2_-_court_of_mist_and_fury_a_-_sarah_j._maas

I’d spent so much time squatting in trees that heights had lost their primal terror long
ago. But the sprawl of the city … worse, the vast expanse of dark beyond—the sea …
Maybe I remained a human fool to feel that way, but I had not realized the size of the
world. The size of Prythian, if a city this large could remain hidden from Amarantha, from
the other courts.
Rhysand was silent beside me. Yet after a moment, he said, “Out with it.”
I lifted a brow.
“You say what’s on your mind—one thing. And I’ll say one, too.”
I shook my head and turned back to the city.
But Rhys said, “I’m thinking that I spent fifty years locked Under the Mountain, and I’d
sometimes let myself dream of this place, but I never expected to see it again. I’m thinking
that I wish I had been the one who slaughtered her. I’m thinking that if war comes, it
might be a long while yet before I get to have a night like this.”
He slid his eyes to me, expectant.
I didn’t bother asking again how he’d kept this place from her, not when he was likely
to refuse to answer. So I said, “Do you think war will be here that soon?”
“This was a no-questions-asked invitation. I told you … three things. Tell me one.”
I stared toward the open world, the city and the restless sea and the dry winter night.
Maybe it was some shred of courage, or recklessness, or I was so high above everything
that no one save Rhys and the wind could hear, but I said, “I’m thinking that I must have
been a fool in love to allow myself to be shown so little of the Spring Court. I’m thinking
there’s a great deal of that territory I was never allowed to see or hear about and maybe I
would have lived in ignorance forever like some pet. I’m thinking … ” The words became
choked. I shook my head as if I could clear the remaining ones away. But I still spoke
them. “I’m thinking that I was a lonely, hopeless person, and I might have fallen in love
with the first thing that showed me a hint of kindness and safety. And I’m thinking maybe
he knew that—maybe not actively, but maybe he wanted to be that person for someone.
And maybe that worked for who I was before. Maybe it doesn’t work for who—what I am
now.”
There.
The words, hateful and selfish and ungrateful. For all Tamlin had done—
The thought of his name clanged through me. Only yesterday afternoon, I had been
there. No—no, I wouldn’t think about it. Not yet.
Rhysand said, “That was five. Looks like I owe you two thoughts.” He glanced behind
us. “Later.”
Because the two winged males from earlier were standing in the doorway.
Grinning.