Page 302 of Heat of the Everflame

“Three or fourdays?” I choked.

“Maybe more.” He shot me a look. “Assuming your magic works like normal.”

He didn’t elaborate, but I caught his point. When it came to me,normalnever seemed to apply.

My gaze swept across the landscape, a vast expanse of lavender peaks. In any other situation, I might have enjoyed the chance to spend a few days exploring. Something about this realm, with its breathtaking vistas and mysterious secrets, called to my soul in a primal way.

“Let’s get comfortable then,” I conceded. Luther nodded and stepped away to unpack our supplies.

“Diem,” my mother said slowly, lowering her voice to a hush. “There is another option. A Guardian camp nearby.”

“The last time I was in a Guardian camp, I was chained up and drugged, and both my Prince and my gryvern were nearly killed.”

“YourPrince?” she asked, brows lifting.

I worked my jaw. I’d have to tell her soon enough, but I dreaded the fight the truth was sure to bring.

“We’re safer on our own,” I said instead.

“You and I could go. There would be food, water, and shelter from the cold. They’ll have weapons and lookouts. You’d be safe from Descended attacks.”

“And what about Luther?”

She pursed her lips. “He’s a Descended Prince, Diem.”

“And I’m a DescendedQueen. I’m not sure you understand that, Mother. I’m not the sheltered mortal daughter you left behind. That girl is dead.”

She flinched, looking for a moment not like a legendary healer or a fierce rebel leader, but a grieving, heartbroken widow whose family was irreparably changed.

I sighed. “I’m sorry. Can we discuss this tomorrow? It’s been a long day.”

“Of course.” She tentatively stroked a hand along my arm. “Come, let’s get some rest. Luther can take first watch.”

My gaze shifted to find him standing on the other side of Sorae, rummaging through our bags and pretending like he hadn’t overheard every word.

His eyes met mine. He nodded silently, then held out a bundle of fabric. As I walked over and reached for it, my hand brushed against his, sending a tingle coursing through my blood.

“The Montios gift from your ball,” he explained. “The cloak that’s spelled to always keep you warm.”

I stared at it for a long moment. “You knew we would end up here, didn’t you? That’s why you brought this—and the map and gold you gave to the prisoners?”

“Those were meant to be for us,” he muttered. “I suspected going back to Lumnos wouldn’t be an option. I wanted to be prepared in case we were forced to stay away indefinitely.”

“You went with me even though you knew you would be exiled from your home?”

His brows knit to a deep crease, as if my question made no sense. “Diem...you’remy home.”

A breath rushed out of me, crystallizing in the air into a glittery fog. The darkness inside me finally began to recede.

Luther took the cloak and secured it around my shoulders. Though I felt its magic seal me off from the winter chill, it was the emotion in his eyes that set me simmering from within.

“Thank you,” I said. “For stopping me from making a mistake with Teller I would have regretted forever. And for standing by me when it looked like I was going to do it anyway.”

“You’re not angry?” he asked. I shook my head, and his muscles eased from a tension I didn’t realize he’d been hiding. “I’ll stand by you through anything, Diem, even when I disagree. I hope you know that. Whatever consequences may come, we face them together.”

I gazed at him, unable to form the words I really wanted to say. I was overwhelmed by the stirring in my soul—not just of carnal desires, but of a future I was beginning to let myself imagine.

It wouldn’t be so scary, giving myself to him forever.

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