Page 247 of Heat of the Everflame

My best friend, my lover, my betrothed.

And soon, perhaps, if the gods were cruel—my enemy.

Heartbreak and anger mixed with bittersweet relief, turning me into a volatile emotional cauldron. I poured it all into my godhood, who ate it up like wind to a wildfire.

Magic leaked into the air around me. Streams of light formed a whirling arc that sizzled and cracked. Wind whipped at my hair as pebbles trembled under every step. Trees in the forest creaked as their branches stretched toward me.

“Lumnos magic only,” I murmured. “We’ll keep the rest our little secret for now.”

As if in answer, the magic pulsed across my skin. Shadows coated my cloak and cascaded to the ground in a train of smoky curls. Glowing swords formed in my hands as I restored the Crown to its place atop my head.

At the midday hour, the town square buzzed with a swarm of bodies. Within seconds of my arrival, a hundred heads had turned my way.

A circle formed as they edged away. I let my gaze drag lazily over the throng, noting so many familiar faces. Some screamed and cowered, others ran. Several reached for their blades.

A few began to kneel, faces ashen with fear. I held their eyes and shook my head.

“Don’t kneel to me yet.”

They shared confused glances, some moving closer as they arched their necks to see.

I raised my chin and threw my voice to the edges of the market. “I was raised in this village. I know the struggles you face because I faced them, too. I went to school with your children. I healed your loved ones. I feared the Descended, just as you do. Ihatedthem, just as you do. I watched as they treated us lower than rats, and I, too, dreamed of a day when their reign would end.”

Scattered heads nodded, eyes narrowed. A few spit and muttered low epithets.

“All that time, I believed I was a mortal. Though I now wear a Descended Crown, do not think for one second that I have forgotten where I’m from. Mortal blood runs in my veins.” Iraised a sword. “And that’s blood I’m not afraid to spill on your behalf.”

The hum of murmurs grew louder.

“These past weeks, I’ve lived among the Descended, learning their ways. I did so expecting to loathe them all. Indeed, many are as wicked and soulless as we all believed.” I took a deep breath. “But there are others. Good people. Some I now call friends. Some... even more than friends.”

The chatter rose to a roar, a resentful tide turning back with ire. Shouts oftraitorandDescended scumrang out, a few beginning to walk away.

My heart picked up speed.

“One of them believes I was chosen by the gods to unite our people and bring peace to Emarion.” I laughed. “If you don’t believe that, you’re in good company. I’m not certain I believe it myself. But I’m willing to try—for all of you, and for all the mortals who died fighting for us over the years. And everyone who will keep dying if I fail.”

The din fell to a silent, expectant hush.

“My mother, Auralie... she taught me toheal—to save lives every chance I get. My father, Andrei, taught me tofight—to end lives, but only when I must. And my brother, Teller, taught me tothink—to lead with reason, not prejudice. That is the Queen I strive to be. I will not demand that you bend your knee. Past Crowns have done enough of that. I will only vow, on my blood and my soul, on all that I am, and all that I hold dear, if you give me your faith, I will do my best to earn it—” I crossed my swords at my chest. “—and I won’t stop until my dying breath.”

Conversation stalled, no one quite sure what to do with me and my grand declaration. Mortals whispered in huddled groups, looking between me and each other with doubt in their eyes.

“She’s here! Commander—in the square.”

Shouting arose from a back corner as Emarion Army soldiers violently shoved a path through the crowd.

“Took you long enough,” I called out. “The army’s gone downhill since my father retired.”

As his soldiers fanned out in a circle around me, a man with heavy regalia and red eyes—Fortos eyes—stepped forward and assessed me with contempt. “You’re not supposed to be here.”

“This is my realm. I can come and go as I please. You, on the other hand...”

“An edict has been issued,” he barked. “You’ve been summoned for questioning by the Crowns.”

“How about I issue my own edict instead?” I spread my arms wide. “I formally declare to the good citizens of Lumnos that the Crowns of Emarion are summoned to kiss my half-mortal ass.”

Laughter rolled through the crowd. The soldiers looked around and rocked uneasily on their feet.

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