Page 143 of Heat of the Everflame

His poised features melted into a slump, guilt swirling in his eyes.

My gaze cut to Symond. I cocked a hip and crossed my arms. “Are you done murdering innocent people, or do you intend to make your Queen wait even longer before you obey her orders?”

Symond bristled. “That woman wasn’t innocent. Bypassing the checkpoints is treason.”

“What’s treason,” I purred, sauntering toward him, “is how badly you’re drooling over me. I can see the bulge in your pants from across the cave. I doubt your Queen would appreciate that.”

His eyes flared with heat. My stomach turned.

“Her Majesty encourages her Centenaries to indulge in all of life’s pleasures with whomever we please.” He ran a finger up my arm. It was all I could do not to shudder. “If she doesn’t kill you, she might even join us.”

I forced a coy smile. “Then what are we waiting for?”

He gave a low laugh and extended his arm.

I glanced back at the others and immediately wished I hadn’t. The confusion, the anger, the disgust, thebetrayal...

Only Zalaric seemed unaffected. He watched me with dead eyes, his expression revealing nothing.

I swallowed tightly and turned away. My hand slid through Symond’s arm as I gazed up at him and smiled.

“Lead the way. I’m ready to meet the Queen of Umbros.”

Chapter

Thirty-Two

The palace of Umbros had also been carved into the canyons, high above the city. A system of pulley-drawn lifts carried the Queen and her Centenaries up and down at their leisure, but Symond had gleefully informed us those were off-limits to foreigners.

Instead, we were forced to trudge up a seemingly endless set of narrow spiral stairs. By the time we reached the top, we were all panting for breath, our heads spinning and calves burning.

Unlike the perpetual night of the underground city, daylight spilled in through tall, narrow slits carved into the black rock walls. It was currently sunset, and thin streaks of orange-red sliced like bloody knives through the halls.

The floor was inlaid with gold-veined marble, and towering columns carved into the shape of dragons guarded each corridor. Elaborate, flame-lit lanterns hung from frescoed ceilings depicting scenes of debauchery. Pools of velvet cushions and golden carts bearing liquors and spirits seemed scattered at random, as if the palace’s residents might find themselves in need of a bed or a drink on a moment’s notice. The air was heavy with rich incense, languid music—and moans.

Carnal, orgasmic moans.

If I’d thought Umbros City was a den of indulgence, it wasnothingcompared to this. As Symond led me through the palace, the others following at our backs, each room we passed was filled with naked, writhing bodies engaged in pleasure in all its forms. The kind you smoke, the kind you drink, the kind you f—

Well, you get the idea.

“Do you like what you see?” Symond crooned in my ear.

“It’s really... something.” I cleared my throat. “Are they all Centenaries?”

“Not at all. Her Majesty is the skin market’s best patron.” He brushed his knuckles against my wrist and pinned me with his depthless black eyes. “She ensures her loyal guards can have everything—and everyone—they desire.”

“Noteveryonethey desire,” I said with a smirk.

He gave a throaty laugh. “Well, I do love the thrill of a chase. It’s such a rarity for me.”

“Given our history, I can’t help but wonder howwillingyour partners have truly been.”

He stopped short. “Such a vile thing is strictly forbidden. I wouldnever—and if I had, the Queen would have made me rip out my own heart and hand it to her.”

“And yet you had no hesitation forcing yourself into my mind.”

He shrugged. “A simple prank. Thoughts are harmless.”

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