Page 200 of Heat of the Everflame

“You nearly passed out in there,” Taran said. “If you go unconscious, we can’t have you falling, or Diem might swan dive off Sorae’s back to get you.”

“He’s right,” I said. “I would.”

His eyes narrowed at me, but there was no malice in it. Only a silent, simmering affection.

The sound of splintering wood shot from the dining room as chunks of broken chains flew out onto the balcony. I ran back inside to see Zalaric frozen in place, palms out, eyes glassy and dark.

He was still. Too still. Unnaturally still.

Torchlight leaked into the room from the corridor as the barricade crumbled and the door pushed inward, inch by inch. I grabbed Zalaric by the waist and dragged him outside.

“The Centenaries got to him,” I warned. “We have to get out of reach of their magic.”

Sorae crouched low so Taran could haul himself and Luther onto her back. Alixe swung her leg over and helped me wedgea stiffened Zalaric between her and Taran. Sorae’s legs quivered under the strain of their combined weight as she pushed to her feet.

Another boom echoed from inside. A door crashed open, and a flood of silhouettes appeared in the glow of the hallway.

“Get on,” Luther demanded. “Hurry.”

I avoided his stare and ran to Sorae’s front. “You remember the plan?”

Her golden eyes gleamed bright. A wave of worry shot through our bond.

“I know.” I lowered my voice so only she could hear. “I hate it, too. It’s the only way this works.”

The sound of running boots came rushing toward the balcony.

“Go, Sorae. Remember my order.”

“Diem,no,” Luther snarled. He reached for me, and I lunged back, barely missing his grasp.

“Go!” I yelled.

With a final, helpless trill of protest, Sorae pushed off her back legs and launched into the sky. Luther’s furious shouts faded beneath the sound of beating wings.

Her figure grew smaller, and my heart wrenched in two. Even the patter of the Centenaries’ footsteps crowding behind me couldn’t pull my eyes away.

“That was a mistake,” a voice purred at my back, newly laced with poison rather than desire. “Her Majesty will not be disobeyed.”

“Her Majesty can get over it,” I sniped. “And if I were you, Symond, I’d treadverycarefully. I’m feeling like a woman without much to lose.”

I turned on my heel and glared, orbs of blazing light hissing to life at my palms.

“Don’t be a fool,” he warned. “You might have pushed me out of your head, but you can’t take on all one hundred of us at once.”

“Why not? I’ve always loved a challenge.” An explosion of crackling sparks shot out in an arc at my feet, and the Centenaries stumbled over each other to back away.

Only Symond held his ground. The muscles under his goateed jaw pulled taut. “She’s going to kill you for this. He can’t be worth it.”

“He’s a better man than you’ll ever be.” My hands curled into claws, rage bubbling to the surface. “You knew he was dying, and you mocked him. Youtorturedhim.”

“And you were happy to let me do it. I enjoyed his pain, and you enjoyed his jealousy.” He smirked icily. “He might be a better man than me. But if he is, doyoureally deserve him?”

Something cracked deep within me. I hurled my magic at Symond’s chest and growled as it snaked around his ribs and squeezed. He gasped for air, bones creaking, then snapping, but all the while, that taunting superiority stayed plastered on his face.

“Let him go, dear.”

The Centenaries parted, and Yrselle sauntered forward into the moonlight. As she did, her gryvern dove from the sky and slammed onto the terrace at my side. I eyed them both, backing a step toward the balcony’s edge.

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