Celaena, or rather, Aelin, watched Chaol as he turned away from the shore and made his way back to the castle.
The ocean breeze caressed her neck, as her golden-white hair billowed and lashed at her tear-stricken face. The sobs hadn't been able to be kept in after she'd left Chaol. As soon as her first foot had landed on the ship, they'd hit her like a wave, a pure barrier of force.
A month and a day. She had whispered them into Chaol's ear, leaving him confused and puzzled. She had told him the date that would lead him to discover her true identity. Do what needs to be done, Elena had said. Now, Aelin had.
He'd needed to know, and although telling him had felt like a massive weight had been lifted from her chest, it had also felt like her heart had shattered into hundreds upon hundreds of pieces.
But now, Aelin had to focus on the task at hand. First, she had to get to Terrasen safely. Then, she had to get her people to believe she was who she said she was. And, if she got that far, she had to rally an army large enough, and powerful enough, to strike back against Adarlan's king.
So she wiped the salty tears from her face, and smiled a menacing smile. The king would pay for what he had done, and when Aelin met him once more, she would be the last thing he ever saw.