Kingdom of Ash

She swallowed a sob. And slowly, her
breathing steady despite the heartbeat that
threatened to leap out of her chest, Aelin rose.
Darrow’s gray eyes were bright. “Long
may she reign.”
And as Aelin turned, the call went up
through the hall, echoing off the ancient
stones and into the gathered city beyond the
castle. “Hail, Aelin! Queen of Terrasen! ”
The sound of it from Rowan’s lips, from
Aedion’s, threatened to send her to her knees,
but Aelin smiled. Kept her chin high and
smiled.
Darrow gestured to the awaiting throne, to
those last two steps.
She would sit, and the ceremony would be
done.
But not yet.
Aelin turned to the left. Toward Aedion.
And said quietly, but not weakly, “This has