["Part\tTwo Heir\tof\tFire","Chapter\t36 \u201cThings\t are\t ready\t for\t your\t meeting\t tonight\t with\t Captain\t Westfall?\u201d\t Aedion\t could\t have sworn\tRen\tAllsbrook\tbristled\tas\the\tbit\tout\tthe\tname. Seated\t beside\t the\t young\t lord\t on\t the\t ledge\t of\t the\t roof\t of\t the\t warehouse\t apartment, Aedion\tconsidered\tRen\u2019s\ttone,\tdecided\tit\twasn\u2019t\tenough\tof\ta\tchallenge\tto\twarrant\ta\tverbal slap,\tand\tgave\ta\tnod\tas\the\twent\tback\tto\tcleaning\this\tnails\twith\tone\tof\this\tfighting\tknives. Ren\t had\t been\t recovering\t for\t days\t now,\t after\t the\t captain\t had\t set\t him\t up\t in\t the\t guest room\t of\t the\t apartment.\t The\t old\t man\t had\t refused\t to\t take\t the\t main\t bedroom,\t saying\t he\u2019d prefer\t the\t couch,\t but\t Aedion\t wondered\t what\t exactly\t Murtaugh\t had\t observed\t when\t they arrived\tin\tthe\tapartment.\tIf\the\tsuspected\twho\tthe\towner\twas\u2014Celaena\tor\tAelin\tor\tboth\u2014 he\trevealed\tnothing. Aedion\t hadn\u2019t\t seen\t Ren\t since\t the\t opium\t den,\t and\t didn\u2019t\t really\t know\t why\t he\u2019d bothered\t to\t come\t tonight.\t He\t said,\t \u201cYou\u2019ve\t managed\t to\t build\t yourself\t a\t network\t of lowlifes\there.\tThat\u2019s\ta\tfar\tcry\tfrom\tthe\tlofty\ttowers\tof\tAllsbrook\tCastle.\u201d Ren\u2019s\t jaw\t tightened.\t \u201cYou\u2019re\t a\t far\t cry\t from\t the\t white\t towers\t of\t Orynth,\t too.\t We\t all are.\u201d\tA\tbreeze\truffled\tRen\u2019s\tshaggy\thair.\t\u201cThank\tyou.\tFor\u2014helping\tthat\tnight.\u201d \u201cIt\twas\tnothing,\u201d\tAedion\tsaid\tcoolly,\tgiving\thim\ta\tlazy\tsmile. \u201cYou\tkilled\tfor\tme,\tthen\thid\tme.\tThat\tisn\u2019t\tnothing.\tI\towe\tyou.\u201d Aedion\twas\tplenty\tused\tto\taccepting\tgratitude\tfrom\tother\tmen,\tfrom\this\tmen,\tbut\tthis \u2026\t\u201cYou\tshould\thave\ttold\tme,\u201d\the\tsaid,\tdropping\tthe\tgrin\tas\the\twatched\tthe\tgolden\tlights twinkling\t across\t the\t city,\t \u201cthat\t you\t and\t your\t grandfather\t had\t no\t home.\u201d\t Or\t money.\t No wonder\t Ren\u2019s\t clothes\t were\t so\t shabby.\t The\t shame\t Aedion\t had\t felt\t that\t night\t had\t almost overwhelmed\t him\u2014and\t had\t haunted\t him\t for\t the\t past\t few\t days,\t honing\t his\t temper\t to\t a near-lethal\t edge.\t He\u2019d\t tried\t working\t it\t off\t with\t the\t castle\t guards,\t but\t sparring\t with\t the men\twho\tprotected\tthe\tking\thad\tonly\tsharpened\tit. \u201cI\t don\u2019t\t see\t how\t it\u2019s\t relevant\t to\t anything,\u201d\t Ren\t said\t tightly.\t Aedion\t could\t understand pride.\tThe\tkind\tRen\thad\twent\tdeep,\tand\tadmitting\tthis\tvulnerability\twas\tas\thard\tfor\thim\tas it\t was\t for\t Aedion\t to\t accept\t Ren\u2019s\t gratitude.\t Ren\t said,\t \u201cIf\t you\t find\t out\t how\t to\t break\t the spell\ton\tmagic,\tyou\u2019re\tgoing\tto\tdo\tit,\tright?\u201d \u201cYes.\tIt\tcould\tmake\ta\tdifference\tin\twhatever\tbattles\tlie\tahead.\u201d \u201cIt\t didn\u2019t\t make\t a\t difference\t ten\t years\t ago.\u201d\t Ren\u2019s\t face\t was\t a\t mask\t of\t ice,\t and\t then Aedion\tremembered.\tRen\thardly\thad\ta\tdrop\tof\tmagic.\tBut\tRen\u2019s\ttwo\telder\tsisters\t\u2026\tThe girls\t had\t been\t away\t at\t their\t mountain\t school\t when\t everything\t went\t to\t hell.\t A\t school\t for magic. As\t if\t reading\t his\t thoughts,\t as\t if\t this\t were\t a\t reprieve\t from\t the\t city\t below\t them,\t Ren said,\t\u201cWhen\tthe\tsoldiers\tdragged\tus\tto\tthe\tbutchering\tblocks,\tthat\twas\twhat\tthey\tmocked my\t parents\t about.\t Because\t even\t with\t their\t magic,\t my\t sisters\u2019\t school\t was\t defenseless\u2014","they\tcould\tdo\tnothing\tagainst\tten\tthousand\tsoldiers.\u201d \u201cI\u2019m\t sorry,\u201d\t Aedion\t said.\t That\t was\t all\t he\t could\t offer\t for\t the\t time\t being,\t until\t Aelin returned. Ren\tlooked\tright\tat\thim.\t\u201cGoing\tback\tto\tTerrasen\twill\tbe\t\u2026\thard.\tFor\tme,\tand\tfor\tmy grandfather.\u201d\tHe\tseemed\tto\tstruggle\twith\tthe\twords,\tor\tjust\twith\tthe\tidea\tof\ttelling\tanyone anything,\t but\t Aedion\t gave\t him\t the\t time\t he\t needed.\t At\t last\t Ren\t said,\t \u201cI\u2019m\t not\t sure\t I\u2019m civilized\t enough\t anymore.\t I\t don\u2019t\t know\t if\t \u2026\t if\t I\t could\t be\t a\t lord,\t even.\t If\t my\t people would\twant\tme\tas\tlord.\tMy\tgrandfather\tis\tbetter\tsuited,\tbut\the\u2019s\tan\tAllsbrook\tby\tmarriage and\the\tsays\the\tdoesn\u2019t\twant\tto\trule.\u201d Ah.\t Aedion\t found\t himself\t actually\t pausing\u2014contemplating.\t The\t wrong\t word,\t the wrong\treaction,\tcould\tmake\tRen\tshut\tup\tforever.\tIt\tshouldn\u2019t\tmatter,\tbut\tit\tdid.\tSo\the\tsaid, \u201cMy\tlife\thas\tbeen\twar\tand\tdeath\tfor\tthe\tpast\tten\tyears.\tIt\twill\tprobably\tbe\twar\tand\tdeath for\tthe\tnext\tfew\tas\twell.\tBut\tif\tthere\u2019s\tever\ta\tday\twhen\twe\tfind\tpeace\t\u2026\u201d\tGods,\tthat\tword, that\t beautiful\t word.\t \u201cIt\u2019ll\t be\t a\t strange\t transition\t for\t all\t of\t us.\t For\t whatever\t it\u2019s\t worth,\t I don\u2019t\tsee\thow\tthe\tpeople\tof\tAllsbrook\twouldn\u2019t\tembrace\ta\tlord\twho\tspent\tyears\ttrying\tto break\tAdarlan\u2019s\trule\u2014or\ta\tlord\twho\tspent\tyears\tin\tpoverty\tfor\tthat\tdream.\u201d \u201cI\u2019ve\t\u2026\tdone\tthings,\u201d\tRen\tsaid.\t\u201cBad\tthings.\u201d\tAedion\thad\tsuspected\tas\tmuch\tfrom\tthe moment\tRen\tgave\tthem\tthe\taddress\tof\tthe\topium\tden. \u201cSo\t have\t we\t all,\u201d\t Aedion\t said.\t So\thas\tAelin.\t He\t wanted\t to\t say\t it,\t but\t he\t still\t didn\u2019t want\tRen\tor\tMurtaugh\tor\tanyone\tknowing\ta\tdamn\tthing\tabout\ther.\tIt\twas\ther\tstory\tto\ttell. Aedion\t knew\t the\t conversation\t was\t about\t to\t take\t a\t turn\t for\t the\t ugly\t when\t Ren\t tensed and\tasked\ttoo\tquietly,\t\u201cWhat\tdo\tyou\tplan\tto\tdo\tabout\tCaptain\tWestfall?\u201d \u201cRight\tnow,\tCaptain\tWestfall\tis\tuseful\tto\tme,\tand\tuseful\tto\tour\tqueen.\u201d \u201cSo\tas\tsoon\tas\the\u2019s\toutlived\this\tusefulness\t\u2026\u201d \u201cI\u2019ll\tdecide\tthat\twhen\tthe\ttime\tcomes\u2014if\tit\u2019s\tsafe\tto\tleave\thim\talive.\u201d\tRen\topened\this mouth,\tbut\tAedion\tadded,\t\u201cThis\tis\tthe\tway\tit\thas\tto\tbe.\tThe\tway\tI\toperate.\u201d\tEven\tif\the\u2019d helped\tsave\tRen\u2019s\tlife\tand\tgiven\thim\ta\tplace\tto\tstay. \u201cI\twonder\twhat\tour\tqueen\twill\tthink\tof\tthe\tway\tyou\toperate.\u201d Aedion\t flashed\t him\t a\t glare\t that\t had\t sent\t men\t running.\t But\t he\t knew\t Ren\t wasn\u2019t particularly\tscared\tof\thim,\tnot\twith\twhat\the\thad\tseen\tand\tendured.\tNot\tafter\tAedion\thad killed\tfor\thim. Aedion\tsaid,\t\u201cIf\tshe\u2019s\tsmart,\tthen\tshe\u2019ll\tlet\tme\tdo\twhat\tneeds\tto\tbe\tdone.\tShe\u2019ll\tuse\tme as\tthe\tweapon\tI\tam.\u201d \u201cWhat\tif\tshe\twishes\tto\tbe\tyour\tfriend?\tWould\tyou\tdeny\ther\tthat,\ttoo?\u201d \u201cI\twill\tdeny\ther\tnothing.\u201d \u201cAnd\tif\tshe\tasks\tyou\tto\tbe\ther\tking?\u201d Aedion\tbared\this\tteeth.\t\u201cEnough.\u201d \u201cDo\tyou\twant\tto\tbe\tking?\u201d","Aedion\t swung\t his\t legs\t back\t onto\t the\t roof\t and\t stood.\t \u201cAll\t I\t want,\u201d\t he\t snarled,\t \u201cis\t for my\tpeople\tto\tbe\tfree\tand\tmy\tqueen\trestored\tto\ther\tthrone.\u201d \u201cThey\tburned\tthe\tantler\tthrone,\tAedion.\tThere\tis\tno\tthrone\tfor\ther.\u201d \u201cThen\tI\u2019ll\tbuild\tone\tmyself\tfrom\tthe\tbones\tof\tour\tenemies.\u201d Ren\t winced\t as\t he\t stood\t as\t well,\t his\t injuries\t no\t doubt\t bothering\t him,\t and\t kept\t his distance.\tHe\tmight\tnot\tbe\tafraid,\tbut\the\twasn\u2019t\tstupid.\t\u201cAnswer\tthe\tquestion.\tDo\tyou\twant to\tbe\tking?\u201d \u201cIf\tshe\tasked\tme,\tI\twould\tnot\trefuse\ther.\u201d\tIt\twas\tthe\ttruth. \u201cThat\u2019s\tnot\tan\tanswer.\u201d He\tknew\twhy\tRen\thad\tasked.\tEven\tAedion\twas\taware\tthat\the\tcould\tbe\tking\u2014with\this legion\t and\t ties\t to\t the\t Ashrvyers,\t he\u2019d\t be\t an\t advantageous\t match.\t A\t warrior-king\t would make\tany\tfoes\tthink\ttwice.\tEven\tbefore\ttheir\tkingdom\tshattered,\the\u2019d\theard\tthe\trumors\t\u2026 \u201cMy\tonly\twish,\u201d\tAedion\tsaid,\tgrowling\tin\tRen\u2019s\tface,\t\u201cis\tto\tsee\ther\tagain.\tJust\tonce,\tif that\u2019s\tall\tthe\tgods\twill\tallow\tme.\tIf\tthey\tgrant\tme\tmore\ttime\tthan\tthat,\tthen\tI\u2019ll\tthank\tthem every\t damn\t day\t of\t my\t life.\t But\t for\t now,\t all\t I\u2019m\t working\t for\t is\t to\t see\t her,\t to\t know\t for certain\tthat\tshe\u2019s\treal\u2014that\tshe\tsurvived.\tThe\trest\tis\tnone\tof\tyour\tconcern.\u201d He\tfelt\tRen\u2019s\teyes\ton\thim\tas\the\tvanished\tthrough\tthe\tdoor\tto\tthe\tapartment\tbelow. The\t tavern\t was\t packed\t with\t soldiers\t on\t rotation\t home\t to\t Adarlan,\t the\t heat\t and\t reek\t of bodies\tmaking\tChaol\twish\tAedion\thad\tdone\tthis\talone.\tThere\twas\tno\thiding\tnow\tthat\the and\tAedion\twere\tdrinking\tfriends,\tas\tthe\tgeneral\ttrumpeted\tfor\teveryone\tto\thear\twhile\tthe soldiers\tcheered. \u201cBetter\tto\thide\tit\tright\tunder\teveryone\u2019s\tnoses\tthan\tpretend,\teh?\u201d\tAedion\tmurmured\tto Chaol\tas\tyet\tanother\tfree\tdrink\twas\tslapped\tdown\ton\ttheir\tstained,\tsodden\ttable,\tcourtesy of\ta\tsoldier\twho\thad\tbowed\u2014actually\tbowed\u2014to\tAedion.\t\u201cFor\tthe\tWolf,\u201d\tsaid\tthe\tscarred and\ttan-skinned\tsoldier,\tbefore\treturning\tto\this\tpacked\ttable\tof\tcomrades. Aedion\t saluted\t the\t man\t with\t the\t mug,\t getting\t a\t cheer\t in\t response,\t and\t there\t was nothing\t faked\t about\t his\t feral\t grin.\t It\t hadn\u2019t\t taken\t Aedion\t long\t to\t find\t the\t soldiers Murtaugh\t thought\t they\t should\t question\u2014soldiers\t who\t had\t been\t stationed\t at\t one\t of\t the suspected\tspell\torigin\tpoints.\tWhile\tAedion\thad\tbeen\tsearching\tfor\tthe\tright\tgroup\tof\tmen, Chaol\thad\ttaken\tthe\ttime\tto\tgo\tabout\this\town\tduties\u2014which\tnow\tincluded\tconsidering\ta candidate\tto\treplace\thim\u2014and\tpacking\tfor\this\treturn\tto\tAnielle.\tHe\u2019d\tcome\tinto\tRifthold today\t with\t the\t excuse\t of\t finding\t a\t company\t to\t ship\t his\t first\t trunk\t of\t belongings,\t a\t task he\u2019d\t actually\t accomplished.\t He\t didn\u2019t\t want\t to\t think\t of\t what\t his\t mother\t would\t do\t when the\ttrunk\tof\tbooks\tarrived\tat\tthe\tKeep. Chaol\tdidn\u2019t\tbother\tlooking\tpleasant\tas\the\tsaid,\t\u201cGet\ton\twith\tit.\u201d Aedion\t stood,\t hoisting\t his\t mug.\t As\t though\t they\u2019d\t all\t been\t watching\t him,\t the\t room quieted. \u201cSoldiers,\u201d\the\tsaid,\tloud\tand\tsoft\tat\tonce,\tgrave\tand\treverent.\tHe\tturned\tin\tplace,\tmug still\tupheld.\t\u201cFor\tyour\tblood,\tfor\tyour\tscars,\tfor\tevery\tdent\tin\tyour\tshield\tand\tnick\tin\tyour","sword,\t for\t every\t friend\t and\t foe\t dead\t before\t you\t \u2026\u201d\t The\t mug\t raised\t higher,\t and\t Aedion bowed\this\thead,\tgolden\thair\tgleaming\tin\tthe\tlight.\t\u201cFor\twhat\tyou\thave\tgiven,\tand\thave\tyet to\tgive,\tI\tsalute\tyou.\u201d For\t a\t heartbeat,\t as\t the\t room\t thundered\t with\t roars\t and\t cries,\t Chaol\t beheld\t what\t truly made\tAedion\ta\tthreat\u2014what\tmade\thim\ta\tgod\tto\tthese\tmen,\tand\twhy\tthe\tking\ttolerated\this insolence,\tring\tor\tno\tring. Aedion\t was\t not\t a\t noble\t in\t a\t castle,\t sipping\t wine.\t He\t was\t metal\t and\t sweat,\t sitting\t in this\t filthy\t tavern,\t drinking\t their\t ale.\t Whether\t it\t was\t real\t or\t not,\t they\t believed\t he\t cared about\tthem,\tlistened\tto\tthem.\tThey\tpreened\twhen\the\tremembered\ttheir\tnames,\ttheir\twives\u2019 and\tsisters\u2019\tnames,\tand\tslept\tassured\tthat\the\tsaw\tthem\tas\this\tbrothers.\tAedion\tmade\tsure that\tthey\tbelieved\the\twould\tfight\tand\tdie\tfor\tthem.\tThus\tthey\twould\tfight\tand\tdie\tfor\thim. And\tChaol\twas\tafraid,\tbut\tnot\tfor\thimself. He\t was\t afraid\t of\t what\t would\t come\t when\t Aedion\t and\t Aelin\t were\t reunited.\t For\t he\u2019d seen\tin\ther\tthat\tsame\tglittering\tember\tthat\tmade\tpeople\tlook\tand\tlisten.\tHad\tseen\ther\tstalk into\ta\tcouncil\tmeeting\twith\tCouncilor\tMullison\u2019s\thead\tand\tsmile\tat\tthe\tKing\tof\tAdarlan, every\t man\t in\t that\t room\t enthralled\t and\t petrified\t by\t the\t dark\t whirlwind\t of\t her\t spirit.\t The two\tof\tthem\ttogether,\tboth\tof\tthem\tlethal,\tworking\tto\tbuild\tan\tarmy,\tto\tignite\ttheir\tpeople \u2026\tHe\twas\tafraid\tof\twhat\tthey\twould\tdo\tto\this\tkingdom. Because\t this\t was\t still\t his\t kingdom.\t He\t was\t working\t for\t Dorian,\t not\t Aelin\u2014not Aedion.\tAnd\the\tdidn\u2019t\tknow\twhere\tall\tof\tthis\tput\thim. \u201cA\t contest!\u201d\t Aedion\t called,\t standing\t on\t the\t bench.\t Chaol\t hadn\u2019t\t moved\t during\t the\t long, long\t hour\t Aedion\t had\t been\t saluted\t and\t toasted\t by\t half\t the\t men\t in\t this\t room,\t each\t one getting\ta\tturn\tto\tstand\tand\ttell\this\tstory\tto\tthe\tgeneral. When\t Aedion\t had\t enough\t of\t being\t serenaded\t by\t his\t own\t enemy,\t his\t Ashryver\t eyes brilliant\t with\t a\t rush\t that\t Chaol\t knew\t was\t precisely\t because\t he\t hated\t each\t and\t every\t one of\t them\t and\t they\t were\t eating\t out\t of\t his\t palm\t like\t rabbits,\t the\t general\t roared\t for\t the contest. There\twere\ta\tfew\tshouted\tsuggestions\tfor\tdrinking\tgames,\tbut\tAedion\thoisted\this\tmug again,\tand\tsilence\tfell.\t\u201cFarthest\tto\ttravel\tdrinks\tfor\tfree.\u201d There\twere\tcries\tof\tBanjali,\tOrynth,\tMelisande,\tAnielle,\tEndovier,\tbut\tthen\t\u2026\t\u201cQuiet, all\tof\tyou!\u201d\tAn\tolder,\tgray-haired\tsoldier\tstood.\t\u201cI\tgot\tyou\tall\tbeat.\u201d\tHe\tlifted\this\tglass\tto the\t general,\t and\t pulled\t a\t scroll\t from\t his\t vest.\t Release\t papers.\t \u201cI\t just\t spent\t five\t years\t at Noll.\u201d Bulls-eye.\t Aedion\t thumped\t the\t empty\t seat\t at\t the\t table.\t \u201cThen\t you\t drink\t with\t us,\t my friend.\u201d\tThe\troom\tcheered\tagain. Noll.\tIt\twas\ta\tspeck\ton\tthe\tmap\tat\tthe\tfarthest\tend\tof\tthe\tDeserted\tPeninsula. The\tman\tsat\tdown,\tand\tbefore\tAedion\tcould\traise\ta\tfinger\tto\tthe\tbarkeep,\ta\tfresh\tpint was\tbefore\tthe\tstranger.\t\u201cNoll,\teh?\u201d\tAedion\tsaid. \u201cCommander\tJensen,\tof\tthe\ttwenty-fourth\tlegion,\tsir.\u201d","\u201cHow\tmany\tmen\twere\tunder\tyou,\tcommander?\u201d \u201cTwo\t thousand\u2014all\t of\t us\t sent\t back\t here\t last\t month.\u201d\t Jensen\t took\t a\t long\t drink.\t \u201cFive years,\tand\twe\u2019re\tdone\tjust\tlike\tthat.\u201d\tHe\tsnapped\this\tscarred,\tthick\tfingers. \u201cI\ttake\tit\tHis\tMajesty\tdidn\u2019t\tgive\tyou\tany\twarning?\u201d \u201cWith\t all\t due\t respect,\t general\t \u2026\t he\t didn\u2019t\t tell\t us\t shit.\t I\t got\t the\t word\t that\t we\t were\t to move\tout\tbecause\tnew\tforces\twere\tcoming\tin,\tand\twe\tweren\u2019t\tneeded\tanymore.\u201d Chaol\tkept\this\tmouth\tshut,\tlistening,\tas\tAedion\thad\ttold\thim\tto\tdo. \u201cWhat\tfor?\tIs\the\tsending\tyou\tto\tjoin\tanother\tlegion?\u201d \u201cNo\tword\tyet.\tDidn\u2019t\teven\ttell\tus\twho\twas\ttaking\tour\tplace.\u201d Aedion\tgrinned.\t\u201cAt\tleast\tyou\u2019re\tnot\tin\tNoll\tanymore.\u201d Jensen\tlooked\tinto\this\tdrink,\tbut\tnot\tbefore\tChaol\tcaught\tthe\tshadow\tin\tthe\tman\u2019s\teyes. \u201cWhat\twas\tit\tlike?\tOff\tthe\trecord,\tof\tcourse,\u201d\tAedion\tsaid. Jensen\u2019s\tsmile\thad\tfaded,\tand\twhen\the\tlooked\tup,\tthere\twas\tno\tlight\tin\this\teyes.\t\u201cThe volcanoes\tare\tactive,\tso\tit\u2019s\talways\tdark,\tyou\tsee,\tbecause\tthe\tash\tcovers\teverything.\tAnd because\t of\t the\t fumes,\t we\t always\t had\t headaches\u2014sometimes\t men\t went\t mad\t from\t them. Sometimes\t we\t got\t nosebleeds\t from\t them,\t too.\t We\t got\t our\t food\t once\t a\t month, occasionally\t less\t than\t that\t depending\t on\t the\t season\t and\t when\t the\t ships\t could\t bring\t in supplies.\t The\t locals\t wouldn\u2019t\t make\t the\t trek\t across\t the\t sands,\t no\t matter\t how\t much\t we threatened\tand\tbribed\tthem.\u201d \u201cWhy?\tLaziness?\u201d \u201cNoll\tisn\u2019t\tmuch\u2014just\tthe\ttower\tand\ttown\twe\tbuilt\taround\tit.\tBut\tthe\tvolcanoes\twere sacred,\t and\t ten\t years\t ago,\t maybe\t a\t bit\t longer,\t apparently\t we\t \u2026\t not\t my\t men,\t because\t I wasn\u2019t\t there,\t but\t rumor\t says\t the\t king\t took\t a\t legion\t into\t those\t volcanoes\t and\t sacked\t the temple.\u201d\t Jensen\t shook\t his\t head.\t \u201cThe\t locals\t spit\t on\t us,\t even\t the\t men\t who\t weren\u2019t\t there, for\tthat.\tThe\ttower\tof\tNoll\twas\tbuilt\tafterward,\tand\tthen\tthe\tlocals\tcursed\tit,\ttoo.\tSo\tit\twas always\tjust\tus.\u201d \u201cA\ttower?\u201d\tChaol\tsaid\tquietly,\tand\tAedion\tfrowned\tat\thim. Jensen\tdrank\tdeeply.\t\u201cNot\tthat\twe\twere\tever\tallowed\tin.\u201d \u201cThe\t men\t who\t went\t mad,\u201d\t Aedion\t said,\t a\t half\t smile\t on\t his\t face.\t \u201cWhat\t did\t they\t do, exactly?\u201d The\tshadows\twere\tback\tand\tJensen\tglanced\taround\thim,\tnot\tto\tsee\twho\twas\tlistening, but\talmost\tas\tif\the\twanted\tto\tfind\ta\tway\tout\tof\tthis\tconversation.\tBut\tthen\the\tlooked\tat\tthe general\t and\t said,\t \u201cOur\t reports\t say,\t general,\t that\t we\t killed\t them\u2014arrows\t to\t the\t throat. Quick\tand\tclean.\tBut\t\u2026\u201d Aedion\tleaned\tcloser.\t\u201cNot\ta\tword\tleaves\tthis\ttable.\u201d A\tvague\tnod.\t\u201cThe\ttruth\twas,\tby\tthe\ttime\twe\tgot\tour\tarchers\tready,\tthe\tmen\twho\twent mad\t had\t already\t bashed\t their\t own\t skulls\t in.\t Every\t time,\t as\t if\t they\t couldn\u2019t\t get\t the\t pain out.\u201d","Celaena\t claimed\t Kaltain\t and\t Roland\t had\t complained\t about\t headaches.\t As\t a\t result\t of the\tking\u2019s\tmagic\tbeing\tused\ton\tthem,\this\thorrible\tpower.\tAnd\tshe\thad\ttold\thim\tshe\tgot\ta pounding\t headache\t when\t she\t uncovered\t those\t secret\t dungeons\t beneath\t the\t castle. Dungeons\tthat\tled\tto\t\u2026 \u201cThe\ttower\u2014you\twere\tnever\tallowed\tin?\u201d\tChaol\tignored\tAedion\u2019s\twarning\tglare. \u201cThere\twas\tno\tdoor.\tAlways\tseemed\tmore\tdecorative\tthan\tanything.\tBut\tI\thated\tit\u2014we all\tdid.\tIt\twas\tjust\tthis\tawful\tblack\tstone.\u201d Just\t like\t the\t clock\t tower\t in\t the\t glass\t castle.\t Built\t around\t the\t same\t time,\t if\t not\t a\t few years\tbefore.\t\u201cWhy\tbother?\u201d\tAedion\tdrawled.\t\u201cA\twaste\tof\tresources,\tif\tyou\task\tme.\u201d There\t were\t still\t so\t many\t shadows\t in\t the\t man\u2019s\t eyes,\t full\t of\t stories\t that\t Chaol\t didn\u2019t dare\t ask\t about.\t The\t commander\t drained\t his\t glass\t and\t stood.\t \u201cI\t don\u2019t\t know\t why\t they bothered\u2014with\t Noll,\t or\t Amaroth.\t We\u2019d\t sometimes\t send\t men\t up\t and\t down\t the\t Western Sea\twith\tmessages\tbetween\tthe\ttowers,\tso\twe\tknew\tthey\thad\ta\tsimilar\tone.\tWe\tdidn\u2019t\teven really\tknow\twhat\tthe\thell\twe\twere\tall\tdoing\tout\tthere,\tanyway.\tThere\twas\tno\tone\tto\tfight.\u201d Amaroth.\tThe\tother\toutpost,\tand\tMurtaugh\u2019s\tother\tpossible\torigin\tpoint\tfor\ttheir\tspell. Due\tnorth\tfrom\tNoll.\tBoth\tthe\tsame\tdistance\tfrom\tRifthold.\tThree\ttowers\tof\tblack\tstone, all\tthree\tpoints\tmaking\tan\tequilateral\ttriangle.\tIt\thad\tto\tbe\tpart\tof\tthe\tspell,\tthen. Chaol\ttraced\tthe\trim\tof\this\tglass.\tHe\thad\tsworn\tto\tkeep\tDorian\tout\tof\tit,\tto\tleave\thim alone\t\u2026 He\thad\tno\tway\tof\ttesting\tout\tany\ttheory,\tand\tdidn\u2019t\twant\tto\tget\twithin\tten\tfeet\tof\tthat clock\t tower.\t But\t perhaps\t the\t theory\t could\t be\t tested\t on\t a\t small\t scale.\t Just\t to\t see\t if\t they were\tright\tabout\twhat\tthe\tking\thad\tdone.\tWhich\tmeant\t\u2026 He\tneeded\tDorian.","Chapter\t37 It\twas\ttwo\tweeks\tof\ttraining\tfor\tManon\tand\ther\tThirteen.\tTwo\tweeks\tof\twaking\tup\tbefore the\t sun\t to\t fly\t each\t canyon\t run,\t to\t master\t it\t as\t one\t unit.\t Two\t weeks\t of\t scratches\t and sprained\t limbs,\t of\t near\t deaths\t from\t falls\t or\t the\t wyverns\t squabbling\t or\t just\t stupid miscalculation. But\tslowly,\tthey\tdeveloped\tinstincts\u2014not\tjust\tas\ta\tfighting\tunit,\tbut\tas\tindividual\triders and\t mounts.\t Manon\t didn\u2019t\t like\t the\t thought\t of\t the\t mounts\t eating\t the\t foultasting\t meat raised\t within\t the\t mountain,\t so\t twice\t a\t day\t they\t hunted\t the\t mountain\t goats,\t swooping\t to pluck\t them\t off\t the\t mountainsides.\t It\t wasn\u2019t\t long\t before\t the\t witches\t started\t eating\t the goats\t themselves,\t building\t hasty\t fires\t in\t the\t mountain\t passes\t to\t cook\t their\t breakfast\t and evening\tmeals.\tManon\tdidn\u2019t\twant\tany\tof\tthem\u2014mounts\tor\triders\u2014taking\tanother\tbite\tof the\tfood\tgiven\tto\tthem\tby\tthe\tking\u2019s\tmen,\tor\ttasting\tthe\tmen\tthemselves.\tIf\tit\tsmelled\tand tasted\tstrange,\todds\twere\tsomething\twas\twrong\twith\tit. She\t didn\u2019t\t know\t if\t it\t was\t the\t fresh\t meat\t or\t the\t extra\t lessons,\t but\t the\t Thirteen\t were starting\t to\t outpace\t every\t coven.\t To\t the\t point\t where\t Manon\t ordered\t the\t Thirteen\t to\t hold back\twhenever\tthe\tYellowlegs\tgathered\tto\twatch\ttheir\tlessons. Abraxos\twas\tstill\ta\tproblem.\tShe\thadn\u2019t\tdared\ttake\tthe\tCrossing\twith\thim,\tas\this\twings, while\t slightly\t stronger,\t weren\u2019t\t better\t by\t much\u2014at\t least\t not\t enough\t to\t brave\t the\t sheer plunge\t through\t the\t narrow\t pass.\t Manon\t had\t been\t chewing\t it\t over\t every\t night\t when\t the Thirteen\t gathered\t in\t her\t room\t to\t compare\t notes\t about\t flying,\t their\t iron\t nails\t glinting\t as they\tused\ttheir\thands\tto\tdemonstrate\tthe\tways\tthey\u2019d\ttaught\ttheir\twyverns\tto\tbank,\tto\ttake off,\tto\tdo\tsome\tfancy\tmaneuver. For\t all\t the\t excitement,\t they\t were\t exhausted.\t Even\t the\t lofty-headed\t Bluebloods\t had their\ttempers\ton\ttight\tleashes,\tand\tManon\thad\tbeen\tcalled\tin\ta\tdozen\ttimes\tnow\tto\tbreak apart\tbrawls. Manon\t used\t her\t downtime\t to\t see\t Abraxos\u2014to\t check\t on\t his\t iron\t claws\t and\t teeth,\t to take\thim\tout\tfor\textra\trides\twhen\teveryone\telse\thad\tpassed\tout\tin\ttheir\tcots.\tHe\tneeded\tas much\t training\t as\t he\t could\t get,\t and\t she\t liked\t the\t quiet\t and\t stillness\t of\t the\t night,\t with\t the silvered\t mountain\t peaks\t and\t the\t river\t of\t stars\t above,\t even\t if\t it\t made\t waking\t up\t the\t next day\tdifficult. So\t after\t braving\t the\t wrath\t of\t her\t grandmother,\t Manon\t won\t two\t days\t off\t for\t the Blackbeaks,\t convincing\t her\t that\t if\t they\t didn\u2019t\t rest,\t there\t would\t be\t outright\t war\t in\t the middle\t of\t the\t mess\t hall\t and\t the\t king\t wouldn\u2019t\t have\t an\t aerial\t cavalry\t left\t to\t ride\t his wyverns\tinto\tbattle. They\tgot\ttwo\tdays\tto\tsleep\tand\teat\tand\tsee\tto\twhatever\tneeds\tonly\tthe\tmen\tacross\tthe mountain\tcould\tprovide.\tThat\twas\tsomething\ta\tgood\tnumber\tof\tthe\tThirteen\twere\tdoing, as\tshe\u2019d\tseen\tVesta,\tLin,\tAsterin,\tand\tthe\tdemon\ttwins\tstalking\tacross\tthe\tbridge. No\tsleeping\tfor\tManon\ttoday\tor\ttomorrow.\tNo\teating.\tOr\tbedding\tmen.","No,\tshe\twas\ttaking\tAbraxos\tout\tinto\tthe\tRuhnns. He\twas\talready\tsaddled,\tand\tManon\tensured\tWind-Cleaver\twas\ttightly\tstrapped\tto\ther back\tas\tshe\tmounted\thim.\tThe\tsaddlebags\twere\tan\tunexpected\tweight\tbehind\ther,\tand\tshe made\ta\tnote\tto\tstart\ttraining\tthe\tThirteen\tand\tthe\trest\tof\tthe\tcovens\twith\tthem.\tIf\tthey\twere to\t be\t an\t army,\t then\t they\u2019d\t carry\t their\t supplies,\t as\t most\t soldiers\t did.\t And\t training\t with weights\twould\tmake\tthem\tfaster\twhen\tit\tcame\ttime\tto\tfly\twithout\tthem. \u201cYou\tsure\tI\tcan\u2019t\tconvince\tyou\tnot\tto\tgo?\u201d\tthe\toverseer\tsaid\tas\tshe\tpaused\tat\tthe\tback gates.\t\u201cYou\tknow\tthe\tstories\tas\twell\tas\tI\tdo\u2014this\twon\u2019t\tcome\twithout\ta\tcost.\u201d \u201cHis\t wings\t are\t weak,\t and\t so\t far\t everything\t else\t we\u2019ve\t tried\t to\t reinforce\t them\t has failed,\u201d\t she\t said.\t \u201cIt\t might\t be\t the\t only\t material\t that\t could\t patch\t up\t his\t wings\t and withstand\tthe\twinds.\tAs\tI\tdon\u2019t\tsee\tany\tmarkets\tnearby,\tI\tsuppose\tI\u2019ll\thave\tto\tgo\tdirectly to\tthe\tsource.\u201d The\toverseer\tfrowned\tat\tthe\tgray\tsky\tbeyond.\t\u201cBad\tday\tfor\tflying\u2014storm\u2019s\tcoming.\u201d \u201cIt\u2019s\t the\t only\t day\t I\t have.\u201d\t Even\t as\t she\t said\t it,\t she\t wished\t that\t she\t could\t take\t the Thirteen\tinto\tthe\tskies\twhen\tthe\tstorm\thit\u2014to\ttrain\tthem\tin\tthat,\ttoo. \u201cBe\tcareful,\tand\tthink\tthrough\tany\tbargain\tthey\toffer\tyou.\u201d \u201cIf\tI\twanted\tyour\tadvice,\tI\u2019d\task\tfor\tit,\tmortal,\u201d\tshe\tsaid,\tbut\the\twas\tright. Still,\t Manon\t led\t Abraxos\t out\t through\t the\t gates\t and\t to\t their\t usual\t takeoff\t spot.\t They had\t a\t long\t way\t to\t fly\t today\t and\t tomorrow\u2014all\t the\t way\t to\t the\t edge\t of\t the\t Ruhnn Mountains. To\tfind\tspidersilk.\tAnd\tthe\tlegendary\tStygian\tspiders,\tlarge\tas\thorses\tand\tdeadlier\tthan poison,\twho\twove\tit. The\t storm\t hit\t right\t as\t Manon\t and\t Abraxos\t circled\t the\t westernmost\t outcropping\t of\t the Ruhnns.\t Through\t the\t icy\t rain\t lashing\t her\t face\t and\t soaking\t right\t through\t her\t layers\t of clothes,\tshe\tcould\tsee\tthat\tthe\tmist\thung\tlow\tover\tthe\tmountains,\tveiling\tmuch\tof\tthe\tash- gray,\tjagged\tlabyrinth\tbelow. With\tthe\trising\twinds\tand\tlightning\tthrashing\taround\tthem,\tManon\tgrounded\tAbraxos on\t the\t only\t open\t bit\t of\t land\t she\t could\t spot.\t She\u2019d\t wait\t until\t the\t storm\t had\t passed,\t and then\tthey\twould\ttake\tto\tthe\tskies\tand\tscan\tthe\tarea\tuntil\tthey\tfound\tthe\tspiders.\tOr\tat\tleast clues\tabout\ttheir\twhereabouts\u2014mostly\tin\tthe\tform\tof\tbones,\tshe\texpected. But\tthe\tstorm\tcontinued,\tand\tthough\tshe\tand\tAbraxos\tpressed\tthemselves\tinto\tthe\tside of\t a\t little\t cliff,\t it\t did\t nothing\t to\t shield\t them.\t She\t would\t have\t preferred\t snow\t over\t this freezing\train,\twhich\tcame\twith\tso\tmuch\twind\tthat\tshe\tcouldn\u2019t\tlight\ta\tfire. Night\tfell\tswiftly\tthanks\tto\tthe\tstorm,\tand\tManon\thad\tto\tput\ther\tiron\tteeth\taway\tto\tkeep them\tfrom\tchattering\tright\tthrough\ther\tlip.\tHer\thood\twas\tuseless,\tsoaked\tand\tdripping\tin her\teyes,\tand\teven\tAbraxos\thad\tcurled\tinto\tas\ttight\ta\tball\tas\the\tcould\tagainst\tthe\tstorm. Stupid,\thorrible\tidea.\tShe\tpulled\ta\tgoat\tleg\tfrom\ta\tsaddle\tbag\tand\ttossed\tit\tto\tAbraxos, who\t uncurled\t himself\t long\t enough\t to\t chomp\t it\t down,\t and\t then\t went\t right\t back\t to shielding\thimself\tagainst\tthe\tstorm.\tShe\tcursed\therself\tfor\ta\tfool\tas\tshe\tchoked\tdown\ther","own\tmeal\tof\tsoggy\tbread\tand\ta\tfreezing\tapple,\tthen\tgnawed\ton\ta\tbit\tof\tcheese. It\t was\t worth\t it.\t To\t secure\t victory\t for\t the\t Thirteen,\t to\t be\t Wing\t Leader,\t one\t night\t in\t a storm\t was\t nothing.\t She\u2019d\t been\t through\t worse,\t trapped\t in\t snowy\t mountain\t passes\t with fewer\t layers\t of\t clothes,\t no\t way\t out,\t and\t no\t food.\t She\u2019d\t survived\t storms\t some\t witches didn\u2019t\tawaken\tfrom\tthe\tnext\tmorning.\tBut\tshe\tstill\twould\thave\tpreferred\tsnow. Manon\t studied\t the\t labyrinth\t of\t rock\t around\t them.\t She\t could\t feel\t eyes\t out\t there\u2014 observing.\tYet\tnothing\tcame\tcloser,\tnothing\tdared.\tSo\tafter\ta\twhile,\tshe\tcurled\ton\ther\tside, just\t like\t Abraxos,\t her\t head\t and\t chest\t angled\t toward\t the\t cliff\t face,\t and\t tucked\t her\t arms across\therself,\tholding\ttight. Mercifully,\t it\t stopped\t raining\t in\t the\t night,\t or\t at\t least\t the\t angle\t of\t the\t wind\t shifted\t to stop\tpounding\ton\tthem.\tShe\tslept\tbetter\tafter\tthat,\tbut\tshe\tstill\tshook\tfrom\tcold\u2014though\tit felt\t slightly\t warmer.\t Those\t small\t hints\t of\t warmth\t and\t dryness\t were\t probably\t what\t kept her\t from\t shaking\t to\t death\t or\t getting\t ill,\t she\t realized\t as\t she\t dozed\t off,\t awakening\t at\t the gray\tlight\tof\tdawn. When\tshe\topened\ther\teyes,\tshe\twas\tin\tshadow\u2014shadow,\tbut\tdry\tand\twarm,\tthanks\tto the\tmassive\twing\tshielding\ther\tfrom\tthe\telements\tand\tthe\theat\tof\tAbraxos\u2019s\tbreath\tfilling the\tspace\tlike\ta\tlittle\tfurnace.\tHe\twas\tstill\tsnoozing\u2014a\tdeep,\theavy\tsleep. She\thad\tto\tbrush\tice\tcrystals\toff\this\toutstretched\twing\tbefore\the\tcame\tawake. The\t storm\t had\t cleared\t and\t the\t skies\t were\t an\t untamed\t blue\u2014clear\t enough\t that\t they\t only needed\tto\tcircle\tthe\twestern\toutcropping\tof\tthe\tRuhnns\tonce\tbefore\tManon\tspotted\twhat she\u2019d\t been\t looking\t for.\t Not\t just\t bones,\t but\t trees\t shrouded\t in\t dusty\t gray\t webs\t like mourning\twidows. It\t wasn\u2019t\t spidersilk,\t she\t saw\t as\t Abraxos\t swooped\t low,\t gliding\t over\t the\t trees.\t These were\tonly\tordinary\twebs. If\tyou\tcould\tcall\tan\tentire\tmountain\twood\tshrouded\tin\twebs\tordinary.\tAbraxos\tgrowled every\t so\t often\t at\t something\t below\u2014shadows\t or\t whispers\t she\t couldn\u2019t\t see.\t But\t she\t did notice\tthe\tcrawling\ton\tthe\tbranches,\tspiders\tof\tevery\tshape\tand\tsize,\tas\tif\tthey\thad\tall\tbeen summoned\there\tto\tlive\tunder\tthe\tprotection\tof\ttheir\tmassive\tbrethren. It\t took\t them\t half\t the\t morning\t to\t find\t the\t ashen\t mountain\t caves\t hovering\t above\t the veiled\t wood,\t where\t bare\t bones\t littered\t the\t ground.\t She\t circled\t a\t few\t times,\t then\t set Abraxos\tdown\ton\tan\toutcropping\tof\tstone\tat\tone\tof\tthe\tcave\tmouths,\tthe\tcliff\tface\tbehind them\ta\tsheer\tplunge\tto\ta\tdried-out\travine\tbelow. Abraxos\t paced\t like\t a\t mountain\t cat,\t tail\t lashing\t this\t way\t and\t that\t as\t he\t watched\t the cave. She\t pointed\t to\t the\t edge\t of\t the\t cliff.\t \u201cEnough.\t Sit\t down\t and\t stop\t moving.\t You\t know why\twe\u2019re\there.\tSo\tdon\u2019t\truin\tit.\u201d He\thuffed\tbut\tplopped\tdown,\tshooting\tgrayish\tdust\tinto\tthe\tair.\tHe\tdraped\this\tlong\ttail along\t the\t length\t of\t the\t cliff\u2019s\t edge,\t a\t physical\t barrier\t between\t Manon\t and\t the\t plunge. Manon\t stared\t him\t down\t for\t a\t moment\t before\t an\t otherworldly,\t feminine\t laugh\t flittered from\tthe\tcave\tmouth.\t\u201cNow\tthat\tbeast\tis\tone\twe\thave\tnot\tseen\tfor\tan\tage.\u201d","Manon\t kept\t her\t face\t blank.\t The\t light\t was\t bright\t enough\t to\t reveal\t several\t ancient, merciless\t eyes\t looming\t within\t the\t cave\t mouth\u2014and\t three\t massive\t shadows\t lurking behind.\tThe\tvoice\tsaid,\tcloser\tnow,\tpincers\tclicking\tlike\tan\taccompanying\tdrum,\t\u201cAnd\tit has\tbeen\tan\tage\tsince\twe\tdealt\twith\tthe\tIronteeth.\u201d Manon\tdidn\u2019t\tdare\ttouch\tWind-Cleaver\tas\tshe\tsaid,\t\u201cThe\tworld\tis\tchanging,\tsister.\u201d \u201cSister,\u201d\tthe\tspider\tmused.\t\u201cI\tsuppose\twe\tare\tsisters,\tyou\tand\tI.\tTwo\tfaces\tof\tthe\tsame dark\tcoin,\tfrom\tthe\tsame\tdark\tmaker.\tSisters\tin\tspirit,\tif\tnot\tin\tflesh.\u201d Then\tshe\temerged\tinto\tthe\tmurky\tlight,\tthe\tmist\tsweeping\tpast\ther\tlike\ta\tpilgrimage\tof phantom\t souls.\t She\t was\t black\t and\t gray,\t and\t the\t sheer\t mass\t of\t her\t was\t enough\t to\t make Manon\u2019s\tmouth\tgo\tdry.\tDespite\tthe\tsize,\tshe\twas\telegantly\tbuilt,\ther\tlegs\tlong\tand\tsmooth, her\tbody\tstreamlined\tand\tgleaming.\tGlorious. Abraxos\tlet\tout\ta\tsoft\tgrowl,\tbut\tManon\theld\tout\ta\thand\tto\tsilence\thim. \u201cI\tsee\tnow,\u201d\tManon\tsaid\tsoftly,\t\u201cwhy\tmy\tBlueblood\tsisters\tstill\tworship\tyou.\u201d \u201cDo\tthey,\tnow?\u201d\tThe\tspider\tremained\tmotionless,\tbut\tthe\tthree\tbehind\ther\tcrept\tcloser, silent\t and\t observing\t with\t their\t many\t dark\t eyes.\t \u201cWe\t can\t hardly\t recall\t the\t last\t time\t the Blueblood\tpriestesses\tbrought\ttheir\tsacrifices\tto\tour\tfoothills.\tWe\tdo\tmiss\tthem.\u201d Manon\tsmiled\ttightly.\t\u201cI\tcan\tthink\tof\ta\tfew\tI\u2019d\tlike\tto\tsend\tyour\tway.\u201d A\tsoft,\twicked\tlaugh.\t\u201cA\tBlackbeak,\tno\tdoubt.\u201d\tThose\teight\tmassive\teyes\ttook\ther\tin, swallowed\ther\twhole.\t\u201cYour\thair\treminds\tme\tof\tour\tsilk.\u201d \u201cI\tsuppose\tI\tshould\tbe\tflattered.\u201d \u201cTell\tme\tyour\tname,\tBlackbeak.\u201d \u201cMy\tname\tdoes\tnot\tmatter,\u201d\tManon\tsaid.\t\u201cI\u2019ve\tcome\tto\tbargain.\u201d \u201cWhat\twould\ta\tBlackbeak\twitch\twant\twith\tour\tprecious\tsilk?\u201d She\tturned\tto\treveal\tthe\tvigilant\tAbraxos,\this\tfocus\tpinned\ton\tthe\tmassive\tspider,\ttense from\tthe\ttip\tof\this\tnose\tto\this\tiron-spiked\ttail.\t\u201cHis\twings\tneed\treinforcement.\tI\theard\tthe legends\tand\twondered\tif\tyour\tsilk\tmight\thelp.\u201d \u201cWe\thave\tbartered\tour\tsilk\tto\tmerchants\tand\tthieves\tand\tkings,\tto\tbe\tspun\tinto\tdresses and\tveils\tand\tsails.\tBut\tnever\tfor\twings.\u201d \u201cI\u2019ll\tneed\tten\tyards\tof\tit\u2014woven\tbolts,\tif\tyou\thave\tthem.\u201d The\tspider\tseemed\tto\tstill\tfurther.\t\u201cMen\thave\tsacrificed\ttheir\tlives\tfor\ta\tyard.\u201d \u201cName\tyour\tprice.\u201d \u201cTen\t yards\t \u2026\u201d\t She\t turned\t to\t the\t three\t waiting\t behind\t her\u2014offspring\t or\t minions\t or guards,\tManon\tdidn\u2019t\tknow.\t\u201cBring\tout\tthe\tbolt.\tI\tshall\tinspect\tit\tbefore\tI\tname\tmy\tprice.\u201d Good.\tThis\twas\tgoing\twell.\tSilence\tfell\tas\tthe\tthree\tscuttled\tinto\tthe\tcave,\tand\tManon tried\tnot\tto\tkick\tany\tof\tthe\ttiny\tspiders\tcrawling\tacross\ther\tboots.\tOr\tlook\tfor\tthe\teyes\tshe felt\twatching\tfrom\tthe\tnearby\tcaves\tacross\tthe\travine. \u201cTell\tme,\tBlackbeak,\u201d\tthe\tspider\tsaid,\t\u201chow\tdid\tyou\tcome\tacross\tyour\tmount?\u201d","\u201cHe\twas\ta\tgift\tfrom\tthe\tKing\tof\tAdarlan.\tWe\tare\tto\tbe\ta\tpart\tof\this\thost,\tand\twhen\twe are\tdone\tserving\thim,\twe\twill\ttake\tthem\thome\u2014to\tthe\tWastes.\tTo\treclaim\tour\tkingdom.\u201d \u201cAh.\tAnd\tis\tthe\tcurse\tbroken?\u201d \u201cNot\t yet.\t But\t when\t we\t find\t the\t Crochan\t who\t can\t undo\t it\t \u2026\u201d\t She\t would\t enjoy\t that bloodletting. \u201cSuch\t a\t delightfully\t nasty\t curse.\t You\t won\t the\t land,\t only\t for\t the\t cunning\t Crochans\t to curse\tit\tbeyond\tuse.\tHave\tyou\tseen\tthe\tWastes\tthese\tdays?\u201d \u201cNo,\u201d\tManon\tsaid.\t\u201cI\thave\tnot\tyet\tbeen\tto\tour\thome.\u201d \u201cA\tmerchant\tcame\tby\ta\tfew\tyears\tago\u2014he\ttold\tme\tthere\twas\ta\tmortal\tHigh\tKing\twho had\t set\t himself\t up\t there.\t But\t I\t heard\t a\t whisper\t on\t the\t wind\t recently\t that\t said\t he\u2019d\t been deposed\tby\ta\tyoung\twoman\twith\twine-red\thair\twho\tnow\tcalls\therself\ttheir\tHigh\tQueen.\u201d Manon\tbristled.\tHigh\tQueen\tof\tthe\tWastes\tindeed.\tShe\twould\tbe\tthe\tfirst\tManon\twould kill\t when\t she\t returned\t to\t reclaim\t the\t land,\t when\t she\t finally\t saw\t it\t with\t her\t own\t eyes, breathed\tin\tits\tsmells\tand\tbeheld\tits\tuntamable\tbeauty. \u201cA\t strange\t place,\t the\t Wastes,\u201d\t the\t spider\t continued.\t \u201cThe\t merchant\t himself\t was\t from there\u2014a\t former\t shape-shifter.\t Lost\t his\t gifts,\t just\t like\t all\t of\t you\t truly\t mortal\t things.\t He was\tstuck\tin\ta\tman\u2019s\tbody,\tthankfully,\tbut\the\tdid\tnot\trealize\tthat\twhen\the\tsold\tme\ttwenty years\tof\this\tlife,\tsome\tof\this\tgifts\tpassed\tto\tme.\tI\tcan\u2019t\tuse\tthem,\tof\tcourse,\tbut\tI\twonder \u2026\tI\tdo\twonder\twhat\tit\twould\tbe\tlike.\tTo\tsee\tthe\tworld\tthrough\tyour\tpretty\teyes.\tTo\ttouch a\thuman\tman.\u201d The\thair\ton\tManon\u2019s\tneck\trose.\t\u201cHere\twe\tare,\u201d\tthe\tspider\tsaid\tas\tthe\tthree\tapproached, a\tbolt\tof\tsilk\tflowing\tbetween\tthem\tlike\ta\triver\tof\tlight\tand\tcolor.\tManon\u2019s\tbreath\tcaught. \u201cIsn\u2019t\tit\tmagnificent?\tSome\tof\tthe\tfinest\tweaving\tI\u2019ve\tever\tdone.\u201d \u201cGlorious,\u201d\tManon\tadmitted.\t\u201cYour\tprice?\u201d The\tspider\tstared\tat\ther\tfor\ta\tlong\ttime.\t\u201cWhat\tprice\tcould\tI\task\tof\ta\tlong-lived\twitch? Twenty\t years\t off\t your\t lifespan\t is\t nothing\t to\t you,\t even\t with\t magic\t aging\t you\t like\t an ordinary\t woman.\t And\t your\t dreams\t \u2026\t what\t dark,\t horrible\t dreams\t they\t must\t be, Blackbeak.\tI\tdo\tnot\tthink\tI\tshould\tlike\tto\teat\tthem\u2014not\tthose\tdreams.\u201d\tThe\tspider\tcame closer.\t\u201cBut\twhat\tof\tyour\tface?\tWhat\tif\tI\ttook\tyour\tbeauty?\u201d \u201cI\tdo\tnot\tthink\tI\u2019d\twalk\taway\tif\tyou\ttook\tmy\tface.\u201d The\tspider\tlaughed.\t\u201cOh,\tI\tdon\u2019t\tmean\tyour\tliteral\tface.\tBut\tthe\tcolor\tof\tyour\tskin,\tthe hue\tof\tyour\tburnt\tgold\teyes.\tThe\tway\tyour\thair\tcatches\tthe\tlight,\tlike\tmoonlight\ton\tsnow. Those\tthings\tI\tcould\ttake.\tThat\tbeauty\tcould\twin\tyou\ta\tking.\tPerhaps\tif\tmagic\treturns,\tI\u2019ll use\tit\tfor\tmy\twoman\u2019s\tbody.\tPerhaps\tI\u2019ll\twin\ta\tking\tof\tmy\tvery\town.\u201d Manon\tdidn\u2019t\tparticularly\tcare\tabout\ther\tbeauty,\tweapon\tthough\tit\twas.\tBut\tshe\twasn\u2019t about\tto\tsay\tthat,\tor\tto\toffer\tit\twithout\tbargaining.\t\u201cI\u2019d\tlike\tto\tinspect\tthe\tsilk\tfirst.\u201d \u201cCut\t a\t swatch,\u201d\t the\t spider\t ordered\t the\t three,\t who\t gently\t set\t down\t the\t yards\t of\t silk while\tone\tsliced\toff\ta\tperfect\tsquare.\tMen\thad\tkilled\tfor\tsmaller\tamounts\u2014and\there\tthey were,\tcutting\tit\tas\tif\tit\twere\tordinary\twool.\tManon\ttried\tnot\tto\tthink\tabout\tthe\tsize\tof\tthe pincer\tthat\textended\tit\tto\ther.\tShe\tstalked\tto\tthe\tcliff\tedge,\tstepping\tover\tAbraxos\u2019s\ttail\tas","she\theld\tthe\tsilk\tto\tthe\tlight. Darkness\t embrace\t her,\t it\t sparkled.\t She\t tugged\t it.\t Flexible,\t but\t strong\t as\t steel. Impossibly\tlight.\tBut\u2014 \u201cThere\u2019s\t an\t imperfection\t here\t \u2026\t Can\t I\t expect\t the\t rest\t of\t it\t to\t be\t similarly\t marred?\u201d The\t spider\t hissed\t and\t the\t ground\t thudded\t as\t she\t neared.\t Abraxos\t stopped\t her\t with\t a warning\t growl\t that\t set\t the\t other\t three\t coming\t up\t behind\t her\u2014guards,\t then.\t But\t Manon held\t up\t the\t swatch\t to\t the\t light.\t \u201cLook,\u201d\t Manon\t said,\t pointing\t to\t a\t vein\t of\t color\t running through\tit. \u201cThat\u2019s\t no\t imperfection,\u201d\t the\t spider\t snapped.\t Abraxos\u2019s\t tail\t curled\t around\t Manon,\t a shield\tbetween\ther\tand\tthe\tspiders,\tbringing\ther\tcloser\tto\tthe\twall\tof\this\tbody. Manon\theld\tit\thigher,\tangling\tit\ttoward\tthe\tsun.\t\u201cLook\tin\tthe\tbetter\tlight.\tYou\tthink\tI\u2019m going\tto\tgive\taway\tmy\tbeauty\tfor\tsecond-rate\tweaving?\u201d \u201cSecond\trate!\u201d\tthe\tspider\tseethed.\tAbraxos\u2019s\ttail\tcurled\ttighter. \u201cNo\u2014it\tappears\tI\u2019m\tmistaken.\u201d\tManon\tlowered\ther\tarms,\tsmiling.\t\u201cIt\tseems\tI\u2019m\tnot\tin the\tbargaining\tmood\ttoday.\u201d The\t spiders,\t now\t standing\t along\t the\t cliff\u2019s\t edge,\t didn\u2019t\t even\t have\t time\t to\t move\t as Abraxos\u2019s\ttail\tunwound\tlike\ta\twhip\tand\tslammed\tinto\tthem. They\twent\tflying\tinto\tthe\travine,\tshrieking.\tManon\tdidn\u2019t\twaste\ta\tsecond\tas\tshe\tstuffed the\t remaining\t yards\t of\t silk\t into\t the\t empty\t saddlebags.\t She\t mounted\t Abraxos\t and\t they leapt\tinto\tthe\tair,\tthe\tcliff\tthe\tperfect\ttakeoff\tspot,\tjust\tas\tshe\u2019d\tplanned. The\tperfect\ttrap\tfor\tthose\tfoolish,\tancient\tmonsters.","Chapter\t38 Manon\tgave\ta\tfoot\tof\tspidersilk\tto\tthe\toverseer\tafter\the\tcarefully\tgrafted\tit\tonto\tAbraxos\u2019s wings.\tShe\u2019d\tgotten\textra\u2014lots\tof\tit,\tin\tcase\tit\tever\twore\tdown\u2014and\tit\twas\tnow\tlocked\tin the\tfalse\tbottom\tof\ta\ttrunk.\tShe\ttold\tno\tone\twhere\tshe\thad\tbeen,\tor\twhy\tAbraxos\u2019s\twings now\t shimmered\t in\t a\t certain\t light.\t Asterin\t would\t have\t murdered\t her\t for\t the\t risk,\t and\t her grandmother\twould\thave\tbutchered\tAsterin\tfor\tnot\tbeing\tthere.\tManon\twas\tin\tno\tmood\tto replace\ther\tSecond\tand\tfind\ta\tnew\tmember\tfor\tthe\tThirteen. Once\tAbraxos\thad\thealed,\tManon\tbrought\thim\tto\tthe\tmouth\tof\tthe\tNorthern\tFang\tto\ttry the\t Crossing.\t Before,\t his\t wings\t had\t been\t too\t weak\t to\t attempt\t the\t plunge\u2014but\t with\t the silk\treinforcements,\the\u2019d\tstand\ta\tfar\tgreater\tchance. But\tthe\trisk\tremained,\twhich\twas\twhy\tAsterin\tand\tSorrel\twaited\tbehind\ther,\talready\ton their\tmounts.\tIf\tthings\twent\twrong,\tif\tAbraxos\tcouldn\u2019t\tpull\tup\tor\tthe\tsilk\tfailed,\tshe\twas to\tjump\u2014jump\taway\tfrom\thim.\tLet\thim\tdie,\twhile\tone\tof\tthem\tcaught\ther\tin\tthe\tclaws\tof their\twyverns. Manon\twasn\u2019t\ttoo\tkeen\ton\tthat\tplan,\tbut\tit\twas\tthe\tonly\tway\tAsterin\tand\tSorrel\twould agree\tto\tlet\ther\tdo\tit.\tThough\tManon\twas\tthe\tBlackbeak\their,\tthey\twould\thave\tlocked\ther in\ta\twyvern\tpen\trather\tthan\tlet\ther\tmake\tthe\tCrossing\twithout\tthe\tproper\tprecautions.\tShe might\thave\tcalled\tthem\tsofthearted\tand\tgiven\tthem\tthe\tbeatings\tthey\tdeserved,\tbut\tit\twas smart.\tTensions\twere\tworse\tthan\tever,\tand\tshe\twouldn\u2019t\tput\tit\tpast\tthe\tYellowlegs\their\tto spook\tAbraxos\tduring\tthe\tCrossing. Manon\t nodded\t her\t readiness\t to\t her\t Second\t and\t Third\t before\t approaching\t her\t beast. Not\t many\t had\t gathered,\t but\t Iskra\t was\t on\t the\t viewing\t platform,\t smiling\t faintly.\t Manon checked\tthe\tstirrups,\tthe\tsaddle,\tand\tthe\treins\tone\tmore\ttime,\tAbraxos\ttense\tand\tsnarling. \u201cLet\u2019s\tgo,\u201d\tshe\tsaid\tto\thim,\tpulling\tthe\treins\tto\tlead\thim\ta\tbit\tfarther\tahead\tso\tshe\tcould mount\t him.\t He\t still\t had\t plenty\t of\t space\t to\t get\t a\t running\t start\u2014and\t with\t his\t new\t wings, she\t knew\t he\t would\t be\t fine.\t They\u2019d\t done\t steep\t plunges\t and\t hard\t upswings\t before.\t But Abraxos\twouldn\u2019t\tmove. \u201cNow,\u201d\tshe\tsnapped\tat\thim,\ttugging\thard. Abraxos\t turned\t an\t eye\t to\t her\t and\t growled.\t She\t lightly\t smacked\t his\t leathery\t cheek. \u201cNow.\u201d Those\thind\tlegs\tdug\tin,\tand\the\ttucked\this\twings\tin\ttight.\t\u201cAbraxos.\u201d He\t was\t looking\t at\t the\t Crossing,\t then\t back\t at\t her.\t Wide-eyed.\t Petrified\u2014utterly petrified.\tUseless,\tstupid,\tcowardly\tbeast. \u201cStop\tit,\u201d\tshe\tsaid,\tmoving\tto\tclimb\tinto\tthe\tsaddle\tinstead.\t\u201cYour\twings\tare\tfine\tnow.\u201d She\treached\tfor\this\thaunch\tbut\the\treared\taway,\tthe\tground\tshaking\tas\the\tslammed\tdown. Behind\t her,\t Asterin\t and\t Sorrel\t murmured\t to\t their\t mounts,\t who\t had\t skittered\t back\t and snapped\tat\tAbraxos,\tand\tat\teach\tother.","There\twas\ta\tsoft\tlaugh\tfrom\tthe\tviewing\tplatform,\tand\tManon\u2019s\tteeth\tpopped\tdown. \u201cAbraxos.\tNow.\u201d\tShe\treached\tfor\tthe\tsaddle\tagain. He\tbucked\taway,\tslamming\tinto\tthe\twall\tand\tshrinking\tback. One\tof\tthe\tmen\tbrought\tout\ta\twhip,\tbut\tshe\theld\tout\ta\thand.\t\u201cDon\u2019t\ttake\tanother\tstep,\u201d she\tsnapped,\tiron\tnails\tout.\tWhips\tonly\tmade\tAbraxos\tmore\tuncontrollable.\tShe\tturned\tto her\t mount.\t \u201cYou\t rutting\t coward,\u201d\t she\t hissed\t at\t the\t beast,\t pointing\t to\t the\t Crossing.\t \u201cGet back\tin\tline.\u201d\tAbraxos\tmet\ther\tstare,\trefusing\tto\tback\tdown.\t\u201cGet\tin\tline,\tAbraxos!\u201d \u201cHe\tcan\u2019t\tunderstand\tyou,\u201d\tAsterin\tsaid\tquietly. \u201cYes,\t he\u2014\u201d\t Manon\t shut\t her\t mouth.\t She\t hadn\u2019t\t told\t them\t that\t theory,\t not\t yet.\t She turned\tback\tto\tthe\twyvern.\t\u201cIf\tyou\tdon\u2019t\tlet\tme\tinto\tthat\tsaddle\tand\tmake\tthat\tjump,\tI\u2019m going\tto\thave\tyou\tconfined\tto\tthe\tdarkest,\tsmallest\tpit\tin\tthis\tbloody\tmountain.\u201d He\tbared\this\tteeth.\tShe\tbared\thers. The\tstaring\tcontest\tlasted\tfor\ta\tfull\tminute.\tOne\thumiliating,\tenraging\tminute. \u201cFine,\u201d\tshe\tspat,\tturning\tfrom\tthe\tbeast.\tHe\twas\ta\twaste\tof\ther\ttime.\t\u201cHave\thim\tlocked up\twherever\the\u2019ll\tbe\tthe\tmost\tmiserable,\u201d\tshe\tsaid\tto\tthe\toverseer.\t\u201cHe\u2019s\tnot\tcoming\tout until\the\u2019s\twilling\tto\tmake\tthe\tCrossing.\u201d The\t overseer\t gaped,\t and\t Manon\t snapped\t her\t fingers\t at\t Asterin\t and\t Sorrel\t to\t signal them\t to\t dismount.\t She\u2019d\t never\t hear\t the\t end\t of\t this\u2014not\t from\t her\t grandmother,\t or\t from the\t Yellowlegs\t witches,\t or\t from\t Iskra,\t who\t was\t already\t making\t her\t way\t across\t the\t floor of\tthe\tpit. \u201cWhy\tdon\u2019t\tyou\tstay,\tManon?\u201d\tIskra\tcalled.\t\u201cI\tcould\tshow\tyour\twyvern\thow\tit\u2019s\tdone.\u201d \u201cKeep\twalking,\u201d\tSorrel\tmurmured\tto\tManon,\tbut\tshe\tdidn\u2019t\tneed\ta\treminder. \u201cThey\tsay\tit\u2019s\tnot\tthe\tbeasts\twho\tare\tthe\tproblem,\tbut\tthe\triders,\u201d\tIskra\twent\ton,\tloud enough\tfor\teveryone\tto\thear.\tManon\tdidn\u2019t\tturn.\tShe\tdidn\u2019t\twant\tto\tsee\tthem\ttake\tAbraxos back\tto\tthe\tgate,\tto\twhatever\thole\tthey\u2019d\tlock\thim\tin.\tStupid,\tuseless\tbeast. \u201cThough,\u201d\tIskra\tsaid\tthoughtfully,\t\u201cperhaps\tyour\tmount\tneeds\ta\tbit\tof\tdiscipline.\u201d \u201cLet\u2019s\t go,\u201d\t Sorrel\t coaxed,\t pressing\t in\t tight\t to\t Manon\u2019s\t side.\t Asterin\t walked\t a\t step behind,\tguarding\tManon\u2019s\tback. \u201cGive\tthat\tto\tme,\u201d\tIskra\tbarked\tat\tsomeone.\t\u201cHe\tjust\tneeds\tthe\tright\tencouragement.\u201d A\twhip\tsnapped\tbehind\tthem,\tand\tthere\twas\ta\troar\u2014of\tpain\tand\tfear. Manon\tstopped\tdead. Abraxos\twas\thuddling\tagainst\tthe\twall. Iskra\tstood\tbefore\thim,\twhip\tbloody\tfrom\tthe\tline\tshe\u2019d\tsliced\tdown\this\tface,\tnarrowly missing\t his\t eye.\t Her\t iron\t teeth\t shining\t bright,\t Iskra\t smiled\t at\t Manon\t as\t she\t raised\t the whip\tagain\tand\tstruck.\tAbraxos\tyelped. Asterin\t and\t Sorrel\t weren\u2019t\t fast\t enough\t to\t stop\t Manon\t as\t she\t hurtled\t past\t and\t tackled Iskra.","Teeth\tand\tnails\tout,\tthey\trolled\tacross\tthe\tdirt\tfloor,\tflipping\tand\tshredding\tand\tbiting. Manon\t thought\t she\t might\t be\t roaring,\t roaring\t so\t loud\t the\t hall\t shook.\t Feet\t slammed\t into her\tstomach,\tand\tthe\tair\tshot\tout\tof\ther\tas\tIskra\tkicked\ther\toff. Manon\thit\tthe\tearth,\tspat\tout\ta\tmouthful\tof\tblue\tblood,\tand\twas\tup\tin\ta\theartbeat.\tThe Yellowlegs\their\tslashed\twith\tan\tiron-tipped\thand,\ta\tblow\tthat\tcould\thave\tsevered\tthrough bone\tand\tflesh.\tManon\tducked\tpast\ther\tguard\tand\tthrew\tIskra\tonto\tthe\tunforgiving\tstone. Iskra\t groaned\t above\t the\t shouts\t of\t the\t swarming\t witches,\t and\t Manon\t brought\t her\t fist down\tonto\ther\tface. Her\tknuckles\thowled\tin\tpain,\tbut\tall\tshe\tcould\tsee\twas\tthat\twhip,\tthe\tpain\tin\tAbraxos\u2019s eyes,\tthe\tfear.\tStruggling\tagainst\tManon\u2019s\tweight,\tIskra\tswiped\tat\ther\tface.\tManon\treeled back,\t the\t blow\t cutting\t down\t her\t neck.\t She\t didn\u2019t\t quite\t feel\t the\t stinging,\t or\t the\t warm trickle\t of\t blood.\t She\t just\t drew\t back\t her\t fist,\t knee\t digging\t harder\t into\t Iskra\u2019s\t chest,\t and struck.\tAgain.\tAnd\tagain. She\tlifted\ther\taching\tfist\tonce\tmore,\tbut\tthere\twere\thands\tat\ther\twrist,\tunder\ther\tarms, hauling\t her\t off.\t Manon\t thrashed\t against\t them,\t still\t screaming,\t the\t sound\t wordless\t and endless. \u201cManon!\u201d\tSorrel\troared\tin\ther\tear,\tand\tnails\tcut\tinto\ther\tshoulder\u2014not\thard\tenough\tto damage\tbut\tto\tmake\ther\tpause,\tto\trealize\tthere\twere\twitches\teverywhere,\tin\tthe\tpit\tand\tin the\tviewing\tplatform,\tgaping.\tSword\traised,\tAsterin\twas\tstanding\tbetween\ther\tand\u2014 And\tIskra,\ton\tthe\tground,\tface\tbloodied\tand\tswollen,\ther\town\tSecond\u2019s\tsword\tout\tand poised\tto\tmeet\tAsterin\u2019s. \u201cHe\tis\tfine,\u201d\tSorrel\tsaid,\tsqueezing\ther\ttighter.\t\u201cAbraxos\tis\tfine,\tManon.\tLook\tat\thim. Look\t at\t him\t and\t see\t that\t he\u2019s\t fine.\u201d\t Breathing\t through\t her\t mouth\t thanks\t to\t her\t blood- clogged\tnose,\tManon\tobeyed,\tand\tfound\thim\tcrouching,\teyes\twide\tand\ton\ther.\tHis\twound had\talready\tclotted. Iskra\t hadn\u2019t\t moved\t an\t inch\t from\t where\t Manon\t had\t thrown\t her\t onto\t the\t floor.\t But Asterin\tand\tthe\tother\tSecond\twere\tgrowling,\tready\tto\tlaunch\tinto\tanother\tfight\tthat\tmight very\twell\trip\tthis\tmountain\tapart. Enough. Manon\t shook\t off\t Sorrel\u2019s\t firm\t grip.\t Everyone\t went\t dead\t silent\t as\t Manon\t wiped\t her bloody\tnose\tand\tmouth\ton\tthe\tback\tof\ther\twrist.\tIskra\tsnarled\tat\ther\tfrom\tthe\tfloor,\tblood from\ther\tbroken\tnose\tleaking\tonto\ther\tcut\tlip. \u201cYou\ttouch\thim\tagain,\u201d\tManon\tsaid,\t\u201cand\tI\u2019ll\tdrink\tthe\tmarrow\tfrom\tyour\tbones.\u201d The\t Yellowlegs\t heir\t got\t a\t second\t beating\t that\t night\t from\t her\t mother\t in\t the\t mess\t hall\u2014 plus\t two\t lashes\t of\t the\t whip\t for\t the\t blows\t she\u2019d\t given\t Abraxos.\t She\u2019d\t offered\t them\t to Manon,\tbut\tManon\trefused\tunder\tthe\tguise\tof\tindifference. Her\tarm\twas\tactually\ttoo\tstiff\tand\taching\tto\tuse\tthe\twhip\twith\tany\tefficiency. Manon\t had\t just\t entered\t Abraxos\u2019s\t cage\t the\t next\t day,\t Asterin\t on\t her\t heels,\t when\t the Blueblood\t heir\t appeared\t at\t the\t stairway\t entrance,\t her\t red-haired\t Second\t close\t behind.","Manon,\ther\tface\tstill\tswollen\tand\teye\tbeautifully\tblack,\tgave\tthe\twitch\ta\ttight\tnod.\tThere were\tother\tpens\tdown\there,\tthough\tshe\trarely\tran\tinto\tanyone\telse,\tespecially\tnot\tthe\ttwo heirs. But\tPetrah\tpaused\tat\tthe\tbars,\tand\tit\twas\tthen\tthat\tManon\tnoticed\tthe\tgoat\u2019s\tleg\tin\ther Second\u2019s\t arms.\t \u201cI\t heard\t the\t fight\t was\t something\t to\t behold,\u201d\t Petrah\t said,\t keeping\t a respectful\tdistance\tfrom\tManon\tand\tthe\topen\tdoor\tto\tthe\tpen.\tPetrah\tsmiled\tfaintly.\t\u201cIskra looks\tworse.\u201d Manon\tflicked\ther\tbrows\tup,\tthough\tthe\tmotion\tmade\ther\tface\tthrob. Petrah\theld\tout\ta\thand\tto\ther\tSecond,\tand\tthe\twitch\tpassed\ther\tthe\tleg\tof\tmeat.\t\u201cI\talso heard\tthat\tyour\tThirteen\tand\tyour\tmounts\tonly\teat\tthe\tmeat\tthey\tcatch.\tMy\tKeelie\tcaught this\ton\tour\tmorning\tflight.\tShe\twanted\tto\tshare\twith\tAbraxos.\u201d \u201cI\tdon\u2019t\taccept\tmeat\tfrom\trival\tclans.\u201d \u201cAre\twe\trivals?\u201d\tPetrah\tasked.\t\u201cI\tthought\tthe\tKing\tof\tAdarlan\thad\tconvinced\tus\tto\tfly under\tone\tbanner\tagain.\u201d Manon\ttook\ta\tlong\tbreath.\t\u201cWhat\tdo\tyou\twant?\tI\thave\ttraining\tin\tten\tminutes.\u201d Petrah\u2019s\t Second\t bristled,\t but\t the\t heir\t smiled.\t \u201cI\t told\t you\u2014my\t Keelie\t wanted\t to\t give this\tto\thim.\u201d \u201cOh?\tShe\ttold\tyou?\u201d\tManon\tsneered. Petrah\tcocked\ther\thead.\t\u201cDoesn\u2019t\tyour\twyvern\ttalk\tto\tyou?\u201d Abraxos\twas\twatching\twith\tas\tmuch\tawareness\tas\tthe\tother\twitches.\t\u201cThey\tdon\u2019t\ttalk.\u201d Petrah\tshrugged,\ttapping\ta\thand\tcasually\tover\ther\theart.\t\u201cDon\u2019t\tthey?\u201d She\tleft\tthe\tgoat\tleg\tbefore\twalking\toff\tinto\tthe\traucous\tgloom\tof\tthe\tpens. Manon\tthrew\tthe\tmeat\taway.","Chapter\t39 \u201cTell\tme\tabout\thow\tyou\tlearned\tto\ttattoo.\u201d \u201cNo.\u201d Hunched\tover\tthe\twooden\ttable\tin\tRowan\u2019s\troom\ta\tnight\tafter\ttheir\tencounter\twith\tthe creature\tin\tthe\tlake,\tCelaena\tlooked\tup\tfrom\twhere\tshe\theld\tthe\tbone-handled\tneedle\tover his\t wrist.\t \u201cIf\t you\t don\u2019t\t answer\t my\t questions,\t I\t might\t very\t well\t make\t a\t mistake,\t and\u2026\u201d She\t lowered\t the\t tattooing\t needle\t to\t his\t tan,\t muscled\t arm\t for\t emphasis.\t Rowan,\t to\t her surprise,\t let\t out\t a\t huff\t that\t might\t have\t been\t a\t laugh.\t She\t figured\t it\t was\t a\t good\t sign\t that he\u2019d\t asked\t her\t to\t help\t shade\t in\t the\t parts\t of\t his\t arm\t he\t couldn\u2019t\t reach\t himself;\t the\t tattoo around\t his\t wrist\t needed\t to\t be\t re-inked\t now\t that\t the\t wounds\t from\t her\t burning\t him\t had faded.\t\u201cDid\tyou\tlearn\tfrom\tsomeone?\tMaster\tand\tapprentice\tand\tall\tthat?\u201d He\tgave\ther\ta\trather\tincredulous\tlook.\t\u201cYes,\tmaster\tand\tapprentice\tand\tall\tthat.\tIn\tthe war\tcamps,\twe\thad\ta\tcommander\twho\tused\tto\ttattoo\tthe\tnumber\tof\tenemies\the\u2019d\tkilled\ton his\t flesh\u2014sometimes\t he\u2019d\t write\t the\t whole\t story\t of\t a\t battle.\t All\t the\t young\t soldiers\t were enamored\tof\tit,\tand\tI\tconvinced\thim\tto\tteach\tme.\u201d \u201cWith\tthat\tlegendary\tcharm\tof\tyours,\tI\tsuppose.\u201d That\tearned\ther\ta\thalf\tsmile\tat\tleast.\t\u201cJust\tfill\tin\tthe\tspots\twhere\tI\u2014\u201d\tA\thiss\tas\tshe\ttook the\tneedle\tand\tlittle\tmallet\tand\tmade\tanother\tdark,\tbloody\tmark\tin\thim.\t\u201cGood.\tThat\u2019s\tthe right\tdepth.\u201d\tWith\this\timmortal,\tfast-healing\tbody,\tRowan\u2019s\tink\twas\tmixed\twith\tsalt\tand powdered\tiron\tto\tkeep\tthe\tmagic\tin\this\tblood\tfrom\twiping\taway\tany\ttrace\tof\tthe\ttattoo. She\u2019d\t awoken\t that\t morning\t feeling\t \u2026\t clear.\t The\t grief\t and\t pain\t were\t still\t there, writhing\tinside\ther,\tbut\tfor\tthe\tfirst\ttime\tin\ta\tlong\twhile,\tshe\tfelt\tas\tthough\tshe\tcould\tsee. As\tthough\tshe\tcould\tbreathe. Focusing\ton\tkeeping\ther\thand\tsteady,\tshe\tmade\tanother\tlittle\tmark,\tthen\tanother.\t\u201cTell me\tabout\tyour\tfamily.\u201d \u201cTell\tme\tabout\tyours\tand\tI\u2019ll\ttell\tyou\tabout\tmine,\u201d\the\tsaid\tthrough\tgritted\tteeth\tas\tshe kept\t going.\t He\u2019d\t instructed\t her\t thoroughly\t before\t he\t had\t let\t her\t take\t the\t needles\t to\t his skin. \u201cFine.\t Are\t your\t parents\t alive?\u201d\t A\t stupid,\t dangerous\t question\t to\t ask,\t given\t what\t had happened\twith\this\tmate,\tbut\tthere\twas\tno\tgrief\tin\this\tface\tas\the\tshook\this\thead. \u201cMy\tparents\twere\tvery\told\twhen\tthey\tconceived\tme.\u201d\tNot\told\tin\tthe\thuman\tsense,\tshe knew.\t \u201cI\t was\t their\t only\t child\t in\t the\t millennia\t they\u2019d\t been\t mated.\t They\t faded\t into\t the Afterworld\tbefore\tI\treached\tmy\tsecond\tdecade.\u201d Before\t she\t could\t think\t more\t on\t that\t interesting,\t different\t way\t of\t describing\t death, Rowan\tsaid,\t\u201cYou\thad\tno\tsiblings.\u201d She\t focused\t on\t her\t work\t as\t she\t let\t out\t the\t thinnest\t tendril\t of\t memory.\t \u201cMy\t mother, thanks\tto\ther\tFae\theritage,\thad\ta\tdifficult\ttime\twith\tthe\tpregnancy.\tShe\tstopped\tbreathing","during\tlabor.\tThey\tsaid\tit\twas\tmy\tfather\u2019s\twill\tthat\tkept\ther\ttethered\tto\tthis\tworld.\tI\tdon\u2019t know\tif\tshe\teven\tcould\thave\tconceived\tagain\tafter\tthat.\tSo,\tno\tsiblings.\tBut\u2014\u201d\tGods,\tshe should\t shut\t her\t mouth.\t \u201cBut\t I\t had\t a\t cousin.\t He\t was\t five\t years\t older\t than\t me,\t and\t we fought\tand\tloved\teach\tother\tlike\tsiblings.\u201d Aedion.\tShe\thadn\u2019t\tspoken\tthat\tname\taloud\tin\tten\tyears.\tBut\tshe\u2019d\theard\tit,\tand\tseen\tit in\t papers.\t She\t had\t to\t set\t down\t the\t needle\t and\t mallet\t and\t flex\t her\t fingers.\t \u201cI\t don\u2019t\t know what\thappened,\tbut\tthey\tstarted\tsaying\this\tname\u2014as\ta\tskilled\tgeneral\tin\tthe\tking\u2019s\tarmy.\u201d She\thad\tfailed\tAedion\tso\tunforgivably\tthat\tshe\tcouldn\u2019t\tbring\therself\tto\tblame\tor\tdetest him\t for\t what\t he\u2019d\t become.\t She\u2019d\t avoided\t learning\t any\t details\t about\t what,\t exactly,\t he\u2019d done\t in\t the\t north\t all\t these\t years.\t Aedion\t had\t been\t fiercely,\t wildly\t loyal\t to\t Terrasen\t as\t a child.\tShe\tdidn\u2019t\twant\tto\tknow\twhat\the\u2019d\tbeen\tforced\tto\tdo,\twhat\thad\thappened\tto\thim,\tto change\tthat.\tIt\twas\tby\tluck\tor\tfate\tor\tsomething\telse\tentirely\tthat\the\thad\tnever\tbeen\tin\tthe castle\twhen\tshe\twas\tthere.\tBecause\tnot\tonly\twould\the\thave\trecognized\ther,\tbut\tif\the\tknew what\t she\t had\t done\t with\t her\t life\t \u2026\t his\t hatred\t would\t make\t Rowan\u2019s\t look\t pleasant, probably. Rowan\u2019s\t features\t were\t set\t in\t a\t mask\t of\t contemplation\t as\t she\t said,\t \u201cI\t think\t facing\t my cousin\tafter\teverything\twould\tbe\tthe\tworst\tof\tit\u2014worse\tthan\tfacing\tthe\tking.\u201d\tThere\twas nothing\tshe\tcould\tsay\tor\tdo\tto\tatone\tfor\twhat\tshe\u2019d\tbecome\twhile\ttheir\tkingdom\tfell\tinto ruin\tand\ttheir\tpeople\twere\tslaughtered\tor\tenslaved. \u201cKeep\t working,\u201d\t Rowan\t said,\t jerking\t his\t chin\t at\t the\t tools\t sitting\t in\t her\t lap.\t She obeyed,\t and\t he\t hissed\t again\t at\t the\t first\t prick.\t \u201cDo\t you\t think,\u201d\t he\t said\t after\t a\t moment, \u201cyour\t cousin\t would\t kill\t you\t or\t help\t you?\t An\t army\t like\t his\t could\t change\t the\t tide\t of\t any war.\u201d A\tchill\twent\tdown\ther\tspine\tat\tthat\tword\u2014war.\t\u201cI\tdon\u2019t\tknow\twhat\the\twould\tthink\tof me,\tor\twhere\this\tloyalties\tlie.\tAnd\tI\u2019d\trather\tnot\tknow.\tEver.\u201d Though\ttheir\teyes\twere\tidentical,\ttheir\tbloodlines\twere\tdistant\tenough\tthat\tshe\u2019d\theard servants\t and\t courtiers\t alike\t pondering\t the\t usefulness\t of\t a\t Galathynius-Ashryver\t union someday.\tThe\tidea\twas\tas\tlaughable\tnow\tas\tit\thad\tbeen\tten\tyears\tago. \u201cDo\tyou\thave\tcousins?\u201d\tshe\tasked. \u201cToo\t many.\t Mora\u2019s\t line\t was\t always\t the\t most\t widespread,\t and\t my\t meddlesome, gossiping\t cousins\t make\t my\t visits\t to\t Doranelle\t \u2026\t irksome.\u201d\t She\t smiled\t a\t little\t at\t the thought.\t \u201cYou\u2019d\t probably\t get\t along\t with\t my\t cousins,\u201d\t he\t said.\t \u201cEspecially\t with\t the snooping.\u201d She\t paused\t her\t inking\t and\t squeezed\t his\t hand\t hard\t enough\t to\t hurt\t anyone\t but\t an immortal.\t \u201cYou\u2019re\t one\t to\t talk,\t Prince.\t I\u2019ve\t never\t been\t asked\t so\t many\t questions\t in\t my life.\u201d Not\t quite\t true,\t but\t not\t quite\t an\t exaggeration,\t either.\t No\t one\t had\t ever\t asked\t her\t these questions.\tAnd\tshe\u2019d\tnever\ttold\tanyone\tthe\tanswers. He\tbared\this\tteeth,\tthough\tshe\tknew\the\tdidn\u2019t\tmean\tit,\tand\tglanced\tmeaningfully\tat\this wrist.\t\u201cHurry\tup,\tPrincess.\tI\twant\tto\tgo\tto\tbed\tat\tsome\tpoint\tbefore\tdawn.\u201d She\tused\ther\tfree\thand\tto\tmake\ta\tparticularly\tvulgar\tgesture,\tand\the\tcaught\tit\twith\this","own,\tteeth\tstill\tout.\t\u201cThat\tis\tnot\tvery\tqueenly.\u201d \u201cThen\tit\u2019s\tgood\tI\u2019m\tnot\ta\tqueen,\tisn\u2019t\tit?\u201d But\the\twouldn\u2019t\tlet\tgo\tof\ther\thand.\t\u201cYou\thave\tsworn\tto\tfree\tyour\tfriend\u2019s\tkingdom\tand save\tthe\tworld\u2014but\twill\tnot\teven\tconsider\tyour\town\tlands.\tWhat\tscares\tyou\tabout\tseizing your\tbirthright?\tThe\tking?\tFacing\twhat\tremains\tof\tyour\tcourt?\u201d\tHe\tkept\this\tface\tso\tclose to\thers\tthat\tshe\tcould\tsee\tthe\tflecks\tof\tbrown\tin\this\tgreen\teyes.\t\u201cGive\tme\tone\tgood\treason why\t you\t won\u2019t\t take\t back\t your\t throne.\t One\t good\t reason,\t and\t I\u2019ll\t keep\t my\t mouth\t shut about\tit.\u201d She\tweighed\tthe\tearnestness\tin\this\tgaze,\this\tbreathing,\tand\tthen\tsaid,\t\u201cBecause\tif\tI\tfree Eyllwe\t and\t destroy\t the\t king\t as\t Celaena,\t I\t can\t go\t anywhere\t after\t that.\t The\t crown\t \u2026\t my crown\tis\tjust\tanother\tset\tof\tshackles.\u201d It\twas\tselfish\tand\thorrible,\tbut\tit\twas\ttrue.\tNehemia,\tlong\tago,\thad\tonce\tsaid\tas\tmuch\u2014 it\t was\t her\t most\t ardent\t and\t selfish\t wish\t to\t be\t ordinary,\t without\t the\t weight\t of\t her\t crown. Had\ther\tfriend\tknown\thow\tdeeply\tthose\twords\thad\techoed\tin\ther? She\t waited\t for\t the\t scolding,\t saw\t it\t simmering\t in\t Rowan\u2019s\t eyes.\t But\t then\t he\t quietly said,\t\u201cWhat\tdo\tyou\tmean,\tanother\tset\tof\tshackles?\u201d He\t loosened\t his\t grip\t to\t reveal\t the\t two\t thin\t bands\t of\t scars\t that\t wrapped\t around\t her wrist.\tHis\tmouth\ttightened,\tand\tshe\tyanked\ther\twrist\tback\thard\tenough\tthat\the\tlet\tgo. \u201cNothing,\u201d\t she\t said.\t \u201cArobynn,\t my\t master,\t liked\t to\t use\t them\t for\t training\t every\t now and\tthen.\u201d\tArobynn\thad\tchained\ther\tto\tmake\ther\tlearn\thow\tto\tget\tfree.\tBut\tthe\tshackles\tat Endovier\thad\tbeen\tcrafted\twith\tpeople\tlike\ther\tin\tmind.\tIt\twasn\u2019t\tuntil\tChaol\thad\tremoved them\tthat\tshe\u2019d\tgotten\tout. She\t didn\u2019t\t want\t Rowan\t knowing\t that\u2014any\t of\t it.\t Anger\t and\t hatred\t she\t could\t handle, but\t pity\t \u2026\t And\t she\t couldn\u2019t\t talk\t about\t Chaol,\t couldn\u2019t\t explain\t just\t how\t much\t he\t had rebuilt\t and\t then\t shattered\t her\t heart,\t not\t without\t explaining\t Endovier.\t Not\t without explaining\thow\tone\tday,\tshe\tdidn\u2019t\tknow\thow\tdistant,\tshe\twas\tgoing\tback\tto\tEndovier\tand freeing\tthem\tall.\tEach\tand\tevery\tslave,\teven\tif\tshe\thad\tto\tunshackle\tthem\tall\therself. Celaena\twent\tback\tto\ther\twork,\tand\tRowan\u2019s\tface\tremained\ttight\u2014as\tif\the\tcould\tsmell her\thalf\ttruth.\t\u201cWhy\tdid\tyou\tstay\twith\tArobynn?\u201d \u201cI\tknew\tI\twanted\ttwo\tthings:\tFirst,\tto\tdisappear\tfrom\tthe\tworld\tand\tfrom\tmy\tenemies, but\t \u2026\t ah.\u201d\t It\t was\t hard\t to\t look\t him\t in\t the\t eye.\t \u201cI\t wanted\t to\t hide\t from\t myself,\t mostly.\t I convinced\tmyself\tI\tshould\tdisappear,\tbecause\tthe\tsecond\tthing\tI\twanted,\teven\tthen,\twas\tto be\t able\t to\t someday\t \u2026\t hurt\t people\t the\t way\t I\t had\t been\t hurt.\t And\t it\t turned\t out\t that\t I\t was very,\tvery\tgood\tat\tit. \u201cIf\the\thad\ttossed\tme\taway,\tI\twould\teither\thave\tdied\tor\twound\tup\twith\tthe\trebels.\tIf\tI had\tgrown\tup\twith\tthem,\tI\tprobably\twould\thave\tbeen\tfound\tby\tthe\tking\tand\tslaughtered. Or\t I\t would\t have\t grown\t up\t so\t hateful\t that\t I\t would\t have\t been\t killing\t Adarlanian\t soldiers from\t a\t young\t age.\u201d\t His\t brows\t rose,\t and\t she\t clicked\t her\t tongue.\t \u201cYou\t thought\t I\t was\t just going\t to\t spread\t my\t whole\t history\t at\t your\t feet\t the\t moment\t I\t met\t you?\t I\u2019m\t sure\t you\t have even\tmore\tstories\tthan\tI\tdo,\tso\tstop\tlooking\tso\tsurprised.\tMaybe\twe\tshould\tjust\tgo\tback\tto beating\teach\tother\tinto\ta\tpulp.\u201d","His\teyes\tgleamed\twith\tnear-predatory\tintent.\t\u201cOh,\tnot\ta\tchance,\tPrincess.\tYou\tcan\ttell me\twhat\tyou\twant,\twhen\tyou\twant,\tbut\tthere\u2019s\tno\tgoing\tback\tnow.\u201d She\tlifted\ther\ttools\tagain.\t\u201cI\u2019m\tsure\tyour\tother\tfriends\tjust\tadore\thaving\tyou\taround.\u201d A\tferal\tsmile,\tand\the\tgrabbed\ther\tby\tthe\tchin\u2014not\thard\tenough\tto\thurt,\tbut\tto\tget\ther to\t look\t at\t him.\t \u201cFirst\t thing,\u201d\t he\t breathed,\t \u201cwe\u2019re\t not\t friends.\t I\u2019m\t still\t training\t you,\t and that\tmeans\tyou\u2019re\tstill\tunder\tmy\tcommand.\u201d\tThe\tflicker\tof\thurt\tmust\thave\tshown,\tbecause he\tleaned\tcloser,\this\tgrip\ttightening\ton\ther\tjaw.\t\u201cSecond\u2014whatever\twe\tare,\twhatever\tthis is?\tI\u2019m\tstill\tfiguring\tit\tout,\ttoo.\tSo\tif\tI\u2019m\tgoing\tto\tgive\tyou\tthe\tspace\tyou\tdeserve\tto\tsort yourself\tout,\tthen\tyou\tcan\tdamn\twell\tgive\tit\tto\tme.\u201d She\tstudied\thim\tfor\ta\tmoment,\ttheir\tbreath\tmingling. \u201cDeal,\u201d\tshe\tsaid.","Chapter\t40 \u201cTell\t me\t your\t greatest\t wish,\u201d\t Dorian\t murmured\t into\t Sorscha\u2019s\t hair\t as\t he\t entwined\t their fingers,\tmarveling\tat\tthe\tsmoothness\tof\ther\ttan\tskin\tagainst\tthe\tcalluses\tof\this.\tSuch\tpretty hands,\tlike\tmourning\tdoves. She\tsmiled\tonto\this\tchest.\t\u201cI\tdon\u2019t\thave\ta\tgreatest\twish.\u201d \u201cLiar.\u201d\tHe\tkissed\ther\thair.\t\u201cYou\u2019re\tthe\tworld\u2019s\tworst\tliar.\u201d She\tturned\ttoward\tthe\twindow\tof\this\tbedroom,\tthe\tmorning\tlight\tmaking\ther\tdark\thair glow.\t It\t had\t been\t two\t weeks\t since\t that\t night\t she\u2019d\t kissed\t him,\t two\t weeks\t since\t she\u2019d started\t creeping\t up\t here\t after\t the\t castle\t had\t gone\t to\t sleep.\t They\u2019d\t been\t sharing\t a\t bed, though\tnot\tin\tthe\tmanner\the\tstill\tyearned\tto.\tAnd\the\tdetested\tthe\tsneaking\tand\tthe\thiding. But\tshe\u2019d\tlose\ther\tposition\tif\tthey\twere\tfound\tout.\tWith\thim\tbeing\twho\the\twas\t\u2026\the could\tbring\tdown\ta\tworld\tof\ttrouble\ton\ther\tjust\tfor\tbeing\tassociated\twith\thim.\tHis\tmother alone\tcould\tfind\tways\tto\tget\ther\tshipped\toff\tsomewhere. \u201cTell\tme,\u201d\the\tsaid\tagain,\tbending\tto\tsnatch\ta\tkiss.\t\u201cTell\tme,\tand\tI\u2019ll\tmake\tit\thappen.\u201d He\u2019d\t always\t been\t generous\t with\t his\t lovers.\t Usually\t he\t gave\t them\t gifts\t to\t keep\t them from\t complaining\t when\t he\t lost\t interest,\t but\t this\t time\t he\t genuinely\t wanted\t to\t give\t her things.\t He\t had\t tried\t giving\t her\t jewelry\t and\t clothes,\t and\t she\t had\t refused\t it\t all.\t So\t he\u2019d taken\tto\tgiving\ther\thard-to-come-by\therbs\tand\tbooks\tand\tspecial\ttools\tfor\ther\tworkroom. She\u2019d\ttried\tto\trefuse\tthose,\tbut\the\u2019d\tworn\ther\tdown\tquickly\u2014mostly\tby\tkissing\taway\ther protests. \u201cAnd\tif\tI\tasked\tfor\tthe\tmoon\ton\ta\tstring?\u201d \u201cThen\tI\twould\tstart\tpraying\tto\tDeanna.\u201d She\t smiled,\t but\t Dorian\u2019s\t own\t grin\t faded.\t Deanna,\t Lady\t of\t the\t Hunt.\t He\t usually\t tried not\tto\tthink\tabout\tCelaena,\tAelin\u2014whoever\tshe\twas.\tTried\tnot\tto\tthink\tabout\tChaol\tand his\t lying,\t or\t Aedion\t and\t his\t treason.\t He\t wanted\t nothing\t to\t do\t with\t them,\t not\t now\t that Sorscha\twas\twith\thim.\tHe\u2019d\tbeen\ta\tfool\tonce,\tswearing\the\twould\ttear\tthe\tworld\tapart\tfor Celaena.\tA\tboy\tin\tlove\twith\ta\twildfire\u2014or\tbelieving\the\twas\tin\tlove\twith\tone. \u201cDorian?\u201d\tSorscha\tpulled\tback\tto\tstudy\this\tface.\tShe\tlooked\tat\thim\tthe\tway\the\u2019d\tonce caught\tCelaena\tlooking\tat\tChaol. He\t kissed\t her\t again,\t soft\t and\t lingering,\t and\t her\t body\t melted\t into\t his.\t He\t savored\t the silkiness\tof\ther\tskin\tas\the\tran\ta\thand\tdown\ther\tarm.\tShe\tyanked\tback.\t\u201cI\thave\tto\tgo.\tI\u2019m late.\u201d He\t groaned.\t It\t was\t indeed\t almost\t breakfast\u2014and\t she\t would\t be\t noticed\t if\t she\t didn\u2019t leave.\tShe\tshimmied\tout\tof\this\tembrace\tand\tinto\ther\tdress,\tand\the\thelped\ttie\tthe\tstays\tin the\t back.\t Always\t hiding\u2014was\t that\t to\t be\t his\t life?\t Not\t just\t the\t women\t he\t loved,\t but\t his magic,\this\ttrue\tthoughts\t\u2026","Sorscha\t kissed\t him\t and\t was\t at\t the\t door,\t a\t hand\t on\t the\t knob.\t \u201cMy\t greatest\t wish,\u201d\t she said\t with\t a\t little\t smile,\t \u201cis\t for\t a\t morning\t when\t I\t don\u2019t\t have\t to\t run\t out\t the\t door\t at\t first light.\u201d Before\the\tcould\tsay\tanything,\tshe\twas\tgone. But\the\tdidn\u2019t\tknow\twhat\the\tcould\tsay,\tor\tdo,\tto\tmake\tit\thappen.\tBecause\tSorscha\thad her\tobligations,\tand\the\thad\this. If\the\tleft\tto\tbe\twith\ther,\tif\the\tturned\ton\this\tfather,\tor\tif\this\tmagic\twas\tdiscovered,\tthen his\t brother\t would\t become\t heir.\t And\t the\t thought\t of\t Hollin\t as\t king\t one\t day\t \u2026\t What\t he would\tdo\tto\ttheir\tworld,\tespecially\twith\ttheir\tfather\u2019s\tpower\t\u2026\tNo,\tDorian\tcould\tnot\thave the\t luxury\t of\t choosing,\t because\t there\t was\t no\t option.\t He\t was\t bound\t to\t his\t crown,\t and would\tbe\tuntil\tthe\tday\the\tdied. There\t was\t a\t knock\t on\t his\t door,\t and\t Dorian\t smiled,\t wondering\t if\t Sorscha\t had\t come back.\tThe\tgrin\tvanished\tas\tthe\tdoor\topened. \u201cWe\tneed\tto\ttalk,\u201d\tChaol\tsaid\tfrom\tthe\tthreshold.\tDorian\thadn\u2019t\tseen\thim\tin\tweeks,\tand yet\u2014his\tfriend\tlooked\tolder.\tExhausted. \u201cNot\tgoing\tto\tbother\twith\tflattery?\u201d\tDorian\tsaid,\tplopping\tonto\tthe\tcouch. \u201cYou\twould\tsee\tthrough\tit\tanyway.\u201d\tChaol\tshut\tthe\tdoor\tbehind\thim\tand\tleaned\tagainst it. \u201cHumor\tme.\u201d \u201cI\tam\tsorry,\tDorian,\u201d\tChaol\tsaid\tsoftly.\t\u201cMore\tthan\tyou\tknow.\u201d \u201cSorry\t because\t lying\t cost\t you\t me\u2014and\t her?\t Would\t you\t be\t sorry\t if\t you\t hadn\u2019t\t been caught?\u201d Chaol\u2019s\tjaw\ttightened.\tAnd\tperhaps\tDorian\twas\tbeing\tunfair,\tbut\the\tdidn\u2019t\tcare. \u201cI\tam\tsorry\tfor\tall\tof\tit,\u201d\tChaol\tsaid.\t\u201cBut\tI\u2014I\u2019ve\tbeen\tworking\tto\tfix\tit.\u201d \u201cAnd\twhat\tabout\tCelaena?\tIs\tworking\twith\tAedion\tactually\tto\thelp\tme,\tor\ther?\u201d \u201cBoth\tof\tyou.\u201d \u201cDo\tyou\tstill\tlove\ther?\u201d\tHe\tdidn\u2019t\tknow\twhy\the\tcared,\twhy\tit\twas\timportant. Chaol\t closed\t his\t eyes\t for\t a\t moment.\t \u201cA\t part\t of\t me\t will\t always\t love\t her.\t But\t I\t had\t to get\t her\t out\t of\t this\t castle.\t Because\t it\t was\t too\t dangerous,\t and\t she\t was\t \u2026\t what\t she\t was becoming\u2026\u201d \u201cShe\t was\t not\t becoming\t anything\t different\t from\t what\t she\t always\t was\t and\t always\t had the\t capacity\t to\t be.\t You\t just\t finally\t saw\t everything.\t And\t once\t you\t saw\t that\t other\t part\t of her\t\u2026,\u201d\tDorian\tsaid\tquietly.\tIt\thad\ttaken\thim\tuntil\tnow,\tuntil\tSorscha,\tto\tunderstand\twhat that\t meant.\t \u201cYou\t cannot\t pick\t and\t choose\t what\t parts\t of\t her\t to\t love.\u201d\t He\t pitied\t Chaol,\t he realized.\t His\t heart\t hurt\t for\t his\t friend,\t for\t all\t that\t Chaol\t had\t surely\t been\t realizing\t these past\tfew\tmonths.\t\u201cJust\tas\tyou\tcannot\tpick\twhich\tparts\tof\tme\tyou\taccept.\u201d \u201cI\tdon\u2019t\u2014\u201d \u201cYou\t do.\t But\t what\u2019s\t done\t is\t done,\t Chaol.\t And\t there\t is\t no\t going\t back,\t no\t matter\t how","hard\t you\t try\t to\t change\t things.\t Like\t it\t or\t not,\t you\t played\t a\t role\t in\t getting\t us\t all\t to\t this point,\ttoo.\tYou\tset\ther\tdown\tthat\tpath,\tto\trevealing\twhat\tand\twho\tshe\tis,\tto\twhatever\tshe decides\tto\tdo\tnow.\u201d \u201cYou\t think\t I\t wanted\t any\t of\t this\t to\t happen?\u201d\t Chaol\t splayed\t his\t arms.\t \u201cIf\t I\t could,\t I would\t put\t it\t all\t back\t to\t the\t way\t it\t was.\t If\t I\t could,\t she\t wouldn\u2019t\t be\t queen,\t and\t you wouldn\u2019t\thave\tmagic.\u201d \u201cOf\t course\u2014of\t course\t you\t still\t see\t the\t magic\t as\t a\t problem.\t And\t of\t course\t you\t wish she\twasn\u2019t\twho\tshe\tis.\tBecause\tyou\u2019re\tnot\treally\tscared\tof\tthose\tthings,\tare\tyou?\tNo\u2014it\u2019s what\t they\t represent.\t The\t change.\t But\t let\t me\t tell\t you,\u201d\t Dorian\t breathed,\t his\t magic flickering\t and\t then\t subsiding\t in\t a\t flash\t of\t pain,\t \u201cthings\t have\t already\t changed.\t And changed\tbecause\tof\tyou.\tI\thave\tmagic\u2014there\tis\tno\tundoing\tthat,\tno\tgetting\trid\tof\tit.\tAnd as\t for\t Celaena\t \u2026\u201d\t He\t clamped\t down\t on\t the\t power\t that\t surged\t as\t he\t imagined\u2014for\t the first\ttime,\the\trealized\u2014what\tit\twas\tto\tbe\ther.\t\u201cAs\tfor\tCelaena,\u201d\the\tsaid\tagain,\t\u201cyou\tdo\tnot have\tthe\tright\tto\twish\tshe\twere\tnot\twhat\tshe\tis.\tThe\tonly\tthing\tyou\thave\ta\tright\tto\tdo\tis decide\twhether\tyou\tare\ther\tenemy\tor\ther\tfriend.\u201d He\tdid\tnot\tknow\tall\tof\ther\tstory,\tdid\tnot\tknow\twhat\thad\tbeen\ttruth\tand\twhat\thad\tbeen lies,\tor\twhat\tit\thad\tbeen\tlike\tin\tEndovier\tto\tslave\tbeside\ther\tcountrymen,\tor\tto\tbow\tto\tthe man\t who\t had\t murdered\t her\t family.\t But\t he\t had\t seen\t her\u2014seen\t glimpses\t of\t the\t person beneath,\tregardless\tof\tname\tor\ttitle. And\t he\t knew,\t deep\t down,\t that\t she\t had\t not\t blinked\t at\t his\t magic\t but\t rather\t understood that\tburden,\tand\tthat\tfear.\tShe\thad\tnot\twalked\taway\tor\twished\thim\tto\tbe\tanything\tbut\twhat he\twas.\tI\u2019ll\tcome\tback\tfor\tyou. So\t he\t stared\t down\t his\t friend,\t even\t though\t he\t knew\t Chaol\t was\t hurting\t and\t adrift,\t and said,\t\u201cI\u2019ve\talready\tmade\tmy\tdecision\tabout\ther.\tAnd\twhen\tthe\ttime\tcomes,\tregardless\tof whether\tyou\tare\there\tor\tin\tAnielle,\tI\thope\tyour\tchoice\tis\tthe\tsame\tas\tmine.\u201d Aedion\t hated\t to\t admit\t it,\t but\t the\t captain\u2019s\t self-control\t was\t impressive\t as\t they\t waited\t in the\thidden\tapartment\tfor\tMurtaugh\tto\tarrive.\tRen,\twho\tcouldn\u2019t\tkeep\this\tass\tplanted\tin\ta chair\tfor\tmore\tthan\ta\tmoment\teven\twith\this\tstill-healing\twounds,\tpaced\taround\tthe\tgreat room.\tBut\tChaol\tsat\tbeside\tthe\tfire,\tsaying\tlittle\tbut\talways\twatching,\talways\tlistening. Tonight\t the\t captain\t seemed\t different.\t Warier,\t but\t tighter.\t Thanks\t to\t all\t those\t meetings where\t he\u2019d\t carefully\t watched\t the\t captain\u2019s\t movements,\t every\t breath\t and\t blink,\t Aedion instantly\tnoted\tthe\tdifference.\tHad\tthere\tbeen\tsome\tnews,\tsome\tdevelopment? Murtaugh\t was\t to\t return\t tonight,\t after\t a\t few\t weeks\t near\t Skull\u2019s\t Bay.\t He\t had\t refused Ren\u2019s\toffer\tto\tgo\twith\thim\tand\ttold\this\tgrandson\tto\trest.\tWhich,\tthough\tRen\ttried\tto\thide it,\tleft\tthe\tyoung\tlord\tanxious,\tungrounded,\tand\taggressive.\tAedion\twas\thonestly\tsurprised the\tapartment\thadn\u2019t\tbeen\ttorn\tto\tshreds.\tIn\this\twar\tcamp,\tAedion\tmight\thave\ttaken\tRen into\tthe\tsparring\tring\tand\tlet\thim\tfight\tit\tout.\tOr\tsent\thim\ton\tsome\tmission\tof\this\town.\tOr at\tleast\tmade\thim\tchop\twood\tfor\thours. \u201cSo\twe\u2019re\tjust\tgoing\tto\twait\tall\tnight,\u201d\tRen\tsaid\tat\tlast,\tpausing\tbefore\tthe\tdining\ttable and\tlooking\tat\tthem\tboth. The\t captain\t yielded\t nothing\t more\t than\t a\t vague\t nod,\t but\t Aedion\t crossed\t his\t arms\t and","gave\t him\t a\t lazy\t grin.\t \u201cYou\t have\t something\t better\t to\t do,\t Ren?\t Are\t we\t interfering\t with\t a visit\tto\tone\tof\tyour\topium\tdens?\u201d\tA\tlow\tblow,\tbut\tnothing\tthat\tthe\tcaptain\thadn\u2019t\talready guessed\t about\t Ren.\t And\t if\t Ren\t showed\t any\t indication\t of\t that\t sort\t of\t habit,\t Aedion wouldn\u2019t\tlet\thim\twithin\ta\thundred\tmiles\tof\tAelin. Ren\t shook\t his\t head\t and\t said,\t \u201cWe\u2019re\t always\t waiting\t these\t days.\t Waiting\t for\t Aelin\t to send\t some\t sign,\t waiting\t for\t nothing.\t I\t bet\t my\t grandfather\t will\t have\t nothing,\t too.\t I\u2019m surprised\t we\u2019re\t not\t all\t dead\t by\t now\u2014that\t those\t men\t didn\u2019t\t track\t me\t down.\u201d\t He\t stared into\t the\t fire,\t the\t light\t making\t his\t scar\t look\t even\t deeper.\t \u201cI\t have\t someone\t who\u2026\u201d\t Ren trailed\toff,\tglancing\tat\tChaol.\t\u201cThey\tcould\tfind\tout\tmore\tabout\tthe\tking.\u201d \u201cI\t don\u2019t\t trust\t your\t sources\t one\t bit\u2014especially\t not\t after\t those\t men\t found\t you,\u201d\t Chaol said.\t It\t had\t been\t one\t of\t Ren\u2019s\t informants\u2014caught\t and\t tortured\u2014who\t had\t given\t his location\t away.\t And\t even\t though\t the\t information\t had\t been\t yielded\t under\t duress,\t it\t still didn\u2019t\tsit\twell\twith\tAedion.\tHe\tsaid\tas\tmuch,\tand\tRen\ttensed,\topening\this\tmouth\tto\tsnap something\tundoubtedly\tstupid\tand\tbrash,\tbut\ta\tthree-note\twhistle\tinterrupted. The\tcaptain\twhistled\tback,\tand\tRen\twas\tat\tthe\tdoor,\topening\tit\tto\tfind\this\tgrandfather there.\tEven\twith\this\tback\tto\tthem,\tAedion\tcould\tsee\tthe\trelief\tflooding\tRen\u2019s\tbody\tas\tthey clasped\tforearms,\tweeks\tof\twaiting\twithout\tword\tfinally\tover.\tMurtaugh\twasn\u2019t\tyoung\tby any\tmeans\u2014and\tas\the\tthrew\tback\this\thood,\this\tface\twas\tpale\tand\tgrim. \u201cThere\u2019s\tbrandy\ton\tthe\tbuffet\ttable,\u201d\tChaol\tsaid,\tand\tAedion,\tyet\tagain,\thad\tto\tadmire the\tcaptain\u2019s\tkeen\teyes\u2014even\tif\the\twould\tnever\ttell\thim.\tThe\told\tman\tnodded\this\tthanks, and\tdidn\u2019t\tbother\tto\tremove\this\tcloak\tas\the\tknocked\tback\ta\tglass\tof\tit.\t\u201cGrandfather.\u201d\tRen lingered\tby\tthe\tdoor. Murtaugh\t turned\t to\t Aedion.\t \u201cAnswer\t me\t truthfully,\t boy:\t do\t you\t know\t who\t General Narrok\tis?\u201d Aedion\trose\tto\this\tfeet\tin\ta\tsmooth\tmovement.\tRen\ttook\ta\tfew\tsteps\ttoward\tthem,\tbut Murtaugh\theld\this\tground\tas\tAedion\tstalked\tto\tthe\tbuffet\ttable\tand\tslowly,\twith\tdeliberate care,\tpoured\thimself\ta\tglass\tof\tbrandy.\t\u201cCall\tme\tboy\tagain,\u201d\tAedion\tsaid\twith\tlethal\tcalm, holding\t the\t old\t man\u2019s\t stare,\t \u201cand\t you\u2019ll\t find\t yourself\t back\t squatting\t in\t shanties\t and sewers.\u201d The\told\tman\tthrew\tup\this\thands.\t\u201cWhen\tyou\u2019re\tmy\tage,\tAedion\u2014\u201d \u201cDon\u2019t\t waste\t your\t breath,\u201d\t Aedion\t said,\t returning\t to\t his\t chair.\t \u201cNarrok\u2019s\t been\t in\t the south\u2014last\tI\theard,\the\twas\tbringing\tthe\tarmada\tto\tthe\tDead\tIslands.\u201d\tPirate\tterritory.\t\u201cBut that\t was\t months\t ago.\t We\u2019re\t kept\t on\t a\t need-to-know\t basis.\t I\t learned\t about\t the\t Dead Islands\tbecause\tsome\tof\tthe\tPirate\tLord\u2019s\tships\tsailed\tnorth\tlooking\tfor\ttrouble,\tand\tthey informed\tus\tthat\tthey\u2019d\tcome\tto\tavoid\tNarrok\u2019s\tfleet.\u201d The\tpirates\thad\tscattered,\tactually.\tThe\tPirate\tLord\tRolfe\thad\ttaken\thalf\tof\tthem\tsouth; some\t had\t gone\t east;\t and\t some\t had\t made\t the\t fatal\t mistake\t of\t sailing\t to\t Terrasen\u2019s\t north coast. Murtaugh\tsagged\tagainst\tthe\tbuffet\ttable.\t\u201cCaptain?\u201d \u201cI\u2019m\tafraid\tI\tknow\teven\tless\tthan\tAedion,\u201d\tChaol\tsaid. Murtaugh\t rubbed\t his\t eyes,\t and\t Ren\t pulled\t out\t a\t chair\t at\t the\t table\t for\t his\t grandfather.","The\t old\t man\t slid\t into\t it\t with\t a\t small\t groan.\t It\t was\t a\t miracle\t the\t bag\t of\t bones\t was\t still breathing.\tAedion\tshoved\tdown\ta\tflicker\tof\tregret.\tHe\u2019d\tbeen\traised\tbetter\tthan\tthat\u2014he knew\tbetter\tthan\tto\tact\tlike\tan\tarrogant,\thotheaded\tprick.\tRhoe\twould\thave\tbeen\tashamed of\thim\tfor\tspeaking\tto\tan\telder\tin\tthat\tmanner.\tBut\tRhoe\twas\tdead\u2014all\tthe\twarriors\the\u2019d loved\t and\t worshipped\t were\t ten\t years\t dead,\t and\t the\t world\t was\t worse\t for\t it.\t Aedion\t was worse\tfor\tit. Murtaugh\t sighed.\t \u201cI\t fled\t here\t as\t quickly\t as\t I\t could.\t I\t have\t not\t rested\t for\t more\t than\t a few\t hours\t this\t past\t week.\t Narrok\u2019s\t fleet\t is\t gone.\t Captain\t Rolfe\t is\t again\t Pirate\t Lord\t of Skull\u2019s\t Bay,\t though\t not\t more\t than\t that.\t His\t men\t do\t not\t venture\t into\t the\t eastern\t Dead Islands.\u201d Despite\tthe\thint\tof\tshame,\tAedion\tground\this\tteeth\twhen\tMurtaugh\tdidn\u2019t\timmediately get\tto\tthe\tpoint.\t\u201cWhy?\u201d\the\tdemanded. The\t lines\t of\t Murtaugh\u2019s\t face\t deepened\t in\t the\t light\t of\t the\t fire.\t \u201cBecause\t the\t men\t who go\tinto\tthe\teastern\tislands\tdo\tnot\tcome\tback.\tAnd\ton\twindy\tnights,\teven\tRolfe\tswears\the can\thear\t\u2026\troaring,\troaring\tfrom\tthe\tislands;\thuman,\tbut\tnot\tquite. \u201cThe\t crew\t that\t hid\t in\t the\t islands\t during\t Narrok\u2019s\t occupation\t claim\t it\u2019s\t quieted\t down, as\tif\the\ttook\tthe\tsource\tof\tthe\tsound\twith\thim.\tAnd\tRolfe\u2026\u201d\tMurtaugh\trubbed\tthe\tbridge of\t his\t nose.\t \u201cHe\t told\t me\t that\t on\t the\t night\t they\t sailed\t back\t into\t the\t islands,\t they\t saw something\t standing\t on\t an\t outcropping\t of\t rocks,\t just\t on\t the\t border\t of\t the\t eastern\t islands. Looked\tlike\ta\tpale\tman,\tbut\t\u2026\tnot.\tRolfe\tmight\tbe\tin\tlove\twith\thimself,\tbut\the\u2019s\tnot\ta\tliar. He\tsaid\twhatever\u2014whoever\u2014it\twas\tfelt\twrong.\tLike\tthere\twas\ta\thole\tof\tsilence\taround\tit, at\todds\twith\tthe\troaring\tthey\tusually\thear.\tAnd\tthat\tit\tjust\twatched\tthem\tsail\tpast.\tThe\tnext day,\twhen\tthey\treturned\tto\tthe\tsame\tspot,\tit\twas\tgone.\u201d \u201cThere\thave\talways\tbeen\tlegends\tof\tstrange\tcreatures\tin\tthe\tseas,\u201d\tthe\tcaptain\tsaid. \u201cRolfe\tand\this\tmen\tswore\tthat\tthis\twas\tnothing\tfrom\tlegend.\tIt\twas\tmade,\tthey\tsaid.\u201d \u201cHow\t did\t they\t know?\u201d\t Aedion\t asked,\t eyeing\t the\t captain,\t whose\t face\t was\t still\t bone- white. \u201cIt\t bore\t a\t black\t collar\u2014like\t a\t pet.\t It\t took\t a\t step\t toward\t them,\t as\t if\t to\t go\t into\t the\t sea and\t hunt\t them\t down,\t but\t it\t was\t yanked\t back\t by\t some\t invisible\t hand\u2014some\t hidden leash.\u201d Ren\t raised\t his\t scarred\t brow.\t \u201cThe\t Pirate\t Lord\t thinks\t there\t are\t monsters\t in\t the\t Dead Islands?\u201d \u201cHe\tthinks,\tand\tI\talso\tbelieve,\tthat\tthey\twere\tbeing\tmade\tthere.\tAnd\tNarrok\ttook\tsome of\tthem\twith\thim.\u201d It\twas\tChaol\twho\tasked,\t\u201cWhere\tdid\tNarrok\tgo?\u201d \u201cTo\t Wendlyn,\u201d\t Murtaugh\t said.\t Aedion\u2019s\t heart,\t damn\t him,\t stopped.\t \u201cNarrok\t took\t the fleet\tto\tWendlyn\u2014to\tlaunch\ta\tsurprise\tattack.\u201d \u201cThat\u2019s\timpossible,\u201d\tthe\tcaptain\tsaid,\tshooting\tto\this\tfeet.\t\u201cWhy?\tWhy\tnow?\u201d \u201cBecause\t someone,\u201d\t the\t old\t man\t said,\t sharper\t than\t Aedion\t had\t ever\t heard\t him, \u201cconvinced\tthe\tking\tto\tsend\this\tChampion\tthere\tto\tkill\tthe\troyal\tfamily.\tWhat\tbetter\ttime","to\ttry\tout\tthese\talleged\tmonsters\tthan\twhen\tthe\tcountry\tis\tin\tchaos?\u201d Chaol\t gripped\t the\t back\t of\t a\t chair.\t \u201cShe\u2019s\t not\t actually\t going\t to\t kill\t them\u2014she\t would never.\t It\u2014it\t was\t all\t a\t ruse,\u201d\t he\t said.\t Aedion\t supposed\t that\t was\t all\t he\t would\t tell\t the Allsbrook\tmen,\tand\tall\tthey\treally\tneeded\tto\tknow\tright\tnow.\tHe\tignored\tthe\twary\tglance Ren\ttossed\thim,\tno\tdoubt\tto\tsee\thow\the\twould\treact\tto\tnews\tof\this\tAshryver\tkin\thaving targets\ton\ttheir\tbacks.\tBut\tthey\u2019d\tbeen\tdead\tto\thim\tfor\tten\tyears\talready,\tfrom\tthe\tmoment they\trefused\tto\tsend\taid\tto\tTerrasen.\tGods\thelp\tthem\tif\the\tever\tset\tfoot\tin\ttheir\tkingdom. He\twondered\twhat\tAelin\tthought\tof\tthem\u2014if\tshe\tthought\tWendlyn\tmight\tbe\tconvinced\tof an\talliance\tnow,\tespecially\twith\tAdarlan\tlaunching\ta\tlarger-scale\tassault\ton\ttheir\tborders. Perhaps\t she\t would\t be\t content\t to\t let\t them\t all\t burn,\t as\t the\t people\t of\t Terrasen\t had\t burned. He\twouldn\u2019t\tmind\teither\tway. \u201cIt\t doesn\u2019t\t matter\t if\t they\t are\t assassinated\t or\t not,\u201d\t Murtaugh\t said.\t \u201cWhen\t these\t things arrive,\tI\tthink\tthe\tworld\twill\tsoon\tlearn\twhat\tour\tqueen\tis\tup\tagainst.\u201d \u201cCan\twe\tsend\ta\twarning?\u201d\tRen\tdemanded.\t\u201cCan\tRolfe\tget\tword\tto\tWendlyn?\u201d \u201cRolfe\t will\t not\t get\t involved.\t I\t offered\t him\t promises\t of\t gold,\t of\t land\t when\t our\t queen returns\t \u2026\t nothing\t can\t sway\t him.\t He\t has\t his\t territory\t back,\t and\t he\t will\t not\t risk\t his\t men again.\u201d \u201cThen\t there\t has\t to\t be\t some\t blockade\t runner,\t some\t message\t we\t can\t smuggle,\u201d\t Ren went\t on.\t Aedion\t debated\t informing\t Ren\t that\t Wendlyn\t hadn\u2019t\t bothered\t to\t help\t Terrasen, but\tdecided\the\tdidn\u2019t\tparticularly\tfeel\tlike\tgetting\tinto\tan\tethical\tdebate. \u201cI\t have\t sent\t a\t few\t that\t way,\u201d\t Murtaugh\t said,\t \u201cbut\t I\t do\t not\t have\t much\t faith\t in\t them. And\tby\tthe\ttime\tthey\tarrive,\tit\tmay\tbe\ttoo\tlate.\u201d \u201cSo\twhat\tdo\twe\tdo?\u201d\tRen\tpushed. Murtaugh\tsipped\this\tbrandy.\t\u201cWe\tkeep\tlooking\tfor\tways\tto\thelp\there.\tBecause\tI\tdo\tnot believe\tfor\tone\tmoment\tthat\tHis\tMajesty\u2019s\tnewest\tsurprises\twere\tlocated\tonly\tin\tthe\tDead Islands.\u201d That\t was\t an\t interesting\t point.\t Aedion\t took\t a\t sip\t from\t the\t brandy,\t but\t set\t it\t down. Alcohol\t wouldn\u2019t\t help\t him\t sort\t through\t the\t jumble\t of\t forming\t plans.\t So\t Aedion\t half listened\tto\tthe\tothers\tas\the\tslipped\tinto\tthe\tsteady\trhythm,\tthe\tbeat\tto\twhich\the\tcalculated all\this\tbattles\tand\tcampaigns. Chaol\twatched\tAedion\tpace\tin\tthe\tapartment,\tMurtagh\tand\tRen\thaving\tleft\tto\tsee\tto\ttheir own\t agendas.\t Aedion\t said,\t \u201cYou\t want\t to\t tell\t me\t why\t you\t look\t like\t you\u2019re\t going\t to vomit?\u201d \u201cYou\t know\t everything\t I\t know,\t so\t it\u2019s\t easy\t to\t guess\t why,\u201d\t Chaol\t said\t from\t his armchair,\this\tjaw\tclenched.\tHis\tfight\twith\tDorian\thad\tleft\thim\tin\tno\thurry\tto\tget\tback\tto the\t castle,\t even\t if\t he\t needed\t the\t prince\t to\t test\t out\t his\t theories\t on\t that\t spell.\t Dorian\t had been\t right\t about\t Celaena\u2014about\t Chaol\t resenting\t her\t darkness\t and\t abilities\t and\t true identity,\tbut\t\u2026\tit\thadn\u2019t\tchanged\thow\the\tfelt. \u201cI\tstill\tdon\u2019t\tquite\tgrasp\tyour\trole\tin\tthings,\tCaptain,\u201d\tAedion\tsaid.\t\u201cYou\u2019re\tnot\tfighting for\tAelin\tor\tfor\tTerrasen;\tfor\twhat,\tthen?\tThe\tgreater\tgood?\tYour\tprince?\tWhose\tside\tdoes","that\tput\tyou\ton?\tAre\tyou\ta\ttraitor\u2014a\trebel?\u201d \u201cNo.\u201d\tChaol\u2019s\tblood\tchilled\tat\tthe\tthought.\t\u201cI\u2019m\ton\tneither\tside.\tI\tonly\twish\tto\thelp\tmy friend\tbefore\tI\tleave\tfor\tAnielle.\u201d Aedion\u2019s\tlip\tpulled\tback\tin\ta\tsnarl.\t\u201cPerhaps\tthat\u2019s\tyour\tproblem.\tPerhaps\tnot\tpicking\ta side\tis\twhat\tcosts\tyou.\tPerhaps\tyou\tneed\tto\ttell\tyour\tfather\tyou\u2019re\tbreaking\tyour\tpromise.\u201d \u201cI\t will\t not\t turn\t my\t back\t on\t my\t kingdom\t or\t my\t prince,\u201d\t Chaol\t snapped.\t \u201cI\t will\t not fight\tin\tyour\tarmy\tand\tslaughter\tmy\tpeople.\tAnd\tI\twill\tnot\tbreak\tmy\tvow\tto\tmy\tfather.\u201d His\thonor\tmight\tvery\twell\tbe\tall\the\twould\thave\tleft\tat\tthe\tend\tof\tthis. \u201cWhat\tif\tyour\tprince\tsides\twith\tus?\u201d \u201cThen\tI\twill\tfight\talongside\thim,\thowever\tI\tam\table,\teven\tif\tit\u2019s\tfrom\tAnielle.\u201d \u201cSo\t you\t will\t fight\t alongside\t him,\t but\t not\t for\t what\t is\t right.\t Have\t you\t no\t free\t will,\t no wants\tof\tyour\town?\u201d \u201cMy\twants\tare\tnone\tof\tyour\tconcern.\u201d\tAnd\tthose\twants\t\u2026\t\u201cRegardless\tof\twhat\tDorian decides,\the\twould\tnever\tsanction\tthe\tkilling\tof\tinnocents.\u201d A\tsneer.\t\u201cNo\ttaste\tfor\tblood?\u201d Chaol\twouldn\u2019t\tgive\thim\tthe\tsatisfaction\tof\trising\tto\tmeet\this\ttemper.\tInstead\the\twent for\tthe\tthroat\tand\tsaid,\t\u201cI\tthink\tyour\tqueen\twould\tcondemn\tyou\tif\tyou\tspilled\tone\tdrop\tof innocent\tblood.\tShe\twould\tspit\tin\tyour\tface.\tThere\tare\tgood\tpeople\tin\tthis\tkingdom,\tand they\tdeserve\tto\tbe\tconsidered\tin\tany\tcourse\tof\taction\tyour\tside\ttakes.\u201d Aedion\u2019s\teyes\tflicked\tto\tthe\tscar\ton\tChaol\u2019s\tcheek.\t\u201cJust\tlike\thow\tshe\tcondemned\tyou for\tthe\tdeath\tof\ther\tfriend?\u201d\tAedion\tgave\thim\ta\tslow,\tvicious\tsmile,\tand\tthen,\talmost\ttoo fast\tto\tregister,\tthe\tgeneral\twas\tin\this\tface,\tarms\tbraced\ton\tthe\twings\tof\tthe\tchair. Chaol\t wondered\t if\t Aedion\t would\t strike\t him,\t or\t kill\t him,\t as\t the\t general\u2019s\t features turned\t more\t lupine\t than\t he\u2019d\t ever\t seen\t them,\t nose\t crinkled,\t teeth\t exposed.\t Aedion\t said, \u201cWhen\t your\t men\t have\t died\t around\t you,\t when\t you\t have\t seen\t your\t women\t unforgivably hurt,\twhen\tyou\thave\twatched\tdroves\tof\torphaned\tchildren\tstarve\tto\tdeath\tin\tthe\tstreets\tof your\t city,\t then\t you\t can\t talk\t to\t me\t about\t sparing\t innocent\t lives.\t Until\t then,\t the\t fact remains,\tCaptain,\tthat\tyou\thave\tnot\tpicked\ta\tside\tbecause\tyou\tare\tstill\ta\tboy,\tand\tyou\tare still\tafraid.\tNot\tof\tlosing\tinnocent\tlives,\tbut\tof\tlosing\twhatever\tdream\tit\tis\tyou\u2019re\tclinging to.\tYour\tprince\thas\tmoved\ton,\tmy\tqueen\thas\tmoved\ton.\tBut\tyou\thave\tnot.\tAnd\tit\twill\tcost you\tin\tthe\tend.\u201d Chaol\thad\tnothing\tto\tsay\tafter\tthat\tand\tquickly\tleft\tthe\tapartment.\tHe\thardly\tslept\tthat night,\t hardly\t did\t anything\t but\t stare\t at\t his\t sword,\t discarded\t on\t his\t desk.\t When\t the\t sun rose,\the\twent\tto\tthe\tking\tand\ttold\thim\tof\this\tplans\tto\treturn\tto\tAnielle.","Chapter\t41 The\tnext\ttwo\tweeks\tfell\tinto\ta\tpattern\u2014enough\tthat\tCelaena\tstarted\tto\tfind\tcomfort\tin\tit. There\t were\t no\t unexpected\t stumbles\t or\t turns\t or\t pitfalls,\t no\t deaths\t or\t betrayals\t or nightmares\t made\t flesh.\t In\t the\t mornings\t and\t evenings,\t she\t played\t scullery\t maid.\t Late morning\tuntil\tdinner\tshe\tspent\twith\tRowan,\tslowly,\tpainfully\texploring\tthe\twell\tof\tmagic inside\ther\u2014a\twell\tthat,\tto\ther\thorror,\thad\tno\tbottom\tin\tsight. The\tsmall\tthings\u2014lighting\tcandles,\tputting\tout\thearth\tfires,\tweaving\ta\tribbon\tof\tflame through\ther\tfingers\u2014were\tstill\tthe\thardest.\tBut\tRowan\tpushed,\tdragging\ther\tfrom\truin\tto ruin,\tthe\tonly\tsafe\tplaces\tfor\ther\tto\tlose\tcontrol.\tAt\tleast\the\tbrought\tfood\twith\thim\tnow,\tas she\twas\tconstantly\tstarving\tand\tcould\thardly\tgo\tan\thour\twithout\teating\tsomething.\tMagic gobbled\tup\tenergy,\tand\tshe\twas\teating\tdouble\tor\ttriple\twhat\tshe\tused\tto. Sometimes\t they\t would\t talk.\t Well,\t she\t would\t make\t him\t talk,\t because\t after\t telling\t him about\tAedion\tand\ther\town\tselfish\twish\tfor\tfreedom,\tshe\tdecided\tthat\ttalking\twas\t\u2026\tgood. Even\tif\tshe\twasn\u2019t\table\tto\topen\tup\tabout\tsome\tthings,\tshe\tliked\thearing\tRowan\tspeak.\tShe managed\t to\t get\t him\t to\t tell\t her\t about\t his\t various\t campaigns\t and\t adventures,\t each\t more brutal\tand\tharrowing\tthan\tthe\tnext.\tThere\twas\ta\twhole\tgiant\tworld\tto\tthe\tsouth\tand\teast\tof Wendlyn,\t kingdoms\t and\t empires\t she\u2019d\t heard\t of\t in\t passing\t but\t had\t never\t known\t much about.\t Rowan\t was\t a\t true\t warrior,\t who\t had\t walked\t on\t and\t off\t of\t killing\t fields,\t led\t men through\thell,\tsailed\ton\traging\tseas\tand\tseen\tdistant,\tstrange\tshores. Though\tshe\tenvied\this\tlong\tlife\u2014and\tthe\tgift\tof\tseeing\tthe\tworld\tthat\twent\talong\twith it\u2014she\tcould\tstill\tfeel\tthe\tundercurrent\tof\trage\tand\tgrief\tbeneath\teach\ttale,\tthe\tloss\tof\this mate\tthat\thaunted\thim\tno\tmatter\thow\tfar\the\trode\tor\tsailed\tor\tflew.\tHe\tspoke\tvery\tlittle\tof his\t friends,\t who\t sometimes\t accompanied\t him\t on\t his\t journeys.\t She\t did\t not\t envy\t him\t the battles\t he\t had\t fought,\t the\t wars\t in\t far-off\t lands,\t or\t the\t bloody\t years\t spent\t laying\t siege\t to cities\tof\tsand\tand\tstone. She\t did\t not\t tell\t him\t that,\t of\t course.\t She\t only\t listened\t as\t he\t narrated\t while\t instructing her.\t And\t as\t she\t listened,\t she\t began\t to\t hate\t Maeve\u2014truly\t hate\t her\t aunt\t in\t her\t core.\t That rage\t drove\t her\t to\t request\t legends\t about\t her\t aunt\t from\t Emrys\t every\t night.\t Rowan\t never reprimanded\ther\twhen\tshe\tasked\tfor\tthose\tstories,\tnever\tshowed\tany\talarm. It\t came\t as\t some\t surprise\t when\t Emrys\t announced\t one\t day\t that\t Beltane\t was\t two\t days off\t and\t they\t would\t begin\t preparations\t for\t their\t feasting\t and\t dancing\t and\t celebrating. Already\tBeltane,\tand\taccording\tto\tRowan,\tshe\twas\tstill\tfar\tfrom\tready\tto\tgo\tto\tDoranelle, despite\t mastering\t the\t shift.\t Spring\t would\t now\t be\t in\t full\t bloom\t on\t her\t own\t continent. Maypoles\t would\t be\t raised,\t hawthorn\t bushes\t decorated\u2014that\t was\t about\t as\t much\t as\t the king\twould\tallow.\tThere\twould\tbe\tno\tsmall\tgifts\tleft\tat\tcrossroads\tfor\tthe\tLittle\tFolk.\tThe king\t permitted\t the\t bare\t bones\t only,\t with\t the\t focus\t squarely\t on\t the\t gods\t and\t planting\t for the\tharvest.\tNot\ta\thint\tor\twhisper\tof\tmagic. Bonfires\t would\t be\t ignited\t and\t a\t few\t brave\t souls\t would\t jump\t across\t for\t luck,\t to\t ward off\t evil,\t to\t ensure\t a\t good\t crop\u2014whatever\t they\t hoped\t would\t come\t of\t it.\t As\t a\t child,\t she","had\t run\t rampant\t through\t the\t field\t before\t the\t gates\t of\t Orynth,\t the\t thousand\t bonfires burning\tlike\tthe\tlights\tof\tthe\tinvading\tarmy\tthat\twould\ttoo\tsoon\tbe\tencamped\taround\tthe white\t city.\t It\t was\t her\t night,\t her\t mother\t had\t said\u2014a\t night\t when\t a\t fire-bearing\t girl\t had nothing\tto\tfear,\tno\tpowers\tto\thide.\tAelin\tFireheart,\tpeople\thad\twhispered\tas\tshe\tbounded past,\t embers\t streaming\t from\t her\t like\t ribbons,\t Aedion\t and\t a\t few\t of\t her\t more\t lethal\t court members\ttrailing\tas\tindulgent\tguards.\tAelin\tof\tthe\tWildfire. After\t days\t of\t helping\t Emrys\t with\t the\t food\t (and\t devouring\t it\t when\t the\t cook\t wasn\u2019t looking),\tshe\twas\thoping\tfor\ta\tchance\tto\trelax\ton\tBeltane,\tbut\tRowan\thauled\ther\tto\ta\tfield atop\t the\t mountain\t plateau.\t Celaena\t bit\t into\t an\t apple\t she\u2019d\t pulled\t from\t her\t pocket\t and raised\t her\t brows\t at\t Rowan,\t who\t was\t standing\t in\t front\t of\t a\t massive\t pile\t of\t wood\t for\t the bonfire,\tflanked\tby\ttwo\tsmall\tunlit\tfires\ton\teither\tside. Around\t them,\t some\t of\t the\t demi-Fae\t were\t still\t hauling\t in\t more\t wood\t and\t kindling, others\tsetting\tup\ttables\tto\tserve\tthe\tfood\tthat\tEmrys\thad\tbeen\tlaboring\tover\twithout\trest. Dozens\t of\t other\t demi-Fae\t had\t arrived\t from\t their\t various\t outposts,\t with\t little\t fanfare and\tmuch\tembracing\tand\tgood-natured\tteasing.\tBetween\thelping\tEmrys\tand\ttraining\twith Rowan,\t Celaena\t hardly\t had\t time\t to\t inspect\t them\u2014though\t a\t wretched\t part\t of\t her\t was somewhat\t pleased\t by\t the\t few\t admiring\t glances\t she\t caught\t being\t thrown\t in\t her\t direction by\tthe\tvisiting\tmales. She\tdidn\u2019t\tfail\tto\tnotice\thow\tquickly\tthey\tlooked\taway\twhen\tthey\tbeheld\tRowan\tat\ther side.\t Though\t she\t did\t catch\t a\t few\t females\t looking\t at\t him\t with\t far\t warmer\t interest.\t She wanted\tto\tclaw\ttheir\tfaces\toff\tfor\tit. She\t munched\t on\t the\t apple\t as\t she\t studied\t him\t now,\t in\t his\t usual\t pale-gray\t tunic\t and wide\t belt,\t hood\t thrown\t back\t and\t leather\t vambraces\t gleaming\t in\t the\t late\t afternoon sunlight.\t Gods,\t she\t had\t no\t interest\t in\t him\t like\t that,\t and\t she\t was\t certain\t he\t had\t no inclination\tto\ttake\ther\tto\this\tbed,\teither.\tMaybe\tit\twas\tjust\tfrom\tspending\tso\tmuch\ttime\tin her\tFae\tbody\tthat\tshe\tfelt\t\u2026\tterritorial.\tTerritorial\tand\tgrumpy\tand\tmean.\tLast\tnight,\tshe had\tgrowled\tat\ta\tfemale\tin\tthe\tkitchen\twho\twould\tnot\tstop\tstaring\tat\thim\tand\thad\tactually taken\ta\tstep\ttoward\thim\tas\tif\tto\tsay\thello. Celaena\t shook\t her\t head\t to\t clear\t away\t the\t instincts\t that\t were\t starting\t to\t make\t her\t see fire\t at\t all\t hours\t of\t the\t day.\t \u201cI\t assume\t you\t brought\t me\t here\t so\t I\t could\t practice?\u201d\t She chucked\tthe\tapple\tcore\tacross\tthe\tfield\tand\trubbed\tat\ther\tshoulder.\tShe\u2019d\tbeen\tfeverish\tthe night\t before\t thanks\t to\t Rowan\t making\t her\t practice\t all\t afternoon,\t and\t had\t awoken exhausted\tthis\tmorning. \u201cIgnite\tthem,\tand\tkeep\tthe\tfires\tcontrolled\tand\teven\tall\tnight.\u201d \u201cAll\tthree.\u201d\tNot\ta\tquestion. \u201cKeep\t the\t end\t ones\t low\t for\t the\t jumpers.\t The\t middle\t one\t should\t be\t scorching\t the clouds.\u201d She\twished\tshe\thadn\u2019t\teaten\tthe\tapple.\t\u201cThis\tcould\teasily\tturn\tlethal.\u201d He\tlifted\ta\thand\tand\twind\tstirred\taround\ther.\t\u201cI\u2019ll\tbe\there,\u201d\the\tsaid\tsimply,\teyes\tshining with\tan\tarrogance\the\u2019d\tmore\tthan\tearned\tin\this\tcenturies\tof\tliving. \u201cAnd\tif\tI\tsomehow\tstill\tmanage\tto\tturn\tsomeone\tinto\ta\tliving\ttorch?\u201d","\u201cThen\tit\u2019s\ta\tgood\tthing\tthe\thealers\tare\talso\there\tto\tcelebrate.\u201d She\tgave\thim\ta\tdirty\tlook\tand\trolled\ther\tshoulders.\t\u201cWhen\tdo\tyou\twant\tto\tstart?\u201d Her\tstomach\tclenched\tas\the\tsaid,\t\u201cNow.\u201d She\t was\t burning,\t but\t remaining\t steady,\t even\t as\t the\t sun\t set\t and\t the\t field\t became\t packed with\trevelers.\tMusicians\ttook\tup\tplaces\tby\tthe\tforest\tedge\tand\tthe\tworld\tfilled\twith\ttheir violins\t and\t fiddles\t and\t flutes\t and\t drums,\t such\t beautiful,\t ancient\t music\t that\t her\t flames moved\t with\t it,\t turning\t into\t rubies\t and\t citrines\t and\t tigereyes\t and\t deepest\t sapphires.\t Her magic\t didn\u2019t\t manifest\t in\t only\t blue\t wildfire\t anymore;\t it\t had\t been\t slowly\t changing, growing,\tthese\tpast\tfew\tweeks.\tNo\tone\treally\tnoticed\ther,\tstanding\ton\tthe\toutskirts\tof\tthe fire\u2019s\t light,\t though\t a\t few\t marveled\t at\t the\t flames\t that\t burned\t but\t did\t not\t consume\t the wood. Sweat\tran\tdown\tevery\tpart\tof\ther\u2014mostly\tthanks\tto\tthe\tterror\tof\tpeople\tjumping\tover the\t lower-burning\t bonfires.\t Yet\t Rowan\t remained\t beside\t her,\t murmuring\t as\t if\t she\t were\t a nervous\thorse.\tShe\twanted\tto\ttell\thim\tto\tgo\taway,\tto\tmaybe\tindulge\tone\tof\tthose\tdoe-eyed females\t who\t kept\t silently\t inviting\t him\t to\t dance.\t But\t she\t focused\t on\t the\t flames\t and\t on maintaining\t that\t shred\t of\t control,\t even\t though\t her\t blood\t was\t starting\t to\t boil.\t A\t knot tightened\tin\ther\tlower\tback,\tand\tshe\tshifted.\tGods,\tshe\twas\tsoaked\u2014every\tdamn\tcrevice was\tdamp. \u201cEasy,\u201d\tRowan\tsaid\tas\tthe\tflames\tdanced\ta\tlittle\thigher. \u201cI\t know,\u201d\t she\t gritted\t out.\t The\t music\t was\t already\t so\t inviting,\t the\t dancing\t around\t the fire\tso\tjoyous,\tthe\tfood\ton\tthe\ttables\tsmelling\tso\tdelicious\t\u2026\tand\there\tshe\twas,\tfar\tfrom\tit all,\tjust\tburning.\tHer\tstomach\tgrumbled.\t\u201cWhen\tcan\tI\tstop?\u201d\tShe\tshifted\ton\ther\tfeet\tagain, and\tthe\tlargest\tbonfire\ttwisted,\tthe\tflame\tslithering\twith\ther\tbody.\tNo\tone\tnoticed. \u201cWhen\tI\tsay\tso,\u201d\the\tsaid.\tShe\tknew\the\twas\tusing\tthe\tpeople\taround\tthem,\ther\tfear\tfor their\tsafety,\tto\tget\ther\tto\tmaster\ther\tcontrol,\tbut\t\u2026 \u201cI\u2019m\tsweating\tto\tdeath,\tI\u2019m\tstarving,\tand\tI\twant\ta\tbreak.\u201d \u201cResorting\tto\twhining?\u201d\tBut\ta\tcool\tbreeze\tlicked\tup\ther\tneck,\tand\tshe\tclosed\ther\teyes, moaning.\tShe\tcould\tfeel\thim\twatching\ther,\tand\tafter\ta\tmoment\the\tsaid,\t\u201cJust\ta\tlittle\twhile longer.\u201d She\t almost\t sagged\t with\t relief,\t but\t opened\t her\t eyes\t to\t focus.\t She\t could\t hold\t out\t for\t a bit,\t then\t go\t eat\t and\t eat\t and\t eat.\t Maybe\t dance.\t She\t hadn\u2019t\t danced\t in\t so\t long.\t Maybe\t she would\ttry\tit\tout,\there\tin\tthe\tshadows.\tSee\tif\ther\tbody\tcould\tfind\troom\tfor\tjoy,\teven\tthough it\t was\t currently\t so\t hot\t and\t aching\t that\t she\t would\t bet\t good\t money\t that\t the\t moment\t she stopped,\tshe\twould\tfall\tasleep. But\t the\t music\t was\t entrancing,\t the\t dancers\t mere\t shadows\t swirling\t around.\t Unlike\t in Adarlan,\t there\t were\t no\t guards\t monitoring\t the\t festivities,\t no\t villagers\t lurking\t to\t see\t who might\tcross\tthe\tline\tinto\ttreason\tand\tearn\ta\tpretty\tcoin\tfor\twhoever\tthey\tturned\tin.\tThere was\tjust\tthe\tmusic\tand\tthe\tdancing\tand\tthe\tfood\tand\tthe\tfire\u2014her\tfire. She\t tapped\t a\t foot,\t bobbing\t her\t head,\t eyes\t on\t the\t three\t smokeless\t fires\t and\t the silhouettes\tdancing\taround\tthem.\tShe\tdid\twant\tto\tdance.\tNot\tfrom\tjoy,\tbut\tbecause\tshe\tfelt","her\tfire\tand\tthe\tmusic\tmeld\tand\tpulse\tagainst\ther\tbones.\tThe\tmusic\twas\ta\ttapestry\twoven of\t light\t and\t dark\t and\t color,\t building\t delicate\t links\t in\t a\t chain\t that\t latched\t on\t to\t her\t heart and\tspread\tout\tinto\tthe\tworld,\tbinding\ther\tto\tit,\tconnecting\teverything. She\t understood\t then.\t The\t Wyrdmarks\t were\u2014were\t a\t way\t of\t harnessing\t those\t threads, of\t weaving\t and\t binding\t the\t essence\t of\t things.\t Magic\t could\t do\t the\t same,\t and\t from\t her power,\tfrom\ther\timagination\tand\twill\tand\tcore,\tshe\tcould\tcreate\tand\tshape. \u201cEasy,\u201d\t Rowan\t said,\t then\t added\t with\t a\t hint\t of\t surprise,\t \u201cMusic.\t That\t day\t on\t the\t ice, you\t were\t humming.\u201d\t She\t registered\t another\t cool\t wind\t on\t her\t neck,\t but\t her\t skin\t was already\tpulsing\tin\ttime\twith\tthe\tdrums.\t\u201cLet\tthe\tmusic\tsteady\tyou.\u201d Gods,\tto\tbe\tfree\tlike\tthis\t\u2026\tThe\tflames\troiled\tand\tundulated\twith\tthe\tmelody. \u201cEasy.\u201d\tShe\tcould\tbarely\thear\thim\tabove\tthe\twave\tof\tsound\tfilling\ther\tup,\tmaking\ther feel\teach\ttether\tbinding\ther\tto\tthe\tearth,\teach\tinfinite\tthread.\tFor\ta\tbreath\tshe\twished\tfor\ta shape-shifter\u2019s\theart\tso\tshe\tcould\tshed\ther\tskin\tand\tweave\therself\tinto\tsomething\telse,\tthe music\tor\tthe\twind,\tand\tblow\tacross\tthe\tworld.\tHer\teyes\twere\tstinging,\talmost\tblurry\tfrom staring\tso\tlong\tat\tthe\tflames,\tand\ta\tmuscle\tin\ther\tback\ttwinged. \u201cSteady.\u201d\t She\t didn\u2019t\t know\t what\t he\t was\t talking\t about\u2014the\t flames\t were\t calm,\t lovely. What\t would\t happen\t if\t she\t walked\t through\t them?\t The\t pulsing\t in\t her\t head\t seemed\t to\t say do\tit,\tdo\tit,\tdo\tit. \u201cThat\u2019s\t enough\t for\t now.\u201d\t Rowan\t grabbed\t her\t arm,\t but\t hissed\t and\t let\t go.\t \u201cThat\t is enough.\u201d Slowly,\ttoo\tslowly,\tshe\tlooked\tat\thim.\tHis\teyes\twere\twide,\tthe\tlight\tof\tthe\tfire\tmaking them\t almost\t blaze.\t Fire\u2014her\t fire.\t She\t returned\t to\t the\t flame,\t submitted\t to\t it.\t The\t music and\tthe\tdancing\tcontinued,\tbright\tand\tmerry. \u201cLook\tat\tme,\u201d\tRowan\tsaid,\tbut\tdidn\u2019t\ttouch\ther.\t\u201cLook\tat\tme.\u201d She\tcould\thardly\thear\thim,\tas\tif\tshe\twere\tunderwater.\tThere\twas\ta\tpounding\tin\ther\tnow \u2014edged\twith\tpain.\tIt\twas\ta\tknife\tthat\tsliced\tinto\ther\tmind\tand\ther\tbody\twith\teach\tpulse. She\tcouldn\u2019t\tlook\tat\thim\u2014didn\u2019t\tdare\ttake\ther\tattention\tfrom\tthe\tfire. \u201cLet\t the\t fires\t burn\t on\t their\t own,\u201d\t Rowan\t ordered.\t She\t could\t have\t sworn\t she\t heard something\tlike\tfear\tin\this\tvoice.\tIt\twas\tan\teffort\tof\twill,\tand\tpain\tspiked\tdown\tthe\ttendons in\ther\tneck,\tbut\tshe\tlooked\tat\thim.\tHis\tnostrils\tflared.\t\u201cAelin,\tstop\tright\tnow.\u201d She\ttried\tto\tspeak,\tbut\ther\tthroat\twas\traw,\tburning.\tShe\tcouldn\u2019t\tmove\ther\tbody. \u201cLet\tgo.\u201d\tShe\ttried\tto\ttell\thim\tshe\tcouldn\u2019t,\tbut\tit\thurt.\tShe\twas\tan\tanvil\tand\tthe\tpain was\t a\t hammer,\t striking\t again\t and\t again.\t \u201cIf\t you\t don\u2019t\t let\t go,\t you\t are\t going\t to\t burn\t out completely.\u201d Was\tthis\tthe\tend\tof\ther\tmagic,\tthen?\tA\tfew\thours\ttending\tfires?\tSuch\ta\trelief\u2014such\ta blessed\trelief,\tif\tit\twere\ttrue. \u201cYou\tare\ton\tthe\tverge\tof\troasting\tyourself\tfrom\tthe\tinside\tout,\u201d\tRowan\tsnarled. She\t blinked,\t and\t her\t eyes\t ached\t as\t if\t she\t had\t sand\t in\t them.\t Agony\t lashed\t down\t her spine,\t so\t hard\t she\t fell\t to\t the\t grass.\t Light\t flared\u2014not\t from\t her\t or\t Rowan,\t but\t from\t the fires\t surging.\t People\t yelled,\t the\t music\t faltered.\t The\t grass\t hissed\t beneath\t her\t hands,","smoking.\t She\t groaned,\t fumbling\t inside\t for\t the\t three\t tethers\t to\t the\t fires.\t But\t she\t was\t a maze,\ta\tlabyrinth,\tthe\tstrings\tall\ttangled,\tand\u2014 \u201cI\u2019m\tsorry,\u201d\tRowan\thissed,\tswearing\tagain,\tand\tthe\tair\tvanished. She\t tried\t to\t groan,\t to\t move,\t but\t she\t had\t no\t air.\t No\t air\t for\t that\t inner\t fire.\t Blackness swept\tin. Oblivion. Then\t she\t was\t gasping,\t arcing\t off\t the\t grass,\t the\t fires\t now\t crackling\t naturally\t and Rowan\thovering\tover\ther.\t\u201cBreathe.\tBreathe.\u201d Though\the\u2019d\tsnapped\ther\ttethers\tto\tthe\tfires,\tshe\twas\tstill\tburning. Not\tburning\ton\tthe\toutside,\twhere\teven\tthe\tgrass\thad\tstopped\tsmoldering. She\twas\tburning\tup\tfrom\twithin.\tEach\tbreath\tsent\tfire\tdown\ther\tlungs,\ther\tveins.\tShe could\tnot\tspeak\tor\tmove. She\t had\t shoved\t herself\t over\t some\t boundary\u2014hadn\u2019t\t heard\t the\t warning\t signs\t to\t turn back\u2014and\tshe\twas\tburning\talive\tbeneath\ther\tskin. She\t shook\t with\t tearless,\t panicked\t sobs.\t It\t hurt\u2014it\t was\t endless\t and\t eternal\t and\t there was\t no\t dark\t part\t of\t her\t where\t she\t could\t flee\t to\t escape\t the\t flames.\t Death\t would\t be\t a mercy,\ta\tcold,\tblack\thaven. She\tdidn\u2019t\tknow\tRowan\thad\tleft\tuntil\the\tcame\tsprinting\tback,\ttwo\tfemales\tin\ttow.\tOne of\t them\t said,\t \u201cCan\t you\t stand\t to\t carry\t her?\t There\t aren\u2019t\t any\t water-wielders\t here,\t and\t we need\tto\tget\ther\tinto\tcold\twater.\tNow.\u201d She\t didn\u2019t\t hear\t what\t else\t was\t said,\t heard\t nothing\t but\t the\t pounding-pounding\t of\t that forge\t under\t her\t skin.\t There\t was\t a\t grunt\t and\t a\t hiss,\t and\t then\t she\t was\t in\t Rowan\u2019s\t arms, bouncing\t against\t his\t chest\t as\t he\t hurtled\t through\t the\t woods.\t Every\t step\t sent\t splinters\t of red-hot\tpain\tthrough\ther.\tThough\this\tarms\twere\tice\tcold,\ta\tfrigid\twind\tpressing\ton\ther,\tshe was\tadrift\tin\ta\tsea\tof\tfire. Hell\u2014this\t was\t what\t the\t dark\t god\u2019s\t underworld\t felt\t like.\t This\t was\t what\t awaited\t her when\tshe\ttook\ther\tlast\tbreath. It\twas\tthe\thorror\tof\tthat\tthought\tthat\tmade\ther\tfocus\ton\twhat\tshe\tcould\tgrasp\u2014namely the\t pine-and-snow\t smell\t of\t Rowan.\t She\t pulled\t that\t smell\t into\t her\t lungs,\t pulled\t it\t down deep\tand\tclung\tto\tit\tas\tthough\tit\twere\ta\tlifeline\ttossed\tinto\ta\tstormy\tsea.\tShe\tdidn\u2019t\tknow how\tlong\tit\ttook,\tbut\ther\tgrasp\ton\thim\twas\tweakening,\teach\tpulse\tof\tfiery\tpain\tfraying\tit. But\t then\t it\t was\t darker\t than\t the\t woods,\t and\t the\t sounds\t echoed\t louder,\t and\t they\t took stairs,\tand\tthen\u2014\u201cGet\ther\tinto\tthe\twater.\u201d She\t was\t lowered\t into\t the\t water\t in\t the\t sunken\t stone\t tub,\t then\t steam\t brushed\t her\t face. Someone\tswore.\t\u201cFreeze\tit,\tPrince,\u201d\tthe\tsecond\tvoice\tcommanded.\t\u201cNow.\u201d There\twas\ta\tmoment\tof\tblissful\tcold,\tbut\tthen\tthe\tfire\tsurged,\tand\u2014 \u201cGet\t her\t out!\u201d\t Strong\t hands\t yanked\t at\t her,\t and\t she\t had\t the\t vague\t sense\t of\t hearing bubbling.","She\t had\t boiled\t the\t water\t in\t that\t tub.\t Almost\t boiled\t herself.\t She\t was\t in\t another\t tub\t a moment\tlater,\tthe\tice\tforming\tagain\u2014then\tmelting.\tMelting,\tand\u2014\u201cBreathe,\u201d\tRowan\tsaid by\ther\tear,\tkneeling\tat\tthe\thead\tof\tthe\ttub.\t\u201cLet\tit\tgo\u2014let\tit\tget\tout\tof\tyou.\u201d Steam\trose,\tbut\tshe\ttook\ta\tbreath.\t\u201cGood,\u201d\tRowan\tpanted.\tIce\tformed\tagain.\tMelted. She\t was\t sweating,\t heat\t pulsing\t against\t her\t skin\t like\t a\t drum.\t She\t did\t not\t want\t to\t die like\tthis.\tShe\ttook\tanother\tbreath. Like\t the\t ebb\t and\t flow\t of\t the\t tide,\t the\t bath\t froze,\t then\t melted,\t froze,\t then\t melted, slower\teach\ttime.\tAnd\teach\ttime,\tthe\tcold\tsoaked\tinto\ther\ta\tbit\tmore,\tnumbing\ther,\turging her\tbody\tto\trelax. Ice\tand\tfire.\tFrost\tand\tembers.\tLocked\tin\ta\tbattle,\tpushing\tand\tpulling.\tBeneath\tit,\tshe could\talmost\ttaste\tRowan\u2019s\tsteel\twill\tslamming\tagainst\ther\tmagic\u2014a\twill\tthat\trefused\tto let\tthe\tfire\tburn\ther\tinto\tnothing. Her\t body\t ached,\t but\t now\t the\t pain\t was\t mortal.\t Her\t cheeks\t were\t still\t aflame,\t but\t the water\twent\tcold,\tthen\tlukewarm,\tthen\twarm\tand\u2014stayed\tthat\tway.\tWarm,\tnot\thot. \u201cWe\t need\t to\t get\t those\t clothes\t off\t her,\u201d\t one\t of\t the\t females\t said.\t Celaena\t lost\t track\t of time\tas\ttwo\tsmall\tsets\tof\thands\teased\tup\ther\thead\tand\tthen\tstripped\toff\ther\tsodden\tclothes. Without\t them,\t she\t was\t almost\t weightless\t in\t the\t water.\t She\t didn\u2019t\t care\t if\t Rowan\t saw\u2014 didn\u2019t\tthink\tthere\twas\tan\tinch\tof\ta\twoman\u2019s\tbody\the\thadn\u2019t\talready\texplored\tanyway.\tShe lay\tthere,\teyes\tshut,\tface\ttilted\ttoward\tthe\tceiling. After\t a\t while,\t Rowan\t said,\t \u201cJust\t answer\t yes\t or\t no.\t That\u2019s\t all\t you\t have\t to\t do.\u201d\t She managed\ta\tslight\tnod,\tthough\tshe\twinced\tas\tpain\tshot\tdown\ther\tneck\tand\tshoulders.\t\u201cAre you\tin\tdanger\tof\tflaring\tup\tagain?\u201d She\twas\tbreathing\tas\tevenly\tas\tshe\tcould,\tthe\theat\tpounding\tin\ther\tcheeks,\ther\tlegs,\ther core,\t but\t it\t was\t steadily\t diminishing.\t \u201cNo,\u201d\t she\t whispered,\t a\t brush\t of\t hot\t air\t from\t her tongue. \u201cAre\t you\t in\t pain?\u201d\t Not\t a\t sympathetic\t question,\t but\t a\t commander\t assessing\t his soldier\u2019s\tcondition\tto\tsort\tout\tthe\tbest\tcourse\tof\taction. \u201cYes.\u201d\tA\thiss\tof\tsteam. A\t woman\t said,\t \u201cWe\t will\t prepare\t a\t tonic.\t Just\t keep\t her\t cool.\u201d\t Soft\t feet\t padded\t on\t the stone\tfloors\ton\ttheir\tway\tout,\tthen\tcame\tthe\tsnick\tof\tthe\tdoor\tto\tthe\tbaths\tclosing.\tThere was\ta\tslosh\tof\twater\tin\ta\tbucket,\tthen\u2014 Celaena\t sighed,\t or\t tried\t to,\t as\t an\t ice-cold\t cloth\t was\t laid\t on\t her\t forehead.\t More sloshing,\tthen\tanother\tcloth\tdripped\tfreezing\twater\tonto\ther\thair,\ther\tneck. \u201cThe\tburnout,\u201d\tRowan\tsaid\tquietly.\t\u201cYou\tshould\thave\ttold\tme\tyou\twere\tat\tyour\tlimit.\u201d Speaking\twas\ttoo\thard,\tbut\tshe\topened\ther\teyes\tto\tfind\thim\tkneeling\tat\tthe\thead\tof\tthe bath,\t a\t bucket\t of\t water\t beside\t him\t and\t a\t cloth\t in\t his\t hands.\t He\t wrung\t it\t again\t over\t her brow,\t the\t water\t so\t wonderful\t she\t would\t have\t moaned.\t The\t bath\t cooled\t further,\t but\t was still\twarm\u2014too\twarm. \u201cIf\tyou\u2019d\tgone\ton\tany\tlonger,\tthe\tburnout\twould\thave\tdestroyed\tyou.\tYou\tmust\tlearn\tto recognize\t the\t signs\u2014and\t how\t to\t pull\t back\t before\t it\u2019s\t too\t late.\u201d\t Not\t a\t statement,\t but\t a","command.\t \u201cIt\t will\t rip\t you\t apart\t inside.\t Make\t this\t \u2026\u201d\t He\t shook\t his\t head\t again.\t \u201cMake this\t look\t like\t nothing.\t You\t don\u2019t\t touch\t your\t magic\t until\t you\u2019ve\t rested\t for\t a\t while. Understand?\u201d She\t tilted\t her\t head\t up,\t beckoning\t for\t more\t cold\t water\t on\t her\t face,\t but\t he\t refused\t to wring\t the\t cloth\t until\t she\t nodded\t her\t agreement.\t He\t cooled\t her\t off\t for\t another\t few moments,\tthen\tslung\tthe\tcloth\tover\tthe\tside\tof\tthe\tbucket\tand\tstood.\t\u201cI\u2019m\tgoing\tto\tcheck on\t the\t tonic.\t I\u2019ll\t be\t back\t soon.\u201d\t He\t left\t once\t she\u2019d\t nodded\t again.\t If\t she\t hadn\u2019t\t known better,\tshe\tmight\thave\tthought\the\twas\tfussing.\tWorried,\teven. She\thadn\u2019t\tbeen\told\tenough\tin\tTerrasen\tto\thave\tanyone\tteach\ther\tabout\tthe\tdeadly\tside to\ther\tpower\u2014and\tno\tone\thad\texplained,\tsince\ther\tlessons\thad\tbeen\tso\tlimited.\tShe\thadn\u2019t felt\tlike\tshe\twas\tburning\tout.\tIt\thad\tcome\ton\tso\tquickly.\tMaybe\tthat\twas\tall\tthere\twas\tto her\tmagic.\tMaybe\ther\twell\tdidn\u2019t\tgo\tas\tdeep\tas\teveryone\thad\tthought.\tIt\twould\tbe\ta\trelief if\tthat\twere\ttrue. She\t lifted\t her\t legs,\t groaning\t at\t the\t aches\t along\t her\t muscles,\t and\t leaned\t forward\t far enough\t to\t hug\t her\t knees.\t Above\t the\t lip\t of\t the\t sunken\t tub,\t there\t were\t a\t few\t candles burning\t on\t the\t stones,\t and\t she\t glared\t at\t the\t flames.\t Hated\t the\t flames.\t Though\t she supposed\tthey\tneeded\tlight\tin\there. She\t rested\t her\t forehead\t on\t her\t scarred\t knees,\t her\t skin\t nearly\t scorching.\t She\t shut\t her eyes,\tpiecing\ther\tsplintered\tconsciousness\ttogether. The\tdoor\topened.\tRowan.\tShe\tkept\therself\tin\tthat\tcool\tdarkness,\tsavoring\tthe\tgrowing chill\tin\tthe\twater,\tthe\tquieting\tpulse\tunder\ther\tskin.\tHe\tsounded\tabout\thalfway\tacross\tthe room\twhen\this\tfootsteps\thalted. His\tbreath\tcaught,\tharsh\tenough\tthat\tshe\tlooked\tover\ther\tshoulder. But\this\teyes\tweren\u2019t\ton\ther\tface.\tOr\tthe\twater.\tThey\twere\ton\ther\tbare\tback. Curled\t as\t she\t was\t against\t her\t knees,\t he\t could\t see\t the\t whole\t expanse\t of\t ruined\t flesh, each\tscar\tfrom\tthe\tlashings.\t\u201cWho\tdid\tthat\tdo\tyou?\u201d It\twould\thave\tbeen\teasy\tto\tlie,\tbut\tshe\twas\tso\ttired,\tand\the\thad\tsaved\ther\tuseless\thide. So\tshe\tsaid,\t\u201cA\tlot\tof\tpeople.\tI\tspent\tsome\ttime\tin\tthe\tSalt\tMines\tof\tEndovier.\u201d He\t was\t so\t still\t that\t she\t wondered\t if\t he\u2019d\t stopped\t breathing.\t \u201cHow\t long?\u201d\t he\t asked after\t a\t moment.\t She\t braced\t herself\t for\t the\t pity,\t but\t his\t face\t was\t so\t carefully\t blank\u2014no, not\tblank.\tCalm\twith\tlethal\trage. \u201cA\t year.\t I\t was\t there\t a\t year\t before\t \u2026\t it\u2019s\t a\t long\t story.\u201d\t She\t was\t too\t exhausted,\t her throat\t too\t raw,\t to\t say\t the\t rest\t of\t it.\t She\t noticed\t then\t that\t his\t arms\t were\t bandaged,\t and more\tbandages\tacross\this\tbroad\tchest\tpeeked\tup\tfrom\tbeneath\this\tshirt.\tShe\u2019d\tburned\thim again.\tAnd\tyet\the\thad\theld\ton\tto\ther\u2014had\trun\tall\tthe\tway\there\tand\tnot\tlet\tgo\tonce. \u201cYou\twere\ta\tslave.\u201d She\tgave\thim\ta\tslow\tnod.\tHe\topened\this\tmouth,\tbut\tshut\tit\tand\tswallowed,\tthat\tlethal rage\t winking\t out.\t As\t if\t he\t remembered\t who\t he\t was\t talking\t to\t and\t that\t it\t was\t the\t least punishment\tshe\tdeserved. He\t turned\t on\t his\t heel\t and\t shut\t the\t door\t behind\t him.\t She\t wished\t he\u2019d\t slammed\t it\u2014","wished\the\u2019d\tshattered\tit.\tBut\the\tclosed\tit\twith\tbarely\tmore\tthan\ta\tclick\tand\tdid\tnot\treturn.","Chapter\t42 Her\tback. Rowan\tsoared\tover\tthe\ttrees,\triding\tand\tshaping\tthe\twinds\tto\tpush\thim\tonward,\tfaster, their\t roar\t negligible\t to\t the\t bellowing\t in\t his\t head.\t He\t took\t in\t the\t passing\t world\t out\t of instinct\t rather\t than\t interest,\t his\t eyes\t turned\t inward\u2014toward\t that\t slab\t of\t ruined\t flesh glistening\tin\tthe\tcandlelight. The\tgods\tknew\the\u2019d\tseen\tplenty\tof\tharrowing\tinjuries.\tHe\u2019d\tbestowed\tplenty\tof\tthem on\this\tenemies\tand\tfriends\talike.\tIn\tthe\tgrand\tsense\tof\tthings,\ther\tback\twasn\u2019t\teven\tclose to\t some\t of\t those\t wounds.\t Yet\t when\t he\u2019d\t seen\t it,\t his\t heart\t had\t clean\t stopped\u2014and\t for\t a moment,\tthere\thad\tbeen\tan\toverwhelming\tsilence\tin\this\tmind. He\tfelt\this\tmagic\tand\this\twarrior\u2019s\tinstincts\thoning\tinto\ta\tlethal\tcombination\tthe\tlonger he\t stared\u2014howling\t to\t rip\t apart\t the\t people\t who\t had\t done\t that\t with\t his\t bare\t hands.\t Then he\u2019d\tjust\tleft,\thardly\tmaking\tit\tout\tof\tthe\tbaths\tbefore\the\tshifted\tand\tsoared\tinto\tthe\tnight. Maeve\thad\tlied.\tOr\tlied\tby\tomission.\tBut\tshe\tknew.\tShe\tknew\twhat\tthe\tgirl\thad\tgone through\u2014knew\tshe\u2019d\tbeen\ta\tslave.\tThat\tday\u2014that\tday\tearly\ton,\the\u2019d\tthreatened\tto\twhip the\tgirl,\tgods\tabove.\tAnd\tshe\thad\tlost\tit.\tHe\u2019d\tbeen\tsuch\ta\tproud\tfool\tthat\the\u2019d\tassumed she\u2019d\tlashed\tout\tbecause\tshe\twas\tnothing\tmore\tthan\ta\tchild.\tHe\tshould\thave\tknown\tbetter \u2014should\t have\t known\t that\t when\t she\t did\t react\t to\t something\t like\t that,\t it\t meant\t the\t scars went\tdeep.\tAnd\tthen\tthere\twere\tthe\tother\tthings\the\u2019d\tsaid\t\u2026 He\t was\t almost\t to\t the\t towering\t line\t of\t the\t Cambrian\t Mountains.\t She\t had\t barely\t been grown\tinto\ther\twoman\u2019s\tbody\twhen\tthey\thurt\ther\tlike\tthat.\tWhy\thadn\u2019t\tshe\ttold\thim?\tWhy hadn\u2019t\t Maeve\t told\t him?\t His\t hawk\t loosed\t a\t piercing\t cry\t that\t echoed\t on\t the\t dark\t gray stones\t of\t the\t mountain\t wall\t before\t him.\t A\t chorus\t of\t unearthly\t howls\t rose\t in\t response\u2014 Maeve\u2019s\twild\twolves,\tguarding\tthe\tpasses.\tEven\tif\the\tflew\tall\tthe\tway\tto\tDoranelle,\the\u2019d reach\t his\t queen\t and\t demand\t answers\t and\t \u2026\t she\t would\t not\t give\t them\t to\t him.\t With\t the blood\toath,\tshe\tcould\tcommand\the\tnot\tgo\tback\tto\tMistward. He\tgripped\tthe\twinds\twith\this\tmagic,\tchoking\toff\ttheir\tcurrent.\tAelin\t\u2026\tAelin\thad\tnot trusted\thim\u2014had\tnot\twanted\thim\tto\tknow. And\t she\u2019d\t almost\t burned\t out\t completely,\t gods\t be\t damned,\t leaving\t her\t currently defenseless.\t Primal\t anger\t sharpened\t in\t his\t gut,\t brimming\t with\t a\t territorial,\t possessive need.\t Not\t a\t need\t for\t her,\t but\t a\t need\t to\t protect\u2014a\t male\u2019s\t duty\t and\t honor.\t He\t had\t not handled\tthe\tnews\tas\the\tshould\thave. If\t she\t hadn\u2019t\t wanted\t to\t tell\t him\t about\t being\t a\t slave,\t then\t she\t probably\t had\t done\t so assuming\t the\t worst\t about\t him\u2014just\t as\t she\t was\t probably\t assuming\t the\t worst\t about\t his leaving.\tThe\tthought\tdidn\u2019t\tsit\twell. So\the\tveered\tback\tto\tthe\tnorth\tand\treined\this\tmagic\tto\tpull\tthe\twinds\twith\thim,\teasing his\tflight\tback\tto\tthe\tfortress. He\twould\tget\tanswers\tfrom\this\tqueen\tsoon\tenough.","The\thealers\tgave\ther\ta\ttonic,\tand\twhen\tCelaena\treassured\tthem\tthat\tshe\twasn\u2019t\tgoing\tto incinerate\therself,\tshe\tstayed\tin\tthe\tbath\tuntil\ther\tteeth\twere\tchattering.\tIt\ttook\tthree\ttimes as\t long\t as\t usual\t to\t get\t back\t to\t her\t rooms,\t and\t she\t was\t so\t frozen\t and\t drained\t that\t she didn\u2019t\tchange\tinto\tclothes\tbefore\tshe\tdropped\tinto\tbed. She\tdidn\u2019t\twant\tto\tthink\tabout\twhat\tit\tmeant\tthat\tRowan\thad\tleft\tlike\tthat,\tbut\tshe\tdid, aching\t and\t cramping\t from\t the\t magic.\t She\t drifted\t into\t a\t jerking,\t fitful\t sleep,\t the\t cold\t so fierce\tshe\tcouldn\u2019t\ttell\twhether\tit\twas\tfrom\tthe\ttemperature\tor\tthe\taftermath\tof\tthe\tmagic. At\t some\t point,\t she\t was\t awoken\t by\t the\t laughing\t and\t singing\t of\t the\t returning\t revelers. After\ta\twhile,\teven\tthe\tdrunkest\tfound\ttheir\tbed\tor\tsomeone\telse\u2019s.\tShe\twas\talmost\tasleep again,\t teeth\t still\t chattering,\t when\t her\t window\t groaned\t open\t in\t the\t breeze.\t She\t was\t too cold\t and\t sore\t to\t get\t up.\t There\t was\t a\t flutter\t of\t wings\t and\t a\t flash\t of\t light,\t and\t before\t she could\troll\tover,\the\u2019d\tscooped\ther\tup,\tblanket\tand\tall. If\tshe\u2019d\thad\tany\tenergy,\tshe\tmight\thave\tobjected.\tBut\the\tcarried\ther\tup\tthe\ttwo\tflights of\tstairs,\tdown\tthe\thall,\tand\tthen\u2014 A\troaring\tfire,\twarm\tsheets,\tand\ta\tsoft\tmattress.\tAnd\ta\theavy\tquilt\tthat\twas\ttucked\tin with\t surprising\t gentleness.\t The\t fire\t dimmed\t on\t a\t phantom\t wind,\t and\t then\t the\t mattress shifted. In\t the\t flickering\t dark,\t he\t said\t roughly,\t \u201cYou\u2019re\t staying\t with\t me\t from\t now\t on.\u201d\t She found\thim\tlying\tas\tfar\taway\tfrom\ther\tas\the\tcould\tget\twithout\tfalling\toff\tthe\tmattress.\t\u201cThe bed\t is\t for\t tonight.\t Tomorrow,\t you\u2019ll\t get\t a\t cot.\t You\u2019ll\t clean\t up\t after\t yourself\t or\t you\u2019ll\t be back\tin\tthat\troom.\u201d She\t nestled\t into\t her\t pillow.\t \u201cVery\t well.\u201d\t The\t fire\t dimmed,\t yet\t the\t room\t remained toasty.\t It\t was\t the\t first\t warm\t bed\t she\u2019d\t had\t in\t months.\t But\t she\t said,\t \u201cI\t don\u2019t\t want\t your pity.\u201d \u201cThis\t is\t not\t pity.\t Maeve\t decided\t not\t to\t tell\t me\t what\t happened\t to\t you.\t You\t have\t to know\tthat\tI\u2014I\twasn\u2019t\taware\tyou\thad\u2014\u201d She\t slid\t an\t arm\t across\t the\t bed\t to\t grasp\t his\t hand.\t She\t knew\t that\t if\t she\t wanted\t to,\t she could\t strike\t him\t a\t wound\t so\t deep\t it\t would\t fracture\t him.\t \u201cI\t knew.\t At\t first,\t I\t was\t afraid you\u2019d\t mock\t me\t if\t I\t told\t you,\t and\t I\t would\t kill\t you\t for\t it.\t Then\t I\t didn\u2019t\t want\t you\t to\t pity me.\tAnd\tmore\tthan\tany\tof\tthat,\tI\tdidn\u2019t\twant\tyou\tto\tthink\tit\twas\tever\tan\texcuse.\u201d \u201cLike\ta\tgood\tsoldier,\u201d\the\tsaid.\tShe\thad\tto\tlook\taway\tfor\ta\tmoment\tto\tkeep\tfrom\tletting him\t see\t just\t what\t that\t meant\t to\t her.\t He\t took\t a\t long\t breath\t that\t made\t his\t broad\t chest expand.\t\u201cTell\tme\thow\tyou\twere\tsent\tthere\u2014and\thow\tyou\tgot\tout.\u201d She\twas\ttired\tin\ther\tbones,\tbut\tshe\trallied\ther\tenergy\tone\tlast\ttime\tand\ttold\thim\tof\tthe years\tin\tRifthold,\tof\tstealing\tAsterion\thorses\tand\tracing\tacross\tthe\tdesert,\tof\tdancing\tuntil dawn\twith\tcourtesans\tand\tthieves\tand\tall\tthe\tbeautiful,\twicked\tcreatures\tin\tthe\tworld.\tAnd then\t she\t told\t him\t about\t losing\t Sam,\t and\t of\t that\t first\t whipping\t in\t Endovier,\t when\t she\u2019d spat\t blood\t in\t the\t Chief\t Overseer\u2019s\t face,\t and\t what\t she\t had\t seen\t and\t endured\t in\t the following\tyear.\tShe\tspoke\tof\tthe\tday\tshe\thad\tsnapped\tand\tsprinted\tfor\ther\town\tdeath.\tHer heart\tgrew\theavy\twhen\tat\tlast\tshe\tgot\tto\tthe\tevening\twhen\tthe\tCaptain\tof\tthe\tRoyal\tGuard prowled\t into\t her\t life,\t and\t a\t tyrant\u2019s\t son\t had\t offered\t her\t a\t shot\t at\t freedom.\t She\t told\t him","what\t she\t could\t about\t the\t competition\t and\t how\t she\u2019d\t won\t it,\t until\t her\t words\t slurred\t and her\teyelids\tdrooped. There\t would\t be\t more\t time\t to\t tell\t him\t of\t what\t happened\t next\u2014of\t the\t Wyrdkeys\t and Elena\t and\t Nehemia\t and\t how\t she\t had\t become\t so\t broken\t and\t useless.\t She\t yawned,\t and Rowan\t rubbed\t his\t eyes,\t his\t other\t hand\t still\t in\t hers.\t But\t he\t didn\u2019t\t let\t go.\t And\t when\t she awoke\tbefore\tdawn,\twarm\tand\tsafe\tand\trested,\tRowan\twas\tstill\tholding\ther\thand,\tclasped to\this\tchest. Something\t molten\t rushed\t through\t her,\t pouring\t over\t every\t crack\t and\t fracture\t still\t left gaping\tand\topen.\tNot\tto\thurt\tor\tmar\u2014but\tto\tweld. To\tforge.","Chapter\t43 Rowan\tdidn\u2019t\tlet\ther\tget\tout\tof\tbed\tthat\tday.\tHe\tbrought\ttrays\tof\tfood,\tgoing\tso\tfar\tas\tto make\tsure\tshe\tconsumed\tevery\tlast\tdrop\tof\tbeef\tstew,\thalf\ta\tloaf\tof\tcrusty\tbread,\ta\tbowl\tof the\t first\t spring\t berries,\t and\t a\t mug\t of\t ginger\t tea.\t He\t hardly\t needed\t to\t offer\t any encouragement\t to\t eat;\t she\t was\t starving.\t But\t if\t she\t didn\u2019t\t know\t better,\t she\u2019d\t say\t he\t was fussing. Emrys\tand\tLuca\tvisited\tonce\tto\tsee\tif\tshe\twas\talive,\ttook\tone\tlook\tat\tRowan\u2019s\tstone- cold\tface,\theard\tthe\tripple\tof\ta\tgrowl,\tand\ttook\toff,\tsaying\tshe\twas\tin\tmore\tthan\tcompetent hands\tand\tpromising\tto\tcome\tback\twhen\tshe\twas\tfeeling\tbetter. \u201cYou\t know,\u201d\t Celaena\t said,\t propped\t in\t bed\t with\t her\t fourth\t mug\t of\t tea\t of\t the\t day,\t \u201cI highly\t doubt\t anyone\t is\t going\t to\t attack\t me\t now,\t if\t they\u2019ve\t already\t put\t up\t with\t my nonsense\tfor\tthis\tlong.\u201d Rowan,\t who\t was\t yet\t again\t poring\t over\t the\t map\t of\t the\t location\t of\t the\t bodies,\t didn\u2019t even\tlook\tup\tfrom\this\tseat\tat\this\tworktable.\t\u201cThis\tisn\u2019t\tnegotiable.\u201d She\tmight\thave\tlaughed\thad\ther\tbody\tnot\tgiven\ta\tburst\tof\ttwisting,\tblinding\tpain.\tShe bore\t down\t on\t it,\t clenching\t her\t mug,\t focusing\t on\t her\t breathing.\t That\t was\t why\t she\u2019d allowed\t him\t to\t fuss.\t Thanks\t to\t her\t magical\t meltdown\t last\t night,\t every\t damn\t part\t of\t her was\tsore.\tThe\tconstant\tthrob\tand\tstinging\tand\ttwisting,\tthe\theadache\tbetween\ther\tbrows, the\t fuzziness\t on\t the\t edge\t of\t her\t vision\t \u2026\t even\t sliding\t her\t gaze\t across\t the\t room\t sent sparks\tof\tpain\tthrough\ther\thead. \u201cSo\tyou\tmean\tto\ttell\tme\tthat\twhenever\tsomeone\tcomes\tclose\tto\tburnout,\tshe\tnot\tonly goes\tthrough\tall\tthis\tmisery,\tbut\tif\tshe\u2019s\tfemale,\tthe\tmales\taround\ther\tgo\tthis\tberserk?\u201d He\t set\t down\t his\t pen\t and\t twisted\t to\t examine\t her.\t \u201cThis\t is\t hardly\t berserk.\t At\t least\t you can\tdefend\tyourself\tby\tphysical\tmeans\twhen\tyour\tmagic\tis\tuseless.\tFor\tother\tFae,\teven\tif they\u2019ve\t had\t weapons\t and\t defense\t training,\t if\t they\t can\u2019t\t touch\t their\t magic,\t they\u2019re vulnerable,\t especially\t when\t they\u2019re\t drained\t and\t in\t pain.\t That\t makes\t people\u2014usually males,\t yes\u2014somewhat\t edgy.\t Others\t have\t been\t known\t to\t kill\t without\t thought\t any perceived\tthreat,\treal\tor\totherwise.\u201d \u201cWhat\tsort\tof\tthreat?\tMaeve\u2019s\tlands\tare\tpeaceful.\u201d\tShe\tleaned\tover\tto\tset\tdown\ther\ttea, but\t he\t was\t already\t moving,\t so\t swift\t that\t he\t intercepted\t her\t mug\t before\t it\t could\t hit\t the table.\tHe\ttook\tit\tfrom\ther\twith\tsurprising\tgentleness,\tsaw\tthat\tshe\u2019d\tdrained\tit,\tand\tpoured another\tcup. \u201cThreats\t from\t anywhere\u2014males,\t females,\t creatures\t \u2026\t You\t can\u2019t\t reason\t against\t it. Even\tif\tit\twasn\u2019t\tin\tour\tculture,\tthere\twould\tstill\tbe\tan\tinstinct\tto\tprotect\tthe\tdefenseless, regardless\t of\t whether\t they\u2019re\t female\t or\t male,\t young\t or\t old.\u201d\t He\t reached\t for\t a\t slice\t of bread\tand\ta\tbowl\tof\tbeef\tbroth.\t\u201cEat\tthis.\u201d \u201cIt\t pains\t me\t to\t say\t this,\t but\t one\t more\t bite\t and\t I\u2019ll\t be\t sick\t all\t over\t the\t place.\u201d\t Oh,\t he was\tdefinitely\tfussing,\tand\tthough\tit\twarmed\ther\tmiserable\theart,\tit\twas\tbecoming\trather","irritating. The\tbastard\tjust\tdipped\tthe\tbread\tinto\tthe\tbroth\tand\theld\tthem\tout\tto\ther.\t\u201cYou\tneed\tto keep\t up\t your\t energy.\t You\t probably\t came\t so\t close\t to\t burnout\t because\t you\t didn\u2019t\t have enough\tfood\tin\tyour\tstomach.\u201d Fine;\tit\tsmelled\ttoo\tgood\tto\tresist,\tanyway.\tShe\ttook\tthe\tbread\tand\tthe\tbroth.\tWhile\tshe ate,\the\tmade\tsure\tthe\troom\tpassed\tinspection:\tthe\tfire\twas\tstill\thigh\t(suffocatingly\thot,\tas it\thad\tbeen\tsince\tmorning,\tthanks\tto\tthe\tchills\tthat\thad\tracked\ther),\tonly\tone\twindow\twas cracked\t(to\tallow\tin\tthe\tslightest\tof\tbreezes\twhen\tshe\thad\thot\tflashes),\tthe\tdoor\twas\tshut (and\tlocked),\tand\tyet\tanother\tpot\tof\ttea\twas\twaiting\t(currently\tsteeping\ton\this\tworktable). When\the\twas\tdone\tensuring\tall\twas\taccounted\tfor\tand\tno\tthreats\tlurked\tin\tthe\tshadows,\the looked\t her\t over\t with\t the\t same\t scrutiny:\t skin\t (wan\t and\t gleaming\t from\t the\t remnants\t of those\thot\tflashes),\tlips\t(pale\tand\tcracked),\tposture\t(limp\tand\tuseless),\teyes\t(pain-dimmed and\tincreasingly\tfull\tof\tirritation).\tRowan\tfrowned\tagain. After\thanding\tthe\tempty\tbowl\tto\thim,\tshe\trubbed\ther\tthumb\tand\tforefinger\tagainst\tthe persistent\theadache\tbetween\ther\teyebrows.\t\u201cSo\twhen\tthe\tmagic\truns\tout,\u201d\tshe\tsaid,\t\u201cthat\u2019s it\u2014either\tyou\tstop\tor\tyou\tburn\tout?\u201d Rowan\tleaned\tback\tin\this\tchair.\t\u201cWell,\tthere\u2019s\tthe\tcarranam.\u201d\tThe\tOld\tLanguage\tword was\tbeautiful\ton\this\ttongue\u2014and\tif\tshe\u2019d\thad\ta\tdeath\twish,\tshe\tmight\thave\tbegged\thim\tto speak\tonly\tin\tthe\tancient\tlanguage,\tjust\tto\tsavor\tthe\texquisite\tsounds. \u201cIt\u2019s\thard\tto\texplain,\u201d\tRowan\twent\ton.\t\u201cI\u2019ve\tonly\tever\tseen\tit\tused\ta\thandful\tof\ttimes on\t killing\t fields.\t When\t you\u2019re\t drained,\t your\t carranam\t can\t yield\t their\t power\t to\t you,\t as long\tas\tyou\u2019re\tcompatible\tand\tactively\tsharing\ta\tblood\tconnection.\u201d She\ttilted\ther\thead\tto\tthe\tside.\t\u201cIf\twe\twere\tcarranam,\tand\tI\tgave\tyou\tmy\tpower,\twould you\t still\t only\t be\t using\t wind\t and\t ice\u2014not\t my\t fire?\u201d\t He\t nodded\t gravely.\t \u201cHow\t do\t you know\tif\tyou\u2019re\tcompatible\twith\tsomeone?\u201d \u201cThere\u2019s\tno\tway\tof\ttelling\tuntil\tyou\ttry.\tAnd\tthe\tbond\tis\tso\trare\tthat\tthe\tmajority\tof\tFae never\tmeet\tsomeone\twho\tis\tcompatible,\tor\twhom\tthey\ttrust\tenough\tto\ttest\tit\tout.\tThere\u2019s always\ta\tthreat\tthat\tthey\tcould\ttake\ttoo\tmuch\u2014and\tif\tthey\u2019re\tunskilled,\tthey\tcould\tshatter your\tmind.\tOr\tyou\tcould\tboth\tburn\tout\tcompletely.\u201d Interesting.\t\u201cCould\tyou\tever\tjust\tsteal\tmagic\tfrom\tsomeone?\u201d \u201cLess\tsavory\tFae\tonce\tattempted\tto\tdo\tso\u2014to\twin\tbattles\tand\tadd\tto\ttheir\town\tpower \u2014but\t it\t never\t worked.\t And\t if\t it\t did,\t it\t was\t because\t the\t person\t they\t held\t hostage\t was coincidentally\tcompatible.\tMaeve\toutlawed\tany\tforced\tbonds\tlong\tbefore\tI\twas\tborn,\tbut \u2026\t I\u2019ve\t been\t sent\t a\t few\t times\t to\t hunt\t down\t corrupt\t Fae\t who\t keep\t their\t carranam\t as slaves.\tUsually,\tthe\tslaves\tare\tso\tbroken\tthere\u2019s\tno\tway\tto\trehabilitate\tthem.\tPutting\tthem down\tis\tthe\tonly\tmercy\tI\tcan\toffer.\u201d His\tface\tand\tvoice\tdidn\u2019t\tchange,\tbut\tshe\tsaid\tsoftly,\t\u201cDoing\tthat\tmust\tbe\tharder\tthan all\tthe\twars\tand\tsieges\tyou\u2019ve\tever\twaged.\u201d A\tshadow\tdarted\tacross\this\tharsh\tface.\t\u201cImmortality\tis\tnot\tas\tmuch\tof\ta\tgift\tas\tmortals would\tbelieve.\tIt\tcan\tbreed\tmonsters\tthat\teven\tyou\twould\tbe\tsick\tto\tlearn\tabout.\tImagine the\tsadists\tyou\u2019ve\tencountered\u2014and\tthen\timagine\tthem\twith\tmillennia\tto\thone\ttheir\tcraft","and\twarped\tdesires.\u201d Celaena\t shuddered.\t \u201cThis\t conversation\u2019s\t become\t too\t awful\t to\t have\t after\t eating,\u201d\t she said,\t slumping\t against\t the\t pillows.\t \u201cTell\t me\t which\t one\t of\t your\t little\t cadre\t is\t the handsomest,\tand\tif\the\twould\tfancy\tme.\u201d Rowan\tchoked.\t\u201cThe\tthought\tof\tyou\twith\tany\tof\tmy\tcompanions\tmakes\tmy\tblood\trun cold.\u201d \u201cThey\u2019re\tthat\tawful?\tYour\tkitty-cat\tfriend\tlooked\tdecent\tenough.\u201d Rowan\u2019s\t brows\t rose\t high.\t \u201cI\t don\u2019t\t think\t my\t kitty-cat\t friend\t would\t know\t what\t to\t do with\t you\u2014nor\t would\t any\t of\t the\t others.\t It\t would\t likely\t end\t in\t bloodshed.\u201d\t She\t kept grinning,\t and\t he\t crossed\t his\t arms.\t \u201cThey\t would\t likely\t have\t very\t little\t interest\t in\t you,\t as you\u2019ll\tbe\told\tand\tdecrepit\tsoon\tenough\tand\tthus\tnot\tworth\tthe\teffort\tit\twould\ttake\tto\twin you.\u201d She\trolled\ther\teyes.\t\u201cKilljoy.\u201d Silence\tfell,\tand\the\tlooked\ther\tover\tagain\t(lucid,\tif\tdrained\tand\tmoody),\tand\tshe\twasn\u2019t that\t surprised\t when\t he\t glanced\t at\t her\t bare\t wrists\u2014one\t of\t the\t few\t bits\t of\t skin\t showing thanks\tto\tall\tthe\tblankets\the\u2019d\tpiled\ton\ttop\tof\ther.\tThey\thadn\u2019t\tdiscussed\tit\tlast\tnight,\tbut she\tknew\the\u2019d\tbeen\tworking\tup\tto\tit. There\twas\tno\tjudgment\tin\this\teyes\tas\the\tsaid,\t\u201cA\tskilled\thealer\tcould\tprobably\tget\trid of\tthose\tscars\u2014definitely\tthe\tones\ton\tyour\twrist,\tand\tmost\ton\tyour\tback.\u201d She\tclenched\ther\tjaw,\tbut\tafter\ta\tmoment\tloosed\ta\tlong\tbreath.\tEven\tthough\tshe\tknew he\twould\tunderstand\twithout\tmuch\texplanation,\tshe\tsaid,\t\u201cThere\twere\tcells\tin\tthe\tbowels of\tthe\tmines\tthat\tthey\tused\tto\tpunish\tslaves.\tCells\tso\tdark\tyou\twould\twake\tup\tin\tthem\tand think\t you\u2019d\t been\t blinded.\t They\t locked\t me\t in\t there\t sometimes\u2014once\t for\t three\t weeks straight.\t And\t the\t only\t thing\t that\t got\t me\t through\t it\t was\t reminding\t myself\t of\t my\t name, over\tand\tover\tand\tover\u2014I\tam\tCelaena\tSardothien.\u201d Rowan\u2019s\tface\twas\tdrawn,\tbut\tshe\twent\ton.\t\u201cWhen\tthey\twould\tlet\tme\tout,\tso\tmuch\tof my\tmind\thad\tshut\tdown\tin\tthe\tdarkness\tthat\tthe\tonly\tthing\tI\tcould\tremember\twas\tthat\tmy name\twas\tCelaena.\tCelaena\tSardothien,\tarrogant\tand\tbrave\tand\tskilled,\tCelaena\twho\tdid not\tknow\tfear\tor\tdespair,\tCelaena\twho\twas\ta\tweapon\thoned\tby\tDeath.\u201d\tShe\tran\ta\tshaking hand\t through\t her\t hair.\t \u201cI\t don\u2019t\t usually\t let\t myself\t think\t about\t that\t part\t of\t Endovier,\u201d\t she admitted.\t\u201cAfter\tI\tgot\tout,\tthere\twere\tnights\twhen\tI\twould\twake\tup\tand\tthink\tI\twas\tback in\tthose\tcells,\tand\tI\twould\thave\tto\tlight\tevery\tcandle\tin\tmy\troom\tto\tprove\tI\twasn\u2019t.\tThey don\u2019t\tjust\tkill\tyou\tin\tthe\tmines\u2014they\tbreak\tyou. \u201cThere\t are\t thousands\t of\t slaves\t in\t Endovier,\t and\t a\t good\t number\t are\t from\t Terrasen. Regardless\tof\twhat\tI\tdo\twith\tmy\tbirthright,\tI\u2019m\tgoing\tto\tfind\ta\tway\tto\tfree\tthem\tsomeday. I\t will\t free\t them.\t Them,\t and\t all\t the\t slaves\t in\t Calaculla,\t too.\t So\t my\t scars\t serve\t as\t a reminder\tof\tthat.\u201d She\u2019d\t never\t said\t it,\t but\t there\t it\t was.\t Once\t she\t dealt\t with\t the\t King\t of\t Adarlan,\t if destroying\thim\tsomehow\tdidn\u2019t\tput\tan\tend\tto\tthe\tlabor\tcamps,\tshe\twould.\tStone\tby\tstone, if\tnecessary. Rowan\tasked,\t\u201cWhat\thappened\tten\tyears\tago,\tAelin?\u201d","\u201cI\u2019m\tnot\tgoing\tto\ttalk\tabout\tthat.\u201d \u201cIf\tyou\ttook\tup\tyour\tcrown,\tyou\tcould\tfree\tEndovier\tfar\tmore\teasily\tthan\u2014\u201d \u201cI\tcan\u2019t\ttalk\tabout\tit.\u201d \u201cWhy?\u201d There\t was\t a\t pit\t in\t the\t memory\u2014a\t pit\t she\t couldn\u2019t\t climb\t out\t of\t if\t she\t ever\t fell\t in.\t It wasn\u2019t\t her\t parents\u2019\t deaths.\t She\t had\t been\t able\t to\t tell\t others\t in\t vague\t terms\t about\t their murders.\t That\t pain\t was\t still\t staggering,\t still\t haunted\t her.\t But\t waking\t up\t between\t their corpses\twasn\u2019t\tthe\tmoment\tthat\thad\tshattered\teverything\tAelin\tGalathynius\twas\tand\tmight have\tbeen.\tIn\tthe\tback\tof\ther\tmind,\tshe\theard\tanother\twoman\u2019s\tvoice,\tlovely\tand\tfrantic, another\twoman\twho\u2014 She\t rubbed\t her\t brows\t again.\t \u201cThere\t is\t this\t \u2026\t rage,\u201d\t she\t said\t hoarsely.\t \u201cThis\t despair and\t hatred\t and\t rage\t that\t lives\t and\t breathes\t inside\t me.\t There\t is\t no\t sanity\t to\t it,\t no gentleness.\tIt\tis\ta\tmonster\tdwelling\tunder\tmy\tskin.\tFor\tthe\tpast\tten\tyears,\tI\thave\tworked every\tday,\tevery\thour,\tto\tkeep\tthat\tmonster\tlocked\tup.\tAnd\tthe\tmoment\tI\ttalk\tabout\tthose two\t days,\t and\t what\t happened\t before\t and\t after,\t that\t monster\t is\t going\t to\t break\t loose,\t and there\twill\tbe\tno\taccounting\tfor\twhat\tI\tdo. \u201cThat\tis\thow\tI\twas\table\tto\tstand\tbefore\tthe\tKing\tof\tAdarlan,\thow\tI\twas\table\tto\tbefriend his\tson\tand\this\tcaptain,\thow\tI\twas\table\tto\tlive\tin\tthat\tpalace.\tBecause\tI\tdid\tnot\tgive\tthat rage,\t those\t memories,\t one\t inch.\t And\t right\t now\t I\t am\t looking\t for\t the\t tools\t that\t might destroy\t my\t enemy,\t and\t I\t cannot\t let\t out\t the\t monster,\t because\t it\t will\t make\t me\t use\t those tools\t against\t the\t king,\t not\t put\t them\t back\t as\t I\t should\u2014and\t I\t might\t very\t well\t destroy\t the world\tfor\tspite.\tSo\tthat\tis\twhy\tI\tmust\tbe\tCelaena,\tnot\tAelin\u2014because\tbeing\tAelin\tmeans facing\tthose\tthings,\tand\tunleashing\tthat\tmonster.\tDo\tyou\tunderstand?\u201d \u201cFor\t whatever\t it\u2019s\t worth,\t I\t don\u2019t\t think\t you\t would\t destroy\t the\t world\t from\t spite.\u201d\t His voice\tturned\thard.\t\u201cBut\tI\talso\tthink\tyou\tlike\tto\tsuffer.\tYou\tcollect\tscars\tbecause\tyou\twant proof\t that\t you\t are\t paying\t for\t whatever\t sins\t you\u2019ve\t committed.\t And\t I\t know\t this\t because I\u2019ve\t been\t doing\t the\t same\t damn\t thing\t for\t two\t hundred\t years.\t Tell\t me,\t do\t you\t think\t you will\t go\t to\t some\t blessed\t Afterworld,\t or\t do\t you\t expect\t a\t burning\t hell?\t You\u2019re\t hoping\t for hell\u2014because\thow\tcould\tyou\tface\tthem\tin\tthe\tAfter-world?\tBetter\tto\tsuffer,\tto\tbe\tdamned for\teternity\tand\u2014\u201d \u201cThat\u2019s\tenough,\u201d\tshe\twhispered.\tShe\tmust\thave\tsounded\tas\tmiserable\tand\tsmall\tas\tshe felt,\t because\t he\t turned\t back\t to\t the\t worktable.\t She\t shut\t her\t eyes,\t but\t her\t heart\t was thundering. She\t didn\u2019t\t know\t how\t much\t time\t passed.\t After\t a\t while,\t the\t mattress\t shifted\t and groaned,\tand\ta\twarm\tbody\tpressed\tagainst\thers.\tNot\tholding\ther,\tjust\tlying\tbeside\ther.\tShe didn\u2019t\topen\ther\teyes,\tbut\tshe\tbreathed\tin\tthe\tsmell\tof\thim,\tthe\tpine\tand\tsnow,\tand\ther\tpain settled\ta\tbit. \u201cAt\t least\t if\t you\u2019re\t going\t to\t hell,\u201d\t he\t said,\t the\t vibrations\t in\t his\t chest\t rumbling\t against her,\t\u201cthen\twe\u2019ll\tbe\tthere\ttogether.\u201d \u201cI\t feel\t bad\t for\t the\t dark\t god\t already.\u201d\t He\t brushed\t a\t large\t hand\t down\t her\t hair,\t and\t she almost\tpurred.\tShe\thadn\u2019t\trealized\tjust\thow\tmuch\tshe\tmissed\tbeing\ttouched\u2014by\tanyone,","friend\tor\tlover.\t\u201cWhen\tI\u2019m\tback\tto\tnormal,\tcan\tI\tassume\tyou\u2019re\tgoing\tto\tyell\tat\tme\tabout almost\tburning\tout?\u201d He\tlet\tout\ta\tsoft\tlaugh\tbut\tcontinued\tstroking\ther\thair.\t\u201cYou\thave\tno\tidea.\u201d She\tsmiled\tagainst\tthe\tpillow,\tand\this\thand\tstilled\tfor\ta\tmoment\u2014then\tstarted\tagain. After\ta\tlong\twhile\the\tmurmured,\t\u201cI\thave\tno\tdoubt\tthat\tyou\u2019ll\tbe\table\tto\tfree\tthe\tslaves from\tthe\tlabor\tcamps\tsome\tday.\tNo\tmatter\twhat\tname\tyou\tuse.\u201d Her\teyes\tburned\tbehind\ttheir\tlids,\tbut\tshe\tleaned\tinto\this\ttouch\tsome\tmore,\teven\tgoing so\tfar\tas\tto\tput\ta\thand\ton\this\tbroad\tchest,\tsavoring\tthe\tsteady,\tassured\theartbeat\tpounding beneath. \u201cThank\tyou\tfor\tlooking\tafter\tme,\u201d\tshe\tsaid.\tHe\tgrunted\u2014acceptance\tor\tdismissal,\tshe didn\u2019t\tknow.\tSleep\ttugged\tat\ther,\tand\tshe\tfollowed\tit\tinto\toblivion. Rowan\tkept\ther\tcooped\tup\tin\this\troom\tfor\ta\tfew\tmore\tdays,\tand\teven\tonce\tshe\ttold\thim she\twas\tfeeling\tfine,\the\tmade\ther\tspend\tan\textra\thalf\tday\tin\tbed.\tShe\tsupposed\tit\twas\tnice, having\tsomeone,\teven\tan\toverbearing,\tsnarling\tFae\twarrior,\tbothering\tto\tcare\twhether\tshe lived\tor\tdied. Her\tbirthday\tarrived\u2014nineteen\tsomehow\tfelt\trather\tdull\u2014and\ther\tsole\tpresent\twas\tthat Rowan\t left\t her\t alone\t for\t a\t few\t hours.\t He\t came\t back\t with\t the\t news\t of\t another\t demi-Fae corpse\tfound\tnear\tthe\tcoast.\tShe\tasked\thim\tto\tlet\ther\tsee\tit,\tbut\the\tflat-out\trefused\t(barked at\t her\t was\t more\t like\t it)\t and\t said\t he\u2019d\t already\t gone\t to\t see\t it\t himself.\t It\t was\t the\t same pattern:\ta\tdried\tnosebleed,\ta\tbody\tdrained\tuntil\tonly\ta\thusk\tremained,\tand\tthen\ta\tcareless dumping.\tHe\u2019d\talso\tgone\tback\tto\tthat\ttown\u2014where\tthey\thad\tbeen\tmore\tthan\thappy\tto\tsee him,\tsince\the\u2019d\tbrought\tgold\tand\tsilver. And\the\u2019d\treturned\tto\tCelaena\twith\tchocolates,\tsince\the\tclaimed\tto\tbe\tinsulted\tthat\tshe considered\this\tabsence\ta\tproper\tbirthday\tpresent.\tShe\ttried\tto\tembrace\thim,\tbut\the\twould have\t none\t of\t that,\t and\t told\t her\t as\t much.\t Still,\t the\t next\t time\t she\t used\t the\t bathing\t room, she\u2019d\t snuck\t behind\t his\t chair\t at\t the\t worktable\t and\t planted\t a\t great,\t smacking\t kiss\t on\t his cheek.\tHe\u2019d\twaved\ther\toff\tand\twiped\this\tface\twith\ta\tsnarl,\tbut\tshe\thad\tthe\tsuspicion\tthat he\u2019d\tlet\ther\tget\tpast\this\tdefenses. It\twas\ta\tmistake\tto\tthink\tthat\tfinally\tgoing\tback\toutdoors\twould\tbe\tdelightful. Celaena\t was\t standing\t across\t a\t mossy\t clearing\t from\t Rowan,\t her\t knees\t slightly\t bent, hands\t in\t loose\t fists.\t Rowan\t hadn\u2019t\t told\t her\t to,\t but\t she\u2019d\t gotten\t into\t a\t defensive\t position upon\tseeing\tthe\tfaint\tgleam\tin\this\teyes. Rowan\t only\t looked\t like\t this\t when\t he\t was\t about\t to\t make\t her\t life\t a\t living\t hell.\t And since\tthey\thadn\u2019t\tgone\tto\tthe\ttemple\truins,\tshe\tassumed\the\tthought\tshe\u2019d\tat\tleast\tmastered one\t element\t of\t her\t power,\t despite\t the\t events\t of\t Beltane.\t Which\t meant\t they\t were\t on\t to mastering\tthe\tnext. \u201cYour\tmagic\tlacks\tshape,\u201d\tRowan\tsaid\tat\tlast,\tstanding\tso\tstill\tthat\tshe\tenvied\thim\tfor it.\t\u201cAnd\tbecause\tit\thas\tno\tshape,\tyou\thave\tlittle\tcontrol.\tAs\ta\tform\tof\tattack,\ta\tfireball\tor wave\tof\tflame\tis\tuseful,\tyes.\tBut\tif\tyou\tare\tengaging\ta\tskilled\tcombatant\u2014if\tyou\twant\tto","be\t able\t to\t use\t your\t power\u2014then\t you\t have\t to\t learn\t to\t fight\t with\t it.\u201d\t She\t groaned.\t \u201cBut,\u201d he\tadded\tsharply,\t\u201cyou\thave\tone\tadvantage\tthat\tmany\tmagic-wielders\tdo\tnot:\tyou\talready know\thow\tto\tfight\twith\tweapons.\u201d \u201cFirst\tchocolates\ton\tmy\tbirthday,\tnow\tan\tactual\tcompliment?\u201d His\teyes\tnarrowed,\tand\tthey\thad\tyet\tanother\tof\ttheir\twordless\tconversations.\tThe\tmore you\ttalk,\tthe\tmore\tI\u2019m\tgoing\tto\tmake\tyou\tpay\tin\ta\tmoment. She\tsmiled\tslightly.\tApologies,\tmaster.\tI\tam\tyours\tto\tinstruct. Brat.\tHe\tjerked\this\tchin\tat\ther.\t\u201cYour\tfire\tcan\ttake\twhatever\tform\tyou\twish\u2014the\tonly limit\t being\t your\t imagination.\t And\t considering\t your\t upbringing,\t should\t you\t go\t on\t the offensive\u2014\u201d \u201cYou\twant\tme\tto\tmake\ta\tsword\tout\tof\tfire?\u201d \u201cArrows,\tdaggers\u2014you\tdirect\tthe\tpower.\tVisualize\tit,\tand\tuse\tit\tas\tyou\twould\ta\tmortal weapon.\u201d She\tswallowed. He\tsmirked.\tAfraid\tto\tplay\twith\tfire,\tPrincess? You\twon\u2019t\tbe\thappy\tif\tI\tsinge\tyour\teyebrows\toff. Try\tme.\t\u201cWhen\tyou\ttrained\tas\tan\tassassin,\twhat\twas\tthe\tfirst\tthing\tyou\tlearned?\u201d \u201cHow\tto\tdefend\tmyself.\u201d She\t understood\t why\t he\u2019d\t looked\t so\t amused\t for\t the\t past\t few\t minutes\t when\t he\t said, \u201cGood.\u201d Not\tsurprisingly,\thaving\tice\tdaggers\tthrown\tat\ther\twas\tmiserable. Rowan\thurled\tdagger\tafter\tmagical\tdagger\tat\ther\u2014and\tevery\tdamn\ttime,\tthe\tshield\tof fire\t that\t she\t tried\t (and\t failed)\t to\t imagine\t did\t nothing.\t If\t it\t appeared\t at\t all,\t it\t always manifested\ttoo\tfar\tto\tthe\tleft\tor\tright. Rowan\t didn\u2019t\t want\t a\t wall\t of\t flame.\t No\u2014he\t wanted\t a\t small,\t controlled\t shield.\t And\t it didn\u2019t\t matter\t how\t many\t times\t he\t nicked\t her\t hands\t or\t arms\t or\t face,\t it\t didn\u2019t\t matter\t that dried\t blood\t was\t now\t itching\t down\t her\t cheeks.\t One\t shield\u2014that\t was\t all\t she\t had\t to\t craft and\the\twould\tstop. Sweating\tand\tpanting,\tCelaena\twas\tbeginning\tto\twonder\tif\tshe\tshould\tstep\tdirectly\tinto the\tpath\tof\this\tnext\tdagger\tand\tput\therself\tout\tof\ther\tsuffering\twhen\tRowan\tgrowled.\t\u201cTry harder.\u201d \u201cI\t am\t trying,\u201d\t she\t snapped,\t rolling\t aside\t as\t he\t sent\t two\t gleaming\t ice\t daggers\t at\t her head. \u201cYou\u2019re\tacting\tlike\tyou\u2019re\ton\tthe\tverge\tof\ta\tburnout.\u201d \u201cMaybe\tI\tam.\u201d \u201cIf\t you\t believe\t for\t one\t moment\t that\t you\u2019re\t close\t to\t a\t burnout\t after\t an\t hour\t of","practicing\u2014\u201d \u201cIt\thappened\tthat\tquickly\ton\tBeltane.\u201d \u201cThat\twas\tnot\tthe\tend\tof\tyour\tpower.\u201d\tHis\tnext\tice\tdagger\thovered\tin\tthe\tair\tbeside\this head.\t\u201cYou\tfell\tinto\tthe\tlure\tof\tthe\tmagic\tand\tlet\tit\tdo\twhat\tit\twanted\u2014let\tit\tconsume\tyou. Had\tyou\tkept\tyour\thead,\tyou\tcould\thave\thad\tthose\tfires\tburning\tfor\tweeks\u2014months.\u201d \u201cNo.\u201d\tShe\tdidn\u2019t\thave\tany\tbetter\tanswer\tthan\tthat. His\tnostrils\tflared\tslightly.\t\u201cI\tknew\tit.\tYou\twanted\tyour\tpower\tto\tbe\tinsignificant\u2014you were\trelieved\twhen\tyou\tthought\tthat\twas\tall\tyou\thad.\u201d Without\twarning,\the\tsent\tthe\tdagger,\tthen\tthe\tnext,\tthen\tthe\tnext\tat\ther.\tShe\traised\ther left\t arm\t as\t she\t would\t raise\t a\t shield,\t picturing\t the\t flame\t surrounding\t her\t arm,\t blocking those\tdaggers,\tobliterating\tthem,\tbut\u2014 She\t cursed\t so\t loudly\t that\t the\t birds\t stopped\t their\t chatter.\t She\t clutched\t her\t forearm\t as blood\twelled\tand\tsoaked\tinto\ther\ttunic.\t\u201cStop\thitting\tme!\tI\tget\tthe\tpoint!\u201d But\tanother\tdagger\tcame.\tAnd\tanother. Ducking\t and\t dodging,\t raising\t her\t bloodied\t arm\t again\t and\t again,\t she\t gritted\t her\t teeth and\t swore\t at\t him.\t He\t sent\t a\t dagger\t twirling\t with\t deadly\t efficiency\u2014and\t she\t couldn\u2019t move\tfast\tenough\tto\tavoid\tthe\tthin\tscratch\talong\ther\tcheekbone.\tShe\thissed. He\t was\t right\u2014he\t was\t always\t right,\t and\t she\t hated\t that.\t Almost\t as\t much\t as\t she\t hated the\tpower\tthat\tflooded\ther\tand\tdid\twhat\tit\twanted.\tIt\twas\thers\tto\tcommand\u2014not\tthe\tother way\taround.\tShe\twas\tnot\tits\tslave.\tShe\twas\tno\tone\u2019s\tslave\tanymore.\tAnd\tif\tRowan\tthrew one\tmore\tdamned\tdagger\tat\ther\tface\u2014 He\tdid. The\tice\tcrystal\tdidn\u2019t\tmake\tit\tpast\ther\tupraised\tforearm\tbefore\tit\tvanished\tin\ta\thiss\tof steam. Celaena\t gazed\t over\t the\t flickering\t edge\t of\t the\t compact\t red-burning\t flame\t before\t her arm.\tShaped\tlike\u2014a\tshield. Rowan\tsmiled\tslowly.\t\u201cWe\u2019re\tdone\tfor\ttoday.\tGo\teat\tsomething.\u201d The\t circular\t shield\t did\t not\t burn\t her,\t though\t its\t flames\t swirled\t and\t sizzled.\t As\t she\u2019d commanded.\tIt\thad\t\u2026\tworked. So\tshe\traised\ther\teyes\tto\tRowan.\t\u201cNo.\tAgain.\u201d After\t a\t week\t of\t making\t shields\t of\t various\t sizes\t and\t temperatures,\t Celaena\t could\t have multiple\t defenses\t burning\t at\t once,\t and\t encircle\t the\t entire\t glen\t with\t half\t a\t thought\t to protect\t it\t from\t outside\t assault.\t And\t when\t she\t awoke\t one\t morning\t before\t dawn,\t she couldn\u2019t\t say\t why\t she\t did\t it,\t but\t she\t slipped\t from\t the\t room\t she\t shared\t with\t Rowan\t and went\tdown\tto\tthe\tward-stones. She\tshivered\tfrom\tmore\tthan\tthe\tearly\tmorning\tcold\tas\tthe\tpower\tof\tthe\tcurving\tgate- stones\t zinged\t against\t her\t skin\t when\t she\t passed\t through.\t But\t none\t of\t the\t sentries\t on\t the battlements\t ordered\t her\t to\t stop\t as\t she\t walked\t along\t the\t line\t of\t towering,\t carved\t rocks","until\tshe\tfound\ta\tbit\tof\teven\tground\tand\tbegan\tto\tpractice.","Chapter\t44 As\tone\tthe\tThirteen\tflew;\tas\tone\tthe\tThirteen\tled\tthe\tother\tBlackbeak\tcovens\tin\tthe\tskies. Drill\t after\t drill,\t through\t rain\t and\t sun\t and\t wind,\t until\t they\t were\t all\t tanned\t and\t freckled. Even\tthough\tAbraxos\thad\tyet\tto\tmake\tthe\tCrossing,\tthe\tSpidersilk\tpatching\ton\this\twings improved\this\tflying\tsignificantly. It\twas\tall\tgoing\tbeautifully.\tAbraxos\thad\tgotten\tinto\ta\tbrawl\tfor\tdominance\twith\tLin\u2019s bull\tand\temerged\tvictorious,\tand\tafter\tthat,\tnone\tin\ther\tcoven\tor\tany\tother\tchallenged\thim. The\tWar\tGames\twere\tfast\tapproaching,\tand\tthough\tIskra\thadn\u2019t\tbeen\tany\ttrouble\tsince\tthe night\tManon\thad\thalf\tkilled\ther,\tthey\twatched\ttheir\tbacks:\tin\tthe\tbaths,\taround\tevery\tdark corner,\tdouble-checking\tevery\trein\tand\tstrap\tbefore\tthey\tmounted\ttheir\twyverns. Yes,\t it\t was\t all\t going\t beautifully,\t until\t Manon\t was\t summoned\t to\t her\t grandmother\u2019s room. \u201cWhy\t is\t it,\u201d\t her\t grandmother\t said\t by\t way\t of\t greeting,\t pacing\t the\t room,\t teeth\t always out,\t \u201cthat\t I\t have\t to\t hear\t from\t gods-damned\t Cresseida\t that\t your\t runty,\t useless\t wyvern hasn\u2019t\tmade\tthe\tCrossing?\tWhy\tis\tit\tthat\tI\tam\tin\tthe\tmiddle\tof\ta\tmeeting,\tplanning\tthese War\t Games\t so\t you\t can\t win,\t and\t the\t other\t Matrons\t tell\t me\t that\t you\t aren\u2019t\t allowed\t to participate\tbecause\tyour\tmount\twill\tnot\tmake\tthe\tCrossing\tand\ttherefore\tisn\u2019t\tallowed\tto fly\tin\tthe\thost?\u201d Manon\tglimpsed\tthe\tflash\tof\tnails\tbefore\tthey\traked\tdown\ther\tcheek.\tNot\thard\tenough to\tscar,\tbut\tenough\tto\tbleed. \u201cYou\tand\tthat\tbeast\tare\tan\tembarrassment,\u201d\ther\tgrandmother\thissed,\tteeth\tsnapping\tin her\tface.\t\u201cAll\tI\twant\tis\tfor\tyou\tto\twin\tthese\tGames\u2014so\twe\tcan\ttake\tour\trightful\tplace\tas queens,\t not\t High\t Witches.\t Queens\t of\t the\t Waste,\t Manon.\t And\t you\t are\t doing\t your\t best\t to ruin\t it.\u201d\t Manon\t kept\t her\t eyes\t on\t the\t ground.\t Her\t grandmother\t dug\t a\t nail\t into\t her\t chest, cutting\t through\t her\t red\t cloak,\t piercing\t the\t flesh\t right\t above\t her\t heart.\t \u201cHas\t your\t heart melted?\u201d \u201cNo.\u201d \u201cNo,\u201d\ther\tgrandmother\tsneered.\t\u201cNo,\tit\tcannot\tmelt,\tbecause\tyou\tdo\tnot\thave\ta\theart, Manon.\tWe\tare\tnot\tborn\twith\tthem,\tand\twe\tare\tglad\tof\tit.\u201d\tShe\tpointed\tto\tthe\tstone\tfloor. \u201cWhy\tis\tit\tthat\tI\tam\tinformed\ttoday\tthat\tIskra\tcaught\ta\tgods-damned\tCrochan\tspying\ton us?\t Why\t am\t I\t the\t last\t to\t know\t that\t she\t is\t in\t our\t dungeons\t and\t that\t they\t have\t been interrogating\ther\tfor\ttwo\tdays?\u201d Manon\tblinked,\tbut\tthat\twas\tall\tthe\tsurprise\tshe\tlet\tshow.\tIf\tCrochans\twere\tspying\ton them\t\u2026\tAnother\tslice\tto\tthe\tface,\tmarring\tthe\tother\tcheek. \u201cYou\t will\t make\t the\t Crossing\t tomorrow,\t Manon.\t Tomorrow,\t and\t I\t don\u2019t\t care\t if\t you splatter\tyourself\ton\tthe\trocks.\tIf\tyou\tlive,\tyou\thad\tbetter\tpray\tto\tthe\tDarkness\tthat\tyou\twin those\t Games.\t Because\t if\t you\t don\u2019t\u2026\u201d\t Her\t grandmother\t sliced\t a\t nail\t across\t Manon\u2019s throat.\tA\tscratch\tto\tset\tthe\tblood\trunning.","And\ta\tpromise. Everyone\tcame\tthis\ttime\tto\twatch\tthe\tCrossing.\tAbraxos\twas\tsaddled,\tfocus\tpinned\ton\tthe cave\t mouth\t open\t to\t the\t night\t beyond.\t Asterin\t and\t Sorrel\t were\t behind\t her\u2014but\t beside their\tmounts,\tnot\tastride\tthem.\tHer\tgrandmother\thad\tgotten\twind\tof\thow\tthey\tplanned\tto save\t her\t and\t forbidden\t it.\t It\t was\t Manon\u2019s\t own\t stupidity\t and\t pride\t that\t had\t to\t pay,\t she\u2019d said. Witches\t lined\t the\t viewing\t platform,\t and\t from\t high\t above,\t the\t High\t Witches\t and\t their heirs\t watched\t from\t a\t small\t balcony.\t The\t noise\t was\t near\t deafening.\t Manon\t glanced\t at Asterin\tand\tSorrel\tand\tfound\tthem\tlooking\tstone-cold\tfierce,\tbut\ttense. \u201cKeep\t to\t the\t walls\t so\t he\t doesn\u2019t\t spook\t your\t wyverns,\u201d\t she\t told\t them.\t They\t nodded grimly. Since\t grafting\t the\t Spidersilk\t onto\t Abraxos\u2019s\t wings,\t Manon\t had\t been\t careful\t not\t to push\t him\t too\t hard\t until\t the\t healing\t was\t absolutely\t complete.\t But\t the\t Crossing,\t with\t its plunge\tand\twinds\t\u2026\this\twings\tcould\tbe\tshredded\tin\ta\tmatter\tof\tseconds\tif\tthe\tsilk\tdidn\u2019t hold. \u201cWe\u2019re\t waiting,\t Manon,\u201d\t her\t grandmother\t barked\t from\t above.\t She\t waved\t a\t hand toward\tthe\tcave\tmouth.\t\u201cBut\tby\tall\tmeans,\ttake\tyour\ttime.\u201d Laughter\u2014from\t the\t Yellowlegs,\t Blackbeaks\t \u2026\t everyone.\t Yet\t Petrah\t wasn\u2019t\t smiling. And\t none\t of\t the\t Thirteen,\t gathered\t closest\t along\t the\t viewing\t platform,\t were\t smiling, either. Manon\tturned\tto\tAbraxos,\tlooking\tinto\tthose\teyes.\t\u201cLet\u2019s\tgo.\u201d\tShe\ttugged\ton\tthe\treins. But\the\trefused\tto\tmove\u2014not\tfrom\tfear\tor\tterror.\tHe\tslowly\tlifted\this\thead\u2014looking\tto where\ther\tgrandmother\tstood\u2014and\tlet\tout\ta\tlow,\twarning\tgrowl.\tA\tthreat. Manon\t knew\t she\t should\t reprimand\t him\t for\t the\t disrespect,\t but\t the\t fact\t that\t he\t could grasp\twhat\twas\toccurring\tin\tthis\thall\t\u2026\tit\tshould\thave\tbeen\timpossible. \u201cThe\tnight\tis\twaning,\u201d\ther\tgrandmother\tcalled,\theedless\tof\tthe\tbeast\tthat\tstared\tat\ther with\tsuch\trage\tin\this\teyes. Sorrel\t and\t Asterin\t exchanged\t glances,\t and\t she\t could\t have\t sworn\t her\t Second\u2019s\t hand twitched\ttoward\tthe\thilt\tof\ther\tsword.\tNot\tto\thurt\tAbraxos,\tbut\t\u2026\tEvery\tsingle\tone\tof\tthe Thirteen\t was\t casually\t reaching\t for\t their\t weapons.\t To\t fight\t their\t way\t out\u2014in\t case\t her grandmother\t gave\t the\t order\t to\t have\t Manon\t and\t Abraxos\t put\t down.\t They\u2019d\t heard\t the challenge\tin\tAbraxos\u2019s\tgrowl\u2014understood\tthat\tthe\tbeast\thad\tdrawn\ta\tline\tin\tthe\tsand. They\t were\t not\t born\t with\t hearts,\t her\t grandmother\t said.\t They\t had\t all\t been\t told\t that. Obedience,\tdiscipline,\tbrutality.\tThose\twere\tthe\tthings\tthey\twere\tsupposed\tto\tcherish. Asterin\u2019s\teyes\twere\tbright\u2014stunningly\tbright\u2014and\tshe\tnodded\tonce\tat\tManon. It\t was\t that\t same\t feeling\t she\u2019d\t gotten\t when\t Iskra\t whipped\t Abraxos\u2014that\t thing\t she couldn\u2019t\tdescribe,\tbut\tit\tblinded\ther. Manon\t gripped\t Abraxos\u2019s\t snout,\t forcing\t his\t gaze\t away\t from\t her\t grandmother.\t \u201cJust once,\u201d\tshe\twhispered.\t\u201cAll\tyou\thave\tto\tdo\tis\tmake\tthis\tjump\tjust\tonce,\tAbraxos,\tand\tthen","you\tcan\tshut\tthem\tup\tforever.\u201d Then,\t rising\t up\t from\t the\t deep,\t there\t came\t a\t steady\t two-note\t beat.\t The\t beat\t of\t the chained\t bait\t beasts,\t who\t hauled\t the\t massive\t machines\t around.\t Like\t a\t thudding\t heart.\t Or beating\twings. Louder\tthe\tbeat\tsounded,\tas\tif\tthe\twyverns\tdown\tin\tthe\tpits\tknew\twhat\twas\thappening. It\t grew\t and\t grew,\t until\t it\t reached\t the\t cavern\u2014until\t Asterin\t reached\t for\t her\t shield\t and joined\tin.\tUntil\teach\tone\tof\tthe\tThirteen\ttook\tup\tthe\tbeat.\t\u201cYou\thear\tthat?\tThat\tis\tfor\tyou.\u201d For\t a\t moment,\t as\t the\t beat\t pulsed\t around\t them,\t phantom\t wings\t from\t the\t mountain itself,\tManon\tthought\tthat\tit\twould\tnot\tbe\tso\tbad\tto\tdie\u2014if\tit\twas\twith\thim,\tif\tshe\twas\tnot alone. \u201cYou\tare\tone\tof\tthe\tThirteen,\u201d\tshe\tsaid\tto\thim.\t\u201cFrom\tnow\tuntil\tthe\tDarkness\tcleaves us\tapart.\tYou\tare\tmine,\tand\tI\tam\tyours.\tLet\u2019s\tshow\tthem\twhy.\u201d He\t huffed\t into\t her\t palms\t as\t if\t to\t say\t he\t already\t knew\t all\t that\t and\t that\t she\t was\t just wasting\t time.\t She\t smiled\t faintly,\t even\t as\t Abraxos\t cast\t another\t challenging\t glare\t in\t her grandmother\u2019s\t direction.\t The\t wyvern\t lowered\t himself\t to\t the\t ground\t for\t Manon\t to\t climb into\tthe\tsaddle. The\tdistance\tto\tthe\tentrance\tseemed\tso\tmuch\tshorter\tin\tthe\tsaddle\tthan\ton\tfoot,\tbut\tshe did\tnot\tlet\therself\tdoubt\thim\tas\tshe\tblinked\ther\tinner\tlid\tinto\tplace\tand\tretracted\ther\tteeth. The\tSpidersilk\twould\thold\u2014she\twould\tconsider\tno\tother\talternative.\t\u201cFly,\tAbraxos,\u201d\tshe told\thim,\tand\tdug\ther\tspurs\tinto\this\tsides. Like\t a\t roaring\t star,\t he\t thundered\t down\t the\t long\t shoot,\t and\t Manon\t moved\t with\t him, meeting\teach\tgallop\tof\this\tpowerful\tbody,\teach\tstep\tin\ttime\twith\tthe\tbeat\tof\tthe\twyverns locked\tin\tthe\tbelly\tof\tthe\tmountain.\tAbraxos\tflapped\this\twings\topen,\tpounding\tthem\tonce, twice,\tgathering\tspeed,\tfearless,\tunrelenting,\tready. Still,\t the\t beat\t did\t not\t stop,\t not\t from\t the\t wyverns\t or\t from\t the\t Thirteen\t or\t from\t the Blackbeak\tcovens,\twho\tpicked\tit\tup,\tstomping\ttheir\tfeet\tor\tclapping\ttheir\thands.\tNot\tfrom the\t Blueblood\t heir,\t who\t clapped\t her\t sword\t against\t her\t dagger,\t or\t the\t Blueblood\t witches who\tfollowed\ther\tlead.\tThe\tentire\tmountain\tshook\twith\tthe\tsound. Faster\tand\tfaster,\tAbraxos\traced\tfor\tthe\tdrop,\tand\tManon\theld\ton\ttight.\tThe\tcave\tmouth opened\twide.\tAbraxos\ttucked\tin\this\twings,\tusing\tthe\tmovement\tto\tgive\this\tbody\tone\tlast shove\tover\tthe\tlip\tas\the\ttook\tManon\twith\thim\tand\tplunged. Fast\tas\tlightning\tarcing\tacross\tthe\tsky,\the\tplummeted\ttoward\tthe\tGap\tfloor. Manon\t rose\t up\t into\t the\t saddle,\t clinging\t as\t her\t braid\t ripped\t free\t from\t her\t cloak,\t then came\tloose\tfrom\tits\tbonds,\tpulling\tpainfully\tbehind\ther,\tmaking\ther\teyes\twater\tdespite\tthe lids.\tDown\tand\tdown\the\tfell,\twings\ttucked\tin\ttight,\ttail\tstraight\tand\tbalanced. Down\t into\t hell,\t into\t eternity,\t into\t that\t world\t where,\t for\t a\t moment,\t she\t could\t have sworn\tthat\tsomething\ttightened\tin\ther\tchest. She\tdid\tnot\tshut\ther\teyes,\tnot\tas\tthe\tmoon-illuminated\tstones\tof\tthe\tGap\tbecame\tcloser, clearer.\tShe\tdid\tnot\tneed\tto. Like\t the\t sails\t of\t a\t mighty\t ship,\t Abraxos\u2019s\t wings\t unfurled,\t snapping\t tight.\t He\t tilted"]
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