#the last living chronchan queen — sounds like a book in itself

[acourtofquestions]

Kingdom of Ash Chapter 4 (annotated highlights of quotes):

Manon wouldn't break her promise. She might be the disowned Heir of the Blackbeak Clan, might now command only a dozen witches, but she could still hold true to her word. So she'd find the Crochans. Convince them to fly into battle with the Thirteen. With her. Their last living Crochan Queen. Even if it led them all straight into the Darkness's embrace. would the Thirteen.

"What will you say," Asterin mused, "when we find the Crochans?" — A child not of war, but of peace. But those were foreign words on her tongue. Love. Peace. — She said, "I'll ask the Crochans not to shoot, I suppose." Asterin's mouth twitched toward a smile. "I meant about who you are."

"We will follow you, Manon," Asterin said softly. Manon turned to her cousin. "Do I deserve that honor?"

Asterin's mouth pressed into a tight line. The slight bump on her nose—Manon had given her that. She'd broken it in the Omega's mess hall for brawling with mouthy Yellowlegs. Asterin had never once complained about it. Had seemed to wear the reminder of the beating Manon bestowed like a badge of pride.

"Only you can decide if you deserve it, Manon."

Manon let the words settle as she shifted her gaze to the western horizon. Perhaps she'd deserve that honor if she succeeded in bringing them back to a home they'd never set eyes on. If they survived this war and all the terrible things they must do before it was over.

She had been willing to yield everything to save Terrasen, to save all of them. He could do nothing less. Aelin certainly had more to lose. A mate and husband who loved her. A court who'd follow her into hell. A kingdom long awaiting her return.

"You'll still have to learn for yourself what is truth and what is lie."