Page 273 of Heat of the Everflame

“I have given you more latitude than you deserve, Lumnos. You should be locked up with them. One more outburst—” He jabbed a finger at my mother. “—fromeitherof you, and my patience ends. The law may not let me kill you, but I can kill them. And now you see I have no problem doing it.”

My mother clamped her mouth shut. I felt her emaciated muscles shudder beneath my hands.

I spoke a thought into her mind:He will pay, Mother.I promise.

The fight in her faltered as she looked at me in surprise, and I confirmed with a subtle nod.

The King started up the stairs, and we followed, Luther marching protectively in front of me. I tried not to think about the mortal stretching her arms toward the dead woman’s remains, but her sorrowful wail rang in my ears long after we’d walked away.

I noticed my mother marking each turn we took with rapt attention. She whispered to herself: “right, ten paces, left, twenty-four paces, left.”

Don’t try anything, I warned in her head.No running. No fighting him. Let me handle this.

She stared at me and furrowed her brow, her face expectant, like she was awaiting a response.

“Can you hear mine, too?” she mouthed after a moment.

I pushed my magic out and let it swirl around her temples. A sound hit me—through myhead, not my ears—resembling the strange, hushed whispers I’d heard in Umbros.

Can you hear me?my mother asked again.

This time, her lips didn’t move.

I nodded, my eyes going wide. Would this magic ever stop feeling so uncanny and new?

The Umbros magic in particular feltwrongto wield. My mind spun with all the ways it could be useful in our war—persuading the staunchest haters into unity, forcing surrenders before any lives could be lost—but if it wasn’t willingly chosen, could there ever be true peace?

I have to escape, my mother said.I may never get another chance.

I know, I answered back.I’m not leaving this realm without you.

Her eyes lit up.Did you bring the Guardians?

I shook my head.Only Luther. And my gryvern.

I tried not to flinch at her crestfallen expression. She sighed heavily.Diem, if I don’t make it out—

You will, I insisted.

She grabbed my hand and squeezed.If I don’t... tell Teller how much I love him. And how sorry I am for not being there.

Her eyes glistened, my father’s loss casting a bleak shadow over our reunion.

“Here.” The King stopped and swung open the door to a dark, empty cell. “We reserve these for our most dangerous prisoners.” He smirked. “Perfect for the likes of you two.”

I studied it apprehensively. Unlike the cells I’d seen earlier, this door had no grates, no openings—just a solid slab of glittering black.

“The door stays op—”

“No,” he cut me off. “No more concessions.”

I shared a glance with Luther. The godhood door would trap my magic inside the cell, leaving him at the King’s mercy without my shield.

“What’s wrong?” the King taunted. “Don’t trust me with your Prince?”

I forced my chin high. “Nah. You’re not really his type.”

Luther’s lip hooked up for a second before settling back on the King with a menacing scowl.

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