["Thankfully,\tthe\tguards\tdidn\u2019t\tsay\tanything\twhen\tshe\tasked\tthem\tto\tescort\ther\tto the\tlibrary\tat\tmidnight.\tThey\tremained\tin\tthe\tmain\troom\tof\tthe\tlibrary\tas\tshe\tset off\t through\t the\t stacks,\t heading\t toward\t the\t musty,\t forgotten\t alcove\t where\t she\u2019d found\t the\t majority\t of\t the\t books\t on\t the\t Wyrdmarks.\t She\t couldn\u2019t\t walk\t fast enough,\tand\tkept\tlooking\tover\ther\tshoulder. Was\tshe\tnext?\tWhat\tdid\tany\tof\tit\tmean?\tShe\twrung\ther\tfingers.\tShe\trounded a\tcorner,\tnot\tten\tstacks\tfrom\tthe\talcove,\tand\tcame\tto\ta\thalt. Nehemia,\tseated\tat\ta\tsmall\tdesk,\tstared\tat\ther\twith\twide\teyes. Celaena\t put\t a\t hand\t on\t her\t racing\t heart.\t \u201cDamn,\u201d\t she\t said.\t \u201cYou\t gave\t me\t a fright!\u201d Nehemia\t smiled,\t but\t not\t very\t well.\t Celaena\t cocked\t her\t head\t as\t she approached\t the\t table.\t \u201cWhat\t are\t you\t doing\t here?\u201d\t Nehemia\t demanded\t in Eyllwe. \u201cI\tcouldn\u2019t\tsleep.\u201d\tShe\tshifted\ther\teyes\tto\tthe\tprincess\u2019s\tbook.\tThat\twasn\u2019t\tthe book\t they\t used\t during\t their\t lessons.\t No,\t it\t was\t a\t thick,\t aging\t book,\t crammed with\tdense\tlines\tof\ttext.\t\u201cWhat\tare\tyou\treading?\u201d Nehemia\tslammed\tthe\tbook\tshut\tand\tstood.\t\u201cNothing.\u201d Celaena\t observed\t her\t face;\t her\t lips\t were\t pursed,\t and\t the\t princess\t lifted\t her chin.\t\u201cI\tthought\tyou\tcouldn\u2019t\tread\tat\tthat\tlevel\tyet.\u201d Nehemia\t tucked\t the\t book\t into\t the\t crook\t of\t her\t arm.\t \u201cThen\t you\u2019re\t like\t every ignorant\t fool\t in\t this\t castle,\t Lillian,\u201d\t she\t said\t with\t perfect\t pronunciation\t in\t the common\ttongue.\tNot\tgiving\ther\ta\tchance\tto\treply,\tthe\tprincess\tstrode\taway. Celaena\t watched\t her\t go.\t It\t didn\u2019t\t make\t sense.\t Nehemia\t couldn\u2019t\t read\t books that\t advanced,\t not\t when\t she\t still\t stumbled\t through\t lines\t of\t text.\t And\t Nehemia never\tspoke\twith\tthat\tkind\tof\tflawless\taccent,\tand\u2014 In\tthe\tshadows\tbehind\tthe\tdesk,\ta\tpiece\tof\tpaper\thad\tfallen\tbetween\tthe\twood and\tthe\tstone\twall.\tEasing\tit\tout,\tCelaena\tunfolded\tthe\tcrumpled\tpaper. She\t whirled\t around,\t to\t the\t direction\t where\t Nehemia\t had\t disappeared.\t Her throat\tconstricting,\tCelaena\ttucked\tthe\tpiece\tof\tpaper\tinto\ther\tpocket\tand\thurried back\ttoward\tthe\tgreat\troom,\tthe\tWyrdmark\tdrawn\ton\tthe\tpaper\tburning\ta\thole\tin her\tclothing. Celaena\t rushed\t down\t a\t staircase,\t then\t strode\t along\t a\t hallway\t lined\t with books. No,\tNehemia\tcouldn\u2019t\thave\tplayed\ther\tlike\tthat\u2014Nehemia\twouldn\u2019t\thave\tlied day\t after\t day\t about\t how\t little\t she\t knew.\t Nehemia\t had\t been\t the\t one\t to\t tell\t her that\t the\t etchings\t in\t the\t garden\t were\t Wyrdmarks.\t She\t knew\t what\t they\t were\u2014 she\u2019d\t warned\t her\t to\t stay\t away\t from\t the\t Wyrdmarks,\t again\t and\t again.\t Because Nehemia\twas\ther\tfriend\u2014because\tNehemia\thad\twept\twhen\ther\tpeople\thad\tbeen murdered,\tbecause\tshe\u2019d\tcome\tto\ther\tfor\tcomfort.","But\tNehemia\tcame\tfrom\ta\tconquered\tkingdom.\tAnd\tthe\tKing\tof\tAdarlan\thad ripped\t the\t crown\t off\t her\t father\u2019s\t head\t and\t stripped\t his\t title\t from\t him.\t And\t the people\tof\tEyllwe\twere\tbeing\tkidnapped\tin\tthe\tnight\tand\tsold\tinto\tslavery,\tright along\t with\t the\t rebels\t that\t rumor\t claimed\t Nehemia\t supported\t so\t fiercely.\t And five\thundred\tEyllwe\tcitizens\thad\tjust\tbeen\tbutchered. Celaena\u2019s\t eyes\t stung\t as\t she\t spotted\t the\t guards\t loitering\t in\t armchairs\t in\t the great\troom. Nehemia\thad\tevery\treason\tto\tdeceive\tthem,\tto\tplot\tagainst\tthem.\tTo\ttear\tapart this\tstupid\tcompetition\tand\tsend\teveryone\tinto\ta\ttizzy.\tWho\tbetter\tto\ttarget\tthan the\tcriminals\tliving\there?\tNo\tone\twould\tmiss\tthem,\tbut\tthe\tfear\twould\tseep\tinto the\tcastle. But\twhy\twould\tNehemia\tplot\tagainst\ther?","Chapter\t36 Days\t passed\t without\t seeing\t Nehemia,\t and\t Celaena\t kept\t her\t mouth\t shut\t about the\t incident\t to\t Chaol\t or\t Dorian\t or\t anyone\t who\t visited\t her\t chambers.\t She couldn\u2019t\t confront\t Nehemia\u2014not\t without\t more\t concrete\t proof,\t not\t without ruining\t everything.\t So\t she\t spent\t her\t spare\t time\t researching\t the\t Wyrdmarks, desperate\tfor\ta\tway\tto\tdecipher\tthem,\tto\tfind\tthose\tsymbols,\tto\tlearn\twhat\tit\tall meant,\t and\t how\t it\t connected\t to\t the\t killer\t and\t the\t killer\u2019s\t beast.\t Amidst\t her worrying,\t another\t Test\t passed\t without\t incident\t or\t embarrassment\u2014though\t she couldn\u2019t\t say\t the\t same\t for\t the\t soldier\t who\u2019d\t been\t sent\t home\u2014and\t she\t kept\t up her\t intense\t training\t with\t Chaol\t and\t the\t other\t Champions.\t There\t were\t five\t of them\t left\t now.\t The\t final\t Test\t was\t three\t days\t away,\t and\t the\t duel\t two\t days\t after that. Celaena\tawoke\ton\tYulemas\tmorning\tand\trelished\tthe\tsilence. There\t was\t something\t inherently\t peaceful\t about\t the\t day,\t despite\t the\t darkness of\ther\tencounter\twith\tNehemia.\tFor\tthe\tmoment,\tthe\twhole\tcastle\thad\tquieted\tto hear\t the\t falling\t snow.\t Frost\t laced\t each\t windowpane,\t a\t fire\t already\t crackled\t in the\t fireplace,\t and\t shadows\t of\t snowflakes\t drifted\t across\t the\t floor.\t It\t was\t as peaceful\tand\tlovely\ta\twinter\tmorning\tas\tshe\tcould\timagine.\tShe\twouldn\u2019t\truin\tit with\t thoughts\t of\t Nehemia,\t or\t of\t the\t duel,\t or\t of\t the\t ball\t she\t wasn\u2019t\t allowed\t to attend\ttonight.\tNo,\tit\twas\tYulemas\tmorning,\tand\tshe\twould\tbe\thappy. It\t didn\u2019t\t feel\t like\t a\t holiday\t to\t celebrate\t the\t darkness\t that\t gave\t birth\t to\t the spring\tlight,\tnor\tdid\tit\tfeel\tlike\ta\tholiday\tto\tcelebrate\tthe\tbirth\tof\tthe\tGoddess\u2019s firstborn\t son.\t It\t was\t simply\t a\t day\t when\t people\t were\t more\t courteous,\t looked twice\tat\ta\tbeggar\tin\tthe\tstreet,\tremembered\tthat\tlove\twas\ta\tliving\tthing.\tCelaena smiled\t and\t rolled\t over.\t But\t something\t got\t in\t her\t way.\t It\t was\t crinkly\t and\t harsh against\ther\tface,\tand\thad\tthe\tdistinct\todor\tof\u2014 \u201cCandy!\u201d\t A\t large\t paper\t bag\t sat\t on\t a\t pillow,\t and\t she\t found\t that\t it\t was\t filled with\t all\t sorts\t of\t confectionary\t goodies.\t There\t was\t no\t note,\t not\t even\t a\t name scribbled\t on\t the\t bag.\t With\t a\t shrug\t and\t glowing\t eyes,\t Celaena\t pulled\t out\t a handful\tof\tsweets.\tOh,\thow\tshe\tadored\tcandy! Celaena\tissued\ta\tjolly\tlaugh\tand\tcrammed\tsome\tof\tthe\tcandy\tinto\ther\tmouth. One\t by\t one,\t she\t chewed\t through\t the\t assortment,\t and\t she\t closed\t her\t eyes\t and breathed\tin\tdeeply\tas\tshe\ttasted\tall\tof\tthe\tflavors\tand\ttextures. When\t she\t finally\t stopped\t chewing,\t her\t jaw\t ached.\t She\t emptied\t the\t contents of\tthe\tbag\tonto\tthe\tbed,\tignoring\tthe\tdunes\tof\tsugar\tthat\tpoured\tout\twith\tit,\tand surveyed\tthe\tland\tof\tgoodness\tbefore\ther. All\tof\ther\tfavorites\twere\tthere:\tchocolate-covered\tgummies,\tchocolate\talmond","bark,\t berry-shaped\t chews,\t gem\u2013shaped\t hard\t sugar,\t peanut\t brittle,\t plain\t brittle, sugarlace,\t frosted\t red\t licorice,\t and,\t most\t importantly,\t chocolate.\t She\t popped\t a hazelnut\ttruffle\tinto\ther\tmouth. \u201cSomeone,\u201d\tshe\tsaid\tin\tbetween\tchews,\t\u201cis\tvery\tgood\tto\tme.\u201d She\t paused\t to\t examine\t the\t bag\t again.\t Who\t had\t sent\t it?\t Maybe\t Dorian. Certainly\tnot\tNehemia\tor\tChaol.\tNor\tthe\tFrost\tFaeries\tthat\tdelivered\tpresents\tto good\tchildren.\tThey\u2019d\tstopped\tcoming\tto\ther\twhen\tshe\u2019d\tfirst\tdrawn\tblood\tfrom another\thuman\tbeing.\tMaybe\tNox.\tHe\tliked\ther\twell\tenough. \u201cMiss\tCelaena!\u201d\tPhilippa\texclaimed\tfrom\tthe\tdoorway,\tgaping. \u201cHappy\tYulemas,\tPhilippa!\u201d\tshe\tsaid.\t\u201cCare\tfor\ta\tcandy?\u201d Philippa\tstormed\ttoward\tCelaena.\t\u201cHappy\tYulemas\tindeed!\tLook\tat\tthis\tbed! Look\tat\tthis\tmess!\u201d\tCelaena\twinced. \u201cYour\t teeth\t are\t red!\u201d\t Philippa\t cried.\t She\t reached\t for\t the\t hand\t mirror\t that Celaena\tkept\tby\ther\tbed\tand\theld\tit\tfor\tthe\tassassin\tto\tsee. Sure\tenough,\ther\tteeth\twere\ttinged\twith\tcrimson.\tShe\tran\ther\ttongue\tover\ther teeth,\t then\t tried\t to\t brush\t away\t the\t stains\t with\t a\t finger.\t They\t remained.\t \u201cDamn those\tsugar\tsuckers!\u201d \u201cYes,\u201d\tPhilippa\tsnapped.\t\u201cAnd\tthat\u2019s\tchocolate\tall\tover\tyour\tmouth.\tEven\tmy grandson\tdoesn\u2019t\teat\this\tcandy\tlike\tthis!\u201d Celaena\tlaughed.\t\u201cYou\thave\ta\tgrandson?\u201d \u201cYes,\t and\t he\t can\t eat\t his\t food\t without\t getting\t it\t on\t the\t bed,\t on\t his\t teeth,\t and on\this\tface!\u201d Celaena\t pushed\t back\t the\t covers,\t sugar\t spraying\t into\t the\t air.\t \u201cHave\t a\t candy, Philippa.\u201d \u201cIt\u2019s\t seven\t in\t the\t morning.\u201d\t Philippa\t swept\t the\t sugar\t into\t her\t cupped\t palm. \u201cYou\u2019ll\tmake\tyourself\tsick.\u201d \u201cSick?\tWho\tcan\tget\tsick\tfrom\tcandy?\u201d\tCelaena\tmade\ta\tface\tand\texposed\ther crimson\tteeth. \u201cYou\tlook\tlike\ta\tdemon,\u201d\tsaid\tPhilippa.\t\u201cJust\tdon\u2019t\topen\tyour\tmouth\tand\tno one\twill\tnotice.\u201d \u201cYou\tand\tI\tboth\tknow\tthat\u2019s\tnot\tpossible.\u201d To\t her\t surprise,\t Philippa\t laughed.\t \u201cHappy\t Yulemas,\t Celaena,\u201d\t she\t said. Hearing\t Philippa\t call\t her\t by\t her\t name\t sent\t an\t unexpected\t burst\t of\t pleasure through\t her.\t \u201cCome,\u201d\t the\t servant\t clucked.\t \u201cLet\u2019s\t get\t you\t dressed\u2014the ceremony\t begins\t at\t nine.\u201d\t Philippa\t bustled\t toward\t the\t dressing\t room,\t and Celaena\t watched\t her\t go.\t Her\t heart\t was\t big\t and\t as\t red\t as\t her\t teeth.\t There\t was good\tin\tpeople\u2014deep\tdown,\tthere\twas\talways\ta\tshred\tof\tgood.\tThere\thad\tto\tbe. \u2022","Celaena\t emerged\t a\t while\t later,\t clad\t in\t a\t solemn-looking\t green\t dress\t that Philippa\t had\t deemed\t the\t only\t appropriate\t gown\t for\t temple\t attendance. Celaena\u2019s\tteeth\twere,\tof\tcourse,\tstill\tred,\tand\tnow\tshe\tfelt\tqueasy\tas\tshe\tstared\tat the\tbag\tof\tcandy.\tHowever,\tshe\tquickly\tforgot\tabout\ther\tsickness\twhen\tshe\tsaw Dorian\tHavilliard\tsitting\tat\tthe\ttable\tin\ther\tbedroom\twith\tcrossed\tlegs.\tHe\twore a\tbeautiful\twhite-and-gold\tjacket. \u201cAre\t you\t my\t present,\t or\t is\t there\t something\t in\t that\t basket\t at\t your\t feet?\u201d\t she asked. \u201cIf\tyou\u2019d\tlike\tto\tunwrap\tme,\u201d\the\tsaid,\tlifting\tthe\tlarge\twicker\tbasket\tonto\tthe table,\t\u201cwe\tstill\thave\tan\thour\tuntil\tthe\ttemple\tservice.\u201d She\tlaughed.\t\u201cHappy\tYulemas,\tDorian.\u201d \u201cAnd\tto\tyou\tas\twell.\tI\tcan\tsee\tthat\tI\u2014\tAre\tyour\tteeth\tred?\u201d She\tclamped\ther\tmouth\tshut,\tshaking\ther\thead\tin\tviolent\tprotestation. He\tgrabbed\ther\tnose\tand\tpinched\tit\tclosed,\tand\ttry\tas\tshe\tmight,\tshe\tcould\tnot dislodge\t his\t fingers.\t She\t opened\t her\t mouth,\t and\t he\t burst\t into\t laughter.\t \u201cBeen eating\tcandies,\thave\tyou?\u201d \u201cYou\tsent\tthose?\u201d\tShe\tkept\ther\tmouth\tclosed\tas\tmuch\tas\tpossible. \u201cOf\tcourse.\u201d\tHe\tpicked\tup\tthe\tbrown\tbag\tof\tcandy\ton\tthe\ttable.\t\u201cWhat\u2019s\tyour .\t.\t.\u201d\tHe\ttrailed\toff\tas\the\tweighed\tthe\tbag\tin\this\thands.\t\u201cDidn\u2019t\tI\tgive\tyou\tthree pounds\tof\tcandy?\u201d She\tsmiled\timpishly. \u201cYou\tate\thalf\tthe\tbag!\u201d \u201cWas\tI\tsupposed\tto\tsave\tit?\u201d \u201cI\twould\thave\tliked\tsome!\u201d \u201cYou\tnever\ttold\tme\tthat.\u201d \u201cBecause\tI\tdidn\u2019t\texpect\tyou\tto\tconsume\tall\tof\tit\tbefore\tbreakfast!\u201d She\tsnatched\tthe\tbag\tfrom\thim\tand\tput\tit\ton\tthe\ttable.\t\u201cWell,\tthat\tjust\tshows poor\tjudgment\ton\tyour\tpart,\tdoesn\u2019t\tit?\u201d Dorian\t opened\t his\t mouth\t to\t reply,\t but\t the\t bag\t of\t candy\t tipped\t over\t and spilled\t across\t the\t table.\t Celaena\t turned\t just\t in\t time\t to\t see\t the\t slender\t golden snout\tprotruding\tfrom\tthe\tbasket,\tinching\ttoward\tthe\tcandy.\t\u201cWhat\tis\tthat?\u201d\tshe asked\tflatly. Dorian\tgrinned.\t\u201cA\tYulemas\tpresent\tfor\tyou.\u201d The\tassassin\tflipped\tback\tthe\tlid\tof\tthe\tbasket.\tThe\tnose\tinstantly\tshot\tinward, and\t Celaena\t found\t the\t strange\t golden-haired\t pup\t quivering\t in\t a\t corner\t with\t a red\tbow\taround\ther\tneck. \u201cOh,\tpuppy,\u201d\tshe\tcrooned,\tand\tpetted\ther.\tThe\tdog\ttrembled,\tand\tshe\tglared\tat Dorian\tover\ther\tshoulder.\t\u201cWhat\tdid\tyou\tdo,\tyou\tbuffoon?\u201d\tshe\thissed. Dorian\tthrew\this\thands\tin\tthe\tair.\t\u201cIt\u2019s\ta\tgift!\tI\talmost\tlost\tmy\tarm\u2014and\tmore","important\tparts\u2014trying\tto\tput\tthat\tbow\ton,\tand\tthen\tshe\thowled\tall\tthe\tway\tup here!\u201d Celaena\tlooked\tpiteously\tat\tthe\tdog,\twhich\twas\tnow\tlicking\tthe\tsugar\toff\ther fingers.\t \u201cWhat\t am\t I\t going\t to\t do\t with\t her?\t You\t couldn\u2019t\t find\t an\t owner,\t so\t you decided\tto\tgive\ther\tto\tme?\u201d \u201cNo!\u201d\the\tsaid.\t\u201cWell,\tyes.\tBut\u2014she\tdidn\u2019t\tseem\tso\tfrightened\twhen\tyou\twere around,\tand\tI\tremembered\thow\tmy\thounds\tfollowed\tyou\twhen\twe\ttraveled\tfrom Endovier.\t Perhaps\t she\u2019ll\t trust\t you\t enough\t to\t become\t adapted\t to\t humans.\t Some people\t have\t those\t kinds\t of\t gifts.\u201d\t She\t raised\t an\t eyebrow\t as\t he\t paced.\t \u201cIt\u2019s\t a lousy\tpresent,\tI\tknow.\tI\tshould\thave\tgotten\tyou\tsomething\tbetter.\u201d The\t dog\t peered\t up\t at\t Celaena.\t Her\t eyes\t were\t a\t golden-brown\t color,\t like molten\tcaramel.\tShe\tseemed\tto\tbe\twaiting\tfor\ta\tblow\tto\tfall.\tShe\twas\ta\tbeautiful thing,\tand\ther\thuge\tpaws\thinted\tthat\tshe\tmight\tsomeday\tgrow\tlarge\u2014and\tswift. A\t slight\t smile\t spread\t on\t Celaena\u2019s\t lips.\t The\t dog\t swished\t her\t tail\u2014once,\t then another\ttime. \u201cShe\u2019s\tyours,\u201d\tDorian\tsaid,\t\u201cif\tyou\twant\ther.\u201d \u201cWhat\tshall\tI\tdo\twith\ther\tif\tI\u2019m\tsent\tback\tto\tEndovier?\u201d \u201cI\u2019ll\t worry\t about\t that.\u201d\t Celaena\t stroked\t her\t folded\t velvet-soft\t ears,\t then ventured\tlow\tenough\tto\tscratch\ther\tchin.\tThe\tpup\u2019s\ttail\twagged\tin\tearnest.\tYes, there\twas\tlife\tin\ther. \u201cSo\tyou\tdon\u2019t\twant\ther?\u201d\the\tmuttered. \u201cOf\t course\t I\t want\t her,\u201d\t Celaena\t said,\t then\t realized\t what\t the\t implications would\tbe.\t\u201cBut\tI\twant\ther\ttrained.\tI\tdon\u2019t\twant\ther\turinating\ton\teverything\tand chewing\ton\tfurniture\tand\tshoes\tand\tbooks.\tAnd\tI\twant\ther\tto\tsit\twhen\tI\ttell\ther to\tand\tlay\tdown\tand\troll\tover\tand\twhatever\tit\tis\tthat\tdogs\tdo.\tAnd\tI\twant\ther\tto run\u2014run\t with\t the\t other\t dogs\t when\t they\u2019re\t practicing.\t I\t want\t her\t to\t put\t those long\tlegs\tto\tuse.\u201d Dorian\tcrossed\this\tarms\tas\tCelaena\tscooped\tup\tthe\tdog.\t\u201cThat\u2019s\ta\tlong\tlist\tof demands.\tPerhaps\tI\tshould\thave\tbought\tyou\tjewelry\tafter\tall.\u201d \u201cWhen\tI\u2019m\ttraining\u201d\u2014she\tkissed\tthe\tpup\u2019s\tsoft\thead,\tand\tthe\tdog\tnestled\ther cold\t nose\t against\t Celaena\u2019s\t neck\u2014\u201cI\t want\t her\t in\t the\t kennels,\t training\t as\t well. When\t I\t return\t in\t the\t afternoon,\t she\t may\t be\t brought\t to\t me.\t I\u2019ll\t keep\t her\t in\t the night.\u201d\tCelaena\theld\tthe\tdog\tat\teye\tlevel.\tThe\tdog\tkicked\ther\tlegs\tin\tthe\tair.\t\u201cIf you\t ruin\t any\t of\t my\t shoes,\u201d\t she\t said\t to\t the\t pup,\t \u201cI\u2019ll\t turn\t you\t into\t a\t pair\t of slippers.\tUnderstood?\u201d The\t dog\t stared\t at\t her,\t her\t wrinkled\t brow\t lifting,\t and\t Celaena\t smiled\t and\t set her\t down\t on\t the\t floor.\t She\t began\t sniffing\t about,\t though\t she\t stayed\t far\t from Dorian,\t and\t she\t soon\t disappeared\t beneath\t the\t bed.\t The\t assassin\t lifted\t the\t dust ruffle\t to\t peer\t underneath.\t Thankfully,\t the\t Wyrdmarks\t had\t been\t washed\t away","entirely.\t The\t dog\t continued\t her\t exploration,\t sniffing\t everywhere.\t \u201cI\u2019ll\t have\t to think\tof\ta\tname\tfor\tyou,\u201d\tshe\tsaid\tto\ther,\tand\tthen\tstood.\t\u201cThank\tyou,\u201d\tshe\tsaid to\tDorian.\t\u201cIt\u2019s\ta\tlovely\tgift.\u201d He\t was\t kind\u2014unnaturally\t kind,\t for\t someone\t of\t his\t upbringing.\t He\t had\t a heart,\tshe\trealized,\tand\ta\tconscience.\tHe\twas\tdifferent\tfrom\tthe\tothers.\tTimidly, almost\tclumsily,\tthe\tassassin\tstrode\tover\tto\tthe\tCrown\tPrince\tand\tkissed\thim\ton the\t cheek.\t His\t skin\t was\t surprisingly\t hot,\t and\t she\t wondered\t if\t she\u2019d\t kissed\t him properly\t as\t she\t pulled\t away\t and\t found\t his\t eyes\t bright\t and\t wide.\t Had\t she\t been sloppy?\tToo\twet?\tWere\ther\tlips\tsticky\tfrom\tthe\tcandy?\tShe\thoped\the\twouldn\u2019t wipe\this\tcheek. \u201cI\u2019m\tsorry\tI\tdon\u2019t\thave\ta\tpresent\tfor\tyou,\u201d\tshe\tsaid. \u201cI\u2014er,\tI\tdidn\u2019t\texpect\tyou\tto.\u201d\tHe\tblushed\tmadly\tand\tglanced\tat\tthe\tclock.\t\u201cI have\t to\t go.\t I\u2019ll\t see\t you\t at\t the\t ceremony\u2014or\t perhaps\t tonight\t after\t the\t ball?\t I\u2019ll try\tto\tget\taway\tas\tearly\tas\tI\tcan.\tThough\tI\tbet\tthat\twithout\tyou\tthere,\tNehemia will\tprobably\tdo\tthe\tsame\u2014so\tit\twon\u2019t\tlook\tso\tbad\tif\tI\tleave\tearly,\ttoo.\u201d She\u2019d\tnever\tseen\thim\tbabble\tlike\tthis.\t\u201cEnjoy\tyourself,\u201d\tshe\tsaid\tas\the\ttook\ta step\tback\tand\talmost\tcrashed\tinto\tthe\ttable. \u201cI\u2019ll\tsee\tyou\ttonight,\tthen,\u201d\the\tsaid.\t\u201cAfter\tthe\tball.\u201d She\thid\ther\tsmile\tbehind\ta\thand.\tHad\ther\tkiss\tthrown\thim\tinto\tsuch\ta\ttizzy? \u201cGood-bye,\tCelaena.\u201d\tHe\tlooked\tback\twhen\the\treached\tthe\tdoor.\tShe\tsmiled at\thim,\tflashing\ther\tred\tteeth,\tand\the\tlaughed\tbefore\the\tbowed\tand\tdisappeared. Alone\tin\ther\trooms,\tCelaena\twas\tabout\tto\tsee\twhat\ther\tnew\tcompanion\twas\tup to\twhen\tthe\tthought\tstruck\ther: Nehemia\twould\tbe\tat\tthe\tball. It\t was\t a\t simple\t enough\t thought\t at\t first,\t but\t then\t worse\t thoughts\t followed\t it. Celaena\t began\t pacing.\t If\t Nehemia\t were\t truly\t somehow\t behind\t the\t Champions\u2019 murders\u2014and\t worse,\t had\t some\t feral\t beast\t at\t her\t command\t to\t destroy\t them\u2014 and\talso\tjust\tlearned\tabout\tthe\tmassacre\tof\ther\tpeople\t.\t.\t.\tthen\twhat\tbetter\tplace to\t punish\t Adarlan\t than\t at\t the\t ball,\t where\t so\t many\t of\t its\t royals\t would\t be celebrating\tand\tunguarded? It\t was\t irrational,\t Celaena\t knew.\t But\t what\t if\t .\t .\t .\t what\t if\t Nehemia\t unleashed whatever\tcreature\tshe\tcontrolled\tat\tthe\tball?\tFine,\tshe\twouldn\u2019t\tmind\tif\tKaltain and\tPerrington\tmet\thorrible\tdeaths,\tbut\tDorian\twould\tbe\tthere.\tAnd\tChaol. Celaena\t strode\t into\t her\t bedroom,\t wringing\t her\t fingers.\t She\t couldn\u2019t\t warn Chaol\u2014because\t if\t she\t were\t wrong,\t then\t it\t would\t ruin\t not\t just\t her\t friendship with\tNehemia,\tbut\talso\tthe\tprincess\u2019s\tefforts\tat\tdiplomacy.\tBut\tshe\tcouldn\u2019t\tjust do\tnothing. Oh,\t she\t shouldn\u2019t\t even\t be\t thinking\t this.\t But\t she\u2019d\t seen\t friends\t do\t terrible things\t before,\t and\t it\t had\t become\t safer\t for\t her\t to\t believe\t the\t worst.\t She\u2019d","witnessed\t firsthand\t how\t far\t a\t need\t for\t revenge\t could\t drive\t someone.\t Perhaps Nehemia\t wouldn\u2019t\t do\t anything\u2014perhaps\t she\t was\t just\t being\t paranoid\t and ridiculous.\tBut\tif\tsomething\thappened\ttonight\t.\t.\t. Celaena\t opened\t the\t doors\t to\t her\t dressing\t room,\t surveying\t the\t glittering gowns\thanging\talong\tthe\twalls.\tChaol\twould\tbe\tbeyond\tfurious\tif\tshe\tinfiltrated the\tball,\tbut\tshe\tcould\thandle\tit.\tShe\tcould\thandle\tit\tif\the\tdecided\tto\tthrow\ther\tin the\tdungeons\tfor\ta\tlittle\twhile,\ttoo. Because\t somehow,\t the\t thought\t of\t him\t getting\t hurt\u2014or\t worse\u2014made\t her willing\tto\trisk\tjust\tabout\tanything. \u2022 \u201cWill\tyou\tnot\teven\tsmile\ton\tYulemas?\u201d\tshe\tasked\tChaol\tas\tthey\twalked\tout\tof the\tcastle\tand\ttoward\tthe\tglass\ttemple\tat\tthe\tcenter\tof\tthe\teastern\tgarden. \u201cIf\tmy\tteeth\twere\tcrimson,\tI\twouldn\u2019t\tbe\tsmiling\tat\tall,\u201d\the\tsaid.\t\u201cBe\tcontent with\tan\toccasional\tgrimace.\u201d\tShe\tflashed\ther\tteeth\tat\thim,\tthen\tclosed\ther\tmouth as\t several\t courtiers\t strode\t past,\t servants\t in\t tow.\t \u201cI\u2019m\t surprised\t you\u2019re\t not complaining\tmore.\u201d \u201cComplaining\t about\t what?\u201d\t Why\t did\t Chaol\t never\t joke\t with\t her\t as\t Dorian did?\t Perhaps\t he\t truly\t didn\u2019t\t find\t her\t attractive.\t The\t possibility\t of\t it\t stung\t more than\tshe\twould\thave\tliked. \u201cAbout\tnot\tgoing\tto\tthe\tball\ttonight.\u201d\tHe\tglanced\tsidelong\tat\ther.\tHe\tcouldn\u2019t know\t what\t she\t was\t planning.\t Philippa\t had\t promised\t to\t keep\t it\t a\t secret\u2014 promised\t not\t to\t ask\t questions\t when\t Celaena\t requested\t she\t find\t a\t gown\t and matching\tmask. \u201cWell,\tapparently\tyou\tstill\tdon\u2019t\ttrust\tme\tenough.\u201d\tShe\tmeant\tto\tsound\tsassy, but\tcouldn\u2019t\tkeep\tthe\tsnap\tfrom\ther\ttone.\tShe\tcouldn\u2019t\twaste\ther\ttime\tworrying about\t someone\t who\t clearly\t had\t no\t interest\t in\t her\t beyond\t the\t ridiculous competition. Chaol\t snorted,\t though\t a\t hint\t of\t a\t smile\t appeared\t on\t his\t lips.\t At\t least\t the Crown\tPrince\tnever\tmade\ther\tfeel\tstupid\tor\trotten.\tChaol\tjust\tprovoked\ther\t.\t.\t. though\t he\t had\t his\t good\t side,\t too.\t And\t she\t had\t no\t idea\t when\t she\u2019d\t stopped loathing\thim\tso\tmuch. Still,\tshe\tknew\the\twouldn\u2019t\tbe\tpleased\twhen\tshe\tappeared\tat\tthe\tball\ttonight. Mask\t or\t no\t mask,\t Chaol\t would\t know\t it\t was\t her.\t She\t just\t hoped\t he\t wouldn\u2019t punish\ther\ttoo\tseverely.","Chapter\t37 Seated\t in\t a\t pew\t in\t the\t rear\t of\t the\t spacious\t temple,\t Celaena\t kept\t her\t mouth closed\tso\ttightly\tthat\tit\thurt.\tHer\tteeth\twere\tstill\tred;\tshe\tdidn\u2019t\tneed\tanyone\telse noticing. The\t temple\t was\t a\t beautiful\t space,\t built\t entirely\t from\t glass.\t The\t limestone covering\t the\t floor\t was\t all\t that\t remained\t of\t the\t original\t stone\t temple,\t which\t the King\t of\t Adarlan\t had\t destroyed\t when\t he\t decided\t to\t replace\t it\t with\t the\t glass structure.\t Two\t columns\t of\t about\t a\t hundred\t rosewood\t pews\t stretched\t beneath\t a vaulted\tglass\tceiling\tthat\tlet\tin\tso\tmuch\tlight\tthat\tno\tcandles\twere\tneeded\tduring the\t day.\t Snow\t lay\t piled\t upon\t the\t translucent\t roof,\t casting\t patterns\t of\t sunshine throughout.\t As\t the\t walls\t were\t also\t glass,\t the\t stained\t windows\t above\t the\t altar appeared\tto\thover\tin\tmidair. She\tstood\tto\tpeer\tover\tthe\theads\tof\tthose\tsitting\tin\tfront\tof\ther.\tDorian\tand\tthe queen\t sat\t in\t the\t first\t pew,\t a\t row\t of\t guards\t immediately\t behind.\t The\t duke\t and Kaltain\t sat\t on\t the\t other\t side\t of\t the\t aisle,\t and\t behind\t them\t were\t Nehemia\t and several\t others\t she\t didn\u2019t\t recognize.\t She\t didn\u2019t\t spy\t Nox,\t or\t the\t other\t remaining Champions\u2014or\tCain.\tThey\u2019d\tlet\ther\tcome\tto\tthis,\tbut\tnot\tto\tthe\tball? \u201cSit\t down,\u201d\t Chaol\t growled,\t pulling\t at\t her\t green\t gown.\t She\t made\t a\t face\t and dropped\t onto\t the\t cushioned\t bench.\t Several\t people\t stared\t at\t her.\t They\t wore gowns\tand\tjackets\tso\telaborate\tthat\tshe\twondered\tif\tthe\tball\thad\tbeen\tmoved\tto lunchtime. The\tHigh\tPriestess\twalked\tonto\tthe\tstone\tplatform\tand\traised\ther\thands\tabove her\thead.\tThe\tfolds\tof\ther\tmidnight-blue\tgossamer\trobe\tfell\taround\ther,\tand\ther white\t hair\t was\t long\t and\t unbound.\t An\t eight-pointed\t star\t was\t tattooed\t upon\t her brow\tin\ta\tshade\tof\tblue\tthat\tmatched\ther\tgown,\tits\tsharp\tlines\textending\tto\ther hairline.\t\u201cWelcome\tall,\tand\tmay\tthe\tblessings\tof\tthe\tGoddess\tand\tall\ther\tgods\tbe upon\tyou.\u201d\tHer\tvoice\techoed\tacross\tthe\tchamber\tto\treach\teven\tthose\tin\tthe\tback. Celaena\t stifled\t a\t yawn.\t She\t respected\t the\t gods\u2014if\t they\t existed,\t and\t when\t it suited\ther\tto\task\tfor\ttheir\tassistance\u2014but\treligious\tceremonies\twere\t.\t.\t.\tbrutal. It\thad\tbeen\tyears\tand\tyears\tsince\tshe\u2019d\tattended\tanything\tof\tthis\tsort,\tand\tas the\tHigh\tPriestess\tlowered\ther\tarms\tand\tstared\tat\tthe\tcrowd,\tthe\tassassin\tshifted in\t her\t seat.\t It\t would\t be\t the\t usual\t prayers,\t then\t the\t Yulemas\t prayers,\t then\t the sermon,\tthen\tthe\tsongs,\tand\tthen\tthe\tprocession\tof\tthe\tgods. \u201cYou\u2019re\tsquirming\talready,\u201d\tChaol\tsaid\tunder\this\tbreath. \u201cWhat\ttime\tis\tit?\u201d\tshe\twhispered,\tand\the\tpinched\ther\tarm. \u201cToday,\u201d\tthe\tpriestess\tsaid,\t\u201cis\tthe\tday\ton\twhich\twe\tcelebrate\tthe\tend\tand\tthe beginning\tof\tthe\tgreat\tcycle.\tToday\tis\tthe\tday\ton\twhich\tthe\tGreat\tGoddess\tgave","birth\tto\ther\tfirstborn,\tLumas,\tLord\tof\tthe\tGods.\tWith\this\tbirth,\tlove\twas\tbrought into\tErilea,\tand\tit\tbanished\tthe\tchaos\tthat\tarose\tfrom\tthe\tGates\tof\tthe\tWyrd.\u201d A\t weight\t pressed\t on\t her\t eyelids.\t She\t had\t woken\t up\t so\t early\u2014and\t slept\t so little\t after\t that\t encounter\t with\t Nehemia\t .\t .\t .\t Unable\t to\t stop,\t Celaena\t wandered into\tthe\tLand\tof\tSleep. \u2022 \u201cGet\tup,\u201d\tChaol\tsnarled\tin\ther\tear.\t\u201cNow.\u201d She\tsat\tup\twith\ta\tjolt,\tthe\tworld\tbright\tand\tfoggy.\tSeveral\tlesser\tnobles\tin\ther pew\tlaughed\tsilently.\tShe\tgave\tChaol\tan\tapologetic\tlook\tand\tturned\ther\tgaze\tto the\taltar.\tThe\tHigh\tPriestess\thad\tfinished\ther\tsermon,\tand\tthe\tsongs\tof\tYulemas were\tover.\tShe\tonly\thad\tto\tsit\tthrough\tthe\tprocession\tof\tthe\tgods,\tand\tthen\tshe would\tbe\tfree. \u201cHow\tlong\twas\tI\tasleep?\u201d\tshe\twhispered.\tHe\tdidn\u2019t\trespond.\t\u201cHow\tlong\twas\tI asleep?\u201d\t she\t asked\t again,\t and\t noticed\t a\t hint\t of\t red\t in\t his\t cheeks.\t \u201cYou\t were asleep,\ttoo?\u201d \u201cUntil\tyou\tbegan\tdrooling\ton\tmy\tshoulder.\u201d \u201cSuch\ta\tself-righteous\tyoung\tman,\u201d\tshe\tcooed,\tand\the\tpoked\ther\tleg. \u201cPay\tattention.\u201d A\t choir\t of\t priestesses\t stepped\t off\t the\t platform.\t Celaena\t yawned,\t but\t nodded with\t the\t rest\t of\t the\t congregation\t as\t the\t choir\t gave\t their\t blessings.\t An\t organ sounded,\tand\teveryone\tleaned\tto\tstare\tdown\t the\taisle\tfor\tthe\tprocession\tof\tthe gods. The\tsound\tof\tpattering\tfootsteps\tfilled\tthe\ttemple,\tand\tthe\tcongregation\tstood. Each\tblindfolded\tchild\twas\tno\tmore\tthan\tten\tyears\told,\tand\tthough\tthey\tlooked rather\t foolish\t dressed\t in\t the\t costumes\t of\t the\t gods,\t there\t was\t something charming\t about\t it.\t Every\t year,\t nine\t children\t were\t chosen.\t If\t a\t child\t stopped before\t you,\t you\t received\t the\t blessings\t of\t the\t god\t and\t the\t small\t gift\t the\t child carried\tas\ta\tsymbol\tof\tthe\tgod\u2019s\tfavor. Farnor,\tGod\tof\tWar,\tstopped\tat\tthe\tfront\trow\tnear\tDorian,\tbut\tthen\tmoved\tto the\tright,\tacross\tthe\taisle,\tto\tgive\tthe\tminiature\tsilver\tsword\tto\tDuke\tPerrington. Not\tsurprising. Clad\t in\t glistening\t wings,\t Lumas,\t God\t of\t Love,\t strode\t past\t her.\t She\t crossed her\tarms. What\ta\tfoolish\ttradition. Deanna,\tGoddess\tof\tthe\tHunt\tand\tMaidens,\tapproached.\tCelaena\tshifted\tfrom one\tfoot\tto\tthe\tother,\twishing\tshe\thadn\u2019t\tdemanded\tthat\tChaol\tgive\ther\tthe\taisle seat.\t To\t her\t dread\t and\t dismay,\t the\t girl\t stopped\t before\t her\t and\t removed\t the","blindfold. She\twas\ta\tpretty\tlittle\tthing:\ther\tblond\thair\thung\tin\tloose\tcurls,\tand\ther\tbrown eyes\t were\t flecked\t with\t green.\t The\t girl\t smiled\t at\t Celaena\t and\t reached\t to\t touch the\t assassin\u2019s\t forehead.\t Celaena\u2019s\t back\t began\t sweating\t as\t she\t felt\t hundreds\t of eyes\tupon\ther.\t\u201cMay\tDeanna,\tthe\tHuntress\tand\tProtector\tof\tthe\tYoung,\tbless\tand keep\t you\t this\t year.\t I\t bestow\t upon\t you\t this\t golden\t arrow\t as\t a\t symbol\t of\t her power\t and\t good\t graces.\u201d\t The\t girl\t bowed\t as\t she\t extended\t the\t slender\t arrow. Chaol\t prodded\t her\t back\t and\t Celaena\t grabbed\t the\t arrow.\t \u201cYulemas\t blessings\t to you,\u201d\tthe\tgirl\tsaid,\tand\tCelaena\tnodded\ther\tthanks.\tShe\tgripped\tthe\tarrow\tas\tthe girl\tbounded\taway.\tIt\tcouldn\u2019t\tbe\tused,\tof\tcourse.\tBut\tit\twas\tmade\tof\tsolid\tgold. It\u2019ll\tfetch\ta\tnice\tprice. With\ta\tshrug,\tCelaena\thanded\tthe\tarrow\tto\tChaol.\t\u201cI\tsuppose\tI\u2019m\tnot\tallowed to\thave\tthis,\u201d\tshe\tsaid,\tsitting\tdown\twith\tthe\trest\tof\tthe\tcrowd. He\tput\tit\tback\tin\ther\tlap.\t\u201cI\twouldn\u2019t\twant\tto\ttest\tthe\tgods.\u201d\tShe\tstared\tat\thim for\t a\t moment.\t Did\t he\t look\t different?\t Something\t had\t changed\t in\t his\t face. Nudging\thim\twith\tan\telbow,\tCelaena\tgrinned.","Chapter\t38 Yards\tof\tsilk,\tclouds\tof\tpowder,\tbrushes,\tcombs,\tpearls,\tand\tdiamonds\tglistened before\t Celaena\u2019s\t eyes.\t As\t Philippa\t arranged\t the\t last\t strand\t of\t Celaena\u2019s\t hair neatly\t around\t her\t face,\t secured\t a\t mask\t over\t her\t eyes\t and\t nose,\t and\t placed\t a small\t crystal\t tiara\t on\t her\t head,\t Celaena\t couldn\u2019t\t help\t but\t feel,\t despite\t herself, like\ta\tprincess. Philippa\t knelt\t to\t polish\t the\t lump\t of\t crystal\t on\t Celaena\u2019s\t silver\t slippers.\t \u201cIf\t I didn\u2019t\t know\t better,\t I\u2019d\t call\t myself\t a\t Faerie\t Queen.\t It\u2019s\t like\t m\u2014\u201d\t Philippa caught\therself\tbefore\tshe\tspoke\tthe\tword\tthe\tKing\tof\tAdarlan\thad\tso\teffectively outlawed,\tthen\tquickly\tsaid,\t\u201cI\tbarely\trecognize\tyou!\u201d \u201cGood,\u201d\t Celaena\t said.\t This\t would\t be\t her\t first\t ball\t where\t she\t wasn\u2019t\t there\t to kill\t someone.\t True,\t she\t was\t mostly\t going\t to\t make\t sure\t Nehemia\t didn\u2019t\t hurt herself\tor\tthe\tcourt.\tBut\t.\t.\t.\ta\tball\twas\ta\tball.\tMaybe\tif\tshe\twas\tlucky,\tshe\tcould dance\ta\tlittle. \u201cAre\t you\t certain\t this\t is\t a\t good\t idea?\u201d\t Philippa\t asked\t quietly,\t standing. \u201cCaptain\tWestfall\twon\u2019t\tbe\tpleased.\u201d Celaena\tgave\tthe\tservant\ta\tsharp\tlook.\t\u201cI\ttold\tyou\tnot\tto\task\tquestions.\u201d Philippa\thuffed.\t\u201cJust\tdon\u2019t\ttell\tthem\tI\thelped\tyou\twhen\tyou\tget\tdragged\tback here.\u201d Checking\t her\t irritation,\t Celaena\t strode\t to\t the\t mirror,\t Philippa\t bustling\t after her.\t Standing\t before\t her\t reflection,\t Celaena\t wondered\t if\t she\t was\t seeing correctly.\t \u201cThis\t is\t the\t most\t beautiful\t dress\t I\u2019ve\t ever\t worn,\u201d\t she\t admitted,\t her eyes\tfilling\twith\tlight. It\t was\t not\t pure\t white,\t but\t rather\t a\t grayish\t offset,\t and\t its\t wide\t skirts\t and bodice\t were\t encrusted\t with\t thousands\t of\t minuscule\t crystals\t that\t reminded Celaena\tof\tthe\tsurface\tof\tthe\tsea.\tSwirls\tof\tsilk\tthread\ton\tthe\tbodice\tmade\trose- like\tdesigns\tthat\tcould\thave\tpassed\tfor\ta\twork\tby\tany\tmaster\tpainter.\tA\tborder\tof ermine\t lined\t the\t neck\t and\t provided\t slender\t sleeves\t that\t only\t covered\t her shoulders.\tTiny\tdiamond\tdroplets\tfell\tfrom\ther\tears,\tand\ther\thair\twas\tcurled\tand swept\tup\tonto\ther\thead,\tstrands\tof\tpearls\twoven\tin.\tHer\tgray\tsilk\tmask\thad\tbeen secured\t tightly\t against\t her\t face.\t It\t wasn\u2019t\t fashioned\t after\t anything,\t but\t the delicate\tcrystal\tand\tpearl\twhorls\thad\tbeen\tcrafted\tby\ta\tskilled\thand. \u201cYou\t could\t win\t the\t hand\t of\t a\t king,\t looking\t like\t that,\u201d\t said\t Philippa.\t \u201cOr perhaps\ta\tCrown\tPrince\twill\tdo.\u201d \u201cWhere\tin\tErilea\tdid\tyou\tfind\tthis\tdress?\u201d\tCelaena\tmurmured. \u201cDon\u2019t\task\tquestions,\u201d\tclucked\tthe\told\twoman. Celaena\t smirked.\t \u201cFair\t enough.\u201d\t She\t wondered\t why\t her\t heart\t now\t felt\t too","large\t for\t her\t body,\t and\t why\t she\t was\t so\t unstable\t in\t her\t shoes.\t She\t had\t to remember\twhy\tshe\twas\tgoing\u2014she\thad\tto\tkeep\ther\twits\tabout\ther. The\t clock\t struck\t nine,\t and\t Philippa\t glanced\t toward\t the\t doorway,\t giving Celaena\t the\t opportunity\t to\t slip\t her\t makeshift\t knife\t down\t her\t bodice\t without being\tnoticed.\t\u201cHow,\texactly,\tare\tyou\tgoing\tto\tget\tto\tthe\tball?\tI\tdon\u2019t\tthink\tyour guards\twill\tlet\tyou\tjust\twalk\tout.\u201d Celaena\t shot\t Philippa\t a\t sly\t look.\t \u201cWe\u2019re\t both\t going\t to\t pretend\t that\t I\t was invited\tby\tthe\tCrown\tPrince\u2014and\tright\tnow\tyou\tare\tgoing\tto\tmake\tsuch\ta\tfuss about\tme\tbeing\tlate\tthat\tthey\twon\u2019t\tobject.\u201d Philippa\t fanned\t herself,\t her\t face\t reddening.\t Celaena\t grasped\t her\t hand.\t \u201cI promise,\u201d\t she\t said,\t \u201cif\t I\t get\t into\t any\t sort\t of\t trouble,\t I\t will\t swear\t to\t my\t last breath\tthat\tyou\twere\tdeceived\tby\tme,\tand\thad\tno\tknowledge\tof\tanything.\u201d \u201cBut\tare\tyou\tgoing\tto\tget\tinto\ttrouble?\u201d Celaena\t gave\t her\t most\t winning\t smile.\t \u201cNo.\t I\u2019m\t just\t sick\t of\t being\t left\t to\t sit around\twhile\tthey\thave\tgrand\tparties.\u201d\tIt\twasn\u2019t\tquite\ta\tlie. \u201cGods\t help\t me,\u201d\t Philippa\t muttered,\t and\t took\t a\t deep\t breath.\t \u201cGo!\u201d\t she suddenly\tcried,\therding\tCelaena\ttoward\tthe\tdoor\tto\tthe\thall.\t\u201cGo,\tyou\u2019ll\tbe\tlate!\u201d She\twas\ta\tbit\ttoo\tloud\tto\tbe\ttotally\tconvincing,\tbut\t.\t.\t.\tPhilippa\tflung\topen\tthe door\t to\t the\t hallway.\t \u201cThe\t Crown\t Prince\t won\u2019t\t be\t pleased\t if\t you\u2019re\t late!\u201d Celaena\t paused\t in\t the\t doorway,\t nodding\t at\t the\t five\t guards\t who\t were\t posted outside,\tthen\tlooked\tback\tat\tPhilippa. \u201cThank\tyou,\u201d\tCelaena\tsaid. \u201cNo\t more\t dawdling!\u201d\t the\t servant\t woman\t cried,\t and\t almost\t knocked\t Celaena off\ther\tfeet\tas\tshe\tpushed\ther\tout\tthe\tdoorway\tand\tslammed\tit\tshut. Celaena\t turned\t to\t the\t guards.\t \u201cYou\t look\t nice,\u201d\t one\t of\t them\u2014Ress\u2014said shyly.\t \u201cOff\t to\t the\t ball?\u201d\t grinned\t another.\t \u201cSave\t a\t dance\t for\t me,\t will\t you?\u201d\t the third\tadded.\tNot\tone\tof\tthem\tquestioned\ther. Celaena\tsmiled\tand\ttook\tRess\u2019s\tarm\tas\the\textended\tit\tto\ther.\tShe\ttried\tnot\tto laugh\t when\t he\t puffed\t out\t his\t chest.\t But\t as\t they\t neared\t the\t Great\t Hall\t and\t the sounds\t of\t a\t waltz\t could\t be\t heard,\t a\t swarm\t of\t bees\t took\t flight\t in\t her\t stomach. She\t couldn\u2019t\t forget\t why\t she\t was\t here.\t She\u2019d\t played\t this\t part\t in\t the\t past,\t but\t it had\tended\tin\tkilling\ta\tstranger\u2014not\tconfronting\ta\tfriend. The\t red-and-gold\t glass\t doors\t appeared,\t and\t she\t could\t see\t the\t wreaths\t and candles\t that\t bedecked\t the\t massive\t hall.\t It\t would\t have\t been\t easier\t if\t she\t could have\t slipped\t into\t the\t ball\t through\t a\t side\t door\t and\t remained\t unnoticed,\t but\t she hadn\u2019t\t had\t time\t to\t go\t exploring\t through\t the\t secret\t tunnels\t to\t find\t another\t way out\t of\t her\t rooms,\t and\t she\t certainly\t couldn\u2019t\t find\t another\t way\t into\t the\t ball\t now without\t raising\t suspicions.\t Ress\t stopped\t and\t bowed.\t \u201cThis\t is\t where\t I\t leave you,\u201d\the\tsaid\tas\tseriously\tas\the\tcould,\tthough\the\tkept\tlooking\tat\tthe\tball\tthat\tlay","at\tthe\tfoot\tof\tthe\tstairs.\t\u201cHave\ta\tlovely\tnight,\tMiss\tSardothien.\u201d \u201cThank\t you,\t Ress.\u201d\t She\t felt\t an\t urge\t to\t vomit\t and\t run\t back\t to\t her\t rooms. Instead,\t she\t graciously\t nodded\t her\t farewell.\t She\t just\t had\t to\t make\t it\t down\t the stairs,\tand\tfind\ta\tway\tto\tconvince\tChaol\tto\tlet\ther\tstay.\tThen\tshe\tcould\tkeep\tan eye\ton\tNehemia\tall\tnight. Her\t shoes\t seemed\t frail,\t and\t Celaena\t took\t a\t few\t steps\t back,\t ignoring\t the guards\t at\t the\t door\t as\t she\t lifted\t her\t feet\t high\t and\t set\t them\t down\t to\t test\t the strength\tof\tthe\tshoes.\tWhen\tshe\twas\tassured\tthat\tnot\teven\ta\tjump\tthrough\tthe\tair could\tsnap\tthe\theel,\tshe\tapproached\tthe\ttop\tof\tthe\tstairs. Tucked\tinto\ther\tbodice,\tthe\tmakeshift\tknife\tpoked\ther\tskin.\tShe\tprayed\tto\tthe Goddess,\t to\t every\t god\t she\t knew,\t to\t the\t Wyrd,\t to\t whatever\t was\t responsible\t for her\tfate,\tthat\tshe\twouldn\u2019t\thave\tto\tuse\tit. Celaena\tsquared\ther\tshoulders\tand\tstepped\tforward. \u2022 What\twas\tshe\tdoing\there? Dorian\talmost\tdropped\this\tdrink\tas\the\tsaw\tCelaena\tSardothien\tatop\tthe\tstairs. Even\t with\t the\t mask,\t he\t recognized\t her.\t She\t might\t have\t her\t faults,\t but\t Celaena never\t did\t anything\t half-heartedly.\t She\u2019d\t outdone\t herself\t with\t that\t dress.\t But what\twas\tshe\tdoing\there? He\t couldn\u2019t\t tell\t if\t it\t were\t a\t dream\t or\t reality\t until\t several\t heads,\t then\t many, turned\t to\t look.\t Though\t the\t waltz\t was\t playing,\t those\t not\t dancing\t quieted themselves\t as\t the\t mysterious\t masked\t girl\t lifted\t her\t skirts\t and\t took\t a\t step,\t then another.\t Her\t dress\t was\t made\t of\t stars\t plucked\t from\t the\t sky,\t and\t the\t whorls\t of crystals\tin\ther\tgray\tmask\tglittered. \u201cWho\tis\tthat?\u201d\tbreathed\ta\tyoung\tcourtier\tbeside\thim. She\t looked\t at\t no\t one\t as\t she\t descended\t the\t staircase,\t and\t even\t the\t Queen\t of Adarlan\t stood\t to\t see\t the\t late\t arrival,\t Nehemia\t also\t rising\t from\t her\t seat\t beside her.\tHad\tCelaena\tlost\ther\tmind? Walk\t to\t her.\t Take\t her\t hand.\t But\t his\t feet\t were\t leaden,\t and\t Dorian\t could\t do nothing\t except\t watch\t her.\t His\t skin\t flushed\t beneath\t his\t small\t black\t mask.\t He didn\u2019t\tknow\twhy,\tbut\tseeing\ther\tmade\thim\tfeel\tlike\ta\tman.\tShe\twas\tsomething out\tof\ta\tdream\u2014a\tdream\tin\twhich\the\twas\tnot\ta\tspoiled\tyoung\tprince,\tbut\ta\tking. She\treached\tthe\tbottom\tof\tthe\tstairs,\tand\tDorian\ttook\ta\tstep\tforward. But\t someone\t had\t already\t arrived,\t and\t Dorian\t clenched\t his\t jaw\t tight\t enough for\tit\tto\thurt\tas\tshe\tsmiled\tand\tbowed\tto\tChaol.\tThe\tCaptain\tof\tthe\tGuard,\twho hadn\u2019t\tbothered\tto\twear\ta\tmask,\textended\this\thand.\tCelaena\tstared\tonly\tat\tChaol with\tthose\tstarlit\teyes,\tand\ther\tlong,\twhite\tfingers\tfloated\tthrough\tthe\tair\tto\tmeet","his.\t The\t crowd\t began\t chattering\t as\t Chaol\t led\t her\t from\t the\t stairs,\t and\t they disappeared\t into\t the\t throng.\t Whatever\t conversation\t they\t were\t about\t to\t have,\t it wasn\u2019t\tgoing\tto\tbe\tpleasant.\tHe\u2019d\tbe\tbetter\toff\tstaying\tout\tof\tit. \u201cPlease,\u201d\t said\t another\t courtier,\t \u201ctell\t me\t that\t Chaol\t doesn\u2019t\t suddenly\t have\t a wife.\u201d \u201cCaptain\t Westfall?\u201d\t said\t the\t courtier\t who\t had\t spoken\t earlier.\t \u201cWhy\t would\t a pretty\t thing\t like\t that\t marry\t a\t guard?\u201d\t Remembering\t who\t stood\t beside\t him,\t he glanced\t at\t Dorian,\t who\t was\t still\t staring,\t wide-eyed,\t at\t the\t stairs.\t \u201cWho\t is\t she, Your\tHighness?\tDo\tyou\tknow\ther?\u201d \u201cNo,\tI\tdon\u2019t,\u201d\twhispered\tDorian,\tand\twalked\taway. \u2022 The\t waltz\t was\t driving\t and\t so\t loud\t she\t had\t difficulty\t hearing\t herself\t think\t as Chaol\tpulled\ther\tinto\ta\tshadowy\talcove.\tNot\tsurprisingly,\the\thadn\u2019t\tworn\ta\tmask \u2014it\twould\tbe\ttoo\tsilly\tfor\thim.\tWhich\tmade\tthe\tfury\ton\this\tface\tall\ttoo\tvisible. \u201cSo,\u201d\t he\t seethed,\t holding\t tightly\t to\t her\t wrist,\t \u201cdo\t you\t want\t to\t tell\t me\t how you\tgot\tit\tinto\tyour\tmind\tthat\tthis\twas\ta\tgood\tidea?\u201d She\t tried\t shaking\t off\t his\t hand,\t but\t he\t wouldn\u2019t\t let\t go.\t Across\t the\t great\t hall, Nehemia\t sat\t with\t the\t Queen\t of\t Adarlan,\t occasionally\t glancing\t in\t Celaena\u2019s direction.\tBecause\tshe\twas\tnervous\u2014or\tjust\tsurprised\tto\tsee\ther? \u201cRelax,\u201d\tshe\thissed\tat\tthe\tCaptain\tof\tthe\tGuard.\t\u201cI\tonly\twanted\tto\thave\tsome fun.\u201d \u201cFun?\tCrashing\ta\troyal\tball\tis\tyour\tidea\tof\tfun?\u201d Arguing\t wouldn\u2019t\t help;\t she\t could\t tell\t that\t his\t anger\t was\t mostly\t about\t being embarrassed\tthat\tshe\u2019d\tmanaged\tto\tslip\tout\tof\ther\trooms\tin\tthe\tfirst\tplace.\tSo\tshe gave\thim\ta\tpitiful\tpout.\t\u201cI\twas\tlonely.\u201d He\tchoked.\t\u201cYou\tcouldn\u2019t\tspend\tone\tevening\ton\tyour\town?\u201d She\t twisted\t her\t wrist\t out\t of\t his\t grasp.\t \u201cNox\t is\t here\u2014and\t he\u2019s\t a\t thief!\t How could\tyou\tlet\thim\tcome\u2014with\tall\tthis\tjewelry\tflashing\tabout\u2014and\tnot\tme?\tHow can\t I\t be\t the\t King\u2019s\t Champion\t if\t you\t don\u2019t\t trust\t me?\u201d\t Actually,\t that\t was\t a question\tshe\treally\twanted\tto\tknow\tthe\tanswer\tto. Chaol\tcovered\this\tface\twith\ta\thand\tand\tlet\tout\ta\tlong,\tlong\tsigh.\tShe\ttried\tnot to\tsmile.\tShe\u2019d\twon.\t\u201cIf\tyou\ttake\tone\tstep\tout\tof\tline\u2014\u201d She\tgrinned\tin\tearnest.\t\u201cConsider\tit\tyour\tYulemas\tpresent\tto\tme.\u201d Chaol\t gave\t her\t a\t weighing\t look,\t but\t slumped\t his\t shoulders.\t \u201cPlease\t don\u2019t make\tme\tregret\tthis.\u201d She\t patted\t his\t cheek,\t sweeping\t past\t him.\t \u201cI\t knew\t I\t liked\t you\t for\t some reason.\u201d","He\tsaid\tnothing,\tbut\tfollowed\ther\tback\tinto\tthe\tcrowd.\tShe\u2019d\tbeen\tto\tmasked balls\tbefore,\tbut\tthere\twas\tstill\tsomething\tunnerving\tabout\tnot\tbeing\table\tto\tsee the\tfaces\tof\tthose\taround\ther.\tMost\tof\tthe\tcourt,\tDorian\tincluded,\twore\tmasks\tof varying\t sizes,\t shapes,\t and\t colors\u2014some\t of\t simple\t design,\t others\t elaborate\t and animal-shaped.\t Nehemia\t still\t sat\t with\t the\t queen,\t wearing\t a\t gold-and-turquoise mask\t with\t a\t lotus\t motif.\t They\t appeared\t to\t be\t engaged\t in\t polite\t conversation, and\tNehemia\u2019s\tguards\tstood\tto\tthe\tside\tof\tthe\tdais,\talready\tlooking\tbored. Chaol\tkept\tclose\tto\ther\tas\tshe\tfound\tan\tempty\tspot\tin\tthe\tcrowd\tand\tstopped. It\t was\t a\t good\t vantage\t point.\t She\t could\t see\t everything\t from\t here\u2014the\t dais,\t the main\tstairs,\tthe\tdance\tfloor\t.\t.\t. Dorian\twas\tdancing\twith\ta\tsmall\tbrunette\twith\toutrageously\tlarge\tbreasts\tthat he\t took\t no\t pains\t to\t avoid\t glancing\t at\t every\t so\t often.\t Hadn\u2019t\t he\t noticed\t her arrival?\tEven\tPerrington\thad\tseen\ther\twhen\tChaol\tdragged\ther\tinto\tthat\tcorner. Thankfully,\t the\t captain\t had\t subtly\t moved\t her\t away\t before\t she\t had\t to\t interact with\thim. Across\t the\t room,\t she\t met\t Nox\u2019s\t eye.\t He\t was\t flirting\t with\t a\t young\t woman wearing\ta\tdove\tmask,\tand\the\traised\this\tglass\tin\tsalute\tbefore\tturning\tback\tto\tthe girl.\tHe\u2019d\topted\tfor\ta\tblue\tmask\tthat\tconcealed\tonly\this\teyes. \u201cWell,\t try\t not\t to\t have\t too\t much\t fun,\u201d\t Chaol\t said\t beside\t her,\t crossing\t his arms. Hiding\ther\tscowl,\tCelaena\tcrossed\ther\tarms\tas\twell\tand\tbegan\ther\tvigil. \u2022 An\t hour\t later,\t Celaena\t was\t beginning\t to\t curse\t herself\t for\t a\t being\t a\t fool. Nehemia\t was\t still\t sitting\t with\t the\t queen,\t and\t hadn\u2019t\t looked\t again\t in\t Celaena\u2019s direction.\tHow\thad\tshe\teven\tconsidered\tthat\tNehemia\u2014Nehemia,\tof\tall\tpeople! \u2014would\tattack\teveryone? Celaena\u2019s\t face\t burned\t with\t shame\t beneath\t the\t mask.\t She\t didn\u2019t\t deserve\t to call\t herself\t a\t friend.\t All\t the\t dead\t Champions\t and\t mysterious\t evil\t powers\t and this\tridiculous\tcompetition\thad\tmade\ther\tgo\tmad. Celaena\t smoothed\t the\t fur\t on\t her\t dress,\t frowning\t slightly.\t Chaol\t remained beside\t her,\t saying\t nothing.\t Though\t he\u2019d\t allowed\t her\t to\t stay,\t she\t doubted\t he\u2019d soon\tforget\tthis.\tOr\tthat\tthe\tguards\twouldn\u2019t\tget\tthe\ttongue-lashing\tof\ttheir\tlives later\ttonight. Celaena\t straightened\t as\t Nehemia\t suddenly\t rose\t from\t her\t seat\t beside\t the queen\u2019s\t throne,\t her\t guards\t snapping\t to\t attention.\t She\t bowed\t her\t head\t to\t the queen,\tthe\tlight\tof\tthe\tchandeliers\tmaking\ther\tmask\tglisten,\tand\tthen\tstrode\toff the\tdais.","Celaena\tfelt\teach\tof\ther\theartbeats\thammering\tin\ther\tveins\tas\tNehemia\twove through\tthe\tcrowd,\ther\tguards\tclose\tbehind\u2014and\thalted\tin\tfront\tof\tCelaena\tand Chaol. \u201cYou\tlook\tbeautiful,\tLillian,\u201d\tNehemia\tsaid\tin\tthe\tcommon\ttongue,\ther\taccent as\t thick\t as\t it\t had\t ever\t been.\t It\t felt\t like\t a\t slap\t in\t the\t face;\t she\u2019d\t spoken\t with perfect\tfluency\tthat\tnight\tin\tthe\tlibrary.\tWas\tshe\twarning\tCelaena\tto\tkeep\tquiet about\tit? \u201cAs\tdo\tyou,\u201d\tCelaena\tsaid\ttightly.\t\u201cAre\tyou\tenjoying\tthe\tball?\u201d Nehemia\tplayed\twith\ta\tfold\tin\ther\tdress.\tAnd,\tfrom\tthe\tlook\tof\tthe\trich\tblue fabric,\t it\t was\t probably\t a\t gift\t from\t the\t Queen\t of\t Adarlan.\t \u201cYes,\t but\t I\u2019m\t not feeling\twell,\u201d\tthe\tprincess\tsaid.\t\u201cI\u2019m\tgoing\tback\tto\tmy\trooms.\u201d Celaena\tgave\ther\ta\tstiff\tnod.\t\u201cI\thope\tyou\tfeel\tbetter,\u201d\twas\tall\tshe\tcould\tthink of\tto\tsay.\tNehemia\tlooked\tat\ther\tfor\ta\tlong\tmoment,\ther\teyes\tshining\twith\twhat seemed\t like\t pain,\t and\t then\t left.\t Celaena\t watched\t her\t walk\t up\t the\t stairs,\t and didn\u2019t\ttear\ther\tgaze\taway\tuntil\tthe\tprincess\twas\tgone. Chaol\tcleared\this\tthroat.\t\u201cDo\tyou\twant\tto\ttell\tme\twhat\tthat\twas\tall\tabout?\u201d \u201cNone\t of\t your\t business,\u201d\t she\t replied.\t Something\t could\t still\t happen\u2014even\t if Nehemia\twasn\u2019t\there,\tsomething\tcould\thappen.\tBut\tno.\tNehemia\twouldn\u2019t\trepay pain\t with\t more\t pain.\t She\t was\t too\t good\t for\t that.\t Celaena\t swallowed\t hard.\t The makeshift\tknife\tin\ther\tbodice\tfelt\tlike\ta\tdead\tweight. Even\t if\t Nehemia\t wasn\u2019t\t going\t to\t hurt\t anyone\t tonight,\t that\t didn\u2019t\t prove\t her innocence. \u201cWhat\u2019s\twrong?\u201d\tChaol\tpressed. Forcing\t herself\t to\t push\t aside\t her\t shame\t and\t worry,\t Celaena\t lifted\t her\t chin. With\tNehemia\tgone,\tshe\tstill\thad\tto\tkeep\twatch,\tbut\tmaybe\tshe\tcould\tattempt\tto have\t a\t little\t fun,\t too.\t \u201cWith\t you\t scowling\t at\t everyone,\t no\t one\t will\t ask\t me\t to dance.\u201d Chaol\u2019s\tdark\tbrows\trose.\t\u201cI\u2019m\tnot\tscowling\tat\teveryone.\u201d\tEven\tas\the\tsaid\tit, she\tspotted\thim\tfrowning\tat\ta\tpassing\tcourtier\twho\tlooked\ttoo\tlong\tin\tCelaena\u2019s direction. \u201cStop\t it!\u201d\t she\t hissed.\t \u201cNo\t one\t will\t ever\t ask\t me\t to\t dance\t if\t you\t keep\t doing that!\u201d He\t gave\t her\t an\t exasperated\t look\t and\t strode\t off.\t She\t followed\t him\t to\t the border\t of\t the\t dance\t floor.\t \u201cHere,\u201d\t he\t said,\t standing\t at\t the\t edge\t of\t the\t sea\t of swirling\tgowns.\t\u201cIf\tanyone\twants\tto\task\tyou\tto\tdance,\tyou\u2019re\tin\tplain\tsight.\u201d From\tthis\tspot\tshe\tcould\talso\tstill\tmake\tsure\tno\tferal\tbeasts\twere\tabout\tto\trip into\tthe\tcrowd.\tBut\the\tdidn\u2019t\tneed\tto\tknow\tthat.\tShe\tglanced\tat\thim.\t\u201cWould\tyou like\tto\tdance\twith\tme?\u201d He\tlaughed.\t\u201cWith\tyou?\tNo.\u201d","She\tlooked\tat\tthe\tmarble\tfloor,\ther\tchest\ttight.\t\u201cYou\tneedn\u2019t\tbe\tso\tcruel.\u201d \u201cCruel?\tCelaena,\tPerrington\tis\tjust\tover\tthere.\tI\u2019m\tsure\the\u2019s\tnot\thappy\tabout you\t being\t here,\t so\t I\t wouldn\u2019t\t risk\t drawing\t his\t attention\t any\t more\t than necessary.\u201d \u201cCoward.\u201d Chaol\u2019s\teyes\tsoftened.\t\u201cIf\the\tweren\u2019t\there,\tI\twould\thave\tsaid\tyes.\u201d \u201cI\tcan\teasily\tarrange\tthat,\tyou\tknow.\u201d He\tshook\this\thead\tas\the\tadjusted\tthe\tlapel\ton\this\tblack\ttunic.\tJust\tthen\tDorian waltzed\tby,\tsweeping\tthe\tbrunette\twith\thim.\tHe\tdidn\u2019t\teven\tglance\tat\ther. \u201cAnyway,\u201d\t Chaol\t added,\t jerking\t his\t chin\t at\t Dorian,\t \u201cI\t think\t you\t have\t far more\tattractive\tsuitors\tvying\tfor\tyour\tattention.\tI\u2019m\tboring\tcompany\tto\tkeep.\u201d \u201cI\tdon\u2019t\tmind\tbeing\there\twith\tyou.\u201d \u201cI\u2019m\tsure\tyou\tdon\u2019t,\u201d\tChaol\tsaid\tdryly,\tthough\the\tmet\ther\tstare. \u201cI\t mean\t it.\t Why\t aren\u2019t\t you\t dancing\t with\t anyone?\t Aren\u2019t\t there\t ladies\t whom you\tlike?\u201d \u201cI\u2019m\t the\t Captain\t of\t the\t Guard\u2014I\u2019m\t not\t exactly\t a\t catch\t for\t any\t of\t them.\u201d There\twas\tsome\tsorrow\tin\this\teyes,\tthough\tit\twas\twell\tconcealed. \u201cAre\tyou\tmad?\tYou\u2019re\tbetter\tthan\teveryone\tin\there.\tAnd\tyou\u2019re\u2014you\u2019re\tvery handsome,\u201d\t she\t said,\t taking\t his\t hand\t in\t her\t free\t one.\t There\t was\t beauty\t in Chaol\u2019s\t face\u2014and\t strength,\t and\t honor,\t and\t loyalty.\t She\t stopped\t hearing\t the crowd,\tand\ther\tmouth\tbecame\tdry\tas\the\tstared\tat\ther.\tHow\thad\tshe\tmissed\tit\tfor so\tlong? \u201cYou\tthink\tso?\u201d\the\tsaid\tafter\ta\tmoment,\tlooking\tat\ttheir\tclasped\thands. She\ttightened\ther\tgrasp.\t\u201cWhy,\tif\tI\twasn\u2019t\u2014\u201d \u201cWhy\taren\u2019t\tyou\ttwo\tdancing?\u201d Chaol\t dropped\t her\t hand.\t She\t had\t difficulty\t turning\t away\t from\t him.\t \u201cAnd with\twhom\twould\tI\tdance,\tYour\tHighness?\u201d Dorian\t was\t alarmingly\t handsome\t in\t his\t pewter\t tunic.\t One\t might\t say\t it matched\t her\t dress.\t \u201cYou\t look\t radiant,\u201d\t he\t said.\t \u201cAnd\t you\t look\t radiant\t as\t well, Chaol.\u201d\t He\t winked\t at\t his\t friend.\t Then\t Dorian\u2019s\t gaze\t met\t hers,\t and\t Celaena\u2019s blood\t turned\t into\t shooting\t stars.\t \u201cWell?\t Do\t I\t need\t to\t lecture\t you\t about\t how stupid\t it\t was\t to\t sneak\t into\t the\t ball,\t or\t can\t I\t just\t ask\t you\t to\t dance\t with\t me instead?\u201d \u201cI\tdon\u2019t\tthink\tthat\u2019s\ta\tgood\tidea,\u201d\tChaol\tsaid. \u201cWhy?\u201d\t they\t asked\t in\t unison.\t Dorian\t stepped\t a\t little\t closer\t to\t her.\t Even though\t she\t was\t ashamed\t of\t herself\t for\t believing\t such\t awful\t things\t about Nehemia,\tknowing\tthat\tDorian\tand\tChaol\twere\tsafe\tmade\tthe\tmisery\tworth\tit. \u201cBecause\tit\tattracts\ttoo\tmuch\tattention,\tthat\u2019s\twhy.\u201d\tCelaena\trolled\ther\teyes, and\tChaol\tglared\tat\ther.\t\u201cDo\tI\thave\tto\tremind\tyou\twho\tyou\tare?\u201d","\u201cNo.\t You\t remind\t me\t every\t day,\u201d\t she\t retorted.\t His\t brown\t eyes\t darkened. What\t was\t the\t point\t in\t being\t nice\t to\t her\t if\t he\t was\t only\t going\t to\t insult\t her\t the next\tmoment? Dorian\tput\ta\thand\ton\ther\tshoulder\tand\tgave\tChaol\ta\tcharming\tsmile.\t\u201cRelax, Chaol,\u201d\the\tsaid,\tand\this\thand\tslipped\tto\trest\ton\ther\tback,\this\tfingers\tgrazing\ther bare\tskin.\t\u201cJust\ttake\tthe\tnight\toff.\u201d\tDorian\tturned\ther\tfrom\tthe\tcaptain.\t\u201cIt\u2019ll\tdo you\tsome\tgood,\u201d\the\tsaid\tover\this\tshoulder,\tthough\tthe\tmerriness\tfaded\tfrom\this tone. \u201cI\u2019m\t getting\t a\t drink,\u201d\t muttered\t Chaol,\t and\t walked\t away.\t She\t watched\t the captain\tfor\ta\tmoment.\tIt\twould\tbe\ta\tmiracle\tif\the\tconsidered\ther\ta\tfriend.\tDorian caressed\t her\t back,\t and\t she\t looked\t at\t him.\t Her\t heart\t jumped\t into\t a\t gallop,\t and Chaol\t dissolved\t from\t her\t thoughts,\t like\t dew\t beneath\t the\t morning\t sun.\t She\t felt bad\t for\t forgetting\t him\u2014but\t .\t .\t .\t but\t .\t .\t .\t Oh,\t she\t wanted\t Dorian,\t she\t couldn\u2019t deny\tit.\tShe\twanted\thim. \u201cYou\t look\t beautiful,\u201d\t Dorian\t said\t quietly,\t running\t an\t eye\t over\t her\t in\t a\t way that\tmade\ther\tears\tburn.\t\u201cI\thaven\u2019t\tbeen\table\tto\tstop\tstaring\tat\tyou.\u201d \u201cOh?\tAnd\tI\tthought\tyou\thadn\u2019t\teven\tnoticed\tme.\u201d \u201cChaol\t got\t there\t first\t when\t you\t arrived.\t And\t besides,\t I\t had\t to\t work\t up\t the nerve\tto\tapproach\tyou.\u201d\tHe\tgrinned.\t\u201cYou\u2019re\tvery\tintimidating.\tEspecially\twith the\tmask.\u201d \u201cAnd\t I\t suppose\t it\t didn\u2019t\t help\t that\t you\t had\t a\t line\t of\t ladies\t waiting\t to\t dance with\tyou.\u201d \u201cI\u2019m\t here\t now,\t aren\u2019t\t I?\u201d\t Her\t heart\t tightened,\t and\t she\t realized\t it\t wasn\u2019t\t the answer\tshe\u2019d\tbeen\thoping\tfor.\tWhat\tdid\tshe\twant\tfrom\thim? He\theld\tout\this\thand,\tinclining\this\thead.\t\u201cDance\twith\tme?\u201d Was\t there\t music\t playing?\t She\u2019d\t forgotten.\t The\t world\t had\t shrunk\t into nothing,\tdissolved\t by\tthe\tgolden\tglow\t of\tcandles.\tBut\tthere\twere\ther\tfeet,\tand here\t was\t her\t arm,\t and\t her\t neck,\t and\t her\t mouth.\t She\t smiled\t and\t took\t his\t hand, still\tkeeping\tone\teye\ton\tthe\tball\taround\tthem.","Chapter\t39 He\t was\t lost\u2014lost\t in\t a\t world\t of\t which\t he\u2019d\t always\t dreamed.\t Her\t body\t was warm\t beneath\t his\t hand,\t and\t her\t fingers\t were\t soft\t around\t his.\t He\t spun\t her\t and led\t her\t about\t the\t floor,\t waltzing\t as\t smoothly\t as\t he\t could.\t She\t didn\u2019t\t falter\t a single\t step,\t nor\t did\t she\t seem\t to\t care\t about\t the\t many\t angry\t female\t faces\t that watched\tas\tdance\tafter\tdance\tpassed\tand\tthey\tdidn\u2019t\tswitch\tpartners. Of\t course,\t it\t wasn\u2019t\t polite\t for\t a\t prince\t to\t dance\t with\t only\t one\t lady,\t but\t he couldn\u2019t\t focus\t on\t anything\t beyond\t his\t partner\t and\t the\t music\t that\t carried\t them onward. \u201cYou\tcertainly\thave\ta\tlot\tof\tstamina,\u201d\tshe\tsaid.\tWhen\thad\tthey\tlast\tspoken?\tIt could\t have\t been\t ten\t minutes\t or\t an\t hour\t ago.\t The\t masked\t faces\t around\t them blurred\ttogether. \u201cWhile\t some\t parents\t hit\t their\t children,\t mine\t also\t punished\t me\t with\t dancing lessons.\u201d \u201cThen\tyou\tmust\thave\tbeen\ta\tvery\tnaughty\tboy.\u201d\tShe\tglanced\taround\tthe\tball, as\tif\tshe\twere\tlooking\tfor\tsomething\u2014or\tsomeone. \u201cYou\u2019re\t gracious\t with\t your\t compliments\t tonight.\u201d\t He\t twirled\t her.\t The\t skirts of\ther\tgown\tsparkled\tunderneath\tthe\tchandelier. \u201cIt\u2019s\tYulemas,\u201d\tshe\tsaid.\t\u201cEveryone\u2019s\tkind\ton\tYulemas.\u201d\tA\tflash\tof\twhat\the could\thave\tsworn\twas\tpain\tshone\tin\ther\teyes,\tbut\tit\twas\tgone\tbefore\the\tcould\tbe certain\tof\tit. He\tcaught\ther\taround\tthe\twaist,\this\tfeet\tmoving\tto\tthe\tbeat\tof\tthe\twaltz.\t\u201cAnd how\u2019s\tyour\tpresent?\u201d \u201cOh,\t she\t hid\t under\t my\t bed,\t then\t in\t the\t dining\t room,\t which\t is\t where\t I\t left her.\u201d \u201cYou\tlocked\tthe\tdog\tin\tyour\tdining\troom?\u201d \u201cShould\tI\thave\tkept\ther\tin\tmy\tbedroom,\twhere\tshe\tcould\truin\tthe\tcarpets?\tOr in\tthe\tgaming\troom,\twhere\tshe\tmight\teat\tthe\tchess\tpieces\tand\tchoke?\u201d \u201cPerhaps\tyou\tshould\thave\tsent\ther\tto\tthe\tkennels,\twhere\tdogs\tbelong.\u201d \u201cOn\tYulemas?\tI\tcouldn\u2019t\tthink\tof\tsending\ther\tback\tto\tthat\twretched\tplace!\u201d He\tsuddenly\tfelt\tthe\turge\tto\tkiss\ther\u2014hard\u2014upon\tthe\tmouth.\tBut\tthis\u2014what he\tfelt,\tit\tcould\tnever\tbe\treal.\tBecause\tonce\tthe\tball\twas\tover,\tshe\twould\tgo\tback to\tbeing\tan\tassassin,\tand\the\twould\tstill\tbe\ta\tprince.\tDorian\tswallowed\thard.\tFor tonight,\tthough\t.\t.\t. He\theld\ther\tcloser.\tEveryone\ttransformed\tinto\tmere\tshadows\ton\tthe\twall. \u2022","Frowning,\t Chaol\t watched\t his\t friend\t dance\t with\t the\t assassin.\t He\t wouldn\u2019t\t have danced\twith\ther,\tanyway.\tAnd\the\twas\tglad\the\thadn\u2019t\tworked\tup\tthe\tnerve\tto\task her,\t not\t after\t seeing\t the\t color\t that\t Duke\t Perrington\u2019s\t face\t turned\t upon discovering\tthe\tpair. A\tcourtier\tnamed\tOtho\tstepped\tbeside\tChaol.\t\u201cI\tthought\tshe\twas\twith\tyou.\u201d \u201cWho?\tLady\tLillian?\u201d \u201cSo\t that\u2019s\t her\t name!\t I\u2019ve\t never\t seen\t her\t before.\t Is\t she\t newly\t arrived\t to court?\u201d \u201cYes,\u201d\tsaid\tChaol.\tTomorrow,\the\u2019d\thave\ta\tword\twith\ther\tguards\tabout\tletting Celaena\t out\t tonight.\t Hopefully\t by\t then,\t he\u2019d\t be\t less\t inclined\t to\t knock\t their heads\ttogether. \u201cHow\tare\tyou\tdoing,\tCaptain\tWestfall?\u201d\tOtho\tsaid,\tclapping\thim\ton\tthe\tback a\tbit\ttoo\thard.\tHis\tbreath\treeked\tof\twine.\t\u201cYou\tdon\u2019t\tdine\twith\tus\tanymore.\u201d \u201cI\tstopped\tdining\tat\tyour\ttable\tthree\tyears\tago,\tOtho.\u201d \u201cYou\tshould\tcome\tback\u2014we\tmiss\tyour\tconversation.\u201d\tIt\twas\ta\tlie.\tOtho\tonly wanted\t information\t about\t the\t foreign\t young\t lady.\t His\t reputation\t with\t women was\t well\t known\t in\tthe\t castle\u2014so\t well\t known\t that\t he\t had\tto\t seize\t courtiers\t as they\tarrived\tor\tgo\tinto\tRifthold\tfor\ta\tdifferent\tsort\tof\twoman. Chaol\t watched\t Dorian\t dip\t Celaena,\t watched\t the\t way\t her\t lips\t widened\t in\t a smile\t and\t her\t eyes\t burst\t with\t light\t as\t the\t Crown\t Prince\t said\t something.\t Even with\tthe\tmask\ton,\tChaol\tcould\tsee\tthe\thappiness\twritten\tacross\ther\tface.\t\u201cIs\the with\ther?\u201d\tOtho\tasked. \u201cThe\tLady\tLillian\tbelongs\tto\therself,\tand\tno\tone\telse.\u201d \u201cSo\tshe\u2019s\tnot\twith\thim?\u201d \u201cNo.\u201d Otho\tshrugged.\t\u201cThat\u2019s\tstrange.\u201d \u201cWhy?\u201d\tChaol\thad\tthe\tsudden\turge\tto\tstrangle\thim. \u201cBecause\tit\tlooks\tlike\the\u2019s\tin\tlove\twith\ther,\u201d\the\tsaid,\tand\twalked\taway. Chaol\u2019s\teyes\tlost\tfocus\tfor\ta\tmoment.\tThen\tCelaena\tlaughed,\tand\tDorian\tkept staring\tat\ther.\tThe\tprince\thadn\u2019t\tonce\ttaken\this\teyes\toff\ther.\tDorian\u2019s\texpression was\t full\t of\u2014something.\t Joy?\t Wonder?\t His\t shoulders\t were\t straight,\t his\t back erect.\tHe\tlooked\tlike\ta\tman.\tLike\ta\tking. It\twas\timpossible\tfor\tsuch\ta\tthing\tto\thave\toccurred;\tand\twhen\twould\tit\thave happened?\tOtho\twas\ta\tdrunk\tand\ta\twomanizer.\tWhat\tdid\the\tknow\tof\tlove? Dorian\tspun\tCelaena\twith\tspeed\tand\tdexterity,\tand\tshe\tsnapped\tinto\this\tarms, her\t shoulders\t rising\t with\t exhilaration.\t But\t she\t wasn\u2019t\t in\t love\t with\t him\u2014Otho hadn\u2019t\t said\t that.\t He\t had\t seen\t no\t attachment\t on\t her\t part.\t And\t Celaena\t would never\t be\t that\t stupid.\t It\t was\t Dorian\t who\t was\t the\t fool\u2014Dorian\t who\t would\t have his\theart\tbroken,\tif\the\tdid\tactually\tlove\ther.","Unable\tto\tlook\tat\this\tfriend\tany\tlonger,\tthe\tCaptain\tof\tthe\tGuard\tleft\tthe\tball. \u2022 Kaltain\twatched\tin\trage\tand\tagony\tas\tLillian\tGordaina\tand\tthe\tCrown\tPrince\tof Adarlan\t danced\t and\t danced\t and\t danced.\t Even\t with\t a\t much\t more\t concealing mask,\t she\t would\t have\t recognized\t the\t upstart.\t And\t what\t sort\t of\t a\t person\t wore gray\t to\t a\t ball?\t Kaltain\t looked\t down\t at\t her\t dress\t and\t smiled.\t Bright\t shades\t of blue,\temerald,\tand\tsoft\tbrown,\ther\tgown\tand\tmatching\tpeacock\tmask\thad\tcost\tas much\t as\t a\t small\t house.\t It\t was\t all\t a\t gift\t from\t Perrington,\t of\t course,\t along\t with the\t jewelry\t that\t decorated\t much\t of\t her\t neck\t and\t arms.\t It\t was\t certainly\t not\t the dull,\tdrab\tmess\tof\tcrystal\tthat\tthe\tconniving\tharlot\twore. Perrington\t stroked\t her\t arm,\t and\t Kaltain\t turned\t to\t him\t with\t fluttering eyelashes.\t \u201cYou\t look\t handsome\t tonight,\t my\t love,\u201d\t she\t said,\t adjusting\t a\t gold chain\tacross\this\tred\ttunic.\tHis\tface\tquickly\tmatched\tthe\tcolor\tof\this\tclothes.\tShe wondered\tif\tshe\tcould\tbear\tthe\trepulsion\tof\tkissing\thim.\tShe\tcould\talways\tkeep refusing,\tjust\tas\tshe\thad\tfor\tthe\tpast\tmonth;\tbut\twhen\the\twas\tthis\tdrunk\t.\t.\t. She\t would\t have\t to\t think\t of\t a\t way\t out\t as\t soon\t as\t possible.\t But\t she\t was\t no closer\t to\t Dorian\t than\t she\u2019d\t been\t in\t early\t autumn,\t and\t would\t certainly\t make\t no progress\twith\tLillian\tin\tthe\tway. A\t precipice\t opened\t before\t her.\t Her\t head\t gave\t a\t brief,\t faint\t throb\t of\t pain. There\twere\tno\tother\toptions\tnow.\tLillian\thad\tto\tbe\teliminated. \u2022 When\t the\t clock\t chimed\t three\t and\t most\t of\t the\t guests\u2014including\t the\t queen\t and Chaol\u2014had\tleft,\tCelaena\tfinally\tdecided\tthat\tit\twas\tsafe\tfor\ther\tto\tleave.\tSo\tshe slipped\t from\t the\t ball\t when\t Dorian\t went\t to\t get\t a\t drink\t and\t found\t Ress\t waiting outside\tto\tescort\ther\tback.\tThe\thalls\tof\tthe\tcastle\twere\tsilent\tas\tthey\tstrode\tto\ther room,\t taking\t the\t empty\t servants\u2019\t passages\t to\t avoid\t any\t too-curious\t courtiers learning\t more\t about\t her.\t Even\t if\t she\u2019d\t gone\t to\t the\t ball\t for\t the\t wrong\t reasons, she\t had\t had\t some\t fun\t dancing\t with\t Dorian.\t More\t than\t some,\t actually.\t She smiled\tto\therself,\tpicking\tat\ther\tnails\tas\tthey\tentered\tthe\thallway\tthat\tled\tto\ther rooms.\tThe\trush\tof\thaving\tDorian\tlook\tonly\tat\ther,\ttalk\tonly\tto\ther,\ttreat\ther\tas\tif she\t were\t his\t equal\t and\t more\t hadn\u2019t\t yet\t worn\t off.\t Maybe\t her\t plan\t hadn\u2019t\t been such\ta\tfailure\tafter\tall. Ress\tcleared\this\tthroat,\tand\tCelaena\tlooked\tup\tto\tsee\tDorian\tstanding\toutside her\t rooms,\t chatting\t with\t the\t guards.\t He\t couldn\u2019t\t have\t stayed\t long\t at\t the\t ball\t if he\u2019d\t beaten\t her\t back\t here.\t Her\t heart\t pounded,\t but\t she\t managed\t a\t coy\t smile\t as","Dorian\t bowed\t to\t her,\t opened\t the\t door,\t and\t they\t went\t inside.\t Let\t Ress\t and\t the guards\tthink\twhat\tthey\twanted. She\tunfastened\tthe\tmask\tfrom\ther\tface,\ttossing\tit\tonto\tthe\ttable\tin\tthe\tcenter of\tthe\tfoyer,\tand\tsighed\tas\tthe\tcool\tair\tmet\ther\tflushed\tskin.\t\u201cWell?\u201d\tshe\tasked, leaning\tagainst\tthe\twall\tbeside\tthe\tdoor\tto\ther\tbedroom. Dorian\tapproached\t her\t slowly,\t halting\t only\t a\t hand\u2019s\t breath\t away.\t \u201cYou\t left the\t ball\t without\t saying\t good-bye,\u201d\t he\t said,\t and\t braced\t an\t arm\t against\t the\t wall beside\t her\t head.\t She\t raised\t her\t eyes,\t examining\t the\t black\t detail\t on\t the\t sleeve that\tfell\tjust\tabove\ther\thair. \u201cI\u2019m\t impressed\t you\t got\t up\t here\t so\t quickly\u2014and\t without\t a\t pack\t of\t court ladies\t hounding\t after\t you.\t Perhaps\t you\t should\t try\t your\t hand\t at\t being\t an assassin.\u201d He\tshook\tthe\thair\tout\tof\this\tface.\t\u201cI\u2019m\tnot\tinterested\tin\tcourt\tladies,\u201d\the\tsaid thickly,\tand\tkissed\ther. His\tmouth\twas\twarm,\tand\this\tlips\twere\tsmooth,\tand\tCelaena\tlost\tall\tsense\tof time\t and\t place\t as\t she\t slowly\t kissed\t him\t back.\t He\t pulled\t away\t for\t a\t moment, looked\t into\t her\t eyes\t as\t they\t opened,\t and\t kissed\t her\t again.\t It\t was\t different\t this time\u2014deeper,\tfull\tof\tneed. Her\t arms\t were\t heavy\t and\t light\t all\t at\t once,\t and\t the\t room\t twirled\t round\t and round.\t She\t couldn\u2019t\t stop.\t She\t liked\t this\u2014liked\t being\t kissed\t by\t him,\t liked\t the smell\tand\tthe\ttaste\tand\tthe\tfeel\tof\thim. His\t arm\t slipped\t around\t her\t waist\t and\t he\t held\t her\t tightly\t to\t him\t as\t his\t lips moved\tagainst\thers.\tShe\tput\ta\thand\ton\this\tshoulder,\ther\tfingers\tdigging\tinto\tthe muscle\t that\t lay\t beneath.\t How\t different\t things\t were\t between\t them\t than\t when she\u2019d\tfirst\tseen\thim\tin\tEndovier! Her\t eyes\t opened.\t Endovier.\t Why\t was\t she\t kissing\t the\t Crown\t Prince\t of Adarlan?\tHer\tfingers\tloosened\tand\ther\tarm\tdropped\tto\ther\tside. He\tremoved\this\tmouth\tfrom\thers\tand\tsmiled.\tIt\twas\tinfectious.\tDorian\tleaned forward\tagain,\tbut\tshe\tsmoothly\tput\ttwo\tfingers\tagainst\this\tlips. \u201cI\tshould\tgo\tto\tbed,\u201d\tshe\tsaid.\tHe\traised\this\t eyebrows.\t\u201cAlone,\u201d\tshe\tadded. He\t removed\t her\t fingers\t from\t his\t mouth.\t He\t tried\t to\t kiss\t her,\t but\t she\t easily swung\t under\t his\t arm\t and\t reached\t for\t the\t door\t handle.\t She\t had\t opened\t the bedroom\tdoor\tand\tslid\tinside\tbefore\the\tcould\tstop\ther.\tShe\tpeered\tinto\tthe\tfoyer, watching\tas\the\tcontinued\tto\tsmile.\t\u201cGood\tnight.\u201d Dorian\tleaned\tagainst\tthe\tdoor,\tbringing\this\tface\tclose\tto\thers.\t\u201cGood\tnight,\u201d he\t whispered,\t and\t she\t didn\u2019t\t stop\t him\t as\t he\t kissed\t her\t again.\t He\t broke\t it\t off before\t she\t was\t ready,\t and\t she\t almost\t fell\t onto\t the\t ground\t as\t he\t removed\t his weight\tfrom\tthe\tdoor.\tHe\tlaughed\tsoftly. \u201cGood\tnight,\u201d\tshe\tsaid\tagain,\theat\trushing\tto\ther\tface.\tThen\the\twas\tgone.","Celaena\t strode\t to\t the\t balcony\t and\t flung\t open\t the\t doors,\t embracing\t the\t chill air.\t Her\t hand\t rose\t to\t her\t lips\t and\t she\t stared\t up\t at\t the\t stars,\t feeling\t her\t heart grow,\tand\tgrow,\tand\tgrow. \u2022 Dorian\twalked\tslowly\tback\tto\this\trooms,\this\theart\tracing.\tHe\tcould\tstill\tfeel\ther lips\ton\this,\tsmell\tthe\tscent\tof\ther\thair,\tand\tsee\tthe\tgold\tin\ther\teyes\tflickering\tin the\tcandlelight. Consequences\tbe\tdamned.\tHe\u2019d\tfind\ta\tway\tto\tmake\tit\twork;\the\u2019d\tfind\ta\tway to\tbe\twith\ther.\tHe\thad\tto. He\thad\tleapt\tfrom\tthe\tcliff.\tHe\tcould\tonly\twait\tfor\tthe\tnet. \u2022 In\tthe\tgarden,\tthe\tCaptain\tof\tthe\tGuard\tstared\tup\tat\tthe\tyoung\twoman\u2019s\tbalcony, watching\tas\tshe\twaltzed\talone,\tlost\tin\ther\tdreams.\tBut\the\tknew\tthat\ther\tthoughts weren\u2019t\tof\thim. She\tstopped\tand\tstared\tupward.\tEven\tfrom\ta\tdistance,\the\tcould\tsee\tthe\tblush upon\ther\tcheeks.\tShe\tseemed\tyoung\u2014no,\tnew.\tIt\tmade\this\tchest\tache. Still,\t he\t watched,\t watched\t until\t she\t sighed\t and\t went\t inside.\t She\t never bothered\tto\tlook\tbelow.","Chapter\t40 Celaena\t groaned\t as\t something\t cold\t and\t wet\t brushed\t her\t cheek\t and\t moved\t to lick\t her\t face.\t She\t opened\t an\t eye\t and\t found\t the\t puppy\t looking\t down\t at\t her,\t its tail\twagging.\tAdjusting\therself\tin\tthe\tbed,\tshe\twinced\tat\tthe\tsunlight.\tShe\thadn\u2019t meant\t to\t sleep\t in.\t They\t had\t a\t Test\t in\t two\t days,\t and\t she\t needed\t to\t train.\t It\t was their\tlast\tTest\tbefore\tthe\tfinal\tduel\u2014the\tTest\tthat\tdecided\twho\tthe\tfour\tfinalists would\tbe. Celaena\trubbed\tan\teye\tand\tthen\tscratched\tthe\tdog\tbehind\tthe\tears.\t\u201cHave\tyou peed\tsomewhere\tand\twish\tto\ttell\tme\tabout\tit?\u201d \u201cOh\tno,\u201d\tsaid\tsomeone\tas\tthe\tbedroom\tdoor\tswung\topen\u2014Dorian.\t\u201cI\ttook\ther out\tat\tdawn\twith\tthe\tother\tdogs.\u201d She\tsmiled\tweakly\tas\the\tapproached.\t\u201cIsn\u2019t\tit\trather\tearly\tfor\ta\tvisit?\u201d \u201cEarly?\u201d\tHe\tlaughed,\tsitting\ton\tthe\tbed.\tShe\tinched\taway.\t\u201cIt\u2019s\talmost\tone\tin the\tafternoon!\tPhilippa\ttold\tme\tyou\u2019ve\tbeen\tsleeping\tlike\tthe\tdead\tall\tmorning.\u201d One!\tShe\u2019d\tslept\tthat\tlong?\tWhat\tabout\tlessons\twith\tChaol?\tShe\tscratched\ther nose\tand\tpulled\tthe\tpuppy\tonto\ther\tlap.\tAt\tleast\tnothing\thad\thappened\tlast\tnight; if\t there\t had\t been\t another\t attack,\t she\t would\t have\t heard\t about\t it\t already.\t She almost\t sighed\t with\t relief,\t though\t the\t guilt\t of\t what\t she\u2019d\t done\u2014how\t little\t faith she\u2019d\thad\tin\tNehemia\u2014still\tmade\ther\ta\ttad\tmiserable. \u201cHave\tyou\tnamed\ther\tyet?\u201d\the\tasked\u2014casual,\tcalm,\tcollected.\tWas\the\tacting that\tway\tfor\tshow,\tor\twas\ttheir\tkiss\tjust\tnot\tthat\timportant\tto\thim? \u201cNo,\u201d\t she\t said,\t keeping\t her\t face\t neutral,\t even\t though\t she\t wanted\t to\t scream from\tthe\tawkwardness.\t\u201cI\tcan\u2019t\tthink\tof\tanything\tappropriate.\u201d \u201cWhat\tabout,\u201d\the\tsaid,\ttapping\this\tchin,\t\u201cGold\t.\t.\t.\tie?\u201d \u201cThat\u2019s\tthe\tstupidest\tname\tI\u2019ve\tever\theard.\u201d \u201cCan\tyou\tthink\tof\tsomething\tbetter?\u201d She\tpicked\tup\tone\tof\tthe\tdog\u2019s\tlegs\tand\texamined\tthe\tsoft\tpaws.\tShe\tsquished the\tpadded\tfoot\tbeneath\ther\tthumb.\t\u201cFleetfoot.\u201d\tIt\twas\ta\tperfect\tname.\tIn\tfact,\tit felt\t as\t if\t the\t name\t had\t existed\t all\t along,\t and\t she\u2019d\t finally\t been\t clairvoyant enough\tto\tstumble\tacross\tit.\t\u201cYes,\tFleetfoot\tit\tis.\u201d \u201cDoes\t it\t mean\t anything?\u201d\t he\t asked,\t and\t the\t dog\t raised\t her\t head\t to\t look\t at him. \u201cIt\u2019ll\t mean\t something\t when\t she\t outruns\t all\t of\t your\t purebreds.\u201d\t Celaena scooped\tthe\tdog\tinto\ther\tarms\tand\tkissed\ther\thead.\tShe\tbounced\ther\tarms\tup\tand down,\t and\t Fleetfoot\t stared\t up\t into\t her\t eyes\t with\t a\t wrinkled\t brow.\t She\t was absurdly\tsoft\tand\tcuddly. Dorian\tchuckled.\t\u201cWe\u2019ll\tsee.\u201d\tCelaena\tset\tthe\tdog\tdown\ton\tthe\tbed.\tFleetfoot","promptly\tcrawled\tunder\tthe\tblankets\tand\tdisappeared. \u201cDid\tyou\tsleep\twell?\u201d\the\tasked. \u201cYes.\tThough\tit\tseems\tyou\tdidn\u2019t,\tif\tyou\twere\tup\tso\tearly.\u201d \u201cListen,\u201d\t he\t began,\t and\t Celaena\t wanted\t to\t throw\t herself\t from\t the\t balcony. \u201cLast\tnight\t.\t.\t.\tI\u2019m\tsorry\tif\tI\twas\ttoo\tforward\twith\tyou.\u201d\tHe\tpaused.\t\u201cCelaena, you\u2019re\tgrimacing.\u201d Had\tshe\tbeen\tmaking\ta\tface?\t\u201cEr\u2014sorry.\u201d \u201cIt\tdid\tupset\tyou,\tthen!\u201d \u201cWhat\tdid?\u201d \u201cThe\tkiss!\u201d Phlegm\tcaught\tin\ther\tthroat,\tand\tthe\tassassin\tcoughed.\t\u201cOh,\tit\twas\tnothing,\u201d she\t said,\t thumping\t her\t chest\t as\t she\t cleared\t her\t throat.\t \u201cI\t didn\u2019t\t mind\t it.\t But\t I didn\u2019t\thate\tit,\tif\tthat\u2019s\twhat\tyou\u2019re\tthinking!\u201d\tShe\timmediately\tregretted\tsaying it. \u201cSo,\tyou\tliked\tit?\u201d\tHe\tgrinned\tlazily. \u201cNo!\t Oh,\t go\t away!\u201d\t She\t flung\t herself\t onto\t her\t pillows,\t pulling\t the\t blankets above\ther\thead.\tShe\twas\tgoing\tto\tdie\tfrom\tembarrassment. Fleetfoot\tlicked\ther\tface\tas\tshe\thid\tin\tthe\tdarkness\tof\tthe\tsheets.\t\u201cCome\tnow,\u201d he\tsaid.\t\u201cFrom\tyour\treaction,\tone\twould\tthink\tyou\u2019d\tnever\tbeen\tkissed.\u201d She\t threw\t back\t the\t blankets,\t and\t Fleetfoot\t burrowed\t farther\t beneath.\t \u201cOf course\t I\u2019ve\t been\t kissed,\u201d\t she\t snapped,\t trying\t not\t to\t think\t about\t Sam\t and\t what she\u2019d\t shared\t with\t him.\t \u201cBut\t it\t wasn\u2019t\t by\t some\t stuffed\t shirt,\t pompous,\t arrogant princeling!\u201d He\tlooked\tdown\tat\this\tchest.\t\u201cStuffed\tshirt?\u201d \u201cOh,\t hush\t up,\u201d\t she\t said,\t hitting\t him\t with\t a\t pillow.\t She\t moved\t to\t the\t other side\tof\tthe\tbed,\tgot\tup,\tand\twalked\tto\tthe\tbalcony. She\tfelt\thim\twatching\ther,\tstaring\tat\ther\tback\tand\tthe\tthree\tscars\tshe\tknew\ther low-cut\tnightgown\tdid\tnothing\tto\thide.\t\u201cAre\t you\tgoing\tto\tremain\t here\twhile\tI change?\u201d She\t faced\t him.\t He\t wasn\u2019t\t looking\t at\t her\t the\t way\t he\t had\t the\t night\t before. There\t was\t something\t wary\t in\t his\t gaze\u2014and\t something\t unspeakably\t sad.\t Her blood\tthrummed\tin\ther\tveins.\t\u201cWell?\u201d \u201cYour\tscars\tare\tawful,\u201d\the\tsaid,\talmost\twhispering. She\t put\t a\t hand\t on\t a\t hip\t and\t walked\t to\t the\t dressing\t room\t door.\t \u201cWe\t all\t bear scars,\t Dorian.\t Mine\t just\t happen\t to\t be\t more\t visible\t than\t most.\t Sit\t there\t if\t you like,\tbut\tI\u2019m\tgoing\tto\tget\tdressed.\u201d\tShe\tstrode\tfrom\tthe\troom. \u2022","Kaltain\t walked\t beside\t Duke\t Perrington\t through\t the\t endless\t tables\t of\t the\t palace greenhouse.\t The\t giant\t glass\t building\t was\t full\t of\t shadows\t and\t light,\t and\t she fanned\therself\tas\tthe\tsteamy\theat\tsmothered\ther\tface.\tThe\tman\tpicked\tthe\tmost absurd\tplaces\tto\twalk.\tShe\thad\tabout\tas\tmuch\tinterest\tin\tthe\tplants\tand\tflowers as\tshe\tdid\tin\ta\tmud\tpuddle\ton\tthe\tside\tof\ta\tstreet. He\t picked\t a\t lily\u2014snow\t white\u2014and\t handed\t it\t to\t her\t with\t a\t bow\t of\t his\t head. \u201cFor\t you.\u201d\t She\t tried\t not\t to\t cringe\t at\t the\t sight\t of\t his\t pocked,\t ruddy\t skin\t and orange\tmustache.\tThe\tthought\tof\tbeing\tstuck\twith\thim\tmade\ther\twant\tto\trip\tall the\tplants\tout\tby\ttheir\troots\tand\tthrow\tthem\tinto\tthe\tsnow. \u201cThank\tyou,\u201d\tshe\tsaid\thuskily. But\t Perrington\t studied\t her\t closely.\t \u201cYou\t seem\t out\t of\t spirits\t today,\t Lady Kaltain.\u201d \u201cDo\tI?\u201d\tShe\tcocked\ther\thead\tin\ther\tcoyest\texpression.\t\u201cPerhaps\ttoday\tpales\tin comparison\tto\tthe\tfun\tI\thad\tat\tthe\tball\tlast\tnight.\u201d The\t duke\u2019s\t black\t eyes\t bored\t into\t her,\t though,\t and\t he\t frowned\t as\t he\t put\t a hand\ton\ther\telbow\tand\tsteered\ther\ton.\t\u201cYou\tneedn\u2019t\tpretend\twith\tme.\tI\tnoticed you\twatching\tthe\tCrown\tPrince.\u201d Kaltain\t gave\t away\t nothing\t as\t she\t raised\t her\t manicured\t brows\t and\t looked sidelong\tat\thim.\t\u201cWas\tI?\u201d Perrington\tran\ta\tmeaty\tfinger\tdown\tthe\tspine\tof\ta\tfern.\tThe\tblack\tring\ton\this finger\tpulsed,\tand\ther\thead\tgave\ta\tthrob\tof\tpain\tin\tresponse.\t\u201cI\tnoticed\thim,\ttoo. The\tgirl,\tspecifically.\tShe\u2019s\ttroublesome,\tisn\u2019t\tshe?\u201d \u201cLady\tLillian?\u201d\tKaltain\tblinked\tthis\ttime,\tunsure\twhether\tshe\tcould\tsag\twith relief\t just\t yet.\t He\t hadn\u2019t\t noticed\t her\t wanting\t the\t prince,\t but\t rather\t that\t she\u2019d noticed\thow\tLillian\tand\tDorian\tclung\tto\teach\tother\tall\tnight. \u201cSo\tshe\tcalls\therself,\u201d\tPerrington\tmurmured. \u201cThat\u2019s\tnot\ther\tname?\u201d\tKaltain\tasked\tbefore\tshe\tcould\tthink. The\t duke\t turned\t to\t her,\t his\t eyes\t as\t black\t as\t his\t ring.\t \u201cYou\t don\u2019t\t honestly believe\tthat\tgirl\tis\ta\tpurebred\tlady?\u201d Kaltain\u2019s\t heart\t stopped.\t \u201cShe\u2019s\t truly\t not?\u201d\t And\t then\t Perrington\t smiled,\t and finally\ttold\ther\teverything. When\t Perrington\t finished,\t Kaltain\t could\t only\t stare\t at\t him.\t An\t assassin. Lillian\t Gordaina\t was\t Celaena\t Sardothien,\t the\t world\u2019s\t most\t notorious\t assassin. And\tshe\thad\ther\tclaws\tin\tDorian\u2019s\theart.\tIf\tKaltain\twanted\tDorian\u2019s\thand,\tthen she\u2019d\tneed\tto\tbe\tfar,\tfar\tcleverer.\tSimply\trevealing\twho\tLillian\ttruly\twas\tmight be\t enough.\t But\t it\t might\t not.\t Kaltain\t couldn\u2019t\t afford\t to\t take\t risks.\t The greenhouse\twas\tsilent,\tas\tif\tit\theld\tits\tbreath. \u201cHow\t can\t we\t let\t this\t go\t on?\t How\t can\t we\t allow\t the\t prince\t to\t endanger himself\t like\t that?\u201d\t Perrington\u2019s\t face\t shifted\t for\t a\t moment,\t toward\t something","pained\t and\t ugly\u2014but\t it\t was\t so\t fast\t she\t barely\t noticed\t it\t above\t the\t pounding rising\tin\ther\thead.\tShe\tneeded\ther\tpipe\u2014needed\tto\tcalm\tdown\tbefore\tshe\thad\ta fit. \u201cWe\tcan\u2019t,\u201d\tPerrington\tsaid. \u201cBut\thow\tcan\twe\tstop\tthem?\tTell\tthe\tking?\u201d Perrington\tshook\this\thead,\tputting\ta\thand\ton\this\tbroadsword\tas\the\tthought\tfor a\tmoment.\tShe\texamined\ta\trosebush\tand\ttraced\ta\tlong\tnail\talong\tthe\tcurve\tof\ta thorn.\t\u201cShe\u2019s\tto\tface\tthe\tremaining\tChampions\tin\ta\tduel,\u201d\the\tsaid\tslowly.\t\u201cAnd in\tthe\tduel,\tshe\u2019ll\tdrink\ta\ttoast\tin\thonor\tof\tthe\tGoddess\tand\tgods.\u201d\tIt\twasn\u2019t\tjust her\t too-tight\t corset\t that\t stole\t the\t breath\t from\t Kaltain\t as\t the\t duke\t went\t on.\t She lowered\t her\t hand\t from\t the\t thorn.\t \u201cI\t was\t going\t to\t ask\t you\t to\t preside\t over\t the toast\u2014as\ta\trepresentation\tof\tthe\tGoddess.\tPerhaps\tyou\tcould\tslip\tsomething\tinto her\tdrink.\u201d \u201cKill\ther\tmyself?\u201d\tHiring\tsomeone\twas\tone\tthing,\tbut\tto\tdo\tit\therself\t.\t.\t. The\t duke\t raised\t his\t hands.\t \u201cNo,\t no.\t But\t the\t king\t has\t agreed\t that\t drastic measures\tshould\tbe\ttaken,\tin\ta\tway\tthat\twill\tmake\tDorian\tbelieve\tthings\twere\t.\t. .\tan\taccident.\tIf\twe\twere\tmerely\tto\tgive\ther\ta\tdose\tof\tbloodbane,\tnot\tlethal,\tbut just\t enough\t to\t cause\t her\t to\t lose\t control,\t it\t would\t give\t Cain\t the\t advantage\t he needs.\u201d \u201cCain\tcan\u2019t\tkill\ther\ton\this\town?\tAccidents\thappen\tall\tthe\ttime\tin\tduels.\u201d\tHer head\tgave\ta\tsharp,\tintense\tthrob\tthat\techoed\tthrough\ther\tbody.\tMaybe\tdrugging her\tmight\tbe\teasier\t.\t.\t. \u201cCain\t thinks\t he\t can,\t but\t I\t don\u2019t\t like\t taking\t risks.\u201d\t Perrington\t grasped\t her hands.\tHis\tring\twas\tice-cold\tagainst\ther\tskin,\tand\tshe\tfought\tthe\turge\tto\trip\ther hands\tfrom\this\tgrip.\t\u201cDon\u2019t\tyou\twant\tto\thelp\tDorian?\tOnce\the\u2019s\tfree\tof\ther\t.\t.\t.\u201d Then\the\u2019ll\tbe\tmine.\tHe\u2019ll\tbe\tmine,\tas\the\tshould\tbe. But\tto\tkill\tfor\tit\t.\t.\t.\tHe\u2019ll\tbe\tmine. \u201cThen\t we\u2019ll\t be\t able\t to\t get\t him\t on\t the\t right\t path,\t won\u2019t\t we?\u201d\t Perrington finished\t with\t a\t broad\t smile\t that\t made\t her\t instincts\t tell\t her\t to\t run\t and\t run\t and never\tlook\tback. But\tall\ther\tmind\tcould\tsee\twas\ta\tcrown\tand\tthrone,\tand\tthe\tprince\twho\twould sit\tby\ther\tside.\t\u201cTell\tme\twhat\tI\tneed\tto\tdo,\u201d\tshe\tsaid.","Chapter\t41 The\t clock\t chimed\t ten,\t and\t Celaena,\t seated\t at\t the\t small\t desk\t in\t her\t bedroom, looked\tup\tfrom\ther\tbook.\tShe\tshould\tbe\tsleeping,\tor\tat\tleast\ttrying\tto.\tFleetfoot, dozing\tin\ther\tlap,\tyawned\twidely.\tCelaena\tscratched\ther\tbehind\tthe\tears\tand\tran a\t hand\t along\t the\t page\t of\t the\t book.\t Wyrdmarks\t stared\t up\t at\t her,\t their\t intricate curves\tand\tangles\tspeaking\ta\tlanguage\tshe\tcouldn\u2019t\tyet\tbegin\tto\tdecipher.\tHow long\thad\tit\ttaken\tNehemia\tto\tlearn\tthem?\tAnd,\tshe\twondered\tdarkly,\thow\tcould their\tpower\tpossibly\tstill\twork\twhen\tmagic\titself\twas\tgone? She\t hadn\u2019t\t seen\t Nehemia\t since\t the\t ball\t last\t night,\t hadn\u2019t\t dared\t to\t approach her,\t or\t tell\t Chaol\t what\t she\u2019d\t learned.\t Nehemia\t had\t been\t deceitful\t about\t her language\t skills,\t and\t how\t much\t she\t knew\t about\t the\t Wyrdmarks,\t but\t she\t could have\t any\t number\t of\t reasons\t for\t that.\t Celaena\t had\t been\t wrong\t to\t go\t to\t the\t ball last\t night,\t wrong\t to\t believe\t Nehemia\t was\t capable\t of\t such\t bad\t things.\t Nehemia was\t one\t of\t the\t good\t ones.\t She\t wouldn\u2019t\t target\t Celaena,\t not\t when\t they\u2019d\t been friends.\t They\t had\t been\t friends.\t Celaena\t swallowed\t the\t tightness\t in\t her\t throat and\tturned\tthe\tpage.\tHer\theart\tstopped. There,\tlooking\tup\tat\ther,\twere\tthe\tsymbols\tshe\u2019d\tseen\tnear\tthe\tbodies.\tAnd\tin the\t margin,\t written\t by\t someone\t centuries\t ago,\t was\t the\t explanation:\t For sacrifices\t to\t the\t ridderak:\t using\t the\t victim\u2019s\t blood,\t mark\t the\t area\t around\t it accordingly.\t Once\t the\t creature\t has\t been\t summoned,\t these\t marks\t guide\t the exchange:\t for\t the\t flesh\t of\t the\t sacrifice,\t the\t beast\t will\t grant\t you\t the\t victim\u2019s strength. Celaena\t fought\t to\t keep\t her\t hands\t from\t trembling\t as\t she\t flipped\t through\t the pages,\t searching\t for\t anything\t about\t the\t marks\t under\t her\t bed.\t When\t the\t book yielded\tnothing,\tshe\treturned\tto\tthe\tsummoning\tspell.\tA\tridderak\u2014that\twas\tthe name\tof\tthe\tbeast?\tWhat\twas\tit?\tWhere\thad\tit\tbeen\tsummoned\tfrom,\tif\tit\twasn\u2019t \u2014 The\t Wyrdgates.\t She\t pressed\t the\t heels\t of\t her\t palms\t into\t her\t eyes.\t Someone was\t actually\t using\t the\t Wyrdmarks\t to\t open\t a\t portal\t to\t summon\t this\t creature.\t It was\timpossible,\tbecause\tmagic\twas\tgone,\tbut\tthe\ttexts\tsaid\tWyrdmarks\texisted outside\tof\tmagic.\tWhat\tif\ttheir\tpower\tstill\tworked?\tBut\t.\t.\t.\tbut\tNehemia?\tHow could\t her\t friend\t do\t such\t a\t thing?\t Why\t did\t she\t need\t the\t Champions\u2019\t strength? And\thow\tcould\tshe\tkeep\teverything\thidden\tso\twell? Yet\t Nehemia\t could\t easily\t be\t a\t cunning\t actress.\t And\t maybe\t Celaena\t had wanted\ta\tfriend\u2014wanted\tsomeone\tas\tdifferent\tand\toutsiderly\tas\tshe\twas.\tMaybe she\u2019d\t been\t too\t willing,\t too\t desperate,\t to\t see\t anything\t but\t what\t she\t wanted\t to see.\tCelaena\ttook\ta\tsteadying\tbreath.\tNehemia\tloved\tEyllwe\u2014that\twas\tcertainly","true\u2014and\t Celaena\t knew\t there\t was\t nothing\t Nehemia\t wouldn\u2019t\t do\t to\t keep\t her country\tsafe.\tUnless\t.\t.\t. Ice\t moved\t through\t Celaena\u2019s\t veins.\t Unless\t Nehemia\t was\t here\t to\t start something\t bigger\u2014unless\t she\t didn\u2019t\t want\t to\t make\t sure\t the\t king\t spared\t Eyllwe at\t all.\t Unless\t she\t wanted\t what\t few\t dared\t whisper:\t rebellion.\t And\t not\t rebellion as\tit\twas\tnow,\twith\trebel\tgroups\thiding\tout\tin\tthe\twilderness,\tbut\trather\trebellion in\t the\t sense\t of\t entire\t kingdoms\t rising\t up\t against\t Adarlan\u2014as\t it\t should\t have been\tfrom\tthe\tstart. But\t why\t kill\t the\t Champions?\t Why\t not\t target\t royals?\t The\t ball\t would\t have been\tperfect\tfor\tthat.\tWhy\tuse\tWyrdmarks?\tShe\u2019d\tseen\tNehemia\u2019s\trooms;\tthere were\t no\t signs\t of\t a\t demon\t beast\t lurking\t about,\t and\t nowhere\t in\t the\t castle\t where she\tcould\u2014 Celaena\u2019s\teyes\trose\tfrom\tthe\tbook.\tBlocked\tby\tthe\tgiant\tchest\tof\tdrawers,\tthe tapestry\t still\t rippled\t in\t a\t phantom\t breeze.\t There\t was\t nowhere\t in\t the\t castle\t to summon\t or\t hide\t a\t creature\t like\t that,\t except\t for\t the\t endless,\t forgotten\t chambers and\ttunnels\trunning\tbeneath\tit. \u201cNo,\u201d\tshe\tsaid,\tstanding\tso\tfast\tthat\tit\twas\tall\tFleetfoot\tcould\tdo\tto\tleap\tout\tof the\t way\t as\t her\t chair\t toppled\t over.\t No,\t it\t wasn\u2019t\t true.\t Because\t it\t was\t Nehemia. Because\t.\t.\t.\tbecause\t.\t.\t. Celaena\t grunted\t as\t she\t pushed\t the\t chest\t to\t the\t side\t and\t folded\t the\t tapestry back\t from\t the\t wall.\t Just\t as\t it\t had\t two\t months\t ago,\t a\t cold,\t damp\t breeze\t leaked through\t the\t cracks,\t but\t it\t smelled\t nothing\t of\t roses.\t All\t of\t the\t murders\t had occurred\twithin\ttwo\tdays\tof\ta\tTest.\tThat\tmeant\ttonight,\tor\ttomorrow,\tsomething would\t happen.\t The\t ridderak,\t whatever\t it\t was,\t would\t strike\t again.\t And\t with\t the marks\tthat\tshe\u2019d\tfound\tpainted\tunder\ther\tbed\t.\t.\t.\tthere\twas\tno\tway\tin\thell\tshe\u2019d wait\tfor\tit\tto\tshow\tup. After\tshutting\tthe\twhining\tFleetfoot\tout\tof\tthe\tbedroom,\tCelaena\tcovered\tthe passage\t entry\t with\t the\t tapestry,\t wedged\t a\t book\t in\t the\t doorway\t to\t keep\t from getting\t locked\t in,\t and\t only\t once\t wished\t she\t had\t a\t weapon\t beyond\t the candlestick\tshe\tcarried\tand\tthe\tmakeshift\tknife\tin\ther\tpocket. Because\t if\t Nehemia\t had\t truly\t lied\t to\t her\t like\t that,\t and\t if\t Nehemia\t was murdering\t the\t Champions,\t then\t Celaena\t had\t to\t see\t it\t herself.\t If\t only\t so\t she could\tkill\ther\twith\ther\tbare\thands. \u2022 Down\t and\t down\t she\t went,\t her\t breath\t thick\t in\t the\t frigid\t air.\t Water\t dripped somewhere,\t and\t Celaena\t looked\t longingly\t at\t the\t middle\t archway\t as\t she approached\tthe\tcrossroads.\tThere\twas\tno\tthought\tof\tescape\tnow.\tWhat\twould\tbe","the\tpoint,\twhen\tshe\twas\tso\tclose\tto\twinning?\tIf\tshe\tlost,\tshe\u2019d\tsneak\tback\there before\tthey\thad\ta\tchance\tto\tship\ther\toff\tto\tEndovier\tagain. Celaena\tstudied\tthe\tleft-and\tright-side\tpassages.\tThe\tone\tto\ther\tleft\tonly\tled\tto a\t dead\t end.\t But\t the\t one\t on\t the\t right\t .\t .\t .\t that\t was\t the\t passage\t she\u2019d\t taken\t to Elena\u2019s\ttomb.\tThere\tshe\u2019d\tseen\tcountless\tother\tpassageways\tleading\tto\tunknown places. She\t stepped\t closer\t to\t the\t archway\t and\t froze\t when\t she\t saw\t the\t steps\t that descended\t into\t the\t murky\t darkness.\t The\t centuries-old\t dust\t had\t been\t disturbed. Footprints\tled\tup\tand\tdown. Nehemia\t and\t her\t creature\t must\t have\t been\t creeping\t around\t down\t here,\t just floors\t below\t everyone\t else.\t Hadn\u2019t\t Verin\t died\t just\t after\t he\t taunted\t her\t in\t front of\t Nehemia?\t Celaena\t clutched\t her\t candlestick\t tighter,\t and\t pulled\t her\t makeshift knife\tout\tof\ther\tpocket. Step\tafter\tstep,\tshe\tbegan\ther\tdescent\tdown\tthe\tstairwell.\tSoon,\tshe\tcould\tno longer\t see\t the\t top\t landing,\t and\t the\t bottom\t never\t came\t any\t closer.\t But\t then whispers\t filled\t the\t corridor,\t slithering\t off\t the\t walls.\t She\t quieted\t her\t steps\t and shielded\t her\t candle\t as\t she\t neared.\t It\t wasn\u2019t\t the\t idle\t chat\t of\t servants,\t but someone\tspeaking\trapidly,\talmost\tchanting. Not\tNehemia.\tA\tman. A\tlanding\tapproached\tbelow,\topening\tinto\ta\troom\tto\ther\tleft.\tA\tgreenish\tlight seeped\t out\t of\t it\t onto\t the\t stones\t of\t the\t stairwell,\t which\t continued\t on\t past\t the landing\tand\tinto\tdarkness.\tThe\thair\ton\ther\tarms\trose\tas\tthe\tvoice\tbecame\tclearer. It\t didn\u2019t\t speak\t any\t tongue\t that\t she\t recognized;\t it\t was\t guttural\t and\t harsh,\t and grated\tagainst\ther\tears,\tas\tif\tit\tsucked\tthe\tvery\twarmth\tfrom\ther\tbones.\tThe\tman panted\t as\t he\t spoke,\t like\t the\t words\t burned\t his\t throat,\t and\t finally\t he\t gasped\t for air. Silence\t fell.\t Setting\t down\t her\t candle,\t Celaena\t crept\t toward\t the\t landing\t and peered\t inside\t the\t room.\t The\t oaken\t door\t had\t been\t thrown\t open,\t a\t giant\t key turned\t in\t its\t rusting\t lock.\t And\t inside\t the\t small\t chamber,\t kneeling\t before\t a darkness\tso\tblack\tthat\tit\tseemed\tpoised\tto\tdevour\tthe\tworld,\twas\tCain.","Chapter\t42 Cain. The\t person\t who\u2019d\t gotten\t stronger\t and\t better\t as\t the\t competition\t went\t on. She\u2019d\t thought\t it\t was\t his\t training,\t but\t .\t .\t .\t it\t was\t because\t he\u2019d\t been\t using\t the Wyrdmarks\tand\tthe\tbeast\tthey\tsummoned\tto\tsteal\tthe\tdead\tChampions\u2019\tstrength. He\t dragged\t a\t hand\t across\t the\t floor\t before\t the\t darkness,\t and\t greenish\t lights sprung\t up\t from\t where\t his\t fingers\t passed\t before\t being\t sucked\t into\t the\t void\t like wraiths\ton\tthe\twind.\tOne\tof\this\thands\twas\tbleeding. She\t didn\u2019t\t dare\t to\t breathe\t as\t something\t stirred\t in\t the\t darkness.\t There\t was\t a click\tof\tclaw\ton\tstone,\tand\ta\thiss\tlike\tan\textinguished\tflame.\tAnd\tthen,\tstepping toward\tCain\ton\tknees\tthat\tbent\tthe\twrong\tway\u2014like\tan\tanimal\u2019s\thind\tlegs\u2014the ridderak\temerged. It\t was\t something\t out\t of\t an\t ancient\t god\u2019s\t nightmares.\t Its\t hairless\t gray\t skin was\tstretched\ttightly\tacross\tits\tmisshapen\thead,\tdisplaying\ta\tgaping\tmouth\tfilled with\tblack\tfangs. Fangs\tthat\thad\tripped\tout\tand\teaten\tVerin\tand\tXavier\u2019s\tinternal\torgans;\tfangs that\thad\tfeasted\ton\ttheir\tbrains.\tIts\tvaguely\thuman\tbody\tsank\tonto\tits\thaunches, and\tit\tslid\tits\tlong\tfront\tarms\tacross\tthe\tstone\tfloor.\tThe\tstones\twhined\tunder\tthe claws.\tCain\traised\this\thead\tand\tstood\tslowly\tas\tthe\tcreature\tknelt\tbefore\thim\tand lowered\tits\tdark\teyes.\tSubmission. Celaena\tonly\trealized\tshe\twas\ttrembling\twhen\tshe\tmade\tto\tstep\taway,\tto\tflee as\t far\t and\t as\t fast\t as\t she\t could.\t Elena\t had\t been\t right:\t this\t was\t evil,\t plain\t and simple.\t The\t amulet\t pulsed\t at\t her\t neck,\t as\t if\t urging\t her\t to\t run.\t Her\t mouth\t dry, her\tblood\tpounding\tin\ther\tveins,\tshe\tstepped\tback. Cain\twhirled\tto\tlook\tat\ther,\tand\tthe\tridderak\u2019s\thead\tshot\tup,\tits\tslitted\tnostrils sniffing\ttwice.\tShe\tfroze,\tbut\tas\tshe\tdid\tso,\ta\tmassive\twind\tshoved\tinto\ther\tfrom behind,\tmaking\ther\tstagger\tinto\tthe\troom. \u201cIt\t wasn\u2019t\t meant\t to\t be\t you\t tonight,\u201d\t Cain\t said,\t but\t Celaena\u2019s\t eyes\t remained on\t the\t beast,\t who\t began\t panting.\t \u201cBut\t this\t opportunity\t is\t too\t good\t to\t go\t to waste.\u201d \u201cCain,\u201d\t was\t all\t she\t could\t say.\t The\t ridderak\u2019s\t eyes\t .\t .\t .\t she\u2019d\t never\t seen anything\t like\t them.\t There\t was\t nothing\t in\t them\t but\t hunger\u2014endless,\t ageless hunger.\t The\t creature\t was\t not\t of\t this\t world.\t The\t Wyrdmarks\t worked.\t The\t gates were\t real.\t She\t pulled\t the\t makeshift\t knife\t out\t of\t her\t pocket.\t It\t was\t pitifully small;\thow\tcould\thairpins\tmake\ta\tdent\tin\tthat\tcreature\u2019s\thide? Cain\t moved\t so\t quickly\t that\t she\t could\t only\t blink\t before\t he\t was\t behind\t her, her\tknife\tsomehow\tnow\tin\this\thand.\tNo\tone\u2014no\tone\thuman\u2014could\tmove\tthat","quickly;\tit\twas\tas\tif\the\twere\tno\tmore\tthan\tshadows\tand\twind. \u201cPity,\u201d\t Cain\t whispered\t from\t the\t doorway,\t pocketing\t her\t knife.\t Celaena glanced\tto\tthe\tcreature,\tto\thim,\tand\tthen\tback.\t\u201cI\u2019ll\tnever\tget\tto\tknow\thow\tyou wound\t up\t down\t here\t in\t the\t first\t place.\u201d\t His\t fingers\t wrapped\t around\t the\t door handle.\t\u201cNot\tthat\tI\tcare.\tGood-bye,\tCelaena.\u201d\tThe\tdoor\tslammed\tshut. The\t greenish\t light\t still\t seeped\t from\t the\t marks\t on\t the\t floor\u2014marks\t Cain\t had etched\t with\t his\t own\t blood\u2014illuminating\t the\t creature\t who\t stared\t at\t her\t with those\tstarving,\trelentless\teyes. \u201cCain,\u201d\tshe\twhispered,\tbacking\tinto\tthe\tdoor\tas\tshe\tfumbled\twith\tthe\thandle. She\ttwisted\tand\tyanked.\tIt\twas\tlocked.\tThere\twas\tnothing\tin\tthis\troom\tbut\tstone and\tdust.\tHow\thad\tshe\tlet\thim\tdisarm\ther\tthat\teasily?\t\u201cCain.\u201d\tThe\tdoor\twouldn\u2019t budge.\t\u201cCain!\u201d\tshe\tshouted,\tand\tbanged\ton\tthe\tdoor\twith\ta\tfist,\thard\tenough\tto hurt. The\tridderak\tstalked\tback\tand\tforth\ton\tits\tfour\tlong,\tspidery\tlimbs,\tsniffing\tat her,\t and\t Celaena\t paused.\t Why\t didn\u2019t\t it\t attack\t immediately?\t It\t sniffed\t at\t her again,\t and\t swiped\t at\t the\t ground\t with\t a\t clawed\t hand\u2014striking\t deep\t enough\t to take\tout\ta\tchunk\tof\tstone. It\t wanted\t her\t alive.\t Cain\t had\t incapacitated\t Verin\t while\t he\t summoned\t the creature;\t it\t liked\t its\t blood\t hot.\t So\t it\t would\t find\t the\t easiest\t way\t to\t immobilize her,\tand\tthen\t.\t.\t. She\t couldn\u2019t\t breathe.\t No,\t not\t like\t this.\t Not\t in\t this\t chamber,\t where\t no\t one would\tfind\ther,\twhere\tChaol\twould\tnever\tknow\twhy\tshe\tdisappeared,\tand\twould forever\tcurse\ther\tfor\tit,\twhere\tshe\u2019d\tnever\tget\tthe\tchance\tto\ttell\tNehemia\tshe\thad been\twrong.\tAnd\tElena\u2014Elena\tsaid\tsomeone\twanted\ther\tin\tthe\ttomb,\tto\tsee\t.\t.\t. to\tsee\twhat? And\tthen\tshe\tknew. The\tanswer\tlay\ton\ther\tright\u2014the\tright\tpassageway,\tthe\tpassage\tthat\tled\tto\tthe tomb\ta\tfew\tlevels\tbelow. The\t creature\t sank\t back\t onto\t its\t haunches,\t poised\t to\t spring,\t and\t in\t that moment,\t Celaena\t came\t up\t with\t the\t most\t reckless\t and\t brave\t plan\t she\u2019d\t ever concocted.\tShe\tdropped\ther\tcape\tto\tthe\tfloor. With\ta\troar\tthat\tshook\tthe\tcastle,\tthe\tridderak\tran\tfor\ther. Celaena\t remained\t before\t the\t door,\t watching\t as\t it\t galloped\t at\t her,\t sparks flying\tfrom\tits\tclaws\tas\tthey\tstruck\tstone.\tTen\tfeet\taway,\tit\tleapt\tstraight\ttoward her\tlegs. But\t Celaena\t was\t already\t running,\t running\t straight\t at\t those\t black,\t rotting fangs.\t The\t ridderak\t jumped\t for\t her,\t and\t she\t hurtled\t over\t the\t snarling\t thing.\t A thunderous,\t splintering\t boom\t erupted\t through\t the\t chamber\t as\t the\t ridderak shattered\tthe\twooden\tdoor.\tShe\tcould\tonly\timagine\twhat\tit\twould\thave\tdone\tto","her\tlegs.\tShe\tdidn\u2019t\thave\ttime\tto\tthink.\tShe\tlanded\tand\twhirled,\tcharging\tback\tto where\tthe\tcreature\thad\tcrashed\tthrough\tthe\tdoor\tand\tnow\tsought\tto\tshake\titself free\tof\tthe\tpile\tof\twood. She\t threw\t herself\t through\t the\t doorway\t and\t turned\t left,\t flying\t down\t the stairwell.\t She\u2019d\t never\t make\t it\t back\t to\t her\t chambers\t alive,\t but\t if\t she\t was\t fast enough,\tperhaps\tshe\tcould\tmake\tit\tto\tthe\ttomb. The\t ridderak\t roared\t again,\t and\t the\t stairwell\t shuddered.\t She\t didn\u2019t\t dare\t to look\t behind.\t She\t focused\t on\t her\t feet,\t on\t keeping\t upright\t as\t she\t bounded\t down the\tstairs,\tmaking\tfor\tthe\tlanding\tbelow,\tilluminated\tby\tmoonlight\tleaking\tfrom the\ttomb. Celaena\t hit\t the\t landing,\t ran\t for\t the\t tomb\t door,\t and\t prayed\t to\t gods\t whose names\tshe\u2019d\tforgotten,\tbut\twho\tshe\thoped\thad\tnot\tyet\tforgotten\ther. Someone\t wanted\t me\t to\t come\t here\t on\t Samhuinn.\t Someone\t knew\t this\t would happen.\tElena\twanted\tme\tto\tsee\tit\u2014so\tI\tcould\tsurvive. The\tcreature\thit\tthe\tbottom\tlanding\tand\tcharged\tafter\ther,\tso\tclose\tshe\tcould smell\tits\treeking\tbreath.\tThe\tdoor\tto\tthe\ttomb\twas\twide\topen.\tAs\tif\tsomeone\thad been\twaiting. Please\u2014please\t.\t.\t. Grabbing\tonto\tthe\tside\tof\tthe\tdoorway,\tshe\tswung\therself\tinside.\tShe\tgained precious\ttime\tas\tthe\tridderak\tskidded\tto\ta\thalt,\tmissing\tthe\ttomb.\tIt\tonly\ttook\ta moment\tfor\tit\tto\trecover\tand\tcharge,\ttaking\toff\ta\tchunk\tof\tthe\tdoor\tas\tit\tentered. The\t pounding\t of\t her\t feet\t echoed\t through\t the\t tomb\t as\t she\t ran\t between\t the sarcophagi\tfor\tDamaris,\tthe\tsword\tof\tthe\tancient\tking. Displayed\t atop\t its\t stand,\t the\t blade\t shone\t in\t the\t moonlight\u2014the\t metal\t still gleaming\tafter\ta\tthousand\tyears. The\tcreature\tsnarled,\tand\tshe\theard\tits\tdeep\tintake\tof\tbreath\tand\tthe\tscrape\tof nails\tdeparting\tstone\tas\tthe\tridderak\tleapt\tfor\ther.\tShe\tlunged\tfor\tthe\tsword,\ther left\thand\twrapping\taround\tthe\tcool\thilt\tas\tshe\ttwisted\tin\tthe\tair\tand\tswung. She\t only\t had\t time\t to\t see\t its\t eyes\t and\t the\t blur\t of\t its\t skin\t before\t she\t drove Damaris\tthrough\tthe\tridderak\u2019s\tface. Pain\t lanced\t through\t her\t hand\t as\t they\t slammed\t into\t the\t wall\t and\t fell\t to\t the ground,\tscattering\ttreasure.\tBlack\tblood\tthat\tstank\tof\twaste\tsprayed\tonto\ther. She\tdidn\u2019t\tmove,\tnot\tas\tshe\tstared\tat\tthose\tblack\teyes\tbarely\tinches\tfrom\ther own,\t not\t as\t she\t saw\t her\t right\t hand\t held\t between\t its\t black\t teeth,\t her\t blood already\toozing\tdown\tits\tchin.\tShe\tjust\tpanted\tand\tshook,\tnot\ttaking\ther\tleft\thand from\tthe\thilt\tof\tthe\tsword,\teven\tafter\tthose\thungry\teyes\tturned\tdull\tand\tits\tbody sagged\tatop\thers. It\twas\tonly\twhen\tthe\tamulet\tthrobbed\tagain\tthat\tshe\tblinked.\tEverything\tafter that\t became\t a\t series\t of\t steps,\t a\t dance\t that\t she\t had\t to\t execute\t perfectly\t or\t else","she\u2019d\tfall\tapart\tright\tthere\tin\tthat\ttomb\tand\tnever\tget\tup. She\t first\t pried\t her\t hand\t from\t its\t teeth.\t It\t burned\t mercilessly.\t An\t arc\t of gushing\tpuncture\twounds\tencircled\ther\tthumb,\tand\tshe\tswayed\ton\ther\tfeet\tas\tshe shoved\t the\t ridderak\t off\t her.\t It\t was\t surprisingly\t light\u2014as\t if\t its\t bones\t were hollow,\t or\t there\t were\t nothing\t inside\t of\t it.\t Though\t the\t world\t became\t foggy around\tthe\tedges,\tshe\tyanked\tDamaris\tfrom\tits\tskull. She\t used\t her\t shirt\t to\t wipe\t Gavin\u2019s\t blade\t clean,\t and\t set\t it\t back\t where\t it belonged.\tThat\twas\twhy\tthey\u2019d\tbrought\ther\tto\tthe\ttomb\ton\tSamhuinn,\twasn\u2019t\tit? So\tshe\tcould\tsee\tDamaris,\tand\thave\ta\tway\tto\tsave\therself? She\t left\t the\t creature\t where\t it\t lay\t in\t a\t crumpled\t heap\t atop\t piles\t of\t jewels. Whoever\thad\twanted\tto\tsave\ther\tcould\tclean\tit\tup.\tShe\u2019d\thad\tenough. Still,\t Celaena\t paused\t beside\t Elena\u2019s\t sarcophagus\t and\t looked\t at\t the\t beautiful face\t carved\t from\t marble.\t \u201cThank\t you,\u201d\t she\t said\t hoarsely.\t Her\t vision\t blurring, she\tleft\tthe\ttomb\tand\tstaggered\tup\tthe\tstairs,\tclutching\ther\tbleeding\thand\tto\ther chest. When\t she\t was\t at\t last\t safely\t inside\t her\t chambers,\t Celaena\t crossed\t to\t her bedroom\t door\t and\t leaned\t there,\t panting,\t as\t she\t unlocked\t it.\t Her\t wound\t hadn\u2019t clotted,\t and\t blood\t was\t still\t pouring\t down\t her\t wrist.\t She\t listened\t to\t it\t drip\t onto the\tfloor.\tShe\tshould\tgo\tinto\tthe\tbathing\troom\tand\twash\ther\thand.\tHer\tpalm\tfelt like\tice.\tShe\tshould\u2014 Her\t legs\t gave\t out\t and\t Celaena\t collapsed.\t Her\t eyelids\t became\t heavy,\t so\t she closed\tthem.\tWhy\tdid\ther\theart\tbeat\tso\tslowly? She\topened\ther\teyes\tto\tlook\tat\ther\thand.\tHer\teyesight\twas\tblurry,\tand\tall\tshe could\tmake\tout\twas\ta\tmess\tof\tpink\tand\tred.\tThe\tice\tin\ther\thand\treached\tup\ther arm,\tdown\tto\ther\tlegs. She\theard\ta\tbooming,\tthunderous\tnoise.\tA\tthump-thump-thump,\tfollowed\tby a\twhine.\tThrough\ther\teyelids\tshe\tcould\tsee\tthe\tlight\tin\tthe\troom\tdarken. She\theard\ta\tcry\u2014female\u2014and\twarm\thands\tgrabbed\ther\tface.\tShe\twas\tso\tcold it\talmost\tburned.\tHad\tsomeone\tleft\tthe\twindow\topen? \u201cLillian!\u201d\t It\t was\t Nehemia.\t She\t shook\t Celaena\u2019s\t shoulders.\t \u201cLillian!\t What happened\tto\tyou?\u201d Celaena\tremembered\tlittle\tof\tthe\tnext\tfew\tmoments.\tStrong\tarms\tlifted\ther\tup and\t rushed\t her\t into\t the\t bathing\t chamber.\t Nehemia\t strained\t as\t she\t carried Celaena\t into\t the\t bathing\t pool,\t where\t she\t stripped\t away\t Celaena\u2019s\t clothes. Celaena\u2019s\t hand\t burned\t when\t it\t touched\t the\t water,\t and\t she\t thrashed,\t but\t the princess\theld\ther\tfirm,\tsaying\twords\tin\ta\ttongue\tthe\tassassin\tdidn\u2019t\tunderstand. The\t light\t in\t the\t room\t pulsed,\t and\t her\t skin\t tingled.\t Celaena\t found\t her\t arms covered\t in\t glowing\t turquoise\t marks\u2014Wyrdmarks.\t Nehemia\t held\t her\t in\t the water,\trocking\tback\tand\tforth.","Blackness\tswallowed\ther\tup.","Chapter\t43 Celaena\topened\ther\teyes. She\t was\t warm,\t and\t the\t candlelight\t was\t golden.\t She\t could\t smell\t lotus blossoms\tand\ta\tbit\tof\tnutmeg.\tShe\tmade\ta\tsmall\tnoise\tand\tblinked,\tattempting\tto raise\t herself\t from\t the\t bed.\t What\t had\t happened?\t She\t could\t only\t recall\t climbing the\tstairs,\tthen\tconcealing\tthe\tsecret\tdoor\tbehind\tthe\ttapestry\u2014 Celaena\tgave\ta\tstart\tand\tgrabbed\tat\ther\ttunic,\tgaping\tas\tshe\tfound\tthat\tit\thad somehow\tturned\tinto\ta\tnightgown,\tand\tthen\tmarveled\tat\ther\thand\tas\tshe\tlifted\tit into\tthe\tair.\tIt\twas\thealed\u2014completely\thealed.\tThe\tonly\tremnants\tof\tthe\twounds was\ta\thalf-moon-shaped\tscar\tbetween\ther\tthumb\tand\tindex\tfinger\tand\tlittle\tbite marks\t from\t the\t ridderak\u2019s\t lower\t teeth.\t She\t ran\t a\t finger\t over\t each\t of\t the\t chalk- white\tscars,\ttracing\ttheir\tcurve,\tthen\twiggled\ther\tfingers\tto\tensure\tno\tnerves\thad been\tsevered. How\t was\t this\t possible?\t It\t was\t magic\u2014someone\t had\t healed\t her.\t She\t lifted herself\tand\tsaw\tshe\twas\tnot\talone. Nehemia\tsat\tin\ta\tchair\tnearby,\tstaring\tat\ther.\tThere\twas\tno\tsmile\ton\ther\tlips, and\t Celaena\t shifted\t as\t she\t beheld\t the\t mistrust\t in\t the\t young\t woman\u2019s\t eyes. Fleetfoot\tlay\tat\ther\tfeet. \u201cWhat\thappened?\u201d\tCelaena\tasked. \u201cThat\u2019s\twhat\tI\thave\tbeen\twaiting\tto\task\tyou,\u201d\tsaid\tthe\tprincess\tin\tEyllwe.\tShe gestured\t at\t Celaena\u2019s\t body.\t \u201cIf\t I\t hadn\u2019t\t found\t you,\t you\t would\t have\t died\t from that\tbite\twithin\ta\tfew\tminutes.\u201d Even\t the\t blood\t she\u2019d\t dropped\t on\t the\t floor\t had\t been\t cleaned.\t \u201cThank\t you,\u201d she\t said,\t then\t started\t as\t she\t looked\t to\t the\t darkened\t sky\t beyond\t the\t windows. \u201cWhat\t day\t is\t it?\u201d\t If\t somehow\t two\t days\t had\t passed\t and\t she\u2019d\t missed\t the\t last Test\u2014 \u201cIt\u2019s\tonly\tbeen\tthree\thours.\u201d Celaena\u2019s\t shoulders\t sagged.\tShe\t hadn\u2019t\t missed\tit.\t She\t still\thad\t tomorrow\t to train,\tand\tthe\tTest\tthe\tday\tafter\tthat.\t\u201cI\tdon\u2019t\tunderstand.\tHow\tdid\u2014\u201d \u201cThat\t is\t not\t important,\u201d\t Nehemia\t interrupted.\t \u201cI\t want\t to\t know\t where\t you received\tthat\tbite.\tThere\twas\tblood\tonly\tin\tyour\tbedroom\u2014no\ttraces\tof\tit\tin\tthe hallway\tor\tanywhere\telse.\u201d Celaena\t clenched\t and\t unclenched\t her\t right\t hand,\t watching\t the\t scars\t stretch and\t contract.\t She\t had\t come\t so\t close\t to\t dying.\t She\t flicked\t her\t eyes\t to\t the princess,\tthen\tback\tto\ther\thand.\tWhatever\tNehemia\u2019s\tinvolvement\twas,\tit\twasn\u2019t with\tCain. \u201cI\u2019m\t not\t who\t I\t pretend\t to\t be,\u201d\t Celaena\t said\t quietly,\t unable\t to\t meet\t her","friend\u2019s\t eyes.\t \u201cLillian\t Gordaina\t doesn\u2019t\t exist.\u201d\t Nehemia\t didn\u2019t\t say\t anything. Celaena\tmade\therself\tlook\ther\tin\tthe\teye.\tNehemia\thad\tsaved\ther;\thow\thad\tshe dared\t to\t believe\t that\t Nehemia\t might\t be\t the\t one\t controlling\t that\t creature?\t The truth\twas\tthe\tleast\tshe\towed\ther\tfriend.\t\u201cMy\tname\tis\tCelaena\tSardothien.\u201d Nehemia\u2019s\t mouth\t parted.\t Slowly,\t she\t shook\t her\t head.\t \u201cBut\t they\t sent\t you\t to Endovier.\t You\t were\t supposed\t to\t be\t in\t Endovier\t with\u2014\u201d\t Nehemia\u2019s\t eyes widened.\t\u201cYou\tspeak\tthe\tEyllwe\tof\tthe\tpeasants\u2014of\tthose\tenslaved\tin\tEndovier. That\t was\t how\t you\t learned.\u201d\t Celaena\u2019s\t breathing\t became\t a\t bit\t difficult. Nehemia\u2019s\t lips\t trembled.\t \u201cYou\t went\t .\t .\t .\t you\t went\t to\t Endovier?\t Endovier\t is\t a death\tcamp.\tBut\t.\t.\t.\twhy\tdid\tyou\tnot\ttell\tme?\tDo\tyou\tnot\ttrust\tme?\u201d \u201cOf\tcourse\tI\tdo,\u201d\tshe\tsaid.\tEspecially\tnow\tthat\tshe\u2019d\tproven\tbeyond\ta\tdoubt that\tshe\twasn\u2019t\tthe\tone\tresponsible\tfor\tthose\tmurders.\t\u201cI\twas\tordered\tby\tthe\tking not\tto\tspeak\ta\tword\tof\tit.\u201d \u201cA\tword\tof\twhat?\u201d\tNehemia\tsaid\tsharply,\tblinking\tback\ther\ttears.\t\u201cThe\tking knows\tyou\u2019re\there?\tHe\tgives\tyou\torders?\u201d \u201cI\u2019m\t here\t for\t his\t amusement.\u201d\t Celaena\t sat\t up\t straighter\t in\t bed.\t \u201cI\u2019m\t here because\the\u2019s\thosting\ta\tcompetition\tto\tbe\tthe\tKing\u2019s\tChampion.\tAnd\tafter\tI\twin \u2014if\t I\t win,\t I\u2019m\t to\t work\t for\t the\t king\t for\t four\t years\t as\t his\t lackey\t and\t assassin. And\tthen\tI\u2019ll\tbe\tfreed,\tand\tmy\tname\tcleared.\u201d Nehemia\tjust\tlooked\tat\ther,\tdamning\ther\twith\tthat\tblank\tstare. \u201cYou\t think\t I\t want\t to\t be\t here?\u201d\t Celaena\t shouted,\t even\t though\t it\t made\t her head\tpound.\t\u201cIt\twas\teither\tthis\tor\tEndovier!\tI\thad\tno\tchoice.\u201d\tShe\tput\ther\thands on\t her\t chest.\t \u201cBefore\t you\t start\t lecturing\t me\t on\t my\t morality,\t or\t before\t you\t run away\tand\thide\tbehind\tyour\tbodyguards,\tjust\tknow\tthat\tthere\u2019s\tnot\ta\tmoment\tthat goes\tby\twhen\tI\tdon\u2019t\twonder\twhat\tit\twill\tbe\tlike\tto\tkill\tfor\thim\u2014the\tman\twho destroyed\teverything\tthat\tI\tloved!\u201d She\tcouldn\u2019t\tbreathe\tfast\tenough,\tnot\tas\tthe\tdoor\tinside\ther\tmind\topened\tand closed,\t and\t the\t images\t that\t Celaena\t had\t made\t herself\t forget\t flashed\t before\t her eyes.\tShe\tclosed\tthem,\twishing\tfor\tdarkness.\tNehemia\tremained\tsilent.\tFleetfoot whined.\tIn\tthe\tquiet,\tpeople,\tplaces,\twords\techoed\tin\ther\tmind. Then,\t footsteps.\t They\t brought\t her\t back.\t The\t mattress\t groaned\t and\t sighed\t as Nehemia\tsat.\tA\tsecond,\tlighter\tweight\tjoined\ther\u2014Fleetfoot. Nehemia\ttook\tCelaena\u2019s\thand\tin\ther\twarm,\tdry\tone.\tCelaena\topened\ther\teyes, but\tstared\tat\tthe\twall\tacross\tthe\troom. Nehemia\tsqueezed\ther\thand.\t\u201cYou\u2019re\tmy\tdearest\tfriend,\tCelaena.\tIt\thurt\tme\u2014 hurt\t me\t more\t than\t I\t realized\t it\t would\u2014to\t have\t things\t become\t so\t cold\t between us.\t To\t see\t you\t look\t at\t me\t with\t such\t distrust\t in\t your\t eyes.\t And\t I\t don\u2019t\t want\t to ever\t see\t you\t look\t at\t me\t like\t that\t again.\t So\t I\t wish\t to\t give\t to\t you\t what\t I\t have given\tto\tfew\tbefore.\u201d\tHer\tdark\teyes\tshone.\t\u201cNames\tare\tnot\timportant.\tIt\u2019s\twhat","lies\t inside\t of\t you\t that\t matters.\t I\t know\t what\t you\t went\t through\t in\t Endovier.\t I know\twhat\tmy\tpeople\tendure\tthere,\tday\tafter\tday.\tBut\tyou\tdid\tnot\tlet\tthe\tmines harden\tyou;\tyou\tdid\tnot\tlet\tit\tshame\tyour\tsoul\tinto\tcruelty.\u201d The\t princess\t traced\t a\t mark\t on\t her\t hand,\t her\t fingers\t pressing\t into\t Celaena\u2019s skin.\t\u201cYou\tbear\tmany\tnames,\tand\tso\tI\tshall\tname\tyou\tas\twell.\u201d\tHer\thand\trose\tto Celaena\u2019s\tforehead\tand\tshe\tdrew\tan\tinvisible\tmark.\t\u201cI\tname\tyou\tElentiya.\u201d\tShe kissed\tthe\tassassin\u2019s\tbrow.\t\u201cI\tgive\tyou\tthis\tname\tto\tuse\twith\thonor,\tto\tuse\twhen other\t names\t grow\t too\t heavy.\t I\t name\t you\t Elentiya,\t \u2018Spirit\t That\t Could\t Not\t Be Broken.\u2019\t\u201d Celaena\t was\t held\t in\t place.\t She\t could\t feel\t the\t name\t fall\t upon\t her\t like\t a shimmering\t veil.\t This\t was\t unconditional\t love.\t Friends\t like\t this\t did\t not\t exist. Why\twas\tshe\tso\tfortunate\tas\tto\thave\tfound\tone? \u201cCome,\u201d\t Nehemia\t said\t brightly.\t \u201cTell\t me\t about\t how\t you\t became\t Adarlan\u2019s Assassin,\tand\thow\tyou\twound\tup\tin\tthis\tcastle,\texactly\u2014and\twhat\tthe\tdetails\tare of\tthis\tabsurd\tcompetition.\u201d\tCelaena\tsmiled\tslightly\tas\tFleetfoot\twagged\ther\ttail and\tlicked\tNehemia\u2019s\tarm. She\t had\t saved\t her\t life\u2014somehow.\t Answers\t for\t that\t would\t come\t later.\t So Celaena\tspoke. \u2022 The\t following\t morning,\t Celaena\t walked\t beside\t Chaol,\t her\t eyes\t on\t the\t marble floor\tof\tthe\thallway.\tThe\tsun\tradiated\toff\tof\tthe\tsnow\tin\tthe\tgarden,\tmaking\tthe light\t in\t the\t hall\t nearly\t blinding.\t She\u2019d\t told\t Nehemia\t almost\t everything.\t There were\t certain\t things\t she\u2019d\t never\t tell\t anyone,\t and\t she\t hadn\u2019t\t mentioned\t Cain\t or the\t creature,\t either.\t Nehemia\t hadn\u2019t\t asked\t her\t again\t what\t had\t bitten\t her\t hand, but\t had\t stayed\t with\t her,\t curled\t up\t in\t bed\t as\t they\t talked\t long\t into\t the\t night. Celaena,\tunsure\thow\tshe\u2019d\tever\tsleep\tagain\tnow\tthat\tshe\tknew\twhat\tCain\tcould do,\t had\t been\t grateful\t for\t the\t company.\t She\t pulled\t her\t cloak\t tighter\t around\t her. The\tmorning\twas\tunnaturally\tfrigid. \u201cYou\u2019re\t quiet\t today.\u201d\t Chaol\t kept\t his\t gaze\t ahead\t of\t them.\t \u201cDid\t you\t and Dorian\thave\ta\tfight?\u201d Dorian.\t He\u2019d\t stopped\t by\t last\t night,\t but\t Nehemia\t had\t shooed\t him\t off\t before he\tcould\tenter\tthe\tbedroom.\t\u201cNo.\tI\thaven\u2019t\tseen\thim\tsince\tyesterday\tmorning.\u201d After\tthe\tevents\tof\tlast\tnight,\tyesterday\tmorning\tseemed\tlike\ta\tweek\tago. \u201cDid\tyou\tenjoy\tdancing\twith\thim\tat\tthe\tball?\u201d Were\t his\t words\t a\t bit\t sharp?\t She\t turned\t to\t him\t as\t they\t rounded\t a\t corner, heading\t toward\t a\t private\t training\t room.\t \u201cYou\t left\t rather\t early.\t I\t would\t have thought\tyou\u2019d\twant\tto\tguard\tme\tthe\twhole\tnight.\u201d","\u201cYou\tdon\u2019t\tneed\tme\tto\twatch\tyou\tanymore.\u201d \u201cI\tdidn\u2019t\tneed\tyou\tto\twatch\tme\tfrom\tthe\tstart.\u201d He\tshrugged.\t\u201cNow\tI\tknow\tyou\u2019re\tnot\tgoing\tanywhere.\u201d Outside,\ta\thowling\twind\tkicked\tup\ta\tflurry\tof\tsnow,\tsending\ta\tsparkling\twave into\tthe\tair.\t\u201cI\tcould\tgo\tback\tto\tEndovier.\u201d \u201cYou\twon\u2019t.\u201d \u201cHow\tdo\tyou\tknow\tthat?\u201d \u201cI\tjust\tknow.\u201d \u201cThat\tgives\tme\theaps\tof\tconfidence.\u201d He\t chuckled,\t continuing\t toward\t the\t sparring\t room.\t \u201cI\u2019m\t surprised\t your\t dog didn\u2019t\trun\tafter\tyou,\tfor\tall\tthe\tcrying\tshe\tdid\tjust\tnow.\u201d \u201cIf\tyou\thad\ta\tpet,\tyou\twouldn\u2019t\tmake\tfun,\u201d\tshe\tsaid\tgloomily. \u201cI\u2019ve\tnever\thad\ta\tpet;\tI\tnever\twanted\tone.\u201d \u201cThat\u2019s\t probably\t a\t blessing\t for\t whatever\t dog\t might\t have\t wound\t up\t as\t your companion.\u201d He\tjabbed\ther\twith\tan\telbow.\tShe\tgrinned\tand\telbowed\thim\tback.\tShe\twanted to\t tell\t him\t about\t Cain.\t She\u2019d\t wanted\t to\t tell\t him\t when\t she\t saw\t him\t at\t her\t door this\tmorning.\tShe\twanted\tto\ttell\thim\teverything. But\the\tcouldn\u2019t\tknow.\tBecause,\tshe\u2019d\trealized\tlast\tnight,\tif\tshe\ttold\thim\tabout Cain\t and\t the\t creature\t he\u2019d\t unleashed,\t then\t he\u2019d\t ask\t to\t see\t the\t remains\t of\t the creature.\tAnd\tthat\tmeant\ttaking\thim\tinto\tthe\tsecret\tpassage.\tWhile\the\tmight\ttrust her\t enough\t to\t leave\t her\t alone\t with\t Dorian,\t knowing\t that\t she\t had\t access\t to\t an unguarded\tescape\troute\twas\ta\ttest\tshe\twasn\u2019t\tready\tto\tgive\tChaol. Besides,\t I\t killed\t it.\t It\u2019s\t over.\t Elena\u2019s\t mysterious\t evil\t is\t vanquished.\t Now\t I\u2019ll just\tdefeat\tCain\tin\tthe\tduel,\tand\tthen\tno\tone\tneeds\tto\tknow. Chaol\t stopped\t before\t the\t unmarked\t door\t of\t their\t practice\t room,\t and\t whirled to\tface\ther.\t\u201cI\u2019m\tonly\tgoing\tto\task\tyou\tthis\tonce,\tand\tthen\tI\twon\u2019t\task\tit\tagain,\u201d he\t said,\t staring\t at\t her\t so\t intensely\t that\t she\t shifted\t on\t her\t feet.\t \u201cDo\t you\t know what\tyou\u2019re\tgetting\tinto\twith\tDorian?\u201d She\t laughed,\t a\t harsh,\t cawing\t noise.\t \u201cAre\t you\t giving\t me\t romantic\t advice? And\tis\tthis\tfor\tmy\tsake\tor\tDorian\u2019s?\u201d \u201cBoth.\u201d \u201cI\tdidn\u2019t\trealize\tthat\tyou\tcared\tenough\tabout\tme\tto\tbother.\tOr\teven\tnotice.\u201d To\this\tcredit,\the\tdidn\u2019t\ttake\tthe\tbait.\tInstead,\the\tjust\tunlocked\tthe\tdoor.\t\u201cJust remember\t to\t use\t your\t brain,\t will\t you?\u201d\t he\t said\t over\t his\t shoulder,\t and\t entered the\troom. \u2022","An\t hour\t later,\t sweating\t and\t still\t panting\t from\t the\t swordplay\t practice,\t Celaena wiped\ther\tbrow\ton\ther\tsleeve\tas\tthey\tmade\ttheir\tway\tback\tto\ther\trooms. \u201cThe\tother\tday,\tI\tsaw\tyou\twere\treading\tElric\tand\tEmide,\u201d\the\tsaid.\t\u201cI\tthought you\thated\tpoetry.\u201d \u201cIt\u2019s\t different.\u201d\t She\t swung\t her\t arms.\t \u201cEpic\t poetry\t isn\u2019t\t boring\u2014or pretentious.\u201d \u201cOh?\u201d\t A\t crooked\t smile\t twisted\t across\t his\t face.\t \u201cA\t poem\t about\t massive battles\t and\t boundless\t love\t isn\u2019t\t pretentious?\u201d\t She\t playfully\t punched\t his shoulder,\tand\the\tlaughed.\tSurprisingly\tdelighted\tat\this\tlaughter,\tshe\tcackled.\tBut then\tthey\tturned\ta\tcorner,\tand\tguards\tfilled\tthe\thall,\tand\tshe\tsaw\thim. The\tKing\tof\tAdarlan.","Chapter\t44 The\tking.\tCelaena\u2019s\theart\tgave\ta\tscreech\tand\tdove\tbehind\ther\tspine.\tEach\tof\tthe little\t scars\t on\t her\t hand\t throbbed.\t He\t strode\t toward\t them,\t his\t monstrous\t form filling\tthe\ttoo-small\thallway,\tand\ttheir\teyes\tmet.\tShe\twent\tcold\tand\thot\tat\tonce. Chaol\thalted\tand\tbowed\tlow. Slowly,\t not\t wishing\t to\t find\t herself\t swinging\t from\t the\t gallows\t just\t yet, Celaena\t bowed,\t too.\t He\t stared\t at\t her\t with\t eyes\t of\t iron.\t The\t hair\t on\t her\t arms rose.\tShe\tcould\tfeel\thim\tsearching,\tlooking\tfor\tsomething\tinside\tof\ther.\tHe\tknew that\tsomething\twas\twrong,\tthat\tsomething\thad\tchanged\tin\this\tcastle\u2014something to\tdo\twith\ther.\tCelaena\tand\tChaol\trose\tand\tstepped\taside. His\t head\t turned\t to\t examine\t her\t as\t he\t strode\t past.\t Could\t he\t see\t what\t lay beyond\t her\t flesh?\t Did\t he\t know\t that\t Cain\t had\t the\t ability\t to\t open\t portals,\t real portals,\tto\tother\tworlds?\tDid\the\tknow\tthat\teven\tthough\the\u2019d\tbanned\tmagic,\tthe Wyrdmarks\tstill\tcommanded\ta\tpower\tof\ttheir\town?\tPower\tthe\tking\tcould\twield if\the\tlearned\tto\tsummon\tdemons\tlike\tthe\tridderak\t.\t.\t. There\t was\t a\t darkness\t in\t his\t eyes\t that\t felt\t cold\t and\t foreign,\t like\t the\t gaps between\t the\t stars.\t Could\t one\t man\t destroy\t a\t world?\t Was\t his\t ambition\t so consuming?\tShe\tcould\thear\tthe\tdin\tof\twar.\tThe\tking\u2019s\thead\tshifted\tto\tlook\tat\tthe hallway\tahead. Something\t dangerous\t lurked\t about\t him.\t It\t was\t an\t air\t of\t death\t that\t she\u2019d\t felt standing\tbefore\tthat\tblack\tvoid\tsummoned\tby\tCain.\tIt\twas\tthe\tstench\tof\tanother world,\ta\tdead\tworld.\tWhat\twas\tElena\u2019s\tgoal\tin\tdemanding\tthat\tshe\tget\tclose\tto him? Celaena\t managed\t to\t walk,\t one\t step\t at\t a\t time,\t away\t from\t the\t king.\t Her\t eyes were\t far\t away\t and\t distant,\t and\t though\t she\t didn\u2019t\t look\t at\t Chaol,\t she\t felt\t him studying\ther\tface.\tThankfully,\the\tdidn\u2019t\tsay\ta\tword.\tIt\twas\tnice\tto\thave\tsomeone who\tunderstood. Chaol\t also\t didn\u2019t\t say\t anything\t when\t she\t moved\t closer\t to\t him\t for\t the remainder\tof\ttheir\twalk. \u2022 Chaol\tpaced\tthrough\this\troom,\this\ttime\twith\tCelaena\tover\tuntil\tshe\u2019d\ttrain\twith the\t other\t Champions\t that\t afternoon.\t After\t lunch,\t he\u2019d\t returned\t to\t his\t room\t to read\t the\t report\t detailing\t the\t king\u2019s\t journey.\t And\t in\t the\t past\t ten\t minutes,\t he\u2019d read\t the\t thing\t three\t times.\t He\t crumpled\t the\t paper\t in\t his\t fist.\t Why\t had\t the\t king arrived\t alone?\t And,\t more\t importantly,\t how\t had\t everyone\t in\t his\t traveling\t party","died?\t It\t wasn\u2019t\t clear\t where\t he\u2019d\t gone.\t He\u2019d\t mentioned\t the\t White\t Fang Mountains,\tbut\t.\t.\t.\tWhy\twere\tthey\tall\tdead? The\tking\thad\tvaguely\thinted\tat\tsome\tsort\tof\tissue\twith\trebels\tpoisoning\ttheir food\t stores,\t but\t the\t details\t were\t murky\t enough\t to\t suggest\t that\t the\t truth\t was buried\t somewhere\t else.\t Perhaps\t he\t hadn\u2019t\t explained\t it\t fully\t because\t it\t would upset\t his\t subjects.\t But\t Chaol\t was\t his\t Captain\t of\t the\t Guard.\t If\t the\t king\t didn\u2019t trust\thim\t.\t.\t. The\tclock\tstruck\tand\tChaol\u2019s\tshoulders\tsagged.\tPoor\tCelaena.\tDid\tshe\tknow that\t she\t looked\t like\t a\t frightened\t animal\t when\t the\t king\t appeared?\t He\u2019d\t almost wanted\t to\t pat\t her\t on\t the\t back.\t And\t the\t effect\t the\t king\t had\t on\t her\t lasted\t long after\ttheir\tencounter;\tshe\u2019d\tbeen\tdistant\tduring\tlunch. She\t was\t incredible\t now,\t so\t fast\t he\t had\t difficulty\t keeping\t up\t with\t her.\t She could\t scale\t a\t wall\t with\t ease,\t and\t had\t even\t demonstrated\t by\t climbing\t up\t to\t her own\tbalcony\twith\tnothing\tbut\ther\tbare\thands.\tIt\tunnerved\thim,\tespecially\twhen he\tremembered\tshe\twas\tonly\teighteen.\tHe\twondered\tif\tthis\twas\thow\tshe\u2019d\tbeen before\tEndovier.\tShe\tnever\thesitated\twhen\tthey\tsparred,\tbut\tshe\tseemed\tto\tsink far\t within\t herself,\t into\t a\t place\t that\t was\t calm\t and\t cool,\t but\t also\t angry\t and burning.\tShe\tcould\tkill\tanyone,\tCain\tincluded,\tin\ta\tmatter\tof\tseconds. But\tif\tshe\tbecame\tChampion,\tcould\tthey\tlet\ther\tloose\tinto\tErilea\tonce\tmore? He\t was\t fond\t of\t her,\t but\t Chaol\t didn\u2019t\t know\t if\t he\t could\t sleep\t at\t night\t knowing that\t he\t had\t retrained\t and\t released\t the\t world\u2019s\t greatest\t assassin.\t If\t she\t won, though,\tshe\u2019d\tbe\there\tfor\tfour\tyears. What\thad\tthe\tking\tthought\twhen\the\tsaw\tthem\ttogether,\tlaughing?\tSurely,\tthat hadn\u2019t\tbeen\this\treason\tfor\tneglecting\tto\ttell\thim\twhat\thappened\tto\this\tmen.\tNo \u2014the\tking\twouldn\u2019t\tbother\tto\tcare\tabout\tthat\tkind\tof\tthing,\tespecially\tif\tCelaena might\tsoon\tbe\this\tChampion. Chaol\trubbed\this\tshoulder.\tShe\u2019d\tlooked\tso\tsmall\twhen\tshe\tsaw\tthe\tking. Since\t returning\t from\t his\t travels,\t the\t king\t hadn\u2019t\t seemed\t any\t different,\t and was\tjust\tas\tgruff\twith\tChaol\tas\the\u2019d\talways\tbeen.\tBut\tthe\tsudden\tdisappearance, then\t returning\t without\t a\t single\t soul\t .\t .\t .\t There\t was\t something\t brewing,\t a cauldron\tthat\tthe\tking\thad\tjourneyed\tto\tstir.\tCelaena\tsomehow\tknew\tit,\ttoo. The\t Captain\t of\t the\t Guard\t leaned\t against\t a\t wall,\t staring\t at\t the\t ceiling.\t He shouldn\u2019t\tpress\tinto\tthe\tking\u2019s\tbusiness.\tRight\tnow,\this\tfocus\twas\ton\tsolving\tthe murders\t of\t the\t Champions,\t and\t on\t making\t sure\t Celaena\t won.\t It\t wasn\u2019t\t even about\t Dorian\u2019s\t pride\t anymore;\t Celaena\t wouldn\u2019t\t survive\t another\t year\t in Endovier. Chaol\t smiled\t slightly.\t She\u2019d\t stirred\t up\t enough\t trouble\t in\t the\t months\t she\u2019d been\tin\tthe\tcastle.\tHe\tcould\tonly\timagine\twhat\twould\thappen\tover\tthe\tnext\tfour years.","Chapter\t45 Celaena\t panted\t as\t she\t and\t Nox\t lowered\t their\t swords,\t the\t Weapons\t Master shouting\tat\tthe\tfive\tChampions\tto\tget\tsome\twater.\tTomorrow\twas\ttheir\tlast\tTest before\tthe\tduel.\tShe\tkept\ther\tdistance\twhen\tCain\tlumbered\ttoward\tthe\twater\tjug on\t the\t table\t by\t the\t far\t wall,\t watching\t his\t every\t movement.\t She\t eyed\t his muscles,\this\theight,\this\tgirth\u2014all\tstrength\tstolen\tfrom\tthe\tdead\tChampions.\tShe studied\t the\t black\t ring\t on\t his\t finger.\t Did\t it\t somehow\t have\t a\t connection\t to\t his horrible\tabilities?\tHe\thadn\u2019t\teven\tlooked\tall\tthat\tsurprised\tto\tsee\ther\talive\twhen she\u2019d\t entered\t the\t training\t hall.\t He\u2019d\t just\t given\t her\t a\t small,\t taunting\t smile\t and picked\tup\this\tpractice\tsword. \u201cIs\t something\t the\t matter?\u201d\t Nox\t said,\t his\t breathing\t ragged\t as\t he\t stopped\t by her\tside.\tCain,\tGrave,\tand\tRenault\twere\ttalking\tamongst\tthemselves.\t\u201cYou\twere a\tbit\toff-balance.\u201d How\thad\tCain\tlearned\tto\tsummon\tthat\tcreature\u2014and\twhat\twas\tthat\tblackness from\twhence\tit\thad\tappeared?\tWas\tit\ttruly\tjust\tso\the\tcould\twin\tthe\tcompetition? \u201cOr,\u201d\tNox\tcontinued,\t\u201cdo\tyou\thave\tother\tthoughts\ton\tyour\tmind?\u201d She\tshoved\tCain\tout\tof\ther\thead.\t\u201cWhat?\u201d He\t grinned\t at\t her.\t \u201cIt\t seemed\t like\t you\t were\t rather\t enjoying\t the\t Crown Prince\u2019s\tattention\tat\tthe\tball.\u201d \u201cMind\tyour\town\tbusiness,\u201d\tshe\tsnapped. Nox\t held\t up\t his\t hands.\t \u201cI\t didn\u2019t\t mean\t to\t pry.\u201d\t She\t walked\t to\t the\t water\t jug, not\tsaying\ta\tword\tto\tNox\tas\tshe\tpoured\therself\ta\tglass\tand\tdidn\u2019t\tbother\tto\toffer him\t one.\t He\t leaned\t in\t as\t she\t set\t down\t the\t jug.\t \u201cThose\t scars\t on\t your\t hand\t are new.\u201d She\t stuffed\t her\t hand\t into\t a\t pocket,\t her\t eyes\t flashing.\t \u201cMind\t your\t own business,\u201d\tshe\trepeated.\tShe\tstepped\taway,\tbut\tNox\tgrabbed\ther\tarm. \u201cYou\t told\t me\t to\t stay\t in\t my\t rooms\t the\t other\t night.\t And\t those\t scars\t look\t like bite\t marks.\t They\t say\t Verin\t and\t Xavier\t were\t killed\t by\t animals.\u201d\t His\t gray\t eyes narrowed.\t\u201cYou\tknow\tsomething.\u201d She\t glanced\t over\t her\t shoulder\t at\t Cain,\t who\t was\t joking\t with\t Grave\t as\t if\t he weren\u2019t\t a\t demon-summoning\t psychopath.\t \u201cThere\t are\t only\t five\t of\t us\t left.\t Four make\tit\tto\tthe\tduels,\tand\tthe\tTest\u2019s\ttomorrow.\tWhatever\thappened\tto\tVerin\tand Xavier,\tit\twasn\u2019t\tan\taccident,\tnot\twhen\ttheir\tdeaths\toccurred\twithin\ttwo\tdays\tof the\tTests.\u201d\tShe\tshook\ther\tarm\tout\tof\this\tgrasp.\t\u201cBe\tcareful,\u201d\tshe\thissed. \u201cTell\tme\twhat\tyou\tknow.\u201d She\tcouldn\u2019t,\tnot\twithout\tsounding\tinsane.\t\u201cIf\tyou\twere\tsmart,\tyou\u2019d\tget\tout of\tthis\tcastle.\u201d","\u201cWhy?\u201d\tHe\tshot\ta\tlook\tat\tCain.\t\u201cWhat\taren\u2019t\tyou\tsaying?\u201d Brullo\t finished\t his\t water\t and\t went\t to\t retrieve\t his\t sword.\t She\t didn\u2019t\t have much\ttime\tbefore\the\tcalled\tthem\tto\tresume.\t\u201cI\u2019m\tsaying\tthat\tif\tI\tdidn\u2019t\thave\tany other\t choice\t but\t to\t be\t here\u2014if\t it\t wasn\u2019t\t between\t this\t and\t death,\t I\t would\t be halfway\tacross\tErilea\tby\tnow,\tand\tnot\tlooking\tback.\u201d Nox\trubbed\this\tneck.\t\u201cI\tdon\u2019t\tunderstand\ta\tword\tof\twhat\tyou\tjust\tsaid.\tWhy don\u2019t\t you\t have\t a\t choice?\t I\t know\t things\t are\t bad\t with\t your\t father,\t but\t surely\t he won\u2019t\u2014\u201d\t She\t silenced\t him\t with\t a\t pointed\t stare.\t \u201cAnd\t you\u2019re\t not\t a\t jewel\t thief, are\t you?\u201d\t She\t shook\t her\t head.\t Nox\t glanced\t again\t at\t Cain.\t \u201cCain\t knows,\t too. That\u2019s\twhy\the\talways\ttries\tto\trile\tyou\u2014to\tget\tyou\tto\tshow\twho\tyou\ttruly\tare.\u201d She\tnodded.\tWhat\tdifference\tdid\tit\tmake\tif\the\tknew?\tShe\thad\tmore\timportant things\tto\tworry\tabout\tnow.\tLike\thow\tshe\u2019d\tsurvive\tuntil\tthe\tduels.\tOr\tstop\tCain. \u201cBut\t who\t are\t you?\u201d\t Nox\t said.\t She\t bit\t her\t lip.\t \u201cYou\t said\t your\t father\t moved you\t to\t Endovier,\t that\t much\t is\t true.\t The\t prince\t went\t there\t to\t retrieve\t you\u2014 there\u2019s\t evidence\t of\t that\t journey.\u201d\t Even\t as\t he\t said\t it,\t his\t eyes\t slid\t toward\t her back.\t She\t could\t practically\t see\t the\t revelations\t as\t they\t bloomed\t in\t his\t mind. \u201cAnd\u2014you\t weren\u2019t\t in\t the\t town\t of\t Endovier.\t You\t were\t in\t Endovier.\t The\t Salt Mines.\tThat\texplains\twhy\tyou\twere\tso\tpainfully\tthin\twhen\tI\tfirst\tsaw\tyou.\u201d Brullo\tclapped\this\thands.\t\u201cCome\ton,\tyou\tlot!\tDrills!\u201d Nox\t and\t Celaena\t remained\t by\t the\t table.\t His\t eyes\t were\t wide.\t \u201cYou\t were\t a slave\t in\t Endovier?\u201d\t She\t couldn\u2019t\t form\t the\t words\t to\t confirm\t it.\t Nox\t was\t too smart\tfor\this\town\tgood.\t\u201cBut\tyou\u2019re\tbarely\ta\twoman\u2014what\tdid\tyou\tdo\tto\t.\t.\t.\u201d His\tgaze\tfell\ton\tChaol,\tand\tthe\tguards\twho\tstood\tnear\thim.\t\u201cWould\tI\thave\theard your\tname\tbefore?\tWould\tI\thave\theard\tthat\tyou\twere\tshipped\tto\tEndovier?\u201d \u201cYes.\t Everyone\t heard\t when\t I\t went,\u201d\t she\t breathed,\t and\t watched\t as\t he\t sorted through\t every\t name\t he\u2019d\t ever\t heard\t associated\t with\t the\t place,\t then\t put\t the pieces\ttogether.\tHe\ttook\ta\tstep\tback. \u201cYou\u2019re\ta\tgirl?\u201d \u201cSurprising,\tI\tknow.\tEveryone\tthinks\tI\u2019m\tolder.\u201d Nox\t ran\t a\t hand\t through\t his\t black\t hair.\t \u201cAnd\t you\t can\t either\t be\t the\t King\u2019s Champion,\tor\tgo\tback\tto\tEndovier?\u201d \u201cThat\u2019s\t why\t I\t can\u2019t\t leave.\u201d\t Brullo\t shouted\t at\t them\t to\t start\t their\t drills.\t \u201cAnd why\t I\u2019m\t telling\t you\t to\t get\t out\t of\t the\t castle\t while\t you\t can.\u201d\t She\t took\t her\t hand from\t her\t pocket\t and\t showed\t it\t to\t him.\t \u201cI\t received\t this\t from\t a\t creature\t I\t can\u2019t even\tbegin\tto\tdescribe\tto\tyou,\tnor\twould\tyou\tbelieve\tme\tif\tI\ttried.\tBut\tthere\tare five\t of\t us\t now,\t and\t because\t the\t Test\t is\t tomorrow,\t that\t means\t one\t more\t night we\u2019re\tat\trisk.\u201d \u201cI\tdon\u2019t\tunderstand\tany\tof\tthis,\u201d\tNox\tsaid,\tstill\tkeeping\tback\ta\tstep. \u201cYou\t don\u2019t\t have\t to.\t But\t you\u2019re\t not\t going\t back\t to\t prison\t if\t you\t fail,\t and","you\u2019re\t not\t going\t to\t be\t the\t Champion,\t even\t if\t you\t make\t it\t to\t the\t duels.\t So\t you need\tto\tleave.\u201d \u201cDo\tI\twant\tto\tknow\twhat\u2019s\tkilling\tthe\tChampions?\u201d She\t fought\t her\t shudder\t as\t she\t recalled\t the\t fangs\t and\t stench\t of\t the\t creature. \u201cNo,\u201d\t she\t said,\t unable\t to\t keep\t the\t fear\t from\t her\t voice.\t \u201cYou\t don\u2019t.\t You\t just have\t to\t trust\t me\u2014and\t trust\t that\t I\u2019m\t not\t trying\t to\t eliminate\t my\t competition\t by tricking\tyou.\u201d Whatever\the\tread\tin\ther\texpression\tmade\this\tshoulders\tsag.\t\u201cAll\tof\tthis\ttime, I\tthought\tyou\twere\tjust\tsome\tpretty\tgirl\tfrom\tBellhaven\twho\tstole\tjewels\tto\tget her\t father\u2019s\t attention.\t Little\t did\t I\t know\t that\t the\t blond-haired\t girl\t was\t Queen\t of the\t Underworld.\u201d\t He\t smiled\t ruefully.\t \u201cThank\t you\t for\t warning\t me.\t You\t could have\topted\tto\tsay\tnothing.\u201d \u201cYou\twere\tthe\tonly\tone\twho\tbothered\tto\ttake\tme\tseriously,\u201d\tshe\tsaid,\tsmiling with\twarmth\tthat\tshe\tmeant.\t\u201cI\u2019m\tsurprised\tyou\teven\tbelieve\tme.\u201d Brullo\t shouted\t at\t them,\t and\t they\t began\t walking\t back\t to\t the\t group.\t Chaol\u2019s eyes\twere\thard\tupon\tthem.\tShe\tknew\the\u2019d\tquestion\ther\tabout\ttheir\tconversation later. \u201cDo\tme\ta\tfavor,\tCelaena,\u201d\tNox\tsaid.\tThe\tsound\tof\ther\tname\tstartled\ther.\tHe brought\t his\t mouth\t close\t to\t her\t ear.\t \u201cRip\t Cain\u2019s\t head\t off,\u201d\t he\t whispered\t with\t a wicked\tgrin.\tCelaena\tonly\tsmiled\tback\tat\thim\tand\tnodded. Nox\tleft\tearly\tthat\tnight,\tslipping\tout\tof\tthe\tcastle\twithout\ta\tword\tto\tanyone. \u2022 The\tclock\tchimed\tfive,\tand\tKaltain\tfought\tthe\turge\tto\trub\ther\teyes\tas\tthe\topium oozed\t through\t every\t pore\t of\t her\t body.\t In\t the\t light\t of\t the\t setting\t sun,\t the\t castle hallways\twere\tawash\twith\tred\tand\torange\tand\tgold,\tthe\tcolors\tbleeding\ttogether. Perrington\t had\t asked\t her\t to\t join\t his\t dinner\t table\t in\t the\t Great\t Hall,\t and\t she normally\t wouldn\u2019t\t have\t dared\t to\t smoke\t before\t a\t public\t meal,\t but\t the\t headache that\thad\tplagued\ther\tall\tafternoon\thadn\u2019t\tgotten\tany\tbetter. The\t hall\t seemed\t to\t stretch\t on\t forever.\t She\t ignored\t the\t passing\t courtiers\t and servants,\t focusing\t instead\t on\t the\t fading\t day.\t Someone\t approached\t from\t the other\t end,\t a\t smear\t of\t black\t against\t the\t gold\t and\t orange\t light.\t Shadows\t seemed to\t leak\t from\t him,\t flowing\t onto\t the\t stones\t and\t the\t windows\t and\t the\t walls\t like spilled\tink. She\ttried\tto\tswallow\tas\tshe\tneared\thim,\tbut\tfound\ther\ttongue\tto\tbe\tleaden\tand paper-dry. Each\tstep\tbrought\thim\tcloser\u2014made\thim\tbigger\tand\ttaller\u2014and\ther\theartbeat thundered\tin\ther\tears.\tPerhaps\tthe\topium\thad\tgone\tbad\u2014perhaps\tshe\u2019d\tsmoked","too\tmuch\tthis\ttime.\tAmid\tthe\tpounding\tin\ther\tears\tand\ther\thead,\tthe\twhisper\tof wings\tfilled\tthe\tair. In\t the\t space\t between\t blinks,\t she\t could\t have\t sworn\t she\t saw\t things\t swooping past\thim\tin\tswift,\tvicious\tcircles,\thovering\tabove\thim,\twaiting,\twaiting,\twaiting\t. .\t. \u201cMilady,\u201d\tCain\tsaid,\tbowing\this\thead\tas\the\tstrode\tby. Kaltain\t said\t nothing.\t She\t clenched\t her\t sweaty\t palms\t and\t continued\t toward the\tGreat\tHall.\tIt\ttook\ta\twhile\tfor\tthe\tsound\tof\tflapping\twings\tto\tfade,\tbut\tby\tthe time\tshe\treached\tthe\tduke\u2019s\ttable,\tshe\u2019d\tforgotten\tall\tabout\tit. \u2022 After\tdinner\tthat\tnight,\tCelaena\tsat\tacross\tthe\tchessboard\tfrom\tDorian.\tThe\tkiss following\t the\t ball\t two\t days\t ago\t hadn\u2019t\t been\t so\t bad.\t Nice,\t actually,\t if\t she\t was being\t honest.\t Of\t course,\t he\u2019d\t returned\t tonight,\t and\t so\t far\t there\t had\t been\t no mention\t of\t the\t fresh\t scars\t on\t her\t hand,\t or\t the\t kiss.\t And\t she\u2019d\t never,\t not\t in\t a million\tyears,\ttell\thim\tabout\tthe\tridderak.\tShe\tmight\tfeel\tsomething\tfor\thim,\tbut if\t he\t told\t his\t father\t about\t the\t power\t of\t the\t Wyrdmarks\t and\t Wyrdgates\t .\t .\t .\t Her blood\tchilled\tat\tthe\tthought. But\tlooking\tat\thim,\twith\this\tface\tilluminated\tby\tfirelight,\tshe\tcouldn\u2019t\tsee\tany resemblance\tto\this\tfather.\tNo,\tshe\tcould\tonly\tsee\this\tkindness,\tand\tintelligence, and\t maybe\t he\t was\t a\t tad\t arrogant,\t but\t .\t .\t .\t Celaena\u2019s\t toes\t scratched\t Fleetfoot\u2019s ears.\t She\u2019d\t expected\t him\t to\t stay\t away,\t to\t move\t on\t to\t another\t woman\t now\t that he\u2019d\ttasted\ther. Well,\tdid\the\teven\twant\tto\ttaste\tyou\tin\tthe\tfirst\tplace? He\tmoved\this\tHigh\tPriestess,\tand\tCelaena\tlaughed.\t\u201cDo\tyou\treally\twish\tto\tdo that?\u201d\tshe\tasked.\tHis\tface\tcontorted\twith\tconfusion,\tand\tshe\tpicked\tup\ther\tpawn, moving\tit\tdiagonally,\tand\teasily\tknocked\tover\tthe\tpiece. \u201cDamn!\u201d\the\tcried,\tand\tshe\tcackled. \u201cHere.\u201d\tShe\thanded\thim\tthe\tpiece.\t\u201cTake\tit\tand\ttry\tanother\tmove.\u201d \u201cNo.\tI\u2019ll\tplay\tlike\ta\tman\tand\taccept\tmy\tlosses!\u201d They\tlaughed,\tbut\tsilence\tsoon\tcrept\tover\tthem.\tA\tsmile\tstill\tplayed\tabout\ther lips,\tand\the\treached\tfor\ther\thand.\tShe\twanted\tto\tpull\tit\taway,\tbut\tcouldn\u2019t\tbring herself\t to\t do\t it.\t He\t held\t her\t hand\t over\t the\t board\t and\t smoothly\t flattened\t their palms\t against\t each\t other,\t interlocking\t his\t fingers\t with\t hers.\t His\t hand\t was calloused\tbut\tsturdy.\tTheir\tentwined\thands\trested\ton\tthe\tside\tof\tthe\ttable. \u201cOne\tneeds\tboth\thands\tto\tplay\tchess,\u201d\tshe\tsaid,\twondering\tif\tit\twere\tpossible for\ther\theart\tto\texplode.\tFleetfoot\thuffed\tand\ttrotted\taway,\tprobably\tto\tdisappear under\tthe\tbed.","\u201cI\tthink\tyou\tonly\tneed\tone.\u201d\tHe\tmoved\ta\tpiece\tall\tover\tthe\tboard.\t\u201cSee?\u201d She\tchewed\ther\tlip.\tStill,\tshe\tdidn\u2019t\tpull\ther\thand\tfrom\this.\t\u201cAre\tyou\tgoing\tto kiss\tme\tagain?\u201d \u201cI\u2019d\t like\t to.\u201d\t She\t couldn\u2019t\t move\t as\t he\t leaned\t toward\t her,\t closer\t and\t closer, the\t table\t groaning\t beneath\t him,\t until\t he\t stopped,\t his\t lips\t just\t a\t hair\u2019s\t breadth from\thers. \u201cI\tran\tinto\tyour\tfather\tin\tthe\thall\ttoday,\u201d\tshe\tblurted. Dorian\tslowly\tsat\tback\tin\this\tchair.\t\u201cAnd?\u201d \u201cAnd\tit\twas\tfine,\u201d\tshe\tlied.\tHis\teyes\tnarrowed. He\t lifted\t her\t chin\t with\t a\t finger.\t \u201cYou\t didn\u2019t\t say\t that\t to\t avoid\t the\t inevitable, did\tyou?\u201d\tNo,\tshe\u2019d\tsaid\tthat\tjust\tto\tkeep\ttalking,\tto\tkeep\thim\there\tas\tlong\tas\the would\tbe\twilling\tto\tstay,\tso\tshe\tdidn\u2019t\thave\tto\tface\ta\tnight\talone\twith\tthe\tthreat of\tCain\thovering\tover\ther.\tWho\tbetter\tto\tkeep\tat\ther\tside\tin\tthe\tdark\thours\tof\tthe night\tthan\tthe\tson\tof\tthe\tking?\tCain\twouldn\u2019t\tdare\tharm\thim. But\t all\t of\t this\t .\t .\t .\t everything\t that\t had\t happened\t with\t the\t ridderak\t meant\t all the\tbooks\tshe\u2019d\tread\twere\ttrue.\tWhat\tif\tCain\tcould\tsummon\tanything\tto\thim\u2014 like\t the\t dead?\t There\t were\t many\t people\t who\t lost\t their\t fortunes\t when\t magic vanished.\tEven\tthe\tking\thimself\tmight\tbe\tintrigued\tby\tthis\tsort\tof\tpower. \u201cYou\u2019re\t trembling,\u201d\t Dorian\t said.\t She\t was.\t Like\t a\t damned\t idiot,\t she\t was trembling.\t\u201cAre\tyou\tall\tright?\u201d\tHe\tmoved\taround\tthe\ttable\tto\tsit\tbeside\ther. She\tcouldn\u2019t\ttell\thim;\tno,\the\tcould\tnever\tknow.\tJust\tas\the\tcouldn\u2019t\tknow\tthat when\t she\u2019d\t checked\t under\t her\t bed\t before\t dinner,\t there\t were\t fresh\t chalk\t marks for\ther\tto\twash\taway.\tCain\tknew\tthat\tshe\u2019d\tdiscovered\thow\the\twas\teliminating the\tcompetition.\tPerhaps\the\u2019d\thunt\ther\tdown\ttonight,\tor\tperhaps\tnot\u2014she\thadn\u2019t the\tfaintest\tidea.\tBut\tshe\u2019d\tget\tlittle\tsleep\ttonight\u2014or\tuntil\tCain\twas\timpaled\ton the\tend\tof\ther\tsword. \u201cI\u2019m\tfine,\u201d\tshe\tsaid,\tthough\ther\tvoice\twas\tlittle\tmore\tthan\ta\twhisper.\tBut\tif\the kept\tasking,\tshe\twas\tbound\tto\ttell\thim. \u201cAre\t you\t sure\t that\t you\u2019re\t feeling\u2014\u201d\t he\t began,\t but\t she\t surged\t forward\t and kissed\thim. She\talmost\tknocked\thim\tto\tthe\tfloor.\tBut\the\tshot\tout\tan\tarm\tto\tthe\tback\tof\tthe chair\t and\t braced\t himself\t as\t his\t spare\t arm\t wrapped\t around\t her\t middle.\t She\t let the\ttouch,\tthe\ttaste\tof\thim\tfill\tthe\troom\tof\ther\tmind\twith\twater.\tShe\tkissed\thim, hoping\tto\tsteal\tsome\tof\this\tair.\tHer\tfingers\tentangled\tthemselves\tin\this\thair,\tand as\the\tkissed\ther\tfiercely,\tshe\tlet\teverything\tfade\taway. \u2022 The\tclock\tchimed\tthree.\tCelaena\tsat\ton\ther\tbed,\tknees\tcurled\tto\ther\tchest.\tAfter","hours\t of\t kissing\t and\t talking\t and\t more\t kissing\t on\t her\t bed,\t Dorian\t had\t left\t only minutes\t before.\t She\u2019d\t been\t tempted\t to\t ask\t him\t to\t stay\u2014the\t smart\t thing\t would have\t been\t to\t ask\t him\t to\t stay\u2014but\t the\t thought\t of\t Dorian\t being\t here\t when\t Cain or\tthe\tridderak\tcame\tfor\ther,\tof\tDorian\tbeing\thurt,\tmade\ther\tlet\thim\tgo. Too\ttired\tto\tread,\tbut\ttoo\tawake\tto\tsleep,\tshe\tjust\tstared\tat\tthe\tcrackling\tfire. Every\tbump\tand\tfootstep\tmade\ther\tjolt,\tand\tshe\u2019d\tmanaged\tto\tswipe\ta\tfew\tpins from\tPhilippa\u2019s\tsewing\tbasket\twhen\tshe\twasn\u2019t\tlooking.\tBut\ta\tmakeshift\tknife,\ta heavy\t book,\t and\t a\t candlestick\t weren\u2019t\t protection\t against\t what\t Cain\t could summon. You\t shouldn\u2019t\t have\t left\t Damaris\t in\t the\t tomb.\t Going\t back\t down\t there\t wasn\u2019t an\toption\u2014not\twhile\tCain\tlived.\tShe\thugged\ther\tknees,\tshivering\tas\tshe\trecalled the\tutter\tblackness\tfrom\twhich\tthe\tthing\thad\tcome. Cain\tmust\thave\tlearned\tabout\tthe\tWyrdmarks\tin\tthe\tWhite\tFang\tMountains\u2014 that\tcursed\tborderland\tbetween\tAdarlan\tand\tthe\tWestern\tWastes.\tThey\tsaid\tthat evil\tstill\tcrept\tout\tof\tthe\truins\tof\tthe\tWitch\tKingdom\u2014and\tthat\told\twomen\twith iron\tteeth\tstill\twandered\tthe\tlonely\troads\tin\tthe\tmountain\tpasses. The\thair\ton\ther\tarms\trose,\tand\tshe\tgrabbed\ta\tfur\tblanket\tfrom\ther\tbed\tto\twrap around\therself.\tIf\tshe\tcould\tstay\talive\tuntil\tthe\tduels,\tshe\u2019d\tdefeat\tCain,\tand\tthis would\t all\t be\t over.\t Then\t she\t could\t sleep\t soundly\t again\u2014unless\t Elena\t had something\telse,\tsomething\tbigger\tin\tmind. Celaena\trested\ther\tcheek\tagainst\ther\tknee,\tlistening\tto\tthe\tclock\ttick-tick-tick long\tinto\tthe\tnight. \u2022 Thundering\thooves\tbeat\tthe\tfrozen\tground,\tfaster\tand\tfaster\tas\tthe\trider\twhipped the\t horse.\t Snow\t and\t mud\t lay\t thick\t on\t the\t earth,\t and\t rogue\t snowflakes\t drifted through\tthe\tnight\tsky. Celaena\t ran\u2014swifter\t than\t her\t young\t legs\t could\t manage.\t Everything\t hurt. Trees\tripped\tat\ther\tdress\tand\thair;\tstones\tsliced\ther\tfeet.\tShe\tscrambled\tthrough the\t woods,\t breathing\t so\t hard\t she\t couldn\u2019t\t muster\t the\t air\t to\t cry\t for\t help.\t She must\treach\tthe\tbridge.\tIt\tcouldn\u2019t\tcross\tthe\tbridge. Behind\ther,\ta\tsword\tshrieked\tas\tit\twas\tdrawn\tfrom\tits\tsheath. She\t fell,\t slamming\t into\t mud\t and\t rock.\t The\t sound\t of\t the\t approaching\t demon filled\t the\t air\t as\t she\t struggled\t to\t rise.\t But\t the\t mud\t held\t fast,\t and\t she\t could\t not run. Reaching\t for\t a\t bush,\t her\t small\t hands\t bleeding,\t the\t horse\t now\t close\t behind, she\u2014 \u2022","\u2022 Celaena\t gasped\t and\t awoke.\t She\t put\t a\t hand\t to\t her\t heart\t and\t pushed\t against\t her chest\tas\tit\tlifted\tand\tfell.\tIt\twas\ta\tdream. The\t fire\t had\t dwindled\t to\t embers;\t a\t cold\t gray\t light\t seeped\t in\t through\t her curtains.\tIt\twas\tonly\ta\tnightmare.\tShe\tmust\thave\tdozed\toff\tat\tsome\tpoint\tduring the\t night.\t She\t clutched\t her\t amulet,\t running\t a\t thumb\t across\t the\t stone\t in\t the center. Some\tprotection\tyou\twere\twhen\tthat\tthing\tattacked\tme\tthe\tother\tnight. Frowning,\t she\t gently\t arranged\t her\t covers\t around\t Fleetfoot,\t and\t stroked\t the dog\u2019s\thead\tfor\ta\tmoment.\tDawn\twas\tnear.\tShe\u2019d\tmade\tit\tthrough\tanother\tnight. Sighing,\tCelaena\tlay\tback\tand\tclosed\ther\teyes. A\tfew\thours\tlater,\twhen\tnews\tof\tNox\u2019s\tdeparture\tspread,\tshe\treceived\tnotice that\tthe\tlast\tTest\thad\tbeen\tcanceled.\tShe\twould\tduel\tagainst\tGrave,\tRenault,\tand Cain\ttomorrow. Tomorrow\u2014and\tthen\ther\tfreedom\twould\tbe\tdecided."]
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