Page 129 of A Crown of Tears and Treason
Shaking muscles.
Agonizing heat.
Blue tendrils.
Harsh breathing.
Flicker.
“There.” Pride flowed through my veins as the candle’s wick ignited–then kept on burning, the flame growing. “Damn, wait.”
I closed my eyes and took one deep breath after another. I was safe, sitting in my library, surrounded by the people I loved most. Slowly, the tendrils receded, sliding back into that imaginary pocket of power in my chest.
Only then did I open my eyes again, only to be met with my cousins’ smiling faces.
“See, I told you she had it,” Allie said, shoulder shimmying with pride.
The library table was overflowing with books that had arrived on my doorstep in a crate labeled “family heirlooms”, written ina weird, swirly text. Goose had tried to open it before I had a chance, only to be jolted back against the wall.
One hazy portal rose from each book, each belonging to one of my cousins. Having them all here, even in such a small way, had put a permanent smile on my face. They were breathing. They were safe–as safe as we all could be in the vicious Clan world.
“I always knew she had it. Congratulations, Evie.” Clara beamed like the sunflower she was, her warmth somehow permeating from the portal into the library.
“Yes, yes, well done.” Dax raised his glass in a phantom toast, reclining in his leather chair like he didn’t have a care in the world. I didn’t know what amber liquid swiveled inside the glass, but he’d already refilled it twice. “Now you can incinerate all those assholes. I heard you crisped up some Serpents real good.”
And almost blinded two elders. From what Leesa had gathered, they were doing well and back with their families, who’d recently received an anonymous delivery of enough food to last them at least five months. Just because they never wanted to see me again didn’t mean I couldn’t dosomething. “I don’t plan on crisping up anyone anytime soon.”
Dax shrugged. “Shame. Some of these Blood Brotherhood bastards and bastardesses deserve a good flick off their pedestal.”
“Absolutely no flicking, slicing or poisoning.” Allie’s voice cut through. “We’ve talked about this. And you have more important things to do than plotting the murder of your soon-to-be extended family.”
“It’s still on the list,” Dax grumbled and took another swig from his glass.
Before I could ask exactlywhatimportant things my mysterious cousin was up to–I truly was as curious as a cat–Dara speared me with her sharp, bottomless gaze. “Was the crate disturbed?”
“It tried to fry Goose,” I said.
Dax licked his lips. “Mmm, fried goose.”
A ghost of a smile twisted Dara’s lips. “It means the glyphs worked. I’m surprised the Blood Brotherhood allowed it to reach your home.”
Clara winked. “Perhaps a certain shadowy prince loosened the rules for a certain First Family Daughter.”
A shadowy prince who was gone before I woke up today, with only his scent and a plump purple flower left behind on his pillow.
I cleared my throat and shifted in my seat. “I don’t know how the crate got here, but it did. Maybe because I signed that bloody contract as the Protectorate member I am.”
“You already signed?” Clara gasped, eyes widening. “Am I–am I the only one who hasn’t yet?”
All of my cousins shook their heads. They hadn’t had an arranged marriage looming over them since birth, though.
“I am in absolutely no hurry to do that, thanks,” Dara said.
I felt my face heating and I was powerless to stop it. “Well, I did. It was only a formality for me, might as well get it over with, right?”
Dax’s glass froze midway to his mouth. A slow grin spread over his face, but it wasn’t exactly warm. “Is everyone seeing what I’m seeing?”
“Yes,” Allie said, suddenly very interested in her nails.
