Kingdom of Ash

great as it had once been—greater. As great as
what dwelled in the far South, across the
Narrow Sea, proof that a land of peace and
plenty could exist.
The khaganate royals had told him much
about their kingdom these days—their
policies, their peoples. They now sat together
on the other side of the throne room, Chaol
and Dorian with them. Yrene and Nesryn also
sat there, both lovely in dresses that Rowan
could only assume had been borrowed. There
were no shops open—and none with supplies.
Indeed, it was a miracle that any of them had
clean clothes at all.
Manon, at least, had refused finery. She
wore her witch leathers—though her crown of
stars lay upon her brow, casting its light upon
Petrah Blueblood and Bronwen Crochan,
seated on her either side.
Aedion’s swallow was audible, and Rowan