Page 98 of Glow of the Everflame

I changed into the dress, blushing even in my solitude at how it put practically every inch of me on exhibition. The draped neckline barely covered my breasts, and ruching at the waist pulled one side of the short hem all the way to my hip. Even the covered parts of me felt exposed under the cling of the silken fabric. The gilded chains that secured it to my body were frighteningly delicate, looking ready to snap at the slightest tug—and if they did, the entire dress might go down with it.

“You’re certain this is wise? I might as well be naked.”

Sorae cocked her head, as if to sayThat wouldn’t be a bad choice, either.

I gulped and slipped on a pair of heeled sandals with straps that wound up my calves and over my knee. I strapped a dagger to my thigh, its sharp point peeking from beneath the hem—just enough to remind anyone who dared to look too closely that I was a threat, and I could defend myself if I had to.

I studied myself in the mirror. The fearsome woman who stared back felt like a stranger. She was sexy, she was confident in her own skin. She cared nothing of the judgments of others, and she wore the Crown as if it had always been hers to wield.

Maybe I wasn’t her, not yet—but I was good at pretending. A little too good, sometimes. I could play her for one night.

I pulled the side of my hair up with a glittering diamond clip and glanced over my shoulder for a last once-over. A swath of emerald fabric barely covered the curve of my ass, and over my back, a web of glimmering golden chains crisscrossed my tawny skin.

My eyes lingered on my lower back where Luther’s hand had caressed me. Goosebumps prickled my skin at the memory.

I painted my lips with a balm the color of dark wine, then gave Sorae a glance. “Should I bring a shawl, just in case, or an overcoat, or maybe a quilt and a heavy cloak—”

She let loose a low snarl.

“Fine.” I took a steadying breath. “Just this. Just... me.”

* * *

Climbinginto a pit of starving gryverns would have been less intimidating than walking into a dining room of young, beautiful Corbois cousins.

Sorae’s choice for my attire had been unsurprisingly perfect. Most of the women, and a few of the men, were clad in outrageously sexy dresses that left little to the imagination. Many were studded with gemstones worth a small fortune or enhanced with magical flares of light or shadow. Several men were shirtless, their upper halves ornamented with chains, leather straps, or armored plates. One person wasn’t wearing clothes at all, their naked body covered in swirls of shadow magic strategically placed over their intimate areas. I should have known House Corbois would see family gatherings primarily as a chance to compete for the spotlight.

For a moment, I worried I might not have gone far enough. In this room, my dress seemed almostplain. But instead of letting it feed my insecurity, I made it into my own quiet strength.

I didn’t need baubles or tricks to steal attention. I was the Queen, and I wore the Crown of Lumnos on my head. There was no spotlight I couldn’t steal, no room in the realm I didn’t command.

The hall was loud with conversation when I entered. All the cousins looked near to me in age, though looks were misleading—Descended could appear to be in their youth for decades, even centuries. There were around fifty present in total, all seated at a long, narrow dining table, with a few laughing boisterously near a well-stocked bar. Servants scurried around with plates and drinks, and music flowed from a quartet in a far corner.

My lungs seized up. As I strongly debated sprinting back to my chambers, a few eyes turned to me and went wide, and I was stuck. I had already fled one event today. I needed to change perceptions, not confirm them.

Luther saw me and shot to his feet. He was dressed in his usual attire, finely made but understated. Like me, he never had totryto command attention. He simply did.

His lips parted as he looked me over. Even from across the room, the heat of him pressed against me, drawing sweat to the back of my neck. His gaze traveled the expanse of my body, nostrils flaring as it caught on my bare thigh. When his eyes cut back to mine, the hunger raging behind them had my blood humming.

The conversation fell to a hush as the room took notice of my presence.

“Diem,” a voice called out, smooth as cream.

Aemonn strutted toward me with a glass of sparkling wine in hand. The tailored jacket of his slim-fitting white suit hung open over his bare chest, which was painted with gold whorls that swirled up his throat to his sky-high cheekbones.

“You lookravishing.”

I gave him a restrained smile. “I hope I’m not intruding.”

“Of course not. It’s hardly a family affair without our most important member.” Aemonn turned to the room and cleared his throat. “Cousins, may I present Her Majesty, Queen Diem Corbois.”

A number of heads—though decidedly not all—dipped in response.

“Thank you for having me,” I said. “And please, call me Diem—unless you’ve been instructed otherwise.” I glanced at Luther, and we shared the hint of a smile.

Aemonn offered his hand and led me to the table. “Ellie told me she invited you. I held a seat open in the hopes you’d join us.”

I stiffened. The chair beside Aemonn’s was surrounded by unfamiliar faces. I would have no allies to save me if the conversation took a turn for the worse. Only Eleanor was close enough to speak with, though not with any level of secrecy. Taran and Alixe were further down, just in earshot but too far to comfortably converse, and further still sat Luther.

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