["sword!\tThis\tcould\tnot\tgo\ton,\tespecially\tafter\tthat\tChampion\u2019s\tattempted\tescape the\tother\tday. Dorian\t approached,\t and\t smiled\t at\t the\t princess\t as\t he\t bowed.\t Nehemia\t only deigned\t to\t give\t him\t a\t terse\t nod.\t Not\t surprising.\t Dorian\t took\t Celaena\u2019s\t hand.\t It smelled\tof\tmetal\tand\tsweat,\tbut\the\tkissed\tit\tanyway,\traising\this\teyes\tto\ther\tface as\the\tdid\tso.\t\u201cLady\tLillian,\u201d\the\tmuttered\tonto\ther\tskin. \u201cYour\tHighness,\u201d\tshe\tsaid,\ttrying\tto\tpull\ther\thand\tfrom\this.\tBut\tDorian\theld fast\tto\ther\tcalloused\tpalm. \u201cMight\t I\t have\t a\t word?\u201d\t he\t said,\t leading\t her\t away\t before\t she\t could\t agree. When\tthey\twere\tout\tof\thearing\tdistance,\the\tdemanded,\t\u201cWhere\u2019s\tChaol?\u201d She\tcrossed\ther\tarms.\t\u201cIs\tthis\tany\tway\tto\tspeak\tto\tyour\tbeloved\tChampion?\u201d He\tfrowned.\t\u201cWhere\tis\the?\u201d \u201cI\tdon\u2019t\tknow.\tIf\tI\twere\tto\tbet,\tthough,\tI\u2019d\twager\tthat\the\u2019s\tinspecting\tthe\tEye Eater\u2019s\t mangled\t corpse,\t or\t disposing\t of\t Sven\u2019s\t body.\t Besides,\t Brullo\t said\t I could\t stay\t here\t as\t long\t as\t I\t liked\t after\t we\t were\t done.\t I\t do\t have\t another\t Test tomorrow,\tyou\tknow.\u201d Of\tcourse\the\tknew.\t\u201cWhy\tis\tPrincess\tNehemia\there?\u201d \u201cShe\t called\t on\t me,\t and\t when\t Philippa\t told\t her\t I\t was\t here,\t she\t insisted\t on joining.\tApparently,\ta\twoman\tcan\tonly\tgo\tso\tlong\twithout\ta\tsword\tbetween\ther hands.\u201d\tShe\tbit\ther\tlip. \u201cI\tdon\u2019t\trecall\tyou\tbeing\tso\ttalkative.\u201d \u201cWell,\tperhaps\tif\tyou\u2019d\ttaken\tthe\ttime\tto\tspeak\twith\tme,\tyou\u2019d\thave\tfound\tme to\tbe\tso.\u201d He\t snorted,\t but\t took\t the\t bait,\t gods\t damn\t him.\t \u201cAnd\t when\t would\t have\t I spoken\tto\tyou?\u201d \u201cYou\t do\t recall\t the\t little\t fact\t that\t we\t traveled\t together\t from\t Endovier,\t don\u2019t you?\tAnd\tthat\tI\u2019ve\tbeen\there\tfor\tweeks\tnow.\u201d \u201cI\tsent\tyou\tthose\tbooks,\u201d\the\toffered. \u201cAnd\tdid\tyou\tever\task\tme\tif\tI\thad\tread\tthem?\u201d Had\tshe\tforgotten\tto\twhom\tshe\twas\tspeaking?\t\u201cI\u2019ve\tspoken\tto\tyou\tonce\tsince we\u2019ve\tbeen\there.\u201d She\t shrugged\t and\t made\t to\t turn\t away.\t Irritated,\t but\t slightly\t curious,\t he grabbed\t her\t arm.\t Her\t turquoise\t eyes\t glittered\t as\t she\t stared\t at\t his\t hand,\t and\t his heart\tquickened\twhen\ther\tgaze\trose\tto\this\tface.\tYes,\tsweaty\tas\tshe\twas,\tshe\twas beautiful. \u201cAren\u2019t\tyou\tafraid\tof\tme?\u201d\tShe\tglanced\tat\this\tsword\tbelt.\t\u201cOr\tare\tyou\tas\tdeft at\thandling\tyour\tsword\tas\tCaptain\tWestfall?\u201d He\t stepped\t closer,\t tightening\t his\t grip.\t \u201cBetter,\u201d\t he\t whispered\t in\t her\t ear. There:\tshe\twas\tblushing\tand\tblinking.","\u201cWell,\u201d\t she\t began,\t but\t the\t timing\t was\t off.\t He\u2019d\t won.\t She\t crossed\t her\t arms. \u201cVery\tamusing,\tYour\tHighness.\u201d He\t bowed\t dramatically.\t \u201cI\t do\t what\t I\t can.\t But\t you\t can\u2019t\t have\t Princess Nehemia\there\twith\tyou.\u201d \u201cAnd\twhy\tis\tthat?\tDo\tyou\tbelieve\tI\u2019m\tgoing\tto\tkill\ther?\tWhy\twould\tI\tkill\tthe one\t person\t in\t this\t castle\t who\t isn\u2019t\t a\t babbling\t idiot?\u201d\t She\t gave\t him\t a\t look\t that suggested\the\twas\tpart\tof\tthe\tmajority.\t\u201cNot\tto\tmention,\ther\tguards\twould\tkill\tme before\tI\teven\tlifted\ta\thand.\u201d \u201cIt\tsimply\tcan\u2019t\thappen.\tShe\u2019s\there\tto\tlearn\tour\tcustoms,\tnot\tto\tspar.\u201d \u201cShe\u2019s\ta\tprincess.\tShe\tcan\tdo\twhat\tshe\tlikes.\u201d \u201cAnd\tI\tsuppose\tyou\u2019re\tgoing\tto\tteach\ther\tabout\tweaponry?\u201d She\tcocked\ther\thead.\t\u201cPerhaps\tyou\u2019re\tjust\ta\tlittle\tbit\tafraid\tof\tme.\u201d \u201cI\u2019ll\tescort\ther\tback\tto\ther\tchambers.\u201d She\tgestured\twidely\tfor\thim\tto\tpass.\t\u201cWyrd\thelp\tyou.\u201d He\tran\ta\thand\tthrough\this\tblack\thair\tand\tapproached\tthe\tprincess,\twho\twaited for\tthem\twith\ta\thand\ton\ther\thip.\t\u201cYour\tHighness,\u201d\tDorian\tsaid,\tmotioning\tto\ther personal\tguard\tto\tjoin\tthem.\t\u201cI\u2019m\tafraid\twe\tmust\treturn\tyou\tto\tyour\tchambers.\u201d The\t princess\t looked\t behind\t his\t shoulder\t with\t a\t raised\t eyebrow.\t To\t his dismay,\t Celaena\t began\t speaking\t in\t Eyllwe\t to\t the\t princess,\t who\t stomped\t her staff.\tShe\thissed\tsomething\tat\thim.\tDorian\u2019s\tskill\twith\tthe\tEyllwe\tlanguage\twas spotty\tat\tbest,\tand\tthe\tprincess\tspoke\ttoo\tfast\tfor\thim\tto\tunderstand.\tThankfully, the\tassassin\ttranslated. \u201cShe\t says\t you\t can\t return\t to\t your\t cushions\t and\t dancing\t and\t leave\t us\t be,\u201d Celaena\tsaid. He\ttried\this\tbest\tto\tlook\tserious.\t\u201cTell\ther\tit\u2019s\tunacceptable\tfor\ther\tto\tspar.\u201d Celaena\tsaid\tsomething,\tto\twhich\tthe\tprincess\tonly\twaved\ta\thand\tand\tstrode past\tthem\tand\tonto\tthe\tsparring\tfloor. \u201cWhat\tdid\tyou\tsay?\u201d\tDorian\tsaid. \u201cI\t said\t you\t volunteered\t to\t be\t her\t first\t partner,\u201d\t she\t said.\t \u201cWell?\t You\t don\u2019t want\tto\tupset\tthe\tprincess.\u201d \u201cI\twill\tnot\tspar\twith\tthe\tprincess.\u201d \u201cWould\tyou\trather\tspar\twith\tme?\u201d \u201cPerhaps\t if\t we\t had\t a\t private\t lesson\t in\t your\t chambers,\u201d\t he\t said\t smoothly. \u201cTonight.\u201d \u201cI\u2019ll\tbe\twaiting.\u201d\tShe\tcurled\ther\thair\taround\ta\tfinger. The\tprincess\ttwirled\ther\tstaff\twith\tstrength\tand\tprecision\tthat\tmade\thim\tgulp. Deciding\t that\t he\t didn\u2019t\t feel\t like\t having\t the\t daylights\t walloped\t out\t of\t him,\t he walked\t to\t the\t rack\t of\t weapons\t and\t selected\t two\t wooden\t swords.\t \u201cHow\t about some\t basic\t swordplay\t instead?\u201d\t he\t asked\t Nehemia.\t To\t his\t relief,\t the\t princess","nodded\t and\t handed\t her\t staff\t to\t one\t of\t her\t guards,\t then\t took\t the\t practice\t sword Dorian\textended\tto\ther.\tCelaena\twould\tnot\tmake\ta\tfool\tout\tof\thim! \u201cYou\tstand\tlike\tthis,\u201d\the\tsaid\tto\tthe\tprincess,\ttaking\ta\tdefensive\tstance.","Chapter\t18 Celaena\tsmiled\tas\tshe\twatched\tthe\tCrown\tPrince\tof\tAdarlan\tlead\tthe\tPrincess\tof Eyllwe\tthrough\tthe\tbasic\tsteps\tof\tfencing.\tHe\twas\tcharming,\tshe\tsupposed.\tIn\tan arrogant\tsort\tof\tway.\tBut\tsomeone\twith\this\ttitle\tcould\thave\tbeen\tfar,\tfar\tworse. It\t made\t her\t uneasy\t how\t he\u2019d\t made\t her\t blush.\t In\t fact,\t he\t was\t so\t attractive\t that she\thad\tdifficulty\tnot\tthinking\tabout\thow\tattractive\the\twas,\tand\tagain\twondered why\the\twasn\u2019t\tmarried. She\tsort\tof\twanted\tto\tkiss\thim. She\t swallowed.\t She\u2019d\t been\t kissed\t before,\t of\t course.\t By\t Sam,\t and\t often enough\tthat\tshe\twas\tno\tstranger\tto\tit.\tBut\tit\u2019d\tbeen\tover\ta\tyear\tsince\tshe\u2019d\tlost the\t assassin\t she\u2019d\t grown\t up\t with.\t And\t even\t though\t the\t thought\t of\t kissing anyone\telse\thad\tonce\tmade\ther\tsick,\twhen\tshe\tsaw\tDorian\t.\t.\t. Princess\t Nehemia\t lunged,\t slapping\t Dorian\t on\t the\t wrist\t with\t her\t sword. Celaena\tbit\tdown\ther\tlaughter.\tHe\tgrimaced\tand\trubbed\tthe\tsore\tjoint,\tbut\tthen smiled\tas\tthe\tprincess\tbegan\tgloating. Damn\thim\tfor\tbeing\tso\thandsome! She\t leaned\t against\t the\t wall\t and\t would\t have\t enjoyed\t the\t lesson\t had\t someone not\tgrabbed\ther\tarm\thard\tenough\tto\thurt. \u201cWhat\tis\tthis?\u201d\tDragged\tfrom\tthe\twall,\tshe\tfound\therself\tfacing\tChaol. \u201cWhat\tis\twhat?\u201d \u201cWhat\tis\tDorian\tdoing\twith\ther?\u201d She\tshrugged.\t\u201cSparring?\u201d \u201cAnd\twhy\tare\tthey\tsparring?\u201d \u201cBecause\the\tvolunteered\tto\tteach\ther\thow\tto\tfight?\u201d Chaol\t practically\t shoved\t her\t from\t him\t as\t he\t approached\t the\t pair.\t They stopped,\tand\tDorian\tfollowed\tChaol\tto\ta\tcorner.\tThey\tspoke\tquickly\u2014angrily\u2014 before\t Chaol\t came\t back\t to\t Celaena.\t \u201cThe\t guards\t will\t take\t you\t to\t your chambers.\u201d \u201cWhat?\u201d\tShe\tremembered\ttheir\tconversation\ton\tthe\tbalcony\tand\tfrowned.\tSo much\tfor\tswapping\tstories.\t\u201cThe\tTest\tis\ttomorrow,\tand\tI\tneed\tto\ttrain!\u201d \u201cI\t think\t you\u2019ve\t had\t enough\t training\t for\t today\u2014it\u2019s\t almost\t dinner.\t Your lesson\t with\t Brullo\t ended\t two\t hours\t ago.\t Get\t some\t rest,\t or\t you\u2019ll\t be\t useless tomorrow.\tAnd\tno,\tI\tdon\u2019t\tknow\twhat\tthe\tTest\twill\tbe,\tso\tdon\u2019t\tbother\tasking.\u201d \u201cThat\u2019s\t absurd!\u201d\t she\t cried,\t and\t a\t pinch\t from\t Chaol\t kept\t her\t voice\t down. Princess\t Nehemia\t cast\t a\t worried\t glance\t in\t Celaena\u2019s\t direction,\t but\t the\t assassin waved\tat\ther\tto\tresume\ther\tlesson\twith\tthe\tCrown\tPrince.\t\u201cI\u2019m\tnot\tgoing\tto\tdo anything,\tyou\tinsufferable\tmoron.\u201d","\u201cAre\tyou\thonestly\tso\tblind\tthat\tyou\tcan\u2019t\tsee\twhy\twe\tcan\u2019t\tallow\tthis?\u201d \u201c\t\u2018Can\u2019t\tallow\u2019\u2014you\u2019re\tjust\tafraid\tof\tme!\u201d \u201cDon\u2019t\tflatter\tyourself.\u201d \u201cYou\t think\t I\t want\t to\t go\t back\t to\t Endovier?\u201d\t she\t hissed.\t \u201cYou\t think\t I\u2019m\t not aware\t of\t the\t fact\t that\t if\t I\t flee,\t I\u2019ll\t be\t hunted\t down\t for\t the\t rest\t of\t my\t life?\t You think\tI\tdon\u2019t\tknow\twhy\tI\tvomit\twhen\tyou\tand\tI\trun\tin\tthe\tmorning?\tMy\tbody\tis a\twreck.\tI\tneed\tto\tspend\tthese\textra\thours\there,\tand\tyou\tshouldn\u2019t\tpunish\tme\tfor it!\u201d \u201cI\u2019m\tnot\tgoing\tto\tpretend\tto\tknow\thow\ta\tcriminal\tmind\tworks.\u201d She\t threw\t her\t hands\t in\t the\t air.\t \u201cYou\t know,\t I\t actually\t felt\t guilty.\t Just\t a\t little guilty.\tAnd\tnow\tI\tremember\twhy\tI\tshouldn\u2019t\thave.\tI\thate\tsitting\taround,\tlocked in\tmy\troom,\tbored\tout\tof\tmy\tsenses.\tI\thate\tall\tthese\tguards\tand\tnonsense;\tI\thate you\ttelling\tme\tto\thold\tback\twhen\tBrullo\tsings\tCain\u2019s\tpraises\tand\tI\u2019m\tjust\tthere, boring\tand\tunnoticed\tin\tthe\tmiddle.\tI\thate\tbeing\ttold\twhat\tI\tcan\u2019t\tdo.\tAnd\tI\thate you\tmost\tof\tall!\u201d He\ttapped\this\tfoot\ton\tthe\tground.\t\u201cAre\tyou\tfinished?\u201d There\twas\tno\tkindness\tin\tChaol\u2019s\tface,\tand\tshe\tclicked\ther\ttongue\tas\tshe\tleft, her\tfists\taching\tto\tbash\this\tteeth\tdown\this\tthroat.","Chapter\t19 Sitting\t in\t a\t chair\t near\t the\t hearth\t of\t the\t great\t hall,\t Kaltain\t watched\t Duke Perrington\t converse\t with\t Queen\t Georgina\t atop\t her\t dais.\t It\u2019d\t been\t a\t shame\t that Dorian\thad\tleft\tso\tquickly\tan\thour\tago;\tshe\thadn\u2019t\teven\thad\tthe\tchance\tto\tspeak to\t him.\t Which\t was\t especially\t irksome,\t given\t that\t she\u2019d\t spent\t the\t better\t part\t of the\tmorning\tdressing\tfor\tcourt:\ther\traven-black\thair\twas\tneatly\tcoiled\taround\ther head,\t and\t her\t skin\t glowed\t golden\t from\t the\t subtle\t shimmering\t powders\t she\u2019d dusted\t on\t her\t face.\t Though\t the\t bindings\t on\t her\t pink-and-yellow\t gown\t crushed her\tribs,\tand\tthe\tpearls\tand\tdiamonds\taround\ther\tneck\tstrangled\ther,\tshe\tkept\ther chin\t high,\t poised.\t Dorian\t had\t left,\t but\t having\t Perrington\t show\t up\t was\t an unexpected\tsurprise.\tThe\tduke\trarely\tvisited\tcourt;\tthis\thad\tto\tbe\timportant. Kaltain\t rose\t from\t her\t chair\t by\t the\t fire\t as\t the\t duke\t bowed\t to\t the\t queen\t and strode\t toward\t the\t doors.\t As\t she\t stepped\t into\t his\t path,\t he\t paused\t at\t the\t sight\t of her,\t his\t eyes\t gleaming\t with\t a\t hunger\t that\t made\t her\t want\t to\t cringe.\t He\t bowed low.\t\u201cMilady.\u201d \u201cYour\tGrace,\u201d\tshe\tsmiled,\tforcing\tall\tthat\trepulsion\tdown\tdeep,\tdeep,\tdeep. \u201cI\thope\tyou\u2019re\twell,\u201d\the\tsaid,\toffering\this\tarm\tto\tlead\ther\tout\tof\tthe\thall.\tShe smiled\tagain,\ttaking\tit.\tThough\the\twas\tsomewhat\trotund,\thard\tmuscle\tlay\tin\tthe arm\tbeneath\ther\thand. \u201cVery\t well,\t thank\t you.\t And\t yourself?\t I\t feel\t I\t haven\u2019t\t seen\t you\t in\t days\t and days!\tWhat\ta\twonderful\tsurprise\tto\thave\tyou\tvisit\tthe\tcourt.\u201d Perrington\tgave\ther\ta\tyellow\tsmile.\t\u201cI\u2019ve\tmissed\tyou\tas\twell,\tmilady.\u201d She\ttried\tnot\tto\twince\tas\this\thairy,\tmeaty\tfingers\trubbed\ther\tpristine\tskin,\tand instead\t delicately\t inclined\t her\t head\t toward\t him.\t \u201cI\t hope\t Her\t Majesty\t was\t in good\thealth;\twas\tyour\tconversation\ta\tpleasant\tone?\u201d Oh,\t it\t was\t so\t dangerous\t to\t pry,\t especially\t when\t she\t was\t here\t on\t his\t good graces.\t Meeting\t him\t last\t spring\t had\t been\t a\t stroke\t of\t luck.\t And\t convincing\t him to\t invite\t her\t to\t court\u2014mostly\t by\t implying\t what\t might\t await\t him\t once\t she\t was out\t of\t her\t father\u2019s\t household\t and\t without\t a\t chaperone\u2014hadn\u2019t\t been\t that difficult.\tBut\tshe\twasn\u2019t\there\tto\tsimply\tenjoy\tthe\tpleasures\tof\tthe\tcourt.\tNo,\tshe was\ttired\tof\tbeing\ta\tminor\tlady,\twaiting\tto\tbe\tmarried\toff\tto\tthe\thighest\tbidder, tired\tof\tpetty\tpolitics\tand\teasily\tmanipulated\tfools. \u201cHer\tMajesty\tis\tquite\twell,\tactually,\u201d\tPerrington\tsaid,\tleading\tKaltain\ttoward her\t rooms.\t Her\t stomach\t clenched\t a\t bit.\t Though\t he\t didn\u2019t\t hide\t that\t he\t wanted her,\t he\t hadn\u2019t\t pushed\t her\t into\t bed\u2014yet.\t But\t with\t a\t man\t like\t Perrington,\t who always\tgot\twhat\the\twanted\t.\t.\t.\tshe\tdidn\u2019t\thave\tmuch\ttime\tto\tfind\ta\tway\tto\tavoid owning\t up\t to\t the\t subtle\t promise\t she\u2019d\t made\t him\t earlier\t that\t year.\t \u201cBut,\u201d\t the","duke\twent\ton,\t\u201cwith\ta\tson\tof\tmarriageable\tage,\tshe\u2019s\tbusy.\u201d Kaltain\t kept\t her\t face\t plain.\t Calm.\t Serene.\t \u201cCan\t we\t expect\t any\t news\t of\t an engagement\tin\tthe\tnear\tfuture?\u201d\tAnother\tdangerous\tquestion. \u201cI\t certainly\t hope\t so,\u201d\t the\t duke\t grumbled,\t his\t face\t darkening\t beneath\t his ruddy\t hair.\t The\t jagged\t scar\t along\t his\t cheek\t stood\t out\t starkly.\t \u201cHer\t Majesty already\thas\ta\tlist\tof\tgirls\tdeemed\tappropriate\u2014\u201d\tThe\tduke\thalted,\tremembering whom\the\tspoke\tto,\tand\tKaltain\tbatted\ther\teyelashes\tat\thim. \u201cOh,\t I\u2019m\t quite\t sorry,\u201d\t she\t purred.\t \u201cI\t didn\u2019t\t mean\t to\t pry\t into\t the\t Royal Household\u2019s\t affairs.\u201d\t She\t patted\t his\t arm,\t her\t heart\t kicking\t into\t a\t full\t gallop. Dorian\t had\t been\t given\t a\t list\t of\t appropriate\t brides?\t Who\t was\t on\t it?\t And\t how could\t she\t .\t .\t .\t No,\t she\u2019d\t think\t of\t that\t later.\t For\t now,\t she\t had\t to\t find\t out\t who stood\tbetween\ther\tand\tthe\tcrown. \u201cIt\u2019s\tnothing\tto\tapologize\tfor,\u201d\the\tsaid,\this\tdark\teyes\tshining.\t\u201cCome\u2014tell\tme what\tyou\u2019ve\tbeen\tdoing\tthese\tpast\tfew\tdays.\u201d \u201cNot\tmuch\tof\tnote.\tThough\tI\tmet\ta\tvery\tinteresting\tyoung\twoman,\u201d\tshe\tsaid casually,\tleading\thim\tdown\ta\twindow-lined\tstairway\tinto\tthe\tglass\tsection\tof\tthe castle.\t\u201cA\tfriend\tof\tDorian\u2019s\u2014the\tLady\tLillian,\the\tcalled\ther.\u201d The\tduke\twent\tpositively\trigid.\t\u201cYou\tmet\ther?\u201d \u201cOh,\tyes\u2014she\u2019s\tquite\tkind.\u201d\tThe\tlie\trolled\toff\tof\ther\ttongue.\t\u201cWhen\tI\tspoke to\ther\ttoday,\tshe\tmentioned\thow\tmuch\tthe\tCrown\tPrince\tlikes\ther.\tI\thope\tfor\ther sake\t she\t was\t on\t the\t queen\u2019s\t list.\u201d\t While\t she\u2019d\t wanted\t some\t information\t about Lillian,\tshe\thadn\u2019t\texpected\tthis. \u201cThe\tLady\tLillian?\tOf\tcourse\tshe\tisn\u2019t.\u201d \u201cThe\tpoor\tthing.\tI\tsuspect\ther\theart\twill\tbe\tbroken.\tI\tknow\tit\u2019s\tnot\tmy\tplace to\tpry,\u201d\tshe\twent\ton,\tthe\tduke\tgrowing\tredder\tand\tmore\tfurious\tby\tthe\tmoment, \u201cbut\tI\theard\tit\tnot\tan\thour\tago\tfrom\tDorian\thimself\tthat\t.\t.\t.\u201d \u201cThat\t what?\u201d\t A\t thrill\t went\t through\t her\t at\t his\t anger\u2014not\t anger\t at\t her,\t but\t at Lillian.\tAt\tthe\tweapon\tshe\u2019d\tjust\thad\tthe\tgood\tfortune\tto\tstumble\tacross. \u201cThat\the\u2019s\tvery\tattached\tto\ther.\tPossibly\tin\tlove\twith\ther.\u201d \u201cThat\u2019s\tabsurd.\u201d \u201cIt\u2019s\ttrue!\u201d\tShe\tgave\ta\tmorose\tshake\tof\tthe\thead.\t\u201cHow\ttragic.\u201d \u201cFoolish\tis\twhat\tit\tis.\u201d\tThe\tduke\tstopped\tat\tthe\tend\tof\tthe\thallway\tthat\tled\tto Kaltain\u2019s\t room.\t His\t anger\t loosened\t his\t tongue.\t \u201cFoolish\t and\t daft\t and impossible.\u201d \u201cImpossible?\u201d \u201cSomeday\t I\t will\t explain\t why.\u201d\t A\t clock\t chimed,\t off-kilter,\t and\t Perrington turned\t in\t its\t direction.\t \u201cI\t have\t a\t council\t meeting.\u201d\t He\t leaned\t close\t enough\t to whisper\t in\t her\t ear,\t his\t breath\t hot\t and\t damp\t against\t her\t skin.\t \u201cPerhaps\t I\u2019ll\t see you\t tonight?\u201d\t He\t dragged\t a\t hand\t down\t her\t side\t before\t he\t walked\t away.\t She","watched\thim\tgo,\tand\twhen\the\tdisappeared,\tshe\tlet\tout\ta\tshuddering\tsigh.\tBut\tif he\tcould\tget\ther\tclose\tto\tDorian\t.\t.\t. She\thad\tto\tfind\tout\twho\ther\tcompetition\twas,\tbut\tfirst\tshe\thad\tto\tfind\ta\tway\tto get\tLillian\u2019s\tclaws\tout\tof\tthe\tprince.\tList\tor\tno\tlist,\tshe\twas\ta\tthreat. And\t if\t the\t duke\t hated\t her\t as\t much\t as\t it\t seemed,\t she\t might\t have\t powerful allies\twhen\tthe\ttime\tcame\tto\tmake\tsure\tLillian\treleased\ther\thold\ton\tDorian. \u2022 Dorian\t and\t Chaol\t didn\u2019t\t say\t much\t as\t they\t walked\t to\t dinner\t in\t the\t Great\t Hall. Princess\t Nehemia\t was\t safely\t in\t her\t chambers,\t surrounded\t by\t her\t guards.\t It\u2019d been\t quickly\t agreed\t that\t while\t it\t was\t foolish\t of\t Celaena\t to\t spar\t with\t the princess,\t Chaol\u2019s\t absence\t was\t inexcusable,\t even\t with\t the\t dead\t Champion\t to investigate. \u201cYou\tseemed\trather\tfriendly\twith\tSardothien,\u201d\tChaol\tsaid,\this\tvoice\tcold. \u201cJealous,\tare\twe?\u201d\tDorian\tteased. \u201cI\u2019m\tmore\tconcerned\tfor\tyour\tsafety.\tShe\tmight\tbe\tpretty\tand\tmight\timpress you\twith\ther\tcleverness,\tbut\tshe\u2019s\tstill\tan\tassassin,\tDorian.\u201d \u201cYou\tsound\tlike\tmy\tfather.\u201d \u201cIt\u2019s\tcommon\tsense.\tStay\taway\tfrom\ther,\tChampion\tor\tno.\u201d \u201cDon\u2019t\tgive\tme\torders.\u201d \u201cI\u2019m\tonly\tdoing\tit\tfor\tyour\tsafety.\u201d \u201cWhy\t would\t she\t kill\t me?\t I\t think\t she\t likes\t being\t pampered.\t If\t she\t hasn\u2019t attempted\t to\t escape\t or\t kill\t anyone,\t then\t why\t would\t she\t do\t it\t now?\u201d\t He\t patted his\tfriend\ton\tthe\tshoulder.\t\u201cYou\tworry\ttoo\tmuch.\u201d \u201cIt\u2019s\tmy\toccupation\tto\tworry.\u201d \u201cThen\t you\u2019ll\t have\t gray\t hair\t before\t you\u2019re\t twenty-five,\t and\t Sardothien certainly\twill\tnot\tfall\tin\tlove\twith\tyou.\u201d \u201cWhat\tnonsense\tare\tyou\ttalking?\u201d \u201cWell,\tif\tshe\tdoes\ttry\tto\tescape,\twhich\tshe\twon\u2019t,\tthen\tshe\u2019ll\tbreak\tyour\theart. You\u2019d\tbe\tforced\tto\tthrow\ther\tin\tthe\tdungeons,\thunt\ther\tdown,\tor\tkill\ther.\u201d \u201cDorian,\tI\tdon\u2019t\tlike\ther.\u201d Sensing\t his\t friend\u2019s\t growing\t irritation,\t Dorian\t changed\t the\t subject.\t \u201cWhat about\tthat\tdead\tChampion\u2014the\tEye\tEater?\tAny\tidea\tyet\twho\tdid\tit,\tor\twhy?\u201d Chaol\u2019s\t eyes\t darkened.\t \u201cI\u2019ve\t studied\t it\t again\t and\t again\t over\t the\t past\t few days.\tThe\tbody\twas\ttotally\tdestroyed.\u201d\tThe\tcolor\tleeched\tfrom\tChaol\u2019s\tcheeks. \u201cInnards\t scooped\t out\t and\t gone;\t even\t the\t brain\t was\t .\t .\t .\t missing.\t I\u2019ve\t sent\t a message\tto\tyour\tfather\tabout\tit,\tbut\tI\u2019ll\tcontinue\tinvestigating\tin\tthe\tmeantime.\u201d \u201cI\tbet\tit\twas\tjust\ta\tdrunken\tbrawl,\u201d\tDorian\tsaid,\tthough\the\thad\tbeen\tin\tplenty","of\tbrawls\thimself\tand\thad\tnever\tknown\tanyone\tto\tgo\tabout\tremoving\tsomeone\u2019s innards.\t A\t trickle\t of\t fear\t formed\t in\t the\t back\t of\t Dorian\u2019s\t mind.\t \u201cMy\t father\t will probably\tbe\tglad\tto\thave\tthe\tEye\tEater\tdead\tand\tgone.\u201d \u201cI\thope\tso.\u201d Dorian\t grinned\t and\t put\t an\t arm\t around\t the\t captain\u2019s\t shoulders.\t \u201cWith\t you looking\t into\t it,\t I\u2019m\t sure\t it\u2019ll\t be\t solved\t tomorrow,\u201d\t he\t said,\t leading\t his\t friend into\tthe\tdining\thall.","Chapter\t20 Celaena\tclosed\ther\tbook\tand\tsighed.\tWhat\ta\tterrible\tending.\tShe\tstood\tfrom\tthe chair,\tunsure\twhere\tshe\twas\tgoing,\tand\twalked\tout\tof\ther\tbedroom.\tShe\u2019d\tbeen willing\t to\t apologize\t to\t Chaol\t when\t he\t found\t her\t sparring\t with\t Nehemia\t that afternoon,\t but\t his\t behavior\t .\t .\t .\t She\t paced\t through\t her\t rooms.\t He\t had\t more important\tthings\tto\tdo\tthan\tguard\tthe\tworld\u2019s\tmost\tfamous\tcriminal,\tdid\the?\tShe didn\u2019t\tenjoy\tbeing\tcruel,\tbut\t.\t.\t.\thadn\u2019t\the\tdeserved\tit? She\u2019d\treally\tmade\ta\tfool\tout\tof\therself\tby\tmentioning\tthe\tvomiting.\tAnd\tshe\u2019d called\thim\tall\tsorts\tof\tnasty\tthings.\tDid\the\ttrust\ther\tor\thate\ther?\tCelaena\tlooked at\ther\thands\tand\trealized\tshe\thad\twrung\tthem\tso\tbadly\tthat\ther\tfingers\twere\tred. How\thad\tshe\tgone\tfrom\tthe\tmost\tfeared\tprisoner\tin\tEndovier\tto\tthis\tsappy\tmess? She\t had\t greater\t matters\t to\t worry\t about\u2014like\t the\t Test\t tomorrow.\t And\t this dead\t Champion.\t She\u2019d\t already\t altered\t the\t hinges\t on\t all\t her\t doors\t so\t that\t they squealed\tloudly\tany\ttime\tthey\topened.\tIf\tsomeone\tentered\ther\troom,\tshe\u2019d\tknow well\tin\tadvance.\tAnd\tshe\u2019d\tmanaged\tto\tembed\tsome\tstolen\tsewing\tneedles\tinto a\t bar\t of\t soap\t for\t a\t makeshift,\t miniature\t pike.\t It\t was\t better\t than\t nothing, especially\tif\tthis\tmurderer\thad\ta\ttaste\tfor\tChampion\tblood.\tShe\tforced\ther\thands to\t her\t sides,\t shaking\t her\t unease,\t and\t strode\t into\t the\t music\t and\t gaming\t room. She\tcould\tnot\tplay\tbilliards\tor\tcards\tby\therself,\tbut\t.\t.\t. Celaena\teyed\tthe\tpianoforte.\tShe\tused\tto\tplay\u2014oh,\tshe\u2019d\tloved\tto\tplay,\tloved music,\tthe\tway\tmusic\tcould\tbreak\tand\theal\tand\tmake\teverything\tseem\tpossible and\theroic. Carefully,\t as\t if\t approaching\t a\t sleeping\t person,\t Celaena\t walked\t to\t the\t large instrument.\t She\t pulled\t out\t the\t wooden\t bench,\t wincing\t at\t the\t loud\t scraping sound\t it\t made.\t Folding\t back\t the\t heavy\t lid,\t she\t pushed\t her\t feet\t on\t the\t pedals, testing\t them.\t She\t eyed\t the\t smooth\t ivory\t keys,\t and\t then\t the\t black\t keys,\t which were\tlike\tthe\tgaps\tbetween\tteeth. She\t had\t been\t good\t once\u2014perhaps\t better\t than\t good.\t Arobynn\t Hamel\t made her\tplay\tfor\thim\twhenever\tthey\tsaw\teach\tother. She\t wondered\t if\t Arobynn\t knew\t she\t was\t out\t of\t the\t mines.\t Would\t he\t try\t to free\ther\tif\the\tdid?\tShe\tstill\tdidn\u2019t\tdare\tto\tface\tthe\tpossibility\tof\twho\tmight\thave betrayed\t her.\t Things\t had\t been\t such\t a\t haze\t when\t she\u2019d\t been\t captured\u2014in\t two weeks,\t she\u2019d\t lost\t Sam\t and\t her\t own\t freedom,\t and\t lost\t something\t of\t herself\t in those\tblurry\tdays,\ttoo. Sam.\t What\t would\t he\t make\t of\t all\t this?\t If\t he\u2019d\t been\t alive\t when\t she\t was captured,\the\twould\thave\thad\ther\tout\tof\tthe\troyal\tdungeons\tbefore\tthe\tking\teven got\t word\t of\t her\t imprisonment.\t But\t Sam,\t like\t her,\t had\t been\t betrayed\u2014and","sometimes\tthe\tabsence\tof\thim\thit\ther\tso\thard\tthat\tshe\tforgot\thow\tto\tbreathe.\tShe touched\ta\tlower\tnote.\tIt\twas\tdeep\tand\tthrobbing,\tfull\tof\tsorrow\tand\tanger. Gingerly,\twith\tone\thand,\tshe\ttapped\tout\ta\tsimple,\tslow\tmelody\ton\tthe\thigher keys.\t Echoes\u2014shreds\t of\t memories\t arising\t out\t of\t the\t void\t of\t her\t mind.\t Her rooms\twere\tso\tsilent\tthat\tthe\tmusic\tseemed\tobtrusive.\tShe\tmoved\ther\tright\thand, playing\tupon\tthe\tflats\tand\tsharps.\tIt\twas\ta\tpiece\tthat\tshe\tused\tto\tplay\tagain\tand again\t until\t Arobynn\t would\t yell\t at\t her\t to\t play\t something\t else.\t She\t played\t a chord,\tthen\tanother,\tadded\tin\ta\tfew\tsilver\tnotes\tfrom\ther\tright\thand,\tpushed\tonce on\ta\tpedal,\tand\twas\tgone. The\tnotes\tburst\tfrom\ther\tfingers,\tstaggering\tat\tfirst,\tbut\tthen\tmore\tconfidently as\tthe\temotion\tin\tthe\tmusic\ttook\tover.\tIt\twas\ta\tmournful\tpiece,\tbut\tit\tmade\ther into\t something\t clean\t and\t new.\t She\t was\t surprised\t that\t her\t hands\t had\t not forgotten,\t that\t somewhere\t in\t her\t mind,\t after\t a\t year\t of\t darkness\t and\t slavery, music\t was\t still\t alive\t and\t breathing.\t That\t somewhere,\t between\t the\t notes,\t was Sam.\t She\t forgot\t about\t time\t as\t she\t drifted\t between\t pieces,\t voicing\t the unspeakable,\topening\told\twounds,\tplaying\tand\tplaying\tas\tthe\tsound\tforgave\tand saved\ther. \u2022 Leaning\t against\t the\t doorway,\t Dorian\t stood,\t utterly\t transfixed.\t She\u2019d\t been playing\t for\t some\t time\t with\t her\t back\t to\t him.\t He\t wondered\t when\t she\u2019d\t notice him,\t or\t if\t she\u2019d\t ever\t stop\t at\t all.\t He\t wouldn\u2019t\t mind\t listening\t forever.\t He\t had come\t here\t with\t the\t intention\t of\t embarrassing\t a\t snide\t assassin,\t and\t had\t instead found\ta\tyoung\twoman\tpouring\ther\tsecrets\tinto\ta\tpianoforte. Dorian\tpeeled\thimself\tfrom\tthe\twall.\tFor\tall\ther\tassassinating\texperience,\tshe didn\u2019t\tnotice\thim\tuntil\the\tsat\tdown\ton\tthe\tbench\tbeside\ther.\t\u201cYou\tplay\tbeau\u2014\u201d Her\tfingers\tslipped\ton\tthe\tkeys,\twhich\tlet\tout\ta\tloud,\tawful\tCLANK,\tand\tshe was\thalfway\tto\tthe\track\tof\tcue\tsticks\twhen\tshe\tbeheld\thim.\tHe\tcould\thave\tsworn her\teyes\twere\tdamp.\t\u201cWhat\tare\tyou\tdoing\there?\u201d\tShe\tglanced\tto\tthe\tdoor.\tWas she\tplanning\ton\tusing\tone\tof\tthose\tcue\tsticks\tagainst\thim? \u201cChaol\t isn\u2019t\t with\t me,\u201d\t he\t said\t with\t a\t quick\t smile.\t \u201cIf\t that\u2019s\t what\t you\u2019re wondering.\t I\t apologize\t if\t I\t interrupted.\u201d\t He\t wondered\t at\t her\t discomfort\t as\t she turned\tred.\tIt\tseemed\tfar\ttoo\thuman\tan\temotion\tfor\tAdarlan\u2019s\tAssassin.\tPerhaps his\t earlier\t plan\t to\t embarrass\t her\t wasn\u2019t\t foiled\t yet.\t \u201cBut\t you\t were\t playing\t so beautifully\tthat\tI\u2014\u201d \u201cIt\u2019s\tfine.\u201d\tShe\twalked\ttoward\tone\tof\tthe\tchairs.\tHe\tstood,\tblocking\ther\tpath. She\t was\t of\t surprisingly\t average\t height.\t He\t glanced\t down\t at\t her\t form.\t Average height\taside,\ther\tcurves\twere\tenticing.\t\u201cWhat\tare\tyou\tdoing\there?\u201d\tshe\trepeated.","He\tsmiled\troguishly.\t\u201cWe\tdecided\tto\tmeet\ttonight.\tDon\u2019t\tyou\tremember?\u201d \u201cI\tthought\tit\twas\ta\tjoke.\u201d \u201cI\u2019m\tCrown\tPrince\tof\tAdarlan.\u201d\tHe\tsank\tinto\ta\tchair\tbefore\tthe\tfire.\t\u201cI\tnever joke.\u201d \u201cAre\tyou\tallowed\tto\tbe\there?\u201d \u201cAllowed?\tAgain:\tI\u2019m\ta\tprince.\tI\tcan\tdo\twhat\tI\tlike.\u201d \u201cYes,\tbut\tI\u2019m\tAdarlan\u2019s\tAssassin.\u201d He\t wouldn\u2019t\t be\t intimidated,\t even\t if\t she\t could\t grab\t that\t billiards\t cue\t and skewer\t him\t with\t it\t in\t a\t matter\t of\t seconds.\t \u201cFrom\t your\t playing,\t it\t seems\t that you\u2019re\ta\tgreat\tdeal\tmore\tthan\tthat.\u201d \u201cWhat\tdo\tyou\tmean?\u201d \u201cWell,\u201d\the\tsaid,\ttrying\tnot\tto\tget\tlost\tin\ther\tstrange,\tlovely\teyes,\t\u201cI\tdon\u2019t\tthink anyone\twho\tplays\tlike\tthat\tcan\tbe\tjust\ta\tcriminal.\tIt\tseems\tlike\tyou\thave\ta\tsoul,\u201d he\tteased. \u201cOf\tcourse\tI\thave\ta\tsoul.\tEveryone\thas\ta\tsoul.\u201d She\t was\t still\t red.\t He\t made\t her\t that\t uncomfortable?\t He\t fought\t his\t grin.\t This was\ttoo\tmuch\tfun.\t\u201cHow\u2019d\tyou\tlike\tthe\tbooks?\u201d \u201cThey\twere\tvery\tnice,\u201d\tshe\tsaid\tquietly.\t\u201cThey\twere\twonderful,\tactually.\u201d \u201cI\u2019m\tglad.\u201d\tTheir\teyes\tmet,\tand\tshe\tretreated\tbehind\tthe\tback\tof\tthe\tchair.\tIf he\tdidn\u2019t\tknow\tbetter,\the\twould\thave\tthought\thimself\tto\tbe\tthe\tassassin!\t\u201cHow\u2019s training\tgoing?\tAny\tcompetitors\tgiving\tyou\ttrouble?\u201d \u201cExcellently,\u201d\tshe\tsaid,\tbut\tthe\tcorners\tof\ther\tmouth\tdrifted\tdownward.\t\u201cAnd no.\t After\t today,\t I\t don\u2019t\t think\t any\t of\t us\t will\t be\t giving\t anyone\t any\t trouble.\u201d\t It took\thim\ta\tmoment\tto\trealize\tshe\twas\tthinking\tof\tthe\tcompetitor\twho\thad\tbeen killed\t while\t trying\t to\t escape.\t She\t chewed\t on\t her\t bottom\t lip,\t quiet\t for\t a heartbeat,\tbefore\tshe\tasked:\t\u201cDid\tChaol\tgive\tthe\torder\tto\tkill\tSven?\u201d \u201cNo,\u201d\the\tsaid.\t\u201cMy\tfather\tcommanded\tall\tthe\tguards\tto\tshoot\tto\tkill\tif\tany\tof you\t tried\t to\t escape.\t I\t don\u2019t\t think\t Chaol\t would\t ever\t have\t given\t that\t order,\u201d\t he added,\t though\t he\t wasn\u2019t\t sure\t why.\t But\t the\t unnerving\t stillness\t in\t her\t eyes abated,\tat\tleast.\tWhen\tshe\tdidn\u2019t\tsay\tmore,\tDorian\tasked\tas\tcasually\tas\the\tcould: \u201cOn\tthat\tnote,\thow\tare\tyou\tand\tChaol\tgetting\talong?\u201d\tOf\tcourse,\tit\twas\ta\ttotally innocent\tquestion. She\t shrugged,\t and\t he\t tried\t to\t not\t read\t too\t far\t into\t the\t gesture.\t \u201cFine.\t I\t think he\thates\tme\ta\tbit,\tbut\tgiven\this\tposition,\tI\u2019m\tnot\tsurprised.\u201d \u201cWhy\tdo\tyou\tthink\the\thates\tyou?\u201d\tFor\tsome\treason,\the\tcouldn\u2019t\tbring\thimself to\tdeny\tit. \u201cBecause\t I\u2019m\t an\t assassin,\t and\t he\u2019s\t Captain\t of\t the\t Guard,\t forced\t to\t belittle himself\tby\tminding\tthe\twould-be\tKing\u2019s\tChampion.\u201d \u201cDo\t you\t wish\t it\t were\t otherwise?\u201d\t He\t gave\t her\t a\t lazy\t grin.\t That\t question","wasn\u2019t\tso\tinnocent. She\t inched\t around\t the\t chair,\t coming\t closer\t to\t him,\t and\t his\t heart\t jumped\t a beat.\t \u201cWell,\t who\t wants\t to\t be\t hated?\t Though\t I\u2019d\t rather\t be\t hated\t than\t invisible. But\tit\tmakes\tno\tdifference.\u201d\tShe\twasn\u2019t\tconvincing. \u201cYou\u2019re\tlonely?\u201d\tHe\tsaid\tit\tbefore\the\tcould\tstop\thimself. \u201cLonely?\u201d\tShe\tshook\ther\thead\tand\tfinally,\tafter\tall\tthat\tcoaxing,\tsat\tdown.\tHe fought\tagainst\tthe\turge\tto\treach\tacross\tthe\tspace\tbetween\tthem\tto\tsee\tif\ther\thair was\tas\tsilky\tas\tit\tlooked.\t\u201cNo.\tI\tcan\tsurvive\twell\tenough\ton\tmy\town\u2014if\tgiven proper\treading\tmaterial.\u201d He\t looked\t at\t the\t fire,\t trying\t not\t to\t think\t about\t where\t she\u2019d\t been\t only\t weeks before\u2014and\t what\t that\t kind\t of\t loneliness\t might\t have\t felt\t like.\t There\t were\t no books\t in\t Endovier.\t \u201cStill,\t it\t can\u2019t\t be\t pleasant\t to\t be\t one\u2019s\t own\t companion\t at\t all times.\u201d \u201cAnd\t what\t would\t you\t do?\u201d\t She\t laughed.\t \u201cI\u2019d\t rather\t not\t be\t seen\t as\t one\t of your\tlovers.\u201d \u201cAnd\twhat\u2019s\twrong\twith\tthat?\u201d \u201cI\u2019m\t already\t notorious\t as\t an\t assassin\u2014I\t don\u2019t\t particularly\t feel\t like\t being notorious\t for\t sharing\t your\t bed.\u201d\t He\t choked,\t but\t she\t went\t on.\t \u201cWould\t you\t like me\t to\t explain\t why,\t or\t is\t it\t enough\t for\t me\t to\t say\t that\t I\t don\u2019t\t take\t jewels\t and trinkets\tas\tpayment\tfor\tmy\taffection?\u201d He\t snarled.\t \u201cI\u2019m\t not\t going\t to\t debate\t morality\t with\t an\t assassin.\t You\t kill people\tfor\tmoney,\tyou\tknow.\u201d Her\teyes\tbecame\thard\tand\tshe\tpointed\tto\tthe\tdoor.\t\u201cYou\tmay\tleave\tnow.\u201d \u201cYou\u2019re\tdismissing\tme?\u201d\tHe\tdidn\u2019t\tknow\twhether\tto\tlaugh\tor\tyell. \u201cShall\t I\t summon\t Chaol\t to\t see\t what\t he\t thinks?\u201d\t She\t crossed\t her\t arms, knowing\tshe\thad\twon.\tPerhaps\tshe\u2019d\talso\trealized\tthat\tthere\twas\tfun\tto\tbe\thad\tin riling\thim,\ttoo. \u201cWhy\t should\t I\t be\t thrown\t from\t your\t rooms\t for\t stating\t the\t truth?\t You\t just called\tme\tlittle\tmore\tthan\ta\twhoremonger.\u201d\tHe\thadn\u2019t\thad\tthis\tmuch\tfun\tin\tages. \u201cTell\tme\tabout\tyour\tlife\u2014how\tyou\tlearned\tto\tplay\tthe\tpianoforte\tso\tmasterfully. And\twhat\twas\tthat\tpiece?\tIt\twas\tso\tsad;\twere\tyou\tthinking\tabout\ta\tsecret\tlover?\u201d He\twinked. \u201cI\tpracticed.\u201d\tShe\tstood,\twalking\ttoward\tthe\tdoor.\t\u201cAnd\tyes,\u201d\tshe\tsnapped,\t\u201cI was.\u201d \u201cYou\u2019re\t quite\t prickly\t tonight,\u201d\t he\t said,\t trailing\t her.\t He\t stopped\t a\t foot\t away, but\t the\t space\t between\t them\t felt\t strangely\t intimate,\t especially\t as\t he\t purred, \u201cYou\u2019re\tnot\tnearly\tas\tchatty\tas\tyou\twere\tthis\tafternoon.\u201d \u201cI\u2019m\t not\t some\t odd\t commodity\t that\t you\t can\t gawk\t at!\u201d\t She\t stepped\t closer. \u201cI\u2019m\tnot\tsome\tcarnival\texhibit,\tand\tyou\twon\u2019t\tuse\tme\tas\tpart\tof\tsome\tunfulfilled","desire\tfor\tadventure\tand\texcitement!\tWhich\tis\tundoubtedly\twhy\tyou\tchose\tme\tto be\tyour\tChampion.\u201d His\tmouth\tfell\topen\tand\the\tconceded\ta\tstep.\t\u201cWhat?\u201d\twas\tall\the\tmanaged. She\t stalked\t past\t him\t and\t dropped\t into\t the\t armchair.\t At\t least\t she\t wasn\u2019t leaving.\t\u201cDid\tyou\thonestly\tthink\tI\twouldn\u2019t\trealize\twhy\tyou\tcame\there\ttonight? As\tsomeone\twho\tgave\tme\tThe\tCrown\tof\ta\tHero\tto\tread,\twhich\tsuggests\ta\trather fanciful\tmind\tthat\tyearns\tfor\tadventure?\u201d \u201cI\tdon\u2019t\tthink\tyou\u2019re\tan\tadventure,\u201d\the\tmuttered. \u201cOh?\t The\t castle\t offers\t so\t much\t excitement\t that\t the\t presence\t of\t Adarlan\u2019s Assassin\t is\t nothing\t unusual?\t Nothing\t that\t would\t entice\t a\t young\t prince\t who\u2019s been\tconfined\tto\ta\tcourt\tall\this\tlife?\tAnd\twhat\tdoes\tthis\tcompetition\tsuggest,\tfor that\t matter?\t I\u2019m\t already\t at\t your\t father\u2019s\t disposal.\t I\t won\u2019t\t become\t his\t son\u2019s jester,\ttoo.\u201d It\t was\t his\t turn\t to\t blush.\t Had\t he\t ever\t been\t scolded\t by\t anyone\t like\t this?\t His parents\t and\t tutors\t perhaps,\t but\t certainly\t not\t a\t young\t woman.\t \u201cDon\u2019t\t you\t know who\tyou\u2019re\ttalking\tto?\u201d \u201cMy\t dear\t prince,\u201d\t she\t drawled,\t examining\t her\t nails,\t \u201cyou\u2019re\t alone\t in\t my rooms.\tThe\thallway\tdoor\tis\tvery\tfar\taway.\tI\tcan\tsay\twhatever\tI\twish.\u201d He\tburst\tout\tlaughing.\tShe\tsat\tup\tand\twatched\thim,\ther\thead\ttilted\tto\tthe\tside. Her\t cheeks\t were\t flushed,\t making\t her\t blue\t eyes\t even\t brighter.\t Did\t she\t know what\the\tmight\thave\twanted\tto\tdo\twith\ther\tif\tshe\twasn\u2019t\tan\tassassin?\t\u201cI\u2019ll\tgo,\u201d\the said\t at\t last,\t stopping\t himself\t from\t wondering\t if\t he\t could\t actually\t risk\t it\u2014risk his\tfather\u2019s\tand\tChaol\u2019s\twrath,\tand\twhat\tmight\thappen\tif\the\tdecided\tto\tdamn\tthe consequences.\t\u201cBut\tI\u2019ll\treturn.\tSoon.\u201d \u201cI\u2019m\tsure,\u201d\tshe\tsaid\tdryly. \u201cGood\tnight,\tSardothien.\u201d\tHe\tlooked\taround\ther\trooms\tand\tgrinned.\t\u201cTell\tme something\t before\t I\t leave:\t this\t mystery\t lover\t of\t yours\t .\t .\t .\t he\t doesn\u2019t\t live\t in\t the castle,\tdoes\the?\u201d He\tinstantly\tknew\the\u2019d\tsaid\tthe\twrong\tthing\twhen\tsome\tof\tthe\tlight\tvanished from\ther\teyes.\t\u201cGood\tnight,\u201d\tshe\tsaid\ta\tbit\tcoldly. Dorian\tshook\this\thead.\t\u201cI\tdidn\u2019t\tmean\tto\u2014\u201d She\tjust\twaved\thim\toff,\tlooking\ttoward\tthe\tfire.\tUnderstanding\this\tdismissal, he\tstrode\tto\tthe\tdoor,\teach\tof\this\tfootsteps\tsounding\tin\tthe\tnow\ttoo-silent\troom. He\t was\t almost\t to\t the\t threshold\t when\t she\t spoke,\t her\t voice\t distant.\t \u201cHis\t name was\tSam.\u201d She\twas\tstill\tstaring\tat\tthe\tfire.\tWas\tSam\t.\t.\t.\t\u201cWhat\thappened?\u201d She\tlooked\tat\thim,\tsmiling\tsadly.\t\u201cHe\tdied.\u201d \u201cWhen?\u201d\t he\t got\t out.\t He\t would\t have\t never\t teased\t her\t like\t that,\t never\t said\t a damn\tword\tif\the\u2019d\tknown\t.\t.\t.","Her\twords\twere\tstrangled\tas\tshe\tsaid,\t\u201cThirteen\tmonths\tago.\u201d A\tglimmer\tof\tpain\tflashed\tacross\ther\tface,\tso\treal\tand\tendless\tthat\the\tfelt\tit\tin his\tgut.\t\u201cI\u2019m\tsorry,\u201d\the\tbreathed. She\t shrugged,\t as\t if\t it\t could\t somehow\t diminish\t the\t grief\t he\t still\t saw\t in\t her eyes,\t shining\t so\t bright\t in\t the\t firelight.\t \u201cSo\t am\t I,\u201d\t she\t whispered,\t and\t faced\t the fire\tagain. Sensing\tshe\twas\ttruly\tdone\ttalking\tthis\ttime,\tDorian\tcleared\this\tthroat.\t\u201cGood luck\tat\tthe\tTest\ttomorrow.\u201d\tShe\tdidn\u2019t\tsay\tanything\tas\the\tleft\tthe\troom. He\t couldn\u2019t\t banish\t her\t heart-wrenching\t music\t from\t his\t mind,\t even\t when\t he burned\this\tmother\u2019s\tlist\tof\teligible\tmaidens,\teven\twhen\the\tread\ta\tbook\tlong\tinto the\tnight,\teven\twhen\the\tfinally\tfell\tasleep.","Chapter\t21 Celaena\tdangled\tfrom\tthe\tstone\twall\tof\tthe\tcastle,\ther\tlegs\ttrembling\tas\tshe\tdug her\ttar-covered\tfingers\tand\ttoes\tinto\tthe\tcracks\tbetween\tthe\tgiant\tblocks.\tBrullo shouted\tsomething\tat\tthe\tother\tnineteen\tremaining\tChampions\tscaling\tthe\tcastle walls,\t but\t from\t seventy\t feet\t up,\t the\t wind\t carried\t his\t words\t away.\t One\t of\t the Champions\t hadn\u2019t\t shown\t up\t for\t the\t Test\u2014and\t even\t his\t guards\t hadn\u2019t\t known where\t he\t went.\t Maybe\t he\u2019d\t actually\t managed\t to\t escape.\t Risking\t it\t seemed better\tthan\tthis\tmiserably\tstupid\tTest,\tanyway.\tShe\tgritted\ther\tteeth,\tinching\ther hand\tupward,\tand\tpulled\therself\tup\tanother\tfoot. Twenty\t feet\t up\t and\t about\t thirty\t feet\t away\t flapped\t the\t object\t of\t this\t insane race:\t a\t golden\t flag.\t The\t Test\t was\t simple:\t climb\t the\t castle\t to\t where\t the\t flag waved\t ninety\t feet\t in\t the\t air\t and\t retrieve\t it.\t First\t one\t who\t grabbed\t the\t flag\t and brought\t it\t back\t down\t received\t a\t pat\t on\t the\t back.\t Last\t one\t to\t reach\t the designated\tspot\twould\tbe\tsent\tback\tto\twhatever\tgutter\tthey\tcame\tfrom. Surprisingly,\tno\tone\thad\tfallen\tyet\u2014perhaps\tbecause\tthe\tpath\tto\tthe\tflag\twas fairly\t easy:\t balconies,\t windowsills,\t and\t trellises\t covered\t most\t of\t the\t space. Celaena\t scooted\t up\t another\t few\t feet,\t her\t fingers\t aching.\t Looking\t down\t was always\t a\t bad\t idea,\t even\t if\t Arobynn\t had\t forced\t her\t to\t stand\t on\t the\t ledge\t of\t his Assassin\u2019s\tKeep\tfor\thours\ton\tend\tto\tbecome\taccustomed\tto\theights.\tShe\tpanted as\tshe\tgrasped\tanother\twindow\tledge\tand\thoisted\therself\tup.\tIt\twas\tdeep\tenough that\t she\t could\t crouch\t within,\t and\t she\t took\t a\t moment\t to\t study\t the\t other competitors. Sure\tenough,\tCain\twas\tin\tthe\tlead,\tand\thad\ttaken\tthe\teasiest\tpath\ttoward\tthe flag,\t Grave\t and\t Verin\t on\t his\t trail,\t Nox\t close\t behind,\t and\t Pelor,\t the\t young assassin,\tnot\tfar\tbelow\thim.\tThere\twere\tso\tmany\tcompetitors\tfollowing\thim\tthat their\tgear\toften\tgot\ttangled\ttogether.\tThey\u2019d\teach\tbeen\tgiven\tthe\topportunity\tto select\t one\t object\t to\t aid\t them\t in\t their\t ascent\u2014rope,\t spikes,\t special\t boots\u2014and sure\tenough,\tCain\thad\tgone\tright\tfor\tthe\trope. She\u2019d\t taken\t a\t small\t tin\t of\t tar,\t and\t as\t Celaena\t rose\t from\t her\t crouch\t in\t the windowsill,\t her\t sticky,\t black\t hands\t and\t bare\t feet\t easily\t gripped\t the\t stone\t wall. She\u2019d\t used\t some\t rope\t to\t strap\t the\t tin\t to\t her\t belt,\t and\t before\t she\t stepped\t out\t of the\t shade\t of\t the\t sill,\t she\t rubbed\t a\t little\t more\t on\t her\t palms.\t Someone\t gasped below,\t and\t she\t swallowed\t the\t urge\t to\t glance\t down.\t She\t knew\t she\u2019d\t taken\t a more\tdifficult\tpath\u2014but\tit\twas\tbetter\tthan\tfighting\toff\tall\tthe\tcompetitors\ttaking the\teasy\troute.\tShe\twouldn\u2019t\tput\tit\tpast\tGrave\tor\tVerin\tto\tshove\ther\toff\tthe\twall. Her\t hands\t suctioned\t onto\t the\t stone,\t and\t Celaena\t heaved\t herself\t upward\t just in\t time\t to\t hear\t a\t shriek,\t a\t thump,\t and\t then\t silence,\t followed\t by\t the\t shouting\t of","onlookers.\tA\tcompetitor\thad\tfallen\u2014and\tdied.\tShe\tlooked\tdown\tand\tbeheld\tthe body\t of\t Ned\t Clement,\t the\t murderer\t who\u2019d\t called\t himself\t the\t Scythe\t and\t spent years\t in\t the\t labor\t camps\t of\t Calaculla\t for\t his\t crimes.\t A\t shudder\t went\t through her.\tThough\tthe\tmurder\tof\tthe\tEye\tEater\thad\tmade\tmany\tof\tthe\tChampions\tquiet down,\t the\t sponsors\t certainly\t didn\u2019t\t seem\t to\t care\t that\t this\t Test\t might\t very\t well kill\ta\tfew\tmore\tof\tthem. She\tshimmied\tup\ta\tdrainpipe,\ther\tthighs\tclinging\tto\tthe\tiron.\tCain\thooked\this long\trope\taround\ta\tleering\tgargoyle\u2019s\tneck\tand\tswung\tacross\tan\texpanse\tof\tflat wall,\t landing\t on\t a\t balcony\t ledge\t fifteen\t feet\t below\t the\t flag.\t She\t fought\t her frustration\tas\tshe\tworked\ther\tway\tup\thigher\tand\thigher,\tfollowing\tthe\tcourse\tof the\tdrainpipe. The\t other\t competitors\t shuffled\t along,\t following\t Cain\u2019s\t path.\t There\t were\t a few\t more\t shouts,\t and\t she\t looked\t down\t long\t enough\t to\t see\t that\t Grave\t was causing\t a\t backup\t because\t he\t couldn\u2019t\t manage\t to\t toss\t his\t rope\t around\t the gargoyle\u2019s\t neck\t as\t Cain\t had.\t Verin\t nudged\t the\t assassin\t aside\t and\t moved\t past him,\t easily\t securing\t his\t own\t rope.\t Nox,\t now\t behind\t Grave,\t made\t to\t do\t the same,\t but\t Grave\t started\t cursing\t at\t him,\t and\t Nox\t stopped,\t lifting\t his\t hands\t in\t a gesture\t of\t placation.\t Smirking,\t Celaena\t braced\t her\t blackened\t feet\t on\t a stabilizing\t bracket\t holding\t the\t pipe\t in\t place.\t She\u2019d\t soon\t be\t directly\t parallel\t to the\tflag.\tAnd\tthen\tonly\tthirty\tfeet\tof\tbare\tstone\twould\tseparate\ther\tfrom\tit. Celaena\t eased\t farther\t up\t the\t pipe,\t her\t toes\t sticking\t to\t the\t metal.\t Fifteen\t feet below\t her\t pipe,\t a\t mercenary\t was\t clutching\t the\t horns\t of\t a\t gargoyle\t as\t he\t set about\tfastening\this\trope\taround\tits\thead.\tHe\tseemed\tto\tbe\ttaking\tthe\tfaster\troute across\t a\t cluster\t of\t gargoyles.\t Then\t he\u2019d\t have\t to\t swing\t onto\t a\t landing\t eighteen feet\t away,\t before\t making\t his\t way\t to\t the\t other\t gargoyles\t on\t which\t Grave\t and Nox\tnow\tquarreled.\tShe\twas\tin\tno\tdanger\tof\thim\ttrying\tto\tscale\tthe\tdrainpipe\tto bother\ther.\tSo\tinch\tby\tinch,\tshe\tmoved\tup,\tthe\twind\tbattering\ther\thair\tthis\tway and\tthat. It\twas\tthen\tthat\tshe\theard\tNox\tshout,\tand\tCelaena\tlooked\tin\ttime\tto\tsee\tGrave shove\thim\tfrom\ttheir\tperch\tatop\tthe\tgargoyle\u2019s\tback.\tNox\tswung\twide,\tthe\trope wrapped\taround\this\tmiddle\tgoing\ttaut\tas\the\tcollided\twith\tthe\tcastle\twall\tbelow. Celaena\tfroze,\ther\tbreath\tcatching\tas\tNox\tscraped\this\thands\tand\tfeet\tagainst\tthe stone\tto\tcatch\thold. But\tGrave\twasn\u2019t\tdone\tyet.\tHe\tbent\tunder\tthe\tguise\tof\tadjusting\this\tboot,\tand Celaena\tsaw\ta\tsmall\tdagger\t glint\t in\tthe\tsunlight.\tHow\the\u2019d\t gotten\tthe\tweapon past\t his\t guards\t was\t a\t feat\t in\t itself.\t Celaena\u2019s\t warning\t cry\t was\t carried\t away\t by the\t wind\t as\t Grave\t set\t about\t sawing\t Nox\u2019s\t rope\t from\t its\t tether\t on\t the\t gargoyle. None\t of\t the\t other\t Champions\t nearby\t bothered\t to\t do\t anything,\t though\t Pelor paused\t for\t a\t moment\t before\t easing\t around\t Grave.\t If\t Nox\t died,\t it\t was\t one\t less","competitor\u2014and\t if\t they\t interfered,\t it\t might\t cost\t them\t this\t Test.\t Celaena\t knew she\tshould\tkeep\tmoving,\tbut\tsomething\tkept\ther\trooted\tto\tthe\tspot. Nox\t couldn\u2019t\t find\t a\t hold\t on\t the\t stone\t wall,\t and\t without\t a\t nearby\t ledge\t or gargoyle\t to\t grasp,\t he\t had\t nowhere\t to\t go\t but\t down.\t Once\t the\t rope\t broke,\t he\u2019d fall. One\tby\tone,\tthe\tthreads\tof\this\trope\tsnapped\tbeneath\tGrave\u2019s\tdagger,\tand\tNox, sensing\tthe\tvibrations,\tlooked\tup\tat\tthe\tassassin\tin\thorror.\tIf\the\tfell,\tthere\twas\tno chance\tof\tsurviving.\tA\tfew\tmore\tslices\tof\tGrave\u2019s\tblade\tand\tthe\trope\twould\tbe severed\tentirely. The\trope\tgroaned.\tCelaena\tmoved. She\t slid\t down\t the\t drainpipe,\t the\t flesh\t of\t her\t feet\t and\t hands\t tearing\t open\t as the\t metal\t cut\t into\t her\t skin,\t but\t she\t didn\u2019t\t let\t herself\t think\t of\t the\t pain.\t The mercenary\t on\t the\t gargoyle\t below\t only\t had\t time\t to\t lean\t into\t the\t wall\t as\t she slammed\t onto\t the\t creature\u2019s\t head,\t gripping\t its\t horns\t to\t steady\t herself.\t The mercenary\t had\t already\t tied\t one\t end\t of\t his\t climbing\t rope\t around\t the\t gargoyle\u2019s neck;\t now\t she\t seized\t it\t and\t tied\t the\t other\t around\t her\t own\t waist.\t The\t rope\t was long\t enough\u2014and\t strong\t enough,\t and\t the\t four\t gargoyles\t perched\t beside\t hers would\t provide\t enough\t space\t to\t run.\t \u201cTouch\t this\t rope\t and\t I\u2019ll\t gut\t you,\u201d\t she warned\tthe\tmercenary,\tand\treadied\therself. Nox\tshouted\tat\tGrave,\tand\tshe\tdared\ta\tlook\tto\twhere\tthe\tthief\tdangled.\tThere was\ta\tsharp\tsnap\tof\trope\tbreaking,\tand\tNox\u2019s\tcry\tof\tfear\tand\trage,\tand\tCelaena took\t off,\t sprinting\t across\t the\t backs\t of\t the\t four\t gargoyles\t before\t she\t launched herself\tinto\tthe\tvoid.","Chapter\t22 Wind\ttore\tat\ther,\tbut\tCelaena\tkept\ther\tfocus\ton\tNox,\tfalling\tso\tfast,\tso\tfar\tfrom her\toutstretched\thands. People\tshouted\tbelow,\tand\tthe\tlight\tbouncing\toff\tthe\tglass\tcastle\tblinded\ther. But\tthere\the\twas,\tjust\ta\thand\u2019s\tbreadth\tfrom\ther\tfingers,\this\tgray\teyes\twide,\this arms\tswinging\tas\tif\the\tcould\tturn\tthem\tinto\twings. In\ta\theartbeat,\ther\tarms\twere\taround\this\tmiddle,\tand\tshe\tslammed\tinto\thim\tso hard\tthat\tthe\tbreath\twas\tknocked\tfrom\ther\tchest.\tTogether\tthey\tplummeted\tlike\ta stone,\tdown,\tdown,\tdown\ttoward\tthe\trising\tground. Nox\t grabbed\t the\t rope,\t but\t even\t that\t wasn\u2019t\t enough\t to\t lighten\t the\t blinding impact\ton\ther\ttorso\tas\tthe\trope\twent\ttaut.\tShe\theld\ton\tto\thim\twith\tevery\tounce of\t strength\t she\t had,\t willing\t her\t arms\t not\t to\t let\t him\t go.\t The\t rope\t sent\t them careening\t toward\t the\t wall.\t Celaena\t hardly\t had\t the\t sense\t to\t lean\t her\t head\t away from\tthe\tapproaching\tstones,\tand\tthe\timpact\tburst\tthrough\ther\tside\tand\tshoulder. She\t held\t tight\t to\t him\t still,\t focusing\t on\t her\t arms,\t on\t her\t too-shallow\t breathing. They\thung\tthere,\tflat\tagainst\tthe\twall,\tpanting\tas\tthey\tlooked\tat\tthe\tground\tthirty feet\tbelow.\tThe\trope\theld. \u201cLillian,\u201d\t Nox\t said,\t gasping\t for\t breath.\t He\t pressed\t his\t face\t onto\t her\t hair. \u201cGods\t above.\u201d\t But\t cheers\t erupted\t from\t below\t and\t drowned\t out\t his\t words. Celaena\u2019s\tlimbs\ttrembled\tso\tviolently\tthat\tshe\thad\tto\tfocus\ton\tgripping\tNox,\tand her\tstomach\tturned\tover\tand\tover\tand\tover. But\tthey\twere\tstill\tin\tthe\tmiddle\tof\tthe\tTest\u2014still\texpected\tto\tcomplete\tit,\tand Celaena\t looked\t up.\t All\t the\t Champions\t had\t stopped\t to\t see\t her\t save\t the\t falling thief.\tAll\texcept\tone,\twho\tperched\thigh,\thigh\tabove\tthem. Celaena\t could\t only\t gape\t as\t the\t flag\t was\t ripped\t down,\t and\t Cain\t howled\t his triumph.\tMore\tcheers\trose\tup\tto\tmeet\tthem\tas\tCain\twaved\tthe\tflag\tfor\teveryone to\tsee.\tShe\tseethed. She\t would\t have\t won\t if\t she\u2019d\t taken\t the\t easy\t route\u2014she\t would\t have\t gotten there\t in\t half\t the\t time\t it\t took\t Cain.\t But\t Chaol\t told\t her\t to\t stay\t in\t the\t middle, anyway.\t And\t her\t path\t had\t been\t far\t more\t impressive\t and\t demonstrative\t of\t her skills.\t Cain\t just\t had\t to\t jump\t and\t swing\u2014amateur\t scaling.\t Besides,\t if\t she\t had won,\tif\tshe\u2019d\tgone\tthe\teasy\tway,\tshe\twouldn\u2019t\thave\tsaved\tNox. She\t clenched\t her\t jaw.\t Could\t she\t get\t back\t up\t there\t in\t time?\t Perhaps\t Nox could\ttake\tthe\trope,\tand\tshe\u2019d\tjust\tscale\tthe\twall\twith\ther\tbare\thands.\tThere\twas nothing\tworse\tthan\tsecond\tplace.\tBut\teven\tas\tshe\tthought\tit,\tVerin,\tGrave,\tPelor, and\t Renault\t climbed\t the\t last\t few\t feet\t to\t the\t spot,\t tapping\t it\t with\t a\t hand\t before descending.","\u201cLillian.\tNox.\tHurry\tup,\u201d\tBrullo\tcalled,\tand\tshe\tpeered\tdown\tat\tthe\tWeapons Master. Celaena\t scowled,\t and\t started\t sliding\t her\t feet\t along\t the\t cracks\t in\t the\t stone, looking\tfor\ta\tfoothold.\tHer\tskin,\traw\tand\tbleeding\tin\tspots,\tstung\tas\tshe\tfound\ta crevice\tfor\ther\ttoes\tto\tsqueeze\tinto.\tCarefully,\tcarefully,\tshe\tpulled\therself\tup. \u201cI\u2019m\tsorry,\u201d\tNox\tbreathed,\this\tlegs\tknocking\tinto\thers\tas\the\talso\tsought\tout\ta foothold. \u201cIt\u2019s\t fine,\u201d\t she\t told\t him.\t Shaking,\t numb,\t Celaena\t climbed\t back\t up\t the\t wall, leaving\t Nox\t to\t figure\t out\t the\t way\t on\t his\t own.\t Foolish.\t It\u2019d\t been\t so\t foolish\t to save\thim.\tWhat\thad\tshe\tbeen\tthinking? \u2022 \u201cCheer\t up,\u201d\t Chaol\t said,\t drinking\t from\t his\t glass\t of\t water.\t \u201cEighteenth\t place\t is fine.\tAt\tleast\tNox\tplaced\tbehind\tyou.\u201d Celaena\tsaid\tnothing\tand\tpushed\ther\tcarrots\taround\ton\ther\tplate.\tIt\thad\ttaken two\tbaths\tand\tan\tentire\tbar\tof\tsoap\tto\tget\tthe\ttar\toff\ther\taching\thands\tand\tfeet, and\t Philippa\t had\t spent\t thirty\t minutes\t cleaning\t out\t and\t binding\t the\t wounds\t on each.\t And\t though\t Celaena\t had\t stopped\t shaking,\t she\t could\t still\t hear\t the\t shriek and\t thump\t of\t Ned\t Clement\t hitting\t the\t ground.\t They\u2019d\t carried\t his\t body\t away before\t she\t finished\t the\t test.\t Only\t his\t death\t had\t saved\t Nox\t from\t elimination. Grave\thadn\u2019t\teven\tbeen\tscolded.\tThere\thad\tbeen\tno\trules\tagainst\tplaying\tdirty. \u201cYou\u2019re\t doing\t exactly\t like\t we\t planned,\u201d\t Chaol\t went\t on.\t \u201cThough\t I\u2019d\t hardly consider\tyour\tvaliant\trescue\tto\tbe\tentirely\tdiscreet.\u201d She\tglared\tat\thim.\t\u201cWell,\tI\tstill\tlost.\u201d\tWhile\tDorian\thad\tcongratulated\ther\tfor saving\t Nox,\t and\t while\t the\t thief\t had\t hugged\t and\t thanked\t her\t again\t and\t again, only\t Chaol\t had\t frowned\t when\t the\t Test\t was\t over.\t Apparently,\t daring\t rescues weren\u2019t\tpart\tof\ta\tjewel\tthief\u2019s\trepertoire. Chaol\u2019s\tbrown\teyes\tshone\tgolden\tin\tthe\tmidday\tsun.\t\u201cWasn\u2019t\tlearning\tto\tlose gracefully\tpart\tof\tyour\ttraining?\u201d \u201cNo,\u201d\tshe\tsaid\tsourly.\t\u201cArobynn\ttold\tme\tthat\tsecond\tplace\twas\tjust\ta\tnice\ttitle for\tthe\tfirst\tloser.\u201d \u201cArobynn\t Hamel?\u201d\t Chaol\t asked,\t setting\t down\t his\t glass.\t \u201cThe\t King\t of\t the Assassins?\u201d She\t looked\t toward\t the\t window,\t and\t the\t glittering\t expanse\t of\t Rifthold\t barely visible\tbeyond\tit.\tIt\twas\tstrange\tto\tthink\tthat\tArobynn\twas\tin\tthe\tsame\tcity\u2014that he\twas\tso\tclose\tto\ther\tnow.\t\u201cYou\tknow\the\twas\tmy\tmaster,\tdon\u2019t\tyou?\u201d \u201cI\u2019d\tforgotten,\u201d\tChaol\tsaid.\tArobynn\twould\thave\tflogged\ther\tfor\tsaving\tNox, jeopardizing\t her\t own\t safety\t and\t place\t in\t this\t competition.\t \u201cHe\t oversaw\t your","training\tpersonally?\u201d \u201cHe\t trained\t me\t himself,\t and\t then\t brought\t in\t tutors\t from\t all\t over\t Erilea.\t The fighting\t masters\t from\t the\t rice\t fields\t of\t the\t southern\t continent,\t poison\t experts from\tthe\tBogdano\tJungle\t.\t.\t.\tOnce\the\tsent\tme\tto\tthe\tSilent\tAssassins\tin\tthe\tRed Desert.\t No\t price\t was\t too\t high\t for\t him.\t Or\t me,\u201d\t she\t added,\t fingering\t the\t fine thread\t on\t her\t bathrobe.\t \u201cHe\t didn\u2019t\t bother\t to\t tell\t me\t until\t I\t was\t fourteen\t that\t I was\texpected\tto\tpay\thim\tback\tfor\tall\tof\tit.\u201d \u201cHe\ttrained\tyou\tand\tthen\tmade\tyou\tpay\tfor\tit?\u201d She\t shrugged,\t but\t was\t unable\t to\t hide\t the\t flash\t of\t anger.\t \u201cCourtesans\t go through\t the\t same\t experience:\t they\u2019re\t taken\t in\t at\t a\t young\t age,\t and\t are\t bound\t to their\t brothels\t until\t they\t can\t earn\t back\t every\t coin\t that\t went\t into\t their\t training, upkeep,\tand\twardrobe.\u201d \u201cThat\u2019s\tdespicable,\u201d\the\tspat,\tand\tshe\tblinked\tat\tthe\tanger\tin\this\tvoice\u2014anger that,\tfor\tonce,\twas\tnot\tdirected\tat\ther.\t\u201cDid\tyou\tpay\tit\tback?\u201d A\t cold\t smile\t that\t didn\u2019t\t reach\t her\t eyes\t spread\t across\t her\t face.\t \u201cOh,\t down\t to the\t last\t copper.\t And\t he\t then\t went\t out\t and\t spent\t all\t of\t it.\t Over\t five\t hundred thousand\t gold\t coins.\t Gone\t in\t three\t hours.\u201d\t Chaol\t started\t from\t his\t seat.\t She shoved\t the\t memory\t down\t so\t deep\t that\t it\t stopped\t hurting.\t \u201cYou\t still\t haven\u2019t apologized,\u201d\tshe\tsaid,\tchanging\tthe\tsubject\tbefore\tChaol\tcould\tinquire\tfurther. \u201cApologized?\tFor\twhat?\u201d \u201cFor\t all\t the\t horrid\t things\t you\t said\t yesterday\t afternoon\t when\t I\t was\t sparring with\tNehemia.\u201d He\t narrowed\t his\t eyes,\t taking\t the\t bait.\t \u201cI\t won\u2019t\t apologize\t for\t speaking\t the truth.\u201d \u201cThe\ttruth?\tYou\ttreated\tme\tlike\tI\u2019m\ta\tcrazed\tcriminal!\u201d \u201cAnd\tyou\tsaid\tthat\tyou\thated\tme\tmore\tthan\tanyone\talive.\u201d \u201cI\t meant\t every\t word\t of\t it.\u201d\t However,\t a\t smile\t began\t to\t tug\t at\t her\t lips\u2014and she\tsoon\tfound\tit\treflected\ton\this\tface.\tHe\ttossed\ta\tpiece\tof\tbread\tat\ther,\twhich she\t caught\t in\t one\t hand\t and\t threw\t back\t at\t him.\t He\t caught\t it\t with\t ease.\t \u201cIdiot,\u201d she\tsaid,\tgrinning\tnow. \u201cCrazed\tcriminal,\u201d\the\treturned,\tgrinning,\ttoo. \u201cI\treally\tdo\thate\tyou.\u201d \u201cAt\tleast\tI\tdidn\u2019t\tcome\tin\teighteenth\tplace,\u201d\the\tsaid.\tCelaena\tfelt\ther\tnostrils flare,\tand\tit\twas\tall\tChaol\tcould\tdo\tto\tduck\tthe\tapple\tshe\tchucked\tat\this\thead. It\twasn\u2019t\tuntil\tlater\tthat\tPhilippa\tbrought\tthe\tnews.\tThe\tChampion\twho\thadn\u2019t shown\t up\t for\t the\t Test\t had\t been\t found\t dead\t in\t a\t servant\u2019s\t stairwell,\t brutally mauled\tand\tdismembered. \u2022","The\t new\t murder\t cast\t a\t pall\t over\t the\t next\t two\t weeks,\t and\t the\t two\t Tests\t they brought\t with\t them.\t Celaena\t passed\t the\t Tests\u2014stealth\t and\t tracking\u2014without drawing\t much\t attention\t to\t herself\t or\t risking\t her\t neck\t to\t save\t anyone.\t No\t other Champions\t were\t murdered,\t thankfully,\t but\t Celaena\t still\t found\t herself\t looking over\t her\t shoulder\t constantly,\t even\t though\t Chaol\t seemed\t to\t consider\t the\t two murders\tto\tbe\tjust\tunfortunate\tincidents. Every\tday,\tshe\tgot\tbetter\tat\trunning,\tgoing\tfarther\tand\tfaster,\tand\tmanaged\tto keep\tfrom\tkilling\tCain\twhen\the\ttaunted\ther\tat\ttraining.\tThe\tCrown\tPrince\tdidn\u2019t bother\t to\t show\t his\t face\t in\t her\t rooms\t again,\t and\t she\t only\t saw\t him\t during\t the Tests,\t when\t he\t usually\t just\t grinned\t and\t winked\t at\t her\t and\t made\t her\t feel ridiculously\ttingly\tand\twarm. But\t she\t had\t more\t important\t things\t to\t worry\t about.\t There\t were\t only\t nine weeks\tleft\tuntil\tthe\tfinal\tduel,\tand\tsome\tof\tthe\tothers,\tincluding\tNox,\twere\tdoing well\t enough\t that\t those\t four\t spots\t were\t starting\t to\t seem\t rather\t precious.\t Cain would\tdefinitely\tbe\tthere,\tbut\twho\twould\tthe\tother\tfinal\tthree\tbe?\tShe\u2019d\talways been\tso\tsure\tshe\u2019d\tmake\tit. But,\tif\tshe\twere\thonest\twith\therself,\tCelaena\twasn\u2019t\tso\tsure\tanymore.","Chapter\t23 Celaena\tgaped\tat\tthe\tground.\tShe\tknew\tthese\tsharp,\tgray\trocks\u2014knew\thow\tthey crunched\t beneath\t her\t feet,\t how\t they\t smelled\t after\t the\t rain,\t how\t they\t could\t so easily\t cut\t into\t her\t skin\t when\t she\t was\t thrown\t down.\t The\t rocks\t stretched\t for miles,\trising\tinto\tjagged,\tfang-like\tmountains\tthat\tpierced\tthe\tcloudy\tsky.\tIn\tthe frigid\twind,\tshe\thad\tlittle\tclothing\tto\tprotect\ther\tfrom\tits\tstinging\tgusts.\tAs\tshe touched\tthe\tdirty\trags,\ther\tstomach\trose\tin\ther\tthroat.\tWhat\thad\thappened? She\t pivoted,\t shackles\t clanking,\t and\t took\t in\t the\t desolate\t waste\t that\t was Endovier. She\thad\tfailed,\tfailed\tand\tbeen\tsent\tback\there.\tThere\twas\tno\tchance\tof\tescape. She\thad\ttasted\tfreedom,\tcome\tso\tclose\tto\tit,\tand\tnow\u2014 Celaena\t screamed\t as\t excruciating\t pain\t shot\t down\t her\t back,\t barely\t heralded by\t the\t crack\t of\t the\t whip.\t She\t fell\t onto\t the\t ground,\t stone\t slicing\t into\t her\t raw knees. \u201cGet\ton\tyour\tfeet,\u201d\tsomeone\tbarked. Tears\t stung\t her\t eyes,\t and\t the\t whip\t creaked\t as\t it\t rose\t again.\t She\t would\t be killed\tthis\ttime.\tShe\twould\tdie\tfrom\tthe\tpain\tof\tit. The\t whip\t fell,\t slicing\t into\t bone,\t reverberating\t through\t her\t body,\t making everything\t collapse\t and\t explode\t in\t agony,\t shifting\t her\t body\t into\t a\t graveyard,\t a dead\u2014 \u2022 Celaena\u2019s\teyes\tflew\topen.\tShe\tpanted. \u201cAre\tyou\t.\t.\t.\t,\u201d\tsomeone\tsaid\tbeside\ther,\tand\tshe\tjerked. Where\twas\tshe? \u201cIt\twas\ta\tdream,\u201d\tsaid\tChaol. She\t stared\t at\t him,\t then\t looked\t around\t the\t room,\t running\t a\t hand\t through\t her hair.\t Rifthold.\t Rifthold\u2014that\u2019s\t where\t she\t was.\t In\t the\t glass\t castle\u2014no,\t in\t the stone\tcastle\tbeneath. She\t was\t sweating,\t and\t the\t sweat\t on\t her\t back\t felt\t uncomfortably\t like\t blood. She\t felt\t dizzy,\t nauseated,\t too\t small\t and\t too\t large\t all\t at\t once.\t Though\t her windows\t were\t shut,\t an\t odd\t draft\t from\t somewhere\t in\t her\t room\t kissed\t her\t face, smelling\tstrangely\tof\troses. \u201cCelaena.\t It\t was\t a\t dream,\u201d\t the\t Captain\t of\t the\t Guard\t said\t again.\t \u201cYou\t were screaming.\u201d\tHe\tgave\ther\ta\tshaky\tsmile.\t\u201cI\tthought\tyou\twere\tbeing\tmurdered.\u201d Celaena\t reached\t around\t to\t touch\t her\t back,\t beneath\t her\t nightshirt.\t She\t could","feel\tthe\tthree\tridges\u2014and\tsome\tsmaller\tones,\tbut\tnothing,\tnothing\u2014 \u201cI\t was\t being\t whipped.\u201d\t She\t shook\t her\t head\t to\t remove\t the\t memory\t from\t her mind.\t \u201cWhat\t are\t you\t doing\t here?\t It\u2019s\t not\t even\t dawn.\u201d\t She\t crossed\t her\t arms, flushing\tslightly. \u201cIt\u2019s\t Samhuinn.\t I\u2019m\t canceling\t our\t training\t today,\t but\t I\t wanted\t to\t see\t if\t you planned\tto\tattend\tthe\tservice.\u201d \u201cToday\u2019s\u2014what?\t It\u2019s\t Samhuinn\t today?\t Why\t has\t no\t one\t mentioned\t it?\t Is there\t a\t feast\t tonight?\u201d\t Could\t she\t have\t become\t so\t enmeshed\t in\t the\t competition that\tshe\u2019d\tlost\ttrack\tof\ttime? He\tfrowned.\t\u201cOf\tcourse,\tbut\tyou\u2019re\tnot\tinvited.\u201d \u201cOf\tcourse.\tAnd\twill\tyou\tbe\tsummoning\tthe\tdead\tto\tyou\tthis\thaunted\tnight\tor lighting\ta\tbonfire\twith\tyour\tcompanions?\u201d \u201cI\tdon\u2019t\tpartake\tin\tsuch\tsuperstitious\tnonsense.\u201d \u201cBe\t careful,\t my\t cynical\t friend!\u201d\t she\t warned,\t putting\t a\t hand\t in\t the\t air.\t \u201cThe gods\t and\t the\t dead\t are\t closest\t to\t the\t earth\t this\t day\u2014they\t can\t hear\t every\t nasty comment\tyou\tmake!\u201d He\trolled\this\teyes.\t\u201cIt\u2019s\ta\tsilly\tholiday\tto\tcelebrate\tthe\tcoming\tof\twinter.\tThe bonfires\tjust\tproduce\tash\tto\tcover\tthe\tfields.\u201d \u201cAs\tan\toffering\tto\tthe\tgods\tto\tkeep\tthem\tsafe!\u201d \u201cAs\ta\tway\tto\tfertilize\tthem.\u201d Celaena\t pushed\t back\t the\t covers.\t \u201cSo\t says\t you,\u201d\t she\t said\t as\t she\t stood.\t She adjusted\ther\tdrenched\tnightgown.\tShe\treeked\tof\tsweat. He\t snorted,\t following\t after\t her\t as\t she\t walked.\t \u201cI\t never\t took\t you\t for\t a superstitious\tperson.\tHow\tdoes\tthat\tfit\tinto\tyour\tcareer?\u201d She\t glared\t at\t him\t over\t her\t shoulder\t before\t she\t strode\t into\t the\t bathing chamber,\t Chaol\t close\t behind.\t She\t paused\t on\t the\t threshold.\t \u201cAre\t you\t going\t to join\tme?\u201d\tshe\tsaid,\tand\tChaol\tstiffened,\trealizing\this\terror.\tHe\tslammed\tthe\tdoor in\tresponse. Celaena\t found\t him\t waiting\t in\t her\t dining\t room\t when\t she\t emerged,\t her\t hair dripping\twater\tonto\tthe\tfloor.\t\u201cDon\u2019t\tyou\thave\tyour\town\tbreakfast?\u201d \u201cYou\tstill\thaven\u2019t\tgiven\tme\tan\tanswer.\u201d \u201cAn\t answer\t to\t what?\u201d\t She\t sat\t down\t across\t the\t table\t and\t spooned\t porridge into\t a\t bowl.\t All\t that\t was\t needed\t was\t a\t heap\u2014no,\t three\t heaps\u2014of\t sugar,\t and some\thot\tcream\tand\u2014 \u201cAre\tyou\tgoing\tto\ttemple?\u201d \u201cI\u2019m\tallowed\tto\tgo\tto\ttemple,\tbut\tnot\tto\tthe\tfeast?\u201d\tShe\ttook\ta\tspoonful\tof\tthe porridge. \u201cReligious\tobservances\tshouldn\u2019t\tbe\tdenied\tto\tanyone.\u201d \u201cAnd\tthe\tfeast\tis\t.\t.\t.\t\u201d","\u201cA\tshow\tof\tdebauchery.\u201d \u201cAh,\tI\tsee.\u201d\tShe\tswallowed\tanother\tbite.\tOh,\tshe\tloved\tporridge!\tBut\tperhaps it\tneeded\tanother\tspoonful\tof\tsugar. \u201cWell?\tAre\tyou\tgoing?\tWe\tneed\tto\tleave\tsoon\tif\tyou\tare.\u201d \u201cNo,\u201d\tshe\tsaid\tthrough\ther\tfood. \u201cFor\tsomeone\tso\tsuperstitious,\tyou\trisk\tangering\tthe\tgods\tby\tnot\tattending.\tI imagine\tthat\tan\tassassin\twould\ttake\tmore\tinterest\tin\tthe\tday\tof\tthe\tdead.\u201d She\t made\t a\t demented\t face\t as\t she\t continued\t eating.\t \u201cI\t worship\t in\t my\t own way.\tPerhaps\tI\u2019ll\tmake\ta\tsacrifice\tor\ttwo\tof\tmy\town.\u201d He\t rose,\t patting\t his\t sword.\t \u201cMind\t yourself\t while\t I\u2019m\t gone.\t Don\u2019t\t bother dressing\ttoo\telaborately\u2014Brullo\ttold\tme\tthat\tyou\u2019re\tstill\ttraining\tthis\tafternoon. You\u2019ve\tgot\ta\tTest\ttomorrow.\u201d \u201cAgain?\tDidn\u2019t\twe\tjust\thave\tone\tthree\tdays\tago?\u201d\tshe\tmoaned.\tThe\tlast\tTest had\tbeen\tjavelin\tthrowing\ton\thorseback,\tand\ta\tspot\ton\ther\twrist\twas\tstill\ttender. But\the\tsaid\tnothing\tmore,\tand\ther\tchambers\tturned\tsilent.\tThough\tshe\ttried\tto forget\tit,\tthe\tsound\tof\tthe\twhip\tstill\tsnapped\tin\ther\tears. \u2022 Grateful\t the\t service\t was\t finally\t over,\t Dorian\t Havilliard\t strode\t by\t himself through\tthe\tcastle\tgrounds.\tReligion\tneither\tconvinced\tnor\tmoved\thim,\tand\tafter hours\tof\tsitting\tin\ta\tpew,\tmuttering\tprayer\tafter\tprayer,\the\twas\tin\tdesperate\tneed of\tsome\tfresh\tair.\tAnd\tsolitude. He\t sighed\t through\t his\t clenched\t teeth,\t rubbing\t a\t spot\t on\t his\t temple,\t and headed\tthrough\tthe\tgarden.\tHe\tpassed\ta\tcluster\tof\tladies,\teach\tof\twhom\tcurtsied and\tgiggled\tbehind\ttheir\tfans.\tDorian\tgave\tthem\ta\tterse\tnod\tas\the\tstrode\tby.\tHis mother\thad\tused\tthe\tceremony\tas\ta\tchance\tto\tpoint\tout\tall\tthe\teligible\tladies\tto him.\tHe\u2019d\tspent\tthe\tentire\tservice\ttrying\tnot\tto\tscream\tat\tthe\ttop\tof\this\tlungs. Dorian\t turned\t around\t a\t hedge,\t almost\t crashing\t into\t a\t figure\t of\t blue-green velvet.\tIt\twas\tthe\tcolor\tof\ta\tmountain\tlake\u2014that\tgem-like\tshade\tthat\tdidn\u2019t\tquite have\ta\tname.\tNot\tto\tmention\tthe\tdress\twas\tabout\ta\thundred\tyears\tout\tof\tfashion. His\tgaze\trose\tto\ther\tface,\tand\the\tsmiled. \u201cHello,\t Lady\t Lillian,\u201d\t he\t said,\t bowing,\t and\t then\t turned\t to\t her\t two companions.\t \u201cPrincess\t Nehemia.\t Captain\t Westfall.\u201d\t Dorian\t eyed\t the\t assassin\u2019s dress\tagain.\tThe\tfolds\tof\tfabric\u2014like\tthe\tflowing\twaters\tof\ta\triver\u2014were\trather attractive.\t\u201cYou\u2019re\tlooking\tfestive.\u201d\tCelaena\u2019s\tbrows\tlowered. \u201cThe\t Lady\t Lillian\u2019s\t servants\t were\t attending\t the\t service\t when\t she\t dressed,\u201d said\t Chaol.\t \u201cThere\t was\t nothing\t else\t to\t wear.\u201d\t Of\t course;\t corsets\t required assistance\tto\tget\tin\tand\tout\tof\u2014and\tthe\tdresses\twere\ta\tlabyrinth\tof\tsecret\tclasps","and\tties. \u201cMy\t apologies,\t my\t lord\t prince,\u201d\t Celaena\t said.\t Her\t eyes\t were\t bright\t and angry,\tand\ta\tblush\trose\tto\ther\tcheek.\t\u201cI\u2019m\ttruly\tsorry\tmy\tclothes\tdon\u2019t\tsuit\tyour taste.\u201d \u201cNo,\tno,\u201d\the\tsaid\tquickly,\tglancing\tat\ther\tfeet.\tThey\twere\tclad\tin\tred\tshoes\u2014 red\t like\t the\t winter\t berries\t beginning\t to\t pop\t out\t on\t the\t bushes.\t \u201cYou\t look\t very nice.\tJust\ta\tbit\u2014out\tof\tplace.\u201d\tCenturies,\tactually.\tShe\tgave\thim\tan\texasperated look.\t He\t turned\t to\t Nehemia.\t \u201cForgive\t me,\u201d\t he\t said\t in\t his\t best\t Eyllwe,\t which wasn\u2019t\tvery\timpressive\tat\tall.\t\u201cHow\tare\tyou?\u201d Her\t eyes\t shone\t with\t amusement\t at\t his\t shoddy\t Eyllwe,\t but\t she\t nodded\t in acknowledgment.\t \u201cI\t am\t well,\t Your\t Highness,\u201d\t she\t answered\t in\t his\t language. Dorian\u2019s\tattention\tflicked\tto\ther\ttwo\tguards,\twho\tlurked\tin\tthe\tshadows\tnearby \u2014waiting,\twatching.\tDorian\u2019s\tblood\tthrummed\tin\this\tveins. For\t weeks\t now,\t Duke\t Perrington\t had\t been\t pushing\t for\t a\t plan\t to\t bring\t more forces\t into\t Eyllwe\u2014to\t crush\t the\t rebels\t so\t efficiently\t that\t they\t wouldn\u2019t\t dare challenge\t Adarlan\u2019s\t rule\t again.\t Just\t yesterday,\t the\t duke\t presented\t a\t plan:\t they would\tdeploy\tmore\tlegions,\tand\tkeep\tNehemia\there\tto\tdiscourage\tany\tretaliation from\tthe\trebels.\tNot\tparticularly\tinclined\tto\tadd\thostage-taking\tto\this\trepertoire of\t abilities,\t Dorian\t had\t spent\t hours\t arguing\t against\t it.\t But\t while\t some\t of\t the council\tmembers\thad\talso\tvoiced\ttheir\tdisapproval,\tthe\tmajority\tseemed\tto\tthink the\tduke\u2019s\tstrategy\tto\tbe\ta\tsound\tone.\tStill,\tDorian\thad\tconvinced\tthem\tto\tback off\tabout\tit\tuntil\this\tfather\treturned.\tThat\twould\tgive\thim\ttime\tto\twin\tover\tsome of\tthe\tduke\u2019s\tsupporters. Now,\t standing\t before\t her,\t Dorian\t quickly\t looked\t away\t from\t the\t princess.\t If he\t were\t anyone\t but\t the\t Crown\t Prince,\t he\t would\t warn\t her.\t But\t if\t Nehemia\t left before\tshe\twas\tsupposed\tto,\tthe\tduke\twould\tknow\twho\thad\ttold\ther,\tand\tinform his\tfather.\tThings\twere\tbad\tenough\tbetween\tDorian\tand\tthe\tking;\the\tdidn\u2019t\tneed to\tbe\tbranded\tas\ta\trebel\tsympathizer. \u201cAre\t you\t going\t to\t the\t feast\t tonight?\u201d\t Dorian\t asked\t the\t princess,\t forcing himself\tto\tlook\tat\ther\tand\tkeep\this\tfeatures\tneutral. Nehemia\tlooked\tto\tCelaena.\t\u201cAre\tyou\tattending?\u201d Celaena\tgave\ther\ta\tsmile\tthat\tonly\tmeant\ttrouble.\t\u201cUnfortunately,\tI\thave\tother plans.\t Isn\u2019t\t that\t right,\t Your\t Highness?\u201d\t She\t didn\u2019t\t bother\t to\t hide\t the undercurrent\tof\tannoyance. Chaol\t coughed,\t suddenly\t very\t interested\t in\t the\t berries\t in\t the\t hedges.\t Dorian was\t on\t his\t own.\t \u201cDon\u2019t\t blame\t me,\u201d\t Dorian\t said\t smoothly.\t \u201cYou\t accepted\t an invitation\t to\t that\t party\t in\t Rifthold\t weeks\t ago.\u201d\t Her\t eyes\t flickered,\t but\t Dorian wouldn\u2019t\tyield.\tHe\tcouldn\u2019t\tbring\ther\tto\tthe\tfeast,\tnot\t with\tso\tmany\twatching. There\t would\t be\t too\t many\t questions.\t Not\t to\t mention\t too\t many\t people.\t Keeping","track\tof\ther\twould\tbe\tdifficult. Nehemia\tfrowned\tat\tCelaena.\t\u201cSo\tyou\u2019re\tnot\tgoing?\u201d \u201cNo,\tbut\tI\u2019m\tsure\tyou\u2019ll\thave\ta\tlovely\ttime,\u201d\tCelaena\tsaid,\tthen\tswitched\tinto Eyllwe\t and\t said\t something\t else.\t Dorian\u2019s\t Eyllwe\t was\t just\t competent\t enough that\t he\t understood\t the\t gist\t of\t it\t to\t be:\t \u201cHis\t Highness\t certainly\t knows\t how\t to keep\twomen\tentertained.\u201d Nehemia\tlaughed,\tand\tDorian\u2019s\tface\twarmed.\tThey\tmade\ta\tformidable\t pair, gods\thelp\tthem\tall. \u201cWell,\t we\u2019re\t very\t important\t and\t very\t busy,\u201d\t Celaena\t said\t to\t him,\t linking elbows\t with\t the\t princess.\t Perhaps\t allowing\t them\t to\t be\t friends\t was\t a\t horrible, dangerous\t idea.\t \u201cSo,\t we\t must\t be\t off.\t Good\t day\t to\t you,\t Your\t Highness.\u201d\t She curtsied,\tthe\tred\tand\tblue\tgems\tin\ther\tbelt\tsparkling\tin\tthe\tsun.\tShe\tlooked\tover her\t shoulder,\t giving\t Dorian\t a\t sneer\t as\t she\t led\t the\t princess\t deeper\t into\t the garden. Dorian\tglared\tat\tChaol.\t\u201cThanks\tfor\tyour\thelp.\u201d The\t captain\t clapped\t him\t on\t the\t shoulder.\t \u201cYou\t think\t that\t was\t bad?\t You should\t see\t them\t when\t they\t really\t get\t going.\u201d\t With\t that,\t he\t strode\t after\t the women. Dorian\t wanted\t to\t yell,\t to\t pull\t out\t his\t hair.\t He\u2019d\t enjoyed\t seeing\t Celaena\t the other\t night\u2014enjoyed\t it\t immensely.\t But\t for\t the\t past\t few\t weeks,\t he\u2019d\t gotten caught\t up\t in\t council\t meetings\t and\t holding\t court,\t and\t hadn\u2019t\t been\t able\t to\t visit her.\tWere\tit\tnot\tfor\tthe\tfeast,\the\u2019d\tgo\tto\ther\tagain.\tHe\thadn\u2019t\tmeant\tto\tannoy\ther with\t talk\t about\t the\t dress\u2014though\t it\t was\t outdated\u2014nor\t had\t he\t known\t she\u2019d\t be that\tirritated\tabout\tnot\tbeing\tinvited\tto\tthe\tfeast,\tbut\t.\t.\t. Dorian\tscowled\tand\twalked\toff\tto\tthe\tkennels. \u2022 Celaena\t smiled\t to\t herself,\t running\t a\t finger\t across\t a\t neatly\t trimmed\t hedge.\t She thought\tthe\tdress\twas\tlovely.\tFestive\tindeed! \u201cNo,\t no,\t Your\t Highness,\u201d\t Chaol\t was\t saying\t to\t Nehemia,\t slow\t enough\t that she\tcould\tunderstand.\t\u201cI\u2019m\tnot\ta\tsoldier.\tI\u2019m\ta\tguard.\u201d \u201cThere\t is\t no\t difference,\u201d\t the\t princess\t retorted,\t her\t accent\t thick\t and\t a\t bit unwieldy.\t Still,\t Chaol\t understood\t enough\t to\t bristle,\t and\t Celaena\t could\t hardly contain\ther\tglee. She\u2019d\t managed\t to\t see\t Nehemia\t a\t fair\t amount\t over\t the\t past\t two\t weeks\u2014 mostly\tjust\tfor\tbrief\twalks\tand\tdinners,\twhere\tthey\tdiscussed\twhat\tit\twas\tlike\tfor Nehemia\t to\t grow\t up\t in\t Eyllwe,\t what\t she\t thought\t of\t Rifthold,\t and\t who\t at\t court had\t managed\t to\t annoy\t the\t princess\t that\t day.\t Which,\t to\t Celaena\u2019s\t delight,\t was","usually\teveryone. \u201cI\u2019m\tnot\ttrained\tto\tfight\tin\tbattles,\u201d\tChaol\treplied\tthrough\this\tteeth. \u201cYou\tkill\ton\tthe\torders\tof\tyour\tking.\u201d\tYour\tking.\tNehemia\tmight\tnot\tbe\tfully versed\tin\ttheir\tlanguage,\tbut\tshe\twas\tsmart\tenough\tto\tknow\tthe\tpower\tof\tsaying those\ttwo\twords.\t\u201cYour\tking,\u201d\tnot\thers.\tWhile\tCelaena\tcould\tlisten\tto\tNehemia rant\t about\t the\t King\t of\t Adarlan\t for\t hours,\t they\t were\t in\t a\t garden\u2014other\t people might\tbe\tlistening.\tA\tshudder\twent\tthrough\tCelaena,\tand\tshe\tinterrupted\tbefore Nehemia\tcould\tsay\tmore. \u201cI\t think\t it\u2019s\t useless\t arguing\t with\t her,\t Chaol,\u201d\t Celaena\t said,\t nudging\t the Captain\tof\tthe\tGuard\twith\ther\telbow.\t\u201cPerhaps\tyou\tshouldn\u2019t\thave\tgiven\tTerrin your\ttitle.\tCan\tyou\treclaim\tit?\tIt\u2019d\tprevent\ta\tlot\tof\tconfusion.\u201d \u201cHow\u2019d\tyou\tremember\tmy\tbrother\u2019s\tname?\u201d She\t shrugged,\t not\t quite\t understanding\t the\t gleam\t in\t his\t eye.\t \u201cYou\t told\t me. Why\twouldn\u2019t\tI\tremember\tit?\u201d\tHe\tlooked\thandsome\ttoday.\tIt\twas\tin\tthe\tway\this hair\tmet\this\tgolden\tskin\u2014in\tthe\ttiny\tgaps\tbetween\tthe\tstrands,\tin\tthe\tway\tit\tfell across\this\tbrow. \u201cI\t suppose\t you\u2019ll\t enjoy\t the\t feast\u2014without\t me\t there,\t that\t is,\u201d\t she\t said morosely. He\tsnorted.\t\u201cAre\tyou\tthat\tupset\tabout\tmissing\tit?\u201d \u201cNo,\u201d\tshe\tsaid,\tsweeping\ther\tunbound\thair\tover\ta\tshoulder.\t\u201cBut\u2014well,\tit\u2019s\ta party,\tand\teveryone\tloves\tparties.\u201d \u201cShall\tI\tbring\tyou\ta\ttrinket\tfrom\tthe\trevelry?\u201d \u201cOnly\tif\tit\tconsists\tof\ta\tsizable\tportion\tof\troast\tlamb.\u201d The\t air\t was\t bright\t and\t clear\t around\t them.\t \u201cThe\t feast\t isn\u2019t\t that\t exciting,\u201d\t he offered.\t\u201cIt\u2019s\tthe\tsame\tas\tany\tsupper.\tI\tcan\tassure\tyou\tthe\tlamb\twill\tbe\tdry\tand tough.\u201d \u201cAs\tmy\tfriend,\tyou\tshould\teither\tbring\tme\talong,\tor\tkeep\tme\tcompany.\u201d \u201cFriend?\u201d\the\tasked. She\t blushed.\t \u201cWell,\t \u2018scowling\t escort\u2019\t is\t a\t better\t description.\t Or\t \u2018reluctant acquaintance,\u2019\tif\tyou\tprefer.\u201d\tTo\ther\tsurprise,\the\tsmiled. The\tprincess\tgrabbed\tCelaena\u2019s\thand.\t\u201cYou\u2019ll\tteach\tme!\u201d\tshe\tsaid\tin\tEyllwe. \u201cTeach\tme\thow\tto\tbetter\tspeak\tyour\tlanguage\u2014and\tteach\tme\thow\tto\twrite\tand read\t it\t better\t than\t I\t do\t now.\t So\t I\t don\u2019t\t have\t to\t suffer\t through\t those\t horribly boring\told\tmen\tthey\tcall\ttutors.\u201d \u201cI\u2014\u201d\t Celaena\t began\t in\t the\t common\t tongue,\t and\t winced.\t She\t felt\t guilty\t for leaving\tNehemia\tout\tof\tthe\tconversation\tfor\tso\tlong,\tand\thaving\tthe\tprincess\tbe fluent\tin\tboth\tlanguages\twould\tbe\tgreat\tfun.\tBut\tconvincing\tChaol\tto\tlet\ther\tsee Nehemia\t was\t always\t a\t hassle\u2014because\t he\t insisted\t on\t being\t there\t to\t keep watch.\t He\u2019d\t never\t agree\t to\t sitting\t through\t lessons.\t \u201cI\t don\u2019t\t know\t how\t to","properly\tteach\tyou\tmy\tlanguage,\u201d\tCelaena\tlied. \u201cNonsense,\u201d\tNehemia\tsaid.\t\u201cYou\u2019ll\tteach\tme.\tAfter\t.\t.\t.\twhatever\tit\tis\tyou\tdo with\tthis\tone.\tFor\tan\thour\tevery\tday\tbefore\tsupper.\u201d Nehemia\traised\ther\tchin\tin\ta\tway\tthat\tsuggested\tsaying\tno\twasn\u2019t\tan\toption. Celaena\t swallowed,\t and\t did\t her\t best\t to\t look\t pleasant\t as\t she\t turned\t to\t Chaol, who\t observed\t them\t with\t raised\t brows.\t \u201cShe\t wishes\t me\t to\t tutor\t her\t every\t day before\tsupper.\u201d \u201cI\u2019m\tafraid\tthat\u2019s\tnot\tpossible,\u201d\the\tsaid.\tShe\ttranslated. Nehemia\t gave\t him\t the\t withering\t glare\t that\t usually\t made\t people\t start sweating.\t \u201cWhy\t not?\u201d\t She\t fell\t into\t Eyllwe.\t \u201cShe\u2019s\t smarter\t than\t most\t of\t the people\tin\tthis\tcastle.\u201d Chaol,\tthankfully,\tcaught\tthe\tgeneral\tgist\tof\tit.\t\u201cI\tdon\u2019t\tthink\tthat\u2014\u201d \u201cAm\tI\tnot\tPrincess\tof\tEyllwe?\u201d\tNehemia\tinterrupted\tin\tthe\tcommon\ttongue. \u201cYour\tHighness,\u201d\tChaol\tbegan,\tbut\tCelaena\tsilenced\thim\twith\ta\twave\tof\ther hand.\tThey\twere\tapproaching\tthe\tclock\ttower\u2014black\tand\tmenacing,\tas\talways. But\tkneeling\tbefore\tit\twas\tCain.\tHis\thead\tbent,\the\tfocused\ton\tsomething\ton\tthe ground. At\t the\t sound\t of\t their\t footsteps,\t Cain\u2019s\t head\t shot\t up.\t He\t grinned\t broadly\t and stood.\t His\t hands\t were\t covered\t in\t dirt,\t but\t before\t Celaena\t could\t better\t observe him,\t or\t his\t strange\t behavior,\t he\t nodded\t to\t Chaol\t and\t stalked\t away\t behind\t the tower. \u201cNasty\t brute,\u201d\t Celaena\t breathed,\t still\t staring\t in\t the\t direction\t in\t which\t he\u2019d disappeared. \u201cWho\tis\the?\u201d\tNehemia\tasked\tin\tEyllwe. \u201cA\t soldier\t in\t the\t king\u2019s\t army,\u201d\t Celaena\t said,\t \u201cthough\t he\t now\t serves\t Duke Perrington.\u201d Nehemia\t looked\t after\t Cain,\t and\t her\t dark\t eyes\t narrowed.\t \u201cSomething\t about him\tmakes\tme\twant\tto\tbeat\tin\this\tface.\u201d Celaena\tlaughed.\t\u201cI\u2019m\tglad\tI\u2019m\tnot\tthe\tonly\tone.\u201d Chaol\t said\t nothing\t as\t he\t began\t walking\t again.\t She\t and\t Nehemia\t took\t up behind\thim,\tand\tas\tthey\tcrossed\tthe\tsmall\tpatio\tin\twhich\tthe\tclock\ttower\tstood, Celaena\tlooked\tat\tthe\tspot\twhere\tCain\thad\tjust\tbeen\tkneeling.\tHe\u2019d\tdug\tout\tthe dirt\t packed\t into\t the\t hollows\t of\t the\t strange\t mark\t in\t the\t flagstone,\t making\t the mark\tclearer.\t\u201cWhat\tdo\tyou\tthink\tthis\tis?\u201d\tshe\tasked\tthe\tprincess,\tpointing\tat\tthe mark\tetched\tinto\tthe\ttile.\tAnd\twhy\thad\tCain\tbeen\tcleaning\tit? \u201cA\t Wyrdmark,\u201d\t the\t princess\t replied,\t giving\t it\t a\t name\t in\t Celaena\u2019s\t own language. Celaena\u2019s\t brows\t rose.\t It\t was\t just\t a\t triangle\t inside\t of\t a\t circle.\t \u201cCan\t you\t read these\tmarks?\u201d\tshe\tasked.\tA\tWyrdmark\t.\t.\t.\thow\tstrange!","\u201cNo,\u201d\t Nehemia\t said\t quickly.\t \u201cThey\u2019re\t a\t part\t of\t an\t ancient\t religion\t that\t died long\tago.\u201d \u201cWhat\t religion?\u201d\t Celaena\t asked.\t \u201cLook,\t there\u2019s\t another.\u201d\t She\t pointed\t at another\t mark\t a\t few\t feet\t away.\t It\t was\t a\t vertical\t line\t with\t an\t inverted\t peak stretching\tupward\tfrom\tits\tmiddle. \u201cYou\t should\t leave\t it\t alone,\u201d\t Nehemia\t said\t sharply,\t and\t Celaena\t blinked. \u201cSuch\tthings\twere\tforgotten\tfor\ta\treason.\u201d \u201cWhat\tare\tyou\ttalking\tabout?\u201d\tasked\tChaol,\tand\tshe\texplained\tthe\tgist\tof\ttheir conversation.\tWhen\tshe\tfinished,\the\tcurled\this\tlip,\tbut\tsaid\tnothing. They\t continued\t on,\t and\t Celaena\t saw\t another\t mark.\t It\t was\t a\t strange\t shape:\t a small\tdiamond\twith\ttwo\tinverted\tpoints\tprotruding\tfrom\teither\tside.\tThe\ttop\tand bottom\t peaks\t of\t the\t diamond\t were\t elongated\t into\t a\t straight\t line,\t and\t it\t seemed to\t be\t symmetrically\t perfect.\t Had\t the\t king\t had\t them\t carved\t when\t he\t built\t the clock\ttower,\tor\tdid\tthey\tpredate\tit? Nehemia\twas\tstaring\tat\ther\tforehead,\tand\tCelaena\tasked,\t\u201cIs\tthere\tdirt\ton\tmy face?\u201d \u201cNo,\u201d\t Nehemia\t said\t a\t bit\t distantly,\t her\t brows\t knotting\t as\t she\t studied Celaena\u2019s\tbrow.\tThe\tprincess\tsuddenly\tstared\tinto\tCelaena\u2019s\teyes\twith\ta\tferocity that\t made\t the\t assassin\t recoil\t slightly.\t \u201cYou\t know\t nothing\t about\t the Wyrdmarks?\u201d The\t clock\t tower\t chimed.\t \u201cNo,\u201d\t Celaena\t said.\t \u201cI\t don\u2019t\t know\t anything\t about them.\u201d \u201cYou\u2019re\t hiding\t something,\u201d\t the\t princess\t said\t softly\t in\t Eyllwe,\t though\t it\t was not\taccusatory.\t\u201cYou\tare\tmuch\tmore\tthan\tyou\tseem,\tLillian.\u201d \u201cI\u2014well,\tI\tshould\thope\tI\u2019m\tmore\tthan\tjust\tsome\tsimpering\tcourtier,\u201d\tshe\tsaid with\t as\t much\t bravado\t as\t she\t could\t muster.\t She\t grinned\t broadly,\t hoping Nehemia\twould\tstop\tlooking\tso\tstrange,\tand\tstop\tstaring\tat\ther\tbrow.\t\u201cCan\tyou teach\tme\thow\tto\tspeak\tEyllwe\tproperly?\u201d \u201cIf\t you\t can\t teach\t me\t more\t of\t your\t ridiculous\t language,\u201d\t said\t the\t princess, though\t some\t caution\t still\t lingered\t in\t her\t eyes.\t What\t had\t Nehemia\t seen\t that caused\ther\tto\tact\tthat\tway? \u201cIt\u2019s\t a\t deal,\u201d\t Celaena\t said\t with\t a\t weak\t smile.\t \u201cJust\t don\u2019t\t tell\t him.\t Captain Westfall\t leaves\t me\t alone\t in\t the\t midafternoon.\t The\t hour\t before\t supper\t is perfect.\u201d \u201cThen\tI\tshall\tcome\ttomorrow\tat\tfive,\u201d\tNehemia\tsaid.\tThe\tprincess\tsmiled\tand began\t to\t walk\t once\t more,\t a\t spark\t appearing\t in\t her\t black\t eyes.\t Celaena\t could only\tfollow\tafter\ther.","Chapter\t24 Celaena\tlay\ton\tthe\tbed,\tstaring\tat\ta\tpool\tof\tmoonlight\ton\tthe\tfloor.\tIt\tfilled\tin\tthe dusty\t gaps\t between\t the\t stone\t tiles,\t and\t turned\t everything\t a\t bluish\t silver\t that made\ther\tfeel\tas\tif\tshe\twere\tfrozen\tin\tan\teverlasting\tmoment. She\tdidn\u2019t\tfear\tthe\tnight,\tthough\tshe\tfound\tlittle\tcomfort\tin\tits\tdark\thours.\tIt was\tjust\tthe\ttime\twhen\tshe\tslept,\tthe\ttime\twhen\tshe\tstalked\tand\tkilled,\tthe\ttime when\t the\t stars\t emerged\t with\t glittering\t beauty\t and\t made\t her\t feel\t wonderfully small\tand\tinsignificant. Celaena\t frowned.\t It\t was\t only\t midnight,\t and\t even\t though\t they\t had\t another Test\t tomorrow,\t she\t couldn\u2019t\t sleep.\t Her\t eyes\t were\t too\t heavy\t to\t read,\t she wouldn\u2019t\tplay\tthe\tpianoforte\tfor\tfear\tof\tanother\tembarrassing\tencounter,\tand\tshe most\tcertainly\twouldn\u2019t\tamuse\therself\twith\tfantasies\tof\twhat\tthe\tfeast\twas\tlike. She\twas\tstill\twearing\ther\temerald-blue\tgown,\ttoo\tlazy\tto\tchange. She\t traced\t the\t moonlight\t to\t where\t it\t lapped\t upon\t the\t tapestry-covered\t wall. The\t tapestry\t was\t odd,\t old,\t and\t not\t very\t carefully\t preserved.\t Images\t of\t forest animals\t amongst\t drooping\t trees\t dotted\t the\t large\t expanse.\t A\t woman\u2014the\t only human\tin\tthe\ttapestry\u2014stood\tnear\tthe\tfloor. She\t was\t life-size\t and\t remarkably\t beautiful.\t Though\t she\t had\t silver\t hair,\t her face\twas\tyoung,\tand\ther\tflowing\twhite\tgown\tseemed\tto\tmove\tin\tthe\tmoonlight; it\u2014 Celaena\t sat\t up\t in\t bed.\t Did\t the\t tapestry\t sway\t slightly?\t She\t glanced\t at\t the window.\tIt\twas\tfirmly\tshut.\tThe\ttapestry\twas\tbarely\tblowing\toutward,\tnot\tto\tthe side. Could\tit\tbe? Her\t skin\t tingled,\t and\t she\t lit\t a\t candle\t before\t approaching\t the\t wall.\t The tapestry\t stopped\t moving.\t She\t reached\t to\t the\t end\t of\t the\t fabric\t and\t pulled\t it\t up. There\twas\tonly\tstone.\tBut\t.\t.\t. Celaena\tpushed\tback\tthe\theavy\tfolds\tof\tthe\twork\tand\ttucked\tit\tbehind\ta\tchest to\t keep\t it\t aloft.\t A\t vertical\t groove\t ran\t down\t the\t face\t of\t the\t wall,\t different\t from the\t rest.\t And\t then\t another\t one,\t not\t three\t feet\t from\t it.\t They\t emerged\t from\t the floor,\tand\tjust\tabove\tCelaena\u2019s\thead\tthey\tmet\tin\ta\u2014 It\tis\ta\tdoor! Celaena\t leaned\t her\t shoulder\t into\t the\t slab\t of\t stone.\t It\t gave\t a\t little,\t and\t her heart\t jumped.\t She\t pushed\t again,\t the\t candle\t flickering\t in\t her\t hand.\t The\t door groaned\tas\tit\tmoved\tslightly.\tGrunting,\tshe\tshoved,\tand\tfinally\tit\tswung\topen. A\tdark\tpassage\tloomed\tbefore\ther. A\t breeze\t blew\t into\t the\t black\t depths,\t pulling\t the\t strands\t of\t her\t hair\t past\t her","face.\tA\tshiver\tran\tdown\ther\tspine.\tWhy\twas\tthe\twind\tgoing\tinward?\tEspecially when\tit\thad\tblown\tthe\ttapestry\tout? She\tlooked\tback\tat\tthe\tbed,\twhich\twas\tlittered\twith\tbooks\tshe\twasn\u2019t\tgoing\tto read\ttonight.\tShe\ttook\ta\tstep\tinto\tthe\tpassage. The\tlight\tof\tthe\tcandle\trevealed\tthat\tit\twas\tmade\tof\tstone\tand\tthickly\tcoated in\tdust.\tShe\tstepped\tback\tinto\ther\troom.\tIf\tshe\twere\tto\tgo\texploring,\tshe\u2019d\tneed proper\tprovisions.\tIt\twas\ta\tpity\tshe\tdidn\u2019t\thave\ta\tsword\tor\ta\tdagger.\tCelaena\tput her\t candle\t down.\t She\t also\t needed\t a\t torch\u2014or\t at\t least\t some\t extra\t candlesticks. While\tshe\tmight\tbe\tused\tto\tdarkness,\tshe\twasn\u2019t\tfoolish\tenough\tto\ttrust\tit. Moving\t through\t her\t room,\t trembling\t with\t excitement,\t Celaena\t gathered\t two balls\tof\tyarn\tfrom\tPhilippa\u2019s\tsewing\tbasket,\talong\twith\tthree\tsticks\tof\tchalk\tand one\tof\ther\tmakeshift\tknives.\tShe\ttucked\tthree\textra\tcandlesticks\tinto\tthe\tpockets of\ther\tcape,\twhich\tshe\twrapped\ttightly\taround\therself. Again,\tshe\tstood\tbefore\tthe\tdark\tpassage.\tIt\twas\tterribly\tdark,\tand\tseemed\tto be\tbeckoning\tto\ther.\tThe\tbreeze\tblew\tinto\tthe\tpassage\tagain. Celaena\tpushed\ta\tchair\tinto\tthe\tdoorway\u2014it\twouldn\u2019t\tdo\tto\thave\tit\tslam\tshut on\t her\t and\t leave\t her\t trapped\t forever.\t She\t tied\t a\t string\t to\t the\t back\t of\t the\t chair, knotting\t it\t five\t times,\t and\t held\t the\t ball\t in\t her\t spare\t hand.\t If\t she\t got\t lost,\t this would\tlead\ther\tback.\tShe\tcarefully\tfolded\tthe\ttapestry\tover\tthe\tdoor,\tjust\tin\tcase someone\tcame\tin. Striding\t into\t the\t passage,\t she\t found\t it\t to\t be\t cold,\t but\t dry.\t Cobwebs\t hung everywhere,\t and\t there\t were\t no\t windows,\t only\t a\t very\t long\t stair\t that\t descended far\tbeyond\tthe\tlight\tof\ther\tlittle\tcandle.\tShe\ttensed\tas\tshe\tstepped\tdown,\twaiting for\ta\tsingle\tsound\tthat\twould\tsend\ther\tspringing\tback\tto\ther\trooms.\tIt\twas\tsilent \u2014silent\tand\tdead\tand\tcompletely\tforgotten. Celaena\t held\t the\t candle\t aloft,\t her\t cape\t trailing\t behind\t her,\t leaving\t a\t clean wake\t on\t the\t dust-covered\t stairs.\t Minutes\t passed,\t and\t she\t scanned\t the\t walls\t for any\t engravings\t or\t markings,\t but\t saw\t none.\t Was\t this\t just\t a\t forgotten\t servants\u2019 passage?\tShe\tfound\therself\ta\tbit\tdisappointed. The\t bottom\t of\t the\t stairs\t soon\t appeared,\t and\t she\t came\t to\t a\t halt\t before\t three equally\tdark\tand\timposing\tportals.\tWhere\twas\tshe?\tShe\thad\tdifficulty\timagining that\tsuch\ta\tspace\tcould\tbe\tforgotten\tin\ta\tcastle\tfilled\twith\tso\tmany\tpeople,\tbut\u2014 The\tground\twas\tcovered\twith\tdust.\tNot\teven\ta\thint\tof\ta\tfootprint. Knowing\t how\t the\t story\t always\t went,\t Celaena\t lifted\t the\t candle\t to\t the\t arches above\t the\t portals,\t looking\t for\t any\t inscriptions\t regarding\t the\t sure\t death\t that would\tmeet\ther\tif\tshe\twalked\tbeneath\ta\tspecific\tarch. She\t took\t stock\t of\t the\t ball\t of\t yarn\t in\t her\t hand.\t Now\t it\t was\t little\t more\t than\t a lump\t of\t string.\t She\t set\t down\t her\t candle\t and\t tied\t another\t ball\t to\t the\t end\t of\t the string.\t Perhaps\t she\t should\t have\t taken\t another.\t Well,\t at\t least\t she\t still\t had\t the","chalk. She\t chose\t the\t door\t in\t the\t middle,\t if\t only\t because\t it\t was\t closer.\t On\t the\t other side,\t the\t staircase\t continued\t downward\u2014in\t fact,\t it\t went\t so\t far\t down\t that\t she wondered\t if\t she\t were\t beneath\t the\t castle.\t The\t passage\t became\t very\t damp\t and very\tcold,\tand\tCelaena\u2019s\tcandle\tsputtered\tin\tthe\tmoisture. There\t were\t many\t archways\t now,\t but\t Celaena\t chose\t to\t go\t straight,\t following the\tmoisture\tthat\tgrew\tby\tthe\tinch.\tWater\ttrickled\tdown\tthe\twalls,\tand\tthe\tstone became\tslick\twith\twhatever\tfungus\thad\tgrown\tover\tthe\tcenturies.\tHer\tred\tvelvet shoes\tfelt\tflimsy\tand\tthin\tagainst\tthe\twetness\tof\tthe\t chamber.\tShe\twould\thave considered\tturning\tback\twere\tit\tnot\tfor\tthe\tsound\tthat\tarose. It\t was\t running\t water\u2014slow-moving.\t In\t fact,\t as\t she\t walked,\t the\t passage became\tlighter.\tIt\twas\tnot\tthe\tlight\tof\ta\tcandle,\tbut\trather\tthe\tsmooth,\twhite\tlight of\tthe\toutdoors\u2014of\tthe\tmoon. Her\t yarn\t ran\t out,\t and\t she\t left\t it\t on\t the\t ground.\t There\t were\t no\t more\t turns\t to mark.\t She\t knew\t what\t this\t was\u2014rather,\t she\t didn\u2019t\t dare\t to\t hope\t that\t it\t was actually\t what\t she\t believed\t it\t to\t be.\t She\t hurried\t along,\t slipping\t twice,\t her\t heart pounding\tso\tloudly\tthat\tshe\tthought\ther\tears\twould\tbreak.\tAn\tarchway\tappeared, and\tbeyond\tit,\tbeyond\tit\t.\t.\t. Celaena\tstared\tat\tthe\tsewer\tthat\tran\tpast,\tflowing\tstraight\tout\tof\tthe\tcastle.\tIt smelled\tunpleasant,\tto\tsay\tthe\tleast. She\t stood\t along\t the\t side,\t examining\t the\t open\t gate\t that\t led\t to\t a\t wide\t stream that\t undoubtedly\t emptied\t into\t the\t sea\t or\t the\t Avery.\t There\t were\t no\t guards,\t and no\tlocks,\tsave\tfor\tthe\tiron\tfence\tthat\thovered\tover\tthe\tsurface,\traised\tjust\tenough to\tallow\ttrash\tto\tpass\tthrough. Four\tlittle\tboats\twere\ttied\tto\teither\tbank,\tand\tthere\twere\tseveral\tother\tdoors\u2014 some\t wooden,\t some\t iron\u2014that\t led\t to\t this\t exit.\t It\t was\t probably\t an\t escape\t route for\t the\t king,\t though\t from\t the\t half-rotted\t condition\t of\t some\t of\t the\t boats,\t she wondered\tif\the\tknew\tthat\tit\twas\there. She\t strode\t to\t the\t iron\t fence,\t putting\t her\t hand\t through\t one\t of\t the\t gaps.\t The night\tair\twas\tchilled\tbut\tnot\tfreezing.\tTrees\tloomed\tjust\tbeyond\tthe\tstream:\tshe must\tbe\tin\tthe\tback\tof\tthe\tcastle\u2014the\tside\tthat\tfaced\tthe\tsea\t.\t.\t. Were\tthere\tany\tguards\tposted\toutside?\tShe\tfound\ta\tstone\ton\tthe\tground\u2014a\tbit of\t fallen\t ceiling\u2014and\t hurled\t it\t into\t the\t water\t beyond\t the\t gate.\t There\t was\t no sound\t of\t shifting\t armor,\t no\t muttering\t or\t cursing.\t She\t studied\t the\t other\t side. There\t was\t a\t lever\t to\t raise\t the\t gate\t for\t the\t boats.\t Celaena\t set\t down\t her\t candle, removed\ther\tcloak,\tand\temptied\ther\tpockets.\tHolding\ttightly\twith\ther\thands,\tshe placed\tone\tfoot\ton\tthe\tgate,\tthen\tthe\tother. It\t would\t be\t so\t easy\t to\t raise\t the\t gate.\t She\t felt\t reckless\u2014reckless\t and\t wild. What\t was\t she\t doing\t in\t a\t palace?\t Why\t was\t she\u2014Adarlan\u2019s\t Assassin!\u2014","participating\tin\tsome\tabsurd\tcompetition\tto\tprove\tthat\tshe\twas\tthe\tbest?\tShe\twas the\tbest! They\t were\t undoubtedly\t drunk\t now,\t all\t of\t them.\t She\t could\t take\t one\t of\t the less-ancient\t boats\t and\t disappear\t into\t the\t night.\t Celaena\t began\t to\t climb\t back over.\t She\t needed\t her\t cloak.\t Oh,\t they\t were\t fools\t for\t thinking\t that\t they\t could tame\ther! Her\t foot\t slipped\t on\t a\t slick\t rung,\t and\t Celaena\t barely\t stifled\t her\t cry\t as\t she gripped\tthe\tbars,\tcursing\tas\ther\tknee\tbanged\tinto\tthe\tgate.\tClinging\tto\tthe\tgate, she\tclosed\ther\teyes.\tIt\twas\tonly\twater. She\tcalmed\ther\theart,\tletting\ther\tfeet\tfind\ttheir\tsupport\tagain.\tThe\tmoon\twas almost\tblinding,\tso\tbright\tthe\tstars\twere\tbarely\tvisible. She\t knew\t that\t she\t could\t easily\t escape,\t and\t that\t it\t would\t be\t foolish\t to\t do\t so. The\tking\twould\tfind\ther,\tsomehow.\tAnd\tChaol\twould\tbe\tdisgraced\tand\trelieved of\t his\t position.\t And\t Princess\t Nehemia\t would\t be\t left\t alone\t with\t moronic company,\tand,\twell\t.\t.\t. Celaena\t straightened,\t her\t chin\t rising.\t She\t would\t not\t run\t from\t them\t as\t a common\t criminal.\t She\t would\t face\t them\u2014face\t the\t king\u2014and\t earn\t her\t freedom the\thonorable\tway.\tAnd\twhy\tnot\ttake\tadvantage\tof\tthe\tfree\tfood\tand\ttraining\tfor a\t while\t longer?\t Not\t to\t mention\t she\u2019d\t need\t to\t stock\t up\t on\t provisions\t for\t her escape,\tand\tthat\tcould\ttake\tweeks.\tWhy\trush\tany\tof\tit? Celaena\treturned\tto\ther\tstarting\tside\tand\tpicked\tup\tthe\tcloak.\tShe\u2019d\twin.\tAnd after\t she\t won,\t if\t she\t ever\t wanted\t to\t escape\t her\t servitude\t to\t the\t king\t .\t .\t .\t well, now\tshe\thad\ta\tway\tout. Still,\t Celaena\t had\t difficulty\t leaving\t the\t chamber.\t She\t was\t grateful\t for\t the silence\t of\t the\t passage\t as\t she\t walked\t upward,\t her\t legs\t burning\t from\t so\t many stairs.\tIt\twas\tthe\tright\tthing\tto\tdo. Celaena\t soon\t found\t herself\t before\t the\t other\t two\t portals.\t What\t other disappointments\t would\t she\t find\t in\t them?\t She\t had\t lost\t interest.\t But\t the\t breeze stirred\t again,\t and\t it\t blew\t so\t hard\t toward\t the\t far\t right\t arch\t that\t Celaena\t took\t a step.\t The\t hair\t on\t her\t arms\t rose\t as\t she\t watched\t the\t flame\t of\t her\t candle\t bend forward,\t pointing\t to\t a\t darkness\t that\t seemed\t blacker\t than\t all\t the\t rest.\t Whispers lay\t beneath\t the\t breeze,\t speaking\t to\t her\t in\t forgotten\t languages.\t She\t shuddered, and\tdecided\tto\tgo\tin\tthe\topposite\tdirection\u2014to\ttake\tthe\tfar\tleft\tportal.\tFollowing whispers\ton\tSamhuinn\tcould\tonly\tlead\tto\ttrouble. Despite\t the\t breeze,\t the\t passage\t was\t warm.\t With\t each\t step\t up\t the\t winding stairs,\t the\t whispers\t faded\t away.\t Up,\t and\t up,\t and\t up,\t her\t heavy\t breathing\t and shuffling\t steps\t the\t only\t sounds.\t There\t were\t no\t twisting\t passages\t once\t she reached\t the\t top,\t but\t rather\t one\t straight\t hall\t that\t seemed\t to\t lead\t on\t forever.\t She followed\t it,\t her\t feet\t already\t tired.\t After\t some\t time,\t she\t was\t surprised\t to\t hear","music. Actually,\tit\twas\tthe\tsound\tof\tgreat\trevelry,\tand\tthere\twas\tgolden\tlight\tahead. It\tstreamed\tin\tthrough\ta\tdoor\tor\ta\twindow. She\t rounded\t the\t corner\t and\t ascended\t a\t small\t set\t of\t steps\t that\t led\t into\t a significantly\tsmaller\thallway.\tIn\tfact,\tthe\tceiling\twas\tso\tlow\tthat\tshe\thad\tto\tduck as\t she\t waddled\t toward\t the\t light.\t It\t wasn\u2019t\t a\t door,\t nor\t a\t window,\t but\t rather\t a bronze\tgrate. Celaena\tblinked\tat\tthe\tlight\tas\tshe\tlooked,\tfrom\thigh\tabove,\tat\tthe\tfeast\tin\tthe Great\tHall. Were\tthese\ttunnels\tfor\tspying?\tShe\tfrowned\tat\twhat\tshe\tsaw.\tOver\ta\thundred people\t eating,\t singing,\t dancing\t .\t .\t .\t There\t was\t Chaol,\t sitting\t beside\t some\t old man,\ttalking\tand\u2014 Laughing? His\thappiness\tmade\ther\town\tface\tflush\tin\tresponse,\tand\tCelaena\tset\tdown\ther candle.\t She\t peered\t at\t the\t other\t end\t of\t the\t massive\t hall;\t there\t were\t a\t few\t other grates\t just\t below\t the\t ceiling,\t though\t she\t could\t see\t no\t other\t squinting\t eyes beyond\ttheir\tornate\tmetalwork.\tCelaena\tshifted\ther\tgaze\tto\tthe\tdancers.\tAmong them\t were\t a\t few\t of\t the\t champions,\t dressed\t finely,\t but\t not\t finely\t enough\t to conceal\ttheir\tpoor\tdancing.\tNox,\twho\thad\tnow\tbecome\ther\tsparring\tand\ttraining partner,\t danced\t as\t well,\t perhaps\t a\t bit\t more\t elegantly\t than\t the\t others\u2014though she\tstill\tpitied\tthe\tladies\twho\tdanced\twith\thim.\tBut\u2014 The\tother\tChampions\twere\tallowed\tto\tattend,\tand\tshe\twasn\u2019t?\tShe\tgripped\tthe grate,\t pressing\t her\t face\t against\t it\t to\t get\t a\t better\t look.\t Sure\t enough,\t there\t were more\t Champions\t seated\t at\t the\t tables\u2014even\t the\t pimply-faced\t Pelor\t sat\t near Chaol!\tA\thalf-rate\tboy\tassassin!\tShe\tbared\ther\tteeth.\tHow\tdare\tshe\tbe\tdenied\tan invitation\t to\t the\t feast?\t The\t tightness\t in\t her\t chest\t abated\t only\t slightly\t when\t she couldn\u2019t\tfind\tCain\u2019s\tface\tamong\tthe\trevelers.\tAt\tleast\tthey\tkept\thim\tlocked\tup\tin a\tcage,\ttoo. She\t spotted\t the\t Crown\t Prince,\t dancing\t and\t laughing\t with\t some\t blond\t idiot. She\t wanted\t to\t hate\t him\t for\t refusing\t to\t invite\t her;\t she\t was\t his\t Champion,\t after all!\tBut\t.\t.\t.\tshe\thad\tdifficulty\tnot\tstaring\tat\thim.\tShe\thad\tno\tdesire\tto\ttalk\tto\thim, but\t rather\t just\t to\t look\t at\t him,\t to\t see\t that\t unusual\t grace,\t and\t the\t kindness\t in\t his eyes\t that\t had\t made\t her\t tell\t him\t about\t Sam.\t While\t he\t might\t be\t a\t Havilliard,\t he was\t.\t.\t.\tWell,\tshe\tstill\tvery\tmuch\twanted\tto\tkiss\thim. Celaena\tscowled\tas\tthe\tdance\tfinished\tand\tthe\tCrown\tPrince\tkissed\tthe\thand of\t the\t blond\t woman.\t She\t turned\t away\t from\t the\t grate.\t Here\t the\t hallway\t ended. She\t glanced\t back\t at\t the\t feast,\t only\t to\t see\t Chaol\t stand\t from\t the\t table\t and\t begin weaving\this\tway\tout\tof\tthe\tGreat\tHall.\tWhat\tif\the\tcame\tto\ther\trooms\tand\tfound her\tmissing?\tHadn\u2019t\the\tpromised\tto\tbring\ther\tsomething\tfrom\tthe\tfeast?","Groaning\tat\tthe\tthought\tof\tall\tthe\tstairs\tshe\tnow\thad\tto\tclimb,\tshe\tpicked\tup her\tcandle\tand\tyarn\tand\thurried\ttoward\tthe\tcomfort\tof\thigher\tceilings,\trolling\tup the\tstring\tas\tshe\twent.\tDown\tand\tdown\tshe\tran,\ttaking\tthe\tsteps\ttwo\tby\ttwo. She\tburst\tpast\tthe\tportals\tand\tdarted\tup\tthe\tstairs\tto\ther\troom,\tthe\tsmall\tlight growing\t with\t each\t bound.\t Chaol\t would\t throw\t her\t in\t the\t dungeons\t if\t he\t found her\t in\t some\t secret\t passageway\u2014especially\t if\t the\t passageway\t led\t out\t of\t the castle! She\twas\tsweating\twhen\tshe\treached\ther\tchambers.\tShe\tkicked\tthe\tchair\taway, swung\t the\t stone\t door\t shut,\t pulled\t the\t tapestry\t over\t it,\t and\t flung\t herself\t on\t the bed. \u2022 After\thours\tof\tenjoying\thimself\tat\tthe\tfeast,\tDorian\tentered\tCelaena\u2019s\trooms,\tnot sure\t what,\t exactly,\t he\t was\t doing\t in\t the\t chambers\t of\t an\t assassin\t at\t two\t in\t the morning.\tHis\thead\tspun\tfrom\tthe\twine,\tand\the\twas\tso\ttired\tfrom\tall\tthe\tdancing that\the\twas\tfairly\tcertain\tthat\tif\the\tsat\tdown,\the\u2019d\tfall\tasleep.\tHer\tchambers\twere silent\tand\tdark,\tand\the\tcracked\topen\ther\tbedroom\tdoor\tto\tpeer\tinside. Though\tshe\twas\tasleep\ton\tthe\tbed,\tshe\tstill\twore\tthat\tstrange\tdress.\tSomehow, it\t seemed\t far\t more\t fitting\t now\t that\t she\t lay\t sprawled\t upon\t the\t red\t blanket.\t Her golden\thair\twas\tspread\taround\ther,\tand\ta\tflush\tof\tpink\tbloomed\ton\ther\tcheeks. A\t book\t lay\t by\t her\t side,\t open\t and\t still\t waiting\t for\t her\t to\t turn\t the\t page.\t He remained\t in\t the\t doorway,\t fearful\t that\t she\u2019d\t wake\t up\t if\t he\t took\t another\t step. Some\t assassin.\t She\t hadn\u2019t\t even\t bothered\t to\t stir.\t But\t there\t was\t nothing\t of\t the assassin\t in\t her\t face.\t Not\t a\t trace\t of\t aggression\t or\t bloodlust\t lay\t across\t her features. He\t knew\t her\t somehow.\t And\t he\t knew\t she\t wouldn\u2019t\t harm\t him.\t It\t made\t little sense.\tWhen\tthey\ttalked,\tas\tsharp\tas\ther\twords\tusually\twere,\the\tfelt\tat\tease,\tas\tif he\t could\t say\t anything.\t And\t she\t must\t have\t felt\t the\t same,\t after\t she\u2019d\t told\t him about\tSam,\twhoever\the\u2019d\tbeen.\tSo\there\the\twas,\tin\tthe\tmiddle\tof\tthe\tnight.\tShe flirted\t with\t him,\t but\t was\t it\t real?\t A\t footstep\t sounded,\t and\t he\t found\t Chaol standing\tacross\tthe\tfoyer. The\tcaptain\tstalked\tover\tto\tDorian\tand\tgrabbed\thim\tby\tthe\tarm.\tDorian\tknew better\tthan\tto\tstruggle\tas\this\tfriend\tdragged\thim\tthrough\tthe\tfoyer,\tand\tstopped in\tfront\tof\tthe\tdoor\tto\tthe\thall.\t\u201cWhat\tare\tyou\tdoing\there?\u201d\tChaol\thissed\tsoftly. \u201cWhat\tare\tyou\tdoing\there?\u201d\tDorian\tcountered,\ttrying\tto\tkeep\this\tvoice\tquiet. It\t was\t the\t better\t question,\t too.\t If\t Chaol\t spent\t so\t much\t time\t warning\t him\t about the\tdangers\tof\tassociating\twith\tCelaena,\twhat\twas\the\tdoing\there\tin\tthe\tmiddle\tof the\tnight?","\u201cBy\t the\t Wyrd,\t Dorian!\t She\u2019s\t an\t assassin.\t Please,\t please\t tell\t me\t you\t haven\u2019t been\t here\t before.\u201d\t Dorian\t couldn\u2019t\t help\t his\t smirk.\t \u201cI\t don\u2019t\t even\t want\t an explanation.\tJust\tget\tout,\tyou\treckless\tidiot.\tGet\tout.\u201d\tChaol\tgrabbed\thim\tby\tthe collar\t of\t his\t jacket,\t and\t Dorian\t might\t have\t punched\t his\t friend\t had\t Chaol\t not been\t so\t lightning\t fast.\t Before\t he\t knew\t it,\t he\t was\t roughly\t tossed\t into\t the hallway,\tand\tthe\tdoor\tclosed\tand\tlocked\tbehind\thim. Dorian,\tfor\tsome\treason,\tdidn\u2019t\tsleep\twell\tthat\tnight. \u2022 Chaol\tWestfall\ttook\ta\tdeep\tbreath.\tWhat\twas\the\tdoing\there?\tHad\the\tany\tright\tto treat\tthe\tCrown\tPrince\tof\tAdarlan\tin\tsuch\ta\tmanner\twhen\the\thimself\twas\tgoing against\t reason?\t He\t didn\u2019t\t understand\t the\t rage\t that\t arose\t upon\t seeing\t Dorian standing\t in\t the\t doorway,\t didn\u2019t\t want\t to\t understand\t that\t sort\t of\t anger.\t It\t wasn\u2019t jealousy,\t but\t something\t beyond\t it.\t Something\t that\t transformed\t his\t friend\t into someone\t else,\t someone\t he\t didn\u2019t\t know.\t He\t was\t fairly\t certain\t she\t was\t a\t virgin, but\t did\t Dorian\t know\t it?\t It\t probably\t made\t him\t more\t interested.\t He\t sighed\t and eased\tthe\tdoor\topen,\twincing\tas\tit\tcreaked\tloudly. She\twas\tstill\tin\ther\tclothes,\tand\twhile\tshe\tlooked\tbeautiful,\tthat\tdid\tnothing\tto mask\tthe\t killing\t potential\t that\t lay\t beneath.\t It\twas\t present\t in\t her\t strong\t jaw,\tin the\tslope\tof\ther\teyebrows,\tin\tthe\tperfect\tstillness\tof\ther\tform.\tShe\twas\ta\thoned blade\t made\t by\t the\t King\t of\t Assassins\t for\t his\t own\t profit.\t She\t was\t a\t sleeping animal\u2014a\t mountain\t cat\t or\t a\t dragon\u2014and\t her\t markings\t of\t power\t were everywhere.\tHe\tshook\this\thead\tand\twalked\tinto\tthe\tbedroom. At\tthe\tsound\tof\this\tstep,\tshe\topened\tan\teye.\t\u201cIt\u2019s\tnot\tmorning,\u201d\tshe\tgrumbled, and\trolled\tover. \u201cI\t brought\t you\t a\t present.\u201d\t He\t felt\t immensely\t foolish,\t and\t for\t a\t moment considered\trunning\tfrom\ther\trooms. \u201cA\tpresent?\u201d\tshe\tsaid\tmore\tclearly,\tturning\ttoward\thim\tand\tblinking. \u201cIt\u2019s\tnothing;\tthey\twere\tgiving\tthem\tout\tat\tthe\tparty.\tJust\tgive\tme\tyour\thand.\u201d It\t was\t a\t lie\u2014sort\t of.\t They\t had\t given\t them\t to\t the\t women\t of\t the\t nobility\t as favors,\t and\t he\u2019d\t snagged\t one\t from\t the\t basket\t as\t it\t was\t passed\t around.\t Most\t of the\t women\t would\t never\t wear\t them\u2014they\t would\t be\t tossed\t aside\t or\t given\t to\t a favorite\tservant. \u201cLet\tme\tsee\tit.\u201d\tShe\tlazily\textended\tan\tarm. He\t fished\t in\t his\t pockets\t and\t pulled\t out\t the\t gift.\t \u201cHere.\u201d\t He\t placed\t it\t in\t her palm. She\t examined\t it,\t smiling\t drowsily.\t \u201cA\t ring.\u201d\t She\t put\t it\t on.\t \u201cHow\t pretty.\u201d\t It was\t simple:\t crafted\t of\t silver,\t its\t only\t ornamentation\t lay\t in\t the\t fingernail-sized","amethyst\tembedded\tin\tits\tcenter.\tThe\tsurface\tof\tthe\tgem\twas\tsmooth\tand\tround, and\t it\t gleamed\t up\t at\t the\t assassin\t like\t a\t purple\t eye.\t \u201cThank\t you,\u201d\t she\t said,\t her eyelids\tdrooping. \u201cYou\u2019re\twearing\tyour\tgown,\tCelaena.\u201d\tHis\tblush\trefused\tto\tfade. \u201cI\u2019ll\t change\t in\t a\t moment.\u201d\t He\t knew\t she\t wouldn\u2019t.\t \u201cI\t just\t need\t .\t .\t .\t to\t rest.\u201d Then\t she\t was\t asleep,\t a\t hand\t upon\t her\t breast,\t the\t ring\t hovering\t over\t her\t heart. With\ta\tdisgruntled\tsigh,\tthe\tcaptain\tgrabbed\ta\tblanket\tfrom\tthe\tnearby\tsofa\tand tossed\tit\tover\ther.\tHe\twas\thalf\ttempted\tto\tremove\tthe\tring\tfrom\ther\tfinger,\tbut\t.\t. .\t Well,\t there\t was\t something\t peaceful\t looking\t about\t her.\t Rubbing\t his\t neck,\t his face\t still\t burning,\t he\t walked\t from\t her\t rooms,\t wondering\t how,\t exactly,\t he\u2019d explain\tthis\tto\tDorian\ttomorrow.","Chapter\t25 Celaena\t dreamt.\t She\t was\t walking\t down\t the\t long,\t secret\t passage\t again.\t She didn\u2019t\thave\ta\tcandle,\tnor\tdid\tshe\thave\ta\tstring\tto\tlead\ther.\tShe\tchose\tthe\tportal on\tthe\tright,\tfor\tthe\tother\ttwo\twere\tdank\tand\tunwelcoming,\tand\tthis\tone\tseemed to\t be\t warm\t and\t pleasant.\t And\t the\t smell\u2014it\t wasn\u2019t\t the\t smell\t of\t mildew,\t but\t of roses.\t The\t passage\t twisted\t and\t wound,\t and\t Celaena\t found\t herself\t descending\t a narrow\t set\t of\t stairs.\t For\t some\t reason\t she\t couldn\u2019t\t name,\t she\t avoided\t brushing against\t the\t stone.\t The\t staircase\t swooped\t down,\t winding\t on\t and\t on,\t and\t she followed\tthe\trose\tscent\twhenever\tanother\tdoor\tor\tarch\tappeared.\tJust\twhen\tshe grew\t tired\t of\t so\t much\t walking,\t she\t reached\t the\t bottom\t of\t a\t set\t of\t stairs\t and stopped.\tShe\tstood\tbefore\tan\told\twooden\tdoor. A\t bronze\t knocker\t in\t the\t form\t of\t a\t skull\t hung\t in\t its\t center.\t It\t seemed\t to\t be smiling.\t She\t waited\t for\t that\t terrible\t breeze,\t or\t to\t hear\t someone\t cry,\t or\t for\t it\t to become\tcold\tand\tdamp.\tBut\tit\twas\tstill\twarm,\tand\tit\tstill\tsmelled\tlovely,\tand\tso Celaena,\twith\ta\tbit\tof\tmustered\tcourage,\tturned\tthe\thandle.\tWithout\ta\tsound,\tthe door\tswung\topen. She\t expected\t to\t find\t a\t dark,\t forgotten\t room,\t but\t this\t was\t something\t far different.\t A\t shaft\t of\t moonlight\t shot\t through\t a\t small\t hole\t in\t the\t ceiling,\t falling upon\t the\t face\t of\t a\t beautiful\t marble\t statue\t lying\t upon\t a\t stone\t slab.\t No\u2014not\t a statue.\tA\tsarcophagus.\tIt\twas\ta\ttomb. Trees\twere\tcarved\tinto\tthe\tstone\tceiling,\tand\tthey\tstretched\tabove\tthe\tsleeping female\t figure.\t A\t second\t sarcophagus\t had\t been\t placed\t beside\t the\t woman, depicting\ta\tman.\tWhy\twas\tthe\twoman\u2019s\tface\tbathed\tin\tmoonlight\tand\tthe\tman\u2019s in\tdarkness? He\twas\thandsome,\this\tbeard\tclipped\tand\tshort,\this\tbrow\tbroad\tand\tclear,\tand his\tnose\tstraight\tand\tsturdy.\tHe\theld\ta\tstone\tsword\tbetween\this\thands,\tits\thandle resting\t upon\t his\t chest.\t Her\t breath\t was\t sucked\t from\t her.\t A\t crown\t sat\t upon\t his head. The\twoman,\ttoo,\twore\ta\tcrown.\tIt\twasn\u2019t\ta\ttacky,\tenormous\tthing,\tbut\trather\ta slender\t peak\t with\t a\t blue\t gem\t embedded\t in\t the\t center\u2014the\t only\t jewel\t in\t the statue.\t Her\t hair,\t long\t and\t wavy,\t spilled\t around\t her\t head\t and\t tumbled\t over\t the side\t of\t the\t lid,\t so\t lifelike\t that\t Celaena\t could\t have\t sworn\t it\t was\t real.\t The moonlight\t fell\t upon\t her\t face,\t and\t Celaena\u2019s\t hand\t trembled\t as\t she\t reached\t out and\ttouched\tthe\tsmooth,\tyouthful\tcheek. It\twas\tcold\tand\thard,\tas\ta\tstatue\tshould\tbe.\t\u201cWhich\tqueen\twere\tyou?\u201d\tshe\tsaid aloud,\t her\t voice\t reverberating\t through\t the\t still\t chamber.\t She\t ran\t a\t hand\t across the\t lips,\t then\t across\t the\t brow.\t Her\t eyes\t narrowed.\t A\t mark\t was\t faintly\t carved","into\t the\t surface,\t practically\t invisible\t to\t the\t eye.\t She\t traced\t it\t with\t her\t finger, then\t traced\t it\t again.\t Deciding\t that\t the\t moonlight\t must\t be\t bleaching\t it,\t Celaena shielded\tthe\tspot\twith\ther\thand.\tA\tdiamond,\ttwo\tarrows\tpiercing\tits\tside,\tthen\ta vertical\tline\tthrough\tits\tmiddle\t.\t.\t. It\t was\t the\t Wyrdmark\t she\u2019d\t seen\t earlier.\t She\t stepped\t back\t from\t the sarcophagi,\tsuddenly\tcold.\tThis\twas\ta\tforbidden\tplace. She\t tripped\t on\t something,\t and\t as\t she\t staggered,\t she\t noticed\t the\t floor.\t Her mouth\tfell\topen.\tIt\twas\tcovered\tin\tstars\u2014raised\tcarvings\tthat\tmirrored\tthe\tnight sky.\tAnd\tthe\tceiling\tdepicted\tthe\tearth.\tWhy\twere\tthey\treversed?\tShe\tlooked\tat the\twalls\tand\tput\ta\thand\tto\ther\theart. Countless\t Wyrdmarks\t were\t etched\t into\t its\t surface.\t They\t were\t in\t swirls\t and whorls,\tin\tlines\tand\tsquares.\tThe\tsmall\tWyrdmarks\tmade\tup\tlarger\tones,\tand\tthe larger\t ones\t made\t up\t even\t larger\t ones,\t until\t it\t seemed\t the\t entire\t room\t meant something\tshe\tcouldn\u2019t\tpossibly\tunderstand. Celaena\tlooked\tat\tthe\tstone\tcoffins.\tThere\twas\tsomething\twritten\tat\tthe\tfeet\tof the\t queen.\t Celaena\t inched\t toward\t the\t female\t figure.\t There,\t in\t stone\t letters,\t it read: Ah!\tTime\u2019s\tRift! It\tmade\tlittle\tsense.\tThey\tmust\tbe\timportant\trulers,\tand\timmensely\told,\tbut\t.\t. . She\t approached\t the\t head\t again.\t There\t was\t something\t calming\t and\t familiar about\tthe\tqueen\u2019s\tface,\tsomething\tthat\treminded\tCelaena\tof\tthe\trose\tsmell.\tBut there\twas\tstill\tsomething\toff\tabout\ther\u2014something\todd. Celaena\t almost\t cried\t aloud\t as\t she\t saw\t them:\t the\t pointed,\t arched\t ears.\t The ears\tof\tthe\tFae,\tthe\timmortal.\tBut\tno\tFae\thad\tmarried\tinto\tthe\tHavilliard\tline\tfor a\tthousand\tyears,\tand\tthere\thad\tbeen\tonly\tone,\tand\tshe\twas\ta\thalf-breed\tat\tthat. If\tthis\twere\ttrue,\tif\tshe\twas\tFae\tor\thalf-Fae,\tthen\tshe\twas\t.\t.\t.\tshe\twas\t.\t.\t. Celaena\tstumbled\tback\tfrom\tthe\twoman\tand\tslammed\tinto\tthe\twall.\tA\tcoating of\tdust\tflew\tinto\tthe\tair\taround\ther. Then\tthis\tman\twas\tGavin,\tthe\tfirst\tKing\tof\tAdarlan.\tAnd\tthis\twas\tElena,\tthe first\tprincess\tof\tTerrasen,\tBrannon\u2019s\tdaughter,\tand\tGavin\u2019s\twife\tand\tqueen. Celaena\u2019s\theart\tpounded\tso\tviolently\tthat\tshe\tfelt\tsick.\tBut\tshe\tcouldn\u2019t\tmake her\tfeet\tmove.\tShe\tshouldn\u2019t\thave\tentered\tthe\ttomb,\tshe\tshouldn\u2019t\thave\tstrayed into\t the\t sacred\t places\t of\t the\t dead\t when\t she\t was\t so\t stained\t and\t tainted\t by\t her crimes.\t Something\t would\t come\t after\t her,\t and\t haunt\t and\t torture\t her\t for disturbing\ttheir\tpeace. But\t why\t was\t their\t tomb\t so\t neglected?\t Why\t had\t no\t one\t been\t to\t honor\t the dead\t this\t day?\t Why\t were\t there\t not\t flowers\t at\t her\t head?\t Why\t was\t Elena Galathynius\tHavilliard\tforgotten?","Against\tthe\tfar\twall\tof\tthe\tchamber\tsat\tpiles\tof\tjewels\tand\tweapons.\tA\tsword was\tprominently\tdisplayed\tbefore\ta\tsuit\tof\tgolden\tarmor.\tShe\tknew\tthat\tsword. She\tstepped\ttoward\tthe\ttreasure.\tIt\twas\tthe\tlegendary\tsword\tof\tGavin,\tthe\tsword he\thad\twielded\tin\tthe\tfierce\twars\tthat\thad\talmost\tripped\tapart\tthe\tcontinent,\tthe sword\t that\t had\t slain\t the\t Dark\t Lord\t Erawan.\t Even\t after\t a\t thousand\t years,\t it hadn\u2019t\trusted.\tThough\tmagic\tmight\thave\tvanished,\tit\tseemed\tthat\tthe\tpower\tthat had\tforged\tthe\tblade\tlived\ton.\t\u201cDamaris,\u201d\tshe\twhispered,\tnaming\tthe\tblade. \u201cYou\t know\t your\t history,\u201d\t said\t a\t light,\t female\t voice,\t and\t Celaena\t jumped, yelping\t as\t she\t tripped\t over\t a\t spear\t and\t fell\t into\t a\t gold-filled\t chest.\t The\t voice laughed.\t Celaena\t grappled\t for\t a\t dagger,\t a\t candlestick,\t anything.\t But\t then\t she saw\tthe\towner\tof\tthe\tvoice,\tand\tfroze. She\t was\t beautiful\t beyond\t reckoning.\t Her\t silver\t hair\t flowed\t around\t her youthful\t face\t like\t a\t river\t of\t moonlight.\t Her\t eyes\t were\t a\t crystal,\t sparkling\t blue, and\ther\tskin\twas\twhite\tas\talabaster.\tAnd\ther\tears\twere\tever\tso\tslightly\tpointed. \u201cWho\t are\t you?\u201d\t the\t assassin\t breathed,\t knowing\t the\t answer,\t but\t wanting\t to hear\tit. \u201cYou\tknow\twho\tI\tam,\u201d\tElena\tHavilliard\tsaid. Her\t likeness\t had\t been\t perfectly\t rendered\t on\t the\t sarcophagus.\t Celaena\t didn\u2019t move\t from\t where\t she\t had\t fallen\t into\t the\t chest,\t despite\t her\t throbbing\t spine\t and legs.\t\u201cAre\tyou\ta\tghost?\u201d \u201cNot\tquite,\u201d\tsaid\tQueen\tElena,\thelping\tCelaena\trise\tfrom\tthe\tchest.\tHer\thand was\t cold,\t but\t solid.\t \u201cI\u2019m\t not\t alive,\t but\t my\t spirit\t doesn\u2019t\t haunt\t this\t place.\u201d\t She flicked\t her\t eyes\t toward\t the\t ceiling,\t and\t her\t face\t became\t grave.\t \u201cI\u2019ve\t risked much\tcoming\there\ttonight.\u201d Celaena,\tdespite\therself,\ttook\ta\tstep\taway.\t\u201cRisked?\u201d \u201cI\tcannot\tstay\there\tlong\u2014and\tneither\tcan\tyou,\u201d\tsaid\tthe\tqueen.\tWhat\tsort\tof absurd\tdream\twas\tthis?\t\u201cThey\tare\tdistracted\tfor\tnow,\tbut\t.\t.\t.\u201d\tElena\tHavilliard looked\tat\ther\thusband\u2019s\tsarcophagus. Celaena\u2019s\t head\t ached.\t Was\t Gavin\t Havilliard\t distracting\t something\t above? \u201cWho\tneeds\tdistracting?\u201d \u201cThe\teight\tguardians;\tyou\tknow\tof\twhom\tI\tspeak.\u201d Celaena\t stared\t at\t her\t blankly,\t but\t then\t understood.\t \u201cThe\t gargoyles\t on\t the clock\ttower?\u201d The\t queen\t nodded.\t \u201cThey\t guard\t the\t portal\t between\t our\t worlds.\t We\t have managed\t to\t buy\t some\t time,\t and\t I\t was\t able\t to\t slip\t past\t .\t .\t .\u201d\t She\t grasped Celaena\u2019s\t arms.\t To\t her\t surprise,\t it\t hurt.\t \u201cYou\t must\t listen\t to\t what\t I\t tell\t you. Nothing\tis\ta\tcoincidence.\tEverything\thas\ta\tpurpose.\tYou\twere\tmeant\tto\tcome\tto this\tcastle,\tjust\tas\tyou\twere\tmeant\tto\tbe\tan\tassassin,\tto\tlearn\tthe\tskills\tnecessary for\tsurvival.\u201d","The\t nausea\t returned.\t She\t hoped\t Elena\t wouldn\u2019t\t speak\t of\t what\t her\t heart refused\tto\tremember,\thoped\tthat\tthe\tqueen\twouldn\u2019t\tmention\twhat\tshe\thad\tspent so\tlong\tforgetting. \u201cSomething\t evil\t dwells\t in\t this\t castle,\t something\t wicked\t enough\t to\t make\t the stars\t quake.\t Its\t malice\t echoes\t into\t all\t worlds,\u201d\t the\t queen\t went\t on.\t \u201cYou\t must stop\tit.\tForget\tyour\tfriendships,\tforget\tyour\tdebts\tand\toaths.\tDestroy\tit,\tbefore\tit is\t too\t late,\t before\t a\t portal\t is\t ripped\t open\t so\t wide\t that\t there\t can\t be\t no\t undoing it.\u201d\tHer\thead\twhipped\taround,\tas\tif\tshe\theard\tsomething.\t\u201cOh,\tthere\tis\tno\ttime,\u201d she\t said,\t the\t whites\t of\t her\t eyes\t showing.\t \u201cYou\t must\t win\t this\t competition\t and become\tthe\tKing\u2019s\tChampion.\tYou\tunderstand\tthe\tpeople\u2019s\tplight.\tErilea\tneeds you\tas\tthe\tKing\u2019s\tChampion.\u201d \u201cBut\twhat\tis\u2014\u201d The\tqueen\treached\tinto\ther\tpockets.\t\u201cThey\tmust\tnot\tcatch\tyou\there.\tIf\tthey\tdo \u2014all\t will\t be\t lost.\t Wear\t this.\u201d\t She\t pushed\t something\t cold\t and\t metallic\t into Celaena\u2019s\t hand.\t \u201cIt\t will\t protect\t you\t from\t harm.\u201d\t She\t yanked\t Celaena\t to\t the door.\t\u201cYou\twere\tled\there\ttonight.\tBut\tnot\tby\tme.\tI\twas\tled\there,\ttoo.\tSomeone wants\tyou\tto\tlearn;\tsomeone\twants\tyou\tto\tsee\t.\t.\t.\u201d\tHer\thead\tsnapped\tto\tthe\tside as\ta\tgrowl\trippled\tthrough\tthe\tair.\t\u201cThey\tare\tcoming,\u201d\tshe\twhispered. \u201cBut\tI\tdon\u2019t\tunderstand!\tI\u2019m\tnot\u2014I\u2019m\tnot\twho\tyou\tthink\tI\tam!\u201d Queen\t Elena\t put\t her\t hands\t on\t Celaena\u2019s\t shoulders\t and\t kissed\t her\t forehead. \u201cCourage\t of\t the\t heart\t is\t very\t rare,\u201d\t she\t said\t with\t sudden\t calm.\t \u201cLet\t it\t guide you.\u201d A\tdistinct\thowl\tshook\tthe\twalls\tand\tmade\tCelaena\u2019s\tblood\ticy.\t\u201cGo,\u201d\tsaid\tthe queen,\tshoving\tCelaena\tinto\tthe\thallway.\t\u201cRun!\u201d Needing\tno\tmore\tencouragement,\tCelaena\tstaggered\tup\tthe\tstairs.\tShe\tfled\tso fast\tthat\tshe\thad\tlittle\tidea\tof\twhere\tshe\twas\tgoing.\tThere\twas\ta\tscream\tbelow, and\t snarling,\t and\t Celaena\u2019s\t stomach\t rose\t in\t her\t throat\t as\t she\t hurled\t herself upward.\t The\t light\t of\t her\t chambers\t appeared,\t and\t as\t it\t neared,\t she\t heard\t a\t faint voice\tcry\tfrom\tbehind\ther,\talmost\tin\tsudden\trealization\tand\tanger. Celaena\t hurtled\t into\t the\t room,\t and\t saw\t only\t her\t bed\t before\t everything\t went dark. \u2022 Celaena\u2019s\t eyes\t opened.\t She\t was\t breathing\u2014hard.\t And\t still\t wearing\t her\t gown. But\t she\t was\t safe\u2014safe\t in\t her\t room.\t Why\t was\t she\t so\t prone\t to\t strange, unpleasant\t dreams?\t And\t why\t was\t she\t out\t of\t breath?\t Find\t and\t destroy\t the\t evil lurking\tin\tthe\tcastle\tindeed! Celaena\tturned\ton\ther\tside,\tand\twould\thave\tgladly\tfallen\tasleep\tagain\twere\tit","not\tfor\tthe\tmetal\tthat\tcut\tinto\ther\tpalm.\tPlease\ttell\tme\tthis\tis\tChaol\u2019s\tring. But\tshe\tknew\tit\twasn\u2019t.\tIn\ther\thand\tlay\ta\tcoin-size\tgold\tamulet\ton\ta\tdelicate chain.\t She\t fought\t against\t the\t urge\t to\t scream.\t Made\t of\t intricate\t bands\t of\t metal, within\tthe\tround\tborder\tof\tthe\tamulet\tlay\ttwo\toverlapping\tcircles,\tone\ton\ttop\tof the\tother.\tIn\tthe\tspace\tthat\tthey\tshared\twas\ta\tsmall\tblue\tgem\tthat\tgave\tthe\tcenter of\t the\t amulet\t the\t appearance\t of\t an\t eye.\t A\t line\t ran\t straight\t through\t the\t entire thing.\tIt\twas\tbeautiful,\tand\tstrange,\tand\u2014 Celaena\tfaced\tthe\ttapestry.\tThe\tdoor\twas\tslightly\tajar. She\t jumped\t from\t the\t bed,\t slamming\t into\t the\t wall\t so\t hard\t that\t her\t shoulder made\tan\tugly\tcracking\tnoise.\tDespite\tthe\tpain,\tshe\trushed\tto\tthe\tdoor\tand\tpulled it\t tightly\t shut.\t The\t last\t thing\t she\t needed\t was\t for\t whatever\t was\t down\t there\t to wind\tup\tin\ther\trooms.\tOr\tto\thave\tElena\tshow\tup\tagain. Panting,\t Celaena\t stepped\t back,\t surveying\t the\t tapestry.\t The\t woman\u2019s\t figure rose\tup\tfrom\tbehind\tthe\twooden\tchest.\tWith\ta\tjolt,\tshe\trealized\tit\twas\tElena;\tshe stood\tjust\twhere\tthe\tdoor\twas.\tA\tclever\tmarker. Celaena\t threw\t more\t logs\t onto\t the\t fire,\t quickly\t changed\t into\t her\t nightgown, and\t slid\t into\t bed,\t clutching\t her\t makeshift\t knife.\t The\t amulet\t lay\t where\t she\t had left\tit.\tIt\twill\tprotect\tyou\t.\t.\t. Celaena\tglanced\tat\tthe\tdoor\tagain.\tNo\tscreams,\tno\thowls\u2014nothing\tto\tindicate what\thad\tjust\thappened.\tStill\t.\t.\t. Celaena\tcursed\therself\tfor\tit,\tbut\thastily\tattached\tthe\tchain\taround\ther\tneck.\tIt was\t light\t and\t warm.\t Pulling\t the\t covers\t up\t to\t her\t chin,\t she\t squeezed\t her\t eyes shut,\t waiting\t for\t sleep\t to\t come,\t or\t for\t a\t clawed\t hand\t to\t snatch\t at\t her,\t to decapitate\t her.\t If\t it\t hadn\u2019t\t been\t a\t dream\u2014if\t it\t hadn\u2019t\t just\t been\t some hallucination\t.\t.\t. Celaena\t clutched\t the\t necklace.\t Become\t the\t King\u2019s\t Champion\u2014she\t could\t do that.\t She\t was\t going\t to\t do\t that,\t anyway.\t But\t what\t were\t Elena\u2019s\t motives?\t Erilea needed\tthe\tKing\u2019s\tChampion\tto\tbe\tsomeone\twho\tunderstood\tthe\tsuffering\tof\tthe masses.\t That\t seemed\tsimple\t enough.\tBut\t why\tdid\t Elena\thave\t to\tbe\t the\tone\t to tell\ther\tthat?\tAnd\thow\tdid\tit\ttie\tto\ther\tfirst\tcommand:\tto\tfind\tand\tdestroy\tthe\tevil lurking\tin\tthe\tcastle? Celaena\ttook\ta\tsteadying\tbreath,\tnestling\tfarther\tinto\ther\tpillows.\tWhat\ta\tfool she\twas\tfor\topening\tthe\tsecret\tdoor\ton\tSamhuinn!\tHad\tshe\tsomehow\tbrought\tall of\tthis\tupon\therself,\tthen?\tShe\topened\ther\teyes,\twatching\tthe\ttapestry. Something\tevil\tdwells\tin\tthis\tcastle\t.\t.\t.\tDestroy\tit\t.\t.\t. Didn\u2019t\t she\t have\t enough\t to\t worry\t about\t right\t now?\t She\t was\t going\t to\t fulfill Elena\u2019s\tsecond\t command\u2014but\t the\t first\t.\t .\t .\t that\t might\tlead\t her\t into\t trouble.\tIt wasn\u2019t\t like\t she\t could\t go\t poking\t about\t the\t castle\t whenever\t and\t wherever\t she pleased,\teither!","But\u2014if\t there\t was\t a\t threat\t like\t that,\t then\t not\t only\t her\t life\t was\t at\t risk.\t And while\t she\u2019d\t be\t more\t than\t happy\t if\t some\t dark\t force\t somehow\t destroyed\t Cain, Perrington,\t the\t king,\t and\t Kaltain\t Rompier,\t if\t Nehemia,\t or\t even\t Chaol\t and Dorian,\twere\tsomehow\tharmed\t.\t.\t. Celaena\t took\t a\t shuddering\t breath.\t The\t least\t she\t could\t do\t was\t look\t in\t the tomb\t for\t some\t clues.\t Maybe\t she\u2019d\t find\t out\t something\t regarding\t Elena\u2019s purpose.\tAnd\tif\tthat\tdidn\u2019t\tyield\tanything\t.\t.\t.\twell,\tat\tleast\tshe\u2019d\ttried. The\tphantom\tbreeze\tflowed\tthrough\ther\troom,\tsmelling\tof\troses.\tIt\twas\ta\tlong while\tbefore\tCelaena\tslipped\tinto\tan\tuneasy\tsleep.","Chapter\t26 The\t doors\t to\t her\t bedroom\t banged\t open,\t and\t Celaena\t was\t on\t her\t feet\t in\t an instant,\ta\tcandlestick\tin\thand. But\t Chaol\t took\t no\t notice\t of\t her\t as\t he\t stormed\t in,\t his\t jaw\t clenched.\t She groaned\tand\tslumped\tback\tonto\ther\tbed.\t\u201cDon\u2019t\tyou\tever\tsleep?\u201d\tshe\tgrumbled, pulling\t the\t covers\t over\t herself.\t \u201cWeren\u2019t\t you\t celebrating\t into\t the\t wee\t hours\t of the\tmorning?\u201d He\tput\ta\thand\ton\this\tsword\tas\the\tripped\tback\tthe\tblankets\tand\tdragged\ther\tout of\tbed\tby\tthe\telbow.\t\u201cWhere\twere\tyou\tlast\tnight?\u201d She\t pushed\t away\t the\t fear\t that\t tightened\t her\t throat.\t There\t was\t no\t way\t he could\tknow\tabout\tthe\tpassages.\tShe\tsmiled\tat\thim.\t\u201cHere,\tof\tcourse.\tDidn\u2019t\tyou visit\t to\t give\t me\t this?\u201d\t She\t yanked\t her\t elbow\t out\t of\t his\t grasp\t and\t waved\t her fingers\tin\tfront\tof\thim,\tdisplaying\tthe\tamethyst\tring. \u201cThat\twas\tfor\ta\tfew\tminutes.\tWhat\tabout\tthe\trest\tof\tthe\tnight?\u201d She\trefused\tto\tstep\tback\tas\the\tstudied\ther\tface,\tthen\ther\thands,\tthen\tthe\trest\tof her.\tAs\the\tdid\tso,\tshe\treturned\tthe\tfavor.\tHis\tblack\ttunic\twas\tunbuttoned\tat\tthe top,\tand\tslightly\twrinkled\u2014and\this\tshort\thair\tneeded\ta\tcombing.\tWhatever\tthis was,\the\twas\tin\ta\trush. \u201cWhat\u2019s\t all\t the\t fuss\t about?\t Don\u2019t\t we\t have\t a\t Test\t this\t morning?\u201d\t She\t picked at\ther\tnails\tas\tshe\twaited\tfor\tan\tanswer. \u201cIt\u2019s\t been\t canceled.\t A\t Champion\t was\t found\t dead\t this\t morning.\t Xavier\u2014the thief\tfrom\tMelisande.\u201d She\tflicked\ther\teyes\tto\thim,\tthen\tback\tto\ther\tnails.\t\u201cAnd\tI\tsuppose\tyou\tthink\tI did\tit?\u201d \u201cI\u2019m\thoping\tyou\tdidn\u2019t,\tas\tthe\tbody\twas\thalf-eaten.\u201d \u201cEaten!\u201d\t She\t crinkled\t her\t nose.\t She\t sat\t cross-legged\t on\t the\t bed,\t propping herself\ton\ther\thands.\t\u201cHow\tgruesome.\tPerhaps\tCain\tdid\tit;\the\u2019s\tbeastly\tenough to\tdo\tsuch\ta\tthing.\u201d\tHer\tstomach\tfelt\ttight\u2014another\tChampion\tmurdered.\tDid\tit have\tto\tdo\twith\twhatever\tevil\tElena\thad\tmentioned?\tThe\tEye\tEater\tand\tthe\tother two\t Champions\u2019\t killings\t hadn\u2019t\t been\t just\t a\t fluke,\t or\t a\t drunken\t brawl,\t as\t the investigation\thad\tdetermined.\tNo,\tthis\twas\ta\tpattern. Chaol\tsighed\tthrough\this\tnose.\t\u201cI\u2019m\tglad\tyou\tfind\thumor\tin\ta\tman\u2019s\tmurder.\u201d She\tmade\therself\tgrin\tat\thim.\t\u201cCain\tis\tthe\tmost\tlikely\tcandidate.\tYou\u2019re\tfrom Anielle\u2014you\t should\t know\t more\t than\t anyone\t how\t they\t are\t in\t the\t White\t Fang Mountains.\u201d He\t ran\t a\t hand\t through\t his\t short\t hair.\t \u201cYou\t should\t mind\t who\t you\t accuse. While\tCain\tis\ta\tbrute,\the\u2019s\tDuke\tPerrington\u2019s\tChampion.\u201d","\u201cAnd\t I\u2019m\t the\t Crown\t Prince\u2019s\t Champion!\u201d\t She\t flipped\t her\t hair\t over\t a shoulder.\t\u201cI\tshould\tthink\tthat\tmeans\tI\tcan\taccuse\twhomever\tI\tplease.\u201d \u201cJust\ttell\tme\tplainly:\twhere\twere\tyou\tlast\tnight?\u201d She\t straightened,\t staring\t into\t his\t golden-brown\t eyes.\t \u201cAs\t my\t guards\t can attest,\tI\twas\there\tthe\tentire\tnight.\tThough\tif\tthe\tking\twants\tme\tquestioned,\tI\tcan always\ttell\thim\tthat\tyou\tcan\tvouch\tfor\tme,\ttoo.\u201d Chaol\tglanced\tat\ther\tring,\tand\tshe\thid\ther\tsmile\tas\ta\tfaint\tline\tof\tcolor\tcrept into\this\tcheeks.\tHe\tsaid,\t\u201cI\u2019m\tsure\tyou\u2019ll\tbe\teven\tmore\tpleased\tto\thear\tthat\tyou and\tI\twon\u2019t\tbe\thaving\ta\tlesson\ttoday.\u201d She\t grinned\t at\t that,\t and\t sighed\t dramatically\t as\t she\t slid\t back\t under\t the blankets\t and\t nestled\t into\t her\t pillows.\t \u201cImmensely\t pleased.\u201d\t She\t pulled\t the blankets\tup\tto\ther\tchin\tand\tbatted\ther\teyelashes\tat\thim.\t\u201cNow\tget\tout.\tI\u2019m\tgoing to\tcelebrate\tby\tsleeping\tfor\tanother\tfive\thours.\u201d\tA\tlie,\tbut\the\tbought\tit. She\tclosed\ther\teyes\tbefore\tshe\tcould\tsee\tthe\tglare\the\tgave\ther,\tand\tsmiled\tto herself\t when\t she\t heard\t him\t stalk\t out\t of\t the\t room.\t It\t was\t only\t when\t she\t heard him\tslam\tthe\tdoors\tto\ther\troom\tthat\tshe\tsat\tup. The\tChampion\thad\tbeen\teaten? Last\t night\t in\t her\t dream\u2014no,\t it\t hadn\u2019t\t been\t a\t dream.\t It\t had\t been\t real.\t And there\thad\tbeen\tthose\tscreeching\tcreatures\t.\t.\t.\tHad\tXavier\tbeen\tkilled\tby\tone\tof them?\t But\t they\u2019d\t been\t in\t the\t tomb;\t there\t was\t no\t way\t they\t could\t have\t been\t in the\tcastle\thalls\twithout\tsomeone\tnoticing.\tSome\tvermin\tprobably\tgot\tto\tthe\tbody before\tit\twas\tfound.\tVery,\tvery\thungry\tvermin. She\tshuddered\tagain,\tand\tleapt\tout\tfrom\tunder\tthe\tblankets.\tShe\tneeded\ta\tfew more\t makeshift\t weapons,\t and\t a\t way\t to\t fortify\t the\t locks\t on\t her\t windows\t and doors. Even\tas\tshe\treadied\ther\tdefenses,\tshe\tkept\tassuring\therself\tthat\tit\twas\tnothing to\tworry\tabout\tat\tall.\tBut\twith\ta\tfew\thours\tof\tfreedom\tahead\tof\ther,\tshe\tbrought as\tmany\tof\tthem\twith\ther\tas\tpossible\tas\tshe\tlocked\tthe\tdoor\tto\ther\tbedroom\tand slipped\tinto\tthe\ttomb. \u2022 Celaena\t paced\t the\t length\t of\t the\t tomb,\t snarling\t to\t herself.\t There\t was\t nothing here\t that\t explained\t Elena\u2019s\t motives.\t Or\t what\t the\t source\t of\t this\t mysterious\t evil might\tbe.\tAbsolutely\tnothing. In\t the\t daytime,\t a\t ray\t of\t sunlight\t shone\t into\t the\t tomb,\t making\t all\t the\t dust motes\tshe\tstirred\tup\tswirl\tlike\tfalling\tsnow.\tHow\twas\tit\tpossible\tthat\tthere\twas light\t so\t far\t beneath\t the\t castle?\t Celaena\t paused\t beneath\t the\t grate\t in\t the\t ceiling, peering\tup\tat\tthe\tlight\tflowing\tthrough\tit.","Sure\tenough,\tthe\tsides\tof\tthe\tshaft\tshimmered\u2014they\twere\tlined\twith\tpolished gold.\tA\tlot\tof\tgold,\tif\tit\tmeant\treflecting\tthe\tsun\u2019s\trays\tall\tthe\tway\tdown\there. Celaena\t stalked\t between\t the\t two\t sarcophagi.\t Though\t she\u2019d\t brought\t three\t of her\tmakeshift\tweapons,\tshe\u2019d\tfound\tno\ttrace\tof\twhatever\thad\tbeen\tgrowling\tand screeching\tlast\tnight.\tAnd\tno\ttrace\tof\tElena,\teither. Celaena\t paused\t beside\t Elena\u2019s\t sarcophagus.\t The\t blue\t gem\t embedded\t in\t her stone\tcrown\tpulsed\tin\tthe\tfaint\tsunlight. \u201cWhat\t was\t your\t purpose\t in\t telling\t me\t to\t do\t those\t things?\u201d\t she\t mused\t aloud, her\t voice\t echoing\t off\t of\t the\t intricately\t carved\t walls.\t \u201cYou\u2019ve\t been\t dead\t for\t a thousand\tyears.\tWhy\tstill\tbother\twith\tErilea?\u201d And\twhy\tnot\tget\tDorian\tor\tChaol\tor\tNehemia\tor\tsomeone\telse\tto\tdo\tit? Celaena\t rapped\t a\t finger\t on\t the\t queen\u2019s\t pert\t nose.\t \u201cOne\t would\t think\t you\u2019d have\tbetter\tthings\tto\tdo\twith\tyour\tafterlife.\u201d\tThough\tshe\ttried\tto\tgrin,\ther\tvoice came\tout\tquieter\tthan\tshe\twould\thave\tliked. She\t should\t go;\t even\t with\t her\t bedroom\t door\t locked,\t someone\t was\t bound\t to come\tlooking\tfor\ther\tsooner\tor\tlater.\tAnd\tshe\thighly\tdoubted\tthat\tanyone\twould believe\t her\t if\t she\t told\t them\t that\t she\u2019d\t been\t charged\t with\t a\t very\t important mission\tby\tthe\tfirst\tQueen\tof\tAdarlan.\tIn\tfact,\tshe\trealized\twith\ta\tgrimace,\tshe\u2019d be\t lucky\t if\t she\t weren\u2019t\t accused\t of\t treason\t and\t magic-using.\t It\t would\t certainly guarantee\ther\treturn\tto\tEndovier. After\ta\tfinal\tsweep\tof\tthe\ttomb,\tCelaena\tleft.\tThere\twas\tnothing\tuseful\there. And\tbesides,\tif\tElena\twanted\ther\tto\tbe\tthe\tKing\u2019s\tChampion\tso\tbadly,\tthen\tshe couldn\u2019t\t spend\t all\t her\t time\t hunting\t down\t whatever\t this\t evil\t was.\t It\t would probably\thurt\ther\tchances\tof\twinning,\tactually.\tCelaena\thurried\tup\tthe\tsteps,\ther torch\t casting\t odd\t shadows\t on\t the\t walls.\t If\t this\t evil\t was\t as\t threatening\t as\t Elena made\tit\tseem,\tthen\thow\tcould\tshe\tpossibly\tdefeat\tit? Not\tthat\tthe\tthought\tof\tsomething\twicked\tdwelling\tin\tthe\tcastle\tscared\ther\tor anything. No.\t It\t wasn\u2019t\t that\t at\t all.\t Celaena\t huffed.\t She\u2019d\t focus\t on\t becoming\t King\u2019s Champion.\tAnd\tthen,\tif\tshe\twon,\tshe\u2019d\tgo\tabout\tfinding\tthis\tevil. Maybe. \u2022 An\t hour\t later,\t flanked\t by\t guards,\t Celaena\t held\t her\t chin\t high\t as\t they\t strode through\t the\t halls\t toward\t the\t library.\t She\t smiled\t at\t the\t young\t chevaliers\t they passed\u2014and\t smirked\t at\t the\t court\t women\t who\t eyed\t her\t pink-and-white\t gown. She\tcouldn\u2019t\tblame\tthem;\tthe\tdress\twas\tspectacular.\tAnd\tshe\twas\tspectacular\tin it.\t Even\t Ress,\t one\t of\t the\t handsomer\t guards\t posted\t outside\t her\t rooms,\t had\t said","so.\t Naturally,\t it\t hadn\u2019t\t been\t too\t difficult\t to\t convince\t him\t to\t escort\t her\t to\t the library. Celaena\t smiled\t smugly\t to\t herself\t as\t she\t nodded\t to\t a\t passing\t nobleman,\t who raised\this\teyebrows\tat\tthe\tsight\tof\ther.\tHe\twas\timmensely\tpale,\tshe\tnoticed\tas\the opened\t his\t mouth\t to\t say\t something,\t but\t Celaena\t continued\t down\t the\t hall.\t Her steps\t quickened\t at\t the\t rumblings\t of\t arguing\t male\t voices\t that\t echoed\t off\t the stones\tas\tthey\tneared\ta\tbend. Hurrying\t farther,\t Celaena\t ignored\t the\t click\t of\t Ress\u2019s\t tongue\t as\t she\t rounded the\tcorner.\tShe\tknew\tthat\tsmell\tall\ttoo\twell.\tThe\ttang\tof\tblood\tand\tthe\tstinging reek\tof\tdecomposing\tflesh. But\t she\t hadn\u2019t\t expected\t the\t sight\t of\t it.\t \u201cHalf-eaten\u201d\t was\t a\t pleasant\t way\t to describe\twhat\twas\tleft\tof\tXavier\u2019s\trail-thin\tbody. One\t of\t her\t escorts\t cursed\t under\t his\t breath,\t and\t Ress\t stepped\t closer\t to\t her,\t a light\t hand\t on\t her\t back,\t encouraging\t her\t to\t keep\t walking.\t None\t of\t the\t gathered men\t looked\t at\t her\t as\t she\t passed,\t skirting\t the\t edge\t of\t the\t scene,\t and\t getting\t a better\tlook\tat\tthe\tbody\tin\tthe\tprocess. Xavier\u2019s\t chest\t cavity\t had\t been\t split\t open\t and\t his\t vital\t organs\t removed. Unless\t someone\t had\t moved\t them\t upon\t finding\t the\t body,\t there\t was\t no\t trace\t of them.\t And\t his\t long\t face,\t stripped\t of\t its\t flesh,\t was\t still\t contorted\t in\t a\t silent scream. This\t was\t no\t accidental\t killing.\t There\t was\t a\t hole\t in\t the\t crown\t of\t Xavier\u2019s head,\tand\tshe\tcould\tsee\tthat\this\tbrain\twas\tgone,\ttoo.\tThe\tsmears\tof\tblood\ton\tthe wall\t looked\t like\t someone\t had\t been\t writing,\t and\t then\t rubbed\t it\t away.\t But\t even now,\tsome\tof\tthe\twriting\tremained,\tand\tshe\ttried\tnot\tto\tgape\tat\tit.\tWyrdmarks. Three\t Wyrdmarks,\t forming\t an\t arcing\t line\t that\t had\t to\t have\t once\t been\t a\t circle near\tthe\tbody. \u201cHoly\tGods,\u201d\tone\tof\ther\tguards\tmuttered\tas\tthey\tleft\tbehind\tthe\tthrong\tat\tthe crime\tscene. No\t wonder\t Chaol\t had\t looked\t so\t disheveled\t this\t morning!\t She\t straightened. He\u2019d\tthought\tshe\tdid\tthis?\tFool.\tIf\tshe\twanted\tto\tknock\toff\ther\tcompetitors\tone by\tone,\tshe\u2019d\tdo\tit\tquick\tand\tclean\u2014a\tslit\tthroat,\ta\tknife\tin\tthe\theart,\ta\tpoisoned glass\t of\t wine.\t This\t was\t just\t plain\t tasteless.\t And\t strange;\t the\t Wyrdmarks\t made this\tsomething\tmore\tthan\ta\tbrutal\tkilling.\tRitualistic,\tperhaps. Someone\t approached\t from\t the\t opposite\t direction.\t It\t was\t Grave,\t the\t vicious assassin,\tstaring\tat\tthe\tbody\tfrom\ta\tdistance.\tHis\teyes,\tdark\tand\tstill\tlike\ta\tforest pool,\t met\t hers.\t She\t ignored\t his\t rotting\t teeth\t as\t she\t jerked\t her\t chin\t toward\t the remnants\tof\tXavier.\t\u201cToo\tbad,\u201d\tshe\tsaid,\tdeliberately\tnot\tsounding\tvery\tsorry\tat all. Grave\tchuckled,\tsticking\this\tgnarled\tfingers\tinto\tthe\tpockets\tof\this\tworn\tand","dirty\t pants.\t Didn\u2019t\t his\t sponsor\t bother\t to\t properly\t clothe\t him?\t Obviously\t not,\t if his\tsponsor\twas\tnasty\tand\tfoolish\tenough\tto\tpick\thim\tas\ta\tChampion. \u201cSuch\ta\tpity,\u201d\tGrave\tsaid,\tshrugging\tas\tshe\tpassed\tby\thim. She\t nodded\t tersely,\t and\t despite\t herself,\t she\t kept\t her\t mouth\t shut\t as\t she continued\t down\t the\t hall.\t There\t were\t only\t sixteen\t of\t them\t left\t now\u2014sixteen Champions,\tand\tfour\tof\tthem\twere\tto\tduel.\tThe\tcompetition\twas\tgetting\tsteeper. She\t should\t thank\t whatever\t grim\t god\t had\t decided\t to\t end\t Xavier\u2019s\t life.\t But\t for some\treason,\tshe\tcouldn\u2019t. \u2022 Dorian\t swung\t his\t sword,\t grunting\t as\t Chaol\t easily\t deflected\t the\t blow\t and parried.\tHis\tmuscles\twere\tsore\tfrom\tweeks\tof\tnot\tpracticing,\tand\this\tbreath\twas ragged\tin\this\tthroat\tas\the\tthrust\tand\tthrust\tagain. \u201cThis\t is\t what\t comes\t from\t such\t idle\t behavior,\u201d\t Chaol\t chuckled,\t stepping\t to the\t side\t so\t that\t Dorian\t stumbled\t forward.\t He\t remembered\t a\t time\t when\t they\u2019d been\t of\t equal\t skill\u2014though\t that\t had\t been\t long\t ago.\t Dorian,\t while\t he\t still enjoyed\tswordplay,\thad\tgrown\tto\tprefer\tbooks. \u201cI\u2019ve\t had\t meetings\t and\t important\t things\t to\t read,\u201d\t Dorian\t said,\t panting.\t He lunged. Chaol\t deflected,\t feigned,\t then\t thrust\t so\t hard\t that\t Dorian\t stepped\t back.\t His temper\trose.\t\u201cMeetings\twhich\tyou\tused\tas\tan\texcuse\tto\tstart\targuing\twith\tDuke Perrington.\u201d\t Dorian\t made\t a\t wide\t sweep\t of\t his\t sword,\t and\t Chaol\t took\t up\t the defensive.\t \u201cOr\t maybe\t you\u2019re\t just\t too\t busy\t visiting\t Sardothien\u2019s\t rooms\t in\t the middle\t of\t the\t night.\u201d\t Sweat\t dripped\t from\t Chaol\u2019s\t brow.\t \u201cHow\t long\t has\t that been\tgoing\ton?\u201d Dorian\t growled\t as\t Chaol\t switched\t to\t the\t offensive,\t and\t conceded\t step\t after step,\t his\t thighs\t aching.\t \u201cIt\u2019s\t not\t what\t you\t think,\u201d\t he\t said\t through\t his\t teeth.\t \u201cI don\u2019t\tspend\tmy\tnights\twith\ther.\tAside\tfrom\tlast\tnight,\tI\u2019ve\tonly\tvisited\ther\tonce, and\tshe\twas\tless\tthan\twarm,\tdon\u2019t\tworry.\u201d \u201cAt\t least\t one\t of\t you\t has\t some\t common\t sense.\u201d\t Chaol\t delivered\t each\t blow with\tsuch\tprecision\tthat\tDorian\thad\tto\tadmire\thim.\t\u201cBecause\tyou\u2019ve\tclearly\tlost your\tmind.\u201d \u201cAnd\twhat\tabout\tyou?\u201d\tDorian\tdemanded.\t\u201cDo\tyou\twant\tme\tto\tcomment\ton how\tyou\tshowed\tup\tin\ther\trooms\tlast\tnight\u2014the\tsame\tnight\tanother\tChampion died?\u201d\t Dorian\t feinted,\t but\t Chaol\t didn\u2019t\t fall\t for\t it.\t Instead,\t he\t struck\t strongly enough\t that\t Dorian\t staggered\t back\t a\t step,\t fighting\t to\t keep\t his\t footing.\t Dorian grimaced\tat\tthe\trage\tflickering\tin\tChaol\u2019s\teyes.\t\u201cFine,\tthat\twas\ta\tcheap\tshot,\u201d\the admitted,\t bringing\t his\t sword\t up\t to\t deflect\t another\t blow.\t \u201cBut\t I\t still\t want\t an","answer.\u201d \u201cMaybe\t I\t don\u2019t\t have\t one.\t Like\t you\t said,\t it\u2019s\t not\t what\t you\t think.\u201d\t Chaol\u2019s brown\t eyes\t gleamed,\t but\t before\t Dorian\t could\t debate\t it,\t his\t friend\t switched\t the subject\t with\t brutal\t aim.\t \u201cHow\u2019s\t court?\u201d\t Chaol\t asked,\t breathing\t hard.\t Dorian winced.\tThat\twas\twhy\the\twas\there.\tIf\the\thad\tto\tspend\tanother\tmoment\tsitting\tin his\tmother\u2019s\tcourt,\the\u2019d\tgo\tmad.\t\u201cThat\tterrible?\u201d \u201cShut\tup,\u201d\tDorian\tsnarled,\tand\tslammed\this\tsword\tinto\tChaol\u2019s. \u201cIt\t must\t be\t exceptionally\t awful\t to\t be\t you\t today.\t I\t bet\t all\t the\t ladies\t were begging\tyou\tto\tprotect\tthem\tfrom\tthe\tmurderer\tinside\tour\twalls.\u201d\tChaol\tgrinned, but\t it\t didn\u2019t\t reach\t his\t eyes.\t Taking\t the\t time\t to\t spar\t with\t him\t when\t there\t was\t a fresh\t corpse\t in\t the\t castle\t was\t a\t sacrifice\t Dorian\t was\t surprised\t Chaol\t had\t been willing\tto\tmake;\tDorian\tknew\thow\tmuch\this\tposition\tmeant\tto\thim. Dorian\t stopped\t suddenly\t and\t straightened.\t Chaol\t should\t be\t doing\t more important\tthings\tright\tnow.\t\u201cEnough,\u201d\the\tsaid,\tsheathing\this\trapier.\tNot\tmissing a\tstep,\tChaol\tdid\tthe\tsame. They\t walked\t from\t the\t sparring\t room\t in\t silence.\t \u201cAny\t word\t from\t your father?\u201d\tChaol\tasked\tin\ta\tvoice\tthat\tindicated\the\tknew\tsomething\twas\tamiss.\t\u201cI wonder\twhere\the\twent\toff\tto.\u201d Dorian\tlet\tout\ta\tlong\tbreath,\tcalming\this\tpanting.\t\u201cNo.\tI\thaven\u2019t\tthe\tslightest idea.\t I\t remember\t him\t leaving\t like\t this\t when\t we\t were\t children,\t but\t it\t hasn\u2019t happened\tfor\tsome\tyears\tnow.\tI\tbet\the\u2019s\tdoing\tsomething\tparticularly\tnasty.\u201d \u201cBe\tcareful\twhat\tyou\tsay,\tDorian.\u201d \u201cOr\t what?\t You\u2019ll\t throw\t me\t in\t the\t dungeons?\u201d\t He\t didn\u2019t\t mean\t to\t snap,\t but he\u2019d\t barely\t gotten\t any\t sleep\t the\t night\t before,\t and\t this\t Champion\t winding\t up dead\t did\t nothing\t to\t improve\t his\t mood.\t When\t Chaol\t didn\u2019t\t bother\t retorting, Dorian\tasked:\t\u201cDo\tyou\tthink\tsomeone\twants\tto\tkill\tall\tthe\tChampions?\u201d \u201cPerhaps.\t I\t can\t understand\t wanting\t to\t kill\t the\t competition,\t but\t to\t do\t it\t so viciously\t.\t.\t.\tI\thope\tit\u2019s\tnot\ta\tpattern.\u201d Dorian\u2019s\tblood\twent\ta\tbit\tcold.\t\u201cYou\tthink\tthey\u2019ll\ttry\tto\tkill\tCelaena?\u201d \u201cI\tadded\tsome\textra\tguards\taround\ther\trooms.\u201d \u201cTo\tprotect\ther,\tor\tto\tkeep\ther\tin?\u201d They\t stopped\t at\t the\t hallway\t crossroads\t where\t they\t would\t part\t ways\t to\t their separate\trooms.\t\u201cWhat\tdifference\tdoes\tit\tmake?\u201d\tChaol\tsaid\tquietly.\t\u201cYou\tdon\u2019t seem\t to\t care\t either\t way.\t You\u2019ll\t visit\t her\t no\t matter\t what\t I\t say,\t and\t the\t guards won\u2019t\tstop\tyou\tbecause\tyou\u2019re\tthe\tprince.\u201d There\t was\t something\t so\t defeated,\t so\t bitter,\t underlying\t the\t captain\u2019s\t words that\t Dorian,\t for\t a\t heartbeat,\t felt\t badly.\t He\t should\t stay\t away\t from\t Celaena\u2014 Chaol\t had\t enough\t to\t worry\t about.\t But\t then\t he\t thought\t of\t the\t list\t his\t mother made\tand\trealized\the\thad\tenough,\ttoo."]
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