Page 137 of Glow of the Everflame

“They’re definitely going to Challenge me now,” I mumbled glumly into his chest.

He squeezed me tighter. “We’ll keep training. There’s still time.”

I pulled back to offer some smart-ass quip and stopped short when I saw his stormy expression had worsened.

“Taran, what’s wrong?”

He frowned. “You’re not really going to go through with this betrothal, are you?”

The blood drained from my face. Had Luther told him about Henri? He said Taran knew all his secrets, but Luther would never betray my trust like this—would he?

“It’s... it’s my choice,” I sputtered.

“I know,” he rushed out, “and I respect that.” He sighed. “But the thought of him on the throne...”

Shit. He did know about Henri.

“I didn’t expect you to be so prejudiced,” I said defensively. “I thought you were above all that.”

“He’s manipulating you. He just wants to be King—surely you see that.”

By the Flames—Luther had told himeverything.

My anger flared to life. I pulled out of his grip and glared at him, ignoring the pairs of dancers that whirled around us. “This is none of your business, Taran.”

“I’m just looking out for you, Queenie. I know you think you can find some good in him, but he’s a selfish prick. He doesn’t deserve you.”

I dropped my voice to a low hiss. “I know it looks like Henri only agreed to marry me to become King, but I’ve known him my whole life, so don’t you dare presume to—”

“Who is Henri?”

I froze. “What?”

“I was talking about Aemonn.” Taran’s eyes narrowed. “Who wereyoutalking about?”

I staggered back a step. “I—I didn’t—no one.”

Couples around us were beginning to take notice. Perthe stepped forward with a concerned look from where he stood watch on the edge of the dance floor.

Taran gave them a quick glance, then tugged me off to the side. “You’reengaged?”

“Yes.” I winced at the memory of Henri’s betrayed expression. “I think. Maybe.”

“To someone you knew before you were Queen...” He trailed off thoughtfully, then jolted and gawked at me. “Lumnos’s tits, to a morta—”

“Hush!” I slapped both hands over his mouth, waiting to remove them until his bulging eyes shrank to a normal size. “Yes. Someone I grew up with.”

He studied my face, frowning deeply. “Does Luther know?”

“Yes. He’s helping me keep it quiet until after the Challenging.”

A swirl of emotions passed across Taran’s expression, sadness eventually settling into his pinched brow. “I knew there was something he wasn’t telling me. He’s never... you’re the only...fuck, now it all makes sense.”

“What makes sense?”

“Why Luther is the way he is around you. Why he won’t...” He sighed heavily and scrubbed a hand down his face. “It doesn’t matter.”

“Why Luther won’t what?”

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