Page 199 of Heat of the Everflame

The Umbros gryvern snapped at me, betrayal in its eyes.

“No, wait—it’s a mistake. She doesn’t know!”

Too late.

I winced at the deafening boom of the beast’s enraged roar. There wouldn’t be a soul in the palace who hadn’t heard it—and who wouldn’t come running, weapons drawn, in response.

“There,” I snapped, “you did your job. Now go find your Queen.”

The gryvern returned my angry scowl, then launched for the balcony.

“If you truly care about Yrselle,” I shouted after it, “keep her the hell away from me.”

My threat was met with another thunderous roar as it jumped and disappeared into the sky.

The others emerged from their hiding places and rushed to my side.

“What was that about?” Alixe asked. “The Umbros Queen is dying?”

I nodded and grabbed Luther’s other arm, then pulled it over my shoulder. I jerked my head at Taran and we started toward the terrace, Luther limping between us.

“How soon?” Luther gritted out between pained grunts.

“Doesn’t matter.”

“Diem.” His tone was sharp. “You need to get your answers from hernow, don’t you?”

“I need you,” I shot back. “Alive.”

Rattling sounded from the corridor, followed by a cacophony of voices. A wood-cracking smack hit the door, and our makeshift barricade of chairs swayed precariously.

I swore under my breath. “Alixe, you take Luther. Get to the balcony and mount Sorae the second she arrives. Zalaric, you’re with me.”

They launched into action. I fortified my mental shield as Zalaric joined me, swirls of light and shadow already conjured in his palm.

“You plan to fight them?” he asked.

“Not exactly. Send your magic beneath the door. Try to keep them away from it, if you can. But if they get through, you run—fast. Get to the balcony. Don’t wait for me.”

He splayed his palms wide in front of him. Waterfalls of sizzling light unfurled in a pool at his feet and flowed toward the doorway, then disappeared beneath the gap at its base. Almost immediately, the angry shouts turned into yelps and cries of protest, and the forceful pounding came to a sudden stop.

I left him there and ran outside just in time to see Sorae skid onto the terrace, her claws screeching as they gouged a trail in the stone behind her. I didn’t know whether I ran to her or herto me, but we collided into each other, my arms clamped around her neck, her snout nuzzling protectively over my shoulder.

She trilled softly.

“I missed you, too,” I murmured. “This won’t be easy.”

She huffed and stomped a talon.

“I know you can do it. I trust you.”

I pressed a kiss between her eyes, a wordless burst of fondness passing between us.

“Take care of him,” I said sternly. “Whatever happens to me, get him home safe, understood? He is your priority. That’s an order.”

I didn’t wait for her acknowledgement. She couldn’t withhold it even if she wanted to.

“Is this necessary?” Luther grumbled as Taran used two belts to strap Luther to his chest.

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