["CHAPTER 33 Seer. The\tword\tclanged\tthrough\tme. She\u2019d\tknown.\tShe\u2019d\twarned\tNesta\tabout\tthe\tRavens.\tAnd\tin\tthe\tchaos\tof\tthe attack,\tthat\tlittle\trealization\thad\tslipped\tfrom\tme.\tSlipped\tfrom\tme\tas\treality\tand dream\tslipped\tand\tentwined\tfor\tElain.\tSeer. Elain\t turned\t to\t Mor,\t who\t was\t now\t gaping\t at\t my\t sister\t from\t her\t spot\t beside her\ton\tthe\tcouch.\t\u201cIs\tthat\twhat\tthis\tis?\u201d And\t the\t words,\t the\t tone\t \u2026\t they\t were\t so\t normal-sounding\t that\t my\t chest tightened. Mor\u2019s\t gaze\t darted\t across\t my\t sister\u2019s\t face,\t as\t if\t weighing\t the\t words,\t the question,\tthe\ttruth\tor\tlie\twithin. Mor\tat\tlast\tblinked,\tmouth\tparting.\tLike\tthat\tmagic\tof\thers\thad\tat\tlast\tsolved some\t puzzle.\t Slowly,\t clearly,\t she\t nodded.\t Lucien\t silently\t slid\t into\t one\t of\t the chairs,\tbefore\tthe\twindow,\tthat\tmetal\teye\twhirring\tas\tit\troved\tover\tmy\tsister. It\tmade\tsense,\tI\tsupposed,\tthat\tAzriel\talone\thad\tlistened\tto\ther.\tThe\tmale\twho heard\t things\t others\t could\t not\t \u2026\t Perhaps\t he,\t too,\t had\t suffered\t as\t Elain\t had before\t he\t understood\t what\t gift\t he\t possessed.\t He\t asked\t Elain,\t \u201cThere\t is\t another queen?\u201d Elain\t squinted,\t as\t if\t the\t question\t required\t some\t inner\t clarification,\t some\t \u2026 path\tinto\tlooking\tthe\tright\tway\tat\twhatever\thad\taddled\tand\tplagued\ther.\t\u201cYes.\u201d \u201cThe\tsixth\tqueen,\u201d\tMor\tbreathed.\t\u201cThe\tqueen\twho\tthe\tgolden\tone\tsaid\twasn\u2019t ill\t\u2026\u201d \u201cShe\tsaid\tnot\tto\ttrust\tthe\tother\tqueens\tbecause\tof\tit,\u201d\tI\tadded. And\tas\tsoon\tas\tthe\twords\tleft\tmy\tmouth\t\u2026\tIt\twas\tlike\tstepping\tback\tfrom\ta","painting\t to\t see\t the\t entire\t picture.\t Up\t close,\t the\t words\t had\t been\t muddled\t and messy.\tBut\tfrom\ta\tdistance\t\u2026 \u201cYou\t stole\t from\t the\t Cauldron,\u201d\t I\t said\t to\t Nesta,\t who\t seemed\t ready\t to\t jump between\t all\t of\t us\t and\t Elain.\t \u201cBut\t what\t if\t the\t Cauldron\t gave\t something\t to Elain?\u201d Nesta\u2019s\tface\tdrained\tof\tcolor.\t\u201cWhat?\u201d Equally\tashen,\tLucien\tseemed\tinclined\tto\techo\tNesta\u2019s\thoarse\tquestion. But\t Azriel\t nodded.\t \u201cYou\t knew,\u201d\t he\t said\t to\t Elain.\t \u201cAbout\t the\t young\t queen turning\tinto\ta\tcrone.\u201d Elain\t blinked\t and\t blinked,\t eyes\t clearing\t again.\t As\t if\t the\t understanding,\t our understanding\t\u2026\tit\tfreed\ther\tfrom\twhatever\tmurky\trealm\tshe\u2019d\tbeen\tin. \u201cThe\t sixth\t queen\t is\t alive?\u201d\t Azriel\t asked,\t calm\t and\t steady,\t the\t voice\t of\t the High\tLord\u2019s\tspymaster,\twho\thad\tbroken\tenemies\tand\tcharmed\tallies. Elain\tcocked\ther\thead,\tas\tif\tlistening\tto\tsome\tinner\tvoice.\t\u201cYes.\u201d Lucien\tjust\tstared\tand\tstared\tat\tmy\tsister,\tas\tif\the\u2019d\tnever\tseen\ther\tbefore. I\twhipped\tmy\tface\tto\tRhys.\tA\tpotential\tally? I\tdon\u2019t\tknow,\the\tanswered.\tIf\tthe\tothers\tcursed\ther\t\u2026 \u201cWhat\t sort\t of\t curse?\u201d\t my\t mate\t asked\t before\t he\u2019d\t even\t finished\t speaking\t to me. Elain\t shifted\t her\t face\t toward\t him.\t Another\t blink.\t \u201cThey\t sold\t her\u2014to\t \u2026\t to some\t darkness,\t to\t some\t \u2026\t sorcerer-lord\t \u2026\u201d\t She\t shook\t her\t head.\t \u201cI\t can\t never see\t him.\t What\t he\t is.\t There\t is\t an\t onyx\t box\t that\t he\t possesses,\t more\t vital\t than anything\t\u2026\tsave\tfor\tthem.\tThe\tgirls.\tHe\tkeeps\tother\tgirls\u2014others\tso\tlike\ther\u2014 but\tshe\t\u2026\tBy\tday,\tshe\tis\tone\tform,\tby\tnight,\thuman\tagain.\u201d \u201cA\tbird\tof\tburning\tfeathers,\u201d\tI\tsaid. \u201cFirebird\tby\tday,\u201d\tRhys\tmused,\t\u201cwoman\tby\tnight\t\u2026\tSo\tshe\u2019s\theld\tcaptive\tby this\tsorcerer-lord?\u201d Elain\tshook\t her\thead.\t\u201cI\tdon\u2019t\tknow.\t I\thear\ther\u2014her\t screaming.\tWith\trage. Utter\trage\t\u2026\u201d\tShe\tshuddered. Mor\t leaned\t forward.\t \u201cDo\t you\t know\t why\t the\t other\t queens\t cursed\t her\u2014sold her\tto\thim?\u201d Elain\tstudied\tthe\ttable.\t\u201cNo.\tNo\u2014that\tis\tall\tmist\tand\tshadow.\u201d Rhys\tblew\tout\ta\tbreath.\t\u201cCan\tyou\tsense\twhere\tshe\tis?\u201d \u201cThere\t is\t \u2026\t a\t lake.\t Deep\t in\u2014in\t the\t continent,\t I\t think.\t Hidden\t amongst","mountains\tand\tancient\tforests.\u201d\tElain\u2019s\tthroat\tbobbed.\t\u201cHe\tkeeps\tthem\tall\tat\tthe lake.\u201d \u201cOther\twomen\tlike\ther?\u201d \u201cYes\u2014and\tno.\tTheir\tfeathers\tare\twhite\tas\tsnow.\tThey\tglide\tacross\tthe\twater \u2014while\tshe\trages\tthrough\tthe\tskies\tabove\tit.\u201d Mor\tsaid\tto\tRhys,\t\u201cWhat\tinformation\tdo\twe\thave\ton\tthis\tsixth\tqueen?\u201d \u201cLittle,\u201d\t Azriel\t answered\t for\t him.\t \u201cWe\t know\t little.\t Young\u2014somewhere\t in her\tmid-twenties.\tScythia\tlies\talong\tthe\twall,\tto\tthe\teast.\tIt\u2019s\tsmallest\t amongst the\t human\t queens\u2019\t realms,\t but\t rich\t in\t trade\t and\t arms.\t She\t goes\t by\t Vassa,\t but\t I never\tgot\ta\treport\twith\ther\tfull\tname.\u201d Rhys\tconsidered.\t\u201cShe\tmust\thave\tposed\ta\tconsiderable\tthreat\tto\tthe\tqueens\tif they\tturned\ton\ther.\tAnd\tconsidering\ttheir\tagenda\t\u2026\u201d \u201cIf\twe\tcan\tfind\tVassa,\u201d\tI\tcut\tin,\t\u201cshe\tcould\tbe\tvital\tin\tconvincing\tthe\thuman forces\tto\tfight.\tAnd\tgiving\tus\tan\tally\ton\tthe\tcontinent.\u201d \u201cIf\t we\t can\t find\t her,\u201d\t Cassian\t countered,\t stepping\t up\t to\t Azriel\u2019s\t side,\t his wings\t flaring\t slightly.\t \u201cIt\t could\t take\t months.\t Not\t to\t mention,\t facing\t the\t male who\t holds\t her\t captive\t could\t be\t harder\t than\t expected.\t We\t can\u2019t\t afford\t all\t those potential\t risks.\t Or\t the\t time\t it\u2019d\t take.\t We\t should\t focus\t on\t this\t meeting\t with\t the other\tHigh\tLords\tfirst.\u201d \u201cBut\twe\tcould\tstand\tto\tgain\tmuch,\u201d\tMor\tsaid.\t\u201cPerhaps\tshe\thas\tan\tarmy\u2014\u201d \u201cPerhaps\tshe\tdoes,\u201d\tCassian\tcut\ther\toff.\t\u201cBut\tif\tshe\u2019s\tcursed,\twho\twill\tlead\tit? And\t if\t her\t kingdom\t is\t so\t far\t away\t \u2026\t they\t have\t to\t travel\t the\t mortal\t way,\t too. You\tremember\thow\tslowly\tthey\tmoved,\thow\tquickly\tthey\tdied\u2014\u201d \u201cIt\u2019s\tworth\ta\ttry,\u201d\tMor\tsniped. \u201cYou\u2019re\t needed\t here,\u201d\t Cassian\t said.\t Azriel\t looked\t inclined\t to\t agree,\t even\t as he\t kept\t quiet.\t \u201cI\t need\t you\t on\t a\t battlefield\u2014not\t traipsing\t through\t the\t continent. The\thuman\thalf\tof\tit.\tIf\tthose\tqueens\thave\trallied\tarmies\tto\toffer\tHybern,\tthey\u2019re no\tdoubt\tstanding\tbetween\tyou\tand\tQueen\tVassa.\u201d \u201cYou\tdon\u2019t\tgive\tme\torders\u2014\u201d \u201cNo,\tbut\tI\tdo,\u201d\tRhys\tsaid.\t\u201cDon\u2019t\tgive\tme\tthat\tlook.\tHe\u2019s\tright\u2014we\tneed\tyou here,\tMor.\u201d \u201cScythia,\u201d\t Mor\t said,\t shaking\t her\t head.\t \u201cI\t remember\t them.\t They\u2019re\t horse people.\tA\tmounted\tcavalry\tcould\ttravel\tfar\tfaster\u2014\u201d \u201cNo.\u201d\tSheer\twill\tblazed\tin\tRhys\u2019s\teyes.\tThe\torder\twas\tfinal.","But\tMor\ttried\tagain.\t\u201cThere\tis\ta\treason\twhy\tElain\tis\tseeing\tthese\tthings.\tShe was\t right\t about\t the\t other\t queen\t turning\t old,\t about\t the\t Ravens\u2019\t attack\u2014why\t is she\tbeing\tsent\tthis\timage?\tWhy\tis\tshe\thearing\tthis\tqueen?\tIt\tmust\tbe\tvital.\tIf\twe ignore\tit,\tperhaps\twe\u2019ll\tdeserve\tto\tfail.\u201d Silence.\tI\tsurveyed\tthem\tall.\tVital.\tEach\tof\tthem\twas\tvital\there.\tBut\tme\t\u2026 I\tsucked\tin\ta\tbreath. \u201cI\u2019ll\tgo.\u201d Lucien\twas\tstaring\tat\tElain\tas\the\tspoke. We\tall\tlooked\tat\thim. Lucien\t shifted\t his\t focus\t to\t Rhys,\t to\t me.\t \u201cI\u2019ll\t go,\u201d\t he\t repeated,\t rising\t to\t his feet.\t\u201cTo\tfind\tthis\tsixth\tqueen.\u201d Mor\topened\tand\tshut\ther\tmouth. \u201cWhat\t makes\t you\t think\t you\t could\t find\t her?\u201d\t Rhys\t asked.\t Not\t rudely,\t but\u2014 from\ta\tcommander\u2019s\tperspective.\tSizing\tup\tthe\tskills\tLucien\toffered\tagainst\tthe risks,\tthe\tpotential\tbenefits. \u201cThis\teye\t\u2026\u201d\tLucien\tgestured\tto\tthe\tmetal\tcontraption.\t\u201cIt\tcan\tsee\tthings\tthat others\t\u2026\tcan\u2019t.\tSpells,\tglamours\t\u2026\tPerhaps\tit\tcan\thelp\tme\tfind\ther.\tAnd\tbreak her\t curse.\u201d\t He\t glanced\t at\t Elain,\t who\t was\t again\t studying\t her\t lap.\t \u201cI\u2019m\t not needed\there.\tI\u2019ll\tfight\tif\tyou\tneed\tme\tto,\tbut\t\u2026\u201d\tHe\toffered\tme\ta\tgrim\tsmile.\t\u201cI do\t not\t belong\t in\t the\t Autumn\t Court.\t And\t I\u2019m\t willing\t to\t bet\t I\u2019m\t no\t longer welcome\t at\t h\u2014the\t Spring\t Court.\u201d\t Home,\t he\t had\t almost\t said.\t \u201cBut\t I\t cannot\t sit here\t and\t do\t nothing.\t Those\t queens\t with\t their\t armies\u2014there\t is\t a\t threat\t in\t that regard,\ttoo.\tSo\tuse\tme.\tSend\tme.\tI\twill\tfind\tVassa,\tsee\tif\tshe\tcan\t\u2026\tbring\thelp.\u201d \u201cYou\t will\t be\t going\t into\t the\t human\t territory,\u201d\t Rhys\t warned.\t \u201cI\t can\u2019t\t spare\t a force\tto\tguard\tyou\u2014\u201d \u201cI\tdon\u2019t\tneed\tone.\tI\ttravel\tfaster\ton\tmy\town.\u201d\tHis\tchin\tlifted.\t\u201cI\twill\tfind\ther. And\tif\tthere\u2019s\tan\tarmy\tto\tbring\tback,\tor\tat\tleast\tsome\tway\tfor\ther\town\tstory\tto sway\tthe\thuman\tforces\t\u2026\tI\u2019ll\tfind\ta\tway\tto\tdo\tthat,\ttoo.\u201d My\tfriends\tglanced\tto\teach\tother.\tMor\tsaid,\t\u201cIt\twill\tbe\u2014very\tdangerous.\u201d A\thalf\tsmile\tcurved\tLucien\u2019s\tmouth.\t\u201cGood.\tIt\u2019d\tbe\tboring\totherwise.\u201d Only\tCassian\treturned\tthe\tgrin.\t\u201cI\u2019ll\tload\tyou\tup\twith\tsome\tIllyrian\tsteel.\u201d Elain\tnow\twatched\tLucien\twarily.\tBlinking\tevery\tnow\tand\tthen.\tShe\trevealed no\thint\tof\twhatever\tshe\tmight\tbe\tseeing\u2014sensing.\tNone. Rhys\t pushed\t off\t the\t archway.\t \u201cI\u2019ll\t winnow\t you\t as\t close\t as\t we\t can\t get\u2014to","wherever\tyou\tneed\tto\tbe\tto\tbegin\tyour\thunt.\u201d\tLucien\thad\tindeed\tbeen\tstudying all\tthose\tmaps\tlately.\tPerhaps\tat\tthe\tquiet\tbehest\tof\twhatever\tforce\thad\tguided\tus all.\tMy\tmate\tadded,\t\u201cThank\tyou.\u201d Lucien\tshrugged.\tAnd\tit\twas\tthat\tgesture\talone\tthat\tmade\tme\tsay\tat\tlast,\t\u201cAre you\tsure?\u201d He\tonly\tglanced\tat\tElain,\twhose\tface\twas\tagain\ta\tcalm\tvoid\twhile\tshe\ttraced a\t finger\t over\t the\t embroidery\t on\t the\t couch\t cushions.\t \u201cYes.\t Let\t me\t help\t in whatever\tway\tI\tcan.\u201d Even\tNesta\tseemed\trelatively\tconcerned.\tNot\tfor\thim,\tno\tdoubt,\tbut\tthe\tfact that\tif\the\twere\thurt,\tor\tkilled\t\u2026\tWhat\twould\tit\tdo\tto\tElain?\tThe\tsevering\tof\tthe mating\tbond\t\u2026\tI\tshut\tout\tthe\tthought\tof\twhat\tit\u2019d\tdo\tto\tme. I\tasked\tLucien,\t\u201cWhen\tdo\tyou\twant\tto\tleave?\u201d \u201cTomorrow.\u201d\t I\t hadn\u2019t\t heard\t him\t sound\t so\t assertive\t in\t \u2026\t a\t long\t time.\t \u201cI\u2019ll prepare\t for\t the\t rest\t of\t today,\t and\t leave\t after\t breakfast\t tomorrow\t morning.\u201d\t He added\tto\tRhys,\t\u201cIf\tthat\tworks\tfor\tyou.\u201d My\t mate\t waved\t an\t idle\t hand.\t \u201cFor\t what\t you\u2019re\t about\t to\t do,\t Lucien,\t we\u2019ll make\tit\twork.\u201d Silence\tfell\tonce\tmore.\tIf\the\tcould\tfind\tthat\tmissing\tqueen\tand\tperhaps\tbring back\tsome\tsort\tof\thuman\tarmy,\tor\tat\tleast\tsway\tthe\tmortal\tforces\tfrom\tHybern\u2019s thrall\t \u2026\t If\t I\t could\t find\t a\t way\t to\t get\t the\t Carver\t to\t fight\t for\t us\t that\t did\t not involve\tusing\tthat\tterrible\tmirror\t\u2026\tWould\tit\tbe\tenough? The\tmeeting\twith\tthe\tHigh\tLords,\tit\tseemed,\twould\tdecide\tthat. Rhys\tjerked\this\tchin\tat\tAzriel,\twho\ttook\tit\tas\tan\torder\tto\tvanish\u2014to\tno\tdoubt check\tin\ton\tAmren. \u201cFind\t out\t if\t Keir\t and\t his\t Darkbringers\t had\t any\t attacks,\u201d\t my\t mate\t ordered Mor\t and\t Cassian,\t who\t nodded\t and\t left\t as\t well.\t Alone\t with\t my\t sisters\t and Lucien,\tRhys\tand\tI\tcaught\tNesta\u2019s\teye. And\t for\t once,\t my\t sister\t rose\t to\t her\t feet\t and\t came\t toward\t us,\t the\t three\t of\t us not\tso\tsubtly\theading\tupstairs.\tLeaving\tLucien\tand\tElain\talone. It\twas\tan\teffort\tnot\tto\tlinger\tatop\tthe\tlanding,\tto\tlisten\tto\twhat\twas\tsaid. If\tanything\twas\tsaid\tat\tall. But\tI\tmade\tmyself\ttake\tRhys\u2019s\thand,\tflinching\tat\tthe\tblood\tstill\tcaked\ton\this skin,\tand\tled\thim\tto\tour\tbathing\troom.\tNesta\u2019s\tbedroom\tdoor\tclicked\tshut\tdown the\thall.","Rhys\twordlessly\twatched\tme\tas\tI\tturned\ton\tthe\tbathtub\tfaucet\tand\tgrabbed\ta washcloth\tfrom\tthe\tchest\tagainst\tthe\twall.\tI\ttook\tup\ta\tseat\tat\tthe\tedge\tof\tthe\ttub, testing\t the\t water\t temperature\t against\t my\t wrist,\t and\t patted\t the\t porcelain\t rim beside\tme.\t\u201cSit.\u201d He\tobeyed,\this\thead\tdrooping\tas\the\tsat. I\ttook\tone\tof\this\thands,\tguided\tit\tto\tthe\tgurgling\tstream\tof\twater,\tand\theld\tit beneath. Red\tflowed\toff\this\tskin,\teddying\tin\tthe\twater\tbeneath.\tI\tplucked\tup\tthe\tcloth and\t scrubbed\t gently,\t more\t blood\t flaking\t off,\t water\t splashing\t onto\t the\t still- immaculate\tsleeves\tof\this\tjacket.\t\u201cWhy\tnot\tshield\tyour\thands?\u201d \u201cI\twanted\tto\tfeel\tit\u2014their\tlives\tending\tbeneath\tmy\tfingers.\u201d Cold,\tflat\twords. I\tscrubbed\tat\this\tnails,\tthe\tblood\twedged\tinto\tthe\tcracks\twhere\tit\tmet\this\tskin. The\t arcs\t beneath.\t \u201cWhy\t is\t it\t different\t this\t time?\u201d\t Different\t from\t the\t Attor\u2019s ambush,\tHybern\u2019s\tattack\tin\tthe\twoods,\tthe\tattack\ton\tVelaris\t\u2026\tall\tof\tit.\tI\u2019d\tseen him\t in\t a\t rage\t before,\t but\t never\t \u2026\t never\t so\t detached.\t As\t if\t morality\t and kindness\t were\t things\t that\t lurked\t on\t a\t surface\t far,\t far\t above\t the\t frozen\t depths he\u2019d\tplunged\tinto. I\tturned\this\tpalm\tinto\tthe\tspray,\tgetting\tat\tthe\tspace\tbetween\this\tfingers. \u201cWhat\tis\tthe\tpoint\tof\tit,\u201d\the\tsaid,\t\u201cof\tall\tthis\tpower\t\u2026\tif\tI\tcan\u2019t\tprotect\tthose who\tare\tmost\tvulnerable\tin\tmy\tcity?\tIf\tit\tcan\u2019t\tdetect\tan\tincoming\tattack?\u201d \u201cEven\tAzriel\tdidn\u2019t\tlearn\tof\tit\u2014\u201d \u201cThe\t king\t used\t an\t archaic\t spell\t and\t walked\t in\t the\t front\t door.\t If\t I\t can\u2019t\t \u2026\u201d Rhys\t shook\t his\t head,\t and\t I\t lowered\t his\t now-clean\t hand\t and\t reached\t for\t the other.\t More\t blood\t stained\t the\t water.\t \u201cIf\t I\t can\u2019t\t protect\t them\t here\t \u2026\t How\t can \u2026\u201d\t His\t throat\t bobbed.\t I\t lifted\t his\t chin\t with\t a\t hand.\t Icy\t rage\t had\t slipped\t into something\ta\tbit\tshattered\tand\taching.\t\u201cThose\tpriestesses\thave\tendured\tenough.\tI failed\t them\t today.\t That\t library\t \u2026\t it\t will\t no\t longer\t feel\t safe\t for\t them.\t The\t one place\t they\u2019ve\t had\t to\t themselves,\t where\t they\t knew\t they\t were\t protected\t \u2026 Hybern\ttook\tthat\taway\ttoday.\u201d And\tfrom\thim.\tHe\thad\tgone\tto\tthat\tlibrary\tfor\this\town\tneed\tfor\thealing\u2014for safety. He\t said,\t \u201cPerhaps\t it\u2019s\t punishment\t for\t taking\t away\t Velaris\t from\t Mor\u2014in granting\tKeir\taccess\there.\u201d","\u201cYou\t can\u2019t\t think\t like\t that\u2014it\t won\u2019t\t end\t well.\u201d\t I\t finished\t washing\t his\t other hand,\t rinsed\t the\t cloth,\t then\t began\t swiping\t it\t along\t his\t neck,\t his\t temples\t \u2026 Soothing,\twarm\tpresses,\tnot\tto\tclean\tbut\tto\trelax. \u201cI\u2019m\t not\t angry\t about\t the\t bargain,\u201d\t he\t said,\t closing\t his\t eyes\t as\t I\t swiped\t the cloth\tover\this\tbrow.\t\u201cIn\tcase\tyou\twere\t\u2026\tworried.\u201d \u201cI\twasn\u2019t.\u201d Rhys\topened\this\teyes,\tas\tif\the\tcould\thear\tthe\tsmile\tin\tmy\tvoice,\tand\tstudied me\t while\t I\t chucked\t the\t cloth\t into\t the\t tub\t with\t a\t wet\t slap\t and\t turned\t off\t the faucet. He\t was\t still\t studying\t me\t when\t I\t took\t his\t face\t in\t my\t damp\t hands.\t \u201cWhat happened\t today\t was\t not\t your\t fault,\u201d\t I\t said,\t the\t words\t filling\t the\t sun-drenched bathing\t room.\t \u201cNone\t of\t it.\t It\t all\t lies\t on\t Hybern\u2014and\t when\t we\t face\t the\t king again,\t we\t will\t remember\t these\t attacks,\t these\t injuries\t to\t our\t people.\t We\t forgot Amarantha\u2019s\t spell\t book\u2014to\t our\t own\t loss.\t But\t we\t have\t a\t Book\t of\t our\t own\u2014 hopefully\twith\tthe\tspell\twe\tneed.\tAnd\tfor\tnow\t\u2026\tfor\tnow,\twe\twill\tprepare,\tand we\twill\tface\tthe\tconsequences.\tFor\tnow,\twe\tmove\tahead.\u201d He\tturned\this\thead\tto\tkiss\tmy\tpalm.\t\u201cRemind\tme\tto\tgive\tyou\ta\tsalary\traise.\u201d I\tchoked\ton\ta\tcough.\t\u201cFor\twhat?\u201d \u201cFor\t the\t sage\t counsel\u2014and\t the\t other\t vital\t services\t you\t provide\t me.\u201d\t He winked. I\t laughed\t in\t earnest,\t and\t squeezed\t his\t face\t as\t I\t pressed\t a\t swift\t kiss\t to\t his mouth.\t\u201cShameless\tflirt.\u201d The\twarmth\treturned\tto\this\teyes\tat\tlast. So\tI\treached\tfor\tan\tivory\ttowel\tand\tbundled\this\thands,\tnow\tclean\tand\twarm, into\tthe\tfolds\tof\tsoft\tfabric.","CHAPTER 34 Amren\tfound\tno\tother\tHybern\tassassins\tor\tspies\tduring\ther\tlong\tnight\tof\thunting through\tVelaris.\tHow\tshe\tsought\tthem,\thow\tshe\tdistinguished\tfriend\tfrom\tfoe\t\u2026 Some\tpeople,\tMor\ttold\tme\tthe\tnext\tmorning\u2014after\twe\tall\thad\ta\tsleepless\tnight \u2014painted\t their\t thresholds\t in\t lamb\u2019s\t blood.\t A\t sort\t of\t offering\t to\t her.\t And payment\tto\tstay\taway.\tSome\tleft\tcups\tof\tit\ton\ttheir\tdoorsteps. As\tif\teveryone\tin\tthe\tcity\tknew\tthat\tthe\tHigh\tLord\u2019s\tSecond,\tthat\tsmall-boned female\t\u2026\tshe\twas\tthe\tmonster\tthat\tdefended\tthem\tfrom\tthe\tother\thorrors\tof\tthe world. Rhys\thad\tspent\tmuch\tof\tthe\tprevious\tday\tand\tnight\treassuring\tthe\tpriestesses of\t their\t safety,\t walking\t them\t through\t the\t new\t wards.\t The\t priestess\t who\t had\t let them\tin\t\u2026\tfor\twhatever\treason,\tHybern\thad\tleft\ther\talive.\tShe\tallowed\tRhys\tinto her\tmind\tto\tsee\twhat\thad\thappened:\tonce\tthe\tking\thad\tsundered\tthe\twards\twith that\t fleeting\t spell,\t his\t Ravens\t had\t appeared\t as\t two\t old\t scholars\t to\t get\t the priestess\t to\t open\t the\t door,\t then\t forced\t their\t way\t into\t her\t mind\t so\t that\t she\u2019d welcome\tthem\tin\twithout\tbeing\tvetted.\tThe\tviolation\tof\tthat\talone\t\u2026\tRhys\thad spent\thours\twith\tthose\tpriestesses\tyesterday.\tMor,\ttoo. Talking,\tlistening\tto\tthe\tones\twho\tcould\tspeak,\tholding\tthe\thands\tof\tthe\tones who\tcouldn\u2019t. And\t when\t they\t at\t last\t left\t \u2026\t There\t was\t a\t peace\t between\t my\t mate\t and\t his cousin.\tSome\tlingering\tjagged\tedge\tthat\thad\tsomehow\tbeen\tsoothed. We\t didn\u2019t\t have\t long.\t I\t knew\t that.\t Felt\t it\t with\t every\t breath.\t Hybern\t wasn\u2019t coming;\tHybern\twas\there. Our\tmeeting\twith\tthe\tHigh\tLords\twas\tnow\tover\ta\tweek\taway\u2014and\tstill\tNesta refused\tto\tjoin\tus.","But\tit\twas\tfine.\tWe\u2019d\tmanage.\tI\u2019d\tmanage. We\tdidn\u2019t\thave\tanother\tchoice. Which\t was\t why\t I\t found\t myself\t standing\t in\t the\t foyer\t the\t next\t morning, watching\t Lucien\t shoulder\t his\t heavy\t pack.\t He\t wore\t Illyrian\t leathers\t under\t a heavier\t jacket,\t along\t with\t layers\t of\t clothes\t beneath\t to\t help\t him\t survive\t in varying\tclimates.\tHe\u2019d\tbraided\tback\this\tred\thair,\tthe\tlength\tof\tit\tsnaking\tacross his\tback\u2014right\tin\tfront\tof\tthe\tIllyrian\tsword\tstrapped\tdown\this\tspine. Cassian\thad\tgiven\thim\tfree\trein\tyesterday\tafternoon\tto\tloot\this\tpersonal\tcache of\t weapons,\t though\t my\t friend\t had\t been\t economical\t about\t which\t ones\t he\u2019d selected.\tThe\tblade,\tplus\ta\tshort\tsword,\tplus\tan\tassortment\tof\tdaggers.\tA\tquiver of\tarrows\tand\tan\tunstrung\tbow\twere\ttied\tto\this\tpack. \u201cYou\tknow\tprecisely\twhere\tyou\twant\tRhys\tto\ttake\tyou?\u201d\tI\tasked\tat\tlast. Lucien\t nodded,\t glancing\t to\t where\t my\t mate\t now\t waited\t by\t the\t front\t door. He\u2019d\tbring\tLucien\tto\tthe\tedge\tof\tthe\thuman\tcontinent\u2014to\twherever\tLucien\thad decided\t would\t be\t the\t best\t landing\t spot.\t No\t farther,\t Azriel\t had\t insisted.\t His reports\t indicated\t it\t was\t too\t watched,\t too\t dangerous.\t Even\t for\t one\t of\t our\t own. Even\tfor\tthe\tmost\tpowerful\tHigh\tLord\tin\thistory. I\tstepped\tforward,\tand\tdidn\u2019t\tgive\tLucien\ttime\tto\tstep\tback\tas\tI\thugged\thim tightly.\t \u201cThank\t you,\u201d\t I\t said,\t trying\t not\t to\t think\t about\t all\t the\t steel\t on\t him\u2014if he\u2019d\tneed\tto\tuse\tit. \u201cIt\t was\t time,\u201d\t Lucien\t said\t quietly,\t giving\t me\t a\t squeeze.\t \u201cFor\t me\t to\t do something.\u201d I\tpulled\taway,\tsurveying\this\tscarred\tface.\t\u201cThank\tyou,\u201d\tI\tsaid\tagain.\tIt\twas\tall I\tcould\tthink\tof\tto\tsay. Rhys\textended\ta\thand\tto\tLucien. Lucien\t studied\t it\u2014then\t my\t mate\u2019s\t face.\t I\t could\t nearly\t see\t all\t the\t hateful words\t they\u2019d\t spoken.\t Dangling\t between\t them,\t between\t that\t outstretched\t hand and\tLucien\u2019s\town. But\tLucien\ttook\tRhys\u2019s\thand.\tThat\tsilent\toffer\tof\tnot\tonly\ttransportation. Before\tthat\tdark\twind\tswept\tin,\tLucien\tlooked\tback. Not\tto\tme,\tI\trealized\u2014to\tsomeone\tbehind\tme. Pale\tand\tthin,\tElain\tstood\tatop\tthe\tstairs. Their\tgazes\tlocked\tand\theld. But\tElain\tsaid\tnothing.\tDid\tnot\tso\tmuch\tas\ttake\tone\tstep\tdownward.","Lucien\tinclined\this\thead\tin\ta\tbow,\tthe\tmovement\thiding\tthe\tgleam\tin\this\teye \u2014the\tlonging\tand\tsadness. And\twhen\tLucien\tturned\tto\tsignal\tto\tRhys\tto\tgo\t\u2026\tHe\tdid\tnot\tglance\tback\tat Elain. Did\tnot\tsee\tthe\thalf\tstep\tshe\ttook\ttoward\tthe\tstairs\u2014as\tif\tshe\u2019d\tspeak\tto\thim. Stop\thim. Then\tRhys\twas\tgone,\tand\tLucien\twith\thim. When\tI\tturned\tto\toffer\tElain\tbreakfast,\tshe\u2019d\talready\twalked\taway. I\twaited\tin\tthe\tfoyer\tfor\tRhys\tto\treturn. In\tthe\tdining\troom\tto\tmy\tleft,\tNesta\tsilently\tpracticed\tbuilding\tthose\tinvisible walls\tin\ther\tmind\u2014no\tsign\tof\tAmren\tsince\ther\thunt\tlast\tnight.\tWhen\tI\tasked\tif she\t was\t making\t any\t progress,\t my\t sister\t had\t only\t said,\t \u201cAmren\t thinks\t I\u2019m getting\tclose\tenough\tto\tbegin\ttrying\ton\tsomething\ttangible.\u201d And\tthat\twas\tthat.\tI\tleft\ther\tto\tit,\tnot\tbothering\tto\task\tif\tAmren\thad\talso\tcome close\tto\tfiguring\tout\tsome\tsort\tof\tspell\tin\tthe\tBook\tto\trepair\tthat\twall. In\tsilence,\tI\tcounted\tthe\tminutes,\tone\tby\tone. Then\ta\tfamiliar\tdark\twind\tswirled\tthrough\tthe\tfoyer,\tand\tI\tloosed\ta\ttoo-tight breath\t as\t Rhys\t appeared\t in\t the\t middle\t of\t the\t hall\t carpet.\t No\t indication\t of\t any sort\t of\t trouble,\t no\t sign\t of\t hurt\t or\t harm,\t but\t I\t slid\t my\t arms\t around\t his\t waist, needing\tto\tfeel\thim,\tsmell\thim.\t\u201cDid\teverything\tgo\twell?\u201d Rhys\tbrushed\ta\tkiss\tto\tthe\ttop\tof\tmy\thead.\t\u201cAs\twell\tas\tcan\tbe\texpected.\tHe\u2019s now\ton\tthe\tcontinent,\theading\teastward.\u201d He\t marked\t Nesta\t studying\t at\t the\t dining\t table.\t \u201cHow\u2019s\t our\t new\t seer\t holding up?\u201d I\tpulled\tback\tto\texplain\tthat\tI\u2019d\tleft\tElain\tto\ther\town\tthoughts,\tbut\tNesta\tsaid, \u201cDon\u2019t\tcall\ther\tthat.\u201d Rhys\t gave\t me\t an\t incredulous\t look,\t but\t Nesta\t just\t went\t back\t to\t flipping through\ta\tbook,\ther\tface\tgoing\tvacant\u2014while\tshe\tpracticed\twith\twhatever\twall- building\t exercises\t Amren\t had\t ordered.\t I\t poked\t him\t in\t the\t ribs.\t Don\u2019t\tprovoke her. A\t corner\t of\t his\t mouth\t lifted\u2014the\t expression\t full\t of\t wicked\t delight.\t Can\t I provoke\tyou\tinstead?","I\tclamped\tmy\tlips\tto\tkeep\tfrom\tsmiling\u2014 The\tfront\tdoor\tblew\topen\tand\tAmren\tstormed\tin. Rhys\twas\tinstantly\tfacing\ther.\t\u201cWhat.\u201d Gone\twas\tthe\tslick\tamusement,\tthe\trelaxed\tposture. Amren\u2019s\tpale\tface\tremained\tcalm,\tbut\ther\teyes\t\u2026\tThey\tswirled\twith\trage. \u201cHybern\t has\t attacked\t the\t Summer\t Court.\t They\t lay\t siege\t to\t Adriata\t as\t we speak.\u201d","CHAPTER 35 Hybern\thad\tmade\tits\tgrand\tmove\tat\tlast.\tAnd\twe\thad\tnot\tanticipated\tit. I\t knew\t Azriel\t would\t take\t the\t blame\t upon\t himself.\t One\t look\t at\t the shadowsinger\t as\t he\t prowled\t through\t the\t front\t door\t of\t the\t town\t house\t minutes later,\tCassian\ton\this\theels,\ttold\tme\tthat\the\talready\tdid. We\tstood\tin\tthe\tfoyer,\tNesta\tlingering\tat\tthe\tdining\ttable\tbehind\tme. \u201cHas\tTarquin\tcalled\tfor\taid?\u201d\tCassian\tasked\tAmren. None\tof\tus\tdared\tquestion\thow\tshe\tknew. Amren\u2019s\tjaw\ttightened.\t\u201cI\tdon\u2019t\tknow.\tI\tgot\tthe\tmessage,\tand\u2014nothing\telse.\u201d Cassian\t nodded\t once\t and\t turned\t to\t Rhys.\t \u201cDid\t the\t Summer\t Court\t have\t a mobile\tfighting\tforce\treadied\twhen\tyou\twere\tthere?\u201d \u201cNo,\u201d\t Rhys\t said.\t \u201cHis\t armada\t was\t scattered\t along\t the\t coast.\u201d\t A\t glance\t at Azriel. \u201cHalf\t is\t in\t Adriata\u2014the\t other\t dispersed,\u201d\t the\t shadowsinger\t supplied.\t \u201cHis terrestrial\t army\t was\t moved\t to\t the\t Spring\t Court\t border\t \u2026\t after\t Feyre.\t The closest\tlegion\tis\tperhaps\tthree\tdays\u2019\tmarch\taway.\tVery\tfew\tcan\twinnow.\u201d \u201cHow\tmany\tships?\u201d\tRhys\tasked. \u201cTwenty\tin\tAdriata,\tfully\tarmed.\u201d A\tcalculating\tlook\tat\tAmren.\t\u201cNumbers\ton\tHybern?\u201d \u201cI\tdon\u2019t\tknow.\tMany.\tIt\u2014I\tthink\tthey\tare\toverwhelmed.\u201d \u201cWhat\t was\t the\t exact\t message?\u201d\t Pure,\t unrelenting\t command\t laced\t every word. Amren\u2019s\t eyes\t glittered\t like\t fresh\t silver.\t \u201cIt\t was\t a\t warning.\t From\t Varian.\t To prepare\tour\town\tdefenses.\u201d Utter\tsilence.","\u201cPrince\tVarian\tsent\tyou\ta\twarning?\u201d\tCassian\tasked\ta\tbit\tquietly. Amren\tglared\tat\thim.\t\u201cIt\tis\ta\tthing\tthat\tfriends\tdo.\u201d More\tsilence. I\tmet\tRhys\u2019s\tstare,\tsensed\tthe\tweight\tand\tdread\tand\tanger\tsimmering\tbehind the\tcool\tfeatures.\t\u201cWe\tcannot\tleave\tTarquin\tto\tface\tthem\talone,\u201d\tI\tsaid.\tPerhaps Hybern\t had\t sent\t the\t Ravens\t yesterday\t to\t distract\t us\t from\t looking\t beyond\t our own\tborders.\tTo\thave\tour\tfocus\ton\tHybern,\tnot\tour\town\tshores. Rhys\u2019s\tattention\tcut\tto\tCassian.\t\u201cKeir\tand\this\tDarkbringer\tarmy\tare\tnowhere near\tready\tto\tmarch.\tHow\tsoon\tcan\tthe\tIllyrian\tlegions\tfly?\u201d Rhys\t immediately\t winnowed\t Cassian\t into\t the\t war-camps\t to\t give\t the\t orders himself.\tAzriel\thad\tvanished\twith\tthem,\tgoing\tahead\tto\tscout\tAdriata,\ttaking\this most\ttrusted\tspies\twith\thim. Nausea\thad\tchurned\tin\tmy\tgut\tas\tCassian\tand\tAzriel\ttapped\tthe\tSiphons\tatop their\t hands\t and\t that\t scaled\t armor\t unfurled\t across\t their\t body.\t As\t seven\t Siphons appeared\ton\teach.\tAs\tthe\tshadowsinger\u2019s\tscarred\thands\tchecked\tthe\tbuckles\ton his\t knife\t belts\t and\t his\t quiver,\t while\t Rhys\t summoned\t extra\t Illyrian\t blades\t for Cassian\u2014two\tat\this\tback,\tone\tat\teach\tside. Then\tthey\twere\tgone\u2014stone-faced\tand\tsteady.\tReady\tfor\tbloodshed. Mor\t arrived\t moments\t later,\t heavily\t armed,\t her\t hair\t braided\t back\t and\t every inch\tof\ther\tthrumming\twith\timpatience. But\t Mor\t and\t I\t waited\u2014for\t the\t order\t to\t go.\t To\t join\t them.\t Cassian\t had positioned\t the\t Illyrian\t legions\t closer\t to\t the\t southern\t border\t the\t weeks\t I\u2019d\t been away,\t but\t even\t so,\t they\t wouldn\u2019t\t be\t able\t to\t fly\t without\t a\t few\t hours\t of preparation.\t And\t it\t would\t require\t Rhys\t to\t winnow\t them\t in.\t All\t of\t them.\t To Adriata. \u201cWill\tyou\tfight?\u201d Nesta\t was\t now\t standing\t a\t few\t steps\t up\t the\t staircase\t of\t the\t town\t house, watching\t as\t Mor\t and\t I\t readied.\t Soon\u2014Azriel\t or\t Rhys\t would\t contact\t us\t soon with\tthe\tall-clear\tto\twinnow\tto\tAdriata. \u201cWe\u2019ll\tfight\tif\tit\u2019s\trequired,\u201d\tI\tsaid,\tchecking\tonce\tmore\tthat\tthe\tbelt\tof\tknives was\tsecure\tat\tmy\thips. Mor\t wore\t Illyrian\t leathers\t as\t well,\t but\t the\t blades\t on\t her\t were\t different.","Slimmer,\t lighter,\t some\t of\t their\t tips\t slightly\t curved.\t Like\t lightning\t given\t flesh. Seraphim\tblades,\tshe\ttold\tme.\tGifted\tto\ther\tby\tPrince\tDrakon\thimself\tduring\tthe War. \u201cWhat\tdo\tyou\tknow\tof\tbattle?\u201d I\tcouldn\u2019t\ttell\tif\tmy\tsister\u2019s\ttone\twas\tinsulting\tor\tmerely\tinquisitive. \u201cWe\t know\t plenty,\u201d\t Mor\t said\t tightly,\t arranging\t her\t long\t braid\t between\t the blades\t crossed\t over\t her\t back.\t Elain\t and\t Nesta\t would\t remain\t here,\t with\t Amren watching\t over\t them.\t And\t watching\t over\t Velaris,\t along\t with\t a\t small\t legion\t of Illyrians\tCassian\thad\tordered\tto\tcamp\tin\tthe\tmountains\tabove\tthe\tcity.\tMor\thad passed\tAmren\ton\ther\tway\tin,\tthe\tsmall\tfemale\tapparently\theading\tto\tthe\tbutcher to\tfill\tup\ton\tprovisions\tbefore\tshe\u2019d\treturn\tto\tstay\there\u2014for\thowever\tlong\twe\u2019d be\tin\tAdriata.\tIf\twe\treturned\tat\tall. I\t met\t Nesta\u2019s\t gaze\t again.\t Only\t wary\t distance\t greeted\t me.\t \u201cWe\u2019ll\t send\t word when\twe\tcan.\u201d A\trumble\tof\tmidnight\tthunder\tbrushed\tagainst\tthe\twalls\tof\tmy\tmind.\tA\tsilent signal,\t speared\t over\t land\t and\t mountains.\t As\t if\t Rhys\u2019s\t concentration\t was\t now wholly\tfocused\telsewhere\u2014and\the\tdid\tnot\tdare\tbreak\tit. My\theart\tstumbled\ta\tbeat.\tI\tgripped\tMor\u2019s\tarm,\tthe\tleather\tscales\tcutting\tinto my\tpalm.\t\u201cThey\u2019ve\tarrived.\tLet\u2019s\tgo.\u201d Mor\tturned\tto\tmy\tsister,\tand\tI\thad\tnever\tseen\ther\tseem\tso\t\u2026\twarriorlike.\tI\u2019d known\tit\tlurked\tbeneath\tthe\tsurface,\tbut\there\twas\tthe\tMorrigan.\tThe\tfemale\twho had\tfought\tin\tthe\tWar.\tWho\tknew\thow\tto\tend\tlives\twith\tblade\tand\tmagic. \u201cIt\u2019s\t nothing\t we\t can\u2019t\t handle,\u201d\t Mor\t said\t to\t Nesta\t with\t a\t cocky\t smile,\t and then\twe\twere\tgone. Black\t wind\t roared\t and\t tore\t at\t me,\t and\t I\t clung\t to\t Mor\t as\t she\t winnowed\t us through\tthe\tcourts,\ther\tbreath\ta\tragged\tbeat\tin\tmy\tear\u2014 Then\t blinding\t light\t and\t suffocating\t heat\t and\t screams\t and\t thunderous booming\tand\tmetal\ton\tmetal\u2014 I\tswayed,\tbracing\tmy\tfeet\tapart\tas\tI\tblinked.\tAs\tI\ttook\tin\tmy\tsurroundings. Rhys\tand\tthe\tIllyrians\thad\talready\tjoined\tthe\tfray. Mor\thad\twinnowed\tus\tto\tthe\tbarren\ttop\tof\tone\tof\tthe\thills\tflanking\tthe\thalf- moon\t bay\t of\t Adriata,\t offering\t perfect\t views\t of\t the\t island-city\t in\t its\t center\t and the\tcity\ton\tthe\tmainland\tbelow. The\twaters\tof\tthe\tbay\twere\tred.","Smoke\trose\tin\tgnarled\tblack\tcolumns\tfrom\tbuildings\tand\tfoundering\tships. People\tscreamed,\tsoldiers\tshouted\u2014 So\tmany. I\t had\t not\t anticipated\t the\t scope\t of\t how\t many\t soldiers\t there\t would\t be.\t On either\tside. I\u2019d\tthought\tit\twould\tbe\tneat\tlines.\tNot\tchaos\teverywhere.\tNot\tIllyrians\tin\tthe skies\t above\t the\t city\t and\t the\t harbor,\t blasting\t their\t power\t and\t arrows\t into\t the Hybern\t army\t that\t rained\t hell\t upon\t the\t city.\t Ship\t after\t ship\t squatted\t toward\t the horizon,\themming\teither\tentrance\tto\tthe\tbay.\tAnd\tin\tthe\tbay\t\u2026 \u201cThose\t are\t Tarquin\u2019s\t ships,\u201d\t Mor\t said,\t her\t face\t taut\t as\t she\t pointed\t to\t the white\t sails\t colliding\t with\t terrible\t force\t against\t the\t gray\t sails\t of\t Hybern\u2019s\t fleet. Utterly\t outnumbered,\t and\t yet\t plumes\t of\t magic\u2014water\t and\t wind\t and\t whips\t of vines\u2014kept\t attacking\t any\t boat\t that\t neared.\t And\t those\t that\t broke\t through\t the magic\tfaced\tsoldiers\tarmed\twith\tspears\tand\tbows\tand\tswords. And\tahead\tof\tthem,\tpushing\tagainst\tthe\tfleet\t\u2026\tthe\tIllyrian\tlines. So\tmany.\tRhys\thad\twinnowed\tthem\tin\u2014all\tof\tthem.\tThe\tdrain\ton\this\tpower \u2026 Mor\u2019s\t throat\t bobbed.\t \u201cNo\t one\t else\t has\t come,\u201d\t she\t murmured.\t \u201cNo\t other courts.\u201d No\tsign\tof\tTamlin\tand\tthe\tSpring\tCourt\ton\tHybern\u2019s\tside,\teither. A\tthunderous\tboom\tof\tdark\tpower\tblasted\tinto\tHybern\u2019s\tfleet,\tscattering\tships \u2014but\t not\t many.\t As\t if\t \u2026\t \u201cRhys\u2019s\t power\t is\t either\t already\t nearly\t spent\t or\t \u2026 they\u2019ve\tgot\tsomething\tworking\tagainst\tit,\u201d\tI\tsaid.\t\u201cMore\tof\tthat\tfaebane?\u201d \u201cHybern\twould\tbe\tstupid\tnot\tto\tuse\tit.\u201d\tHer\tfingers\tcurled\tand\tuncurled\tat\ther sides.\tSweat\tbeaded\ton\ther\ttemple. \u201cMor?\u201d \u201cI\tknew\tit\twas\tcoming,\u201d\tshe\tmurmured.\t\u201cAnother\twar,\tat\tsome\tpoint.\tI\tknew battles\t would\t come\t for\t this\t war.\t But\t \u2026\t I\t forgot\t how\t terrible\t it\t is.\t The\t sounds. The\tsmells.\u201d Indeed,\t even\t from\t the\t rocky\t outcropping\t so\t high\t above,\t it\t was\t \u2026 overwhelming.\t The\t tang\t of\t blood,\t the\t pleading\t and\t screaming\t \u2026\t Getting\t into the\tmidst\tof\tit\t\u2026 Alis.\t Alis\t had\t left\t the\t Spring\t Court,\t fearing\t the\t hell\t I\u2019d\t unleash\t there\u2014only to\tcome\there.\tTo\tthis.\tI\tprayed\tshe\twas\tnot\tin\tthe\tcity\tproper,\tprayed\tshe\tand\ther","nephews\twere\tkeeping\tsafe. \u201cWe\u2019re\tto\tgo\tto\tthe\tpalace,\u201d\tMor\tsaid,\tsquaring\ther\tshoulders.\tI\thadn\u2019t\tdared break\t Rhysand\u2019s\t concentration\t by\t opening\t up\t a\t channel\t in\t the\t bond,\t but\t it seemed\the\twas\tstill\tcapable\tof\tgiving\torders.\t\u201cSoldiers\thave\treached\tits\tnorthern side,\tand\ttheir\tdefenses\tare\tsurrounded.\u201d I\t nodded\t once,\t and\t Mor\t drew\t her\t slender,\t curving\t blade.\t It\t gleamed\t as brightly\tas\tAmren\u2019s\teyes,\tthat\tSeraphim\tsteel. I\t unsheathed\t my\t Illyrian\t blade\t from\t across\t my\t back,\t the\t metal\t dark\t and ancient\tby\tcomparison\tto\tthe\tliving\tsilver\tflame\tin\ther\thand. \u201cWe\t stick\t close\u2014you\t don\u2019t\t get\t out\t of\t sight,\u201d\t Mor\t said,\t smoothly\t and precisely.\t\u201cWe\tdon\u2019t\tgo\tdown\ta\thall\tor\tstairwell\twithout\tassessing\tfirst.\u201d I\t nodded\t again,\t at\t a\t loss\t for\t words.\t My\t heart\t beat\t at\t a\t gallop,\t my\t palms turning\tsweaty.\tWater\u2014I\twished\tI\u2019d\thad\tsome\twater.\tMy\tmouth\thad\tgone\tbone- dry. \u201cIf\t you\t can\u2019t\t bring\t yourself\t to\t make\t the\t kill,\u201d\t she\t added\t without\t a\t hint\t of judgment,\t\u201cthen\tshield\tme\tfrom\tbehind.\u201d \u201cI\tcan\tdo\tit\u2014the\t\u2026\tkilling,\u201d\tI\trasped.\tI\u2019d\tdone\tplenty\tof\tit\tthat\tday\tin\tVelaris. Mor\t assessed\t the\t grip\t I\t maintained\t on\t my\t blade,\t the\t set\t of\t my\t shoulders. \u201cDon\u2019t\tstop,\tand\tdon\u2019t\tlinger.\tWe\tpress\tforward\tuntil\tI\tsay\twe\tretreat.\tLeave\tthe wounded\tto\tthe\thealers.\u201d None\tof\tthem\tenjoyed\tthis,\tI\trealized.\tMy\tfriends\u2014they\thad\tgone\tto\twar\tand back\tand\thad\tnot\tfound\tit\tworthy\tof\tglorification,\thad\tnot\tlet\tits\tmemory\tbecome rose-tinted\tin\tthe\tcenturies\tfollowing.\tBut\tthey\twere\twilling\tto\tdive\tinto\tits\thell once\tagain\tfor\tthe\tsake\tof\tPrythian. \u201cLet\u2019s\tgo,\u201d\tI\tsaid.\tEvery\tmoment\twe\twasted\there\tcould\tspell\tsomeone\u2019s\tdoom in\tthat\tgleaming\tpalace\tin\tthe\tbay. Mor\tswallowed\tonce\tand\twinnowed\tus\tinto\tthe\tpalace. She\t must\t have\t visited\t a\t few\t times\t throughout\t the\t centuries,\t because\t she\t knew where\tto\tarrive. The\tmiddle\tlevels\tof\tTarquin\u2019s\tpalace\thad\tbeen\tcommunal\tspace\tbetween\tthe lower\tfloors\tthat\tthe\tservants\tand\tlesser\tfaeries\twere\tshoved\tinto\tand\tthe\tshining residential\t quarters\t for\t the\t High\t Fae\t above.\t When\t I\t had\t last\t seen\t the\t vast","greeting\t hall,\t the\t light\t had\t been\t clear\t and\t white,\t flitting\t off\t the\t seashell- encrusted\t walls,\t dancing\t along\t the\t running\t rivers\t built\t into\t the\t floor.\t The\t sea beyond\tthe\ttowering\twindows\thad\tbeen\tturquoise\tmottled\twith\tvibrant\tsapphire. Now\tthat\tsea\twas\tchoked\twith\tmighty\tships\tand\tblood,\tthe\tclear\tskies\tfull\tof Illyrian\t warriors\t swooping\t down\t upon\t them\t in\t determined,\t unflinching\t lines. Thick\t metal\t shields\t glinted\t as\t the\t Illyrians\t dove\t and\t rose,\t emerging\t each\t time covered\tin\tblood.\tIf\tthey\treturned\tto\tthe\tskies\tat\tall. But\tmy\ttask\twas\there.\tThis\tbuilding. We\tscanned\tthe\tfloor,\tlistening. Frantic\t murmurs\t echoed\t from\t the\t stairwells\t leading\t upward,\t along\t with heavy\tthudding. \u201cThey\u2019re\tbarricading\tthemselves\tinto\tthe\tupper\tlevels,\u201d\tMor\tobserved\tas\tmy brows\tnarrowed. Leaving\tthe\tlesser\tfae\ttrapped\tbelow.\tWith\tno\taid. \u201cBastards,\u201d\tI\tbreathed. The\tlesser\tfae\tdid\tnot\thave\tas\tmuch\tmagic\tbetween\tthem\u2014not\tin\tthe\tway\tthe High\tFae\tdid. \u201cThis\tway,\u201d\tMor\tsaid,\tjerking\ther\tchin\ttoward\tthe\tdescending\tstairs.\t\u201cThey\u2019re three\tlevels\tdown,\tand\tclimbing.\tFifty\tof\tthem.\u201d A\tship\u2019s\tworth.","CHAPTER 36 The\t first\t and\tsecond\t kills\twere\tthe\thardest.\tI\tdidn\u2019t\twaste\tphysical\tstrength\ton the\t cluster\t of\t five\t Hybern\t soldiers\u2014High\t Fae,\t not\t Attor-like\t underlings\u2014 forcing\ttheir\tway\tinto\ta\tbarricaded\troom\tfull\tof\tterrified\tservants. No,\teven\tas\tmy\tbody\thesitated\tat\tthe\tkills,\tmy\tmagic\tdid\tnot. The\t two\t soldiers\t nearest\t me\t had\t feeble\t shields.\t I\t tore\t through\t them\t with\t a sizzling\twall\tof\tfire.\tFire\tthat\tthen\tfound\tits\tway\tdown\ttheir\tthroats\tand\tburned every\tinch\tof\tthe\tway. And\t then\t sizzled\t through\t skin\t and\t tendon\t and\t bone\t and\t severed\t the\t heads from\ttheir\tbodies. Mor\tjust\tkilled\tthe\tsoldier\tnearest\ther\twith\tgood\told-fashioned\tbeheading. She\twhirled,\tthe\tsoldier\u2019s\thead\tstill\tfalling,\tand\tsliced\toff\tthe\thead\tof\tthe\tone just\tnearing\tus. The\tfifth\tand\tfinal\tsoldier\tstopped\this\tassault\ton\tthe\tbattered\tdoor. Looked\tbetween\tus\twith\tflat,\thate-bright\teyes. \u201cDo\tit,\tthen,\u201d\the\tsaid,\this\taccent\tso\tlike\tthat\tof\tthe\tRavens. His\tthick\tsword\trose,\tblood\tsliding\tdown\tthe\tgroove\tof\tthe\tfuller. Someone\twas\tsobbing\tin\tterror\ton\tthe\tother\tside\tof\tthat\tdoor. The\tsoldier\tlunged\tfor\tus,\tand\tMor\u2019s\tblade\tflashed. But\tI\tstruck\tfirst,\tan\tasp\tof\tpure\twater\tstriking\this\tface\u2014stunning\thim.\tThen shoving\tdown\this\topen\tmouth,\this\tthroat,\tup\this\tnose.\tSealing\toff\tany\tair. He\tslumped\tto\tthe\tground,\tclawing\tat\this\tneck\tas\tif\the\u2019d\tfree\ta\tpassage\tfor\tthe water\tnow\tdrowning\thim. We\tleft\thim\twithout\tlooking\tback,\tthe\tgrunting\tof\this\tchoking\tsoon\tturning\tto silence.","Mor\tslid\tme\ta\tsidelong\tglance.\t\u201cRemind\tme\tnot\tto\tget\ton\tyour\tbad\tside.\u201d I\t appreciated\t the\t attempt\t at\t humor,\t but\t \u2026\t laughter\t was\t foreign.\t There\t was only\t the\t breath\t in\t my\t heaving\t lungs\t and\t the\t roiling\t of\t magic\t through\t my\t veins and\tthe\tclear,\tunyielding\tcrispness\tof\tmy\tvision,\tassessing\tall. We\t found\t eight\t more\t in\t the\t midst\t of\t killing\t and\t hurting,\t a\t dormitory\t turned into\t Hybern\u2019s\t own\t sick\t pleasure\t hall.\t I\t did\t not\t care\t to\t linger\t on\t what\t they\t did, and\tonly\tmarked\tit\tso\tthat\tI\tknew\thow\tfast\tand\teasily\tto\tkill. The\tones\tmerely\tslaughtering\tdied\tfast. The\tothers\t\u2026\tMor\tand\tI\tlingered.\tNot\tmuch,\tbut\tthose\tdeaths\twere\tslower. We\t left\t two\t of\t them\t alive\u2014hurt\t and\t disarmed\t but\t alive\u2014for\t the\t surviving faeries\tto\tkill. I\tgave\tthem\ttwo\tIllyrian\tknives\tto\tdo\tit. The\tHybern\tsoldiers\tbegan\tscreaming\tbefore\twe\tcleared\tthe\tlevel. The\t hallway\t on\t the\t floor\t below\t was\t splattered\t in\t blood.\t The\t din\t was deafening.\t A\t dozen\t soldiers\t in\t the\t silver-and-blue\t armor\t of\t Tarquin\u2019s\t court battled\tagainst\tthe\tbulk\tof\tthe\tHybern\tforce,\tholding\tthe\tcorridor. They\t were\t nearly\t pushed\t back\t to\t the\t stairs\t we\u2019d\t just\t exited,\t steadily overwhelmed\t by\t the\t solid\t numbers\t against\t them,\t the\t Hybern\t soldiers\t stepping over\u2014stepping\ton\u2014the\tbodies\tof\tthe\tfallen\tSummer\tCourt\twarriors. Tarquin\u2019s\t soldiers\t were\t flagging,\t even\t as\t they\t kept\t swinging,\t kept\t fighting. The\t closest\t one\t beheld\t us\u2014opened\t his\t mouth\t to\t order\t us\t to\t run.\t But\t then\t he noted\tthe\tarmor,\tthe\tblood\ton\tus\tand\tour\tblades. \u201cDon\u2019t\tbe\tafraid,\u201d\tMor\tsaid\u2014as\tI\tstretched\tout\ta\thand\tand\tdarkness\tfell. Soldiers\ton\tboth\tsides\tshouted,\tscrambling\tback,\tarmor\tclanging. But\tI\tshifted\tmy\teyes,\tmade\tthem\tnight-seeing.\tAs\tI\thad\tdone\tin\tthat\tIllyrian forest,\twhen\tI\thad\tfirst\tdrawn\tHybern\tblood. Mor,\tI\tthink,\twas\tborn\table\tto\tsee\tin\tthe\tdarkness. We\twinnowed\tthrough\tthe\tebon-veiled\tcorridor\tin\tshort\tbursts. I\tcould\tsee\ttheir\tterror\tas\tI\tkilled\tthem.\tBut\tthey\tcould\tnot\tsee\tme. Every\t time\t we\t appeared\t in\t front\t of\t Hybern\t soldiers,\t frantic\t in\t the impenetrable\t dark,\t their\t heads\t fell.\t One\t after\t another.\t Winnow;\t slash.\t Winnow; thump. Until\t there\t were\t none\t left,\t only\t the\t mounds\t of\t their\t bodies,\t the\t puddles\t of their\tblood.","I\tbanished\tthe\tdarkness\tfrom\tthe\tcorridor,\tfinding\tthe\tSummer\tCourt\tsoldiers panting\tand\tgaping.\tAt\tus.\tAt\twhat\twe\thad\tdone\tin\ta\tmatter\tof\ta\tminute. I\tdidn\u2019t\tlook\ttoo\tlong\tat\tthe\tcarnage.\tMor\tdidn\u2019t,\teither. \u201cWhere\telse?\u201d\twas\tall\tI\tasked. We\t cleared\t the\t palace\t to\t its\t lowest\t levels.\t Then\t we\t took\t to\t the\t city\t streets,\t the steep\thill\tleading\tdown\tto\tthe\twater\trampant\twith\tHybern\tsoldiers. The\tmorning\tsun\trose\thigher,\tbeating\tdown\ton\tus,\tmaking\tour\tskin\tslick\tand swollen\t with\t sweat\t beneath\t our\t leathers.\t I\t stopped\t discerning\t the\t sweat\t on\t my palms\tfrom\tthe\tblood\tcoating\tit. I\t stopped\t being\t able\t to\t feel\t a\t great\t many\t things\t as\t we\t killed\t and\t killed, sometimes\t engaging\t in\t outright\t combat,\t sometimes\t with\t magic,\t sometimes earning\tour\town\tbruises\tand\tsmall\twounds. But\t the\t sun\t continued\t its\t arc\t across\t the\t sky,\t and\t the\t battle\t continued\t in\t the bay,\t the\t Illyrian\t lines\t battering\t the\t Hybern\t fleet\t from\t above\t while\t Tarquin\u2019s armada\tpushed\tfrom\tbehind. Slowly,\t we\t purged\t the\t streets\t of\t Hybern\t soldiers.\t All\t I\t knew\t was\t the\t sun baking\tthe\tblood\tcoating\tmy\tskin,\tthe\tcoppery\ttang\tof\tit\tclinging\tto\tmy\tnostrils. We\t had\t just\t cleared\t a\t narrow\t street,\t Mor\t striding\t through\t the\t felled\t Hybern soldiers\t to\t make\t sure\t any\t survivors\t \u2026\t stopped\t surviving.\t I\t leaned\t against\t a blood-bathed\t stone\t wall\t just\t outside\t the\t shattered\t front\t window\t of\t a\t clothier, watching\tMor\u2019s\tquicksilver\tblade\trise\tand\tfall\tin\tlightning-bright\tflashes. Beyond\tus,\tall\taround\tus,\tthe\tscreams\tof\tthe\tdying\twere\tlike\tthe\tnever-ending pealing\tof\tthe\tcity\u2019s\twarning\tbells. Water\u2014I\tneeded\twater.\tIf\tonly\tto\twash\tthe\tblood\tfrom\tmy\tmouth. Not\t my\t own\t blood,\t but\t that\t of\t the\t soldiers\t we\u2019d\t cut\t down.\t Blood\t that\t had sprayed\tinto\tmy\tmouth,\tup\tmy\tnose,\tinto\tmy\teyes,\twhen\twe\u2019d\tended\tthem. Mor\t reached\t the\t last\t of\t the\t dead,\t and\t terrified\t High\t Fae\t and\t faeries\t finally poked\t their\t heads\t out\t of\t the\t doorways\t and\t windows\t flanking\t the\t cobblestoned street.\t No\t sign\t of\t Alis,\t her\t nephews,\t or\t cousin\u2014or\t anyone\t who\t looked\t like them,\tamongst\tthe\tliving\tor\tthe\tfallen.\tA\tsmall\tblessing. We\thad\tto\tkeep\tmoving.\tThere\twere\tmore\u2014so\tmany\tmore. As\tMor\tbegan\tstriding\tback\tto\tme,\tboots\tsloshing\tthrough\tpuddles\tof\tblood,\tI","reached\t a\t mental\t hand\t toward\t the\t bond.\t Toward\t Rhys\u2014toward\t anything\t that was\tsolid\tand\tfamiliar. Wind\tand\tdarkness\tanswered\tme. I\tbecame\tonly\thalf-aware\tof\tthe\tnarrow\tstreet\tand\tthe\tblood\tand\tthe\tsun\tas\tI peered\tdown\tthe\tbridge\tbetween\tus.\tRhys. Nothing. I\t speared\t myself\t along\t it,\t stumbling\t blindly\t through\t that\t raging\t tempest\t of night\t and\t shadow.\t If\t the\t bond\t sometimes\t felt\t like\t a\t living\t band\t of\t light,\t it\t now had\tturned\tinto\ta\tbridge\tof\tice-kissed\tobsidian. And\t rising\t up\t on\t its\t other\t end\t \u2026\t his\t mind.\t The\t walls\u2014his\t shields\t \u2026\t They had\tturned\tinto\ta\tfortress. I\tlaid\ta\tmental\thand\tto\tthe\tblack\tadamant,\tmy\theart\tthundering.\tWhat\twas\the facing\u2014what\twas\the\tseeing\tto\thave\tmade\this\tshields\tso\timpenetrable? I\tcouldn\u2019t\tfeel\thim\ton\tthe\tother\tside. There\twas\tonly\tthe\tstone\tand\tthe\tdark\tand\tthe\twind. Rhys. Mor\thad\tnearly\treached\tme\twhen\this\tanswer\tcame. A\t crack\t in\t the\t shield\u2014so\t swift\t that\t I\t did\t not\t have\t time\t to\t do\t anything\t more than\tlunge\tfor\tit\tbefore\tit\thad\tclosed\tbehind\tme.\tSealing\tme\tinside\twith\thim. The\tstreets,\tthe\tsun,\tthe\tcity\tvanished. There\twas\tonly\there\u2014only\thim.\tAnd\tthe\tbattle. Looking\tthrough\tRhysand\u2019s\teyes\tas\tI\tonce\thad\tthat\tday\tUnder\tthe\tMountain \u2026\tI\tfelt\tthe\theat\tof\tthe\tsun,\tthe\tsweat\tand\tblood\tsliding\tdown\this\tface,\tslipping beneath\t the\t neck\t of\t his\t black\t Illyrian\t armor\u2014smelled\t the\t brine\t of\t the\t sea\t and the\t tang\t of\t blood\t all\t around\t me.\t Felt\t the\t exhaustion\t ripping\t at\t him,\t in\t his muscles\tand\tin\this\tmagic. Felt\tthe\tHybern\twarship\tshudder\tbeneath\thim\tas\the\tlanded\ton\tits\tmain\tdeck, an\tIllyrian\tblade\tin\teach\thand. Six\tsoldiers\tdied\tinstantly,\ttheir\tarmor\tand\tbodies\tturning\tinto\tred-and-silver mist. The\tothers\thalted,\trealizing\twho\u2019d\tlanded\tamongst\tthem,\tin\tthe\theart\tof\ttheir fleet. Slowly,\tRhys\tsurveyed\tthe\thelmeted\theads\tbefore\thim,\tcounted\tthe\tweapons. Not\t that\t it\t mattered.\t All\t of\t them\t would\t soon\t be\t crimson\t mist\t or\t food\t for\t the","beasts\tcircling\tthe\twaters\taround\tthe\tclashing\tarmada.\tAnd\tthen\tthis\tship\twould be\tsplinters\ton\tthe\twaves. Once\the\twas\tdone.\tIt\twas\tnot\tthe\tcommon\tfoot\tsoldiers\the\u2019d\tsought\tout. Because\t where\t power\t should\t have\t been\t thrumming\t from\t him,\t obliterating them\t\u2026\tIt\twas\ta\tmuffled\trumble.\tStifled. He\u2019d\t tracked\t it\t here\u2014that\t strange\t damper\t on\t his\t power,\t on\t the\t Siphons\u2019 power.\t As\t if\t some\t sort\t of\t spell\t had\t turned\t his\t power\t oily\t in\t his\t grip.\t Harder\t to wield. It\t was\t why\t the\t battle\t had\t gone\t on\t so\t long.\t The\t clean,\t precise\t blow\t he\u2019d intended\tto\tland\tupon\tarriving\u2014the\tsingle\tshot\tthat\twould\thave\tsaved\tso\tmany lives\t\u2026\tIt\thad\tslipped\tfrom\this\tgrasp. So\the\u2019d\thunted\tit\tdown,\tthat\tdamper.\tBattled\this\tway\tacross\tAdriata\tto\tget\tto this\t ship.\t And\t now,\t exhaustion\t starting\t to\t rip\t at\t him\t \u2026\t The\t armed\t soldiers around\tRhysand\tparted\u2014and\the\tappeared. Trapped\twithin\tRhysand\u2019s\tmind,\this\tpowers\tstifled\tand\tbody\tweary,\tthere\twas nothing\t I\t could\t do\t but\t watch\t as\t the\t King\t of\t Hybern\t stepped\t from\t belowdecks and\tsmiled\tat\tmy\tmate.","CHAPTER 37 Blood\t slid\t from\t the\t tips\t of\t Rhys\u2019s\t twin\t blades\t onto\t the\t deck.\t One\t drop\u2014two. Three. Mother\tabove.\tThe\tking\u2014 The\tKing\tof\tHybern\twore\this\town\tcolors:\tslate\tgray,\tembroidered\twith\tbone- colored\tthread.\tNot\ta\tweapon\ton\thim.\tNot\ta\tspeckle\tof\tblood. Within\tRhys\u2019s\tmind,\tthere\twas\tno\tjagged\tbreath\tfor\tme\tto\ttake,\tno\theartbeat to\t thunder\t in\t my\t chest.\t There\t was\t nothing\t I\t could\t do\t but\t watch\u2014watch\t and keep\t quiet,\t so\t I\t didn\u2019t\t distract\t him,\t didn\u2019t\t risk\t taking\t his\t focus\t away\t for\t one blink\t\u2026 Rhys\t met\t the\t king\u2019s\t dark\t eyes,\t bright\t beneath\t heavy\t brows,\t and\t smiled. \u201cGlad\tto\tsee\tyou\u2019re\tstill\tnot\tfighting\tyour\town\tbattles.\u201d The\t king\u2019s\t answering\t smile\t was\t a\t brutal\t slash\t of\t white.\t \u201cI\t was\t waiting\t for more\tinteresting\tquarry\tto\tfind\tme.\u201d\tHis\tvoice\twas\tcolder\tthan\tthe\thighest\tpeak of\tthe\tIllyrian\tmountains. Rhys\tdidn\u2019t\tdare\tlook\taway\tfrom\thim.\tNot\tas\this\tmagic\tunfurled,\tsniffing\tout every\t angle\t to\t kill\t the\t king.\t A\t trap\u2014it\t had\t been\t a\t trap\t to\t discover\t which\t High Lord\thunted\tdown\tthe\tsource\tof\tthat\tdamper\tfirst. Rhys\thad\tknown\tone\tof\tthem\u2014the\tking,\this\tcronies\u2014would\tbe\twaiting\there. He\u2019d\tknown,\tand\tcome.\tKnown\tand\tnot\tasked\tus\tto\thelp\thim\u2014 If\tI\twas\tsmart,\tRhys\tsaid\tto\tme,\this\tvoice\tcalm\tand\tsteady,\tI\u2019d\tfind\tsome\tway to\t take\t him\t alive,\t make\t Azriel\t break\t him\u2014get\t him\t to\t yield\t the\t Cauldron.\t And make\t an\t example\t of\t him\t to\t the\t other\t bastards\t thinking\t of\t bringing\t down\t that wall. Don\u2019t,\tI\tbegged\thim.\t Just\t kill\t him\u2014kill\t him\t and\t be\t done\t with\t it,\t Rhys.\t End","this\twar\tbefore\tit\tcan\ttruly\tbegin. A\tpause\tof\tconsideration.\tBut\ta\tdeath\there,\tquick\tand\tbrutal\t\u2026\tHis\tfollowers would\tturn\tit\tagainst\tme,\tno\tdoubt. If\t he\t could\t manage\t it.\t The\t king\t had\t not\t been\t fighting.\t Had\t not\t depleted\t his reserves\tof\tpower.\tBut\tRhys\t\u2026 I\t felt\t Rhys\t size\t up\t the\t odds\t alongside\t me.\t Let\t one\t of\t us\t come\t to\t you.\t Don\u2019t face\thim\talone\u2014 Because\ttrying\tto\ttake\tthe\tking\talive\twithout\tfull\taccess\tto\this\tpower\t\u2026 Information\t rippled\t into\t me,\t brimming\t with\t all\t Rhys\t had\t seen\t and\t learned. Taking\tthe\tking\talive\tdepended\ton\twhether\tAzriel\twas\tin\tgood\tenough\tshape\tto help.\t He\t and\t Cassian\t had\t taken\t a\t few\t blows\t themselves,\t but\u2014nothing\t they couldn\u2019t\t handle.\t Nothing\t to\t spook\t the\t Illyrians\t still\t fighting\t under\t their command.\tYet. \u201cSeems\t like\t the\t tide\t is\t turning,\u201d\t Rhys\t observed\t as\t the\t armada\t around\t them indeed\t pushed\t Hybern\u2019s\t forces\t out\t to\t sea.\t He\t had\t not\t seen\t Tarquin.\t Or\t Varian and\t Cresseida.\t But\t the\t Summer\t Court\t still\t fought.\t Still\t pushed\t Hybern\t back, back,\tback\tfrom\tthe\tharbor. Time.\tRhys\tneeded\ttime\u2014 Rhys\t lunged\t toward\t the\t king\u2019s\t mind\u2014and\t met\t nothing.\t Not\t a\t trace,\t not\t a whisper.\tAs\tif\the\twere\tnothing\tbut\twicked\tthought\tand\tancient\tmalice\u2014 The\t king\t clicked\t his\t tongue.\t \u201cI\u2019d\t heard\t that\t you\t were\t a\t charmer,\t Rhysand. Yet\there\tyou\tare,\tgroping\tand\tpawing\tat\tme\tlike\ta\tgreen\tyouth.\u201d A\t corner\t of\t Rhys\u2019s\t mouth\t twitched\t up.\t \u201cAlways\t a\t delight\t to\t disappoint Hybern.\u201d \u201cOh,\t on\t the\t contrary,\u201d\t the\t king\t said,\t crossing\t his\t arms\u2014muscle\t shifting beneath.\t\u201cYou\u2019ve\talways\tbeen\tsuch\ta\tsource\tof\tentertainment.\tEspecially\tfor\tmy darling\tAmarantha.\u201d I\tfelt\tit\u2014the\tthought\tthat\tescaped\tRhys. He\twanted\tto\twipe\tthat\tname\tfrom\tliving\tmemory.\tPerhaps\tone\tday\the\twould. One\tday\the\u2019d\terase\tit\tfrom\tevery\tmind\tin\tthis\tworld,\tone\tby\tone,\tuntil\tshe\twas no\tone\tand\tnothing. But\tthe\tking\tknew\tthat.\tFrom\tthat\tsmile,\the\tknew. And\teverything\the\thad\tdone\t\u2026\tAll\tof\tit\t\u2026 Kill\thim,\tRhys.\tKill\thim\tand\tbe\tdone\twith\tit.","It\u2019s\t not\t that\t easy,\t was\t his\t even\t reply.\t Not\t without\t searching\t this\t ship, searching\thim\tfor\tthat\tsource\tof\tthe\tspell\ton\tour\tpower,\tand\tbreaking\tit. But\t if\t he\t lingered\t much\t longer\t \u2026\t I\t had\t no\t doubt\t the\t king\t had\t some\t nasty surprise\t waiting.\t Designed\t to\t spring\t shut\t at\t any\t moment.\t I\t knew\t Rhys\t was aware\tof\tit,\ttoo. Knew,\tbecause\the\trallied\this\tmagic,\tassessing\tand\tweighing,\tan\tasp\treadying to\tstrike. \u201cThe\t last\t report\t I\t received\t from\t Amarantha,\u201d\t the\t king\t went\t on,\t sliding\t his hands\tinto\this\tpockets,\t\u201cshe\twas\tstill\tenjoying\tyou.\u201d\tThe\tsoldiers\tlaughed. My\t mate\t was\t used\t to\t it\u2014that\t laughter.\t Even\t if\t it\t made\t me\t want\t to\t roar\t at them,\trend\tthem\tto\tpieces.\tBut\tRhys\tdidn\u2019t\tso\tmuch\tas\tgrit\this\tteeth,\tthough\tthe king\t gave\t him\t a\t smile\t that\t told\t me\t he\t was\t well\t aware\t of\t what\t sort\t of\t scars lingered.\tWhat\tmy\tmate\thad\tdone\tto\tkeep\tAmarantha\tdistracted.\tWhy\the\u2019d\tdone it. Rhys\t smirked.\t \u201cToo\t bad\t it\t didn\u2019t\t end\t so\t pleasantly\t for\t her.\u201d\t His\t magic slithered\t through\t the\t ship,\t hunting\t down\t that\t tether\t for\t the\t power\t holding\t back our\tforces\t\u2026 Kill\thim\u2014kill\thim\tnow.\tThe\tword\twas\ta\tchant\tin\tmy\tblood,\tmy\tmind. In\this,\ttoo.\tI\tcould\thear\tit,\tclear\tas\tmy\town\tthoughts. \u201cSuch\t a\t remarkable\t girl\u2014your\t mate,\u201d\t the\t king\t mused.\t No\t emotion,\t not\t so much\tas\ta\tbit\tof\tanger\tbeyond\tthat\tcold\tamusement.\t\u201cFirst\tAmarantha,\tthen\tmy pet,\tthe\tAttor\t\u2026\tAnd\tthen\tshe\tbroke\tpast\tall\tthe\twards\taround\tmy\tpalace\tto\taid your\tescape.\tNot\tto\tmention\t\u2026\u201d\tA\tlow\tlaugh.\t\u201cMy\tniece\tand\tnephew.\u201d\tRage\u2014 that\twas\trage\tstarting\tto\tblacken\tin\this\teyes.\t\u201cShe\tsavaged\tDagdan\tand\tBrannagh \u2014and\tfor\twhat\treason?\u201d \u201cPerhaps\t you\t should\t ask\t Tamlin.\u201d\t Rhys\t raised\t a\t brow.\t \u201cWhere\t is\t he,\t by\t the way?\u201d \u201cTamlin.\u201d\t Hybern\t savored\t the\t name,\t the\t sound\t of\t it.\t \u201cHe\t has\t plans\t for\t you, after\t what\t you\t and\t your\t mate\t did\t to\t him.\t His\t court.\t What\t a\t mess\t for\t him\t to clean\tup\u2014though\tshe\tcertainly\tmade\tit\teasier\tfor\tme\tto\tplant\tmore\tof\tmy\ttroops in\this\tlands.\u201d Mother\tabove\u2014Mother\tabove,\tI\u2019d\tdone\tthat\u2014 \u201cShe\u2019ll\tbe\thappy\tto\thear\tthat.\u201d Too\tlong.\tRhys\t had\tlingered\ttoo\tlong,\t and\tfacing\thim\tnow\t\u2026\tFight\t or\t run.","Run\tor\tfight. \u201cWhere\tdid\ther\tgifts\tcome\tfrom,\tI\twonder?\tOr\twho?\u201d The\tking\tknew.\tWhat\tI\twas.\tWhat\tI\tpossessed. \u201cI\u2019m\ta\tlucky\tmale\tto\thave\ther\tas\tmy\tmate.\u201d The\tking\tsmiled\tagain.\t\u201cFor\tthe\tlittle\ttime\tyou\thave\tremaining.\u201d I\tcould\thave\tsworn\tRhys\tblocked\tout\tthe\twords. The\tking\twent\ton\tcasually,\t\u201cIt\twill\ttake\teverything,\tyou\tknow.\tTo\ttry\tto\tstop me.\t Everything\t you\t have.\t And\t it\t still\t won\u2019t\t be\t enough.\t And\t when\t you\t have given\teverything\tand\tyou\tare\tdead,\tRhysand,\twhen\tyour\tmate\tis\tmourning\tover your\tcorpse,\tI\tam\tgoing\tto\ttake\ther.\u201d Rhys\tdidn\u2019t\tlet\ta\tflicker\tof\temotion\tshow,\tsliding\ton\tthat\tcool,\tamused\tmask over\t the\t roaring\t rage\t that\t surrounded\t me\t at\t the\t thought,\t the\t threat.\t That\t settled before\t me\t like\t a\t beast\t ready\t to\t lunge,\t to\t defend.\t \u201cShe\t defeated\t Amarantha\t and the\tAttor,\u201d\tRhys\tcountered.\t\u201cI\tdoubt\tyou\u2019ll\tbe\tmuch\tof\tan\teffort,\teither.\u201d \u201cWe\u2019ll\tsee.\tPerhaps\tI\u2019ll\tgive\ther\tto\tTamlin\twhen\tI\u2019m\tdone.\u201d Fury\theated\tRhys\u2019s\tblood.\tAnd\tmy\town. Strike\tor\tflee,\tRhys,\tI\tbegged\tagain.\tBut\tdo\tit\tnow. Rhys\t rallied\t his\t power,\t and\t I\t felt\t it\t rise\t within\t him,\t felt\t him\t grappling\t to sustain\this\tgrip\ton\tit. \u201cThe\tspell\twill\twear\toff,\u201d\tthe\tking\tsaid,\twaving\ta\thand.\t\u201cAnother\tlittle\ttrick\tI picked\tup\twhile\trotting\taway\tin\tHybern.\u201d \u201cI\tdon\u2019t\tknow\twhat\tyou\u2019re\ttalking\tabout,\u201d\tRhys\tsaid\tmildly. They\tonly\tsmiled\tat\teach\tother. And\tthen\tRhys\tasked,\t\u201cWhy?\u201d The\tking\tknew\twhat\the\tmeant. \u201cThere\t was\t room\t at\t the\t table\t for\t everyone,\t you\t and\t your\t ilk\t claimed.\u201d\t The king\t snorted.\t \u201cFor\t humans,\t lesser\t faeries,\t for\t half-breeds.\t In\t this\t new\t world\t of yours,\t there\t was\t room\t at\t the\t table\t for\t everyone\u2014so\t long\t as\t they\t thought\t like you.\t But\t the\t Loyalists\t \u2026\t How\t you\t delighted\t in\t shutting\t us\t out.\t Looking\t down your\tnoses\tat\tus.\u201d\tHe\tgestured\tto\tthe\tsoldiers\tmonitoring\tthem,\tthe\tbattle\tin\tthe bay.\t\u201cYou\twant\tto\tknow\twhy?\tBecause\twe\tsuffered\u2014when\tyou\tstifled\tus,\twhen you\t shut\t us\t out.\u201d\t Some\t of\t his\t soldiers\t grunted\t their\t agreement.\t \u201cI\t have\t no interest\tin\tspending\tanother\tfive\tcenturies\tseeing\tmy\tpeople\tbow\tbefore\thuman pigs\u2014seeing\tthem\tclaw\tout\ta\tliving\twhile\tyou\tshield\tand\tcoddle\tthose\tmortals,","granting\t them\t our\t resources\t and\t wealth\t in\t exchange\t for\t nothing.\u201d\t He\t inclined his\t head.\t \u201cSo\t we\t shall\t reclaim\t what\t is\t ours.\t What\t was\t always\t ours,\t and\t will always\tbe\tours.\u201d Rhys\toffered\thim\ta\tsly\tgrin.\t\u201cYou\tcan\tcertainly\ttry.\u201d My\tmate\tdidn\u2019t\tbother\tsaying\tmore\tas\the\thurled\ta\tslender\tjavelin\tof\tpower\tat him,\tthe\tshot\tas\tprecise\tas\tan\tarrow. And\twhen\tit\treached\tthe\tking\u2014 It\twent\tright\tthrough\thim. He\trippled\u2014then\tsteadied. An\tillusion.\tA\tshade. The\t king\t rumbled\t a\t laugh.\t \u201cDid\t you\t think\t I\u2019d\t appear\t at\t this\t battle\t myself?\u201d He\twaved\ta\thand\ttoward\tthe\tsoldiers\tstill\twatching.\t\u201cA\ttaste\u2014this\tbattle\tis\tonly a\ttaste\tfor\tyou.\tTo\twhet\tyour\tappetite.\u201d Then\the\twas\tgone. The\t magic\t leaking\t from\t the\t boat,\t the\t oily\t sheen\t it\u2019d\t laid\t over\t Rhys\u2019s\t power \u2026\tit\tvanished,\ttoo. Rhys\t allowed\t the\t Hybern\t soldiers\t aboard\t the\t ship,\t aboard\t the\t ones\t around him,\tthe\thonor\tof\tat\tleast\tlifting\ttheir\tblades. Then\the\tturned\tthem\tall\tinto\tnothing\tbut\tred\tmist\tand\tsplinters\tfloating\ton\tthe waves.","CHAPTER 38 Mor\twas\tshaking\tme.\tI\tonly\tknew\tit\tbecause\tRhys\tthrew\tme\tout\tof\this\tmind\tthe moment\the\tunleashed\thimself\tupon\tthose\tsoldiers. You\twere\there\ttoo\tlong,\twas\tall\the\tsaid,\tcaressing\ta\tdark\ttalon\tdown\tmy\tface. Then\tI\twas\tout,\tstumbling\tdown\tthe\tbond,\this\tshield\tslamming\tshut\tbehind\tme. \u201cFeyre,\u201d\t Mor\t was\t saying,\t fingers\t digging\t into\t my\t shoulders\t through\t my leathers.\t\u201cFeyre.\u201d I\tblinked,\tthe\tsun\tand\tblood\tand\tnarrow\tstreet\tcoming\tinto\tfocus. Blinked\u2014and\tthen\tvomited\tall\tover\tthe\tcobblestones\tbetween\tus. People,\tshaken\tand\tpetrified,\tonly\tstared. \u201cThis\tway,\u201d\tMor\tsaid,\tand\tlooped\ther\tarm\taround\tmy\twaist\tas\tshe\tled\tme\tinto a\t dusty,\t empty\t alley.\t Far\t from\t watching\t eyes.\t I\t barely\t took\t in\t the\t city\t and\t bay and\tsea\tbeyond\u2014barely\tnoticed\tthat\ta\tmighty\tmaelstrom\tof\tdarkness\tand\twater and\twind\twas\tnow\tshoving\tHybern\u2019s\tfleet\tback\tover\tthe\thorizon.\tAs\tif\tTarquin\u2019s and\tRhys\u2019s\tpowers\thad\tbeen\tunleashed\tby\tthe\tking\u2019s\tvanishing. I\t made\t it\t to\t a\t pile\t of\t fallen\t stones\t from\t the\t half-wrecked\t building\t beside\t us when\tI\tvomited\tagain.\tAnd\tagain. Mor\tput\ta\thand\ton\tmy\tback,\trubbing\tsoothing\tcircles\tas\tI\tretched.\t\u201cI\tdid\tthe same\tafter\tmy\tfirst\tbattle.\tWe\tall\tdid.\u201d It\t wasn\u2019t\t even\t a\t battle\u2014not\t in\t the\t way\t I\u2019d\t pictured:\t army\t against\t army\t on some\t unremarkable\t battlefield,\t chaotic\t and\t muddy.\t Even\t the\t real\t battle\t today had\tbeen\tout\ton\tthe\tsea\u2014where\tthe\tIllyrians\twere\tnow\tsailing\tinland. I\tcouldn\u2019t\tbear\tto\tstart\tcounting\thow\tmany\tmade\tthe\treturn\ttrip. I\tdidn\u2019t\tknow\thow\tMor\tor\tRhys\tor\tCassian\tor\tAzriel\tcould\tbear\tit. And\twhat\tI\u2019d\tjust\tseen\t\u2026\t\u201cThe\tking\twas\there,\u201d\tI\tbreathed.","Mor\u2019s\thand\tstilled\ton\tmy\tback.\t\u201cWhat?\u201d I\tleaned\tmy\tbrow\tagainst\tthe\tsun-warmed\tbrick\tof\tthe\tbuilding\tbefore\tme\tand told\ther\u2014what\tI\u2019d\tseen\tin\tRhys\u2019s\tmind. The\t king\u2014he\t had\t been\t here\t and\t yet\t not\t here.\t Another\t trick\u2014another\t spell. No\t wonder\t Rhys\t hadn\u2019t\t been\t able\t to\t attack\t his\t mind:\t the\t king\t hadn\u2019t\t been present\tto\tdo\tso. I\tclosed\tmy\teyes\tas\tI\tfinished,\tpressing\tmy\tbrow\tharder\tinto\tthe\tbrick. Blood\tand\tsweat\tstill\tcoated\tme.\tI\ttried\tto\tremember\tthe\tusual\tfit\tof\tmy\tsoul in\t my\t body,\t the\t priority\t of\t things,\t my\t way\t of\t looking\t at\t the\t world.\t What\t to\t do with\t my\t limbs\t in\t the\t stillness.\t How\t did\t I\t usually\t position\t my\t hands\t without\t a blade\tbetween\tthem?\tHow\tdid\tI\tstop\tmoving? Mor\t squeezed\t my\t shoulder,\t as\t if\t she\t understood\t the\t racing\t thoughts,\t the foreignness\t of\t my\t body.\t The\t War\t had\t raged\t for\t seven\t years.\t Years.\t How\t long would\tthis\tone\tlast? \u201cWe\t should\t find\t the\t others,\u201d\t she\t said,\t and\t helped\t me\t straighten\t before winnowing\tus\tback\tto\tthe\tpalace\ttowering\thigh\tabove. I\t couldn\u2019t\t bring\t myself\t to\t send\t another\t thought\t down\t the\t bond.\t See\t where Rhys\twas.\tI\tdidn\u2019t\twant\thim\tto\tsee\tme\u2014feel\tme\u2014in\tsuch\ta\tstate.\tEven\tif\tI\tknew he\twouldn\u2019t\tjudge. He,\ttoo,\thad\tspilled\tblood\ton\tthe\tbattlefield\ttoday.\tAnd\tmany\tothers\tbefore\tit. All\tof\tmy\tfriends\thad. And\t I\t could\t understand\u2014just\t for\t a\t heartbeat,\t as\t the\t wind\t tore\t around\t us\u2014 why\tsome\trulers,\thuman\tand\tFae,\thad\tbowed\tbefore\tHybern.\tBowed,\trather\tthan face\tthis. It\twasn\u2019t\tonly\tthe\tcost\tof\tlife\tthat\tripped\tand\tdevastated\tand\tsundered.\tIt\twas the\taltering\tof\ta\tsoul\twith\tit\u2014the\trealization\tthat\tI\tcould\tperhaps\tgo\tback\thome to\t Velaris,\t perhaps\t see\t peace\t achieved\t and\t cities\t rebuilt\t \u2026\t but\t this\t battle,\t this war\t\u2026\tI\twould\tbe\tthe\tthing\tforever\tchanged. War\t would\t linger\t with\t me\t long\t after\t it\t had\t ended,\t some\t invisible\t scar\t that would\tperhaps\tfade,\tbut\tnever\twholly\tvanish. But\tfor\tmy\thome,\tfor\tPrythian\tand\tthe\thuman\tterritory\tand\tso\tmany\tothers\t\u2026 I\twould\tclean\tmy\tblades,\tand\twash\tthe\tblood\tfrom\tmy\tskin. And\tI\twould\tdo\tit\tagain\tand\tagain\tand\tagain.","The\tmiddle\tlevel\tof\tthe\tpalace\twas\ta\tflurry\tof\tmotion:\tblood-drenched\tSummer Court\t soldiers\t limped\t around\t healers\t and\t servants\t rushing\t to\t the\t injured\t being laid\ton\tthe\tfloor. The\tstream\tthrough\tthe\tcenter\tof\tthe\thall\tran\tred. More\tand\tmore\twinnowed\tin,\tborne\tby\twide-eyed\tHigh\tFae. A\tfew\tIllyrians\u2014just\tas\tbloody\tbut\teyes\tclear\u2014hauled\tin\ttheir\town\twounded through\tthe\topen\twindows\tand\tbalcony\tdoors. Mor\t and\t I\t scanned\t the\t space,\t the\t throngs\t of\t people,\t the\t reek\t of\t death\t and screams\tof\tthe\tinjured. I\ttried\tto\tswallow,\tbut\tmy\tmouth\twas\ttoo\tdry.\t\u201cWhere\tare\u2014\u201d I\trecognized\tthe\twarrior\tthe\tsame\tmoment\the\tspied\tme. Varian,\tkneeling\tover\tan\tinjured\tsoldier\twith\this\tthigh\tin\tribbons,\twent\tutterly still\t as\t our\t eyes\t met.\t His\t brown\t skin\t was\t splattered\t in\t blood\t as\t bright\t as\t the rubies\t they\u2019d\t sent\t to\t us,\t his\t white\t hair\t plastered\t to\t his\t head,\t as\t if\t he\u2019d\t just chucked\toff\this\thelmet. He\twhistled\tthrough\this\tteeth,\tand\ta\tsoldier\tappeared\tat\this\tside,\ttaking\tup\this position\tof\ttying\ta\ttourniquet\taround\tthe\thurt\tmale\u2019s\tthigh.\tThe\tPrince\tof\tAdriata rose\tto\this\tfeet. I\tdid\tnot\thave\tany\tmagic\tleft\tin\tme\tto\tshield.\tAfter\tseeing\tRhys\twith\tthe\tking, there\twas\tonly\tan\tempty\tpit\twhere\tmy\tfear\thad\tbeen\ta\twild\tsea\twithin\tme.\tBut\tI felt\tMor\u2019s\tpower\tslide\tinto\tplace\tbetween\tus. There\twas\ta\tdeath-promise\ton\tmy\thead.\tFrom\tthem. Varian\t approached\u2014slowly.\t Stiffly.\t As\t if\t his\t entire\t body\t ached.\t Though\t his handsome\tface\trevealed\tnothing.\tOnly\tbone-weary\texhaustion. His\tmouth\topened\u2014then\tshut.\tI\tdidn\u2019t\thave\twords,\teither. So\t Varian\t rasped,\t his\t voice\t hoarse\t enough\t that\t I\t knew\t he\u2019d\t been\t screaming for\ta\tlong,\tlong\ttime,\t\u201cHe\u2019s\tin\tthe\toak\tdining\troom.\u201d The\tone\twhere\tI\thad\tfirst\tdined\twith\tthem. I\tjust\tnodded\tat\tthe\tprince\tand\tbegan\teasing\tmy\tway\tthrough\tthe\tcrowd,\tMor keeping\tclose\tto\tmy\tside. I\u2019d\tthought\tVarian\tmeant\tRhysand. But\tit\twas\tTarquin\twho\tstood\tin\tgore-flecked\tsilver\tarmor\tat\tthe\tdining\ttable, maps\t and\t charts\t before\t him,\t Summer\t Court\t Fae\t either\t blood-soaked\t or\t pristine filling\tthe\tsunny\tchamber.","The\tHigh\tLord\tof\tthe\tSummer\tCourt\tlooked\tup\tfrom\tthe\ttable\tas\twe\tpaused on\tthe\tthreshold.\tTook\tin\tme,\tthen\tMor. The\t kindness,\t the\t consideration\t that\t I\t had\t last\t seen\t on\t the\t High\t Lord\u2019s\t face was\tgone.\tReplaced\tby\ta\tgrim,\tcold\tthing\tthat\tmade\tmy\tstomach\tturn. Blood\thad\tclotted\tfrom\ta\tthick\tslice\tdown\this\tneck,\tthe\tcaked\tbits\tcrumbling away\tas\tTarquin\tglanced\tto\tthe\tpeople\tin\tthe\troom\tand\tsaid,\t\u201cLeave\tus.\u201d No\tone\teven\tdared\tglance\ttwice\tat\thim\tas\tthey\tfiled\tout. I\thad\tdone\ta\thorrible\tthing\tthe\tlast\ttime\twe\twere\there.\tI\thad\tlied,\tand\tstolen.\tI had\t torn\t into\t his\t mind\t and\t tricked\t him\t into\t believing\t me\t innocent.\t Harmless.\t I did\t not\t blame\t him\t for\t the\t blood\t ruby\t he\t had\t sent.\t But\t if\t he\t sought\t to\t exact\t his vengeance\tnow\t\u2026 \u201cI\theard\tyou\ttwo\tcleared\tthe\tpalace.\tAnd\thelped\tclear\tthe\tisland.\u201d His\twords\twere\tlow\u2014lifeless. Mor\tinclined\ther\thead.\t\u201cYour\tsoldiers\tfought\tbravely\tbeside\tus.\u201d Tarquin\t ignored\t her,\t his\t crushing\t turquoise\t eyes\t upon\t me.\t Taking\t in\t the blood,\t the\t wounds,\t the\t leathers.\t Then\t the\t mating\t band\t on\t my\t finger,\t the\t star sapphire\tdull,\tblood\tcrusted\tbetween\tthe\tdelicate\tfolds\tand\tarcs\tof\tmetal. \u201cI\tthought\tyou\tcame\tto\tfinish\tthe\tjob,\u201d\tTarquin\tsaid\tto\tme. I\tdidn\u2019t\tdare\tmove. \u201cI\theard\tTamlin\ttook\tyou.\tThen\tI\theard\tthe\tSpring\tCourt\tfell.\tCollapsed\tfrom within.\tIts\tpeople\tin\trevolt.\tAnd\tyou\thad\tvanished.\tAnd\twhen\tI\tsaw\tthe\tIllyrian legion\tsweeping\tin\t\u2026\tI\tthought\tyou\thad\tcome\tfor\tme,\ttoo.\tTo\thelp\tHybern\tfinish us\toff.\u201d Varian\thad\tnot\ttold\thim\u2014of\tthe\tmessage\the\u2019d\tsnuck\tto\tAmren.\tNot\ta\tcall\tfor aid,\tbut\ta\tfrantic\twarning\tfor\tAmren\tto\tsave\therself.\tTarquin\thadn\u2019t\tknown\tthat we\u2019d\tbe\tcoming. \u201cWe\twould\tnever\tally\twith\tHybern,\u201d\tMor\tsaid. \u201cI\tam\ttalking\tto\tFeyre\tArcheron.\u201d I\u2019d\tnever\theard\tTarquin\tuse\tthat\ttone.\tMor\tbristled,\tbut\tsaid\tnothing. \u201cWhy?\u201d\t Tarquin\t demanded,\t sunlight\t glinting\t on\t his\t armor\u2014whose\t delicate, overlapping\tscales\twere\tfashioned\tafter\ta\tfish\u2019s. I\t didn\u2019t\t know\t what\t he\t meant.\t Why\t had\t we\t deceived\t and\t stolen\t from\t him? Why\thad\twe\tcome\tto\thelp?\tWhy\tto\tboth? \u201cOur\tdreams\tare\tthe\tsame,\u201d\twas\tall\tI\tcould\tthink\tto\tsay.","A\tunited\trealm,\tin\twhich\tlesser\tfaeries\twere\tno\tlonger\tshoved\tdown.\tA\tbetter world. The\topposite\tof\twhat\tHybern\tfought\tfor.\tWhat\this\tallies\tfought\tfor. \u201cIs\tthat\thow\tyou\tjustified\tstealing\tfrom\tme?\u201d My\theart\tstumbled\ta\tbeat. Rhysand\tsaid\tfrom\tbehind\tme,\tno\tdoubt\thaving\twinnowed\tin,\t\u201cMy\tmate\tand\tI had\tour\treasons,\tTarquin.\u201d My\t knees\t nearly\t buckled\t at\t the\t evenness\t in\t his\t voice,\t at\t the\t blood-speckled face\t that\t still\t revealed\t no\t sign\t of\t great\t injury,\t at\t the\t dark\t armor\u2014the\t twin\t to Azriel\u2019s\tand\tCassian\u2019s\u2014that\thad\theld\tintact\tdespite\ta\tfew\tdeep\tscratches\tI\tcould barely\tstand\tto\tnote.\tCassian\tand\tAzriel? Fine.\tOverseeing\tthe\tIllyrian\tinjured\tand\tsetting\tup\tcamp\tin\tthe\thills. Tarquin\tglanced\tbetween\tus.\t\u201cMate.\u201d \u201cWasn\u2019t\t it\t obvious?\u201d\t Rhysand\t asked\t with\t a\t wink.\t But\t there\t was\t an\t edge\t in his\teyes\u2014sharp\tand\thaunted. My\tchest\ttightened.\tDid\tthe\tking\tleave\tsome\tsort\tof\ttrap\tto\u2014 He\tslid\ta\thand\tagainst\tmy\tback.\tNo.\tNo\u2014I\u2019m\tall\tright.\tPissed\tI\tdidn\u2019t\tsee\tthat he\twas\tan\tillusion,\tbut\t\u2026\tFine. Tarquin\u2019s\tface\tdidn\u2019t\tso\tmuch\tas\tshift\tfrom\tthat\tcold\twrath.\t\u201cWhen\tyou\twent into\tthe\tSpring\tCourt\tand\tdeceived\tTamlin\tas\twell\tabout\tyour\ttrue\tnature,\twhen you\tdestroyed\this\tterritory\t\u2026\tYou\tleft\tthe\tdoor\topen\tfor\tHybern.\tThey\tdocked\tin his\t harbors.\u201d\t No\t doubt\t to\t wait\t for\t the\t wall\t to\t collapse\t and\t then\t sail\t south. Tarquin\tsnarled,\t\u201cIt\twas\tan\teasy\ttrip\tto\tmy\tdoorstep.\tYou\tdid\tthis.\u201d I\t could\t have\t sworn\t I\t felt\t Rhys\t flinch\t through\t the\t bond.\t But\t my\t mate\t said calmly,\t\u201cWe\tdid\tnothing.\tHybern\tchooses\tits\tactions,\tnot\tus.\u201d\tHe\tjerked\this\tchin toward\tTarquin.\t\u201cMy\tforce\tshall\tremain\tcamped\tin\tthe\thills\tuntil\tyou\u2019ve\tdeemed the\tcity\tsecure.\tThen\twe\twill\tgo.\u201d \u201cAnd\tdo\tyou\tplan\tto\tsteal\tanything\telse\tbefore\tyou\tdo?\u201d Rhys\twent\tutterly\tstill.\tDebating,\tI\trealized,\twhether\tto\tapologize.\tExplain. I\tspared\thim\tfrom\tthe\tchoice.\t\u201cTend\tto\tyour\twounded,\tTarquin.\u201d \u201cDon\u2019t\tgive\tme\torders.\u201d The\t face\t of\t the\t former\t Summer\t Court\t admiral\u2014the\t prince\t who\t had commanded\t the\t fleet\t in\t the\t harbor\t until\t the\t title\t was\t thrust\t upon\t him.\t I\t took\t in the\tweariness\tfogging\this\teyes,\tthe\tanger\tand\tgrief.","People\thad\tdied.\tMany\tpeople.\tThe\tcity\the\thad\tfought\tso\thard\tto\trebuild,\tthe people\twho\thad\ttried\tto\tfight\tpast\tthe\tscars\tof\tAmarantha\t\u2026 \u201cWe\tare\tat\tyour\tdisposal,\u201d\tI\tsaid\tto\thim,\tand\twalked\tout. Mor\tkept\tclose,\tand\twe\temerged\tinto\tthe\thall\tto\tfind\ta\tcluster\tof\this\tadvisers and\t soldiers\t watching\t us\t carefully.\t Behind\t us,\t Rhys\t said\t to\t Tarquin,\t \u201cI\t didn\u2019t have\ta\tchoice.\tI\tdid\tit\tto\ttry\tto\tavoid\tthis,\tTarquin.\tTo\tstop\tHybern\tbefore\the\tgot this\tfar.\u201d\tHis\tvoice\twas\tstrained. Tarquin\t only\t said,\t \u201cGet\t out.\t And\t take\t your\t army\t with\t you.\t We\t can\t hold\t the bay\tnow\tthat\tthey\tdon\u2019t\thave\tsurprise\ton\ttheir\tside.\u201d Silence.\tMor\tand\tI\tlingered\tjust\toutside\tthe\topen\tdoors,\tnot\tturning\tback,\tbut both\tof\tus\tlistening.\tListening\tas\tRhysand\tsaid,\t\u201cI\tsaw\tenough\tof\tHybern\tin\tthe War\tto\ttell\tyou\tthis\tattack\tis\tjust\ta\tfraction\tof\twhat\tthe\tking\tplans\tto\tunleash.\u201d\tA pause.\t\u201cCome\tto\tthe\tmeeting,\tTarquin.\tWe\tneed\tyou\u2014Prythian\tneeds\tyou.\u201d Another\tbeat\tof\tquiet.\tThen\tTarquin\tsaid,\t\u201cGet\tout.\u201d \u201cFeyre\u2019s\toffer\tholds:\twe\tare\tat\tyour\tdisposal.\u201d \u201cTake\t your\t mate\t and\t leave.\t And\t I\u2019d\t suggest\t warning\t her\t not\t to\t give\t High Lords\torders.\u201d I\tstiffened,\tabout\tto\twhirl\taround,\twhen\tRhys\tsaid,\t\u201cShe\tis\tHigh\tLady\tof\tthe Night\tCourt.\tShe\tmay\tdo\tas\tshe\twishes.\u201d The\t wall\t of\t Fae\t standing\t before\t us\t withdrew\t slightly.\t Now\t studying\t me, some\tgaping.\tA\tmurmur\trippled\tthrough\tthem.\tTarquin\tlet\tout\ta\tlow,\tbitter\tlaugh. \u201cYou\tdo\tlove\tto\tspit\ton\ttradition.\u201d Rhys\tdidn\u2019t\tsay\tanything\tmore,\this\tstrolling\tfootsteps\tsounding\tover\tthe\ttiled floor\t until\t his\t hand\t warmed\t my\t shoulder.\t I\t looked\t up\t at\t him,\t aware\t of\t all\t who gawked\tat\tus.\tAt\tme. Rhys\tpressed\ta\tkiss\tto\tmy\tsweaty,\tblood-crusted\ttemple\tand\twe\tvanished.","CHAPTER 39 The\tIllyrian\tcamp\tremained\tin\tthe\thills\tabove\tAdriata. Mostly\tbecause\tthere\twere\tso\tmany\tinjured\tthat\twe\tcouldn\u2019t\tmove\tthem\tuntil they\u2019d\thealed\tenough\tto\tsurvive\tit. Wings\tshredded,\tguts\tdangling\tout,\tfaces\tmauled\t\u2026 I\t don\u2019t\t know\t how\t my\t friends\t were\t still\t standing\t as\t they\t tended\t to\t the wounded\t as\t much\tas\t they\tcould.\t I\tbarely\t saw\tAzriel,\twho\thad\tset\tup\ta\ttent\tto organize\t the\t information\t pouring\t in\t from\t his\t scouts:\t the\t Hybern\t fleet\t had retreated.\tNot\tto\tthe\tSpring\tCourt,\tbut\tacross\tthe\tsea.\tNo\tsign\tof\tany\tother\tforces waiting\tto\tstrike.\tNo\twhisper\tof\tTamlin\tor\tJurian. Cassian,\t though\t \u2026\t He\t limped\t through\t the\t injured\t laid\t out\t on\t the\t rocky,\t dry ground,\t offering\t kernels\t of\t praise\t or\t comfort\t to\t the\t soldiers\t who\t had\t not\t yet been\t tended.\t With\t the\t Siphons,\t he\t could\t do\t quick\t battlefield\t patching,\t but\t \u2026 nothing\textensive.\tNothing\tintricate. His\t face,\t whenever\t we\t crossed\t paths\t as\t I\t fetched\t supplies\t for\t the\t healers working\twithout\trest,\twas\tgrave.\tGaunt.\tHe\tstill\twore\this\tarmor,\tand\tthough\the\u2019d rinsed\t the\t blood\t from\t his\t skin,\t it\t clung\t near\t the\t neck\t of\t his\t breastplate.\t The dullness\tin\this\thazel\teyes\twas\tthe\tsame\tas\tthat\tglazing\tmy\town.\tAnd\tMor\u2019s. But\tRhys\t\u2026\tHis\teyes\twere\tclear.\tAlert.\tHis\texpression\tgrim,\tbut\t\u2026\tIt\twas\tto him\t the\t soldiers\t looked.\t And\t he\t was\t everything\t he\t should\t be:\t a\t High\t Lord confident\tin\this\tvictory,\twhose\tforces\thad\tsmashed\tthrough\tthe\tHybern\tfleet\tand saved\ta\tcity\tof\tinnocents.\tThe\ttoll\tit\thad\ttaken\ton\this\town\tsoldiers\twas\tdifficult, but\t a\t worthy\t cost\t for\t victory.\t He\t strolled\t through\t the\t camp\u2014overseeing\t the wounded,\tthe\tinformation\tAzriel\thanded\thim,\tchecking\tin\twith\this\tcommanders \u2014still\t in\t his\t Illyrian\t armor.\t But\t wings\t gone.\t They\u2019d\t vanished\t before\t he\u2019d","appeared\tin\tTarquin\u2019s\tchamber. The\tsun\tset,\tleaving\ta\tblanket\tof\tdarkness\tover\tthe\tcity\tlying\tbelow.\tSo\tmuch darker\t than\t I\u2019d\t last\t beheld\t it,\t alive\t and\t glittering\t with\t light.\t But\t this\t new darkness\t\u2026\tWe\thad\tseen\tit\tin\tVelaris\tafter\tthe\tattack\u2014we\tnow\tknew\tit\ttoo\twell. Faelights\tbobbed\tover\tour\tcamp,\tgilding\tthe\ttalons\tof\tall\tthose\tIllyrian\twings as\tthey\tworked\tor\tlay\tinjured.\tI\tknew\tmany\tlooked\tto\tme\u2014their\tHigh\tLady. But\tI\tcould\tnot\tmuster\tRhys\u2019s\tease.\tHis\tquiet\ttriumph. So\tI\tkept\tfetching\tbowls\tof\tfresh\twater,\tkept\thauling\taway\tthe\tbloodied\tones. Helped\t pin\t down\t screaming\t soldiers\t until\t my\t teeth\t clacked\t against\t each\t other with\tthe\tforce\tof\ttheir\tthrashing. I\t sat\t down\t only\t when\t my\t legs\t could\t no\t longer\t keep\t me\t upright,\t upon\t an overturned\tbucket\toutside\tthe\thealers\u2019\ttent.\tJust\ta\tfew\tminutes\u2014I\u2019d\tsit\tfor\tjust\ta few\tminutes. I\tawoke\tinside\tanother\ttent,\tlaid\tupon\ta\tpile\tof\tfurs,\tthe\tfaelight\tdim\tand\tsoft. Rhys\t sat\t beside\t me,\t legs\t crossed,\t his\t hair\t in\t unusual\t disarray.\t Streaked\t with blood\u2014as\tif\tit\thad\tcoated\this\thands\twhen\the\tdragged\tthem\tthrough\tit. \u201cHow\tlong\twas\tI\tout?\u201d\tMy\twords\twere\ta\trasp. He\tlifted\this\thead\tfrom\twhere\the\u2019d\tbeen\tstudying\tsome\tarray\tof\tpapers\tspread on\tthe\tfur\tbefore\thim.\t\u201cThree\thours.\tDawn\tis\tstill\tfar\toff\u2014you\tshould\tsleep.\u201d But\tI\tpropped\tmyself\ton\tmy\telbows.\t\u201cYou\u2019re\tnot.\u201d He\tshrugged,\tsipping\tfrom\tthe\twater\tgoblet\tset\tbeside\thim.\t\u201cI\u2019m\tnot\tthe\tone who\t fell\t face-first\t off\t a\t bucket\t into\t the\t mud.\u201d\t His\t wry\t smile\t faded.\t \u201cHow\t are you\tfeeling?\u201d I\talmost\tsaid\tFine,\tbut\t\u2026\t\u201cI\u2019m\tstill\tfiguring\tout\twhat\tto\tfeel.\u201d A\tcareful\tnod.\t\u201cOpen\twar\tis\tlike\tthat\t\u2026\tIt\ttakes\ta\twhile\tto\tdecide\thow\tto\tdeal with\teverything\tthat\tit\tbrings.\tThe\tcosts.\u201d I\tsat\tup\tfully,\tscanning\tthe\tpapers\the\u2019d\tlaid\tout.\tCasualty\tlists.\tOnly\ta\thundred or\tso\tnames\ton\tthem,\tbut\t\u2026\t\u201cDid\tyou\tknow\tthem\u2014the\tones\twho\tdied?\u201d His\tviolet\teyes\tshuttered.\t\u201cA\tfew.\tTarquin\tlost\tmany\tmore\tthan\twe\tdid.\u201d \u201cWho\ttells\ttheir\tfamilies?\u201d \u201cCassian.\tHe\u2019ll\tsend\tout\tlists\tonce\tdawn\tarrives\u2014when\twe\tsee\twho\tsurvives the\tnight.\tHe\u2019ll\tvisit\ttheir\tfamilies\tif\the\tknew\tthem.\u201d I\tremembered\tthat\tRhys\thad\tonce\ttold\tme\the\u2019d\tscanned\tcasualty\tlists\tfor\this friends\t in\t the\t War\u2014the\t dread\t they\u2019d\t all\t felt,\t waiting\t to\t see\t if\t a\t familiar\t name","was\ton\tthem. So\t many\t shadows\t clouded\t those\t violet\t eyes.\t I\t laid\t a\t hand\t on\t his\t own.\t He studied\tmy\tfingers\ton\this,\tthe\tarcs\tof\tdirt\tbeneath\tmy\tfingernails. \u201cThe\tking\tonly\tcame\ttoday,\u201d\the\tsaid\tat\tlast,\t\u201cto\ttaunt\tme.\tThe\tlibrary\tattack, this\tbattle\t\u2026\tIt\twas\ta\tway\tto\ttoy\twith\tme.\tUs.\u201d I\t touched\t his\t jaw.\t Cold\u2014his\t skin\t was\t cold,\t despite\t the\t warm\t summer\t night pressing\ton\tus.\t\u201cYou\tare\tnot\tgoing\tto\tdie\tin\tthis\twar,\tRhysand.\u201d His\tattention\tsnapped\tto\tme. I\tcupped\this\tface\tin\tboth\thands\tnow.\t\u201cDon\u2019t\tyou\tlisten\tto\ta\tword\the\tsays.\tHe knows\u2014\u201d \u201cHe\tknows\tabout\tus.\tOur\thistories.\u201d And\tthat\tscared\tRhys\tto\tdeath. \u201cHe\tknew\tthe\tlibrary\t\u2026\tHe\tpicked\tit\tfor\twhat\tit\tmeant\tto\tme,\tnot\tjust\tto\ttake Nesta.\u201d \u201cSo\twe\tlearn\twhere\tto\thit\thim,\tand\tstrike\thard.\tBetter\tyet,\twe\tkill\thim\tbefore he\tcan\tdo\tany\tfurther\tharm.\u201d Rhys\t shook\t his\t head\t slightly,\t removing\t his\t face\t from\t my\t hands.\t \u201cIf\t it\t was only\tthe\tking\tto\tcontend\twith\t\u2026\tBut\twith\tthe\tCauldron\tin\this\tarsenal\t\u2026\u201d And\tit\twas\tthe\tway\this\tshoulders\tbegan\tto\tcurve\tin,\tthe\tway\this\tchin\tdipped ever\t so\t slightly\t \u2026\t I\t grabbed\t his\t hand\t again.\t \u201cWe\t need\t allies,\u201d\t I\t said,\t my\t eyes burning.\t\u201cWe\tcan\u2019t\tface\tthe\tbrunt\tof\tthis\twar\talone.\u201d \u201cI\tknow.\u201d\tThe\twords\twere\theavy\u2014weary. \u201cMove\tthe\tmeeting\twith\tthe\tHigh\tLords\tsooner.\tThree\tdays\tfrom\tnow.\u201d \u201cI\twill.\u201d\tI\u2019d\tnever\theard\tthat\ttone\u2014that\tquiet. And\tit\twas\tprecisely\tbecause\tof\tit\tthat\tI\tsaid,\t\u201cI\tlove\tyou.\u201d His\thead\tlifted,\teyes\tchurning.\t\u201cThere\twas\ta\ttime\twhen\tI\tdreamed\tof\thearing that,\u201d\the\tmurmured.\t\u201cWhen\tI\tnever\tthought\tI\u2019d\thear\tit\tfrom\tyou.\u201d\tHe\tgestured\tto the\t tent\u2014to\t Adriata\t beyond\t it.\t \u201cOur\t trip\t here\t was\t the\t first\t time\t I\t let\t myself\t \u2026 hope.\u201d To\tthe\tstars\twho\tlisten\u2014and\tthe\tdreams\tthat\tare\tanswered. And\tyet\ttoday,\twith\tTarquin\t\u2026 \u201cThe\tworld\tshould\tknow,\u201d\tI\tsaid.\t\u201cThe\tworld\tshould\tknow\thow\tgood\tyou\tare, Rhysand\u2014how\twonderful\tall\tof\tyou\tare.\u201d \u201cI\t can\u2019t\t tell\t if\t I\t should\t be\t worried\t that\t you\u2019re\t saying\t such\t nice\t things\t about","me.\tMaybe\tthe\tking\u2019s\ttaunting\tdid\tget\tto\tyou.\u201d I\tpinched\this\tarm,\tand\the\tlet\tout\ta\tlow\tlaugh\tbefore\traising\tmy\tface\tto\tstudy my\teyes.\tHe\tangled\this\thead.\t\u201cShould\tI\tbe\tworried?\u201d I\t put\t a\t hand\t to\t his\t cheek\t once\t more,\t the\t silken\t skin\t now\t warm.\t \u201cYou\t are selfless,\tand\tbrave,\tand\tkind.\tYou\tare\tmore\tthan\tI\tever\tdreamed\tfor\tmyself,\tmore than\tI\t\u2026\u201d\tThe\twords\tchoked\toff,\tand\tI\tswallowed,\ttaking\ta\tdeep\tbreath.\tI\twasn\u2019t sure\t if\t he\t needed\t to\t hear\t it\t after\t what\t the\t king\t had\t said,\t but\t I\t needed\t to\t say\t it. Starlight\tnow\tdanced\tin\this\teyes.\tBut\tI\twent\ton,\t\u201cAt\tthis\tmeeting\twith\tthe\tother High\tLords,\twhat\trole\twill\tyou\tplay?\u201d \u201cThe\tusual\tone.\u201d I\tnodded,\thaving\tanticipated\this\tanswer.\t\u201cAnd\tthe\tothers\twill\tplay\ttheir\tusual roles,\ttoo.\u201d \u201cAnd?\u201d I\t slid\t my\t hand\t from\t his\t face\t and\t put\t it\t over\t his\t heart.\t \u201cI\t think\t the\t time\t has come\tfor\tus\tto\tremove\tthe\tmasks.\tTo\tstop\tplaying\tthe\tpart.\u201d He\twaited,\thearing\tme\tout. \u201cVelaris\tis\tsecret\tno\tlonger.\tThe\tking\tknows\ttoo\tmuch\tabout\tus\u2014who\twe\tare. What\twe\tare.\tAnd\tif\twe\u2019re\tto\tally\twith\tthe\tother\tHigh\tLords\t\u2026\tI\tthink\tthey\tneed the\ttruth.\tThey\twill\tneed\tthe\ttruth\tin\torder\tto\ttrust\tus.\tThe\ttruth\tabout\twho\tyou really\t are\u2014who\t Mor\t and\t Cassian\t and\t Azriel\t really\t are.\t Look\t at\t how\t poorly things\twent\twith\tTarquin\ttoday.\tWe\tcan\u2019t\u2014we\tcan\u2019t\tlet\tit\tcontinue\tlike\tthis.\tSo no\tmore\tmasks,\tno\tmore\troles\tto\tplay.\tWe\tgo\tas\tourselves.\tAs\ta\tfamily.\u201d If\t anything,\t the\t king\u2019s\t taunting\t had\t told\t me\t that.\t Games\t were\t over.\t There would\t be\t no\t more\t disguises,\t no\t more\t lies.\t Perhaps\t he\t thought\t it\u2019d\t drive\t us toward\t continuing\t to\t do\t such\t things.\t But\t to\t stand\t a\t chance\t \u2026\t perhaps\t victory lay\t in\t the\t other\t direction.\t In\t honesty.\t With\t us\t standing\t together\u2014as\t precisely who\twe\twere. I\twaited\tfor\tRhys\tto\ttell\tme\tthat\tI\twas\tyoung\tand\tinexperienced,\tthat\tI\tknew nothing\tof\tpolitics\tand\twar. Yet\tRhys\tonly\tbrushed\this\tthumb\tover\tmy\tcheek.\t\u201cThey\tmay\tbe\tangry\tat\tthe lies\twe\u2019ve\tfed\tthem\tover\tthe\tcenturies.\u201d \u201cThen\t we\twill\tmake\t it\tclear\tthat\twe\tunderstand\ttheir\t feelings\u2014and\t make\tit clear\tthat\twe\thad\tno\talternative\tway\tto\tprotect\tour\tpeople.\u201d \u201cWe\u2019ll\tshow\tthem\tthe\tCourt\tof\tDreams,\u201d\the\tsaid\tquietly.","I\tnodded.\tWe\u2019d\tshow\tthem\u2014and\talso\tshow\tKeir,\tand\tEris,\tand\tBeron.\tShow who\twe\twere\tto\tour\tallies\u2014and\tour\tenemies. Stars\tglimmered\t and\tburned\tout\t in\tthose\tbeautiful\teyes.\t\u201cAnd\twhat\tof\tyour powers?\u201d\tThe\tking\thad\tknown\tof\tthem,\ttoo\u2014or\tguessed\tat\tit. I\t knew\t from\t his\t cautious\t tone\t that\t he\u2019d\t already\t formed\t an\t opinion.\t But\t the choice\twas\tmine\u2014he\u2019d\tface\tit\tat\tmy\tside\tno\tmatter\twhat\tI\tdecided. And\t as\t I\t thought\t it\t through\t \u2026\t \u201cI\t think\t they\u2019ll\t see\t the\t revealing\t of\t our\t good sides\tas\tmanipulative\tif\tit\talso\tcomes\tout\tthat\tyour\tmate\thas\tstolen\tpower\tfrom them\t all.\t If\t the\t king\t plans\t to\t use\t that\t information\t against\t us\u2014we\u2019ll\t deal\t with that\tlater.\u201d \u201cTechnically,\tthat\tpower\twas\tgifted,\tbut\t\u2026\tyou\u2019re\tright.\tWe\u2019ll\thave\tto\twalk\ta fine\tenough\tline\tregarding\thow\twe\tshow\tourselves\u2014spin\tit\tthe\tright\tway\tso\tthey don\u2019t\tthink\tit\u2019s\ta\ttrap\tor\tscheme.\tBut\twhen\tit\tcomes\tto\tyou\t\u2026\u201d\tDarkness\tblotted out\t the\t stars\t in\t his\t eyes.\t The\t darkness\t of\t assassins\t and\t thieves,\t the\t darkness\t of uncompromising\tdeath.\t\u201cYou\tcould\ttip\tthe\tscale\tin\tHybern\u2019s\tfavor\tif\tany\tof\tthem are\t considering\t an\t alliance.\t Beron\t alone\t might\t try\t to\t kill\t you,\t with\t or\t without this\twar.\tI\tdoubt\teven\tEris\tcould\tkeep\thim\tfrom\tit.\u201d I\tcould\thave\tsworn\tthe\twar-camp\tshuddered\tat\tthe\tpower\tthat\trumbled\tawake \u2014the\twrath.\tVoices\toutside\tthe\ttent\tdropped\tto\twhispers.\tOr\toutright\tsilence. But\tI\tleaned\tover\tand\tkissed\thim\tlightly.\t\u201cWe\u2019ll\tdeal\twith\tit,\u201d\tI\tsaid\tonto\this mouth. He\tpulled\this\tmouth\tfrom\tmine,\this\tface\tgrave.\t\u201cWe\tkeep\tall\tyour\tpowers\tbut the\t ones\t I\t gave\t you\t hidden.\t As\t my\t High\t Lady,\t you\t will\t have\t been\t expected\t to have\treceived\tsome.\u201d I\tswallowed\thard,\tnodding,\tand\ttook\ta\tlong\tdrink\tfrom\this\tgoblet\tof\twater.\tNo more\t lies,\t no\t more\t deceptions\u2014beyond\t my\t magic.\t Let\t Tarquin\t be\t the\t first\t and last\tcasualty\tof\tour\tdeceit. I\t chewed\t on\t my\t lip.\t \u201cWhat\t about\t Miryam\t and\t Drakon?\t Have\t you\t learned anything\tabout\t where\tthey\tmight\thave\t gone?\u201d\t Along\twith\tthat\tlegion\tof\taerial warriors? The\t question\t seemed\t to\t drag\t him\t up\t from\t wherever\t he\u2019d\t gone\t while contemplating\twhat\tnow\tlay\tbefore\tus. Rhys\t sighed,\t scanning\t those\t casualty\t lists\t again.\t The\t dark\t ink\t seemed\t to absorb\t the\t dim\t faelight.\t \u201cNo.\t Az\u2019s\t spies\t have\t found\t no\t trace\t of\t them\t in\t any\t of","the\tsurrounding\tterritories.\u201d\tHe\trubbed\this\ttemple.\t\u201cHow\tdo\tyou\tvanish\tan\tentire people?\u201d I\t frowned.\t \u201cI\t suppose\t Jurian\u2019s\t tactic\t to\t draw\t them\t out\t worked\t against\t him.\u201d Jurian\u2014there\thadn\u2019t\tbeen\ta\twhisper\tof\thim\tat\tthe\tbattle\ttoday. \u201cIt\t would\t seem\t so.\u201d\t He\t shook\t his\t head,\t the\t light\t dancing\t in\t the\t raven-black locks\tof\this\thair.\t\u201cI\tshould\thave\testablished\tprotocols\twith\tthem\u2014centuries\tago. Ways\tto\tcontact\tthem,\tfor\tthem\tto\tcontact\tus,\tif\twe\tever\tneeded\thelp.\u201d \u201cWhy\tdidn\u2019t\tyou?\u201d \u201cThey\t wanted\t to\t be\t forgotten\t by\t the\t world.\t And\t when\t I\t saw\t how\t peaceful Cretea\tbecame\t\u2026\tI\tdid\tnot\twant\tthe\tworld\tto\tintrude\ton\tthem,\teither.\u201d\tA\tmuscle flickered\tin\this\tjaw. \u201cIf\t we\t did\t somehow\t find\t them\t \u2026\t would\t that\t be\t enough,\t though?\t If\t we\t can stop\t the\t wall\t from\t sundering\t first,\t I\t mean.\t Our\t forces\t and\t Drakon\u2019s,\t perhaps even\t Queen\t Vassa\t if\t Lucien\t can\t find\t her,\t against\t all\t of\t Hybern?\u201d\t Against whatever\tgambits\tor\tspells\tthe\tking\tstill\tplanned\tto\tunleash. Rhys\twas\tquiet\tfor\ta\tmoment.\t\u201cIt\tmight\thave\tto\tbe.\u201d It\twas\tthe\tway\this\tvoice\twent\thoarse,\tthe\tway\this\teyes\tguttered,\tthat\tmade\tme press\t a\t kiss\t to\t his\t mouth\t as\t I\t laid\t a\t hand\t upon\t his\t chest\t and\t pushed\t him\t down upon\tthe\tfurs. His\tbrows\trose,\tbut\ta\thalf\tsmile\tappeared\ton\this\tlips.\t\u201cThere\u2019s\tlittle\tprivacy\tin a\twar-camp,\u201d\the\twarned,\tsome\tof\tthe\tlight\tcoming\tback\tto\this\teyes. I\tonly\tstraddled\thim,\tunfastening\tthe\tbutton\tat\tthe\ttop\tof\this\tdark\tjacket.\tThe one\tbelow\tit.\t\u201cThen\tI\tsuppose\tyou\u2019ll\thave\tto\tbe\tquiet,\u201d\tI\tsaid,\tworking\tmy\tway down\t the\t front\t of\t the\t jacket\t until\t it\t gaped\t open\t to\t reveal\t the\t shirt\t beneath.\t I traced\ta\tfinger\tof\tthe\twhorl\tof\ttattoo\tpeeking\tout\tnear\this\tneck.\t\u201cWhen\tI\tsaw\tyou facing\tthe\tking\ttoday\t\u2026\u201d He\tbrushed\this\tfingers\tagainst\tmy\tthighs.\t\u201cI\tknow.\tI\tfelt\tyou.\u201d I\t tugged\t on\t the\t hem\t of\t his\t shirt,\t and\t he\t rose\t onto\t his\t elbows,\t helping\t me remove\t his\t jacket,\t then\t the\t shirt\t beneath.\t A\t bruise\t marred\t his\t ribs,\t an\t angry splotch\u2014 \u201cIt\u2019s\tfine,\u201d\the\tsaid\tbefore\tI\tcould\tspeak.\t\u201cA\tlucky\tshot.\u201d \u201cWith\twhat?\u201d Again,\tthat\thalf\tsmile.\t\u201cA\tspear?\u201d My\theart\tstopped.\t\u201cA\t\u2026\u201d\tI\tdelicately\tbrushed\tthe\tbruise,\tswallowing\thard.","\u201cTipped\t in\t faebane.\t My\t shield\t blocked\t most\t of\t it\u2014but\t not\t enough\t to\t avoid the\timpact.\u201d Dread\t curled\t in\t my\t stomach.\t But\t I\t leaned\t down\t and\t brushed\t a\t kiss\t over\t the bruise. Rhys\tloosed\ta\tlong\tbreath,\this\tbody\tseeming\tto\tsettle.\tCalm. So\t I\t kissed\t the\t bruise\t again.\t Moved\t lower.\t He\t drew\t idle\t circles\t on\t my shoulder,\tmy\tback. I\t felt\t his\t shield\t settle\t around\t our\t tent\t as\t I\t unbuttoned\t his\t pants.\t As\t I\t kissed my\tway\tacross\tthe\tmuscled\tpane\tof\this\tstomach. Lower.\tRhys\u2019s\thands\tslid\tinto\tmy\thair\tas\tthe\trest\tof\this\tclothes\tvanished. I\t stroked\t my\t hand\t over\t him\t once,\t twice\u2014luxuriating\t in\t the\t feel\t of\t him,\t in knowing\the\twas\there,\twe\twere\tboth\there.\tSafe. Then\tI\techoed\tthe\tmovement\twith\tmy\tmouth. His\t growls\t of\t pleasure\t filled\t the\t tent,\t drowning\t out\t the\t distant\t cries\t of\t the injured\tand\tdying.\tLife\tand\tdeath\u2014hovering\tso\tclose,\twhispering\tin\tour\tears. But\t I\t tasted\t Rhys,\t worshipped\t him\t with\t my\t hands\t and\t mouth\t and\t then\t my body\u2014and\t hoped\t that\t this\t shard\t of\t life\t we\t offered\t up,\t this\t undimming\t light between\tus,\twould\tdrive\tdeath\ta\tbit\tfurther\taway.\tAt\tleast\tfor\tanother\tday. Only\t a\t few\t more\t Illyrians\t died\t during\t the\t night.\t But\t high\t up\t in\t the\t hills,\t the screams\t and\t wails\t of\t Tarquin\u2019s\t people\t rose\t to\t us\t on\t plumes\t of\t smoke\t from\t the still-burning\tfires\tHybern\t had\tset.\tThey\tcontinued\tburning\twhen\twe\tleft\tin\t the early\thours\tafter\tdawn,\twinnowing\tback\tto\tVelaris. Cassian\tand\tAzriel\tremained\tto\tlead\tthe\tIllyrian\tlegions\tto\ttheir\tnew\tcamp\ton our\tsouthern\tborders\u2014and\tthe\tformer\tleft\tfrom\tthere\tto\tfly\tinto\tthe\tSteppes.\tTo offer\this\tcondolences\tto\ta\tfew\tof\tthose\tfamilies. Nesta\twas\twaiting\tfor\tus\tin\tthe\tfoyer\tof\tthe\ttown\thouse,\tAmren\tseething\tin\ta chair\tbefore\tthe\tunlit\tfireplace\tof\tthe\tsitting\troom. No\tsign\tof\tElain,\tbut\tbefore\tI\tcould\task,\tNesta\tdemanded,\t\u201cWhat\thappened?\u201d Rhys\tglanced\t to\tme,\tthen\tto\tAmren,\twho\thad\tshot\tto\ther\tfeet\tand\t was\tnow watching\t us\t with\t the\t same\t expression\t as\t Nesta\u2019s.\t My\t mate\t said\t to\t my\t sister, \u201cThere\twas\ta\tbattle.\tWe\twon.\u201d \u201cWe\t know\t that,\u201d\t Amren\t said,\t her\t small\t feet\t near-silent\t on\t the\t rugs\t as\t she","strode\tfor\tus.\t\u201cWhat\thappened\twith\tTarquin?\u201d Mor\t took\t a\t breath\t to\t say\t something\t about\t Varian\t that\t would\t likely\t not\t end well\tfor\tany\tof\tus,\tso\tI\tcut\tin,\t\u201cWell,\the\tdidn\u2019t\ttry\tto\tslaughter\tus\ton\tsight,\tso\t\u2026 things\twent\tdecently?\u201d Rhys\t gave\t me\t a\t bemused\t look.\t \u201cThe\t royal\t family\t remains\t alive\t and\t well. Tarquin\u2019s\tarmada\tsuffered\tlosses,\tbut\tCresseida\tand\tVarian\twere\tunscathed.\u201d Something\t tight\t in\t Amren\u2019s\t face\t seemed\t to\t relax\t at\t the\t words\u2014his\t careful, diplomatic\twords. But\tNesta\twas\tglancing\tbetween\tus\tall,\ther\tback\tstill\tstiff,\tmouth\ta\tthin\tline. \u201cWhere\tis\the?\u201d \u201cWho?\u201d\tRhys\tcrooned. \u201cCassian.\u201d I\tdidn\u2019t\tthink\tI\u2019d\tever\theard\this\tname\tfrom\ther\tlips.\tCassian\thad\talways\tbeen him\tor\tthat\tone.\tAnd\tNesta\thad\tbeen\t\u2026\tpacing\tin\tthe\tfoyer. As\tif\tshe\twas\tworried. I\topened\tmy\tmouth,\tbut\tMor\tbeat\tme\tto\tit.\t\u201cHe\u2019s\tbusy.\u201d I\u2019d\tnever\theard\ther\tvoice\tso\t\u2026\tsharp.\tIcy. Nesta\theld\tMor\u2019s\tstare.\tHer\tjaw\ttightened,\tthen\trelaxed,\tthen\ttightened\u2014as\tif fighting\tsome\tbattle\tto\tkeep\tquestions\tin.\tMor\tdidn\u2019t\tdrop\ther\tgaze. Mor\thad\t never\tseemed\truffled\tby\tmention\tof\tCassian\u2019s\tpast\tlovers.\tPerhaps because\t they\u2019d\t never\t meant\t much\u2014not\t in\t the\t ways\t that\t counted.\t But\t if\t the Illyrian\twarrior\tno\tlonger\tstood\tas\ta\tphysical\tand\temotional\tbuffer\tbetween\ther and\tAzriel\t\u2026\tAnd\tworse,\tif\tthe\tperson\twho\tcaused\tthat\tvacancy\twas\tNesta\t\u2026 Mor\t said\t flatly,\t \u201cWhen\t he\t gets\t back,\t keep\t your\t forked\t tongue\t behind\t your teeth.\u201d My\t heart\t leaped\t into\t a\t furious\t beat,\t my\t arms\t slack\t at\t my\t sides\t at\t the\t insult, the\tthreat. But\tRhys\tsaid,\t\u201cMor.\u201d She\tslowly\u2014so\tslowly\u2014looked\tat\thim. There\t was\t nothing\t but\t uncompromising\t will\t in\t Rhys\u2019s\t face.\t \u201cWe\t now\t leave for\t the\t meeting\t in\t three\t days.\t Send\t out\t dispatches\t to\t the\t other\t High\t Lords\t to inform\tthem.\tAnd\tI\u2019m\tdone\tdebating\twhere\tto\tmeet.\tPick\ta\tplace\tand\tbe\t done with\tit.\u201d She\tstared\thim\tdown\tfor\ta\theartbeat,\tthen\tdragged\ther\tgaze\tback\tto\tmy\tsister.","Nesta\u2019s\t face\t had\t not\t altered,\t the\t coldness\t limning\t it\t unbending.\t She\t was\t so still\t she\t seemed\t to\t barely\t be\t breathing.\t But\t she\t did\t not\t balk.\t She\t did\t not\t avert her\teyes\tfrom\tthe\tMorrigan. Mor\tvanished\twith\thardly\ta\tblink. Nesta\tonly\tturned\tand\theaded\tfor\tthe\tsitting\troom,\twhere\tI\tnoticed\tbooks\thad been\tlaid\ton\tthe\tlow-lying\ttable\tbefore\tthe\thearth. Amren\t flowed\t in\t behind\t her,\t tossing\t a\t backward\t look\t over\t a\t shoulder\t at Rhys.\tThe\tmotion\tshifted\ther\tgray\tblouse\tenough\tthat\tI\tcaught\tthe\tsparkle\tof\tred peeking\tbeneath\tthe\tfabric. The\t necklace\t of\t rubies\t that\t she\t wore,\t hidden,\t beneath\t her\t shirt.\t Gifted\t from Varian. But\t Rhys\t nodded\t to\t Amren,\t and\t the\t female\t asked\t my\t sister,\t \u201cWhere\t were we?\u201d Nesta\tsat\tin\tthe\tarmchair,\tholding\therself\ttightly\tenough\tthat\tthe\twhites\tof\ther knuckles\t arced\t through\t her\t skin.\t \u201cYou\t were\t explaining\t how\t the\t territory\t lines were\tformed\tbetween\tcourts.\u201d The\t words\t were\t distant\u2014brittle.\t And\u2014They\u2019ve\t also\t taken\t up\t history lessons? I\u2019m\tas\tshocked\tas\tyou\tare\tthat\tthe\thouse\tis\tstill\tstanding. I\tswallowed\tmy\tlaugh,\tlinking\tmy\tarm\tthrough\this\tand\ttugging\thim\tdown\tthe hall.\tIt\thad\tbeen\ta\twhile\tsince\tI\u2019d\tseen\thim\tso\t\u2026\tdirty.\tWe\tboth\tneeded\ta\tbath, but\tthere\twas\tsomething\tI\thad\tto\tdo\tfirst.\tNeeded\tto\tdo. Behind\tus,\tAmren\tmurmured\tto\tNesta,\t\u201cCassian\thas\tgone\tto\twar\tmany\ttimes, girl.\t He\t isn\u2019t\t general\t of\t Rhys\u2019s\t forces\t for\t nothing.\t This\t battle\t was\t a\t skirmish compared\tto\twhat\tlies\tahead.\tHe\u2019s\tlikely\tvisiting\tthe\tfamilies\tof\tthe\tfallen\tas\twe speak.\tHe\u2019ll\tbe\tback\tbefore\tthe\tmeeting.\u201d Nesta\tsaid,\t\u201cI\tdon\u2019t\tcare.\u201d At\tleast\tshe\twas\ttalking\tagain. I\thalted\tRhys\thalfway\tdown\tthe\thall. With\t so\t many\t listening\t ears\t in\t the\t house,\t I\t said\t down\t the\t bond,\t Take\t me\t to the\tPrison.\tRight\tnow. Rhys\tasked\tno\tquestions.","CHAPTER 40 I\thad\tno\tbone\tto\tbring\twith\tme.\tAnd\tthough\tevery\tstep\tup\tthat\thillside\tand\tthen down\tinto\tthe\tdark\tripped\tand\tweighed\ton\tme,\tI\tkept\tmoving.\tKept\tplanting\tone foot\tin\tfront\tof\tthe\tother. I\thad\tthe\tfeeling\tRhys\tdid\tthe\tsame. Standing\t before\t the\t Bone\t Carver\t two\t hours\t later,\t the\t ancient\t death-god\t still wearing\tmy\twould-be\tson\u2019s\tskin,\tI\tsaid,\t\u201cFind\tanother\tobject\tthat\tyou\tdesire.\u201d The\tCarver\u2019s\tviolet\teyes\tflared.\t\u201cWhy\tdoes\tthe\tHigh\tLord\tlinger\tin\tthe\thall?\u201d \u201cHe\thas\tlittle\tinterest\tin\tseeing\tyou.\u201d Partially\ttrue.\tRhys\thad\twondered\tif\tthe\tblow\tto\this\tpride\twould\twork\tin\tour favor. \u201cYou\t reek\t of\t blood\u2014and\t death.\u201d\t The\t Carver\t breathed\t in\t a\t great\t lungful\t of air.\tOf\tmy\tscent. \u201cPick\tanother\tobject\tthan\tthe\tOuroboros,\u201d\twas\tall\tI\tsaid. Hybern\tknew\tabout\tour\thistories,\tour\twould-be\tallies.\tThere\tremained\ta\tshred of\thope\tthat\the\twould\tnot\tsee\tthe\tCarver\tcoming. \u201cI\tdesire\tnothing\telse\tthan\tmy\twindow\tto\tthe\tworld.\u201d I\tavoided\tthe\turge\tto\tclench\tmy\thands\tinto\tfists. \u201cI\tcould\toffer\tyou\tso\tmany\tother\tthings.\u201d\tMy\tvoice\tturned\tlow,\thoneyed. \u201cYou\t are\t afraid\t to\t claim\t the\t mirror.\u201d\t The\t Bone\t Carver\t angled\t his\t head. \u201cWhy?\u201d \u201cYou\tare\tnot\tafraid\tof\tit?\u201d \u201cNo.\u201d\t A\t little\t smile.\t He\t leaned\t to\t the\t side.\t \u201cAre\t you\t frightened\t of\t it,\t too, Rhysand?\u201d My\t mate\tdidn\u2019t\tbother\t to\tanswer\tfrom\tthe\thall,\tthough\the\tdid\tcome\tto\t lean","against\tthe\tthreshold,\tcrossing\this\tarms.\tThe\tCarver\tsighed\tat\tthe\tsight\tof\thim\u2014 the\t dirt\t and\t blood\t and\t wrinkled\t clothes,\t and\t said,\t \u201cOh,\t I\t much\t prefer\t you bloodied\tup.\u201d \u201cPick\tsomething\telse,\u201d\tI\treplied.\tAnd\tnot\ta\tfool\u2019s\terrand\tthis\ttime. \u201cWhat\t would\t you\t give\t me?\t Riches\t do\t me\t no\t good\t down\t here.\t Power\t holds no\t sway\t over\t the\t stone.\u201d\t He\t chuckled.\t \u201cWhat\t about\t your\t firstborn?\u201d\t A\t secret smile\tas\the\tgestured\twith\tthat\tsmall\tboy\u2019s\thand\tto\thimself. Rhys\u2019s\t attention\t slid\t to\t me,\t surprise\u2014surprise\t and\t something\t deeper,\t more tender\u2014flickering\ton\this\tface.\tNot\tjust\tany\tboy,\tthen. My\tcheeks\theated.\tNo.\tNot\tjust\tany\tboy. \u201cIt\tis\trude,\tMajesties,\tto\tspeak\twhen\tno\tone\tcan\thear\tyou.\u201d I\tsliced\ta\tglare\ttoward\tthe\tCarver.\t\u201cThere\tis\tnothing\telse,\tthen.\u201d\tNothing\telse that\twon\u2019t\tbreak\tme\tif\tI\tso\tmuch\tas\tlook\tupon\tit? \u201cBring\tme\tthe\tOuroboros\tand\tI\tam\tyours.\tYou\thave\tmy\tword.\u201d I\tweighed\tthe\tbeatific\texpression\ton\tthe\tCarver\u2019s\tface\tbefore\tI\tstrode\tout. \u201cWhere\tis\tmy\tbone?\u201d\tThe\tdemand\tcracked\tthrough\tthe\tgloom. I\tkept\twalking.\tBut\tRhys\tchucked\tsomething\tat\thim.\t\u201cFrom\tlunch.\u201d The\t Carver\u2019s\t hiss\t of\t outrage\t as\t a\t chicken\t bone\t skittered\t over\t the\t floor followed\tus\tout. In\tsilence,\twe\tbegan\tthe\ttrek\tup\tthrough\tthe\tPrison.\tThe\tmirror\u2014I\u2019d\thave\tto find\tsome\tway\tto\tget\tit.\tAfter\tthe\tmeeting.\tJust\tin\tcase\tit\tdid\tindeed\t\u2026\tdestroy me. What\tdoes\the\tlook\tlike? The\tquestion\twas\tsoft\u2014tentative.\tI\tknew\twho\the\tmeant. I\tinterlaced\tmy\tfingers\tthrough\tRhysand\u2019s\tand\tsqueezed\ttightly.\tLet\tme\tshow you. And\tas\twe\twalked\tthrough\tthe\tdarkness,\ttoward\tthat\tdistant,\tstill-hidden\tlight, I\tdid. We\twere\tstarving\tby\tthe\ttime\twe\treturned\tto\tthe\ttown\thouse.\tAnd\tsince\tneither of\t us\t felt\t like\t waiting\t for\t food\t to\t be\t prepared,\t Rhys\t and\t I\t headed\t right\t for\t the kitchen,\tpassing\tby\tAmren\tand\tNesta\twith\tlittle\tmore\tthan\ta\twave. My\tmouth\twas\talready\twatering\tas\tRhys\tshouldered\topen\tthe\tswinging\tdoor","into\tthe\tkitchen. But\twe\tbeheld\twhat\twas\twithin\tand\thalted. Elain\tstood\tbetween\tNuala\tand\tCerridwen\tat\tthe\tlong\tworktable.\tAll\tthree\tof them\tcovered\tin\tflour.\tSome\tsort\tof\tdoughy\tmess\ton\tthe\tsurface\tbefore\tthem. The\ttwo\thandmaiden-spies\tinstantly\tbowed\tto\tRhys,\tand\tElain\u2014 There\twas\ta\tslight\tsparkle\tin\ther\tbrown\teyes. As\tif\tshe\u2019d\tbeen\tenjoying\therself\twith\tthem. Nuala\t swallowed\t hard.\t \u201cThe\t lady\t said\t she\t was\t hungry,\t so\t we\t went\t to\t make her\t something.\t But\u2014she\t said\t she\t wanted\t to\t learn\t how,\t so\t \u2026\u201d\t Hands\t wreathed in\tshadows\tlifted\tin\ta\thelpless\tgesture,\tflour\tdrifting\toff\tthem\tlike\tveils\tof\tsnow. \u201cWe\u2019re\tmaking\tbread.\u201d Elain\twas\tglancing\tbetween\tall\tof\tus,\tand\tas\ther\teyes\tbegan\tto\tshutter,\tI\tgave her\ta\tbroad\tsmile\tand\tsaid,\t\u201cI\thope\tit\u2019ll\tbe\tdone\tsoon\u2014I\u2019m\tstarved.\u201d Elain\toffered\ta\tfaint\tsmile\tin\treturn\tand\tnodded. She\twas\thungry.\tShe\twas\t\u2026\tdoing\tsomething.\tLearning\tsomething. \u201cWe\u2019re\t going\t to\t bathe,\u201d\t I\t announced,\t even\t as\t my\t stomach\t grumbled.\t \u201cWe\u2019ll leave\tyou\tto\tyour\tbaking.\u201d I\t tugged\t Rhys\t into\t the\t hall\t before\t they\u2019d\t finished\t saying\t good-bye,\t the kitchen\tdoor\tswinging\tshut\tbehind\tus. I\t put\t a\t hand\t on\t my\t chest,\t leaning\t against\t the\t wood\t panels\t of\t the\t stair\t wall. Rhys\u2019s\thand\tcovered\tmy\town\ta\theartbeat\tlater. \u201cThat\twas\twhat\tI\tfelt,\u201d\the\tsaid,\t\u201cwhen\tI\tsaw\tyou\tsmile\tthat\tnight\twe\t dined along\tthe\tSidra.\u201d I\tleaned\tforward,\tresting\tmy\tbrow\tagainst\this\tchest,\tright\tover\this\theart.\t\u201cShe still\thas\ta\tlong\tway\tto\tgo.\u201d \u201cWe\tall\tdo.\u201d He\tstroked\ta\thand\tover\tmy\tback.\tI\tleaned\tinto\tthe\ttouch,\tsavoring\this\twarmth and\tstrength. For\t long\t minutes,\t we\t stood\t there.\t Until\t I\t said,\t \u201cLet\u2019s\t go\t find\t somewhere\t to eat\u2014outside.\u201d \u201cHmmm.\u201d\tHe\tshowed\tno\tsign\tof\tletting\tgo. I\tlooked\tup\tat\tlast.\tFound\this\teyes\tshining\twith\tthat\tfamiliar,\twicked\tlight.\t\u201cI think\tI\u2019m\thungry\tfor\tsomething\telse,\u201d\the\tpurred. My\ttoes\tcurled\tin\tmy\tboots,\tbut\tI\tlifted\tmy\tbrows\tand\tsaid\tcoolly,\t\u201cOh?\u201d","Rhys\tnipped\tat\tmy\tearlobe,\tthen\twhispered\tin\tmy\tear\tas\the\twinnowed\tus\tup to\t our\t bedroom,\t where\t two\t plates\t of\t food\t now\t waited\t on\t the\t desk.\t \u201cI\t owe\t you for\tlast\tnight,\tmate.\u201d He\tgave\tme\tthe\tcourtesy,\tat\tleast,\tof\tletting\tme\tpick\twhat\the\tconsumed\tfirst: me\tor\tthe\tfood. I\tpicked\twisely. Nesta\twas\twaiting\tat\tthe\tbreakfast\ttable\tthe\tnext\tmorning. Not\tfor\tme,\tI\trealized\tas\ther\tgaze\tslipped\tover\tme\tas\tif\tI\twere\tno\tmore\tthan\ta servant.\tBut\tfor\tsomeone\telse. I\tkept\tmy\tmouth\tshut,\tnot\tbothering\tto\ttell\ther\tCassian\twas\tstill\tup\tat\tthe\twar- camps.\tIf\tshe\twouldn\u2019t\task\t\u2026\tI\twasn\u2019t\tgetting\tin\tthe\tmiddle\tof\tit. Not\t when\t Amren\t claimed\t that\t my\t sister\t was\t close\u2014so\t close\u2014to\t grasping whatever\t skill\t was\t involved\t in\t potentially\t patching\t up\t the\t wall.\t If\t she\t would only\t unleash\t herself,\t Amren\t said.\t I\t didn\u2019t\t dare\t suggest\t that\t perhaps\t the\t world wasn\u2019t\tquite\tready\tfor\tthat. I\t ate\t my\t breakfast\t in\t silence,\t my\t fork\t scraping\t across\t the\t plate.\t Amren\t said she\t was\t close\t to\t finding\t what\t we\t needed\t in\t the\t Book,\t too\u2014whatever\t spell\t my sister\twould\twield.\tHow\tAmren\tknew,\tI\thad\tno\tidea.\tIt\tdidn\u2019t\tseem\twise\tto\task. Nesta\t only\t spoke\t when\t I\t rose\t to\t my\t feet.\t \u201cYou\u2019re\t going\t to\t that\t meeting\t in two\tdays.\u201d \u201cYes.\u201d I\tbraced\tmyself\tfor\twhatever\tshe\tintended\tto\tsay. Nesta\tglanced\ttoward\tthe\tfront\twindows,\tas\tif\tstill\twaiting,\tstill\twatching. \u201cYou\twent\toff\tinto\tbattle.\tWithout\ta\tsecond\tthought.\tWhy?\u201d \u201cBecause\tI\thad\tto.\tBecause\tpeople\tneeded\thelp.\u201d Her\tblue-gray\teyes\twere\tnear-silver\tin\tthe\ttrickle\tof\tmorning\tlight.\tBut\tNesta said\tnothing\telse,\tand\tafter\twaiting\tfor\tanother\tmoment,\tI\tleft,\twinnowing\tup\tto the\tHouse\tfor\tmy\tflying\tlesson\twith\tAzriel.","CHAPTER 41 The\tnext\ttwo\tdays\twere\tso\tbusy\tthat\tthe\tlesson\twith\tAzriel\twas\tthe\tonly\ttime\tI trained\t with\t him.\t The\t spymaster\t had\t returned\t from\t dispatching\t the\t messages Mor\t had\t written\t about\t the\t meeting\t moving\t up.\t They\t had\t agreed\t on\t the\t date,\t at least.\t But\t Mor\u2019s\t declaration\t of\t the\t spot,\t despite\t her\t unyielding\t language,\t had been\t universally\t rejected.\t Thus\t continued\t the\t endless\t back-and-forth\t between courts. Under\tthe\tMountain\thad\tonce\tbeen\ttheir\tneutral\tmeeting\tplace. Even\tif\tit\thadn\u2019t\tbeen\tsealed,\tno\tone\twas\tinclined\tto\tmeet\tthere\tnow. So\t the\t debate\t raged\t about\t who\t would\t host\t the\t gathering\t of\t all\t the\t High Lords. Well,\tsix\tof\tthem.\tBeron,\tat\tlast,\thad\tdeigned\tto\tjoin.\tBut\tno\tword\thad\tcome from\tthe\tSpring\tCourt,\tthough\twe\tknew\tthe\tmessages\thad\tbeen\treceived. All\tof\tus\twould\tgo\u2014save\tAmren\tand\tNesta,\twho\tthe\tformer\tinsisted\tneeded to\t practice\t more.\t Especially\t when\t Amren\t had\t found\t a\t passage\t in\t the\t Book\t last night\tthat\tmight\tbe\twhat\twe\tneeded\tto\tfix\tthe\twall. With\t only\t hours\t to\t spare\t the\t evening\t before,\t it\t was\t finally\t agreed\t that\t the meeting\twould\ttake\tplace\tin\tthe\tDawn\tCourt.\tIt\twas\tclose\tenough\tto\tthe\tmiddle of\tthe\tland,\tand\tsince\tKallias,\tHigh\tLord\tof\tWinter,\twould\tnot\tallow\tanyone\tinto his\tterritory\tafter\tthe\thorrors\tAmarantha\thad\twrought\tupon\tits\tpeople,\tit\twas\tthe only\tother\tarea\tflanking\tthat\tneutral\tmiddle\tland. Rhys\tand\tThesan,\tHigh\tLord\tof\tthe\tDawn\tCourt,\twere\ton\tdecent\tterms.\tDawn was\t mostly\t neutral\t in\t any\t conflict,\t but\t as\t one\t of\t the\t three\t Solar\t Courts,\t their allegiance\t always\t leaned\t toward\t each\t other.\t Not\t as\t strong\t an\t ally\t as\t Helion Spell-Cleaver\tin\tthe\tDay\tCourt,\tbut\tstrong\tenough.","It\tdidn\u2019t\tstop\tRhys,\tMor,\tand\tAzriel\tfrom\tgathering\taround\tthe\tdining\ttable\tat the\t town\t house\t the\t night\t before\t to\t go\t over\t every\t kernel\t of\t information\t they\u2019d ever\t learned\t about\t Thesan\u2019s\t palace\u2014about\t possible\t pitfalls\t and\t traps.\t And escape\troutes. It\t was\t an\t effort\t not\t to\t pace,\t not\t to\t ask\t if\t perhaps\t the\t risks\t outweighed\t the benefits.\t So\t much\t had\t gone\t wrong\t in\t Hybern.\t So\t much\t was\t going\t wrong throughout\t the\t world.\t Every\t time\t Azriel\t spoke,\t I\t heard\t his\t roar\t of\t pain\t as\t that bolt\t went\t through\t his\t chest.\t Every\t time\t Mor\t countered\t an\t argument,\t I\t saw\t her pale-faced\t and\t backing\t away\t from\t the\t king.\t Every\t time\t Rhys\t asked\t for\t my opinion,\tI\tsaw\thim\tkneeling\tin\this\tfriends\u2019\tblood,\tbegging\tthe\tking\tnot\tto\tsever our\tbond. Nesta\tand\tAmren\tpaused\ttheir\tpracticing\tin\tthe\tsitting\troom\tevery\tso\toften\tso that\t the\t latter\t could\t chime\t in\t with\t some\t bit\t of\t advice\t or\t warning\t regarding\t the meeting.\t Or\t so\t that\t Amren\t could\t snap\t at\t Nesta\t to\t concentrate,\t to\t push\t harder. While\tshe\therself\tcombed\tthrough\tthe\tBook. A\t few\t more\t days,\t Amren\t declared\t when\t Nesta\t at\t last\t went\t upstairs, complaining\t of\t a\t headache.\t A\t few\t more\t days,\t and\t my\t sister,\t through\t whatever mysterious\t power,\t might\t be\t able\t to\t do\t something.\t That\t is,\t Amren\t added,\t if\t she could\tcrack\tthat\tpromising\tsection\tof\tthe\tBook\tin\ttime.\tAnd\twith\tthat,\tthe\tdark- haired\t female\t bid\t us\t good\t night\u2014to\t go\t read\t until\t her\t eyes\t were\t bleeding,\t she claimed. Considering\t how\t awful\t the\t Book\t was,\t I\t wasn\u2019t\t entirely\t sure\t if\t she\t was joking. The\tothers\tweren\u2019t,\teither. I\t barely\t touched\t my\t dinner.\t And\t I\t barely\t slept\t that\t night,\t twisting\t in\t the sheets\tuntil\tRhys\twoke\tand\tpatiently\tlistened\tto\tme\tmurmur\tmy\tfears\tuntil\tthey were\tnothing\tbut\tshadows. Dawn\tbroke,\tand\tas\tI\tdressed,\tthe\tmorning\tunfurled\tinto\ta\tsunny,\tdry\tday. Though\t we\t would\t be\t going\t to\t the\t meeting\t as\t we\t truly\t were,\t our\t usual\t attire remained\t the\t same:\t Rhys\t in\t his\t preferred\t black\t jacket\t and\t pants,\t Azriel\t and Cassian\t in\t their\t Illyrian\t armor,\t all\t seven\t Siphons\t polished\t and\t gleaming.\t Mor had\t forgone\t her\t usual\t red\t gown\t for\t one\t of\t midnight\t blue.\t It\t was\t cut\t with\t the same\t revealing\t panels\t and\t flowing,\t gauzy\t skirts,\t but\t there\t was\t something\t \u2026 restrained\tin\tit.\tRegal.\tA\tprincess\tof\tthe\trealm.","The\tusual\tattire\u2014except\tmy\town. I\thad\tnot\tfound\ta\tnew\tgown.\tFor\tthere\twas\tno\tother\tgown\tthat\tcould\ttop\tthe one\tI\tnow\twore\tas\tI\tstood\tin\tthe\tfoyer\twhile\tthe\tclock\ton\tthe\tsitting\troom\tmantel struck\televen. Rhys\thadn\u2019t\tyet\tcome\tdownstairs,\tand\tthere\twas\tno\tsign\tof\tAmren\tor\tNesta\tto see\tus\toff.\tWe\u2019d\tgathered\ta\tfew\tminutes\tearlier,\tbut\t\u2026\tI\tlooked\tdown\tat\tmyself again.\t Even\t in\t the\t warm\t faelight\t of\t the\t foyer,\t the\t gown\t glittered\t and\t gleamed like\ta\tfresh-cut\tjewel. We\t had\t taken\t my\t gown\t from\t Starfall\t and\t refashioned\t it,\t adding\t sheer\t silk panels\t to\t the\t back\t shoulders,\t the\t glittering\t material\t like\t woven\t starlight\t as\t it flowed\tbehind\tme\tin\tlieu\tof\ta\tveil\tor\tcape.\tIf\tRhysand\twas\tNight\tTriumphant,\tI was\t the\t star\t that\t only\t glowed\t thanks\t to\t his\t darkness,\t the\t light\t only\t visible because\tof\thim. I\tscowled\tup\tthe\tstairs.\tThat\tis,\tif\the\tbothered\tto\tshow\tup\ton\ttime. My\thair,\tNuala\thad\tswept\tinto\tan\tornate,\telegant\tarc\tacross\tmy\thead,\tand\tin front\tof\tit\t\u2026 I\t caught\t Cassian\t glancing\t at\t me\t for\t the\t third\t time\t in\t less\t than\t a\t minute\t and demanded,\t\u201cWhat?\u201d His\tlips\ttwitched\tat\tthe\tcorners.\t\u201cYou\tjust\tlook\tso\t\u2026\u201d \u201cHere\t we\t go,\u201d\t Mor\t muttered\t from\t where\t she\t picked\t at\t her\t red-tinted\t nails against\tthe\tstair\tbanister.\tRings\tglinted\tat\tevery\tknuckle,\ton\tevery\tfinger;\tstacks of\tbracelets\ttinkled\tagainst\teach\tother\ton\teither\twrist. \u201cOfficial,\u201d\tCassian\tsaid\twith\tan\tincredulous\tlook\tin\ther\tdirection.\tHe\twaved\ta Siphon-topped\thand\tto\tme.\t\u201cFancy.\u201d \u201cOver\tfive\t hundred\tyears\t old,\u201d\tMor\tsaid,\t shaking\ther\t head\t sadly,\t\u201ca\tskilled warrior\t and\t general,\t famous\t throughout\t territories,\t and\t complimenting\t ladies\t is still\t something\t he\t finds\t next\t to\t impossible.\t Remind\t me\t why\t we\t bring\t you\t on diplomatic\tmeetings?\u201d Azriel,\twreathed\tin\tshadows\tby\tthe\tfront\tdoor,\tchuckled\tquietly.\tCassian\tshot him\ta\tglare.\t\u201cI\tdon\u2019t\tsee\tyou\tspouting\tpoetry,\tbrother.\u201d Azriel\tcrossed\this\tarms,\tstill\tsmiling\tfaintly.\t\u201cI\tdon\u2019t\tneed\tto\tresort\tto\tit.\u201d Mor\t let\t out\t a\t crow\t of\t laughter,\t and\t I\t snorted,\t earning\t a\t jab\t in\t the\t ribs\t from Cassian.\t I\t batted\t his\t hand\t away,\t but\t refrained\t from\t the\t shove\t I\t wanted\t to\t give him,\tonly\tbecause\tit\twas\tthe\tfirst\tI\u2019d\tseen\tof\thim\tsince\tAdriata\tand\tshadows\tstill","dimmed\this\teyes\u2014and\tbecause\tof\tthe\tprecarious-feeling\tthing\tatop\tmy\thead. The\tcrown. Rhys\thad\tcrowned\tme\tat\teach\tand\tevery\tmeeting\tand\tfunction\twe\u2019d\thad,\tlong before\t I\t was\t his\t mate,\t long\t before\t I\t was\t his\t High\t Lady.\t Even\t Under\t the Mountain. I\u2019d\t never\t questioned\t the\t tiaras\t and\t diadems\t and\t crowns\t that\t Nuala\t or Cerridwen\t wove\t into\t my\t hair.\t Never\t objected\t to\t them\u2014even\t before\t things between\t us\t had\t been\t this\t way.\t But\t this\t one\t \u2026\t I\t peered\t up\t the\t stairs\t as\t Rhys\u2019s strolling,\tunhurried\tfootsteps\tthudded\ton\tthe\tcarpet. This\t crown\t was\t heavier.\t Not\t unwelcome,\t but\t \u2026\t strange.\t And\t as\t Rhys appeared\t at\t the\t top\t of\t the\t stairs,\t resplendent\t in\t that\t black\t jacket,\t his\t wings\t out and\tgleaming\tas\tif\the\u2019d\tpolished\tthem,\tI\twas\tagain\tin\tthat\troom\the\u2019d\tbrought\tme to\tlate\tlast\tnight,\tafter\tI\u2019d\tawoken\thim\twith\tmy\tthrashing\tand\ttwisting\tin\tbed. It\twas\tcontained\ta\tlevel\tabove\tthe\tlibrary\tin\tthe\tHouse\tof\tWind,\tand\twarded with\tso\tmany\tspells\tthat\tit\thad\ttaken\thim\ta\tfew\tmoments\tto\twork\tthrough\tthem. Only\the\tand\tI\u2014and\tany\tfuture\toffspring,\the\tadded\twith\ta\tsoft\tsmile\u2014were\table to\tenter.\tUnless\twe\tbrought\tguests. The\tchamber\twas\ta\tcool,\t chill\tblack\u2014as\tif\twe\u2019d\t stepped\t inside\t the\t mind\t of some\t sleeping\t beast.\t And\t within\t its\t round\t space\t gleamed\t glittering\t islands\t of light.\tOf\tjewels. Ten\tthousand\tyears\u2019\tworth\tof\ttreasure. It\twas\tneatly\torganized,\tin\tpodiums\tand\topen\tdrawers\tand\tbusts\tand\tracks. \u201cThe\t family\t jewels,\u201d\t Rhys\t said\t with\t a\t devious\t grin.\t \u201cSome\t of\t the\t pieces\t we don\u2019t\t like\t are\t kept\t at\t the\t Court\t of\t Nightmares,\t just\t so\t they\t don\u2019t\t get\t pissy\t and because\t we\t sometimes\t loan\t them\t to\t Mor \u2019s\t family,\t but\t these\t \u2026\t these\t are\t for\t the family.\u201d He\t led\t me\t past\t displays\t that\t sparkled\t like\t small\t constellations,\t the\t worth\t of each\t\u2026\tEven\tas\ta\tmerchant\u2019s\tdaughter,\tI\tcould\tnot\tcalculate\tthe\tworth\tof\tany\tof it. And\ttoward\tthe\tback\tof\tthe\tchamber,\tshrouded\tin\ta\theavier\tdarkness\t\u2026 I\u2019d\theard\tof\tcatacombs\ton\tthe\tcontinent,\twhere\tskulls\tof\tbeloved\tor\tinfamous people\twere\tkept\tin\tlittle\talcoves\u2014dozens\tor\thundreds\tof\tthem\tto\ta\twall. The\t concept\t here\t was\t the\t same:\t carved\t into\t the\t rock\t was\t an\t entire\t wall\t of crowns.\t They\t each\t had\t their\t own\t resting\t place,\t lined\t with\t black\t velvet,\t each"]
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