Kingdom of Ash

I name you Elentiya, “Spirit That Could
Not Be Broken.”
Aelin traced her metal-encrusted fingers
over her palm. Where a scar should be. Where
it still remained. Would always remain, even
if she could not see it.
Nehemia—Nehemia, who had given
everything for Eyllwe. And yet ...
And yet, Nehemia had still felt the weight
of her choices. Still wished to be free of her
burdens.
It had not made her weak. Not in the
slightest.
Cairn surveyed her chained body, assessing
where he would begin. His breathing
sharpened in anticipatory delight.
Her hands curled into fists. Iron groaned.
Spirit that could not be broken.
You do not yield.
She would endure it again, if asked. She