Page 240 of Glow of the Everflame

“Is she an ally or an enemy?” she pushed.

A deep crease formed between his brows. “You truly don’t know?”

“I’ve been trapped on this island. How could I possibly know?”

His hold on her arm loosened slightly. “This wasn’t some part of one of your plans?”

“Myplanwas for you to be King.” She dared a peek above the brush to see the Crowns now gathering at the Temple. “You need to go. You can’t be here.”

“Youneed to go,” he growled, tugging her toward him. “If anyone spots you on this island, they’ll have you killed. Let’s get back to the boat, and I’ll explain everything.”

She dug her heels into the soil to hold her ground. “Leave me be, Luther. I know what I’m doing.”

“Whatever plan you think you had, the situation has changed.” His gaze flitted briefly toward the Temple. “Your family needs you, Auralie. It’s time to go home.”

He pulled at her arm again, and again she resisted. Their eyes locked in a war of obstinate glares, two predators daring the other to bite first. He swore softly and released her. “You’re as stubborn as your daughter. And just as determined to get yourself killed.”

Her heart stuttered. She jabbed the knife closer to his neck. “What did you do to my daughter? If you hurt her—”

“I wouldnever,” he snarled.

The vicious insistence in his tone took her by surprise. He’d had no trouble making veiled threats against her family in the past, especially after she’d blackmailed him with his own family secrets.

“I am helping your daughter,” he hissed. “If you want to protect her, you need to come with me.”

There was a surprising sincerity in his tone, and for some reason, she found herself believing him.

But she couldn’t go. She’d come too far, sacrificed too much. If she didn’t see this plan through, she might never have another chance, and then there was no telling how many innocent lives would pay the price.

“I’m doing this for her,” she answered. “And for my son, and my husband, and all of the mortals like them.” She shoved her satchel into his arms. This wasn’t part of the plan, but it would have to be enough. “If I don’t return, give this to my daughter. Now go—and don’t turn back, no matter what you hear.”

He glared. “Auralie...”

“I’m sorry.” She could only hope her own sincerity shone through those words as she dove forward and sliced the blade across his ankles, severing his tendons.

He shouted and fell backward. She wasted no time in bolting away at a dead sprint. She had a short window to act before his healing abilities closed the wound and restored his ability to chase her down.

By then, it would be too late to stop her plans.

She no longer bothered with any attempt to stay hidden. She leapt onto the path and ran in a desperate race against time.

A fleeting glance at the Temple’s dais confirmed the Rite of Coronation had already begun. Perfect—all nine Crowns were in place.

She’d made arrangements to keep the Crown of Lumnos protected, but only if they matched Luther’s description. A pang of uncertainty needled her at that thought. If this woman was working with Luther, perhaps she deserved to be spared. An alliance with a Crown would be a powerful tool.

It was too late now. Whoever this new Queen was, she was on her own. If the gods wanted her alive, they would have to protect her themselves.

A deafening thunderclap tore through the sky. Auralie stumbled and skidded to her hands and knees. The tiny rocks on the gravel path sliced into her palms, bringing beads of blood to the surface.

The sunlight around her dimmed with impossible quickness. In the span of a breath, the blue, cloudless sky was a hazy fog of grey. This was no natural weather event—it must have something to do with the ritual, which meant she was running out of time.

She scrambled to her feet and ran to the back side of the Temple, shoving aside the piles of dried leaves she had carefully laid out to conceal the long black cord of the fuse. Her hands trembled violently as she pulled her few remaining matches from the pouch at her waist, the lot of them tumbling to the dirt before she could take hold.

She dropped to her knees, forcing herself to take a deep breath and steady her hand. The first match scratched against the Temple’s shimmering black stone walls—once, twice, three times—before snapping in her fingers.

She swore and grabbed a second match. Her heart nearly leapt from her chest as it caught fire on the first strike. She held the match to the tip of the fuse. A bright orange flame caught and began to zip rapidly along its length.

A crack of lightning split through the sky. The electric thrum of it crackled in the air and raised the hair on her arms.

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