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The Hybern royals didn’t care But Jurian winked at aht

Alis entered right before bed, a third pack in her hands "Since it’s a longer trip, I brought you supplies"

Even with Ta us, it was too o, as we’d done before, in segments A few miles at a time

Alis laid the pack she’d prepared beside my own Picked up the brush on the vanity and beckoned me to sit on the cushioned bench before it

I obeyed For a few minutes, she brushed my hair in silence

Then she said, "When you leave tomorrow, I leave, too"

I lifted my eyes to hers in the mirror

"My nephews are packed, the ponies ready to take us back to Su since I saw h her eyes shone

"I know the feeling," was all I said

"I wish you well, lady," Alis said, setting down the brush and beginning to braid backthey may be, I wish you well"

I let her finish the plait, then pivoted on the bench to grip her thin fingers in mine "Don’t ever tell Tarquin you knoell"

Her brows rose

"There is a blood ruby with my name on it," I clarified

Even her tree-bark skin seeh: I was a hunted enemy of the Summer Court Only my death would be accepted as payment for my crimes

Alis squeezed my hand "Blood rubies or no, you will always have one friend in the Summer Court"

My throat bobbed "And you will always have one in mine," I promised her

She knehich court I meant And did not look afraid

The sentries did not glance at Tamlin, or so much as speak to him unless absolutely necessary Bron, Hart, and three others were to join us They had spottedon their friend before dawn--a courtesy I knew none of the others had extended

Winnowing felt like wading through mud In fact, my powers had beco headache by noon, and spent the last leg of the journey dizzy and disoriented as ed again and again

We arrived and set up camp in near-silence I quietly, shyly asked to share a tent with Ianthe instead of Ta had torn between us But I did it more to spare Lucien from her attention than to keep Tamlin at bay Dinner was made and eaten, bedrolls laid out, and Ta beside Ianthe without slitting her throat was an exercise in patience and control