Page 91 of Glow of the Everflame

He huffed a laugh and strode toward me, his demeanor changing entirely. Like the flip of a switch, the hard resolve of the Prince melted from his expression and his taut muscles soothed into a relaxed stance. He leaned against the wall beside me with a single shoulder, arms crossed lightly over his chest.

The mask was off. Even the air around us felt different. Something about it crackled in my blood, quickening my heart.

“You could probably do that, too, you know.”

“Huh?” I mumbled, distracted by the amusement tugging on his lips.

“Create illusions with your magic. With some training, you could do it yourself. Perhaps we both should learn.”

“You can’t do it?”

“Not nearly as well as Alixe. My father demanded my training focus on using magic as a weapon.”

My brows dipped, noting how his expression darkened at that admission.

“That’s a shame. A power like that could come in handy.” A scheming smile crept onto my lips. “I could absolutely terrorize my brother. And Taran.”

His eyes crinkled as he shook his head, trying and failing to look exasperated. “You two got along well today.”

“I like Taran. He seems to be the only Descended in Lumnos who doesn’t care about the Crown.” I gave him a thoughtful look. “I imagine that has something to do with why you two are so close.”

“It does. We both had childhoods that were not particularly pleasant. We swore our loyalty to each other when we were boys, and we’ve never looked back. There’s very little about me he doesn’t know.”

I thought of the journal full of half-mortal children and raised a brow. “Even...?”

Luther nodded, sensing my meaning. “Taran helps get them out, if needed. Alixe, too. Along with your mother, they’re the only ones on the Lumnos side who know.”

“Not even Lily?”

“Especiallynot Lily.” A hint of his lethal coldness slipped back into place. “If I get caught, she—”

“You won’t,” I said firmly. “Even if you do, I won’t let anyone hurt you.”

His gaze pierced through me, and my chest tightened. Had I really just promised safety to the very man I’d sworn to destroy?

“Or Lily,” I added quickly. “Or Taran and Alixe. As long as I’m Queen, you’re all safe with me.”

The thick presence of his aura seemed to curl around me, brushing my skin. “You’re safe with me, too.”

Though I—shockingly, inexplicably—believed his words were sincere, it felt more like a lie than anything he’d ever said. There was nothing safe about...this.

The silence hung heavy between us, growing louder by the second.

I looked down and busied my hands with my hair, anxiously twisting the white strands around my finger. I knew he wasn’t going to like what came next. “I asked my father to come to the House Receptions as my advisor.”

Right on cue, his posture went rigid. He pulled away from the wall and uncrossed his arms.

“He advised Ulther on the mortals,” I hurried out. “I can say he’s here to do the same for me. To keep continuity with the late King’s advisors, like you said.”

I tensed as I braced for his criticism, the quiet stretching on unbearably long.

“If that’s what you want, I’ll make the arrangements.”

I looked up in surprise. “You don’t think it’s a bad idea?”

He hesitated, seeming to weigh his words. “Brutal honesty?”

“Always.”

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