Kingdom of Ash (Throne of Glass, #7)

by Sarah J. Maas

The cry went down the castle battlements, through the city, along the walls. The queen had come home at last. The queen had come to hold the gate.

Then Lorcan ran for the gate—to the dark queen who threatened all he’d come to want, to hope for. He’d come to hope. Had found there was something better out there. Someone better. And he’d go down swinging to defend all of it.

Nehemia—Nehemia, who had given everything for Eyllwe. And yet … And yet, Nehemia had still felt the weight of her choices. Still wished to be free of her burdens. It had not made her weak. Not in the slightest.

Hope. It was hope that Chaol had said she carried with her. Hope that now grew in her womb. For a better future. For a free world.

“You believe yourself to be a God-Killer, Aelin Galathynius? What were they but vain creatures locked into this world? What were they but things your human mind cannot comprehend?” She lifted her arms. “I am a god.”

Elide waved him off, but Lorcan kissed her. When he pulled away, Elide breathed, “What was that for?” “Ask me to stay,” was all he said. Her heart began racing. “Stay,” she whispered.

Light, such beautiful light filled his dark eyes. “Ask me to come to Perranth with you.” Her voice broke, but she managed to say, “Come to Perranth with me.” Lorcan nodded, as if in answer, and his smile was the most beautiful thing she had ever seen. “Ask me to marry you.” Elide began crying, even as she laughed. “Will you marry me, Lorcan Salvaterre?” He swept her up into his arms, raining kisses over her face. As if some final, chained part of him had been freed. “I’ll think about it.” Elide laughed, smacking his shoulder. And then laughed

again, louder. Lorcan set her down. “What?” Elide’s mouth bobbed as she tried to stop her laughing. “It’s just … I’m Lady of Perranth. If you marry me, you will take my family name.” He blinked. Elide laughed again. “Lord Lorcan Lochan?” It sounded just as ridiculous coming out. Lorcan blinked at her, then howled. She’d never heard such a joyous sound. He swept her up in his arms again, spinning her. “I’ll use it with pride every damned day for the rest of my life,” he said into her hair, and when he set her down, his smile had vanished. Replaced by an infinite tenderness as he brushed back her hair, hooking it over an ear. “I will marry you, Elide Lochan. And proudly call myself Lord Lorcan Lochan, even when the whole kingdom laughs to hear it.” He kissed her, gently and lovingly. “And when we are wed,” he whispered, “I will bind my lif...

But Lorcan clasped her wrists, gently prying her hands from her face. His smile was tentative. “If you would like that,” he said. Elide slid her arms around his neck, feeling his thundering heartbeat raging against hers, letting his warmth sink into her...

In silence, the two queens stared toward the decimated field. Toward the future beyond it.

Do you offer your life, your body, your soul to the service of Terrasen? She answered in the Old Language, as she had also practiced with Rowan last night until her tongue turned leaden. I offer all that I am and all that I have to Terrasen. Then speak your vows.

Aelin’s heart raced, and she knew Rowan could hear it, but she bowed her head and said, I, Aelin Ashryver Whitethorn Galathynius, swear upon my immortal soul to guard, to nurture, and to honor Terrasen from this day until my very last. Then so it shall be, Darrow responded, and reached out a hand.