Page 141 of Lady for Embers

“I cannot answer that without seeing family records,” Cethin said. “But I would guess not.”

“Why?” Scarlett asked.

“Because I can feel his power wells.”

Sorin tensed when Scarlett whirled to face him.

Are they depleted?

More each day. You know this, Scarlett.

Her lips pursed, arms crossing.We need to talk to someone, anyone, about this. Why were you sparring with me?

Because you needed it, and I will always give you what you need when it is in my power to do so. We can try Beatrix again. We really should speak with her anyway.

“Do they do this often?” Kailia asked, and Sorin’s eyes cut to her.

“Yes,” Luan answered. “It is annoying and rude.”

“Would you like us to create that super secret handshake, Azzy?” Scarlett asked sweetly. “Would it make you feel better?”

“Insufferable,” he grumbled.

“I think what we all need is some time to... ” Cethin sighed, raking his hand through his hair again. “Fuck. I do not know what we need to do right now.”

“So... day-drinking then?” Scarlett asked. Hale barked a laugh, covering it with a cough.

“We are not going to day-drink,” Sorin sighed.

“Stab things?” Kailia offered.

“No,” Cethin said quickly, and Razik snickered. “Let’s all just go separate ways and regroup after all the unexpected turns of the morning.”

Scarlett sighed deeply as everyone began to disperse. “Let’s get cleaned up and go into Aimonway. There was a sweets shop on one of the corners.”

“You want to go buy candy?” Sorin asked.

“Well, day drinking and stabbing things are off the table, so I guess candy and chocolate it is,” she replied.

Sorin suppressed his laugh, knowing it would likely earn him more violence. His arm fell around her shoulders, and he dropped a kiss to the top of her head. “Candy and chocolate it is,” he agreed.

“Is someone feeling homesick?” Sorin turned and went rigid.

He was on the banks of the Tana River, north of the Fire Palace. He’d walked here with Scarlett on numerous occasions. Had watched her wrestle with her darkness here. This was where she had asked him not to let her drown.

How ironic that now he stood here and looked upon Mikale Lairwood holding her, back pressed to his chest, hand around her throat. Her eyes were wide and pleading, shining with apology.

“It is funny,” Mikale said, dragging the tip of his nose along Scarlett’s temple. “I have never been able to enter your dreams. I have tried. Numerous times. But not until this bond of yours was Anointed.” His other hand dropped, his?ngersdragging over the twin ?ame Mark on Scarlett’s hand. “But I have been practicing bringing someone from their dreams into another’s for just this occasion.”

Sorin raised a hand, summoning his?re, but nothing came.

Mikale laughed, a low and ugly thing. “I control things here, Fire Prince.” His hand came up, and this time his ?ngers skimmed along her collarbone, between the valley of her breasts, down her torso where his hand splayed across her stomach.

“You know, I could not enter her dreams for quite some time either. Even before I was told what she truly was, I tried. It was why I needed her that night.” He smirked, ?ngers?exing around her throat, and he shrugged. “Part of the reason anyway. That night gave me a connection, even if it was only a physical joining. It gave me a way in.”

“You forced her—”

“She was given a choice,” Mikale cut in. “She chose the outcome of that night.” Two tears were slipping down Scarlett’s face, and Sorin had never felt more helpless.

---