Page 241 of Heat of the Everflame

“Not here, Luther. Not to this.”

“We agreed to do these things togeth—”

I whipped around. “I’m going to see Henri.”

A cloud of turbulent emotions briefly darkened his face before he shut it away behind a cold, indifferent veneer.

“Once we break my mother out, things could get worse for the Guardians,” I said. “I have to warn him. I owe him that much.”

He watched me in silence, his jaw flexing.

“And... he and I need closure. I owe him that, too.”

In Luther’s eyes, I saw all the protests he held back, all the arguments he wouldn’t let himself make. Much as it bothered him, this was one area he knew to stay out of, and I loved him all the more for it.

I kissed his cheek and slipped my hand beneath his tunic to lay flat against his hip. My magic surged through his skin and scoured his wound, probing for any trace of the godstone’s presence. When it came up empty, an unexpected sob caught in my throat.

Luther sighed, his hand pressing to the hollow of my back to draw me closer. He gave a soft grunt of pleasure as the wound mended and finally closed. His godhood happily entwined with mine, their combined joy so pure that I couldn’t resist lingering a moment in his arms.

“Gather what we need,” I said. “When I return, we’ll leave for Fortos.”

“Be careful. And don’t...” His hand flexed. “Just be careful.”

Grudgingly, I pulled away and headed for the balcony, where Alixe was waiting for me at Sorae’s side.

“Let me come,” she said. “Or Zalaric. Someone who can hide you, if things go wrong.”

“I’m not hiding. I want the mortals to see me. The army, too. I want them both to know I’m not afraid.” Sorae snorted a puffof smoke in agreement and lowered to let me mount. “Besides, it’s better if we keep our distance now. You’re Remis’s new High General.”

She balked. “I am?”

I smiled. “Even Remis knows you’re the woman for the job.”

“Is this a good idea? If he orders me to betray you...”

“Then do it. Stay in his favor, and use that to keep everyone safe. When this is over, I won’t hold any of it against you.” I paused for a moment. “He swore to me he won’t harm the mortals, but if he goes back on his word...”

“I won’t let that happen,” she vowed.

“Good.” I thumped a fist to my chest in salute, and so did she. “I trust you, Alixe. Do what you believe is best for the realm, whatever that may be.”

I threw a final look to Luther, who watched in solemn silence as he leaned against an arch. Sorae launched into the air, and we left the palace behind.

From the momentSorae soared above my run-down village, every eye was on us—including every soldier’s. They followed my path, gaining in number until an unnervingly large group gathered to await my arrival.

I wanted to beseen, but this was looking more like a confrontation.

Sorae banked toward the forest, and I led her to the ground in a clearing near my old home.

“Keep them distracted,” I told her as I slid off. “I’ll call you when I’m ready.”

She nuzzled my hand and huffed.

“Yes, I promise I’ll also call if anyone needs a good roasting. Go, before they see I’m not with you.”

She trilled softly, then leapt toward the sky at breathtaking speed. Her wings flattened out, angling to conceal the spot where a rider would sit.

I grinned up at her silhouette. “Clever girl.”

---