Page 254 of Lady for Embers

She muttered something in acknowledgment, and a moment later, she felt a light kiss pressed to her temple before Sorin was leaning on the railing beside her. “We did the right thing,” he said.

“I know,” she replied. “But knowing that does not make me feel like any less of a terrible friend, especially after everything he has gone through as of late.”

“Give him some time. He is a rational man,” Sorin said, shifting so he was leaning back on his elbows to see her better.

“He and Tava slept together.”

“Okay...”

“They have never slept together before, Sorin,” she said, turning her head to ?nally meet his stare. “Tava has never been intimate with anyone. They are together, and I sent the woman he loves into danger. He has every right to be upset with me.”

“Drake is a king as much as Callan is, Scarlett,” he said gently. “We have to respect his choices and decisions as much as we respect Callan’s, and Tava has a right to make her own choices as well.”

“Again, that does not make me feel like any less of a terrible friend.”

“To Callan maybe, but to Drake and Tava, you are a wonderful friend by respecting their wishes. To Briar, you are an extraordinary friend and queen.” He reached over, tugging her to him. “A wise queen once said it is the burden of a ruler to make the hard calls.”

“She sounds pretentious,” Scarlett grumbled.

A half smile tugged at his lips. “She is anything but.”

His mouth met hers for far too brief a moment, and she sighed when he pulled back. “Are they here?”

Sorin nodded, tucking her hair behind her ear. “All the way through the darkness, Scarlett.”

“I love you too,” she murmured, stepping from his arms.

They stepped off the balcony and moved into the sitting room where Cassius and Eliza were waiting for them. The former was paler than normal with dark circles under his eyes. Scarlett knew Cassius hadn’t slept since learning Cyrus had been taken by Alaric in the Southern Islands. What they were about to do would not make things any better. Callan hated her for taking Tava back to their continent, but she could live with that knowing Tava had truly wanted this. But what Cassius was about to do? She would never forgive herself, even if there were no other options anymore.

Sorin took a seat on the sofa while Scarlett went to where ­Cassius stood, staring into the unlit hearth. She reached out, gently touching his arm. “Cassius?” He turned to look at her, and the haunted look in his eye broke her heart. “We are going to get him back, Cass,” she whispered hoarsely.

“That doesn’t change this though, does it?”

“No,” she answered quietly. “No, it doesn’t.”

“Someone needs to ?ll me in on what is going on,” Eliza said from the armchair she was perched in. She was nearly back to perfect health. The dagger Sybil had stabbed her with had been shirastone, so it had taken longer than a regular wound to heal, but Niara was as skilled as Beatrix. If anything, it took longer because Eliza wouldn’t stay in godsdamn bed.

“Tonight when Scarlett draws from me, it will be the last time I will be able to ?ll her reserves,” Sorin said.

“What?” Eliza started, sitting forward in her chair. “Already?”

“If she didn’t ?ll them completely, I could last a little longer,” Sorin said. “But if she is going to see Alaric, they need to be full.”

“And then what?” Eliza asked.

“And then I will be drawing from Cassius when the Guardian Bond senses I need it,” Scarlett said. She glanced back at Cass before she added, “Which means Cassius needs to take a Source.”

“I thought Cyrus was going to do that,” Eliza said.

Scarlett winced. “He was. But he is not here, and it cannot wait. Not with everything going on. We are out of time.”

“Then who is it going to be?”

“That is why you are here, Eliza,” Sorin said. He was leaning forward, elbows resting on his knees, hands clasped in front of him.“You are now the most powerful Fire Fae. Cassius will need a powerful Source.”

“You want me to be his Source?” Eliza asked, something in her face turning to dread.

“It is your choice, of course,” Scarlett said quickly. “We would never force you to do this, Eliza. You just seemed like the best choice now that... Well, you just seemed like the best choice.”

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