Page 105 of Where Darkness Falls

With a wave of his hand, the festivities continue as the orchestra picks up where they left off in the melody. He gestures for me to sit in the empty chair that I assume is meant for Orla. He must have caged her back in isolation for her failure to overpower Maeva. I sit down, looking out over the guests.

“I thought we agreed you wouldn’t use that title anymore,” Tiernan whispers through clenched teeth.

“You’re correct, Father,” I reply.

His knuckles are white as he grips the armrest. “You dare to challenge me in front of my guests?” he growls.

“No, my king. Your rule is one of magnanimous success. Why would I dare to challenge you? However, I’m no longer in need of protection from those you believed would harm me,” I say, hoping to appeal to the man I knew as my father that’s somewhere deep within. As I’d hoped, he releases his hold on the chair, urging me to continue. “Zulgalros and Malvoria deserve to know that their benevolent king’s son is also our armies’ High General. Such a display will only solidify that you’re preeminent, my king.”

He taps his index finger against the arm of the chair for several moments. “I’ll entertain your reasoning… for now,” he sighs. He faces the crowd, but his gaze is trained on a specific person:Maeva.Tiernan watches as she gracefully spins and twirls with Virgil. She doesn’t laugh or smile, as she’s lost in her thoughts. She looks haunted, and I can’t help but wonder if I’m the cause of her unease—or is it this place? Despite her ashen appearance, she’s mesmerizing, and looks like a queen that anyone would readily follow—that I’d follow.

Virgil’s one eye never drifts away from Maeva, causing something to coil in my chest. I have to remind myself that I gave him orders to watch her closely, but I never expected him to actually dance with her, as he never entertains anyone at these functions. However, there’s something about the way he looks at her that causes me to believe there’s more going on than what I currently see. Perhaps not a romantic interest, but there’s a spark between them.

“Radiant, is she not?” King Tiernan coos.

I cut my eyes to the king as he watches her. He regards her as if she’s a siren luring him out to sea. He’s calculating her every move as if something in them will reveal the secrets of the universe. His eyes blaze with a preternatural intensity, and I see it then—the desire for her. I wish I could wipe Maeva from his memory, so he’ll never have the chance to obsess over her again.

I clear my throat, hoping a change in topic will redirect his attention from her.

“I see that the nobles from all of the houses have assembled today. Well done, my king,” I say.

“Indeed,” he replies. “It appears if you inform them you’ve found the one to awaken the Na Fìrèin, they’ll arrive promptly to gaze at such a wonder.”

I notice then just how many of the creatures and people are watching Maeva. Yes, they’re enjoying the ball, but they also examine her with keen curiosity.

My jaw clenches.

He’s orchestrated this entire event to make her a spectacle. She grimaces, even as she continues dance after dance with Virgil. My shadows are feral, begging to choke the life from the king for doing this to her. If I could whisk her away right at this moment, I would, but the king’s words continue to bother me.

“The Na Fíréin won’t bring you peace, Father,” I whisper. “Surely, your power rivals the chosen one’s by tenfold.”

King Tiernan’s nostrils flare, shoulders drawing back in a predatory nature. “Peace is for daydreamers, Emyreus,” he scoffs. “Power is the only true strength in this world. Regardless of such notions, there’s something that the Na Fìrèin possesses that I desire above all, and she’s the key to finding it.”

I sigh. “When will this venture of yours finally be enough?” I ask. “Power won’t bring back what’s lost.”

His scrutinizing gaze lingers on me as distrust brews beneath the surface. His fingers drum along the armrest in a rhythm that tells me he’s thinking about what I’ve said. Whether it’s for punishment is unknown. He might look like the same father I adored as a child, but it’s his cold demeanor that reminds me that the only things left of him are his sins.

“Perhapssss thisssss is a converssssation for another time,” Domhnall interrupts, placing a hand on Tiernan’s shoulder.

The king stops drumming his fingers, and nods once. “You’re absolutely right, Domhnall,” he says, his tone returning to its lilting nature. “Tonight is supposed to be one of celebration, not business.”

The way he speaks of Maeva as nothing more than business makes my chest tighten, because she’s worth so much more than to be degraded as such.

“Go and dance with Maeva,” the king says, interrupting my internal seething.

“Pardon?” I ask, caught off guard.

The request is quite off-handed, considering that I haven’t danced at one of these functions since I was a child, let alone after I became a general.

A sinister grin crawls along his face. “Go and dance with Maeva, Emeryus,” he repeats. “It’s rude for the Crowned Prince of Zulgalros to not dance with my special guest. Indulge me. Besides, I don’t like the intensity with which your fourth commander is looking at her. Perhaps a change in scenery will do her some good.”

“If that’s your wish, my king,” I say, testing the order. I know better than to ask questions when he becomes obsessive over his prizes. Granted, I’m not fond of my fourth commander dancing with her either, but I trust my brother in arms. I know that above all else, he’ll protect her. In fact, our command when we were sent to retrieve Maeva was to always guard her. So why would a few dances with Virgil annoy him when my commander is following orders?

Unless it has nothing to do with his jealousy of Virgil and everything to do with his suspicions that I care for her. If so, I need to play the cards well this evening and not slip for even a moment.

“It is,” he replies.

I nod, rising from my seat. “So be it,” I reply.