["them\tupward,\tpulling\tagainst\tthe\tdeath\ttrying\tto\tdrag\tthem\tdown. And\tit\twas\tthose\twings,\tcovered\tin\tglimmering\tpatches\tof\tSpidersilk,\tthat\tstayed\tstrong and\t sturdy,\t sending\t them\t soaring\t clean\t up\t the\t side\t of\t the\t Omega\t and\t into\t the\t starry\t sky beyond.","Chapter\t45 To\t their\t credit,\t the\t sentries\t didn\u2019t\t jump\t when\t Rowan\t shifted\t beside\t them\t atop\t the battlement\twall.\tThey\thad\teyes\tkeen\tenough\tto\thave\tdetected\this\tarrival\tas\the\tswooped\tin. A\tslight\ttang\tof\tfear\tleaked\tfrom\tthem,\tbut\tthat\twas\tto\tbe\texpected,\teven\tif\tit\ttroubled\thim more\tthan\tit\thad\tin\tthe\tpast.\tBut\tthey\tdid\tstir\tslightly\twhen\the\tspoke.\t\u201cHow\tlong\thas\tshe been\tdown\tthere?\u201d \u201cAn\thour,\tPrince,\u201d\tone\tsaid,\twatching\tthe\tflashing\tflames\tbelow. \u201cFor\thow\tmany\tmornings\tin\ta\trow?\u201d \u201cThis\tis\tthe\tfourth,\tPrince,\u201d\tthe\tsame\tsentry\treplied. The\t first\t three\t days\t she\u2019d\t slipped\t from\t bed\t before\t dawn,\t he\u2019d\t assumed\t she\u2019d\t been helping\tin\tthe\tkitchens.\tBut\twhen\tthey\u2019d\ttrained\tyesterday\tshe\u2019d\t\u2026\timproved\tat\ta\trate\tshe shouldn\u2019t\thave,\tas\tif\tovernight.\tHe\thad\tto\tgive\ther\tcredit\tfor\tresourcefulness. The\tgirl\tstood\toutside\tthe\tward-stones,\tfighting\twith\therself. A\tdagger\tof\tflame\tflew\tfrom\ther\thand\ttoward\tthe\tinvisible\tbarrier\tbetween\ttwo\tstones, then\tanother,\tas\tif\tracing\tfor\tthe\thead\tof\tan\topponent.\tIt\thit\tthe\tmagic\twall\twith\ta\tflash\tof light\tand\tbounced\tback,\treflected\toff\tthe\tprotective\tspell\tencircling\tthe\tfortress.\tAnd\twhen it\treached\ther,\tshe\tshielded\u2014swift,\tstrong,\tsure.\tA\twarrior\ton\ta\tbattlefield. \u201cI\u2019ve\tnever\tseen\tanyone\t\u2026\tfight\tlike\tthat,\u201d\tthe\tsentry\tsaid. It\t was\t a\t question,\t but\t Rowan\t didn\u2019t\t bother\t to\t answer.\t It\t wasn\u2019t\t their\t business,\t and\t he wasn\u2019t\t entirely\t certain\t if\t his\t queen\t would\t be\t pleased\t with\t the\t demi-Fae\t learning\t to\t use their\t powers\t in\t such\t a\t way.\t Though\t he\t fully\t planned\t to\t tell\t Lorcan,\t his\t commander\t and the\t only\t male\t who\t outranked\t him\t in\t Doranelle,\t just\t to\t see\t whether\t they\t could\t use\t it\t in their\ttraining. The\t girl\t moved\t from\t throwing\t weapons\t to\t hand-to-hand\t combat:\t a\t punch\t of\t power,\t a sweeping\t kick\t of\t flame.\t Her\t flames\t had\t become\t gloriously\t varied\u2014golds\t and\t reds\t and oranges.\t And\t her\t technique\u2014not\t the\t magic,\t but\t the\t way\t she\t moved\t \u2026\t Her\t master\t had been\ta\tmonster,\tthere\twas\tno\tdoubt\tof\tthat.\tBut\the\thad\ttrained\ther\tthoroughly.\tShe\tducked and\tflipped\tand\ttwisted,\trelentless,\traging,\tand\u2014 She\t swore\t with\t her\t usual\t color\t as\t the\t wall\t sent\t the\t punch\t of\t ruby\t flame\t back\t at\t her. She\tmanaged\tto\tshield,\tbut\tstill\tgot\tknocked\ton\ther\tass.\tYet\tnone\tof\tthe\tsentries\tlaughed. Rowan\tdidn\u2019t\tknow\tif\tit\twas\tbecause\tof\this\tpresence\tor\tbecause\tof\ther. He\t got\t his\t answer\t a\t heartbeat\t later,\t as\t he\t waited\t for\t her\t to\t shout\t or\t shriek\t or\t walk away.\t But\t the\t princess\t just\t slowly\t got\t to\t her\t feet,\t not\t bothering\t to\t brush\t off\t the\t dirt\t and leaves,\tand\tkept\tpracticing. The\tnext\tcorpse\tappeared\ta\tweek\tlater,\tsetting\ta\trather\twretched\ttone\tfor\tthe\tcrisp\tspring morning\tas\tCelaena\tand\tRowan\tran\tfor\tthe\tsite.","They\u2019d\t spent\t the\t past\t week\t fighting\t and\t defending\t and\t manipulating\t her\t magic, interrupted\t only\t by\t a\t rather\t miserable\t visit\t from\t some\t Fae\t nobility\t traveling\t through\t the area\u2014which\t left\t Celaena\t in\t no\t hurry\t to\t set\t foot\t in\t Doranelle.\t Thankfully,\t the\t guests stayed\tfor\tone\tnight,\thardly\tdisrupting\ther\tlessons. They\tworked\tonly\twith\tfire,\tignoring\tthe\tdrop\tof\twater\taffinity\tthat\tshe\u2019d\tbeen\tgiven. She\ttried\tagain\tand\tagain\tto\tsummon\tthe\twater,\twhen\tshe\twas\tdrinking,\twhile\tin\tthe\tbath, when\tit\trained,\tbut\tto\tno\tavail.\tFire\tit\twas,\tthen.\tAnd\twhile\tshe\tknew\tRowan\twas\taware\tof her\tearly\tmorning\tpracticing,\the\tnever\tlightened\ther\ttraining,\tthough\tshe\tcould\thave\tsworn she\toccasionally\tfelt\ttheir\tmagic\t\u2026\tplaying\ttogether,\ther\tflame\ttaunting\this\tice,\this\twind dancing\tamongst\ther\tembers.\tBut\teach\tmorning\tbrought\tsomething\tnew,\tsomething\tharder and\tdifferent\tand\tmiserable.\tGods,\the\twas\tbrilliant.\tCunning\tand\twicked\tand\tbrilliant. Even\twhen\the\tbeat\tthe\thell\tout\tof\ther.\tEvery.\tDamn.\tDay. Not\t from\t malice,\t not\t like\t it\t had\t been\t before,\t but\t to\t prove\t his\t point\u2014her\t enemies would\tgive\tno\tquarter.\tIf\tshe\tneeded\tto\tpause,\tif\ther\tpower\tfaltered,\tshe\tdied. So\the\tknocked\ther\tinto\tthe\tmud\tor\tthe\tstream\tor\tthe\tgrass\twith\ta\tblast\tof\twind\tor\tice. So\tshe\trose,\tshooting\tarrows\tof\tflame,\ther\tshield\tnow\ther\tstrongest\tally.\tAgain\tand\tagain, hungry\t and\t exhausted\t and\t soaking\t with\t rain\t and\t mist\t and\t sweat.\t Until\t shielding\t was\t an instinct,\tuntil\tshe\tcould\thurl\tarrows\tand\tdaggers\tof\tflame\ttogether,\tuntil\tshe\tknocked\thim on\this\tass.\tThere\twas\talways\tmore\tto\tlearn;\tshe\tlived\tand\tbreathed\tand\tdreamt\tof\tfire. Sometimes,\tthough,\ther\tdreams\twere\tof\ta\tbrown-eyed\tman\tin\tan\tempire\tacross\tthe\tsea. Sometimes\tshe\u2019d\tawaken\tand\treach\tfor\tthe\twarm,\tmale\tbody\tbeside\thers,\tonly\tto\trealize\tit was\t not\t the\t captain\u2014that\t she\t would\t never\t again\t lie\t next\t to\t Chaol,\t not\t after\t what\t had happened.\tAnd\twhen\tshe\tremembered\tthat,\tit\tsometimes\thurt\tto\tbreathe. There\t was\t nothing\t romantic\t about\t sharing\t a\t bed\t with\t Rowan,\t and\t they\t kept\t to\t their own\tsides.\tThere\tcertainly\twas\tnothing\tromantic\tabout\tit\twhen\tthey\treached\tthe\tsite\tof\tthe corpse\t and\t she\t peeled\t off\t her\t shirt\t to\t cool\t down.\t In\t nothing\t but\t her\t underclothes, Celaena\u2019s\t skin\t was\t bitten\t by\t the\t sea\t air\t with\t a\t delightful\t chill,\t and\t even\t Rowan unbuttoned\this\theavy\tjacket\tas\tthey\tcarefully\tapproached\tthe\tcoordinates. \u201cWell,\t I\t can\t certainly\t smell\t him\t this\t time,\u201d\t Celaena\t said\t between\t panting\t breaths. They\u2019d\treached\tthe\tsite\tin\tlittle\tless\tthan\tthree\thours,\tguessing\tby\tthe\tsun.\tThat\twas\tfaster and\tlonger\tthan\tshe\u2019d\tever\trun,\tthanks\tto\tthe\tFae\tform\tshe\u2019d\tbeen\ttraining\tin. \u201cThis\tbody\thas\tbeen\trotting\there\tlonger\tthan\tthe\tdemi-Fae\tfrom\tthree\tdays\tago.\u201d She\tbit\tback\ther\tretort.\tThere\thad\tbeen\tanother\tdemi-Fae\tbody\tfound,\tand\the\thadn\u2019t\tlet her\t go\t see\t it,\t instead\t forcing\t her\t to\t practice\t all\t day\t while\t he\t flew\t to\t the\t site.\t But\t this morning,\the\u2019d\ttaken\tone\tlook\tat\tthe\tfire\tsmoldering\tin\ther\teyes\tand\trelented. Celaena\tstepped\tcarefully\ton\tthe\tpine\tcarpet,\tscanning\tfor\tany\tsigns\tof\ta\tfight\tor\tof\tthe attacker.\t The\t ground\t was\t churned\t up,\t and\t despite\t the\t rushing\t stream,\t the\t flies\t were buzzing\tnear\twhat\tappeared\tto\tbe\ta\theap\tof\tclothing\tpeeking\tfrom\tbehind\ta\tsmall\tboulder. Rowan\tswore,\tlow\tand\tviciously,\teven\tlifting\this\tforearm\tto\tcover\this\tnose\tand\tmouth as\t he\t examined\t the\t husk\t that\t remained,\t the\t demi-Fae\t male\u2019s\t face\t twisted\t in\t horror. Celaena\tmight\tdone\tthe\tsame,\texcept\t\u2026\texcept\u2014","That\t second\t smell\t was\t here,\t too.\t Not\t as\t strong\t as\t it\t had\t been\t at\t the\t first\t site,\t but\t it lingered.\tShe\tshoved\tback\tagainst\tthe\tmemory\tthat\twanted\tto\trise\tin\tresponse\tto\tthe\tsmell, the\tmemory\tthat\thad\toverwhelmed\ther\tthat\tday\tin\tthe\tbarrow-field. \u201cIt\thas\tour\tattention\tand\tit\tknows\tit,\u201d\tshe\tsaid.\t\u201cIt\u2019s\ttargeting\tdemi-Fae\u2014either\tto\tsend a\tmessage,\tor\tbecause\tthey\t\u2026\ttaste\tgood.\tBut\u2014\u201d\tShe\tpictured\tthe\tmap\tRowan\tkept\tin\this room,\t detailing\t the\t wide\t area\t where\t the\t corpses\t had\t been\t found,\t and\t winced.\t \u201cWhat\t if there\u2019s\t more\t than\t one?\u201d\t Rowan\t looked\t back\t at\t her,\t brows\t high.\t She\t didn\u2019t\t say\t anything else\tuntil\tshe\thad\tmoved\tto\twhere\the\tstood\tby\tthe\tbody,\tcareful\tnot\tto\tdisturb\tany\tclues. Her\t stomach\t lurched\t and\t bile\t stung\t the\t back\t of\t her\t throat,\t but\t she\t clamped\t down\t on\t the horror\twith\ta\twall\tof\tice\tthat\teven\ther\tfire\tcould\tnot\tmelt.\t\u201cYou\u2019re\told\tas\thell,\u201d\tshe\tsaid. \u201cYou\t must\t have\t considered\t that\t we\u2019re\t dealing\t with\t a\t few\t of\t them,\t given\t how\t vast\t the territory\tis.\tWhat\tif\tthe\tone\twe\tsaw\tin\tthe\tbarrows\twasn\u2019t\teven\tthe\tcreature\tresponsible\tfor these\tbodies?\u201d He\tnarrowed\this\teyes,\tbut\tconceded\ta\tnod.\tShe\tstudied\tthe\thollowed-out\tface,\tthe\ttorn clothes. Torn\t clothes,\t what\t looked\t like\t small\t cuts\t along\t the\t palms\u2014as\t if\t he\u2019d\t dug\t in\t his fingernails.\tThe\tothers\thad\tbarely\tbeen\ttouched,\tbut\tthis\t\u2026 \u201cRowan.\u201d\tShe\twaved\taway\tflies.\t\u201cRowan,\ttell\tme\tyou\tsee\twhat\tI\u2019m\tseeing.\u201d Another\t vicious\t curse.\t He\t crouched,\t using\t the\t tip\t of\t a\t dagger\t to\t push\t back\t a\t bit\t of clothing\ttorn\tat\tthe\tcollar.\t\u201cThis\tmale\u2014\u201d \u201cFought.\tHe\tfought\tback\tagainst\tit.\tNone\tof\tthe\tothers\tdid,\taccording\tto\tthe\treports.\u201d The\tstench\tof\tthe\tcorpse\twas\tnearly\tenough\tto\tbring\ther\tto\ther\tknees.\tBut\tshe\tsquatted by\tthe\tdecaying\thand\tand\tforearm,\tshriveled\tand\twasted\tfrom\tthe\tinside\tout.\tShe\theld\tout a\t hand\t for\t Rowan\u2019s\t dagger,\t still\t possessing\t none\t of\t her\t own.\t He\t hesitated\t as\t she\t looked up\tat\thim. Only\tfor\tthe\tafternoon,\the\tseemed\tto\tgrowl\tas\the\tpressed\tthe\thilt\tinto\ther\topen\tpalm. She\t yanked\t down\t the\t dagger.\t I\t know,\t I\t know.\t I\t haven\u2019t\t earned\t my\t weapons\t back\t yet. Don\u2019t\tget\tyour\tfeathers\truffled. She\tturned\tback\tto\tthe\thusk,\tcutting\toff\ttheir\twordless\tconversation\tand\tgetting\ta\tsnarl in\t response.\t Butting\t heads\t with\t Rowan\t was\t the\t least\t of\t her\t concerns,\t even\t if\t it\t had become\tone\tof\ther\tfavorite\tactivities. There\t was\t something\t so\t familiar\t about\t doing\t this,\t she\t thought\t as\t she\t carefully,\t as gently\tand\trespectfully\tas\tshe\tcould,\tran\tthe\ttip\tof\tthe\tdagger\tunder\tthe\tmale\u2019s\tcracked\tand filthy\t nails,\t then\t smeared\t the\t contents\t on\t the\t back\t of\t her\t own\t hand.\t Dirt\t and\t black\t \u2026 black\t\u2026 \u201cWhat\t the\t hell\t is\t that?\u201d\t Rowan\t demanded,\t kneeling\t beside\t her,\t sniffing\t her outstretched\thand.\tHe\tjerked\tback,\tsnarling.\t\u201cThat\u2019s\tnot\tdirt.\u201d No,\tit\twasn\u2019t.\tIt\twas\tblacker\tthan\tnight,\tand\treeked\tjust\tas\tbadly\tas\tit\thad\tthe\tfirst\ttime she\u2019d\t smelled\t it,\t in\t the\t catacombs\t beneath\t the\t library,\t an\t obsidian,\t oily\t pool\t of\t blood. Slightly\tdifferent\tfrom\tthat\tother,\thorrific\tsmell\tthat\tloitered\taround\tthis\tplace,\tbut\tsimilar.","So\tsimilar\tto\u2014 \u201cThis\t isn\u2019t\t possible,\u201d\t she\t said,\t jolting\t to\t her\t feet.\t \u201cThis\u2014this\u2014this\u2014\u201d\t She\t paced,\t if only\tto\tkeep\tfrom\tshaking.\t\u201cI\u2019m\twrong.\tI\thave\tto\tbe\twrong.\u201d There\thad\tbeen\tso\tmany\tcells\tin\tthat\tforgotten\tdungeon\tbeneath\tthe\tlibrary,\tbeneath\tthe king\u2019s\t Wyrdstone\t clock\t tower.\t The\t creature\t she\u2019d\t encountered\t there\t had\t possessed\t a human\theart.\tIt\thad\tbeen\tleft,\tshe\u2019d\tsuspected,\tbecause\tof\tsome\tdefect.\tWhat\tif\t\u2026\twhat\tif the\tperfected\tones\thad\tbeen\tmoved\telsewhere?\tWhat\tif\tthey\twere\tnow\t\u2026\tready? \u201cTell\t me,\u201d\t Rowan\t growled,\t the\t words\t barely\t understandable\t as\t he\t seemed\t to\t struggle to\t rein\t in\t the\t killing\t edge\t he\t rode\t in\t response\t to\t the\t threat\t lurking\t somewhere\t in\t these woods. She\t lifted\t her\t hand\t to\t rub\t her\t eyes,\t but\t realized\t what\t was\t on\t her\t fingers\t and\t went\t to wipe\tthem\ton\ther\tshirt.\tOnly\tto\trecall\tthat\tshe\twas\twearing\tnothing\tbut\tthe\tsoft\twhite\tband around\t her\t breasts,\t and\t that\t she\t was\t cold\t to\t her\t very\t bones.\t She\t rushed\t to\t the\t nearby stream\tto\tscrub\toff\tthe\tdried\tblack\tblood,\thating\teven\tthat\tthe\ttrace\tof\tit\twould\tbe\tin\tthe water,\t in\t the\t world,\t and\t quickly,\t quietly\t told\t Rowan\t of\t the\t creature\t in\t the\t library,\t the Wyrdkeys,\tand\tthe\tinformation\tMaeve\theld\thostage\tregarding\thow\tto\tdestroy\tthat\tpower. Power\t that\t was\t being\t used\t by\t the\t king\t to\t make\t things\u2014and\t targeting\t people\t with\t magic in\ttheir\tblood\tto\tbe\ttheir\thosts. A\twarm\tbreeze\twrapped\taround\ther,\theating\ther\tbones\tand\tblood,\tsteadying\ther.\t\u201cHow did\tit\tget\there?\u201d\tRowan\tasked,\this\tfeatures\tnow\tset\twith\ticy\tcalm. \u201cI\tdon\u2019t\tknow.\tI\thope\tI\u2019m\twrong.\tBut\tthat\tsmell\u2014I\u2019ll\tnever\tforget\tthat\tsmell\tas\tlong\tas I\tlive.\tLike\tit\thad\trotted\tfrom\tthe\tinside\tout,\tits\tvery\tessence\truined.\u201d \u201cBut\tit\tretained\tsome\tcognitive\tabilities.\tAnd\twhatever\tthis\tis,\tit\tmust\thave\tthem,\ttoo, if\tit\u2019s\tdumping\tthe\tbodies.\u201d She\ttried\tto\tswallow\u2014twice\u2014but\ther\tmouth\twas\tdry.\t\u201cDemi-Fae\t\u2026\tthey\twould\tmake perfect\thosts,\twith\tso\tmany\tof\tthem\table\tto\tuse\tmagic\tand\tno\tone\tin\tWendlyn\tor\tDoranelle caring\tif\tthey\tlive\tor\tdie.\tBut\tthese\tcorpses\u2014if\the\twanted\tto\tkidnap\tthem,\twhy\tkill\tthem?\u201d \u201cUnless\tthey\tweren\u2019t\tcompatible,\u201d\tRowan\tsaid.\t\u201cAnd\tif\tthey\tweren\u2019t\tcompatible,\tthen what\tbetter\tuse\tfor\tthem\tthan\tto\tdrain\tthem\tdry?\u201d \u201cBut\twhat\u2019s\tthe\tpoint\tof\tleaving\tthe\tbodies\twhere\twe\tcan\tfind\tthem?\tTo\tdrum\tup\tfear?\u201d Rowan\t ground\t his\t jaw\t and\t stalked\t through\t the\t area,\t examining\t the\t ground,\t the\t trees, the\t rocks.\t \u201cBurn\t the\t body,\t Aelin.\u201d\t He\t removed\t the\t sheath\t and\t belt\t that\t had\t housed\t the dagger\tstill\tdangling\tfrom\ther\thand\tand\ttossed\tthem\tto\ther.\tShe\tcaught\tthem\twith\ther\tfree hand.\t\u201cWe\u2019re\tgoing\thunting.\u201d They\tfound\tnothing,\teven\twhen\tRowan\tshifted\tinto\this\tother\tform\tand\tcircled\thigh\tabove. As\t the\t light\t grew\t dim,\t they\t climbed\t into\t the\t biggest,\t densest\t tree\t in\t the\t area.\t They squeezed\tonto\ta\tmassive\tbranch,\thuddling\ttogether,\tas\the\twould\tnot\tlet\ther\tsummon\teven a\tflicker\tof\tflame. When\tshe\tcomplained\tabout\tthe\tconditions,\tRowan\tpointed\tout\tthat\tthere\twas\tno\tmoon","that\t night,\t and\t worse\t things\t than\t the\t skinwalkers\t prowled\t the\t woods.\t That\t shut\t her\t up until\the\tasked\ther\tto\ttell\thim\tmore\tabout\tthe\tcreature\tin\tthe\tlibrary,\tto\texplain\tevery\tdetail and\tweakness\tand\tstrength. After\t she\t finished,\t he\t took\t out\t one\t of\t his\t long\t knives\u2014a\t fraction\t of\t the\t marvelous assortment\t he\t carried\u2014and\t began\t cleaning\t it.\t With\t her\t heightened\t senses,\t she\t could\t see enough\t in\t the\t starlight\t to\t make\t out\t the\t steel,\t his\t hands,\t and\t the\t shifting\t muscles\t in\t his shoulders\tas\the\twiped\tthe\tblade.\tHe\thimself\twas\ta\tbeautiful\tweapon,\tforged\tby\tcenturies of\truthless\ttraining\tand\twarring. \u201cDo\tyou\tthink\tI\twas\tmistaken?\u201d\tshe\tsaid\tas\the\tput\taway\tthe\tknife\tand\treached\tfor\tthe ones\t hidden\t beneath\t his\t clothes.\t Like\t the\t first,\t none\t of\t them\t were\t dirty,\t but\t she\t didn\u2019t point\tit\tout.\t\u201cAbout\tthe\tcreature,\tI\tmean.\u201d Rowan\tslung\this\tshirt\tover\this\thead\tto\tget\tat\tthe\tweapons\tstrapped\tbeneath,\trevealing his\tbroad\tback,\tmuscled\tand\tscarred\tand\tglorious.\tFine\u2014some\tvery\tfeminine,\tinnate\tpart of\ther\tappreciated\tthat.\tAnd\tshe\tdidn\u2019t\tmind\this\thalf-nakedness.\tHe\u2019d\tseen\tevery\tinch\tof her\tnow.\tShe\tsupposed\tthere\twas\tno\tpart\tof\thim\tthat\twould\tbe\tmuch\tof\ta\tsurprise,\teither, thanks\t to\t Chaol.\t But\u2014no,\t she\t wouldn\u2019t\t think\t about\t Chaol.\t Not\t when\t she\t was\t feeling balanced\tand\tclear-headed\tand\tgood. \u201cWe\u2019re\t dealing\t with\t a\t cunning,\t lethal\t predator,\t regardless\t of\t where\t it\t originated\t and how\t many\t there\t are,\u201d\t he\t said,\t cleaning\t a\t small\t dagger\t that\t had\t been\t strapped\t across\t his pectoral\t muscle.\t She\t followed\t the\t path\t of\t his\t tattoo\t down\t his\t face,\t neck,\t shoulders,\t and arm.\tSuch\ta\tstark,\tbrutal\tmarking.\tHad\tthe\tscars\ton\tChaol\u2019s\tface\thealed,\tor\twould\tthey\tbe a\tpermanent\treminder\tof\twhat\tshe\u2019d\tdone\tto\thim?\t\u201cIf\tyou\twere\tmistaken,\tI\u2019d\tconsider\tit\ta blessing.\u201d She\tslumped\tagainst\tthe\ttrunk.\tThat\twas\ttwice\tnow\tshe\u2019d\tthought\tof\tChaol.\tShe\tmust truly\tbe\texhausted,\tbecause\tthe\tonly\tother\toption\twas\tthat\tshe\tjust\twanted\tto\tmake\therself feel\tmiserable. She\t didn\u2019t\t want\t to\t know\t what\t Chaol\t had\t been\t doing\t these\t months,\t or\t what\t he\t now thought\tof\ther.\tIf\the\u2019d\tsold\tthe\tinformation\tabout\ther\tpast\tto\tthe\tking,\tmaybe\tthe\tking\thad sent\t one\t of\t those\t things\t here,\t to\t hunt\t her.\t And\t Dorian\u2014gods,\t she\u2019d\t been\t so\t lost\t in\t her own\t misery\t that\t she\u2019d\t hardly\t wondered\t about\t him,\t whether\t he\u2019d\t managed\t to\t keep\t his magic\tsecret.\tShe\tprayed\the\twas\tsafe. She\tsuffered\twith\ther\town\tthoughts\tuntil\tRowan\tfinished\twith\this\tweapons,\tthen\ttook out\t their\t skin\t of\t water\t and\t rinsed\t his\t hands,\t neck,\t and\t chest.\t She\t watched\t him\t sidelong, the\t way\t the\t water\t gleamed\t on\t his\t skin\t in\t the\t starlight.\t It\t was\t a\t damn\t good\t thing\t Rowan had\t no\t interest\t in\t her,\t either,\t because\t she\t knew\t she\t was\t stupid\t and\t reckless\t enough\t to consider\twhether\tmoving\ton\tin\tthe\tphysical\tsense\tmight\tsolve\tthe\tproblem\tof\tChaol. There\t was\t still\t such\t a\t mighty\t hole\t in\t her\t chest.\t A\t hole\t that\t grew\t bigger,\t not\t smaller, and\tthat\tno\tone\tcould\tfix,\tnot\teven\tif\tshe\ttook\tRowan\tto\tbed.\tThere\twere\tsome\tdays\twhen the\tamethyst\tring\twas\ther\tmost\tprecious\tbelonging\u2014others\twhen\tit\twas\tall\tshe\tcould\tdo not\t to\t melt\t it\t down\t in\t a\t flame\t of\t her\t own\t making.\t Maybe\t she\t had\t been\t a\t fool\t to\t love\t a man\t who\t served\t the\t king,\t but\t Chaol\t had\t been\t what\t she\t needed\t after\t losing\t Sam,\t after surviving\tthe\tmines.","But\tthese\tdays\t\u2026\tshe\tdidn\u2019t\tknow\twhat\tshe\tneeded.\tWhat\tshe\twanted.\tIf\tshe\tfelt\tlike admitting\tit,\tshe\tactually\tdidn\u2019t\thave\tthe\tfaintest\tclue\twho\tthe\thell\tshe\twas\tanymore.\tAll she\t knew\t was\t that\t whatever\t and\t whoever\t climbed\t out\t of\t that\t abyss\t of\t despair\t and\t grief would\tnot\tbe\tthe\tsame\tperson\twho\thad\tplummeted\tin.\tAnd\tmaybe\tthat\twas\ta\tgood\tthing. Rowan\t put\t his\t clothes\t back\t on\t and\t settled\t against\t the\t trunk,\t his\t body\t warm\t and\t solid against\thers.\tThey\tsat\tin\tthe\tdark\tfor\ta\tlittle\tuntil\tshe\tsaid\tquietly,\t\u201cYou\tonce\ttold\tme\tthat when\t you\t find\t your\t mate,\t you\t can\u2019t\t stomach\t the\t idea\t of\t hurting\t them\t physically.\t Once you\u2019re\tmated,\tyou\u2019d\tsooner\tharm\tyourself.\u201d \u201cYes;\twhy?\u201d \u201cI\t tried\t to\t kill\t him.\t I\t mauled\t his\t face,\t then\t held\t a\t dagger\t over\t his\t heart\t because\t I thought\the\twas\tresponsible\tfor\tNehemia\u2019s\tdeath.\tI\twould\thave\tdone\tit\tif\tsomeone\thadn\u2019t stopped\t me.\t If\t Chaol\u2014if\t he\u2019d\t truly\t been\t my\t mate,\t I\t wouldn\u2019t\t have\t been\t able\t to\t do\t that, would\tI?\u201d He\t was\t silent\t for\t a\t long\t while.\t \u201cYou\t hadn\u2019t\t been\t in\t your\t Fae\t form\t for\t ten\t years,\t so perhaps\t your\t instincts\t weren\u2019t\t even\t able\t to\t take\t hold.\t Sometimes,\t mates\t can\t be\t together intimately\tbefore\tthe\tactual\tbond\tsnaps\tinto\tplace.\u201d \u201cIt\u2019s\ta\tuseless\thope\tto\tcling\tto,\tanyway.\u201d \u201cDo\tyou\twant\tthe\ttruth?\u201d She\ttucked\ther\tchin\tinto\ther\ttunic\tand\tclosed\ther\teyes.\t\u201cNot\ttonight.\u201d","Chapter\t46 Shielding\t her\t eyes\t from\t the\t glare,\t Celaena\t scanned\t the\t cliffs\t and\t the\t spit\t of\t beach\t far below.\tIt\twas\tscorching,\twith\thardly\ta\tbreeze,\tbut\tRowan\tremained\tin\this\theavy\tpale-gray jacket\tand\twide\tbelt,\tvambraces\tstrapped\tto\this\tforearms.\tHe\u2019d\tdeigned\tto\tgive\ther\ta\tfew of\this\tweapons\tthat\tmorning\u2014as\ta\tprecaution. They\u2019d\t returned\t to\t the\t latest\t site\t at\t dawn\t to\t retrace\t their\t steps\u2014and\t that\t was\t where Celaena\thad\tpicked\tup\ta\ttrail.\tWell,\tshe\u2019d\tspied\ta\tdroplet\tof\tdark\tblood\ton\ta\tnearby\trock, and\t then\t Rowan\t had\t followed\t the\t scent\t back\t toward\t the\t cliffs.\t She\t looked\t down\t the beach,\t at\t the\t naturalcut\t arches\t of\t the\t many\t caves\t along\t its\t curving\t length.\t But\t there\t was nothing\t here\u2014and\t the\t trail,\t thanks\t to\t the\t sea\t and\t wind\t and\t elements,\t had\t gone\t cold. They\u2019d\tbeen\there\tfor\tthe\tpast\thalf\thour,\tlooking\tfor\tany\tother\tsigns,\tbut\tthere\twas\tnothing. Nothing,\texcept\u2014 There.\tA\tsagging\tcurve\tin\tthe\tcliff\tedge,\tas\tif\tmany\tpairs\tof\tfeet\thad\tworn\tthe\tlip\tdown as\t they\t slid\t carefully\t over\t the\t edge.\t Rowan\t gripped\t her\t arm\t as\t she\t leaned\t to\t view\t the crumbled,\t hidden\t stair.\t She\t glared\t at\t him,\t but\t he\t didn\u2019t\t let\t go.\t \u201cI\u2019m\t trying\t not\t to\t be insulted,\u201d\tshe\tsaid.\t\u201cLook.\u201d They\t were\t hardly\t steps\t now\u2014just\t lumps\t of\t rock\t and\t sand\t peppered\t with\t shrubs.\t The water\t beyond\t the\t beach\t was\t so\t clear\t and\t calm\t that\t a\t slight\t break\t could\t be\t seen\t in\t the barrier\treef\tthat\tguarded\tthese\tshores.\tIt\twas\tone\tof\tthe\tfew\tways\tto\tmake\ta\tsafe\tlanding here\twithout\tshattering\tyour\tboat,\tonly\twide\tenough\tfor\ta\tsmall\tcraft\tto\tpass\tthrough.\tNo warships\tor\tmerchant\tvessels\twould\tfit,\tundoubtedly\tone\treason\tthis\tarea\thad\tnever\tbeen developed.\t It\t was\t the\t perfect\t place,\t however,\t if\t you\t wanted\t to\t surreptitiously\t enter\t the country\u2014and\tstay\thidden. She\tbegan\tsketching\tin\tthe\tsandy\tearth,\ta\tlong,\thard\tline,\tthen\tdrew\tdot\tafter\tdot\tafter dot. \u201cThe\tbodies\twere\tdumped\tin\tstreams\tand\trivers,\u201d\tshe\tsaid. \u201cThe\tsea\twas\tnever\tfar\toff,\u201d\the\tsaid,\tkneeling\tbeside\ther.\t\u201cThey\tcould\thave\tdumped\tthe bodies\tthere.\tBut\u2014\u201d \u201cBut\tthen\tthose\tbodies\tprobably\twould\tdrift\tright\tback\tto\tshore,\tand\tprompt\tpeople\tto look\t along\t the\t beach.\t Look\t here,\u201d\t she\t said,\t pointing\t to\t the\t stretch\t of\t coastline\t she\u2019d sketched\u2014and\twhere\tthey\twere\tcurrently\tsitting,\tsmack\tdab\tin\tthe\tmiddle\tof\tit. \u201cThere\tare\tcountless\tcaves\talong\tthis\tsection\tof\tthe\tshore.\u201d She\t indicated\t where\t the\t waves\t broke\t on\t the\t reef\t and\t the\t small,\t calm\t space\t between them.\t \u201cIt\u2019s\t an\t easy\t access\t point\t from\u2014\u201d\t She\t swore.\t She\t couldn\u2019t\t say\t it.\t There\t were\t no ships\t along\t here,\t but\t that\t didn\u2019t\t mean\t that\t one\t or\t two\t or\t more\t couldn\u2019t\t have\t come\t from Adarlan,\t sneaking\t in\t at\t night,\t and\t slipped\t in\t their\t violent,\t vicious\t cargo\t using\t smaller boats. Rowan\tstood.\t\u201cWe\u2019re\tleaving.\tNow.\u201d","\u201cDon\u2019t\tyou\tthink\tthey\twould\talready\thave\tattacked\tif\tthey\u2019d\tseen\tus?\u201d Rowan\t pointed\t to\t the\t sun.\t If\t he\t was\t about\t to\t tell\t her\t it\t wasn\u2019t\t safe\t for\t a\t queen\t to\t be throwing\therself\tinto\tdanger,\tthen\the\tcould\u2014\u201cIf\twe\u2019re\tgoing\tto\texplore,\tthen\twe\u2019re\tgoing to\t do\t it\t under\t cover\t of\t darkness.\t So\t we\u2019re\t going\t back\t to\t the\t stream,\t and\t we\u2019re\t going\t to find\tsomething\tto\teat.\tAnd\tthen,\tPrincess,\u201d\the\tsaid\twith\ta\twild\tgrin,\t\u201cwe\tare\tgoing\tto\thave some\tfun.\u201d Some\t god\t must\t have\t decided\t to\t take\t pity\t on\t them,\t because\t the\t rain\t started\t right\t after sunset,\tthundering\tclouds\trolling\tin\twith\ta\tvengeance\tto\tconceal\tany\tsound\tthey\tmade\tas they\treturned\tto\tthe\tbeach\tand\tbegan\ta\tthorough\tsearch\tof\tthe\tcaves. But\t that\t was\t about\t where\t their\t favor\t from\t the\t gods\t ended,\t because\t what\t they\t found, while\tlying\ton\ttheir\tbellies\ton\ta\tnarrow\tcliff\toverhanging\ta\tbarren\tbeach,\twas\tworse\tthan anything\tthey\u2019d\tanticipated.\tIt\twasn\u2019t\tonly\tmonsters\tof\tthe\tking\u2019s\tmaking. It\twas\ta\thost\tof\tsoldiers. A\t few\t men\t came\t out\t of\t the\t massive\t cave\t mouth,\t which\t was\t camouflaged\t among\t the rocks\tand\tsand.\tThey\tmight\thave\tmissed\tthem\thad\tit\tnot\tbeen\tfor\tRowan\u2019s\tkeen\tsense\tof smell.\t He\t did\t not\t have\t the\t words,\t he\t said,\t to\t describe\t what\t that\t smell\t was\t like.\t But\t she knew\tit. Celaena\u2019s\t mouth\t had\t gone\t dry,\t her\t stomach\t a\t knot\t as\t the\t dark\t figures\t slipped\t in\t and out\t of\t the\t cave\t with\t disciplined,\t economic\t movements\t that\t suggested\t they\t were\t highly trained.\tThey\tweren\u2019t\trabid,\thalf-feral\tmonsters\tlike\tthe\tone\tin\tthe\tlibrary,\tor\tcold,\tflawless creatures\t like\t what\t she\u2019d\t seen\t in\t the\t barrows,\t but\t mortal\t soldiers.\t All\t of\t them\t aware, disciplined,\truthless. \u201cThe\tcrab-monger,\u201d\tCelaena\tmurmured\tto\tRowan.\t\u201cIn\tthe\tvillage.\tHe\tsaid\u2014he\tsaid\the found\t weapons\t in\t his\t nets.\t They\t must\t be\t taking\t ships\t and\t then\t getting\t close\t enough\t to swim\t through\t the\t reef\t without\t attracting\t attention.\t We\t need\t to\t get\t a\t closer\t look.\u201d\t She raised\t her\t brows\t at\t Rowan,\t who\t gave\t her\t a\t hunter\u2019s\t smile.\t \u201cI\t knew\t you\u2019d\t be\t useful someday.\u201d Rowan\tjust\tsnorted\tand\tshifted,\ta\tflicker\tof\tlight\tthat\tshe\thoped\twas\tgobbled\tup\tby\tthe storm.\t He\t flapped\t over\t the\t cliff\t edge\t and\t glided\t across\t the\t water,\t nothing\t more\t than\t a predator\t looking\t for\t a\t meal,\t then\t circled\t back\t until\t he\t rested\t on\t a\t rock\t just\t beyond\t the breaking\twaves.\tShe\twatched\thim\thunt,\tmoving\ttoward\tthe\tcave\titself,\tan\tanimal\tlooking for\t shelter\t from\t the\t rain.\t And\t then,\t keeping\t close\t to\t the\t towering\t ceiling\t of\t the\t cave,\t he swept\tinside. She\t didn\u2019t\t breathe\t the\t entire\t time\t he\t was\t out\t of\t her\t sight.\t She\t counted\t the\t gaps between\t the\t thunder\t and\t the\t lightning,\t her\t fingers\t itching\t to\t grab\t on\t to\t the\t hilt\t of\t her sword. But\tat\tlong\tlast,\tRowan\tswooped\tout\tof\tthe\tcave\tin\ta\tleisurely\tflight.\tHe\tmade\this\tway up\t to\t her,\t then\t flew\t past,\t heading\t into\t the\t woods.\t A\t message\t to\t follow.\t Carefully,\t she dragged\therself\tthrough\tthe\tdirt\tand\tmud\tand\trocks\tuntil\tshe\twas\tfar\tenough\taway\tto\tslip between\t the\t trees.\t She\t followed\t Rowan\t for\t a\t ways,\t the\t forest\t growing\t denser,\t the\t rain masking\tall\tsounds.","She\tfound\thim\tstanding\twith\tcrossed\tarms\tagainst\ta\tgnarled\tpine.\t\u201cThere\tare\tabout\ttwo hundred\t mortal\t soldiers\t and\t three\t of\t those\t creatures\t in\t the\t caves.\t There\u2019s\t a\t hidden network\tof\tthem\tall\talong\tthe\tshore.\u201d Her\tthroat\tclosed\tup.\tShe\tmade\therself\twait\tfor\thim\tto\tgo\ton. \u201cThey\tare\tunder\tthe\tcommand\tof\tsomeone\tcalled\tGeneral\tNarrok.\tThe\tsoldiers\tall\tlook highly\t trained,\t but\t they\t keep\t well\t away\t from\t the\t three\t creatures.\u201d\t Rowan\t wiped\t at\t his nose,\t and\t in\t the\t flash\t of\t lightning,\t she\t beheld\t the\t blood.\t \u201cYou\t were\t right.\t The\t three creatures\tlook\tlike\tmen,\tbut\taren\u2019t\tmen.\tWhatever\tdwells\tinside\ttheir\tskin\tis\t\u2026\tdisgusting isn\u2019t\t the\t right\t word.\t It\t was\t as\t if\t my\t magic,\t my\t blood\u2014my\t very\t essence\t was\t repelled\t by them.\u201d\tHe\texamined\tthe\tblood\ton\this\tfingers.\t\u201cAll\tof\tthem\tseem\tto\tbe\twaiting.\u201d Three\tof\tthose\tthings.\tJust\tone\thad\tnearly\tkilled\ther.\t\u201cWaiting\tfor\twhat?\u201d Rowan\u2019s\tanimal\teyes\tglowed\tas\tthey\tfixed\ton\ther.\t\u201cWhy\tdon\u2019t\tyou\ttell\tme?\u201d \u201cThe\t king\t never\t said\t anything\t about\t this.\t He\u2014he\t \u2026\u201d\t Had\t something\t gone\t wrong\t in Adarlan?\t Had\t Chaol\t somehow\t told\t the\t king\t who\t and\t what\t she\t was,\t and\t the\t king\t sent these\t men\t here\t to\t \u2026\t No,\t it\t had\t to\t have\t taken\t weeks,\t months,\t to\t get\t these\t creatures smuggled\there.\t\u201cSend\tword\tfor\tWendlyn\u2019s\tforces\u2014warn\tthem\tright\tnow.\u201d \u201cEven\t if\t I\t reached\t Varese\t tomorrow,\t it\t would\t take\t over\t a\t week\t to\t get\t here\t on\t foot. Most\tof\tthe\tunits\thave\tbeen\tdeployed\tin\tthe\tnorth\tall\tspring.\u201d \u201cWe\tstill\tneed\tto\twarn\tthem\tthat\tthey\u2019re\tat\trisk.\u201d \u201cUse\tyour\thead.\tThere\tare\tendless\tcaves\tand\tplaces\tto\thide\talong\tthe\twestern\tcoastline. And\tyet\tthey\tpick\there,\tthis\taccess\tpoint.\u201d She\t visualized\t the\t map\t of\t the\t area.\t \u201cThe\t mountain\t road\t will\t take\t them\t past\t the fortress.\u201d\t Her\t blood\t chilled,\t and\t even\t her\t magic,\t flickering\t in\t an\t attempt\t to\t soothe\t her, could\t not\t warm\t her\t as\t she\t said,\t \u201cNo\u2014not\t past.\t To\t the\t fortress.\t They\u2019re\t going\t after\t the demi-Fae.\u201d A\t slow,\t grave\t nod.\t \u201cI\t think\t those\t bodies\t we\t found\t were\t experiments.\t To\t learn\t the weaknesses\t and\t strengths\t of\t the\t demi-Fae,\t to\t learn\t which\t ones\t were\t \u2026\t compatible\t with whatever\tit\tis\tthey\tdo\tto\twarp\tbeings.\tWith\tthese\tnumbers,\tI\u2019d\tsuggest\tthis\tunit\twas\tsent here\tto\tcapture\tand\tretrieve\tthe\tdemi-Fae,\tor\tto\twipe\tout\ta\tpotential\tthreat.\u201d Because\t if\t they\t could\t not\t be\t converted\t and\t enslaved\t to\t Adarlan,\t then\t the\t demi-Fae could\tbe\tconvinced\tto\tpotentially\tfight\tfor\tWendlyn\tin\ta\twar.\tThey\tcould\tbe\tthe\tstrongest warriors\tin\tWendlyn\u2019s\tforces\u2014and\tcause\tmore\tthan\ta\tbit\tof\ttrouble\tfor\tAdarlan\tas\ta\tresult. She\tlifted\ther\tchin\tand\tsaid,\t\u201cThen\tright\tnow\u2014right\tnow,\twe\u2019ll\tgo\tdown\tto\tthat\tbeach and\t unleash\t our\t magic\t on\t them\t all.\t While\t they\u2019re\t sleeping.\u201d\t She\t turned,\t even\t as\t part\t of her\tsoul\tstarted\tbucking\tand\tthrashing\tat\tthe\tthought\tof\tit. Rowan\t grabbed\t her\t elbow.\t \u201cIf\t I\t had\t thought\t there\t was\t a\t way\t to\t do\t it,\t I\t would\t have suffocated\tthem\tall.\tBut\twe\tcan\u2019t\u2014not\twithout\tendangering\tour\tlives\tin\tthe\tprocess.\u201d \u201cBelieve\tme,\tI\tcan\tand\tI\twill.\u201d\tThey\twere\tAdarlan\u2019s\tsoldiers\u2014they\thad\tbutchered\tand pillaged\tand\tdone\tmore\tevil\tthan\tshe\tcould\tstomach.\tShe\tcould\tdo\tit.\tShe\twould\tdo\tit. \u201cNo.\tYou\tphysically\tcannot\tharm\tthem,\tAelin.\tNot\tright\tnow.\tThey\tknow\tenough\tabout","those\t Wyrdmarks\t to\t have\t protected\t their\t whole\t rutting\t camp\t from\t our\t kind\t of\t magic. Wards\u2014like\tthe\tstones\taround\tthe\tfortress,\tbut\tdifferent.\tThey\twear\tiron\teverywhere\tthey can,\tin\ttheir\tweapons,\tin\ttheir\tarmor.\tThey\tknow\ttheir\tenemy\twell.\tWe\tmight\tbe\tgood,\tbut we\tcan\u2019t\ttake\tthem\ton\talone\tand\twalk\tout\tof\tthose\tcaves\talive.\u201d Celaena\tpaced,\trunning\ther\thands\tthrough\ther\train-wet\thair,\tand\tthen\trealized\the\thadn\u2019t finished.\t\u201cSay\tit,\u201d\tshe\tdemanded. \u201cNarrok\t is\t in\t the\t very\t back\t of\t the\t caves,\t in\t a\t private\t chamber.\t He\t is\t like\t them,\t a creature\twearing\tthe\tskin\tof\ta\tman.\tHe\tsends\tout\this\tthree\tmonsters\tto\tretrieve\tthe\tdemi- Fae,\tand\tthey\tbring\tthem\tback\tto\tthe\tcave\u2014for\thim\tto\texperiment\ton.\u201d She\tknew,\tthen,\twhy\tRowan\thad\tmoved\ther\tinto\tthe\ttrees,\tfar\tfrom\tthe\tbeach.\tNot\tfor safety,\tbut\tbecause\u2014because\tthere\twas\ta\tdemi-Fae\tin\tthere\tright\tnow. \u201cI\ttried\tto\tcut\toff\ther\tair\u2014to\tmake\tit\teasier\tfor\ther,\u201d\tRowan\tsaid.\t\u201cBut\tthey\thave\ther\tin too\t much\t iron,\t and\t \u2026\t she\t won\u2019t\t make\t it\t through\t the\t night,\t even\t if\t we\t go\t in\t there\t now. She\tis\talready\ta\thusk,\tbarely\table\tto\tbreathe.\tThere\tis\tno\tcoming\tback\tfrom\twhat\tthey\u2019ve done.\t They\u2019ve\t fed\t on\t the\t very\t life\t of\t her,\t trapping\t her\t in\t her\t mind,\t making\t her\t relive whatever\thorrors\tand\tmiseries\tshe\u2019s\talready\tencountered.\u201d Even\t the\t fire\t in\t her\t blood\t froze.\t \u201cIt\t truly\t fed\t on\t me\t that\t day\t in\t the\t barrows,\u201d\t she whispered.\t \u201cIf\t I\t hadn\u2019t\t managed\t to\t escape,\t it\t would\t have\t drained\t me\t like\t that.\u201d\t A\t low, confirming\tgrowl\trippled\tout\tof\tRowan. Nauseated,\tCelaena\tscrubbed\tat\ther\tface\u2014tipped\ther\thead\tback\tto\tthe\train\ttrickling\tin from\tthe\tcanopy\tabove,\tthen\tfinally\ttook\ta\tlong\tbreath\tand\tfaced\tRowan.\t\u201cWe\tcannot\tkill them\t with\t our\t magic\t while\t they\t are\t encamped.\t Wendlyn\u2019s\t forces\t are\t too\t far\t away,\t and Narrok\t is\t going\t after\t the\t demi-Fae\t with\t three\t of\t those\t monsters\t plus\t two\t hundred soldiers.\u201d\tShe\twas\tthinking\taloud,\tbut\tRowan\tnodded\tanyway.\t\u201cHow\tmany\tof\tthe\tsentries at\tMistward\thave\tactually\tseen\tbattle?\u201d \u201cThirty\tor\tless.\tAnd\tsome,\tlike\tMalakai,\tare\ttoo\told,\tbut\twill\tfight\tanyway\u2014and\tdie.\u201d Rowan\t walked\t deeper\t into\t the\t woods.\t She\t followed\t him,\t if\t only\t because\t she\t knew\t if she\ttook\tone\tstep\tcloser\tto\tthe\tbeach,\tshe\twould\tgo\tafter\tthat\tfemale.\tFrom\tthe\ttension\tin Rowan\u2019s\tshoulders,\tshe\tknew\the\tfelt\tthe\tsame. The\train\tceased,\tand\tCelaena\tpulled\tback\ther\thood\tto\tlet\tthe\tmisty\tair\tsoak\tinto\ther\ttoo- hot\tface.\tThis\tarea\twas\tfull\tof\tshepherds\tand\tfarmers\tand\tfishermen.\tAside\tfrom\tthe\tdemi- Fae,\tthere\twas\tno\tone\telse\tto\tfight\tthe\tcreatures.\tThey\thad\tno\tadvantage,\tsave\tfor\tknowing their\tterritory\tbetter\tthan\ttheir\tenemy.\tThey\twould\tsend\tword\tto\tWendlyn,\tof\tcourse,\tand maybe,\tmaybe\thelp\twould\tarrive\tin\tthe\tnext\tweek. Rowan\t held\t up\t a\t fist,\t and\t she\t halted\t as\t he\t scanned\t the\t trees\t ahead\t and\t behind.\t With expert\t quietness,\t he\t unsheathed\t one\t of\t the\t blades\t in\t his\t vambraces.\t The\t smell\t hit\t her\t a second\tlater\u2014the\tstench\tof\twhatever\tthose\tcreatures\twere\tbeneath\tthe\tmortal\tmeat. \u201cOnly\tone.\u201d\tHe\twas\tso\tquiet\tshe\tcould\thardly\thear\teven\twith\ther\tFae\tears. \u201cThat\u2019s\tnot\treassuring,\u201d\tshe\tsaid\twith\tequal\tsoftness,\tdrawing\ther\town\tdagger. Rowan\tpointed.\t\u201cHe\u2019s\tcoming\tdead\tat\tus.\tYou\thead\tto\tthe\tright\tfor\ttwenty\tyards,\tI\u2019ll\tgo","left.\tWhen\the\u2019s\tbetween\tus,\twait\tfor\tmy\tsignal,\tthen\tstrike.\tNo\tmagic\u2014it\tmight\tattract\ttoo much\tattention\tif\tothers\tare\tnearby.\tKeep\tit\tquick\tand\tquiet\tand\tfast.\u201d \u201cRowan,\tthis\tthing\u2014\u201d \u201cQuick\tand\tquiet\tand\tfast.\u201d His\t green\t eyes\t flashed,\t but\t she\t held\t his\t stare.\t It\t fed\t on\t me\t and\t would\t have\t turned\t me into\ta\thusk,\tshe\tsilently\tsaid.\tWe\tcould\teasily\tmeet\tthat\tfate right\tnow. You\twere\tunprepared,\the\tseemed\tto\tsay.\tAnd\tI\twas\tnot\twith\tyou. This\tis\tinsane.\tI\tfaced\tone\tof\tthe\tdefective\tones,\ttoo,\tand\tit\talmost\tkilled\tme. Scared,\tPrincess? Yes,\tand\twisely\tso. But\the\twas\tright.\tThese\twere\ttheir\twoods,\tand\tthey\twere\twarriors.\tThis\ttime,\tit\twould be\tdifferent.\tSo\tshe\tnodded,\ta\tsoldier\taccepting\torders,\tand\tdid\tnot\tbother\twith\tfarewells before\t she\t slipped\t into\t the\t trees.\t She\t made\t her\t footfalls\t light,\t counting\t the\t distance, listening\tto\tthe\tforest\taround\tthem,\tkeeping\ther\tbreathing\tsteady. She\t ducked\t behind\t a\t mossy\t tree\t and\t drew\t her\t other\t blade.\t The\t smell\t deepened\t into\t a steady\treek\tthat\tmade\ther\thead\tpound.\tAs\tthe\tclouds\toverhead\tcleared\tfurther,\tthe\tstarlight faintly\tilluminated\tthe\tlow-lying\tmist\ton\tthe\tloamy\tearth.\tNothing. She\t was\t starting\t to\t wonder\t whether\t Rowan\t had\t been\t mistaken\t when\t the\t creature appeared\t between\t the\t trees\t ahead\u2014closer\t to\t her\t than\t she\u2019d\t anticipated.\t Much,\t much closer. She\tfelt\thim\tfirst:\tthe\tsmudge\tof\tblackness,\tthe\tsilence\tthat\tenveloped\thim\tlike\tan\textra cloak.\tEven\tthe\tfog\tseemed\tto\tpull\taway\tfrom\thim. Beneath\this\thood,\tshe\tcould\tonly\tglimpse\tpale\tskin\tand\tsensual\tlips.\tHe\tdid\tnot\tbother with\t weapons.\t But\t it\t was\t his\t nails\t that\t made\t her\t breath\t catch.\t Long,\t sharp\t nails\t that\t she remembered\tall\ttoo\twell\u2014how\tthey\u2019d\tfelt\twhen\tthey\tripped\tinto\ther\tin\tthe\tlibrary. Unlike\tthose\tnails,\tthese\twere\tunbroken,\tthe\tpolished\tblack\tcurves\tgleaming.\tThe\tskin on\t his\t fingers\t was\t bone-white\t and\t flawless,\t too\t smooth\t to\t be\t natural.\t Indeed,\t she\t could have\t sworn\t she\t saw\t dark,\t glittering\t veins,\t a\t mockery\t of\t the\t blood\t that\t had\t once\t flowed there. Celaena\t didn\u2019t\t dare\t bat\t an\t eyelash\t as\t the\t thing\t turned\t his\t hooded\t head\t toward\t her. Rowan\tstill\tdidn\u2019t\tgive\tthe\tsignal.\tDid\the\trealize\thow\tclose\tit\twas? A\t wet\t trickle\t of\t warmth\t flowed\t onto\t her\t lips\t from\t one\t of\t her\t nostrils.\t She\t tensed, bracing\therself,\tand\twondered\thow\tfast\the\tcould\tmove\tand\thow\tdeeply\tshe\twould\thave\tto slice\twith\ther\tlong\tknives.\tThe\tsword\twould\tbe\ta\tlast\tresort,\tas\tit\twas\tmore\tcumbersome. Even\tif\tusing\tthe\tknives\tmeant\tgetting\tin\tclose. He\tscanned\tthe\ttrees,\tand\tCelaena\tpressed\tbehind\thers.\tThe\tcreature\tbeneath\tthe\tlibrary had\t torn\t through\t metal\t doors\t as\t if\t they\t were\t curtains.\t And\t it\t knew\t how\t to\t use\t the Wyrdmarks\u2014","She\tglanced\tout\tin\ttime\tto\tsee\thim\tstep\ttoward\ther\ttree,\tthe\tmovement\tdeadly\telegant and\t promising\t a\t long,\t painful\t end.\t He\t had\t not\t had\t his\t mind\t broken;\t he\t still\t retained\t the ability\t to\t think,\t to\t calculate.\t These\t things\t were\t so\t good\t at\t their\t work,\t it\t seemed\t that\t the king\t had\t thought\t only\t three\t were\t necessary\t here.\t How\t many\t others\t remained\t hidden\t on her\tcontinent? The\tforest\thad\tfallen\tso\tstill\tthat\tshe\tcould\thear\ta\thuffing\tsound.\tHe\twas\tscenting\ther. Her\tmagic\tflared,\tand\tshe\tshoved\tit\tdown.\tShe\tdidn\u2019t\twant\ther\tmagic\ttouching\tthis\tthing, with\tor\twithout\tRowan\u2019s\tcommand.\tThe\tcreature\tsniffed\tagain\u2014and\ttook\tanother\tstep\tin her\tdirection.\tJust\tlike\tthat\tday\tat\tthe\tbarrows,\tthe\tair\tbegan\tto\thollow\tout,\tpulsing\tagainst her\tears.\tHer\tother\tnostril\tbegan\tto\tbleed.\tShit. The\tthought\thit\ther\tthen,\tand\tthe\tworld\tstumbled.\tWhat\tif\tit\thad\tgotten\tto\tRowan\tfirst? She\tdared\tanother\tglance\taround\tthe\ttree. The\tcreature\twas\tgone.","Chapter\t47 Celaena\tsilently\tswore,\tscanning\tthe\ttrees.\tWhere\tin\thell\thad\tthe\tcreature\tgone?\tThe\train began\t again,\t but\t the\t dead\t scent\t still\t clung\t to\t everything.\t She\t lifted\t her\t long\t dagger\t to angle\tit\tin\tRowan\u2019s\tdirection\u2014to\tsignal\thim\tto\tindicate\twhether\the\twas\tbreathing.\tHe\thad to\tbe;\tshe\twould\taccept\tno\tother\talternative.\tThe\tblade\twas\tso\tclean\tshe\tcould\tsee\ther\tface in\tit,\tsee\tthe\ttrees\tand\tthe\tsky\tand\u2014 And\tthe\tcreature\tnow\tstanding\tbehind\ther. Celaena\tpivoted,\tswiping\tfor\tits\texposed\tside,\tone\tblade\tangled\tto\tsink\tstraight\tinto\tits ribs,\tthe\tother\tslashing\tfor\tthe\tthroat.\tA\tmove\tshe\u2019d\tpracticed\tfor\tyears\tand\tyears,\tas\teasy as\tbreathing. But\t its\t black,\t depthless\t eyes\t met\t hers,\t and\t Celaena\t froze.\t In\t her\t body,\t her\t mind,\t her soul.\tHer\tmagic\tsputtered\tand\twent\tout. She\tscarcely\theard\tthe\tdamp\tthud\tof\ther\tblades\thitting\tthe\tearth.\tThe\train\ton\ther\tface dulled\tto\ta\tdistant\tsensation. The\t darkness\t around\t them\t spread,\t welcoming,\t embracing.\t Comforting.\t The\t creature pulled\tback\tthe\tcowl\tof\tits\tcloak. The\tface\twas\tyoung\tand\tmale\u2014unearthly\tperfection.\tAround\this\tneck,\ta\ttorque\tof\tdark stone\u2014Wyrdstone,\tshe\tvaguely\trecalled\u2014gleamed\tin\tthe\train.\tThis\twas\tthe\tgod\tof\tdeath incarnate.\t It\t was\t not\t with\t any\t mortal\t man\u2019s\t expression\t or\t voice\t that\t he\t smiled\t and\t said, \u201cYou.\u201d She\t couldn\u2019t\t look\t away.\t There\t were\t screams\t in\t the\t darkness\u2014screams\t she\t had drowned\tout\tfor\tso\tmany\tyears.\tBut\tnow\tthey\tbeckoned. His\tsmile\twidened,\trevealing\ttoo-white\tteeth,\tand\the\treached\ta\thand\tfor\ther\tthroat. So\tgentle,\tthose\ticy\tfingers,\tas\this\tthumb\tbrushed\ther\tneck,\tas\the\ttilted\ther\tface\tup\tto better\t stare\t into\t her\t eyes.\t \u201cYour\t agony\t tasted\t like\t wine,\u201d\t he\t murmured,\t peering\t into\t the core\tof\ther. Wind\t was\t tearing\t at\t her\t face,\t her\t arms,\t her\t stomach,\t roaring\t her\t name.\t But\t there\t was eternity\t and\t calm\t in\t his\t eyes,\t a\t promise\t of\t such\t sweet\t darkness,\t and\t she\t could\t not\t look away.\tIt\twould\tbe\ta\tblessed\trelief\tto\tlet\tgo.\tShe\tneed\tonly\tsurrender\tto\tthe\tdark,\tjust\tas\the asked.\tTake\tit,\tshe\twanted\tto\tsay,\ttried\tto\tsay.\tTake\teverything. A\tflash\tof\tsilver\tand\tsteel\tpierced\tthe\tinky\tveil,\tand\tanother\tcreature\u2014a\tmonster\tmade of\tfangs\tand\trage\tand\twind\u2014was\tthere,\tripping\ther\taway.\tShe\tclawed\tat\thim,\tbut\the\twas ice\u2014he\twas\t\u2026\tRowan. Rowan\twas\thauling\ther\taway,\tshouting\ther\tname,\tbut\tshe\tcouldn\u2019t\treach\thim,\tcouldn\u2019t stop\tthat\tpull\ttoward\tthe\tother\tcreature. Teeth\tpierced\tthe\tspot\tbetween\ther\tneck\tand\tshoulder,\tand\tshe\tjerked,\tlatching\ton\tto\tthe","pain\tas\tif\tit\twere\ta\trope\tyanking\ther\tout\tof\tthat\tsea\tof\tstupor,\tup,\tup,\tuntil\u2014 Rowan\tcrushed\ther\tagainst\thim\twith\tone\tarm,\tsword\tout,\ther\tblood\tdripping\tdown\this chin\tas\the\tbacked\taway\tfrom\tthe\tcreature\tthat\tlingered\tby\tthe\ttree.\tPain\u2014that\twas\twhy\tthe body\tthat\tmorning\thad\tbeen\tmarred.\tThe\tdemi-Fae\thad\ttried\tto\tuse\tphysical\tpain\tto\tbreak free\tof\tthese\tthings,\tto\tremind\tthe\tbody\tof\twhat\twas\treal\tand\tnot\treal. The\t creature\t huffed\t a\t laugh.\t Oh\t gods.\t It\t had\t placed\t her\t in\t its\t thrall.\t That\t swiftly,\t that easily.\tShe\thadn\u2019t\tstood\ta\tchance,\tand\tRowan\twasn\u2019t\tattacking\tbecause\u2014 Because\tin\tthe\tdark,\twith\tlimited\tweapons\tagainst\tan\tenemy\twho\tdid\tnot\tneed\tblades\tto kill\t them,\t even\t Rowan\t was\t outmatched.\t A\t true\t warrior\t knew\t when\t to\t walk\t away\t from\t a fight.\tRowan\tbreathed,\t\u201cWe\thave\tto\trun.\u201d There\t was\t another\t low\t laugh\t from\t the\t creature,\t who\t stepped\t closer.\t Rowan\t pulled them\tfarther\tback.\t\u201cYou\tcan\ttry,\u201d\tit\tsaid\tin\tthat\tvoice\tthat\tdid\tnot\tcome\tfrom\ther\tworld. That\twas\tall\tCelaena\tneeded\tto\thear.\tShe\tflung\tout\ther\tmagic. A\t wall\t of\t flame\t sprang\t up\t as\t she\t and\t Rowan\t sprinted\t away,\t a\t shield\t into\t which\t she poured\t every\t ounce\t of\t will\t and\t horror\t and\t shame,\t damning\t the\t consequences.\t The creature\t hissed,\t but\t she\t didn\u2019t\t know\t if\t it\t was\t due\t to\t the\t light\t stinging\t its\t eyes\t or\t merely frustration. She\tdidn\u2019t\tcare.\tIt\tbought\tthem\ttime,\ta\twhole\tminute\thurtling\tuphill\tthrough\tthe\ttrees. Then\tcrashing\tcame\tfrom\tbehind,\tthat\treeking\tstain\tof\tdarkness\tspreading\tlike\ta\tweb. Rowan\t knew\t the\t woods,\t knew\t how\t to\t hide\t their\t trail.\t It\t bought\t them\t more\t time\t and distance.\t The\t creature\t stalked\t them,\t even\t as\t Rowan\t used\t his\t wind\t to\t blow\t their\t scent away. Mile\tafter\tmile\tthey\tran,\tuntil\ther\tbreath\twas\tlike\tshards\tof\tglass\tin\ther\tlungs\tand\teven Rowan\t seemed\t to\t be\t tiring.\t They\t weren\u2019t\t going\t to\t the\t fortress\u2014no,\t they\t wouldn\u2019t\t lead this\tthing\twithin\tten\tmiles\tof\tthere.\tRather,\tthey\theaded\tinto\tthe\tCambrian\tMountains,\tthe air\tgrowing\tchilled,\tthe\thills\tsteeper.\tStill\tthe\tcreature\tfollowed. \u201cHe\t won\u2019t\t stop,\u201d\t Celaena\t panted\t as\t they\t hauled\t themselves\t up\t a\t harrowing\t incline, almost\ton\tall\tfours.\tShe\tpushed\tagainst\tthe\turge\tto\tfall\tto\ther\tknees\tand\tvomit.\t\u201cHe\u2019s\tlike\ta hound\ton\ta\tscent.\u201d\tHer\tscent.\tFar\tbelow,\tthe\tthing\tprowled\tafter\tthem. Rowan\t bared\t his\t teeth,\t rain\t sluicing\t down\t his\t face.\t \u201cThen\t I\u2019ll\t run\t him\t down\t until\t he drops\tdead.\u201d Lightning\t illuminated\t a\t deer\t path\t atop\t the\t hill.\t \u201cRowan,\u201d\t she\t panted.\t \u201cRowan,\t I\t have an\tidea.\u201d Celaena\twondered\tif\tshe\tstill\thad\ta\tdeath\twish. Or\tperhaps\tthe\tgod\tof\tdeath\tjust\tliked\tto\tplay\twith\ther\ttoo\tmuch. It\t was\t another\t uphill\t trek\t to\t the\t trees\t whose\t bark\t had\t been\t skinned\t off.\t And\t then\t she made\t herself\t a\t merry\t fire\t and\t burned\t a\t torch\t beside\t a\t forgotten\t road,\t the\t light\t shining through\tthose\tskinless\ttrees.","Far\t below,\t she\t prayed\t that\t Rowan\t was\t keeping\t the\t creature\t occupied\t the\t way\t she\u2019d told\thim\tto\u2014leading\tit\tin\tcircles\twith\tthe\tscent\ton\ther\ttunic. Screee\t went\t the\t whetting\t stone\t down\t her\t dagger\t as\t she\t perched\t atop\t a\t large\t rock. Despite\ther\tincessant\ttrembling,\tshe\thummed\tas\tshe\tsharpened,\ta\tsymphony\tshe\u2019d\tgone\tto see\t performed\t in\t Rifthold\t every\t year\t until\t her\t enslavement.\t She\t controlled\t her\t breathing and\t focused\t on\t counting\t the\t minutes,\t wondering\t how\t long\t she\t could\t remain\t before\t she had\tto\tfind\tanother\tway.\tScreee. A\trotting\tscent\tstuffed\titself\tup\ther\tnose,\tand\tthe\talready\tquiet\tforest\twent\tstill. Screee.\tNot\ther\town\tblade\tsharpening\tbut\tanother\u2019s,\talmost\tin\tanswer\tto\ther\town. She\tsagged\tin\trelief\tand\tran\tthe\twhetting\tstone\tdown\ther\tdagger\tone\tmore\ttime\tbefore standing,\twilling\tstrength\tto\ther\tknees.\tShe\tdid\tnot\tallow\therself\tto\tflinch\twhen\tshe\tbeheld the\tfive\tof\tthem\tstanding\tbeyond\tthe\tskinned\ttrees,\ttall\tand\tlean\tand\tbearing\ttheir\twicked tools. Run,\t her\t body\t screamed,\t but\t she\t held\t her\t ground.\t Lifted\t her\t chin\t and\t smiled\t into\t the dark.\t\u201cI\u2019m\tglad\tyou\treceived\tmy\tinvitation.\u201d\tNot\ta\thint\tof\tsound\tor\tmovement.\t\u201cYour\tfour friends\t decided\t to\t come\t uninvited\t to\t my\t last\t campfire\u2014and\t it\t didn\u2019t\t end\t well\t for\t them. But\tI\u2019m\tsure\tyou\tknow\tthat\talready.\u201d Another\t one\t sharpened\t his\t blades,\t firelight\t shivering\t on\t the\t jagged\t metal.\t \u201cFae\t bitch. We\u2019ll\ttake\tour\tsweet\ttime\twith\tyou.\u201d She\tsketched\ta\tbow,\teven\tthough\ther\tstomach\twas\theaving\tat\tthe\treek\tof\tcarrion,\tand waved\ther\ttorch\tas\tif\tit\twere\ta\tbaton\tat\twhat\tawaited\tbelow.\t\u201cOh,\tI\tcertainly\thope\tyou\tdo,\u201d she\tsaid. Before\tthey\tcould\tsurround\ther,\tshe\tburst\tinto\ta\tsprint. Celaena\tknew\tthey\twere\tnear\tnot\tbecause\tof\tthe\tcrashing\tbrush\tor\tthe\twhip\tof\ttheir\tblades through\tthe\tair\tbut\tfrom\tthe\tstench\tthat\ttore\tgnarled\tfingers\tthrough\ther\tsenses.\tClutching her\t torch\t in\t one\t hand,\t she\t used\t the\t other\t to\t keep\t herself\t aloft\t as\t she\t bounded\t down\t the steep\troad,\tdodging\trocks\tand\tbrambles\tand\tloose\tstones. It\t was\t a\t mile\t down\t to\t where\t she\u2019d\t told\t Rowan\t to\t lead\t the\t creature,\t a\t mad\t flight through\tthe\tdark.\tAnkles\tand\tknees\tbarking\tin\tprotest,\tshe\tleapt\tand\tran,\tthe\tskinwalkers closing\tin\taround\ther\tlike\twolves\ton\ta\tdeer. The\t key\t was\t not\t to\t panic\u2014panic\t made\t you\t stupid.\t Panic\t got\t you\t killed.\t There\t was\t a piercing\t cry\u2014a\t hawk\u2019s\t screech.\t Rowan\t was\t exactly\t where\t they\u2019d\t planned,\t the\t king\u2019s creature\t perhaps\t a\t minute\t behind\t and\t slinking\t through\t the\t brush.\t Right\t by\t the\t creek, where\tshe\tdumped\ther\ttorch.\tRight\twhere\tthe\troad\tcurved\taround\ta\tboulder. The\tancient\troad\twent\tone\tway,\tbut\tshe\twent\tanother.\tA\twind\tshoved\tpast,\tgoing\tin\tthe direction\tof\tthe\troad.\tShe\tthrew\therself\tbehind\ta\ttree,\ta\thand\tover\ther\tmouth\tto\tkeep\ther jagged\tbreaths\tcontained\tas\tthe\twind\tpushed\ther\tscent\taway. A\t heartbeat\t later,\t a\t hard\t body\t enveloped\t hers,\t shielding\t and\t sheltering.\t And\t then\t five pairs\t of\t bare\t feet\t slithered\t along\t the\t road,\t after\t the\t scent\t that\t now\t darted\t and\t hurtled","down,\tdown\tto\tthe\tcreature\trunning\tright\tat\tthem. She\tpressed\ther\tface\tinto\tRowan\u2019s\tchest.\tHis\tarms\twere\tsolid\tas\twalls,\this\tassortment of\tweapons\tjust\tas\treassuring. At\t last,\t he\t tugged\t at\t her\t sleeve,\t nudging\t her\t upward\u2014to\t climb.\t In\t a\t few\t deft movements,\tshe\thauled\therself\tup\tthe\ttree\tto\ta\twide\tbranch\tnear\tits\ttop.\tA\tmoment\tlater, Rowan\twas\tbehind\ther,\tsitting\tagainst\tthe\ttrunk.\tHe\tpulled\ther\tagainst\thim,\ther\tback\tto\this chest\tas\the\tfolded\this\tarms\taround\ther,\thiding\ther\tscent\tfrom\tthe\tmonsters\traging\tbelow. A\tminute\tpassed\tbefore\tthe\tscreaming\tbegan\u2014bleating\tshrieks\tand\tshouts\tand\troars\tof two\t different\t sets\t of\t monsters\t who\t knew\t death\t was\t upon\t them,\t and\t the\t face\t it\t bore\t was not\tkind. For\t the\t better\t part\t of\t half\t an\t hour,\t the\t creatures\t fought\t in\t the\t rainy\t dark,\t until\t those wretched\tshrieks\tturned\tvictorious,\tand\tthe\tunearthly\troars\tsounded\tno\tmore. Celaena\t and\t Rowan\t held\t tight\t to\t each\t other\t and\t did\t not\t dare\t close\t their\t eyes\t for\t the entirety\tof\tthe\tnight.","Chapter\t48 There\t was\t no\t uproar,\t no\t hysteria\t when\t they\t told\t the\t fortress\t what\t they\u2019d\t discovered. Malakai\t immediately\t dispatched\t messengers\t to\t Wendlyn\u2019s\t king\t to\t beg\t for\t help;\t to\t the other\tdemi-Fae\tsettlements\tto\torder\tthose\twho\tcould\tnot\tfight\tto\tflee;\tand\tto\tthe\thealers\u2019 compound,\tto\thelp\tevery\tsingle\tpatient\twho\twas\tnot\tbed-bound\tevacuate. Messengers\treturned\tfrom\tthe\tking,\tpromising\tas\tmany\tmen\tas\tcould\tbe\tspared.\tIt\twas a\t relief,\t Celaena\t thought\u2014but\t a\t bit\t of\t a\t terror,\t too.\t If\t Galan\t showed\t up,\t if\t any\t of\t her mother\u2019s\t kin\t arrived\t here\t \u2026\t She\t wouldn\u2019t\t care,\t she\t told\t herself.\t There\t were\t bigger matters\tat\thand.\tAnd\tso\tshe\tprayed\tfor\ttheir\tswift\tarrival,\tand\tprepared\twith\tthe\trest\tof\tthe fortress\u2019s\t residents.\t They\t would\t face\t the\t threat\t head-on,\t starting\t by\t taking\t out\t the\t two hundred\t mortal\t soldiers\t that\t accompanied\t Narrok\t and\t his\t three\t creatures\t as\t soon\t as\t they left\ttheir\tprotected\tcaves. Rowan\t seized\t control\t of\t the\t fortress\t with\t no\t fuss\u2014only\t gratitude\t from\t the\t others, actually.\t Even\t Malakai\t thanked\t the\t prince\t as\t Rowan\t set\t about\t organizing\t rotations, delegating\t tasks,\t and\t planning\t their\t survival.\t They\t had\t a\t few\t days\t until\t reinforcements arrived\tand\tthey\tcould\tlaunch\ttheir\tassault,\tbut\tshould\ttheir\tenemy\tmarch\tsooner,\tRowan wanted\t them\t slowed\t down\t and\t incapacitated\t as\t much\t as\t possible\t until\t help\t arrived.\t The demi-Fae\twere\tnot\tan\tarmy\tand\tdid\tnot\thave\tthe\tresources\tof\ta\tfully\tstocked\tfortress,\tso Rowan\tdeclared\tthey\u2019d\tmake\tdo\twith\twhat\tthey\tdid\tpossess:\ttheir\twits,\tdetermination,\tand knowledge\t of\t the\t terrain.\t From\t the\t sound\t of\t it,\t somehow\t the\t skinwalkers\t had\t brought down\t one\t of\t the\t creatures,\t so\t they\t weren\u2019t\t truly\t invincible\u2014but\t without\t a\t body\t the following\tmorning,\tthey\thadn\u2019t\tlearned\thow\tit\thad\tbeen\tkilled. Rowan\t and\t Celaena\t went\t out\t with\t the\t small\t groups\t that\t were\t preparing\t the\t forest\t for the\t attack.\t If\t Narrok\u2019s\t force\t was\t going\t to\t take\t the\t deer\t path\t to\t sack\t the\t fortress,\t then they\u2019d\tfind\tthemselves\ttaking\tit\tthrough\tpitfall-laden\tterritory:\tthrough\tglens\tof\tvenomous creatures,\t over\t concealed\t holes\t full\t of\t spikes,\t and\t into\t snares\t at\t every\t turn.\t It\t might\t not kill\t them,\t but\t it\t would\t slow\t them\t down\t enough\t to\t buy\t more\t time\t for\t aid\t to\t come.\t And should\tthey\twind\tup\tunder\tsiege,\tthere\twas\ta\tsecret\ttunnel\tleading\tout\tof\tthe\tfortress\titself, so\t ancient\t and\t neglected\t that\t most\t of\t the\t residents\t hadn\u2019t\t even\t known\t it\t existed\t until Malakai\tmentioned\tit.\tIt\twas\tbetter\tthan\tnothing. A\t few\t days\t later,\t Rowan\t assembled\t a\t small\t group\t of\t captains\t around\t a\t table\t in\t the dining\thall.\t\u201cBas\u2019s\tscouting\tteam\treported\tthat\tthe\tcreatures\tlook\tlike\tthey\u2019re\treadying\tto move\tin\ta\tfew\tdays,\u201d\the\tsaid,\tpointing\tto\ta\tmap.\t\u201cAre\tthe\tfirst\tand\tsecond\tmiles\tof\ttraps almost\tdone?\u201d\tThe\tcaptains\tgave\ttheir\tconfirmation.\t\u201cGood.\tTomorrow,\tI\twant\tyour\tmen preparing\tthe\tnext\tfew\tmiles,\ttoo.\u201d Standing\tbeside\tRowan,\tCelaena\twatched\tas\the\tled\tthem\tthrough\tthe\tmeeting,\tkeeping track\t of\t all\t the\t various\t legs\t and\t arms\t of\t their\t plan\u2014not\t to\t mention\t remembering\t all\t the names\t of\t the\t captains,\t their\t soldiers,\t and\t what\t they\t were\t responsible\t for.\t He\t remained calm\tand\tsteady\u2014fierce,\teven\u2014despite\tthe\thell\tthat\tmight\tsoon\tbe\tupon\tthem.","Glancing\t at\t the\t demi-Fae\t assembled,\t their\t attention\t wholly\t on\t Rowan,\t she\t could\t see that\tthey\tclung\tto\tthat\tsteadiness,\tthat\tcold\tdetermination\tand\tclever\tmind\u2014and\tcenturies of\t experience.\t She\t envied\t him\t for\t it.\t And\t beneath\t that,\t with\t a\t growing\t heaviness\t she could\tnot\tcontrol,\tshe\twished\tthat\twhen\tshe\tleft\tthis\tcontinent\t\u2026\tshe\twouldn\u2019t\tgo\talone. \u201cGet\tsome\tsleep.\tYou\u2019re\tno\tuse\tto\tme\tcompletely\tdazed.\u201d She\t blinked.\t She\u2019d\t been\t staring\t at\t him.\t The\t meeting\t was\t over,\t the\t captains\t already walking\taway\tto\tattend\tto\ttheir\tvarious\ttasks. \u201cSorry.\u201d\tShe\trubbed\ther\teyes.\tThey\u2019d\tbeen\tup\tsince\tbefore\tdawn,\treadying\tthe\tlast\tfew miles\tof\tpath,\tchecking\tthat\tall\tthe\ttraps\twere\tsecure.\tWorking\twith\thim\twas\tso\teffortless. There\twas\tno\tjudgment,\tno\tneed\tto\texplain\therself.\tShe\tknew\tno\tone\twould\tever\treplace Nehemia,\tand\tshe\tnever\twanted\tanyone\tto,\tbut\tRowan\tmade\ther\tfeel\t\u2026\tbetter.\tAs\tif\tshe could\tfinally\tbreathe\tafter\tmonths\tof\tsuffocating.\tYet\tnow\t\u2026 He\twas\tstill\twatching\ther,\tfrowning.\t\u201cJust\tsay\tit.\u201d She\texamined\tthe\tmap\ton\tthe\ttable\tbetween\tthem.\t\u201cWe\tcan\thandle\tthe\tmortal\tsoldiers, but\t those\t creatures\t and\t Narrok\t \u2026\t if\t we\t had\t Fae\t warriors\u2014like\t your\t companion\t who came\t to\t receive\t his\t tattoo\u201d\u2014she\t didn\u2019t\t think\t calling\t him\t Rowan\u2019s\t kitty-cat\t friend\t would help\ther\tcase\tthis\ttime\u2014\u201cor\tall\tfive\tof\tyour\tcadre,\teven,\tit\tcould\tturn\tthe\ttide.\u201d\tShe\ttraced the\tline\tof\tmountains\tthat\tseparated\tthese\tlands\tfrom\tthe\timmortal\tones\tbeyond.\t\u201cBut\tyou have\tnot\tsent\tfor\tthem.\tWhy?\u201d \u201cYou\tknow\twhy.\u201d \u201cWould\tMaeve\torder\tyou\thome\tout\tof\tspite\tfor\tthe\tdemi-Fae?\u201d His\tjaw\ttightened.\t\u201cFor\ta\tfew\treasons,\tI\tthink.\u201d \u201cAnd\tthis\tis\tthe\tperson\tyou\tchose\tto\tserve.\u201d \u201cI\tknew\twhat\tI\twas\tdoing\twhen\tI\tdrank\ther\tblood\tto\tseal\tthe\toath.\u201d \u201cThen\t let\u2019s\t hope\t Wendlyn\u2019s\t reinforcements\t get\t here\t quickly.\u201d\t She\t pursed\t her\t lips\t and turned\tto\tgo\tto\ttheir\troom.\tHe\tgripped\ther\twrist. \u201cDon\u2019t\tdo\tthat.\u201d\tA\tmuscle\tfeathered\tin\this\tjaw.\t\u201cDon\u2019t\tlook\tat\tme\tlike\tthat.\u201d \u201cLike\twhat?\u201d \u201cWith\tthat\t\u2026\tdisgust.\u201d \u201cI\u2019m\tnot\u2014\u201d\tBut\the\tgave\ther\ta\tsharp\tlook.\tShe\tsighed.\t\u201cThis\t\u2026\tall\tthis,\tRowan\t\u2026\u201d\tShe waved\ta\thand\tto\tthe\tmap,\tto\tthe\tdoors\tthe\tdemi-Fae\thad\tpassed\tthrough,\tto\tthe\tsounds\tof people\treadying\ttheir\tsupplies\tand\tdefenses\tin\tthe\tcourtyard.\t\u201cFor\twhatever\tit\u2019s\tworth,\tall of\tthis\tjust\tproves\tthat\tshe\tdoesn\u2019t\tdeserve\tyou.\tI\tthink\tyou\tknow\tthat,\ttoo.\u201d He\tlooked\taway.\t\u201cThat\tisn\u2019t\tyour\tconcern.\u201d \u201cI\tknow.\tBut\tI\tthought\tyou\tshould\tstill\thear\tit.\u201d He\tdidn\u2019t\trespond,\twouldn\u2019t\teven\tmeet\ther\teyes,\tso\tshe\twalked\taway.\tShe\tlooked\tover her\tshoulder\tonce,\tto\tfind\thim\tstill\thunched\tover\tthe\ttable,\thands\tbraced\ton\tits\tsurface,\tthe powerful\tmuscles\tof\this\tback\tvisible\tthrough\this\tshirt.\tAnd\tshe\tknew\the\twasn\u2019t\tlooking\tat","the\tmap,\tnot\treally. But\t saying\t that\t she\t wished\t he\t could\t return\t with\t her\t to\t Adarlan,\t to\t Terrasen,\t was pointless.\t He\t had\t no\t way\t to\t break\t his\t oath\t to\t Maeve,\t and\t she\t had\t nothing\t to\t entice\t him with\t even\t if\t he\t could.\t She\t was\t not\t a\t queen.\t She\t had\t no\t plans\t to\t be\t one,\t and\t even\t if\t she had\ta\tkingdom\tto\tgive\thim\tif\the\twere\tfree\t\u2026\tTelling\thim\tall\tthat\twas\tuseless. So\tshe\tleft\tRowan\tin\tthe\thall.\tBut\tit\tdid\tnot\tstop\ther\tfrom\twishing\tshe\tcould\tkeep\thim. The\t next\t afternoon,\t after\t washing\t her\t face\t and\t bandaging\t a\t burn\t on\t her\t forearm\t in Rowan\u2019s\troom,\tCelaena\twas\tjust\tcoming\tdown\tto\thelp\twith\tthe\tdinner\tpreparations\twhen she\t felt,\t rather\t than\t heard,\t the\t ripple\t of\t silence\t through\t the\t fortress,\t deeper\t and\t heavier than\tthe\tnervous\tquiet\tthat\thad\thovered\tover\tthe\tcompound\tthe\tlast\tfew\tdays. The\tfortress\thad\tnot\tbeen\tthis\ttense\tsince\tthat\tfirst\tnight\tMaeve\thad\tbeen\there. It\t was\t too\t soon\t for\t her\t aunt\t to\t be\t checking\t on\t her.\t She\t had\t little\t to\t show\t so\t far\t other than\ta\tfew\tsomewhat\tuseful\ttricks\tand\ther\tvarious\tshields. She\ttook\tthe\tstairs\ttwo\tat\ta\ttime\tuntil\tshe\treached\tthe\tkitchen.\tIf\tMaeve\tlearned\tabout the\tinvasion\tand\tordered\tRowan\tto\tleave\t\u2026\tBreathing,\tthinking\u2014those\twere\tthe\tkey\ttools to\tenduring\tthis\tencounter. The\theat\tand\tyeasty\tscent\thit\ther\tas\tshe\tbounded\tdown\tthe\tlast\tsteps,\tslowing\ther\tgait, lifting\t her\t chin,\t even\t though\t she\t doubted\t her\t aunt\t would\t condescend\t to\t meet\t in\t the kitchen.\tUnless\tshe\twanted\ther\tunbalanced.\tBut\u2014 But\tMaeve\twas\tnot\tin\tthe\tkitchen. Rowan\twas,\tand\this\tback\twas\tto\ther\tas\the\tstood\tat\tthe\tother\tend\twith\tEmrys,\tMalakai, and\tLuca,\ttalking\tquietly.\tCelaena\tstopped\tdead\tas\tshe\tbeheld\tat\tEmrys\u2019s\ttoo\tpale\tface,\tthe hand\tgripping\tMalakai\u2019s\tarm. As\tRowan\tturned\tto\ther,\tlips\tthin\tand\teyes\twide\twith\u2014with\tshock\tand\thorror\tand\tgrief \u2014the\tworld\tstopped\tdead,\ttoo. Rowan\u2019s\t arms\t hung\t slack\t at\t his\t sides,\t his\t fingers\t clenching\t and\t unclenching.\t For\t a heartbeat,\t she\t wondered\t if\t she\t went\t back\t upstairs,\t whatever\t he\t had\t to\t say\t would\t not\t be true. Rowan\t took\t a\t step\t toward\t her\u2014one\t step,\t and\t that\t was\t all\t it\t took\t before\t she\t began shaking\t her\t head,\t before\t she\t lifted\t her\t hands\t in\t front\t of\t her\t as\t if\t to\t push\t him\t away. \u201cPlease,\u201d\tshe\tsaid,\tand\ther\tvoice\tbroke.\t\u201cPlease.\u201d Rowan\tkept\tapproaching,\tthe\tbearer\tof\tsome\tinescapable\tdoom.\tAnd\tshe\tknew\tthat\tshe could\tnot\toutrun\tit,\tand\tcould\tnot\tfall\ton\ther\tknees\tand\tbeg\tfor\tit\tto\tbe\tundone. Rowan\t stopped\t within\t reach\t but\t did\t not\t touch\t her,\t his\t features\t hardening\t again\u2014not from\t cruelty.\t Because\t he\t knew,\t she\t realized,\t that\t one\t of\t them\t would\t have\t to\t hold\t it together.\tHe\tneeded\tto\tbe\tcalm\u2014needed\tto\tkeep\this\twits\tabout\thim\tfor\tthis. Rowan\t swallowed\t once.\t Twice.\t \u201cThere\t was\t \u2026\t there\t was\t an\t uprising\t at\t the\t Calaculla labor\tcamp,\u201d\the\tsaid.","Her\theart\tstumbled\ton\ta\tbeat. \u201cAfter\tPrincess\tNehemia\twas\tassassinated,\tthey\tsay\ta\tslave\tgirl\tkilled\ther\toverseer\tand sparked\tan\tuprising.\tThe\tslaves\tseized\tthe\tcamp.\u201d\tHe\ttook\ta\tshallow\tbreath.\t\u201cThe\tKing\tof Adarlan\tsent\ttwo\tlegions\tto\tget\tthe\tslaves\tunder\tcontrol.\tAnd\tthey\tkilled\tthem\tall.\u201d \u201cThe\t slaves\t killed\t his\t legions?\u201d\t A\t push\t of\t breath.\t There\t were\t thousands\t of\t slaves\t in Calaculla\u2014all\t of\t them\t together\t would\t be\t a\t mighty\t force,\t even\t for\t two\t of\t Adarlan\u2019s legions. With\thorrific\tgentleness,\tRowan\tgrasped\ther\thand.\t\u201cNo.\tThe\tsoldiers\tkilled\tevery\tslave in\tCalaculla.\u201d A\tcrack\tin\tthe\tworld,\tthrough\twhich\ta\tkeening\twail\tpushed\tin\tlike\ta\twave.\t\u201cThere\tare thousands\tof\tpeople\tenslaved\tin\tCalaculla.\u201d The\tresolve\tin\tRowan\u2019s\tcountenance\tsplintered\tas\the\tnodded.\tAnd\twhen\the\topened\tand closed\t his\t mouth,\t she\t realized\t it\t was\t not\t over.\t The\t only\t word\t she\t could\t breathe\t was \u201cEndovier?\u201d\tIt\twas\ta\tfool\u2019s\tplea. Slowly,\tso\tslowly,\tRowan\tshook\this\thead.\t\u201cOnce\the\tgot\tword\tof\tthe\tuprising\tin\tEyllwe, the\tKing\tof\tAdarlan\tsent\ttwo\tother\tlegions\tnorth.\tNone\twere\tspared\tin\tEndovier.\u201d She\t did\t not\t see\t Rowan\u2019s\t face\t when\t he\t gripped\t her\t arms\t as\t if\t he\t could\t keep\t her\t from falling\t into\t the\t abyss.\t No,\t all\t she\t could\t see\t were\t the\t slaves\t she\u2019d\t left\t behind,\t the\t ashy mountains\t and\t those\t mass\t graves\t they\t dug\t every\t day,\t the\t faces\t of\t her\t people,\t who\t had worked\t beside\t her\u2014her\t people\t whom\t she\t had\t left\t behind.\t Whom\t she\t had\t let\t herself forget,\t had\t let\t suffer;\t who\t had\t prayed\t for\t salvation,\t holding\t out\t hope\t that\t someone, anyone\twould\tremember\tthem. She\thad\tabandoned\tthem\u2014and\tshe\thad\tbeen\ttoo\tlate. Nehemia\u2019s\t people,\t the\t people\t of\t other\t kingdoms,\t and\u2014and\t her\t people.\t The\t people\t of Terrasen.\t The\t people\t her\t father\t and\t mother\t and\t court\t had\t loved\t so\t fiercely.\t There\t had been\trebels\tin\tEndovier\u2014rebels\twho\tfought\tfor\ther\tkingdom\twhen\tshe\t\u2026\twhen\tshe\thad been\t\u2026 There\twere\tchildren\tin\tEndovier.\tIn\tCalaculla. She\thad\tnot\tprotected\tthem. The\tkitchen\twalls\tand\tceiling\tcrushed\ther,\tthe\tair\ttoo\tthin,\ttoo\thot.\tRowan\u2019s\tface\tswam as\tshe\tpanted,\tpanted,\tfaster\tand\tfaster\u2014 He\tmurmured\ther\tname\ttoo\tsoftly\tfor\tthe\tothers\tto\thear. And\tthe\tsound\tof\tit,\tthat\tname\tthat\thad\tonce\tbeen\ta\tpromise\tto\tthe\tworld,\tthe\tname\tshe had\tspat\ton\tand\tdefiled,\tthe\tname\tshe\tdid\tnot\tdeserve\t\u2026 She\t tore\t off\t his\t grip,\t and\t then\t she\t was\t walking\t out\t the\t kitchen\t door,\t across\t the courtyard,\tthrough\tthe\tward-stones,\tand\talong\tthe\tinvisible\tbarrier\u2014until\tshe\tfound\ta\tspot just\tout\tof\tsight\tof\tthe\tfortress. The\tworld\twas\tfull\tof\tscreaming\tand\twailing,\tso\tloud\tshe\tdrowned\tin\tit. Celaena\t did\t not\t utter\t a\t sound\t as\t she\t unleashed\t her\t magic\t on\t the\t barrier,\t a\t blast\t that","shook\t the\t trees\t and\t set\t the\t earth\t rumbling.\t She\t fed\t her\t power\t into\t the\t invisible\t wall, begging\t the\t ancient\t stones\t to\t take\t it,\t to\t use\t it.\t The\t wards,\t as\t if\t sensing\t her\t intent, devoured\ther\tpower\twhole,\tabsorbing\tevery\tlast\tember\tuntil\tit\tflickered,\thungry\tfor\tmore. So\tshe\tburned\tand\tburned\tand\tburned.","Chapter\t49 For\t weeks\t now,\t Chaol\t hadn\u2019t\t had\t any\t contact\t with\t any\t of\t his\t friends\u2014allies,\t whatever they\thad\tbeen.\tSo,\tone\tlast\ttime,\tChaol\tslipped\tinto\tthe\trhythm\tof\this\told\tduties.\tThough\tit was\t more\t difficult\t than\t ever\t to\t oversee\t the\t king\u2019s\t luncheons,\t though\t making\t his\t reports was\tan\teffort\tof\twill,\the\tdid\tit.\tHe\thad\theard\tnothing\tfrom\tAedion\tor\tRen,\tand\tstill\thadn\u2019t yet\tasked\tDorian\tto\tuse\this\tmagic\tto\ttest\tout\ttheir\ttheories\tabout\tthe\tspell.\tHe\twas\tstarting to\twonder\tif\the\twas\tdone\tplaying\this\tpart\tin\tAelin\u2019s\tgrowing\trebellion. He\u2019d\t gathered\t enough\t information,\t crossed\t enough\t lines.\t Perhaps\t it\t was\t time\t to\t learn what\t could\t be\t done\t from\t Anielle.\t He\t would\t be\t closer\t to\t Morath,\t and\t maybe\t he\t could uncover\t what\t the\t king\t was\t brewing\t down\t there.\t The\t king\t had\t accepted\t his\t plans\t to\t take up\t his\t mantle\t as\t heir\t to\t Anielle\t with\t hardly\t any\t objections.\t Soon,\t he\t was\t to\t present options\tfor\ta\treplacement. Chaol\twas\tcurrently\tstanding\tguard\tat\ta\tstate\tluncheon\tin\tthe\tgreat\thall,\twhich\tAedion and\t Dorian\t were\t both\t attending.\t The\t doors\t had\t been\t thrown\t open\t to\t welcome\t in\t the spring\tair,\tand\tChaol\u2019s\tmen\twere\tstanding\tat\teach\tone,\tweapons\tat\tthe\tready. Everything\twas\tnormal,\teverything\twas\tgoing\tsmoothly,\tuntil\tthe\tking\tstood,\this\tblack ring\tseeming\tto\tgobble\tup\tthe\tmidday\tsun\tstreaming\tin\tthrough\tthe\ttowering\twindows.\tHe lifted\t a\t goblet,\t and\t the\t room\t fell\t silent.\t Not\t in\t the\t way\t it\t did\t when\t Aedion\t spoke.\t Chaol hadn\u2019t\tbeen\table\tto\tstop\tthinking\tabout\twhat\tthe\tgeneral\thad\tsaid\tto\thim\tabout\tchoosing\ta side,\tor\twhat\tDorian\thad\tsaid\tabout\this\trefusal\tto\taccept\tCelaena\tand\tthe\tprince\tfor\twhat they\treally\twere.\tOver\tand\tover\tagain,\the\u2019d\tcontemplated\tit. But\tnothing\tcould\tprepare\tChaol,\tor\tanyone\tin\tthat\tsilent\thall,\tas\tthe\tking\tsmiled\tto\tthe tables\t below\t his\t dais\t and\t said,\t \u201cGood\t news\t arrived\t this\t morning\t from\t Eyllwe\t and\t the north.\tThe\tCalaculla\tslave\trebellion\thas\tbeen\tdealt\twith.\u201d They\u2019d\theard\tnothing\tof\tit,\tand\tChaol\twished\the\tcould\tcover\this\tears\tas\tthe\tking\tsaid, \u201cWe\u2019ll\thave\tto\twork\tto\treplenish\tthe\tmines,\tthere\tand\tin\tEndovier,\tbut\tthe\trebel\ttaint\thas been\tpurged.\u201d Chaol\twas\tglad\the\twas\tleaning\tagainst\ta\tpillar.\tIt\twas\tDorian\twho\tspoke,\this\tface\tbone- white.\t\u201cWhat\tare\tyou\ttalking\tabout?\u201d His\tfather\tsmiled\tat\thim.\t\u201cForgive\tme.\tIt\tseems\tthe\tslaves\tin\tCalaculla\tgot\tit\tinto\ttheir heads\t to\t start\t an\t uprising\t after\t Princess\t Nehemia\u2019s\t unfortunate\t death.\t We\t got\t it\t into\t our heads\tnot\tto\tallow\tit.\tOr\tany\tother\tpotential\tuprisings.\tAnd\tas\twe\tdidn\u2019t\thave\tthe\tresources to\tdevote\tto\tinterrogating\teach\tand\tevery\tslave\tto\tweed\tout\tthe\ttraitors\u2026\u201d Chaol\tunderstood\twhat\tstrength\tit\ttook\tfor\tDorian\tnot\tto\tshake\this\thead\tin\thorror\tas\the did\tthe\tcalculations\tand\tunderstood\tjust\thow\tmany\tpeople\thad\tbeen\tslaughtered. \u201cGeneral\tAshryver,\u201d\tthe\tking\tsaid.\tAedion\tsat\tmotionless.\t\u201cYou\tand\tyour\tBane\twill\tbe pleased\tto\tknow\tthat\tsince\tthe\tpurge\tin\tEndovier,\tmany\tof\tthe\trebels\tin\tyour\tterritory\thave ceased\ttheir\t\u2026\tantics.\tIt\tseems\tthey\tdid\tnot\twant\ta\tfate\tsimilar\tto\tthat\tof\ttheir\tfriends\tin","the\tmines.\u201d Chaol\tdidn\u2019t\tknow\thow\tAedion\tfound\tthe\tcourage\tand\twill,\tbut\tthe\tgeneral\tsmiled\tand bowed\this\thead.\t\u201cThank\tyou,\tMajesty.\u201d Dorian\t burst\t into\t Sorscha\u2019s\t workroom.\t She\t jumped\t from\t her\t spot\t at\t the\t table,\t a\t hand\t on her\tchest.\t\u201cDid\tyou\thear?\u201d\the\tasked,\tshutting\tthe\tdoor\tbehind\thim. Her\t eyes\t were\t red\t enough\t to\t suggest\t that\t she\t had.\t He\t took\t her\t face\t in\t his\t hands, pressing\this\tbrow\tagainst\thers,\tneeding\tthat\tcool\tstrength.\tHe\tdidn\u2019t\tknow\thow\the\u2019d\tkept from\tweeping\tor\tvomiting\tor\tkilling\this\tfather\ton\tthe\tspot.\tBut\tlooking\tat\ther,\tbreathing\tin her\trosemary-and-mint\tscent,\the\tknew\twhy. \u201cI\t want\t you\t out\t of\t this\t castle,\u201d\t he\t said.\t \u201cI\u2019ll\t give\t you\t the\t funds,\t but\t I\t want\t you\t away from\there\tas\tsoon\tas\tyou\tcan\tfind\ta\tway\tto\tgo\twithout\traising\tsuspicion.\u201d She\tyanked\tout\tof\this\tgrasp.\t\u201cAre\tyou\tmad?\u201d No,\the\u2019d\tnever\tseen\tanything\tmore\tclearly.\t\u201cIf\tyou\tstay,\tif\twe\tare\tcaught\t\u2026\tI\twill\tgive you\twhatever\tmoney\tyou\tneed\u2014\u201d \u201cNo\tmoney\tyou\tcould\toffer\tcould\tconvince\tme\tto\tleave.\u201d \u201cI\u2019ll\ttie\tyou\tto\ta\thorse\tif\tI\thave\tto.\tI\u2019m\tgetting\tyou\tout\u2014\u201d \u201cAnd\twho\twill\tlook\tafter\tyou?\tWho\twill\tmake\tyour\ttonics?\tYou\u2019re\tnot\teven\ttalking\tto the\tcaptain\tanymore.\tHow\tcould\tI\tleave\tnow?\u201d He\tgripped\ther\tshoulders.\tShe\thad\tto\tunderstand\u2014he\thad\tto\tmake\ther\tunderstand.\tHer loyalty\t was\t one\t of\t the\t things\t he\t loved,\t but\t now\t \u2026\t it\t would\t only\t get\t her\t killed.\t \u201cHe murdered\t thousands\t of\t people\t in\t one\t sweep.\t Imagine\t what\t he\u2019ll\t do\t if\t he\t finds\t you\u2019ve been\thelping\tme.\tThere\tare\tworse\tthings\tthan\tdeath,\tSorscha.\tPlease\u2014please,\tjust\tgo.\u201d Her\tfingers\tfound\this,\tentwining\ttight.\t\u201cCome\twith\tme.\u201d \u201cI\tcan\u2019t.\tIt\twill\tget\tworse\tif\tI\tleave,\tif\tmy\tbrother\tis\tmade\their.\tAnd\tI\tthink\t\u2026\tI\tknow of\tsome\tpeople\twho\tmight\tbe\ttrying\tto\tstop\thim.\tIf\tI\tam\there,\tperhaps\tI\tcan\thelp\tthem\tin some\tway.\u201d Oh,\t Chaol.\t He\t understood\t completely\t now\t why\t he\t had\t sent\t Celaena\t to\t Wendlyn\u2014 understood\tthat\this\treturn\tto\tAnielle\t\u2026\tChaol\thad\tsold\thimself\tto\tget\tCelaena\tto\tsafety. \u201cIf\tyou\tstay,\tI\tstay,\u201d\tSorscha\tsaid.\t\u201cYou\tcannot\tconvince\tme\totherwise.\u201d \u201cPlease,\u201d\the\tsaid,\tbecause\the\tdidn\u2019t\thave\tit\tin\thim\tto\tyell,\tnot\twith\tthe\tdeaths\tof\tthose people\thanging\tover\thim.\t\u201cPlease\u2026\u201d But\tshe\tbrushed\ther\tthumb\tacross\this\tcheek.\t\u201cTogether.\tWe\u2019ll\tface\tthis\ttogether.\u201d And\tit\twas\tselfish\tand\thorrible\tof\thim,\tbut\the\tput\tup\tno\tfurther\targument. Chaol\twent\tto\tthe\ttomb\tfor\tprivacy,\tto\tmourn,\tto\tscream.\tBut\the\twas\tnot\talone. Aedion\twas\tsitting\ton\tthe\tsteps\tof\tthe\tspiral\tstairwell,\this\tforearms\tbraced\ton\this\tknees. He\tdidn\u2019t\tturn\tas\tChaol\tset\tdown\this\tcandle\tand\tsat\tbeside\thim.","\u201cWhat\t do\t you\t suppose,\u201d\t Aedion\t breathed,\t staring\t into\t the\t darkness,\t \u201cthe\t people\t on other\tcontinents,\tacross\tall\tthose\tseas,\tthink\tof\tus?\tDo\tyou\tthink\tthey\thate\tus\tor\tpity\tus\tfor what\twe\tdo\tto\teach\tother?\tPerhaps\tit\u2019s\tjust\tas\tbad\tthere.\tPerhaps\tit\u2019s\tworse.\tBut\tto\tdo\twhat I\thave\tto\tdo,\tto\tget\tthrough\tit\t\u2026\tI\thave\tto\tbelieve\tit\u2019s\tbetter.\tSomewhere,\tit\u2019s\tbetter\tthan this.\u201d Chaol\thad\tno\tanswer. \u201cI\thave\u2026\u201d\tAedion\u2019s\tteeth\tgleamed\tin\tthe\tlight.\t\u201cI\thave\tbeen\tforced\tto\tdo\tmany,\tmany things.\t Depraved,\t despicable\t things.\t Yet\t nothing\t made\t me\t feel\t as\t filthy\t as\t I\t did\t today, thanking\tthat\tman\tfor\tmurdering\tmy\tpeople.\u201d There\t was\t nothing\t he\t could\t say\t to\t console\t him,\t nothing\t he\t could\t promise.\t So\t Chaol left\tAedion\tstaring\tinto\tthe\tdarkness. There\t was\t not\t one\t empty\t seat\t in\t the\t Royal\t Theater\t that\t night.\t Every\t box\t and\t tier\t was crammed\t with\t nobility,\t merchants,\t whoever\t could\t afford\t the\t ticket.\t Jewels\t and\t silk gleamed\tin\tthe\tlight\tof\tthe\tglass\tchandeliers,\tthe\triches\tof\ta\tconquering\tempire. The\t news\t about\t the\t slave\t massacres\t had\t struck\t that\t afternoon,\t spreading\t through\t the city\t on\t a\t wave\t of\t murmuring,\t leaving\t only\t silence\t behind.\t The\t upper\t tiers\t of\t the\t theater were\t unusually\t still,\t as\t if\t the\t audience\t had\t come\t to\t be\t soothed,\t to\t let\t the\t music\t sweep away\tthe\tstain\tof\tthe\tnews. Only\t the\t boxes\t were\t full\t of\t chatter.\t About\t what\t this\t meant\t for\t the\t fortunes\t of\t those seated\tin\tthe\tplush\tcrimson\tvelvet\tchairs,\tdebates\tover\twhere\tthe\tnew\tslaves\twould\tcome from\t to\t ensure\t there\t was\t no\t pause\t in\t labor,\t and\t about\t how\t they\t should\t treat\t their\t own slaves\t afterward.\t Despite\t the\t chiming\t bells\t and\t the\t raising\t and\t dimming\t of\t the chandeliers,\tit\ttook\tthe\tboxes\tfar\tlonger\tto\tquiet\tthan\tusual. They\twere\tstill\ttalking\twhen\tthe\tred\tcurtains\tpulled\tback\tto\treveal\tthe\tseated\torchestra, and\tit\twas\ta\tmiracle\tthey\tbothered\tto\tapplaud\tfor\tthe\tconductor\tas\the\thobbled\tacross\tthe stage. That\t was\t when\t they\t noticed\t that\t every\t musician\t on\t the\t stage\t was\t wearing\t mourning black.\tThat\twas\twhen\tthey\tshut\tup.\tAnd\twhen\tthe\tconductor\traised\this\tarms,\tit\twas\tnot\ta symphony\tthat\tfilled\tthe\tcavernous\tspace. It\twas\tthe\tSong\tof\tEyllwe. Then\t the\t Song\t of\t Fenharrow.\t And\t Melisande.\t And\t Terrasen.\t Each\t nation\t that\t had people\tin\tthose\tlabor\tcamps. And\tfinally,\tnot\tfor\tpomp\tor\ttriumph,\tbut\tto\tmourn\twhat\tthey\thad\tbecome,\tthey\tplayed the\tSong\tof\tAdarlan. When\tthe\tfinal\tnote\tfinished,\tthe\tconductor\tturned\tto\tthe\tcrowd,\tthe\tmusicians\tstanding with\thim.\tAs\tone,\tthey\tlooked\tto\tthe\tboxes,\tto\tall\tthose\tjewels\tbought\twith\tthe\tblood\tof\ta continent.\t And\t without\t a\t word,\t without\t a\t bow\t or\t another\t gesture,\t they\t walked\t off\t the stage. The\tnext\tmorning,\tby\troyal\tdecree,\tthe\ttheater\twas\tshut\tdown.","No\tone\tsaw\tthose\tmusicians\tor\ttheir\tconductor\tagain.","Chapter\t50 A\t cooling\t breeze\t kissed\t down\t Celaena\u2019s\t neck.\t The\t forest\t had\t gone\t silent,\t as\t if\t the\t birds and\tinsects\thad\tbeen\tquieted\tby\ther\tassault\ton\tthe\tinvisible\twall.\tThe\tbarrier\thad\tgobbled down\t every\t spark\t of\t magic\t she\u2019d\t launched\t at\t it,\t and\t now\t seemed\t to\t hum\t with\t fresh power. The\tscent\tof\tpine\tand\tsnow\twrapped\taround\ther,\tand\tshe\tturned\tto\tfind\tRowan\tstanding against\ta\tnearby\ttree.\tHe\u2019d\tbeen\tthere\tfor\tsome\ttime\tnow,\tgiving\ther\tspace\tto\twork\therself into\texhaustion. But\t she\t was\t not\t tired.\t And\t she\t was\t not\t done.\t There\t was\t still\t wildfire\t in\t her\t mind, writhing,\t endless,\t damning.\t She\t let\t it\t dim\t to\t embers,\t let\t the\t grief\t and\t horror\t die\t down, too. Rowan\tsaid,\t\u201cWord\tjust\tarrived\tfrom\tWendlyn.\tReinforcements\taren\u2019t\tcoming.\u201d \u201cThey\tdidn\u2019t\tcome\tten\tyears\tago,\u201d\tshe\tsaid,\ther\tthroat\traw\tthough\tshe\thad\tnot\tspoken in\t hours.\t Cold,\t glittering\t calm\t was\t now\t flowing\t in\t her\t veins.\t \u201cWhy\t should\t they\t bother helping\tnow?\u201d His\t eyes\t flickered.\t \u201cAelin.\u201d\t When\t she\t only\t gazed\t into\t the\t darkening\t forest,\t he suddenly\t said,\t \u201cYou\t do\t not\t have\t to\t stay\u2014we\t can\t go\t to\t Doranelle\t tonight,\t and\t you\t can retrieve\tyour\tknowledge\tfrom\tMaeve.\tYou\thave\tmy\tblessing.\u201d \u201cDo\t not\t insult\t me\t by\t asking\t me\t to\t leave.\t I\t am\t fighting.\t Nehemia\t would\t have\t stayed. My\tparents\twould\thave\tstayed.\u201d \u201cThey\talso\thad\tthe\tluxury\tof\tknowing\tthat\ttheir\tbloodline\tdid\tnot\tend\twith\tthem.\u201d She\t gritted\t her\t teeth.\t \u201cYou\t have\t experience\u2014you\t are\t needed\t here.\t You\t are\t the\t only person\twho\tcan\tgive\tthe\tdemi-Fae\ta\tchance\tof\tsurviving;\tyou\tare\ttrusted\tand\trespected.\tSo I\t am\t staying.\t Because\t you\t are\t needed,\t and\t because\t I\t will\t follow\t you\t to\t whatever\t end.\u201d And\tif\tthe\tcreatures\tdevoured\ther\tbody\tand\tsoul,\tthen\tshe\twould\tnot\tmind.\tShe\thad\tearned that\tfate. For\t a\t long\t moment,\t he\t said\t nothing.\t But\t his\t brows\t narrowed\t slightly.\t \u201cTo\t whatever end?\u201d She\t nodded.\t He\t had\t not\t needed\t to\t mention\t the\t massacres,\t had\t not\t needed\t to\t try\t to console\ther.\tHe\tknew\u2014he\tunderstood\twithout\ther\thaving\tto\tsay\ta\tword\u2014what\tit\twas\tlike. Her\t magic\t thrummed\t in\t her\t blood,\t wanting\t out,\t wanting\t more.\t But\t it\t would\t wait\u2014it had\tto\twait\tuntil\tit\twas\ttime.\tUntil\tshe\thad\tNarrok\tand\this\tcreatures\tin\ther\tsight. She\t realized\t that\t Rowan\t saw\t each\t of\t those\t thoughts\t and\t more\t as\t he\t reached\t into\t his tunic\tand\tpulled\tout\ta\tdagger.\tHer\tdagger.\tHe\textended\tit\tto\ther,\tits\tlong\tblade\tgleaming\tas if\the\u2019d\tbeen\tsecretly\tpolishing\tand\tcaring\tfor\tit\tthese\tmonths. And\t when\t she\t grasped\t the\t dagger,\t its\t weight\t lighter\t than\t she\t remembered,\t Rowan","looked\tinto\ther\teyes,\tinto\tthe\tvery\tcore\tof\ther,\tand\tsaid,\t\u201cFireheart.\u201d Reinforcements\t from\t Wendlyn\t weren\u2019t\t coming\u2014not\t out\t of\t spite\t but\t because\t a\t legion\t of Adarlan\u2019s\t men\t had\t attacked\t the\t northern\t border.\t Three\t thousand\t men\t in\t ships\t had launched\t a\t full-on\t assault.\t Wendlyn\t had\t sent\t every\t last\t soldier\t to\t the\t northern\t coast,\t and there\tthey\twould\tremain.\tThe\tdemi-Fae\twere\tto\tface\tNarrok\tand\this\tforces\talone.\tRowan calmly\tencouraged\tthe\tnonfighters\tat\tthe\tfortress\tto\tflee. But\t no\t one\t fled.\t Even\t Emrys\t refused,\t and\t Malakai\t merely\t said\t that\t where\t his\t mate went,\the\twent. For\thours,\tthey\tadjusted\ttheir\tplans\tto\taccommodate\tthe\tlack\tof\treinforcements.\tIn\tthe end\t they\t didn\u2019t\t have\t to\t change\t much,\t thankfully.\t Celaena\t contributed\t what\t she\t could\t to the\tplanning,\tletting\tRowan\torder\teveryone\tabout\tand\tadjust\tthe\tmasterful\tstrategy\tin\tthat brilliant\t head\t of\t his.\t She\t tried\t not\t to\t think\t about\t Endovier\t and\t Calaculla,\t but\t the knowledge\tof\tit\tstill\tsimmered\tin\ther,\tbrewing\tduring\tthe\tlong\thours\tthat\tthey\tdebated. They\tplanned\tuntil\tEmrys\thauled\tup\ta\tpot\tfrom\tthe\tkitchen\tand\tbegan\twhacking\tit\twith a\tspoon,\tordering\tthem\tout\tbecause\tdawn\twould\tcome\ttoo\tsoon. Within\t a\t minute\t of\t returning\t to\t their\t room,\t Celaena\t was\t undressed\t and\t flopping\t into bed.\t Rowan\t took\t his\t time,\t however,\t peeling\t off\t his\t shirt\t and\t striding\t to\t the\t washbasin. \u201cYou\tdid\twell\thelping\tme\tplan\ttonight.\u201d She\twatched\thim\twash\this\tface,\tthen\this\tneck.\t\u201cYou\tsound\tsurprised.\u201d He\t wiped\t his\t face\t with\t a\t towel,\t then\t leaned\t against\t the\t dresser,\t bracing\t his\t hands against\teither\tend.\tThe\twood\tgroaned,\tbut\this\tface\tremained\tstill. Fireheart,\the\thad\tcalled\ther.\tDid\the\tknow\twhat\tthat\tname\tmeant\tto\ther?\tShe\twanted\tto ask,\tstill\thad\tso\tmany\tquestions\tfor\thim,\tbut\tright\tnow,\tafter\tall\tthe\tnews\tof\tthe\tday,\tshe needed\tto\tsleep. \u201cI\tsent\tword,\u201d\tRowan\tsaid,\tletting\tgo\tof\tthe\tdresser\tand\tapproaching\tthe\tbed.\tShe\u2019d\tleft the\tsword\tfrom\tthe\tmountain\tcave\ton\tthe\tbedpost,\tand\tits\tsmoldering\truby\tnow\tglinted\tin the\tdim\tlight\tas\the\tran\ta\tfinger\tdown\tthe\tgolden\thilt.\t\u201cTo\tmy\t\u2026\tcadre,\tas\tyou\tlike\tto\tcall them.\u201d She\tbraced\therself\ton\ther\telbows.\t\u201cWhen?\u201d \u201cA\t few\t days\t ago.\t I\t don\u2019t\t know\t where\t they\t all\t are\t or\t whether\t they\u2019ll\t arrive\t in\t time. Maeve\tmight\tnot\tlet\tthem\tcome\u2014or\tsome\tof\tthem\tmight\tnot\teven\task\ther.\tThey\tcan\tbe\t\u2026 unpredictable.\tAnd\tit\tmay\tbe\tthat\tI\tjust\tget\tthe\torder\tto\treturn\tto\tDoranelle,\tand\u2014\u201d \u201cYou\tactually\tcalled\tfor\taid?\u201d His\teyes\tnarrowed.\tI\tjust\tsaid\tthat\tI\tdid. She\tstood,\tand\the\tretreated\ta\tstep.\tWhat\tchanged\tyour\tmind? Some\tthings\tare\tworth\tthe\trisk. He\t didn\u2019t\t back\t away\t again\t as\t she\t approached\t and\t said\t with\t every\t ember\t left\t in\t her shredded\theart,\t\u201cI\tclaim\tyou,\tRowan\tWhitethorn.\tI\tdon\u2019t\tcare\twhat\tyou\tsay\tand\thow\tmuch","you\tprotest.\tI\tclaim\tyou\tas\tmy\tfriend.\u201d He\t just\t turned\t to\t the\t washbasin\t again,\t but\t she\t caught\t the\t unspoken\t words\t that\t he\u2019d tried\tto\tkeep\ther\tfrom\treading\ton\this\tface.\tIt\tdoesn\u2019t\tmatter.\tEven\tif\twe\tsurvive,\twhen\twe go\tto\tDoranelle,\tyou\twill\twalk\tout\tof\tMaeve\u2019s\trealm\talone. Emrys\t joined\t them\u2014along\t with\t all\t the\t demi-Fae\t at\t Mistward\t who\t had\t not\t been dispatched\twith\tmessages\u2014in\ttraveling\tdown\tto\tthe\thealers\u2019\tcompound\tthe\tnext\tmorning to\t help\t cart\t the\t patients\t to\t safety.\t Anyone\t who\t could\t not\t fight\t remained\t to\t help\t the\t sick and\twounded,\tand\tEmrys\tdeclared\the\twould\tstay\tthere\tuntil\tthe\tvery\tend.\tSo\tthey\tleft\thim, along\t with\t a\t small\t contingent\t of\t sentries\t in\t case\t things\t went\t very,\t very\t wrong.\t When Celaena\theaded\toff\tinto\tthe\ttrees\twith\tRowan,\tshe\tdid\tnot\tbother\twith\tgood-byes.\tMany\tof the\tothers\tdid\tnot\tsay\tfarewell,\teither\u2014it\tseemed\tlike\tan\tinvitation\tfor\tdeath,\tand\tCelaena was\tfairly\tcertain\tshe\twasn\u2019t\ton\tthe\tgood\tside\tof\tthe\tgods. She\t was\t awoken\t that\t night\t by\t a\t large,\t callused\t hand\t on\t her\t shoulder,\t shaking\t her awake.\tIt\tseemed\tthat\tdeath\twas\talready\twaiting\tfor\tthem.","Chapter\t51 \u201cGet\t your\t sword\t and\t your\t weapons,\t and\t hurry,\u201d\t Rowan\t said\t to\t Celaena\t as\t she\t instantly came\tto\ther\tfeet,\treaching\tfor\tthe\tdagger\tbeside\tthe\tbed. He\t was\t already\t halfway\t across\t the\t room,\t slinging\t on\t his\t clothes\t and\t weapons\t with lethal\tefficiency.\tShe\tdidn\u2019t\tbother\twith\tquestions\u2014he\twould\ttell\ther\twhat\twas\tnecessary. She\thopped\tinto\ther\tpants\tand\tboots. \u201cI\tthink\twe\u2019ve\tbeen\tbetrayed,\u201d\tRowan\tsaid,\tand\ther\tfingers\tcaught\ton\ta\tbuckle\tof\ther swordbelt\tas\tshe\tturned\tto\tthe\topen\twindow.\tQuiet.\tAbsolute\tquiet\tin\tthe\tforest. And\t along\t the\t horizon,\t a\t growing\t smear\t of\t blackness.\t \u201cThey\u2019re\t coming\t tonight,\u201d\t she breathed. \u201cI\t did\t a\t sweep\t of\t the\t perimeter.\u201d\t Rowan\t stuffed\t a\t knife\t into\t his\t boot.\t \u201cIt\u2019s\t as\t if someone\ttold\tthem\twhere\tevery\ttrap,\tevery\twarning\tbell\tis\tlocated.\tThey\u2019ll\tbe\there\twithin the\thour.\u201d \u201cAre\t the\t ward-stones\t still\t working?\u201d\t She\t finished\t braiding\t her\t hair\t and\t strapped\t her sword\tacross\ther\tback. \u201cYes\u2014they\u2019re\t intact.\t I\t raised\t the\t alarm,\t and\t Malakai\t and\t the\t others\t are\t readying\t our defenses\ton\tthe\twalls.\u201d\tA\tsmall\tpart\tof\ther\tsmiled\tat\tthe\tthought\tof\twhat\tit\tmust\thave\tbeen like\tfor\tMalakai\tto\tfind\ta\thalf-naked\tRowan\tshouting\torders\tin\this\troom. She\tasked,\t\u201cWho\twould\thave\tbetrayed\tus?\u201d \u201cI\t don\u2019t\t know,\t and\t when\t I\t find\t them,\t I\u2019ll\t splatter\t them\t on\t the\t walls.\t But\t for\t now,\t we have\tbigger\tproblems\tto\tworry\tabout.\u201d The\tdarkness\ton\tthe\thorizon\thad\tspread,\tdevouring\tthe\tstars,\tthe\ttrees,\tthe\tlight.\t\u201cWhat is\tthat?\u201d Rowan\u2019s\tmouth\ttightened\tinto\ta\tthin\tline.\t\u201cBigger\tproblems.\u201d The\tward-stones\twere\tthe\tlast\tline\tof\tdefense\tbefore\tthe\tfortress\titself.\tIf\tNarrok\tplanned to\t lay\t siege\t to\t Mistward,\t they\t couldn\u2019t\t outlast\t him\t forever\u2014but\t hopefully\t the\t barrier would\twear\tdown\tthe\tcreatures\tand\ttheir\tpower\ta\tbit.\tOn\tthe\tbattlements,\tin\tthe\tcourtyard and\t atop\t the\t towers,\t stood\t the\t demi-Fae.\t Archers\t would\t take\t down\t as\t many\t men\t as possible\t once\t the\t barrier\t fell,\t and\t they\t would\t use\t the\t oak\t doors\t of\t the\t fortress\t as\t a bottleneck\tinto\tthe\tcourtyard. But\tthere\twere\tstill\tthe\tcreatures\tand\tNarrok,\talong\twith\tthe\tdarkness\tthat\tthey\tcarried with\t them.\t Birds\t and\t animals\t streamed\t past\t the\t fortress\t as\t they\t fled\u2014an\t exodus\t of flapping\twings,\tpadding\tfeet,\tclaws\tclicking\ton\tstone.\tHerding\tthe\tanimals\tto\tsafety\twere the\tLittle\tFolk,\thardly\tmore\tthan\ta\tgleam\tof\tnight-seeing\teyes.\tWhatever\tdarkness\tNarrok and\tthe\tcreatures\tbrought\t\u2026\tonce\tyou\twent\tin,\tyou\tdid\tnot\tcome\tout.","She\t was\t standing\t with\t Rowan\t just\t beyond\t the\t gates\t of\t the\t courtyard,\t the\t grassy expanse\t of\t earth\t between\t the\t fortress\t and\t the\t ward-stones\t feeling\t far\t too\t small.\t The animals\t and\t Little\t Folk\t had\t stopped\t appearing\t moments\t before,\t and\t even\t the\t wind\t had died. \u201cAs\tsoon\tas\tthe\tbarrier\tfalls,\tI\twant\tyou\tto\tput\tarrows\tthrough\ttheir\teyes,\u201d\tRowan\tsaid to\ther,\this\tbow\tslack\tin\this\thands.\t\u201cDon\u2019t\tgive\tthem\ta\tchance\tto\tenthrall\tyou\u2014or\tanyone. Leave\tthe\tsoldiers\tto\tthe\tothers.\u201d They\t hadn\u2019t\t heard\t or\t seen\t any\t of\t the\t two\t hundred\t men,\t but\t she\t nodded,\t gripping\t her own\tbow.\t\u201cWhat\tabout\tmagic?\u201d \u201cUse\t it\t sparingly,\t but\t if\t you\t think\t you\t can\t destroy\t them\t with\t it,\t don\u2019t\t hesitate.\t And don\u2019t\tget\tfancy.\tTake\tthem\tdown\tby\tany\tmeans\tpossible.\u201d\tSuch\ticy\tcalculation.\tPurebred, undiluted\twarrior.\tShe\tcould\talmost\tfeel\tthe\taggression\tpouring\toff\thim. A\t reek\t was\t rising\t from\t beyond\t the\t barrier,\t and\t some\t of\t the\t sentries\t in\t the\t courtyard behind\t them\t began\t murmuring.\t A\t smell\t from\t another\t world,\t from\t whatever\t hellish creature\t lurked\t under\t mortal\t skin.\t Some\t straggling\t animals\t darted\t out\t of\t the\t trees, foaming\tat\tthe\tmouth,\tthe\tdarkness\tbehind\tthem\tthickening.\t\u201cRowan,\u201d\tshe\tsaid\tas\tshe\tfelt rather\tthan\tsaw\tthem.\t\u201cThey\u2019re\there.\u201d At\tthe\tedge\tof\tthe\ttrees,\thardly\tfive\tyards\tfrom\tthe\tward-stones,\tthe\tcreatures\temerged. Celaena\tstarted.\tThree. Three,\tnot\ttwo.\t\u201cBut\tthe\tskinwalkers\u2014\u201d\tShe\tcouldn\u2019t\tfinish\tthe\twords\tas\tthe\tthree\tmen surveyed\t the\t fortress.\t They\t were\t clad\t in\t deepest\t black,\t their\t tunics\t open\t to\t reveal\t the Wyrdstone\t torques\t at\t their\t throats.\t The\t skinwalkers\t hadn\u2019t\t killed\t it\u2014no,\t because\t there was\tthat\tsame\tperfect\tmale,\tlooking\tstraight\tat\ther.\tSmiling\tat\ther.\tAs\tif\the\tcould\talready taste\ther. A\trabbit\tbolted\tout\tof\tthe\tbushes,\tracing\tfor\tthe\tward-stones.\tLike\tthe\tpaw\tof\ta\tmassive beast,\tthe\tdarkness\tbehind\tthe\tcreatures\tlashed\tout,\tsweeping\tover\tthe\tfleeing\tanimal. The\t rabbit\t fell\t midleap,\t its\t fur\t turning\t dull\t and\t matted,\t bones\t pushing\t through\t as\t the life\twas\tsucked\tout\tof\tit.\tThe\tsentries\ton\tthe\twalls\tand\ttowers\tstirred,\tsome\tswearing.\tShe had\t stood\t a\t chance\t of\t escaping\t the\t clutches\t of\t just\t one\t of\t those\t creatures.\t But\t all\t three together\tbecame\tsomething\telse,\tsomething\tinfinitely\tpowerful. \u201cThe\t barrier\t cannot\t be\t allowed\t to\t fall,\u201d\t Rowan\t said\t to\t her.\t \u201cThat\t blackness\t will\t kill anything\t it\t touches.\u201d\t Even\t as\t he\t spoke,\t the\t darkness\t stretched\t around\t the\t fortress. Trapping\tthem.\tThe\tbarrier\thummed,\tand\tthe\treverberations\tzinged\tagainst\tthe\tsoles\tof\ther boots. She\t shifted\t into\t her\t Fae\t form,\t wincing\t against\t the\t pain.\t She\t needed\t the\t sharper hearing,\tthe\tstrength\tand\thealing.\tStill,\tthe\tthree\tcreatures\tremained\ton\tthe\tforest\tedge,\tthe darkness\tspreading.\tNo\tsign\tof\tthe\ttwo\thundred\tsoldiers. As\t one,\t the\t three\t half\t turned\t to\t the\t shadows\t behind\t them\t and\t stepped\t aside,\t heads bowed.\tThen,\tstalking\tout\tof\tthe\ttrees,\tNarrok\tappeared. Unlike\tthe\tothers,\tNarrok\twas\tnot\tbeautiful.\tHe\twas\tscarred\tand\tpowerfully\tbuilt,\tand","armed\tto\tthe\tteeth.\tBut\the,\ttoo,\thad\tskin\tcarved\twith\tthose\tglittering\tblack\tveins,\tand\twore that\ttorque\tof\tobsidian.\tEven\tfrom\tthis\tdistance,\tshe\tcould\tsee\tthe\tdevouring\temptiness\tin his\teyes.\tIt\tseeped\ttoward\tthem\tlike\tblood\tin\ta\triver. She\twaited\tfor\thim\tto\tsay\tsomething,\tto\tparlay\tand\toffer\ta\tchoice\tbetween\tyielding\tto the\tking\u2019s\tpower\tor\tdeath,\tto\tgive\tsome\tspeech\tto\tbreak\ttheir\tmorale.\tBut\tNarrok\tlooked upon\tMistward\twith\ta\tslow,\talmost\tdelighted\tsweep\tof\tthe\thead,\tdrew\this\tiron\tblade,\tand pointed\tat\tthe\tcurving\tward-stone\tgates. There\twas\tnothing\tCelaena\tor\tRowan\tcould\tdo\tas\ta\twhip\tof\tdarkness\tsnapped\tout\tand struck\tthe\tinvisible\tbarrier.\tThe\tair\tshuddered,\tand\tthe\tstones\twhined. Rowan\t was\t already\t moving\t toward\t the\t oak\t doors,\t shouting\t orders\t to\t the\t archers\t to ready\t themselves\t and\t use\t whatever\t magic\t they\t had\t to\t shield\t against\t the\t oncoming darkness.\tCelaena\tremained\twhere\tshe\twas.\tAnother\tstrike,\tand\tthe\tbarrier\trippled. \u201cAelin,\u201d\t Rowan\t snapped,\t and\t she\t looked\t over\t her\t shoulder\t at\t him.\t \u201cGet\t inside\t the gates.\u201d But\tshe\tslung\ther\tbow\tacross\ther\tback,\tand\twhen\tshe\traised\ther\thand,\tit\twas\tconsumed with\tfire.\t\u201cIn\tthe\twoods\tthat\tnight,\tit\tbalked\tfrom\tthe\tflame.\u201d \u201cTo\tuse\tit,\tyou\u2019ll\thave\tto\tget\toutside\tthe\tbarrier,\tor\tit\u2019ll\tjust\trebound\tagainst\tthe\twalls.\u201d \u201cI\tknow,\u201d\tshe\tsaid\tquietly. \u201cThe\tlast\ttime,\tyou\ttook\tone\tlook\tat\tthat\tthing\tand\tfell\tunder\tits\tspell.\u201d The\tdarkness\tlashed\tagain. \u201cIt\twon\u2019t\tbe\tlike\tlast\ttime,\u201d\tshe\tsaid,\teyes\ton\tNarrok,\ton\this\tthree\tcreatures.\tNot\twhen she\thad\ta\tscore\tto\tsettle.\tHer\tblood\theated,\tbut\tshe\tsaid,\t\u201cI\tdon\u2019t\tknow\twhat\telse\tto\tdo.\u201d Because\tif\tthat\tdarkness\treached\tthem,\tthen\tall\tthe\tblades\tand\tarrows\twould\tbe\tuseless. They\twouldn\u2019t\thave\ta\tchance\tto\tstrike. A\tcry\tsounded\tbehind\tthem,\tfollowed\tby\ta\tfew\tmore,\tthen\tthe\tclash\tof\tmetal\ton\tmetal. Someone\tshouted,\t\u201cThe\ttunnel!\tThey\u2019ve\tbeen\tlet\tin\tthrough\tthe\ttunnel!\u201d For\t a\t moment,\t Celaena\t just\t stood\t there,\t blinking.\t The\t escape\t tunnel.\t They\t had\tbeen betrayed.\tAnd\tnow\tthey\tknew\twhere\tthe\tsoldiers\twere:\tcreeping\tthrough\tthe\tunderground network,\t let\t in\t perhaps\t because\t the\t ward-stones,\t with\t that\t strange\t sentience,\t were\t too focused\ton\tthe\tthreat\tabove\tto\tbe\table\tto\tcontain\tthe\tone\tbelow. The\t shouting\t and\t fighting\t grew\t louder.\t Rowan\t had\t stationed\t their\t weaker\t fighters inside\t to\t keep\t them\t safe\u2014right\t in\t the\t path\t of\t the\t tunnel\t entrance.\t It\t would\t be\t a slaughterhouse.\t\u201cRowan\u2014\u201d Another\tblow\tto\tthe\tbarrier\tfrom\tthe\tdarkness,\tand\tanother.\tShe\tbegan\twalking\ttoward the\tstones,\tand\tRowan\tgrowled.\t\u201cDo\tnot\ttake\tone\tmore\tstep\u2014\u201d She\t kept\t going.\t Inside\t the\t fortress,\t screaming\t had\t begun\u2014pain\t and\t death\t and\t terror. Each\tstep\taway\tfrom\tit\ttore\tat\ther,\tbut\tshe\theaded\tto\tthe\tstones,\ttoward\tthe\tmegalith\tgates. Rowan\tgrabbed\ther\telbow.\t\u201cThat\twas\tan\torder.\u201d She\tknocked\this\thand\taway.\t\u201cYou\u2019re\tneeded\tinside.\tLeave\tthe\tbarrier\tto\tme.\u201d","\u201cYou\tdon\u2019t\tknow\tif\tit\u2019ll\twork\u2014\u201d \u201cIt\twill\twork,\u201d\tshe\tsnarled.\t\u201cI\u2019m\tthe\texpendable\tone,\tRowan.\u201d \u201cYou\tare\their\tto\tthe\tthrone\tof\u2014\u201d \u201cRight\tnow,\tI\tam\ta\twoman\twho\thas\ta\tpower\tthat\tmight\tsave\tlives.\tLet\tme\tdo\tthis.\tHelp the\tothers.\u201d Rowan\t looked\t at\t the\t ward-stones,\t at\t the\t fortress\t and\t the\t sentries\t scrambling\t to\t help below.\t Weighing,\t calculating.\t At\t last,\t Rowan\t said,\t \u201cDo\t not\t engage\t them.\t You\t focus\t on that\tdarkness\tand\tkeeping\tit\taway\tfrom\tthe\tbarrier,\tand\tthat\u2019s\tit.\tHold\tthe\tline,\tAelin.\u201d But\tshe\tdidn\u2019t\twant\tto\thold\tthe\tline\u2014not\twhen\ther\tenemy\twas\tso\tclose.\tNot\twhen\tthe weight\tof\tthose\tsouls\tat\tCalaculla\tand\tEndovier\tpressed\ton\ther,\tscreaming\tas\tloudly\tas\tthe soldiers\t inside\t the\t fortress.\t She\t had\t failed\t all\t of\t them.\t She\t had\t been\t too\t late.\t And\t it\t was enough.\t But\t she\t nodded,\t like\t the\t good\t soldier\t Rowan\t believed\t she\t was,\t and\t said, \u201cUnderstood.\u201d \u201cThey\t will\t attack\t you\t the\t moment\t you\t set\t foot\t outside\t the\t barrier,\u201d\t he\t said,\t releasing her\tarm.\tHer\tmagic\tbegan\tto\tboil\tin\ther\tveins.\t\u201cHave\ta\tshield\tready.\u201d \u201cI\tknow\u201d\twas\ther\tonly\tanswer\tas\tshe\tneared\tthe\tbarrier\tand\tthe\tswirling\tdark\tbeyond. The\tcurving\tstones\tof\tthe\tgateway\tloomed,\tand\tshe\tdrew\tthe\tsword\tfrom\ther\tback\twith\ther right\thand,\ther\tleft\thand\tenveloped\tin\tflame. Nehemia\u2019s\tpeople,\tbutchered.\tHer\town\tpeople,\tbutchered.\tHer\tpeople. Celaena\tstepped\tunder\tthe\tarchway\tof\tstones,\tmagic\tzinging\tand\tkissing\ther\tskin.\tJust\ta few\t steps\t would\t take\t her\t outside\t the\t barrier.\t She\t could\t feel\t Rowan\t lingering,\t waiting\t to see\t if\t she\t would\t survive\t the\t first\t moments.\t But\t she\t would\u2014she\t was\t going\t to\t burn\t these things\tinto\tash\tand\tdust. This\t was\t the\t least\t she\t owed\t those\t murdered\t in\t Endovier\t and\t Calaculla\u2014the\t least\t she could\tdo,\tafter\tso\tlong.\tA\tmonster\tto\tdestroy\tmonsters. The\t flames\t on\t her\t left\t hand\t burned\t brighter\t as\t Celaena\t stepped\t beyond\t the\t archway and\tinto\tthe\tbeckoning\tabyss.","Chapter\t52 The\tdarkness\tlashed\tat\tCelaena\tthe\tmoment\tshe\tpassed\tbeyond\tthe\tinvisible\tbarrier. A\t wall\t of\t flame\t seared\t across\t the\t spear\t of\t blackness,\t and,\t just\t as\t she\u2019d\t gambled,\t the blackness\trecoiled.\tOnly\tto\tstrike\tagain,\tswift\tas\tan\tasp. She\tmet\tit\tblow\tfor\tblow,\twilling\tthe\tfire\tto\tspread,\ta\twall\tof\tred\tand\tgold\tencasing\tthe barrier\t behind\t her.\t She\t ignored\t the\t reek\t of\t the\t creatures,\t the\t hollowness\t of\t the\t air\t at\t her ears,\tthe\toverwhelming\tthrobbing\tin\ther\thead,\tso\tmuch\tworse\tbeyond\tthe\tprotection\tof\tthe wards,\tespecially\tnow\tthat\tall\tthree\tcreatures\twere\tgathered.\tBut\tshe\tdid\tnot\tgive\tthem\tone inch,\teven\tas\tblood\tbegan\ttrickling\tfrom\ther\tnose. The\t darkness\t lunged\t for\t her,\t simultaneously\t assaulting\t the\t wall,\t punching\t holes through\ther\tflame.\tShe\tpatched\tthem\tby\treflex,\tallowing\tthe\tpower\tto\tdo\tas\tit\twilled,\tbut with\tthe\tcommand\tto\tprotect\u2014to\tkeep\tthat\tbarrier\tshielded.\tShe\ttook\tanother\tstep\tbeyond the\tstone\tgateway. Narrok\twas\tnowhere\tto\tbe\tseen,\tbut\tthe\tthree\tcreatures\twere\twaiting\tfor\ther. Unlike\t the\t other\t night\t in\t the\t woods,\t they\t were\t armed\t with\t long,\t slender\t swords\t that they\tdrew\twith\ttheir\tunearthly\tgrace.\tAnd\tthen\tthey\tattacked. Good. She\tdid\tnot\tlook\tthem\tin\tthe\teyes,\tnor\tdid\tshe\tacknowledge\tthe\tbleeding\tfrom\ther\tnose and\tthe\tpressure\tin\ther\tears.\tShe\tmerely\tcalled\tin\ta\tshield\tof\tfire\taround\ther\tleft\tforearm and\tbegin\tswinging\tthat\tancient\tsword. Whether\t Rowan\t lingered\t to\t see\t her\t break\t his\t first\t order,\t then\t his\t next,\t then\t his\t next, she\tdidn\u2019t\tknow. The\t three\t creatures\t kept\t coming\t at\t her,\t swift\t and\t controlled,\t as\t if\t they\u2019d\t had\t eons\t to practice\t swordplay,\t as\t if\t they\t were\t all\t of\t one\t mind,\t one\t body.\t Where\t she\t deflected\t one, another\t was\t there;\t where\t she\t punched\t one\t with\t flame\t and\t steel,\t another\t was\t ducking beneath\t it\t to\t grab\t her.\t She\t could\t not\t let\t them\t touch\t her,\t could\t not\t let\t herself\t meet\t their gaze. The\t shield\t around\t the\t barrier\t burned\t hot\t at\t her\t back,\t the\t darkness\t of\t the\t creatures stinging\t and\t biting\t at\t it,\t but\t she\t held\t firm.\t She\t had\t not\t lied\t to\t Rowan\t about\t that\u2014about protecting\tthe\twall. One\tof\tthem\tswept\tits\tblade\tat\ther\u2014not\tto\tkill.\tTo\tincapacitate. It\t was\t second\t nature,\t somehow,\t that\t flames\t leapt\t down\t her\t blade\t as\t she\t struck\t back, willing\t fire\t into\t the\t sword\t itself.\t When\t it\t met\t the\t black\t iron\t of\t the\t creature,\t blue\t sparks danced,\tso\tbright\tthat\tshe\tdared\tlook\tinto\tthe\tcreature\u2019s\tface\tto\tglimpse\u2014surprise.\tHorror. Rage. The\t hilt\t of\t the\t sword\t was\t warm\u2014comforting\u2014in\t her\t hand,\t and\t the\t red\t stone\t glowed","as\tif\twith\ta\tfire\tof\tits\town. The\tthree\tcreatures\tstopped\tin\tunison,\ttheir\tsensual\tmouths\tpulling\tback\tfrom\ttheir\ttoo- white\tteeth\tin\ta\tsnarl.\tThe\tone\tin\tthe\tcenter,\tthe\tone\twho\thad\ttasted\ther\tbefore,\thissed\tat the\tsword,\t\u201cGoldryn.\u201d The\t darkness\t paused,\t and\t she\t used\t its\t distraction\t to\t patch\t her\t shields,\t a\t chill\t snaking up\t her\t spine\t even\t as\t the\t flames\t warmed\t her.\t She\t lifted\t the\t sword\t higher\t and\t advanced another\tstep. \u201cBut\t you\t are\t not\t Athril,\t beloved\t of\t the\t dark\t queen,\u201d\t one\t of\t them\t said.\t Another\t said, \u201cAnd\tyou\tare\tnot\tBrannon\tof\tthe\tWildfire.\u201d \u201cHow\tdo\tyou\u2014\u201d\tBut\tthe\twords\tcaught\tin\ther\tthroat\tas\ta\tmemory\tstruck,\tfrom\tmonths ago\u2014a\t lifetime\t ago.\t Of\t a\t realm\t that\t was\t in-between,\t of\t the\t thing\t that\t lived\t inside\t Cain speaking.\tTo\ther,\tand\u2014Elena.\tElena,\tdaughter\tof\tBrannon.\tYou\twere\tbrought\tback,\tit\tsaid. All\tthe\tplayers\tin\tthe\tunfinished\tgame. A\t game\t that\t had\t begun\t at\t the\t dawn\t of\t time,\t when\t a\t demon\t race\t had\t forged\t the Wyrdkeys\t and\t used\t them\t to\t break\t into\t this\t world,\t and\t Maeve\t had\t used\t their\t power\t to banish\t them.\t But\t some\t demons\t had\t remained\t trapped\t in\t Erilea\t and\t waged\t a\t second\t war centuries\t later,\t when\t Elena\t fought\t against\t them.\t What\t of\t the\t others,\t who\t had\t been\t sent back\tto\ttheir\trealm?\tWhat\tif\tthe\tKing\tof\tAdarlan,\tin\tlearning\tof\tthe\tkeys,\thad\talso\tlearned where\tto\tfind\tthem?\tWhere\tto\t\u2026\tharness\tthem? Oh\tgods.\t\u201cYou\tare\tthe\tValg,\u201d\tshe\tbreathed. The\tthree\tthings\tinside\tthose\tmortal\tbodies\tsmiled.\t\u201cWe\tare\tprinces\tof\tour\trealm.\u201d \u201cAnd\twhat\trealm\tis\tthat?\u201d\tShe\tpoured\ther\tmagic\tinto\tthe\tshield\tbehind\ther. The\tValg\tprince\tin\tthe\tcenter\tseemed\tto\treach\ttoward\ther\twithout\tmoving\tan\tinch.\tShe sent\t a\t punch\t of\t flame\t at\t him,\t and\t he\t curled\t back.\t \u201cA\t realm\t of\t eternal\t dark\t and\t ice\t and wind,\u201d\the\tsaid.\t\u201cAnd\twe\thave\tbeen\twaiting\ta\tvery,\tvery\tlong\ttime\tto\ttaste\tyour\tsunshine again.\u201d The\t King\t of\t Adarlan\t was\t either\t more\t powerful\t than\t she\t could\t imagine,\t or\t the\t most foolish\tman\tto\tever\tlive\tif\the\tthought\the\tcould\tcontrol\tthese\tdemon\tprinces. Blood\tdripped\tonto\ther\ttunic\tfrom\ther\tnose.\tTheir\tleader\tpurred,\t\u201cOnce\tyou\tlet\tme\tin, girl,\tthere\tshall\tbe\tno\tmore\tblood,\tor\tpain.\u201d She\tsent\tanother\twall\tof\tflame\tsearing\tat\tthem.\t\u201cBrannon\tand\tthe\tothers\tbeat\tyou\tinto oblivion\tonce,\u201d\tshe\tsaid,\tthough\ther\tlungs\twere\tburning.\t\u201cWe\tcan\tdo\tit\tagain.\u201d Low\t laughter.\t \u201cWe\t were\t not\t beaten.\t Only\t contained.\t Until\t a\t mortal\t man\t was\t foolish enough\tto\tinvite\tus\tback\tin,\tto\tuse\tthese\tglorious\tbodies.\u201d Were\tthe\tmen\twho\thad\tonce\toccupied\tthem\tstill\tinside?\tIf\tshe\tcut\toff\ttheir\theads\u2014that torque\tof\tWyrdstone\u2014would\tthe\tcreatures\tvanish,\tor\tbe\tunleashed\tin\tanother\tform? This\twas\tfar,\tfar\tworse\tthan\tshe\thad\texpected. \u201cYes,\u201d\tthe\tleader\tsaid,\ttaking\ta\tstep\ttoward\ther\tand\tsniffing.\t\u201cYou\tshould\tfear\tus.\tAnd embrace\tus.\u201d","\u201cEmbrace\tthis,\u201d\tshe\tsnarled,\tand\tflung\ta\thidden\tdagger\tfrom\ther\tvambrace\tat\this\thead. He\t was\t so\t swift\t that\t it\t scraped\t his\t cheek\t rather\t than\t wedging\t itself\t between\t its\t eyes. Black\tblood\twelled\tand\tflowed;\the\traised\ta\tmoon-white\thand\tto\texamine\tit.\t\u201cI\tshall\tenjoy devouring\tyou\tfrom\tthe\tinside\tout,\u201d\the\tsaid,\tand\tthe\tdarkness\tlunged\tfor\ther\tagain. The\t battle\t was\t still\t raging\t inside\t the\t fortress,\t which\t was\t good,\t because\t it\t meant\t they hadn\u2019t\tall\tdied\tyet.\tAnd\tCelaena\twas\tstill\tswinging\tGoldryn\tagainst\tthe\tthree\tValg\tprinces \u2014though\tit\tgrew\theavier\tby\tthe\tmoment,\tand\tthe\tshield\tbehind\ther\twas\tbeginning\tto\tfray. She\thad\tnot\thad\ttime\tto\ttunnel\tdown\tinto\ther\tpower,\tor\tto\tconsider\trationing\tit. The\tdarkness\tthat\tthe\tValg\tbrought\twith\tthem\tcontinued\tto\tstrike\tthe\twall,\tso\tCelaena threw\tup\tshield\tafter\tshield,\tfire\tflaming\tthrough\ther\tblood,\ther\tbreath,\ther\tmind.\tShe\tgave her\tmagic\tfree\trein,\tonly\tasking\tit\tto\tkeep\tthe\tshield\tbehind\ther\talive.\tIt\tdid\tso,\tgobbling up\ther\treserves. Rowan\thad\tnot\tcome\tback\tto\thelp.\tBut\tshe\ttold\therself\the\twould\tcome,\tand\the\twould help,\tbecause\tit\twas\tnot\tweakness\tto\tadmit\tshe\tneeded\thim,\tneeded\this\thelp\tand\u2014 Her\tlower\tback\tcramped,\tand\tit\twas\tall\tshe\tcould\tdo\tto\tkeep\ther\tgrip\ton\tthe\tlegendary blade\tas\tthe\tleader\tof\tthe\tValg\tprinces\tswiped\tfor\ther\tneck.\tNo. A\t muscle\t twinged\t near\t her\t spine,\t twisting\t until\t she\t had\t to\t bite\t down\t a\t scream\t as\t she deflected\tthe\tblow.\tIt\tcouldn\u2019t\tbe\ta\tburnout.\tNot\tso\tsoon,\tnot\tafter\tpracticing\tso\tmuch,\tnot \u2014 A\t hole\t tore\t through\t the\t shield\t behind\t her,\t and\t the\t darkness\t slammed\t into\t the\t barrier, making\t the\t magic\t ripple\t and\t shriek.\t She\t flung\t a\t thought\t toward\t it,\t and\t as\t the\t flame patched\tit\tup,\ther\tblood\tbegan\tto\tpound. The\t princes\t were\t closing\t in\t again.\t She\t growled,\t sending\t a\t wall\t of\t white-hot\t flame\t at them,\tpushing\tthem\tback,\tback,\tback\twhile\tshe\ttook\ta\tdeep\tbreath. But\tblood\tcame\tcoughing\tout\tinstead\tof\tair. If\t she\t ran\t inside\t the\t gates,\t how\t long\t would\t the\t shield\t last\t before\t it\t fell\t to\t the\t princes and\ttheir\tancient\tdarkness?\tHow\tlong\twould\tany\tof\tthose\tinside\tlast?\tShe\tdidn\u2019t\tdare\tlook behind\tto\tsee\twho\twas\twinning.\tIt\tdidn\u2019t\tsound\tgood.\tThere\twere\tno\tcries\tof\tvictory,\tonly pain\tand\tfear. Her\tknees\tquaked,\tbut\tshe\tswallowed\tthe\tblood\tin\ther\tmouth\tand\ttook\tanother\tbreath. She\thad\tnot\timagined\tit\twould\tend\tlike\tthis.\tAnd\tmaybe\tit\twas\twhat\tshe\tdeserved,\tafter turning\ther\tback\ton\ther\tkingdom. One\t of\t the\t Valg\t princes\t ripped\t a\t hand\t through\t the\t wall\t of\t flame\t separating\t them,\t the darkness\tshielding\this\tflesh\tfrom\tbeing\tmelted\toff.\tShe\twas\tabout\tto\tsend\tanother\tblast\tat him\twhen\ta\tmovement\tfrom\tthe\ttrees\tcaught\ther\teye. Far\t up\t the\t hill,\t as\t if\t they\t had\t come\t racing\t down\t from\t the\t mountains\t and\t had\t not stopped\tfor\tfood\tor\twater\tor\tsleep,\twere\ta\ttowering\tman,\ta\tmassive\tbird,\tand\tthree\tof\tthe largest\tpredators\tshe\thad\tever\tseen. Five\tin\tall.","Answering\ttheir\tfriend\u2019s\tdesperate\tcall\tfor\taid. They\thurtled\tthrough\tthe\ttrees\tand\tover\tstones:\ttwo\twolves,\tone\tblack\tand\tone\tmoon- white;\t the\t powerfully\t built\t male;\t the\t bird\t swooping\t low\t over\t them;\t and\t a\t familiar mountain\t cat\t racing\t behind.\t Heading\t for\t the\t darkness\t looming\t between\t them\t and\t the fortress. The\tblack\twolf\tskidded\tto\ta\thalt\tas\tthey\tneared\tthe\tdarkness,\tas\tif\tsensing\twhat\tit\tcould do.\t The\t screaming\t in\t the\t fortress\t rose.\t If\t the\t newcomers\t could\t destroy\t the\t soldiers,\t the survivors\tcould\ttake\tthe\ttunnel\tand\tflee\tbefore\tthe\tdark\tconsumed\teverything. Sweat\tstung\tCelaena\u2019s\teyes,\tand\tpain\tsliced\tinto\ther\tso\tdeep\tthat\tshe\twondered\tif\tit\twas permanent.\tBut\tshe\thad\tnot\tlied\tto\tRowan\tabout\tsaving\tlives. So\tshe\tdid\tnot\tstop\tto\tdoubt\tor\tconsider\tas\tshe\tflung\tthe\tremnants\tof\ther\tpower\ttoward Rowan\u2019s\tfive\tfriends,\ta\tbridge\tof\tflame\tthrough\tthe\tdarkness,\tcleaving\tit\tin\ttwo. A\tpath\ttoward\tthe\tgates\tbehind\ther. To\ttheir\tcredit,\tRowan\u2019s\tfriends\tdid\tnot\thesitate\tas\tthey\traced\tfor\tit,\tthe\twolves\tleading the\t way,\t the\t bird\u2014an\t osprey\u2014close\t behind.\t She\t poured\t her\t power\t into\t the\t bridge, gritting\t her\t teeth\t against\t the\t agony\t as\t the\t five\t rushed\t past,\t not\t sparing\t her\t a\t glance.\t But the\t golden\t mountain\t cat\t slowed\t as\t he\t charged\t through\t the\t gates\t behind\t her,\t as\t her\t chest seized\tand\tshe\tcoughed,\ther\tblood\tbright\ton\tthe\tgrass. \u201cHe\u2019s\tinside,\u201d\tshe\tchoked\tout.\t\u201cHelp\thim.\u201d The\tgreat\tcat\tlingered,\tassessing\ther,\tand\tthe\twall,\tand\tthe\tprinces\tfighting\tagainst\ther flame.\t\u201cGo,\u201d\tshe\twheezed.\tThe\tbridge\tthrough\tthe\tdarkness\tcollapsed,\tand\tshe\tstaggered back\ta\tstep\tas\tthat\tblack\tpower\tslammed\tinto\ther,\tthe\tshield,\tthe\tworld. The\t blood\t was\t roaring\t so\t loudly\t in\t her\t ears\t that\t she\t could\t barely\t hear\t when\t the mountain\tcat\traced\tfor\tthe\tfortress.\tRowan\u2019s\tfriends\thad\tcome.\tGood.\tGood\tthat\the\twould not\tbe\talone,\tthat\the\thad\tpeople\tin\tthe\tworld. She\tcoughed\tblood\tagain,\tsplattering\tit\ton\tthe\tground\u2014on\tthe\tlegs\tof\tthe\tValg\tprince. She\tbarely\tmoved\tbefore\the\tslammed\ther\tinto\ther\town\tflames,\tand\tshe\thit\tthe\tmagical wall\tbeneath,\tas\thard\tand\tunforgiving\tas\tif\tit\twere\tmade\tof\tstone.\tThe\tonly\tway\tinto\tthe fortress\t was\t through\t the\t ward-gates.\t She\t swiped\t with\t Goldryn,\t but\t the\t blow\t was\t feeble. Against\tthe\tValg,\tagainst\tthis\thorrible\tpower\tthat\tthe\tKing\tof\tAdarlan\tpossessed,\tthe\tarmy at\this\tdisposal\t\u2026\tit\twas\tall\tuseless.\tAs\tuseless\tas\tthe\tvow\tshe\u2019d\tmade\tto\tNehemia\u2019s\tgrave. As\tuseless\tas\tan\their\tto\ta\tbroken\tthrone\tand\ta\tbroken\tname. The\tmagic\twas\tboiling\ther\tblood.\tThe\tdarkness\u2014it\twould\tbe\ta\trelief\tcompared\tto\tthe hell\tsmoldering\tin\ther\tveins.\tThe\tValg\tprince\tadvanced,\tand\tpart\tof\ther\twas\tscreaming\u2014 screaming\tat\therself\tto\tget\tup,\tto\tkeep\tfighting,\tto\trage\tand\troar\tagainst\tthis\thorrible\tend. But\tmoving\ther\tlimbs,\teven\tbreathing,\thad\tbecome\ta\tmonumental\teffort. She\twas\tso\ttired. The\t fortress\t was\t a\t hell\t of\t yelling\t and\t fighting\t and\t gore,\t but\t Rowan\t kept\t swinging\t his blades,\t holding\t his\t position\t at\t the\t tunnel\t mouth\t as\t soldier\t after\t soldier\t poured\t in.\t The","scout\t leader,\t Bas,\t had\t let\t them\t in,\t Luca\t had\t told\t Rowan.\t The\t other\t demi-Fae\t who\t had conspired\twith\tBas\twanted\tthe\tpower\tthe\tcreatures\toffered\u2014wanted\ta\tplace\tin\tthe\tworld. From\t the\t devastation\t in\t the\t bleeding\t boy\u2019s\t eyes,\t Rowan\t knew\t that\t Bas\t had\t already\t met his\tend.\tHe\thoped\tLuca\thadn\u2019t\tbeen\tthe\tone\tto\tdo\tit. The\tsoldiers\tkept\tcoming,\thighly\ttrained\tmen\twho\twere\tnot\tafraid\tof\tthe\tdemi-Fae,\tor of\t the\t little\t magic\t that\t they\t bore.\t They\t were\t armed\t with\t iron\t and\t did\t not\t differentiate between\tyoung\tand\told,\tmale\tand\tfemale,\tas\tthey\thacked\tand\tslaughtered. Rowan\t was\t not\t drained,\t not\t in\t the\t least.\t He\t had\t fought\t for\t longer\t and\t in\t worse conditions.\t But\t the\t others\t were\t flagging,\t especially\t as\t soldiers\t continued\t flooding\t the fortress.\tRowan\tyanked\this\tsword\tfrom\tthe\tgut\tof\ta\tfalling\tsoldier,\tdagger\talready\tslicing across\t the\t neck\t of\t the\t next,\t when\t growling\t shook\t the\t stones\t of\t the\t fortress.\t Some\t of\t the demi-Fae\t froze,\t but\t Rowan\t nearly\t shuddered\t with\t relief\t as\t twin\t wolves\t leapt\t down\t the staircase\tand\tclosed\ttheir\tjaws\taround\tthe\tnecks\tof\ttwo\tAdarlanian\tsoldiers. Great\t wings\t flapped,\t and\t then\t a\t glowering,\t dark-eyed\t male\t was\t in\t front\t of\t him, swinging\t a\t sword\t older\t than\t the\t occupants\t of\t Mistward.\t Vaughan\t merely\t nodded\t at\t him before\ttaking\tup\ta\tposition,\tnever\tone\tto\twaste\twords. Beyond\t him,\t the\t wolves\t were\t nothing\t short\t of\t lethal,\t and\t did\t not\t bother\t to\t shift\t into their\t Fae\t forms\t as\t they\t took\t down\t soldier\t after\t soldier,\t leaving\t those\t that\t got\t through\t to the\t male\t waiting\t behind\t them.\t That\t was\t all\t Rowan\t had\t to\t see\t before\t he\t sprinted\t for\t the stairs,\tdodging\tthe\tstunned\tand\tbloodied\tdemi-Fae. Darkness\t had\t not\t fallen,\t which\t meant\t she\t had\t to\t still\t be\t breathing,\t she\t had\t to\t still\t be holding\tthe\tline,\tbut\u2014 A\tmountain\tcat\tskidded\tto\ta\thalt\ton\tthe\tstairwell\tlanding\tand\tshifted.\tRowan\ttook\tone look\tat\tGavriel\u2019s\ttawny\teyes\tand\tsaid,\t\u201cWhere\tis\tshe?\u201d Gavriel\theld\tout\tan\tarm.\tAs\tif\tto\tstop\thim.\t\u201cShe\u2019s\tin\tbad\tshape,\tRowan.\tI\tthink\u2014\u201d Rowan\t ran,\t shoving\t aside\t his\t oldest\t friend,\t shouldering\t past\t the\t other\t towering\t male who\t now\t appeared\u2014Lorcan.\t Even\t Lorcan\t had\t answered\t his\t call.\t The\t time\t for\t gratitude would\t come\t later,\t and\t the\t dark-haired\t demi-Fae\t didn\u2019t\t say\t anything\t as\t Rowan\t rushed\t to the\tbattlement\tgates.\tWhat\the\tsaw\tbeyond\talmost\tdrove\thim\tto\this\tknees. The\twall\tof\tflame\twas\tin\ttatters,\tbut\tstill\tprotecting\tthe\tbarrier.\tBut\tthe\tthree\tcreatures \u2026 Aelin\t was\t standing\t in\t front\t of\t them,\t hunched\t and\t panting,\t sword\t limp\t in\t her\t hand. They\tadvanced,\tand\ta\tfeeble\tblue\tflame\tsprang\tup\tbefore\tthem.\tThey\tswiped\tit\taway\twith wave\tof\ttheir\thands.\tAnother\tflame\tsprang\tup,\tand\ther\tknees\tbuckled. The\tshield\tof\tflame\tsurged\tand\treceded,\tpulsing\tlike\tthe\tlight\taround\ther\tbody.\tShe\twas burning\tout.\tWhy\thadn\u2019t\tshe\tretreated? Another\tstep\tcloser\tand\tthe\tthings\tsaid\tsomething\tthat\thad\ther\traising\ther\thead.\tRowan knew\t he\t could\t not\t reach\t her,\t didn\u2019t\t even\t have\t the\t breath\t to\t shout\t a\t warning\t as\t Aelin gazed\tinto\tthe\tface\tof\tthe\tcreature\tbefore\ther. She\thad\tlied\tto\thim.\tShe\thad\twanted\tto\tsave\tlives,\tyes.\tBut\tshe\thad\tgone\tout\tthere\twith","no\tintention\tof\tsaving\ther\town. He\t drew\t in\t a\t breath\u2014to\t run,\t to\t roar,\t to\t summon\t his\t power,\t but\t a\t wall\t of\t muscle slammed\t into\t him\t from\t behind,\t tackling\t him\t to\t the\t grass.\t Though\t Rowan\t shoved\t and twisted\t against\t Gavriel,\t he\t could\t do\t nothing\t against\t the\t four\t centuries\t of\t training\t and feline\tinstinct\tthat\thad\tpinned\thim,\tkeeping\thim\tfrom\trunning\tthrough\tthose\tgates\tand\tinto the\tblackness\tthat\tdestroyed\tworlds. The\t creature\t took\t Aelin\u2019s\t face\t in\t its\t hands,\t and\t her\t sword\t thudded\t to\t the\t ground, forgotten. Rowan\twas\tscreaming\tas\tthe\tcreature\tpulled\ther\tinto\tits\tarms.\tAs\tshe\tstopped\tfighting. As\ther\tflames\twinked\tout\tand\tdarkness\tswallowed\ther\twhole.","Chapter\t53 There\twas\tblood\teverywhere. As\t before,\t Celaena\t stood\t between\t the\t two\t bloody\t beds,\t reeking\t breath\t caressing\t her ear,\t her\t neck,\t her\t spine.\t She\t could\t feel\t the\t Valg\t princes\t roving\t around\t her,\t circling\t with predators\u2019\tgaits,\tdevouring\ther\tmisery\tand\tpain\tbit\tby\tbit,\ttasting\tand\tsavoring. There\twas\tno\tway\tout,\tand\tshe\tcould\tnot\tmove\tas\tshe\tlooked\tfrom\tone\tbed\tto\tthe\tother. Nehemia\u2019s\tcorpse,\tmangled\tand\tmutilated.\tBecause\tshe\thad\tbeen\ttoo\tlate,\tand\tbecause she\thad\tbeen\ta\tcoward. And\ther\tparents,\tthroats\tslit\tfrom\tear\tto\tear,\tgray\tand\tlifeless.\tDead\tfrom\tan\tattack\tthey should\thave\tsensed.\tAn\tattack\tshe\tshould\thave\tsensed.\tMaybe\tshe\thad\tsensed\tit,\tand\tthat was\twhy\tshe\thad\tcrept\tin\tthat\tnight.\tBut\tshe\thad\tbeen\ttoo\tlate\tthen\tas\twell. Two\tbeds.\tTwo\tfractures\tin\ther\tsoul,\tcracks\tthrough\twhich\tthe\tabyss\thad\tcome\tpouring in\tlong\tbefore\tthe\tValg\tprinces\thad\tever\tseized\ther.\tA\tclaw\tscraped\talong\ther\tneck\tand\tshe jerked\taway,\tstumbling\ttoward\ther\tparents\u2019\tcorpses. The\t moment\t that\t darkness\t had\t swept\t around\t her,\t snuffing\t out\t her\t exhausted\t flame,\t it began\t eating\t away\t at\t the\t reckless\t rage\t that\t had\t compelled\t her\t to\t step\t out\t of\t the\t barrier. Here\t in\t the\t dark,\t the\t silence\t was\t complete\u2014eternal.\t She\t could\t feel\t the\t Valg\t slinking around\ther,\thungry\tand\teager\tand\tfull\tof\tcold,\tancient\tmalice.\tShe\u2019d\texpected\tto\thave\tthe life\t sucked\t from\t her\t instantly,\t but\t they\t had\t just\t stayed\t close\t in\t the\t dark,\t brushing\t up against\ther\tlike\tcats,\tuntil\ta\tfaint\tlight\thad\tformed\tand\tshe\u2019d\tfound\therself\tbetween\tthese two\t beds.\t She\t was\t unable\t to\t look\t away,\t unable\t to\t do\t anything\t but\t feel\t her\t nausea\t and panic\trise\tbit\tby\tbit.\tAnd\tnow\t\u2026\tNow\t\u2026 Though\ther\tbody\tremained\tunmoving\ton\tthe\tbed,\tNehemia\u2019s\tvoice\twhispered,\tCoward. Celaena\tvomited.\tA\tfaint,\thoarse\tlaugh\tsounded\tbehind\ther. She\t backed\t up,\t farther\t and\t farther\t from\t the\t bed\t where\t Nehemia\t lay.\t Then\t she\t was standing\tin\ta\tsea\tof\tred\u2014red\tand\twhite\tand\tgray,\tand\u2014 She\t now\t stood\t like\t a\t wraith\t in\t her\t parents\u2019\t bed,\t where\t she\t had\t lain\t ten\t years\t ago, awakening\tbetween\ttheir\tcorpses\tto\tthe\tservant\twoman\u2019s\tscreaming.\tIt\twas\tthose\tscreams she\tcould\thear\tnow,\thigh\tand\tendless,\tand\u2014Coward. Celaena\tfell\tagainst\tthe\theadboard,\tas\treal\tand\tsmooth\tand\tcold\tas\tshe\tremembered\tit. There\twas\tnowhere\telse\tfor\ther\tto\tgo.\tIt\twas\ta\tmemory\u2014these\twere\tnot\treal\tthings. She\t pressed\t her\t palms\t against\t the\t wood,\t fighting\t her\t building\t scream.\t Coward. Nehemia\u2019s\t voice\t again\t filled\t the\t room.\t Celaena\t squeezed\t her\t eyes\t shut\t and\t said\t into\t the wall,\t\u201cI\tknow.\tI\tknow.\u201d She\tdid\tnot\tfight\tas\tcold,\tclaw-tipped\tfingers\tstroked\tat\ther\tcheeks,\tat\ther\tbrow,\tat\ther shoulders.\tOne\tof\tthe\tclaws\tsevered\tclean\tthrough\ther\tlong\tbraid\tas\tit\twhipped\ther\taround.","She\tdid\tnot\tfight\tas\tdarkness\tswallowed\ther\twhole\tand\tdragged\ther\tdown\tdeep. The\tdarkness\thad\tno\tend\tand\tno\tbeginning. It\t was\t the\t abyss\t that\t had\t haunted\t her\t steps\t for\t ten\t years,\t and\t she\t free-fell\t into\t it, welcomed\tit. There\t was\t no\t sound,\t only\t the\t vague\t sense\t of\t going\t toward\t a\t bottom\t that\t might\t not exist,\tor\tthat\tmight\tmean\ther\ttrue\tend.\tMaybe\tthe\tValg\tprinces\thad\tdevoured\ther,\tturning her\tinto\ta\thusk.\tMaybe\ther\tsoul\twas\tforever\ttrapped\there,\tin\tthis\tplunging\tdarkness. Perhaps\tthis\twas\thell. The\t blackness\t was\t rippling\t now,\t shifting\t with\t sound\t and\t color\t that\t she\t passed\t through. She\tlived\tthrough\teach\timage,\teach\tmemory\tworse\tthan\tthe\tnext.\tChaol\u2019s\tface\tas\the\tsaw what\tshe\ttruly\twas;\tNehemia\u2019s\tmutilated\tbody;\ther\tfinal\tconversation\twith\ther\tfriend,\tthe damning\t things\t she\u2019d\t said.\t When\t your\t people\t are\t lying\t dead\t around\t you,\t don\u2019t\t come crying\tto\tme. It\thad\tcome\ttrue\u2014now\tthousands\tof\tslaves\tfrom\tEyllwe\thad\tbeen\tslaughtered\tfor\ttheir bravery. She\t tumbled\t through\t a\t maelstrom\t of\t the\t moments\t when\t she\t had\t proved\t her\t friend right.\t She\t was\t a\t waste\t of\t space\t and\t breath,\t a\t stain\t on\t the\t world.\t Unworthy\t of\t her birthright. This\twas\thell\u2014and\tlooked\tlike\thell,\tas\tshe\tsaw\tthe\tbloodbath\tshe\u2019d\tcreated\ton\tthe\tday she\trampaged\tthrough\tEndovier.\tThe\tscreams\tof\tthe\tdying\u2014the\tmen\tshe\u2019d\tcut\tapart\u2014tore at\ther\tlike\tphantom\thands. This\twas\twhat\tshe\tdeserved. She\twent\tmad\tduring\tthat\tfirst\tday\tin\tEndovier. Went\tmad\tas\tthe\tdescent\tslowed\tand\tshe\twas\tstripped\tand\tstrapped\tbetween\ttwo\tblood- splattered\tposts.\tThe\tcold\tair\tnipped\tat\ther\tbare\tbreasts,\ta\tbite\tthat\twas\tnothing\tcompared to\tthe\tterror\tand\tagony\tas\ta\twhip\tcracked\tand\u2014 She\t jerked\t against\t the\t ropes\t binding\t her.\t She\t scarcely\t had\t time\t to\t draw\t in\t a\t breath before\tthe\tcrack\tsounded\tagain,\tcleaving\tthe\tworld\tlike\tlightning,\tcleaving\ther\tskin. \u201cCoward,\u201d\t Nehemia\t said\t behind\t her,\t and\t the\t whip\t cracked.\t \u201cCoward.\u201d\t The\t pain\t was blinding.\t\u201cLook\tat\tme.\u201d\tShe\tcouldn\u2019t\tlift\ther\thead,\tthough.\tCouldn\u2019t\tturn.\t\u201cLook\tat\tme.\u201d She\tsagged\tagainst\ther\tropes,\tbut\tmanaged\tto\tlook\tover\ther\tshoulder. Nehemia\t was\t whole,\t beautiful\t and\t untouched,\t her\t eyes\t full\t of\t damning\t hatred.\t And then\t from\t behind\t her\t emerged\t Sam,\t handsome\t and\t tall.\t His\t death\t had\t been\t so\t similar\t to Nehemia\u2019s,\tand\tyet\tso\tmuch\tworse,\tdrawn\tout\tover\thours.\tShe\thad\tnot\tsaved\thim,\teither. When\tshe\tbeheld\tthe\tiron-tipped\twhip\tin\this\thands,\twhen\the\tstepped\tpast\tNehemia\tand\tlet the\twhip\tunfurl\tonto\tthe\trocky\tearth,\tCelaena\tlet\tout\ta\tlow,\tquiet\tlaugh.","She\twelcomed\tthe\tpain\twith\topen\tarms\tas\the\ttook\ta\tdeep\tbreath,\tclothes\tshifting\twith the\t movement\t as\t he\t snapped\t the\t whip.\t The\t iron\t tip\u2014oh\t gods,\t it\t ripped\t her\t clean\t open, knocked\ther\tlegs\tout\tfrom\tunderneath\ther. \u201cAgain,\u201d\tCelaena\ttold\thim,\tthe\tword\tlittle\tmore\tthan\ta\trasp.\t\u201cAgain.\u201d Sam\tobeyed.\tThere\twas\tonly\tthe\tthud\tof\tleather\ton\twet\tflesh\tas\tSam\tand\tNehemia\ttook turns,\t and\t a\t line\t of\t people\t formed\t behind\t them,\t waiting\t for\t what\t they\t deserved\t as payment\tfor\twhat\tshe\thad\tfailed\tto\tdo. Such\ta\tlong\tline\tof\tpeople.\tSo\tmany\tlives\tthat\tshe\thad\ttaken\tor\tfailed\tto\tprotect. Again. Again. Again. She\thad\tnot\twalked\tpast\tthe\tbarrier\texpecting\tto\tdefeat\tthe\tValg\tprinces. She\thad\twalked\tout\tthere\tfor\tthe\tsame\treason\tshe\thad\tsnapped\tthat\tday\tin\tEndovier. But\tthe\tValg\tprinces\thad\tnot\tkilled\ther\tyet. She\thad\tfelt\ttheir\tpleasure\tas\tshe\tbegged\tfor\tthe\twhipping.\tIt\twas\ttheir\tsustenance.\tHer mortal\tflesh\twas\tnothing\tto\tthem\u2014it\twas\tthe\tagony\twithin\tthat\twas\tthe\tprize.\tThey\twould draw\tthis\tout\tforever,\tkeep\ther\tas\ttheir\tpet. There\twas\tno\tone\tto\tsave\ther,\tno\tone\twho\tcould\tenter\ttheir\tdarkness\tand\tlive. One\t by\t one,\t they\t groped\t through\t her\t memories.\t She\t fed\t them,\t gave\t them\t everything they\twanted\tand\tmore.\tBack\tand\tback,\tsorting\tthrough\tthe\tyears\tas\tthey\tplunged\tinto\tthe dark,\ttwining\ttogether.\tShe\tdid\tnot\tcare. She\thad\tnot\tlooked\tinto\tthe\tValg\tprince\u2019s\teyes\texpecting\tto\tever\tagain\tsee\tsunrise. She\tdid\tnot\tknow\thow\tlong\tshe\tfell\twith\tthem. But\tthen\tthere\twas\ta\trushing,\troaring\tbelow\u2014a\tfrozen\triver.\tWhispers\tand\tfoggy\tlight were\trising\tto\tmeet\tthem.\tNo,\tnot\trising\u2014this\twas\tthe\tbottom. An\tend\tto\tthe\tabyss.\tAnd\tan\tend\tto\ther,\tperhaps,\tat\tlast. She\t didn\u2019t\t know\t if\t the\t Valg\t princes\u2019\t hissing\t was\t from\t anger\t or\t pleasure\t as\t they slammed\tinto\tthat\tfrozen\triver\tat\tthe\tbottom\tof\ther\tsoul.","Chapter\t54 Trumpets\t announced\t his\t arrival.\t Trumpets\t and\t silence\t as\t the\t people\t of\t Orynth\t crowded the\tsteep\tstreets\twinding\tup\tto\tthe\twhite\tpalace\tthat\twatched\tover\tthem\tall.\tIt\twas\tthe\tfirst sunny\t day\t in\t weeks\u2014the\t snow\t on\t the\t cobblestone\t streets\t melting\t quickly,\t though\t the wind\tstill\thad\ta\tfinal\tbite\tof\twinter\tto\tit,\tenough\tso\tthat\tthe\tKing\tof\tAdarlan\tand\this\tentire massive\tparty\twere\tbundled\tin\tfurs\tthat\tcovered\ttheir\tregalia. Their\t gold\t and\t crimson\t flags,\t however,\t flapped\t in\t the\t crisp\t wind,\t the\t golden\t poles shining\tas\tbrightly\tas\tthe\tarmor\tof\ttheir\tbearers,\twho\ttrotted\tat\tthe\thead\tof\tthe\tparty.\tShe watched\tthem\tapproach\tfrom\tone\tof\tthe\tbalconies\toff\tthe\tthrone\troom,\tAedion\tat\ther\tside running\ta\tconstant\tcommentary\tabout\tthe\tstate\tof\ttheir\thorses,\tarmor,\tweapons\u2014about\tthe King\tof\tAdarlan\thimself,\twho\trode\tnear\tthe\tfront\ton\ta\tgreat\tblack\twarhorse.\tThere\twas\ta pony\tbeside\thim,\tbearing\ta\tsmaller\tfigure.\t\u201cHis\tsniveling\tson,\u201d\tAedion\ttold\ther. The\t whole\t castle\t was\t miserably\t quiet.\t Everyone\t was\t dashing\t around,\t but\t silently, tensely.\t Her\t father\t had\t been\t on\t edge\t at\t breakfast,\t her\t mother\t distracted,\t the\t whole\t court snarly\tand\twearing\tfar\tmore\tweapons\tthan\tusual.\tOnly\ther\tuncle\tseemed\tthe\tsame\u2014only Orlon\t had\t smiled\t at\t her\t today,\t said\t she\t looked\t very\t pretty\t in\t her\t blue\t dress\t and\t golden crown,\t and\t tugged\t one\t of\t her\t freshly\t pressed\t curls.\t No\t one\t had\t told\t her\t anything\t about this\tvisit,\tbut\tshe\tknew\tit\twas\timportant,\tbecause\teven\tAedion\twas\twearing\tclean\tclothes, a\tcrown,\tand\ta\tnew\tdagger,\twhich\the\u2019d\ttaken\tto\ttossing\tin\tthe\tair. \u201cAedion,\t Aelin,\u201d\t someone\t hissed\t from\t inside\t the\t throne\t room\u2014Lady\t Marion,\t her mother\u2019s\t dearest\t friend\t and\t handmaiden.\t \u201cOn\t the\t dais,\t now.\u201d\t Behind\t the\t lovely\t lady peeked\t a\t night-black\t head\t of\t hair\t and\t onyx\t eyes\u2014Elide,\t her\t daughter.\t The\t girl\t was\t too quiet\t and\t breakable\t for\t her\t to\t bother\t with\t usually.\t And\t Lady\t Marion,\t her\t nursemaid, coddled\ther\town\tdaughter\tendlessly. \u201cRat\u2019s\t balls,\u201d\t Aedion\t cursed,\t and\t Marion\t went\t red\t with\t anger,\t but\t did\t not\t reprimand. Proof\tenough\tthat\ttoday\twas\tdifferent\u2014dangerous,\teven. Her\t stomach\t shifted.\t But\t she\t followed\t Lady\t Marion\t inside,\t Aedion\t at\t her\t heels\t as always,\t and\t preched\t on\t her\t little\t throne\t set\t beside\t her\t father \u2019s.\t Aedion\t took\t up\t his\t place flanking\ther,\tshoulders\tback\tand\thead\thigh,\talready\ther\tprotector\tand\twarrior. The\twhole\tof\tOrynth\twas\tsilent\tas\tthe\tKing\tof\tAdarlan\tentered\ttheir\tmountain\thome. She\thated\tthe\tKing\tof\tAdarlan. He\t did\t not\t smile\u2014not\t when\t he\t stalked\t into\t the\t throne\t room\t to\t greet\t her\t uncle\t and parents,\t not\t when\t he\t introduced\t his\t eldest\t son,\t Crown\t Prince\t Dorian\t Havilliard,\t and\t not when\tthey\tcame\tto\tthe\tgreat\thall\tfor\tthe\tlargest\tfeast\tshe\u2019d\tever\tseen.\tHe\u2019d\tonly\tlooked\tat her\t twice\t so\t far:\t once\t during\t that\t initial\t meeting,\t when\t he\u2019d\t stared\t at\t her\t long\t and\t hard enough\t that\t her\t father\t had\t demanded\t to\t know\t what\t he\t found\t so\t interesting\t about\t his daughter,\tand\ttheir\twhole\tcourt\thad\ttensed.\tBut\tshe\thadn\u2019t\tbroken\this\tdark\tstare.\tShe\thated","his\tscarred,\tbrutish\tface\tand\tfurs.\tHated\tthe\tway\the\tignored\this\tdark-haired\tson,\twho\tstood like\ta\tpretty\tdoll\tbeside\thim,\this\tmanners\tso\telegant\tand\tgraceful,\this\tpale\thands\tlike\tlittle birds\tas\tthey\tmoved. The\tsecond\ttime\tthe\tking\thad\tlooked\tat\ther\thad\tbeen\tat\tthis\ttable,\twhere\tshe\tnow\tsat\ta few\tseats\tdown,\tflanked\tby\tLady\tMarion\ton\tthe\tside\tclosest\tto\tthe\tking\tand\tAedion\ton\tthe other.\t There\t were\t daggers\t on\t Lady\t Marion\u2019s\t legs\t beneath\t her\t dress\u2014she\t knew\t because she\tkept\tbumping\tinto\tthem.\tLord\tCal,\tMarion\u2019s\thusband,\tsat\tbeside\this\twife,\tthe\tsteel\ton him\tgleaming. Elide,\talong\twith\tall\tthe\tother\tchildren,\thad\tbeen\tsent\tupstairs.\tOnly\tshe\tand\tAedion\u2014 and\t Prince\t Dorian\u2014were\t allowed\t here.\t Aedion\t puffed\t with\t pride\t and\t barely\t restrained temper\twhen\tthe\tKing\tof\tAdarlan\tviewed\ther\ta\tsecond\ttime,\tas\tif\the\tcould\tsee\tthrough\tto her\t bones.\t Then\t the\t king\t was\t swept\t into\t conversation\t with\t her\t parents\t and\t uncle\t and\t all the\tlords\tand\tladies\tof\tthe\tcourt\twho\thad\tplaced\tthemselves\taround\tthe\troyal\tfamily. She\thad\talways\tknown\ther\tcourt\ttook\tno\tchances,\tnot\twith\ther\tand\tnot\twith\ther\tparents or\t uncle.\t Even\t now,\t she\t noticed\t the\t eyes\t of\t her\t father\u2019s\t closest\t friends\t darting\t to\t the windows\tand\tdoorways\tas\tthey\tmaintained\tconversation\twith\tthose\taround\tthem. The\t rest\t of\t the\t hall\t was\t filled\t with\t the\t party\t from\t Adarlan\t and\t the\t outer\t circles\t of Orlon\u2019s\t court,\t along\t with\t key\t merchants\t from\t the\t city\t who\t wanted\t to\t make\t ties\t with Adarlan.\tOr\tsomething\tlike\tthat.\tBut\ther\tattention\twas\ton\tthe\tprince\tacross\tfrom\ther,\twho seemed\tutterly\tignored\tby\this\tfather\tand\this\town\tcourt,\tshoved\tdown\tnear\tthe\tend\twith\ther and\tAedion. He\tate\tso\tbeautifully,\tshe\tthought,\twatching\thim\tcut\tinto\this\troast\tchicken.\tNot\ta\tdrop moved\t out\t of\t place,\t not\t a\t scrap\t fell\t on\t the\t table.\t She\t had\t decent\t manners,\t while\t Aedion was\t hopeless,\t his\t plate\t littered\t with\t bones\t and\t crumbs\t scattered\t everywhere,\t even\t some on\ther\town\tdress.\tShe\u2019d\tkicked\thim\tfor\tit,\tbut\this\tattention\twas\ttoo\tfocused\ton\tthe\troyals down\tthe\ttable. So\t both\t she\t and\t the\t Crown\t Prince\t were\t to\t be\t ignored,\t then.\t She\t looked\t at\t the\t boy again,\t who\t was\t around\t her\t age,\t she\t supposed.\t His\t skin\t was\t from\t the\t winter,\t his\t blue- black\thair\tneatly\ttrimmed;\this\tsapphire\teyes\tlifted\tfrom\this\tplate\tto\tmeet\thers. \u201cYou\teat\tlike\ta\tfine\tlady,\u201d\tshe\ttold\thim. His\tlips\tthinned\tand\tcolor\tstained\this\tivory\tcheeks.\tAcross\tfrom\ther,\tQuinn,\ther\tuncle\u2019s Captain\tof\tthe\tGuard,\tchoked\ton\this\twater. The\t prince\t glanced\t at\t his\t father\u2014still\t busy\t with\t her\t uncle\u2014before\t replying.\t Not\t for approval,\tbut\tin\tfear.\t\u201cI\teat\tlike\ta\tprince,\u201d\tDorian\tsaid\tquietly. \u201cYou\tdo\tnot\tneed\tto\tcut\tyour\tbread\twith\ta\tfork\tand\tknife,\u201d\tshe\tsaid.\tA\tfaint\tpounding started\tin\ther\thead,\tfollowed\tby\ta\tflickering\twarmth,\tbut\tshe\tignored\tit.\tThe\thall\twas\thot, as\tthey\u2019d\tshut\tall\tthe\twindows\tfor\tsome\treason. \u201cHere\t in\t the\t North,\u201d\t she\t went\t on\t as\t the\t prince\u2019s\t knife\t and\t fork\t remained\t where\t they were\ton\this\tdinner\troll,\t\u201cyou\tneed\tnot\tbe\tso\tformal.\tWe\tdon\u2019t\tput\ton\tairs.\u201d Hen,\tone\tof\tQuinn\u2019s\tmen,\tcoughed\tpointedly\tfrom\ta\tfew\tseats\tdown.\tShe\tcould\talmost hear\thim\tsaying,\tSays\tthe\tlittle\tlady\twith\ther\thair\tpressed\tinto\tcareful\tcurls\tand\twearing","her\tnew\tdress\tthat\tshe\tthreatened\tto\tskin\tus\tover\tif\twe\tgot\tdirty. She\tgave\tHen\tan\tequally\tpointed\tlook,\tthen\treturned\ther\tattention\tto\tthe\tforeign\tprince. He\u2019d\talready\tlooked\tdown\tat\this\tfood\tagain,\tas\tif\the\texpected\tto\tbe\tneglected\tfor\tthe\trest of\t the\t night.\t And\t he\t looked\t lonely\t enough\t that\t she\t said,\t \u201cIf\t you\t like,\t you\t could\t be\t my friend.\u201d\tNot\tone\tof\tthe\tmen\taround\tthem\tsaid\tanything,\tor\tcoughed. Dorian\t lifted\t his\t chin.\t \u201cI\t have\t a\t friend.\t He\t is\t to\t be\t Lord\t of\t Anielle\t someday,\t and\t the fiercest\twarrior\tin\tthe\tland.\u201d She\tdoubted\tAedion\twould\tlike\tthat\tclaim,\tbut\ther\tcousin\tremained\tfocused\tdown\tthe table.\t She\t wished\t she\u2019d\t kept\t her\t mouth\t closed.\t Even\t this\t useless\t foreign\t prince\t had friends.\t The\t pounding\t in\t her\t head\t increased,\t and\t she\t took\t a\t drink\t of\t her\t water.\t Water\u2014 always\twater\tto\tcool\ther\tinsides. Reaching\tfor\ther\tglass,\thowever,\tsent\tspikes\tof\tred-hot\tpain\tthrough\ther\thead,\tand\tshe winced.\t\u201cPrincess?\u201d\tQuinn\tsaid,\talways\tthe\tfirst\tto\tnotice. She\tblinked,\tblack\tspots\tforming.\tBut\tthe\tpain\tstopped. No,\tnot\ta\tstop,\tbut\ta\tpause.\tA\tpause,\tthen\u2014 Right\tbetween\ther\teyes,\tit\tached\tand\tpressed\tat\ther\thead,\ttrying\tto\tget\tin.\tShe\trubbed her\t brows.\t Her\t throat\t closed\t up,\t and\t she\t reached\t for\t the\t water,\t thinking\t of\t coolness,\t of calm\tand\tcold,\texactly\tas\ther\ttutors\tand\tthe\tcourt\thad\ttold\ther.\tBut\tthe\tmagic\twas\tchurning in\ther\tgut\u2014burning\tup.\tEach\tpulse\tof\tpain\tin\ther\thead\tmade\tit\tworse. \u201cPrincess,\u201d\tQuinn\tsaid\tagain.\tShe\tgot\tto\ther\tfeet,\tlegs\twobbling.\tThe\tblackness\tin\ther vision\t grew\t with\t each\t blow\t from\t the\t pain,\t and\t she\t swayed.\t Distantly,\t as\t if\t she\t were underwater,\t she\t heard\t Lady\t Marion\t say\t her\t name,\t reach\t for\t her,\t but\t she\t wanted\t her mother\u2019s\tcool\ttouch. Her\tmother\tturned\tin\ther\tseat,\tface\tdrawn,\ther\tgolden\tearrings\tcatching\tin\tthe\tlight.\tShe stretched\tout\tan\tarm,\tbeckoning.\t\u201cWhat\tis\tit,\tFireheart?\u201d \u201cI\tdon\u2019t\tfeel\twell,\u201d\tshe\tsaid,\tbarely\table\tto\tget\tthe\twords\tout.\tShe\tgripped\ther\tmother\u2019s velvet-clad\tarm,\tfor\tcomfort\tand\tto\tkeep\ther\tbuckling\tknees\tfrom\tgiving\tout. \u201cWhat\t feels\t wrong?\u201d\t her\t mother\t asked,\t even\t as\t she\t put\t a\t hand\t to\t her\t forehead.\t A flicker\t of\t worry,\t then\t a\t glance\t back\t at\t her\t father,\t who\t watched\t from\t beside\t the\t King\t of Adarlan.\t \u201cShe\u2019s\t burning\t up,\u201d\t she\t said\t softly.\t Lady\t Marion\t was\t suddenly\t behind\t her,\t and her\t mother\t looked\t up\t to\t say,\t \u201cHave\t the\t healer\t go\t to\t her\t room.\u201d\t Marion\t was\t gone\t in\t an instant,\thurrying\tto\ta\tside\tdoor. She\tdidn\u2019t\tneed\ta\thealer,\tand\tshe\tgripped\ther\tmother\u2019s\tarm\tto\ttell\ther\tas\tmuch.\tYet\tno words\t would\t come\t out\t as\t the\t magic\t surged\t and\t burned.\t Her\t mother\t hissed\t and\t jerked back\u2014smoke\trising\tfrom\ther\tdress,\tfrom\twhere\tshe\thad\tgripped\ther.\t\u201cAelin.\u201d Her\thead\tgave\ta\tthrob\u2014a\tblast\tof\tpain,\tand\tthen\t\u2026 A\twriggling,\tsquirming\tinside\ther\thead. A\t worm\t of\t darkness,\t pushing\t its\t way\t in.\t Her\t magic\t roiled,\t thrashing,\t trying\t to\t get\t it out,\tto\tburn\tit\tup,\tto\tsave\tthem\tboth,\tbut\u2014\u201cAelin.\u201d","\u201cGet\tit\tout,\u201d\tshe\trasped,\tpushing\tat\ther\ttemples\tas\tshe\tbacked\taway\tfrom\tthe\ttable.\tTwo of\tthe\tforeign\tlords\tgrabbed\tDorian\tfrom\tthe\ttable\tand\tswept\thim\tfrom\tthe\troom. Her\tmagic\tbucked\tlike\ta\tstallion\tas\tthe\tworm\twriggled\tfarther\tin.\t\u201cGet\tit\tout.\u201d \u201cAelin.\u201d\t Her\t father\t was\t on\t his\t feet\t now,\t hand\t on\t his\t sword.\t Half\t the\t others\t were standing\ttoo,\tbut\tshe\tflung\tout\ta\thand\u2014to\tkeep\tthem\taway,\tto\twarn\tthem. Blue\t flame\t shot\t out.\t Two\t people\t dove\t in\t time\t to\t avoid\t it,\t but\t everyone\t was\t on\t their feet\tas\tthe\tvacated\tseats\twent\tup\tin\tflames. The\tworm\twould\tlatch\tinto\ther\tmind\tand\tnever\tlet\tgo. She\tgrabbed\tat\ther\thead,\ther\tmagic\tscreaming,\tso\tloud\tit\tcould\tshatter\tthe\tworld.\tAnd then\t she\t was\t burning,\t a\t living\t column\t of\t turquoise\t flame,\t sobbing\t as\t the\t dark\t worm continued\tits\twork\tand\tthe\twalls\tof\ther\tmind\tbegan\tto\tgive. Above\ther\town\tvoice,\tabove\tthe\tshouting\tin\tthe\thall,\tshe\theard\ther\tfather\u2019s\tbellow\u2014a command\t to\t her\t mother,\t who\t was\t on\t her\t knees,\t hands\t outstretched\t toward\t her\t in supplication.\t\u201cDo\tit,\tEvalin!\u201d The\tpillar\tof\tflame\tgrew\thotter,\thot\tenough\tthat\tpeople\twere\tfleeing\tnow. Her\tmother\u2019s\teyes\tmet\ther\town,\tfull\tof\tpleading\tand\tpain. Then\t water\u2014a\t wall\t of\t water\t crashing\t down\t on\t her,\t slamming\t her\t to\t the\t stones, flowing\tdown\ther\tthroat,\tinto\ther\teyes,\tchoking\ther. Drowning\t her.\t Until\t there\t was\t no\t air\t for\t her\t flame,\t only\t water\t and\t its\t freezing embrace. The\tKing\tof\tAdarlan\tlooked\tat\ther\tfor\ta\tthird\ttime\u2014and\tsmiled. The\tValg\tprinces\tenjoyed\tthat\tmemory,\tthat\tterror\tand\tpain.\tAnd\tas\tthey\tpaused\tto\tsavor it,\t Celaena\t understood.\t The\t King\t of\t Adarlan\t had\t used\t his\t power\t on\t her\t that\t night.\t Her parents\t could\t not\t have\t known\t that\t the\t person\t responsible\t for\t that\t dark\t worm,\t which\t had vanished\tas\tsoon\tas\tshe\u2019d\tlost\tconsciousness,\twas\tthe\tman\tsitting\tbeside\tthem. There\t was\t another\t one\t of\t them\t now\u2014a\t fourth\t prince,\t living\t inside\t Narrok,\t who\t said, \u201cThe\t soldiers\t have\t almost\t taken\t the\t tunnel.\t Be\t ready\t to\t move\t soon.\u201d\t She\t could\t feel\t him hovering\tover\ther,\tobserving.\t\u201cYou\u2019ve\tfound\tme\ta\tprize\tthat\twill\tinterest\tour\tliege.\tDo\tnot waste\ther.\tSips\tonly.\u201d She\ttried\tto\tsummon\thorror\u2014tried\tto\tfeel\tanything\tat\tthe\tthought\tof\twhere\tthey\twould take\ther,\twhat\tthey\twould\tdo\tto\ther.\tBut\tshe\tcould\tfeel\tnothing\tas\tthe\tprinces\tmurmured their\tunderstanding,\tand\tthe\tmemory\ttumbled\tonward. Her\tmother\tthought\tit\twas\tan\tattack\tfrom\tMaeve,\ta\tvicious\treminder\tof\twhatever\tdebt\tshe owed,\tto\tmake\tthem\tlook\tvulnerable.\tIn\tthe\thours\tafterward,\tas\tshe\u2019d\tlain\tin\tthe\tice-cold bath\tadjacent\tto\ther\tbedroom,\tshe\thad\tused\ther\tFae\tears\tto\toverhear\ther\tparents\tand\ttheir court\tdebating\tit\tfrom\tthe\tsitting\troom\tof\ttheir\tsuite. It\t had\t to\t be\t Maeve.\t No\t one\t else\t could\t do\t anything\t like\t that,\t or\t know\t that\t such\t a","demonstration\u2014in\t front\t of\t the\t King\t of\t Adarlan,\t who\t already\t loathed\t magic\u2014would\t be detrimental. She\tdid\tnot\twant\tto\ttalk,\teven\tonce\tshe\twas\tagain\tcapable\tof\twalking\tand\tspeaking\tand acting\t like\t a\t princess.\t Insisting\t some\t normalcy\t might\t help,\t her\t mother\t made\t her\t go\t to\t a tea\tthe\tnext\tafternoon\twith\tPrince\tDorian,\tcarefully\tguarded\tand\tmonitored,\twith\tAedion sitting\tbetween\tthem.\tAnd\twhen\tDorian\u2019s\tflawless\tmanners\tfaltered\tand\the\tknocked\tover the\tteapot,\tspilling\ton\ther\tnew\tdress,\tshe\u2019d\tmade\ta\tgood\tshow\tof\thaving\tAedion\tthreaten to\tpummel\thim. But\tshe\tdidn\u2019t\tcare\tabout\tthe\tprince,\tor\tthe\ttea,\tor\tthe\tdress.\tShe\tcould\tbarely\twalk\tback to\t her\t room,\t and\t that\t night\t she\t dreamt\t of\t the\t maggot\t invading\t her\t mind,\t waking\t with screams\tand\tflames\tin\ther\tmouth. At\tdawn,\ther\tparents\ttook\ther\tout\tof\tthe\tcastle,\theaded\tfor\ttheir\tmanor\ttwo\tdays\taway. Their\t foreign\t visitors\t might\t have\t caused\t too\t much\t stress,\t the\t healer\t said.\t She\t suggested Lady\tMarion\ttake\ther,\tbut\ther\tparents\tinsisted\tthey\tgo.\tHer\tuncle\tapproved.\tThe\tKing\tof Adarlan,\tit\tseemed,\twould\tnot\tstay\tin\tthe\tcastle\twith\ther\tmagic\trunning\trampant,\teither. Aedion\tremained\tin\tOrynth,\ther\tparents\tpromising\the\twould\tbe\tsent\tfor\twhen\tshe\twas settled\tagain.\tBut\tshe\tknew\tit\twas\tfor\this\tsafety.\tLady\tMarion\twent\twith\tthem,\tleaving\ther husband\tand\tElide\tat\tthe\tpalace\u2014for\ttheir\tsafety,\ttoo. A\tmonster,\tthat\twas\twhat\tshe\twas.\tA\tmonster\twho\thad\tto\tbe\tcontained\tand\tmonitored. Her\t parents\t argued\t the\t first\t two\t nights\t at\t the\t manor,\t and\t Lady\t Marion\t kept\t her company,\t reading\t to\t her,\t brushing\t her\t hair,\t telling\t her\t stories\t of\t her\t home\t in\t Perranth. Marion\t had\t been\t a\t laundress\t in\t the\t palace\t from\t her\t childhood.\t But\t when\t Evalin\t arrived, they\t had\t become\t friends\u2014mostly\t because\t the\t princess\t had\t stained\t her\t new\t husband\u2019s favorite\tshirt\twith\tink\tand\twanted\tto\tget\tit\tcleaned\tbefore\the\tnoticed. Evalin\tsoon\tmade\tMarion\ther\tlady-in-waiting,\tand\tthen\tLord\tLochan\thad\treturned\tfrom a\t rotation\t on\t the\t southern\t border.\t Handsome\t Cal\t Lochan,\t who\t somehow\t became\t the dirtiest\tman\tin\tthe\tcastle\tand\tconstantly\tneeded\tMarion\u2019s\tadvice\ton\thow\tto\tremove\tvarious stains.\t Who\t one\t day\t asked\t a\t bastard-born\t servant\t to\t be\t his\t wife\u2014and\t not\t just\t wife,\t but Lady\t of\t Perranth,\t the\t second-largest\t territory\t in\t Terrasen.\t Two\t years\t later,\t she\t had\t borne him\tElide,\their\tof\tPerranth. She\tloved\tMarion\u2019s\tstories,\tand\tit\twas\tthose\tstories\tshe\tclung\tto\tin\tthe\tquiet\tand\ttension of\tthe\tnext\tfew\tdays,\twhen\twinter\tstill\tgripped\tthe\tworld\tand\tmade\tthe\tmanor\tgroan. The\t house\t was\t creaking\t in\t the\t brisk\t winds\t the\t night\t her\t mother\t walked\t into\t her bedroom\u2014far\tless\tgrand\tthan\tthe\tone\tin\tthe\tpalace,\tbut\tstill\tlovely.\tThey\tonly\tsummered here,\t as\t the\t house\t was\t too\t drafty\t for\t winter,\t and\t the\t roads\t too\t perilous.\t The\t fact\t that they\u2019d\tcome\t\u2026 \u201cStill\t not\t asleep?\u201d\t her\t mother\t asked.\t Lady\t Marion\t rose\t from\t beside\t the\t bed.\t After\t a few\twarm\twords,\tMarion\tleft,\tsmiling\tat\tthem\tboth. Her\t mother\t curled\t up\t on\t the\t mattress,\t drawing\t her\t in\t close.\t \u201cI\u2019m\t sorry,\u201d\t her\t mother whispered\t onto\t her\t head.\t For\t the\t nightmares\t had\t also\t been\t of\t drowning\u2014of\t icy\t water closing\tover\ther\thead.\t\u201cI\tam\tso\tsorry,\tFireheart.\u201d","She\tburied\ther\tface\tin\ther\tmother\u2019s\tchest,\tsavoring\tthe\twarmth. \u201cAre\tyou\tstill\tfrightened\tof\tsleeping?\u201d She\tnodded,\tclinging\ttighter. \u201cI\t have\t a\t gift,\t then.\u201d\t When\t she\t didn\u2019t\t move,\t her\t mother\t said,\t \u201cDon\u2019t\t you\t wish\t to\t see it?\u201d She\tshook\ther\thead.\tShe\tdidn\u2019t\twant\ta\tgift. \u201cBut\tthis\twill\tprotect\tyou\tfrom\tharm\u2014this\twill\tkeep\tyou\tsafe\talways.\u201d She\t lifted\t her\t head\t to\t find\t her\t mother\t smiling\t as\t she\t removed\t the\t golden\t chain\t and heavy,\tround\tmedallion\tfrom\tbeneath\ther\tnightgown\tand\theld\tit\tout\tto\ther. She\tlooked\tat\tthe\tamulet,\tthen\tat\ther\tmother,\teyes\twide. The\tAmulet\tof\tOrynth.\tThe\theirloom\thonored\tabove\tall\tothers\tof\ttheir\thouse.\tIts\tround disk\t was\t the\t size\t of\t her\t palm,\t and\t on\t its\t cerulean\t front,\t a\t white\t stag\t had\t been\t carved\t of horn\u2014horn\tgifted\tfrom\tthe\tLord\tof\tthe\tForest.\tBetween\this\tcurling\tantlers\twas\ta\tburning crown\t of\t gold,\t the\t immortal\t star\t that\t watched\t over\t them\t and\t pointed\t the\t way\t home\t to Terrasen.\t She\t knew\t every\t inch\t of\t the\t amulet,\t had\t run\t her\t fingers\t over\t it\t countless\t times and\t memorized\t the\t shape\t of\t the\t symbols\t etched\t into\t the\t back\u2014words\t in\t a\t strange language\tthat\tno\tone\tcould\tremember. \u201cFather\tgave\tthis\tto\tyou\twhen\tyou\twere\tin\tWendlyn.\tTo\tprotect\tyou.\u201d The\tsmile\tremained.\t\u201cAnd\tbefore\tthat,\this\tuncle\tgave\tit\tto\thim\twhen\the\tcame\tof\tage.\tIt is\ta\tgift\tmeant\tto\tbe\tgiven\tto\tpeople\tin\tour\tfamily\u2014to\tthose\twho\tneed\tits\tguidance.\u201d She\t was\t too\t stunned\t to\t object\t as\t her\t mother\t slipped\t the\t chain\t over\t her\t head\t and arranged\t the\t amulet\t down\t her\t front.\t It\t hung\t almost\t to\t her\t navel,\t a\t warm,\t heavy\t weight. \u201cNever\t take\t it\t off.\t Never\t lose\t it.\u201d\t Her\t mother\t kissed\t her\t brow.\t \u201cWear\t it,\t and\t know\t that you\t are\t loved,\t Fireheart\u2014that\t you\t are\t safe,\t and\t it\t is\t the\t strength\t of\t this\u201d\u2014she\t placed\t a hand\t on\t her\t heart\u2014\u201cthat\t matters.\t Wherever\t you\t go,\t Aelin,\u201d\t she\t whispered,\t \u201cno\t matter how\tfar,\tthis\twill\tlead\tyou\thome.\u201d She\thad\tlost\tthe\tAmulet\tof\tOrynth.\tLost\tit\tthat\tvery\tsame\tnight. She\t could\t not\t bear\t it.\t She\t tried\t begging\t the\t Valg\t princes\t to\t put\t her\t out\t of\t her\t misery and\tdrain\ther\tinto\tnothing,\tbut\tshe\thad\tno\tvoice\there. Hours\tafter\ther\tmother\thad\tgiven\ther\tthe\tAmulet\tof\tOrynth,\ta\tstorm\thad\tstruck. It\t was\t a\t storm\t of\t unnatural\t darkness,\t and\t in\t it\t she\t felt\t that\t wriggling,\t horrific\t thing pushing\t against\t her\t mind\t again.\t Her\t parents\t remained\t unconscious\t along\t with\t everyone else\tin\tthe\tmanor,\teven\tthough\ta\tstrange\tsmell\tcoated\tthe\tair. She\t had\t clutched\t the\t amulet\t to\t her\t chest\t when\t she\t awoke\t to\t the\t pure\t dark\t and\t the thunder\u2014clutched\tit\tand\tprayed\tto\tevery\tgod\tshe\tknew.\tBut\tthe\tamulet\thad\tnot\tgiven\ther strength\tor\tcourage,\tand\tshe\thad\tslunk\tto\ther\tparents\u2019\troom,\tas\tblack\tas\ther\town,\tsave\tfor the\twindow\tflapping\tin\tthe\tgusting\twind\tand\train. The\train\thad\tsoaked\teverything,\tbut\u2014but\tthey\thad\tto\tbe\texhausted\tfrom\tdealing\twith","her,\t and\t from\t the\t anxiety\t they\t tried\t to\t hide.\t So\t she\t shut\t the\t window\t for\t them,\t and carefully\tcrawled\tinto\ttheir\tdamp\tbed\tso\tthat\tshe\tdid\tnot\twake\tthem.\tThey\tdidn\u2019t\treach\tfor her,\t didn\u2019t\t ask\t what\t was\t wrong,\t and\t the\t bed\t was\t so\t cold\u2014colder\t than\t her\t own,\t and reeking\tof\tcopper\tand\tiron,\tand\tthat\tscent\tthat\tdid\tnot\tsit\twell\twith\ther. It\twas\tto\tthat\tscent\tthat\tshe\tawoke\twhen\tthe\tmaid\tscreamed. Lady\t Marion\t rushed\t in,\t eyes\t wide\t but\t clear.\t She\t did\t not\t look\t at\t her\t dead\t friends,\t but went\tstraight\tto\tthe\tbed\tand\tleaned\tacross\tEvalin\u2019s\tcorpse.\tThe\tlady-in-waiting\twas\tsmall and\t delicately\t boned,\t but\t she\t somehow\t lifted\t her\t away\t from\t her\t parents,\t holding\t her tightly\tas\tshe\trushed\tfrom\tthe\troom.\tThe\tfew\tservants\tat\tthe\tmanor\twere\tin\ta\tpanic,\tsome racing\tfor\thelp\tthat\twas\tat\tleast\ta\tday\taway\u2014some\tfleeing. Lady\tMarion\tstayed. Marion\t stayed\t and\t drew\t a\t bath,\t helping\t her\t peel\t away\t the\t cold,\t bloody\t nightgown. They\tdid\tnot\ttalk,\tdid\tnot\ttry.\tLady\tMarion\tbathed\ther,\tand\twhen\tshe\twas\tclean\tand\tdry, she\t carried\t her\t down\t to\t the\t cold\t kitchen.\t Marion\t sat\t her\t at\t the\t long\t table,\t bundled\t in\t a blanket,\tand\tset\tabout\tbuilding\tthe\thearth\tfire. She\thad\tnot\tspoken\ttoday.\tThere\twere\tno\tsounds\tor\twords\tleft\tin\ther,\tanyway. One\t of\t the\t few\t remaining\t servants\t burst\t in,\t shouting\t to\t the\t empty\t house\t that\t King Orlon\twas\tdead,\ttoo.\tMurdered\tin\this\tbed\tjust\tlike\u2014 Lady\t Marion\t was\t out\t of\t the\t kitchen\t with\t her\t teeth\t bared\t before\t the\t man\t could\t enter. She\t didn\u2019t\t listen\t to\t gentle\t Marion\t slapping\t him,\t ordering\t him\t to\t get\t out\t and\t find\t help\u2014 find\treal\thelp\tand\tnot\tuseless\tnews. Murdered.\t Her\t family\t was\u2014dead.\t There\t was\t no\t coming\t back\t from\t death,\t and\t her parents\t\u2026\tWhat\thad\tthe\tservants\tdone\twith\ttheir\t\u2026\ttheir\t\u2026 Shaking\t hit\t her\t so\t hard\t the\t blanket\t tumbled\t away.\t She\t couldn\u2019t\t stop\t her\t teeth\t from clacking.\tIt\twas\ta\tmiracle\tshe\tstayed\tin\tthe\tchair. It\t couldn\u2019t\t be\t true.\t This\t was\t another\t nightmare,\t and\t she\t would\t awaken\t to\t her\t father stroking\ther\thair,\ther\tmother\tsmiling,\tawaken\tin\tOrynth,\tand\u2014 The\twarm\tweight\tof\tthe\tblanket\twrapped\taround\ther\tagain,\tand\tLady\tMarion\tscooped her\t into\t her\t lap,\t rocking.\t \u201cI\t know.\t I\u2019m\t not\t going\t to\t leave\u2014I\u2019m\t going\t to\t stay\t with\t you until\thelp\tcomes.\tThey\u2019ll\tbe\there\ttomorrow.\tLord\tLochan,\tCaptain\tQuinn,\tyour\tAedion\u2014 they\u2019re\t all\t going\t to\t be\t here\t tomorrow.\t Maybe\t even\t by\t dawn.\u201d\t But\t Lady\t Marion\t was shaking,\ttoo.\t\u201cI\tknow,\u201d\tshe\tkept\tsaying,\tweeping\tquietly.\t\u201cI\tknow.\u201d The\tfire\tdied\tdown,\talong\twith\tMarion\u2019s\tcrying.\tThey\theld\ton\tto\teach\tother,\trooted\tto that\t kitchen\t chair.\t They\t waited\t for\t the\t dawn,\t and\t for\t the\t others\t who\t would\t help, somehow. A\tclopping\tissued\tfrom\toutside\u2014faint,\tbut\tthe\tworld\twas\tso\tsilent\tthat\tthey\theard\tthe lone\t horse.\t It\t was\t still\t dark.\t Lady\t Marion\t scanned\t the\t kitchen\t windows,\t listening\t to\t the horse\tslowly\tcircling,\tuntil\u2014 They\t were\t under\t the\t table\t in\t a\t flash,\t Marion\t pressing\t her\t into\t the\t freezing\t floor, covering\t her\t with\t her\t delicate\t body.\t The\t horse\t headed\t toward\t the\t darkened\t front\t of\t the","house. The\t front,\t because\u2014because\t the\t kitchen\t light\t might\t suggest\t to\t whoever\t it\t was\t that someone\twas\tinside.\tThe\tfront\twas\tbetter\tfor\tsneaking\tin\t\u2026\tto\tfinish\twhat\thad\tbegun\tthe night\tbefore. \u201cAelin,\u201d\tMarion\twhispered,\tand\tsmall,\tstrong\thands\tfound\ther\tface,\tforcing\ther\tto\tlook at\tthe\twhite-as-snow\tfeatures,\tthe\tbloodred\tlips.\t\u201cAelin,\tlisten\tto\tme.\u201d\tThough\tMarion\twas breathing\t quickly,\t her\t voice\t was\t even.\t \u201cYou\t are\t going\t to\t run\t for\t the\t river.\t Do\t you remember\tthe\tway\tto\tthe\tfootbridge?\u201d The\t narrow\t rope\t and\t wood\t bridge\t across\t the\t ravine\t and\t the\t rushing\t River\t Florine below.\tShe\tnodded. \u201cGood\tgirl.\tMake\tfor\tthe\tbridge,\tand\tcross\tit.\tDo\tyou\tremember\tthe\tempty\tfarm\tdown the\troad?\tFind\ta\tplace\tto\thide\tthere\u2014and\tdo\tnot\tcome\tout,\tdo\tnot\tlet\tyourself\tbe\tseen\tby anyone\texcept\tsomeone\tyou\trecognize.\tNot\teven\tif\tthey\tsay\tthey\u2019re\ta\tfriend.\tWait\tfor\tthe court\u2014they\twill\tfind\tyou.\u201d She\twas\tshaking\tagain.\tBut\tMarion\tgripped\ther\tshoulders.\t\u201cI\tam\tgoing\tto\tbuy\tyou\twhat time\tI\tcan,\tAelin.\tNo\tmatter\twhat\tyou\thear,\tno\tmatter\twhat\tyou\tsee,\tdon\u2019t\tlook\tback,\tand don\u2019t\tstop\tuntil\tyou\tfind\ta\tplace\tto\thide.\u201d She\tshook\ther\thead,\tsilent\ttears\tfinding\ttheir\tway\tout\tat\tlast.\tThe\tfront\tdoor\tgroaned\u2014a quick\tmovement. Lady\tMarion\treached\tfor\tthe\tdagger\tin\ther\tboot.\tIt\tglinted\tin\tthe\tdim\tlight.\t\u201cWhen\tI\tsay run,\tyou\trun,\tAelin.\tDo\tyou\tunderstand?\u201d She\tdidn\u2019t\twant\tto,\tnot\tat\tall,\tbut\tshe\tnodded. Lady\tMarion\tbrushed\ta\tkiss\tto\ther\tbrow.\t\u201cTell\tmy\tElide\u2026\u201d\tHer\tvoice\tbroke.\t\u201cTell\tmy Elide\tthat\tI\tlove\ther\tvery\tmuch.\u201d A\tsoft\tthud\tof\tapproaching\tfootsteps\tfrom\tthe\tfront\tof\tthe\thouse.\tLady\tMarion\tdragged her\t from\t under\t the\t table\t and\t eased\t open\t the\t kitchen\t door\t only\t wide\t enough\t for\t her\t to squeeze\tthrough. \u201cRun\tnow,\u201d\tLady\tMarion\tsaid,\tand\tshoved\ther\tinto\tthe\tnight. The\tdoor\tshut\tbehind\ther,\tand\tthen\tthere\twas\tonly\tthe\tcold,\tdark\tair\tand\tthe\ttrees\tthat led\ttoward\tthe\tpath\tto\tthe\tbridge.\tShe\tstaggered\tinto\ta\trun.\tHer\tlegs\twere\tleaden,\ther\tbare feet\ttearing\ton\tthe\tground.\tBut\tshe\tmade\tit\tto\tthe\ttrees\u2014just\tas\tthere\twas\ta\tcrash\tfrom\tthe house. She\tgripped\ta\ttrunk,\ther\tknees\tbuckling.\tThrough\tthe\topen\twindow,\tshe\tcould\tsee\tLady Marion\tstanding\tbefore\ta\thooded,\ttowering\tman,\ther\tdaggers\tout\tbut\ttrembling.\t\u201cYou\twill not\tfind\ther.\u201d The\tman\tsaid\tsomething\tthat\thad\tMarion\tbacking\tto\tthe\tdoor\u2014not\tto\trun,\tbut\tto\tblock it. She\t was\t so\t small,\t her\t nursemaid.\t So\t small\t against\t him.\t \u201cShe\t is\t a\t child,\u201d\t Marion bellowed.\t She\t had\t never\t heard\t her\t scream\t like\t that\u2014with\t rage\t and\t disgust\t and\t despair. Marion\traised\ther\tdaggers,\tprecisely\thow\ther\thusband\thad\tshown\ther\tagain\tand\tagain."]
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