Page 278 of Heat of the Everflame

Don’t, I warned into her thoughts.

“You don’t know your own prison, Fortos,” Luther said, chuckling. “That door was clearly iron.”

The King scoffed and glanced at the cell, where my mother froze and nodded quickly in agreement.

He stiffened. “That door... it wasn’t—I’m sure of it...” He gazed down the hallway. “All these cells are fortified with godstone.”

“You said it was being repaired.” I flashed a helpful smile. “Squeaky hinges.”

The King looked down, scratching his head. “Squeaky hinges?”

My mother started moving again, creeping slowly as she moved beyond the King, then scurrying faster. Luther’s arm brushed mine—he’d spotted it, too.

Mother, I warned her.The King will kill you.

I heard her answer back:Then tell the Prince to stop him.He should want his revenge.

I glared at her.I’m not letting you run a—

She turned and bolted. The King’s head snapped toward her, and to my surprise—and my horror—he began to laugh.

“Finally,” he breathed, grinning. “I’ve been waiting for her to give me a reason. Now I don’t need a sixth vote.” His gaze slid back to me and sparkled with malice. “Escapees can be slaughtered on sight.”

My eyes narrowed.

“Go get her,” I murmured to Luther. “Be careful.” He nodded and took off after my mother.

The King lunged to grab him and collided into my shield. He stumbled back, grabbing his nose with a snarl. “Helping a prisoner escape is treason. You’re just as dead as she is.”

My head spun as my plans unraveled. Getting my mother out quietly, leaving no proof, convincing the Crowns to coronate me—those hopes had gone up in a bigger blaze than the Everflame itself.

I squared my shoulders and crouched into a battle stance. “I’m not dying in this prison, Fortos. Do what I say, and you won’t, either.”

His lips slid sideways. “I can’twaitto hear this.”

I pointed to an empty cell. “Open the door and get inside. Your soldiers can let you out once we’re gone. I don’t want to have to kill you.”

He threw his head back and laughed. “You’re very cocky for a woman. What is it you think you have that I don’t?”

“Knuckles that don’t drag when I walk. The ability to breathe through my nose. A neck.”

His mirth vanished. “If you’re so certain you can kill me, why not do it now?”

“I’m not here to take lives. You and the other Crowns have put too many bodies in graves already.”

“This is your problem, Lumnos. You’ve got all the confidence of a man, but none of the balls.” He pulled his broadsword from its scabbard and pointed it at me. “If you want me in that cell, you’ll have to chop me into pieces and sweep me under the door.”

My insides tangled in knots. I was being forced into a crossroads I’d tried desperately to avoid.

Shadows hissed at my palm, and a long, dark sword took form in my hand. “Don’t make me do this, Fortos. Let me take my mother and go.”

He grinned and lifted his blade. “Maybe I’ll get lucky, and she’ll come back just in time to see her ‘little girl’ die.”

He lunged forward and struck. I’d never used a magic-made sword for anything but show—when I raised mine above my head to block his attack, I wasn’t entirely certain the shadows would hold.

My eyes screwed shut, and I braced for death.

A violent ripple rocked through my arms as his blade clashed against mine and bounced away. Though my magic had held, the brutal force of his swing sent me stumbling back.

---