Queen of Shadows (Throne of Glass, #4)

by Sarah J. Maas

And as they passed by the domed Royal Theater, there was music—beautiful, exquisite music—playing within.

There was a massive shadow perched atop it. Dorian froze. Not a shadow but a giant beast, its claws gripping the wall, its wings tucked into its body, shimmering faintly in the glow of the full moon. Shimmering like the white hair of the rider atop it.

And through the darkness of his memories, through the pain and despair and terror he’d tried to forget, a name echoed in his head.

She didn’t know why she’d bothered to go; why she’d been curious. But there had been the prince, no collar to be seen around his neck. And he had lifted his hand in greeting—as if to say I remember you.

Changing winds—a changing world. Perhaps a changing Thirteen, too. And herself. She didn’t know what to make of it. But Manon hoped they’d all survive it. She hoped.

Lysandra used the journey to test out her abilities—sometimes flying with Rowan overhead, sometimes running as a pretty black dog alongside Fleetfoot, sometimes spending days in her ghost leopard form and pouncing on Aedion whenever he least expected it.

Three weeks of grueling travel—but also three of the happiest weeks Aelin had ever experienced.

Aedion touched her shoulder. “Welcome home, Aelin.” A land of towering mountains—the Staghorns—spread before them, with valleys and rivers and hills; a land of untamed, wild beauty. Terrasen.

And the smell—of pine and snow … How had she never realized that Rowan’s scent was of Terrasen, of home? Rowan came close enough to graze her shoulder and murmured, “I feel as if I’ve been looking for this place my entire life.”

whispering the Song of Thanks to Mala Fire-Bringer for leading her to this place, this moment. Aelin ran a hand over the rough rock, and the sun-warmed stone tingled as if in greeting.

Then she stepped beyond the stone. And at long last, Aelin Ashryver Galathynius was home.