Page 42 of Glow of the Everflame

“Are any of them grey?”

His jaw worked, looking as if he was chewing on thoughts he wasn’t ready to spit out. “No,” he said, the word feeling unfinished. “But you’re wearing the Blessed Mother’s Crown. And I saw you wield her light and shadows.”

“Maybe the magic made a mistake.”

“The magic doesn’t make mistakes.”

“If it’s so infallible, why does it require that I fight someone to the death to prove myself worthy?”

“It doesn’t,” he said simply. “The Challenging is a modern creation. Before the Blood War, the Houses were constantly assassinating the Crown to gamble at being the next one selected. For a time, it threw the realm into chaos. The Challenging was the compromise that put an end to it. Now the Houses get one shot at taking out a new Crown, and if they fail, they must accept that Crown’s reign without interference.”

“And if I refuse to go along with it? Am I still the Queen?”

“Yes.” His answer was quick and surprisingly forceful. “You are the Queen now and for as long as your lungs draw breath.”

“But?” I pushed.

“But...” He sighed. “It will be near impossible to see your plans through with no support from the Houses, the other eight Crowns, and the Emarion Army.” His features darkened. “And I have a feeling you have a great many plans you intend to see through.”

My eyes thinned as I weighed his response. Were those words of advice—or another coded threat?

He rose and strolled around the table, then leaned down to brace his hands on the arms of my chair, caging me in place. My heartbeat stumbled at his nearness.

“Whatever those plans are, Your Majesty,” he rumbled, “I can help. I will find a way to prove that to you.”

I pressed against the high back of my seat, fighting to keep distance between us. “You have the most to gain from my failure. Why should I trust you?”

“Your mother trusted me.”

“No, my motherblackmailedyou. And now she’s likely dead because of it.”

“I helped your mother long before she knew my secrets. And I very much doubt she is dead.”

Deep within my spirit, a faded spark glowed back to life and sliced through the shadows—a hope reborn.

I laid my palms against his chest and pressed him back as I shot to my feet. “She’s alive? You’re sure?”

“I know nothing for certain. But knowing where she was headed when she left... yes, I’d bet she’s still alive.”

My pulse picked up so quickly the room began to spin. “Where did she go? Is she still there? Is she—”

He grasped my shoulders, gently nudging me back toward my seat. “Tell me what you know first.”

“Luther, please—”

“Sit.”

My eyes were pleading, desperate, but his steely resolve warned me begging would gain me no ground.

I slumped back into my chair.

“Tell me what you know,” he said again.

“I know you arranged the bargain between my mother and the King so Teller could attend the Descended school, but only if my mother worked for the King for the rest of her life. Not just as a healer, but whatever the King demanded.”

He looked at me oddly. “And?”

“And I know you were arguing with her the day she left. She threatened to release your secret if you didn’t agree to her demands.”

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