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Kai shook his head "Not this close Tonight will be the greatest risk"

Chaol glanced to the distant healers’ wagons where Yrene rode, working on any soldiers who had fallen ill or injured on the trek He hadn’t seen her since they’d awoken, but he’d known she’d spent their ride today healing--the tightness in his spine greith eachto the towering ods don’t come to these lands," was all Kai said before he fell back with a group of his own people

A horse eased up beside his own, and he found Aelin bundled in a fur-lined cloak, a hand on Goldryn’s hilt Gavriel rode behind her, Fenrys at his side The for the wall of peaks to their right Both golden-haired Fae males re form "That man has a flair for the dramatic that should have earned hies"

"Fine praise indeed, co Goldryn’s ruby pommel The stone seemed to flare in response "I know a kindred spirit when I see one"

Despite the battle that waited ahead, Chaol chuckled

But then Aelin said, "Rowan and the cadre have been tunneling into their power for the past few days" She nodded over her shoulder to Fenrys and Gavriel, then to where Rowan rode at the head of the coht as the sun-on-snow around theht" A knowing glance toward the healers’ wagons "Certain areas will be especially guarded"

Chaol nodded his thanks Having Aelin able to use her powers, having her co theht not even be able to get close enough to touch their soldiers if Aelin could blast theust of wind Or just rip the air froh of Fenrys’s and Gavriel’s fighting in Anielle to know that even without as ic, they’d be lethal And Lorcan … Chaol didn’t look over his shoulder to where Lorcan and Elide rode The dark warrior’s poeren’t anything Chaol ever wished to face

With an answering nod, Aelin trotted to Rowan’s side, the ruby in Goldryn’s hilt like a s the queen’s back even a his horse beside Farasha The black , but ave hiratulate you on your happy news"

An odd thing for the warrior to say, given that they’d barely spoken beyond councils, but Chaol bowed his head "Thank you"

Gavriel stared toward the snow and ranted the opportunity you have, to be present froht of it--of the life growing in Yrene’s woht of what Gavriel had not experienced "I’, really, to say

Gavriel shook his head, tawny eyes glowing golden, flecks of e sun "I did not tell you for syht of every one of Gavriel’s centuries weighing upon him "But rather to tell you what you perhaps already know: to savor every moment of it"

"Yes" If they survived this war, he would Every daled the reins, as if to lead his horse back to his co that Aedion has not rave face tightened "He has every reason not to"

And though Aedion was Gavriel’s son, Chaol said, "I’m sure you already know this, but Aedion is as stubborn and hotheaded as they co so to Fenrys that h "Aelin and Aedion ht as well be twins" That Gavriel didn’t stop hi wound in the Lion’s eyes well enough "Both of the else entirely And then deny it until their last breath" Chaol shook his head "Give Aedion ti that Aedion will be happier to see you than he lets on"

"I a with an army I think he’d be happy to see his most hated enemy, if they did that for him" Worry paled the Lion’s tanned features Not for the reunion, but for what his sonin the North

Chaol considered "My father is a bastard," he said quietly "He has been in my life from my conception Yet he never once bothered to ask the questions you pose," Chaol said "He never once cared enough to do so He never once worried That will be the difference"

"If Aedion chooses to forgive me"

"He will," Chaol said He’d make Aedion do it