Kingdom of Ash

Aelin arched a brow. “I’ve spent the past
year of my life—ten years, if you consider it
another way—building to this moment.” She
clicked her tongue. “Forgive me if I want to
savor it. To talk with my great enemy for
longer than a moment.”
Erawan chuckled, and the sound grated
down her bones. “One might think you were
trying to delay us, Aelin Galathynius.”
She beckoned to the city walls behind her.
“From what? The keys are gone, the gods with
them.” She threw them a smile. “You did
know that, didn’t you?”
The amusement faded from Erawan’s face.
“I know.” Death—such terrible death
beckoned in his voice at that.
Aelin shrugged again. “I did you a favor,
you know.”
Maeve murmured, “Don’t let her talk. We
end this now.”