Page 141 of Heat of the Everflame

“Are youtryingto lose a hand?” I snapped, and he paused. “I’m coming willingly. You have no need to take my weapons.”

“No blades in the Queen’s presence. You’ve got your magic, that’s weapon enough.”

“You touch her, and if she doesn’t kill you, I will,” Luther growled. “And I don’t give a damn whose throat you cut for it.”

Symond shot him a venomous smile. “Curious that a man who rejects her touch thinks he gets a say in what other men do with her.”

“You can stop airing our private matters now,” I grumbled, handing over my weapons—though I didn’tentirelydisagree with him.

“What a shame.” Symond winked at Luther. “I was just about to get to the juicy part.”

I jerked my chin at Zalaric and the Cardinal. “Let them go. They shouldn’t be punished. They didn’t even know I was Queen.”

Zalaric stared at me in surprise.

“Aye,” the Cardinal said. “I was just hired to drive a boat. I didn’t know nothin’ about this.”

Symond pointed at me. “You don’t know this woman?”

The Cardinal shook her head emphatically. “Just met her.”

“Hmm.” He took the Cardinal’s blade from the Centenary who had confiscated it and strolled toward her. “So you wouldn’t say you’re herfriend?” He drew out the word slowly, methodically.

“Nope. She’s nothin’ to me.”

“Well, then.” He held her knife out to her, handle first. “If you’re not herfriend.”

Suddenly, I realized what he was implying. My blood froze to ice. “No, Symond, don’t—”

So quick I almost missed it, the Cardinal snatched her knife from his hand and plunged it deep into her own throat.

Luther and I lunged forward to grab her as she collapsed. Blood bubbled up into her mouth, her chest shuddering with a wet sucking sound. He laid her on the ground as I pulled the knife free, then tore off my cloak and pressed it firmly against the wound.

“You said you wouldn’t hurt anyone,” Taran shouted.

“I said I wouldn’t hurt her friends.” Symond gave a bored look at the woman dying in my arms. “They weren’t friends. I kept my word.”

“Jemmina,” Zalaric cried out, looking genuinely heartbroken. “Oh gods, I’m so sorry.”

Symond’s vicious stare shifted to Zalaric. “Andyou. You’ve become quite wealthy thanks to the Queen’s favor. Now you repay her with treachery?”

Taran pushed Zalaric back and stood in front of him, fists clenched and growling. “You can’t hurt him. Heisour friend. And a subject of Lumnos, which means he’s under our Queen’s protection.” His eyes cut nervously to me. “Right?”

It was hard to say whose jaw was lower, mine or Zalaric’s.

“R-right,” I stammered. “He’s with us.”

“You can save your lies. He already made his bargain.” Symond picked up the Cardinal’s fallen knife and tossed it into the water before turning back to Zalaric. “Her Majesty may be letting you live for turning them in, but don’t think I’ve forgotten your original plan. I’ll ensure you pay for it eventually.”

“Zal... you betrayed us?” Taran asked softly.

“What happened to ‘I owe you my life’?” Luther snarled.

Symond chuckled. “So much for being friends.”

Zalaric scowled at him. “You were supposed to keep my role a secret. That was the agreement.”

“It’sUmbros,” Symond said mockingly. “Trust no one, remember?”

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