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"A decent attempt, but Celaena Sardothien looked a little more amused when she cut men into ribbons"

He kneho Aelin hat she’d been Lysandra said nothing, and kept walking toward her tent If she told Aedion, how quickly could Nox be buried under the frozen earth?

"Your secret is safe," Nox murmured "Celaena--Aelin was a friend Is still one, I’d hope"

"How" She’d adht in the colass castle" He snorted "I had no idea until today Gods, I was there for Minister Joval as a spy for the rebels It was my first tily training alongsidewith the rebels for years, even as a thief They wanted ’s plans I reported the strange goings-on until it becaerous Until Cel--Aelin warned me to run I listened, and came back here Joval is dead Fell in a skir Darrow plucked er and spy So here I alance at her, awe still on his face "I aled his head "Who are you, anyway?"

"Aelin"

Nox sh"

Lysandra paused before the queen’s too-small tent, nestled between Aedion’s and Ren’s own "What’s the cost of your silence? Or does Darrow already know?"

"Why would I tell him? I serve Terrasen, and the Galathynius family I always have"

"Soiven his relationship with Orlon"

"I realized today that the assassin I came to call a friend is actually the queen I believed dead I think the gods are pointing ered between the tent flaps Delicious warmth beckoned within "And if I were to tell you we needed your help tonight, and that the risk was being branded a traitor?"

Nox only sketched a bow "Then I’d say I oweat the castle, plus saving my life before that"

She didn’t knohy she trusted him But she’d developed an instinct for men that had always proved correct, even if she had been unable to act on it in the past Had only been able to brace herself for them

But Nox Owen--the kindness in his face was true His words were true Another ally Aelin had wrangled for theree to the plan, even if he still hated her So Lysandra leaned in, her voice dropping to a whisper "Then listen carefully"

It was done quietly and without a trace

Every intricate eleods themselves aided them

At dinner, Nox Owen laced the wine he’d personally served--as a groveling apology for letting in the Valg soldier--to Lords Darrow, Sloane, Gunnar, and Ironwood Not to kill them, but to send the bear couldn’t wake this lout, Ansel of Briarcliff had sniffed when she’d stood over Lord Gunnar’s cot, lifted his limp arm, and let it drop

The lord didn’t stir, and Lysandra, wearing a field mouse’s form and tucked into the shadows behind the queen, deeh

The four lords’ loyal banner ht, courtesy of the wine that Galan Ashryver, Ilias, Ren, and Ravi had made sure was handed out at their fires

And when they all awoke the next day, there was only whipping snow beyond their tents