Page 190 (1/2)

Chaol coughed, and gave hi to tell me this when?

Dorian winked at his friend and turned back to Manon "Go to the Wastes Rebuild But consider it--co back If not to be my crowned rider, then to train them" He added a bit softly, "And to say hello every now and then"

Manon stared at hi his breath, like this idea he’d had anate royals’ chaht and fresh

Then Manon said, "It is only a few days by wyvern from the Wastes to Rifthold" Her eyes ary, and yet--yet that was a slight smile "I think Bronwen and Petrah will be able to lead if I occasionally slip away To help the rukhin"

He saw the promise in her eyes, in that hint of a s, still broken in places, but in this neorld of theirs … perhaps they ether

"You could just marry each other," Yrene said, and Dorian whipped his head to her, incredulous "It’d make it easier for you both, so you don’t need to pretend"

Chaol gaped at his wife

Yrene shrugged "And be a strong alliance for our two kingdoms"

Dorian knew his face was red when he turned to Manon, apologies and denials on his lips

But Manon s in the breeze, as if reaching for the united people ould soon soar ard That sathered up the reins "We’ll see," was all Manon Blackbeak, High Queen of the Crochans and Ironteeth, said before she and her wyvern leaped into the skies

Chaol and Yrene began bickering, laughing as they did, but Dorian strode to the edge of the aerie Watched that white-haired rider and the wyvern with silver wings become distant as they sailed toward the horizon

Dorian smiled And found hi forward to tomorrow

CHAPTER 121

Rowan knew this day would be hard for her

For all of them, who had become so close these weeks and athered again This time not to celebrate, but to say farewell

The day had dawned, clear and sunny, yet still brutally cold As it would be for a tiht To wait out the winterRowan knew she’d been aware her request was unlikely to be granted

Some had seemed inclined to think it over, but in the end, all but Rolfe had decided to go

Today--as one Scattering to the four winds The Ironteeth and Crochans had left before first light, vanishing swiftly and quietly Heading ard toward their ancient home

Rowan stood beside Aelin in the castle courtyard, and he could feel the sorrow and love and gratitude that flowed through her as she took theood-byes, Borte the most reluctant to say farewell, and Aelin’s eether, and he’d knohat Aelin offered: co queens, with one with theons, some with the rukhin Yrene Westfall had sobbed as she had eh, one last tiood while after that

Then Ansel of Briarcliff, hat rehed, and then cried, holding each other Another bond that would not be so easily broken despite the distance

The Silent Assassins left next, Ilias s at Aelin as he rode off

Then Prince Galan, whose ships remained under the watch of Ravi and Sol in Suria and ould ride there before departing to Wendlyn He had e to Aelin

His wife, his mate, his queen had said to the prince, "You ca any of us I know I’ve already said it, but I will be forever grateful"

Galan had grinned "It was a debt long owed, cousin And one gladly paid"