Page 104 of Glow of the Everflame

I hooked my arm through Eleanor’s as we walked from dinner back to my suite—both out of fondness and the effects of the Descended wine that had the hallways careening around me. “You think it went that well?”

“It was exactly what you needed after the funeral,” she gushed. “If there was any doubt whether you can hold your own among us, it’s certainly gone now.”

I chewed on my lip and frowned. “There were some awkward moments.”

“And you handled them perfectly.” She tugged me in closer. “Accidentallyspilling wine in Ethaline’s lap after she offered to take bets on the Challenging was an especially nice touch.”

“So clumsy of me,” I said innocently, drawing a cackle from Eleanor.

“They may not like you, but they certainly think you’re a vicious little beast.”

“I can work with that.”

We walked and giggled, recounting the highlights of the night. After Luther’s disappearance, the cousins had pounced with interrogations on my mortal upbringing. I managed to placate them with harmless stories without revealing anything too personal, thanks in large part to some well-timed interruptions from Eleanor and Aemonn. The two of them had been a good pair, giving me space to stand on my own without letting me drown in the process.

“Thank you for tonight, Eleanor,” I said. “Having you as my advisor has been a gift from the gods.”

“A Blessing from the Kindred,” she corrected gently. “That’s what a Descended would say.”

I frowned. “The Kindred are gods, are they not?”

“Well, yes, but...” She hesitated, appearing to brace herself for my reaction. “I heard you say ‘by the Flames’ during dinner.”

That was bad—and worse that I hadn’t even noticed. References to the ancient mortal religions, including any mentions of the Everflame, were forbidden as heresy. Even though I was exempt from the laws as the Crown, it would do me no favors in preventing a Challenge.

“If it had happened at the ball, in front of the other Houses...”

“I understand,” I said quickly. “Did anyone notice?”

“If so, it was quickly forgotten. Aemonn jumped in and said something outrageous.”

I gave a deep sigh. “I can’t believe I’m saying this, but Aemonn was a blessing tonight, as well. Do you still think I can’t trust him?”

She hummed in thought. “He did brand himself as your ally to the whole House tonight, even though his father hasn’t. That’s no small thing—especially for Aemonn. But he also made it clear that he’s aiming for your hand in marriage. If he finds out about your betrothal, he could turn on you.”

“He already knows.”

She gaped at me. “He does?”

“I accidentally revealed it that first day in the garden. I’m taking him as my escort to the ball in exchange for his silence.”

“Interesting.” Her expression went pensive. “Perhaps he thinks he can talk you out of it. Or perhaps he’s planning to wait out the mortal’s death and marry you after.”

“He would do that?”

She gave me a sympathetic look and squeezed my arm. “Mortal lifetimes are so short compared to ours. It’s why we don’t often get close to them—they’re gone so quickly.”

I doubted there was anything more excruciating she could have said to me.

The despair I had been diligently trying to bury was beginning to claw its bony fingers back up through the soil when Eleanor paused beside me. I looked up to see Luther leaning against the wall across from my chamber door and glaring at the ground.

“I should get to bed,” she rushed out. “Big day tomorrow.”

My protests died with one glance at Luther’s harsh expression. I gave her a quick embrace and she scurried away.

I walked—fine,carefully wobbled—down the hall without sparing Luther a glance as my guards rushed to open the heavy iron doors.

“I wish to speak with you in private.”

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