Page 134 of Heat of the Everflame

I laid one hand on his chest and ran the other over his hair, my nails gently scratching his scalp. He made a satisfied noise low in his throat and stirred slightly. His eyes opened on me and lit with recognition.

He stiffened.

I stilled. “Is this alright?”

Stormy emotions rolled through his eyes, though eventually he nodded, and I continued my slow strokes. He set a small gold object down on the table and laid his hand on mine on his chest.

“Was that the compass?” I asked.

“I like to keep it nearby,” he said, his voice rough from sleep. “Where are the others?”

“Still out with Zalaric.” I glanced at the herbs on the table. “I see you went shopping. Without me.” My eyes narrowed in jest. “How dare you.”

He gave a small smile, and my heart smiled back. “You said you were running low. I bought more, in case...” His muscles bunched under my hand as he swallowed. “...in case Taran needs them.”

I brushed my thumb along his sweat-beaded forehead, trying to smooth the deep creases of worry carved between his eyes. Though I felt confident Taran was healing, Luther’s distress hadn’t eased—it almost seemed to beworsening.

He glanced at the jar of purple flames. “What is that?”

“According to the seller, it’s bottled dragonfyre from the Montios gryvern. According to Zalaric, it’s a scam for gullible suckers. I’m choosing to believe the former.”

I smirked down at him, but he didn’t react, still watching the flame intensely.

“Why did you buy it?” he asked.

“I’m not sure. I had a feeling I should. A hunch, I suppose.”

He nodded slowly, like he’d already known that would be my answer.

“Have you ever been to Montios?” he asked.

“Not really. Henri and I went once, but we didn’t stay long.”

His chest rumbled at the mention of Henri. “Who did you visit there?”

“No one. We just wanted to step over the border and defy their ban on mortals. We thought it would be fun to see if we would get caught.”

“Fun? You could have been killed.”

I grinned. “That’s what made it fun.”

He closed his eyes and sighed. “It’s a miracle you made it to adulthood.”

“Father used to tell me that almost daily.” I tried to sound lighthearted, but my throat went tight at the memory of my father, my voice wobbling. Luther kissed my palm in silent support.

“What other realms have you been to?” he asked.

“All of them except Sophos now. This is my first time in Umbros. I’d never been to Ignios before, either. Hopefully I’ll never have to go back.”

His hand tightened on mine. “You should go to Sophos. Find an excuse to request a visit. It doesn’t have to be long—a day trip to the libraries, perhaps.”

“I doubt the Sophos Crown would welcome me. They already think I’m an imposter.”

“Then do what you did in Montios. Sneak to the border and step over it. Just for a moment.”

I frowned down at him. “What good would that do?”

“Call it a hunch.” He sat upright and closed the newspaper that had been sitting in his lap, then handed it to me. “I found this on a table in the tavern. There’s something in it you should see.”

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