Page 119 of Heat of the Everflame

Taran let out a nervous chuckle. “You hated all that administrative work anyway, cousin. Now you can focus on trying to keep Diem alive, despite all her best efforts.” He winked at me. “That’s an all day, every day job.”

Alixe, wisely, said nothing, though when I glanced her direction, she placed a fist over her chest with a slight nod, and I knew it was her way of showing her grateful acceptance.

I placed a hand on Luther’s back. “This changes nothing between us. Whatever battles I face, I want you there to fight them with me. I can’t do this without you.”

“You can. And you will.” He pulled out of my reach and grabbed his glass, draining it dry. “We’re still going back to Lumnos. High General or not, I’m getting you home safely. I’ll take on all three of you, if that’s what it takes.”

Tired of arguing and feeling guilty over my decision, I let out a heavy sigh and nodded. “Alright. We’ll go home.”

“No tricks, Diem. Promise me.”

I shouldn’t have been hurt by his distrust—I’d earned it.

But I was.

“I promise,” I said quietly.

Chapter

Twenty-Seven

After my fight with Luther, the communal discomfort was so thick I could taste it—bitter and slimy, like cream gone bad.

I grabbed Taran’s hand and dragged him to the table. “Let me check your wounds.”

I gestured for him to remove his tunic, then opened my satchel to dig out the bundle of herbs I’d collected in Arboros.

“Shit,” I said, frowning. “I’m running lower than I thought.”

Luther looked over.

“Do you not have enough?” Taran asked.

“Depends on how fast you heal.”

“Can you get more in Lumnos?”

“Nothing this strong.” I saw his face go pale, and I quickly forced a smile. “I’m sure I won’t need them. You’re going to be fine.”

He sulked. “This must be bad. She’s lying again.”

I set to work removing Taran’s bandages. Though the poultice was still white—usually a sign it had not worked—I was relieved to see that the cut on his side showed no sign of the godstone’s dark poison, and the wound at his shoulder had only a fading trace.

Even the wounds had mended better than expected. Godstone typically slowed a Descended’s natural healing to that of a mortal’s, but Taran’s injuries looked like they’d been healing for weeks.

I set about preparing a new batch. “Lumnos must really like you. These are almost healed. Andthat’snot a lie.”

His worry seemed to ease, and he cracked a smile. “You never should have doubted me.”

“I recall it beingyouwho doubtedme.”

He had the gall to look offended. “I would never, Queenie.”

“No? You didn’t doubt my plan in Ignios and come running back to save me?”

“Well, see, about that—”

“You didn’t doubt my ability to survive the Challenging?”

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