Page 194 of Heat of the Everflame

Taran frowned. Deeply.

I studied his face for some sign of what he saw, but he gave none. His throat bobbed, and he slammed it closed in his fist, then tossed it to me. “Put that in his hand. It calms him to know he can always find you.”

I pressed the golden disc into Luther’s palm. Sure enough, as if on reflex, the tension eased from his muscles. Even now, even in sleep, he kept his vigil.

Alixe burst through the door, panting for breath. Like me, her focus cut straight to his chest.

“He’s fine,” I assured her. “Just sleeping.”

She looked at me, and I caught the hint of pink in her eyes, the skin around them swollen. She locked his door, then perched on the side of his bed. Taran sat near his feet, Zalaric standing behind him, one hand on Taran’s shoulder.

“How close is Sorae?” Alixe asked.

I closed my eyes and reached across our bond. Sorae sent me a glimpse of the sea through the clouds, Coeurîle to her left, followed by a tremble of concern. I looked down on Luther and let Sorae see his condition through my eyes. I could almost hear her roar of sorrow ripple across the water’s surface. Like a second heartbeat, I felt the thump of her wings quicken as she strained to get to us faster.

“She’s almost halfway,” I answered.

“Good. It will still be dark. If we’re clever and a little lucky, we might be able to slip away unseen.”

I stared at the snarling knot of veins on Luther’s chest, feeling far from clever and the opposite of lucky. “Even if the Centenaries don’t see us, Yrselle’s gryvern will.”

“Then we’ll be prepared to fight,” Alixe said. “We have our magic. We’re not as vulnerable as we were when they captured us.”

Taran cringed. “About that... the flameroot I drank at dinner is still wearing off.”

“It doesn’t matter,” I said. “Yrselle could take all your magic back at any time. Or worse. You heard what she said at dinner—what she’s capable of.”

A silence fell in the room. I could lose more than Luther tonight. One stray thought from Yrselle, and all of them would be as good as dead.

What good was being immune to her magic if I couldn’t protect the people I loved?

“Maybe...” My voice quivered at the words rattling in my thoughts. “Maybe I should stay.”

“You think we should leave tomorrow?” Alixe asked.

“No. I mean... maybeIshould stay. Just me.”

“Diem,” Taran warned.

“Their magic can’t hurt me. I can fight them off while you all get away.”

Alixe frowned. “Your Majesty...”

“I’m the one Yrselle wants. If I stay—”

“Don’t even think about it,” Luther grumbled.

His eyes slowly cracked open. Despite myself, I smiled at his menacing glare.

“You told me once there was nothing you would not do to save me, Luther. You think I don’t feel the same way about you?”

“I’m going to die, Diem. Having you at my side until it happens is my only mercy.” His voice fell quiet. “Don’t take that away from me, too.”

My throat tightened to a close.

I could have argued with any other plea.

Anything.

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