["Because\tseeing\tthe\tcarnage,\tthe\tfine\tline\tof\tcontrol\t\u2026\tThere\twas\tno\tplace\tfor me\ton\tthose\tfront\tlines,\twhere\tthe\tIllyrians\tfought\tby\tthe\tstrength\tof\ttheir\tsword, their\t power,\t and\t their\t trust\t in\t the\t male\t on\t either\t side\t of\t them.\t Even\t Keir\u2019s soldiers\tfought\tas\tone\u2014obedient\tand\tunfaltering,\tlashing\tout\twith\tshadows\tand steel.\tI\twould\thave\tbeen\ta\tfissure\tin\tthat\timpenetrable\tarmor\u2014and\twhat\tCassian and\tthe\tIllyrians\tunleashed\tupon\tHybern\t\u2026 Cassian\tslammed\tinto\tthat\tleft\tflank.\tSiphons\tunleashed\tbursts\tof\tpower\tthat sometimes\tbounced\toff\tshields,\tsometimes\tfound\ttheir\tmark\tand\tshredded\tflesh and\tbone. But\twhere\tHybern\u2019s\tmagic\tshields\theld\tout\t\u2026\tRhys,\tAzriel,\tand\tCassian\tsent out\tblasts\tof\ttheir\town\tpower\tto\tshatter\tthem.\tLeaving\tthem\tvulnerable\tto\tthose Siphons\u2014or\t pure\t Illyrian\t steel.\t And\t if\t that\t did\t not\t fell\t them\t \u2026\t Keir\t and\t his Darkbringers\tcleaned\tup\tthe\trest.\tPrecisely.\tCoolly. The\tfield\tbecame\ta\tblood-drenched\tmud\tpit.\tBodies\tgleamed\tin\tthe\tmorning sun,\tlight\tbouncing\toff\ttheir\tarmor.\tHybern\tpanicked\tat\tthe\tunbreakable\tIllyrian lines\tthat\tpushed\tand\tpushed\tthem\tback.\tThat\tbattered\tthem. And\tas\tthat\tleft\tflank\tbroke\tapart,\tas\tits\tnobles\tfell\tor\tturned\tand\tfled\t\u2026\tThe other\tHybern\tsoldiers\tbegan\tdescending\tinto\tpanic,\ttoo. There\t was\t one\t mounted\t commander\t who\t did\t not\t go\t easily.\t Who\t didn\u2019t\t turn his\thorse\ttoward\tthat\triver\tbehind\tthem\tto\tflee. Cassian\tselected\thim\tas\this\topponent. Mor\t gripped\t my\t hand\t tight\t enough\t to\t hurt\t as\t Cassian\t stepped\t out\t of\t that impenetrable\t front\t line\t of\t shields\t and\t swords,\t the\t soldiers\t around\t him immediately\t closing\t the\t gap.\t Mud\t and\t blood\t splattered\t Cassian\u2019s\t dark\t helmet, his\tarmor. He\t ditched\t his\t tall\t shield\t for\t a\t round\t one\t strapped\t across\t his\t back,\t crafted from\tthe\tsame\tebony\tmetal. And\tthen\the\tlaunched\tinto\ta\trun. I\t could\t have\t sworn\t even\t Rhys\t paused\t on\t the\t other\t end\t of\t the\t battlefield\t to watch\t as\t Cassian\t cut\t his\t way\t through\t those\t enemy\t soldiers,\t aiming\t for\t the mounted\t Hybern\t commander.\t Who\t realized\t what\t and\t who\t was\t coming\t for\t him and\tstarted\tto\tsearch\tfor\ta\tbetter\tweapon. Cassian\t had\t been\t born\t for\t this\u2014these\t fields,\t this\t chaos\t and\t brutality\t and calculation.","He\t didn\u2019t\t stop\t moving,\t seemed\t to\t know\t where\t every\t opponent\t fought\t both ahead\t and\t behind,\t seemed\t to\t breathe\t in\t the\t flow\t of\t the\t battle\t around\t him.\t He even\t let\t his\t Siphons\u2019\t shield\t drop\u2014to\t get\t close,\t to\t feel\t the\t impact\t of\t the\t arrows that\t he\t took\t in\t that\t ebony\t shield.\t If\t he\t slammed\t that\t shield\t into\t a\t soldier,\t his other\tarm\twas\talready\tswinging\this\tsword\tat\tthe\tnext\topponent. I\u2019d\tnever\tseen\tanything\tlike\tit\u2014the\tskill\tand\tprecision.\tIt\twas\tlike\ta\tdance. I\tmust\thave\tsaid\tit\taloud\tbecause\tMor\treplied,\t\u201cFor\thim,\tthat\u2019s\twhat\tbattle\tis. A\tsymphony.\u201d Her\teyes\tdid\tnot\tstray\tfrom\tCassian\u2019s\tdeath-dance. Three\tsoldiers\twere\tbrave\tor\tstupid\tenough\tto\ttry\tto\tcharge\thim.\tCassian\thad them\tdown\tand\tdying\twith\tfour\tmaneuvers. \u201cHoly\tMother,\u201d\tI\tbreathed. That\twas\twho\thad\tbeen\ttraining\tme.\tWhy\tFae\ttrembled\tat\this\tname. Why\t the\t high-born\t Illyrian\t warriors\t had\t been\t jealous\t enough\t to\t want\t him dead. But\tthere\tCassian\twas,\tno\tone\tbetween\thim\tand\tthe\tcommander. The\tcommander\thad\tfound\ta\tdiscarded\tspear.\tHe\tthrew\tit. Fast\tand\tsure,\tI\tskipped\ta\theartbeat\tas\tit\tspiraled\tfor\tCassian. His\tknees\tbent,\twings\ttucked\tin\ttight,\tshield\ttwisting\u2014 He\t took\t the\t spear\t in\t the\t shield\t with\t an\t impact\t I\t could\t have\t sworn\t I\t heard, then\tsliced\toff\tthe\tshaft\tand\tkept\trunning. Within\t a\t heartbeat,\t Cassian\t had\t sheathed\t both\t shield\t and\t sword\t across\t his back. And\tI\twould\thave\tasked\twhy\tbut\the\u2019d\talready\tpicked\tup\tanother\tfallen\tspear. Already\t hurled\t it,\t his\t entire\t body\t going\t into\t the\t throw,\t the\t movement\t so perfect\tthat\tI\tknew\tI\u2019d\tone\tday\tpaint\tit. Both\tarmies\tseemed\tto\tstop\tat\tthe\tthrow. Even\twith\tthe\tdistance,\tCassian\u2019s\tspear\thit\thome. It\t went\t right\t through\t the\t commander\u2019s\t chest,\t so\t hard\t it\t knocked\t the\t male clean\toff\this\thorse. By\tthe\ttime\the\twas\tdone\tfalling,\tCassian\twas\tthere. His\tsword\tcaught\tthe\tsunlight\tas\tit\tlifted\tand\tplunged\tdown. Cassian\thad\tpicked\this\tmark\twell.\tHybern\tfled\tnow.\tOutright\tturned\tand\tfled for\tthe\triver.","But\tHybern\tfound\tTarquin\u2019s\tarmy\twaiting\ton\tits\topposite\tbank,\texactly\twhere Cassian\thad\tordered\tit\tto\tappear. Trapped\t with\t the\t Illyrians\t and\t Keir\u2019s\t Darkbringers\t at\t their\t backs\t and Tarquin\u2019s\ttwo\tthousand\tsoldiers\ton\tthe\tother\tside\tof\tthe\tnarrow\triver\t\u2026 It\twas\tharder\tto\twatch\u2014that\tslaughter. Mor\tsaid\tto\tme,\t\u201cIt\u2019s\tover.\u201d The\tsun\twas\thigh\tin\tthe\tsky,\theat\trising\twith\tevery\tminute. \u201cYou\tdon\u2019t\tneed\tto\tsee\tthis,\u201d\tshe\tadded. Because\tsome\tof\tthe\tHybern\tsoldiers\twere\tsurrendering.\tOn\ttheir\tknees. As\tit\twas\tTarquin\u2019s\tterritory,\tRhys\tyielded\tthe\tdecision\tabout\twhat\tto\tdo\twith prisoners. From\t the\t distance,\t I\t picked\t out\t Tarquin\t from\t his\t armor\u2014more\t ornate\t than Rhysand\u2019s,\t but\t still\t brutal.\t Fish\t fins\t and\t scales\t seemed\t to\t be\t the\t motif,\t and\t his azure\tcloak\tflowed\tthrough\tthe\tmud\tbehind\thim\tas\the\tstepped\tover\tfallen\tbodies to\tget\tto\tthe\tfew\thundred\tsurviving\tenemy. Tarquin\tstared\tat\twhere\tthe\tenemy\thad\tknelt,\this\thelmet\tmasking\this\tfeatures. Nearby,\t Rhys,\t Cassian,\t and\t Azriel\t monitored,\t speaking\t to\t Keir\t and\t the Illyrian\t captains.\t I\t did\t not\t see\t many\t wings\t amongst\t the\t fallen\t on\t the\t field.\t A mercy. The\tonly\tmercy,\tit\tseemed,\tas\tTarquin\tmade\ta\tmotion\twith\this\thand. Some\t of\t the\t Hybern\t soldiers\t began\t screaming\t for\t clemency,\t their\t offers\t to sell\tinformation\tringing\tout,\teven\tto\tus. Tarquin\tpointed\tat\ta\tfew\tof\tthem,\tand\tthey\twere\thauled\taway\tby\this\tsoldiers. To\tbe\tquestioned.\tAnd\tI\tdoubted\tit\twould\tbe\tpleasant. But\tthe\tothers\t\u2026 Tarquin\tstretched\tout\this\thand\ttoward\tthem. It\ttook\tme\ta\theartbeat\tto\trealize\twhy\tthe\tHybern\tsoldiers\twere\tthrashing\tand clawing\t at\t themselves,\t some\t trying\t to\t crawl\t away.\t But\t then\t one\t of\t them collapsed,\t and\t sunlight\t caught\t on\t his\t face.\t And\t even\t with\t the\t distance,\t I\t could tell\u2014could\ttell\tit\twas\twater\tnow\tbubbling\tout\tof\this\tlips. Out\tthe\tlips\tof\tall\tthe\tHybern\tsoldiers\tas\tTarquin\tdrowned\tthem\ton\tdry\tland. I\tdidn\u2019t\t see\tRhys\tor\t the\tothers\tfor\thours\u2014not\t when\the\tgave\tthe\t order\tthat\tthe","Illyrian\t war-camp\t was\t to\t be\t moved\t from\t the\t border\t of\t the\t Winter\t Court\t and rebuilt\t at\t the\t edge\t of\t the\t battlefield.\t So\t Mor\t and\t I\t winnowed\t to\t and\t from\t the camps\t as\t the\t exodus\t began.\t We\t brought\t my\t sisters\t last,\t waiting\t until\t many\t of the\t bodies\t had\t been\t turned\t to\t black\t dust\t by\t Rhysand.\t The\t blood\t and\t mud remained,\tbut\tthe\tcamp\tmaintained\ttoo\tgood\ta\tposition\tto\tyield\u2014or\twaste\ttime finding\tanother\tone. Elain\tdidn\u2019t\tseem\tto\tcare.\tDidn\u2019t\tseem\tto\teven\tnotice\tthat\twe\twinnowed\ther. She\tjust\twent\tfrom\ther\ttent\tto\tMor\u2019s\tarms,\tthen\tinto\tthe\tsame\ttent\trebuilt\tin\tthe new\tcamp. Nesta,\thowever\t\u2026\tI\ttold\ther\tupon\tarriving\tthat\teveryone\twas\tfine.\tBut\twhen we\twinnowed\tto\tthe\tbattlefield\t\u2026\tShe\tstared\tat\tthat\tbloody,\tmuddy\tplain.\tAt\tthe weapons\tsoldiers\tof\tboth\tcourts\twere\tplundering\tfrom\tthe\tfallen\tenemy. Nesta\tlistened\tto\tthe\tlow-level\tIllyrian\tsoldiers\twhispering\tabout\thow\tCassian had\tthrown\tthat\tspear,\thow\the\u2019d\tcut\tdown\tsoldiers\tlike\tstalks\tof\twheat,\thow\the\u2019d fought\tlike\tEnalius\u2014their\tmost\tancient\twarrior-god\tand\tthe\tfirst\tof\tthe\tIllyrians. It\t had\t been\t a\t while,\t it\t seemed,\t since\t they\t had\t seen\t Cassian\t in\t open\t battle. Since\tthey\u2019d\trealized\tthat\the\u2019d\tbeen\tyoung\tin\tthe\tWar,\tand\tnow\t\u2026\tthe\tlooks\tthey gave\t Cassian\t as\t he\t passed\t \u2026\t they\t were\t the\t same\t as\t those\t the\t High\t Lords\t had given\tRhys\tupon\tseeing\this\tpower.\tLike\tthem,\tand\tyet\tOther. Nesta\twatched,\tand\tlistened\tto\tit\tall,\twhile\tthe\tcamp\twas\tbuilt\taround\tus. She\t did\t not\t ask\t where\t the\t bodies\t had\t gone\t before\t her\t arrival.\t She\t wholly ignored\t the\t camp\t Keir\t and\t his\t Darkbringers\t built\t beside\t ours\u2014the\t ebony- armored\tsoldiers\twho\tsneered\tat\ther,\tat\tme,\tat\tthe\tIllyrians.\tNo,\tNesta\tonly\tmade sure\t that\t Elain\t was\t dozing\t in\t her\t tent,\t and\t then\t offered\t to\t help\t cut\t up\t linen\t for bandages. We\twere\tdoing\tjust\tthat\taround\tthe\tearly-evening\tfire\twhen\tRhys\tand\tCassian approached,\tstill\tin\ttheir\tarmor,\tAzriel\tnowhere\tto\tbe\tfound. Rhys\t took\t a\t seat\t on\t the\t log\t I\t was\t perched\t atop\t of,\t armor\t thudding,\t and silently\tpressed\ta\tkiss\tto\tmy\ttemple.\tHe\treeked\tof\tmetal\tand\tblood\tand\tsweat. His\thelmet\tclunked\ton\tthe\tground\tat\tour\tfeet.\tI\tsilently\thanded\thim\ta\tpitcher of\twater,\tand\tmade\tto\tgrab\ta\tglass\twhen\tRhys\tjust\tlifted\tthe\tpewter\tcontainer\tand drank\t right\t from\t it.\t It\t sloshed\t over\t the\t sides,\t water\t pinging\t against\t the\t black metal\tcoating\this\tthighs,\tand\twhen\the\tat\tlast\tset\tit\tdown,\the\tlooked\t\u2026\ttired.\tIn his\teyes,\tRhys\tseemed\tweary.","But\t Nesta\t had\t jolted\t to\t her\t feet,\t staring\t at\t Cassian,\t at\t the\t helmet\t he\t had tucked\tinto\tthe\tcrook\tof\this\tarm,\tthe\tweapons\tstill\tpoking\tabove\this\tshoulder,\tin need\t of\t cleaning.\t His\t dark\t hair\t hung\t limp\t with\t sweat,\t his\t face\t was\t mud- splattered\twhere\teven\tthe\thelmet\thad\tnot\tkept\tit\tout. But\t she\t surveyed\t his\t seven\t Siphons,\t the\t dim\t red\t stones.\t And\t then\t she\t said, \u201cYou\u2019re\thurt.\u201d Rhys\tsnapped\tto\tattention\tat\tthat. Cassian\u2019s\t face\t was\t grim\u2014his\t eyes\t glassy.\t \u201cIt\u2019s\t fine.\u201d\t Even\t the\t words\t were laced\twith\texhaustion. But\tshe\treached\tfor\this\tarm\u2014his\tshield\tarm. Cassian\t seemed\t to\t hesitate,\t but\t offered\t it\t to\t her,\t tapping\t the\t Siphon\t atop\t his palm.\tThe\tarmor\tslid\tback\ta\tfraction\tover\this\tforearm,\trevealing\u2014 \u201cYou\tknow\tbetter\tthan\tto\twalk\taround\twith\tan\tinjury,\u201d\tRhys\tsaid\ta\tbit\ttensely. \u201cI\t was\t busy,\u201d\t Cassian\t said,\t not\t taking\t his\t focus\t off\t Nesta\t as\t she\t studied\t the swollen\twrist.\tHow\tshe\u2019d\tdetected\tit\tthrough\tthe\tarmor\t\u2026\tShe\tmust\thave\tread\tit in\this\teyes,\this\tstance. I\t hadn\u2019t\t realized\t she\u2019d\t been\t observing\t the\t Illyrian\t general\t enough\t to\t notice his\ttells. \u201cAnd\tit\u2019ll\tbe\tfixed\tby\tmorning,\u201d\tCassian\tadded,\tdaring\tRhys\tto\tsay\totherwise. But\t Nesta\u2019s\t pale\t fingers\t gently\t probed\t his\t golden-brown\t skin,\t and\t he\t hissed through\this\tteeth. \u201cHow\tdo\tI\tfix\tit?\u201d\tshe\tasked.\tHer\thair\thad\tbeen\ttied\tin\ta\tloose\tknot\tatop\ther head\tearlier\tin\tthe\tday,\tand\tin\tthe\thours\tthat\twe\u2019d\tworked\tto\tready\tand\tdistribute supplies\t to\t the\t healers,\t through\t the\t heat\t and\t humidity,\t stray\t tendrils\t had\t come free\tto\tcurl\tabout\ther\ttemple,\ther\tnape.\tFaint\tcolor\thad\tstained\ther\tcheeks\tfrom the\tsun,\tand\ther\tforearms,\tbare\tbeneath\tthe\tsleeves\tshe\u2019d\trolled\tup,\twere\tflecked with\tmud. Cassian\t slowly\t sat\t on\t the\t log\t where\t she\u2019d\t been\t perched\t a\t moment\t before, groaning\tsoftly\u2014as\tif\teven\tthat\tmovement\ttaxed\thim.\t\u201cIcing\tit\tusually\thelps,\tbut wrapping\tit\twill\tjust\tlock\tit\tin\tplace\tlong\tenough\tfor\tthe\tsprain\tto\trepair\titself\u2014\u201d She\t reached\t for\t the\t basket\t of\t bandages\t she\u2019d\t been\t preparing,\t then\t for\t the pitcher\tat\ther\tfeet. I\t was\t too\t tired\t to\t do\t anything\t other\t than\t watch\t as\t she\t washed\t his\t wrist,\t his hand,\ther\town\tfingers\tgentle.\tToo\ttired\tto\task\tif\tshe\tpossessed\tthe\tmagic\tto\theal","it\t herself.\t Cassian\t seemed\t too\t weary\t to\t speak\t as\t well\t while\t she\t wrapped bandages\t around\t his\t wrist,\t only\t grunting\t to\t confirm\t if\t it\t was\t too\t tight\t or\t too loose,\t if\t it\t helped\t at\t all.\t But\t he\t watched\t her\u2014didn\u2019t\t take\t his\t eyes\t off\t her\t face, the\tbrows\tbunched\tand\tlips\tpursed\tin\tconcentration. And\twhen\tshe\u2019d\ttied\tit\tneatly,\this\twrist\twrapped\tin\twhite,\twhen\tNesta\tmade to\tpull\tback,\tCassian\tgripped\ther\tfingers\tin\this\tgood\thand.\tShe\tlifted\ther\tgaze\tto his.\t\u201cThank\tyou,\u201d\the\tsaid\thoarsely. Nesta\tdid\tnot\tyank\ther\thand\taway. Did\tnot\topen\ther\tmouth\tfor\tsome\tbarbed\tretort. She\tonly\tstared\tand\tstared\tat\thim,\tat\tthe\tbreadth\tof\this\tshoulders,\teven\tmore powerful\t in\t that\t beautiful\t black\t armor,\t at\t the\t strong\t column\t of\t his\t tan\t neck above\tit,\this\twings.\tAnd\tthen\tat\this\thazel\teyes,\tstill\triveted\tto\ther\tface. Cassian\tbrushed\ta\tthumb\tdown\tthe\tback\tof\ther\thand. Nesta\topened\ther\tmouth\tat\tlast,\tand\tI\tbraced\tmyself\u2014 \u201cYou\u2019re\thurt?\u201d At\t the\t sound\t of\t Mor\u2019s\t voice,\t Cassian\t snatched\t his\t hand\t back\t and\t pivoted toward\tMor\twith\ta\tlazy\tsmile.\t\u201cNothing\tfor\tyou\tto\tcry\tover,\tdon\u2019t\tworry.\u201d Nesta\t dragged\t her\t stare\t from\t his\t face\u2014down\t to\t her\t now-empty\t hand,\t her fingers\t still\t curled\t as\t if\t his\t palm\t lay\t there.\t Cassian\t didn\u2019t\t look\t at\t Nesta\t as\t she rose,\tsnatching\tup\tthe\tpitcher,\tand\tmuttered\tsomething\tabout\tgetting\tmore\twater from\tinside\tthe\ttent. Cassian\tand\tMor\tfell\tinto\ttheir\tbanter,\tlaughing\tand\ttaunting\teach\tother\tabout the\tbattle\tand\tthe\tones\tahead. Nesta\tdidn\u2019t\tcome\tback\tout\tagain\tfor\tsome\ttime. I\thelped\twith\tthe\twounded\tlong\tinto\tthe\tnight,\tMor\tand\tNesta\tworking\talongside me. A\t long\t day\t for\t all\t of\t us,\t yes,\t but\t the\t others\t \u2026\t They\t had\t fought\t for\t hours. From\t the\t tight\t angle\t of\t Mor\u2019s\t jaw\t as\t she\t tended\t to\t injured\t Darkbringers\t and Illyrians\talike,\tI\tknew\tthe\tvarious\trecountings\tof\tthe\tbattle\twore\ton\ther\u2014not\tfor the\t tales\t of\t glory\t and\t gore,\t but\t for\t the\t sole\t fact\t that\t she\t had\t not\t been\t there\t to fight\tbeside\tthem. But\t between\t the\t Darkbringer\t forces\t and\t the\t Illyrians\t \u2026\t I\t wondered\t where","she\u2019d\t fight.\t Whom\t she\u2019d\t command\t or\t answer\t to.\t Definitely\t not\t Keir,\t but\t \u2026\t I was\t still\t chewing\t it\t over\t when\t I\t at\t last\t slipped\t between\t the\t warm\t sheets\t of\t my bed\tand\tcurled\tmy\tbody\tinto\tRhys\u2019s. His\t arm\t instantly\t slid\t over\t my\t waist,\t tugging\t me\t in\t closer.\t \u201cYou\t smell\t like blood,\u201d\the\tmurmured\tinto\tthe\tdimness. \u201cSorry,\u201d\t I\t said.\t I\u2019d\t washed\t my\t hands\t and\t forearms\t before\t sliding\t into\t bed, but\ta\tfull\tbath\t\u2026\tI\thad\tbarely\tmanaged\tthe\twalk\tthrough\tthe\tcamp\tmoments\tago. He\tstroked\ta\thand\tover\tmy\twaist,\tdown\tto\tmy\thip.\t\u201cYou\tmust\tbe\texhausted.\u201d \u201cAnd\tyou\t should\t be\t sleeping,\u201d\t I\t chided,\t shifting\t closer,\t letting\t his\t warmth and\tscent\twrap\taround\tme. \u201cCan\u2019t,\u201d\the\tadmitted,\this\tlips\tbrushing\tover\tmy\ttemple. \u201cWhy?\u201d His\thand\tdrifted\tto\tmy\tback,\tand\tI\tarched\tinto\tthe\tlong,\ttrailing\tstrokes\talong my\tspine.\t\u201cIt\ttakes\ta\twhile\u2014to\tsettle\tmyself\tafter\tbattle.\u201d\tIt\thad\tbeen\thours\tand hours\tsince\tthe\tfighting\thad\tceased.\tRhys\u2019s\tlips\tbegan\ta\tjourney\tfrom\tmy\ttemple down\tmy\tjaw. And\teven\twith\tthe\tweight\tof\texhaustion\tpressing\ton\tme,\tas\this\tmouth\tgrazed over\tmy\tchin,\tas\the\tnipped\tat\tmy\tbottom\tlip\t\u2026\tI\tknew\twhat\the\twas\tasking. Rhys\tsucked\tin\ta\tbreath\tas\tI\ttraced\tthe\tcontours\tof\this\tmuscled\tstomach,\tas\tI marveled\tat\tthe\tsoftness\tof\this\tskin,\tthe\tstrength\tof\tthe\tbody\tbeneath\tit. He\tpressed\ta\tfeatherlight\tkiss\tto\tmy\tlips.\t\u201cIf\tyou\u2019re\ttoo\ttired,\u201d\the\tbegan,\teven as\t he\t went\t wholly\t still\t while\t my\t fingers\t continued\t their\t journey,\t past\t the sculpted\tmuscles\tof\this\tabdomen. I\tanswered\thim\twith\ta\tkiss\tof\tmy\town.\tAnother.\tUntil\this\ttongue\tslid\tover\tthe seam\tof\tmy\tlips\tand\tI\topened\tfor\thim. Our\tjoining\twas\tfast,\tand\thard,\tand\tI\twas\tclawing\tat\this\tback\tbefore\tthe\tend shattered\tthrough\tboth\tof\tus,\tdragging\tmy\thands\tover\this\twings. For\t long\t minutes\t afterward,\t we\t remained\t there,\t my\t legs\t thrown\t over\t his shoulders,\tthe\trise\tand\tfall\tof\this\tchest\tpushing\tinto\tmine\tin\ta\tlingering\techo\tof our\tbodies\u2019\tmovements. Then\the\twithdrew,\tgently\tlowering\tmy\tlegs\tfrom\this\tshoulders.\tHe\tkissed\tthe inside\tof\teach\tof\tmy\tknees\tas\the\tdid\tso,\tsetting\tthem\ton\teither\tside\tof\thim\tas\the rose\tup\tto\tkneel\tbefore\tme. The\t tattoos\t on\t his\t knees\t were\t nearly\t obscured\t by\t the\t rumpled\t sheets,\t the","design\tstretched\twith\tthe\tposition.\tBut\tI\ttraced\tmy\tfingers\tover\tthe\ttops\tof\tthose mountains,\tthe\tthree\tstars\tinked\tatop\tthem,\tas\the\tremained\tkneeling\tbetween\tmy legs,\tgazing\tdown\tat\tme. \u201cI\tthought\tabout\tyou\tevery\tmoment\tI\twas\ton\tthat\tbattlefield,\u201d\the\tsaid\tsoftly. \u201cIt\tfocused\tme,\tcentered\tme\u2014let\tme\tget\tthrough\tit.\u201d I\tstroked\tthose\ttattoos\ton\this\tknees\tagain.\t\u201cI\u2019m\tglad.\tI\tthink\t\u2026\tI\tthink\tsome part\tof\tme\twas\tdown\tthere\ton\tthat\tbattlefield\twith\tyou,\ttoo.\u201d\tI\tglanced\tto\this\tsuit of\t armor,\t cleaned\t and\t displayed\t on\t a\t dummy\t near\t the\t small\t dressing\t area.\t His winged\thelmet\tshone\tlike\ta\tdark\tstar\tin\tthe\tdimness.\t\u201cSeeing\tthat\tbattle\ttoday\t\u2026 It\t felt\t different\t from\t the\t one\t in\t Adriata.\u201d\t Rhys\t only\t listened,\t those\t star-flecked eyes\t patient.\t \u201cIn\t Adriata,\t I\t didn\u2019t\t \u2026\u201d\t I\t struggled\t for\t the\t words.\t \u201cThe\t chaos\t of the\tbattle\tin\tAdriata\twas\teasier,\tsomehow.\tNot\teasy,\tI\tmean\u2014\u201d \u201cI\tknow\twhat\tyou\tmeant.\u201d I\tsighed,\tsitting\tup\tso\tthat\twe\twere\tknee-to-knee\tand\tface-to-face.\t\u201cWhat\tI\u2019m trying\tand\tfailing\tmiserably\tto\texplain\tis\tthat\tattacks\tlike\tthe\tone\tin\tAdriata,\tin Velaris\t\u2026\tI\tcan\tfight\tin\tthose.\tThere\tare\tpeople\tto\tdefend,\tand\tthe\tdisorder\tof\tit \u2026\t I\t can\u2014I\u2019ll\t gladly\t fight\t in\t those\t battles.\t But\t what\t I\t saw\t today,\t that\t sort\t of warfare\t \u2026\u201d\t I\t swallowed.\t \u201cWill\t you\t be\t ashamed\t of\t me\t if\t I\t admit\t that\t I\u2019m\t not sure\t if\t I\u2019m\t ready\t for\t that\t sort\t of\t battling?\u201d\t Line\t against\t line,\t swinging\t and stabbing\t until\t I\t didn\u2019t\t know\t up\t from\t down,\t until\t mud\t and\t gore\t blurred\t the\t line between\t enemy\t and\t foe,\t relying\t as\t much\t upon\t the\t warriors\t beside\t me\t as\t my own\t skill\t set.\t And\t the\t closeness\t of\t it,\t the\t sounds\t and\t sheer\t scale\t of\t the bloodbath\t\u2026 He\t took\t my\t face\t in\t his\t hands,\t kissing\t me\t once.\t \u201cNever.\t I\t can\t never\t be ashamed\t of\t you.\t Certainly\t not\t over\t this.\u201d\t He\t kept\t his\t mouth\t close\t to\t mine, sharing\tbreath.\t\u201cToday\u2019s\tbattle\twas\tdifferent\tfrom\tAdriata,\tand\tVelaris.\tIf\twe\thad more\ttime\tto\ttrain\tyou\twith\ta\tunit,\tyou\tcould\teasily\tfight\tamongst\tthe\tlines\tand hold\t your\t own.\t But\t only\t if\t you\t wanted\t to.\t And\t for\t now,\t these\t initial\t battles\t \u2026 Being\t down\t in\t that\t slaughterhouse\t is\t not\t something\t I\u2019d\t wish\t upon\t you.\u201d\t He kissed\t me\t again.\t \u201cWe\t are\t a\t pair,\u201d\t he\t said\t against\t my\t lips.\t \u201cIf\t you\t ever\t wish\t to fight\tby\tmy\tside,\tit\twill\tbe\tmy\thonor.\u201d I\tpulled\tmy\thead\tback,\tfrowning\tat\thim.\t\u201cI\tfeel\tlike\ta\tcoward\tnow.\u201d He\tstroked\ta\tthumb\tover\tmy\tcheek.\t\u201cNo\tone\twould\tever\tthink\tthat\tof\tyou\u2014 not\t with\t all\t you\t have\t done,\t Feyre.\u201d\t A\t pause.\t \u201cWar\t is\t ugly,\t and\t messy,\t and","unforgiving.\t The\t soldiers\t doing\t the\t fighting\t are\t only\t a\t fraction\t of\t it.\t Don\u2019t underestimate\thow\tfar\t it\tgoes\tfor\tthem\tto\tsee\tyou\there\u2014to\tsee\tyou\ttending\tto the\twounded\tand\tparticipating\tin\tthese\tmeetings\tand\tcouncils.\u201d I\tconsidered,\tletting\tmy\tfingers\tdrift\tacross\tthe\tIllyrian\ttattoos\tover\this\tchest and\tshoulders. And\t perhaps\t it\t was\t the\t afterglow\t of\t our\t joining,\t perhaps\t it\t was\t the\t battle today,\tbut\t\u2026\tI\tbelieved\thim. Tarquin\u2019s\tarmy\tdidn\u2019t\tblend\tinto\tours\tas\tKeir\u2019s\tdid,\tbut\trather\tcamped\tbeside\tit. Azriel\t led\t team\t after\t team\t of\t scouts\t to\t find\t the\t rest\t of\t Hybern\u2019s\t host,\t discover their\tnext\tmovement\t\u2026\tBut\tnothing. I\t wondered\t if\t Tamlin\t was\t with\t them\u2014if\t he\u2019d\t whispered\t to\t Hybern everything\t that\t had\t been\t discussed\t in\t that\t meeting.\t The\t weaknesses\t between courts.\tI\tdidn\u2019t\tdare\task\tanyone. But\tI\tdid\tdare\tto\tquestion\tNesta\tabout\twhether\tshe\tfelt\tthe\tCauldron\u2019s\tpower stirring.\tMercifully,\tshe\treported\tfeeling\tnothing\tamiss.\tEven\tso\t\u2026\tI\tknew\tRhys was\t frequently\t checking\t with\t Amren\t in\t Velaris\u2014asking\t if\t she\t had\t made\t any discoveries\twith\tthe\tBook. And\t even\t if\t she\t found\t some\t alternative\t way\t to\t stop\t that\t Cauldron\t \u2026\t We needed\tto\tknow\twhere\tthe\tking\twas\thiding\tthe\trest\tof\this\tarmy\tfirst.\tAnd\tnot\tso we\tcould\tface\tit\u2014not\talone.\tNo,\tso\twe\tcould\tbring\tothers\tto\tfinish\tthe\tjob. But\tonly\tonce\twe\tknew\twhere\tthe\trest\tof\tHybern\u2019s\tarmy\twas\u2014where\tI\twas\tto unleash\t Bryaxis.\t It\t would\t do\t no\t good\t to\t have\t Hybern\t learn\t of\t Bryaxis\u2019s existence\tand\tadjust\tits\tplans.\tNo,\tonly\twhen\tthat\tfull\tarmy\twas\tupon\tus\t\u2026\tOnly then\twould\tI\tset\tit\tupon\tthem. The\t first\t three\t days\t after\t the\t battle,\t the\t armies\t healed\t their\t wounded\t and rested.\t By\t the\t fourth,\t Cassian\t ordered\t them\t to\t do\t menial\t tasks\t to\t stave\t off\t any restlessness\t and\t chances\t for\t dangerous\t grumbling.\t His\t first\t order:\t dig\t a\t trench around\tthe\tentire\tcamp. But\tthe\tfifth\tday,\tthe\ttrench\thalfway\tfinished\t\u2026\tAzriel\tappeared,\tpanting,\tin the\tmiddle\tof\tour\twar-tent. Hybern\t had\t somehow\t skirted\t us\t entirely,\t and\t sent\t a\t force\t marching\t up\t the seam\t between\t the\t Autumn\t and\t Summer\t Courts.\t Heading\t for\t the\t Winter\t Court","border. We\t couldn\u2019t\t glean\t a\t reason\t why.\t Azriel\t hadn\u2019t\t discovered\t one,\t either.\t They were\t half\t a\t day\u2019s\t flight\t from\t us.\t He\u2019d\t already\t sent\t warnings\t to\t Kallias\t and Viviane. Rhys,\t Tarquin,\t and\t the\t others\t debated\t for\t hours,\t weighing\t the\t possibilities. Abandon\t this\t spot\t by\t the\t border,\t and\t we\t could\t be\t playing\t into\t Hybern\u2019s\t plans. But\tleave\tthat\tnorthward\tarmy\tunattended\tand\tit\tcould\tkeep\tgoing\tnorth\tas\tfar\tas it\t pleased.\t We\t could\t not\t afford\t to\t split\t our\t own\t army\t in\t two\u2014there\t weren\u2019t enough\tsoldiers\tto\tspare. Until\tVarian\tcame\tup\twith\tan\tidea. He\tdismissed\tall\tthe\tcaptains\tand\tgenerals,\tKeir\tand\tDevlon\tlooking\tnone\ttoo pleased\t at\t the\t order\t as\t they\t stormed\t out,\t dismissed\t everyone\t but\t his\t sister, Tarquin,\tand\tmy\town\tfamily. \u201cWe\tmarch\tnorth\u2014and\twe\tstay.\u201d Rhys\tlifted\ta\tbrow.\tCassian\tfrowned. But\t Varian\t jabbed\t a\t finger\t on\t the\t map\t spread\t on\t the\t table\t we\u2019d\t gathered around.\t\u201cSpin\ta\tglamour\u2014a\tgood\tone.\tSo\tthat\tif\tanyone\twalks\tby\there,\tthey\tsee and\t hear\t and\t smell\t an\t army.\t Put\t whatever\t spells\t in\t place\t to\t repel\t them\t from actually\tcoming\tup\tto\tit.\tBut\tlet\tHybern\u2019s\teyes\treport\tthat\twe\tare\tstill\there.\tThat we\tchoose\tto\tstay\there.\u201d \u201cWhile\twe\tmarch\tnorth\tunder\ta\tsight\tshield,\u201d\tCassian\tmurmured,\trubbing\this jaw.\t \u201cIt\t could\t work.\u201d\t He\t added\t with\t a\t grin\t to\t Varian,\t \u201cYou\t ever\t get\t sick\t of\t all that\tsunshine,\tyou\tcan\tcome\tplay\twith\tus\tin\tVelaris.\u201d Though\tVarian\tfrowned,\tsomething\tglinted\tin\this\teye. But\tTarquin\tsaid\tto\tRhys,\t\u201cYou\tcould\tmake\tsuch\ta\tdeception?\u201d Rhys\tnodded\tand\twinked\tat\tme.\t\u201cWith\tassistance\tfrom\tmy\tmate.\u201d I\tprayed\tthat\tI\u2019d\trested\tenough\tas\tthey\tall\tlooked\tto\tme. I\twas\tnearly\tdrained\tby\tthe\ttime\tRhys\tand\tI\twere\tfinished\tthat\tnight.\tI\tfollowed his\t instructions,\t marking\t faces\t and\t details,\t willing\t that\t shape-shifting\t magic\t to craft\tthem\tout\tof\tthin\tair,\tto\tgive\tthem\tlife\tof\ttheir\town. It\t was\t like\t \u2026\t applying\t a\t thin\t film\t over\t all\t those\t living\t in\t the\t camp,\t that would\tthen\tseparate\twhen\twe\tmoved\tout\u2014separate\tand\tgrow\tinto\tits\town\tentity","that\twalked\tand\ttalked\tand\tdid\tall\tmanner\tof\tthings\there.\tWhile\twe\tmarched\tto intercept\tHybern\u2019s\tarmy,\thidden\tfrom\tsight\tby\tRhys. But\tit\tworked.\tCresseida,\tskilled\twith\tglamours\therself,\tworked\tpersonally\ton the\tSummer\tCourt\tsoldiers.\tShe\tand\tI\twere\tboth\tpanting\tand\tsweaty\thours\tlater, and\tI\tnodded\tmy\tthanks\tas\tshe\thanded\tme\ta\tskein\tof\twater.\tShe\twas\tnot\ta\ttrained warrior\tlike\ther\tbrother,\tbut\tshe\twas\ta\tsolid,\tneeded\tpresence\tamongst\tthe\tarmy \u2014the\tsoldiers\tlooked\tto\ther\tfor\tguidance\tand\tstability. We\tmoved\tout\tagain,\ta\tfar\tlarger\tbeast\tthan\tthe\tone\tthat\thad\tflown\tdown\there. The\t Summer\t Court\t soldiers\t and\t Keir\u2019s\t legion\t could\t not\t fly,\t but\t Tarquin\t dug deep\t into\t his\t reservoirs\t and\t winnowed\t them\t along\t with\t us.\t He\u2019d\t be\t wholly empty\t by\t the\t time\t we\t reached\t the\t enemy,\t but\t he\t insisted\t he\t was\t better\t at fighting\twith\tsteel\tanyway. We\t found\t the\t Hybern\t army\t at\t the\t northern\t edge\t of\t the\t mighty\t forest\t that stretched\talong\tthe\tSummer\tCourt\u2019s\teastern\tborder. Azriel\thad\tscouted\tthe\tland\tahead\tfor\tCassian,\tlaid\tit\tout\tin\tprecise\tdetail.\tIt was\tlate\tenough\tin\tthe\tafternoon\tthat\tHybern\twas\treadying\tto\tsettle\tdown\tfor\tthe night. Cassian\t had\t let\t our\t army\t rest\t all\t day,\t anticipating\t that.\t Knowing\t that\t at\t the end\t of\t a\t long\t day\t of\t marching,\t Hybern\u2019s\t forces\t would\t be\t exhausted,\t muddled. Another\t rule\t of\t war,\t he\t told\t me.\t Knowing\t when\t to\t pick\t your\t battles\t could\t be equally\tas\timportant\tas\twhere\tyou\tfought\tthem. With\train-heavy\tclouds\tsweeping\tin\tfrom\tthe\teast\tand\tthe\tsun\tsinking\ttoward the\t trees\t behind\t us\u2014sycamores\t and\t oaks\t that\t towered\t high\u2014we\t landed.\t Rhys ripped\toff\tthe\tglamour\tsurrounding\tus. He\twanted\tword\tto\tget\tout\u2014wanted\tword\tto\tspread\tamongst\tHybern\u2019s\tforces who\twas\tmeeting\tthem\tat\tevery\tturn.\tSlaughtering\tthem. But\tthey\talready\tknew. Again,\t I\t watched\t from\t the\t camp\t itself,\t atop\t a\t broad\t rim\t leading\t into\t the grassy\tlittle\tvalley\twhere\tHybern\thad\tplanned\tto\trest.\tElain\tducked\tinto\ther\ttent the\t moment\t the\t Illyrian\t warriors\t built\t it\t for\t her.\t Only\t Nesta\t strode\t toward\t the edge\t of\t the\t tents\t to\t watch\t the\t battle\t on\t the\t valley\t floor\t below.\t Mor\t joined\t her, then\tme. Nesta\tdid\tnot\tflinch\tat\tthe\tclash\tand\tdin\tof\tbattle.\tShe\tonly\tstared\ttoward\tone black-armored\t figure,\t leading\t the\t lines,\t his\t occasional\t order\t to\t push\t or\t to\t hold","that\tflank\tbarking\tacross\tthe\tbattle. Because\t this\t battle\t \u2026\t Hybern\t had\t been\t ready.\t And\t the\t appearance\t they\u2019d given,\tof\ta\ttired\tarmy\tready\tto\trest\tfor\tthe\tnight\t\u2026\tIt\thad\tbeen\ta\truse,\tas\tour\town had\tbeen. Keir\u2019s\t soldiers\t started\t going\t down\t first,\t shadows\t sputtering\t out.\t Their\t front lines\tbuckling. Mor\t watched\t it,\t stone-faced.\t I\t had\t no\t doubt\t she\t was\t half\t hoping\t her\t father joined\tthe\tdead\tnow\tpiling\tup.\tEven\tas\tKeir\tmanaged\tto\trally\tthe\tDarkbringers, reassembled\t that\t front\t line\u2014only\t after\t Cassian\t had\t roared\t at\t him\t to\t fix\t it.\t And on\tthe\tother\tside\tof\tthe\tfield\t\u2026 Rhys\tand\tTarquin\twere\tdrained\tenough\tthat\tthey\twere\tactually\tbattling\tsword to\tsword\tagainst\tsoldiers.\tAnd\tagain,\tno\tsign\tof\tthe\tking\tor\tJurian\tor\tTamlin. Mor\t was\t hopping\t from\t one\t foot\t to\t another,\t glancing\t at\t me\t every\t now\t and then.\t The\t bloodshed,\t the\t brutality\u2014it\t sang\t to\t some\t part\t of\t her.\t Being\t up\t here with\tme\t\u2026\tIt\twas\tnot\twhere\tshe\twished\tto\tbe. But\tthis\t\u2026\tthis\trunning\tafter\tarmies,\tscrambling\tto\tstay\tahead\t\u2026 It\twould\tnot\tprovide\ta\tsolution.\tNot\tfor\tlong. The\t skies\t opened\t up,\t and\t the\t battle\t turned\t into\t outright\t muddy\t slaughter. Siphons\t flared,\t soldiers\t died.\t Hybern\t wielded\t its\t own\t magic\t upon\t our\t forces, arrows\t tipped\t in\t faebane\t finally\t making\t an\t appearance,\t along\t with\t clouds\t of\t it, that\tmercifully\tdidn\u2019t\tlast\tlong\tin\tthe\train.\tAnd\tdid\tnot\timpact\tus\u2014not\tone\tbit\u2014 with\t Nuan\u2019s\t antidote\t in\t our\t systems.\t Only\t those\t arrows,\t which\t were\t skillfully avoided\t with\t shields\t or\t outright\t destruction\t to\t their\t shafts,\t leaving\t the\t stone\t to fall\tharmlessly\tfrom\tthe\tsky. Still\tCassian,\tAzriel,\tand\tRhys\tkept\tfighting,\tkept\tkilling.\tTarquin\tand\tVarian held\ttheir\town\u2014spreading\tout\ttheir\tsoldiers\tto\taid\tKeir\u2019s\tonce-again\tfoundering line. Too\tlate. From\tthe\tdistance,\tthrough\tthe\train,\twe\tcould\tsee\tperfectly\tas\tthe\tdark\tline\tof Keir\u2019s\tsoldiers\tcaved\tto\tan\tonslaught\tof\tHybern\tcavalry. \u201cShit,\u201d\tMor\tbreathed,\tgripping\tmy\tarm\ttight\tenough\tto\tbruise,\twarm\tsummer rain\tsoaking\tour\tclothes,\tour\thair.\t\u201cShit.\u201d Like\ta\tburst\tdam,\tHybern\u2019s\tsoldiers\tpoured\tthrough,\tcleaving\tKeir\u2019s\tforce\tin half.\t Cassian\u2019s\t bellowing\t was\t audible\t even\t from\t the\t hilltop\u2014then\t he\t was","soaring,\tdodging\tarrows\tand\tspears,\this\tSiphons\tso\tdim\tthey\tbarely\tguarded\thim against\t it.\t I\t could\t have\t sworn\t Rhys\t roared\t some\t order\t to\t him\u2014that\t Cassian disregarded\t as\t he\t landed\t in\t the\t middle,\t the\t middle\t of\t those\t enemy\t forces sundering\tour\tlines,\tand\tunleashed\thimself. Nesta\tinhaled\tin\ta\tsharp,\thigh\tgasp. More\t and\t more\u2014Hybern\t spread\t us\t farther\t and\t farther\t apart.\t Rhys\u2019s\t power slammed\t into\t the\t flank\t of\t them,\t trying\t to\t shove\t them\t back.\t But\t his\t power\t was drained,\texhausted\tfrom\tlast\tnight.\tDozens\tfell\tto\tthose\tsnapping\tshadows,\trather than\thundreds. \u201cRe-form\t the\t lines,\u201d\t Mor\t was\t muttering,\t releasing\t me\t to\t pace,\t rain\t sluicing down\ther\tface.\t\u201cRe-form\tthe\tdamned\tlines!\u201d Cassian\t was\t trying.\t Azriel\t had\t lunged\t into\t the\t fray,\t nothing\t more\t than shadows\t edged\t in\t blue\t light,\t battling\t his\t way\t toward\t where\t Cassian\t fought, utterly\tsurrounded. \u201cMother\tabove,\u201d\tNesta\tsaid\tsoftly.\tNot\tin\tawe.\tNo\u2014no,\tthat\twas\tdread\tin\ther voice. And\twithin\tmy\town\tas\tI\tsaid,\t\u201cThey\tcan\tfix\tthis.\u201d\tOr\tI\tprayed\tthey\tcould. Even\tif\tthis\tbattle\t\u2026\tthis\twas\tnot\tall\tthat\tHybern\thad\tto\toffer\tagainst\tus. This\twas\tnot\tall\tthey\thad\tto\toffer,\tand\tyet\twe\twere\tbeing\tpushed\tback,\tback, back\u2014 Red\t flared\t in\t the\t heart\t of\t that\t battle\t like\t an\t exploding\t ember.\t A\t circle\t of soldiers\tdied. But\t more\t of\t Hybern\u2019s\t soldiers\t pushed\t in\t around\t Cassian.\t Even\t Azriel\t could not\tget\tto\this\tside.\tMy\tstomach\tturned,\tover\tand\tover. Hybern\thad\thidden\tthe\tmajority\tof\tits\tforce\tsomewhere.\tOur\tscouts\tcould\tnot find\tit.\tAzriel\tcould\tnot\tfind\tit.\tAnd\tElain\t\u2026\tShe\tcould\tnot\tsee\tthat\tmighty\tarmy, she\u2019d\tsaid.\tIn\ther\tdreams\tawake\tand\tasleep. I\t knew\t little\t of\t war,\t of\t battle.\t But\t this\t \u2026\t it\t felt\t like\t patching\t up\t holes\t in\t a boat\twhile\tit\tsank. As\tthe\train\tdrenched\tus,\tas\tMor\tpaced\tand\tswore\tat\tthe\tslaughter,\tthe\tbodies starting\tto\tpile\tup\ton\tour\tside,\tthe\tfoundering\tlines\t\u2026\tI\trealized\twhat\tI\thad\tto\tdo, if\tI\tcould\tnot\tbe\tdown\tthere,\tfighting. Who\tI\thad\tto\thunt\tdown\u2014and\task\tabout\tthe\tlocation\tof\tHybern\u2019s\ttrue\tarmy. The\tSuriel.","CHAPTER 57 \u201cAbsolutely\t not,\u201d\t Mor\t said\t when\t I\t pulled\t her\t a\t few\t feet\t away\t from\t Nesta,\t the din\tof\tbattle\tand\train\tdrowning\tout\tour\tvoices.\t\u201cAbsolutely\tnot.\u201d I\tjerked\tmy\thead\ttoward\tthe\tvalley\tbelow.\t\u201cGo\tjoin\tthem.\tYou\u2019re\twasted\there. They\t need\t you.\u201d\t It\t was\t true.\t \u201cCassian\t and\t Az\t need\t you\t to\t push\t back\t the\t front lines.\u201d\tFor\tCassian\u2019s\tSiphons\twere\tbeginning\tto\tsputter. \u201cRhys\twill\tkill\tme\tif\tI\tleave\tyou\there.\u201d \u201cRhys\t will\t do\t no\t such\t thing,\t and\t you\t know\t it.\t He\u2019s\t got\t wards\t around\t this camp,\tand\tI\u2019m\tnot\tentirely\tdefenseless,\tyou\tknow.\u201d I\t wasn\u2019t\t lying,\t exactly,\t but\t \u2026\t The\t Suriel\t might\t very\t well\t not\t appear\t if\t Mor was\tthere.\tAnd\tif\tI\ttold\ther\twhere\tI\twas\tgoing\t\u2026\tI\thad\tno\tdoubt\tshe\twould\tinsist on\tcoming\twith\tme. We\tdidn\u2019t\thave\tthe\tluxury\tof\twaiting\tfor\tJurian\tto\tgive\tus\tinformation.\tAbout many\tthings.\tI\tneeded\tto\tleave\u2014now. \u201cGo\tfight.\tMake\tthose\tHybern\tpricks\tscream\ta\tbit.\u201d Nesta\t drew\t her\t attention\t away\t from\t the\t slaughter\t enough\t to\t add,\t \u201cHelp them.\u201d For\t that\t was\t Cassian,\t making\t another\t charge\t toward\t a\t Hybern\t commander. Hoping\tto\tspook\tthe\tsoldiers\tagain. Mor\t frowned\t deeply,\t bounced\t once\t on\t her\t toes.\t \u201cJust\u2014be\t on\t your\t guard. Both\tof\tyou.\u201d I\t gave\t her\t a\t wry\t look\u2014right\t before\t she\t rushed\t for\t her\t tent.\t I\t waited\t until she\u2019d\t emerged\t again,\t buckling\t on\t weapons,\t and\t saluted\t me\t before\t she winnowed\taway.\tTo\tthe\tbattlefield. Right\tto\tAzriel\u2019s\tside\u2014just\tas\ta\tsoldier\tnearly\tlanded\ta\tblow\tto\this\tback.","Mor\tpunched\ther\tsword\tthrough\tthe\tsoldier\u2019s\tthroat\tbefore\the\tcould\tland\tthat strike. And\t then\t Mor\t began\t cutting\t a\t path\t toward\t Cassian,\t toward\t the\t broken\t front line\tbeyond\thim,\ther\tdamp\tgolden\thair\ta\tray\tof\tsunshine\tamid\tthe\tmud\tand\tdark armor. Soldiers\t began\t screaming.\t Screamed\t some\t more\t when\t Azriel,\t blue\t Siphons flaring,\t fell\t into\t place\t beside\t her.\t Together,\t they\t plowed\t a\t path\t to\t Cassian\u2014or tried\tto. They\t made\t it\t perhaps\t ten\t feet\t before\t they\t were\t swarmed\t again.\t Before\t the press\tof\tbodies\tmade\teven\tMor\u2019s\thair\tvanish\tin\tmud\tand\train. Nesta\t laid\t a\t hand\t against\t her\t bare,\t rain-slick\t throat.\t Cassian\t began\t another assault\ton\ta\tHybern\tcaptain\u2014slower\tthis\ttime\tthan\the\u2019d\tbeen. Now.\tI\thad\tto\tgo\tnow\u2014quickly.\tI\ttook\ta\tstep\taway\tfrom\tthe\toutlook. My\tsister\tnarrowed\ther\tbrows\tat\tme.\t\u201cYou\u2019re\tleaving?\u201d \u201cI\u2019ll\t be\t back\t soon,\u201d\t was\t all\t I\t said.\t I\t didn\u2019t\t dare\t wonder\t how\t much\t of\t our army\twould\tbe\tleft\twhen\tI\tdid. By\tthe\ttime\tI\tstrode\taway,\tNesta\thad\talready\tfaced\tthe\tbattle\tonce\tmore,\train plastering\t her\t hair\t to\t her\t head.\t Resuming\t her\t unending\t vigil\t of\t the\t general battling\ton\tthe\tvalley\tfloor\tbelow. I\thad\tto\ttrack\tthe\tSuriel. And\teven\tthough\tElain\tcould\tnot\tsee\tthe\tHybern\thost\t\u2026\tIt\twas\tworth\ta\ttry. Her\ttent\twas\tdim,\tand\tquiet\u2014the\tsounds\tof\tslaughter\tfar\taway,\tdreamlike. She\twas\tawake,\tstaring\tblankly\tat\tthe\tcanvas\tceiling. \u201cI\tneed\tyou\tto\tfind\tsomething\tfor\tme,\u201d\tI\tsaid,\tdripping\twater\teverywhere\tas\tI laid\ta\tmap\tacross\ther\tthighs.\tPerhaps\tnot\tas\tgentle\tas\tI\tshould\thave\tbeen,\tbut\tshe at\tleast\tsat\tup\tat\tmy\ttone.\tBlinked\tat\tthe\tmap\tof\tPrythian. \u201cIt\u2019s\t called\t the\t Suriel\u2014it\u2019s\t one\t of\t many\t who\t bear\t that\t name.\t But\t \u2026\t but\t it looks\tlike\tthis,\u201d\tI\tsaid,\tand\treached\tfor\ther\thand\tto\tshow\ther.\tI\thesitated.\t\u201cMay\tI show\tit\tto\tyou?\u201d My\tsister\u2019s\tbrown\teyes\twere\tglazed. \u201cPlant\tthe\timage\tin\tyour\tmind,\u201d\tI\tclarified.\t\u201cSo\tyou\tknow\twhere\tto\tlook.\u201d \u201cI\tdon\u2019t\tknow\thow\tto\tlook,\u201d\tElain\tmumbled.","\u201cYou\tcan\ttry.\u201d\tI\tshould\thave\tasked\tAmren\tto\ttrain\ther,\ttoo. But\tElain\tstudied\tme,\tthe\tmap,\tthen\tnodded. She\t had\t no\t mental\t shields,\t no\t barriers.\t The\t gates\t to\t her\t mind\t \u2026\t Solid\t iron, covered\t in\t vines\t of\t flowers\u2014or\t it\t would\t have\t been.\t The\t blossoms\t were\t all sealed,\tsleeping\tbuds\ttucked\tinto\ttangles\tof\tleaves\tand\tthorns. I\ttook\ta\tstep\tbeyond\tthem,\tjust\tinto\tthe\tantechamber\tof\ther\tmind,\tand\tplanted the\t image\t of\t the\t Suriel\t there,\t trying\t to\t infuse\t it\t with\t safety\u2014the\t truth\t that\t it looked\tterrifying,\tbut\thad\tnot\tharmed\tme. Still,\tElain\tshuddered\twhen\tI\tpulled\tout.\t\u201cWhy?\u201d \u201cIt\thas\tanswers\tI\tneed.\tImmediately.\u201d\tOr\telse\twe\tmight\tnot\thave\tmuch\tof\tan army\tleft\tto\tfight\tthat\tentire\tHybern\thost\tonce\tI\tlocated\tit. Elain\tagain\tglanced\tat\tthe\tmap.\tAt\tme.\tThen\tclosed\ther\teyes. Her\t eyes\t shifted\t beneath\t her\t lids,\t the\t skin\t so\t delicate\t and\t colorless\t that\t the blue\t veins\t beneath\t were\t like\t small\t streams.\t \u201cIt\t moves\t \u2026,\u201d\t she\t whispered.\t \u201cIt moves\tthrough\tthe\tworld\tlike\t\u2026\tlike\tthe\tbreath\tof\tthe\twestern\twind.\u201d \u201cWhere\tis\tit\theaded?\u201d Her\tfinger\tlifted,\thovering\tover\tthe\tmap,\tthe\tcourts. Slowly,\tshe\tset\tit\tdown. \u201cThere,\u201d\tshe\tbreathed.\t\u201cIt\tis\tgoing\tthere.\tNow.\u201d I\tlooked\tat\twhere\tshe\thad\tlaid\ther\tfinger\tand\tfelt\tthe\tblood\trush\tfrom\tmy\tface. The\tMiddle. The\tSuriel\twas\theaded\tto\tthat\tancient\tforest\tin\tthe\tMiddle.\tJust\tsouth\u2014miles, perhaps\t\u2026 From\tthe\tWeaver\tof\tthe\tWood. I\twinnowed\t in\t five\tleaps.\tI\twas\tbreathless,\t my\tpower\tnearly\tdrained\t thanks\t to the\tglamouring\tI\u2019d\tdone\tyesterday,\tthe\tsummoned\tflame\tI\u2019d\tused\tto\tdry\tmyself off,\tand\tthe\twinnowing\tthat\thad\ttaken\tme\tfrom\tthe\tbattle\tand\tright\tinto\tthe\theart of\tthat\tancient\twood. The\theavy,\tripe\tair\twas\tas\tawful\tas\tI\tremembered,\tthe\tforest\tthick\twith\tmoss that\tchoked\tthe\tgnarled\tbeeches\tand\tthe\tgray\tstones\tscattered\tthroughout.\tThen there\twas\tthe\tsilence. I\t wondered\t if\t I\t should\t have\t indeed\t brought\t Mor\t with\t me\t as\t I\t listened.\t As\t I","felt\twith\tmy\tlingering\tmagic\tfor\tany\tsign\tof\tit. The\t moss\t cushioned\t my\t steps\t as\t I\t eased\t into\t a\t walk.\t Scanning,\t listening. How\tfar\taway,\thow\tsmall,\tthat\tbattle\tto\tthe\tsouth\tfelt. My\tswallow\twas\tloud\tin\tmy\tears. Things\t other\t than\t the\t Weaver\t prowled\t these\t woods.\t And\t the\t Weaver\t herself \u2026\tStryga,\tthe\tBone\tCarver\thad\tcalled\ther.\tHis\tsister.\tBoth\tsiblings\tto\tan\tawful, male\tcreature\tlurking\tin\tanother\tpart\tof\tthe\tworld. I\tdrew\tmy\tIllyrian\tblade,\tthe\tmetal\tsinging\tin\tthe\tthick\tair. But\tan\tancient,\trasping\tvoice\tasked\tbehind\tme,\t\u201cHave\tyou\tcome\tto\tkill\tme,\tor to\tbeg\tfor\tmy\thelp\tonce\tagain,\tFeyre\tArcheron?\u201d","CHAPTER 58 I\tturned,\tbut\tdid\tnot\tsheath\tmy\tblade\tacross\tmy\tback. The\tSuriel\twas\tstanding\ta\tfew\tfeet\taway,\tclad\tnot\tin\tthe\tcloak\tI\thad\tgiven\tit months\tago,\tbut\ta\tdifferent\tone\u2014heavier\tand\tdarker,\tthe\tfabric\talready\ttorn\tand shredded.\t As\t if\t the\t wind\t it\t traveled\t on\t had\t ripped\t through\t it\t with\t invisible talons. Only\t a\t few\t months\t since\t I\t had\t last\t seen\t it\u2014when\t it\t had\t told\t me\t that\t Rhys was\tmy\tmate.\tIt\tmight\tas\twell\thave\tbeen\ta\tlifetime\tago. Its\t over-large\t teeth\t clacked\t faintly.\t \u201cThrice\t now,\t we\t have\t met.\t Thrice\t now, you\thave\thunted\tfor\tme.\tThis\ttime,\tyou\tsent\tthe\ttrembling\tfawn\tto\tfind\tme.\tI\tdid not\texpect\tto\tsee\tthose\tdoe-eyes\tpeering\tat\tme\tfrom\tacross\tthe\tworld.\u201d \u201cI\u2019m\t sorry\t if\t it\t was\t a\t violation,\u201d\t I\t said\t as\t steadily\t as\t I\t could.\t \u201cBut\t it\u2019s\t an urgent\tmatter.\u201d \u201cYou\twish\tto\tknow\twhere\tHybern\tis\thiding\tits\tarmy.\u201d \u201cYes.\tAnd\tother\tthings.\tBut\tlet\u2019s\tstart\twith\tthat.\u201d A\thideous,\thorrific\tsmile.\t\u201cEven\tI\tcannot\tsee\tit.\u201d My\tstomach\ttightened.\t\u201cYou\tcan\tsee\teverything\tbut\tthat?\u201d The\t Suriel\t angled\t its\t head\t in\t a\t way\t that\t reminded\t me\t it\t was\t indeed\t a predator.\tAnd\tthere\twas\tno\tsnare\tthis\ttime\tto\thold\tit\tback. \u201cHe\tuses\tmagic\tto\tcloak\tit\u2014magic\tfar\tolder\tthan\tI.\u201d \u201cThe\tCauldron.\u201d Another\t awful\t smile.\t \u201cYes.\t That\t mighty,\t wicked\t thing.\t That\t bowl\t of\t death and\tlife.\u201d\tIt\tshivered\twith\twhat\tI\tcould\thave\tsworn\twas\tdelight.\t\u201cYou\thave\tone already\twho\tcan\tfind\tHybern.\u201d \u201cElain\tsays\tshe\tcannot\tsee\tit\u2014see\tpast\this\tmagic.\u201d","\u201cThen\tuse\tthe\tother\tto\ttrack\tit.\u201d \u201cNesta.\tUse\tNesta\tto\ttrack\tthe\tCauldron?\u201d \u201cLike\tcalls\tto\tlike.\tThe\tKing\tof\tHybern\tdoes\tnot\ttravel\twithout\tthe\tCauldron. So\twhere\tit\tis,\the\tand\this\tarmy\tshall\tbe.\tTell\tthe\tbeautiful\tthief\tto\tfind\tit.\u201d The\thair\ton\tmy\tarms\trose.\t\u201cHow?\u201d It\t angled\t its\t head,\t as\t if\t listening.\t \u201cIf\t she\t is\t unskilled\t \u2026\t bones\t will\t do\t the talking\tfor\ther.\u201d \u201cScrying\u2014you\tmean\tscrying\twith\tbones?\u201d \u201cYes.\u201d\tThose\ttattered\trobes\tflitted\tin\ta\tphantom\twind.\t\u201cBones\tand\tstones.\u201d I\tswallowed\tagain.\t\u201cWhy\tdid\tthe\tCauldron\tnot\treact\twhen\tI\tjoined\tthe\tBook and\tspoke\tthe\tspell\tto\tnullify\tits\tpower?\u201d \u201cBecause\tyou\tdid\tnot\thold\ton\tfor\tlong\tenough.\u201d \u201cIt\twas\tkilling\tme.\u201d \u201cDid\tyou\tthink\tyou\tcould\tleash\tits\tpower\twithout\ta\tcost?\u201d My\theart\tstuttered.\t\u201cI\tneed\tto\u2014to\tdie\tfor\tit\tto\tbe\tstopped?\u201d \u201cSo\t dramatic,\t human-heart.\t But\t yes\u2014yes,\t that\t spell\t would\t have\t drained\t the life\tfrom\tyou.\u201d \u201cIs\tthere\u2014is\tthere\tanother\tspell\tto\tuse\tinstead?\tTo\tnullify\tits\tpowers.\u201d \u201cIf\t there\twere\t such\t a\tthing,\t you\t would\tstill\t have\tto\t get\tclose\t enough\tto\tthe Cauldron\tto\tdo\tit.\tHybern\twill\tnot\tmake\tthat\tmistake\ttwice.\u201d I\t swallowed.\t \u201cEven\t if\t we\t nullify\t the\t Cauldron\t \u2026\t will\t it\t be\t enough\t to\t stop Hybern?\u201d \u201cIt\tdepends\ton\tyour\tallies.\tIf\tthey\tsurvive\tlong\tenough\tto\tbattle\tafterward.\u201d \u201cWould\tthe\tBone\tCarver\tmake\ta\tdifference?\u201d\tAnd\tBryaxis. The\t Suriel\t had\t no\t eyelids.\t But\t its\t milky\t eyes\t flared\t with\t surprise.\t \u201cI\t cannot see\u2014not\thim.\tHe\tis\tnot\t\u2026\tborn\tof\tthis\tearth.\tHis\tthread\thas\tnot\tbeen\twoven\tin.\u201d Its\ttwisted\tmouth\ttightened.\t\u201cYou\twish\tto\tsave\tPrythian\tso\tmuch\tthat\tyou\twould risk\tunleashing\thim.\u201d \u201cYes.\u201d\t The\t moment\t I\t located\t that\t army,\t I\u2019d\t unleash\t Bryaxis\t upon\t it.\t But\t as for\tthe\tCarver\t\u2026\t\u201cHe\twanted\ta\u2014gift.\tIn\texchange.\tThe\tOuroboros.\u201d The\t Suriel\t let\t out\t a\t sound\t that\t might\t have\t been\t a\t gasp\u2014delight\t or\t horror,\t I did\tnot\tknow.\t\u201cThe\tMirror\tof\tBeginnings\tand\tEndings.\u201d \u201cYes\u2014but\t\u2026\tI\tcannot\tretrieve\tit.\u201d \u201cYou\tare\tafraid\tto\tlook.\tTo\tsee\twhat\tis\twithin.\u201d","\u201cWill\tit\tdrive\tme\u2014mad?\tBreak\tme?\u201d It\t was\t an\t effort\t not\t to\t flinch\t at\t that\t monstrous\t face,\t at\t the\t milky\t eyes\t and lipless\t mouth.\t All\t focused\t upon\t me.\t \u201cOnly\t you\t can\t decide\t what\t breaks\t you, Cursebreaker.\t Only\t you.\u201d\t Not\t an\t answer\u2014not\t really.\t Certainly\t not\t enough\t to risk\t retrieving\t the\t mirror.\t The\t Suriel\t again\t listened\t to\t that\t phantom\t wind.\t \u201cTell the\t silver-eyed\t messenger\t that\t the\t answer\t lies\t on\t the\t second\t and\t penultimate pages\tof\tthe\tBook.\tTogether\tthey\thold\tthe\tkey.\u201d \u201cThe\tkey\tto\twhat?\u201d The\tSuriel\tclicked\tits\tbony\tfingers\ttogether,\tlike\tthe\tmany-jointed\tlimbs\tof\ta crustacean,\ttip-tapping\tagainst\teach\tother.\t\u201cThe\tanswer\tto\twhat\tyou\tneed\tto\tstop Hy\u2014\u201d It\ttook\tme\ta\theartbeat\tto\tregister\twhat\thappened. To\t identify\t the\t wooden\t thing\t that\t burst\t through\t the\t Suriel\u2019s\t throat\t as\t an\t ash arrow.\tTo\trealize\tthat\twhat\tsprayed\tin\tmy\tface,\tlanding\ton\tmy\ttongue\tand\ttasting like\tsoil,\twas\tblack\tblood. To\t realize\t that\t the\t thudding\t before\t the\t Suriel\t could\t even\t scream\t \u2026\t more arrows. The\tSuriel\tstumbled\tto\tits\tknees,\ta\tchoking\tsound\tcoming\tout\tof\tthat\tmouth. It\t had\t been\t afraid\t of\t the\t naga\t that\t day\t in\t the\t woods.\t Had\t known\t it\t could\t be killed. I\tsurged\ttoward\tit,\tpalming\ta\tknife\twith\tmy\tleft\thand,\tsword\tangling\tup. Another\tarrow\tfired,\tand\tI\tducked\tbehind\ta\tgnarled\ttree. The\tSuriel\tlet\tout\ta\tscream\tat\tthe\timpact.\tBirds\tscattered\tinto\tflight,\tand\tmy ears\trang\u2014 And\t then\t its\t labored,\t wet\t breathing\t filled\t the\t wood.\t Until\t a\t lilting\t female voice\tcrooned,\t\u201cWhy\tdoes\tit\ttalk\tto\tyou,\tFeyre,\twhen\tit\twould\tnot\teven\tdeign\tto speak\twith\tme?\u201d I\tknew\tthat\tvoice.\tThat\tlaughter\tbeneath\tthe\twords. Ianthe. Ianthe\twas\there.\tWith\ttwo\tHybern\tsoldiers\tbehind\ther.","CHAPTER 59 Concealed\tbehind\tthe\ttree,\tI\ttook\tin\tmy\tsurroundings.\tI\twas\texhausted,\tbut\t\u2026\tI could\twinnow.\tI\tcould\twinnow\tand\tbe\tgone.\tThe\tash\tarrows\tthey\u2019d\tput\tinto\tthe Suriel,\thowever\t\u2026 I\tmet\tits\teyes\tas\tit\tlay\tthere,\tbleeding\tout\ton\tthe\tmoss. The\t same\t ash\t arrows\t that\t had\t brought\t down\t Rhys.\t But\t my\t mate\u2019s\t had\t been carefully\tplaced\tto\tdisable\thim. These\thad\tbeen\taimed\tto\tkill. That\tmouth\tof\ttoo-big\tteeth\tformed\ta\tsilent\tword.\tRun. \u201cIt\t took\t the\t King\t of\t Hybern\t days\t to\t unravel\t what\t you\t did\t to\t me,\u201d\t Ianthe purred,\ther\tvoice\tdrawing\tcloser.\t\u201cI\tstill\tcan\u2019t\tuse\tmost\tof\tmy\thand.\u201d I\tdidn\u2019t\treply.\tWinnow\u2014I\tshould\twinnow. Black\tblood\tdribbled\tout\tof\tthe\tSuriel\u2019s\tneck,\tthat\tarrow\ttip\tvulgar\tas\tit\tjutted up\t from\t its\t thick\t skin.\t I\t couldn\u2019t\t heal\t it\u2014not\t with\t those\t ash\t arrows\t still\t in\t its flesh.\tNot\tuntil\tthey\twere\tout. \u201cI\u2019d\theard\tfrom\tTamlin\thow\tyou\tcaptured\tthis\tone,\u201d\tIanthe\twent\ton,\tcoming closer\t and\t closer.\t \u201cSo\t I\t adapted\t your\t methods.\t And\t it\t would\t not\t tell\t me anything.\tBut\tsince\tyou\thave\tmade\tcontact\tso\tmany\ttimes,\tthe\trobe\tI\tgave\tit\t\u2026\u201d I\tcould\thear\tthe\tsmile\tin\ther\tvoice.\t\u201cA\tsimple\ttracking\tspell,\ta\tgift\tfrom\tthe\tking. To\tbe\ttriggered\tin\tyour\tpresence.\tIf\tyou\tshould\tcome\tcalling\tagain.\u201d Run,\tthe\tSuriel\tmouthed\tonce\tmore,\tblood\tdribbling\tpast\tits\twithered\tlips. That\twas\tpain\tin\tits\teyes.\tReal\tpain,\tas\tmortal\tas\tany\tcreature.\tAnd\tif\tIanthe took\tit\talive\tto\tHybern\t\u2026\tThe\tSuriel\tknew\tit\twas\ta\tpossibility.\tIt\thad\tbegged\tme for\tfreedom\tonce\t\u2026\tyet\tit\twas\twilling\tto\tbe\ttaken.\tFor\tme\tto\trun. Its\t milky\t eyes\t narrowed\u2014in\t pain\t and\t understanding.\t Yes,\t it\t seemed\t to\t say.","Go. \u201cThe\t king\t built\t shields\t in\t my\t mind,\u201d\t Ianthe\t prattled\t on,\t \u201cto\t keep\t you\t from harming\tme\tagain\twhen\tI\tfound\tyou.\u201d I\t peered\t around\t the\t tree\t to\t spy\t her\t standing\t at\t the\t edge\t of\t the\t clearing, frowning\t at\t the\t Suriel.\t She\t wore\t her\t pale\t robes,\t that\t blue\t stone\t crowning\t her hood.\t Only\t two\t guards\t with\t her.\t Even\t after\t all\t this\t time\t \u2026\t She\t still underestimated\tme. I\t ducked\t back\t around\t before\t she\t could\t spot\t me.\t Met\t the\t Suriel\u2019s\t stare\t one more\ttime. And\tI\tlet\tit\tread\tevery\tone\tof\tthe\temotions\tthat\tsolidified\tin\tme\twith\tabsolute clarity. The\tSuriel\tbegan\tto\tshake\tits\thead.\tOr\ttried\tto. But\tI\tgave\tit\ta\tsmile\tof\tfarewell.\tAnd\tstepped\tinto\tthe\tclearing. \u201cI\tshould\thave\tslit\tyour\tthroat\tthat\tnight\tin\tthe\ttent,\u201d\tI\tsaid\tto\tthe\tpriestess. One\tof\tthe\tguards\tshot\tan\tarrow\tat\tme. I\t blocked\t it\t with\t a\t wall\t of\t hard\t air\t that\t instantly\t buckled.\t Drained\u2014mostly drained.\tAnd\tif\tit\ttook\tanother\thit\tfrom\tan\tash\tarrow\t\u2026 Ianthe\u2019s\tface\ttightened.\t\u201cYou\u2019ll\tfind\tyou\twant\tto\treconsider\thow\tyou\tspeak\tto me.\tI\u2019ll\tbe\tyour\tbest\tadvocate\tin\tHybern.\u201d \u201cI\tsuppose\tyou\u2019ll\thave\tto\tcatch\tme\tfirst,\u201d\tI\tsaid\tcoolly\u2014and\tran. I\tcould\thave\tsworn\tthat\tancient\tforest\tmoved\tto\tmake\troom\tfor\tme. Could\thave\tsworn\tit,\ttoo,\tread\tmy\tfinal\tthoughts\tto\tthe\tSuriel,\tand\tcleared\tthe way. But\tnot\tfor\tthem. I\t hurled\t every\t scrap\t of\t strength\t into\t my\t legs,\t into\t keeping\t upright,\t as\t I sprinted\tthrough\tthe\ttrees,\tleaping\tover\trocks\tand\tstreams,\tdodging\tmoss-coated boulders. Yet\t those\t guards,\t yet\t Ianthe,\t managed\t to\t keep\t close\t behind,\t even\t as\t they swore\t at\t the\t snapping\t trunks\t that\t seemed\t to\t shift\t into\t their\t way,\t the\t rocks\t that went\tloose\tbeneath\ttheir\tfeet.\tI\tonly\thad\tto\toutrun\tthem\tfor\tso\tlong. Only\tfor\ta\tfew\tmiles.\tDraw\tthem\taway\tfrom\tthe\tSuriel,\tbuy\tit\ttime\tto\tflee. And\tmake\tsure\tthey\tpaid\tfor\twhat\tthey\thad\tdone.\tAll\tof\tit.","I\topened\tmy\tsenses,\tletting\tthem\tlead\tthe\tway.\tThe\tforest\tdid\tthe\trest. Perhaps\tshe\twas\twaiting\tfor\tme.\tPerhaps\tshe\thad\tordered\tthe\twoods\tto\topen\ta path. The\tHybern\tguards\tgained\ton\tme.\tMy\tfeet\tflew\tbeneath\tme,\tswift\tas\ta\tdeer. I\tbegan\tto\trecognize\tthe\ttrees,\tthe\trocks.\tThere,\tI\thad\tstood\twith\tRhys\u2014there, I\thad\tflirted\twith\thim.\tThere,\the\thad\tlounged\tatop\ta\tbranch\twhile\twaiting\tfor\tme. The\tair\tbehind\tme\tparted\u2014an\tarrow. I\tveered\tleft,\tnearly\tslamming\tinto\ta\ttree.\tThe\tarrow\twent\twide. The\tlight\tshifted\tahead\u2014brighter.\tThe\tclearing. I\tlet\tout\ta\twhimper\tof\trelief\tthat\tI\tmade\tsure\tthey\theard. I\t broke\t from\t the\t tree\t line\t in\t a\t leap,\t knees\t popping\t as\t I\t flew\t over\t the\t stones leading\tto\tthat\thair-thatched\tcottage. \u201cHelp\tme,\u201d\tI\tbreathed,\tmaking\tsure\tthey\theard\tthat,\ttoo. The\twooden\tdoor\twas\talready\thalf-open.\tThe\tworld\tslowed\tand\tcleared\twith each\tstep,\teach\theartbeat,\tas\tI\thurtled\tover\tthe\tthreshold. And\tinto\tthe\tWeaver\u2019s\tcottage.","CHAPTER 60 I\t gripped\t the\t door\t handle\t as\t I\t passed\t the\t threshold,\t digging\t in\t my\t heels\t and throwing\t every\t scrap\t of\t strength\t into\t my\t arms\t to\t keep\t that\t door\t from\t shutting. From\tlocking\tme\tin. Invisible\t hands\t shoved\t against\t it,\t but\t I\t gritted\t my\t teeth\t and\t braced\t a\t foot against\tthe\twall,\tiron\tbiting\tinto\tmy\thands. The\t room\t behind\t me\t was\t dark.\t \u201cThief,\u201d\t intoned\t a\t lovely\t voice\t in\t the blackness. \u201cYou\t do\t know,\u201d\t Ianthe\t tittered\t from\t outside\t the\t cottage,\t her\t steps\t slowing into\ta\twalk,\t\u201cthat\twe\u2019ll\thave\tto\tkill\twhoever\tis\tinside\tthere\twith\tyou.\tSelfish\tof you,\tFeyre.\u201d I\t panted,\t holding\t the\t door\t open,\t making\t sure\t they\t couldn\u2019t\t see\t me\t on\t the other\tside. \u201cYou\t have\t seen\t my\t twin,\u201d\t the\t Weaver\t hissed\t softly\u2014with\t a\t hint\t of\t wonder. \u201cI\tsmell\thim\ton\tyou.\u201d Outside,\tIanthe\tand\tthe\tguard\tgrew\tcloser.\tCloser\tand\tcloser. Somewhere\tdeep\tin\tthe\troom,\tI\tfelt\ther\tmove.\tFelt\ther\tstand.\tAnd\ttake\ta\tstep toward\tme. \u201cWhat\tare\tyou,\u201d\tthe\tWeaver\tbreathed. \u201cFeyre,\t you\t can\t be\t quite\t tedious,\u201d\t Ianthe\t said.\t Right\t outside.\t I\t could\t barely make\tout\ther\tpale\trobes\tthrough\tthe\tcrack\tbetween\tthe\tdoor\tand\tthreshold.\t\u201cDo you\tthink\tyou\tcan\tambush\tus\tin\tthere?\tI\tsaw\tyour\tshield.\tYou\u2019re\tdrained.\tAnd\tI do\tnot\tthink\tyour\tglowing\ttrick\twill\thelp.\u201d The\t Weaver\u2019s\t dress\t rustled\t as\t she\t crept\t closer\t in\t the\t gloom.\t \u201cWho\t did\t you bring,\tlittle\twolf?\tWho\tdid\tyou\tbring\tto\tme?\u201d","Ianthe\tand\ther\ttwo\tguards\tstepped\tover\tthe\tthreshold.\tThen\tanother\tstep.\tPast the\topen\tdoor.\tThey\tdidn\u2019t\tsee\tme\tin\tthe\tshadows\tbehind\tit. \u201cDinner,\u201d\tI\tsaid\tto\tthe\tWeaver,\twhirling\taround\tthe\tdoor\u2014to\tits\toutside\tface. And\tlet\tgo\tof\tthe\thandle. Just\tas\tthe\tdoor\tslammed\tshut\thard\tenough\tto\trattle\tthe\tcottage,\tI\tsaw\tthe\tball of\tfaelight\tthat\tIanthe\tlifted\tto\tilluminate\tthe\troom. Saw\t the\t horrible\t face\t of\t the\t Weaver,\t that\t mouth\t of\t stumped\t teeth\t opening wide\twith\tdelight\tand\tunholy\thunger.\tA\tdeath-god\tof\told\u2014starved\tfor\tlife.\tWith a\tbeautiful\tpriestess\tbefore\ther. I\t was\t already\t hurtling\t for\t the\t trees\t when\t the\t guards\t and\t Ianthe\t began screaming. Their\t unending\t screams\t followed\t me\t for\t half\t a\t mile.\t By\t the\t time\t I\t reached\t the spot\twhere\tI\u2019d\tseen\tthe\tSuriel\tfall,\tthey\u2019d\tfaded. Sprawled\tout,\tthe\tSuriel\u2019s\tbony\tchest\theaved\tunevenly,\tits\tbreaths\tfew\tand\tfar between. Dying. I\tslid\tto\tmy\tknees\tbefore\tit,\tsinking\tinto\tthe\tbloody\tmoss.\t\u201cLet\tme\thelp\tyou.\tI can\theal\tyou.\u201d I\u2019d\tdo\tit\tthe\tsame\tway\tI\u2019d\thelped\tRhysand.\tRemove\tthose\tarrows\u2014and\toffer it\tmy\tblood. I\t reached\t for\t the\t first\t one,\t but\t a\t dry,\t bony\t hand\t settled\t on\t my\t wrist.\t \u201cYour magic\t\u2026,\u201d\tit\trasped,\t\u201cis\tspent.\tDo\tnot\t\u2026\twaste\tit.\u201d \u201cI\tcan\tsave\tyou.\u201d It\tonly\tgripped\tmy\twrist.\t\u201cI\tam\talready\tgone.\u201d \u201cWhat\u2014what\tcan\tI\tdo?\u201d\tThe\twords\tturned\tthin\u2014brittle. \u201cStay\t\u2026,\u201d\tit\tbreathed.\t\u201cStay\t\u2026\tuntil\tthe\tend.\u201d I\ttook\tits\thand\tin\tmine.\t\u201cI\u2019m\tsorry.\u201d\tIt\twas\tall\tI\tcould\tthink\tto\tsay.\tI\thad\tdone this\u2014I\thad\tbrought\tit\there. \u201cI\tknew,\u201d\tit\tgasped,\tsensing\tmy\tshift\tin\tthoughts.\t\u201cThe\ttracking\t\u2026\tI\tknew\tof it.\u201d \u201cThen\twhy\tcome\tat\tall?\u201d \u201cYou\t\u2026\twere\tkind.\tYou\t\u2026\tfought\tyour\tfear.\tYou\twere\t\u2026\tkind,\u201d\tit\tsaid\tagain.","I\tbegan\tcrying. \u201cAnd\tyou\twere\tkind\tto\tme,\u201d\tI\tsaid,\tnot\tbrushing\taway\tthe\ttears\tthat\tfell\tonto its\t bloodied,\t tattered\t robe.\t \u201cThank\t you\u2014for\t helping\t me.\t When\t no\t one\t else would.\u201d A\t small\t smile\t on\t that\t lipless\t mouth.\t \u201cFeyre\t Archeron.\u201d\t A\t labored\t breath.\t \u201cI told\tyou\u2014to\tstay\twith\tthe\tHigh\tLord.\tAnd\tyou\tdid.\u201d Its\twarning\tto\tme\tthat\tfirst\ttime\twe\u2019d\tmet.\t\u201cYou\u2014you\tmeant\tRhys.\u201d\tAll\tthis time.\tAll\tthis\ttime\u2014 \u201cStay\twith\thim\t\u2026\tand\tlive\tto\tsee\teverything\trighted.\u201d \u201cYes.\tI\tdid\u2014and\tit\twas.\u201d \u201cNo\u2014not\tyet.\tStay\twith\thim.\u201d \u201cI\twill.\u201d\tI\talways\twould. Its\tchest\trose\u2014then\tfell. \u201cI\t don\u2019t\t even\t know\t your\t name,\u201d\t I\t whispered.\t The\t Suriel\u2014it\t was\t a\t title,\t a name\tfor\tits\tkind. That\tsmall\tsmile\tagain.\t\u201cDoes\tit\tmatter,\tCursebreaker?\u201d \u201cYes.\u201d Its\t eyes\t dimmed,\t but\t it\t did\t not\t tell\t me.\t It\t only\t said,\t \u201cYou\t should\t go\t now. Worse\tthings\u2014worse\tthings\tare\tcoming.\tThe\tblood\t\u2026\tdraws\tthem.\u201d I\tsqueezed\tits\tbony\thand,\tthe\tleathery\tskin\tgrowing\tcolder.\t\u201cI\tcan\tstay\ta\twhile longer.\u201d I\thad\tkilled\tenough\tanimals\tto\tknow\twhen\ta\tbody\tneared\tdeath.\tSoon,\tnow\u2014 it\twould\tbe\ta\tmatter\tof\tbreaths. \u201cFeyre\t Archeron,\u201d\t the\t Suriel\t said\t again,\t gazing\t at\t the\t leafy\t canopy,\t the\t sky peeking\tthrough\tit.\tA\tpainful\tinhale.\t\u201cA\trequest.\u201d I\tleaned\tclose.\t\u201cAnything.\u201d Another\t rattling\t breath.\t \u201cLeave\t this\t world\t \u2026\t a\t better\t place\t than\t how\t you found\tit.\u201d And\tas\tits\tchest\trose\tand\tstopped\taltogether,\tas\tits\tbreath\tescaped\tin\tone\tlast sigh,\tI\tunderstood\twhy\tthe\tSuriel\thad\tcome\tto\thelp\tme,\tagain\tand\tagain.\tNot\tjust for\tkindness\t\u2026\tbut\tbecause\tit\twas\ta\tdreamer. And\t it\t was\t the\t heart\t of\t a\t dreamer\t that\t had\t ceased\t beating\t inside\t that monstrous\tchest. Its\tsudden\tsilence\techoed\tinto\tmy\town.","I\tlaid\tmy\thead\ton\tits\tchest,\ton\tthat\tnow-silent\tvault\tof\tbone,\tand\twept. I\twept\tand\twept,\tuntil\tthere\twas\ta\tstrong\thand\tat\tmy\tshoulder. I\tdidn\u2019t\tknow\tthe\tscent,\tthe\tfeel\tof\tthat\thand.\tBut\tI\tknew\tthe\tvoice\tas\tHelion said\tsoftly\tto\tme,\t\u201cCome,\tFeyre.\tIt\tis\tnot\tsafe\there.\tCome.\u201d I\tlifted\tmy\thead.\tHelion\twas\tthere,\tfeatures\tgrim,\this\tbrown\tskin\tashen. \u201cI\t can\u2019t\t leave\t it\t here\t like\t this,\u201d\t I\t said,\t refusing\t to\t let\t go\t of\t its\t hand.\t I\t didn\u2019t care\thow\tHelion\thad\tfound\tme.\tWhy\the\u2019d\tfound\tme. He\tlooked\tto\tthe\tfallen\tcreature,\tmouth\ttightening.\t\u201cI\u2019ll\ttake\tcare\tof\tit.\u201d Burn\tit\u2014with\tthe\tpower\tof\tthe\tsun. I\tlet\thim\thelp\tme\tto\tmy\tfeet.\tLet\thim\textend\ta\thand\ttoward\tthat\tbody\u2014 \u201cWait.\u201d Helion\tobeyed. \u201cGive\tme\tyour\tcloak.\tPlease.\u201d Brows\t narrowing,\t Helion\t unfastened\t the\t rich\t crimson\t cloak\t pinned\t at\t each shoulder. I\t didn\u2019t\t bother\t to\t explain\t as\t I\t covered\t the\t Suriel\u2019s\t body\t with\t the\t fine\t fabric. Far\tfiner\tthan\tthe\thateful\trags\tIanthe\thad\tgiven\tit.\tI\ttucked\tthe\tHigh\tLord\u2019s\tcloak gently\taround\tits\tbroad\tshoulders,\tits\tbony\tarms. \u201cThank\tyou,\u201d\tI\tsaid\tone\tlast\ttime\tto\tthe\tSuriel,\tand\tstepped\taway. Helion\u2019s\tflame\twas\ta\tpure,\tblinding\twhite. It\tburned\tthe\tSuriel\tinto\tashes\twithin\ta\theartbeat. \u201cCome,\u201d\tHelion\tsaid\tagain,\textending\ta\thand.\t\u201cLet\u2019s\tget\tyou\tto\tthe\tcamp.\u201d It\t was\t the\t kindness\t in\t his\t voice\t that\t cracked\t my\t chest.\t But\t I\t took\t Helion\u2019s hand. As\twarm\tlight\twhisked\tus\taway,\tI\tcould\thave\tsworn\tthat\tthe\tpile\tof\tashes\twas stirred\tby\ta\tphantom\twind.","CHAPTER 61 Helion\twinnowed\tme\tinto\tthe\tcamp.\tRight\tinto\tRhys\u2019s\twar-tent. My\tmate\twas\tpale.\tBlood-splattered\tand\tfilthy,\tfrom\this\tskin\tto\this\tarmor\tto his\thair. I\t opened\t my\t mouth\u2014to\t ask\t how\t the\t battle\t had\t gone,\t to\t say\t what\t had happened,\tI\tdon\u2019t\tknow. But\tRhys\tjust\treached\tfor\tme,\tfolding\tme\tinto\this\tchest. And\tat\tthe\tsmell\tand\twarmth\tand\tsolidity\tof\thim\t\u2026\tI\tbegan\tweeping\tagain. I\tdidn\u2019t\tknow\twho\twas\tin\tthe\ttent.\tWho\thad\tsurvived\tthe\tbattle.\tBut\tthey\tall left. Left,\twhile\tmy\tmate\theld\tme,\trocking\tme\tgently,\tas\tI\tcried\tand\tcried. He\t only\t told\t me\t what\t had\t happened\t when\t my\t tears\t had\t quieted.\t When\t he\u2019d washed\tthe\tSuriel\u2019s\tblack\tblood\tfrom\tmy\thands,\tmy\tface. I\t was\t out\t of\t the\t tent\t a\t heartbeat\t later,\t charging\t through\t the\t mud,\t dodging exhausted\tand\tweary\tsoldiers.\tRhys\twas\ta\tstep\tbehind\tme,\tbut\tsaid\tnothing\tas\tI shoved\tthrough\tflaps\tof\tanother\ttent\tand\ttook\tstock\tof\twhat\tand\twho\twas\tbefore me. Mor\t and\t Azriel\t were\t standing\t before\t the\t cot,\t monitoring\t every\t move\t the healer\tsitting\tbeside\tit\tmade. As\tshe\theld\ther\tglowing\thands\tover\tCassian. I\tunderstood\tthen\u2014the\tquiet\tCassian\thad\tonce\tmentioned\tto\tme. It\twas\tnow\tin\tmy\thead\tas\tI\tlooked\tat\this\tmuddy,\tpained\tface\u2014pained,\teven\tin","unconsciousness.\tAs\tI\theard\this\tlabored,\twet\tbreathing. As\tI\tbeheld\tthe\tslice\tcurving\tup\tfrom\this\tnavel\tto\tthe\tbottom\tof\this\tsternum. The\tsplit\tflesh.\tThe\tblood\u2014mostly\tjust\ta\ttrickle. I\tswayed\u2014only\tfor\tRhys\tto\tgrip\tme\tbeneath\tthe\telbows. The\t healer\t didn\u2019t\t turn\t to\t look\t at\t me\t as\t her\t brow\t bunched\t in\t concentration, hands\t flaring\t with\t white\t light.\t Beneath\t them\u2014slowly,\t the\t lips\t of\t the\t wound reached\ttoward\teach\tother. If\tit\twas\tthis\tbad\tnow\u2014 \u201cHow,\u201d\tI\trasped.\tRhys\thad\ttold\tme\tthree\tthings\ta\tmoment\tago: We\u2019d\twon\u2014barely.\tTarquin\thad\tagain\tdecided\twhat\tto\tdo\twith\tany\tsurvivors. And\tCassian\thad\tbeen\tgravely\tinjured. \u201cWhere\t were\t you,\u201d\t was\t all\t Mor\t said\t to\t me.\t She\t was\t soaked,\t bloody,\t and coated\t in\t mud.\t Azriel\t was,\t too.\t No\t sign\t of\t injuries\t beyond\t minor\t cuts, mercifully. I\t shook\t my\t head.\t I\u2019d\t let\t Rhys\t into\t my\t mind\t while\t he\t held\t me.\t Showed\t him everything\u2014explained\t Ianthe\t and\t the\t Suriel\t and\t the\t Weaver.\t What\t it\t had\t told me.\tRhys\u2019s\teyes\thad\tgone\tdistant\tfor\ta\tmoment,\tand\tI\tknew\tAmren\twas\ton\ther way,\t the\t Book\t in\t tow.\t To\t help\t Nesta\t track\t that\t Cauldron\u2014or\t try\t to.\t He\t could explain\tto\tMor. He\u2019d\tonly\tknown\tI\twas\tgone\tafter\tthe\tbattle\tstopped\u2014when\the\trealized\tMor had\t been\t fighting.\t And\t that\t I\t was\t not\t at\t the\t camp\t anymore.\t He\u2019d\t just\t reached Elain\u2019s\t tent\t when\t Helion\t sent\t word\t he\u2019d\t found\t me.\t Using\t whatever\t gift\t he possessed\t that\t allowed\t him\t to\t sense\t such\t things.\t And\t was\t bringing\t me\t back. Vague,\tbrief\tdetails. \u201cIs\t he\u2014is\t he\t going\t to\u2014\u201d\t I\t couldn\u2019t\t finish\t the\t rest.\t Words\t had\t become\t as foreign\tand\thard\tto\treach\tas\tthe\tstars. \u201cNo,\u201d\t the\t healer\t said\t without\t looking\t at\t me.\t \u201cHe\u2019ll\t be\t sore\t for\t a\t few\t days, though.\u201d Indeed,\tshe\u2019d\tgotten\teither\tside\tof\tthe\twound\tto\ttouch\u2014to\tnow\tstart\tweaving together. Bile\tsurged\tup\tmy\tthroat\tat\tthe\tsight\tof\tthat\traw\tflesh\u2014 \u201cHow,\u201d\tI\tasked\tagain. \u201cHe\t wouldn\u2019t\t wait\t for\t us,\u201d\t Mor\t said\t flatly.\t \u201cHe\t kept\t charging\u2014trying\t to\t re- form\t the\t line.\t One\t of\t their\t commanders\t engaged\t him.\t He\t wouldn\u2019t\t turn\t away.","By\tthe\ttime\tAz\tgot\tthere,\the\twas\tdown.\u201d Azriel\u2019s\tface\twas\tstone-cold,\teven\tas\this\thazel\teyes\tfixed\tunrelentingly\tupon that\tknitting\twound. Mor\tsaid\tagain,\t\u201cWhere\tdid\tyou\tgo?\u201d \u201cIf\tyou\u2019re\tabout\tto\tfight,\u201d\tthe\thealer\tsaid\tsharply,\t\u201ctake\tit\toutside.\tMy\tpatient doesn\u2019t\tneed\tto\thear\tthis.\u201d None\tof\tus\tmoved. Rhys\tbrushed\ta\thand\tdown\tmy\tarm.\t\u201cYou\tare,\tas\talways,\tfree\tto\tgo\twherever and\twhenever\tyou\twish.\tBut\twhat\tI\tthink\tMor\tis\tsaying\tis\t\u2026\ttry\tto\tleave\ta\tnote the\tnext\ttime.\u201d The\t words\t were\t casual,\t but\t that\t was\t panic\t in\t his\t eyes.\t Not\u2014not\t the controlling\t fear\t Tamlin\t had\t once\t succumbed\t to,\t but\t \u2026\t genuine\t terror\t of\t not knowing\twhere\tI\twas,\tif\tI\tneeded\thelp.\tJust\tas\tI\twould\twant\tto\tknow\twhere\the was,\t if\t he\t needed\t help,\t if\t he\t vanished\t when\t our\t enemies\t surrounded\t us.\t \u201cI\u2019m sorry,\u201d\tI\tsaid.\tTo\thim,\tto\tthe\tothers. Mor\tdidn\u2019t\tso\tmuch\tas\tlook\tat\tme. \u201cYou\t have\t nothing\t to\t be\t sorry\t for,\u201d\t Rhys\t replied,\t hand\t sliding\t to\t cup\t my cheek.\t \u201cYou\t decided\t to\t take\t things\t into\t your\t own\t hands,\t and\t got\t us\t valuable information\tin\tthe\tprocess.\tBut\t\u2026\u201d\tHis\tthumb\tstroked\tover\tmy\tcheekbone.\t\u201cWe have\tbeen\tlucky,\u201d\the\tbreathed.\t\u201cKeeping\ta\tstep\tahead\u2014keeping\tout\tof\tHybern\u2019s claws.\t Even\t if\t today\t \u2026\t today\t wasn\u2019t\t so\t fortunate\t on\t the\t battlefield.\t But\t the cynic\tin\tme\twonders\tif\tour\tluck\tis\tabout\tto\texpire.\tAnd\tI\twould\trather\tit\tnot\tend with\tyou.\u201d They\tall\thad\tto\tthink\tme\tyoung\tand\treckless. No,\t Rhys\t said\t through\t the\t bond,\t and\t I\t realized\t I\u2019d\t left\t my\t shields\t open. Believe\tme,\tif\tyou\tknew\thalf\tof\tthe\tshit\tCassian\tand\tMor\thave\tpulled,\tyou\u2019d\tget why\twe\tdon\u2019t.\tI\tjust\t\u2026\tLeave\ta\tnote.\tOr\ttell\tme\tthe\tnext\ttime. Would\tyou\thave\tlet\tme\tgo\tif\tI\thad? I\tdo\tnot\t let\t you\tdo\tanything.\t He\t tilted\t my\t face\t up,\t Mor\t and\t Azriel\t looking away.\tYou\tare\tyour\town\tperson,\tyou\tmake\tyour\town\tchoices.\tBut\twe\tare\tmates\u2014 I\tam\tyours,\tand\tyou\tare\tmine.\tWe\tdo\tnot\tlet\teach\tother\tdo\tthings,\tas\tif\twe\tdictate the\tmovements\tof\teach\tother.\tBut\t\u2026\tI\tmight\thave\tinsisted\tI\tgo\twith\tyou.\tMore\tfor my\town\tmental\twell-being,\tjust\tto\tknow\tyou\twere\tsafe. You\twere\toccupied.","A\t slash\t of\t a\t smile.\t If\t you\t were\t hell-bent\t on\t going\t into\t the\t Middle,\t I\t would have\tunoccupied\tmyself\tfrom\tbattle. I\twaited\tfor\thim\tto\tchide\tme\tabout\tnot\twaiting\tuntil\tthey\twere\tdone,\tabout\tall of\tit,\tbut\t\u2026\the\tangled\this\thead.\t\u201cI\twonder\tif\tthe\tWeaver\tforgives\tyou\tnow,\u201d\the mused\taloud. Even\tthe\thealer\tseemed\tto\tstart\tat\tthe\tname\u2014the\twords. A\tshiver\tran\tdown\tmy\tspine.\t\u201cI\tdon\u2019t\twant\tto\tknow.\u201d Rhys\tlet\tout\ta\tlow\tlaugh.\t\u201cThen\tlet\u2019s\tnever\tfind\tout.\u201d But\tthe\tamusement\tfaded\tas\the\tagain\tsurveyed\tCassian.\tThe\twound\tthat\twas now\tsealed\tover. The\tSuriel\twasn\u2019t\tyour\tfault. I\tloosed\ta\tbreath\tas\tCassian\u2019s\teyelids\tbegan\tto\tshift\tand\tflutter.\tI\tknow. I\u2019d\talready\t added\tits\tdeath\tto\tmy\tever-growing\tlist\tof\tthings\tI\u2019d\tsoon\tmake Hybern\tpay\tfor. Long\tminutes\tpassed,\tand\twe\tstood\tin\tsilence.\tI\tdid\tnot\task\twhere\tNesta\twas. Mor\tbarely\tacknowledged\tme.\tAnd\tRhys\t\u2026 He\t perched\t on\t the\t foot\t of\t the\t cot\t as\t Cassian\u2019s\t eyes\t at\t last\t opened,\t and\t the general\tlet\tout\ta\tgroan\tof\tpain. \u201cThat\u2019s\twhat\tyou\tget,\u201d\tthe\thealer\tchided,\tgathering\ther\tsupplies,\t\u201cfor\tstepping in\t front\t of\t a\t sword.\u201d\t She\t frowned\t at\t him.\t \u201cRest\t tonight\t and\t tomorrow.\t I\t know better\tthan\tto\tinsist\ton\ta\tthird\tday\tafter\tthat,\tbut\ttry\tnot\tto\tleap\tin\tfront\tof\tblades anytime\tsoon.\u201d Cassian\t just\t blinked\t rather\t dazedly\t at\t her\t before\t she\t bowed\t to\t Rhys\t and\t me and\tleft. \u201cHow\tbad,\u201d\the\tasked,\this\tvoice\thoarse. \u201cHow\tbad\twas\tyour\tinjury,\u201d\tRhys\tsaid\tmildly,\t\u201cor\thow\tbadly\tdid\twe\thave\tour asses\tkicked?\u201d Cassian\t blinked\t again.\t Slowly.\t As\t if\t whatever\t sedative\t he\u2019d\t been\t given\t still held\tsway. \u201cTo\t answer\t the\t second\t question,\u201d\t Rhys\t went\t on,\t Mor\t and\t Azriel\t backing away\t a\t step\t or\t two\t as\t something\t sharpened\t in\t my\t mate\u2019s\t voice,\t \u201cwe\t managed. Keir\ttook\theavy\thits,\tbut\t\u2026\twe\twon.\tBarely.\tTo\tanswer\tthe\tfirst\t\u2026\u201d\tRhys\tbared his\tteeth.\t\u201cDon\u2019t\tyou\tever\tpull\tthat\tkind\tof\tshit\tagain.\u201d The\t glaze\t wore\t off\t Cassian\u2019s\t eyes\t as\t he\t heard\t the\t challenge,\t the\t anger,\t and","tried\tto\tsit\tup.\tHe\thissed,\tscowling\tdown\tat\tthe\tred,\tangry\tslice\tdown\this\tchest. \u201cYour\t guts\t were\t hanging\t out,\t you\t stupid\t prick,\u201d\t Rhys\t snapped.\t \u201cAz\t held them\tin\tfor\tyou.\u201d Indeed,\t the\t shadowsinger\u2019s\t hands\t were\t caked\t in\t blood\u2014Cassian\u2019s\t blood. And\this\tface\t\u2026\tcold\twith\u2014anger. \u201cI\u2019m\ta\tsoldier,\u201d\tCassian\tsaid\tflatly.\t\u201cIt\u2019s\tpart\tof\tthe\tjob.\u201d \u201cI\tgave\tyou\tan\torder\tto\twait,\u201d\tRhys\tgrowled.\t\u201cYou\tignored\tit.\u201d I\t glanced\t to\t Mor,\t to\t Azriel\u2014a\t silent\t question\t of\t whether\t we\t should\t remain. They\twere\ttoo\tbusy\twatching\tRhys\tand\tCassian\tto\tnotice. \u201cThe\tline\twas\tbreaking,\u201d\tCassian\tretorted.\t\u201cYour\torder\twas\tbullshit.\u201d Rhys\tbraced\this\thands\ton\teither\tside\tof\tCassian\u2019s\tlegs\tand\tsnarled\tin\this\tface, \u201cI\tam\tyour\tHigh\tLord.\tYou\tdon\u2019t\tget\tto\tdisregard\torders\tyou\tdon\u2019t\tlike.\u201d Cassian\t sat\t up\t this\t time,\t swearing\t at\t the\t pain\t lingering\t in\t his\t body.\t \u201cDon\u2019t you\tpull\trank\tbecause\tyou\u2019re\tpissed\toff\u2014\u201d \u201cYou\tand\tyour\tdamned\ttheatrics\ton\tthe\tbattlefield\tnearly\tgot\tyou\tkilled.\u201d\tAnd even\tas\tRhys\tspat\tthe\twords\u2014that\twas\tpanic,\tagain,\tin\this\teyes.\tHis\tvoice.\t\u201cI\u2019m not\tpissed.\tI\u2019m\tfurious.\u201d \u201cSo\t you\u2019re\t allowed\t to\t be\t mad\t about\t our\t choices\t to\t protect\t you\u2014and\twe\u2019re not\tallowed\tto\tbe\tfurious\twith\tyou\tfor\tyour\tself-sacrificing\tbullshit?\u201d Rhys\tjust\tstared\tat\thim.\tCassian\tstared\tright\tback. \u201cYou\tcould\thave\tdied,\u201d\twas\tall\tRhys\tsaid,\this\tvoice\traw. \u201cSo\tcould\tyou.\u201d Another\tbeat\tof\tsilence\u2014and\tin\tits\twake,\tthe\tanger\tshifted. Rhys\tsaid\tquietly,\t\u201cEven\tafter\tHybern\t\u2026\tI\tcan\u2019t\tstomach\tit.\u201d Seeing\thim\thurt.\tAny\tof\tus\thurt. And\t the\t way\t Rhys\t spoke,\t the\t way\t Cassian\t leaned\t forward,\t wincing\t again, and\tgripped\tRhys\u2019s\tshoulder\t\u2026 I\tstrode\tout\tof\tthe\ttent.\tLeft\tthem\tto\ttalk.\tAzriel\tand\tMor\tfollowed\tbehind\tme. I\tsquinted\tat\tthe\twatery\tlight\u2014the\tvery\tlast\tbefore\ttrue\tdark.\tWhen\tmy\tvision adjusted\t\u2026\tNesta\tstood\tby\tthe\tnearest\ttent,\tan\tempty\twater\tbucket\tbetween\ther feet.\t Her\t hair\t a\t damp\t mess\t atop\t her\t mud-flecked\t head.\t Watching\t us\t emerge, grim-faced\u2014 \u201cHe\u2019s\tfine.\tHealed\tand\tawake,\u201d\tI\tsaid\tquickly. Nesta\u2019s\tshoulders\tsagged\ta\tbit.","She\u2019d\tsaved\tme\tthe\ttrouble\tof\thunting\ther\tdown\tto\task\ther\tabout\ttracking\tthe Cauldron.\t Better\t to\t do\t it\t now,\t with\t some\t privacy.\t Especially\t before\t Amren arrived. But\tMor\tsaid\tcoldly,\t\u201cShouldn\u2019t\tyou\tbe\trefilling\tthat\tbucket?\u201d Nesta\twent\tstiff.\tSized\tup\tMor.\tBut\tMor\tdidn\u2019t\tflinch\tfrom\tthat\tlook. After\ta\tmoment,\tNesta\tpicked\tup\ther\tbucket,\tmud\tcaked\tup\tto\ther\tshins,\tand continued\ton,\tsteps\tsquelching. I\tturned,\tfinding\tAzriel\tstriding\tfor\tthe\tcommanders\u2019\ttent,\tbut\tMor\u2014 Livid.\t She\t was\t absolutely\t livid\t as\t she\t faced\t me.\t \u201cShe\t didn\u2019t\t bother\t to\t tell anyone\tthat\tyou\tleft.\u201d Hence\tthe\tanger.\t\u201cNesta\tis\tmany\tthings,\tbut\tshe\u2019s\tcertainly\tloyal.\u201d Mor\tdidn\u2019t\tsmile.\tNot\tas\tshe\tsaid,\t\u201cYou\tlied.\u201d She\tstormed\tfor\ther\town\ttent,\tand\twith\tthat\tcomment\t\u2026\tI\thad\tno\tchoice\tbut to\tfollow\ther\tin. The\t space\t was\t mostly\t occupied\t with\t her\t bed\t and\t a\t small\t desk\t littered\t with weapons\tand\tmaps.\t\u201cI\tdidn\u2019t\tlie,\u201d\tI\tsaid,\twincing.\t\u201cI\tjust\t\u2026\tdidn\u2019t\ttell\tyou\twhat\tI planned\tto\tdo.\u201d She\t gaped\t at\t me.\t \u201cYou\t nudged\t me\t to\t leave\t you,\t insisting\t you\t would\t be\t safe at\tthe\tcamp.\u201d \u201cI\u2019m\tsorry,\u201d\tI\tsaid. \u201cSorry?\tSorry?\u201d\tShe\tsplayed\ther\tarms.\tBits\tof\tmud\tflew\toff. I\tdidn\u2019t\tknow\twhat\tto\tdo\twith\tmy\town\u2014how\tto\teven\tlook\ther\tin\tthe\teye.\tI\u2019d seen\ther\tmad\tbefore,\tbut\tnever\t\u2026\tnever\tat\tme.\tI\u2019d\tnever\thad\ta\tfriend\tto\tquarrel with\u2014who\tcared\tenough. \u201cI\t know\t everything\t you\u2019re\t about\t to\t say,\t every\t excuse\t for\t why\t I\t couldn\u2019t\t go with\t you,\u201d\t Mor\t snapped.\t \u201cBut\t none\t of\t it\t excuses\t you\t for\t lying\t to\t me.\t If\t you\u2019d explained,\t I\t would\t have\t let\t you\t go\u2014if\t you\u2019d\t trusted\t me,\t I\t would\t have\t let\t you go.\tOr\tmaybe\ttalked\tyou\tout\tof\tan\tidiotic\tidea\tthat\tnearly\tgot\tyou\tkilled.\t They are\thunting\tfor\tyou.\tThey\twant\tto\tget\ttheir\thands\ton\tyou\tand\tuse\tyou.\tHurt\tyou. You\u2019ve\tonly\tseen\t a\t taste\t of\t what\t Hybern\t can\t do,\t what\t they\t delight\t in.\t And\t to break\tyou\tto\this\twill,\tthe\tking\twill\tdo\tanything.\u201d I\tdidn\u2019t\tknow\twhat\tto\tsay\tother\tthan,\t\u201cWe\tneeded\tthis\tinformation.\u201d \u201cOf\tcourse\twe\tdid.\tBut\tdo\tyou\tknow\twhat\tit\tfelt\tlike\tto\tlook\tRhys\tin\tthe\teye and\t tell\t him\t I\t had\t no\tidea\t where\t you\t were?\t To\t realize\u2014for\t myself\u2014that\t you","had\t vanished,\t and\t likely\t duped\t me\t into\t enabling\t it?\u201d\t She\t scrubbed\t at\t her\t filthy face,\tsmearing\tthe\tmud\tand\tgore\tfurther.\t\u201cI\tthought\tyou\twere\tsmarter\tthan\tthat. Better\tthan\tthat\tsort\tof\tthing.\u201d The\t words\t sent\t a\t line\t of\t fire\t searing\t across\t my\t vision,\t burning\t down\t my spine.\t\u201cI\u2019m\tnot\tgoing\tto\tlisten\tto\tthis.\u201d I\tturned\tto\tleave,\tbut\tMor\twas\talready\tthere,\tgripping\tmy\tarm.\t\u201cOh,\tyes,\tyou are.\tRhys\tmight\tbe\tall\tsmiles\tand\tforgiveness,\tbut\tyou\tstill\thave\tus\tto\tanswer\tto. You\t are\t my\t High\t Lady.\t Do\t you\t understand\t what\t it\t means\t when\t you\t imply\t you don\u2019t\t trust\t us\t to\t help\t you?\t To\t respect\t your\t wishes\t if\t you\t want\t to\t do\t something alone?\tWhen\tyou\tlie\tto\tus?\u201d \u201cYou\t want\t to\t talk\t about\t lying?\u201d\t I\t didn\u2019t\t even\t know\t what\t came\t out\t of\t my mouth.\t I\t wished\t I\u2019d\t killed\t Ianthe\t myself,\t if\t only\t to\t get\t rid\t of\t the\t rage\t that writhed\talong\tmy\tbones.\t\u201cHow\tabout\tthe\tfact\tthat\tyou\tlie\tto\tyourself\tand\tall\tof us\tevery\tsingle\tday?\u201d She\twent\tstill,\tbut\tdidn\u2019t\tloosen\ther\thold\ton\tmy\tarm.\t\u201cYou\tdon\u2019t\tknow\twhat you\u2019re\ttalking\tabout.\u201d \u201cWhy\t haven\u2019t\t you\t ever\t made\t a\t move\t for\t Azriel,\t Mor?\t Why\t did\t you\t invite Helion\t to\t your\t bed?\t You\t clearly\t found\t no\t pleasure\t in\t it\u2014I\t saw\t the\t way\t you looked\t the\t next\t day.\t So\t before\t you\t accuse\t me\t of\t being\t a\t liar,\t I\u2019d\t suggest\t you look\tlong\tand\thard\tat\tyourself\u2014\u201d \u201cThat\u2019s\tenough.\u201d \u201cIs\t it?\t Don\u2019t\t like\t someone\t pushing\t you\t about\t it?\t About\t your\t choices?\t Well, neither\tdo\tI.\u201d Mor\tdropped\tmy\tarm.\t\u201cGet\tout.\u201d \u201cFine.\u201d I\t didn\u2019t\t glance\t back\t as\t I\t left.\t I\t wondered\t if\t she\t could\t hear\t my\t thunderous heartbeat\twith\tevery\tstorming\tstep\tI\ttook\tthrough\tthe\tmuddy\tcamp. Amren\tfound\tme\twithin\ttwenty\tsteps,\ta\twrapped\tbundle\tin\ther\tarms.\t\u201cEvery time\tyou\tlot\tleave\tme\tat\thome,\tsomeone\tmanages\tto\tget\tgutted.\u201d","CHAPTER 62 I\tcouldn\u2019t\tbring\tmyself\tto\tsmile\tat\tAmren.\tI\tcould\tbarely\tkeep\tmy\tchin\thigh. She\tpeered\tbehind\tme,\tas\tif\tshe\tcould\tsee\tthe\tpath\tI\u2019d\ttaken\tfrom\tMor\u2019s\ttent, smell\tthe\tfight\ton\tme.\t\u201cBe\tcareful,\u201d\tAmren\twarned\tas\tI\tfell\tinto\tstep\tbeside\ther, heading\t for\t our\t tent\t again,\t \u201cof\t how\t you\t push\t her.\t There\t are\t some\t truths\t that even\tMorrigan\thas\tnot\therself\tfaced.\u201d The\thot\tanger\twas\tswiftly\tslipping\tinto\tsomething\tcold\tand\tqueasy\tand\theavy. \u201cWe\tall\tfight\tfrom\ttime\tto\ttime,\tgirl,\u201d\tAmren\tsaid.\t\u201cBoth\tof\tyou\tshould\tcool your\theels.\tTalk\ttomorrow.\u201d \u201cFine.\u201d Amren\t shot\t me\t a\t sharp\t look,\t her\t hair\t swinging\t with\t the\t motion,\t but\t we\u2019d reached\tmy\ttent. Rhys\t and\t Azriel\t were\t holding\t Cassian\t between\t them\t as\t they\t gently\t set\t him into\t a\t chair\t at\t the\t paper-strewn\t desk.\t The\t general\u2019s\t face\t was\t still\t grayish,\t but someone\t had\t found\t a\t shirt\t for\t him\u2014and\t washed\t off\t the\t blood.\t From\t the\t way Cassian\tsagged\tin\tthat\tseat\t\u2026\tHe\tmust\thave\tinsisted\the\tcome.\tAnd\tfrom\tthe\tway Rhys\t lightly\t mussed\t his\t hair\t as\t he\t strode\t to\t the\t other\t side\t of\t the\t desk\t \u2026\t That wound,\ttoo,\thad\tbeen\tpatched\tup. Rhys\tlifted\ta\tbrow\tas\tI\tentered,\tstill\tstomping\ta\tbit.\tI\tshook\tmy\thead.\tI\u2019ll\ttell you\tlater. A\tcaress\tof\tclaws\tdown\tmy\tinnermost\tbarrier\u2014a\tcomforting\ttouch. Amren\t laid\t the\t Book\t onto\t the\t desk\t with\t a\t thud\t that\t echoed\t in\t the\t earth beneath\tour\tfeet. \u201cThe\tsecond\tand\tpenultimate\tpages,\u201d\tI\tsaid,\ttrying\tnot\tto\tflinch\tat\tthe\tpower of\t the\t Book\t slithering\t through\t the\t tent.\t \u201cThe\t Suriel\t claimed\t the\t key\t you\t were","looking\tfor\tis\tthere.\tTo\tnullify\tthe\tCauldron\u2019s\tpower.\u201d I\t assumed\t Rhys\t had\t told\t Amren\t what\t had\t occurred\u2014and\t assumed\t that\t he\u2019d told\tsomeone\tto\tfetch\tNesta,\tsince\tshe\tpushed\tthrough\tthe\theavy\tflaps\ta\tmoment later. \u201cDid\tyou\tbring\t them?\u201d\t Rhys\tasked\tAmren\tas\tNesta\tsilently\tapproached\tthe table. Still\tcoated\tin\tmud\tup\tto\ther\tshins,\tmy\tsister\tpaused\ton\tthe\tother\tside\u2014away from\t where\t Cassian\t now\t sat.\t Looked\t him\t over.\t Her\t face\t revealed\t nothing,\t yet her\thands\t\u2026\tI\tcould\thave\tsworn\ta\tfaint\ttremor\trippled\tthrough\ther\tfingers\tbefore she\t balled\t them\t into\t fists\t and\t faced\t Amren.\t Cassian\t watched\t her\t for\t a\t moment longer\tbefore\tturning\this\thead\ttoward\tAmren\tas\twell.\tHow\tlong\thad\tNesta\tstood atop\tthat\thill,\twatching\tthe\tbattle?\tHad\tshe\tseen\thim\tfall? Amren\t reached\t into\t the\t pocket\t of\t her\t pewter\t cloak\t and\t chucked\t a\t black velvet\tbag\tonto\tthe\tdesk.\tIt\tclacked\tand\tthunked\tas\tit\thit\tthe\twood.\t\u201cBones\tand stones.\u201d Nesta\tonly\tangled\ther\thead\tat\tthe\tsight\tof\tthe\tbag. Your\tsister\tcame\timmediately\twhen\tI\texplained\twhat\twe\tneeded,\tRhys\tsaid.\tI think\tseeing\tCassian\thurt\tconvinced\ther\tnot\tto\tpick\ta\tfight\ttoday. Or\tconvinced\tmy\tsister\tto\tpick\ta\tfight\twith\tsomeone\telse\tentirely. Nesta\t lifted\t the\t bag.\t \u201cSo,\t I\t scatter\t these\t like\t some\t backstreet\t charlatan\t and it\u2019ll\tfind\tthe\tCauldron?\u201d Amren\tlet\tout\ta\tlow\tlaugh.\t\u201cSomething\tlike\tthat.\u201d Arcs\tof\tmud\tlay\tbeneath\tNesta\u2019s\tnails.\tShe\tdidn\u2019t\tseem\tto\tnotice\tas\tshe\tuntied the\tsmall\tpouch\tand\tdumped\tout\tits\tcontents.\tThree\tstones,\tfour\tbones.\tThe\tlatter were\t brown\t and\t gleamed\t with\t age;\t the\t former\t were\t white\t as\t the\t moon\t and smooth\tas\tglass,\teach\tmarked\twith\ta\tthin,\treedy\tletter\tI\tdid\tnot\trecognize. \u201cThree\t stones\t for\t the\t faces\t of\t the\t Mother,\u201d\t Amren\t said\t upon\t seeing\t Nesta\u2019s raised\t brows.\t \u201cFour\t bones\t \u2026\t for\t whatever\t reason\t the\t charlatans\t came\t up\t with that\tI\tcan\u2019t\tbe\tbothered\tto\tremember.\u201d Nesta\t snorted.\t Rhys\t echoed\t the\t sentiment.\t My\t sister\t said,\t \u201cSo\t what\u2014I\t just shake\t them\t around\t in\t my\t hands\t and\t chuck\t them?\t How\t am\t I\t to\t make\t sense\t of any\tof\tit?\u201d \u201cWe\t can\t figure\t it\t out,\u201d\t Cassian\t said,\t his\t voice\t rough\t and\t weary.\t \u201cBut\t start with\tholding\tthem\tin\tyour\thands\tand\tthinking\u2014about\tthe\tCauldron.\u201d","\u201cDon\u2019t\t just\t think\t about\t it,\u201d\t Amren\t corrected.\t \u201cYou\t must\t cast\t your\t mind toward\tit.\tFind\tthe\tbond\tthat\tlinks\tyou.\u201d Even\tI\tpaused\tat\tthat.\tAnd\tNesta,\tstones\tand\tbones\tnow\tin\thand\t\u2026\tShe\tmade no\tmove\tto\tclose\ther\teyes.\t\u201cI\u2014am\tI\tto\t\u2026\ttouch\tit?\u201d \u201cNo,\u201d\tAmren\twarned.\t\u201cJust\tcome\tclose.\tFind\tit,\tbut\tdo\tnot\tinteract.\u201d Nesta\tstill\tdidn\u2019t\tmove.\tShe\tcould\tnot\tuse\tthe\tbathtub,\tshe\u2019d\ttold\tme.\tBecause the\tmemories\tit\tdragged\tup\u2014 Cassian\t said\t to\t her,\t \u201cNothing\t can\t harm\t you\t here.\u201d\t He\t sucked\t in\t a\t breath, groaning\tsoftly,\tand\trose\tto\this\tfeet.\tAzriel\ttried\tto\tstop\thim,\tbut\tCassian\tbrushed him\toff\tand\tstrode\tfor\tmy\tsister\u2019s\tside.\tHe\tbraced\ta\thand\ton\tthe\tdesk\twhen\the\tat last\tstopped.\t\u201cNothing\tcan\tharm\tyou,\u201d\the\trepeated. Nesta\t was\t still\t looking\t at\t him\t when\t she\t finally\t shut\t her\t eyes.\t I\t shifted,\t and the\tangle\tallowed\tme\tto\tsee\twhat\tI\thadn\u2019t\tdetected\tbefore. Nesta\t stood\t before\t the\t map,\t a\t fist\t of\t bones\t and\t stones\t clenched\t over\t it. Cassian\tremained\tat\ther\tside\u2014his\tother\thand\ton\ther\tlower\tback. And\tI\tmarveled\tat\tthe\ttouch\tshe\tallowed\u2014marveled\tat\tit\tas\tmuch\tas\tI\tdid\tthe mud-splattered\thand\tshe\theld\tout.\tThe\tconcentration\tthat\tsettled\tover\ther\tface. Her\t eyes\t shifted\t beneath\t their\t lids,\t as\t if\t scanning\t the\t world.\t \u201cI\t don\u2019t\t see anything.\u201d \u201cGo\tdeeper,\u201d\tAmren\turged.\t\u201cFind\tthat\ttether\tbetween\tyou.\u201d She\tstiffened,\tbut\tCassian\tstepped\tcloser,\tand\tshe\tsettled\tagain. A\tminute\twent\tby.\tThen\tanother. A\tmuscle\ttwitched\ton\tNesta\u2019s\tbrow.\tHer\thand\tbobbed. Her\t breath\t then\t came\t fast\t and\t hard,\t her\t lips\t curling\t back\t as\t she\t panted through\ther\tteeth. \u201cNesta,\u201d\tCassian\twarned. \u201cQuiet,\u201d\tAmren\tsnapped. A\tsmall\tnoise\tcame\tout\tof\ther\u2014one\tof\tterror. \u201cWhere\tis\tit,\tgirl,\u201d\tAmren\tcoaxed.\t\u201cOpen\tyour\thand.\tLet\tus\tsee.\u201d Nesta\u2019s\tfingers\tonly\tclutched\ttighter,\tthe\twhites\tof\ther\tknuckles\tas\tstark\tas\tthe stones\theld\twithin\tthem. Too\tdeep\u2014whatever\tshe\thad\tdone\u2014 I\tlunged\tfor\ther.\tNot\tphysically,\tbut\twith\tmy\tmind. If\t Elain\u2019s\t mental\t gates\t were\t those\t of\t a\t sleeping\t garden,\t Nesta\u2019s\t \u2026\t They","belonged\tto\tan\tancient\tfortress,\tsharp\tand\tbrutal.\tThe\tsort\tI\timagined\tthey\tonce impaled\tpeople\tupon. But\tthey\twere\topen\twide.\tAnd\tinside\t\u2026 Dark. Dark\tlike\tI\thad\tnever\tknown,\teven\twith\tRhysand. Nesta. I\ttook\ta\tstep\tinto\ther\tmind. The\timages\tslammed\tinto\tme. One\tafter\tone\tafter\tone,\tI\tsaw\tthem. The\t army\t that\t stretched\t into\t the\t horizon.\t The\t weapons,\t the\t hate,\t the\t sheer size. I\t saw\t the\t king\t standing\t over\t a\t map\t in\t a\t war-tent,\t flanked\t by\t Jurian\t and several\t commanders,\t the\t Cauldron\t squatting\t in\t the\t center\t of\t the\t room\t behind them. And\tthere\twas\tNesta. Standing\tin\tthat\ttent,\twatching\tthe\tking,\tthe\tCauldron. Frozen\tin\tplace. With\tundiluted\tfear. \u201cNesta.\u201d She\tdid\tnot\tseem\tto\thear\tme\tas\tshe\tstared\tat\tthem. I\treached\tfor\ther\thand.\t\u201cYou\tfound\tit.\tI\tsee\u2014I\tsee\twhere\tit\tis.\u201d Nesta\u2019s\t face\t was\t bloodless.\t But\t she\t at\t last\t dragged\t her\t attention\t to\t me. \u201cFeyre.\u201d Surprise\tlit\ther\tterror-wide\teyes. \u201cLet\u2019s\tgo\tback,\u201d\tI\tsaid. She\tnodded,\tand\twe\tturned.\tBut\twe\tfelt\tit\u2014we\tboth\tdid. Not\t the\t king\tor\tthe\tcommanders\tplotting\twith\thim.\t Not\tJurian\tas\the\t played his\tdeadly\tgame\tof\tdeception.\tBut\tthe\tCauldron.\tAs\tif\tsome\tgreat\tsleeping\tbeast opened\tan\teye. The\tCauldron\tseemed\tto\tsense\tus\twatching.\tSense\tus\tthere. I\tfelt\tit\tstir\u2014like\tit\twould\tlunge\tfor\tNesta.\tI\tgrabbed\tmy\tsister\tand\tran. \u201cOpen\tyour\tfist,\u201d\tI\tordered\ther\tas\twe\tsprinted\tfor\tthe\tiron\tgates\tto\ther\tmind. \u201cOpen\tit\tnow.\u201d She\t only\t panted,\t and\t that\t monstrous\t force\t swelled\t behind\t us,\t a\t black\t wave","rising\tup. \u201cOpen\tit\tnow,\tor\tit\twill\tget\tin\there.\tOpen\tit\tnow,\tNesta!\u201d I\theard\tthe\twords\tas\tI\tthrew\tmyself\tout\tof\ther\tmind\u2014heard\tthem\tbecause\tI\u2019d been\tshouting\tin\tthat\ttent. With\t a\t gasp,\t Nesta\u2019s\t fingers\t splayed\t wide,\t scattering\t stones\t and\t bones\t over the\tmap. Cassian\tcaught\ther\twith\tan\tarm\taround\tthe\twaist\tas\tshe\tswayed.\tHe\thissed\tin pain\tat\tthe\tmovement.\t\u201cWhat\tthe\thell\u2014\u201d \u201cLook,\u201d\tAmren\tbreathed. There\twas\tno\tthrow\tthat\tcould\thave\tdone\tit\u2014save\tfor\tone\tblessed\tby\tmagic. The\tstones\tand\tbones\tformed\ta\tperfect,\ttight\tcircle\taround\ta\tspot\ton\tthe\tmap. Nesta\tand\tI\twent\tpale.\tI\thad\tseen\tthe\tsize\tof\tthat\tarmy\u2014we\tboth\thad.\tWhile Hybern\thad\tbeen\tdriving\tus\tnorthward,\tletting\tus\tchase\tthem\tin\tthese\ttwo\tbattles \u2026 The\tking\thad\tamassed\this\thost\talong\tthe\twestern\tedge\tof\tthe\thuman\tterritory. Perhaps\tno\tmore\tthan\ta\thundred\tmiles\tfrom\tour\tfamily\u2019s\testate. Rhys\tcalled\tin\tTarquin\tand\tHelion\tto\tshow\tthem\twhat\twe\u2019d\tdiscovered. Too\tfew.\tWe\thad\ttoo\tfew\tsoldiers,\teven\twith\tthree\tarmies\there,\tto\ttake\ton\tthat host.\tI\u2019d\tshown\tRhysand\twhat\tI\u2019d\tseen\u2014and\the\u2019d\tshown\tit\tto\tthe\tothers. \u201cKallias\t will\t arrive\t soon,\u201d\t Helion\t said,\t dragging\t his\t hands\t through\t his\t onyx hair. \u201cHe\u2019d\t have\t to\t bring\t forty\t thousand\t soldiers,\u201d\t Cassian\t said.\t \u201cI\t doubt\t he\t has half\tthat.\u201d Rhys\twas\tstaring\tand\tstaring\tat\tthat\tcluster\tof\tstones\tand\tbones\ton\tthe\tmap.\tI could\t feel\t the\t wrath\t rippling\t off\t him\u2014not\t just\t at\t Hybern,\t but\t himself\t for\t not thinking\tHybern\tmight\tbe\tdeliberately\ttoying\twith\tus.\tPositioning\tus\there. We\u2019d\t won\t the\t high\t ground\t these\t two\t battles\u2014Hybern\t had\t won\t the\t high ground\tin\tthis\twar. He\tknew\twhat\twaited\tin\tthe\tMiddle. And\t Hybern\t had\t now\t forced\t us\t to\t gather\t here\u2014in\t this\t spot\u2014so\t that\t he\t and his\t behemoth\t army\t could\t drive\t us\t northward.\t A\t clean\t sweep\t from\t the\t south, eventually\t pushing\t us\t into\t the\t Middle\t or\t forcing\t us\t to\t break\t apart\t to\t avoid\t the","lethal\ttangle\tof\ttrees\tand\tdenizens. And\tif\twe\ttook\tthe\tbattle\tto\tthem\t\u2026\tWe\tmight\tcourt\tdeath. None\t of\t us\t were\t foolish\t enough\t to\t risk\t building\t any\t plans\t around\t Jurian, regardless\tof\twhere\this\ttrue\tallegiance\tlay.\tOur\tbest\tchance\twas\tin\tbuying\ttime for\tother\tallies\tto\tarrive.\tKallias.\tThesan. Tamlin\thad\tchosen\twho\tto\tback\tin\tthis\twar.\tAnd\teven\tif\the\u2019d\tpicked\tPrythian, he\twould\thave\tbeen\tleft\twith\tthe\tproblem\tof\tmustering\ta\tSpring\tCourt\tforce\tafter I\u2019d\tdestroyed\ttheir\tfaith\tin\thim. And\t Miryam\t and\t Drakon\t \u2026\t Not\t enough\t time,\t Rhys\t said\t to\t me.\t To\t hunt\t for them\u2014find\tthem,\tand\tbring\tback\ttheir\tarmy.\tWe\tcould\treturn\tto\tfind\tHybern\thas wiped\tour\town\toff\tthe\tmap. But\tthere\twas\tthe\tCarver\u2014if\tI\tdared\trisk\tretrieving\this\tprize.\tI\tdidn\u2019t\tmention it,\tdidn\u2019t\toffer\tit.\tNot\tuntil\tI\tcould\tknow\tfor\tcertain\u2014once\tI\twasn\u2019t\tabout\tto\tfaint from\texhaustion. \u201cWe\u2019ll\t rest\t on\t it,\u201d\t Tarquin\t said,\t blowing\t out\t a\t breath.\t \u201cMeet\t at\t dawn tomorrow.\tMaking\ta\tdecision\tafter\ta\tlong\tday\tnever\thelped\tanyone.\u201d Helion\t agreed,\t and\t saw\t himself\t out.\t It\t was\t hard\t not\t to\t stare,\t not\t to\t compare his\tfeatures\tto\tLucien\u2019s.\tTheir\tnose\twas\tthe\tsame\u2014eerily\tidentical.\tHow\thad\tno one\tever\tcalled\thim\tout\tfor\tit? I\tsupposed\tit\twas\tthe\tleast\tof\tmy\tworries.\tTarquin\tfrowned\tat\tthe\tmap\tone\tlast time\tand\tdeclared,\t\u201cWe\u2019ll\tfind\ta\tway\tto\tface\tthis.\u201d Rhys\tnodded,\twhile\tCassian\u2019s\tmouth\tquirked\tto\tthe\tside.\tHe\u2019d\tslid\tback\tinto his\tchair\tfor\tthe\tdiscussion,\tand\tnow\tnursed\ta\tcup\tof\tsome\thealing\tbrew\tAzriel had\tfetched\tfor\thim. Tarquin\tturned\tfrom\tthe\ttable,\tjust\tas\tthe\ttent\tflaps\tparted\tfor\ta\tpair\tof\tbroad shoulders\u2014 Varian.\t He\t didn\u2019t\t so\t much\t as\t look\t at\t his\t High\t Lord,\t his\t focus\t going\t right\t to where\t Amren\t sat\t at\t the\t head\t of\t the\t table.\t As\t if\t he\u2019d\t sensed\t she\t was\t here\u2014or someone\thad\treported.\tAnd\the\u2019d\tcome\trunning. Amren\u2019s\teyes\tflicked\tup\tfrom\tthe\tBook\tas\tVarian\thalted.\tA\tcoy\tsmile\tcurved her\tred\tlips. There\t was\t still\t blood\t and\t dirt\t splattered\t on\t Varian\u2019s\t brown\t skin,\t coating\t his silver\tarmor\tand\tclose-cropped\twhite\thair.\tHe\tdidn\u2019t\tseem\tto\tnotice\tor\tcare\tas\the strode\tfor\tAmren.","And\tnone\tof\tus\tdared\tto\tspeak\tas\tVarian\tdropped\tto\this\tknees\tbefore\tAmren\u2019s chair,\ttook\ther\tshocked\tface\tin\this\tbroad\thands,\tand\tkissed\ther\tsoundly.","CHAPTER 63 None\tof\tus\tlasted\tlong\tafter\tdinner. Amren\tand\tVarian\tdidn\u2019t\teven\tbother\tto\tjoin\tus. No,\t she\u2019d\t just\t wrapped\t her\t legs\t around\t his\t waist,\t right\t there\t in\t front\t of\t us, and\t he\u2019d\t stood,\t lifting\t her\t in\t one\t swift\t movement.\t I\t wasn\u2019t\t entirely\t sure\t how Varian\t managed\t to\t walk\t them\t out\t of\t the\t tent\t while\t still\t kissing\t her,\t Amren\u2019s hands\t dragging\t through\t his\t hair,\t letting\t out\t noises\t that\t were\t unnervingly\t like purring\tas\tthey\tvanished\tinto\tthe\tcamp. Rhys\thad\tlet\tout\ta\tlow\tlaugh\tas\twe\tall\tgawked\tin\ttheir\twake.\t\u201cI\tsuppose\tthat\u2019s how\t Varian\t decided\t he\u2019d\t tell\t Amren\t he\t was\t feeling\t rather\t grateful\t she\t ordered us\tto\tgo\tto\tAdriata.\u201d Tarquin\tcringed.\t\u201cWe\u2019ll\talternate\twho\thas\tto\tdeal\twith\tthem\ton\tholidays.\u201d Cassian\t chuckled\t hoarsely,\t and\t looked\t to\t Nesta,\t who\t remained\t pale\t and quiet.\tWhat\tshe\u2019d\tseen,\twhat\tI\u2019d\tseen\tin\ther\tmind\t\u2026 The\tsize\tof\tthat\tarmy\t\u2026 \u201cEat\t or\t bed?\u201d\t Cassian\t had\t asked\t Nesta,\t and\t I\t honestly\t couldn\u2019t\t tell\t if\t he\u2019d meant\tit\tas\tsome\tinvitation.\tI\tdebated\ttelling\thim\the\twas\tin\tno\tshape. Nesta\tonly\tsaid,\t\u201cBed.\u201d\tAnd\tthere\twas\tcertainly\tno\tinvitation\tin\tthe\texhausted reply. Rhys\t and\t I\t managed\t to\t eat,\t quietly\t discussing\t what\t we\u2019d\t seen.\t Exhaustion weighted\t my\t every\t breath,\t and\t I\u2019d\t barely\t finished\t my\t plate\t of\t roast\t mutton before\tI\tcrawled\tinto\tbed\tand\tpassed\tout\tatop\tthe\tblankets.\tRhys\twoke\tme\tonly to\ttug\toff\tmy\tboots\tand\tjacket. Tomorrow\t morning.\t We\u2019d\t figure\t out\t how\t to\t deal\t with\t everything\t tomorrow morning.\tI\u2019d\ttalk\tto\tAmren\tabout\tfinally\tmustering\tBryaxis\tto\thelp\tus\twipe\tout","that\tarmy. Maybe\t there\t was\t something\t else\t we\t weren\u2019t\t seeing.\t Some\t additional\t shot\t at salvation\tbeyond\tthat\tnullifying\tspell. My\t dreams\t were\t a\t tangled\t garden,\t thorns\t snagging\t on\t me\t as\t I\t stumbled through\tthem. I\tdreamed\tof\tthe\tSuriel,\tbleeding\tout\tand\tsmiling.\tI\tdreamed\tof\tthe\tWeaver\u2019s open\t mouth\t ripping\t into\t Ianthe\t while\t she\t still\t screamed.\t I\t dreamed\t of\t Lord Graysen\u2014so\tmortal\tand\tyoung\u2014standing\tat\tthe\tedge\tof\tthe\tcamp,\tbeckoning\tto Elain.\tTelling\ther\the\u2019d\tcome\tfor\ther.\tTo\tcome\thome\twith\thim.\tThat\the\u2019d\tfound\ta way\tto\tundo\twhat\thad\tbeen\tdone\tto\ther\u2014to\tmake\ther\thuman\tagain. I\t dreamed\t of\t that\t Cauldron\t in\t the\t King\t of\t Hybern\u2019s\t war-tent,\t so\t dark\t and slumbering\t\u2026\tAwakening\tas\tNesta\tand\tI\tstood\tthere,\tinvisible\tand\tunseen. How\tit\thad\twatched\tback.\tKnown\tus. I\t could\t feel\t it\t watching\t me,\t even\t then.\t In\t my\t dreams.\t Feel\t it\t extend\t an ancient,\tblack\ttendril\ttoward\tme\u2014 I\tjolted\tawake. Rhys\u2019s\tnaked\tbody\twas\twrapped\taround\tmine,\this\tface\tsoftened\twith\tsleep.\tIn the\tblackness\tof\tthe\ttent,\tI\tlistened. Crackling\t fires\t outside.\t The\t drowsy\t murmurs\t of\t the\t soldiers\t on\t watch.\t The wind\tsighing\talong\tthe\tcanvas\ttents,\tsnapping\tat\tthe\tbanners\tcrowning\tthem. I\tscanned\tthe\tdark,\tlistening. The\tskin\ton\tmy\tarms\tpebbled. \u201cRhys.\u201d He\twas\tinstantly\tawake\u2014sitting\tupright.\t\u201cWhat\tis\tit?\u201d \u201cSomething\t \u2026\u201d\t I\t listened\t so\t hard\t my\t ears\t strained.\t \u201cSomething\t is\t here. Something\tis\twrong.\u201d He\tmoved,\thauling\ton\this\tpants\tand\tknife-belt.\tI\tfollowed\tsuit,\tstill\ttrying\tto listen,\tfingers\tstumbling\tover\tthe\tbuckles.\t\u201cI\tdreamed,\u201d\tI\twhispered.\t\u201cI\tdreamed about\tthe\tCauldron\t\u2026\tthat\tit\twas\twatching\tagain.\u201d \u201cShit.\u201d\tThe\tword\twas\ta\thiss\tof\tbreath. \u201cI\t think\t we\t opened\t a\t door,\u201d\t I\t breathed,\t shoving\t my\t feet\t into\t my\t boots.\t \u201cI think\t\u2026\tI\tthink\t\u2026\u201d\tI\tcouldn\u2019t\tfinish\tthe\tsentence\tas\tI\thurried\tfor\tthe\ttent\tflaps, Rhys\tat\tmy\theels.\tNesta.\tI\thad\tto\tfind\tNesta\u2014 Gold-brown\thair\tflashed\tin\tthe\tfirelight,\tand\tshe\twas\talready\tthere,\thurrying","for\tme,\tstill\tin\ther\tnightgown.\t\u201cYou\thear\tit,\ttoo,\u201d\tshe\tpanted. Hear\u2014I\tcouldn\u2019t\thear,\tbut\tjust\tfeel\u2014 Amren\u2019s\t small\t figure\t darted\t around\t a\t tent,\t wearing\t what\t looked\t to\t be Varian\u2019s\tshirt.\tIt\tcame\tdown\tto\ther\tknees,\tand\tits\towner\twas\tindeed\tbehind\ther, bare-chested\tas\tRhys\twas,\tand\twide-eyed. Amren\u2019s\t bare\t feet\t were\t splattered\t in\t mud\t and\t grass.\t \u201cIt\t came\t here\u2014its power.\tI\tcan\tfeel\tit\u2014slithering\taround.\tLooking.\u201d \u201cThe\tCauldron,\u201d\tVarian\tsaid,\tbrows\tnarrowing.\t\u201cBut\u2014it\u2019s\taware?\u201d \u201cWe\t pried\t too\t deep,\u201d\t Amren\t said.\t \u201cBattle\t aside,\t it\t knows\t where\t we\t are\t as much\tas\twe\tnow\tknow\tits\tlocation.\u201d Nesta\traised\ta\thand.\t\u201cListen.\u201d And\tI\theard\tit\tthen. It\twas\ta\tsong\tand\tinvitation,\ta\tcluster\tof\tnotes\tsung\tby\ta\tvoice\tthat\twas\tmale and\tfemale,\tyoung\tand\told,\thaunting\tand\talluring\tand\u2014 \u201cI\tcan\u2019t\thear\tanything,\u201d\tRhys\tsaid. \u201cYou\twere\tnot\tMade,\u201d\tAmren\tsnapped.\tBut\twe\twere.\tThe\tthree\tof\tus\t\u2026 Again,\tthe\tCauldron\tsang\tits\tsiren\tsong. My\tvery\tbones\trecoiled.\t\u201cWhat\tdoes\tit\twant?\u201d I\tfelt\tit\tpulling\taway\u2014felt\tit\tsliding\toff\tinto\tthe\tnight. Azriel\tstepped\tout\tof\ta\tshadow.\t\u201cWhat\tis\tthat,\u201d\the\thissed. My\tbrows\trose.\t\u201cYou\thear\tit?\u201d A\tshake\tof\tthe\thead.\t\u201cNo\u2014but\tthe\tshadows,\tthe\twind\t\u2026\tThey\trecoil.\u201d The\tCauldron\tsang\tagain. Distant\u2014withdrawing. \u201cI\tthink\tit\u2019s\tleaving,\u201d\tI\twhispered. Cassian\t stumbled\t and\t staggered\t for\t us\t a\t moment\t later,\t a\t hand\t braced\t on\t his chest,\t Mor\t on\t his\t heels.\t She\t did\t not\t so\t much\t as\t look\t at\t me,\t nor\t I\t her,\t as\t Rhys told\tthem.\tStanding\ttogether\tin\tthe\tdead\tof\tnight\u2014 The\tCauldron\tsang\tone\tfinal\tnote\u2014then\twent\tsilent. The\tpresence,\tthe\tweight\t\u2026\tvanished. Amren\t loosed\t a\t sigh.\t \u201cHybern\t knows\t where\t we\t are\t by\t now.\t The\t Cauldron likely\twanted\tto\thave\ta\tlook\tfor\titself.\tAfter\twe\ttaunted\tit.\u201d I\trubbed\tat\tmy\tface.\t\u201cLet\u2019s\tpray\tthat\u2019s\tthe\tlast\twe\tsee\tof\tit.\u201d Varian\t angled\t his\t head.\t \u201cSo\t you\t three\t \u2026\t because\t you\t were\t Made,\t you\t can","hear\tit?\tSense\tit?\u201d \u201cIt\t would\t appear\t so,\u201d\t Amren\t said,\t looking\t inclined\t to\t tug\t him\t back\t to wherever\tthey\u2019d\tbeen,\tto\tfinish\twhat\tthey\u2019d\tno\tdoubt\tstill\tbeen\tin\tthe\tmiddle\tof doing. But\tAzriel\tasked\tsoftly,\t\u201cWhat\tabout\tElain?\u201d Something\t cold\t went\t through\t me.\t Nesta\t was\t just\t staring\t at\t Azriel.\t Staring and\tstaring\u2014 Then\tshe\tbroke\tinto\ta\trun. Her\t bare\t feet\t slid\t through\t the\t mud,\t splattering\t me\t as\t we\t charged\t for\t our sister\u2019s\ttent. \u201cElain\u2014\u201d\tNesta\tshoved\topen\tthe\ttent. She\tstopped\tshort\tso\tfast\tI\tslammed\tinto\ther.\tThe\ttent\u2014the\ttent\twas\tempty. Nesta\t flung\t herself\t inside,\t tossing\t away\t blankets,\t as\t if\t Elain\t had\t somehow sunk\tinto\tthe\tground.\t\u201cElain!\u201d I\t whirled\t into\t the\t camp,\t scanning\t the\t tents\t nearby.\t One\t look\t at\t Rhys conveyed\t what\t we\u2019d\t found\t inside.\t An\t Illyrian\t blade\t appeared\t in\t his\t hand\t just before\the\twinnowed. Azriel\tstalked\tto\tmy\tside,\tright\tinto\tthe\ttent\twhere\tNesta\thad\tnow\tcome\tto\ther feet.\t He\t tucked\t his\t wings\t in\t tightly\t as\t he\t squeezed\t through\t the\t narrow\t space, ignoring\tNesta\u2019s\tsnarl\tof\twarning,\tand\tknelt\tat\tthe\tcot. He\tran\ta\tscarred\thand\tover\tthe\trumpled\tblankets.\t\u201cThey\u2019re\tstill\twarm.\u201d Outside,\tCassian\twas\tbarking\torders,\tthe\tcamp\trousing. \u201cThe\t Cauldron,\u201d\t I\t breathed.\t \u201cThe\t Cauldron\t was\t fading\t away\u2014going somewhere\u2014\u201d Nesta\twas\talready\tmoving,\tsprinting\tfor\twhere\twe\u2019d\theard\tthat\tvoice.\tLuring Elain\tout. I\tknew\thow\tit\thad\tdone\tit. I\u2019d\tdreamed\tof\tit. Graysen\tstanding\ton\tthe\tedge\tof\tcamp,\tcalling\tto\ther,\tpromising\ther\tlove\tand healing. We\treached\tthe\tcopse\tof\ttrees\tat\tthe\tedge\tof\tthe\tcamp,\tjust\tas\tRhys\tappeared out\tof\tthe\tnight,\this\tblade\tnow\tsheathed\tacross\this\tback.\tThere\twas\tsomething\tin his\thands.\tNo\temotion\ton\this\tcarefully\tneutral\tface. Nesta\tlet\tout\ta\tsound\tthat\tmight\thave\tbeen\ta\tsob\tas\tI\trealized\twhat\the\u2019d\tfound","at\tthe\tedge\tof\tthe\tforest.\tWhat\tthe\tCauldron\thad\tleft\tbehind\tin\tits\thaste\tto\treturn to\tHybern\u2019s\twar-camp.\tOr\tas\ta\tmocking\tgift. Elain\u2019s\tdark\tblue\tcloak,\tstill\twarm\tfrom\ther\tbody.","CHAPTER 64 Nesta\t sat\t with\t her\t head\t in\t her\t hands\t inside\t my\t tent.\t She\t did\t not\t speak,\t did\t not move.\tCoiled\tin\ton\therself,\tclinging\tto\tstay\twhole\u2014that\u2019s\thow\tshe\tlooked.\tHow I\tfelt. Elain\u2014taken\tto\tHybern\u2019s\tarmy. Nesta\t had\t stolen\t something\t vital\t from\t the\t Cauldron.\t And\t in\t those\t moments Nesta\thad\thunted\tit\tdown\tfor\tus\t\u2026\tThe\tCauldron\thad\tlearned\twhat\twas\tvital\tto her. So\tthe\tCauldron\thad\tstolen\tsomething\tin\treturn. \u201cWe\u2019ll\tget\ther\tback,\u201d\tCassian\trasped\tfrom\twhere\the\tperched\ton\tthe\trolled\tarm of\t the\t chaise\t longue\t across\t the\t small\t sitting\t area,\t watching\t her\t carefully.\t Rhys, Amren,\tand\tMor\twere\tmeeting\twith\tthe\tother\tHigh\tLords,\tinforming\tthem\twhat had\tbeen\tdone.\tSeeing\tif\tthey\tknew\tanything.\tHad\tany\tway\tof\thelping. Nesta\t lowered\t her\t hands,\t lifting\t her\t head.\t Her\t eyes\t were\t red-rimmed,\t lips thin.\t\u201cNo,\tyou\twill\tnot.\u201d\tShe\tpointed\tto\tthe\tmap\ton\tthe\ttable.\t\u201cI\tsaw\tthat\tarmy. Its\tsize,\twho\tis\tin\tit.\tI\tsaw\tit,\tand\tthere\tis\tno\tchance\tof\tany\tof\tyou\tgetting\tinto\tits heart.\tEven\tyou,\u201d\tshe\tadded\twhen\tCassian\topened\this\tmouth\tagain.\t\u201cEspecially not\twhen\tyou\u2019re\tinjured.\u201d And\twhat\tHybern\twould\tdo\tto\tElain,\tmight\talready\tbe\tdoing\u2014 From\tthe\tshadows\tnear\tthe\tentrance\tto\tthe\ttent,\tAzriel\tsaid,\tas\tif\tin\tanswer\tto some\tunspoken\tdebate,\t\u201cI\u2019m\tgetting\ther\tback.\u201d Nesta\tslid\ther\tgaze\tto\tthe\tshadowsinger.\tAzriel\u2019s\thazel\teyes\tglowed\tgolden\tin the\tshadows. Nesta\tsaid,\t\u201cThen\tyou\twill\tdie.\u201d Azriel\tonly\trepeated,\trage\tglazing\tthat\tstare,\t\u201cI\u2019m\tgetting\ther\tback.\u201d","With\t the\t shadows,\t he\t might\t stand\t a\t chance\t of\t slipping\t in.\t But\t there\t were wards\t to\t consider,\t and\t ancient\t magic,\t and\t the\t king\t with\t those\t spells\t and\t the Cauldron\t\u2026 For\t a\t moment,\t I\t saw\t that\t set\t of\t paints\t Elain\t had\t once\t bought\t me\t with\t the extra\t money\t she\u2019d\t saved.\t The\t red,\t yellow,\t and\t blue\t I\u2019d\t savored,\t used\t to\t paint that\tdresser\tin\tour\tcottage.\tI\thad\tnot\tpainted\tin\tyears\tat\tthat\tpoint,\thad\tnot\tdared spend\tthe\tmoney\ton\tmyself\t\u2026\tBut\tElain\thad. I\tstood.\tMet\tAzriel\u2019s\twrathful\tstare. \u201cI\u2019m\tgoing\twith\tyou,\u201d\tI\tsaid. Azriel\tonly\tnodded. \u201cYou\u2019ll\tnever\tget\tfar\tenough\tinto\tthe\tcamp,\u201d\tCassian\twarned. \u201cI\u2019m\tgoing\tto\twalk\tright\tin.\u201d And\tas\tthey\tnarrowed\ttheir\tbrows,\tI\tshifted\tmyself.\tNot\ta\tglamour,\tbut\ta\ttrue changing\tof\tfeatures. \u201cShit,\u201d\tCassian\tbreathed\twhen\tI\twas\tdone. Nesta\trose\tto\ther\tfeet.\t\u201cThey\tmight\talready\tknow\tshe\u2019s\tdead.\u201d For\tit\twas\tIanthe\u2019s\tface,\ther\thair,\tthat\tI\tnow\tpossessed.\tIt\tnearly\tdrained\twhat was\tleft\tof\tmy\tdepleted\tmagic.\tAnything\tmore\t\u2026\tI\tmight\tnot\thave\tenough\tleft to\tkeep\ther\tfeatures\tin\tplace.\tBut\tthere\twere\tother\tways.\tRoutes.\tFor\tthe\trest\tof what\tI\tneeded. \u201cI\tneed\tone\tof\tyour\tSiphons,\u201d\tI\tsaid\tto\tAzriel.\tThe\tblue\twas\tslightly\tdeeper, but\tat\tnight\t\u2026\tthey\tmight\tnot\tnotice\tthe\tdifference. He\theld\tout\this\tpalm,\ta\tround,\tflat\tblue\tstone\tappearing\tin\tit,\tand\tchucked\tit to\tme.\tI\twrapped\tmy\tfingers\taround\tthe\twarm\tstone,\tits\tpower\tthrobbing\tin\tmy veins\t like\t an\t unearthly\t heartbeat\t as\t I\t looked\t to\t Cassian.\t \u201cWhere\t is\t the blacksmith.\u201d The\t camp\t blacksmith\t did\t not\t ask\t any\t questions\t when\t I\t handed\t over\t the\t silver candlesticks\t from\t my\t tent\t and\t Azriel\u2019s\t Siphon.\t When\t I\t asked\t him\t to\t craft\t that circlet.\tImmediately. A\tmortal\tblacksmith\tmight\thave\ttaken\ta\twhile\u2014days.\tBut\ta\tFae\tone\t\u2026 By\tthe\ttime\the\tfinished,\tAzriel\thad\tgone\tto\tthe\tcamp\tpriestess\tand\tretrieved\ta spare\t set\t of\t her\t robes.\t Perhaps\t not\t identical\t to\t Ianthe\u2019s,\t but\t close\t enough.\t As","High\tPriestess,\tnone\twould\tdare\tlook\ttoo\tclosely\tat\ther.\tAsk\tquestions. I\t had\t just\t set\t the\t circlet\t atop\t my\t hood\t when\t Rhys\t prowled\t into\t our\t tent. Azriel\t was\t honing\t Truth-Teller\t with\t relentless\t focus,\t Cassian\t sharpening\t the weapons\tI\twas\tto\tfasten\tbeneath\tthe\trobe\u2014atop\tthe\tIllyrian\tleathers. \u201cHe\u2019ll\tsense\tyour\tpower,\u201d\tI\tsaid\tto\tRhys\tbefore\the\tcould\tspeak. \u201cI\tknow,\u201d\tRhys\tsaid\thoarsely.\tAnd\tI\trealized\u2014realized\tthe\tother\tHigh\tLords had\tcome\tup\tempty. My\t hands\t began\t shaking.\t I\t knew\t the\t odds.\t Knew\t what\t I\u2019d\t face\t in\t there.\t I\u2019d seen\tit\tin\tNesta\u2019s\tmind\thours\tago. Rhys\tclosed\tthe\tdistance\tbetween\tus,\tclutching\tmy\thands.\tGazing\tat\tme,\tand not\t Ianthe\u2019s\t face,\t as\t if\t he\t could\t see\t the\t soul\t beneath.\t \u201cThere\t are\t wards\t around the\tcamp.\tYou\tcan\u2019t\twinnow.\tYou\thave\tto\twalk\tin\u2014and\tout.\tThen\tyou\tcan\tmake the\tjump\tback\there.\u201d I\tnodded. He\t brushed\t a\t kiss\t to\t my\t brow.\t \u201cIanthe\t sold\t out\t your\t sisters,\u201d\t he\t said,\t his voice\t turning\t sharp\t and\t hard.\t \u201cIt\u2019s\t only\t fitting\t that\t you\t use\t her\t to\t get\t Elain back.\u201d He\tgripped\tthe\tsides\tof\tmy\tface,\tbringing\tus\tnose\tto\tnose. \u201cDo\t not\t get\t distracted.\t Do\t not\t linger.\t You\t are\t a\t warrior,\t and\t warriors\t know when\tto\tpick\ttheir\tfights.\u201d I\tnodded,\tour\tbreath\tmingling. Rhys\tgrowled.\t\u201cThey\ttook\twhat\tis\tours.\tAnd\twe\tdo\tnot\tallow\tthose\tcrimes\tto go\tunpunished.\u201d His\tpower\trippled\tand\tswirled\taround\tme. \u201cYou\t do\t not\t fear,\u201d\t Rhys\t breathed.\t \u201cYou\t do\t not\t falter.\t You\t do\t not\t yield.\t You go\tin,\tyou\tget\ther,\tand\tyou\tcome\tout\tagain.\u201d I\tnodded\tagain,\tholding\this\tstare. \u201cRemember\tthat\tyou\tare\ta\twolf.\tAnd\tyou\tcannot\tbe\tcaged.\u201d He\t kissed\t my\t brow\t one\t more\t time,\t my\t blood\t thrumming\t and\t boiling\t in\t me, howling\tto\tdraw\tblood. I\tbegan\t to\tbuckle\ton\tthe\tweapons\tCassian\thad\tlined\tup\tin\tneat\trows\ton\tthe table,\t Rhys\t helping\t me\t with\t the\t straps\t and\t loops,\t positioning\t them\t so\t that\t they wouldn\u2019t\tbe\tvisible\tbeneath\tmy\trobe.\tThe\tonly\tone\tI\tcouldn\u2019t\tfit\twas\tthe\tIllyrian blade\u2014no\tway\tto\thide\tit\tand\tbe\table\tto\teasily\tdraw\tit.\tCassian\tgave\tme\tan\textra","dagger\tto\tmake\tup\tfor\tits\tabsence. \u201cYou\t get\t them\t in\t and\t out\t again,\t shadowsinger,\u201d\t Rhys\t said\t to\t Azriel\t as\t I walked\tto\tthe\tspymaster\u2019s\tside,\tgetting\ta\tfeel\tfor\tthe\tweight\tof\tthe\tweapons\tand the\tflow\tof\tthe\theavy\trobe.\t\u201cI\tdon\u2019t\tcare\thow\tmany\tof\tthem\tyou\thave\tto\tkill\tto do\tit.\tThey\tboth\tcome\tout.\u201d Azriel\tgave\ta\tgrave,\tsteady\tnod.\t\u201cI\tswear\tit,\tHigh\tLord.\u201d Formal\twords,\tformal\ttitles. I\t gripped\t Azriel\u2019s\t scarred\t hand,\t the\t weight\t of\t his\t Siphon\t pressing\t on\t my brow\tthrough\tthe\thood.\tWe\tlooked\tto\tRhys,\tto\tCassian\tand\tNesta,\tto\tMor\u2014right as\tshe\tappeared,\tbreathless,\tbetween\tthe\ttent\tflaps.\tHer\teyes\twent\tto\tme,\tthen\tthe shadowsinger,\tand\tflared\twith\tshock\tand\tfear\u2014 But\twe\twere\tgone. Azriel\u2019s\t dark\t breeze\t was\t different\t from\t Rhys\u2019s.\t Colder.\t Sharper.\t It\t cut through\tthe\tworld\tlike\ta\tblade,\tspearing\tus\ttoward\tthat\tarmy\tcamp. Night\twas\tstill\toverhead,\tdawn\tperhaps\ttwo\thours\taway,\twhen\the\tlanded\tus\tin a\tthick\tforest\ton\ta\thilltop\tthat\toverlooked\tthe\toutskirts\tof\tthe\tmighty\tcamp. The\t king\t had\t used\t the\t same\t spells\t that\t Rhys\t had\t put\t around\t Velaris\t and\t our own\tforces.\tSpells\tto\thide\tit\tfrom\tsight,\tand\tdispel\tpeople\twho\tgot\ttoo\tclose. We\u2019d\tlanded\tinside\tof\tthem,\tthanks\tto\tNesta\u2019s\tspecifics.\tWith\ta\tperfect\tview of\tthe\tcity\tof\tsoldiers\tthat\tsprawled\taway\tinto\tthe\tnight. Campfires\t burned,\t as\t numerous\t as\t the\t stars.\t Beasts\t snapped\t and\t snarled, yanking\t on\t leashes\t and\t chains.\t On\t and\t on\t and\t on\t that\t army\t went,\t a\t squatting terror\tdrinking\tthe\tlife\tfrom\tthe\tearth. Azriel\t silently\t faded\t into\t blackness\u2014until\t he\t was\t my\t own\t shadow\t and nothing\tmore. I\t fluffed\t out\t the\t priestess\u2019s\t pale\t robe,\t adjusted\t the\t circlet\t atop\t my\t head,\t and began\tto\tpick\tmy\tway\tdown\tthe\thill. Into\tthe\theart\tof\tHybern\u2019s\tarmy."]
Search
Read the Text Version
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5
- 6
- 7
- 8
- 9
- 10
- 11
- 12
- 13
- 14
- 15
- 16
- 17
- 18
- 19
- 20
- 21
- 22
- 23
- 24
- 25
- 26
- 27
- 28
- 29
- 30
- 31
- 32
- 33
- 34
- 35
- 36
- 37
- 38
- 39
- 40
- 41
- 42
- 43
- 44
- 45
- 46
- 47
- 48
- 49
- 50
- 51
- 52
- 53
- 54
- 55
- 56
- 57
- 58
- 59
- 60
- 61
- 62
- 63
- 64
- 65
- 66
- 67
- 68
- 69
- 70
- 71
- 72
- 73
- 74
- 75
- 76
- 77
- 78
- 79
- 80
- 81
- 82
- 83
- 84
- 85
- 86
- 87
- 88
- 89
- 90
- 91
- 92
- 93
- 94
- 95
- 96
- 97
- 98
- 99
- 100
- 101
- 102
- 103
- 104
- 105
- 106
- 107
- 108
- 109
- 110
- 111
- 112
- 113
- 114
- 115
- 116
- 117
- 118
- 119
- 120
- 121
- 122
- 123
- 124
- 125
- 126
- 127
- 128
- 129
- 130
- 131
- 132
- 133
- 134
- 135
- 136
- 137
- 138
- 139
- 140
- 141
- 142
- 143
- 144
- 145
- 146
- 147
- 148
- 149
- 150
- 151
- 152
- 153
- 154
- 155
- 156
- 157
- 158
- 159
- 160
- 161
- 162
- 163
- 164
- 165
- 166
- 167
- 168
- 169
- 170
- 171
- 172
- 173
- 174
- 175
- 176
- 177
- 178
- 179
- 180
- 181
- 182
- 183
- 184
- 185
- 186
- 187
- 188
- 189
- 190
- 191
- 192
- 193
- 194
- 195
- 196
- 197
- 198
- 199
- 200
- 201
- 202
- 203
- 204
- 205
- 206
- 207
- 208
- 209
- 210
- 211
- 212
- 213
- 214
- 215
- 216
- 217
- 218
- 219
- 220
- 221
- 222
- 223
- 224
- 225
- 226
- 227
- 228
- 229
- 230
- 231
- 232
- 233
- 234
- 235
- 236
- 237
- 238
- 239
- 240
- 241
- 242
- 243
- 244
- 245
- 246
- 247
- 248
- 249
- 250
- 251
- 252
- 253
- 254
- 255
- 256
- 257
- 258
- 259
- 260
- 261
- 262
- 263
- 264
- 265
- 266
- 267
- 268
- 269
- 270
- 271
- 272
- 273
- 274
- 275
- 276
- 277
- 278
- 279
- 280
- 281
- 282
- 283
- 284
- 285
- 286
- 287
- 288
- 289
- 290
- 291
- 292
- 293
- 294
- 295
- 296
- 297
- 298
- 299
- 300
- 301
- 302
- 303
- 304
- 305
- 306
- 307
- 308
- 309
- 310
- 311
- 312
- 313
- 314
- 315
- 316
- 317
- 318
- 319
- 320
- 321
- 322
- 323
- 324
- 325
- 326
- 327
- 328
- 329
- 330
- 331
- 332
- 333
- 334
- 335
- 336
- 337
- 338
- 339
- 340
- 341
- 342
- 343
- 344
- 345
- 346
- 347
- 348
- 349
- 350
- 351
- 352
- 353
- 354
- 355
- 356
- 357
- 358
- 359
- 360
- 361
- 362
- 363
- 364
- 365
- 366
- 367
- 368
- 369
- 370
- 371
- 372
- 373
- 374
- 375
- 376
- 377
- 378
- 379
- 380
- 381
- 382
- 383
- 384
- 385
- 386
- 387
- 388
- 389
- 390
- 391
- 392
- 393
- 394
- 395
- 396
- 397
- 398
- 399
- 400
- 401
- 402
- 403
- 404
- 405
- 406
- 407
- 408
- 409
- 410
- 411
- 412
- 413
- 414
- 415
- 416
- 417
- 418
- 419
- 420
- 421
- 422
- 423
- 424
- 425
- 426
- 427
- 428
- 429
- 430
- 431
- 432
- 433
- 434
- 435
- 436
- 437
- 438
- 439
- 440
- 441
- 442
- 443
- 444
- 445
- 446
- 447
- 448
- 449
- 450
- 451
- 452
- 453
- 454
- 455
- 456
- 457
- 458
- 459
- 460
- 461
- 462
- 463
- 464
- 465
- 466
- 467
- 468
- 469
- 470
- 471
- 472
- 473
- 474
- 475
- 476
- 477
- 478
- 479
- 480
- 481
- 482
- 483
- 484
- 485
- 486
- 487
- 488
- 489
- 490
- 491
- 492
- 493
- 494
- 495
- 496
- 497
- 498
- 499
- 500
- 501
- 502
- 503
- 504
- 505
- 506
- 507
- 508
- 509
- 510
- 511
- 512
- 513
- 514
- 515
- 516
- 517
- 518
- 519
- 520
- 521
- 522
- 523
- 524
- 525
- 526
- 527
- 528
- 529
- 530
- 531
- 532
- 533
- 534
- 535
- 536
- 537
- 538
- 539
- 540
- 541
- 542
- 543
- 544
- 545
- 546
- 547
- 548
- 549
- 550
- 551
- 552
- 553
- 554
- 555
- 556
- 557
- 558
- 559
- 560
- 561
- 562
- 563
- 564
- 565
- 566
- 567
- 568
- 569
- 570
- 571
- 572
- 573
- 574
- 575
- 576
- 577
- 578
- 579
- 580
- 581
- 582
- 583
- 584
- 585
- 586
- 587
- 588
- 589
- 590
- 591
- 592
- 593
- 594
- 595
- 596
- 597
- 598
- 599
- 600
- 601
- 602
- 603
- 604
- 605
- 606
- 607
- 608
- 609
- 610
- 611
- 612
- 613
- 614
- 615
- 616
- 617
- 618
- 619
- 620
- 621
