Page 250 of Heat of the Everflame

Perthe’s lips twitched up. “No, Your Majesty. Princess Lilian left. Prince Teller said he wishes to be alone.”

I blinked. “PrinceTeller?”

“Siblings of the Crown and their children are entitled to a royal designation, if they wish to use one.”

“And Teller does?”

“Oh, no, Your Majesty. Not at all. But I thought perhapsyoumight wish him to.”

“I do, indeed.” A mischievous smirk slowly grew. I strode toward Teller’s room and rapped my fist on his door.

He didn’t answer.

“It’s your sister. Let me in.”

I knocked again.

He still didn’t answer.

“Fine. It’s your Queen, and I command you to open. You can’t ignorethat.”

“Yes, I can,” a muffled voice shouted back.

“I’m leaving town. Aren’t you going to say goodbye?”

The door cracked open. A sliver of Teller’s face appeared. “You’re leaving already?”

I grinned. “Hello,PrinceTeller.”

His eyes narrowed. “Goodbye.”

I wedged the toe of my boot to stop the door mid-slam. “I think you should use the title. It suits you. You’re very princely.”

“I don’t want it.”

“Why not?”

“Because I don’t wantanyof this,” he snapped. “I don’t want to be royal, I don’t want to live in this palace, and I don’t want guards following me everywhere I go. I never get to see my mortal friends anymore, and the Descended think I’m a Guardian now. I want my home back. I want mylifeback.”

My smile vanished. “Tel... I didn’t—”

“Nevermind.” He scratched the back of his neck, looking down. Like me, my brother was horrid at hiding his true feelings. Dejection was screaming from every pore. “I’m fine. Forget I said anything.”

I sighed. “Can I please come in?”

He let go of the door and turned away.

“I guess it went badly with Henri,” he muttered as I walked in.

“Why do you say that?”

“Your eyes are still puffy from crying.”

I stared at my feet, my cheeks turning warm.

He looked me over. “You’re going to get Mother, aren’t you? That’s why you’re dressed like you’re going into battle?” I nodded, and he let out a harsh breath. “Maybe... maybe you shouldn’t. Maybe you should just leave her there.”

I frowned. This wasn’t like him. Even when Teller was angry, he was never cruel. “You want me to abandon Mother?”

---