Page 104 of Where Darkness Falls

“I’m sorry?” I say, startled.

Virgil’s mouth pulls into a soft smirk. “You told Laisren and Riordan that you were forcing me to stay with you, but that’s the furthest thing from the truth,” he clarifies. “I prefer to sit here with you than dance with a vapid woman.”

“I see,” I reply.

Virgil sighs, rubbing the back of his neck. “My little sister always loved to dance,” he continues. “She forced me to practice with her weekly.”

A forlorn expression stretches across his face.

“She sounds lovely,” I say.

His throat bobs slightly. “She was… light itself. Everyone that met her adored her. She was unbelievably kind and charming, yet brave and daring.”

“What happened to her, Virgil?” I ask.

The Galrosan shuffles his feet. “She’s been gone for a long time,” he murmurs. “I don’t like to speak of it because that day was the hardest day of my life.” He pauses, collecting himself. “Everything that’s been wronged will be righted one day, and I’ll be with her again.”

I grab his hand and squeeze lightly. “I’m sure that she’s proud of the man that her brother became,” I say.

He looks at me then, squeezing my hand as a sheen covers his eyes. “Everything I do is for her, Little Star,” he replies.

My heart aches for his losses and my own. There’s such a raw, unfiltered anger beneath the calm facade he wears. I see it in the way he holds his body, as if refraining from acting on his impulses. Perhaps we’re more alike than I realized. We’re two casualties in the schemes of evil, greedy people. I hope that when the Na Fìrèin rises, they’ll heal all that has been broken and overpower the evils that plague this realm.

Abruptly, the orchestra stops playing, and all falls silent. Under the archway, a tall, handsome man in a black tailcoat with silver trimming along the vest and lapels stands by the announcer. His short sandy-blonde hair accents his sharp jawline and glistening amber eyes. His mouth is drawn tight, making him look both breathtaking and intimidating. Next to the king, he might be the most handsome man I’ve ever seen. He’s also tall like the Cadre, perhaps even slightly taller.

What did Siorai put in the Galrosans’ water supply, because they’re all so beautiful?!

The mysterious Galrosan’s eyes scan across the crowd he towers over, stopping when they land on me. There’s something about him I’m drawn to. Perhaps it’s his eyes that seem to hold so many secrets, or maybe it’s the way he’s looking at me as if I’m the only one in this entire garden.

“Who is that?” I whisper to Virgil.

Before he can answer, the announcer startles me again by screaming, “INTRODUCING HIS ROYAL HIGHNESS, EMERYUS ALISTAIR II. CROWNED PRINCE AND HIGH GENERAL OF ZULGALROS.”

My jaw hits the floor.

I can’t stop lookingat her.

She’s the sun in which everything else orbits—or so they should.

She’s the fairest rose that deserves to be cherished.

My Rosey is a wonder beyond physical beauty.

There’s no comparison in all of Celestae.

And she’s here in that beautiful gown, surprised to see me. If I could’ve captured the pure shock on her features at the realization of who I truly am, I would have. I don’t think I’ve ever seen her this surprised before. Yet, I don’t think this is a method that I should repeat too often, as confusion paints across her face.

I want to grin at her—to reassure her I’m still me underneath the titles, but I must play my role to the letter this evening. So, I allow my eyes to scan the crowd as if I find them all lacking. I glance to where I know the king is lounging in his chair, while his Scythe lurks nearby.A smirk plays along the king’s lips as his fingers absently drum along his armrest. I mirror him, making my way through the parted guests. I haven’t used my title for so long, I’m sure the new court members aren’t aware he has an heir. After his jealousy for power grew and the training became more intense, he believed it best if no one knew I was the prince—for protection,of course.

However, I know his true motivation: if no one knows I’m the prince, then there isn’t an heir to challenge his rule. After what he and Orla did to Maeva in that throne room, I want them both to squirm. However, because of my loyalty oath, I can’t harm them, so I had to be clever and cunning—hiding my surprise in the shadows until the perfect moment, after all of his guests arrived. He might have forced my loyalty, but he can’t erase what’s rightfully mine.

Blood isn’t always thicker than water. Sometimes blood is the weight dragging you down. I refuse to be held down any longer. So, here I am wearing the title that I deserve as my birthright. By the simmering rage boiling underneath King Tiernan’s careful facade, I know there will be retribution for what I’ve done.

I bow deeply.

“Father,” I say. “What a resplendent event you’ve hosted.”

Tiernan grits his teeth in a forced smile. “Emeryus,” he replies. “Rise, and join me up here.”