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Hettiah had been Omort’s half sister and consort--a pale, evil imitation of his unrequited desire: Sabine Lanthe had battled Hettiah and narrowly prevailed

In answer, she shrugged

"You did!" He looked overjoyed "Then the other rumor must be true You ensorcelled Omort!"

She’d wanted everyone to know about the part she’d played and respect her Now she wished her involvement had been kept secret

Because Felix appeared to be on another power hunt

For her very soul

He could tell her she’d always loved hiiven her all he’d promised over these years--and she would believe hialled Thronos had he not been confident of his ih

No, he was h he hadn’t expected anything different Long ago, when he’d seen her turn away and run, he’d thought his world had ended He’d thought he had no reason to live

Now? He lived for vengeance He would attack these foes--punishing whoever had battered her face--then recapture hisanother target for punishment: Felix, the male who’d spoken to Melanthe

An ex-lover, no doubt How many of them populated this island?

The blond male wasn’t nearly as tall or old armor His manners were practiced, his skin unscarred So that was the type of ht, fury surged through Thronos He shoved against the slabs holding hi them Portia, that sorceress of stone, was too powerful, and he eakened froeneration His bones hadacross his right wing

He’d been no match for the twenty fire demons who’d descended upon him

Once healed, he’d strike For now, he kept his lean information--such as why Melanthe would have ensorcelled Orab Sometimes, Omort, Sorceri paranoia is warranted

"If you can’t trust me," Melanthe told Portia, "then what do you propose?"

The sorceress of fire, E--let’s do soht"

What did that mean?

"Be done with this, ladies," Felix said When a fleeting ray of sunlight reflected off his gilded arnetically drawn to it, including Melanthe’s

Most Vrekeners believed the Sorceri’s claireed--as if the Sorceri would care how others viewed theenuinely revered all old The element was talismanic to them Even at nine, Melanthe had been obsessed with it Her mother as well

Portia said, "You rush our fun, Felix?"

"I’m keen to renew my attentions to the Queen of Persuasion"

The hell that would be happening Surprisingly, Melanthe’s expression erated frown "I’m afraid our friend Lanthe is already sel"

Shts have huntedain, she repeated her claihts’ vows?

Ehtn’t to have brained Sabine in front of young Lanthe"

Melanthe turned to hie "Yet that one doesn’t believeto At least about attacks actually happening Maybe soeted the sisters

In a contemplative tone, Portia asked, "Do you think it’s possible that our handsome prince doesn’t knohat his kinsmen do to our kind when they’re drunken and frustrated?"

Vrekeners never ih he knew that wasn’t true He had but once in his life, yet his brother secretly carried a golden flask, one stolen fros better than warring with Sorceri Just as their father had It was a source of contention between the brothers

Portia faced Melanthe once more "Such an infamously hostile past between you and the Vrekener Your sister beheaded his father, and you personally crippled hih you’re his edies! "Then Vrekeners hunted you Which hy your reactions over the last week perplexed us"

Melanthe’s head swung up, confusion in her eyes Instead of de about, she snapped, "Let’s just get to this--"

"Shall we tell you, Felix?" Emberine asked coyly "Every time the Vrekener was evenmetallic"

Thronos stilled Could it be true?

"That eot the is were far more complicated than that

He had no delusions about his own feelings Like a streah rock, her actions had forever transformed him He would always despise her

Portia said, "Then you won’t ht of a uest And do save me a seat"

Or perhaps she hated as deeply as he did

Emberine stroked the backs of her h as she addressed Melanthe: "You gave hienerate Did he find you as a boy then?"

Of not even twelve

"It’s known that a Vrekener will never stray frohed as she said, "Tell us, Lanthe, is the el pure as driven snow? Or was the demon in him an early starter?"

Thronos set his jaw Not--a--demon

Melanthe didn’t answer At least she refused to join in their ridicule

Eaze roved over him, desire plain on her face "I er "Try it, slattern Free me, and try it"

They tittered at that "Oh, Portia, I know I could get him to stray!"