Kingdom of Ash

For a moment, Aelin and Yrene just stared at each other.
“We’re a long way from Innish,” Yrene whispered.
“But lost no longer,” Aelin whispered back, voice breaking as they embraced.

Dorian strode to the edge of the aerie. Watched that white-haired rider and the wyvern with silver wings become distant as they sailed toward the horizon.
Dorian smiled. And found himself, for the first time in a while, looking forward to tomorrow.

“You could just marry each other,” Yrene said, and Dorian whipped his head to her, incredulous. “It’d make it easier for you both, so you don’t need to pretend.”

Manon asked, “What is it that you want?”
You, he almost said. All of you.

“So there it is,” Aelin said, nodding toward the dark stain on the balcony stones. “Where Erawan met his end at the hands of a healer.” She frowned. “I hope it will wash off.”

Manon laid that precious flower from the Wastes upon the ground.
In thanks and in love.
So they would know, so Asterin would know, in the realm where she and her hunter and child walked hand in hand, that they had made it.

“Terrasen is my home,” Aelin said. It was the only answer in her heart.
Darrow smiled—just a bit. “So it is.” He bowed his head. Then his body. “Welcome,” he said, then added as he rose, “Your Majesty.”
But Aelin looked to Evangeline, the girl still beaming.
Win me back my kingdom, Evangeline.

Maeve lifted dark, hateful eyes as Aelin raised Goldryn.
Aelin only smiled down at her. “We’ll pretend my last words to you were something worthy of a song.”
She swung the burning sword.

“There are no gods left to watch, I’m afraid. And there are no gods left to help you now, Aelin Galathynius.”
Aelin smiled, and Goldryn burned brighter. “I am a god.”

So they’re pissed. They like you, but they’re pissed.”
“I’d gathered as much,” Aelin said drily, “when Hasar called me a stupid cow.”