Page 177 of Burn of the Everflame

“It wasn’t a request,” Vance clipped. “Set a good example to Brother Henri here, and don’t question orders.”

I bristled. That wasn’t how Auralie had run things. She always said anyone was free to question a plan or say no to any mission. That’s why the Guardians had grown so large under her leadership.

But Auralie wasn’t here.

Francis shot me a long look, then shook his head. “You all, come with me,” he mumbled, gesturing to the back half of the pack, who split off and followed him into the trees.

The path opened up to a grassy field with a small cottage not far from the water’s edge. For as long as I could remember, this place had been my second home. I’d made thousands of happy memories here. Andrei Bellator was in the background of many—shouting feedback as Diem and I sparred, fishing from the shore while we swam, scolding us when we got caught sneaking sips from his whiskey. He’d never really warmed to me—and frankly, neither had I to him, given his loyalty to the Crowns—but he’d always been kind.

“Halt,” a Descended guard yelled from the front door. He held up a hand, and a shimmering wall formed to block our path. “Who are you?”

Vance elbowed me forward. “Henri Albanon,” I called out. “I’m here to see Andrei Bellator.”

“And the rest of you?”

“Friends of the family,” Vance chimed in.

“He’s not expecting you.” The Descended’s condescending sneer as he looked us over took me right back to last night in the palace, when Diem’s guards had treated me like I was shit on their boot. My temper boiled at the reminder.

“It’s a surprise,” I gritted out.

The Descended narrowed his eyes.

Vance let out a hearty laugh and slapped me on the shoulder. “What Henri means is that we’ve come to congratulate our dear friend Andrei on his daughter’s betrothal.”

“Her Majesty isn’t betrothed,” the guard said.

“Yes, she is,” I said. “To me.”

He visibly recoiled. “You? A mortal?” He looked around at the other guards scattered over the clearing, who shared the same disgusted look.

Was this how they all would react? Maybe that was the real reason Diem uninvited me from her ball. She was ashamed of me. She wanted these worthless Descended scum to respect her, and with me on her arm, they never would.

Well, I was no one’s shameful secret.

“That’s right, I’m going to be your King.” I slammed my fist on the glittering shield. “So do as you’re told and let me in that house.”

The front door cracked open, and a head popped out. “What’s going on out h—Henri, is that you?”

“Andrei,” Vance called out. “Just the man we’ve come to see.”

Andrei’s gaze drifted over our group, then Vance, then me. I fought an urge to shrink away like I was doing something wrong. I’d always felt that way around Diem’s father, like he could see right through every scheme and half-truth. Only with Diem did he seem to look the other way.

I used to think she was his weak spot out of fondness. Now I wondered if he knew somehow she’d become a Crown, and he was submitting to her just like he knelt to all the others.

My fists balled tighter. “This guard won’t let us through. I thought they were supposed to protect you, not decide who you can and can’t see.”

Andrei slipped outside and exchanged words with the guard. The longer they talked, the angrier I got. What was there to discuss? Since when did I need permission to enter the Bellator home?

Finally, Andrei beckoned us forward. The guard beside him leveled us with a nasty glare before lowering his shield. As we filed in the house, I heard Andrei thank him for his vigilance, offering to bring out a tray of hot tea once we left.

Foolish old man, I thought bitterly. If your daughter wasn’t Queen, these guards would kill you without a second thought.

“That’s enough,” Andrei said when half of our group had packed inside. “The rest of you can wait out here.”

To my surprise, no one objected. The others made themselves at home on the porch, sprawling out on the stairs or leaning against the railings. The guard raised a shield around himself, and one of the Guardians snorted.

“Look, boys, this Descended is scared of us. He’s shakin’ in his fancy boots. Guess their magic ain’t as strong as they want us to think.” He nudged the Guardian next to him. “Good to know, eh?”