“He stopped long enough to feed his body and allow his companions a few hours of sleep. Were it not for them, he would have flown off, soared far and wide. But he would need the strength of their blades and magic, would need their cunning and wisdom before this was through.”

Companionship is incredibly important in the novel and plays just as important a role as romantic love. At many points throughout Kingdom of Ash, when characters struggle emotionally or physically, others offer a steady presence. This dramatizes the importance of support systems needed to stay strong even when things seem hopeless.

“Aedion could only hope that Erawan also remained unaware that they no longer had the Fire-Bringer in their midst. What Terrasen’s own troops would say or do when they realized Aelin’s flame would not shield them in battle, he didn’t want to consider.”

The opening chapters point out that Terrasen’s armies and their allies rely on Aelin’s presence; the longer she remains missing, the more tension is heightened. The novel often draws connections between her flame and her people’s hope, a link that further increases the stakes should Lysandra’s ruse be discovered.

“She would never forget the sight of him crawling after Maeve once the queen had severed the blood oath. Crawling after Maeve like a shunned lover, like a broken dog desperate for its master. Aelin had been brutalized, their very location betrayed by Lorcan to Maeve, and still he tried to follow. Right through the sand still wet with Aelin’s blood.”

This passage from Elide’s point of view illustrates the current state of her relationship with Lorcan. It provides a jumping-off point for their arcs: Elide and Lorcan must overcome their conflict to determine the future they wish to have.