Page 239 of Heat of the Everflame

His eyes narrowed. “I thought Luther was your High General.”

“He was. He’s not anymore.”

His chin lifted, his interest clearly piqued. “And your other condition?”

“Suspend the progeny laws and make no move against the mortals.”

“The Twenty Houses will put up a fight.”

“Thenfight back.” I fixed him with a hard glare. “This is non-negotiable, Remis. If anyone hurts the mortals or the half-mortals, youwillhave a civil war on your hands, and I promise you, that’s blood I have no problem spilling.”

He stood as well, pacing as he quietly pondered. It felt largely for show—he wanted power too much to turn me down.

“I accept,” he said finally, “but without my magic, I cannot make another bonded bargain.”

“Oh, I don’t need a magical bond to hold you to your word.” I smiled. “I can do that all on my own.”

I strode to the door to leave. As my hand closed around the latch, I paused.

“I hope you realize I’m doing this for Luther,” I called out over my shoulder. “Because I love him. And no matter how awful you’ve been to him, I don’t want to be the reason he goes to war with his father.”

A shadow passed over Remis’s face. When he spoke, his voice sounded sad, almost regretful.

“I am not your enemy, Diem,” he said quietly. “Nor my son’s. If only you both could overlook your tempers long enough to see it.”

I fought off a pang of sympathy with all the reasons I had to despise Remis: The scar on Luther’s body. The mother he never got to know. The emotions he was forced to hide.

“Enjoy the throne while you can, Remis.” I tapped my temple. “Just don’t forget who wears the Crown.”

Chapter

Forty-Eight

My feet felt leaden as I trudged through the palace back to my chambers. On the road, I’d been so eager to get home and start my reign, help the mortals, and protect the people I loved.

Well, I’d been here barely more than a day, and somehow I’d lost my throne, the mortals were under siege, and the people close to me were more at risk than ever.

I had one more task to complete before leaving for Fortos, and it was the one I’d been dreading most.

My ears perked at the sound of shouting coming from my suite.

“I’m going to kill him.”

“You should be in bed!”

“Cousin, stop—”

“Get your hands off me.”

“Your wounds—”

“You promised Diem!”

“Where is she?”

I broke into a sprint, flying past the guards posted at my door—but not before noting that a pack of army soldiers had newly joined them.

In the parlor, Luther was red-faced and glaring. Taran and Alixe were planted in front of him, Taran’s hands on his chest, while Lily and Eleanor tugged frantically at his arms and Teller and Zalaric watched with amusement.

---