Page 199 of Glow of the Everflame

My eyes flew open. “Luther, you could havedied.”

“A small price.”

“Your life is not a small price,” I hissed. “Not to me.”

His gaze seared into mine with equal passion. “I would have walked into the flaming heart of the sun itself,” he shot back. “If you are suffering, nothing will keep me from coming to your aid. Least of all something as trivial as death.”

I clenched my teeth. “Don’t you ever r—”

The hand on my chest slid up my throat and cupped beneath my jaw. “Look,” he demanded, turning my face forward.

My eyes finally broke from his and grew large at what I saw. A shimmering dome had formed around us, nearly invisible save for the translucent swirls that danced along its edge like silvery rainbows on a bubble of soap.

“Test it,” Luther commanded to Taran and Alixe.

They both flicked a hand toward us, conjuring a volley of barbs that crashed against the shield’s border and dissolved harmlessly into mist.

A quiet, pestering thought in the back of my mind noted that this looked and felt nothing like when I’d survived the Descended man’s attack in the alley, though it was quickly drowned out by my excitement.

“You’re not doing this?” I said incredulously.

Luther shook his head, his face shining with pride. “You and you alone, my Queen.”

To prove his point, he dropped his hands from me and took a step back, and to my surprise, the shield held firm.

He continued to retreat until he reached its edge. As he tried to move through it, the dome thickened and turned opaque where it connected with his body, halting him in place. His muscles pulled taut as he fought, and he failed, to break through.

“Having some trouble, cousin?” Taran teased.

I smirked. “Is this enough to convince you not to do anything rash, like marrying an awful person who doesn’t deserve you?”

Luther lowered his chin, his smoldering stare firing back the response I knew he wanted to say aloud. He let it go, his features smoothing instead into amusement. “I knew all it would take is the right incentive.”

“Hold on, you can’t take all the credit,” Taran interjected. “I’m the one who told her what was holding her back.”

“Technically, that was Teller.” I winked at my brother, who grinned back. “You know, I asked Teller and Lily to be my advisors when they’re done with school.” I eyed Luther and Taran with a disapproving shake of my head. “You two really need to work harder if you want to make the cut.”

Taran pouted. “What about Alixe?”

“Good point.” I cocked my head at Alixe. “You’ve been a de facto advisor for some time, but I suppose we should formalize it.”

“Oh,come on,” Taran moaned.

Alixe gave a low, respectful nod. “I’m here to serve however you need me, Your Majesty.”

I dropped my shield and walked to stand in front of her. “Alixe Corbois, do you agree to serve as a loyal advisor to me on all matters related to the defense of this realm and its people—allits people?”

She beat a fist to her chest and bowed. “It would be my honor.”

“Fantastic! Welcome to my Council.”

“I can advise,” Taran muttered. “I know things.”

“You’ll get there,” Lily soothed, giving Taran an encouraging pat on the arm. “I believe in you.”

“Thanks, Lil.” She squeaked as Taran hauled her into his side for a hug.

“Well?” I asked, turning to Luther. “Have you seen enough?”

---