Page 129 of Glow of the Everflame

“It’s not your job to know about my family,” I snapped.

At my side, Remis cleared his throat, then shot me a pointed look. He dropped his voice low. “I believe what Her Majesty means to say is that this is not widely known. We ask for your discretion on such matters.”

“Of course.” The woman matched Remis’s hushed tenor. “Our realm knows well the importance of safeguarding sensitive information. And the consequences, should such knowledge be released.”

She cocked her head at me, still sporting that hollow smile. “We would be honored to welcome your brother. He is invited as a personal guest of our Crown at the institution of his choice for as long as he wishes to study.”

“Oh, how wonderful,” Lily gushed from Remis’s other side. She clasped her hands to her chest and beamed at me. “It’s what he’s always wanted!”

Remis frowned at Lily’s enthusiasm, but he nodded in agreement. “A generous offer. I’m sure he will be pleased to—”

“No,” I growled. “Absolutely not.”

My entire entourage gawked at me. Remis was furious, Lily looked crestfallen, Eleanor and Aemonn looked baffled.

“Your Majesty,” Remis started, “such an opportunity is exceedingly rare. It would be a great honor for the boy.”

“I saidno.” I glared at the pink-eyed woman and tried to silently convey that I knew all too well the evils she and her kind were committing. How the mortals they invited never returned home—how they, or their families, all seemed to meet a suspicious end.

An end that put them on the involuntary side of Sophos’s highly guarded research labs.

She gave a delicate shrug. “The offer remains open, if you—or he—have a change of heart.”

There would be nochange of heart. Teller would not set foot in Sophos—not as long as I lived.

“Farewell then,” I said acidly. “May the Sacred Sea carry you home swiftly tonight.”

“Actually, we’ll be staying a few more days.” The woman’s gaze rolled to Remis, then back to me. “We have some business to conduct.”

I shook my head. “Your business here is done.”

“Your Majesty,” Remis interrupted.

“Is there a problem?” a deep baritone voice called out.

A man with a thick mustache emerged from the onlookers. His scowl of displeasure unlocked a memory that sent a flicker of panic dashing through me. “The visitors from Sophos are personal guests of House Benette. They are welcome in my home for as long as they wish.”

“Evrim,” Remis said warmly, conjuring one of his usual diplomatic smiles. “No problem at all. A minor miscommunication.”

Before I could respond, Remis’s hand squeezed my arm, and I had to bite my tongue to keep from flinching. He leaned in and growled a warning. “Do not make an enemy of him.”

“I don’t trust Sophos,” I hissed back.

“Well Evrim Benette does, and House Benette provides weapons to all of Lumnos. If you interfere with their business, every last House will rise to Challenge you.”

I ground my teeth and tucked my hands into my skirt to conceal my fists. I was more than happy to piss off Sophos, I might even be willing to provoke House Benette. But I could not afford to make an enemy of the whole of Lumnos—not yet.

I gave the Sophos Descended a smile as empty as their own. “My mistake,” I said sweetly. “Have a lovely stay.”

With shallow bows and an ominous stare, the Sophos Descended eased back into the crowd.

“Diem!” A little girl with a mop of blonde ringlets yanked out of her panicked mother’s arms and bolted toward me, her arms extended.

I smiled and dropped to my knees. “Evanie,” I cooed, scooping her up and hugging her to my chest. “I didn’t think you’d remember me.”

“You had candy. I never forget candy.” She beamed at me. “Got any more?”

“You know my daughter?” Evrim asked.

---