["Mor\twhirled\ton\tAzriel.\t\u201cWhy\tdidn\u2019t\tyou\tsay\tanything?\u201d Azriel\t held\t her\t gaze\t unflinchingly.\t Didn\u2019t\t so\t much\t as\t rustle\t his\t wings. \u201cBecause\t you\t would\t have\t tried\t to\t stop\t it.\t And\t we\t can\u2019t\t afford\t to\t lose\t Keir\u2019s alliance\u2014and\tface\tthe\tthreat\tof\tEris.\u201d \u201cYou\u2019re\t working\t with\t that\t prick,\u201d\t Cassian\t cut\t in,\t whatever\t catching-up\t now over,\tapparently.\tHe\tmoved\tto\tMor\u2019s\tside,\ta\thand\ton\ther\tback.\tHe\tshook\this\thead at\t Azriel\t and\t Rhys,\t disgust\t curling\t his\t lip.\t \u201cYou\t should\t have\t spiked\t Eris\u2019s fucking\thead\tto\tthe\tfront\tgates.\u201d Azriel\t only\t watched\t them\t with\t that\t icy\t indifference.\t But\t Lucien\t crossed\t his arms,\tleaning\tagainst\tthe\tback\tof\tthe\tcouch.\t\u201cI\thave\tto\tagree\twith\tCassian.\tEris is\ta\tsnake.\u201d Perhaps\t Rhys\t had\t not\t filled\t him\t in\t on\t everything,\t then.\t On\t what\t Eris\t had claimed\t about\t saving\t his\t youngest\t brother\t in\t whatever\t way\t he\t could.\t Of\t his defiance. \u201cYour\twhole\tfamily\tis\tdespicable,\u201d\tAmren\tsaid\tto\tLucien\tfrom\twhere\tshe\tand Nesta\tlingered\tin\tthe\tarchway.\t\u201cBut\tEris\tmay\tprove\ta\tbetter\talternative.\tIf\the\tcan find\ta\tway\tto\tkill\tBeron\toff\tand\tmake\tsure\tthe\tpower\tshifts\tto\thimself.\u201d \u201cI\u2019m\tsure\the\twill,\u201d\tLucien\tsaid. But\t Mor\t was\t still\t staring\t at\t Rhys,\t those\t silent\t tears\t streaming\t down\t her flushed\tcheeks.\t\u201cIt\u2019s\tnot\tabout\tEris,\u201d\tshe\tsaid,\tvoice\twobbling.\t\u201cIt\u2019s\tabout\there.\u201d She\t waved\t a\t hand\t to\t the\t town\t house,\t the\t city.\t \u201cThis\t is\t my\t home,\t and\t you\t are going\tto\tlet\tKeir\tdestroy\tit.\u201d \u201cI\ttook\tprecautions,\u201d\tRhys\tsaid\u2014an\tedge\tto\this\tvoice\tI\thad\tnot\theard\tin\tsome time.\t \u201cMany\t of\t them.\t Starting\t with\t meeting\t with\t the\t governors\t of\t the\t Palaces and\t getting\t them\t to\t agree\t never\t to\t serve,\t shelter,\t or\t entertain\t Keir\t or\t anyone from\tthe\tCourt\tof\tNightmares.\u201d Mor\tblinked.\tCassian\u2019s\thand\tmoved\tto\ther\tshoulder\tand\tsqueezed. \u201cThey\t have\t been\t sending\t out\t the\t word\t to\t every\t business\t owner\t in\t the\t city,\u201d Rhys\t went\t on,\t \u201cevery\t restaurant\t and\t shop\t and\t venue.\t So\t Keir\t and\t his\t ilk\t may come\there\t\u2026\tBut\tthey\twill\tnot\tfind\tit\ta\twelcoming\tplace.\tOr\tone\twhere\tthey\tcan even\tprocure\tlodgings.\u201d Mor\tshook\ther\thead\tas\tshe\twhispered,\t\u201cHe\u2019ll\tstill\tdestroy\tit.\u201d Cassian\tslid\this\tarm\taround\ther\tshoulders,\this\tface\tharder\tthan\tI\u2019d\tever\tseen\tit as\the\tstudied\tRhys.\tThen\tAzriel.\t\u201cYou\tshould\thave\twarned\tus.\u201d","\u201cI\t should\t have,\u201d\t Rhys\t said\u2014though\t he\t didn\u2019t\t sound\t sorry\t for\t it.\t Azriel\t just remained\ta\tfoot\taway,\twings\ttucked\tin\ttight\tand\tSiphons\tglimmering. I\t stepped\t in\t at\t last.\t \u201cWe\u2019ll\t set\t limitations\u2014on\t when\t and\t how\t often\t they come.\u201d Mor\tshook\ther\thead,\tstill\tnot\tlooking\tanywhere\t but\tat\tRhys.\t \u201cIf\tAmarantha were\t alive\t \u2026\u201d\t The\t word\t slithered\t through\t the\t room,\t darkening\t the\t corners.\t \u201cIf she\twere\talive\tand\tI\toffered\tto\twork\twith\ther\u2014even\tif\tit\twas\tto\tsave\tus\tall\u2014how would\tyou\tfeel?\u201d Never\u2014they\thad\tnever\tcome\t this\tclose\tto\tdiscussing\twhat\thad\thappened\tto him. I\t approached\t Rhys\u2019s\t side,\t brushing\t my\t fingers\t against\t his.\t His\t own\t curled around\tmine. \u201cIf\t Amarantha\t offered\t us\t a\t slim\t shot\t at\t survival,\u201d\t Rhys\t said,\t his\t gaze unflinching,\t\u201cthen\tI\twould\tnot\tgive\ta\tshit\tthat\tshe\tmade\tme\tfuck\ther\tfor\tall\tthose years.\u201d Cassian\tflinched.\tThe\tentire\troom\tflinched. \u201cIf\t Amarantha\t showed\t up\t at\t that\t door\t right\t now,\u201d\t Rhys\t snarled,\t pointing toward\tthe\tfoyer\tentry,\t\u201cand\tsaid\tshe\tcould\tbuy\tus\ta\tchance\tat\tdefeating\tHybern, at\tkeeping\tall\tof\tyou\talive,\tI\twould\tthank\tthe\tfucking\tCauldron.\u201d Mor\tshook\ther\thead,\ttears\tslipping\tfree\tagain.\t\u201cYou\tdon\u2019t\tmean\tthat.\u201d \u201cI\tdo.\u201d Rhys. But\tthe\tbond,\tthe\tbridge\tbetween\tus\t\u2026\tit\twas\ta\thowling\tvoid.\tA\traging,\tdark tempest. Too\t far\u2014this\t was\t pushing\t them\t both\t too\t far.\t I\t tried\t to\t catch\t Cassian\u2019s\t gaze, but\t he\t was\t monitoring\t them\t closely,\t his\t golden-brown\t skin\t unnaturally\t pale. Azriel\u2019s\tshadows\tgathered\tclose,\thalf\tveiling\thim\tfrom\tview.\tAnd\tAmren\u2014 Amren\tstepped\tbetween\tRhys\tand\tMor.\tThey\tboth\ttowered\tover\ther. \u201cI\tkept\tthis\tunit\tfrom\tbreaking\tfor\tforty-nine\tyears,\u201d\tAmren\tsaid,\teyes\tflaring bright\t as\t lightning.\t \u201cI\t am\t not\t going\t to\t let\t you\t rip\t it\t to\t shreds\t now.\u201d\t She\t faced Mor.\t \u201cWorking\t with\t Keir\t and\t Eris\t is\t not\t forgiving\t them.\t And\t when\t this\t war\t is over,\t I\t will\t hunt\t them\t down\t and\t butcher\t them\t with\t you,\t if\t that\t is\t what\t you wish.\u201d\tMor\tsaid\tnothing\u2014though\tshe\tat\tlast\tlooked\taway\tfrom\tRhys. \u201cMy\tfather\twill\tpoison\tthis\tcity.\u201d","\u201cI\twill\tnot\tallow\thim\tto,\u201d\tAmren\tsaid. I\tbelieved\ther. And\t I\t think\t Mor\t did,\t too,\t for\t the\t tears\t that\t continued\t sliding\t free\t \u2026\t they seemed\tto\tshift,\tsomehow. Amren\tturned\tto\tRhys,\twhose\tface\thad\tnow\tedged\ttoward\u2014devastation. I\tslid\tmy\thand\tthrough\this.\tI\tsee\tyou,\tI\tsaid,\tgiving\thim\tthe\twords\tI\u2019d\t once whispered\tall\tthose\tmonths\tago.\tAnd\tit\tdoes\tnot\tfrighten\tme. Amren\t said\t to\t him,\t \u201cYou\u2019re\t a\t sneaky\t bastard.\t You\t always\t have\t been,\t and likely\t always\t will\t be.\t But\t it\t doesn\u2019t\t excuse\t you,\t boy,\t from\t not\t warning\t us. Warning\t her,\t not\t where\t those\t two\t monsters\t are\t involved.\t Yes,\t you\t made\t the right\tcall\u2014played\tit\twell.\tBut\tyou\talso\tplayed\tit\tbadly.\u201d Something\tlike\tshame\tdimmed\this\teyes.\t\u201cI\u2019m\tsorry.\u201d The\twords\u2014to\tMor,\tto\tAmren. Amren\u2019s\t dark\t hair\t swayed\t as\t she\t assessed\t them.\t Mor\t just\t shook\t her\t head\t at last\u2014more\tacceptance\tthan\tdenial. I\t swallowed,\t my\t voice\t rough\t as\t I\t said,\t \u201cThis\t is\t war.\t Our\t allies\t are\t few\t and already\t don\u2019t\t trust\t us.\u201d\t I\t met\t each\t of\t them\t in\t the\t eye\u2014my\t sister,\t Lucien,\t Mor, and\tAzriel\tand\tCassian.\tThen\tAmren.\tThen\tmy\tmate.\tI\tsqueezed\this\thand\tat\tthe guilt\tnow\tsinking\tits\tclaws\tdeep\tinto\thim.\t\u201cYou\tall\thave\tbeen\tto\twar\tand\tback\u2014 when\tI\u2019ve\tnever\teven\tset\tfoot\ton\ta\tbattlefield.\tBut\t\u2026\tI\thave\tto\timagine\tthat\twe will\tnot\tlast\tlong\tif\t\u2026\twe\tcleave\tapart.\tFrom\twithin.\u201d Stumbling,\tnear-incoherent\twords,\tbut\tAzriel\tsaid\tat\tlast,\t\u201cShe\u2019s\tright.\u201d Mor\tdidn\u2019t\tso\tmuch\tas\tlook\tin\this\tdirection.\tI\tcould\thave\tsworn\tguilt\tclouded Azriel\u2019s\teyes,\tthere\tand\tgone\tin\ta\tblink. Amren\t stepped\t back\t to\t Nesta\u2019s\t side\t as\t Cassian\t asked\t me,\t \u201cWhat\t happened with\tthe\tmirror?\u201d I\t shook\t my\t head.\t \u201cKeir\t says\t it\u2019s\t mine,\t if\t I\t dare\t to\t take\t it.\t Apparently,\t what you\tsee\tinside\twill\tbreak\tyou\u2014or\tdrive\tyou\tinsane.\tNo\tone\u2019s\tever\twalked\taway from\tit.\u201d Cassian\tswore. \u201cExactly,\u201d\t I\t said.\t It\t was\t a\t risk\t perhaps\t none\t of\t us\t were\t entirely\t prepared\t to face.\tNot\twhen\twe\twere\tall\tneeded\u2014each\tone\tof\tus. Mor\t added\t a\t bit\t hoarsely,\t straightening\t the\t ebony\t pleats\t and\t panels\t of\t her gossamer\t gown,\t \u201cMy\t father\t spoke\t true\t about\t that.\t I\t was\t raised\t with\t legends\t of","the\tmirror.\tNone\twere\tpleasant.\tOr\tsuccessful.\u201d Cassian\tfrowned\tat\tme,\tat\tRhys.\t\u201cSo\twhat\u2014\u201d \u201cYou\tare\ttalking\tabout\tthe\tOuroboros,\u201d\tAmren\tsaid. I\tblinked.\tShit.\tShit\u2014 \u201cWhy\tdo\tyou\twant\tthat\tmirror?\u201d\tHer\tvoice\thad\tslipped\tto\ta\tlow\ttimbre. Rhys\t slid\t his\t free\t hand\t into\t his\t pocket.\t \u201cIf\t honesty\t is\t the\t theme\t of\t the\t night \u2026\tBecause\tthe\tBone\tCarver\trequested\tit.\u201d Amren\u2019s\tnostrils\tflared.\t\u201cYou\twent\tto\tthe\tPrison.\u201d \u201cYour\told\tfriends\tsay\thello,\u201d\tCassian\tdrawled,\tleaning\ta\tshoulder\tagainst\tthe sitting\troom\tarchway. Amren\u2019s\t face\t tightened,\t Nesta\t glancing\t between\t them\u2014carefully.\t Reading us.\tEspecially\tas\tAmren\u2019s\tquicksilver\teyes\tswirled.\t\u201cWhy\tdid\tyou\tgo.\u201d I\topened\tmy\tmouth,\tbut\tthe\tgold\tof\tLucien\u2019s\teye\tcaught\tmy\tattention.\tSnared it. My\thesitation\tmust\thave\tbeen\tindication\tenough\tof\tmy\twariness. Jaw\t tight\t with\t a\t hint\t of\t frustration,\t Lucien\t excused\t himself\t to\t his\t room. Frustration\u2014and\t perhaps\t disappointment.\t I\t blocked\t it\t out\u2014what\t it\t did\t to\t my stomach. \u201cWe\t had\t some\t questions\t for\t the\t Carver.\u201d\t Cassian\t gave\t Amren\t a\t slash\t of\t a smile\twhen\tLucien\twas\tgone.\t\u201cAnd\twe\thave\tsome\tfor\tyou.\u201d Amren\u2019s\tsmoke-filled\teyes\tflared.\t\u201cYou\tare\tgoing\tto\tunleash\tthe\tCarver.\u201d I\tsaid\tsimply,\t\u201cYes.\u201d\tA\tone-monster\tarmy. \u201cThat\tis\timpossible.\u201d \u201cI\u2019ll\tremind\tyou\tthat\tyou,\tsweet\tAmren,\tescaped,\u201d\tRhys\tcountered\tsmoothly. \u201cAnd\thave\tstayed\tfree.\tSo\tit\tcan\tbe\tdone.\tPerhaps\tyou\tcould\ttell\tus\thow\tyou\tdid it.\u201d Cassian\t had\t stationed\t himself\t by\t the\t doorway,\t I\t realized,\t to\t be\t closer\t to Nesta.\t To\t grab\t her\t if\t Amren\t decided\t she\t didn\u2019t\t particularly\t care\t for\t where\t this conversation\twas\theaded.\tOr\tfor\tany\tof\tthe\tfurniture\tin\tthis\troom. Precisely\twhy\tRhys\tnow\tplaced\thimself\ton\tAmren\u2019s\tother\tside\u2014to\tdraw\ther attention\t away\t from\t me,\t and\t Mor\t behind\t us,\t every\t muscle\t in\t her\t lithe\t body\t on alert. Cassian\t was\t staring\t at\t Nesta\u2014hard\t enough\t that\t my\t sister\t at\t last\t twisted toward\thim.\tMet\this\tgaze.\tHis\thead\ttilted\u2014slightly.\tA\tsilent\torder.","Nesta,\tto\tmy\tshock,\tobeyed.\tDrifted\tover\tto\tCassian\u2019s\tside\tas\tAmren\treplied to\tRhys,\t\u201cNo.\u201d \u201cIt\twasn\u2019t\ta\trequest,\u201d\tRhys\tsaid. He\u2019d\tonce\tadmitted\tthat\tmerely\tquestioning\tAmren\thad\tbeen\tsomething\tshe\u2019d allowed\thim\tto\tdo\tonly\tin\trecent\tyears.\tBut\tgiving\ther\tan\torder,\tpushing\ther\tlike this\t\u2026 \u201cFeyre\t and\t Cassian\t spoke\t to\t the\t Bone\t Carver.\t He\t wants\t the\t Ouroboros\t in exchange\t for\t serving\t us\u2014fighting\t Hybern\t for\t us.\t But\t we\t need\t you\t to\t explain how\tto\tget\thim\tout.\u201d\tThe\tbargain\tRhys\tor\tI\twould\tstrike\twith\thim\twould\tsuffice to\thold\thim\tto\tour\twill. \u201cAnything\telse?\u201d\tHer\tvoice\twas\ttoo\tcalm,\ttoo\tsweet. \u201cWhen\t we\u2019re\t done\t with\t all\t of\t this,\u201d\t Rhys\t said,\t \u201cthen\t my\t promise\t from months\tago\tstill\tholds:\tuse\tthe\tBook\tto\tsend\tyourself\thome,\tif\tyou\twant.\u201d Amren\t stared\t up\t at\t him.\t It\t was\t so\t quiet\t that\t the\t clock\t on\t the\t sitting\t room mantel\tcould\tbe\theard.\tAnd\tbeyond\tthat\u2014the\tfountain\tin\tthe\tgarden\u2014 \u201cCall\toff\tyour\tdog,\u201d\tAmren\tsaid\twith\tthat\tlethal\ttone. Because\t the\t shadow\t in\t the\t corner\t behind\t Amren\t \u2026\t that\t was\t Azriel.\t The obsidian\t hilt\t of\t Truth-Teller\t in\t his\t scarred\t hand.\t He\u2019d\t moved\t without\t my realizing\tit\u2014though\tI\thad\tno\tdoubt\tthe\tothers\thad\tlikely\tbeen\taware. Amren\tbared\ther\tteeth\tat\thim.\tAzriel\u2019s\tbeautiful\tface\tdidn\u2019t\tso\tmuch\tas\tshift. Rhys\tremained\twhere\the\twas\tas\the\tasked\tAmren,\t\u201cWhy\twon\u2019t\tyou\ttell\tus?\u201d Cassian\t casually\t slid\t Nesta\t behind\t him,\t his\t fingers\t snagging\t in\t the\t skirts\t of her\tblack\tgown.\tAs\tif\tto\treassure\thimself\tthat\tshe\twasn\u2019t\tin\tAmren\u2019s\tdirect\tpath. Nesta\tonly\trose\tonto\ther\ttoes\tto\tpeer\tover\this\tshoulder. \u201cBecause\t the\tstone\tbeneath\tthis\thouse\thas\tears,\tthe\twind\thas\tears\u2014all\tof\t it listening,\u201d\tAmren\tsaid.\t\u201cAnd\tif\tit\treports\tback\t\u2026\tThey\twill\tremember,\tRhysand, that\t they\t have\t not\t caught\t me.\t And\t I\t will\t not\t let\t them\t put\t me\t in\t that\t black\t pit again.\u201d My\tears\thollowed\tout\tas\ta\tshield\tclicked\tinto\tplace.\t\u201cNo\tone\twill\thear\tbeyond this\troom.\u201d Amren\t surveyed\t the\t books\t lying\t forgotten\t on\t the\t low\t table\t in\t the\t sitting room. Her\t brows\t narrowed.\t \u201cI\t had\t to\t give\t something\t up.\t I\t had\t to\t give\t me\t up.\t To walk\t out,\t I\t had\t to\t become\t something\t else\t entirely,\t something\t the\t Prison\t would","not\trecognize.\tSo\tI\u2014I\tbound\tmyself\tinto\tthis\tbody.\u201d I\u2019d\tnever\theard\ther\tstumble\tover\ta\tword\tbefore. \u201cYou\tsaid\tsomeone\telse\tbound\tyou,\u201d\tRhys\tquestioned\tcarefully. \u201cI\tlied\u2014to\tcover\twhat\tI\u2019d\tdone.\tSo\tnone\tcould\tknow.\tTo\tescape\tthe\tPrison,\tI made\tmyself\tmortal.\tImmortal\tas\tyou\tare,\tbut\t\u2026\tmortal\tcompared\tto\u2014to\twhat\tI was.\tAnd\twhat\tI\twas\t\u2026\tI\tdid\tnot\tfeel,\tthe\tway\tyou\tdo.\tThe\tway\tI\tdo\tnow.\tSome things\u2014loyalty\tand\twrath\tand\tcuriosity\u2014but\tnot\tthe\tfull\tspectrum.\u201d\tAgain,\tthat faraway\tlook.\t\u201cI\twas\tperfect,\taccording\tto\tsome.\tI\tdid\tnot\tregret,\tdid\tnot\tmourn \u2014and\tpain\t\u2026\tI\tdid\tnot\texperience\tit.\tAnd\tyet\t\u2026\tyet\tI\twound\tup\there,\tbecause\tI was\t not\t quite\t like\t the\t others.\t Even\t as\u2014as\t what\t I\t was,\t I\t was\t different.\t Too curious.\tToo\tquestioning.\tThe\tday\tthe\trip\tappeared\tin\tthe\tsky\t\u2026\tit\twas\tcuriosity that\tdrove\tme.\tMy\tbrothers\tand\tsisters\tfled.\tUpon\tthe\torders\tof\tour\truler,\twe\thad just\tlaid\twaste\tto\ttwin\tcities,\tsmote\tthem\twholly\tinto\trubble\ton\tthe\tplain,\tand\tyet they\t fled\t from\t that\t rip\t in\t the\t world.\t But\t I\t wanted\t to\t look.\t I\t wanted.\tI\twas\tnot built\tor\tbred\tto\tfeel\tsuch\tselfish\tthings\tas\twant.\tI\u2019d\tseen\twhat\thappened\tto\tthose of\tmy\tkind\twho\tstrayed,\twho\tlearned\tto\tplace\ttheir\tneeds\tfirst.\tWho\tdeveloped \u2026\tfeeling.\tBut\tI\twent\tthrough\tthe\ttear\tin\tthe\tsky.\tAnd\there\tI\tam.\u201d \u201cAnd\tyou\tgave\tall\tthat\tup\tto\tget\tout\tof\tthe\tPrison?\u201d\tMor\tasked\tsoftly. \u201cI\t yielded\t my\t grace\u2014my\t perfect\t immortality.\t I\t knew\t that\t once\t I\t did\t \u2026\t I would\tfeel\tpain.\tAnd\tregret.\tI\twould\twant,\tand\tI\twould\tburn\twith\tit.\tI\twould\t\u2026 fall.\tBut\tI\twas\u2014the\ttime\tlocked\taway\tdown\tthere\t\u2026\tI\tdidn\u2019t\tcare.\tI\thad\tnot\tfelt the\twind\ton\tmy\tface,\thad\tnot\tsmelled\tthe\train\t\u2026\tI\tdid\tnot\teven\tremember\twhat they\tfelt\tlike.\tI\tdid\tnot\tremember\tsunlight.\u201d It\t was\t to\t Azriel\t that\t her\t attention\t drifted\u2014the\t shadowsinger\u2019s\t darkness pulling\taway\tto\treveal\teyes\tfull\tof\tunderstanding.\tLocked\taway. \u201cSo\tI\tbound\tmyself\tinto\tthis\tbody.\tI\tshoved\tmy\tburning\tgrace\tdeep\tinto\tme.\tI gave\tup\teverything\tI\twas.\tThe\tcell\tdoor\tjust\t\u2026\tunlocked.\tAnd\tso\tI\twalked\tout.\u201d A\t burning\t grace\t \u2026\t That\t still\t smoldered\t far\t within\t her,\t visible\t only\t through the\tsmoke\tin\ther\tgray\teyes. \u201cThat\t will\t be\t the\t cost\t of\t freeing\t the\t Carver,\u201d\t Amren\t said.\t \u201cYou\t will\t have\t to bind\t him\t into\t a\t body.\t Make\t him\t \u2026\t Fae.\t And\t I\t doubt\t he\t will\t agree\t to\t it. Especially\twithout\tthe\tOuroboros.\u201d We\twere\tsilent. \u201cYou\t should\t have\t asked\t me\t before\t you\t went,\u201d\t she\t said,\t that\t sharpness","returning\tto\ther\ttone.\t\u201cI\twould\thave\tspared\tyou\tthe\tvisit.\u201d Rhysand\tswallowed.\t\u201cCan\tyou\tbe\u2014unbound?\u201d \u201cNot\tby\tme.\u201d \u201cWhat\twould\thappen\tif\tyou\twere?\u201d Amren\tstared\tat\thim\tfor\ta\tlong\twhile.\tThen\tme.\tCassian.\tAzriel.\tMor.\tNesta. Finally\tback\tto\tmy\tmate.\t\u201cI\twould\tnot\tremember\tyou.\tI\twould\tnot\tcare\tfor\tany of\tyou.\tI\twould\teither\tsmite\tyou\tor\tabandon\tyou.\tWhat\tI\tfeel\tnow\t\u2026\tit\twould\tbe foreign\t to\t me\u2014it\t would\t hold\t no\t sway.\t Everything\t I\t am,\t this\t body\t \u2026\t it\t would cease\tto\tbe.\u201d \u201cWhat\twere\tyou,\u201d\tNesta\tbreathed,\tcoming\taround\tCassian\tto\tstand\tat\this\tside. Amren\t toyed\t with\t one\t of\t her\t black\t pearl\t earrings.\t \u201cA\t messenger\u2014and soldier-assassin.\tFor\ta\twrathful\tgod\twho\truled\ta\tyoung\tworld.\u201d I\t could\t feel\t the\t questions\t of\t the\t others\t brewing.\t Rhys\u2019s\t eyes\t were\t near- glowing\twith\tthem. \u201cWas\tAmren\tyour\tname?\u201d\tNesta\tasked. \u201cNo.\u201d\t The\t smoke\t swirled\t in\t her\t eyes.\t \u201cI\t do\t not\t remember\t the\t name\t I\t was given.\tI\tused\tAmren\tbecause\u2014it\u2019s\ta\tlong\tstory.\u201d I\talmost\tbegged\ther\tto\ttell\tit,\tbut\tsoft\tfootsteps\tthudded,\tand\tthen\u2014 \u201cOh.\u201d Elain\tstarted\u2014enough\tso\tthat\tI\trealized\tshe\tcouldn\u2019t\thear\tus.\tHad\tno\tidea\twe were\there,\tthanks\tto\tthe\tshield\tthat\tkept\tsound\tfrom\tescaping. It\tinstantly\tdropped.\tBut\tmy\tsister\tremained\tnear\tthe\tstairs.\tShe\u2019d\tcovered\ther nightgown\twith\ta\tsilk\tshawl\tof\tpalest\tblue,\ther\tfingers\tgrappling\tinto\tthe\tfabric as\tshe\theld\therself. I\twent\tto\ther\timmediately.\t\u201cDo\tyou\tneed\tanything?\u201d \u201cNo.\tI\t\u2026\tI\twas\tsleeping,\tbut\tI\theard\t\u2026\u201d\tShe\tshook\ther\thead.\tBlinked\tat\tour formal\tattire,\tthe\tdark\tcrown\tatop\tmy\thead\u2014and\tRhysand\u2019s.\t\u201cI\tdidn\u2019t\thear\tyou.\u201d Azriel\tstepped\tforward.\t\u201cBut\tyou\theard\tsomething\telse.\u201d Elain\tseemed\tabout\tto\tnod,\tbut\tonly\tbacked\taway.\t\u201cI\tthink\tI\twas\tdreaming,\u201d she\tmurmured.\t\u201cI\tthink\tI\u2019m\talways\tdreaming\tthese\tdays.\u201d \u201cLet\tme\tget\tyou\tsome\thot\tmilk,\u201d\tI\tsaid,\tputting\ta\thand\ton\ther\telbow\tto\tguide her\tinto\tthe\tsitting\troom. But\t Elain\t shook\t me\t off,\t heading\t back\t to\t the\t stairs.\t She\t said\t as\t she\t climbed the\tfirst\tsteps,\t\u201cI\tcan\thear\ther\u2014crying.\u201d","I\tgripped\tthe\tbottom\tpost\tof\tthe\tbanister.\t\u201cWho?\u201d \u201cEveryone\t thinks\t she\u2019s\t dead.\u201d\t Elain\t kept\t walking.\t \u201cBut\t she\u2019s\t not.\t Only\u2014 different.\tChanged.\tAs\tI\twas.\u201d \u201cWho,\u201d\tI\tpushed. But\t Elain\t continued\t up\t the\t stairs,\t that\t shawl\t drooping\t down\t her\t back.\t Nesta stalked\tfrom\tCassian\u2019s\tside\tto\tapproach\tmy\town.\tWe\tboth\tsucked\tin\ta\tbreath,\tto say\twhat,\tI\tdidn\u2019t\tknow\tbut\u2014 \u201cWhat\tdid\tyou\tsee,\u201d\tAzriel\tsaid,\tand\tI\ttried\tnot\tto\tflinch\tas\tI\tfound\thim\tat\tmy other\tside,\tnot\thaving\tseen\thim\tmove.\tAgain. Elain\tpaused\thalfway\tup\tthe\tstairs.\tSlowly,\tshe\tturned\tto\tlook\tback\tat\thim.\t\u201cI saw\tyoung\thands\twither\twith\tage.\tI\tsaw\ta\tbox\tof\tblack\tstone.\tI\tsaw\ta\tfeather\tof fire\tland\ton\tsnow\tand\tmelt\tit.\u201d My\tstomach\tdropped\tto\tthe\tfloor.\tOne\tglance\tat\tNesta\tconfirmed\tthat\tshe\tfelt it,\ttoo.\tSaw\tit. Mad.\tElain\tmight\tvery\twell\thave\tgone\tmad\u2014 \u201cIt\t was\t angry,\u201d\t Elain\t said\t quietly.\t \u201cIt\t was\t so,\t so\t angry\t that\t something\t was taken.\tSo\tit\ttook\tsomething\tfrom\tthem\tas\tpunishment.\u201d We\tsaid\tnothing.\tI\tdidn\u2019t\tknow\twhat\tto\tsay\u2014what\tto\teven\task\tor\tdemand.\tIf the\tCauldron\thad\tdone\tsomething\tto\ther\tas\twell\t\u2026 I\tfaced\tAzriel,\texposing\tmy\tpalms\tto\thim.\t\u201cWhat\tdoes\tthat\tmean?\u201d Azriel\u2019s\t hazel\t eyes\t churned\t as\t he\t studied\t my\t sister,\t her\t too-thin\t body.\t And without\t a\t word,\t he\t winnowed\t away.\t Mor\t watched\t the\t space\t where\t he\u2019d\t been standing\tlong\tafter\the\twas\tgone. I\twaited\tuntil\tthe\tothers\thad\tleft\u2014Cassian\tand\tRhys\tslipping\taway\tto\tponder\tthe possibilities\tor\tlack\tthereof\tof\tour\twould-be\tallies,\tAmren\tstorming\toff\tto\tbe\trid of\t us\t entirely,\t and\t Mor\t striding\t out\t to\t enjoy\t what\t she\t deemed\t as\t her\t last\t few days\tof\tpeace\tin\tthis\tcity,\ta\tbrittleness\tstill\tin\ther\tvoice\u2014before\tI\tcornered\tNesta in\tthe\tsitting\troom. \u201cWhat\t happened\t at\t the\t Hewn\t City\u2014with\t you\t and\t Amren?\t You\t didn\u2019t mention\tit.\u201d \u201cIt\twas\tfine.\u201d I\tclenched\tmy\tjaw.\t\u201cWhat\thappened?\u201d","\u201cShe\t brought\t me\t to\t a\t room\t full\t of\t treasure.\t Strange\t objects.\t And\t it\t \u2026\u201d\t She tugged\t at\t the\t tight\t sleeve\t of\t her\t gown.\t \u201cSome\t of\t it\t wanted\t to\t hurt\t us.\t As\t if\t it were\talive\u2014aware.\tLike\t\u2026\tlike\tin\tall\tthose\tstories\tand\tlies\twe\twere\tfed\tover\tthe wall.\u201d \u201cAre\tyou\tall\tright?\u201d\tI\tcouldn\u2019t\tfind\tany\tsigns\tof\tharm\ton\teither\tof\tthem,\tand neither\thad\tsaid\tanything\tto\tsuggest\u2014 \u201cIt\twas\ta\ttraining\texercise.\tWith\ta\tform\tof\tmagic\tdesigned\tto\trepel\tintruders.\u201d The\twords\twere\trecited.\t\u201cAs\tthe\twall\twill\tlikely\tbe.\tShe\twanted\tme\tto\tbreach\tthe defenses\u2014find\tweaknesses.\u201d \u201cAnd\trepair\tthem?\u201d \u201cJust\t find\t the\t weaknesses.\t Repairing\t is\t another\t thing,\u201d\t Nesta\t said,\t her\t eyes going\t distant\t as\t she\t frowned\t at\t the\t still-open\t books\t on\t the\t low\t table\t before\t the fireplace. I\tsighed.\t\u201cSo\t\u2026\tthat\twent\tright,\tat\tleast.\u201d Those\teyes\twent\trazor-sharp\tagain.\t\u201cI\tfailed.\tEvery\ttime.\tSo,\tno.\tIt\tdid\tnot\tgo right.\u201d I\tdidn\u2019t\tknow\twhat\tto\tsay.\tSympathy\twould\tlikely\tearn\tme\ta\ttongue-lashing. So\tI\topted\tfor\tanother\troute.\t\u201cWe\tneed\tto\tdo\tsomething\tabout\tElain.\u201d Nesta\t stiffened.\t \u201cAnd\t what\t solution\t do\t you\t propose,\t exactly?\t Letting\t your mate\tinto\ther\tmind\tto\tscramble\tthings\taround?\u201d \u201cI\u2019d\tnever\tdo\tthat.\tI\tdon\u2019t\tthink\tRhys\tcan\teven\t\u2026\tfix\tthings\tlike\tthat.\u201d Nesta\tpaced\tin\tfront\tof\tthe\tdarkened\tfireplace.\t\u201cEverything\thas\ta\tcost.\tMaybe the\tcost\tof\ther\tyouth\tand\timmortality\twas\tlosing\tpart\tof\ther\tsanity.\u201d My\t knees\t wobbled\t enough\t that\t I\t took\t a\t seat\t on\t the\t deep-cushioned\t couch. \u201cWhat\twas\tyour\tcost?\u201d Nesta\tstopped\tmoving.\t\u201cPerhaps\tit\twas\tto\tsee\tElain\tsuffer\u2014while\tI\tgot\taway unscathed.\u201d I\tshot\tto\tmy\tfeet.\t\u201cNesta\u2014\u201d \u201cDon\u2019t\tbother.\u201d\tBut\tI\ttrailed\ther\tas\tshe\tstrode\tfor\tthe\tstairs.\tTo\twhere\tLucien was\tnow\tdescending\tthe\tsteps\u2014and\twinced\tat\tthe\tsight\tof\ther\tapproach. He\t gave\t her\t a\t wide\t berth\t as\t she\t stormed\t past\t him.\t One\t look\t at\t his\t taut\t face had\tme\tbracing\tmyself\u2014and\treturning\tto\tthe\tsitting\troom. I\tslumped\tinto\tthe\tnearest\tarmchair,\tsurprised\tto\tfind\tmyself\tstill\tin\tmy\tblack dress\tas\tthe\tfabric\tscraped\tagainst\tmy\tbare\tskin.\tHow\tlong\thad\tI\tbeen\tback\tfrom","the\t Hewn\t City?\t Thirty\t minutes?\t Less?\t And\t had\t the\t Prison\t only\t been\t that morning? It\t felt\t like\t days\t ago.\t I\t rested\t my\t head\t against\t the\t embroidered\t back\t of\t the chair\t and\t watched\t Lucien\t take\t a\t seat\t on\t the\t rolled\t arm\t of\t the\t nearest\t couch. \u201cLong\tday?\u201d I\tgrunted\tmy\tresponse. That\tmetal\teye\ttightened.\t\u201cI\tthought\tthe\tPrison\twas\tanother\tmyth.\u201d \u201cWell,\tit\u2019s\tnot.\u201d He\t weighed\t my\t tone,\t and\t crossed\t his\t arms.\t \u201cLet\t me\t do\t something.\t About Elain.\t I\t heard\u2014from\t my\t room.\t Everything\t that\t happened\t just\t now.\t It\t wouldn\u2019t hurt\tto\thave\ta\thealer\tlook\ther\tover.\tExternally\tand\tinternally.\u201d I\t was\t tired\t enough\t that\t I\t could\t barely\t summon\t the\t breath\t to\t ask,\t \u201cDo\t you think\tthe\tCauldron\tmade\ther\tinsane?\u201d \u201cI\t think\t she\t went\t through\t something\t terrible,\u201d\t Lucien\t countered\t carefully. \u201cAnd\tit\twouldn\u2019t\thurt\tto\thave\tyour\tbest\thealer\tdo\ta\tthorough\texamination.\u201d I\trubbed\tmy\thand\tover\tmy\tface.\t\u201cAll\tright.\u201d\tMy\tbreath\tsnagged\ton\tthe\twords. \u201cTomorrow\t morning.\u201d\t I\t managed\t a\t shallow\t nod,\t rallying\t my\t strength\t to\t rise from\tthe\tchair.\tHeavy\u2014there\twas\tan\told\theaviness\tin\tme.\tLike\tI\tcould\tsleep\tfor a\thundred\tyears\tand\tit\twouldn\u2019t\tbe\tenough. \u201cPlease\t tell\t me,\u201d\t Lucien\t said\t when\t I\t crossed\t the\t threshold\t into\t the\t foyer. \u201cWhat\tthe\thealer\tsays.\tAnd\tif\u2014if\tyou\tneed\tme\tfor\tanything.\u201d I\tgave\thim\tone\tfinal\tnod,\tspeech\tsuddenly\tbeyond\tme. I\tknew\tNesta\tstill\twasn\u2019t\tasleep\tas\tI\twalked\tpast\ther\troom.\tKnew\tshe\u2019d\theard every\tword\tof\tour\tconversation\tthanks\tto\tthat\tFae\thearing.\tAnd\tI\tknew\tshe\theard as\t I\t listened\t at\t Elain\u2019s\t door,\t knocked\t once,\t and\t poked\t my\t head\t in\t to\t find\t her asleep\u2014breathing. I\tsent\ta\trequest\tto\tMadja,\tRhysand\u2019s\tpreferred\thealer,\tto\tcome\tthe\tnext\tday\tat eleven.\t I\t did\t not\t explain\t why\t or\t who\t or\t what.\t Then\t went\t into\t my\t bedroom, crawled\tonto\tthe\tmattress,\tand\tcried. I\tdidn\u2019t\treally\tknow\twhy. Strong,\t broad\t hands\t rubbed\t down\t my\t spine,\t and\t I\t opened\t my\t eyes\t to\t find\t the room\t wholly\t black,\t Rhysand\t perched\t on\t the\t mattress\t beside\t me.\t \u201cDo\t you\t want","anything\tto\teat?\u201d\tHis\tvoice\twas\tsoft\u2014tentative. I\t didn\u2019t\t raise\t my\t head\t from\t the\t pillow.\t \u201cI\t feel\t \u2026\t heavy\t again,\u201d\t I\t breathed, voice\tbreaking. Rhys\t said\t nothing\t as\t he\t gathered\t me\t up\t into\t his\t arms.\t He\t was\t still\t in\t his jacket,\tas\tif\the\u2019d\tjust\tcome\tin\tfrom\twherever\the\u2019d\tbeen\ttalking\twith\tCassian. In\tthe\tdark,\tI\tbreathed\tin\this\tscent,\tsavored\this\twarmth.\t\u201cAre\tyou\tall\tright?\u201d Rhys\twas\tquiet\tfor\ta\tlong\tminute.\t\u201cNo.\u201d I\tslid\tmy\tarms\taround\thim,\tholding\thim\ttightly. \u201cI\tshould\thave\tfound\tanother\tway,\u201d\the\tsaid. I\tstroked\tmy\tfingers\tthrough\this\tsilken\thair. Rhys\t murmured,\t \u201cIf\t she\t \u2026\u201d\t His\t swallow\t was\t audible.\t \u201cIf\t she\t showed\t up\t at this\thouse\t\u2026\u201d\tI\tknew\twho\the\tmeant.\t\u201cI\twould\tkill\ther.\tWithout\teven\tletting\ther speak.\tI\twould\tkill\ther.\u201d \u201cI\tknow.\u201d\tI\twould,\ttoo. \u201cYou\tasked\tme\tat\tthe\tlibrary,\u201d\the\twhispered.\t\u201cWhy\tI\t\u2026\tWhy\tI\u2019d\trather\ttake all\t of\t this\t upon\t myself.\t Tonight\t is\t why.\t Seeing\t Mor\t cry\t is\t why.\t I\t made\t a\t bad call.\t Tried\t to\t find\t some\t other\t way\t around\t this\t shithole\t we\u2019re\t in.\u201d\t And\t had\t lost something\u2014Mor\thad\tlost\tsomething\u2014in\tthe\tprocess. We\t held\t each\t other\t in\t silence\t for\t minutes.\t Hours.\t Two\t souls,\t twining\t in\t the dark.\tI\tlowered\tmy\tshields,\tlet\thim\tin\tfully.\tHis\tmind\tcurled\taround\tmine. \u201cWould\tyou\trisk\tlooking\tinto\tit\u2014the\tOuroboros?\u201d\tI\tasked. \u201cNot\tyet,\u201d\twas\tall\tRhys\tsaid,\tholding\tme\ttighter.\t\u201cNot\tyet.\u201d","CHAPTER 28 I\tdragged\tmyself\tout\tof\tbed\tby\tsheer\twill\tthe\tnext\tmorning. Amren\t had\t said\t the\t Carver\t wouldn\u2019t\t bind\t himself\t into\t a\t Fae\t body\u2014had claimed\tthat. But\tit\twouldn\u2019t\thurt\tto\ttry.\tIf\tit\tgave\tus\tthe\tslightest\tchance\tof\tholding\tout,\tof keeping\tRhys\tfrom\tgiving\teverything\t\u2026 He\t was\t already\t gone\t by\t the\t time\t I\t awoke.\t I\t gritted\t my\t teeth\t as\t I\t dressed\t in my\tleathers\tand\twinnowed\tto\tthe\tHouse\tof\tWind. I\thad\tmy\twings\tready\tas\tI\thit\tthe\twards\tprotecting\tit,\tand\tmanaged\ta\tdecent- enough\tglide\tinto\tthe\topen-air\ttraining\tring\ton\tits\tflat\ttop. Cassian\t was\t already\t waiting,\t hands\t on\t his\t hips.\t Watching\t as\t I\t eased\t down, down\t\u2026 Too\tfast.\tMy\tfeet\tskipped\tover\tthe\tdirt,\tbouncing\tme\tup,\tup\u2014 \u201cBackflap\u2014\u201d His\twarning\twas\ttoo\tlate. I\t slammed\t into\t a\t wall\t of\t crimson\t before\t I\t could\t get\t a\t face\t full\t of\t the\t ruddy rock,\tbut\u2014I\tswore,\tpride\tskinned\tas\tmuch\tas\tmy\tpalms\tas\tI\tstaggered\tback,\tmy wings\tunwieldy\tbehind\tme.\t Cassian\u2019s\tshoulders\tshook\tas\the\treined\tin\ta\tlaugh, and\tI\tgave\thim\ta\tvulgar\tgesture\tin\treturn. \u201cIf\tyou\tgo\tin\tfor\ta\tlanding\tthat\tway,\tmake\tsure\tyou\thave\troom.\u201d I\tscowled.\t\u201cLesson\tlearned.\u201d \u201cOr\tspace\tto\tbank\tand\tcircle\tuntil\tyou\tslow\u2014\u201d \u201cI\tget\tit.\u201d Cassian\t held\t up\t his\t hands,\t but\t the\t amusement\t faded\t as\t he\t watched\t me dismiss\t the\t wings\t and\t stalk\t toward\t him.\t \u201cYou\t want\t to\t go\t hard\t today,\t or\t take\t it","easy?\u201d I\t didn\u2019t\t think\t the\t others\t gave\t him\t enough\t credit\u2014for\t noticing\t the\t shift\t in someone\u2019s\temotional\tcurrent.\tTo\tcommand\tlegions,\tI\tsupposed,\the\tneeded\tto\tbe able\tto\tread\tthat\tsort\tof\tthing,\tjudge\twhen\this\tsoldiers\tor\tenemies\twere\tstrong\tor breaking\tor\tbroken. I\tpeered\tinside,\tto\tthat\tplace\twhere\tI\tnow\tfelt\tlike\tquicksand,\tand\tsaid,\t\u201cHard. I\t want\t to\t limp\t out\t of\t here.\u201d\t I\t peeled\t off\t the\t leather\t jacket\t and\t rolled\t up\t the sleeves\tof\tmy\twhite\tshirt. Cassian\tswept\tan\tassessing\tstare\tover\tme.\tHe\tmurmured,\t\u201cIt\thelps\tme,\ttoo\u2014 the\tphysical\tactivity,\tthe\ttraining.\u201d\tHe\trolled\this\tshoulders\tas\tI\tbegan\tto\tstretch. \u201cIt\u2019s\talways\thelped\tme\tfocus\tand\tcenter\tmyself.\tAnd\tafter\tlast\tnight\t\u2026\u201d\tHe\ttied back\this\tdark\thair.\t\u201cI\tdefinitely\tneed\tit\u2014this.\u201d I\t held\t my\t leg\t folded\t behind\t me,\t my\t muscles\t protesting\t at\t the\t stretch.\t \u201cI suppose\tthere\tare\tworse\tmethods\tof\tcoping.\u201d A\tlopsided\tgrin.\t\u201cIndeed\tthere\tare.\u201d Azriel\u2019s\t lesson\t afterward\t consisted\t of\t standing\t in\t a\t breeze\t and\t trying\t to memorize\t his\t instructions\t on\t currents\t and\t downdrafts,\t on\t how\t heat\t and\t cold could\tshape\twind\tand\tspeed.\tThroughout\tit,\the\twas\tquiet\u2014removed.\tEven\tby\this standards. I\tmade\tthe\tmistake\tof\tasking\tif\the\u2019d\tspoken\tto\tMor\tsince\the\u2019d\tleft\tlast\tnight. No,\the\thad\tnot.\tAnd\tthat\twas\tthat. Even\t if\t he\t kept\t flexing\t his\t scarred\t hand\t at\t his\t side.\t As\t if\t recalling\t the sensation\tof\tthe\thand\tshe\u2019d\twhipped\tfree\tof\this\ttouch\tduring\tthat\tmeeting.\tOver and\t over.\t I\t didn\u2019t\t dare\t tell\t him\t that\t he\u2019d\t made\t the\t right\t call\u2014that\t perhaps\t he should\t talk\t to\t Mor,\t rather\t than\t let\t the\t guilt\t eat\t at\t him.\t The\t two\t of\t them\t had enough\tbetween\tthem\twithout\tme\tshoving\tmyself\tinto\tit. I\t was\t indeed\t limping\t by\t the\t time\t I\t returned\t to\t the\t town\t house\t hours\t later, finding\tMor\tat\tthe\tdining\ttable,\tmunching\ton\ta\tgiant\tpastry\tshe\u2019d\tgrabbed\tfrom\ta bakery\ton\ther\tway\tin. \u201cYou\tlook\tlike\ta\tteam\tof\thorses\ttrampled\tyou,\u201d\tshe\tsaid\taround\ther\tfood. \u201cGood,\u201d\t I\t said,\t taking\t the\t pastry\t out\t of\t her\t hand\t and\t finishing\t it\t off.\t She squawked\tin\toutrage,\tbut\tsnapped\ther\tfingers,\tand\ta\tplate\tof\tcarved\tmelon\tfrom","the\tkitchen\tdown\tthe\thall\tappeared\ton\tthe\tpolished\ttable\tbefore\ther. Right\tatop\tthe\tpile\tof\twhat\tlooked\tto\tbe\tletters\ton\tvarious\tpieces\tof\tstationery. \u201cWhat\u2019s\tthat?\u201d\tI\tsaid,\twiping\tthe\tcrumbs\tfrom\tmy\tmouth. \u201cThe\tfirst\tof\tthe\tHigh\tLords\u2019\tresponses,\u201d\tshe\tsaid\tsweetly,\tplucking\tup\ta\tslice of\tthe\tgreen\tfruit\tand\tbiting\toff\ta\tchunk.\tNo\thint\tof\tlast\tnight\u2019s\trage\tand\tfear. \u201cThat\tpleasant,\thmm?\u201d \u201cHelion\u2019s\t came\t first\t this\t morning.\t Between\t all\t the\t innuendo,\t I\t think\t he\t said he\u2019d\tbe\twilling\tto\t\u2026\tjoin\tus.\u201d I\tlifted\tmy\tbrows.\t\u201cThat\u2019s\tgood\u2014isn\u2019t\tit?\u201d A\tshrug.\t\u201cHelion,\twe\tweren\u2019t\tworried\tabout.\tThe\tother\ttwo\t\u2026\u201d\tShe\tfinished off\t the\t melon,\t chewing\t wetly.\t \u201cThesan\t says\t he\u2019ll\t come,\t but\t won\u2019t\t do\t it\t unless it\u2019s\tin\ta\ttruly\tneutral\tand\tsafe\tlocation.\tKallias\t\u2026\the\tdoesn\u2019t\ttrust\tany\tof\tus\tafter \u2026\tUnder\tthe\tMountain.\tHe\twants\tto\tbring\tarmed\tguards.\u201d Day,\tDawn,\tand\tWinter.\tOur\tclosest\tallies.\t\u201cNo\tword\tfrom\tanyone\telse?\u201d\tMy gut\ttightened. \u201cNo.\tSpring,\tAutumn,\tand\tSummer\thaven\u2019t\tsent\ta\treply.\u201d \u201cWe\t don\u2019t\t have\t much\t time\t until\t the\t meeting.\t What\t if\t they\t refuse\t to\t reply\t at all?\u201d\tI\tdidn\u2019t\thave\tthe\tnerve\tto\twonder\taloud\tif\tEris\twould\tbe\tgood\tto\this\tword and\tmake\tsure\this\tfather\tattended\u2014and\tjoined\tour\tcause.\tNot\twith\tthe\tlight\tback in\ther\tface. Mor\tpicked\tup\tanother\tslice\tof\tmelon.\t\u201cThen\twe\u2019ll\thave\tto\tdecide\tif\tRhys\tand I\t will\t go\t drag\t them\t by\t their\t necks\t to\t this\t meeting,\t or\t if\t we\u2019ll\t have\t it\t without them.\u201d \u201cI\u2019d\t suggest\t the\t second\t option.\u201d\t Mor\t furrowed\t her\t brows.\t \u201cThe\t first,\u201d\t I clarified,\t\u201cdoesn\u2019t\tsound\tconducive\tto\tactually\tforming\tan\talliance.\u201d Though\tI\twas\t surprised\t that\tTarquin\t hadn\u2019t\tresponded.\tEven\twith\this\tblood feud\twith\tus\t\u2026\tThe\tmale\tI\u2019d\tmet,\twhom\tI\tstill\tadmired\tso\tmuch\t\u2026\tSurely\the\u2019d want\t to\t ally\t against\t Hybern.\t Unless\t he\t now\t wanted\t to\t ally\t with\t them\t to\t ensure Rhys\tand\tI\twere\twiped\toff\tthe\tmap\tforever. \u201cWe\u2019ll\tsee,\u201d\twas\tall\tMor\tsaid. I\tblew\tout\ta\tbreath\tthrough\tmy\tnose.\t\u201cAbout\tlast\tnight\u2014\u201d \u201cIt\u2019s\t fine.\t It\u2019s\t nothing.\u201d\t The\t swiftness\t with\t which\t she\t spoke\t suggested anything\tbut. \u201cIt\u2019s\tnot\tnothing.\tYou\u2019re\tallowed\tto\tfeel\tthat\tway.\u201d","Mor\tfluffed\ther\thair.\t\u201cWell,\tit\twon\u2019t\thelp\tus\twin\tthis\twar.\u201d \u201cNo.\tBut\t\u2026\tI\u2019m\tnot\tsure\twhat\tto\tsay.\u201d Mor\t stared\t toward\t the\t window\t for\t a\t long\t moment.\t \u201cI\t understand\t why\t Rhys did\t it.\t The\t position\t we\t were\t in.\t Eris\t is\t \u2026\t You\t know\t what\t he\t is\t like.\t And\t if\t he was\t indeed\t threatening\t to\t sell\t information\t about\t your\t gifts\t to\t his\t father\t \u2026 Mother\t above,\t I\t would\t have\t made\t the\t same\t bargain\t with\t Eris\t to\t keep\t Beron from\thunting\tyou.\u201d\tSomething\tin\tmy\tchest\teased\tat\tthat.\t\u201cIt\u2019s\tjust\t\u2026\tMy\tfather knew\u2014the\tsecond\the\theard\tof\tthis\tplace,\the\tprobably\tknew\twhat\tit\tmeant\tto\tme. There\t would\t have\t been\t no\t other\t asking\t price\t for\t my\t father\u2019s\t help\t in\t this\t war. None.\tRhys\tknew\tthat\tas\twell.\tTried\tto\tbring\tEris\tinto\tit\tto\tsweeten\tthe\tdeal\tfor my\tfather\u2014to\tpossibly\tavoid\tthis\toutcome\twith\tVelaris\taltogether.\u201d I\traised\tmy\tbrows\tin\tsilent\tquestion. \u201cWe\ttalked\u2014Rhys\tand\tI.\tThis\tmorning.\tWhile\tCassian\twas\tkicking\tyour\tass.\u201d I\tsnorted.\t\u201cWhat\tabout\tAzriel?\u201d\tSo\tmuch\tfor\tmy\tdecision\tto\tstay\tout\tof\tit. Mor\tresumed\tpicking\tat\tthe\tmelon.\t\u201cAz\t\u2026\tHe\thad\ta\ttough\tcall\tto\tmake,\twhen Eris\t found\t him.\t He\t \u2026\u201d\t She\t chewed\t on\t her\t lip.\t \u201cI\t don\u2019t\t know\t why\t I\t expected him\tto\tside\twith\tme,\twhy\tit\tcaught\tme\tso\toff\tguard.\u201d\tI\trefrained\tfrom\tsuggesting she\ttell\thim\tthat.\tMor\tshrugged.\t\u201cIt\tjust\t\u2026\tit\tall\ttook\tme\tby\tsurprise.\tAnd\tI\twill never\t be\t happy\t about\t any\t of\t these\t terms,\t but\t \u2026\t My\t father\t wins,\t Eris\t wins,\t all the\tmales\tlike\tthem\twin\tif\tI\tlet\tit\tget\tto\tme.\tIf\tI\tlet\tit\timpact\tmy\tjoy,\tmy\tlife.\tMy relationships\twith\tall\tof\tyou.\u201d\tShe\tsighed\tat\tthe\tceiling.\t\u201cI\thate\twar.\u201d \u201cLikewise.\u201d \u201cNot\tjust\tfor\tthe\tdeath\tand\tawfulness,\u201d\tMor\twent\ton.\t\u201cBut\tbecause\tof\twhat\tit does\tto\tus.\tThese\tdecisions.\u201d I\tnodded,\teven\tif\tI\twas\tonly\tstarting\tto\tunderstand.\tThe\tchoices\tand\tthe\tcosts. I\t opened\t my\t mouth,\t but\t a\t knock\t on\t the\t front\t door\t sounded.\t I\t glanced\t to\t the clock\tin\tthe\tsitting\troom\tacross\tthe\tfoyer.\tRight.\tThe\thealer. I\u2019d\t mentioned\t to\t Elain\t this\t morning\t that\t Madja\t was\t coming\t to\t see\t her\t at eleven,\t and\t I\u2019d\t gotten\t a\t noncommittal\t response.\t Better\t than\t outright\t refusal,\t I supposed. \u201cAre\tyou\tgoing\tto\tanswer\tthe\tdoor,\tor\tshould\tI?\u201d I\t made\t a\t vulgar\t gesture\t at\t the\t sheer\t sass\t in\t Mor\u2019s\t question,\t but\t my\t friend gripped\tmy\thand\tas\tI\trose\tfrom\tmy\tchair. \u201cIf\tyou\tneed\tanything\t\u2026\tI\u2019ll\tbe\tright\there.\u201d","I\tgave\tMor\ta\tsmall,\tgrateful\tsmile.\t\u201cAs\twill\tI.\u201d She\t was\t still\t smiling\t at\t me\t as\t I\t took\t a\t deep\t breath\t before\t heading\t for\t the entry. The\thealer\tfound\tnothing. I\tbelieved\ther\u2014if\tonly\tbecause\tMadja\twas\tone\tof\tthe\tfew\tHigh\tFae\tI\u2019d\tseen whose\tdark\tskin\twas\tetched\twith\twrinkles,\ther\thair\tspindrift\tfine\twith\tage.\tHer brown\teyes\twere\tstill\tclear\tand\tkindled\twith\tan\tinner\twarmth,\tand\t her\tknobby hands\tremained\tsteady\tas\tshe\tpassed\tthem\tover\tElain\u2019s\tbody\twhile\tmy\tsister\tlay patiently,\tsilently,\ton\tthe\tbed. Magic,\t sweet\t and\t cooling,\t had\t thrummed\t from\t the\t female,\t filling\t Elain\u2019s bedroom.\tAnd\twhen\tshe\thad\tgently\tlaid\ther\thands\ton\teither\tside\tof\tElain\u2019s\thead and\tI\u2019d\tstarted,\tMadja\thad\tonly\tsmiled\twryly\tover\ther\tthin\tshoulder\tand\ttold\tme to\trelax. Nesta,\tsharp-eyed\tin\tthe\tcorner,\thad\tkept\tquiet. After\ta\tlong\tminute,\tMadja\tasked\tus\tto\tjoin\ther\tin\tfetching\tElain\ta\tcup\tof\ttea \u2014with\t a\t pointed\t glance\t to\t the\t door.\t We\t both\t took\t the\t invitation\t and\t left\t our sister\tin\ther\tsunlit\troom. \u201cWhat\t do\t you\t mean,\t nothing\t is\t wrong\t with\t her?\u201d\t Nesta\t hissed\t under\t her breath\t as\t the\t ancient\t female\t braced\t a\t hand\t on\t the\t stair\t railing\t to\t help\t herself down.\t I\t kept\t beside\t the\t healer,\t a\t hand\t in\t easy\t reach\t of\t her\t elbow,\t should\t she need\tit. Madja,\t I\t reminded\t myself,\t had\t healed\t Cassian\t and\t Azriel\u2014and\t countless injuries\t beyond\t that.\t She\u2019d\t healed\t Rhys\u2019s\t wings\t during\t the\t War.\t She\t looked ancient,\tbut\tI\thad\tno\tdoubt\tof\ther\tstamina\u2014or\tsheer\twill\tto\thelp\ther\tpatients. Madja\tdidn\u2019t\tdeign\tto\tanswer\tNesta\tuntil\twe\twere\tat\tthe\tbottom\tof\tthe\tsteps. Lucien\twas\talready\twaiting\tin\tthe\tsitting\troom,\tMor\tstill\tlingering\tin\tthe\tdining room.\t Both\t of\t them\t rose\t to\t their\t feet,\t but\t remained\t in\t their\t respective\t rooms, flanking\tthe\tfoyer. \u201cWhat\t I\t mean,\u201d\t Madja\t said\t at\t last,\t sizing\t up\t Nesta,\t then\t me,\t \u201cis\t that\t I\t can find\t nothing\t wrong\t with\t her.\t Her\t body\t is\t fine\u2014too\t thin\t and\t in\t need\t of\t more food\tand\tfresh\tair,\tbut\tnothing\tamiss.\tAnd\tas\tfor\ther\tmind\t\u2026\tI\tcannot\tenter\tit.\u201d I\tblinked.\t\u201cShe\thas\ta\tshield?\u201d","\u201cShe\tis\tCauldron-Made,\u201d\tthe\thealer\tsaid,\tagain\tlooking\tover\tNesta.\t\u201cYou\tare not\tlike\tthe\trest\tof\tus.\tI\tcannot\tpierce\tthe\tplaces\tit\tleft\tits\tmark\tmost\tdeeply.\u201d\tThe mind.\t The\t soul.\t She\t shot\t me\t a\t warning\t glance.\t \u201cAnd\t I\t would\t not\t try\t if\t I\t were you,\tLady.\u201d \u201cBut\tdo\tyou\tthink\tthere\u2019s\tsomething\twrong,\teven\tif\tthere\tare\tno\tsigns?\u201d\tNesta pushed. \u201cI\t have\t seen\t the\t victims\t of\t trauma\t before.\t Her\t symptoms\t match\t well\t with many\t of\t those\t invisible\t wounds.\t But\t \u2026\t she\t was\t also\t Made\t by\t something\t I\t do not\t understand.\t Is\t there\t something\t wrong\t with\t her?\u201d\t Madja\t chewed\t over\t the words.\t\u201cI\tdo\tnot\tlike\tthat\tword\u2014wrong.\tDifferent,\tperhaps.\tChanged.\u201d \u201cDoes\tshe\tneed\tfurther\thelp?\u201d\tNesta\tsaid\tthrough\ther\tteeth. The\t ancient\t healer\t jerked\t her\t chin\t toward\t Lucien.\t \u201cSee\t what\t he\t can\t do.\t If anyone\tcan\tsense\tif\tsomething\tis\tamiss,\tit\u2019s\ta\tmate.\u201d \u201cHow.\u201d\tThe\tword\twas\tbarely\tmore\tthan\ta\tbarked\tcommand. I\tbraced\tmyself\tto\twarn\tNesta\tto\tbe\tpolite,\tbut\tMadja\tsaid\tto\tmy\tsister,\tas\tif she\twere\ta\tsmall\tchild,\t\u201cThe\tmating\tbond.\tIt\tis\ta\tbridge\tbetween\tsouls.\u201d The\thealer\u2019s\ttone\tmade\tmy\tsister\tstiffen,\tbut\tMadja\twas\talready\thobbling\tfor the\t front\t door.\t She\t pointed\t at\t Lucien\t as\t she\t saw\t herself\t out.\t \u201cTry\t sitting\t down with\ther.\tJust\ttalking\u2014sensing.\tSee\twhat\tyou\tpick\tup.\tBut\tdon\u2019t\tpush.\u201d\tThen\tshe was\tgone. I\twhirled\ton\tNesta.\t\u201cA\tlittle\trespect,\tNesta\u2014\u201d \u201cCall\tanother\thealer.\u201d \u201cNot\tif\tyou\u2019re\tgoing\tto\tbark\tthem\tout\tof\tthe\thouse.\u201d \u201cCall\tanother\thealer.\u201d Mor\tstrode\tfor\tus\twith\tdeceptive\tcalm,\tand\tNesta\tgave\ther\ta\twithering\tglare. I\tcaught\tLucien\u2019s\teye.\t\u201cWould\tyou\ttry\tit?\u201d Nesta\tsnarled,\t\u201cDon\u2019t\tyou\teven\tattempt\u2014\u201d \u201cBe\tquiet,\u201d\tI\tsnapped. Nesta\tblinked. I\t bared\t my\t teeth\t at\t her.\t \u201cHe\t will\t try.\t And\t if\t he\t doesn\u2019t\t find\t anything\t amiss, we\u2019ll\tconsider\tbringing\tanother\thealer.\u201d \u201cYou\u2019re\tjust\tgoing\tto\tdrag\ther\tdown\there?\u201d \u201cI\u2019m\tgoing\tto\tinvite\ther.\u201d Nesta\t faced\t Mor,\t still\t watching\t from\t the\t archway.\t \u201cAnd\t what\t will\t you\t be","doing?\u201d Mor\tgave\tmy\tsister\ta\thalf\tsmile.\t\u201cI\u2019ll\tbe\tsitting\twith\tFeyre.\tKeeping\tan\teye\ton things.\u201d Lucien\t muttered\t something\t about\t not\t needing\t to\t be\t monitored,\t and\t we\t all looked\tat\thim\twith\traised\tbrows. He\t just\t lifted\t his\t hands,\t claimed\t he\t wanted\t to\t freshen\t up,\t and\t headed\t down the\thall.","CHAPTER 29 It\twas\tthe\tmost\tuncomfortable\tthirty\tminutes\tI\tcould\trecall. Mor\tand\tI\tsipped\tchilled\tmint\ttea\tby\tthe\tbay\twindow,\tthe\treplies\tof\tthe\tthree High\t Lords\t piled\t on\t the\t little\t table\t between\t our\t twin\t chairs,\t pretending\t to\t be watching\tthe\tsummer-kissed\tstreet\tbeyond\tus,\tthe\tchildren,\tHigh\tFae\tand\tfaerie, darting\tabout\twith\tkites\tand\tstreamers\tand\tall\tmanner\tof\ttoys. Pretending,\twhile\tLucien\tand\tElain\tsat\tin\tstilted\tsilence\tby\tthe\tdim\tfireplace, an\tuntouched\ttea\tservice\tbetween\tthem.\tI\tdidn\u2019t\tdare\task\tif\the\twas\ttrying\tto\tget into\t her\t head,\t or\t if\t he\t was\t feeling\t a\t bond\t similar\t to\t that\t black\t adamant\t bridge between\t Rhys\u2019s\t mind\t and\t my\t own.\t If\t a\t normal\t mating\t bond\t felt\t wholly different. A\tteacup\trattled\tand\trasped\tagainst\ta\tsaucer,\tand\tMor\tand\tI\tglanced\tover. Elain\t had\t picked\t up\t the\t teacup,\t and\t now\t sipped\t from\t it\t without\t so\t much\t as looking\ttoward\thim. In\tthe\tdining\troom\tacross\tthe\thall,\tI\tknew\tNesta\twas\tcraning\ther\tneck\tto\tlook. Knew,\tbecause\tAmren\tsnapped\tat\tmy\tsister\tto\tpay\tattention. They\twere\tbuilding\twalls\u2014in\ttheir\tminds,\tAmren\thad\ttold\tme\tas\tshe\tordered Nesta\tto\tsit\tat\tthe\tdining\troom\ttable,\tdirectly\tacross\tfrom\ther. Walls\t that\t Amren\t was\t teaching\t her\t to\t sense\u2014to\t find\t the\t holes\t she\u2019d\t laid throughout.\t And\t repair\t them.\t If\t the\t fell\t objects\t at\t the\t Court\t of\t Nightmares\t had not\t allowed\t my\t sister\t to\t grasp\t what\t must\t be\t done,\t then\t this\t was\t their\t next attempt\u2014a\t different,\t invisible\t route.\t Not\t all\t magic\t was\t flash\t and\t glittering, Amren\thad\tdeclared,\tand\tthen\tshooed\tme\tout. But\tany\tsign\tof\tthat\tpower\twithin\tmy\tsister\t\u2026\tI\tdid\tnot\thear\tit\tor\tsee\tit\tor\tfeel it.\t And\t neither\t offered\t any\t explanation\t for\t what\t it\t was,\t exactly,\t that\t they\t were","trying\tto\tcoax\tfrom\twithin\ther. Outside\t the\t house,\t movement\t again\t caught\t our\t eye,\t and\t we\t found\t Rhys\t and Cassian\tstrolling\tin\tthrough\tthe\tlow\tfront\tgate,\treturning\tfrom\ttheir\tfirst\tmeeting with\t Keir\u2019s\t Darkbringer\t army\t commanders\u2014already\t rallying\t and\t preparing.\t At least\tthat\tmuch\thad\tgone\tright\tyesterday. Both\tof\tthem\tspotted\tus\tin\tthe\twindow\twithin\ta\theartbeat.\tStopped\tcold. Don\u2019t\t come\t in,\t I\t warned\t him\t through\t the\t bond.\t Lucien\t is\t trying\t to\t sense what\u2019s\twrong\twith\tElain.\tThrough\tthe\tbond. Rhys\tmurmured\twhat\tI\u2019d\tsaid\tto\tCassian,\twho\tnow\tangled\this\thead,\tmuch\tin the\tway\tI\thad\tno\tdoubt\tNesta\thad\tdone,\tto\tpeer\tbeyond\tus. Rhys\tsaid\twryly,\tDoes\tElain\tknow\tthis? She\twas\tinvited\tdown\tfor\ttea.\tSo\twe\u2019re\thaving\tit. Rhys\t muttered\t again\t to\t Cassian,\t who\t choked\t on\t a\t laugh\t and\t turned\t right around,\theading\tinto\tthe\tstreet.\tRhys\tlingered,\tsliding\this\thands\tinto\this\tpockets. He\u2019s\tgetting\ta\tdrink.\tI\u2019m\tinclined\tto\tjoin\thim.\tWhen\tcan\tI\treturn\twithout\tfearing for\tmy\tlife? I\t gave\t him\t a\t vulgar\t gesture\t through\t the\t window.\t Such\t a\t big,\t strong\t Illyrian warrior. Illyrian\t warriors\t know\t when\t to\t pick\t their\t battles.\t And\t with\t Nesta\t watching everything\tlike\ta\thawk\tand\tyou\ttwo\tcircling\tlike\tvultures\t\u2026\tI\tknow\twho\twill\twalk away\tfrom\tthat\tfight. I\tmade\tthe\tgesture\tagain,\tand\tMor\tfigured\tout\tenough\tof\twhat\twas\tbeing\tsaid that\tshe\techoed\tthe\tmovement.\tRhys\tlaughed\tquietly\tand\tsketched\ta\tbow. The\t High\t Lords\t sent\t replies,\t I\t said\t as\t he\t strolled\t away.\t Day,\t Dawn,\t and Winter\twill\tcome. I\t know,\t he\t said.\t And\t I\t just\t received\t word\t from\t Cresseida\t that\t Tarquin\t is contemplating\tit. Better\tthan\tnothing.\tI\tsaid\tas\tmuch. Rhys\t smiled\t at\t me\t over\t his\t shoulder.\t Enjoy\t your\t tea,\t you\t overbearing chaperone. I\tcould\thave\tused\ta\tchaperone\taround\tyou,\tyou\trealize. You\thad\tfour\tof\tthem\tin\tthis\thouse. I\t smiled\t as\t he\t finally\t reached\t the\t low\t front\t gate\t where\t Cassian\t waited, apparently\tusing\tthe\tmomentary\tdelay\tto\tstretch\tout\this\twings,\tto\tthe\tdelight\tof","the\thalf-dozen\tchildren\tnow\tgawking\tat\tthem. Amren\thissed\tfrom\tthe\tother\troom,\t\u201cFocus.\u201d\tThe\tdining\ttable\trattled. The\tsound\tseemed\tto\tstartle\tElain,\twho\tswiftly\tset\tdown\ther\tteacup.\tShe\trose to\ther\tfeet,\tand\tLucien\tshot\tto\this. \u201cI\u2019m\tsorry,\u201d\the\tblurted. \u201cWhat\u2014what\twas\tthat?\u201d Mor\tput\ta\thand\ton\tmy\tknee\tto\tkeep\tme\tfrom\trising,\ttoo. \u201cIt\u2014it\twas\ta\ttug.\tOn\tthe\tbond.\u201d Amren\tsnapped,\t\u201cDon\u2019t\tyou\u2014wicked\tgirl.\u201d Then\t Nesta\t was\t standing\t in\t the\t threshold.\t \u201cWhat\t did\t you\t do.\u201d\t The\t words were\tas\tsharp\tas\ta\tblade. Lucien\t looked\t to\t her,\t then\t over\t to\t me.\t A\t muscle\t feathered\t in\t his\t jaw. \u201cNothing,\u201d\the\tsaid,\tand\tagain\tfaced\this\tmate.\t\u201cI\u2019m\tsorry\u2014if\tthat\tunsettled\tyou.\u201d Elain\t sidled\t toward\t Nesta,\t who\t seemed\t to\t be\t at\t a\t near-simmer.\t \u201cIt\t felt\t \u2026 strange,\u201d\tElain\tbreathed.\t\u201cLike\tyou\tpulled\ton\ta\tthread\ttied\tto\ta\trib.\u201d Lucien\texposed\this\tpalms\tto\ther.\t\u201cI\u2019m\tsorry.\u201d Elain\tonly\tstared\tat\thim\tfor\ta\tlong\tmoment.\tAnd\tany\tlucidity\tfaded\taway\tas she\tshook\ther\thead,\tblinking\ttwice,\tand\tsaid\tto\tNesta,\t\u201cTwin\travens\tare\tcoming, one\twhite\tand\tone\tblack.\u201d Nesta\thid\tthe\tdevastation\twell.\tThe\tfrustration.\t\u201cWhat\tcan\tI\tget\tyou,\tElain?\u201d Only\twith\tElain\tdid\tshe\tuse\tthat\tvoice. But\tElain\tshook\ther\thead\tonce\tmore.\t\u201cSunshine.\u201d Nesta\t cut\t me\t a\t furious\t stare\t before\t guiding\t our\t sister\t down\t the\t hall\u2014to\t the sunny\tgarden\tin\tthe\tback. Lucien\twaited\tuntil\tthe\tglass\tdoor\thad\topened\tand\tclosed\tbefore\the\tloosed\ta long\tbreath. \u201cThere\u2019s\ta\tbond\u2014it\u2019s\ta\treal\tthread,\u201d\the\tsaid,\tmore\tto\thimself\tthan\tus. \u201cAnd?\u201d\tMor\tasked. Lucien\tran\tboth\thands\tthrough\this\tlong\tred\thair.\tHis\tskin\twas\tdarker\u2014a\tdeep golden-brown,\tcompared\tto\tthe\tpaleness\tof\tEris\u2019s\tcoloring.\t\u201cAnd\tI\tgot\tto\tElain\u2019s end\tof\tit\twhen\tshe\tran\toff.\u201d \u201cDid\tyou\tsense\tanything?\u201d \u201cNo\u2014I\t didn\u2019t\t have\t time.\t I\t felt\t her,\t but\t \u2026\u201d\t A\t blush\t stained\t his\t cheek. Whatever\the\u2019d\tfelt,\tit\twasn\u2019t\twhat\twe\twere\tlooking\tfor.\tEven\tif\twe\thad\tno\tidea","what,\tprecisely,\tthat\twas. \u201cWe\tcan\ttry\tagain\u2014another\tday,\u201d\tI\toffered. Lucien\tnodded,\tbut\tlooked\tunconvinced. Amren\tsnapped\tfrom\tthe\tdining\troom,\t\u201cSomeone\tgo\tretrieve\tyour\tsister.\tHer lesson\tisn\u2019t\tover.\u201d I\tsighed.\t\u201cYes,\tAmren.\u201d Lucien\u2019s\tattention\tslid\tbehind\tme,\tto\tthe\tvarious\tletters\ton\tdifferent\tstyles\tand makes\t of\t paper.\t That\t golden\t eye\t narrowed.\t As\t Tamlin\u2019s\t emissary,\t he\t no\t doubt recognized\t them.\t \u201cLet\t me\t guess:\t they\t said\t yes,\t but\t picking\t the\t location\t is\t now going\tto\tbe\tthe\theadache.\u201d Mor\tfrowned.\t\u201cAny\tsuggestions?\u201d Lucien\ttied\tback\this\thair\twith\ta\tstrap\tof\tbrown\tleather.\t\u201cDo\tyou\thave\ta\tmap?\u201d I\tsupposed\tthat\tleft\tme\tto\tretrieve\tNesta. \u201cThat\tpine\ttree\twasn\u2019t\tthere\ta\tmoment\tago.\u201d Azriel\t let\t out\t a\t quiet\t laugh\t from\t where\t he\t sat\t atop\t a\t boulder\t two\t days\t later, watching\tme\tpluck\tpine\tneedles\tout\tof\tmy\thair\tand\tjacket.\t\u201cJudging\tby\tits\tsize, I\u2019d\tsay\tit\u2019s\tbeen\tthere\tfor\t\u2026\ttwo\thundred\tyears\tat\tleast.\u201d I\tscowled,\tbrushing\toff\tthe\tshards\tof\tbark\tand\tmy\tbruised\tpride. That\tcoldness,\tthat\taloofness\tthat\thad\tbeen\tthere\tin\tthe\twake\tof\tMor\u2019s\tanger and\t rejection\t \u2026\t It\u2019d\t warmed.\t Either\t from\t Mor\t choosing\t to\t sit\t next\t to\t him\t at dinner\t last\t night\u2014a\t silent\t offer\t of\t forgiveness\u2014or\t simply\t needing\t time\t to recover\tfrom\tit.\tEven\tif\t I\t could\thave\tsworn\tsome\tkernel\tof\tguilt\thad\t flickered every\ttime\tAzriel\thad\tlooked\tat\tMor.\tWhat\tCassian\thad\tthought\tof\tit,\tof\this\town anger\t toward\t Azriel\t \u2026\t he\u2019d\t been\t all\t smiles\t and\t lewd\t comments.\t Glad\t all\t was back\tto\tnormal\u2014for\tnow\tat\tleast. My\t cheeks\t burned\t as\t I\t scaled\t the\t boulder\t he\t perched\t on,\t the\t drop\t at\t least fifteen\tfeet\tto\tthe\tforest\tfloor\tbelow,\tthe\tlake\ta\tsparkling\tsprawl\tpeeking\tthrough the\tpine\ttrees.\tIncluding\tthe\ttree\tI\u2019d\tcollided\twith\tface-first\ton\tmy\tlatest\tattempt to\tleap\toff\tthe\tboulder\tand\tsimply\tsail\tto\tthe\tlake. I\tbraced\tmy\thands\ton\tmy\thips,\texamining\tthe\tdrop,\tthe\ttrees,\tthe\tlake\tbeyond. \u201cWhat\tdid\tI\tdo\twrong?\u201d Azriel,\twho\thad\tbeen\tsharpening\tTruth-Teller\tin\this\tlap,\tflicked\this\thazel\teyes","up\tto\tme.\t\u201cAside\tfrom\tthe\ttree?\u201d The\tshadowsinger\thad\ta\tsense\tof\thumor.\tDry\tand\tquiet,\tbut\t\u2026\talone\ttogether, it\tcame\tout\tfar\tmore\toften\tthan\tit\tdid\tamongst\tour\tgroup. I\u2019d\tspent\tthese\tpast\ttwo\tdays\teither\tporing\tover\tancient\tvolumes\tfor\tany\thint on\t repairing\t the\t wall\t to\t hand\t over\t to\t Amren\t and\t Nesta,\t who\t continued\t to silently,\t invisibly\t build\t and\t mend\t walls\t within\t their\t minds,\t or\t debating\t with Rhys\t and\t the\t others\t about\t how\t to\t reply\t to\t the\t volley\t of\t letters\t now\t being exchanged\t with\t the\t other\t High\t Lords\t regarding\t where\t the\t meeting\t would\t take place.\t Lucien\t had\t indeed\t given\t us\t an\t initial\t location,\t and\t several\t more\t when those\twere\tstruck\tdown.\tBut\tthat\twas\tto\tbe\texpected,\tLucien\thad\tsaid,\tas\tif\the\u2019d arranged\tsuch\tthings\tcountless\ttimes.\tRhys\thad\tonly\tnodded\tin\tagreement\u2014and approval. And\twhen\tI\twasn\u2019t\tdoing\tthat\t\u2026\tI\twas\tcombing\tthrough\tmore\tbooks,\tany\tand all\tClotho\tcould\tfind\tme,\tall\tregarding\tthe\tOuroboros.\tHow\tto\tmaster\tit. The\t mirror\t was\t notorious.\t Every\t known\t philosopher\t had\t ruminated\t on\t it. Some\t had\t dared\t face\t it\u2014and\t gone\t mad.\t Some\t had\t approached\u2014and\t run\t away in\tterror. I\tcould\tnot\tfind\tan\taccount\tof\tanyone\twho\thad\tmastered\tit.\tFaced\twhat\tlurked within\tand\twalked\taway\twith\tthe\tmirror\tin\ttheir\tpossession. Save\t for\t the\t Weaver\t in\t the\t Wood\u2014who\t certainly\t seemed\t insane\t enough, perhaps\t thanks\t to\t the\t mirror\t she\u2019d\t so\t dearly\t loved.\t Or\t perhaps\t whatever\t evil lurked\tin\ther\thad\ttainted\tthe\tmirror,\ttoo.\tSome\tof\tthe\tphilosophers\thad\tsuggested as\tmuch,\tthough\tthey\thadn\u2019t\tknown\ther\tname\u2014only\tthat\ta\tdark\tqueen\thad\tonce possessed\tit,\tcherished\tit.\tSpied\ton\tthe\tworld\twith\tit\u2014and\tused\tit\tto\thunt\tdown beautiful\tyoung\tmaidens\tto\tkeep\ther\teternally\tyoung. I\t supposed\t Keir\u2019s\t family\t owning\t the\t Ouroboros\t for\t millennia\t suggested\t the success\t rate\t of\t walking\t away\t was\t low.\t It\t was\t not\t heartening.\t Not\t when\t all\t the texts\tagreed\ton\tone\tthing:\tthere\twas\tno\tway\taround\tit.\tNo\tloophole.\tFacing\tthe terror\twithin\t\u2026\tthat\twas\tthe\tonly\troute\tto\tclaim\tit. Which\tmeant\tI\tperhaps\thad\tto\tconsider\talternatives\u2014other\tways\tto\tentice\tthe Bone\tCarver\tto\tjoin\tus.\tWhen\tI\tfound\ta\tmoment. Azriel\t sheathed\t his\t legendary\t fighting\t knife\t and\t examined\t the\t wings\t I\u2019d spread\t wide.\t \u201cYou\u2019re\t trying\t to\t steer\t with\t your\t arms.\t The\t muscles\t are\t in\t the wings\tthemselves\u2014and\tin\tyour\tback.\tYour\tarms\tare\tunnecessary\u2014they\u2019re\tmore","for\tbalancing\tthan\tanything.\tAnd\teven\tthat\u2019s\tmostly\ta\tmental\tcomfort.\u201d It\twas\tmore\twords\tthan\tI\u2019d\tever\theard\tfrom\thim. He\t lifted\t a\t brow\t at\t my\t gaping,\t and\t I\t shut\t my\t mouth.\t I\t frowned\t at\t the\t drop ahead.\t\u201cAgain?\u201d\tI\tgrumbled. A\tsoft\tlaugh.\t\u201cWe\tcan\tfind\ta\tlower\tledge\tto\tjump\tfrom,\tif\tyou\twant.\u201d I\tcringed.\t\u201cYou\tsaid\tthis\twas\tlow.\u201d Azriel\tleaned\tback\ton\this\thands\tand\twaited.\tPatient,\tcool. But\tI\tfelt\tthe\tbark\ttear\tinto\tmy\tpalms,\tthe\tthud\tof\tmy\tknees\tinto\tits\trough\tside \u2014 \u201cYou\t are\t immortal,\u201d\t he\t said\t quietly.\t \u201cYou\t are\t very\t hard\t to\t break.\u201d\t A\t pause. \u201cThat\u2019s\twhat\tI\ttold\tmyself.\u201d \u201cHard\tto\tbreak,\u201d\tI\tsaid\tglumly,\t\u201cbut\tit\tstill\thurts.\u201d \u201cTell\tthat\tto\tthe\ttree.\u201d I\thuffed\ta\tlaugh.\t\u201cI\tknow\tthe\tdrop\tisn\u2019t\tfar,\tand\tI\tknow\tit\twon\u2019t\tkill\tme.\tCan\u2019t you\tjust\t\u2026\tpush\tme?\u201d For\tit\twas\tthat\tinitial\tleap\tof\tutter\tfaith,\tthat\tinitial\tlurch\tinto\tmotion\tthat\thad my\tlimbs\tlocking\tup. \u201cNo.\u201d\tA\tsimple\tanswer. I\tstill\thesitated. Useless\u2014this\t fear.\t I\t had\t faced\t down\t the\t Attor,\t falling\t through\t the\t sky\t for\t a thousand\tfeet. And\tthe\trage\tat\tits\tmemory,\tat\twhat\tit\thad\tdone\twith\tits\tmiserable\tlife,\twhat more\t like\t it\t might\t do\t again,\t had\t me\t gritting\t my\t teeth\t and\t sprinting\t off\t the boulder. I\t snapped\t my\t wings\t out\t wide,\t my\t back\t protesting\t as\t they\t caught\t the\t wind, but\tmy\tlower\thalf\tbegan\tto\tdrop,\tmy\tlegs\ta\tdead\tweight\tas\tmy\tcore\tyielded\u2014 The\tinfernal\ttree\trose\tup\tbefore\tme,\tand\tI\tswerved\thard\tto\tthe\tright. Right\tinto\tanother\ttree. Wings\tfirst. The\tsound\tof\tbone\tand\tsinew\ton\twood,\tthen\tearth,\thit\tme\tbefore\tthe\tpain\tdid. So\tdid\tAzriel\u2019s\tsoft\tcurse. A\t small\t noise\t came\t out\t of\t me.\t The\t stinging\t of\t my\t palms\t registered\t first\u2014 then\tin\tmy\tknees. Then\tmy\tback\u2014","\u201cShit,\u201d\twas\tall\tI\tcould\tsay\tas\tAzriel\tknelt\tbefore\tme. \u201cYou\u2019re\tall\tright.\tJust\tstunned.\u201d The\tworld\twas\tstill\treordering\titself. \u201cYou\tbanked\twell,\u201d\the\toffered. \u201cInto\tanother\ttree.\u201d \u201cBeing\taware\tof\tyour\tsurroundings\tis\thalf\tof\tflying.\u201d \u201cYou\tsaid\tthat\talready,\u201d\tI\tsnapped.\tHe\thad.\tA\tdozen\ttimes\tjust\tthis\tmorning. Azriel\t only\t sat\t on\t his\t heels\t and\t offered\t me\t a\t hand\t up.\t My\t flesh\t burned\t as\t I gripped\this\tfingers,\ta\tmortifying\tnumber\tof\tpine\tneedles\tand\tsplinters\ttumbling off\t me.\t My\t back\t throbbed\t enough\t that\t I\t lowered\t my\t wings,\t not\t caring\t if\t they dragged\tin\tthe\tdirt\tas\tAzriel\tled\tme\ttoward\tthe\tlake\tedge. In\t the\t blinding\t sun\t off\t the\t turquoise\t water,\t his\t shadows\t were\t gone,\t his\t face stark\tand\tclear.\tMore\t\u2026\thuman\tthan\tI\thad\tever\tseen\thim. \u201cThere\u2019s\t no\t chance\t that\t I\u2019ll\t be\t able\t to\t fly\t in\t the\t legions,\t is\t there?\u201d\t I\t asked, kneeling\t beside\t him\t as\t he\t tended\t to\t my\t skinned\t palms\t with\t expert\t care\t and gentleness.\tThe\tsun\twas\tbrutal\tagainst\this\tscars,\thiding\tnot\tone\ttwisted,\trippling splotch. \u201cLikely\t not,\u201d\t he\t said.\t My\t chest\t hollowed\t out\t at\t that.\t \u201cBut\t it\t doesn\u2019t\t hurt\t to practice\t until\t the\t last\t possible\t moment.\t You\t never\t know\t when\t any\t measure\t of training\tmay\tbe\tuseful.\u201d I\twinced\tas\the\tfished\tout\ta\tlarge\tsplinter\tfrom\tmy\tpalm,\tthen\twashed\tit\tclean. \u201cIt\twas\tvery\thard\tfor\tme\tto\tlearn\thow\tto\tfly,\u201d\the\tsaid.\tI\tdidn\u2019t\tdare\trespond. \u201cMost\t Illyrians\t learn\t as\t toddlers.\t But\t \u2026\t I\t assume\t Rhysand\t told\t you\t the particulars\tof\tmy\tearly\tchildhood.\u201d I\t nodded.\t He\t finished\t the\t one\t hand\t and\t started\t on\t the\t other.\t \u201cBecause\t I\t was so\t old,\t I\t had\t a\t fear\t of\t flying\u2014and\t did\t not\t trust\t my\t instincts.\t It\t was\t an\t \u2026 embarrassment\t to\t be\t taught\t so\t late.\t Not\t just\t to\t me,\t but\t to\t all\t in\t the\t war-camp once\t I\t arrived.\t But\t I\t learned,\t often\t going\t off\t by\t myself.\t Cassian,\t of\t course, found\tme\tfirst.\tMocked\tme,\tbeat\tme\tto\thell,\tthen\toffered\tto\ttrain\tme.\tRhys\twas there\tthe\tnext\tday.\tThey\ttaught\tme\tto\tfly.\u201d He\t finished\t my\t other\t hand,\t and\t sat\t on\t the\t shore,\t the\t stones\t murmuring\t as they\tshifted\tbeneath\thim.\tI\tsat\tbeside\thim,\tbracing\tmy\tsore\tpalms\tfaceup\ton\tmy knees,\tletting\tmy\twings\tsag\tbehind\tme. \u201cBecause\tit\twas\tsuch\tan\teffort\t\u2026\tA\tfew\tyears\tafter\tthe\tWar,\tRhys\tbrought\tme","back\t a\t story.\t It\t was\t a\t gift\u2014the\t story.\t For\t me.\t He\u2014he\t went\t to\t see\t Miryam\t and Drakon\t in\t their\t new\t home,\t the\t visit\t so\t secret\t even\t we\t hadn\u2019t\t known\t it\t was happening\tuntil\the\treturned.\tWe\tknew\ttheir\tpeople\thadn\u2019t\tdrowned\tin\tthe\tsea,\tas everyone\t believed,\t as\t they\t wanted\t people\t to\t believe.\t You\t see,\t when\t Miryam freed\ther\tpeople\tfrom\tthe\tqueen\tof\tthe\tBlack\tLand,\tshe\tled\tall\tof\tthem\u2014nearly fifty\t thousand\t of\t them\u2014across\t the\t desert,\t all\t the\t way\t to\t the\t shores\t of\t the Erythrian\t Sea,\t Drakon\u2019s\t aerial\t legion\t providing\t cover.\t But\t they\t got\t to\t the\t sea and\tfound\tthe\tships\tthey\u2019d\tarranged\tto\ttransport\tthem\tover\tthe\tnarrow\tchannel\tto the\tnext\tkingdom\thad\tbeen\tdestroyed.\tDestroyed\tby\tthe\tqueen\therself,\twho\tsent her\tlingering\tarmies\tto\tdrag\ther\tformer\tslaves\tback. \u201cDrakon\u2019s\t people\u2014the\t Seraphim\u2014are\t winged.\t Like\t us,\t but\t their\t wings\t are feathered.\t And\t unlike\t us,\t their\t army\t and\t society\t allow\t women\t to\t lead,\t to\t fight, to\trule.\tAll\tof\tthem\tare\tgifted\twith\tmighty\tmagic\tof\twind\tand\tair.\tAnd\twhen\tthey beheld\t that\t army\t charging\t after\t them,\t they\t knew\t their\t own\t force\t was\t too\t small to\tface\tthem.\tSo\tthey\tcleaved\tthe\tsea\titself\u2014made\ta\tpath\tthrough\tthe\twater,\tall the\tway\tthrough\tthe\tchannel,\tand\tordered\tthe\thumans\tto\trun. \u201cThey\t did,\t but\t Miryam\t insisted\t on\t remaining\t behind\t until\t every\t last\t one\t of her\tpeople\thad\tcrossed.\tNot\tone\thuman\twould\tshe\tleave\tbehind.\tNot\tone.\tThey were\t about\t halfway\t through\t the\t crossing\t when\t the\t army\t reached\t them.\t The Seraphim\t were\t spent\u2014their\t magic\t could\t barely\t hold\t the\t sea\t passage.\t And Drakon\t knew\t that\t if\t they\t held\t it\t any\t longer\t \u2026\t that\t army\t would\t make\t it\t across and\tbutcher\tthe\thumans\ton\tthe\tother\tside.\tThe\tSeraphim\tfought\toff\tthe\tvanguard on\tthe\tfloor\tof\tthe\tsea,\tand\tit\twas\tbloody\tand\tbrutal\tand\tchaotic\t\u2026\tAnd\tduring the\tmelee,\tthey\tdidn\u2019t\tsee\tMiryam\tskewered\tby\tthe\tqueen\therself.\tDrakon\tdidn\u2019t see.\t He\t thought\t she\t made\t it\t out,\t carried\t by\t one\t of\t his\t soldiers.\t He\t ordered\t the parted\tsea\tto\tcome\tdown\tto\tdrown\tthe\tenemy\tforce. \u201cBut\ta\tyoung\tSeraphim\tcartographer\tnamed\tNephelle\tsaw\tMiryam\tgo\tdown. Nephelle\u2019s\t lover\t was\t one\t of\t Drakon\u2019s\t generals,\t and\t it\t was\t she\t who\t realized Miryam\t and\t Nephelle\t were\t missing.\t Drakon\t was\t frantic,\t but\t their\t magic\t was spent\tand\tno\tforce\tin\tthe\tworld\tcould\thold\tback\tthe\tsea\tas\tit\tbarreled\tdown,\tand no\tone\tcould\treach\this\tmate\tin\ttime.\tBut\tNephelle\tdid. \u201cNephelle,\tyou\tsee,\twas\ta\tcartographer\tbecause\tshe\u2019d\tbeen\trejected\tfrom\tthe legion\u2019s\t fighting\t ranks.\t Her\t wings\t were\t too\t small,\t the\t right\t one\t somewhat malformed.\tAnd\tshe\twas\tslight\u2014short\tenough\tthat\tshe\u2019d\tbe\ta\tdangerous\tgap\tin","the\t front\t lines\t when\t they\t fought\t shield\t to\t shield.\t Drakon\t had\t let\t her\t try\t out\t for the\tlegion\tas\ta\tcourtesy\tto\ther\tlover,\tbut\tNephelle\tfailed.\tShe\tcould\tbarely\tcarry the\t Seraphim\t shield,\tand\ther\tsmaller\t wings\thadn\u2019t\t been\tstrong\tenough\tto\tkeep up\twith\tthe\tothers.\tSo\tshe\thad\tmade\therself\tinvaluable\tas\ta\tcartographer\tduring the\tWar,\thelping\tDrakon\tand\ther\tlover\tfind\tthe\tgeographical\tadvantages\tin\ttheir battles.\t And\t she\t became\t Miryam\u2019s\t dearest\t friend\t during\t those\t long\t months\t as well. \u201cAnd\tthat\tday\ton\tthe\tseafloor,\tNephelle\tremembered\tthat\ther\tfriend\thad\tbeen in\tthe\tback\tof\tthe\tline.\tShe\treturned\tfor\ther,\teven\tas\tall\tothers\tfled\tfor\tthe\tdistant shore.\t She\t found\t Miryam\t skewered\t on\t the\t queen\u2019s\t spear,\t bleeding\t out.\t The\t sea wall\tstarted\tto\tcome\tdown\u2014on\tthe\topposite\tshore.\tKilling\tthe\tapproaching\tarmy first\u2014racing\ttoward\tthem. \u201cMiryam\ttold\tNephelle\tto\tsave\therself.\tBut\tNephelle\twould\tnot\tabandon\ther friend.\tShe\tpicked\ther\tup\tand\tflew.\u201d Azriel\u2019s\tvoice\twas\tsoft\twith\tawe. \u201cWhen\tRhys\tspoke\tto\tDrakon\tabout\tit\tyears\tlater,\the\tstill\tdidn\u2019t\thave\twords\tto describe\twhat\thappened.\tIt\tdefied\tall\tlogic,\tall\ttraining.\tNephelle,\twho\thad\tnever been\t strong\t enough\t to\t hold\t a\t Seraphim\t shield,\t carried\t Miryam\u2014triple\t the weight.\tAnd\tmore\tthan\tthat\t\u2026\tShe\tflew.\tThe\tsea\twas\tcrashing\tdown\tupon\tthem, but\t Nephelle\t flew\t like\t the\t best\t of\t Seraphim\t warriors.\t The\t seafloor\t was\t a labyrinth\t of\t jagged\t rocks,\t too\t narrow\t for\t the\t Seraphim\t to\t fly\t through.\t They\u2019d tried\t during\t their\t escape\t and\t crashed\t into\t them.\t But\t Nephelle,\t with\t her\t smaller wings\t\u2026\tHad\tthey\tbeen\tone\tinch\twider,\tshe\twould\tnot\thave\tfit.\tAnd\tmore\tthan that\t \u2026\t Nephelle\t soared\t through\t them,\t Miryam\t dying\t in\t her\t arms,\t as\t fast\t and skilled\t as\t the\t greatest\t of\t Seraphim.\t Nephelle,\t who\t had\t been\t passed\t over,\t who had\t been\t forgotten\t \u2026\t She\t outraced\t death\t itself.\t There\t was\t not\t a\t foot\t of\t room between\t her\t and\t the\t water\t on\t either\t side\t of\t her\t when\t she\t shot\t up\t from\t the seafloor;\t not\t half\t of\t that\t rising\t up\t at\t her\t feet.\t And\t yet\t her\t too-small\t wingspan, that\tdeformed\twing\t\u2026\tthey\tdid\tnot\tfail\ther.\tNot\tonce.\tNot\tfor\tone\twing\tbeat.\u201d My\teyes\tburned. \u201cShe\tmade\tit.\tSuffice\tto\tsay\ther\tlover\tmade\tNephelle\ther\twife\tthat\tnight,\tand Miryam\t\u2026\twell,\tshe\tis\talive\ttoday\tbecause\tof\tNephelle.\u201d\tAzriel\tpicked\tup\ta\tflat, white\t stone\t and\t turned\t it\t over\t in\t his\t hands.\t \u201cRhys\t told\t me\t the\t story\t when\t he returned.\t And\t since\t then\t we\t have\t privately\t adapted\t the\t Nephelle\t Philosophy","with\tour\town\tarmies.\u201d I\traised\ta\tbrow.\tAzriel\tshrugged.\t\u201cWe\u2014Rhys,\tCass,\tand\tI\u2014will\toccasionally remind\teach\tother\tthat\twhat\twe\tthink\tto\tbe\tour\tgreatest\tweakness\tcan\tsometimes be\tour\tbiggest\tstrength.\tAnd\tthat\tthe\tmost\tunlikely\tperson\tcan\talter\tthe\tcourse\tof history.\u201d \u201cThe\tNephelle\tPhilosophy.\u201d He\tnodded.\t\u201cApparently,\tevery\tyear\tin\ttheir\tkingdom,\tthey\thave\tthe\tNephelle Run\tto\thonor\ther\tflight.\tOn\tdry\tland,\tbut\t\u2026\tShe\tand\ther\twife\tcrown\ta\tnew\tvictor every\tyear\tin\tcommemoration\tof\twhat\thappened\tthat\tday.\u201d\tHe\tchucked\tthe\tstone back\tamongst\tits\tbrethren\ton\tthe\tshore,\tthe\tsound\tclattering\tover\tthe\twater.\t\u201cSo we\u2019ll\ttrain,\tFeyre,\tuntil\tthe\tlast\tpossible\tday.\tBecause\twe\tnever\tknow\tif\tjust\tone extra\thour\twill\tmake\tthe\tdifference.\u201d I\tweighed\this\twords,\tNephelle\u2019s\tstory.\tI\trose\tto\tmy\tfeet\tand\tspread\tmy\twings. \u201cThen\tlet\u2019s\ttry\tagain.\u201d I\tgroaned\tas\tI\tlimped\tinto\tour\tbedroom\tthat\tnight\tto\tfind\tRhys\tsitting\tat\tthe\tdesk, poring\tover\tmore\tbooks. \u201cI\twarned\tyou\tthat\tAzriel\u2019s\ta\thard\tbastard,\u201d\the\tsaid\twithout\tlooking\tat\tme.\tHe lifted\ta\thand,\tand\twater\tgurgled\tin\tthe\tadjacent\tbathing\troom. I\t grumbled\t a\t thank-you\t and\t trudged\t toward\t it,\t gritting\t my\t teeth\t against\t the agony\tin\tmy\tback,\tmy\tthighs,\tmy\tbones.\tEvery\tpart\thurt,\tand\tsince\tthe\tmuscles needed\t to\t re-form\t around\t the\t wings,\t I\t had\t to\t carry\t them,\t too.\t Their\t scraping along\t the\t wood\t and\t carpet,\t then\t wood\t again,\t was\t the\t only\t sound\t beyond\t my weary\tfeet.\tI\tbeheld\tthe\tsteaming\tbath\tthat\twould\trequire\tsome\tbalancing\tto\tget into\tand\twhimpered. Even\tremoving\tmy\tclothes\twould\tentail\tusing\tmuscles\tthat\thad\tnearly\tgiven out. A\tchair\tscraped\tin\tthe\tbedroom,\tfollowed\tby\tcat-soft\tfeet,\tthen\u2014 \u201cI\u2019m\tsure\tyou\talready\tknow\tthis,\tbut\tyou\tneed\tto\tactually\tclimb\tinto\ta\tbath\tto get\tclean\u2014not\tstare\tat\tit.\u201d I\t didn\u2019t\t have\t the\t strength\t to\t even\t glare\t at\t him,\t and\t I\t managed\t all\t of\t one stumbling,\tstiff\tstep\ttoward\tthe\twater\twhen\the\tcaught\tme. My\tclothes\tvanished,\tpresumably\tto\tthe\tlaundry\tdownstairs,\tand\tRhys\tswept","me\tinto\this\tarms,\tlowering\tmy\tnaked\tbody\tinto\tthe\twater.\tWith\tthe\twings,\tthe\tfit was\ttight,\tand\u2014 I\tgroaned\tfrom\tdeep\tin\tmy\tthroat\tat\tthe\tglorious\theat\tand\tdidn\u2019t\tbother\tto\tdo anything\tother\tthan\tlean\tmy\thead\tagainst\tthe\tback\tof\tthe\ttub. \u201cI\u2019ll\tbe\tright\tback,\u201d\the\tsaid,\tand\tleft\tthe\tbathroom,\tthen\tthe\tbedroom\titself. By\t the\t time\t he\t returned,\t I\t only\t knew\t I\u2019d\t fallen\t asleep\t thanks\t to\t the\t hand\t he put\t on\t my\t shoulder.\t \u201cOut,\u201d\t he\t said,\t but\t lifted\t me\t himself,\t toweled\t me\t off,\t and led\tme\tto\tthe\tbed. He\tlay\tme\tdown\tbelly-first,\tand\tI\tnoted\tthe\toils\tand\tbalms\the\u2019d\tset\tthere,\tthe faint\t odor\t of\t rosemary\t and\u2014something\t I\t was\t too\t tired\t to\t notice\t but\t smelled lovely\tfloating\tto\tme.\tHis\thands\tgleamed\tas\the\tapplied\tgenerous\tamounts\tto\this palms,\tand\tthen\this\thands\twere\ton\tme. My\t groan\t was\t about\t as\t undignified\t as\t they\t came\t as\t he\t kneaded\t the\t aching muscles\t of\t my\t back.\t The\t sorer\t areas\t drew\t out\t rather\t pathetic-sounding whimpers,\t but\t he\t rubbed\t them\t gently,\t until\t the\t tension\t was\t a\t dull\t ache\t rather than\tsharp,\tblinding\tpain. And\tthen\the\tstarted\ton\tmy\twings. Relief\tand\tecstasy,\tas\tmuscles\teased\tand\tthose\tsensitive\tareas\twere\tlovingly, tauntingly\tgrazed\tover. My\ttoes\tcurled,\tand\tjust\tas\the\treached\tthe\tsensitive\tspot\tthat\thad\tmy\tstomach clenching,\this\thands\tslid\tto\tmy\tcalves.\tHe\tbegan\ta\tslow\tprogression,\thigher\tand higher,\tup\tmy\tthighs,\tteasing\tstrokes\tbetween\tthem\tthat\tleft\tme\tpanting\tthrough my\t nose.\t Rising\t up\t until\t he\t got\t to\t my\t backside,\t where\t his\t massaging\t was equally\tprofessional\tand\tsinful.\tAnd\tthen\tup\u2014up\tmy\tlower\tback,\tto\tmy\twings. His\t touch\t turned\t different.\t Exploring.\t Broad\t strokes\t and\t featherlight\t ones, arches\tand\tswirls\tand\tdirect,\tsearing\tlines. My\t core\t heated,\t turning\t molten,\t and\t I\t bit\t down\t on\t my\t lip\t as\t he\t lightly scraped\ta\tfingernail\tso,\tso\tclose\tto\tthat\tinner,\tsensitive\tspot.\t\u201cToo\tbad\tyou\u2019re\tso sore\tfrom\ttraining,\u201d\tRhys\tmused,\tmaking\tidle,\tlazy\tcircles. I\tcould\tonly\tmanage\ta\tgarbled\tstrand\tof\twords\tthat\twere\tboth\tplea\tand\tinsult. He\tleaned\tin,\this\tbreath\twarming\tthe\tspace\tof\tskin\tbetween\tmy\twings.\t\u201cDid\tI ever\ttell\tyou\tthat\tyou\thave\tthe\tdirtiest\tmouth\tI\u2019ve\tever\theard?\u201d I\tmuttered\twords\tthat\tonly\toffered\tmore\tproof\tof\tthat\tclaim. He\t chuckled\t and\t skimmed\t the\t edge\t of\t that\t sensitive\t spot,\t right\t as\t his\t other","hand\tslid\tbetween\tmy\tlegs. Brazenly,\tI\tlifted\tmy\thips\tin\tsilent\tdemand.\tBut\the\tjust\tcircled\twith\ta\tfinger, as\t lazy\t as\t the\t strokes\t along\t my\t wing.\t He\t kissed\t my\t spine.\t \u201cHow\t shall\t I\t make love\tto\tyou\ttonight,\tFeyre\tdarling?\u201d I\twrithed,\trubbing\tagainst\tthe\tfolds\tof\tthe\tblankets\tbeneath\tme,\tdesperate\tfor any\tsort\tof\tfriction\tas\the\tdangled\tme\tover\tthat\tedge. \u201cSo\t impatient,\u201d\t he\t purred,\t and\t that\t finger\t glided\t into\t me.\t I\t moaned,\t the sensation\ttoo\tmuch,\ttoo\tconsuming,\twith\this\thand\tbetween\tmy\tlegs\tand\tthe\tother stroking\tcloser\tand\tcloser\tto\tthat\tspot\ton\tmy\twing,\ta\tpredator\tcircling\tprey. \u201cWill\t it\t ever\t stop?\u201d\t he\t mused,\t more\t to\t himself\t than\t me\t as\t another\t finger joined\tthe\tone\tsliding\tin\tand\tout\tof\tme\twith\ttaunting,\tindolent\tstrokes.\t\u201cWanting you\u2014every\t hour,\t every\t breath.\t I\t don\u2019t\t think\t I\t can\t stand\t a\t thousand\t years\t of this.\u201d\t My\t hips\t moved\t with\t him,\t driving\t him\t deeper.\t \u201cThink\t of\t how\t my productivity\twill\tplummet.\u201d I\t growled\t something\t at\t him\t that\t was\t likely\t not\t very\t romantic,\t and\t he chuckled,\tslipping\tout\tboth\tfingers.\tI\tmade\ta\tlittle\twhining\tnoise\tof\tprotest. Until\t his\t mouth\t replaced\t where\t his\t fingers\t had\t been,\t his\t hands\t gripping\t my hips\tto\traise\tme\tup,\tto\tlend\thim\tbetter\taccess\tas\the\tfeasted\ton\tme.\tI\tgroaned,\tthe sound\t muffled\t by\t the\t pillow,\t and\t he\t only\t delved\t deeper,\t taunting\t and\t teasing with\tevery\tstroke. A\tlow\tmoan\tbroke\tfrom\tme,\tmy\thips\trolling.\tRhys\u2019s\tgrip\ton\tthem\ttightened, holding\tme\tstill\tfor\this\tministrations.\t\u201cI\tnever\tgot\tto\ttake\tyou\tin\tthe\tlibrary,\u201d\the said,\tdragging\this\ttongue\tright\tup\tmy\tcenter.\t\u201cWe\u2019ll\thave\tto\tremedy\tthat.\u201d \u201cRhys.\u201d\tHis\tname\twas\ta\tplea\ton\tmy\tlips. \u201cHmmm,\u201d\t was\t all\t he\t said,\t a\t rumble\t of\t the\t sound\t against\t me\t \u2026\t I\t panted, hands\tfisting\tin\tthe\tsheets. His\t hands\t drifted\t from\t my\t hips\t at\t last,\t and\t I\t again\t breathed\t his\t name,\t in thanks\tand\trelief\tand\tanticipation\tof\thim\tat\tlast\tgiving\tme\twhat\tI\twanted\u2014 But\t his\t mouth\t closed\t around\t the\t bundle\t of\t nerves\t at\t the\t apex\t of\t my\t thighs while\this\thand\t\u2026\tHe\twent\tright\tto\tthat\tdamned\tspot\tat\tthe\tinner\tedge\tof\tmy\tleft wing\tand\tstroked\tlightly. My\tclimax\ttore\tthrough\tme\twith\ta\thoarse\tcry,\tsending\tme\tsoaring\tout\tof\tmy body.\tAnd\twhen\tthe\tshuddering\tripples\tand\tstarlight\tfaded\t\u2026 A\t bone-weary\t exhaustion\t settled\t over\t me,\t permanent\t and\t unending\t as\t the","mating\tbond\tbetween\tus.\tRhys\tcurled\tinto\tbed\tbehind\tme,\ttucking\tmy\twings\tin so\the\tcould\tfold\tme\tagainst\thim.\t\u201cThat\twas\ta\tfun\texperiment,\u201d\the\tmurmured\tinto my\tear. I\t could\t feel\t him\t against\t my\t backside,\t hard\t and\t ready,\t but\t when\t I\t made\t to reach\t for\t him,\t Rhys\u2019s\t arms\t only\t tightened\t around\t me.\t \u201cSleep,\t Feyre,\u201d\t he\t told me. So\t I\t laid\t a\t hand\t on\t his\t forearm,\t savoring\t the\t corded\t strength\t beneath,\t and nestled\tmy\thead\tback\tagainst\this\tchest.\t\u201cI\twish\tI\thad\tdays\tto\tspend\twith\tyou\u2014 like\tthis,\u201d\tI\tmanaged\tto\tsay\tas\tmy\teyelids\tdrooped.\t\u201cJust\tme\tand\tyou.\u201d \u201cWe\twill.\u201d\tHe\tkissed\tmy\thair.\t\u201cWe\twill.\u201d","CHAPTER 30 I\twas\tstill\tsore\tenough\tthe\tnext\tday\tthat\tI\thad\tto\tsend\tword\tto\tCassian\tI\twasn\u2019t training\twith\thim.\tOr\tAzriel. A\tmistake,\tperhaps,\tgiven\tthat\tboth\tof\tthem\tshowed\tup\tat\tthe\tdoor\tto\tthe\ttown house\twithin\tminutes,\tthe\tformer\tdemanding\twhat\tthe\thell\twas\twrong\twith\tme, the\tlatter\tbearing\ta\ttin\tof\tsalve\tto\thelp\twith\tthe\taches\tin\tmy\tback. I\tthanked\tAzriel\tfor\tthe\tsalve\tand\ttold\tCassian\tto\tmind\this\town\tbusiness. And\t then\t asked\t him\t to\t fly\t Nesta\t up\t to\t the\t House\t of\t Wind\t for\t me,\t since\t I certainly\tcouldn\u2019t\tfly\ther\tin\u2014even\tfor\ta\tfew\tfeet\tafter\twinnowing. My\tsister,\tit\tseemed,\thad\tfound\tnothing\tin\ther\tbooks\tabout\trepairing\tthe\twall \u2014and\tsince\tno\tone\thad\tyet\tshown\ther\tthe\tlibrary\t\u2026\tI\u2019d\tvolunteered.\tEspecially since\t Lucien\t had\t left\t before\t breakfast\t for\t a\t library\t across\t the\t city\t to\t look\t up anything\t in\t regard\t to\t fixing\t the\t wall,\t a\t task\t I\u2019d\t been\t more\t than\t willing\t to\t hand over.\tI\tmight\thave\tfelt\tguilty\tfor\tnever\tgiving\thim\ta\tproper\ttour\tof\tVelaris,\tbut\t\u2026 he\tseemed\teager.\tMore\tthan\teager\u2014he\tseemed\tto\tbe\titching\tto\thead\tinto\tthe\tcity on\this\town. The\t two\t Illyrians\t paused\t their\t inspection\t of\t me\t long\t enough\t to\t note\t my sisters\t finishing\t up\t breakfast,\t Nesta\t in\t a\t pale\t gray\t gown\t that\t brought\t out\t the steel\tin\ther\teyes,\tElain\tin\tdusty\tpink. Both\tmales\twent\ta\tbit\tstill.\tBut\tAzriel\tsketched\ta\tbow\u2014while\tCassian\tstalked for\t the\t dining\t table,\t reached\t right\t over\t Nesta\u2019s\t shoulder,\t and\t grabbed\t a\t muffin from\t its\t little\t basket.\t \u201cMorning,\t Nesta,\u201d\t he\t said\t around\t a\t mouth\t of\t blueberry- lemon.\t\u201cElain.\u201d Nesta\u2019s\t nostrils\t flared,\t but\t Elain\t peered\t up\t at\t Cassian,\t blinking\t twice.\t \u201cHe snapped\tyour\twings,\tbroke\tyour\tbones.\u201d","I\ttried\tto\tshut\tout\tthe\tsound\tof\tCassian\u2019s\tscream\u2014the\tmemory\tof\tthe\tspraying blood. Nesta\tstared\tat\ther\tplate.\tElain,\tat\tleast,\twas\tout\tof\ther\troom,\tbut\t\u2026 \u201cIt\u2019ll\t take\t more\t than\t that\t to\t kill\t me,\u201d\t Cassian\t said\t with\t a\t smirk\t that\t didn\u2019t meet\this\teyes. Elain\tonly\tsaid\tto\tCassian,\t\u201cNo,\tit\twill\tnot.\u201d Cassian\u2019s\tdark\tbrows\tnarrowed.\tI\tdragged\ta\thand\tover\tmy\tface\tbefore\tgoing to\t Elain\t and\t touching\t her\t too-bony\t shoulder.\t \u201cCan\t I\t set\t you\t up\t in\t the\t garden? The\therbs\tyou\tplanted\tare\tcoming\tin\tnicely.\u201d \u201cI\t can\t help\t her,\u201d\t said\t Azriel,\t stepping\t to\t the\t table\t as\t Elain\t silently\t rose.\t No shadows\tat\this\tear,\tno\tdarkness\tringing\this\tfingers\tas\the\textended\ta\thand. Nesta\tmonitored\thim\tlike\ta\thawk,\tbut\tkept\tsilent\tas\tElain\ttook\this\thand,\tand out\tthey\twent. Cassian\t finished\t the\t muffin,\t licking\t his\t fingers.\t I\t could\t have\t sworn\t Nesta watched\tthe\tentire\tthing\twith\ta\tsidelong\tglance.\tHe\tgrinned\tat\ther\tas\tif\the\tknew it,\ttoo.\t\u201cReady\tfor\tsome\tflying,\tNes?\u201d \u201cDon\u2019t\tcall\tme\tthat.\u201d The\twrong\tthing\tto\tsay,\tfrom\tthe\tway\tCassian\u2019s\teyes\tlit\tup. I\t chose\t that\t moment\t to\t winnow\t to\t the\t skies\t above\t the\t House,\t chuckling\t as wind\t carried\t me\t through\t the\t world.\t Some\t sisterly\t payback,\t I\t supposed.\t For Nesta\u2019s\tgeneral\tattitude. Mercifully,\tno\tone\tsaw\tmy\tslightly\tbetter\tcrash\tlanding\ton\tthe\tveranda,\t and by\t the\t time\t Cassian\u2019s\t dark\t figure\t appeared\t in\t the\t sky,\t Nesta\u2019s\t hair\t bright\t as bronze\tin\tthe\tmorning\tsun,\tI\u2019d\tbrushed\toff\tthe\tdirt\tand\tdust\tfrom\tmy\tleathers. My\t sister\u2019s\t face\t was\t wind-flushed\t as\t Cassian\t gently\t set\t her\t down.\t Then\t she strode\tfor\tthe\tglass\tdoors\twithout\ta\tsingle\tlook\tback. \u201cYou\u2019re\twelcome,\u201d\tCassian\tcalled\tafter\ther,\tmore\tthan\ta\tbite\tto\this\tvoice.\tHis hands\tclenched\tand\tslackened\tat\this\tsides\u2014as\tif\the\twere\ttrying\tto\tloosen\tthe\tfeel of\ther\tfrom\this\tpalms. \u201cThank\t you,\u201d\t I\t said\t to\t him,\t but\t Cassian\t didn\u2019t\t bother\t saying\t farewell\t as\t he launched\tskyward\tand\tvanished\tinto\tthe\tclouds. The\tlibrary\tbeneath\tthe\tHouse\twas\tshadowed,\tquiet.\tThe\tdoors\topened\tfor\tus, the\tsame\tway\tthey\u2019d\topened\twhen\tRhys\tand\tI\thad\tfirst\tvisited. Nesta\t said\t nothing,\t only\t surveying\t every\t stack\t and\t alcove\t and\t dangling","chandelier\tas\tI\tled\ther\tdown\tto\tthe\tlevel\twhere\tClotho\thad\tfound\tthose\tbooks.\tI showed\ther\tthe\tsmall\treading\tarea\twhere\tI\u2019d\tbeen\tstationed,\tand\tgestured\tto\tthe desk.\t \u201cI\t know\t Cassian\t gets\t under\t your\t skin,\t but\t I\u2019m\t curious,\t too.\t How\t do\t you know\twhat\tto\tlook\tfor\tin\tregard\tto\tthe\twall?\u201d Nesta\tran\ta\tfinger\tover\tthe\tancient\twood\tdesk.\t\u201cBecause\tI\tjust\tdo.\u201d \u201cHow.\u201d \u201cI\t don\u2019t\t know\t how.\t Amren\t told\t me\t to\t just\t \u2026\t see\t if\t the\t information\t clicks.\u201d And\t perhaps\t that\t frightened\t her.\t Intrigued\t her,\t but\t frightened\t her.\t And\t she hadn\u2019t\t told\t Cassian\t not\t out\t of\t spite,\t but\t because\t she\t didn\u2019t\t wish\t to\t reveal\t that vulnerability.\tThat\tlack\tof\tcontrol. I\tdidn\u2019t\tpush.\tEven\tas\tI\tstared\tat\ther\tfor\ta\tlong\tmoment.\tI\tdidn\u2019t\tknow\thow\u2014 how\tto\tbroach\tthat\tsubject,\thow\tto\task\tif\tshe\twas\tall\tright,\tif\tI\tcould\thelp\ther.\tI had\t never\t been\t affectionate\t with\t her\u2014I\u2019d\t never\t held\t her.\t Kissed\t her\t cheek.\t I didn\u2019t\tknow\twhere\tto\tbegin. So\t I\t just\t said,\t \u201cRhys\t gave\t me\t a\t layout\t of\t the\t stacks.\t I\t think\t there\t might\t be more\ton\tthe\tCauldron\tand\twall\ta\tfew\tlevels\tdown.\tYou\tcan\twait\there,\tor\u2014\u201d \u201cI\u2019ll\thelp\tyou\tlook.\u201d We\t followed\t the\t sloping\t path\t in\t silence,\t the\t rustle\t of\t paper\t and\t occasional whisper\t of\t a\t priestess\u2019s\t robes\t along\t the\t stone\t floors\t the\t only\t sounds.\t I\t quietly explained\tto\ther\twho\tthe\tpriestesses\twere\u2014why\tthey\twere\there.\tI\texplained\tthat Rhys\t and\t I\t planned\t to\t offer\t sanctuary\t to\t any\t humans\t who\t could\t make\t it\t to Velaris. She\t said\t nothing,\t quieter\t and\t quieter\t as\t we\t descended,\t that\t black\t pit\t on\t my right\tseeming\tto\tgrow\tthicker\tthe\tdeeper\twe\twent. But\twe\treached\ta\tpath\tof\tstacks\tthat\tveered\tinto\tthe\tmountain\tin\ta\tlong\thall, faelights\t flickering\t into\t life\t within\t glass\t globes\t along\t the\t wall\t as\t we\t passed. Nesta\t scanned\t the\t shelves\t while\t we\t walked,\t and\t I\t read\t the\t titles\u2014a\t bit\t more slowly,\tstill\tneeding\ta\tlittle\ttime\tto\tprocess\twhat\twas\tinstinct\tfor\tmy\tsister. \u201cI\t didn\u2019t\t know\t you\t couldn\u2019t\t really\t read,\u201d\t Nesta\t said\t as\t she\t paused\t before\t a nondescript\tsection,\tnoticing\tthe\tway\tI\tsilently\tsounded\tout\tthe\twords\tof\ta\ttitle. \u201cI\t didn\u2019t\t know\t where\t you\t were\t in\t your\t lessons\u2014when\t it\t all\t happened.\t I assumed\tyou\tcould\tread\tas\teasily\tas\tus.\u201d \u201cWell,\tI\tcouldn\u2019t.\u201d \u201cWhy\tdidn\u2019t\tyou\task\tus\tto\tteach\tyou?\u201d","I\ttrailed\ta\tfinger\tover\tthe\tneat\trow\tof\tspines.\t\u201cBecause\tI\tdoubted\tyou\twould agree\tto\thelp.\u201d Nesta\tstiffened\tlike\tI\u2019d\thit\ther,\tcoldness\tblooming\tin\tthose\teyes.\tShe\ttugged\ta book\tfrom\ta\tshelf.\t\u201cAmren\tsaid\tRhysand\ttaught\tyou\tto\tread.\u201d My\t cheeks\t heated.\t \u201cHe\t did.\u201d\t And\t there,\t deep\t beneath\t the\t world,\t with\t only darkness\t for\t company,\t I\t asked,\t \u201cWhy\t do\t you\t push\t everyone\t away\t but\t Elain?\u201d Why\thave\tyou\talways\tpushed\tme\taway? Some\t emotion\t guttered\t in\t her\t eyes.\t Her\t throat\t bobbed.\t Nesta\t shut\t her\t eyes for\ta\tmoment,\tbreathing\tin\tsharply.\t\u201cBecause\u2014\u201d The\twords\tstopped. I\tfelt\tit\tat\tthe\tsame\tmoment\tshe\tdid. The\tripple\tand\ttremor.\tLike\t\u2026\tlike\tsome\tpiece\tof\tthe\tworld\tshifted,\tlike\tsome off-kilter\tchord\thad\tbeen\tplucked. We\tturned\ttoward\tthe\tilluminated\tpath\tthat\twe\u2019d\tjust\ttaken\tthrough\tthe\tstacks, then\tto\tthe\tdark\tfar,\tfar\tbeyond. The\tfaelights\talong\tthe\tceiling\tbegan\tto\tsputter\tand\tdie.\tOne\tby\tone. Closer\tand\tcloser\tto\tus. I\tonly\thad\tan\tIllyrian\tknife\tat\tmy\tside. \u201cWhat\tis\tthat,\u201d\tNesta\tbreathed. \u201cRun,\u201d\twas\tall\tI\tsaid. I\t didn\u2019t\t give\t her\t the\t chance\t to\t object\t as\t I\t grabbed\t her\t by\t the\t elbow\t and sprinted\t into\t the\t stacks\t ahead.\t Faelights\t flickered\t to\t life\t as\t we\t passed\u2014only\t to be\tdevoured\tby\tthe\tdark\tsurging\tfor\tus. Slow\u2014my\t sister\t was\t so\t damned\t slow\t with\t her\t dress,\t her\t general\t lack\t of exercising\u2014 Rhys. Nothing. If\tthe\twards\taround\tthe\tPrison\twere\tthick\tenough\tto\tkeep\tout\tcommunication \u2026\tPerhaps\tthe\tsame\tapplied\there. A\t wall\t approached\u2014with\t a\t hall\t before\t it.\t A\t second\t slope:\t left\t rising,\t right plunging\tdown\u2014 Darkness\t slithered\t down\t from\t above.\t But\t the\t inky\t gloom\t leading\t deeper\t \u2026 fresh\tand\topen. I\t went\t right.\t \u201cFaster,\u201d\t I\t said\t to\t her.\t If\t we\t could\t lead\t whoever\t it\t was\t deep,","perhaps\twe\tcould\tcut\tback,\tright\tto\tthe\tpit.\tI\tcould\twinnow\u2014 Winnow.\tI\tcould\twinnow\tnow\u2014 I\tgrabbed\tfor\tNesta\u2019s\tarm. Right\t as\t the\t darkness\t behind\t us\t paused,\t and\t two\t High\t Fae\t stepped\t out\t of\t it. Both\tmale. One\tdark-haired,\tone\tlight.\tBoth\tin\tgray\tjackets\tembroidered\twith\tbone-white thread. I\tknew\ttheir\tcoat\tof\tarms\ton\tthe\tupper\tright\tshoulder.\tKnew\ttheir\tdead\teyes. Hybern.\tHybern\twas\there\u2014 I\tdidn\u2019t\tmove\tfast\tenough\tas\tone\tof\tthem\tblew\tout\ta\tbreath\ttoward\tus. As\t that\t blue\t faebane\t dust\t sprayed\t into\t my\t eyes,\t my\t mouth,\t and\t my\t magic died\tout. Nesta\u2019s\tgasp\ttold\tme\tshe\tfelt\tsomething\tsimilar. But\t it\t was\t on\t my\t sister\t that\t the\t two\t focused\t as\t I\t staggered\t back,\t tears streaming\t the\t dust\t from\t my\t eyes,\t spitting\t out\t the\t faebane.\t I\t gripped\t her\t arm, trying\tto\twinnow.\tNothing. Behind\tthem,\ta\thooded\tpriestess\tslumped\tto\tthe\tground. \u201cSo\t easy\t to\t get\t into\t their\t minds\t once\t our\t master\t let\t us\t through\t the\t wards,\u201d said\tone\tof\tthem\u2014the\tdark-haired\tmale.\t\u201cTo\tmake\tthem\tthink\twe\twere\tscholars. We\u2019d\tplanned\tto\tcome\tfor\tyou\t\u2026\tBut\tit\tseems\tyou\tfound\tus\tfirst.\u201d All\tspoken\tto\tmy\tsister.\tNesta\u2019s\tface\twas\tnear-white,\tthough\ther\teyes\tshowed no\tfear.\t\u201cWho\tare\tyou.\u201d The\t white-haired\t one\t smiled\t broadly\t as\t they\t approached.\t \u201cWe\u2019re\t the\t king\u2019s Ravens.\tHis\tfar-flying\teyes\tand\ttalons.\tAnd\twe\u2019ve\tcome\tto\ttake\tyou\tback.\u201d The\tking\u2014their\tmaster.\tHe\u2019d\t\u2026\tMother\tabove. Was\tthe\tking\there\u2014in\tVelaris? Rhys.\tI\tslammed\ta\tmental\thand\tinto\tthe\tbond.\tOver\tand\tover.\tRhys. Nothing. Nesta\u2019s\t breath\t began\t to\t come\t quickly.\t Swords\t hung\t at\t their\t sides\u2014two apiece.\tTheir\tshoulders\twere\tbroad,\tarms\twide\tenough\tto\tindicate\tmuscle\tfilled those\tfine\tclothes. \u201cYou\u2019re\t not\t taking\t her\t anywhere,\u201d\t I\t said,\t palming\t my\t knife.\t How\t had\t the king\t done\t it\u2014arrived\t here\t unnoted,\t and\t fractured\t our\t wards?\t And\t if\t he\t was\t in Velaris\t \u2026\t I\t shoved\t down\t my\t terror\t at\t the\t thought.\t At\t what\t he\t might\t be\t doing","beyond\tthis\tlibrary,\tunseen\tand\thidden\u2014 \u201cYou\u2019re\tan\tunexpected\tprize,\ttoo,\u201d\tthe\tblack-haired\tone\tsaid\tto\tme.\t\u201cBut\tyour sister\t \u2026\u201d\t A\t smile\t that\t showed\t all\t of\t his\t too-white\t teeth.\t \u201cYou\t took\t something from\tthat\tCauldron,\tgirl.\tThe\tking\twants\tit\tback.\u201d That\t was\t why\t the\t Cauldron\t couldn\u2019t\t shatter\t the\t wall.\t Not\t because\t its\t power was\tspent. But\tbecause\tNesta\thad\tstolen\ttoo\tmuch\tof\tit.","CHAPTER 31 I\tlaid\tmy\toptions\tbefore\tme. I\t doubted\t the\t king\u2019s\t Ravens\t were\t stupid\t enough\t to\t be\t kept\t talking\t long enough\t for\t my\t powers\t to\t return.\t And\t if\t the\t king\t was\t indeed\t here\t \u2026\t I\t had\t to warn\teveryone.\tImmediately. It\tleft\tme\twith\tthree\tchoices. Take\tthem\ton\tin\thand-to-hand\tcombat\twith\tonly\ta\tknife,\twhen\tthey\twere\teach armed\twith\ttwin\tblades\tand\twere\tmuscled\tenough\tto\tknow\thow\tto\tuse\tthem. Make\t a\t run\t for\t it,\t and\t try\t to\t get\t out\t of\t the\t library\u2014and\t risk\t the\t lives\t and further\ttrauma\tof\tthe\tpriestesses\tin\tthe\tlevels\tabove. Or\t\u2026 Nesta\t was\t saying\t to\t them,\t \u201cIf\t he\t wants\t what\t I\t took,\t he\t can\t come\t get\t it himself.\u201d \u201cHe\u2019s\t too\t busy\t to\t bother,\u201d\t the\t white-haired\t male\t purred,\t advancing\t another step. \u201cApparently\tyou\u2019re\tnot.\u201d I\tgripped\tNesta\u2019s\tfingers\tin\tmy\tfree\thand.\tShe\tglanced\tat\tme. I\tneed\tyou\tto\ttrust\tme,\tI\ttried\tto\tconvey\tto\ther. Nesta\tread\tthe\temotion\tin\tmy\teyes\u2014and\tgave\tthe\tbarest\tdip\tof\ther\tchin. I\tsaid\tto\tthem,\t\u201cYou\tmade\ta\tgrave\tmistake\tcoming\there.\tTo\tmy\thouse.\u201d They\tsniggered. I\t gave\t them\t a\t returning\t smirk\t as\t I\t said,\t \u201cAnd\t I\t hope\t it\t rips\t you\t into\t bloody ribbons.\u201d Then\tI\tran,\thauling\tNesta\twith\tme.\tNot\ttoward\tthe\tupper\tlevels. But\tdown.","Down\tinto\tthe\teternal\tblackness\tof\tthe\tpit\tat\tthe\theart\tof\tthe\tlibrary. And\tinto\tthe\tarms\tof\twhatever\tlurked\tinside\tit. Around\tand\tdown,\taround\tand\tdown\u2014 Shelves\t and\t paper\t and\t furniture\t and\t darkness,\t the\t smell\t turning\t musty\t and damp,\tthe\tair\tthickening,\tthe\tdarkness\tlike\tdew\ton\tmy\tskin\u2014 Nesta\u2019s\t breath\t was\t ragged,\t her\t skirts\t rustling\t with\t each\t sprinting\t step\t we took. Time\u2014only\ta\tmatter\tof\ttime\tbefore\tone\tof\tthose\tpriestesses\tcontacted\tRhys. But\teven\ta\tminute\tmight\tbe\ttoo\tlate. There\twas\tno\tchoice.\tNone. Faelights\tstopped\tappearing\tahead. Low,\t hideous\t laughter\t trickled\t behind\t us.\t \u201cNot\t so\t easy,\t is\t it\u2014to\t find\t your way\tin\tthe\tdark.\u201d \u201cDon\u2019t\tstop,\u201d\tI\tpanted\tto\tNesta,\tflinging\tus\tfarther\tinto\tthe\tdark. A\t high-pitched\t scratching\t sounded.\t Like\t talons\t on\t stone.\t One\t of\t the\t Ravens crooned,\t\u201cDo\tyou\tknow\twhat\thappened\tto\tthem\u2014the\tqueens?\u201d \u201cKeep\tgoing,\u201d\tI\tbreathed,\tgripping\ta\thand\tagainst\tthe\twall\tto\tremain\trooted. Soon\u2014we\u2019d\t reach\t the\t bottom\t soon,\t and\t then\t \u2026\t And\t then\t face\t some\t horror awful\tenough\tthat\tCassian\twouldn\u2019t\tspeak\tof\tit. The\tlesser\tof\ttwo\tevils\u2014or\tthe\tworse\tof\tthem. \u201cThe\t youngest\t one\u2014that\t pinched-faced\t bitch\u2014went\t into\t the\t Cauldron\t first. Practically\ttrampled\tthe\tothers\tto\tget\tin\tafter\tit\tsaw\twhat\tit\tdid\tto\tyou\tand\tyour sister.\u201d \u201cDon\u2019t\tstop,\u201d\tI\trepeated\tas\tNesta\tstumbled.\t\u201cIf\tI\tgo\tdown,\tyou\trun.\u201d That\twas\ta\tchoice\tthat\tI\tdid\tnot\tneed\tto\tdebate.\tThat\tdid\tnot\tfrighten\tme.\tNot for\ta\theartbeat. Stone\tscreamed\tbeneath\ttwin\tsets\tof\ttalons.\t\u201cBut\tthe\tCauldron\t\u2026\tOh,\tit\tknew that\t something\t had\t been\t taken\t from\t it.\t Not\t sentient,\t but\t \u2026\t it\t knew.\t It\t was furious.\tAnd\twhen\tthat\tyoung\tqueen\twent\tin\t\u2026\u201d The\t Ravens\t laughed.\t Laughed\t as\t the\t slope\t leveled\t out\t and\t we\t found ourselves\tat\tthe\tbottom\tof\tthe\tlibrary. \u201cOh,\tit\tgave\ther\timmortality.\tIt\tmade\ther\tFae.\tBut\tsince\tsomething\thad\tbeen","taken\t from\t it\t \u2026\t the\t Cauldron\t took\t what\t she\t valued\t most.\t Her\t youth.\u201d\t They sniggered\tagain.\t\u201cA\tyoung\twoman\twent\tin\t\u2026\tbut\ta\twithered\tcrone\tcame\tout.\u201d And\tfrom\tthe\tcatacombs\tof\tmy\tmemory,\tElain\u2019s\tvoice\tsounded:\tI\tsaw\tyoung hands\twither\twith\tage. \u201cThe\t other\t queens\t won\u2019t\t go\t into\t the\t Cauldron\t for\t terror\t of\t the\t same happening\t now.\t And\t the\t youngest\t one\t \u2026\t Oh,\t you\t should\t hear\t how\t she\t talks, Nesta\tArcheron.\tThe\tthings\tshe\twants\tto\tdo\tto\tyou\twhen\tHybern\tis\tdone\t\u2026\u201d Twin\travens\tare\tcoming. Elain\thad\tknown.\tSensed\tit.\tHad\ttried\tto\twarn\tus. There\t were\t ancient\t stacks\t down\t here.\t Or,\t at\t least\t I\t felt\t them\t as\t we\t bumped into\tcountless\thard\tedges\tin\tour\tblind\tsprint.\tWhere\twas\tit,\twhere\twas\tit\u2014 Deeper\tinto\tthe\tdark,\twe\tran. \u201cWe\u2019re\t growing\t bored\t of\t this\t pursuit,\u201d\t one\t of\t them\t said.\t \u201cOur\t master\t is waiting\tfor\tus\tto\tretrieve\tyou.\u201d I\tsnorted\tloudly\tenough\tfor\tthem\tto\thear.\t\u201cI\u2019m\tshocked\the\tcould\teven\tmuster the\tstrength\tto\tbreak\tthe\twards\u2014he\tseems\tto\tneed\ta\ttrove\tof\tmagical\tobjects\tto do\this\twork\tfor\thim.\u201d The\t other\t one\t hissed,\t talons\t scratching\t louder,\t \u201cWhose\t spell\t book\t do\t you think\t Amarantha\t stole\t many\t decades\t ago?\t Who\t suggested\t the\t amusement\t of sticking\tthe\tmasks\tto\tSpring\u2019s\tfaces\tas\tpunishment?\tAnother\tlittle\tspell,\tthe\tone he\tburned\tthrough\ttoday\u2014to\tcrack\tthrough\tyour\twards\there.\tOnly\tonce\tcould\tit be\twielded\u2014such\ta\tpity.\u201d I\t studied\t the\t faint\t trickle\t of\t light\t I\t could\t make\t out\u2014far\t away\t and\t high\t up. \u201cRun\ttoward\tthe\tlight,\u201d\tI\tbreathed\tto\tNesta.\t\u201cI\u2019ll\thold\tthem\toff.\u201d \u201cNo.\u201d \u201cDon\u2019t\t try\t to\t be\t noble,\t if\t that\u2019s\t what\t you\u2019re\t whispering\t about,\u201d\t one\t of\t the Ravens\tcawed\tfrom\tbehind.\t\u201cWe\u2019ll\tcatch\tyou\tboth\tanyway.\u201d We\tdidn\u2019t\thave\ttime\u2014for\twhatever\twas\tdown\there\tto\tfind\tus.\tWe\tdidn\u2019t\thave time\u2014 \u201cRun,\u201d\tI\tbreathed.\t\u201cPlease.\u201d She\thesitated. \u201cPlease,\u201d\tI\tbegged\ther,\tmy\tvoice\tbreaking. Nesta\tsqueezed\tmy\thand\tonce. And\t between\t one\t breath\t and\t the\t next,\t she\t bolted\t to\t the\t side\u2014toward\t the","center\tof\tthe\tpit.\tThe\tlight\thigh\tabove. \u201cWhat\u2014\u201d\tone\tof\tthem\tsnapped,\tbut\tI\tstruck. Every\t bone\t in\t my\t body\t barked\t in\t pain\t as\t I\t slammed\t into\t one\t of\t the\t stacks. Then\tagain.\tAgain. Until\tit\tteetered\tand\tfell,\tcollapsing\tonto\tthe\tone\tbeside\tit.\tAnd\tthe\tnext.\tAnd the\tnext. Blocking\tthe\tway\tNesta\thad\tgone. And\tany\tchance\tof\tmy\texit,\ttoo.\tWood\tgroaned\tand\tsnapped,\tbooks\tthudded on\tstone. But\tahead\t\u2026 I\tclawed\tand\tpatted\tthe\twall\tas\tI\tplunged\tfarther\tinto\tthe\tpit\tfloor.\tMy\tmagic was\ta\thusk\tin\tmy\tveins. \u201cWe\u2019ll\t still\t catch\t her,\t don\u2019t\t worry,\u201d\t one\t of\t them\t crooned.\t \u201cWouldn\u2019t\t want dear\tsisters\tto\tbe\tseparated.\u201d Where\tare\tyou\twhere\tare\tyou\twhere\tare\tyou I\tdidn\u2019t\tsee\tthe\twall\tin\tfront\tof\tme. My\t teeth\t sang\t as\t I\t collided\t face-first.\t I\t patted\t blindly,\t feeling\t for\t a\t break,\t a corner\u2014 The\twall\tcontinued\ton.\tDead\tend.\tIf\tit\twas\ta\tdead\tend\u2014 \u201cNowhere\tto\tgo\tdown\there,\tLady,\u201d\tone\tof\tthem\tsaid. I\t kept\t moving,\t gritting\t my\t teeth,\t gauging\t the\t power\t still\t frozen\t inside\t me. Not\teven\tan\tember\tto\tsummon\tto\tlight\tthe\tway,\tto\tshow\twhere\tI\twas\u2014 To\tshow\tany\tholes\tahead\u2014 The\tterror\tof\tit\thad\tmy\tbones\tlocking\tup.\tNo.\tNo,\tkeep\tmoving,\tkeep\tgoing\u2014 I\treached\tout,\t desperate\tfor\ta\tbookshelf\tto\tgrab.\t Surely\t they\t wouldn\u2019t\tput\ta shelf\tnear\ta\tgaping\thole\tin\tthe\tearth\u2014 Empty\tblackness\tmet\tmy\tfingers,\tslipped\tbetween\tthem.\tAgain\tand\tagain. I\tstumbled\ta\tstep. Leather\t met\t my\t fingers\u2014solid\t leather.\t I\t fumbled,\t the\t hard\t spines\t of\t books meeting\t my\t palms,\t and\t bit\t down\t my\t sob\t of\t relief.\t A\t lifeline\t in\t a\t violent\t sea;\t I felt\tmy\tway\tdown\tthe\tstack,\trunning\tnow.\tIt\tended\ttoo\tsoon.\tI\ttook\tanother\tblind step\t forward,\t touched\t my\t way\t around\t a\t corner\t of\t another\t stack.\t Just\t as\t the Ravens\thissed\twith\tdispleasure. The\tsound\tsaid\tenough.","They\u2019d\tlost\tme\u2014for\ta\tmoment. I\t inched\t along,\t keeping\t my\t back\t to\t a\t shelf,\t calming\t my\t heaving\t lungs\t until my\tbreaths\tbecame\tnear-silent. \u201cPlease,\u201d\t I\t breathed\t into\t the\t dark,\t barely\t more\t than\t a\t whisper.\t \u201cPlease,\t help me.\u201d In\tthe\tdistance,\ta\tboom\tshuddered\tthrough\tthe\tancient\tfloor. \u201cHigh\tLady\tof\tthe\tNight\tCourt,\u201d\tone\tof\tthe\tRavens\tsang.\t\u201cWhat\tsort\tof\tcage shall\tour\tking\tbuild\tfor\tyou?\u201d Fear\twould\tget\tme\tkilled,\tfear\twould\u2014 A\tsoft\tvoice\twhispered\tin\tmy\tear,\tYou\tare\tthe\tHigh\tLady? The\t voice\t was\t both\t young\t and\t old,\t hideous\t and\t beautiful.\t \u201cY-yes,\u201d\t I whispered. I\tcould\tsense\tno\tbody\theat,\tdetect\tno\tphysical\tpresence,\tbut\t\u2026\tI\tfelt\tit\tbehind me.\t Even\t with\t my\t back\t to\t the\t shelf,\t I\t felt\t the\t mass\t of\t it\t lurking\t behind\t me. Around\tme.\tLike\ta\tshroud. \u201cWe\tcan\tsmell\tyou,\u201d\tthe\tother\tRaven\tsaid.\t\u201cHow\tyour\tmate\tshall\trage\twhen he\u2019s\tfound\twe\u2019ve\ttaken\tyou.\u201d \u201cPlease,\u201d\tI\tbreathed\tto\tthe\tthing\tcrouched\tbehind\tme,\tover\tme. What\tshall\tyou\tgive\tme? Such\ta\tdangerous\tquestion.\tNever\tmake\ta\tbargain,\tAlis\thad\tonce\twarned\tme before\t Under\t the\t Mountain.\t Even\t if\t the\t bargains\t I\u2019d\t made\t \u2026\t they\u2019d\t saved\t us. And\tbrought\tme\tto\tRhys. \u201cWhat\tdo\tyou\twant?\u201d One\tof\tthe\tRavens\tsnapped,\t\u201cWho\tis\tshe\ttalking\tto?\u201d The\tstone\tand\twind\thear\tall,\tspeak\tall.\tThey\twhispered\tto\tme\tof\tyour\tdesire\tto wield\tthe\tCarver.\tTo\ttrade. My\tbreath\tcame\thard\tand\tfast.\t\u201cWhat\tof\tit?\u201d I\tknew\thim\tonce\u2014long\tago.\tBefore\tso\tmany\tthings\tcrawled\tthe\tearth. The\tRavens\twere\tclose\u2014far\ttoo\tclose\twhen\tone\tof\tthem\thissed,\t\u201cWhat\tis\tshe mumbling?\u201d \u201cDoes\tshe\tknow\ta\tspell,\tas\tthe\tmaster\tdid?\u201d I\twhispered\tto\tthe\tlurking\tdark\tbehind\tme,\t\u201cWhat\tis\tyour\tprice?\u201d The\tRavens\u2019\tfootsteps\tsounded\tso\tnearby\tthey\tcouldn\u2019t\thave\tbeen\tmore\tthan twenty\tfeet\taway.\t\u201cWho\tare\tyou\ttalking\tto?\u201d\tone\tof\tthem\tdemanded.","Company.\tSend\tme\tcompany. I\topened\tmy\tmouth,\tbut\tthen\tsaid,\t\u201cTo\u2014eat?\u201d A\tlaugh\tthat\tmade\tmy\tskin\tcrawl.\tTo\ttell\tme\tof\tlife. The\tair\tahead\tshifted\u2014as\tthe\tHybern\tRavens\tclosed\tin.\t\u201cThere\tyou\tare,\u201d\tone seethed. \u201cIt\u2019s\ta\tbargain,\u201d\tI\tbreathed.\tThe\tskin\talong\tmy\tleft\tforearm\ttingled.\tThe\tthing behind\tme\t\u2026\tI\tcould\thave\tsworn\tI\tfelt\tit\tsmile. Shall\tI\tkill\tthem? \u201cP-please\tdo.\u201d Light\tsputtered\tbefore\tme,\tand\tI\tblinked\tat\tthe\tblinding\tball\tof\tfaelight. I\t saw\t the\t twin\t Ravens\t first,\t that\t faelight\t at\t their\t shoulder\u2014to\t illuminate\t me for\ttheir\ttaking. Their\tattention\twent\tto\tme.\tThen\trose\tover\tmy\tshoulder.\tMy\thead. Absolute,\tunfiltered\tterror\tfilled\ttheir\tfaces.\tAt\twhat\tstood\tbehind\tme. Close\tyour\teyes,\tthe\tthing\tpurred\tin\tmy\tear. I\tobeyed,\ttrembling. Then\tall\tI\theard\twas\tscreaming. High-pitched\t shrieking\t and\t pleading.\t Bones\t snapping,\t blood\t splattering\t like rain,\tcloth\tripping,\tand\tscreaming,\tscreaming,\tscreaming\u2014 I\t squeezed\t my\t eyes\t shut\t so\t hard\t it\t hurt.\t Squeezed\t them\t shut\t so\t hard\t I\t was shaking. Then\tthere\twere\twarm,\trough\thands\ton\tme,\tdragging\tme\taway,\tand\tCassian\u2019s voice\tat\tmy\tear,\tsaying,\t\u201cDon\u2019t\tlook.\tDon\u2019t\tlook.\u201d I\tdidn\u2019t.\tI\tlet\thim\tlead\tme\taway.\tJust\tas\tI\tfelt\tRhys\tarrive.\tFelt\thim\tland\ton\tthe floor\tof\tthe\tpit\tso\thard\tthe\tentire\tmountain\tshuddered. I\topened\tmy\teyes\tthen.\tFound\thim\tstorming\ttoward\tus,\tnight\trippling\toff\thim, such\tfury\ton\this\tface\u2014 \u201cGet\tthem\tout.\u201d The\torder\twas\tgiven\tto\tCassian. The\tscreaming\twas\tstill\terupting\tbehind\tus. I\t lurched\t toward\t Rhys,\t but\t he\t was\t already\t gone,\t a\t plume\t of\t darkness spreading\tfrom\thim. To\tshield\tthe\tview\tof\twhat\the\twalked\tinto. Knowing\tI\twould\tlook.","The\tscreaming\tstopped. In\t the\t terrible\t silence,\t Cassian\t hauled\t me\t out\u2014toward\t the\t dim\t center\t of\t the pit.\tNesta\twas\tstanding\tthere,\tarms\taround\therself,\teyes\twide. Cassian\tonly\tstretched\tout\tan\tarm\tfor\ther.\tAs\tif\tin\ta\ttrance,\tshe\twalked\tright to\t his\t side.\t His\t arms\t tightened\t around\t both\t of\t us,\t Siphons\t flaring,\t gilding\t the darkness\twith\tbloodred\tlight. Then\twe\tlaunched\tskyward. Just\tas\tthe\tscreaming\tbegan\tanew.","CHAPTER 32 Cassian\tgave\tus\tboth\ta\tglass\tof\tbrandy.\tA\ttall\tglass. Seated\t in\t an\t armchair\t in\t the\t family\t library\t high\t above,\t Nesta\t drank\t hers\t in one\tgulp. I\t claimed\t the\t chair\t across\t from\t her,\t took\t a\t sip,\t shuddered\t at\t the\t taste,\t and made\tto\tset\tit\tdown\ton\tthe\tlow-lying\ttable\tbetween\tus. \u201cKeep\tdrinking,\u201d\tCassian\tordered.\tThe\twrath\twasn\u2019t\ttoward\tme. No\u2014it\twas\ttoward\twhatever\twas\tbelow.\tWhat\thad\thappened. \u201cAre\tyou\thurt?\u201d\tCassian\tasked\tme.\tEach\tword\twas\tclipped\u2014brutal. I\tshook\tmy\thead. That\t he\t didn\u2019t\t ask\t Nesta\t \u2026\t he\t must\t have\t found\t her\t first.\t Ascertained\t for himself. I\tstarted,\t\u201cIs\tthe\tking\u2014the\tcity\u2014\u201d \u201cNo\tsign\tof\thim.\u201d\tA\tmuscle\ttwitched\tin\this\tjaw. We\t sat\t in\t silence.\t Until\t Rhys\t appeared\t between\t the\t open\t doors,\t shadows trailing\tin\this\twake. Blood\tcoated\this\thands\u2014but\tnothing\telse. So\tmuch\tblood,\truby-bright\tin\tthe\tmidmorning\tsun. Like\the\u2019d\tclawed\tthrough\tthem\twith\this\tbare\thands. His\teyes\twere\twholly\tfrozen\twith\trage. But\tthey\tdipped\tto\tmy\tleft\tarm,\tthe\tsleeve\tfilthy\tbut\tstill\trolled\tup\u2014 Like\ta\tslim\tband\tof\tblack\tiron\taround\tmy\tforearm,\ta\ttattoo\tnow\tlay\tthere. It\u2019s\t custom\t in\t my\t court\t for\t bargains\t to\t be\t permanently\t marked\t upon\t flesh, Rhys\thad\ttold\tme\tUnder\tthe\tMountain. \u201cWhat\tdid\tyou\tgive\tit.\u201d\tI\thadn\u2019t\theard\tthat\tvoice\tsince\tthat\tvisit\tto\tthe\tCourt","of\tNightmares. \u201cIt\u2014it\tsaid\tit\twanted\tcompany.\tSomeone\tto\ttell\tit\tabout\tlife.\tI\tsaid\tyes.\u201d \u201cDid\tyou\tvolunteer\tyourself.\u201d \u201cNo.\u201d\tI\tdrained\tthe\trest\tof\tthe\tbrandy\tat\tthe\ttone,\this\tfrozen\tface.\t\u201cIt\tjust\tsaid someone.\t And\t it\t didn\u2019t\t specify\t when.\u201d\t I\t grimaced\t at\t the\t solid\t black\t band,\t no thicker\t than\t the\t width\t of\t my\t finger,\t interrupted\t only\t by\t two\t slender\t gaps\t near the\tside\tof\tmy\tforearm.\tI\ttried\tto\tstand,\tto\tgo\tto\thim,\tto\ttake\tthose\tbloody\thands. But\tmy\tknees\tstill\twobbled\tenough\tthat\tI\tcouldn\u2019t\tmove.\t\u201cAre\tthe\tking\u2019s\tRavens dead?\u201d \u201cThey\t nearly\t were\t when\t I\t arrived.\t It\t left\t enough\t of\t their\t minds\t functioning for\tme\tto\thave\ta\tlook.\tAnd\tfinish\tthem\twhen\tI\twas\tdone.\u201d Cassian\twas\tstone-faced,\tglancing\tbetween\tRhys\u2019s\tbloody\thands\tand\this\tice- cold\teyes. But\t it\t was\t to\t my\t sister\t that\t my\t mate\t turned.\t \u201cHybern\t hunts\t you\t because\t of what\t you\t took\t from\t the\t Cauldron.\t The\t queens\t want\t you\t dead\t for\t vengeance\u2014 for\trobbing\tthem\tof\timmortality.\u201d \u201cI\tknow.\u201d\tNesta\u2019s\tvoice\twas\thoarse. \u201cWhat\tdid\tyou\ttake.\u201d \u201cI\t don\u2019t\t know.\u201d\t The\t words\t were\t barely\t more\t than\t a\t whisper.\t \u201cEven\t Amren can\u2019t\tfigure\tit\tout.\u201d Rhys\tstared\ther\tdown.\tBut\tNesta\tlooked\tto\tme\u2014and\tI\tcould\thave\tsworn\tfear shone\tthere,\tand\tguilt\tand\t\u2026\tsome\tother\tfeeling.\t\u201cYou\ttold\tme\tto\trun.\u201d \u201cYou\u2019re\t my\t sister,\u201d\t was\t all\t I\t said.\t She\u2019d\t once\t tried\t to\t cross\t the\t wall\t to\t save me. But\tshe\tstarted.\t\u201cElain\u2014\u201d \u201cElain\t is\t fine,\u201d\t Rhys\t said.\t \u201cAzriel\t was\t at\t the\t town\t house.\t Lucien\t is\t headed back,\tand\tMor\tis\tnearly\tthere.\tThey\tknow\tof\tthe\tthreat.\u201d Nesta\t leaned\t her\t head\t back\t against\t the\t armchair\u2019s\t cushion,\t going\t a\t bit boneless. I\tsaid\tto\tRhys,\t\u201cHybern\tinfiltrated\tour\tcity.\tAgain.\u201d \u201cThe\tprick\theld\ton\tto\tthat\tfleeting\tspell\tuntil\the\treally\tneeded\tit.\u201d \u201cFleeting\tspell?\u201d \u201cA\tspell\tof\tmighty\tpower,\table\tto\tbe\twielded\tonly\tonce\u2014to\tgreat\teffect.\tOne capable\tof\tcleaving\twards\t\u2026\tHe\tmust\thave\tbeen\tbiding\this\ttime.\u201d","\u201cAre\tthe\twards\there\u2014\u201d \u201cAmren\t is\t currently\t adapting\t them\t against\t such\t things.\t And\t will\t then\t begin combing\t through\t this\t city\t to\t find\t if\t the\t king\t also\t deposited\t any\t other\t cronies before\the\tvanished.\u201d Beneath\t the\t cold\t rage,\t there\t was\t a\t sharpness\u2014honed\t enough\t that\t I\t said, What\u2019s\twrong? \u201cWhat\u2019s\t wrong?\u201d\t he\t replied\u2014verbally,\t as\t if\t he\t could\t no\t longer\t distinguish between\tthe\ttwo.\t\u201cWhat\u2019s\twrong\tis\tthat\tthose\tpieces\tof\tshit\tgot\t into\t my\thouse and\tattacked\tmy\tmate.\tWhat\u2019s\twrong\tis\tthat\tmy\town\tdamn\twards\tworked\tagainst me,\t and\t you\t had\t to\t make\t a\t bargain\t with\t that\t thing\t to\t keep\t yourself\t from\t being taken.\tWhat\u2019s\twrong\u2014\u201d \u201cCalm\tdown,\u201d\tI\tsaid\tquietly,\tbut\tnot\tweakly. His\teyes\t glowed,\tlike\tlightning\thad\tstruck\tan\tocean.\tBut\the\tinhaled\tdeeply, blowing\tout\tthe\tbreath\tthrough\this\tnose,\tand\this\tshoulders\tloosened\u2014barely. \u201cDid\tyou\tsee\twhat\tit\twas\u2014that\tthing\tdown\tthere?\u201d \u201cI\t guessed\t enough\t about\t it\t to\t close\t my\t eyes,\u201d\t he\t said.\t \u201cI\t only\t opened\t them when\tit\thad\tstepped\taway\tfrom\ttheir\tbodies.\u201d Cassian\u2019s\tskin\thad\tturned\tashen.\tHe\u2019d\tseen\tit.\tHe\u2019d\tseen\tit\tagain.\tBut\the\tsaid nothing. \u201cYes,\tthe\tking\tgot\tpast\tour\tdefenses,\u201d\tI\tsaid\tto\tRhys.\t\u201cYes,\tthings\twent\tbadly. But\twe\tweren\u2019t\thurt.\tAnd\tthe\tRavens\trevealed\tsome\tkey\tpieces\tof\tinformation.\u201d Sloppy,\tI\trealized.\tRhys\thad\tbeen\tsloppy\tin\tkilling\tthem.\tNormally,\the\twould have\t kept\t them\t alive\t for\t Azriel\t to\t question.\t But\t he\u2019d\t taken\t what\t he\t needed, quickly\tand\tbrutally,\tand\tended\tit.\tHe\u2019d\tshown\tmore\trestraint\tabout\tthe\tAttor\u2014 \u201cWe\tknow\twhy\tthe\tCauldron\tdoesn\u2019t\twork\tat\tits\tfull\tstrength\tnow,\u201d\tI\twent\ton. \u201cWe\tknow\tthat\tNesta\tis\tmore\tof\ta\tpriority\tfor\tthe\tking\tthan\tI\tam.\u201d Rhys\tmulled\tit\tover.\t\u201cHybern\tshowed\tpart\tof\this\thand,\tin\tbringing\tthem\there. He\thas\tto\thave\ta\tsliver\tof\tdoubt\tof\this\tconquest\tif\the\u2019d\trisk\tit.\u201d Nesta\t looked\t like\t she\t was\t going\t to\t be\t sick.\t Cassian\t wordlessly\t refilled\t her glass.\tBut\tI\tasked,\t\u201cHow\u2014how\tdid\tyou\tknow\tthat\twe\twere\tin\ttrouble?\u201d \u201cClotho,\u201d\tRhys\tsaid.\t\u201cThere\u2019s\ta\tspelled\tbell\tinside\tthe\tlibrary.\tShe\trang\tit,\tand it\twent\tout\tto\tall\tof\tus.\tCassian\tgot\tthere\tfirst.\u201d I\twondered\twhat\thad\thappened\tin\tthose\tinitial\tmoments,\twhen\the\u2019d\tfound\tmy sister.","As\tif\the\u2019d\tread\tmy\tthoughts,\tRhys\tsent\tthe\timage\tto\tme,\tno\tdoubt\tcourtesy\tof Cassian. Panic\u2014and\trage.\tThat\twas\tall\the\tknew\tas\the\tshot\tdown\tinto\tthe\theart\tof\tthe pit,\t spearing\t for\t that\t ancient\t darkness\t that\t had\t once\t shaken\t him\t to\t his\t very marrow. Nesta\twas\tthere\u2014and\tFeyre. It\twas\tthe\tformer\the\tsaw\tfirst,\tstumbling\tout\tof\tthe\tdark,\twide-eyed,\ther\tfear\ta tang\tthat\twhetted\this\trage\tinto\tsomething\tso\tsharp\the\tcould\tbarely\tthink,\tbarely breathe\u2014 She\tlet\tout\ta\tsmall,\tanimal\tsound\u2014like\tsome\twounded\tstag\u2014as\tshe\tsaw\thim. As\the\tlanded\tso\thard\this\tknees\tpopped. He\t said\t nothing\t as\t Nesta\t launched\t herself\t toward\t him,\t her\t dress\t filthy\t and disheveled,\t her\t arms\t stretching\t for\t him.\t He\t opened\t his\t own\t for\t her,\t unable\t to stop\this\tapproach,\this\treaching\u2014 She\tgripped\this\t leathers\tinstead.\t\u201c\tFeyre,\u201d\tshe\t rasped,\tpointing\tbehind\ther with\t a\t free\t hand,\t shaking\t him\t solidly\t with\t the\t other.\t Strength\u2014such\t untapped strength\tin\tthat\tslim,\tbeautiful\tbody.\t\u201cHybern.\u201d That\twas\tall\the\tneeded\tto\thear.\tHe\tdrew\this\tsword\u2014then\tRhys\twas\tarrowing for\t them,\t his\t power\t like\t a\t gods-damned\t volcanic\t eruption.\t Cassian\t charged ahead\tinto\tthe\tgloom,\tfollowing\tthe\tscreaming\u2014 I\tpulled\taway,\tnot\twanting\tto\tsee\tany\tfurther.\tSee\twhat\tCassian\thad\twitnessed down\tthere. Rhys\t strode\t to\t me,\t and\t lifted\t a\t hand\t to\t brush\t my\t hair\u2014but\t stopped\t upon seeing\tthe\tblood\tcrusting\this\tfingers.\tHe\tinstead\tstudied\tthe\ttattoo\tnow\tmarring my\tleft\tarm.\t\u201cAs\tlong\tas\twe\tdon\u2019t\thave\tto\tinvite\tit\tto\tsolstice\tdinner,\tI\tcan\tlive with\tit.\u201d \u201cYou\tcan\tlive\twith\tit?\u201d\tI\tlifted\tmy\tbrows. A\t ghost\t of\t a\t smile,\t even\t with\t all\t that\t had\t happened,\t that\t now\t lay\t before\t us. \u201cAt\t least\t now\t if\t one\t of\t you\t misbehaves,\t I\t know\t the\t perfect\t punishment.\t Going down\tthere\tto\ttalk\tto\tthat\tthing\tfor\tan\thour.\u201d Nesta\t scowled\t with\t distaste,\t but\t Cassian\t let\t out\t a\t dark\t laugh.\t \u201cI\u2019ll\t take scrubbing\ttoilets,\tthank\tyou.\u201d \u201cYour\tsecond\tencounter\tseemed\tless\tharrowing\tthan\tthe\tfirst.\u201d \u201cIt\twasn\u2019t\ttrying\tto\teat\tme\tthis\ttime.\u201d\tBut\tshadows\tstill\tdarkened\this\teyes.","Rhys\tsaw\tthem,\ttoo.\tSaw\tthem\tand\tsaid\tquietly,\tagain\twith\tthat\tHigh\tLord\u2019s voice,\t \u201cWarn\t whoever\t needs\t to\t know\t to\t stay\t indoors\t tonight.\t Children\t off\t the streets\tat\tsundown,\tnone\tof\tthe\tPalaces\twill\tremain\topen\tpast\tmoonrise.\tAnyone on\tthe\tstreets\tfaces\tthe\tconsequences.\u201d \u201cOf\twhat?\u201d\tI\tasked,\tthe\tliquor\tin\tmy\tstomach\tnow\tburning. Rhys\u2019s\t jaw\t tightened,\t and\t he\t surveyed\t the\t sparkling\t city\t beyond\t the windows.\t\u201cOf\tAmren\ton\tthe\thunt.\u201d Elain\t was\t nestled\t beside\t a\t too-casual\t Mor\t on\t the\t sitting\t room\t couch\t when\t we arrived\tat\tthe\ttown\thouse.\tNesta\tstrode\tpast\tme,\tright\tto\tElain,\tand\ttook\tup\ta\tseat on\ther\tother\tside,\tbefore\tturning\ther\tattention\tto\twhere\twe\tremained\tin\tthe\tfoyer. Waiting\u2014somehow\tsensing\tthe\tmeeting\tthat\twas\tabout\tto\tunfold. Lucien,\t stationed\t by\t the\t front\t window,\t turned\t from\t watching\t the\t street. Monitoring\t it.\t A\t sword\t and\t dagger\t hung\t from\t his\t belt.\t No\t humor,\t no\t warmth graced\this\tface\u2014only\tfierce,\tgrim\tdetermination. \u201cAzriel\u2019s\tcoming\tdown\tfrom\tthe\troof,\u201d\tRhys\tsaid\tto\tnone\tof\tus\tin\tparticular, leaning\tagainst\tthe\tarchway\tinto\tthe\tsitting\troom\tand\tcrossing\this\tarms. And\t as\t if\t he\u2019d\t summoned\t him,\t Azriel\t stepped\t out\t of\t a\t pocket\t of\t shadow\t by the\t stairs\t and\t scanned\t us\t from\t head\t to\t toe.\t His\t eyes\t lingered\t on\t the\t blood crusting\tRhys\u2019s\thands. I\t took\t up\t a\t spot\t at\t the\t opposite\t doorway\t post\t while\t Cassian\t and\t Azriel remained\tbetween\tus. Rhys\twas\tquiet\tfor\ta\tmoment\tbefore\the\tsaid,\t\u201cThe\tpriestesses\twill\tkeep\tsilent about\twhat\thappened\ttoday.\tAnd\tthe\tpeople\tof\tthis\tcity\twon\u2019t\tlearn\twhy\tAmren is\t now\t preparing\t to\t hunt.\t We\t can\u2019t\t afford\t to\t let\t the\t other\t High\t Lords\t know.\t It would\t unnerve\t them\u2014and\t destabilize\t the\t image\t we\t have\t worked\t so\t hard\t to create.\u201d \u201cThe\tattack\ton\tVelaris,\u201d\tMor\tcountered\tfrom\ther\tplace\ton\tthe\tcouch,\t\u201calready showed\twe\u2019re\tvulnerable.\u201d \u201cThat\t was\t a\t surprise\t attack,\t which\t we\t handled\t quickly,\u201d\t Cassian\t said, Siphons\t flickering.\t \u201cAz\t made\t sure\t the\t information\t came\t out\t portraying\t us\t as victors\u2014able\tto\tdefeat\tany\tchallenge\tHybern\tthrows\tour\tway.\u201d \u201cWe\tdid\tthat\ttoday,\u201d\tI\tsaid.","\u201cIt\u2019s\t different,\u201d\t Rhys\t said.\t \u201cThe\t first\t time,\t we\t had\t the\t element\t of\t their surprise\t to\t excuse\t us.\t This\t second\t time\t \u2026\t it\t makes\t us\t look\t unprepared. Vulnerable.\tWe\tcan\u2019t\trisk\tthat\tgetting\tout\tbefore\tthe\tmeeting\tin\tten\tdays.\tSo\tfor all\tappearances,\twe\twill\tremain\tunruffled\tas\twe\tprepare\tfor\twar.\u201d Mor\t sagged\t against\t the\t couch\t cushions.\t \u201cA\t war\t where\t we\t have\t no\t allies beyond\tKeir,\teither\tin\tPrythian\tor\tbeyond\tit.\u201d Rhys\tgave\ther\ta\tsharp\tlook.\tBut\tElain\tsaid\tquietly,\t\u201cThe\tqueen\tmight\tcome.\u201d Silence. Elain\twas\tstaring\tat\tthe\tunlit\tfireplace,\teyes\tlost\tto\tthat\tvague\tmurkiness. \u201cWhat\tqueen,\u201d\tNesta\tsaid,\tmore\ttightly\tthan\tshe\tusually\tspoke\tto\tour\tsister. \u201cThe\tone\twho\twas\tcursed.\u201d \u201cCursed\t by\t the\t Cauldron,\u201d\t I\t clarified\t to\t Nesta,\t pushing\t off\t the\t archway. \u201cWhen\tit\tthrew\tits\ttantrum\tafter\tyou\t\u2026\tleft.\u201d \u201cNo.\u201d\tElain\tstudied\tme,\tthen\ther.\t\u201cNot\tthat\tone.\tThe\tother.\u201d Nesta\t took\t a\t steadying\t breath,\t opening\t her\t mouth\t to\t either\t whisk\t Elain upstairs\tor\tmove\ton. But\t Azriel\t asked\t softly,\t taking\t a\t single\t step\t over\t the\t threshold\t and\t into\t the sitting\troom,\t\u201cWhat\tother?\u201d Elain\u2019s\t brows\t twitched\t toward\t each\t other.\t \u201cThe\t queen\u2014with\t the\t feathers\t of flame.\u201d The\tshadowsinger\tangled\this\thead. Lucien\tmurmured\tto\tme,\teye\tstill\tfixed\ton\tElain,\t\u201cShould\twe\u2014does\tshe\tneed \u2026?\u201d \u201cShe\tdoesn\u2019t\tneed\tanything,\u201d\tAzriel\tanswered\twithout\tso\tmuch\tas\tlooking\tat Lucien. Elain\twas\tstaring\tat\tthe\tspymaster\tnow\u2014unblinkingly. \u201cWe\u2019re\t the\t ones\t who\t need\t \u2026\u201d\t Azriel\t trailed\t off.\t \u201cA\t seer,\u201d\t he\t said,\t more\t to himself\tthan\tus.\t\u201cThe\tCauldron\tmade\tyou\ta\tseer.\u201d"]
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