ground. But Aelin was not at his side. She was not on the battlement at all. Rowan’s heart halted. Simply stopped beating as a ruddy-brown ruk dropped from the skies, spearing for the center of the plain. Arcas, Borte’s ruk. A golden-haired woman dangling from his talons. Aelin. Aelin was— Arcas neared the earth, talons splaying. Aelin hit the ground, rolling, rolling, until she uncoiled to her feet. Right in the path of that wave. “Oh gods,” Fenrys breathed, seeing her, too. They all saw her. The queen on the plain. The endless wall of water surging for her. The keep stones began shuddering.
