Page 48 of Burn of the Everflame

I turned to face her. “Tell me what I need to do.”

14

DIEM

We joined the other Kindred at the Temple. Their forms had become dim and hazy, and I found myself blinking rapidly to keep them in focus.

“The God’s Horn is fading,” Arboros said. “We don’t have much time.”

“You have to free me from the island,” I reminded them. “I can’t help anyone from here.”

“There’s one problem,” Sophos said. “We cannot change the heartstone’s spell. Only the Crowns can do that.”

“You lied? You gods-damned deceitful pieces of sh⁠—”

“But,” he cut back in, “the Crowns are ours to give.”

My temper was doused by an icy splash of shock. “You want to give me the other Crowns?”

“We have no choice,” Fortos muttered. “Neither do you, if you want to stop our brother.”

“If she wants to stop him,” Umbros said, quietly looking me over.

“Because half your blood is mortal, your magic is weaker than ours,” Sophos explained, “but each Crown increases your power. With all nine, you will be strong.” His eyebrows rose. “As strong, perhaps, as one of us.”

“It won’t be easy,” Meros cautioned. “The realms may not accept you, and the weight of duty is heavy. Maybe too much for one person to safely bear.”

“I thought the Crowns only pass through death,” I said. “The Descended who have them now . . . are you going to kill them?”

Fortos barked a laugh. “Does it matter? You had no reservations about putting my last Crown in a grave.”

“But she did,” Lumnos reminded him. “She gave your King every chance to survive. She did not act until she had no other choice. She had a chance to kill my King, as well. She did not take that, either.”

“Mercy is a virtue,” Montios murmured.

“It is possible to spare their lives,” Sophos said, “but it’s dangerous. We’re only meant to reach into this world when the veil thins for a dying soul to cross over. We have broken that rule too many times already, and each time, the bridge to this world weakens. Taking Crowns from the living could destroy it completely. We might never be able to reach into this world to guide their paths again.”

“Good,” I said firmly. “Let me be the last person you ever give them to. Let the Crowns end with me so the people of Emarion learn to govern themselves.”

They studied me, and each other, with uncertain gazes.

“So much like her mother,” Lumnos said. “Blessings for that.”

Faunos stared me down. “What if she turns out like her father, too?”

“Andrei Bellator is my father,” I snapped. “Just because Ophiucae is my sire does not mean I—I care for him.” I hoped they didn’t hear my slight hitch, the plucked string wobbling in my tone.

“Blood bonds are a powerful thing,” Fortos said. “People kill for them. Fight wars for them.”

“I will not help him,” I insisted.

“Perhaps you should.”

Their aghast faces turned to Lumnos.

“You cannot be serious,” Sophos said.

“Sister,” Arboros breathed. “You’ve seen what he’s done. He’s doing the same to your people this very moment.”