Page 124 of Glow of the Everflame

“No,” he admitted. “But it may be the only way to ensure no mortal blood is shed tonight.”

My shoulders sagged. “Then I have no choice.”

With a single thought, the magic binding the Umbros Descended shattered like broken glass. Their dark, hazy energy began to roll across the realm like an ominous fog, leaving me with a nagging dread that I might have just spared two hundred lives to risk countless more.

“It’s done,” I said, sighing. “The Guardians are waiting outside the gates for Henri’s signal. I had the guards take him to the dungeon so he couldn’t tip them off.”

Luther winced, and I knew it was for me—for what he could see that decision had cost me. “Go focus on the ball. I know your wishes. I’ll see them through.”

I hesitated. I wanted to thank him, but no words seemed enough. Had the roles been reversed—had a group of Descended come to hurt Teller and my father—I doubted anyone in Emarion could have stopped me from killing them on sight.

“Go,” he urged again, softer. “You have enough on your shoulders. Let me carry this one burden for you tonight.”

I glanced down at our still-joined hands. Luther continued to wipe at the crimson smudges on my palm until Henri’s blood was no longer visible—at least on the surface.

“You’re really going to do it?” I asked quietly. “You’ll let them all go... for me?”

He brushed his thumb along my palm in a long, slow trail. “You’re my Queen. Everything I do is for you.”

And yet, as I watched him press his fist to his chest in a formal salute and walk away, I couldn’t help but wonder whether Luther’s real reason for helping me had nothing to do with my Crown at all.

* * *

Aemonn was waitingfor me in the servants’ passage with a towel and a bowl of warm water. I offered him a wobbly smile as I cleaned myself up. Any pretense of being the cocky, savage young Queen had already washed away. Aemonn had seen the real me, broken and vulnerable. He knew where to hit me to do the most damage. I had no choice but to wait and see where it led.

He looked me over carefully. “I wish I could tell you we could cancel the ball or delay our entrance, but—”

“I know,” I answered. “This is too important.”

I smoothed my hands over my hair, then my dress, drawing in a deep breath and imagining it carried all the confidence and sureness of purpose I so desperately needed. I took a page from Luther’s book and built a mask across my features, disguising all of my pain under a solemn, steadfast facade.

“I can handle this,” I assured him, lifting my chin. “I’m not as weak as I seemed back there.”

“I have no doubt, Your Majesty.” He gave a sly smile. “Only a fool would underestimateyou.”

When we were finally lined up in front of the double doors that led into the ballroom, Aemonn leaned down and whispered. “I have one more gift for you.”

I grimaced. “I really think I’ve had enough surprises for tonight.”

“This is a good one,” he promised. He twirled his fingers in a circling motion, and a canopy of shimmers fell over our bodies, leaving a host of twinkling stars woven into our hair and clothes. The effect was breathtaking—every breath, every movement, sent tiny pinpricks of pale blue light dancing around us. We were two ethereal spirits, straight off the pages of a fairy tale.

“I can’t let a Corbois Queen walk in there unadorned,” he said, winking.

I stared down at Aemonn’s magic and imagined it as a glimmering suit of armor. The Diem inside me was a mess, heartbroken and begging for reprieve, but the Queen on the outside didn’t have the luxury of weakness. Tonight, I would have to play my part and be the bright, shiny object to distract them from the predator to come.

Behind the door, trumpet fanfare rang out, and a loud voice boomed across the room.

“Esteemed guests, may I now present the heir to the Crown, Her Royal Majesty Diem Corbois, the Unchallenged Queen of Lumnos, Realm of Light and Shadows, escorted by His Highness Prince Aemonn Corbois.”

“Thank you, Aemonn,” I said. “I won’t forget your kindness tonight.”

The doors to the ballroom cracked open, and he gave my hand one final squeeze.

“You’re a Corbois, Diem,” he murmured into my ear. “Embrace your phoenix. Rise from the ashes, and burn bright once more.”

ChapterTwenty-Six

Ihad to hand it to Aemonn—he knew how to make an entrance.

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