Page 189 of Burn of the Everflame

Her attention shifted to her brother, who was standing among the troops. After a tense discussion about Vance’s involvement in their father’s murder, Teller had insisted on joining the battle. It was a tremendously bad idea, but Diem couldn’t deny him the chance at revenge she so badly wanted herself.

Through the past week, I’d awoken in the night to find her sitting up, eyes open and vacant as she replayed the memory of Andrei’s murder in her head. Each time, I would watch until she returned with a jolt, then pull her close and hold her as tears streamed down her cheeks. She gave me her word that she was not doing it to punish herself, but to memorize the faces of every man there so she would recognize them if she saw them in battle.

I let go of her hand and grazed mine up her back. My fingers dipped below the collar of her fighting leathers and gently massaged her warm, tension-knotted skin.

Something stirred inside me as her eyes briefly closed and a bit of her sharpness softened. I’d always felt drawn to protect her, but ever since Sophos, that urge had become a need. I doubted there was anything I wouldn’t do to bring her gauntlet to an end.

If only I could figure out how.

“Should we get them a tent?” Taran teased from behind us.

“Leave them alone,” Zalaric scolded, whipping a tendril of pale blue light his way.

Taran yelped, though the magic did no damage as it cracked against his skin. “See,” he boasted, grinning. “Your godhood won’t hurt me. You do like me.”

Zalaric groaned. “At least the fortune I’m paying for this ceremony won’t be a waste.”

“Ceremony?” Diem asked.

Zalaric frowned at Taran. “You haven’t told her?”

“I was waiting until she was a little less . . .” He bared his teeth and made a stabbing motion with his hand.

Diem abruptly spun around. “Wait—do you mean a mating ceremony?” She looked between them. “The two of you are going to be mates?”

“Bribes were involved,” Zalaric said dryly, though his mouth lifted into a smile.

My lungs burned, and I realized I was holding my breath for her reaction. While Taran enthusiastically explained the when and where, I catalogued her every movement—the slight sink of her brows and flattening of her lips, the way her hand drifted to her chest.

Diem had made it clear she might never take a mate. I’d told her I could live with that, and I meant it. There was no mark nor ring nor title that I needed to love her for the rest of my days.

But in my most hidden thoughts, hope had persevered. Ever since the day in the library when she’d spoken of our future, I’d wondered if, perhaps, in time . . .

“Will you do it, Queenie?” Taran asked.

Diem couldn’t seem to catch her breath. “What?”

“He wants you to lead the ceremony,” Zalaric said, “because you’re our Queen.”

“Because she’s our family,” Taran corrected, “and she’s the reason I found you.”

“Remind me to bill her for that inconvenience,” Zalaric joked.

“I . . . um, I’m so . . . happy for you both,” she stammered, “but I—I don’t . . .”

A thundering heartbeat pounded in my ears. My chest flooded with a tempestuous mix of emotions.

“Diem has never attended a mating ceremony,” I jumped in. “She won’t know what to do.”

“Lumnos’s taint,” Taran said, sulking. “I didn’t think of that.”

Zalaric shot him a look. “I told you that myself. Twice.”

“Yeah, but it was right after you did that thing with your teeth. You know how I get when my balls⁠—”

I cleared my throat. “Maybe Her Majesty could participate in a simpler way. As one of your dagger-bearers, perhaps?” I looked at Diem, whose face had gone white as she clutched the leather over her chest. “All you have to do is present the knife when asked.”

“Perfect,” Taran said. “Queenie and Teller can carry the daggers. Lu can lead the ceremony instead.”