“Celaena," Chaol said gently. And then she heard the scraping noise as his hand came into view, sliding across the flagstones. His fingertips stopped just at the edge of the white line. "Celaena," he breathed, his voice laced with pain—and hope. This was all she had left—his outstretched hand, and the promise of hope, of something better waiting on the other side of the line.”

“Enjoyed that, did you?" Chaol growled."Immensely." Celaena patted Chaol's arm as she took it in her own. "Now you must pretend that you like me, or else everything will be ruined.”

“Celaena." She looked back at him, her red gown sweeping around her. His eyes shone as he flashed her a crooked grin. "I missed you this summer."She met his stare unflinchingly, returning the smile as she said, "I hate to admit it, Sam Cortland, but I missed your sorry ass, too.”

“No matter what happens," she said quietly, "I want to thank you."Chaol tilted his head to the side. "For what?"Her eyes stung but she blamed it on the fierce wind and blinked away the dampness. "For making my freedom mean something.”

“My name is Celaena Sardothien," she whispered, "and I will not be afraid.”

“She would not break.And someday… someday,even if it took her until her last breath, she’d find out who had done this to her. Celaena wiped away her tears as the wagon entered the shade of the tunnel through the wall. Whips and screams and the clank of chains. She tensed, already taking in every detail she could.But she squared her shoulders. Straightened her spine.“My name is Celaena Sardothien,” she whispered “And I will not be afraid”

“His breath was warm on her neck as he bent his head, resting his cheek against her hair. Her heart beat so quickly, and yet she felt utterly calm—as if she could have stayed there forever and not minded, stayed there forever and let the world fall apart around them. She pictured his fingers, pushing against that line of chalk, reaching for her despite the barrier between them.”