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many great women and men of this House,
shall use it to defend our kingdom.” Her eyes
rose to his face, handsome and unlined.
Solemn and kingly. “That is your charge, your
sole duty.” He braced a hand on the rim of the
shield, tapping it for emphasis. “To defend,
Aelin. To protect.”
She had nodded, not understanding. And
her father had kissed her brow, as if he half
hoped she’d never need to.
Cairn ground her into the glass again.
No sound remained in her for screaming.
“I am growing bored of this,” Maeve said,
her silver tray of food forgotten. She leaned
forward on her throne, the owl behind her
rustling its wings. “Do you believe, Aelin
Galathynius, that I will not make the
sacrifices necessary to obtain what I seek?”
She had forgotten how to speak. Had not
uttered a word here, anyway.