Page 351 of Heat of the Everflame

I grabbed Doriel’s arm. “Release Luther’s magic. We need all the power we can get to shield.”

They stiffened, looking between us. “This is part of your plan, isn’t it? I release him, then you both attack my city.”

“We don’t have time for this, Doriel. That gryvern is going to be here in seconds.”

“How am I supposed to trust you when—”

“Release his magic,” I snarled, the compulsion of Umbros thought magic rippling in my tone.

Doriel’s eyes glazed over. A moment later, Luther’s aura tumbled across my skin.

“Did you just...?” Doriel stammered, staggering backward. “How?”

My eyes locked with Luther, his abrupt nod confirming he understood what we had to do. We both turned to the sky and lifted our palms, and a film of glimmering shadow spilled across the city center.

“Don’t just stand there,” I yelled at Doriel.

They jolted out of their stunned stupor. “Guards,” they shouted. “Shields up!”

The gryvern arched its trajectory at the last second, shooting for the outskirts of the city. From the grasslands, the sound of falling rocks led to a rousing war cry and the patter of galloping horses.

I swore. “They broke my wall. The others will be here any minute.” I turned to Doriel. “If we can get Ophiucae far enough away, his shield might fall. Can you take your gryvern and lure him out of the city?”

“Where’syourgryvern?” they hissed.

“Chained up by my Regent becauseyourefuse to coronate me,” I hissed back.

Their eyes narrowed. “You’re just trying to get me to leave my city to your mercy.”

I grabbed Doriel by their lapels, jerking them toward me. The Sophos guards lunged forward, and Luther slid in front of us with a warning growl at them to keep away.

“If you’re too scared to do it, let me take your gryvern, and you can stay here. If you don’t like thateither, then give me your orders, and I’ll obey—but you have to dosomething. My brother is in this city, and if he dies, I’m warning you Doriel, that man up there will be the least of your problems.”

They shook beneath my hands, their voice falling to a hush. “I’m not afraid for myself. My people are academics, Diem. The worst crime my guards deal with are stolen books. They’re not prepared for this. Most of them don’t even have weapons. I ordered some from your realm last year when the attacks began, but every shipment has been disrupted by the rebels.”

I frowned. “Are there any army soldiers nearby we can call in for help?”

“They left to secure Umbros after their attack.”

A howl from Ophiucae’s gryvern warned of his approach—and this time, the gryvern didn’t cut away. It skimmed over the gleaming shield as he leaned low and let his hand trail over its edge. His skin pulsed with light, and I gasped as I felt the tug of my magic drawing out of me. His aura swelled with a massive injection of our collective energy, laughter echoing in his wake as his gryvern swooped up toward the clouds.

“He’s using our shield to get stronger,” Luther ground out. “We have to get him away from here.”

I released my grip on Doriel. “Listen to me. We are not letting your people die. They might not be ready, but I am. My Prince is. And you are—right?”

They swallowed, nodding. “Right.”

“You and I are Crowns of Emarion. We’re the most powerful Descended who roam these lands, and the Kindred have chosen us to protect these people.”

Doriel’s features hardened to steel. They tugged off their veil and the golden circlet, the sparkling Crown of Sophos glowing to life in its place.

They turned to their guards. “I’ll take him on with Vexes. The rest of you, protect the city—and obey the Lumnos Queen’s command.” They shot me a dark stare. “I’m trusting you, Diem. If you betray me, you will pay dearly.”

With a deep breath, they ran to their gryvern and hurriedly mounted. “Fly, Vexes,” Doriel ordered, and the gryvern launched into the air.

The clatter of hoofbeats sounded from the city as the mounted rebels galloped down the main road. My insides twisted at the sight of glittering black blades in too many of their hands.

I thrust out my palms and grunted as my magic strained to reach them.Throw them, I begged the horses.Trample them. Drag them from the city.

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