Heir-Of-Fire

["Chaol\tcouldn\u2019t\tstart\tthe\tfight,\tnot\twith\tthat\tsword\tresting\ton\tSorscha\u2019s\tneck.\tThat\twas\this first\t goal:\t get\t the\t girl\t out\t alive.\t Then\t Aedion.\t Dorian,\t the\t king\t wouldn\u2019t\t kill\u2014not\t here, not\tin\tthis\tway.\tBut\tAedion\tand\tSorscha\thad\tto\tget\taway.\tAnd\tthat\tcould\tnot\thappen\tuntil the\tking\tcalled\toff\tthe\tguard.\tThen\tDorian\tspoke. \u201cLet\ther\tgo\tand\tI\u2019ll\ttell\tyou\tanything.\u201d\tDorian\ttook\ta\tstep\ttoward\this\tfather,\tpalms\tout. \u201cShe\thas\tnothing\tto\tdo\twith\u2014with\twhatever\tthis\tis.\tWhatever\tyou\tthink\thas\thappened.\u201d \u201cBut\t you\t do?\u201d\t The\t king\t was\t still\t smiling.\t There\t was\t a\t carved,\t round\t bit\t of\t familiar black\t stone\t resting\t on\t the\t small\t table\t beside\t the\t king.\t From\t the\t distance,\t Chaol\t couldn\u2019t see\t what\t it\t was,\t but\t it\t made\t his\t stomach\t turn\t over\t regardless.\t \u201cTell\t me,\t son:\t why\t were General\tAshryver\tand\tCaptain\tWestfall\tmeeting\tthese\tmonths?\u201d \u201cI\tdon\u2019t\tknow.\u201d The\t king\t clicked\t his\t tongue,\t and\t the\t guard\t raised\t his\t sword\t to\t strike.\t Chaol\t started forward\tas\tSorscha\tsucked\tin\ta\tbreath. \u201cNo\u2014stop!\u201d\tDorian\tflung\tout\ta\thand. \u201cThen\tanswer\tthe\tquestion.\u201d \u201cI\tam!\tYou\tbastard,\tI\tam!\tI\tdon\u2019t\tknow\twhy\tthey\twere\tmeeting!\u201d The\tguard\u2019s\tsword\tstill\tremained\tup,\tready\tto\tfall\tbefore\tChaol\tcould\tmove\tan\tinch. \u201cDo\tyou\tknow\tthat\tthere\thas\tbeen\ta\tspy\tin\tmy\tcastle\tfor\tseveral\tmonths\tnow,\tPrince? Someone\tfeeding\tinformation\tto\tmy\tenemies\tand\tplotting\tagainst\tme\twith\ta\tknown\trebel leader?\u201d Shit.\t Shit.\t He\t had\t to\t mean\t Ren\u2014the\t king\t knew\t who\t Ren\t was,\t had\t sent\t those\t men\t to hunt\thim\tdown. \u201cJust\ttell\tme\twho,\tDorian,\tand\tyou\tcan\tdo\twhatever\tyou\twish\twith\tyour\tfriend.\u201d The\t king\t didn\u2019t\t know,\t then\u2014if\t it\t was\t he\t or\t Aedion\t or\t both\t of\t them\t who\t had\t been meeting\t with\t Ren.\t He\t didn\u2019t\t know\t how\t much\t they\u2019d\t learned\t about\t his\t plans,\t his\t control over\t magic.\t Aedion\t was\t somehow\t still\t keeping\t his\t mouth\t shut,\t somehow\t still\t looking ready\tfor\tbattle. Aedion,\t who\t had\t survived\t for\t so\t long\t without\t hope,\t holding\t together\t his\t kingdom\t as best\the\tcould\t\u2026\twho\twould\tnever\tsee\tthe\tqueen\the\tso\tfiercely\tloved.\tHe\tdeserved\tto\tmeet her,\tand\tshe\tdeserved\tto\thave\thim\tserve\tin\ther\tcourt. Chaol\ttook\ta\tbreath,\tpreparing\thimself\tfor\tthe\twords\tthat\twould\tdoom\thim. But\tit\twas\tAedion\twho\tspoke. \u201cYou\t want\t a\t spy?\t You\t want\t a\t traitor?\u201d\t the\t general\t drawled,\t and\t flung\t his\t replicated black\t ring\t on\t the\t floor.\t \u201cThen\t here\t I\t am.\t You\t want\t to\t know\t why\t the\t captain\t and\t I\t were meeting?\t It\t was\t because\t your\t stupid\t bastard\t of\t a\t boy-captain\t figured\t out\t that\t I\u2019d\t been working\twith\tone\tof\tthe\trebels.\tHe\u2019s\tbeen\tblackmailing\tinformation\tout\tof\tme\tfor\tmonths to\tgive\tto\this\tfather\tto\toffer\tyou\twhen\tthe\tLord\tof\tAnielle\tneeded\ta\tfavor.\tAnd\tyou\tknow what?\u201d\tAedion\tgrinned\tat\tthem\tall,\tthe\tNorthern\tWolf\tincarnate.\tIf\tthe\tking\twas\tshocked","about\tthe\tring,\the\tdidn\u2019t\tshow\tit.\t\u201cAll\tyou\tmonsters\tcan\tburn\tin\thell.\tBecause\tmy\tqueen\tis coming\u2014and\tshe\twill\tspike\tyou\tto\tthe\twalls\tof\tyour\tgods-damned\tcastle.\tAnd\tI\tcan\u2019t\twait to\t help\t her\t gut\t you\t like\t the\t pigs\t you\t are.\u201d\t He\t spat\t at\t the\t king\u2019s\t feet,\t right\t on\t top\t of\t the fake\tring\tthat\thad\tstopped\tbouncing. It\t was\t flawless\u2014the\t rage\t and\t the\t arrogance\t and\t the\t triumph.\t But\t as\t he\t stared\t each\t of them\tdown,\tChaol\u2019s\theart\tfractured. Because\tfor\ta\tflicker,\tas\tthose\tturquoise\teyes\tmet\twith\this,\tthere\twas\tnone\tof\tthat\trage or\ttriumph.\tOnly\ta\tmessage\tto\tthe\tqueen\tthat\tAedion\twould\tnever\tsee.\tAnd\tthere\twere\tno words\tto\tconvey\tit\u2014the\tlove\tand\tthe\thope\tand\tthe\tpride.\tThe\tsorrow\tat\tnot\tknowing\ther as\t the\t woman\t she\t had\t become.\t The\t gift\t Aedion\t thought\t he\t was\t giving\t her\t in\t sparing Chaol\u2019s\tlife. Chaol\tnodded\tslightly,\tbecause\the\tunderstood\tthat\the\tcould\tnot\thelp,\tnot\tat\tthis\tpoint\u2014 not\tuntil\tthat\tsword\twas\tremoved\tfrom\tSorscha\u2019s\tneck.\tThen\the\tcould\tfight,\tand\the\tmight still\tget\tthem\tout\talive. Aedion\tdidn\u2019t\tstruggle\tas\tthe\tguards\tclapped\tshackles\taround\this\twrists\tand\tankles. \u201cI\u2019ve\t always\t wondered\t about\t that\t ring,\u201d\t the\t king\t said.\t \u201cWas\t it\t the\t distance,\t or\t some true\tstrength\tof\tspirit\tthat\tmade\tyou\tso\tunresponsive\tto\tits\tsuggestions?\tBut\tregardless,\tI am\t so\t glad\t that\t you\t confessed\t to\t treason,\t Aedion.\u201d\t He\t spoke\t with\t slow,\t deliberate\t glee. \u201cSo\t glad\t you\t did\t it\t in\t front\t of\t all\t these\t witnesses,\t too.\t It\t will\t make\t your\t execution\t that much\t easier.\t Though\t I\t think\u2026\u201d\t The\t king\t smiled\t and\t looked\t at\t the\t fake\t black\t ring.\t \u201cI think\tI\u2019ll\twait.\tPerhaps\tgive\tit\ta\tmonth\tor\ttwo.\tJust\tin\tcase\tany\tlast-minute\tguests\thave\tto travel\t a\t long,\t long\t way\t for\t the\t execution.\t Just\t in\t case\t someone\t gets\t it\t into\t her\t head\t that she\tcan\trescue\tyou.\u201d Aedion\t snarled.\t Chaol\t bit\t back\t his\t own\t reaction.\t Perhaps\t the\t king\t had\t never\t had anything\t on\t them\u2014perhaps\t this\t had\t only\t been\t a\t ruse\t to\t get\t Aedion\t to\t confess\t to something,\tbecause\tthe\tking\tknew\tthat\tthe\tgeneral\twould\toffer\tup\this\town\tlife\tinstead\tof an\t innocent\u2019s.\t The\t king\t wanted\t to\t savor\t this,\t and\t savor\t the\t trap\t that\t he\t had\t now\t set\t for Aelin,\teven\tif\tit\tcost\thim\ta\tfine\tgeneral\tin\tthe\tprocess.\tBecause\tonce\tshe\theard\tthat\tAedion was\tcaptured,\tonce\tshe\tknew\tthe\texecution\tdate\t\u2026\tshe\twould\trun\tto\tRifthold. \u201cAfter\t she\t comes\t for\t you,\u201d\t Aedion\t promised\t the\t king,\t \u201cthey\u2019ll\t have\t to\t scrape\t what\u2019s left\tof\tyou\toff\tthe\twalls.\u201d The\tking\tonly\tsmiled.\tThen\the\tlooked\tto\tDorian\tand\tSorscha,\twho\tseemed\tto\tbe\thardly breathing.\tThe\thealer\tremained\ton\tthe\tfloor\tand\tdid\tnot\tlift\ther\thead\tas\tthe\tking\tbraced\this massive\tforearms\ton\this\tknees\tand\tsaid,\t\u201cAnd\twhat\tdo\tyou\thave\tto\tsay\tfor\tyourself,\tgirl?\u201d She\ttrembled,\tshaking\ther\thead. \u201cThat\u2019s\tenough,\u201d\t Dorian\t snapped,\t sweat\t gleaming\t on\t his\t brow.\t The\t prince\t winced\t in pain\tas\this\tmagic\twas\trepressed\tby\tthe\tiron\tin\this\tsystem.\t\u201cAedion\tconfessed;\tnow\tlet\ther go.\u201d \u201cWhy\tshould\tI\trelease\tthe\ttrue\ttraitor\tin\tthis\tcastle?\u201d Sorscha\tcouldn\u2019t\tstop\tshaking\tas\tthe\tking\tspoke.","All\t her\t years\t of\t remaining\t invisible,\t all\t her\t training,\t first\t from\t those\t rebels\t in Fenharrow,\tthen\tthe\tcontacts\tthey\u2019d\tsent\ther\tfamily\tto\tin\tRifthold\t\u2026\tall\tof\tit\truined. \u201cSuch\t interesting\t letters\t you\t send\t to\t your\t friend.\t Why,\t I\t might\t not\t ever\t have\t read them,\u201d\tthe\tking\tsaid,\t\u201cif\tyou\thadn\u2019t\tleft\tone\tin\tthe\trubbish\tfor\tyour\tsuperior\tto\tfind.\tSee\u2014 you\trebels\thave\tyour\tspies,\tand\tI\thave\tmine.\tAnd\tas\tsoon\tas\tyou\tdecided\tto\tstart\tusing\tmy son\u2026\u201d\t She\t could\t feel\t the\t king\t smirking\t at\t her.\t \u201cHow\t many\t of\t his\t movements\t did\t you report\tto\tyour\trebel\tfriends?\tWhat\tsecrets\tof\tmine\thave\tyou\tgiven\taway\tover\tthe\tyears?\u201d \u201cLeave\t her\t alone,\u201d\t Dorian\t growled.\t It\t was\t enough\t to\t set\t her\t crying.\t He\t still\t thought she\twas\tinnocent. And\tmaybe,\tmaybe\the\tcould\tget\tout\tof\tthis\tif\the\twas\tsurprised\tenough\tby\tthe\ttruth,\tif the\tking\tsaw\this\tson\u2019s\tshock\tand\tdisgust. So\t Sorscha\t lifted\t her\t head,\t even\t as\t her\t mouth\t trembled,\t even\t as\t her\t eyes\t burned,\t and stared\tdown\tthe\tKing\tof\tAdarlan. \u201cYou\tdestroyed\teverything\tthat\tI\thad,\tand\tyou\tdeserve\teverything\tthat\u2019s\tto\tcome,\u201d\tshe said.\t Then\t she\t looked\t at\t Dorian,\t whose\t eyes\t were\t indeed\t wide,\t his\t face\t bone-white.\t \u201cI was\tnot\tsupposed\tto\tlove\tyou.\tBut\tI\tdid.\tI\tdo.\tAnd\tthere\tis\tso\tmuch\tI\twish\t\u2026\tI\twish\twe could\thave\tdone\ttogether,\tseen\ttogether.\u201d The\t prince\t just\t stared\t at\t her,\t then\t walked\t to\t the\t foot\t of\t the\t dais\t and\t dropped\t to\t his knees.\t \u201cName\t your\t price,\u201d\t he\t said\t to\t his\t father.\t \u201cAsk\t it\t of\t me,\t but\t let\t her\t go.\t Exile\t her. Banish\ther.\tAnything\u2014say\tit,\tand\tit\twill\tbe\tdone.\u201d She\t began\t shaking\t her\t head,\t trying\t to\t find\t the\t words\t to\t tell\t him\t that\t she\t hadn\u2019t betrayed\thim\u2014not\ther\tprince.\tThe\tking,\tyes.\tShe\thad\treported\this\tmovements\tfor\tyears,\tin each\tcarefully\twritten\tletter\tto\ther\t\u201cfriend.\u201d\tBut\tnever\tDorian. The\tking\tlooked\tat\this\tson\tfor\ta\tlong\tmoment.\tHe\tlooked\tat\tthe\tcaptain\tand\tAedion,\tso quiet\tand\tso\ttall\u2014beacons\tof\thope\tfor\ttheir\tfuture. Then\t he\t looked\t again\t at\t his\t son,\t on\t his\t knees\t before\t the\t throne,\t on\t his\t knees\t for\t her, and\tsaid,\t\u201cNo.\u201d \u201cNo.\u201d Chaol\tthought\the\thad\tnot\theard\tit,\tthe\tword\tthat\tcleaved\tthrough\tthe\tair\tjust\tbefore\tthe guard\u2019s\tsword\tdid. One\tblow\tfrom\tthat\tmighty\tsword. That\twas\tall\tit\ttook\tto\tsever\tSorscha\u2019s\thead. The\tscream\tthat\terupted\tout\tof\tDorian\twas\tthe\tworst\tsound\tthat\tChaol\thad\tever\theard. Worse\teven\tthan\tthe\twet,\theavy\tthud\tof\ther\thead\thitting\tthe\tred\tmarble. Aedion\t began\t roaring\u2014roaring\t and\t cursing\t at\t the\t king,\t thrashing\t against\t his\t chains, but\t the\t guards\t hauled\t him\t away,\t and\t Chaol\t was\t too\t stunned\t to\t do\t anything\t other\t than watch\t the\t rest\t of\t Sorscha\u2019s\t body\t topple\t to\t the\t ground.\t And\t then\t Dorian,\t still\t screaming, was\tscrambling\tthrough\tthe\tblood\ttoward\tit\u2014toward\ther\thead,\tas\tif\the\tcould\tput\tit\tback.","As\tif\the\tcould\tpiece\ther\ttogether.","Chapter\t65 Chaol\t hadn\u2019t\t been\t able\t to\t move\t a\t muscle\t from\t the\t moment\t the\t guard\t cut\t off\t Sorscha\u2019s head\tto\tthe\tmoment\tDorian,\tstill\tkneeling\tin\ta\tpool\tof\ther\tblood,\tstopped\tscreaming. \u201cThat\tis\twhat\tawaits\ttraitors,\u201d\tthe\tking\tsaid\tto\tthe\tsilent\troom. And\tChaol\tlooked\tat\tthe\tking,\tat\this\tshattered\tfriend,\tand\tdrew\this\tsword. The\tking\trolled\this\teyes.\t\u201cPut\taway\tyour\tsword,\tCaptain.\tI\u2019ve\tno\tinterest\tin\tyour\tnoble antics.\tYou\u2019re\tto\tgo\thome\tto\tyour\tfather\ttomorrow.\tDon\u2019t\tleave\tthis\tcastle\tin\tdisgrace.\u201d Chaol\t kept\t his\t sword\t drawn.\t \u201cI\t will\t not\t go\t to\t Anielle,\u201d\t he\t growled.\t \u201cAnd\t I\t will\t not serve\t you\t a\t moment\t longer.\t There\t is\t one\t true\t king\t in\t this\t room\u2014there\t always\t has\t been. And\the\tis\tnot\tsitting\ton\tthat\tthrone.\u201d Dorian\tstiffened. But\t Chaol\t went\t on.\t \u201cThere\t is\t a\t queen\t in\t the\t north,\t and\t she\t has\t already\t beaten\t you once.\tShe\twill\tbeat\tyou\tagain.\tAnd\tagain.\tBecause\twhat\tshe\trepresents,\tand\twhat\tyour\tson represents,\tis\twhat\tyou\tfear\tmost:\thope.\tYou\tcannot\tsteal\tit,\tno\tmatter\thow\tmany\tyou\trip from\ttheir\thomes\tand\tenslave.\tAnd\tyou\tcannot\tbreak\tit,\tno\tmatter\thow\tmany\tyou\tmurder.\u201d The\tking\tshrugged.\t\u201cPerhaps.\tBut\tmaybe\tI\tcan\tstart\twith\tyou.\u201d\tHe\tflicked\this\tfingers\tat the\tguards.\t\u201cKill\thim,\ttoo.\u201d Chaol\t whirled\t to\t the\t guards\t behind\t him\t and\t crouched,\t ready\t to\t fight\t a\t path\t out\t for himself\tand\tDorian. Then\t a\t crossbow\t snapped\t and\t he\t realized\t there\t had\t been\t others\t in\t the\t room\u2014hidden behind\timpossibly\tthick\tshadows. He\thad\tonly\tenough\ttime\tto\ttwist\u2014to\tsee\tthe\tbolt\tfiring\tfor\thim\twith\tdeadly\taccuracy. Only\tenough\ttime\tto\tsee\tDorian\u2019s\teyes\twiden,\tand\tthe\twhole\troom\tplunge\tinto\tice. The\tarrow\tfroze\tmidflight\tand\tdropped\tto\tthe\tfloor,\tshattering\tinto\ta\thundred\tpieces. Chaol\tstared\tat\tDorian\tin\tmute\thorror\tas\this\tfriend\u2019s\teyes\tglowed\ta\tdeep,\traging\tblue, and\tthe\tprince\tsnarled\tat\tthe\tking,\t\u201cDon\u2019t\tyou\ttouch\thim.\u201d The\t ice\t spread\t across\t the\t room,\t up\t the\t legs\t of\t the\t shocked\t guards,\t freezing\t over Sorscha\u2019s\t blood,\t and\t Dorian\t got\t to\t his\t feet.\t He\t raised\t both\t hands,\t and\t light\t shimmered along\this\tfingers,\ta\tcold\tbreeze\twhipping\tthrough\this\thair. \u201cI\tknew\tyou\thad\tit,\tboy\u2014\u201d\tthe\tking\tstarted,\tstanding,\tbut\tDorian\tthrew\tout\ta\thand\tand the\t king\t was\t blasted\t into\t his\t chair\t by\t a\t gust\t of\t frozen\t wind,\t the\t window\t behind\t him shattering.\tWind\troared\tinto\tthe\troom,\tdrowning\tout\tall\tsound. All\t sound\t except\t Dorian\u2019s\t words\t as\t he\t turned\t to\t Chaol,\t his\t hands\t and\t clothes\t soaked with\t Sorscha\u2019s\t blood.\t \u201cRun.\t And\t when\t you\t come\t back\u2026\u201d\t The\t king\t was\t getting\t to\t his","feet,\t but\t another\t wave\t of\t Dorian\u2019s\t magic\t slammed\t into\t him,\t knocking\t him\t down.\t There were\ttears\tstaining\tDorian\u2019s\tbloody\tcheeks\tnow.\t\u201cWhen\tyou\tcome\tback,\u201d\tthe\tprince\tsaid, \u201cburn\tthis\tplace\tto\tthe\tground.\u201d A\twall\tof\tcrackling\tblack\thurtled\ttoward\tthem\tfrom\tbehind\tthe\tthrone. \u201cGo,\u201d\tDorian\tordered,\tturning\ttoward\tthe\tonslaught\tof\this\tfather\u2019s\tpower. Light\texploded\tfrom\tDorian,\tblocking\tout\tthe\twave,\tand\tthe\tentire\tcastle\tshook. People\tscreamed,\tand\tChaol\u2019s\tknees\tbuckled.\tFor\ta\tmoment,\the\tdebated\tmaking\ta\tstand with\this\tfriend,\tright\tthere\tand\tthen. But\t he\t knew\t that\t this\t had\t been\t the\t other\t trap.\t One\t for\t Aedion\t and\t Aelin,\t one\t for Sorscha.\tAnd\tthis\tone\u2014this\tone\tto\tdraw\tout\tDorian\u2019s\tpower. Dorian\thad\tknown\tit,\ttoo.\tKnown\tit,\tand\tstill\twalked\tinto\tit\tso\tChaol\tcould\tescape\u2014to find\tAelin\tand\ttell\ther\twhat\thad\thappened\there\ttoday.\tSomeone\thad\tto\tget\tout.\tSomeone had\tto\tsurvive. He\tlooked\tat\this\tfriend,\tperhaps\tfor\tthe\tlast\ttime,\tand\tsaid\twhat\the\thad\talways\tknown, from\t the\t moment\t they\u2019d\t met,\t when\t he\u2019d\t understood\t that\t the\t prince\t was\t his\t brother\t in soul.\t\u201cI\tlove\tyou.\u201d Dorian\t merely\t nodded,\t eyes\t still\t blazing,\t and\t lifted\t his\t hands\t again\t toward\t his\t father. Brother.\tFriend.\tKing. As\t another\t wave\t of\t the\t king\u2019s\t power\t filled\t the\t room,\t Chaol\t shoved\t through\t the\t still- frozen\tguards\tand\tfled. Aedion\tknew\teverything\thad\tgone\tto\thell\tas\tthe\tcastle\tshuddered.\tBut\the\twas\talready\ton his\tway\tto\tthe\tdungeons,\tbound\tfrom\thead\tto\ttoe. It\thad\tbeen\tsuch\tan\teasy\tchoice\tto\tmake.\tWhen\tthe\tcaptain\thad\tbeen\tabout\tto\ttake\tthe fall\tfor\tboth\tof\tthem,\the\u2019d\tthought\tonly\tof\tAelin,\twhat\tit\twould\tdo\tto\ther\tif\ther\tfriend\tdied. Even\t if\t he\t never\t got\t to\t see\t her,\t it\t was\t still\t better\t than\t having\t to\t face\t her\t when\t he explained\tthat\tthe\tcaptain\twas\tdead. From\t the\t sound\t of\t it,\t it\t seemed\t the\t prince\t was\t providing\t a\t distraction\t so\t the\t captain could\t flee\u2014and\t because\t there\t was\t no\t way\t in\t hell\t the\t prince\t would\t let\t his\t father\t go unpunished\t for\t that\t woman\u2019s\t death.\t So\t Aedion\t Ashryver\t let\t himself\t be\t led\t into\t the darkness. He\tdid\tnot\tbother\twith\tprayers,\tfor\thimself\tor\tfor\tthe\tcaptain.\tThe\tgods\thad\tnot\thelped him\tthese\tpast\tten\tyears,\tand\tthey\twould\tnot\tsave\thim\tnow. He\tdid\tnot\tmind\tdying. Though\the\tstill\twished\the\u2019d\tgotten\ta\tchance\tto\tsee\ther\u2014just\tonce. Dorian\t slammed\t into\t the\t marble\t floor,\t where\t the\t puddle\t of\t Sorscha\u2019s\t blood\t had\t now melted. Even\t as\t his\t father\t sent\t a\t wave\t of\t blinding,\t burning\t black\t power\t crashing\t onto\t him,","filling\this\tmouth\tand\this\tveins;\teven\tas\the\tscreamed,\tall\the\tcould\tsee\twas\tthat\tmoment\u2014 when\tthe\tsword\tcut\tthrough\tflesh\tand\ttendon\tand\tbone.\tHe\tcould\tstill\tsee\ther\twide\teyes, her\thair\tglimmering\tin\tthe\tlight\tas\tit,\ttoo,\twas\tsevered. He\tshould\thave\tsaved\ther.\tIt\thad\tbeen\tso\tsudden. But\twhen\tthe\tarrow\thad\tfired\tat\tChaol\t\u2026\tthat\twas\tthe\tdeath\the\tcould\tnot\tendure.\tChaol had\tdrawn\this\tline\u2014and\tDorian\twas\ton\this\tside\tof\tit.\tChaol\thad\tcalled\thim\this\tking. So\trevealing\this\tpower\tto\this\tfather\tdid\tnot\tfrighten\thim. No,\tto\tsave\this\tfriend,\tdying\tdid\tnot\tscare\thim\tone\tbit. The\tblast\tof\tpower\treceded,\tand\tDorian\twas\tleft\tpanting\ton\tthe\tstones.\tHe\thad\tnothing left. Chaol\thad\tgotten\taway.\tIt\twas\tenough. He\t reached\t out\t an\t arm\t toward\t where\t Sorscha\u2019s\t body\t lay.\t His\t arm\t burned\u2014maybe\t it was\tbroken,\tor\tmaybe\tit\twas\this\tfather\u2019s\tpower\tstill\tbranding\thim\u2014but\the\treached\tfor\ther nonetheless. By\tthe\ttime\this\tfather\tstood\tover\thim,\the\u2019d\tmanaged\tto\tmove\this\thand\ta\tfew\tinches. \u201cDo\tit,\u201d\tDorian\trasped.\tHe\twas\tchoking\u2014on\tblood\tand\tthe\tgods\tknew\twhat. \u201cOh,\tI\tdon\u2019t\tthink\tso,\u201d\this\tfather\tsaid,\tdigging\ta\tknee\tinto\this\tchest.\t\u201cIt\twon\u2019t\tbe\tdeath for\tyou,\tmy\tgifted\tson.\u201d There\twas\tsomething\tdark\tand\tgleaming\tin\this\tfather\u2019s\thands. Dorian\tfought\tlike\thell\tagainst\tthe\tguards\tnow\tpinning\this\tarms,\ttrying\tto\tdrag\tup\tany ounce\tof\tpower\tas\this\tfather\tbrought\tthe\tcollar\tof\tWyrdstone\ttoward\this\tneck. A\tcollar,\tlike\tthe\tones\tworn\tby\tthose\tthings\tChaol\thad\tsaid\twere\tin\tthe\tDead\tIslands. No\u2014no. He\t was\t screaming\t it\u2014screaming\t it\t because\t he\u2019d\t seen\t that\t creature\t in\t the\t catacombs, and\t heard\t what\t was\t being\t done\t to\t Roland\t and\t Kaltain.\t He\t had\t seen\t what\t a\t mere\t ring could\tdo.\tThis\twas\tan\tentire\tcollar,\twith\tno\tvisible\tkeyhole\t\u2026 \u201cHold\thim\tstill,\u201d\this\tfather\tbarked,\tdigging\this\tknee\tin\tdeeper. The\t breath\t was\t sucked\t from\t his\t chest,\t and\t his\t ribs\t groaned\t in\t agony.\t But\t there\t was nothing\tDorian\tcould\tdo\tto\tstop\tit. He\t wrenched\t his\t arm\t from\t one\t of\t the\t guards\u2014wrenched\t it\t free\t and\t reached, bellowing. He\thad\tjust\ttouched\tSorscha\u2019s\tlimp\thand\twhen\tcool\tstone\tgripped\this\tthroat,\tthere\twas a\tfaint\tclick\tand\thiss,\tand\tthe\tdarkness\tswept\tin\tto\ttear\thim\tapart. Chaol\t ran.\t He\t did\t not\t have\t the\t time\t to\t take\t anything\t except\t what\t he\t had\t on\t him\t as\t he sprinted\tlike\thell\tfor\tDorian\u2019s\trooms.\tFleetfoot\twas\twaiting,\tas\tshe\thad\tbeen\tall\tnight,\tand he\t scooped\t her\t over\t a\t shoulder\t and\t hauled\t her\t to\t Celaena\u2019s\t room\t and\t into\t the\t secret","passage.\tDown\tand\tdown\tthey\twent,\tthe\tdog\tunusually\tobedient. Three\t blasts\t shook\t the\t castle,\t shaking\t dust\t from\t the\t stones\t above.\t He\t kept\t running, knowing\teach\tblast\tmeant\tDorian\twas\talive\ta\tbit\tlonger,\tand\tdreading\tthe\tsilence\tto\tcome. Hope\u2014that\twas\twhat\the\tcarried\twith\thim.\tThe\thope\tof\ta\tbetter\tworld\tthat\tAedion\tand Sorscha\tand\tDorian\thad\tsacrificed\tthemselves\tfor. He\tmade\tone\tstop,\twith\tFleetfoot\tstill\tgripped\tover\this\tshoulder. With\t a\t silent\t prayer\t to\t the\t gods\t for\t their\t forgiveness,\t Chaol\t hurtled\t into\t the\t tomb\t to grab\t Damaris,\t shoving\t the\t sacred\t blade\t through\t his\t belt\t and\t stuffing\t a\t few\t handfuls\t of gold\t into\t his\t cloak\t pockets.\t And\t though\t the\t skull-shaped\t knocker\t didn\u2019t\t move,\t he\t told Mort\t precisely\t where\t he\t would\t be.\t \u201cJust\t in\t case\t she\t comes\t back.\t In\t case\t \u2026\t in\t case\t she doesn\u2019t\tknow.\u201d Mort\t remained\t stationary,\t but\t Chaol\t had\t the\t sense\t he\u2019d\t been\t listening\t all\t the\t same\t as he\t grabbed\t the\t satchel\t containing\t Dorian\t and\t Celaena\u2019s\t magic\t books\t and\t fled\t to\t the passage\t that\t would\t take\t him\t to\t the\t sewer\t tunnel.\t A\t few\t minutes\t later,\t he\t was\t raising\t the heavy\tiron\tgrate\tover\tthe\tsewer\tstream.\tThe\toutside\tbeyond\twas\twholly\tdark\tand\tstill. As\the\theaved\tFleetfoot\tback\tinto\this\tarms\tto\tswing\tthem\tboth\taround\tthe\twall\tand\tonto the\tstream\tbank\tbeyond,\tthe\tcastle\twent\tsilent.\tThere\twere\tscreams,\tyes,\tbut\tsilence\tlurked beneath\tthem.\tHe\tdid\tnot\twant\tto\tknow\tif\tDorian\twas\talive\tor\tdead. He\tcouldn\u2019t\tdecide\twhich\twas\tworse. When\tChaol\tgot\tto\tthe\thidden\tapartment,\tRen\twas\tpacing.\t\u201cWhere\u2019s\u2014\u201d There\t was\t blood\t on\t him,\t he\t realized.\t The\t spray\t from\t Sorscha\u2019s\t neck.\t Chaol\t didn\u2019t know\thow\the\tfound\tthe\twords,\tbut\the\ttold\tRen\twhat\thad\thappened. \u201cSo\tit\u2019s\tjust\tus?\u201d\tRen\tasked\tquietly.\tChaol\tnodded.\tFleetfoot\twas\tsniffing\taround\tin\tthe apartment,\thaving\tmade\ther\tinspection\tand\tdecided\tRen\twasn\u2019t\tworth\teating\u2014even\tafter Ren\thad\tprotested\tthat\tthe\tdog\tmight\tdraw\ttoo\tmuch\tattention.\tShe\twas\tstaying;\tthat\twas nonnegotiable. A\t muscle\t feathered\t in\t Ren\u2019s\t jaw.\t \u201cThen\t we\t find\t a\t way\t to\t free\t Aedion.\t As\t soon\t as possible.\tYou\tand\tme.\tBetween\tyour\tknowledge\tof\tthe\tcastle\tand\tmy\tcontacts,\twe\tcan\tfind a\tway.\u201d\tThen\the\twhispered,\t\u201cYou\tsaid\tDorian\u2019s\twoman\twas\u2014was\ta\thealer?\u201d\tWhen\tChaol nodded,\tRen\tlooked\tlike\the\twas\tabout\tto\tbe\tsick,\tbut\the\tasked,\t\u201cWas\tshe\tnamed\tSorscha?\u201d \u201cYou\twere\tthe\tfriend\tshe\tsent\tthose\tletters\tto,\u201d\tChaol\tbreathed. \u201cI\t kept\t pressing\t her\t for\t information,\t kept\u2026\u201d\t Ren\t covered\t his\t face\t and\t took\t a shuddering\tbreath.\tWhen\this\teyes\tat\tlast\tmet\tChaol\u2019s,\tthey\twere\tbright.\tSlowly,\tRen\theld out\ta\thand.\t\u201cYou\tand\tme,\twe\u2019ll\tfind\ta\tway\tto\tfree\tthem.\tBoth\tAedion\tand\tyour\tprince.\u201d Chaol\tdidn\u2019t\thesitate\tas\the\tgripped\tthe\trebel\u2019s\toutstretched\thand.","Chapter\t66 \u201cMorath,\u201d\tManon\tsaid,\twondering\tif\tshe\u2019d\theard\tright.\t\u201cFor\tbattle?\u201d Her\t grandmother\t turned\t from\t the\t desk,\t eyes\t flashing.\t \u201cTo\t serve\t the\t duke,\t just\t as\t the king\t ordered.\t He\t wants\t the\t Wing\t Leader\t in\t Morath\t with\t half\t the\t host\t ready\t to\t fly\t at\t a moment\u2019s\tnotice.\tThe\tothers\tare\tto\tstay\there\tunder\tIskra\u2019s\tcommand\tto\tmonitor\tthe\tnorth.\u201d \u201cAnd\tyou\u2014where\twill\tyou\tbe?\u201d Her\tgrandmother\thissed,\trising.\t\u201cSo\tmany\tquestions\tnow\tthat\tyou\u2019re\tWing\tLeader.\u201d Manon\t bowed\t her\t head.\t They\t had\t not\t spoken\t of\t the\t Crochan.\t Manon\t had\t gotten\t the message:\t next\t time,\t it\t would\t be\t one\t of\t the\t Thirteen\t on\t her\t knees.\t So\t she\t kept\t her\t head down\tas\tshe\tsaid,\t\u201cI\tonly\task\tbecause\tI\twould\tnot\tbe\tparted\twith\tyou,\tGrandmother.\u201d \u201cLiar.\t And\t a\t pathetic\t one.\u201d\t Her\t grandmother\t turned\t back\t to\t the\t desk.\t \u201cI\t shall\t remain here,\tbut\tcome\tto\tyou\tin\tMorath\tduring\tthe\tsummer.\tWe\thave\twork\tto\tfinish\there.\u201d Manon\t lifted\t her\t chin,\t her\t new\t red\t cloak\t pooling\t around\t her,\t and\t asked,\t \u201cAnd\t when shall\twe\tfly\tto\tMorath?\u201d Her\tgrandmother\tsmiled,\tiron\tteeth\tshining.\t\u201cTomorrow.\u201d Even\tunder\tthe\tcover\tof\tdarkness,\tthe\twarm\tspring\tbreeze\twas\tfull\tof\tnew\tgrass\tand\tsnow- melted\trivers,\tonly\tdisrupted\tby\tthe\tbooming\tof\twings\tas\tManon\tled\tthe\thost\tsouth\talong the\tFangs. They\t kept\t to\t the\t shadows\t of\t the\t mountains,\t shifting\t ranks\t and\t dipping\t out\t of\t sight\t to prevent\t anyone\t from\t getting\t an\t accurate\t count\t of\t their\t numbers.\t Manon\t sighed\t through her\t nose,\t and\t the\t wind\t ripped\t the\t sound\t away,\t just\t as\t it\t streamed\t her\t long\t red\t cloak behind\ther. Asterin\t and\t Sorrel\t flanked\t her,\t silent\t like\t the\t rest\t of\t the\t covens\t for\t the\t long\t hours they\u2019d\tflown\tdown\tthe\tmountains.\tThey\twould\tcross\tOakwald\twhere\tMorath\u2019s\tmountains were\tclosest,\tthen\trise\tabove\tthe\tcover\tof\tthe\tcloud\tline\tfor\tthe\trest\tof\tthe\tjourney.\tUnseen and\t as\t quiet\t as\t possible\u2014that\t was\t how\t the\t king\t wanted\t them\t to\t arrive\t at\t the\t duke\u2019s mountain\t fortress.\t They\t flew\t all\t night\t down\t the\t Fangs,\t swift\t and\t sleek\t as\t shadows,\t and the\tearth\tbelow\tquivered\tin\ttheir\twake. Sorrel\t was\t stone-faced,\t monitoring\t the\t skies\t around\t them,\t but\t Asterin\t was\t smiling faintly.\tIt\twas\tnot\ta\twild\tgrin,\tor\tone\tthat\tpromised\tdeath,\tbut\ta\tcalm\tsmile.\tTo\tbe\taloft\tand skimming\tthe\tclouds.\tWhere\tevery\tBlackbeak\tbelonged.\tWhere\tManon\tbelonged. Asterin\t caught\t her\t stare\t and\t smiled\t wider,\t as\t if\t there\t wasn\u2019t\t a\t host\t of\t witches\t flying behind\tthem\tand\tMorath\tlying\tahead.\tHer\tcousin\tturned\ther\tface\tinto\tthe\twind,\tbreathing it\tin,\texultant. Manon\tdid\tnot\tlet\therself\tsavor\tthat\tbeautiful\tbreeze\tor\topen\therself\tto\tthat\tjoy.\tShe\thad","work\t to\t do;\t they\t all\t did.\t Despite\t what\t the\t Crochan\t had\t said,\t Manon\t had\t not\t been\t born with\ta\theart,\tor\ta\tsoul.\tShe\tdid\tnot\tneed\tthem. Once\tthey\tfought\tthe\tking\u2019s\twar,\twhen\this\tenemies\twere\tbleeding\tout\taround\tthem\t\u2026 only\tthen\twould\tthey\tride\tto\treclaim\ttheir\tbroken\tkingdom. And\tshe\twould\tgo\thome\tat\tlast.","Chapter\t67 The\t rising\t sun\t was\t staining\t the\t Avery\t River\t with\t gold\t as\t the\t cloaked\t man\t strode\t onto\t a rickety\t dock\t in\t the\t slums.\t Fishermen\t were\t heading\t out\t for\t the\t day,\t revelers\t were stumbling\tin\tfor\tthe\tnight,\tand\tRifthold\twas\tstill\tasleep\u2014unaware\tof\twhat\thad\thappened the\tnight\tbefore. The\tman\tpulled\tout\ta\tlovely\tblade,\tits\teagle\tpommel\tglinting\tin\tthe\tfirst\tlight\tof\tdawn. For\ta\tlong\tmoment,\the\tstared\tat\tthe\tsword,\tthinking\tof\tall\tthat\tit\thad\tonce\tembodied.\tBut there\twas\ta\tnew\tsword\tat\this\tside\u2014an\tancient\tking\u2019s\tblade,\tfrom\ta\ttime\twhen\tgood\tmen had\tserved\tnoble\trulers\tand\tthe\tworld\thad\tprospered\tfor\tit. He\twould\tsee\tthat\tworld\treborn,\teven\tif\tit\ttook\this\tlast\tbreath.\tEven\tif\the\thad\tno\tname now,\tno\tposition\tor\ttitle\tsave\tOath-Breaker,\tTraitor,\tLiar. No\tone\tnoticed\twhen\tthe\tsword\twas\tjettisoned\tover\tthe\triver,\tits\tpommel\tcatching\tthe sun\t and\t burning\t like\t golden\t fire,\t a\t flash\t of\t light\t before\t it\t was\t swallowed\t by\t the\t dark water,\tnever\tto\tbe\tseen\tagain.","Chapter\t68 It\t turned\t out\t that\t the\t \u201csubmission\u201d\t part\t of\t a\t blood\t oath\t was\t something\t Rowan\t liked\t to interpret\t as\t it\t suited\t him.\t During\t their\t two-week\t trek\t to\t the\t nearest\t port\t in\t Wendlyn,\t he bossed\tCelaena\taround\teven\tmore\u2014seeming\tto\tbelieve\tthat\tnow\the\twas\tpart\tof\ther\tcourt, it\tentitled\thim\tto\tcertain\tnonnegotiable\trights\tregarding\ther\tsafety,\ther\tmovements,\tand\ther plans. She\twas\tstarting\tto\twonder,\tas\tthey\tapproached\tthe\tdocks\tat\tthe\tend\tof\tthe\tcobblestone street,\t if\t she\t had\t made\t a\t teensy\t mistake\t in\t binding\t him\t to\t her\t forever.\t They\u2019d\t been arguing\tfor\tthe\tpast\tthree\tdays\tabout\ther\tnext\tmove\u2014about\tthe\tship\tshe\u2019d\thired\tto\ttake\ther back\tto\tAdarlan. \u201cThis\tplan\tis\tabsurd,\u201d\tRowan\tsaid\tfor\tthe\thundredth\ttime,\tstopping\tin\tthe\tshadows\tof\ta tavern\t by\t the\t docks.\t The\t sea\t air\t was\t light\t and\t crisp.\t \u201cGoing\t back\t alone\t seems\t like suicide.\u201d \u201cOne,\tI\u2019m\tgoing\tback\tas\tCelaena,\tnot\tAelin\u2014\u201d \u201cCelaena,\t who\t did\t not\t accomplish\t the\t king\u2019s\t mission,\t and\t who\t they\t are\t now\t going\t to hunt\tdown.\u201d \u201cThe\tKing\tand\tQueen\tof\tEyllwe\tshould\thave\tgotten\ttheir\twarning\tby\tnow.\u201d\tShe\u2019d\tsent it\tthe\tfirst\ttime\tthey\u2019d\tgone\tinto\ttown\twhile\tinvestigating\tthe\tmurder\tof\tthose\tpoor\tpeople. Though\tletters\twere\tnearly\timpossible\tto\tsend\tinto\tthe\tempire,\tWendlyn\thad\tcertain\tways of\t getting\t around\t that.\t And\t as\t for\t Chaol\t \u2026\t well,\t that\t was\t another\t reason\t why\t she\t was here,\t on\t this\t dock,\t about\t to\t get\t onto\t this\t ship.\t She\t had\t awoken\t this\t morning\t and\t slipped the\t amethyst\t ring\t off\t her\t finger.\t It\t had\t felt\t like\t a\t blessed\t release,\t a\t final\t shadow\t lifted from\t her\t heart.\t But\t there\t were\t still\t words\t left\t unsaid\t between\t them,\t and\t she\t needed\t to make\tsure\the\twas\tsafe\u2014and\twould\tremain\tthat\tway. \u201cSo\tyou\u2019re\tgoing\tto\tget\tthe\tkey\tfrom\tyour\told\tmaster,\tfind\tthe\tcaptain,\tand\tthen\twhat?\u201d Complete\tsubmission\tto\ther\tindeed.\t\u201cThen\tI\tgo\tnorth.\u201d \u201cAnd\tI\u2019m\tsupposed\tto\tsit\ton\tmy\tass\tfor\tthe\tnext\tgods\tknow\thow\tmany\tmonths?\u201d She\t rolled\t her\t eyes.\t \u201cYou\u2019re\t not\t exactly\t inconspicuous,\t Rowan.\t If\t your\t tattoos\t don\u2019t attract\tattention,\tthen\tthe\thair,\tthe\tears,\tthe\tteeth\u2026\u201d \u201cI\thave\tanother\tform,\tyou\tknow.\u201d \u201cAnd,\t just\t like\t I\t said,\t magic\t doesn\u2019t\t work\t there\t anymore.\t You\u2019d\t be\t trapped\t in\t that form.\tThough\tI\tdo\thear\tthat\tRifthold\trats\tare\tparticularly\tdelicious,\tif\tyou\twant\tto\teat\tthem for\tmonths.\u201d He\tglared\tat\ther,\tthen\tscanned\tthe\tship\u2014even\tthough\tshe\tknew\the\u2019d\tsnuck\tout\tof\ttheir room\tat\tthe\tinn\tlast\tnight\tto\tinspect\tit\talready.\t\u201cWe\u2019re\tstronger\ttogether\tthan\tapart.\u201d \u201cIf\t I\u2019d\t known\t you\t would\t be\t such\t a\t pain\t in\t the\t ass,\t I\t never\t would\t have\t let\t you\t swear","that\toath.\u201d \u201cAelin.\u201d\tAt\tleast\the\twasn\u2019t\tcalling\ther\t\u201cMajesty\u201d\tor\t\u201cMy\tLady.\u201d\t\u201cEither\tas\tyourself\tor as\tCelaena,\tthey\twill\ttry\tto\tfind\tyou\tand\tkill\tyou.\tThey\tare\tprobably\talready\ttracking\tyou down.\t We\t could\t go\t to\t Varese\t right\t now\t and\t approach\t your\t mother\u2019s\t mortal\t kin,\t the Ashryvers.\tThey\tmight\thave\ta\tplan.\u201d \u201cMy\t chance\t at\t success\t in\t getting\t the\t Wyrdkey\t out\t of\t Rifthold\t lies\t in\t stealth\t as Celaena.\u201d \u201cPlease,\u201d\the\tsaid. But\tshe\tmerely\tlifted\ther\tchin.\t\u201cI\tam\tgoing,\tRowan.\tI\twill\tgather\tthe\trest\tof\tmy\tcourt \u2014our\tcourt\u2014and\tthen\twe\twill\traise\tthe\tgreatest\tarmy\tthe\tworld\thas\tever\twitnessed.\tI\twill call\t in\t every\t favor,\t every\t debt\t owed\t to\t Celaena\t Sardothien,\t to\t my\t parents,\t to\t my bloodline.\tAnd\tthen\u2026\u201d\tShe\tlooked\ttoward\tthe\tsea,\ttoward\thome.\t\u201cAnd\tthen\tI\tam\tgoing\tto rattle\tthe\tstars.\u201d\tShe\tput\ther\tarms\taround\thim\u2014a\tpromise.\t\u201cSoon.\tI\twill\tsend\tfor\tyou\tsoon, when\t the\t time\t is\t right.\t Until\t then,\t try\t to\t make\t yourself\t useful.\u201d\t He\t shook\t his\t head,\t but gripped\ther\tin\ta\tbone-crushing\tembrace. He\tpulled\tback\tfar\tenough\tto\tlook\tat\ther.\t\u201cPerhaps\tI\u2019ll\tgo\thelp\trepair\tMistward.\u201d She\t nodded.\t \u201cYou\t never\t told\t me,\u201d\t she\t said,\t \u201cwhat\t you\t were\t praying\t to\t Mala\t for\t that morning\tbefore\twe\tentered\tDoranelle.\u201d For\ta\tmoment,\tit\tlooked\tlike\the\twouldn\u2019t\ttell\ther.\tBut\tthen\the\tquietly\tsaid,\t\u201cI\tprayed\tfor two\t things.\t I\t asked\t her\t to\t ensure\t you\t survived\t the\t encounter\t with\t Maeve\u2014to\t guide\t you and\tgive\tyou\tthe\tstrength\tyou\tneeded.\u201d That\t strange,\t comforting\t warmth,\t that\t presence\t that\t had\t reassured\t her\t \u2026\t the\t setting sun\t kissed\t her\t cheeks\t as\t if\t in\t confirmation,\t and\t a\t shiver\t went\t down\t her\t spine.\t \u201cAnd\t the second?\u201d \u201cIt\twas\ta\tselfish\twish,\tand\ta\tfool\u2019s\thope.\u201d\tShe\tread\tthe\trest\tof\tit\tin\this\teyes.\tBut\tit\tcame true. \u201cDangerous,\tfor\ta\tprince\tof\tice\tand\twind\tto\tpray\tto\tthe\tFire-Bringer,\u201d\tshe\tmanaged\tto say. Rowan\t shrugged,\t a\t secret\t smile\t on\t his\t face\t as\t he\t wiped\t away\t the\t tear\t that\t escaped down\t her\t cheek.\t \u201cFor\t some\t reason,\t Mala\t likes\t me,\t and\t agreed\t that\t you\t and\t I\t make\t a formidable\tpair.\u201d But\t she\t didn\u2019t\t want\t to\t know\u2014didn\u2019t\t want\t to\t think\t about\t the\t Sun\t Goddess\t and\t her agenda\tas\tshe\tflung\therself\ton\tRowan,\tbreathing\tin\this\tscent,\tmemorizing\tthe\tfeel\tof\thim. The\t first\t member\t of\t her\t court\u2014the\t court\t that\t would\t change\t the\t world.\t The\t court\t that would\trebuild\tit.\tTogether. She\t boarded\t the\t boat\t as\t night\t fell,\t herded\t into\t the\t galley\t with\t the\t other\t passengers\t to keep\tthem\tfrom\tlearning\tthe\troute\tthrough\tthe\treef.\tWith\tlittle\tfuss\tthey\tset\tsail,\tand\twhen they\t were\t at\t last\t allowed\t out\t of\t the\t galley,\t she\t emerged\t onto\t the\t deck\t to\t find\t dark,\t open ocean\taround\tthem.\tA\twhite-tailed\thawk\tstill\tflew\toverhead,\tand\tit\tswooped\tlow\tto\tbrush its\tstar-silvered\twing\tagainst\ther\tcheek\tin\tfarewell\tbefore\tit\tturned\tback\twith\ta\tsharp\tcry.","In\tthe\tmoonless\tlight,\tshe\ttraced\tthe\tscar\ton\ther\tpalm,\tthe\toath\tto\tNehemia. She\t would\t retrieve\t the\t first\t Wyrdkey\t from\t Arobynn\t and\t track\t down\t the\t others,\t and then\tfind\ta\tway\tto\tput\tthe\tWyrdkeys\tback\tin\ttheir\tGate.\tShe\twould\tfree\tmagic\tand\tdestroy the\t king\t and\t save\t her\t people.\t No\t matter\t the\t odds,\t no\t matter\t how\t long\t it\t took,\t no\t matter how\tfar\tshe\thad\tto\tgo. She\t lifted\t her\t face\t to\t the\t stars.\t She\t was\t Aelin\t Ashryver\t Galathynius,\t heir\t of\t two mighty\tbloodlines,\tprotector\tof\ta\tonce-glorious\tpeople,\tand\tQueen\tof\tTerrasen. She\twas\tAelin\tAshryver\tGalathynius\u2014and\tshe\twould\tnot\tbe\tafraid.","Acknowledgments This\t book\t would\t not\t exist\t without\t my\t friends.\t Especially\t my\t best\t friend,\t Jaeger copilot,\tand\tanam\tcara,\tSusan\tDennard. It\u2019s\t to\t her\t that\t I\t owe\t the\t biggest\t debt,\t for\t the\t entire\t days\t spent\t brainstorming\t and figuring\tout\tthe\tright\tway\tto\ttell\tthe\tstory,\tfor\tholding\tmy\thand\tas\tI\twalked\tdown\tthe\tdark paths\t of\t this\t book,\t for\t being\t the\t voice\t in\t my\t head\t telling\t me\t to\t keep\t going,\t keep\t going, keep\t going.\t There\t was\t no\t one\t else\t that\t this\t book\t could\t have\t been\t dedicated\t to;\t no\t one else\twho\tchallenges\tand\tuplifts\tand\tinspires\tme\tso\tgreatly.\tSo,\tthank\tyou,\tSoozyface,\tfor being\tthe\tkind\tof\tfriend\tI\twas\tso\tsure\tdidn\u2019t\texist\tin\tthis\tworld.\tLove\tyou,\tdude. I\talso\towe\ta\thuge\tdebt\tto\tmy\tbrilliant\tand\timmensely\ttalented\tfriend\tAlex\tBracken,\tfor the\t genius\t feedback,\t for\t the\t bajillion-page\t e-mails,\t and\t for\t being\t so,\t so\t incredibly supportive.\tI\tcannot\ttell\tyou\thow\tgrateful\tI\tam\tthat\tour\tpaths\tcrossed\tall\tthose\tyears\tago\u2014 what\tan\tinsane\tjourney\tit\u2019s\tbeen. And\t none\t of\t this\t would\t ever\t have\t happened\t without\t my\t lovely\t and\t badass\t agent, Tamar\tRydzinski,\twho\thas\tbeen\twith\tme\tfrom\tthe\tvery\tbeginning,\tand\twhose\ttireless\twork has\tmade\tthis\tseries\treality.\tI\u2019m\tso\thonored\tto\tcall\tyou\tmy\tagent,\tbut\teven\tmore\thonored to\tcall\tyou\tmy\tfriend. To\tthe\tincredible\tworldwide\tteam\tat\tBloomsbury\u2014how\tcan\tI\tever\tfully\tconvey\twhat\ta joy\tit\tis\tto\twork\twith\tyou\tall?\tThank\tyou,\tthank\tyou,\tthank\tyou\tfor\tall\tthat\tyou\tdo\tfor\tme and\t Throne\t of\t Glass.\t To\t my\t editor,\t Margaret\t Miller\u2014this\t book\t would\t be\t a\t hot\t mess without\tyou.\tTo\tCat\tOnder,\tCindy\tLoh,\tand\tRebecca\tMcNally\u2014you\tguys\tare\tthe\tabsolute best.\t To\t Erica\t Barmash,\t Hali\t Baumstein,\t Emma\t Bradshaw,\t Kathleen\t Farrar,\t Cristina Gilbert,\tCourtney\tGriffin,\tAlice\tGrigg,\tNatalie\tHamilton,\tBridget\tHartzler,\tCharli\tHaynes, Emma\t Hopkin,\t Linette\t Kim,\t Lizzy\t Mason,\t Jenna\t Pocius,\t Emily\t Ritter,\t Amanda\t Shipp, Grace\tWhooley,\tand\tBrett\tWright:\tthank\tyou\tfrom\tthe\tbottom\tof\tmy\theart\tfor\tall\tyour\thard work,\tenthusiasm,\tand\tdedication. To\tthe\tteam\tat\tAudible\tand\tto\tthe\tThrone\tof\tGlass\taudiobook\tnarrator,\tElizabeth\tEvans, thank\tyou\tfor\tmaking\tCelaena\u2019s\tworld\tcome\tto\tlife\tin\ta\twhole\tnew\tway,\tand\tfor\tgiving\ther a\tvoice.\tAnd\tthank\tyou\tto\tJanet\tCadsawan,\twhose\tbeautiful\tThrone\tof\tGlass\tjewelry\tline continues\tto\tblow\tmy\tmind. To\t the\t lovely\t Erin\t \u201cDers\u201d\t Bowman,\t for\t the\t cheerleading\t and\t the\t unfailing encouragement,\t for\t the\t video\t chats,\t and\t the\t epic\t (non-writing)\t retreats.\t Hero\t Squad Forever. To\tMandy\tHubbard,\tDan\tKrokos,\tBiljana\tLikic,\tKat\tZhang,\tand\tthe\tPublishing\tCrawl gang\u2014thanks\tso\tmuch\tfor\tbeing\tsome\tof\tthe\tbright\tlights. To\t my\t parents\u2014my\t number-one\t fans\u2014for\t the\t many\t adventures\t that\t so\t often\t serve\t as inspiration\t for\t these\t books.\t To\t my\t family,\t for\t the\t love\t and\t support,\t and\t for\t pushing\t this series\ton\tyour\tfriends\tand\tbook\tclubs.\tLove\tyou\tall.\tTo\tmy\twonderful\tGrandma\tConnie\u2014 I\tmiss\tyou\tand\twish\tyou\twere\there\tto\tread\tthis.","To\tthe\treaders\twho\thave\tpicked\tup\tand\tchampioned\tthis\tseries\u2014words\tcannot\texpress my\tgratitude.\tI\tam\ttruly\tblessed\tto\thave\tyou\tall\tas\tfans.\tYou\tmake\tthe\thard\twork\tworth\tit. To\t my\t dog,\t Annie:\t you\t can\u2019t\t read\t (though\t it\t wouldn\u2019t\t surprise\t me\t if\t you\t secretly could),\t but\t I\t want\t it\t written\t here\u2014for\t eternity\u2014that\t you\u2019re\t the\t best\t canine\t companion anyone\t could\t hope\t for.\t Thanks\t for\t the\t cuddles,\t for\t sitting\t in\t my\t lap\t while\t I\u2019m\t trying\t to write,\tand\tfor\tgiving\tme\tsomeone\tto\ttalk\tto\tall\tday.\tSorry\tI\tplay\tthe\tmusic\tso\tloudly\twhen you\u2019re\ttrying\tto\tsnooze.\tLove\tyou,\tlove\tyou,\tlove\tyou\tforever\tand\tever\tand\tever. And\tto\tmy\thusband,\tJosh:\tYou\tget\tlast\tbilling\there,\tbut\tthat\u2019s\tbecause\tyou\u2019re\tfirst\tin\tmy heart.\tI\u2019ll\tnever\tstop\tbeing\tgrateful\tthat\tI\tget\tto\tshare\tthis\twild\tjourney\twith\tyou.","Also\tby\tSarah\tJ.\tMaas Throne\tof\tGlass Crown\tof\tMidnight The\tAssassin\u2019s\tBlade","Text\tcopyright\t\u00a9\t2014\tby\tSarah\tJ.\tMaas Map\tcopyright\t\u00a9\t2012\tby\tKelly\tde\tGroot All\trights\treserved. You\tmay\tnot\tcopy,\tdistribute,\ttransmit,\treproduce,\tor\totherwise\tmake\tavailable\tthis publication\t(or\tany\tpart\tof\tit)\tin\tany\tform,\tor\tby\tany\tmeans\t(including\twithout\tlimitation electronic,\tdigital,\toptical,\tmechanical,\tphotocopying,\tprinting,\trecording,\tor\totherwise), without\tthe\tprior\twritten\tpermission\tof\tthe\tpublisher.\tAny\tperson\twho\tdoes\tany unauthorized\tact\tin\trelation\tto\tthis\tpublication\tmay\tbe\tliable\tto\tcriminal\tprosecution\tand civil\tclaims\tfor\tdamages. First\tpublished\tin\tthe\tUnited\tStates\tof\tAmerica\tin\tSeptember\t2014 by\tBloomsbury\tChildren\u2019s\tBooks E-book\tedition\tpublished\tin\tSeptember\t2014 www.bloomsbury.com Bloomsbury\tis\ta\tregistered\ttrademark\tof\tBloomsbury\tPublishing\tPlc For\tinformation\tabout\tpermission\tto\treproduce\tselections\tfrom\tthis\tbook,\twrite\tto Permissions,\tBloomsbury\tChildren\u2019s\tBooks,\t1385\tBroadway,\tNew\tYork,\tNew\tYork\t10018 Library\tof\tCongress\tCataloging-in-Publication\tData Maas,\tSarah\tJ. Heir\tof\tfire\t\/\tby\tSarah\tJ.\tMaas. pages\t\t\t\t\tcm Sequel\tto:\tCrown\tof\tmidnight. Summary:\tRoyal\tassassin\tCelaena\tmust\ttravel\tto\ta\tnew\tland\tto\tconfront\ta\ttruth\tabout\ther heritage,\twhile\tbrutal\tand\tmonstrous\tforces\tare\tgathering\ton\tthe\thorizon,\tintent\ton enslaving\ther\tworld. [1.\tFantasy.\t2.\tAssassins\u2014Fiction.\t3.\tIdentity\u2014Fiction.]\tI.\tTitle. PZ7.M111575He\t2014\t\t\t\t\t[Fic]\u2014dc23\t\t\t\t\t2014005016 ISBN:\t978-1-61963-066-6\t(e-book) Visit\twww.bloomsbury.com\tto\tfind\tout\tmore\tabout\tour\tauthors\tand\ttheir\tbooks You\twill\tfind\textracts,\tauthor\tinterviews,\tauthor\tevents\tand\tyou\tcan\tsign\tup\tfor newsletters\tto\tbe\tthe\tfirst\tto\thear\tabout\tour\tlatest\treleases\tand\tspecial\toffers"]