Page 394 of Heat of the Everflame

“A necessary evil, Obaneryn,” Doriel answered quietly. “Whatever it takes to protect our people.”

The golden beads adorning his long dreadlocks clinked as he wearily shook his head. His blue-green eyes darkened. “Aye, then. Lumnos has my vote.”

My pulse grew louder in my ears. One vote. I only neededone more vote. If I could at least secure a pardon for my mother to ensure she wouldn’t spend the rest of her life as a fugitive, all this might be worth it in the end.

“Arboros?” I asked, trying to hide the hope in my voice. I offered up a smile, friendly and conspiratorial. A smile that hinted at the dangerous secrets we shared—with just enough edge to remind her that my downfall could easily become hers, too. “Will you vote in my favor?”

She closed her eyes for a long moment. When they opened, she grimaced.

“No, I will not.”

My heart stopped.

“I have made my realm a place where all are welcome. If I make the wrong decision now, many good people may pay the price. I cannot risk that, not even for...” She trailed off, looking stricken.

Not even for you and your mother.

I finally understood why she’d silenced me earlier. She wasn’t trying to distance herself from the Guardians—she was distancing herself fromme. I’d become so contagious an ally, even the simple act of voting with me could bring suspicion on her head.

She was throwing me to the wolves to save her own realm.

“I hope you understand,” she murmured.

I did. I would sacrifice anything to save my people, too—including my sire.

But my hopes were shattering too fast to offer her consolation.

“Faunos?” I croaked out, feeling the hands of fate closing around my neck.

“Sorry, kitten.” She gave a casual shrug, like she wasn’t just sealing my doom. “Can’t have the rebels thinking they can attack my realm and get away with it. Sets a bad precedent.”

All the blood rushed from my head.

I didn’t bother calling Ignios’s name. One look at him, and he roared with spiteful laughter. “Enjoy prison, Lumnos. I’ll sit front row at your execution.”

“I saved your life,” I hissed at him. “My Prince was about to kill you on that beach, and I called him off. I gave you mercy.”

He grinned. “Let that be a lesson. Always take the kill when you get the chance.”

No.

No.

This couldn’t be happening.

There was no one left to vote in my favor. Like an utter fool, I’d bound myself to either kill Ophiucae or lose my magic—and now I’d have to do it with the Crowns and the army coming for my head.

“I’m sorry, Lumnos,” Doriel said, looking not sorry in the least.

I shook my head frantically. “Don’t you all see what you’re doing? You need my help. My mother’s, too. The Guardians will never let you back on this island.” I stared at each of them with pleading eyes. “The Forging spell is going to break down—all your borders are going to disappear.”

Doriel cocked their head. “Yes, well, about that. You see, I have a different—”

“The vote isn’t over yet, Sophos.”

The voice was as warm as the Ignios sands, but the sound of it sent ice through my veins.

Yrselle sauntered into the Umbros arch. “Hello, Diem. Happy to see me?”

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