Page 151 of Burn of the Everflame

And I wanted to tell her. Before she’d been my lover, before she’d even been my Queen, she had become the one person I could be myself with. As much as I missed touching her, kissing her, fucking her, loving her—it was her friendship I missed most.

But right now, I was not the friend she needed.

As we entered the camp, she aimed for her tent, and I slid a palm to her back and nudged her down a different path. She threw me a suspicious look, and I forced myself to withdraw my hand and flash a reassuring smile.

“Diem Bellator,” a voice called out. “What kind of trouble are you gonna get me in now?”

Diem’s head turned to the source of the voice, and a bright smile dawned across her face. “Brecke?”

She took off running toward a man with a thick beard and crinkling eyes outside a nearby tent. He looked surprised, but pleased, when she bowled into him, threw her arms around his neck, and laughed.

She laughed. A real, true laugh. No hint of bitterness, simply genuine joy.

Gods, the sound of it . . . after thinking I’d never hear it again . . .

I rubbed at my chest, feeling like my heart was on fire.

“You’re safe,” she said excitedly as she pulled back. “When I didn’t see you with the rebels, I feared the worst.”

“After I left Arboros, I took a stop on my way up north to visit some friends,” he said. “By the time I made it to Montios, the Guardian camp was gone. Then I stumbled on Vance. Never thought I’d see the day he worked with a Descen—hold on, did I hear right? That big glowing guy is your father?” Diem grimaced, and he barked a laugh. “By the Flames, woman, you never stop with the surprises.”

“Believe me, it was a surprise for me, too. Wait”—she gripped his arm—“does this mean you know where they are?”

“’Fraid not. I didn’t stick around long.” His grin gave way to something more troubled. “After the first attack, I knew it wasn’t for me. The way they carved those people up. And the children . . .”

Her eyes went wide. “Are they still alive?”

“Wish I knew. Ophiucae sent them away with some women. Mortals—other Guardians, I think. He wouldn’t tell us where they went, not even Vance.” He shook his head. “I’m no fan of Descended, but what they’re doing up there . . . it’s not right. Your mother would never let the Guardians do anything like that.”

“Indeed,” I murmured.

His eyes shot to me. “You must be Luther. I’ve heard lots about you.” The clip of his voice suggested little, if any, had been good.

“Brecke’s an old friend,” Diem explained to me. “He helped me escape when the Guardians were holding me hostage in Arboros.” She turned to him. “Brecke, this is Luther Corbois, my⁠—”

Her abrupt silence went on a little too long, and Brecke arched a curious brow.

“Her advisor,” I finished. I extended a hand. “Welcome to Lumnos, Brecke.”

Stone-faced, he stared at my waiting hand, then at me. He turned to Diem and smirked. “Look at us. First rebels, then fugitives. Now you’re the Flamin’ Queen. Guess I have a thing for serving Bellator women.”

“You’re joining my army?” she asked.

He nodded. “After I left Montios, I heard some crazy lady claimed to have all the Crowns. I sent Albanon a hawk to see if it was true. He told me to get my ass to Lumnos. Said you were doing something special here, and we needed to help.”

Diem’s face softened. “Henri said that?”

Brecke pointed his chin to the north edge of camp. “Ask him yourself.”

Her breath hitched as she turned to see Henri sitting on a log on the camp’s outer perimeter. Lana was perched on his lap, and they were talking with faces close, his hand pressed to her belly.

“You know,” Brecke said, sidling close to Diem and throwing an arm across her shoulder, “Lana seems like a very nice girl, but I bet all my finest blades that if you offered to take him back, Henri would⁠—”

All the strength in Emarion couldn’t have stopped the feral growl that tore out of my throat.

Brecke chuckled quietly. “Ah. I see. Albanon’s been replaced, too.”

Diem’s good mood vanished. She ducked out from Brecke’s arm and stiffly stepped away. “I’m glad you’re here, Brecke. We could use your bladesmith expertise.” She paused. “Any chance you can craft armor, too?”