Page 146 of Glow of the Everflame

“You’re a wonderful advisor, Eleanor Corbois,” I said between sniffles, touching my forehead to hers. “And you’re an even better friend.”

“Are you two about to kiss?”

Eleanor let go of me as her eyes rolled to the ceiling with an exasperated groan. “I swear Taran, you really know how to ruin a moment.”

We turned to see Taran and Luther sauntering down the hall. They were both smirking, their postures relaxed, but as Luther took in my reddened eyes and wet cheeks, his smile vanished. His shoulders pulled tight, his expression turning sharp.

“I knew every man in the palace was trying to get in your bed, Queenie,” Taran joked. “I didn’t know you had the women lining up, too.”

“What can I say Tare-Tare, I’m just so sweet and well-behaved, it’s irresistible,” I teased back, laughing weakly as I wiped my face dry.

“What happened?” Luther asked tersely.

“I’m fine,” I rushed out. “It’s nothing.”

“Tare-Tare?” Eleanor howled. “I’m calling you that from now on.”

Taran glowered. “You might want to rethink that,Ellie Belly.”

She scowled.

“Who hurt you?” Luther demanded, ignoring his cousins. Two gauntlets of light appeared on his hands, tendrils of power crackling around him as he clenched his fists.

Taran looked at me, then at Luther, then shrugged. “Go on then, tell us who to kill.” He held out palms, and two hissing orbs of shadow hovered over his hands. “Is it Aemonn? Please say it’s Aemonn.”

“Aemonn?” Luther snarled, eyes narrowing. “Did he—”

“Blessed Kindred, put the magic away,” Eleanor scolded. “No one hurt anyone. We were just talking about ourfeelings. It’s a thing people do sometimes. You two should give it a try.”

Taran chuckled as his orbs disappeared, but Luther held firm. My heart reeled at the protective fire blazing in his eyes.

I offered him a small smile. “I’m alright. Really.”

Eleanor walked up to Taran and linked her arm with his. “Come on Tare-Tare, walk with me. Maybe we can make a drinking game out of these House Receptions.” Their laughter echoed down the corridor as they continued ahead.

Luther dissolved his magic and looked me over carefully. He offered out his elbow. “May I escort you?”

I hesitated, then slipped my hand through and set my palm on his forearm. Even through the thick fabric of his doublet, I felt the same buzz of energy pass between us as if our flesh were bare.

“Your father is here,” he said. “I had the guards take him to the meeting room.” He paused. “I have to ask... are you certain about this? Once you present him as your advisor, there’s no going back. The Houses will want to know everything about him, including his relationship to you.”

I forced down a lump in my throat. No, I wasn’t certain. Just the thought of exposing my father to the powerful Descended at these House Receptions made my pulse race.

I glanced up at him. “You promised me that if I claimed House Corbois, you would protect my friends and family. Do you still intend to keep that promise?”

He said nothing, but it was the look he gave me, the vow that smoldered in his expression, that spoke a thousand words. A vow to fight—with his life, if it came to it—to protect me and everything I cared for.

“And you still believe you can keep them safe, even if their connection to me is known?”

“I have my most loyal guards on your father and on Teller, as well as with Maura and the healer’s center.” He frowned. “But Henri...”

“I know,” I sighed. “Having guards watch him would do more harm than good.”

Luther nodded. “I trust my men, but if they were to discover his involvement with the Guardians, it would be dangerous—for both of you.” He stared down the hall as his jaw flexed. “Once you present him as your betrothed, I’ll make arrangements for an escort, if he will accept one.”

I didn’t respond. Henri would never consent to being followed by Descended guards, but that did not answer the real question that lay in Luther’s words.

We walked in silence, our steps heavy with the weight of everything that had passed between us last night.

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