I ran again, losing myself amongst my water-wolves. Some of the soldiers were taking to the sky, flapping upward, backtracking. So my wolves grew wings, and talons, and became falcons and hawks and eagles.
Because I’d want someone to hold my hand until the end, and awhile after that. That’s something everyone deserves, human or faerie.
Just so you know,” she said, speaking to all of them but still watching Sam, “I’m going to retrieve Ben’s body.” A muscle feathered in Sam’s jaw, though he wisely kept his eyes averted. “But don’t expect me to extend the same courtesy to the rest of you when your time comes.
Aelin smiled, and Goldryn burned brighter. ‘I am a god.
The cavernous entrance hall of the Assassins’ Keep was silent as Celaena Sardothien stalked across the marble floor, a letter clutched between her fingers. No one had greeted her at the towering oak doors save the housekeeper, who’d taken her rain-sodden cloak – and, after getting a look at the wicked grin on Celaena’s face, opted not to say anything.
Maeve knew everything – as was expected when you were older than dirt.
Sprawled on the well-worn red carpet in front of her, Chaol’s glass pen flickered with firelight as he scanned through documents and signed things and scribbled notes. Giving a little sigh through her nose, Celaena lowered the paper in her hands.
Sam stared at her long enough for heat to flood her cheek, as if he could see right inside of her – see everything. The fact that he didn’t turn away from whatever he saw made her blood thrum in her veins. “I suppose if we’re going to die, it should be for a noble cause,” he said.
For the world’s greatest assassin, this is pathetic,” said Dorian, stepping from the doorway. She yelped and swung toward him. She wore a tunic and pants, and her hair was unbound. He leaned against the table, smiling as she turned a deep shade of red. “If you’re going to insult me, you can shove this – ” She lifted the cue in the air and made an obscene gesture that finished her sentence.
And then there was only them, and skin against skin, and when they reached that moment when there was nothing more between them at all, Celaena kissed Chaol deeply and gave him everything she had.
I will spend the rest of my life knowing that I may never again hear finer music, never again experience a shred of what I felt sitting in that theater while he conducted.
When she could try to understand why Arobynn Hamel might have betrayed her – and what she was going to do with that horrible knowledge. How much she’d make him suffer – and bleed for it.
She tipped her head back and gave the moon a wicked smile. She’d been called Adarlan’s Assassin for a reason. Dramatic entrances were practically her art form.
For what it’s worth, Chaol,” she said. He faced her, his hands in his pockets. She gave him a slight smile. “If she picked Roland over you, that makes her the greatest fool who ever lived.” He stared at her for a long moment before he quietly said, “Thank you,” and walked back to his room.
An endless, filthy stream of curses began flowing through her head, each more vulgar than the next, as she gaped at the knocker. “Oh, don’t be so pathetic,” the skull huffed, its eyes narrowing. “I’m attached to this door. I cannot harm you.
If you wish to be something, king-with-no-crown, then be it. That is the secret to the shifting. Be what you wish.
Artists are essential.
What is your name?” “Celaena Sardothien,” she ground out. The skull barked a laugh. “Oh, that is too funny! The funniest thing I’ve heard in centuries!” “Be quiet.” “My name is Mort, if you must know.
He was instantly awake and alert, leaning toward her as if he, too, always knew where she was.
Chaol blinked, then bowed low. “You have my word, Your Majesty.