Page 58 of The Mirror in the Mountain

Marin let out a garbled sound, her eyes widening as she slowly turned to her brother. “What?”

Yael had stilled at her lover’s side, her flowing violet jumpsuit slightly swaying at her sudden inertia.

Bash smirked. “Myanimais the future High Queen. Though I’m tempted to knock the whole castle down, I have a feeling that with some serious redecorating, we’ll be able to call Morehaven home when she takes her rightful place on the throne.”

Now I was the one staring at him with wide eyes.

Bash smiled at me; his gaze soft. “I do have plans for after we win this war, you know.”

After.I didn’t want to think about why I hadn’t let myself consider what came next. Refusing to let my mind go there, I plastered a smile on my face as I turned to Marin and Yael. “I have no doubt you two will be exactly what Imyr needs.”

Marin nodded solemnly, though Yael still looked flustered.

“Oh, before I forget…” Marin reached into a hidden pocket in her skirt, pulling a familiar necklace from it. My breath caught as I took in the silver star amulet I had left behind in Imyr what felt like a lifetime ago. Taking it, I gave her a grateful smile.

“Thank you for bringing it back to me,” I said in a heartfelt whisper.

Marin smiled. “I’m just happy you’re here to claim it.”

I started to lift it to my neck, but Bash held out a hand, motioning for me to turn around as he unclasped the lock. He moved closer than was strictly necessary, his warm breath grazing my ear as I lifted the hair from my nape, carefully placing it around my neck.

The cool metal brushed against the white scar encircling my throat, and I recoiled as the memory of being collared and helpless crashed over me. Bash immediately froze, and I knew he had felt that momentary terror across our bond.

Pressing my hand against the familiar six-pointed star, I forced some levity into my voice as I managed to say, “I remember when you two were more intent on taking this off of me than putting it back on.”

Carefully, Bash finished clasping the amulet, pressing a swift kiss against where the chain lay against my skin. I leaned back against him, and his arm circled around my waist in silent comfort, his breath rustling my hair as his chin rested atop my head.

Rivan walked down the stairs, wearing an embroidered cobalt blue tunic, his lavender eyes twinkling as he took in the looks on our faces. “What did I miss?”

“Just Marin being the Imyrian heir now that Eva’s the future High Queen,” Bash said with a hint of amusement.

Rivan gave us all a strange look. “That seemed obvious, no?”

Marin let out a choked sound, and Yael reached over to grab her hand.

“Besides, you’ve already been doing the job since this all started,” Bash said. “Seems only fitting you get the title too.”

“Queen Marin does have a nice ring to it,” Yael added quietly, a familiar devious gleam in her eyes.

Marin sighed, her mouth twisting in resignation. “So does having you as my consort.” She tugged Yael closer before brushing a soft kiss to her lips that quickly deepened into more.

“And you gaveusa hard time,” Bash said with a smile that belied his tone.

Quinn and Tobias walked down the stairs together. She was softly laughing at something he said, the look in his eyes in response making my chest ache.

Then his gaze fixed on me, taking a careful step away from Quinn as if he had just realized their proximity. “We’re here to see you off.”

Quinn winked at me. “Try not to get into too much trouble without me.”

“It’s just a day trip,” I said with false outrage.

Bash nodded. “I won’t risk staying longer than it takes our forces to ready. But I appreciate both of your help in doing so.”

Tobias looked at him. “Keep her safe, would you?”

Bash gave him a slight bow, and I saw Tobias’s mouth curve up just slightly. Perhaps there was hope they might be friends someday. Not that I was going to give them a choice.

“I can keep myself safe,” I protested.

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