Page 54 of Heat of the Everflame

My jaw tightened. “Yes. We will.”

Chapter

Thirteen

Over the next hours, we gorged ourselves on flaky fish and flame-roasted mushrooms, tucking the eggs away until morning. We laughed as we tossed berries into each other’s mouths across the fire, and Taran was heartbroken to discover I had no survival trick for brewing ale or wine from scratch.

Eventually, the talk turned to more serious matters. I recounted most of what had transpired at the Guardians’ camp, leaving out that I had once been a member myself. When I retold the story of my doomed attempt to sail home, Taran was practically rolling with laughter. Even Alixe struggled to contain her amusement at my misfortune. But Luther’s expression was serene, almost reverent, and when I’d finished, he stared for a long time at the sky, murmuring words too softly for anyone to hear.

They were stunned to learn the rebels had taken the island. An official statement from the Crowns had declared the attack a “failed attempt” and claimed the Guardians involved were imprisoned or dead.

No one knew of the Arboros Queen’s fate—nor, for that matter, had many known of mine. Other than the Crowns, asfar as anyone in Lumnos had been told, I was safe at home, recovering from the bedlam of my coronation.

Despite the claims of failure, rebel cells had been bolstered by the invasion on Coeurîle. Violence had increased dramatically in nearly every realm. When I shared the rumor of a powerful Descended helping the rebels in the north, Taran and Alixe had looked startled and a little betrayed. It hurt my heart to wonder what they might think if they knew a powerful Descended Queen had helped the rebels in their own realm.

“What of Lumnos?” I asked finally. “How are things at home?”

“Largely unchanged,” Alixe said. “Your show of force at the Challenging scared everyone enough to not risk provoking your temper. The Twenty Houses are operating as they did under Ulther’s reign but pushing it no further.”

“I heard the army sent soldiers to Lumnos. Did Remis request them?”

She and Luther exchanged a tense glance.

“Fortos has sent troops to every realm,” Alixe answered slowly. “They say it’s to discourage further violence.”

The group fell silent.

“But?” I pushed.

“Butthose two think Remis is up to something,” Taran cut in.

My eyes went straight to Luther. “What do you suspect?”

He exhaled deeply. “I don’t know. He’s not keeping any of us informed of his decisions anymore.” Muscles ticked along his jaw. “But I don’t like it.”

“The number of soldiers sent to Lumnos is high compared to the other realms,” Alixe added. “Very high.”

“Too high,” Luther muttered.

“Can’t Eleanor overrule him?” I asked. The night after the Challenging, I’d chosen Eleanor—my first Corbois friend and myadvisor on matters of court—to replace Remis as my Regent, giving her the authority to rule as Queen in my absence.

“He said he will not honor your decision until he hears it from you himself,” Alixe said.

I swore beneath my breath. I’d kept the news from Remis, fearing he might do something rash to interrupt my coronation. Little did I know the Guardians would beat him to it.

“What of Aemonn?” I asked. “He has Remis’s ear—has he said anything?”

Taran spat on the ground. “Nothing that rat says is worth hearing. All he’s good for is worm food.”

I shot him a stern look. “He’s your brother.”

“I don’t care. He can rot.”

“What happened with you two? I have a brother too, I know siblings can fight sometimes, but—”

“Aemonn is not Teller. You insult your brother by even mentioning them in the same sentence. Aemonn is exactly like my father, and we’d all be better off if they were both burning on a pyre.”

“Taran,” I scolded.

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