Page 309 of Heat of the Everflame

My eyes shot up. At the cave where my mother had been hiding, a smooth slab of lavender stone had appeared out of nowhere, sealing off the entrance completely.

“You broke the deal,” the commander barked.

I shook my head frantically. “No—no, that wasn’t me, I swear. I don’t—”

“It wasn’t her.”

As one, our heads turned to the quiet, youthful voice.

“It was us.”

A young girl of about seven stood at the edge of the clearing outside the cave. Her face was grave, her copper hair wild and windswept. A semicircle of twenty adults spread out at her back, all in matching grey robes wrapped with hides of white fur—and all with lavender eyes.

Montios Descended.

“I’m afraid you won’t be taking anyone with you, Commander,” the child said. “The Lumnos Queen is in our realm uninvited. That makes her and her guests our prisoners.” Her stare shifted to me. “It’sourCrown who will decide your fate.”

Chapter

Fifty-Nine

Atentative hope streamed through my panic. When I’d met the elderly Montios King at my coronation, he’d been... notfriendly, but curious. I even thought I’d heard him whisper something in my ear.

Good luck, Daughter of the Forgotten.

If he’d sent his people to claim me, perhaps there was some chance I could count him as an ally.

“We have authority to arrest the Lumnos Queen in whatever realm she enters,” the commander insisted. “She is a prisoner of the Crowns.”

“On what grounds?” the little girl asked.

“She broke into our prison. Killed our King. Freed our prisoners. Attacked the army.” His gaze narrowed. “And that’s just what she didyesterday.”

The girl shrugged her tiny shoulders. “Those are crimes against Fortos, not the Crowns.”

“She is suspected of planning the attack on Coeurîle,” he huffed, clearly losing his patience.

“Suspected.” Her slender eyebrows rose. “But not yet charged?”

“It’s only a matter of time until she—”

“Then you may retrieve her when she’s charged... if she’s still alive.”

My sunny hope disappeared behind a cloud.

“Fine,” he spat. “But we’re taking her mother. Sheisa prisoner of the Crowns, and she’s subject to execution.” He pointed at the cave. “Turn her over.”

The little girl pursed her lips and spun to the group at her back. They circled around her and crouched, their whispers hidden by the howling wind.

Luther watched them shrewdly. His hands twitched, and his weakened magic misted around me, preparing to solidify into a shield at a moment’s notice.

The girl glanced back our way. Her eyes fell on me, looking inexplicably sad. She began chewing on her lip, and despite her adult-like eloquence, suddenly she looked very much the child that she was.

“Godstone,” Luther said suddenly, insistently. “They brought godstone weapons into your realm.”

A few of the group raised their brows and looked to each other with loaded stares. One of them bent at the girl’s side and whispered in her ear.

She lifted her chin. “The Lumnos Prince is correct. You may not bring godstone into our realm without our Crown’s consent. Not even if your business here is legitimate.”

---