Page 346 of Heat of the Everflame

“Remis sent you?” I snapped. “I swear, when I get back, I’m going to—”

“Where is she?”

I jerked back at the harsh bite in his voice.

“Mother’s safe. She’s... with friends.”

“What friends?”

I eyed the crowd beginning to form. “Let’s speak in private.”

“Why, so you can lie to me again?”

I fumbled helplessly for words. I’d expected him to be disappointed, even angry, but not this. My brother was glowering at me like I’d betrayed him in the worst possible way.

“Teller, I’m sorry. It wasn’t safe to bring her back to the palace. I tried, I swear.”

His honey-brown eyes narrowed. “Why are you here, Diem?”

“To convince the Crowns to coronate me so I can come home—and bring her with me.”

“Well, good luck, I guess. Maybe someday I’ll find out from someone else how it went.” He turned to his Descended escorts. “Let’s tour a different building. I’ll see this another day.”

I glanced in panic at Luther, who was staring at my brother with an accusatory kind of frown.

“Is Lily here with you?” he called out.

Teller’s head dipped. “No. She’s in Lumnos.”

I grabbed his arm. “I’ll fix this. I won’t let Remis exile you. As soon as I’m coronated—”

“Remis didn’t exile me. I chose to leave.” He pulled out of my grip. “There was nothing to stay for.”

“Did you just call my sisternothing?” Luther asked sharply.

“No! No, that—that’s not what I meant. Lily is...” His chest sank as pain flickered over his face. “She’s better off. Now she can move on to someone she can spend her whole life with.”

“Oh, Tel,” I breathed sadly. Knowing my brother’s nature, I’d worried the moment might come when he would walk away—not for himself, but for her. I’d hoped to be around to talk him out of it, but I hadn’t been much of a sister to him lately. “Is that what Lily said she wants?”

His listless, heartbroken shrug answered for him. “Sometimes the best way to show your love for someone is by making the hard decision they won’t.”

Luther stilled. “Those are my father’s words. This is his doing, isn’t it? He convinced you to leave.”

“Remis suggested it, but it was my decision.” Teller sighed and turned away. “Do what you came here to do, Diem. Leave me out of it.”

Luther and I shared another look, this one full of mutual rage. “I’m going to murder your father,” I seethed.

“I’ll help,” he grumbled.

I set my jaw and took a deep breath, then stalked to Teller’s side. “I need a moment with my brother,” I barked at his escorts. “Is there somewhere private he and I can speak?”

“I don’t want to talk,” Teller said.

I ignored his protest, arching a brow at the two Descended. “Well? I’m a Crown. Don’t leave me waiting.”

They blanched in unison. “Um... there are offices in the back,” one said, pointing to a row of doors. “But—”

“Perfect.” I grabbed Teller’s arm and hauled him away.

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