Page 379 of Heat of the Everflame

Despite the attack, the mood around town was optimistic. Casualties had been few, and the way neighbors had come together to protect each other had bonded this community in a way the easy everyday life of Sophos never could.

As Luther led me through the streets, many stopped to thank us for what we’d done. Others eyed the mark at my neck, gossip buzzing around us like a swarm of pesky flies.

For once, it didn’t bother me. My focus was on my Prince.

“Whereare we going now?” I asked him.

His only answer was a gleam in his eyes.

The moment we were back in public, he’d shuttered his emotions and reclaimed his usual stern reserve, but there was an excited bounce to his step. Even Stuart’s appearance in our path didn’t break his stride.

“Diem,” Stuart called out, waving. “Have you eaten dinner? You could join m—”

“She is a Queen,” Luther interrupted. “You will address her as such. AndHer Majesty’s dinner plans are already set.”

I elbowed him in the side. “Forgive my rude Prince, Stuart. Thank you for the offer, but we’re off to the...” I paused, looking up expectantly at Luther. His lips pressed tight, though his eyebrows danced.

“Oh, right, the library,” Stuart said.

“Library?” I repeated.

“One of my friends helped set up the surprise. Everyone’s talking about it.”

“Surprise?”

“Not much of a surprise anymore,” Luther growled.

I grinned. “What’s in the library?”

“My friend said—”

“Stop talking,” Luther snapped at him. He glared at me. “And you, stop asking questions.” He leaned in close, his hand sliding to my ass. “Or I’ll have to punish you again right here on the street.”

I bit my lip, my face growing hot.

Stuart frowned at him. “You really shouldn’t talk to Diem like that. She is a Queen, you know.”

My shield sprang up around Stuart a split second before Luther’s aura shot forward in a furious, targeted pulse. I slapped a hand over Luther’s mouth to muffle his snarling.

“You’re very brave, Stuart,” I laughed. “I think my beloved and I should be on our way.”

Luther’s face turned to me and softened.

Stuart shrugged. “Have a good night, Diem.”

I dragged Luther forward before Stuart lost an organ. “Calm down,” I said, half scolding, half mocking. “You’re a handsome, powerful Descended royal. Surely you’re not threatened by a mortal teen.”

“Threatened?” he said incredulously. “You think I’m threa—” His eyes narrowed at the shit-eating grin on my face. “You areabsolutelygetting punished tonight.”

He swooped me up into his arms, cradling me against his chest as he continued walking. I gave in and hooked my arms around his neck with a laugh, then laid my head on his shoulder, feeling irrepressibly happy.

“So you think I’m handsome,” he rumbled. The faint trace of disbelief in his voice caught me by surprise. Had the manseenhimself in a mirror?

Then again, in the vain world of the flawlessly skinned Descended, perhaps what he saw in the mirror was the problem.

“The only face I ever want to wake up to,” I said truthfully.

He let out a purely male, self-satisfied grunt. “That can be arranged.”

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