Page 7 of Glow of the Everflame

“You were alone with him before he died.”

“Atyourrequest! He was barely alive as it was.”

“The guards said they heard arguing. There were signs of a struggle.”

I clamped my mouth shut. I was still trying to make sense of my bizarre final encounter with the King—his surprising strength as he’d pinned me at his side, the way his frail body had lit up with an eerie glow.

They told me you would come for me, he had said.They told me your blood would shatter our stone and lay waste to our borders. Devourer of Crowns. Ravager of Realms. Herald of Vengeance.

Best to keep that little interaction to myself.

“What happened with my uncle?” Luther demanded.

“Nothing,” I mumbled.

“Did he speak to you?”

“It’s none of your concern.”

“Tell me,” he growled.

I propped a hand on my hip and glared back. “Not until you tell me where my mother is.”

He noted the movement, his attention sliding down the vast expanse of skin at my waist.

His nostrils flared. “Was she involved in this? I knew you two were planning something. Your strange behavior at the palace, the way you flirted with me to distract me—”

“Flirted with you?” I shouted. “Flirtedwith you? As I recall, Luther Corbois, it’s always been you who can’t keep your hands off me.” He opened his mouth to respond. I silenced him with a finger jabbed into his chest, heat rising to my cheeks. “I wouldn’t flirt with you if you were the last living man on this miserable fucking continent.”

Sparks flew in his slate blue eyes.

Liar, they seemed to say.

We fell into a silent standoff. While I poured all my effort into maintaining my scowl, Luther seemed lost in my expression, as if searching for some answer buried within. His hand rose toward me. When I flinched away, he stopped, his fingers curling in and dropping back to his side.

His focus traveled up, taking in the ethereal Crown. The sight of it seemed to ease his temper. As his breathing slowed, something unreadable shifted on his face. “You and your mother had nothing to do with the King’s death? You give your word?”

“Not that I oweyouany explanation,” I huffed, “but no, I did not. I swear it. And if my mother did, I know nothing of it.”

He watched me, assessing, then took a step back and sheathed his sword. “Get dressed. I’ll take you to the palace.”

“Sorry, I’ll have to decline,” I said dryly.

“Do you plan to rule over all of Lumnos from a cabin in the woods?”

“I don’t plan to rule over anything. I told you, I don’t want your Crown. As soon as I find a way to take it off, you and your friends can fight each other for it.”

He frowned. “The only way to pass on the Crown is through death.”

“We’ll see about that,” I muttered, swiping my blanket from the floor and retreating into the lodge.

I stalked back to the fireplace and grabbed my damp clothes. Luther cleared his throat and awkwardly turned away while I dressed, and I felt a little thrill of triumph at having gotten under his skin.

“Even if you insist on remaining here, they’ll still find you,” he called over his shoulder. “The Crown’s gryvern is bound to you now, and Sorae won’t tolerate being separated for long. She’ll follow your scent the moment I return to the palace. My family will know to follow her.”

“Then perhaps I should kill you so you never return.”

He didn’t miss a beat. “Sorae will find you nevertheless. The Crown’s power calls to her.”

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