Page 220 of Lady for Embers

“But to you,” Razik continued, “I am a messenger of my ­princess.”

“Your princess?” she repeated, her chin still de?antly raised, despite the meekness of her voice.

“I believe you know her better as Queen Scarlett Aditya, but I know her as the sister of my king,” Razik replied. “And she is waiting for you.”

Chapter 42

Scarlett

She’d spent the entire day waiting to hear from Cyrus. They’d left immediately after she’d told them to go get Talwyn. Then she’d had to spend every moment since pretending like she hadn’t let them go on a mission to collect the Fae Queen. Granted, they’d slept for much of that time after the ball since it had lasted until nearly sunrise. Sleep hadn’t come easily though, her thoughts ?lled with the vengeance she was ?nally going to claim.

She was certain Razik had told Cethin where they were going, but her brother hadn’t said anything about it to her. Cethin had trained her as usual, Kailia and Sorin watching on. He’d gone easier on her in training and had told her to be sure and re?ll her reserves fully when they were done.

She hadn’t told Sorin. He had assumed Cyrus, Cass, and Razik had all slept in and then went to train in the Nightmist Mountain arena. She hadn’t bothered to tell him otherwise. She was done talking about this. If roles were reversed, Sorin would have already hunted down the person who had attempted to take her life. For as much grief as she gave him about being an overprotective pain in her ass, she was the same. It didn’t matter if it was the bond, being Avonleyan, or simply her demeanor.

Talwyn had come after what was hers, had killed her twin ?ame. The only acceptable penance for that was death.

Scarlett dreamed of it being slow and drawn out over days, but she knew that would not be how this played out. Talwyn would not see another day because the moment Sorin learned she was here, he would try to interfere. But Talwyn was thereason they were in this mess. She had handed the Courts over to Alaric. She had sent Sorin beyond the Veil, was the reason he was soon to be without his fire magic. She may not be the source of all their problems, but a good number of them could be traced back to her.

Cyrus had ?nally sent her a ?re message a few minutes ago when they’d crossed the Wards back into Avonleya. Razik had taken them to some barren place south of Aimonway until she was ready for her. And now she was standing in the center of the training arena waiting for them. It seemed right, that Talwyn would die on Avonleyan soil. The kingdom she sought revenge against would be the last place she ever saw.

The last thing she would ever see, however, would be Scarlett’s face as she watched the life leave her eyes.

Scarlett’s lips turned up in a wicked smile at the thought. Her shadows jumped under her skin, and she let them out. She had been trying to save every drop of magic for Talwyn, but her power was as anxious for this as she was. Its counterpart was being taken from it. Not just its source of power, but the answer to its songs. Sorin’s ?ames fed her star?re and shadows as much as he fed her soul.

The shadows twisted into two panthers that prowled impatiently around her, soft growls and snarls echoing to her in the arena. Rayner appeared a moment later. Cyrus must have sent him a message too. His swirling eyes met hers, and he nodded once before moving to the stone wall and leaning against it.

Razik arrived next, Eliza with him. He must have gone to collect the Fire General. The Fire Court assembling to watch justice be delivered on the one who had come for their Prince. Scarlett had brie?y considered offering to let them in on this revenge, but had dismissed the notion just as quickly. Talwyn’s death had been hers from the moment her power had slammed into Sorin’s chest. From the moment she had watched his eyes slowly go to her.

Had watched him try to ?ght his way to her.

Had watched him stagger before dropping to his knees.

I would still choose to stay in the darkness.

She closed her eyes, breathing deep to shove down the memories, but then stopped. There would be no more shoving them down. She let them wash over her, play on repeat in her mind. Feed her wrath.

Sorin trying to ?ght his way to her. A bolt of energy hitting his chest.

Him staggering before dropping to his knees. His golden eyes ?nding hers, slowly dimming.

Him lying on the beach while she curled over him. Sobbing into his ripped and bloodstained tunic.

His unmoving chest.

No heartbeat sounding beneath her ear.

Her twin ?ame Mark slowly fading from her hand.

I would still choose to stay in the darkness.

When she opened her eyes, she saw red.

Cyrus and Cassius were before her, and between them was Talwyn. It took every shred of self-control Scarlett possessed not to launch herself at the female.

Cyrus shoved Talwyn forward, and she fell to her knees at Scarlett’s feet, exactly as he’d promised.

Scarlett stared down at her. Her braid was barely holding together, large sections of hair having come free. They hung limp and tangled around her face. She wore her usual brown pants, and her white tunic was stained with dirt and grime. She smelled terrible, as if she hadn’t bathed in days, and the dark circles under her dull jade green eyes made Scarlett wonder when she’d slept last.

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