Page 17 of Glow of the Everflame

Luther finally joined us. “Lily, it’s getting quite late and you have school tomorrow. You should get to bed.”

She rolled her eyes. “We have a Queen for the first time in centuries, and you expect me tosleep?”

“I can order him to let you stay up,” I offered. “If he says no, I’ll have him beheaded.”

Lily giggled. “I suppose I’ll have to decline. He does love to say no, and I’m rather fond of his head.”

“Lucky for me,” he said dryly.

Lily raised up on her toes to kiss his cheek, and he hunched over to give her an easier reach. It was, to my deep irritation, rather adorable. She ambushed me with a final hug, then threw Luther a coy grin as she headed out of the room.

Once she was gone, Luther eyed me carefully. “She seemed happy.”

I shrugged. “She’s a happy girl.”

“You didn’t punish her.” An observation—and a subtle question.

“Of course not. She’s still young. Misplaced as her faith in you may be, I’m not such a monster that I’ll hold it againsther.”

A shadow crossed over his face. “Thank you for that,” he said quietly.

A long, awkward silence passed. I glanced around the room, looking for someone,anyone, to save me from this conversation.

“You handled the meeting extremely well,” Luther said.

My chest warmed at his compliment, and I internally scolded myself for it.

“I meant what I said earlier,” he went on. “Whatever your plans with the Crown, we can help.Ican help.”

“An hour ago, you tried to threaten me into choosing your House.” I crossed my arms. “In fact, that’s the third time you’ve threatened my life since dawn.”

“I didn’t—” He scrubbed his face, his calm facade beginning to fracture. “Those were misunderstandings. I have never intended you any harm. What I said earlier was a warning, not a threat. If the other Houses find out about you, they’ll be breathing down your neck.”

“Maybe that’s what I want.” I shrugged. “Maybe they’ll have a better offer for me than House Corbois.”

He worked his jaw. “If that’s your wish, I will set up some meetings discreetly—withoutmy family’s knowledge. But if you choose another House, you’ll be entirely alone. At least here, you have allies.”

I snorted. “Like who, you?”

“Yes,” he growled. “And Lily. And others—people who are not loyal to House Corbois or to my father. People who will be loyal to you, if you get to know them.”

I studied his face, scouring it for some trace of the scheme I was sure he must be hiding. “How did you know the truth about my father?”

“I didn’t. I guessed.”

And now I’d just confirmed it.

I groaned and rubbed my temples. “You just announced my biggest secret to your entire family. What happened to telling them as little as possible?”

“You left me no choice. If you try to pass yourself off as the first-ever mortal Crown, you’ll be dead in a week. Telling them you’re half-mortal isn’t ideal either, but they can’t punish you for it now that you’re Queen. It was the safer option. Besides...” His head cocked in a predatory tilt. “We both know you have far bigger secrets than that.”

I stilled, my voice dropping to a low hiss. “And what of your secrets, Prince? You stole one of mine. I think I’m owed one in return.”

His expression shuttered as he silently looked away.

“Where is my mother, Luther?”

More silence.

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