Page 150 of Our Radiant Embers

“Always,” I said.

With a small smile, he faced Summers once more. “Then yes, I believe I am.”

“Wonderful.” Her voice went brisk. “There will be an official line as to what happened—I expect you all to abide by it. Now that we know the signs, it may be harder to replicate a similar situation, but desire for power is a strong motivator.”

“Understood,” Liam said, while the rest of us nodded.

“Good.” She took a sip of tea and set her cup back down with another clink of porcelain. “I am not pleased with Alaric Hartley pitching the concept of the Green Horizon Initiative as a favour to your”—Archer nodded at me—“father. Alaric may not have intended to set this whole thing in motion, but even so, we are meant to be impartial in our roles.”

“Have him publicly endorse Cassandra’s relationship. It will irk him quite a bit.” I’d meant it as more of a joke, something to lighten the mood, but Summers arched a brow and considered me for a long second.

“And what about you?” she asked.

I raised my head. “What about me?”

“You will face scrutiny.”

I reached for Liam’s hand and smiled. “Let them talk.”

“So you’ve made your decision.”

“Yes,” I said simply.

“Oh my God,” Laurie muttered. “If that’s how it’s going to be, kill me now.” Yet when I glanced over, she was grinning just a little. I winked at her.

“One more thing.” Summers’ voice took on a serious note. “Make peace with the Ashtons, Adam. The origins of your squabble are perfectly irrelevant to me—we’ve faced enough distractions.”

“I am no longer in a position to speak for the Harrington family,” I told her quietly.

“Let your brother drive it, then.” Summers fixed me with an expectant look. “He is a powerful mage now. It will be a growth opportunity.”

“What about the rest of his family?” Jack asked. “You’re not just letting them get away with it, are you?”

Next to me, Liam stifled a sigh. “Jack. Please remember who you’re talking to.”

“But he’s right,” Laurie jumped to Jack’s defence, and yeah, he was. I ducked my head and studied the polished mahogany surface of the coffee table. Liam’s hand squeezed mine even as he stayed silent.

“They will take the blame for a necessary change of leadership in the Green Horizon Initiative,” Summers said. “Incompetence, overpromising and underdelivering, poor business conduct. We will also ask them to return the money that’s been paid so far, irrespective of whether it has already been spent on contractors and material.”

That would hurt, although not enough to financially ruin my family. The public loss of face, however, would strip us—them—of hard-won community standing. Many friends would turn their backs, and invitations to social gatherings would grow rare. They’d have to rebuild our—their reputation from its smouldering ashes. Was it punishment enough?

I didn’t care to be the judge of it.

* * *

In the glow of the bedside lamp, the bruises on my arms were already purpling. I dug a thumb into one of them and hissed at the pain. Yeah, all right. It would be a few days before I could try for a modelling gig.

I looked up when the door opened. Even though Liam smiled when he caught sight of me, I suddenly felt self-conscious—naked on top of his bed, the damp air of a post-rain summer evening wafting in through the open window.

“Is this okay?” I asked, voice pitched low so it wouldn’t carry beyond his bedroom. “You didn’t exactly sign up for an unemployed boyfriend with no family to his name.”

Boyfriend. The word tasted strange on my tongue, laughably temporary when the way I felt about him was anything but.

“Adam.” Affection coloured the name. He crossed the floor in two quick steps and covered me up. Our bare chests pressed together, the fabric of his pyjama bottoms whispering against my thighs. “It’s more than okay. You belong here.”

I blinked against the sting of tears and touched the side of his throat, right where a dark spot marred his skin. Words had always come easily to me, yet right now, I had none.

“But are you sure you’ll be fine with this?” he asked after a moment, watching me with so much warmth that I found it hard to breathe. “I know my family can be a lot. They won’t hold back, now that you’re one of us.”

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