Page 237 of Heat of the Everflame

“What do you think?” I called out to Garath over Remis’s shoulder. “Have you had enough?”

Sadly, I didn’t think he could hear me, as his eyes were rolling back, his lips a sickly blue. I grudgingly swished a hand, and my magic receded. Garath fell to the floor with a thud.

Remis shot a look at Aemonn, who jumped forward to drag his father toward the door. I turned to Alixe and lowered my voice. “Warn Zalaric and the others. I’ll find you when we’re done.”

She nodded to me, then to Remis, then left and closed the door at her back.

Remis sighed wearily. “You should not provoke my brother. Garath is a dangerous man.”

“And I am a dangerous woman.”

“I’m not sure you realize just how dangerous you are. Is this your plan as Queen, use your magic to threaten everyone you dislike?”

“I’ll do more than threaten,” I shot back, though Remis’s criticism had struck deeper than I wanted to admit.

My father’s final words to me had been a similar condemnation of my temper and a lack of faith in how I chose to reign. His disappointed tone rang in my ears with each and every failure, an immortal reminder that I was still letting him down.

And if he could see me now, he would be anything but proud.

The painful thought was water on the fire of my anger. I sank back into my chair with a slump.

Remis sat and studied me carefully. “I want to thank you for saving my son. For that, I am in your debt.”

“And this is how you repay me? By usurping my throne?”

“The Fortos King claims the ritual was not completed.” His eyebrows rose. “Do you deny it?”

I worked my jaw, not answering.

“He also said the Crowns had some...concernsabout your legitimacy.”

I pulled the Crown into view atop my head. “Is this not legitimate?”

Remis’s head angled as he frowned at it.

I speared a thought over the bond, and seconds later, Sorae’s piercing howl floated through the window. “What about that—is Sorae legitimate enough?”

His attention returned to me. “There is also the question of your involvement with the Guardians. The Crowns believe you planned the attack.”

“I knew nothing before it happened. I was as surprised as anyone else.”

“And yet the Guardians rescued you.”

“The Guardianskidnappedme. They chained me up as a prisoner.”

“You returned in a ballgown and lipstick,” he drawled. “A strange kidnapping, indeed.”

“That was from Umbros.”

“You were in Umbros?”

“Yes. The Guardians chased us into Ignios, and then—”

“You were inIgnios?” He sat forward. “Do those Crowns know you were in their realms?”

“Yes. Both.”

“And they didn’t kill you for it?”

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