["straightening\tmy\tnightgown.\t\u201cI\u2014I\tdidn\u2019t\twant\tto\twake\tthe\thouse.\u201d Tamlin\twas\tjust\tstaring\tat\tLucien,\twhose\tmouth\thad\ttightened\tinto\ta\tthin\tline as\the\tmarked\tthose\tclaws,\tstill\thalf-drawn. \u201cI\t had\t a\t nightmare,\u201d\t I\t repeated\t a\t bit\t sharply,\t gripping\t Tamlin\u2019s\t arm\t and leading\thim\tfrom\tthe\troom\tbefore\tLucien\tcould\tso\tmuch\tas\topen\this\tmouth. I\t closed\t the\t door,\t but\t could\t still\t feel\t Tamlin\u2019s\t attention\t fixed\t on\t the\t male behind\tit.\tHe\tdidn\u2019t\tsheath\this\tclaws.\tDidn\u2019t\tsummon\tthem\tany\tfurther,\teither. I\t strode\t the\t few\t feet\t to\t my\t room,\t watching\t Tamlin\t assess\t the\t hall.\t The distance\tbetween\tmy\tdoor\tand\tLucien\u2019s.\t\u201cGood\tnight,\u201d\tI\tsaid,\tand\tshut\tthe\tdoor in\tTamlin\u2019s\tface. I\twaited\tthe\tfive\tminutes\tit\ttook\tTamlin\tto\tdecide\tnot\tto\tkill\tLucien,\tand\tthen smiled. I\twondered\tif\tLucien\thad\tpieced\tit\ttogether.\tThat\tI\thad\tknown\tTamlin\twould come\t to\t my\t room\t tonight,\t after\t I\t had\t given\t him\t so\t many\t shy\t touches\t and glances\ttoday.\tThat\tI\thad\tchanged\tinto\tmy\tmost\tindecent\tnightgown\tnot\tfor\tthe heat,\tbut\tso\tthat\twhen\tmy\tinvisible\tsnares\tin\tthe\thouse\tinformed\tme\tthat\tTamlin had\tfinally\tworked\tup\tthe\tnerve\tto\tcome\tto\tmy\tbedroom,\tI\u2019d\tlook\tthe\tpart. A\tfeigned\tnightmare,\tthe\tevidence\tset\tinto\tplace\twith\tmy\tthrashed\tsheets.\tI\u2019d left\t Lucien\u2019s\t door\t open,\t with\t him\t too\t distracted\t and\t unsuspecting\t of\t why\t I\u2019d really\t be\t there\t to\t bother\t to\t shut\t it,\t or\t notice\t the\t shield\t of\t hard\t air\t I\u2019d\t placed around\tthe\troom\tso\tthat\the\twouldn\u2019t\thear\tor\tscent\tTamlin\tas\the\tarrived. Until\t Tamlin\t saw\t us\t there,\t limbs\t entwined,\t my\t nightgown\t askew,\t staring\t at each\t other\t so\t intently,\t so\t full\t of\t emotion\t that\t we\u2019d\t either\t just\t been\t starting\t or finishing\t up.\t That\t we\t didn\u2019t\t even\t notice\t until\t Tamlin\t was\t right\t there\u2014and\t that invisible\tshield\tvanished\tbefore\the\tcould\tsense\tit. A\tnightmare,\tI\u2019d\ttold\tTamlin. I\twas\tthe\tnightmare. Preying\ton\twhat\tTamlin\thad\tfeared\tfrom\tmy\tvery\tfirst\tdays\there. I\thad\tnot\tforgotten\tthat\tlong-ago\tfight\the\u2019d\tpicked\twith\tLucien.\tThe\twarning he\u2019d\tgiven\thim\tto\tstop\tflirting\twith\tme.\tTo\tstay\taway.\tThe\tfear\tthat\tI\u2019d\tpreferred the\tred-haired\tlord\tover\thim\tand\tthat\tit\twould\tthreaten\tevery\tplan\the\thad.\tBack off,\the\u2019d\ttold\tLucien. I\thad\tno\tdoubt\tTamlin\twas\tnow\trunning\tthrough\tevery\tlook\tand\tconversation since\t then.\t Every\t time\t Lucien\t had\t intervened\t on\t my\t behalf,\t both\t Under\t the","Mountain\tand\tafterward.\tWeighing\thow\tmuch\tthat\tnew\tmating\tbond\twith\tElain held\tsway\tover\this\tfriend. Considering\t how\t this\t very\t morning,\t Lucien\t had\t knelt\t before\t me,\t swearing fealty\tto\ta\tnewborn\tgod,\tas\tif\twe\thad\tboth\tbeen\tCauldron-blessed. I\tlet\tmyself\tsmile\tfor\ta\tmoment\tlonger,\tthen\tdressed. There\twas\tmore\twork\tto\tdo.","CHAPTER 6 A\tset\tof\tkeys\tto\tthe\testate\tgates\thad\tgone\tmissing. But\tafter\tlast\tnight\u2019s\tincident,\tTamlin\tdidn\u2019t\tappear\tto\tcare. Breakfast\twas\tsilent,\tthe\tHybern\troyals\tsullen\tat\tbeing\tkept\twaiting\tso\tlong\tto see\tthe\tsecond\tcleft\tin\tthe\twall,\tand\tJurian,\tfor\tonce,\ttoo\ttired\tto\tdo\tanything\tbut shovel\tmeat\tand\teggs\tinto\this\thateful\tmouth. Tamlin\tand\tLucien,\tit\tseemed,\thad\tspoken\tbefore\tthe\tmeal,\tbut\tthe\tlatter\tmade a\tpoint\tto\tkeep\ta\thealthy\tdistance\tfrom\tme.\tTo\tnot\tlook\tat\tor\tspeak\tto\tme,\tas\tif still\tneeding\tto\tconvince\tTamlin\tof\tour\tinnocence. I\t debated\t asking\t Jurian\t outright\t if\t he\u2019d\t stolen\t the\t keys\t from\t whatever\t guard had\tlost\tthem,\tbut\tthe\tsilence\twas\ta\twelcome\treprieve. Until\t Ianthe\t breezed\t in,\t carefully\t avoiding\t acknowledging\t me,\t as\t if\t I\t was indeed\tthe\tblinding\tsun\tthat\thad\tbeen\tstolen\tfrom\ther. \u201cI\t am\t sorry\t to\t interrupt\t your\t meal,\t but\t there\t is\t a\t matter\t to\t discuss,\t High Lord,\u201d\t Ianthe\t said,\t pale\t robes\t swirling\t at\t her\t feet\t as\t she\t halted\t halfway\t to\t the table. All\tof\tus\tperked\tup\tat\tthat. Tamlin,\tbrooding\tand\tsnarly,\tdemanded,\t\u201cWhat\tis\tit.\u201d She\t made\t a\t show\t of\t realizing\t the\t Hybern\t royals\t were\t present.\t Listening.\t I tried\t not\t to\t snort\t at\t the\t oh-so-nervous\t glance\t she\t threw\t their\t way,\t then\t to Tamlin.\t The\t next\t words\t were\t no\t surprise\t whatsoever.\t \u201cPerhaps\t we\t should\t wait until\tafter\tthe\tmeal.\tWhen\tyou\tare\talone.\u201d No\tdoubt\ta\tpower\tplay,\tto\tremind\tthem\tthat\tshe\tdid,\tin\tfact,\thave\tsway\there\u2014 with\t Tamlin.\t That\t Hybern,\t too,\t might\t want\t to\t remain\t on\t her\t good\t side, considering\tthe\tinformation\tshe\tbore.\tBut\tI\twas\tcruel\tenough\tto\tsay\tsweetly,\t\u201cIf","we\tcan\ttrust\tour\tallies\tin\tHybern\tto\tgo\tto\twar\twith\tus,\tthen\twe\tcan\ttrust\tthem\tto use\tdiscretion.\tGo\tahead,\tIanthe.\u201d She\tdidn\u2019t\tso\tmuch\tas\tlook\tin\tmy\tdirection.\tBut\tnow\tcaught\tbetween\toutright insult\t and\t politeness\t \u2026\t Tamlin\t weighed\t our\t company\t against\t Ianthe\u2019s\t posture and\tsaid,\t\u201cLet\u2019s\thear\tit.\u201d Her\t white\t throat\t bobbed.\t \u201cThere\t is\t \u2026\t My\t acolytes\t discovered\t that\t the\t land around\tmy\ttemple\tis\t\u2026\tdying.\u201d Jurian\trolled\this\teyes\tand\twent\tback\tto\this\tbacon. \u201cThen\ttell\tthe\tgardeners,\u201d\tBrannagh\tsaid,\treturning\tto\ther\town\tfood.\tDagdan snickered\tinto\this\tcup\tof\ttea. \u201cIt\tis\tnot\ta\tmatter\tof\tgardening.\u201d\tIanthe\tstraightened.\t\u201cIt\tis\ta\tblight\tupon\tthe land.\tGrass,\troot,\tbud\u2014all\tof\tit,\tshriveled\tup\tand\tsickly.\tIt\treeks\tof\tthe\tnaga.\u201d It\t was\t an\t effort\t not\t to\t glance\t to\t Lucien\u2014to\t see\t if\t he\t also\t noticed\t the\t too- eager\t gleam\t in\t her\t eye.\t Even\t Tamlin\t loosed\t a\t sigh,\t as\t if\t he\t saw\t it\t for\t what\t it was:\tan\tattempt\tto\tregain\tsome\tground,\tperhaps\ta\tscheme\tto\tpoison\tthe\tearth\tand then\tmiraculously\theal\tit. \u201cThere\t are\t other\t spots\t in\t the\t woods\t where\t things\t have\t died\t and\t are\t not coming\t back,\u201d\t Ianthe\t went\t on,\t pressing\t a\t silver-adorned\t hand\t to\t her\t chest.\t \u201cI fear\tit\u2019s\ta\twarning\tthat\tthe\tnaga\tare\tgathering\u2014and\tplan\tto\tattack.\u201d Oh,\t I\u2019d\t gotten\t under\t her\t skin.\t I\u2019d\t been\t wondering\t what\t she\u2019d\t do\t after yesterday\u2019s\t solstice,\t after\t I\u2019d\t robbed\t her\t of\t her\t moment\t and\t power.\t But\t this\t \u2026 Clever. I\thid\tmy\tsmirk\tdown\tdeep\tand\tsaid\tgently,\t\u201cIanthe,\tperhaps\tit\tis\ta\tcase\tfor\tthe groundskeepers.\u201d She\tstiffened,\tat\tlast\tfacing\tme.\tYou\tthink\tyou\u2019re\tplaying\tthe\tgame,\tI\titched\tto tell\t her,\t but\t you\t have\t no\t idea\t that\t every\t choice\t you\t made\t last\t night\t and\t this morning\twere\tonly\tsteps\tI\tnudged\tyou\ttoward. I\t jerked\t my\t chin\t toward\t the\t royals,\t then\t Lucien.\t \u201cWe\u2019re\t heading\t out\t this afternoon\tto\tsurvey\tthe\twall,\tbut\tif\tthe\tproblem\tremains\twhen\twe\treturn\tin\ta\tfew days,\tI\u2019ll\thelp\tyou\tlook\tinto\tit.\u201d Those\t silver-ringed\t fingers\t curled\t into\t loose\t fists\t at\t her\t sides.\t But\t like\t the true\t viper\t she\t was,\t Ianthe\t said\t to\t Tamlin,\t \u201cWill\t you\t be\t joining\t them,\t High Lord?\u201d She\tlooked\tto\tme\tand\tLucien\u2014the\tassessment\ttoo\tlingering\tto\tbe\tcasual.","A\tfaint,\tlow\theadache\twas\talready\tforming,\tmade\tworse\twith\tevery\tword\tout of\ther\tmouth.\tI\u2019d\tbeen\tup\ttoo\tlate,\tand\thad\tgotten\ttoo\tlittle\tsleep\u2014and\tI\tneeded my\t strength\t for\t the\t days\t ahead.\t \u201cHe\t will\t not,\u201d\t I\t said,\t cutting\t off\t Tamlin\t before he\tcould\treply. He\tset\tdown\this\tutensils.\t\u201cI\tthink\tI\twill.\u201d \u201cI\t don\u2019t\t need\t an\t escort.\u201d\t Let\t him\t unravel\t the\t layers\t of\t defensiveness\t in\t that statement. Jurian\tsnorted.\t\u201cStarting\tto\tdoubt\tour\tgood\tintentions,\tHigh\tLord?\u201d Tamlin\tsnarled\tat\thim.\t\u201cCareful.\u201d I\tplaced\ta\thand\tflat\ton\tthe\ttable.\t\u201cI\u2019ll\tbe\tfine\twith\tLucien\tand\tthe\tsentries.\u201d Lucien\tseemed\tinclined\tto\tsink\tinto\this\tseat\tand\tdisappear\tforever. I\tsurveyed\tDagdan\tand\tBrannagh\tand\tsmiled\ta\tbit.\t\u201cI\tcan\tdefend\tmyself,\tif\tit comes\tto\tthat,\u201d\tI\tsaid\tto\tTamlin. The\t daemati\t smiled\t back\t at\t me.\t I\t hadn\u2019t\t felt\t another\t touch\t on\t my\t mental barriers,\t or\t the\t ones\t I\u2019d\t been\t working\t to\t keep\t around\t as\t many\t people\t here\t as possible.\t The\t constant\t use\t of\t my\t power\t was\t wearing\t on\t me,\t however\u2014being away\tfrom\tthis\tplace\tfor\tfour\tor\tfive\tdays\twould\tbe\ta\twelcome\trelief. Especially\t as\t Ianthe\t murmured\t to\t Tamlin,\t \u201cPerhaps\t you\t should\t go,\t my friend.\u201d\t I\t waited\u2014waited\t for\t whatever\t nonsense\t was\t about\t to\t come\t out\t of\t that pouty\t mouth\u2014\t \u201cYou\t never\t know\t when\t the\t Night\t Court\t will\t attempt\t to\t snatch her\taway.\u201d I\t had\t a\t blink\t to\t debate\t my\t reaction.\t To\t opt\t for\t leaning\t back\t in\t my\t chair, shoulders\tcurling\tinward,\thauling\tup\tthose\timages\tof\tClare,\tof\tRhys\twith\tthose ash\t arrows\t through\t his\t wings\u2014any\t sort\t of\t way\t to\t dredge\t my\t scent\t in\t fear. \u201cHave\tyou\tnews?\u201d\tI\twhispered. Brannagh\tand\tDagdan\tlooked\tvery\tinterested\tat\tthat. The\tpriestess\topened\ther\tmouth,\tbut\tJurian\tcut\ther\toff,\tdrawling,\t\u201cThere\tis\tno news.\t Their\t borders\t are\t secure.\t Rhysand\t would\t be\t a\t fool\t to\t push\t his\t luck\t by coming\there.\u201d I\tstared\tat\tmy\tplate,\tthe\tportrait\tof\tbowed\tterror. \u201cA\tfool,\tyes,\u201d\tIanthe\tcountered,\t\u201cbut\tone\twith\ta\tvendetta.\u201d\tShe\tfaced\tTamlin, the\tmorning\tsun\tcatching\tin\tthe\tjewel\tatop\ther\thead.\t\u201cPerhaps\tif\tyou\treturned\tto him\this\tfamily\u2019s\twings,\the\tmight\t\u2026\tsettle.\u201d For\ta\theartbeat,\tsilence\trippled\tthrough\tme.","Followed\tby\ta\twave\tof\troaring\tthat\tdrowned\tout\tnearly\tevery\tthought,\tevery self-preserving\tinstinct.\tI\tcould\tbarely\thear\tover\tthat\tbellowing\tin\tmy\tblood,\tmy bones. But\tthe\twords,\tthe\toffer\t\u2026\tA\tcheap\tattempt\tat\tsnaring\tme.\tI\tpretended\tnot\tto hear,\tnot\tto\tcare.\tEven\tas\tI\twaited\tand\twaited\tfor\tTamlin\u2019s\treply. When\tTamlin\tanswered,\this\tvoice\twas\tlow.\t\u201cI\tburned\tthem\ta\tlong\ttime\tago.\u201d I\tcould\thave\tsworn\tthere\twas\tsomething\tlike\tremorse\u2014remorse\tand\tshame\u2014 in\this\twords. Ianthe\tonly\ttsked.\t\u201cToo\tbad.\tHe\tmight\thave\tpaid\thandsomely\tfor\tthem.\u201d My\t limbs\t ached\t with\t the\t effort\t of\t not\t leaping\t over\t the\t table\t to\t smash\t her head\tinto\tthe\tmarble\tfloor. But\t I\t said\t to\t Tamlin,\t soothing\t and\t gentle,\t \u201cI\u2019ll\t be\t fine\t out\t there.\u201d\t I\t touched his\t hand,\t brushing\t my\t thumb\t over\t the\t back\t of\t his\t palm.\t Held\t his\t stare.\t \u201cLet\u2019s not\tstart\tdown\tthis\troad\tagain.\u201d As\t I\t pulled\t away,\t Tamlin\t merely\t fixed\t Lucien\t with\t a\t look,\t any\t trace\t of\t that guilt\tgone.\tHis\tclaws\tslid\tfree,\tembedding\tin\tthe\tscar-flecked\twood\tof\this\tchair\u2019s arm.\t\u201cBe\tcareful.\u201d None\tof\tus\tpretended\tit\twas\tanything\tbut\ta\tthreat. It\t was\t a\t two-day\t ride,\t but\t took\t us\t only\t a\t day\t to\t get\t there\t with\t winnowing- walking-winnowing.\t We\t could\t manage\t a\t few\t miles\t at\t a\t time,\t but\t Dagdan\t was slower\tthan\tI\u2019d\tanticipated,\tgiven\tthat\the\thad\tto\tcarry\this\tsister\tand\tJurian. I\t didn\u2019t\t fault\t him\t for\t it.\t With\t each\t of\t us\t bearing\t another,\t the\t drain\t was considerable.\t Lucien\t and\t I\t both\t bore\t a\t sentry,\t minor\t lords\u2019\t sons\t who\t had\t been trained\tto\tbe\tpolite\tand\twatchful.\tSupplies,\tas\ta\t result,\twere\tlimited.\tIncluding tents. By\tthe\ttime\twe\tmade\tit\tto\tthe\tcleft\tin\tthe\twall,\tdarkness\twas\tfalling. The\t few\t supplies\t we\u2019d\t hauled\t also\t had\t encumbered\t our\t winnowing\t through the\t world,\t and\t I\t let\t the\t sentries\t erect\t the\t tents\t for\t us,\t ever\t the\t lady\t keen\t to\t be waited\ton.\tOur\tdinner\taround\tthe\tsmall\tfire\twas\tnear-silent,\tnone\tof\tus\tbothering to\t speak,\t save\t for\t Jurian,\t who\t questioned\t the\t sentries\t endlessly\t about\t their training.\t The\t twins\t retreated\t to\t their\t own\t tent\t after\t they\u2019d\t picked\t at\t the\t meat sandwiches\t we\u2019d\t packed,\t frowning\t at\t them\t as\t if\t they\t were\t full\t of\t maggots","instead,\tand\tJurian\twandered\toff\tinto\tthe\twoods\tsoon\tafter,\tclaiming\the\twanted\ta walk\tbefore\the\tretired. I\t hauled\t myself\t into\t the\t canvas\t tent\t when\t the\t fire\t was\t dying\t out,\t the\t space barely\tbig\tenough\tfor\tLucien\tand\tme\tto\tsleep\tshoulder\tto\tshoulder. His\t red\t hair\t gleamed\t in\t the\t faint\t firelight\t a\t moment\t later\t as\t he\t shoved through\tthe\tflaps\tand\tswore.\t\u201cMaybe\tI\tshould\tsleep\tout\tthere.\u201d I\trolled\tmy\teyes.\t\u201cPlease.\u201d A\t wary,\t considering\t glance\t as\t he\t knelt\t and\t removed\t his\t boots.\t \u201cYou\t know Tamlin\tcan\tbe\t\u2026\tsensitive\tabout\tthings.\u201d \u201cHe\tcan\talso\tbe\ta\tpain\tin\tmy\tass,\u201d\tI\tsnapped,\tand\tslithered\tunder\tthe\tblankets. \u201cIf\tyou\tyield\tto\thim\ton\tevery\tbit\tof\tparanoia\tand\tterritorialism,\tyou\u2019ll\tjust\tmake it\tworse.\u201d Lucien\tunbuttoned\this\tjacket\tbut\tremained\tmostly\tdressed\tas\the\tslid\tonto\this sleeping\t roll.\t \u201cI\t think\t it\u2019s\t made\t worse\t because\t you\t two\t haven\u2019t\t \u2026\t I\t mean,\t you haven\u2019t,\tright?\u201d I\tstiffened,\ttugging\tthe\tblanket\thigher\tonto\tmy\tshoulders.\t\u201cNo.\tI\tdon\u2019t\twant\tto be\ttouched\tlike\tthat\u2014not\tfor\ta\twhile.\u201d His\t silence\t was\t heavy\u2014sad.\t I\t hated\t the\t lie,\t hated\t it\t for\t how\t filthy\t it\t felt\t to wield\tit.\t\u201cI\u2019m\tsorry,\u201d\the\tsaid.\tAnd\tI\twondered\twhat\telse\the\twas\tapologizing\tfor as\tI\tfaced\thim\tin\tthe\tdarkness\tof\tour\ttent. \u201cIsn\u2019t\t there\t some\t way\t to\t get\t out\t of\t this\t deal\t with\t Hybern?\u201d\t My\t words\t were barely\tlouder\tthan\tthe\tmurmuring\tembers\toutside.\t\u201cI\u2019m\tback,\tI\u2019m\tsafe.\tWe\tcould find\tsome\tway\taround\tit\u2014\u201d \u201cNo.\t The\t King\t of\t Hybern\t crafted\t his\t bargain\t with\t Tamlin\t too\t cleverly,\t too clearly.\t Magic\t bound\t them\u2014magic\t will\t strike\t him\t if\t he\t does\t not\t allow\t Hybern into\tthese\tlands.\u201d \u201cIn\twhat\tway?\tKill\thim?\u201d Lucien\u2019s\tsigh\truffled\tmy\thair.\t\u201cIt\twill\tclaim\this\town\tpowers,\tmaybe\tkill\thim. Magic\tis\tall\tabout\tbalance.\tIt\u2019s\twhy\the\tcouldn\u2019t\tinterfere\twith\tyour\tbargain\twith Rhysand.\tEven\tthe\tperson\twho\ttries\tto\tsever\tthe\tbargain\tfaces\tconsequences.\tIf he\u2019d\tkept\tyou\there,\tthe\tmagic\tthat\tbound\tyou\tto\tRhys\tmight\thave\tcome\tto\tclaim his\tlife\tas\tpayment\tfor\tyours.\tOr\tthe\tlife\tof\tsomeone\telse\the\tcared\tabout.\tIt\u2019s\told magic\u2014old\t and\t strange.\t It\u2019s\t why\t we\t avoid\t bargains\t unless\t it\u2019s\t necessary:\t even the\tscholars\tat\tthe\tDay\tCourt\tdon\u2019t\tknow\thow\tit\tworks.\tBelieve\tme,\tI\u2019ve\tasked.\u201d","\u201cFor\tme\u2014you\tasked\tthem\tfor\tme.\u201d \u201cYes.\tI\twent\tlast\twinter\tto\tinquire\tabout\tbreaking\tyour\tbargain\twith\tRhys.\u201d \u201cWhy\tdidn\u2019t\tyou\ttell\tme?\u201d \u201cI\u2014we\t didn\u2019t\t want\t to\t give\t you\t false\t hope.\t And\t we\t didn\u2019t\t dare\t let\t Rhysand get\twind\tof\twhat\twe\twere\tdoing,\tin\tcase\the\tfound\ta\tway\tto\tinterfere.\tTo\tstop\tit.\u201d \u201cSo\tIanthe\tpushed\tTamlin\tto\tHybern\tinstead.\u201d \u201cHe\t was\t frantic.\t The\t scholars\t at\t the\t Day\t Court\t worked\t too\t slowly.\t I\t begged him\t for\t more\t time,\t but\t you\u2019d\t already\t been\t gone\t for\t months.\t He\t wanted\t to\t act, not\t wait\u2014despite\t that\t letter\t you\t sent.\t Because\t of\t that\t letter\t you\t sent.\t I\t finally told\thim\tto\tgo\tahead\twith\tit\tafter\u2014after\tthat\tday\tin\tthe\tforest.\u201d I\tturned\tonto\tmy\tback,\tstaring\tat\tthe\tsloped\tceiling\tof\tthe\ttent. \u201cHow\tbad\twas\tit?\u201d\tI\tasked\tquietly. \u201cYou\tsaw\tyour\troom.\tHe\ttrashed\tit,\tthe\tstudy,\this\tbedroom.\tHe\u2014he\tkilled\tthe sentries\twho\u2019d\tbeen\ton\tguard.\tAfter\the\tgot\tthe\tlast\tbit\tof\tinformation\tfrom\tthem. He\texecuted\tthem\tin\tfront\tof\teveryone\tin\tthe\tmanor.\u201d My\tblood\tchilled.\t\u201cYou\tdidn\u2019t\tstop\thim.\u201d \u201cI\ttried.\tI\tbegged\thim\tfor\tmercy.\tHe\tdidn\u2019t\tlisten.\tHe\tcouldn\u2019t\tlisten.\u201d \u201cThe\tsentries\tdidn\u2019t\ttry\tto\tstop\thim,\teither?\u201d \u201cThey\tdidn\u2019t\tdare.\tFeyre,\the\u2019s\ta\tHigh\tLord.\tHe\u2019s\ta\tdifferent\tbreed.\u201d I\twondered\tif\the\u2019d\tsay\tthe\tsame\tthing\tif\the\tknew\twhat\tI\twas. \u201cWe\twere\tbacked\tinto\ta\tcorner\twith\tno\toptions.\tNone.\tIt\twas\teither\tgo\tto\twar with\t the\t Night\t Court\t and\t Hybern,\t or\t ally\t with\t Hybern,\t let\t them\t try\t to\t stir\t up trouble,\tand\tthen\tuse\tthat\talliance\tto\tour\town\tadvantage\tfurther\tdown\tthe\troad.\u201d \u201cWhat\tdo\tyou\tmean,\u201d\tI\tbreathed. But\tLucien\trealized\twhat\the\u2019d\tsaid,\tand\thedged,\t\u201cWe\thave\tenemies\tin\tevery court.\tHaving\tHybern\u2019s\talliance\twill\tmake\tthem\tthink\ttwice.\u201d Liar.\tTrained,\tclever\tliar. I\t loosed\t a\t heaving,\t sleepy\t breath.\t \u201cEven\t if\t they\u2019re\t now\t our\t allies,\u201d\t I mumbled,\t\u201cI\tstill\thate\tthem.\u201d A\tsnort.\t\u201cMe\ttoo.\u201d \u201cGet\tup.\u201d Blinding\tsunlight\tcut\tinto\tthe\ttent,\tand\tI\thissed.","The\torder\twas\tdrowned\tout\tby\tLucien\u2019s\tsnarl\tas\the\tsat\tup.\t\u201cOut,\u201d\the\tordered Jurian,\twho\tlooked\tus\tover\tonce,\tsneered,\tand\tstalked\taway. I\u2019d\trolled\tonto\tLucien\u2019s\tbedroll\tat\tsome\tpoint,\tany\tschemes\tindeed\tsecond\tto my\tmost\tpressing\tdemand\u2014warmth.\tBut\tI\thad\tno\tdoubt\tJurian\twould\ttuck\taway the\tinformation\tto\tthrow\tin\tTamlin\u2019s\tface\twhen\twe\treturned:\twe\u2019d\tshared\ta\ttent, and\thad\tbeen\tvery\tcozy\tupon\tawakening. I\twashed\tin\tthe\tnearby\tstream,\tmy\tbody\tstiff\tand\taching\tfrom\ta\tnight\ton\tthe ground,\twith\tor\twithout\tthe\thelp\tof\ta\tbedroll. Brannagh\twas\tprowling\tfor\tthe\tstream\tby\tthe\ttime\tI\u2019d\tfinished.\tThe\tprincess gave\tme\ta\tcold,\tthin\tsmile.\t\u201cI\u2019d\tpick\tBeron\u2019s\tson,\ttoo.\u201d I\tstared\tat\tthe\tprincess\tbeneath\tlowered\tbrows. She\t shrugged,\t her\t smile\t growing.\t \u201cAutumn\t Court\t males\t have\t fire\t in\t their blood\u2014and\tthey\tfuck\tlike\tit,\ttoo.\u201d \u201cI\tsuppose\tyou\tknow\tfrom\texperience?\u201d A\tchuckle.\t\u201cWhy\tdo\tyou\tthink\tI\thad\tso\tmuch\tfun\tin\tthe\tWar?\u201d I\tdidn\u2019t\tbother\tto\thide\tmy\tdisgust. Lucien\tcaught\tme\tcringing\tat\thim\twhen\ther\twords\treplayed\tfor\tthe\ttenth\ttime an\thour\tlater,\twhile\twe\thiked\tthe\thalf\tmile\ttoward\tthe\tcrack\tin\tthe\twall.\t\u201cWhat?\u201d he\tdemanded. I\tshook\tmy\thead,\ttrying\tnot\tto\timagine\tElain\tsubject\tto\tthat\t\u2026\tfire. \u201cNothing,\u201d\tI\tsaid,\tjust\tas\tJurian\tswore\tahead. We\t were\t both\t moving\t at\t his\t barked\t curse\u2014and\t then\t broke\t into\t a\t run\t at\t the sound\tof\ta\tsword\twhining\tfree\tof\tits\tsheath.\tLeaves\tand\tbranches\twhipped\tat\tme, but\t then\t we\t were\t at\t the\t wall,\t that\t invisible,\t horrible\t marker\t humming\t and throbbing\tin\tmy\thead. And\tstaring\tright\tat\tus\tthrough\tthe\thole\twere\tthree\tChildren\tof\tthe\tBlessed.","CHAPTER 7 Brannagh\tand\tDagdan\tlooked\tlike\tthey\u2019d\tjust\tfound\tsecond\tbreakfast\twaiting\tfor them. Jurian\t had\t his\t sword\t out,\t the\t two\t young\t women\t and\t one\t young\t man\t gaping between\thim\tand\tthe\tothers.\tThen\tat\tus,\ttheir\teyes\twidening\tfurther\tas\tthey\tnoted Lucien\u2019s\tcruel\tbeauty. They\t dropped\t to\t their\t knees.\t \u201cMasters\t and\t Mistresses,\u201d\t they\t beseeched\t us, their\t silver\t jewelry\t glinting\t in\t the\t dappled\t sunlight\t through\t the\t leaves.\t \u201cYou have\tfound\tus\ton\tour\tjourney.\u201d The\ttwo\troyals\tsmiled\tso\tbroadly\tI\tcould\tsee\tall\tof\ttheir\ttoo-white\tteeth. Jurian,\tfor\tonce,\tseemed\ttorn\tbefore\the\tsnapped,\t\u201cWhat\tare\tyou\tdoing\there?\u201d The\t dark-haired\t girl\t at\t the\t front\t was\t lovely,\t her\t honey-gold\t skin\t flushed\t as she\t lifted\t her\t head.\t \u201cWe\t have\t come\t to\t dwell\t in\t the\t immortal\t lands;\t we\t have come\tas\ttribute.\u201d Jurian\tcut\tcold,\thard\teyes\tto\tLucien.\t\u201cIs\tthis\ttrue?\u201d Lucien\tstared\thim\tdown.\t\u201cWe\taccept\tno\ttribute\tfrom\tthe\thuman\tlands.\tLeast of\tall\tchildren.\u201d Never\t mind\t that\t the\t three\t of\t them\t appeared\t only\t a\t few\t years\t younger\t than myself. \u201cWhy\t don\u2019t\t you\t come\t through,\u201d\t Brannagh\t cooed,\t \u201cand\t we\t can\t \u2026\t enjoy ourselves.\u201d\tShe\twas\tindeed\tsizing\tup\tthe\tbrown-haired\tyoung\tman\tand\tthe\tother girl,\t her\t hair\t a\t ruddy\t brown,\t face\t sharp\t but\t interesting.\t From\t the\t way\t Dagdan was\t leering\t at\t the\t beautiful\t girl\t in\t front,\t I\t knew\t he\u2019d\t silently\t made\t his\t claim already. I\tshoved\tin\tfront\tof\tthem\tand\tsaid\tto\tthe\tthree\tmortals,\t\u201cGet\tout.\tGo\tback\tto","your\tvillages,\tback\tto\tyour\tfamilies.\tYou\tcross\tthis\twall,\tand\tyou\twill\tdie.\u201d They\t balked,\t rising\t to\t their\t feet,\t faces\t taut\t with\t fear\u2014and\t awe.\t \u201cWe\t have come\tto\tlive\tin\tpeace.\u201d \u201cThere\tis\tno\tsuch\tthing\there.\tThere\tis\tonly\tdeath\tfor\tyour\tkind.\u201d Their\t eyes\t slid\t to\t the\t immortals\t behind\t me.\t The\t dark-haired\t girl\t blushed\t at Dagdan\u2019s\tintent\tstare,\tseeing\tthe\tHigh\tFae\tbeauty\tand\tnone\tof\tthe\tpredator. So\tI\tstruck. The\t wall\t was\t a\t screeching,\t terrible\t vise,\t crushing\t my\t magic,\t battering\t my head. But\tI\tspeared\tmy\tpower\tthrough\tthat\tgap,\tand\tslammed\tinto\ttheir\tminds. Too\thard.\tThe\tyoung\tman\tflinched\ta\tbit. So\tsoft\u2014defenseless.\tTheir\tminds\tyielded\tlike\tbutter\tmelting\ton\tmy\ttongue. I\t beheld\t pieces\t of\t their\t lives\t like\t shards\t in\t a\t broken\t mirror,\t flashing\t every which\t way:\t the\t dark-haired\t girl\t was\t rich,\t educated,\t headstrong\u2014had\t wanted\t to escape\t an\t arranged\t marriage\t and\t believed\t Prythian\t was\t a\t better\t option.\t The ruddy-haired\t girl\t had\t known\t nothing\t but\t poverty\t and\t her\t father\u2019s\t fists,\t which had\tturned\tmore\tviolent\tafter\tthey\u2019d\tended\ther\tmother\u2019s\tlife.\tThe\tyoung\tman\thad sold\thimself\ton\tthe\tstreets\tof\ta\tlarge\tvillage\tuntil\tthe\tChildren\thad\tcome\tone\tday and\toffered\thim\tsomething\tbetter. I\tworked\tquickly.\tNeatly. I\twas\tfinished\tbefore\tthree\theartbeats\thad\tpassed,\tbefore\tBrannagh\thad\teven drawn\tbreath\tto\tsay,\t\u201cThere\tis\tno\tdeath\there.\tOnly\tpleasure,\tif\tyou\tare\twilling.\u201d Even\tif\tthey\tweren\u2019t\twilling,\tI\twanted\tto\tadd. But\tthe\tthree\tof\tthem\tnow\tblinked\u2014balking. Beholding\tus\tfor\twhat\twe\twere:\tdeadly,\tmerciless.\tThe\ttruth\tbehind\tthe\tspun stories. \u201cWe\u2014perhaps\thave\t\u2026\tmade\ta\tmistake,\u201d\ttheir\tleader\tsaid,\tretreating\ta\tstep. \u201cOr\tperhaps\tthis\twas\tfate,\u201d\tBrannagh\tcountered\twith\ta\tsnake\u2019s\tsmile. They\tkept\tbacking\taway.\tKept\tseeing\tthe\thistories\tI\u2019d\tplanted\tinto\ttheir\tminds \u2014that\t we\t were\t here\t to\t hurt\t and\t kill\t them,\t that\t we\t had\t done\t so\t with\t all\t their friends,\tthat\twe\u2019d\tuse\tand\tdiscard\tthem.\tI\tshowed\tthem\tthe\tnaga,\tthe\tBogge,\tthe Middengard\tWyrm;\tI\tshowed\tthem\tClare\tand\tthe\tgolden-haired\tqueen,\tskewered on\tthat\tlamppost.\tThe\tmemories\tI\tgave\tthem\tbecame\tstories\tthey\thad\tignored\u2014 but\tnow\tunderstood\twith\tus\tbefore\tthem.","\u201cCome\there,\u201d\tDagdan\tordered. The\t words\t were\t kindling\t to\t their\t fear.\t The\t three\t of\t them\t turned,\t heavy\t pale robes\ttwisting\twith\tthem,\tand\tbolted\tfor\tthe\ttrees. Brannagh\ttensed,\tas\tif\tshe\u2019d\tcharge\tthrough\tthe\twall\tafter\tthem,\tbut\tI\tgripped her\tarm\tand\thissed,\t\u201cIf\tyou\tpursue\tthem,\tthen\tyou\tand\tI\twill\thave\ta\tproblem.\u201d In\temphasis,\tI\tdragged\tmental\ttalons\tdown\ther\town\tshield. The\tprincess\tsnarled\tat\tme. But\tthe\thumans\twere\talready\tgone. I\tprayed\tthey\u2019d\tlisten\tto\tthe\tother\tcommand\tI\u2019d\twoven\tinto\ttheir\tminds:\tto\tget on\ta\tboat,\tget\tas\tmany\tfriends\tas\tthey\tcould,\tand\tflee\tfor\tthe\tcontinent.\tTo\treturn here\tonly\twhen\tthe\twar\twas\tover,\tand\tto\twarn\tas\tmany\thumans\tas\tpossible\tto\tget out\tbefore\tit\twas\ttoo\tlate. The\t Hybern\t royals\t growled\t their\t displeasure,\t but\t I\t ignored\t it\t as\t I\t took\t up\t a spot\tagainst\ta\ttree\tand\tsettled\tin\tto\twait,\tnot\ttrusting\tthem\tto\tstay\ton\tthis\tside\tof the\tborder. The\troyals\tresumed\ttheir\twork,\tstalking\tup\tand\tdown\tthe\twall. A\tmoment\tlater,\ta\tmale\tbody\tcame\tup\tbeside\tmine. Not\tLucien,\tI\trealized\twith\ta\tjolt,\tbut\tdid\tnot\tso\tmuch\tas\tflinch. Jurian\u2019s\teyes\twere\ton\tthe\tplace\twhere\tthe\thumans\thad\tbeen. \u201cThank\tyou,\u201d\the\tsaid,\this\tvoice\trough. \u201cI\t don\u2019t\tknow\twhat\tyou\u2019re\ttalking\tabout,\u201d\tI\treplied,\twell\taware\tthat\tLucien carefully\twatched\tfrom\tthe\tshade\tof\ta\tnearby\toak. Jurian\tgave\tme\ta\tknowing\tsmirk\tand\tsauntered\tafter\tDagdan. They\ttook\tall\tday. Whatever\t it\t was\t they\t were\t inspecting,\t whatever\t they\t were\t hunting\t for,\t the royals\tdidn\u2019t\tinform\tus. And\tafter\tthe\tconfrontation\tthat\tmorning,\tI\tknew\tpushing\tthem\tinto\trevealing it\twouldn\u2019t\thappen.\tI\u2019d\tused\tup\tmy\tallotted\ttolerance\tfor\tthe\tday. So\twe\tspent\tanother\tnight\tin\tthe\twoods,\twhich\twas\tprecisely\thow\tI\twound\tup sitting\tacross\tthe\tfire\tfrom\tJurian\tafter\tthe\ttwins\thad\tcrawled\tinto\ttheir\ttent\tand the\tsentries\thad\ttaken\tup\ttheir\twatch\tpositions.\tLucien\thad\tgone\tto\tthe\tstream\tto get\tmore\twater,\tand\tI\twatched\tthe\tflame\tdance\tamongst\tthe\tlogs,\tfeeling\tit\techo","inside\tmyself. Spearing\t my\t power\t through\t the\t wall\t had\t left\t me\t with\t a\t lingering,\t pounding headache\tall\tday,\tmore\tthan\ta\tbit\tdizzy.\tI\thad\tno\tdoubt\tsleep\twould\tclaim\tme\tfast and\t hard,\t but\t the\t fire\t was\t too\t warm\t and\t the\t spring\t night\t too\t brisk\t to\t willingly breach\tthat\tlong\tgap\tof\tdarkness\tbetween\tthe\tflame\tand\tmy\ttent. \u201cWhat\t happens\t to\t the\t ones\t who\t do\t make\t it\t through\t the\t wall?\u201d\t Jurian\t asked, the\thard\tpanes\tof\this\tface\tcast\tin\tflickering\trelief\tby\tthe\tfire. I\tground\tthe\theel\tof\tmy\tboot\tinto\tthe\tgrass.\t\u201cI\tdon\u2019t\tknow.\tThey\tnever\tcame back\t once\t they\t went\t over.\t But\t while\t Amarantha\t ruled,\t creatures\t prowled\t these woods,\t so\t \u2026\t I\t don\u2019t\t think\t it\t ended\t well.\t I\u2019ve\t never\t encountered\t a\t mention\t of them\tbeing\tat\tany\tcourt.\u201d \u201cFive\thundred\tyears\tago,\tthey\u2019d\thave\tbeen\tflogged\tfor\tthat\tnonsense,\u201d\tJurian said.\t \u201cWe\t were\t their\t slaves\t and\t whores\t and\t laborers\t for\t millennia\u2014men\t and women\tfought\tand\tdied\tso\twe\u2019d\tnever\thave\tto\tserve\tthem\tagain.\tYet\tthere\tthey are,\tin\tthose\tcostumes,\tunaware\tof\tthe\tdanger,\tthe\thistory.\u201d \u201cCareful,\tor\tyou\tmight\tnot\tsound\tlike\tHybern\u2019s\tfaithful\tpet.\u201d A\tlow,\thateful\tlaugh.\t\u201cThat\u2019s\twhat\tyou\tthink\tI\tam,\tisn\u2019t\tit.\tHis\tdog.\u201d \u201cWhat\u2019s\tthe\tend\tgoal,\tthen?\u201d \u201cI\thave\tunfinished\tbusiness.\u201d \u201cMiryam\tis\tdead.\u201d That\t madness\t danced\t again,\t replacing\t the\t rare\t lucidity.\t \u201cEverything\t I\t did during\t the\t War,\t it\t was\t for\t Miryam\t and\t me.\t For\t our\t people\t to\t survive\t and\t one day\t be\t free.\t And\t she\t left\tme\t for\t that\t pretty-faced\t prince\t the\t moment\t I\t put\t my people\tbefore\ther.\u201d \u201cI\theard\tshe\tleft\tyou\tbecause\tyou\tbecame\tso\tfocused\ton\twringing\tinformation from\tClythia\tthat\tyou\tlost\tsight\tof\tthe\treal\tconflict.\u201d \u201cMiryam\ttold\tme\tto\tgo\tahead\tand\tfuck\ther\tfor\tinformation.\tTold\tme\tto\tseduce Clythia\tuntil\tshe\u2019d\tsold\tout\tall\tof\tHybern\tand\tthe\tLoyalists.\tShe\thad\tno\tqualms with\tthat.\tNone.\u201d \u201cSo\tall\tof\tthis\tis\tto\tget\tMiryam\tback?\u201d He\tstretched\this\tlong\tlegs\tbefore\thim,\tcrossing\tone\tankle\tover\tthe\tother.\t\u201cIt\u2019s to\tdraw\ther\tout\tof\ther\tlittle\tnest\twith\tthat\twinged\tprick\tand\tmake\ther\tregret\tit.\u201d \u201cYou\tget\ta\tsecond\tshot\tat\tlife\tand\tthat\u2019s\twhat\tyou\twish\tto\tdo?\tRevenge?\u201d Jurian\tsmiled\tslowly.\t\u201cIsn\u2019t\tthat\twhat\tyou\u2019re\tdoing?\u201d","Months\t of\t working\t with\t Rhys\t had\t me\t remembering\t to\t furrow\t my\t brow\t in confusion.\t\u201cAgainst\tRhys,\tI\twould\tone\tday\tlike\tit.\u201d \u201cThat\u2019s\t what\t they\t all\t say,\t when\t they\t pretend\t he\u2019s\t a\t sadistic\t murderer.\t You forget\t I\t knew\t him\t in\t the\t War.\t You\t forget\t he\t risked\t his\t legion\t to\t save\t Miryam from\t our\t enemy\u2019s\t fort.\t That\u2019s\t how\t Amarantha\t captured\t him,\t you\t know.\t Rhys knew\t it\t was\t a\t trap\u2014for\t Prince\t Drakon.\t So\t Rhys\t went\t against\t orders,\t and marched\t in\t his\t whole\t legion\t to\t get\t Miryam\t out.\t For\t his\t friend,\t for\t my\t lover\u2014 and\tfor\tthat\tbastard\tDrakon\u2019s\tsake.\tRhys\tsacrificed\this\tlegion\tin\tthe\tprocess,\tgot all\t of\t them\t captured\t and\t tortured\t afterward.\t Yet\t everyone\t insists\t Rhysand\t is soulless,\t wicked.\t But\t the\t male\t I\t knew\t was\t the\t most\t decent\t of\t them\t all.\t Better than\t that\t prick-prince.\t You\t don\u2019t\t lose\t that\t quality,\t no\t matter\t the\t centuries,\t and Rhys\twas\ttoo\tsmart\tto\tdo\tanything\tbut\thave\tthe\tvilification\tof\this\tcharacter\tbe\ta calculated\tmove.\tAnd\tyet\there\tyou\tare\u2014his\tmate.\tThe\tmost\tpowerful\tHigh\tLord in\tthe\tworld\tlost\this\tmate,\tand\thas\tnot\tyet\tcome\tto\tclaim\ther,\teven\twhen\tshe\tis defenseless\tin\tthe\twoods.\u201d\tJurian\tchuckled.\t\u201cPerhaps\tthat\u2019s\tbecause\tRhysand\thas not\tlost\tyou\tat\tall.\tBut\trather\tunleashed\tyou\tupon\tus.\u201d I\t had\t never\t heard\t that\t story,\t but\t it\t seemed\t so\t like\t my\t mate\t that\t I\t knew\t the flames\t between\t us\t now\t smoldered\t in\t my\t eyes\t as\t I\t said,\t \u201cYou\t love\t to\t hear yourself\ttalk,\tdon\u2019t\tyou.\u201d \u201cHybern\twill\tkill\tall\tof\tyou,\u201d\twas\tall\tJurian\treplied. Jurian\twasn\u2019t\twrong. Lucien\t woke\t me\t the\t next\t morning\t with\t a\t hand\t over\t my\t mouth,\t warning gleaming\t in\t his\t russet\t eye.\t I\t smelled\t it\t a\t moment\t later:\t the\t coppery\t tang\t of blood. We\t shoved\t into\t our\t clothes\t and\t boots,\t and\t I\t did\t a\t quick\t inventory\t of\t the weapons\t we\u2019d\t squeezed\t into\t the\t tent\t with\t us.\t I\t had\t three\t daggers.\t Lucien\t had two,\tas\twell\tas\tan\telegant\tshort\tsword.\tBetter\tthan\tnothing,\tbut\tnot\tmuch. A\tglance\tfrom\thim\tcommunicated\tour\tplan\twell\tenough:\tplay\tcasual\tuntil\twe assessed\tthe\tsituation. I\thad\t a\theartbeat\tto\trealize\tthat\tthis\twas\tperhaps\tthe\tfirst\ttime\the\tand\tI\thad worked\t in\t tandem.\t Hunting\t had\t never\t been\t a\t joint\t effort,\t and\t Under\t the Mountain\thad\tbeen\tone\tof\tus\tlooking\tout\tfor\tthe\tother\u2014never\ta\tteam.\tA\tunit.","Lucien\t slid\t from\t the\t tent,\t limbs\t loose\t and\t ready\t to\t shift\t into\t a\t defensive position.\t He\u2019d\t been\t trained,\t he\t once\t told\t me\u2014at\t the\t Autumn\t Court\t and\t at\t this one.\t Like\t Rhys,\t he\t usually\t opted\t for\t words\t to\t win\t his\t battles,\t but\t I\u2019d\t seen\t him and\tTamlin\tin\tthe\tpractice\tring.\tHe\tknew\thow\tto\thandle\ta\tweapon.\tHow\tto\tkill,\tif need\tbe. I\t pushed\t past\t him,\t devouring\t the\t details\t of\t my\t surroundings\t as\t if\t I\t were\t a starving\tman\tat\ta\tfeast. The\t forest\t was\t the\t same.\t Jurian\t was\t crouched\t before\t the\t fire,\t stirring\t the embers\tback\tto\talertness,\this\tface\ta\thard,\tbrooding\tmask.\tBut\tthe\tsentries\u2014they were\t pale\t as\t Lucien\t stalked\t to\t them.\t I\t followed\t their\t shifting\t attention\t to\t the trees\tbehind\tJurian. No\tsign\tof\tthe\troyals. The\tblood\u2014 A\tcoppery\ttang,\tyes.\tBut\tlaced\twith\tearth\tand\tmarrow\tand\u2014rot.\tMortality. I\tstormed\tfor\tthe\ttrees\tand\tdense\tbrush. \u201cYou\u2019re\ttoo\tlate,\u201d\tJurian\tsaid\tas\tI\tpassed\thim,\tstill\tpoking\tthe\tembers.\t\u201cThey finished\ttwo\thours\tago.\u201d Lucien\t was\t on\t my\t heels\t as\t I\t shoved\t into\t the\t brambles,\t thorns\t tearing\t at\t my hands. The\tHybern\troyals\thadn\u2019t\tbothered\tto\tclean\tup\ttheir\tmess. From\t what\t was\t left\t of\t the\t three\t bodies,\t their\t shredded\t pale\t robes\t like\t fallen ashes\tthrough\tthe\tsmall\tclearing,\tDagdan\tand\tBrannagh\tmust\thave\tshut\tout\ttheir screams\twith\tsome\tsort\tof\tshield. Lucien\tswore.\t\u201cThey\twent\tthrough\tthe\twall\tlast\tnight.\tTo\thunt\tthem\tdown.\u201d Even\twith\thours\tseparating\tthem,\tthe\troyals\twere\tFae\u2014swift,\timmortal.\tThe three\t Children\t of\t the\t Blessed\t would\t have\t tired\t after\t running,\t would\t have camped\tsomewhere. Blood\twas\talready\tdrying\ton\tthe\tgrass,\ton\tthe\ttrunks\tof\tthe\tsurrounding\ttrees. Hybern\u2019s\t brand\t of\t torture\t wasn\u2019t\t very\t creative:\t Clare,\t the\t golden\t queen,\t and these\tthree\t\u2026\tA\tsimilar\tmutilating\tand\ttorment. I\tunfastened\tmy\tcloak\tand\tcarefully\tlaid\tit\tover\tthe\tbiggest\tremains\tof\tthem\tI could\t find:\t the\t torso\t of\t the\t young\t man,\t clawed\t up\t and\t bloodless.\t His\t face\t was still\tetched\tin\tpain. Flame\theated\tat\tmy\tfingertips,\tbegging\tme\tto\tburn\tthem,\tto\tgive\tthem\tat\tleast","that\t sort\t of\t burial.\t But\u2014\t \u201cDo\t you\t think\t it\t was\t for\t sport,\t or\t to\t send\t us\t a message?\u201d Lucien\t laid\t his\t own\t cloak\t across\t the\t remains\t of\t the\t two\t young\t women.\t His face\twas\tas\tserious\tas\tI\u2019d\tever\tseen\tit.\t\u201cI\tthink\tthey\taren\u2019t\taccustomed\tto\tbeing denied.\tI\u2019d\tcall\tthis\tan\timmortal\ttemper\ttantrum.\u201d I\tclosed\tmy\teyes,\ttrying\tto\tcalm\tmy\troiling\tstomach. \u201cYou\t aren\u2019t\t to\t blame,\u201d\t he\t added.\t \u201cThey\t could\t have\t killed\t them\t out\t in\t the mortal\t lands,\t but\t they\t brought\t them\t here.\t To\t make\t a\t statement\t about\t their power.\u201d He\t was\t right.\t The\t Children\t of\t the\t Blessed\t would\t have\t been\t dead\t even\t if\t I hadn\u2019t\t interfered.\t \u201cThey\u2019re\t threatened,\u201d\t I\t mused.\t \u201cAnd\t proud\t to\t a\t fault.\u201d\t I\t toed the\tblood-soaked\tgrass.\t\u201cDo\twe\tbury\tthem?\u201d Lucien\tconsidered.\t\u201cIt\tsends\ta\tmessage\u2014that\twe\u2019re\twilling\tto\tclean\tup\ttheir messes.\u201d I\tsurveyed\tthe\tclearing\tagain.\tConsidered\teverything\tat\tstake.\t\u201cThen\twe\tsend another\tsort\tof\tmessage.\u201d","CHAPTER 8 Tamlin\tpaced\tin\tfront\tof\tthe\thearth\tin\this\tstudy,\tevery\tturn\tas\tsharp\tas\ta\tblade. \u201cThey\t are\t our\t allies,\u201d\t he\t growled\t at\t me,\t at\t Lucien,\t both\t of\t us\t seated\t in armchairs\tflanking\tthe\tmantel. \u201cThey\u2019re\tmonsters,\u201d\tI\tcountered.\t\u201cThey\tbutchered\tthree\tinnocents.\u201d \u201cAnd\t you\t should\t have\t left\t it\t alone\t for\t me\t to\t deal\t with.\u201d\t Tamlin\t heaved\t a jagged\t breath.\t \u201cNot\t retaliated\t like\t children.\u201d\t He\t threw\t a\t glare\t in\t Lucien\u2019s direction.\t\u201cI\texpected\tbetter\tfrom\tyou.\u201d \u201cBut\tnot\tfrom\tme?\u201d\tI\tasked\tquietly. Tamlin\u2019s\t green\t eyes\t were\t like\t frozen\t jade.\t \u201cYou\t have\t a\t personal\t connection to\tthose\tpeople.\tHe\tdoes\tnot.\u201d \u201cThat\u2019s\t the\t sort\t of\t thinking,\u201d\t I\t snapped,\t clutching\t the\t armrests,\t \u201cthat\t has allowed\tfor\ta\twall\tto\tbe\tthe\tonly\tsolution\tbetween\tour\ttwo\tpeoples;\tfor\tthe\tFae to\tlook\tat\tthese\tsorts\tof\tmurders\tand\tnot\tcare.\u201d\tI\tknew\tthe\tguards\toutside\tcould hear.\tKnew\tanyone\twalking\tby\tcould\thear.\t\u201cThe\tloss\tof\tany\tlife\ton\teither\tside\tis a\tpersonal\tconnection.\tOr\tis\tit\tonly\tHigh\tFae\tlives\tthat\tmatter\tto\tyou?\u201d Tamlin\t stopped\t short.\t And\t snarled\t at\t Lucien,\t \u201cGet\t out.\t I\u2019ll\t deal\t with\t you later.\u201d \u201cDon\u2019t\tyou\ttalk\tto\thim\tlike\tthat,\u201d\tI\thissed,\tshooting\tto\tmy\tfeet. \u201cYou\thave\tjeopardized\tthis\talliance\twith\tthat\tstunt\tyou\ttwo\tpulled\u2014\u201d \u201cGood.\tThey\tcan\tburn\tin\thell\tfor\tall\tI\tcare!\u201d\tI\tshouted.\tLucien\tflinched. \u201cYou\tsent\tthe\tBogge\tafter\tthem!\u201d\tTamlin\troared. I\t didn\u2019t\t so\t much\t as\t blink.\t And\t I\t knew\t the\t sentries\t had\t heard\t indeed\t by\t the cough\tof\tone\toutside\u2014a\tsound\tof\tmuffled\tshock. And\t I\t made\t sure\t those\t sentries\t could\t still\t hear\t as\t I\t said,\t \u201cThey\t terrorized","those\t humans\u2014made\t them\t suffer.\t I\t figured\t the\t Bogge\t was\t one\t of\t the\t few creatures\tthat\tcould\treturn\tthe\tfavor.\u201d Lucien\thad\ttracked\tit\tdown\u2014and\twe\u2019d\tlured\tit,\tcarefully,\tover\thours,\tback\tto that\t camp.\t Right\t to\t where\t Dagdan\t and\t Brannagh\t had\t been\t gloating\t over\t their kill.\tThey\u2019d\tmanaged\tto\tget\taway\u2014but\tonly\tafter\twhat\thad\tsounded\tlike\ta\tgood bit\t of\t screaming\t and\t fighting.\t Their\t faces\t remained\t bloodless\t even\t hours\t later, their\teyes\tstill\tbrimming\twith\thate\twhenever\tthey\tdeigned\tto\tlook\tat\tus. Lucien\t cleared\t his\t throat.\t Stood\t as\t well.\t \u201cTam\u2014those\t humans\t were\t barely more\tthan\tchildren.\tFeyre\tgave\tthe\troyals\tan\torder\tto\tstand\tdown.\tThey\tignored it.\t If\t we\t let\t Hybern\t walk\t all\t over\t us,\t we\t stand\t to\t lose\t more\t than\t their\t alliance. The\tBogge\treminded\tthem\tthat\twe\taren\u2019t\twithout\tour\tclaws,\ttoo.\u201d Tamlin\tdidn\u2019t\ttake\this\teyes\toff\tme\tas\the\tsaid\tto\tLucien,\t\u201cGet.\tOut.\u201d There\t was\t enough\t violence\t in\t the\t words\t that\t neither\t Lucien\t nor\t I\t objected this\t time\t as\t he\t slipped\t from\t the\t room\t and\t shut\t the\t double\t doors\t behind\t him.\t I speared\t my\t power\t into\t the\t hall,\t sensing\t him\t sitting\t on\t the\t foot\t of\t the\t stairs. Listening.\tAs\tthe\tsix\tsentries\tin\tthe\thall\twere\tlistening. I\tsaid\tto\tTamlin,\tmy\tback\tramrod\tstraight,\t\u201cYou\tdon\u2019t\tget\tto\tspeak\tto\tme\tlike that.\tYou\tpromised\tyou\twouldn\u2019t\tact\tthis\tway.\u201d \u201cYou\thave\tno\tidea\twhat\u2019s\tat\trisk\u2014\u201d \u201cDon\u2019t\tyou\ttalk\tdown\tto\tme.\tNot\tafter\twhat\tI\twent\tthrough\tto\tget\tback\there, to\t you.\t To\t our\t people.\t You\t think\t any\t of\t us\t are\t happy\t to\t be\t working\t with Hybern?\t You\t think\t I\t don\u2019t\t see\t it\t in\t their\t faces?\t The\t question\t of\t whether\t I\tam worth\tthe\tdishonor\tof\tit?\u201d His\tbreathing\tturned\tragged\tagain.\tGood,\tI\twanted\tto\turge\thim.\tGood. \u201cYou\tsold\tus\tout\tto\tget\tme\tback,\u201d\tI\tsaid,\tlow\tand\tcold.\t\u201cYou\twhored\tus\tout\tto Hybern.\tForgive\tme\tif\tI\tam\tnow\ttrying\tto\tregain\tsome\tof\twhat\twe\tlost.\u201d Claws\tslid\tfree.\tA\tferal\tgrowl\trippled\tout\tof\thim. \u201cThey\thunted\tdown\tand\tbutchered\tthose\thumans\tfor\tsport,\u201d\tI\twent\ton.\t\u201cYou might\tbe\twilling\tto\tget\ton\tyour\tknees\tfor\tHybern,\tbut\tI\tcertainly\tam\tnot.\u201d He\texploded. Furniture\tsplintered\tand\twent\tflying,\twindows\tcracked\tand\tshattered. And\tthis\ttime,\tI\tdid\tnot\tshield\tmyself. The\t worktable\t slammed\t into\t me,\t throwing\t me\t against\t the\t bookshelf,\t and every\tplace\twhere\tflesh\tand\tbone\tmet\twood\tbarked\tand\tached.","My\tknees\tslammed\tinto\tthe\tcarpeted\tfloor,\tand\tTamlin\twas\tinstantly\tin\tfront of\tme,\thands\tshaking\u2014 The\tdoors\tburst\topen. \u201cWhat\thave\tyou\tdone,\u201d\tLucien\tbreathed,\tand\tTamlin\u2019s\tface\twas\tthe\tpicture\tof devastation\tas\tLucien\tshoved\thim\taside.\tHe\tlet\tLucien\tshove\thim\taside\tand\thelp me\tstand. Something\twet\tand\twarm\tslid\tdown\tmy\tcheek\u2014blood,\tfrom\tthe\tscent\tof\tit. \u201cLet\u2019s\tget\tyou\tcleaned\tup,\u201d\tLucien\tsaid,\tan\t arm\taround\tmy\tshoulders\tas\the eased\t me\t from\t the\t room.\t I\t barely\t heard\t him\t over\t the\t ringing\t in\t my\t ears,\t the slight\tspinning\tto\tthe\tworld. The\t sentries\u2014Bron\t and\t Hart,\t two\t of\t Tamlin\u2019s\t favorite\t lord-warriors\t among them\u2014were\tgaping,\tattention\ttorn\tbetween\tthe\twrecked\tstudy\tand\tmy\tface. With\tgood\treason.\tAs\tLucien\tled\tme\tpast\ta\tgilded\thall\tmirror,\tI\tbeheld\twhat had\t drawn\t such\t horror.\t My\t eyes\t were\t glassy,\t my\t face\t pallid\u2014save\t for\t the scratch\tjust\tbeneath\tmy\tcheekbone,\tperhaps\ttwo\tinches\tlong\tand\tleaking\tblood. Little\t scratches\t peppered\t my\t neck,\t my\t hands.\t But\t I\t willed\t that\t cleansing, healing\tpower\u2014that\tof\tthe\tHigh\tLord\tof\tDawn\u2014to\tkeep\tfrom\tseeking\tthem\tout. From\tsmoothing\tthem\taway. \u201cFeyre,\u201d\tTamlin\tbreathed\tfrom\tbehind\tus. I\t halted,\t aware\t of\t every\t eye\t that\t watched.\t \u201cI\u2019m\t fine,\u201d\t I\t whispered.\t \u201cI\u2019m sorry.\u201d\t I\t wiped\t at\t the\t blood\t dribbling\t down\t my\t cheek.\t \u201cI\u2019m\t fine,\u201d\t I\t told\t him again. No\tone,\tnot\teven\tTamlin,\tlooked\tconvinced. And\tif\tI\tcould\thave\tpainted\tthat\tmoment,\tI\twould\thave\tnamed\tit\tA\tPortrait\tin Snares\tand\tBaiting. Rhysand\tsent\tword\tdown\tthe\tbond\tthe\tsecond\tI\twas\tsoaking\tin\tthe\tbathtub. Are\tyou\thurt? The\tquestion\twas\tfaint,\tthe\tbond\tquieter\tand\ttenser\tthan\tit\thad\tbeen\tdays\tago. Sore,\tbut\tfine.\tNothing\tI\tcan\u2019t\thandle.\tThough\tmy\tinjuries\tstill\tlingered.\tAnd showed\tno\tsigns\tof\ta\tspeedy\thealing.\tPerhaps\tI\u2019d\tbeen\ttoo\tgood\tat\tkeeping\tthose healing\tpowers\tat\tbay. The\treply\twas\ta\tlong\ttime\tcoming.\tThen\tit\tcame\tall\tat\tonce,\tas\tif\the\twanted\tto","cram\tevery\tword\tin\tbefore\tthe\tdifficulty\tof\tthe\tdistance\tsilenced\tus. I\tknow\tbetter\tthan\tto\ttell\tyou\tto\tbe\tcareful,\tor\tto\tcome\thome.\tBut\tI\twant\tyou home.\tSoon.\tAnd\tI\twant\thim\tdead\tfor\tputting\ta\thand\ton\tyou. Even\twith\tthe\tentirety\tof\tthe\tland\tbetween\tus,\this\trage\trippled\tdown\tthe\tbond. I\tanswered,\tmy\ttone\tsoothing,\tdry,\tTechnically,\this\tmagic\ttouched\tme,\tnot\this hand. The\t bathwater\t was\t cold\t by\t the\t time\t his\t reply\t came\t through.\t I\u2019m\t glad\t you have\ta\tsense\tof\thumor\tabout\tthis.\tI\tcertainly\tdon\u2019t. I\tsent\tback\tan\timage\tof\tme\tsticking\tout\tmy\ttongue\tat\thim. My\tclothes\twere\tback\ton\twhen\this\tanswer\tarrived. Like\tmine,\tit\twas\twordless,\ta\tmere\timage.\tLike\tmine,\tRhysand\u2019s\ttongue\twas out. But\tit\twas\toccupied\twith\tdoing\tsomething\telse. I\tmade\ta\tpoint\tto\ttake\ta\tride\tthe\tnext\tday.\tMade\tsure\tit\twas\twhen\tBron\tand\tHart were\ton\tduty,\tand\tasked\tthem\tto\tescort\tme. They\tdidn\u2019t\tsay\tmuch,\tbut\tI\tfelt\ttheir\tassessing\tglances\tat\tmy\tevery\twince\tas we\trode\tthe\tworn\tpaths\tthrough\tthe\tspring\twood.\tFelt\tthem\tstudy\tthe\tcut\ton\tmy face,\t the\t bruises\t beneath\t my\t clothes\t that\t had\t me\t hissing\t every\t now\t and\t then. Still\t not\t fully\t healed\t to\t my\t surprise\u2014though\t I\t supposed\t it\t worked\t to\t my advantage. Tamlin\t had\t begged\t my\t forgiveness\t at\t dinner\t yesterday\u2014and\t I\u2019d\t given\t it\t to him.\tBut\tLucien\thadn\u2019t\tspoken\tto\thim\tall\tevening. Jurian\tand\tthe\tHybern\troyals\thad\tsulked\tat\tthe\tdelay\tafter\tI\u2019d\tquietly\tadmitted my\t bruises\t made\t it\t too\t difficult\t to\t accompany\t them\t to\t the\t wall.\t Tamlin\t hadn\u2019t possessed\t the\t nerve\t to\t suggest\t they\t go\t without\t me,\t to\t rob\t me\t of\t that\t duty.\t Not when\t he\t saw\t the\t purplish\t markings\t and\t knew\t that\t if\t they\t were\t on\t a\t human,\t I might\thave\tbeen\tdead. And\tthe\troyals,\tafter\tLucien\tand\tI\thad\tsent\tthe\tBogge\u2019s\tinvisible\tmalice\tafter them,\t had\t backed\t off.\t For\t now.\t I\t kept\t my\t shields\t up\u2014around\t myself\t and\t the others,\t the\t strain\t now\t a\t constant\t headache\t that\t had\t any\t extra\t sort\t of\t magic feeling\t feeble\t and\t thin.\t The\t reprieve\t on\t the\t border\t hadn\u2019t\t done\t much\u2014no,\t it\u2019d made\tthe\tstrain\tworse\tafter\tI\u2019d\tsent\tmy\tpower\tthrough\tthe\twall.","I\u2019d\t invited\t Ianthe\t to\t the\t house,\t subtly\t requesting\t her\t comforting\t presence. She\tarrived\tknowing\tthe\tfull\tdetails\tof\twhat\thad\ttranspired\tin\tthat\tstudy\u2014letting it\t conveniently\t slip\t that\t Tamlin\t had\t confessed\t it\t to\t her,\t pleading\t for\t absolution from\t the\t Mother\t and\t Cauldron\t and\t whoever\t else.\t I\t prattled\t about\t my\t own forgiveness\t to\t her\t that\t evening,\t and\t made\t a\t show\t of\t taking\t her\t good\t counsel, telling\t the\t courtiers\t and\t others\t at\t our\t crowded\t table\t that\t night\t how\t lucky\t we were\tto\thave\tTamlin\tand\tIanthe\tguarding\tour\tlands. Honestly,\tI\tdon\u2019t\tknow\thow\tnone\tof\tthem\tconnected\tit. How\tnone\tof\tthem\tsaw\tmy\twords\tas\tnot\ta\tstrange\tcoincidence\tbut\ta\tdare.\tA threat. That\tlast\tlittle\tnudge. Especially\twhen\tseven\tnaga\tbroke\tinto\tthe\testate\tgrounds\tjust\tpast\tmidnight. They\twere\tdispatched\t before\tthey\treached\tthe\thouse\u2014an\tattack\thalted\tby\ta Cauldron-sent\twarning\tvision\tfrom\tnone\tother\tthan\tIanthe\therself. The\t chaos\t and\t screaming\t woke\t the\t estate.\t I\t remained\t in\t my\t room,\t guards beneath\tmy\twindows\tand\toutside\tmy\tdoor.\tTamlin\thimself,\tblood-drenched\tand panting,\t came\t to\t inform\t me\t that\t the\t grounds\t were\t again\t secure.\t That\t the\t naga had\t been\t found\t with\t the\t keys\t to\t the\t gate,\t and\t the\t sentry\t who\t had\t lost\t them would\t be\t dealt\t with\t in\t the\t morning.\t A\t freak\t accident,\t a\t final\t show\t of\t power from\ta\ttribe\tthat\thad\tnot\tgone\tgently\tafter\tAmarantha\u2019s\treign. All\tof\tus\tsaved\tfrom\tfurther\tharm\tby\tIanthe. We\t all\t gathered\t outside\t the\t barracks\t the\t next\t morning,\t Lucien\u2019s\t face\t pallid and\t drawn,\t purple\t smudges\t beneath\t his\t glazed\t eyes.\t He\t hadn\u2019t\t returned\t to\t his room\tlast\tnight. Beside\t me,\t the\t Hybern\t royals\t and\t Jurian\t were\t silent\t and\t grim\t as\t Tamlin paced\tbefore\tthe\tsentry\tstrung\tup\tbetween\ttwo\tposts. \u201cYou\twere\tentrusted\twith\tguarding\tthis\testate\tand\tits\tpeople,\u201d\tTamlin\tsaid\tto the\t shuddering\t male,\t already\t stripped\t down\t to\t his\t pants.\t \u201cYou\t were\t found\t not only\tasleep\tat\tthe\tgate\tlast\tnight,\tbut\tit\twas\tyour\tset\tof\tkeys\tthat\toriginally\twent missing.\u201d\tTamlin\tsnarled\tsoftly.\t\u201cDo\tyou\tdeny\tthis?\u201d \u201cI\u2014I\tnever\tfall\tasleep.\tIt\u2019s\tnever\thappened\tuntil\tnow.\tI\tmust\thave\tjust\tnodded off\t for\t a\t minute\t or\t two,\u201d\t the\t sentry\t stammered,\t the\t ropes\t restraining\t him groaning\tas\the\tstrained\tagainst\tthem. \u201cYou\tjeopardized\tthe\tlives\tof\teveryone\tin\tthis\tmanor.\u201d","And\tit\tcould\tnot\tgo\tunpunished.\tNot\twith\tthe\tHybern\troyals\there,\tseeking\tany sign\tof\tweakness. Tamlin\theld\tout\ta\thand.\tBron,\tstone-faced,\tapproached\tto\tgive\thim\ta\twhip. All\t the\t sentries,\t his\t most\t trusted\t warriors,\t shifted\t about.\t Some\t outright glaring\tat\tTamlin,\tsome\ttrying\tnot\tto\twatch\twhat\twas\tabout\tto\tunfold. I\tgrabbed\tLucien\u2019s\thand.\tIt\twasn\u2019t\tentirely\tfor\tshow. Ianthe\tstepped\tforward,\thands\tfolded\tover\ther\tstomach.\t\u201cTwenty\tlashes.\tAnd one\tmore,\tfor\tthe\tCauldron\u2019s\tforgiveness.\u201d The\tguards\tturned\tbaleful\teyes\ttoward\ther\tnow. Tamlin\tunfurled\tthe\twhip\tonto\tthe\tdirt. I\t made\t my\t move.\t Slid\t my\t power\t into\t the\t bound\t sentry\u2019s\t mind\t and\t freed\t the memory\tI\u2019d\tcoiled\tup\ttightly\tin\this\thead\u2014freed\this\ttongue,\ttoo. \u201cIt\twas\ther,\u201d\the\tpanted,\tjerking\this\tchin\tto\tIanthe.\t\u201cShe\ttook\tthe\tkeys.\u201d Tamlin\tblinked\u2014and\teveryone\tin\tthat\tcourtyard\tlooked\tright\tto\tIanthe. Her\tface\tdidn\u2019t\tso\tmuch\tas\tflinch\tat\tthe\taccusation\u2014the\ttruth\the\u2019d\tflung\ther way. I\u2019d\t been\t waiting\t to\t see\t how\t she\u2019d\t counter\t my\t showing\t of\t power\t at\t the solstice,\ttracking\ther\t movements\tthat\tentire\tday\tand\tnight.\tWithin\tmoments\tof my\tleaving\tthe\tparty\tshe\u2019d\tgone\tto\tthe\tbarracks,\tused\tsome\tglimmer\tof\tpower\tto lull\thim\tto\tsleep,\tand\ttaken\this\tkeys.\tThen\tplanted\ther\twarnings\tabout\tthe\tnaga\u2019s impending\tattacks\t\u2026\tafter\tshe\tgave\tthe\tcreatures\tthe\tkeys\tto\tthe\tgates. So\t she\t could\t sound\t the\t alarm\t last\t night.\t So\t she\t could\t save\t us\t from\t a\t real threat. Clever\tidea\u2014had\tit\tnot\tplayed\tright\tinto\teverything\tI\u2019d\tlaid\tout. Ianthe\t said\t smoothly,\t \u201cWhy\t should\t I\t take\t the\t keys?\t I\t warned\t you\t of\t the attack.\u201d \u201cYou\t were\t at\t the\t barracks\u2014I\t saw\t you\t that\t night,\u201d\t the\t sentry\t insisted,\t then turned\t pleading\t eyes\t to\t Tamlin.\t It\t wasn\u2019t\t fear\t of\t pain\t that\t propelled\t him,\t I realized.\tNo,\tthe\tlashings\twould\thave\tbeen\tdeserved\tand\tearned\tand\tborne\twell. It\twas\tthe\tfear\tof\thonor\tlost. \u201cI\twould\thave\tthought\tone\tof\tyour\tsentries,\tTamlin,\twould\thave\tmore\tdignity than\t to\t spread\t lies\t to\t spare\t himself\t from\t some\t fleeting\t pain.\u201d\t Ianthe\u2019s\t face remained\tserene\tas\talways. Tamlin,\tto\this\tcredit,\tstudied\tthe\tsentry\tfor\ta\tlong\tmoment.","I\tstepped\tforward.\t\u201cI\twill\thear\this\tstory.\u201d Some\tof\tthe\tguards\tloosed\tsighs.\tSome\tlooked\tat\tme\twith\tpity\tand\taffection. Ianthe\tlifted\ther\tchin.\t\u201cWith\tall\tdue\trespect,\tmilady,\tit\tis\tnot\tyour\tjudgment\tto make.\u201d And\tthere\tit\twas.\tThe\tattempt\tto\tknock\tme\tdown\ta\tfew\tpegs. Just\tbecause\tit\twould\tmake\ther\tsee\tred,\tI\tignored\ther\tcompletely\tand\tsaid\tto the\tsentry,\t\u201cI\twill\thear\tyour\tstory.\u201d I\tkept\tmy\tfocus\ton\thim,\teven\tas\tI\tcounted\tmy\tbreaths,\teven\tas\tI\tprayed\tthat Ianthe\twould\ttake\tthe\tbait\u2014 \u201cYou\u2019ll\ttake\tthe\tword\tof\ta\tsentry\tover\tthat\tof\ta\tHigh\tPriestess?\u201d My\tdisgust\tat\ther\tblurted\twords\twasn\u2019t\tentirely\tfeigned\u2014even\tthough\thiding my\t faint\t smile\t was\t an\t effort.\t The\t guards\t shifted\t on\t their\t feet\t at\t the\t insult,\t the tone.\t Even\t if\t they\t had\t not\t already\t trusted\t their\t fellow\t sentry,\t from\t her\t words alone,\tthey\trealized\ther\tguilt. I\t looked\t to\t Tamlin\t then\u2014saw\t his\t eyes\t sharpen\t as\t well.\t With\t understanding. Too\tmany\tprotests\tfrom\tIanthe. Oh,\t he\t was\t well\t aware\t that\t Ianthe\t had\t perhaps\t planned\t that\t naga\t attack\t to reclaim\tsome\tshred\tof\tpower\tand\tinfluence\u2014as\ta\tsavior\tof\tthese\tpeople. Tamlin\u2019s\tmouth\ttightened\tin\tdisapproval. I\u2019d\tgiven\tthem\tboth\ta\tlength\tof\trope.\tI\tsupposed\tnow\twould\tbe\tthe\tmoment\tto see\twhether\tthey\u2019d\thang\tthemselves\twith\tit. I\t dared\t one\t more\t step\t forward,\t upturning\t my\t palms\t to\t Tamlin.\t \u201cPerhaps\t it was\ta\tmistake.\tDon\u2019t\ttake\tit\tfrom\this\thide\u2014or\this\thonor.\tLet\u2019s\thear\thim\tout.\u201d Tamlin\u2019s\teyes\tsoftened\ta\tfraction.\tHe\tremained\tsilent\u2014considering. But\tbehind\tme,\tBrannagh\tsnorted. \u201cPathetic,\u201d\tshe\tmurmured,\tthough\teveryone\tcould\thear\tit. Weak.\tVulnerable.\tRipe\tfor\tconquest.\tI\tsaw\tthe\twords\tslam\tthrough\tTamlin\u2019s face,\tas\tif\tthey\twere\tshutting\tdoors\tin\ttheir\twake. There\twas\tno\tother\tinterpretation\u2014not\tfor\tTamlin. But\tIanthe\tassessed\tme,\tstanding\tbefore\tthe\tcrowd,\tthe\tinfluence\tI\u2019d\tmade\tso very\t clear\t I\t was\t capable\t of\t stealing.\t If\t she\t admitted\t guilt\t \u2026\t whatever\t she\t had left\twould\tcome\tcrumbling\tdown. Tamlin\t opened\t his\t mouth,\t but\t Ianthe\t cut\t him\t off.\t \u201cThere\t are\t laws\t to\t be obeyed,\u201d\t she\t told\t me,\t gently\t enough\t that\t I\t wanted\t to\t drag\t my\t nails\t down\t her","face.\t \u201cTraditions.\t He\t has\t broken\t our\t trust,\t has\t let\t our\t blood\t be\t spilled\t for\t his carelessness.\t Now\t he\t seeks\t to\t accuse\t a\t High\t Priestess\t of\t his\t failings.\t It\t cannot go\tunpunished.\u201d\tShe\tnodded\tto\tTamlin.\t\u201cTwenty-one\tlashes,\tHigh\tLord.\u201d I\tglanced\tbetween\tthem,\tmy\tmouth\tgoing\tdry.\t\u201cPlease.\tJust\tlisten\tto\thim.\u201d The\tguard\thanging\tbetween\tthe\tposts\thad\tsuch\thope\tand\tgratitude\tin\this\teyes. In\t this\t \u2026\t in\t this,\t my\t revenge\t edged\t toward\t something\t oily,\t something foreign\t and\t queasy.\t He\t would\t heal\t from\t the\t pain,\t but\t the\t blow\t to\t his\t honor\t \u2026 It\u2019d\ttake\ta\tlittle\tpiece\tout\tof\tmine\tas\twell. Tamlin\tstared\tat\tme,\tthen\tIanthe.\tThen\tglanced\tto\tthe\tsmirking\tHybern\troyals \u2014to\tJurian,\twho\tcrossed\this\tarms,\this\tface\tunreadable. And\tlike\tI\u2019d\tgambled,\tTamlin\u2019s\tneed\tfor\tcontrol,\tfor\tstrength,\twon\tout. Ianthe\twas\ttoo\timportant\tan\tally\tto\trisk\tisolating.\tThe\tword\tof\ta\tlow\tsentry\t\u2026 no,\tit\tdid\tnot\tmatter\tas\tmuch\tas\thers. Tamlin\t turned\t to\t the\t sentry\t tied\t to\t the\t posts.\t \u201cPut\t the\t bit\t in,\u201d\t he\t quietly ordered\tBron. There\t was\t a\t heartbeat\t of\t hesitation\t from\t Bron\u2014as\t if\t the\t shock\t of\t Tamlin\u2019s order\thad\trippled\tthrough\thim.\tThrough\tall\tthe\tguards.\tSiding\twith\tIanthe\u2014over them.\tHis\tsentries. Who\t had\t gone\t over\t the\t wall,\t again\t and\t again,\t to\t try\t to\t break\t that\t curse\t for him.\tWho\thad\tgladly\tdone\tit,\tgladly\tdied,\thunted\tdown\tas\tthose\twolves,\tfor\thim. And\t the\t wolf\t I\u2019d\t felled,\t Andras\t \u2026\t He\u2019d\t gone\t willingly,\t too.\t Tamlin\t had\t sent them\tall\tover,\tand\tnot\tall\tof\tthem\thad\tcome\tback.\tThey\thad\tgone\twillingly,\tyet this\t\u2026\tthis\twas\this\tthanks.\tHis\tgratitude.\tHis\ttrust. But\t Bron\t did\t as\t commanded,\t sliding\t the\t small\t piece\t of\t wood\t into\t the\t now- trembling\tsentry\u2019s\tmouth. Judging\t by\t the\t barely\t concealed\t disdain\t in\t the\t guards\u2019\t faces,\t at\t least\t they were\taware\tof\twhat\thad\toccurred\u2014or\twhat\tthey\tbelieved\thad\toccurred:\tthe\tHigh Priestess\thad\torchestrated\tthis\tentire\tattack\tto\tcast\therself\tas\ta\tsavior,\toffering\tup the\treputation\tof\tone\tof\ttheir\town\tas\tthe\tasking\tprice.\tThey\thad\tno\tidea\u2014none\u2014 that\tI\u2019d\tgoaded\ther\tinto\tit,\tpushed\tand\tpushed\ther\tto\treveal\tjust\twhat\ta\tsnake\tshe was.\tHow\tlittle\tanyone\twithout\ta\ttitle\tmeant\tto\ther. How\tTamlin\tlistened\tto\ther\twithout\tquestion\u2014to\ta\tfault. It\t wasn\u2019t\t much\t of\t an\t act\t when\t I\t put\t a\t hand\t to\t my\t throat,\t backing\t up\t a\t step, then\tanother,\tuntil\tLucien\u2019s\twarmth\twas\tagainst\tme,\tand\tI\tleaned\tfully\tinto\thim.","The\tsentries\twere\tsizing\tup\tIanthe,\tthe\troyals.\tTamlin\thad\talways\tbeen\tone\tof them\u2014fought\tfor\tthem. Until\tnow.\tUntil\tHybern.\tUntil\the\tput\tthese\tforeign\tmonsters\tbefore\tthem. Until\the\tput\ta\tscheming\tHigh\tPriestess\tbefore\tthem. Tamlin\u2019s\teyes\twere\ton\tus,\ton\tthe\thand\tLucien\tput\ton\tmy\tarm\tto\tsteady\tme,\tas he\tdrew\tback\tthe\twhip. The\t thunderous\t crack\t as\t it\t cleaved\t the\t air\t snapped\t through\t the\t barracks,\t the estate. Through\tthe\tvery\tfoundations\tof\tthe\tcourt.","CHAPTER 9 Ianthe\twasn\u2019t\tdone. I\tknew\tit\u2014braced\tmyself\tfor\tit.\tShe\tdidn\u2019t\tflit\tback\tto\ther\ttemple\ta\tfew\tmiles away. Rather,\tshe\tremained\tat\tthe\thouse,\tseizing\ther\tchance\tto\tworm\ther\tway\tcloser to\t Tamlin.\t She\tbelieved\tshe\u2019d\tgained\ta\tfoothold,\tthat\ther\tdeclaration\tof\tjustice served\tat\tthe\tbloody\tend\tof\tthe\twhipping\thadn\u2019t\tbeen\tanything\tbut\ta\tfinal\tslap\tin the\tface\tto\tthe\tguards\twho\twatched. And\twhen\tthat\tsentry\thad\tsagged\tfrom\this\tbindings,\twhen\tthe\tothers\tcame\tto gently\t untie\t him,\t Ianthe\t merely\t ushered\t the\t Hybern\t party\t and\t Tamlin\t into\t the manor\t for\t lunch.\t But\t I\u2019d\t remained\t at\t the\t barracks,\t tending\t to\t the\t groaning sentry,\t drawing\t away\t bloodied\t bowls\t of\t water\t while\t the\t healer\t quietly\t patched him\tup. Bron\tand\tHart\tpersonally\tescorted\tme\tback\tto\tthe\testate\thours\tlater.\tI\tthanked them\t each\t by\t name.\t Then\t apologized\t that\t I\t hadn\u2019t\t been\t able\t to\t prevent\t it\u2014 Ianthe\u2019s\tscheming\tor\tthe\tunjust\tpunishment\tof\ttheir\tfriend.\tI\tmeant\tevery\tword, the\tcrack\tof\tthe\twhip\tstill\techoing\tin\tmy\tears. Then\tthey\tspoke\tthe\twords\tI\u2019d\tbeen\twaiting\tfor.\tThey\twere\tsorry\tthey\thadn\u2019t stopped\tany\tof\tit,\teither. Not\tjust\ttoday.\tBut\tthe\tbruises\tnow\tfading\u2014at\tlast.\tThe\tother\tincidents. If\tI\thad\tasked\tthem,\tthey\twould\thave\thanded\tme\ttheir\town\tknives\tto\tslit\ttheir throats. The\tnext\tevening,\tI\twas\thurrying\tback\tto\tmy\troom\tto\tchange\tfor\tdinner\twhen Ianthe\tmade\ther\tnext\tmove. She\twas\tto\tcome\twith\tus\tto\tthe\twall\ttomorrow\tmorning.","Her,\tand\tTamlin,\ttoo. If\t we\t were\t all\t to\t be\t a\t united\t front,\t she\u2019d\t declared\t over\t dinner,\t then\t she wished\tto\tsee\tthe\twall\therself. The\tHybern\troyals\tdidn\u2019t\tcare.\tBut\tJurian\twinked\tat\tme,\tas\tif\the,\ttoo,\tsaw\tthe game\tin\tmotion. I\tpacked\tmy\town\tbags\tthat\tnight. Alis\t entered\t right\t before\t bed,\t a\t third\t pack\t in\t her\t hands.\t \u201cSince\t it\u2019s\t a\t longer trip,\tI\tbrought\tyou\tsupplies.\u201d Even\t with\t Tamlin\t joining\t us,\t it\t was\t too\t many\t people\t for\t him\t to\t winnow\t us directly. So\twe\u2019d\tgo,\tas\twe\u2019d\tdone\tbefore,\tin\tsegments.\tA\tfew\tmiles\tat\ta\ttime. Alis\tlaid\tthe\tpack\tshe\u2019d\tprepared\tbeside\tmy\town.\tPicked\tup\tthe\tbrush\ton\tthe vanity\tand\tbeckoned\tme\tto\tsit\ton\tthe\tcushioned\tbench\tbefore\tit. I\tobeyed.\tFor\ta\tfew\tminutes,\tshe\tbrushed\tmy\thair\tin\tsilence. Then\tshe\tsaid,\t\u201cWhen\tyou\tleave\ttomorrow,\tI\tleave,\ttoo.\u201d I\tlifted\tmy\teyes\tto\thers\tin\tthe\tmirror. \u201cMy\tnephews\tare\tpacked,\tthe\tponies\tready\tto\ttake\tus\tback\tto\tSummer\tCourt territory\tat\tlast.\tIt\thas\tbeen\ttoo\tlong\tsince\tI\tsaw\tmy\thome,\u201d\tshe\tsaid,\tthough\ther eyes\tshone. \u201cI\tknow\tthe\tfeeling,\u201d\twas\tall\tI\tsaid. \u201cI\t wish\t you\t well,\t lady,\u201d\t Alis\t said,\t setting\t down\t the\t brush\t and\t beginning\t to braid\tback\tmy\thair.\t\u201cFor\tthe\trest\tof\tyour\tdays,\thowever\tlong\tthey\tmay\tbe,\tI\twish you\twell.\u201d I\tlet\ther\tfinish\tthe\tplait,\tthen\tpivoted\ton\tthe\tbench\tto\tgrip\ther\tthin\tfingers\tin mine.\t\u201cDon\u2019t\tever\ttell\tTarquin\tyou\tknow\tme\twell.\u201d Her\tbrows\trose. \u201cThere\tis\ta\tblood\truby\twith\tmy\tname\ton\tit,\u201d\tI\tclarified. Even\t her\t tree-bark\tskin\tseemed\t to\t blanch.\tShe\tunderstood\tit\twell\tenough:\tI was\ta\thunted\tenemy\tof\tthe\tSummer\tCourt.\tOnly\tmy\tdeath\twould\tbe\taccepted\tas payment\tfor\tmy\tcrimes. Alis\tsqueezed\tmy\thand.\t\u201cBlood\trubies\tor\tno,\tyou\twill\talways\thave\tone\tfriend in\tthe\tSummer\tCourt.\u201d My\tthroat\tbobbed.\t\u201cAnd\tyou\twill\talways\thave\tone\tin\tmine,\u201d\tI\tpromised\ther. She\tknew\twhich\tcourt\tI\tmeant.\tAnd\tdid\tnot\tlook\tafraid.","The\t sentries\t did\t not\t glance\t at\t Tamlin,\t or\t so\t much\t as\t speak\t to\t him\t unless absolutely\t necessary.\t Bron,\t Hart,\t and\t three\t others\t were\t to\t join\t us.\t They\t had spotted\tme\tchecking\ton\ttheir\tfriend\tbefore\tdawn\u2014a\tcourtesy\tI\tknew\tnone\tof\tthe others\thad\textended. Winnowing\t felt\t like\t wading\t through\t mud.\t In\t fact,\t my\t powers\t had\t become more\tof\ta\tburden\tthan\ta\thelp.\tI\thad\ta\tthrobbing\theadache\tby\tnoon,\tand\tspent\tthe last\tleg\tof\tthe\tjourney\tdizzy\tand\tdisoriented\tas\twe\twinnowed\tagain\tand\tagain. We\t arrived\t and\t set\t up\t camp\t in\t near-silence.\t I\t quietly,\t shyly\t asked\t to\t share\t a tent\twith\tIanthe\tinstead\tof\tTamlin,\tappearing\teager\tto\tmend\tthe\trift\tthe\twhipping had\ttorn\tbetween\tus.\tBut\tI\tdid\tit\tmore\tto\tspare\tLucien\tfrom\ther\tattention\tthan\tto keep\t Tamlin\t at\t bay.\t Dinner\t was\t made\t and\t eaten,\t bedrolls\t laid\t out,\t and\t Tamlin ordered\tBron\tand\tHart\ton\tthe\tfirst\twatch. Lying\tbeside\tIanthe\twithout\tslitting\ther\tthroat\twas\tan\texercise\tin\tpatience\tand control. But\t whenever\t the\t knife\t beneath\t my\t pillow\t seemed\t to\t whisper\t her\t name,\t I\u2019d remind\tmyself\tof\tmy\tfriends.\tThe\tfamily\tthat\twas\talive\u2014healing\tin\tthe\tNorth. I\t repeated\t their\t names\t silently,\t over\t and\t over\t into\t the\t darkness.\t Rhysand. Mor.\tCassian.\tAmren.\tAzriel.\tElain.\tNesta. I\t thought\t of\t how\t I\t had\t last\t seen\t them,\t so\t bloodied\t and\t hurting.\t Thought\t of Cassian\u2019s\tscream\tas\this\twings\twere\tshredded;\tof\tAzriel\u2019s\tthreat\tto\tthe\tking\tas\the advanced\ton\tMor.\tNesta,\tfighting\tevery\tstep\ttoward\tthe\tCauldron. My\t goal\t was\t bigger\t than\t revenge.\t My\t purpose\t greater\t than\t personal retribution. Dawn\tbroke,\tand\tI\tfound\tmy\tpalm\tcurled\taround\tthe\thilt\tof\tmy\tknife\tanyway. I\tdrew\tit\tout\tas\tI\tsat\tup,\tstaring\tdown\tat\tthe\tsleeping\tpriestess. The\t smooth\t column\t of\t her\t neck\t seemed\t to\t glow\t in\t the\t early-morning\t sun leaking\tthrough\tthe\ttent\tflaps. I\tweighed\tthe\tknife\tin\tmy\thand. I\twasn\u2019t\tsure\tI\u2019d\tbeen\tborn\twith\tthe\tability\tto\tforgive.\tNot\tfor\tterrors\tinflicted on\t those\t I\t loved.\t For\t myself,\t I\t didn\u2019t\t care\u2014not\t nearly\t as\t much.\t But\t there\t was some\t fundamental\t pillar\t of\t steel\t in\t me\t that\t could\t not\t bend\t or\t break\t in\t this. Could\t not\t stomach\t the\t idea\t of\t letting\t these\t people\t get\t away\t with\t what\t they\u2019d done.","Ianthe\u2019s\t eyes\t opened,\t the\t teal\t as\t limpid\t as\t her\t discarded\t circlet.\t They\t went right\tto\tthe\tknife\tin\tmy\thand.\tThen\tto\tmy\tface. \u201cYou\tcan\u2019t\tbe\ttoo\tcareful\twhile\tsharing\ta\tcamp\twith\tenemies,\u201d\tI\tsaid. I\tcould\thave\tsworn\tsomething\tlike\tfear\tshone\tin\ther\teyes.\t\u201cHybern\tis\tnot\tour enemy,\u201d\tshe\tsaid\ta\ttad\tbreathlessly. From\ther\tpaleness\tas\tI\tleft\tthe\ttent,\tI\tknew\tmy\tanswering\tsmile\thad\tdone\tits job\twell. Lucien\tand\tTamlin\tshowed\tthe\ttwins\twhere\tthe\tcrack\tin\tthe\twall\tlay. And\t as\t they\t had\t done\t with\t the\t first\t two,\t they\t spent\t hours\t surveying\t it,\t the surrounding\tland. I\t kept\t close\t this\t time,\t watching\t them,\t my\t presence\t now\t deemed\t relatively unthreatening\tif\tnot\ta\tnuisance.\tWe\u2019d\tplayed\tour\tlittle\tpower\tgames,\testablished I\tcould\tbite\tif\tI\twished,\tbut\twe\u2019d\ttolerate\teach\tother. \u201cHere,\u201d\t Brannagh\t murmured\t to\t Dagdan,\t jerking\t her\t chin\t to\t the\t invisible divider.\tThe\tonly\tmarkings\t were\tthe\tdifferent\ttrees:\ton\tour\tside,\tthey\twere\t the bright,\tfresh\tgreen\tof\tspring.\tOn\tthe\tother,\tthey\twere\tdark,\tbroad,\tcurling\tslightly with\theat\u2014the\theight\tof\tsummer. \u201cThe\tfirst\tone\twas\tbetter,\u201d\tDagdan\tcountered. I\tsat\tatop\ta\tsmall\tboulder,\tpeeling\tan\tapple\twith\ta\tparing\tknife. \u201cCloser\tto\tthe\twestern\tcoast,\ttoo,\u201d\the\tadded\tto\this\ttwin. \u201cThis\tis\tcloser\tto\tthe\tcontinent\u2014to\tthe\tstrait.\u201d I\tsliced\tdeep\tinto\tthe\tflesh\tof\tthe\tapple,\tcarving\tout\ta\thunk\tof\twhite\tmeat. \u201cYes,\tbut\twe\u2019d\thave\tmore\taccess\tto\tthe\tHigh\tLord\u2019s\tsupplies.\u201d Said\t High\t Lord\t was\t currently\t off\t with\t Jurian,\t hunting\t for\t food\t more\t filling than\t the\t sandwiches\t we\u2019d\t packed.\t Ianthe\t had\t gone\t to\t a\t nearby\t spring\t to\t pray, and\tI\thad\tno\tidea\twhatsoever\twhere\tLucien\tor\tthe\tsentries\twere. Good.\t Easier\t for\t me\t as\t I\t shoved\t the\t apple\t slice\t into\t my\t mouth\t and\t said around\tit,\t\u201cI\tsay\tgo\tfor\tthis\tone.\u201d They\ttwisted\ttoward\tme,\tBrannagh\tsneering\tand\tDagdan\u2019s\tbrows\thigh.\t\u201cWhat do\tyou\tknow\tof\tany\tof\tit?\u201d\tBrannagh\tdemanded. I\t shrugged,\t cutting\t another\t piece\t of\t apple.\t \u201cYou\t two\t talk\t louder\t than\t you realize.\u201d","Shared\t accusatory\t glares\t between\t them.\t Proud,\t arrogant,\t cruel.\t I\u2019d\t been taking\t their\t measure\t this\t fortnight.\t \u201cUnless\t you\t want\t to\t risk\t the\t other\t courts having\t time\t to\t rally\t and\t intercepting\t you\t before\t you\t can\t cross\t to\t the\t strait,\t I\u2019d pick\tthis\tone.\u201d Brannagh\trolled\ther\teyes. I\twent\ton,\trambling\tand\tbored,\t\u201cBut\twhat\tdo\tI\tknow?\tYou\ttwo\thave\tsquatted on\ta\tlittle\tisland\tfor\tfive\thundred\tyears.\tClearly\tyou\tknow\tmore\tabout\tPrythian and\tmoving\tarmies\tthan\tme.\u201d Brannagh\t hissed,\t \u201cThis\t is\t not\t about\t armies,\t so\t I\t will\t trust\t you\t to\t keep\t that mouth\tshut\tuntil\twe\thave\tuse\tfor\tyou.\u201d I\tsnorted.\t\u201cYou\tmean\tto\ttell\tme\tall\tof\tthis\tnonsense\thasn\u2019t\tbeen\tto\tfind\ta\tplace to\tbreak\tthrough\tthe\twall\tand\tuse\tthe\tCauldron\tto\talso\ttransport\tthe\tmass\tof\tyour armies\there?\u201d She\t laughed,\t swinging\t her\t dark\t curtain\t of\t hair\t over\t a\t shoulder.\t \u201cThe Cauldron\tis\tnot\tfor\ttransporting\tgrunt\tarmies.\tIt\tis\tfor\tremaking\tworlds.\tIt\tis\tfor bringing\tdown\tthis\thideous\twall\tand\treclaiming\twhat\twe\twere.\u201d I\t merely\t crossed\t my\t legs.\t \u201cI\u2019d\t think\t that\t with\t an\t army\t of\t ten\t thousand\t you wouldn\u2019t\tneed\tany\tmagical\tobjects\tto\tdo\tyour\tdirty\twork.\u201d \u201cOur\tarmy\tis\tten\ttimes\tthat,\tgirl,\u201d\tBrannagh\tsneered.\t\u201cAnd\ttwice\tthat\tnumber if\tyou\tcount\tour\tallies\tin\tVallahan,\tMontesere,\tand\tRask.\u201d Two\thundred\tthousand.\tMother\tsave\tus. \u201cYou\u2019ve\t certainly\t been\t busy\t all\t these\t years.\u201d\t I\t surveyed\t them,\t utterly nonplussed.\t\u201cWhy\tnot\tstrike\twhen\tAmarantha\thad\tthe\tisland?\u201d \u201cThe\t king\t had\t not\t yet\t found\t the\t Cauldron,\t despite\t years\t of\t searching.\t It served\t his\t purposes\t to\t let\t her\t be\t an\t experiment\t for\t how\t we\t might\t break\t these people.\tAnd\tserved\tas\tgood\tmotivation\tfor\tour\tallies\ton\tthe\tcontinent\tto\tjoin\tus, knowing\twhat\twould\tawait\tthem.\u201d I\tfinished\toff\tmy\tapple\tand\tchucked\tthe\tcore\tinto\tthe\twoods.\tThey\twatched\tit fly\tlike\ttwo\thounds\ttracking\ta\tpheasant. \u201cSo\t they\u2019re\t all\t going\t to\t converge\t here?\t I\u2019m\t supposed\t to\t play\t hostess\t to\t so many\tsoldiers?\u201d \u201cOur\town\tforce\twill\ttake\tcare\tof\tPrythian\tbefore\tuniting\twith\tthe\tothers.\tOur commanders\tare\tpreparing\tfor\tit\tas\twe\tspeak.\u201d \u201cYou\t must\t think\t you\t stand\t a\t shot\t at\t losing\t if\t you\u2019re\t bothering\t to\t use\t the","Cauldron\tto\thelp\tyou\twin.\u201d \u201cThe\tCauldron\tis\tvictory.\tIt\twill\twipe\tthis\tworld\tclean\tagain.\u201d I\t lifted\t my\t brows\t in\t irreverent\t cynicism.\t \u201cAnd\t you\t need\t this\t exact\t spot\t to unleash\tit?\u201d \u201cThis\t exact\t spot,\u201d\t Dagdan\t said,\t a\t hand\t on\t the\t hilt\t of\t his\t sword,\t \u201cexists because\ta\tperson\tor\tobject\tof\tmighty\tpower\tpassed\tthrough\tit.\tThe\tCauldron\twill study\t the\t work\t they\u2019ve\t already\t done\u2014and\t magnify\t it\t until\t the\t wall\t collapses entirely.\tIt\tis\ta\tcareful,\tcomplex\tprocess,\tand\tone\tI\tdoubt\tyour\tmortal\tmind\tcan grasp.\u201d \u201cProbably.\tThough\tthis\tmortal\tmind\tdid\tmanage\tto\tsolve\tAmarantha\u2019s\triddle \u2014and\tdestroy\ther.\u201d Brannagh\tmerely\tturned\tback\tto\tthe\twall.\t\u201cWhy\tdo\tyou\tthink\tHybern\tlet\ther live\tfor\tso\tlong\tin\tthese\tlands?\tBetter\tto\thave\tsomeone\telse\tdo\this\tdirty\twork.\u201d I\thad\twhat\tI\tneeded. Tamlin\tand\tJurian\twere\tstill\toff\thunting,\tthe\troyals\twere\tpreoccupied,\tand\tI\u2019d sent\t the\t sentries\t to\t fetch\t me\t more\t water,\t claiming\t that\t some\t of\t my\t bruises\t still ached\tand\tI\twanted\tto\tmake\ta\tpoultice\tfor\tthem. They\u2019d\tlooked\tpositively\tmurderous\tat\tthat.\tNot\tat\tme\u2014but\tat\twho\thad\tgiven me\t those\t bruises.\t Who\t had\t picked\t Ianthe\t over\t them\u2014and\t Hybern\t over\t their honor\tand\tpeople. I\u2019d\tbrought\tthree\tpacks,\tbut\tI\u2019d\tonly\tneed\tone.\tThe\tone\tI\u2019d\tcarefully\trepacked with\t Alis\u2019s\t new\t supplies,\t now\t tucked\t beside\t everything\t I\u2019d\t anticipated\t needing to\tget\tclear\tof\tthem\tand\tgo.\tThe\tone\tI\u2019d\tbrought\twith\tme\ton\tevery\ttrip\tout\tto\tthe wall,\tjust\tin\tcase.\tAnd\tnow\t\u2026 I\t had\t numbers,\t I\t had\t a\t purpose,\t I\t had\t a\t specific\t location,\t and\t the\t names\t of foreign\tterritories. But\tmore\tthan\tthat,\tI\thad\ta\tpeople\twho\thad\tlost\tfaith\tin\ttheir\tHigh\tPriestess.\tI had\t sentries\t who\t were\t beginning\t to\t rebel\t against\t their\t High\t Lord.\t And\t as\t a result\t of\t those\t things,\t I\t had\t Hybern\t royals\t doubting\t the\t strength\t of\t their\t allies here.\tI\u2019d\tprimed\tthis\tcourt\tto\tfall.\tNot\tfrom\toutside\tforces\u2014but\tits\town\tinternal warring. And\t I\t had\t to\t be\t clear\t of\t it\t before\t it\t happened.\t Before\t the\t last\t sliver\t of\t my","plan\tfell\tinto\tplace. The\tparty\twould\treturn\twithout\tme.\tAnd\tto\tmaintain\tthat\tillusion\tof\tstrength, Tamlin\tand\tIanthe\twould\tlie\tabout\tit\u2014where\tI\u2019d\tgone. And\t perhaps\t a\t day\t or\t two\t after\t that,\t one\t of\t these\t sentries\t would\t reveal\t the news,\ta\tcarefully\tsprung\ttrap\tthat\tI\u2019d\tcoiled\tinto\this\tmind\tlike\tone\tof\tmy\tsnares. I\u2019d\t fled\t for\t my\t life\u2014after\t being\t nearly\t killed\t by\t the\t Hybern\t prince\t and princess.\t I\u2019d\t planted\t images\t in\t his\t head\t of\t my\t brutalized\t body,\t the\t markings consistent\t with\t what\t Dagdan\t and\t Brannagh\t had\t already\t revealed\t to\t be\t their style.\tHe\u2019d\tdescribe\tthem\tin\tdetail\u2014describe\thow\the\thelped\tme\tget\taway\tbefore it\t was\t too\t late.\t How\t I\t ran\t for\t my\t life\t when\t Tamlin\t and\t Ianthe\t refused\t to intervene,\tto\trisk\ttheir\talliance\twith\tHybern. And\t when\t the\t sentry\t revealed\t the\t truth,\t no\t longer\t able\t to\t stomach\t keeping quiet\twhen\the\tsaw\thow\tmy\tsorry\tfate\twas\tconcealed\tby\tTamlin\tand\tIanthe,\tjust as\tTamlin\thad\tsided\twith\tIanthe\tthe\tday\the\u2019d\tflogged\tthat\tsentry\t\u2026 When\t he\t described\t what\t Hybern\t had\t done\t to\t me,\t their\t Cursebreaker,\t their newly\tanointed\tCauldron-blessed,\tbefore\tI\u2019d\tfled\tfor\tmy\tlife\t\u2026 There\t would\t be\t no\t further\t alliance.\t For\t there\t would\t be\t no\t sentry\t or\t denizen of\tthis\tcourt\twho\twould\tstand\twith\tTamlin\tor\tIanthe\tafter\tthis.\tAfter\tme. I\t ducked\t into\t my\t tent\t to\t grab\t my\t pack,\t my\t steps\t light\t and\t swift.\t Listening, barely\tbreathing,\tI\tscanned\tthe\tcamp,\tthe\twoods. A\t few\t seconds\t extra\t had\t me\t snatching\t Tamlin\u2019s\t bandolier\t of\t knives\t from where\t he\u2019d\t left\t them\t inside\t his\t tent.\t They\u2019d\t get\t in\t the\t way\t while\t using\t a\t bow and\tarrow,\the\u2019d\texplained\tthat\tmorning. Their\tweight\twas\tconsiderable\tas\tI\tslung\tit\tacross\tmy\tchest.\tIllyrian\tfighting knives. Home.\tI\twas\tgoing\thome. I\t didn\u2019t\t bother\t to\t look\t back\t at\t that\t camp\t as\t I\t slipped\t into\t the\t northern\t tree line.\tIf\tI\twinnowed\twithout\tstopping\tbetween\tleaps,\tI\u2019d\tbe\tat\tthe\tfoothills\tin\tan hour\u2014and\twould\tvanish\tthrough\tone\tof\tthe\tcaves\tnot\tlong\tafter\tthat. I\tmade\tit\tabout\ta\thundred\tyards\tinto\tthe\tcover\tof\tthe\ttrees\tbefore\tI\thalted. I\theard\tLucien\tfirst. \u201cBack\toff.\u201d A\tlow\tfemale\tlaugh. Everything\tin\tme\twent\tstill\tand\tcold\tat\tthat\tsound.\tI\u2019d\theard\tit\tonce\tbefore\u2014","in\tRhysand\u2019s\tmemory. Keep\tgoing.\tThey\twere\tdistracted,\thorrible\tas\tit\twas. Keep\tgoing,\tkeep\tgoing,\tkeep\tgoing. \u201cI\tthought\tyou\u2019d\tseek\tme\tout\tafter\tthe\tRite,\u201d\tIanthe\tpurred.\tThey\tcouldn\u2019t\tbe more\t than\t thirty\t feet\t through\t the\t trees.\t Far\t enough\t away\t not\t to\t hear\t my presence,\tif\tI\twas\tquiet\tenough. \u201cI\twas\tobligated\tto\tperform\tthe\tRite,\u201d\tLucien\tsnapped.\t\u201cThat\tnight\twasn\u2019t\tthe product\tof\tdesire,\tbelieve\tme.\u201d \u201cWe\thad\tfun,\tyou\tand\tI.\u201d \u201cI\u2019m\ta\tmated\tmale\tnow.\u201d Every\tsecond\twas\tthe\tringing\tof\tmy\tdeath\tknell.\tI\u2019d\tprimed\teverything\tto\tfall; I\u2019d\tlong\tsince\tstopped\tfeeling\tany\tsort\tof\tguilt\tor\tdoubt\tabout\tmy\tplan.\tNot\twith Alis\tnow\tsafely\taway. And\tyet\u2014and\tyet\u2014 \u201cYou\tdon\u2019t\tact\tthat\tway\twith\tFeyre.\u201d\tA\tsilk-wrapped\tthreat. \u201cYou\u2019re\tmistaken.\u201d \u201cAm\t I?\u201d\t Twigs\t and\t leaves\t crunched,\t as\t if\t she\t was\t circling\t him.\t \u201cYou\t put your\thands\tall\tover\ther.\u201d I\t had\t done\t my\t job\t too\t well,\t provoked\t her\t jealousy\t too\t much\t with\t every instance\t I\u2019d\t found\t ways\t to\t get\t Lucien\t to\t touch\t me\t in\t her\t presence,\t in\t Tamlin\u2019s presence. \u201cDo\tnot\ttouch\tme,\u201d\the\tgrowled. And\tthen\tI\twas\tmoving. I\tmasked\tthe\tsound\tof\tmy\tfootfalls,\tsilent\tas\ta\tpanther\tas\tI\tstalked\tto\tthe\tlittle clearing\twhere\tthey\tstood. Where\tLucien\tstood,\tback\tagainst\ta\ttree\u2014twin\tbands\tof\tblue\tstone\tshackled around\this\twrists. I\u2019d\t seen\t them\t before.\t On\t Rhys,\t to\t immobilize\t his\t power.\t Stone\t hewn\t from Hybern\u2019s\t rotted\t land,\t capable\t of\t nullifying\t magic.\t And\t in\t this\t case\t \u2026\t holding Lucien\tagainst\tthat\ttree\tas\tIanthe\tsurveyed\thim\tlike\ta\tsnake\tbefore\ta\tmeal. She\tslid\ta\thand\tover\tthe\tbroad\tpanes\tof\this\tchest,\this\tstomach. And\t Lucien\u2019s\t eyes\t shot\t to\t me\t as\t I\t stepped\t between\t the\t trees,\t fear\t and humiliation\treddening\this\tgolden\tskin. \u201cThat\u2019s\tenough,\u201d\tI\tsaid.","Ianthe\twhipped\ther\thead\tto\tme.\tHer\tsmile\twas\tinnocent,\tsimpering.\tBut\tI\tsaw her\tnote\tthe\tpack,\tTamlin\u2019s\tbandolier.\tDismiss\tthem.\t\u201cWe\twere\tin\tthe\tmiddle\tof a\tgame.\tWeren\u2019t\twe,\tLucien?\u201d He\tdidn\u2019t\tanswer. And\tthe\tsight\tof\tthose\tshackles\ton\thim,\thowever\tshe\u2019d\ttrapped\thim,\tthe\tsight of\ther\thand\tstill\ton\this\tstomach\u2014 \u201cWe\u2019ll\t return\t to\t the\t camp\t when\t we\u2019re\t done,\u201d\t she\t said,\t turning\t to\t him\t again. Her\thand\tslid\tlower,\tnot\tfor\this\town\tpleasure,\tbut\tsimply\tto\tthrow\tit\tin\tmy\tface that\tshe\tcould\u2014 I\tstruck. Not\twith\tmy\tknives\tor\tmagic,\tbut\tmy\tmind. I\tripped\tdown\tthe\tshield\tI\u2019d\tkept\tup\taround\ther\tto\tavoid\tthe\ttwins\u2019\tcontrol\u2014 and\tslammed\tmyself\tinto\ther\tconsciousness. A\tmask\tover\ta\tface\tof\tdecay.\tThat\u2019s\twhat\tit\twas\tlike\tto\tgo\tinside\tthat\tbeautiful head\t and\t find\t such\t hideous\t thoughts\t inside\t it.\t A\t trail\t of\t males\t she\u2019d\t used\t her power\t on\t or\t outright\t forced\t to\t bed,\t convinced\t of\t her\t entitlement\t to\t them.\t I pulled\t back\t against\t the\t tug\t of\t those\t memories,\t mastering\t myself.\t \u201cTake\t your hands\toff\thim.\u201d She\tdid. \u201cUnshackle\thim.\u201d Lucien\u2019s\tskin\tdrained\tof\tcolor\tas\tIanthe\tobeyed\tme,\ther\tface\tqueerly\tvacant, pliant.\tThe\tblue\tstone\tshackles\tthumped\tto\tthe\tmossy\tground. Lucien\u2019s\tshirt\twas\taskew,\tthe\ttop\tbutton\ton\this\tpants\talready\tundone. The\t roaring\t that\t filled\t my\t mind\t was\t so\t loud\t I\t could\t barely\t hear\t myself\t as\t I said,\t\u201cPick\tup\tthat\trock.\u201d Lucien\t remained\t pressed\t against\t that\t tree.\t And\t he\t watched\t in\t silence\t as Ianthe\tstooped\tto\tpick\tup\ta\tgray,\trough\trock\tabout\tthe\tsize\tof\tan\tapple. \u201cPut\tyour\tright\thand\ton\tthat\tboulder.\u201d She\tobeyed,\tthough\ta\ttremor\twent\tdown\ther\tspine. Her\tmind\tthrashed\tand\tstruggled\tagainst\tme,\tlike\ta\tfish\tsnared\ton\ta\tline.\tI\tdug my\tmental\ttalons\tin\tdeeper,\tand\tsome\tinner\tvoice\tof\thers\tbegan\tscreaming. \u201cSmash\tyour\thand\twith\tthe\trock\tas\thard\tas\tyou\tcan\tuntil\tI\ttell\tyou\tto\tstop.\u201d The\thand\tshe\u2019d\tput\ton\thim,\ton\tso\tmany\tothers. Ianthe\tbrought\tthe\tstone\tup.\tThe\tfirst\timpact\twas\ta\tmuffled,\twet\tthud.","The\tsecond\twas\tan\tactual\tcrack. The\tthird\tdrew\tblood. Her\tarm\trose\tand\tfell,\ther\tbody\tshuddering\twith\tthe\tagony. And\t I\t said\t to\t her\t very\t clearly,\t \u201cYou\t will\t never\t touch\t another\t person\t against their\twill.\tYou\twill\tnever\tconvince\tyourself\tthat\tthey\ttruly\twant\tyour\tadvances; that\t they\u2019re\t playing\t games.\t You\t will\t never\t know\t another\u2019s\t touch\t unless\t they initiate,\tunless\tit\u2019s\tdesired\tby\tboth\tsides.\u201d Thwack;\tcrack;\tthud. \u201cYou\twill\tnot\tremember\twhat\thappened\there.\tYou\twill\ttell\tthe\tothers\tthat\tyou fell.\u201d Her\tring\tfinger\thad\tshifted\tin\tthe\twrong\tdirection. \u201cYou\t are\t allowed\t to\t see\t a\t healer\t to\t set\t the\t bones.\t But\t not\t to\t erase\t the scarring.\tAnd\tevery\ttime\tyou\tlook\tat\tthat\thand,\tyou\tare\tgoing\tto\tremember\tthat touching\t people\t against\t their\t will\t has\t consequences,\t and\t if\t you\t do\t it\t again, everything\t you\t are\t will\t cease\t to\t exist.\t You\t will\t live\t with\t that\t terror\t every\t day, and\t never\t know\t where\t it\t originates.\t Only\t the\t fear\t of\t something\t chasing\t you, hunting\tyou,\twaiting\tfor\tyou\tthe\tinstant\tyou\tlet\tyour\tguard\tdown.\u201d Silent\ttears\tof\tpain\tflowed\tdown\ther\tface. \u201cYou\tcan\tstop\tnow.\u201d The\t bloodied\t rock\t tumbled\t onto\t the\t grass.\t Her\t hand\t was\t little\t more\t than cracked\tbones\twrapped\tin\tshredded\tskin. \u201cKneel\there\tuntil\tsomeone\tfinds\tyou.\u201d Ianthe\tfell\tto\ther\tknees,\ther\truined\thand\tleaking\tblood\tonto\ther\tpale\trobes. \u201cI\t debated\t slitting\t your\t throat\t this\t morning,\u201d\t I\t told\t her.\t \u201cI\t debated\t it\t all\t last night\twhile\tyou\tslept\tbeside\tme.\tI\u2019ve\tdebated\tit\tevery\tsingle\tday\tsince\tI\tlearned you\tsold\tout\tmy\t sisters\tto\tHybern.\u201d\tI\tsmiled\ta\tbit.\t\u201cBut\tI\tthink\tthis\tis\ta\tbetter punishment.\t And\t I\t hope\t you\t live\t a\t long,\t long\t life,\t Ianthe,\t and\t never\t know\t a moment\u2019s\tpeace.\u201d I\tstared\tdown\tat\ther\tfor\ta\tmoment\tlonger,\ttying\toff\tthe\ttapestry\tof\twords\tand commands\tI\u2019d\twoven\tinto\ther\tmind,\tand\tturned\tto\tLucien.\tHe\u2019d\tfixed\this\tpants, his\tshirt. His\twide\teyes\tslid\tfrom\ther\tto\tme,\tthen\tto\tthe\tbloodied\tstone. \u201cThe\t word\t you\u2019re\t looking\t for,\t Lucien,\u201d\t crooned\t a\t deceptively\t light\t female voice,\t\u201cis\tdaemati.\u201d","We\t whirled\t toward\t Brannagh\t and\t Dagdan\t as\t they\t stepped\t into\t the\t clearing, grinning\tlike\twolves.","CHAPTER 10 Brannagh\tran\ther\tfingers\tthrough\tIanthe\u2019s\tgolden\thair,\tclicking\ther\ttongue\tat\tthe bloodied\tpulp\tcradled\tin\ther\tlap.\t\u201cGoing\tsomewhere,\tFeyre?\u201d I\tlet\tmy\tmask\tdrop. \u201cI\t have\t places\t to\t be,\u201d\t I\t told\t the\t Hybern\t royals,\t noting\t the\t flanking\t positions they\twere\ttoo\tcasually\testablishing\taround\tme. \u201cWhat\tcould\tbe\tmore\timportant\tthan\tassisting\tus?\tYou\tare,\tafter\tall,\tsworn\tto assist\tour\tking.\u201d Time\u2014biding\ttheir\ttime\tuntil\tTamlin\treturned\tfrom\thunting\twith\tJurian. Lucien\tshoved\toff\tthe\ttree,\tbut\tdidn\u2019t\tcome\tto\tmy\tside.\tSomething\tlike\tagony flickered\tacross\this\tface\tas\the\tfinally\tnoted\tthe\tstolen\tbandolier,\tthe\tpack\ton\tmy shoulders. \u201cI\thave\tno\tallegiance\tto\tyou,\u201d\tI\ttold\tBrannagh,\teven\tas\tDagdan\tbegan\tto\tedge past\tmy\tline\tof\tsight.\t\u201cI\tam\ta\tfree\tperson,\tallowed\tto\tgo\twhere\tand\twhen\tI\twill it.\u201d \u201cAre\tyou?\u201d\tBrannagh\tmused,\tsliding\ta\thand\tto\ther\tsword\tat\ther\thip.\tI\tpivoted slightly\tto\tkeep\tDagdan\tfrom\tslipping\tinto\tmy\tblind\tspot.\t\u201cSuch\tcareful\tplotting these\t weeks,\t such\t skilled\t maneuvering.\t You\t didn\u2019t\t seem\t to\t worry\t that\t we\u2019d\t be doing\tthe\tsame.\u201d They\tweren\u2019t\tletting\tLucien\tleave\tthis\tclearing\talive.\tOr\tat\tleast\twith\this\tmind intact. He\t seemed\t to\t realize\t it\t at\t the\t same\t moment\t I\t did,\t understanding\t that\t there was\tno\tway\tthey\u2019d\treveal\tthis\twithout\tknowing\tthey\u2019d\tget\taway\twith\tit. \u201cTake\t the\t Spring\t Court,\u201d\t I\t said,\t and\t meant\t it.\t \u201cIt\u2019s\t going\t to\t fall\t one\t way\t or another.\u201d","Lucien\tsnarled.\tI\tignored\thim. \u201cOh,\twe\tintend\tto,\u201d\tBrannagh\tsaid,\tsword\tinching\tfree\tof\tits\tdark\tsheath.\t\u201cBut then\tthere\u2019s\tthe\tmatter\tof\tyou.\u201d I\tthumbed\tfree\ttwo\tof\tthe\tIllyrian\tfighting\tknives. \u201cHaven\u2019t\t you\t wondered\t at\tthe\t headaches?\tHow\tthings\tseem\ta\t little\tmuffled on\tcertain\tmental\tbonds?\u201d My\tpowers\thad\ttired\tso\tswiftly,\thad\tbecome\tweaker\tand\tweaker\tthese\tweeks \u2014 Dagdan\t snorted\t and\t finally\t observed\t to\t his\t sister,\t \u201cI\u2019d\t give\t her\t about\t ten minutes\tbefore\tthe\tapple\tsets\tin.\u201d Brannagh\tchuckled,\ttoeing\tthe\tblue\tstone\tshackle.\t\u201cWe\tgave\tthe\tpriestess\tthe powder\tat\tfirst.\tCrushed\tfaebane\tstone,\tground\tso\tfine\tyou\tcouldn\u2019t\tsee\tor\tscent or\ttaste\tit\tin\tyour\tfood.\tShe\u2019d\tadd\ta\tlittle\tat\ta\ttime,\tnothing\tsuspicious\u2014not\ttoo much,\tlest\tit\tstifle\tall\tyour\tpowers\tat\tonce.\u201d Unease\tbegan\tto\tclench\tmy\tgut. \u201cWe\u2019ve\t been\t daemati\t for\t a\t thousand\t years,\t girl,\u201d\t Dagdan\t sneered.\t \u201cBut\t we didn\u2019t\t even\t need\t to\t slip\t into\t her\t mind\t to\t get\t her\t to\t do\t our\t bidding.\t But\t you\t \u2026 what\ta\tvaliant\teffort\tyou\tput\tup,\ttrying\tto\tshield\tthem\tall\tfrom\tus.\u201d Dagdan\u2019s\t mind\t speared\t for\t Lucien\u2019s,\t a\t dark\t arrow\t shot\t between\t them.\t I slammed\tup\ta\tshield\tbetween\tthem.\tAnd\tmy\thead\u2014my\tvery\tbones\tached\u2014 \u201cWhat\tapple,\u201d\tI\tbit\tout. \u201cThe\tone\tyou\tshoved\tdown\tyour\tthroat\tan\thour\tago,\u201d\tBrannagh\tsaid.\t\u201cGrown and\ttended\tin\tthe\tking\u2019s\tpersonal\tgarden,\tfed\ta\tsteady\tdiet\tof\t water\tlaced\twith faebane.\t Enough\t to\t knock\t out\t your\t powers\t for\t a\t few\t days\t straight,\t no\t shackles required.\t And\t here\t you\t are,\t thinking\t no\t one\t had\t noticed\t you\t planned\t to\t vanish today.\u201d\tShe\tclicked\ther\ttongue\tagain.\t\u201cOur\tuncle\twould\tbe\tmost\tdispleased\tif\twe allowed\tthat\tto\thappen.\u201d I\t was\t running\t out\t of\t borrowed\t time.\t I\t could\t winnow,\t but\t then\t I\u2019d\t abandon Lucien\t to\t them\t if\t he\t somehow\t couldn\u2019t\t manage\t to\t himself\t with\t the\t faebane\t in his\tsystem\tfrom\tthe\tfood\tat\tthe\tcamp\u2014 Leave\thim.\tI\tshould\tand\tcould\tleave\thim. But\tto\ta\tfate\tperhaps\tworse\tthan\tdeath\u2014 His\trusset\teye\tgleamed.\t\u201cGo.\u201d I\tmade\tmy\tchoice.","I\texploded\tinto\tnight\tand\tsmoke\tand\tshadow. And\t even\t a\t thousand\t years\t wasn\u2019t\t enough\t for\t Dagdan\t to\t adequately\t prepare as\tI\twinnowed\tin\tfront\tof\thim\tand\tstruck. I\tsliced\tthrough\tthe\tfront\tof\this\tleather\tarmor,\tnot\tdeep\tenough\tto\tkill,\tand\tas steel\t snagged\t on\t its\t plates,\t he\t twisted\t expertly,\t forcing\t me\t to\t either\t expose\t my right\tside\tor\tlose\tthe\tknife\u2014 I\twinnowed\tagain.\tThis\ttime,\tDagdan\twent\twith\tme. I\t was\t not\t fighting\t Hybern\t cronies\t unaware\t in\t the\t woods.\t I\t was\t not\t fighting the\t Attor\t and\t its\t ilk\t in\t the\t streets\t of\t Velaris.\t Dagdan\t was\t a\t Hybern\t prince\u2014a commander. He\tfought\tlike\tone. Winnow.\tStrike.\tWinnow.\tStrike. We\t were\t a\t black\t whirlwind\t of\t steel\t and\t shadow\t through\t the\t clearing,\t and months\tof\tCassian\u2019s\tbrutal\ttraining\tclicked\tinto\tplace\tas\tI\tkept\tmy\tfeet\tunder\tme. I\t had\t the\t vague\t sense\t of\t Lucien\t gaping,\t even\t Brannagh\t taken\t aback\t by\t my show\tof\tskill\tagainst\ther\tbrother. But\t Dagdan\u2019s\t blows\t weren\u2019t\t hard\u2014no,\t they\t were\t precise\t and\t swift,\t but\t he didn\u2019t\tthrow\thimself\tinto\tit\twholly. Buying\ttime.\tWearing\tme\tdown\tuntil\tmy\tbody\tfully\tabsorbed\tthat\tapple\tand its\tpower\trendered\tme\tnearly\tmortal. So\tI\thit\thim\twhere\the\twas\tweakest. Brannagh\tscreamed\tas\ta\twall\tof\tflame\tslammed\tinto\ther. Dagdan\tlost\this\tfocus\tfor\tall\tof\ta\theartbeat.\tHis\troar\tas\tI\tsliced\tdeep\tinto\this abdomen\tshook\tthe\tbirds\tfrom\tthe\ttrees. \u201cYou\tlittle\tbitch,\u201d\the\tspat,\tdancing\tback\tfrom\tmy\tnext\tblow\tas\tthe\tfire\tcleared and\tBrannagh\twas\trevealed\ton\ther\tknees.\tHer\tphysical\tshield\thad\tbeen\tsloppy\u2014 she\u2019d\texpected\tme\tto\tattack\ther\tmind. She\t was\t shuddering,\t gasping\t with\t agony.\t The\t reek\t of\t charred\t skin\t now drifted\tto\tus,\tdirectly\tfrom\ther\tright\tarm,\ther\tribs,\ther\tthigh. Dagdan\tlunged\tfor\tme\tagain,\tand\tI\tbrought\tup\tboth\tof\tmy\tknives\tto\tmeet\this blade. He\tdidn\u2019t\tpull\tthe\tblow\tthis\ttime. I\tfelt\tits\treverberation\tin\tevery\tinch\tof\tmy\tbody. Felt\t the\t rising,\t stifling\t silence,\t too.\t I\u2019d\t felt\t it\t once\t before\u2014that\t day\t in","Hybern. Brannagh\tsurged\tto\ther\tfeet\twith\ta\tsharp\tcry. But\tLucien\twas\tthere. Her\tfocus\twholly\ton\tme,\ton\ttaking\tfrom\tme\tthe\tbeauty\tI\u2019d\tburned\tfrom\ther, Brannagh\tdid\tnot\tsee\thim\twinnow\tuntil\tit\twas\ttoo\tlate. Until\t Lucien\u2019s\t sword\t refracted\t the\t light\t of\t the\t sun\t leaking\t through\t the canopy.\tAnd\tthen\tmet\tflesh\tand\tbone. A\t tremor\t shuddered\t through\t the\t clearing\u2014like\t some\t thread\t between\t the twins\thad\tbeen\tsnipped\tas\tBrannagh\u2019s\tdark\thead\tthudded\tonto\tthe\tgrass. Dagdan\tscreamed,\tlaunching\thimself\tat\tLucien,\twinnowing\tacross\tthe\tfifteen feet\tbetween\tus. Lucien\t had\t barely\t heaved\t his\t blade\t out\t of\t Brannagh\u2019s\t severed\t neck\t when Dagdan\twas\tbefore\thim,\tsword\tshoving\tforward\tto\tram\tthrough\this\tthroat. Lucien\tonly\thad\tenough\ttime\tto\tstumble\tback\tfrom\tDagdan\u2019s\tkilling\tblow. I\thad\tenough\ttime\tto\tstop\tit. I\tparried\tDagdan\u2019s\tblade\taside\twith\tone\tknife,\tthe\tmale\u2019s\teyes\tgoing\twide\tas\tI winnowed\t between\t them\u2014and\t punched\t the\t other\t into\t his\t eye.\t Right\t into\t the skull\tbehind\tit. Bone\t and\t blood\t and\t soft\t tissue\t scraped\t and\t slid\t along\t the\t blade,\t Dagdan\u2019s mouth\tstill\topen\twith\tsurprise\tas\tI\tyanked\tout\tthe\tknife. I\tlet\thim\tfall\tatop\this\tsister,\tthe\tthud\tof\tflesh\ton\tflesh\tthe\tonly\tsound. I\tmerely\tlooked\tat\tIanthe,\tmy\tpower\tguttering,\ta\thideous\tache\tbuilding\tin\tmy gut,\t and\t made\t my\t last\t command,\t amending\t my\t earlier\t ones.\t \u201cYou\t tell\t them\t I killed\t them.\t In\t self-defense.\t After\t they\t hurt\t me\t so\t badly\t while\t you\t and\t Tamlin did\tnothing.\tEven\twhen\tthey\ttorture\tyou\tfor\tthe\ttruth,\tyou\tsay\tthat\tI\tfled\tafter\tI killed\tthem\u2014to\tsave\tthis\tcourt\tfrom\ttheir\thorrors.\u201d Blank,\tvacant\teyes\twere\tmy\tonly\tanswer. \u201cFeyre.\u201d Lucien\u2019s\tvoice\twas\ta\thoarse\trasp. I\tmerely\twiped\tmy\ttwo\tknives\ton\tDagdan\u2019s\tback\tbefore\tgoing\tto\treclaim\tmy fallen\tpack. \u201cYou\u2019re\tgoing\tback.\tTo\tthe\tNight\tCourt.\u201d I\tshouldered\tmy\theavy\tpack\tand\tfinally\tlooked\tat\thim.\t\u201cYes.\u201d His\t tan\t face\t had\t paled.\t But\t he\t surveyed\t Ianthe,\t the\t two\t dead\t royals.\t \u201cI\u2019m","going\twith\tyou.\u201d \u201cNo,\u201d\twas\tall\tI\tsaid,\theading\tfor\tthe\ttrees. A\t cramp\t formed\t deep\t in\t my\t belly.\t I\t had\t to\t get\t away\u2014had\t to\t use\t the\t last\t of my\tpower\tto\twinnow\tto\tthe\thills. \u201cYou\twon\u2019t\tmake\tit\twithout\tmagic,\u201d\the\twarned\tme. I\t just\t gritted\t my\t teeth\t against\t the\t sharp\t pain\t in\t my\t abdomen\t as\t I\t rallied\t my strength\tto\twinnow\tto\tthose\tdistant\tfoothills.\tBut\tLucien\tgripped\tmy\tarm,\thalting me. \u201cI\u2019m\t going\t with\t you,\u201d\t he\t said\t again,\t face\t splattered\t with\t blood\t as\t bright\t as his\thair.\t\u201cI\u2019m\tgetting\tmy\tmate\tback.\u201d There\twas\tno\ttime\tfor\tthis\targument.\tFor\tthe\ttruth\tand\tdebate\tand\tthe\tanswers I\tsaw\the\tdesperately\twanted. Tamlin\tand\tthe\tothers\twould\thave\theard\tthe\tshouting\tby\tnow. \u201cDon\u2019t\tmake\tme\tregret\tthis,\u201d\tI\ttold\thim. Blood\tcoated\tthe\tinside\tof\tmy\tmouth\tby\tthe\ttime\twe\treached\tthe\tfoothills\thours later. I\twas\tpanting,\tmy\thead\tthrobbing,\tmy\tstomach\ta\ttwisting\tknot\tof\taching. Lucien\t was\t barely\t better\t off,\t his\t winnowing\t as\t shaky\t as\t my\t own\t before\t we halted\tamongst\tthe\trolling\tgreen\tand\the\tdoubled\tover,\thands\tbraced\ton\this\tknees. \u201cIt\u2019s\u2014gone,\u201d\the\tsaid,\tgasping\tfor\tbreath.\t\u201cMy\tmagic\u2014not\tan\tember.\tThey\tmust have\tdosed\tall\tof\tus\ttoday.\u201d And\tgiven\tme\ta\tpoisoned\tapple\tjust\tto\tmake\tsure\tit\tkept\tme\tdown. My\t power\t pulled\t away\t from\t me\t like\t a\t wave\t reeling\t back\t from\t the\t shore. Only\t there\t was\t no\t return.\t It\t just\t went\t farther\t and\t farther\t out\t into\t a\t sea\t of nothing. I\t peered\t at\t the\t sun,\t now\t a\t hand\u2019s\t width\t above\t the\t horizon,\t shadows\t already thick\t and\t heavy\t between\t the\t hills.\t I\t took\t my\t bearings,\t sorting\t through\t the knowledge\tI\u2019d\tcompiled\tthese\tweeks. I\t stepped\t northward,\t swaying.\t Lucien\t gripped\t my\t arm.\t \u201cYou\u2019re\t taking\t a door?\u201d I\tslid\taching\teyes\ttoward\thim.\t\u201cYes.\u201d\tThe\tcaves\u2014doors,\tthey\tcalled\tthem\u2014in those\thollows\tled\tto\tother\tpockets\tof\tPrythian.\tI\u2019d\ttaken\tone\tstraight\tUnder\tthe","Mountain.\tI\twould\tnow\ttake\tone\tto\tget\tme\thome.\tOr\tas\tclose\tto\tit\tas\tI\tcould\tget. No\tdoor\tto\tthe\tNight\tCourt\texisted,\there\tor\tanywhere. And\t I\t would\t not\t risk\t my\t friends\t by\t bringing\t them\t here\t to\t retrieve\t me.\t No matter\tthat\tthe\tbond\tbetween\tRhys\tand\tme\t\u2026\tI\tcouldn\u2019t\tso\tmuch\tas\tfeel\tit. A\tnumbness\thad\tspread\tthrough\tme.\tI\tneeded\tto\tget\tout\u2014now. \u201cThe\tAutumn\tCourt\tportal\tis\tthat\tway.\u201d\tWarning\tand\treproach. \u201cI\tcan\u2019t\tgo\tinto\tSummer.\tThey\u2019ll\tkill\tme\ton\tsight.\u201d Silence.\tHe\treleased\tmy\tarm.\tI\tswallowed,\tmy\tthroat\tso\tdry\tI\tcould\tbarely\tdo so.\t \u201cThe\t only\t other\t door\t here\t leads\t Under\t the\t Mountain.\t We\t sealed\t off\t all\t the other\tentrances.\tIf\twe\tgo\tthere,\twe\tcould\twind\tup\ttrapped\u2014or\thave\tto\treturn.\u201d \u201cThen\t we\t go\t to\t Autumn.\t And\t from\t there\t \u2026\u201d\t I\t trailed\t off\t before\t I\t finished. Home.\t But\t Lucien\t gleaned\t it\t anyway.\t And\t seemed\t to\t realize\t then\u2014that\u2019s\t what the\tNight\tCourt\twas.\tHome. I\tcould\talmost\tsee\tthe\tword\tin\this\trusset\teye\tas\the\tshook\this\thead.\tLater. I\tgave\thim\ta\tsilent\tnod.\tYes\u2014later,\twe\u2019d\thave\tit\tall\tout.\t\u201cThe\tAutumn\tCourt will\tbe\tas\tdangerous\tas\tSummer,\u201d\the\twarned. \u201cI\t just\t need\t somewhere\t to\t hide\u2014to\t lie\t low\t until\t \u2026\t until\t we\t can\t winnow again.\u201d A\t faint\t buzzing\t and\t ringing\t filled\t my\t ears.\t And\t I\t felt\t my\t magic\t vanish entirely. \u201cI\tknow\ta\tplace,\u201d\tLucien\tsaid,\twalking\ttoward\tthe\tcave\tthat\twould\ttake\tus\tto his\thome. To\t the\t lands\t of\t the\t family\t who\u2019d\t betrayed\t him\t as\t badly\t as\t this\t court\t had betrayed\tmine. We\thurried\tthrough\tthe\thills,\tswift\tand\tsilent\tas\tshadows. The\tcave\tto\tthe\tAutumn\tCourt\thad\tbeen\tleft\tunguarded.\tLucien\tlooked\tat\tme over\this\tshoulder\tas\tif\tto\task\tif\tI,\ttoo,\thad\tbeen\tresponsible\tfor\tthe\tlack\tof\tguards who\twere\talways\tstationed\there. I\tgave\thim\tanother\tnod.\tI\u2019d\tslid\tinto\ttheir\tminds\tbefore\twe\u2019d\tleft,\tmaking\tsure this\t door\t would\t be\t left\t open.\t Cassian\t had\t taught\t me\t to\t always\t have\t a\t second escape\troute.\tAlways. Lucien\t paused\t before\t the\t swirling\t gloom\t of\t the\t cave\t mouth,\t the\t blackness like\ta\twyrm\tpoised\tto\tdevour\tus\tboth.\tA\tmuscle\tfeathered\tin\this\tjaw. I\tsaid,\t\u201cStay,\tif\tyou\twant.\tWhat\u2019s\tdone\tis\tdone.\u201d","For\tHybern\twas\tcoming\u2014already\there.\tI\thad\tdebated\tit\tfor\tweeks:\twhether\tit was\tbetter\tto\tclaim\tthe\tSpring\tCourt\tfor\tourselves,\tor\tto\tlet\tit\tfall\tto\tour\tenemies. But\tit\tcould\tnot\tremain\tneutral\u2014a\tbarrier\tbetween\tour\tforces\tin\tthe\tNorth\tand the\thumans\tin\tthe\tSouth.\tIt\twould\thave\tbeen\teasy\tto\tcall\tin\tRhys\tand\tCassian,\tto have\t the\t latter\t bring\t in\t an\t Illyrian\t legion\t to\t claim\t the\t territory\t when\t it\t was weakest\tafter\tmy\town\tmaneuverings.\tDepending\ton\thow\tmuch\tmobility\tCassian had\tretained\u2014if\the\twas\tstill\thealing. Yet\t then\t we\u2019d\t hold\t one\t territory\u2014with\t five\t other\t courts\t between\t us. Sympathy\t might\t have\t swayed\t for\t the\t Spring\t Court;\t others\t might\t have\t joined Hybern\tagainst\tus,\tconsidering\tour\tconquest\there\tproof\tof\tour\twickedness.\tBut\tif Spring\t fell\t to\t Hybern\t \u2026\t We\t could\t rally\t the\t other\t courts\t to\t us.\t Charge\t as\t one from\tthe\tNorth,\tdrawing\tHybern\tin\tclose. \u201cYou\twere\tright,\u201d\tLucien\tdeclared\tat\tlast.\t\u201cThat\tgirl\tI\tknew\tdid\tdie\tUnder\tthe Mountain.\u201d I\twasn\u2019t\tsure\tif\tit\twas\tan\tinsult.\tBut\tI\tnodded\tall\tthe\tsame.\t\u201cAt\tleast\twe\tcan agree\ton\tthat.\u201d\tI\tstepped\tinto\tthe\tawaiting\tcold\tand\tdark. Lucien\t fell\t into\t step\t beside\t me\t as\t we\t strode\t beneath\t the\t archway\t of\t carved, crude\t stone,\t our\t blades\t out\t as\t we\t left\t behind\t the\t warmth\t and\t green\t of\t eternal spring. And\tin\tthe\tdistance,\tso\tfaint\tI\tthought\tI\tmight\thave\timagined\tit,\ta\tbeast\u2019s\troar cleaved\tthe\tland.","PART\tTWO CURSEBREAKER","CHAPTER 11 The\tcold\twas\twhat\thit\tme\tfirst. Brisk,\tcrisp\tcold,\tlaced\twith\tloam\tand\trotting\tthings. In\tthe\ttwilight,\tthe\tworld\tbeyond\tthe\tnarrow\tcave\tmouth\twas\ta\tlatticework\tof red\t and\t gold\t and\t brown\t and\t green,\t the\t trees\t thick\t and\t old,\t the\t mossy\t ground strewn\twith\trocks\tand\tboulders\tthat\tcast\tlong\tshadows. We\temerged,\tblades\tout,\tbarely\tbreathing\tbeyond\ta\ttrickle\tof\tair. But\t there\t were\t no\t Autumn\t Court\t sentries\t guarding\t the\t entrance\t to\t Beron\u2019s realm\u2014none\tthat\twe\tcould\tsee\tor\tscent. Without\t my\t magic,\t I\t was\t blind\t again,\t unable\t to\t sweep\t a\t net\t of\t awareness through\tthe\tancient,\tvibrant\ttrees\tto\tcatch\tany\ttraces\tof\tnearby\tFae\tminds. Utterly\t helpless.\t That\u2019s\t how\t I\u2019d\t been\t before.\t How\t I\u2019d\t survived\t so\t long without\tit\t\u2026\tI\tdidn\u2019t\twant\tto\tconsider. We\tcrept\ton\tcat-soft\tfeet\tinto\tthe\tmoss\tand\tstone\tand\twood,\tour\tbreath\tcurling in\tfront\tof\tus. Keep\tmoving,\tkeep\tstriding\tnorth.\tRhys\twould\thave\trealized\tby\tnow\tthat\tour bond\thad\tgone\tdark\u2014was\tlikely\ttrying\tto\tglean\twhether\tI\thad\tplanned\tfor\tthat. Whether\tit\twas\tworth\tthe\trisk\tof\trevealing\tour\tscheming\tto\tfind\tme. But\tuntil\the\tdid\t\u2026\tuntil\the\tcould\thear\tme,\tfind\tme\t\u2026\tI\thad\tto\tkeep\tmoving. So\tI\tlet\tLucien\tlead\tthe\tway,\twishing\tI\u2019d\tat\tleast\tbeen\table\tto\tshift\tmy\teyes\tto something\t that\t could\t pierce\t the\t darkening\t wood.\t But\t my\t magic\t was\t still\t and frozen.\tA\tcrutch\tI\u2019d\tbecome\ttoo\treliant\tupon. We\t picked\t our\t way\t through\t the\t forest,\t the\t chill\t deepening\t with\t each vanishing\tshaft\tof\tsunlight. We\t hadn\u2019t\t spoken\t since\t we\u2019d\t entered\t that\t cave\t between\t courts.\t From\t the","stiffness\tof\this\tshoulders,\tthe\thard\tangle\tof\this\tjaw\tas\the\tmoved\ton\tsilent,\tsteady feet,\tI\tknew\tonly\tour\tneed\tfor\tstealth\tkept\this\tsimmering\tquestions\tat\tbay. Night\twas\tfully\toverhead,\tthe\tmoon\tnot\tyet\trisen,\twhen\the\tled\tus\tinto\tanother cave. I\tbalked\tat\tthe\tentrance. Lucien\tmerely\tsaid,\tvoice\tflat\tand\tas\ticy\tas\tthe\tair,\t\u201cIt\tdoesn\u2019t\tlead\tanywhere. It\tcurves\taway\tin\tthe\tback\u2014it\u2019ll\tkeep\tus\tout\tof\tsight.\u201d I\tlet\thim\tgo\tinside\tfirst\tnonetheless. Every\tlimb\tand\tmovement\tturned\tsluggish,\taching.\tBut\tI\ttrailed\thim\tinto\tthe cave,\tand\taround\tthe\tbend\the\u2019d\tindicated. Flint\tstruck,\tand\tI\tfound\tmyself\tgazing\tat\ta\tmakeshift\tcamp\tof\tsorts. The\t candle\t Lucien\t had\t ignited\t sat\t on\t a\t natural\t stone\t ledge,\t and\t on\t the\t floor nearby\t lay\t three\t bedrolls\t and\t old\t blankets,\t crusted\t with\t leaves\t and\t cobwebs.\t A little\tfire\tpit\tlay\tin\tthe\tsloped\tcenter\tof\tthe\tspace,\tthe\tceiling\tabove\tit\tcharred. No\tone\thad\tbeen\there\tin\tmonths.\tYears. \u201cI\t used\t to\t stay\t here\t while\t hunting.\t Before\u2014I\t left,\u201d\t he\t said,\t examining\t a dusty,\t leather-bound\t book\t left\t on\t the\t stone\t ledge\t beside\t the\t candle.\t He\t set\t the tome\tdown\twith\ta\tthump.\t\u201cIt\u2019s\tjust\tfor\tthe\tnight.\tWe\u2019ll\tfind\tsomething\tto\teat\tin the\tmorning.\u201d I\tonly\tlifted\tthe\tclosest\tbedroll\tand\tsmacked\tit\ta\tfew\ttimes,\tleaves\tand\tclouds of\tdust\tflying\toff\tbefore\tI\tlaid\tit\tupon\tthe\tground. \u201cYou\ttruly\tplanned\tthis,\u201d\the\tsaid\tat\tlast. I\t sat\t on\t the\t bedroll\t and\t began\t sorting\t through\t my\t pack,\t hauling\t out\t the warmer\tclothes,\tfood,\tand\tsupplies\tAlis\therself\thad\tplaced\twithin.\t\u201cYes.\u201d \u201cThat\u2019s\tall\tyou\thave\tto\tsay?\u201d I\t sniffed\t at\t the\t food,\t wondering\t what\t was\t laced\t with\t faebane.\t It\t could\t be\t in everything.\t\u201cIt\u2019s\ttoo\trisky\tto\teat,\u201d\tI\tadmitted,\tevading\this\tquestion. Lucien\t was\t having\t none\t of\t it.\t \u201cI\t knew.\t I\t knew\t you\t were\t lying\t the\t moment you\t unleashed\t that\t light\t in\t Hybern.\t My\t friend\t at\t the\t Dawn\t Court\t has\t the\t same power\u2014her\t light\t is\t identical.\t And\t it\t does\t not\t do\t whatever\t horseshit\t you\t lied about\tit\tdoing.\u201d I\t shoved\t my\t pack\t off\t my\t bedroll.\t \u201cThen\t why\t not\t tell\t him?\t You\t were\t his faithful\tdog\tin\tevery\tother\tsense.\u201d His\t eye\t seemed\t to\t simmer.\t As\t if\t being\t in\t his\t own\t lands\t set\t that\t molten\t ore","inside\thim\trising\tto\tthe\tsurface,\teven\twith\tthe\tdamper\ton\this\tpower.\t\u201cGlad\tto\tsee the\tmask\tis\toff,\tat\tleast.\u201d Indeed,\t I\t let\t him\t see\t it\t all\u2014didn\u2019t\t alter\t or\t shape\t my\t face\t into\t anything\t but coldness. Lucien\t snorted.\t \u201cI\t didn\u2019t\t tell\t him\t for\t two\t reasons.\t One,\t it\t felt\t like\t kicking\t a male\talready\tdown.\tI\tcouldn\u2019t\ttake\tthat\thope\taway\tfrom\thim.\u201d\tI\trolled\tmy\teyes. \u201cTwo,\u201d\t he\t snapped,\t \u201cI\t knew\t if\t I\t was\t correct\t and\t called\t you\t on\t it,\t you\u2019d\t find\t a way\tto\tmake\tsure\tI\tnever\tsaw\ther.\u201d My\tnails\tdug\tinto\tmy\tpalms\thard\tenough\tto\thurt,\tbut\tI\tremained\tseated\ton\tthe bedroll\tas\tI\tbared\tmy\tteeth\tat\thim.\t\u201cAnd\tthat\u2019s\twhy\tyou\u2019re\there.\tNot\tbecause\tit\u2019s right\tand\the\u2019s\talways\tbeen\twrong,\tbut\tjust\tso\tyou\tcan\tget\twhat\tyou\tthink\tyou\u2019re owed.\u201d \u201cShe\tis\tmy\tmate\tand\tin\tmy\tenemy\u2019s\thands\u2014\u201d \u201cI\u2019ve\tmade\tno\tsecret\tfrom\tthe\tstart\tthat\tElain\tis\tsafe\tand\tcared\tfor.\u201d \u201cAnd\tI\u2019m\tsupposed\tto\tbelieve\tyou.\u201d \u201cYes,\u201d\t I\t hissed.\t \u201cYou\t are.\t Because\t if\t I\t believed\t for\t one\t moment\t that\t my sisters\twere\tin\tdanger,\tno\tHigh\tLord\tor\tking\twould\thave\tkept\tme\tfrom\tgoing\tto save\tthem.\u201d He\t just\t shook\t his\t head,\t the\t candlelight\t dancing\t over\t his\t hair.\t \u201cYou\t have\t the gall\tto\tquestion\tmy\tpriorities\tregarding\tElain\u2014yet\twhat\twas\tyour\tmotive\twhere I\t was\t concerned?\t Did\t you\t plan\t to\t spare\t me\t from\t your\t path\t of\t destruction because\t of\t any\t genuine\t friendship,\t or\t simply\t for\t fear\t of\t what\t it\t might\t do\t to her?\u201d I\tdidn\u2019t\tanswer. \u201cWell?\tWhat\twas\tyour\tgrand\tplan\tfor\tme\tbefore\tIanthe\tinterfered?\u201d I\tpulled\tat\ta\tstray\tthread\tin\tthe\tbedroll.\t\u201cYou\twould\thave\tbeen\tfine,\u201d\twas\tall\tI said. \u201cAnd\t what\t about\t Tamlin?\t Did\t you\t plan\t to\t disembowel\t him\t before\t you\t left and\tsimply\tnot\tget\tthe\tchance?\u201d I\tripped\tthe\tloose\tthread\tright\tout\tof\tthe\tbedroll.\t\u201cI\tdebated\tit.\u201d \u201cBut?\u201d \u201cBut\t I\t think\t letting\t his\t court\t collapse\t around\t him\t is\t a\t better\t punishment. Certainly\t longer\t than\t an\t easy\t death.\u201d\t I\t slung\t off\t Tamlin\u2019s\t bandolier\t of\t knives, leather\tscraping\tagainst\tthe\trough\tstone\tfloor.\t\u201cYou\u2019re\this\temissary\u2014surely\tyou","realize\tthat\tslitting\this\tthroat,\thowever\tsatisfying,\twouldn\u2019t\twin\tus\tmany\tallies\tin this\twar.\u201d\tNo,\tit\u2019d\tgive\tHybern\ttoo\tmany\topenings\tto\tundermine\tus. He\t crossed\t his\t arms.\t Digging\t in\t for\t a\t good,\t long\t fight.\t Before\t he\t could\t do just\tthat,\tI\tcut\tin,\t\u201cI\u2019m\ttired.\tAnd\tour\tvoices\techo.\tLet\u2019s\thave\tit\tout\twhen\tit\u2019s\tnot likely\tto\tget\tus\tcaught\tand\tkilled.\u201d His\tgaze\twas\ta\tbrand. But\tI\tignored\tit\tas\tI\tnestled\tdown\ton\tthe\tbedroll,\tthe\tmaterial\treeking\tof\tdust and\trot.\tI\tpulled\tmy\tcloak\tover\tme,\tbut\tdidn\u2019t\tclose\tmy\teyes. I\t didn\u2019t\t dare\t sleep\u2014not\t when\t he\t might\t very\t well\t change\t his\t mind.\t Yet\t just lying\t down,\t not\t moving,\t not\t thinking\t \u2026\t Some\t of\t the\t tightness\t in\t my\t body eased. Lucien\tblew\tout\tthe\tcandle\tand\tI\tlistened\tto\tthe\tsounds\tof\thim\tsettling\tdown as\twell. \u201cMy\tfather\twill\thunt\tyou\tfor\ttaking\this\tpower\tif\the\tfinds\tout,\u201d\the\tsaid\tinto\tthe frigid\tdark.\t\u201cAnd\tkill\tyou\tfor\tlearning\thow\tto\twield\tit.\u201d \u201cHe\tcan\tget\tin\tline,\u201d\twas\tall\tI\tsaid. My\texhaustion\twas\ta\tblanket\tover\tmy\tsenses\tas\tgray\tlight\tstained\tthe\tcave\twalls. I\u2019d\t spent\t most\t of\t the\t night\t shivering,\t jolting\t at\t every\t snap\t and\t sound\t in\t the forest\toutside,\tkeenly\taware\tof\tLucien\u2019s\tmovements\ton\this\tbedroll. From\t his\t own\t haggard\t face\t as\t he\t sat\t up,\t I\t knew\t he\t hadn\u2019t\t slept,\t either, perhaps\t wondering\t if\t I\u2019d\t abandon\t him.\t Or\t if\t his\t family\t would\t find\t us\t first.\t Or mine. We\ttook\teach\tother\u2019s\tmeasure. \u201cWhat\tnow,\u201d\the\trasped,\tscrubbing\ta\tbroad\thand\tover\this\tface. Rhys\thad\tnot\tcome\u2014I\thad\tnot\theard\ta\twhisper\tof\thim\tdown\tthe\tbond. I\t felt\t for\t my\t magic,\t but\t only\t ashes\t greeted\t me.\t \u201cWe\t head\t north,\u201d\t I\t said. \u201cUntil\tthe\tfaebane\tis\tout\tof\tour\tsystems\tand\twe\tcan\twinnow.\u201d\tOr\tI\tcould\tcontact Rhys\tand\tthe\tothers. \u201cMy\tfather\u2019s\tcourt\tlies\tdue\tnorthward.\tWe\u2019ll\thave\tto\tgo\tto\tthe\teast\tor\twest\tto avoid\tit.\u201d \u201cNo.\tEast\ttakes\tus\ttoo\tclose\tto\t the\tSummer\tCourt\tborder.\tAnd\tI\twon\u2019t\t lose time\tby\tgoing\ttoo\tfar\twest.\tWe\tgo\tstraight\tnorth.\u201d","\u201cMy\tfather\u2019s\tsentries\twill\teasily\tspot\tus.\u201d \u201cThen\twe\u2019ll\thave\tto\tremain\tunseen,\u201d\tI\tsaid,\trising. I\tdumped\tthe\tlast\tof\tthe\tcontaminated\tfood\tfrom\tmy\tpack.\tLet\tthe\tscavengers have\tit. Walking\tthrough\tthe\twoods\tof\tthe\tAutumn\tCourt\tfelt\tlike\tstriding\tinside\ta\tjewel box. Even\t with\t all\t that\t potentially\t hunted\t us\t now,\t the\t colors\t were\t so\t vivid\t it\t was an\teffort\tnot\tto\tgawk\tand\tgape. By\t midmorning,\t the\t rime\t had\t melted\t away\t under\t the\t buttery\t sun\t to\t reveal what\twas\tsuitable\tfor\teating.\tMy\tstomach\tgrowled\twith\tevery\tstep,\tand\tLucien\u2019s red\thair\tgleamed\tlike\tthe\tleaves\tabove\tus\tas\the\tscanned\tthe\twoods\tfor\tanything to\tfill\tour\tbellies. His\t woods,\t by\t blood\t and\t law.\t He\t was\t a\t son\t of\t this\t forest,\t and\t here\t \u2026\t He looked\tcrafted\tfrom\tit.\tFor\tit.\tEven\tthat\tgold\teye. Lucien\teventually\tstopped\tat\ta\tjade\tstream\twending\tthrough\ta\tgranite-flanked gully,\ta\tspot\the\tclaimed\thad\tonce\tbeen\trich\twith\ttrout. I\t was\t in\t the\t process\t of\t constructing\t a\t rudimentary\t fishing\t pole\t when\t he waded\t into\t the\t stream,\t boots\t off\t and\t pants\t rolled\t to\t his\t knees,\t and\t caught\t one with\this\tbare\thands.\tHe\u2019d\ttied\this\thair\tup,\ta\tfew\tstrands\tof\tit\tfalling\tinto\this\tface as\the\tswooped\tdown\tagain\tand\tthrew\ta\tsecond\ttrout\tonto\tthe\tsandy\tbank\twhere I\u2019d\tbeen\ttrying\tto\tfind\ta\tsubstitute\tfor\tfishing\ttwine. We\t remained\t silent\t as\t the\t fish\t eventually\t stopped\t flapping,\t their\t sides catching\tand\tgleaming\twith\tall\tthe\tcolors\tso\tbright\tabove\tus. Lucien\tpicked\tthem\tup\tby\ttheir\ttails,\tas\tif\the\u2019d\tdone\tit\ta\tthousand\ttimes.\tHe might\t very\t well\t have,\t right\t here\t in\t this\t stream.\t \u201cI\u2019ll\t clean\t them\t while\t you\t start the\tfire.\u201d\tIn\tthe\tdaylight,\tthe\tglow\tof\tthe\tflames\twouldn\u2019t\tbe\tnoticed.\tThough\tthe smoke\t\u2026\ta\tnecessary\trisk. We\t worked\t and\t ate\t in\t silence,\t the\t crackling\t fire\t offering\t the\t only conversation. We\thiked\tnorth\tfor\tfive\tdays,\thardly\texchanging\ta\tword.","Beron\u2019s\tseat\twas\tso\tvast\tit\ttook\tus\tthree\tdays\tto\tenter,\tpass\tthrough,\tand\tclear it.\tLucien\tled\tus\tthrough\tthe\toutskirts,\ttense\tat\tevery\tcall\tand\trustle. The\t Forest\t House\t was\t a\t sprawling\t complex,\t Lucien\t informed\t me\t during\t the few\ttimes\twe\trisked\tor\tbothered\tto\tspeak\tto\teach\tother.\tIt\thad\tbeen\tbuilt\tin\tand around\tthe\ttrees\tand\trocks,\tand\tonly\tits\tuppermost\tlevels\twere\tvisible\tabove\tthe ground.\t Below,\t it\t tunneled\t a\t few\t levels\t into\t the\t stone.\t But\t its\t sprawl\t generated its\t size.\t You\t might\t walk\t from\t one\t end\t of\t the\t House\t to\t the\t other\t and\t it\t would take\tyou\thalf\tthe\tmorning.\tThere\twere\tlayers\tand\tcircles\tof\tsentries\tringing\tit:\tin the\ttrees,\ton\tthe\tground,\tatop\tthe\tmoss-coated\tshingles\tand\tstones\tof\tthe\tHouse itself. No\t enemies\t approached\t Beron\u2019s\t home\t without\t his\t knowledge.\t None\t left without\this\tpermission. I\t knew\t we\u2019d\t passed\t beyond\t Lucien\u2019s\t known\t map\t of\t their\t patrol\t routes\t and stations\twhen\this\tshoulders\tsagged. Mine\twere\tslumped\talready. I\thad\tbarely\tslept,\tonly\tletting\tmyself\tdo\tso\twhen\tLucien\u2019s\tbreathing\tslid\tinto a\tdifferent,\tdeeper\trhythm.\tI\tknew\tI\tcouldn\u2019t\tkeep\tit\tup\tfor\tlong,\tbut\twithout\tthe ability\tto\tshield,\tto\tsense\tany\tdanger\t\u2026 I\twondered\tif\tRhys\twas\tlooking\tfor\tme.\tIf\the\u2019d\tfelt\tthe\tsilence. I\t should\t have\t gotten\t a\t message\t out.\t Told\t him\t I\t was\t going\t and\t how\t to\t find me. The\t faebane\u2014that\t was\t why\t the\t bond\t had\t sounded\t so\t muffled.\t Perhaps\t I should\thave\tkilled\tIanthe\toutright. But\twhat\twas\tdone\twas\tdone. I\t was\t rubbing\t at\t my\t aching\t eyes,\t taking\t a\t moment\u2019s\t rest\t beneath\t our\t new bounty:\tan\tapple\ttree,\tladen\twith\tfat,\tsucculent\tfruit. I\u2019d\tfilled\tmy\tbag\twith\twhat\tI\tcould\tfit\tinside.\tTwo\tcores\talready\tlay\tdiscarded beside\t me,\t the\t sweet\t rotting\t scent\t as\t lulling\t as\t the\t droning\t of\t the\t bees\t gorging themselves\t on\t fallen\t apples.\t A\t third\t apple\t was\t already\t primed\t and\t poised\t for eating\tatop\tmy\toutstretched\tlegs. After\t what\t the\t Hybern\t royals\t had\t done,\t I\t should\t have\t sworn\t off\t apples forever,\tbut\thunger\thad\talways\tblurred\tlines\tfor\tme. Lucien,\tsitting\ta\tfew\tfeet\taway,\tchucked\this\tfourth\tapple\tinto\tthe\tbushes\tas\tI bit\tinto\tmine.\t\u201cThe\tfarmlands\tand\tfields\tare\tnear,\u201d\the\tannounced.\t\u201cWe\u2019ll\thave\tto"]
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