Page 88 of Glow of the Everflame

He walked over and grabbed my arms, pulling me in for a fierce hug. His voice turned rough. “I said things I regret, too. I lost my temper. I was so scared there would be no one left to protect you and Teller when I left for the war.”

“I know,” I whispered. “I’m so sorry, Father.”

He clutched me tighter. “I’m sorry, too. My sweet Diem, I love you so much.”

My heart consumed my entire chest, burning through the anger and shame I had been holding in since that night.

He pulled back to look at me. “Teller knows, doesn’t he?” I nodded, and he huffed a laugh. “I knew that boy was acting funny. He kept making excuses to spend time with me at home. He hasn’t done that since he discovered girls.” He angled his head. “And Henri?”

I flinched and nodded again.

He squeezed my shoulder. “He’ll understand. If he truly loves you, it won’t change how he feels.”

I didn’t know how to tell him that those words didn’t make me feel any better.

“Father, tell me the truth. Do you know who sired me?”

“No. I never lied to you about that.”

“Do you have any idea who it could be? Did Mother work with any Lumnos Descended in the army?”

“None that I know of. She had you while she was away on her final mission. I assumed it was someone she met during that time.”

“Where was it? Who went with her? Did she—”

“I don’t know any details. It was highly confidential. She wasn’t even supposed to confirm a mission happened at all. Only the King of Fortos would have the authority to tell you.”

I sank back down onto the couch, rubbing at my face. “I have too many questions, and no one can give me answers.”

My father joined me, and silence passed as we both steeped in the boil of this mystery that had consumed both of our lives. His hand swept across my shoulders and tugged me close. I looked up, and my heart squeezed at the gentle understanding I saw on his face.

“You know none of this changes how I feel about you, right?” he asked. “You’re my little girl. You always will be, whether you’re Descended or mortal or anything else.”

Burning filled my eyes. I nodded and blinked furiously to push the emotion away. “Have you heard about the Challenging?”

“Yes. Others were discussing it at the funeral.” From his bitter tone, whatever he’d heard didn’t bode well for me.

“You’ll survive it,” he growled. “It’s just another battle. I’ve taught you everything you need to know.”

“It’s a battle of magic, not weapons or fists,” I said hoarsely. “They’ve been training for years.Centuries.”

“A battle is a battle.” He tapped a finger on my temple. “The weapon in your head is more important than the weapon in your hands. You’ve always been my bravest soldier. As long as you keep fighting, I know you can win.”

I let out a heavy sigh. “With any luck, I won’t have to. I made a bargain with Remis Corbois to claim his House in exchange for their help.”

The Commander side of him took control again as he gazed into the distance with a glassy stare, no doubt engrossed in strategy and warfare. He gave a curt nod. “Good,” he said finally. “I don’t trust him, but I would rather he be your ally than your enemy. You’ll need advisors, and he is a powerful one.”

“I do need advisors,” I agreed. “And I want you to be one of them. I have meetings soon with the Twenty Houses. I’d like you to attend as the military advisor on my Crown Council.”

He held up a palm. “Diem, I’m not sure that’s wise.”

“You advised King Ulther.”

“In private, not on his Council. And certainly not in meetings with other Descended.” He gave me a hard look of warning. “I know how these people operate. They won’t like my being there.”

“I can’t trust anyone here,” I pushed. “I need one person in the room, justone person, who isn’t going to stab me the moment I turn my back.”

I sensed his turmoil as he frowned and weighed the bigger threat: abandoning me to the wolves or making himself the juicy bait that sent their mouths frothing.

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