["illuminated\tby\u2014 \u201cGlowworms,\u201d\tRhys\ttold\tme\tas\tthe\ttiny,\tbluish\tglobs\tcrusted\tin\tthe\tarches\tof each\tnook\tseemed\tto\tglitter\tlike\tthe\tentire\tnight\tsky.\tIn\tfact\t\u2026\tWhat\tI\u2019d\ttaken\tfor small\tfaelights\tin\tthe\tceiling\thigh\tabove\t\u2026\tIt\twas\tall\tglowworms.\tPale\tblue\tand turquoise,\t their\t light\t as\t silken\t as\t moonlight,\t illumining\t the\t jewels\t with\t their ancient,\tsilent\tfire. \u201cPick\tone,\u201d\tRhys\twhispered\tin\tmy\tear. \u201cA\tglowworm?\u201d He\tnipped\tat\tmy\tearlobe.\t\u201cSmartass.\u201d\tHe\tsteered\tme\tback\ttoward\tthe\twall\tof crowns,\t each\t wholly\t different\u2014as\t individual\t as\t skulls.\t \u201cPick\t whichever\t crown you\tlike.\u201d \u201cI\tcan\u2019t\tjust\u2014take\tone.\u201d \u201cYou\tmost\tcertainly\tcan.\tThey\tbelong\tto\tyou.\u201d I\tlifted\ta\tbrow.\t\u201cThey\tdon\u2019t\u2014not\treally.\u201d \u201cBy\t law\t and\t tradition,\t this\t is\t all\t yours.\t Sell\t it,\t melt\t it,\t wear\t them\u2014do whatever\tyou\twant.\u201d \u201cYou\t don\u2019t\t care\t about\t it?\u201d\t I\t gestured\t to\t the\t trove\t worth\t more\t than\t most kingdoms. \u201cOh,\tI\thave\tfavorite\tpieces\tthat\tI\tmight\tconvince\tyou\tto\tspare,\tbut\t\u2026\tThis\tis yours.\tEvery\tlast\tpiece\tof\tit.\u201d Our\t eyes\t met,\t and\t I\t knew\t he,\t too,\t recalled\t the\t words\t that\t I\u2019d\t whispered\t to him\t months\t ago.\t That\t every\t piece\t of\t my\t still-healing\t heart\t belonged\t to\t him.\t I smiled,\t and\t brushed\t a\t hand\t down\t his\t arm\t before\t approaching\t the\t wall\t of crowns. I\t had\t been\t terrified\t once,\t in\t Tamlin\u2019s\t court,\t of\t being\t given\t a\t crown.\t Had dreaded\tit.\tAnd\tI\tsupposed\tthat\tI\tindeed\thad\tnever\tfretted\tover\tit\twhen\tit\tcame\tto Rhys.\t As\t if\t some\t small\t part\t of\t me\t had\t always\t known\t that\t this\t was\t where\t I\t was meant\tto\tbe:\tat\this\tside,\tas\this\tequal.\tHis\tqueen. Rhys\t inclined\t his\t head\t as\t if\t to\t say\t yes\u2014he\t saw\t and\t understood\t and\t had always\tknown. Now\tstriding\tdown\tthe\ttown\thouse\tstairs,\tRhys\u2019s\tattention\twent\tright\tto\tthat crown\tatop\tmy\thead.\tAnd\tthe\temotion\tthat\trippled\tacross\this\tface\twas\tenough\tto make\teven\tMor\tand\tCassian\tlook\taway. I\u2019d\tlet\tthe\tcrown\tcall\tto\tme.\tI\thadn\u2019t\tpicked\tit\tfor\tstyle\tor\tcomfort,\tbut\tfor\tthe","draw\tI\tfelt\tto\tit,\tas\tif\tit\twere\tthat\tring\tin\tthe\tWeaver\u2019s\tcottage. My\tcrown\twas\tcrafted\tof\tsilver\tand\tdiamond,\tall\tfashioned\tinto\tswirls\tof\tstars and\t various\t phases\t of\t the\t moon.\t Its\t arching\t apex\t held\t aloft\t a\t crescent\t moon\t of solid\t diamond,\t flanked\t by\t two\t exploding\t stars.\t And\t with\t the\t glittering\t dress from\tStarfall\t\u2026 Rhys\tstepped\toff\tthe\tstairs\tand\ttook\tmy\thand. Night\tTriumphant\u2014and\tthe\tStars\tEternal. If\the\twas\tthe\tsweet,\tterrifying\tdarkness,\tI\twas\tthe\tglittering\tlight\tthat\tonly\this shadows\tcould\tmake\tclear. \u201cI\tthought\tyou\twere\tleaving,\u201d\tNesta\u2019s\tvoice\tcut\tin\tfrom\tatop\tthe\tstairs. I\tbraced\tmyself,\tdragging\tmy\tattention\taway\tfrom\tRhys. Nesta\twas\tin\ta\tgown\tof\tdarkest\tblue,\tno\tjewelry\tto\tbe\tseen,\ther\thair\tswept\tup and\tunadorned\tas\twell.\tI\tsupposed\tthat\twith\ther\tstunning\tbeauty,\tshe\tneeded\tno ornamentation.\tIt\twould\thave\tbeen\tlike\tputting\tjewelry\ton\ta\tlion.\tBut\tfor\ther\tto be\tdressed\tlike\tthat\t\u2026 She\tstrode\tdown\tthe\tstairs,\tand\twhen\tthe\tothers\twere\tsilent,\tI\trealized\t\u2026 I\ttried\tnot\tto\tlook\ttoo\tobvious\tas\tI\tglanced\tat\tCassian. They\thad\tnot\tseen\teach\tother\tsince\tAdriata. But\tthe\twarrior\tonly\tgave\ther\ta\tcursory\tonce-over\tand\tturned\ttoward\tAzriel\tto say\t something.\t Mor\t was\t watching\t both\t carefully\u2014the\t warning\t she\u2019d\t given\t my sister\t ringing\t silently\t between\t them.\t And\t Nesta,\t Mother\t damn\t it\t all,\t seemed\t to remember.\t Seemed\t to\t rein\t in\t whatever\t words\t she\u2019d\t been\t about\t to\t spit\t and\t just approached\tme. And\t nearly\t made\t my\t heart\t stop\t dead\t with\t shock\t as\t she\t said,\t \u201cYou\t look beautiful.\u201d I\tblinked\tat\ther. Mor\tsaid,\t\u201cThat,\tCassian,\twas\twhat\tyou\twere\tattempting\tto\tsay.\u201d He\t grumbled\t something\t we\t chose\t not\t to\t hear.\t I\t said\t to\t Nesta,\t \u201cThank\t you. You\tdo\tas\twell.\u201d Nesta\tonly\tshrugged. I\tpushed,\t\u201cWhy\tare\tyou\tdressed\tso\tnicely?\tShouldn\u2019t\tyou\tbe\tpracticing\twith Amren?\u201d I\t felt\t Cassian\u2019s\t attention\t slide\t to\t us,\t felt\t them\t all\t look\t as\t Nesta\t said,\t \u201cI\u2019m going\twith\tyou.\u201d","CHAPTER 42 No\tone\tsaid\tanything. Nesta\tonly\tlifted\ther\tchin.\t\u201cI\t\u2026\u201d\tI\u2019d\tnever\tseen\ther\tstumble\tfor\twords.\t\u201cI\tdo not\twant\tto\tbe\tremembered\tas\ta\tcoward.\u201d \u201cNo\tone\twould\tsay\tthat,\u201d\tI\toffered\tquietly. \u201cI\twould.\u201d\tNesta\tsurveyed\tus\tall,\ther\tgaze\tjumping\tpast\tCassian.\tNot\tto\tslight him,\t but\t \u2026\t avoid\t answering\t the\t look\t he\t was\t giving\t her.\t Approval\u2014more.\t \u201cIt was\t some\t distant\t thing,\u201d\t she\t said.\t \u201cWar.\t Battle.\t It\t \u2026\t it\u2019s\t not\t anymore.\t I\t will help,\tif\tI\tcan.\tIf\tit\tmeans\t\u2026\ttelling\tthem\twhat\thappened.\u201d \u201cYou\u2019ve\tgiven\tenough,\u201d\tI\tsaid,\tmy\tdress\trustling\tas\tI\tbraved\ta\tsolitary\t step toward\t her.\t \u201cAmren\t claimed\t you\t were\t close\t to\t mastering\t whatever\t skill\t you need.\tYou\tshould\tstay\u2014focus\ton\tthat.\u201d \u201cNo.\u201d\t The\t word\t was\t steady,\t clear.\t \u201cA\t day\t or\t two\t delay\t with\t my\t training won\u2019t\t make\t any\t difference.\t Perhaps\t by\t the\t time\t we\t return,\t Amren\t will\t have decoded\tthat\tspell\tin\tthe\tBook.\u201d\tShe\tshrugged\twith\ta\tshoulder.\t\u201cYou\twent\toff\tto battle\t for\t a\t court\t you\t barely\t know\u2014who\t barely\t see\t you\t as\t friends.\t Amren showed\t me\t the\t blood\t ruby.\t And\t when\t I\t asked\t you\t why\t \u2026\t you\t said\t because\t it was\tthe\tright\tthing.\tPeople\tneeded\thelp.\u201d\tHer\tthroat\tbobbed.\t\u201cNo\tone\tis\tgoing\tto fight\tto\t save\t the\thumans\t beneath\t the\twall.\tNo\tone\tcares.\tBut\tI\tdo.\u201d\tShe\ttoyed with\ta\tfold\tin\ther\tdress.\t\u201cI\tdo.\u201d Rhys\tstepped\tup\tto\tmy\tside.\t\u201cAs\tHigh\tLady,\tFeyre\tis\tno\tlonger\tmy\temissary to\tthe\thuman\tworld.\u201d\tHe\tgave\tNesta\ta\ttentative\tsmile.\t\u201cWant\tthe\tjob?\u201d Nesta\u2019s\t face\t yielded\t nothing,\t but\t I\t could\t have\t sworn\t some\t spark\t flared. \u201cConsider\tthis\tmeeting\ta\ttrial\tbasis.\tAnd\tI\u2019ll\tmake\tyou\tpay\tthrough\tthe\tteeth\tfor my\tservices.\u201d","Rhys\t sketched\t a\t bow.\t \u201cI\t would\t expect\t nothing\t less\t of\t an\t Archeron\t sister.\u201d\t I poked\thim\tin\tthe\tribs,\tand\the\thuffed\ta\tlaugh.\t\u201cWelcome\tto\tthe\tcourt,\u201d\the\tsaid\tto her.\t\u201cYou\u2019re\tabout\tto\thave\tone\thell\tof\ta\tfirst\tday.\u201d And\tto\tmy\teternal\tshock,\ta\tsmile\ttugged\tat\tNesta\u2019s\tmouth. \u201cNo\tgoing\tback\tnow,\u201d\tCassian\tsaid\tto\tRhys,\tgesturing\tto\this\twings. Rhys\tslid\this\thands\tinto\this\tpockets.\t\u201cI\tfigure\tit\u2019s\ttime\tfor\tthe\tworld\tto\tknow who\treally\thas\tthe\tlargest\twingspan.\u201d Cassian\t laughed,\t and\t even\t Azriel\t smiled.\t Mor\t gave\t me\t a\t look\t that\t had\t me biting\tmy\tlip\tto\tkeep\tfrom\thowling. \u201cTwenty\t gold\t marks\t says\t there\u2019s\t a\t fight\t in\t the\t first\t hour,\u201d\t Cassian\t said,\t still not\treally\tlooking\tat\tNesta. \u201cThirty,\tand\tI\tsay\twithin\tforty-five\tminutes,\u201d\tMor\tsaid,\tcrossing\ther\tarms. \u201cYou\tdo\tremember\tthere\tare\tvows\tand\twards\tof\tneutrality,\u201d\tRhys\tsaid\tmildly. \u201cYou\tlot\tdon\u2019t\tneed\tfists\tor\tmagic\tto\tfight,\u201d\tMor\tchirped. Azriel\t said\t from\t the\t door,\t \u201cFifty,\t and\t I\t say\t within\t thirty\t minutes.\t Started\t by Autumn.\u201d Rhys\trolled\this\teyes.\t\u201cTry\tnot\tto\tlook\tlike\tyou\u2019re\tall\tgambling\ton\tthem.\tAnd no\t cheating\t by\t provoking\t fights.\u201d\t Their\t answering\t grins\t were\t anything\t but reassuring.\tRhys\tsighed.\t\u201cA\thundred\tmarks\ton\ta\tfight\twithin\tfifteen\tminutes.\u201d Nesta\tlet\tout\ta\tsoft\tsnort.\tBut\tthey\tall\tlooked\tto\tme,\twaiting. I\t shrugged.\t \u201cRhys\t and\t I\t are\t a\t team.\t He\t can\t gamble\t away\t our\t money\t on\t this bullshit.\u201d They\tall\tlooked\tdeeply\toffended. Rhys\tlooped\this\telbow\tthrough\tmine.\t\u201cA\tqueen\tin\tappearance\u2014\u201d \u201cDon\u2019t\teven\tfinish\tthat,\u201d\tI\tsaid. He\tlaughed.\t\u201cShall\twe?\u201d He\u2019d\t winnow\t me\t in,\t Mor\t would\t now\t take\t Cassian\t and\t Nesta,\t and\t Azriel would\t carry\thimself.\tRhys\t glanced\ttoward\tthe\tsitting\troom\t clock\t and\tgave\tthe shadowsinger\ta\tnod. Azriel\tinstantly\tvanished.\tFirst\tto\tarrive\u2014first\tto\tsee\tif\tany\ttrap\tawaited. In\tsilence,\twe\twaited.\tOne\tminute.\tTwo. Then\t Rhys\t blew\t out\t a\t breath\t and\t said,\t \u201cClear.\u201d\t He\t threaded\t his\t fingers through\tmine,\tgripping\ttightly. Mor\t sagged\t a\t bit,\t jewelry\t glinting\t with\t the\t movement,\t and\t went\t to\t take","Cassian\u2019s\tarm. But\the\u2019d\tat\tlast\tapproached\tNesta.\tAnd\tas\tthe\tworld\tbegan\tto\tturn\tto\tshadows and\t wind,\t I\t saw\t Cassian\t tower\t over\t my\t sister,\t saw\t her\t chin\t lift\t defiantly,\t and heard\thim\tgrowl,\t\u201cHello,\tNesta.\u201d Rhys\tseemed\tto\thalt\this\twinnowing\tas\tmy\tsister\tsaid,\t\u201cSo\tyou\u2019re\talive.\u201d Cassian\t bared\t his\t teeth\t in\t a\t feral\t grin,\t wings\t flaring\t slightly.\t \u201cWere\t you hoping\totherwise?\u201d Mor\t was\t watching\u2014watching\t so\t closely,\t every\t muscle\t tense.\t She\t again reached\t for\t his\t arm,\t but\t Cassian\t angled\t out\t of\t reach,\t not\t tearing\t his\t eyes\t from Nesta\u2019s\tblazing\tgaze. Nesta\tblurted,\t\u201cYou\tdidn\u2019t\tcome\tto\u2014\u201d\tShe\tstopped\therself. The\tworld\tseemed\tto\tgo\tutterly\tstill\tat\tthat\tinterrupted\tsentence,\tnothing\tand no\t one\t more\t so\t than\t Cassian.\t He\t scanned\t her\t face\t as\t if\t furiously\t reading\t some battle\treport. Mor\t just\t watched\t as\t Cassian\t took\t Nesta\u2019s\t slim\t hand\t in\t his\t own,\t interlacing their\tfingers.\tAs\the\tfolded\tin\this\twings\tand\tblindly\treached\this\tother\thand\tback toward\tMor\tin\ta\tsilent\torder\tto\ttransport\tthem. Cassian\u2019s\t eyes\t did\t not\t leave\t Nesta\u2019s;\t nor\t did\t hers\t leave\t his.\t There\t was\t no warmth,\t no\t tenderness\t on\t either\t of\t their\t faces.\t Only\t that\t raging\t intensity,\t that blend\tof\tcontempt\tand\tunderstanding\tand\tfire. Rhys\t began\t to\t winnow\t us\t again,\t and\t just\t as\t the\t dark\t wind\t swept\t in,\t I\t heard Cassian\t say\t to\t Nesta,\t his\t voice\t low\t and\t rough,\t \u201cThe\t next\t time,\t Emissary,\t I\u2019ll come\tsay\thello.\u201d I\u2019d\tlearned\tenough\tfrom\tRhys\tabout\twhat\tto\texpect\tof\tthe\tDawn\tCourt,\tbut\teven the\tvistas\the\u2019d\tpainted\tfor\tme\tdidn\u2019t\tdo\tthe\tsight\tjustice. It\twas\tthe\tclouds\tI\tsaw\tfirst. Enormous\tclouds\tdrifting\tin\tthe\tcobalt\tsky,\tsoft\tand\tmagnanimous,\tstill\ttinged by\t the\t rose\t remnants\t of\t sunrise,\t their\t round\t edges\t gilded\t with\t the\t golden\t light. The\tdewy\tfreshness\tof\tmorning\tlingered\tin\tthe\tbalmy\tair\tas\twe\tpeered\tup\tat\tthe mountain-palace\tspiraling\tinto\tthe\theavens\tabove. If\t the\t palace\t above\t the\t Court\t of\t Nightmares\t had\t been\t crafted\t of\t moonstone, this\t was\t made\t from\t \u2026\t sunstone.\t I\t didn\u2019t\t have\t a\t word\t for\t the\t near-opalescent","golden\tstone\tthat\tseemed\tto\thold\tthe\tgleaming\tof\ta\tthousand\tsunrises\twithin\tit. Steps\tand\tbalconies\tand\tarchways\tand\tverandas\tand\tbridges\tlinked\tthe\ttowers and\tgilded\tdomes\tof\tthe\tpalace,\tperiwinkle\tmorning\tglories\tclimbing\tthe\tpillars and\tneatly\tcut\tblocks\tof\tstone\tto\tdrink\tin\tthe\tgilded\tmists\twafting\tby. Wafting\tby,\tbecause\tthe\tmountain\ton\twhich\tthe\tpalace\tstood\t\u2026\tThere\twas\ta reason\tI\tbeheld\tthe\tclouds\tfirst. The\t veranda\t that\t we\u2019d\t appeared\t on\t was\t empty,\t save\t for\t Azriel\t and\t a\t slim- hipped\t attendant\t in\t the\t gold-and-ruby\t livery\t of\t Dawn.\t Light,\t loose\t robes\u2014 layered\tand\tyet\tflattering. The\t male\t bowed,\t his\t brown\t skin\t smooth\t with\t youth\t and\t beauty.\t \u201cThis\t way, High\tLord.\u201d Even\this\tvoice\twas\tas\tlovely\tas\tthe\tfirst\tglimmer\tof\tgold\ton\tthe\thorizon.\tRhys returned\this\tbow\twith\ta\tshallow\tnod,\tand\toffered\this\tarm\tto\tme. Mor\tmuttered\tbehind\tus,\tfalling\tinto\trank\twith\tNesta\tat\ther\tside,\t\u201cIf\tyou\tever feel\tlike\tbuilding\ta\tnew\thouse,\tRhys,\tlet\u2019s\tuse\tthis\tone\tfor\tinspiration.\u201d Rhys\t threw\t her\t an\t incredulous\t look\t over\t a\t shoulder.\t Cassian\t and\t Azriel snorted\tsoftly. I\t glanced\t to\t Nesta\t as\t the\t attendant\t led\t us\t not\t to\t the\t archway\t beyond\t the veranda,\tbut\tthe\tspiral\tstairs\tclimbing\tupward\u2014along\tthe\tbare\tface\tof\ta\ttower. Nesta\tseemed\tas\tout\tof\tplace\tas\tall\tof\tus\u2014save\tMor\u2014but\t\u2026 That\twas\tawe\ton\tmy\tsister\u2019s\tface. Utter\tawe\tat\tthe\tcastle\tin\tthe\tclouds,\tat\tthe\tverdant\tcountryside\trippling\taway far\tbelow,\tspeckled\twith\tred-roofed\tlittle\tvillages\tand\tbroad,\tsparkling\trivers.\tA lush,\teternal\tcountryside,\trich\twith\tthe\tweight\tof\tsummer\tupon\tit. And\t I\t wondered\t if\t my\t face\t had\t appeared\t like\t that\u2014the\t day\t I\u2019d\t first\t seen Velaris.\t The\t mix\t of\t awe\t and\t anger\t and\t the\t realization\t that\t the\t world\t was\t large, and\t beautiful,\t and\t sometimes\t so\t overwhelming\t in\t its\t wonder\t that\t it\t was impossible\tto\tdrink\tit\tdown\tall\tat\tonce. There\t were\t other\t palaces\t within\t Dawn\u2019s\t territory\u2014set\t in\t small\t cities\t that specialized\tin\ttinkering\tand\tclockwork\tand\tclever\tthings.\tHere\t\u2026\tbeyond\tthose little\tvillages\tnestled\tin\tthe\tcountry\thills,\tthere\twas\tno\tindustry.\tNothing\tbeyond the\tpalace\tand\tthe\tsky\tand\tthe\tclouds. We\tascended\tthe\tspiral\tstairs,\tthe\tdrop\toff\tthe\ttoo-near\tedge\tfalling\taway\tinto warm-colored\t rock\t peppered\t with\t clusters\t of\t pale\t roses\t and\t fluffy,\t magenta","peonies.\tA\tbeautiful,\tcolorful\tdeath. Every\tstep\thad\tme\tbracing\tmyself\tas\twe\twound\tup\tand\tup\tthe\ttower,\tRhys\u2019s grip\ton\tmy\thand\tunwavering. The\twings\tremained\tout.\tHe\tdid\tnot\tfalter\ta\tsingle\tstep. His\teyes\tslid\tto\tmine,\tamused\tand\tquestioning.\tHe\tsaid\tdown\tthe\tbond,\tAnd do\tyou\tthink\tI\tneed\tto\tredecorate\tour\thome? We\t passed\t open-air\t chambers\t full\t of\t fat,\t silk\t pillows\t and\t plush\t carpets, passed\t windows\t whose\t panes\t were\t arranged\t in\t colorful\t medleys,\t passed\t urns overflowing\t with\t lavender\t and\t fountains\t gurgling\t clearest\t water\t under\t the\t mild rays\tof\tthe\tsun. It\u2019s\tnot\ta\tcompetition,\tI\ttrilled\tto\thim. His\thand\ttightened\t on\tmine.\tWell,\teven\tif\tThesan\t has\t a\tprettier\t palace,\tI\u2019m the\tonly\tone\tblessed\twith\ta\tHigh\tLady\tat\tmy\tside. I\tcouldn\u2019t\thelp\tmy\tblush. Especially\t as\t Rhys\t added,\t Tonight,\t I\t want\t you\t to\t wear\t that\t crown\t to\t bed. Only\tthe\tcrown. Scoundrel. Always. I\tsmiled,\tand\the\tleaned\tin\tsmoothly\tto\tbrush\ta\tkiss\tto\tmy\tcheek. Mor\tmuttered\ta\tplea\tfor\tmercy\tfrom\tmates. Muted\tvoices\treached\tus\tfrom\tthe\topen-air\tchamber\tatop\tthe\tsunstone\ttower \u2014some\t deep,\t some\t sharp,\t some\t lilting\u2014before\t we\t finished\t the\t last\t rotation around\t it,\t the\t arched,\t glassless\t windows\t offering\t no\t barrier\t to\t the\t conversation within. Three\t others\t are\t here\t already,\t Rhys\t warned\t me,\t and\t I\t had\t the\t feeling\t that was\t what\t Azriel\t was\t now\t murmuring\t to\t Mor\t and\t Cassian.\t Helion,\t Kallias,\t and Thesan. The\tHigh\tLords\tof\tDay,\tWinter,\tand\tour\thost,\tDawn. Meaning\tAutumn\tand\tSummer\u2014Beron\tand\tTarquin\u2014had\tnot\tarrived\tyet.\tOr Spring. I\t still\t doubted\t Tamlin\t would\t come\t at\t all,\t but\t Beron\t and\t Tarquin\t \u2026\t Perhaps the\tbattle\thad\tchanged\tTarquin\u2019s\tmind.\tAnd\tBeron\twas\tawful\tenough\tto\tperhaps have\tsided\twith\tHybern\talready,\tregardless\tof\tEris\u2019s\tmanipulating. I\t caught\t the\t bob\t of\t Rhys\u2019s\t throat\t as\t we\t cleared\t the\t final\t steps\t to\t the\t open","doorway.\t A\t long\t bridge\t connected\t the\t other\t half\t of\t the\t tower\t to\t the\t palace interior,\tits\trails\tdrooping\twith\tdawn-pale\twisteria.\tI\twondered\tif\tthe\tothers\thad been\tled\tup\tthese\tstairs,\tor\tif\tit\twas\tsomehow\tmeant\tto\tbe\tan\tinsult. Shields\tup?\tRhys\tasked,\tbut\tI\tknew\the\twas\taware\tmine\thad\tbeen\traised\tsince Velaris. Just\tas\tI\twas\taware\tthat\the\u2019d\tput\ta\tshield,\tmental\tand\tphysical,\taround\tall\tof us,\tterms\tof\tpeace\tor\tno. And\tthough\this\tface\twas\tcalm,\this\tshoulders\tthrown\tback,\tI\tsaid,\tI\tsee\tall\tof you,\tRhys.\tAnd\tthere\tis\tnot\tone\tpart\tthat\tI\tdo\tnot\tlove\twith\teverything\tthat\tI\tam. His\t hand\t squeezed\t mine\t in\t answer\t before\t he\t laid\t my\t fingers\t on\t his\t arm, raising\t it\t enough\t that\t we\t must\t have\t painted\t a\t rather\t courtly\t portrait\t as\t we entered\tthe\tchamber. You\tbow\tto\tno\tone,\twas\tall\the\treplied.","CHAPTER 43 The\tchamber\twas\tand\twas\tnot\twhat\tI\texpected.\tDeep-cushioned\toak\tchairs\thad been\t arranged\t in\t a\t massive\t circle\t in\t the\t heart\t of\t the\t room\u2014enough\t for\t all\t the High\t Lords\t and\t their\t delegates.\t Some,\t I\t realized,\t had\t been\t shaped\t to accommodate\twings. It\t seemed\t it\t was\t not\t unusual.\t For\t clustered\t around\t a\t beautiful,\t slender\t male who\t I\t immediately\t remembered\t from\t Under\t the\t Mountain\t were\t winged\t Fae.\t If the\tIllyrians\thad\tbatlike\twings,\tthese\t\u2026\tthey\twere\tlike\tbirds. The\tPeregryns\tare\tdistantly\trelated\tto\tDrakon\u2019s\tSeraphim\tpeople\tand\tprovide Thesan\t with\t a\t small\t aerial\t legion,\t Rhys\t said\t to\t me\t of\t the\t muscular,\t golden- armored\t males\t and\t females\t gathered.\t The\t male\t on\t his\t left\t is\t his\t captain\t and lover.\t Indeed,\t the\t handsome\t male\t stood\t just\t a\t tad\t closer\t to\t his\t High\t Lord,\t one hand\ton\tthe\tfine\tsword\tat\this\tside.\tNo\tmating\tbond\tyet,\tRhys\twent\ton,\tbut\tI\tthink Thesan\t didn\u2019t\t dare\t acknowledge\t it\t while\t Amarantha\t reigned.\t She\t delighted\t in ripping\tout\ttheir\tfeathers\u2014one\tby\tone.\tShe\tmade\ta\tdress\tout\tof\tthem\tonce. I\t tried\t not\t to\t wince\t as\t we\t stepped\t onto\t the\t polished\t marble\t floor,\t the\t stone warmed\t with\t the\t sun\t streaming\t through\t the\t open\t archways.\t The\t others\t had looked\t toward\t us,\t some\t murmuring\t at\t the\t sight\t of\t Rhys\u2019s\t wings,\t but\t my attention\twent\tto\tthe\ttrue\tgem\tof\tthe\tchamber:\tthe\treflection\tpool. Rather\t than\t a\t table\t occupying\t the\t space\t between\t that\t circle\t of\t chairs,\t a shallow,\t circular\t reflection\t pool\t was\t carved\t into\t the\t floor\t itself.\t Its\t dark\t water was\t laden\t with\t pink\t and\t gold\t water\t lilies,\t the\t pads\t broad\t and\t flat\t as\t a\t male\u2019s hand,\tand\tbeneath\tthem\tpumpkin-and-ivory\tfish\tlazily\tswam\tabout. This,\tI\tadmitted\tto\tRhys,\tI\tmight\tneed\tto\thave. A\twry\tpulse\tof\thumor\tdown\tthe\tbond.\tI\u2019ll\tmake\ta\tnote\tof\tit\tfor\tyour\tbirthday.","More\twisteria\ttwined\tabout\tthe\tpillars\tflanking\tthe\tspace,\tand\talong\tthe\ttables set\tagainst\tthe\tfew\twalls,\tbunches\tof\twine-colored\tpeonies\tunfurled\ttheir\tsilken layers.\t Between\t the\t vases,\t platters\t and\t baskets\t of\t food\t had\t been\t laid\u2014small pastries,\t cured\t meats,\t and\t garlands\t of\t fruit\t beckoned\t before\t sweating\t pewter ewers\tof\tsome\trefreshment. Then\tthere\twere\tthe\tthree\tHigh\tLords\tthemselves. We\twere\tnot\tthe\tonly\tones\tto\thave\tdressed\twell. Rhys\tand\tI\thalted\thalfway\tthrough\tthe\tspace. I\tknew\tthem\tall\u2014remembered\tthem\tfrom\tthose\tmonths\tUnder\tthe\tMountain. Rhys\thad\ttaught\tme\ttheir\thistories\twhile\twe\u2019d\ttrained.\tI\twondered\tif\tthey\tsensed their\tpower\twithin\tme\tas\ttheir\tattention\tslid\tbetween\tus. Thesan\t glided\t forward,\t his\t embroidered,\t exquisite\t shoes\t silent\t on\t the\t floor. His\t tunic\t was\t tight-fitting\t through\t his\t slender\t chest,\t but\t flowing\t pants\u2014much like\t those\t Amren\t favored\u2014whispered\t with\t movement\t as\t he\t approached.\t His brown\t skin\t and\t hair\t were\t kissed\t with\t gold,\t as\t if\t the\t sunrise\t had\t permanently gilded\t them,\t but\t his\t upswept\t eyes,\t the\t rich\t brown\t of\t freshly\t tilled\t fields,\t were his\t loveliest\t feature.\t He\t paused\t a\t few\t feet\t away,\t taking\t in\t Rhys\t and\t me,\t our entourage.\tThe\twings\tthat\tRhys\tkept\tfolded\tbehind\thim. \u201cWelcome,\u201d\t Thesan\t said,\t his\t voice\t as\t deep\t and\t rich\t as\t those\t eyes.\t His\t lover monitored\t our\t every\t breath\t from\t a\t few\t feet\t behind,\t no\t doubt\t realizing\t our\t own companions\twere\tdoing\tthe\tsame\tbehind\tus.\t\u201cOr,\u201d\tThesan\tmused,\t\u201csince\tyou\u2019ve called\tthis\tmeeting,\tperhaps\tyou\tshould\tbe\tdoing\tthe\twelcoming?\u201d A\t faint\t smile\t ghosted\t Rhys\u2019s\t perfect\t face,\t shadows\t twining\t between\t the strands\tof\this\thair.\tHe\u2019d\tloosened\tthe\tdamper\ton\this\tpower\u2014just\ta\tbit.\tThey\tall had.\t\u201cI\tmay\thave\trequested\tthe\tmeeting,\tThesan,\tbut\tyou\twere\tthe\tone\tgracious enough\tto\toffer\tup\tyour\tbeautiful\tresidence.\u201d Thesan\t gave\t a\t nod\t of\t thanks,\t perhaps\t deeming\t it\t impolite\t to\t inquire\t about Rhysand\u2019s\tnewly\trevealed\twings,\tthen\tturned\tto\tme. We\t stared\t at\t each\t other\t while\t my\t companions\t bowed\t behind\t me.\t As\t a\t High Lord\u2019s\twife\tshould\thave\tdone\twith\tthem. Yet\tI\tsimply\tstood.\tAnd\tstared. Rhys\tdid\tnot\tinterfere\u2014not\tat\tthis\tfirst\ttest. Dawn\u2014the\t gift\t of\t healing.\t It\t was\t his\t gift\t that\t had\t allowed\t me\t to\t save Rhysand\u2019s\t life.\t That\t had\t sent\t me\t to\t the\t Suriel,\t that\t day\t I\t had\t learned\t the\t truth","that\twould\talter\tmy\teternity. I\toffered\tThesan\ta\trestrained\tsmile.\t\u201cYour\thome\tis\tlovely.\u201d But\t Thesan\u2019s\t attention\t had\t gone\t to\t the\t tattoo.\t I\t knew\t he\t realized\t it\t the moment\t he\t noticed\t the\t ink\t covered\t the\t wrong\t hand.\t Then\t the\t crown\t atop\t my head.\tHis\tbrows\tflicked\tup. Rhys\tonly\tshrugged. The\tother\ttwo\tHigh\tLords\thad\tapproached\tnow. \u201cKallias,\u201d\tRhys\tsaid\tto\tthe\twhite-haired\tone,\twhose\tskin\twas\tso\tpale\tit\tlooked frozen.\tEven\this\tcrushing\tblue\teyes\tseemed\tlike\tchips\thewn\tfrom\ta\tglacier\tas\the studied\tRhys\u2019s\twings\tand\tseemed\tto\tinstantly\tdismiss\tthem.\tHe\twore\ta\tjacket\tof royal\t blue\t embroidered\t with\t silver\t thread,\t its\t collar\t and\t sleeves\t dusted\t with white\t rabbit\t fur.\t I\t would\t have\t thought\t it\t too\t warm\t for\t the\t mild\t day,\t especially the\t fur-lined,\t knee-high\t brown\t boots,\t but\t given\t the\t utter\t iciness\t of\t his expression,\t perhaps\t his\t blood\t ran\t frozen.\t A\t trio\t of\t similarly\t colored\t High\t Fae remained\tin\ttheir\tseats,\tone\tof\tthem\ta\tstunning\tyoung\tfemale\twho\tlooked\tright\tat Mor\u2014and\tgrinned. Mor\t returned\t the\t beam,\t hopping\t from\t one\t foot\t to\t another\t as\t Kallias\t opened his\tmouth\u2014 And\tthen\tmy\tfriend\tsquealed. Squealed. Both\t females\t hurtled\t for\t each\t other,\t and\t Mor\u2019s\t squeal\t had\t turned\t to\t a\t quiet sob\tas\tshe\tflung\ther\tarms\taround\tthe\tslender\tstranger\tand\thugged\ther\ttight.\tThe female\u2019s\town\tarms\twere\tshaking\tas\tshe\tgripped\tMor. Then\tthey\twere\tlaughing\tand\tcrying\tand\tdancing\taround\teach\tother,\tpausing to\tstudy\teach\tother\u2019s\tfaces,\tto\twipe\taway\ttears,\tand\tthen\tembracing\tagain. \u201cYou\t look\t the\t same,\u201d\t the\t stranger\t was\t saying,\t beaming\t from\t ear\t to\t ear.\t \u201cI think\tthat\u2019s\tthe\tsame\tdress\tI\tsaw\tyou\tin\u2014\u201d \u201cYou\t look\t the\t same!\t Wearing\t fur\t in\t the\t middle\t of\t summer\u2014how\t utterly typical\u2014\u201d \u201cYou\tbrought\tthe\tusual\tsuspects,\tit\tseems\u2014\u201d \u201cThankfully,\t the\t company\t has\t been\t improved\t by\t some\t new\t arrivals\u2014\u201d\t Mor waved\tme\tover.\tIt\thad\tbeen\tages\tsince\tI\u2019d\tseen\ther\tshining\tso\tbrightly.\t\u201cViviane, meet\tFeyre.\tFeyre,\tmeet\tViviane\u2014Kallias\u2019s\twife.\u201d I\tglanced\tat\tThesan\tand\tKallias,\tthe\tlatter\tof\twhom\twatched\this\twife\tand\tMor","with\traised\tbrows.\t\u201cI\ttried\tto\tsuggest\tshe\tstay\tat\thome,\u201d\tKallias\tsaid\tdrily,\t\u201cbut she\tthreatened\tto\tfreeze\tmy\tballs\toff.\u201d Rhys\tlet\tout\ta\tdark\tchuckle.\t\u201cSounds\tfamiliar.\u201d I\t threw\t him\t a\t glare\t over\t a\t sparkling\t shoulder\u2014just\t in\t time\t to\t see\t the\t smirk fade\t from\t Kallias\u2019s\t face\t as\t he\t truly\t took\t in\t Rhys.\t Not\t just\t the\t wings\t this\t time. My\tmate\u2019s\town\tamusement\tdimmed,\tsome\tthread\tof\ttension\tgoing\ttaut\tbetween him\tand\tKallias\u2014 But\tI\u2019d\treached\tMor\tand\tViviane,\tand\twiped\tthe\tcuriosity\tfrom\tmy\tface\tas\tI shook\tthe\tfemale\u2019s\thand,\tsurprised\tto\tfind\tit\twarm. Her\t silver\t hair\t glittered\t in\t the\t sun\t like\t fresh\t snow.\t \u201cWife,\u201d\t Viviane\t said, clicking\t her\t tongue.\t \u201cYou\t know,\t it\t still\t sounds\t strange\t to\t me.\t Every\t time someone\tsays\tit,\tI\tkeep\tlooking\tover\tmy\tshoulder\tas\tif\tit\u2019ll\tbe\tsomeone\telse.\u201d Kallias\tsaid\tto\tnone\tof\tus\tin\tparticular,\tfrom\twhere\the\tremained\tfacing\tRhys, stiff-backed,\t \u201cI\t have\t yet\t to\t decide\t if\t I\t find\t it\t insulting.\t Since\t she\t says\t it\t every day.\u201d Viviane\tstuck\tout\ther\ttongue\tat\thim. But\tMor\tgripped\ther\tshoulder\tand\tsqueezed.\t\u201cIt\u2019s\tabout\ttime.\u201d A\t blush\t stained\t Viviane\u2019s\t pale\t face.\t \u201cYes,\t well\u2014everything\t was\t different after\t Under\t the\t Mountain.\u201d\t Her\t sapphire\t eyes\t slid\t to\t mine\t and\t she\t bowed\t her head.\t\u201cThank\tyou\u2014for\treturning\tmy\tmate\tto\tme.\u201d \u201cMates?\u201d\tMor\tfizzed,\tglancing\tbetween\tthem.\t\u201cMarried\tand\tmates?\u201d \u201cYou\ttwo\tdo\trealize\tthat\tthis\tis\ta\tserious\tmeeting,\u201d\tRhys\tsaid. \u201cAnd\t that\t the\t fish\t in\t the\t pool\t are\t very\t sensitive\t to\t high-pitched\t sounds,\u201d Kallias\tadded. Viviane\tgave\tthem\tboth\ta\tvulgar\tgesture\tthat\tmade\tme\tinstantly\tlike\ther. Rhys\tlooked\tto\tKallias\twith\twhat\tI\tassumed\twas\tsome\tsort\tof\tlong-suffering male\texpression.\tBut\tthe\tHigh\tLord\tdid\tnot\treturn\tit. He\t only\t stared\t at\t Rhys,\t amusement\t again\t gone\u2014that\t coldness\t settling\t in across\this\tface. There\t had\t been\t \u2026\t tension\t with\t the\t Winter\t Court,\t Mor\t had\t explained\t when they\u2019d\trescued\tLucien\tand\tme\ton\tthe\tice.\tA\tlingering\tanger\tover\tsomething\tthat had\toccurred\tUnder\tthe\tMountain\u2014 But\tthe\tthird\tHigh\tLord\thad\tat\tlast\tapproached\tfrom\tacross\tthe\tpool. My\t father\t had\t once\t bought\t and\t traded\t a\t gold\t and\t lapis\t lazuli\t pendant\t that","hailed\tfrom\tthe\truins\tof\tan\tarid\tsoutheastern\tkingdom,\twhere\tthe\tFae\thad\truled as\tgods\tamid\tswaying\tdate\tpalms\tand\tsand-swept\tpalaces.\tI\u2019d\tbeen\tmesmerized by\tthe\tcolors,\tthe\tartistry,\tbut\tmore\tinterested\tin\tthe\tshipment\tof\tmyrrh\tand\tfigs that\t had\t come\t with\t it\u2014a\t few\t of\t the\t latter\t my\t father\t had\t snuck\t to\t me\t while\t I loitered\tin\this\toffice.\tEven\tnow,\tI\tcould\tstill\ttaste\ttheir\tsweetness\ton\tmy\ttongue, still\t smell\t that\t earthy\t scent,\t and\t I\t couldn\u2019t\t quite\t explain\t why,\t but\t \u2026\t I remembered\t that\t ancient\t necklace\t and\t those\t exquisite\t delicacies\t as\t he\t prowled toward\tus. His\t clothes\t had\t been\t formed\t from\t a\t single\t bolt\t of\t white\t fabric\u2014not\t a\t robe, not\t a\t dress,\t but\t rather\t something\t in\t between,\t pleated\t and\t draped\t over\t his muscular\t body.\t A\t golden\t cuff\t of\t an\t upright\t serpent\t encircled\t one\t powerful bicep,\t offsetting\t his\t near-glowing\t dark\t skin,\t and\t a\t radiant\t crown\t of\t golden spikes\u2014the\trays\tof\tthe\tsun,\tI\trealized\u2014glistened\tatop\this\tonyx\thair. The\t sun\t personified.\t Powerful,\t lazy\t with\t grace,\t capable\t of\t kindness\t and wrath.\t Nearly\t as\t beautiful\t as\t Rhysand.\t And\t somehow\u2014somehow\t colder\t than Kallias. His\tHigh\tFae\tentourage\twas\talmost\tas\tlarge\tas\tours,\tclad\tin\tsimilar\trobes\tof varying\trich\tdyes\u2014cobalt\tand\tcrimson\tand\tamethyst\u2014some\twith\texpertly\tkohl- lined\teyes,\tall\tof\tthem\tfit\tand\tgleaming\twith\thealth. But\tperhaps\tthe\tphysical\tpower\tof\tthem\u2014of\thim\twas\tthe\tsleight\tof\thand. For\tHelion\u2019s\tother\ttitle\twas\tSpell-Cleaver,\tand\this\tone\tthousand\tlibraries\twere rumored\tto\tcontain\tthe\tknowledge\tof\tthe\tworld.\tPerhaps\tall\tthat\tknowledge\thad made\thim\ttoo\taware,\ttoo\tcold\tbehind\tthose\tbright\teyes. Or\tperhaps\tthat\thad\tcome\tafter\tAmarantha\thad\tlooted\tsome\tof\tthose\tlibraries for\t herself.\t I\t wondered\t if\t he\u2019d\t reclaimed\t what\t she\u2019d\t taken\u2014or\t if\t he\t mourned what\tshe\u2019d\tburned. Even\tMor\tand\tViviane\thalted\ttheir\treunion\tas\tHelion\tstopped\ta\twise\tdistance away. It\t was\t his\t power\t that\t had\t gotten\t my\t friends\t out\t of\t Hybern.\t His\t power\t that made\t me\t glow\t whenever\t Rhys\t and\t I\t were\t tangled\t in\t each\t other\t and\t every heartbeat\tached\twith\tmirth. Helion\t jerked\t his\t square\t chin\t to\t Rhys,\t the\t only\t one\t of\t them,\t it\t seemed,\t not surprised\tby\tmy\tmate\u2019s\twings.\tBut\this\teyes\u2014a\tstriking\tamber\u2014fell\ton\tme. \u201cDoes\tTamlin\tknow\twhat\tshe\tis?\u201d","His\t voice\t was\t indeed\t colder\t than\t Kallias\u2019s.\t And\t the\t question\u2014so\t carefully worded. Rhys\tdrawled,\t\u201cIf\tyou\tmean\tbeautiful\tand\tclever,\tthen\tyes\u2014I\tthink\the\tdoes.\u201d Helion\tleveled\ta\tflat\tlook\tat\thim.\t\u201cDoes\the\tknow\tshe\tis\tyour\tmate\u2014and\tHigh Lady?\u201d \u201cHigh\t Lady?\u201d\t Viviane\t squeaked,\t but\t Mor\t shushed\t her,\t drawing\t her\t away\t to whisper. Thesan\tand\tKallias\ttook\tme\tin.\tSlowly. Cassian\tand\tAzriel\tcasually\tslid\tcloser,\tno\tmore\tthan\ta\tnight\tbreeze. \u201cIf\the\tarrives,\u201d\tRhys\tsaid\tsmoothly,\t\u201cI\tsuppose\twe\u2019ll\tfind\tout.\u201d Helion\tlet\tout\ta\tdark\tlaugh.\tDangerous\u2014he\twas\tutterly\tlethal,\tthis\tHigh\tLord kissed\tby\tthe\tsun.\t\u201cI\talways\tliked\tyou,\tRhysand.\u201d Thesan\t stepped\t forward,\t ever\t the\t good\t host.\t For\t that\t laugh\t indeed\t promised violence.\t His\t lover\t and\t the\t other\t Peregryns\t seemed\t to\t shift\t into\t defensive positions\u2014either\tto\tguard\ttheir\tHigh\tLord\tor\tsimply\tto\tremind\tus\tthat\twe\twere guests\tin\ttheir\thome. But\tHelion\u2019s\tattention\tsnagged\ton\tNesta. Lingered. She\tonly\tstared\tright\tback\tat\thim.\tUnruffled,\tunimpressed. \u201cWho\t is\t your\t guest?\u201d\t the\t High\t Lord\t of\t Day\t asked\t a\t bit\t too\t quietly\t for\t my liking. Cassian\t revealed\t nothing\u2014not\t even\t a\t glimmer\t that\t he\t knew\t Nesta.\t But\t he didn\u2019t\tmove\tan\tinch\tfrom\this\tcasual\tdefensive\tposition.\tNeither\tdid\tAzriel. \u201cShe\tis\tmy\tsister,\tand\tour\temissary\tto\tthe\thuman\tlands,\u201d\tI\tsaid\tat\tlast\tto\thim, stepping\tto\ther\tside.\t\u201cAnd\tshe\twill\ttell\ther\tstory\twhen\tthe\tothers\tare\there.\u201d \u201cShe\tis\tFae.\u201d \u201cNo\tshit,\u201d\tViviane\tmuttered\tunder\ther\tbreath,\tand\tMor\u2019s\tsnort\twas\tcut\toff\tas Kallias\traised\this\tbrows\tat\tthem.\tHelion\tignored\tthem. \u201cWho\tMade\ther?\u201d\tThesan\tasked\tpolitely,\tangling\this\thead. Nesta\tsurveyed\tThesan.\tThen\tHelion.\tThen\tKallias. \u201cHybern\t did,\u201d\t she\t said\t simply.\t Not\t a\t flicker\t of\t fear\t in\t her\t eyes,\t in\t her upraised\tchin. Stunned\tsilence. But\t I\u2019d\t had\t enough\t of\t my\t sister\t being\t ogled.\t I\t linked\t elbows\t with\t her,","heading\t toward\t the\t low-backed\t chairs\t that\t I\t assumed\t were\t for\t us.\t \u201cThey\t threw her\t in\t the\t Cauldron,\u201d\t I\t said.\t \u201cAlong\t with\t my\t other\t sister,\t Elain.\u201d\t I\t sat,\t placing Nesta\t beside\t me,\t and\t gazed\t at\t the\t three\t assembled\t High\t Lords\t without\t an\t inch of\t manners\t or\t niceness\t or\t flattery.\t \u201cAfter\t the\t High\t Priestess\t Ianthe\t and\t Tamlin sold\tout\tPrythian\tand\tmy\tfamily\tto\tthem.\u201d Nesta\tnodded\ther\tsilent\tconfirmation. Helion\u2019s\t eyes\t blazed\t like\t a\t forge.\t \u201cThat\t is\t a\t heavy\t accusation\t to\t make\u2014 especially\tof\tyour\tformer\tlover.\u201d \u201cIt\tis\tno\taccusation,\u201d\tI\tsaid,\tfolding\tmy\thands\tin\tmy\tlap.\t\u201cWe\twere\tall\tthere. And\tnow\twe\u2019re\tgoing\tto\tdo\tsomething\tabout\tit.\u201d Pride\tflickered\tdown\tthe\tbond. And\t then\t Viviane\t muttered\t to\t Kallias,\t jabbing\t him\t in\t the\t ribs,\t \u201cWhy\t can\u2019t\t I be\tHigh\tLady\tas\twell?\u201d The\tothers\tarrived\tlate. We\ttook\tour\tseats\taround\tthe\treflection\tpool,\tThesan\u2019s\timpeccably\tmannered attendants\tbringing\tus\tplates\tof\tfood\tand\tgoblets\tof\texotic\tjuices\tfrom\tthe\ttables against\t the\t wall.\t Conversation\t halted\t and\t flowed,\t Mor\t and\t Viviane\t sitting\t next to\teach\tother\tto\tcatch\tup\ton\twhat\tseemed\tlike\tfifty\tyears\u2019\tworth\tof\tgossip. Viviane\t had\t not\t been\t Under\t the\t Mountain.\t As\t her\t childhood\t friend,\t Kallias had\t been\t protective\t of\t her\t to\t a\t fault\t over\t the\t years\u2014had\t placed\t the\t sharp- minded\tfemale\ton\tborder\tduty\tfor\tdecades\tto\tavoid\tthe\tscheming\tof\this\tcourt.\tHe didn\u2019t\t let\t her\t near\t Amarantha,\t either.\t Didn\u2019t\t let\t anyone\t get\t a\t whiff\t of\t what\t he felt\t for\t his\t white-haired\t friend,\t who\t had\t no\t clue\u2014not\t one\u2014that\t he\t had\t loved her\t his\t entire\t life.\t And\t in\t those\t last\t moments,\t when\t his\t power\t had\t been\t ripped from\thim\tby\tthat\tspell\t\u2026\tKallias\thad\tflung\tout\tthe\tremnants\tto\twarn\ther.\tTo\ttell Viviane\the\tloved\ther.\tAnd\tthen\the\tbegged\ther\tto\tprotect\ttheir\tpeople. So\tshe\thad. As\tMor\tand\tmy\tfriends\thad\tprotected\tVelaris,\tViviane\thad\tveiled\tand\tguarded the\tsmall\tcity\tunder\ther\twatch,\toffering\tsafe\tharbor\tto\tthose\twho\tmade\tit. Never\tforgetting\tthe\tHigh\tLord\tand\tfriend\ttrapped\tUnder\tthe\tMountain,\tnever ceasing\t her\t hunt\t for\t finding\t a\t way\t to\t free\t him.\t Especially\t while\t Amarantha unleashed\t her\t horrors\t upon\t his\t court\t to\t break\t them,\t punish\t them.\t Yet\t Viviane","held\t them\t together.\t And\t through\t that\t reign\t of\t terror\u2014during\t all\t those\t years\u2014 she\trealized\twhat\tKallias\twas\tto\ther,\twhat\tshe\tfelt\tfor\thim\tin\treturn. The\tday\the\u2019d\treturned\thome,\the\u2019d\twinnowed\tright\tto\ther. She\u2019d\t kissed\t him\t before\t he\t could\t speak\t a\t word.\t He\u2019d\t then\t knelt\t down\t and asked\ther\tto\tbe\this\twife. They\t went\t an\t hour\t later\t to\t a\t temple\t and\t swore\t their\t vows.\t And\t that\t night \u2014during\t the\t you-know,\t Viviane\t grinned\t at\t Mor\u2014the\t mating\t bond\t at\t last snapped\tinto\tplace. The\tstory\toccupied\tour\ttime\twhile\twe\twaited,\tsince\tMor\twanted\tdetails.\tLots of\t them.\t Ones\t that\t pushed\t the\t boundaries\t of\t propriety\t and\t left\t Thesan\t choking on\this\telderberry\twine.\tBut\tKallias\tsmiled\tat\this\twife\tand\tmate,\twarm\tand\tbright enough\tthat\tdespite\this\ticy\tcoloring,\the\tshould\thave\tbeen\tthe\tHigh\tLord\tof\tDay. Not\tthe\tsharp-tongued,\tbrutal\tHelion,\twho\twatched\tmy\tsister\tand\tme\tlike\tan eagle.\tA\tgreat,\tgolden\teagle\u2014with\tvery\tsharp\ttalons. I\t wondered\t what\t his\t beast\t form\t was;\t if\t he\t grew\t wings\t like\t Rhysand.\t And claws. If\tThesan\tdid,\ttoo\u2014white\twings\tlike\tthe\twatchful\tPeregryns\twho\tkept\tsilent, his\town\tfierce-eyed\tlover\tnot\tuttering\ta\tword\tto\tanyone.\tPerhaps\tthe\tHigh\tLords of\tthe\tSolar\tCourts\tall\tpossessed\twings\tbeneath\ttheir\tskin,\ta\tgift\tfrom\tthe\tskies that\ttheir\tcourts\tclaimed\townership\tof. It\twas\tan\thour\tbefore\tThesan\tannounced,\t\u201cTarquin\tis\there.\u201d My\tmouth\twent\tdry.\tAn\tuncomfortable\tsilence\tspread. \u201cHeard\t about\t the\t blood\t rubies.\u201d\t Helion\t smirked\t at\t Rhys,\t toying\t with\t the golden\tcuff\ton\this\tbicep.\t\u201cThat\tis\ta\tstory\tI\twant\tyou\tto\ttell.\u201d Rhys\t waved\t an\t idle\t hand.\t \u201cAll\t in\t good\t time.\u201d\t Prick,\t he\t said\t to\t me\t with\t a wink. But\tthen\tTarquin\tcleared\tthe\ttop\tstep\tinto\tthe\tchamber,\tVarian\tand\tCresseida flanking\thim. Varian\t glanced\t among\t us\t for\t someone\t who\t was\t not\t there\u2014and\t glowered when\t he\t beheld\t Cassian,\t seated\t to\t Nesta\u2019s\t left.\t Cassian\t just\t gave\t him\t a\t cocky grin. I\twrecked\tone\tbuilding,\tCassian\thad\tsaid\tonce\tof\this\tlast\tvisit\tto\tthe\tSummer Court.\t Where\t he\t was\t now\t banned.\t Apparently,\t even\t assisting\t them\t in\t battle hadn\u2019t\tlifted\tit.","Tarquin\t ignored\t Rhysand\t and\t me\u2014ignored\t all\t of\t us,\t Rhys\u2019s\t wings\t included \u2014as\t he\t made\t vague\t apologies\t for\t the\t tardiness,\t blaming\t it\t on\t the\t attack. Possibly\t true.\t Or\t he\u2019d\t been\t deciding\t until\t the\t last\t minute\t whether\t to\t come, despite\this\tacceptance\tof\tthe\tinvitation. He\tand\tHelion\twere\tnearly\tas\ttense,\tand\tonly\tThesan\tseemed\tto\tbe\ton\tdecent terms\twith\thim.\tNeutral\tindeed.\tKallias\thad\tbecome\teven\tcolder\u2014distant. But\tthe\tintroductions\twere\tdone,\tand\tthen\t\u2026 An\tattendant\twhispered\tto\tThesan\tthat\tBeron\tand\tall\tof\this\tsons\thad\tarrived. The\tsmile\tinstantly\tvanished\tfrom\tMor\u2019s\tmouth,\ther\teyes. From\tmy\town\tas\twell. The\t violence\t simmering\t off\t my\t friends\t was\t enough\t to\t boil\t the\t pool\t at\t our toes\t as\t the\t High\t Lord\t of\t Autumn\t filed\t through\t the\t archway,\t his\t sons\t in\t rank behind\thim,\this\twife\u2014Lucien\u2019s\tmother\u2014at\this\tside.\tHer\trusset\teyes\tscanned\tthe room,\t as\t if\t looking\t for\t that\t missing\t son.\t They\t settled\t instead\t on\t Helion,\t who gave\ther\ta\tmocking\tincline\tof\this\tdark\thead.\tShe\tquickly\taverted\ther\tgaze. She\t had\t saved\t my\t life\t once\u2014Under\t the\t Mountain.\t In\t exchange\t for\t my sparing\tLucien\u2019s. Did\t she\t wonder\t where\t her\t lost\t son\t was\t now?\t Had\t she\t heard\t the\t rumors\t I\u2019d crafted,\t the\t lies\t I\u2019d\t spun?\t I\t couldn\u2019t\t tell\t her\t that\t Lucien\t currently\t hunted\t the continent,\tdodging\tarmies,\tfor\tan\tenchanted\tqueen.\tTo\tfind\ta\tscrap\tof\tsalvation. Beron\u2014slender-faced\tand\tbrown-haired\u2014didn\u2019t\tbother\tto\tlook\tanywhere\tbut at\t the\t High\t Lords\t assembled.\t But\t his\t remaining\t sons\t sneered\t at\t us.\t Sneered enough\tthat\tthe\tPeregryns\truffled\ttheir\tfeathers.\tEven\tVarian\tflashed\this\tteeth\tin warning\tat\tthe\tleer\tCresseida\tearned\tfrom\tone\tof\tthem.\tTheir\tfather\tdidn\u2019t\tbother to\tcheck\tthem. But\tEris\tdid. A\tstep\tbehind\this\tfather,\tEris\tmurmured,\t\u201cEnough,\u201d\tand\this\tyounger\tbrothers fell\tinto\tline.\tAll\tthree\tof\tthem. Whether\t Beron\t noticed\t or\t cared,\t he\t did\t not\t let\t on.\t No,\t he\t merely\t stopped halfway\tacross\tthe\troom,\thands\tfolded\tbefore\thim,\tand\tscowled\u2014as\tif\twe\twere a\tpack\tof\tmongrels. Beron,\tthe\toldest\tamong\tus.\tThe\tmost\tawful. Rhys\t smoothly\t greeted\t him,\t though\t his\t power\t was\t a\t dark\t mountain shuddering\t beneath\t us,\t \u201cIt\u2019s\t no\t surprise\t that\t you\u2019re\t tardy,\t given\t that\t your\t own","sons\twere\ttoo\tslow\tto\tcatch\tmy\tmate.\tI\tsuppose\tit\truns\tin\tthe\tfamily.\u201d Beron\u2019s\tlips\tcurled\tslightly\tas\the\tlooked\tto\tme,\tmy\tcrown.\t\u201cMate\u2014and\tHigh Lady.\u201d I\tleveled\ta\tflat,\tbored\tstare\tat\thim.\tTurned\tit\ton\this\thateful\tsons.\tOn\u2014Eris. Eris\tonly\tsmiled\tat\tme,\tamused\tand\taloof.\tWould\the\twear\tthat\tmask\twhen\the ended\this\tfather\u2019s\tlife\tand\tstole\this\tthrone? Cassian\twas\twatching\tthe\twould-be\tHigh\tLord\tlike\ta\thawk\tstudying\this\tnext meal.\t Eris\t deigned\t a\t glance\t at\t the\t Illyrian\t general\t and\t inclined\t his\t head\t in invitation,\tsubtly\tpatting\this\tstomach.\tReady\tfor\tround\ttwo. Then\t Eris\u2019s\t attention\t shifted\t to\t Mor,\t sweeping\t over\t her\t with\t a\t disdain\t that made\tme\tsee\tred.\tMor\tonly\tstared\tblankly\tat\thim.\tBored. Even\tViviane\twas\tbiting\ther\tlip.\tSo\tshe\tknew\tof\twhat\thad\tbeen\tdone\tto\tMor \u2014what\tEris\u2019s\tpresence\twould\ttrigger. Unaware\tof\tthe\tmeeting\tthat\thad\talready\toccurred,\tthe\tunholy\talliance\tstruck. Azriel\twas\tso\tstill\tI\twasn\u2019t\tsure\the\twas\tbreathing.\tWhether\tMor\tnoticed,\twhether she\tknew\tthat\tthough\tshe\u2019d\ttried\tto\tmove\tpast\tthe\tbargain\twe\u2019d\tmade,\tthe\tguilt of\tit\tstill\thaunted\tAzriel,\tshe\tdidn\u2019t\tlet\ton. They\tsat\u2014filling\tin\tthe\tfinal\tseats. Not\tone\tempty\tchair\tleft. It\tsaid\tenough\tabout\tTamlin\u2019s\tplans. I\ttried\tnot\tto\tsag\tin\tmy\tchair\tas\tthe\tattendants\ttook\tcare\tof\tthe\tAutumn\tCourt, as\twe\tall\tsettled. Thesan,\tas\thost,\tbegan.\t\u201cRhysand,\tyou\thave\tcalled\tthis\tmeeting.\tPushed\tus\tto gather\t sooner\t than\t we\t intended.\t Now\t would\t be\t the\t time\t to\t explain\t what\t is\t so urgent.\u201d Rhys\t blinked\u2014slowly.\t \u201cSurely\t the\t invading\t armies\t landing\t on\t our\t shores explain\tenough.\u201d \u201cSo\t you\t have\t called\t us\t to\t do\t what,\t exactly?\u201d\t Helion\t challenged,\t bracing\t his forearms\ton\this\tmuscled,\tgleaming\tthighs.\t\u201cRaise\ta\tunified\tarmy?\u201d \u201cAmong\tother\tthings,\u201d\tRhys\tsaid\tmildly.\t\u201cWe\u2014\u201d It\twas\talmost\tthe\tsame\u2014the\tentrance. Almost\tthe\tsame\tas\tthat\tnight\tin\tmy\tfamily\u2019s\told\tcottage,\twhen\tthe\tdoor\thad shattered\tand\ta\tbeast\thad\tcharged\tin\twith\tthe\tfreezing\tcold\tand\troared\tat\tus. He\tdid\tnot\tbother\twith\tthe\tlanding\tbalcony,\tor\tthe\tescorts.\tHe\tdid\tnot\thave\tan","entourage. Like\t a\t crack\t of\t lightning,\t vicious\t as\t a\t spring\t storm,\t he\t winnowed\t into\t the chamber\titself. And\tmy\tblood\twent\tcolder\tthan\tKallias\u2019s\tice\tas\tTamlin\tappeared,\tand\tsmiled like\ta\twolf.","CHAPTER 44 Absolute\tsilence.\tAbsolute\tstillness. I\tfelt\tthe\ttremor\tof\tmagic\tslide\tthrough\tthe\troom\tas\tshield\tafter\tshield\tlocked into\tplace\taround\teach\tHigh\tLord\tand\this\tretinue.\tThe\tone\tRhysand\thad\talready snapped\t around\t us,\t now\t reinforcing\t \u2026\t Rage\t laced\t its\t essence.\t Wrath\t and\t rage. Even\tif\tmy\tmate\u2019s\tface\twas\tbored\u2014lazy. I\ttried\tto\tschool\tmine\tinto\tthe\tcold\tcaution\twith\twhich\tNesta\tregarded\thim,\tor the\tvague\tdistaste\ton\tMor\u2019s.\tI\ttried\u2014and\tfailed\tutterly. I\tknew\this\tmoods,\this\ttemper. Here\t was\t the\t High\t Lord\t who\t had\t shredded\t those\t naga\t into\t bloody\t ribbons; here\t was\t the\t High\t Lord\t who\t had\t impaled\t Amarantha\t on\t Lucien\u2019s\t sword\t and ripped\tout\ther\tthroat\twith\this\tteeth. All\tof\tit,\tgleaming\tin\tthose\tgreen\teyes\tas\tthey\tfixed\ton\tme,\ton\tRhys.\tTamlin\u2019s teeth\twere\twhite\tas\tcrow-picked\tbones\tas\the\tsmiled\tbroadly. Thesan\trose,\this\tcaptain\tremaining\tseated\tbeside\thim\u2014albeit\twith\ta\thand\ton his\tsword.\t\u201cWe\twere\tnot\texpecting\tyou,\tTamlin.\u201d\tThesan\tgestured\twith\ta\tslender hand\ttoward\this\tcringing\tattendants.\t\u201cFetch\tthe\tHigh\tLord\ta\tchair.\u201d Tamlin\tdid\tnot\ttear\this\tgaze\tfrom\tme.\tFrom\tus. His\tsmile\tturned\tsubdued\u2014yet\tsomehow\tmore\tunnerving.\tMore\tvicious. He\twore\this\tusual\tgreen\ttunic\u2014no\tcrown,\tno\tadornments.\tNo\tsign\tof\tanother bandolier\tto\treplace\tthe\tone\tI\u2019d\tstolen. Beron\t drawled,\t \u201cI\t will\t admit,\t Tamlin,\t that\t I\t am\t surprised\t to\t see\t you\t here.\u201d Tamlin\tdidn\u2019t\talter\this\tfocus\tfrom\tme.\tFrom\tevery\tbreath\tI\ttook.\t\u201cRumor\tclaims your\tallegiance\tnow\tlies\telsewhere.\u201d Tamlin\u2019s\t gaze\t shifted\u2014but\t down.\t To\t the\t ring\t on\t my\t finger.\t To\t the\t tattoo","adorning\tmy\t right\thand,\tflowing\tbeneath\t the\tglittering,\tpale\t blue\tsleeve\tof\tmy gown.\tThen\tit\trose\u2014right\tto\tthat\tcrown\tI\u2019d\tpicked\tfor\tmyself. I\tdidn\u2019t\tknow\twhat\tto\tsay.\tWhat\tto\tdo\twith\tmy\tbody,\tmy\tbreathing. No\t more\t masks,\t no\t more\t lies\t and\t deceptions.\t The\t truth,\t now\t sprawled\t bare and\topen\tbefore\thim.\tWhat\tI\u2019d\tdone\tin\tmy\trage,\tthe\tlies\tI\u2019d\tfed\thim.\tThe\tpeople and\tland\tI\u2019d\tlaid\tvulnerable\tto\tHybern.\tAnd\tnow\tthat\tI\u2019d\treturned\tto\tmy\tfamily, my\tmate\t\u2026 My\tmolten\twrath\thad\tcooled\tinto\tsomething\tsharp-edged\tand\tbrittle. The\t attendants\t hauled\t over\t a\t chair\u2014setting\t it\t between\t one\t of\t Beron\u2019s\t sons and\t Helion\u2019s\t entourage.\t Neither\t looked\t thrilled\t about\t it,\t though\t they\t weren\u2019t stupid\tenough\tto\tphysically\trecoil\tas\tTamlin\tsat. He\tsaid\tnothing.\tNot\ta\tword. Helion\twaved\ta\tscar-flecked\thand.\t\u201cLet\u2019s\tget\ton\twith\tit,\tthen.\u201d Thesan\tcleared\this\tthroat.\tNo\tone\tlooked\ttoward\thim. Not\tas\tTamlin\tsurveyed\tthe\thand\tRhys\thad\tresting\ton\tmy\tsparkling\tknee. The\tloathing\tin\tTamlin\u2019s\teyes\tpractically\tsimmered. No\tone,\tnot\teven\tAmarantha,\thad\tever\tlooked\tat\tme\twith\tsuch\thatred. No,\t Amarantha\t hadn\u2019t\t really\t known\t me\u2014her\t loathing\t had\t been\t superficial, driven\tfrom\ta\tpersonal\thistory\tthat\tpoisoned\teverything.\tTamlin\t\u2026\tTamlin\tknew me.\tAnd\tnow\thated\tevery\tinch\tof\twhat\tI\twas. He\topened\this\tmouth,\tand\tI\tbraced\tmyself. \u201cIt\twould\tseem\tcongratulations\tare\tin\torder.\u201d The\t words\t were\t flat\u2014flat\t and\t yet\t sharp\t as\t his\t claws,\t currently\t hidden beneath\this\tgolden\tskin. I\tsaid\tnothing. Rhys\tonly\theld\tTamlin\u2019s\tstare.\tHeld\tit\twith\ta\tface\tlike\tice,\tand\tyet\tutter\trage roiled\tbeneath\tit.\tCataclysmic\trage,\tsurging\tand\twrithing\tdown\tthe\tbond\tbetween us. But\t my\t mate\t addressed\t Thesan,\t who\t had\t reclaimed\t his\t seat,\t yet\t seemed\t far from\tany\tsort\tof\tease,\t\u201cWe\tcan\tdiscuss\tthe\tmatter\tat\thand\tlater.\u201d Tamlin\tsaid\tcalmly,\t\u201cDon\u2019t\tstop\ton\tmy\taccount.\u201d The\t light\t in\t Rhysand\u2019s\t eyes\t guttered,\t as\t if\t a\t hand\t of\t darkness\t wiped\t away those\t stars.\t But\t he\t reclined\t in\t his\t chair,\t withdrawing\t his\t hand\t from\t my\t knee\t to trace\tidle\tcircles\ton\this\tseat\u2019s\twooden\tarm.\t\u201cI\u2019m\tnot\tin\tthe\tbusiness\tof\tdiscussing","our\tplans\twith\tenemies.\u201d Helion,\tacross\tthe\treflection\tpool,\tgrinned\tlike\ta\tlion. \u201cNo,\u201d\t Tamlin\t said\t with\t equal\t ease,\t \u201cyou\u2019re\t just\t in\t the\t business\t of\t fucking them.\u201d Every\tthought\tand\tsound\teddied\tout\tof\tmy\thead. Cassian,\t Azriel,\t and\t Mor\t were\t still\t as\t death\u2014their\t fury\t rippling\t off\t them\t in silent\t waves.\t But\t whether\t Tamlin\t noticed\t or\t cared\t that\t three\t of\t the\t deadliest people\tin\tthis\troom\twere\tcurrently\tcontemplating\this\tdemise,\the\tdidn\u2019t\tlet\ton. Rhys\t shrugged,\t smiling\t faintly.\t \u201cSeems\t a\t far\t less\t destructive\t alternative\t to war.\u201d \u201cAnd\tyet\there\tyou\tare,\thaving\tstarted\tit\tin\tthe\tfirst\tplace.\u201d Rhysand\u2019s\tblink\twas\tthe\tonly\tsign\tof\this\tconfusion. A\tclaw\tslid\tout\tof\tTamlin\u2019s\tknuckle. Kallias\ttensed,\ta\thand\tdrifting\tto\tthe\tarm\tof\tViviane\u2019s\tchair\u2014as\tif\the\u2019d\tthrow himself\tin\tfront\tof\tit.\tBut\tTamlin\tonly\tdragged\tthat\tclaw\tlightly\tdown\tthe\tcarved arm\tof\this\town\tchair\u2014as\the\u2019d\tonce\tdragged\tthem\tdown\tmy\tskin.\tHe\tsmiled\tas\tif he\tknew\tprecisely\twhat\tmemory\tit\ttriggered,\tbut\tsaid\tto\tmy\tmate,\t\u201cIf\tyou\thadn\u2019t stolen\t my\t bride\t away\t in\t the\t night,\t Rhysand,\t I\t would\t not\t have\t been\t forced\t to take\tsuch\tdrastic\tmeasures\tto\tget\ther\tback.\u201d I\tsaid\tquietly,\t\u201cThe\tsun\twas\tshining\twhen\tI\tleft\tyou.\u201d Those\tgreen\teyes\tslid\tto\tme,\tglazed\tand\tforeign.\tHe\tlet\tout\ta\tlow\tsnort,\tthen looked\taway\tagain. Dismissal. Kallias\tasked,\t\u201cWhy\tare\tyou\there,\tTamlin?\u201d Tamlin\u2019s\tclaw\tdug\tinto\tthe\twood,\tpuncturing\tdeep\teven\tas\this\tvoice\tremained mild.\tI\thad\tno\tdoubt\tthat\tgesture\twas\tmeant\tfor\tme,\ttoo.\t\u201cI\tbartered\taccess\tto\tmy lands\tto\tget\tback\tthe\twoman\tI\tlove\tfrom\ta\tsadist\twho\tplays\twith\tminds\tas\tif\tthey are\ttoys.\tI\tmeant\tto\tfight\tHybern\u2014to\tfind\ta\tway\taround\tthe\tbargain\tI\tmade\twith the\tking\tonce\tshe\twas\tback.\tOnly\tRhysand\tand\this\tcabal\thad\tturned\ther\tinto\tone of\t them.\t And\t she\t delighted\t in\t ripping\t open\t my\t territory\t for\t Hybern\t to\t invade. All\tfor\ta\tpetty\tgrudge\u2014either\ther\town\tor\ther\t\u2026\tmaster\u2019s.\u201d \u201cYou\tdon\u2019t\tget\tto\trewrite\tthe\tnarrative,\u201d\tI\tbreathed.\t\u201cYou\tdon\u2019t\tget\tto\tspin\tthis to\tyour\tadvantage.\u201d Tamlin\t only\t angled\t his\t head\t at\t Rhys.\t \u201cWhen\t you\t fuck\t her,\t have\t you\t ever","noticed\tthat\tlittle\tnoise\tshe\tmakes\tright\tbefore\tshe\tclimaxes?\u201d Heat\t stained\t my\t cheeks.\t This\t wasn\u2019t\t outright\t battle,\t but\t a\t steady,\t careful shredding\t of\t my\t dignity,\t my\t credibility.\t Beron\t beamed,\t delighted\u2014while\t Eris carefully\tmonitored. Rhys\t turned\t his\t head,\t looking\t me\t over\t from\t head\t to\t toe.\t Then\t back\t to Tamlin.\tA\tstorm\tabout\tto\tbe\tunleashed. But\t it\t was\t Azriel\t who\t said,\t his\t voice\t like\t cold\t death,\t \u201cBe\t careful\t how\t you speak\tabout\tmy\tHigh\tLady.\u201d Surprise\t flashed\t in\t Tamlin\u2019s\t eyes\u2014then\t vanished.\t Vanished,\t swallowed\t by pure\t fury\t as\t he\t realized\t what\t that\t tattoo\t coating\t my\t hand\t was\t for.\t \u201cIt\t was\t not enough\t to\t sit\t at\t my\t side,\t was\t it?\u201d\t A\t hateful\t smile\t curled\t his\t lips.\t \u201cYou\t once asked\t me\t if\t you\u2019d\t be\t my\t High\t Lady,\t and\t when\t I\t said\t no\t \u2026\u201d\t A\t low\t laugh. \u201cPerhaps\tI\tunderestimated\tyou.\tWhy\tserve\tin\tmy\tcourt,\twhen\tyou\tcould\trule\tin his?\u201d Tamlin\t at\t last\t faced\t the\t other\t gathered\t High\t Lords\t and\t their\t retinues.\t \u201cThey peddle\ttales\tof\tdefending\tour\tland\tand\tpeace.\tAnd\tyet\tshe\tcame\tto\tmy\tlands\tand laid\t them\t bare\t for\t Hybern.\t She\t took\t my\t High\t Priestess\t and\t warped\t her\t mind\u2014 after\t she\t shattered\t her\t bones\t for\t spite.\t And\t if\t you\t are\t asking\t yourself\t what happened\tto\tthat\thuman\tgirl\twho\twent\tUnder\tthe\tMountain\tto\tsave\tus\t\u2026\tLook to\t the\t male\t sitting\t beside\t her.\t Ask\t what\t he\t stands\t to\t gain\u2014what\t they\tstand\tto gain\tfrom\tthis\twar,\tor\tlack\tof\tit.\tWould\twe\tfight\tHybern,\tonly\tto\tfind\tourselves with\t a\t Queen\t and\t King\t of\t Prythian?\t She\u2019s\t proved\t her\t ambition\u2014and\t you\t saw how\the\twas\tmore\tthan\thappy\tto\tserve\tAmarantha\tto\tremain\tunscathed.\u201d It\twas\tan\teffort\tnot\tto\tsnarl,\tnot\tto\tgrip\tthe\tarms\tof\tmy\tchair\tand\troar\tat\thim. Rhys\tlet\tout\ta\tdark\tlaugh.\t\u201cWell\tplayed,\tTamlin.\tYou\u2019re\tlearning.\u201d Ire\tcontorted\tTamlin\u2019s\tface\tat\tthe\tcondescension.\tBut\the\tfaced\tKallias.\t\u201cYou asked\t why\t I\u2019m\t here?\t I\t might\t ask\t the\t same\t of\t you.\u201d\t He\t jerked\t his\t chin\t at\t the High\t Lord\t of\t Winter,\t at\t Viviane\u2014the\t few\t other\t members\t of\t their\t retinue\t who had\t remained\t silent.\t \u201cYou\t mean\t to\t tell\t me\t that\t after\t Under\t the\t Mountain,\t you can\tstomach\tworking\twith\thim?\u201d\tA\tfinger\tflung\tin\tRhysand\u2019s\tdirection. I\t wanted\t to\t rip\t that\t finger\t right\t off\t Tamlin\u2019s\t hand.\t And\t feed\t it\t to\t the Middengard\tWyrm. The\tsilvery\tglow\tabout\tKallias\tdulled. Even\tViviane\tseemed\tto\tdim.\t\u201cWe\tcame\there\tto\tdecide\tthat\tfor\tourselves.\u201d","Mor\t was\t staring\t at\t her\t friend\t in\t quiet\t question.\t Viviane,\t for\t the\t first\t time since\twe\u2019d\tarrived,\tdid\tnot\tlook\ttoward\ther.\tOnly\tat\ther\tmate. Rhys\tsaid\tsoftly\tto\tthem,\tto\teveryone,\t\u201cI\thad\tno\tinvolvement\tin\tthat.\tNone.\u201d Kallias\u2019s\t eyes\t flared\t like\t blue\t flame.\t \u201cYou\t stood\t beside\t her\t throne\t while\t the order\twas\tgiven.\u201d I\twatched,\tstomach\ttwisting,\tas\tRhys\u2019s\tgolden\tskin\tpaled.\t\u201cI\ttried\tto\tstop\tit.\u201d \u201cTell\tthat\tto\tthe\tparents\tof\tthe\ttwo\tdozen\tyounglings\tshe\tbutchered,\u201d\tKallias said.\t\u201cThat\tyou\ttried.\u201d I\t had\t forgotten.\t Forgotten\t that\t bit\t of\t Amarantha\u2019s\t despicable\t history.\t It\t had happened\twhile\tI\twas\tstill\tat\tthe\tSpring\tCourt\u2014a\treport\tone\tof\tLucien\u2019s\tcontacts at\tthe\tWinter\tCourt\tmanaged\tto\tsmuggle\tout.\tOf\ttwo\tdozen\tchildren\tkilled\tby\tthe \u201cblight.\u201d\tBy\tAmarantha. Rhys\u2019s\t mouth\t tightened.\t \u201cThere\t is\t not\t one\t day\t that\t passes\t when\t I\t don\u2019t remember\t it,\u201d\t he\t said\t to\t Kallias,\t to\t Viviane.\t To\t their\t companions.\t \u201cNot\t one day.\u201d I\thadn\u2019t\tknown. He\t had\t told\t me\t once,\t all\t those\t months\t ago,\t that\t there\t were\t memories\t he could\t not\t bring\t himself\t to\t share\u2014even\t with\t me.\t I\t had\t assumed\t it\t was\t only\t in regard\t to\t what\t Amarantha\t had\t done\t to\t him.\t Not\t \u2026\t what\t he\t might\t have\t been forced\tto\twitness,\ttoo.\tForced\tto\tendure,\tbound\tand\ttrapped. And\t standing\t by,\t leashed\t to\t Amarantha,\t while\t she\t ordered\t the\t murder\t of those\tchildren\u2014 \u201cRemembering,\u201d\tKallias\tsaid,\t\u201cdoesn\u2019t\tbring\tthem\tback,\tdoes\tit?\u201d \u201cNo,\u201d\tRhys\tsaid\tplainly.\t\u201cNo,\tit\tdoesn\u2019t.\tAnd\tI\tam\tnow\tfighting\tto\tmake\tsure it\tnever\thappens\tagain.\u201d Viviane\tglanced\tbetween\ther\thusband\tand\tRhys.\t\u201cI\twas\tnot\tpresent\tUnder\tthe Mountain.\t But\t I\t would\t hear,\t High\t Lord,\t how\t you\t tried\t to\u2014stop\t her.\u201d\t Pain tightened\ther\tface.\tShe,\ttoo,\thad\tbeen\tunable\tto\tprevent\tit\twhile\tshe\tguarded\ther small\tslice\tof\tthe\tterritory. Rhys\tsaid\tnothing. Beron\tsnorted.\t\u201cFinally\tspeechless,\tRhysand?\u201d I\t put\t a\t hand\t on\t Rhys\u2019s\t arm.\t I\t had\t no\t doubt\t Tamlin\t marked\t it.\t And\t I\t didn\u2019t care.\tI\tsaid\tto\tmy\tmate,\tnot\tbothering\tto\tkeep\tmy\tvoice\tdown,\t\u201cI\tbelieve\tyou.\u201d \u201cSays\t the\t woman,\u201d\t Beron\t countered,\t \u201cwho\t gave\t an\t innocent\t girl\u2019s\t name\t in","her\tstead\u2014for\tAmarantha\tto\tbutcher\tas\twell.\u201d I\tblocked\tout\tthe\twords,\tthe\tmemory\tof\tClare. Rhys\tswallowed.\tI\ttightened\tmy\tgrip\ton\this\tarm. His\t voice\t was\t rough\t as\t he\t said\t to\t Kallias,\t \u201cWhen\t your\t people\t rebelled\t\u2026\u201d They\t had,\t I\t recalled.\t Winter\t had\t rebelled\t against\t Amarantha.\t And\t the\t children \u2026\t that\t had\t been\t Amarantha\u2019s\t answer.\t Her\t punishment\t for\t the\t disobedience. \u201cShe\twas\tfurious.\tShe\twanted\tyou\tdead,\tKallias.\u201d Viviane\u2019s\tface\tdrained\tof\tcolor. Rhys\twent\ton,\t\u201cI\t\u2026\tconvinced\ther\tthat\tit\twould\tserve\tlittle\tpurpose.\u201d \u201cWho\tknew,\u201d\tBeron\tmused,\t\u201cthat\ta\tcock\tcould\tbe\tso\tpersuasive?\u201d \u201cFather.\u201d\tEris\u2019s\tvoice\twas\tlow\twith\twarning. For\tCassian,\tAzriel,\tMor,\tand\tI\thad\tfixed\tour\tgazes\tupon\tBeron.\tAnd\tnone\tof us\twere\tsmiling. Perhaps\tEris\twould\tbe\tHigh\tLord\tsooner\tthan\the\tplanned. But\t Rhys\t went\t on\t to\t Kallias,\t \u201cShe\t backed\t off\t the\t idea\t of\t killing\t you.\t Your rebels\twere\tdead\u2014I\tconvinced\ther\tit\twas\tenough.\tI\tthought\tit\twas\tthe\tend\tof\tit.\u201d His\t breathing\t hitched\t slightly.\t \u201cI\t only\t found\t out\t when\t you\t did.\t I\t think\t she viewed\tmy\tdefense\tof\tyou\tas\ta\twarning\tsign\u2014she\tdidn\u2019t\ttell\tme\tany\tof\tit.\tAnd she\tkept\tme\t\u2026\tconfined.\tI\ttried\tto\tbreak\tinto\tthe\tminds\tof\tthe\tsoldiers\tshe\tsent, but\t her\t damper\t on\t my\t power\t was\t too\t strong\t to\t hold\t them\u2014and\t it\t was\t already done.\t She\t \u2026\t she\t sent\t a\t daemati\t with\t them.\t To\t \u2026\u201d\t He\t faltered.\t The\t children\u2019s minds\u2014they\u2019d\t been\t shattered.\t Rhys\t swallowed.\t \u201cI\t think\t she\t wanted\t you\t to suspect\tme.\tTo\tkeep\tus\tfrom\tever\tallying\tagainst\ther.\u201d What\the\tmust\thave\twitnessed\twithin\tthose\tsoldiers\u2019\tminds\t\u2026 \u201cWhere\t did\t she\t confine\t you?\u201d\t The\t question\t came\t from\t Viviane,\t her\t arms wrapped\taround\ther\tmiddle. I\twasn\u2019t\tentirely\tready\tfor\tit\twhen\tRhys\tsaid,\t\u201cHer\tbedroom.\u201d My\t friends\t did\t not\t hide\t their\t rage,\t their\t grief\t at\t the\t details\t he\u2019d\t kept\t even from\tthem. \u201cStories\tand\twords,\u201d\tTamlin\tsaid,\tlounging\tin\this\tchair.\t\u201cIs\tthere\tany\tproof?\u201d \u201cProof\u2014\u201d\tCassian\tsnarled,\thalf\trising\tin\this\tseat,\twings\tstarting\tto\tflare. \u201cNo,\u201d\t Rhys\t cut\t in\t as\t Mor\t blocked\t Cassian\t with\t an\t arm,\t forcing\t him\t to\t sit. Rhys\t added\t to\t Kallias,\t \u201cBut\t I\t swear\t it\u2014upon\t my\t mate\u2019s\t life.\u201d\t His\t hand\t at\t last rested\tatop\tmine.","For\tthe\tfirst\ttime\tsince\tI\u2019d\tknown\thim,\tRhys\u2019s\tskin\twas\tclammy. I\treached\tdown\tthe\tbond,\teven\tas\tRhys\theld\tKallias\u2019s\tstare.\tI\tdid\tnot\thave\tany words.\tOnly\tmyself\u2014only\tmy\tsoul,\tas\tI\tcurled\tup\tagainst\this\ttowering\tshields\tof black\tadamant. He\u2019d\t known\t what\t coming\t here,\t presented\t just\t as\t we\t were,\t would\t cost\t him. What\the\tmight\thave\tto\treveal\tbeyond\tthe\twings\the\tloved\tso\tdearly. Tamlin\t rolled\t his\t eyes.\t It\t took\t every\t scrap\t of\t restraint\t to\t keep\t me\t from lunging\tfor\thim\u2014from\tripping\tout\tthose\teyes. But\t whatever\t Kallias\t read\t in\t Rhys\u2019s\t face,\t his\t words\t \u2026\t He\t pinned\t Tamlin with\ta\thard\tstare\tas\the\tasked\tagain,\t\u201cWhy\tare\tyou\there,\tTamlin?\u201d A\t muscle\t flickered\t in\t Tamlin\u2019s\t jaw.\t \u201cI\t am\t here\t to\t help\t you\t fight\t against Hybern.\u201d \u201cBullshit,\u201d\tCassian\tmuttered. Tamlin\t glowered\t at\t him.\t Cassian,\t folding\t his\t wings\t in\t neatly\t as\t he\t leaned back\tin\this\tchair\tonce\tmore,\tjust\toffered\ta\tcrooked\tgrin\tin\treturn. \u201cYou\twill\tforgive\tus,\u201d\tThesan\tinterrupted\tgracefully,\t\u201cif\twe\tare\tdoubtful.\tAnd hesitant\tto\tshare\tany\tplans.\u201d \u201cEven\twhen\tI\thave\tinformation\ton\tHybern\u2019s\tmovements?\u201d Silence.\t Tarquin,\t across\t the\t pool,\t watched\t and\t listened\u2014either\t because\t he was\tthe\tyoungest\tof\tthem,\tor\tperhaps\the\tknew\tsome\tadvantage\tlay\tin\tletting\tus battle\tit\tout\tourselves. Tamlin\tsmiled\tat\tme.\t\u201cWhy\tdo\tyou\tthink\tI\tinvited\tthem\tto\tthe\thouse?\tInto\tmy lands?\u201d\t He\t let\t out\t a\t low\t snarl,\t and\t I\t felt\t Rhys\t tensing\t as\t Tamlin\t said\t to\t me,\t \u201cI once\t told\t you\t I\t would\t fight\t against\t tyranny,\t against\t that\t sort\t of\t evil.\t Did\t you think\tyou\twere\tenough\tto\tturn\tme\tfrom\tthat?\u201d\tHis\tteeth\tshone\twhite\tas\tbone.\t\u201cIt was\t so\t easy\t for\t you\t to\t call\t me\t a\t monster,\t despite\t all\t I\t did\t for\t you,\t for\t your family.\u201d\t A\t sneer\t toward\t Nesta,\t who\t was\t frowning\t with\t distaste.\t \u201cYet\t you witnessed\tall\tthat\the\tdid\tUnder\tthe\tMountain,\tand\tstill\tspread\tyour\tlegs\tfor\thim. Fitting,\tI\tsuppose.\tHe\twhored\tfor\tAmarantha\tfor\tdecades.\tWhy\tshouldn\u2019t\tyou\tbe his\twhore\tin\treturn?\u201d \u201cWatch\t your\t mouth,\u201d\t Mor\t snapped.\t I\t was\t having\t difficulty\t swallowing\u2014 breathing. Tamlin\t ignored\t her\t wholly\t and\t waved\t a\t hand\t toward\t Rhysand\u2019s\t wings.\t \u201cI sometimes\t forget\u2014what\t you\t are.\t Have\t the\t masks\t come\t off\t now,\t or\t is\t this","another\tploy?\u201d \u201cYou\u2019re\t beginning\t to\t become\t tedious,\t Tamlin,\u201d\t Helion\t said,\t propping\t his head\ton\ta\thand.\t\u201cTake\tyour\tlovers\u2019\tspat\telsewhere\tand\tlet\tthe\trest\tof\tus\tdiscuss this\twar.\u201d \u201cYou\u2019d\t be\t all\t too\t happy\t for\t war,\t considering\t how\t well\t you\t made\t out\t in\t the last\tone.\u201d \u201cNo\tone\tsays\twar\tcan\u2019t\tbe\tlucrative,\u201d\tHelion\tcountered.\tTamlin\u2019s\tlip\tcurled\tin a\t silent\t snarl\t that\t made\t me\t wonder\t if\t he\u2019d\t gone\t to\t Helion\t to\t break\t my\t bargain with\tRhys\u2014if\tHelion\thad\trefused. \u201cEnough,\u201d\t Kallias\t said.\t \u201cWe\t have\t our\t opinions\t on\t how\t the\t conflict\t with Hybern\t should\t be\t dealt\t with.\u201d\t Those\t glacial\t eyes\t hardened\t as\t he\t again\t took\t in Tamlin.\t\u201cAre\tyou\there\tas\tan\tally\tof\tHybern\tor\tPrythian?\u201d The\t mocking,\t hateful\t gleam\t faded\t into\t granite\t resolve.\t \u201cI\t stand\t against Hybern.\u201d \u201cProve\tit,\u201d\tHelion\tgoaded. Tamlin\t lifted\t his\t hand,\t and\t a\t stack\t of\t papers\t appeared\t on\t the\t little\t table beside\t his\t chair.\t \u201cCharts\t of\t armies,\t ammunition,\t caches\t of\t faebane\t \u2026 Everything\tcarefully\tgleaned\tthese\tmonths.\u201d All\tof\tthis\tdirected\tat\tme,\tas\tI\trefused\tto\tso\tmuch\tas\tlower\tmy\tchin.\tMy\tback ached\t from\t keeping\t it\t so\t straight,\t a\t twinge\t of\t pain\t flanking\t either\t side\t of\t my spine. \u201cNoble\t as\t it\t sounds,\u201d\t Helion\t went\t on,\t \u201cwho\t is\t to\t say\t that\t information\t is correct\u2014or\tthat\tyou\taren\u2019t\tHybern\u2019s\tagent,\ttrying\tto\tmislead\tus?\u201d \u201cWho\tis\tto\tsay\tthat\tRhysand\tand\this\tcronies\tare\tnot\tagents\tof\tHybern,\tall\tof this\ta\truse\tto\tget\tyou\tto\tyield\twithout\trealizing\tit?\u201d Nesta\t murmured,\t \u201cYou\t can\u2019t\t be\t serious.\u201d\t Mor\t gave\t my\t sister\t a\t look\t as\t if\t to say\tthat\the\tcertainly\twas. \u201cIf\twe\tneed\tto\tally\tagainst\tHybern,\u201d\tThesan\tsaid,\t\u201cyou\tare\tdoing\ta\tgood\tjob of\tconvincing\tus\tnot\tto\tband\ttogether,\tTamlin.\u201d \u201cI\t am\t simply\t warning\t you\t that\t they\t might\t present\t the\t guise\t of\t honesty\t and friendship,\tbut\tthe\tfact\tremains\tthat\the\twarmed\tAmarantha\u2019s\tbed\tfor\tfifty\tyears, and\t only\t worked\t against\t her\t when\t it\t seemed\t the\t tide\t was\t turning.\t I\u2019m\t warning you\t that\t while\t he\t claims\t his\t own\t city\t was\t attacked\t by\t Hybern,\t they\t made\t off remarkably\t well\u2014as\t if\t they\u2019d\t been\t anticipating\t it.\t Don\u2019t\t think\t he\t wouldn\u2019t","sacrifice\t a\t few\t buildings\t and\t lesser\t faeries\t to\t lure\t you\t into\t an\t alliance,\t into thinking\tyou\thad\ta\tcommon\tenemy.\tWhy\tis\tit\tthat\tonly\tthe\tNight\tCourt\tgot\tword about\t the\t attack\t on\t Adriata\u2014and\t were\t the\t only\t ones\t to\t arrive\t in\t time\t to\t play savior?\u201d \u201cThey\treceived\tword,\u201d\tVarian\tcut\tin\tcoolly,\t\u201cbecause\tI\twarned\tthem\tof\tit.\u201d Tarquin\twhipped\this\thead\tto\this\tcousin,\tbrows\thigh\twith\tsurprise. \u201cPerhaps\t you\u2019re\t working\t with\t them,\t too,\u201d\t Tamlin\t said\t to\t the\t Prince\t of Adriata.\t\u201cYou\u2019re\tnext\tin\tline,\tafter\tall.\u201d \u201cYou\u2019re\tinsane,\u201d\tI\tbreathed\tto\tTamlin\tas\tVarian\tbared\this\tteeth.\t\u201cDo\tyou\thear what\tyou\u2019re\tsaying?\u201d\tI\tpointed\ttoward\tNesta.\t\u201cHybern\tturned\tmy\tsisters\tinto\tFae \u2014after\tyour\tbitch\tof\ta\tpriestess\tsold\tthem\tout!\u201d \u201cPerhaps\t Ianthe\u2019s\t mind\t was\t already\t in\t Rhysand\u2019s\t thrall.\t And\t what\t a\t tragedy to\tremain\tyoung\tand\tbeautiful.\tYou\u2019re\ta\tgood\tactress\u2014I\u2019m\tsure\tthe\ttrait\truns\tin the\tfamily.\u201d Nesta\tlet\tout\ta\tlow\tlaugh.\t\u201cIf\tyou\twant\tsomeone\tto\tblame\tfor\tall\tof\tthis,\u201d\tshe said\tto\tTamlin,\t\u201cperhaps\tyou\tshould\tfirst\tlook\tin\tthe\tmirror.\u201d Tamlin\tsnarled\tat\ther. Cassian\tsnarled\tright\tback,\t\u201cWatch\tit.\u201d Tamlin\t looked\t between\t my\t sister\t and\t Cassian\u2014his\t gaze\t lingering\t on Cassian\u2019s\twings,\ttucked\tin\tbehind\thim.\tSnorted.\t\u201cSeems\t like\tother\tpreferences run\tin\tthe\tArcheron\tfamily,\ttoo.\u201d My\tpower\tbegan\tto\trumble\u2014a\tbehemoth\trising\tup,\tyawning\tawake. \u201cWhat\tdo\tyou\twant?\u201d\tI\thissed.\t\u201cAn\tapology?\tFor\tme\tto\tcrawl\tback\tinto\tyour bed\tand\tplay\tnice,\tlittle\twife?\u201d \u201cWhy\tshould\tI\twant\tspoiled\tgoods\treturned\tto\tme?\u201d My\tcheeks\theated. Tamlin\tgrowled,\t\u201cThe\tmoment\tyou\tlet\thim\tfuck\tyou\tlike\tan\u2014\u201d One\t heartbeat,\t the\t poisoned\t words\t were\t spewing\t from\t his\t mouth\u2014where fangs\tlengthened. Then\tthey\tstopped. Tamlin\u2019s\tmouth\tsimply\tstopped\temitting\tsounds.\tHe\tshut\this\tmouth,\topened\tit \u2014tried\tagain. No\tsound,\tnot\teven\ta\tsnarl,\tcame\tout. There\t was\t no\t smile\t on\t Rhysand\u2019s\t face,\t not\t a\t glint\t of\t that\t irreverent","amusement\tas\the\trested\this\thead\tagainst\tthe\tback\tof\this\tchair.\t\u201cThe\tgasping-fish look\tis\ta\tgood\tone\tfor\tyou,\tTamlin.\u201d The\t others,\t who\t had\t been\t watching\t with\t disdain\t and\t amusement\t and boredom,\tnow\tturned\tto\tmy\tmate.\tNow\tpossessed\ta\tshadow\tof\tfear\tin\ttheir\teyes as\tthey\trealized\twho\tand\twhat,\texactly,\tsat\tamongst\tthem. Brethren,\tand\tyet\tnot.\tTamlin\twas\ta\tHigh\tLord,\tas\tpowerful\tas\tany\tof\tthem. Except\t for\t the\t one\t at\t my\t side.\t Rhys\t was\t as\t different\t from\t them\t as\t humans were\tto\tFae. They\tforgot\tit,\tsometimes\u2014how\tdeep\tthat\twell\tof\tpower\twent.\tWhat\tmanner of\tpower\tRhys\tbore. But\tas\tRhysand\tripped\taway\tTamlin\u2019s\tability\tto\tspeak,\tthey\tremembered.","CHAPTER 45 Only\tmy\tfriends\tdidn\u2019t\tseem\tsurprised. Tamlin\u2019s\t eyes\t were\t green\t flame,\t golden\t light\t flickering\t around\t him\t as\t his magic\t sought\t to\t wrest\t free\t from\t Rhysand\u2019s\t control.\t As\t he\t tried\t and\t tried\t to speak. \u201cIf\t you\t want\t proof\t that\t we\t are\t not\t scheming\t with\t Hybern,\u201d\t Rhysand\t said blandly\tto\tthem\tall,\t\u201cconsider\tthe\tfact\tthat\tit\twould\tbe\tfar\tless\ttime-consuming\tto slice\tinto\tyour\tminds\tand\tmake\tyou\tdo\tmy\tbidding.\u201d Only\tBeron\twas\tstupid\tenough\tto\tscoff.\tEris\twas\tjust\tangling\this\tbody\tin\this chair\u2014blocking\tthe\tpath\tto\this\tmother. \u201cYet\t here\t I\t am,\u201d\t Rhysand\t went\t on,\t not\t deigning\t to\t give\t Beron\t a\t glance\t of acknowledgment.\t\u201cHere\twe\tall\tare.\u201d Absolute\tsilence. Then\tTarquin,\tsilent\tand\twatchful,\tcleared\this\tthroat. I\twaited\tfor\tit\u2014for\tthe\tblow\tthat\twould\tsurely\tdoom\tus.\tWe\twere\tthieves\twho had\tdeceived\thim,\twe\thad\tcome\tto\this\thouse\tin\tpeace\tand\tstolen\tfrom\thim,\thad ripped\tinto\ttheir\tminds\tto\tensure\tour\tsuccess. But\tTarquin\tsaid\tto\tme,\tto\tRhysand,\t\u201cDespite\tVarian\u2019s\tunsanctioned\twarning \u2026\u201d\tA\tglare\tat\this\tcousin,\twho\tdidn\u2019t\tso\tmuch\tas\tlook\tsorry\tabout\tit,\t\u201cYou\twere the\tonly\tones\twho\tcame\tto\thelp.\tThe\tonly\tones.\tAnd\tyet\tyou\tasked\tfor\tnothing in\treturn.\tWhy?\u201d Rhys\u2019s\tvoice\twas\ta\tbit\thoarse\tas\the\tasked,\t\u201cIsn\u2019t\tthat\twhat\tfriends\tdo?\u201d A\tsubtle,\tquiet\toffer. Tarquin\t took\t him\t in.\t Then\t me.\t And\t the\t others.\t \u201cI\t rescind\t the\t blood\t rubies. Let\tthere\tbe\tno\tdebts\tbetween\tus.\u201d","\u201cDon\u2019t\t expect\t Amren\t to\t return\t hers,\u201d\t Cassian\t muttered.\t \u201cShe\u2019s\t grown attached\tto\tit.\u201d I\tcould\thave\tsworn\ta\tsmile\ttugged\ton\tVarian\u2019s\tmouth. But\tRhys\tfaced\tTamlin,\twhose\town\tmouth\tremained\tshut.\tHis\teyes\tstill\tlivid. And\tmy\tmate\tsaid\tto\thim,\t\u201cI\tbelieve\tyou.\tThat\tyou\twill\tfight\tfor\tPrythian.\u201d Kallias\tdidn\u2019t\tappear\tso\tconvinced.\tNeither\tdid\tHelion. Rhys\tloosened\this\tgrasp\ton\tTamlin\u2019s\tvoice.\tI\tonly\tknew\tbecause\ta\tlow\tsnarl slipped\tfrom\thim.\tBut\tTamlin\tmade\tno\tmove\tto\tattack,\tto\teven\tspeak. \u201cWar\t is\t upon\t us,\u201d\t Rhysand\t declared.\t \u201cI\t have\t no\t interest\t in\t wasting\t energy arguing\tamongst\tourselves.\u201d The\tbetter\tman\u2014male.\tHis\trestraint,\this\tchoice\tof\twords\t\u2026\tAll\tof\tit\ta\tcareful portrayal\t of\t reason\t and\t power.\t But\t Rhysand\t \u2026\t I\t knew\t he\t meant\t what\t he\t said. Even\tif\tTamlin\thad\tbeen\ta\tpart\tof\tkilling\this\town\tfamily,\teven\tif\the\thad\tplayed his\t part\t in\t Hybern\t \u2026\t For\t our\t home,\t for\t Prythian,\t he\u2019d\t set\t it\t aside.\t A\t sacrifice that\twould\tharm\tno\tone\tbut\this\town\tsoul. But\t Beron\t said,\t \u201cYou\t may\t be\t inclined\t to\t believe\t him,\t Rhysand,\t but\t as someone\twho\tshares\ta\tborder\twith\this\tcourt,\tI\tam\tnot\tso\teasily\tswayed.\u201d\tA\twry look.\t\u201cPerhaps\tmy\terrant\tson\tcan\tclarify.\tPray,\twhere\tis\the?\u201d Even\tTamlin\tlooked\ttoward\tus\u2014toward\tme. \u201cHelping\tto\tguard\tour\tcity,\u201d\twas\tall\tI\tsaid.\tNot\ta\tlie,\tnot\tentirely. Eris\t snorted\t and\t surveyed\t Nesta,\t who\t stared\t back\t at\t him\t with\t steel\t in\t her face.\t \u201cPity\t you\t didn\u2019t\t bring\t the\t other\t sister.\t I\t hear\t our\t little\t brother\u2019s\t mate\t is quite\tthe\tbeauty.\u201d If\t they\t knew\t Elain\t was\t Lucien\u2019s\t mate\t \u2026\t It\t was\t now\t another\t avenue,\t I realized\t with\t no\t small\t amount\t of\t horror.\t Another\t way\t to\t strike\t at\t the\t youngest brother\t they\t hated\t so\t fiercely,\t so\t unreasonably.\t Eris\u2019s\t bargain\t with\t us\t had\t not included\tprotection\tof\tLucien.\tMy\tmouth\twent\tdry. But\tMor\treplied\tsmoothly,\t\u201cYou\tstill\tcertainly\tlike\tto\thear\tyourself\ttalk,\tEris. Good\tto\tknow\tsome\tthings\tdon\u2019t\tchange\tover\tthe\tcenturies.\u201d Eris\u2019s\tmouth\tcurled\tinto\ta\tsmile\tat\tthe\twords,\tthe\tcareful\tgame\tof\tpretending that\tthey\thad\tnot\tseen\teach\tother\tin\tyears.\t\u201cGood\tto\tknow\tthat\tafter\tfive\thundred years,\tyou\tstill\tdress\tlike\ta\tslut.\u201d One\tmoment,\tAzriel\twas\tseated. The\t next,\t he\u2019d\t blasted\t through\t Eris\u2019s\t shield\t with\t a\t flare\t of\t blue\t light\t and","tackled\thim\tbackward,\twood\tshattering\tbeneath\tthem. \u201cShit,\u201d\tCassian\tspat,\tand\twas\tinstantly\tthere\u2014 And\tmet\ta\twall\tof\tblue. Azriel\t had\t sealed\t them\t in,\t and\t as\t his\t scarred\t hands\t wrapped\t around\t Eris\u2019s throat,\tRhys\tsaid,\t\u201cEnough.\u201d Azriel\t squeezed,\t Eris\t thrashing\t beneath\t him.\t No\t physical\t brawling\u2014there had\t been\t a\t rule\t against\t that,\t but\t Azriel,\t with\t whatever\t power\t those\t shadows gave\thim\t\u2026 \u201cEnough,\t Azriel,\u201d\t Rhys\t ordered.\t Perhaps\t those\t shadows\t that\t now\t slid\t and eddied\t around\t the\tshadowsinger\thid\t him\t from\t the\t wrath\t of\t the\t binding\t magic. The\tothers\tmade\tno\tmove\tto\tinterfere,\tas\tif\twondering\tthe\tsame. Azriel\t dug\t his\t knee\u2014and\t all\t his\t weight\u2014into\t Eris\u2019s\t gut.\t He\t was\t silent, utterly\tsilent\tas\the\tripped\tthe\tair\tfrom\tEris\u2019s\tbody.\tBeron\u2019s\tflames\tstruck\tthe\tblue shield,\tover\tand\tover,\tbut\tthe\tfire\tskittered\toff\tand\tfizzled\tout\ton\tthe\twater.\tAny that\tescaped\twere\ttorn\tto\tshreds\tby\tshadows. \u201cCall\toff\tyour\tovergrown\tbat,\u201d\tBeron\tordered\tRhys. Rhys\t was\t enjoying\t it,\t bargain\t with\t Eris\t or\t no\u2014could\t have\t ended\t it\t seconds ago.\tHe\tgave\tme\ta\tglance\tas\tif\tto\tsay\tso.\tAnd\tan\tinvitation. I\trose\ton\tsurprisingly\tsteady\tknees. Felt\t all\t of\t them\t tense,\t Tamlin\u2019s\t gaze\t like\t a\t brand\t as\t I\t walked\t toward\t the shadowsinger,\tmy\tsparkling\tgown\thissing\talong\tthe\tfloor\tbehind\tme.\tAs\tI\tput\ta tattooed\t hand\t on\t the\t hard,\t near-invisible\t curve\t of\t the\t shield\t and\t said,\t \u201cCome, Azriel.\u201d Azriel\tstopped. Eris\tgasped\tfor\tair\tas\tthose\tscarred\thands\tloosened.\tAs\tAzriel\tturned\this\tface toward\tme\u2014 The\tfrozen\trage\tthere\trooted\tme\tto\tthe\tspot. But\tbeneath\tit,\tI\tcould\talmost\tsee\tthe\timages\tthat\thaunted\thim:\tthe\thand\tMor had\tyanked\taway,\ther\tweeping,\tdistraught\tface\tas\tshe\thad\tscreamed\tat\tRhys. And\tnow,\tbehind\tus,\tMor\twas\tshaking\tin\ther\tchair.\tPale\tand\tshaking. I\tonly\toffered\tmy\thand\tto\tAzriel.\t\u201cCome\tsit\tbeside\tme.\u201d Nesta\thad\talready\tmoved\ther\tseat,\tand\tan\textra\tchair\tappeared\tbeside\tmine. I\tdidn\u2019t\tlet\tmy\thand\ttremble\tas\tI\tkept\tit\textended.\tAnd\twaited. Azriel\u2019s\t eyes\t slid\t to\t Eris,\t the\t High\t Lord\u2019s\t son\t panting\t beneath\t him.\t And\t the","shadowsinger\t leaned\t down\t to\t whisper\t something\t in\t his\t ear\t that\t made\t Eris blanch\tfurther. But\tthe\tshield\tdropped.\tThe\tshadows\tlightened\tinto\tsunshine. Beron\t struck\u2014only\t for\t his\t fire\t to\t bounce\t off\t a\t hard\t barrier\t of\t my\t own.\t I lifted\t my\t gaze\t to\t the\t High\t Lord\t of\t Autumn.\t \u201cThat\u2019s\t twice\t now\t we\u2019ve\t handed you\tyour\tasses.\tI\u2019d\tthink\tyou\u2019d\tbe\tsick\tof\tthe\thumiliation.\u201d Helion\t laughed.\t But\t my\t attention\t returned\t to\t Azriel,\t who\t took\t my\t still- offered\thand\tand\trose.\tThe\tscars\twere\trough\tagainst\tmy\tfingers,\tbut\this\tskin\twas like\tice.\tPure\tice. Mor\topened\ther\tmouth\tto\tsay\tsomething\tto\tAzriel,\tbut\tCassian\tput\ta\thand\ton her\t bare\t knee\t and\t shook\t his\t head.\t I\t led\t the\t shadowsinger\t to\t the\t empty\t chair beside\tmine\u2014then\twalked\tto\tthe\ttable\tmyself\tto\tpour\thim\ta\tglass\tof\twine. No\tone\tspoke\tuntil\tI\toffered\tit\tto\thim\tand\tsat\tdown. \u201cThey\tare\tmy\tfamily,\u201d\tI\tsaid\tat\tthe\traised\tbrows\tI\treceived\tfor\tmy\twaiting\ton him.\tTamlin\tjust\tshook\this\thead\tin\tdisgust\tand\tfinally\tslid\tthat\tclaw\tback\tinto\this hand.\tBut\tI\tmet\tEris\u2019s\tfuming\tgaze,\tmy\tvoice\tas\tcold\tas\tAzriel\u2019s\tface\tas\tI\tsaid,\t\u201cI don\u2019t\tcare\tif\twe\tare\tallies\tin\tthis\twar.\tIf\tyou\tinsult\tmy\tfriend\tagain,\tI\twon\u2019t\tstop him\tthe\tnext\ttime.\u201d Only\tEris\tknew\thow\tfar\tthat\talliance\twent\u2014information\tthat\tcould\tdamn\tthis meeting\t if\t either\t side\t revealed\t it.\t Information\t that\t could\t get\t him\t wiped\t off\t the earth\tby\this\tfather. Mor\twas\tstaring\tand\tstaring\tat\tAzriel,\twho\trefused\tto\tlook\tat\ther,\twho\trefused to\tdo\tanything\tbut\tgive\tEris\tthat\tdeath-gaze. Eris,\twisely,\taverted\this\teyes.\tAnd\tsaid,\t\u201cApologies,\tMorrigan.\u201d His\t father\t actually\t gawked\t at\t the\t words.\t But\t something\t like\t approval\t shone on\tthe\tLady\tof\tAutumn\u2019s\tface\tas\ther\teldest\tson\tsettled\thimself\tonce\tmore. Thesan\trubbed\this\ttemples.\t\u201cThis\tdoes\tnot\tbode\twell.\u201d But\tHelion\tsmirked\tat\this\tretinue,\tcrossing\tan\tankle\tover\ta\tknee\tand\tflashing those\tpowerful,\tsleek\tthighs.\t\u201cLooks\tlike\tyou\towe\tme\tten\tgold\tmarks.\u201d It\tseemed\tlike\twe\tweren\u2019t\tthe\tonly\tones\twho\u2019d\tplaced\tbets.\tEven\tif\tnot\tone\tof Helion\u2019s\tentourage\tanswered\this\tmocking\tsmile\twith\tone\tof\ttheir\town. Helion\t waved\t a\t hand,\t and\t the\t stacks\t of\t papers\t Tamlin\t had\t compiled\t drifted over\t to\t him\t on\t a\t phantom\t wind.\t With\t a\t snap\t of\t his\t fingers\u2014scar-flecked\t from swordplay\u2014other\tstacks\tappeared\tbefore\tevery\tchair\tin\tthe\troom.\tIncluding\tmy","own.\t\u201cReplicas,\u201d\the\tsaid\twithout\tlooking\tup\tas\the\tleafed\tthrough\tthe\tdocuments. A\thandy\ttrick\u2014for\ta\tmale\twhose\ttrove\twas\tnot\tin\tgold,\tbut\tin\tknowledge. No\tone\tmade\tany\tmove\tto\ttouch\tthe\tpapers\tbefore\tus. Helion\t clicked\t his\t tongue.\t \u201cIf\t all\t of\t this\t is\t true,\u201d\t he\t announced,\t Tamlin snarling\t at\t the\t haughty\t tone,\t \u201cthen\t I\u2019d\t suggest\t two\t things:\t first,\t destroying Hybern\u2019s\t caches\t of\t faebane.\t We\t won\u2019t\t last\t long\t if\t they\u2019ve\t made\t them\t into\t so many\tversatile\tweapons.\tIt\u2019s\tworth\tthe\trisk\tto\tdestroy\tthem.\u201d Kallias\tarched\ta\tbrow.\t\u201cHow\twould\tyou\tsuggest\twe\tdo\tthat?\u201d \u201cWe\u2019ll\t handle\t it,\u201d\t Tarquin\t offered.\t Varian\t nodded.\t \u201cWe\t owe\t them\t for Adriata.\u201d Thesan\tsaid,\t\u201cThere\tis\tno\tneed.\u201d We\tall\tblinked\tat\thim.\tEven\tTamlin.\tThe\tHigh\tLord\tof\tDawn\tjust\tfolded\this hands\tin\this\tlap.\t\u201cA\tmaster\ttinkerer\tof\tmine\thas\tbeen\twaiting\tfor\tthe\tpast\tseveral hours.\tI\twould\tlike\tfor\ther\tto\tnow\tjoin\tus.\u201d Before\t anyone\t could\t reply,\t a\t High\t Fae\t female\t appeared\t at\t the\t edge\t of\t the circle.\t She\t bowed\t so\t quickly\t that\t I\t barely\t glimpsed\t more\t than\t her\t light\t brown skin\tand\tlong,\tsilken\tblack\thair.\tShe\twore\tclothes\tsimilar\tto\tThesan\u2019s,\tand\tyet\u2014 her\tsleeves\thad\tbeen\trolled\tup\tto\tthe\tforearms,\tthe\ttunic\tunbuttoned\tto\ther\tchest. And\ther\thand\u2014 I\t guessed\t who\t she\t was\t before\t she\t rose.\t Her\t right\t hand\t was\t solid\t gold\u2014 mechanical.\t The\t way\t Lucien\u2019s\t was.\t It\t clicked\t and\t whirred\t quietly,\t drawing\t the eye\tof\tevery\timmortal\tin\tthe\troom\tas\tshe\tfaced\ther\tHigh\tLord.\tThesan\tsmiled\tin warm\twelcome. But\ther\tface\t \u2026\tI\twondered\tif\tAmren\thad\tmodeled\ther\town\tfeatures\tafter\t a similar\t bloodline\t when\t she\u2019d\t bound\t herself\t into\t her\t Fae\t body:\t the\t sharp\t chin, round\t cheeks,\t and\t stunning\t uptilted\t eyes.\t But\t where\t Amren\u2019s\t were\t that\t unholy silver,\tthis\tfemale\u2019s\twere\tdark\tas\tonyx.\tAnd\taware\u2014utterly\taware\tof\tus\tgawking at\ther\thand,\ther\tarrival\u2014as\tshe\tsaid\tto\tThesan,\t\u201cMy\tLord.\u201d Thesan\t gestured\t to\t the\t female\t standing\t tall\t before\t the\t assembled\t group. \u201cNuan\tis\tone\tof\tmy\tmost\tskilled\tcraftspeople.\u201d Rhys\tleaned\tback\tin\this\tseat,\tbrows\trising\twith\trecognition\tat\tthe\tname,\tand jerked\this\tchin\tto\tBeron,\tto\tEris.\t\u201cYou\tmight\tknow\ther\tas\tthe\tperson\tresponsible for\tgranting\tyour\t\u2026\terrant\tson,\tas\tyou\tcalled\thim,\tthe\tability\tto\tuse\this\tleft\teye after\tAmarantha\tremoved\tit.\u201d","Nuan\t nodded\t once\t in\t confirmation,\t her\t lips\t pressing\t into\t a\t thin\t line\t as\t she took\t in\t Lucien\u2019s\t family.\t She\t didn\u2019t\t so\t much\t as\t turn\t in\t Tamlin\u2019s\t direction\u2014and he\t certainly\t didn\u2019t\t bother\t to\t acknowledge\t her,\t regardless\t of\t the\t past\t binding them,\ttheir\tmutual\tfriend. \u201cAnd\t what\t has\t this\t to\t do\t with\t the\t faebane?\u201d\t Helion\t demanded.\t Thesan\u2019s lover\t seethed\t at\t the\t High\t Lord\t of\t Day\u2019s\t tone,\t but\t one\t glance\t from\t Thesan\t had the\tmale\trelaxing. Nuan\t turned,\t her\t dark\t hair\t slipping\t over\t a\t shoulder\t as\t she\t studied\t Helion. And\tdid\tnot\tseem\timpressed.\t\u201cBecause\tI\tfound\ta\tsolution\tfor\tit.\u201d Thesan\twaved\ta\thand.\t\u201cWe\theard\trumors\tof\tfaebane\tbeing\tused\tin\tthis\twar\u2014 used\tin\tthe\tattack\ton\tyour\tcity,\tRhysand.\tWe\tthought\tto\tlook\tinto\tthe\tissue\tbefore it\t became\t a\t deadly\t weakness\t for\t all\t of\t us.\u201d\t He\t nodded\t to\t Nuan.\t \u201cBeyond\t her unparalleled\ttinkering,\tshe\tis\ta\tskilled\talchemist.\u201d Nuan\t crossed\t her\t arms,\t the\t sun\t glinting\t off\t her\t metal\t hand.\t \u201cThanks\t to samples\tattained\tafter\tthe\tattack\tin\tVelaris,\tI\twas\table\tto\tcreate\tan\t\u2026\tantidote,\tof sorts.\u201d \u201cHow\tdid\tyou\tget\tthose\tsamples?\u201d\tCassian\tdemanded. A\tflush\tcrept\tover\tNuan\u2019s\tcheeks.\t\u201cI\u2014heard\tthe\trumors\tand\tassumed\tLucien Vanserra\t would\t be\t residing\t there\t after\t \u2026\t what\t happened.\u201d\t She\t still\t didn\u2019t\t look at\t Tamlin,\t who\t remained\t silent\t and\t brooding.\t \u201cI\t managed\t to\t contact\t him\t a\t few days\tago\u2014asked\thim\tto\tsend\tsamples.\tHe\tdid\u2014and\tdid\tnot\ttell\tyou,\u201d\tshe\tadded quickly\tto\tRhysand,\t\u201cbecause\the\tdid\tnot\twant\tto\traise\tyour\thopes.\tNot\tuntil\tI\u2019d found\ta\tsolution.\u201d No\twonder\the\u2019d\tbeen\tso\teager\tto\thead\talone\tinto\tVelaris\tthat\tday\the\u2019d\tgone\tto help\tus\tresearch.\tI\tshot\ta\tlook\tat\tRhys.\tSeems\tlike\tLucien\tcan\tstill\tplay\tthe\tfox. Rhys\tdidn\u2019t\tlook\tat\tme,\tthough\this\tlips\ttwitched\tas\the\treplied,\tIndeed. Nuan\twent\ton,\t\u201cThe\tMother\thas\tprovided\tus\twith\teverything\twe\tneed\ton\tthis earth.\tSo\tit\thas\tbeen\ta\tmatter\tof\tfinding\twhat,\texactly,\tshe\tgave\tus\tin\tPrythian\tto combat\ta\tmaterial\tfrom\tHybern\tcapable\tof\twiping\tout\tour\tpowers.\u201d Helion\tshifted\twith\timpatience,\tthat\tglistening,\twhite\tfabric\tslipping\tover\this muscled\tchest. Thesan\t read\t that\t impatience,\t too,\t and\t said,\t \u201cNuan\t has\t been\t able\t to\t quickly create\t a\t powder\t for\t us\t to\t ingest\t in\t drink,\t food,\t however\t you\t please.\t It\t grants immunity\t from\t the\t faebane.\t I\t already\t have\t workers\t in\t three\t of\t my\t cities","manufacturing\tas\tmuch\tof\tit\tas\tpossible\tto\thand\tout\tto\tour\tunified\tarmies.\u201d Even\tRhys\tseemed\timpressed\tat\tthe\tstealth,\tthe\tunveiling.\tI\u2019m\tsurprised\tyou didn\u2019t\thave\ta\tgrand\treveal\tof\tyour\town\ttoday,\tI\tquipped\tdown\tthe\tbond. Cruel,\tbeautiful\tHigh\tLady,\the\tpurred,\teyes\ttwinkling. Tarquin\t asked,\t \u201cBut\t what\t of\t physical\t objects\t made\t from\t faebane?\t They possessed\tgauntlets\tat\tthe\tbattle\tto\tsmash\tthrough\tshields.\u201d\tHe\tjerked\this\tchin\tto Rhys.\t\u201cAnd\twhen\tthey\tattacked\tyour\town\tcity.\u201d \u201cAgainst\tthat,\u201d\tNuan\tsaid,\t\u201cyou\tonly\thave\tyour\twits\tto\tprotect\tyou.\u201d\tShe\tdid not\t break\t Tarquin\u2019s\t stare,\t and\t he\t straightened,\t as\t if\t surprised\t she\t did\t so.\t \u201cThe compound\tI\u2019ve\tmade\twill\tonly\tprotect\tyou\u2014your\tpowers\u2014from\tbeing\trendered void\tby\tthe\tfaebane.\tPerhaps\tif\tyou\tare\tpierced\twith\ta\tweapon\ttipped\tin\tfaebane, having\tthe\tcompound\tin\tyour\tsystem\twill\tnegate\tits\timpact.\u201d Quiet\tfell. Beron\t said,\t \u201cAnd\t we\t are\t supposed\t to\t trust\t you\u201d\u2014a\t look\t at\t Thesan,\t then\t at Nuan\u2014\u201cwith\tthis\t\u2026\tsubstance\twe\u2019re\tto\tblindly\tingest.\u201d \u201cWould\tyou\trather\tface\tHybern\twithout\tany\tpower?\u201d\tThesan\tdemanded.\t\u201cMy master\talchemists\tand\ttinkerers\tare\tno\tfools.\u201d \u201cNo,\u201d\t Beron\t said,\t frowning,\t \u201cbut\t where\t did\t she\t come\t from?\t Who\t are\t you?\u201d The\tlast\tbit\tdirected\tat\tNuan. \u201cI\tam\tthe\tdaughter\tof\ttwo\tHigh\tFae\tfrom\tXian,\twho\tmoved\there\tto\tgive\ttheir children\t a\t better\t life,\t if\t that\t is\t what\t you\t are\t demanding\t to\t know,\u201d\t Nuan answered\ttightly. Helion\tdemanded\tof\tBeron,\t\u201cWhat\tdoes\tthis\thave\tto\tdo\twith\tanything?\u201d Beron\tshrugged.\t\u201cIf\ther\tfamily\tis\tfrom\tXian\u2014which\tI\u2019ll\thave\tyou\tremember fought\tfor\tthe\tLoyalists\u2014then\twhose\tinterests\tdoes\tshe\tserve?\u201d Helion\u2019s\tamber\teyes\tflashed. Thesan\tcut\tin\tsharply,\t\u201cI\twill\thave\tyou\tremember,\tBeron,\tthat\tmy\town\tmother hailed\tfrom\tXian.\tAnd\ta\tlarge\tmajority\tof\tmy\tcourt\tdid\tas\twell.\tBe\tcareful\twhat you\tsay.\u201d Before\tBeron\tcould\thiss\ta\tretort,\tNuan\tsaid\tto\tthe\tLord\tof\tAutumn,\ther\tchin high,\t\u201cI\tam\ta\tchild\tof\tPrythian.\tI\twas\tborn\there,\ton\tthis\tland,\tas\tyour\tsons\twere.\u201d Beron\u2019s\tface\tdarkened.\t\u201cWatch\tyour\ttone,\tgirl.\u201d \u201cShe\tdoesn\u2019t\thave\tto\twatch\tanything,\u201d\tI\tcut\tin.\t\u201cNot\twhen\tyou\tfling\tthat\tsort of\thorseshit\tat\ther.\u201d\tI\tlooked\tto\tthe\talchemist.\t\u201cI\twill\ttake\tyour\tantidote.\u201d","Beron\trolled\this\teyes. But\tEris\tsaid,\t\u201cFather.\u201d Beron\tlifted\ta\tbrow.\t\u201cYou\thave\tsomething\tto\tadd?\u201d Eris\tdidn\u2019t\tflinch,\tbut\the\tseemed\tto\tchoose\this\twords\tvery,\tvery\tcarefully.\t\u201cI have\t seen\t the\t effects\t of\t faebane.\u201d\t He\t nodded\t toward\t me.\t \u201cIt\t truly\t renders\t us unable\tto\ttap\tour\tpower.\tIf\tit\u2019s\twielded\tagainst\tus\tin\twar\tor\tbeyond\tit\u2014\u201d \u201cIf\t it\t is,\t we\t shall\t face\t it.\t I\t will\t not\t risk\t my\t people\t or\t family\t in\t testing\t out\t a theory.\u201d \u201cIt\tis\tno\ttheory,\u201d\tNuan\tsaid,\tthat\tmechanical\thand\tclicking\tand\twhirring\tas\tit curled\t into\t a\t fist.\t \u201cI\t would\t not\t stand\t here\t unless\t it\t had\t been\t proved\t without\t a doubt.\u201d A\tfemale\tof\tpride\tand\thard\twork. Eris\tsaid,\t\u201cI\twill\ttake\tit.\u201d It\twas\tthe\tmost\t\u2026\tdecent\tI\u2019d\tever\theard\thim\tsound.\tEven\tMor\tblinked\tat\tit. Beron\tstudied\this\tson\twith\ta\tscrutiny\tthat\tmade\tsome\tsmall,\tsmall\tpart\tof\tme wonder\tif\tEris\tmight\thave\tgrown\tto\tbe\ta\tgood\tmale\tif\the\u2019d\thad\ta\tdifferent\tfather. If\tone\tstill\tlurked\tthere,\tbeneath\tcenturies\tof\tpoison. Because\t Eris\t \u2026\t What\t had\t it\t been\t like\t for\t him,\t Under\t the\t Mountain?\t What games\t had\t he\t played\u2014what\t had\t he\t endured?\t Trapped\t for\t forty-nine\t years.\t I doubted\t he\t would\t risk\t such\t a\t thing\t happening\t again.\t Even\t if\t it\t set\t him\t in opposition\tto\this\tfather\u2014or\tperhaps\tbecause\tof\tthat. Beron\t only\t said,\t \u201cNo,\t you\t will\t not.\t Though\t I\u2019m\t sure\t your\t brothers\t will\t be sorry\tto\thear\tit.\u201d Indeed,\t the\t others\t seemed\t rather\t put-out\t that\t their\t first\t barrier\t to\t the\t throne wasn\u2019t\tabout\tto\trisk\this\tlife\tin\ttesting\tNuan\u2019s\tsolution. Rhys\tsaid\tsimply,\t\u201cThen\tdon\u2019t\ttake\tit.\tI\twill.\tMy\tentire\tcourt\twill,\tas\twill\tmy armies.\u201d\tHe\tgave\ta\tthankful\tnod\tto\tNuan. Thesan\t did\t the\t same\u2014in\t thanks\t and\t dismissal\u2014and\t the\t master\t tinkerer bowed\tonce\tmore\tand\tleft. \u201cAt\t least\t you\t have\t armies\t to\t give\t it\t to,\u201d\t Tamlin\t said\t mildly,\t breaking\t his roiling\t silence.\t A\t smile\t at\t me.\t \u201cThough\t perhaps\t that\t was\t part\t of\t the\t plan. Disable\t my\t force\t while\t your\t own\t swept\t in.\t Or\t was\t it\t just\t to\t see\t my\t people suffer?\u201d A\theadache\twas\tbeginning\tto\tpound\tat\tmy\tright\ttemple.","Those\tclaws\tpoked\tthrough\this\tknuckles\tagain.\t\u201cSurely\tyou\tknew\tthat\twhen you\t turned\t my\t forces\t on\t me,\t it\t would\t leave\t my\t people\t defenseless\t against Hybern.\u201d I\tsaid\tnothing.\tEven\tas\tI\tblocked\tthe\timages\tfrom\tmy\tmind. \u201cYou\tprimed\tmy\tcourt\tto\tfall,\u201d\tTamlin\tsaid\twith\tvenomous\tquiet.\t\u201cAnd\tit\tdid. Those\tvillages\tyou\twanted\tso\tbadly\tto\thelp\trebuild?\tThey\u2019re\tnothing\tmore\tthan cinders\tnow.\u201d I\t shut\t out\t that,\t too.\t He\u2019d\t said\t they\u2019d\t remain\t untouched,\t that\t Hybern\t had promised\u2014 \u201cAnd\twhile\tyou\u2019ve\tbeen\tmaking\tantidotes\tand\tcasting\tyourselves\tas\tsaviors, I\u2019ve\t been\t piecing\t together\t my\t forces\u2014regaining\t their\t trust,\t their\t numbers. Trying\tto\tgather\tmy\tpeople\tin\tthe\tEast\u2014where\tHybern\thas\tnot\tyet\tmarched.\u201d Nesta\tsaid\tdrily,\t\u201cSo\tyou\twon\u2019t\tbe\ttaking\tthe\tantidote,\tthen.\u201d Tamlin\t ignored\t her,\t even\t as\t his\t claws\t sank\t into\t the\t arm\t of\t his\t chair.\t But\t I believed\thim\u2014that\the\u2019d\tmoved\tas\tmany\tof\this\tpeople\tas\the\tcould\tto\tthe\teastern edge\tof\tthe\tterritory.\tHe\u2019d\tsaid\tas\tmuch\tlong\tbefore\tI\u2019d\treturned\thome. Thesan\t cleared\t his\t throat\t and\t said\t to\t Helion,\t \u201cYou\t said\t you\t had\t two suggestions\tbased\ton\tthe\tinformation\tyou\tanalyzed.\u201d Helion\tshrugged,\tthe\tsun\tcatching\tin\tthe\tembroidered\tgold\tthread\tof\this\ttunic. \u201cIndeed,\tthough\tit\tseems\tTamlin\tis\talready\tahead\tof\tme.\tThe\tSpring\tCourt\tmust be\tevacuated.\u201d\tHis\tamber\teyes\tdarted\tbetween\tTarquin\tand\tBeron.\t\u201cSurely\tyour northern\tneighbors\twill\twelcome\tthem.\u201d Beron\u2019s\tlip\tcurled.\t\u201cWe\tdo\tnot\thave\tthe\tresources\tfor\tsuch\ta\tthing.\u201d \u201cRight,\u201d\tViviane\tsaid,\t\u201cbecause\teveryone\u2019s\ttoo\tbusy\tpolishing\tevery\tjewel\tin that\ttrove\tof\tyours.\u201d Beron\t threw\t her\t a\t glare\t that\t had\t Kallias\t tensing.\t \u201cWives\t were\t invited\t as\t a courtesy,\tnot\tas\tconsultants.\u201d Viviane\u2019s\t sapphire\t eyes\t flared\t as\t if\t struck\t by\t lightning.\t \u201cIf\t this\t war\t goes poorly,\twe\u2019ll\tbe\tbleeding\tout\tright\talongside\tyou,\tso\tI\tthink\twe\tdamn\twell\tget\ta say\tin\tthings.\u201d \u201cHybern\t will\t do\t far\t worse\t things\t than\t kill\t you,\u201d\t Beron\t counted\t coolly.\t \u201cA young,\tpretty\tthing\tlike\tyou\tespecially.\u201d Kallias\u2019s\tsnarl\trippled\tthe\twater\tin\tthe\treflection\tpool,\techoed\tby\tMor\u2019s\town growl.","Beron\tsmiled\ta\tbit.\t\u201cOnly\tthree\tof\tus\twere\tpresent\tfor\tthe\tlast\twar.\u201d\tA\tnod\tto Rhys\tand\tHelion,\twhose\tface\tdarkened.\t\u201cOne\tdoes\tnot\teasily\tforget\twhat\tHybern and\tthe\tLoyalists\tdid\tto\tcaptured\tfemales\tin\ttheir\twar-camps.\tWhat\tthey\treserved for\t High\t Fae\t females\t who\t either\t fought\t for\t the\t humans\t or\t had\t families\t who did.\u201d\t He\t put\t a\t heavy\t hand\t on\t his\t wife\u2019s\t too-thin\t arm.\t \u201cHer\t two\t sisters\t bought her\ttime\tto\trun\twhen\tHybern\u2019s\tforces\tambushed\ttheir\tlands.\tThe\ttwo\tladies\tdid not\twalk\tout\tof\tthat\twar-camp\tagain.\u201d Helion\twas\twatching\tBeron\tclosely,\this\tstare\tsimmering\twith\treproach. The\t Lady\t of\t the\t Autumn\t Court\t kept\t her\t focus\t on\t the\t reflection\t pool.\t Any trace\tof\tcolor\tdrained\tfrom\ther\tface.\tDagdan\tand\tBrannagh\tflashed\tthrough\tmy mind\u2014along\t with\t the\t corpses\t of\t those\t humans.\t What\t they\u2019d\t done\t to\t them before\tand\tafter\tthey\u2019d\tdied. \u201cWe\twill\ttake\tyour\tpeople,\u201d\tTarquin\tcut\tin\tquietly\tto\tTamlin.\t\u201cRegardless\tof your\t involvement\t with\t Hybern\t \u2026\t your\t people\t are\t innocent.\t There\t is\t plenty\t of room\tin\tmy\tterritory.\tWe\twill\ttake\tall\tof\tthem,\tif\tneed\tbe.\u201d A\tcurt\tnod\twas\tTamlin\u2019s\tonly\tacknowledgment\tand\tgratitude. Beron\t said,\t \u201cSo\t the\t Seasonal\t Courts\t are\t to\t become\t the\t charnel\t houses\t and hostels,\twhile\tthe\tSolar\tCourts\tremain\tpristine\there\tin\tthe\tNorth?\u201d \u201cHybern\thas\tfocused\tits\tefforts\ton\tthe\tsouthern\thalf,\u201d\tRhys\tsaid.\t\u201cTo\tbe\tclose to\tthe\twall\u2014and\thuman\tlands.\u201d At\tthis,\tNesta\tand\tI\texchanged\tlooks. Rhys\t went\t on,\t \u201cWhy\t bother\t to\t go\t through\t the\t northern\t climes\u2014through faerie\tterritories\ton\tthe\tcontinent,\twhen\tyou\tcould\tclaim\tthe\tSouth\tand\tuse\tit\tto go\tdirectly\tto\tthe\thuman\tlands\tof\tthe\tcontinent?\u201d Thesan\t asked,\t \u201cAnd\t you\t believe\t the\t human\t armies\t there\t will\t bow\t to Hybern?\u201d \u201cIts\t queens\t sold\t us\t out,\u201d\t Nesta\t said.\t She\t lifted\t her\t chin,\t poised\t as\t any emissary.\t\u201cFor\tthe\tgift\tof\timmortality,\tthe\thuman\tqueens\twill\tallow\tHybern\tin\tto sweep\t away\t any\t resistance.\t They\t might\t very\t well\t hand\t over\t control\t of\t their armies\t to\t him.\u201d\t Nesta\t looked\t to\t me,\t to\t Rhys.\t \u201cWhere\t do\t the\t humans\t on\t our island\tgo?\tWe\tcannot\tevacuate\tthem\tto\tthe\tcontinent,\tand\twith\tthe\twall\tintact\t\u2026 Many\tmight\trather\trisk\twaiting\tthan\tcross\tover\tthe\twall\tanyway.\u201d \u201cThe\t fate\t of\t the\t humans\t below\t the\t wall,\u201d\t Beron\t cut\t in,\t \u201cis\t none\t of\t our concern.\tEspecially\tin\ta\tspit\tof\tland\twith\tno\tqueen,\tno\tarmy.\u201d","\u201cIt\t is\t my\t concern,\u201d\t I\t said,\t and\t the\t voice\t that\t came\t out\t of\t me\t was\t not\t Feyre the\t huntress\t or\t Feyre\t the\t Cursebreaker,\t but\t Feyre\t the\t High\t Lady.\t \u201cHumans\t are nearly\tdefenseless\tagainst\tour\tkind.\u201d \u201cSo\tgo\twaste\tyour\town\tsoldiers\tdefending\tthem,\u201d\tBeron\tsaid.\t\u201cI\twill\tnot\tsend my\town\tforces\tto\tprotect\tchattel.\u201d My\tblood\theated,\tand\tI\ttook\ta\tbreath\tto\tcool\tit,\tto\tcool\tthe\tmagic\tcrackling\tat the\t insult.\t It\t did\t nothing.\t If\t it\t was\t this\t impossible\t to\t get\t all\t of\t them\t to\t ally against\tHybern\t\u2026 \u201cYou\u2019re\t a\t coward,\u201d\t I\t breathed\t to\t the\t High\t Lord\t of\t Autumn.\t Even\t Rhys tensed. Beron\tjust\tsaid,\t\u201cThe\tsame\tcould\tbe\tclaimed\tof\tyou.\u201d My\tstomach\tchurned.\t\u201cI\tdon\u2019t\tneed\tto\texplain\tmyself\tto\tyou.\u201d \u201cNo,\t but\t perhaps\t to\t that\t girl\u2019s\t family\u2014but\t they\u2019re\t dead,\t too,\t aren\u2019t\t they? Butchered\t and\t burned\t to\t death\t in\t their\t own\t beds.\t Funny,\t that\t you\t should\t now seek\t to\t defend\t humans\t when\t you\t were\t all\t too\t happy\t to\t offer\t them\t up\t to\t save yourself.\u201d My\tpalms\theated,\tas\tif\ttwin\tsuns\tbuilt\tand\tswirled\tbeneath\tthem.\tEasy,\tRhys purred.\tHe\u2019s\ta\tcranky\told\tbastard. But\t I\t could\t barely\t hear\t the\t words\t behind\t the\t tangle\t of\t images:\t Clare\u2019s mutilated\tbody\tnailed\tto\tthe\twall;\tthe\tcinders\tof\tthe\tBeddors\u2019\thouse\tstaining\tthe snow\tlike\twisps\tof\tshadow;\tthe\tsmile\tof\tthe\tAttor\tas\tit\thauled\tme\tthrough\tthose stone\thalls\tUnder\tthe\tMountain\u2014 \u201cAs\t my\t lady\t said,\u201d\t Rhys\t drawled,\t \u201cshe\t does\t not\t need\t to\t explain\t herself\t to you.\u201d Beron\t leaned\t back\t in\t his\t chair.\t \u201cThen\t I\t suppose\t I\t don\u2019t\t need\t to\t explain\t my motivations,\teither.\u201d Rhys\tlifted\ta\tbrow.\t\u201cYour\tstaggering\tgenerosity\taside,\twill\tyou\tbe\tjoining\tour forces?\u201d \u201cI\thave\tnot\tyet\tdecided.\u201d Eris\t went\t so\t far\t as\t to\t give\t his\t father\t a\t look\t bordering\t on\t reproach.\t From genuine\talarm\tor\tfor\twhat\tthat\trefusal\tmight\tmean\tfor\tour\town\tcovert\talliance,\tI couldn\u2019t\ttell. \u201cArmies\t take\t time\t to\t raise,\u201d\t Cassian\t said.\t \u201cYou\t don\u2019t\t have\t the\t luxury\t of sitting\ton\tyour\tass.\tYou\tneed\tto\trally\tyour\tsoldiers\tnow.\u201d","Beron\t only\t sneered.\t \u201cI\t don\u2019t\t take\t orders\t from\t the\t bastards\t of\t lesser\t fae whores.\u201d My\t heartbeat\t was\t so\t wild\t I\t could\t hear\t it\t in\t every\t corner\t of\t my\t body,\t feel\t it pounding\t in\t my\t arms,\t my\t gut.\t But\t it\t was\t nothing\t compared\t to\t the\t wrath\t on Cassian\u2019s\t face\u2014or\t the\t icy\t rage\t on\t Azriel\u2019s\t and\t Rhys\u2019s.\t And\t the\t disgust\t on Mor\u2019s. \u201cThat\tbastard,\u201d\tNesta\tsaid\twith\tutter\tcoolness,\tthough\ther\teyes\tbegan\tto\tburn, \u201cmay\twind\tup\tbeing\tthe\tonly\tperson\tstanding\tin\tthe\tway\tof\tHybern\u2019s\tforces\tand your\tpeople.\u201d She\tdidn\u2019t\tso\tmuch\tas\tlook\tat\tCassian\tas\tshe\tsaid\tit.\tBut\the\tstared\tat\ther\u2014as if\the\u2019d\tnever\tseen\ther\tbefore. This\targument\twas\tpointless.\tAnd\tI\tdidn\u2019t\tcare\twho\tthey\twere\tor\twho\tI\twas as\tI\tsaid\tto\tBeron,\t\u201cGet\tout\tif\tyou\u2019re\tnot\tgoing\tto\tbe\thelpful.\u201d At\this\tside,\tEris\thad\tthe\twits\tto\tactually\tlook\tworried.\tBut\tBeron\tcontinued\tto ignore\this\tson\u2019s\tpointed\tstare\tand\thissed\tat\tme,\t\u201cDid\tyou\tknow\tthat\twhile\tyour mate\t was\t warming\t Amarantha\u2019s\t bed,\t most\t of\t our\t people\t were\t locked\t beneath that\tmountain?\u201d I\tdidn\u2019t\tdeign\tresponding. \u201cDid\tyou\tknow\tthat\twhile\the\thad\this\thead\tbetween\ther\tlegs,\tmost\tof\tus\twere fighting\tto\tkeep\tour\tfamilies\tfrom\tbecoming\tthe\tnightly\tentertainment?\u201d I\ttried\tto\tshut\tout\tthe\timages.\tThe\tblinding\tfury\tat\twhat\thad\tbeen\tdone,\twhat he\u2019d\tdone\tto\tkeep\tAmarantha\tdistracted\u2014the\tsecrets\the\tstill\tkept\tfrom\tshame\tor disinterest\tin\tsharing,\tI\tdidn\u2019t\tknow.\tCassian\twas\tnow\ttrembling\ttwo\tseats\tdown \u2014with\trestraint.\tAnd\tRhys\tsaid\tnothing. Tarquin\tmurmured,\t\u201cThat\u2019s\tenough,\tBeron.\u201d Tarquin,\twho\thad\tguessed\tat\tRhysand\u2019s\tsacrifice,\this\tmotives. Beron\t ignored\t him.\t \u201cAnd\t now\t Rhysand\t wants\t to\t play\t hero.\t Amarantha\u2019s Whore\tbecomes\tHybern\u2019s\tDestroyer.\tBut\tif\tit\tgoes\tbadly\t\u2026\u201d\tA\tcruel,\tcold\tsmile. \u201cWill\the\tget\ton\this\tknees\tfor\tHybern?\tOr\tjust\tspread\this\u2014\u201d I\t stopped\t hearing\t the\t words.\t Stopped\t hearing\t anything\t other\t than\t my\t heart, my\tbreathing. Fire\texploded\tout\tof\tme. Raging,\twhite-hot\tflame\tthat\tblasted\tinto\tBeron\tlike\ta\tlance.","CHAPTER 46 Beron\tshielded\tbarely\tfast\tenough\tto\tblock\tme,\tbut\tthe\twake\tsinged\tEris\u2019s\tarm\u2014 right\tthrough\tthe\tcloth.\tAnd\tthe\tpale,\tlovely\tarm\tof\tLucien\u2019s\tmother. The\t others\t shouted,\t shooting\t to\t their\t feet,\t but\t I\t couldn\u2019t\t think,\t couldn\u2019t\t hear anything\t but\t Eris\u2019s\t words,\t see\t those\t moments\t Under\t the\t Mountain,\t see\t that nightmare\tof\tAmarantha\tleading\tRhys\tdown\tthe\thall,\twhat\tRhys\thad\tendured\u2014 Feyre. I\tignored\tit\tas\tI\tstood.\tAnd\tsent\ta\twave\tof\twater\tfrom\tthe\treflection\tpond\tto encircle\tBeron\tand\this\tchair.\tA\tbubble\twithout\tair. Flame\tpounded\tagainst\tit,\tturning\twater\tto\tsteam,\tbut\tI\tpushed\tharder. I\u2019d\tkill\thim.\tKill\thim\tand\tgladly\tbe\tdone\twith\tit. Feyre. I\t couldn\u2019t\t tell\t if\t Rhysand\t was\t yelling\t it,\t if\t he\t was\t murmuring\t it\t down\t the bond.\tMaybe\tboth. Beron\u2019s\tflame\tbarrier\tslammed\tinto\tmy\twater,\thard\tenough\tthat\tripples\tbegan to\tform,\tsteam\thissing\tamongst\tthem. So\t I\t bared\t my\t teeth\t and\t sent\t a\t fist\t of\t white\t light\t punching\t into\t that\t fiery shield\u2014the\twhite\tlight\tof\tDay.\tSpell-breaker.\tWard-cleaver. Beron\u2019s\teyes\twidened\tas\this\tshields\tbegan\tto\tfray.\tAs\tthat\twater\tpushed\tin. Then\thands\twere\ton\tmy\tface.\tAnd\tviolet\teyes\twere\tbefore\tmine,\tcalm\tand\tyet insistent.\t \u201cYou\u2019ve\t proved\t your\t point,\t my\t love,\u201d\t Rhys\t said.\t \u201cKill\t him,\t and horrible\tEris\twill\ttake\this\tplace.\u201d Then\tI\u2019ll\tkill\tall\tof\tthem. \u201cAs\t interesting\t an\t experiment\t as\t that\t might\t be,\u201d\t Rhys\t crooned,\t \u201cit\t would only\tcomplicate\tthe\tmatters\tat\thand.\u201d","Into\t my\t mind\t he\t whispered,\t I\t love\t you.\t The\t words\t of\t that\t hateful\t bastard don\u2019t\tmean\tanything.\tHe\thas\tnothing\tof\tjoy\tin\this\tlife.\tNothing\tgood.\tWe\tdo. I\tbegan\tto\thear\tthings\u2014the\ttrickling\twater\tof\tthe\tpool,\tthe\tcrackle\tof\tflames, the\t quick\t breathing\t of\t those\t around\t us,\t the\t cursing\t of\t Beron\t trapped\t in\t that tightening\tcocoon\tof\tlight\tand\twater. I\tlove\tyou,\tRhys\tsaid\tagain. And\tI\tlet\tgo\tof\tmy\tmagic. Beron\u2019s\t flames\t exploded\t like\t an\t unfurling\t flower\u2014and\t bounced\t harmlessly off\tthe\tshield\tRhys\thad\tthrown\taround\tus. Not\tto\tshield\tagainst\tBeron. But\tthe\tother\tHigh\tLords\twere\tnow\ton\ttheir\tfeet. \u201cThat\twas\thow\tyou\tgot\tthrough\tmy\twards,\u201d\tTarquin\tmurmured. Beron\twas\tpanting\tso\thard\the\tlooked\tlike\the\tmight\tspew\tfire. But\t Helion\t rubbed\t his\t jaw\t as\t he\t sat\t down\t once\t more.\t \u201cI\t wondered\t where\t it went\u2014that\tlittle\tbit.\tSo\tsmall\u2014like\ta\tfish\tmissing\ta\tsingle\tscale.\tBut\tI\tstill\tfelt whenever\t something\t brushed\t against\t that\t empty\t spot.\u201d\t A\t smirk\t at\t Rhys.\t \u201cNo wonder\tyou\tmade\ther\tHigh\tLady.\u201d \u201cI\tmade\ther\tHigh\tLady,\u201d\tRhys\tsaid\tsimply,\tlowering\this\thands\tfrom\tmy\tface but\t not\t leaving\t my\t side,\t \u201cbecause\t I\t love\t her.\t Her\t power\t was\t the\t last\t thing\t I considered.\u201d I\twas\tbeyond\twords,\tbeyond\tbasic\tfeelings.\tHelion\tasked\tTamlin,\t\u201cYou\tknew of\ther\tpowers?\u201d Tamlin\t was\t only\t watching\t me\t and\t Rhys,\t my\t mate\u2019s\t declaration\t hanging between\tus.\t\u201cIt\twas\tnone\tof\tyour\tbusiness,\u201d\twas\tall\tTamlin\tsaid\tto\tHelion.\tTo\tall of\tthem. \u201cThe\tpower\tbelongs\tto\tus.\tI\tthink\tit\tis,\u201d\tBeron\tseethed. Mor\tleveled\ta\tlook\tat\tBeron\tthat\twould\thave\tsent\tlesser\tmales\trunning. The\t Lady\t of\t Autumn\t was\t clutching\t her\t arm,\t angry\t red\t splattered\t along\t the moon-white\t skin.\t No\t glimmer\t of\t pain\t on\t that\t face,\t though.\t I\t said\t to\t her\t as\t I reclaimed\tmy\tseat,\t\u201cI\u2019m\tsorry.\u201d Her\teyes\tlifted\ttoward\tmine,\tround\tas\tsaucers. Beron\tspat,\t\u201cDon\u2019t\ttalk\tto\ther,\tyou\thuman\tfilth.\u201d Rhys\tshattered\tthrough\tBeron\u2019s\tshield,\this\tfire,\this\tdefenses. Shattered\t through\t them\t like\t a\t stone\t hurled\t into\t a\t window,\t and\t slammed\t his","dark\t power\t into\t Beron\t so\t hard\t he\t rocked\t back\t in\t his\t seat.\t Then\t that\t seat disintegrated\tinto\tblack,\tsparkling\tdust\tbeneath\thim. Leaving\tBeron\tto\tfall\ton\this\tass. Glittering\t ebony\t dust\t drifted\t away\t on\t a\t phantom\t wind,\t staining\t Beron\u2019s crimson\tjacket,\tclinging\tlike\tclumps\tof\tash\tto\this\tbrown\thair. \u201cDon\u2019t\t ever,\u201d\t Rhys\t said,\t hands\t sliding\t into\t his\t pockets,\t \u201cspeak\t to\t my\t mate like\tthat\tagain.\u201d Beron\tshot\tto\this\tfeet,\tnot\tbothering\tto\tbrush\toff\tthe\tdust,\tand\tdeclared\tto\tno one\tin\tparticular,\t\u201cThis\tmeeting\tis\tover.\tI\thope\tHybern\tbutchers\tyou\tall.\u201d But\tNesta\trose\tfrom\ther\tchair.\t\u201cThis\tmeeting\tis\tnot\tover.\u201d Even\tBeron\tpaused\tat\ther\ttone.\tEris\tsized\tup\tthe\tspace\tbetween\tmy\tsister\tand his\tfather. She\tstood\ttall,\ta\tpillar\tof\tsteel.\t\u201cYou\tare\tall\tthere\tis,\u201d\tshe\tsaid\tto\tBeron,\tto\tall of\tus.\t\u201cYou\tare\tall\tthat\tthere\tis\tbetween\tHybern\tand\tthe\tend\tof\teverything\tthat\tis good\t and\t decent.\u201d\t She\t settled\t her\t stare\t on\t Beron,\t unflinching\t and\t fierce.\t \u201cYou fought\tagainst\tHybern\tin\tthe\tlast\twar.\tWhy\tdo\tyou\trefuse\tto\tdo\tso\tnow?\u201d Beron\tdid\tnot\tdeign\tto\tanswer.\tBut\the\tdid\tnot\tleave.\tEris\tsubtly\tmotioned\this brothers\tto\tsit. Nesta\t marked\t the\t gesture\u2014hesitated.\t As\t if\t realizing\t she\t indeed\t held\t their complete\tattention.\tThat\tevery\tword\tmattered.\t\u201cYou\tmay\thate\tus.\tI\tdon\u2019t\tcare\tif you\tdo.\tBut\tI\tdo\tcare\tif\tyou\tlet\tinnocents\tsuffer\tand\tdie.\tAt\tleast\tstand\tfor\tthem. Your\tpeople.\tFor\tHybern\twill\tmake\tan\texample\tof\tthem.\tOf\tall\tof\tus.\u201d \u201cAnd\tyou\tknow\tthis\thow?\u201d\tBeron\tsneered. \u201cI\twent\tinto\tthe\tCauldron,\u201d\tNesta\tsaid\tflatly.\t\u201cIt\tshowed\tme\this\theart.\tHe\twill bring\tdown\tthe\twall,\tand\tbutcher\tthose\ton\teither\tside\tof\tit.\u201d Truth\tor\tlie,\tI\tcould\tnot\ttell.\tNesta\u2019s\tface\trevealed\tnothing.\tAnd\tno\tone\tdared contradict\ther. She\tlooked\tto\tKallias\tand\tViviane.\t\u201cI\tam\tsorry\tfor\tthe\tloss\tof\tthose\tchildren. The\t loss\t of\t one\t is\t abhorrent.\u201d\t She\t shook\t her\t head.\t \u201cBut\t beneath\t the\t wall,\t I witnessed\tchildren\u2014entire\tfamilies\u2014starve\tto\tdeath.\u201d\tShe\tjerked\ther\tchin\tat\tme. \u201cWere\tit\tnot\tfor\tmy\tsister\t\u2026\tI\twould\tbe\tamong\tthem.\u201d My\teyes\tburned,\tbut\tI\tblinked\tit\taway. \u201cToo\tlong,\u201d\tNesta\tsaid.\t\u201cFor\ttoo\tlong\thave\thumans\tbeneath\tthe\twall\tsuffered and\t died\t while\t you\t in\t Prythian\t thrived.\t Not\t during\t that\u2014queen\u2019s\t reign.\u201d\t She","recoiled,\tas\tif\thating\tto\teven\tspeak\tAmarantha\u2019s\tname.\t\u201cBut\tlong\tbefore.\tIf\tyou fight\t for\t anything\u2014fight\t now,\t to\t protect\t those\t you\t forgot.\t Let\t them\t know they\u2019re\tnot\tforgotten.\tJust\tthis\tonce.\u201d Thesan\tcleared\this\tthroat.\t\u201cWhile\ta\tnoble\tsentiment,\tthe\tdetails\tof\tthe\tTreaty did\tnot\tdemand\twe\tprovide\tfor\tour\thuman\tneighbors.\tThey\twere\tto\tbe\tleft\talone. So\twe\tobeyed.\u201d Nesta\tremained\tstanding.\t\u201cThe\tpast\tis\tthe\tpast.\tWhat\tI\tcare\tabout\tis\tthe\troad ahead.\t What\t I\t care\t about\t is\t making\t sure\t no\t children\u2014Fae\t or\t human\u2014are harmed.\t You\t have\t been\t entrusted\t with\t protecting\t this\t land.\u201d\t She\t scanned\t the faces\taround\ther.\t\u201cHow\tcan\tyou\tnot\tfight\tfor\tit?\u201d She\t looked\t to\t Beron\t and\t his\t family\t as\t she\t finished.\t Only\t the\t Lady\t and\t Eris seemed\t to\t be\t considering\u2014impressed,\t even,\t by\t the\t strange,\t simmering\t woman before\tthem. I\t didn\u2019t\t have\t the\t words\t in\t me\u2014to\t convey\t what\t was\t in\t my\t heart.\t Cassian seemed\tthe\tsame. Beron\tonly\tsaid,\t\u201cI\tshall\tconsider\tit.\u201d\tA\tlook\tat\this\tfamily,\tand\tthey\tvanished. Eris\twas\tthe\tlast\tto\twinnow,\tsomething\tconflicted\tdancing\tover\this\tface,\tas\tif this\twas\tnot\tthe\toutcome\the\u2019d\tplanned\tfor.\tExpected. But\tthen\the,\ttoo,\twas\tgone,\tthe\tspace\twhere\tthey\u2019d\tbeen\tempty\tsave\tfor\tthat black,\tglittering\tdust. Slowly,\t Nesta\t sat,\t her\t face\t again\t cold\u2014as\t if\t it\t were\t a\t mask\t to\t conceal whatever\traged\tin\ther\tat\tBeron\u2019s\tdisappearance. Kallias\tasked\tme\tquietly,\t\u201cDid\tyou\tmaster\tthe\tice?\u201d I\tgave\ta\tshallow\tnod.\t\u201cAll\tof\tit.\u201d Kallias\tscrubbed\tat\this\tface\tas\tViviane\tset\ta\thand\ton\this\tarm.\t\u201cDoes\tit\tmake\ta difference,\tKal?\u201d \u201cI\tdon\u2019t\tknow,\u201d\the\tadmitted. That\t fast,\t this\t alliance\t unraveled.\t That\t fast\u2014because\t of\t my\t lack\t of\t control, my\u2014 It\t either\t would\t have\t been\t this\t or\t something\t else,\t Rhys\t said\t from\t where\t he stood\tbeside\tmy\tchair,\tone\thand\ttoying\twith\tthe\tglittering\tpanels\ton\tthe\tback\tof my\t gown.\t Better\t now\t than\t later.\t Kallias\t won\u2019t\t break\u2014he\t just\t needs\t to\t sort\t it through\ton\this\town. But\t Tarquin\t said,\t \u201cYou\t saved\t us\t Under\t the\t Mountain.\t Losing\t a\t kernel\t of","power\tseems\ta\tworthy\tpayment.\u201d \u201cIt\tseems\tshe\ttook\tfar\tmore\tthan\tthat,\u201d\tHelion\targued,\t\u201cif\tshe\tcould\tbe\twithin seconds\tof\tdrowning\tBeron\tdespite\tthe\twards.\u201d\tPerhaps\tI\u2019d\tgotten\taround\tthem simply\tby\tbeing\tMade\u2014outside\tanything\tthe\twards\tknew\tto\trecognize. Helion\u2019s\tpower,\twarm\tand\tclear,\tbrushed\tagainst\tthe\tshield,\ttrawling\tthrough the\tair\tbetween\tus.\tAs\tif\ttesting\tfor\ta\ttether.\tAs\tif\tI\twere\tsome\tparasite,\tleeching power\tfrom\thim.\tAnd\the\u2019d\tgladly\tsever\tit. Thesan\tdeclared,\t\u201cWhat\u2019s\tdone\tis\tdone.\tShort\tof\tkilling\ther\u201d\u2014\tRhys\u2019s\tpower roiled\tthrough\tthe\troom\tat\tthe\twords\u2014\u201cthere\tis\tnothing\twe\tcan\tdo.\u201d It\twasn\u2019t\tentirely\tplacating,\this\ttone.\tWords\tof\tpeace,\tyet\tthe\ttone\twas\tterse. As\tif,\twere\tit\tnot\t for\tRhys\tand\this\tpower,\the\u2019d\t consider\ttying\tme\tdown\t on\tan altar\tand\tcutting\tme\topen\tto\tsee\twhere\this\tpower\twas\u2014and\thow\tto\ttake\tit\tback. I\tstood,\tlooking\tThesan\tin\tthe\teye.\tThen\tHelion.\tTarquin.\tKallias.\tExactly\tas Nesta\t had\t done.\t \u201cI\t did\t not\t take\t your\t power.\t You\t gave\t it\t to\t me,\t along\t with\t the gift\t of\t my\t immortal\t life.\t I\t am\t grateful\t for\t both.\t But\t they\t are\t mine\t now.\t And\t I will\tdo\twith\tthem\twhat\tI\twill.\u201d My\t friends\t had\t risen\t to\t their\t feet,\t now\t in\t rank\t behind\t me,\t Nesta\t at\t my\t left. Rhys\t stepped\t up\t to\t my\t right,\t but\t did\t not\t touch\t me.\t Let\t me\t stand\t on\t my\t own, stare\tthem\tall\tdown. I\t said\t quietly,\t but\t not\t weakly,\t \u201cI\t will\t use\t these\t powers\u2014my\t powers\u2014to smash\tHybern\tto\tbits.\tI\twill\tburn\tthem,\tand\tdrown\tthem,\tand\tfreeze\tthem.\tI\twill use\tthese\tpowers\tto\theal\tthe\tinjured.\tTo\tshatter\tthrough\tHybern\u2019s\twards.\tI\thave done\tso\talready,\tand\tI\twill\tdo\tso\tagain.\tAnd\tif\tyou\tthink\tthat\tmy\tpossession\tof\ta kernel\t of\t your\t magic\t is\t your\t biggest\t problem,\t then\t your\t priorities\t are\t severely out\tof\torder.\u201d Pride\t flickered\t down\t the\t bond.\t The\t High\t Lords\t and\t their\t retinues\t said nothing. But\tViviane\tnodded,\tchin\thigh,\tand\trose.\t\u201cI\twill\tfight\twith\tyou.\u201d Cresseida\tstood\ta\theartbeat\tlater.\t\u201cAs\twill\tI.\u201d Both\tof\tthem\tlooked\tto\tthe\tmales\tin\ttheir\tcourt. Tarquin\tand\tKallias\trose. Then\tHelion,\tsmirking\tat\tme\tand\tRhys. And\tfinally\tThesan\u2014Thesan\tand\tTamlin,\twho\tdid\tnot\tso\tmuch\tas\tbreathe\tin my\t direction,\t had\t barely\t moved\t or\t spoken\t these\t past\t few\t minutes.\t It\t was\t the","least\tof\tmy\tconcerns,\tso\tlong\tas\tthey\tall\twere\tstanding. Six\t out\t of\t seven.\t Rhys\t chuckled\t down\t the\t bond.\t Not\t bad,\t Cursebreaker.\t Not bad\tat\tall.","CHAPTER 47 Our\talliance\tdid\tnot\tbegin\twell. Even\t though\t we\t talked\t for\t a\t good\t two\t hours\t afterward\t \u2026\t the\t bickering,\t the back-and-forth,\tcontinued.\tWith\tTamlin\tthere,\tnone\twould\tdeclare\twhat\tnumbers they\thad,\twhat\tweapons,\twhat\tweaknesses. As\tthe\tafternoon\tslipped\tinto\tevening,\tThesan\tpushed\tback\this\tchair.\t\u201cYou\tare all\twelcome\tto\tstay\tthe\tnight\tand\tresume\tthis\tdiscussion\tin\tthe\tmorning\u2014unless you\twish\tto\treturn\tto\tyour\town\thomes\tfor\tthe\tevening.\u201d We\u2019re\tstaying,\tRhysand\tsaid.\tI\tneed\tto\ttalk\tto\tsome\tof\tthe\tothers\talone. Indeed,\tthe\tothers\tseemed\tto\thave\tsimilar\tthoughts,\tfor\tall\tdecided\tto\tstay. Even\tTamlin. We\t were\t shown\t toward\t the\t suites\t appointed\t for\t us\u2014the\t sunstone\t turning\t a deep\t gold\t in\t the\t late-afternoon\t sun.\t Tamlin\t was\t escorted\t away\t first,\t by\t Thesan himself\t and\t a\t trembling\t attendant.\t He\t had\t wisely\t chosen\t not\t to\t attack\t Rhys\t or me\t during\t the\t debating,\t though\t his\t refusal\t to\t even\t acknowledge\t us\t did\t not\t go unnoticed.\t And\t as\t he\t left,\t back\t stiff\t and\t steps\t clipped,\t he\t did\t not\t say\t a\t word. Good. Then\tTarquin\twas\tled\tout,\tthen\tHelion.\tUntil\tonly\tKallias\u2019s\tparty\tand\tour\town waited. Rhys\trose\tfrom\this\tseat\tand\tdragged\ta\thand\tthrough\this\thair.\t\u201cThat\twent\twell. It\twould\tseem\tnone\tof\tus\twon\tour\tbet\tabout\twho\u2019d\tfight\tfirst.\u201d Azriel\t stared\t at\t the\t floor,\t stone-faced.\t \u201cSorry.\u201d\t The\t word\t was\t emotionless\u2014 distant. He\t had\t not\t spoken,\t had\t barely\t moved,\t since\t his\t savage\t attack.\t It\t had\t taken Mor\tthirty\tminutes\tafter\tit\tto\tstop\tshaking.","\u201cHe\thad\tit\tcoming,\u201d\tViviane\tsaid.\t\u201cEris\tis\ta\tpiece\tof\tshit.\u201d Kallias\tturned\tto\this\tmate\twith\thigh\tbrows. \u201cWhat?\u201d\tShe\tput\ta\thand\ton\ther\tchest.\t\u201cHe\tis.\u201d \u201cBe\tthat\tas\tit\tmay,\u201d\tKallias\tsaid\twith\tcool\thumor,\t\u201cthe\tquestion\tremains\tabout whether\tBeron\twill\tfight\twith\tus.\u201d \u201cIf\t all\t the\t others\t are\t allying,\u201d\t Mor\t said\t hoarsely,\t her\t first\t words\t in\t hours, \u201cBeron\twill\tjoin.\tHe\u2019s\ttoo\tsmart\tto\trisk\tsiding\twith\tHybern\tand\tlosing.\tAnd\tI\u2019m sure\tif\tthings\tgo\tbadly,\the\u2019ll\teasily\tswitch\tover.\u201d Rhys\tnodded,\tbut\tfaced\tKallias.\t\u201cHow\tmany\ttroops\tdo\tyou\thave?\u201d \u201cNot\t enough.\t Amarantha\t did\t her\t job\t well.\u201d\t Again,\t that\t ripple\t of\t guilt\t that pulsed\t down\t the\t bond.\t \u201cWe\u2019ve\t got\t the\t army\t that\t Viv\t commanded\t and\t hid,\t but not\tmuch\telse.\tYou?\u201d Rhys\tdidn\u2019t\treveal\ta\twhisper\tof\tthe\ttension\tthat\ttightened\tin\tme,\tas\tif\tit\twere my\t own.\t \u201cWe\t have\t sizable\t forces.\t Mostly\t Illyrian\t legions.\t And\t a\t few\t thousand Darkbringers.\tBut\twe\u2019ll\tneed\tevery\tsoldier\twho\tcan\tmarch.\u201d Viviane\t walked\t to\t where\t Mor\t remained\t seated,\t still\t pale,\t and\t braced\t her hands\ton\tmy\tfriend\u2019s\tshoulders.\t\u201cI\talways\tknew\twe\u2019d\tfight\talongside\teach\tother one\tday.\u201d Mor\tdragged\ther\tbrown\teyes\tup.\tBut\tshe\tglanced\ttoward\tKallias,\twho\tseemed to\tbe\ttrying\this\tbest\tnot\tto\tappear\tworried.\tMor\tgave\tthe\tHigh\tLord\ta\tlook\tas\tif to\t say\t I\u2019ll\t take\t care\t of\t her\t before\t she\t smiled\t at\t Viviane.\t \u201cIt\u2019s\t almost\t enough\t to make\tme\tfeel\tbad\tfor\tHybern.\u201d \u201cAlmost.\u201d\tViviane\tgrinned\twickedly.\t\u201cBut\tnot\tquite.\u201d We\twere\tled\tto\ta\tsuite\tbuilt\taround\ta\tlavish\tsitting\tarea\tand\tprivate\tdining\troom. All\t of\t it\t carved\t from\t that\t sunstone,\t bedecked\t in\t jewel-toned\t fabrics,\t broad cushions\t clumped\t along\t the\t thick\t carpets,\t and\t overlooked\t by\t ornate\t golden cages\tfilled\twith\tbirds\tof\tall\tshapes\tand\tsizes.\tI\u2019d\tspied\tpeacocks\tparading\tabout the\t countless\t courtyards\t and\t gardens\t as\t we\u2019d\t walked\t through\t Thesan\u2019s\t home, some\tpreening\tin\tthe\tshade\tbeneath\tpotted\tfig\ttrees. \u201cHow\tdid\tThesan\tkeep\tAmarantha\tfrom\ttrashing\tthis\tplace?\u201d\tI\tasked\tRhys\tas we\tsurveyed\tthe\tsitting\troom\tthat\topened\tto\tthe\thazy\tsprawl\tof\tcountryside\tfar, far\tbelow.","\u201cIt\u2019s\this\tprivate\tresidence.\u201d\tRhys\tdismissed\this\twings\tand\tslumped\tonto\ta\tpile of\temerald\tcushions\tnear\tthe\tdarkened\tfireplace.\t\u201cHe\tlikely\tshielded\tit\tthe\tsame way\tKallias\tand\tI\tdid.\u201d A\t decision\t that\t would\t weigh\t heavily\t on\t them\t for\t many\t centuries,\t I\t had\t no doubt. But\tI\tlooked\tto\tAzriel,\tcurrently\tleaning\tagainst\tthe\twall\tbeside\tthe\tfloor-to- ceiling\t window,\t shadows\t fluttering\t around\t him.\t Even\t the\t birds\t in\t their\t cages nearby\tremained\tsilent. I\tsaid\tdown\tthe\tbond,\tIs\the\tall\tright? Rhys\t tucked\t his\t hands\t behind\t his\t head,\t though\t his\t mouth\t tightened.\t Likely not,\tbut\tif\twe\ttry\tto\ttalk\tto\thim\tabout\tit,\tit\u2019ll\tonly\tmake\tit\tworse. Mor\t was\t indeed\t sprawled\t on\t a\t couch\u2014one\t wary\t eye\t on\t Azriel.\t Cassian\t sat beside\ther,\tholding\ther\tfeet\tin\this\tlap.\tHe\u2019d\ttaken\tthe\tspot\tcloser\tto\tAzriel\u2014right between\tthem.\tAs\tif\the\u2019d\tleap\tinto\ttheir\tpath\tif\tneed\tbe. You\thandled\tit\tbeautifully,\tRhys\tadded.\tAll\tof\tit. Despite\tmy\texplosion? Because\tof\tyour\texplosion. I\tmet\this\tstare,\tsensing\tthe\temotions\tswirling\tbeneath\tas\tI\tclaimed\ta\tseat\tin\tan overstuffed\tchair\tnear\tmy\tmate\u2019s\tpillow-mound.\tI\tknew\tthat\tyou\twere\tpowerful. But\tI\tdidn\u2019t\trealize\tthat\tyou\thad\tsuch\tan\tadvantage\ton\tthe\tothers. Rhys\u2019s\t eyes\t shuttered,\t even\t as\t he\t gave\t me\t a\t half\t smile.\t I\u2019m\t not\t sure\t even Beron\t knew\t until\t today.\t Suspected,\t maybe,\t but\t \u2026\t He\u2019ll\t now\t be\t wishing\t he\u2019d found\ta\tway\tto\tkill\tme\tin\tthe\tcradle. A\tshiver\tskittered\tdown\tmy\tspine.\tHe\tknows\tabout\tElain\tbeing\tLucien\u2019s\tmate. He\tmakes\ta\tmove\tto\tharm\tor\ttake\ther,\tand\the\u2019s\tdead. Uncompromising\twill\tswept\tover\tthe\tstars\tin\this\teyes.\tI\u2019ll\tkill\thim\tmyself\tif\the does.\tOr\thold\thim\tlong\tenough\tfor\tyou\tto\tdo\tthe\tjob.\tI\tthink\tI\u2019d\tenjoy\twatching you. I\u2019ll\t keep\t it\t in\t mind\t for\t your\t next\t birthday.\t I\t drummed\t my\t fingers\t on\t the polished\t arm\t of\t the\t chair,\t the\t wood\t as\t smooth\t as\t glass.\t Do\t you\t really\t believe Tamlin\u2019s\tclaim\tthat\the\u2019s\tbeen\tworking\tfor\tour\tside? Yes.\tA\tbeat\tof\tsilence\tdown\tthe\tbond.\tAnd\tperhaps\twe\tdid\thim\ta\tdisservice\tby not\t even\t considering\t the\t possibility.\t Perhaps\t even\t I\t started\t to\t think\t him\t some warrior\tbrute."]
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