["horizon. Like\t she\t could\t see\t right\t to\t where\t the\t Cauldron\t was\t now\t about\t to\t be unleashed. Rhys\u2019s\t power\t flowed\t and\t flowed\t out\t of\t him,\t bracing\t for\t impact.\t Azriel\u2019s Siphons\t flashed,\t a\t sprawling\t shield\t of\t cobalt\t locking\t over\t Rhysand\u2019s,\t his breathing\tjust\tas\theavy\tas\tmy\tmate\u2019s\u2014 And\tthen\tNesta\tbegan\tscreaming.\tNot\tin\tpain.\tBut\ta\tname.\tOver\tand\tover. \u201cCASSIAN.\u201d Amren\treached\tfor\ther,\tbut\tNesta\troared,\t\u201cCASSIAN!\u201d She\tscrambled\tto\ther\tfeet,\tas\tif\tshe\u2019d\tleap\tinto\tthe\tskies. Her\tbody\tlurched,\tand\tshe\twent\tdown,\theaving\tagain. A\t figure\t shot\t from\t the\t Illyrian\t ranks,\t spearing\t for\t us,\t flapping\t hard,\t red Siphons\tblazing\u2014 Nesta\tmoaned,\twrithing\ton\tthe\tground. The\tearth\tseemed\tto\tshudder\tin\tresponse. No\u2014not\tin\tresponse\tto\ther.\tIn\tterror\tof\tthe\tthing\tthat\terupted\tfrom\tHybern\u2019s army. I\tunderstood\twhy\tthe\tking\thad\tclaimed\tthose\trocky\tfoothills.\tNot\tto\tmake\tus charge\tuphill\tif\twe\tshould\tpush\tthem\tso\tfar.\tBut\tto\tposition\tthe\tCauldron. For\t it\t was\t from\t the\t rocky\t outcropping\t that\t a\t battering\t ram\t of\t death-white light\thurled\tfor\tour\tarmy.\tJust\tabout\tlevel\twith\tthe\tIllyrian\tlegion\tin\tthe\tsky\u2014as the\t Attor\u2019s\t legion\t dropped\t to\t the\t earth,\t and\t ducked\t for\t cover.\t Leaving\t the Illyrians\texposed. Cassian\twas\thalfway\tto\tus\twhen\tthe\tCauldron\u2019s\tblast\thit\tthe\tIllyrian\tforces. I\tsaw\thim\tscream\u2014but\theard\tnothing.\tThe\tforce\tof\tthat\tpower\t\u2026 It\tshredded\tAzriel\u2019s\tshield.\tThen\tRhysand\u2019s.\tAnd\tthen\tshredded\tany\tSiphon- made\tones. It\thollowed\tout\tmy\tears\tand\tseared\tmy\tface. And\twhere\ta\tthousand\tsoldiers\thad\tbeen\ta\theartbeat\tbefore\t\u2026 Ashes\trained\tdown\tupon\tour\tfoot\tsoldiers. Nesta\t had\t known.\t She\t gaped\t up\t at\t me,\t terror\t and\t agony\t on\t her\t face,\t then scanned\tthe\tsky\tfor\tCassian,\twho\tflapped\tin\tplace,\tas\tif\ttorn\tbetween\tcoming\tfor us\tand\tcharging\tback\tto\tthe\tscattering\tIllyrian\tand\tPeregryn\tranks.\tShe\u2019d\tknown where\tthat\tblast\twas\tabout\tto\thit.","Cassian\thad\tbeen\tright\tin\tthe\tcenter\tof\tit. Or\twould\thave\tbeen,\tif\tshe\thadn\u2019t\tcalled\thim\taway. Rhys\t was\t looking\t at\t her\t like\t he\t knew,\t too.\t Like\t he\t didn\u2019t\t know\t whether\t to scold\ther\tfor\tthe\tguilt\tCassian\twould\tno\tdoubt\tfeel,\tor\tthank\ther\tfor\tsaving\thim. Nesta\u2019s\tbody\twent\tstiff\tagain,\ta\tlow\tmoan\tbreaking\tfrom\ther. I\tfelt\tRhys\tcast\tout\this\tpower\u2014a\tsilent\twarning\tsignal. The\tother\tHigh\tLords\traised\tshields\tthis\ttime,\tbacking\tthe\tone\the\trallied. But\tthe\tCauldron\tdid\tnot\thit\tthe\tsame\tspot\ttwice.\tAnd\tHybern\twas\twilling\tto incinerate\tpart\tof\this\town\tarmy\tif\tit\tmeant\twiping\tout\ta\tstrength\tof\tours. Cassian\t was\t again\t hurtling\t for\t us,\t for\t Nesta\t sprawled\t on\t the\t ground,\t as\t the light\tand\tunholy\theat\tof\tthe\tCauldron\twere\tunleashed\tagain. Right\t into\t its\t own\t lines.\t Where\t the\t Bone\t Carver\t was\t gleefully\t shredding apart\t soldiers,\t draining\t the\t life\t from\t them\t in\t sweeps\t and\t gusts\t of\t that\t deadly wind. An\tunearthly,\tfemale\tshriek\tbroke\tfrom\tdeep\tin\tthe\tHybern\tforces.\tA\tsister\u2019s warning\u2014and\tpain.\tJust\tas\tthat\twhite\tlight\tslammed\tinto\tthe\tBone\tCarver. But\tthe\tCarver\t\u2026\tI\tcould\thave\tsworn\the\tlooked\ttoward\tme\tas\tthe\tCauldron\u2019s power\tcrashed\tinto\thim.\tCould\thave\tsworn\the\tsmiled\u2014and\tit\twas\tnot\ta\thideous thing\tat\tall. There\u2014and\tgone. The\tCauldron\twiped\thim\taway\twithout\tany\tsign\tof\teffort.","CHAPTER 71 I\tcould\tbarely\thear,\tbarely\tthink\tin\tthe\twake\tof\tthe\tCauldron\u2019s\tpower. In\tthe\twake\tof\tthe\tempty,\tblasted\tbit\tof\tplain\twhere\tthe\tCarver\thad\tbeen.\tThe sudden\tcold\tthat\tshuddered\tdown\tmy\tspine\u2014as\tif\terasing\tthe\ttattoo\tinked\tupon it. And\tthen\tthe\tsilence\u2014silence\tin\tsome\tpocket\tof\tmy\tmind\tas\ta\tsection\tof\tthat two-pronged\t leash\t of\t control\t faded\t into\t darkness\t without\t end.\t Leaving\t nothing behind. I\twondered\twho\twould\tcarve\this\tdeath\tin\tthe\tPrison. If\the\thad\tperhaps\talready\tcarved\tit\tfor\thimself\ton\tthe\twalls\tof\tthat\tcell.\tIf\the had\t wanted\t to\t make\t sure\t I\t was\t worthy\t not\t to\t taunt\t me,\t but\t because\t he\t wanted his\tend\t\u2026\the\twanted\this\tend\tto\tbe\tworth\tcarving. And\t as\t I\t gazed\t at\t that\t decimated\t part\t of\t the\t plain,\t the\t ashes\t of\t the\t Illyrians still\training\tdown\t\u2026\tI\twondered\tif\tthe\tCarver\thad\tmade\tit.\tTo\twherever\the\thad been\tso\tcurious\tabout\tgoing. I\tsent\tup\ta\tquiet\tprayer\tfor\thim\u2014for\tall\tthe\tsoldiers\twho\thad\tbeen\tthere\tand were\t now\t ash\t on\t the\t wind\t \u2026\t sent\t up\t a\t prayer\t that\t they\t found\t it\t everything they\u2019d\thoped\tit\twould\tbe. It\t was\t the\t Illyrians\t who\t drew\t me\t out\t of\t the\t quiet,\t the\t ringing\t in\t my\t ears. Even\t as\t our\t army\t began\t to\t panic\t in\t the\t wake\t of\t the\t Cauldron\u2019s\t might,\t the remaining\t bulk\t of\t the\t Illyrian\t legions\t re-formed\t their\t lines\t and\t charged\t ahead, Thesan\u2019s\tPeregryns\twholly\tinterspersed\twith\tthem\tnow. Jurian\u2019s\t human\t army,\t made\t up\t of\t Graysen\u2019s\t men\t and\t others\t \u2026\t To\t their credit,\tthey\tdid\tnot\tfalter.\tDid\tnot\tbreak,\teven\tas\tthey\twent\tdown\tone\tby\tone. If\tthe\tCauldron\tdealt\tanother\tblow\t\u2026","Nesta\t had\t her\t brow\t in\t the\t grass\t as\t Cassian\t landed\t so\t hard\t the\t ground shuddered.\tHe\twas\treaching\tfor\ther\tas\the\tpanted,\t\u201cWhat\tis\tit,\twhat\u2014\u201d \u201cIt\u2019s\tgone\tquiet\tagain,\u201d\tNesta\tbreathed,\tletting\tCassian\thaul\ther\tinto\ta\tsitting position\t as\t he\t scanned\t her\t face.\t Devastation\t and\t rage\t lay\t in\t his\t own.\t Did\t he know?\tThat\tshe\thad\tscreamed\tfor\thim,\tknowing\the\u2019d\tcome\t\u2026\tThat\tshe\u2019d\tdone\tit to\tsave\thim? Rhys\tonly\tordered\thim,\t\u201cGet\tback\tin\tline.\tThe\tsoldiers\tneed\tyou\tthere.\u201d Cassian\tbared\this\tteeth.\t\u201cWhat\tthe\thell\tcan\twe\tdo\tagainst\tthat?\u201d \u201cI\u2019m\tgoing\tin,\u201d\tAzriel\tsaid. \u201cNo,\u201d\t Rhys\t snapped.\t But\t Azriel\t was\t spreading\t his\t wings,\t the\t sunlight\t so stark\ton\tthe\tnew,\tslashing\tscars\tdown\tthe\tmembrane. \u201cChain\t me\t to\t a\t tree,\t Rhys,\u201d\t Azriel\t said\t softly.\t \u201cGo\t ahead.\u201d\t He\t began checking\tthe\tbuckles\ton\this\tweapons.\t\u201cI\u2019ll\trip\tit\tout\tof\tthe\tground\tand\tfly\twith\tit on\tmy\tdamned\tback.\u201d Rhys\tjust\tstared\tat\thim\u2014the\twings.\tThen\tthe\tdecimated\tIllyrian\tforces. Any\tchance\twe\thad\tof\tvictory\t\u2026 Nesta\t wasn\u2019t\t going\t anywhere.\t She\t could\t barely\t stay\t sitting.\t And\t Elain\t \u2026 Amren\t was\t holding\t Elain\t upright\t as\t she\t vomited\t in\t the\t grass.\t Not\t from\t the Cauldron.\tBut\tpure\tterror. But\tif\twe\tdid\tnot\tstop\tthe\tCauldron\tbefore\tit\trefilled\tagain\t\u2026\tWe\u2019d\tbe\tgone within\ta\tfew\tmore\tstrikes.\tI\tmet\tAmren\u2019s\tgaze.\tCan\tit\tbe\tdone\u2014with\tjust\tme? Her\t eyes\t narrowed.\t Maybe.\t A\t pause.\t Maybe.\t It\t never\t specified\t how\t many. Between\tthe\ttwo\tof\tus\t\u2026\tit\tcould\tbe\tenough. I\teased\tto\tmy\tfeet.\tThe\tview\tof\tthe\tbattle\twas\tso\tmuch\tworse\tstanding. Helion,\t Tarquin,\t and\t Kallias\t struggled\t to\t hold\t our\t lines.\t Jurian,\t Tamlin,\t and Beron\t still\t battered\t the\t northern\t flank,\t while\t the\t Illyrians\t and\t Peregryns slammed\tback\tthe\taerial\tlegion;\tKeir\u2019s\tDarkbringers\tnow\tlittle\tmore\tthan\twisps of\tshadow\tamid\tthe\tchaos,\tbut\t\u2026 But\tit\twas\tnot\tenough.\tAnd\tHybern\u2019s\tsheer\tsize\t\u2026\tIt\twas\tbeginning\tto\tpush us\tback. Beginning\tto\toverwhelm\tus. Even\tby\tthe\ttime\tAmren\tand\tI\tcrossed\tthe\tmiles\tof\tbattlefield\t\u2026\tWhat\twould be\tleft? Who\twould\tbe\tleft?","There\twas\tanother\thorn,\tthen. I\tknew\tit\tdid\tnot\tbelong\tto\tany\tally. Just\t as\t I\t knew\t Hybern\t had\t not\t only\t picked\t this\t battlefield\t for\t its\t physical advantages\t\u2026\tbut\tgeographical\tones. Because\ttoward\tthe\tsea,\tsailing\tout\tof\tthe\twest,\tout\tof\tHybern\t\u2026 An\tarmada\tappeared. So\tmany\tships.\tAll\tteeming\twith\tsoldiers. I\tcaught\tthe\tlook\tbetween\tCassian,\tAzriel,\tand\tRhys\tas\tthey\tbeheld\tthe\tother army\tsailing\tin\u2014at\tour\tbacks. Not\tanother\tarmy.\tThe\trest\tof\tHybern\u2019s\tarmy. We\twere\ttrapped\tbetween\tthem. Amren\tswore.\t\u201cWe\tmight\tneed\tto\trun,\tRhysand.\tBefore\tthey\tmake\tlandfall.\u201d We\tcould\tnot\tfight\tboth\tarmies.\tCouldn\u2019t\teven\tfight\tone. Rhys\tturned\tto\tme.\tIf\t you\tcan\tget\tacross\tthat\tbattlefield\tin\ttime,\tthen\tdo\tit. Try\tto\tstop\tthe\tarmy.\tThe\tking.\tBut\tif\tyou\tcan\u2019t,\twhen\tit\tall\tgoes\tto\thell\t\u2026\tWhen there\tare\tnone\tof\tus\tleft\t\u2026 Don\u2019t,\tI\tbegged\thim.\tDon\u2019t\tsay\tit. I\twant\tyou\tto\trun.\tI\tdon\u2019t\tcare\twhat\tit\tcosts.\tYou\trun.\tGet\tfar\taway,\tand\tlive\tto fight\tanother\tday.\tYou\tdon\u2019t\tlook\tback. I\tbegan\tto\tshake\tmy\thead.\tYou\tsaid\tno\tgood-byes. \u201cAzriel,\u201d\t Rhys\t said\t quietly.\t Hoarsely.\t \u201cYou\t lead\t the\t remaining\t Illyrians\t on the\t northern\t flank.\u201d\t Guilt\u2014guilt\t and\t fear\t rippled\t in\t my\t mate\u2019s\t eyes\t at\t the command.\tKnowing\tthat\tAzriel\twas\tnot\tfully\thealed\u2014 Azriel\tdidn\u2019t\tgive\tRhys\ta\tchance\tto\treconsider.\tDidn\u2019t\tsay\tgood-bye\tto\tany\tof us.\t He\t shot\t into\t the\t sky,\t those\t still-healing\t wings\t beating\t hard\t as\t they\t carried him\ttoward\tthe\tscrambling\tnorthern\tflank. That\tarmada\tsailed\tnearer.\tHybern,\tsensing\ttheir\treinforcements\twere\tsoon\tto make\t landfall,\t cheered\t and\t pushed.\t Hard.\t So\t hard\t the\t Illyrian\t lines\t buckled. Azriel\tsailed\tcloser\tand\tcloser\tto\tthem,\tSiphons\ttrailing\ttendrils\tof\tblue\tflame\tin his\twake. Rhys\t watched\t him\t for\t a\t moment,\t throat\t bobbing,\t before\t he\t said,\t \u201cCassian, you\ttake\tthe\tsouthern\tflank.\u201d This\twas\tit.\tThe\tlast\tmoments\t\u2026\tthe\tlast\ttime\tI\twould\tsee\tthem\tall. I\t wouldn\u2019t\t run.\t If\t it\t all\t went\t to\t hell,\t I\t would\t make\t it\t count\t and\t use\t my\t own","last\tbreath\tto\tget\tthat\tarmy\tand\tking\twiped\toff\tthe\tearth.\tBut\tright\tnow\t\u2026 Hybern\u2019s\t armada\t sailed\t directly\t for\t the\t distant\t beach.\t If\t I\t didn\u2019t\t go\t now,\t I\u2019d have\t to\t charge\t right\t through\t them.\t The\t Weaver\t was\t already\t slowing\t on\t the eastern\tfront,\ther\tdeath-dance\thindered\tby\ttoo\tmany\tenemies.\tBryaxis\tcontinued to\t shred\t through\t the\t lines,\t swaths\t of\t the\t dead\t in\t its\t wake.\t But\t it\t was\t still\t not enough.\tAll\tthat\tplanning\t\u2026\tit\twas\tstill\tnot\tenough. Cassian\tsaid\tto\tRhys,\tto\tme,\tto\tNesta,\t\u201cI\u2019ll\tsee\tyou\ton\tthe\tother\tside.\u201d I\tknew\the\tdidn\u2019t\tmean\tthe\tbattlefield. His\twings\tshifted,\treadying\tto\tlift\thim. A\thorn\tblast\tcleaved\tthe\tworld. A\tdozen\thorns,\tlifted\tin\tperfect,\tmighty\tharmony. Rhys\twent\tstill. Utterly\t still\t at\t the\t sound\t of\t those\t horns\t from\t the\t distance.\t From\t the\t east\u2014 from\tthe\tsea. He\twhipped\this\thead\tto\tme,\tgrabbed\tme\tby\tthe\twaist,\tand\thauled\tme\tinto\tthe sky.\t A\t heartbeat\t later,\t Cassian\t was\t beside\t us,\t Nesta\t in\t his\t arms\u2014as\t if\t she\u2019d demanded\tto\tsee. And\tthere\t\u2026\tsailing\tover\tthe\teastern\thorizon\t\u2026 I\tdid\tnot\tknow\twhere\tto\tlook. At\tthe\twinged\t soldiers\u2014thousands\t upon\tthousands\t of\tthem\u2014flying\tstraight toward\tus,\thigh\tabove\tthe\tocean.\tOr\tthe\tarmada\tof\tships\tstretching\taway\tbeneath them.\tMore\tthan\tHybern\u2019s\tarmada.\tFar,\tfar\tmore. I\t knew\t who\t they\t were\t the\t moment\t the\t aerial\t host\u2019s\t white,\t feathered\t wings became\tclear. The\tSeraphim. Drakon\u2019s\tlegion. And\tin\tthose\tships\tbelow\t\u2026\tSo\tmany\tdifferent\tships.\tA\tthousand\tships\tfrom countless\tnations,\tit\tseemed.\tMiryam\u2019s\tpeople.\tBut\tthe\tother\tships\t\u2026 Out\tof\tthe\tclouds,\ta\ttan-skinned,\tdark-haired\tSeraphim\twarrior\tsoared\tfor\tus. And\tRhys\u2019s\tchoked\tlaugh\twas\tenough\tto\ttell\tme\twho\tit\twas.\tWho\tnow\tflapped before\tus,\tgrinning\tbroadly. \u201cYou\t could\t have\t asked\t for\t aid,\t you\t know,\u201d\t drawled\t the\t male\u2014Drakon. \u201cInstead\t of\t letting\t us\t hear\t of\t all\t this\t through\t the\t rumor\t mill.\t Seems\t we\t arrived just\tin\ttime.\u201d","\u201cWe\tcame\tlooking\tfor\tyou\u2014and\tfound\tyou\tgone,\u201d\tRhys\tsaid\u2014but\tthose\twere tears\tin\this\teyes.\t\u201cMakes\tit\thard\tto\task\tsomeone\tfor\taid.\u201d Drakon\t snorted.\t \u201cYes,\t we\t realized\t that.\t Miryam\t figured\t it\t out\u2014why\t we hadn\u2019t\theard\tfrom\tyou\tyet.\u201d\tHis\twhite\twings\twere\talmost\tblindingly\tbright\tin\tthe sun.\t \u201cThree\t centuries\t ago,\t we\t had\t some\t trouble\t on\t our\t borders\t and\t set\t up\t a glamour\t to\t keep\t the\t island\t shielded.\t Tied\t to\u2014you\t know.\t So\t that\t anyone\t who approached\twould\tonly\tsee\ta\truin\tand\tbe\tinclined\tto\tturn\taround.\u201d\tHe\twinked\tat Rhys.\t\u201cMiryam\u2019s\tidea\u2014she\tgot\tit\tfrom\tyou\tand\tyour\tcity.\u201d\tDrakon\twinced\ta\tbit. \u201cTurns\tout,\tit\tworked\ttoo\twell,\tif\tit\tkept\tout\tboth\tenemies\tand\tfriends.\u201d \u201cYou\t mean\t to\t tell\t me,\u201d\t Rhys\t said\t softly,\t \u201cthat\t you\u2019ve\t been\t on\t Cretea\t this entire\ttime.\u201d Drakon\t grimaced.\t \u201cYes.\t Until\t \u2026\t we\t heard\t about\t Hybern.\t About\t Miryam being\t\u2026\thunted\tagain.\u201d\tBy\tJurian.\tThe\tprince\u2019s\tface\ttightened\twith\trage,\tbut\the surveyed\t me,\t then\t Nesta\t and\t Cassian,\t with\t a\t sharp-eyed\t scrutiny.\t \u201cShall\t we assist\tyou,\tor\tjust\tflap\there,\ttalking?\u201d Rhys\t inclined\t his\t head.\t \u201cAt\t your\t leisure,\t Prince.\u201d\t He\t glanced\t to\t the\t armada now\taiming\tfor\tHybern\u2019s\tforces.\t\u201cFriends\tof\tyours?\u201d Drakon\u2019s\t mouth\t quirked\t to\t the\t side.\t \u201cFriends\t of\t yours,\t I\t think.\u201d\t My\t heart stopped.\t \u201cSome\t of\t Miryam\u2019s\t boats\t are\t down\t there,\t she\t with\t them,\t but\t most\t of that\tcame\tfor\tyou.\u201d \u201cWhat,\u201d\tNesta\tsaid\tsharply,\tnot\tquite\ta\tquestion. Drakon\t pointed\t to\t the\t ships.\t \u201cWe\t met\t up\t with\t them\t on\t the\t flight\t here.\t Saw them\tcrossing\tthe\tchannel\tand\tdecided\tto\tjoin\tranks.\tIt\u2019s\twhy\twe\u2019re\ta\tlittle\tlate\u2014 though\twe\tgave\tthem\ta\tbit\tof\ta\tpush\tacross.\u201d\tIndeed,\twind\twas\tnow\twhipping\tat their\t white\t sails,\t propelling\t those\t boats\t faster\t and\t faster\t toward\t that\t Hybern armada. Drakon\t rubbed\t his\t jaw.\t \u201cI\t can\u2019t\t even\t begin\t to\t explain\t the\t convoluted\t story they\ttold\tme,\tbut\t\u2026\u201d\tHe\tshook\this\thead.\t\u201cThey\u2019re\tled\tby\ta\tqueen\tnamed\tVassa.\u201d I\tbegan\tcrying. \u201cWho\tapparently\twas\tfound\tby\u2014\u201d \u201cLucien,\u201d\tI\tbreathed. \u201cWho?\u201d\t Drakon\u2019s\t brows\t narrowed.\t \u201cOh,\t the\t male\t with\t the\t eye.\t No.\t He\t met up\twith\tthem\tlater\ton\u2014told\tthem\twhere\tto\tgo.\tTo\tcome\tnow,\tactually.\tSo\tpushy, you\t Prythian\t males.\t Good\t thing\t we,\t at\t least,\t were\t already\t on\t our\t way\t to\t see\t if","you\tneeded\thelp.\u201d \u201cWho\t found\t Vassa,\u201d\t Nesta\t said\t with\t that\t same\t flat\t tone.\t As\t if\t she\t somehow already\tknew. Closer,\tthose\thuman\tships\tsailed.\tSo\tmany\u2014so,\tso\tmany,\tbearing\ta\tvariety\tof different\tflags\tthat\tI\tcould\tjust\tstart\tto\tmake\tout,\tthanks\tto\tmy\tFae\tsight. \u201cHe\t calls\t himself\t the\t Prince\t of\t Merchants,\u201d\t Drakon\t said.\t \u201cApparently,\t he discovered\t the\t human\t queens\t were\t traitors\t months\t ago,\t and\t has\t been\t gathering an\t independent\t human\t army\t to\t face\t Hybern\t ever\t since.\t He\t managed\t to\t find Queen\t Vassa\u2014and\t together\t they\t rallied\t this\t army.\u201d\t Drakon\t shrugged.\t \u201cHe\t told me\tthat\the\u2019s\tgot\tthree\tdaughters\twho\tlive\there.\tAnd\tthat\the\tfailed\tthem\tfor\tmany years.\tBut\the\twould\tnot\tfail\tthem\tthis\ttime.\u201d The\tships\tat\tthe\tfront\tof\tthe\thuman\tarmada\tbecame\tclear,\talong\twith\tthe\tgold lettering\ton\ttheir\tsides. \u201cHe\tnamed\this\tthree\tpersonal\tships\tafter\tthem,\u201d\tDrakon\tsaid\twith\ta\tsmile. And\tthere,\tsailing\tat\tthe\tfront\t\u2026\tI\tbeheld\tthe\tnames\tof\tthose\tships. The\tFeyre. The\tElain. And\tleading\tthe\tcharge\tagainst\tHybern,\tflying\tover\tthe\twaves,\tunyielding\tand without\tan\tounce\tof\tfear\t\u2026 The\tNesta. With\tmy\tfather\t\u2026\tour\tfather\tat\tthe\thelm.","CHAPTER 72 The\t wind\t whipped\t away\t the\t tears\t rolling\t down\t Nesta\u2019s\t face\t at\t the\t sight\t of\t our father\u2019s\tships. At\t the\t sight\t of\t the\t ship\t he\u2019d\t chosen\t to\t sail\t into\t battle,\t for\t the\t daughter\t who had\thated\thim\tfor\tnot\tfighting\tfor\tus,\twho\thad\thated\thim\tfor\tour\tmother\tdying, for\tthe\tpoverty\tand\tthe\tdespair\tand\tyears\tlost. Drakon\tsaid\tdrily,\t\u201cI\ttake\tit\tyou\u2019re\tacquainted?\u201d Our\tfather\u2014gone\tfor\tmonths\tand\tmonths\twith\tno\tword. He\thad\tleft,\tmy\tsisters\thad\tonce\tsaid,\tto\tattend\ta\tmeeting\tregarding\tthe\tthreat above\tthe\twall.\tAt\tthat\tmeeting,\thad\tit\tbecome\tclear\tthat\twe\thad\tbeen\tbetrayed by\t our\t own\t kind?\t And\t had\t he\t then\t departed,\t under\t such\t secrecy\t he\t would\t not risk\tthe\tmessages\tto\tus\tfalling\tinto\tthe\twrong\thands,\tto\tfind\thelp? For\tus.\tFor\tme,\tand\tmy\tsisters. Rhys\tsaid\tto\tDrakon,\t\u201cMeet\tNesta.\tAnd\tmy\tmate,\tFeyre.\u201d Neither\t of\t us\t looked\t to\t the\t prince.\t Only\t at\t our\t father\u2019s\t fleet\u2014at\t the\t ships he\u2019d\tnamed\tin\thonor\tof\tus. \u201cSpeaking\tof\tVassa,\u201d\tRhys\tsaid\tto\tDrakon,\t\u201cwas\ther\tcurse\u2014ended?\u201d The\thuman\tarmada\tand\tthe\tHybern\thost\tneared,\tand\tI\tknew\tthe\timpact\twould be\tlethal.\tSaw\tHybern\u2019s\tmagic\tshields\tgo\tup.\tSaw\tthe\tSeraphim\traise\ttheir\town. \u201cSee\tfor\tyourself,\u201d\tDrakon\tsaid. I\tblinked\tat\twhat\tbegan\tto\tshoot\tbetween\tthe\thuman\tboats.\tWhat\tsoared\tover the\twater,\tfast\tas\ta\tshooting\tstar.\tSpearing\tfor\tHybern.\tRed\tand\tgold\tand\twhite\u2014 vibrant\tas\tmolten\tmetal. I\tcould\thave\tsworn\tHybern\u2019s\tfleet\tbegan\tto\tpanic\tas\tit\tbroke\tfrom\tthe\tlines\tof the\thuman\tarmada\tand\tclosed\tthe\tgap\tbetween\tthem.","As\tit\tspread\tits\twings\twide,\ttrailing\tsparks\tand\tembers\tacross\tthe\twaves,\tand I\trealized\twhat\u2014who\u2014now\tflew\tat\tthat\tenemy\thost. A\tfirebird.\tBurning\tas\thot\tand\tfurious\tas\tthe\theart\tof\ta\tforge. Vassa\u2014the\tlost\tqueen. Rhys\t kissed\t away\t the\t tears\t sliding\t down\t my\t own\t face\t as\t that\t firebird\t queen slammed\tinto\tHybern\u2019s\tfleet.\tBurning\thusks\tof\tships\twere\tleft\tin\ther\twake. Our\tfather\tand\tthe\thuman\tarmy\tspread\twide.\tTo\tpick\toff\tthe\tothers. Rhys\tsaid\tto\tDrakon,\t\u201cGet\tyour\tlegion\ton\tland.\u201d A\t slim\t chance\u2014a\t fool\u2019s\t chance\t of\t winning\t this\t thing.\t Or\t staunching\t the slaughter. Drakon\u2019s\teyes\twent\tglazed\tin\ta\tway\tthat\ttold\tme\the\twas\tconveying\torders\tto someone\t far\t away.\t I\t wondered\t if\t Nephelle\t and\t her\t wife\t were\t in\t that\t legion\u2014if the\tlast\ttime\tthey\thad\tdrawn\tswords\twas\tthat\tlong-ago\tbattle\tat\tthe\tbottom\tof\tthe sea. Rhys\tseemed\tto\tbe\tthinking\tof\tthe\tpast,\ttoo.\tBecause\the\tmuttered\tto\tDrakon over\tthe\tdin\texploding\toff\tthe\tsea\tand\tthe\tbattle\tbelow,\t\u201cJurian\tis\there.\u201d The\t casual,\t cocky\t grace\t of\t the\t prince\t vanished.\t Cold\t rage\t hardened\t his features\t into\t something\t terrifying.\t And\t his\t brown\t eyes\t \u2026\t they\t went\t wholly black. \u201cHe\tfights\tfor\tus.\u201d Drakon\tdidn\u2019t\tlook\tconvinced,\tbut\the\tnodded.\tHe\tjerked\this\tchin\tto\tCassian. \u201cI\t assume\t you\u2019re\t Cassian.\u201d\t The\t general\u2019s\t chin\t dipped.\t I\t could\t already\t see\t the shadows\t in\t his\t eyes\u2014at\t the\t loss\t of\t those\t soldiers.\t \u201cMy\t legion\t is\t yours. Command\tthem\tas\tyou\tlike.\u201d Cassian\t scanned\t our\t foundering\t host,\t the\t northern\t flank\t that\t Azriel\t was reassembling,\t and\t gave\t Drakon\t a\t few\t terse\t orders.\t Drakon\t flapped\t those\t white wings,\t so\t stark\t against\t his\t honey-brown\t skin,\t and\t said\t to\t Rhys,\t \u201cMiryam\u2019s furious\t with\t you,\t by\t the\t way.\t Three\t hundred\t fifty-one\t years\t since\t you\t last visited.\tIf\twe\tsurvive,\texpect\tto\tdo\tsome\tgroveling.\u201d Rhys\trasped\ta\tlaugh.\t\u201cTell\tthat\twitch\tit\tgoes\tboth\tways.\u201d Drakon\tgrinned,\tand\twith\ta\tpowerful\tsweep\tof\this\twings,\the\twas\tgone. Rhys\t and\t Cassian\t looked\t after\t him,\t then\t at\t the\t armadas\t now\t engaged\t in","outright\t bloodshed.\t Our\t father\t was\t down\t there\u2014our\t father,\t who\t I\t had\t never seen\twield\ta\tweapon\tin\this\tlife\u2014 The\tfirebird\trained\thell\tupon\tthe\tships.\tLiterally.\tBurning,\tmolten\thell\tas\tshe slammed\tinto\tthem\tand\tsent\ttheir\tpanicking\tsoldiers\tto\tthe\tbottom\tof\tthe\tsea. \u201cNow,\u201d\tI\tsaid\tto\tRhys.\t\u201cAmren\tand\tI\tneed\tto\tgo\tnow.\u201d The\t chaos\t was\t complete.\t With\t a\t battle\t raging\t in\t every\t direction\t \u2026\t Amren and\tI\tcould\tmake\tit.\tPerhaps\tthe\tking\twould\tbe\tpreoccupied. Rhys\t made\t to\t shoot\t me\t back\t down\t to\t the\t ground,\t where\t Amren\t and\t Elain were\tstill\twaiting.\tNesta\tsaid,\t\u201cWait.\u201d Rhys\tobeyed. Nesta\tstared\ttoward\tthat\tarmada,\ttoward\tour\tfather\tfighting\tin\tit.\t\u201cUse\tme.\tAs bait.\u201d I\tblinked\tat\tthe\tsame\tmoment\tCassian\tsaid,\t\u201cNo.\u201d Nesta\tignored\thim.\t\u201cThe\tking\tis\tprobably\twaiting\tbeside\tthat\tCauldron.\tEven if\t you\t get\t there,\t you\u2019ll\t have\t him\t to\t contend\t with.\t Draw\t him\t out.\t Draw\t him\t far away.\tTo\tme.\u201d \u201cHow,\u201d\tRhys\tsaid\tsoftly. \u201cIt\tgoes\tboth\tways,\u201d\tNesta\tmurmured,\tas\tif\tmy\tmate\u2019s\twords\tmoments\tbefore had\ttriggered\tthe\tidea.\t\u201cHe\tdoesn\u2019t\tknow\thow\tmuch\tI\ttook.\tAnd\tif\t\u2026\tif\tI\tmake\tit seem\tlike\tI\u2019m\tabout\tto\tuse\this\tpower\t\u2026\tHe\u2019ll\tcome\trunning.\tJust\tto\tkill\tme.\u201d \u201cHe\twill\tkill\tyou,\u201d\tCassian\tsnarled. Her\thand\tclenched\ton\this\tarm.\t\u201cThat\u2019s\u2014that\u2019s\twhere\tyou\tcome\tin.\u201d To\tguard\ther.\tProtect\ther.\tTo\tlay\ta\ttrap\tfor\tthe\tking. \u201cNo,\u201d\tRhys\tsaid. Nesta\tsnorted.\t\u201cYou\u2019re\tnot\tmy\tHigh\tLord.\tI\tmay\tdo\tas\tI\twish.\tAnd\tsince\the\u2019ll sense\tthat\tyou\u2019re\twith\tme\t\u2026\tYou\tneed\tto\tgo\tfar\taway,\ttoo.\u201d Rhys\tsaid\tto\tCassian,\t\u201cI\u2019m\tnot\tletting\tyou\tthrow\tyour\tlife\taway\tfor\tthis.\u201d I\twas\tinclined\tto\tagree. Cassian\t surveyed\t the\t depleted\t Illyrian\t lines,\t now\t holding\t strong\t as\t Azriel rallied\tthem.\t\u201cAz\thas\tcontrol\tof\tthe\tlines.\u201d \u201cI\t said\tno,\u201d\t Rhys\t snapped.\t I\u2019d\t never\t heard\t him\t use\t that\t tone\t with\t Cassian, with\tany\tof\tthem. Cassian\t said\t steadily,\t \u201cIt\u2019s\t the\t only\t shot\t we\t have\t of\t a\t diversion.\t Luring\t him away\tfrom\tthat\tCauldron.\u201d\tHis\thands\ttightened\ton\tNesta.\t\u201cYou\tgave\teverything,","Rhys.\tYou\twent\tthrough\tthat\thell\tfor\tus,\tfor\tfifty\tyears.\u201d\tHe\u2019d\tnever\taddressed\tit \u2014not\t fully.\t \u201cYou\t think\t I\t don\u2019t\t know\t what\t happened?\t I\t know,\t Rhys.\t We\t all\t do. And\t we\t know\t you\t did\t it\t to\t save\t us,\t spare\t us.\u201d\t He\t shook\t his\t head,\t sunlight glinting\t off\t that\t dark,\t winged\t helmet.\t \u201cLet\t us\t return\t the\t favor.\t Let\t us\t repay\t the debt.\u201d \u201cThere\tis\tno\tdebt\tto\trepay.\u201d\tRhys\u2019s\tvoice\tbroke.\tThe\tsound\tof\tit\tcracked\tmy heart. Cassian\u2019s\town\tvoice\tbroke\tas\the\tsaid,\t\u201cI\tnever\tgot\tto\trepay\tyour\tmother\u2014for her\tkindness.\tLet\tme\tdo\tit\tthis\tway.\tLet\tme\tbuy\tyou\ttime.\u201d \u201cI\tcan\u2019t.\u201d I\t wasn\u2019t\t sure\t if\t in\t the\t entire\t history\t of\t Illyria,\t there\t had\t ever\t been\t such\t a discussion. \u201cYou\tcan,\u201d\tCassian\tsaid\tgently.\t\u201cYou\tcan,\tRhys.\u201d\tHe\tgave\ta\tlazy\tgrin.\t\u201cSave some\tof\tthe\tglory\tfor\tthe\trest\tof\tus.\u201d \u201cCassian\u2014\u201d But\tCassian\tasked\tNesta,\t\u201cDo\tyou\thave\twhat\tyou\tneed?\u201d Nesta\tnodded.\t\u201cAmren\tshowed\tme\tenough.\tWhat\tto\tdo\tto\trally\tthe\tpower\tto me.\u201d And\t if\t Amren\t and\t I\t could\t control\t the\t Cauldron\t between\t us\t \u2026\t That distraction\tthey\u2019d\toffer\t\u2026 Nesta\t looked\t down\t to\t Elain\u2014our\t sister\t monitoring\t the\t bloodbath\t ahead. Then\tto\tme.\tShe\tsaid\tquietly,\t\u201cTell\tFather\u2014thank\tyou.\u201d She\t wrapped\t her\t arms\t tightly\t around\t Cassian,\t those\t gray-blue\t eyes\t bright, then\tthey\twere\tgone. Rhys\u2019s\tbody\tstrained\twith\tthe\teffort\tof\tnot\tgoing\tafter\tthem\tas\tthey\tsoared\tfor a\tcopse\tof\ttrees\tfar\tbehind\tthe\tbattlefield.\t\u201cHe\tmight\tsurvive,\u201d\tI\tsaid\tsoftly. \u201cNo,\u201d\tRhys\tsaid,\tflying\tus\tdown\tto\tAmren\tand\tElain.\t\u201cHe\twon\u2019t.\u201d I\t had\t Rhys\t move\t Elain\t to\t the\t farthest\t reaches\t of\t our\t camp.\t And\t when\t he returned,\tmy\tmate\tonly\tpressed\ta\tkiss\tto\tmy\tmouth\tbefore\the\ttook\tto\tthe\tskies, spearing\tfor\tthe\theart\tof\tthe\tbattle\u2014the\theaviest\tfighting.\tI\tcould\tbarely\tstand\tto look\u2014to\tsee\twhere\the\tlanded. Alone\t with\t Amren,\t she\t said\t to\t me,\t \u201cShield\t us\t from\t sight,\t and\t run\t as\t fast\t as you\tcan.\tDon\u2019t\tstop;\ttry\tnot\tto\tkill.\tIt\u2019ll\tleave\ta\ttrail.\u201d I\t nodded,\t checking\t my\t weapons.\t The\t Seraphim\t were\t soaring\t overhead\t now,","wings\t bright\t as\t the\t sun\t on\t snow.\t I\t settled\t a\t glamour\t around\t us,\t veiling\t us\t and muffling\tour\tsounds. \u201cQuickly,\u201d\t Amren\t repeated,\t silver\t eyes\t churning\t like\t thunderclouds.\t \u201cDon\u2019t look\tback.\u201d So\tI\tdidn\u2019t.","CHAPTER 73 The\tCauldron\thad\tbeen\tnestled\tin\ta\tcraggy\toverlook. The\t Weaver\t had\t done\t her\t job\t well.\t Key\t guards\t and\t posts\t were\t little\t more than\twet,\tred\tpiles\tof\tbone\tand\tsinew.\tAnd\tI\tknew\tthat\twhen\tI\tsaw\ther\tagain\t\u2026 she\twould\tbe\teven\tmore\tblindingly\tbeautiful. Amren\u2019s\t power\t flared\t again\t and\t again,\t breaking\t through\t wards\t in\t our\t path until\twe\treached\tStryga\u2019s\twake.\tWhatever\tspells\tthe\tking\thad\tlaid\t\u2026\tAmren\twas prepared\tfor\tthem.\tHungry\tfor\tthem.\tShe\tshattered\tthem\tall\twith\ta\tsavage\tsmile. But\tthe\tgray\thill\twas\tcrawling\twith\tHybern\tcommanders,\tcontent\tto\tlet\ttheir underlings\t fight.\t Waiting\t until\t the\t killing\t field\t had\t sorted\t the\t grunts\t from\t the true\t warriors.\t I\t could\t hear\t them\t hissing\t about\t who\t on\t our\t side\t they\t wanted\t to personally\ttake\ton. Helion\tand\tTarquin\twere\ttwo\tof\tthe\tmost\tfrequent\twishes. Tamlin\twas\tthe\tother.\tTamlin,\tfor\this\ttwo-faced\tlying.\tAnd\tJurian.\tHow\tthey would\tsuffer. Varian.\tAzriel.\tCassian.\tKallias\tand\tViviane.\tMor.\tThey\tsaid\tthe\tnames\tof\tmy friends\tlike\tthey\twere\thorses\tat\ta\trace.\tWho\twould\tlast\tlong\tenough\tfor\tthem\tto face\toff.\tWho\twould\thaul\tthe\tpretty\tmate\tof\tthe\tLord\tof\tWinter\tback\there.\tWho would\t break\t the\t Morrigan\t at\t last.\t Who\t would\t bring\t home\t Illyrian\t wings\t to\t pin on\t the\t wall.\t My\t blood\t was\t boiling,\t even\t as\t my\t bones\t quaked.\t I\t hoped\t Bryaxis devoured\tthem\tall\u2014and\tmade\tthem\twet\tthemselves\tin\tterror\tbefore\tit\tdid. But\tI\tdared\tlook\tbehind\tus\tonce. Mor\tand\tViviane\tweren\u2019t\tcoming\tto\tthis\tcamp\tanytime\tsoon.\tThey\theld\toff\tan entire\tcluster\tof\tHybern\tsoldiers,\tflanked\tby\tthat\twhite-haired\tfemale\tI\u2019d\tseen\tin the\t Winter\t camp\t and\t a\t unit\t of\t those\t mighty\t bears\t that\t shredded\t apart\t soldiers","with\tswipes\tof\ttheir\tenormous\tpaws. Amren\thissed\tin\twarning,\tand\tI\tfaced\tforward\tas\twe\tbegan\tto\tscale\tthe\tquiet side\tof\tthe\tgray\thill.\tNo\tsign\tof\tStryga,\tthough\tshe\thad\tstopped\there,\tat\tthe\tbase of\t the\t hill\t atop\t which\t the\t Cauldron\t squatted.\t I\t could\t already\t feel\t its\t terrible presence\u2014the\tbeckoning. Amren\tand\tI\tclimbed\tslowly.\tListening\tafter\tevery\tstep. The\tbattle\traged\tbehind\tus.\tIn\tthe\tskies\tand\ton\tthe\tearth\tand\tin\tthe\tsea. I\tdid\tnot\tthink\t\u2026\teven\twith\tDrakon\tand\tthe\thuman\tarmy\t\u2026\tI\tdid\tnot\tthink\tit was\tgoing\twell. My\thands\tbit\tinto\tthe\tsharp\tgray\trock\tof\tthe\thill\u2019s\tcliff\tface,\tbody\tstraining\tas I\thauled\tmyself\tup,\tAmren\tclimbing\twith\tease.\tNesta\thad\tto\tlure\tthe\tking\taway soon,\tor\twe\u2019d\tbe\tface-to-face\twith\thim. Movement\tat\tthe\tbase\tof\tthe\trock\tcaught\tmy\tattention. I\twent\tstill\tas\tdeath. A\tbeautiful,\tdark-haired\tyoung\twoman\tstood\tthere.\tStaring\tup\tat\tus,\tsquinting and\tsniffing. A\t smile\t bloomed\t on\t her\t red\u2014her\t bloody\t mouth.\t She\t smiled\t in\t my\t general direction.\tRevealing\tblood-coated\tteeth. Stryga.\tThe\tWeaver\thad\twaited.\tHiding\there.\tUntil\twe\tarrived. She\t brushed\t a\t snow-white\t hand\t over\t the\t tattoo\t of\t a\t crescent\t moon\t now\t on her\tforearm.\tRhys\u2019s\tbargain-mark.\tA\treminder\u2014and\twarning. To\tgo.\tTo\thurry. She\tfaced\tthe\trocky\tpath\thalf-visible\tto\tour\tleft,\tIanthe\u2019s\tjewel\tsplattered\twith blood\twhere\tit\tsat\tatop\ther\thead.\tStrode\tright\tto\tthe\tguards\tstationed\tthere,\twho we\u2019d\t been\t climbing\t the\t cliff\t face\t to\t avoid.\t Some\t of\t them\t jolted.\t Stryga\t smiled once\u2014a\thateful,\tawful\tsmile\u2014and\tleaped\tupon\tthem. A\tdiversion. Amren\tshuddered,\tbut\twe\tlaunched\tinto\tmotion\tonce\tmore.\tThe\tguards\twere focused\ton\ther\tslaughtering,\tsprinting\tfrom\ttheir\tposts\tup\tthe\thill\tto\tmeet\ther. Faster\u2014we\tdidn\u2019t\thave\tmuch\ttime.\tI\tcould\tfeel\tthe\tCauldron\trallying\u2014 No.\tNot\tthe\tCauldron. That\tpower\t\u2026\tit\tcame\tfrom\tbehind. Nesta. \u201cGood\tgirl,\u201d\tAmren\tmuttered\tunder\ther\tbreath.\tJust\tbefore\tshe\tgrabbed\tme\tby","the\tback\tof\tmy\tjacket\tand\tslammed\tme\tface-first\tinto\tthe\tstone,\tducking\tlow. Right\t as\t a\t pair\t of\t boots\t strolled\t down\t the\t narrow\t path.\t I\t knew\t the\t sound\t of his\tfootsteps.\tThey\thaunted\tmy\tdreams. The\t King\t of\t Hybern\t walked\t right\t past\t us.\t Focused\t on\t Stryga,\t on\t Nesta\u2019s distant\trumble\tof\tpower. The\t Weaver\t paused\t as\t she\t beheld\t who\t approached.\t Smiled,\t blood\t dripping off\ther\tchin. \u201cHow\t beautiful\t you\t are,\u201d\t he\t murmured,\t his\t voice\t a\t seductive\t croon.\t \u201cHow magnificent,\tancient\tone.\u201d She\t brushed\t her\t dark\t hair\t over\t a\t slim\t shoulder.\t \u201cYou\t may\t bow,\t king.\t As\t it was\tonce\tdone.\u201d The\t King\t of\t Hybern\t walked\t right\t up\t to\t her.\t Smiled\t down\t at\t Stryga\u2019s exquisite\tface. Then\t he\t took\t that\t face\t in\t his\t broad\t hands,\t faster\t than\t she\t could\t move,\t and snapped\ther\tneck. It\tmight\tnot\thave\tkilled\ther.\tThe\tWeaver\twas\ta\tdeath-god\u2014her\tvery\texistence defied\tour\town.\tSo\tit\tmight\tnot\thave\tkilled\ther,\tthat\tcracking\tof\ther\tspine.\tHad the\tking\tnot\ttossed\ther\tbody\tdown\tto\tthe\ttwo\tnaga-hounds\tsnarling\tat\tthe\tfoot\tof the\thill. They\tripped\tinto\tthe\tWeaver\u2019s\tlimp\tbody\twithout\thesitation. Even\tAmren\tlet\tout\ta\tsound\tof\tdismay. But\tthe\tking\twas\tstaring\tnorthward.\tToward\tNesta. That\tpower\u2014her\tpower\u2014surged\tagain.\tBeckoning,\tas\tthe\tCauldron\tatop\tthis rock\tnow\tcalled\tto\tme. He\tgazed\ttoward\tthe\tsea\u2014the\tbattle\traging\tthere. I\tcould\thave\tsworn\the\twas\tsmiling\tas\the\twinnowed\taway. \u201cNow,\u201d\tAmren\tbreathed. I\tcouldn\u2019t\tmove.\tCassian\tand\tNesta\u2014even\tRhys\tthought\tthere\twas\tno\tshot\tof survival. \u201cYou\t make\t it\t count,\u201d\t Amren\t snapped,\t and\t that\t was\t true\t grief\t shining\t in\t her eyes.\tShe\tknew\twhat\twas\tabout\tto\thappen.\tThe\twindow\tthat\twe\u2019d\tbeen\tbought. I\tswallowed\tmy\tdespair,\tmy\tterror,\tand\tcharged\tup\tthe\thill\u2014to\tthe\tcrag. To\twhere\tthe\tCauldron\tsat.\tUnguarded.\tWaiting\tfor\tus. The\tBook\tappeared\tin\tAmren\u2019s\tsmall\thands.\tThe\tCauldron\twas\tnearly\tas\ttall","as\tshe\twas.\tA\tlooming\tblack\tpit\tof\thate\tand\tpower. I\t could\t stop\t this.\t Right\t now.\t Stop\t this\t army\u2014and\t the\t king\t before\t he\t killed Nesta\tand\tCassian.\tAmren\topened\tthe\tBook.\tLooked\tat\tme\texpectantly. \u201cPut\tyour\thand\ton\tthe\tCauldron,\u201d\tshe\tsaid\tquietly.\tI\tobeyed. The\tCauldron\u2019s\tendless\tpower\tslammed\tinto\tme,\ta\twave\tthreatening\tto\tsweep me\tunder,\ta\tstorm\twith\tno\tend. I\tcould\tbarely\tkeep\tone\tfoot\tin\tthis\tworld,\tbarely\tremember\tmy\tname.\tI\tclung to\t what\t I\t had\t seen\t in\t the\t Ouroboros\u2014clung\t to\t every\t reflection\t and\t memory\t I had\tfaced\tand\towned,\tthe\tgood\tand\twicked\tand\tthe\tgray.\tWho\tI\twas,\twho\tI\twas, who\tI\twas\u2014 Amren\twatched\tme\tfor\ta\tlong\tmoment.\tAnd\tdid\tnot\tread\tfrom\tthe\tBook.\tDid not\tput\tit\tin\tmy\thands.\tShe\tshut\tthe\tgold\tpages\tand\tshoved\tit\tbehind\ther\twith\ta kick. Amren\t had\t lied.\t She\t did\t not\t plan\t to\t leash\t the\t king\t or\t his\t army\t with\t the Cauldron\tand\tthe\tBook. And\twhatever\ttrap\tshe\thad\tset\t\u2026\tI\thad\tfallen\tright\tinto\tit.","CHAPTER 74 I\tgripped\tmy\tsense\tof\tself\tin\tthe\tface\tof\tthe\tblack\tmaw\tof\tthe\tCauldron.\tGripped it\twith\teverything\tI\thad. Amren\tonly\tsaid,\t\u201cI\u2019m\tsorry\tI\tlied\tto\tyou.\u201d I\t could\t not\t remove\t my\t hand.\t Could\t not\t pry\t my\t fingers\t away.\t I\t was\t being shredded\tapart,\tslowly,\tthoroughly. I\tflung\tmy\tmagic\tout,\tdesperate\tfor\tany\tchain\tto\tthis\tworld\tto\tsave\tme,\tkeep me\t from\t being\t devoured\t by\t the\t eternal,\t awful\t thing\t that\t now\t tried\t to\t drag\t me into\tits\tembrace. Fire\tand\twater\tand\tlight\tand\twind\tand\tice\tand\tnight.\tAll\trallied.\tAll\tfailed\tme. Some\t tether\t slipped,\t and\t my\t mind\t slid\t closer\t to\t the\t Cauldron\u2019s\t outstretched arms. I\tfelt\tit\ttouch\tme. And\tthen\tI\twas\thalf\tgone. Half\tthere,\tstanding\tsilently\tnext\tto\tthe\tCauldron,\thand\tglued\tto\tthe\tblack\trim. Half\t\u2026\telsewhere. Flying\t through\t the\t world.\t Searching.\t The\t Cauldron\t now\t hunted\t for\t that power\tthat\thad\tcome\tso\tclose\t\u2026\tAnd\tnow\ttaunted\tit. Nesta. The\tCauldron\tsearched\tfor\ther,\tsearched\tfor\ther\tas\tthe\tking\tnow\tsought\ther. It\tskimmed\tacross\tthe\tbattlefield\tlike\tan\tinsect\tover\tthe\tsurface\tof\ta\tpond. We\t were\t losing.\t Badly.\t Seraphim\t and\t Illyrians\t were\t bloodied\t and\t being hauled\tout\tof\tthe\tsky.\tAzriel\thad\tbeen\tforced\tto\tthe\tground,\this\twings\tdragging in\t the\t bloody\t mud\t as\t he\t fought\t sword\t to\t sword\t against\t the\t endless\t onslaught. Our\t foot\t soldiers\t had\t broken\t the\t lines\t in\t places,\t Keir\t screaming\t at\t his","Darkbringers\tto\tget\tback\tinto\tposition,\tplumes\tof\tshadows\tflaring\tfrom\thim. I\tsaw\tRhysand.\tIn\tthe\tthick\tof\tthose\tbreaking\tlines.\tBlood-splattered,\tfighting beautifully. I\tsaw\thim\tassess\tthe\tfield\tahead\u2014and\ttransform. The\ttalons\tcame\tfirst.\tReplacing\tfingers\tand\tfeet.\tThen\tdark\tscales\tor\tperhaps feathers,\tI\tcouldn\u2019t\tget\ta\tlook\tat\tthem,\tcovered\this\tlegs,\this\tarms,\this\tchest.\tHis body\tcontorted,\tbones\tand\tmuscles\tgrowing\tand\tshifting. The\tbeast\tform\tRhys\thad\tkept\thidden.\tNever\tliked\tto\tunleash. Unless\tit\twas\tdire\tenough\tto\tdo\tso. Before\tthe\tCauldron\tswept\tme\taway,\tI\tbeheld\twhat\thappened\tto\this\thead,\this face. It\t was\t a\t thing\t of\t nightmares.\t Nothing\t human\t or\t Fae\t in\t it.\t It\t was\t a\t creature that\tlived\tin\tblack\tpits\tand\tonly\temerged\tat\tnight\tto\thunt\tand\tfeast.\tThe\tface\t\u2026\tit was\t those\t creatures\t that\t had\t been\t carved\t into\t the\t rock\t of\t the\t Court\t of Nightmares.\tThat\tmade\tup\this\tthrone.\tThe\tthrone\tnot\tonly\ta\trepresentation\tof\this power\t\u2026\tbut\tof\twhat\tlurked\twithin.\tAnd\twith\tthe\twings\t\u2026 Hybern\tsoldiers\tbegan\tfleeing. Helion\tbeheld\twhat\thappened\tand\tran,\ttoo\u2014but\ttoward\tRhys. Shifting\tas\twell. If\tRhys\twas\ta\tflying\tterror\tcrafted\tfrom\tshadows\tand\tcold\tmoonlight,\tHelion was\this\tdaytime\tequivalent. Gold\tfeathers\tand\tshredding\tclaws\tand\tfeathered\twings\u2014 Together,\t my\t mate\t and\t the\t High\t Lord\t of\t Day\t unleashed\t themselves\t upon Hybern. Until\t they\t paused.\t Until\t a\t slim,\t short\t male\t walked\t out\t of\t the\t ranks\t toward them\u2014one\t of\t Hybern\u2019s\t commanders,\t no\t doubt.\t Rhys\u2019s\t snarl\t shook\t the\t earth. But\t it\t was\t Helion,\t glowing\t with\t white\t light,\t who\t stepped\t forward\t to\t face\t the male,\tclaws\tsinking\tdeep\tinto\tthe\tmud. The\tcommander\tdidn\u2019t\tso\tmuch\tas\twear\ta\tsword.\tOnly\tfine\tgray\tclothes\tand\ta vaguely\t amused\t expression\t on\t his\t face.\t Amethyst\t light\t swirled\t around\t him. Helion\tgrowled\tat\tRhys\u2014an\torder. And\t my\t mate\t nodded,\t gore\t dripping\t from\t his\t maw,\t before\t he\t lunged\t back into\tthe\tfray. Leaving\t the\t commander\t and\t Helion\t Spell-Cleaver\t to\t go\t head-to-head.\t Spell","to\tspell. Soldiers\ton\teither\tside\tbegan\tfleeing. But\t the\t Cauldron\t whipped\t me\t away\t as\t Helion\t unleashed\t a\t blast\t of\t light toward\tthe\tcommander,\tits\tquarry\tnot\tto\tbe\tfound\ton\tthat\tbattlefield. Come,\tNesta\u2019s\tpower\tseemed\tto\tsing.\tCome. The\tCauldron\tcaught\ther\tscent\tand\thurtled\tus\tonward. We\tarrived\tbefore\tthe\tking\tdid. The\tCauldron\tseemed\tto\tskid\tto\ta\thalt\tat\tthe\tclearing.\tSeemed\tto\tcoil\tand\treel back,\ta\tsnake\tpoised\tto\tstrike. Nesta\t and\t Cassian\t stood\t there,\t his\t sword\t out,\t Nesta\u2019s\t eyes\t blazing\t with\t that inner,\tunholy\tfire.\t\u201cGet\tready,\u201d\tshe\tbreathed.\t\u201cHe\u2019s\tcoming.\u201d The\tpower\tNesta\twas\tholding\tback\t\u2026 She\u2019d\tkill\tthe\tKing\tof\tHybern. Cassian\twas\tthe\tdistraction\u2014while\ther\tblow\tfound\tits\tmark. Time\t seemed\t to\t slow\t and\t warp.\t The\t dark\t power\t of\t the\t king\t speared\t toward us.\tToward\tthat\tclearing\twhere\tI\twas\tneither\tseen\tnor\theard,\twhere\tI\twas\tnothing but\ta\tscrap\tof\tsoul\tcarried\ton\ta\tblack\twind. The\tKing\tof\tHybern\twinnowed\tright\tin\tfront\tof\tthem. Nesta\u2019s\tpower\trallied\u2014then\tvanished. Cassian\tdid\tnot\tmove.\tDid\tnot\tdare. For\tthe\tKing\tof\tHybern\theld\tmy\tfather\tbefore\thim,\ta\tsword\tto\this\tthroat. That\t was\t why\t he\t had\t looked\t to\t the\t sea.\t He\u2019d\t known\t Nesta\t would\t land\t that killing\tblow\tthe\tmoment\the\tappeared,\tand\tthe\tonly\tway\tto\tstop\tit\t\u2026 A\thuman\tshield.\tOne\tshe\u2019d\tthink\ttwice\tabout\tallowing\tto\tdie. Our\t father\t was\t blood-splattered,\t leaner\t than\t the\t last\t time\t I\u2019d\t seen\t him. \u201cNesta,\u201d\the\tbreathed,\tnoting\tthe\tears,\tthe\tFae\tgrace.\tThe\tpower\tsputtering\tout\tin her\teyes. The\t king\t smiled.\t \u201cWhat\t a\t loving\t father\u2014to\t bring\t an\t entire\t army\t to\t save\t his daughters.\u201d Nesta\t did\t not\t say\t anything.\t Cassian\u2019s\t attention\t darted\t through\t the\t clearing, sizing\tup\tevery\tadvantage,\tevery\tangle. Save\thim,\tI\tbegged\tthe\tCauldron\tof\tmy\tfather.\tHelp\thim.","The\t Cauldron\t did\t not\t answer.\t It\t had\t no\t voice,\t no\t consciousness\t save\t some base\tneed\tto\ttake\tback\tthat\twhich\thad\tbeen\tstolen. The\t King\t of\t Hybern\t tilted\t his\t head\t to\t peer\t at\t my\t father\u2019s\t bearded\t and weather-tanned\t face.\t \u201cSo\t many\t things\t have\t changed\t since\t you\t were\t last\t home. Three\tdaughters,\tnow\tFae.\tOne\tof\tthem\tmarried\tquite\twell.\u201d My\tfather\tonly\tgazed\tat\tmy\tsister.\tIgnored\tthe\tmonster\tbehind\thim\tand\tsaid\tto her,\t\u201cI\tloved\tyou\tfrom\tthe\tfirst\tmoment\tI\theld\tyou\tin\tmy\tarms.\tAnd\tI\tam\t\u2026\tI\tam so\tsorry,\tNesta\u2014my\tNesta.\tI\tam\tso\tsorry,\tfor\tall\tof\tit.\u201d \u201cPlease,\u201d\tNesta\tsaid\tto\tthe\tking.\tHer\tonly\tword,\tguttural\tand\thoarse.\t\u201cPlease.\u201d \u201cWhat\twill\tyou\tgive\tme,\tNesta\tArcheron?\u201d Nesta\t stared\t and\t stared\t at\t my\t father,\t who\t was\t shaking\t his\t head.\t Cassian\u2019s hand\ttwitched,\tthe\tblade\trising.\tTrying\tto\tget\ta\tgood\tshot. \u201cWill\tyou\tgive\tback\twhat\tyou\ttook?\u201d \u201cYes.\u201d \u201cEven\tif\tI\thave\tto\tcarve\tit\tout\tof\tyou?\u201d Our\tfather\tsnarled,\t\u201cDon\u2019t\tyou\tlay\tyour\tfilthy\thands\ton\tmy\tdaughter\u2014\u201d I\theard\tthe\tcrack\tbefore\tI\trealized\twhat\thappened. Before\t I\t saw\t the\t way\t my\t father\u2019s\t head\t twisted.\t Saw\t the\t light\t freeze\t in\t his eyes. Nesta\tmade\tno\tsound.\tShowed\tno\treaction\tas\tthe\tKing\tof\tHybern\tsnapped\tour father\u2019s\tneck. I\t began\t screaming.\t Screaming\t and\t thrashing\t inside\t the\t Cauldron\u2019s\t grip. Begging\tit\tto\tstop\tit\u2014to\tbring\thim\tback,\tto\tend\tit\u2014 Nesta\tlooked\tdown\tat\tmy\tfather\u2019s\tbody\tas\tit\tcrumpled\tto\tthe\tforest\tfloor. And\tas\tthe\tking\thad\tpredicted\t\u2026\tNesta\u2019s\tpower\tflickered\tout. But\tCassian\u2019s\thad\tnot. Arrows\tof\tblinding\tred\tshot\tfor\tthe\tKing\tof\tHybern,\ta\tshield\tlocking\taround Nesta\tas\tCassian\tlaunched\thimself\tforward. And\tas\tCassian\ttook\ton\tthe\tking,\twho\tlaughed\tand\tseemed\twilling\tto\tengage in\t a\t bit\t of\t swordplay\t \u2026\t I\t stared\t at\t my\t father\t on\t that\t ground.\t At\t his\t open, unseeing\teyes. Cassian\t pushed\t the\t king\t away\t from\t my\t father\u2019s\t body,\t swords\t and\t magics clashing.\tNot\tfor\tlong.\tOnly\tlong\tenough\tto\thold\thim\toff\u2014for\tNesta\tto\tperhaps run.","For\t me\t to\t finish\t what\t I\t had\t let\t my\t family\t give\t their\t lives\t for.\t But\t the Cauldron\tstill\theld\tme\tthere. Even\tas\tI\ttried\tto\tcome\tback\tto\tthat\thill\twhere\tAmren\thad\tbetrayed\tme,\thad used\tme\tfor\twhatever\tpurpose\tof\ther\town\u2014 Nesta\t knelt\t before\t our\t father,\t her\t face\t a\t void.\t She\t gazed\t into\t his\t still-open eyes. Closed\tthem\tgently.\tHands\tsteady\tas\tstone. Cassian\thad\tshoved\tthe\tking\tdeeper\tinto\tthe\ttrees.\tHis\tshouts\trang\tout. Nesta\tleaned\tforward\tto\tpress\ta\tkiss\tto\tour\tfather\u2019s\tblood-splattered\tbrow. And\twhen\tshe\tlifted\ther\thead\t\u2026 The\tCauldron\tthrashed\tand\troiled. For\tin\tNesta\u2019s\teyes,\tlimning\ther\tskin\t\u2026\tUncut\tpower. She\t gazed\t toward\t the\t king\t and\t Cassian.\t Just\t as\t Cassian\u2019s\t bark\t of\t pain\t cut toward\tus. The\tpower\taround\ther\tshuddered.\tNesta\tgot\tto\ther\tfeet. Then\tCassian\tscreamed.\tI\tlooked\ttoward\thim.\tAway\tfrom\tmy\tfather. Not\ttwenty\tfeet\taway,\tCassian\twas\ton\tthe\tground.\tWings\u2014snapped\tin\tspots. Blood\tleaking\tfrom\tthem. Bone\tjutted\tfrom\this\tthigh.\tHis\tSiphons\twere\tdull.\tEmpty. He\u2019d\talready\tdrained\tthem\tbefore\tcoming\there.\tWas\texhausted. But\the\thad\tcome\u2014for\ther.\tFor\tus. He\twas\tpanting,\tblood\tdribbling\tfrom\this\tnose.\tArms\tbuckling\tas\the\ttried\tto rise. The\tKing\tof\tHybern\tstood\tover\thim,\tand\textended\ta\thand. Cassian\tarched\toff\tthe\tground,\tbellowing\tin\tpain.\tA\tbone\tcracked\tsomewhere in\this\tbody. \u201cStop.\u201d The\tking\tlooked\tover\ta\tshoulder\tas\tNesta\tstepped\tforward.\tCassian\tmouthed at\ther\tto\trun,\tblood\tescaping\tfrom\this\tlips\tand\tonto\tthe\tmoss\tbeneath\thim. Nesta\t took\t in\t his\t broken\t body,\t the\t pain\t in\t Cassian\u2019s\t eyes,\t and\t angled\t her head. The\tmovement\twas\tnot\thuman.\tNot\tFae. Purely\tanimal. Purely\tpredator.","And\t when\t her\t eyes\t lifted\t to\t the\t king\t again\t \u2026\t \u201cI\t am\t going\t to\t kill\t you,\u201d\t she said\tquietly. \u201cReally?\u201d\t the\t king\t asked,\t lifting\t a\t brow.\t \u201cBecause\t I\t can\t think\t of\t far\t more interesting\tthings\tto\tdo\twith\tyou.\u201d Not\t again.\t I\t could\t not\t watch\t this\t play\t out\t again.\t Standing\t by,\t idle,\t while those\tI\tloved\tsuffered. The\tCauldron\tcrept\talong\twith\tNesta,\ta\thound\tat\ther\tside. Nesta\u2019s\tfingers\tcurled. The\tking\tsnorted.\tAnd\tbrought\this\tfoot\tdown\tupon\tCassian\u2019s\tnearest\twing. Bone\tsnapped.\tAnd\this\tscream\u2014 I\tthrashed\tagainst\tthe\tCauldron\u2019s\tgrip.\tThrashed\tand\tclawed. Nesta\texploded. All\tof\tthat\tpower,\tall\tat\tonce\u2014 The\tking\twinnowed\tout\tof\tthe\tway. Her\t power\t blasted\t the\t trees\t behind\t him\t to\t cinders.\t Blasted\t across\t the battlefield\t in\t a\t low\t arc,\t then\t landed\t right\t in\t the\t Hybern\t ranks.\t Taking\t out hundreds\tbefore\tthey\tknew\twhat\thappened. The\tking\tappeared\tperhaps\tthirty\tfeet\taway\tand\tlaughed\tat\tthe\tsmoking\truins behind\thim.\t\u201cMagnificent,\u201d\the\tsaid.\t\u201cBarely\ttrained,\tbrash,\tbut\tmagnificent.\u201d Nesta\u2019s\tfingers\tcurled\tagain,\tas\tif\trallying\tthat\tpower. But\tshe\u2019d\tspent\tit\tall\tin\tone\tblow.\tHer\teyes\twere\tblue-gray\tonce\tmore. \u201cGo,\u201d\tCassian\tmanaged\tto\tbreathe.\t\u201cGo.\u201d \u201cThis\tseems\tfamiliar,\u201d\tthe\tking\tmused.\t\u201cWas\tit\thim\tor\tthe\tother\tbastard\twho crawled\ttoward\tyou\tthat\tday?\u201d Cassian\twas\tindeed\tnow\tcrawling\ttoward\ther,\tbroken\twings\tand\tleg\tdragging, leaving\ta\ttrail\tof\tblood\tover\tthe\tgrass\tand\troots. Nesta\trushed\tto\thim,\tkneeling. Not\tto\tcomfort. But\tto\tpick\tup\this\tIllyrian\tblade. Cassian\t tried\t to\t stop\t her\t as\t she\t stood.\t As\t Nesta\t lifted\t that\t sword\t before\t the King\tof\tHybern. She\tsaid\tnothing.\tOnly\theld\ther\tground. The\t king\t chuckled\t and\t angled\t his\t own\t blade.\t \u201cShall\t I\t see\t what\t the\t Illyrians taught\tyou?\u201d","He\twas\tupon\ther\tbefore\tshe\tcould\tlift\tthe\tsword\thigher. Nesta\tjumped\tback,\tclipping\this\tsword\twith\ther\town,\teyes\tflaring\twide.\tThe king\tlunged\tagain,\tand\tNesta\tagain\tdodged\tand\tretreated\tthrough\tthe\ttrees. Leading\thim\taway\u2014away\tfrom\tCassian. She\tmanaged\tto\tdraw\thim\tanother\tfew\tfeet\tbefore\tthe\tking\tgrew\tbored. In\ttwo\tmovements,\the\thad\ther\tdisarmed.\tIn\tanother,\the\tstruck\ther\tacross\tthe face,\tso\thard\tshe\twent\tdown. Cassian\tcried\tout\ther\tname,\ttrying\tagain\tto\tcrawl\tto\ther. The\t king\t only\t sheathed\t his\t sword,\t towering\t over\t her\t as\t she\t pushed\t off\t the ground.\t\u201cWell?\tWhat\telse\tdo\tyou\thave?\u201d Nesta\tturned\tover,\tand\tthrew\tout\ta\thand. White,\tburning\tpower\tshot\tout\tof\ther\tpalm\tand\tslammed\tinto\this\tchest. A\tploy.\tTo\tget\thim\tclose.\tTo\tlower\this\tguard. Her\tpower\tsent\thim\tflying\tback,\ttrees\tsnapping\tunder\thim.\tOne\tafter\tanother after\tanother. The\tCauldron\tseemed\tto\tsettle.\tAll\tthat\twas\tleft\u2014that\twas\tit.\tAll\tthat\twas\tleft of\ther\tpower. Nesta\t surged\t to\t her\t feet,\t staggering\t across\t the\t clearing,\t blood\t at\t her\t mouth from\twhere\the\u2019d\thit\ther,\tand\tthrew\therself\tto\ther\tknees\tbefore\tCassian.\t\u201cGet\tup,\u201d she\tsobbed,\thauling\tat\this\tshoulder.\t\u201cGet\tup.\u201d He\ttried\u2014and\tfailed. \u201cYou\u2019re\ttoo\theavy,\u201d\tshe\tpleaded,\tbut\tstill\ttried\tto\traise\thim,\tfingers\tscrabbling in\this\tblack,\tbloodied\tarmor.\t\u201cI\tcan\u2019t\u2014he\u2019s\tcoming\u2014\u201d \u201cGo,\u201d\tCassian\tgroaned. Her\t power\t had\t stopped\t hurling\t the\t king\t across\t the\t forest.\t He\t now\t stalked toward\tthem,\tbrushing\toff\tsplinters\tand\tleaves\tfrom\this\tjacket\u2014taking\this\ttime. Knowing\tshe\twould\tnot\tleave.\tSavoring\tthe\tawaiting\tslaughter. Nesta\tgritted\ther\tteeth,\ttrying\tto\thaul\tCassian\tup\tonce\tmore.\tA\tbroken\tsound of\tpain\tripped\tfrom\thim.\t\u201cGo!\t\u201d\the\tbarked\tat\ther. \u201cI\tcan\u2019t,\u201d\tshe\tbreathed,\tvoice\tbreaking.\t\u201cI\tcan\u2019t.\u201d The\tsame\twords\tRhys\thad\tgiven\thim. Cassian\t grunted\t in\t pain,\t but\t lifted\t his\t bloodied\t hands\u2014to\t cup\t her\t face.\t \u201cI have\tno\tregrets\tin\tmy\tlife,\tbut\tthis.\u201d\tHis\tvoice\tshook\twith\tevery\tword.\t\u201cThat\twe did\tnot\thave\ttime.\tThat\tI\tdid\tnot\thave\ttime\twith\tyou,\tNesta.\u201d","She\t didn\u2019t\t stop\t him\t as\t he\t leaned\t up\t and\t kissed\t her\u2014lightly.\t As\t much\t as\t he could\tmanage. Cassian\t said\t softly,\t brushing\t away\t the\t tear\t that\t streaked\t down\t her\t face,\t \u201cI will\tfind\tyou\tagain\tin\tthe\tnext\tworld\u2014the\tnext\tlife.\tAnd\twe\twill\thave\tthat\ttime. I\tpromise.\u201d The\t King\t of\t Hybern\t stepped\t into\t that\t clearing,\t dark\t power\t wafting\t from\t his fingertips. And\t even\t the\t Cauldron\t seemed\t to\t pause\t in\t surprise\u2014surprise\t or\t some\t \u2026 feeling\t as\t Nesta\t looked\t at\t the\t king\t with\t death\t twining\t around\t his\t hands,\t then down\tat\tCassian. And\tcovered\tCassian\u2019s\tbody\twith\ther\town. Cassian\twent\tstill\u2014then\this\thand\tslid\tover\ther\tback. Together.\tThey\u2019d\tgo\ttogether. I\t will\t offer\t you\t a\t bargain,\t I\t said\t to\t the\t Cauldron.\t I\t will\t offer\t you\t my\t soul. Save\tthem. \u201cRomantic,\u201d\tthe\tking\tsaid,\t\u201cbut\till-advised.\u201d Nesta\tdid\tnot\tmove\tfrom\twhere\tshe\tshielded\tCassian\u2019s\tbody. The\tking\traised\this\thand,\tpower\twhirling\tlike\ta\tdark\tgalaxy\tin\this\tpalm. I\tknew\tthey\u2019d\tboth\tdie\tthe\tmoment\tthat\tpower\thit\tthem. Anything,\tI\tbegged\tthe\tCauldron.\tAnything\u2014 The\tking\u2019s\thand\tbegan\tto\tdrop. And\tthen\thalted.\tA\tchoking\tnoise\tcame\tout\tof\thim. For\ta\tmoment,\tI\tthought\tthe\tCauldron\thad\tanswered\tmy\tpleas. But\t as\t a\t black\t blade\t broke\t through\t the\t king\u2019s\t throat,\t spraying\t blood,\t I realized\tsomeone\telse\thad. Elain\t stepped\t out\t of\t a\t shadow\t behind\t him,\t and\t rammed\t Truth-Teller\t to\t the hilt\t through\t the\t back\t of\t the\t king\u2019s\t neck\t as\t she\t snarled\t in\t his\t ear,\t \u201cDon\u2019t\t you touch\tmy\tsister.\u201d","CHAPTER 75 The\t Cauldron\t purred\t in\t Elain\u2019s\t presence\t as\t the\t King\t of\t Hybern\t slumped\t to\t his knees,\tclawing\tat\tthe\tknife\tjutting\tthrough\this\tthroat.\tElain\tbacked\taway\ta\tstep. Choking,\t blood\t dribbling\t from\t his\t lips,\t the\t king\t gaped\t at\t Nesta.\t My\t sister lunged\tto\ther\tfeet. Not\tto\tgo\tto\tElain.\tBut\tto\tthe\tking. Nesta\twrapped\ther\thand\taround\tTruth-Teller\u2019s\tobsidian\thilt. And\t slowly,\t as\t if\t savoring\t every\t bit\t of\t effort\t it\t took\t \u2026\t Nesta\t began\t to\t twist the\tblade.\tNot\ta\trotation\tof\tthe\tblade\titself\u2014but\ta\trotation\tinto\this\tneck. Elain\t rushed\t to\t Cassian,\t but\t the\t warrior\t was\t panting\u2014smiling\t grimly\t and panting\u2014as\t Nesta\ttwisted\t and\ttwisted\tthe\tblade\tinto\tthe\tking\u2019s\tneck.\tSevering flesh\tand\tbone\tand\ttendon. Nesta\tlooked\tdown\tat\tthe\tking\tbefore\tshe\tmade\tthe\tfinal\tpass,\this\thands\tstill trying\tto\trise,\tto\tclaw\tthe\tblade\tfree. And\t in\t Nesta\u2019s\t eyes\t \u2026\t it\t was\t the\t same\t look,\t the\t same\t gleam\t that\t she\u2019d\t had that\tday\tin\tHybern.\tWhen\tshe\tpointed\ther\tfinger\tat\thim\tin\ta\tdeath-promise.\tShe smiled\ta\tlittle\u2014as\tif\tshe\tremembered,\ttoo. And\tthen\tshe\tpushed\tthe\tblade,\tlike\ta\tworker\theaving\tthe\tspoke\tof\ta\tmighty, grinding\twheel. The\tking\u2019s\teyes\tflared\u2014then\this\thead\ttumbled\toff\this\tshoulders. \u201cNesta,\u201d\tCassian\tgroaned,\ttrying\tto\treach\tfor\ther. The\tking\u2019s\tblood\tsprayed\ther\tleathers,\ther\tface. Nesta\tdidn\u2019t\tseem\tto\tcare\tas\tshe\tbent\tover.\tAs\tshe\ttook\tup\this\tfallen\thead\tand lifted\tit.\tLifted\tit\tin\tthe\tair\tand\tstared\tat\tit\u2014into\tHybern\u2019s\tdead\teyes,\this\tgaping mouth.","She\tdid\tnot\tsmile.\tShe\tonly\tstared\tand\tstared\tand\tstared. Savage.\tUnyielding.\tBrutal. \u201cNesta,\u201d\tElain\twhispered. Nesta\tblinked,\tand\tseemed\tto\trealize\tit,\tthen\u2014whose\thead\tshe\twas\tholding. What\tshe\tand\tElain\thad\tdone. The\tking\u2019s\thead\trolled\tfrom\ther\tbloodied\thands. The\t Cauldron\t seemed\t to\t realize\t what\t she\u2019d\t done,\t too,\t as\t his\t head\t thumped onto\tthe\tmossy\tground.\tThat\tElain\t\u2026\tElain\thad\tdefended\tthis\tthief.\tElain,\twho\tit had\t gifted\t with\t such\t powers,\t found\t her\t so\t lovely\t it\t had\t wanted\t to\t give\t her something\t\u2026\tIt\twould\tnot\tharm\tElain,\teven\tin\tits\thunt\tto\treclaim\twhat\thad\tbeen taken. It\t retreated\t the\t moment\t Elain\u2019s\t eyes\t fell\t on\t our\t dead\t father\t lying\t in\t the adjacent\tclearing. The\tmoment\tthe\tscream\tcame\tout\tof\ther. No.\tI\tlunged\tfor\tthem,\tbut\tthe\tCauldron\twas\ttoo\tfast.\tToo\tstrong. It\twhipped\tme\tback,\tback,\tback\u2014across\tthe\tbattlefield. No\tone\tseemed\tto\tknow\tthe\tking\twas\tdead.\tAnd\tour\tarmies\t\u2026 Rhys\tand\tthe\tother\tHigh\tLords\thad\tgiven\tthemselves\twholly\tto\tthe\tmonsters that\t lurked\t under\t their\t skins,\t swaths\t of\t enemy\t soldiers\t dying\t in\t their\t wake, shredded\tor\tgutted\tor\trent\tin\ttwo.\tAnd\tHelion\u2014 The\t High\t Lord\t of\t Day\t was\t bloodied,\t his\t golden\t fur\t singed\t and\t torn,\t but\t he still\t battled\t against\t the\t Hybern\t commander.\t The\t commander\t remained unmarred.\t His\t face\t unruffled.\t As\t if\t he\t knew\u2014he\t might\t very\t well\t win\t against Helion\tSpell-Cleaver\ttoday. We\t arced\t away,\t across\t the\t field.\t To\t Bryaxis\u2014still\t fighting.\t Holding\t the\t line for\t Graysen\u2019s\t men.\t A\t black\t cloud\t that\t cut\t a\t path\t for\t them,\t shielded\t them. Bryaxis,\tFear\titself,\tguarding\tthe\tmortals. We\tpassed\tDrakon\tand\ta\tblack-haired\twoman\twith\tskin\tlike\tdark\thoney,\tboth squaring\toff\tagainst\u2014 Jurian.\tThey\twere\tfighting\tJurian.\tDrakon\thad\tan\tancient\tscore\tto\tsettle\u2014and so\tdid\tMiryam. We\t whisked\t by\t so\t quickly\t I\t couldn\u2019t\t hear\t what\t was\t said,\t couldn\u2019t\t see\t if Jurian\t was\tindeed\tfighting\tback\tor\ttrying\tto\tfend\tthem\t off\t while\the\t explained. Mor\tjoined\tthe\tfray,\tbloodied\tand\tlimping,\tshouting\tat\tthem\u2014it\twas\tthe\tleast\tof","our\tproblems. Because\tour\tarmies\t\u2026 Hybern\twas\toverwhelming\tus.\tWithout\tthe\tking,\twithout\tthe\tCauldron,\tthey\u2019d still\tdo\tit.\tThe\tfervor\tthe\tking\thad\troused\tin\tthem,\ttheir\tbelief\tthat\tthey\thad\tbeen wronged\tand\tforgotten\t\u2026\tThey\u2019d\tkeep\tfighting.\tNo\tsolution\twould\tever\tappease them\t beyond\t the\t complete\t reclaiming\t of\t what\t they\t still\t believed\t they\t were entitled\tto\u2014deserved. There\twere\ttoo\tmany.\tSo\tmany.\tAnd\twe\twere\tall\tdrained. The\tCauldron\thurtled\taway,\twithdrawing\ttoward\titself. There\t was\t a\t roar\t of\t pain\u2014a\t roar\t I\t recognized,\t even\t with\t the\t different, harrowing\tform. Rhys.\tRhys\u2014 He\twas\tfaltering,\the\tneeded\thelp\u2014 The\tCauldron\tsucked\tback\tinto\titself,\tand\tI\twas\tagain\tatop\tthat\trock. Again\tstaring\tat\tAmren,\twho\twas\tslapping\tmy\tface,\tshouting\tmy\tname. \u201cStupid\tgirl,\u201d\tshe\tbarked.\t\u201cFight\tit!\t\u201d Rhys\twas\thurt.\tRhys\twas\tbeing\toverwhelmed\u2014 I\tsnapped\tback\tinto\tmy\tbody.\tMy\thand\tremained\tatop\tthe\tCauldron.\tA\tliving bond.\tBut\twith\tthe\tCauldron\tsettled\tinto\titself\t\u2026\tI\tblinked.\tI\tcould\tblink. Amren\tblew\tout\ta\tbreath.\t\u201cWhat\tin\thell\u2014\u201d \u201cThe\t king\t is\t dead,\u201d\t I\t said,\t my\t voice\t cold\t and\t foreign.\t \u201cAnd\t you\u2019re\t going\t to be\tsoon,\ttoo.\u201d I\u2019d\tkill\ther\tfor\tthis,\tfor\tbetraying\tus\tfor\twhatever\treason\u2014 \u201cI\tknow,\u201d\tAmren\tsaid\tquietly.\t\u201cAnd\tI\tneed\tyou\tto\thelp\tme\tdo\tit.\u201d I\talmost\tlet\tgo\tof\tthe\tCauldron\tat\tthe\twords,\tbut\tshe\tshook\ther\thead. \u201cDon\u2019t\tbreak\tit\u2014the\tcontact.\tI\tneed\tyou\tto\tbe\t\u2026\ta\tconduit.\u201d \u201cI\tdon\u2019t\tunderstand.\u201d \u201cThe\tSuriel\u2014it\tgave\tyou\ta\tmessage.\tFor\tme.\tOnly\tme.\u201d My\tbrows\tnarrowed. Amren\t said,\t \u201cThe\t answer\t in\t the\t Book\t was\t no\t spell\t of\t control.\t I\t lied\t about that.\tIt\twas\t\u2026\tan\tunbinding\tspell.\tFor\tme.\u201d \u201cWhat?\u201d Amren\tlooked\tto\tthe\tcarnage,\tthe\tscreams\tof\tthe\tdying\tringing\tus.\t\u201cI\tthought I\u2019d\t need\t your\t sisters\t to\t help\t you\t control\t the\t Cauldron,\t but\t after\t you\t faced\t the","Ouroboros\t\u2026\tI\tknew\tyou\tcould\tdo\tit.\tJust\tyou.\tAnd\tjust\tme.\tBecause\twhen\tyou unbind\tme\twith\tthe\tCauldron\u2019s\tpower,\tin\tmy\treal\tform\t\u2026\tI\twill\twipe\tthat\tarmy away.\tEvery\tlast\tone\tof\tthem.\u201d \u201cAmren\u2014\u201d But\ta\tmale\tvoice\tpleaded\tfrom\tbehind,\t\u201cDon\u2019t.\u201d Varian\t appeared\t from\t the\t rocky\t path,\t gasping\t for\t breath,\t splattered\t with blood. Amren\tsmirked.\t\u201cLike\ta\thound\ton\ta\tscent.\u201d \u201cDon\u2019t,\u201d\twas\tall\tVarian\tsaid. \u201cUnleash\tme,\u201d\tAmren\tsaid,\tignoring\thim.\t\u201cLet\tme\tend\tthis.\u201d I\t began\t shaking\t my\t head.\t \u201cYou\u2014you\t will\t be\t gone.\t You\t said\t you\t won\u2019t remember\tus,\twon\u2019t\tbe\tyou\tanymore\tif\tyou\u2019re\tfreed.\u201d Amren\tsmiled\tslightly\u2014at\tme,\tat\tVarian.\t\u201cI\twatched\tthem\tfor\tso\tmany\teons. Humans\u2014in\t my\t world,\t there\t were\t humans,\t too.\t And\t I\t watched\t them\t love,\t and hate\u2014wage\t senseless\t war\t and\t find\t precious\t peace.\t Watched\t them\t build\t lives, build\tworlds.\tI\twas\t\u2026\tI\twas\tnever\tallowed\tsuch\tthings.\tI\thad\tnot\tbeen\tdesigned that\tway,\thad\tnot\tbeen\tordered\tto\tdo\tso.\tSo\tI\twatched.\tAnd\tthat\tday\tI\tcame\there \u2026\tit\twas\tthe\tfirst\tselfish\tthing\tI\thad\tdone.\tFor\ta\tlong,\tlong\twhile\tI\tthought\tit\twas punishment\tfor\tdisobeying\tmy\tFather\u2019s\torders,\tfor\twanting.\tI\tthought\tthis\tworld was\tsome\thell\the\u2019d\tlocked\tme\tinto\tfor\tdisobedience.\u201d Amren\tswallowed. \u201cBut\t I\t think\t \u2026\t I\t wonder\t if\t my\t Father\t knew.\t If\t he\t saw\t how\t I\t watched\t them love\t and\t hate\t and\t build,\t and\t opened\t that\t rip\t in\t the\t world\t not\t as\t punishment\t \u2026 but\t as\t a\t gift.\u201d\t Her\t eyes\t gleamed.\t \u201cFor\t it\t has\t been\t a\t gift.\t This\t time\u2014with\t you. With\tall\tof\tyou.\tIt\thas\tbeen\ta\tgift.\u201d \u201cAmren,\u201d\tVarian\tsaid,\tand\tsank\tonto\this\tknees.\t\u201cI\tam\tbegging\tyou\u2014\u201d \u201cTell\tthe\tHigh\tLord,\u201d\tshe\tsaid\tsoftly,\t\u201cto\tleave\tout\ta\tcup\tfor\tme.\u201d I\tdid\tnot\tthink\tI\thad\tit\tin\tmy\theart\tfor\tanother\tounce\tof\tsorrow.\tI\tgripped\tthe Cauldron\ta\tlittle\tharder\tmy\tthroat\tthick.\t\u201cI\twill.\u201d She\tlooked\tto\tVarian,\ta\twry\tsmile\ton\ther\tred\tmouth.\t\u201cI\twatched\tthem\tmost\u2014 the\t humans\t who\t loved.\t I\t never\t understood\t it\u2014how\t it\t happened.\t Why\t it happened.\u201d\t She\t paused\t a\t step\t away\t from\t the\t Cauldron.\t \u201cI\t think\t I\t might\t have learned\twith\tyou,\tthough.\tPerhaps\tthat\twas\ta\tlast\tgift,\ttoo.\u201d Varian\u2019s\tface\ttwisted\twith\tanguish.\tBut\the\tmade\tno\tfurther\tmove\tto\tstop\ther.","She\tturned\tto\tme.\tAnd\tspoke\tthe\twords\tinto\tmy\thead\u2014the\tspell\tI\tmust\tthink and\tfeel\tand\tdo.\tI\tnodded. \u201cWhen\tI\tam\tfree,\u201d\tAmren\tsaid\tto\tus,\t\u201cdo\tnot\trun.\tIt\twill\tattract\tmy\tattention.\u201d She\tlifted\ta\tsteady\thand\ttoward\tmy\tarm. \u201cI\tam\tglad\twe\tmet,\tFeyre.\u201d I\tsmiled\tat\ther,\tbowing\tmy\thead.\t\u201cMe\ttoo,\tAmren.\tMe\ttoo.\u201d Amren\tgrabbed\tmy\twrist.\tAnd\tswung\therself\tinto\tthe\tCauldron. I\t fought.\t I\t fought\t with\t every\t breath\t to\t get\t through\t the\t spell,\t my\t arm\t half- submerged\tin\tthe\tCauldron\tas\tAmren\twent\tunder\tthe\tdark\twater\tthat\thad\tfilled\tit. I\tsaid\tthe\twords\twith\tmy\ttongue,\tsaid\tthem\twith\tmy\theart\tand\tblood\tand\tbones. Screamed\tthem. Her\t hand\t vanished\t from\t my\t arm,\t melting\t away\t like\t dew\t under\t the\t morning sun. The\tspell\tended,\tshuddering\tout\tof\tme,\tand\tI\tsnapped\tback,\tlosing\tmy\thold\ton the\tCauldron.\tVarian\tcaught\tme\tbefore\tI\tfell,\tand\tgripped\tme\thard\tas\twe\tgazed\tat the\tblack\tmass\tof\tthe\tCauldron,\tthe\tstill\tsurface. He\tbreathed,\t\u201cIs\tshe\u2014\u201d It\tstarted\tfar,\tfar\tbeneath\tus.\tAs\tif\tshe\thad\tgone\tto\tthe\tearth\u2019s\tcore. I\tlet\tVarian\thaul\tme\ta\tfew\tsteps\taway\tas\tthe\tripple\tthundered\tup\tthrough\tthe ground,\tspearing\tfor\tus,\tthe\tCauldron. We\thad\tonly\tenough\ttime\tto\tthrow\tourselves\tbehind\tthe\tnearest\trock\twhen\tit hit\tus. The\t Cauldron\t shattered\t into\t three\t pieces,\t peeling\t apart\t like\t a\t blossoming flower\u2014and\tthen\tshe\tcame. She\texploded\tfrom\tthat\tmortal\tshell,\tlight\tblinding\tus.\tLight\tand\tfire. She\twas\troaring\u2014in\tvictory\tand\trage\tand\tpain. And\tI\tcould\thave\tsworn\tI\tsaw\tgreat,\tburning\twings,\teach\tfeather\ta\tsimmering ember,\tspread\twide.\tCould\thave\tsworn\ta\tcrown\tof\tincandescent\tlight\tfloated\tjust above\ther\tflaming\thair. She\tpaused.\tThe\tthing\tthat\twas\tinside\tAmren\tpaused. Looked\tat\tus\u2014at\tthe\tbattlefield\tand\tall\tof\tour\tfriends,\tour\tfamily\tstill\tfighting on\tit.","As\tif\tto\tsay,\tI\tremember\tyou. And\tthen\tshe\twas\tgone. She\t spread\t those\t wings,\t flame\t and\t light\t rippling\t to\t encompass\t her,\t no\t more than\ta\tburning\tbehemoth\tthat\tswept\tdown\tupon\tHybern\u2019s\tarmies. They\tbegan\trunning. Amren\tcame\tdown\ton\tthem\tlike\ta\thammer,\training\tfire\tand\tbrimstone. She\tswept\tthrough\tthem,\tburning\tthem,\tdrinking\tin\ttheir\tdeath.\tSome\tdied\tat the\tmere\twhisper\tof\ther\tpassing. I\t heard\t Rhys\t bellowing\u2014and\t the\t sound\t was\t the\t same\t as\t hers.\t Victory\t and rage\tand\tpain.\tAnd\twarning.\tA\twarning\tnot\tto\trun\tfrom\ther. Bit\t by\t bit,\t she\t destroyed\t that\t endless\t Hybern\t army.\t Bit\t by\t bit,\t she\t wiped away\ttheir\ttaint,\ttheir\tthreat.\tThe\tsuffering\tthey\thad\tbrought. She\t shattered\t through\t that\t Hybern\t commander,\t poised\t to\t strike\t Helion\t a deathblow.\t Shattered\t through\t that\t commander\t as\t if\t he\t were\t made\t of\t glass.\t She left\tonly\tashes\tbehind. But\tthat\tpower\u2014it\twas\tfading.\tVanishing\tember\tby\tember. Yet\t Amren\t went\t to\t the\t sea,\t where\t my\t father\t and\t Vassa\u2019s\t army\t battled alongside\t Miryam\u2019s\t people.\t Entire\t boats\t full\t of\t Hybern\t soldiers\t fell\t still\t after she\tpassed. As\t if\t she\t had\t inhaled\t the\t life\t right\t out\t of\t them.\t Even\t while\t her\t own\t life sputtered\tout. Amren\treached\tthe\tfinal\tboat\u2014the\tvery\tlast\tship\tof\tour\tenemy\u2014and\twas\tno more\tthan\ta\tflame\ton\tthe\tbreeze. And\twhen\tthat\tship,\ttoo,\tfell\tsilent\t\u2026 There\twas\tonly\tlight.\tBright,\tclean\tlight,\tdancing\ton\tthe\twaves.","CHAPTER 76 Tears\t slid\t down\t Varian\u2019s\t blood-flecked\t skin\t as\t we\t watched\t that\t spot\t on\t the\t sea where\tAmren\thad\tvanished. Below,\tbeyond,\tour\tforces\twere\tbeginning\tto\tcry\tout\twith\tvictory\u2014with\tjoy. Up\ton\tthe\trock\t\u2026\tutter\tquiet. I\tlooked\tat\tlast\ttoward\tthe\tbroken\tthirds\tof\tthe\tCauldron. Perhaps\t I\t had\t done\t it.\t In\t unbinding\t her,\t I\t had\t unbound\t the\t Cauldron.\t Or perhaps\t Amren\t in\t her\t unleashed\t power\t \u2026\t even\t that\t had\t been\t too\t great\t for\t the Cauldron. \u201cWe\tshould\tgo,\u201d\tI\tsaid\tto\tVarian.\tThe\tothers\twould\tbe\tlooking\tfor\tus. I\thad\tto\tget\tmy\tfather.\tHad\tto\tbury\thim.\tHelp\tCassian. Had\tto\tsee\twho\telse\twas\tamong\tthe\tdead\u2014or\tliving. Hollow\u2014I\twas\tso\ttired\tand\thollow. I\tmanaged\tto\tstand.\tTo\ttake\tone\tstep\tbefore\tI\tfelt\tit. The\t\u2026\tthing\tin\tthe\tCauldron.\tOr\tlack\tof\tit. It\t was\t lack\t and\t substance,\t absence\t and\t presence.\t And\t \u2026\t it\t was\t leaking\t into the\tworld. I\tdared\ta\tstep\ttoward\tit.\tAnd\twhat\tI\tbeheld\tin\tthose\truins\tof\tthe\tCauldron\t\u2026 It\twas\ta\tvoid.\tBut\talso\tnot\ta\tvoid\u2014a\tgrowth. It\tdid\tnot\tbelong\there.\tBelong\tanywhere. There\t were\t hands\t at\t my\t face,\t turning\t me,\t touching\t me.\t \u201cAre\t you\t hurt,\t are you\u2014\u201d Rhys\u2019s\t face\t was\t battered\u2014bloody.\t His\t hands\t were\t still\t tipped\t in\t talons,\t his canines\tstill\telongated.\tBarely\tout\tof\tthat\tbeast\tform.\t\u201cYou\u2014you\tfreed\ther\u2014\u201d He\t was\t stammering.\t Shaking.\t I\t wasn\u2019t\t entirely\t sure\t how\t he\t was\t even","standing. I\tdidn\u2019t\tknow\twhere\tto\tbegin.\tHow\tto\texplain. I\tlet\thim\tinto\tmy\tmind,\this\tpresence\tgentle\u2014and\tas\texhausted\tas\tI\twas,\tI\tlet him\tsee\tmy\tfather.\tNesta\tand\tCassian.\tThe\tking.\tAnd\tAmren. All\tof\tit. Including\tthat\tthing\tbehind\tus.\tThat\thole. Rhys\tfolded\tme\tinto\this\tarms\u2014just\tfor\ta\tmoment. \u201cWe\thave\ta\tproblem,\u201d\tVarian\tmurmured,\tpointing\tbehind\tus. We\t followed\t the\t line\t of\t his\t finger.\t To\t where\t that\t fissure\t in\t the\t world\t within the\tshards\tof\tthe\tCauldron\t\u2026\tIt\twas\tgrowing. The\t Cauldron\t could\t never\t be\t destroyed,\t we\t had\t been\t warned.\t Because\t our very\tworld\twas\tbound\tto\tit. If\tthe\tCauldron\twere\tdestroyed\t\u2026\twe\twould\tbe,\ttoo. \u201cWhat\thave\tI\tdone,\u201d\tI\tbreathed.\tI\thad\tsaved\tour\tfriends\u2014only\tto\tdamn\tus\tall. Made.\tMade\tand\tun-Made. I\thad\tbroken\tit.\tI\tcould\tremake\tit\tagain. I\tran\tfor\tthe\tBook,\tflinging\topen\tthe\tpages. But\t the\t gold\t was\t engraved\t with\t symbols\t only\t one\t being\t on\t this\t earth\t knew how\tto\tread,\tand\tshe\twas\tgone.\tI\thurled\tthe\tdamn\tthing\tinto\tthe\tvoid\tinside\tthe Cauldron. It\tvanished\tand\tdid\tnot\tappear\tagain. \u201cWell,\tthat\u2019s\tone\tway\tto\ttry,\u201d\tRhys\tsaid. I\twhirled\tat\tthe\thumor,\tbut\this\tface\twas\thard.\tGrim. \u201cI\tdon\u2019t\tknow\twhat\tto\tdo,\u201d\tI\twhispered. Rhys\t studied\t the\t ruins.\t \u201cAmren\t said\t you\t were\t a\t conduit.\u201d\t I\t nodded.\t \u201cSo\t be one\tagain.\u201d \u201cWhat?\u201d He\tlooked\tat\tme\tlike\tI\twas\tthe\tinsane\tone\tas\the\tsaid,\t\u201cRemake\tthe\tCauldron. Forge\tit\tanew.\u201d \u201cWith\twhat\tpower?\u201d \u201cMy\town.\u201d \u201cYou\u2019re\u2014you\u2019re\tdrained,\tRhys.\tSo\tam\tI.\tWe\tall\tare.\u201d \u201cTry.\tHumor\tme.\u201d I\tblinked,\tthat\tedge\tof\tpanic\tdulling\ta\tbit.\tYes\u2014yes,\twith\thim,\twith\tmy\tmate","\u2026 I\t thought\t through\t the\t spell\t Amren\t had\t shown\t me.\t If\t I\t changed\t one\t small thing\t\u2026\tIt\twas\ta\tgamble.\tBut\tit\tmight\twork. \u201cBetter\tthan\tnothing,\u201d\tI\tsaid,\tblowing\tout\ta\tbreath. \u201cThat\u2019s\tthe\tspirit.\u201d\tHumor\tdanced\tin\this\teyes. The\tdead\tlay\taround\tus\tfor\tmiles,\tcries\tof\tthe\twounded\tand\tgrieving\tstarting to\trise\tup,\tbut\t\u2026\tWe\thad\tstopped\tHybern.\tStopped\tthe\tking. Perhaps\tin\tthis\t\u2026\tin\tthis\twe\twould\tbe\tlucky,\ttoo. I\treached\tfor\thim\u2014with\tmy\thand,\tmy\tmind. His\tshields\twere\tup\u2014solid\twalls\the\u2019d\terected\tduring\tbattle.\tI\tbrushed\ta\thand along\tone,\tbut\tit\tremained.\tRhys\tsmiled\tdown\tat\tme,\tkissed\tme\tonce.\t\u201cRemind me\tto\tnever\tget\ton\tNesta\u2019s\tbad\tside.\u201d That\t he\t could\t even\t joke\u2014no,\t it\t was\t a\t form\t of\t enduring.\t For\t both\t of\t us. Because\t the\t alternative\t to\t laughter\t \u2026\t Varian\u2019s\t devastated\t face,\t watching\t us silently,\twas\tthe\talternative.\tAnd\twith\tthis\tthing\tbefore\tus,\tthis\tfinal\ttask\t\u2026 So\tI\tmanaged\ta\tlaugh. And\t I\t was\t still\t smiling,\t just\t a\t bit,\t when\t I\t again\t laid\t my\t hand\t on\t the\t broken shards\tof\tthe\tCauldron. It\twas\ta\thole.\tAirless.\tNo\tlife\tcould\texist\there.\tNo\tlight. It\t was\t \u2026\t it\t was\t what\t had\t existed\t at\t the\t beginning.\t Before\t all\t things\t had exploded\tfrom\tit. It\t did\t not\t belong\t here.\t Maybe\t one\t day,\t when\t the\t earth\t had\t grown\t old\t and died,\t when\t the\t stars\t had\t vanished,\t too\t \u2026\t maybe\t then,\t we\t would\t return\t to\t this place. Not\ttoday.\tNot\tnow. I\twas\tboth\tform\tand\tnothing. And\t behind\t me\t \u2026\t Rhys\u2019s\t power\t was\t a\t tether.\t An\t unending\t lightning\t strike that\tsurged\tfrom\tme\tinto\tthis\t\u2026\tplace.\tTo\tbe\tshaped\tas\tI\twilled\tit. Made\tand\tun-Made. From\t a\t distant\t corner\t of\t my\t memory,\t my\t human\t mind\t \u2026\t I\t remembered\t a mural\tI\thad\tseen\tat\tthe\tSpring\tCourt.\tTucked\taway\tin\ta\tdusty,\tunused\tlibrary.\tIt told\tthe\tstory\tof\tPrythian.","It\ttold\tthe\tstory\tof\ta\tCauldron.\tThis\tCauldron. And\twhen\tit\twas\theld\tby\tfemale\thands\t\u2026\tAll\tlife\tflowed\tfrom\tit. I\treached\tmine\tout,\tRhys\u2019s\tpower\trippling\tthrough\tme. United.\tJoined\tas\tone.\tAsk\tand\tanswer. I\twas\tnot\tafraid.\tNot\twith\thim\tthere. I\t cupped\t my\t hands\t as\t if\t the\t cracked\t thirds\t of\t the\t Cauldron\t could\t fit\t into them.\tThe\tentire\tuniverse\tinto\tthe\tpalm\tof\tmy\thand. I\tbegan\tto\tspeak\tthat\tlast\tspell\tAmren\thad\tfound\tus.\tSpeak\tand\tthink\tand\tfeel it.\tWord\tand\tbreath\tand\tblood. Rhys\u2019s\tpower\tflowed\tthrough\tme,\tout\tof\tme.\tThe\tCauldron\tappeared. Light\t danced\t along\t the\t fissures\t where\t the\t broken\t thirds\t had\t come\t together. There\u2014there\tI\twould\tneed\tto\tforge.\tTo\tweld.\tTo\tbind. I\tput\ta\thand\tagainst\tthe\tside\tof\tthe\tCauldron.\tRaw,\tbrutal\tpower\tcascaded\tout of\tme. I\tleaned\tback\tinto\thim,\tunafraid\tof\tthat\tpower,\tof\tthe\tmale\twho\theld\tme. It\tflowed\tand\tflowed,\ta\tburst\tdam\tof\tnight. The\tcracks\tfizzled\tand\tblurred. That\tvoid\tbegan\tto\tslither\tback\tin. More.\tWe\tneeded\tmore. He\tgave\tit\tto\tme.\tRhys\thanded\tover\teverything. I\twas\ta\tbearer,\ta\tvessel,\ta\tlink. I\tlove\tyou,\the\twhispered\tinto\tmy\tmind. I\tonly\tleaned\tback\tinto\thim,\tsavoring\this\twarmth,\teven\tin\tthis\tnon-place. Power\t shuddered\t through\t him.\t Wrapped\t around\t the\t Cauldron.\t I\t recited\t the spell\tover\tand\tover\tand\tover. The\tfirst\tcrack\thealed. Then\tthe\tsecond. I\tfelt\thim\ttremble\tbehind\tme,\theard\this\twet\trasp\tof\tbreath.\tI\ttried\tto\tturn\u2014 I\tlove\tyou,\the\tsaid\tagain. The\tthird\tand\tfinal\tcrack\tbegan\tto\theal\tover. His\tpower\tbegan\tto\tsputter.\tBut\tit\tkept\tflowing\tout. I\tthrew\tmine\tinto\tit,\tsparks\tand\tsnow\tand\tlight\tand\twater.\tTogether,\twe\tthrew everything\tin.\tWe\tgave\tevery\tlast\tdrop. Until\tthat\tCauldron\twas\twhole.\tUntil\tthe\tthing\tit\tcontained\t\u2026\tit\twas\tin\tthere.","Locked\taway. Until\t I\t could\t feel\t the\t sun\t again\t warming\t my\t face.\t And\t saw\t that\t Cauldron squatting\tbefore\tme\u2014beneath\tmy\thand. I\teased\tmy\tfingers\tfrom\tthe\ticy\tiron\trim.\tGazed\tdown\tinto\tthe\tinky\tdepths. No\tcracks.\tWhole. I\tloosed\ta\tshuddering\tbreath.\tWe\thad\tdone\tit.\tWe\thad\tdone\u2014 I\tturned. It\ttook\tme\ta\tmoment\tto\tgrasp\tit.\tWhat\tI\tsaw. Rhys\twas\tsprawled\ton\tthe\trocky\tground,\twings\tdraped\tbehind\thim. He\tlooked\tlike\the\twas\tsleeping. But\tas\tI\tbreathed\tin\u2014 It\twasn\u2019t\tthere. That\tthing\tthat\trose\tand\tfell\twith\teach\tbreath.\tThat\techoed\teach\theartbeat. The\tmating\tbond. It\twasn\u2019t\tthere.\tIt\twas\tgone. Because\this\town\tchest\t\u2026\tit\twas\tnot\tmoving. And\tRhys\twas\tdead.","CHAPTER 77 I\thad\tonly\tsilence\tin\tmy\thead.\tOnly\tsilence,\tas\tI\tbegan\tscreaming. Screaming\tand\tscreaming\tand\tscreaming. The\temptiness\tin\tmy\tchest,\tmy\tsoul\tat\tthe\tlack\tof\tthat\tbond,\tthat\tlife\u2014 I\t was\t shaking\t him,\t screaming\t his\t name\t and\t shaking\t him,\t and\t my\t body stopped\tbeing\tmy\tbody\tand\tjust\tbecame\tthis\tthing\tthat\theld\tme\tand\tthis\tlack\tof him,\tand\tI\tcould\tnot\tstop\tscreaming\tand\tscreaming\u2014 Then\tMor\twas\tthere.\tAnd\tAzriel,\tswaying\ton\this\tfeet,\tan\tarm\thooked\taround Cassian\u2014just\tas\tbloody\tand\tbarely\tstanding\tthanks\tto\tthe\tblue,\twebbed\tSiphon- patches\tall\tover\thim.\tOver\tthem\tboth. They\t were\t saying\t things,\t but\t all\t I\t could\t hear\t was\t that\t last\t I\t love\t you,\t which had\tnot\tbeen\ta\tdeclaration\tbut\ta\tgood-bye. And\the\thad\tknown.\tHe\thad\tknown\the\thad\tnothing\tleft,\tand\tstopping\tit\twould take\t everything.\t It\t would\t cost\t him\t everything.\t He\u2019d\t kept\t his\t shields\t up\t so\t I wouldn\u2019t\t see,\t because\t I\t wouldn\u2019t\t have\t said\t yes,\t I\t would\t have\t rather\t the\t world ended\t than\t this,\t this\t thing\t he\t had\t done\t and\t this\t emptiness\t where\t he\t was,\t where we\twere\u2014 Someone\t was\t trying\t to\t haul\t me\t away\t from\t him,\t and\t I\t let\t out\t a\t sound\t that might\thave\tbeen\ta\tsnarl\tor\tanother\tscream,\tand\tthey\tlet\tgo. I\tcouldn\u2019t\tlive\twith\tthis,\tcouldn\u2019t\tendure\tthis,\tcouldn\u2019t\tbreathe\u2014 There\twere\thands\u2014unknown\thands\ton\this\tthroat.\tTouching\thim\u2014 I\tlunged\tfor\tthem,\tbut\tsomeone\theld\tme\tback.\t\u201cHe\u2019s\tseeing\tif\tthere\u2019s\tanything to\tbe\tdone,\u201d\tMor\tsaid,\tvoice\traw. He\u2014him.\tThesan.\tHigh\tLord\tof\tthe\tDawn.\tAnd\tof\thealing.\tI\tlunged\tagain,\tto beg\thim,\tto\tplead\u2014","But\the\tshook\this\thead.\tAt\tMor.\tAt\tthe\tothers. Tarquin\twas\tthere.\tHelion.\tPanting\tand\tbattered.\t\u201cHe\t\u2026,\u201d\tHelion\trasped,\tthen shook\t his\t head,\t closing\t his\t eyes.\t \u201cOf\t course\t he\t did,\u201d\t he\t said,\t more\t to\t himself than\tanyone. \u201cPlease,\u201d\t I\t said,\t and\t wasn\u2019t\t sure\t who\t I\t was\t speaking\t to.\t My\t fingers\t scraped against\tRhys\u2019s\tarmor,\ttrying\tto\tget\tto\tthe\theart\tbeneath. The\tCauldron\u2014maybe\tthe\tCauldron\u2014 I\t did\t not\t know\t those\t spells.\t How\t to\t put\t him\t in\t and\t make\t sure\t he\t came\t back out\u2014 Hands\t wrapped\t around\t my\t own.\t They\t were\t blood-splattered\t and\t cut\t up,\t but gentle.\t I\t tried\t to\t pull\t away,\t but\t they\t held\t firm\t as\t Tarquin\t knelt\t beside\t me\t and said,\t\u201cI\u2019m\tsorry.\u201d It\t was\t those\t two\t words\t that\t shattered\t me.\t Shattered\t me\t in\t a\t way\t I\t didn\u2019t know\tI\tcould\tstill\tbe\tbroken,\ta\trending\tof\tevery\ttether\tand\tleash. Stay\t with\t the\t High\t Lord.\t The\t Suriel\u2019s\t last\t warning.\t Stay\t \u2026\t and\t live\t to\t see everything\trighted. A\tlie.\tA\tlie,\tas\tRhys\thad\tlied\tto\tme.\tStay\twith\tthe\tHigh\tLord. Stay. For\tthere\t\u2026\tthe\ttorn\tscraps\tof\tthe\tmating\tbond.\tFloating\ton\ta\tphantom\twind inside\tme.\tI\tgrasped\tat\tthem\u2014tugged\tat\tthem,\tas\tif\the\u2019d\tanswer. Stay.\tStay,\tstay,\tstay. I\tclung\tto\tthose\tscraps\tand\tremnants,\tclawing\tat\tthe\tvoid\tthat\tlurked\tbeyond. Stay. I\tlooked\tup\tat\tTarquin,\tlip\tcurling\tback\tfrom\tmy\tteeth.\tLooked\tat\tHelion.\tAnd Thesan.\t And\t Beron\t and\t Kallias,\t Viviane\t weeping\t at\t his\t side.\t And\t I\t snarled, \u201cBring\thim\tback.\u201d Blank\tfaces. I\tscreamed\tat\tthem,\t\u201cBRING\tHIM\tBACK.\u201d Nothing. \u201cYou\tdid\tit\tfor\tme,\u201d\tI\tsaid,\tbreathing\thard.\t\u201cNow\tdo\tit\tfor\thim.\u201d \u201cYou\twere\ta\thuman,\u201d\tHelion\tsaid\tcarefully.\t\u201cIt\tis\tnot\tthe\tsame\u2014\u201d \u201cI\tdon\u2019t\tcare.\tDo\tit.\u201d\tWhen\tthey\tdidn\u2019t\tmove,\tI\trallied\tthe\tdregs\tof\tmy\tpower, readying\tto\trip\tinto\ttheir\tminds\tand\tforce\tthem,\tnot\tcaring\twhat\trules\tor\tlaws\tit broke.\tI\twouldn\u2019t\tcare,\tonly\tif\u2014","Tarquin\tstepped\tforward.\tHe\tslowly\textended\this\thand\ttoward\tme. \u201cFor\twhat\the\tgave,\u201d\tTarquin\tsaid\tquietly.\t\u201cToday\tand\tfor\tmany\tyears\tbefore.\u201d And\t as\t that\t seed\t of\t light\t appeared\t in\t his\t palm\t \u2026\t I\t began\t crying\t again. Watched\t it\t drop\t onto\t Rhys\u2019s\t bare\t throat\t and\t vanish\t into\t the\t skin\t beneath,\t an echo\tof\tlight\tflaring\tonce. Helion\t stepped\t forward.\t That\t kernel\t of\t light\t in\t his\t hand\t flickered\t as\t it\t fell onto\tRhys\u2019s\tskin. Then\tKallias.\tAnd\tThesan. Until\tonly\tBeron\tstood\tthere. Mor\tdrew\ther\tsword\tand\tlaid\tit\ton\this\tthroat.\tHe\tjerked,\thaving\tnot\teven\tseen her\tmove.\t\u201cI\tdo\tnot\tmind\tmaking\tone\tmore\tkill\ttoday,\u201d\tshe\tsaid. Beron\t gave\t her\t a\t withering\t glare,\t but\t shoved\t off\t the\t sword\t and\t strode forward.\tHe\tpractically\tchucked\tthat\tfleck\tof\tlight\tonto\tRhys.\tI\tdidn\u2019t\tcare\tabout that,\teither. I\tdidn\u2019t\tknow\tthe\tspell,\tthe\tpower\tit\tcame\tfrom.\tBut\tI\twas\tHigh\tLady. I\theld\tout\tmy\tpalm.\tWilling\tthat\tspark\tof\tlife\tto\tappear.\tNothing\thappened. I\t took\t a\t steadying\t breath,\t remembering\t how\t it\t had\t looked.\t \u201cTell\t me\t how,\u201d\t I growled\tto\tno\tone. Thesan\t coughed\t and\t stepped\t forward.\t Explaining\t the\t core\t of\t power\t and\t on and\ton\tand\tI\tdidn\u2019t\tcare,\tbut\tI\tlistened,\tuntil\u2014 There.\t Small\t as\t a\t sunflower\t seed,\t it\t appeared\t in\t my\t palm.\t A\t bit\t of\t me\u2014my life. I\tlaid\tit\tgently\ton\tRhys\u2019s\tblood-crusted\tthroat. And\tI\trealized,\tjust\tas\the\tappeared,\twhat\twas\tmissing. Tamlin\t stood\t there,\t summoned\t by\t either\t the\t death\t of\t a\t fellow\t High\t Lord\t or one\t of\t the\t others\t around\t me.\t He\t was\t splattered\t in\t mud\t and\t gore,\t his\t new bandolier\tof\tknives\tmostly\tempty. He\tstudied\tRhys,\tlifeless\tbefore\tme.\tStudied\tall\tof\tus\u2014the\tpalms\tstill\tout. There\twas\tno\tkindness\ton\this\tface.\tNo\tmercy. \u201cPlease,\u201d\twas\tall\tI\tsaid\tto\thim. Then\tTamlin\tglanced\tbetween\tus\u2014me\tand\tmy\tmate.\tHis\tface\tdid\tnot\tchange. \u201cPlease,\u201d\tI\twept.\t\u201cI\twill\u2014I\twill\tgive\tyou\tanything\u2014\u201d Something\tshifted\tin\this\teyes\tat\tthat.\tBut\tnot\tkindness.\tNo\temotion\tat\tall. I\tlaid\tmy\thead\ton\tRhysand\u2019s\tchest,\tlistening\tfor\tany\tkind\tof\theartbeat\tthrough","that\tarmor. \u201cAnything,\u201d\tI\tbreathed\tto\tno\tone\tin\tparticular.\t\u201cAnything.\u201d Steps\t scuffed\t on\t the\t rocky\t ground.\t I\t braced\t myself\t for\t another\t set\t of\t hands trying\tto\tpull\tme\taway,\tand\tdug\tmy\tfingers\tin\tharder. The\tsteps\tremained\tbehind\tme\tfor\tlong\tenough\tthat\tI\tlooked. Tamlin\t stood\t there.\t Staring\t down\t at\t me.\t Those\t green\t eyes\t swimming\t with some\temotion\tI\tcouldn\u2019t\tplace. \u201cBe\thappy,\tFeyre,\u201d\the\tsaid\tquietly. And\tdropped\tthat\tfinal\tkernel\tof\tlight\tonto\tRhysand. I\thad\tnot\twitnessed\tit\u2014when\tit\thad\tbeen\tdone\tto\tme. So\tall\tI\tdid\twas\thold\ton\tto\thim.\tTo\this\tbody,\tto\tthe\ttatters\tof\tthat\tbond. Stay,\tI\tbegged.\tStay. Light\tglowed\tbeyond\tmy\tshut\teyelids. Stay. And\tin\tthe\tsilence\t\u2026\tI\tbegan\tto\ttell\thim. About\tthat\tfirst\tnight\tI\u2019d\tseen\thim.\tWhen\tI\u2019d\theard\tthat\tvoice\tbeckoning\tme to\tthe\thills.\tWhen\tI\tcouldn\u2019t\tresist\tits\tsummons,\tand\tnow\t\u2026\tnow\tI\twondered\tif\tI had\theard\thim\tcalling\tfor\tme\ton\tCalanmai.\tIf\tit\thad\tbeen\this\tvoice\tthat\tbrought me\tthere\tthat\tnight. I\t told\t him\t how\t I\t had\t fallen\t in\t love\t with\t him\u2014every\t glance\t and\t passed\t note and\t croak\t of\t laughter\t he\t coaxed\t from\t me.\t I\t told\t him\t of\t everything\t we\u2019d\t done, and\twhat\tit\thad\tmeant\tto\tme,\tand\tall\tthat\tI\tstill\twanted\tto\tdo.\tAll\tthe\tlife\tstill\tleft before\tus. And\tin\treturn\t\u2026\ta\tthud\tsounded. I\topened\tmy\teyes.\tAnother\tthud. And\tthen\this\tchest\trose,\tlifting\tmy\thead\twith\tit. I\tcouldn\u2019t\tmove,\tcouldn\u2019t\tbreathe\u2014 A\thand\tbrushed\tmy\tback. Then\tRhys\tgroaned,\t\u201cIf\twe\u2019re\tall\there,\teither\tthings\twent\tvery,\tvery\twrong\tor very\tright.\u201d Cassian\u2019s\tbroken\tlaugh\tcracked\tout\tof\thim. I\t couldn\u2019t\t lift\t my\t head,\t couldn\u2019t\t do\t anything\t but\t hold\t him,\t savoring\t every","heartbeat\tand\tbreath\tand\tthe\trumble\tof\this\tvoice\tas\tRhys\trasped,\t\u201cYou\tlot\twill\tbe pleased\tto\tknow\t\u2026\tMy\tpower\tremains\tmy\town.\tNo\tthieving\there.\u201d \u201cYou\t do\t know\t how\t to\t make\t an\t entrance,\u201d\t Helion\t drawled.\t \u201cOr\t should\t I\t say exit?\u201d \u201cYou\u2019re\thorrible,\u201d\tViviane\tsnapped.\t\u201cThat\u2019s\tnot\teven\tremotely\tfunny\u2014\u201d I\tdidn\u2019t\thear\twhat\telse\tthey\tsaid.\tRhys\tsat\tup,\tlifting\tme\toff\thim.\tHe\tbrushed away\tthe\thair\tclinging\tto\tmy\tdamp\tcheeks. \u201cStay\twith\tthe\tHigh\tLord,\u201d\the\tmurmured. I\thadn\u2019t\tbelieved\tit\u2014until\tI\tlooked\tinto\tthat\tface.\tThose\tstar-flecked\teyes. Hadn\u2019t\tlet\tmyself\tbelieve\tit\twasn\u2019t\tanything\tbut\tsome\tdelusion\u2014 \u201cIt\u2019s\treal,\u201d\the\tsaid,\tkissing\tmy\tbrow.\t\u201cAnd\u2014there\u2019s\tanother\tsurprise.\u201d He\tpointed\twith\ta\thealed\thand\ttoward\tthe\tCauldron.\t\u201cSomeone\tfish\tout\tdear Amren\tbefore\tshe\tcatches\ta\tcold.\u201d Varian\t whirled\t toward\t us.\t But\t Mor\t was\t sprinting\t for\t the\t Cauldron,\t and\t her cry\tas\tshe\treached\tin\u2014 \u201cHow?\u201d\tI\tbreathed. Azriel\t and\t Varian\t were\t there,\t helping\t Mor\t heave\t a\t waterlogged\t form\t out\t of the\tdark\twater. Her\tchest\trose\tand\tfell,\ther\tfeatures\tthe\tsame,\tbut\t\u2026 \u201cShe\t was\t there,\u201d\t Rhys\t said.\t \u201cWhen\t the\t Cauldron\t was\t sealing.\t Going\t \u2026 wherever\twe\tgo.\u201d Amren\t sputtered\t water,\t vomiting\t onto\t the\t rocky\t ground.\t Mor\t thumped\t her back,\tcoaxing\ther\tthrough\tit. \u201cSo\tI\treached\tout\ta\thand,\u201d\tRhys\twent\ton\tquietly.\t\u201cTo\tsee\tif\tshe\tmight\twant\tto come\tback.\u201d And\tas\tAmren\topened\ther\teyes,\tas\tVarian\tlet\tout\ta\tchoked\tsound\tof\trelief\tand joy\u2014 I\tknew\u2014what\tshe\thad\tgiven\tup\tto\tcome\tback.\tHigh\tFae\u2014and\tjust\tthat. For\t her\t silver\t eyes\t were\t solid.\t Unmoving.\t No\t smoke,\t no\t burning\t mist\t in them. A\tnormal\tlife,\tno\ttrace\tof\ther\tpowers\tto\tbe\tseen. And\tas\tAmren\tsmiled\tat\tme\t\u2026\tI\twondered\tif\tthat\thad\tbeen\ther\tlast\tgift. If\tit\tall\t\u2026\tif\tit\tall\thad\tbeen\ta\tgift.","CHAPTER 78 Amongst\t the\t sprawling\t field\t of\t corpses\t and\t wounded,\t there\t was\t one\t body\t I wanted\tto\tbury. Only\t Nesta,\t Elain,\t and\t I\t returned\t to\t that\t clearing,\t once\t Azriel\t had\t given\t the all-clear\tthat\tthe\tbattle\twas\twell\tand\ttruly\tover. Letting\tRhys\tout\tof\tmy\tsight\tto\twrangle\tour\tscattered\tarmies,\tsort\tthrough\tthe living\t and\t dead,\t and\t figure\t out\t some\t semblance\t of\t order\t was\t an\t effort\t in\t self- control. I\tnearly\tbegged\tRhys\tto\tcome\twith\tus,\tso\tI\tdidn\u2019t\thave\tto\tlet\tgo\tof\this\thand, which\t I\t had\t not\t stopped\t clutching\t since\t those\t moments\t I\u2019d\t heard\t his\t beautiful, solid\theartbeat\techoing\tinto\this\tbody\tonce\tmore. But\t this\t task,\t this\t farewell\t \u2026\t I\t knew,\t deep\t down,\t that\t it\t was\t only\t for\t my sisters\tand\tme. So\t I\t released\t Rhys\u2019s\t hand,\t kissing\t him\t once,\t twice,\t and\t left\t him\t in\t the\t war- camp\tto\thelp\tMor\thaul\ta\tbarely\tstanding\tCassian\tto\tthe\tnearest\thealer. Nesta\t was\t watching\t them\t when\t I\t reached\t her\t and\t Elain\t at\t the\t tree-lined outskirts.\t Had\t she\t done\t some\t healing,\t somehow,\t in\t those\t moments\t after\t she\u2019d severed\t the\t king\u2019s\t head?\t Or\t had\t it\t been\t Cassian\u2019s\t immortal\t blood\t and\t Azriel\u2019s battlefield\tpatching\tthat\thad\talready\thealed\thim\tenough\tto\tmanage\tto\tstand,\teven with\tthe\twing\tand\tleg?\tI\tdidn\u2019t\task\tmy\tsister,\tand\tshe\tsupplied\tno\tanswer\tas\tshe took\t the\t water\t bucket\tdangling\tfrom\tElain\u2019s\tstill-bloody\thands,\tand\tI\tfollowed them\tboth\tthrough\tthe\ttrees. The\tKing\tof\tHybern\u2019s\tcorpse\tlay\tin\tthe\tclearing,\tcrows\talready\tpicking\tat\tit. Nesta\tspat\ton\tit\tbefore\twe\tapproached\tour\tfather.\tThe\tcrows\tbarely\tscattered in\ttime.","The\t screams\t and\t moaning\t of\t the\t wounded\t was\t a\t distant\t wall\t of\t sound\u2014 another\tworld\taway\tfrom\tthe\tsun-dappled\tclearing.\tFrom\tthe\tblood\tstill\tfresh\ton the\t moss\t and\t grass.\t I\t blocked\t out\t the\t coppery\t tang\t of\t it\u2014Cassian\u2019s\t blood,\t the king\u2019s\tblood,\tNesta\u2019s\tblood. Only\t our\t father\t had\t not\t bled.\t He\t hadn\u2019t\t been\t given\t the\t chance\t to.\t And through\twhatever\tsmall\tmercy\tof\tthe\tMother,\tthe\tcrows\thadn\u2019t\tstarted\ton\thim. Elain\t quietly\t washed\t his\t face.\t Combed\t out\t his\t hair\t and\t beard.\t Straightened his\tclothes. She\tfound\tflowers\u2014somewhere.\tShe\tlaid\tthem\tat\this\thead,\ton\this\tchest. We\tstared\tdown\tat\thim\tin\tsilence. \u201cI\tlove\tyou,\u201d\tElain\twhispered,\tvoice\tbreaking. Nesta\tsaid\tnothing,\tface\tunreadable.\tThere\twere\tsuch\tshadows\tin\ther\teyes.\tI had\tnot\ttold\ther\twhat\tI\u2019d\tseen\u2014had\tlet\tthem\ttell\tme\twhat\tthey\twanted. Elain\tbreathed,\t\u201cShould\twe\u2014say\ta\tprayer?\u201d We\t did\t not\t have\t such\t things\t in\t the\t human\t world,\t I\t remembered.\t My\t sisters had\tno\tprayers\tto\toffer\thim.\tBut\tin\tPrythian\t\u2026 \u201cMother\thold\tyou,\u201d\tI\twhispered,\treciting\twords\tI\thad\tnot\theard\tsince\tthat\tday Under\t the\t Mountain.\t \u201cMay\t you\t pass\t through\t the\t gates;\t may\t you\t smell\t that immortal\t land\t of\t milk\t and\t honey.\u201d\t Flame\t ignited\t at\t my\t fingertips.\t All\t I\t could muster.\t All\t that\t was\t left.\t \u201cFear\t no\t evil.\t Feel\t no\t pain.\u201d\t My\t mouth\t trembled\t as\t I breathed,\t\u201cMay\tyou\tenter\teternity.\u201d Tears\tslid\tdown\tElain\u2019s\tpallid\tcheeks\tas\tshe\tadjusted\tan\terrant\tflower\ton\tour father\u2019s\tchest,\twhite-petaled\tand\tdelicate,\tand\tthen\tbacked\taway\tto\tmy\tside\twith a\tnod. Nesta\u2019s\tface\tdid\tnot\tshift\tas\tI\tsent\tthat\tfire\tto\tignite\tour\tfather\u2019s\tbody. He\twas\tash\ton\tthe\twind\tin\ta\tmatter\tof\tmoments. We\t stared\t at\t the\t burned\t slab\t of\t earth\t for\t long\t minutes,\t the\t sun\t shifting overhead. Steps\tcrunched\ton\tthe\tgrass\tbehind\tus. Nesta\twhirled,\tbut\u2014 Lucien.\tIt\twas\tLucien. Lucien,\thaggard\tand\tbloody,\tpanting\tfor\tbreath.\tAs\tif\the\u2019d\trun\tfrom\tthe\tshore. His\tgaze\tsettled\ton\tElain,\tand\the\tsagged\ta\tlittle.\tBut\tElain\tonly\twrapped\ther arms\taround\therself\tand\tremained\tat\tmy\tside.","\u201cAre\t you\t hurt?\u201d\t he\t asked,\t coming\t toward\t us.\t Spying\t the\t blood\t speckling Elain\u2019s\thands. He\thalted\tshort\tas\the\tnoticed\tthe\tKing\tof\tHybern\u2019s\tdecapitated\thead\ton\t the other\tside\tof\tthe\tclearing.\tNesta\twas\tstill\tshowered\twith\this\tblood. \u201cI\u2019m\t fine,\u201d\t Elain\t said\t quietly.\t And\t then\t asked,\t noticing\t the\t gore\t on\t him,\t the torn\tclothes\tand\tstill-bloody\tweapons,\t\u201cAre\tyou\u2014\u201d \u201cWell,\tI\tnever\twant\tto\tfight\tin\tanother\tbattle\tas\tlong\tas\tI\tlive,\tbut\t\u2026\tyes,\tI\u2019m in\tone\tpiece.\u201d A\tfaint\tsmile\tbloomed\ton\tElain\u2019s\tlips.\tBut\tLucien\tnoticed\tthat\tscorched\tpatch of\t grass\t behind\t us\t and\t said,\t \u201cI\t heard\u2014what\t happened.\t I\u2019m\t sorry\t for\t your\t loss. All\tof\tyou.\u201d I\tjust\tstrode\tto\thim\tand\tthrew\tmy\tarms\taround\this\tneck,\teven\tif\tit\twasn\u2019t\tthe embrace\the\twas\thoping\tfor.\t\u201cThank\tyou\u2014for\tcoming.\tWith\tthe\tbattle,\tI\tmean.\u201d \u201cI\u2019ve\tgot\tone\thell\tof\ta\tstory\tto\ttell\tyou,\u201d\the\tsaid,\tsqueezing\tme\ttightly.\t\u201cAnd don\u2019t\tbe\tsurprised\tif\tVassa\tcorners\tyou\tas\tsoon\tas\tthe\tships\tare\tsorted.\tAnd\tthe sun\tsets.\u201d \u201cIs\tshe\treally\u2014\u201d \u201cYes.\tBut\tyour\tfather,\tever\tthe\tnegotiator\t\u2026\u201d\tA\tsad,\tsmall\tsmile\ttoward\tthat burnt\t grass.\t \u201cHe\t managed\t to\t cut\t a\t deal\t with\t Vassa\u2019s\t keeper\t to\t come\t here. Temporarily,\t but\t \u2026\t better\t than\t nothing.\t But\t yes\u2014queen\t by\t night,\t firebird\t by day.\u201d\tHe\tblew\tout\ta\tbreath.\t\u201cNasty\tcurse.\u201d \u201cThe\thuman\tqueens\tare\tstill\tout\tthere,\u201d\tI\tsaid.\tMaybe\tI\u2019d\thunt\tthem\tdown. \u201cNot\tfor\tlong\u2014not\tif\tVassa\thas\tanything\tto\tdo\twith\tit.\u201d \u201cYou\tsound\tlike\tan\tacolyte.\u201d Lucien\t blushed,\t glancing\t at\t Elain.\t \u201cShe\u2019s\t got\t a\t foul\t temper\t and\t a\t fouler mouth.\u201d\tHe\tcut\tme\ta\twry\tlook.\t\u201cYou\u2019ll\tget\talong\tjust\tfine.\u201d I\tnudged\thim\tin\tthe\tribs. But\t Lucien\t again\t looked\t at\t that\t singed\t grass,\t and\t his\t blood-splattered\t face turned\tsolemn.\t\u201cHe\twas\ta\tgood\tman,\u201d\the\tsaid.\t\u201cHe\tloved\tyou\tall\tvery\tmuch.\u201d I\t nodded,\t unable\t to\t form\t the\t words.\t The\t thoughts.\t Nesta\t didn\u2019t\t so\t much\t as blink\tto\tindicate\tshe\u2019d\theard.\tElain\tjust\twrapped\ther\tarms\ttighter\taround\therself, a\tfew\tmore\ttears\tstreaking\tfree. I\tspared\tLucien\tthe\ttorment\tof\tdebating\twhether\tto\ttouch\ther,\tand\tlinked\tmy arm\t through\t his\t as\t I\t began\t to\t walk\t away,\t letting\t my\t sisters\t decide\t to\t follow\t or","remain\u2014if\tthey\twanted\ta\tmoment\talone\twith\tthat\tburnt\tgrass. Elain\tcame. Nesta\tstayed. Elain\t fell\t into\t step\t beside\t me,\t peering\t at\t Lucien.\t He\t noticed\t it.\t \u201cI\t heard\t you made\tthe\tkilling\tblow,\u201d\the\tsaid. Elain\tstudied\tthe\ttrees\tahead.\t\u201cNesta\tdid.\tI\tjust\tstabbed\thim.\u201d Lucien\t seemed\t to\t fumble\t for\t a\t response,\t but\t I\t said\t to\t him,\t \u201cSo\t where\t now? Off\twith\tVassa?\u201d\tI\twondered\tif\the\u2019d\theard\tof\tTamlin\u2019s\trole\u2014the\thelp\the\u2019d\tgiven us.\t A\t look\t at\t my\t friend\t showed\t me\t he\t had.\t Someone,\t perhaps\t my\t mate,\t had informed\thim. Lucien\t shrugged.\t \u201cFirst\u2014here.\t To\t help.\t Then\t \u2026\u201d\t Another\t glance\t at\t Elain. \u201cWho\tknows?\u201d I\tnudged\tElain,\twho\tblinked\tat\tme,\tthen\tblurted,\t\u201cYou\tcould\tcome\tto\tVelaris.\u201d He\tsaw\tall\tof\tit,\tbut\tnodded\tgraciously.\t\u201cIt\twould\tbe\tmy\tpleasure.\u201d As\t we\t strode\t back\t to\t the\t camp,\t Lucien\t told\t us\t of\t his\t time\t away\u2014how\t he\u2019d hunted\tfor\tVassa,\thow\the\u2019d\tfound\ther\talready\twith\tmy\tfather,\tan\tarmy\tmarching westward.\t How\t Miryam\t and\t Drakon\t had\t found\t them\t on\t their\t own\t journey\t to help\tus. I\t was\t still\t mulling\t over\t all\t he\t said\t when\t I\t slipped\t into\t my\t tent\t to\t finally change\tout\tof\tmy\tleathers,\tleaving\thim\tand\tElain\tto\tgo\tfind\ta\tplace\tto\twash\tup. And\ttalk\u2014perhaps. But\t as\t I\t strode\t through\t the\t flaps,\t sound\t greeted\t me\t within\u2014talking.\t Many voices,\tone\tof\tthem\tbelonging\tto\tmy\tmate. I\t got\t one\t step\t inside\t and\t knew\t I\t wouldn\u2019t\t be\t changing\t my\t clothes\t anytime soon. For\t seated\t in\t a\t chair\t before\t the\t brazier\t was\t Prince\t Drakon,\t Rhys\t sprawled and\t still\t bloody\t on\t the\t cushions\t across\t from\t him.\t And\t on\t the\t pillows\t beside Rhys\tsat\ta\tlovely\tfemale,\ther\tdark\thair\ttumbling\tdown\ther\tback\tin\tluscious\tcurls, already\tsmiling\tat\tme. Miryam.","CHAPTER 79 Miryam\u2019s\t smiling\t face\t was\t more\t human\t than\t High\t Fae.\t But\t Miryam,\t I remembered\tas\tshe\tand\tDrakon\trose\tto\ttheir\tfeet\tto\tgreet\tme,\twas\tonly\thalf\tFae. She\t bore\t the\t delicately\t pointed\t ears,\t but\t \u2026\t there\t was\t something\t still\t human about\ther.\tIn\tthat\tbroad\tsmile\tthat\tlit\tup\ther\tbrown\teyes. I\tinstantly\tliked\ther.\tMud\tsplattered\ther\town\tleathers\u2014a\tdifferent\tmake\tthan the\t Illyrians\u2019,\t but\t obviously\t designed\t by\t another\t aerial\t people\t to\t keep\t warm\t in the\t skies\u2014and\t a\t few\t speckles\t of\t blood\t coated\t the\t honey-brown\t skin\t along\t her neck\tand\thands,\tbut\tshe\tdidn\u2019t\tseem\tto\tnotice.\tOr\tcare.\tShe\theld\tout\ther\thands\tto me.\t \u201cHigh\t Lady,\u201d\t Miryam\t said,\t her\t accent\t the\t same\t as\t Drakon\u2019s.\t Rolling\t and rich. I\t took\t her\t hands,\t surprised\t to\t find\t them\t dry\t and\t warm.\t She\t squeezed\t my fingers\t tightly\t while\t I\t managed\t to\t say,\t \u201cI\u2019ve\t heard\t so\t much\t about\t you\u2014thank you\t for\t coming.\u201d\t I\t cast\t a\t look\t at\t where\t Rhys\t still\t remained\t sprawled\t on\t the cushions,\t watching\t us\t with\t raised\t brows.\t \u201cFor\t someone\t who\t was\t just\t dead,\u201d\t I said\ttightly,\t\u201cyou\tseem\tremarkably\trelaxed.\u201d Rhys\t smirked.\t \u201cI\u2019m\t glad\t you\u2019re\t bouncing\t back\t to\t your\t usual\t spirits,\t Feyre darling.\u201d Drakon\t snorted,\t and\t took\t my\t hands,\t squeezing\t them\t as\t tightly\t as\t his\t mate had.\t\u201cWhat\the\tdoesn\u2019t\twant\tto\ttell\tyou,\tmy\tlady,\tis\tthat\the\u2019s\tso\tdamn\told\the\tcan\u2019t stand\tup\tright\tnow.\u201d I\twhirled\tto\tRhys.\t\u201cAre\tyou\u2014\u201d \u201cFine,\t fine,\u201d\t Rhys\t said,\t waving\t a\t hand,\t even\t as\t he\t groaned\t a\t bit.\t \u201cThough perhaps\tnow\tyou\tsee\twhy\tI\tdidn\u2019t\tbother\tvisiting\tthese\ttwo\tfor\tso\tlong.\tThey\u2019re terribly\tcruel\tto\tme.\u201d","Miryam\t laughed,\t plopping\t down\t on\t the\t cushions\t again.\t \u201cYour\t mate\t was\t in the\tmiddle\tof\ttelling\tus\tyour\tstory,\tas\tit\tseems\tyou\u2019ve\talready\theard\tours.\u201d I\thad,\tbut\teven\tas\tPrince\tDrakon\tgracefully\treturned\tto\this\tseat\tand\tI\tslid\tinto the\t chair\t beside\t his,\t just\t watching\t the\t two\t of\t them\t \u2026\t I\t wanted\t to\t know\t the entire\tthing.\tOne\tday\u2014not\ttomorrow\tor\tthe\tday\tafter,\tbut\t\u2026\tone\tday,\tI\twanted to\thear\ttheir\ttale\tin\tfull.\tBut\tfor\tnow\t\u2026 \u201cI\u2014saw\tyou\ttwo.\tBattling\tJurian.\u201d\tDrakon\tinstantly\tstiffened,\tMiryam\u2019s\teyes going\tshuttered\tas\tI\tasked,\t\u201cIs\the\t\u2026\tIs\the\tdead?\u201d \u201cNo,\u201d\twas\tall\tDrakon\tsaid. \u201cMor,\u201d\t Miryam\t cut\t in,\t frowning,\t \u201cwound\t up\t convincing\t us\t not\t to\t \u2026\t settle things.\u201d They\t would\t have.\t From\t the\t expression\t on\t Drakon\u2019s\t face,\t the\t prince\t still didn\u2019t\t seem\t convinced.\t And\t from\t the\t haunted\t gleam\t in\t Miryam\u2019s\t eyes,\t it seemed\tas\tif\tfar\tmore\thad\toccurred\tduring\tthat\tfight\tthan\tthey\tlet\ton.\tBut\tI\tstill asked,\t\u201cWhere\tis\the?\u201d Drakon\tshrugged.\t\u201cAfter\twe\tdidn\u2019t\tkill\thim,\tI\thave\tno\tidea\twhere\the\tslithered off\tto.\u201d Rhys\t gave\t me\t a\t half\t smile.\t \u201cHe\u2019s\t with\t Lord\t Graysen\u2019s\t men\u2014seeing\t to\t the wounded.\u201d Miryam\tasked\tcarefully,\t\u201cAre\tyou\u2014friends\twith\tJurian?\u201d \u201cNo,\u201d\tI\tsaid.\t\u201cI\tmean\u2014I\tdon\u2019t\tthink\tso.\tBut\t\u2026\tevery\tword\the\tsaid\twas\ttrue. And\the\tdid\thelp\tme.\tA\tgreat\tdeal.\u201d Neither\t of\t them\t so\t much\t as\t nodded\t as\t they\t exchanged\t a\t long\t glance, unspoken\twords\tpassing\tbetween\tthem. Rhys\tasked,\t\u201cI\tthought\tI\tsaw\tNephelle\tduring\tthe\tbattle\u2014any\tchance\tI\u2019ll\tget to\t say\t hello,\t or\t is\t she\t too\t important\t now\t to\t bother\t with\t me?\u201d\t Laughter\u2014 beautiful\tlaughter\u2014danced\tin\this\teyes. I\tstraightened,\tsmiling.\t\u201cShe\u2019s\there?\u201d Drakon\tlifted\ta\tdark\tbrow.\t\u201cYou\tknow\tNephelle?\u201d \u201cKnow\t of\t her,\u201d\t I\t said,\t and\t glanced\t toward\t the\t tent\t flaps\t as\t if\t she\u2019d\t come striding\tright\tin.\t\u201cI\u2014it\u2019s\ta\tlong\tstory.\u201d \u201cWe\t have\t time\t to\t hear\t it,\u201d\t Miryam\t said,\t then\t added,\t \u201cOr\t \u2026\t a\t bit\t of\t time,\t I suppose.\u201d For\tthere\twere\tindeed\tmany,\tmany\tthings\tto\tsort\tout.\tIncluding\u2014","I\t shook\t my\t head.\t \u201cLater,\u201d\t I\t said\t to\t Miryam,\t to\t her\t mate.\t The\t proof\t that\t a world\t could\t exist\t without\t a\t wall,\t without\t a\t Treaty.\t \u201cThere\u2019s\t something\t \u2026\u201d\t I relayed\t my\t thought\t down\t the\t bond\t to\t Rhys,\t earning\t a\t nod\t of\t approval\t before\t I said,\t\u201cIs\tyour\tisland\tstill\tsecret?\u201d Miryam\t and\t Drakon\t exchanged\t a\t guilty\t look.\t \u201cWe\t do\t apologize\t for\t that,\u201d Miryam\t offered.\t \u201cIt\t seems\t that\t the\t glamour\t worked\t too\t well,\t if\t it\t kept\t well- meaning\t messengers\t away.\u201d\t She\t shook\t her\t head,\t those\t beautiful\t curls\t moving with\t her.\t \u201cWe\t would\t have\t come\t sooner\u2014we\t left\t the\t moment\t we\t realized\t what trouble\tyou\tall\twere\tin.\u201d \u201cNo,\u201d\t I\t said,\t shaking\t my\t own\t head,\t scrambling\t for\t the\t words.\t \u201cNo\u2014I\t don\u2019t blame\tyou.\tMother\tabove,\twe\towe\tyou\t\u2026\u201d\tI\tblew\tout\ta\tbreath.\t\u201cWe\tare\tin\tyour debt.\u201d\tDrakon\tand\tMiryam\tobjected\tto\tthat,\tbut\tI\twent\ton,\t\u201cWhat\tI\tmean\tis\t\u2026\tIf there\t was\t an\t object\t of\t terrible\t power\t that\t now\t needed\t to\t be\t hidden\t \u2026\t Would Cretea\tremain\ta\tgood\tplace\tto\tconceal\tit?\u201d Again\tthat\tlook\tbetween\tthem,\ta\tlook\tbetween\tmates.\t\u201cYes,\u201d\tDrakon\tsaid. Miryam\tbreathed,\t\u201cYou\tmean\tthe\tCauldron.\u201d I\t nodded.\t It\t had\t been\t hauled\t into\t our\t camp,\t guarded\t by\t whatever\t Illyrians could\tstill\tstand.\tNone\tof\tthe\tother\tHigh\tLords\thad\tasked\u2014for\tnow.\tBut\tI\tcould see\t the\t debate\t that\t would\t rage,\t the\t war\t we\t might\t start\t internally\t over\t who, exactly,\t got\t to\t keep\t the\t Cauldron.\t \u201cIt\t needs\t to\t disappear,\u201d\t I\t said\t softly. \u201cPermanently.\u201d\tI\tadded,\t\u201cBefore\tanyone\tremembers\tto\tlay\tclaim\tto\tit.\u201d Drakon\t and\t Miryam\t considered,\t some\t unspoken\t conversation\t passing between\tthem,\tperhaps\tdown\ttheir\town\tmating\tbond.\t\u201cWhen\twe\tleave,\u201d\tDrakon said\tat\tlast,\t\u201cone\tof\tour\tships\tmight\tfind\titself\ta\tlittle\theavier\tin\tthe\twater.\u201d I\tsmiled.\t\u201cThank\tyou.\u201d \u201cWhen\tare\tyou,\texactly,\tplanning\tto\tleave?\u201d\tRhys\tasked,\tlifting\ta\tbrow. \u201cKicking\tus\tout\talready?\u201d\tDrakon\tsaid\twith\ta\thalf\tsmile. \u201cA\tfew\tdays,\u201d\tMiryam\tcut\tin\twryly.\t\u201cAs\tsoon\tas\tthe\tinjured\tare\tready.\u201d \u201cGood,\u201d\tI\tsaid. They\tall\tlooked\tto\tme.\tI\tswallowed.\t\u201cI\tmean\t\u2026\tNot\tthat\tI\u2019m\tglad\tfor\tyou\tto go\t\u2026\u201d\tThe\tamusement\tin\tMiryam\u2019s\teyes\tspread,\ttwinkling.\tI\tsmiled\tmyself.\t\u201cI want\tyou\there.\tBecause\tI\u2019d\tlike\tto\tcall\ta\tmeeting.\u201d","A\t day\t later\t \u2026\t I\t didn\u2019t\t know\t how\t it\u2019d\t come\t together\t so\t quickly.\t I\u2019d\t merely explained\twhat\tI\twanted,\twhat\twe\tneeded\tto\tdo,\tand\t\u2026\tRhys\tand\tDrakon\tmade it\thappen. There\twas\tno\tproper\tspace\tto\tdo\tit\u2014not\twith\tthe\tcamps\tin\tdisarray.\tBut\tthere was\tone\tplace\u2014a\tfew\tmiles\toff. And\tas\tthe\tsun\tset\tand\tmy\tfamily\u2019s\thalf-ruined\testate\tbecame\tfilled\twith\tHigh Lords\t and\t princes,\t generals\t and\t commanders,\t humans\t and\t Fae\t \u2026\t I\t still\t didn\u2019t have\tthe\twords\tto\treally\texpress\tit.\tHow\twe\tcould\tall\tgather\tin\tthe\tgiant\tsitting room,\tthe\tonly\tusable\tspace\tin\tmy\tfamily\u2019s\told\testate,\tand\tactually\thave\t\u2026\tthis meeting. I\u2019d\t slept\t through\t the\t night,\t deep\t and\t undisturbed,\t Rhys\t in\t bed\t beside\t me.\t I hadn\u2019t\t let\t go\t of\t him\t until\t dawn\t had\t leaked\t into\t our\t tent.\t And\t then\t \u2026\t the\t war- camps\t were\t too\t full\t of\t blood\t and\t injured\t and\t the\t dead.\t And\t there\t was\t this meeting\tto\tarrange\tbetween\tvarious\tarmies\tand\tcamps\tand\tpeoples. It\ttook\tall\tday,\tbut\tby\tthe\tend\tof\tit,\tI\tfound\tmyself\tin\tthe\twrecked\tfoyer,\tRhys and\tthe\tothers\tbeside\tme,\tthe\tchandelier\ta\tbroken\tmass\tbehind\tus\ton\tthe\tcracked marble\tfloor. The\tHigh\tLords\tarrived\tfirst.\tStarting\twith\tBeron. Beron,\t who\t did\t not\t so\t much\t as\t glance\t at\t his\t son-who-was-not-his-son. Lucien,\tstanding\ton\tmy\tother\tside,\tdidn\u2019t\tacknowledge\tBeron\u2019s\texistence,\teither. Or\tEris\u2019s,\tas\the\tstrode\ta\tstep\tbehind\this\tfather. Eris\twas\tbruised\tand\tcut\tup\tenough\tto\tindicate\the\tmust\thave\tbeen\tin\tterrible shape\tafter\tthe\tfighting\tceased\tyesterday,\tsporting\ta\tbrutal\tslice\tdown\this\tcheek and\t neck\u2014barely\t healed.\t Mor\t let\t out\t a\t satisfied\t grunt\t at\t the\t sight\t of\t it\u2014or perhaps\ta\tsound\tof\tdisappointment\tthat\tthe\twound\thad\tnot\tbeen\tfatal. Eris\tcontinued\tby\tas\tif\the\thadn\u2019t\theard\tit,\tbut\tdidn\u2019t\tsneer\tat\tleast.\tRather\u2014he just\tnodded\tat\tRhys. It\t was\t silent\t promise\t enough:\t soon.\t Soon,\t perhaps,\t Eris\t would\t finally\t take what\the\tdesired\u2014and\tcall\tin\tour\tdebt. We\tdid\tnot\tbother\tto\tnod\tback.\tNone\tof\tus. Especially\tnot\tLucien,\twho\tcontinued\tdutifully\tignoring\this\teldest\tbrother. But\tas\tEris\tstrode\tby\t\u2026\tI\tcould\thave\tsworn\tthere\twas\tsomething\tlike\tsadness \u2014like\tregret,\tas\the\tglanced\tto\tLucien. Tamlin\tcrossed\tthe\tthreshold\tmoments\tlater.","He\thad\ta\tbandage\tover\this\tneck,\tand\tone\tover\this\tarm.\tHe\tcame,\tas\the\thad\tto that\tfirst\tmeeting,\twith\tno\tone\tin\ttow. I\t wondered\t if\t he\t knew\t that\t this\t wrecked\t house\t had\t been\t purchased\t with\t the money\the\u2019d\tgiven\tmy\tfather.\tWith\tthe\tkindness\the\u2019d\tshown\tthem. But\tTamlin\u2019s\tattention\tdidn\u2019t\tgo\tto\tme. It\twent\tto\tthe\tperson\tjust\tto\tmy\tleft.\tTo\tLucien. Lucien\tstepped\tforward,\thead\thigh,\teven\tas\tthat\tmetal\teye\twhirred.\tMy\tsisters were\t already\t within\t the\t sitting\t room,\t ready\t to\t guide\t our\t guests\t to\t their predetermined\tspots.\tWe\u2019d\tplanned\tthose\tcarefully,\ttoo. Tamlin\t paused\t a\t few\t feet\t away.\t None\t of\t us\t said\t a\t word.\t Not\t as\t Lucien opened\this\tmouth. \u201cTamlin\u2014\u201d But\tTamlin\u2019s\tattention\thad\tgone\tto\tthe\tclothes\tLucien\tnow\twore.\tThe\tIllyrian leathers. He\tmight\tas\twell\thave\tbeen\twearing\tNight\tCourt\tblack. It\twas\tan\teffort\tto\tkeep\tmy\tmouth\tshut,\tto\tnot\texplain\tthat\tLucien\tdidn\u2019t\thave any\tother\tclothes\twith\thim,\tand\tthat\tthey\tweren\u2019t\ta\tsign\tof\this\tallegiance\u2014 Tamlin\tjust\tshook\this\thead,\tloathing\tsimmering\tin\this\tgreen\teyes,\tand\twalked past.\tNot\ta\tword. I\t looked\t at\t Lucien\t in\t time\t to\t see\t the\t guilt,\t the\t devastation,\t flicker\t in\t that russet\t eye.\t Rhys\t had\t indeed\t told\t Lucien\t everything\t about\t Tamlin\u2019s\t covert assistance.\tHis\thelp\tin\tdragging\tBeron\there.\tSaving\tme\tat\tthe\tcamp.\tBut\tLucien remained\t standing\t with\t us\t as\t Tamlin\t found\t his\t place\t in\t the\t sitting\t room\t to\t our right.\tDid\tnot\tglance\tat\this\tfriend\teven\tonce. Lucien\twasn\u2019t\tfoolish\tenough\tto\tbeg\tfor\tforgiveness. That\t conversation,\t that\t confrontation\u2014it\t would\t take\t place\t at\t another\t time. Another\tday,\tor\tweek,\tor\tmonth. I\tlost\ttrack\tof\twho\tfiled\tin\tafterward.\tDrakon\tand\tMiryam,\talong\twith\ta\thost of\ttheir\tpeople.\tIncluding\u2014 I\tstarted\tat\tthe\tslight,\tdark-haired\tfemale\twho\tentered\ton\tMiryam\u2019s\tright,\ther wings\tmuch\tsmaller\tthan\tthe\tother\tSeraphim. I\t glanced\t to\t where\t Azriel\t stood\t on\t Rhys\u2019s\t other\t side,\t bandaged\t all\t over\t and wings\t in\t splints\t after\t he\u2019d\t worked\t them\t too\t hard\t yesterday.\t The\t shadowsinger nodded\tin\tconfirmation.\tNephelle."]
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