Page 215 of Burn of the Everflame

“Nice of you to finally join us,” a low voice rumbled to my left.

My head snapped toward it, and my breath choked. Ophiucae stood with a little girl in front of him, tears streaming down her face as she shook with quiet sobs.

“Don’t hurt her,” a woman screamed. Kéani, the Faunos Descended I’d encountered in the forest, was on her knees nearby, her arms and legs bound with rope. Two mortals stood on either side of her, holding crossbows pointed at her skull.

Fight, my godhood barked.

I flung out a hand to shield her—or tried, at least. Metal jangled behind me, and something cold and smooth tugged against my wrists, holding them taut at my back.

“Don’t get any ideas, either of you.” Ophiucae set a hand on the little girl’s shoulder to underscore his threat.

I swallowed hard. “How did I get here?”

“It appears your army is not as loyal as they seem. One of your soldiers was all too eager to give you up.”

“Forgive me,” Kéani begged, her eyes red-rimmed and guilt-laden. “It was the only way to save my niece.”

Ophiucae beckoned to one of the mortals, who pulled a flask from his belt and crept toward me. When I returned his scowl, his eyes bulged. He tossed the flask beside me and backed away.

“Drink,” the man barked.

“I’d rather not.” I smiled sweetly. “I’m trying to quit.”

Ophiucae crouched beside the girl and brushed a dark curl from her tear-streaked face. “Do you hear that?” he asked her. “Your Queen doesn’t want to drink her flameroot.”

Flameroot. My stomach dropped. Without my magic, I’d be completely at his mercy. He could wound me, kill me, read my every thought—or turn me into one of his mindless soldiers, a weapon to wield against my own people.

“Tell me, little girl, what do you think should happen to daughters who disobey their fathers? Should they be punished?” The girl tried to shrink away, and Ophiucae’s eyes cut to me.

My glare was scorching. “What kind of man shields himself with a child?”

“I’m not a man. I’m a god.” He rose to his full height. “And I have no need for shields. I’m immune to your magic.”

“And I’m immune to yours,” I fired back.

His fingers drummed on the child’s shoulder. “But she is not.”

“Please,” Kéani cried, “don’t let him hurt her.”

I eyed the flask, then Ophiucae. “You promised to let her take the girl. It’s important for leaders to keep their word—isn’t that what you told me?”

“I promised she could see the girl.” He turned the child toward Kéani. “Here she is. Take one last look.”

Kéani screamed, straining against her bindings. The man’s finger twitched against the trigger of his crossbow.

“Wait!” I shouted. “I’ll take the flameroot if you promise me you won’t hurt them. Either of them.”

Ophiucae looked surprised. “You wish to protect the life of the woman who betrayed you?”

I paused, choosing my words carefully. “The girl is her niece. I cannot condemn her for putting loyalty to family above all else.”

He seemed pleased by my answer. “Very well. Drink the flameroot, and I will let them both live.”

“You’ll let them go? And you won’t let anyone else hurt them? No stealing their minds, either.”

“They’ll be safe, but they will remain my prisoners.” He smiled. “How else will I ensure you take your flameroot every day?”

Every day—so he didn’t intend to kill me. Apparently, he didn’t intend to use my magic, either. I was relieved, and if I was being honest, a little intrigued.