Page 173 of Heat of the Everflame

The realization left me deeply unsettled—and a little intrigued.

Five fluted glasses were placed in front of me. Yrselle took a bottle and filled them with a pale green liquid, then topped up her own glass and took a sip. “There. If this one is poisoned, we’re both doomed.”

I reached forward, and Luther seized my hand.

“Wait,” he insisted. He grabbed a glass, then downed its entire contents.

Symond rolled his eyes. “What does that prove? If he falls over dead, it’s hardlyourfault.”

The Queen tutted at Symond with a disapproving look. After a tense moment where no one spoke—and, more importantly, no one died—I pulled my hand free and distributed the glasses to the others.

The liquid was pleasantly sweet and went down smooth, leaving a warm buzz on my lips. “What is this?” I asked, taking another sip.

“Gaudenscium,” Zalaric answered. “A local favorite. You can buy it down in the markets.”

“Though none compares to Her Majesty’s blend,” Symond said with a simpering smile at Yrselle. “We go through it so quickly, we can barely keep it in stock.”

I could see why. After only a sip, the tingling had spread to all my mostintimateareas. My cheeks flushed, my body throbbing, my nipples peaked. I became acutely aware of the friction as they brushed the fabric of my dress with each breath.

“It’s quite strong,” I said breathily.

Symond gazed at me and stroked a thumb across his lower lip. “It’s an aphrodisiac. It opens your mind and your legs.”

“Drink!” Taran shouted and emptied his glass.

“We should play the mirror game,” Hagface suggested, wearing a devious smirk I didn’t like one bit.

The Queen clapped. “A brilliant idea!”

“What’s the mirror game?” Alixe asked.

“It’s simple,” Hagface said. “We ask you a question, and you have to answer it truthfully. We’ll use our magic to make sure you’re not lying.”

“Sounds more like an interrogation,” Luther said. His voice sounded different—like warm honey and rough gravel. Like lips on my skin and a hand on my throat. I wasn’t entirely proud of how my thighs squeezed in response.

Hagface giggled a little too hard. “The game is in the questions. Each one forces you to look at yourself and admit who you truly are.”

“Like a mirror,” the Queen added. “It’s always great fun.”

I nervously tapped my glass. “Surely there’s nothing you can ask us you don’t already know.”

Her shadowy eyes gleamed with a whirlwind of plans. “How about another trade? Play our game tonight, and tomorrow, I’ll answer whatever questions you wish.”

My heart skipped a beat. “You’ll answer them all? And you’ll answer truthfully?”

“You have my word.” She propped a hand under her chin and smiled. “May Blessed Umbros strike me dead if I lie.”

I took a deep breath. “I’ll play. But only me—not the others.”

Hagface pouted, and Yrselle clicked her tongue. “It’s not a game if you’re not all playing.”

“I’ll play,” Taran slurred. “Ilovemirrors.”

“I’ll play, too,” Alixe said.

“You don’t have to do this,” I said to her.

She smiled. “I know. But you need those questions answered, and I swore to serve my Queen.”

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