["Chapter\t46 The\tforest\twas\tstill\tand\tfrozen\taround\tDorian,\tand\tsnow\tcollapsed\tfrom\tthe\ttrees in\tlarge\tclumps\tas\the\tpassed\tby.\tHis\teyes\tdarted\tamong\tthe\tbranches\tand\tbushes. He\u2019d\t needed\t to\t come\t out\t for\t a\t hunt\t today,\t if\t only\t to\t let\t the\t freezing\t air\t rush through\thim. He\tsaw\ther\tface\teach\ttime\the\tclosed\this\teyes.\tShe\thaunted\this\tthoughts,\tmade him\twish\tto\tdo\tgrand\tand\twonderful\tthings\tin\ther\tname,\tmade\thim\twant\tto\tbe\ta man\twho\tdeserved\tto\twear\ta\tcrown. But\tCelaena\u2014he\tdidn\u2019t\tknow\thow\tshe\tfelt.\tShe\tkissed\thim\u2014greedily,\tat\tthat \u2014but\tthe\twomen\the\u2019d\tloved\tin\tthe\tpast\thad\talways\tbeen\teager.\tThey\u2019d\tgazed\tat him\tadoringly,\twhile\tshe\tjust\tlooked\tat\thim\tlike\ta\tcat\twatching\ta\tmouse.\tDorian straightened,\t detecting\t nearby\t movement.\t A\t stag\t stood\t ten\t yards\t away,\t feeding on\t bark.\t He\t stopped\t his\t horse\t and\t drew\t an\t arrow\t from\t its\t quiver.\t But\t he slackened\tthe\tbow. She\twas\tto\tduel\ttomorrow. If\tharm\tcame\tto\ther\t.\t.\t.\tNo,\tshe\tcould\thold\ther\town;\tshe\twas\tstrong\tand\tsmart and\tquick.\tHe\u2019d\tgone\ttoo\tfar;\the\tshould\tnever\thave\tkissed\ther.\tBecause\tnow,\tno matter\t how\t he\t might\t have\t once\t envisioned\t his\t future,\t or\t who\t he\t thought\t he\u2019d spend\t it\t with,\t he\t couldn\u2019t\t imagine\t being\t with\t anyone\t else\u2014wanting\t anyone else. Snow\t began\t falling.\t Dorian\t glanced\t at\t the\t gray\t sky\t and\t rode\t on\t through\t the silent\tgame\tpark. \u2022 Celaena\t stood\t before\t her\t balcony\t doors,\t staring\t down\t at\t Rifthold.\t The\t roofs were\tstill\tsnow-covered,\tand\tlights\ttwinkled\tin\tevery\thome.\tIt\tmight\thave\tlooked beautiful,\thad\tshe\tnot\tknown\twhat\tcorruption\tand\tfilth\tdwelt\twithin\tit.\tAnd\twhat monstrosity\t ruled\t over\t it\t all.\t She\t hoped\t Nox\t was\t far,\t far\t away.\t She\u2019d\t told\t her guards\t she\t didn\u2019t\t want\t any\t visitors\t tonight,\t and\t to\t turn\t away\t even\t Chaol\t and Dorian\t if\t they\t arrived.\t Someone\t had\t knocked,\t once,\t but\t she\t didn\u2019t\t answer,\t and they\t had\t soon\t left\t without\t trying\t again.\t She\t put\t her\t hand\t on\t a\t pane\t of\t glass, savoring\tits\tfrozen\tbite.\tThe\tclock\tstruck\ttwelve. Tomorrow\u2014or\t was\t it\t today\t already?\u2014she\u2019d\t face\t Cain.\t She\u2019d\t never\t sparred with\thim\tin\tpractice.\tThe\tother\tChampions\thad\tbeen\ttoo\teager\tto\tget\ta\tpiece\tof him.\t While\t Cain\t was\t strong,\t he\t wasn\u2019t\t as\t fast\t as\t she\t was.\t But\t he\t had\t stamina. She\u2019d\thave\tto\tdodge\thim\tfor\ta\twhile.\tShe\tjust\tprayed\tall\tthat\trunning\twith\tChaol","would\tkeep\ther\tfrom\ttiring\tbefore\thim.\tIf\tshe\tlost\u2014 Don\u2019t\teven\tgive\tyourself\tthat\toption. She\tleaned\ther\tforehead\tagainst\tthe\tglass.\tWould\tit\tbe\tmore\thonorable\tto\tfall in\tthe\tduel\tthan\tto\treturn\tto\tEndovier?\tOr\twould\tit\tbe\tmore\thonorable\tto\tdie\tthan to\tbecome\tthe\tKing\u2019s\tChampion?\tWho\twould\the\thave\ther\tkill? She\u2019d\t had\t a\t say\t as\t Adarlan\u2019s\t Assassin.\t Even\t with\t Arobynn\t Hamel\t running her\tlife,\tshe\u2019d\talways\thad\ta\tsay\tin\twhat\tjobs\tshe\ttook.\tNo\tchildren.\tNo\tone\tfrom Terrasen.\tBut\tthe\tking\tcould\ttell\ther\tto\tkill\tanyone.\tDid\tElena\texpect\ther\tto\tsay no\t to\t him\t when\t she\t was\t his\t Champion?\t Her\t stomach\t rose\t in\t her\t throat.\t Now wasn\u2019t\tthe\ttime\tfor\tthis.\tShe\thad\tto\tfocus\ton\tCain,\ton\twearing\thim\tdown. But\ttry\tas\tshe\tmight,\tall\tshe\tcould\tthink\tabout\twas\tthat\thalf-starved,\thopeless assassin\t who\u2019d\t been\t dragged\t out\t of\t Endovier\t one\t autumn\t day\t by\t a\t snarling Captain\tof\tthe\tGuard.\tWhat\twould\tshe\thave\tsaid\tto\tthe\tprince\u2019s\tbargain,\thad\tshe known\t she\t would\t come\t to\t stand\t poised\t to\t lose\t so\t much?\t Would\t she\t have laughed\t if\t she\u2019d\t known\t that\t other\t things\u2014other\t people\u2014would\t come\t to\t mean as\tmuch\tas\ther\tfreedom? Celaena\tswallowed\tthe\tlump\tin\ther\tthroat.\tPerhaps\tthere\twere\tother\treasons\tto fight\ttomorrow.\tPerhaps\ta\tfew\tmonths\tin\tthe\tcastle\thadn\u2019t\tbeen\tenough.\tPerhaps .\t.\t.\tperhaps\tshe\twanted\tto\tstay\there\tfor\treasons\tother\tthan\ther\teventual\tfreedom. That\t was\t one\t thing\t that\t hopeless\t assassin\t from\t Endovier\t would\t have\t never believed. But\tit\twas\ttrue.\tShe\twanted\tto\tstay. And\tthat\twould\tmake\ttomorrow\tso\tmuch\tharder.","Chapter\t47 Kaltain\tpulled\ther\tred\tcape\taround\ther,\tsavoring\tits\twarmth.\tWhy\twere\tthe\tduels outside?\t She\u2019d\t freeze\t before\t the\t assassin\t arrived!\t She\t fingered\t the\t vial\t in\t her pocket,\tand\tglanced\tat\tthe\ttwo\tgoblets\ton\tthe\twooden\ttable.\tThe\tone\ton\tthe\tright was\tfor\tSardothien.\tShe\tmust\tnot\tconfuse\tthem. She\tlooked\tto\tPerrington,\twho\tstood\tnear\tthe\tking.\tHe\thad\tno\tidea\twhat\tshe\u2019d do\tonce\tSardothien\twas\tout\tof\tthe\tway\u2014once\tDorian\twas\tfree\tagain.\tHer\tblood grew\twarm\tand\tglittering. The\t duke\t moved\t toward\t her,\t and\t Kaltain\t kept\t her\t eyes\t on\t the\t tiled\t veranda where\tthe\tduel\twas\tto\toccur.\tHe\tstopped\tin\tfront\tof\ther,\tmaking\ta\twall\tbetween her\tand\tthe\tother\tcouncil\tmembers\tso\tthat\tnone\tcould\tsee. \u201cA\tbit\tchilly\tfor\tan\toutside\tduel,\u201d\the\tsaid.\tKaltain\tsmiled\tand\tlet\tthe\tfolds\tof her\tcloak\tfall\tover\tthe\ttable\tas\the\tkissed\ther\thand.\tWith\ta\tveil\tof\tred\tto\tconceal her\t stealthy,\t free\t hand,\t Kaltain\t flicked\t off\t the\t lid\t of\t the\t vial\t and\t dumped\t the contents\tinto\tthe\twine.\tThe\tvial\twas\tback\tin\ther\tpocket\tas\the\traised\thimself.\tJust enough\tto\tweaken\tSardothien\u2014to\tmake\ther\tdizzy\tand\tdisoriented. A\t guard\t appeared\t in\t the\t doorway,\t and\t then\t another.\t Between\t them\t strode\t a figure.\t She\t wore\t men\u2019s\t clothes,\t though\t Kaltain\t was\t forced\t to\t admit\t that\t her black-and-gold\tjacket\twas\tof\tfine\tmake.\tIt\twas\tstrange\tto\tthink\tof\tthis\twoman\tas an\tassassin,\tbut\tseeing\ther\tnow,\tall\tof\ther\toddities\tand\tfaults\tmade\tsense.\tKaltain ran\ta\tfinger\talong\tthe\tbase\tof\tthe\tgoblet\tand\tgrinned. Duke\tPerrington\u2019s\tChampion\temerged\tfrom\tbehind\tthe\tclock\ttower.\tKaltain\u2019s brows\t rose.\t They\t thought\t Sardothien\t could\t defeat\t such\t a\t man\t if\t she\t wasn\u2019t drugged? Kaltain\ttook\ta\tstep\tback\tfrom\tthe\ttable,\tand\tPerrington\tmoved\tto\tsit\tbeside\tthe king\t as\t the\t other\t two\t Champions\t arrived.\t With\t eager\t faces,\t they\t waited\t for blood. \u2022 Standing\t on\t the\t wide\t veranda\t that\t encompassed\t the\t obsidian\t clock\t tower, Celaena\ttried\tnot\tto\tshiver.\tShe\tcouldn\u2019t\tsee\tthe\tpoint\tin\thaving\tthe\tduels\toutside \u2014well,\t apart\t from\t making\t the\t Champions\t even\t more\t uncomfortable.\t She glanced\tlongingly\tat\tthe\tglass\twindows\tthat\tlined\tthe\twall\tof\tthe\tcastle,\tand\tthen at\t the\t frost-covered\t garden.\t Her\t hands\t were\t already\t numb.\t Tucking\t them\t into her\tfur-lined\tpockets,\tshe\tapproached\tChaol,\twho\twas\tstanding\tnear\tthe\tedge\tof the\tgiant\tchalk\tcircle\tthat\thad\tbeen\tdrawn\ton\tthe\tflagstones.","\u201cIt\u2019s\t freezing\t out\t here,\u201d\t she\t said.\t The\t collar\t and\t sleeves\t of\t her\t black\t jacket were\tlined\twith\trabbit\tfur,\tbut\tit\twasn\u2019t\tenough.\t\u201cWhy\tdidn\u2019t\tyou\ttell\tme\tit\twas outside?\u201d Chaol\tshook\this\thead,\tlooking\tat\tGrave,\tand\tat\tRenault\u2014the\tmercenary\tfrom Skull\u2019s\t Bay,\t who,\t to\t her\t satisfaction,\t also\t seemed\t fairly\t miserable\t in\t the\t cold. \u201cWe\tdidn\u2019t\tknow;\tthe\tking\tdecided\tjust\tnow,\u201d\tChaol\tsaid.\t\u201cAt\tleast\tit\tshould\tbe over\tquickly.\u201d\tHe\tsmiled\tslightly,\tthough\tshe\tdidn\u2019t\treturn\tit. The\t sky\t was\t bright\t blue,\t and\t she\t gritted\t her\t teeth\t as\t a\t strong\t gust\t of\t wind ripped\tinto\ther.\tThe\tthirteen\tseats\tof\tthe\ttable\twere\tfilling\tup,\tand\tat\tthe\tcenter\tof the\ttable\tsat\tthe\tking\tand\tPerrington.\tKaltain\tstood\tbehind\tPerrington,\twearing\ta beautiful\tred\tcloak\tlined\twith\twhite\tfur.\tTheir\teyes\tmet,\tand\tCelaena\twondered why\tthe\twoman\tsmiled\tat\ther.\tKaltain\tthen\tlooked\taway\u2014toward\tthe\ttower,\tand Celaena\tfollowed\ther\tgaze\tand\tunderstood. Cain\twas\tleaning\tagainst\tthe\tclock\ttower.\tHis\tmuscles\twere\tbarely\tcontained within\t his\t tunic.\t All\t that\t stolen\t strength\t .\t .\t .\t what\t would\t have\t happened\t if\t the ridderak\thad\tkilled\ther,\ttoo?\tHow\tmuch\tstronger\twould\the\tbe\ttoday?\tWorse,\the was\twearing\tthe\tred-and-gold\tgarb\tof\ta\tmember\tof\tthe\troyal\tguard\u2014the\twyvern emblazoned\t across\t his\t broad\t chest.\t The\t sword\t at\t his\t side\t was\t beautiful.\t A\t gift from\tPerrington,\tno\tdoubt.\tDid\tthe\tduke\tknow\tthe\tpower\this\tChampion\twielded? Even\tif\tshe\ttried\tto\treveal\thim,\tno\tone\twould\tever\tbelieve\ther. Nausea\t gripped\t her,\t but\t Chaol\t took\t her\t by\t the\t elbow\t and\t escorted\t her\t to\t the far\tend\tof\tthe\tveranda.\tAt\tthe\ttable,\tshe\tnoticed\ttwo\taging\tmen\tcasting\tanxious glances\tat\ther.\tShe\tnodded\tto\tthem. Lords\tUrizen\tand\tGarnel.\tIt\tseems\tyou\tobtained\twhat\tyou\tdesired\tenough\tto kill\tfor.\tAnd\tit\tseems\tsomeone\ttold\tyou\twho\tI\tactually\tam. It\thad\tbeen\ttwo\tyears\tago\tthat\tthey\thired\ther,\tseparately,\tto\tkill\tthe\tsame\tman. She\t hadn\u2019t\t bothered\t to\t tell\t them,\t of\t course,\t and\t accepted\t both\t their\t payments. She\twinked\tat\tLord\tGarnel,\tand\the\tpaled,\tknocking\tover\this\tgoblet\tof\thot\tcocoa and\truining\tthe\tpapers\tbefore\thim.\tOh,\tshe\u2019d\tkeep\ttheir\tsecrets;\tit\twould\ttarnish her\treputation\totherwise.\tBut\tif\ther\tfreedom\tcame\tdown\tto\ta\tvote\t.\t.\t.\tShe\tsmiled at\t Lord\t Urizen,\t who\t looked\t away.\t Her\t gaze\t shifted\t to\t another\t man,\t who\t she found\tstaring\tat\ther. The\tking.\tDeep\tinside,\tshe\tquaked,\tbut\tshe\tbowed\ther\thead. \u201cAre\t you\t ready?\u201d\t Chaol\t asked.\t Celaena\t blinked,\t remembering\t that\t he\t was beside\ther. \u201cYes,\u201d\t she\t said,\t though\t she\t didn\u2019t\t mean\t it.\t The\t wind\t whipped\t through\t her hair,\t knotting\t it\t with\t frozen\t fingers.\t Dorian\t appeared\t by\t the\t table, heartbreakingly\thandsome\tas\talways,\tand\tgave\ther\ta\tgrim\tsmile\tas\the\tstuffed\this hands\tin\this\tpockets\tand\tlooked\ttoward\this\tfather.","The\t last\t of\t the\t king\u2019s\t councilmen\t sat\t down\t at\t the\t table.\t Celaena\t cocked\t her head\t as\t Nehemia\t emerged\t to\t stand\t along\t the\t sidelines\t of\t the\t large\t white\t circle. The\t princess\t met\t her\t stare\t and\t lifted\t her\t chin\t in\t encouragement.\t She\t wore\t a spectacular\t outfit:\t close-fitting\t pants,\t a\t layered\t tunic\t studded\t with\t whorls\t of iron,\tand\tknee-high\tboots;\tshe\tcarried\ther\twooden\tstaff,\twhich\tstretched\tas\thigh as\t her\t head.\t To\t honor\t her,\t Celaena\t realized,\t her\t eyes\t stinging.\t One\t fellow warrior\tacknowledging\tthe\tother. Everyone\tgrew\tsilent\tas\tthe\tking\trose.\tHer\tinsides\tturned\tto\tstone,\tand\tshe\tfelt clumsy\tand\tthick,\tbut\talso\tlight\tand\tweak\tas\ta\tnewborn. Chaol\tnudged\ther\twith\tan\telbow,\tmotioning\tfor\ther\tto\tstand\tbefore\tthe\ttable. She\t focused\t on\t her\t feet\t as\t she\t moved,\t and\t wouldn\u2019t\t look\t at\t the\t king\u2019s\t face. Thankfully,\t Renault\t and\t Grave\t flanked\t her.\t If\t Cain\t had\t been\t standing\t beside her,\t she\t might\t have\t snapped\t his\t neck\t just\t to\t end\t it\t there.\t There\t were\t so\t many people\twatching\ther\t.\t.\t. She\tstood\tnot\tten\tfeet\tfrom\tthe\tKing\tof\tAdarlan.\tFreedom\tor\tdeath\tlay\tat\tthis table.\tHer\tpast\tand\tfuture\twere\tseated\ton\ta\tglass\tthrone. Her\t gaze\t shifted\t to\t Nehemia,\t whose\t fierce\t and\t graceful\t eyes\t warmed\t the marrow\tof\ther\tbones\tand\tsteadied\ther\tarms. The\tKing\tof\tAdarlan\tspoke.\tKnowing\tthat\tseeing\this\tface\twould\tonly\tweaken the\t strength\t she\u2019d\t found\t in\t Nehemia\u2019s\t eyes,\t she\t looked\t not\t at\t him,\t but\t at\t the throne\t behind\t him.\t She\t wondered\t if\t Kaltain\u2019s\t presence\t meant\t that\t Duke Perrington\thad\ttold\ther\twho\tCelaena\ttruly\twas. \u201cYou\t were\t taken\t from\t your\t miserable\t lives\t so\t you\t might\t prove\t yourself worthy\tof\tbecoming\ta\tsacred\twarrior\tto\tthe\tCrown.\tAfter\tmonths\tof\ttraining,\tthe moment\t has\t come\t to\t decide\t who\t my\t Champion\t shall\t be.\t You\t will\t face\t each other\tin\ta\tduel.\tYou\tcan\twin\tonly\tby\ttrapping\tyour\topponent\tin\ta\tposition\tof\tsure death.\tAnd\tno\tfurther,\u201d\the\tadded\twith\ta\tsharp\tglance\tin\ther\tdirection.\t\u201cCain\tand Councilman\tGarnel\u2019s\tChampion\twill\tgo\tfirst.\tThen\tmy\tson\u2019s\tChampion\twill\tface Councilman\tMullison\u2019s\tChampion.\u201d Of\t course,\t the\t king\t would\t know\t Cain\u2019s\t name.\t He\t might\t as\t well\t have\t just declared\t the\t brute\t his\t Champion.\t \u201cThe\t winners\t will\t face\t each\t other\t in\t a\t final duel.\tWhoever\twins\twill\tbe\tcrowned\tKing\u2019s\tChampion.\tIs\tthat\tclear?\u201d They\tnodded.\tFor\ta\theartbeat,\tshe\tsaw\tthe\tking\twith\tstark\tclarity.\tHe\twas\tjust a\t man\u2014a\t man\t with\t too\t much\t power.\t And\t in\t that\t one\t heartbeat,\t she\t didn\u2019t\t fear him.\t I\t will\t not\t be\t afraid,\t she\t vowed,\t wrapping\t the\t familiar\t words\t around\t her heart.\t\u201cThen\tlet\tthe\tduels\tcommence\ton\tmy\tcommand,\u201d\tthe\tking\tsaid. Taking\t that\t as\t a\t sign\t that\t she\t could\t clear\t out\t of\t the\t ring,\t Celaena\t stalked\t to where\tChaol\tstood\tand\ttook\tup\ta\tplace\tbeside\thim. Cain\t and\t Renault\t bowed\t to\t the\t king,\t then\t to\t each\t other,\t and\t drew\t their","swords.\t She\t ran\t an\t eye\t down\t Renault\u2019s\t body\t as\t he\t took\t his\t stance.\t She\u2019d\t seen him\t square\t off\t against\t Cain\t before;\t he\u2019d\t never\t won,\t but\t he\t always\t managed\t to hold\tout\tlonger\tthan\tshe\twould\thave\tthought\tpossible.\tPerhaps\the\u2019d\twin. But\t Cain\t lifted\t his\t sword.\t He\t had\t the\t better\t weapon.\t And\t he\t had\t half\t a\t foot on\tRenault. \u201cBegin,\u201d\t the\t king\t said.\t Metal\t flashed.\t They\t struck\t each\t other\t and\t danced back.\tRenault,\trefusing\tto\ttake\tup\tthe\tdefensive,\tswept\tforward\tagain,\tlanding\ta few\t strong\t blows\t on\t Cain\u2019s\t blade.\t She\t forced\t her\t shoulders\t to\t relax,\t forced herself\tto\tbreathe\tdown\tthe\tcold\tair. \u201cDo\t you\t think\t it\t was\t just\t poor\t luck,\u201d\t she\t murmured\t to\t Chaol,\t \u201cthat\t I\u2019m\t the one\tgoing\tsecond?\u201d He\t kept\t his\t attention\t on\t the\t duel.\t \u201cI\t think\t you\u2019ll\t be\t allowed\t proper\t time\t to rest.\u201d\t He\t jerked\t his\t chin\t at\t the\t dueling\t men.\t \u201cCain\t sometimes\t forgets\t to\t guard his\tright\tside.\tLook\tthere.\u201d\tCelaena\twatched\tas\tCain\tstruck,\ttwisting\this\tbody\tso his\t right\t side\t was\t wide\t open.\t \u201cRenault\t doesn\u2019t\t even\t notice.\u201d\t Cain\t grunted\t and pressed\t Renault\u2019s\t blade,\t forcing\t the\t mercenary\t to\t take\t a\t step\t back.\t \u201cHe\t just missed\this\tchance.\u201d The\t wind\t roared\t around\t them.\t \u201cKeep\t your\t wits\t about\t you,\u201d\t Chaol\t said,\t still watching\tthe\tduel.\tRenault\twas\tretreating,\teach\tswing\tof\tCain\u2019s\tblade\ttaking\thim closer\t and\t closer\t to\t the\t line\t of\t chalk\t that\t had\t been\t drawn\t on\t the\t ground.\t One step\t outside\t of\t that\t ring\t and\t he\u2019d\t be\t disqualified.\t \u201cHe\u2019ll\t try\t to\t provoke\t you. Don\u2019t\tget\tangry.\tFocus\tonly\ton\this\tblade,\tand\tthat\tunprotected\tside\tof\this.\u201d \u201cI\t know,\u201d\t she\t said,\t and\t shifted\t her\t gaze\t back\t to\t the\t duel\t just\t in\t time\t to\t see Renault\t cry\t out\t and\t stumble\t back.\t Blood\t sprayed\t from\t his\t nose,\t and\t he\t hit\t the ground\t hard.\t Cain,\t his\t fist\t smeared\t with\t Renault\u2019s\t blood,\t only\t smiled\t as\t he pointed\t the\t blade\t at\t Renault\u2019s\t heart.\t The\t mercenary\u2019s\t bloody\t face\t went\t white, and\the\tbared\this\tteeth\tas\the\tstared\tup\tat\this\tconqueror. She\tlooked\tat\tthe\tclock\ttower.\tHe\thadn\u2019t\tlasted\tthree\tminutes. There\t was\t polite\t clapping,\t and\t Celaena\t noticed\t that\t Lord\t Garnel\u2019s\t face\t was set\twith\tfury.\tShe\tcould\tonly\tguess\thow\tmuch\tmoney\the\u2019d\tjust\tlost. \u201cA\tvaliant\teffort,\u201d\tsaid\tthe\tking.\tCain\tbowed\tand\tdidn\u2019t\toffer\tRenault\ta\thand to\thelp\thim\trise\tbefore\the\tstalked\ttoward\tthe\topposite\tend\tof\tthe\tveranda.\tWith more\t dignity\t than\t Celaena\t had\t expected,\t Renault\t got\t to\t his\t feet\t and\t bowed\t to the\t king,\t mumbling\t his\t thanks.\t Clutching\t his\t nose,\t the\t mercenary\t slunk\t away. What\thad\the\tstood\tto\tlose\u2014and\twhere\twould\the\treturn\tto\tnow? Across\tthe\tring,\tGrave\tsmiled\tat\ther\tas\the\twrapped\ta\thand\taround\tthe\thilt\tof his\tsword.\tShe\tbit\tdown\ton\ther\tgrimace\tat\tthe\tsight\tof\this\tteeth.\tOf\tcourse,\tshe\u2019d have\tto\tduel\tthe\tgrotesque\tone.\tAt\tleast\tRenault\thad\tbeen\tclean\tlooking. \u201cWe\t will\t begin\t in\t a\t moment,\u201d\t the\t king\t said.\t \u201cPrepare\t your\t weapons.\u201d\t With","that,\t he\t turned\t to\t Perrington\t and\t began\t speaking\t too\t quietly\t for\t anyone\t else\t to hear\tin\tthe\tblustering\twind. Celaena\t turned\t to\t Chaol.\t But\t instead\t of\t handing\t her\t the\t plain-as-porridge sword\tshe\tusually\twielded\tin\tpractice,\the\tdrew\this\town\tblade.\tThe\teagle-shaped pommel\tglinted\tin\tthe\tmidday\tsun.\t\u201cHere,\u201d\the\tsaid. She\tblinked\tat\tthe\tblade,\tand\tslowly\traised\ther\tface\tto\tlook\tat\thim.\tShe\tfound the\t rolling\t earthen\t hills\t of\t the\t north\t in\t his\t eyes.\t It\t was\t a\t sense\t of\t loyalty\t to\t his country\t that\t went\t beyond\t the\t man\t seated\t at\t the\t table.\t Far\t inside\t of\t her,\t she found\ta\tgolden\tchain\tthat\tbound\tthem\ttogether. \u201cTake\tit,\u201d\the\tsaid. Her\t heartbeat\t thundered\t in\t her\t ears.\t She\t lifted\t a\t hand\t to\t grab\t the\t blade,\t but someone\ttouched\ther\telbow. \u201cIf\tI\tmay,\u201d\tNehemia\tsaid\tin\tEyllwe,\t\u201cI\u2019d\tlike\tto\toffer\tthis\tto\tyou\tinstead.\u201d\tThe princess\t held\t out\t her\t beautifully\t carved\t iron-tipped\t staff.\t Celaena\t glanced between\tChaol\u2019s\tsword\tand\ther\tfriend\u2019s\tweapon.\tThe\tsword,\tobviously,\twas\tthe wiser\t choice\u2014and\t for\t Chaol\t to\t offer\t his\t own\t weapon\t made\t her\t feel\t strangely lightheaded\u2014but\tthe\tstaff\t.\t.\t. Nehemia\t leaned\t in\t to\t whisper\t in\t Celaena\u2019s\t ear.\t \u201cLet\t it\t be\t with\t an\t Eyllwe weapon\t that\t you\t take\t them\t down.\u201d\t Her\t voice\t hitched.\t \u201cLet\t wood\t from\t the forests\t of\t Eyllwe\t defeat\t steel\t from\t Adarlan.\t Let\t the\t King\u2019s\t Champion\t be someone\twho\tunderstands\thow\tthe\tinnocents\tsuffer.\u201d Hadn\u2019t\t Elena\t said\t almost\t the\t same\t thing,\t all\t those\t months\t ago?\t Celaena swallowed\t hard,\t and\t Chaol\t lowered\t his\t sword,\t taking\t a\t step\t back\t from\t them. Nehemia\tdidn\u2019t\tbreak\ther\tstare. She\tknew\twhat\tthe\tprincess\twas\tasking\tof\ther.\tAs\tthe\tKing\u2019s\tChampion,\tshe might\t find\t ways\t to\t save\t countless\t lives\u2014ways\t to\t undermine\t the\t king\u2019s authority. And\t that,\t Celaena\t realized,\t was\t what\t Elena,\t the\t king\u2019s\t own\t ancestor,\t might want,\ttoo. Though\ta\tbolt\tof\tfear\twent\tthrough\ther\tat\tthe\tthought,\tthough\tstanding\tagainst the\tking\twas\tthe\tone\tthing\tCelaena\thad\tthought\tshe\u2019d\tnever\tbe\tbrave\tenough\tto do,\t she\t couldn\u2019t\t forget\t the\t three\t scars\t on\t her\t back,\t or\t the\t slaves\t she\u2019d\t left\t in Endovier,\tor\tthe\tfive\thundred\tbutchered\tEyllwe\trebels. Celaena\t took\t the\t staff\t from\t Nehemia\u2019s\t hands.\t The\t princess\t gave\t her\t a\t fierce grin. Chaol,\t surprisingly\t enough,\t didn\u2019t\t object.\t He\t only\t sheathed\t his\t sword\t and bowed\t his\t head\t to\t Nehemia\t as\t she\t clapped\t Celaena\t on\t the\t shoulder\t before\t she walked\toff. Celaena\t gave\t the\t staff\t a\t few\t experimental\t sweeps\t in\t the\t space\t around\t her.","Balanced,\tsolid,\tstrong.\tThe\trounded\tiron\ttip\tcould\tknock\ta\tman\tout\tcold. She\tcould\tfeel\tthe\tlingering\toil\tfrom\tNehemia\u2019s\thands\tand\tsmell\ther\tfriend\u2019s lotus-blossom\t scent\t on\t the\t engraved\t wood.\t Yes,\t the\t staff\t would\t do\t just\t fine. She\u2019d\t taken\t down\t Verin\t with\t her\t bare\t hands.\t She\t could\t defeat\t Grave\t and\t Cain with\tthis. She\t glanced\t at\t the\t king,\t who\t was\t still\t speaking\t with\t Perrington,\t and\t found Dorian\t watching\t her\t instead.\t His\t sapphire\t eyes\t reflected\t the\t brilliance\t of\t the sky,\t though\t they\t darkened\t slightly\t as\t he\t flicked\t them\t toward\t Nehemia.\t Dorian was\t many\t things,\t but\t he\t wasn\u2019t\t stupid;\t had\t he\t realized\t the\t symbolism\t in Nehemia\u2019s\toffer?\tShe\tquickly\tdropped\this\tstare. She\u2019d\tworry\tabout\tthat\tlater.\tAcross\tthe\tring,\tGrave\tbegan\tpacing,\twaiting\tfor the\tking\tto\treturn\this\tattention\tto\tthe\tduel\tand\tgive\tthe\torder\tto\tbegin. She\t loosed\t a\t shuddering\t breath.\t Here\t she\t was,\t at\t long\t last.\t She\t gripped\t the staff\t in\t her\t left\t hand,\t taking\t in\t the\t strength\t of\t the\t wood,\t the\t strength\t of\t her friend.\tA\tlot\tcould\thappen\tin\ta\tfew\tminutes\u2014a\tlot\tcould\tchange. She\t faced\t Chaol.\t The\t wind\t ripped\t a\t few\t strands\t of\t hair\t from\t her\t braid,\t and she\ttucked\tthem\tbehind\ther\tears. \u201cNo\tmatter\twhat\thappens,\u201d\tshe\tsaid\tquietly,\t\u201cI\twant\tto\tthank\tyou.\u201d Chaol\ttilted\this\thead\tto\tthe\tside.\t\u201cFor\twhat?\u201d Her\t eyes\t stung,\t but\t she\t blamed\t it\t on\t the\t fierce\t wind\t and\t blinked\t away\t the dampness.\t\u201cFor\tmaking\tmy\tfreedom\tmean\tsomething.\u201d He\t didn\u2019t\t say\t anything;\t he\t just\t took\t the\t fingers\t of\t her\t right\t hand\t and\t held them\tin\this,\this\tthumb\tbrushing\tthe\tring\tshe\twore. \u201cLet\tthe\tsecond\tduel\tcommence,\u201d\tthe\tking\tboomed,\twaving\ta\thand\ttoward\tthe veranda. Chaol\tsqueezed\ther\thand,\this\tskin\twarm\tin\tthe\tfrigid\tair.\t\u201cGive\thim\thell,\u201d\the said.\tGrave\tentered\tthe\tring\tand\tdrew\this\tsword. Pulling\ther\thand\tfrom\tChaol\u2019s,\tCelaena\tstraightened\ther\tspine\tas\tshe\tstepped into\tthe\tring.\tShe\tquickly\tbowed\tto\tthe\tking,\tthen\tto\ther\topponent. She\t met\t Grave\u2019s\t stare\t and\t smiled\t as\t she\t bent\t her\t knees,\t holding\t the\t staff\t in two\thands. You\thave\tno\tidea\twhat\tyou\u2019re\tgetting\tyourself\tinto,\tlittle\tman.","Chapter\t48 As\tshe\texpected,\tGrave\tlaunched\thimself\tat\ther,\tgoing\tstraight\tfor\tthe\tcenter\tof the\tstaff\tin\this\thope\tto\tbreak\tit. But\tCelaena\twhirled\taway.\tAs\tGrave\tstruck\tnothing\tbut\tair,\tshe\tslammed\tthe butt\t of\t the\t staff\t into\t his\t spine.\t He\t staggered,\t but\t kept\t upright,\t turning\t on\t one foot\tas\the\tcharged\tafter\ther\tagain. She\t took\t the\t blow\t this\t time,\t angling\t her\t staff\t so\t he\t hit\t the\t bottom\t half.\t His blade\t wedged\t in\t the\t wood,\t and\t she\t jumped\t toward\t him,\t letting\t the\t force\t of\t his own\tblow\tsnap\tthe\tupper\tpart\tof\tthe\tstaff\tstraight\tinto\this\tface.\tHe\tstumbled,\tbut her\t fist\t was\t waiting.\t As\t it\t met\t with\t his\t nose,\t she\t savored\t the\t rush\t of\t pain through\t her\t hand\t and\t the\t crunch\t of\t his\t bones\t beneath\t her\t knuckles.\t She\t leapt back\t before\t he\t had\t a\t chance\t to\t strike.\t Blood\t gleamed\t as\t it\t trickled\t from\t his nose.\t\u201cBitch!\u201d\the\thissed,\tand\tswung. She\tmet\this\tblade,\tholding\tthe\tstaff\twith\tboth\thands,\tpushing\tthe\twood\tshaft into\this\tsword,\teven\twhen\tit\tlet\tout\ta\tsplintering\tgroan. She\t shoved\t him,\t grunting,\t and\t spun.\t She\t whacked\t the\t back\t of\t his\t head\t with the\t top\t of\t the\t staff,\t and\t he\t teetered,\t but\t regained\t his\t footing.\t He\t wiped\t at\t his bloody\t nose,\t eyes\t gleaming\t as\t he\t panted.\t His\t pockmarked\t face\t became\t feral, and\the\tcharged,\taiming\ta\tdirect\tblow\tto\ther\theart.\tToo\tfast,\ttoo\twild\tfor\thim\tto stop. She\tdropped\tinto\ta\tcrouch.\tAs\tthe\tblade\tsailed\toverhead,\tshe\tlashed\tout\tat\this legs.\t He\t didn\u2019t\t even\t have\t time\t to\t cry\t out\t as\t she\t swept\t his\t feet\t out\t from\t under him,\t nor\t did\t he\t have\t time\t to\t raise\t his\t weapon\t before\t she\t crouched\t over\t his chest,\tthe\tiron-coated\ttip\tof\tthe\tstaff\tat\this\tthroat. She\tbrought\ther\tmouth\tclose\tto\this\tear.\t\u201cMy\tname\tis\tCelaena\tSardothien,\u201d\tshe whispered.\t\u201cBut\tit\tmakes\tno\tdifference\tif\tmy\tname\u2019s\tCelaena\tor\tLillian\tor\tBitch, because\tI\u2019d\tstill\tbeat\tyou,\tno\tmatter\twhat\tyou\tcall\tme.\u201d\tShe\tsmiled\tat\thim\tas\tshe stood.\t He\t just\t stared\t up\t at\t her,\t his\t bloody\t nose\t leaking\t down\t the\t side\t of\t his cheek.\t She\t took\t the\t handkerchief\t from\t her\t pocket\t and\t dropped\t it\t on\t his\t chest. \u201cYou\tcan\tkeep\tthat,\u201d\tshe\tsaid\tbefore\tshe\twalked\toff\tthe\tveranda. She\tintercepted\tChaol\tas\tsoon\tas\tshe\tcrossed\tthe\tline\tof\tchalk.\t\u201cHow\tlong\tdid that\ttake?\u201d\tshe\tasked.\tShe\tfound\tNehemia\tbeaming\tat\ther,\tand\tCelaena\tlifted\ther staff\ta\tlittle\tin\tsalute. \u201cTwo\tminutes.\u201d She\tgrinned\tat\tthe\tcaptain.\tShe\twas\thardly\twinded.\t\u201cBetter\tthan\tCain\u2019s\ttime.\u201d \u201cAnd\t certainly\t more\t dramatic,\u201d\t Chaol\t said.\t \u201cWas\t the\t handkerchief\t really necessary?\u201d","She\t bit\t down\t on\t her\t lip\t and\t was\t about\t to\t reply\t when\t the\t king\t stood,\t the crowd\tquieting.\t\u201cWine\tfor\tthe\twinners,\u201d\the\tsaid,\tand\tCain\tstalked\tfrom\this\tplace on\tthe\tsidelines\tto\tstand\tbefore\tthe\tking\u2019s\ttable.\tCelaena\tremained\twith\tChaol. The\t king\t gestured\t at\t Kaltain,\t who\t obediently\t picked\t up\t a\t silver\t tray containing\ttwo\tgoblets.\tShe\tgave\tone\tto\tCain,\tthen\twalked\tover\tto\tCelaena\tand handed\tthe\tother\tto\ther\tbefore\tpausing\tin\tfront\tof\tthe\tking\u2019s\ttable. \u201cOut\t of\t good\t faith,\t and\t honor\t to\t the\t Great\t Goddess,\u201d\t Kaltain\t said\t in\t a dramatic\t voice.\t Celaena\t wanted\t to\t punch\t her.\t \u201cMay\t it\t be\t your\t offering\t to\t the Mother\t who\t bore\t us\t all.\t Drink,\t and\t let\t Her\t bless\t you,\t and\t replenish\t your strength.\u201d\tWho\thad\twritten\tthat\tlittle\tscript?\tKaltain\tbowed\tto\tthem,\tand\tCelaena raised\tthe\tgoblet\tto\ther\tlips.\tThe\tking\tsmiled\tat\ther,\tand\tshe\ttried\tnot\tto\tflinch\tas she\tdrank.\tKaltain\ttook\tthe\tgoblet\twhen\tshe\tfinished,\tand\tcurtsied\tto\tCain\tas\tshe accepted\this\tand\tslunk\taway. Win.\tWin.\tWin.\tTake\thim\tdown\tquickly. \u201cReady\tyourselves,\u201d\tthe\tking\tordered.\t\u201cAnd\tbegin\ton\tmy\tmark.\u201d Celaena\tlooked\tto\tChaol.\t Wasn\u2019t\tshe\tto\t be\tallowed\ta\t moment\tto\trest?\t Even Dorian\t raised\t his\t brows\t at\t his\t father,\t but\t the\t king\t refused\t to\t acknowledge\t his son\u2019s\tsilent\tquestioning. Cain\tdrew\this\tsword,\ta\tcrooked\tgrin\ton\this\tface\tas\the\tcrouched\tin\ta\tdefensive stance\tin\tthe\tcenter\tof\tthe\tring. Insults\twould\thave\trisen\tto\ther\tlips\tif\tChaol\thadn\u2019t\ttouched\ther\tshoulder,\this chestnut\t eyes\t filled\t with\t some\t emotion\t she\t couldn\u2019t\t yet\t understand.\t There\t was strength\tin\this\tface\tthat\tshe\tfound\tto\tbe\tachingly\tbeautiful. \u201cDon\u2019t\tlose,\u201d\the\twhispered\tso\tonly\tshe\tcould\thear.\t\u201cI\tdon\u2019t\tfeel\tlike\thaving\tto escort\t you\t all\t the\t way\t back\t to\t Endovier.\u201d\t The\t world\t became\t foggy\t around\t the edges\tas\the\tstepped\taway,\this\thead\theld\thigh\tas\the\tignored\tthe\twhite-hot\tglare\tof the\tking. Cain\tedged\tcloser,\this\tbroadsword\tgleaming.\tCelaena\ttook\ta\tdeep\tbreath\tand entered\tthe\tring. The\t conqueror\t of\t Erilea\t raised\t his\t hands.\t \u201cBegin!\u201d\t he\t roared,\t and\t Celaena shook\t her\t head,\t trying\t to\t clear\t her\t blurry\t vision.\t She\t steadied\t herself,\t wielding the\t staff\t like\t a\t sword\t as\t Cain\t began\t circling.\t Nausea\t flashed\t through\t her\t as\t his muscles\t flexed.\t For\t some\t reason,\t the\t world\t was\t still\t hazy.\t She\t clenched\t her teeth,\tblinking.\tShe\u2019d\tuse\this\tstrength\tagainst\thim. Cain\t charged\t faster\t than\t she\t anticipated.\t She\t caught\t his\t sword\t on\t the\t broad side\t with\t the\t staff,\t avoiding\t the\t sharp\t edges,\t and\t leapt\t back\t as\t she\t heard\t the wood\tgroan. He\tstruck\tso\tquickly\tthat\tshe\thad\tto\tconcede\tto\tthe\tedge\tof\this\tblade.\tIt\tsank deep\t into\t the\t staff.\t Her\t arms\t ached\t from\t the\t impact.\t Before\t she\t could\t recover,","Cain\tyanked\this\tsword\tfrom\ther\tweapon\tand\tsurged\ttoward\ther.\tShe\tcould\tonly bound\tback,\tdeflecting\tthe\tblow\twith\tthe\tiron\ttip\tof\tthe\tstaff.\tHer\tblood\tfelt\tslow and\tthick,\tand\ther\thead\tspun.\tWas\tshe\till?\tThe\tnausea\twould\tnot\tease. Grunting,\t Celaena\t pulled\t away\t with\t an\t effort\t of\t skill\t and\t force.\t If\t she\t were truly\till,\tshe\tmust\tfinish\tthis\tas\tquickly\tas\tpossible.\tIt\twas\tnot\ta\tshowcase\tof\ther abilities,\t especially\t if\t that\t book\t had\t been\t right\t and\t Cain\t had\t been\t granted\t the strength\tof\tall\tthose\tdead\tChampions. Switching\t onto\t the\t offensive,\t she\t nimbly\t swept\t toward\t him.\t He\t parried Celaena\u2019s\tattack\twith\ta\tbrush\tof\this\tblade.\tShe\tbrought\tthe\tstaff\tdown\tupon\this sword,\tsplinters\tflying\tinto\tthe\tair. Her\t heart\t pounded\t in\t her\t ears,\t and\t the\t sound\t of\t wood\t against\t steel\t became almost\tunbearable.\tWhy\twere\tthings\tslowing\tdown? She\tattacked\u2014faster\tand\tfaster,\tstronger\tand\tstronger.\tCain\tlaughed,\tand\tshe almost\t screamed\t in\t anger.\t Each\t time\t she\t moved\t a\t foot\t to\t trip\t him,\t each\t time they\tcame\ttoo\tclose,\tshe\teither\tbecame\tclumsy\tor\the\tstepped\taway,\tas\tif\the\tknew what\t she\t planned\t all\t along.\t She\t had\t the\t infuriating\t feeling\t that\t he\t was\t toying with\ther,\tthat\tthere\twas\tsome\tjoke\tshe\tdidn\u2019t\tunderstand. Celaena\t whipped\t the\t staff\t through\t the\t air,\t hoping\t to\t catch\t him\t upon\t his unprotected\tneck.\tBut\the\tdeflected,\tand\tthough\tshe\tspun\tand\ttried\tto\tknock\thim in\this\tstomach,\the\tblocked\ther\tagain. \u201cNot\tfeeling\twell?\u201d\the\tsaid,\tshowing\this\twhite,\tgleaming\tteeth.\t\u201cPerhaps\tyou shouldn\u2019t\thave\tbeen\tholding\tback\tall\tthose\u2014\u201d WHAM! She\tgrinned\tas\tthe\tshaft\tof\ther\tstaff\tslammed\tinto\this\tside.\tHe\tbent\tover,\tand her\t leg\t lashed\t out\t and\t swept\t him\t off\t his\t feet,\t sending\t him\t crashing\t to\t the ground.\t She\t raised\t her\t staff,\t but\t a\t sick\t feeling\t rushed\t through\t her\t so\t powerful that\ther\tmuscles\tslackened.\tShe\thad\tno\tstrength. He\t knocked\t aside\t her\t blow\t as\t if\t it\t was\t nothing,\t and\t she\t retreated\t while\t he rose.\tAnd\tthat\u2019s\twhen\tshe\theard\tthe\tlaugh\u2014soft,\tfeminine,\tand\tvicious.\tKaltain. Celaena\u2019s\tfeet\tstumbled,\tbut\tshe\tstayed\tupright\tas\tshe\tdared\ta\tglance\tat\tthe\tlady, and\tthe\tgoblets\ton\tthe\ttable\tbefore\ther.\tAnd\tthat\u2019s\twhen\tshe\tknew\tthat\tit\thadn\u2019t been\t wine\t in\t that\t glass,\t but\t bloodbane,\t the\t very\t drug\t she\u2019d\t missed\t in\t the\t Test. At\tbest,\tit\tcaused\thallucinations\tand\tdisorientation.\tAt\tworst\t.\t.\t. She\thad\tdifficulty\tholding\tthe\tstaff.\tCain\tcame\tat\ther,\tand\tshe\thad\tno\tchoice but\tto\tmeet\this\tblows,\tbarely\thaving\tthe\tstrength\tto\traise\tthe\tweapon\teach\ttime. How\t much\t bloodbane\t had\t they\t given\t her?\t The\t staff\t cracked,\t splintered,\t and groaned.\t If\t it\t were\t a\t lethal\t dose,\t she\u2019d\t be\t dead\t by\t now.\t They\t must\t have\t given her\t enough\t to\t disorient\t her,\t but\t not\t enough\t that\t it\t would\t be\t easy\t to\t prove.\t She couldn\u2019t\tfocus,\tand\ther\tbody\tbecame\thot\tand\tcold.\tCain\twas\tso\tlarge\u2014he\twas\ta","mountain,\tand\this\tblows\t.\t.\t.\tthey\tmade\tChaol\tseem\tlike\ta\tchild\t.\t.\t. \u201cTired\t already?\u201d\t he\t asked.\t \u201cIt\u2019s\t a\t pity\t all\t of\t that\t yapping\t didn\u2019t\t amount\t to much.\u201d He\t knew.\t He\t knew\t they\u2019d\t drugged\t her.\t She\t snarled\t and\t lunged.\t He\t stepped aside,\tand\ther\teyes\twent\twide\tas\tshe\thit\tnothing\tbut\tair,\tair,\tair,\tuntil\u2014 He\tslammed\this\tfist\tinto\ther\tspine,\tand\tshe\tonly\tsaw\tthe\tblur\tof\tthe\tslate\ttiles before\tthey\tcollided\twith\ther\tface. \u201cPathetic,\u201d\t he\t said,\t his\t shadow\t falling\t over\t her\t as\t she\t flipped\t onto\t her\t back, scrambling\t away\t before\t he\t could\t get\t closer.\t She\t could\t taste\t the\t blood\t in\t her mouth.\t This\t couldn\u2019t\t be\t happening\u2014they\t couldn\u2019t\t have\t betrayed\t her\t like\t this. \u201cIf\tI\twere\tGrave,\tI\u2019d\tbe\tinsulted\tthat\tyou\u2019d\tbeaten\tme.\u201d Her\tbreath\tcame\tfast\tand\thard,\tand\ther\tknees\tached\tas\tshe\tstumbled\tupright, charging\t at\t him.\t Too\t fast\t for\t her\t to\t block,\t he\t grabbed\t her\t by\t the\t collar\t of\t her shirt\tand\thurled\ther\tback.\tShe\tkept\tupright\tas\tshe\ttripped,\tand\tstopped\ta\tfew\tfeet from\thim. Cain\tcircled\ther,\tswinging\this\tsword\tidly.\tHis\teyes\twere\tdark\u2014dark\tlike\tthat portal\tto\tthat\tother\tworld.\tHe\twas\tdrawing\tout\tthe\tinevitable,\ta\tpredator\tplaying with\this\tmeal\tbefore\teating\tit.\tHe\twanted\tto\tenjoy\tevery\tmoment. She\thad\tto\tend\tthis\tnow,\tbefore\tthe\thallucinations\tstarted.\tShe\tknew\tthey\u2019d\tbe powerful:\t seers\t had\t once\t used\t bloodbane\t as\t a\t drug\t to\t view\t spirits\t from\t other worlds.\t Celaena\t shot\t forward\t with\t a\t sweep\t of\t the\t staff.\t Wood\t slammed\t into steel. The\tstaff\tsnapped\tin\ttwo. The\tiron-tipped\thead\tsoared\tto\tthe\tother\tside\tof\tthe\tveranda,\tleaving\tCelaena with\t a\t piece\t of\t useless\t wood.\t Cain\u2019s\t black\t eyes\t met\t with\t hers\t for\t a\t moment before\this\tother\tarm\tlashed\tout\tand\tconnected\twith\ther\tshoulder. She\theard\tthe\tcrack\tbefore\tshe\tfelt\tthe\tpain,\tand\tCelaena\tscreamed,\tdropping to\ther\tknees\tas\ther\tshoulder\tdislocated.\tHis\tfoot\tmet\twith\tthe\tshoulder,\tand\tshe went\t flying\t backward,\t falling\t so\t hard\t that\t her\t shoulder\t relocated\t with\t a sickening\t crunch.\t The\t agony\t blinded\t her;\t the\t world\t went\t in\t and\t out\t of\t focus. Things\twere\tso\tslow\t.\t.\t. Cain\t grabbed\t the\t collar\t of\t her\t jacket\t to\t pull\t her\t to\t her\t feet.\t She\t staggered back\tout\tof\this\tgrasp,\tthe\tground\trushing\tbeneath\ther,\tand\tthen\tfell\u2014hard. She\t raised\t the\t shaft\t of\t broken\t wood\t with\t her\t left\t hand.\t Cain,\t panting\t and grinning,\tapproached. \u2022 Dorian\t clenched\t his\t teeth.\t Something\t was\t terribly\t wrong.\t He\u2019d\t known\t it\t from","the\t moment\t the\t duel\t started,\t and\t began\t sweating\t when\t she\t had\t the\t opportunity to\tbestow\ta\twinning\tblow\tand\tfailed\tto\tdeliver\tit.\tBut\tnow\t.\t.\t. He\tcouldn\u2019t\twatch\tas\tCain\tkicked\ther\tshoulder,\tand\tfelt\tas\tif\the\u2019d\tvomit\twhen the\tbrute\tpicked\ther\tup\tand\tshe\tfell\tto\tthe\tground.\tShe\tkept\twiping\ther\teyes,\tand sweat\tshone\ton\ther\tforehead.\tWhat\twas\twrong? He\t should\t stop\t it\u2014he\t should\t call\t off\t the\t duel\t now.\t Let\t her\t start\t tomorrow, with\t a\t sword\t and\t her\t senses.\t Chaol\t hissed,\t and\t Dorian\t almost\t cried\t out\t as Celaena\t attempted\t to\t stand,\t but\t collapsed.\t Cain\t teased\t her\u2014breaking\t not\t only her\tbody,\tbut\ther\twill\t.\t.\t.\tHe\thad\tto\tstop\tit. Cain\t swung\t his\t sword\t at\t Celaena,\t who\t threw\t herself\t backward\u2014but\t not\t fast enough.\t She\t yelped\t as\t the\t blade\t sliced\t across\t her\t thigh,\t clothing\t and\t flesh ripping.\t Blood\t colored\t her\t pants.\t Despite\t it,\t she\t stood\t again,\t her\t face\t set\t in defiant\trage. Dorian\thad\tto\thelp\ther.\tBut\tif\the\tinterfered,\tthey\tmight\tjust\tproclaim\tCain\tthe victor.\tSo\the\twatched,\tin\tgrowing\thorror\tand\tdespair,\tas\tCain\u2019s\tfist\tslammed\tinto her\tjaw. Her\tknees\ttwisted\tas\tshe\tfell. \u2022 Something\tin\tChaol\tbegan\tfraying\tas\tCelaena\traised\ther\tbloodied\tface\tto\tlook\tat Cain. \u201cI\texpected\tbetter,\u201d\tCain\tsaid\tas\tCelaena\tcrawled\tinto\ta\tkneeling\tposition,\tstill clutching\t at\t her\t useless\t piece\t of\t wood.\t She\t panted\t through\t her\t teeth,\t blood leaking\t from\t her\t lip.\t Cain\t studied\t her\t face\t as\t if\t he\t could\t read\t it,\t as\t if\t he\t could hear\tsomething\tChaol\tcouldn\u2019t.\t\u201cAnd\twhat\twould\tyour\tfather\tsay?\u201d An\t expression\t flashed\t across\t Celaena\u2019s\t eyes\t that\t bordered\t on\t fear\t and confusion.\t \u201cShut\t your\t mouth,\u201d\t she\t said,\t her\t words\t trembling\t as\t she\t fought\t the pain\tof\ther\twounds. But\tCain\tkept\tstaring\tat\ther,\this\tsmile\tgrowing.\t\u201cIt\u2019s\tall\tthere,\u201d\the\tsaid.\t\u201cRight under\tthat\twall\tyou\tbuilt\ton\ttop\tof\tit.\tI\tcan\tsee\tit\tclear\tas\tday.\u201d What\t was\t he\t talking\t about?\t Cain\t lifted\t his\t sword\t and\t ran\t his\t finger\t through the\tblood\u2014her\tblood.\tChaol\treined\tin\this\tdisgust\tand\tanger. Cain\t let\t out\t a\t breathy\t laugh.\t \u201cWhat\t was\t it\t like\t when\t you\t woke\t up\t between your\tparents,\tcovered\tin\ttheir\tblood?\u201d \u201cShut\t your\t mouth!\u201d\t she\t said\t again,\t her\t free\t hand\t clawing\t at\t the\t ground,\t her face\t twisted\t with\t rage\t and\t anguish.\t Whatever\t wound\t Cain\t was\t touching,\t it burned. \u201cYour\tmother\twas\ta\tpretty\tyoung\tthing,\twasn\u2019t\tshe?\u201d\tCain\tsaid.","\u201cBe\t quiet!\u201d\t She\t tried\t to\t surge\t to\t her\t feet,\t but\t her\t injured\t leg\t kept\t her\t down. She\t gasped\t for\t breath.\t How\t did\t Cain\t know\t these\t things\t about\t Celaena\u2019s\t past? Chaol\u2019s\theart\tpounded\twildly,\tbut\the\tcould\tdo\tnothing\tto\thelp\ther. She\t let\t out\t a\t wordless\t scream\t that\t shattered\t through\t the\t frozen\t wind\t as\t she scrambled\tto\ther\tfeet.\tHer\tpain\tlost\tin\ther\tfury,\tshe\tswung\tat\this\tblade\twith\tthe remnant\tof\tthe\tstaff. \u201cGood,\u201d\t Cain\t panted,\t pressing\t her\t staff\t so\t hard\t that\t his\t blade\t sank\t into\t the wood.\t\u201cBut\tnot\tgood\tenough.\u201d\tHe\tshoved\ther,\tand\tas\tshe\tstaggered\tback\ta\tstep, he\tbrought\tup\this\tleg\tand\tkicked\ther\tin\tthe\tribs.\tShe\twent\tflying. Chaol\t had\t never\t seen\t anyone\t struck\t that\t hard.\t Celaena\t hit\t the\t ground\t and flipped,\t over\t and\t over\t and\t over,\t until\t she\t slammed\t into\t the\t clock\t tower.\t Her head\t whacked\t against\t the\t black\t stone,\t and\t he\t bit\t down\t on\t his\t yell,\t forcing himself\t to\t remain\t on\t the\t sidelines,\t forcing\t himself\t to\t watch\t as\t Cain\t broke\t her apart,\tpiece\tby\tpiece.\tHow\thad\tit\tgone\twrong\tso\tquickly? She\t trembled\t as\t she\t raised\t herself\t to\t her\t knees,\t clutching\t her\t side.\t She\t still held\ton\tto\tthe\tremnant\tof\tNehemia\u2019s\tstaff,\tas\tif\tit\twere\ta\trock\tin\tthe\tmiddle\tof\ta violent\tsea. \u2022 Celaena\ttasted\tblood\tas\tCain\tseized\ther\tagain,\tdragging\ther\tacross\tthe\tfloor.\tShe didn\u2019t\ttry\tto\tfight\thim.\tHe\tcould\thave\tpointed\this\tsword\tat\ther\theart\tat\tany\tpoint. This\twasn\u2019t\ta\tduel\u2014it\twas\tan\texecution.\tAnd\tno\tone\twas\tdoing\tanything\tto\tstop it.\tThey\u2019d\tdrugged\ther.\tIt\twasn\u2019t\tfair.\tThe\tsunlight\tflickered,\tand\tshe\tthrashed\tin Cain\u2019s\tgrip,\tdespite\tthe\tagony\tshooting\tthrough\ther\tbody. All\taround\ther\twere\twhispering,\tlaughing,\totherworldly\tvoices.\tThey\tcalled\tto her\u2014but\tcalled\ta\tdifferent\tname,\ta\tdangerous\tname\t.\t.\t. She\tglanced\tskyward,\tseeing\tthe\ttip\tof\tCain\u2019s\tchin\tbefore\the\thoisted\ther\tonto her\tfeet\tand\tslammed\ther\u2014face-first\u2014into\ta\twall\tof\tfreezing,\tsmooth\tstone.\tShe was\t enveloped\t in\t familiar\t darkness.\t Her\t skull\t ached\t with\t the\t impact,\t but Celaena\u2019s\tcry\tof\tpain\twas\tcut\tshort\tas\tshe\topened\ther\teyes\tto\tthe\tdark\tand\tsaw what\tappeared.\tSomething\u2014something\tdead\tstood\tbefore\ther. It\twas\ta\tman,\this\tskin\tpale\tand\trotting.\tHis\teyes\tburned\tred,\tand\the\tpointed\tat her\t in\t a\t broken,\t stiff\t way.\t His\t teeth\t were\t all\t sharp\t and\t so\t long\t they\t barely\t fit into\this\tmouth. Where\thad\tthe\tworld\tgone?\tThe\thallucinations\tmust\tbe\tstarting.\tLight\tflashed as\t she\t was\t yanked\t back,\t and\t her\t eyes\t bulged\t as\t Cain\t threw\t her\t to\t the\t ground near\tthe\tedge\tof\tthe\tring. A\tshadow\tpassed\tacross\tthe\tsun.\tIt\twas\tover.\tShe\twould\tdie\tnow\u2014die,\tor\tlose","and\tbe\tsent\tback\tto\tEndovier.\tIt\twas\tover.\tOver. Two\tblack\tboots\tcame\tinto\tview,\tthen\ta\tpair\tof\tknees\tas\tsomeone\tcrouched\ton the\tedge\tof\tthe\tring. \u201cGet\tup,\u201d\tChaol\twhispered.\tShe\tcouldn\u2019t\tbring\therself\tto\tlook\thim\tin\tthe\tface. It\twas\tover. Cain\tbegan\tlaughing,\tand\tshe\tfelt\tthe\treverberations\tof\this\tsteps\tas\the\twalked around\tthe\tring.\t\u201cIs\tthis\tall\tyou\thave\tto\toffer?\u201d\the\tshouted\ttriumphantly.\tCelaena trembled.\tThe\tworld\twas\tawash\twith\tfog\tand\tdarkness\tand\tvoices. \u201cGet\t up,\u201d\t Chaol\t said\t again,\t louder.\t She\t could\t only\t stare\t at\t the\t white\t line\t of chalk\tthat\tmarked\tthe\tring. Cain\thad\tsaid\tthings\the\tcouldn\u2019t\tpossibly\tknow\u2014he\u2019d\tseen\tit\tin\ther\teyes.\tAnd if\t he\t knew\t about\t her\t past\t .\t .\t .\t She\t whimpered,\t hating\t herself\t for\t it,\t and\t for\t the tears\tthat\tbegan\tsliding\tdown\ther\tface,\tacross\tthe\tbridge\tof\ther\tnose\tand\tonto\tthe floor.\tIt\twas\tall\tover. \u201cCelaena,\u201d\t Chaol\t said\t gently.\t And\t then\t she\t heard\t the\t scraping\t noise\t as\t his hand\tcame\tinto\tview,\tsliding\tacross\tthe\tflagstones.\tHis\tfingertips\tstopped\tjust\tat the\t edge\t of\t the\t white\t line.\t \u201cCelaena,\u201d\t he\t breathed,\t his\t voice\t laced\t with\t pain\u2014 and\t hope.\t This\t was\t all\t she\t had\t left\u2014his\t outstretched\t hand,\t and\t the\t promise\t of hope,\tof\tsomething\tbetter\twaiting\ton\tthe\tother\tside\tof\tthat\tline. Moving\ther\tarm\tmade\tsparks\tdance\tbefore\ther\teyes,\tbut\tshe\textended\tit\tuntil her\tfingertips\treached\tthe\tline\tof\tchalk,\tand\tstayed\tthere,\tnot\ta\tquarter\tof\tan\tinch from\tChaol,\tthe\tthick\twhite\tmark\tseparating\tthem. She\tlifted\ther\teyes\tto\this\tface,\tand\tfound\this\tgaze\tlined\twith\tsilver.\t\u201cGet\tup,\u201d was\tall\the\tsaid. And\tin\tthat\tmoment,\tsomehow\this\tface\twas\tthe\tonly\tthing\tthat\tmattered.\tShe stirred,\tand\tcouldn\u2019t\tstop\ther\tsob\tas\ther\tbody\terupted\twith\tpain\tthat\tmade\ther\tlie still\tagain.\tBut\tshe\tkept\ther\tfocus\ton\this\tbrown\teyes,\ton\this\ttightly\tpressed\tlips as\tthey\tparted\tand\twhispered,\t\u201cGet\tup.\u201d She\t pulled\t her\t arm\t away\t from\t the\t line,\t bracing\t her\t palm\t against\t the\t frozen ground.\tShe\tkept\this\tgaze\twhen\tshe\tmoved\ther\tother\thand\tbeneath\ther\tchest,\tand bit\t down\t on\t the\t scream\t of\t pain\t as\t she\t pushed\t upward,\t her\t shoulder\t nearly buckling.\tShe\tslid\ther\tgood\tleg\tunder\ther.\tAs\tshe\tmade\tto\tstand,\tshe\tfelt\tthe\tthud of\tCain\u2019s\tsteps,\tand\tChaol\u2019s\teyes\twent\twide. The\tworld\tspun\tblack\tand\tmist\tand\tblue\tas\tCain\tgrabbed\ther\tand\tshoved\ther against\t the\t clock\t tower\t once\t more,\t her\t face\t smashing\t into\t the\t stone.\t When\t she opened\ther\teyes,\tthe\tworld\tshifted.\tBlackness\twas\teverywhere.\tDeep\tdown,\tshe knew\t it\t wasn\u2019t\t just\t a\t hallucination\u2014what\t she\t saw,\t who\t she\t saw,\t truly\t existed just\tbeyond\tthe\tveil\tof\ther\tworld,\tand\tthe\tpoisonous\tdrug\thad\tsomehow\topened her\tmind\tto\tsee\tthem.","There\twere\ttwo\tcreatures\tnow,\tand\tthe\tsecond\tone\thad\twings.\tIt\twas\tgrinning \u2014grinning\tjust\tas\u2014 Celaena\tdidn\u2019t\thave\ttime\tto\tshout\tas\tit\tlaunched\tinto\tflight.\tIt\tthrew\ther\tto\tthe ground,\t and\t its\t claws\t ripped\t at\t her.\t She\t thrashed.\t Where\t had\t the\t world\t gone? Where\twas\tshe? There\t were\t more\t of\t them\u2014more\t appeared.\t The\t dead,\t demons,\t monsters\u2014 they\t wanted\t her.\t They\t called\t her\t name.\t Most\t of\t them\t had\t wings,\t and\t the\t ones that\tdidn\u2019t\twere\tcarried\tin\tthe\ttalons\tof\tothers. They\t struck\t as\t they\t passed,\t their\t claws\t slicing\t her\t flesh.\t They\t were\t going\t to bring\ther\tinside\ttheir\trealm,\tand\tthe\ttower\twas\tthe\tgaping\tportal.\tShe\twould\tbe devoured.\t Terror\u2014terror\t like\t she\u2019d\t never\t known\u2014took\t over.\t Celaena\t covered her\t head\t as\t they\t swept\t upon\t her,\t and\t she\t kicked\t blindly.\t Where\t had\t the\t world gone?\tHow\tmuch\tpoison\thad\tthey\tgiven\ther?\tShe\twas\tgoing\tto\tdie.\tFreedom\tor death. Defiance\t and\t rage\t mixed\t in\t her\t blood.\t She\t swung\t her\t free\t arm,\t and\t it\t met with\t a\t shadowy\t face\t with\t burning\t coals\t for\t eyes.\t The\t darkness\t rippled,\t and Cain\u2019s\t gaping\t features\t appeared.\t There\t was\t sun\t here\u2014this\t was\t reality.\t How long\tdid\tshe\thave\tbefore\tanother\twave\tof\tthe\tpoison-induced\tvisions\ttook\tover? Cain\t reached\t for\t her\t throat,\t and\t she\t flung\t herself\t backward.\t All\t that\t he managed\t to\t grab\t was\t her\t amulet.\t With\t a\t resounding\t snap,\t the\t Eye\t of\t Elena ripped\tfrom\ther\tneck. The\t sunlight\t disappeared,\t the\t bloodbane\t seizing\t control\t of\t her\t mind\t again, and\tCelaena\tfound\therself\tbefore\tan\tarmy\tof\tthe\tdead.\tThe\tshadowy\tfigure\tthat was\tCain\traised\this\tarm,\tdropping\tthe\tamulet\tupon\tthe\tground. They\tcame\tfor\ther.","Chapter\t49 Dorian\t watched\t in\t wide-eyed\t terror\t as\t Celaena\t thrashed\t on\t the\t ground,\t waving away\tthings\tthey\tcouldn\u2019t\tsee.\tWhat\twas\thappening?\tHad\tthere\tbeen\tsomething in\t that\t wine?\t But\t there\t was\t also\t something\t abnormal\t about\t the\t way\t Cain\t just stood\tthere,\tsmiling.\tWas\tthere\t.\t.\t.\twas\tthere\tactually\tsomething\tthere\tthat\tthey couldn\u2019t\tsee? She\tscreamed.\tIt\twas\tthe\tmost\thorrible\tnoise\the\u2019d\tever\theard.\t\u201cStop\tit,\tnow,\u201d he\t said\t to\t Chaol\t as\t his\t friend\t rose\t from\t his\t spot\t near\t the\t ring.\t But\t Chaol\t only gaped\tat\tthe\tflailing\tassassin,\this\tface\tpale\tas\tdeath. She\tkicked\tand\tpunched\tat\tnothing\tas\tCain\tsquatted\tover\ther\tand\thit\ther\tin\tthe mouth.\t Blood\t flowed\t freely.\t It\t wouldn\u2019t\t stop\t until\t his\t father\t said\t something\t or Cain\t knocked\t her\t truly\t unconscious.\t Or\t worse.\t He\t had\t to\t remind\t himself\t that any\t interference\u2014even\t trying\t to\t say\t that\t her\t wine\t had\t been\t drugged\u2014might result\tin\ther\tdisqualification. She\tcrawled\taway\tfrom\tCain,\ther\tblood\tand\tsaliva\tpooling\tonto\tthe\tground. Someone\t stepped\t beside\t Dorian,\t and\t from\t her\t intake\t of\t breath,\t he\t knew\t it was\tNehemia.\tShe\tsaid\tsomething\tin\tEyllwe,\tand\twalked\tto\tthe\tvery\tedge\tof\tthe ring.\t Tucked\t close\t to\t the\t folds\t of\t her\t cloak,\t nearly\t concealed\t there,\t her\t fingers were\trapidly\tmoving\u2014tracing\tsymbols\tin\tthe\tair. Cain\t stalked\t to\t where\t Celaena\t panted,\t her\t face\t white\t and\t red.\t She\t eased herself\t into\t a\t kneeling\t position\t and\t stared\t without\t seeing\t at\t the\t ring,\t at everyone,\tat\tsomething\tbeyond\tthem,\tperhaps. She\twas\twaiting\tfor\thim.\tWaiting\tfor\thim\tto\u2014 Kill\ther. \u2022 Kneeling\ton\tthe\tground,\tCelaena\tgasped\tfor\tbreath,\tunable\tto\tfind\ther\tway\tout\tof the\t hallucination\t and\t back\t into\t reality.\t Here,\t the\t dead\t surrounded\t her,\t waiting. The\t shadow-thing\t that\t was\t Cain\t stood\t nearby,\t watching,\t his\t burning\t eyes\t his only\tdistinguishing\tfeature.\tDarkness\trippled\taround\tCain\tlike\tshreds\tof\tclothing in\tthe\twind. She\twould\tdie\tsoon. Light\tand\tdarkness.\tLife\tand\tdeath.\tWhere\tdo\tI\tfit\tin? The\t thought\t sent\t a\t jolt\t through\t her\t so\t strong\t that\t her\t hands\t fumbled\t for anything\t to\tuse\t against\thim.\t Not\tlike\t this.\tShe\u2019d\tfind\t a\tway\u2014she\t could\tfind\t a way\t to\t survive.\t I\t will\t not\t be\t afraid.\t She\u2019d\t whispered\t that\t every\t morning\t in","Endovier;\tbut\twhat\tgood\twere\tthose\twords\tnow? A\tdemon\tcame\tat\ther,\tand\ta\tscream\u2014not\tof\tterror\tor\tof\tdespair,\tbut\trather\ta plea\u2014burst\tfrom\ther\tthroat.\tA\tcall\tfor\thelp. The\t demon\t flapped\t back,\t as\t if\t her\t scream\t had\t startled\t it.\t Cain\t motioned\t it forward\tagain. But\tthen\tsomething\textraordinary\thappened. Doors,\tdoors,\tdoors\tall\tburst\topen.\tDoors\tof\twood,\tdoors\tof\tiron,\tdoors\tof\tair and\tmagic. And\t from\t another\t world,\t Elena\t swept\t down,\t cloaked\t in\t golden\t light.\t The ancient\tqueen\u2019s\thair\tglittered\tlike\ta\tshooting\tstar\tas\tshe\tplummeted\tinto\tErilea. Cain\tchuckled\tas\the\tstepped\ttoward\tthe\tpanting\tassassin\tand\traised\this\tsword, aiming\tat\tthe\tassassin\u2019s\tchest. Elena\texploded\tthrough\tthe\tranks\tof\tthe\tdead,\tscattering\tthem. Cain\u2019s\tsword\tcame\tdown. A\t gust\t of\t wind\t slammed\t into\t Cain\t so\t hard\t he\t was\t sent\t sprawling\t to\t the ground,\t his\t sword\t flying\t across\t the\t veranda.\t But,\t locked\t in\t that\t dark,\t horrible world,\tCelaena\tonly\tsaw\tthe\tancient\tqueen\tbarrel\tinto\tCain,\tknocking\thim\tdown, before\tthe\tdead\tcharged.\tYet\tthey\twere\ttoo\tlate. Golden\t light\t erupted\t around\t her,\t shielding\t her\t from\t them,\t making\t the\t dead step\tback. Wind\tmightier\tthan\tanything\tthe\tonlookers\thad\twitnessed\tstill\troared\tthrough the\tveranda.\tThey\tshielded\ttheir\tfaces\tas\tthe\twind\thowled. The\tdemons\tbellowed\tand\tsurged\tagain.\tBut\ta\tsword\trang,\tand\ta\tdemon\tfell. Black\t blood\t dripped\t from\t the\t blade,\t and\t the\t lips\t of\t Queen\t Elena\t were\t set\t in\t a feral\t snarl\t as\t she\t lifted\t her\t sword.\t It\t was\t a\t challenge;\t a\t dare\t to\t them\t to\t try\t to pass,\tto\ttempt\ther\trage. Through\t fading\t eyes,\t Celaena\t saw\t a\t crown\t of\t stars\t glittering\t atop\t Elena\u2019s head,\t her\t silver\t armor\t shining\t like\t a\t beacon\t in\t the\t blackness.\t The\t demons shrieked,\t and\t Elena\t stretched\t out\t a\t hand,\t golden\t light\t bursting\t from\t her\t palm, forming\t a\t wall\t between\t them\t and\t the\t dead\t as\t she\t rushed\t to\t Celaena\u2019s\t side\t and cupped\ther\tface\tin\ther\thands. \u201cI\t cannot\t protect\t you,\u201d\t whispered\t the\t queen,\t her\t skin\t glowing.\t Her\t face\t was different,\ttoo\u2014sharper,\tmore\tbeautiful.\tHer\tFae\theritage.\t\u201cI\tcannot\tgive\tyou\tmy strength.\u201d\tShe\ttraced\ther\tfingers\tacross\tCelaena\u2019s\tbrow.\t\u201cBut\tI\tcan\tremove\tthis poison\tfrom\tyour\tbody.\u201d Beyond\t them,\t Cain\t struggled\t to\t his\t feet.\t Wind\t slammed\t into\t him\t from\t all directions,\tkeeping\thim\ttrapped\tin\tplace. From\t the\t far\t end\t of\t the\t veranda,\t a\t gust\t of\t wind\t sent\t the\t head\t of\t the\t staff rolling\tin\ther\tdirection.\tIt\tclattered\tto\ta\tstop,\tstill\ta\tfew\ttantalizing\tfeet\taway.","Elena\t put\t a\t hand\t on\t Celaena\u2019s\t forehead.\t \u201cTake\t it,\u201d\t said\t the\t queen.\t Celaena strained\tto\treach\tthe\tremnant\tof\tthe\tstaff,\ther\tvision\tflashing\tbetween\tthe\tsunny veranda\t and\t the\t endless\t dark.\t Her\t shoulder\t shifted\t slightly,\t and\t she\t stifled\t her scream\tof\tpain.\tAt\tlast,\tshe\tfelt\tthe\tsmooth\tcarved\twood\u2014but\talso\tthe\tpain\tfrom her\taching\tfingers. \u201cOnce\tthe\tpoison\tis\tgone,\tyou\twill\tnot\tsee\tme.\tYou\twill\tnot\tsee\tthe\tdemons,\u201d said\tthe\tqueen,\tsketching\tmarks\ton\tCelaena\u2019s\tbrow. Cain\tlooked\tto\tthe\tking\tas\the\tretrieved\this\tsword.\tThe\tking\tnodded. Elena\t held\t Celaena\u2019s\t face\t in\t her\t hands.\t \u201cDo\t not\t be\t afraid.\u201d\t Beyond\t the golden\t wall\t of\t light,\t the\t dead\t shrieked\t and\t moaned\t Celaena\u2019s\t name.\t But\t then Cain\u2014bearing\t the\t shadowy,\t dark\t thing\t that\t dwelled\t inside\t of\t him\u2014stepped through\tthe\twall\tas\tif\tit\twere\tnothing,\tshattering\tit\tcompletely. \u201cPetty\ttricks,\tYour\tMajesty,\u201d\tCain\tsaid\tto\tElena.\t\u201cJust\tpetty\ttricks.\u201d Elena\twas\ton\ther\tfeet\tin\tan\tinstant,\tblocking\tCain\u2019s\tpath\tto\tCelaena.\tShadows rippled\t along\t the\t edges\t of\t his\t form,\t and\t his\t ember-like\t eyes\t flared.\t Cain\u2019s attention\twas\ton\tCelaena\tas\the\tsaid,\t\u201cYou\twere\tbrought\there\u2014all\tof\tyou\twere. All\t the\t players\t in\t the\t unfinished\t game.\t My\t friends,\u201d\t he\t gestured\t to\t the\t dead, \u201chave\ttold\tme\tso.\u201d \u201cBe\t gone,\u201d\t Elena\t barked,\t forming\t a\t symbol\t with\t her\t fingers.\t A\t bright\t blue light\tburst\tfrom\ther\thands. Cain\t howled\t as\t it\t bit\t into\t him,\t the\t light\t slashing\t his\t shadow-body\t into ribbons.\t Then\t it\t was\t gone,\t leaving\t the\t swirling\t crowd\t of\t the\t dead\t and\t damned, and\t Elena\t still\t before\t them.\t They\t charged,\t but\t she\t blasted\t them\t back\t with\t that golden\tshield,\tpanting\tthrough\ther\tgritted\tteeth.\tElena\tthen\tdropped\tto\ther\tknees and\tgrabbed\tCelaena\tby\tthe\tshoulders. \u201cThe\t poison\t is\t almost\t gone,\u201d\t Elena\t said.\t The\t world\t grew\t less\t dark;\t Celaena could\tsee\tcracks\tof\tsunlight. Celaena\t nodded,\t pain\t replacing\t panic.\t She\t could\t feel\t the\t coldness\t of\t winter, feel\ther\taching\tleg\tand\tthe\twarm\tstickiness\tof\ther\town\tblood\tall\tover\ther\tbody. Why\twas\tElena\there,\tand\twhat\twas\tNehemia\tdoing\tat\tthe\tedge\tof\tthe\tcircle,\ther hands\tmoving\tabout\tso\tstrangely? \u201cStand,\u201d\t Elena\t said.\t She\t was\t becoming\t translucent.\t Her\t hands\t drifted\t from Celaena\u2019s\t cheeks,\t and\t a\t white\t light\t filled\t the\t sky.\t The\t poison\t left\t Celaena\u2019s body. Cain,\t once\t again\t a\t man\t of\t flesh\t and\t blood,\t walked\t over\t to\t the\t sprawled assassin. Pain,\tpain,\tpain.\tPain\tfrom\ther\tleg,\tfrom\ther\thead,\tfrom\ther\tshoulder\tand\tarm and\tribs\t.\t.\t. \u201cStand,\u201d\tElena\twhispered\tagain,\tand\twas\tgone.\tThe\tworld\tappeared.","Cain\t was\t close,\t not\t a\t trace\t of\t shadow\t around\t him.\t Celaena\t lifted\t the\t jagged remnant\tof\tthe\tstaff\tin\ther\thand.\tHer\tgaze\tcleared. And\tso,\tstruggling\tand\tshaking,\tCelaena\tstood.","Chapter\t50 Celaena\u2019s\t right\t leg\t could\t barely\t support\t her,\t but\t she\t gritted\t her\t teeth\t and\t rose. She\tsquared\ther\tshoulders\tas\tCain\thalted. The\twind\tcaressed\ther\tface\tand\tswept\ther\thair\tbehind\ther\tin\ta\tbillowing\tsheet of\t gold.\t I\t will\t not\t be\t afraid.\t A\t mark\t burned\t on\t her\t forehead\t in\t blinding\t blue light. \u201cWhat\u2019s\t that\t on\t your\t face?\u201d\t Cain\t asked.\t The\t king\t rose,\t his\t brows\t narrowed, and\tnearby,\tNehemia\tgasped. With\t her\t aching,\t almost\t useless\t arm,\t she\t wiped\t the\t blood\t from\t her\t mouth. Cain\tgrowled\tas\the\tswung\this\tsword,\tmaking\tto\tbehead\ther. Celaena\tshot\tforward,\tas\tfast\tas\tan\tarrow\tof\tDeanna. Cain\u2019s\t eyes\t went\t wide\t as\t she\t buried\t the\t jagged\t end\t of\t the\t staff\t in\t his\t right side,\texactly\twhere\tChaol\thad\tsaid\the\twould\tbe\tunguarded. Blood\t poured\t onto\t her\t hands\t as\t she\t yanked\t it\t out,\t and\t Cain\t staggered\t back, clutching\this\tribs. She\tforgot\tpain,\tforgot\tfear,\tforgot\tthe\ttyrant\twho\tstared\tat\tthe\tburning\tmark on\t her\t head\t with\t dark\t eyes.\t She\t leapt\t back\t a\t step\t and\t sliced\t open\t Cain\u2019s\t arm with\tthe\tbroken\tend\tof\tthe\tstaff,\tripping\tthrough\tmuscle\tand\tsinew.\tHe\tswatted at\ther\twith\this\tother\tarm,\tbut\tshe\tmoved\taside,\tcutting\tthe\tlimb\tas\twell. He\t lunged,\t but\t she\t dashed\t away.\t Cain\t sprawled\t upon\t the\t ground.\t She slammed\t her\t foot\t into\t his\t back,\t and\t as\t he\t lifted\t his\t head,\t he\t found\t the\t knife- sharp\tremnant\tof\tthe\tstaff\tpressed\tagainst\this\tneck. \u201cMove,\tand\tI\u2019ll\tspill\tyour\tthroat\ton\tthe\tground,\u201d\tshe\tsaid,\ther\tjaw\taching. Cain\twent\tstill,\tand\tfor\ta\tmoment,\tshe\tcould\thave\tsworn\this\teyes\tglowed\tlike coals.\tFor\ta\theartbeat,\tshe\tconsidered\tkilling\thim\tright\tthere,\tso\the\tcouldn\u2019t\ttell anyone\t what\t he\t knew\u2014about\t her,\t about\t her\t parents,\t about\t the\t Wyrdmarks\t and their\tpower.\tIf\tthe\tking\tknew\tany\tof\tthat\t.\t.\t.\tHer\thand\ttrembled\twith\tthe\teffort\tto keep\t from\t driving\t the\t spearhead\t into\t his\t neck,\t but\t Celaena\t lifted\t her\t bruised face\tto\tthe\tking. The\t councilmen\t began\t nervously\t clapping.\t None\t of\t them\t had\t seen\t the spectacle;\t none\t of\t them\t had\t seen\t the\t shadows\t in\t the\t gusting\t wind.\t The\t king looked\ther\tover,\tand\tCelaena\twilled\therself\tto\tremain\tupright,\tto\tstand\ttall\tas\the judged.\t She\t felt\t each\t second\t of\t silence\t like\t a\t blow\t to\t her\t gut.\t Was\t he considering\t whether\t there\t was\t a\t way\t out?\t After\t what\t seemed\t to\t be\t a\t lifetime, the\tking\tspoke. \u201cMy\tson\u2019s\tChampion\tis\tthe\tvictor,\u201d\tthe\tking\tgrowled.\tThe\tworld\tspun\tbeneath her\tfeet.","She\u2019d\twon.\tShe\u2019d\twon.\tShe\twas\tfree\u2014or\tas\tclose\tto\tit\tas\tshe\tcould\tcome.\tShe would\tbecome\tthe\tKing\u2019s\tChampion,\tand\tthen\tshe\twould\tbe\tfree\t.\t.\t. It\tcame\tcrashing\tdown\tupon\ther,\tand\tCelaena\tdropped\tthe\tbloody\tremnant\tof the\t staff\t on\t the\t ground\t as\t she\t removed\t her\t foot\t from\t Cain\u2019s\t back.\t She\t limped away,\t her\t breathing\t hard\t and\t ragged.\t She\u2019d\t been\t saved.\t Elena\t had\t saved\t her. And\tshe\thad\t.\t.\t.\tshe\thad\twon. Nehemia\twas\texactly\twhere\tshe\u2019d\tbeen\tstanding\tbefore,\tsmiling\tfaintly,\tonly \u2014 The\tprincess\tcollapsed,\tand\ther\tbodyguards\trushed\tto\ther\tside.\tCelaena\tmade a\tmove\tto\ther\tfriend,\tbut\ther\tlegs\tgave\tout,\tand\tshe\tfell\tto\tthe\ttiles.\tDorian,\tas\tif released\t from\t a\t spell,\t dashed\t to\t her,\t throwing\t himself\t to\t his\t knees\t beside\t her, murmuring\ther\tname\tagain\tand\tagain. But\t she\t barely\t heard\t him.\t Huddled\t on\t the\t ground,\t hot\t tears\t slid\t down Celaena\u2019s\tface.\tShe\u2019d\twon.\tThrough\tthe\tpain,\tCelaena\tbegan\tlaughing. \u2022 As\t the\t assassin\t laughed\t quietly\t to\t herself,\t head\t bowed\t to\t the\t ground,\t Dorian surveyed\t her\t body.\t The\t cut\t along\t her\t thigh\t wouldn\u2019t\t stop\t bleeding,\t her\t arm hung\tlimp,\tand\ther\tface\tand\tarms\twere\ta\tpatchwork\tof\tcuts\tand\trapidly\tforming bruises.\tCain,\this\tfeatures\tset\twith\tfury,\tstood\tnot\ttoo\tfar\tbehind,\tblood\tseeping through\this\tfingers\tas\the\tclutched\this\tside.\tLet\thim\tsuffer. \u201cShe\tneeds\ta\thealer,\u201d\the\tsaid\tto\this\tfather.\tThe\tking\tsaid\tnothing.\t\u201cYou,\tboy,\u201d Dorian\tsnapped\tto\ta\tpage.\t\u201cFetch\ta\thealer\u2014as\tfast\tas\tyou\tcan!\u201d\tDorian\tfound\tit difficult\tto\tbreathe.\tHe\tshould\thave\tstopped\tit\twhen\tCain\tfirst\thit\ther.\tHe\tshould have\t done\t something\t other\t than\t watch\t when\t she\t had\t so\t clearly\t been\t drugged. She\t would\t have\t helped\t him;\t she\t wouldn\u2019t\t have\t hesitated.\t Chaol,\t even,\t had helped\ther\u2014he\u2019d\tknelt\tdown\tbeside\tthe\tedge\tof\tthe\tring.\tAnd\twho\thad\tdrugged her? Carefully\t putting\t his\t arms\t around\t Celaena,\t Dorian\t glanced\t toward\t Kaltain and\tPerrington.\tIn\tdoing\tso,\the\tmissed\tthe\tlook\texchanged\tbetween\tCain\tand\this father.\tThe\tsoldier\tpulled\tout\this\tdagger. But\tChaol\tsaw.\tCain\traised\this\tdagger\tto\tstrike\tthe\tgirl\tin\tthe\tback. Without\t thinking,\t without\t understanding,\t Chaol\t leapt\t between\t them\t and plunged\this\tsword\tthrough\tCain\u2019s\theart. Blood\terupted\teverywhere,\tshowering\tChaol\u2019s\tarms,\this\thead,\this\tclothes.\tThe blood\treeked,\tsomehow,\tof\tdeath\tand\tdecay.\tCain\tfell,\thitting\tthe\tground\thard. The\t world\t became\t silent.\t Chaol\t watched\t the\t last\t breath\t issue\t from\t Cain\u2019s mouth,\twatched\thim\tdie.\tWhen\tit\twas\tover\tand\tCain\u2019s\teyes\tstopped\tseeing\thim,","Chaol\u2019s\tsword\tclattered\tto\tthe\tground.\tHe\tdropped\tto\this\tknees\tbeside\tCain,\tbut didn\u2019t\ttouch\thim.\tWhat\thad\the\tdone? Chaol\tcouldn\u2019t\tstop\tstaring\tat\this\tblood-soaked\thands.\tHe\u2019d\tkilled\thim. \u201cChaol,\u201d\tDorian\tbreathed.\tIn\this\tarms,\tCelaena\thad\tgone\tutterly\tstill. \u201cWhat\thave\tI\tdone?\u201d\tChaol\tasked\thim.\tCelaena\tmade\ta\tsmall\tnoise\tand\tbegan shaking. Two\tguards\thelped\tlift\thim\tup,\tbut\tChaol\tcould\tonly\tstare\tat\this\tbloody\thands as\tthey\thelped\thim\taway. Dorian\t watched\t his\t friend\t disappear\t into\t the\t castle,\t and\t then\t returned\t to\t the assassin.\tHis\tfather\twas\talready\tyelling\tabout\tsomething. She\t trembled\t so\t badly\t that\t her\t wounds\t leaked\t further.\t \u201cHe\t shouldn\u2019t\t have killed\thim\t.\t.\t.\tNow\the\u2014he\t.\t.\t.\u201d\tShe\tlet\tout\ta\tgasping\tbreath.\t\u201cShe\tsaved\tme,\u201d she\t said,\t burying\t her\t face\t in\t his\t chest.\t \u201cDorian,\t she\t took\t the\t poison\t out\t of\t me. She\u2014she\t.\t.\t.\tOh,\tgods,\tI\tdon\u2019t\teven\tknow\twhat\thappened.\u201d\tDorian\thad\tno\tidea what\tshe\twas\tspeaking\tabout,\tbut\the\theld\ther\ttighter. Dorian\tfelt\tthe\teyes\tof\tthe\tcouncil\tupon\tthem,\tweighing\tand\tconsidering\tevery word\t out\t of\t her\t mouth,\t every\t move\t or\t reaction\t of\t his.\t Damning\t the\t council\t to hell,\t Dorian\t kissed\t her\t hair.\t The\t mark\t on\t her\t brow\t had\t faded.\t What\t had\t that meant?\tWhat\thad\tany\tof\tit\tmeant?\tCain\thad\ttouched\ta\tnerve\tin\ther\ttoday\u2014when he\t had\t mentioned\t her\t parents,\t she\u2019d\t lost\t control\t entirely.\t He\u2019d\t never\t seen\t her that\twild,\tthat\tfrantic. He\thated\thimself\tfor\tnot\tacting,\tfor\tstanding\tlike\ta\tdamned\tcoward.\tHe\twould make\tit\tup\tto\ther\u2014he\twould\tsee\tto\tit\tthat\tshe\twas\tfreed,\tand\tafter\tthat\t.\t.\t.\tAfter that\t.\t.\t. She\t didn\u2019t\t fight\t him\t when\t he\t carried\t her\t to\t her\t rooms,\t instructing\t the physician\tto\tfollow. He\twas\tdone\twith\tpolitics\tand\tintrigue.\tHe\tloved\ther,\tand\tno\tempire,\tno\tking, and\tno\tearthly\tfear\twould\tkeep\thim\tfrom\ther.\tNo,\tif\tthey\ttried\tto\ttake\ther\tfrom him,\t he\u2019d\t rip\t the\t world\t apart\t with\t his\t bare\t hands.\t And\t for\t some\t reason,\t that didn\u2019t\tterrify\thim. \u2022 Kaltain\t watched\t in\t despair\t and\t bewilderment\t as\t Dorian\t carried\t the\t weeping assassin\tin\this\tarms.\tHow\thad\tshe\tbeaten\tCain,\twhen\tshe\u2019d\tbeen\tdrugged?\tWhy was\tshe\tnot\tdead? Seated\t beside\t the\t glowering\t king,\t Perrington\t fumed.\t The\t councilmen scribbled\t on\t paper.\t Kaltain\t drew\t the\t empty\t vial\t from\t her\t pocket.\t Hadn\u2019t\t the duke\tgiven\ther\tenough\tbloodbane\tto\tseriously\timpair\tthe\tassassin?\tWhy\twasn\u2019t","Dorian\t crying\t over\t her\t corpse?\t Why\t wasn\u2019t\t she\t holding\t Dorian,\t comforting him?\tThe\tpain\tin\ther\thead\terupted,\tso\tviolent\tthat\ther\tvision\twent\tobsidian,\tand she\tstopped\tthinking\tclearly. Kaltain\t approached\t the\t duke\t and\t hissed\t in\t his\t ear.\t \u201cI\t thought\t you\t said\t this would\twork.\u201d\tShe\tfought\tto\tkeep\ther\tvoice\tin\ta\twhisper.\t\u201cI\tthought\tyou\tsaid\tthis damned\tdrug\twould\twork!\u201d The\tking\tand\tthe\tduke\tstared\tat\ther,\tand\tthe\tcouncilmen\texchanged\tglances\tas Kaltain\tstraightened.\tThen,\tslowly,\tthe\tduke\trose\tfrom\this\tseat.\t\u201cWhat\tis\tthat\tin your\thand?\u201d\tthe\tduke\tasked\ta\tbit\ttoo\tloudly. \u201cYou\tknow\twhat\tit\tis!\u201d\tshe\tseethed,\tstill\ttrying\tto\tkeep\ther\tvoice\tdown,\teven as\t the\t pain\t in\t her\t head\t turned\t into\t a\t thunderous\t roar.\t She\t could\t scarcely\t think straight;\t she\t could\t only\t answer\t to\t the\t fury\t inside\t of\t her.\t \u201cThe\t damned\t poison\t I gave\ther,\u201d\tshe\tmurmured\tso\tonly\tPerrington\tcould\thear. \u201cPoison?\u201d\tPerrington\tasked,\tso\tloud\tKaltain\u2019s\teyes\tgrew\twide.\t\u201cYou\tpoisoned her?\tWhy\twould\tyou\tdo\tthat?\u201d\tHe\tmotioned\tto\tthree\tguards. Why\tdid\tthe\tking\tnot\tspeak?\tWhy\tdid\the\tnot\tcome\tto\ther\taid?\tPerrington\thad given\t her\t the\t poison\t based\t on\t the\t king\u2019s\t command,\t hadn\u2019t\t he?\t The\t council members\tlooked\tat\ther\taccusingly,\twhispering\tamong\tthemselves. \u201cYou\tgave\tit\tto\tme!\u201d\tshe\tsaid\tto\tthe\tduke. Perrington\u2019s\torange\tbrows\tfurrowed.\t\u201cWhat\tare\tyou\ttalking\tabout?\u201d Kaltain\tstarted\tforward.\t\u201cYou\tscheming\tson\tof\ta\tharlot!\u201d \u201cRestrain\ther,\tplease,\u201d\tthe\tduke\tsaid,\tblandly,\tcalmly\u2014as\tif\tshe\twere\tno\tmore than\ta\thysterical\tservant.\tAs\tif\tshe\twere\tnobody. \u201cI\t told\t you,\u201d\t the\t duke\t said\t into\t the\t king\u2019s\t ear,\t \u201cthat\t she\u2019d\t do\t anything\t to\t get the\tCro\u2014\u201d\tThe\twords\twere\tlost\tas\tshe\twas\tdragged\taway.\tThere\twas\tnothing\u2014 no\temotion\tat\tall\u2014in\tthe\tduke\u2019s\tface.\tHe\thad\tplayed\ther\tfor\ta\tfool. Kaltain\t struggled\t against\t the\t guards.\t \u201cYour\t Majesty,\t please!\t His\t Grace\t told me\tthat\tyou\u2014\u201d The\tduke\tmerely\tlooked\taway. \u201cI\u2019ll\t kill\t you!\u201d\t she\t screamed\t at\t Perrington.\t She\t turned\t to\t the\t king, beseechingly,\t but\t he,\t too,\t looked\t away,\t his\t face\t crumpled\t with\t distaste.\t He wouldn\u2019t\t listen\t to\t anything\t she\t said,\t no\t matter\t what\t the\t truth\t was.\t Perrington had\tbeen\tplanning\tthis\tfor\ttoo\tlong.\tAnd\tshe\u2019d\tplayed\tright\tinto\this\thands.\tHe\u2019d acted\tthe\tbesotted\tfool\tonly\tto\tplunge\ta\tdagger\tinto\ther\tback. Kaltain\t kicked\t and\t thrashed\t against\t the\t guards\u2019\t grip,\t but\t the\t king\u2019s\t table became\t smaller\t and\t smaller.\t As\t she\t reached\t the\t doors\t to\t the\t castle,\t the\t duke grinned\tat\ther,\tand\ther\tdreams\tshattered.","Chapter\t51 The\t next\t morning,\t Dorian\t kept\t his\t chin\t high\t as\t his\t father\t stared\t at\t him.\t He didn\u2019t\t lower\t his\t gaze,\t no\t matter\t how\t many\t silent\t seconds\t ticked\t by.\t After\t his father\t had\t allowed\t Cain\t to\t toy\t with\t and\t hurt\t Celaena\t for\t so\t long,\t when\t she\u2019d clearly\t been\t drugged\t .\t .\t .\t It\t was\t a\t miracle\t Dorian\t hadn\u2019t\t snapped\t yet,\t but\t he needed\tthis\taudience\twith\this\tfather. \u201cWell?\u201d\tasked\tthe\tking\tat\tlast. \u201cI\twish\tto\tknow\twhat\twill\thappen\tto\tChaol.\tFor\tkilling\tCain.\u201d His\tfather\u2019s\tblack\teyes\tgleamed.\t\u201cWhat\tdo\tyou\tthink\tshould\thappen\tto\thim?\u201d \u201cNothing,\u201d\t said\t Dorian.\t \u201cI\t think\t he\t killed\t him\t to\t defend\t Cel\u2014to\t defend\t the assassin.\u201d \u201cYou\tthink\tthe\tlife\tof\tan\tassassin\tis\tworth\tmore\tthan\tthat\tof\ta\tsoldier?\u201d Dorian\u2019s\t sapphire\t gaze\t darkened.\t \u201cNo,\t but\t I\t believe\t there\t was\t no\t honor\t in stabbing\t her\t in\t the\t back\t after\t she\u2019d\t won.\u201d\t And\t if\t he\t ever\t found\t out\t that Perrington\tor\this\tfather\thad\tsanctioned\tit,\tor\tsomehow\tplayed\ta\thand\tin\tKaltain drugging\ther\t.\t.\t.\tDorian\u2019s\thands\tclenched\tinto\tfists\tat\this\tsides. \u201cHonor?\u201d\tThe\tKing\tof\tAdarlan\tstroked\this\tbeard.\t\u201cAnd\twould\tyou\thave\tslain me\tif\tI\ttried\tto\tkill\ther\tin\tsuch\ta\tmanner?\u201d \u201cYou\u2019re\tmy\tfather,\u201d\the\tsaid\tcarefully.\t\u201cI\twould\ttrust\tthat\tthe\tchoice\tyou\tmade was\tcorrect.\u201d \u201cWhat\ta\tcunning\tliar\tyou\tare!\tAlmost\tas\tgood\tas\tPerrington.\u201d \u201cSo\tyou\twon\u2019t\tpunish\tChaol?\u201d \u201cI\tsee\tno\treason\twhy\tI\tshould\trid\tmyself\tof\ta\tperfectly\tcapable\tCaptain\tof\tthe Guard.\u201d Dorian\tsighed.\t\u201cThank\tyou,\tFather.\u201d\tThe\tgratitude\tin\this\teyes\twas\tgenuine. \u201cIs\tthere\tanything\telse?\u201d\tasked\tthe\tking\toffhandedly. \u201cI\u2014\u201d\tDorian\tglanced\tat\tthe\twindow,\tthen\tback\tat\this\tfather,\tsteeling\this\tnerve once\tmore.\tThe\tsecond\treason\the\u2019d\tcome.\t\u201cI\twant\tto\tknow\twhat\tyou\u2019re\tgoing\tto do\twith\tthe\tassassin,\u201d\the\tsaid,\tand\this\tfather\tsmiled\tin\ta\tway\tthat\tmade\tDorian\u2019s blood\trun\tcold. \u201cThe\tassassin\t.\t.\t.\t,\u201d\this\tfather\tmused.\t\u201cShe\twas\trather\tdisgraceful\tat\tthe\tduel; I\tdon\u2019t\tknow\tif\tI\tcan\thave\ta\tblubbering\twoman\tas\tmy\tChampion,\tpoison\tor\tno. If\t she\u2019d\t been\t really\t good,\t she\t would\t have\t noticed\t the\t poison\t before\t she\t drank. Perhaps\tI\tshould\tsend\ther\tback\tto\tEndovier.\u201d Dorian\u2019s\t temper\t flared\t with\t dizzying\t speed.\t \u201cYou\u2019re\t wrong\t about\t her,\u201d\t he began,\tbut\tthen\tshook\this\thead.\t\u201cYou\u2019ll\tnot\tsee\ther\totherwise,\tno\tmatter\twhat\tI tell\tyou.\u201d","\u201cWhy\tshould\tI\tsee\tan\tassassin\tas\tanything\tbut\ta\tmonster?\tI\tbrought\ther\there to\tdo\tmy\tbidding,\tnot\tto\tmeddle\tin\tthe\tlife\tof\tmy\tson\tand\tempire.\u201d Dorian\tbared\this\tteeth.\tHe\u2019d\tnever\tdared\tlook\tat\this\tfather\tlike\tthis.\tIt\tthrilled him,\t and\t as\t his\t father\t slowly\t sat\t down,\t Dorian\t wondered\t if\t the\t king\t was considering\twhether\the\thad\tbecome\ta\tgenuine\tconcern.\tTo\tDorian\u2019s\tsurprise,\the realized\t that\t he\t didn\u2019t\t care.\t Perhaps\t the\t time\t had\t come\t for\t him\t to\t start questioning\this\tfather. \u201cShe\u2019s\t not\t a\t monster,\u201d\t Dorian\t said.\t \u201cEverything\t she\u2019s\t done,\t she\t did\t to survive.\u201d \u201cSurvive?\t Is\t that\t the\t lie\t she\t told\t you?\t She\t could\t have\t done\t anything\t to survive,\tbut\tshe\tchose\tkilling.\tShe\tenjoyed\tkilling.\tShe\thas\tyou\tat\ther\tbeck\tand call,\t doesn\u2019t\t she?\t Oh,\t how\t clever\t she\t is!\t What\t a\t politician\t she\u2019d\t have\t made\t if she\thad\tbeen\tborn\ta\tman!\u201d A\t deep-throated\t growl\t rippled\t from\t Dorian.\t \u201cYou\t don\u2019t\t know\t what\t you\u2019re talking\tabout.\tI\thave\tno\tattachment\tto\ther.\u201d But\tin\tthat\tone\tsentence,\tDorian\tmade\this\tmistake,\tand\the\tknew\tthat\this\tfather had\t found\t his\t new\t weak\t spot:\t the\t overwhelming\t terror\t that\t Celaena\t would\t be ripped\tfrom\thim.\tHis\thands\tslackened\tat\this\tsides. The\t King\t of\t Adarlan\t looked\t at\t the\t Crown\t Prince.\t \u201cI\t shall\t send\t her\t my contract\t whenever\t I\t get\t around\t to\t it.\t Until\t then,\t you\u2019d\t do\t well\t to\t keep\t your mouth\tshut\tabout\tit,\tboy.\u201d Dorian\t drowned\t in\t the\t cold\t rage\t that\t lay\t inside\t of\t him.\t Yet\t an\t image\t came vividly\t to\t his\t mind:\t Nehemia\t handing\t Celaena\t her\t staff\t at\t the\t duel.\t Nehemia was\t no\t fool;\t like\t him,\t she\t knew\t that\t symbols\t held\t a\t special\t kind\t of\t power. Though\t Celaena\t might\t be\t his\t father\u2019s\t Champion,\t she\u2019d\t gained\t the\t title\t using\t a weapon\tfrom\tEyllwe.\tAnd\twhile\tNehemia\tmight\tbe\tplaying\ta\tgame\tthat\tshe\thad no\tchance\tof\twinning,\tDorian\tcouldn\u2019t\tdeny\tthat\the\tgreatly\tadmired\tthe\tprincess for\tdaring\tto\tplay\tin\tthe\tfirst\tplace. Perhaps\the\tmight\tsomeday\twork\tup\tthe\tnerve\tto\tdemand\tretribution\tfor\twhat his\tfather\thad\tdone\tto\tthose\trebels\tin\tEyllwe.\tNot\ttoday.\tNot\tyet.\tBut\tmaybe\the could\tmake\ta\tstart. So\t he\t faced\t his\t father,\t and\t kept\t his\t head\t held\t high\t as\t he\t said,\t \u201cPerrington wishes\t to\t use\t Nehemia\t as\t some\t sort\t of\t hostage\t in\t order\t to\t make\t the\t Eyllwe rebels\tobey.\u201d His\t father\t cocked\t his\t head.\t \u201cDoes\t he\t now?\t It\u2019s\t an\t interesting\t idea.\t Do\t you agree?\u201d Though\t Dorian\u2019s\t palms\t began\t sweating,\t he\t schooled\t his\t features\t into neutrality\tas\the\tsaid,\t\u201cNo,\tI\tdon\u2019t.\tI\tthink\twe\u2019re\tbetter\tthan\tthat.\u201d \u201cAre\t we?\t Do\t you\t know\t how\t many\t soldiers\t and\t supplies\t I\u2019ve\t lost\t thanks\t to","those\trebels?\u201d \u201cI\tdo,\tbut\tto\tuse\tNehemia\tlike\tthat\tis\ttoo\trisky.\tThe\trebels\tmight\tuse\tit\tto\tgain allies\t in\t other\t kingdoms.\t And\t Nehemia\t is\t beloved\t by\t her\t people.\t If\t you\u2019re worried\t about\t losing\t soldiers\t and\t supplies,\t then\t you\u2019ll\t lose\t far\t more\t if Perrington\u2019s\tplan\tignites\ta\tfull-on\trebellion\tin\tEyllwe.\tWe\u2019d\tbe\tbetter\toff\ttrying to\twin\tover\tNehemia\u2014trying\tto\twork\twith\ther\tto\tget\tthe\trebels\tto\tback\toff.\tThat won\u2019t\thappen\tif\twe\thold\ther\thostage.\u201d Silence\t fell,\t and\t Dorian\t tried\t not\t to\t fidget\t as\t his\t father\t studied\t him.\t Every heartbeat\tfelt\tlike\ta\thammer\tstriking\this\tbody. At\tlast,\this\tfather\tnodded.\t\u201cI\tshall\torder\tPerrington\tto\tstop\this\tplanning,\tthen.\u201d Dorian\t almost\t sagged\t with\t relief,\t but\t he\t kept\t his\t face\t blank,\t kept\t his\t words steady\tas\the\tsaid,\t\u201cThank\tyou\tfor\thearing\tme\tout.\u201d His\t father\t didn\u2019t\t reply,\t and\t without\t waiting\t for\t his\t dismissal,\t the\t prince turned\ton\this\theel\tand\tleft. \u2022 Celaena\t tried\t not\t to\t wince\t at\t the\t pain\t that\t shot\t through\t her\t shoulder\t and\t leg\t as she\tawoke.\tSwaddled\tin\tblankets\tand\tbandages,\tshe\tglanced\tat\tthe\tclock\ton\tthe mantelpiece.\tIt\twas\talmost\tone\tin\tthe\tafternoon. Her\tjaw\thurt\tas\tshe\topened\ther\tmouth.\tCelaena\tdidn\u2019t\tneed\ta\tmirror\tto\tknow that\tshe\twas\tcovered\tin\tnasty\tbruises.\tShe\tfrowned,\tand\ther\tface\tthrobbed\tat\tthe movement.\tUndoubtedly,\tshe\tlooked\thideous.\tShe\ttried\tunsuccessfully\tto\tsit\tup. Everything\thurt. Her\t arm\t was\t in\t a\t sling,\t and\t her\t thigh\t stung\t as\t her\t legs\t moved\t under\t the covers.\t She\t didn\u2019t\t remember\t much\t of\t what\t had\t happened\t after\t the\t duel yesterday,\tbut\tat\tleast\tshe\twasn\u2019t\tdead\u2014either\tby\tCain\tor\tthe\tking\u2019s\torder. Her\tdreams\tlast\tnight\thad\tbeen\tfilled\twith\tNehemia\tand\tElena\u2014though,\tmore often\tthan\tnot,\tthey\tdisappeared\tinto\tvisions\tof\tdemons\tand\tthe\tdead.\tAnd\tthose things\tCain\thad\tsaid.\tThe\tnightmares\twere\tso\tterrible\tthat\tCelaena\tbarely\tslept, despite\t her\t pain\t and\t exhaustion.\t She\t wondered\t what\t had\t become\t of\t Elena\u2019s amulet.\t She\t had\t a\t feeling\t the\t nightmares\t were\t due\t to\t its\t absence,\t and\t wished repeatedly\tfor\tit\tto\tbe\trestored\tto\ther,\teven\tthough\tCain\twas\tnow\tdead. The\t door\t to\t her\t chambers\t opened,\t and\t she\t found\t Nehemia\t standing\t in\t the doorway.\t The\t princess\t only\t smiled\t slightly\t at\t her\t as\t she\t closed\t the\t bedroom door\tand\tapproached.\tFleetfoot\tlifted\ther\thead,\ther\ttail\tslapping\tagainst\tthe\tbed as\tshe\twagged\tit\tin\tearnest. \u201cHello,\u201d\tCelaena\tsaid\tin\tEyllwe. \u201cHow\t are\t you\t feeling?\u201d\t Nehemia\t replied\t in\t the\t common\t tongue,\t without\t a","hint\t of\t her\t accent.\t Fleetfoot\t climbed\t over\t Celaena\u2019s\t sore\t legs\t to\t greet\t the princess. \u201cExactly\thow\tI\tlook,\u201d\tCelaena\tsaid,\ther\tmouth\taching\tat\tthe\tmovement. Nehemia\t took\t a\t seat\t on\t the\t edge\t of\t the\t mattress.\t As\t it\t shifted\t beneath\t her, Celaena\t winced.\t Recovery\t wasn\u2019t\t going\t to\t be\t easy.\t Fleetfoot,\t done\t licking\t and sniffing\tat\tNehemia,\tcurled\tup\tin\ta\tball\tbetween\tthem\tand\twent\tto\tsleep.\tCelaena buried\ther\tfingers\tin\ther\tvelvet-soft\tears. \u201cI\t won\u2019t\t waste\t time\t dancing\t around\t the\t truth,\u201d\t Nehemia\t said.\t \u201cI\t saved\t your life\tat\tthe\tduel.\u201d She\thad\ta\thazy\tmemory\tof\tNehemia\u2019s\tfingers\tmaking\tstrange\tsymbols\tin\tthe air.\t \u201cI\t didn\u2019t\t hallucinate\t all\t of\t that?\t And\u2014and\t you\t saw\t everything,\t too?\u201d Celaena\t tried\t to\t sit\t up\t a\t little\t higher,\t but\t found\t it\t too\t painful\t to\t even\t move\t an inch. \u201cNo,\tyou\tdidn\u2019t,\u201d\tthe\tprincess\tsaid.\t\u201cAnd\tyes,\tI\tsaw\teverything\tthat\tyou\tsaw; my\t gifts\t enable\t me\t to\t see\t what\t others\t normally\t cannot.\t Yesterday,\t the bloodbane\tKaltain\tput\tin\tyour\twine\tmade\tyou\tsee\tit,\ttoo:\twhat\tlurks\tbeyond\tthe veil\tof\tthis\tworld.\tI\tdon\u2019t\tthink\tKaltain\tintended\tthat\teffect,\tbut\tit\treacted\tto\tyour blood\t in\t that\t way.\t Magic\t calls\t to\t magic.\u201d\t Celaena\t shifted\t uncomfortably\t at\t the words. \u201cWhy\t did\t you\t pretend\t to\t not\t understand\t our\t language\t all\t these\t months?\u201d Celaena\tasked,\teager\tto\tchange\tthe\tsubject,\tbut\talso\twondering\twhy\tthe\tquestion stung\tas\tmuch\tas\ther\twounds. \u201cIt\t was\t originally\t a\t defense,\u201d\t Nehemia\t said,\t gently\t setting\t her\t hand\t on Celaena\u2019s\tgood\tarm.\t\u201cYou\u2019d\tbe\tsurprised\thow\tmuch\tpeople\tare\twilling\tto\treveal when\t they\t think\t you\t can\u2019t\t understand\t them.\t But\t with\t each\t day\t that\t I\t pretended to\tnot\tknow\tanything,\tbeing\taround\tyou\tbecame\tharder\tand\tharder.\u201d \u201cBut\twhy\tmake\tme\tgive\tyou\tlessons?\u201d Nehemia\tlooked\tup\tat\tthe\tceiling.\t\u201cBecause\tI\twanted\ta\tfriend.\tBecause\tI\tliked you.\u201d \u201cSo\tyou\ttruly\twere\treading\tthat\tbook\twhen\tI\tcame\tacross\tyou\tin\tthe\tlibrary.\u201d Nehemia\tnodded.\t\u201cI\t.\t.\t.\tI\twas\tdoing\tresearch.\tOn\tthe\tWyrdmarks,\tas\tyou\tcall them\t in\t your\t language.\t I\t lied\t to\t you\t when\t I\t said\t I\t didn\u2019t\t know\t anything\t about them.\t I\t know\t all\t about\t them.\t I\t know\t how\t to\t read\t them\u2014and\t how\t to\t use\t them. My\tentire\tfamily\tdoes,\tbut\twe\tkeep\tit\ta\tsecret,\tpassed\tdown\tfrom\tgeneration\tto generation.\t They\t are\t only\t to\t be\t used\t as\t a\t last\t defense\t against\t evil,\t or\t in\t the gravest\t of\t illnesses.\t And\t here,\t with\t magic\t banned\t .\t .\t .\t well,\t even\t though\t the Wyrdmarks\t are\t a\t different\t kind\t of\t power,\t I\u2019m\t sure\t that\t if\t people\t discovered\t I was\tusing\tthem,\tI\u2019d\tbe\timprisoned\tfor\tit.\u201d Celaena\t tried\t to\t sit\t up\t straighter,\t cursing\t herself\t for\t being\t unable\t to\t move","without\twanting\tto\tfaint\tfrom\tpain.\t\u201cYou\twere\tusing\tthem?\u201d Nehemia\t nodded\t gravely.\t \u201cWe\t keep\t them\t a\t secret\t because\t of\t the\t terrible power\t that\t they\t wield.\t Terrible,\t in\t that\t it\t can\t be\t used\t for\t good\t or\t evil\u2014though most\thave\tused\ttheir\tpower\tfor\twicked\tdeeds.\tSince\tthe\tmoment\tI\tarrived\there,\tI was\taware\tthat\tsomeone\twas\tusing\tthe\tWyrdmarks\tto\tcall\tforth\tdemons\tfrom\tthe Otherworlds\u2014realms\tbeyond\tour\trealm.\tThat\tfool\tCain\tknew\tenough\tabout\tthe Wyrdmarks\tto\tsummon\tthe\tcreatures,\tbut\tdidn\u2019t\tknow\thow\tto\tcontrol\tthem\tand send\t them\t back.\t I\u2019ve\t spent\t months\t banishing\t and\t destroying\t the\t creatures\t he summoned;\tthat\tis\twhy\tI\u2019ve\tsometimes\tbeen\tso\tabsent.\u201d Shame\t burned\t on\t Celaena\u2019s\t cheeks.\t How\t could\t she\t ever\t have\t believed Nehemia\t was\t the\t one\t killing\t the\t Champions?\t Celaena\t lifted\t her\t right\t hand\t so she\t could\t see\t the\t scars\t on\t it.\t \u201cThat\t was\t why\t you\t didn\u2019t\t ask\t questions\t the\t night my\thand\twas\tbitten.\tYou\u2014you\tused\tthe\tWyrdmarks\tto\theal\tme.\u201d \u201cI\t still\t don\u2019t\t know\t how\t or\t where\t you\t came\t across\t the\t ridderak\u2014but\t I\t think that\u2019s\t a\t tale\t for\t another\t time.\u201d\t Nehemia\t clicked\t her\t tongue.\t \u201cThe\t marks\t you found\tunder\tyour\tbed\twere\tdrawn\tby\tme.\u201d\tCelaena\tjolted\ta\tbit\tat\tthat.\tShe\thissed as\ther\tbody\tgave\ta\tcollective,\tmiserable\tthrob\tof\tpain. \u201cThose\t symbols\t are\t for\t protection.\t You\t have\t no\t idea\t what\t a\t nuisance\t it\t was to\t have\t to\t keep\t redrawing\t them\t every\t time\t you\t washed\t them\t away.\u201d\t A\t smile tugged\ton\tthe\tedges\tof\tNehemia\u2019s\tfull\tlips.\t\u201cWithout\tthem,\tI\tthink\tthe\tridderak would\thave\tbeen\tdrawn\tto\tyou\tfar\tsooner.\u201d \u201cWhy?\u201d \u201cBecause\t Cain\t hated\t you,\t of\t course.\t And\t wanted\t to\t eliminate\t you\t from\t the competition.\tI\twish\the\tweren\u2019t\tdead,\tso\tI\tmight\task\thim\twhere\the\tlearned\tto\trip open\t portals\t like\t that.\t When\t the\t poison\t made\t you\t hover\t between\t worlds,\t his very\tpresence\tsomehow\tbrought\tthose\tcreatures\tto\tthe\tIn-Between\tto\tshred\tyou apart.\tThough\tafter\tall\the\u2019s\tdone,\tI\tthink\the\tdeserved\tChaol\trunning\thim\tthrough like\tthat.\u201d Celaena\t looked\t toward\t the\t bedroom\t door.\t She\t still\t hadn\u2019t\t seen\t Chaol\t since yesterday.\tHad\tthe\tking\tpunished\thim\tfor\tall\tthat\the\thad\tdone\tto\thelp\ther? \u201cThat\t man\t cares\t for\t you\t more\t than\t either\t of\t you\t realize,\u201d\t Nehemia\t said,\t a smile\tin\ther\tvoice.\tCelaena\u2019s\tface\tburned. Nehemia\tcleared\ther\tthroat.\t\u201cI\tsuppose\tyou\twish\tto\tknow\thow\tI\tsaved\tyou.\u201d \u201cIf\tyou\u2019re\tso\twilling,\u201d\tCelaena\tsaid,\tand\tthe\tprincess\tgrinned. \u201cWith\t the\t Wyrdmarks,\t I\t was\t able\t to\t open\t a\t portal\t into\t one\t of\t the\t realms\t of the\tOtherworld\u2014and\tlet\tthrough\tElena,\tfirst\tqueen\tof\tAdarlan.\u201d \u201cYou\tknow\ther?\u201d\tCelaena\traised\tan\teyebrow. \u201cNo\u2014but\t she\t answered\t my\t call\t for\t help.\t Not\t all\t realms\t are\t full\t of\t darkness and\t death.\t Some\t are\t filled\t with\t creatures\t of\t good\u2014beings\t that,\t if\t our\t need\t is","great\tenough,\twill\tfollow\tus\tinto\tErilea\tto\thelp\tin\tour\ttask.\tShe\theard\tyour\tplea for\thelp\tlong\tbefore\tI\topened\tthe\tportal.\u201d \u201cIs\tit\t.\t.\t.\tis\tit\tpossible\tto\tgo\tto\tthese\tother\tworlds?\u201d\tCelaena\tvaguely\trecalled the\tWyrdgates\tthat\tshe\u2019d\tstumbled\tacross\tin\tthat\tbook\tmonths\tand\tmonths\tago. Nehemia\t studied\t her\t carefully.\t \u201cI\t don\u2019t\t know.\t My\t schooling\t isn\u2019t\t yet completed.\t But\t the\t queen\t was\t both\t in\t and\t not\t in\t this\t world.\t She\t was\t in\t the\t In- Between,\twhere\tshe\tcould\tnot\tfully\tcross\tover,\tnor\tcould\tthe\tcreatures\tthat\tyou saw.\tIt\ttakes\tan\tenormous\tamount\tof\tpower\tto\topen\ta\ttrue\tportal\tto\tlet\tsomething through\u2014and\teven\tthen,\tthe\tportal\twill\tclose\tafter\ta\tmoment.\tCain\tcould\topen\tit long\tenough\tfor\tthe\tridderak\tto\tcome\tthrough,\tbut\tthen\tit\twould\tshut.\tSo\tI\thad\tto open\tit\tlong\tenough\tto\tsend\tit\tback.\tWe\u2019ve\tbeen\tplaying\ta\tcat-and-mouse\tgame for\t months.\u201d\t She\t rubbed\t her\t temples.\t \u201cYou\t have\t no\t idea\t how\t exhausting\t it\u2019s been.\u201d \u201cCain\tsummoned\tall\tof\tthose\tthings\tat\tthe\tduel,\tdidn\u2019t\the?\u201d Nehemia\tcontemplated\tthe\tquestion.\t\u201cPerhaps.\tThey\tmight\thave\talready\tbeen waiting.\u201d \u201cBut\tI\tcould\tonly\tsee\tthem\tbecause\tof\tthe\tbloodbane\tthat\tKaltain\tgave\tme?\u201d \u201cI\tdon\u2019t\tknow,\tElentiya.\u201d\tNehemia\tsighed\tand\tstood.\t\u201cAll\tI\tknow\tis\tthat\tCain knew\t the\t secrets\t of\t my\t people\u2019s\t power\u2014power\t that\t has\t long\t been\t forgotten\t in the\tlands\tof\tthe\tNorth.\tAnd\tthat\ttroubles\tme.\u201d \u201cAt\tleast\the\u2019s\tdead,\u201d\tCelaena\toffered,\tthen\tswallowed.\t\u201cBut\t.\t.\t.\tbut\tin\tthat\t.\t.\t. place\u2014Cain\tdidn\u2019t\tlook\tlike\tCain.\tHe\tlooked\tlike\ta\tdemon.\tWhy?\u201d \u201cPerhaps\t the\t evil\t he\t kept\t summoning\t seeped\t into\t his\t soul\t and\t twisted\t him into\tsomething\the\twas\tnot.\u201d \u201cHe\t talked\t about\t me.\t Like\t he\t knew\t everything.\u201d\t Celaena\t clenched\t the blankets. Something\t flickered\t in\t Nehemia\u2019s\t gaze.\t \u201cSometimes,\t the\t wicked\t will\t tell\t us things\tjust\tto\tconfuse\tus\u2014to\thaunt\tour\tthoughts\tlong\tafter\twe\u2019ve\tfaced\tthem.\tHe would\t be\t delighted\t to\t know\t you\u2019re\t still\t fretting\t over\t whatever\t nonsense\t he said.\u201d\tNehemia\tpatted\ther\thand.\t\u201cDon\u2019t\tgive\thim\tthe\tsatisfaction\tof\tknowing\tthat he\u2019s\tstill\ttroubling\tyou;\tput\tthose\tthoughts\tfrom\tyour\tmind.\u201d \u201cAt\t least\t the\t king\t doesn\u2019t\t know\t about\t any\t of\t this;\t I\t can\u2019t\t imagine\t what\t he\u2019d do\tif\the\thad\taccess\tto\tthat\tkind\tof\tpower.\u201d \u201cI\t can\t imagine\t a\t great\t deal,\u201d\t Nehemia\t said\t softly.\t \u201cDo\t you\t know\t what\t the Wyrdmark\tis\tthat\tburned\ton\tyour\tforehead?\u201d Celaena\tstiffened.\t\u201cNo.\tDo\tyou?\u201d Nehemia\t gave\t her\t a\t weighing\t look.\t \u201cNo,\t I\t do\t not.\t But\t I\t have\t seen\t it\t there before.\t It\t seems\t to\t be\t a\t part\t of\t you.\t And\t I\t do\t worry\t what\t the\t king\t thinks\t of\t it. It\u2019s\t a\t miracle\t he\t hasn\u2019t\t questioned\t it\t further.\u201d\t Celaena\u2019s\t blood\t went\t cold,\t and","Nehemia\t quickly\t added,\t \u201cDon\u2019t\t worry.\t If\t he\t wanted\t to\t question\t you,\t he\t would have\tdone\tit\talready.\u201d Celaena\tlet\tout\ta\tshuddering\tbreath.\t\u201cWhy\tare\tyou\treally\there,\tNehemia?\u201d The\tprincess\twas\tquiet\tfor\ta\tmoment.\t\u201cI\twill\tnot\tclaim\tties\tof\tallegiance\tto\tthe King\t of\t Adarlan.\t You\t know\t this\t already.\t And\t I\u2019m\t not\t afraid\t to\t tell\t you\t that\t I came\tto\tRifthold\tonly\tfor\tthe\texcellent\tview\tit\toffered\tof\this\tmovements\u2014of\this plans.\u201d \u201cYou\ttruly\tcame\there\tto\tspy?\u201d\tCelaena\twhispered. \u201cIf\tyou\twant\tto\tput\tit\tthat\tway.\tThere\tis\tnothing\tI\twouldn\u2019t\tdo\tfor\tmy\tcountry \u2014no\t sacrifice\t too\t great\t to\t keep\t my\t people\t alive\t and\t out\t of\t slavery,\t to\t keep another\tmassacre\tfrom\thappening.\u201d\tPain\tflickered\tacross\ther\teyes. Celaena\u2019s\theart\ttwisted.\t\u201cYou\u2019re\tthe\tbravest\tperson\tI\u2019ve\tever\tmet.\u201d Nehemia\tstroked\tFleetfoot\u2019s\tcoat.\t\u201cMy\tlove\tfor\tEyllwe\tdrowns\tout\tmy\tfear\tof the\t King\t of\t Adarlan.\t But\t I\t will\t not\t involve\t you,\t Elentiya.\u201d\t Celaena\t almost sighed\t with\t relief,\t though\t it\t shamed\t her\t to\t feel\t that\t way.\t \u201cOur\t paths\t might\t be entwined,\tbut\t.\t.\t.\tbut\tI\tthink\tyou\tmust\tcontinue\tto\ttravel\tyour\town\troad\tfor\tnow. Adjust\tto\tyour\tnew\tposition.\u201d Celaena\t nodded\t and\t cleared\t her\t throat.\t \u201cI\t won\u2019t\t tell\t anyone\t about\t your powers.\u201d Nehemia\tsmiled\tsadly.\t\u201cAnd\tthere\tshall\tbe\tno\tmore\tsecrets\tbetween\tus.\tWhen you\tare\tbetter,\tI\u2019d\tlike\tto\thear\thow\tyou\tgot\tentangled\twith\tElena.\u201d\tShe\tglanced down\tat\tFleetfoot.\t\u201cDo\tyou\tmind\tif\tI\ttake\ther\tfor\ta\twalk?\tI\tneed\tto\tfeel\tthe\twind on\tmy\tface\ttoday.\u201d \u201cOf\tcourse,\u201d\tCelaena\tsaid.\t\u201cShe\u2019s\tbeen\tcooped\tup\there\tall\tmorning.\u201d As\tif\tthe\tdog\tunderstood,\tshe\tjumped\toff\tthe\tbed\tand\tsat\tat\tNehemia\u2019s\tfeet. \u201cI\u2019m\tglad\tto\thave\tyou\tas\tmy\tfriend,\tElentiya,\u201d\tthe\tprincess\tsaid. \u201cI\u2019m\t even\t gladder\t to\t have\t you\t guarding\t my\t back,\u201d\t Celaena\t said,\t fighting\t a yawn.\t \u201cThank\t you\t for\t saving\t my\t life.\t Twice\t now,\t actually.\t Or\t perhaps\t more.\u201d Celaena\tfrowned.\t\u201cDo\tI\teven\twant\tto\tknow\thow\tmany\ttimes\tyou\tsecretly\tsaved me\tfrom\tone\tof\tCain\u2019s\tcreatures?\u201d \u201cNot\tif\tyou\twant\tto\tsleep\ttonight.\u201d\tNehemia\tkissed\tthe\ttop\tof\ther\thead\tbefore walking\t to\t the\t door,\t Fleetfoot\t in\t tow.\t The\t princess\t paused\t in\t the\t doorway, though,\t and\t tossed\t something\t to\t Celaena.\t \u201cThis\t belongs\t to\t you.\t One\t of\t my guards\tpicked\tit\tup\tafter\tthe\tduel.\u201d\tIt\twas\tthe\tEye\tof\tElena. Celaena\twrapped\ta\thand\taround\tthe\thard\tmetal\tof\tthe\tamulet.\t\u201cThank\tyou.\u201d When\tNehemia\thad\tleft,\tCelaena\tsmiled,\tdespite\tall\tthat\tshe\thad\tjust\tlearned, and\t closed\t her\t eyes.\t The\t amulet\t gripped\t in\t her\t hand,\t she\t slept\t more\t soundly than\tshe\thad\tin\tmonths.","Chapter\t52 Celaena\t awoke\t the\t next\t day,\t unsure\t what\t time\t it\t was.\t There\t had\t been\t a\t knock on\ther\tdoor,\tand\tshe\tblinked\tthe\tsleep\tfrom\ther\teyes\tin\ttime\tto\tsee\tDorian\tenter. He\t stared\t at\t her\t for\t a\t moment\t from\t the\t doorway,\t and\t she\t managed\t a\t smile. \u201cHello,\u201d\tshe\tsaid\thoarsely.\tShe\tremembered\thim\tcarrying\ther,\tholding\ther\tdown as\tthe\thealers\tstitched\ther\tleg\t.\t.\t. He\t came\t forward,\t his\t steps\t heavy.\t \u201cYou\t look\t even\t worse\t today,\u201d\t he whispered.\tDespite\tthe\tpain,\tCelaena\tsat\tup. \u201cI\u2019m\t fine,\u201d\t she\t lied.\t She\t wasn\u2019t.\t Cain\t had\t cracked\t one\t of\t her\t ribs,\t and\t it ached\t every\t time\t she\t breathed.\t He\t clenched\t his\t jaw,\t staring\t out\t the\t window. \u201cWhat\u2019s\t the\t matter\t with\t you?\u201d\t she\t asked.\t She\t tried\t to\t reach\t out\t to\t grab\t his jacket,\tbut\tit\thurt\ttoo\tmuch\tand\the\twas\ttoo\tfar. \u201cI\u2014I\t don\u2019t\t know,\u201d\t he\t said.\t The\t vacant,\t lost\t look\t in\t his\t eyes\t increased\t the tempo\tof\ther\theart.\t\u201cI\thaven\u2019t\tbeen\table\tto\tsleep\tsince\tthe\tduel.\u201d \u201cHere,\u201d\t she\t said\t as\t gently\t as\t she\t could,\t patting\t a\t space\t beside\t her.\t \u201cCome sit.\u201d Obediently,\t he\t sat,\t though\t he\t kept\t his\t back\t to\t her\t as\t he\t put\t his\t head\t in\t his hands\t and\t took\t several\t deep\t breaths.\t Celaena\t gingerly\t touched\t his\t back.\t He stiffened,\t and\t she\t almost\t pulled\t away.\t But\t his\t spine\t relaxed,\t and\t he\t continued his\tcontrolled\tbreathing.\t\u201cAre\tyou\till?\u201d\tshe\tasked. \u201cNo,\u201d\the\tmumbled. \u201cDorian.\tWhat\thappened?\u201d \u201cWhat\tdo\tyou\tmean,\t\u2018what\thappened\u2019?\u201d\the\tsaid,\tkeeping\this\tface\tin\this\thands. \u201cOne\t minute,\t you\t were\t walloping\t Grave,\t and\t the\t next,\t Cain\t was\t beating\t the living\tdaylights\tout\tof\tyou\u2014\u201d \u201cYou\tlost\tsleep\tbecause\tof\tthat?\u201d \u201cI\t can\u2019t\u2014I\t can\u2019t\t .\t .\t .\u201d\t He\t groaned.\t She\t gave\t him\t a\t moment,\t letting\t him\t sort through\this\tthoughts.\t\u201cI\u2019m\tsorry,\u201d\the\tsaid,\tremoving\this\thands\tfrom\this\tface\tand straightening.\tShe\tnodded.\tShe\twouldn\u2019t\tpush\thim.\t\u201cHow\tare\tyou\ttruly\tfeeling?\u201d The\tfear\tstill\tlay\tbeneath\this\twords. \u201cAwful,\u201d\tshe\tsaid\tcautiously.\t\u201cAnd\tI\tsuspect\tI\tlook\tas\tbad\tas\tI\tfeel.\u201d He\t smiled\t slightly.\t He\t was\t trying\t to\t fight\t it\u2014whatever\t feeling\t had\t been hounding\t him.\t \u201cI\u2019ve\t never\t seen\t you\t look\t lovelier.\u201d\t He\t eyed\t the\t bed.\t \u201cDo\t you mind\tif\tI\tlie\tdown?\tI\u2019m\texhausted.\u201d She\t didn\u2019t\t object\t as\t he\t removed\t his\t boots\t and\t unbuttoned\t his\t jacket.\t With\t a groan,\t he\t stretched\t out\t beside\t her,\t putting\t his\t hands\t on\t his\t stomach.\t She watched\t him\t close\t his\t eyes\t and\t let\t out\t a\t long\t breath\t through\t his\t nose.\t Some","semblance\tof\tnormalcy\treturned\tto\this\tface. \u201cHow\u2019s\t Chaol?\u201d\t she\t asked,\t tensing.\t She\t remembered\t the\t spray\t of\t blood\t and his\tstaring,\thorrified\tface. Dorian\topened\tan\teye.\t\u201cHe\u2019ll\tbe\tfine.\tHe\ttook\tyesterday\tand\ttoday\toff.\tI\tthink he\t needs\t it.\u201d\t Celaena\u2019s\t heart\t tightened.\t \u201cYou\t shouldn\u2019t\t feel\t responsible,\u201d\t he said,\t turning\t onto\t his\t side\t to\t look\t directly\t into\t her\t face.\t \u201cHe\t did\t what\t he\t saw fit.\u201d \u201cYes,\tbut\u2014\u201d \u201cNo,\u201d\tinsisted\tDorian.\t\u201cChaol\tknew\twhat\the\twas\tdoing.\u201d\tHe\tbrushed\ta\tfinger down\t her\t cheek.\t His\t finger\t was\t icy,\t but\t she\t held\t in\t her\t shiver.\t \u201cI\u2019m\t sorry,\u201d\t he said\tagain,\ttaking\this\tfinger\tfrom\ther\tface.\t\u201cI\u2019m\tsorry\tI\tdidn\u2019t\tsave\tyou.\u201d \u201cWhat\tare\tyou\ttalking\tabout?\tThat\tis\twhat\tyou\u2019ve\tbeen\tagonizing\tover?\u201d \u201cI\u2019m\t sorry\t I\t didn\u2019t\t stop\t Cain\t the\t moment\t I\t knew\t something\t was\t wrong. Kaltain\t drugged\t you,\t and\t I\t should\t have\t known\u2014I\t should\t have\t found\t a\t way\t to prevent\ther\tfrom\tdoing\tit.\tAnd\twhen\tI\trealized\tyou\twere\thallucinating,\tI\t.\t.\t.\tI\u2019m sorry\tI\tdidn\u2019t\tfind\ta\tway\tto\tstop\tit.\u201d Green\t skin\t and\t yellow\t fangs\t flashed\t before\t her\t eyes,\t and\t Celaena\u2019s\t aching fingers\t curled\t into\t a\t fist.\t \u201cYou\t shouldn\u2019t\t be\t sorry,\u201d\t she\t said,\t not\t wanting\t to speak\t about\t the\t horrors\t that\t she\u2019d\t seen,\t or\t of\t Kaltain\u2019s\t treachery,\t or\t what Nehemia\t had\t confided\t in\t her.\t \u201cYou\t did\t as\t anyone\t would\t have\u2014should\t have done.\tIf\tyou\u2019d\tinterfered,\tI\twould\thave\tbeen\tdisqualified.\u201d \u201cI\tshould\thave\tsliced\tCain\topen\tthe\tmoment\the\tlaid\ta\thand\ton\tyou.\tInstead,\tI stood\t there\t as\t Chaol\t knelt\t at\t the\t sidelines.\t I\t should\t have\t been\t the\t one\t to\t kill Cain.\u201d The\t demons\t faded,\t and\t a\t smirk\t spread.\t \u201cYou\u2019re\t starting\t to\t sound\t like\t an assassin,\tmy\tfriend.\u201d \u201cPerhaps\t I\t spend\t too\t much\t time\t around\t you.\u201d\t Celaena\t moved\t her\t head\t from the\t pillow\t to\t rest\t in\t the\t soft\t space\t between\t his\t shoulder\t and\t chest.\t Heat\t rushed through\t her.\t Though\t her\t body\t almost\t seized\t up\t in\t agony\t as\t she\t turned\t over, Celaena\tput\ther\tinjured\thand\ton\this\tstomach.\tDorian\u2019s\tbreath\twas\twarm\ton\ther head,\t and\t she\t smiled\t as\t he\t brought\t his\t arm\t around\t her,\t cupping\t her\t shoulder. They\twere\tsilent\tfor\ta\twhile. \u201cDorian,\u201d\t she\t began,\t and\t he\t flicked\t her\t on\t the\t nose.\t \u201cOw,\u201d\t she\t said, wrinkling\t her\t nose.\t Though\t her\t face\t was\t peppered\t with\t bruises,\t miraculously, Cain\thadn\u2019t\tmarred\ther\tin\tany\tpermanent\tway,\tthough\tthe\tcut\ton\tthe\tleg\twould leave\tyet\tanother\tscar. \u201cYes?\u201d\the\tsaid,\tresting\this\tchin\ton\ther\thead. She\tlistened\tto\tthe\tsound\tof\this\theart\tbeating,\tthe\tsteadiness\tof\tit.\t\u201cWhen\tyou retrieved\tme\tfrom\tEndovier\u2014did\tyou\tactually\tthink\tI\u2019d\twin?\u201d","\u201cOf\tcourse.\tWhy\telse\twould\tI\thave\tbothered\tto\tjourney\tso\tfar\tto\tfind\tyou?\u201d She\t snorted\t onto\t his\t chest,\t but\t he\t gently\t lifted\t her\t chin.\t His\t eyes\t were familiar\u2014like\tsomething\tshe\u2019d\tforgotten.\t\u201cI\tknew\tyou\u2019d\twin\tthe\tmoment\tI\tmet you,\u201d\t he\t whispered,\t and\t her\t heart\t writhed\t as\t she\t understood\t what\t lay\t before them.\t\u201cThough\tI\u2019ll\tadmit\tthat\tI\tdidn\u2019t\tquite\tsee\tthis\tcoming.\tAnd\t.\t.\t.\tno\tmatter how\tfrivolous\tand\ttwisted\tthat\tcompetition\twas,\tI\u2019m\tgrateful\tit\tbrought\tyou\tinto my\tlife.\tAs\tlong\tas\tI\tlive,\tI\u2019ll\talways\tbe\tthankful\tfor\tthat.\u201d \u201cDo\tyou\tintend\tto\tmake\tme\tcry,\tor\tare\tyou\tjust\tfoolish?\u201d Dorian\tleaned\tforward\tand\tkissed\ther.\tIt\tmade\ther\tjaw\thurt. \u2022 Seated\t on\t his\t glass\t throne,\t the\t King\t of\t Adarlan\t stroked\t Nothung\u2019s\t pommel. Perrington\tknelt\tbefore\thim,\twaiting.\tLet\thim\twait. Though\t the\t assassin\t was\t his\t Champion,\t he\t had\t yet\t to\t send\t her\t contract.\t She was\t close\t with\t both\t his\t son\t and\t Princess\t Nehemia;\t would\t appointing\t her somehow\tbe\ta\trisk? But\tthe\tCaptain\tof\tthe\tGuard\ttrusted\tthe\tassassin\twell\tenough\tto\tsave\ther\tlife. The\tking\u2019s\tface\tbecame\tlike\tstone.\tHe\twouldn\u2019t\tpunish\tChaol\tWestfall\u2014if\tonly to\t avoid\t Dorian\t raising\t hell\t in\t the\t captain\u2019s\t defense.\t If\t only\t Dorian\t had\t been born\ta\tsoldier,\tnot\ta\treader. But\tthere\twas\ta\tman\tsomewhere\tin\tDorian\u2014a\tman\twho\tcould\tbe\thoned\tinto\ta warrior.\t Perhaps\t a\t few\t months\t at\t the\t battlefront\t would\t do\t him\t some\t good.\t A helmet\t and\t a\t sword\t could\t do\t wondrous\t things\t to\t a\t young\t man\u2019s\t temperament. And\tafter\tthat\tshow\tof\twill\tand\tpower\tin\this\tthrone\troom\t.\t.\t.\tDorian\tcould\tbe\ta strong\tgeneral,\tif\the\twas\tpushed. And\tas\tfor\tthe\tassassin\t.\t.\t.\tonce\ther\tinjuries\twere\thealed,\twhat\tbetter\tperson to\thave\tat\this\tbidding?\tBesides,\tthere\twere\tno\tothers\tin\twhom\the\tcould\tplace\this trust.\tCelaena\tSardothien\twas\this\tbest\tand\tonly\tchoice\tnow\tthat\tCain\twas\tdead. The\t king\t traced\t a\t mark\t on\t the\t glass\t arm\t of\t his\t seat.\t He\t was\t well\t versed\t in Wyrdmarks,\tbut\the\u2019d\tnever\tseen\tone\tlike\thers.\tHe\twould\tfind\tout.\tAnd\tif\tit\twere an\t indication\t of\t some\t fell\t deed\t or\t prophecy,\t he\u2019d\t have\t the\t girl\t hanging\t by nightfall.\t Seeing\t her\t thrash\t about\t while\t drugged\t had\t almost\t convinced\t him\t to order\t her\t death.\t But\t then\t he\u2019d\t felt\t them\u2014felt\t the\t angry\t and\t furious\t eyes\t of\t the dead\t .\t .\t .\t Someone\t had\t interfered\t and\t saved\t her.\t And\t if\t these\t creatures\t both protected\tand\tattacked\ther\t.\t.\t. Perhaps\tshe\twas\tnot\ta\tperson\tto\tdie\tat\this\tcommand.\tNot\tbefore\the\tdiscovered the\t meaning\t of\t her\t mark.\t For\t now,\t though,\t he\t had\t more\t important\t things\t to worry\tabout.","\u201cYour\t manipulation\t of\t Kaltain\t was\t interesting,\u201d\t said\t the\t king\t at\t last. Perrington\tremained\tkneeling.\t\u201cWere\tyou\tusing\tthe\tpower\ton\ther?\u201d \u201cNo;\tI\u2019ve\trelaxed\tit\trecently,\tas\tyou\tsuggested,\u201d\tthe\tduke\treplied,\trotating\tthe obsidian\t ring\t around\t his\t thick\t finger.\t \u201cBesides,\t she\t was\t starting\t to\t look noticeably\taffected\u2014drained\tand\tpale,\tand\tshe\teven\tmentioned\tthe\theadaches.\u201d The\t treachery\t of\t Lady\t Kaltain\t was\t disturbing,\t but\t had\t he\t known\t of Perrington\u2019s\tplan\tto\treveal\ther\tcharacter\u2014even\tto\tprove\thow\teasily\tshe\u2019d\tadapt to\ttheir\tplans,\tand\thow\tstrong\ther\tdetermination\tran\u2014he\twould\thave\tprevented it.\tSuch\ta\tpublic\trevelation\tonly\tbrought\tabout\tirritating\tquestions. \u201cIt\twas\tclever\tof\tyou\tto\texperiment\ton\ther.\tShe\u2019s\tbecome\ta\tstrong\tally\u2014and still\t suspects\t nothing\t of\t our\t influence.\t I\t have\t high\t hopes\t for\t this\t power,\u201d\t the king\t confided,\t looking\t at\t his\t own\t black\t ring.\t \u201cCain\t proved\t the\t physical transformative\t effects,\t and\t Kaltain\t proves\t the\t ability\t to\t influence\t thoughts\t and emotions.\tI\twould\tlike\tto\ttest\tits\tfull\tability\tto\thone\tthe\tminds\tof\ta\tfew\tothers.\u201d \u201cPart\tof\tme\twishes\tKaltain\thadn\u2019t\tbeen\tso\tsusceptible,\u201d\tgrumbled\tPerrington. \u201cShe\twanted\tto\tuse\tme\tto\tget\tto\tyour\tson,\tbut\tI\tdon\u2019t\twant\tthe\tpower\tto\tturn\ther into\t Cain.\t Despite\t myself,\t I\t don\u2019t\t like\t the\t thought\t of\t her\t rotting\t in\t those dungeons\tfor\tlong.\u201d \u201cDo\t not\t fear\t for\t Kaltain,\t my\t friend.\t She\t won\u2019t\t remain\t in\t the\t dungeons forever.\t When\t the\t scandal\t has\t been\t forgotten\t and\t the\t assassin\t is\t busy\t with\t my work,\t we\u2019ll\t make\t Kaltain\t an\t offer\t she\t can\u2019t\t refuse.\t But\t there\t are\t ways\t of controlling\ther,\tif\tyou\tthink\tshe\tcan\u2019t\tbe\ttrusted.\u201d \u201cLet\u2019s\tfirst\tsee\thow\tthe\tdungeons\tchange\ther\tmind,\u201d\tPerrington\tsaid\tquickly. \u201cOf\tcourse,\tof\tcourse.\tIt\u2019s\tonly\ta\tsuggestion.\u201d They\twere\tsilent,\tand\tthe\tduke\trose. \u201cDuke,\u201d\tthe\tking\tsaid,\this\tvoice\techoing\tthrough\tthe\tchamber.\tThe\tfire\tin\tthe mouth-shaped\tfireplace\tflickered,\tand\tgreen\tlight\tfilled\tthe\tshadows\tof\tthe\troom. \u201cWe\t will\t soon\t have\t much\t to\t do\t in\t Erilea.\t Prepare\t yourself.\t And\t stop\t pushing your\tplan\tto\tuse\tthe\tEyllwe\tprincess\u2014it\u2019s\tattracting\ttoo\tmuch\tattention.\u201d The\tduke\tonly\tnodded,\tbowed,\tand\tstrode\tout\tof\tthe\tchamber.","Chapter\t53 Celaena\tleaned\tback\tin\ther\tseat\tand\tpropped\ther\tfeet\ton\tthe\ttable,\tbalancing\tthe chair\tprecariously\ton\tits\thind\tlegs.\tShe\tsavored\tthe\tstretch\tand\trelease\tof\ttension in\t her\t stiff\t muscles,\t and\t turned\t the\t page\t in\t the\t book\t she\t was\t holding\t aloft. Fleetfoot\t dozed\t beneath\t the\t table,\t snoring\t faintly.\t Outside,\t the\t sunny\t afternoon had\t transformed\t the\t snow\t into\t dripping,\t shimmering\t water\t that\t cast\t light\t about the\t whole\t bedroom.\t Her\t injuries\t had\t stopped\t being\t so\t irksome,\t but\t she\t still couldn\u2019t\twalk\twithout\tlimping.\tWith\tany\tluck,\tshe\u2019d\tstart\trunning\tagain\tsoon. It\thad\tbeen\ta\tweek\tsince\tthe\tduel.\tPhilippa\twas\talready\tbusy\twith\tthe\ttask\tof cleaning\t out\t Celaena\u2019s\t closet\t to\t accommodate\t more\t clothing.\t All\t the\t clothing Celaena\tplanned\tto\tbuy\twhen\tshe\twas\tfree\tto\tventure\tinto\tRifthold\tand\tdo\tsome shopping\t for\t herself,\t once\t she\t had\t her\t outrageous\t salary\t as\t King\u2019s\t Champion. Which\t she\u2019d\t hopefully\t start\t receiving\t as\t soon\t as\t she\t signed\t her\t contract\t .\t .\t . whenever\tthat\twould\tbe. With\tPhilippa\toccupied,\tNehemia\tand\tDorian\thad\ttaken\tto\tattending\ther\u2014and the\tprince\toften\tread\taloud\tto\ther\tlong\tinto\tthe\tnight.\tWhen\tshe\tfinally\tdid\tsleep, her\t dreams\t were\t filled\t with\t archaic\t words\t and\t long-forgotten\t faces,\t with Wyrdmarks\t that\t glowed\t blue,\t with\t the\t king,\t and\t with\t a\t dead\t army\t summoned from\t the\t realms\t of\t Hell.\t Upon\t waking,\t she\t did\t her\t best\t to\t forget\t them\u2014 especially\tthe\tmagic. Her\tdoorknob\tclicked\tand\ther\theart\tleapt\tinto\ther\tthroat.\tWas\tit\ttime\tto\tfinally sign\t her\t contract\t with\t the\t king?\t But\t it\t wasn\u2019t\t Dorian\t or\t Nehemia,\t not\t even\t a page.\tThe\tworld\tstopped\twhen\tChaol\tentered\tinstead. Fleetfoot\t rushed\t to\t him,\t tail\t wagging.\t Celaena\t almost\t fell\t out\t of\t her\t chair\t as she\tremoved\ther\tfeet\tfrom\tthe\ttable,\tand\twinced\tat\tthe\tpain\tthat\tshot\tthrough\tthe wound\t on\t her\t leg.\t She\t was\t standing\t in\t an\t instant,\t but\t when\t she\t opened\t her mouth,\tshe\thad\tnothing\tto\tsay. After\t Chaol\t gave\t Fleetfoot\t a\t friendly\t rub\t on\t the\t head,\t the\t dog\t trotted\t back beneath\tthe\ttable,\tcircled\ttwice,\tand\tcurled\tup. Why\twouldn\u2019t\the\tmove\tfrom\tthe\tdoorway?\tCelaena\tglanced\tat\ther\tnightgown and\tblushed\tas\tshe\tnoticed\thim\tstaring\tat\ther\tbare\tlegs. \u201cHow\t are\t your\t injuries?\u201d\t he\t asked.\t His\t voice\t was\t soft\u2014and\t she\t realized\t he wasn\u2019t\t staring\t at\t the\t amount\t of\t skin\t she\t was\t showing,\t but\t rather\t the\t bandage wrapped\taround\ther\tthigh. \u201cI\u2019m\tall\tright,\u201d\tshe\tsaid\tquickly.\t\u201cThe\tbandage\tis\tjust\tto\telicit\tsympathy\tnow.\u201d She\ttried\tto\tsmile,\tbut\tfailed.\t\u201cI\u2014I\thaven\u2019t\tseen\tyou\tin\ta\tweek.\u201d\tIt\thad\tfelt\tlike\ta lifetime.\t\u201cHave\tyou\t.\t.\t.\tAre\tyou\tall\tright?\u201d","His\tbrown\teyes\tmet\thers.\tSuddenly,\tshe\twas\tback\tat\tthe\tduel,\tprostrate\ton\tthe ground,\tCain\tlaughing\tbehind\ther,\tbut\tall\tshe\tcould\tsee,\tall\tshe\tcould\thear,\twas Chaol\tas\the\tknelt\tand\treached\tfor\ther.\tHer\tthroat\ttightened.\tShe\thad\tunderstood something\tin\tthat\tmoment.\tBut\tshe\tcouldn\u2019t\tremember\twhat.\tMaybe\tit\thad\tbeen a\thallucination,\ttoo. \u201cI\u2019m\tfine,\u201d\the\tsaid,\tand\tshe\ttook\ta\tstep\ttoward\thim,\tall\ttoo\taware\tof\thow\tshort her\t nightgown\t was.\t \u201cI\t just\t .\t .\t .\t wanted\t to\t apologize\t for\t not\t checking\t in\t on\t you sooner.\u201d She\t stopped\t barely\t a\t foot\t away\t from\t him\t and\t cocked\t her\t head.\t He\t wasn\u2019t wearing\this\tsword.\t\u201cI\u2019m\tsure\tyou\u2019ve\tbeen\tbusy,\u201d\tshe\tsaid. He\tonly\tstood\tthere.\tShe\tswallowed,\tand\ttucked\ta\tstrand\tof\ther\tunbound\thair behind\t an\t ear.\t She\t took\t another\t step\t closer\t to\t him,\t now\t having\t to\t tip\t her\t head back\t to\t look\t into\t his\t face.\t His\t eyes\t were\t so\t sorrowful.\t She\t bit\t her\t lip.\t \u201cYou\u2014 you\tsaved\tmy\tlife,\tyou\tknow.\tTwice.\u201d Chaol\u2019s\tbrows\tnarrowed\tslightly.\t\u201cI\tdid\twhat\tI\thad\tto.\u201d \u201cAnd\tthat\u2019s\twhy\tI\towe\tyou\tmy\tgratitude.\u201d \u201cYou\tdon\u2019t\towe\tme\tanything,\u201d\the\tsaid,\this\tvoice\tstrained.\tAnd\twhen\this\teyes flickered,\ther\theart\ttightened. She\ttook\this\thand\tin\thers,\tbut\the\tpulled\tit\taway.\t\u201cI\tjust\twanted\tto\tsee\thow\tyou were.\tI\thave\tto\tgo\tto\ta\tmeeting,\u201d\the\tsaid,\tand\tshe\tknew\the\twas\tlying. \u201cThank\t you\t for\t killing\t Cain.\u201d\t He\t stiffened.\t \u201cI\u2014I\t still\t remember\t how\t it\t felt when\tI\tmade\tmy\tfirst\tkill.\tIt\twasn\u2019t\teasy.\u201d He\t dropped\t his\t gaze\t to\t the\t floor.\t \u201cThat\u2019s\t why\t I\t can\u2019t\t stop\t thinking\t about\t it. Because\tit\twas\teasy.\tI\tjust\ttook\tmy\tsword\tand\tkilled\thim.\tI\twanted\tto\tkill\thim.\u201d He\tpinned\ther\twith\this\tstare.\t\u201cHe\tknew\tabout\tyour\tparents.\tHow?\u201d \u201cI\t don\u2019t\t know,\u201d\t she\t lied.\t She\t knew\t very\t well.\t Cain\u2019s\t access\t to\t the Otherworlds,\t to\t the\t In-Between,\t to\t whatever\t all\t that\t nonsense\t was,\t had\t given him\tthe\tability\tto\tsee\tinto\ther\tmind,\ther\tmemories,\ther\tsoul.\tBeyond,\tperhaps.\tA chill\twent\tthrough\ther. Chaol\u2019s\tface\tsoftened\t\u201cI\u2019m\tsorry\tthey\tdied\tlike\tthat.\u201d She\tshut\tdown\teverything\tbut\ther\tvoice\tas\tshe\tsaid,\t\u201cIt\twas\tvery\tlong\tago.\tIt had\t been\t raining,\t and\t I\t thought\t the\t dampness\t on\t their\t bed\t as\t I\t climbed\t in\t was from\t the\t open\t window.\t I\t awoke\t the\t next\t morning\t and\t realized\t it\t wasn\u2019t\t rain.\u201d She\ttook\ta\tjagged\tbreath,\tone\tthat\terased\tthe\tfeeling\tof\ttheir\tblood\ton\ther\tskin. \u201cArobynn\tHamel\tfound\tme\tsoon\tafter\tthat.\u201d \u201cI\u2019m\tstill\tsorry,\u201d\the\tsaid. \u201cIt\t was\t very\t long\t ago,\u201d\t she\t repeated.\t \u201cI\t don\u2019t\t even\t remember\t what\t they looked\tlike.\u201d\tThat\twas\tanother\tlie.\tShe\tremembered\tevery\tdetail\tof\ther\tparents\u2019 faces.\t\u201cSometimes,\tI\tforget\tthat\tthey\tever\texisted.\u201d","He\tnodded,\tmore\tto\tconfirm\tthat\the\u2019d\theard\ther\tthan\tthat\the\tunderstood. \u201cWhat\tyou\tdid\tfor\tme,\tChaol,\u201d\tshe\ttried\tagain.\t\u201cNot\teven\twith\tCain,\tbut\twhen you\u2014\u201d \u201cI\thave\tto\tgo,\u201d\the\tinterrupted,\tand\thalf\tturned\taway. \u201cChaol,\u201d\t she\t said,\t grabbing\t his\t hand\t and\t whirling\t him\t to\t face\t her.\t She\t only saw\t the\t haunted\t gleam\t in\t his\t eyes\t before\t she\t threw\t her\t arms\t around\t his\t neck and\t held\t him\t tightly.\t He\t straightened,\t but\t she\t crushed\t her\t body\t into\t his,\t even though\t it\t still\t aggravated\t her\t wounds\t to\t do\t so.\t Then,\t after\t a\t moment,\t his\t arms wrapped\taround\ther,\tkeeping\ther\tclose\tto\thim,\tso\tclose\tthat\tas\tshe\tshut\ther\teyes and\tbreathed\thim\tin,\tshe\tcouldn\u2019t\ttell\twhere\the\tended\tand\tshe\tbegan. His\t breath\t was\t warm\t on\t her\t neck\t as\t he\t bent\t his\t head,\t resting\t his\t cheek against\t her\t hair.\t Her\t heart\t beat\t so\t quickly,\t and\t yet\t she\t felt\t utterly\t calm\u2014as\t if she\tcould\thave\tstayed\tthere\tforever\tand\tnot\tminded,\tstayed\tthere\tforever\tand\tlet the\t world\t fall\t apart\t around\t them.\t She\t pictured\t his\t fingers,\t pushing\t against\t that line\tof\tchalk,\treaching\tfor\ther\tdespite\tthe\tbarrier\tbetween\tthem. \u201cIs\teverything\tall\tright?\u201d\tDorian\u2019s\tvoice\tsounded\tfrom\tthe\tdoorway. Chaol\t pulled\t away\t from\t her\t so\t fast\t that\t she\t nearly\t stumbled\t back. \u201cEverything\u2019s\tfine,\u201d\the\tsaid,\tsquaring\this\tshoulders.\tThe\tair\thad\tturned\tcold,\tand Celaena\u2019s\t skin\t prickled\t as\t his\t warmth\t vacated\t her\t body.\t She\t had\t a\t hard\t time looking\tat\tDorian\tas\tChaol\tnodded\tto\tthe\tprince\tand\tleft\ther\tchambers. Dorian\tfaced\ther\tas\tChaol\tleft.\tBut\tCelaena\tremained\twatching\tthe\tdoor,\teven after\t Chaol\t had\t shut\t it\t behind\t him.\t \u201cI\t don\u2019t\t think\t he\u2019s\t recovered\t well\t from killing\tCain,\u201d\tDorian\tsaid. \u201cObviously,\u201d\t she\t snapped.\t Dorian\t raised\t his\t brows,\t and\t she\t sighed.\t \u201cI\u2019m sorry.\u201d \u201cYou\ttwo\tlooked\tlike\tyou\twere\tin\tthe\tmiddle\tof\t.\t.\t.\tsomething,\u201d\tDorian\tsaid cautiously. \u201cIt\u2019s\tnothing.\tI\tjust\tfelt\tbad\tfor\thim,\tis\tall.\u201d \u201cI\twish\the\thadn\u2019t\trun\toff\tthat\tquickly.\tI\thave\tsome\tgood\tnews.\u201d\tHer\tstomach twisted.\t \u201cMy\t father\t stopped\t dragging\t his\t feet\t about\t drawing\t up\t your\t contract. You\u2019re\tto\tsign\tit\tin\this\tcouncil\tchamber\ttomorrow.\u201d \u201cYou\tmean\u2014you\tmean\tI\u2019m\tofficially\tthe\tKing\u2019s\tChampion?\u201d \u201cIt\tturns\tout\the\tdoesn\u2019t\thate\tyou\tas\tmuch\tas\the\tlet\ton.\tIt\u2019s\ta\tmiracle\the\tdidn\u2019t make\tyou\twait\tlonger.\u201d\tDorian\twinked. Four\t years.\t Four\t years\t of\t servitude,\t and\t then\t she\u2019d\t be\t free.\t Why\t had\t Chaol left\t so\t soon?\t She\t looked\t to\t the\t door,\t wondering\t if\t she\t could\t catch\t him\t in\t the hall. Dorian\tput\this\thands\ton\ther\twaist.\t\u201cI\tsuppose\tthis\tmeans\twe\u2019ll\tbe\tstuck\twith each\tother\tfor\ta\twhile\tlonger.\u201d\tHe\tlowered\this\tface\tto\thers.","He\t kissed\t her,\t but\t she\t stepped\t out\t of\t his\t arms.\t \u201cI\u2014Dorian,\t I\u2019m\t the\t King\u2019s Champion.\u201d\tShe\tchoked\ton\ta\tlaugh\tas\tshe\tsaid\tit. \u201cYes,\t you\t are,\u201d\t Dorian\t replied,\t approaching\t her\t again.\t But\t she\t kept\t her distance\t as\t she\t looked\t out\t the\t window,\t to\t the\t dazzling\t day\t beyond.\t The\t world was\twide\topen\u2014and\thers\tfor\tthe\ttaking.\tShe\tcould\tstep\tover\tthat\twhite\tline. She\t shifted\t her\t gaze\t to\t him.\t \u201cI\t can\u2019t\t be\t with\t you\t if\t I\u2019m\t the\t King\u2019s Champion.\u201d \u201cOf\tcourse\tyou\tcan.\tWe\u2019ll\tstill\thave\tto\tkeep\tit\ta\tsecret,\tbut\u2014\u201d \u201cI\thave\tenough\tsecrets.\tI\tdon\u2019t\tneed\tanother\tone.\u201d \u201cSo\tI\u2019ll\tfind\ta\tway\tto\ttell\tmy\tfather.\tAnd\tmother.\u201d\tHe\twinced\tslightly. \u201cTo\twhat\tend?\tDorian,\tI\u2019m\tyour\tfather\u2019s\tminion.\tYou\u2019re\tthe\tCrown\tPrince.\u201d It\t was\t true\u2014and\t if\t this\t relationship\t became\t something\t more,\t then\t it\t would only\t complicate\t matters\t when\t she\t eventually\t left\t the\t castle.\t Not\t to\t mention\t the complications\t of\t being\t with\t Dorian\t while\t she\t served\t as\t his\t father\u2019s\t Champion. And\t whether\t he\t admitted\t it\t or\t not,\t Dorian\t had\t his\t own\t obligations\t to\t fulfill. Though\t she\t wanted\t him,\t though\t she\t cared\t for\t him,\t she\t knew\t a\t lasting relationship\twouldn\u2019t\tend\twell.\tNot\twhen\the\twas\tthe\their\tto\tthe\tthrone. His\teyes\tdarkened.\t\u201cAre\tyou\tsaying\tthat\tyou\tdon\u2019t\twant\tto\tbe\twith\tme?\u201d \u201cI\u2019m\t saying\t that\t .\t .\t .\t that\t I\u2019m\t going\t to\t leave\t in\t four\t years,\t and\t I\t don\u2019t\t know how\t this\t could\t possibly\t end\t well\t for\t either\t of\t us.\t I\u2019m\t saying\t I\t don\u2019t\t want\t to think\t about\t the\t options.\u201d\t The\t sunlight\t warmed\t her\t skin,\t and\t the\t weight\t around her\tshoulders\tdrifted\taway.\t\u201cI\u2019m\tsaying\tthat\tin\tfour\tyears,\tI\u2019m\tgoing\tto\tbe\tfree, and\tI\u2019ve\tnever\tbeen\tfree\tin\tmy\tentire\tlife.\u201d\tHer\tsmile\tgrew.\t\u201cAnd\tI\twant\tto\tknow what\tthat\tfeels\tlike.\u201d He\topened\this\tmouth,\tbut\tstopped\tas\the\tbeheld\ther\tsmile.\tThough\tshe\thad\tno regrets\tabout\ther\tchoice,\tshe\tfelt\tsomething\tstrangely\tlike\tdisappointment\twhen he\tsaid,\t\u201cAs\tyou\twish.\u201d \u201cBut\tI\u2019d\tlike\tto\tremain\tyour\tfriend.\u201d He\tput\this\thands\tin\this\tpockets.\t\u201cAlways.\u201d She\t thought\t about\t touching\t his\t arm,\t or\t about\t kissing\t his\t cheek,\t but\t \u201cfree\u201d kept\t echoing\t through\t her\t again\t and\t again\t and\t again,\t and\t she\t couldn\u2019t\t stop smiling. He\trolled\this\tneck,\tand\this\tsmile\twas\ta\tbit\tstrained.\t\u201cI\tthink\tNehemia\tis\ton\ther way\there\tto\ttell\tyou\tabout\tthe\tcontract.\tShe\u2019ll\tbe\tmad\tat\tme\tfor\ttelling\tyou\tfirst; apologize\tfor\tme,\twill\tyou?\u201d\tHe\tpaused\twhen\the\topened\tthe\tdoor,\this\thand\tstill upon\t the\t knob.\t \u201cCongratulations,\t Celaena,\u201d\t he\t said\t quietly.\t Before\t she\t could reply,\the\tshut\tthe\tdoor\tand\tleft. Alone,\tCelaena\tlooked\tto\tthe\twindow\tand\tput\ta\thand\ton\ther\theart,\twhispering the\tword\tto\therself\tagain\tand\tagain.","Free.","Chapter\t54 Several\t hours\t later,\t Chaol\t stared\t at\t the\t door\t to\t her\t dining\t room.\t He\t didn\u2019t entirely\t know\t what\t he\t was\t doing\t back\t here.\t But\t he\u2019d\t looked\t for\t Dorian\t in\t his rooms,\tand\the\thadn\u2019t\tbeen\tthere,\tand\the\tneeded\tto\ttell\thim\tthat\tthings\tweren\u2019t\tas they\u2019d\tseemed\twhen\the\twalked\tin\ton\tthem\tearlier.\tHe\tglanced\tat\this\thands. The\tking\thad\tbarely\tsaid\tanything\tto\thim\tover\tthe\tpast\tweek,\tand\tCain\u2019s\tname hadn\u2019t\t been\t mentioned\t in\t any\t of\t their\t meetings.\t Not\t that\t it\t would\t be,\t as\t Cain was\t little\t more\t than\t a\t pawn\t in\t a\t game\t to\t amuse\t the\t king,\t and\t certainly\t not\t a member\tof\tthe\troyal\tguard. But\the\twas\tstill\tdead.\tCain\u2019s\teyes\twould\topen\tno\tmore\tbecause\tof\thim\t.\t.\t.\tHe would\tnot\tdraw\tbreath\tbecause\tof\thim\t.\t.\t.\tHis\theart\thad\tstopped\tbeating\tbecause of\thim\t.\t.\t. Chaol\u2019s\thand\tdrifted\tto\twhere\this\tsword\tshould\thave\tbeen.\tHe\u2019d\tthrown\tit\tin the\t corner\t of\t his\t room\t as\t soon\t as\t he\u2019d\t returned\t from\t the\t duel\t last\t week. Mercifully,\tsomeone\thad\tcleaned\tthe\tblood\tfrom\tit.\tPerhaps\tthe\tguards\twho\thad taken\tChaol\tto\this\tchambers\tand\tgiven\thim\ta\tstrong\tdrink.\tThey\u2019d\tsat\tin\tsilence until\t some\t semblance\t of\t reality\t returned,\t and\t then\t left\t without\t a\t word,\t not waiting\tfor\tChaol\tto\tthank\tthem. Chaol\tran\ta\thand\tthrough\this\tshort\thair\tand\topened\tthe\tdining\troom\tdoor. Celaena\twas\tpicking\tat\ther\tdinner,\tslouched\tin\ther\tseat.\tHer\tbrows\trose.\t\u201cTwo visits\t in\t one\t day?\u201d\t she\t said,\t setting\t down\t her\t fork.\t \u201cTo\t what\t do\t I\t owe\t this pleasure?\u201d He\tfrowned.\t\u201cWhere\u2019s\tDorian?\u201d \u201cWhy\twould\tDorian\tbe\there?\u201d \u201cI\tthought\the\tusually\tcame\there\tat\tthis\thour.\u201d \u201cWell,\tdon\u2019t\texpect\tto\tfind\thim\there\tafter\ttoday.\u201d He\tapproached,\tstopping\tat\tthe\tedge\tof\tthe\ttable.\t\u201cWhy?\u201d She\tpopped\ta\tpiece\tof\tbread\tinto\ther\tmouth.\t\u201cBecause\tI\tended\tit.\u201d \u201cYou\tdid\twhat?\u201d \u201cI\u2019m\tthe\tKing\u2019s\tChampion.\tSurely\tyou\trealize\thow\tinappropriate\tit\twould\tbe for\t me\t to\t have\t a\t relationship\t with\t a\t prince.\u201d\t Her\t blue\t eyes\t glittered,\t and\t he wondered\t at\t the\t slight\t emphasis\t she\t put\t on\t prince,\t and\t why\t it\t made\t his\t heart skip\ta\tbeat. Chaol\t fought\t his\t own\t smile.\t \u201cI\t was\t wondering\t when\t you\u2019d\t come\t to\t your senses.\u201d\tDid\tshe\tfret\tas\the\tdid?\tDid\tshe\tconstantly\tthink\tabout\ther\tblood-covered hands?\tBut\tfor\tall\tof\ther\tswaggering,\tfor\tall\tof\ther\tgloating\tand\tparading\tabout with\thands\ton\ther\thips\t.\t.\t.","There\twas\tstill\tsomething\tsoft\tin\ther\tface.\tIt\tgave\thim\thope\u2014hope\tthat\the\thad not\tlost\this\tsoul\tin\tthe\tact\tof\tkilling,\thope\tthat\thumanity\tcould\tstill\tbe\tfound,\tand honor\tcould\tbe\tregained\t.\t.\t.\tShe\thad\tcome\tout\tof\tEndovier\tand\tcould\tstill\tlaugh. She\ttwirled\ther\thair\taround\ta\tfinger.\tShe\twas\tstill\twearing\tthat\tabsurdly\tshort nightgown,\t which\t slid\t up\t her\t thighs\t as\t she\t propped\t her\t feet\t on\t the\t edge\t of\t the table.\tHe\tfocused\ton\ther\tface. \u201cWould\tyou\tlike\tto\tjoin\tme?\u201d\tshe\tasked,\tgesturing\twith\tone\thand\tto\tthe\ttable. \u201cIt\u2019s\ta\tshame\tfor\tme\tto\tcelebrate\talone.\u201d He\t looked\t at\t her,\t at\t that\t half\t grin\t on\t her\t face.\t Whatever\t had\t happened\t with Cain,\t whatever\t had\t happened\t at\t the\t duel\t .\t .\t .\t that\t would\t haunt\t him.\t But\t right now\t.\t.\t. He\tpulled\tout\tthe\tchair\tin\tfront\tof\thim\tand\tsat\tdown.\tShe\tfilled\ta\tgoblet\twith wine\t and\t handed\t it\t to\t him.\t \u201cTo\t four\t years\t until\t freedom,\u201d\t she\t said,\t lifting\t her glass. He\traised\this\tin\tsalute.\t\u201cTo\tyou,\tCelaena.\u201d Their\teyes\tmet,\tand\tChaol\tdidn\u2019t\thide\this\tsmile\tas\tshe\tgrinned\tat\thim.\tPerhaps four\tyears\twith\ther\tmight\tnot\tbe\tenough. \u2022 Celaena\t stood\t in\t the\t tomb,\t and\t knew\t she\t was\t dreaming.\t She\t often\t visited\t the tomb\t in\t her\t dreams\u2014to\t slay\t the\t ridderak\t again,\t to\t be\t trapped\t inside\t Elena\u2019s sarcophagus,\t to\t face\t a\t featureless\t young\t woman\t with\t golden\t hair\t and\t a\t crown far\ttoo\theavy\tfor\ther\tto\tbear\u2014but\ttonight\t.\t.\t.\ttonight,\tit\twas\tjust\ther\tand\tElena, and\t the\t tomb\t was\t filled\t with\t moonlight,\t not\t a\t sign\t to\t be\t seen\t of\t the\t ridderak\u2019s corpse. \u201cHow\t are\t you\t recovering?\u201d\t the\t queen\t asked,\t leaning\t against\t the\t side\t of\t her own\tsarcophagus. Celaena\tstayed\tin\tthe\tdoorway.\tThe\tqueen\u2019s\tarmor\twas\tgone,\treplaced\tby\ther usual\t flowing\t gown.\t None\t of\t the\t fierceness\t twisted\t her\t features,\t either.\t \u201cFine,\u201d Celaena\tsaid,\tbut\tglanced\tdown\tat\therself.\tIn\tthis\tdream\tworld,\ther\tinjuries\twere gone.\t\u201cI\tdidn\u2019t\tknow\tyou\twere\ta\twarrior,\u201d\tshe\tsaid,\tjerking\ther\tchin\ttoward\tthe stand\twhere\tDamaris\tstood. \u201cThere\t are\t many\t things\t history\t has\t forgotten\t about\t me.\u201d\t Elena\u2019s\t blue\t eyes glowed\t with\t sorrow\t and\t anger.\t \u201cI\t fought\t on\t the\t battlefields\t during\t the\t demon wars\t against\t Erawan\u2014at\t Gavin\u2019s\t side.\t That\u2019s\t how\t we\t fell\t in\t love.\t But\t your legends\t portray\t me\t as\t a\t damsel\t who\t waited\t in\t a\t tower\t with\t a\t magic\t necklace that\twould\thelp\tthe\theroic\tprince.\u201d Celaena\ttouched\tthe\tamulet.\t\u201cI\u2019m\tsorry.\u201d","\u201cYou\t could\t be\t different,\u201d\t Elena\t said\t quietly.\t \u201cYou\t could\t be\t great.\t Greater than\tme\u2014than\tany\tof\tus.\u201d Celaena\topened\ther\tmouth,\tbut\tno\twords\tcame\tout. Elena\t took\t a\t step\t toward\t her.\t \u201cYou\t could\t rattle\t the\t stars,\u201d\t she\t whispered. \u201cYou\t could\t do\t anything,\t if\t you\t only\t dared.\t And\t deep\t down,\t you\t know\t it,\t too. That\u2019s\twhat\tscares\tyou\tmost.\u201d She\t walked\t to\t Celaena,\t and\t it\t was\t all\t the\t assassin\t could\t do\t to\t keep\t from backing\t out\t of\t the\t tomb\t and\t running\t away.\t The\t queen\u2019s\t blazing,\t glacier-blue eyes\twere\tas\tethereal\tas\ther\tlovely\tface.\t\u201cYou\tfound\tand\tdefeated\tthe\tevil\tCain was\tbringing\tinto\tthe\tworld.\tAnd\tnow\tyou\u2019re\tthe\tKing\u2019s\tChampion.\tYou\tdid\tas\tI asked.\u201d \u201cI\tdid\tit\tfor\tmy\tfreedom,\u201d\tCelaena\tsaid.\tElena\tgave\ther\ta\tknowing\tsmile\tthat made\ther\twant\tto\tscream,\tbut\tCelaena\tkept\ther\tface\tblank. \u201cSo\t you\t say.\t But\t when\t you\t called\t for\t help\u2014when\t the\t amulet\t snapped,\t and you\tlet\tyour\tneed\tbe\tfelt\u2014you\tknew\tsomeone\twould\tanswer.\tYou\tknew\tI\twould answer.\u201d \u201cWhy?\u201d\t Celaena\t dared\t ask.\t \u201cWhy\t answer?\t Why\t do\t I\t need\t to\t be\t the\t King\u2019s Champion?\u201d Elena\tlifted\ther\tface\ttoward\tthe\tmoonlight\tstreaming\tinto\tthe\ttomb.\t\u201cBecause there\tare\tpeople\twho\tneed\tyou\tto\tsave\tthem\tas\tmuch\tas\tyou\tyourself\tneed\tto\tbe saved,\u201d\t she\t said.\t \u201cDeny\t it\t all\t you\t want,\t but\t there\t are\t people\u2014your\t friends\u2014 who\t need\t you\t here.\t Your\t friend,\t Nehemia,\t needs\t you\t here.\t Because\t I\t was sleeping\u2014a\t long,\t endless\t sleep\u2014and\t I\t was\t awoken\t by\t a\t voice.\t And\t the\t voice didn\u2019t\t belong\t to\t one\t person,\t but\t to\t many.\t Some\t whispering,\t some\t screaming, some\t not\t even\t aware\t that\t they\t were\t crying\t out.\t But\t they\t all\t want\t the\t same thing.\u201d\t She\t touched\t the\t center\t of\t Celaena\u2019s\t forehead.\t Heat\t flared,\t and\t a\t blue light\tflashed\tacross\tElena\u2019s\tface\tas\tCelaena\u2019s\tmark\tburned\tand\tthen\tfaded.\t\u201cAnd when\tyou\tare\tready\u2014when\tyou\tstart\tto\thear\tthem\tcrying\tout\tas\twell\u2014then\tyou will\tknow\twhy\tI\tcame\tto\tyou,\tand\twhy\tI\thave\tstood\tby\tyou,\tand\twill\tcontinue\tto watch\tover\tyou,\tno\tmatter\thow\tmany\ttimes\tyou\tshove\tme\taway.\u201d Celaena\u2019s\teyes\tstung,\tand\tshe\ttook\ta\tstep\tback\ttoward\tthe\thall. Elena\tsmiled\tsadly.\t\u201cUntil\tthat\tday\tcomes,\tyou\u2019re\texactly\twhere\tyou\tneed\tto be.\t From\t the\t king\u2019s\t side,\t you\u2019ll\t be\t able\t to\t see\t what\t needs\t to\t be\t done.\t But\t for now\u2014enjoy\tthe\taccomplishment.\u201d Celaena\t felt\t ill\t at\t the\t thought\t of\t what\t else\t might\t be\t asked\t of\t her,\t but\t she nodded.\t \u201cFine,\u201d\t she\t breathed,\t making\t to\t leave,\t but\t paused\t in\t the\t hall.\t She looked\tover\ther\tshoulder,\tto\twhere\tthe\tqueen\tstill\tstood,\twatching\ther\twith\tthose sad\teyes.\t\u201cThank\tyou\tfor\tsaving\tmy\tlife.\u201d Elena\tbowed\ther\thead.\t\u201cBlood\tties\tcan\u2019t\tbe\tbroken,\u201d\tshe\twhispered,\tand\tthen","vanished,\ther\twords\techoing\tin\tthe\tsilent\ttomb.","Chapter\t55 The\t following\t day,\t Celaena\t approached\t the\t glass\t throne,\t casting\t a\t wary\t glance about\t the\t council\t chamber.\t It\t was\t the\t same\t one\t in\t which\t she\u2019d\t seen\t the\t king those\t many\t months\t ago.\t A\t greenish\t fire\t burned\t in\t the\t mouthlike\t fireplace,\t and thirteen\t men\t sat\t at\t a\t long\t table,\t each\t staring\t at\t her.\t But\t there\t were\t no\t other Champions\tleft\u2014only\ther.\tThe\tvictor.\tDorian\tstood\tbeside\this\tfather\tand\tsmiled at\ther. Hopefully\tthat\u2019s\ta\tgood\tsign. Despite\tthe\thope\this\tgrin\tprovided,\tshe\tcouldn\u2019t\tignore\tthe\tterror\tthat\twelled in\t her\t heart\t as\t the\t king,\t with\t dark\t eyes,\t watched\t her\t walk\t forward.\t The\t gold skirts\t of\t her\t dress\t were\t the\t only\t sound\t in\t the\t chamber.\t Celaena\t kept\t her\t hands pressed\tagainst\tthe\tmaroon\tbodice,\ttrying\tnot\tto\twring\tthem. She\t stopped,\t and\t bowed.\t Chaol,\t standing\t beside\t her,\t did\t the\t same.\t The captain\tstood\tcloser\tto\ther\tthan\the\tneeded\tto. \u201cYou\thave\tcome\tto\tsign\tyour\tcontract,\u201d\tthe\tking\tsaid,\tand\this\tvoice\tmade\ther bones\tsplinter. How\tcan\tsuch\ta\tbeastly\tman\tpossess\tthis\tsort\tof\tpower\tover\tthe\tworld? \u201cYes,\t Your\t Majesty,\u201d\t she\t said\t as\t submissively\t as\t possible,\t staring\t at\t the man\u2019s\tboots. \u201cBe\t my\t Champion,\t and\t you\u2019ll\t find\t yourself\t a\t free\t woman.\t Four\t years\t of service\t was\t the\t bargain\t you\t set\t with\t my\t son,\t though\t I\t cannot\t imagine\t why\t he felt\t the\t need\t to\t bargain\t with\t you,\u201d\t he\t said\t with\t a\t deadly\t glare\t in\t Dorian\u2019s direction.\tDorian\tbit\this\tlip,\tbut\tsaid\tnothing. Her\theart\tdropped\tand\trose\tinside\tof\ther\tlike\ta\tbuoy.\tShe\twould\tdo\twhatever the\t king\t asked\u2014every\t foul\t mission\t he\t could\t throw\t at\t her,\t and\t then\t when\t the four\tyears\twere\tover,\tshe\u2019d\tbe\tfree\tto\tlive\ther\town\tlife,\twithout\tfear\tof\tpursuit\tor enslavement.\t She\t could\t begin\t again\u2014far\t away\t from\t Adarlan.\t She\t could\t go away\tand\tforget\tthis\tawful\tkingdom. She\tdidn\u2019t\tknow\twhether\tto\tsmile,\tor\tto\tlaugh,\tor\tto\tnod,\tor\tto\tcry\tand\tdance about.\tShe\tcould\tlive\toff\tof\ther\tfortune\tuntil\told\tage.\tShe\twouldn\u2019t\thave\tto\tkill. She\tcould\tsay\tgood-bye\tto\tArobynn\tand\tleave\tAdarlan\tforever. \u201cAren\u2019t\tyou\tgoing\tto\tthank\tme?\u201d\tthe\tking\tbarked. She\tdropped\tinto\ta\tlow\tbow,\tbarely\table\tto\tcontain\ther\tjoy.\tShe\thad\tdefeated him\u2014she\t had\t sinned\t against\t his\t empire\t and\t now\t would\t emerge\t victorious. \u201cThank\t you\t for\t such\t an\t honor\t and\t gift,\t Your\t Majesty.\t I\t am\t your\t humble servant.\u201d The\t king\t snorted.\t \u201cLying\t won\u2019t\t help\t you.\t Bring\t the\t contract\t forward.\u201d\t A","councilman\tdutifully\tplaced\ta\tpiece\tof\tparchment\ton\tthe\ttable\tbefore\ther. She\tstared\tat\tthe\tquill\tand\tthe\tblank\tline\twhere\ther\tname\twas\tto\tgo. The\t king\u2019s\t eyes\t flashed,\t but\t she\t didn\u2019t\t bite.\t Just\t one\t sign\t of\t rebellion,\t one movement\t of\t aggression,\t and\t he\u2019d\t hang\t her.\t \u201cThere\t will\t be\t no\t questioning\t on your\tpart.\tWhen\tI\ttell\tyou\tto\tdo\tsomething,\tyou\twill\tdo\tit.\tI\tdon\u2019t\tneed\tto\texplain myself\tto\tyou.\tAnd\tif\tyou\tsomehow\tare\tcaught,\tyou\twill\tdeny\tany\tconnection\tto me\tto\tyour\tlast\tbreath.\tIs\tthat\tclear?\u201d \u201cPerfectly,\tYour\tMajesty.\u201d He\tstrode\tfrom\tthe\tdais.\tDorian\tstarted\tto\tmove,\tbut\tChaol\tshook\this\thead. Celaena\tlooked\tat\tthe\tfloor\tas\tthe\tking\tstopped\tbefore\ther.\t\u201cNow\tunderstand this,\t assassin,\u201d\t the\t king\t said.\t She\t felt\t small\t and\t frail,\t so\t close\t to\t him.\t \u201cShould you\tfail\tany\tof\tmy\ttasks,\tshould\tyou\tforget\tto\treturn,\tyou\twill\tpay\tdearly.\u201d\tThe king\u2019s\t voice\t became\t so\t soft\t that\t even\t she\t could\t barely\t hear\t it.\t \u201cIf\t you\t don\u2019t return\t from\t the\t missions\t on\t which\t I\t send\t you,\t I\u2019ll\t have\t your\t friend,\t the captain\u201d\u2014he\tpaused\tfor\temphasis\u2014\u201ckilled.\u201d Her\teyes\twere\twide\tas\tshe\tstared\tat\this\tempty\tthrone. \u201cIf\t you\t fail\t to\t return\t after\t that,\t I\u2019ll\t have\t Nehemia\t killed.\t Then,\t I\u2019ll\t have\t her brothers\texecuted.\tNot\tlong\tafter\tthat,\tI\u2019ll\tbury\ttheir\tmother\tbeside\tthem.\tDon\u2019t believe\t I\u2019m\t not\t as\t cunning\t and\t stealthy\t as\t you\t are.\u201d\t She\t could\t feel\t him\t smile. \u201cYou\tget\tthe\tpicture,\tdon\u2019t\tyou?\u201d\tHe\tpulled\taway.\t\u201cSign\tit.\u201d She\t looked\t at\t the\t blank\t space,\t and\t what\t it\t offered.\t She\t took\t a\t silent,\t long breath,\tand\twith\ta\tprayer\tfor\ther\tsoul,\tshe\tsigned.\tEach\tletter\twas\tharder\tto\tform than\tthe\tlast.\tFinally,\tshe\tlet\tthe\tquill\tdrop\tonto\tthe\ttable. \u201cGood.\t Now\t get\t out,\u201d\t the\t king\t said,\t pointing\t at\t the\t door.\t \u201cI\u2019ll\t summon\t you when\tyou\u2019re\tneeded.\u201d The\t king\t sat\t on\t his\t throne\t again.\t Celaena\t bowed\t carefully,\t not\t taking\t her stare\tfrom\this\tface.\tOnly\tfor\tan\tinstant\tdid\tshe\tglance\tat\tDorian,\twhose\tsapphire eyes\t gleamed\t with\t what\t she\t could\t have\t sworn\t was\t sadness\t before\t he\t smiled\t at her.\tShe\tfelt\tChaol\u2019s\thand\tgraze\ther\tarm. Chaol\t would\t die.\t She\t couldn\u2019t\t send\t him\t to\t his\t death.\t Or\t the\t Ytger\t family. With\tfeet\tboth\theavy\tand\tlight,\tshe\tleft\tthe\tchamber. Outside,\t the\t wind\t bellowed\t and\t raged\t against\t the\t glass\t spire,\t but\t it\t could\t do nothing\tto\tshatter\tthe\twalls. \u2022 With\teach\tstep\taway\tfrom\tthe\tchamber,\tthe\tweight\ton\ther\tshoulders\tlifted.\tChaol remained\tsilent\tuntil\tthey\tentered\tthe\tstone\tcastle,\twhen\the\tturned\tto\ther. \u201cWell,\tChampion,\u201d\the\tsaid.\tHe\tstill\twasn\u2019t\twearing\this\tsword.","\u201cYes,\tCaptain?\u201d The\tcorners\tof\this\tmouth\ttugged\tupward.\t\u201cAre\tyou\thappy\tnow?\u201d She\tdidn\u2019t\tfight\ther\town\tgrin.\t\u201cI\tmay\thave\tjust\tsigned\taway\tmy\tsoul,\tbut\t.\t.\t. yes.\tOr\tas\thappy\tas\tI\tcan\tbe.\u201d \u201cCelaena\tSardothien,\tthe\tKing\u2019s\tChampion,\u201d\the\tmused. \u201cWhat\tabout\tit?\u201d \u201cI\tlike\tthe\tsound\tof\tit,\u201d\the\tsaid,\tshrugging.\t\u201cDo\tyou\twant\tto\tknow\twhat\tyour first\tmission\twill\tbe?\u201d She\t looked\t at\t his\t golden-brown\t eyes\t and\t all\t of\t the\t promises\t that\t lay\t within them,\tand\tlinked\ther\tarm\twith\this\tas\tshe\tsmiled.\t\u201cTell\tme\ttomorrow.\u201d","Acknowledgements \t \t It\u2019s\ttaken\ta\tdecade\tfor\tThrone\tof\tGlass\tto\tgo\tfrom\tinception\tto\tpublication,\tand\tI have\tfar\tmore\tpeople\tto\tthank\tthan\tI\tcould\tever\tfit\twithin\tthis\tspace. Endless\t gratitude\t to\t my\t agent\t and\t very\t own\t Champion,\t Tamar\t Rydzinski, who\t understood\t Celaena\t from\t page\t one.\t Thank\t you\t for\t the\t phone\t call\t that changed\tmy\tlife. To\tmy\tbrilliant\tand\tdaring\teditor,\tMargaret\tMiller\u2014how\tcan\tI\tever\tthank\tyou enough\t for\t believing\t in\t me\t and\t Throne\t of\t Glass?\t I\u2019m\t so\t proud\t to\t be\t working with\t you.\t To\t Michelle\t Nagler\t and\t the\t rest\t of\t the\t absolutely\t fantastic\t team\t at Bloomsbury\u2014thank\tyou\tso,\tso\tmuch\tfor\tall\tof\tyour\thard\twork\tand\tsupport! I\towe\ta\thuge\tdebt\tto\tMandy\tHubbard\tfor\tgiving\tme\tthat\tinitial\tshove\tout\tthe door.\tMandy,\tyou\tare\u2014and\twill\talways\tbe\u2014my\tYoda. To\t my\t wonderful\t husband,\t Josh\u2014you\t give\t me\t a\t reason\t to\t wake\t up\t every morning.\tYou\tare\tmy\tbetter\thalf\tin\tevery\tpossible\tway. Thank\t you\t to\t my\t parents,\t Brian\t and\t Carol,\t for\t reading\t me\t fairy\t tales\t and never\ttelling\tme\tthat\tI\twas\ttoo\told\tfor\tthem;\tto\tmy\tlittle\tbrother,\tAaron\u2014you\tare the\tkind\tof\tperson\tI\twish\tI\tcould\tbe. To\t Stanlee\t Brimberg\t and\t Janelle\t Schwartz\u2014you\t have\t no\t idea\t how\t far\t your encouragement\t went\t (though\t maybe\t this\t book\t offers\t some\t proof).\t I\t wish\t there were\tmore\tteachers\tlike\tyou. To\tSusan\tDennard,\tfor\tthe\tincredible\trevision\tsuggestions\tand\tfor\tbeing\ta\ttrue friend\t through\t thick\t and\t thin.\t You\t came\t into\t my\t life\t when\t I\t needed\t you\t most, and\tmy\tworld\tis\tnow\tbrighter\tbecause\tyou\u2019re\tin\tit. Thanks\t to\t Alex\t Bracken,\t an\t amazing\t critique\t partner,\t a\t phenomenal\t writer, and\t an\t even\t better\t friend\u2014words\t can\u2019t\t express\t how\t grateful\t I\t am\t to\t call\t you that.\tOr\thow\tgrateful\tI\tam\tfor\tall\tof\tthe\tcandy\tyou\tsent\tme\tduring\trevisions! To\t Kat\t Zhang,\t for\t always\t making\t time\t to\t critique\t my\t work\t and\t for\t being\t a stellar\t friend.\t To\t Brigid\t Kemmerer,\t for\t all\t the\t e-mails\t that\t kept\t me\t sane.\t To Biljana\t Likic\u2014because\t talking\t with\t you\t about\t the\t characters\t and\t plot\t made\t it real.\t To\t Leigh\t Bardugo,\t my\t bunker\t buddy\t extraordinaire\u2014I\t couldn\u2019t\t have gotten\tthrough\tthis\tprocess\twithout\tyou. To\t Erin\t Bowman,\t Amie\t Kaufman,\t Vanessa\t Di\t Gregorio,\t Meg\t Spooner, Courtney\tAllison\tMoulton,\tAim\u00e9e\tCarter,\tand\tthe\tladies\tat\tPub(lishing)\tCrawl\u2014 you\u2019re\tsuch\ttalented\twriters\tand\twonderful\tpeople,\tthank\tyou\tfor\tbeing\ta\tpart\tof my\tlife. To\t Meredith\t Anderson,\t Rae\t Buchanan,\t Renee\t Carter,\t Anna\t Deles,\t Gordana","Likic,\t Sarah\t Liu,\t Juliann\t Ma,\t Chantal\t Mason,\t Arianna\t Sterling,\t Samantha Walker,\tDiyana\tWan,\tand\tJane\tZhao:\tI\u2019ve\tnever\tmet\tany\tof\tyou\tface-to-face,\tbut the\t years\t of\t your\t unfailing\t enthusiasm\t have\t meant\t so\t much\t to\t me.\t Kelly\t De Groot,\tthanks\tfor\tthe\tincredible\tmap\tof\tErilea! Lastly,\t and\t perhaps\t most\t importantly,\t thank\t you\t to\t all\t my\t readers\t from FictionPress.com.\t Your\t letters,\t fan\t art,\t and\t encouragement\t gave\t me\t the confidence\tto\ttry\tto\tget\tpublished.\tI\u2019m\thonored\t to\thave\tyou\tas\tfans\u2014but\teven more\thonored\tto\thave\tyou\tas\tmy\tfriends.\tIt\u2019s\tbeen\ta\tlong\tjourney,\tbut\twe\tmade it!\tHere\u2019s\tlooking\tat\tyou!","About\tthe\tAuthor SARAH\t J.\t MAAS\t was\t sixteen\t years\t old\t when\t she\t published\t an\t early\t draft\t of Throne\tof\tGlass\ton\tthe\tFictionPress\twebsite,\twhere\tthousands\tof\treaders\tflooded her\t in-box\t with\t enthusiastic\t e-mails.\t Many\t years\t and\t revisions\t later,\t Sarah\t is delighted\t to\t be\t publishing\t the\t final\t version\t of\t Throne\t of\t Glass\t as\t her\t debut novel.\tA\tNew\tYork\tnative,\tSarah\tcurrently\tlives\tin\tSouthern\tCalifornia,\twith\ther husband. www.sarahjmaas.com Join\tthe\tconversation\tat\tfacebook.com\/THRONEOFGLASS\tfor\texclusive\tfan content,\tquizzes,\tpolls,\tprizes,\tand\tmore. AND\tDON\u2019T\tMISS\tTHE PREQUEL\tE-BOOK\tNOVELLAS: THE\tASSASSIN\tAND\tTHE\tDESERT THE\tASSASSIN\tAND\tTHE\tPIRATE\tLORD THE\tASSASSIN\tAND\tTHE\tUNDERWORLD THE\tASSASSIN\tAND\tTHE\tEMPIRE"]
Search
Read the Text Version
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5
- 6
- 7
- 8
- 9
- 10
- 11
- 12
- 13
- 14
- 15
- 16
- 17
- 18
- 19
- 20
- 21
- 22
- 23
- 24
- 25
- 26
- 27
- 28
- 29
- 30
- 31
- 32
- 33
- 34
- 35
- 36
- 37
- 38
- 39
- 40
- 41
- 42
- 43
- 44
- 45
- 46
- 47
- 48
- 49
- 50
- 51
- 52
- 53
- 54
- 55
- 56
- 57
- 58
- 59
- 60
- 61
- 62
- 63
- 64
- 65
- 66
- 67
- 68
- 69
- 70
- 71
- 72
- 73
- 74
- 75
- 76
- 77
- 78
- 79
- 80
- 81
- 82
- 83
- 84
- 85
- 86
- 87
- 88
- 89
- 90
- 91
- 92
- 93
- 94
- 95
- 96
- 97
- 98
- 99
- 100
- 101
- 102
- 103
- 104
- 105
- 106
- 107
- 108
- 109
- 110
- 111
- 112
- 113
- 114
- 115
- 116
- 117
- 118
- 119
- 120
- 121
- 122
- 123
- 124
- 125
- 126
- 127
- 128
- 129
- 130
- 131
- 132
- 133
- 134
- 135
- 136
- 137
- 138
- 139
- 140
- 141
- 142
- 143
- 144
- 145
- 146
- 147
- 148
- 149
- 150
- 151
- 152
- 153
- 154
- 155
- 156
- 157
- 158
- 159
- 160
- 161
- 162
- 163
- 164
- 165
- 166
- 167
- 168
- 169
- 170
- 171
- 172
- 173
- 174
- 175
- 176
- 177
- 178
- 179
- 180
- 181
- 182
- 183
- 184
- 185
- 186
- 187
- 188
- 189
- 190
- 191
- 192
- 193
- 194
- 195
- 196
- 197
- 198
- 199
- 200
- 201
- 202
- 203
- 204
- 205
- 206
- 207
- 208
- 209
- 210
- 211
- 212
- 213
- 214
- 215
- 216
- 217
- 218
- 219
- 220
- 221
- 222
- 223
- 224
- 225
- 226
- 227
- 228
- 229
- 230
- 231
- 232
- 233
- 234
- 235
- 236
- 237
- 238
- 239
- 240
- 241
- 242
- 243
- 244
- 245
- 246
- 247
- 248
- 249
- 250
- 251
- 252
- 253
- 254
- 255
- 256
- 257
- 258
- 259
- 260
- 261
- 262
- 263
- 264
- 265
- 266
- 267
- 268
- 269
- 270
- 271
- 272
- 273
- 274
- 275
- 276
- 277
- 278
- 279
- 280
- 281
- 282
- 283
- 284
- 285
- 286
- 287
- 288
- 289
- 290
- 291
- 292
- 293
- 294
- 295
- 296
- 297
- 298
- 299
- 300
- 301
