“You needed not to be alone.

But what about him? Fifty years he'd been separated from his friends, his family...

I said, 'You let Amarantha and the entire world think you rule and delight in a Court of Nightmares. It's all a front- to keep what matters most safe.'

The city lights gilded his face. 'I love my people, and my family. Do not think I wouldn't become a monster to keep them protected.'

'You already did that Under the Mountain.' The words were out before I could stop them.

The wind rustled his hair. 'And I suspect I'll have to do it again soon enough.'

'What was the cost?' I dared ask. 'Of keeping this place secret and free?'

He shot straight down, wings beating to keep us smooth as we landed on the roof of the town house. I made to step away, but he gripped my chin. 'You know the cost already.'

Amarantha's whore.”