No one is going to fight to save the humans beneath the wall. No one cares. But I do.” She toyed with a fold in her dress. “I do.
The wind whipped away the tears rolling down Nesta’s face at the sight of our father’s ships. At the sight of the ship he’d chosen to sail into battle, for the daughter who hated him for not fighting for us, who had hated him for our mother dying, for the poverty and the despair and the years lost.
A dark smile graced his mouth. “So responsive,” he purred in a voice she’d never heard but knew she’d crawl to hear again.
Tamlin had been wrong when we’d discussed whether my father would have ever come after me – he didn’t possess the courage, the anger. If anything, he would have hired someone to do it for him. But Nesta had gone with that mercenary. My hateful, cold sister had been willing to brave Prythian to rescue me.
A living god – Mala’s heir and conqueror of the known world. She would bring music and books and culture, wipe out the corruption festering in corners of the earth...
Let the darkness sweep in. Embraced it. “I’m not afraid,” she whispered into it. “You are my friend, and my home. Thank you for sharing this with me.” Again, Nesta could have sworn that phantom touch caressed her neck, her cheek, her brow. “Happy Solstice,” she said into the beautiful, fractured darkness.
Long ago, when I looked up at the stars and wished, it was for someone like you to be in my life. I truly believe those stars listened, because getting to share this wild adventure with you has been a dream answered. I love you more than words can convey.
There is only one witch who will be my queen.
Nesta knew that her silver flame came from a colder, darker place. A place that was old – and yet wholly new.
You’re right to hide your children from me, she wanted to say. I am the monster you fear.
Do you know how your eyes glow when your power rises to the surface? Like molten steel. Like silver fire.
My sister had barely spoken, barely eaten these past few days. Had not visited Cassian in his healing bed. Still had not talked to me about what had happened.
She tried and failed to muster the shame. But nothing came. Nothing at all. There was anger, occasionally. Sharp, hot anger that sliced her. But most of the time it was silence. Ringing, droning silence.
I’ve always been able to talk to you. I think my heart knew you were mine long before I ever realized it.
From the moment I met you, I wanted you more than reason. From the moment I saw you in my house, you were all I could think about. And it terrified me. No one has ever had such power over me. And Iam still terrified that if I let myself have you... it will be taken away.
Slowly, as if giving me time to pull away, he brushed his lips against my cheek. Soft and warm and heartbreakingly gentle. It was hardly more than a caress before he straightened. I hadn’t moved from the moment his mouth had met my skin.
Her fingers curled once more. She selected her next words like throwing knives. “If you think this training nonsense is going to result in you climbing into my bed, you’re delusional.” She added with a slice of a smile, “I’d sooner let in a mangy street dog.” “Oh, it’s not going to result in me climbing into your bed.” Nesta snickered, victory achieved, and had reached the stairs when he crooned, “You’ll climb into mine.” She whirled toward him, foot still suspended midair. “I’d rather rot.
They had thrown them all, mere children and a crumbling man, to the wolves. So Nesta had become a wolf.
I want you to know,” I whispered, “that I am broken and healing, but every piece of my heart belongs to you.
And that power... that power Aelin was now dragging up from whatever hellhole was inside her, from whatever fiery pit she’d been damned to endure... Its wake would wash over them.