Page 150 of Glow of the Everflame

“It was the Regent’s counter-offer.” I straightened in my throne. “I’ll need to speak with all my advisors before making such an important decision.”

In truth, I’d Challenge House Benette myself before I would ever agree to any such deal, but I needed time—time to plan, time to negotiate, and time to determine whether I could train my magic enough to survive a Challenge.

“Very well,” Evrim said. “But decide quickly, Your Majesty. The Period of Challenging is short, and judgment day is coming.”

* * *

“That could have gone better,”I said sullenly, staring at the room of empty seats.

Garath and Remis had left to escort House Benette from the palace, while Luther had taken one look at my expression and made a quick excuse to pull the others away so my father and I could talk in private.

“You wear your emotions on your sleeve, Diem,” my father chided. “Your temper has always been your weakness.”

“They want me to execute innocent people and force families out of the realm. If anything is worth getting angry over, is it not that?”

“Does your anger actually help those people, or does it make you feel righteous while the situation gets worse?”

I crossed my arms and looked away. The wound cut deeper than he could possibly know, in no small part because I knew he was right.

“My silence won’t help them either,” I said defensively. “What good is being Queen if I don’t fight back?”

“Being a leader is about more than barking orders when people don’t do what you want. And how many times have I taught you that giving in to your emotions is the fastest way to lose a battle? You should know better.”

I didn’t answer for a long time, frowning as I stared at the empty chairs where House Benette had sat. Where each of my enemies would sit in these coming days, one by one, forcing me into more impossible choices.

He let out a long sigh. “I think I should resign as your advisor.”

My focus shot to him. “No.”

“My presence here hurts you. You need distance from the mortals.”

“I needyou. You’re the only person I can trust.”

“You’re being selfish. Stop thinking about what you want, and think about what’s best for the realm.”

I flinched at the criticism, closing my eyes as my chest suffocated under the weight of his shame. I hadn’t realized until now just how badly I wanted my father to be proud of me as Queen—to be impressed by me and my plans, to be willing to stand by my side, whatever may come.

And I hadn’t realized until now just how badly it would hurt that he wasn’t.

“I’m sorry to be such a disappointment,” I said quietly.

He shook his head. “Diem, sweetheart, that’s not what I meant.”

“I accept your resignation.”

“I’m only trying to help—”

“Go home, Father.” I leapt out of my chair and stalked for the door without a final glance. “I’ll just have to do this alone.”

ChapterThirty

“Oh Teller, it was so lovely, Diem looked beautiful, she was so sparkly and queen-like, and everyone from school was there, and there was food and music, and we danced all night long, and then Elric got into the wine and made tiny light ponies that stampeded around the ballroom and kept burning everyone’s dresses, and then...”

My thoughts wandered as Lily gushed over the details of the ball to my brother, who was gazing at her in rapture like it was the most interesting thing he’d ever heard.

Though he smiled and nodded along in encouragement, I couldn’t miss his twinge of sadness at having not been invited. Teller would never admit it, but he desperately wanted to be a part of this world.

Lily’s world.Myworld.

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