Page 144 of Brimstone

My son,

I close my eyes and dream of the universe, and there are such events that stretch out before my mind like way markers upon a road. They are firm and undeniable in their existence. But there are pathways that veer from that road along the way. Side streets that might lead a player on the grand stage of fate off in another direction. There are many of these such diversions on the road that lies before you, and many that lie before your mate, as well.

Today, she stands at a fork in the road. I see the way before you both, and I see you tread the path together. But the bond that binds you both will be strongest if she places this book into your hands.

I wish I could explain more. I wish I had lived to see you grow into the man I know you will become, but do not worry. I have witnessed it in death, and I wouldn’t have changed that for anything. Your soul is shattered by the knowledge that I remained here for so long after I passed, but please know that it was necessary. And know that I have cherished every second that I have gotten to watch you from this side of the veil.

I have no regrets.

I love you.

I am proud of you.

Now give her back the book.

Your mother,

Edina

34

VERY WRONG INDEED

SAERIS

EDINA OF THEfuckingSeven Towers.

I would have felt like a complete asshole if I hadn’t made the decision to give Fisher the book. I would have read the note she’d left for him and known immediately I had failed some kind of test in her eyes. And sure, the female was dead, but I still wanted her tolikeme. I was in love with her son, after all. Stupid though it might seem, I wanted to beworthyof him in her eyes.

I was itching to read the book from cover to cover now, but Ammontraíeth was abuzz with preparations for tomorrow night’s ball, and even my own chambers provided no privacy. Every five seconds, someone new knocked at the door with an urgent question.

Which flowers ought to be placed on the dais?

Should the wine be laced with newborns’ blood or adolescent virgins’ blood? (I had answered definitively that the wine should not be laced with any blood, and that anyone found bleeding newborns would be chained to a post and left outside to greet the dawn.)

Did I wish for the Lords of Midnight to be seated at my table for dinner, in a place of honor?

Did I wish for music before the petitions? If so, whatkindof music?

Did I have a specific dance set in mind?

It went on and on and on, and all the while, the book felt like a tenton weight tucked into the front of my shirt.

The book held answers,importantanswers, and all the Evenlight Ball nonsense was getting in the way.

Fisher had gone back to spend more time with Foley after he’d found me in the library. Carrion had eventually shown up at my chambers, Simon at his hip and a cocksure smile plastered on his face. The second Fisher returned at last, I grabbed the book and my blades and made the announcement: “Come on. We’re leaving.”

“Leaving?”Fisher smirked. “We only just got here. Don’t you have royal decrees to sign? Important decisions to make about the big party—”

“I need quiet. I can’t think here. I’m leaving a note about the ball. I’m delegating all decisions about the party to Tal.Hecan deal with it. I just need a moment’s peace, and I’m not going to get it here.”

“I definitely want to be back for the party. I want to see who you appoint as Lord,” Carrion said, looking up from the book he was reading. “The new outfit that Yanice promised sounded amazing, too. I desperately need to expand my wardrobe.”

Trust Carrion to be thinking of his appearance while the rest of us were trying to prevent the end of the world.

“All right, then,” Fisher said. “You don’t have to twist my arm. Let’s get you back to Cahlish for the rest of the night. I have plenty to take care of there, myself. As soon as we’re back, I’ll open a shadow gate and find Lorreth. I wasn’t going to fetch him until morning, but I’m sure he’ll be happy to come home early. I’ll open one for Renfis, too. He’s bound to have reached Ballard by now.”

“That thing is making me feelweird.” Carrion squinted at the null blade, eyes full of suspicion. It sat on the edge of the bench in the forge, its graphite-colored blade unmarked, despite the fact that I’d spent the past hour trying to shave off a little of its metal to test its composition.