A light in the flame

“Wow,” I muttered.

“You are a bit…temperamental. And those around you do have a tendency to end up stabbed,” she began with a sheepish grin. “I figured you’d probably get yourself killed by growing impatient and just stabbing him.”

Nyktos barked out a short laugh. “Now, that was incredibly astute.”

I narrowed my eyes at him.

Ezra opened her mouth, closed it, and then appeared to try again. “I am very…confused by you.”

Nyktos stared down at her. “You are?”

She nodded. “You are Death.”

“I am.”

“You are not very Death-like.”

His head tilted. “And how is one…Death-like?”

“We ca

“Must you leave?” Ezra asked. “Mari is currently with her father, but she should be arriving soon.”

“I really would love to see her, but we ca

“Perfect.” A bright smile appeared, lighting up her entire face. That was what more looked like. “She is utterly perfect.”

“Good. I’m happy to hear that.”

Her eyes searched mine, and I could tell she had much she wanted to ask. Wanted to say. “I…after everything happened here, I sent a missive to the Vodina Isles to check on Sir Holland, but I have not heard anything in return.”

“Oh.” I smiled. “I believe he’s fine.”

“You do?” Her gaze sharpened.

“It’s time.” Nyktos swooped in, nipping the string of questions Ezra surely had in the bud.

It was hard, but I stood in agreement.

“Will I see you again?” Ezra asked, the same as I had asked of Holland.

I gave her a far more hopeful answer. “I believe so.”

“I hope so, too. I really do.” Her voice thickened. “I miss you.”

The breath I exhaled was ragged. “I miss you, too.” I turned, hurrying to join Nyktos at the steps as the burn in my throat increased.

“Sera?” Ezra rose, stopping me. “Remember what you said about the lands tainted by the Rot? And why couldn’t they be used to build homes for those in Croft’s Cross living in the most cramped conditions?”

My brows knitted. “Yes?”

“That’s where Mari and her father are. At the ruined lands. They’re going to build homes. Nothing extravagant, but I discovered stores of lumber—at least enough to start with,” she told me. “It was your idea. I thought you should know.”

I left the Great Hall feeling far better than when I’d arrived. My chest was looser, even though sadness lingered.

I hoped I got to see Ezra again. And Marisol.

I glanced at the silent figure beside me. Nyktos was quiet as we traveled the hall. He’d lifted his hood already, and I would, too, once we stepped outside. “I’m glad—” We rounded the bend.

And came face-to-face with…her.

My mother.

I halted.

She stopped.

Neither of us said anything as we stared at each other. The low growl of displeasure radiating from Nyktos caused me to realize I’d taken a step back.

“You look well,” I said, snapping out of my stupor. And she did. Her hair, only a shade or two darker than mine, was perfectly coiffed in an elaborate updo. An amber stone glittered from her neck, and the lavender gown draping her trim figure was perfect for her. There were shadows beneath her eyes, though. Perhaps a few more wrinkles than I remembered.

She clasped her hands—hands absent of jewelry. “As do you.” Shock was etched into each of her features—features I shared with her, except everything about her was more refined.

I bit back the caustic retort that rose to the tip of my tongue.

“A guard said that someone with your name had arrived,” she went on, sending the figure beside me a quick, uncertain glance. With his face hidden, she had no idea who stood there. “I didn’t think it was true.”

“It was.” I fixed a tight smile on my lips. She would have questions, too, but where Ezra’s would’ve been driven by curiosity, hers would’ve stemmed from the belief that I’d failed.

And I didn’t want to see that fill her expression once the surprise faded. I didn’t want to hear it in her voice.

I’d heard it enough throughout my life. I truly didn’t need to see her. Hear her. Look upon her again. And I realized that was a blessed relief. “I came to speak with Ezra, and I have. Now, I must leave. Excuse me.” I sidestepped, giving her a wide berth as I put one foot in front of the other.

“Seraphena.”

I stopped, my eyes lifting to Nyktos. I saw nothing of his face, but his displeasure was becoming what he’d spoken of outside: a tangible entity, unseen but felt. Slowly, I faced her.

“I…” She cast a nervous glance in Nyktos’s direction. “I didn’t know Tavius was pla

“That does not matter.” Nyktos spoke, lowering his hood.

My mother gasped as she stumbled back, her hand fluttering to her chest. She dropped to her knees, the lavender gown pooling on the floor as she placed a shaking hand on the marble. “Your Highness.”

His lip curled with distaste. “You had to know that your stepson was capable of harming your daughter, and yet…you did nothing to prevent it.” Eather crackled from his eyes. “His death was not the only one owed that day. The fact that you still breathe is due to a grace you do not deserve.”

She paled to the shade of my hair. “T-thank you,” she said, trembling.

“Do not thank me. It was not I who saved your life. I wanted to take it. To put you where you belong, beside that bastard of a mortal you would’ve crowned King,” Nyktos said, essence rippling over his skin. “It was your daughter. For reasons unbeknownst to me, she told me no. That is who you should spend the rest of your undeserved life thanking.”

Chapter 23

Hours after returning from the mortal realm and spending the better part of the afternoon training with Bele, who had been more than happy to knock me on my ass repeatedly, I was utterly, gloriously exhausted.

The edges of Nyktos’s hair tickled my cheek as his lips grazed my brow, his heart pounding as fast as mine. Biting down on my lip, my nails skated over the coiled muscles along his spine, my back arching as he shuddered above me and deep inside me.

His raw, heated groan as he joined me in finding release sent a burst of rippling delight through me, nearly as potent as the waves of pleasure I’d experienced only moments before.

And that was a…a new discovery for me—the ecstasy that came from the knowledge that he was just as satisfied as I was. It wasn’t like I hadn’t cared if my previous partners found pleasure or not. It was that I, well, I never thought about it.

So maybe I hadn’t cared?

But I did when it came to Nyktos.

His cool fingers smoothed my damp hair back as he dropped a sweet kiss onto my forehead. My heart gave a silly little leap.

He eased away from me onto his side, and I immediately missed the feel of him.

Nyktos was quiet as his hand drifted over the curve of my shoulder, along my collarbone, and then lower, over the peak of my breast. I, too, was quiet as I lay still, allowing him to explore. Reveling in it.

The rough pads of his fingers danced over one puckered nipple, drawing a quick breath from me before he moved on, tracing the swells and dips of my body. Finding it somewhat odd that his touch could heighten my senses, driving me to the brink while also providing such soothing calm, my eyes fluttered closed, and my thoughts drifted in the silence.

Our trip to Lasania was at the forefront of my mind. Knowing that Ezra more than had things together was such a relief. I turned my head toward Nyktos slightly. “I know you probably think the trip today was u