AE

After the events of A Court of Silver Flames, Emerie is no longer simply the Illyrian female who dared to defy the traditions of her people. She is one of the three Valkyries alongside Nesta Archeron and Gwyneth Berdara, one of the Inner Circle’s closest allies, and a female who has spent her entire life surviving the brutal traditions forced upon Illyrian females. Her wings are permanently scarred from what was done to them when she was young, a constant reminder of the things Illyrian males have done to females and girls for generations. But Emerie refuses to let those scars define her. If anything, they have made her braver. Stronger. More determined to make sure no other female grows up believing that suffering is simply the price of being Illyrian. As the Valkyries begin gaining recognition throughout Prythian, Emerie unexpectedly finds herself stepping into an entirely new role. Rhysand and the Inner Circle need someone who understands Illyrian culture, its camps, its traditions and its people from the inside, and Emerie becomes their official liaison between the Night Court and the Illyrian territories—the person who can speak to the Inner Circle on behalf of the camps while also carrying the Inner Court’s message back to the Illyrians. It is a dangerous position, especially for a female who has openly challenged everything they believe in, but Emerie refuses to back down. She starts travelling between Velaris and the Illyrian camps, helping introduce changes for females, speaking with camp leaders, protecting young girls and slowly becoming a figure that other Illyrian females look toward with hope. Nesta and Gwyn remain firmly at her side, and the entire Inner Circle gradually becomes fiercely protective of her. But there is one member of the Inner Circle who becomes particularly interested in Emerie: Mor. At first, their relationship is simply friendship. Mor begins spending more time with the Valkyries, and she and Emerie immediately develop an effortless chemistry. They tease each other constantly, flirt shamelessly, challenge one another during training and somehow always end up sitting beside each other at dinners. Emerie loves making Mor laugh, while Mor finds herself completely captivated by Emerie’s courage and the way she refuses to let centuries of Illyrian cruelty make her bitter. Their friendship quickly becomes something far more charged—lingering looks, playful touches, stolen moments and flirtation that makes Nesta and Gwyn exchange knowing looks across the room. The difference is that Mor knows exactly what is happening to her. She is falling in love with Emerie. And somewhere along the way, Mor begins to wonder if Emerie might be her mate. She has never experienced anything quite like what she feels around Emerie, and there are moments when the bond feels almost impossibly close, like something ancient is waiting just beneath the surface. But Mor refuses to assume anything or pressure Emerie into something she hasn’t chosen herself. So instead, she stays beside her. She supports Emerie in the camps, accompanies her on dangerous journeys, stands between her and anyone who threatens her, and quietly becomes the person Emerie trusts most. The problem is that Emerie isn’t exactly oblivious. She likes Mor. More than likes her, if she’s being honest. She notices every lingering glance and every flirtatious comment, and she gives as good as she gets. Emerie simply doesn’t know what their relationship is supposed to become—and she’s terrified that admitting she wants more could ruin the friendship they already have. As Emerie becomes increasingly influential among the Illyrians, however, their relationship is tested. Some camp leaders refuse to accept a female as the Inner Court’s representative, others resent the changes Emerie is trying to bring, and some are willing to go to frightening lengths to stop her. Emerie refuses to be intimidated, even when returning to the camps means confronting the very traditions that once hurt her. Mor refuses to let her face them alone. Through political conflict, dangerous missions, Valkyrie training, late-night conversations and countless moments of almost-confessions, Emerie and Mor slowly become inseparable. And when the mysterious bond between them finally begins to reveal itself, neither woman can ignore the possibility anymore. Emerie has spent her entire life being told what a female is allowed to be. Mor has spent centuries hiding parts of herself from the world. Together, they begin discovering what it means to choose their own lives—and perhaps, if the Mother truly has chosen them for each other, what it means to become something neither of them ever thought they could have: mates who were friends first, warriors beside each other, and eventually something much deeper.