Page 54 of Only Flames Remain

I cursed myself as I turned back toward Valerian.

“Came here to spy and got a bit more than we bargained for, eh?” He laughed, grabbing a mug half full of ale and taking a long swig. I could have sworn I saw something floating around in the amber-colored liquid. “I do believe that was the son of the duke of Skaelwynne who was mouthing off to you.”

I grumbled, ambivalent. “Never seen him before.”

“That won’t change the price you’ll pay Father for shedding his blood. And in plain sight for all of Ravenwood to see!” He slammed the empty mug back down on one of the few tables that hadn’t been knocked over or broken in the skirmish.

I shrugged. “I will answer to our father. I always do. I couldn’t let him speak to me that way.”

Valerian raised a brow at me as he cocked his head to the side. “Is that all it was?” He spread his arms wide, indicating the mayhem we had left lying at our feet.

My brow wrinkled. “What else?”

Valerian’s hand landed on his stomach as he laughed. “Oh, I don’t know. Maybe it has something to do with that mouthy little man calling your new, gorgeous handmaid a whore?”

My gaze darkened, pinning him with a look that said more than words ever could. He was treading on thin ice. He put his palms up in mock surrender.

“Whatever you say, Brother. I just think the testosterone was a little thick in the air, that’s all. I thought your eyeballs might pop right out of your pretty little head when he grabbed that plump, round a—”

“Finish that sentence. I dare you.” Heat rose up my neck to flood my cheeks as I cut him off.

He shook his head, mouth sealed shut in submission.

I grabbed a half-filled mug of my own and took a swig. Not my favorite brew, but I needed something to take the edge off.

“What in the seven hells happened in here?” a familiar voice asked from the open doorway.

My head tilted back—gaze locked on the ceiling in disbelief.

Emrys.

Just my luck.

I didn’t turn, merely grabbed another pint and downed it as quickly as the first.

He moved into my field of vision, righting a chair next to Valerian and throwing himself down onto it. He was sporting deep purple rings beneath his eyes, his black hair mussed. He had likely come from a party of his own.

“Nothing,” I replied simply.

The second mug of ale was beginning to warm my belly.

He shared a glance with Valerian that I didn’t bother analyzing.

Emrys’s gaze flitted back to me. “Starting a fight without me? Tsk, tsk, Brother. You know I crave blood the most out of the three of us.”

“How could I forget?” I replied through gritted teeth.

“Does this have anything to do with that human woman and the Veytari I saw dipping into the house of ill repute down by the blacksmith, does it?” He shared a laugh with Valerian, his sharpened canines on full display.

Gods above.

I stormed toward the open doorway, not pausing to see if they would follow, but knowing that they would. The moment the clammy summer air touched my skin, I took flight, my wings beating vigorously at my back. It was a matter of moments before I was landing at Madam Ysabeau’s door.

I tucked my wings into my back, concealing them.

“Back so soon?” one of the women lingering outside crooned. “It’s only been a few hours since we sent Calliope…”

I didn’t stop to answer her.