Throne of Glass (Throne of Glass #0.1–0.5, 1–7)

by Sarah J. Maas

Not one more step. Not one more step toward Orynth would she allow them to make. Maeve smiled. “What a very long way you’ve traveled, Aelin.” Aelin only angled Goldryn. Met Erawan’s golden stare. His eyes flared as he took in the sword. Remembered it. Aelin bared her teeth. Let the flame she fed into the sword glow brighter. Maeve turned to the Valg king. “Shall we, then?” But Erawan looked at Aelin. And hesitated. She would not have long. Not long at all until they realized that the power that made him hesitate was no more. But she had not remained outside the southern gate to defeat them. Only to buy time. For those in the city she loved so greatly to get away. To run, and live to fight tomorrow. She had made it home. It was enough. The words echoed with her every breath. Sharpened her vision, steeled her spine. A crown of flame appeared atop her head, swirling and unbreakable. She could never win against both of them. But she wouldn’t make it easy. Would take one of them down with her, if she could. Or at least slow them enough for the others to enact their plan, to find a way to either halt or defeat them. Even if either option seemed unlikely. Hopeless. But that was why she remained here. To give them that slim shred of hope. That will to keep fighting. At the end of this, if that was all she was able to do against Erawan and Maeve, she could go to the Afterworld with her chin held high. She would not be ashamed to see those she had loved with her heart of wildfire.