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A man who had to be the head cook asked the wo?"
One of the women shook her head "They weren’t in the council rooods"
Her partner’s hands wobbled as she set down her tray "They will be soon, though"
"Lucky you got out before they caht have found yourself part of lunch, too"
Lucky, indeed Dorian lingered, but the kitchen resumed its rhythms, satisfied two of its own had made it back safely
The council room--perhaps the same Manon had described Where Erawan preferred to have his s And if Erawan hi that mental o to see Erawan Risk it
Perhaps he had a death wish Perhaps he truly was a fool But he wanted to see his Who stood poised to devour their world
He had to look at hi who had ordered him enslaved, who had butchered Sorscha And if he was fortunate--maybe he’d kill him
He could remain in this for to return to his own body, to draw Damaris, and end him To let Erawan see the pale band around his throat and knoho killed him, that he hadn’t broken him yet
And then Dorian would find that key
The silence showed him the way, perhaps more so than the mental map he’d memorized
Halls emptied out The air became thick, cold As if Erawan’s corruption leaked fro watch before the open doors
No one to
Dorian hurried, skittering after that figure just as the doors shut His ic swelled, and he willed it to calet Erawan down, then he’d shift and draw Da, and Dorian dashed for the nearest shadow--by the crack between the door and floor
The chalass in its center And the golden-haired, golden-eyed man seated at it
Manon had not lied: Erawan had indeed shed Perrington’s skin for soh still dressed in finery, Dorian realized as the Valg king rose, his gray jacket and pants immaculately tailored No weapons lay at his side No hint of the Wyrdkey
But he could feel Erawan’s power, the wrongness leaking from him Could feel it, and re his soul
Ice cracked in his veins Quick--he had to be quick Strike now
"This is an unexpected delight," Erawan said, his voice young and yet not He gestured to the spread of food--fruits and cured ic faltered as two moon-pale, slender hands rose from the folds of the black cloak and pushed back the cowl
The woman beneath was not beautiful, not in the classical way Yet with her jet-black hair, her dark eyes, her red lips … She was striking Mes bone-white teeth
Cold licked down Dorian’s spine at the pointed, delicate ears peeking above the curtain of dark hair Fae The woman--feown of deepest purple before she settled herself across the table froraceful movements "You knohy I have cooblet of wine for the fe vanished fro asked, "Is there any other reason you would deign to visit Morath, Maeve?"
CHAPTER 69