["them\t claiming\t absolute\t authority\t on\t the\t subject.\t But\t there\t were\t a\t few\t similar details\tthat\tRhys\thad\tnot\tknown. He\t had\t been\t healing\t at\t the\t cabin\t in\t the\t mountains\t when\t they\u2019d\t formed\t the wall,\t when\t they\u2019d\t signed\t that\t Treaty.\t The\t details\t that\t emerged\t had\t been\t murky at\tbest,\tbut\tthe\tvarious\ttexts\tClotho\thad\tdug\tup\ton\tthe\twall\u2019s\tformation\tand\trules agreed\ton\tone\tthing:\tit\thad\tnever\tbeen\tmade\tto\tlast. No,\t initially,\t the\t wall\t had\t been\t a\t temporary\t solution\u2014to\t cleave\t human\t and faerie\t until\t peace\t settled\t long\t enough\t for\t them\t to\t later\t reconvene.\t And\t decide how\tthey\twere\tto\tlive\ttogether\u2014as\tone\tpeople. But\t the\t wall\t had\t remained.\t Humans\t had\t grown\t old\t and\t died,\t and\t their children\t had\t forgotten\t the\t promises\t of\t their\t parents,\t their\t grandparents,\t their ancestors.\t And\t the\t High\t Fae\t who\t survived\t \u2026\t it\t was\t a\t new\t world,\t without slaves.\t Lesser\t faeries\t stepped\t in\t to\t replace\t the\t missing\t free\t labor;\t territory boundaries\thad\tbeen\tredrawn\tto\taccommodate\tthose\tdisplaced.\tSuch\ta\tgreat\tshift in\t the\t world\t in\t those\t initial\t centuries,\t so\t many\t working\t to\t move\t past\t war,\t to heal,\tthat\tthe\twall\t\u2026\tthe\twall\tbecame\tpermanent.\tThe\twall\tbecame\tlegend. \u201cEven\tif\tall\tseven\tcourts\tally,\u201d\tI\tsaid\tas\twe\tplucked\tgrapes\tfrom\ta\tsilver\tbowl in\ta\tquiet\tsitting\troom\tin\tthe\tHouse\tof\tWind,\thaving\tleft\tthe\tdim\tlibrary\tfor\tsome much-needed\t sunshine,\t \u201ceven\t if\t Keir\t and\t the\t Court\t of\t Nightmares\t join,\t too\t \u2026 Will\twe\tstand\ta\tchance\tin\tthis\twar?\u201d Rhys\t leaned\t back\t in\t the\t embroidered\t chair\t before\t the\t floor-to-ceiling window.\t Velaris\t was\t a\t glittering\t sprawl\t below\t and\t beyond\u2014serene\t and\t lovely, even\t with\t the\t scars\t of\t battle\t now\t peppering\t it.\t \u201cArmy\t against\t army,\t the possibility\tof\tvictory\tis\tslim.\u201d\tBlunt,\thonest\twords. I\t shifted\t in\t my\t own\t identical\t chair\t on\t the\t other\t side\t of\t the\t low-lying\t table between\tus.\t\u201cCould\tyou\t\u2026\tIf\tyou\tand\tthe\tKing\tof\tHybern\twent\thead\tto\thead\t\u2026\u201d \u201cWould\tI\twin?\u201d\tRhys\tlifted\ta\tbrow,\tand\tstudied\tthe\tcity.\t\u201cI\tdon\u2019t\tknow.\tHe\u2019s been\tsmart\tabout\tkeeping\tthe\textent\tof\this\tpower\thidden.\tBut\the\thad\tto\tresort\tto trickery\tand\tthreats\tto\tbeat\tus\tthat\tday\tin\tHybern.\tHe\thas\tthousands\tof\tyears\tof knowledge\tand\ttraining.\tIf\the\tand\tI\tfought\t\u2026\tI\tdoubt\the\twill\tlet\tit\tcome\tto\tthat. He\t stands\t a\t better\t chance\t at\t sure\t victory\t by\t overwhelming\t us\t with\t numbers,\t in stretching\t us\t thin.\t If\t we\t fought\t one-on-one,\t if\t he\u2019d\t even\t accept\t an\t open challenge\tfrom\tme\t\u2026\tthe\tdamage\twould\tbe\tcatastrophic.\tAnd\tthat\u2019s\twithout\thim wielding\tthe\tCauldron.\u201d","My\t heart\t stumbled.\t Rhys\t went\t on,\t \u201cI\u2019m\t willing\t to\t take\t the\t brunt\t of\t it,\t if\t it means\tthe\tothers\twill\tat\tleast\tstand\twith\tus\tagainst\thim.\u201d I\tclenched\tthe\ttufted\tarms\tof\tthe\tchair. \u201cYou\tshouldn\u2019t\thave\tto.\u201d \u201cIt\tmight\tbe\tthe\tonly\tchoice.\u201d \u201cI\tdon\u2019t\taccept\tthat\tas\tan\toption.\u201d He\tblinked\tat\tme.\t\u201cPrythian\tmight\tneed\tme\tas\tan\toption.\u201d\tBecause\twith\tthat power\tof\this\t\u2026\tHe\u2019d\ttake\ton\tthe\tking\tand\this\tentire\tarmy.\tBurn\thimself\tout\tuntil he\twas\u2014 \u201cI\tneed\tyou.\tAs\tan\toption.\tIn\tmy\tfuture.\u201d Silence.\t And\t even\t with\t the\t sun\t warming\t my\t feet,\t a\t terrible\t cold\t spread through\tme. His\tthroat\tbobbed.\t\u201cIf\tit\tmeans\tgiving\tyou\ta\tfuture,\tthen\tI\u2019m\twilling\tto\tdo\u2014\u201d \u201cYou\t will\t do\t no\t such\t thing.\u201d\t I\t panted\t through\t my\t bared\t teeth,\t leaning forward\tin\tmy\tchair. Rhys\t only\t watched\t me,\t eyes\t shadowed.\t \u201cHow\t can\t you\t ask\t me\t not\t to\t give everything\tI\thave\tto\tensure\tthat\tyou,\tthat\tmy\tfamily\tand\tpeople,\tsurvive?\u201d \u201cYou\u2019ve\tgiven\tenough.\u201d \u201cNot\tenough.\tNot\tyet.\u201d It\twas\thard\tto\tbreathe,\tto\tsee\tpast\tthe\tburning\tin\tmy\teyes.\t\u201cWhy?\tWhere\tdoes this\tcome\tfrom,\tRhys?\u201d For\tonce,\the\tdidn\u2019t\tanswer. And\t there\t was\t something\t brittle\t enough\t in\t his\t expression,\t some\t long unhealed\t wound\t that\t glimmered\t there,\t that\t I\t sighed,\t rubbed\t my\t face,\t and\t then said,\t \u201cJust\u2014work\t with\t me.\t With\t all\t of\t us.\t Together.\t This\t isn\u2019t\t your\t burden alone.\u201d He\t plucked\t another\t grape\t from\t its\t stem,\t chewed.\t His\t lips\t tilted\t in\t a\t faint smile.\t\u201cSo\twhat\tdo\tyou\tpropose,\tthen?\u201d I\tcould\tstill\tsee\tthat\tvulnerability\tin\this\teyes,\tstill\tfeel\tit\tin\tthat\tbond\tbetween us,\t but\t I\t angled\t my\t head.\t I\t sorted\t through\t all\t I\t knew,\t all\t that\t had\t happened. Considered\tthe\tbooks\tI\u2019d\tread\tin\tthe\tlibrary\tbelow.\tA\tlibrary\tthat\thoused\u2014 \u201cAmren\t warned\t us\t to\t never\t put\t the\t two\t halves\t of\t the\t Book\t together,\u201d\t I mused.\t \u201cBut\t we\u2014I\t did.\t She\t said\t that\t older\t things\t might\t be\t \u2026\t awoken\t by\t it. Might\tcome\tsniffing.\u201d","Rhys\tcrossed\tan\tankle\tover\ta\tknee. \u201cHybern\tmight\thave\tthe\tnumbers,\u201d\tI\tsaid,\t\u201cbut\twhat\tif\twe\thad\tthe\tmonsters? You\tsaid\tHybern\twill\tsee\tan\talliance\twith\tall\tthe\tcourts\tcoming\u2014but\tperhaps\tnot one\t with\t things\t wholly\t unconnected.\u201d\t I\t leaned\t forward.\t \u201cAnd\t I\u2019m\t not\t talking about\t the\t monsters\t roaming\t across\t the\t world.\t I\t am\t talking\t about\t one\t in particular\u2014who\thas\tnothing\tto\tlose\tand\teverything\tto\tgain.\u201d One\tthat\tI\twould\tdo\teverything\tin\tmy\tpower\tto\tuse,\trather\tthan\tlet\tRhys\tface the\tbrunt\tof\tthis\talone. His\tbrows\trose.\t\u201cOh?\u201d \u201cThe\tBone\tCarver,\u201d\tI\tclarified.\t\u201cHe\tand\tAmren\thave\tboth\tbeen\tlooking\tfor\ta way\t back\t to\t their\t own\t worlds.\u201d\t The\t Carver\t had\t been\t insistent,\t relentless,\t in asking\t me\t that\t day\t in\t the\t Prison\t about\t where\t I\t had\t gone\t during\t death.\t I\t could have\tsworn\tRhys\u2019s\tgolden-brown\tskin\tpaled,\tbut\tI\tadded,\t\u201cI\twonder\tif\tit\u2019s\ttime to\task\thim\twhat\the\u2019d\tgive\tto\tgo\tback\thome.\u201d","CHAPTER 21 The\t aching\t muscles\t along\t my\t back,\t core,\t and\t thighs\t had\t gone\t into\t complete revolt\t by\t the\t time\t Rhys\t and\t I\t parted\t ways,\t my\t mate\t heading\t off\t to\t track\t down Cassian\u2014who\twould\tbe\tmy\tescort\ttomorrow\tmorning\tto\tthe\tPrison.\tIf\tboth\tof\tus had\tgone,\tit\twould\tperhaps\tlook\ttoo\t\u2026\tdesperate,\ttoo\tvital.\tBut\tif\tthe\tHigh\tLady and\ther\tgeneral\twent\tto\tvisit\tthe\tCarver\tto\tpose\tsome\thypothetical\tquestions\t\u2026 It\twould\tstill\tshow\tour\thand,\tbut\tperhaps\tnot\tquite\thow\tbadly\twe\tneeded\tany extra\tbit\tof\tassistance.\tAnd\tCassian,\tunsurprisingly,\tknew\tmore\tabout\tthe\tCarver than\tanyone\tthanks\tto\tsome\tmorbid\tfascination\twith\tall\tof\tthe\tPrison\u2019s\tinmates. Especially\tsince\the\twas\tresponsible\tfor\tjailing\tsome\tof\tthem. But\twhile\tRhys\tsought\tout\tCassian,\tI\thad\ta\ttask\tof\tmy\town. I\t was\t wincing\t and\t hissing\t as\t I\t strode\t through\t the\t murky\t red\t halls\t of\t the House\tto\tfind\tmy\tsister\tand\tAmren.\tTo\tsee\twhich\tof\tthem\twas\tstill\tstanding\tafter their\tfirst\tlesson.\tAmong\tother\tthings. I\tfound\tthem\tin\ta\tquiet,\tforgotten\tworkroom,\tcoldly\twatching\tthe\tother. Books\t lay\t scattered\t on\t the\t table\t between\t them.\t A\t ticking\t clock\t by\t the\t dusty cabinets\twas\tthe\tonly\tsound. \u201cSorry\t to\t interrupt\t your\t staring\t contest,\u201d\t I\t said,\t lingering\t in\t the\t doorway.\t I rubbed\t at\t a\t spot\t low\t in\t my\t back.\t \u201cI\t wanted\t to\t see\t how\t the\t first\t lesson\t was going.\u201d \u201cFine.\u201d\tAmren\tdidn\u2019t\ttake\ther\teyes\toff\tmy\tsister,\ta\tfaint\tsmile\tplaying\tabout her\tred\tmouth. I\tstudied\tNesta,\twho\tgazed\tat\tAmren,\tutterly\tstone-faced. \u201cWhat\tare\tyou\tdoing?\u201d \u201cWaiting,\u201d\tAmren\tsaid.","\u201cFor\twhat?\u201d \u201cFor\tbusybodies\tto\tleave\tus\talone.\u201d I\tstraightened,\tclearing\tmy\tthroat.\t\u201cIs\tthis\tpart\tof\ther\ttraining?\u201d Amren\t turned\t her\t head\t to\t me\t with\t exaggerated\t slowness,\t her\t chin-length, razor-straight\t hair\t shifting\t with\t the\t movement.\t \u201cRhys\t has\t his\t own\t method\t of training\t you.\t I\t have\t mine.\u201d\t Her\t white\t teeth\t flashed\t with\t every\t word.\t \u201cWe\t visit the\tCourt\tof\tNightmares\ttomorrow\tnight\u2014she\tneeds\tsome\tbasic\ttraining\tbefore we\tdo.\u201d \u201cLike\twhat?\u201d Amren\t sighed\t at\t the\t ceiling.\t \u201cShielding\t herself.\t From\t prying\t minds\t and powers.\u201d I\t blinked.\t I\t should\t have\t thought\t of\t that.\t That\t if\t Nesta\t were\t to\t join\t us,\t be\t at the\t Hewn\t City\t \u2026\t she\t would\t need\t some\t defenses\t beyond\t what\t we\t could\t offer her. Nesta\tat\tlast\tlooked\tto\tme,\ther\tface\tas\tcold\tas\tever. \u201cAre\tyou\tall\tright?\u201d\tI\tasked\ther. Amren\t clicked\t her\t tongue.\t \u201cShe\u2019s\t fine.\t Stubborn\t as\t an\t ass,\t but\t as\t you\u2019re related,\tI\u2019m\tnot\tsurprised.\u201d I\t scowled.\t \u201cHow\t am\t I\t supposed\t to\t know\t what\t your\t methods\t are?\t For\t all\t I know,\tyou\tpicked\tup\tsome\tterrible\ttechniques\tin\tthat\tPrison.\u201d Careful.\tSo,\tso\tcareful. Amren\thissed,\t\u201cThat\tplace\ttaught\tme\tplenty\tof\tthings,\tbut\tcertainly\tnot\tthis.\u201d I\t angled\t my\t head,\t the\t portrait\t of\t curiosity.\t \u201cDid\t you\t ever\t interact\t with\t the others?\u201d The\t fewer\t people\t who\t knew\t about\t my\t trip\t tomorrow\t to\t see\t the\t Carver,\t the safer\tit\twas\u2014the\tless\tchance\tof\tHybern\tcatching\twind\tof\tit.\tNot\tfor\tany\tfear\tof betrayal,\tbut\t\u2026\tthere\twas\talways\trisk. Azriel,\tnow\toff\thunting\tfor\tinformation\ton\tthe\tAutumn\tCourt,\twould\tbe\ttold when\t he\t returned\t tonight.\t Mor\t \u2026\t I\u2019d\t tell\t her\t eventually.\t But\t Amren\t \u2026\t Rhys and\tI\thad\tdecided\tto\twait\tto\ttell\tAmren.\tThe\tlast\ttime\twe\u2019d\tgone\tto\tthe\tPrison, she\u2019d\t been\t \u2026\t testy.\t Telling\t her\t we\t planned\t to\t unleash\t one\t of\t her\t fellow inmates?\tPerhaps\tnot\tthe\tbest\tthing\tto\tmention\twhile\twe\twaited\tfor\ther\tto\tfind\ta way\tto\theal\tthat\twall\u2014and\ttrain\tmy\tsister. Impatience\t rippled\t across\t Amren\u2019s\t face,\t those\t silver\t eyes\t flaring.\t \u201cI\t only","spoke\tto\tthem\tin\twhispers\tand\techoes\tthrough\trock,\tgirl.\tAnd\tI\twas\tglad\tof\tit.\u201d \u201cWhat\u2019s\tthe\tPrison?\u201d\tNesta\tasked\tat\tlast. \u201cA\thell\tentombed\tin\tstone,\u201d\tAmren\tsaid.\t\u201cFull\tof\tcreatures\tyou\tshould\tthank the\tMother\tno\tlonger\twalk\tthe\tearth\tfreely.\u201d Nesta\tfrowned\tdeeply,\tbut\tshut\ther\tmouth. \u201cLike\twho?\u201d\tI\tasked.\tAny\textra\tinformation\tshe\tmight\thave\u2014 Amren\t bared\t her\t teeth.\t \u201cI\t am\t giving\t a\t magic\t lesson,\t not\t a\t history\t one.\u201d\t She waved\t a\t dismissive\t hand.\t \u201cIf\t you\t want\t someone\t to\t gossip\t with,\t go\t find\t one\t of the\tdogs.\tI\u2019m\tsure\tCassian\u2019s\tstill\tsniffing\taround\tupstairs.\u201d Nesta\u2019s\tlips\ttwitched\tupward. Amren\tpointed\tat\ther\twith\ta\tslender\tfinger\tending\tin\ta\tsharp,\tmanicured\tnail. \u201cConcentrate.\tVital\torgans\tmust\tbe\tshielded\tat\tall\ttimes.\u201d I\t tapped\t a\t hand\t against\t the\t open\t doorway.\t \u201cI\u2019ll\t keep\t looking\t for\t more information\tfor\tyou\tin\tthe\tlibrary,\tAmren.\u201d\tNo\tresponse.\t\u201cGood\tluck,\u201d\tI\tadded. \u201cShe\tdoesn\u2019t\tneed\tluck,\u201d\tAmren\tsaid.\tNesta\thuffed\ta\tlaugh. I\ttook\tthat\tas\tthe\tonly\tfarewell\tI\u2019d\tget.\tPerhaps\tletting\tAmren\tand\tNesta\ttrain together\twas\t\u2026\ta\tbad\tchoice.\tEven\tif\tthe\tprospect\tof\tunleashing\tthem\tupon\tthe Court\tof\tNightmares\t\u2026\tI\tsmiled\ta\tbit\tat\tthe\tthought. By\tthe\ttime\tMor,\tRhys,\tCassian,\tand\tI\tgathered\tfor\tdinner\tat\tthe\ttown\thouse \u2014Azriel\t still\t off\t spying\u2014my\t muscles\t were\t so\t sore\t I\t could\t barely\t walk\t up\t the front\t stairs.\t Sore\t enough\t that\t any\t plans\t I\t had\t to\t visit\t Lucien\t up\t at\t the\t House after\t the\t meal\t vanished.\t Mor\t was\t testy\t and\t quiet\t throughout,\t no\t doubt\t in anticipation\tof\tthe\tvisit\ttomorrow\tnight. She\u2019d\t had\t to\t work\t with\t Keir\t plenty\t throughout\t the\t centuries,\t and\t yet tomorrow\t \u2026\t She\u2019d\t only\t warned\t Rhys\t once\t while\t we\t ate\t that\t he\t should thoroughly\t consider\t any\t offer\t Keir\t might\t give\t him\t in\t exchange\t for\t his\t army. Rhys\t had\t shrugged,\t saying\t he\u2019d\t think\t about\t it\t when\t the\t time\t came.\t A\t non- answer\u2014and\tone\tthat\tmade\tMor\tgrit\ther\tteeth. I\tdidn\u2019t\tblame\ther.\tLong\tbefore\tthe\tWar,\ther\tfamily\thad\tbrutalized\ther\tin\tways I\t didn\u2019t\t let\t myself\t consider.\t Not\t a\t day\t before\t I\t was\t to\t meet\t with\t them\t again\u2014 ask\tthem\tfor\thelp.\tWork\twith\tthem. Rhys,\tMother\tbless\thim,\thad\ta\tbath\twaiting\tfor\tme\tafter\tthe\tmeal. I\u2019d\tneed\tall\tmy\tstrength\tfor\ttomorrow.\tFor\tthe\tmonsters\tI\twas\tto\tface\tbeneath two\tvery\tdifferent\tmountains.","I\t had\t not\t visited\t this\t place\t for\t months.\t But\t the\t carved\t stone\t walls\t were\t just\t as I\u2019d\tlast\tseen\tthem,\tthe\tdarkness\tstill\tinterrupted\tby\tbracketed\ttorches. Not\tthe\tPrison.\tUnder\tthe\tMountain. But\tinstead\tof\tClare\u2019s\tmutilated\tbody\tspiked\thigh\tto\tthe\twall\tabove\tme\t\u2026 Her\tblue-gray\teyes\twere\tstill\twide\twith\tterror.\tGone\twas\tthe\thaughty\ticiness, the\tqueenly\tjut\tto\ther\tchin. Nesta.\t They\u2019d\t done\t precisely\t to\t her,\t wound\t for\t wound,\t what\t they\u2019d\t done\t to Clare. And\tbehind\tme,\tscreaming\tand\tpleading\u2014 I\tturned,\tfinding\tElain,\tnaked\tand\tweeping,\ttied\tto\tthat\tenormous\tspit.\tWhat\tI had\t once\t been\t threatened\t to\t endure.\t Gnarled,\t masked\t faeries\t rotated\t the\t iron handles,\tturning\ther\tover\u2014 I\ttried\tto\tmove.\tTried\tto\tlunge. But\tI\twas\tfrozen\u2014utterly\tbound\tby\tinvisible\tchains\tto\tthe\tfloor. Feminine\t laughter\t flitted\t from\t the\t other\t end\t of\t that\t throne\t room.\t From\t the dais.\tNow\tempty. Empty,\tbecause\tthat\twas\tAmarantha,\tstrutting\tinto\tthe\tgloom,\tdown\tsome\thall that\thadn\u2019t\tbeen\tthere\tbefore\tbut\tnow\tstretched\taway\tinto\tnothing. Rhysand\tfollowed\ta\tstep\tbehind\ther.\tGoing\twith\ther.\tTo\tthat\tbedroom. He\tlooked\tover\this\tshoulder\tat\tme,\tonly\tonce. Over\t his\t wings.\t His\t wings,\t which\t were\t out,\t which\t she\u2019d\t see\t and\t destroy, right\tafter\tshe\u2014 I\t was\t screaming\t for\t him\t to\t stop.\t Thrashing\t at\t those\t bonds.\t Elain\u2019s\t pleading rose,\t higher\t and\t higher.\t Rhys\t kept\t walking\t with\t Amarantha.\t Let\t her\t take\t his hand\tand\ttug\thim\talong. I\tcouldn\u2019t\tmove,\tcouldn\u2019t\tstop\tit,\tany\tof\tit\u2014 I\twas\thauled\tout\tof\tthe\tdream\tlike\ta\tthrashing\tfish\tfrom\ta\tnet\tcast\tdeep\tinto\tthe sea. And\t when\t I\t surfaced\t \u2026\t I\t remained\t half\t there.\t Half\t in\t my\t body,\t half\t Under the\tMountain,\twatching\tas\u2014","\u201cBreathe.\u201d The\t word\t was\t an\t order.\t Laced\t with\t that\t primal\t command\t he\t so\t rarely wielded. But\tmy\teyes\tfocused.\tMy\tchest\texpanded.\tI\tslipped\ta\tbit\tfurther\tback\tinto\tmy body. \u201cAgain.\u201d I\t did\t so.\t His\t face\t came\t into\t view,\t faelights\t murmuring\t to\t life\t inside\t their lamps\t and\t bowls\t in\t our\t bedroom.\t His\t wings\t were\t tucked\t in\t tight,\t framing\t his disheveled\thair,\this\tdrawn\tface. Rhys. \u201cAgain,\u201d\the\tonly\tsaid.\tI\tobeyed. My\t bones\t had\t turned\t brittle,\t my\t stomach\t a\t roiling\t mess.\t I\t closed\t my\t eyes, fighting\tthe\tnausea.\tRippling\tterror\tkept\tits\ttalons\tburied\tdeep.\tI\tcould\tstill\tsee\tit: the\tway\tshe\u2019d\tled\thim\tdown\tthat\thall.\tTo\u2014 I\t surged,\t rolling\t to\t the\t edge\t of\t the\t mattress\t and\t clamping\t down\t hard\t as\t my body\ttried\tto\theave\tup\tits\tcontents\tonto\tthe\tcarpet.\tHis\thand\twas\tinstantly\ton\tmy back,\trubbing\tsoothing\tcircles.\tUtterly\twilling\tto\tlet\tme\tvomit\tright\tover\tthe\tside of\tthe\tbed.\tBut\tI\tfocused\ton\tmy\tbreathing. On\tclosing\tdown\tthose\tmemories,\tone\tby\tone.\tMemories\trepainted. I\tlay\thalf\tsprawled\tover\tthe\tedge\tfor\tuncounted\tminutes.\tHe\trubbed\tmy\tback throughout. When\tI\tcould\tfinally\tmove,\twhen\tthe\tnausea\thad\tsubsided\t\u2026\tI\ttwisted\tback over.\t And\t the\t sight\t of\t that\t face\t \u2026\t I\t slid\t my\t arms\t around\t his\t waist,\t gripping tightly\tas\the\tpressed\ta\tsilent\tkiss\tto\tmy\thair,\treminding\tmyself\tover\tand\tover\tthat we\t were\t out.\t We\t had\t survived.\t Never\t again\u2014never\t again\t would\t I\t let\t someone hurt\thim\tlike\tthat.\tHurt\tmy\tsisters\tlike\tthat. Never\tagain.","CHAPTER 22 I\tfelt\tRhys\u2019s\tattention\ton\tme\twhile\twe\tdressed\tthe\tnext\tmorning,\tand\tthroughout our\t hearty\t breakfast.\t Yet\t he\t didn\u2019t\t push,\t didn\u2019t\t demand\t to\t know\t what\t had dragged\tme\tinto\tthat\tscreaming\thell. It\thad\tbeen\ta\tlong\twhile\tsince\tthose\tnightmares\thad\thauled\teither\tof\tus\tfrom sleep.\tBlurred\tthe\tlines. It\t was\t only\t when\t we\t stood\t in\t the\t foyer,\t waiting\t for\t Cassian\t before\t we winnowed\tto\tthe\tPrison,\tthat\tRhys\tasked\tfrom\twhere\the\tleaned\tagainst\tthe\tstair banister,\t\u201cDo\tyou\tneed\tto\ttalk\tabout\tit?\u201d My\tIllyrian\tleathers\tgroaned\tas\tI\tturned\ttoward\thim. Rhys\tclarified,\t\u201cWith\tme\u2014or\tanyone.\u201d I\t answered\t him\t truthfully,\t tugging\t at\t the\t end\t of\t my\t braid.\t \u201cWith\t everything bearing\tdown\ton\tus,\teverything\tat\tstake\t\u2026\u201d\tI\tlet\tmy\tbraid\tdrop.\t\u201cI\tdon\u2019t\tknow.\tI think\t it\u2019s\t torn\t open\t some\t \u2026\t part\t of\t me\t that\t was\t slowly\t repairing.\u201d\t Repairing thanks\tto\tboth\tof\tus. He\tnodded,\tno\tfear\tor\treproach\tin\this\teyes. So\t I\t told\t him.\t All\t of\t it.\t Stumbling\t over\t the\t parts\t that\t still\t made\t me\t ill.\t He only\tlistened. And\twhen\tI\twas\tdone,\tthat\tshakiness\tremained,\tbut\t\u2026\tSpeaking\tit,\tvoicing\tit aloud\tto\thim\t\u2026 The\tsavage\tgrip\tof\tthose\tterrors\tlightened.\tCleared\taway\tlike\tdew\tin\tthe\tsun.\tI freed\ta\tlong\tbreath,\tas\tif\tblowing\tthose\tfears\tfrom\tme,\tletting\tmy\tbody\tloosen\tin its\twake. Rhys\tsilently\tpushed\toff\tthe\tbanister\tand\tkissed\tme.\tOnce.\tTwice. Cassian\t stalked\t through\t the\t front\t door\t a\t heartbeat\t later\t and\t groaned\t that\t it","was\t too\t early\t to\t stomach\t the\t sight\t of\t us\t kissing.\t My\t mate\t only\t snarled\t at\t him before\the\ttook\tus\tboth\tby\tthe\thand\tand\twinnowed\tus\tto\tthe\tPrison. Rhys\t gripped\t my\t fingers\t tighter\t than\t usual\t as\t the\t wind\t ripped\t around\t us, Cassian\t now\t wisely\t keeping\t silent.\t And\t as\t we\t emerged\t from\t that\t black, tumbling\twind,\tRhys\tleaned\tover\tto\tkiss\tme\ta\tthird\ttime,\tsweet\tand\tsoft,\tbefore the\tgray\tlight\tand\troaring\twind\tgreeted\tus. Apparently,\tthe\tPrison\twas\tcold\tand\tmisty\tno\tmatter\tthe\ttime\tof\tyear. Standing\t at\t the\t base\t of\t the\t mossy,\t rocky\t mountain\t under\t which\t the\t Prison was\tbuilt,\tCassian\tand\tI\tfrowned\tup\tthe\tslope. Despite\t the\t Illyrian\t leathers,\t the\t chill\t seeped\t into\t my\t bones.\t I\t rubbed\t at\t my arms,\t lifting\t my\t brows\t at\t Rhys,\t who\t had\t remained\t in\t his\t usual\t attire,\t so\t out\t of place\tin\tthis\tdamp,\twindy\tspeck\tof\tgreen\tin\tthe\tmiddle\tof\ta\tgray\tsea. The\twind\truffled\this\tblack\thair\tas\the\tsurveyed\tus,\tCassian\talready\tsizing\tup the\t mountain\t like\t some\t opponent.\t Twin\t Illyrian\t blades\t were\t crossed\t over\t the general\u2019s\t muscled\t back.\t \u201cWhen\t you\u2019re\t in\t there,\u201d\t Rhys\t said,\t the\t words\t barely audible\t over\t the\t wind\t and\t silver\t streams\t running\t down\t the\t mountainside,\t \u201cyou won\u2019t\tbe\table\tto\treach\tme.\u201d \u201cWhy?\u201d\t I\t rubbed\t my\t already-freezing\t hands\t together\t before\t puffing\t a\t hot breath\tinto\tthe\tcradle\tof\tmy\tpalms. \u201cWards\t and\t spells\t far\t older\t than\t Prythian,\u201d\t was\t all\t Rhys\t said.\t He\t jerked\t his chin\tto\tCassian.\t\u201cDon\u2019t\tlet\teach\tother\tout\tof\tyour\tsight.\u201d It\t was\t the\t dead\t seriousness\t with\t which\t Rhys\t spoke\t that\t kept\t me\t from retorting. Indeed,\tmy\tmate\u2019s\teyes\twere\thard\u2014unflinching.\tWhile\twe\twere\there,\the\tand Azriel\twere\tto\tdiscuss\twhat\the\u2019d\tfound\tout\tabout\tAutumn\u2019s\tleanings\tin\tthis\twar. And\tthen\tadjust\ttheir\tstrategy\tfor\tthe\tmeeting\twith\tthe\tHigh\tLords.\tBut\tI\tcould sense\tit,\tthe\turge\tto\trequest\the\tjoin\tus.\tWatch\tover\tus. \u201cShout\t down\t the\t bond\t when\t you\u2019re\t out\t again,\u201d\t Rhys\t said\t with\t a\t mildness that\tdidn\u2019t\treach\this\tgaze. Cassian\t looked\t back\t over\t a\t shoulder.\t \u201cGet\t back\t to\t Velaris,\t you\t mother\t hen. We\u2019ll\tbe\tfine.\u201d Rhys\tleveled\tanother\tuncharacteristically\thard\tstare\tat\thim.\t\u201cRemember\twho you\tput\tin\there,\tCassian.\u201d Cassian\t just\t tucked\t in\t his\t wings,\t as\t if\t every\t muscle\t shifted\t toward\t battle.","Steady\tand\tsolid\tas\tthe\tmountain\twe\twere\tabout\tto\tclimb. With\ta\twink\tat\tme,\tRhys\tvanished. Cassian\tchecked\tthe\tbuckles\ton\this\tswords\tand\tmotioned\tme\tto\tstart\tthe\tlong trek\tup\tthe\thill.\tMy\tgut\ttightened\tat\tthe\tclimb\tahead.\tThe\tshrieking\thollowness of\tthis\tplace. \u201cWho\tdid\tyou\tput\tin\there?\u201d\tThe\tmossy\tearth\tcushioned\tmy\tsteps. Cassian\tput\ta\tscar-flecked\tfinger\tto\this\tlips.\t\u201cBest\tleft\tfor\tanother\ttime.\u201d Right.\tI\tfell\tinto\tstep\tbeside\thim,\tmy\tthighs\tburning\twith\tthe\tsteep\thike.\tMist chilled\t my\t face.\t Conserving\t his\t strength\u2014Cassian\t wasn\u2019t\t wasting\t a\t drop\t of energy\ton\tshielding\tus\tfrom\tthe\telements. \u201cYou\treally\tthink\tunleashing\tthe\tCarver\twill\tdo\tthe\ttrick\tagainst\tHybern?\u201d \u201cYou\u2019re\tthe\tgeneral,\u201d\tI\tpanted,\t\u201cyou\ttell\tme.\u201d He\tconsidered,\tthe\twind\ttossing\this\tdark\thair\tover\this\ttan\tface.\t\u201cEven\tif\tyou promise\tto\tfind\ta\tway\tto\tsend\thim\tback\tto\this\town\tworld\twith\tthe\tBook,\tor\tgive him\twhatever\tunholy\tthing\the\twants,\u201d\tCassian\tmused,\t\u201cI\tthink\tyou\u2019d\tbetter\tfind a\tway\tto\tcontrol\thim\tin\tthis\tworld,\tor\telse\twe\u2019ll\tbe\tfighting\tenemies\ton\tall\tfronts. And\tI\tknow\twhich\tone\twill\thand\tour\tasses\tto\tus.\u201d \u201cThe\tCarver\u2019s\tthat\tbad.\u201d \u201cYou\u2019re\tasking\tthis\tright\tbefore\twe\u2019re\tto\tmeet\twith\thim?\u201d I\thissed,\t\u201cI\tassumed\tRhys\twould\thave\tput\this\tfoot\tdown\tif\tit\twas\tthat\trisky.\u201d \u201cRhys\thas\tbeen\tknown\tto\thatch\tplans\tthat\tmake\tmy\theart\tstop\tdead,\u201d\tCassian grumbled.\t\u201cSo,\tI\twouldn\u2019t\tcount\ton\thim\tto\tbe\tthe\tvoice\tof\treason.\u201d I\tscowled\tat\tCassian,\tearning\ta\twolfish\tgrin\tin\treturn. But\tCassian\tscanned\tthe\theavy\tgray\tsky,\tas\tif\thunting\tfor\tspying\teyes.\tThen the\tmoss\tand\tgrass\tand\trocks\tbeneath\tour\tboots\tfor\tlistening\tears\tbelow.\t\u201cThere was\t life\t here,\u201d\t he\t said,\t answering\t my\t question\t at\t last,\t \u201cbefore\t the\t High\t Lords took\tPrythian.\tOld\tgods,\twe\tcall\tthem.\tThey\truled\tthe\tforests\tand\tthe\trivers\tand the\tmountains\u2014some\twere\tthose\tthings.\tThen\tthe\tmagic\tshifted\tto\tthe\tHigh\tFae, who\tbrought\tthe\tCauldron\tand\tMother\talong\twith\tthem,\tand\tthough\tthe\told\tgods were\tstill\tworshipped\tby\ta\tselect\tfew,\tmost\tpeople\tforgot\tthem.\u201d I\tgrappled\tonto\ta\tlarge\tgray\trock\tas\tI\tclimbed\tover\tit.\t\u201cThe\tBone\tCarver\twas an\told\tgod?\u201d He\tdragged\ta\thand\tthrough\this\thair,\tthe\tSiphon\tgleaming\tin\tthe\twatery\tlight. \u201cThat\u2019s\twhat\tlegend\tsays.\tAlong\twith\twhispers\tof\tbeing\table\tto\tfell\thundreds\tof","soldiers\twith\tone\tbreath.\u201d A\t chill\t rippled\t down\t my\t skin\t that\t had\t nothing\t to\t do\t with\t the\t brisk\t wind. \u201cUseful\ton\ta\tbattlefield.\u201d Cassian\u2019s\t golden-brown\t skin\t paled\t while\t his\t eyes\t churned\t with\t the\t thought. \u201cNot\t without\t the\t proper\t precautions.\t Not\t without\t him\t being\t bound\t to\t obey\t us within\tan\tinch\tof\this\tlife.\u201d\tWhich\tI\u2019d\thave\tto\tfigure\tout\tas\twell,\tI\tsupposed. \u201cHow\tdid\the\twind\tup\there\u2014in\tthe\tPrison?\u201d \u201cI\t don\u2019t\t know.\t No\t one\t does.\u201d\t Cassian\t helped\t me\t over\t a\t boulder,\t his\t hand gripping\tmine\ttightly.\t\u201cBut\thow\tdo\tyou\tplan\ton\tfreeing\thim\tfrom\tthe\tPrison?\u201d I\twinced.\t\u201cI\tsuppose\tour\tfriend\twould\tknow,\tsince\tshe\tgot\tout.\u201d\tCareful\u2014we had\tto\tbe\tcareful\twhen\tmentioning\tAmren\u2019s\tname\there. Cassian\u2019s\tface\tgrew\tsolemn.\t\u201cShe\tdoesn\u2019t\ttalk\tabout\thow\tshe\tdid\tit,\tFeyre.\tI\u2019d be\tcareful\thow\tyou\tpush\ther.\u201d\tSince\twe\tstill\thad\tnot\ttold\tAmren\twhere\twe\twere today.\tWhat\twe\twere\tdoing. I\t thought\t about\t saying\t more,\t but\t ahead,\t far\t up\t the\t slope,\t the\t massive\t bone gates\topened. I\u2019d\tforgotten\tit\u2014the\tweight\tof\tthe\tair\tinside\tthe\tPrison.\tLike\twading\tthrough\tthe unstirred\tair\tof\ta\ttomb.\tLike\tstealing\ta\tbreath\tfrom\tthe\topen\tmouth\tof\ta\tskull. We\t both\t bore\t an\t Illyrian\t blade\t in\t one\t hand,\t the\t faelight\t bobbing\t ahead\t to show\t the\t way,\t occasionally\t dancing\t and\t sliding\t along\t the\t shining\t metal.\t Our other\thands\t\u2026\tCassian\tclenched\tmy\tfingers\tas\ttightly\tas\tI\tclutched\this\twhile\twe descended\t into\t the\t eternal\t blackness\t of\t the\t Prison,\t our\t steps\t crunching\t on\t the dry\tground.\tThere\twere\tno\tdoors\u2014none\tthat\twe\tcould\tsee. But\tbehind\tthat\tsolid,\tblack\trock,\tI\tcould\tstill\tfeel\tthem.\tCould\thave\tsworn\ta faint\tscratching\tsound\tfilled\tthe\tpassage.\tFrom\tthe\tother\tside\tof\tthat\trock. As\t if\t someone\t were\t running\t their\t nails\t down\t it.\t Something\t huge\u2014and\t old. And\tquiet\tas\tthe\twind\tthrough\ta\tfield\tof\twheat. Cassian\tkept\tutterly\tsilent,\ttracking\tsomething\u2014counting\tsomething. \u201cThis\t could\t be\t \u2026\t a\t very\t bad\t idea,\u201d\t I\t admitted,\t my\t grip\t tightening\t on\t his hand. \u201cOh,\t it\t most\t certainly\t is,\u201d\t Cassian\t said\t with\t a\t faint\t smile\t as\t we\t continued down\t and\t down\t into\t the\t heavy\t black\t and\t thrumming\t silence.\t \u201cBut\t this\t is\t war.","We\tdon\u2019t\thave\tthe\tluxury\tof\tgood\tideas\u2014only\tpicking\tbetween\tthe\tbad\tones.\u201d The\tBone\tCarver\u2019s\tcell\tdoor\tswung\topen\tthe\tmoment\tI\tlaid\tmy\tpalm\tto\tit. \u201cWorth\tthe\tmisery\tof\tbeing\tRhys\u2019s\tmate,\u201d\tCassian\tquipped\tas\tthe\twhite\tbone swung\taway\tinto\tdarkness. A\tlight\tchuckle\twithin. The\t amusement\t faded\t from\t Cassian\u2019s\t face\t at\t the\t sound\u2014as\t we\t walked\t into the\tcell,\tstill\thand\tin\thand. The\torb\tof\tfaelight\tbobbed\tahead,\tilluminating\tthe\tstone-hewn\tcell. Cassian\tgrowled\tat\twhat\tit\trevealed.\tWho\tit\trevealed. Wholly\tdifferent,\tno\tdoubt,\tfrom\tthe\tsame\tyoung\tboy\twho\tnow\tsmiled\tat\tme. Dark-haired,\twith\teyes\tof\tcrushing\tblue. I\tstarted\tat\tthe\tchild\u2019s\tface\u2014what\tI\thad\tnot\tnoticed\tthat\tfirst\ttime.\tWhat\tI\thad not\tunderstood. It\twas\tRhysand\u2019s\tface.\tThe\tcoloring,\tthe\teyes\t\u2026\tit\twas\tmy\tmate\u2019s\tface. But\tthe\tCarver\u2019s\tfull,\twide\tmouth,\tcurled\tinto\tthat\thideous\tsmile\t\u2026\tThat\twas my\tmouth.\tMy\tfather\u2019s\tmouth. The\t hair\t on\t my\t arms\t rose.\t The\t Carver\t inclined\t his\t head\t in\t greeting\u2014in greeting\tand\tin\tconfirmation,\tas\tif\the\tknew\tprecisely\twhat\tI\trealized.\tWho\tI\thad seen\tand\twas\tstill\tseeing. The\t High\t Lord\u2019s\t son.\t My\t son.\t Our\t son.\t Should\t we\t survive\t long\t enough\t to bear\thim. Should\tI\tnot\tfail\tin\tmy\ttask\tto\trecruit\tthe\tCarver.\tShould\twe\tnot\tfail\tto\tunify the\tHigh\tLords\tand\tthe\tCourt\tof\tNightmares.\tAnd\tkeep\tthat\twall\tintact. It\t was\t an\t effort\t to\t keep\t my\t knees\t from\t buckling.\t Cassian\u2019s\t face\t was\t pale enough\tthat\tI\tknew\twhatever\the\twas\tseeing\t\u2026\tit\twasn\u2019t\ta\tbeautiful\tyoung\tboy. \u201cI\twas\twondering\twhen\tyou\u2019d\treturn,\u201d\tthe\tCarver\tsaid,\tthat\tboy\u2019s\tvoice\tsweet and\tyet\tdreadful\u2014from\tthe\tancient\tcreature\tthat\tlurked\tbeneath\tit.\t\u201cHigh\tLady,\u201d he\tadded\tto\tme.\t\u201cPlease\taccept\tmy\tcongratulations\ton\tyour\tunion.\u201d\tA\tglance\tat Cassian.\t\u201cI\tcan\tsmell\tthe\twind\ton\tyou.\u201d\tAnother\tlittle\tsmile.\t\u201cHave\tyou\tbrought me\ta\tgift?\u201d I\treached\tinto\tthe\tpocket\tof\tmy\tjacket\tand\tchucked\ta\tsmall\tshard\tof\tbone,\tno bigger\tthan\tmy\thand,\tat\tthe\tCarver\u2019s\tfeet.","\u201cThis\t is\t all\t that\u2019s\t left\t of\t the\t Attor\t after\t I\t splattered\t him\t on\t the\t streets\t of Velaris.\u201d Those\t blue\t eyes\t flared\t with\t unholy\t delight.\t I\t hadn\u2019t\t even\t known\t we\u2019d\t kept this\tfragment.\tIt\thad\tbeen\tstored\tuntil\tnow\u2014precisely\tfor\tthis\tsort\tof\tthing. \u201cSo\t bloodthirsty,\t my\t new\t High\t Lady,\u201d\t the\t Carver\t purred,\t picking\t up\t the cracked\t bone\t and\t turning\t it\t over\t in\t those\t small,\t delicate\t hands.\t And\t then\t the Carver\tsaid,\t\u201cI\tsmell\tmy\tsister\ton\tyou,\tCursebreaker.\u201d My\tmouth\twent\tdry.\tHis\tsister\u2014 \u201cDid\tyou\tsteal\tfrom\ther?\tDid\tshe\tweave\ta\tthread\tof\tyour\tlife\tinto\ther\tloom?\u201d The\tWeaver\tof\tthe\tWood.\tMy\theart\tthundered.\tNo\tbreathing\tcould\tsteady\tit. Cassian\u2019s\thand\ttightened\taround\tmine. The\tCarver\tpurred\tto\tCassian,\t\u201cIf\tI\ttell\tyou\ta\tsecret,\twarrior-heart,\twhat\twill you\tgive\tme?\u201d Neither\tof\tus\tspoke.\tCarefully\u2014we\u2019d\thave\tto\tphrase\tand\tdo\tthis\tso\tcarefully. The\t Carver\t stroked\t the\t shard\t of\t bone\t in\t his\t palm,\t attention\t fixed\t upon\t a stone-faced\t Cassian.\t \u201cWhat\t if\t I\t tell\t you\t what\t the\t rock\t and\t darkness\t and\t sea beyond\t whispered\t to\t me,\t Lord\t of\t Bloodshed?\t How\t they\t shuddered\t in\t fear,\t on that\t island\t across\t the\t sea.\t How\t they\t trembled\t when\t she\t emerged.\t She\t took something\u2014something\tprecious.\tShe\tripped\tit\tout\twith\ther\tteeth.\u201d Cassian\u2019s\tgolden-brown\tface\thad\tdrained\tof\tcolor,\this\twings\ttucking\tin\ttight. \u201cWhat\tdid\tyou\twake\tthat\tday\tin\tHybern,\tPrince\tof\tBastards?\u201d My\tblood\twent\tcold. \u201cWhat\tcame\tout\twas\tnot\twhat\twent\tin.\u201d\tA\trasping\tlaugh\tas\tthe\tCarver\tlaid\tthe shard\tof\tbone\ton\tthe\tground\tbeside\thim.\t\u201cHow\tlovely\tshe\tis\u2014new\tas\ta\tfawn\tand yet\t ancient\t as\t the\t sea.\t How\t she\t calls\t to\t you.\t A\t queen,\t as\t my\t sister\t once\t was. Terrible\tand\tproud;\tbeautiful\tas\ta\twinter\tsunrise.\u201d Rhys\t had\t warned\t me\t of\t the\t inmates\u2019\t capacity\t to\t lie,\t to\t sell\t anything,\t to\t get free. \u201cNesta,\u201d\tthe\tBone\tCarver\tmurmured.\t\u201cNes-ta.\u201d I\t squeezed\t Cassian\u2019s\t hand.\t Enough.\t It\t was\t enough\t of\t this\t teasing\t and taunting.\tBut\the\tdidn\u2019t\tlook\tat\tme. \u201cHow\tthe\twind\tmoans\ther\tname.\tCan\tyou\thear\tit,\ttoo?\tNesta.\tNesta.\tNesta.\u201d I\twasn\u2019t\tsure\tCassian\twas\tbreathing. \u201cWhat\tdid\tshe\tdo,\tdrowning\tin\tthe\tageless\tdark?\tWhat\tdid\tshe\ttake?\u201d","It\t was\t the\t bite\t in\t the\t last\t word\t that\t snapped\t my\t tether\t of\t restraint.\t \u201cIf\t you wish\tto\tfind\tout,\tperhaps\tyou\tshould\tstop\ttalking\tlong\tenough\tfor\tus\tto\texplain.\u201d My\tvoice\tseemed\tto\tshake\tCassian\tfree\tof\twhatever\ttrance\the\u2019d\tbeen\tin.\tHis breathing\tsurged,\ttight\tand\tfast,\tand\the\tscanned\tmy\tface\u2014apology\tin\this\teyes. The\t Carver\t chuckled.\t \u201cI\t so\t rarely\t get\t company.\t Forgive\t me\t for\t wanting\t to make\tidle\ttalk.\u201d\tHe\tcrossed\tan\tankle\tover\ta\tfoot.\t\u201cAnd\twhy\thave\tyou\tsought\tmy services?\u201d \u201cWe\t attained\t the\t Book\t of\t Breathings,\u201d\t I\t said\t casually.\t \u201cThere\t are\t \u2026 interesting\t spells\t inside.\t Codes\t within\t codes\t within\t codes.\t Someone\t we\t know cracked\t most\t of\t them.\t She\t is\t still\t looking\t for\t others.\t Spells\t that\t could\t \u2026\t send someone\tlike\ther\thome.\tOthers\tlike\ther,\ttoo.\u201d The\tCarver\u2019s\tviolet\teyes\tflared\tbright\tas\tflame.\t\u201cI\u2019m\tlistening.\u201d","CHAPTER 23 \u201cWar\t is\t upon\t us,\u201d\t I\t said\t to\t the\t Carver.\t \u201cRumor\t suggests\t you\t have\t \u2026\t gifts\t that may\tbe\tuseful\tupon\tthe\tbattlefield.\u201d A\tsmile\tat\tCassian,\tas\tif\tunderstanding\twhy\the\u2019d\tjoined\tme.\t\u201cIn\texchange\tfor a\tprice,\u201d\tthe\tCarver\tmused. \u201cWithin\treason,\u201d\tCassian\tcountered. The\tCarver\tsurveyed\this\tcell.\t\u201cAnd\tyou\tthink\tthat\tI\twish\tto\tgo\t\u2026\tback.\u201d \u201cDon\u2019t\tyou?\u201d The\tCarver\tfolded\this\tlegs\tbeneath\this\tsmall\tframe.\t\u201cWhere\twe\tcame\tfrom\t\u2026 I\tdo\tnot\tbelieve\tit\tis\tnow\tanything\tmore\tthan\tdust\tdrifting\tacross\ta\tplain.\tThere is\tno\thome\tto\treturn\tto.\tNot\tone\tthat\tI\tdesire.\u201d For\tif\the\u2019d\tbeen\there\tbefore\teven\tAmren\thad\tarrived\t\u2026\tTens\tof\tthousands\tof years\u2014longer,\tperhaps.\tI\tshoved\tagainst\tthe\tsinking\tsensation\tin\tmy\tgut.\t\u201cThen perhaps\t improving\t your\t \u2026\t living\t conditions\t might\t entice\t you,\t if\t this\t world\t is where\tyou\twish\tto\tbe.\u201d \u201cThis\t cell,\t Cursebreaker,\t is\t where\t I\t wish\t to\t be.\u201d\t The\t Carver\t patted\t the\t dirt beside\thim.\t\u201cDo\tyou\tthink\tI\tlet\tthem\ttrap\tme\twithout\tgood\treason?\u201d Cassian\u2019s\t entire\t body\t seemed\t to\t shift\u2014seemed\t to\t go\t aware\t and\t focused. Ready\tto\thaul\tus\tout\tof\tthere. The\tCarver\ttraced\tthree\toverlapping,\tinterlocked\tcircles\tin\tthe\tdirt.\t\u201cYou\thave met\tmy\tsister\u2014my\ttwin.\tThe\tWeaver,\tas\tyou\tnow\tcall\ther.\tI\tknew\ther\tas\tStryga. She,\tand\tour\tolder\tbrother,\tKoschei.\tHow\tthey\tdelighted\tin\tthis\tworld\twhen\twe fell\t into\t it.\t How\t those\t ancient\t Fae\t feared\t and\t worshipped\t them.\t Had\t I\t been braver,\t I\t might\t have\t bided\t my\t time\u2014waited\t for\t their\t power\t to\t fade,\t for\t that long-ago\tFae\twarrior\t to\ttrick\tStryga\tinto\tdiminishing\ther\tpower\tand\tbecoming","confined\t to\t the\t Middle.\t Koschei,\t too\u2014confined\t and\t bound\t by\t his\t little\t lake\t on the\t continent.\t All\t before\t Prythian,\t before\t the\t land\t was\t carved\t up\t and\t any\t High Lord\twas\tcrowned.\u201d Cassian\tand\tI\twaited,\tnot\tdaring\tto\tinterrupt. \u201cClever,\t that\t Fae\t warrior.\t Her\t bloodline\t is\t long\t gone\t now\u2014though\t a\t trace still\t runs\t through\t some\t human\t line.\u201d\t He\t smiled,\t perhaps\t a\t bit\t sadly.\t \u201cNo\t one remembers\t her\t name.\t But\t I\t do.\t She\t would\t have\t been\t my\t salvation,\t had\t I\t not made\tmy\tchoice\tlong\tbefore\tshe\twalked\tthis\tearth.\u201d I\t waited\t and\t waited\t and\t waited,\t picking\t apart\t the\t story\t he\t laid\t out\t like crumbs\tof\tbread. \u201cShe\t could\t not\t kill\t them\t in\t the\t end\u2014they\t were\t too\t strong.\t They\t could\t only be\tcontained.\u201d\tThe\tCarver\twiped\ta\thand\tthrough\tthe\tcircles\the\u2019d\tdrawn,\terasing them\t wholly.\t \u201cI\t knew\t that\t long\t before\t she\t ever\t trapped\t them\u2014took\t it\t upon myself\tto\tfind\tmy\tway\there.\u201d \u201cTo\tspare\tthe\tworld\tfrom\tyourself?\u201d\tCassian\tasked,\tbrows\tnarrowing. The\tCarver\u2019s\teyes\tburned\tlike\tthe\thottest\tflame.\t\u201cTo\thide\tfrom\tmy\tsiblings.\u201d I\tblinked.\t\u201cWhy?\u201d \u201cThey\t are\t death-gods,\t girl,\u201d\t the\t Carver\t hissed.\t \u201cYou\t are\t immortal\u2014or\t long- lived\t enough\t to\t seem\t that\t way.\t But\t my\t siblings\t and\t I\t \u2026\t We\t are\t different.\t And the\ttwo\tof\tthem\t\u2026\tStronger.\tSo\tmuch\tstronger\tthan\tI\tever\twas.\tMy\tsister\t\u2026\tshe found\t a\t way\t to\t eat\t life\t itself.\t To\t stay\t young\t and\t beautiful\t forever\t thanks\t to\t the lives\tshe\tsteals.\u201d The\tweaving\u2014the\tthreads\tinside\tthat\thouse,\tthe\troof\tmade\tof\thair\t\u2026\tI\tmade a\tnote\tto\tthrow\tRhys\tin\tthe\tSidra\tfor\tsending\tme\tinto\tthat\tcottage. But\t the\t Carver\t himself\t \u2026\t \u201cIf\t they\t are\t death-gods,\u201d\t I\t said,\t \u201cthen\t what\t are you?\u201d Death.\t He\t had\t asked\t me,\t over\t and\t over,\t about\t death.\t About\t what\t waited beyond\t it,\t what\t it\t felt\t like.\t Where\t I\t had\t gone.\t I\u2019d\t thought\t it\t mere\t curiosity,\t but \u2026 That\t boy\u2019s\t face\t crinkled\t with\t amusement.\t My\t son\u2019s\t face.\t The\t vision\t of\t the future\t that\t had\t once\t been\t shown\t to\t me\t all\t those\t months\t ago,\t as\t some\t sort\t of taunt\t or\t embodiment\t of\t what\t I\t hadn\u2019t\t dared\t yet\t admit\t to\t myself.\t What\t I\t was most\tuncertain\tof.\tAnd\tnow\t\u2026\tnow\tthat\tyoung\tboy\t\u2026\tA\tdifferent\tsort\tof\ttaunt, for\tthe\tfuture\tI\tnow\tstood\tto\tlose.","\u201cI\tam\tforgotten,\tthat\u2019s\twhat\tI\tam.\tAnd\tthat\u2019s\thow\tI\tprefer\tto\tbe.\u201d\tThe\tCarver rested\t his\t head\t against\t the\t wall\t of\t rock\t behind\t him.\t \u201cSo\t you\t will\t find\t that\t I\t do not\twish\tto\tleave.\tThat\tI\thave\tno\tdesire\tto\tremind\tmy\tsister\tand\tbrother\tthat\tI\tam alive\t and\t in\t the\t world.\t Contained\t and\t diminished\t as\t they\t are,\t their\t influence remains\t\u2026\tconsiderable.\u201d \u201cIf\tHybern\twins\tthis\twar,\u201d\tCassian\tsaid\troughly,\t\u201cyou\tmight\tfind\tthe\tgates\tof this\t place\t blown\t wide\t open.\t And\t your\t sister\t and\t brother\t unleashed\t from\t their own\tterritories\u2014and\tinterested\tin\tpaying\ta\tvisit.\u201d \u201cEven\tHybern\tis\tnot\tthat\tfoolish.\u201d\tA\tsatisfied\thuff\tof\tair.\t\u201cI\u2019m\tsure\tthere\tare other\tinmates\there\twho\twill\tfind\tyour\toffer\t\u2026\ttempting.\u201d My\tblood\troared.\t\u201cYou\twill\tnot\teven\tconsider\tassisting\tus.\u201d\tI\twaved\ta\thand\tto the\tcell.\t\u201cThis\tis\twhat\tyou\twould\tprefer\u2014for\teternity?\u201d \u201cIf\tyou\tknew\tmy\tbrother\tand\tsister,\tCursebreaker,\tyou\twould\tfind\tthis\ta\tmuch wiser\tand\tmore\tcomfortable\talternative.\u201d I\t opened\t my\t mouth,\t but\t Cassian\t squeezed\t my\t hand\t in\t warning.\t Enough. We\u2019d\t said\t enough,\t revealed\t enough.\t Looking\t so\t desperate\t \u2026\t It\t would\t help nothing. \u201cWe\tshould\tgo,\u201d\tCassian\tsaid\tto\tme,\tthe\tvery\tpicture\tof\tunruffled\tcalm.\t\u201cThe delights\tof\tthe\tHewn\tCity\tawait.\u201d We\u2019d\t indeed\t be\t late\t if\t we\t didn\u2019t\t leave\t now.\t I\t threw\t a\t glare\t at\t the\t Carver\t by way\tof\tfarewell,\tletting\tCassian\tlead\tme\ttoward\tthe\topen\tcell\tdoor. \u201cYou\tare\tgoing\tto\tthe\tHewn\tCity,\u201d\tthe\tCarver\tsaid\u2014not\tentirely\ta\tquestion. \u201cI\tdon\u2019t\tsee\thow\tthat\tis\tany\tbusiness\tof\tyours,\u201d\tI\tsaid\tover\tmy\tshoulder. The\t Carver\u2019s\t beat\t of\t silence\t echoed\t around\t us.\t Made\t us\t pause\t on\t the threshold. \u201cOne\t last\t attempt,\u201d\t the\t Carver\t mused,\t eyes\t skating\t over\t us,\t \u201cto\t rally\t the entirety\tof\tthe\tNight\tCourt,\tI\tsuppose.\u201d \u201cAgain,\tit\tis\tnone\tof\tyour\tconcern,\u201d\tI\tsaid\tcoolly. The\tCarver\tsmiled.\t\u201cYou\twill\tbe\tbargaining\twith\thim.\u201d\tA\tglance\tat\tthe\ttattoo on\t my\t right\t hand.\t \u201cI\t wonder\t what\t Keir\u2019s\t asking\t price\t will\t be.\u201d\t A\t low\t laugh. \u201cInteresting.\u201d Cassian\tlet\tout\ta\tlong-suffering\tsigh.\t\u201cOut\twith\tit.\u201d The\tBone\tCarver\tagain\tfell\tsilent,\ttoying\twith\tthe\tshard\tof\tthe\tAttor\u2019s\tbone\tin the\t dirt\t beside\t him.\t \u201cThe\t eddies\t of\t the\t Cauldron\t swirl\t in\t strange\t ways,\u201d\t he","murmured,\tmore\tto\thimself\tthan\tus. \u201cWe\u2019re\tgoing,\u201d\tI\tsaid,\tmaking\tto\tturn\tagain,\thauling\tCassian\twith\tme. \u201cMy\tsister\thad\ta\tcollection\tof\tmirrors\tin\ther\tblack\tcastle,\u201d\tthe\tCarver\tsaid. We\thalted\tonce\tmore. \u201cShe\tadmired\therself\tday\tand\tnight\tin\tthose\tmirrors,\tgloating\tover\ther\tyouth and\tbeauty.\tThere\twas\tone\tmirror\u2014the\tOuroboros,\tshe\tcalled\tit.\tIt\twas\told\teven when\t we\t were\t young.\t A\t window\t to\t the\t world.\t All\t could\t be\t seen,\t all\t could\t be told\t through\t its\t dark\t surface.\t Keir\t possesses\t it\u2014an\t heirloom\t of\t his\t household. Bring\tit\tto\tme.\tThat\tis\tmy\tprice.\tThe\tOuroboros,\tand\tI\tam\tyours\tto\twield.\tIf\tyou can\tfind\ta\tway\tto\tfree\tme.\u201d\tA\thateful\tsmile. I\t exchanged\t a\t glance\t with\t Cassian,\t and\t we\t both\t shrugged\t at\t the\t Carver. \u201cWe\u2019ll\tsee,\u201d\twas\tall\tI\tsaid\tbefore\twe\twalked\tout. Cassian\tand\tI\tsat\ton\ta\tboulder\toverlooking\ta\tsilver\tstream,\tbreathing\tin\tthe\tchill mists.\t The\t Prison\t loomed\t at\t our\t backs,\t a\t dreadful\t weight\t blocking\t out\t the horizon. \u201cYou\t said\t that\t you\t knew\t the\t Carver\t was\t an\t old\t god,\u201d\t I\t mused\t softly.\t \u201cDid you\tknow\the\twas\ta\tdeath-god?\u201d Cassian\u2019s\t face\t was\t taut.\t \u201cI\t guessed.\u201d\t When\t I\t lifted\t a\t brow,\t he\t clarified,\t \u201cHe carves\tdeaths\tinto\tbones.\tSees\tthem.\tEnjoys\tthem.\tIt\twasn\u2019t\thard\tto\tfigure\tout.\u201d I\tconsidered.\t\u201cWas\tit\tyou\tor\tRhys\twho\tsuggested\tyou\tcome\there\twith\tme?\u201d \u201cI\twanted\tto\tcome.\tBut\tRhys\t\u2026\the\tguessed\tit,\ttoo.\u201d Because\twhat\twe\u2019d\tseen\tin\tNesta\u2019s\teyes\tthat\tday\t\u2026 \u201cLike\tcalls\tto\tlike,\u201d\tI\tmurmured. Cassian\t nodded\t tightly.\t \u201cI\t don\u2019t\t think\t even\t the\t Carver\t knows\t what\t Nesta\t is. But\tI\twanted\tto\tsee\u2014just\tin\tcase.\u201d \u201cWhy?\u201d \u201cI\twant\tto\thelp.\u201d It\twas\tanswer\tenough. We\tfell\tinto\tsilence,\tthe\tstream\tgurgling\tas\tit\trushed\tby. \u201cWould\tyou\tbe\tfrightened\tof\ther,\tif\tNesta\twas\u2014Death?\tOr\tif\ther\tpower\tcame from\tit?\u201d Cassian\twas\tquiet\tfor\ta\tlong\tmoment.","He\t said\t at\t last,\t \u201cI\u2019m\t a\t warrior.\t I\u2019ve\t walked\t beside\t Death\t my\t entire\t life.\t I would\t be\t more\t afraid\t for\t her,\t to\t have\t that\t power.\t But\t not\t afraid\t of\t her.\u201d\t He considered,\t and\t added\t after\t a\t heartbeat,\t \u201cNothing\t about\t Nesta\t could\t frighten me.\u201d I\tswallowed,\tand\tsqueezed\this\thand.\t\u201cThank\tyou.\u201d I\twasn\u2019t\tsure\twhy\tI\teven\tsaid\tit,\tbut\the\tnodded\tall\tthe\tsame. I\t felt\t him\t before\t he\t appeared,\t a\t spark\t of\t star-kissed\t joy\t flaring\t through\t me right\tas\tRhys\tstepped\tout\tof\tthe\tair\titself.\t\u201cWell?\u201d Cassian\t hopped\t off\t the\t boulder,\t extending\t a\t hand\t to\t help\t me\t down.\t \u201cYou\u2019re not\tgoing\tto\tlike\this\tasking\tprice.\u201d Rhys\t held\t out\t both\t hands\t to\t winnow\t us\t back\t to\t Velaris.\t \u201cIf\t he\t wants\t the fancy\tdinner\tplates,\the\tcan\thave\tthem.\u201d Neither\t Cassian\t nor\t I\t could\t muster\t a\t laugh\t as\t we\t both\t reached\t for\t Rhys\u2019s outstretched\t hands.\t \u201cYou\t better\t bring\t your\t bargaining\t skills\t tonight,\u201d\t was\t all Cassian\tmuttered\tto\tmy\tmate\tbefore\twe\tvanished\tinto\tshadow.","CHAPTER 24 When\t we\t returned\t to\t the\t town\t house\t in\t the\t height\t of\t summer\t afternoon\t heat, Cassian\tand\tAzriel\tdrew\tsticks\tfor\twho\twould\tremain\tin\tVelaris\tthat\tnight. Both\twanted\tto\tjoin\tus\tat\tthe\tHewn\tCity,\tbut\tsomeone\thad\tto\tguard\tthe\tcity\u2014 part\t of\t their\t long-held\t protocol.\t And\t someone\t had\t to\t guard\t Elain,\t though\t I certainly\t wasn\u2019t\t about\t to\t tell\t Lucien\t that.\t Cassian,\t swearing\t and\t pissy,\t got\t the short\tstick,\tand\tAzriel\tonly\tclapped\thim\ton\tthe\tshoulder\tbefore\theading\tup\tto\tthe House\tto\tprepare. I\tfollowed\tafter\thim\ta\tfew\tminutes\tlater,\tleaving\tCassian\tto\ttell\tRhys\tthe\trest of\twhat\tthe\tCarver\thad\tsaid.\tWhat\the\twanted. There\t were\t two\t people\t I\t needed\t to\t see\t up\t at\t the\t House\t before\t we\t left.\t I should\t have\t checked\t in\t on\t Elain\t earlier,\t should\t have\t remembered\t that\t her would-have-been\t wedding\t was\t in\t a\t few\t days,\t but\t \u2026\t I\t cursed\t myself\t for forgetting\tit.\tAnd\tas\tfor\tLucien\t\u2026\tIt\twouldn\u2019t\thurt,\tI\ttold\tmyself,\tto\tkeep\ttabs\ton where\the\twas.\tHow\tthat\tconversation\twith\tAzriel\thad\tgone\tyesterday.\tMake\tsure he\tremembered\tthe\trules\twe\u2019d\tset. But\tfifteen\tminutes\tlater,\tI\twas\ttrying\tnot\tto\twince\tas\tI\twalked\tdown\tthe\thalls of\tthe\tHouse\tof\tWind,\tgrateful\tAzriel\thad\tgone\tahead.\tI\u2019d\twinnowed\tinto\tthe\tsky above\t the\t highest\t balcony\u2014and\t since\t I\t figured\t now\t was\t as\t good\t a\t time\t as\t any to\tpractice\tflying,\tI\u2019d\tsummoned\twings. And\tfallen\ttwenty\tfeet\tonto\thard\tstone. A\trallied\twind\tkept\tthe\tfall\tfrom\tcracking\tany\tbones,\tbut\tboth\tmy\tknees\tand my\tpride\twere\tsignificantly\tbruised\tby\tmy\tgraceless\ttumble\tthrough\tthe\tair. At\tleast\tno\tone\thad\twitnessed\tit. My\tstiff,\tlimping\tsteps,\tat\tleast,\thad\teased\tinto\ta\tsmoother\tgait\tby\tthe\ttime\tI","found\tElain\tin\tthe\tfamily\tlibrary. Still\tstaring\tat\tthe\twindow,\tbut\tshe\twas\tout\tof\ther\troom. Nesta\twas\treading\tin\ther\tusual\tchair,\tone\teye\ton\tElain,\tthe\tother\ton\tthe\tbook spread\t in\t her\t lap.\t Only\t Nesta\t glanced\t my\t way\t as\t I\t slipped\t through\t the\t carved wooden\tdoors. I\tmurmured,\t\u201cHello,\u201d\tand\tshut\tthe\tdoors\tbehind\tme. Elain\t didn\u2019t\t turn.\t She\t was\t wearing\t a\t pale\t pink\t gown\t that\t did\t little\t to complement\t her\t sallow\t skin,\t her\t brown-gold\t hair\t hanging\t in\t loose,\t heavy ringlets\tdown\ther\tthin\tback. \u201cIt\u2019s\ta\tfine\tday,\u201d\tI\tsaid\tto\tthem. Nesta\tarched\tan\telegant\teyebrow.\t\u201cWhere\u2019s\tyour\tmenagerie\tof\tfriends?\u201d I\t leveled\t a\t steely\t look\t back\t at\t her.\t \u201cThose\t friends\t have\t offered\t you\t shelter and\tcomfort.\u201d\tAnd\ttraining\u2014or\twhatever\tAmren\twas\tdoing.\t\u201cAre\tyou\tready\tfor tonight?\u201d \u201cYes.\u201d\tNesta\tmerely\tresumed\treading\tthe\tbook\tin\ther\tlap.\tPure\tdismissal. I\tlet\tout\ta\tlittle\tsnort\tthat\tI\tknew\twould\tmake\ther\tsee\tred,\tand\tstrode\tfor\tElain. Nesta\tmonitored\tmy\tevery\tstep,\ta\tpanther\treadying\tto\tstrike\tat\tthe\tmerest\thint\tof danger. \u201cWhat\tare\tyou\tlooking\tat?\u201d\tI\tasked\tElain,\tkeeping\tmy\tvoice\tsoft.\tCasual. Her\tface\twas\twan,\ther\tlips\tbloodless.\tBut\tthey\tmoved\u2014barely\u2014as\tshe\tsaid, \u201cI\tcan\tsee\tso\tvery\tfar\tnow.\tAll\tthe\tway\tto\tthe\tsea.\u201d Indeed,\tthe\tsea\tbeyond\tthe\tSidra\twas\ta\tdistant\tsparkle.\t\u201cIt\ttakes\tsome\tgetting used\tto.\u201d \u201cI\tcan\thear\tyour\theartbeat\u2014if\tI\tlisten\tcarefully.\tI\tcan\thear\ther\theartbeat,\ttoo.\u201d \u201cYou\tcan\tlearn\tto\tdrown\tout\tthe\tsounds\tthat\tbother\tyou.\u201d\tI\thad\u2014entirely\ton my\town.\tI\twondered\tif\tNesta\thad\tas\twell,\tor\tif\tthey\tboth\tsuffered,\thearing\teach other\u2019s\theartbeats\tday\tand\tnight.\tI\tdidn\u2019t\tlook\tto\tmy\tother\tsister\tto\tconfirm\tit. Elain\u2019s\teyes\tat\tlast\tslid\tto\tmine.\tThe\tfirst\ttime\tshe\u2019d\tdone\tso. Even\twasted\taway\tby\tgrief\tand\tdespair,\tElain\u2019s\tbeauty\twas\tremarkable.\tHers was\ta\tface\tthat\tcould\tbring\tkings\tto\ttheir\tknees.\tAnd\tyet\tthere\twas\tno\tjoy\tin\tit. No\tlight.\tNo\tlife. She\tsaid,\t\u201cI\tcan\thear\tthe\tsea.\tEven\tat\tnight.\tEven\tin\tmy\tdreams.\tThe\tcrashing sea\u2014and\tthe\tscreams\tof\ta\tbird\tmade\tof\tfire.\u201d It\t was\t an\t effort\t not\t to\t glance\t to\t Nesta.\t Even\t the\t town\t house\t was\t too\t far\t to","hear\tanything\tfrom\tthe\tnearby\tcoast.\tAnd\tas\tfor\tsome\tfire-bird\t\u2026 \u201cThere\tis\ta\tgarden\u2014at\tmy\tother\thouse,\u201d\tI\tsaid.\t\u201cI\u2019d\tlike\tfor\tyou\tto\tcome\ttend it,\tif\tyou\u2019re\twilling.\u201d Elain\t only\t turned\t toward\t the\t sunny\t windows\t again,\t the\t light\t dancing\t in\t her hair.\t\u201cWill\tI\thear\tthe\tearthworms\twrithing\tthrough\tthe\tsoil?\tOr\tthe\tstretching\tof roots?\tWill\tthe\tbird\tof\tfire\tcome\tto\tsit\tin\tthe\ttrees\tand\twatch\tme?\u201d I\twasn\u2019t\tsure\tif\tI\tshould\tanswer.\tIt\twas\tan\teffort\tto\tkeep\tfrom\tshaking. But\t I\t caught\t Nesta\u2019s\t eye,\t noting\t the\t glimmer\t of\t pain\t on\t my\t eldest\t sister\u2019s face\tbefore\tit\twas\thidden\tbeneath\tthat\tcool\tmask.\t\u201cThere\u2019s\ta\tbook\tI\tneed\tyou\tto help\tme\tfind,\tNesta,\u201d\tI\tsaid,\tgiving\ta\tpointed\tstare\tto\tthe\tstacks\tto\tmy\tleft. Far\tenough\taway\tfor\tprivacy,\tbut\tclose\tenough\tto\tremain\tnearby\tshould\tElain need\tanything.\tDo\tanything. Something\t in\t my\t chest\t cracked\t as\t Nesta\u2019s\t eyes\t also\t went\t to\t the\t windows before\tElain. To\tcheck,\tas\tI\tdid,\tfor\twhether\tthey\tcould\tbe\teasily\topened. Mercifully,\t they\t were\t permanently\t sealed,\t likely\t to\t protect\t against\t some careless\tfool\tforgetting\tto\tclose\tthem\tand\truining\tthe\tbooks.\tLikely\tCassian. Nesta\twordlessly\tset\tdown\ther\tbook\tand\tfollowed\tme\tinto\tthe\tsmall\tlabyrinth of\tstacks,\tboth\tof\tus\tkeeping\tan\tear\ton\tthe\tmain\tsitting\tarea. When\twe\twere\tfar\tenough\taway,\tI\tthrew\tup\ta\tshield\tof\thard\twind\taround\tus. Keeping\tany\tsound\tinside.\t\u201cHow\tdid\tyou\tget\ther\tto\tleave\ther\troom?\u201d \u201cI\t didn\u2019t,\u201d\t Nesta\t said,\t leaning\t against\t a\t shelf\t and\t crossing\t her\t slim\t arms.\t \u201cI found\ther\tin\there.\tShe\twasn\u2019t\tin\tbed\twhen\tI\tawoke.\u201d Nesta\t must\t have\t panicked\t upon\t finding\t her\t room\t empty\u2014\u201cDid\t she\t eat anything?\u201d \u201cNo.\t I\t managed\t to\t get\t her\t to\t drink\t some\t broth\t last\t night.\t She\t refused anything\telse.\tShe\u2019s\tbeen\ttalking\tin\tthose\thalf\triddles\tall\tday.\u201d I\t dragged\t a\t hand\t through\t my\t hair,\t freeing\t strands\t from\t my\t braid.\t \u201cDid anything\thappen\tto\ttrigger\u2014\u201d \u201cI\t don\u2019t\tknow.\tI\tcheck\ton\ther\tevery\tfew\thours.\u201d\tNesta\tclenched\t her\tjaw.\t\u201cI was\t gone\t for\t longer\t yesterday,\t though.\u201d\t While\t she\t trained\t with\t Amren.\t Rhys had\t informed\t me\t that\t by\t the\t end\t of\t it,\t Nesta\u2019s\t rudimentary\t shields\t were\t solid enough\tthat\tAmren\tdeemed\tmy\tsister\tready\tfor\ttonight. But\tthere,\tbeneath\tthat\tcool\tdemeanor\u2014guilt.\tPanic.","\u201cI\t doubt\t anything\t happened,\u201d\t I\t said\t quickly.\t \u201cMaybe\t it\u2019s\t just\t \u2026\t part\t of\t the recovery\tprocess.\tHer\tadjustment\tto\tbeing\tFae.\u201d Nesta\tdidn\u2019t\tlook\tconvinced.\t\u201cDoes\tshe\thave\tpowers?\tLike\tmine.\u201d And\twhat,\texactly,\tare\tthose\tpowers,\tNesta?\t\u201cI\u2014don\u2019t\tknow.\tI\tdon\u2019t\tthink\tso. Unless\t this\t is\t the\t first\t sign\t of\t something\t manifesting.\u201d\t It\t was\t an\t effort\t not\t to add,\t If\t you\u2019d\t talk\t about\t what\t went\t on\t in\t the\t Cauldron,\t perhaps\t we\u2019d\t have\t a better\tunderstanding\tof\tit.\t \u201cLet\u2019s\t give\t her\t a\t day\t or\t two\u2014see\t what\t happens.\t If she\timproves.\u201d \u201cWhy\tnot\tsee\tnow?\u201d \u201cBecause\twe\u2019re\tgoing\tto\tthe\tHewn\tCity\tin\ta\tfew\thours.\tAnd\tyou\tdon\u2019t\tseem inclined\tto\twant\tus\tshoving\tinto\tyour\tbusiness,\u201d\tI\ttold\ther\tas\tevenly\tas\tI\tcould. \u201cI\tdoubt\tElain\tdoes,\ttoo.\u201d Nesta\t stared\t me\t down,\t not\t a\t flicker\t of\t emotion\t on\t her\t face,\t and\t gave\t a\t curt nod.\t\u201cWell,\tat\tleast\tshe\tleft\tthe\troom.\u201d \u201cAnd\tthe\tchair.\u201d We\texchanged\ta\trare,\tcalm\tglance. But\tthen\tI\tsaid,\t\u201cWhy\twon\u2019t\tyou\ttrain\twith\tCassian?\u201d Nesta\u2019s\tspine\tlocked\tup.\t\u201cWhy\tis\tit\tonly\tCassian\tthat\tI\tmay\ttrain\twith?\tWhy not\tthe\tother\tone?\u201d \u201cAzriel?\u201d \u201cHim,\tor\tthe\tblond\tone\twho\twon\u2019t\tshut\tup.\u201d \u201cIf\tyou\u2019re\treferring\tto\tMor\u2014\u201d \u201cAnd\twhy\tmust\tI\ttrain\tat\tall?\tI\tam\tno\twarrior,\tnor\tdo\tI\tdesire\tto\tbe.\u201d \u201cIt\tcould\tmake\tyou\tstrong\u2014\u201d \u201cThere\tare\tmany\ttypes\tof\tstrength\tbeyond\tthe\tability\tto\twield\ta\tblade\tand\tend lives.\tAmren\ttold\tme\tthat\tyesterday.\u201d \u201cYou\tsaid\tyou\twanted\tour\tenemies\tdead.\tWhy\tnot\tkill\tthem\tyourself?\u201d She\tinspected\ther\tnails.\t\u201cWhy\tbother\twhen\tsomeone\telse\tcan\tdo\tit\tfor\tme?\u201d I\tavoided\tthe\turge\tto\trub\tmy\ttemples.\t\u201cWe\u2019re\u2014\u201d But\t the\t doors\t to\t the\t library\t opened,\t and\t I\t snapped\t my\t barrier\t of\t hard\t air down\tentirely\tat\tthe\tthud\tof\tstalking\tfootsteps,\tthen\ttheir\tsudden\thalting. I\tgripped\tNesta\u2019s\tarm\tto\tkeep\ther\tstill\tjust\tas\tLucien\u2019s\tvoice\tblurted,\t\u201cYou\u2014 you\tleft\tyour\troom.\u201d Nesta\tbristled,\tteeth\tflashing.\tI\tgripped\ther\tharder,\tand\tthrew\ta\tnew\twall\tof\tair","around\tus\u2014holding\ther\tthere. Weeks\tof\tcloistering\tElain\thad\tdone\tnothing\tto\timprove\ther\tstate.\tPerhaps\tthe half\t riddles\t were\t proof\t of\t that.\t And\t even\t if\t Lucien\t was\t currently\t breaking\t the rules\twe\thad\tset\u2014 More\tsteps\u2014no\tdoubt\tcloser\tto\twhere\tElain\tstood\tat\tthe\twindow. \u201cIs\t\u2026\tis\tthere\tanything\tI\tcan\tget\tfor\tyou?\u201d I\u2019d\tnever\theard\tmy\tfriend\u2019s\tvoice\tso\tsoft.\tSo\ttentative\tand\tconcerned. Perhaps\t it\t made\t me\t the\t lowest\t sort\t of\t wretch,\t but\t I\t cast\t my\t mind\t toward them.\tToward\thim. And\tthen\tI\twas\tin\this\tbody,\this\thead. Too\tthin. She\tmust\tnot\tbe\teating\tat\tall. How\tcan\tshe\teven\tstand? The\t thoughts\t flowed\t through\t his\t head,\t one\t after\t another.\t His\t heart\t was\t a raging,\t thunderous\t beat,\t and\t he\t didn\u2019t\t dare\t move\t from\t his\t position\t a\t mere\t five feet\taway.\tShe\thadn\u2019t\tyet\tturned\ttoward\thim,\tbut\tthe\travages\tof\ther\tfasting\twere evident\tenough. Touch\ther,\tsmell\ther,\ttaste\ther\u2014 The\tinstincts\twere\ta\trunning\triver.\tHe\tfisted\this\thands\tat\this\tsides. He\t hadn\u2019t\t expected\t her\t to\t be\t here.\t The\t other\t sister\u2014the\t viper\u2014was\t a possibility,\tbut\tone\the\twas\twilling\tto\trisk.\tAside\tfrom\ttalking\tto\tthe\tshadowsinger yesterday\u2014which\t had\t been\t just\t about\t as\t unnerving\t as\t he\u2019d\t expected,\t though Azriel\t seemed\t like\t a\t decent\t enough\t male\u2014he\u2019d\t been\t cooped\t up\t in\t this\t wind- blasted\t House\t for\t two\t days.\t The\t thought\t of\t another\t one\t had\t been\t enough\t to make\thim\trisk\tRhysand\u2019s\twrath. He\tjust\twanted\ta\twalk\u2014and\ta\tfew\tbooks.\tIt\thad\tbeen\tan\tage\tsince\the\u2019d\teven had\tfree\ttime\tto\tread,\tlet\talone\tdo\tso\tfor\tpleasure. But\tthere\tshe\twas. His\tmate. She\twas\tnothing\tlike\tJesminda. Jesminda\t had\t been\t all\t laughter\t and\t mischief,\t too\t wild\t and\t free\t to\t be contained\t by\t the\t country\t life\t that\t she\u2019d\t been\t born\t into.\t She\t had\t teased\t him, taunted\thim\u2014seduced\thim\tso\tthoroughly\tthat\the\thadn\u2019t\twanted\tanything\tbut\ther. She\u2019d\tseen\thim\tnot\tas\ta\tHigh\tLord\u2019s\tseventh\tson,\tbut\tas\ta\tmale.\tHad\tloved\thim","without\tquestion,\twithout\thesitation.\tShe\thad\tchosen\thim. Elain\thad\tbeen\t\u2026\tthrown\tat\thim. He\t glanced\t toward\t the\t tea\t service\t spread\t on\t a\t low-lying\t table\t nearby.\t \u201cI\u2019m going\tto\tassume\tthat\tone\tof\tthose\tcups\tbelongs\tto\tyour\tsister.\u201d\tIndeed,\tthere\twas a\tdiscarded\tbook\tin\tthe\tviper\u2019s\tusual\tchair.\tCauldron\thelp\tthe\tmale\twho\twound up\tshackled\tto\ther. \u201cDo\tyou\tmind\tif\tI\thelp\tmyself\tto\tthe\tother?\u201d He\ttried\tto\tsound\tcasual\u2014comfortable.\tEven\tas\this\theart\traced\tand\traced,\tso swift\t he\t thought\t he\t might\t vomit\t on\t the\t very\t expensive,\t very\t old\t carpet.\t From Sangravah,\tif\tthe\tpatterns\tand\trich\tdyes\twere\tany\tindication. Rhysand\twas\tmany\tthings,\tbut\the\tcertainly\thad\tgood\ttaste. This\t entire\t place\t had\t been\t decorated\t with\t thought\t and\t elegance,\t with\t a penchant\tfor\tcomfort\tover\tstuffiness. He\tdidn\u2019t\twant\tto\tadmit\the\tliked\tit.\tDidn\u2019t\twant\tto\tadmit\tthat\the\tfound\tthe\tcity beautiful. That\tthe\tcircle\tof\tpeople\twho\tnow\tclaimed\tto\tbe\tFeyre\u2019s\tnew\tfamily\t\u2026\tIt\twas what,\tlong\tago,\the\u2019d\tonce\tthought\tlife\tat\tTamlin\u2019s\tcourt\twould\tbe. An\t ache\t like\t a\t blow\t to\t the\t chest\t went\t through\t him,\t but\t he\t crossed\t the\t rug. Forced\this\thands\tto\tbe\tsteady\twhile\the\tpoured\thimself\ta\tcup\tof\ttea\tand\tsat\tin\tthe chair\topposite\tNesta\u2019s\tvacated\tone. \u201cThere\u2019s\ta\tplate\tof\tbiscuits.\tWould\tyou\tlike\tone?\u201d He\t didn\u2019t\texpect\t her\tto\tanswer,\tand\t he\tgave\thimself\tall\tof\tone\t more\tminute before\the\u2019d\trise\tfrom\tthis\tchair\tand\tleave,\thopefully\tavoiding\tNesta\u2019s\treturn. But\t sunlight\t on\t gold\t caught\t his\t eye\u2014and\t Elain\t slowly\t turned\t from\t her\t vigil at\tthe\twindow. He\thad\tnot\tseen\ther\tentire\tface\tsince\tthat\tday\tin\tHybern. Then,\tit\thad\tbeen\tdrawn\tand\tterrified,\tthen\tutterly\tblank\tand\tnumb,\ther\thair plastered\tto\ther\thead,\ther\tlips\tblue\twith\tcold\tand\tshock. Looking\tat\ther\tnow\t\u2026 She\twas\tpale,\tyes.\tThe\tvacancy\tstill\tglazing\ther\tfeatures. But\the\tcouldn\u2019t\tbreathe\tas\tshe\tfaced\thim\tfully. She\twas\tthe\tmost\tbeautiful\tfemale\the\u2019d\tever\tseen. Betrayal,\t queasy\t and\t oily,\t slid\t through\t his\t veins.\t He\u2019d\t said\t the\t same\t to Jesminda\tonce.","But\teven\tas\tshame\twashed\tthrough\thim,\tthe\twords,\tthe\tsense\tchanted,\tMine. You\tare\tmine,\tand\tI\tam\tyours.\tMate. Her\t eyes\t were\t the\t brown\t of\t a\t fawn\u2019s\t coat.\t And\t he\t could\t have\t sworn something\tsparked\tin\tthem\tas\tshe\tmet\this\tgaze. \u201cWho\tare\tyou?\u201d He\tknew\twithout\tdemanding\tclarification\tthat\tshe\twas\taware\tof\twhat\the\twas to\ther. \u201cI\tam\tLucien.\tSeventh\tson\tof\tthe\tHigh\tLord\tof\tthe\tAutumn\tCourt.\u201d And\t a\t whole\t lot\t of\t nothing.\t He\u2019d\t told\t the\t shadowsinger\t all\t he\t knew\u2014of\t his surviving\tbrothers,\tof\this\tfather.\tHis\tmother\t\u2026\the\u2019d\tkept\tsome\tdetails,\tirrelevant and\t utterly\t personal,\t to\t himself.\t Everything\t else\u2014his\t father\u2019s\t closest\t allies,\t the most\tconniving\tcourtiers\tand\tlords\t\u2026\tHe\u2019d\thanded\tit\tover.\tGranted,\tit\twas\tdated by\t a\t few\t centuries,\t but\t in\t his\t time\t as\t emissary,\t from\t the\t information\t he\u2019d gathered,\t not\t much\t had\t changed.\t They\u2019d\t all\t acted\t the\t same\t Under\t the Mountain,\t anyway.\t And\t after\t what\t had\t happened\t with\t his\t brothers\t a\t few\t days ago\t \u2026\t There\t was\t no\t tinge\t of\t guilt\t when\t he\t told\t Azriel\t what\t he\t knew.\t None\t of what\t he\t felt\t when\t he\t looked\t toward\t the\t south\u2014toward\t both\t of\t the\t courts\t he\u2019d called\thome. For\ta\tlong\tmoment,\tElain\u2019s\tface\tdid\tnot\tshift,\tbut\tthose\teyes\tseemed\tto\tfocus a\t bit\t more.\t \u201cLucien,\u201d\t she\t said\t at\t last,\t and\t he\t clenched\t his\t teacup\t to\t keep\t from shuddering\t at\t the\t sound\t of\t his\t name\t on\t her\t mouth.\t \u201cFrom\t my\t sister\u2019s\t stories. Her\tfriend.\u201d \u201cYes.\u201d But\tElain\tblinked\tslowly.\t\u201cYou\twere\tin\tHybern.\u201d \u201cYes.\u201d\tIt\twas\tall\the\tcould\tsay. \u201cYou\tbetrayed\tus.\u201d He\t wished\t she\u2019d\t shoved\t him\t out\t the\t window\t behind\t her.\t \u201cIt\u2014it\t was\t a mistake.\u201d Her\teyes\twent\tfrank\tand\tcold.\t\u201cI\twas\tto\tbe\tmarried\tin\ta\tfew\tdays.\u201d He\t fought\t against\t the\t bristling\t rage,\t the\t irrational\t urge\t to\t find\t the\t male who\u2019d\t claimed\t her\t and\t shred\t him\t apart.\t The\t words\t were\t a\t rasp\t as\t he\t instead said,\t\u201cI\tknow.\tI\u2019m\tsorry.\u201d She\tdid\tnot\tlove\thim,\twant\thim,\tneed\thim.\tAnother\tmale\u2019s\tbride. A\tmortal\tman\u2019s\twife.\tOr\tshe\twould\thave\tbeen.","She\t looked\t away\u2014toward\t the\t windows.\t \u201cI\t can\t hear\t your\t heart,\u201d\t she\t said quietly. He\twasn\u2019t\tsure\thow\tto\trespond,\tso\the\tsaid\tnothing,\tand\tdrained\this\ttea,\teven as\tit\tburned\this\tmouth. \u201cWhen\t I\t sleep,\u201d\t she\t murmured,\t \u201cI\t can\t hear\t your\t heart\t beating\t through\t the stone.\u201d\t She\t angled\t her\t head,\t as\t if\t the\t city\t view\t held\t some\t answer.\t \u201cCan\t you hear\tmine?\u201d He\t wasn\u2019t\t sure\t if\t she\t truly\t meant\t to\t address\t him,\t but\t he\t said,\t \u201cNo,\t lady.\t I cannot.\u201d Her\t too-thin\t shoulders\t seemed\t to\t curve\t inward.\t \u201cNo\t one\t ever\t does.\t No\t one ever\t looked\u2014not\t really.\u201d\t A\t bramble\t of\t words.\t Her\t voice\t strained\t to\t a\t whisper. \u201cHe\tdid.\tHe\tsaw\tme.\tHe\twill\tnot\tnow.\u201d Her\tthumb\tbrushed\tthe\tiron\tring\ton\ther\tfinger. Another\tmale\u2019s\tring,\tanother\tmarker\tthat\tshe\twas\tclaimed\u2014 It\twas\tenough.\tI\thad\tlistened\tenough,\tlearned\tenough.\tI\tpulled\tout\tof\tLucien\u2019s mind. Nesta\twas\tgaping\tat\tme,\teven\tas\ther\tface\thad\tleeched\tof\tcolor\tat\tevery\tword uttered\tbetween\tthem.\t\u201cHave\tyou\tever\tgone\tinto\tmy\u2014\u201d \u201cNo,\u201d\tI\trasped. How\t she\t knew\t what\t I\t had\t done,\t I\t didn\u2019t\t want\t to\t ask.\t Not\t as\t I\t dropped\t the shield\taround\tus\tand\theaded\tfor\tthe\tsitting\tarea. Lucien,\tno\tdoubt\thaving\theard\tour\tsteps,\twas\tflushed\tas\the\tglanced\tbetween me\tand\tNesta.\tNo\tinkling\twhatsoever\tthat\tI\u2019d\tslid\tinto\this\tmind.\tRifled\tthrough it\tlike\ta\tbandit\tin\tthe\tnight.\tI\tshoved\tdown\tthe\tmild\tnausea. My\teldest\tsister\tmerely\tsaid\tto\thim,\t\u201cGet\tout.\u201d I\tflashed\tNesta\ta\tglare,\tbut\tLucien\trose.\t\u201cI\tcame\tfor\ta\tbook.\u201d \u201cWell,\tfind\tone\tand\tleave.\u201d Elain\tonly\tstared\tout\tthe\twindow,\tunaware\u2014or\tuncaring. Lucien\tdidn\u2019t\thead\tfor\tthe\tstacks.\tHe\tjust\twent\tto\tthe\topen\tdoors.\tHe\tpaused right\tbetween\tthem\tand\tsaid\tto\tme,\tto\tNesta,\t\u201cShe\tneeds\tfresh\tair.\u201d \u201cWe\u2019ll\tjudge\twhat\tshe\tneeds.\u201d I\t could\t have\t sworn\t his\t ruby\t hair\t gleamed\t like\t molten\t metal\t as\t his\t temper rose.\tBut\tit\tfaded,\this\trusset\teye\tfixing\ton\tme.\t\u201cTake\ther\tto\tthe\tsea.\tTake\ther\tto some\tgarden.\tBut\tget\ther\tout\tof\tthis\thouse\tfor\tan\thour\tor\ttwo.\u201d","Then\the\twalked\taway. I\tlooked\tat\tmy\ttwo\tsisters.\tCloistered\tup\there,\thigh\tabove\tthe\tworld. \u201cYou\u2019re\t moving\t into\t the\t town\t house\t right\t now,\u201d\t I\t said\t to\t them.\t To\t Lucien, who\tpaused\tin\tthe\tdim\thallway\toutside. Nesta,\tto\tmy\tshock,\tdid\tnot\tobject. Neither\tdid\tRhys\twhen\tI\tsent\tmy\torder\tdown\tthe\tbond,\tasking\thim,\tCassian,\tand Azriel\tto\thelp\tmove\tthem.\tNo,\tmy\tmate\tjust\tpromised\tto\tassign\ttwo\tbedrooms\tto my\tsisters\tdown\tthe\thall,\ton\tthe\tother\tside\tof\tthe\tstairs.\tAnd\ta\tthird\tfor\tLucien\u2014 on\tour\tside\tof\tthe\thall.\tWell\taway\tfrom\tElain\u2019s. Thirty\t minutes\t later,\t Azriel\t carried\t Elain\t down,\t my\t sister\t silent\t and unresponsive\tin\this\tarms. Nesta\t had\t looked\t ready\t to\t walk\t off\t the\t balcony\t rather\t than\t let\t Cassian, already\t dressed\t and\t armed\t for\t guarding\t the\t town\t house\t tonight,\t hold\t her,\t so\t I nudged\ther\ttoward\tRhys,\tpushed\tLucien\ttoward\tCassian,\tand\tflew\tmyself\tback. Or\t tried\t to\u2014again.\t I\t soared\t for\t about\t half\t a\t minute,\t savoring\t the\t cleansing scream\t of\t the\t wind,\t before\t my\t wings\t wobbled,\t my\t back\t strained,\t and\t the\t fall became\t unbearably\t deadly.\t I\t winnowed\t the\t rest\t of\t the\t way\t to\t the\t town\t house, and\tadjusted\tvases\tand\tfigurines\tin\tthe\tsitting\troom\twhile\twaiting\tfor\tthem. Azriel\t arrived\t first,\t no\t shadows\t to\t be\t seen,\t my\t sister\t a\t pale,\t golden\t mass\t in his\tarms.\tHe,\ttoo,\twore\this\tIllyrian\tarmor,\tElain\u2019s\tgolden-brown\thair\tsnagging\tin some\tof\tthe\tblack\tscales\tacross\this\tchest\tand\tshoulders. He\tset\ther\tdown\tgently\ton\tthe\tfoyer\tcarpet,\thaving\tcarried\ther\tin\tthrough\tthe front\tdoor. Elain\tpeered\tup\tat\this\tpatient,\tsolemn\tface. Azriel\tsmiled\tfaintly.\t\u201cWould\tyou\tlike\tme\tto\tshow\tyou\tthe\tgarden?\u201d She\t seemed\t so\t small\t before\t him,\t so\t fragile\t compared\t to\t the\t scales\t of\t his fighting\tleathers,\tthe\tbreadth\tof\this\tshoulders.\tThe\twings\tpeeking\tover\tthem. But\tElain\tdid\tnot\tbalk\tfrom\thim,\tdid\tnot\tshy\taway\tas\tshe\tnodded\u2014just\tonce. Azriel,\tgraceful\tas\tany\tcourtier,\toffered\ther\tan\tarm.\tI\tcouldn\u2019t\ttell\tif\tshe\twas looking\t at\t his\t blue\t Siphon\t or\t at\t his\t scarred\t skin\t beneath\t as\t she\t breathed, \u201cBeautiful.\u201d Color\t bloomed\t high\t on\t Azriel\u2019s\t golden-brown\t cheeks,\t but\t he\t inclined\t his","head\tin\tthanks\tand\tled\tmy\tsister\ttoward\tthe\tback\tdoors\tinto\tthe\tgarden,\tsunlight bathing\tthem. A\t moment\t later,\t Nesta\t was\t stomping\t through\t the\t front\t door,\t her\t face\t a remarkable\tshade\tof\tgreen.\t\u201cI\tneed\u2014a\ttoilet.\u201d I\tmet\tRhys\u2019s\tstare\tas\the\tprowled\tin\tbehind\ther,\thands\tin\this\tpockets.\tWhat\tdid you\tdo? His\t brows\t shot\t up.\t But\t I\t wordlessly\t pointed\t Nesta\t toward\t the\t powder\t room beneath\tthe\tstairs,\tand\tshe\tvanished,\tslamming\tthe\tdoor\tbehind\ther. Me?\tRhys\tleaned\tagainst\tthe\tbottom\tpost\tof\tthe\tbanister.\tShe\tcomplained\tthat I\twas\tflying\tdeliberately\tslow.\tSo\tI\twent\tfast. Cassian\t and\t Lucien\t appeared,\t neither\t looking\t at\t the\t other.\t But\t Lucien\u2019s attention\t went\t right\t to\t the\t hallway\t toward\t the\t back,\t his\t nostrils\t flaring\t as\t he scented\tElain\u2019s\tdirection.\tAnd\twho\tshe\u2019d\tgone\twith. A\tlow\tsnarl\tslipped\tout\tof\thim\u2014 \u201cRelax,\u201d\tRhys\tsaid.\t\u201cAzriel\tisn\u2019t\tthe\travishing\ttype.\u201d Lucien\tcut\thim\ta\tglare. Mercifully,\t or\t perhaps\t not,\t Nesta\u2019s\t retching\t filled\t the\t silence.\t Cassian\t gaped at\tRhys.\t\u201cWhat\tdid\tyou\tdo?\u201d \u201cI\t asked\t him\t the\t same\t thing,\u201d\t I\t said,\t crossing\t my\t arms.\t \u201cHe\t said\t he\t \u2018went fast.\u2019\t\u201d Nesta\tvomited\tagain\u2014then\tsilence. Cassian\tsighed\tat\tthe\tceiling.\t\u201cShe\u2019ll\tnever\tfly\tagain.\u201d The\t doorknob\t twisted,\t and\t we\t tried\u2014or\t at\t least\t Cassian\t and\t I\t did\u2014not\t to seem\tlike\twe\u2019d\tbeen\tlistening\tto\ther.\tNesta\u2019s\tface\twas\tstill\tgreenish-pale,\tbut\t\u2026 Her\teyes\tburned. There\t was\t no\t way\t of\t describing\t that\t burning\u2014and\t even\t painting\t it\t might have\tfailed. Her\t eyes\t remained\t the\t same\t blue-gray\t as\t my\t own.\t And\t yet\t \u2026\t Molten\t ore was\tall\tI\tcould\tthink\tof.\tQuicksilver\tset\taflame. She\tadvanced\ta\tstep\ttoward\tus.\tAll\ther\tattention\tfixed\ton\tRhys. Cassian\tcasually\tstepped\tin\ther\tpath,\twings\tfolded\tin\ttight.\tFeet\tbraced\tapart on\tthe\tcarpet.\tA\tfighting\tstance\u2014casual,\tbut\t\u2026\this\tSiphons\tglimmered. \u201cDo\tyou\tknow,\u201d\tCassian\tdrawled\tto\ther,\t\u201cthat\tthe\tlast\ttime\tI\tgot\tinto\ta\tbrawl in\tthis\thouse,\tI\twas\tkicked\tout\tfor\ta\tmonth?\u201d","Nesta\u2019s\tburning\tgaze\tslid\tto\thim,\tstill\toutraged\u2014but\thinted\twith\tincredulity. He\t just\t went\t on,\t \u201cIt\t was\t Amren\u2019s\t fault,\t of\t course,\t but\t no\t one\t believed\t me. And\tno\tone\tdared\tbanish\ther.\u201d She\tblinked\tslowly. But\tthe\tburning,\tmolten\tgaze\tbecame\tmortal.\tOr\tas\tmortal\tas\tone\tof\tus\tcould be. Until\tLucien\tbreathed,\t\u201cWhat\tare\tyou?\u201d Cassian\t didn\u2019t\t seem\t to\t dare\t take\t his\t focus\t off\t Nesta.\t But\t my\t sister\t slowly looked\tat\tLucien. \u201cI\tmade\tit\tgive\tsomething\tback,\u201d\tshe\tsaid\twith\tterrifying\tquiet.\tThe\tCauldron. The\thairs\talong\tmy\tarms\trose.\tNesta\u2019s\tgaze\tflicked\tto\tthe\tcarpet,\tthen\tto\ta\tspot on\tthe\twall.\t\u201cI\twish\tto\tgo\tto\tmy\troom.\u201d It\ttook\ta\tmoment\tto\trealize\tshe\u2019d\tspoken\tto\tme.\tI\tcleared\tmy\tthroat.\t\u201cUp\tthe stairs,\ton\tyour\tright.\tSecond\tdoor.\tOr\tthe\tthird\u2014whichever\tsuits\tyou.\tThe\tother is\tfor\tElain.\tWe\tneed\tto\tleave\tin\t\u2026\u201d\tI\tsquinted\tat\tthe\tclock\tin\tthe\tsitting\troom. \u201cTwo\thours.\u201d A\tshallow\tnod\twas\ther\tonly\tacknowledgment\tand\tthanks. We\twatched\tas\tshe\theaded\tup\tthe\tsteps,\ther\tlavender\tgown\ttrailing\tafter\ther, one\tslender\thand\tbraced\ton\tthe\trail. \u201cI\u2019m\tsorry,\u201d\tRhys\tcalled\tup\tafter\ther. Her\thand\ttightened\ton\tthe\trail,\tthe\twhites\tof\ther\tknuckles\tpoking\tthrough\ther pale\tskin,\tbut\tshe\tdidn\u2019t\tsay\tanything\tas\tshe\tcontinued\ton. \u201cIs\tthat\tsort\tof\tthing\teven\tpossible?\u201d\tCassian\tmurmured\twhen\tthe\tdoor\tto\ther room\thad\tshut.\t\u201cFor\tsomeone\tto\ttake\tfrom\tthe\tCauldron\u2019s\tessence?\u201d \u201cIt\twould\tseem\tso,\u201d\tRhys\tmused,\tthen\tsaid\tto\tLucien,\t\u201cThe\tflame\tin\ther\teyes was\tnot\tof\tyour\tusual\tsort,\tI\ttake\tit.\u201d Lucien\tshook\this\thead.\t\u201cNo.\tIt\tspoke\tto\tnothing\tin\tmy\town\tarsenal.\tThat\twas \u2026\tIce\tso\tcold\tit\tburned.\tIce\tand\tyet\t\u2026\tfluid\tlike\tflame.\tOr\tflame\tmade\tof\tice.\u201d \u201cI\tthink\tit\u2019s\tdeath,\u201d\tI\tsaid\tquietly. I\t held\t Rhys\u2019s\t gaze,\t as\t if\t it\t were\t again\t the\t tether\t that\t had\t kept\t me\t in\t this world.\t \u201cI\t think\t the\t power\t is\t death\u2014death\t made\t flesh.\t Or\t whatever\t power\t the Cauldron\t holds\t over\t such\t things.\t That\u2019s\t why\t the\t Carver\t heard\t it\u2014heard\t about her.\u201d \u201cMother\tabove,\u201d\tLucien\tsaid,\tdragging\ta\thand\tthrough\this\thair.","Cassian\tgave\thim\ta\tsolemn\tnod. But\t Rhys\t rubbed\t his\t jaw,\t weighing,\t thinking.\t Then\t he\t said\t simply,\t \u201cOnly Nesta\twould\tnot\tjust\tconquer\tDeath\u2014but\tpillage\tit.\u201d No\t wonder\t she\t didn\u2019t\t wish\t to\t speak\t to\t anyone\t about\t it\u2014didn\u2019t\t wish\t to\t bear witness\ton\tour\tbehalf.\tIt\thad\tbeen\tmere\tseconds\tfor\tus\twhile\tshe\u2019d\tgone\tunder. I\thad\tnever\tasked\t either\tof\tmy\tsisters\thow\tlong\tit\thad\tbeen\tfor\tthem\tinside that\tCauldron. \u201cAzriel\tknows\tyou\u2019re\twatching,\u201d\tRhys\tdrawled\tfrom\twhere\the\tstood\tbefore\tthe mirror\tin\tour\tbedroom,\tadjusting\tthe\tlapels\tof\this\tblack\tjacket. The\t town\t house\t was\t a\t quiet\t flurry\t of\t activity\t as\t we\t prepared\t to\t leave.\t Mor and\tAmren\thad\tarrived\thalf\tan\thour\tago,\tthe\tformer\theading\tfor\tthe\tsitting\troom, the\tlatter\tbearing\ta\tdress\tfor\tmy\tsister.\tI\tdidn\u2019t\tdare\task\tAmren\tto\tsee\twhat\tshe\u2019d selected\tfor\tNesta. Training,\tAmren\thad\tsaid\tdays\tago.\tThere\twere\tmagical\tobjects\tin\tthe\tCourt of\t Nightmares\t that\t my\t sister\t could\t study\t tonight,\t while\t we\t were\t occupied\t with Keir.\t I\t wondered\t if\t the\t Ouroboros\t was\t one\t of\t them\u2014and\t made\t a\t note\t to\t ask Amren\t what\t she\t knew\t of\t the\t mirror\t the\t Carver\t so\t badly\t desired.\t Which\t I\u2019d somehow\thave\tto\tconvince\tKeir\tto\tpart\twith\ttonight. Lucien\t had\t offered\t to\t make\t himself\t useful\t while\t we\t were\t gone\t by\t reading through\t some\t of\t the\t texts\t now\t piled\t on\t the\t tables\t throughout\t the\t sitting\t room. Amren\thad\tonly\tgrunted\tat\tthe\toffer,\twhich\tI\ttold\tLucien\tamounted\tto\ta\tyes. Cassian\t was\t already\t on\t the\t roof,\t casually\t sharpening\t his\t blades.\t I\u2019d\t asked him\tif\t nine\t swords\t were\t really\t necessary,\t and\t he\t merely\t told\t me\t that\t it\t didn\u2019t hurt\tto\tbe\tprepared,\tand\tthat\tif\tI\thad\tenough\ttime\tto\tquestion\thim,\tthen\tI\tshould have\t enough\t time\t to\t do\t another\t workout.\t I\u2019d\t quickly\t left,\t throwing\t a\t vulgar gesture\this\tway. My\t hair\t still\t damp\t from\t the\t bath\t I\u2019d\t just\t taken,\t I\t slid\t my\t heavy\t earrings through\t my\t lobes\t and\t peered\t out\t our\t bedroom\t window,\t monitoring\t the\t garden below. Elain\t sat\t silently\t at\t one\t of\t the\t wrought-iron\t tables,\t a\t cup\t of\t tea\t before\t her. Azriel\t was\t sprawled\t on\t the\t chaise\t longue\t across\t the\t gray\t stones,\t sunning\t his wings\t and\t reading\t what\t looked\t to\t be\t a\t stack\t of\t reports\u2014likely\t information\t on","the\tAutumn\tCourt\tthat\the\tplanned\tto\tpresent\tto\tRhys\tonce\the\u2019d\tsorted\tthrough\tit all.\t Already\t dressed\t for\t the\t Hewn\t City\u2014the\t brutal,\t beautiful\t armor\t so\t at\t odds with\tthe\tlovely\tgarden.\tAnd\tmy\tsister\tsitting\twithin\tit. \u201cWhy\tnot\tmake\tthem\tmates?\u201d\tI\tmused.\t\u201cWhy\tLucien?\u201d \u201cI\u2019d\tkeep\tthat\tquestion\tfrom\tLucien.\u201d \u201cI\u2019m\t serious.\u201d\t I\t turned\t toward\t him\t and\t crossed\t my\t arms.\t \u201cWhat\t decides\t it? Who\tdecides\tit?\u201d Rhys\t straightened\t his\t lapels\t before\t plucking\t an\t invisible\t piece\t of\t lint\t from them.\t\u201cFate,\tthe\tMother,\tthe\tCauldron\u2019s\tswirling\teddies\t\u2026\u201d \u201cRhys.\u201d He\t watched\t me\t in\t the\t reflection\t of\t the\t mirror\t as\t I\t strode\t for\t my\t armoire, flinging\topen\tthe\tdoors\tto\tyank\tout\tthe\tdress\tI\u2019d\tselected.\tScraps\tof\tshimmering black\u2014a\t slightly\t more\t modest\t version\t of\t what\t I\u2019d\t worn\t to\t the\t Court\t of Nightmares\tmonths\tago.\t\u201cYou\tsaid\tyour\tmother\tand\tfather\twere\twrong\tfor\teach other;\tTamlin\tsaid\this\town\tparents\twere\twrong\tfor\teach\tother.\u201d\tI\tpeeled\toff\tmy dressing\t robe.\t \u201cSo\t it\t can\u2019t\t be\t a\t perfect\t system\t of\t matching.\t What\t if\u201d\u2014I\t jerked my\t chin\t toward\t the\t window,\t to\t my\t sister\t and\t the\t shadowsinger\t in\t the\t garden \u2014\u201cthat\tis\twhat\tshe\tneeds?\tIs\tthere\tno\tfree\twill?\tWhat\tif\tLucien\twishes\tthe\tunion but\tshe\tdoesn\u2019t?\u201d \u201cA\t mating\t bond\t can\t be\t rejected,\u201d\t Rhys\t said\t mildly,\t eyes\t flickering\t in\t the mirror\tas\the\tdrank\tin\tevery\tinch\tof\tbare\tskin\tI\thad\ton\tdisplay.\t\u201cThere\tis\tchoice. And\t sometimes,\t yes\u2014the\t bond\t picks\t poorly.\t Sometimes,\t the\t bond\t is\t nothing more\t than\t some\t \u2026\t preordained\t guesswork\t at\t who\t will\t provide\t the\t strongest offspring.\tAt\tits\tbasest\tlevel,\tit\u2019s\tperhaps\tonly\tthat.\tSome\tnatural\tfunction,\tnot\tan indication\t of\t true,\t paired\t souls.\u201d\t A\t smile\t at\t me\u2014at\t the\t rareness,\t perhaps,\t of what\twe\thad.\t\u201cEven\tso,\u201d\tRhys\twent\ton,\t\u201cthere\twill\talways\tbe\ta\t\u2026\ttug.\tFor\tthe females,\tit\tis\tusually\teasier\tto\tignore,\tbut\tthe\tmales\t\u2026\tIt\tcan\tdrive\tthem\tmad.\tIt is\ttheir\tburden\tto\tfight\tthrough,\tbut\tsome\tbelieve\tthey\tare\tentitled\tto\tthe\tfemale. Even\t after\t the\t bond\t is\t rejected,\t they\t see\t her\t as\t belonging\t to\t them.\t Sometimes they\t return\t to\t challenge\t the\t male\t she\t chooses\t for\t herself.\t Sometimes\t it\t ends\t in death.\tIt\tis\tsavage,\tand\tit\tis\tugly,\tand\tit\tmercifully\tdoes\tnot\thappen\toften,\tbut\t\u2026 Many\tmated\tpairs\twill\ttry\tto\tmake\tit\twork,\tbelieving\tthe\tCauldron\tselected\tthem for\t a\t reason.\t Only\t years\t later\t will\t they\t realize\t that\t perhaps\t the\t pairing\t was\t not ideal\tin\tspirit.\u201d","I\tscrounged\tup\tthe\tjeweled,\tdark\tbelt\tfrom\tan\tarmoire\tdrawer\tand\tslung\tit\tlow over\tmy\thips.\t\u201cSo\tyou\u2019re\tsaying\tshe\tcould\twalk\taway\u2014and\tLucien\twould\thave free\trein\tto\tkill\twhoever\tshe\twishes\tto\tbe\twith.\u201d Rhys\tturned\tfrom\tthe\tmirror\tat\tlast,\this\tdark\tclothes\tpristine\u2014cut\tperfectly\tto his\tbody.\tNo\twings\ttonight.\t\u201cNot\tfree\trein\u2014not\tin\tmy\tlands.\tIt\thas\tbeen\tillegal in\tour\tterritory\tfor\ta\tlong,\tlong\ttime\tfor\tmales\tto\tdo\tthat.\tEven\tbefore\tI\twas\tborn. Other\t courts,\t no.\t On\t the\t continent,\t there\t are\t territories\t that\t believe\t the\t females literally\tbelong\tto\ttheir\tmate.\tBut\tnot\there.\tElain\twould\thave\tour\tfull\tprotection if\t she\t rejects\t the\t bond.\t But\t it\t will\t still\t be\t a\t bond,\t however\t weakened,\t that\t will trail\ther\tfor\tthe\trest\tof\ther\texistence.\u201d \u201cDo\tyou\tthink\tshe\tand\tLucien\tmatch\twell?\u201d\tI\tpulled\tout\ta\tpair\tof\tsandals\tthat laced\t up\t my\t bare\t thighs\t and\t jammed\t my\t feet\t into\t them\t before\t beginning\t work on\tthe\tbindings. \u201cYou\tknow\tthem\tbetter\tthan\tI\tdo.\tBut\tI\twill\tsay\tthat\tLucien\tis\tloyal\u2014fiercely so.\u201d \u201cSo\tis\tAzriel.\u201d \u201cAzriel,\u201d\tRhys\tsaid,\t\u201chas\tbeen\tpreoccupied\twith\tthe\tsame\tfemale\tfor\tthe\tpast five\thundred\tyears.\u201d \u201cWouldn\u2019t\tthe\tmating\tbond\thave\tsnapped\tinto\tplace\tfor\tthem\tif\tit\texists?\u201d Rhys\u2019s\t eyes\t shuttered.\t \u201cI\t think\t that\t is\t a\t question\t Azriel\t has\t been\t asking himself\t every\t day\t since\t he\t met\t Mor.\u201d\t He\t sighed\t as\t I\t finished\t one\t foot\t and started\ton\tthe\tother.\t\u201cAm\tI\tallowed\tto\trequest\tthat\tyou\tnot\tplay\tmatchmaker?\tLet them\tsort\tit\tout.\u201d I\t rose,\t bracing\t my\t hands\t on\t my\t hips.\t \u201cI\t would\t never\t meddle\t in\t someone else\u2019s\taffairs!\u201d He\t only\t raised\t a\t brow\t in\t silent\t challenge.\t And\t I\t knew\t precisely\t what\t he referred\tto. My\t gut\t tightened\t as\t I\t took\t a\t seat\t at\t the\t vanity\t and\t began\t braiding\t my\t hair into\ta\tcoronet\tatop\tmy\thead.\tPerhaps\tI\twas\ta\tcoward,\tfor\tnot\tbeing\table\tto\task\tit aloud,\t but\t I\t said\t down\t the\t bond,\t Was\t it\t a\t violation\u2014going\t into\t Lucien\u2019s\t mind like\tthat? I\tcan\u2019t\tanswer\tthat\tfor\tyou.\tRhys\tcame\tover\tand\thanded\tme\ta\thairpin. I\tslid\tit\tinto\ta\tsection\tof\tbraid.\tI\tneeded\tto\tbe\tsure\u2014that\the\twasn\u2019t\tabout\tto\ttry to\tgrab\ther,\tto\tsell\tus\tout.","He\thanded\tme\tanother.\tAnd\tdid\tyou\tget\tan\tanswer\tto\tthat? We\t worked\t in\t unison,\t pinning\t my\t hair\t into\t place.\t I\t think\t so.\t It\t wasn\u2019t\t just about\twhat\the\tthought\u2014it\twas\tthe\t\u2026\tfeeling.\tI\tsensed\tno\till\twill,\tno\tconniving. Only\tconcern\tfor\ther.\tAnd\t\u2026\tsorrow.\tLonging.\tI\tshook\tmy\thead.\tDo\tI\ttell\thim? What\tI\tdid? Rhys\tpinned\ta\thard-to-reach\tsection\tof\tmy\thair.\tYou\thave\tto\tdeem\twhether\tthe cost\tis\tworth\tassuaging\tyour\tguilt. The\tcost\tbeing\tLucien\u2019s\ttentative\ttrust\tin\tme,\tthis\tplace.\tI\tcrossed\ta\tline. But\tyou\tdid\tit\tto\tensure\tthe\tsafety\tof\tpeople\tyou\tlove. I\tdidn\u2019t\trealize\t\u2026\tI\ttrailed\toff,\tshaking\tmy\thead\tagain. He\tsqueezed\tmy\tshoulder.\tDidn\u2019t\trealize\twhat? I\tshrugged,\tslouching\ton\tthe\tcushioned\tstool.\tThat\tit\u2019d\tbe\tso\tcomplicated.\tMy face\twarmed.\tI\tknow\tthat\tsounds\tterribly\tna\u00efve\u2014 It\u2019s\t always\t complicated,\t and\t it\t never\t gets\t easier,\t no\t matter\t how\t many centuries\tI\u2019ve\tbeen\tdoing\tit. I\tpushed\taround\tthe\textra\thairpins\ton\tthe\tvanity.\tIt\u2019s\tthe\tsecond\ttime\tI\u2019ve\tgone into\this\tmind. Then\tsay\tit\u2019s\tthe\tlast,\tand\tbe\tdone\twith\tit. I\tblinked,\tlifting\tmy\thead.\tI\u2019d\tpainted\tmy\tlips\tin\ta\tshade\tof\tred\tso\tdark\tit\twas nearly\tblack,\tand\tthey\tnow\tpressed\tinto\ta\tthin\tline. He\tclarified,\t What\u2019s\tdone\tis\tdone.\tAgonizing\tover\t it\twon\u2019t\tchange\tanything. You\t realized\t it\t was\t a\t line\t you\t didn\u2019t\t like\t crossing,\t and\t so\t you\t won\u2019t\t make\t that mistake\tagain. I\tshifted\tin\tmy\tseat.\tWould\tyou\thave\tdone\tit? Rhys\tconsidered.\tYes.\tAnd\tI\twould\thave\tfelt\tjust\tas\tguilty\tafterward. Hearing\tthat\tsettled\tsomething,\tdeep\tdown.\tI\tnodded\tonce\u2014twice. If\t you\t want\t to\t make\t yourself\t feel\t a\t little\t better,\t he\t added,\t Lucien\t did technically\tviolate\tthe\trules\twe\tset.\tSo\tyou\twere\tentitled\tto\tlook\tinto\this\tmind,\tif only\tto\tensure\tthe\tsafety\tof\tyour\tsister.\tHe\tcrossed\tthe\tline\tfirst. That\tthing\tdeep\tin\tme\teased\ta\tbit\tmore.\tYou\u2019re\tright. And\tit\twas\tdone. I\twatched\tRhys\tin\tthe\tmirror\tas\ta\tdark\tcrown\tappeared\tin\this\thands.\tThe\tone of\travens\u2019\tfeathers\tthat\tI\u2019d\tseen\thim\twear\u2014or\tits\tfeminine\ttwin.\tA\ttiara\u2014which he\tgently,\treverently,\tset\tbefore\tthe\tbraid\twe\u2019d\tpinned\tinto\tplace\tatop\tmy\thead.","The\toriginal\tcrown\t\u2026\tit\tappeared\tatop\tRhys\u2019s\thead\ta\tmoment\tlater. Together,\twe\tstared\tat\tour\treflection.\tLord\tand\tLady\tNight. \u201cReady\tto\tbe\twicked?\u201d\the\tpurred\tin\tmy\tear. My\t toes\t curled\t at\t the\t caress\t in\t that\t voice\u2014at\t the\t memory\t of\t the\t last\t time we\u2019d\tgone\tto\tthe\tCourt\tof\tNightmares.\tHow\tI\u2019d\tsat\tin\this\tlap\u2014where\this\tfingers had\tdrifted. I\t rose\t from\t the\t bench,\t facing\t him\t fully.\t His\t hands\t skimmed\t the\t bare\t skin along\t my\t ribs.\t Between\t my\t breasts.\t Down\t the\t outside\t of\t my\t thighs.\t Oh,\t he remembered,\ttoo. \u201cThis\ttime,\u201d\tI\tbreathed,\tkissing\tthe\ttendril\tof\ttattoo\tthat\tpeeked\tjust\tabove\tthe collar\tof\tRhys\u2019s\tblack\tjacket,\t\u201cI\tget\tto\tmake\tKeir\tbeg.\u201d","CHAPTER 25 Amren\thadn\u2019t\tdressed\tNesta\tin\tcobwebs\tand\tstardust,\tas\tMor\tand\tI\twere\tclothed. And\t she\t hadn\u2019t\t dressed\t Nesta\t in\t her\t own\t style\t of\t loose\t pants\t and\t a\t cropped blouse. She\thad\tkept\tit\tsimple.\tBrutal. A\tdress\tof\timpenetrable\tblack\tflowed\tto\tthe\tdark\tmarble\tfloors\tof\tthe\tthrone room\t of\t the\t Hewn\t City,\t tight\t through\t the\t bodice\t and\t sleeves,\t its\t neckline skimming\tthe\tbase\tof\ther\tpale\tthroat.\tNesta\u2019s\thair\thad\tbeen\tswept\tinto\ta\tsimple style\tto\treveal\tthe\tpanes\tof\ther\tface,\tthe\tsavage\tclarity\tof\ther\teyes\tas\tshe\ttook\tin the\t assembled\t crowd,\t the\t towering\t carved\t pillars\t and\t the\t scaled\t beasts\t twined around\tthem,\tthe\tmighty\tdais\tand\tthe\tthrone\tatop\tit\t\u2026\tand\tdid\tnot\tbalk. Indeed,\tNesta\u2019s\tchin\tonly\tlifted\twith\teach\tstep\twe\ttook\ttoward\tthat\tdais. One\tthrone,\tI\trealized\u2014that\tmighty\tthrone\tof\tthose\ttwined,\tscaly\tbeasts. Rhys\trealized\tit,\ttoo.\tPlanned\tfor\tit. My\t sister\t and\t the\t others\t peeled\t away\t at\t the\t foot\t of\t the\t dais,\t taking\t flanking positions\tat\tits\tbase.\tNo\tfear,\tno\tjoy,\tno\tlight\tin\ttheir\tfaces.\tAzriel,\tat\tMor\u2019s\tside, looked\t murderously\t calm\t as\t he\t surveyed\t those\t gathered.\t As\t he\t beheld\t Keir, waiting\tbeside\ta\tgolden-haired\twoman\twho\thad\tto\tbe\tMor\u2019s\tmother,\tsneering\tat us.\tPromise\tthem\tnothing,\tMor\thad\twarned\tme. Rhys\theld\tout\t a\t hand\t for\tme\tto\tascend\tthe\tdais\tsteps.\tI\tkept\tmy\thead\thigh, back\t straight,\t as\t I\t gripped\t his\t fingers\t and\t strode\t up\t the\t few\t stairs.\t Toward\t that solitary\tthrone. Rhys\t only\t winked\t as\t he\t gracefully\t escorted\t me\t right\t into\t that\t throne,\t the movement\tas\teasy\tand\tsmooth\tas\ta\tdance. The\t crowd\t murmured\t as\t I\t sat,\t the\t black\t stone\t bitingly\t cold\t against\t my\t bare","thighs. They\t outright\t gasped\t as\t Rhys\t simply\t perched\t on\t the\t arm\t of\t the\t throne, smirked\tat\tme,\tand\tsaid\tto\tthe\tCourt\tof\tNightmares,\t\u201cBow.\u201d For\tthey\thad\tnot.\tAnd\twith\tme\tseated\ton\tthat\tthrone\t\u2026 Their\t faces\t were\t still\t a\t mixture\t of\t shock\t and\t disdain\t as\t they\t all\t dropped\t to their\tknees. I\tavoided\tlooking\tat\tNesta\twhile\tshe\thad\tno\tchoice\tbut\tto\tfollow\tsuit. But\t I\t made\t myself\t look\t at\t Keir,\t at\t the\t female\t beside\t him,\t at\t anyone\t who dared\t meet\t my\t gaze.\t Made\t myself\t remember\t what\t they\t had\t done\t to\t Mor,\t now bowing\twith\ta\tgrin\ton\ther\tface,\twhen\tshe\twas\tbarely\tmore\tthan\ta\tchild.\tSome\tof the\tcourt\taverted\ttheir\teyes. \u201cI\t will\t interpret\t the\t lack\t of\t two\t thrones\t to\t be\t due\t to\t the\t fact\t that\t this\t visit came\t upon\t you\t quickly,\u201d\t Rhys\t said\t with\t lethal\t calm.\t \u201cAnd\t I\t will\t let\t you\t all escape\t without\t having\t your\t skin\t flayed\t from\t your\t bones\t as\t my\t mating\t gift\t to you.\tOur\tloyal\tsubjects,\u201d\the\tadded,\tsmiling\tfaintly. I\ttraced\ta\tfinger\tover\tthe\tscaly\tcoil\tof\tone\tof\tthe\tbeasts\tthat\tmade\tup\tthe\tarms of\tthe\tthrone.\tOur\tcourt.\tPart\tof\tit. And\twe\tneeded\tthem\tto\tfight\twith\tus.\tTo\tagree\tto\tit\u2014tonight. The\tmouth\tI\u2019d\tpainted\tthat\tdark,\tdark\tred\tparted\tinto\ta\tlazy\tsmile.\tTendrils\tof power\tsnaked\ttoward\tthe\tdais,\tbut\tdidn\u2019t\tdare\tventure\tpast\tthe\tfirst\tstep.\tTesting me\u2014what\tpower\tI\tmight\thave.\tBut\tnot\tgetting\tclose\tenough\tto\toffend\tRhysand. I\tlet\tthem\tcreep\tcloser,\tsniffing\taround,\tas\tI\tsaid\tto\tRhys,\tto\tthe\tthrone\troom, \u201cSurely,\tmy\tlove,\tthey\twould\tlike\tto\tstand\tnow.\u201d Rhys\tsmiled\tdown\tat\tme,\tthen\tat\tthe\tcrowd.\t\u201cRise.\u201d They\tdid.\tAnd\tsome\tof\tthose\ttendrils\tof\tpower\tdared\tclimb\tup\tthe\tfirst\tstep. I\tpounced. Three\t gasps\t choked\t through\t the\t murmuring\t room\t as\t I\t slammed\t talon-sharp magic\tdown\tupon\tthose\ttoo-curious\tpowers.\tDug\tin\tdeep\tand\thard.\tA\tcat\twith\ta bird\tunder\tits\tpaw.\tSeveral\tof\tthem. \u201cDo\tyou\twish\tto\thave\tthis\tback?\u201d\tI\tasked\tquietly\tto\tno\tone\tin\tparticular. Near\tthe\tfoot\tof\tthe\tdais,\tKeir\twas\tscowling\tover\ta\tshoulder,\this\tsilver\tcirclet glinting\tatop\this\tgolden\thair.\tSomeone\twhimpered\tin\tthe\tback\tof\tthe\troom. \u201cDon\u2019t\t you\t know,\u201d\t Rhys\t purred\t to\t the\t crowd,\t \u201cthat\t it\u2019s\t not\t polite\t to\t touch\t a lady\twithout\ther\tpermission?\u201d","In\tanswer,\tI\tsank\tthose\tdark\ttalons\tin\tfurther,\tthe\tmagic\tof\twhoever\thad\tdared try\tto\ttest\tme\tthrashing\tand\tbuckling.\t\u201cPlay\tnice,\u201d\tI\tcrooned\tto\tthe\tcrowd. And\tlet\tgo. Three\t separate\t flurries\t of\t motion\t warred\t for\t my\t attention.\t Someone\t had winnowed\t outright,\t fleeing.\t Another\t had\t fainted.\t And\t a\t third\t was\t clinging\t to whoever\tstood\tbeside\tthem,\ttrembling.\tI\tmarked\tall\ttheir\tfaces. Amren\tand\tNesta\tapproached\tthe\tfoot\tof\tthe\tdais.\tMy\tsister\twas\tstaring\tas\tif she\u2019d\t never\t seen\t me\t before.\t I\t didn\u2019t\t dare\t break\t my\t mask\t of\t bemused\t coolness. Didn\u2019t\tdare\task\tif\tNesta\u2019s\tshields\twere\tholding\tup\u2014if\tsomeone\thad\tjust\ttried\tto test\ther\tas\twell.\tNesta\u2019s\town\timperious\tface\tyielded\tnothing. Amren\tbowed\ther\thead\tto\tRhys,\tto\tme.\t\u201cBy\tyour\tleave,\tHigh\tLord.\u201d Rhys\twaved\tan\tidle\thand.\t\u201cGo.\tEnjoy\tyourselves.\u201d\tHe\tjerked\this\tchin\tto\tthe watching\tcrowd.\t\u201cFood\tand\tmusic.\tNow.\u201d He\twas\tobeyed.\tInstantly. My\t sister\t and\t Amren\t vanished\t before\t the\t crowd\t could\t begin\t milling\t about, striding\tright\tthrough\tthose\ttowering\tdoors\tand\tinto\tthe\tgloom.\tTo\tgo\tplay\twith some\tof\tthe\tmagical\ttrove\tkept\there\u2014to\tgive\tNesta\tsome\tpractice\tfor\twhenever Amren\tfigured\tout\thow\tto\tfix\tthe\twall. A\t few\t heads\t turned\t in\t their\t direction\u2014then\t quickly\t looked\t away\t as\t Amren noticed\tthem. Let\tsome\tof\tthe\tmonster\tinside\tshow. We\tstill\thad\tnot\ttold\ther\tof\tthe\tBone\tCarver\u2014of\tthe\tPrison\tvisit.\tSomething\ta bit\tlike\tguilt\tcoiled\tin\tmy\tstomach.\tThough\tI\tsupposed\tI\thad\tto\tget\tused\tto\tit\tas Rhys\tcurled\ta\tfinger\ttoward\tKeir\tand\tsaid,\t\u201cThe\tcouncil\troom.\tTen\tminutes.\u201d Keir\u2019s\t eyes\t narrowed\t at\t the\t order,\t the\t female\t beside\t him\t keeping\t her\t head down\u2014the\tportrait\tof\tsubservience.\tWhat\tMor\twas\tsupposed\tto\thave\tbeen. My\t friend\t was\t indeed\t watching\t her\t parents,\t cold\t indifference\t on\t her\t face. Azriel\tkept\ta\tstep\taway,\tmonitoring\teverything. I\t didn\u2019t\t let\t myself\t look\t too\t interested\u2014too\t worried\u2014as\t Rhys\t offered\t me\t a hand\tand\twe\trose\tfrom\tthe\tthrone.\tAnd\twent\tto\ttalk\tof\twar. The\tcouncil\tchamber\tof\tthe\tHewn\tCity\twas\tnearly\tas\tlarge\tas\tthe\tthrone\troom.\tIt was\t carved\t from\t the\t same\t dark\t rock,\t its\t pillars\t fashioned\t after\t those\t entangled","beasts. Far\t below\t the\t high,\t domed\t ceiling,\t a\t mammoth\t table\t of\t black\t glass\t split\t the room\t in\t two\t like\t a\t lightning\t strike,\t its\t corners\t left\t long\t and\t jagged.\t Sharp\t as\t a razor. Rhys\t claimed\t a\t seat\t at\t the\t head\t of\t the\t table.\t I\t took\t the\t one\t at\t the\t opposite end.\tAzriel\tand\tMor\tfound\tseats\ton\tone\tside,\tand\tKeir\tsettled\tinto\tthe\tseat\ton\tthe other. A\tchair\tbeside\thim\tsat\tempty. Rhys\tleaned\tback\tin\this\tdark\tchair,\tswirling\tthe\twine\tthat\thad\tbeen\tpoured\tby a\t stone-faced\t servant\t a\t moment\t before.\t It\t had\t been\t an\t effort\t not\t to\t thank\t the male\twho\u2019d\tfilled\tmy\tgoblet. But\there,\tI\tdid\tnot\tthank\tanyone. Here,\tI\ttook\twhat\twas\tmine,\tand\toffered\tno\tgratitude\tor\tapologies\tfor\tit. \u201cI\tknow\twhy\tyou\u2019re\there,\u201d\tKeir\tsaid\twithout\tany\tsort\tof\tpreamble. \u201cOh?\u201d\tRhys\u2019s\teyebrow\tarched\tbeautifully. Keir\t surveyed\t us,\t distaste\t lingering\t on\t his\t handsome\t face.\t \u201cHybern\t is swarming.\tYour\tlegions\u201d\u2014a\tsneer\tat\tAzriel,\tat\tthe\tIllyrians\the\trepresented\u2014\u201care gathering.\u201d\t Keir\t interlaced\t his\t long\t fingers\t and\t set\t them\t upon\t the\t dark\t glass. \u201cYou\tmean\tto\task\tfor\tmy\tDarkbringers\tto\tjoin\tyour\tarmy.\u201d Rhys\t sipped\t from\t his\t wine.\t \u201cWell,\t at\t least\t you\u2019ve\t spared\t me\t the\t effort\t of dancing\taround\tthe\tsubject.\u201d Keir\t held\t his\t gaze\t without\t blinking.\t \u201cI\t will\t confess\t that\t I\t find\t myself\t \u2026 sympathetic\tto\tHybern\u2019s\tcause.\u201d Mor\tshifted\tslightly\tin\ther\tseat.\tAzriel\tjust\tpinned\tthat\ticy,\tall-seeing\tstare\ton Keir. \u201cYou\twould\tnot\tbe\tthe\tonly\tone,\u201d\tRhys\tcountered\tcoolly. Keir\tfrowned\tup\tat\tthe\tobsidian\tchandelier,\tfashioned\tafter\ta\twreath\tof\tnight- blooming\t flowers\u2014the\t center\t of\t each\t a\t twinkling\t silver\t faelight.\t \u201cThere\t are many\t similarities\t between\t Hybern\u2019s\t people\t and\t my\t own.\t Both\t of\t us\t trapped\u2014 stagnant.\u201d \u201cLast\t I\t checked,\u201d\t Mor\t cut\t in,\t \u201cyou\t have\t been\t free\t to\t do\t as\t you\t wish\t for centuries.\tLonger.\u201d Keir\tdidn\u2019t\tso\tmuch\tas\tlook\tat\ther,\tearning\ta\tflicker\tof\trage\tfrom\tAzriel\tat\tthe dismissal.\t \u201cAh,\t but\t are\t we\t free\t here?\t Not\t even\t the\t entirety\t of\t this\t mountain","belongs\tto\tus\u2014not\twith\tyour\tpalace\tatop\tit.\u201d \u201cAll\tof\tthis\tbelongs\tto\tme,\tI\u2019ll\tremind\tyou,\u201d\tRhys\tsaid\twryly. \u201cIt\u2019s\t that\t mentality\t that\t allows\t me\t to\t find\t Hybern\u2019s\t stifled\t people\t to\t be\t \u2026 kindred\tspirits.\u201d \u201cYou\twant\tthe\tpalace\tupstairs,\tKeir,\tthen\tit\u2019s\tyours.\u201d\tRhys\tcrossed\this\tlegs.\t\u201cI didn\u2019t\tknow\tyou\twere\tlusting\tafter\tit\tfor\tso\tlong.\u201d Keir\u2019s\tanswering\tsmile\twas\tnear-serpentine.\t\u201cYou\tmust\tneed\tmy\tarmy\trather desperately,\tRhysand.\u201d\tAgain,\tthat\thateful\tglance\tat\tAzriel.\t\u201cAre\tthe\tovergrown bats\tnot\tup\tto\tsnuff\tanymore?\u201d \u201cCome\ttrain\twith\tthem,\u201d\tAzriel\tsaid\tsoftly,\t\u201cand\tyou\u2019ll\tlearn\tfor\tyourself.\u201d In\this\tcenturies\tof\tmiserable\texistence,\tKeir\thad\tcertainly\tmastered\tthe\tart\tof sneering. And\t the\t way\t he\t sneered\t at\t Azriel\t \u2026\t Mor\u2019s\t teeth\t flashed\t in\t the\t dim\t light.\t It was\tan\teffort\tto\tkeep\tmyself\tfrom\tdoing\tthe\tsame. \u201cI\t have\t no\t doubt,\u201d\t Rhys\t said,\t the\t portrait\t of\t glorious\t boredom,\t \u201cthat\t you\u2019ve already\tdecided\tupon\tyour\tasking\tprice.\u201d Keir\tpeered\tdown\tthe\ttable\u2014to\tme.\tLooked\this\tfill\tas\tI\theld\this\tstare.\t\u201cI\tdid.\u201d My\tstomach\tturned\tat\tthat\tgaze,\tthe\twords. Dark\t power\t rumbled\t through\t the\t chamber,\t setting\t the\t onyx\t chandelier tinkling.\t\u201cTread\tcarefully,\tKeir.\u201d Keir\tonly\tsmiled\tat\tme,\tthen\tat\tRhys.\tMor\thad\tgone\tutterly\tstill. \u201cWhat\t would\t you\t give\t me\t for\t a\t shot\t at\t this\t war,\t Rhysand?\t You\t whored yourself\tto\tAmarantha\u2014but\twhat\tabout\tyour\tmate?\u201d He\t had\t not\t forgotten\t how\t we\u2019d\t treated\t him.\t How\t we\u2019d\t humiliated\t him months\tago. And\t Rhys\t \u2026\t there\t was\t only\t eternal,\t unforgiving\t death\t in\t his\t face,\t in\t the darkness\t gathering\t behind\t his\t chair.\t \u201cThe\t bargain\t our\t ancestors\t struck\t grants you\tthe\tright\tto\tchoose\thow\tand\twhen\tyour\tarmy\tassists\tmy\town.\tBut\tit\tdoes\tnot grant\tyou\tthe\tright\tto\tkeep\tyour\tlife,\tKeir,\twhen\tI\tgrow\ttired\tof\tyour\texistence.\u201d As\t if\t in\t answer,\t invisible\t claws\t gouged\t deep\t marks\t in\t the\t table,\t the\t glass shrieking.\tI\tflinched.\tKeir\tblanched\tat\tthe\tlines\tnow\tinches\tfrom\thim. \u201cBut\t I\t thought\t you\t might\t be\t \u2026\t hesitant\t to\t assist\t me,\u201d\t Rhys\t went\t on.\t I\u2019d never\tseen\thim\tso\tcalm.\tNot\tcalm\u2014but\tfilled\twith\ticy\trage. The\tsort\tI\tsometimes\tglimpsed\tin\tAzriel\u2019s\teyes.","Rhys\tsnapped\this\tfingers\tand\tsaid\tto\tno\tone\tin\tparticular,\t\u201cBring\thim\tin.\u201d The\tdoors\topened\ton\ta\tphantom\twind. I\tdidn\u2019t\tknow\twhere\tto\tlook\tas\ta\tservant\tescorted\tin\tthe\ttall\tmale\tfigure. At\t Mor,\t whose\t face\t went\t white\t with\t dread.\t At\t Azriel,\t who\t reached\t for\t his dagger\u2014Truth-Teller\u2014his\t every\t breath\t alert,\t focused,\t but\t unsurprised.\t Not\t a hint\tof\tshock. Or\tat\tEris,\their\tto\tthe\tAutumn\tCourt,\tas\the\tstrolled\tinto\tthe\troom.","CHAPTER 26 That\u2019s\twho\tthe\tfinal,\tempty\tseat\twas\tfor. And\tRhys\t\u2026 He\t remained\t sprawled\t in\t his\t chair,\t sipping\t from\t his\t wine.\t \u201cWelcome\t back, Eris,\u201d\t he\t drawled.\t \u201cIt\u2019s\t been\t what\u2014five\t centuries\t since\t you\t last\t set\t foot\t in here?\u201d Mor\t slid\t her\t eyes\t toward\t Rhys.\t Betrayal\t and\u2014hurt.\t That\t was\t hurt\t flashing there. For\tnot\twarning\tus.\tFor\tthis\t\u2026\tsurprise. I\twondered\tif\tI\tschooled\tmy\tfeatures\twith\tany\tmore\tsuccess\tthan\tmy\tfriend\tas Eris\t claimed\t the\t vacant\t seat\t at\t the\t table,\t not\t bothering\t to\t so\t much\t as\t nod\t to\t a wary-eyed\tKeir.\t\u201cIt\thas\tindeed\tbeen\ta\twhile.\u201d He\u2019d\t healed\t since\t that\t day\t on\t the\t ice\u2014not\t a\t sign\t of\t the\t gut-wound\t Cassian had\t given\t him.\t His\t red\t hair\t was\t unbound,\t a\t silken\t drape\t over\t his\t well-tailored cobalt\tjacket. What\tis\the\tdoing\there,\tI\tspeared\tdown\tthe\tbond,\tnot\tbothering\tto\thide\tany\tof what\tcoursed\tthrough\tme. Making\t sure\t Keir\t agrees\t to\t help,\t was\t all\t Rhys\t said,\t the\t words\t tight\t and clipped.\tRestrained. As\tif\the\twere\tstill\tholding\tthe\tfull\tmight\tof\this\trage\tin\tcheck. Shadows\tcurled\taround\tAzriel\u2019s\tshoulders,\twhispering\tin\this\tear\tas\the\tstared down\tEris. \u201cYou\tonce\twanted\tto\tbuild\tties\tto\tAutumn,\tKeir,\u201d\tsaid\tRhys,\tsetting\tdown\this goblet\t of\t wine.\t \u201cWell,\t here\u2019s\t your\t chance.\t Eris\t is\t willing\t to\t offer\t you\t a\t formal alliance\u2014in\texchange\tfor\tyour\tservices\tin\tthis\twar.\u201d","How\tthe\thell\tdid\tyou\tget\thim\tto\tagree\tto\tthat? Rhys\tdidn\u2019t\tanswer. Rhysand. Keir\tleaned\tback\tin\this\tchair.\t\u201cIt\tis\tnot\tenough.\u201d Eris\tsnorted,\tpouring\thimself\ta\tgoblet\tof\twine\tfrom\tthe\tdecanter\tin\tthe\tcenter of\tthe\ttable.\t\u201cI\u2019d\tforgotten\twhy\tI\twas\tso\trelieved\twhen\tour\tbargain\tfell\tapart\tthe last\ttime.\u201d Rhys\tshot\thim\ta\twarning\tlook.\tEris\tjust\tdrank\tdeeply. \u201cWhat\tis\tit\tthat\tyou\twant,\tthen,\tKeir?\u201d\tRhys\tpurred. I\t had\t the\t feeling\t if\t Keir\t suggested\t me\t again,\t he\u2019d\t wind\t up\t splattered\t on\t the wall. But\t Keir\t must\t have\t known,\t too.\t And\t said\t simply\t to\t Rhysand,\t \u201cI\t want\t out.\t I want\tspace.\tI\twant\tmy\tpeople\tto\tbe\tfree\tof\tthis\tmountain.\u201d \u201cYou\thave\tevery\tcomfort,\u201d\tI\tfinally\tsaid.\t\u201cAnd\tyet\tit\tis\tnot\tenough?\u201d Keir\tignored\tme\tas\twell.\tAs\tI\u2019m\tsure\the\tignored\tmost\twomen\tin\this\tlife. \u201cYou\t have\t been\t keeping\t secrets,\t High\t Lord,\u201d\t Keir\t said\t with\t a\t hateful\t smile, interlacing\t his\t hands\t and\t resting\t them\t on\t the\t mauled\t table.\t Right\t atop\t the nearest\t deep\t gouge.\t \u201cI\t always\t wondered\u2014where\t all\t of\t you\t went\t when\t you weren\u2019t\there.\tHybern\tanswered\tthe\tquestion\tat\tlast\u2014thanks\tto\tthat\tattack\ton\t\u2026 what\tis\tits\tname?\tVelaris.\tYes.\tOn\tVelaris.\tThe\tCity\tof\tStarlight.\u201d Mor\twent\tutterly\tstill. \u201cI\twant\taccess\tto\tthe\tcity,\u201d\tKeir\tsaid.\t\u201cFor\tme,\tand\tmy\tcourt.\u201d \u201cNo,\u201d\tMor\tsaid.\tThe\tword\techoed\toff\tthe\tpillars,\tthe\tglass,\tthe\trock. I\t was\t inclined\t to\t agree.\t The\t thought\t of\t these\t people,\t of\t Keir,\t in\t Velaris\t \u2026 Tainting\t it\t with\t their\t presence,\t their\t hatred\t and\t small-mindedness,\t their\t disdain and\tcruelty\t\u2026 Rhys\tdid\tnot\trefuse.\tDid\tnot\tshoot\tdown\tthe\tsuggestion. You\tcan\u2019t\tbe\tserious. Rhys\tonly\twatched\tKeir\tas\the\tanswered\tdown\tthe\tbond,\tI\t anticipated\tthis\u2014 and\tI\ttook\tprecautions. I\tcontemplated\tit.\tThe\tmeeting\twith\tthe\tPalace\tgovernors\t\u2026\tThat\twas\ttied\tto this? Yes. Rhysand\tsaid\tto\tKeir,\t\u201cThere\twould\tbe\tconditions.\u201d","Mor\topened\ther\tmouth,\tbut\tAzriel\tlaid\ta\tscarred\thand\tatop\thers. She\tsnatched\ther\thand\tback\tas\tif\tshe\u2019d\tbeen\tburned\u2014burned\tas\the\thad\tbeen. Azriel\u2019s\t mask\t of\t cold\t didn\u2019t\t so\t much\t as\t waver\t at\t the\t rejection.\t Though\t Eris chuckled\tsoftly.\tEnough\tto\tmake\tAzriel\u2019s\thazel\teyes\tglaze\twith\trage\tas\the\tsettled them\tupon\tthe\tHigh\tLord\u2019s\tson.\tEris\tonly\tinclined\this\thead\tto\tthe\tshadowsinger. \u201cI\twant\tunrestricted\taccess,\u201d\tKeir\tsaid\tto\tRhys. \u201cYou\twill\tnot\tget\tit,\u201d\tRhys\tsaid.\t\u201cThere\twill\tbe\tlimited\tstays,\tlimited\tnumbers allowed\tin.\tTo\tbe\tdecided\tlater.\u201d Mor\t turned\t pleading\t eyes\t to\t Rhys.\t Her\t city\u2014the\t place\t that\t she\t loved\t so much\u2014 I\tcould\talmost\thear\tit.\tThe\tcrack\tI\tknew\twas\tabout\tto\tsound\tamongst\tour\town circle. Keir\tlooked\tto\tMor\tat\tlast\u2014noted\tthe\tdespair\tand\tanger.\tAnd\tsmiled. He\thad\tno\treal\tdesire\tto\tget\tout\tof\there. Only\t a\t desire\t to\t take\t something\t he\u2019d\t undoubtedly\t gleaned\t that\t his\t daughter cherished. I\tcould\thave\tgladly\tshredded\tthrough\this\tthroat\tas\tKeir\tsaid,\t\u201cDone.\u201d Rhys\t didn\u2019t\t so\t much\t as\t smile.\t Mor\t was\t only\t staring\t and\t staring\t at\t him,\t that beseeching\texpression\tcrumpling\ther\tface. \u201cThere\t is\t one\t more\t thing,\u201d\t I\t added,\t squaring\t my\t shoulders.\t \u201cOne\t more request.\u201d Keir\tdeigned\tto\tacknowledge\tme.\t\u201cOh?\u201d \u201cI\t have\t need\t of\t the\t Ouroboros\t mirror,\u201d\t I\t said,\t willing\t ice\t into\t my\t veins. \u201cImmediately.\u201d Interest\tand\tsurprise\tflared\tin\tKeir\u2019s\tbrown\teyes.\tMor\u2019s\teyes. \u201cWho\ttold\tyou\tthat\tI\thave\tit?\u201d\the\tasked\tquietly. \u201cDoes\tit\tmatter?\tI\twant\tit.\u201d \u201cDo\tyou\teven\tknow\twhat\tthe\tOuroboros\tis?\u201d \u201cConsider\tyour\ttone,\tKeir,\u201d\tRhys\twarned. Keir\tleaned\tforward,\t bracing\this\t forearms\ton\t the\t table.\t\u201cThe\tmirror\t\u2026\u201d\tHe laughed\tunder\this\tbreath.\t\u201cConsider\tit\tmy\tmating\tpresent.\u201d\tHe\tadded\twith\tsweet venom,\t\u201cIf\tyou\tcan\ttake\tit.\u201d Not\ta\tthreat\tto\tface\thim,\tbut\u2014\t\u201cWhat\tdo\tyou\tmean?\u201d Keir\trose\tto\this\tfeet,\tsmirking\tlike\ta\tcat\twith\ta\tcanary\tin\tits\tmouth.\t\u201cTo\ttake","the\tOuroboros,\tto\tclaim\tit,\tyou\tmust\tfirst\tlook\tinto\tit.\u201d\tHe\theaded\tfor\tthe\tdoors, not\t waiting\t to\t be\t dismissed.\t \u201cAnd\t everyone\t who\t has\t attempted\t to\t do\t so\t has either\t gone\t mad\t or\t been\t broken\t beyond\t repair.\t Even\t a\t High\t Lord\t or\t two,\t if legend\tis\ttrue.\u201d\tA\tshrug.\t\u201cSo\tit\tis\tyours,\tif\tyou\tdare\tto\tface\tit.\u201d\tKeir\tpaused\tat\tthe threshold\tas\tthe\tdoors\topened\ton\ta\tphantom\twind.\tHe\tsaid\tto\tRhys,\tperhaps\tthe closest\the\u2019d\tcome\tto\tasking\tfor\tpermission\tto\tleave,\t\u201cLord\tThanatos\tis\thaving\t\u2026 difficulties\t with\t his\t daughter\t again.\t He\t requires\t my\t assistance.\u201d\t Rhys\t only waved\t a\t hand,\t as\t if\t he\t hadn\u2019t\t just\t yielded\t our\t city\t to\t the\t male.\t Keir\t jerked\t his chin\tat\tEris.\t\u201cI\twill\twish\tto\tspeak\twith\tyou\u2014soon.\u201d Once\the\twas\tdone\tgloating\tover\this\tvictory\ttonight.\tWhat\twe\u2019d\tgiven. And\tlost. If\tthe\tOuroboros\tcould\tnot\tbe\tretrieved,\tat\tleast\twithout\tsuch\tterrible\trisk\t\u2026\tI shut\tout\tthe\tthought,\tsealing\tit\taway\tfor\tlater,\tas\tKeir\tleft.\tLeaving\tus\talone\twith Eris. The\their\tof\tAutumn\tjust\tsipped\this\twine. And\t I\t had\t the\t terrible\t sense\t that\t Mor\t had\t gone\t somewhere\t far,\t far\t away\t as Eris\tset\tdown\this\tgoblet\tand\tsaid,\t\u201cYou\tlook\twell,\tMor.\u201d \u201cYou\tdon\u2019t\tspeak\tto\ther,\u201d\tAzriel\tsaid\tsoftly. Eris\tgave\ta\tbitter\tsmile.\t\u201cI\tsee\tyou\u2019re\tstill\tholding\ta\tgrudge.\u201d \u201cThis\t arrangement,\t Eris,\u201d\t Rhys\t said,\t \u201crelies\t solely\t upon\t you\t keeping\t your mouth\tshut.\u201d Eris\t huffed\t a\t laugh.\t \u201cAnd\t haven\u2019t\t I\t done\t an\t excellent\t job?\t Not\t even\t my father\tsuspected\twhen\tI\tleft\ttonight.\u201d I\tglanced\tbetween\tmy\tmate\tand\tEris.\t\u201cHow\tdid\tthis\tcome\tabout?\u201d Eris\tlooked\tme\tover.\tThe\tcrown\tand\tdress.\t\u201cYou\tdidn\u2019t\tthink\tthat\tI\tknew\tyour shadowsinger\twould\tcome\tsniffing\taround\tto\tsee\tif\tI\u2019d\ttold\tmy\tfather\tabout\tyour \u2026\tpowers?\tEspecially\tafter\tmy\tbrothers\tso\tmysteriously\tforgot\tabout\tthem,\ttoo. I\t knew\t it\t was\t a\t matter\t of\t time\t before\t one\t of\t you\t arrived\t to\t take\t care\t of\t my memory\t as\t well.\u201d\t Eris\t tapped\t the\t side\t of\t his\t head\t with\t a\t long\t finger.\t \u201cToo\t bad for\t you,\t I\t learned\t a\t thing\t or\t two\t about\t daemati.\t Too\t bad\t for\t my\t brothers\t that\t I never\tbothered\tto\tteach\tthem.\u201d My\tchest\ttightened.\tRhys. To\t keep\t me\t safe\t from\t Beron\u2019s\t wrath,\t to\t keep\t this\t potential\t alliance\t with\t the High\tLords\tfrom\tfalling\tapart\tbefore\tit\tbegan\t\u2026\tRhys.","It\twas\tan\teffort\tto\tkeep\tmy\teyes\tfrom\tburning. A\tgentle\tcaress\tdown\tthe\tbond\twas\this\tonly\tanswer. \u201cOf\t course\t I\t didn\u2019t\t tell\t my\t father,\u201d\t Eris\t went\t on,\t drinking\t from\t his\t wine again.\t\u201cWhy\twaste\tthat\tsort\tof\tinformation\ton\tthe\tbastard?\tHis\tanswer\twould\tbe to\t hunt\t you\t down\t and\t kill\t you\u2014not\t realizing\t how\t much\t shit\t we\u2019re\t in\t with Hybern\tand\tthat\tyou\tmight\tbe\tthe\tkey\tto\tstopping\tit.\u201d \u201cSo\the\tplans\tto\tjoin\tus,\tthen,\u201d\tRhys\tsaid. \u201cNot\tif\the\tlearns\tabout\tyour\tlittle\tsecret.\u201d\tEris\tsmirked. Mor\tblinked\u2014as\tif\trealizing\tthat\tRhys\u2019s\tcontact\twith\tEris,\this\tinvitation\there \u2026\tThe\tglance\tshe\t gave\tme,\tclear\tand\tsettled,\ttold\t me\tenough.\tHurt\t and\tanger still\tswirled,\tbut\tunderstanding,\ttoo. \u201cSo\twhat\u2019s\tthe\tasking\tprice,\tEris?\u201d\tMor\tdemanded,\tleaning\ther\tbare\tarms\ton the\tdark\tglass.\t\u201cAnother\tlittle\tbride\tfor\tyou\tto\ttorture?\u201d Something\t flickered\t in\t Eris\u2019s\t eyes.\t \u201cI\t don\u2019t\t know\t who\t fed\t you\t those\t lies\t to begin\t with,\t Morrigan,\u201d\t he\t said\t with\t vicious\t calm.\t \u201cLikely\t the\t bastards\t you surround\tyourself\twith.\u201d\tA\tsneer\tat\tAzriel. Mor\t snarled,\t rattling\t the\t glasses.\t \u201cYou\t never\t gave\t any\t evidence\t to\t the contrary.\tCertainly\tnot\twhen\tyou\tleft\tme\tin\tthose\twoods.\u201d \u201cThere\twere\tforces\tat\twork\tthat\tyou\thave\tnever\tconsidered,\u201d\tEris\tsaid\tcoldly. \u201cAnd\t I\t am\t not\t going\t to\t waste\t my\t breath\t explaining\t them\t to\t you.\t Believe\t what you\twant\tabout\tme.\u201d \u201cYou\t hunted\t me\t down\t like\t an\t animal,\u201d\t I\t cut\t in.\t \u201cI\t think\t we\u2019ll\t choose\t to believe\tthe\tworst.\u201d Eris\u2019s\tpale\tface\tflushed.\t\u201cI\twas\tgiven\tan\torder.\tAnd\tsent\tto\tdo\tit\twith\ttwo\tof my\t\u2026\tbrothers.\u201d \u201cAnd\t what\t of\t the\t brother\t you\t hunted\t down\t alongside\t me?\t The\t one\t whose lover\tyou\thelped\tto\texecute\tbefore\this\teyes?\u201d Eris\t laid\t a\t hand\t flat\t on\t the\t table.\t \u201cYou\t know\t nothing\t about\t what\t happened that\tday.\tNothing.\u201d Silence. \u201cIndulge\tme,\u201d\twas\tall\tI\tsaid. Eris\tstared\tme\tdown.\tI\tstared\tright\tback. \u201cHow\tdo\tyou\tthink\the\tmade\tit\tto\tthe\tSpring\tborder,\u201d\the\tsaid\tquietly.\t\u201cI\twasn\u2019t there\u2014when\tthey\tdid\tit.\tAsk\thim.\tI\trefused.\tIt\twas\tthe\tfirst\tand\tonly\ttime\tI\thave","denied\tmy\tfather\tanything.\tHe\tpunished\tme.\tAnd\tby\tthe\ttime\tI\tgot\tfree\t\u2026\tThey were\tgoing\tto\tkill\thim,\ttoo.\tI\tmade\tsure\tthey\tdidn\u2019t.\tMade\tsure\tTamlin\tgot\tword \u2014anonymously\u2014to\tget\tthe\thell\tover\tto\this\town\tborder.\u201d Where\ttwo\tof\tEris\u2019s\tbrothers\thad\tbeen\tkilled.\tBy\tLucien\tand\tTamlin. Eris\tpicked\tat\ta\tstray\tthread\ton\this\tjacket.\t\u201cNot\tall\tof\tus\twere\tso\tlucky\tin\tour friends\tand\tfamily\tas\tyou,\tRhysand.\u201d Rhys\u2019s\tface\twas\ta\tmask\tof\tboredom.\t\u201cIt\twould\tseem\tso.\u201d And\tnone\tof\tthis\tentirely\terased\twhat\the\u2019d\tdone,\tbut\t\u2026\t\u201cWhat\tis\tthe\tasking price,\u201d\tI\trepeated. \u201cThe\tsame\tthing\tI\ttold\tAzriel\twhen\tI\tfound\thim\tsnooping\tthrough\tmy\tfather\u2019s woods\tyesterday.\u201d Hurt\tflared\tin\tMor\u2019s\teyes\tas\tshe\twhipped\ther\thead\ttoward\tthe\tshadowsinger. But\tAzriel\tdidn\u2019t\tso\tmuch\tas\tacknowledge\ther\tas\the\tannounced,\t\u201cWhen\tthe\ttime comes\t\u2026\twe\tare\tto\tsupport\tEris\u2019s\tbid\tto\ttake\tthe\tthrone.\u201d Even\t as\t Azriel\t spoke,\t that\t frozen\t rage\t dulled\t his\t face.\t And\t Eris\t was\t wise enough\t to\t finally\t pale\t at\t the\t sight.\t Perhaps\t that\t was\t why\t Eris\t had\t kept knowledge\t of\t my\t powers\t to\t himself.\t Not\t just\t for\t this\t sort\t of\t bargaining,\t but\t to avoid\tthe\twrath\tof\tthe\tshadowsinger.\tThe\tblade\tat\this\tside. \u201cThe\trequest\tstill\tstands,\tRhysand,\u201d\tEris\tsaid,\tmastering\thimself,\t\u201cto\tjust\tkill my\tfather\tand\tbe\tdone\twith\tit.\tI\tcan\tpledge\ttroops\tright\tnow.\u201d Mother\tabove.\tHe\tdidn\u2019t\teven\ttry\tto\thide\tit\u2014to\tlook\tat\tall\tremorseful.\tIt\twas an\teffort\tto\tkeep\tmy\tjaw\tfrom\tdropping\tto\tthe\ttable\tat\this\tintent,\tthe\tcasualness with\twhich\the\tspoke\tit. \u201cTempting,\t but\t too\t messy,\u201d\t Rhys\t replied.\t \u201cBeron\t sided\t with\t us\t in\t the\t War. Hopefully\the\u2019ll\tsway\tthat\tway\tagain.\u201d\tA\tpointed\tstare\tat\tEris. \u201cHe\twill,\u201d\tEris\tpromised,\trunning\ta\tfinger\tover\tone\tof\tthe\tclaw\tmarks\tgouged into\tthe\ttable.\t\u201cAnd\twill\tremain\tblissfully\tunaware\tof\tFeyre\u2019s\t\u2026\tgifts.\u201d A\tthrone\u2014in\texchange\tfor\this\tsilence.\tAnd\tsway. \u201cPromise\t Keir\t nothing\t you\t care\t about,\u201d\t Rhys\t said,\t waving\t a\t hand\t in dismissal. Eris\tjust\trose\tto\this\tfeet.\t\u201cWe\u2019ll\tsee.\u201d\tA\tfrown\tat\tMor\tas\the\tdrained\this\twine and\t set\t down\t the\t goblet.\t \u201cI\u2019m\t surprised\t you\t still\t can\u2019t\t control\t yourself\t around him.\tYou\thad\tevery\temotion\twritten\tright\ton\tthat\tpretty\tface\tof\tyours.\u201d \u201cWatch\tit,\u201d\tAzriel\twarned.","Eris\tlooked\tbetween\tthem,\tsmiling\tfaintly.\tSecretly.\tAs\tif\the\tknew\tsomething that\tAzriel\tdidn\u2019t.\t\u201cI\twouldn\u2019t\thave\ttouched\tyou,\u201d\the\tsaid\tto\tMor,\twho\tblanched again.\t \u201cBut\t when\t you\t fucked\t that\t other\t bastard\u2014\u201d\t A\t snarl\t ripped\t from\t Rhys\u2019s throat\tat\tthat.\tAnd\tmy\town.\t\u201cI\tknew\twhy\tyou\tdid\tit.\u201d\tAgain\tthat\tsecret\tsmile\tthat had\tMor\tshrinking.\tShrinking.\t\u201cSo\tI\tgave\tyou\tyour\tfreedom,\tending\tthe\tbetrothal in\tno\tuncertain\tterms.\u201d \u201cAnd\twhat\thappened\tnext,\u201d\tAzriel\tgrowled. A\t shadow\t crossed\t Eris\u2019s\t face.\t \u201cThere\t are\t few\t things\t I\t regret.\t That\t is\t one\t of them.\tBut\t\u2026\tperhaps\tone\tday,\tnow\tthat\twe\tare\tallies,\tI\tshall\ttell\tyou\twhy.\tWhat it\tcost\tme.\u201d \u201cI\tdon\u2019t\tgive\ta\tshit,\u201d\tMor\tsaid\tquietly.\tShe\tpointed\tto\tthe\tdoor.\t\u201cGet\tout.\u201d Eris\t gave\t a\t mocking\t bow\t to\t her.\t To\t all\t of\t us.\t \u201cSee\t you\t at\t the\t meeting\t in twelve\tdays.\u201d","CHAPTER 27 We\t found\t Nesta\t and\t Amren\t waiting\t outside\t the\t throne\t room,\t both\t of\t them looking\tpissy\tand\ttired. Well,\tthat\tmade\tsix\tof\tus. I\t didn\u2019t\t doubt\t Keir\u2019s\t claim\t about\t the\t mirror\u2014and\t risking\t gazing\t into\t it\t \u2026 None\t of\t us\t could\t afford\t it.\t To\t be\t broken.\t Driven\t mad.\t None\t of\t us\u2014not\t right now.\tPerhaps\tthe\tBone\tCarver\thad\tknown\tthat.\tHad\tsent\tme\ton\ta\tfool\u2019s\terrand\tto amuse\thimself. We\tdid\tnot\tbother\twith\tgood-byes\tto\tthe\twhispering\tcourt\tas\twe\twinnowed\tto the\t town\t house.\t To\t Velaris\u2014the\t peace\t and\t beauty\t that\t now\t felt\t infinitely\t more fragile. Cassian\t had\t come\t off\t the\t roof\t at\t some\t point\t to\t join\t Lucien\t in\t the\t sitting room,\tthe\tbooks\tfrom\tthe\twall\tspread\ton\tthe\tlow-lying\ttable\tbetween\tthem.\tBoth got\tto\ttheir\tfeet\tat\tthe\texpressions\ton\tour\tfaces. Cassian\twas\thalfway\tto\tMor\twhen\tshe\twhirled\ton\tRhys\tand\tsaid,\t\u201cWhy?\u201d Her\tvoice\tbroke. And\tsomething\tin\tmy\tchest\tcracked,\ttoo,\tat\tthe\ttears\tthat\tbegan\trunning\tdown her\tface. Rhys\tjust\tstood\tthere,\tstaring\tdown\tat\ther.\tHis\tface\tunreadable. Watching\tas\tshe\tslammed\ther\thands\tinto\this\tchest\tand\tshouted,\t\u201cWhy?\u201d He\t yielded\t a\t step.\t \u201cEris\t found\t Azriel\u2014our\t hands\t were\t tied.\t I\t made\t the\t best of\tit.\u201d\tHis\tthroat\tbobbed.\t\u201cI\u2019m\tsorry.\u201d Cassian\twas\tsizing\tthem\tup,\tfrozen\thalfway\tacross\tthe\troom.\tAnd\tI\tassumed Rhys\twas\ttelling\thim\tmind\tto\tmind,\tassumed\the\twas\ttelling\tAmren\tand\tperhaps even\tLucien\tand\tNesta,\tfrom\ttheir\tsurprised\tblinks."]
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