Page 26 of Flight of Fate

“How does one choose immortality?”I know the question is in vain because, if immortality was something one could simply decide for, people would have done it. Erina would have been the first to find a way of immortalizing himself and his rule.

Myron shakes his head. “I wish I knew.”

He almost leaps off the sofa when Kaira sits up in her chair, brown eyes bright with excitement. Before Myron can hurl the silver power swirling at his fingertips at her, the Flame says with conviction, “You stupid, stupid bird.” Before I can caw my upset, she rolls on, “Solstice night is coming in six weeks. You need to perform the ritual.”

“Ritual?” Myron beats me to it, but he’s not the only one. Herinor is standing on the threshold to his room, studying the dying silver sparks hovering above his king’s open palm like splinters of stars suspended mid-air.

Kaira rolls her eyes. “You know eavesdropping isn’t an attractive trait.”

Shoving his golden hair out of his face, Herinor prowls closer, bracing his hands on the back of Kaira’s chair and peeringdown at her with light green, amused eyes. “Who says I want to be attractive?”

Kaira opens her mouth to object then closes it when she realizes there isn’t a thing she could say that wouldn’t make this situation more awkward than it already is. Trust Herinor to find the one thing that can unnerve the usually so solid Flame.

When nothing leaves Kaira’s mouth, Myron repeats, “What ritual are we talking about, and how does it apply to … our situation?” He must have shielded the conversation because Herinor doesn’t seem to have a clue of the significance of truths that were spoken in this room mere moments ago.

“Do you trust Herinor enough to include him in this?”Kaira asks both Myron and me in our minds, her expression remaining that slightly unsettled one with her eyes still locked on the tall, hovering male.

Myron dips his chin and drops the shield. “I trust him enough not to run to Ephegos with the news,” he responds, gaze like steel cutting at Herinor while I am pondering what the point of telling Herinor anything is when he’s bound to keep whatever may help me to himself.

“Promise you won’t shed a word of what is spoken in this room to anyone outside this court,”I demand from the Crow who still struggles to grow into his place in our midst—a traitor, yet a friend.

Herinor’s fingers curl into the silvery upholstery of the chair right above Kaira’s head, but he nods, face solemn.

It’s not enough for me.“I need you to speak the words.”Because I don’t know how exactly those fae promises work, and I need this to stay between us, not transgressing the borders of our circle of trust, even under duress.

Herinor lowers his head in a bow. “I promise not to share our secrets with anyone outside this court.”

“Who does this court include,” Myron demands, a test, perhaps, to find any loopholes Herinor might create for himself.

With two slow strides, Herinor steps around the chair, a dark woolen shirt stretching taut over his bicep and chest as he places a fist over his heart, lowering himself to one knee. “This court, my king, is whoeveryoudeem worthy, and I’m still hoping that I’ll have a place here when all this is over.”

I’ve never seen him so reverent, so sincere as when he holds Myron’s gaze, willing each last word to sink in.

Myron merely extends a hand to me, and instincts command me to take the hint and flutter to perch on his wrist. “It’s not up to me alone who is part of this court, Herinor.” His gaze lands on me, a silent invitation for me to define who is in and who is not.

“Royad, Silas, and Kaira.”My list is short, but I mean every last one of them. From the corner of my eye, I notice moisture collecting on my sister’s lashes, but my gaze lingers on Herinor, who holds his breath.“Whether or not you are part of this court depends entirely on you and your actions. You’ve aided your king, have secured his freedom, and are willing to support him. As long as you don’t intend to betray us, I’ll consider you a part of this court. But unless you find a way to break free of your bargain with Ephegos, your intentions can be noble, and you could still do us harm at his bidding.”

My demand isn’t fair, but was it fair when Herinor left me behind in the dungeon at Ephegos’s mercy? Was it fair when he stood guard as I was paraded around Erina’s court? Was it fair when he marched me back to my rooms when I tried to escape?

The male doesn’t object, head bowing low. “I promise I’ll keep your secrets, my queen. I promise I will prove myself worthy of this court.”

Pride shines in Myron’s eyes as our gazes meet for a brief moment, and he nods his approval. I know it then that he meantevery last word when he said I was his equal. That I could rule the court in his stead, not as a consort but as their queen.

Something dark and powerful I have no name for coils in my veins, humming and flexing as it comes to life.

For a heartbeat, the warmth of Myron’s power envelops me like an embrace; then he turns back to Herinor, the steel of a merciless ruler in his eyes. “I’m glad you’re choosing this side of the line, Herinor, because if you betray us, Ephegos will be the least of your problems.”

At his words, ice replaces the new sensation in my blood, and I need to remind myself to breathe as the weight of his threat falls over the room like a promise of its own. Without missing a beat, Myron turns to my sister, his expression clearly demanding answers. “Tell me about the ritual.”

Sixteen

Myron

Ayna’s crowsprawling on a light blue pillow in deep sleep is a sight I need to get used to, but it’s better than the nights she kept following me to the temple. At least, here I know she’s safe.

That she agreed to join me when I went to sleep last night is something I can only convince myself is real because I haven’t closed my eyes. I can’t help the sense of protectiveness rising within me at the sight of her small feathered form sprawled on the soft pillow next to mine, chest rising and falling evenly with deep sleep.

After she shared that we will both die when her natural lifespan as a bird is over, I have a quarrel to settle with the gods. Staying calm and giving her the impression it was all right if that happened nearly took all my self-restraint, and it’s not even about my life ending so soon. I’ve had enough centuries of suffering and those few blessed months with her to go quietly. But that Shaelak is taking awayherlife… Even as a human, she’d have had more time. More years to see the world, to taste her freedom, to enjoy herself. And now this war will likely be the end of her because, in her bird form, she won’t last a day in battle.

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