Page 83 of Glow of the Everflame

I eyed Aemonn and Taran. Both were staring anywhere but their father, looking miserable and exposed.

My heart cracked open for them. I had seen in my patients how the wounds of abuse could linger on a soul long after the violence itself had ended.

My attention drifted to their mother, Freah. When I first met her, I thought her to be Garath’s equally cold, equally cruel accomplice. Now, as she gazed blankly ahead, her face gaunt and hard as stone, she seemed more like his shadow.

“What about Freah?” I whispered to Eleanor.

“She would never say a word against Garath. She’s either completely loyal to him or completely afraid of him.”

Or both, I thought.

“Enough about Garath,” Eleanor said. “What’s going on between you and Luther?”

“Nothing,” I blurted out, my voice going shrill. “Why would you even think that?”

“Diem.” She nudged me with her arm. “There isn’t a man with more self-control in the nine realms, but he can’t keep his hands off you. He was about to take Garath’s head off for insulting you. Andyouwere getting jealous over Iléana—”

“I was not jealous!”

“—and he keeps smiling at you. He doesn’t smile at anyone except Taran and Lily.” She shot me a mischievous look. “And those arenotthe smiles he gives Taran and Lily.”

I felt too hot and laid bare and excruciatingly confused. I’d assumed these moments he and I had been trading were nothing more than glimpses of the real Luther beneath his brusque exterior. I’d thought I was finally seeing a side of him his friends and family had already seen.

It hadn’t occurred to me it might be a side of himno onehad seen.

“He’s just trying to flatter me to get an advisor role,” I deflected. “He realized I like nice people, so now he’s pretending to be one.”

“Uh huh.” The knowing gleam in her eyes said she wasn’t buying it.

“Besides...” I paused, yanking her closer and lowering my voice. “I’m already spoken for.”

Her brows shot skyward, a hand flying to her mouth. “What? Who?” She peered down the row. “Aemonn? Blessed Kindred, he moves fast.”

“Eleanor, I’ve been here a week. I’m not engaged to one of your cousins.”

“Engaged?” she squeaked. “We’re going to have a King Consort?” Her head cocked. “Wait, if it’s not someone from here, then they must be—oh...Oh.”

“I know it’s unusual,” I rushed out, seeing her wide-eyed look of alarm. “Please don’t say anything. I’m still figuring it all out.”

“Oh, of course. I, um, yes, that’s...” She shifted in her chair. “Well, I’m here if you want to, uh, talk it through.”

She was making every effort to be supportive, but the horror on her face said it all. Eleanor might be my only true ally outside of Mortal City, and if this was how she reacted...

Luther was right. The Descended were never going to willingly accept a mortal as King Consort.

I reminded myself that I didn’t care. I would not let these people and their prejudices dictate who was worthy to stand by my side. Mortal or Descended, Queen or not, my heart was mine alone to give.

But...but.

“Diem, they’re waiting for you.”

I snapped out of my wandering thoughts. My heart skipped a beat—everyone in the royal box was watching me.

Taran gently nudged my side. “Go,” he urged.

I shot him a panicked look. “Gowhere?”

“They announced that you would light the funeral pyre.” His head inclined to the front of the dais, where Remis was looking at me, hand extended.

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