Page 174 of Heat of the Everflame

“My, what loyalty you inspire,” Yrselle said.

Hagface grinned. “We’ll see how long that lasts once the game starts.”

Yrselle’s focus slid to Luther. “Well, Prince? Are you willing to sacrifice your secrets for your Queen?”

He didn’t answer. Though I couldn’t begrudge him his hesitation, the knife in my heart twisted a little deeper.

He looked at me, conflict thrashing in his eyes.

“You can say no,” I said quietly. “I understand.”

“What’s wrong, Luther?” Symond jeered. “Can’t handle a little ‘brutal honesty’?”

“Drink,” Taran mumbled sadly, staring at his empty glass.

Luther’s jaw twitched. “Fine. I’ll play, too.”

Yrselle slapped her palm on the table. “Wonderful! And you, Zalaric? Will you play with all your new friends?”

I tried to shoot him a warning look—this game was most dangerous for him of us all—but his attention was fixed on Yrselle.

“Does Your Majesty wish for me to play?”

Her cruel smile stretched wide. “I do.”

Don’t do it, I pleaded silently.Find a way out.

He looked at me, and from the helplessness in his expression, I knew he’d heard me.

He swallowed. “Then I’ll play, as well.”

The Centenaries chattered eagerly and moved their chairs nearer, and our glasses were refilled, much to Taran’s delight. Others crowded around the Queen and resumed their ritual of groping her body while she ignored their presence.

All eyes locked on us as a hush fell.

“I’ll start off easy,” Yrselle said. “If Blessed Lumnos gave you the power to decide which of you wore the Crown, who would you choose?”

“Diem,” Luther answered immediately.

Yrselle nodded. “Truth.”

“Myself,” Zalaric said, smirking.

“Also truth,” she said, followed by a chorus of laughter around the room.

“Luther,” I answered.

He stared at me again. Though I avoided his eyes, I could sense the shock in his reaction.

“Is that true?” Yrselle pushed. “You would give up your Crown to him?”

I took a long drink, thegaudensciumfueling my bravery. “Why don’t you tell me?”

Her gaze narrowed. I felt a scrape at my mental walls, but it felt distant this time, muffled and frail.

Her hands tightened on the arms of her chair. My shield had worked—she couldn’t get in.

The thought sent adrenaline pulsing in my veins. How many years, how manycenturies, had it been since she’d been locked out of anyone’s head?

---