Her smile widens. “No, but she must be wise if I remind you of her.”
Ugh. As much as I want to argue, I can’t. And as much as I fear facing Eraldon and falling back under his thrall, I know Grimelda is right. Ishouldbe the one to face him, to destroy him. I know him better than any other creature on Arin because he’s still inside me, hidden in a dark corner and waiting for his chance to take me right back to that cold crypt where he turned me. That thought frightens me more than anything. Being under his control—I can’t do it again. Ican’t.
“Then don’t make this promise.” Solano gently takes my elbow. “We have to go. We’ve gotten word the border is already under attack.”
Grimelda puts her tea back down with a wince, then holds both her hands out to me. “Promise me this,darkindle. Avenge my mother. You are the only one who can.” She glances down at her wasted body, so small and thin beneath her blanket.
Before I let Solano talk me out of it, I grasp her hands. “I promise.” The magic snakes around us, binding our words tightly before dissipating.
She nods with approval. “This is the path. Your path. Now tread quickly or all is lost.” Settling back against her pillow, she starts to snore even though her eyes are still open.
“Do I do that too?” Horrified, I turn to Solano. “Sleep with my eyes open like other witches?”
Caltinius chokes on a laugh.
“What am I going to do with you?” He pulls me to him, his mouth claiming mine as I feel every bit of his worry for me. “I wish you hadn’t made that deal.”
“I wish a lot of things. But Grimelda is right. Eraldon will haunt me forever if I don’t avenge Lex.”
“But who will avenge you, my queen?” He breaks our kiss and cups my cheek.
I smile, my fangs lengthening. “I’ll avenge myself.”
38
Solano
“Ifeel like I should go with you.” Eloisa Druzy hugs Emma fiercely.
“Ouch. Wings, Mama. Wings.”
She pulls her hands back and wraps them around her waist, squeezing Emma even tighter. “What if you pull a stitch? You’ll need me.”
“Seams aren’t really high on my priority list right now.” Emma hugs her back, and I don’t miss the way she subtly sniffs her hair.
“She still smells like smoke from our night realm hearth, all right?”
“I’m not judging you for smelling your mother.” I smirk at her while Brock yanks at the leathers of my armor.
“And I’m not judging you for needing help to get dressed,” she snarks right back.
I want to drag her back into the Shard and push her up against the wall, making her mine and taming her sassy tongue. Instead, I turn to my horse and check my weapons.
“Are you sure I left enough room for your wings?” Her mother inspects the leather she’d worked into Emma’s tunic and trousers. A flexible, light armor that molds to Emma’s form and offers a surprising amount of protection.
“It’s fine, Mama. Really. See?” She flaps her wings and floats into the air for a moment, spooking Tristano’s horse.
Charen laughs as the horse rears and Tristano scrambles to hang on.
Emma lands on her feet. “Sorry,” she calls.
“I’m all good.” Tristano soothes his horse once all four hooves are back onto the cobblestones. “Except for my pride,” he grumbles under his breath.
“Just come back to me. That’s all I want. You back here. And maybe also some fancy quarters in the palace?” Eloisa smiles slyly up at her daughter, the resemblance so clear and striking. That’s where Emma gets her spirit from, that fire inside her that never went out, and I hope never will.
“Maybe several vacations back home once this whole war business is sorted out?” Eloisa nods. “Yes, that would be grand. Also, if I could get fabrics from—”
“You’re pushing it.” Emma steps back.
