Page 145 of Burn of the Everflame

“Her Majesty repealed the unjust laws. She gave the mortals a voice in running the realm. She gave them equal rank and equal pay in the army. She is doing everything she can to bring us together as one people, one continent.” My voice grew louder, angrier, building to a roar. “She took on the Crowns to save the Guardians, and it nearly destroyed her. She fights and she sacrifices every gods-damned day, and you push back on her every fucking step of the way.”

The woman stubbornly crossed her arms. “We’re here, aren’t we? We’re fighting her war. I lost friends in that Fortos attack.”

“So did we,” said the Byrnum recruit.

The two women shared a tense look, then they both fell quiet.

I pointed across the grounds to the other camps. “Everyone here wants the same thing: a safe home and a future with the person—people we love.” I rubbed at my aching, incomplete heart. “We’ll never get that if we keep fighting each other.”

I turned my focus back to the recruits. Much as I wanted to shred them for their lack of self-control, I was proud of the way they’d united in Teller’s defense. They’d fought with no regard for Houses or bloodkind, united only by their oath to their Queen.

That, I could not punish.

“Tend to your wounds. We’ll resume training tomorrow.”

I returned to the palace, where Teller was waiting outside on the stairs. His face was still smeared with blood, and a purple bruise had bloomed on his cheek. He was scowling at the ground while an enraged Taran growled in his face.

“Just give me a name,” Taran demanded. “I’ll turn their teeth into a necklace.”

“Teller handled it on his own,” I said, walking up.

Taran cut me a bitter glance. “Stay out of it. This is family business.”

It was a low blow.

A cruel blow, especially from him.

Taran’s easygoing charm was a ruse. His need for loyalty was uncompromising, and it turned nasty when betrayed. It was a side of him I’d seen too often, though rarely directed at me.

“It’s Royal Guard business,” I said.

“Even more reason for you to go away. Teller and I are in the Guard. You quit.”

“I’m training the recruits. That puts him under my command.”

“What a surprise. You, ordering everyone around, even without a title.”

My jaw clenched. “If you don’t like it, take it up with the High General when she returns from Faunos.”

He swerved toward me, chest puffed. “Maybe I will. And maybe I’ll have a little talk with Her Majesty, too.”

“Can I go now?” Teller muttered.

“Her Majesty has enough to deal with,” I snapped. “Keep your petty issues to yourself.”

“Petty?” His face turned a furious red. “Petty?”

A soft gasp rang out as Lily emerged from the palace doors. She ran to Teller’s side, gawking at his blood-streaked face. “Blessed Kindred, what happened?”

Teller straightened. “Nothing. I’m fine.”

“You don’t look fine.” She gingerly touched his swelling cheek. He looked like he was fighting to keep from leaning into her hand. Blessed Kindred, I recognized that struggle.

“Lily, why don’t you use your healer training to check on Teller’s wounds?” I suggested.

Teller frowned. “I don’t need⁠—”

“He took a hard blow to the head,” I interrupted. “He needs observation. Take him somewhere private, and sit with him for a few hours. Keep him talking.”