Page 18 of Glow of the Everflame

My anger spiked, hands fisting. “Where is she?”

His head whipped toward me, his gaze hard and dark as night. He leaned his face down to mine and opened his mouth to respond, but before he could speak, a third figure sauntered toward us, and his lips snapped shut.

“Your Majesty,” Aemonn said smoothly, coming to stand so close beside me that his knuckles grazed the edge of my hip.

Not an accident, I suspected.

He gave a deep nod, though his glittering eyes never left mine. “I pray your introduction to our family was not terribly overwhelming.”

“Not at all,” I said, my smile tight. “Your father was particularly charming.”

Aemonn clicked his tongue. “Calling you a half-breed... such vulgar words. I beg your forgiveness for his behavior. The events of the day have been a shock for him.” His gaze flicked to Luther, and his expression turned smug. “For all of us, I imagine.”

“Interesting,” Luther said icily, “given how often I’ve heard those same words from your mouth.”

Aemonn didn’t flinch, his brilliant smile only growing. “You’re mistaken, cousin. Perhaps your own involvement with the half-mortal children is coloring your memory.”

I glanced between the two men, fascinated by their frozen glares and tense posture. These twodefinitelydidn’t like each other.

Aemonn’s attention returned to me and warmed. “I’d be happy to give you a tour of the palace grounds tomorrow. That is, if you can escape the clutches of your royal babysitter here.”

Luther stiffened. “That won’t be necess—”

“What a kind offer,” I interrupted. “I’d love to. After all, if I’m to accept this proposal, I should get to know my future cousins.” I smiled sweetly at Luther. “Don’t you agree?”

He stared at me with that stony look of his, a silent warning in the flare of his nostrils. “As you wish, Your Majesty.”

“That settles it,” Aemonn chirped. “I’ll come find you after lunch.”

“Perfect.” I beamed back at him, relishing in Luther’s discomfort. “And please, call me Diem.”

Aemonn took both my hands and pressed his lips twice against each set of knuckles. “Until tomorrow, Diem.”

He gave me a roguish wink before strolling away, and I had to bite my cheek to keep from laughing. For a people who were infamously impassive, these Descended were eager to posture before their new Crown.

Luther watched me, looking as if he had an entire library of words he was feverishly trying to hold back.

“Something to add?” I asked in my most innocent tone.

“You made it quite clear you do not desire my counsel.”

“That’s never stopped you before.”

He gave me a long stare, then his eyes roved downward, pausing on my daggers before rising again. “I presume you intend to stay in the palace this evening.”

“Iintendedto stay in the hunting lodge. Far away from—” I gestured at the remaining crowd. “—all of this.”

“The lodge isn’t secure. You won’t be safe there.”

“Believe me, I can defend myself.”

“No, you can’t.” The words were firm—not an insult, just a fact. “Against a mortal perhaps, but not against a Descended. Not until you’ve mastered your magic.”

My pride rankled. “I told you, I don’t have any magic.”

“We can discuss that tomorrow.”

“There’s nothing to disc—”

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