Page 329 of Heat of the Everflame

I bristled. “I met Cordellia in Arboros. She said you never told him about the Guardians, either.”

“I’m sure he had his suspicions,” she said slowly. “But we never—”

“He was your husband, Mother. How could you lie to him about something so important?”

My tone was harsh, and she flinched at its bite. “You see it as a lie, I see it as unconditional trust. Andrei knew there werethings I couldn’t tell him, and he chose to love me anyway. I pray you find that in your own partner someday.”

Luther’s face surfaced in my thoughts. My heart ached to let him wrap me in his arms and shoulder this burden at my side. But I couldn’t—I’d have to keep all of this from him to honor my promise of secrecy to her.

And I knew he would accept it. No questions, no argument. He would simply trust me.Loveme.

“What about me and Teller?” I shot back. “You put us both at risk. Didn’t we deserve to know?”

“Diem, dear, you didn’twantto know. There were times I slipped up, and I was sure you’d figure it out. I was prepared to tell you everything, if you asked, but you never did.”

“That’s not true. I always asked where you were going, what you were doing—”

“—and when I gave you an easy answer, you took it, even when it made no sense. You were happy with your life, and you didn’t want it to change, so you looked away. As for your brother... he’s always idolized you. He knew if there was something to worry about, you’d tell him. And since you never pushed, neither did he.”

I scoffed. “So this is myfault?”

She reached for me and flinched when I jerked back. “I take responsibility for the choices I made. You have to do the same for yours. If you look back at our lives, if you truly look, I think you’ll see my secrets weren’t assecretfrom you as you wish to believe.”

I shoved to my feet, my temper boiling beyond its limit. “Maybe you’re right, maybe I did see it and look the other way. But it was only because I trusted you. I believed my own mother loved me too much for my worst fears to be true.Thatwas my real mistake.”

“Diem,” she begged, “please—”

I walked away before she could finish, winding into the forest and leaving her staring at my back.

Chapter

Sixty-Three

Istumbled on Luther by accident, leaning against a nearby tree. Perhaps I was lucky, or perhaps his heart had drawn me toward him, knowing my injured soul needed the balm of his touch.

He straightened as I approached, his brow creasing with worry. “What happened?”

I grabbed his hand and kept walking without a word, tugging him further into the darkness until I was certain we were out of earshot and out of sight.

“I can’t tell you what she said,” I gritted out. “I promised her I’d keep it to myself.”

“I understand.”

“That’s it?” I snapped. “You’re not mad?”

He frowned. “Should I be mad?”

“We’re supposed to be honest. Tell each other everything.” I scowled. “Isn’t that what reallove is all about?”

“No couple tells each other everything. I know you wouldn’t keep something from me if it wasn’t important.” He brushed my hair away from my face, then dragged me closer. “My love for youisreal love, Diem. No secret you keep is going to change that.”

I huffed, equal parts cranky and swooning. “Stop being sweet. I’m trying to be angry over here.”

His lips twitched as he fought his smile. “Very well. What would you like me to do instead?”

“Distract me.” I fisted my hands in his sweater and arched my neck toward him. “Make me forget everything but you.”

“Gladly,” he rumbled.

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