Page 28 of Glow of the Everflame

I grinned. Apparently, I wasn’t the only one still holding a grudge over last night’s spar.

I slipped my arm through Aemonn’s before looking back at my new advisor. “Thank you for this morning, Eleanor. Perhaps we can make it a regular occurrence?”

She beamed. “I’d love that. Although, next time I’ll think I’ll try knocking first.”

ChapterSeven

Aemonn and I strolled into the garden, Sorae launching to the skies to keep an eye on us from above. He led me onto a gravel path lined with frilly lavender flossflowers and vibrant pink and white petunias, their sweet fragrance permeating the air.

“Luther sewn to your hip, Eleanor as your drinking companion, and now a private tour from yours truly. Dare I take this as a sign you intend to claim our noble House as your own?”

“I’m considering it,” I said. “You and your cousins are certainly going to great lengths to welcome me.”

“Can you blame us? We have everything to lose if you say no.” I blinked at his bluntness, drawing a wry smile from Aemonn. “Do you disagree?”

“No. I’m only surprised to hear one of you admit it so plainly.”

He gave an elaborate sigh. “I admit, being forthright is not always a family virtue.”

“So I’ve noticed.”

I glanced over my shoulder. Luther remained on the terrace, his attention fixed on where Aemonn’s arm and mine were joined. I quickly looked away.

“Is that why you asked me to take this stroll with you—to convince me to accept your uncle’s offer?”

His answering smile was enthralling. “I confess, I had an even more selfish motive in mind.”

He turned me onto a new path that led away from the palace and out of Luther’s line of sight, this one tiled with a mosaic of white flagstone and dotted with fancifully shaped topiaries.

“I was hoping you might allow me to be your escort to the Ascension Ball,” he continued. His eyes twinkled at my look of confusion. “It’s your formal introduction to the Houses of Lumnos.”

My heart stopped. “A ball? To introduce me?”

“Yes, but it’s nothing terribly unusual.” He waved his hand absently. “Music, dancing, uncomfortable clothes, vicious gossip. The standard fare.”

I instantly felt queasy—either from the wine or the prospect of being paraded in front of the Descended of Lumnos and expected to dance.

“When is this ball?”

“The day after the King’s funeral.”

“And when will that be?”

He gave another exaggerated huff. “We tried to keep Uncle’s death secret until your decision was made. Unfortunately, the servants were not as tight-lipped as we’d hoped. Mourning sashes have already begun to appear in the city. We’ll only be able to put off the funeral for two or three days at most.”

I gripped his arm to stay upright as the world wobbled around me. I would be presented as the Queen in two or three days.

At a ball.

Withdancing.

“Traditionally, the Crown is escorted by their consort, but as you are unmarried—you are unmarried, aren’t you?—you’re free to choose whomever you wish. I hoped I might convince you to give me the honor.”

My stomach churned. I stumbled a step.

Aemonn moved in front of me, hands sliding to my ribs to hold me steady. The warning bells that urged me to pull away were drowned out by the clamor of alarms I was already reeling from.

“Is everything alright?” he asked.

---