["CHAPTER 65 The\tfirst\ttest\twould\tbe\tthe\tmost\tdangerous\u2014and\tinformative. Passing\tthrough\tthe\tguards\tstationed\tat\tthe\tedge\tof\tthe\tcamp\u2014and\tlearning\tif they\u2019d\t heard\t of\t Ianthe\u2019s\t demise.\t Learning\t what\t sort\t of\t power\t Ianthe\t truly wielded\there. I\tkept\tmy\tfeatures\tin\tthat\tbeatific,\tpretty\tmask\tshe\u2019d\talways\tplastered\ton\ther face,\thead\theld\tjust\tso,\tmy\tmating\tring\tturned\tfacedown\tand\tput\tonto\tmy\tother hand,\t a\t few\t silver\t bracelets\t Azriel\t had\t borrowed\t from\t the\t camp\t priestess dangling\tat\tmy\twrists.\tI\tlet\tthem\tjangle\tloudly,\tas\tshe\thad,\tlike\ta\tcat\twith\ta\tbell on\tits\tcollar. A\tpet\u2014I\tsupposed\tIanthe\twas\tno\tmore\tthan\ta\tpet\tof\tthe\tking. I\tcouldn\u2019t\tsee\tAzriel,\tbut\tI\tcould\tfeel\thim,\tas\tif\tthe\tSiphon\tparading\titself\tas Ianthe\u2019s\tjewel\twas\ta\ttether.\tHe\tdwelled\tin\tevery\tpocket\tof\tshadow,\tdarting\tahead and\tbehind. The\tsix\tguards\tflanking\tthe\tcamp\tentrance\tmonitored\tIanthe,\tstrutting\tout\tof the\tdark,\twith\tunmasked\tdistaste.\tI\tsteadied\tmy\theart,\tbecame\ther,\tpreening\tand coy,\tvain\tand\tpredatory,\tholy\tand\tsensual. They\tdid\tnot\tstop\tme\tas\tI\twalked\tpast\tthem\tand\tonto\tthe\tlong\tavenue\tthat\tcut through\tthe\tendless\tcamp.\tDid\tnot\tlook\tconfused\tor\texpectant. I\tdidn\u2019t\tdare\tlet\tmy\tshoulders\tslump,\tor\teven\theave\ta\tsigh\tof\tutter\trelief.\tNot as\t I\t headed\t down\t the\t broad\t artery\t lined\t by\t tents\t and\t forges,\t fires\t and\u2014and things\t I\t did\t not\t look\t at,\t did\t not\t even\t turn\t toward\t as\t the\t sounds\t coming\t out\t of them\tcharged\tat\tme. This\t place\t made\t the\t Court\t of\t Nightmares\t seem\t like\t a\t human\t sitting\t room filled\twith\tchaste\tmaidens\tembroidering\tpillows.","And\t somewhere\t in\t this\t hell-pit\t \u2026\t Elain.\t Had\t the\t Cauldron\t presented\t her\t to the\t king?\t Or\t was\t she\t in\t some\t in-between,\t trapped\t in\t whatever\t dark\t world\t the Cauldron\toccupied? I\u2019d\tseen\tthe\tking\u2019s\ttent\tin\tNesta\u2019s\tscrying.\tIt\thad\tnot\tseemed\tas\tfar\taway\tas\tit did\t now,\t rising\t like\t a\t gargantuan,\t spiny\t beast\t from\t the\t center\t of\t the\t camp. Entrance\tto\tit\twould\tpresent\tanother\tset\tof\tobstacles. If\twe\tmade\tit\tthat\tfar\twithout\tbeing\tnoticed. The\t time\t of\t night\t worked\t to\t our\t advantage.\t The\t soldiers\t who\t were\t awake were\t either\t engaged\t in\t activities\t of\t varying\t awfulness,\t or\t were\t on\t guard\t and wishing\tthey\tcould\tbe.\tThe\trest\twere\tasleep. It\t was\t strange,\t I\t realized\t with\t each\t bouncing\t step\t and\t jangle\t of\t jewelry toward\tthe\theart\tof\tcamp,\tto\tconsider\tthat\tHybern\tactually\tneeded\trest. I\u2019d\t somehow\t assumed\t they\t were\t beyond\t it\u2014mythic,\t unending\t in\t their strength\tand\trage. But\tthey,\ttoo,\ttired.\tAnd\tate.\tAnd\tslept. Perhaps\tnot\tas\teasily\tor\tas\tmuch\tas\thumans,\tbut,\twith\ttwo\thours\tuntil\tdawn, we\twere\tlucky.\tOnce\tthe\tsun\tchased\taway\tthe\tshadows,\tthough\t\u2026\tOnce\tit\tmade some\tgaps\tin\tmy\tcostume\tall\ttoo\tclear\t\u2026 It\t was\t hard\t to\t scan\t the\t tents\t we\t passed,\t hard\t to\t focus\t on\t the\t sounds\t of\t the camp\t while\t pretending\t to\t be\t someone\t wholly\t used\t to\t it.\t I\t didn\u2019t\t even\t know\t if Ianthe\thad\ta\ttent\there\u2014if\tshe\twas\tallowed\tnear\tthe\tking\twhenever\tshe\twished. I\t doubted\t it\u2014doubted\twe\u2019d\tbe\table\tto\t stroll\tright\tinto\this\tpersonal\ttent\t and find\twherever\tthe\thell\tElain\twas. A\t massive\t bonfire\t smoldered\t and\t crackled\t near\t the\t center\t of\t camp,\t the sounds\tof\trevelry\treaching\tus\tlong\tbefore\twe\tgot\ta\tgood\tvisual. I\tknew\twithin\ta\tfew\theartbeats\tthat\tmost\tof\tthe\tsoldiers\twere\tnot\tsleeping. They\twere\there. Celebrating. Some\t danced\t in\t wicked\t circles\t around\t the\t fire,\t their\t contorted\t shapes\t little more\t than\t twisted\t shadows\t flinging\t through\t the\t night.\t Some\t drank\t from enormous\t oak\t barrels\t of\t beer\t I\t recognized\u2014right\t from\t Tamlin\u2019s\t stores.\t Some writhed\twith\teach\tother\u2014some\tmerely\twatched. But\t through\t the\t laughter\t and\t singing\t and\t music,\t over\t the\t roar\t of\t the\t fire\t \u2026 Screaming.","A\tshadow\tgripped\tmy\tshoulder,\treminding\tme\tnot\tto\trun. Ianthe\twould\tnot\trun\u2014would\tnot\tshow\talarm. My\tmouth\twent\tdry\tas\tthat\tscream\tsounded\tagain. I\tcouldn\u2019t\tbear\tit\u2014to\tlet\tit\tgo\ton,\tto\tsee\twhat\twas\tbeing\tdone\u2014 Azriel\u2019s\t shadow-hand\t grasped\t my\t own,\t tugging\t me\t closer.\t His\t rage\t rippled off\this\tinvisible\tform. We\t made\t a\t lazy\t circuit\t of\t the\t revelry,\t other\t parts\t of\t it\t becoming\t clear.\t The screaming\u2014 It\twas\tnot\tElain. It\twas\tnot\tElain\twho\thung\tfrom\ta\track\tnear\ta\tmakeshift\tdais\tof\tgranite. It\twas\tone\tof\tthe\tChildren\tof\tthe\tBlessed,\tyoung\tand\tslender\u2014 My\t stomach\t twisted,\t threatening\t to\t surge\t up\t my\t throat.\t Two\t others\t were chained\t up\t beside\t her.\t From\t the\t way\t they\t sagged,\t the\t injuries\t on\t their\t naked bodies\u2014 Clare.\tIt\twas\tlike\tClare,\twhat\thad\tbeen\tdone\tto\tthem.\tAnd\tlike\tClare,\tthey\thad been\tleft\tthere\tto\trot,\tleft\tfor\tthe\tcrows\tsurely\tto\tarrive\tat\tdawn. This\tone\thad\theld\tout\tfor\tlonger. I\tcouldn\u2019t.\tI\tcouldn\u2019t\u2014couldn\u2019t\tleave\ther\tthere\u2014 But\tif\tI\tlingered\ttoo\tlong,\tthey\u2019d\tsee.\tAnd\tdrawing\tattention\tto\tmyself\t\u2026 Could\t I\t live\t with\t it?\t I\u2019d\t once\t killed\t two\t innocents\t to\t save\t Tamlin\t and\t his people.\tI\u2019d\tbe\tas\tgood\tas\tkilling\ther\tif\tI\tleft\ther\tthere\tin\tfavor\tof\tsaving\tmy\tsister \u2026 Stranger.\tShe\twas\ta\tstranger\u2014 \u201cHe\u2019s\tbeen\tlooking\tfor\tyou,\u201d\tdrawled\ta\thard\tmale\tvoice. I\tpivoted\tto\tfind\tJurian\tstriding\tfrom\tbetween\ttwo\ttents,\tbuckling\this\tsword- belt.\tI\tglanced\tat\tthe\tdais.\tAnd\tas\tif\tan\tinvisible\thand\twiped\taway\tthe\tsmoke\t\u2026 There\tsat\tthe\tKing\tof\tHybern.\tHe\tlounged\tin\this\tchair,\thead\tpropped\ton\ta\tfist, face\t a\t mask\t of\t vague\t amusement\t as\t he\t surveyed\t the\t revelry,\t the\t torture\t and torment.\t The\t adulation\t of\t the\t crowd\t that\t occasionally\t turned\t to\t toast\t or\t bow\t to him. I\t willed\t my\t voice\t to\t soften,\t adapted\t that\t lilt.\t \u201cI\t have\t been\t busy\t with\t my sisters.\u201d Jurian\t stared\t at\t me\t for\t a\t long\t moment,\t eyes\t sliding\t to\t the\t Siphon\t atop\t my head.","I\tknew\tthe\tmoment\the\trealized\twho\tI\twas.\tThose\tbrown\teyes\tflared\u2014barely. \u201cWhere\tis\tshe,\u201d\twas\tall\tI\tbreathed. Jurian\t gave\t a\t cocky\t grin.\t Not\t directed\t at\t me,\t but\t anyone\t watching\t us. \u201cYou\u2019ve\tbeen\tlusting\tafter\tme\tfor\tweeks\tnow,\u201d\the\tpurred.\t\u201cAct\tlike\tit.\u201d My\tthroat\tconstricted.\tBut\tI\tlaid\ta\thand\ton\this\tforearm,\tbatting\tmy\teyelashes at\thim\tas\tI\tstepped\tcloser. A\tbemused\tsnort.\t\u201cI\thave\ttrouble\tbelieving\tthat\u2019s\thow\tyou\twon\this\theart.\u201d I\ttried\tnot\tto\tscowl.\t\u201cWhere\tis\tshe.\u201d \u201cSafe.\tUntouched.\u201d My\tchest\tcaved\tin\tat\tthe\tword. \u201cNot\t for\t long,\u201d\t Jurian\t said.\t \u201cIt\t gave\t him\t a\t shock\t when\t she\t appeared\t before the\t Cauldron.\t He\t had\t her\t contained.\t Came\t here\t to\t brood\t over\t what\t to\t do\t with her.\tAnd\thow\tto\tmake\tyou\tpay\tfor\tit.\u201d I\tran\ta\thand\tup\this\tarm,\tthen\trested\tit\tover\this\theart.\t\u201cWhere.\tIs.\tShe.\u201d Jurian\t leaned\t in\t as\t if\t he\u2019d\t kiss\t me,\t and\t brought\t his\t mouth\t to\t my\t ear.\t \u201cWere you\tsmart\tenough\tto\tkill\ther\tbefore\tyou\ttook\ther\tskin?\u201d My\thands\ttightened\ton\this\tjacket.\t\u201cShe\tgot\twhat\tshe\tdeserved.\u201d I\t could\t feel\t Jurian\u2019s\t smile\t against\t my\t ear.\t \u201cShe\u2019s\t in\t his\t tent.\t Chained\t with steel\tand\ta\tlittle\tspell\tfrom\this\tfavorite\tbook.\u201d Shit.\tShit.\tPerhaps\tI\tshould\thave\tgotten\tHelion,\twho\tcould\tbreak\talmost\tany \u2014 Jurian\t caught\t my\t chin\t between\t his\t thumb\t and\t forefinger.\t \u201cCome\t to\t my\t tent with\tme,\tIanthe.\tLet\tme\tsee\twhat\tthat\tpretty\tmouth\tcan\tdo.\u201d It\twas\tan\teffort\tnot\tto\trecoil,\tbut\tI\tlet\tJurian\tput\ta\thand\ton\tmy\tlower\tback.\tHe chuckled.\t\u201cSeems\tlike\tyou\u2019ve\talready\tgot\tsome\tsteel\tin\tyou.\tNo\tneed\tfor\tmine.\u201d I\tgave\thim\ta\tpretty,\tsunshine\tsmile.\t\u201cWhat\tof\tthe\tgirl\ton\tthe\track?\u201d Darkness\t flickered\t in\t those\t eyes.\t \u201cThere\t have\t been\t many\t before\t her,\t and many\twill\tcome\tafter.\u201d \u201cI\tcan\u2019t\tleave\ther\there,\u201d\tI\tsaid\tthrough\tmy\tteeth. Jurian\t led\t me\t into\t the\t labyrinth\t of\t tents,\t heading\t for\t that\t inner\t circle.\t \u201cYour sister\tor\ther\u2014you\twon\u2019t\tbe\table\tto\ttake\ttwo\tout.\u201d \u201cGet\ther\tto\tme,\tand\tI\u2019ll\tmake\tit\thappen.\u201d Jurian\tmuttered,\t\u201cSay\tyou\twould\tlike\tto\tpray\tbefore\tthe\tCauldron\tbefore\twe retire.\u201d","I\t blinked,\t and\t realized\t there\t were\t guards\u2014guards\t and\t that\t giant,\t bone- colored\t tent\t ahead\t of\t us.\t I\t clasped\t my\t hands\t before\t me\t and\t said\t to\t Jurian, \u201cBefore\t we\t \u2026\t retire,\t I\t should\t like\t to\t pray\t before\t the\t great\t Cauldron.\t To\t give thanks\tfor\ttoday\u2019s\tbounty.\u201d Jurian\t glowered\u2014a\t man\t ready\t for\t rutting\t who\t had\t been\t delayed.\t \u201cMake\t it quick,\u201d\t he\t said,\t jerking\t his\t chin\t to\t the\t guards\t on\t either\t side\t of\t the\t tent\t flaps.\t I caught\t the\t look\t he\t gave\t them\u2014male\t to\t male.\t They\t didn\u2019t\t bother\t to\t hide\t their leering\tas\tI\tpassed. And\tsince\tI\twas\tIanthe\t\u2026\tI\tgave\tthem\teach\ta\tsultry\tsmile,\tsizing\tthem\tup\tfor conquest\tof\ta\tdifferent\tkind\tthan\tthe\tone\tthey\u2019d\tcome\tto\tPrythian\tto\tdo. The\tone\ton\tthe\tright\u2019s\tanswering\tgrin\ttold\tme\the\twas\tmine\tfor\tthe\ttaking. Later,\tI\twilled\tmy\teyes\tto\tsay.\tWhen\tI\u2019m\tdone\twith\tthe\thuman. He\tadjusted\this\tbelt\ta\tbit\tas\tI\tslipped\tinto\tthe\ttent. Dim\u2014cold.\tLike\tthe\tsky\tbefore\tdawn,\tthat\u2019s\thow\tthe\ttent\tfelt. No\tcrackling\tbraziers,\tno\tfaelights.\tAnd\tin\tthe\tcenter\tof\tthe\tmassive\ttent\t\u2026\ta darkness\tthat\tdevoured\tthe\tlight.\tThe\tCauldron. The\thair\ton\tmy\tarms\trose. Jurian\twhispered\tin\tmy\tear,\t\u201cYou\thave\tfive\tminutes\tto\tget\ther\tout.\tTake\ther\tto the\twestern\tedge\u2014there\u2019s\ta\tcliff\toverlooking\tthe\triver.\tI\u2019ll\tmeet\tyou\tthere.\u201d I\tblinked\tat\thim. Jurian\u2019s\tgrin\twas\ta\tslash\tof\twhite\tin\tthe\tgloom.\t\u201cIf\tyou\thear\tscreaming,\tdon\u2019t panic.\u201d\t His\t diversion.\t He\t smirked\t toward\t the\t shadows.\t \u201cI\t hope\t you\t can\t carry three,\tshadowsinger.\u201d Azriel\tdid\tnot\tconfirm\tthat\the\twas\tthere,\tthat\the\u2019d\theard. Jurian\tstudied\tme\tfor\ta\theartbeat\tlonger.\t\u201cSave\ta\tdagger\tfor\tyour\town\theart.\tIf they\tcatch\tyou\talive,\tthe\tking\twill\u2014\u201d\tHe\tshook\this\thead.\t\u201cDon\u2019t\tlet\tthem\tcatch you\talive.\u201d Then\the\twas\tgone. Azriel\t emerged\t from\t the\t deep\t shadows\t in\t the\t corner\t of\t the\t tent\t a\t heartbeat later.\tHe\tjerked\this\tchin\ttoward\tthe\tcurtains\tin\tthe\tback.\tI\tbegan\tintoning\tone\tof Ianthe\u2019s\tmany\tprayers,\ta\tpretty\tspeech\tI\u2019d\theard\ther\tsay\ta\tthousand\ttimes\tat\tthe Spring\tCourt. We\trushed\tacross\tthe\trugs,\tdodging\ttables\tand\tfurniture.\tI\tchanted\ther\tprayers all\tthe\twhile.","Azriel\tslid\tback\tthe\tcurtain\u2014 Elain\t was\t in\t her\t nightgown.\t Gagged,\t wrists\t wrapped\t in\t steel\t that\t glowed violet.\tHer\teyes\twent\twide\tas\tshe\tsaw\tus\u2014Azriel\tand\tme\u2014 I\tshifted\tmy\tface\tback\tinto\tmy\town,\traising\ta\thand\tto\tmy\tlips\tas\tAzriel\tknelt before\ther.\tI\tkept\tup\tmy\tlitany\tof\tpraying,\tbeseeching\tthe\tCauldron\tto\tmake\tmy womb\tfruitful,\ton\tand\ton\u2014 Azriel\tgently\tremoved\tthe\tgag\tfrom\ther\tmouth.\t\u201cAre\tyou\thurt?\u201d She\t shook\t her\t head,\t devouring\t the\t sight\t of\t him\t as\t if\t not\t quite\t believing\t it. \u201cYou\tcame\tfor\tme.\u201d\tThe\tshadowsinger\tonly\tinclined\this\thead. \u201cHurry,\u201d\tI\twhispered,\tthen\tresumed\tmy\tprayer.\tWe\thad\tuntil\tit\tran\tout. Azriel\u2019s\tSiphons\tflared,\tthe\tone\tatop\tmy\thead\twarming. The\tmagic\tdid\tnothing\twhen\tit\tcame\tinto\tcontact\twith\tthose\tbonds.\tNothing. Only\ta\tfew\tmore\tverses\tof\tmy\tprayer\tleft\tto\tchant. Her\twrists\tand\tankles\twere\tbound.\tShe\tcouldn\u2019t\trun\tout\tof\there\twith\tthem\ton. I\t reached\t a\t hand\t toward\t her,\t scrambling\t for\t a\t thread\t of\t Helion\u2019s\t power\t to unravel\t the\t king\u2019s\t spell\t on\t the\t chains.\t But\t my\t magic\t was\t still\t depleted,\t in shambles\u2014 \u201cWe\tdon\u2019t\thave\ttime,\u201d\tAzriel\tmurmured.\t\u201cHe\u2019s\tcoming.\u201d The\tscreaming\tand\tshouting\tbegan. Azriel\t scooped\t up\t Elain,\t looping\t her\t bound\t arms\t around\t his\t neck.\t \u201cHold tight,\u201d\the\tordered\ther,\t\u201cand\tdon\u2019t\tmake\ta\tsound.\u201d Barking\tand\tbaying\trent\tthe\tnight.\tI\tdrew\toff\tthe\trobe,\tand\tpocketed\tAzriel\u2019s Siphon\tbefore\tpalming\ttwo\tknives.\t\u201cOut\tthe\tback?\u201d A\tnod.\t\u201cGet\tready\tto\trun.\u201d My\t heart\t thundered.\t Elain\t glanced\t between\t us,\t but\t did\t not\t tremble.\t Did\t not cringe. \u201cRun,\t and\t don\u2019t\t stop,\u201d\t he\t told\t me.\t \u201cWe\t sprint\t for\t the\t western\t edge\u2014the cliff.\u201d \u201cIf\tJurian\u2019s\tnot\tthere\twith\tthe\tgirl\tin\ttime\u2014\u201d \u201cThen\tyou\twill\tgo.\tI\u2019ll\tget\ther.\u201d I\tblew\tout\ta\tbreath,\tsteadying\tmyself. The\tbarking\tand\tgrowling\tgrew\tlouder\u2014closer. \u201cNow,\u201d\tAzriel\thissed,\tand\twe\tran. His\t Siphons\t blazed,\t and\t the\t canvas\t of\t the\t back\t of\t the\t tent\t melted\t into","nothing.\tWe\tbolted\tthrough\tit\tbefore\tthe\tguards\tnearby\tnoticed. They\tdidn\u2019t\treact\tto\tus.\tOnly\tpeered\tat\tthe\thole. Azriel\thad\tmade\tus\tinvisible\u2014shadow-bound. We\t sprinted\t between\t tents,\t feet\t flying\t over\t the\t grass\t and\t dirt.\t \u201cHurry,\u201d\t he whispered.\t\u201cThe\tshadows\twon\u2019t\tlast\tlong.\u201d For\tin\tthe\teast,\tbehind\tus\t\u2026\tthe\tsun\twas\tbeginning\tto\trise. A\tpiercing\thowl\tsplit\tthe\tdying\tnight.\tAnd\tI\tknew\tthey\u2019d\trealized\twhat\twe\u2019d done.\t That\t we\t were\t here.\t And\t even\t if\t they\t couldn\u2019t\t see\t us\t \u2026\t the\t King\t of Hybern\u2019s\thounds\tcould\tscent\tus. \u201cFaster,\u201d\tAzriel\tsnarled. The\tearth\tshuddered\tbehind\tus.\tI\tdidn\u2019t\tdare\tlook\tbehind. We\tneared\ta\track\tof\tweapons.\tI\tsheathed\tmy\tknives,\tfreeing\tmy\thands\tas\twe hurtled\t past\t and\t I\t snatched\t a\t bow\t and\t quiver\t of\t arrows\t from\t their\t stand.\t Ash arrows. The\t arrows\t clacked\t as\t I\t slung\t the\t quiver\t over\t a\t shoulder.\t As\t I\t nocked\t an arrow\tinto\tplace. Azriel\tcut\tright,\tswerving\taround\ta\ttent. And\twith\tthe\tangle\t\u2026\tI\tturned\tand\tfired. The\tnearest\thound\u2014it\twas\tnot\ta\thound,\tI\trealized\tas\tthe\tarrow\tspiraled\tfor\tits head. But\t some\t cousin\t of\t the\t naga\u2014some\t monstrous,\t scaled\t thing\t that\t thundered on\tall\tfours,\tserpentine\tface\tsnarling\tand\tfull\tof\tbone-shredding\twhite\tteeth\u2014 My\tarrow\twent\tright\tthrough\tits\tthroat. It\t went\t down,\t and\t we\t rounded\t the\t tent,\t hurtling\t for\t that\t still-dim\t western horizon. I\tnocked\tanother\tarrow. Three\tothers.\tThree\tmore\tbehind\tus,\tgaining\twith\tevery\tclawed\tstep\u2014 I\t could\t feel\t them\t around\t us\u2014Hybern\t commanders,\t racing\t along\t with\t the hounds,\t tracking\t the\t beasts\t because\t they\t still\t could\t not\t see\t us.\t That\t arrow\t I\u2019d fired\t had\t told\t them\t enough\t about\t the\t distance.\t But\t the\t moment\t the\t hounds caught\tup\t\u2026\tthose\tcommanders\twould\tappear.\tKill\tus\tor\tdrag\tus\taway. Row\t after\t row\t of\t tents,\t slowly\t awakening\t at\t the\t ruckus\t in\t the\t center\t of\t the camp. The\tair\trippled,\tand\tI\tlooked\tup\tto\tsee\tthe\train\tof\tash\tarrows\tunleashed\tfrom","behind,\tso\tmany\tthey\twere\ta\tblind\tattempt\tto\thit\tany\ttarget\u2014 Azriel\u2019s\t blue\t shield\t shuddered\t at\t the\t impact,\t but\t held.\t Yet\t our\t shadows shivered\tand\tfaded. The\thounds\tclosed\tin,\ttwo\tbreaking\taway\u2014to\tcut\tto\tthe\tside.\tTo\therd\tus. For\tthat\twas\ta\tcliff\tat\tthe\tother\tedge\tof\tthe\tcamp.\tA\tcliff\twith\ta\tvery,\tvery\tlong drop,\tand\tunforgiving\triver\tbelow. And\tstanding\tat\tits\tend,\thuddled\tin\ta\tdark\tcloak\t\u2026 That\twas\tthe\tgirl. Jurian\thad\tleft\ther\tthere\u2014for\tus.\tWhere\the\u2019d\tgone\t\u2026\tI\tsaw\tno\tsign\tof\thim. But\t behind\t us,\t filling\t the\t air\t as\t if\t he\u2019d\t used\t magic\t to\t do\t so\t \u2026\t The\t king spoke. \u201cWhat\t intrepid\t thieves,\u201d\t he\t drawled,\t the\t words\t everywhere\t and\t nowhere. \u201cHow\tshall\tI\tpunish\tyou?\u201d I\thad\tno\tdoubt\tthe\twards\tended\tjust\tbeyond\tthe\tcliff\u2019s\tedge.\tIt\twas\tconfirmed by\tthe\tsnarls\tof\tthe\thounds,\twho\tseemed\tto\tknow\tthat\ttheir\tprey\twould\tescape\tin less\tthan\ta\thundred\tyards.\tIf\twe\tcould\tjump\tfar\tenough\tto\tbe\tclear\tof\tthem. \u201cGet\ther\tout,\tAzriel,\u201d\tI\tbegged\thim,\tpanting.\t\u201cI\u2019ll\tget\tthe\tother.\u201d \u201cWe\u2019re\tall\u2014\u201d \u201cThat\u2019s\tan\torder.\u201d A\t clean\t shot,\t an\t unimpeded\t path\t right\t to\t that\t cliff\u2019s\t edge,\t and\t to\t freedom beyond\u2014 \u201cYou\tneed\tto\u2014\u201d\tMy\twords\twere\tcut\toff. I\t felt\t the\t impact\t before\t the\t pain.\t The\t searing,\t burning\t pain\t that\t erupted through\tmy\tshoulder.\tAn\tash\tarrow\u2014 My\t feet\t snagged\t beneath\t me,\t blood\t spraying,\t and\t I\t hit\t the\t rocky\t ground\t so hard\tmy\tbones\tgroaned.\tAzriel\tswore,\tbut\twith\tElain\tin\this\tarms,\tfighting\u2014 The\thounds\twere\tthere\tin\ta\tsecond. I\t fired\t an\t arrow\t at\t one,\t my\t shoulder\t screaming\t with\t the\t movement.\t The hound\tfell,\tclearing\tthe\tview\tbehind. Revealing\t the\t king\t striding\t down\t the\t line\t of\t tents,\t unhurried\t and\t assured\t of our\tcapture,\ta\tbow\tdangling\tfrom\this\thand.\tThe\tbow\tthat\thad\tdelivered\tthe\tarrow now\tpiercing\tthrough\tmy\tbody. \u201cTorturing\tyou\twould\tbe\tso\tdull,\u201d\tthe\tking\tmused,\tvoice\tstill\tmagnified.\t\u201cAt least,\t the\t traditional\t sort\t of\t torture.\u201d\t Every\t step\t was\t slow,\t intentional.\t \u201cHow","Rhysand\tshall\trage.\tHow\the\tshall\tpanic.\tHis\tmate,\tat\tlast\tcome\tto\tsee\tme.\u201d Before\tI\tcould\twarn\tAzriel\tto\thurry,\tthe\tother\ttwo\thounds\twere\ton\tme. One\tleaped\tright\tfor\tme.\tI\tlifted\tmy\tbow\tto\tintercept\tits\tjaws. The\t hound\t snapped\t it\t in\t two,\t hurling\t the\t wood\t away.\t I\t grabbed\t for\t a\t knife, just\tas\tthe\tsecond\tone\tleaped\u2014 A\t roar\t deafened\t me,\t made\t my\t head\t ring.\t Just\t as\t one\t of\t the\t hounds\t was thrown\toff\tme. I\tknew\tthat\troar,\tknew\u2014 A\tgolden-furred\tbeast\twith\tcurling\thorns\ttore\tinto\tthe\thounds. \u201cTamlin,\u201d\tI\tgot\tout,\tbut\this\tgreen\teyes\tnarrowed.\tRun,\the\tseemed\tto\tsay. That\twas\twho\thad\tbeen\trunning\talongside\tus.\tTrying\tto\tfind\tus. He\t ripped\t and\t shredded,\t the\t hounds\t launching\t themselves\t wholly\t on\t him. The\t king\t paused,\t and\t though\t he\t remained\t far\t off,\t I\t could\t clearly\t make\t out\t the surprise\tslackening\this\tface. Now.\tI\thad\tto\tgo\tnow\u2014 I\t scrambled\t to\t my\t feet,\t whipping\t the\t arrow\t out\t with\t a\t swallowed\t scream. Azriel\twas\talready\tthere,\tno\tmore\tthan\ta\tfew\theartbeats\thaving\tpassed\u2014 Azriel\tgripped\tme\tby\tthe\tcollar,\tand\ta\tweb\tof\tblue\tlight\tfastened\titself\tat\tmy shoulder.\tHolding\tthe\tblood\tin,\ta\tbandage\tuntil\ta\thealer\u2014 \u201cYou\tneed\tto\tfly,\u201d\the\tpanted. Six\t more\t hounds\t closed\t in.\t Tamlin\t still\t fought\t the\t others,\t gaining\t ground\u2014 holding\tthe\tline. \u201cWe\t need\t to\t get\t airborne,\u201d\t Azriel\t said,\t one\t eye\t now\t on\t the\t king\t as\t he resumed\this\tmockingly\tslow\tapproach.\t\u201cCan\tyou\tmake\tit?\u201d The\tyoung\twoman\twas\tstill\tstanding\tat\tthe\tedge\tof\tthe\tcliff.\tWatching\tus\twith wide\teyes,\tblack\thair\twhipping\tover\ther\tface. I\u2019d\t never\t made\t a\t running\t takeoff\t before.\t I\u2019d\t barely\t been\t able\t to\t keep\t in\t the skies. Even\tif\tAzriel\ttook\tthe\tgirl\tin\this\tfree\tarm\t\u2026 I\t didn\u2019t\t let\t myself\t consider\t the\t alternative.\t I\t would\t get\t airborne.\t Only\t long enough\t to\t sail\t over\t that\t cliff,\t and\t winnow\t out\t when\t we\u2019d\t passed\t the\t wards\u2019 edge. Tamlin\t let\t out\t a\t yelp\t of\t what\t sounded\t like\t pain,\t followed\t by\t another\t earth- shuddering\t roar.\t The\t rest\t of\t the\t hounds\t had\t reached\t him.\t He\t did\t not\t falter,\t did","not\tyield\tan\tinch\tto\tthem\u2014 I\t summoned\t the\t wings.\t The\t drag\t and\t weight\t of\t them\t \u2026\t Even\t with\t the Siphon-bandage,\tpain\trazed\tmy\tsenses\tat\tthe\ttug\ton\tmy\tmuscles. I\tpanted\tthrough\tmy\tgritted\tteeth\tas\tAzriel\tplunged\tahead,\twings\tbeginning\tto flap.\t Not\t enough\t space\t on\t the\t jutting\t ledge\t for\t us\t to\t do\t this\t side\t by\t side.\t I gobbled\tdown\tdetails\tof\this\ttakeoff,\tthe\tbeating\tof\this\twings,\tthe\tshifting\tangle of\this\tbody. \u201cGrab\t onto\t him!\u201d\t Elain\t ordered\t the\t wide-eyed\t human\t girl\t as\t Azriel thundered\ttoward\ther.\tThe\tgirl\tlooked\tlike\ta\tdoe\tabout\tto\tbe\trun\tdown\tby\ta\twolf. The\tgirl\tdid\tnot\topen\ther\tarms\tas\tthey\tneared. Elain\tscreamed\tat\ther,\t\u201cIf\tyou\twant\tto\tlive,\tdo\tit\tnow!\u201d The\tgirl\tdropped\ther\tcloak,\topened\ther\tarms\twide. Her\t black\t hair\t streamed\t behind\t Azriel,\t catching\t amongst\t his\t wings\t as\t he practically\t tackled\t her\t into\t the\t sky.\t But\t I\t saw,\t even\t as\t I\t ran,\t Elain\u2019s\t pale\t hands lurch\u2014gripping\tthe\tgirl\tby\ther\tneck,\tholding\ther\tas\ttightly\tas\tshe\tcould. And\tjust\tin\ttime. One\tof\tthe\thounds\tbroke\tfree\tfrom\tTamlin\tin\ta\tmighty\tleap.\tI\tducked,\tbracing for\timpact. But\tit\twas\tnot\taiming\tfor\tme.\tTwo\tbounding\tstrides\tdown\tthe\tstone\tledge\tand another\tleap\u2014 Azriel\u2019s\t roar\t echoed\t off\t the\t rocks\t as\t the\t hound\t slammed\t into\t him,\t dragging those\tshredding\ttalons\tdown\this\tspine,\this\twings\u2014 The\tgirl\tscreamed,\tbut\tElain\tmoved.\tAs\tAzriel\tbattled\tto\tkeep\tthem\tairborne, keep\this\tgrip\ton\tthem,\tmy\tsister\tsent\ta\tfierce\tkick\tinto\tthe\tbeast\u2019s\tface.\tIts\teye. Another.\tAnother. It\tbellowed,\tand\tElain\tslammed\ther\tbare,\tmuddy\tfoot\tinto\tits\tface\tagain.\tThe blow\tstruck\thome. With\ta\tyelp\tof\tpain,\tit\treleased\tits\tclaws\u2014and\tplunged\tinto\tthe\travine. So\t fast.\t It\t happened\t so\t fast.\t And\t blood\u2014blood\t sprayed\t from\t his\t back,\t his wings\u2014 But\t Azriel\t remained\t in\t the\t air.\t Blue\t light\t splayed\t over\t the\t wounds. Staunching\tthe\tblood,\tstabilizing\this\twings.\tI\twas\tstill\trunning\tfor\tthe\tcliff\tas\the whirled,\trevealing\ta\tpain-bleached\tface,\twhile\the\tgripped\tthe\ttwo\twomen\ttightly. But\the\tbeheld\twhat\tcharged\tafter\tme.\tThe\tsprint\tahead.\tAnd\tfor\tthe\tfirst\ttime","since\tI\thad\tknown\thim,\tthere\twas\tterror\tin\tAzriel\u2019s\teyes\tas\the\twatched\tme\tmake that\trun. I\tflapped\tmy\twings,\tan\tupdraft\thauling\tmy\tfeet\tup,\tthen\tcrashing\tthem\tdown onto\tthe\trock.\tI\tstumbled,\tbut\tkept\trunning,\tkept\tflapping,\tback\tscreaming\u2014 Another\t one\t of\t the\t hounds\t broke\t past\t Tamlin\u2019s\t guard.\t Came\t barreling\t down that\tnarrow\tstretch\tof\trock,\tclaws\tgouging\tthe\tstone\tbeneath.\tI\tcould\thave\tsworn the\tking\tlaughed\tfrom\tbehind. \u201cFaster!\u201d\t Azriel\t roared,\t blood\t oozing\t with\t each\t wing\t beat.\t I\t could\t see\t the dawn\tthrough\tthe\tshreds\tin\tthe\tmembrane.\t\u201cPush\tup!\u201d The\tstone\techoed\twith\tthe\tthunderous\tsteps\tof\tthe\thound\tat\tmy\theels. The\t end\t of\t the\t rock\t loomed.\t Freefall\t lay\t beyond.\t And\t I\t knew\t the\t hound would\t leap\t with\t me.\t The\t king\t would\t have\t it\t retrieve\t me\t by\t any\t means necessary,\t even\t if\t my\t body\t was\t broken\t on\t the\t river\t far,\t far\t below.\t This\t high,\t I would\tsplatter\tlike\tan\tegg\tdropped\tfrom\ta\ttower. And\t he\u2019d\t keep\t whatever\t was\t left\t of\t me,\t as\t Jurian\t had\t been\t kept,\t alive\t and aware. \u201cHold\tthem\thigh!\u201d I\t stretched\t my\t wings\t as\t far\t as\t they\t would\t go.\t Thirty\t steps\t between\t me\t and the\tedge. \u201cLegs\tup!\u201d Twenty\tsteps.\tThe\tsun\tbroke\tover\tthe\teastern\thorizon,\tgilding\tAzriel\u2019s\tbloody armor\twith\tgold. The\t king\t fired\t another\t arrow\u2014two.\t One\t for\t me,\t one\t soaring\t for\t Elain\u2019s exposed\tback.\tAzriel\tslammed\tboth\taway\twith\ta\tblue\tshield.\tI\tdidn\u2019t\tlook\tto\tsee if\tthat\tshield\textended\tto\tTamlin. Ten\t steps.\t I\t beat\t my\t wings,\t muscles\t screaming,\t blood\t sliding\t past\t even\t that Siphon\u2019s\tbandage.\tBeat\tthem\tas\tI\tsent\ta\twave\tof\twind\trising\tup\tbeneath\tme,\tair filling\tthe\tflexible\tmembrane,\teven\tas\tthe\tbone\tand\tsinews\tstrained\tto\tsnapping. My\t feet\t lifted\t from\t the\t ground.\t Then\t hit\t again.\t I\t pushed\t with\t the\t wind, flapping\tlike\thell.\tThe\thound\tgained\ton\tme. Five\tsteps.\tI\tknew\u2014I\tknew\tthat\twhatever\tforce\thad\tcompelled\tme\tto\tlearn\tto fly\t\u2026\tSomehow,\tit\thad\tknown.\tThat\tthis\tmoment\twas\tcoming.\tAll\tof\tit\u2014all\tof it,\tfor\tthis\tmoment. And\twith\tbarely\tthree\tsteps\tto\tthe\tedge\tof\tthat\tcliff\t\u2026\tA\twarm\twind,\tkissed","with\t lilac\t and\t new\t grass,\t blasted\t up\t from\t beneath\t me.\t A\t wind\t of\u2014spring. Lifting\tme,\tfilling\tmy\twings. My\tfeet\trose.\tAnd\trose.\tAnd\trose. The\thound\tleaped\tafter\tme. \u201cBank!\u201d I\t threw\t my\t body\t sideways,\t wings\t swinging\t me\t wide.\t The\t rising\t dawn\t and drop\tand\tsky\ttilted\tand\tspun\tbefore\tI\tevened\tout. I\tlooked\tbehind\tto\tsee\tthat\tnaga-hound\tsnap\tat\twhere\tmy\theels\thad\tbeen.\tAnd then\tplunge\tdown,\tdown,\tdown\tinto\tthe\travine\tand\triver\tbelow. The\t king\t fired\t again,\t the\t arrow\t tipped\t with\t glimmering\t amethyst\t power. Azriel\u2019s\tshield\theld\u2014barely.\tWhatever\tmagic\tthe\tking\thad\twrapped\taround\tit\u2014 Azriel\tgrunted\tin\tpain. But\the\tsnarled,\t\u201cFly,\u201d\tand\tI\tveered\ttoward\tthe\tway\tI\u2019d\tcome,\tback\ttrembling with\tthe\teffort\tto\tkeep\tmy\tbody\tupright.\tAzriel\tturned,\tthe\tgirl\tmoaning\tin\tterror as\the\tlost\ta\tfew\tfeet\tto\tthe\tsky\u2014before\the\tleveled\tout\tand\tsoared\tbeside\tme. The\tking\tbarked\ta\tcommand,\tand\ta\tbarrage\tof\tarrows\tarced\tup\tfrom\tthe\tcamp \u2014rained\tdown\tupon\tus. Azriel\u2019s\tshield\tbuckled,\tbut\theld\tsolid.\tI\tflapped\tmy\twings,\tback\tshrieking. I\tpressed\ta\thand\tto\tmy\twound,\tjust\tas\tthe\twards\tpushed\tagainst\tme.\tPushed\tas if\t they\t tried\t and\t tried\t to\t contain\t me,\t to\t hold\t Azriel\t where\t he\t now\t flapped\t like hell\t against\t them,\t blood\t spraying\t from\t those\t wounded\t wings,\t sliding\t down\t his shredded\tback\u2014 I\tunleashed\ta\tflare\tof\tHelion\u2019s\twhite\tlight.\tBurning,\tsingeing,\tmelting. A\thole\tripped\tthrough\tthe\twards.\tBarely\twide\tenough. We\t didn\u2019t\t hesitate\t as\t we\t sailed\t through,\t as\t I\t gasped\t for\t breath.\t But\t I\t looked back.\tJust\tonce. Tamlin\t was\t surrounded\t by\t the\t hounds.\t Bleeding,\t panting,\t still\t in\t that\t beast form. The\t king\t was\t perhaps\t thirty\t feet\t away,\t livid\u2014utterly\t livid\t as\t he\t beheld\t the hole\tI\u2019d\tagain\tripped\tthrough\this\twards.\tTamlin\tmade\tthe\tmost\tof\this\tdistraction. He\tdid\tnot\tglance\ttoward\tus\tas\the\tmade\ta\tbreak\tfor\tthe\tcliff\tedge. He\tleaped\tfar\u2014far\tand\twide.\tFarther\tthan\tany\tbeast\tor\tFae\tshould\tbe\table\tto. That\t wind\t he\u2019d\t sent\t my\t way\t now\t bolstering\t him,\t guiding\t him\t toward\t that\t hole we\u2019d\tswept\tthrough.","Tamlin\t cleared\t it\t and\t winnowed\t away,\t still\t not\t looking\t at\t me\t as\t I\t gripped Azriel\u2019s\thand\tand\twe\tvanished\tas\twell. Azriel\u2019s\tpower\tgave\tout\ton\tthe\toutskirts\tof\tour\tcamp. The\tgirl,\tdespite\tthe\tburns\tand\tlashings\ton\ther\tmoon-white\tskin,\twas\table\tto walk. The\t gray\t light\t of\t morning\t had\t broken\t over\t the\t world,\t mist\t clinging\t to\t our ankles\t as\t we\t headed\t into\t that\t camp,\t Azriel\t still\t cradling\t Elain\t to\t his\t chest.\t He dripped\tblood\tbehind\thim\tthe\tentire\ttime\u2014a\ttrickle\tcompared\tto\tthe\ttorrent\tthat should\tbe\tleaking\tout.\tContained\tonly\tby\tthe\tpatches\tof\tpower\the\u2019d\tslapped\ton it.\tHelp\u2014he\tneeded\ta\thealer\timmediately. We\t both\t did.\t I\t pressed\t a\t hand\t against\t the\t wound\t in\t my\t shoulder\t to\t keep\t the bleeding\t minimal.\t The\t girl\t went\t so\t far\t as\t to\t even\t offer\t to\t use\t her\t lingering scraps\tof\tclothing\tto\tbind\tit. I\t didn\u2019t\t have\t the\t breath\t to\t explain\t that\t I\t was\t Fae,\t and\t there\t had\t been\t ash\t in my\t skin.\t I\t needed\t to\t see\t a\t healer\t before\t it\t set\t and\t sealed\t in\t any\t splinters.\t So\t I just\tasked\tfor\ther\tname. Briar,\tshe\tsaid,\ther\tvoice\traw\tfrom\tscreaming.\tHer\tname\twas\tBriar. She\t did\t not\t seem\t to\t mind\t the\t mud\t that\t squelched\t under\t her\t feet\t and splattered\ther\tbare\tshins.\tShe\tonly\tgazed\tat\tthe\ttents,\tthe\tsoldiers\twho\tstumbled out.\tOne\tsaw\tAzriel\tand\tshouted\tfor\ta\thealer\tto\thurry\tfor\tthe\tspymaster\u2019s\ttent. Rhys\twinnowed\tinto\tour\tpath\tbefore\twe\u2019d\tmade\tit\tpast\tthe\tfirst\tline\tof\ttents. His\t eyes\t went\t right\t to\t Azriel\u2019s\t wings,\t then\t the\t wound\t in\t my\t shoulder,\t the paleness\tof\tmy\tface.\tTo\tElain,\tthen\tBriar. \u201cI\tcouldn\u2019t\tleave\ther,\u201d\tI\tsaid,\tsurprised\tto\tfind\tmy\town\tvoice\traw. Running\t steps\t approached,\t and\t then\t Nesta\t rounded\t a\t tent,\t skidding\t to\t a\t halt in\tthe\tmud. She\tlet\tout\ta\tsob\tat\tthe\tsight\tof\tElain,\tstill\tin\tAzriel\u2019s\tarms.\tI\u2019d\tnever\theard\ta sound\tlike\tthat\tfrom\ther.\tNot\tonce. She\tisn\u2019t\thurt,\tI\tsaid\tto\ther,\tinto\tthat\tchamber\tin\ther\tmind.\tBecause\twords\t\u2026\tI couldn\u2019t\tform\tthem. Nesta\t broke\t into\t another\t sprint.\t I\t reached\t for\t Rhysand,\t his\t face\t taut\t as\t he stalked\tfor\tus\u2014","But\tNesta\tgot\tthere\tfirst. I\tswallowed\tmy\tshout\tof\tpain\tas\tNesta\u2019s\tarms\twent\taround\tmy\tneck\tand\tshe embraced\tme\tso\thard\tit\tsnatched\tmy\tbreath\taway. Her\t body\t shook\u2014shook\t as\t she\t sobbed\t and\t said\t over\t and\t over\t and\t over, \u201cThank\tyou.\u201d Rhys\t lunged\t for\t Azriel,\t taking\t Elain\t from\t him\t and\t gently\t setting\t my\t sister down.\t Azriel\t rasped,\t swaying\t on\t his\t feet,\t \u201cWe\t need\t Helion\t to\t get\t these\t chains off\ther.\u201d Yet\tElain\tdidn\u2019t\tseem\tto\tnotice\tthem\tas\tshe\trose\tup\ton\ther\ttoes\tand\tkissed\tthe shadowsinger\u2019s\tcheek.\tAnd\tthen\twalked\tto\tme\tand\tNesta,\twho\tpulled\tback\tlong enough\tto\tsurvey\tElain\u2019s\tclean\tface,\ther\tclear\teyes. \u201cWe\tneed\tto\tget\tyou\tto\tThesan,\u201d\tRhys\tsaid\tto\tAzriel.\t\u201cRight\tnow.\u201d Before\t I\t could\t turn\t back,\t Elain\t threw\t her\t arms\t around\t me.\t I\t did\t not remember\twhen\tI\tbegan\tto\tcry\tas\tI\tfelt\tthose\tslender\tarms\thold\tme,\ttight\tas\tsteel. I\t did\t not\t remember\t the\t healer\t who\t patched\t me\t up,\t or\t how\t Rhys\t bathed\t me. How\tI\ttold\thim\twhat\thappened\twith\tJurian,\tand\tTamlin,\tNesta\thovering\taround Elain\t as\t Helion\t came\t to\t remove\t her\t chains,\t cursing\t the\t king\u2019s\t handiwork,\t even as\the\tadmired\tits\tquality. But\tI\tdid\tremember\tlying\tdown\ton\tthe\tbearskin\trug\tonce\tit\twas\tdone.\tHow\tI felt\t Elain\u2019s\t slim\t body\t settle\t next\t to\t mine\t and\t curl\t into\t my\t side,\t careful\t not\t to touch\t the\t bandaged\t wound\t in\t my\t shoulder.\t I\t had\t not\t realized\t how\t cold\t I\t was until\ther\twarmth\tseeped\tinto\tme. A\tmoment\tlater,\tanother\twarm\tbody\tnestled\ton\tmy\tleft.\tNesta\u2019s\tscent\tdrifted over\tme,\tfire\tand\tsteel\tand\tunbending\twill. Distantly,\t I\t heard\t Rhys\t usher\t everyone\t out\u2014to\t join\t him\t in\t checking\t on Azriel,\tnow\tunder\tThesan\u2019s\tcare. I\t didn\u2019t\t know\t how\t long\t my\t sisters\t and\t I\t lay\t there\t together,\t just\t like\t we\t had once\tshared\tthat\tcarved\tbed\tin\tthat\tdilapidated\tcottage.\tThen\u2014back\tthen,\twe\thad kicked\tand\ttwisted\tand\tfought\tfor\tany\tbit\tof\tspace,\tany\tbreathing\troom. But\tthat\tmorning,\tas\tthe\tsun\trose\tover\tthe\tworld,\twe\theld\ttight.\tAnd\tdid\tnot let\tgo.","CHAPTER 66 Kallias\tand\this\tarmy\tarrived\tby\tnoon. It\t was\t only\t the\t sound\t of\t it\t that\t woke\t me\t from\t where\t my\t sisters\t and\t I\t dozed on\tthe\tfloor.\tThat,\tand\ta\tthought\tthat\tclanged\tthrough\tme. Tamlin. His\tactions\twould\tcover\tJurian\u2019s\tbetrayal.\tI\thad\tno\tdoubt\tTamlin\thadn\u2019t\tgone back\tto\tHybern\u2019s\tarmy\tafter\tthe\tmeeting\tto\tbetray\tus\u2014but\tto\tplay\tspy. Though\tafter\tlast\tnight\t\u2026\tit\twas\tunlikely\the\u2019d\tget\tclose\tto\tHybern\tagain.\tNot when\tthe\tking\thimself\thad\twitnessed\teverything. I\tdidn\u2019t\tknow\twhat\tto\tmake\tof\tit. That\the\u2019d\tsaved\tme\u2014that\the\u2019d\tgiven\tup\this\tdeception\tto\tdo\tso.\tWhere\thad\the gone\tto\twhen\the\u2019d\twinnowed?\tWe\thadn\u2019t\theard\tanything\tabout\tthe\tSpring\tCourt forces. And\tthat\twind\the\u2019d\tsent\t\u2026\tI\u2019d\tnever\tseen\thim\tuse\tsuch\ta\tpower. The\t Nephelle\t Philosophy\t indeed.\t The\t weakness\t that\t had\t transformed\t into\t a strength\thadn\u2019t\tbeen\tmy\twings,\tmy\tflying.\tBut\tTamlin.\tIf\the\thadn\u2019t\tinterfered\t\u2026 I\tdidn\u2019t\tlet\tmyself\tconsider. Elain\tand\tNesta\twere\tstill\tdozing\ton\tthe\tbearskin\trug\twhen\tI\teased\tout\tfrom their\t tangle\t of\t limbs.\t Washed\t my\t face\t in\t the\t copper\t basin\t set\t near\t my\t bed.\t A glimpse\tin\tthe\tmirror\tabove\tit\trevealed\tI\u2019d\tseen\tbetter\tdays.\tWeeks.\tMonths. I\t peeled\t back\t the\t neck\t of\t my\t white\t shirt\t to\t frown\t at\t the\t wound\t bandaged\t at my\tshoulder.\tI\twinced,\trotating\tthe\tjoint\u2014marveling\tat\thow\tmuch\tit\thad\talready healed.\tMy\tback,\thowever\t\u2026 Aching\tpain\tjolted\tand\trippled\tall\talong\tit.\tIn\tmy\tabdomen,\ttoo.\tMuscles\tI\u2019d pushed\t to\t the\t breaking\t point\t to\t get\t airborne.\t Frowning\t at\t the\t mirror,\t I\t braided","my\t hair\t and\t shrugged\t on\t my\t jacket,\t hissing\t at\t the\t movement\t in\t my\t shoulder. Another\t day\t or\t two,\t and\t the\t pain\t might\t be\t minimal\t enough\t to\t wield\t a\t sword. Maybe. I\tprayed\tAzriel\twould\tbe\tin\tbetter\tshape.\tIf\tThesan\thimself\thad\tbeen\thealing him,\tperhaps\the\twas.\tIf\twe\twere\tlucky. I\t didn\u2019t\t know\t how\t Azriel\t had\t managed\t to\t stay\t aloft\u2014stay\t conscious\t during those\tminutes\tin\tthe\tsky.\tI\tdidn\u2019t\tlet\tmyself\tthink\tabout\thow\tand\twhen\tand\twhy he\u2019d\tlearned\tto\tmanage\tpain\tlike\tthat. I\t quietly\t asked\tthe\tnearest\tcamp-mother\t to\t dig\tup\tsome\t platters\t of\tfood\tfor my\t sisters.\t Elain\t was\t likely\t starving,\t and\t I\t doubted\t Nesta\t had\t eaten\t anything during\tthe\thours\twe\u2019d\tbeen\tgone. The\t winged\t matron\t only\t asked\t if\t I\t needed\t anything,\t and\t when\t I\t told\t her\t I was\t fine,\t she\t just\t clicked\t her\t tongue\t and\t said\t she\u2019d\t make\t sure\t food\t found\t its way\tto\tme,\ttoo. I\tdidn\u2019t\thave\tthe\tnerve\tto\trequest\tshe\tfind\tsome\tof\tAmren\u2019s\tpreferred\tfood\tas well.\t Even\t if\t I\t had\t no\t doubt\t Amren\t would\t need\t it\u2014after\t her\t \u2026\t activities\t with Varian\tlast\tnight.\tUnless\the\u2019d\u2014 I\t didn\u2019t\t let\t myself\t think\t about\t that\t as\t I\t aimed\t for\t her\t tent.\t We\u2019d\t found Hybern\u2019s\tarmy.\tAnd\thaving\tseen\tit\tlast\tnight\t\u2026\tI\u2019d\toffer\tAmren\tany\thelp\tI\tcould in\t decoding\t that\t spell\t the\t Suriel\t had\t pointed\t her\t toward.\t Anything,\t if\t it\t meant stopping\tthe\tCauldron.\tAnd\twhen\twe\u2019d\tpicked\tour\tfinal\tbattlefield\t\u2026\tthen,\tonly then,\twould\tI\tunleash\tBryaxis\tupon\tHybern. I\t was\t nearly\t to\t her\t tent,\t offering\t grim\t smiles\t in\t exchange\t for\t the\t nods\tand wary\t glances\t the\t Illyrian\t warriors\t gave\t me,\t when\t I\t spied\t the\t commotion\t just near\t the\t edge\t of\t camp.\t A\t few\t extra\t steps\t had\t me\t staring\t out\t across\t a\t thin demarcation\t line\t of\t grass\t and\t mud\u2014to\t the\t Winter\t Court\t camp\t now\t nearly constructed\tin\tits\tfull\tsplendor. Kallias\u2019s\tarmy\twas\tstill\twinnowing\tin\tsupplies\tand\tunits\tof\twarriors,\this\tcourt made\t up\t of\t High\t Fae\t with\t either\t his\t snow-white\t hair\t or\t hair\t of\t blackest\t night, skin\tranging\tfrom\tmoon\tpale\tto\trich\tbrown.\tThe\tlesser\tfae\t\u2026\the\u2019d\tbrought\tmore lesser\tfaeries\tthan\tany\tof\tus,\tif\tyou\texcluded\tthe\tIllyrians.\tIt\twas\tan\teffort\tnot\tto gawk\tas\tI\tlingered\tat\tthe\tedge\tof\twhere\ttheir\tcamp\tbegan. Long-limbed\tcreatures\tlike\tshards\tof\tice\tgiven\tform\tstalked\tpast,\ttall\tenough to\tplant\tthe\tcobalt-and-silver\tbanners\tatop\tvarious\ttents;\twagons\twere\thauled\tby","sure-footed\treindeer\tand\tlumbering\twhite\tbears\tin\tornate\tarmor,\tsome\tso\tkeenly aware\t when\t they\t ambled\t by\t that\t I\t wouldn\u2019t\t have\t been\t surprised\t if\t they\t could talk.\tWhite\tfoxes\tscuttled\tabout\tunderfoot,\tbearing\twhat\tlooked\tto\tbe\tmessages strapped\tto\ttheir\tlittle\tembroidered\tvests. Our\t Illyrian\t army\t was\t brutal,\t basic\u2014few\t frills\t and\t sheer\t rank\t reigned. Kallias\u2019s\t army\u2014or,\t I\t suppose,\t the\t army\t that\t Viviane\t had\t held\t together\t during Amarantha\u2019s\t reign\u2014was\t a\t complex,\t beautiful,\t teeming\t thing.\t Orderly,\t and\t yet thrumming\twith\tlife.\tEveryone\thad\ta\tpurpose,\teveryone\tseemed\tkeen\ton\tdoing\tit efficiently\tand\tproudly. I\tspotted\tMor\twalking\twith\tViviane\tand\ta\tstunningly\tbeautiful\tyoung\twoman who\t looked\t like\t either\t Viviane\u2019s\t twin\t or\t sister.\t Viviane\t was\t beaming,\t Mor perhaps\tmore\tsubdued\tfor\tonce,\tand\tas\tshe\ttwisted\u2014 My\tbrows\trose.\tThe\thuman\tgirl\u2014Briar\u2014was\twith\tthem.\tNow\ttucked\tbeneath Viviane\u2019s\t arm,\t face\t still\t bruised\t and\t swollen\t in\t spots,\t but\t \u2026\t smiling\t timidly\t at the\tWinter\tCourt\tladies. Viviane\tbegan\tto\tlead\tBriar\taway,\tchattering\tmerrily,\tand\tMor\tand\tViviane\u2019s possible-sister\tlingered\tto\twatch\tthem.\tMor\tsaid\tsomething\t to\tthe\tstranger\tthat made\ther\tsmile\u2014well,\tslightly. It\t was\t a\t restrained\t smile,\t and\t it\t faded\t quickly.\t Especially\t as\t a\t High\t Fae soldier\tstrode\tpast,\tgrinned\tat\ther\twith\tsome\tteasing\tremark,\tand\tthen\tcontinued on.\t Mor\t watched\t the\t female\u2019s\t face\t carefully\u2014and\t swiftly\t looked\t away\t as\t she turned\t back\t to\t her,\t clapped\t Mor\t on\t the\t shoulder,\t and\t strode\t off\t after\t her possible-sister\tand\tBriar. I\tremembered\tour\targument\tthe\tmoment\tMor\tturned\ttoward\tme.\tRemembered the\t words\t we\u2019d\t left\t unsaid,\t the\t ones\t I\t probably\t shouldn\u2019t\t have\t spoken.\t Mor flipped\ther\thair\tover\ta\tshoulder\tand\theaded\tright\tfor\tme. I\t spoke\t before\t she\t could\t get\t the\t first\t word\t out,\t \u201cYou\t gave\t Briar\t over\t to them?\u201d We\t fell\t into\t step\t back\t toward\t our\t own\t camp.\t \u201cAz\t explained\t the\t state\t you found\t her\t in.\t I\t didn\u2019t\t think\t being\t exposed\t to\t battle-ready\t Illyrians\t would\t do much\tto\tsoothe\ther.\u201d \u201cAnd\tthe\tWinter\tCourt\tarmy\tis\tmuch\tbetter?\u201d \u201cThey\u2019ve\tgot\tfuzzy\tanimals.\u201d I\tsnorted,\tshaking\tmy\thead.\tThose\tenormous\tbears\twere\tindeed\tfuzzy\u2014if\tyou","ignored\tthe\tclaws\tand\tteeth. Mor\tglanced\tsidelong\tat\tme.\t\u201cYou\tdid\ta\tvery\tbrave\tthing\tin\tsaving\tBriar.\u201d \u201cAnyone\twould\thave\tdone\tit.\u201d \u201cNo,\u201d\t she\t said,\t adjusting\t her\t tight\t Illyrian\t jacket.\t \u201cI\u2019m\t not\t sure\t \u2026\t I\u2019m\t not sure\teven\tI\twould\thave\ttried\tto\tget\ther.\tIf\tI\twould\thave\tdeemed\tthe\trisk\tworth\tit. I\u2019ve\t made\t enough\t calls\t like\t that\t where\t it\t went\t badly\t that\t I\t \u2026\u201d\t She\t shook\t her head. I\tswallowed.\t\u201cHow\u2019s\tAzriel?\u201d \u201cAlive.\tHis\tback\tis\tfine.\tBut\tThesan\thasn\u2019t\thealed\tmany\tIllyrian\twings,\tso\tthe healing\t is\t \u2026\t slow.\t Different\t from\t repairing\t Peregryn\t wings,\t apparently.\t Rhys sent\t for\t Madja.\u201d\t The\t healer\t in\t Velaris.\t \u201cShe\u2019ll\t be\t here\t either\t later\t today\t or tomorrow\tto\twork\ton\thim.\u201d \u201cWill\the\u2014fly\tagain?\u201d \u201cConsidering\t Cassian\u2019s\t wings\t were\t in\t worse\t shape,\t I\u2019d\t say\t yes.\t But\t \u2026 perhaps\tnot\tin\tbattle.\tNot\tanytime\tsoon.\u201d My\tstomach\ttightened.\t\u201cHe\twon\u2019t\tbe\thappy\tabout\tthat.\u201d \u201cNone\tof\tus\tare.\u201d To\tlose\tAzriel\ton\tthe\tfield\t\u2026 Mor\t seemed\t to\t read\t what\t I\t was\t thinking\t and\t said,\t \u201cBetter\t than\t being\t dead.\u201d She\t dragged\t a\t hand\t through\t her\t golden\t hair.\t \u201cIt\t would\t have\t been\t so\t easy\u2014for things\tto\thave\tgone\twrong\tlast\tnight.\tAnd\twhen\tI\tsaw\tyou\ttwo\tvanish\t\u2026\tI\thad this\t thought,\t this\t terror,\t that\t I\t might\t not\t get\t to\t see\t you\t again.\t To\t make\t things right.\u201d \u201cI\tsaid\tthings\tI\tdidn\u2019t\treally\tmean\tto\u2014\u201d \u201cWe\tboth\tdid.\u201d\tShe\tled\tme\tup\tto\tthe\ttree\tline\tat\tthe\tborder\tof\tboth\tour\tcamps, and\t I\t knew\t from\t that\t alone\t \u2026\t I\t knew\t she\t was\t about\t to\t tell\t me\t something\t she didn\u2019t\t wish\t anyone\t overhearing.\t Something\t worth\t delaying\t my\t meeting\t with Amren\tfor\ta\tlittle\twhile. She\tleaned\tagainst\ta\ttowering\toak,\tfoot\ttap-tapping\ton\tthe\tground.\t\u201cNo\tmore lies\tbetween\tus.\u201d Guilt\t tugged\t on\t my\t gut.\t \u201cYes,\u201d\t I\t said.\t \u201cI\u2014I\u2019m\t sorry\t about\t deceiving\t you.\t I just\t\u2026\tI\tmade\ta\tmistake.\tAnd\tI\u2019m\tsorry.\u201d Mor\t rubbed\t her\t face.\t \u201cYou\t were\t right\t about\t me,\t though.\t You\t were\t \u2026\u201d\t Her hand\tshook\tas\tshe\tlowered\tit.\tShe\tgnawed\ton\ther\tlip,\tthroat\tbobbing.\tHer\teyes\tat","last\tmet\tmine\u2014bright\tand\tfearful\tand\tanguished.\tHer\tvoice\tbroke\tas\tshe\tsaid,\t\u201cI don\u2019t\tlove\tAzriel.\u201d I\tremained\tperfectly\tstill.\tListening. \u201cNo,\tthat\u2019s\tnot\ttrue,\teither.\tI\u2014I\tdo\tlove\thim.\tAs\tmy\tfamily.\tAnd\tsometimes\tI wonder\tif\tit\tcan\tbe\t\u2026\tmore,\tbut\t\u2026\tI\tdo\tnot\tlove\thim.\tNot\tthe\tway\the\u2014he\tfeels for\tme.\u201d\tThe\tlast\twords\twere\ta\ttrembling\twhisper. \u201cHave\tyou\tever\tloved\thim?\tThat\tway?\u201d \u201cNo.\u201d\tShe\twrapped\ther\tarms\taround\therself.\t\u201cNo.\tI\tdon\u2019t\t\u2026\tYou\tsee\t\u2026\u201d\tI\u2019d never\tseen\ther\tat\tsuch\ta\tloss\tfor\twords.\tShe\tclosed\ther\teyes,\tfingers\tdigging\tinto her\tskin.\t\u201cI\tcan\u2019t\tlove\thim\tlike\tthat.\u201d \u201cWhy?\u201d \u201cBecause\tI\tprefer\tfemales.\u201d For\ta\theartbeat,\tonly\tsilence\trippled\tthrough\tme.\t\u201cBut\u2014you\tsleep\twith\tmales. You\tslept\twith\tHelion\t\u2026\u201d\tAnd\thad\tlooked\tterrible\tthe\tnext\tday.\tTortured\tand\tnot at\tall\tsated. Not\tjust\tbecause\tof\tAzriel,\tbut\t\u2026\tbecause\tit\twasn\u2019t\twhat\tshe\twanted. \u201cI\tdo\tfind\tpleasure\tin\tthem.\tIn\tboth.\u201d\tHer\thands\twere\tshaking\tso\tfiercely\tthat she\tgripped\therself\teven\ttighter.\t\u201cBut\tI\u2019ve\tknown,\tsince\tI\twas\tlittle\tmore\tthan\ta child,\tthat\tI\tprefer\tfemales.\tThat\tI\u2019m\t\u2026\tattracted\tto\tthem\tmore\tover\tmales.\tThat I\tconnect\twith\tthem,\tcare\tfor\tthem\tmore\ton\tthat\tsoul-deep\tlevel.\tBut\tat\tthe\tHewn City\t \u2026\t All\t they\t care\t about\t is\t breeding\t their\t bloodlines,\t making\t alliances through\t marriage.\t Someone\t like\t me\t \u2026\t If\t I\t were\t to\t marry\t where\t my\t heart desired,\t there\t would\t be\t no\t offspring.\t My\t father\u2019s\t bloodline\t would\t have\t ended with\tme.\tI\tknew\tit\u2014knew\tthat\tI\tcould\tnever\ttell\tthem.\tEver.\tPeople\tlike\tme\t\u2026 we\u2019re\t reviled\t by\t them.\t Considered\t selfish,\t for\t not\t being\t able\t to\t pass\t on\t the bloodline.\t So\t I\t never\t breathed\t a\t word\t of\t it.\t And\t then\t \u2026\t then\t my\t father betrothed\tme\tto\tEris,\tand\t\u2026\tAnd\tit\twasn\u2019t\tjust\tthe\tprospect\tof\tmarriage\tto\thim that\tscared\tme.\tNo,\tI\tknew\tI\tcould\tsurvive\this\tbrutality,\this\tcruelty\tand\tcoldness. I\twas\u2014I\tam\t stronger\t than\t him.\t It\t was\t \u2026\t It\t was\t the\t idea\t of\t being\t bred\t like\t a prize\t mare,\t of\t being\t forced\t to\t give\t up\t that\t one\t part\t of\t me\t \u2026\u201d\t Her\t mouth wobbled,\tand\tI\treached\tfor\ther\thand,\tprying\tit\toff\ther\tarm.\tI\tsqueezed\tgently\tas tears\tbegan\tsliding\tdown\ther\tflushed\tface. \u201cI\tslept\twith\tCassian\tbecause\tI\tknew\tit\twould\tmean\tlittle\tto\thim,\ttoo.\tBecause I\tknew\tdoing\tit\twould\tbuy\tme\ta\tshot\tat\tfreedom.\tIf\tI\thad\ttold\tmy\tparents\tthat\tI","preferred\tfemales\t\u2026\tYou\u2019ve\tmet\tmy\tfather.\tHe\tand\tBeron\twould\thave\ttied\tme\tto that\t marriage\t bed\t for\t Eris.\t Literally.\t But\t sullied\t \u2026\t I\t knew\t my\t shot\t at\t freedom lay\t there.\t And\t I\t saw\t how\t Azriel\t looked\t at\t me\t \u2026\t knew\t how\t he\t felt.\t And\t if\t I\u2019d chosen\t him\t \u2026\u201d\t She\t shook\t her\t head.\t \u201cIt\t wouldn\u2019t\t have\t been\t fair\t to\t him.\t So\t I slept\t with\t Cassian,\t and\t Azriel\t thought\t I\t deemed\t him\t unsuitable,\t and\t then everything\thappened\tand\t\u2026\u201d\tHer\tfingers\ttightened\ton\tmine.\t\u201cAfter\tAzriel\tfound me\t with\t that\t note\t nailed\t to\t my\t womb\t \u2026\t I\t tried\t to\t explain.\t But\t he\t started\t to confess\twhat\the\tfelt,\tand\tI\tpanicked,\tand\t\u2026\tand\tto\tget\thim\tto\tstop,\tto\tkeep\thim from\t saying\t he\t loved\t me,\t I\t just\t turned\t and\t left,\t and\t \u2026\t and\t I\t couldn\u2019t\t face explaining\tit\tafter\tthat.\tTo\tAz,\tto\tthe\tothers.\u201d She\tloosed\ta\tshuddering\tbreath.\t\u201cI\tsleep\twith\tmales\tin\tpart\tbecause\tI\tenjoy\tit, but\t\u2026\talso\tto\tkeep\tpeople\tfrom\tlooking\ttoo\tclosely.\u201d \u201cRhys\twouldn\u2019t\tcare\u2014I\tdon\u2019t\tthink\tanyone\tin\tVelaris\twould.\u201d A\t nod.\t \u201cVelaris\t is\t \u2026\t a\t haven\t for\t people\t like\t me.\t Rita\u2019s\t \u2026\t the\t owner\t is\t like me.\tA\tlot\tof\tus\tgo\tthere\u2014without\tanyone\treally\tever\tpicking\tup\ton\tit.\u201d No\twonder\tshe\tpractically\tlived\tat\tthe\tpleasure\thall. \u201cBut\tthis\tpart\tof\tme\t\u2026\u201d\tMor\twiped\tat\ther\ttears\twith\ther\tfree\thand.\t\u201cIt\tdidn\u2019t matter\t as\t much,\t when\t my\t family\t disowned\t me.\t When\t they\t called\t me\t a\t whore and\t a\t piece\t of\t trash.\t When\t they\t hurt\t me.\t Because\t those\t things\t \u2026\t they\t weren\u2019t part\t of\t me.\t Weren\u2019t\t true,\t and\t weren\u2019t\t \u2026\t intrinsic.\t They\t couldn\u2019t\t break\t me because\t \u2026\t because\t they\t never\t touched\t that\t innermost\t part\t of\t me.\t They\t never even\tguessed.\tBut\tI\thid\tit\t\u2026\tI\u2019ve\thidden\tit\tbecause\t\u2026\u201d\tShe\ttilted\tback\ther\thead, looking\t skyward.\t \u201cBecause\t I\t live\t in\t terror\t of\t my\t family\t finding\t out\u2014and shaming\t me,\t hurting\t me\t about\t this\t one\t thing\t that\t has\t remained\t wholly\t mine. This\tone\tpart\tof\tme.\tI\twon\u2019t\tlet\tthem\t\u2026\twon\u2019t\tlet\tthem\tdestroy\tit.\tOr\ttry\tto.\tSo I\u2019ve\trarely\t\u2026\tDuring\tthe\tWar,\tI\tfinally\ttook\tmy\tfirst\u2014female\tlover.\u201d She\twas\tquiet\tfor\ta\tlong\tmoment,\tblinking\taway\ttears.\t\u201cIt\twas\tNephelle\tand her\t lover\u2014now\t her\t wife,\t I\t suppose\u2014who\t made\t me\t dare\t to\t try.\t They\t made\t me so\tjealous.\tNot\tof\tthem\tpersonally,\tbut\tjust\t\u2026\tof\twhat\tthey\thad.\tTheir\topenness. That\tthey\tlived\tin\ta\tplace,\twith\ta\tpeople\twho\tthought\tnothing\tof\tit.\tBut\twith\tthe War,\twith\tthe\ttraveling\tacross\tthe\tworld\t\u2026\tNo\tone\tfrom\thome\twas\twith\tme\tfor months\tat\ta\ttime.\tIt\twas\tsafe,\tfor\tonce.\tAnd\tone\tof\tthe\thuman\tqueens\t\u2026\u201d The\tfriends\tshe\thad\tso\tpassionately\tmentioned,\thad\tknown\tso\tintimately. \u201cHer\tname\twas\tAndromache.\tAnd\tshe\twas\t\u2026\tso\tbeautiful.\tAnd\tkind.\tAnd\tI","loved\ther\t\u2026\tso\tmuch.\u201d Human.\tAndromache\thad\tbeen\thuman.\tMy\teyes\tburned. \u201cBut\t she\t was\t human.\t And\t a\t queen\u2014who\t needed\t to\t continue\t her\t royal\t line, especially\t during\t such\t a\t tumultuous\t time.\t So\t I\t left\u2014went\t home\t after\t the\t last battle.\tAnd\twhen\tI\trealized\twhat\ta\tmistake\tit\twas,\tthat\tI\tdidn\u2019t\tcare\tif\tI\tonly\thad sixty\tmore\tyears\twith\ther\t\u2026\tThe\twall\twent\tup\tthat\tday.\u201d\tA\tsmall\tsob\tcame\tout of\ther. \u201cAnd\t I\t could\t not\t \u2026\t I\t was\t not\t allowed\t or\t able\t to\t cross\t it.\t I\t tried.\t For\t three years,\tI\ttried\tover\tand\tover.\tAnd\tby\tthe\ttime\tI\tmanaged\tto\tfind\ta\thole\tto\tcross\t\u2026 She\thad\tmarried.\tA\tman.\tAnd\thad\tan\tinfant\tdaughter\u2014with\tanother\ton\tthe\tway. I\tdidn\u2019t\tset\tfoot\tinside\ther\tcastle.\tDidn\u2019t\teven\ttry\tto\tsee\ther.\tI\tjust\tturned\taround and\twent\thome.\u201d \u201cI\u2019m\tso\tsorry,\u201d\tI\tbreathed,\tmy\tvoice\tbreaking. \u201cShe\tbore\tfive\tchildren.\tAnd\tdied\tan\told\twoman,\tsafe\tin\ther\tbed.\tAnd\tI\tsaw her\tspirit\tagain\u2014in\tthat\tgolden\tqueen.\tHer\tdescendant.\u201d Mor\t closed\t her\t eyes,\t breath\t rippling\t past\t her\t shaking\t lips.\t \u201cFor\t a\t while,\t I mourned\t her.\t Both\t while\t she\t lived\t and\t after\t she\t died.\t For\t a\t few\t decades,\t there were\tno\tlovers\u2014of\tany\tkind.\tBut\tthen\t\u2026\tone\tday\tI\twoke\tup,\tand\tI\twanted\t\u2026\tI don\u2019t\tknow\twhat\tI\twanted.\tThe\topposite\tof\ther.\tI\tfound\tthem\u2014female,\tmale.\tA few\t lovers\t over\t these\t past\t centuries,\t the\t females\t always\t secret\u2014and\t I\t think that\u2019s\twhy\tit\twore\ton\tthem,\twhy\tthey\talways\tended\tit.\tI\tcould\tnever\tbe\t\u2026\topen about\tit.\tNever\tbe\tseen\twith\tthem.\tAnd\tas\tfor\tthe\tmales\t\u2026\tit\tnever\twent\tas\tdeep. The\tbond,\tI\tmean.\tEven\tif\tI\tdid\tstill\tcrave\u2014you\tknow,\tevery\tnow\tand\tthen.\u201d\tA huff\t of\t a\t laugh\t that\t I\t echoed.\t \u201cBut\t all\t of\t them\t \u2026\t It\t wasn\u2019t\t the\t same\t as Andromache.\t It\t doesn\u2019t\t feel\t the\t same\u2014in\t here,\u201d\t she\t breathed,\t putting\t a\t hand over\ther\theart. \u201cAnd\t the\t male\t lovers\t I\t took\t \u2026\t it\t became\t a\t way\t to\t keep\t Azriel\t from wondering\t why\u2014why\t I\t wouldn\u2019t\t notice\t him.\t Make\t that\t move.\t You\t see\u2014you see\thow\tmarvelous\the\tis.\tHow\tspecial.\tBut\tif\tI\tslept\twith\thim,\teven\tonce,\tjust\tto try\tit,\tto\tmake\tsure\t\u2026\tI\tthink\tafter\tall\tthis\ttime,\the\u2019d\tthink\tit\twas\ta\tculmination \u2014a\thappy\tending.\tAnd\t\u2026\tI\tthink\tit\tmight\tshatter\thim\tif\tI\trevealed\tafterward\tthat \u2026\t I\u2019m\t not\t sure\t I\t can\t give\t my\t entire\t heart\t to\t him\t that\t way.\t And\t \u2026\t and\t I\t love him\t enough\t to\t want\t him\t to\t find\t someone\t who\t can\t truly\t love\t him\t like\t he deserves.\tAnd\tI\tlove\tmyself\t\u2026\tI\tlove\tmyself\tenough\tto\tnot\twant\tto\tsettle\tuntil\tI","find\t that\t person,\t too.\u201d\t A\t shrug.\t \u201cIf\t I\t can\t even\t work\t up\t the\t courage\t to\t tell\t the world\t first.\t My\t gift\t is\t truth\u2014and\t yet\t I\t have\t been\t living\t a\t lie\t my\t entire existence.\u201d I\tsqueezed\ther\thand\tonce\tmore.\t\u201cYou\u2019ll\ttell\tthem\twhen\tyou\u2019re\tready.\tAnd\tI\u2019ll stand\t by\t you\t no\t matter\t what.\t Until\t then\t \u2026\t Your\t secret\t is\t safe.\t I\t won\u2019t\t tell anyone\u2014even\tRhys.\u201d \u201cThank\tyou,\u201d\tshe\tbreathed. I\tshook\tmy\thead.\t\u201cNo\u2014thank\tyou\tfor\ttelling\tme.\tI\u2019m\thonored.\u201d \u201cI\t wanted\t to\t tell\t you;\t I\t realized\t I\t wanted\t to\t tell\t you\t the\t moment\t you\t and Azriel\t winnowed\t to\t Hybern\u2019s\t camp.\t And\t the\t thought\t of\t not\t being\t able\t to\t tell you\t \u2026\u201d\t Her\t fingers\t tightened\t around\t mine.\t \u201cI\t promised\t the\t Mother\t that\t if\t you made\tit\tback\tsafely,\tI\twould\ttell\tyou.\u201d \u201cIt\tseemed\tshe\twas\thappy\tto\ttake\tthe\tbargain,\u201d\tI\tsaid\twith\ta\tsmile. Mor\twiped\tat\ther\tface\tand\tgrinned.\tIt\tfaded\talmost\tinstantly.\t\u201cYou\tmust\tthink I\u2019m\thorrible\tfor\tstringing\talong\tAzriel\u2014and\tCassian.\u201d I\tconsidered.\t\u201cNo.\tNo,\tI\tdon\u2019t.\u201d\tSo\tmany\tthings\u2014so\tmany\tthings\tnow\tmade sense.\t How\t Mor\t had\t looked\t away\t from\t the\t heat\t in\t Azriel\u2019s\t eyes.\t How\t she\u2019d avoided\tthat\tsort\tof\tromantic\tintimacy,\tbut\thad\tbeen\tfine\tto\tdefend\thim\tif\tshe\tfelt his\tphysical\tor\temotional\twell-being\twas\tat\tstake. Azriel\tloved\ther,\tof\tthat\tI\thad\tno\tdoubt.\tBut\tMor\t\u2026\tI\u2019d\tbeen\tblind\tnot\tto\tsee. Not\t to\t realize\t that\t there\t was\t a\t damn\t good\t reason\t why\t five\t hundred\t years\t had passed\tand\tMor\thad\tnot\taccepted\twhat\tAzriel\tso\tclearly\toffered\tto\ther. \u201cDo\tyou\tthink\tAzriel\tsuspects?\u201d\tI\tasked. Mor\tdrew\ther\thand\tfrom\tmine\tand\tpaced\ta\tfew\tsteps.\t\u201cMaybe.\tI\tdon\u2019t\tknow. He\u2019s\ttoo\tobservant\tnot\tto,\tbut\t\u2026\tI\tthink\tit\tconfuses\thim\twhenever\tI\ttake\ta\tmale home.\u201d \u201cSo\tthe\tthing\twith\tHelion\t\u2026\tWhy?\u201d \u201cHe\t wanted\t a\t distraction\t from\t his\t own\t problems,\t and\t I\t \u2026\u201d\t She\t sighed. \u201cWhenever\tAzriel\tmakes\this\tfeelings\tclear,\tlike\the\tdid\twith\tEris\t\u2026\tIt\u2019s\tstupid,\tI know.\t It\u2019s\t so\t stupid\t and\t cruel\t that\t I\t do\t this,\t but\t \u2026\t I\t slept\t with\t Helion\t just\t to remind\tAzriel\t\u2026\tGods,\tI\tcan\u2019t\teven\tsay\tit.\tIt\tsounds\teven\tworse\tsaying\tit.\u201d \u201cTo\tremind\thim\tthat\tyou\u2019re\tnot\tinterested.\u201d \u201cI\tshould\ttell\thim.\tI\tneed\tto\ttell\thim.\tMother\tabove,\tafter\tlast\tnight,\tI\tshould. But\t\u2026\u201d\tShe\ttwisted\ther\tmass\tof\tgolden\thair\tover\ta\tshoulder.\t\u201cIt\u2019s\tgone\ton\tfor\tso","long.\t So\t long.\t I\u2019m\t petrified\t to\t face\t him\u2014to\t tell\t him\t he\u2019s\t spent\t five\t hundred years\t pining\t for\t someone\t and\t something\t that\t won\u2019t\t ever\t exist.\t The\t potential fallout\t\u2026\tI\tlike\tthings\tthe\tway\tthey\tare.\tEven\tif\tI\tcan\u2019t\t\u2026\tcan\u2019t\treally\tbe\tme,\tI \u2026\tthings\tare\tgood\tenough.\u201d \u201cI\t don\u2019t\t think\t you\t should\t settle\t for\t \u2018good\t enough,\u2019\t \u201d\t I\t said\t quietly.\t \u201cBut\t I understand.\t And,\t again\t \u2026\t when\t you\t decide\t the\t time\t is\t right,\t whether\t it\u2019s tomorrow\tor\tin\tanother\tfive\thundred\tyears\t\u2026\tI\u2019ll\thave\tyour\tback.\u201d She\t blinked\t away\t tears\t again.\t I\t turned\t toward\t the\t camp,\t and\t a\t faint\t smile bloomed\ton\tmy\tmouth. \u201cWhat?\u201d\tshe\tasked,\tcoming\tto\tmy\tside. \u201cI\twas\tjust\tthinking,\u201d\tI\tsaid,\tsmile\tgrowing,\t\u201cthat\twhenever\tyou\u2019re\tready\t\u2026\tI was\t thinking\t about\t how\t much\t fun\t I\u2019m\t going\t to\t have\t playing\t matchmaker\t for you.\u201d Mor\u2019s\tanswering\tgrin\twas\tbrighter\tthan\tthe\tentirety\tof\tthe\tDay\tCourt. Amren\t had\t secluded\t herself\t in\t a\t tent,\t and\t would\t not\t let\t anyone\t in.\t Not\t me,\t or Varian,\tor\tRhysand. I\t certainly\t tried,\t hissing\t as\t I\t pushed\t against\t her\t wards,\t but\t even\t Helion\u2019s magic\t could\t not\t break\t them.\t And\t no\t matter\t how\t I\t demanded\t and\t coaxed\t and pleaded,\t she\t did\t not\t answer.\t Whatever\t the\t Suriel\t had\t told\t me\t to\t suggest\t to\t her about\t the\t Book\t \u2026\t she\u2019d\t deemed\t it\t more\t vital,\t it\t seemed,\t than\t even\t why\t I\u2019d come\t to\t speak\t to\t her:\t to\t join\t me\t in\t retrieving\t Bryaxis.\t I\t could\t likely\t do\t it without\t her\t since\t she\u2019d\t already\t disabled\t the\t wards\t to\t contain\t Bryaxis,\t but\t \u2026 Amren\u2019s\tpresence\twould\tbe\t\u2026\twelcome.\tOn\tmy\tend,\tat\tleast. Perhaps\tit\tmade\tme\ta\tcoward,\tbut\tfacing\tBryaxis\ton\tmy\town,\tto\tbind\tit\tinto\ta slightly\t more\t tangible\t body\t and\t summon\t it\t here\t at\t last\t to\t smash\t through Hybern\u2019s\tarmy\t\u2026\tAmren\twould\tbe\tbetter\u2014at\tthe\ttalking,\tthe\tordering. But\tsince\tI\twasn\u2019t\tabout\tto\tstart\tshouting\tabout\tmy\tplans\tin\tthe\tmiddle\tof\tthat camp\t\u2026\tI\tcursed\tAmren\tsoundly\tand\tstormed\tback\tto\tmy\twar-tent. Only\tto\tfind\tthat\tmy\tplans\twere\tto\tbe\tupended\tanyway.\tFor\teven\tif\tI\tbrought Bryaxis\tto\tHybern\u2019s\tarmy\t\u2026\tThat\tarmy\twas\tno\tlonger\twhere\tit\twas\tsupposed\tto be. Standing\t beside\t the\t enormous\t worktable\t in\t the\t war-tent,\t every\t side\t flanked","with\t High\t Lords\t and\t their\t commanders,\t I\t crossed\t my\t arms\t as\t Helion\t slid\t an unnerving\tnumber\tof\tfigures\tacross\tthe\tlower\thalf\tof\tPrythian\u2019s\tmap.\t\u201cMy\tscouts say\tHybern\tis\ton\tthe\tmove\tas\tof\tthis\tafternoon.\u201d Azriel,\tperched\ton\ta\tstool,\this\twings\tand\tback\theavily\tbandaged\tand\tface\tstill grayish\t with\t blood\t loss,\t nodded\t once.\t \u201cMy\t spies\t say\t the\t same.\u201d\t His\t voice\t was still\thoarse\tfrom\tscreaming. Helion\u2019s\t blazing\t amber\t eyes\t narrowed.\t \u201cHe\t shifted\t directions,\t though.\t He\u2019d planned\tto\tmove\tthat\tarmy\tnorth\u2014drive\tus\tback\tthat\tway.\tNow\the\tmarches\tdue east.\u201d Rhys\t braced\t his\t hands\t on\t the\t table,\t his\t sable\t hair\t sliding\t forward\t as\t he studied\tthe\tmap.\t\u201cSo\the\u2019s\tnow\theading\tstraight\tacross\tthe\tisland\u2014to\twhat\tend? He\t would\t have\t been\t better\t off\t sailing\t around.\t And\t I\t doubt\t he\u2019s\t changed\t his mind\tabout\tmeeting\tus\tin\tbattle.\tEven\twith\tTamlin\tnow\trevealed\tas\tan\tenemy.\u201d They\u2019d\tall\tbeen\tquietly\tshocked,\tsome\trelieved,\tto\thear\tit.\tThough\twe\u2019d\thad\tno whisper\t of\t whether\t Tamlin\t would\t be\t now\t marching\t his\t small\t force\t to\t us.\t And nothing\tfrom\tBeron,\teither. Tarquin\t frowned.\t \u201cLosing\t Tamlin\t won\u2019t\t cost\t him\t many\t troops,\t but\t Hybern could\tbe\tgoing\tto\tmeet\tanother\tally\ton\tthe\teastern\tcoast\u2014to\trendezvous\twith\tthe army\tof\tthose\thuman\tqueens\tfrom\tthe\tcontinent.\u201d Azriel\tshook\this\thead,\twincing\tat\tthe\tmovement\tand\twhat\tit\tsurely\tdid\tto\this back.\t \u201cHe\t sent\t the\t queens\t back\t to\t their\t homes\u2014and\t there\t they\t remain,\t their armies\t not\t even\t raised.\t He\u2019ll\t wait\t to\t wield\t that\t host\t until\t he\t arrives\t on\t the continent.\u201d Once\the\twas\tdone\tannihilating\tus.\tAnd\tif\twe\tfailed\ttomorrow\t\u2026\twould\tthere be\t anyone\t at\t all\t to\t challenge\t Hybern\t on\t the\t continent?\t Especially\t once\t those queens\trallied\ttheir\thuman\tarmies\tto\this\tbanner\u2014 \u201cPerhaps\t he\u2019s\t leading\t us\t on\t another\t chase,\u201d\t Kallias\t mused\t with\t a\t frown, Viviane\tpeering\tat\tthe\tmap\tbeside\thim. \u201cNot\t Hybern\u2019s\t style,\u201d\t Mor\t said.\t \u201cHe\t doesn\u2019t\t establish\t patterns\u2014he\t knows we\u2019re\tonto\this\tfirst\tmethod\tof\tstretching\tus\tthin.\tNow\the\u2019ll\ttry\tanother\tway.\u201d As\t she\t spoke,\t Keir\u2014standing\t with\t two\t silent\t Darkbringer\t captains\u2014studied her\t closely.\t I\t braced\t myself\t for\t any\t sort\t of\t sneer,\t but\t the\t male\t merely\t resumed examining\t the\t map.\t These\t meetings\t had\t been\t the\t only\t place\t where\t she\u2019d bothered\tto\tacknowledge\ther\tfather\u2019s\trole\tin\tthis\twar\u2014and\teven\tthen,\teven\tnow,","she\tbarely\tglanced\this\tway. But\tit\twas\tbetter\tthan\toutright\thostility,\tthough\tI\thad\tno\tdoubt\tMor\twas\twise enough\t not\t to\t lay\t into\t Keir\t when\t we\t still\t needed\t his\t Darkbringers.\t Especially after\t Keir\u2019s\t legion\t had\t suffered\t so\t many\t losses\t at\t that\t second\t battle.\t Whether Keir\twas\tfurious\tabout\tthose\tcasualties,\the\thad\tnot\tlet\ton\u2014neither\thad\tany\tof\this soldiers,\t who\t did\t not\t speak\t with\t anyone\t outside\t their\t own\t ranks\t beyond\t what was\tnecessary.\tSilence,\tI\tsupposed,\twas\tfar\tpreferable.\tAnd\tKeir\u2019s\tsense\tof\tself- preservation\tno\tdoubt\tkept\this\tmouth\tshut\tin\tthese\tmeetings\u2014and\tbade\thim\ttake whatever\torders\twere\tsent\this\tway. \u201cHybern\tis\tdelaying\tthe\tconflict,\u201d\tHelion\tmurmured.\t\u201cWhy?\u201d I\t glanced\t over\t at\t Nesta,\t sitting\t with\t Elain\t by\t the\t faelight\t braziers.\t \u201cHe\t still doesn\u2019t\thave\tthe\tmissing\tpiece.\tOf\tthe\tCauldron\u2019s\tpower.\u201d Rhys\t angled\t his\t head,\t studying\t the\t map,\t then\t my\t sisters.\t \u201cCassian.\u201d\t He pointed\t to\t the\t massive\t river\t snaking\t inland\t through\t the\t Spring\t Court.\t \u201cIf\t we were\t to\t cut\t south\t from\t where\t we\t are\t now\u2014to\t head\t right\t down\t to\t the\t human lands\t\u2026\twould\tyou\tcross\tthat\triver,\tor\tgo\twest\tfar\tenough\tto\tavoid\tit?\u201d Cassian\t lifted\t a\t brow.\t Gone\t was\t yesterday\u2019s\t pallid\t face\t and\t pain.\t A\t small mercy. On\t the\t opposite\t side\t of\t the\t table,\t Lord\t Devlon\t seemed\t inclined\t to\t open\t his mouth\t to\t give\t his\t opinion.\t Unlike\t Keir,\t the\t Illyrian\t commander\t had\t no\t such qualms\tabout\tmaking\this\tdisdain\tfor\tus\tknown.\tEspecially\tin\tregard\tto\tCassian\u2019s command. But\t before\t Devlon\t could\t shove\t his\t way\t in,\t Cassian\t said,\t \u201cA\t river\t crossing like\t that\t would\t be\t time-consuming\t and\t dangerous.\t The\t river\u2019s\t too\t wide.\t Even with\t winnowing,\t we\u2019d\t have\t to\t construct\t boats\t or\t bridges\t to\t get\t across.\t And\t an army\tthis\tsize\t\u2026\tWe\u2019d\thave\tto\tgo\twest,\tthen\tcut\tsouth\u2014\u201d As\t the\t words\t faded,\t Cassian\u2019s\t face\t paled.\t And\t I\t looked\t at\t where\t Hybern\u2019s army\twas\tnow\tmarching\teastward,\tbelow\tthat\tmighty\triver.\tFrom\twhere\twe\twere now\u2014 \u201cHe\t wanted\t us\t exhausting\t ourselves\t on\t winnowing\t armies\t around,\u201d\t Helion said,\t picking\t up\t the\t thread\t of\t Cassian\u2019s\t thought.\t \u201cOn\t fighting\t those\t battles.\t So that\twhen\tit\tcounted,\twe\twould\tnot\thave\tthe\tstrength\tto\twinnow\tpast\tthat\triver. We\u2019d\thave\tto\tgo\ton\tfoot\u2014and\ttake\tthe\tlong\tway\taround\tto\tavoid\tthe\tcrossing.\u201d Tarquin\t swore\t now.\t \u201cSo\t he\t could\t march\t south,\t knowing\t we\u2019re\t days\t behind.","And\tenter\tthe\thuman\tlands\twith\tno\tresistance.\u201d \u201cHe\tcould\thave\tdone\tthat\tfrom\tthe\tstart,\u201d\tKallias\tcountered.\tMy\tknees\tbegan to\tshake.\t\u201cWhy\tnow?\u201d It\t was\t Nesta\t who\t said\t from\t her\t seat\t across\t the\t room\t beside\t the\t faelight brazier,\t\u201cBecause\twe\tinsulted\thim.\tMe\u2014and\tmy\tsisters.\u201d All\teyes\twent\tto\tus. Elain\t put\t a\t hand\t on\t her\t throat.\t She\t breathed,\t \u201cHe\u2019s\t going\t to\t march\t on\t the human\tlands\u2014butcher\tthem.\tTo\tspite\tus?\u201d \u201cI\tkilled\this\tpriestess,\u201d\tI\tmurmured.\t\u201cYou\ttook\tfrom\this\tCauldron,\u201d\tI\tsaid\tto Nesta.\t\u201cAnd\tyou\t\u2026\u201d\tI\texamined\tElain.\t\u201cStealing\tyou\tback\twas\tthe\tfinal\tinsult.\u201d Kallias\t said,\t \u201cOnly\t a\t madman\t would\t wield\t the\t might\t of\t his\t army\t just\t to\t get revenge\ton\tthree\twomen.\u201d Helion\t snorted.\t \u201cYou\t forget\t that\t some\t of\t us\t fought\t in\t the\t War.\t We\t know firsthand\thow\tunhinged\the\tcan\tbe.\tAnd\tthat\tsomething\tlike\tthis\twould\tbe\texactly his\tstyle.\u201d I\tcaught\tRhys\u2019s\teye.\tWhat\tdo\twe\tdo? Rhys\u2019s\tthumb\tbrushed\tdown\tthe\tback\tof\tmy\thand.\t\u201cHe\tknows\twe\u2019ll\tcome.\u201d \u201cI\u2019d\t say\t he\u2019s\t assuming\t quite\t a\t lot\t about\t how\t much\t we\t care\t for\t humans,\u201d Helion\tsaid.\tKeir\tlooked\tinclined\tto\tagree,\tbut\twisely\tremained\tsilent. Rhys\t shrugged.\t \u201cHe\u2019ll\t have\t seen\t our\t prioritizing\t of\t Elain\u2019s\t safety\t as\t proof that\t the\t Archeron\t sisters\t hold\t sway\t here.\t He\t thinks\t they\u2019ll\t convince\t us\t to\t haul our\t asses\t down\t there,\t likely\t to\t a\t battlefield\t with\t few\t advantages,\t and\t be annihilated.\u201d \u201cSo\twe\u2019re\tnot\tgoing\tto?\u201d\tTarquin\tfrowned. \u201cOf\t course\t we\u2019re\t going\t to,\u201d\t Rhys\t said,\t straightening\t to\t his\t full\t height\t and lifting\t his\t chin.\t \u201cWe\t will\t be\t outnumbered,\t and\t exhausted,\t and\t it\t will\t not\t end well.\tBut\tthis\thas\tnothing\tto\tdo\twith\tmy\tmate,\tor\ther\tsisters.\tThe\twall\tis\tdown.\tIt is\t gone.\t It\t is\t a\t new\t world,\t and\t we\t must\t decide\t how\t we\t are\t to\t end\t this\t old\t one and\t begin\t it\t anew.\t We\t must\t decide\t if\t we\t will\t begin\t it\t by\t allowing\t those\t who cannot\tdefend\tthemselves\tto\tbe\tslaughtered.\tIf\tthat\tis\tthe\tsort\tof\tpeople\twe\tare. Not\tindividual\tcourts.\tWe,\tas\ta\tFae\tpeople.\tDo\twe\tlet\tthe\thumans\tstand\talone?\u201d \u201cWe\u2019ll\tall\tdie\ttogether,\tthen,\u201d\tHelion\tsaid. \u201cGood,\u201d\t Cassian\t said,\t glancing\t at\t Nesta.\t \u201cIf\t I\t end\t my\t life\t defending\t those who\t need\t it\t most,\t then\t I\t will\t consider\t it\t a\t death\t well\t spent.\u201d\t Lord\t Devlon,\t for","once,\t nodded\t his\t approval.\t I\t wondered\t if\t Cassian\t noticed\t it\u2014if\t he\t cared.\t His face\trevealed\tnothing,\tnot\tas\this\tfocus\tremained\twholly\ton\tmy\tsister. \u201cSo\twill\tI,\u201d\tTarquin\tsaid. Kallias\t looked\t to\t Viviane,\t who\t was\t smiling\t sadly\t up\t at\t him.\t I\t could\t see\t the regret\tthere\u2014for\tthe\ttime\tthey\thad\tlost.\tBut\tKallias\tsaid,\t\u201cWe\u2019ll\tneed\tto\tleave\tby tomorrow\tif\twe\tare\tto\tstand\ta\tchance\tat\tstaunching\tthe\tslaughter.\u201d \u201cSooner\tthan\tthat,\u201d\tHelion\tsaid,\tflashing\ta\tdazzling\tsmile.\t\u201cA\tfew\thours.\u201d\tHe jerked\this\tchin\tat\tRhys.\t\u201cYou\trealize\thumans\twill\tbe\tslaughtered\tbefore\twe\tcan get\tthere.\u201d \u201cNot\tif\twe\tcan\tact\tfaster,\u201d\tI\tsaid,\trotating\tmy\tshoulder.\tStill\tstiff\tand\tsore,\tbut healing\tfast. They\tall\traised\ttheir\tbrows. \u201cTonight,\u201d\t I\t said.\t \u201cWe\t winnow\u2014those\t of\t us\t who\t can.\t To\t human\t homes\u2014 towns.\tAnd\twe\twinnow\tout\tas\tmany\tof\tthem\tas\twe\tcan\tbefore\tdawn.\u201d \u201cAnd\twhere\twill\twe\tput\tthem?\u201d\tHelion\tdemanded. \u201cVelaris.\u201d \u201cToo\t far,\u201d\t Rhys\t murmured,\t scanning\t the\t map\t before\t us.\t \u201cTo\t do\t all\t that winnowing.\u201d Tarquin\t tapped\t a\t finger\t on\t the\t map\u2014on\t his\t territory.\t \u201cThen\t bring\t them\t to Adriata.\tI\twill\tsend\tCresseida\tback\u2014let\ther\toversee\tthem.\u201d \u201cWe\u2019ll\tneed\tall\tthe\tstrength\twe\thave\tto\tfight\tHybern,\u201d\tKallias\tsaid\tcarefully. \u201cWasting\tit\ton\twinnowing\thumans\u2014\u201d \u201cIt\tis\tno\twaste,\u201d\tI\tsaid.\t\u201cOne\tlife\tmay\tchange\tthe\tworld.\tWhere\twould\tyou\tall be\t if\t someone\t had\t deemed\t saving\t my\t life\t to\t be\t a\t waste\t of\t time?\u201d\t I\t pointed\t to Rhys.\t\u201cIf\t he\t had\t deemed\t saving\t my\t life\t Under\t the\t Mountain\t a\t waste\t of\t time? Even\tif\tit\u2019s\tonly\ttwenty\tfamilies,\tor\tten\t\u2026\tThey\tare\tnot\ta\twaste.\tNot\tto\tme\u2014or to\tyou.\u201d Viviane\t was\t giving\t her\t mate\t a\t sharp,\t reproachful\t glare,\t and\t Kallias\t had\t the good\tsense\tto\tmumble\tan\tapology. Then\tAmren\tsaid\tfrom\tbehind\tus,\tstriding\tthrough\tthe\ttent\tflaps,\t\u201cI\thope\tyou all\tvoted\tto\tface\tHybern\tin\tbattle.\u201d Rhys\tarched\ta\tbrow.\t\u201cWe\tdid.\tWhy?\u201d Amren\tset\tthe\tBook\tupon\tthe\ttable\twith\ta\tthump.\t\u201cBecause\twe\twill\tneed\tit\tas a\t distraction.\u201d\t She\t smiled\t grimly\t at\t me.\t \u201cWe\t need\t to\t get\t to\t the\t Cauldron,\t girl.","All\tof\tus.\u201d And\tI\tknew\tshe\tdidn\u2019t\tmean\tthe\tHigh\tLords. But\trather\tthe\tfour\tof\tus\u2014who\thad\tbeen\tMade.\tMe,\tAmren\t\u2026\tand\tmy\tsisters. \u201cYou\tfound\tanother\tway\tto\tstop\tit?\u201d\tTarquin\tasked. Amren\u2019s\tsharp\tchin\tbobbed\tin\ta\tnod.\t\u201cEven\tbetter.\tI\tfound\ta\tway\tto\tstop\this entire\tarmy.\u201d","CHAPTER 67 We\u2019d\tneed\taccess\tto\tthe\tCauldron\u2014be\table\tto\ttouch\tit.\tTogether. Alone,\t it\t had\t nearly\t killed\t me.\t But\t split\t amongst\t others\t who\t were\t Made\t \u2026 We\tcould\twithstand\tits\tlethal\tpower. If\twe\tgot\tit\tunder\tour\tcontrol,\tin\tone\tfell\tswoop\twe\tcould\tharness\tits\tmight\tto bind\tthe\tking\tand\this\tarmy.\tAnd\twipe\tthem\toff\tthe\tearth. Amren\thad\tfound\tthe\tspell\tto\tdo\tit.\tRight\twhere\tthe\tSuriel\thad\tclaimed\tit\u2019d\tbe encoded\t in\t the\t Book.\t Rather\t than\t nullify\t the\t Cauldron\u2019s\t powers\t \u2026\t we\t would nullify\tthe\tperson\tcontrolling\tit.\tAnd\this\tentire\thost. But\t we\t had\t to\t attain\t the\t Cauldron\t first.\t And\t with\t the\t two\t armies\t poised\t to fight\t\u2026 We\twould\tmove\tonly\twhen\tthe\tcarnage\twas\tat\tits\tpeak.\tWhen\tHybern\tmight be\t distracted\t in\t the\t chaos.\t Unless\t he\t planned\t to\t wield\t that\t Cauldron\t on\t the killing\tfield. Which\twas\ta\thigh\tpossibility. There\t was\t no\t chance\t we\u2019d\t infiltrate\t that\t army\t camp\t again\u2014not\t after\t we\u2019d stolen\tElain.\tSo\twe\twould\thave\tto\twait\tuntil\twe\twalked\tinto\tthe\ttrap\the\u2019d\tset\tfor us.\t Wait\t until\t we\t took\t up\t disadvantageous\t positions\t on\t that\t battlefield\t he\u2019d selected,\t and\t arrive\t exhausted\t from\t the\t battles\t before\t it,\t the\t trek\t there. Exhausted\tfrom\twinnowing\tthose\thuman\tfamilies\tout\tof\this\tpath. Which\twe\tdid.\tThat\tnight,\tany\tof\tus\twho\tcould\twinnow\t\u2026 I\twent\tto\tmy\told\tvillage\twith\tRhysand. I\twent\tto\tthe\thouses\twhere\tI\thad\tonce\tleft\tgold\tas\ta\tmortal\twoman. At\tfirst,\tthey\tdid\tnot\trecognize\tme. Then\tthey\trealized\twhat\tI\twas.","Rhys\t held\t their\t minds\t gently,\t soothing\t them,\t as\t I\t explained.\t What\t had happened\tto\tme,\twhat\twas\tcoming.\tWhat\twe\tneeded\tto\tdo. They\t did\t not\t have\t time\t to\t pack\t more\t than\t a\t few\t things.\t And\t they\t were\t all trembling\tas\twe\tswept\tthem\tacross\tthe\tworld,\tto\tthe\twarmth\tof\ta\tlush\tforest\tjust outside\t Adriata,\t Cresseida\t already\t waiting\t with\t food\t and\t a\t small\t army\t of servants\tto\thelp\tand\torganize. The\tsecond\tfamily\tdid\tnot\tbelieve\tus.\tThought\tit\twas\tsome\tfaerie\ttrick.\tRhys tried\tto\thold\ttheir\tminds,\tbut\ttheir\tpanic\twas\ttoo\tdeep,\ttheir\thatred\ttoo\ttangible. They\twanted\tto\tstay. Rhys\tdidn\u2019t\tgive\tthem\ta\tchoice\tafter\tthat.\tHe\twinnowed\ttheir\tentire\tfamily,\tall of\t them\t screaming.\t They\t were\t still\t shrieking\t when\t we\t left\t them\t in\t that\t forest, more\t humans\t around\t them,\t our\t companions\t winnowing\t in\t new\t arrivals\t for Cresseida\tto\tdocument\tand\tsoothe. So\t we\t continued.\t House\t to\t house.\t Family\t to\t family.\t Anyone\t in\t Hybern\u2019s path. All\t night.\t Every\t High\t Lord\t in\t our\t army,\t any\t commander\t or\t noble\t with\t the gift\tand\tstrength. Until\t we\t were\t panting.\t Until\t there\t was\t a\t small\t city\t of\t humans\t huddled together\t in\t that\t summer-ripe\t forest.\t Until\t even\t Rhys\u2019s\t strength\t flagged\t and\t he could\tbarely\twinnow\tback\tto\tour\ttent. He\tpassed\tout\tbefore\this\thead\thad\thit\tthe\tpillow,\this\twings\tsplayed\tacross\tthe bed. Too\tmuch\tstrain,\ttoo\tmuch\trelying\ton\this\tpower. I\twatched\thim\tsleep,\tcounting\this\tbreaths. We\t knew\u2014all\t of\t us\t did.\t We\t knew\t that\t we\t wouldn\u2019t\t walk\t away\t from\t that battlefield. Maybe\tit\twould\tinspire\tothers\tto\tfight,\tbut\t\u2026\tWe\tknew.\tMy\tmate,\tmy\tfamily \u2026\tthey\twould\tfight,\tbuy\tus\ttime\twith\ttheir\tlives\twhile\tAmren\tand\tmy\tsisters\tand I\ttried\tto\tstop\tthat\tCauldron.\tSome\twould\tgo\tdown\tbefore\twe\tcould\treach\tit. And\tthey\twere\twilling\tto\tdo\tit.\tIf\tthey\twere\tafraid,\tnone\tof\tthem\tlet\ton. I\tbrushed\tRhys\u2019s\tsweat-damp\thair\tback\tfrom\this\tbrow. I\tknew\the\u2019d\tgive\teverything\tbefore\tany\tof\tus\tcould\toffer\tit.\tKnew\the\u2019d\ttry. It\t was\t as\t much\t a\t part\t of\t him\t as\t his\t limbs,\t this\t need\t to\t sacrifice,\t to\t protect. But\tI\twouldn\u2019t\tlet\thim\tdo\tit\u2014not\twithout\ttrying\tmyself.","Amren\t had\t not\t mentioned\t Bryaxis\t in\t our\t talks\t earlier.\t Had\t seemed\t to\t have forgotten\t it.\t But\t we\t still\t had\t a\t battle\t to\t wage\t tomorrow.\t And\t if\t Bryaxis\t could buy\t my\t friends,\t could\t buy\t Rhys,\t any\t extra\t time\t while\t I\t hunted\t down\t that Cauldron\t\u2026\tIf\tit\tcould\tbuy\tthem\tthe\tslimmest\tshot\tof\tsurvival\t\u2026\tThen\tthe\tBone Carver\tcould\tas\twell. I\tdidn\u2019t\tcare\tabout\tthe\tcost.\tOr\tthe\trisk.\tNot\tas\tI\tlooked\tat\tmy\tsleeping\tmate, exhaustion\tlining\this\tface. He\t had\t given\t enough.\t And\t if\t this\t broke\t me,\t drove\t me\t mad,\t ripped\t me\t apart \u2026\t All\t Amren\t would\t need\t was\t my\t presence,\t my\t body,\t tomorrow\t with\t the Cauldron.\t Anything\t else\t \u2026\t if\t it\t was\t what\t I\t had\t to\t give,\t my\t own\t cost\t to\t buy them\tany\tsliver\tof\tsurvival\t\u2026\tI\twould\tgladly\tpay\tit.\tFace\tit. So\tI\trallied\tthe\tdregs\tof\tmy\tpower\tand\twinnowed\taway\u2014winnowed\tnorth. To\tthe\tCourt\tof\tNightmares. There\twas\ta\twinding\tstair,\tdeep\twithin\tthe\tmountain.\tIt\tled\tto\tonly\tone\tplace: a\tchamber\tnear\tthe\tuppermost\tpeak.\tI\thad\tlearned\tas\tmuch\tfrom\tmy\tresearch. I\t stood\t at\t the\t base\t of\t that\t stairwell,\t peering\t up\t into\t the\t impenetrable\t gloom, my\tbreath\tclouding\tin\tfront\tof\tme. A\t thousand\t stairs.\t That\t was\t how\t many\t steps\t stood\t between\t me\t and\t the Ouroboros.\tThe\tMirror\tof\tBeginnings\tand\tEndings. Only\tyou\tcan\tdecide\twhat\tbreaks\tyou,\tCursebreaker.\tOnly\tyou. I\tkindled\ta\tball\tof\tfaelight\tover\tmy\thead\tand\tbegan\tmy\tascent.","CHAPTER 68 I\tdid\tnot\texpect\tthe\tsnow. Or\tthe\tmoonlight. The\tchamber\tmust\thave\tlain\tbeneath\tthe\tpalace\tof\tmoonstone\u2014shafts\tin\tthe rough\trock\tleading\toutside,\twelcoming\tin\tsnowdrifts\tand\tmoonlight. I\tgritted\tmy\tteeth\tagainst\tthe\tbitter\tcold,\tthe\twind\thowling\tthrough\tthe\tcracks like\twolves\traging\talong\tthe\tmountainside\tbeyond. The\tsnow\tglittered\tover\tthe\twalls\tand\tfloor,\tslithering\tover\tmy\tboots\twith\tthe wind\t gusts.\t Moonlight\t peered\t in,\t bright\t enough\t that\t I\t vanished\t my\t ball\t of faelight,\tbathing\tthe\tentire\tchamber\tin\tblues\tand\tsilvers. And\t there,\t against\t the\t far\t wall\t of\t the\t chamber,\t snow\t crusting\t its\t surface,\t its bronze\tcasing\t\u2026 The\tOuroboros. It\twas\ta\tmassive,\tround\tdisc\u2014as\ttall\tas\tI\twas.\tTaller.\tAnd\tthe\tmetal\taround\tit had\tbeen\tfashioned\tafter\ta\tmassive\tserpent,\tthe\tmirror\theld\twithin\tits\tcoils\tas\tit devoured\tits\town\ttail. Ending\tand\tbeginning. From\tacross\tthe\troom,\twith\tthe\tsnow\t\u2026\tI\tcould\tnot\tsee\tit.\tWhat\tlay\twithin. I\tforced\tmyself\tto\ttake\ta\tstep\tforward.\tAnother. The\tmirror\titself\twas\tblack\tas\tnight\u2014yet\t\u2026\twholly\tclear. I\twatched\tmyself\tapproach.\tWatched\tthe\tarm\tI\thad\tupraised\tagainst\tthe\twind and\tsnow,\tthe\tpinched\texpression\ton\tmy\tface.\tThe\texhaustion. I\tstopped\tthree\tfeet\taway.\tI\tdid\tnot\tdare\ttouch\tit. It\tonly\tshowed\tme\tmyself. Nothing.","I\tscanned\tthe\tmirror\tfor\tany\tsigns\tof\t\u2026\tsomething\tto\tpush\tor\ttouch\twith\tmy magic.\tBut\tthere\twas\tonly\tthe\tdevouring\thead\tof\tthe\tserpent,\tits\tmaw\topen\twide, frost\tsparkling\ton\tits\tfangs. I\tshuddered\tagainst\tthe\tcold,\trubbing\tmy\tarms.\tMy\treflection\tdid\tthe\tsame. \u201cHello?\u201d\tI\twhispered. There\twas\tnothing. My\thands\tburned\twith\tcold. Up\t close,\t the\t surface\t of\t the\t Ouroboros\t was\t like\t a\t gray,\t calm\t sea. Undisturbed.\tSleeping. But\tin\tits\tupper\tcorner\u2014movement. No\u2014not\tmovement\tin\tthe\tmirror. Behind\tme. I\twas\tnot\talone. Crawling\tdown\tthe\tsnow-kissed\twall,\ta\tmassive\tbeast\tof\tclaws\tand\tscales\tand fur\tand\tshredding\tteeth\tinched\ttoward\tthe\tfloor.\tToward\tme. I\tkept\tmy\tbreathing\tsteady.\tDid\tnot\tlet\tit\tscent\ta\ttendril\tof\tmy\tfear\u2014whatever it\t was.\t Some\t guardian\t of\t this\t place,\t some\t creature\t that\t had\t crawled\t in\t through the\tcracks\u2014 Its\t enormous\tpaws\t were\tnear-silent\ton\t the\tfloor,\tthe\t fur\ton\tthem\ta\tblend\tof black\t and\t gold.\t Not\t a\t beast\t designed\t to\t hunt\t in\t these\t mountains.\t Certainly\t not with\tthe\tridge\tof\tdark\tscales\tdown\tits\tback.\tAnd\tthe\tlarge,\tshining\teyes\u2014 I\tdidn\u2019t\thave\ttime\tto\tremark\ton\tthose\tblue-gray\teyes\tas\tthe\tbeast\tpounced. I\twhirled,\tIllyrian\tdagger\tin\tmy\tfreezing\thand,\tducking\tlow\tand\taiming\tup\u2014 for\tthe\theart. But\tno\timpact\tcame.\tOnly\tsnow,\tand\tcold,\tand\twind. There\twas\tnothing\tbefore\tme.\tBehind\tme. No\tpaw\tprints\tin\tthe\tsnow. I\twhirled\tto\tthe\tmirror. Where\t I\t had\t been\t standing\t \u2026\t that\t beast\t now\t sat,\t scaled\t tail\t idly\t swishing through\tthe\tsnow. Watching\tme. No\u2014not\twatching. Gazing\tback\tat\tme.\tMy\treflection. Of\twhat\tlurked\tbeneath\tmy\tskin.","My\tknife\tclattered\tto\tthe\tstones\tand\tsnow.\tAnd\tI\tlooked\tinto\tthe\tmirror. The\tBone\tCarver\twas\tsitting\tagainst\tthe\twall\tas\tI\tentered\this\tcell. \u201cNo\tescort\tthis\ttime?\u201d I\tonly\tstared\tat\thim\u2014that\tboy.\tMy\tson. And\tfor\tonce,\tthe\tCarver\tseemed\tto\tgo\tvery\tstill\tand\tquiet. He\twhispered,\t\u201cYou\tretrieved\tit.\u201d I\t looked\t toward\t a\t corner\t of\t his\t cell.\t The\t Ouroboros\t appeared,\t snow\t and\t ice still\tcrusting\tit.\tMine\tto\tsummon,\twherever\tand\twhenever\tI\twished. \u201cHow.\u201d Words\twere\tstill\tforeign,\tstrange\tthings. This\tbody\tthat\tI\thad\treturned\tto\t\u2026\tit\twas\tstrange,\ttoo. My\ttongue\twas\tdry\tas\tpaper\tas\tI\tsaid,\t\u201cI\tlooked.\u201d \u201cWhat\tdid\tyou\tsee?\u201d\tThe\tCarver\tgot\tto\this\tfeet. I\tsank\ta\tlittle\tfurther\tback\tinto\tmy\tbody.\tJust\tenough\tto\tsmile\tslightly.\t\u201cThat is\tnone\tof\tyour\tconcern.\u201d\tFor\tthe\tmirror\t\u2026\tit\thad\tshown\tme.\tSo\tmany\tthings. I\t did\t not\t know\t how\t long\t had\t passed.\t Time\u2014it\t had\t been\t different\t inside\t the mirror. But\teven\ta\tfew\thours\tmight\thave\tbeen\ttoo\tmany\u2014 I\t pointed\t to\t the\t door.\t \u201cYou\t have\t your\t mirror.\t Now\t uphold\t your\t end.\t Battle awaits.\u201d The\t Bone\t Carver\t glanced\t between\t me\t and\t the\t mirror.\t And\t he\t smiled.\t \u201cIt would\tbe\tmy\tpleasure.\u201d And\tthe\tway\the\tsaid\tit\t\u2026\tI\twas\twrung\tdry,\tmy\tsoul\tnew\tand\ttrembling,\tand yet\tI\tasked,\t\u201cWhat\tdo\tyou\tmean?\u201d The\tCarver\tsimply\tstraightened\this\tclothes.\t\u201cI\thave\tlittle\tneed\tfor\tthat\tthing,\u201d he\tsaid,\tgesturing\tto\tthe\tmirror.\t\u201cBut\tyou\tdid.\u201d I\tblinked\tslowly. \u201cI\twanted\tto\tsee\tif\tyou\twere\tworth\thelping,\u201d\tthe\tCarver\twent\ton.\t\u201cIt\u2019s\ta\trare person\t to\t face\t who\t they\t truly\t are\t and\t not\t run\t from\t it\u2014not\t be\t broken\t by\t it. That\u2019s\t what\t the\t Ouroboros\t shows\t all\t who\t look\t into\t it:\t who\t they\t are,\t every despicable\t and\t unholy\t inch.\t Some\t gaze\t upon\t it\t and\t don\u2019t\t even\t realize\t that\t the horror\t they\u2019re\t seeing\t is\t them\u2014even\t as\t the\t terror\t of\t it\t drives\t them\t mad.\t Some","swagger\t in\t and\t are\t shattered\t by\t the\t small,\t sorry\t creature\t they\t find\t instead.\t But you\t\u2026\tYes,\trare\tindeed.\tI\tcould\trisk\tleaving\there\tfor\tnothing\tless.\u201d Rage\u2014blistering\trage\tstarted\tto\tfill\tin\tthe\tholes\tleft\tby\twhat\tI\u2019d\tbeheld\tin\tthat mirror.\t\u201cYou\twanted\tto\tsee\tif\tI\twas\tworthy?\u201d\tThat\tinnocent\tpeople\twere\tworthy of\tbeing\thelped. A\tnod.\t\u201cI\tdid.\tAnd\tyou\tare.\tAnd\tnow\tI\tshall\thelp\tyou.\u201d I\tdebated\tslamming\tthat\tcell\tdoor\tin\this\tface. But\tI\tonly\tsaid\tquietly,\t\u201cGood.\u201d\tI\twalked\tover\tto\thim.\tAnd\tI\twas\tnot\tafraid\tas I\tgrabbed\tthe\tBone\tCarver\u2019s\tcold\thand.\t\u201cThen\tlet\u2019s\tbegin.\u201d","CHAPTER 69 Dawn\t broke,\t gilding\t the\t low-lying\t mists\t snaking\t over\t the\t plains\t of\t the\t mortal land. Hybern\t had\t razed\t everything\t from\t the\t Spring\t Court\t down\t to\t the\t few\t miles before\tthe\tsea. Including\tmy\tvillage. There\t was\t nothing\t left\t but\t smoking\t cinders\t and\t crumbled\t stone\t as\t we marched\tpast. And\tmy\tfather\u2019s\testate\t\u2026\tOne-third\tof\tthe\thouse\tremained\tstanding,\tthe\trest wrecked.\tWindows\tshattered,\twalls\tcracked\tdown\tto\tthe\tfoundation. Elain\u2019s\tgarden\twas\ttrampled,\tlittle\tmore\tthan\ta\tmud\tpit.\tThat\tproud\toak\tnear the\t edge\t of\t the\t property\u2014where\t Nesta\t had\t liked\t to\t stand\t in\t the\t shade\t and overlook\tour\tlands\t\u2026\tIt\thad\tbeen\tburned\tinto\ta\tskeletal\thusk. It\t was\t a\t personal\t attack.\t I\t knew\t it.\t We\t all\t did.\t The\t king\t had\t ordered\t our livestock\tkilled.\tI\u2019d\tgotten\tthe\tdogs\tand\thorses\tout\tthe\tnight\tbefore\u2014along\twith the\tservants\tand\ttheir\tfamilies.\tBut\tthe\triches,\tthe\tpersonal\ttouches\t\u2026\tLooted\tor destroyed. That\t Hybern\t had\t not\t lingered\t to\t decimate\t what\t was\t left\t standing\t of\t the house,\tCassian\ttold\tme,\tsuggested\the\tdid\tnot\twant\tus\tgaining\ttoo\tmuch\ton\thim. He\u2019d\t establish\t his\t advantage\u2014pick\t the\t right\t battlefield.\t We\t had\t no\t doubt\t that finding\t the\t empty\t villages\t along\t the\t way\t whetted\t the\t king\u2019s\t rage.\t And\t there were\tenough\ttowns\tand\tvillages\tthat\twe\thad\tnot\treached\tin\ttime\tthat\twe\thurried. An\t easier\t feat\t in\t theory\t than\t in\t practice,\t with\t an\t army\t of\t our\t size\t and\t made up\t of\t so\t many\t differently\t trained\t soldiers,\t with\t so\t many\t leaders\t giving\t orders about\twhat\tto\tdo.","The\t Illyrians\t were\t testy\u2014yanking\t at\t the\t leash,\t even\t under\t Lord\t Devlon\u2019s strict\tcommand.\tAnnoyed\tthat\twe\thad\tto\twait\tfor\tthe\tothers,\tthat\twe\tcouldn\u2019t\tjust fly\t ahead\t and\t intercept\t Hybern,\t stop\t them\t before\t they\t could\t select\t the battlefield. I\t watched\t Cassian\t lay\t into\t two\t different\t captains\t within\t the\t span\t of\t three hours\u2014watched\t him\t reassign\t the\t grumbling\t soldiers\t to\t hauling\t carts\t and wagons\t of\t supplies,\t pulling\t some\t off\t the\t honor\t of\t being\t on\t the\t front\t lines.\t As soon\t as\t the\t others\t saw\t that\t he\t meant\t every\t word,\t every\t threat\t \u2026\t the complaining\tceased. Keir\t and\t his\t Darkbringers\t watched\t Cassian,\t too\u2014and\t were\t wise\t enough\t to keep\t any\t discontent\t off\t their\t tongues,\t their\t faces.\t To\t keep\t marching,\t their\t dark armor\tgrowing\tmuddier\twith\tevery\tpassing\tmile. During\tthe\tbrief\tmidday\tbreak\tin\ta\tlarge\tmeadow,\tNesta\tand\tI\tclimbed\tinside one\t of\t the\t supply\t caravan\u2019s\t covered\t wagons\t to\t change\t into\t Illyrian\t fighting leathers.\tWhen\twe\temerged,\tNesta\teven\tbuckled\ta\tknife\tat\ther\tside.\tCassian\thad insisted,\tyet\the\u2019d\tadmitted\tthat\tsince\tshe\twas\tuntrained,\tshe\twas\tjust\tas\tlikely\tto hurt\therself\tas\tshe\twas\tto\thurt\tsomeone\telse. Elain\t \u2026\t She\u2019d\t taken\t one\t look\t at\t us\t in\t the\t swaying\t grasses\t outside\t that wagon,\t the\t legs\t and\t assets\t on\t display,\t and\t turned\t crimson.\t Viviane\t stepped\t in, offering\ta\t Winter\tCourt\tfashion\tthat\twas\tfar\t less\tscandalous:\tleather\t pants,\tbut paired\twith\ta\tthigh-length\tblue\tsurcoat,\twhite\tfur\ttrimming\tthe\tcollar.\tIn\tthe\theat, it\u2019d\tbe\tmiserable,\tbut\tElain\twas\tthankful\tenough\tthat\tshe\tdidn\u2019t\tcomplain\twhen we\t again\t emerged\t from\t the\t covered\t wagon\t and\t found\t our\t companions\t waiting. She\trefused\tthe\tknife\tCassian\thanded\ther,\tthough. Went\twhite\tas\tdeath\tat\tthe\tsight\tof\tit. Azriel,\t still\t limping,\t merely\t nudged\t aside\t Cassian\t and\t extended\t another option. \u201cThis\tis\tTruth-Teller,\u201d\the\ttold\ther\tsoftly.\t\u201cI\twon\u2019t\tbe\tusing\tit\ttoday\u2014so\tI\twant you\tto.\u201d His\t wings\t had\t healed\u2014though\t long,\t thin\t scars\t now\t raked\t down\t them.\t Still not\tstrong\tenough,\tMadja\thad\twarned\thim,\tto\tfly\ttoday. The\t argument\t with\t Rhys\t this\t morning\t had\t been\t swift\t and\t brutal:\t Azriel insisted\the\tcould\t fly\u2014fight\t with\t the\t legions,\t as\t they\u2019d\t planned.\t Rhys\t refused. Cassian\t refused.\t Azriel\t threatened\t to\t slip\t into\t shadow\t and\t fight\t anyway.\t Rhys","merely\tsaid\tthat\tif\the\tso\tmuch\tas\ttried,\the\u2019d\tchain\tAzriel\tto\ta\ttree. And\t Azriel\t \u2026\t It\t was\t only\t when\t Mor\t had\t entered\t the\t tent\t and\t begged\t him \u2014begged\t him\t with\t tears\t in\t her\t eyes\u2014that\t he\t relented.\t Agreed\t to\t be\t eyes\t and ears\tand\tnothing\telse. And\tnow,\tstanding\tamongst\tthe\tsighing\tmeadow\tgrasses\tin\this\tIllyrian\tarmor, all\tseven\tSiphons\tgleaming\t\u2026 Elain\u2019s\t eyes\t widened\t at\t the\t obsidian-hilted\t blade\t in\t Azriel\u2019s\t scarred\t hand. The\trunes\ton\tthe\tdark\tscabbard. \u201cIt\t has\t never\t failed\t me\t once,\u201d\t the\t shadowsinger\t said,\t the\t midday\t sun devoured\tby\tthe\tdark\tblade.\t\u201cSome\tpeople\tsay\tit\tis\tmagic\tand\twill\talways\tstrike true.\u201d\tHe\tgently\ttook\ther\thand\tand\tpressed\tthe\thilt\tof\tthe\tlegendary\tblade\tinto\tit. \u201cIt\twill\tserve\tyou\twell.\u201d \u201cI\u2014I\tdon\u2019t\tknow\thow\tto\tuse\tit\u2014\u201d \u201cI\u2019ll\tmake\tsure\tyou\tdon\u2019t\thave\tto,\u201d\tI\tsaid,\tgrass\tcrunching\tas\tI\tstepped\tcloser. Elain\tweighed\tmy\twords\t\u2026\tand\tslowly\tclosed\ther\tfingers\taround\tthe\tblade. Cassian\tgawked\tat\tAzriel,\tand\tI\twondered\thow\toften\tAzriel\thad\tlent\tout\tthat blade\u2014 Never,\t Rhys\t said\t from\t where\t he\t finished\t buckling\t on\t his\t own\t weapons against\t the\t side\t of\t the\t wagon.\t I\t have\t never\t once\t seen\t Azriel\t let\t another\t person touch\tthat\tknife. Elain\t looked\t up\t at\t Azriel,\t their\t eyes\t meeting,\t his\t hand\t still\t lingering\t on\t the hilt\tof\tthe\tblade. I\t saw\t the\t painting\t in\t my\t mind:\t the\t lovely\t fawn,\t blooming\t spring\t vibrant behind\t her.\t Standing\t before\t Death,\t shadows\t and\t terrors\t lurking\t over\t his shoulder.\tLight\tand\tdark,\tthe\tspace\tbetween\ttheir\tbodies\ta\tblend\tof\tthe\ttwo.\tThe only\tbridge\tof\tconnection\t\u2026\tthat\tknife. Paint\tthat\twhen\twe\tget\thome. Busybody. I\tpeered\tover\tmy\tshoulder\tto\tRhys,\twho\tstepped\tup\tto\tour\tlittle\tcircle\tin\tthe grass.\tHis\tface\tremained\tmore\thaggard\tthan\tusual,\tlines\tof\tstrain\tbracketing\this mouth.\t And\t I\t realized\t \u2026\t I\t would\t not\t get\t that\t last\t night\t with\t him.\t Last\t night \u2014that\thad\tbeen\tthe\tfinal\tnight.\tWe\u2019d\tspent\tit\twinnowing\u2014 Don\u2019t\t think\t like\t that.\t Don\u2019t\t go\t into\t this\t battle\t thinking\t you\t won\u2019t\t walk\t off again.\tHis\tgaze\twas\tsharp.\tUnyielding.","Breathing\t became\t difficult.\t This\t break\t is\t the\t last\t time\t we\u2019ll\t all\t be\t here\u2014 talking. For\tthis\tfinal\tleg\tof\tthe\tmarch\twe\twere\tabout\tto\tembark\ton\t\u2026\tIt\twould\ttake us\tright\tto\tthe\tbattlefield. Rhys\t lifted\t a\t brow.\t Would\t you\t like\t to\t go\t into\t that\t wagon\t for\t a\t few\t minutes, then?\t It\u2019s\t a\t little\t cramped\t between\t the\t weapons\t and\t supplies,\t but\t I\t can\t make\t it work. The\thumor\u2014as\tmuch\tfor\tme\tas\tit\twas\tfor\thim.\tI\ttook\this\thand,\trealizing\tthe others\t were\t talking\t quietly,\t Mor\t having\t sauntered\t over\t in\t full,\t dark\t armor, Amren\t \u2026\t Amren\t was\t in\t Illyrian\t leathers,\t too.\t So\t small\u2014they\t must\t have\t been built\tfor\ta\tchild. Don\u2019t\ttell\ther,\tbut\tthey\twere. My\t lips\t tugged\t toward\t a\t smile.\t But\t Rhys\t stared\t at\t all\t of\t us,\t somehow assembled\there\tin\tthe\tsun-drenched\topen\tgrasses\twithout\tbeing\tgiven\tthe\torder. Our\tfamily\u2014our\tcourt.\tThe\tCourt\tof\tDreams. They\tall\tquieted. Rhys\t looked\t them\t each\t in\t the\t eye,\t even\t my\t sisters,\t his\t hand\t brushing\t the back\tof\tmy\town. \u201cDo\tyou\twant\tthe\tinspiring\ttalk\tor\tthe\tbleak\tone?\u201d\the\tasked. \u201cWe\twant\tthe\treal\tone,\u201d\tAmren\tsaid. Rhys\tpushed\t his\tshoulders\tback,\telegantly\t folding\this\twings\tbehind\thim.\t\u201cI believe\teverything\thappens\tfor\ta\treason.\tWhether\tit\tis\tdecided\tby\tthe\tMother,\tor the\tCauldron,\tor\tsome\tsort\tof\ttapestry\tof\tFate,\tI\tdon\u2019t\tknow.\tI\tdon\u2019t\treally\tcare. But\t I\t am\t grateful\t for\t it,\t whatever\t it\t is.\t Grateful\t that\t it\t brought\t you\t all\t into\t my life.\t If\t it\t hadn\u2019t\t \u2026\t I\t might\t have\t become\t as\t awful\t as\t that\t prick\t we\u2019re\t going\t to face\ttoday.\tIf\tI\thad\tnot\tmet\tan\tIllyrian\twarrior-in-training,\u201d\the\tsaid\tto\tCassian,\t\u201cI would\t not\t have\t known\t the\t true\t depths\t of\t strength,\t of\t resilience,\t of\t honor\t and loyalty.\u201d\tCassian\u2019s\teyes\tgleamed\tbright.\tRhys\tsaid\tto\tAzriel,\t\u201cIf\tI\thad\tnot\tmet\ta shadowsinger,\t I\t would\t not\t have\t known\t that\t it\t is\t the\t family\t you\t make,\t not\t the one\t you\t are\t born\t into,\t that\t matters.\t I\t would\t not\t have\t known\t what\t it\t is\t to\t truly hope,\t even\t when\t the\t world\t tells\t you\t to\t despair.\u201d\t Azriel\t bowed\t his\t head\t in thanks. Mor\twas\talready\tcrying\twhen\tRhys\tspoke\tto\ther.\t\u201cIf\tI\thad\tnot\tmet\tmy\tcousin, I\t would\t never\t have\t learned\t that\t light\t can\t be\t found\t in\t even\t the\t darkest\t of\t hells.","That\tkindness\tcan\tthrive\teven\tamongst\tcruelty.\u201d\tShe\twiped\taway\ther\ttears\tas\tshe nodded. I\twaited\tfor\tAmren\tto\toffer\ta\tretort.\tBut\tshe\twas\tonly\twaiting. Rhys\t bowed\t his\t head\t to\t her.\t \u201cIf\t I\t had\t not\t met\t a\t tiny\t monster\t who\t hoards jewels\t more\t fiercely\t than\t a\t firedrake\t \u2026\u201d\t A\t quiet\t laugh\t from\t all\t of\t us\t at\t that. Rhys\tsmiled\tsoftly.\t\u201cMy\town\tpower\twould\thave\tconsumed\tme\tlong\tago.\u201d Rhys\tsqueezed\tmy\thand\tas\the\tlooked\tto\tme\tat\tlast.\t\u201cAnd\tif\tI\thad\tnot\tmet\tmy mate\t\u2026\u201d\tHis\twords\tfailed\thim\tas\tsilver\tlined\this\teyes. He\tsaid\tdown\tthe\tbond,\tI\twould\thave\twaited\tfive\thundred\tmore\tyears\tfor\tyou. A\t thousand\t years.\t And\t if\t this\t was\t all\t the\t time\t we\t were\t allowed\t to\t have\t \u2026\t The wait\twas\tworth\tit. He\t wiped\t away\t the\t tears\t sliding\t down\t my\t face.\t \u201cI\t believe\t that\t everything happened,\t exactly\t the\t way\t it\t had\t to\t \u2026\t so\t I\t could\t find\t you.\u201d\t He\t kissed\t another tear\taway. And\tthen\the\tsaid\tto\tmy\tsisters,\t\u201cWe\thave\tnot\tknown\teach\tother\tfor\tlong.\tBut\tI have\t to\t believe\t that\t you\t were\t brought\t here,\t into\t our\t family,\t for\t a\t reason,\t too. And\tmaybe\ttoday\twe\u2019ll\tfind\tout\twhy.\u201d He\tsurveyed\tthem\tall\tagain\u2014and\theld\tout\this\thand\tto\tCassian.\tCassian\ttook it,\tand\theld\tout\this\tother\tfor\tMor.\tThen\tMor\textended\ther\tother\tto\tAzriel.\tAzriel to\t Amren.\t Amren\t to\t Nesta.\t Nesta\t to\t Elain.\t And\t Elain\t to\t me.\t Until\t we\t were\t all linked,\tall\tbound\ttogether. Rhys\tsaid,\t\u201cWe\twill\twalk\tonto\tthat\tfield\tand\tonly\taccept\tDeath\twhen\tit\tcomes to\t haul\t us\t away\t to\t the\t Otherworld.\t We\t will\t fight\t for\t life,\t for\t survival,\t for\t our futures.\tBut\tif\tit\tis\tdecided\tby\tthat\ttapestry\tof\tFate\tor\tthe\tCauldron\tor\tthe\tMother that\t we\t do\t not\t walk\t off\t that\t field\t today\t \u2026\u201d\t His\t chin\t lifted.\t \u201cThe\t great\t joy\t and honor\tof\tmy\tlife\thas\tbeen\tto\tknow\tyou.\tTo\tcall\tyou\tmy\tfamily.\tAnd\tI\tam\tgrateful \u2014more\tthan\tI\tcan\tpossibly\tsay\u2014that\tI\twas\tgiven\tthis\ttime\twith\tyou\tall.\u201d \u201cWe\tare\tgrateful,\tRhysand,\u201d\tAmren\tsaid\tquietly.\t\u201cMore\tthan\tyou\tknow.\u201d Rhys\tgave\ther\ta\tsmall\tsmile\tas\tthe\tothers\tmurmured\ttheir\tagreement. He\t squeezed\t my\t hand\t again\t as\t he\t said,\t \u201cThen\t let\u2019s\t go\t make\t Hybern\t very ungrateful\tto\thave\tknown\tus,\ttoo.\u201d I\t could\t smell\t the\t sea\t long\t before\t we\t beheld\t the\t battlefield.\t Hybern\t had\t chosen","well. A\t vast,\t grassy\t plain\t stretched\t to\t the\t shore.\t A\t mile\t inland,\t he\t had\t planted\t his army. It\trippled\taway,\ta\tdark\tmass\tspreading\tto\tthe\teastern\thorizon.\tRocky\tfoothills arose\tat\this\tback\u2014some\tof\this\tarmy\talso\tstationed\tatop\tthem.\tIndeed,\teven\tthe plain\tseemed\tto\tslope\tupward\tto\tthe\teast. I\t lingered\t at\t Rhysand\u2019s\t side\t atop\t a\t broad\t knoll\t overlooking\t the\t plain,\t my sisters,\t Azriel,\t and\t Amren\t close\t behind.\t At\t the\t distant\t front\t lines\t far\t ahead, Helion,\t resplendent\t in\t golden\t armor\t and\t a\t rippling\t red\t cape,\t gave\t the\t order\t to halt.\tArmies\tobeyed,\tshifting\tinto\tthe\tpositions\tthey\u2019d\tsorted\tout. The\thost\twe\tfaced,\tthough\t\u2026\tthey\twere\twaiting.\tPoised. So\tmany.\tI\tknew\twithout\tcounting\tthat\twe\twere\tvastly\toutnumbered. Cassian\t landed\t from\t the\t skies,\t stone-faced,\t all\t of\t his\t Siphons\t smoldering\t as he\t crossed\t the\t flat-topped\t knoll\t in\t a\t few\t steps.\t \u201cThe\t prick\t took\t every\t inch\t of high\tground\tand\tadvantage\the\tcould\tfind.\tIf\twe\twant\tto\trout\tthem,\twe\u2019ll\thave\tto chase\t them\t up\t into\t those\t hills.\t Which\t I\t have\t no\t doubt\t he\u2019s\t already\t calculated. Likely\tset\twith\tall\tkinds\tof\tsurprises.\u201d\tIn\tthe\tdistance,\tthose\tnaga-hounds\tbegan snarling\tand\thowling.\tWith\thunger. Rhys\tonly\tasked,\t\u201cHow\tlong\tdo\tyou\tthink\twe\thave?\u201d Cassian\t clenched\t his\t jaw,\t glancing\t at\t my\t sisters.\t Nesta\t was\t watching\t him keenly;\t Elain\t monitored\t the\t army\t from\t our\t minor\t elevation,\t face\t white\t with dread.\t \u201cWe\t have\t five\t High\t Lords,\t and\t there\u2019s\t only\t one\t of\t him.\t You\t all\t could shield\tus\tfor\ta\twhile.\tBut\tit\tmight\tnot\tbe\tin\tour\tinterest\tto\tdrain\tevery\tone\tof\tyou like\tthat.\tHe\u2019ll\thave\tshields,\ttoo\u2014and\tthe\tCauldron.\tHe\u2019s\tbeen\tcareful\tnot\tto\tlet us\tsee\tthe\tfull\textent\tof\this\tpower.\tI\thave\tno\tdoubt\twe\u2019re\tabout\tto,\tthough.\u201d \u201cHe\u2019ll\t likely\t be\t using\t spells,\u201d\t I\t said,\t remembering\t that\t he\u2019d\t trained Amarantha. \u201cMake\tsure\tHelion\tis\ton\talert,\u201d\tAzriel\toffered,\tlimping\tto\tRhys\u2019s\tside.\t\u201cAnd Thesan.\u201d \u201cYou\tdidn\u2019t\tanswer\tmy\tquestion,\u201d\tRhys\tsaid\tto\tCassian. Cassian\t sized\t up\t Hybern\u2019s\t unending\t army,\t then\t our\t own.\t \u201cLet\u2019s\t say\t it\t goes badly.\tShields\tshattered,\tdisarray,\the\tuses\tthe\tCauldron\t\u2026\tA\tfew\thours.\u201d I\t closed\t my\t eyes.\t During\t that\t time,\t I\u2019d\t have\t to\t get\t across\t the\t battlefield before\tus,\tfind\twherever\the\tkept\tthe\tCauldron,\tand\tstop\tit.","\u201cMy\t shadows\t are\t hunting\t for\t it,\u201d\t Azriel\t said\t to\t me,\t reading\t my\t face\t as\t I opened\tmy\teyes.\tHis\tjaw\tclenched\tat\tthe\twords.\tHe\twas\tsupposed\tto\thave\tbeen searching\tfor\tit\thimself.\tHe\tflared\tand\tsettled\this\twings,\tas\tif\ttesting\tthem.\t\u201cBut the\t wards\t are\t strong\u2014no\t doubt\t reinforced\t by\t the\t king\t after\t you\t shredded through\t his\t at\t the\t camp.\t You\t might\t have\t to\t go\t on\t foot.\t Wait\t until\t the\t slaughter starts\tgetting\tsloppy.\u201d Cassian\tdipped\this\thead\tand\tsaid\tto\tAmren,\t\u201cYou\u2019ll\tknow\twhen.\u201d She\tnodded\tsharply,\tcrossing\ther\tarms.\tI\twondered\tif\tshe\u2019d\tsaid\tgood-bye\tto Varian. Cassian\t clapped\t Rhys\t on\t the\t shoulder.\t \u201cOn\t your\t command,\t I\u2019ll\t get\t the Illyrians\tinto\tthe\tskies.\tWe\tadvance\ton\tyour\tsignal\tafter\tthat.\u201d Rhys\tnodded\tdistantly,\tattention\tstill\tfixed\ton\tthat\toverwhelming\tarmy. Cassian\t took\t a\t step\t away,\t but\t looked\t back\t at\t Nesta.\t Her\t face\t was\t hard\t as granite.\t He\t opened\t his\t mouth,\t but\t seemed\t to\t decide\t against\t whatever\t he\t was about\tto\tsay.\tMy\tsister\tsaid\tnothing\tas\tCassian\tshot\tinto\tthe\tsky\twith\ta\tpowerful thrust\t of\t his\t wings.\t Yet\t she\t tracked\t his\t flight\t until\t he\t was\t hardly\t more\t than\t a dark\tspeck. \u201cI\tcan\tfight\ton\tfoot,\u201d\tAzriel\tsaid\tto\tRhys. \u201cNo.\u201d\tThere\twas\tno\targuing\twith\tthat\ttone. Azriel\tseemed\tlike\the\twas\tdebating\tit,\tbut\tAmren\tshook\ther\thead\tin\twarning and\the\tbacked\tdown,\tshadows\tcoiling\tat\this\tfingers. In\t silence,\t we\t watched\t our\t army\t settle\t into\t neat,\t solid\t lines.\t Watched\t the Illyrians\t lift\t into\t the\t skies\t at\t whatever\t silent\t command\t Rhys\t sent\t to\t Cassian, forming\t mirror\t lines\t above.\t Siphons\t glinted\t with\t color,\t and\t shields\t locked\t into place,\t both\t magical\t and\t metal.\t The\t ground\t itself\t shook\t with\t each\t step\t toward that\tdemarcation\tline. Rhys\tsaid\tinto\tmy\tmind,\tIf\tHybern\thas\ta\tlock\ton\tmy\tpower,\the\twill\tsense\tme sneaking\tacross\tthe\tbattlefield. I\tknew\twhat\the\twas\timplying.\tYou\u2019re\tneeded\there.\tIf\twe\tboth\tdisappear,\the\u2019ll know. A\tpause.\tAre\tyou\tafraid? Are\tyou? His\tviolet\teyes\tcaught\tmine.\tSo\tfew\tstars\tnow\tshone\twithin\tthem.\t\u201cYes,\u201d\the breathed.\tNot\tfor\tmyself.\tFor\tall\tof\tyou.","Tarquin\t barked\t an\t order\t far\t ahead,\t and\t our\t unified\t army\t came\t to\t a\t halt,\t like some\t mighty\t beast\t pausing.\t Summer,\t Winter,\t Day,\t Dawn,\t and\t Night\u2014each court\u2019s\tforces\tclearly\tmarked\tby\tthe\talterations\tin\tcolor\tand\tarmor.\tIn\tthe\tfaeries who\t fought\t alongside\t the\t High\t Fae,\t ethereal\t and\t deadly.\t A\t legion\t of\t Thesan\u2019s Peregryns\t flapped\t into\t rank\t beside\t the\t Illyrians,\t their\t golden\t armor\t gleaming against\tthe\tsolid\tblack\tof\tour\town. No\t sign\t of\t Beron\t or\t Eris\u2014not\t a\t whisper\t of\t Autumn\t coming\t to\t assist\t us.\t Or Tamlin. But\t Hybern\u2019s\t army\t did\t not\t advance.\t They\t might\t as\t well\t have\t been\t statues. The\tstillness,\tI\tknew,\twas\tmore\tto\tunnerve\tus. \u201cMagic\tfirst,\u201d\tAmren\twas\texplaining\tto\t Nesta.\t\u201cBoth\tsides\twill\ttry\tto\tbring down\tthe\tshields\taround\tthe\tarmies.\u201d As\t if\t in\t answer,\t they\t did.\t My\t magic\t writhed\t in\t response\t to\t the\t High\t Lords unleashing\ttheir\tmight\u2014all\tbut\tRhysand. He\t was\t saving\t his\t power\t for\t once\t the\t shields\t came\t down.\t I\t had\t no\t doubt Hybern\thimself\twas\tdoing\tthe\tsame\tacross\tthe\tplain. Shields\t faltered\t on\t either\t side.\t Some\t died.\t Not\t many,\t but\t a\t few.\t Magic against\tmagic,\tthe\tearth\tshuddering,\tthe\tgrass\tbetween\tthe\tarmies\twithering\tand turning\tto\tash. \u201cI\tforgot\thow\tboring\tthis\tpart\tis,\u201d\tAmren\tmuttered. Rhys\tshot\ther\ta\tdry\tlook.\tBut\the\tprowled\tto\tthe\tedge\tof\tour\tlittle\toutlook,\tas if\t sensing\t the\t stalemate\t was\t soon\t to\t break.\t He\u2019d\t deliver\t a\t mighty,\t devastating blow\t to\t the\t army\t the\t moment\t their\t shield\t buckled.\t A\t veritable\t tidal\t wave\t of night-kissed\tpower.\tHis\tfingers\tcurled\tat\this\tsides. To\t my\t left,\t Azriel\u2019s\t Siphons\t glowed\u2014readying\t to\t unleash\t blasts\t to\t echo Rhysand\u2019s.\t He\t might\t not\t be\t able\t to\t fight,\t but\t he\t would\t wield\t his\t power\t from here. I\tcame\tto\tRhys\u2019s\tside.\tAhead,\tboth\tshields\twere\twobbling\tat\tlast. \u201cI\tnever\tgot\tyou\ta\tmating\tpresent,\u201d\tI\tsaid. Rhys\t monitored\t the\t battle\t ahead.\t His\t power\t rumbled\t beneath\t us,\t surging from\tthe\tshadowy\theart\tof\tthe\tworld. Soon.\t A\t matter\t of\t moments.\t My\t heart\t thundered,\t sweat\t beading\t my\t brow\u2014 not\tjust\tfrom\tthe\tsummer\theat\tnow\tthick\tacross\tthe\tfield. \u201cI\u2019ve\tbeen\tthinking\tand\tthinking,\u201d\tI\twent\ton,\t\u201cabout\twhat\tto\tget\tyou.\u201d","Slowly,\t so\t slowly,\t Rhys\u2019s\t eyes\t slid\t to\t mine.\t Only\t a\t chasm\t of\t power\t lay within\tthem\u2014blotting\tout\tthose\tstars. I\tsmiled\tat\thim,\tbathing\tin\tthat\tpower,\tand\tsent\tan\timage\tinto\this\tmind. Of\t the\t column\t of\t my\t spine,\t now\t inked\t from\t my\t base\t to\t my\t nape\t with\t four phases\tof\tthe\tmoon.\tAnd\ta\tsmall\tstar\tin\tthe\tmiddle\tof\tthem. \u201cBut,\t I\u2019ll\t admit,\u201d\t I\t said\t as\t his\t eyes\t flared,\t \u201cthis\t mating\t gift\t is\t probably\t for both\tof\tus.\u201d Hybern\u2019s\t shield\t came\t crashing\t down.\t My\t magic\t snapped\t from\t me,\t cleaving through\tthe\tworld.\tRevealing\tthe\tglamour\tI\u2019d\thad\tin\tplace\tfor\thours. Before\tour\tfront\tline\t\u2026\tA\tcloud\tof\tdarkness\tappeared,\twrithing\tand\twhirling on\titself. \u201cMother\tabove,\u201d\tAzriel\tbreathed.\tRight\tas\ta\tmale\tfigure\tappeared\tbeside\tthat swirling\tebony\tsmoke. Both\tarmies\tseemed\tto\tpause\twith\tsurprise. \u201cYou\tretrieved\tthe\tOuroboros,\u201d\tRhys\twhispered. For\t standing\t before\t Hybern\t were\t the\t Bone\t Carver\t and\t the\t living\t nest\t of shadows\t that\t was\t Bryaxis,\t the\t former\t contained\t and\t freed\t in\t a\t Fae\t body\t by myself\tlast\tnight.\tBoth\tbound\tto\tobey\tby\tthe\tsimple\tbargain\tnow\tinked\tonto\tmy spine.\t\u201cI\tdid.\u201d He\t scanned\t me\t from\t head\t to\t toe,\t the\t wind\t stirring\t his\t blue-black\t hair\t as\t he asked\tsoftly,\t\u201cWhat\tdid\tyou\tsee?\u201d Hybern\t was\t stirring,\t frantically\t assessing\t what\t and\t who\t now\t stood\t before them.\tThe\tCarver\thad\tchosen\tthe\tform\tof\tan\tIllyrian\tsoldier\tin\this\tprime.\tBryaxis remained\twithin\tthe\tdarkness\troiling\taround\tit,\tthe\tliving\ttapestry\tit\twould\tuse\tto reveal\tthe\tnightmares\tof\tits\tvictims. \u201cMyself,\u201d\tI\tsaid\tat\tlast.\t\u201cI\tsaw\tmyself.\u201d It\t was,\t perhaps,\t the\t one\t thing\t I\t would\t never\t show\t him.\t Anyone.\t How\t I\t had cowered\tand\traged\tand\twept.\tHow\tI\thad\tvomited,\tand\tscreamed,\tand\tclawed\tat the\t mirror.\t Slammed\t my\t fists\t into\t it.\t And\t then\t curled\t up,\t trembling\t at\t every horrific\t and\t cruel\t and\t selfish\t thing\t I\u2019d\t beheld\t within\t that\t monster\u2014within\t me. But\tI\thad\tkept\twatching.\tI\tdid\tnot\tturn\tfrom\tit. And\twhen\tmy\tshaking\tstopped,\tI\tstudied\tit.\tAll\tof\tthose\twretched\tthings.\tThe pride\tand\tthe\thypocrisy\tand\tthe\tshame.\tThe\trage\tand\tthe\tcowardice\tand\tthe\thurt. Then\tI\tbegan\tto\tsee\tother\tthings.\tMore\timportant\tthings\u2014more\tvital.","\u201cAnd\twhat\tI\tsaw,\u201d\tI\tsaid\tquietly\tto\thim\tas\tthe\tCarver\traised\ta\thand.\t\u201cI\tthink \u2014I\tthink\tI\tloved\tit.\tForgave\tit\u2014me.\tAll\tof\tit.\u201d\tIt\twas\tonly\tin\tthat\tmoment\twhen I\t knew\u2014I\u2019d\t understood\t what\t the\t Suriel\t had\t meant.\t Only\t I\t could\t allow\t the\t bad to\tbreak\tme.\tOnly\tI\tcould\town\tit,\tembrace\tit.\tAnd\twhen\tI\u2019d\tlearned\tthat\t\u2026\tthe Ouroboros\thad\tyielded\tto\tme. Rhys\tarched\ta\tbrow,\teven\tas\tawe\tcrept\tacross\this\tface.\t\u201cYou\tloved\tall\tof\tit\u2014 the\tgood\tand\tthe\tbad?\u201d I\tsmiled\ta\tbit.\t\u201cEspecially\tthe\tbad.\u201d\tThe\ttwo\tfigures\tseemed\tto\ttake\ta\tbreath \u2014a\tmighty\tinhale\tthat\thad\tBryaxis\u2019s\tdark\tcloud\tcontracting.\tReadying\tto\tspring. I\tinclined\tmy\thead\tto\tmy\tmate.\t\u201cHere\u2019s\tto\ta\tlong,\thappy\tmating,\tRhys.\u201d \u201cSeems\tlike\tyou\tbeat\tme\tto\tit.\u201d \u201cTo\twhat?\u201d With\t a\t wink,\t Rhys\t pointed\t toward\t Bryaxis\t and\t the\t Carver.\t Another\t figure appeared. The\tCarver\tstumbled\tback\ta\tstep.\tAnd\tI\tknew\u2014from\tthe\tslim,\tfemale\tfigure, the\tdark,\tflowing\thair,\tthe\tonce-again\tbeautiful\tface\t\u2026\tI\tknew\twho\tshe\twas. Stryga\u2014the\tWeaver. And\tatop\tthe\tWeaver\u2019s\tdark\thair\t\u2026\tA\tpale\tblue\tjewel\tglittered. Ianthe\u2019s\tjewel.\tA\tblood\ttrophy\tas\tthe\tWeaver\tsmiled\tat\ther\ttwin,\tgave\thim\ta mocking\t bow,\t and\t faced\t the\t host\t before\t them.\t The\t Carver\t halted\t his\t slow retreat,\tstared\tat\this\tsister\tfor\ta\tlong\tmoment,\tthen\tturned\tto\tthe\tarmy\tonce\tmore. \u201cYou\u2019re\t not\t the\t only\t one\t who\t can\t offer\t bargains,\t you\t know,\u201d\t Rhys\t drawled with\ta\twicked\tsmile. The\tWeaver.\tRhys\thad\tgotten\tthe\tWeaver\tto\tjoin\tus\u2014\t\u201cHow?\u201d He\t angled\t his\t neck,\t revealing\t a\t small,\t curling\t tattoo\t behind\t his\t ear.\t \u201cI\t sent Helion\tto\tbargain\ton\tmy\tbehalf\u2014that\twas\twhy\the\twas\tin\tthe\tMiddle\tthat\tday\the found\tyou.\tTo\toffer\tto\tbreak\tthe\tcontainment\tspell\ton\tthe\tWeaver\t\u2026\tin\texchange for\ther\tservices\ttoday.\u201d I\tblinked\tat\tmy\tmate.\tThen\tgrinned,\tnot\tbothering\tto\thide\tthe\tsavagery\twithin it.\t \u201cHybern\t has\t no\t idea\t about\t the\t hell\t that\u2019s\t about\t to\t rain\t down\t upon\t them,\t do they.\u201d \u201cHere\u2019s\tto\tfamily\treunions,\u201d\twas\tall\tRhys\tsaid. Then\t the\t Weaver,\t the\t Carver,\t and\t Bryaxis\t unleashed\t themselves\t upon Hybern.","CHAPTER 70 \u201cYou\tactually\tdid\tit,\u201d\tAmren\tmurmured,\tgaping\tas\tthe\tthree\timmortals\tslammed into\tHybern\u2019s\tlines,\tand\tthe\tscreaming\tbegan. Bodies\t fell\t before\t them;\t bodies\t were\t left\t in\t their\t wake\u2014some\t mere\t husks encased\tin\tarmor.\tDrained\tby\tthe\tCarver\tand\tStryga.\tSome\tfled\tfrom\twhat\tthey beheld\tin\tBryaxis\u2014the\tface\tof\ttheir\tdeepest\tfears. Rhys\t was\t still\t smiling\t at\t me\t as\t he\t extended\t a\t hand\t toward\t Hybern\u2019s\t army, now\ttrying\tto\tadjust\tto\tthe\trampant\thavoc. His\tfingers\tpointed. Obsidian\tpower\terupted\tfrom\thim. A\tmassive\tchunk\tof\tHybern\u2019s\tarmy\tjust\t\u2026 Misted. Red\tmist,\tand\tmetal\tshavings\tlay\twhere\tthey\thad\tbeen. Rhys\t panted,\t his\t eyes\t a\t bit\t wild.\t The\t hit\t had\t been\t well\t placed.\t Splitting\t the army\tin\ttwo. Azriel\t unleashed\t a\t second\t blast\u2014blue\t light\t slamming\t into\t the\t now-exposed flank.\tDriving\tthem\tfarther\tapart. The\tIllyrians\tmoved.\tThat\thad\tbeen\tRhys\u2019s\tsignal. They\t shot\t down\t from\t the\t skies\u2014just\t as\t a\t legion\t rose\t up\t from\t Hybern teeming\t with\t things\t like\t the\t Attor.\t Hidden\t amongst\t Hybern\u2019s\t ranks.\t Siphons flared,\t locking\t shields\t into\t place\u2014and\t the\t Illyrians\t rained\t arrows\t with\t deadly accuracy. But\t the\t Attor\t legion\t was\t well\t prepared.\t And\t when\t they\t answered\t with\t a volley\t of\t their\t own\t \u2026\t Ash\t shafts,\t but\t arrowheads\t made\t from\t faebane.\t Even with\tNuan\u2019s\tantidote\tin\tour\tsoldiers\u2019\tveins,\tit\tdid\tnot\textend\tto\ttheir\tmagic\u2014and","it\twas\tno\tdefense\tagainst\tthe\tstone\titself.\tFaebane\tarrows\tpierced\tSiphon-shields as\teasily\tas\tbutter.\tThe\tking\thad\tadapted\u2014improved\u2014his\tarsenal. Some\t Illyrians\t went\t down\t quickly.\t The\t others\t realized\t the\t threat\t and\t used their\tmetal\tshields,\tunhooking\tthem\tfrom\tacross\ttheir\tbacks. On\t land,\t Tarquin\u2019s,\t Helion\u2019s,\t and\t Kallias\u2019s\t soldiers\t began\t to\t charge.\t Hybern unleashed\tits\thounds\u2014and\tother\tbeasts. And\t as\t those\t two\t sides\t barreled\t for\t each\t other\t \u2026\t Rhys\t sent\t another\t blast, followed\tby\ta\twave\tof\tpower\tfrom\tTarquin.\tSplitting\tand\tshoving\tHybern\u2019s\tlines into\tuneven\tgroups. And\t through\t it\t all,\t Bryaxis\t \u2026\t All\t I\t could\t make\t of\t it\t was\t a\t blur\t of\t ever- changing\t claws\t and\t fangs\t and\t wings\t and\t muscle,\t shifting\t and\t whirling\t within that\t dark\t cloud\t that\t struck\t and\t smothered.\t Blood\t sprayed\t wherever\t it\t plunged into\tscreaming\tsoldiers.\tSome\tseemed\tto\tdie\tof\tpure\tterror. The\t Bone\t Carver\t fought\t near\t Bryaxis.\t No\t weapons\t to\t be\t seen\t beyond\t a scimitar\tof\tivory\u2014of\tbone\u2014in\tthat\tmale\u2019s\thands.\tHe\tswept\tit\tbefore\thimself,\tas if\the\twere\tthreshing\twheat. Soldiers\t dropped\t dead\t before\t it\u2014with\t barely\t a\t blow\t laid\t upon\t them.\t Even that\tFae\tbody\tof\this\tcould\tnot\tcontain\tthat\tlethal\tpower\u2014stifle\tit. Hybern\t fled\t before\t him.\t Before\t the\t Weaver.\t For\t on\t the\t other\t side\t of\t the Carver,\tleaving\thusks\tof\tcorpses\tin\ther\twake\t\u2026\tStryga\tshredded\tthrough\tHybern in\ta\ttangle\tof\tblack\thair\tand\twhite\tlimbs. Our\t own\t soldiers,\t mercifully,\t did\t not\t balk\t as\t they\t ran\t for\t the\t enemy\t lines. And\t I\t sent\t a\t roaring\t order\t down\t that\t two-pronged\t bond\t that\t now\t linked\t me\t to the\tCarver\tand\tBryaxis,\treminding\tthem,\tmy\tteeth\tgritted,\tthat\tour\tsoldiers\twere not\tfair\tgame.\tOnly\tHybern\tand\tits\tallies. Both\traged\tagainst\tthe\torder,\tyanking\tat\tthe\tleash. I\trallied\tevery\tscrap\tof\tnight\tand\tstarlight\tand\tsnarled\tat\tthem\tto\tobey. I\t could\t have\t sworn\t an\t otherworldly,\t ungodly\t sense\t of\t self\t grumbled\t about\t it in\tresponse. But\t they\t listened.\t And\t did\t not\t turn\t on\t our\t soldiers\t who\t at\t last\t intercepted Hybern\u2019s\tlines. The\tsound\tas\tboth\tarmies\tcollided\t\u2026\tI\tdidn\u2019t\thave\twords\tfor\tit.\tElain\tcovered her\tears,\tcringing. My\tfriends\twere\tdown\tthere.\tMor\tfought\twith\tViviane,\tkeeping\tan\teye\ton\ther","as\t she\u2019d\t promised\t Kallias,\t while\t he\t released\t his\t power\t in\t sprays\t of\t skin- shredding\tice.\tCassian\u2014I\tcouldn\u2019t\teven\tspot\thim\tbeyond\tthe\tblazing\tflare\tof\this Siphons\t near\t the\t front\t lines,\t crimson\t glowing\t amid\t the\t vicious\t shadows\t of Keir\u2019s\tDarkbringers\tas\tthey\twielded\tthem\tto\ttheir\tadvantage:\tblinding\tswaths\tof Hybern\t soldiers\t in\t sudden\t darkness\t \u2026\t then\t blinding\t them\t doubly\t when\t they ripped\t those\t shadows\t away\t and\t left\t nothing\t but\t glaring\t sunlight.\t Left\t nothing but\ttheir\tawaiting\tblades. \u201cIt\u2019s\t already\t getting\t messy,\u201d\t Amren\t said,\t even\t though\t our\t lines\u2014especially the\tIllyrians\tand\tThesan\u2019s\tPeregryns\u2014held. \u201cNot\t yet,\u201d\t Rhys\t said.\t \u201cMuch\t of\t the\t army\t isn\u2019t\t yet\t engaged\t past\t the\t front lines.\tWe\tneed\tHybern\u2019s\tfocus\telsewhere.\u201d Starting\twith\tRhys\tsetting\tfoot\ton\tthat\tbattlefield. My\t guts\t twisted\t up.\t Hybern\u2019s\t army\t began\t to\t move,\t pressing\t ahead.\t The Weaver,\tCarver,\tand\tBryaxis\tplunged\tdeep\tinto\tthe\tranks,\tbut\tHybern\u2019s\tsoldiers quickly\tstepped\tup\tto\tstaunch\tthe\tholes\tin\tthe\tlines. Helion\t bellowed\t at\t our\t front\t lines\t to\t hold\t steady.\t Arrows\t rose\t and\t fell\t on either\t side.\t The\t ones\t tipped\t in\t faebane\t found\t their\t mark.\t Over\t and\t over\t again. As\tif\tthe\tking\thad\tspelled\tthem\tto\thunt\ttheir\ttargets. \u201cThis\twill\tbe\tover\tbefore\twe\tcan\teven\twalk\tdown\tthis\thill,\u201d\tAmren\tsnapped. Rhys\tgrowled\tat\ther.\t\u201cNot\tyet\u2014\u201d A\thorn\tsounded\u2014to\tthe\tnorth. Both\tarmies\tseemed\tto\tpause\tto\tlook. And\tRhys\tonly\tbreathed\tto\tme,\t\u201cNow.\tYou\thave\tto\tgo\tnow.\u201d Because\tthe\tarmy\tthat\tbroke\tover\tthe\tnorthern\thorizon\t\u2026 Three\tarmies.\tOne\tbearing\tthe\tburnt-orange\tflag\tof\tBeron. The\tother\tthe\tgrass-green\tflag\tof\tthe\tSpring\tCourt. And\t one\t \u2026\t one\t of\t mortal\t men\t in\t iron\t armor.\t Bearing\t a\t cobalt\t flag\t with\t a striking\tbadger.\tGraysen\u2019s\tcrest. Out\t of\t a\t rip\t in\t the\t world,\t Eris\t appeared\t atop\t our\t knoll,\t clad\t head\t to\t toe\t in silver\tarmor,\ta\tred\tcape\tspilling\tfrom\this\tshoulders.\tRhys\tsnarled\ta\twarning,\ttoo far\tgone\tin\this\tpower\tto\tbother\tcontrolling\thimself. Eris\tjust\trested\ta\thand\ton\tthe\tpommel\tof\this\tfine\tsword\tand\tsaid,\t\u201cWe\tthought you\tmight\tneed\tsome\thelp.\u201d Because\tTamlin\u2019s\tsmall\tarmy,\tand\tBeron\u2019s,\tand\tGraysen\u2019s\t\u2026\tNow\tthey\twere","running\t and\t winnowing\t and\t blasting\t for\t Hybern\u2019s\t ranks.\t And\t leading\t that human\tarmy\t\u2026 Jurian. But\tBeron.\tBeron\thad\tcome. Eris\t registered\t our\t shock\t at\t that,\t too,\t and\t said,\t \u201cTamlin\t made\t him.\t Dragged my\tfather\tout\tby\this\tneck.\u201d\tA\thalf\tsmile.\t\u201cIt\twas\tdelightful.\u201d They\thad\tcome\u2014and\tTamlin\thad\tmanaged\tto\trally\tthat\tforce\tI\u2019d\tso\tgleefully destroyed\u2014 \u201cTamlin\twants\torders,\u201d\tEris\tsaid.\t\u201cJurian\tdoes,\ttoo.\u201d Rhys\u2019s\tvoice\twas\trough\u2014low.\t\u201cAnd\twhat\tof\tyour\tfather?\u201d \u201cWe\u2019re\t taking\t care\t of\t a\t problem,\u201d\t was\t all\t Eris\t said,\t and\t pointed\t toward\t his father\u2019s\tarmy. For\t those\twere\this\tbrothers\tapproaching\tthe\t front\tline,\twinnowing\tin\tbursts through\t the\t host.\t Right\t past\t the\t front\t lines\t and\t to\t the\t enemy\t wagons\t scattered throughout\tHybern\u2019s\tranks. Wagons\t full\t of\t faebane,\t I\t realized\t as\t they\t crackled\t with\t blue\t fire\t and\t then turned\t to\t ash\t without\t even\t a\t trace\t of\t smoke.\t His\t brothers\t winnowed\t to\t every cache,\tevery\tarsenal.\tFlames\texploded\tin\ttheir\tpath. Destroying\t that\t supply\t of\t deadly\t faebane.\t Burning\t it\t into\t nothing.\t As\t if someone\u2014Jurian\tor\tTamlin\u2014had\ttold\tthem\tprecisely\twhere\teach\twould\tbe. Rhys\t blinked,\t his\t only\t sign\t of\t surprise.\t He\t looked\t to\t me,\t then\t Amren,\t and nodded.\tGo.\tNow. While\tHybern\twas\tfocused\ton\tthe\tapproaching\tarmy\u2014trying\tto\tcalculate\tthe risks,\t to\t staunch\t the\t chaos\t Beron\t and\t his\t sons\t unleashed\t with\t their\t targeted attacks.\tTrying\tto\tfigure\tout\twhat\tthe\thell\tJurian\twas\tdoing\tthere,\tand\thow\tmany weaknesses\tJurian\thad\tlearned.\tAnd\twould\tnow\texploit. Amren\tushered\tmy\tsisters\tforward,\teven\tas\tElain\tlet\tout\ta\tlow\tsob\tat\tthe\tsight of\tthe\tGraysen\tcoat\tof\tarms.\t\u201cNow.\tQuick\tand\tquiet\tas\tshadows.\u201d We\twere\tgoing\tdown\u2014into\tthat.\tBryaxis\tand\tthe\tCarver\twere\tstill\tshredding, still\tslaughtering\tin\ttheir\tlittle\tpockets\tpast\tthe\tenemy\tlines.\tAnd\tthe\tWeaver\t\u2026 Where\twas\tthe\tWeaver\u2014 There.\t Slowly\t plowing\t a\t slim\t path\t of\t carnage.\t As\t Rhys\t had\t instructed\t her moments\tbefore. \u201cThis\t way,\u201d\t I\t said\t to\t them,\t keeping\t an\t eye\t on\t Stryga\u2019s\t path\t of\t horror.\t Elain","was\tshaking,\tstill\tgazing\ttoward\tthat\thuman\tarmy\tand\ther\tbetrothed\tin\tit.\tNesta monitored\tthe\tIllyrian\tlegions\tsoaring\tpast\toverhead,\ttheir\tlines\tunfaltering. \u201cI\t assume\t we\u2019ll\t be\t following\t the\t path\t of\t bodies,\u201d\t Amren\t muttered\t to\t me. \u201cHow\tdoes\tthe\tWeaver\tknow\thow\tto\tfind\tthe\tCauldron?\u201d Rhys\t seemed\t to\t be\t listening,\t even\t as\t we\t turned\t away,\t his\t fingers\t brushing mine\tin\tsilent\tfarewell.\tI\tjust\tsaid,\t\u201cBecause\tshe\tappears\tto\thave\tan\tunnaturally good\tsense\tof\tsmell.\u201d Amren\t snorted,\t and\t we\t fell\t into\t flanking\t positions\t around\t my\t sisters.\t A glamour\tof\tinvisibility\twould\thopefully\tallow\tus\tto\tskirt\tthe\tsouthern\tedge\tof\tthe battlefield\u2014along\twith\tAzriel\u2019s\tshadows\tas\the\tmonitored\tfrom\tbehind.\tBut\tonce we\tgot\tbehind\tenemy\tlines\t\u2026 I\tlooked\tback\tas\twe\tneared\tthe\tedge\tof\tthe\tknoll.\tJust\tonce.\tAt\tRhys,\twhere he\t now\t stood\t talking\t to\t Azriel\t and\t Eris,\t explaining\t the\t plan\t to\t relay\t to\t Tamlin, Beron,\tand\tJurian.\tEris\u2019s\tbrothers\tmade\tit\tback\tbehind\ttheir\tfather\u2019s\tlines\u2014fires now\tburning\tthroughout\tHybern\u2019s\tarmy.\tNot\tenough\tto\tstop\tthem,\tbut\t\u2026\tat\tleast the\tfaebane\thad\tbeen\tdealt\twith.\tFor\tnow. Rhys\u2019s\t attention\t slid\t to\t me.\t And\t even\t with\t the\t battle\t around\t us,\t hell unleashing\teverywhere\t\u2026\tFor\ta\theartbeat,\twe\twere\tthe\tonly\ttwo\tpeople\ton\tthis plain. I\topened\tup\tmy\tmental\tbarriers\tto\tspeak\tto\thim.\tJust\tone\tmore\tfarewell,\tone more\u2014 Nesta\t inhaled\t a\t shuddering\t gasp.\t Stumbled,\t and\t took\t down\t Amren\t with\t her when\tshe\ttried\tto\tkeep\ther\tupright. Rhys\t was\t instantly\t there,\t before\t the\t understanding\t dawned\t upon\t me.\t The Cauldron. Hybern\twas\trousing\tthe\tCauldron. Amren\t squirmed\t out\t from\t beneath\t Nesta,\t whirling\t toward\t the\t battlefield. \u201cShields\u2014\u201d Eris\twinnowed\taway\u2014to\twarn\this\tfather,\tno\tdoubt. Nesta\t pushed\t herself\t onto\t her\t elbows,\t hair\t shaking\t free\t of\t her\t braid,\t lips bloodless.\tShe\theaved\tinto\tthe\tgrass. Rhys\u2019s\tmagic\tshot\tout\tof\thim,\tarcing\taround\tour\tentire\tarmy,\this\tbreathing\ta wet\trasp\u2014 Nesta\u2019s\t hands\t grappled\t into\t the\t grass\t as\t she\t lifted\t her\t head,\t scanning\t the"]
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