Page 83 of Heat of the Everflame

“Yes, Your Majesty,” they answered in unison.

They began moving like clockwork, their years of training together now acutely apparent. Luther issued commands about formation, attack strategy, what to say, when and how to retreat. Alixe and Taran acknowledged each order, their faces hard and battle-ready, adjusting their weapons.

Luther came behind me and pulled my cloak from my pack, then laid it across my shoulders. Despite the hard line of his mouth, his hands moved tenderly as he swept my hair over my shoulder and tucked it behind my ears to hide it from sight.

He wrapped a thick scarf around my neck and pulled my hood low over my head. “Keep your face down when we pass.” He brushed a thumb along my cheekbone below my eyes. “Save these for me.”

His palms skimmed over my hips and thighs to check each of my weapons. His touch left a trail of heat that set my already overwarm body ablaze.

Instinctively, I arched toward him. It was a biological imperative, this eternal craving to be closer, closer, and closer to him still.

My mind went to wildly inappropriate places as I wondered if that need would ever feel sated, even if his body was on me,inside me. He might have read those thoughts, with the way his mouth lingered near mine and his eyes burned with hunger.

But a moment later, he was gone, standing with Taran and debating the best non-magical defenses.

Still, the heat remained. My core was boiling, provoked by his protective touches and the mountain of heavy fabric suffocating me in my textile coffin.

“Alixe,” I whispered, pulling her to the side. “If things go badly, I want you to take Taran and run to Umbros without me.”

“You expect me to abandon my Queen to the enemy?” She looked offended I would even ask.

“You heard the King back in Mortal City. He wants me alive, but he told his guards to kill all of you. If it looks like we’ll be captured, we’re better off separating. You can go to Umbros and get Taran a healer, then send for help.”

Though conflict was scrawled all over her face, she lowered her chin. “Yes, Your Majesty, if that’s your order—but Luther will never agree.”

I took a deep breath. “I know.”

We gathered in a cluster,Alixe in front and the men close at my sides, and made the turn around the corner into view.

The distant chatter of the Ignios guards fell silent.

We walked on, my chin tucked and eyes lowered. I nervously fidgeted with my scarf, fighting the growing urge to rip it off my inflamed skin.

“Shit,” Taran said under his breath. He flexed his hand. “My magic’s gone.”

My heart sank. I’d made the wrong call. Without Taran’s magic, we were entirely defenseless from the Ignios guards’ fire magic.

“Doesn’t matter,” Luther mumbled. “No turning back now.”

“Halt,” a voice barked from ahead. I didn’t dare look up at the sound of boots approaching. “What’s your business here?”

“Just passing through,” Alixe answered. “We’re on our way to the port in Umbros.”

“You’re supposed to stay on the Ring Road.”

“We heard the beaches of Ignios were too beautiful to miss,” Taran said. He let out a low whistle. “They do not disappoint. I love all your... uh... sand. And rocks. And... water. I think I even saw a tree somewhere—”

“You can’t be here,” the guard snapped. “Without an invitation from His Majesty the King, foreigners are to remain on the Ring Road.”

“Our apologies,” Alixe said. “The border is just ahead. Perhaps you might let us by this once so we can exit your realm with haste?”

A long silence followed, then quiet whispering and the crunch of footsteps on sand. Luther’s hand pressed lightly against my back as my three companions pushed in closer to me.

“When did you leave Arboros?”

“Just this morning,” Taran answered, giving me a suggestive elbow to the ribs.

“What were you doing there?”

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