of his glass throne. After a moment of silence—during…

““of his glass throne. After a moment of silence—during which Chaol wondered if a castle spy had somehow been looking through the keyhole when Celaena touched him—the king spoke. “Princess Nehemia needs to be watched.” Of all the things the king could have said, this was not what Chaol had expected. But he kept his face blank and did not question the words that implied so much. “Her … influence is starting to be felt in these halls. And I am beginning to wonder if perhaps the time has come to remove her back to Eyllwe. I know that we already have some men watching her, but I also received word that there was an anonymous threat on her life.” Questions roared through him, along with a rising sense of dread. Who had threatened her? What had Nehemia said or done to warrant the threat? Chaol stiffened. “I haven’t heard anything about that.” The king smiled. “No one has. Not even the princess herself. It seems she’s made some enemies outside the palace as well.” “I’ll have extra guards watch her rooms and patrol her wing of the castle. I’ll alert her immediately of—” “There is no need to alert her. Or anyone.” The king gave him a pointed look. “She might try to use the fact that someone wants her dead as a bargaining chip—might try to make herself into a martyr of sorts. So tell your men to stay quiet.” He didn’t think Nehemia would do that, but Chaol kept his mouth shut. He’d tell his men to be discreet. And he wouldn’t tell the princess—or Celaena. Just because he was friendly with Nehemia, just because she was Celaena’s friend, it didn’t change anything. While he knew that Celaena would be furious that he didn’t tell her, he was the Captain of the Guard. He had fought and sacrificed nearly as much as Celaena had to get to this position. He’d let her get too close by asking her to dance—he’d let””

— Sarah J. Maas