattle\tpreparations. While\t they\u2019d\t debated\t and\t readied\t for\t the\t past\t day,\t he\u2019d\t contemplated\t Manon\u2019s warning,\t after\t she\u2019d\t made\t his\t very\t blood\t sing\t with\t pleasure.\t Unless\t you\t would\t like\t to learn\t precisely\t what\t parts\t of\t me\t are\t made\t of\t iron\t the\t next\t time\t you\t touch\t me,\t I\t decide those\tthings. Over\t and\t over,\t he\u2019d\t considered\t the\t way\t the\t words\t had\t snagged\t on\t a\t sharp\t corner\t of memory.\t He\u2019d\t lain\t awake\t all\t night\t while\t he\t descended\t into\t his\t still-depleted\t well\t of magic.\tAnd\tas\tthe\tlight\thad\tbegun\tto\tshift\t\u2026 Dorian\t tugged\t the\t sheet\t off\t the\t witch\t mirror\t carefully\t held\t in\t place\t against\t the\t wall. The\tLock\u2014or\twhatever\tit\twas.\tIn\tthe\tmuted\treflection,\tthe\ttwo\tqueens\twere\tfrowning\tat his\tback. Manon\u2019s\tiron\tnails\tslid\tout.\t\u201cI\twould\tbe\tcareful\thandling\tthat\tif\tI\twere\tyou.\u201d \u201cThe\twarning\tis\tnoted\tand\tappreciated,\u201d\the\tsaid,\tmeeting\tthose\tgold\teyes\tin\tthe\tmirror. She\tdidn\u2019t\treturn\this\tsmile.\tNeither\tdid\tAelin.\tHe\tsighed.\t\u201cI\tdon\u2019t\tthink\tthis\twitch\tmirror has\tany\tpower.\tOr,\trather,\tnot\ta\ttangible,\tbrute\tpower.\tI\tthink\tits\tpower\tis\tknowledge.\u201d Aelin\u2019s\tsteps\twere\tnear-silent\tas\tshe\tapproached.\t\u201cI\twas\ttold\tthe\tLock\twould\tallow\tme to\tbind\tthe\tthree\tkeys\tinto\tthe\tgate.\tYou\tthink\tthis\tmirror\tknows\thow\tto\tdo\tthat?\u201d He\t simply\t nodded,\t trying\t not\t to\t be\t too\t offended\t by\t the\t skepticism\t scrunching\t her face. Aelin\t picked\t at\t a\t loose\t thread\t on\t her\t jacket.\t \u201cBut\t what\t does\t the\t Lock-mirror- whatever-it-is\thave\tto\tdo\twith\tthe\tarmada\tbreathing\tdown\tour\tnecks?\u201d He\t tried\t not\t to\t roll\t his\t eyes.\t \u201cIt\t has\t to\t do\t with\t what\t Deanna\t said.\t What\t if\t the\t Lock wasn\u2019t\tjust\tfor\tbinding\tthem\tback\tinto\tthe\tgate,\tbut\ta\ttool\tfor\tsafely\tcontrolling\tthe\tkeys?\u201d","Aelin\tfrowned\tat\tthe\tmirror.\t\u201cSo\tI\u2019m\tgoing\tto\tlug\tthat\tthing\tonto\tthe\tdeck\tand\tuse\tit\tto blow\tapart\tMaeve\u2019s\tarmada\twith\tthe\ttwo\tkeys\twe\thave?\u201d He\t took\t a\t steadying\t breath,\t beseeching\t the\t gods\t for\t patience.\t \u201cI\t said\t I\t think\t this mirror\u2019s\tpower\tis\tknowledge.\tI\tthink\tit\twill\tshow\tyou\thow\tto\twield\tthe\tkeys\tsafely.\tSo\tyou can\tcome\tback\there\tand\twield\tthem\twithout\tconsequence.\u201d A\tslow\tblink.\t\u201cWhat\tdo\tyou\tmean,\tcome\tback\there?\u201d Manon\t answered,\t now\t stepping\t close\t as\t she\t studied\t the\t mirror.\t \u201cIt\u2019s\t a\t traveling mirror.\u201d Dorian\t nodded.\t \u201cThink\t about\t Deanna\u2019s\t words:\t \u2018Flame\t and\t iron,\t together\t bound, merge\tinto\tsilver\tto\tlearn\twhat\tmust\tbe\tfound.\tA\tmere\tstep\tis\tall\tit\tshall\ttake.\u2019\u201d\tHe\tpointed to\tthe\tmirror.\t\u201cStep\tinto\tthe\tsilver\u2014and\tlearn.\u201d Manon\tclicked\ther\ttongue.\t\u201cAnd\tI\tsuppose\tshe\tand\tI\tare\tflame\tand\tiron.\u201d Aelin\tcrossed\ther\tarms. Dorian\t cut\t the\t Queen\t of\t Terrasen\t a\t wry\t glance.\t \u201cPeople\t other\t than\t you\t can\t solve things,\tyou\tknow.\u201d Aelin\t glared\t at\t him.\t \u201cWe\t don\u2019t\t have\t time\t for\t what-ifs.\t Too\t many\t things\t could\t go wrong.\u201d \u201cYou\thave\tlittle\tmagic\tleft,\u201d\tDorian\tcountered,\twaving\ta\thand\ttoward\tthe\tmirror.\t\u201cYou could\tbe\tin\tand\tout\tof\tthis\tmirror\tbefore\tdawn.\tAnd\tuse\twhat\tyou\tlearn\tto\tsend\tMaeve\ta message\tin\tno\tuncertain\tterms.\u201d \u201cI\tcan\tstill\tfight\twith\tsteel\u2014without\tthe\trisks\tand\twaste\tof\ttime.\u201d \u201cYou\t can\t stop\t this\t battle\t before\t the\t losses\t are\t too\t great\t on\t either\t side.\u201d\t He\t added carefully,\t\u201cWe\u2019re\tout\tof\ttime\talready,\tAelin.\u201d Those\tturquoise\teyes\twere\tsteady\u2014if\tnot\tstill\tfurious\the\u2019d\tbeat\ther\tto\tthe\triddle\u2014but something\t flickered\t in\t them.\t \u201cI\t know,\u201d\t she\t said.\t \u201cI\t was\t hoping\t \u2026\u201d\t She\t shook\t her\t head, more\tat\therself.\t\u201cI\tran\tout\tof\ttime,\u201d\tshe\tmurmured\tas\tif\tit\twere\tan\tanswer,\tand\tconsidered the\tmirror,\tthen\tManon.\tThen\tblew\tout\ta\tbreath.\t\u201cThis\twasn\u2019t\tmy\tplan.\u201d \u201cI\tknow,\u201d\tDorian\tsaid\twith\ta\thalf\tsmile.\t\u201cThat\u2019s\twhy\tyou\tdon\u2019t\tlike\tit.\u201d Manon\tasked\tbefore\tAelin\tcould\tbite\toff\this\thead,\t\u201cBut\twhere\twill\tthe\tmirror\tlead?\u201d Aelin\tclenched\ther\tjaw.\t\u201cHopefully\tnot\tMorath.\u201d\tDorian\ttensed.\tPerhaps\tthis\tplan\u2014 \u201cThat\t symbol\t belongs\t to\t both\t of\t us,\u201d\t Manon\t said,\t studying\t the\t Eye\t of\t Elena\t etched onto\tit.\t\u201cAnd\tif\tit\ttakes\tyou\tto\tMorath,\tyou\u2019re\tgoing\tto\tneed\tsomeone\twho\tknows\tthe\tway out.\u201d Steps\tthudded\tdown\tthe\tstairs\tat\tthe\tback\tof\tthe\thold.\tDorian\ttwisted\ttoward\tthem,\tbut Aelin\tsmirked\tat\tManon\tand\tapproached\tthe\tmirror.\t\u201cThen\tI\u2019ll\tsee\tyou\ton\tthe\tother\tside, witch.\u201d Aedion\u2019s\tgolden\thead\tappeared\tbetween\tthe\tcrates.\t\u201cWhat\tthe\thell\tare\tyou\u2014\u201d","Aelin\u2019s\tshallow\tnod\tseemed\tall\tthat\tManon\tneeded.\tShe\tplaced\ther\thand\tatop\tAelin\u2019s. Golden\teyes\tmet\tDorian\u2019s\tfor\ta\tmoment,\tand\the\topened\this\tmouth\tto\tsay\tsomething\tto her,\tthe\twords\tsurging\tfrom\tsome\tbarren\tfield\tin\this\tchest. But\tAelin\tand\tManon\tpressed\ttheir\tjoined\thands\tto\tthe\tspeckled\tglass. Aedion\u2019s\tshout\tof\twarning\trang\tthrough\tthe\thold\tas\tthey\tvanished.","63 Elide\twatched\tthe\tship\trally\tagainst\tthe\tarmada\tlooming\tbefore\tthem\u2014then\tdescend\tinto utter\tchaos\tas\tAedion\tbegan\troaring\tbelow. The\tnews\tcame\tout\tmoments\tlater.\tCame\tout\tas\tPrince\tRowan\tWhitethorn\tlanded\ton the\t main\t deck,\t face\t haggard,\t eyes\t full\t of\t nothing\t but\t fear\t as\t Aedion\t burst\t out\t the\t door, Dorian\t on\t his\t heels,\t sporting\t an\t already-nasty\t bruise\t around\t his\t eye.\t Pacing,\t seething, Aedion\ttold\tthem\tof\tAelin\tand\tManon\twalking\tinto\tthe\tmirror\u2014the\tLock\u2014and\tvanishing. How\tthe\tKing\tof\tAdarlan\thad\tsolved\tDeanna\u2019s\triddle\tand\tsent\tthem\tinto\tits\tsilvery\trealm to\tbuy\tthem\ta\tshot\tat\tthis\tbattle. They\t went\t down\t into\t the\t cargo\t hold.\t But\t no\t matter\t how\t Aedion\t pushed\t against\t the mirror,\tit\tdid\tnot\topen\tto\thim.\tNo\tmatter\thow\tRowan\tsearched\tit\twith\this\tmagic,\tit\tdid\tnot yield\twhere\tAelin\tand\tManon\thad\tgone.\tAedion\thad\tspat\ton\tthe\tfloor,\tlooking\tinclined\tto give\tthe\tking\tanother\tblack\teye\tas\tDorian\texplained\tthere\thad\tbeen\tlittle\tchoice.\tHe\thadn\u2019t seemed\tsorry\tabout\tit\u2014until\tRowan\trefused\tto\tmeet\this\tgaze. Only\t when\t they\t were\t gathered\t on\t the\t deck\t again,\t the\t king\t and\t shape-shifter\t off speaking\t to\t the\t captain\t about\t the\t turn\t of\t events,\t did\t Elide\t carefully\t say\t to\t Aedion\t as\t he paced,\t \u201cWhat\t is\t done\t is\t done.\t We\t can\u2019t\t wait\t for\t Aelin\t and\t Manon\t to\t find\t a\t way\t to\t save us.\u201d Aedion\t halted,\t and\t Elide\t tried\t not\t to\t cringe\t at\t the\t unrelenting\t fury\t as\t it\t narrowed\t on her.\t\u201cWhen\tI\twant\tyour\topinion\tabout\thow\tto\tdeal\twith\tmy\tmissing\tqueen,\tI\u2019ll\task\tyou.\u201d Lorcan\tsnarled\tat\thim.\tBut\tElide\tlifted\ther\tchin,\teven\tas\tthe\tinsult\thit\tsomething\tin\ther chest.\t\u201cI\twaited\tas\tlong\tas\tyou\tdid\tto\tfind\ther\tagain,\tAedion.\tYou\tare\tnot\tthe\tonly\tone\twho fears\tto\tlose\ther\tonce\tmore.\u201d Indeed,\tRowan\tWhitethorn\tnow\trubbed\this\tface.\tShe\tsuspected\tit\twas\tas\tmuch\tfeeling as\tthe\tFae\tPrince\twould\tshow. Rowan\tlowered\this\thands,\tthe\tothers\twatching\thim.\tWaiting\u2014for\this\torders. Even\tAedion. Elide\tstarted\tas\trealization\tslapped\ther.\tAs\tshe\tsearched\tfor\tproof\tbut\tfound\tnone. \u201cWe\t continue\t readying\t for\t battle,\u201d\t Rowan\t said\t hoarsely.\t He\t looked\t to\t Lorcan,\t then Fenrys\t and\t Gavriel,\t and\t his\t entire\t countenance\t changed,\t his\t shoulders\t pushing\t back,\t his eyes\t turning\t hard\t and\t calculating.\t \u201cThere\u2019s\t not\t a\t chance\t in\t hell\t Maeve\t doesn\u2019t\t know you\u2019re\there.\tShe\u2019ll\twield\tthe\tblood\toath\twhen\tit\u2019ll\thurt\tus\tthe\tmost.\u201d Maeve.\tSome\tsmall\tpart\tof\ther\twished\tto\tsee\tthe\tqueen\twho\tcould\tcommand\tLorcan\u2019s","relentless\t focus\t and\t affection\t for\t so\t many\t centuries.\t And\t perhaps\t give\t Maeve\t a\t piece\t of her\tmind. Fenrys\t put\t a\t hand\t on\t the\t hilt\t of\t his\t sword\t and\t said\t with\t more\t quiet\t than\t Elide\t had witnessed\tso\tfar,\t\u201cI\tdon\u2019t\tknow\thow\tto\tplay\tthis\tone.\u201d Indeed,\t Gavriel\t seemed\t at\t a\t loss,\t scanning\t his\t tattooed\t hands\t as\t if\t the\t answer\t lay there. It\twas\tLorcan\twho\tsaid,\t\u201cIf\tyou\u2019re\tspotted\tfighting\ton\tthis\tside,\tit\u2019s\tover.\tShe\u2019ll\teither kill\tyou\tboth\tor\tmake\tyou\tregret\tit\tin\tother\tways.\u201d \u201cAnd\twhat\tabout\tyou?\u201d\tFenrys\tchallenged. Lorcan\u2019s\t eyes\t slid\t to\t hers,\t then\t back\t to\t the\t males\t before\t them.\t \u201cIt\t was\t over\t for\t me months\tago.\tIt\u2019s\tnow\ta\tmatter\tof\twaiting\tto\tsee\twhat\tshe\u2019ll\tdo\tabout\tit.\u201d If\tshe\u2019d\tkill\thim.\tOr\tdrag\thim\tback\tin\tchains. Elide\u2019s\tstomach\tturned,\tand\tshe\tavoided\tthe\turge\tto\tgrab\this\thand,\tto\tbeg\thim\tto\trun. \u201cShe\u2019ll\t see\t that\t we\u2019ve\t worked\t our\t way\t around\t her\t order\t to\t kill\t you,\u201d\t Gavriel\t at\t last said.\t\u201cIf\tfighting\ton\tthis\tside\tof\tthe\tline\tdoesn\u2019t\tdamn\tus\tenough,\tthen\tthat\tsurely\twill.\tIt likely\talready\thas.\u201d \u201cDawn\u2019s\tstill\thalf\tan\thour\toff,\tif\tyou\ttwo\twant\tto\ttry\tagain,\u201d\tLorcan\tcrooned. Elide\ttensed.\tBut\tit\twas\tFenrys\twho\tsaid,\t\u201cIt\u2019s\tall\ta\tploy.\u201d\tElide\theld\ther\tbreath\tas\the surveyed\t the\t Fae\t males\u2014his\t companions.\t \u201cTo\t fracture\t us\t when\t Maeve\t knows\t that unified,\twe\tcould\tpresent\ta\tconsiderable\tthreat.\u201d \u201cWe\u2019d\tnever\tturn\ton\ther,\u201d\tGavriel\tcountered. \u201cNo,\u201d\tFenrys\tagreed.\t\u201cBut\twe\twould\toffer\tthat\tstrength\tto\tanother.\u201d\tAnd\the\tlooked\tat Rowan\t as\t he\t said,\t \u201cWhen\t we\t got\t your\t call\t for\t aid\t this\t spring\u2014when\t you\t asked\t us\t to come\tdefend\tMistward,\twe\tleft\tbefore\tMaeve\tcould\tget\twind\tof\tit.\tWe\tran.\u201d \u201cThat\u2019s\tenough,\u201d\tLorcan\tgrowled. But\t Fenrys\t went\t on,\t holding\t Rowan\u2019s\t steady\t gaze,\t \u201cWhen\t we\t returned,\t Maeve whipped\tus\twithin\tan\tinch\tof\tour\tlives.\tTied\tLorcan\tto\tthe\tposts\tfor\ttwo\tdays\tand\tlet\tCairn whip\t him\t whenever\t he\t wished.\t Lorcan\t ordered\t us\t not\t to\t tell\t you\u2014for\t whatever\t reason. But\tI\tthink\tMaeve\tsaw\twhat\twe\tdid\ttogether\tin\tMistward\tand\trealized\thow\tdangerous\twe could\tbe\u2014to\ther.\u201d Rowan\t didn\u2019t\t hide\t the\t devastation\t in\t his\t eyes\t as\t he\t faced\t Lorcan\u2014devastation\t that Elide\t felt\t echo\t in\t her\t own\t heart.\t Lorcan\t had\t endured\t that\t \u2026\t and\t still\t remained\t loyal\t to Maeve.\t Elide\t brushed\t her\t fingers\t against\t his.\t The\t motion\t didn\u2019t\t go\t unnoticed\t by\t the others,\tbut\tthey\twisely\tkept\tquiet\tabout\tit.\tEspecially\tas\tLorcan\tdragged\this\tthumb\tdown the\tback\tof\ther\thand\tin\tanswer. And\tElide\twondered\tif\tRowan\talso\tunderstood\tthat\tLorcan\thadn\u2019t\tordered\ttheir\tsilence for\t strategy,\t but\t perhaps\t to\t spare\t the\t prince\t from\t guilt.\t From\t wanting\t to\t retaliate\t against","Maeve\tin\ta\tway\tthat\twould\tsurely\tharm\thim. \u201cDid\t you\t know,\u201d\t Rowan\t said\t hoarsely\t to\t Lorcan,\t \u201cthat\t she\u2019d\t punish\t you\t before\t you came\tto\tMistward?\u201d Lorcan\theld\tthe\tprince\u2019s\tstare.\t\u201cWe\tall\tknew\twhat\tthe\tcost\twould\tbe.\u201d Rowan\u2019s\t throat\t bobbed,\t and\t he\t took\t a\t long\t breath,\t his\t eyes\t darting\t toward\t the\t stairs, as\tif\tAelin\twould\tcome\tprowling\tout,\tsalvation\tin\thand.\tBut\tshe\tdidn\u2019t,\tand\tElide\tprayed that\t wherever\t the\t queen\t now\t was,\t she\t was\t gleaning\t what\t they\t so\t desperately\t needed\t to learn.\tRowan\tsaid\tto\this\tcompanions,\t\u201cYou\tknow\thow\tthis\tbattle\twill\tlikely\tend.\tEven\tif our\tarmada\tteemed\twith\tFae\tsoldiers,\twe\u2019d\tstill\thave\tthe\todds\tstacked\tagainst\tus.\u201d The\t sky\t began\t to\t bleed\t with\t pink\t and\t purple\t as\t the\t sun\t stirred\t beneath\t the\t distant waves. Gavriel\t only\t said,\t \u201cWe\t have\t had\t the\t odds\t stacked\t against\t us\t before.\u201d\t A\t glance\t at Fenrys,\twho\tnodded\tgravely.\t\u201cWe\twill\tstay\tuntil\twe\tare\tcommanded\totherwise.\u201d It\twas\tto\tAedion\tthat\tGavriel\tlooked\tas\the\tsaid\tthis\tlast\tpiece.\tThere\twas\tsomething\tin the\tgeneral\u2019s\tAshryver\teyes\tthat\tlooked\talmost\tlike\tgratitude. Elide\tsensed\tLorcan\u2019s\tattention\tand\tfound\thim\tstill\twatching\ther\tas\the\tsaid\tto\tRowan, \u201cElide\t gets\t to\t shore,\t under\t a\t guard\t of\t whatever\t men\t you\t can\t spare.\t My\t sword\t is\t yours only\tif\tyou\tdo\tthat.\u201d Elide\tstarted.\tBut\tRowan\tsaid,\t\u201cDone.\u201d Rowan\t spread\t them\t across\t the\t fleet,\t each\t given\t command\t of\t a\t few\t ships.\t He\t stationed Fenrys,\t Lorcan,\t and\t Gavriel\t on\t ships\t toward\t the\t center\t and\t back,\t farthest\t away\t from Maeve\u2019s\tnotice.\tHe\tand\tAedion\ttook\tthe\tfront\tlines,\twith\tDorian\tand\tAnsel\tcommanding the\tline\tof\tships\tbehind\this. Lysandra\twas\talready\tbeneath\tthe\twaves\tin\tsea\tdragon\tform,\tready\tfor\this\torder\tto\tdo damage\tto\thull\tand\tprow\tand\trudder\ton\tships\the\u2019d\tmarked\tfor\ther.\tHe\u2019d\tbet\tthat\twhile\tthe Fae\t ships\t might\t have\t shields\t around\t them,\t they\t wouldn\u2019t\t waste\t valuable\t reservoirs\t of power\ton\tshielding\tbelow\tthe\tsurface.\tLysandra\twould\tstrike\tquick\tand\thard\u2014gone\tbefore they\tcould\trealize\twho\tand\twhat\twrecked\tthem\tfrom\tbelow. Dawn\tbroke,\tclear\tand\tbright,\tstaining\tthe\tsails\twith\tgold. Rowan\tdid\tnot\tlet\thimself\tthink\tof\tAelin\u2014of\twherever\tshe\tmight\tbe. Minute\tafter\tminute\tpassed,\tand\tstill\tAelin\tdid\tnot\treturn. A\tsmall\toak\trowboat\tslid\tout\tfrom\tMaeve\u2019s\tfleet\tand\theaded\tfor\thim. There\twere\tonly\tthree\tpeople\ton\tit\u2014none\tof\tthem\tMaeve. He\tcould\tfeel\tthousands\tof\teyes\ton\teither\tside\tof\tthat\ttoo-narrow\tband\tof\tempty\twater between\ttheir\tarmadas,\twatching\tthat\tboat\tapproach.\tWatching\thim. A\tmale\tin\tMaeve\u2019s\tlivery\tstood\twith\tpreternatural\tFae\tbalance\tas\tthe\toarsmen\theld\tthe","boat\tsteady.\t\u201cHer\tMajesty\tawaits\tyour\treply.\u201d Rowan\t tunneled\t into\t his\t depleted\t reserve\t of\t power,\t keeping\t his\t face\t bland.\t \u201cInform Maeve\tthat\tAelin\tGalathynius\tis\tno\tlonger\tpresent\tto\tgive\ta\treply.\u201d A\t blink\t from\t the\t male\t was\t all\t the\t shock\t he\u2019d\t let\t show.\t Maeve\u2019s\t creatures\t were\t too well\ttrained,\ttoo\taware\tof\tthe\tpunishment\tfor\trevealing\ther\tsecrets. \u201cPrincess\tAelin\tGalathynius\tis\tordered\tto\tsurrender,\u201d\tthe\tmale\tsaid. \u201cQueen\tAelin\tGalathynius\tis\tnot\ton\tthis\tship\tor\tany\tother\tin\tthis\tfleet.\tShe\tis,\tin\tfact, not\t on\t the\t shore,\t or\t in\t any\t nearby\t lands.\t So\t Maeve\t will\t find\t she\t came\t a\t long\t way\t for nothing.\tWe\twill\tleave\tyour\tarmada\tin\tpeace,\tif\tyou\twill\tgrant\tus\tthe\tsame\tcourtesy.\u201d The\t male\t sneered\t up\t at\t him.\t \u201cSpoken\t like\t cowards\t who\t know\t they\u2019re\t outnumbered. Spoken\tlike\ta\ttraitor.\u201d Rowan\tgave\tthe\tmale\ta\tsmall\tsmile.\t\u201cLet\u2019s\tsee\twhat\tMaeve\thas\tto\tsay\tnow.\u201d The\tmale\tspat\tinto\tthe\twater.\tBut\tthe\tship\trowed\tback\tinto\tthe\tembrace\tof\tthe\tarmada. For\t a\t moment,\t Rowan\t recalled\t his\t last\t words\t to\t Dorian\t before\t he\u2019d\t sent\t the\t king\t to shield\this\town\tline\tof\tships. They\t were\t beyond\t apologies.\t Aelin\t would\t either\t return\t or\u2014he\t didn\u2019t\t let\t himself consider\tthe\talternative.\tBut\tthey\tcould\tbuy\ther\tas\tmuch\ttime\tas\tpossible.\tTry\tto\tfight\ttheir way\tout\u2014for\ther,\tand\tthe\tfuture\tof\tthis\tarmada. Dorian\u2019s\t face\t had\t revealed\t the\t same\t thoughts\t as\t he\t clasped\t hands\t with\t him\t and\t said quietly,\t\u201cIt\tis\tnot\tsuch\ta\thard\tthing,\tis\tit\u2014to\tdie\tfor\tyour\tfriends.\u201d Rowan\tdidn\u2019t\tbother\tinsisting\tthey\twere\tgoing\tto\tlive\tthrough\tthis.\tThe\tking\thad\tbeen tutored\t in\t warfare,\t even\t if\t he\t hadn\u2019t\t yet\t practiced\t it.\t So\t Rowan\t had\t given\t him\t a\t grim smile\tand\treplied,\t\u201cNo,\tit\tis\tnot.\u201d The\t words\t echoed\t through\t him\t again\t as\t that\t messenger\u2019s\t boat\t disappeared.\t And\t for whatever\t good\t it\t would\t do,\t whatever\t time\t it\t would\t buy\t them,\t Rowan\t reinforced\t his shields\tagain. The\tsun\thad\tfully\trisen\tover\tthe\thorizon\twhen\tMaeve\u2019s\treply\tcame. Not\ta\tmessenger\tin\ta\tlongboat. But\ta\tbarrage\tof\tarrows,\tso\tmany\tthat\tthey\tblotted\tout\tthe\tlight\tas\tthey\tarced\tacross\tthe sky. \u201cShield,\u201d\tRowan\tbellowed,\tnot\tonly\tat\tthe\tmagic-wielders,\tbut\talso\tat\tthe\tarmed\tmen who\traised\ttheir\tdented\tand\tbattered\tshields\tabove\tthem\tas\tarrows\trained\tacross\tthe\tline. The\t arrows\t struck,\t and\t his\t magic\t buckled\t under\t their\t onslaught.\t Their\t tips\t had\t been wrapped\t in\t magic\t of\t their\t own,\t and\t Rowan\t gritted\t his\t teeth\t against\t it.\t On\t other\t ships, where\tthe\tshield\twas\tstretched\tthin,\tsome\tmen\tscreamed. Maeve\u2019s\tarmada\tbegan\tcrawling\ttoward\tthem.","64 Aelin\thad\ta\tbody\tthat\twas\tnot\ta\tbody. She\tknew\tonly\tbecause\tin\tthis\tvoid,\tthis\tfoggy\ttwilight,\tManon\thad\ta\tbody.\tA\tnearly transparent,\twraithlike\tbody,\tbut\t\u2026\ta\tform\tnonetheless. Manon\u2019s\t teeth\t and\t nails\t glinted\t in\t the\t dim\t light\t as\t she\t surveyed\t the\t swirling\t gray mists.\t\u201cWhat\tis\tthis\tplace?\u201d\tThe\tmirror\thad\ttransported\tthem\tto\t\u2026\twherever\tthis\twas. \u201cYour\tguess\tis\tas\tgood\tas\tmine,\twitch.\u201d Had\t time\t stopped\t beyond\t the\t mists?\t Had\t Maeve\t held\t her\t fire\t upon\t learning\t she\t was not\tpresent\u2014or\tattacked\tanyway?\tAelin\thad\tno\tdoubt\tRowan\twould\thold\tthe\tlines\tfor\tas long\tas\tpossible.\tHad\tno\tdoubt\the\tand\tAedion\twould\tlead\tthem.\tBut\t\u2026 Whether\t the\t witch\t mirror\t was\t the\t Lock\t she\u2019d\t sought,\t she\u2019d\t expected\t it\t to\t have\t some immediate\treaction\tto\tthe\ttwo\tWyrdkeys\tshe\u2019d\tsnuck\tinto\ther\tjacket. Not\t\u2026\tthis.\tNot\tabsolutely\tnothing. Aelin\t drew\t Goldryn.\t In\t the\t mist,\t the\t sword\u2019s\t ruby\t flickered\u2014the\t only\t color,\t only light. Manon\tsaid,\t\u201cWe\tstick\tclose;\twe\tonly\tspeak\twhen\tnecessary.\u201d Aelin\twas\tinclined\tto\tagree.\tThere\twas\tsolid\tground\tbeneath\tthem,\tbut\tthe\tmist\thid\ther feet\u2014hid\tany\tinkling\tthat\tthey\tstood\ton\tdirt\tbeyond\ta\tfaint,\tcrumbling\tscraping. \u201cAny\tguess\twhich\tway?\u201d\tAelin\tmurmured.\tBut\tthey\tdidn\u2019t\thave\tto\tdecide. The\teddying\tfog\tdarkened,\tand\tManon\tand\tAelin\tstepped\tclose\ttogether,\tback\tto\tback. Pure\tnight\tswept\taround\tthem\u2014blinding\tthem. Then\u2014a\t murky,\t dim\t light\t ahead.\t No,\t not\t ahead.\t Approaching\t them.\t Manon\u2019s\t bony shoulder\tdug\tinto\ther\town\tas\tthey\tpressed\ttighter\ttogether,\tan\timpenetrable\twall. But\tthe\tlight\trippled\tand\texpanded,\tfigures\twithin\tit\tappearing.\tSolidifying. Aelin\tknew\tthree\tthings\tas\tthe\tlight\tand\tcolor\tenveloped\tthem\tand\tbecame\ttangible: They\twere\tnot\tseen,\tor\theard,\tor\tscented\tby\tthose\tbefore\tthem. And\tthis\twas\tthe\tpast.\tA\tthousand\tyears\tago,\tto\tbe\texact. And\tthat\twas\tElena\tGalathynius\ton\ther\tknees\tin\ta\tblack\tbarren\tmountain\tpass,\tblood dripping\t from\t her\t nose,\t tears\t sliding\t through\t the\t dirt\t crusting\t her\t face\t to\t splatter\t on\t her armor,\tan\tobsidian\tsarcophagus\tsomehow\tstationed\tbefore\ther.","All\t across\t the\t sarcophagus,\t Wyrdmarks\t simmered\t with\t pale\t blue\t fire.\t And\t in\t the center\t of\t it\t \u2026\t the\t Eye\t of\t Elena,\t the\t amulet\t held\t within\t the\t stone\t itself,\t its\t pale\t gold unvarnished\tand\tgleaming. Then,\t as\t if\t a\t phantom\t breath\t blew\t over\t it,\t the\t Eye\t dimmed,\t along\t with\t the Wyrdmarks. Elena\t reached\t with\t a\t trembling\t hand\t to\t twist\t the\t Eye,\t rotating\t it\t thrice\t in\t the\t black stone.\tThe\tEye\tclicked\tand\ttumbled\tinto\tElena\u2019s\tawaiting\thand.\tSealing\tthe\tsarcophagus. Locking\tit. \u201cYou\u2019ve\thad\tthe\tLock\tall\talong,\u201d\tManon\tmurmured.\t\u201cBut\tthen\tthe\tmirror\t\u2026\u201d \u201cI\t think,\u201d\t Aelin\t breathed,\t \u201cwe\t have\t been\t deliberately\t misled\t about\t what\t we\t must retrieve.\u201d \u201cWhy?\u201d\tManon\tsaid\twith\tequal\tquiet. \u201cI\tsuppose\twe\u2019re\tabout\tto\tfind\tout.\u201d A\t memory\u2014that\u2019s\t what\t this\t was.\t But\t what\t was\t so\t vital\t that\t they\t had\t been\t sent\t to retrieve\tit\twhen\tthe\twhole\tdamn\tworld\twas\tfalling\tapart\taround\tthem? Aelin\tand\tManon\tstood\tin\tsilence\tas\tthe\tscene\tunfolded.\tAs\tthe\ttruth,\tat\tlast\tthe\ttruth, now\twove\ttogether.","65 Dawn\tat\tthe\tObsidian\tPasses The\tLock\thad\tcrafted\tthe\tsarcophagus\tfrom\tthe\tmountain\titself. It\t had\t taken\t every\t ember\t of\t its\t power\t to\t bind\t Erawan\t within\t the\t stone,\t to\t seal\t him inside. She\t could\t feel\t the\t Dark\t King\t sleeping\t within.\t Hear\t the\t shrieks\t of\t his\t fell\t army feasting\t on\t human\t flesh\t in\t the\t valley\t far\t below.\t How\t long\t would\t they\t continue\t fighting when\tword\tspread\tthat\tErawan\thad\tfallen? She\t wasn\u2019t\t foolish\t enough\t to\t hope\t her\t companions\t had\t survived\t the\t slaughter.\t Not this\tlong. On\t her\t knees\t in\t the\t sharp\t black\t rock,\t Elena\t gazed\t at\t the\t obsidian\t sarcophagus,\t the symbols\t carved\t into\t it.\t They\t initially\t had\t been\t glowing,\t but\t had\t now\t faded\t and\t cooled, settled\tinto\tplace.\tWhen\tshe\thad\tstolen\tthe\tLock\tfrom\ther\tfather\tall\tthose\tmonths\tago,\tshe had\tnot\tknown\u2014had\tnot\tunderstood\u2014the\ttruth\tdepth\tof\tits\tpower.\tStill\tdid\tnot\tknow\twhy he\t had\t forged\t it.\t Only\t that\t once,\t just\t once,\t could\t the\t Lock\u2019s\t power\t be\t wielded.\t And\t that power\t\u2026\toh,\tthat\tmighty,\tshattering\tpower\t\u2026\tit\thad\tsaved\tthem\tall. Gavin,\t sprawled\t and\t bloody\t behind\t her,\t stirred.\t His\t face\t was\t so\t mangled\t she\t could barely\tsee\tthe\thandsome,\tfierce\tfeatures\tbeneath.\tHis\tleft\tarm\twas\tuseless\tat\this\tside.\tThe price\tof\tdistracting\tErawan\twhile\tshe\u2019d\tunleashed\tthe\tLock\u2019s\tpower.\tBut\teven\tGavin\thad not\tknown\twhat\tshe\u2019d\tbeen\tplanning.\tWhat\tshe\u2019d\tstolen\tand\tharbored\tall\tthese\tmonths. She\tdid\tnot\tregret\tit.\tNot\twhen\tit\thad\tspared\thim\tfrom\tdeath.\tWorse. Gavin\ttook\tin\tthe\tsarcophagus,\tthe\tempty,\tintricate\tamulet\tof\tthe\tLock\tin\ther\tpalm\tas it\t rested\t on\t her\t thigh.\t He\t recognized\t it\t instantly,\t having\t seen\t it\t around\t her\t father\u2019s\t neck during\t those\t initial\t weeks\t in\t Orynth.\t The\t blue\t stone\t in\t its\t center\t was\t now\t drained,\t dim where\tit\thad\tonce\tflickered\twith\tinner\tfire.\tBarely\ta\tdrop\tof\tits\tpower\tleft,\tif\tthat. \u201cWhat\thave\tyou\tdone?\u201d\tHis\tvoice\twas\ta\tbroken\trasp\tfrom\tscreaming\tduring\tErawan\u2019s ministrations.\tTo\tbuy\ther\ttime,\tto\tsave\ttheir\tpeople\u2014 Elena\tfolded\ther\tfingers\tinto\ta\tfist\taround\tthe\tLock.\t\u201cHe\tis\tsealed.\tHe\tcannot\tescape.\u201d \u201cYour\tfather\u2019s\tLock\u2014\u201d \u201cIt\tis\tdone,\u201d\tshe\tsaid,\tshifting\ther\tattention\tto\tthe\tdozen\tancient,\timmortal\tfigures\tnow on\tthe\tother\tside\tof\tthe\tsarcophagus. Gavin\tstarted,\thissing\tat\this\tbroken\tbody\twith\tthe\tsudden\tmovement.","They\thad\tno\tforms.\tThey\twere\tonly\tfigments\tof\tlight\tand\tshadow,\twind\tand\train,\tsong and\tmemory.\tEach\tindividual,\tand\tyet\ta\tpart\tof\tone\tmajority,\tone\tconsciousness. They\twere\tall\tgazing\tat\tthe\tbroken\tLock\tin\ther\thands,\tits\tstone\tdull. Gavin\tlowered\this\tbrow\tto\tthe\tblood-soaked\trock\tand\taverted\this\teyes. Elena\u2019s\tvery\tbones\tquailed\tin\ttheir\tpresence,\tbut\tshe\tkept\ther\tchin\thigh. \u201cOur\tsister\u2019s\tbloodline\thas\tbetrayed\tus,\u201d\tsaid\tone\tthat\twas\tof\tsea\tand\tsky\tand\tstorms. Elena\tshook\ther\thead,\ttrying\tto\tswallow.\tFailing.\t\u201cI\tsaved\tus.\tI\tstopped\tErawan\u2014\u201d \u201cFool,\u201d\t said\t the\t one\t of\t many\t shifting\t voices,\t both\t animal\t and\t human.\t \u201cHalf-breed fool.\t Did\t you\t not\t consider\t why\t your\t father\t carried\t it,\t why\t he\t bided\t his\t time\t all\t these years,\tgathering\this\tstrength?\tHe\twas\tto\twield\tit\u2014to\tseal\tthe\tthree\tWyrdkeys\tback\tinto\tthe gate,\tand\tsend\tus\thome\tbefore\the\tshut\tthe\tgate\tforever.\tUs,\tand\tthe\tDark\tKing.\tThe\tLock was\tforged\tfor\tus\u2014promised\tto\tus.\tAnd\tyou\twasted\tit.\u201d Elena\t braced\t a\t hand\t on\t the\t earth\t to\t keep\t from\t swaying.\t \u201cMy\t father\t bears\t the Wyrdkeys?\u201d\t He\t had\t never\t so\t much\t as\t hinted\t \u2026\t And\t the\t Lock\t \u2026\t she\t had\t thought\t it\t a mere\tweapon.\tA\tweapon\the\thad\trefused\tto\twield\tin\tthis\tbloody\twar. They\tdid\tnot\tanswer,\ttheir\tsilence\tconfirmation\tenough. A\tsmall,\tbroken\tnoise\tcame\tout\tof\ther\tthroat.\tElena\tbreathed,\t\u201cI\u2019m\tsorry.\u201d Their\trage\trattled\ther\tbones,\tthreatened\tto\tstop\ther\theart\tdead\tin\ther\tchest.\tThe\tone\tof flame\tand\tlight\tand\tashes\tseemed\tto\twithhold,\tseemed\tto\tpause\tin\ther\twrath. To\tremember. She\t had\t not\t seen\t or\t spoken\t to\t her\t mother\t since\t she\t had\t left\t her\t body\t to\t forge\t the Lock.\tSince\tRhiannon\tCrochan\thad\thelped\tMala\tcast\ther\tvery\tessence\tinto\tit,\tthe\tmass\tof its\t power\t contained\t within\t the\t small\t witch\t mirror\t disguised\t as\t a\t blue\t stone,\t to\t be unleashed\t only\t once.\t They\t had\t never\t told\t Elena\t why.\t Never\t said\t it\t was\t anything\t more than\ta\tweapon\tthat\ther\tfather\twould\tone\tday\tdesperately\tneed\tto\twield. The\tcost:\ther\tmother\u2019s\tmortal\tbody,\tthe\tlife\tshe\thad\twanted\tfor\therself\twith\tBrannon and\ttheir\tchildren.\tIt\thad\tbeen\tten\tyears\tsince\tthen.\tTen\tyears,\ther\tfather\thad\tnever\tstopped waiting\tfor\tMala\tto\treturn,\thoping\the\u2019d\tsee\ther\tagain.\tJust\tonce. I\twill\tnot\tremember\tyou,\tMala\thad\tsaid\tto\tthem\tall\tbefore\tshe\thad\tgiven\therself\tto\tthe Lock\u2019s\tforging.\tAnd\tyet\tthere\tshe\twas.\tPausing.\tAs\tif\tshe\tremembered. \u201cMother,\u201d\tElena\twhispered,\ta\tbroken\tplea. Mala\tLight-Bringer\tlooked\taway\tfrom\ther. The\t one\t who\t saw\t all\t with\t wise,\t calm\t eyes\t said,\t \u201cUnleash\t him.\t So\t we\t have\t been betrayed\t by\t these\t earth\t beasts,\t let\t us\t return\t the\t favor.\t Unleash\t the\t Dark\t King\t from\t his coffin.\u201d \u201cNo,\u201d\tElena\tpleaded,\trising\tfrom\ther\tknees.\t\u201cPlease\u2014please.\tTell\tme\twhat\tI\tmust\tdo to\tatone,\tbut\tplease\tdo\tnot\tunleash\thim.\tI\tbeg\tyou.\u201d","\u201cHe\twill\trise\tagain\tone\tday,\u201d\tsaid\tthe\tone\tof\tdarkness\tand\tdeath.\t\u201cHe\twill\tawaken.\tYou have\t wasted\t our\t Lock\t on\t a\t fool\u2019s\t errand,\t when\t you\t could\t have\t solved\t all,\t had\t you\t only the\tpatience\tand\twits\tto\tunderstand.\u201d \u201cThen\t let\t him\t awaken,\u201d\t Elena\t begged,\t her\t voice\t breaking.\t \u201cLet\t someone\t else\t inherit this\twar\u2014someone\tbetter\tprepared.\u201d \u201cCoward,\u201d\tsaid\tthe\tone\twith\ta\tvoice\tof\tsteel\tand\tshields\tand\tarrows.\t\u201cCoward\tto\tshove the\tburden\tto\tanother.\u201d \u201cPlease,\u201d\tElena\tsaid.\t\u201cI\twill\tgive\tyou\tanything.\tAnything.\tBut\tnot\tthat.\u201d As\tone,\tthey\tlooked\tto\tGavin. No\u2014 But\t it\t was\t her\t mother\t who\t said,\t \u201cWe\t have\t waited\t this\t long\t to\t return\t home.\t We\t may wait\ta\tlittle\tlonger.\tWatch\tover\tthis\t\u2026\tplace\ta\tlittle\tlonger.\u201d Not\t just\t gods,\t but\t beings\t of\t a\t higher,\t different\t existence.\t For\t whom\t time\t was\t fluid, and\t bodies\t were\t things\t to\t be\t shifted\t and\t molded.\t Who\t could\t exist\t in\t multiple\t places, spread\tthemselves\twide\tlike\tnets\tbeing\tthrown.\tThey\twere\tas\tmighty\tand\tvast\tand\teternal as\ta\thuman\twas\tto\ta\tmayfly. They\t had\t not\t been\t born\t in\t this\t world.\t Perhaps\t had\t become\t trapped\t here\t after wandering\t through\t a\t Wyrdgate.\t And\t they\t had\t struck\t some\t bargain\t with\t her\t father,\t with Mala,\tto\tat\tlast\tsend\tthem\thome,\tbanishing\tErawan\twith\tthem.\tAnd\tshe\thad\truined\tit. The\t one\t with\t three\t faces\t said,\t \u201cWe\t will\t wait.\t But\t there\t must\t be\t a\t price.\t And\t a promise.\u201d \u201cName\t it,\u201d\t Elena\t said.\t If\t they\t took\t Gavin,\t she\u2019d\t follow.\t She\t was\t not\t the\t heir\t to\t her father\u2019s\t throne.\t It\t did\t not\t matter\t if\t she\t walked\t out\t of\t this\t mountain\t pass.\t She\t wasn\u2019t entirely\tcertain\tshe\tcould\tbear\tto\tsee\thim\tagain,\tnot\tafter\ther\tarrogance\tand\tpride\tand\tself- righteousness.\tBrannon\thad\tbegged\ther\tto\tlisten,\tto\twait.\tShe\thad\tinstead\tstolen\tthe\tLock from\thim\tand\trun\twith\tGavin\tinto\tthe\tnight,\tdesperate\tto\tsave\tthese\tlands. The\tone\twith\tthree\tfaces\tstudied\ther.\t\u201cMala\u2019s\tbloodline\tshall\tbleed\tagain\tto\tforge\tthe Lock\tanew.\tAnd\tyou\twill\tlead\tthem,\ta\tlamb\tto\tslaughter,\tto\tpay\tthe\tprice\tof\tthis\tchoice\tyou made\tto\twaste\tits\tpower\there,\tfor\tthis\tpetty\tbattle.\tYou\twill\tshow\tthis\tfuture\tscion\thow\tto forge\ta\tnew\tLock\twith\tMala\u2019s\tgifts,\thow\tto\tthen\tuse\tit\tto\twield\tthe\tkeys\tand\tsend\tus\thome. Our\toriginal\tbargain\tstill\tholds:\twe\twill\ttake\tthe\tDark\tKing\twith\tus.\tTear\thim\tapart\tin\tour own\t world,\t where\t he\t will\t be\t but\t dust\t and\t memory.\t When\t we\t are\t gone\u2014you\t will\t show this\tscion\thow\tto\tseal\tthe\tgate\tbehind\tus,\tthe\tLock\tholding\tit\tintact\teternally.\tBy\tyielding every\t last\t drop\t of\t their\t life\t force.\t As\t your\t father\t was\t prepared\t to\t do\t when\t the\t time\t was right.\u201d \u201cPlease,\u201d\tElena\tbreathed. The\t three-faced\t one\t said,\t \u201cTell\t Brannon\t of\t the\t Wildfire\t what\t occurred\t here;\t tell\t him the\tprice\this\tbloodline\tshall\tone\tday\tpay.\tTell\thim\tto\tready\tfor\tit.\u201d","She\tlet\tthe\twords,\tthe\tdamnation,\tsink\tin.\t\u201cI\twill,\u201d\tshe\twhispered. But\tthey\twere\tgone.\tThere\twas\tonly\ta\tlingering\twarmth,\tas\tif\ta\tbeam\tof\tsunlight\thad brushed\ther\tcheek. Gavin\tlifted\this\thead.\t\u201cWhat\thave\tyou\tdone?\u201d\the\tasked\tagain.\t\u201cWhat\thave\tyou\tgiven them?\u201d \u201cDid\tyou\tnot\u2014not\thear\tit?\u201d \u201cOnly\tyou,\u201d\the\trasped,\this\tface\tso\thorribly\tpale.\t\u201cNo\tothers.\u201d She\t stared\t at\t the\t sarcophagus\t before\t them,\t its\t black\t stone\t rooted\t to\t the\t earth\t of\t the pass.\tImmovable.\tThey\twould\thave\tto\tbuild\tsomething\taround\tit,\tto\thide\tit,\tprotect\tit. Elena\tsaid,\t\u201cThe\tprice\twill\tbe\tpaid\u2014later.\u201d \u201cTell\tme.\u201d\tHis\tswollen,\tsplit\tlips\tcould\tbarely\tform\tthe\twords. Since\t she\t had\t already\t damned\t herself,\t damned\t her\t bloodline,\t she\t figured\t there\t was nothing\tleft\tto\tlose\tin\tlying.\tNot\tthis\tone\ttime,\tthis\tlast\ttime.\t\u201cErawan\twill\tawaken\tagain \u2014one\tday.\tWhen\tthe\ttime\tcomes,\tI\twill\thelp\tthose\twho\tmust\tfight\thim.\u201d His\teyes\twere\twary. \u201cCan\tyou\twalk?\u201d\tshe\tasked,\textending\ta\thand\tto\thelp\thim\trise.\tThe\trising\tsun\tcast\tthe black\t mountains\t in\t gold\t and\t red.\t She\t had\t no\t doubt\t the\t valley\t behind\t was\t bathed\t in\t the latter. Gavin\treleased\this\tgrip,\tthe\tfingers\tstill\tbroken,\tfrom\twhere\tit\thad\trested\ton\tDamaris\u2019s hilt.\tBut\the\tdid\tnot\ttake\ther\toffered\thand. And\the\tdid\tnot\ttell\ther\twhat\the\u2019d\tdetected\twhile\the\ttouched\tthe\tSword\tof\tTruth,\twhat lies\the\u2019d\tsensed\tand\tunraveled. They\tnever\tspoke\tof\tthem\tagain. Moonrise\tat\tthe\tTemple\tof\tSandrian,\tthe\tStone\tMarshes The\t Princess\t of\t Eyllwe\t had\t been\t wandering\t the\t Stone\t Marshes\t for\t weeks,\t searching\t for answers\t to\t riddles\t posed\t a\t thousand\t years\t ago.\t Answers\t that\t might\t save\t her\t doomed kingdom. Keys\tand\tgates\tand\tlocks\u2014portals\tand\tpits\tand\tprophecies.\tThat\twas\twhat\tthe\tprincess murmured\tto\therself\tin\tthe\tweeks\tshe\u2019d\tbeen\tstalking\tthrough\tthe\tmarshes\talone,\thunting to\t keep\t herself\t alive,\t fighting\t the\t beasts\t of\t teeth\t and\t venom\t when\t necessary,\t reading\t the stars\tfor\tentertainment. So\twhen\tthe\tprincess\tat\tlast\treached\tthe\ttemple,\twhen\tshe\tstood\tbefore\tthe\tstone\taltar and\tthe\tchest\tthat\twas\tthe\tlight\ttwin\tto\tthe\tdark\tone\tbeneath\tMorath,\tshe\tat\tlast\tappeared. \u201cYou\tare\tNehemia,\u201d\tshe\tsaid. The\t princess\t whirled,\t her\t hunting\t leathers\t stained\t and\t damp,\t the\t gold\t tips\t on\t her","braided\thair\tclinking. An\tassessing\tlook\twith\teyes\tthat\twere\ttoo\told\tfor\tbarely\teighteen;\teyes\tthat\thad\tstared long\t into\t the\t darkness\t between\t the\t stars\t and\t yearned\t to\t know\t its\t secrets.\t \u201cAnd\t you\t are Elena.\u201d Elena\tnodded.\t\u201cWhy\thave\tyou\tcome?\u201d The\t Princess\t of\t Eyllwe\t jerked\t her\t elegant\t chin\t toward\t the\t stone\t chest.\t \u201cAm\t I\t not called\tto\topen\tit?\tTo\tlearn\thow\tto\tsave\tus,\tand\tto\tpay\tthe\tprice?\u201d \u201cNo,\u201d\tElena\tsaid\tquietly.\t\u201cNot\tyou.\tNot\tin\tthis\tway.\u201d A\ttightening\tof\ther\tlips\twas\tthe\tonly\tsign\tof\tthe\tprincess\u2019s\tdispleasure.\t\u201cThen\tin\twhat way,\tLady,\tam\tI\trequired\tto\tbleed?\u201d She\thad\tbeen\twatching,\tand\twaiting,\tand\tpaying\tfor\ther\tchoices\tfor\tso\tlong.\tToo\tlong. And\tnow\tthat\tdarkness\thad\tfallen\t\u2026\tnow\ta\tnew\tsun\twould\trise.\tMust\trise. \u201cIt\tis\tMala\u2019s\tbloodline\tthat\twill\tpay,\tnot\tyour\town.\u201d Her\tback\tstiffened.\t\u201cYou\thave\tnot\tanswered\tmy\tquestion.\u201d Elena\t wished\t she\t could\t hold\t back\t the\t words,\t keep\t them\t locked\t up.\t But\t this\t was\t the price,\tfor\ther\tkingdom,\ther\tpeople.\tThe\tprice\tfor\tthese\tpeople,\tthis\tkingdom.\tAnd\tothers. \u201cIn\t the\t North,\t two\t branches\t flow\t from\t Mala.\t One\t to\t the\t Havilliard\t House,\t where\t its prince\t with\t my\t mate\u2019s\t eyes\t possesses\t my\t raw\t magic\u2014and\t her\t brute\t power.\t The\t other branch\t flows\t through\t the\t Galathynius\t House,\t where\t it\t bred\t true:\t flame\t and\t embers\t and ashes.\u201d \u201cAelin\tGalathynius\tis\tdead,\u201d\tNehemia\tsaid. \u201cNot\tdead.\u201d\tNo,\tshe\u2019d\tensured\tthat,\tstill\tpaying\tfor\twhat\tshe\u2019d\tdone\tthat\twintry\tnight. \u201cJust\t hiding,\t forgotten\t by\t a\t world\t grateful\t to\t see\t such\t a\t power\t extinguished\t before\t it matured.\u201d \u201cWhere\tis\tshe?\tAnd\thow\tdoes\tthis\ttie\tto\tme,\tLady?\u201d \u201cYou\tare\tversed\tin\tthe\thistory,\tin\tthe\tplayers\tand\tthe\tstakes.\tYou\tknow\tthe\tWyrdmarks and\thow\tto\twield\tthem.\tYou\tmisread\tthe\triddles,\tthinking\tit\twas\tyou\twho\tmust\tcome\there, to\tthis\tplace.\tThis\tmirror\tis\tnot\tthe\tLock\u2014it\tis\ta\tpool\tof\tmemory.\tForged\tby\tmyself,\tmy father,\tand\tRhiannon\tCrochan.\tForged\tso\tthe\their\tof\tthis\tburden\tmight\tunderstand\tone\tday. Know\t everything\t before\t deciding.\t This\t encounter,\t too,\t shall\t be\t held\t in\t it.\t But\t you\t were called,\tso\twe\tmight\tmeet.\u201d That\twise,\tyoung\tface\twaited. \u201cGo\t north,\t Princess,\u201d\t Elena\t said.\t \u201cGo\t into\t your\t enemy\u2019s\t household.\t Make\t the contacts,\t get\t the\t invitation,\t do\t what\t you\t must,\t but\t get\t to\t your\t enemy\u2019s\t house.\t The\t two bloodlines\twill\tconverge\tthere.\tAlready,\tthey\tare\ton\ttheir\tway.\u201d \u201cAelin\tGalathynius\tis\theaded\tto\tAdarlan?\u201d","\u201cNot\tAelin.\tNot\twith\tthat\tname,\tthat\tcrown.\tKnow\ther\tby\ther\teyes\u2014turquoise\twith\ta core\t of\t gold.\t Know\t her\t by\t the\t mark\t on\t her\t brow\u2014the\t bastard\u2019s\t mark,\t the\t mark\t of Brannon.\tGuide\ther.\tHelp\ther.\tShe\twill\tneed\tyou.\u201d \u201cAnd\tthe\tprice?\u201d Elena\thated\tthem,\tthen. Hated\t the\t gods\t who\t had\t demanded\t this.\t Hated\t herself.\t Hated\t that\t this\t was\t asked,\t all these\tbright\tlights\t\u2026 \u201cYou\twill\tnot\tsee\tEyllwe\tagain.\u201d The\t princess\t stared\t at\t the\t stars\t as\t if\t they\t spoke\t to\t her,\t as\t if\t the\t answer\t were\t written there.\t\u201cWill\tmy\tpeople\tsurvive?\u201d\tA\tsmall,\tquiet\tvoice. \u201cI\tdon\u2019t\tknow.\u201d \u201cThen\tI\twill\ttake\tthe\tsteps\tfor\tthat,\ttoo.\tUnite\tthe\trebels\twhile\tI\tam\tin\tRifthold,\tready the\tcontinent\tfor\twar.\u201d Nehemia\tlowered\ther\teyes\tfrom\tthe\tstars.\tElena\twanted\tto\tfall\tto\ther\tknees\tbefore\tthe young\tprincess,\tbeg\ther\tforgiveness.\t\u201cOne\tof\tthem\tmust\tbe\tready\u2014to\tdo\twhat\tneeds\tto\tbe done,\u201d\tElena\tsaid,\tif\tonly\tbecause\tit\twas\tthe\tsole\tway\tto\texplain,\tto\tapologize. Nehemia\t swallowed.\t \u201cThen\t I\t shall\t help\t in\t whatever\t way\t I\t can.\t For\t Erilea.\t And\t my people.\u201d","66 Aedion\t Ashryver\t had\t been\t trained\t to\t kill\t men\t and\t hold\t a\t line\t in\t battle\t since\t he\t was\t old enough\tto\tlift\ta\tsword.\tCrown\tPrince\tRhoe\tGalathynius\thad\tbegun\this\ttraining\tpersonally, holding\t Aedion\t to\t standards\t that\t some\t might\t have\t deemed\t unfair,\t too\t unyielding\t for\t a boy. But\t Rhoe\t had\t known,\t Aedion\t realized\t as\t he\t stood\t on\t the\t prow\t of\t the\t ship,\t Ansel\t of Briarcliff\u2019s\t men\t armed\t and\t ready\t behind\t him.\t Rhoe\t had\t known\t even\t then\t that\t Aedion would\tserve\tAelin,\tand\twhen\tforeign\tarmies\tchallenged\tthe\tmight\tof\tthe\tFire-Bringer\t\u2026\tit might\tnot\tbe\tmere\tmortals\tthat\the\tfaced. Rhoe\u2014Evalin\u2014had\tgambled\tthat\tthe\timmortal\tarmy\tnow\tstretching\taway\tbefore\thim would\t one\t day\t come\t to\t these\t shores.\t And\t they\t had\t wanted\t to\t ensure\t that\t Aedion\t was ready\twhen\tit\tdid. \u201cShields\t up,\u201d\t Aedion\t ordered\t the\t men\t as\t the\t second\t volley\t of\t arrows\t rained\t from Maeve\u2019s\tarmada.\tThe\tmagical\tcloak\taround\ttheir\tships\twas\tholding\twell\tenough\tthanks\tto Dorian\t Havilliard,\t and\t though\t he\t was\t glad\t for\t any\t bloodshed\t it\t spared\t them,\t after\t the bullshit\tthe\tking\thad\tpulled\twith\tAelin\tand\tManon,\tAedion\tgritted\this\tteeth\tat\teach\tripple of\tcolor\tupon\timpact. \u201cThese\t are\t soldiers,\t the\t same\t as\t you,\u201d\t Aedion\t went\t on.\t \u201cDon\u2019t\t let\t the\t pointy\t ears deceive\tyou.\tThey\tbleed\tlike\tthe\trest\tof\tus.\tAnd\tcan\tdie\tfrom\tthe\tsame\twounds,\ttoo.\u201d He\t didn\u2019t\t let\t himself\t glance\t behind\u2014to\t where\t his\t father\t commanded\t and\t shielded another\tline\tof\tships.\tGavriel\thad\tkept\tquiet\twhile\tFenrys\tdivulged\thow\tto\tkeep\ta\tquick- healing\t Fae\t warrior\t down:\t go\t for\t slicing\t through\t muscles\t rather\t than\t stabbing\t wounds. Snap\ta\ttendon\tand\tyou\u2019ll\thalt\tan\timmortal\tlong\tenough\tto\tkill. Easier\t said\t than\t done.\t The\t soldiers\t had\t gone\t pale-faced\t at\t the\t thought\t of\t it\u2014open combat,\tblade-to-blade,\tagainst\tFae\twarriors.\tRightly\tso. But\t Aedion\u2019s\t duty\t wasn\u2019t\t to\t remind\t them\t of\t the\t blunt\t facts.\t His\t duty\t was\t to\t make them\t willing\t to\t die,\t to\t make\t this\t fight\t seem\t utterly\t necessary.\t Fear\t could\t break\t a\t line faster\tthan\tany\tenemy\tcharge. Rhoe\u2014his\t real\t father\u2014had\t taught\t him\t that.\t And\t Aedion\t had\t learned\t it\t during\t those years\tin\tthe\tNorth.\tLearned\tit\tfighting\tknee-deep\tin\tmud\tand\tgore\twith\tthe\tBane. He\twished\tthey\tflanked\thim,\tnot\tunknown\tsoldiers\tfrom\tthe\tWastes. But\the\twould\tnot\tlet\this\town\tfear\terode\this\tresolve. Maeve\u2019s\tsecond\tvolley\trose\tup,\tup,\tup,\tthe\tarrows\tsoaring\tfaster\tand\tfarther\tthan\tthose","from\tmortal\tbows.\tWith\tbetter\taim. The\t invisible\t shield\t above\t them\t rippled\t with\t flickers\t of\t blue\t and\t purple\t as\t arrows hissed\tand\tslid\toff\tit. Buckling\talready,\tbecause\tthose\tarrows\tcame\ttipped\twith\tmagic. The\t soldiers\t on\t the\t deck\t stirred,\t shields\t shifting,\t their\t anticipation\t and\t rising\t terror coating\tAedion\u2019s\tsenses.\t\u201cJust\ta\tbit\tof\train,\tboys,\u201d\the\tsaid,\tgrinning\twidely.\t\u201cI\tthought\tyou bastards\twere\tused\tto\tit\tout\tin\tthe\tWastes.\u201d Some\tgrumbles\u2014but\tthose\tmetal\tshields\tstopped\tshivering. Aedion\t made\t himself\t chuckle.\t Made\t himself\t the\t Wolf\t of\t the\t North,\t eager\t to\t spill blood\t upon\t the\t southern\t seas.\t As\t Rhoe\t had\t taught\t him,\t as\t Rhoe\t had\t prepared\t him,\t long before\tTerrasen\tfell\tto\tthe\tshadow\tof\tAdarlan. Not\tagain.\tNever\tagain\u2014and\tcertainly\tnot\tto\tMaeve.\tCertainly\tnot\there,\twith\tno\tone to\twitness\tit. Ahead,\tat\tthe\tfront\tlines,\tRowan\u2019s\tmagic\tflared\twhite\tin\tsilent\tsignal. \u201cArrows\tat\tthe\tready,\u201d\tAedion\tordered. Bows\tgroaned,\tarrows\tpointing\tskyward. Another\tflash. \u201cVolley!\u201d\tAedion\tbellowed. The\tworld\tdarkened\tbeneath\ttheir\tarrows\tas\tthey\tsailed\ttoward\tMaeve\u2019s\tarmada. A\tstorm\tof\tarrows\u2014to\tdistract\tfrom\tthe\treal\tattack\tbeneath\tthe\twaves. The\twater\twas\tdimmer\there,\tthe\tsunlight\tslim\tshafts\tthat\tslid\tbetween\tthe\tfat-bellied\tboats amassed\tabove\tthe\twaves. Other\tcreatures\thad\tgathered\tat\tthe\truckus,\tflesh-shredders\tlooking\tfor\tthe\tmeals\tthat would\tsurely\tcome\twhen\tthe\ttwo\tarmadas\tat\tlast\tmet. A\t flash\t of\t light\t had\t sent\t Lysandra\t diving\t deep,\t weaving\t between\t the\t circling scavengers,\t blending\t into\t their\t masses\t as\t best\t as\t she\t could\t while\t she\t launched\t into\t a sprint. She\thad\tmodified\ther\tsea\tdragon.\tGiven\tit\tlonger\tlimbs\u2014with\tprehensile\tthumbs. Given\ther\ttail\tmore\tstrength,\tmore\tcontrol. Her\t own\t little\t project,\t during\t the\t long\t days\t of\t travel.\t To\t take\t one\t original\t form\t and perfect\tit.\tTo\talter\twhat\tthe\tgods\thad\tmade\tto\ther\town\tliking. Lysandra\t reached\t the\t first\t ship\t Rowan\t had\t marked.\t A\t careful,\t precise\t map\t of\t where and\thow\tto\tstrike.\tA\tsnap\tof\ther\ttail\thad\tthe\trudder\tin\tpieces. Their\t shouts\t reached\t her\t even\t under\t the\t waves,\t but\t Lysandra\t was\t already\t flying,","soaring\tfor\tthe\tnext\tmarked\tboat. She\t used\t her\t claws\t this\t time,\t grabbing\t the\t rudder\t and\t ripping\t it\t clean\t off.\t Then bashing\ta\thole\tin\tthe\tkeel\twith\ther\tclubbed\ttail.\tClubbed,\tnot\tspiked\u2014no,\tthe\tspikes\thad gotten\tstuck\tin\tSkull\u2019s\tBay.\tSo\tshe\u2019d\tmade\ther\ttail\tinto\ta\tbattering\tram. Arrows\tfired\twith\tbetter\taccuracy\tthan\tthe\tValg\tfoot\tsoldiers,\tshooting\tlike\tthose\trays of\tsunshine\tinto\tthe\twater.\tShe\u2019d\tprepared\tfor\tthat,\ttoo. They\tbounced\toff\tscales\tof\tSpidersilk.\tHours\tspent\tstudying\tthe\tmaterial\tgrafted\tonto Abraxos\u2019s\t wings\t had\t taught\t her\t about\t it\u2014how\t to\t change\t her\t own\t skin\t into\t the impenetrable\tfiber. Lysandra\ttore\tinto\tanother\trudder,\tthen\tanother.\tAnd\tanother. Fae\t soldiers\t were\t screaming\t in\t advance\t of\t her.\t But\t the\t harpoons\t they\t fired\t were\t too heavy,\t and\t she\t was\t too\t fast,\t dove\t too\t deep\t and\t too\t swift.\t Whips\t of\t water\t magic\t speared for\ther,\ttrying\tto\tensnare\ther.\tShe\toutswam\tthem,\ttoo. The\t court\t that\t could\t change\t the\t world,\t she\t told\t herself\t over\t and\t over,\t as\t exhaustion weighed\t her\t down,\t as\t she\t kept\t disabling\t rudder\t after\t rudder,\t punching\t holes\t in\t those selected\tFae\tships. She\t had\t made\t a\t promise\t to\t that\t court,\t that\t future.\t To\t Aedion.\t And\t to\t her\t queen.\t She would\tnot\tfail\ther. And\tif\tgods-damned\tMaeve\twanted\tto\tgo\thead-to-head\twith\tthem,\tif\tMaeve\tthought\tto strike\tthem\twhen\tthey\twere\tweakest\t\u2026\tLysandra\twas\tgoing\tto\tmake\tthe\tbitch\tregret\tit. Dorian\u2019s\t magic\t roiled\t as\t Maeve\u2019s\t armada\t went\t from\t firing\t arrows\t to\t outright\t chaos.\t But he\t kept\t his\t shields\t intact,\t patching\t the\t spots\t where\t arrows\t had\t broken\t through.\t Already, his\tpower\twobbled,\ttoo\tswiftly\tdrained. Either\tthrough\tsome\ttrick\tof\tMaeve\u2019s\tor\twhatever\tmagic\tcoated\tthose\tarrows. But\t Dorian\t gritted\t his\t teeth,\t leashing\t his\t magic\t to\t his\t will,\t Rowan\u2019s\t bellowed warnings\t to\t hold\t echoing\t off\t the\t water\u2014amplified\t in\t the\t way\t that\t Gavriel\t had\t used\t his voice\tin\tSkull\u2019s\tBay. But\t even\t with\t the\t chaos\t of\t Maeve\u2019s\t armada\t finding\t their\t ships\t under\t siege\t from beneath\tthe\twater,\tthe\tlines\tof\tit\tstretched\taway\tforever. Aelin\tand\tManon\thad\tnot\treturned. A\tFae\tmale\tin\ta\traging,\tlethal\tpanic\twas\ta\tterrifying\tthing\tto\tbehold.\tTwo\tof\tthem\twere near\tcataclysmic. When\t Aelin\t and\t Manon\t had\t vanished\t into\t that\t mirror,\t Dorian\t suspected\t it\t was\t only Aedion\u2019s\t roaring\t that\t had\t made\t Rowan\t snap\t out\t of\t the\t blood\t fury\t he\u2019d\t descended\t into. And\t only\t the\t throbbing\t bruise\t on\t Dorian\u2019s\t cheek\t that\t made\t Rowan\t refrain\t from\t giving him\ta\tmatching\tone.","Dorian\t glanced\t toward\t the\t front\t lines,\t where\t the\t Fae\t Prince\t stood\t at\t the\t prow\t of\t his ship,\t his\t sword\t and\t hatchet\t out,\t a\t quiver\t of\t arrows\t and\t bow\t strapped\t across\t his\t back, various\t hunting\t knives\t honed\t razor-sharp.\t The\t prince\t had\t not\t snapped\t out\t of\t it\t at\t all,\t he realized. No,\t Rowan\t had\t already\t descended\t to\t a\t level\t of\t icy\t wrath\t that\t had\t Dorian\u2019s\t magic trembling,\teven\tfrom\tthe\tdistance\tnow\tbetween\tthem. He\tcould\tfeel\tit,\tRowan\u2019s\tpower\u2014feel\tit\tas\the\u2019d\tsensed\tAelin\u2019s\tsurging\tup. Rowan\t had\t already\t been\t deep\t within\t his\t reservoir\t of\t power\t when\t Aelin\t and\t Manon had\tleft.\tHe\u2019d\tused\tthe\tlast\thour,\tonce\tAedion\thad\tfocused\tthat\tfear\tand\tanger\ton\tthe\tbattle ahead,\tto\tplunge\teven\tdeeper.\tIt\tnow\tflowed\taround\tthem\tlike\tthe\tsea\tmere\tfeet\tbelow. Dorian\t had\t followed\t suit,\t falling\t back\t on\t the\t training\t the\t prince\t had\t instilled\t in\t him. Ice\tcoated\this\tveins,\this\theart. Aedion\t had\t said\t only\t one\t thing\t to\t him\t before\t departing\t for\t his\t own\t section\t of\t the armada.\tThe\tgeneral-prince\thad\tlooked\thim\tover\tonce,\this\tAshryver\teyes\tlingering\ton\tthe bruise\t he\u2019d\t given\t him,\t and\t said,\t \u201cFear\t is\t a\t death\t sentence.\t When\t you\u2019re\t out\t there, remember\tthat\twe\tdon\u2019t\tneed\tto\tsurvive.\tOnly\tput\tenough\tof\ta\tdent\tin\tthem\tso\tthat\twhen she\tcomes\tback\t\u2026\tshe\u2019ll\twipe\tout\tthe\trest.\u201d When.\tNot\tif.\tBut\twhen\tAelin\tfound\ttheir\tbodies,\tor\twhatever\twas\tleft\tof\tthem\tif\tthe sea\tdidn\u2019t\tclaim\tthem\t\u2026\tshe\tmight\tvery\twell\tend\tthe\tworld\tfor\trage. Maybe\tshe\tshould.\tMaybe\tthis\tworld\tdeserved\tit. Maybe\t Manon\t Blackbeak\t would\t help\t her\t do\t it.\t Maybe\t they\u2019d\t rule\t over\t the\t ruins together. He\t wished\t he\u2019d\t had\t more\t time\t to\t talk\t to\t the\t witch.\t To\t get\t to\t know\t her\t beyond\t what his\tbody\thad\talready\tlearned. Because\teven\twith\tthe\trudders\tbeing\tdisabled\t\u2026\tships\tnow\tadvanced. Fae\twarriors.\tBorn\tand\tbred\tto\tkill. Aedion\t and\t Rowan\t sent\t another\t volley\t of\t arrows\t aiming\t for\t the\t ships.\t Shields disintegrated\tthem\tbefore\tthey\tcould\tmeet\tany\ttargets.\tThis\twould\tnot\tend\twell. His\t heart\t thundered,\t and\t he\t swallowed\t as\t the\t ships\t crept\t around\t their\t foundering brethren,\tinching\ttoward\tthat\tdemarcation\tline. His\tmagic\twrithed. He\u2019d\thave\tto\tbe\tcareful\twhere\tto\taim.\tHave\tto\tmake\tit\tcount. He\tdid\tnot\ttrust\this\tpower\tto\tremain\tfocused\tif\the\tunleashed\tit\tall. And\tRowan\thad\ttold\thim\tnot\tto.\tHad\ttold\thim\tto\twait\tuntil\tthe\tarmada\twas\ttruly\tupon them.\tUntil\tthey\tcrossed\tthat\tline.\tUntil\tthe\tFae\tPrince\tgave\tthe\torder\tto\tfire. For\tit\twas\tfire\u2014and\tice\u2014that\twarred\tin\tDorian\tnow,\tbegging\tfor\trelease.","He\t kept\t his\t chin\t high\t as\t more\t ships\t inched\t toward\t those\t disabled\t at\t the\t front,\t then slipped\talongside\tthem. Dorian\tknew\tit\twould\thurt.\tKnew\tit\twould\thurt\tto\twreck\this\tmagic,\tand\tthen\twreck\this body.\tKnew\tit\twould\thurt\tto\tsee\this\tcompanions\tgo\tdown,\tone\tby\tone. Still\tRowan\theld\tthe\tfront\tline,\tdid\tnot\tlet\this\tships\tturn\tto\tflee. Closer\t and\t closer,\t those\t enemy\t ships\t speared\t toward\t their\t front\t lines,\t hauled\t by waving\t limbs\t of\t mighty\t oars.\t Archers\t were\t poised\t to\t fire,\t and\t sunlight\t glinted\t off\t the burnished\t armor\t of\t the\t battle-hungry\t Fae\t warriors\t aboard.\t Ready\t and\t rested,\t primed\t to slaughter. There\twould\tbe\tno\tsurrender.\tMaeve\twould\tdestroy\tthem\tjust\tto\tpunish\tAelin. He\u2019d\t failed\t them\u2014in\t sending\t Manon\t and\t Aelin\t away.\t On\t that\t gamble,\t he\u2019d\t perhaps failed\tall\tof\tthem. But\tRowan\tWhitethorn\thad\tnot. No,\tas\tthose\tenemy\tships\tslid\tinto\tplace\tamong\ttheir\tfoundering\tcompanions,\tDorian saw\tthat\tthey\teach\tbore\tthe\tsame\tflag: A\tsilver\tbanner,\twith\ta\tscreaming\thawk. And\t where\t Maeve\u2019s\t black\t flag\t of\t a\t perching\t owl\t had\t once\t flapped\t beside\t it\t \u2026\t now that\tblack\tflag\tlowered. Now\tthe\tdark\tqueen\u2019s\tflag\tvanished\tentirely,\tas\tFae\tships\tbearing\tthe\tsilver\tbanner\tof the\tHouse\tof\tWhitethorn\topened\tfire\tupon\ttheir\town\tarmada.","67 Rowan\thad\ttold\tEnda\tabout\tAelin. He\thad\ttold\this\tcousin\tabout\tthe\twoman\the\tloved,\tthe\tqueen\twhose\theart\tburned\twith wildfire.\t He\t had\t told\t Enda\t about\t Erawan,\t and\t the\t threat\t of\t the\t keys,\t and\t Maeve\u2019s\t own desire\tfor\tthem. And\tthen\the\thad\tgotten\ton\this\tknees\tand\tbegged\this\tcousin\tto\thelp. To\tnot\topen\tfire\ton\tTerrasen\u2019s\tarmada. But\ton\tMaeve\u2019s. To\tnot\tsquander\tthis\tone\tchance\tat\tpeace.\tAt\thalting\tthe\tdarkness\tbefore\tit\tconsumed them\tall,\tboth\tfrom\tMorath\tand\tMaeve.\tTo\tfight\tnot\tfor\tthe\tqueen\twho\thad\tenslaved\thim, but\tthe\tone\twho\thad\tsaved\thim. I\twill\tconsider\tit,\tEndymion\thad\tsaid. And\t so\t Rowan\t had\t gotten\t off\t his\t knees\t and\t flown\t to\t another\t cousin\u2019s\t ship.\t Princess Sellene,\t his\t youngest,\t cunning-eyed\t cousin,\t had\t listened.\t Had\t let\t him\t beg.\t And\t with\t a small\tsmile,\tshe\thad\tsaid\tthe\tsame\tthing.\tI\twill\tconsider\tit. So\the\u2019d\tgone,\tship\tto\tship.\tTo\tthe\tcousins\the\tknew\tmight\tlisten. An\t act\t of\t treason\u2014that\t was\t what\t he\t had\t begged\t them\t for.\t Treason\t and\t betrayal\t so great\tthey\tcould\tnever\tgo\thome.\tTheir\tlands,\ttheir\ttitles,\twould\tbe\tseized\tor\tdestroyed. And\t as\t their\t unharmed\t ships\t sailed\t into\t place\t beside\t those\t Lysandra\t had\t already disabled,\t as\t they\t opened\t an\t assault\t of\t arrows\t and\t magic\t upon\t their\t unsuspecting\t forces, Rowan\troared\tat\this\town\tfleet,\t\u201cNow,\tnow,\tnow!\u201d Oars\tsplashed\tinto\tthe\twaves,\tmen\tgrunting\tas\tthey\trowed\tlike\thell\tfor\tthe\tarmada\tin utter\tchaos. Every\tsingle\tone\tof\this\tcousins\thad\tattacked. Every\tsingle\tone.\tAs\tif\tthey\thad\tall\tmet,\tall\tdecided\tto\trisk\truination\ttogether. Rowan\thad\tnot\tpossessed\tan\tarmy\tof\this\town\tto\tgive\tto\tAelin.\tTo\tgive\tto\tTerrasen. So\t he\t had\t won\t an\t army\t for\t her.\t Through\t the\t only\t things\t Aelin\t had\t claimed\t were\t all she\twanted\tfrom\thim. His\theart.\tHis\tloyalty.\tHis\tfriendship. And\t Rowan\t wished\t his\t Fireheart\t were\t there\t to\t see\t it\t as\t the\t House\t of\t Whitethorn slammed\tinto\tMaeve\u2019s\tfleet,\tand\tice\tand\twind\texploded\tacross\tthe\twaves.","Lorcan\tdidn\u2019t\tbelieve\tit. He\tdidn\u2019t\tbelieve\twhat\the\twas\tseeing\tas\ta\tthird\tof\tMaeve\u2019s\tfleet\topened\tfire\tupon\tthe stunned\tmajority\tof\ther\tships. And\the\tknew\u2014he\tknew\twithout\thaving\tit\tconfirmed\tthat\tthe\tbanners\tflying\ton\tthose ships\twould\tbe\tsilver. However\the\u2019d\tconvinced\tthem,\twhenever\the\u2019d\tconvinced\tthem\t\u2026 Whitethorn\thad\tdone\tit.\tFor\ther. All\tof\tit,\tfor\tAelin. Rowan\tbellowed\tthe\torder\tto\tpress\ttheir\tadvantage,\tto\tbreak\tMaeve\u2019s\tarmada\tbetween them. Lorcan,\ta\tbit\tdazed,\tpassed\ton\tthe\torder\tto\this\town\tships. Maeve\twouldn\u2019t\tallow\tit.\tShe\u2019d\twipe\tthe\tWhitethorn\tline\toff\tthe\tmap\tfor\tthis. But\tthere\tthey\twere,\tunleashing\ttheir\tice\tand\twind\tupon\ttheir\town\tships,\taccented\twith arrows\tand\tharpoons\tthat\tspeared\tthrough\twood\tand\tsoldiers. Wind\twhipped\tat\this\thair,\tand\the\tknew\tWhitethorn\twas\tnow\tpushing\this\tmagic\tto\tthe breaking\tpoint\tto\thaul\ttheir\town\tships\tinto\tthe\tfray\tbefore\this\tcousins\tlost\tthe\tadvantage\tof surprise.\tFools,\tall\tof\tthem. Fools,\tand\tyet\t\u2026 Gavriel\u2019s\tson\twas\tbellowing\tWhitethorn\u2019s\tname.\tA\tgods-damned\tvictory\tcry.\tOver\tand over,\tthe\tmen\ttaking\tup\tthe\tcall. Then\t Fenrys\u2019s\t voice\t lifted.\t And\t Gavriel\u2019s.\t And\t that\t red-haired\t queen.\t The\t Havilliard king. Their\t armada\t soared\t for\t Maeve\u2019s,\t sun\t and\t sea\t and\t sails\t all\t around,\t blades\t glinting\t in the\tmorning\tbrightness.\tEven\tthe\trise\tand\tfall\tof\tthe\toars\tseemed\tto\techo\tthe\tchant. On\tinto\tbattle,\ton\tinto\tbloodshed,\tthey\tcalled\tthe\tprince\u2019s\tname. For\ta\theartbeat,\tLorcan\tallowed\thimself\tto\tponder\tit\u2014the\tpower\tof\tthe\tthing\tthat\thad compelled\tRowan\tto\trisk\tit\tall.\tAnd\tLorcan\twondered\tif\tit\twould\tperhaps\tbe\tthe\tone\tforce that\tMaeve,\tthat\tErawan,\twould\tnot\tsee\tcoming. But\tMaeve\u2014Maeve\twas\tin\tthat\tarmada\tsomewhere. She\twould\tretaliate.\tShe\twould\tstrike\tback,\tmake\tthem\tall\tsuffer\u2014 Rowan\t slammed\t their\t armada\t into\t Maeve\u2019s\t front\t lines,\t unleashing\t the\t fury\t of\t his\t ice and\twind\talongside\ttheir\tarrows. And\twhere\tRowan\u2019s\tpower\tpaused,\tDorian\u2019s\tmagic\tleaped\tout. Not\t a\t chance\t in\t hell\t of\t winning\t had\t now\t become\t a\t fool\u2019s\t chance.\t If\t Whitethorn\t and","the\tothers\tcould\thold\ttheir\tlines,\tkeep\tthemselves\tsteady. Lorcan\tfound\thimself\tscanning\tfor\tFenrys\tand\tGavriel\tacross\tship\tand\tsoldier. And\t he\t knew\t Maeve\u2019s\t answer\t had\t come\t when\t he\t spied\t them,\t one\t after\t the\t other,\t go rigid.\t Spied\t Fenrys\t take\t a\t running\t leap\t and\t vanish\t into\t thin\t air.\t The\t White\t Wolf\t of Doranelle\t instantly\t appeared\t at\t Gavriel\u2019s\t side,\t men\t shouting\t at\t his\t appearance\t out\t of\t a pocket\tof\tnothing. But\t he\t gripped\t Gavriel\u2019s\t arm,\t and\t then\t they\t were\t both\t gone\t again,\t their\t faces\t taut. Only\t Gavriel\t managed\t to\t look\t toward\t Lorcan\t before\t they\t vanished\u2014his\t eyes\t wide\t in warning.\tGavriel\tpointed,\tthen\tthey\twere\tnothing\tbut\tsunlight\tand\tspindrift. Lorcan\t stared\t at\t where\t Gavriel\t had\t managed\t to\t point,\t that\t bit\t of\t defiance\t that\t had likely\tcut\tdeep. Lorcan\u2019s\tblood\twent\tcold. Maeve\t was\t allowing\t the\t battle\t to\t explode\t across\t the\t water\t because\t she\t had\t other games\tafoot.\tBecause\tshe\twas\tnot\ton\tthe\tseas\tat\tall. But\ton\tthe\tshore. Gavriel\thad\tpointed\tto\tit.\tNot\tto\tthe\tdistant\tbeach,\tbut\tup\tthe\tshore\u2014westward. Precisely\twhere\the\thad\tleft\tElide\thours\tago. And\tLorcan\tdid\tnot\tcare\tabout\tthe\tbattle,\tabout\twhat\the\u2019d\tagreed\tto\tdo\tfor\tWhitethorn, the\tpromise\the\u2019d\tmade\tthe\tprince. He\thad\tmade\ta\tpromise\tto\ther\tfirst. The\tsoldiers\tweren\u2019t\tstupid\tenough\tto\ttry\tto\tstop\thim\tas\tLorcan\tordered\tone\tof\tthem\tin charge,\tand\tseized\ta\tlongboat. Elide\t couldn\u2019t\t view\t the\t battle\t from\t where\t she\t waited\t among\t the\t sand\t dunes,\t the seagrasses\thissing\taround\ther.\tBut\tshe\tcould\thear\tit,\tthe\tshouting\tand\tthe\tbooming. She\t tried\t not\t to\t listen\t to\t the\t din\t of\t battle,\t tried\t to\t instead\t beg\t Anneith\t to\t give\t her friends\tguidance.\tTo\tkeep\tLorcan\talive,\tand\tMaeve\tfar\tfrom\thim. But\tAnneith\twas\tsticking\tclose,\thovering\tbehind\ther\tshoulder. See,\tshe\tsaid,\tas\tshe\talways\tdid.\tSee,\tsee,\tsee. There\t was\t nothing\t but\t sand\t and\t grass\t and\t water\t and\t blue\t sky.\t Nothing\t but\t the\t eight guards\t Lorcan\t had\t commanded\t to\t stay\t with\t her,\t lounging\t on\t the\t dunes,\t looking\t either relieved\tor\tput-out\tto\tmiss\tthe\tbattle\traging\ton\tthe\twaves\taround\tthe\tbend\tin\tthe\tcoast. The\tvoice\tbecame\turgent.\tSee,\tsee,\tsee. Then\tAnneith\tvanished\tentirely.\tNo\u2014fled. Clouds\t gathered,\t sweeping\t from\t the\t marshes.\t Heading\t toward\t the\t sun\t beginning\t its ascent."]
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