“More than I ever wished to have, I assure you.”
“How is it you even have such a name, if the Council isn’t aware you exist?”
Lunara had the insane urge to laugh—so contrary to what she was really feeling. “I was not yet of age when?—”
No. He’s asked enough of you already. He doesn’t need that insight as well.
True. Her agony made no difference to him. She could keep that one thing for herself.
“My parents never announced it. Cordelia thought it should be my choice, when I was ready.”
Half truths mixed with lies, but she didn’t care.
Unfortunately, he picked up enough of the true portion. “Cordeliathe Firebane?”
Piss and damn and shitting stars.
“Interesting, that you would view the Elder Council with such contempt, but have tenderness in your eyes when speaking about one of them individually.”
She really did need to learn how to keep her mouth shut when it mattered. Andtendernesswas an overstatement.
“There are exceptions to every rule, Your Highness,” she ground through her teeth.
He chuckled at that. “Why should you not be one of them?”
“I’m trying. Hence the hiding.”
Lyriat nodded, then drew himself up straighter. “I would have your name, Sorcerit.” When she didn’t answer, he murmured, “Speaking it will not summon them. They’re not hiding in the shadows waiting for you to say it. They aren’t here.”
Lunara deflated somewhat. She was beginning to understand that he, as a person, was ever a voice of reason. Level-headed to his core. Something of a comfort, if she was honest.
“First, I would have your promise as the Demon King of Straelon that it will never be repeated. It can be my payment, if you wish.”
“How about my promise as a friend?”
She threw her hands up. “You Demons and Wolflords and your insistence on friendship.”
He just stared and smirked, waiting.
Defeated, she uttered a name that hadn’t left her lips in over fifty years. “Lunara the Moonweaver.”
She sounded like an ill-tempered brat, but it was as good as he was getting.
“It is my honor to make your acquaintance, Lunara the Moonweaver.” Lyriat sketched a shallow bow. “Now, about your payment. I would add to my debt before I settle it.”
Lunara didn’t have the strength to stand anymore. Everything that had happened, the aches and pains, caught up with her.
“How so?” she asked, hissing as she plopped down too hard on one of the chairs.
Lyriat swiped the goblet of blood from the tray and handed it to her, a knowing look on his face. “I want you to go to Thodelebor with the rest of them.”
She paused with the cup halfway to her face, then went ahead and loosed that hysterical laughter from before. “And if I say no?”
“Then I will be disappointed.”
Lunara considered the king. It seemed to honestly be that simple for him, but she didn’t trust it. “You won’t blackmail me into agreeing?” This was possibly the most ridiculous quarter hour of her life, and she fought to control her giggles. “You won’t go running straight to Nachthelliae, to tattle on me to the Council?”
He looked genuinely disgusted at the suggestion. “What sort of friends have youhad?”
