Page 90 of Glow of the Everflame

He waited for more, and when it became clear that I would neither explain nor meet his gaze, he turned his attention back to the chamber door with a thoughtful hum. “It all makes sense now. That letter. Him keeping you here after the fire.”

I frowned. “What do you mean?”

A loud knock rang out before he could respond. “Come in,” I called out, and the door swung open. Luther and Alixe strolled inside and bowed low in greeting.

“Alixe,” I said, “this is my father, Andrei Bellator. Father, this is Alixe Corbois.”

“Commander Bellator.” Alixe snapped to attention and crossed her forearms into a low X, the formal salute of the Emarion Army. “It’s an honor. I’m quite familiar with your impressive reputation.”

My father returned the salute with a respectful nod, looking surprised at her words.

“Alixe will take your father home when he’s ready,” Luther said.

“Or you could stay,” I said hopefully to my father, ignoring the way Luther and Alixe stiffened. “You and Teller could move in with me here at the palace.”

“No, sweetheart,” he answered with a slow shake of his head. “I’ll come as often as you need me, but my place is at home.” I started to protest, and he cut me off with a stern look. “If your mother returns, I want to be there.”

I couldn’t argue with that. I wanted the very same thing, and I couldn’t deny him that chance just because I was stuck in this cursed palace.

He dropped a kiss on my forehead and pulled me in for a crushing hug, then gave Sorae a swat to her rump, earning a satisfied rumble and a nudge of her nose against his chest.

Alixe raised her palms to my father, a soft glow forming at her hands. “You may feel a slight tingling,” she warned.

I watched in disbelief as his image wavered, then the spot he was standing in went suddenly vacant. “Where did he go?”

“I’m right here,” my father’s voice boomed.

“He’s—you’re—invisible?”

“I am?”

I ran toward his voice and reached into what looked like open air, my hands colliding with a solid form. I could touch him, even feel the heat he gave off, but to my eyes, there was nothing there.

“Holy shit!” I cried, my jaw hanging open.

“Language, Diem,” the bodyless voice scolded.

Alixe laughed, and Luther pressed his lips to fight back a smile. “Alixe can manipulate light magic to create visual illusions,” he explained.

I gaped at the space where my father stood. “That is the most impressive thing I’ve ever seen.”

Sorae clawed at the floor with a jealous snort.

“Thesecondmost impressive thing I’ve ever seen,” I amended.

Alixe gestured for my father to join her. Two invisible hands startled me as they cupped my face, my father’s voice whispering so only I could hear. “Be strong, soldier. Don’t let these Corbois make you forget that you’re a Bellator, understood?”

I forced my shoulders up and my back straight, then winked. “Aye, Commander.”

His laughter echoed, then the feeling of his rough touch fell away, leaving my chest feeling as empty as the space he stood in. His voice struck up a murmured conversation with Alixe about their old army days. As their footsteps faded into the corridor, a tiny fragment of my heart left with him.

ChapterTwenty

“You were right,” I admitted as the door closed. “I do like Alixe.”

“Because she has impressive magic?” Luther teased.

“Because she was kind to the most important man in my life, and I think it had nothing to do with me being the Queen.” I grinned. “Andbecause she has impressive magic.”

---