Kingdom of Ash (Throne of Glass, #7)

by Sarah J. Maas

He was unconscious, tongue lagging from his bloodied maw. Rowan had barely entered the clearing before he set down the wolf and stalked for Aelin. The prince was covered in blood. From his unhindered steps, Elide knew it wasn’t his. From the blood coating his chin, his neck … She didn’t want to know. Aelin ripped at the immovable mask, either unaware or uncaring of the prince before her. Her consort, husband, and mate. “Aelin.” Take it off, take it off, take it off. Her screams were unbearable. Worse than those that day on the beach in Eyllwe. Gavriel came to stand beside Elide, his golden skin pale as he took in the frantic queen. Slowly, Rowan knelt before her. “Aelin.” She only tipped her head up to the forest canopy and sobbed. Blood ran down her neck from the scratches she’d dug into her skin, mingling with what already coated her. Rowan reached out a trembling hand, the only sign of the agony Elide had little doubt was coursing through him. Gently, he laid his hands on her wrists; gently, he closed his fingers around them. Halting the brutal clawing and digging. Aelin sobbed, her body shuddering with the force of it. “Take it off. ” Rowan’s eyes flickered, panic and heartbreak and longing shining there. “I will. But you have to be still, Fireheart. Just for a few moments.” “Take it off. ” The sobs ebbed, tricking into something broken and raw. Rowan ran his thumbs over her wrists, over those iron shackles. As if it were nothing but her skin. Slowly, her shaking eased...