["Elide\tgot\tto\ther\tfeet,\tsliding\ta\tbit\ton\tthe\tsteep\tdune. The\t wind\t whipped\t and\t hissed\t through\t the\t grasses\u2014and\t warm\t sand\t turned\t gray\t and muted\tas\tthose\tclouds\tpassed\tover\tthe\tsun.\tBlotting\tit\tout. Something\twas\tcoming. Something\tthat\tknew\tAelin\tGalathynius\tdrew\tstrength\tfrom\tsunlight.\tFrom\tMala. Elide\u2019s\tmouth\tdried.\tIf\tVernon\tfound\ther\there\t\u2026\tthere\twould\tbe\tno\tescaping\thim\tnow. The\t guards\t on\t the\t dunes\t behind\t her\t stirred,\t noticing\t the\t strange\t wind,\t the\t clouds. Sensing\t that\t approaching\t storm\t was\t not\t of\t natural\t origin.\t Would\t they\t stand\t against\t the ilken\tlong\tenough\tfor\thelp\tto\tcome?\tOr\twould\tVernon\tbring\tmore\tof\tthem\tthis\ttime? But\t it\t was\t not\t Vernon\t who\t appeared\t on\t the\t beach,\t as\t if\t walking\t out\t of\t a\t passing breeze.","68 It\twas\tan\tagony. An\t agony,\t to\t see\t Nehemia,\t young\t and\t strong\t and\t wise.\t Speaking\t to\t Elena\t in\t the marshes,\tamong\tthose\tsame\truins. And\tthen\tthere\twas\tthe\tother\tagony. That\tElena\tand\tNehemia\thad\tknown\teach\tother.\tWorked\ttogether. That\tElena\thad\tlaid\tthese\tplans\ta\tthousand\tyears\tago. That\tNehemia\thad\tgone\tto\tRifthold\tknowing\tshe\u2019d\tdie. Knowing\t she\u2019d\t need\t to\t break\t Aelin\u2014use\t her\t death\t to\t break\ther,\t so\t she\t could\t walk away\tfrom\tthe\tassassin\tand\tascend\ther\tthrone. Aelin\tand\tManon\twere\tshown\tanother\tscene.\tOf\ta\twhispered\tconversation\tat\tmidnight, deep\tbeneath\tthe\tglass\tcastle. A\tqueen\tand\ta\tprincess,\tmeeting\tin\tsecret.\tAs\tthey\thad\tfor\tmonths. The\tqueen\tasking\tthe\tprincess\tto\tpay\tthat\tprice\tshe\u2019d\toffered\tback\tin\tthe\tmarshes.\tTo arrange\tfor\ther\town\tdeath\u2014to\tset\tthis\tall\tin\tmotion.\tNehemia\thad\twarned\tElena\tthat\tshe \u2014that\tAelin\u2014would\tbe\tbroken.\tWorse,\tthat\tshe\twould\tgo\tso\tfar\tinto\tan\tabyss\tof\trage\tand despair\tthat\tshe\twouldn\u2019t\tbe\table\tto\tget\tout.\tNot\tas\tCelaena. Nehemia\thad\tbeen\tright. Aelin\t was\t shaking\u2014shaking\t in\t her\t half-invisible\t body,\t shaking\t so\t badly\t she\t thought her\t skin\t would\t ripple\t off\t her\t bones.\t Manon\t stepped\t closer,\t perhaps\t the\t only\t comfort\t the witch\tknew\thow\tto\toffer:\tsolidarity. They\t stared\t into\t the\t swirling\t mist\t again,\t where\t the\t scenes\u2014the\t memories\u2014had unfolded. Aelin\t wasn\u2019t\t sure\t she\t could\t stomach\t another\t truth.\t Another\t revelation\t of\t just\t how thoroughly\tElena\thad\tsold\ther\tand\tDorian\tto\tthe\tgods,\tfor\tthe\tfool\u2019s\tmistake\tshe\u2019d\tmade, not\t understanding\t the\t Lock\u2019s\t true\t purpose,\t to\t seal\t Erawan\t in\t his\t tomb\t rather\t than\t let Brannon\t finally\t end\t it\u2014and\t send\t the\t gods\t to\t wherever\t they\t called\t home,\t dragging Erawan\twith\tthem. Send\t them\t home\t \u2026\t using\t the\t keys\t to\t open\t the\t Wyrdgate.\t And\t a\t new\t Lock\t to\t seal\t it forever. Nameless\tis\tmy\tprice.","Using\ther\tpower,\tdrained\tto\tthe\tlast\tdrop,\ther\tlife\tto\tforge\tthat\tnew\tLock.\tTo\twield\tthe power\tof\tthe\tkeys\tonly\tonce\u2014just\tonce,\tto\tbanish\tthem\tall,\tand\tthen\tseal\tthe\tgate\tforever. Memories\tflickered\tby. Elena\tand\tBrannon,\tscreaming\tat\teach\tother\tin\ta\troom\tAelin\thad\tnot\tseen\tfor\tten\tyears \u2014the\t king\u2019s\t suite\t in\t the\t palace\t at\t Orynth.\t Her\t suite\u2014or\t it\t would\t have\t been.\t A\t necklace glittered\t at\t Elena\u2019s\t throat:\t the\t Eye.\t The\t first\t and\t now-broken\t Lock,\t that\t Elena,\t now\t the Queen\t of\t Adarlan,\t seemed\t to\t wear\t as\t some\t sort\t of\t reminder\t of\t her\t foolishness,\t her promise\tto\tthose\tfurious\tgods. Her\t argument\t with\t her\t father\t raged\t and\t raged\u2014until\t the\t princess\t walked\t out.\t And Aelin\tknew\tElena\thad\tnever\treturned\tto\tthat\tshining\tpalace\tin\tthe\tNorth. Then\tthe\treveal\tof\tthat\twitch\tmirror\tin\tsome\tnondescript\tstone\tchamber,\ta\tblack-haired beauty\t with\t a\t crown\t of\t stars\t standing\t before\t Elena\t and\t Gavin,\t explaining\t how\t the\t witch mirror\tworked\u2014how\tit\twould\tcontain\tthese\tmemories.\tRhiannon\tCrochan.\tManon\tstarted at\tthe\tsight\tof\ther,\tand\tAelin\tglanced\tbetween\tthem. The\tface\t\u2026\tit\twas\tthe\tsame.\tManon\u2019s\tface,\tand\tRhiannon\tCrochan\u2019s.\tThe\tlast\tCrochan Queens\u2014of\ttwo\tseparate\teras. Then\tan\timage\tof\tBrannon\talone\u2014head\tin\this\thands,\tweeping\tbefore\ta\tshrouded\tbody atop\ta\tstone\taltar.\tA\tcrone\u2019s\tbent\tshape\tlay\tbeneath. Elena,\t her\t immortal\t grace\t yielded\t in\t order\t to\t live\t out\t a\t human\t life\t span\t with\t Gavin. Brannon\tstill\tlooked\tno\tolder\tthan\tthirty. Brannon,\tthe\theat\tof\ta\tthousand\tforges\tshining\ton\this\tred-gold\thair,\this\tteeth\tbared\tin\ta snarl\t as\t he\t pounded\t a\t metal\t disk\t on\t an\t anvil,\t the\t muscles\t of\t his\t back\t rippling\t beneath golden\tskin\tas\the\tstruck\tand\tstruck\tand\tstruck. As\the\tforged\tthe\tAmulet\tof\tOrynth. As\the\tplaced\ta\tsliver\tof\tblack\tstone\twithin\teither\tside,\tthen\tsealed\tit,\tdefiance\twritten in\tevery\tline\tof\this\tbody. Then\twrote\tthe\tmessage\tin\tWyrdmarks\ton\tthe\tback. One\tmessage. For\ther. For\t his\t true\t heir,\t should\t Elena\u2019s\t punishment\t and\t promise\t to\t the\t gods\t hold\t true.\t The punishment\t and\t promise\t that\t had\t cleaved\t them.\t That\t Brannon\t could\t not\t and\t would\t not accept.\tNot\twhile\the\thad\tstrength\tleft. Nameless\t is\t my\t price.\t Written\t right\t there\u2014in\t Wyrdmarks.\t The\t one\t who\t bore Brannon\u2019s\t mark,\t the\t mark\t of\t the\t bastard-born\t nameless\t \u2026\t She\t would\t be\t the\t cost\t to\t end this. The\t message\t on\t the\t back\t of\t the\t Amulet\t of\t Orynth\t was\t the\t only\t warning\t he\t could offer,\tthe\tonly\tapology\tfor\twhat\this\tdaughter\thad\tdone,\teven\tas\tit\tcontained\ta\tsecret\tinside","so\tdeadly\tno\tone\tmust\tknow,\tno\tone\tcould\tever\tbe\ttold. But\tthere\twould\tbe\tclues.\tFor\ther.\tTo\tfinish\twhat\tthey\u2019d\tstarted. Brannon\t built\t Elena\u2019s\t tomb\t with\t his\t own\t hands.\t Carved\t the\t messages\t in\t there\t for Aelin,\ttoo. The\t riddles\t and\t the\t clues.\t The\t best\t he\t could\t offer\t to\t explain\t the\t truth\t while\t keeping those\tkeys\thidden\tfrom\tthe\tworld,\tfrom\tpowers\twho\twould\tuse\tthem\tto\trule,\tto\tdestroy. Then\the\tmade\tMort,\tthe\tmetal\tfor\tthe\tdoor\tknocker\tgifted\tby\tRhiannon\tCrochan,\twho brushed\ta\thand\tover\tthe\tking\u2019s\tcheek\tbefore\tshe\tleft\tthe\ttomb. Rhiannon\t was\t not\t present\t when\t Brannon\t hid\t the\t sliver\t of\t black\t stone\t beneath\t the jewel\tin\tElena\u2019s\tcrown\u2014the\tsecond\tWyrdkey. Or\twhen\the\tset\tDamaris\tin\tits\tstand,\tnear\tthe\tsecond\tsarcophagus.\tFor\tthe\tmortal\tking he\thated\tand\thad\tbarely\ttolerated,\tbut\the\thad\tleashed\tthat\tloathing\tfor\this\tdaughter\u2019s\tsake. Even\tif\tGavin\thad\ttaken\this\tdaughter,\tthe\tdaughter\tof\this\tsoul,\taway\tfrom\thim. The\tfinal\tkey\t\u2026\the\twent\tto\tMala\u2019s\ttemple. It\twas\twhere\the\thad\twanted\tto\tend\tthis\tall\talong\tanyway. The\tmolten\tfire\taround\tthe\ttemple\twas\ta\tsong\tin\this\tblood,\ta\tbeckoning.\tA\twelcoming. Only\t those\t with\t his\t gifts\u2014her\t gifts\u2014could\t get\t there.\t Even\t the\t priestesses\t could\t not reach\tthe\tisland\tin\tthe\theart\tof\tthe\tmolten\triver.\tOnly\this\their\twould\tbe\table\tto\tdo\tthat.\tOr whoever\theld\tanother\tkey. So\the\tset\tthe\tremaining\tkey\tunder\ta\tflagstone. And\tthen\the\twalked\tinto\tthat\tmolten\triver,\tinto\tthe\tburning\theart\tof\this\tbeloved. And\tBrannon,\tKing\tof\tTerrasen,\tLord\tof\tFire,\tdid\tnot\temerge\tagain. Aelin\t didn\u2019t\t know\t why\t it\t surprised\t her\t to\t be\t able\t to\t cry\t in\t this\t body.\t That\t this\t body had\ttears\tto\tspill. But\tAelin\tshed\tthem\tfor\tBrannon.\tWho\tknew\twhat\tElena\thad\tpromised\tthe\tgods\u2014and had\traged\tagainst\tit,\tthe\tpassing\tof\tthis\tburden\tonto\tone\tof\this\tdescendants. Brannon\t had\t done\t what\t he\t could\t for\t her.\t To\t soften\t the\t blow\t of\t that\t promise,\t if\t he could\tnot\tchange\tits\tcourse\twholly.\tTo\tgive\tAelin\ta\tfighting\tchance. Nameless\tis\tmy\tprice. \u201cI\tdon\u2019t\tunderstand\twhat\tthis\tmeans,\u201d\tManon\tsaid\tquietly. Aelin\tdid\tnot\thave\tthe\twords\tto\ttell\ther.\tShe\thad\tnot\tbeen\table\tto\ttell\tRowan. But\tthen\tElena\tappeared,\treal\tas\tthey\twere\treal,\tand\tstared\tinto\tthe\tfading\tgolden\tlight of\tMala\u2019s\ttemple\tas\tthe\tmemory\tvanished.\t\u201cI\u2019m\tsorry,\u201d\tshe\tsaid\tto\tAelin. Manon\tstiffened\tat\tElena\u2019s\tapproach,\ttaking\ta\tstep\tfrom\tAelin\u2019s\tside. \u201cIt\twas\tthe\tonly\tway,\u201d\tElena\toffered.\tThat\twas\tgenuine\tpain\tin\ther\teyes.\tRegret.","\u201cWas\t it\t a\t choice,\t or\t just\t to\t spare\t Gavin\u2019s\t precious\t bloodline,\t that\t I\t was\t the\t one\t who was\t selected?\u201d\t The\t voice\t that\t came\t from\t Aelin\u2019s\t throat\t was\t raw,\t vicious.\t \u201cWhy\t spill Havilliard\t blood,\t after\t all,\t when\t you\t could\t fall\t back\t on\t old\t habits\t and\t choose\t another\t to bear\tthe\tburden?\u201d Elena\tflinched.\t\u201cDorian\twas\tnot\tready.\tYou\twere.\tThe\tchoice\tNehemia\tand\tI\tmade\twas to\tensure\tthat\tthings\twent\taccording\tto\tplan.\u201d \u201cAccording\t to\t plan,\u201d\t Aelin\t breathed.\t \u201cAccording\t to\t all\t your\t schemes\t to\t make\t me clean\tup\tthe\tmess\tof\twhat\tyou\tstarted\twith\tyour\tgods-damned\tthieving\tand\tcowardice?\u201d \u201cThey\twanted\tme\tto\tsuffer,\u201d\tElena\tsaid.\t\u201cAnd\tI\thave.\tKnowing\tyou\tmust\tdo\tthis,\tbear this\tburden\t\u2026\tIt\thas\tbeen\ta\tsteady,\tendless\tshredding\tof\tmy\tsoul\tfor\ta\tthousand\tyears.\tIt was\tso\teasy\tto\tsay\tyes,\tto\timagine\tyou\twould\tbe\ta\tstranger,\tsomeone\twho\twould\tnot\tneed to\tknow\tthe\ttruth,\tonly\tto\tbe\tin\tthe\tright\tplace\twith\tthe\tright\tgift,\tand\tyet\t\u2026\tand\tyet\tI\twas wrong.\t I\t was\t so\t wrong.\u201d\t Elena\t lifted\t her\t hands\t before\t her,\t palms\t up.\t \u201cI\t thought\t Erawan would\t rise,\t and\t the\t world\t would\t face\t him.\t I\t did\t not\t know\t \u2026\t I\t did\t not\t know\t darkness would\tfall.\tI\tdid\tnot\tknow\tthat\tyour\tland\twould\tsuffer.\tSuffer\tas\tI\ttried\tto\tkeep\tmine\tfrom suffering.\t And\t there\t were\t so\t many\t voices\t \u2026\t so\t many\t voices\t even\t before\t Adarlan conquered.\tIt\twas\tthose\tvoices\tthat\twoke\tme.\tThe\tvoices\tof\tthose\twishing\tfor\tan\tanswer, for\t help.\u201d\t Elena\u2019s\t eyes\t slid\t to\t Manon,\t then\t back\t to\t hers.\t \u201cThey\t were\t from\t all\t kingdoms, all\traces.\tHuman,\twitch-kind,\tFae\t\u2026\tBut\tthey\twove\ta\ttapestry\tof\tdreams,\tall\tbegging\tfor that\tone\tthing\t\u2026\tA\tbetter\tworld. \u201cThen\t you\t were\t born.\t And\t you\t were\t an\t answer\t to\t the\t gathering\t darkness,\t with\t that flame.\tMy\tfather\u2019s\tflame,\tmy\tmother\u2019s\tmight\u2014reborn\tat\tlast.\tAnd\tyou\twere\tstrong,\tAelin. So\tstrong,\tand\tso\tvulnerable.\tNot\tto\toutside\tthreats,\tbut\tthe\tthreat\tof\tyour\town\theart,\tthe isolation\tof\tyour\tpower.\tBut\tthere\twere\tthose\twho\tknew\tyou\tfor\twhat\tyou\twere,\twhat\tyou could\t offer.\t Your\t parents,\t their\t court,\t your\t great-uncle\t \u2026\t and\t Aedion.\t Aedion\t knew\t you were\t the\t Queen\t Who\t Was\t Promised\t without\t knowing\t what\t it\t meant,\t without\t knowing anything\tabout\tyou,\tor\tme,\tor\twhat\tI\tdid\tto\tspare\tmy\town\tpeople.\u201d The\twords\thit\ther\tlike\tstones.\t\u201cThe\tQueen\tWho\tWas\tPromised,\u201d\tAelin\tsaid.\t\u201cBut\tnot to\tthe\tworld.\tTo\tthe\tgods\u2014to\tthe\tkeys.\u201d To\tpay\tthe\tprice.\tTo\tbe\ttheir\tsacrifice\tin\torder\tto\tseal\tthe\tkeys\tin\tthe\tgate\tat\tlast. Deanna\u2019s\tappearance\thadn\u2019t\tbeen\tonly\tto\ttell\ther\thow\tto\tuse\tthe\tmirror,\tbut\tto\tremind her\tthat\tshe\tbelonged\tto\tthem.\tHad\ta\tdebt\towed\tto\tthem. Aelin\tsaid\ttoo\tquietly,\t\u201cI\tdidn\u2019t\tsurvive\tthat\tnight\tin\tthe\tFlorine\tRiver\tbecause\tof\tpure luck,\tdid\tI?\u201d Elena\tshook\ther\thead.\t\u201cWe\tdid\tnot\u2014\u201d \u201cNo,\u201d\tAelin\tsnapped.\t\u201cShow\tme.\u201d Elena\u2019s\t throat\t bobbed.\t But\t then\t the\t mists\t turned\t dark\t and\t colored,\t and\t the\t very\t air around\tthem\tbecame\tlaced\twith\tfrost. Breaking\t branches,\t ragged\t breath\t punctuated\t with\t gasping\t sobs,\t light\t footsteps","crashing\tthrough\tbramble\tand\tbrush.\tA\thorse\u2019s\tthunderous\tgait,\tclosing\tin\u2014 Aelin\tmade\therself\tstand\tstill\twhen\tthat\tfamiliar,\tfrozen\twood\tappeared,\texactly\tas\tshe remembered\t it.\t As\t she\t appeared,\t so\t small\t and\t young,\t white\t nightgown\t torn\t and\t muddy, hair\twild,\teyes\tbright\twith\tterror\tand\tgrief\tso\tprofound\tit\thad\tbroken\ther\tentirely.\tFrantic to\treach\tthe\troaring\triver\tbeyond,\tthe\tbridge\u2014 There\twere\tthe\tposts,\tand\tthe\tforest\ton\tthe\tother\tside.\tHer\tsanctuary\u2014 Manon\t swore\t softly\t as\t Aelin\t Galathynius\t flung\t herself\t through\t the\t bridge\t posts, realized\t the\t bridge\t had\t been\t cut\t \u2026\t and\t plummeted\t into\t the\t raging,\t half-frozen\t river below. She\t had\t forgotten\t how\t far\t that\t fall\t was.\t How\t violent\t the\t black\t river\t was,\t the\t white rapids\tilluminated\tby\tthe\ticy\tmoon\toverhead. The\timage\tshifted,\tand\tthen\tit\twas\tdark,\tand\tsilent,\tand\tthey\twere\tbeing\ttumbled,\tover and\tover\tas\tthe\triver\ttossed\ther\tin\tits\twrath. \u201cThere\twas\tso\tmuch\tdeath,\u201d\tElena\twhispered\tas\tthey\twatched\tAelin\tbeing\tthrown\tand twisted\tand\tdragged\tdown\tby\tthe\triver.\tThe\tcold\twas\tcrushing. \u201cSo\t much\t death,\t and\t so\t many\t lights\t extinguished,\u201d\t Elena\t said,\t voice\t breaking.\t \u201cYou were\tso\tsmall.\tAnd\tyou\tfought\t\u2026\tyou\tfought\tso\thard.\u201d And\t there\t she\t was,\t clawing\t at\t the\t water,\t kicking\t and\t thrashing,\t trying\t to\t get\t to\t the surface,\tto\tthe\tair,\tand\tshe\tcould\tfeel\ther\tlungs\tbegin\tto\tseize,\tfeel\tthe\tpressure\tbuilding\u2014 Then\t light\t flickered\t from\t the\t Amulet\t of\t Orynth\t hanging\t around\t her\t neck,\t greenish symbols\tfizzing\tlike\tbubbles\taround\ther. Elena\t slid\t to\t her\t knees,\t watching\t that\t amulet\t glow\t beneath\t the\t water.\t \u201cThey\t wanted me\t to\t take\t you,\t right\t then.\t You\t had\t the\t Amulet\t of\t Orynth,\t everyone\t thought\t you\t were dead,\t and\t the\t enemy\t was\t distracted\t with\t the\t slaughter.\t I\t could\t take\t you,\t help\t you\t track down\tthe\tother\ttwo\tkeys.\tI\twas\tallowed\tto\thelp\tyou\u2014to\tdo\tthat\tmuch.\tAnd\tonce\twe\tgot the\tother\ttwo,\tI\twas\tto\tforce\tyou\tto\tforge\tthe\tLock\tanew.\tTo\tuse\tevery\tlast\tdrop\tof\tyou\tto make\t that\t Lock,\t summon\t the\t gate,\t put\t the\t keys\t back\t into\t it,\t send\t them\t home,\t and\t end\t it all.\t You\t had\t enough\t power,\t even\t then.\t It\u2019d\t kill\t you\t to\t do\t it,\t but\t you\t were\t likely\t dead anyway.\tSo\tthey\tlet\tme\tform\ta\tbody,\tto\tget\tyou.\u201d Elena\t took\t a\t shuddering\t breath\t as\t a\t figure\t plunged\t into\t the\t water.\t A\t silver-haired, beautiful\twoman\tin\tan\tancient\tdress.\tShe\tgrabbed\tAelin\taround\tthe\twaist,\thauling\ther\tup, up,\tup. They\thit\tthe\tsurface\tof\tthe\triver,\tand\tit\twas\tdark\tand\tloud\tand\twild,\tand\tit\twas\tall\tshe could\tdo\tto\tgrab\tthe\tlog\tElena\tshoved\ther\tonto,\tto\tdig\ther\tnails\tinto\tthe\tsoaked\twood\tand cling\tto\tit\twhile\tshe\twas\tcarried\tdownriver,\tdeep\tinto\tthe\tnight. \u201cI\thesitated,\u201d\tElena\tbreathed.\t\u201cYou\tclung\tto\tthat\tlog\twith\tall\tyour\tstrength.\tEverything had\t been\t taken\t from\t you\u2014everything\u2014and\t yet\t you\t still\t fought.\t You\t did\t not\t yield.\t And they\t told\t me\t to\t hurry,\t because\t even\t then\t their\t power\t to\t hold\t me\t in\t that\t solid\t body\t was fading.\tThey\tsaid\tto\tjust\ttake\tyou\tand\tgo,\tbut\t\u2026\tI\thesitated.\tI\twaited\tuntil\tyou\tgot\tto\tthat","riverbank.\u201d Mud\t and\t reeds\t and\t trees\t looming\t overhead,\t snow\t still\t patching\t the\t steep\t hill\t of\t the bank. Aelin\t watched\t herself\t crawl\t up\t that\t riverbank,\t inch\t by\t painful\t inch,\t and\t she\t felt\t the phantom,\t icy\t mud\t beneath\t her\t nails,\t felt\t her\t broken,\t frozen\t body\t as\t it\t slumped\t onto\t the earth\tand\tshuddered,\tover\tand\tover. As\tlethal\tcold\tgripped\ther\twhile\tElena\thauled\therself\tonto\tthe\tbank\tbeside\ther. As\tElena\tlunged\tfor\ther,\tscreaming\ther\tname,\tcold\tand\tshock\tsetting\tin\t\u2026 \u201cI\t thought\t the\t danger\t would\t be\t drowning,\u201d\t Elena\t whispered.\t \u201cI\t didn\u2019t\t realize\t being out\tin\tthe\tcold\tfor\tso\tlong\t\u2026\u201d Her\tlips\thad\tgone\tblue.\tAelin\twatched\ther\town\tsmall\tchest\trise,\tfall,\trise\t\u2026 Then\tstop\tmoving\tall\ttogether. \u201cYou\t died,\u201d\t Elena\t whispered.\t \u201cRight\t there,\t you\t died.\t You\t had\t fought\t so\t hard,\t and\t I failed\tyou.\tAnd\tin\tthat\tmoment,\tI\tdidn\u2019t\tcare\tthat\tI\u2019d\tagain\tfailed\tthe\tgods,\tor\tmy\tpromise to\t make\t it\t right,\t or\t any\t of\t it.\t All\t I\t could\t think\t \u2026\u201d\t Tears\t ran\t down\t Elena\u2019s\t face.\t \u201cAll\t I could\tthink\twas\thow\tunfair\tit\twas.\tYou\thad\tnot\teven\tlived,\tyou\thad\tnot\teven\tbeen\tgiven\ta chance\t \u2026\t And\t all\t those\t people,\t who\t had\t wished\t and\t waited\t for\t a\t better\t world\t \u2026\t You would\tnot\tbe\tthere\tto\tgive\tit\tto\tthem.\u201d Oh\tgods. \u201cElena,\u201d\tAelin\tbreathed. The\t Queen\t of\t Adarlan\t sobbed\t into\t her\t hands,\t even\t as\t her\t former\t self\t shook\t Aelin, over\tand\tover.\tTrying\tto\twake\ther,\ttrying\tto\trevive\tthe\tsmall\tbody\tthat\thad\tgiven\tout. Elena\u2019s\tvoice\tbroke.\t\u201cI\tcould\tnot\tallow\tit.\tI\tcould\tnot\tendure\tit.\tNot\tfor\tthe\tgods\u2019\tsake, but\u2014but\tfor\tyour\town.\u201d Light\tflared\tat\tElena\u2019s\thand,\tthen\tdown\ther\tarm,\tthen\talong\ther\twhole\tbody.\tFire.\tShe wrapped\t herself\t around\t Aelin,\t the\t heat\t melting\t the\t snow\t around\t them,\t drying\t her\t ice- crusted\thair. Lips\tthat\twere\tblue\tturned\tpink.\tAnd\ta\tchest\tthat\thad\tstopped\tbreathing\tnow\tlifted. Darkness\tfaded\tto\tthe\tgray\tlight\tof\tdawn.\t\u201cAnd\tthen\tI\tdefied\tthem.\u201d Elena\tset\ther\tdown\tbetween\tthe\treeds\tand\trose,\tscanning\tthe\triver,\tthe\tworld. \u201cI\t knew\t who\t had\t an\t estate\t near\t this\t river,\t so\t far\t away\t from\t your\t home\t that\t your parents\thad\ttolerated\tits\tpresence,\tas\tlong\tas\the\twas\tnot\tstupid\tenough\tto\tstir\tup\ttrouble.\u201d Elena,\t a\t mere\t flicker\t of\t light,\t tugged\t Arobynn\t from\t a\t deep\t sleep\t inside\t his\t former residence\t in\t Terrasen.\t As\t if\t in\t a\t trance,\t he\t shoved\t on\t his\t boots,\t his\t red\t hair\t gleaming\t in the\tlight\tof\tdawn,\tmounted\this\thorse,\tand\tset\toff\tinto\tthe\twoods. So\tyoung,\ther\tformer\tmaster.\tOnly\ta\tfew\tyears\tolder\tthan\tshe\twas\tnow.","Arobynn\u2019s\thorse\tpaused\tas\tif\tan\tinvisible\thand\thad\tyanked\tits\tbridle,\tand\tthe\tassassin scanned\t the\t raging\t river,\t the\t trees,\t as\t if\t looking\t for\t something\t he\t didn\u2019t\t even\t know\t was there. But\tthere\twas\tElena,\tinvisible\tas\tsunlight,\tcrouching\tin\tthe\treeds\twhen\tArobynn\u2019s\teyes fell\t upon\t the\t small,\t dirty\t figure\t unconscious\t on\t the\t riverbank.\t He\t leaped\t from\t his\t horse with\t feline\t grace,\t slinging\t off\t his\t cloak\t as\t he\t threw\t himself\t to\t his\t knees\t in\t the\t mud\t and felt\tfor\ther\tbreathing. \u201cI\tknew\twhat\the\twas,\twhat\the\u2019d\tlikely\tdo\twith\tyou.\tWhat\ttraining\tyou\twould\treceive. But\tit\twas\tbetter\tthan\tdead.\tAnd\tif\tyou\tcould\tsurvive,\tif\tyou\tcould\tgrow\tup\tstrong,\tif\tyou had\tthe\tchance\tto\treach\tadulthood,\tI\tthought\tperhaps\tyou\tcould\tgive\tthose\tpeople\twho\thad wished\tand\tdreamed\tof\ta\tbetter\tworld\t\u2026\tat\tleast\tgive\tthem\ta\tchance.\tHelp\tthem\u2014before the\tdebt\twas\tcalled\tin\tagain.\u201d Arobynn\u2019s\thands\thesitated\tas\the\tnoticed\tthe\tAmulet\tof\tOrynth. He\t eased\t the\t amulet\t from\t around\t her\t neck\t and\t placed\t it\t in\t his\t pocket.\t Gently,\t he scooped\ther\tinto\this\tarms\tand\tcarried\ther\tup\tthe\tbank\tto\this\twaiting\thorse. \u201cYou\twere\tso\tyoung,\u201d\tElena\tsaid\tagain.\t\u201cAnd\tmore\tthan\tthe\tdreamers,\tmore\tthan\tthe debt\t\u2026\tI\twanted\tto\tgive\tyou\ttime.\tTo\tat\tleast\tknow\twhat\tit\twas\tto\tlive.\u201d Aelin\trasped,\t\u201cWhat\twas\tthe\tprice,\tElena?\tWhat\tdid\tthey\tdo\tto\tyou\tfor\tthis?\u201d Elena\t wrapped\t her\t arms\t around\t herself\t as\t the\t image\t faded,\t Arobynn\t mounting\t his horse,\tAelin\tin\this\tarms.\tMist\tswirled\tagain.\t\u201cWhen\tit\tis\tdone,\u201d\tElena\tmanaged\tto\tsay,\t\u201cI go,\t too.\t For\t the\t time\t I\t bought\t you,\t when\t this\t game\t is\t finished,\t my\t soul\t will\t be\t melted back\t into\t the\t darkness.\t I\t will\t not\t see\t Gavin,\t or\t my\t children,\t or\t my\t friends\t \u2026\t I\t will\t be gone.\tForever.\u201d \u201cDid\tyou\tknow\tthat\tbefore\tyou\u2014\u201d \u201cYes.\tThey\ttold\tme,\tover\tand\tover.\tBut\t\u2026\tI\tcouldn\u2019t.\tI\tcouldn\u2019t\tdo\tit.\u201d Aelin\t slid\t to\t her\t knees\t before\t the\t queen.\t Took\t Elena\u2019s\t tearstained\t face\t between\t her hands. \u201cNameless\tis\tmy\tprice,\u201d\tAelin\tsaid,\ther\tvoice\tbreaking. Elena\tnodded.\t\u201cThe\tmirror\twas\tjust\tthat\u2014a\tmirror.\tA\tploy\tto\tget\tyou\there.\tSo\tthat\tyou could\t understand\t everything\t we\t did.\u201d\t Just\t a\t bit\t of\t metal\t and\t glass,\t Elena\t had\t said\t when Aelin\thad\tsummoned\ther\tin\tSkull\u2019s\tBay.\t\u201cBut\tnow\tyou\tare\there,\tand\thave\tseen.\tNow\tyou comprehend\tthe\tcost.\tTo\tforge\tthe\tLock\tanew,\tto\tput\tthe\tthree\tkeys\tback\tin\tthe\tgate\t\u2026\u201d A\tmark\tglowed\ton\tAelin\u2019s\tbrow,\theating\ther\tskin.\tThe\tbastard\tmark\tof\tBrannon. The\tmark\tof\tthe\tnameless. \u201cMala\u2019s\t blood\t must\t be\t spent\u2014your\t power\t must\t be\t spent.\t Every\t drop,\t of\t magic,\t of blood.\tYou\tare\tthe\tcost\u2014to\tmake\ta\tnew\tLock,\tand\tseal\tthe\tkeys\tinto\tthe\tgate.\tTo\tmake\tthe Wyrdgate\twhole.\u201d","Aelin\tsaid\tsoftly,\t\u201cI\tknow.\u201d\tShe\thad\tknown\tfor\tsome\ttime\tnow. Had\tbeen\tpreparing\tfor\tit\tas\tbest\tshe\tcould.\tPreparing\tthings\tfor\tthe\tothers. Aelin\tsaid\tto\tthe\tqueen,\t\u201cI\thave\ttwo\tkeys.\tIf\tI\tcan\tfind\tthe\tthird,\tsteal\tit\tfrom\tErawan \u2026\twill\tyou\tcome\twith\tme?\tHelp\tme\tend\tit\tonce\tand\tfor\tall?\u201d Will\tyou\tcome\twith\tme,\tso\tI\twill\tnot\tbe\talone? Elena\tnodded,\tbut\twhispered,\t\u201cI\u2019m\tsorry.\u201d Aelin\tlowered\ther\thands\tfrom\tthe\tqueen\u2019s\tface.\tTook\ta\tdeep,\tshuddering\tbreath.\t\u201cWhy didn\u2019t\tyou\ttell\tme\u2014from\tthe\tstart?\u201d Behind\tthem,\tshe\thad\tthe\tvague\tsense\tthat\tManon\twas\tquietly\tassessing. \u201cYou\t were\t barely\t climbing\t out\t of\t slavery,\u201d\t Elena\t said.\t \u201cHardly\t holding\t yourself together,\ttrying\tso\thard\tto\tpretend\tthat\tyou\twere\tstill\tstrong\tand\twhole.\tThere\twas\tonly\tso much\tI\tcould\tdo\tto\tguide\tyou,\tnudge\tyou\talong.\tThe\tmirror\twas\tforged\tand\thidden\tto\tone day\t show\t you\t all\t of\t this.\t In\t a\t way\t I\t couldn\u2019t\t tell\t you\u2014not\t when\t I\t could\t only\t manage\t a few\tminutes\tat\ta\ttime.\u201d \u201cWhy\tdid\tyou\ttell\tme\tto\tgo\tto\tWendlyn?\tMaeve\tposes\tas\tgreat\ta\tthreat\tas\tErawan.\u201d Glacier-blue\t eyes\t met\t hers\t at\t last.\t \u201cI\t know.\t Maeve\t has\t long\t wished\t to\t regain possession\t of\t the\t keys.\t My\t father\t believed\t it\t was\t for\t something\t other\t than\t conquest. Something\t darker,\t worse.\t I\t don\u2019t\t know\t why\t she\t only\t began\t hunting\t for\t them\t once\t you arrived.\t But\t I\t sent\t you\t to\t Wendlyn\t for\t the\t healing.\t And\t so\t you\t would\t \u2026\t find\t him.\t The one\twho\thad\tbeen\twaiting\tso\tlong\tfor\tyou.\u201d Aelin\u2019s\theart\tcracked.\t\u201cRowan.\u201d Elena\t nodded.\t \u201cHe\t was\t a\t voice\t in\t the\t void,\t a\t secret,\t silent\t dreamer.\t And\t so\t were\t his companions.\tBut\tthe\tFae\tPrince,\the\twas\t\u2026\u201d Aelin\treined\tin\ther\tsob.\t\u201cI\tknow.\tI\u2019ve\tknown\tfor\ta\tlong\ttime.\u201d \u201cI\twanted\tyou\tto\tknow\tthat\tjoy,\ttoo,\u201d\tElena\twhispered.\t\u201cHowever\tbriefly.\u201d \u201cI\tdid,\u201d\tAelin\tmanaged\tto\tsay.\t\u201cThank\tyou.\u201d Elena\tcovered\ther\tface\tat\tthose\twords,\tshuddering.\tBut\tafter\ta\tmoment,\tshe\tsurveyed Aelin,\tthen\tManon,\tstill\tsilent\tand\twatching.\t\u201cThe\twitch\tmirror\u2019s\tpower\tis\tfading;\tit\twill not\thold\tyou\there\tfor\tmuch\tlonger.\tPlease\u2014let\tme\tshow\tyou\twhat\tmust\tbe\tdone.\tHow\tto end\t it.\t You\t won\u2019t\t be\t able\t to\t see\t me\t after,\t but\t \u2026\t I\t will\t be\t with\t you.\t Until\t the\t very\t end, every\tstep\tof\tthe\tway,\tI\twill\tbe\twith\tyou.\u201d Manon\tonly\tput\ta\thand\ton\ther\tsword\tas\tAelin\tswallowed\tand\tsaid,\t\u201cShow\tme,\tthen.\u201d So\tElena\tdid.\tAnd\twhen\tshe\twas\tdone,\tAelin\twas\tsilent.\tManon\twas\tpacing,\tsnarling softly. But\tAelin\tdid\tnot\tfight\tit\tas\tElena\tleaned\tin\tto\tkiss\ther\tbrow,\twhere\tthat\tdamning\tmark had\tbeen\ther\twhole\tlife.\tA\tbit\tof\tchattel,\tbranded\tfor\tthe\tslaughterhouse.","Brannon\u2019s\tmark.\tThe\tmark\tof\tthe\tbastard-born\t\u2026\tthe\tNameless. Nameless\tis\tmy\tprice.\tTo\tbuy\tthem\ta\tfuture,\tshe\u2019d\tpay\tit. She\u2019d\t done\t as\t much\t as\t she\t could\t to\t set\t things\t in\t motion\t to\t ensure\t that\t once\t she\t was gone,\t help\t would\t still\t come.\t It\t was\t the\t only\t thing\t she\t could\t give\t them,\t her\t last\t gift\t to Terrasen.\tTo\tthose\tshe\tloved\twith\ther\theart\tof\twildfire. Elena\tstroked\ther\tcheek.\tThen\tthe\tancient\tqueen\tand\tthe\tmists\twere\tgone. Sunlight\t flooded\t them,\t blinding\t Aelin\t and\t Manon\t so\t violently\t that\t they\t hissed\t and slammed\t into\t each\t other.\t The\t brine\t of\t the\t sea,\t crash\t of\t nearby\t waves,\t and\t rustle\t of seagrasses\t greeted\t them.\t And\t beyond\t that,\t distantly:\t the\t clamor\t and\t bellowing\t of\t all-out war. They\t were\t on\t the\t outskirts\t of\t the\t marshes,\t upon\t the\t lip\t of\t the\t sea\t itself,\t the\t battle miles\tand\tmiles\tout\tto\tsea.\tThey\tmust\thave\ttraveled\twithin\tthe\tmists,\tsomehow\u2014 A\tsoft\tfemale\tlaugh\tslithered\tthrough\tthe\tgrass.\tAelin\tknew\tthat\tlaugh. And\tknew\tthat\tsomehow,\tperhaps\tthey\thad\tnot\ttraveled\tthrough\tthe\tmists\t\u2026 But\t they\t had\t been\t placed\t here.\t By\t whatever\t forces\t were\t at\t work,\t whatever\t gods watching. To\t stand\t in\t the\t sandy\t field\t before\t the\t turquoise\t sea,\t dead\t guards\t in\t Briarcliff\t armor slaughtered\tupon\tthe\tnearby\tdunes,\tstill\tbleeding\tout.\tTo\tstand\tbefore\tQueen\tMaeve\tof\tthe Fae. Elide\tLochan\ton\ther\tknees\tbefore\ther\u2014with\ta\tFae\twarrior\u2019s\tblade\tat\ther\tthroat.","69 Aedion\thad\tfaced\tarmies,\tfaced\tdeath\tmore\ttimes\tthan\the\tcould\tcount,\tbut\tthis\t\u2026 Even\twith\twhat\tRowan\thad\tdone\t\u2026\tthe\tenemy\tships\tstill\toutnumbered\tthem. The\t battling\t between\t ships\t had\t become\t too\t dangerous,\t the\t magic-wielders\t too\t aware of\tLysandra\tto\tallow\ther\tto\tattack\tbeneath\tthe\twaves. She\t was\t now\t fighting\t viciously\t beside\t Aedion\t in\t ghost\t leopard\t form,\t taking\t down whatever\t Fae\t warriors\t tried\t to\t board\t their\t ship.\t Whatever\t soldiers\t made\t it\t through\t the shredding\tgauntlet\tof\tRowan\u2019s\tand\tDorian\u2019s\tmagic. His\t father\t had\t left.\t Fenrys\t and\t Lorcan,\t too.\t He\u2019d\t last\t seen\t his\t father\t on\t the quarterdeck\tof\tone\tof\tthe\tships\tthat\thad\tbeen\tunder\this\tcommand,\ta\tsword\tin\teach\thand, the\t Lion\t poised\t for\t the\t kill.\t And\t as\t if\t sensing\t Aedion\u2019s\t gaze,\t a\t wall\t of\t golden\t light\t had wrapped\taround\thim. Aedion\twasn\u2019t\tstupid\tenough\tto\tdemand\tGavriel\ttake\tit\taway,\tnot\tas\tthe\tshield\tshrank and\tshrank,\tuntil\tit\tcovered\tAedion\tlike\ta\tsecond\tskin. Minutes\tlater,\tGavriel\twas\tgone\u2014vanished.\tBut\tthat\tmagic\tshield\tremained. That\thad\tbeen\tthe\tstart\tof\tthe\tsharp\tturn\tthey\u2019d\ttaken,\tgoing\tback\ton\tthe\tdefensive\tas sheer\tnumbers\tand\timmortal-versus-mortal\tfighting\ttook\tits\ttoll\ton\ttheir\tfleet. He\t had\t no\t doubt\t Maeve\t had\t something\t to\t do\t with\t it.\t But\t that\t bitch\t wasn\u2019t\t his problem. No,\t his\t problem\t was\t the\t armada\t all\t around\t him;\t his\t problem\t was\t the\t fact\t that\t the enemy\t soldiers\t he\t engaged\t were\t highly\t trained\t and\t didn\u2019t\t go\t down\t easily.\t His\t problem was\this\tsword\tarm\tached,\this\tshield\twas\tembedded\twith\tarrows\tand\tdented,\tand\tstill\tmore of\tthose\tships\tstretched\taway\tinto\tthe\tdistance. He\t did\t not\t let\t himself\t think\t about\t Aelin,\t about\t where\t she\t was.\t His\t Fae\t instincts pricked\t at\t the\t rumble\t of\t Rowan\u2019s\t and\t Dorian\u2019s\t magic\t surging\t up,\t then\t snapping\t into\t the enemy\tflank.\tShips\tbroke\tin\tthe\twake\tof\tthat\tpower;\twarriors\tdrowned\tbeneath\tthe\tweight of\ttheir\tarmor. Their\town\tship\trocked\tback\tfrom\tthe\tone\tthey\u2019d\tbeen\tengaging\tthanks\tto\tthe\tflood\tof power,\t and\t Aedion\t used\t the\t reprieve\t to\t whirl\t to\t Lysandra.\t Blood\t from\t his\t own\t wounds and\t ones\t he\u2019d\t inflicted\t covered\t him,\t mixing\t with\t the\t sweat\t running\t down\t his\t skin.\t He said\tto\tthe\tshifter,\t\u201cI\twant\tyou\tto\trun.\u201d Lysandra\t turned\t a\t fuzzy\t head\t toward\t him,\t pale\t green\t eyes\t narrowing\t slightly.\t Blood and\tgore\tdripped\tfrom\ther\tmaw\tonto\tthe\twood\tplanks.","Aedion\theld\tthat\tgaze.\t\u201cYou\tturn\tinto\ta\tbird\tor\ta\tmoth\tor\ta\tfish\u2014I\tdon\u2019t\trutting\tcare\u2014 and\tyou\tgo.\tIf\twe\u2019re\tabout\tto\tfall,\tyou\trun.\tThat\u2019s\tan\torder.\u201d She\thissed,\tas\tif\tto\tsay,\tYou\tdon\u2019t\tgive\tme\torders. \u201cI\t technically\t outrank\t you,\u201d\t he\t said,\t slashing\t his\t sword\t down\t his\t shield\t to\t clear\t it\t of two\tprotruding\tarrows\tas\tthey\tagain\tswung\tin\ttoward\tanother\tship\tcrammed\tfull\tof\twell- rested\tFae\twarriors.\t\u201cSo\tyou\u2019ll\trun.\tOr\tI\u2019ll\tkick\tyour\tass\tin\tthe\tAfterworld.\u201d Lysandra\t stalked\t up\t to\t him.\t A\t lesser\t man\t might\t have\t backed\t away\t from\t a\t predator that\tbig\tprowling\tclose.\tSome\tof\this\town\tsoldiers\tdid. But\tAedion\theld\this\tground\tas\tshe\trose\ton\ther\tback\tlegs,\tthose\thuge\tpaws\tsettling\ton his\tshoulders,\tand\tbrought\ther\tbloodied\tfeline\tface\tup\tto\this.\tHer\twet\twhiskers\ttwitched. Lysandra\tleaned\tin\tand\tnuzzled\this\tcheek,\this\tneck. Then\tshe\ttrotted\tback\tto\ther\tplace,\tblood\tsplashing\tbeneath\ther\tsilent\tpaws. When\tshe\tdeigned\tto\tglance\this\tway,\tspitting\tblood\tonto\tthe\tdeck,\tAedion\tsaid\tsoftly, \u201cThe\tnext\ttime,\tdo\tthat\tin\tyour\thuman\tform.\u201d Her\tpuffy\ttail\tjust\tcurled\ta\tbit\tin\tanswer. But\t their\t ship\t rocked\t back\t toward\t their\t latest\t attacker.\t The\t temperature\t plummeted, either\t from\t Rowan\t or\t Dorian\t or\t one\t of\t the\t Whitethorn\t nobles,\t Aedion\t couldn\u2019t\t tell. They\u2019d\t been\t lucky\t that\t Maeve\t had\t brought\t a\t fleet\t whose\t magic-wielders\t hailed\t mostly from\tRowan\u2019s\tline. Aedion\t braced\t himself,\t spreading\t apart\t his\t feet\t as\t wind\t and\t ice\t tore\t into\t the\t enemy lines.\t Fae\t soldiers,\t perhaps\t ones\t Rowan\t himself\t had\t commanded,\t screamed.\t But\t Rowan and\tDorian\tstruck\trelentlessly. Line\tafter\tline,\tRowan\tand\tDorian\tblasted\ttheir\tpower\tinto\tMaeve\u2019s\tfleet. Yet\tmore\tships\tflooded\tpast\tthem,\tengaging\tAedion\tand\tthe\tothers.\tAnsel\tof\tBriarcliff held\t the\t left\t flank,\t and\t \u2026\t the\t lines\t remained\t steady.\t Even\t if\t Maeve\u2019s\t armada\t still outnumbered\tthem. The\tfirst\tFae\tsoldier\twho\tcleared\tthe\trailing\tof\ttheir\tship\theaded\tright\tfor\tLysandra. It\twas\tthe\tlast\tmistake\tthe\tmale\tmade. She\tleaped,\tdodging\tpast\this\tguard,\tand\tclosed\ther\tjaws\taround\this\tneck. Bone\tcrunched\tand\tblood\tsprayed. Aedion\tleaped\tforward\tto\tengage\tthe\tnext\tsoldier\tover\tthe\trailing,\tcutting\tthrough\tthe grappling\thooks\tthat\tarced\tand\tlanded\ttrue. Aedion\t loosed\t himself\t into\t a\t killing\t calm,\t an\t eye\t on\t the\t shifter,\t who\t took\t down soldier\tafter\tsoldier,\this\tfather\u2019s\tgold\tshield\tholding\tstrong\taround\ther,\ttoo. Death\trained\tupon\thim. Aedion\t did\t not\t let\t himself\t think\t about\t how\t many\t were\t left.\t How\t many\t Rowan\t and","Dorian\tfelled,\tthe\truins\tof\tships\tsinking\taround\tthem,\tblood\tand\tflotsam\tchoking\tthe\tsea. So\tAedion\tkept\tkilling. And\tkilling. And\tkilling. Dorian\u2019s\t breath\t burned\t his\t throat,\t his\t magic\t was\t sluggish,\t a\t headache\t pulsed\t at\t his temples,\tbut\the\tkept\tunleashing\this\tpower\tupon\tthe\tenemy\tlines\twhile\tsoldiers\tfought\tand died\taround\thim. So\tmany.\tSo\tmany\ttrained\twarriors,\ta\tscant\tfew\tof\twhom\twere\tblessed\twith\tmagic\u2014 and\thad\tbeen\twielding\tit\tto\tget\tpast\tthem. He\t didn\u2019t\t dare\t see\t how\t the\t others\t were\t faring.\t All\t he\t heard\t were\t roars\t and\t snarls\t of wrath,\t shrieks\t of\t dying\t people,\t and\t the\t crack\t of\t wood\t and\t the\t snap\t of\t rope.\t Clouds\t had formed\tand\tgathered\tabove,\tblocking\tout\tthe\tsun. His\t magic\t sang\t as\t it\t froze\t the\t life\t out\t of\t ships,\t out\t of\t soldiers,\t as\t it\t bathed\t in\t their death.\tBut\tit\tstill\tflagged.\tHe\u2019d\tlost\ttrack\tof\thow\tlong\tit\thad\tbeen. Still,\tthey\tkept\tcoming.\tAnd\tstill,\tManon\tand\tAelin\tdid\tnot\treturn. Rowan\t held\t the\t front\t line,\t weapons\t angled,\t ready\t for\t any\t soldiers\t stupid\t enough\t to approach.\t But\t too\t many\t broke\t past\t their\t magic.\t Too\t many\t now\t steadily\t overwhelmed them. As\tsoon\tas\the\tthought\tit,\tAedion\u2019s\tbark\tof\tpain\tcut\tacross\tthe\twaves. There\twas\ta\troar\tof\trage\tthat\techoed\tit.\tWas\tAedion\u2014 The\t coppery\t tang\t of\t blood\t coated\t Dorian\u2019s\t mouth\u2014the\t burnout.\t Another\t roar,\t deep and\t bellowing,\t cleaved\t the\t world.\t Dorian\t braced\t himself,\t rallying\t his\t magic\t perhaps\t for the\tlast\ttime. That\troar\tsounded\tagain\tas\ta\tmighty\tshape\tshot\tdown\tfrom\tthe\theavy\tclouds. A\twyvern.\tA\twyvern\twith\tshimmering\twings. And\tbehind\tit,\tdescending\tupon\tthe\tFae\tfleet\twith\twicked\tdelight,\tflew\ttwelve\tothers.","70 Lysandra\tknew\tthat\troar. And\t then\t there\t was\t Abraxos,\t plunging\t from\t the\t heavy\t clouds,\t twelve\t other\t wyverns with\triders\tbehind\thim. Ironteeth\twitches. \u201cHold\t your\t fire!\u201d\t Rowan\t bellowed\t from\t half\t a\t dozen\t ships\t away,\t at\t the\t archers\t who had\ttrained\ttheir\tfew\tremaining\tarrows\ton\tthe\tgolden-haired\twitch\tclosest\tto\tAbraxos,\ther pale-blue\twyvern\tshrieking\ta\twar\tcry. The\t other\t witches\t and\t their\t wyverns\t unleashed\t hell\t upon\t the\t Fae,\t smashing\t through the\t converging\t lines,\t snapping\t grappling\t ropes,\t buying\t them\t a\t moment\u2019s\t reprieve.\t How they\tknew\twho\tto\tattack,\twhat\tside\tto\tfight\tfor\u2014 Abraxos\t and\t eleven\t others\t angled\t northward\t in\t one\t smooth\t movement,\t then\t plowed into\t the\t panicking\t enemy\t fleet.\t The\t golden-haired\t rider,\t however,\t swept\t for\t Lysandra\u2019s ship,\ther\tsky-blue\twyvern\tgracefully\tlanding\ton\tthe\tprow. The\t witch\t was\t beautiful,\t a\t strip\t of\t black\t braided\t leather\t across\t her\t brow,\t and\t she called\tto\tnone\tof\tthem\tin\tparticular,\t\u201cWhere\tis\tManon\tBlackbeak?\u201d \u201cWho\tare\tyou?\u201d\tAedion\tdemanded,\this\tvoice\ta\trasp.\tBut\tthere\twas\trecognition\tin\this eyes,\tas\tif\tremembering\tthat\tday\tat\tTemis\u2019s\ttemple\u2014 The\t witch\t grinned,\t revealing\t white\t teeth,\t but\t iron\t glinted\t at\t her\t fingertips.\t \u201cAsterin Blackbeak,\tat\tyour\tservice.\u201d\tShe\tscanned\tthe\tembattled\tships.\t\u201cWhere\tis\tManon?\tAbraxos led\u2014\u201d \u201cIt\u2019s\ta\tlong\tstory,\tbut\tshe\u2019s\there,\u201d\tAedion\tshouted\tover\tthe\tdin.\tLysandra\tcrept\tcloser, sizing\tup\tthe\twitch,\tthe\tcoven\tthat\twas\tnow\twreaking\thavoc\tupon\tthe\tFae\tlines.\t\u201cYou\tand your\t Thirteen\t save\t our\t asses,\t witch,\u201d\t Aedion\t said,\t \u201cand\t I\u2019ll\t tell\t you\t anything\t you\t damn want.\u201d A\twicked\tgrin\tand\tan\tincline\tof\ther\thead.\t\u201cThen\twe\tshall\tclear\tthe\tfield\tfor\tyou.\u201d Then\t Asterin\t and\t the\t wyvern\t soared\t up,\t and\t blasted\t between\t the\t waves,\t spearing\t for where\tthe\tothers\twere\tfighting. At\t Asterin\u2019s\t approach,\t the\t wyverns\t and\t riders\t reeled\t back,\t rising\t high\t into\t the\t air, falling\tinto\tformation.\tA\thammer\tabout\tto\tstrike. The\t Fae\t knew\t it.\t They\t began\t throwing\t up\t feeble\t shields,\t shooting\t wildly\t for\t them, their\t panic\t making\t their\t aim\t sloppy.\t But\t the\t wyverns\t were\t covered\t in\t armor\u2014efficient, beautiful\tarmor.","The\tThirteen\tlaughed\tat\ttheir\tenemy\tas\tthey\tslammed\tinto\tits\tsouthern\tflank. Lysandra\t wished\t she\t had\t strength\t left\t to\t shift\u2014one\t last\t time.\t To\t join\t them\t in\t that glorious\tdestruction. The\tThirteen\therded\tthe\tpanicking\tships\tbetween\tthem,\tsmashed\tthem\tapart,\twielding every\t weapon\t in\t their\t arsenal\u2014wyverns,\t blades,\t iron\t teeth.\t What\t got\t past\t them\t received the\tbrutal\tmercy\tof\tRowan\u2019s\tand\tDorian\u2019s\tmagic.\tAnd\twhat\tgot\tpast\tthat\tmagic\t\u2026 Lysandra\t found\t Aedion\u2019s\t blood-splattered\t stare.\t The\t general-prince\t smirked\t in\t that insolent\tway\tof\this,\tsending\ta\tthrill\twilder\tthan\tbloodlust\tthrough\ther.\t\u201cWe\tdon\u2019t\twant\tthe witches\tto\tmake\tus\tlook\tbad,\tdo\twe?\u201d Lysandra\treturned\this\tsmirk\tand\tlunged\tback\tinto\tthe\tfray. Not\tmany\tmore. Rowan\u2019s\tmagic\twas\tstrained\tto\tthe\tbreaking\tpoint,\this\tpanic\ta\tdull\troaring\tin\tthe\tback of\this\tmind,\tbut\the\tkept\tattacking,\tkept\tswinging\this\tblades\tat\tany\tthat\tgot\tpast\this\twind and\tice,\tor\tDorian\u2019s\town\tblasts\tof\traw,\tunchecked\tpower.\tFenrys,\tLorcan,\tand\tGavriel\thad bolted\t an\t hour\t or\t lifetimes\t ago,\t vanishing\t to\t wherever\t Maeve\t had\t no\t doubt\t summoned them,\t but\t the\t armada\t held\t fast.\t Whoever\t Ansel\t of\t Briarcliff\u2019s\t men\t were,\t they\t weren\u2019t cowed\t by\t Fae\t warriors.\t And\t they\t were\t no\t strangers\t to\t bloodshed.\t Neither\t were\t Rolfe\u2019s men.\tNone\tof\tthem\tran. The\tThirteen\tcontinued\tto\twreak\thavoc\ton\tMaeve\u2019s\tpanicking\tfleet.\tAsterin\tBlackbeak barked\t commands\t high\t above\t them,\t the\t twelve\t witches\t breaking\t the\t enemy\t lines\t with fierce,\tclever\tdetermination.\tIf\tthis\twas\thow\tone\tcoven\tfought,\tthen\tan\tarmy\tof\tthem\u2014 Rowan\t gritted\t his\t teeth\t as\t the\t remaining\t ships\t decided\t to\t be\t smarter\t than\t their\t dead companions\tand\tbegan\tto\tpeel\taway.\tIf\tMaeve\tgave\tthe\torder\tto\tretreat\u2014 Too\tbad.\tToo\tdamn\tbad.\tHe\u2019d\tsend\ther\town\tship\tdown\tto\tthe\tinky\tblack\thimself. He\t gave\t Asterin\t a\t sharp\t whistle\t the\t next\t time\t she\t passed\t overhead,\t rallying\t her Thirteen\tagain.\tShe\twhistled\tback\tin\tconfirmation.\tThe\tThirteen\tlaunched\tafter\tthe\tfleeing armada. The\tbattle\tebbed,\tred\twaves\tladen\twith\tdebris\tflowing\tpast\ton\tthe\tswift\ttide. Rowan\tgave\tthe\torder\tto\tthe\tcaptain\tto\thold\tthe\tlines\tand\tdeal\twith\tany\tstupidity\tfrom Maeve\u2019s\tarmada\tif\tany\tships\tdecided\tnot\tto\tturn\ttail. His\t legs\t trembling,\t his\t arms\t shaking\t so\t badly\t he\t was\t afraid\t that\t if\t he\t let\t go\t of\t his weapons\the\twouldn\u2019t\tbe\table\tto\tpick\tthem\tup\tagain,\tRowan\tshifted\tand\tsoared\thigh. His\tcousins\thad\tjoined\tthe\tThirteen\tin\ttheir\tpursuit\tof\tthe\tfleet\tnow\ttrying\tto\trun.\tHe avoided\tthe\turge\tto\tcount.\tBut\u2014Rowan\tflew\thigher,\tscanning. There\twas\tone\tboat\tmissing. A\tboat\the\u2019d\tsailed\ton,\tworked\ton,\tfought\ton\tin\tpast\twars\tand\tjourneys.","Maeve\u2019s\tpersonal\tbattleship,\tthe\tNightingale,\twas\tnowhere\tto\tbe\tseen. Not\twithin\tthe\tretreating\tfleet\tnow\tfending\toff\tthe\tWhitethorn\troyals\tand\tthe\tThirteen. Not\twithin\tthe\tsinking\thulks\tof\tships\tnow\tbleeding\tout\tin\tthe\twater. Rowan\u2019s\t blood\t chilled.\t But\t he\t dove\t fast\t and\t hard\t for\t Aedion\t and\t Lysandra\u2019s\t ship, where\tgore\tcovered\tthe\tdeck\tso\tthickly\tit\trippled\tas\the\tshifted\tand\tset\tdown\tin\tit. Aedion\t was\t covered\t in\t blood,\t both\t his\t own\t and\t others\u2019;\t Lysandra\t was\t purging\t a stomach\tfull\tof\tit.\tRowan\tmanaged\tto\twill\this\tlegs\tinto\tmaneuvering\taround\tfallen\tFae.\tHe did\tnot\tlook\ttoo\tclosely\tat\ttheir\tfaces. \u201cIs\t she\t back?\u201d\t Aedion\t instantly\t demanded,\t wincing\t as\t he\t put\t weight\t on\t his\t thigh. Rowan\tsurveyed\this\tbrother\u2019s\twound.\tHe\u2019d\thave\tto\theal\thim\tsoon\u2014as\tsoon\tas\this\tmagic replenished.\tIn\ta\tplace\tlike\tthis,\teven\tAedion\u2019s\tFae\tblood\tcouldn\u2019t\tkeep\tthe\tinfection\taway long. \u201cI\tdon\u2019t\tknow,\u201d\tRowan\tsaid. \u201cFind\ther,\u201d\tAedion\tgrowled.\tHe\tbroke\tRowan\u2019s\tstare\tonly\tto\twatch\tLysandra\tshift\tinto her\thuman\tform\u2014and\tran\tan\teye\tover\tthe\tinjuries\tthat\tpeppered\ther\tskin. Rowan\u2019s\t skin\t tightened\t over\t his\t bones.\t He\t had\t the\t feeling\t that\t the\t ground\t was\t about to\tslip\tfrom\tunder\this\tfeet\tas\tDorian\tappeared\tat\tthe\trail\tof\tthe\tmain\tdeck,\tgaunt-faced\tand haggard,\tno\tdoubt\thaving\tused\tthe\tlast\tof\this\tmagic\tto\tpropel\ta\tlongboat\tover,\tand\tpanted, \u201cThe\tcoast.\tAelin\tis\tout\tby\tthe\tcoast\twhere\twe\tsent\tElide\u2014they\tall\tare.\u201d That\twas\tmiles\taway.\tHow\tthe\thell\thad\tthey\tgotten\tthere? \u201cHow\tdo\tyou\tknow?\u201d\tLysandra\tdemanded,\ttying\tback\ther\thair\twith\tbloody\tfingers. \u201cBecause\tI\tcan\tfeel\tsomething\tout\tthere,\u201d\tDorian\tsaid.\t\u201cFlame\tand\tshadow\tand\tdeath. Like\t Lorcan\t and\t Aelin\t and\t someone\t else.\t Someone\t ancient.\t Powerful.\u201d\t Rowan\t braced himself\t for\t it,\t but\t he\t still\t wasn\u2019t\t ready\t for\t the\t pure\t terror\t when\t Dorian\t added,\t \u201cAnd female.\u201d Maeve\thad\tfound\tthem. The\tbattle\thad\tnot\tbeen\tfor\tany\tsort\tof\tvictory\tor\tconquest. But\ta\tdistraction.\tWhile\tMaeve\tslipped\taway\tto\tget\tthe\treal\tprize. They\u2019d\t never\t arrive\t fast\t enough.\t If\t he\t flew\t on\t his\t own,\t his\t magic\t already\t drained\t to the\t breaking\t point,\t he\t would\t be\t of\t little\t help.\t They\t stood\t a\t better\t chance,\t Aelin\t stood\t a better\tchance,\tif\tthey\twere\tall\tthere. Rowan\t whirled\t to\t the\t horizon\t behind\t them\u2014to\t the\t wyverns\t destroying\t the\t remnants of\t the\t fleet.\t Rowing\t would\t take\t too\t long;\t his\t magic\t was\t gutted.\t But\t a\t wyvern\t \u2026\t That might\tdo.","71 The\tQueen\tof\tthe\tFae\twas\texactly\tas\tAelin\tremembered.\tSwirling\tdark\trobes,\ta\tbeautiful pale\tface\tbeneath\tonyx\thair,\tred\tlips\tset\tin\ta\tfaint\tsmile\t\u2026\tNo\tcrown\tadorned\ther\thead,\tfor all\twho\tbreathed,\teven\tthe\tdead\twho\tslumbered,\twould\tknow\ther\tfor\twhat\tshe\twas. Dreams\tand\tnightmares\tgiven\tform;\tthe\tdark\tface\tof\tthe\tmoon. And\t kneeling\t before\t Maeve,\t a\t stone-faced\t sentry\t holding\t a\t blade\t to\t her\t bare\t throat, Elide\t trembled.\t Her\t guards,\t all\t men\t in\t Ansel\u2019s\t armor,\t had\t likely\t been\t killed\t before\t they could\t shout\t a\t warning.\t From\t the\t weapons\t that\t were\t only\t half\t out\t of\t their\t sheaths,\t they hadn\u2019t\teven\thad\tthe\tchance\tto\tfight. Manon\thad\tgone\tstill\tas\tdeath\tat\tthe\tsight\tof\tElide,\ther\tiron\tnails\tsliding\tfree. Aelin\tforced\ta\thalf\tsmile\tto\ther\tmouth,\tshoved\ther\traw,\tbleeding\theart\tinto\ta\tbox\tdeep inside\t her\t chest.\t \u201cNot\t as\t impressive\t as\t Doranelle,\t if\t you\t ask\t me,\t but\t at\t least\t a\t swamp really\t reflects\t your\t true\t nature,\t you\t know?\t It\u2019ll\t be\t a\t wonderful\t new\t home\t for\t you. Definitely\tworth\tthe\tcost\tof\tcoming\tall\tthis\tway\tto\tconquer\tit.\u201d At\t the\t edge\t of\t the\t hill\t that\t flowed\t down\t to\t the\t beach\t a\t small\t party\t of\t Fae\t warriors monitored\t them.\t Male\t and\t female,\t all\t armed,\t all\t strangers.\t A\t massive,\t elegant\t ship\t idled in\tthe\tcalm\tbay\tbeyond. Maeve\t smiled\t slightly.\t \u201cWhat\t a\t joy,\t to\t learn\t that\t your\t usual\t good\t spirits\t remain undimmed\tin\tsuch\tdark\tdays.\u201d \u201cHow\tcould\tthey\tnot,\twhen\tso\tmany\tof\tyour\tpretty\tmales\tare\tin\tmy\tcompany?\u201d Maeve\tcocked\ther\thead,\ther\theavy\tcurtain\tof\tdark\thair\tsliding\toff\ta\tshoulder.\tAnd\tas\tif in\t answer,\t Lorcan\t appeared\t at\t the\t edge\t of\t the\t dunes,\t panting,\t wild-eyed,\t sword\t out.\t His focus\u2014and\t horror,\t Aelin\t realized\u2014on\t Elide.\t On\t the\t sentry\t holding\t the\t blade\t against\t her white\tneck.\tMaeve\tgave\ta\tlittle\tsmile\tto\tthe\twarrior,\tbut\tlooked\tto\tManon. With\ther\tattention\telsewhere,\tLorcan\ttook\tup\ta\tplace\tat\tAelin\u2019s\tside\u2014as\tif\tthey\twere somehow\t allies\t in\t this,\t would\t fight\t back-to-back.\t Aelin\t didn\u2019t\t bother\t to\t say\t anything\t to him.\tNot\tas\tMaeve\tsaid\tto\tthe\twitch,\t\u201cI\tknow\tyour\tface.\u201d That\tface\tremained\tcold\tand\timpassive.\t\u201cLet\tthe\tgirl\tgo.\u201d A\tsmall,\tbreathy\tlaugh.\t\u201cAh.\u201d\tAelin\u2019s\tstomach\tclenched\tas\tthat\tancient\tfocus\tshifted\tto Elide.\t\u201cClaimed\tby\tqueen,\tand\twitch,\tand\t\u2026\tmy\tSecond,\tit\tseems.\u201d Aelin\ttensed.\tShe\tdidn\u2019t\tthink\tLorcan\twas\tbreathing\tbeside\ther. Maeve\ttoyed\twith\ta\tstrand\tof\tElide\u2019s\tlimp\thair.\tThe\tLady\tof\tPerranth\tshook.\t\u201cThe\tgirl who\tLorcan\tSalvaterre\tsummoned\tme\tto\tsave.\u201d","That\t ripple\t of\t Lorcan\u2019s\t power\t the\t day\t Ansel\u2019s\t fleet\t had\t closed\t in\t \u2026\t She\u2019d\t known\t it was\ta\tsummoning.\tThe\tsame\tway\tshe\u2019d\tsummoned\tthe\tValg\tto\tSkull\u2019s\tBay.\tShe\u2019d\trefused to\t immediately\t explain\t Ansel\u2019s\t presence,\t wanting\t to\t enjoy\t the\t surprise\t of\t it,\t and\t he\t had summoned\t Maeve\u2019s\t armada\t to\t take\t on\t what\t he\u2019d\t believed\t to\t be\t an\t enemy\t fleet.\t To\t save Elide. Lorcan\tjust\tsaid,\t\u201cI\u2019m\tsorry.\u201d Aelin\tdidn\u2019t\tknow\tif\tit\twas\tto\ther\tor\tElide,\twhose\teyes\tnow\twidened\twith\toutrage.\tBut Aelin\tsaid,\t\u201cYou\tthink\tI\tdidn\u2019t\tknow?\tThat\tI\tdidn\u2019t\ttake\tprecautions?\u201d Lorcan\u2019s\tbrows\tfurrowed.\tAelin\tshrugged. But\t Maeve\t went\t on,\t \u201cLady\t Elide\t Lochan,\t daughter\t of\t Cal\t and\t Marion\t Lochan.\t No wonder\tthe\twitch\titches\tto\tretrieve\tyou,\tif\ther\tbloodline\truns\tin\tyour\tveins.\u201d Manon\tsnarled\ta\twarning. Aelin\t drawled\t to\t the\t Fae\t Queen,\t \u201cWell,\t you\t didn\u2019t\t drag\t your\t ancient\t carcass\t all\t the way\there\tfor\tnothing.\tSo\tlet\u2019s\tget\ton\twith\tit.\tWhat\tdo\tyou\twant\tfor\tthe\tgirl?\u201d That\tadder\u2019s\tsmile\tcurled\tMaeve\u2019s\tlips\tagain. Elide\twas\ttrembling;\tevery\tbone,\tevery\tpore\twas\ttrembling\tin\tterror\tat\tthe\timmortal\tqueen standing\t above\t her,\t at\t the\t guard\u2019s\t blade\t at\t her\t throat.\t The\t rest\t of\t the\t queen\u2019s\t escort remained\t distant\u2014but\t it\t was\t to\t the\t escort\t that\t Lorcan\t kept\t glancing,\t his\t face\t tight,\t his own\tbody\tnear-shaking\twith\trestrained\twrath. This\t was\t the\t queen\t to\t whom\t he\u2019d\t given\t his\t heart?\t This\t cold\t creature\t who\t looked\t at the\tworld\twith\tmirthless\teyes?\tWho\thad\tkilled\tthose\tsoldiers\twithout\ta\tblink\tof\thesitation? The\tqueen\twhom\tLorcan\thad\tsummoned\tfor\ther.\tHe\u2019d\tbrought\tMaeve\tto\tsave\ther\u2014 Elide\u2019s\tbreath\tturned\tsharp\tin\ther\tthroat.\tHe\u2019d\tbetrayed\tthem.\tBetrayed\tAelin\tfor\ther\u2014 \u201cWhat\t should\t I\t demand\t as\t payment\t for\t the\t girl?\u201d\t Maeve\t mused,\t taking\t a\t few\t steps toward\t them,\t graceful\t as\t a\t moonbeam.\t \u201cWhy\t doesn\u2019t\t my\t Second\t tell\t me?\t So\t busy, Lorcan.\tYou\u2019ve\tbeen\tso,\tso\tbusy\tthese\tmonths.\u201d His\tvoice\twas\thoarse\tas\the\tlowered\this\thead.\t\u201cI\tdid\tit\tfor\tyou,\tMajesty.\u201d \u201cThen\twhere\tis\tmy\tring?\tWhere\tare\tmy\tkeys?\u201d A\t ring.\t Elide\t was\t willing\t to\t bet\t it\t was\t the\t golden\t one\t on\t her\t own\t finger,\t hidden beneath\ther\tother\thand\tas\tshe\tclenched\tthem\tbefore\ther. But\tLorcan\tpointed\this\tchin\ttoward\tAelin.\t\u201cShe\thas\tthem.\tTwo\tkeys.\u201d Cold\tclanged\tthrough\tElide.\t\u201cLorcan.\u201d\tThe\tguard\u2019s\tblade\ttwitched\tat\ther\tthroat. Aelin\tonly\tleveled\ta\tcool\tstare\tat\tLorcan. He\tdidn\u2019t\tlook\tat\teither\tElide\tor\tAelin.\tDidn\u2019t\tso\tmuch\tas\tacknowledge\ttheir\texistence as\t he\t went\t on,\t \u201cAelin\t has\t two,\t and\t probably\t has\t a\t good\t inkling\t where\t Erawan\t hides\t the","third.\u201d \u201cLorcan,\u201d\t Elide\t pleaded.\t No\u2014no,\t he\t wasn\u2019t\t about\t to\t do\t this,\t about\t to\t betray\t them again\u2014 \u201cBe\tquiet,\u201d\the\tgrowled\tat\ther. Maeve\u2019s\t gaze\t again\t drifted\t down\t to\t Elide.\t The\t ancient,\t eternal\t darkness\t in\t it\t was smothering.\t\u201cWhat\tfamiliarity\tyou\tuse\twhen\tyou\tspeak\this\tname,\tLady\tof\tPerranth.\tWhat intimacy.\u201d Aelin\u2019s\tlittle\tsnort\twas\ther\tonly\twarning\tsign.\t\u201cDon\u2019t\tyou\thave\tbetter\tthings\tto\tdo\tthan terrorize\thumans?\tRelease\tthe\tgirl\tand\tlet\u2019s\tsettle\tthis\tthe\tfun\tway.\u201d Flame\tdanced\tat\tAelin\u2019s\tfingertips. No.\tHer\tmagic\thad\tbeen\temptied,\tstill\thovered\tnear\tburnout. But\tAelin\tstepped\tforward,\tnudging\tManon\twith\tthe\tside\tof\ther\tbody\tas\tshe\tpassed\u2014 forcing\tthe\twitch\tto\tback\taway.\tAelin\tgrinned.\t\u201cWant\tto\tdance,\tMaeve?\u201d But\t Aelin\t shot\t a\t cutting\t glance\t over\t her\t shoulder\t at\t Manon\t as\t if\t to\t say,\t Run.\tGrab Elide\tthe\tmoment\tMaeve\u2019s\tguard\tis\tdown\tand\trun. Maeve\t returned\t Aelin\u2019s\t smile.\t \u201cI\t don\u2019t\t think\t you\u2019d\t be\t a\t suitable\t dance\t partner\t right now.\t Not\t when\t your\t magic\t is\t nearly\t depleted.\t Did\t you\t think\t my\t arrival\t was\t merely dependent\t upon\t Lorcan\u2019s\t summoning?\t Who\t do\t you\t think\t even\t whispered\t to\t Morath\t you were\t indeed\t down\t here?\t Of\t course,\t the\t fools\t didn\u2019t\t realize\t that\t when\t you\t had\t drained yourself\ton\ttheir\tarmies,\tI\u2019d\tbe\twaiting.\tYou\twere\talready\texhausted\tafter\tputting\tout\tthe fires\t I\t had\t my\t armada\t ignite\t to\t tire\t you\t on\t Eyllwe\u2019s\t coast.\t It\t was\t a\t convenience\t that Lorcan\tgave\tyour\tprecise\tlocation\tand\tsaved\tme\tthe\tenergy\tof\ttracking\tyou\tdown\tmyself.\u201d A\t trap.\t An\t enormous,\t wicked\t trap.\t To\t drain\t Aelin\u2019s\t power\t over\t days\u2014weeks.\t But Aelin\tlifted\ta\tbrow.\t\u201cYou\tbrought\tan\tentire\tarmada\tjust\tto\tstart\ta\tfew\tfires?\u201d \u201cI\t brought\t an\t armada\t to\t see\t if\t you\u2019d\t rise\t to\t the\t occasion.\t Which,\t apparently,\t Prince Rowan\thas\tdone.\u201d Hope\tsoared\tin\tElide\u2019s\tchest.\tBut\tthen\tMaeve\tsaid,\t\u201cThe\tarmada\twas\ta\tprecaution.\tJust in\tcase\tthe\tilken\tdidn\u2019t\tarrive\tfor\tyou\tto\twholly\tdrain\tyourself\t\u2026\tI\tfigured\ta\tfew\thundred ships\twould\tmake\tfor\tgood\tkindling\tuntil\tI\twas\tready.\u201d To\tsacrifice\ther\town\tfleet\u2014or\tpart\tof\tit\u2014to\tgain\tone\tprize\t\u2026\tThis\twas\tmadness.\tThe queen\t was\t utterly\t insane.\t \u201cDo\t something,\u201d\t Elide\t hissed\t at\t Lorcan,\t at\t Manon.\t \u201cDo something.\u201d Neither\tof\tthem\tresponded. The\t flame\t around\t Aelin\u2019s\t fingers\t grew\t to\t encompass\t her\t hand\u2014then\t her\t arm\t as\t she said\tto\tthe\tancient\tqueen,\t\u201cAll\tI\thear\tis\ta\tlot\tof\tchitchat.\u201d Maeve\t glanced\t at\t her\t escort,\t and\t they\t stepped\t away.\t Hauled\t Elide\t with\t them,\t the blade\tstill\tat\ther\tthroat.","Aelin\tsaid\tsharply\tto\tManon,\t\u201cGet\tout\tof\trange.\u201d The\t witch\t fell\t back,\t but\t her\t eyes\t were\t on\t the\t guard\t holding\t Elide,\t gobbling\t down every\tdetail\tshe\tcould. \u201cYou\tcan\u2019t\tpossibly\thope\tto\twin,\u201d\tMaeve\tsaid,\tas\tif\tthey\twere\tabout\tto\tplay\tcards. \u201cAt\tleast\twe\u2019ll\tenjoy\tourselves\tuntil\tthe\tend,\u201d\tAelin\tcrooned\tback,\tflame\tnow\tencasing her\tentirely. \u201cOh,\tI\thave\tno\tinterest\tin\tkilling\tyou,\u201d\tMaeve\tpurred. Then\tthey\texploded. Flame\tslammed\toutward,\tred\tand\tgolden\u2014just\tas\ta\twall\tof\tdarkness\tlashed\tfor\tAelin. The\timpact\tshook\tthe\tworld. Even\tManon\twas\tthrown\ton\ther\tass. But\tLorcan\twas\talready\tmoving. The\tguard\tholding\tElide\tshowered\ther\thair\twith\tblood\tas\tLorcan\tslit\this\tthroat. The\t other\t two\t guards\t behind\t him\t died\t with\t a\t hatchet\t to\t the\t face,\t one\t after\t another. Elide\t surged\t up,\t her\t leg\t barking\t in\t pain,\t running\t for\t Manon\t on\t pure,\t blind\t instinct,\t but Lorcan\tgripped\ther\tby\tthe\tcollar\tof\ther\ttunic.\t\u201cStupid\tfool,\u201d\the\tsnapped,\tand\tshe\tclawed\tat him\u2014 \u201cLorcan,\thold\tthe\tgirl,\u201d\tMaeve\tsaid\tquietly,\tnot\teven\tlooking\ttoward\tthem.\t\u201cDon\u2019t\tget any\tstupid\tideas\tabout\tfleeing\twith\ther.\u201d\tHe\twent\tutterly\tstill,\this\thold\ttightening. Maeve\tand\tAelin\tstruck\tagain. Light\tand\tdarkness. Sand\tshuddered\tdown\tthe\tdunes,\tthe\twaves\trippled. Only\tnow\u2014Maeve\thad\tonly\tdared\tattack\tAelin\tnow. Because\tAelin\tat\ther\tfull\tstrength\t\u2026 Aelin\tcould\tbeat\ther. But\tAelin,\tnearly\tdepleted\tof\ther\tpower\t\u2026 \u201cPlease,\u201d\t Elide\t begged\t Lorcan.\t But\t he\t held\t her\t firm,\t slave\t to\t the\t order\t Maeve\t had given,\tone\teye\ton\tthe\tbattling\tqueens,\tthe\tother\ton\tthe\tescorts\twho\tweren\u2019t\tfoolish\tenough to\tapproach\tafter\twitnessing\twhat\the\u2019d\tdone\tto\ttheir\tcompanions. \u201cRun,\u201d\t Lorcan\t said\t in\t her\t ear.\t \u201cIf\t you\t wish\t to\t live,\t run,\t Elide.\t Shove\t me\t off\u2014work around\ther\tcommand.\tPush\tme,\tand\trun.\u201d She\twould\tnot.\tShe\u2019d\tsooner\tdie\tthan\tflee\tlike\ta\tcoward,\tnot\twhen\tAelin\twas\tgoing\tto the\tmat\tfor\tall\tof\tthem,\twhen\u2014 Darkness\tdevoured\tflame.","And\teven\tManon\tflinched\tas\tAelin\twas\tslammed\tback. A\tpaper-thin\twall\tof\tflame\tkept\tthat\tdarkness\tfrom\thitting\thome.\tA\twall\tthat\twavered \u2014 Help.\tThey\tneeded\thelp\u2014 Maeve\tlashed\tto\tthe\tleft,\tand\tAelin\tthrew\tup\ta\thand,\tfire\tdeflecting. Aelin\tdidn\u2019t\tsee\tthe\tblow\tto\tthe\tright.\tElide\tscreamed\tin\twarning,\tbut\ttoo\tlate. A\twhip\tof\tblack\tsliced\tinto\tAelin. She\twent\tdown. And\tElide\tthought\tthe\timpact\tof\tAelin\tGalathynius\u2019s\tknees\thitting\tthe\tsand\tmight\thave been\tthe\tmost\thorrible\tsound\tshe\u2019d\tever\theard. Maeve\tdid\tnot\twaste\ther\tadvantage. Darkness\tpoured\tdown,\tpounding\tagain\tand\tagain.\tAelin\tdeflected,\tbut\tit\tgot\tpast\ther. There\twas\tnothing\tElide\tcould\tdo\tas\tAelin\tscreamed. As\tthat\tdark,\tancient\tpower\tstruck\ther\tlike\ta\thammer\tover\tan\tanvil. Elide\tbegged\tManon,\tnow\tmere\tfeet\taway,\t\u201cDo\tsomething.\u201d Manon\tignored\ther,\teyes\tfixed\ton\tthe\tbattle\tbefore\tthem. Aelin\t crawled\t backward,\t blood\t sliding\t from\t her\t right\t nostril.\t Dripping\t on\t her\t white shirt. Maeve\tadvanced,\tthe\tdarkness\tswirling\taround\ther\tlike\ta\tfell\twind. Aelin\ttried\tto\trise. Tried,\t but\t her\t legs\t had\t given\t out.\t The\t Queen\t of\t Terrasen\t panted,\t fire\t flickering\t like dying\tembers\taround\ther. Maeve\tpointed\twith\ta\tfinger. A\t black\t whip,\t faster\t than\t Aelin\u2019s\t fire,\t lashed\t out.\t Wrapped\t around\t her\t throat.\t Aelin gripped\tit,\tthrashing,\ther\tteeth\tbared,\tflame\tflaring\tover\tand\tover. \u201cWhy\tdon\u2019t\tyou\tuse\tthe\tkeys,\tAelin?\u201d\tMaeve\tpurred.\t\u201cSurely\tyou\u2019d\twin\tthat\tway.\u201d Use\tthem,\tElide\tbegged\ther.\tUse\tthem. But\tAelin\tdid\tnot. The\tcoil\tof\tdarkness\ttightened\taround\tAelin\u2019s\tthroat. Flames\tsparked\tand\tdied\tout. Then\t the\t darkness\t expanded,\t encompassing\t Aelin\t again\t and\t squeezing\t tight, squeezing\t until\t she\t was\t screaming,\t screaming\t in\t a\t way\t that\t Elide\t knew\t meant unfathomable\tagony\u2014","A\t low,\t vicious\t snarl\t rippled\t from\t nearby,\t the\t only\t warning\t as\t a\t massive\t wolf\t leaped through\tthe\tseagrasses\tand\tshifted.\tFenrys. A\theartbeat\tlater,\ta\tmountain\tlion\tcharged\tover\ta\tdune,\tbeheld\tthe\tscene,\tand\tshifted\tas well.\tGavriel. \u201cLet\ther\tgo,\u201d\tFenrys\tgrowled\tat\tthe\tdark\tqueen,\tadvancing\ta\tstep.\t\u201cLet\ther\tgo\tnow.\u201d Maeve\t turned\t her\t head,\t that\t darkness\t still\t lashing\t Aelin.\t \u201cLook\t who\t finally\t arrived. Another\t set\t of\t traitors.\u201d\t She\t smoothed\t a\t wrinkle\t in\t her\t flowing\t gown.\t \u201cWhat\t a\t valiant effort\t you\t made,\t Fenrys,\t delaying\t your\t arrival\t on\t this\t beach\t for\t as\t long\t as\t you\t could withstand\t my\t summons.\u201d\t She\t clicked\t her\t tongue.\t \u201cDid\t you\t enjoy\t playing\t loyal\t subject while\tpanting\tafter\tthe\tyoung\tQueen\tof\tFire?\u201d As\tif\tin\tanswer,\tthe\tdarkness\tsqueezed\tin\ttight\u2014and\tAelin\tscreamed\tagain. \u201cStop\tit,\u201d\tFenrys\tsnapped. \u201cMaeve,\tplease,\u201d\tGavriel\tsaid,\texposing\this\tpalms\tto\ther. \u201cMaeve?\u201d\t the\t queen\t crooned.\t \u201cNot\t Majesty?\t Has\t the\t Lion\t gone\t a\t bit\t feral?\t Perhaps too\tmuch\ttime\twith\this\tunchecked,\thalf-breed\tbastard?\u201d \u201cLeave\thim\tout\tof\tthis,\u201d\tGavriel\tsaid\ttoo\tsoftly. But\tMaeve\tlet\tthe\tdarkness\taround\tAelin\tpart. She\t was\t curled\t on\t her\t side,\t bleeding\t from\t both\t nostrils\t now,\t more\t blood\t dribbling from\ther\tpanting\tmouth. Fenrys\tlunged\tfor\ther.\tA\twall\tof\tblack\tslammed\tup\tbetween\tthem. \u201cI\tdon\u2019t\tthink\tso,\u201d\tMaeve\tcrooned. Aelin\t gasped\t for\t air,\t eyes\t glassy\t with\t pain.\t Eyes\t that\t slid\t to\t Elide\u2019s.\t Aelin\u2019s\t bloody, chapped\tmouth\tformed\tthe\tword\tagain.\tRun. She\twould\tnot.\tCould\tnot. Aelin\u2019s\t arms\t shook\t as\t she\t tried\t to\t raise\t herself.\t And\t Elide\t knew\t there\t was\t no\t magic left. No\tfire\tleft\tin\tthe\tqueen.\tNot\tone\tember. And\t the\t only\t way\t Aelin\t could\t face\t this,\t accept\t this,\t was\t to\t go\t down\t swinging.\t Like Marion\thad. Aelin\u2019s\t wet,\t rasping\t breaths\t were\t the\t only\t sound\t above\t the\t crashing\t waves\t behind them.\tEven\tthe\tbattle\thad\tgone\tquiet\tin\tthe\tdistance.\tOver\u2014or\tperhaps\tthey\twere\tall\tdead. Manon\tstill\tstood\tthere.\tStill\tdid\tnot\tmove.\tElide\tbegged\ther,\t\u201cPlease.\tPlease.\u201d Maeve\t smiled\t at\t the\t witch.\t \u201cI\t have\t no\t quarrel\t with\t you,\t Blackbeak.\t Stay\t out\t of\t this and\tyou\tare\tfree\tto\tgo\twhere\tyou\twish.\u201d \u201cPlease,\u201d\tElide\tpleaded.","Manon\u2019s\tgold\teyes\twere\thard.\tCold.\tShe\tnodded\tto\tMaeve.\t\u201cAgreed.\u201d Something\tin\tElide\u2019s\tchest\tcleaved\topen. But\t Gavriel\t said\t from\t across\t their\t little\t circle,\t \u201cMajesty\u2014please.\t Leave\t Aelin Galathynius\tto\ther\town\twar\there.\tLet\tus\treturn\thome.\u201d \u201cHome?\u201d\t Maeve\t asked.\t The\t black\t wall\t between\t Fenrys\t and\t Aelin\t lowered\u2014but\t the warrior\tdid\tnot\ttry\tto\tcross.\tHe\tjust\tstared\tat\tAelin,\tstared\tat\ther\tin\tthat\tway\tElide\therself must\tbe\tlooking.\tHe\tdidn\u2019t\tbreak\tthat\tstare\tuntil\tMaeve\tsaid\tto\tGavriel,\t\u201cIs\tDoranelle\tstill your\thome?\u201d \u201cYes,\tMajesty,\u201d\tGavriel\tsaid\tcalmly.\t\u201cIt\tis\tan\thonor\tto\tcall\tit\tsuch.\u201d \u201cHonor\t \u2026\t ,\u201d\t Maeve\t mused.\t \u201cYes,\t you\t and\t honor\t go\t hand\t in\t hand,\t don\u2019t\t they?\t But what\tof\tthe\thonor\tof\tyour\tvow,\tGavriel?\u201d \u201cI\thave\tkept\tmy\tvow\tto\tyou.\u201d \u201cDid\tI\tor\tdid\tI\tnot\ttell\tyou\tto\texecute\tLorcan\ton\tsight?\u201d \u201cThere\twere\t\u2026\tcircumstances\tthat\tprevented\tit\tfrom\thappening.\tWe\ttried.\u201d \u201cYet\tyou\tfailed.\tAm\tI\tnot\tsupposed\tto\tdiscipline\tmy\tblood-bonded\twho\tfail\tme?\u201d Gavriel\t lowered\t his\t head.\t \u201cOf\t course\u2014we\t will\t accept\t it.\t And\t I\t will\t also\t take\t on\t the punishment\tyou\tintended\tfor\tAelin\tGalathynius.\u201d Aelin\t lifted\t her\t head\t slightly,\t glazed\t eyes\t going\t wide.\t She\t tried\t to\t speak,\t but\t the words\t had\t been\t broken\t from\t her,\t her\t voice\t blown\t out\t from\t screaming.\t Elide\t knew\t the word\tthe\tqueen\tmouthed.\tNo. Not\t for\t her.\t Elide\t wondered\t if\t Gavriel\u2019s\t sacrifice\t was\t not\t only\t for\t Aelin\u2019s\t sake.\t But for\tAedion\u2019s.\tSo\tthe\tson\twould\tnot\thave\tto\tbear\tthe\tpain\tof\this\tqueen\tbeing\thurt\u2014 \u201cAelin\t Galathynius,\u201d\t Maeve\t mused.\t \u201cSo\t much\t talk\t about\t Aelin\t Galathynius.\t The Queen\tWho\tWas\tPromised.\tWell,\tGavriel\u201d\u2014a\tvicious\tsmile\u2014\u201cif\tyou\u2019re\tso\tinvested\tin\ther court,\twhy\tdon\u2019t\tyou\tjoin\tit?\u201d Fenrys\ttensed,\tpreparing\tto\tlunge\tin\tfront\tof\tthe\tdark\tpower\tfor\this\tfriend. But\t Maeve\t said,\t \u201cI\t sever\t the\t blood\t oath\t with\t you,\t Gavriel.\t Without\t honor,\t without good\tfaith.\tYou\tare\tdismissed\tfrom\tmy\tservice\tand\tstripped\tof\tyour\ttitle.\u201d \u201cYou\tbitch,\u201d\tFenrys\tsnapped\tas\tGavriel\u2019s\tbreathing\tturned\tshallow. \u201cMajesty,\t please\u2014\u201d\t Gavriel\t hissed,\t clapping\t a\t hand\t over\t his\t arm\t as\t invisible\t claws raked\t two\t lines\t down\t his\t skin,\t drawing\t blood\t that\t spilled\t into\t the\t grass.\t A\t similar\t mark appeared\ton\tMaeve\u2019s\tarm,\ther\tblood\tspilling. \u201cIt\t is\t done,\u201d\t she\t said\t simply.\t \u201cLet\t the\t world\t know\t you,\t a\t male\t of\t honor,\t have\t none. That\tyou\tbetrayed\tyour\tqueen\tfor\tanother,\tfor\ta\tbastard\tget\tof\tyours.\u201d Gavriel\t stumbled\t back\u2014then\t collapsed\t in\t the\t sand,\t a\t hand\t shoved\t against\t his\t chest. Fenrys\tsnarled,\this\tface\tmore\tlupine\tthan\tFae,\tbut\tMaeve\tlaughed\tsoftly.\t\u201cOh,\tyou\u2019d\tlike","for\t me\t to\t do\t the\t same,\t wouldn\u2019t\t you,\t Fenrys?\t But\t what\t greater\t punishment\t for\t the\t one who\tis\ta\ttraitor\tto\tme\tin\this\tvery\tsoul\tthan\tto\tserve\tme\tforever?\u201d Fenrys\t hissed,\t his\t breath\t coming\t in\t ragged\t gulps,\t and\t Elide\t wondered\t if\t he\u2019d\t leap upon\tthe\tqueen\tand\ttry\tto\tkill\ther. But\tMaeve\tturned\tto\tAelin\tand\tsaid,\t\u201cGet\tup.\u201d Aelin\ttried.\tHer\tbody\tfailed\ther. Maeve\tclicked\ther\ttongue,\tand\tan\tinvisible\thand\thauled\tAelin\tto\ther\tfeet.\tPain-fogged eyes\tcleared,\tthen\tfilled\twith\tcold\trage\tas\tAelin\ttook\tin\tthe\tapproaching\tqueen. An\t assassin,\t Elide\t reminded\t herself.\t Aelin\t was\t an\t assassin,\t and\t if\t Maeve\t got\t close enough\t\u2026 But\t Maeve\t didn\u2019t.\t And\t those\t invisible\t hands\t cut\t the\t tethers\t on\t Aelin\u2019s\t sword\t belts. Goldryn\tthunked\tto\tthe\tground.\tThen\tdaggers\tslid\tfrom\ttheir\tsheaths. \u201cSo\tmany\tweapons,\u201d\tMaeve\tcontemplated\tas\tthe\tinvisible\thands\tdisarmed\tAelin\twith brutal\tefficiency.\tEven\tblades\thidden\tbeneath\tclothes\tfound\ttheir\tway\tout\u2014slicing\tas\tthey went.\tBlood\tbloomed\tbeneath\tAelin\u2019s\tshirt\tand\tpants.\tWhy\tdid\tshe\tstand\tthere\u2014 Gathering\ther\tstrength.\tFor\tone\tlast\tstrike.\tOne\tlast\tstand. Let\tthe\tqueen\tbelieve\ther\tbroken.\t\u201cWhy?\u201d\tAelin\trasped.\tBuying\therself\ttime. Maeve\ttoed\ta\tfallen\tdagger,\tthe\tblade\tedged\twith\tAelin\u2019s\tblood.\t\u201cWhy\tbother\twith\tyou at\tall?\tBecause\tI\tcan\u2019t\tvery\twell\tlet\tyou\tsacrifice\tyourself\tto\tforge\ta\tnew\tLock,\tcan\tI?\tNot when\tyou\talready\thave\twhat\tI\twant.\tAnd\tI\thave\tknown\tfor\ta\tvery,\tvery\tlong\ttime\tthat\tyou would\tgive\tme\twhat\tI\tseek,\tAelin\tGalathynius,\tand\thave\ttaken\tthe\tsteps\ttoward\tensuring that.\u201d Aelin\tbreathed,\t\u201cWhat?\u201d Maeve\t said,\t \u201cHaven\u2019t\t you\t figured\t it\t out?\t Why\t I\t wanted\t your\t mother\t to\t bring\t you\t to me,\twhy\tI\tdemanded\tsuch\tthings\tof\tyou\tthis\tspring?\u201d None\tof\tthem\tdared\tmove. Maeve\t snorted,\t a\t delicate,\t feminine\t sound\t of\t triumph.\t \u201cBrannon\t stole\t the\t keys\t from me,\tafter\tI\ttook\tthem\tfrom\tthe\tValg.\tThey\twere\tmine,\tand\the\tsnatched\tthem.\tAnd\tthen\the mated\t with\t that\t goddess\t of\t yours,\t breeding\t the\t fire\t into\t the\t bloodline,\t ensuring\t I\t would think\thard\tbefore\ttouching\this\tland,\this\theirs.\tBut\tall\tbloodlines\tfade.\tAnd\tI\tknew\ta\ttime would\tcome\twhen\tBrannon\u2019s\tflames\twould\tdim\tto\ta\tflicker,\tand\tI\u2019d\tbe\tpoised\tto\tstrike.\u201d Aelin\tsagged\tagainst\tthe\thands\tthat\theld\ther\tup. \u201cBut\tin\tmy\tdark\tpower,\tI\tsaw\ta\tglimmer\tof\tthe\tfuture.\tI\tsaw\tthat\tMala\u2019s\tpower\twould surge\t again.\t And\t that\t you\t would\t lead\t me\t to\t the\t keys.\t Only\t you\u2014the\t one\t Brannon\t left clues\tfor,\tthe\tone\twho\tcould\tfind\tall\tthree.\tAnd\tI\tsaw\twho\tyou\twere,\twhat\tyou\twere.\tI\tsaw who\tyou\tloved.\tI\tsaw\tyour\tmate.\u201d The\tsea\tbreeze\thissing\tthrough\tthe\tgrasses\twas\tthe\tonly\tsound.","\u201cWhat\ta\tpowerhouse\tyou\ttwo\twould\tbe\u2014you\tand\tPrince\tRowan.\tAnd\tany\toffspring\tof that\tunion\t\u2026\u201d\tA\tvicious\tsmirk.\t\u201cYou\tand\tRowan\tcould\trule\tthis\tcontinent\tif\tyou\twished. But\tyour\tchildren\t\u2026\tyour\tchildren\twould\tbe\tpowerful\tenough\tto\trule\tan\tempire\tthat\tcould sweep\tthe\tworld.\u201d Aelin\tclosed\ther\teyes.\tThe\tFae\tmales\twere\tshaking\ttheir\theads\tslowly\u2014not\tbelieving it. \u201cI\t didn\u2019t\t know\t when\t you\t would\t be\t born,\t but\t when\t Prince\t Rowan\t Whitethorn\t came into\t this\t world,\t when\t he\t came\t of\t age\t and\t was\t the\t strongest\t purebred\t Fae\t male\t in\t my realm\t\u2026\tyou\twere\tstill\tnot\tthere.\tAnd\tI\tknew\twhat\tI\twould\thave\tto\tdo.\tTo\tleash\tyou.\tTo break\tyou\tto\tmy\twill,\tto\thand\tover\tthose\tkeys\twithout\tthought\tonce\tyou\twere\tstrong\tand trained\tenough\tto\tacquire\tthem.\u201d Aelin\u2019s\tshoulders\tshook.\tTears\tslid\tout\tpast\ther\tclosed\teyes. \u201cIt\t was\t so\t easy\t to\t tug\t on\t the\t right\t psychic\t thread\t that\t day\t Rowan\t saw\t Lyria\t at\t the market.\t To\t shove\t him\t down\t that\t other\t path,\t to\t trick\t those\t instincts.\t A\t slight\t altering\t of fate.\u201d \u201cOh,\tgods,\u201d\tFenrys\tbreathed. Maeve\tsaid,\t\u201cSo\tyour\tmate\twas\tgiven\tto\tanother.\tAnd\tI\tlet\thim\tfall\tin\tlove,\tlet\thim\tget her\twith\tchild.\tAnd\tthen\tI\tbroke\thim.\tNo\tone\tever\tasked\thow\tthose\tenemy\tforces\tcame\tto pass\tby\this\tmountain\thome.\u201d Aelin\u2019s\t knees\t gave\t out\t completely.\t Only\t the\t invisible\t hands\t kept\t her\t upright\t as\t she wept. \u201cHe\t took\t the\t blood\t oath\t without\t question.\t And\t I\t knew\t that\t whenever\t you\t were\t born, whenever\t you\u2019d\t come\t of\t age\t \u2026\t I\u2019d\t ensure\t that\t your\t paths\t crossed,\t and\t you\u2019d\t take\t one look\tat\teach\tother\tand\tI\u2019d\thave\tyou\tby\tthe\tthroat.\tAnything\tI\tasked\tfor,\tyou\u2019d\tgive\tto\tme. Even\t the\t keys.\t For\t your\t mate,\t you\t could\t do\t no\t less.\t You\t almost\t did\t that\t day\t in Doranelle.\u201d Slowly,\t Aelin\t slid\t her\t feet\t under\t herself\t again,\t the\t movement\t so\t pained\t that\t Elide cringed.\tBut\tAelin\tlifted\ther\thead,\tlip\tcurling\tback\tfrom\ther\tteeth. \u201cI\twill\tkill\tyou,\u201d\tAelin\tsnarled\tat\tthe\tFae\tQueen. \u201cThat\u2019s\t what\t you\t said\t to\t Rowan\t after\t you\t met\t him,\t wasn\u2019t\t it?\u201d\t Maeve\u2019s\t faint\t smile lingered.\t\u201cI\u2019d\tpushed\tand\tpushed\tyour\tmother\tto\tbring\tyou\tto\tme,\tso\tyou\tcould\tmeet\thim, so\tI\tcould\thave\tyou\tat\tlast\twhen\tRowan\tfelt\tthe\tbond,\tbut\tshe\trefused.\tAnd\twe\tknow\thow well\tthat\tturned\tout\tfor\ther.\tAnd\tduring\tthose\tten\tyears\tafterward,\tI\tknew\tyou\twere\talive. Somewhere.\t But\t when\t you\t came\t to\t me\t \u2026\t when\t you\t and\t your\t mate\t looked\t at\t each\t other with\tonly\thate\tin\tyour\teyes\t\u2026\tI\u2019ll\tadmit\tI\tdid\tnot\tanticipate\tit.\tThat\tI\thad\tbroken\tRowan Whitethorn\t so\t thoroughly\t that\t he\t did\t not\t recognize\t his\t own\t mate\u2014that\t you\t were\t so broken\t by\t your\t own\t pain\t you\t didn\u2019t\t notice,\t either.\t And\t when\t the\t signs\t appeared,\t the carranam\tbond\twashed\taway\tany\tsuspicion\ton\this\tpart\tthat\tyou\tmight\tbe\this.\tBut\tnot\tyou. How\tlong\thas\tit\tbeen,\tAelin,\tsince\tyou\trealized\the\twas\tyour\tmate?\u201d","Aelin\tsaid\tnothing,\ther\teyes\tchurning\twith\trage\tand\tgrief\tand\tdespair. Elide\twhispered,\t\u201cLeave\ther\talone.\u201d\tLorcan\u2019s\tgrip\ton\ther\ttightened\tin\twarning. Maeve\tignored\ther.\t\u201cWell?\tWhen\tdid\tyou\tknow?\u201d \u201cAt\t Temis\u2019s\t temple,\u201d\t Aelin\t admitted,\t glancing\t to\t Manon.\t \u201cThe\t moment\t the\t arrow went\tthrough\this\tshoulder.\tMonths\tago.\u201d \u201cAnd\tyou\u2019ve\thidden\tit\tfrom\thim,\tno\tdoubt\tto\tsave\thim\tfrom\tany\tguilt\tregarding\tLyria, any\tsort\tof\temotional\tdistress\t\u2026\u201d\tMaeve\tclicked\ther\ttongue.\t\u201cWhat\ta\tnoble\tlittle\tliar\tyou are.\u201d Aelin\tstared\tat\tnothing,\ther\teyes\tgoing\tblank. \u201cI\thad\tplanned\tfor\thim\tto\tbe\there,\u201d\tMaeve\tsaid,\tfrowning\tat\tthe\thorizon.\t\u201cSince\tletting you\ttwo\tgo\tthat\tday\tin\tDoranelle\twas\tso\tthat\tyou\tcould\tlead\tme\tto\tthe\tkeys\tagain.\tI\teven let\tyou\tthink\tyou\u2019d\tgotten\taway\twith\tit,\tby\tfreeing\thim.\tYou\thad\tno\tidea\tthat\tI\tunleashed you.\tBut\tif\the\u2019s\tnot\there\t\u2026\tI\u2019ll\thave\tto\tmake\tdo.\u201d Aelin\tstiffened.\tFenrys\tsnarled\tin\twarning. Maeve\tshrugged.\t\u201cIf\tit\u2019s\tany\tconsolation,\tAelin,\tyou\twould\thave\thad\ta\tthousand\tyears with\tPrince\tRowan.\tLonger.\u201d The\t world\t slowed,\t and\t Elide\t could\t hear\t her\t own\t blood\t roaring\t in\t her\t ears\t as\t Maeve said,\t\u201cMy\tsister\tMab\u2019s\tline\tran\ttrue.\tThe\tfull\tpowers,\tshifting\tabilities,\tand\tthe\timmortality of\tthe\tFae.\tYou\u2019re\tlikely\tabout\tfive\tyears\taway\tfrom\tSettling.\u201d Aelin\u2019s\tface\tcrumpled.\tThis\twas\tnot\ta\tdraining\tof\tmagic\tand\tphysical\tstrength,\tbut\tof spirit. \u201cPerhaps\twe\u2019ll\tcelebrate\tyour\tSettling\ttogether,\u201d\tMaeve\tmused,\t\u201csince\tI\tcertainly\thave no\tplans\tto\twaste\tyou\ton\tthat\tLock.\tTo\twaste\tthe\tkeys,\twhen\tthey\tare\tmeant\tto\tbe\twielded, Aelin.\u201d \u201cMaeve,\tplease,\u201d\tFenrys\tbreathed. Maeve\t examined\t her\t immaculate\t nails.\t \u201cWhat\t I\t find\t to\t be\t truly\t amusing\t is\t that\t it seems\t I\t didn\u2019t\t even\t need\t you\t to\t be\t Rowan\u2019s\t mate.\t Or\t really\t need\t to\t break\t him\t at\t all.\t A fascinating\t experiment\t in\t my\t own\t powers,\t if\t anything.\t But\t since\t I\t doubt\t you\u2019ll\t still\t go willingly,\tnot\tat\tleast\twithout\ttrying\tto\tdie\ton\tme\tfirst,\tI\u2019ll\tlet\tyou\thave\ta\tchoice.\u201d Aelin\tseemed\tto\tbe\tbracing\therself\tas\tMaeve\tlifted\ta\thand\tand\tsaid,\t\u201cCairn.\u201d The\tmales\twent\trigid.\tLorcan\tturned\tnear-feral\tbehind\tElide,\tsubtly\ttrying\tto\tdrag\ther back,\tto\twork\taround\tthe\torder\the\u2019d\tbeen\tgiven. A\t handsome,\t brown-haired\t warrior\t walked\t toward\t them\t from\t the\t cluster\t of\t escorts. Handsome,\tif\tit\tweren\u2019t\tfor\tthe\tsadistic\tcruelty\tsinging\tin\this\tblue\teyes.\tIf\tit\twasn\u2019t\tfor\tthe blades\t at\t his\t sides,\t the\t whip\t curled\t along\t one\t hip,\t the\t sneering\t smile.\t She\u2019d\t seen\t that smile\tbefore\u2014on\tVernon\u2019s\tface.\tOn\tso\tmany\tfaces\tat\tMorath. \u201cAllow\t me\t to\t introduce\t the\t newest\t member\t of\t my\t cadre,\t as\t you\t like\t to\t call\t them.","Cairn,\tmeet\tAelin\tGalathynius.\u201d Cairn\tstepped\tup\tto\this\tqueen\u2019s\tside.\tAnd\tthe\tlook\tthe\tmale\tgave\tElide\u2019s\tqueen\tmade her\t stomach\t turn\t over.\t Sadist\u2014yes,\t that\t was\t the\t word\t for\t him,\t without\t him\t even\t saying one\thimself. \u201cCairn,\u201d\tMaeve\tsaid,\t\u201cis\ttrained\tin\tabilities\tthat\tyou\thave\tin\tcommon.\tOf\tcourse,\tyou only\thad\ta\tfew\tyears\tto\tlearn\tthe\tart\tof\ttorment,\tbut\t\u2026\tperhaps\tCairn\tcan\tteach\tyou\tsome of\tthe\tthings\the\u2019s\tlearned\tin\this\tcenturies\tof\tpracticing.\u201d Fenrys\twas\tpale\twith\trage.\t\u201cMaeve,\tI\tbeg\tyou\u2014\u201d Darkness\tslammed\tinto\tFenrys,\tshoving\thim\tto\this\tknees,\tforcing\this\thead\tto\tthe\tdirt. \u201cThat\tis\tenough,\u201d\tMaeve\thissed. Maeve\t was\t smiling\t again\t when\t she\t turned\t back\t to\t Aelin.\t \u201cI\t said\t you\t have\t a\t choice. And\tyou\tdo.\tEither\tyou\tcome\twillingly\twith\tme\tand\tget\tacquainted\twith\tCairn,\tor\t\u2026\u201d Those\teyes\tslid\tto\tLorcan.\tTo\tElide. And\tElide\u2019s\theart\tstopped\tas\tMaeve\tsaid,\t\u201cOr\tI\tstill\ttake\tyou\u2014and\tbring\tElide\tLochan with\tus.\tI\u2019m\tcertain\tshe\tand\tCairn\twill\tget\talong\twonderfully.\u201d","72 Aelin\u2019s\tbody\thurt. Everything\thurt.\tHer\tblood,\ther\tbreath,\ther\tbones. There\twas\tno\tmagic\tleft.\tNothing\tleft\tto\tsave\ther. \u201cNo,\u201d\tLorcan\tsaid\tsoftly. Just\t turning\t her\t head\t sparked\t agony\t down\t her\t spine.\t But\t Aelin\t looked\t at\t Elide,\t at Lorcan\tforced\tto\thold\ther,\this\tface\twhite\twith\tpure\tterror\tas\the\tglanced\tbetween\tCairn\tand Maeve\tand\tElide.\tManon\twas\tdoing\tthe\tsame\u2014sizing\tup\tthe\todds,\thow\tfast\tshe\u2019d\thave\tto be\tto\tclear\tthe\tarea. Good.\t Good\u2014Manon\t would\t get\t Elide\t out.\t The\t witch\t had\t been\t waiting\t for\t Aelin\t to make\t a\t move,\t not\t realizing\t that\t \u2026\t she\t had\t nothing\t left.\t There\t was\t no\t power\t left\t for\t a final\tstrike. And\t that\t dark\t power\t was\t still\t coiled\t around\t her\t bones,\t so\t tightly\t that\t one\t move\t of aggression\t\u2026\tone\tmove,\tand\ther\tbones\twould\tsnap. Maeve\tsaid\tto\tLorcan,\t\u201cNo\tto\twhat,\tLorcan?\tElide\tLochan\tbeing\ttaken\twith\tus\tif\tAelin decides\t to\t put\t up\t a\t fight,\t or\t my\t generous\t offer\t to\t leave\t Elide\t be\t if\t Her\t Majesty\t comes willingly?\u201d One\t look\t at\t the\t brown-haired\t Fae\t warrior\u2014Cairn\u2014standing\t at\t Maeve\u2019s\t side,\t and Aelin\t had\t known\t what\t he\t was.\t She\u2019d\t killed\t enough\t of\t them\t over\t the\t years.\t She\u2019d\t spent time\t with\t Rourke\t Farran.\t What\t he\u2019d\t do\t to\t Elide\t \u2026\t Lorcan\t also\t knew\t what\t a\t male\t like Cairn\twould\tdo\tto\ta\tyoung\twoman.\tAnd\tif\the\twas\tsanctioned\tby\tMaeve\therself\t\u2026 Lorcan\tsaid,\t\u201cShe\tis\tinnocent.\tTake\tthe\tqueen,\tand\tlet\tus\tgo.\u201d Manon\teven\tsnapped\tat\tMaeve,\t\u201cShe\tbelongs\tto\tthe\tIronteeth.\tIf\tyou\thave\tno\tquarrel with\tme,\tthen\tyou\thave\tno\tquarrel\twith\ther.\tLeave\tElide\tLochan\tout\tof\tit.\u201d Maeve\t ignored\t Manon\t and\t drawled\t to\t Lorcan,\t \u201cI\t command\t you\t to\t stand\t down.\t I command\tyou\tto\twatch\tand\tdo\tnothing.\tI\tcommand\tyou\tto\tnot\tmove\tor\tspeak\tuntil\tI\tsay so.\tThe\torder\tapplies\tto\tyou\tas\twell,\tFenrys.\u201d And\tLorcan\tobeyed.\tSo\tdid\tFenrys.\tTheir\tbodies\tsimply\tstiffened\u2014and\tthen\tnothing. Elide\ttwisted\tto\tbeg\tLorcan,\t\u201cYou\tcan\tstop\tthis,\tyou\tcan\tfight\tit\u2014\u201d Lorcan\tdidn\u2019t\teven\tlook\tat\ther. Aelin\tknew\tElide\twould\tfight.\tWould\tnot\tunderstand\tthat\tMaeve\thad\tbeen\tplaying\tthis game\t for\t centuries,\t and\t had\t waited\t until\t this\t moment,\t until\t the\t trap\t was\t perfect,\t to\t seize","her. Aelin\tfound\tMaeve\tsmiling\tat\ther.\tShe\thad\tplayed,\tand\tgambled,\tand\tlost. Maeve\tnodded\tas\tif\tto\tsay\tyes. The\tunspoken\tquestion\tdanced\tin\tAelin\u2019s\teyes\tas\tElide\tscreamed\tat\tLorcan,\tat\tManon, to\thelp.\tBut\tthe\twitch\tknew\ther\torders.\tHer\ttask. Maeve\t read\t the\t question\t in\t Aelin\u2019s\t face\t and\t said,\t \u201cI\t will\t bear\t the\t keys\t in\t one\t hand, and\tAelin\tFire-Bringer\tin\tthe\tother.\u201d She\u2019d\thave\tto\tbreak\ther\tfirst.\tKill\ther\tor\tbreak\t\u2026 Cairn\tgrinned. The\t escorts\t were\t now\t hauling\t something\t up\t the\t beach,\t from\t the\t longboat\t they\u2019d rowed\tover\tfrom\ttheir\tawaiting\tship.\tAlready,\tthe\tdark\tsails\twere\tunfurling. Elide\tfaced\tMaeve,\twho\tdid\tnot\tdeign\tto\tglance\ther\tway.\t\u201cPlease,\tplease\u2014\u201d Aelin\tsimply\tnodded\tat\tthe\tFae\tQueen.\tHer\tacceptance\tand\tsurrender. Maeve\tbowed\ther\thead,\ttriumph\tdancing\ton\ther\tred\tlips.\t\u201cLorcan,\trelease\ther.\u201d The\twarrior\u2019s\thands\tslackened\tat\this\tsides. And\t because\t she\t had\t won,\t Maeve\t even\t loosened\t her\t power\u2019s\t grip\t on\t Aelin\u2019s\t bones. Allowed\tAelin\tto\tturn\tto\tElide\tand\tsay,\t\u201cGo\twith\tManon.\tShe\twill\ttake\tcare\tof\tyou.\u201d Elide\tbegan\tcrying,\tshoving\taway\tfrom\tLorcan.\t\u201cI\u2019ll\tgo\twith\tyou,\tI\u2019ll\tcome\twith\tyou \u2014\u201d The\t girl\t would.\t The\t girl\t would\t face\t Cairn,\t and\t Maeve\t \u2026\t But\t Terrasen\t would\t need that\t sort\t of\t courage.\t If\t it\t was\t to\t survive,\t if\t it\t was\t to\t heal,\t Terrasen\t would\t need\t Elide Lochan. \u201cTell\tthe\tothers,\u201d\tAelin\tbreathed,\ttrying\tto\tfind\tthe\tright\twords.\t\u201cTell\tthe\tothers\tthat\tI am\tsorry.\tTell\tLysandra\tto\tremember\ther\tpromise,\tand\tthat\tI\twill\tnever\tstop\tbeing\tgrateful. Tell\t Aedion\t \u2026\t Tell\t him\t it\t is\t not\t his\t fault,\t and\t that\t \u2026\u201d\t Her\t voice\t cracked.\t \u201cI\t wish\t he\u2019d been\t able\t to\t take\t the\t oath,\t but\t Terrasen\t will\t look\t to\t him\t now,\t and\t the\t lines\t must\t not break.\u201d Elide\tnodded,\ttears\tsliding\tdown\ther\tblood-splattered\tface. \u201cAnd\ttell\tRowan\t\u2026\u201d Aelin\u2019s\tsoul\tsplintered\tas\tshe\tsaw\tthe\tiron\tbox\tthe\tescorts\tnow\tcarried\tbetween\tthem. An\tancient,\tiron\tcoffin.\tBig\tenough\tfor\tone\tperson.\tCrafted\tfor\ther. \u201cAnd\ttell\tRowan,\u201d\tAelin\tsaid,\tfighting\ther\town\tsob,\t\u201cthat\tI\u2019m\tsorry\tI\tlied.\tBut\ttell\thim it\twas\tall\tborrowed\ttime\tanyway.\tEven\tbefore\ttoday,\tI\tknew\tit\twas\tall\tjust\tborrowed\ttime, but\t I\t still\t wish\t we\u2019d\t had\t more\t of\t it.\u201d\t She\t fought\t past\t her\t trembling\t mouth.\t \u201cTell\t him\t he has\tto\tfight.\tHe\tmust\tsave\tTerrasen,\tand\tremember\tthe\tvows\the\tmade\tto\tme.\tAnd\ttell\thim \u2026\ttell\thim\tthank\tyou\u2014for\twalking\tthat\tdark\tpath\twith\tme\tback\tto\tthe\tlight.\u201d","They\topened\tthe\tlid\tof\tthe\tbox,\tpulling\tout\tlong,\theavy\tchains\twithin. One\tof\tthe\tescorts\thanded\tMaeve\tan\tornate\tiron\tmask.\tShe\texamined\tit\tin\ther\thands. The\t mask,\t the\t chains,\t the\t box\t \u2026\t they\t had\t been\t crafted\t long\t before\t now.\t Centuries ago.\tForged\tto\tcontain\tand\tbreak\tMala\u2019s\tscion. Aelin\tglanced\tat\tLorcan,\twhose\tdark\teyes\twere\tfixed\ton\ther\town. And\t gratitude\t shone\t there.\t For\t sparing\t the\t young\t woman\t he\u2019d\t given\t his\t heart\t to, whether\the\tknew\tit\tor\tnot. Elide\tbegged\tMaeve\tone\tlast\ttime,\t\u201cDon\u2019t\tdo\tthis.\u201d Aelin\t knew\t it\t would\t do\t her\t no\t good.\t So\t she\t said\t to\t Elide,\t \u201cI\u2019m\t glad\t we\t met.\t I\u2019m proud\tto\tknow\tyou.\tAnd\tI\tthink\tyour\tmother\twould\thave\tbeen\tproud\tof\tyou,\ttoo,\tElide.\u201d Maeve\t lowered\t the\t mask\t and\t drawled\t to\t Aelin,\t \u201cRumor\t claims\t you\t will\t bow\t to\t no one,\tHeir\tof\tFire.\u201d\tThat\tserpentine\tsmile.\t\u201cWell,\tnow\tyou\twill\tbow\tto\tme.\u201d She\tpointed\tto\tthe\tsand. Aelin\tobeyed. Her\tknees\tbarked\tas\tshe\tdropped\tto\tthe\tground. \u201cLower.\u201d Aelin\tslid\ther\tbody\tuntil\ther\tbrow\twas\tin\tthe\tsand.\tShe\tdid\tnot\tlet\therself\tfeel\tit,\tlet\ther soul\tfeel\tit. \u201cGood.\u201d Elide\twas\tsobbing,\twordlessly\tbegging. \u201cTake\toff\tyour\tshirt.\u201d Aelin\thesitated\u2014realizing\twhere\tthis\twas\tgoing. Why\tCairn\u2019s\tbelt\tcarried\ta\twhip. \u201cTake\toff\tyour\tshirt.\u201d Aelin\ttugged\ther\tshirt\tout\tof\ther\tpants\tand\tslung\tit\tover\ther\thead,\ttossing\tit\tin\tthe\tsand beside\ther.\tThen\tshe\tremoved\tthe\tflexible\tcloth\taround\ther\tbreasts. \u201cVarik,\tHeiron.\u201d\tTwo\tFae\tmales\tcame\tforward. Aelin\t didn\u2019t\t fight\t as\t they\t each\t gripped\t her\t by\t an\t arm\t and\t hauled\t her\t up.\t Spread\t her arms\twide.\tThe\tsea\tair\tkissed\ther\tbreasts,\ther\tnavel. \u201cTen\tlashes,\tCairn.\tLet\tHer\tMajesty\thave\ta\ttaste\tof\twhat\tto\texpect\twhen\twe\treach\tour destination,\tif\tshe\tdoes\tnot\tcooperate.\u201d \u201cIt\twould\tbe\tmy\tpleasure,\tLady.\u201d Aelin\theld\tCairn\u2019s\tvicious\tgaze,\twilling\tice\tinto\ther\tveins\tas\the\tthumbed\tfree\this\twhip. As\the\traked\this\teyes\tover\ther\tbody\tand\tsmiled.\tA\tcanvas\tfor\thim\tto\tpaint\twith\tblood\tand","pain. Maeve\tsaid,\tthe\tmask\tdangling\tfrom\ther\tfingers,\t\u201cWhy\tdon\u2019t\tyou\tcount\tfor\tus,\tAelin?\u201d Aelin\tkept\ther\tmouth\tshut. \u201cCount,\tor\twe\u2019ll\tbegin\tagain\twith\teach\tstroke\tyou\tmiss.\tYou\tdecide\thow\tlong\tthis\tgoes on\tfor.\tUnless\tyou\u2019d\trather\tElide\tLochan\treceive\tthese\tstrokes.\u201d No.\tNever. Never\tanyone\telse\tbut\ther.\tNever. But\t as\t Cairn\t walked\t slowly,\t savoring\t each\t step,\t as\t he\t let\t that\t whip\t drag\t along\t the ground,\ther\tbody\tbetrayed\ther.\tBegan\tshaking. She\tknew\tthe\tpain.\tKnew\twhat\tit\u2019d\tfeel\tlike,\twhat\tit\u2019d\tsound\tlike. Her\tdreams\twere\tstill\tfull\tof\tit. No\t doubt\t why\t Maeve\t had\t picked\t a\t whipping,\t why\t she\u2019d\t done\t it\t to\t Rowan\t in Doranelle. Cairn\t halted.\t She\t felt\t him\t studying\t the\t tattoo\t on\t her\t back.\t Rowan\u2019s\t loving\t words, written\tthere\tin\tthe\tOld\tLanguage. Cairn\tsnorted.\tThen\tshe\tfelt\thim\trevel\tin\thow\the\u2019d\tdestroy\tthat\ttattoo. \u201cBegin,\u201d\tMaeve\tsaid. Cairn\u2019s\tbreath\tsucked\tin. And\teven\tbracing\therself,\teven\tclamping\tdown\thard,\tthere\twas\tnothing\tto\tprepare\tfor the\tcrack,\tthe\tsting,\tthe\tpain.\tShe\tdid\tnot\tlet\therself\tcry\tout,\tonly\thissed\tthrough\ther\tteeth. A\twhip\twielded\tby\tan\toverseer\tat\tEndovier\twas\tone\tthing. One\twielded\tby\ta\tfull-blooded\tFae\tmale\t\u2026 Blood\tslid\tdown\tthe\tback\tof\ther\tpants,\ther\tsplit\tskin\tscreaming. But\tshe\tknew\thow\tto\tpace\therself.\tHow\tto\tyield\tto\tthe\tpain.\tHow\tto\ttake\tit. \u201cWhat\tnumber\twas\tthat,\tAelin?\u201d She\twould\tnot.\tShe\twould\tnever\tcount\tfor\tthat\trutting\tbitch\u2014 \u201cStart\tover,\tCairn,\u201d\tMaeve\tsaid. A\tbreathy\tlaugh.\tThen\tthe\tcrack\tand\tthe\tpain\tand\tAelin\tarched,\tthe\ttendons\tin\ther\tneck near\t snapping\t as\t she\t panted\t through\t clenched\t teeth.\t The\t males\t holding\t her\t gripped\t her firm\tenough\tto\tbruise. Maeve\tand\tCairn\twaited. Aelin\trefused\tto\tsay\tthe\tword.\tTo\tstart\tthe\tcount.\tShe\u2019d\tdie\tbefore\tshe\tdid\tit. \u201cOh\tgods,\toh\tgods,\u201d\tElide\tsobbed.","\u201cStart\tover,\u201d\tMaeve\tmerely\tordered\tover\tthe\tgirl. So\tCairn\tdid. Again. Again. Again. They\t started\t over\t nine\t times\t before\t Aelin\t finally\t screamed.\t The\t blow\t had\t been\t right atop\tanother\tone,\ttearing\tskin\tdown\tto\tthe\tbone. Again. Again. Again. Again. Cairn\twas\tpanting.\tAelin\trefused\tto\tspeak. \u201cStart\tover,\u201d\tMaeve\trepeated. \u201cMajesty,\u201d\t murmured\t one\t of\t the\t males\t holding\t her.\t \u201cIt\t might\t be\t prudent\t to\t postpone until\tlater.\u201d \u201cThere\u2019s\tstill\tplenty\tof\tskin,\u201d\tCairn\tsnapped. But\tthe\tmale\tsaid,\t\u201cOthers\tare\tapproaching\u2014still\tfar\toff,\tbut\tapproaching.\u201d Rowan. Aelin\twhimpered\tthen.\tTime\u2014she\thad\tneeded\ttime\u2014 Maeve\tmade\ta\tsmall\tnoise\tof\tdistaste.\t\u201cWe\u2019ll\tcontinue\tlater.\tGet\ther\tready.\u201d Aelin\t could\t barely\t lift\t her\t head\t as\t the\t males\t heaved\t her\t up.\t The\t movement\t set\t her body\troaring\tin\tsuch\tpain\tthat\tdarkness\tswarmed\tin.\tBut\tshe\tfought\tit,\tgritted\ther\tteeth\tand silently\troared\tback\tat\tthat\tagony,\tthat\tdarkness. A\t few\t feet\t away,\t Elide\t slid\t to\t her\t knees\t as\t if\t she\u2019d\t beg\t until\t her\t body\t gave\t out,\t but Manon\tcaught\ther.\t\u201cWe\u2019re\tgoing\tnow,\u201d\tManon\tsaid,\ttugging\ther\taway\u2014inland. \u201cNo,\u201d\tElide\tspat,\tthrashing. Lorcan\u2019s\t eyes\t widened,\t but\t with\t Maeve\u2019s\t command,\t he\t couldn\u2019t\t move,\t couldn\u2019t\t do anything\tas\tManon\tslammed\tthe\thilt\tof\tWind-Cleaver\tinto\tthe\tside\tof\tElide\u2019s\thead. The\tgirl\tdropped\tlike\ta\tstone.\tThat\twas\tall\tManon\tneeded\tto\thaul\ther\tover\ta\tshoulder and\t say\t to\t Maeve,\t \u201cGood\t luck.\u201d\t Her\t eyes\t slid\t to\t Aelin\u2019s\t once\u2014only\t once.\t Then\t she looked\taway. Maeve\tignored\tthe\twitch\tas\tManon\tprowled\ttoward\tthe\theart\tof\tthe\tmarshes.\tLorcan\u2019s body\tstrained. Strained\u2014like\the\twas\tfighting\tthat\tblood\toath\twith\teverything\tin\thim.","Aelin\tdidn\u2019t\tcare. The\tmales\thalf\tdragged\ther\ttoward\tMaeve. Toward\tthe\tiron\tbox.\tAnd\tthe\tchains.\tAnd\tthe\tiron\tmask. Whorls\t of\t fire,\t little\t suns,\t and\t embers\t had\t been\t shaped\t into\t its\t dark\t surface.\t A mockery\tof\tthe\tpower\tit\twas\tto\tcontain\u2014the\tpower\tMaeve\thad\tneeded\tto\tensure\twas\tfully drained\tbefore\tshe\tlocked\ther\tup.\tThe\tonly\tway\tshe\tcould\tever\tlock\ther\tup. Every\t inch\t her\t feet\t dragged\t through\t the\t sand\t was\t a\t lifetime;\t every\t inch\t was\t a heartbeat.\tBlood\tsoaked\ther\tpants.\tShe\tlikely\twouldn\u2019t\tbe\table\tto\theal\ther\twounds\twithin all\tthat\tiron.\tNot\tuntil\tMaeve\tdecided\tto\theal\tthem\therself. But\tMaeve\twouldn\u2019t\tlet\ther\tdie.\tNot\twith\tthe\tWyrdkeys\tin\tthe\tbalance.\tNot\tyet. Time\u2014she\twas\tgrateful\tElena\thad\tgiven\ther\tthat\tstolen\ttime. Grateful\t she\t had\t met\t them\t all,\t that\t she\t had\t seen\t some\t small\t part\t of\t the\t world,\t had heard\tsuch\tlovely\tmusic,\thad\tdanced\tand\tlaughed\tand\tknown\ttrue\tfriendship.\tGrateful\tthat she\thad\tfound\tRowan. She\twas\tgrateful. So\tAelin\tGalathynius\tdried\ther\ttears. And\tdid\tnot\tfight\twhen\tMaeve\tstrapped\tthat\tbeautiful\tiron\tmask\tover\ther\tface.","73 Manon\tkept\twalking. She\tdidn\u2019t\tdare\tlook\tback.\tDidn\u2019t\tdare\tgive\tthat\tancient,\tcold-eyed\tqueen\tone\thint\tthat Aelin\t did\t not\t possess\t the\t Wyrdkeys.\t That\t Aelin\t had\t slipped\t them\t both\t into\t Manon\u2019s pocket\twhen\tshe\u2019d\tnudged\ther.\tElide\twould\thate\ther\tfor\tit\u2014already\tdid\thate\ther\tfor\tit. Let\tthat\tbe\tthe\tcost. One\tlook\tfrom\tAelin\tand\tshe\u2019d\tknown\twhat\tshe\thad\tto\tdo. Get\tthe\tkeys\taway\tfrom\tMaeve.\tGet\tElide\taway. They\thad\tforged\tan\tiron\tbox\tto\tcontain\tthe\tQueen\tof\tTerrasen. Elide\t stirred,\t at\t last\t coming\t to,\t just\t as\t they\t were\t nearly\t out\t of\t hearing\t range.\t She began\tthrashing,\tand\tManon\tdumped\ther\tbehind\ta\tdune,\tgripping\tthe\tback\tof\ther\tneck\tso tightly\tElide\tstilled\tat\tthe\tiron\tnails\tpiercing\ther\tskin. \u201cSilence,\u201d\tManon\thissed,\tand\tElide\tobeyed. Keeping\tlow,\tthey\tpeered\tthrough\tthe\tgrasses.\tOnly\ta\tmoment\u2014she\tcould\tspare\tonly\ta moment\tto\twatch,\tto\tglean\twhere\tMaeve\twas\ttaking\tthe\tQueen\tof\tTerrasen. Lorcan\t remained\t frozen\t as\t Maeve\t had\t commanded.\t Gavriel\t was\t barely\t conscious, panting\t in\t the\t grass,\t as\t if\t ripping\t that\t blood\t oath\t from\t him\t had\t been\t as\t grave\t as\t any physical\twound. Fenrys\u2014Fenrys\u2019s\teyes\twere\talive\twith\thatred\tas\the\twatched\tMaeve\tand\tCairn.\tBlood coated\t Cairn\u2019s\t whip,\t still\t dangling\t at\t his\t side\t as\t Maeve\u2019s\t soldiers\t finished\t strapping\t that mask\tover\tAelin\u2019s\tface. Then\tthey\tclamped\tirons\taround\ther\twrists. Ankles. Neck. No\t one\t healed\t her\t ravaged\t back,\t barely\t more\t than\t a\t bloody\t slab\t of\t meat,\t as\t they guided\ther\tinto\tthe\tiron\tbox.\tMade\ther\tlie\tupon\ther\twounds. And\tthen\tslid\tthe\tlid\tinto\tplace.\tLocked\tit. Elide\tvomited\tin\tthe\tgrass. Manon\t put\t a\t hand\t on\t the\t girl\u2019s\t back\t as\t the\t males\t began\t carrying\t the\t box\t down\t the dunes,\tto\tthe\tboat,\tand\tthe\tship\tbeyond.","\u201cFenrys,\tgo,\u201d\tMaeve\tordered,\tpointing\tto\tthe\tship. Breathing\traggedly\tbut\tunable\tto\trefuse\tthe\torder,\tFenrys\tfollowed.\tHe\tglanced\tonce\tat the\t white\t shirt\t discarded\t in\t the\t sand.\t It\t was\t splattered\t with\t blood\u2014spray\t from\t the whipping. Then\the\twas\tgone,\tstepping\tthrough\tair\tand\twind\tand\tinto\tnothing. Alone\twith\tLorcan,\tMaeve\tsaid\tto\tthe\twarrior,\t\u201cYou\thave\tdone\tall\tthis\u2014for\tme?\u201d He\tdid\tnot\tmove.\tMaeve\tsaid,\t\u201cSpeak.\u201d Lorcan\tloosed\ta\tshuddering\tbreath\tand\tsaid,\t\u201cYes.\tYes\u2014it\twas\tall\tfor\tyou.\tAll\tof\tit.\u201d Elide\t gripped\t the\t seagrass\t in\t fistfuls,\t and\t Manon\t half\t wondered\t if\t she\u2019d\t grow\t iron nails\tand\tshred\tit\tapart\tat\tthe\tfury\tin\ther\tface.\tThe\thate. Maeve\tstepped\tover\tAelin\u2019s\tblood-splattered\tshirt,\tand\tbrushed\ther\thand\tover\tLorcan\u2019s cheek.\t\u201cI\thave\tno\tuse,\u201d\tshe\tcrooned,\t\u201cfor\tself-righteous\tmales\twho\tthink\tthey\tknow\tbest.\u201d He\tstiffened.\t\u201cMajesty\u2014\u201d \u201cI\t strip\t you\t of\t the\t blood\t oath.\t I\t strip\t you\t of\t your\t assets\t and\t your\t titles\t and\t your properties.\t You,\t like\t Gavriel,\t are\t released\t with\t dishonor\t and\t shame.\t You\t are\t exiled\t from Doranelle\tfor\tyour\tdisobedience,\tyour\ttreachery.\tShould\tyou\tstep\tfoot\tinside\tmy\tborders, you\twill\tdie.\u201d \u201cMajesty,\tI\tbeg\tyou\u2014\u201d \u201cGo\t beg\t someone\t else.\t I\t have\t no\t use\t for\t a\t warrior\t I\t cannot\t trust.\t I\t rescind\t my\t kill order.\tLetting\tyou\tlive\twith\tthe\tshame\twill\tbe\tfar\tworse\tfor\tyou,\tI\tthink.\u201d Blood\twelled\tat\this\twrist,\tthen\thers.\tSpilling\ton\tthe\tground. Lorcan\tfell\tto\this\tknees. \u201cI\tdo\tnot\tsuffer\tfools\tgladly,\u201d\tMaeve\tsaid,\tleaving\thim\tin\tthe\tsand,\tand\twalked\taway. As\tif\tshe\u2019d\tdealt\thim\ta\tblow,\tthe\ttwin\tto\tGavriel\u2019s,\tLorcan\tcouldn\u2019t\tseem\tto\tmove,\tto think\tor\tbreathe.\tHe\ttried\tcrawling,\tthough.\tToward\tMaeve.\tThe\tbastard\ttried\tcrawling. \u201cWe\tneed\tto\tgo,\u201d\tManon\tmurmured.\tThe\tmoment\tMaeve\tchecked\tto\tsee\twhere\tthose keys\twere\t\u2026\tThey\thad\tto\tgo. A\troar\tgrumbled\ton\tthe\thorizon. Abraxos. Her\theart\tthundered\tin\ther\tchest,\tjoy\tsparking,\tbut\u2014 Elide\t remained\t in\t the\t grass.\t Watching\t Lorcan\t crawl\t toward\t the\t queen\t now\t striding across\tthe\tbeach,\tblack\tgown\tflowing\tbehind\ther. Watching\tthe\tboat\trow\tto\tthe\tawaiting\tship,\tthat\tiron\tcoffin\tin\tits\tcenter,\tMaeve\tsitting beside\tit,\tone\thand\ton\tthe\tlid.\tFor\ther\tsanity,\tManon\tprayed\tthat\tAelin\twouldn\u2019t\tbe\tawake the\tentire\ttime\tshe\twas\tinside.","And\tfor\tthe\tsake\tof\ttheir\tworld,\tManon\tprayed\tthe\tQueen\tof\tTerrasen\tcould\tsurvive\tit. If\tonly\tso\tAelin\tcould\tthen\tdie\tfor\tthem\tall.","74 There\twas\tso\tmuch\tblood. It\thad\tspread\tto\twhere\tLorcan\twas\tkneeling,\tgleaming\tbright\tas\tit\tsoaked\tinto\tthe\tsand. It\tcovered\ther\tshirt,\tdiscarded\tand\tforgotten\tbeside\thim.\tIt\teven\tspeckled\tthe\tscabbards of\ther\tswords\tand\tknives,\tlittered\taround\thim\tlike\tbones. What\tMaeve\thad\tdone\t\u2026 What\tAelin\thad\tdone\t\u2026 There\twas\ta\thole\tin\this\tchest. And\tthere\twas\tso\tmuch\tblood. Wings\tand\troaring\tand\the\tstill\tcouldn\u2019t\tlook\tup.\tCouldn\u2019t\tbring\thimself\tto\tcare. Elide\u2019s\t voice\t cut\t across\t the\t world,\t saying\t to\t someone,\t \u201cThe\t ship\u2014the\t ship\t just vanished;\tshe\tleft\twithout\trealizing\twe\thave\tthe\u2014\u201d Whoops\tof\tjoy\u2014female\tcries\tof\thappiness. Thunderous,\tswift\tsteps. Then\t a\t hand\t gripping\t his\t hair,\t yanking\t back\t his\t head\t as\t a\t dagger\t settled\t along\t his throat.\tAs\tRowan\u2019s\tface,\tcalm\twith\tlethal\twrath,\tappeared\tin\this\tvision. \u201cWhere\tis\tAelin.\u201d There\t was\t pure\t panic,\t too\u2014pure\t panic\t as\t Whitethorn\t saw\t the\t blood,\t the\t scattered blades,\tand\tthe\tshirt. \u201cWhere\tis\tAelin.\u201d What\thad\the\tdone,\twhat\thad\the\tdone\u2014 Pain\tsliced\tLorcan\u2019s\tneck,\twarm\tblood\tdribbled\tdown\this\tthroat,\this\tchest. Rowan\thissed,\t\u201cWhere\tis\tmy\twife?\u201d Lorcan\tswayed\twhere\the\tknelt. Wife. Wife. \u201cOh,\tgods,\u201d\tElide\tsobbed\tas\tshe\toverheard,\tthe\twords\tcarrying\tthe\tsound\tof\tLorcan\u2019s own\tfractured\theart.\t\u201cOh,\tgods\t\u2026\u201d And\tfor\tthe\tfirst\ttime\tin\tcenturies,\tLorcan\twept.","Rowan\t dug\t the\t dagger\t deeper\t into\t Lorcan\u2019s\t neck,\t even\t as\t tears\t slid\t down\t Lorcan\u2019s face. What\tthat\twoman\thad\tdone\t\u2026 Aelin\thad\tknown.\tThat\tLorcan\thad\tbetrayed\ther\tand\tsummoned\tMaeve\there.\tThat\tshe had\tbeen\tliving\ton\tborrowed\ttime. And\tshe\thad\tmarried\tWhitethorn\t\u2026\tso\tTerrasen\tcould\thave\ta\tking.\tPerhaps\thad\tbeen spurred\t into\t action\t because\t she\t knew\t Lorcan\t had\t already\t betrayed\t her,\t that\t Maeve\t was coming\t\u2026 And\tLorcan\thad\tnot\thelped\ther. Whitethorn\u2019s\twife. His\tmate. Aelin\thad\tlet\tthem\twhip\tand\tchain\ther,\thad\tgone\twillingly\twith\tMaeve,\tso\tElide\tdidn\u2019t enter\tCairn\u2019s\tclutches.\tAnd\tit\thad\tbeen\tjust\tas\tmuch\ta\tsacrifice\tfor\tElide\tas\tit\thad\tbeen\ta gift\tto\thim. She\thad\tbowed\tto\tMaeve. For\tElide. \u201cPlease,\u201d\tRowan\tbegged,\this\tvoice\tbreaking\tas\tthat\tcalm\tfury\tfractured. \u201cMaeve\ttook\ther,\u201d\tManon\tsaid,\tapproaching. Gavriel\t rasped\t from\t where\t he\t knelt\t nearby,\t reeling\t from\t the\t severing\t of\t his\t blood oath,\t\u201cShe\tused\tthe\toath\tto\tkeep\tus\tdown\u2014keep\tus\tfrom\thelping.\tEven\tLorcan.\u201d Rowan\tstill\tdidn\u2019t\tremove\tthe\tknife\tfrom\tLorcan\u2019s\tthroat. Lorcan\thad\tbeen\twrong.\tHe\thad\tbeen\tso\twrong. And\the\tcould\tnot\tentirely\tregret\tit,\tnot\tif\tElide\twas\tsafe,\tbut\t\u2026 Aelin\thad\trefused\tto\tcount.\tCairn\thad\tunleashed\this\tfull\tstrength\ton\ther\twith\tthat\twhip, and\tshe\thad\trefused\tto\tgive\tthem\tthe\tsatisfaction\tof\tcounting. \u201cWhere\t is\t the\t ship,\u201d\t Aedion\t demanded,\t then\t swore\t at\t the\t bloody\t shirt\t nearby.\t He grabbed\tGoldryn,\tfrantically\twiping\tthe\tblood\tspecks\toff\tthe\tscabbard\twith\this\tjacket. \u201cIt\tvanished,\u201d\tElide\tsaid\tagain.\t\u201cIt\tjust\t\u2026\tvanished.\u201d Whitethorn\t stared\t down\t at\t him,\t agony\t and\t despair\t in\t those\t eyes.\t And\t Lorcan whispered,\t\u201cI\u2019m\tsorry.\u201d Rowan\t dropped\t the\t knife,\t released\t the\t fist\t gripping\t Lorcan\u2019s\t hair.\t Staggered\t back\t a step.\tIn\tthe\tgrass\tnearby,\tDorian\tknelt\tbeside\tGavriel,\ta\tfaint\tlight\tglowing\taround\tthem. Healing\tthe\twounds\tin\this\tarms.\tThere\twas\tnothing\tto\tbe\tdone\tfor\tthe\tsoul-wound\tMaeve had\tdealt\thim,\tdealt\tLorcan\tas\twell,\tin\tsevering\tthat\toath\twith\tsuch\tdishonor. Manon\t came\t closer,\t her\t witches\t now\t flanking\t her.\t They\t all\t sniffed\t at\t the\t blood.\t A","golden-haired\tone\tswore\tsoftly. Manon\ttold\tthem\tabout\tthe\tLock. About\tElena.\tAbout\tthe\tcost\tthe\tgods\tdemanded\tof\ther.\tDemanded\tof\tAelin. But\t it\t was\t Elide\t who\t then\t took\t up\t the\t thread,\t leaning\t against\t Lysandra,\t who\t was staring\tat\tthat\tblood\tand\tthat\tshirt\tas\tif\tit\twere\ta\tcorpse,\ttelling\tthem\twhat\thad\thappened on\tthese\tdunes.\tWhat\tAelin\thad\tsacrificed. She\ttold\tRowan\tthat\the\twas\tAelin\u2019s\tmate.\tTold\thim\tabout\tLyria. She\ttold\tthem\tabout\tthe\twhipping,\tand\tthe\tmask,\tand\tthe\tbox. When\tElide\tfinished,\tthey\twere\tsilent.\tAnd\tLorcan\tonly\twatched\tas\tAedion\tturned\tto Lysandra\tand\tsnarled,\t\u201cYou\tknew.\u201d Lysandra\t did\t not\t flinch.\t \u201cShe\t asked\t me\u2014that\t day\t on\t the\t boat.\t To\t help\t her.\t She\t told me\tthe\tsuspected\tprice\tto\tbanish\tErawan\tand\trestore\tthe\tkeys.\tWhat\tI\tneeded\tto\tdo.\u201d Aedion\tsnarled,\t\u201cWhat\tcould\tyou\tpossibly\t\u2026\u201d Lysandra\tlifted\ther\tchin. Rowan\tbreathed,\t\u201cAelin\twould\tdie\tto\tforge\tthe\tnew\tLock\tto\tseal\tthe\tkeys\tinto\tthe\tgate \u2014to\tbanish\tErawan.\tBut\tno\tone\twould\tknow.\tNo\tone\tbut\tus.\tNot\twhile\tyou\twore\ther\tskin for\tthe\trest\tof\tyour\tlife.\u201d Aedion\tdragged\ta\thand\tthrough\this\tblood-caked\thair.\t\u201cBut\tany\toffspring\twith\tRowan wouldn\u2019t\tlook\tanything\tlike\u2014\u201d Lysandra\u2019s\tface\twas\tpleading.\t\u201cYou\twould\tfix\tthat,\tAedion.\tWith\tme.\u201d With\tthe\tgolden\thair,\tthe\tAshryver\teyes\t\u2026\tIf\tthat\tline\tbred\ttrue,\tthe\tshifter\u2019s\toffspring could\tpass\tas\troyal.\tAelin\twanted\tRowan\ton\tthe\tthrone\u2014but\tit\twould\tbe\tAedion\tsecretly siring\tthe\theirs. Aedion\t flinched\t as\t if\t he\u2019d\t been\t struck.\t \u201cAnd\t when\t were\t you\t going\t to\t reveal\t this? Before\tor\tafter\tI\tthought\tI\twas\ttaking\tmy\tgods-damned\tcousin\tto\tbed\tfor\twhatever\treason you\tconcocted?\u201d Lysandra\t said\t softly,\t \u201cI\t will\t not\t apologize\t to\t you.\t I\t serve\t her.\t And\t I\t am\t willing\t to spend\tthe\trest\tof\tmy\tlife\tpretending\tto\tbe\ther\tso\tthat\ther\tsacrifice\tisn\u2019t\tin\tvain\u2014\u201d \u201cYou\tcan\tgo\tto\thell,\u201d\tAedion\tsnapped.\t\u201cYou\tcan\tgo\tto\thell,\tyou\tlying\tbitch!\u201d Lysandra\u2019s\tanswering\tsnarl\twasn\u2019t\thuman. Rowan\t just\t took\t Goldryn\t from\t the\t general\t and\t walked\t toward\t the\t sea,\t the\t wind tossing\this\tsilver\thair. Lorcan\trose\tto\this\tfeet,\tswaying\tagain.\tBut\tElide\twas\tthere. And\tthere\twas\tnothing\tof\tthe\tyoung\twoman\the\u2019d\tcome\tto\tknow\tin\ther\tpale,\ttaut\tface. Nothing\tof\ther\tin\tthe\traw\tvoice\tas\tElide\tsaid\tto\tLorcan,\t\u201cI\thope\tyou\tspend\tthe\trest\tof\tyour miserable,\t immortal\t life\t suffering.\t I\t hope\t you\t spend\t it\t alone.\t I\t hope\t you\t live\t with\t regret","and\tguilt\tin\tyour\theart\tand\tnever\tfind\ta\tway\tto\tendure\tit.\u201d Then\t she\t was\t heading\t for\t the\t Thirteen.\t The\t golden-haired\t one\t held\t up\t an\t arm,\t and Elide\tslipped\tbeneath\tit,\tentering\ta\tsanctuary\tof\twings\tand\tclaws\tand\tteeth. Lysandra\tstormed\tto\ttend\tto\tGavriel,\twho\thad\tthe\tgood\tsense\tnot\tto\tflinch\tat\ther\tstill- snarling\t face,\t and\t Lorcan\t looked\t to\t Aedion\t to\t find\t the\t young\t general\t already\t watching him. Hatred\t shone\t in\t Aedion\u2019s\t eyes.\t Pure\t hatred.\t \u201cEven\t before\t you\t got\t the\t order\t to\t stand down,\tyou\tdid\tnothing\tto\thelp\ther.\tYou\tsummoned\tMaeve\there.\tI\twill\tnever\tforget\tthat.\u201d Then\the\twas\tstriding\tfor\tthe\tbeach\u2014to\twhere\tRowan\tknelt\tin\tthe\tsand. Asterin\twas\talive. The\t Thirteen\t were\t alive.\t And\t it\t was\t joy\t in\t Manon\u2019s\t heart\u2014joy,\t she\t realized,\t as\t she beheld\tthose\tsmiling\tfaces\tand\tsmiled\tback. She\tsaid\tto\tAsterin,\tall\tof\tthem\tstanding\tamong\ttheir\twyverns\ton\ta\tdune\toverlooking the\tsea,\t\u201cHow?\u201d Asterin\t brushed\t a\t hand\t over\t Elide\u2019s\t hair\t as\t the\t girl\t wept\t into\t her\t shoulder.\t \u201cYour grandmother\u2019s\t bitches\t gave\t us\t one\t hell\t of\t a\t chase,\t but\t we\t managed\t to\t gut\t them.\t We\u2019ve spent\t the\t past\t month\t looking\t for\t you.\t But\t Abraxos\t found\t us\t and\t seemed\t to\t know\t where you\t were,\t so\t we\t followed\t him.\u201d\t She\t scratched\t at\t some\t dried\t blood\t on\t her\t cheek.\t \u201cAnd saved\tyour\tass,\tapparently.\u201d Not\tsoon\tenough,\tManon\tthought,\tseeing\tElide\u2019s\tsilent\ttears,\tthe\tway\tthe\thumans\tand Fae\twere\teither\tstanding\tor\targuing\tor\tjust\tdoing\tnothing. Not\tsoon\tenough\tto\tstop\tthis.\tTo\tsave\tAelin\tGalathynius. \u201cWhat\t do\t we\t do\t now?\u201d\t Sorrel\t asked\t from\t where\t she\t leaned\t against\t her\t bull\u2019s\t flank, wrapping\tup\ta\tslice\tin\ther\tforearm. The\tThirteen\tall\tlooked\tto\tManon,\tall\twaited. She\tdared\tto\task,\t\u201cDid\tyou\thear\twhat\tmy\tgrandmother\tsaid\tbefore\t\u2026\teverything?\u201d \u201cThe\tShadows\ttold\tus,\u201d\tAsterin\tsaid,\teyes\tdancing. \u201cAnd?\u201d \u201cAnd\twhat?\u201d\tSorrel\tgrunted.\t\u201cSo\tyou\u2019re\thalf\tCrochan.\u201d \u201cCrochan\t Queen.\u201d\t And\t heir\t to\t Rhiannon\t Crochan\u2019s\t likeness.\t Had\t the\t Ancients\t noted it? Asterin\t shrugged.\t \u201cFive\t centuries\t of\t pure-blooded\t Ironteeth\t couldn\u2019t\t bring\t us\t home. Maybe\tyou\tcan.\u201d A\tchild\tnot\tof\twar\t\u2026\tbut\tof\tpeace. \u201cAnd\twill\tyou\tfollow\tme?\u201d\tManon\tasked\tthem\tquietly.\t\u201cTo\tdo\twhat\tneeds\tto\tbe\tdone","before\twe\tcan\treturn\tto\tthe\tWastes?\u201d Aelin\t Galathynius\t had\t not\t beseeched\t Elena\t for\t another\t fate.\t She\t had\t only\t asked\t for one\tthing,\tone\trequest\tof\tthe\tancient\tqueen: Will\tyou\tcome\twith\tme?\tFor\tthe\tsame\treason\tManon\thad\tnow\tasked\tthem. As\tone,\tthe\tThirteen\tlifted\ttheir\tfingers\tto\ttheir\tbrows.\tAs\tone,\tthey\tlowered\tthem. Manon\tlooked\ttoward\tthe\tsea,\ther\tthroat\ttight. \u201cAelin\t Galathynius\t willingly\t handed\t over\t her\t freedom\t so\t an\t Ironteeth\t witch\t could walk\t free,\u201d\t Manon\t said.\t Elide\t straightened,\t pulling\t from\t Asterin\u2019s\t arms.\t But\t Manon continued,\t\u201cWe\towe\ther\ta\tlife\tdebt.\tAnd\tmore\tthan\tthat\t\u2026\tIt\tis\ttime\tthat\twe\tbecame\tbetter than\tour\tforemothers.\tWe\tare\tall\tchildren\tof\tthis\tland.\u201d \u201cWhat\tare\tyou\tgoing\tto\tdo?\u201d\tAsterin\tbreathed,\ther\teyes\tso\tbright. Manon\tlooked\tbehind\tthem.\tTo\tthe\tnorth. \u201cI\t am\t going\t to\t find\t the\t Crochans.\t And\t I\t am\t going\t to\t raise\t an\t army\t with\t them.\t For Aelin\tGalathynius.\tAnd\ther\tpeople.\tAnd\tfor\tours.\u201d \u201cThey\u2019ll\tnever\ttrust\tus,\u201d\tSorrel\tsaid. Asterin\tdrawled,\t\u201cThen\twe\u2019ll\thave\tto\tjust\tbe\tour\tcharming\tselves.\u201d Some\tof\tthem\tsmirked;\tsome\tof\tthem\tshifted\ton\ttheir\tfeet. Manon\tsaid\tagain\tto\ther\tThirteen,\t\u201cWill\tyou\tfollow\tme?\u201d And\t when\t they\t all\t touched\t their\t fingers\t to\t their\t brows\t again,\t Manon\t returned\t the gesture. Rowan\tand\tAedion\twere\tsitting\tsilently\ton\tthe\tbeach.\tGavriel\thad\trecovered\tenough\tfrom the\t shock\t of\t the\t oath\u2019s\t severing\t that\t he\t and\t Lorcan\t were\t now\t standing\t atop\t the\t bluff, talking\t quietly;\t Lysandra\t was\t sitting\t alone,\t in\t ghost\t leopard\t form,\t amongst\t the\t waving seagrasses;\tand\tDorian\twas\tjust\t\u2026\twatching\tthem\tfrom\tthe\tapex\tof\ta\tdune. What\tAelin\thad\tdone\t\u2026\twhat\tshe\u2019d\tlied\tabout\t\u2026 Some\tof\tthe\tblood\ton\tthe\tground\thad\tdried. If\tAelin\twas\tgone,\tif\ther\tlife\twould\tindeed\tbe\tthe\tcost\tif\tshe\tever\tgot\tfree\t\u2026 \u201cMaeve\t doesn\u2019t\t have\t the\t two\t keys,\u201d\t Manon\t said\t from\t Dorian\u2019s\t side,\t having\t crept\t up silently.\t Her\t coven\t lingered\t behind\t her,\t Elide\t ensconced\t within\t their\t ranks.\t \u201cIn\t case\t you were\tconcerned.\u201d Lorcan\tand\tGavriel\tturned\ttoward\tthem.\tThen\tLysandra. Dorian\tdared\tto\task,\t\u201cThen\twhere\tare\tthey?\u201d \u201cI\thave\tthem,\u201d\tManon\tsaid\tsimply.\t\u201cAelin\tslid\tthem\tinto\tmy\tpocket.\u201d Oh,\tAelin.\tAelin.\tShe\u2019d\tworked\tMaeve\tinto\tsuch\ta\tfrenzy,\tmade\tthe\tqueen\tso\tfocused","on\t capturing\t her\t that\t she\t hadn\u2019t\t thought\t to\t confirm\t if\t Aelin\t held\t the\t keys\t before\t she vanished. She\u2019d\t been\t dealt\t such\t a\t wicked,\t impossible\t hand\u2014and\t yet\t Aelin\t had\t made\t it\t count. One\tlast\ttime,\tshe\u2019d\tmade\tit\tcount. \u201cIt\u2019s\t why\t I\t couldn\u2019t\t do\t anything\t about\t it,\u201d\t Manon\t said.\t \u201cTo\t help\t her.\t I\t had\t to\t look uninvolved.\tNeutral.\u201d\tFrom\twhere\the\tsat\ton\tthe\tbeach\tbelow,\tAedion\thad\ttwisted\ttoward them,\t his\t keen\t Fae\t hearing\t feeding\t him\t every\t word.\t Manon\t said\t to\t all\t of\t them,\t \u201cI\t am sorry.\tI\u2019m\tsorry\tI\tcouldn\u2019t\thelp.\u201d She\treached\tinto\tthe\tpocket\tof\ther\triding\tleathers\tand\textended\tthe\tAmulet\tof\tOrynth and\ta\tsliver\tof\tblack\tstone\tto\tDorian.\tHe\tbalked. \u201cElena\tsaid\tMala\u2019s\tbloodline\tcan\tstop\tthis.\tIt\truns\tin\tboth\tyour\thouses.\u201d The\tgolden\teyes\twere\tweary\u2014heavy.\tHe\trealized\twhat\tManon\twas\tasking. Aelin\thad\tnever\tplanned\tto\tsee\tTerrasen\tagain. She\t had\t married\t Rowan\t knowing\t she\t would\t have\t months\t at\t best,\t days\t at\t the\t worst, with\thim.\tBut\tshe\twould\tgive\tTerrasen\ta\tlegal\tking.\tTo\thold\ther\tterritory\ttogether. She\thad\tmade\tplans\tfor\tall\tof\tthem\u2014and\tnone\tfor\therself. \u201cThe\tquest\tdoes\tnot\tend\there,\u201d\tDorian\tsaid\tsoftly. Manon\tshook\ther\thead.\tAnd\the\tknew\tshe\tmeant\tmore\tthan\tthe\tkeys,\tthan\tthe\twar,\tas she\tsaid,\t\u201cNo,\tit\tdoes\tnot.\u201d He\ttook\tthe\tkeys\tfrom\ther.\tThey\tthrobbed\tand\tflickered,\twarming\this\tpalm.\tA\tforeign, horrible\tpresence,\tand\tyet\t\u2026\tall\tthat\tstood\tbetween\tthem\tand\tdestruction. No,\tthe\tquest\tdid\tnot\tend\there.\tNot\teven\tclose.\tDorian\tslid\tthe\tkeys\tinto\this\tpocket. And\t the\t road\t that\t now\t sprawled\t away\t before\t him,\t curving\t into\t unknown,\t awaiting shadow\t\u2026\tit\tdid\tnot\tfrighten\thim.","75 Rowan\thad\tmarried\tAelin\tbefore\tdawn\tbarely\ttwo\tdays\tago. Aedion\t and\t Lysandra\t had\t been\t the\t only\t witnesses\t as\t they\u2019d\t awoken\t the\t bleary-eyed captain,\twho\tmarried\tthem\tquickly\tand\tquietly\tand\tsigned\ta\tvow\tof\tsecrecy. They\u2019d\thad\tfifteen\tminutes\tin\ttheir\tcabin\tto\tconsummate\tthat\tmarriage. Aedion\tstill\tcarried\tthe\tformal\tdocuments;\tthe\tcaptain\tbearing\tthe\tduplicates. Rowan\thad\tbeen\tkneeling\ton\tthat\tspit\tof\tbeach\tfor\thalf\tan\thour\tnow.\tSilent,\twandering the\t paths\t of\t his\t churning\t thoughts.\t Aedion\t had\t kept\t him\t company,\t staring\t blankly\t at\t the sea. Rowan\thad\tknown. Part\t of\t him\t had\t known\t that\t Aelin\t was\t his\t mate.\t And\t had\t turned\t away\t from\t that knowledge,\t again\t and\t again,\t out\t of\t respect\t for\t Lyria,\t out\t of\t terror\t for\t what\t it\u2019d\t mean. He\u2019d\tleapt\tin\tfront\tof\ther\tat\tSkull\u2019s\tBay\tknowing\tit,\tdeep\tdown.\tKnowing\tmates\taware\tof the\tbond\tcould\tnot\tbear\tto\tharm\teach\tother,\tand\tthat\tit\tmight\tbe\tthe\tonly\tforce\tto\tcompel her\t to\t regain\t control\t from\t Deanna.\t And\t even\t when\t she\t had\t proved\t him\t right\t \u2026\t He\t had turned\t from\t that\t proof,\t still\t unready,\t pushing\t it\t from\t his\t mind\t even\t as\t he\t claimed\t her\t in every\tother\tway. Aelin\t had\t known,\t though.\t That\t he\t was\t her\t mate.\t And\t she\t had\t not\t pushed\t it,\t or demanded\the\tface\tit,\tbecause\tshe\tloved\thim,\tand\the\tknew\tshe\u2019d\trather\tcarve\tout\ther\town heart\tthan\tcause\thim\tpain\tor\tdistress. His\tFireheart. His\tequal,\this\tfriend,\this\tlover.\tHis\twife. His\tmate. That\tgods-damned\tbitch\thad\tput\ther\tin\tan\tiron\tbox. She\u2019d\twhipped\this\tmate\tso\tbrutally\tthat\the\u2019d\trarely\tseen\tsuch\tblood\tspilled\tas\ta\tresult. Then\tchained\ther.\tThen\tput\tAelin\tin\ta\tveritable\tiron\tcoffin,\tstill\tbleeding,\tstill\thurting. To\tcontain\ther.\tTo\tbreak\ther.\tTo\ttorture\ther. His\tFireheart,\tlocked\tin\tthe\tdark. She\u2019d\ttried\tto\ttell\thim.\tRight\tbefore\tthe\tilken\tconverged. Tried\t to\t tell\t him\t she\u2019d\t vomited\t her\t guts\t up\t on\t the\t ship\t that\t day\t not\t because\t she\t was pregnant\tbut\tbecause\tshe\u2019d\trealized\tshe\twas\tgoing\tto\tdie.\tThat\tthe\tcost\tof\tsealing\tthe\tgate,","forging\ta\tnew\tLock\tto\tdo\tso,\twas\ther\tlife.\tHer\timmortal\tlife. Goldryn\t lying\t beside\t him,\t its\t ruby\t dull\t in\t the\t bright\t sun,\t Rowan\t gathered\t up\t two fistfuls\tof\tsand\tand\tlet\tthe\tgrains\tslide\tout,\tlet\tthe\twind\tcarry\tthem\ttoward\tthe\tsea. It\twas\tall\tborrowed\ttime\tanyway. Aelin\tdid\tnot\texpect\tthem\tto\tcome\tfor\ther. She,\t who\t had\t come\t for\t them,\t who\t had\t found\t them\t all.\t She\t had\t arranged\t for everything\tto\tfall\tinto\tplace\twhen\tshe\tyielded\ther\tlife.\tWhen\tshe\tgave\tup\ta\tthousand\tyears to\tsave\tthem. And\t Rowan\t knew\t she\t believed\t they\u2019d\t make\t the\t right\t choice,\t the\t wise\t choice,\t and remain\t here.\t Lead\t their\t armies\t to\t victory\u2014the\t armies\t she\u2019d\t secured\t for\t them,\t guessing that\tshe\twouldn\u2019t\tbe\tthere\tto\tsee\tit\tthrough. She\tdid\tnot\tthink\tshe\u2019d\tever\tsee\thim\tagain. He\tdid\tnot\taccept\tthat. He\twould\tnot\taccept\tthat. And\the\twould\tnot\taccept\tthat\the\thad\tfound\ther,\tand\tshe\thad\tfound\thim,\tand\tthey\thad survived\t such\t sorrow\t and\t pain\t and\t despair\t together,\t only\t to\t be\t cleaved\t apart.\t He\t would not\taccept\tthe\tfate\tthat\thad\tbeen\tdealt\tto\ther,\twould\tnot\taccept\tthat\ther\tlife\twas\tthe\tasking price\tfor\tsaving\tthis\tworld.\tHer\tlife,\tor\tDorian\u2019s. He\twould\tnot\taccept\tit\tfor\tone\theartbeat. Footsteps\tthudded\ton\tthe\tsand,\tand\the\tscented\tLorcan\tbefore\the\tbothered\tto\tlook.\tFor half\ta\tbreath,\the\tdebated\tkilling\tthe\tmale\twhere\the\tstood. Rowan\t knew\t that\t today\u2014today\t he\u2019d\t win.\t Something\t had\t fractured\t in\t Lorcan,\t and\t if Rowan\tattacked\tnow,\tthe\tother\tmale\twould\tdie.\tLorcan\tmight\tnot\teven\tput\tup\tmuch\tof\ta fight. Lorcan\u2019s\t granite-hewn\t face\t was\t hard,\t but\t his\t eyes\t \u2026\t That\t was\t agony\t in\t them.\t And regret. The\t others\t flowed\t down\t the\t dunes,\t the\t witch\u2019s\t coven\t remaining\t behind,\t and\t Aedion rose\tto\this\tfeet. They\tall\tstared\tat\tRowan\tas\the\tremained\tkneeling. The\tsea\trolled\taway,\tundulating\tunder\tthe\tclearing\tblue\tsky. He\t speared\t that\t bond\t into\t the\t world,\t casting\t it\t wide\t as\t a\t net.\t Flinging\t it\t out\t with\t his magic,\this\tsoul,\this\tcracked\theart.\tSearching\tfor\ther. Fight\tit,\t he\t willed\t her,\t sending\t the\t words\t down\t the\t bond\u2014the\t mating\t bond,\t which perhaps\thad\tsettled\tinto\tplace\tthat\tfirst\tmoment\tthey\u2019d\tbecome\tcarranam,\thidden\tbeneath flame\tand\tice\tand\thope\tfor\ta\tbetter\tfuture.\tFight\ther.\tI\tam\tcoming\tfor\tyou.\tEven\tif\tit\ttakes me\ta\tthousand\tyears.\tI\twill\tfind\tyou,\tI\twill\tfind\tyou,\tI\twill\tfind\tyou.","Only\tsalt\tand\twind\tand\twater\tanswered\thim. Rowan\trose\tto\this\tfeet.\tAnd\tslowly\tturned\tto\tface\tthem. But\t their\t attention\t snagged\t on\t the\t ships\t now\t sailing\t out\t of\t the\t west\u2014from\t the\t battle site.\t His\t cousins\u2019\t ships,\t with\t what\t remained\t of\t the\t fleet\t Ansel\t of\t Briarcliff\t had\t won\t for them,\tand\tRolfe\u2019s\tthree\tships. But\tit\twas\tnot\tthose\tboats\tthat\tmade\thim\tpause. It\twas\tthe\tone\tthat\trounded\tthe\teastern\ttip\tof\tthe\tland\u2014a\tlongboat.\tIt\tswept\tcloser\ton\ta phantom\twind,\ttoo\tfast\tto\tbe\tnatural. Rowan\tbraced\thimself.\tThe\tboat\u2019s\tshape\tdidn\u2019t\tbelong\tto\tany\tof\tthe\tfleets\tassembled. But\tits\tstyle\tnagged\tat\this\tmemory. From\t their\t own\t fleet,\t Ansel\t of\t Briarcliff\t and\t Enda\t were\t soaring\t over\t the\t waves\t in\t a longboat,\taiming\tfor\tthis\tbeach. But\t Rowan\t and\t the\t others\t watched\t in\t silence\t as\t the\t foreign\t boat\t crested\t through\t the surf\tand\tslid\tonto\tthe\tsand. Watched\tthe\tolive-skinned\tsailors\thaul\tit\tup\tthe\tbeach.\tA\tbroad-shouldered\tyoung\tman nimbly\tleaped\tout,\this\tslightly\tcurling\tdark\thair\ttossed\tin\tthe\tsea\tbreeze. He\t did\t not\t emit\t a\t whiff\t of\t fear\t as\t he\t stalked\t for\t them\u2014didn\u2019t\t even\t go\t for\t the comforting\ttouch\tof\tthe\tfine\tsword\tat\this\tside. \u201cWhere\t is\t Aelin\t Galathynius?\u201d\t the\t stranger\t asked\t a\t bit\t breathlessly\t as\t he\t scanned them. And\this\taccent\t\u2026 \u201cWho\tare\tyou,\u201d\tRowan\tground\tout. But\tthe\tyoung\tman\twas\tnow\tclose\tenough\tthat\tRowan\tcould\tsee\tthe\tcolor\tof\this\teyes. Turquoise\u2014with\ta\tcore\tof\tgold. Aedion\tbreathed\tas\tif\tin\ta\ttrance,\t\u201cGalan.\u201d Galan\tAshryver,\tCrown\tPrince\tof\tWendlyn. The\t young\t man\u2019s\t eyes\t widened\t as\t he\t took\t in\t the\t warrior-prince.\t \u201cAedion,\u201d\t he\t said hoarsely,\tsomething\tlike\tawe\tand\tgrief\tin\this\tface.\tBut\the\tblinked\tit\taway,\tself-assured\tand steady,\tand\tagain\tasked,\t\u201cWhere\tis\tshe?\u201d None\tof\tthem\tanswered.\tAedion\tdemanded,\t\u201cWhat\tare\tyou\tdoing\there?\u201d Galan\u2019s\t dark\t brows\t flicked\t toward\t each\t other.\t \u201cI\t thought\t she\t would\t have\t informed you.\u201d \u201cInformed\tus\tof\twhat?\u201d\tRowan\tsaid\ttoo\tquietly. Galan\treached\tinto\tthe\tpocket\tof\this\tworn\tblue\ttunic,\tpulling\tout\ta\tcrinkled\tletter\tthat looked\tlike\tit\thad\tbeen\tread\ta\thundred\ttimes.\tHe\tsilently\thanded\tit\tto\tRowan.","Her\tscent\tstill\tclung\tto\tit\tas\the\tunfolded\tthe\tpaper,\tAedion\treading\tover\this\tshoulder. Aelin\u2019s\t letter\t to\t the\t Prince\t of\t Wendlyn\t had\t been\t short.\t Brutal.\t The\t large\t letters\t were sprawled\tacross\tthe\tpage\tas\tif\ther\ttemper\thad\tgotten\tthe\tbetter\tof\ther: TERRASEN\tREMEMBERS\tEVALIN\tASHRYVER. DO\tYOU? I\tFOUGHT\tAT\tMISTWARD\tFOR\tYOUR\tPEOPLE. RETURN\tTHE\tGODS-DAMNED\tFAVOR. And\tthen\tcoordinates\u2014for\tthis\tspot. \u201cIt\tonly\twent\tto\tme,\u201d\tGalan\tsaid\tsoftly.\t\u201cNot\tto\tmy\tfather.\tOnly\tto\tme.\u201d To\tthe\tarmada\tthat\tGalan\tcontrolled\u2014as\ta\tblockade\trunner\tagainst\tAdarlan. \u201cRowan,\u201d\tLysandra\tmurmured\tin\twarning.\tHe\tfollowed\ther\tstare. Not\t to\t where\t Ansel\t and\t Enda\t now\t arrived\t at\t the\t edge\t of\t their\t group,\t giving\t the Thirteen\ta\twide\tberth\tas\tthey\tlifted\ttheir\tbrows\tat\tGalan. But\t to\t the\t small\t company\t of\t white-clad\t people\t that\t appeared\t on\t the\t cresting\t dunes behind\t them,\t splattered\t in\t mud\t and\t looking\t like\t they\t had\t trekked\t across\t the\t marshes themselves. And\tRowan\tknew. He\tknew\twho\tthey\twere\tbefore\tthey\teven\treached\tthe\tbeach. Ansel\tof\tBriarcliff\thad\tgone\tpale\tat\tthe\tsight\tof\ttheir\tlayered,\tflowing\tclothes.\tAnd\tas the\ttall\tmale\tin\ttheir\tcenter\tpeeled\toff\this\thood\tto\treveal\ta\tbrown-skinned,\tgreen-eyed\tface still\thandsome\twith\tyouth,\tthe\tQueen\tof\tthe\tWastes\twhispered,\t\u201cIlias.\u201d Ilias,\t son\t of\t the\t Mute\t Master\t of\t the\t Silent\t Assassins,\t gaped\t at\t Ansel,\t his\t back stiffening.\t But\t Rowan\t stepped\t toward\t the\t man,\t drawing\t his\t attention.\t Ilias\u2019s\t eyes narrowed\t in\t assessment.\t And\t he,\t like\t Galan,\t scanned\t them\t all,\t searching\t for\t a\t golden- haired\t woman\t who\t was\t not\t there.\t His\t eyes\t returned\t to\t Rowan\t as\t if\t he\u2019d\t marked\t him\t as the\taxis\tof\tthis\tgroup. In\ta\tvoice\thoarse\tfrom\tdisuse,\tIlias\tasked\thim,\t\u201cWe\thave\tcome\tto\tfulfill\tour\tlife\tdebt\tto Celaena\tSardothien\u2014to\tAelin\tGalathynius.\tWhere\tis\tshe?\u201d \u201cYou\t are\t the\t sessiz\tsuikast,\u201d\t Dorian\t said,\t shaking\t his\t head.\t \u201cThe\t Silent\t Assassins\t of the\tRed\tDesert.\u201d Ilias\tnodded.\tAnd\tglanced\tat\tAnsel,\twho\tstill\tseemed\tnear\tvomiting,\tbefore\tsaying\tto Rowan,\t\u201cIt\tseems\tmy\tfriend\thas\tcalled\tin\tmany\tdebts\tin\taddition\tto\tours.\u201d As\t if\t the\t words\t themselves\t were\t a\t signal,\t more\t white-clad\t figures\t filled\t the\t dunes behind\tthem. Dozens.\tHundreds.","Rowan\t wondered\t if\t every\t single\t assassin\t from\t that\t desert\t Keep\t had\t come\t to\t honor their\tdebt\tto\tthe\tyoung\twoman.\tA\tlethal\tlegion\tin\tthemselves. And\tGalan\t\u2026 Rowan\t turned\t to\t the\t Crown\t Prince\t of\t Wendlyn.\t \u201cHow\t many,\u201d\t he\t asked.\t \u201cHow\t many did\tyou\tbring?\u201d Galan\tonly\tsmiled\ta\tbit\tand\tpointed\tto\tthe\teastern\thorizon. Where\twhite\tsails\tnow\tbroke\tover\tits\trim.\tShip\tafter\tship\tafter\tship,\teach\tbearing\tthe cobalt\tflag\tof\tWendlyn. \u201cTell\t Aelin\t Galathynius\t that\t Wendlyn\t has\t never\t forgotten\t Evalin\t Ashryver,\u201d\t Galan said\tto\thim,\tto\tAedion.\t\u201cOr\tTerrasen.\u201d Aedion\tfell\tto\this\tknees\tin\tthe\tsand\tas\tWendlyn\u2019s\tarmada\tspread\tbefore\tthem. I\t promise\t you\t that\t no\t matter\t how\t far\t I\t go,\t no\t matter\t the\t cost,\t when\t you\t call\t for\t my aid,\tI\twill\tcome,\tAelin\thad\ttold\thim\tshe\u2019d\tsworn\tto\tDarrow.\tI\u2019m\tgoing\tto\tcall\tin\told\tdebts and\tpromises.\tTo\traise\tan\tarmy\tof\tassassins\tand\tthieves\tand\texiles\tand\tcommoners. And\tshe\thad.\tShe\thad\tmeant\tand\taccomplished\tevery\tword\tof\tit. Rowan\t counted\t the\t ships\t that\t slid\t over\t the\t horizon.\t Counted\t the\t ships\t in\t their\t own armada.\tAdded\tRolfe\u2019s\u2014and\tthe\tMycenians\the\twas\trallying\tin\tthe\tNorth. \u201cHoly\tgods,\u201d\tDorian\tbreathed\tas\tWendlyn\u2019s\tarmada\tkept\tspreading\twider\tand\twider. Tears\t slid\t down\t Aedion\u2019s\t face\t as\t he\t silently\t sobbed.\t Where\t are\t our\t allies,\t Aelin? Where\tare\tour\tarmies?\tShe\thad\ttaken\tthe\tcriticism\u2014taken\tit,\tbecause\the\tknew\tshe\thadn\u2019t wanted\tto\tdisappoint\tthem\tif\tshe\tfailed.\tRowan\tput\ta\thand\ton\tAedion\u2019s\tshoulder. All\tof\tit\tfor\tTerrasen,\tshe\thad\tsaid\tthat\tday\tshe\u2019d\trevealed\tshe\u2019d\tschemed\ther\tway\tinto getting\tArobynn\u2019s\tfortune.\tAnd\tRowan\tknew\tthat\tevery\tstep\tshe\thad\ttaken,\tevery\tplan\tand calculation,\tevery\tsecret\tand\tdesperate\tgamble\t\u2026 For\tTerrasen.\tFor\tthem.\tFor\ta\tbetter\tworld. Aelin\tGalathynius\thad\traised\tan\tarmy\tnot\tjust\tto\tchallenge\tMorath\t\u2026\tbut\tto\trattle\tthe stars. She\u2019d\t known\t that\t she\t would\t not\t get\t to\t lead\t it.\t But\t she\t would\t still\t hold\t true\t to\t her promise\tto\tDarrow:\tI\tpromise\tyou\ton\tmy\tblood,\ton\tmy\tfamily\u2019s\tname,\tthat\tI\twill\tnot\tturn my\tback\ton\tTerrasen\tas\tyou\thave\tturned\tyour\tback\ton\tme. And\tthe\tlast\tpiece\tof\tit\t\u2026\tif\tChaol\tWestfall\tand\tNesryn\tFaliq\tcould\trally\tforces\tfrom the\tsouthern\tcontinent\t\u2026 Aedion\tat\tlast\tlooked\tup\tat\thim,\teyes\twide\tas\the\tcame\tto\tthe\tsame\trealization. A\tchance.\tHis\twife,\this\tmate,\thad\tbought\tthem\ta\tfool\u2019s\tshot\tat\tthis\twar. And\tshe\tdid\tnot\tbelieve\tthat\tthey\twould\tcome\tfor\ther. \u201cGalan?\u201d","Rowan\twent\tstill\tas\tdeath\tat\tthe\tvoice\tthat\tfloated\tover\tthe\tdunes.\tAt\tthe\tgolden-haired woman\twho\twore\tthe\tskin\tof\this\tbeloved. Aedion\tshot\tto\this\tfeet,\tabout\tto\tsnarl,\twhen\tRowan\tgripped\this\tarm. When\tLysandra,\tas\tAelin,\tas\tshe\thad\tpromised,\tswept\tfor\tthem,\tgrinning\twide. That\tsmile\t\u2026\tIt\tpunched\ta\thole\tthrough\this\theart.\tLysandra\thad\ttaught\therself\tAelin\u2019s smile,\tthat\tbit\tof\twickedness\tand\tdelight,\thoned\twith\tthat\trazor\tedge\tof\tcruelty. Lysandra\u2019s\tacting,\thoned\tin\tthe\tsame\thellhole\tAelin\thad\tlearned\thers,\twas\tflawless\tas she\t spoke\t to\t Galan.\t As\t she\t spoke\t to\t Ilias,\t embracing\t him\t like\t a\t long-lost\t friend,\t and\t a relieved\tally. Aedion\twas\ttrembling\tbeside\thim.\tBut\tthe\tworld\tcould\tnot\tknow. Their\t allies,\t their\t enemies,\t could\t not\t know\t that\t the\t immortal\t fire\t of\t Mala\t had\t been stolen.\tLeashed. Galan\tsaid\tto\tthe\tone\twhom\the\tbelieved\tto\tbe\this\tcousin,\t\u201cWhere\tnow?\u201d Lysandra\t looked\t to\t him,\t then\t to\t Aedion,\t not\t a\t sign\t of\t regret\t or\t guilt\t or\t doubt\t on\t her face.\t\u201cWe\tgo\tnorth.\tTo\tTerrasen.\u201d Rowan\u2019s\t stomach\t turned\t leaden.\t But\t Lysandra\t caught\t his\t eye,\t and\t said\t steadily\t and casually,\t \u201cPrince\u2014I\t need\t you\t to\t retrieve\t something\t for\t me\t before\t you\t join\t us\t in\t the North.\u201d Find\ther,\tfind\ther,\tfind\ther,\tthe\tshifter\tseemed\tto\tbeg. Rowan\t nodded,\t at\t a\t loss\t for\t words.\t Lysandra\t took\t his\t hand,\t squeezed\t it\t once\t in thanks,\ta\tpolite,\tpublic\tfarewell\tbetween\ta\tqueen\tand\ther\tconsort,\tand\tstepped\taway. \u201cCome,\u201d\t Lysandra\t said\t to\t Galan\t and\t Ilias,\t motioning\t them\t toward\t where\t a\t white- faced\tAnsel\tand\tfrowning\tEnda\twaited.\t\u201cWe\thave\tmatters\tto\tdiscuss\tbefore\twe\thead\tout.\u201d Then\ttheir\tlittle\tcompany\twas\talone\tonce\tmore. Aedion\u2019s\t hands\t clenched\t and\t unclenched\t at\t his\t sides\t as\t he\t gazed\t after\t the\t shape- shifter\twearing\tAelin\u2019s\tskin,\tleading\ttheir\tallies\tdown\tthe\tbeach.\tTo\tgive\tthem\tprivacy. An\tarmy\tto\ttake\ton\tMorath.\tTo\tgive\tthem\ta\tfighting\tchance\t\u2026 Sand\t whispered\t behind\t him\t as\t Lorcan\t stepped\t up\t to\t his\t side.\t \u201cI\t will\t go\t with\t you.\t I will\thelp\tyou\tget\ther\tback.\u201d Gavriel\t rasped,\t \u201cWe\u2019ll\t find\t her.\u201d\t Aedion\t at\t last\t looked\t away\t from\t Lysandra\t at\t that. But\the\tsaid\tnothing\tto\this\tfather\u2014had\tsaid\tnothing\tto\thim\tat\tall\tsince\tthey\u2019d\tlanded\ton\tthe beach. Elide\t took\t a\t limping\t step\t closer,\t her\t voice\t as\t raw\t as\t Gavriel\u2019s.\t \u201cTogether.\t We\u2019ll\t go together.\u201d Lorcan\t gave\t the\t Lady\t of\t Perranth\t an\t assessing\t look\t that\t she\t made\t a\t point\t to\t ignore. His\teyes\tflickered\tas\the\tsaid\tto\tRowan,\t\u201cFenrys\tis\twith\ther.\tHe\u2019ll\tknow\twe\u2019re\tcoming\tfor","her\u2014try\tto\tleave\ttracks\tif\the\tcan.\u201d If\t Maeve\t didn\u2019t\t have\t him\t on\t lockdown.\t But\t Fenrys\t had\t battled\t the\t blood\t oath\t every day\t since\t swearing\t it.\t And\t if\t he\t was\t all\t that\t now\t stood\t between\t Cairn\t and\t Aelin\t \u2026 Rowan\tdidn\u2019t\tlet\thimself\tthink\tabout\tCairn.\tAbout\twhat\tMaeve\thad\talready\thad\thim\tdo,\tor would\tdo\tto\ther\tbefore\tthe\tend.\tNo\u2014Fenrys\twould\tfight\tit.\tAnd\tAelin\twould\tfight\tit. Aelin\twould\tnever\tstop\tfighting. Rowan\t faced\t Aedion,\t and\t the\t warrior-prince\t again\t peeled\t his\t attention\t away\t from Lysandra\tlong\tenough\tto\tmeet\this\teyes.\tAedion\tunderstood\tthe\tlook,\tand\tput\ta\thand\ton\tthe Sword\tof\tOrynth\u2019s\thilt.\t\u201cI\u2019ll\tgo\tnorth.\tWith\u2014her.\tTo\toversee\tthe\tarmies,\tmake\tsure\tit\u2019s\tall in\tplace.\u201d Rowan\tclasped\tAedion\u2019s\tforearm.\t\u201cThe\tlines\thave\tto\thold.\tBuy\tus\twhatever\ttime\tyou can,\tbrother.\u201d Aedion\tgripped\this\tforearm\tin\treturn,\teyes\tburning\tbright.\tRowan\tknew\thow\tmuch\tit killed\t him.\t But\t if\t the\t world\t believed\t Aelin\t was\t returning\t north,\t then\t one\t of\t her\t generals had\tto\tbe\tat\ther\tside\tto\tlead\ther\tarmies.\tAnd\tsince\tAedion\tcommanded\tthe\tloyalty\tof\tthe Bane\t\u2026\t\u201cBring\ther\tback,\tPrince,\u201d\tAedion\tsaid,\tvoice\tcracking.\t\u201cBring\ther\thome.\u201d Rowan\theld\this\tbrother\u2019s\tstare\tand\tnodded.\t\u201cWe\twill\tsee\tyou\tagain.\tAll\tof\tyou.\u201d He\tdid\tnot\twaste\twords\tpersuading\tthe\twarrior-prince\tto\tforgive\tthe\tshifter.\tHe\twasn\u2019t entirely\tsure\twhat\tto\teven\tmake\tof\tAelin\tand\tLysandra\u2019s\tplan.\tWhat\this\trole\twould\thave been\tin\tit. Dorian\t stepped\t forward,\t but\t glanced\t to\t Manon,\t who\t was\t staring\t toward\t the\t sea\t as\t if she\t could\t see\t wherever\t Maeve\t had\t spirited\t away\t her\t ship.\t Using\t that\t cloaking\t power she\u2019d\twielded\tto\thide\tFenrys\tand\tGavriel\tin\tSkull\u2019s\tBay\u2014hide\ther\tarmada\tfrom\tthe\teyes of\tEyllwe.\t\u201cThe\twitches\tfly\tnorth,\u201d\tDorian\tsaid.\t\u201cAnd\tI\twill\tgo\twith\tthem.\tTo\tsee\tif\tI\tcan do\twhat\tneeds\tto\tbe\tdone.\u201d \u201cStay\twith\tus,\u201d\tRowan\toffered.\t\u201cWe\u2019ll\tfind\ta\tway\tto\tdeal\twith\tthe\tkeys\tand\tthe\tLock and\tthe\tgods\u2014all\tof\tit.\u201d Dorian\tshook\this\thead.\t\u201cIf\tyou\tgo\tafter\tMaeve,\tthe\tkeys\tshould\tbe\tkept\tfar\taway.\tIf\tI can\thelp\tby\tdoing\tthis,\tby\tfinding\tthe\tthird\t\u2026\tI\twill\tserve\tyou\tbetter\tthat\tway.\u201d \u201cYou\u2019ll\tlikely\tdie,\u201d\tAedion\tcut\tin\tsharply.\t\u201cWe\tgo\tnorth\tto\tbloodshed\tand\tkilling\tfields \u2014you\t head\t into\t dangers\t far\t worse\t than\t that.\t Morath\t will\t be\t waiting.\u201d\t Rowan\t cut\t him\t a glare.\t But\t his\t brother\t was\t beyond\t caring.\t No,\t Aedion\t was\t riding\t a\t vicious,\t vulnerable edge\t right\t now\u2014and\t it\t wouldn\u2019t\t take\t much\t for\t that\t edge\t to\t turn\t lethal.\t Especially\t when Dorian\thad\tplayed\this\tpart\tin\tseparating\tAelin\tfrom\ttheir\tgroup. Dorian\t again\t looked\t to\t Manon,\t who\t now\t smiled\t faintly\t at\t him.\t It\t was\t a\t smile\t that softened\ther\tface,\tmade\tit\tcome\talive.\t\u201cHe\twon\u2019t\tdie\tif\tI\tcan\thelp\tit,\u201d\tthe\twitch\tsaid,\tthen surveyed\t them\t all.\t \u201cWe\t journey\t to\t find\t the\t Crochans\u2014to\t rally\t what\t forces\t they\t might have.\u201d A\twitch\tarmy\tto\tcounter\tthe\tIronteeth\tlegions.","Hope\u2014precious,\tfragile\thope\u2014stirred\tRowan\u2019s\tblood. Manon\tmerely\tjerked\ther\tchin\tin\tfarewell\tand\tprowled\tup\tthe\tbluff\tto\ther\tcoven. So\tRowan\tnodded\tto\tDorian.\tBut\tthe\tman\tbowed\this\thead\u2014not\tthe\tgesture\tof\ta\tfriend to\ta\tfriend.\tBut\tof\tone\tking\tto\tanother. Consort,\the\twanted\tto\tsay.\tHe\twas\tjust\ther\tconsort. Even\tif\tshe\u2019d\tmarried\thim\tso\the\tcould\thave\tthe\tlegal\tright\tto\tsave\tTerrasen\tand\trebuild it.\tTo\tcommand\tthe\tarmies\tshe\u2019d\tgiven\teverything\tto\tgather\tfor\tthem. \u201cWhen\t we\t are\t done,\t I\t will\t join\t you\t in\t Terrasen,\t Aedion,\u201d\t the\t King\t of\t Adarlan promised.\t\u201cSo\tthat\twhen\tyou\tget\tback,\tRowan\u2014when\tboth\tof\tyou\tget\tback\u2014there\twill\tbe something\tleft\tto\tfight\tfor.\u201d Aedion\t seemed\t to\t consider.\t To\t weigh\t the\t man\u2019s\t words\t and\t expression.\t And\t then\t the general-prince\tstepped\tforward\tand\tembraced\tthe\tking.\tIt\twas\tquick,\tand\thard,\tand\tDorian flinched,\t but\t that\t edge\t in\t Aedion\u2019s\t grief-dull\t eyes\t had\t been\t eased\t a\t bit.\t Silently,\t Aedion glanced\t at\t Damaris,\t sheathed\t at\t Dorian\u2019s\t side.\t The\t blade\t of\t Adarlan\u2019s\t first\t and\t greatest king.\t Aedion\t seemed\t to\t weigh\t its\t presence,\t who\t bore\t it.\t At\t last,\t the\t general-prince nodded,\tmore\tto\thimself\tthan\tanyone.\tBut\tDorian\tstill\tbowed\this\thead\tin\tthanks. When\t Aedion\t had\t stalked\t toward\t the\t longboats,\t deliberately\t stepping\t around Lysandra-Aelin\t when\t she\t tried\t to\t speak\t to\t him,\t Rowan\t said\t to\t the\t king,\t \u201cYou\t trust\t the witches?\u201d A\tnod.\t\u201cThey\u2019re\tleaving\ttwo\twyverns\tto\tguard\tyour\tship\tto\tthe\tedge\tof\tthe\tcontinent. From\t there,\t they\u2019ll\t join\t us\t again\u2014and\t you\u2019ll\t set\t off\t wherever\t \u2026\t wherever\t you\t need\t to go.\u201d Maeve\tcould\thave\ttaken\ther\tanywhere,\tvanished\tthat\tship\thalfway\tacross\tthe\tworld. Rowan\tsaid\tto\tDorian,\t\u201cThank\tyou.\u201d \u201cDon\u2019t\tthank\tme.\u201d\tA\thalf\tsmile.\t\u201cThank\tManon.\u201d If\tthey\tall\tlived\tthrough\tthis,\tif\the\tgot\tAelin\tback,\the\twould. He\t embraced\t Dorian,\t wished\t the\t king\t well,\t and\t watched\t the\t man\t climb\t up\t the sandbank\tto\tthe\twhite-haired\twitch\twho\twaited\tfor\thim. Lysandra\t was\t already\t giving\t orders\t to\t Galan\t and\t Ilias\t regarding\t transporting\t the\t two hundred\t Silent\t Assassins\t onto\t Wendlyn\u2019s\t ships,\t Aedion\t monitoring\t with\t crossed\t arms. Ansel\t was\t deep\t in\t conversation\t with\t Endymion,\t who\t didn\u2019t\t seem\t to\t quite\t know\t what\t to do\twith\tthe\tred-haired\tqueen\twith\ta\twolf\u2019s\tsmile.\tAnsel,\thowever,\tseemed\talready\tinclined to\t raise\t hell\t and\t have\t a\t damn\t good\t time\t doing\t it.\t Rowan\t wished\t he\t had\t more\t than\t a moment\tto\tspare\tto\tthank\tthem\tboth\u2014to\tthank\tEnda\tand\teach\tone\tof\this\tcousins. All\twas\tset,\tall\twas\tready\tfor\tthat\tdesperate\tpush\tnorth.\tAs\tAelin\thad\tplanned. There\twould\tbe\tno\trest,\tno\twaiting.\tThey\tdid\tnot\thave\tthe\ttime\tto\tspare. The\t wyverns\t stirred,\t flapping\t their\t wings.\t Dorian\t climbed\t into\t the\t saddle\t behind"]
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