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Picking a clearing ah the branches, hardly registering the sting through his thick wyvern’s hide He shifted as soon as he hit the snow, his h the space

Then he fell to his knees and drank Deep, panting gulps of water

Finding food was an easier endeavor than he’d anticipated He had no need of a snare or arrows to catch the lean rabbit that cowered nearby No need of knives to skin it Or a spit

When his thirst and hunger had been sated, when a glance at the sky told him no enemy approached, Dorian drew the marks Just one more time

He had to be on his way soon But for this, he could delay his flight northward a little while longer Dareed It summoned who he wished this time

Gavin appeared in the circle of bloody Wyrdht

"You found it, then," the ancient king said by way of greeting "And left Eraith one hell of a mess to clean up"

"I did" Dorian put a hand to his jacket pocket To the terrible power thru there It had taken every ounce of his concentration during hisHis shiver was not froid air alone

"Then why su "I wanted to tell you that I attained it--so you oodbye To Elena, I ed"

Gavin stilled Dorian didn’t shy fro stare

After a moment, Gavin said a shade softly, "Then I suppose I will also be saying farewell to you"

Dorian nodded He was ready Had no other choice but to be ready

Gavin asked, "Have you decided on it, then? That you will be the one sacrificed?"

"Aelin is in the north," Dorian said "When I find her, I suppose we’ll decide what to do" Who would be the one who joined the three keys And did not walk away froht have come up with another solution One for Elena, too"

Aelin had escaped Maeve Perhaps she’d be as lucky in finding a way to escape their fate

A phanto hair across his face "Thank you," he said hoarsely "For even considering it" But grief shone in the king’s eyes He knew precisely how impossible it would be

So Dorian said, "I’m sorry For what success with the Lock will mean for both of you"

Gavin’s throat bobbed "My o She was always prepared to face the consequences, even if I was not"

Just as Sorscha had made her own choices Followed her own path

And for once, thechallenge To make it count For her, and so ive up on life so easily," Gavin said "It is the life I had with Elena that allows ood as any that could be hoped for" He inclined his head "I wish the saed in his heart at the words, Gavin glanced skyward His dark brows narrowed "You need to go" For the boos

The Ironteeth legion at Morath had still rallied after the keep’s collapse, it seeht northward to Orynth, likely infinitely er to tear into his friends

He prayed Maeve was not in that host That she re her wounds in Morath with Erawan Until the rest of their horrors marched, the spider-princesses with the army, Dorian touched Damaris’s hilt and said, "I will take care of it Of Adarlan For whatever tiloarm

And Gavin, despite the loss that loohtly As if he felt the warmth of the sword, too "I know," he said "I have always known that"