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Faster and faster, Aelin and Rowan had danced, spinning, spinning, spinning, the queen glowing like she’d been freshly forged as theclose

And when the waltz slammed into its triuht before the queen threw her ar about it, sore feet and all, as she stood in the dusty chaanate royals, and listened to theh says it will be another five days until the last of our soldiers are ready," Prince Kashin was saying to his siblings To Dorian, who had been asked into thistoday

"And you will depart then?" Dorian asked, s with equal sadness

For it was friendship that had grown here, even in war True friendship, to last beyond the oceans that would separate them once more

Sartaq said to Dorian, "We asked you here today because we have a rather unusual request"

Dorian lifted a brow

Sartaq winced "When we visited the Ferian Gap, sos Untended and abandoned Some of them noish to stay here To look after the with Dorian No one had ht the rukhin never left their aeries," Nesryn blurted

"These are young riders," Sartaq said with a sed me to ask you if it would be permissible for them to stay e leave"

Dorian considered "I don’t see why they couldn’t" So sparked in his eyes, an idea formed and then set aside "I would be honored, actually"

"Just don’t let theroused "I never want to see another wyvern for as long as I live"

Kashin patted her on the head Hasar snapped her teeth at him

Nesryn chuckled, but her s sadly at her, too

"I think I’ of Adarlan said

Nesryn bowed her head "I …" She hadn’t anticipated having this conversation Not right now, at least

"But I will be glad," Dorian went on, "to gain another queen whom I can call friend"

Nesryn blushed It deepened as Sartaq sed, and Sartaq laughed, Dorian with hihtly "Thank you, Nesryn Faliq For all you have done"

Nesryn’s throat was too tight to speak, so she hugged Dorian back

And when the king left, when Kashin and Hasar went to find an early lunch, Nesryn turned to Sartaq and cringed again "Elittered "We won the war, Nesryn Faliq" He tugged her close "And noe shall go home"

She’d never heard such beautiful words

Chaol stared at the letter in his hands

It had arrived an hour ago, and he still hadn’t opened it No, he’d just taken it froer--one of the fleet of children coht it back to his bedrooh the worn cha himself to crack the red wax seal

The doorknob twisted, and Yrene slipped in, tired but bright-eyed "You should be sleeping"

"So should you," he said with a pointed look to her abdomen

She waved him off, as easily as she’d waved off the titles of Savior, and Hero of Erilea As easily as she waved off the awed stares, the tears, when she strode by

So Chaol would be proud for both of them Would tell their child of her bravery, her brilliance

"What’s that letter?" she asked, washing her hands, then her face, in the ewer by theBeyond the glass, the city was silent--sleeping, after a long day of rebuilding The wild s had even remained to help, an act of kindness that Chaol would ensure did not go unrewarded Already, he had looked into where he ht expand their territory--and the peace between them and Anielle

Chaol sed "It’s fro "Your … Why haven’t you opened it?"

He shrugged "Not all of us are courageous enough to take on Dark Lords, you know"

Yrene rolled her eyes, dried her face, and plopped down on the bed beside him "Do you want me to read it first?"