Page 130 of Lady for Embers

“And why do you think I will be able to get past a spirit animal when none of the rest of you have been able to? With my magic completely drained? When Maliq no longer visits me?”

“We are only going to scout things out, Talwyn. We are not looking to do anything more. Just gather information.”

“And if I refuse?”

Tarek stared back at her, the answer re?ected in his eyes. Refusal wasn’t an option, and there was nothing she could do about it. She could maybe ?ght with weapons, but being this drained made her off balance. Azrael had tried to convince her to train more with drained reserves, but she’d refused, hating the feeling of being so vulnerable. Never believing it would come to this. Just more arrogant foolery.

She nodded in agreement, allowing Tarek to place his hand on her lower back and lead her towards those waiting for them. She’d gather information all right. Once she’d visited the islands, she’d be able to Travel back there herself when her reserves were re?lled. Then she could look for Ashtine.

No one bothered with introductions to Sybil, although Lord Tyndell greeted her politely enough. He always was the most civil of the Maraans. A moment later she was pulled through the air and stepping onto more sand. Cliffs were off to one side, while a thick tangle of trees was to her back. It was hot and muggy, the air so thick she could cut it with a knife.

“We searched that way this morning,” Tarek explained, pointing to the cliffs. “So we’re going into the trees next.”

“Perfect,” she muttered, waving away a swarm of small ?ying insects. “Just perfect.”

Tarek turned, following Sybil towards the trees, and Talwyn began to follow when Nuri appeared at her side.

“Someone’s leash got shortened,” the Contessa mused. She was head-to-toe in her usual black. It had to be sweltering. Talwynwas uncomfortable in the pants and short-sleeved tunic she was wearing.

“And yet here you are, having failed in your own assignments. I would say your leash is just as short,” Talwyn bit back, her boot squelching in something she had no desire to identify.

“Maybe,” Nuri conceded, pushing a low hanging vine out of her way. “Or maybe I have just learned how to play the game.”

Talwyn snorted derisively. “Is that what you call it? You took a Blood Bond to playa game? Maybe this is more than a game to the rest of us.”

In the next breath, Talwyn was shoved hard against the trunk of a tree, the bark digging into her back. There was a dagger at her throat, and a snarl coming from the female who held her there, fangs bared.

“Do not, for one moment, pretend to know my motives in what I do,” Nuri whispered. Her voice was so low and deadly, Talwyn could feel her magic trying to surge up to protect her in response, but it could do nothing. “Do not think you know the sacri?ces I have made to protect others, to make sure things play out as needed. I do not seek some petty, pathetic revenge, you arrogant waste of power. If I had a fraction of what you possess,everythingwould be different. Instead, I have to sit back and watch you squander it away on useless ploys because your feelings were hurt.”

Her lips curled up in a twisted smile at the ?ash of indignation that Talwyn couldn’t keep from her face. “Oh, did I hurt your feelings again, poor little queen? Allow me to dig that knife in a little deeper. You are not the only one who grew up without a mother and father, who was abandoned by those who were supposed to care. You got to do so in a palace. You were handed power and authority on a silver fucking platter. Others grew up on the streets. Some were sold into brothels where they were taught to lie on their backs and spread their legs, that such a thing was the only thing they were good for. Some were taught to kill, others taught to steal. Some had toearnthe respect and fear you were so freely given. No one made sure their bellies were full at night. You did not sleep with your arms curled tightly around your belongings to make sure no one took the few items you possessed.” A harsh laugh came from her. “Oh no, you got the luxury of plotting outrevengeagainst a kingdom of people you know nothing about.”

“I know plenty—” Talwyn started.

Nuri’s bark of maniacal laughter cut her off again. “You knownothing. I think the events of today prove that, don’t you?”

Talwyn felt the side of the dagger dig into her throat, felt the bead of blood swell and begin to run down her skin. Honey-colored eyes met hers, and there was no denying the madness that danced in them. “So tell me,your Majesty, are you ready to get your head out of your ass and play the game? Or will you continue to let your pettiness put the few people left who actually give a damn about you in danger?”

Chapter 26

Scarlett

"Are you ready for this?” Sorin asked her, reaching over to tuck her hair behind her ear. She leaned into his touch, seeking out the comfort of his nearness. Because no, she was not ready for this.

She remembered, all those nights ago, sitting in a bath at his old apartment. She had just woken up after the party at the Pier. Cassius had been there and was going to meet Drake to ?nalize plans for a meeting with Callan.

“Everything’s about to change, isn’t it?”

“Yes, Seastar. Nothing will be the same again.”

And it had. Something new had been revealed nearly every single day after that it seemed, whether she was ready for it or not, and now here she stood, on the precipice of change again. She knew that answers she had sought for years were about to be given to her, and suddenly, she was not sure she wanted them. Suddenly, she understood what Cassius must have been feeling when he was about to meet Hazel. What he had to be feeling at the prospect of meeting his father.

“Scarlett.”

The murmur near her ear pulled her from her thoughts, and she smoothed her hands down the dress she’d changed into. She’d debated for over an hour about what to wear, Sorin patiently and repeatedly telling her to dress in whatever she felt comfortable in. When she’d ?nally snapped at him that she didn’t know what to wear for this occasion and he should just pick something out for her, he’d arched a brow from the sofa he’d been lounging on.

“You are asking me to tell you what to do?”

“No,” she’d said in exasperation. “I am asking you to tell me what to wear for an occasion that is making me uncomfortable and irrational.”

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