Iron Flame (The Empyrean, #2)

by Rebecca Yarros

“Wrong tactic,” Imogen lectures. “‘Thank you’ is appropriate.” “I’m not thanking her,” she seethes, her eyes narrowing on me. “He’d be here if not for you.” “That’s some bullshit!” Imogen snaps. “Xaden ordered—” “You’re right,” I interrupt. “He would. And I miss him every single day. And because of the love I have for him, it’s okay that you hate me. You can think whatever you need to about me if it gets you through the day, Sloane. But you’re going to train. You’re going to accept help.” “If it’s Malek’s will that I join my brother, then so be it. Liam didn’t need help,” she retorts, but there’s a touch of fear in her eyes that lets me know most of this is bluster. “He made it on his own.” “No, he didn’t,” Imogen argues. “Violet saved his life during War Games. He fell off Deigh’s back, and it was Violet and Tairn who flew after him and caught him.” Sloane’s lips part. “Here’s the deal.” I take a step closer to Sloane. “You’re going to train so you don’t get yourself killed. Not with me. I don’t need to be part of your development era. But you will meet with Imogen every single day if that’s what she wants, because I have something you want.” “I highly doubt that.” She crosses her arms, but the effect is ruined by the rapid swelling of her eye. “I have fifty of the letters Liam wrote for you.” Her eyes widen. “Oh shit.” Imogen’s head jerks toward mine. “Seriously?” “Seriously.” I don’t look away from Sloane. “And at the end of every week that you attend and participate in...