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And loorand entrance, waiting to pick off as left of the princesses In their new, kharankui bodies Erawan’s final surprise

Nesryn ai for Sartaq The prince had led a unit of rukhin deeper into the ene him

A desperate, final push

One that none of them were likely to walk or fly away froht in her throat, her heart a wild beat through her entire body, yet the fear she thought she’d yield to had not taken over Not yet

Not as Lysandra, in ruk forh that Yrene and Elide could quickly disht, a desperate effort to keep the Valg off the walls

The s their way closer--those were ilken

Silba save them all

Chaol saw her first His eyes flared with pure terror "Get back to the castle"

Yrene did no such thing And as Dorian turned, she said to the king, "We have need of you, Your Majesty"

Chaol shoved from the wall, his liain So did Dorian as the king gutted the Valg before him, shoved the demon over the wall, and hurried to Yrene "What is it?"

Elide pointed to the southern gate To the fire that flared a darkness

Dorian’s blood-splattered face drained of color "She has nothing left"

"We know," Elide said, her"Which is e need you"

ChaolBecause her husband whirled to her, shield and sword hanging at his sides "You can’t"

Elide quickly, succinctly, explained their reckless, mad idea The Lady of Perranth’s idea

Yrene tried not to shake Tried not to tremble as she realized that they were, indeed, about to do this

But Elide merely cli to follow And Dorian, to his credit, did not hesitate

Yet Chaol dropped his sword and shield to the bloody stones, and gripped Yrene’s face between his hands "You can’t," he said again, voice breaking "You can’t"

Yrene put her hands atop Chaol’s and brought them brow to brow "You are my joy," was all she said to him

Her husband, her dearest friend, closed his eyes The reek of Valg blood andto him, and yet beneath it--beneath it, that was his scent The smell of home

Chaol at last opened his eyes, the bronze of them so vivid Alive Utterly alive Full of trust, and understanding, and pride

"Go save the world, Yrene," he whispered, and kissed her brow

Yrene let that kiss sink into her skin, a mark of protection, of love that she’d carry with her into hell and beyond it

Chaol turned to where Dorian sat with Elide atop the shifter, the love on her husband’s face hardening to so fierce and determined "Keep her safe," was all Chaol said Perhaps the only order, Yrene realized, he would ever give his king Their king

It hy she loved him Why she knew that the child in her ould never spend a singleif it was loved

Dorian bowed his head "Withoffered a hand to help Yrene onto Lysandra’s back "Let’s make it count"

Manon’s chest burned with each inhale, but Abraxos flew unfalteringly through the melee

So many Too many