Kingdom of Ash

you.”
Elena covered her face with her hands and
wept.
The gods looked among themselves. Then
Deanna moved, graceful as a stag through a
wood.
Aelin loosed a breath, bowing over her
knees, as the goddess approached Elena.
No one but herself. She would allow no one
but herself to be sacrificed in this final task.
Deanna laid her hands on either side of
Elena’s face. “I had hoped for this.”
Then she pressed her hands together,
Elena’s head clasped between them.
A flare of light from Mala, in warning and
pain, as Elena’s eyes went wide. As Deanna
squeezed.
And then Elena ruptured. Into a thousand
shimmering pieces that faded as they fell.
Aelin’s scream died in her throat, her body