Page 7 of Heat of the Everflame

“She’s my mother. Do you really think I will not do whatever it takes to save her?”

A crack of uncertainty broke through her expression. “You’re a Descended. And a Crown. Your kind have never been loyal to ours.”

“I’m part mortal, too. Your kindaremy kind. As for my Crown, I’ll tell you the same thing I told the Descended of Lumnos.” I lifted my chin defiantly. “I intend to be a Queen that works for the good ofallher people, regardless of their blood.”

Her eyes narrowed. “You will not take the mortals’ side, even though you have seen how we are treated?”

“I will do everything in my power to right the wrongs that have been done to the mortals, but I will not stand for violence against innocent people—mortalorDescended.” I shot a glare at Vance, who grunted and rolled his eyes.

Cordelia’s gaze roved slowly over me as she studied me more closely. I understood her prejudice—I had held the very same perception of the Descended mere weeks ago. I believed them all cruel, soulless, and incapable of compassion. I still might, had I not been forced into becoming one of them myself.

Although... something in the way she finished her assessment of me with a subtle nod, some quiet strength and certainty of conviction that glowed behind her deep russet eyes, left me hoping I might have more of an ally in her than I had thought.

“You have a mortal brother, correct?” she asked, and I nodded. “I can have the Lumnos Guardians get him from your realm and bring him here. He’ll be safe with my people.”

For a moment, I genuinely considered it. As a full-blooded mortal, Teller would be welcomed here, even if I wasn’t. And though a rebel camp wasn’t exactly asafeplace to be, neither was the palace, especially with our father’s killer still at large.

But bringing Teller here would mean ending his education—and his relationship with Lily—and if the Descended discovered he was being sheltered by the Guardians, it would put a target on his head I could never remove.

No. Teller had already lost too much. I could not take away what little of his happiness remained. I would have to trust my new Corbois friends to keep him safe.

“Leave him be,” I answered finally. “I have allies there who will watch over him until I return.”

“It may be quite some time,” she warned. “We’ve sent messages to the Crowns, but we may not receive a response for months.”

I stiffened. “I don’t have months. The Descended in my realm were already itching to attack the mortals. If I don’t return soon...” I thought of Aemonn and his appointment as executioner and head of the Royal Guard, and a chill crept over my skin. “I need to get back and stop them before things get worse.”

“My men will take care of things in Lumnos,” Vance interjected.

“No, your men will start a war in Lumnos,” I protested. “Your approach is only going to get people killed.”

“The war has already started,Your Majesty.” He said the title like a curse, spitting on the ground and resting a hand on the hilt of his blade. “Unlike you, we’re not afraid to fight—and die, if we must.”

Cordellia raised a palm to cut me off before I could argue. “You said you would do whatever it takes—well, this is what it takes. Patience. And trust in us to handle our side.”

I swallowed my protest, the taste of it bitter as it stuck in my throat. Too many swords hung precariously over my head. I needed to find Luther and make sure he was unhurt, rescue my mother and get answers from her about who and what I was, and return to Lumnos to take my throne before Remis and his allies could wreak havoc that I couldn’t undo.

For now, I had no choice. I would have to wait and pray that when the blades came tumbling down, I had my own defenses in order.

Chapter

Two

“Were you not listening when I said I agreed to help?”

The angry, neckless man grunted in response, then shoved me further into the trees.

Any hopes I had that my cooperation would earn me better treatment than a prisoner of war had been quickly dispelled when Cordellia ordered a Guardian to “chain her up with the other one”—a description I was equal parts eager and anxious to investigate.

“You could at least remove the shackles,” I grumbled as I struggled to stay on my feet against his harsh jerking and pushing. “I’m not going to run. I gave my word that I would stay.”

“You’re a Descended,” he sneered. “Your word means nothing.”

“Half-Descended. We’re not so different. I was raised mortal. I was treated like scum by them, too.”

“You’re all selfish at heart. It’s in your blood, no upbringing’s gonna change it.”

I abruptly planted my feet, forcing us both to a stop. “You can’t really believe that.”

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