So yes—my Fireheart is one flame in the sea of darkness.

“Because I am going to marry you,”

“What familiarity you use when you speak his name, Lady of Perranth. What intimacy.”

“Do not mistake my silence for lack of feeling. I have good reason to keep my thoughts to myself.”

It was all borrowed time anyway.

“How could they not, when so many of your pretty males are in my company?”

“So you miscalculated,” Manon said. “So they tracked you. Don’t get distracted with the minor defeats. This is war. Cities will be lost, people slaughtered. And if I were you, I would be more concerned about why they sent so few of the ilken.”

“I made a promise to protect you. I will not break it, Elide.”

He knew even now part of her remained with the girl, just as part of Aelin remained with Rowan. He wondered if he’d ever feel it—that degree of love.