Kingdom of Ash (Throne of Glass, #7)

by Sarah J. Maas

lowly spider’s name,” she murmured, her depthless eyes setting on him. “You cannot pronounce it in your tongue, but you may call me Cyrene.” Manon ground her teeth. “It doesn’t matter what we call you, as you’ll be dead soon.” But Dorian cut her a sidelong glance. “The Ruhnns are a part of my kingdom. As such, Cyrene is one of my subjects. I think that gives me the right to decide whether she lives or dies.” “You are both at the mercy of my coven,” Manon snarled. “Step aside.” Dorian gave her a slight smile. “Am I?” A wind colder than the mountain air filled the pass. He could kill them all. Whether by choking the air from them or snapping their necks. He could kill them all, and the wyverns included. The knowledge carved out another hollow within him. Another empty spot. Had it ever troubled his father, or Aelin, to bear such power? “Bring her with us—question her more thoroughly at the next camp.” Manon snapped, “You plan to bring that with us?” In answer, the spider shifted, donning the form of a pale-skinned, dark-haired woman. Small and unremarkable, save for those unnerving black eyes. Not pretty, but with a deadly, ancient sort of allure that even a new hide couldn’t conceal. And utterly naked. She shivered, rubbing her hands down her thin arms. “Shall this form suffice to travel lightly?” Manon ignored the spider. “And when she shifts in the night to rip us apart?” Dorian only inclined his head, ice dancing at his fingertips. “She won’t.” Cyrene sucked in a breath....