Page 132 of The Dark Lord’s Guide to Honeymooning (and Other Acts of Tyranny)

I kept my gaze fixed on the delegates, carefully avoiding looking at Sebastian. The memory of that kiss was so fresh, so vivid, it might as well have happened yesterday. For me, it had. Meanwhile, he’d been sitting across from me at dinner, helping Griffin with experiments, making himself at home at Skyspire, all while carefully pretending that kiss had never existed.

It was years ago, I told myself. We were children.

But the shame still burned, not because of the kiss—that had been innocent enough—but because he had to remember. And I’d forgotten.

“Of course, of course!” Pyrrha said. The delegates continued their frantic apologies, bowing and scraping like their lives depended on it. Which, given what I’d just done, they might have thought they did.

A man in elaborate robes approached, and I recognized the ostentatious display of skulls and dark crystals that marked him as Academy faculty. He was trembling slightly, though trying to hide it behind an air of authority.

“I am Dean Mortifax of Theoretical Villainy.” His voice quavered only slightly. “And I must insist—that is, I demand—well, I strongly suggest that you pay for the damages to our windows.”

I tilted my head, letting a small smile play at my lips. “Since when do villains pay for damages?”

“Well, there are certain protocols—”

“Besides,” I continued, my voice dropping to something more dangerous, “such treatment of my friends will not be tolerated. Tell me, Dean, how far is the drop from those windows?”

He paled further, if that was possible. “Not… not too far. The students are likely revivable. With effort.”

“Pity.”

There was something familiar about him, something nagging at the edge of my memory. “Have we met before? Were you at my wedding, perhaps?”

His entire demeanor changed, the fear melting into eager delight. “Yes! Yes, I was! Such a magnificent ceremony. The shadow binding, the bone rings—truly inspirational! I’m so honored you remember!”

I didn’t, actually, but I nodded as if I did. The wedding had been a blur of faces and veiled threats. Half the villain community had been there to size up Kazimir’s new bride.

Griffin finally managed to push through the crowd, his face glowing with excitement—though I noticed Pyrrha and her companion positioned themselves on either side of him, close enough that wisps of smoke from Pyrrha’s increasingly heated skin were drifting across his robes.

“Lady Blackrose! That was magnificent!” Griffin seemed oblivious to the sultry looks being directed at him from both sides. “Did you see how they scattered? Like roaches when you light a lamp! And the way you combined shadow and light—it was magnificent!”

“Griffin,” I said gently, trying to stem the tide of his enthusiasm while also trying not to laugh at the way Pyrrha’s cracks were glowing brighter with each word he spoke.

“—and the best part is, some of the smarter attendees actually paid attention to my lecture!” He gestured wildly, nearly elbowing the male delegate in the face. “Ten of them want to apply as my apprentice! Though I don’t really need another apprentice, I have so many already.” His face fell slightly. “They do tend to die rather frequently, though. Occupational hazard of experimental enchantment, I suppose—”

“We remember your demonstrations at the wedding,” Pyrrha purred, and actual flames flickered in the cracks of her skin. “The lightning bridges were exhilarating.”

Her companion nodded with equal fervor. “We’ve been hoping for a repeat performance.”

And then I remembered a tale about Griffin being drunk at the wedding and disappearing across a lightning bridge with these very delegates. That memory hadn’t been stolen, simply buried under a mountain of others during that chaotic time.

Griffin blinked at them both, utterly befuddled. “Oh! Well, I could certainly arrange another lecture on dynamic magical architecture if you’re interested in the technical specifications—”

I caught Sebastian’s eye and saw him fighting a smile.

“Griffin,” I said more firmly, placing a hand on his arm and gently steering him away from his admirers. “We’re going home.”

“Oh.” He blinked. “Right. Of course. Let me just gather my notes—”

I felt Sebastian’s gaze on me. He hadn’t said anything since my display of power, but I could sense his concern, his questions. I knew that if I looked at him now, I’d see that earnest worry in his violet eyes. The same look he’d had when he stepped between me and my father all those years ago.

I couldn’t deal with that. Not now. Not with the memory of honey cakes and pixies still fresh in my mind.

“Thorne,” I said, proud of how steady my voice sounded. “Please help Griffin with his materials. We leave as soon as the Sky Serpent arrives.”

I turned and walked out of the lecture hall, Nyx padding silently beside me. I had bigger problems to worry about. Like the fact that I’d just revealed my hybrid magic to an entire lecture hall of villains. Or that we were about to embark on a quest to gather heroic bloodlines with my husband, who was slowly being consumed by an ancient evil.

Or that I could still taste honey cakes when I pressed my lips together.