Page 128 of Heat of the Everflame

His lips curved up. “And you.”

“I, uh... yes, I suppose.” I cleared my throat. “Is that where you taught yourself how to use magic—in those fights?”

“It is. You learn fast, when your survival depends on it. I started winning frequently there, then did some time of my own in the skin markets. By then I’d won the attention of the more powerful people in Umbros. They hired me for odd jobs, and over time, I earned a reputation for handling difficult tasks discreetly, for those willing to pay the right price. That’s what I still do today.”

“And the inn?” I asked.

“I own it, but the other Lumnos half-mortals run it and split the profits among themselves. It gives the younger ones a place to call home and the older ones a place to earn a living safely. I make sure none of them ever have to make the choices Margie and I were forced to make.”

I nudged his side. “I thought you said you weren’t generous.”

He shot me a good-natured glare. “Don’t tell anyone. You’ll ruin my reputation.”

“Don’t worry—I’m good at keeping secrets.” We shared a smile and continued walking. His remarkable openness was making me braver. “I noticed the children at the inn are very skilled for their age.”

“I make sure they all get the best education money can buy.” He beamed proudly. “Some of mine have even been invited to study in Sophos.”

My stomach turned. I knew the dark fate that awaited mortals invited to study there—would it be the same for the Lumnos half-mortals?

“That’s... nice, but I didn’t mean their education. I was referring to their magic. Luther said they’re better trained than the Descended children in Lumnos.”

He hummed indifferently. “Is that so?”

“I suspect they have a very good teacher. A very powerful one. One who could, let’s say, make quite an embarrassment of a certain ‘handsome’ Corbois cousin.”

Zalaric’s smirk gave him away.

I stopped and turned to face him. “Come to Lumnos and teach me. Name your fee, and I’ll pay it.”

“You’re a member of the royal family. Surely you have access to the best training in the realm.”

I didn’t answer at first, weighing my words. That same unexplainable instinct was cajoling me again, that prodding urge to push forward despite all good sense and reason.

“I did not have the typical Corbois upbringing.” I glanced around and dropped my voice low. “I, too, know what it’s like to have to work to survive.”

To my surprise, he didn’t react at all. His expression remained flat as he studied my face. “You’re a half-mortal, aren’t you?”

Alarm bells blared in my head. I couldn’t admit that—Icouldn’t. The only way a half-mortal could so freely interact with the royal family was if they were immune from the laws, and the only person with immunity was the Crown. A man as smart as Zalaric would make the connection in a second.

But before I could deny it, a grin spread across his face. “I knew it! I knew as soon as I saw you. You have that same look that all the rest of us have.”

I glanced around nervously. “What look?”

“The look of someone trying to find a place in the world where they belong.”

I huffed and pulled him back into a slow stroll. “I refuse to confirm or deny.”

“You don’t have to, I know I’m right. I canalwaysspot another one.” His lip hooked into a wicked smirk. “Which reminds me—where is the Prince today?”

It took every atom, every hair, every drop of blood, every last spark of resolve in my body to suppress my reaction.

My heart hammered furiously, a frightened bird in a tiny cage. This was Luther’s darkest, most closely guarded secret. Did Zalaric know? Had my mother told him? Had he told anyone else?

“He’s resting,” I said stiffly. “We had a long journey.”

My mind flashed back to this morning. Though we’d fallen asleep on separate sides, I’d woken up tangled in his embrace, his lips against my temple. He’d been drenched in sweat, skin flushed. The temptation to peel away his scarf and heavy clothes to cool him off was nearly insurmountable.

He’d been sleeping so soundly he didn’t even stir when I pried myself free. I sat at his side for longer than I wanted to admit, staring at him and wondering what he was so adamant to hide.

---