Queen of Shadows (Throne of Glass, #4)

by Sarah J. Maas

“I’m surprised the seal isn’t broken. Though if you were a good spy, you would know how to do it without breaking the wax.” “If I were a good spy,” Elide breathed, “I could also read.” A bit of truth to temper the witch’s distrust. The witch blinked, and then sniffed, as if trying to detect a lie. “You speak well for a mortal, and your uncle is a lord. Yet you cannot read?” Elide nodded. More than the leg, more than the drudgery, it was that miserable shortcoming that hounded her. Her nurse, Finnula, couldn’t read—but Finnula had been the one to teach her how to take note of things, to listen, and to think. During the long days when they’d had nothing to do but needlepoint, her nurse had taught her to mark the little details—each stitch—while also never losing sight of the larger image. There will come a day when I am gone, Elide, and you will need to have every weapon in your arsenal sharp and ready to strike.