Page 154 of Heat of the Everflame

“You would have done the exact same thing.” His head dipped guiltily, and I squeezed his arm. “When my realm exiled you, you were forced to look out for yourself—I cannot judge you for doing so now. Sometimes there are no good choices. We do the best we can, and we hope we find forgiveness along the way.” I stopped and pulled him in for a tight embrace. “For what it’s worth, you have mine.”

His muscles softened beneath my hands, and when we broke apart, his deep blue eyes were gleaming and wet. The tendons on his throat tightened, drawing my focus to his scar.

“Being stuck between two worlds is not easy, is it?” I asked softly.

He sighed. “No. Especially when neither of those worlds really wants you.”

I laid my palm on his cheek. “I suspect there are a great many people who want you in their world, Zalaric Hanoverre. And you can count me as one of them.”

He flashed a smile, though there was no joy in it—only a wistful resignation. “Luther was right. You are a Queen worth fighting for. In another life, I wish we could have been allies.”

“Perhaps we still can.”

We shared a long look, a quiet understanding seeming to pass between us.

Zalaric turned to leave. He reached for the door handle, then paused.

“Diem,” he said carefully, “how did you know I’d betrayed you?”

I stiffened. “I... I didn’t—”

“I know what it feels like to have an Umbros Descended reach into my mind. Earlier, in the tunnels, it almost seemed like...” He trailed off, his clever eyes darted over me and noting the signs of my panic—my drawn-up shoulders, my wringing hands.

I staggered back a step. “Zalaric, I—”

He pressed a palm to his chest. “Blessed Kindred, where are my manners? Any citizen of Umbros knows not to ask questions unless they’re willing to pay for the answer. It appears I’m all out of gold tonight. Another time, perhaps?”

“I, uh—yes,” I stammered. “Another time.”

He winked and threw open the door. “Good night, Your Majesty.”

I stood speechless as I watched him saunter down the hall and disappear into his quarters, though as my eyes came to rest on the door opposite mine, Zalaric’s alarming question gave way to a larger concern.

The knowledge that Luther was so nearby was as much a torment as a relief. My heart pleaded to burst into his room and swear that I hadn’t broken my promise—but how could I?

How could I explain that Zalaric had never told me his plan, and yet I knew? That I had looked at him in those tunnels andseenhis secret—that he’d been so desperate to warn us, his mind had been screaming it? How could Luther believe what made no sense, even to me?

But if anyone deserved for me to at least try, didn’the?

I went back into my chambers and loaded up a plate with the leftovers of our buffet, topping it with a silver cloche and wedging a carafe of fresh water in the crook of my arm. I returned to the corridor and pulled my shoulders back.

“Be brave, Diem,” I scolded myself. I knocked on the door, held my breath, and waited.

And waited.

And waited.

I knocked again—no answer. I banged my fist so loudly I half expected the others to come investigate. Still no answer.

I frowned deeply at his door. I knew he was inside—I could feel his aura, though something about it wasodd, like a song sung slightly off key. Perhaps he was asleep.

My stomach tangled in a monstrous knot as I reached down to the door handle and pushed.

But the door didn’t budge.

He’d locked me out.

He’dlockedme out.

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