Page 98 of A Sun Scorched Bloom

Lea leaned forward, calling her shadows to her fingertips as she placed a palm flat on the table between them. "We are married. He is my husband."

Eudora’s eyes flashed, and her lips twisted into a snarl. "Impossible," she snapped, her wrinkled, blotchy hands shaking.

"I assure you, it is very much possible." Lea relaxed back, making no attempt to hide the satisfaction on her face at surprising Eudora. "It’s the only reason I’m sitting here now. While we traveled here, I contracted the Lonely Death. It was the only way to save me."

Eudora gripped the arm of her chair, and Lea’s eyes locked on her hands. Young, smooth skin wrapped around delicate, perfect fingers. Eudora looked as if she would spit fire with the next words she spoke, but Lea could only focus on her hands. She stood slowly,easily, as the crystals hanging from the ceiling began to rock back and forth, the long sleeves of her robe cascading down to hide her fingers. "I have watched your future unfold a thousand different ways, your path changing with every choice that could possibly be made. I know how your life ends, girl. Are you telling me that my visions were wrong?"

Lea struggled to remain seated, unwilling to appear afraid as she strengthened the shadows floating around her hands and unlocked the cavern where her dark magic swirled. "I’mtellingyou that is what happened. If your visions did not show it, then yes. I am saying they were incorrect."

Eudora’s piercing silver eyes—eyes that looked so much younger than the frail body they inhabited—stared into her, so deeply Lea felt the need to place a shield in front of her. The faintest black fog appeared between them.

After several furious, deep breaths, Eudora returned to her seat, her movements appearing difficult again as the crackling energy in the room died off to a faint buzz. She picked up her tea, pulling a green vial from her sleeve and uncorking it. A single drop of gold liquid fell into the cup. With a swirl of her wrist, Eudora lifted it to her lips and drank deeply before flipping it upside down on the saucer in front of her. The witch settled back into her chair, pushing up her sleeves again to reveal discolored, wrinkled arms and hands.

"It doesn't matter." Eudora waved a palm over the cup. "This doesn’t change that you need my help. And I need yours."

"If I agree to your terms," Lea lowered her chin, "then you’ll tell me how to grow the moonflowers?Andhow to break the curse to allow us to kill Alaric and the Black King?" She was skeptical. It felt like a trap, like she was giving too little for information that would change absolutely everything.

"I will teach you how to find success with the moonflowers. But as for how to break the spell? That is a conversation I wish to save for your mate. Drink your tea," Eudora ordered, her fingers tapping impatiently against her knee.

Lea raised the cup to her lips. The tea was awful, but she needed a moment to think. It didn’t seem like a coincidence that Eudora had waited to speak with her until Gray was far enough away that she couldn’t communicate mentally with him. But at the same time, it was clear that the witch needed something from her. It wasn’t as if what she requested went against her own goals. If the Black King and Prince were going to be killed, what would stop her from bringing Eudora whatever it was that was locked away in the dungeons? Gray would be the ruler of Auropera. Logistically, it sounded easy.

Lea took the final sip of tea, and Eudora stood fast as lightning, snatching the empty teacup from her hand and flipping it on top of the saucer. Lea reached for the cup, but Eudora grabbed her wrist, her grip so strong Lea was certain she would have a bracelet of finger shaped bruises in the morning.

"My offer expires in ten seconds. Make your decision." Eudora squeezed harder.

Lea yanked her arm away, stumbling backward. She didn’t want to make a deal with this awful woman. But to be able to grow the moonflowers? Save thousands of people? Lea felt as if she had no choice. "I’d like to agree…"

Eudora’s eyes twinkled.

"But make no mistake—" Lea’s shadows slithered around the table, wrapping around Eudora’s arm and up to her neck, pushing up her chin and holding her in place as Lea stared straight into her unnatural eyes, her darkness begging for release as the sting of pain fed their fury— "if you touch me again, I will kill you. You think I am the only one strong enough to break through the locks? That means I am more powerful than you. You think I am a sun scorched bloom? That might be true. But when someone is burned to their very bones, that fire never goes out. An ember remains—burning, waiting for retribution. Place your hands on me again, and you will be on the wrong side of my revenge."

It was a challenge, and Eudora clearly knew it. Her silver eyes flashed black, and for just a moment, Lea saw a beautiful young woman before her, but when she blinked, Eudora was only a frail, wrinkled witch.

"Understood," Eudora hissed.

"Then we have a deal." With Lea’s words, the room flashed in a burst of light, the candles flickering and wind whipping her hair around her face. Eudora smiled broadly, closing her eyes and reveling in the elements erupting around the room. Lea could do nothing but watch, her heart pounding erratically.What did I just agree too?

As quickly as it started, the room calmed, the wind stopping and the flames of the candles growing low.

"What the fuck was that?" Lea snarled.

"It was nothing but a bargain. Fulfill your end of the deal, and there will be no consequences." Eudora eyed Lea’s overturned cup.

"And if I don’t?" Lea had every intention of keeping her word, would do anything at all to grow the moonflowers, but still, she needed to know.

"Then you forfeit your life." A wicked smile spread across Eudora’s face, showing cracked, yellowing teeth.

"That wasn’t part of the deal—"

"It is done." Eudora cut her off. "I believe in you. I know you’ll deliver what I seek." With a snap of her fingers, Eudora’s teacup flew into her outstretched hand, and the witch examined the leaves. "Mmmmm. As I thought." Her eyes flicked to Lea’s. "My instructions will allow the moonflowers to grow."

Lea bit her lip, silently cursing herself for not questioning what would happen if she failed. Were the leaves telling her how to use the moonflowers, or were they simply telling the future? That if she followed Eudora’s instructions, she would have success?

"They must be grown at night, after the setting of the sun and the rise of the magic of the night." An image of a moonflower appeared between them, floating in the air just as it had in the garden.

"That can’t be it. I’ve tried that before, tried every possible time of night." Rage boiled in Lea’s stomach.

"Quiet!" Eudora glared. "That is not all."

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