Page 157 of Where Darkness Falls

“The Pooka that took Maeva claims there were only three of us in the cave when he arrived. He never claims to have seen you, and we both know Pookas are great mathematicians. So simple addition wouldn’t be a hard feat for the bloke. So, let’s hear it. Where were you?” I seethe.

Virgil doesn’t bat an eye as he answers. “I’m sorry. I left when I heard something nearby in the woods. When I returned from my investigation, I did see strange marks along the ground, but the mist was so thick, I thought I was seeing things. I didn’t look inside to make sure she was alright, and that’s my mistake. Emyr, I promise on the Eternal that I’d never betray her… ever.”

I allow my shadows to tighten just a smidge as I study him intensely. As he gasps for air, I realize I should kill him for omitting information this morning—punish him for allowing Maeva to be taken in the first place. I don’t have any proof that he’s lying, as I’ve found no deception in his words. Yet, there is something that he’s hiding, and whatever it is will come to light eventually.

“Emyr,” Maeva says, placating. When I don’t release him, she places a hand on my arm. I turn my head to find her face fear-ridden, and I see the pain that I’m causing her by harming him. My seething anger slowly dissipates, not because I feel guilty for what I’ve done to Virgil, but because I’ve made her fear me. “He answered your question truthfully. Now release him,” she coos softly. “You’ve punished him enough. I don’t want to lose him, too.”

Reluctantly, I pull my shadows back, dropping Virgil to the ground. I kiss the top of her head, then walk over to the sputtering man on the ground. I squat in front of him, and he glares at me as hidden anger lingers beneath the surface. “Your punishment should’ve been death, yet Maeva asked for mercy on your behalf. I’ll be watching you closely, Fourth Commander. Whatever you’re hiding, I’ll find out eventually. Don’t try to cross me, or I’ll kill you, even if it breaks her heart,” I murmur, my tone promising violence if he is to challenge my orders.

I turn to walk back toward the group when Virgil speaks my worst fear aloud. “You’ll never be worthy of her, Emyr,” he taunts. I glance back to find him smirking as he rises from the ground. “Once she finds out who you really are, she’ll run and hide from you. You’ll never have her—not fully,” he continues. My fists tighten at my sides, which only encourages him. “What a shame it is to be so close to winning the affection of a woman worthy of Eternity, yet you continue to be what you’ve always been.”

“Meaning?” I snarl through gritted teeth.

Virgil’s smirk widens, as he leans in, placing a hand on my shoulder. “Meaning that you’ll always be the son of a Demon King, and she’ll always be more. When the day finally comes that you push her away for good, I’ll be there to pick up the pieces. Regardless of how much she loves you, she’ll always need me to protect her,” he whispers.

I shrug his hand off my shoulder. “Well, she may feel like she needs you, but as you said, she loves me, and isn’t love the thing that conquers all?” I sneer.

“Perhaps,” Virgil scoffs. He pushes past me, but I catch his arm.

“She’ll never love you the way she loves me,” I whisper. “We’re connected in a way that you’ll never understand.”

“Oh, I can assure you we’ll never be romantically involved, but make no mistake that I do love her and will do whatever it takes to protect her—even if it means allowing you to break her heart,” he sneers. “And youwillbreak her heart.”

I finally release him, allowing him to rejoin the others. Maeva runs to meet him, hugging him tightly—which he reciprocates. He spins her around to where he now faces me, offering a sardonic smile and a wink. My heart lurches slightly at their interaction because he’s right.

She may love me, but some part of her will always feel kinship with him.

He might believe me to be a demon’s son, but he’s the predator hiding amongst the sheep, biding his time to strike.

The only question iswhenwill he strike?

One thing I know for certain is that if he thinks I’ll ever let Maeva go without a fight, then he better prepare an army for war.

Rosey ismine,and not even the creatures of the Abyss will keep her from me.

To saythings between Virgil and Emyr have been tense the last few days is the understatement of the century. The last four days have been filled with off-handed comments from both parties, as well as lots of redirection from Laisren, Riordan, and myself, trying to keep the peace. We’re all tired and irritable, but these two have been miserable. We only have a week and half left until we reach the Abyss, which only heightens everyone’s emotions the closer we get to finally fulfilling this quest.

A frigid breeze ruffles through my hair and clothes, causing me to shiver and scoot myself back further into Emyr’s embrace. He wraps his warm arms around me, but it’s still not enough to fully shield me from the rapidly declining temperatures the closer we get to the border. As I continue to quiver like a leaf, he simply laughs and plants a kisson the top of my head. “I’m s-so happy that my discomfort is a-amusing you,” I retort.

“Are you too cold, Rosey? We’re still at least a half hour from the border,” he teases.

I elbow him in the ribs, to which he mockingly grunts.

“You two are so precious it makes me sick,” Riordan says, wiggling his eyebrows.

Heat rushes to my cheeks, which only encourages Riordan’s teasing. Ever since our kiss in the cave, Emyr hasn’t shied away from being affectionate with me. Whether it’s a peck on the head, a lingering hug, sitting closer to me at the fires, or just kissing me in general, he’s shown everyone around us how much I mean to him—much to Virgil’s irritation. After what happened, he’s avoided speaking with me, other than short-clipped sentences. However, I constantly see him scanning the perimeter with wary glances.

Anytime I ask him if everything’s alright, his only remark is: “Everything’s fine, Little Star. It’s probably nothing.”

Yet, I can’t help but wonder if there’s something beyond what we can see or what he’s telling us. Since the encounter with the Minotaurs, I’ve felt as if I was being watched constantly, yet never seeing anyone there. I’ve deduced it to my paranoia after all the excitement that has followed these last few weeks.

“Are we ever going to stop and actually put on our bloody cloaks and furs?” Laisren whines. Apparently, he isn’t quite a fan of the cooler temperatures either.

“I agree,” I say through chattering teeth.

Emyr pulls on Danté’s reins to stop the horse from continuing. “Your wish is my command, Rosey,” Emyr says.

“Of course you’d stop for her,” Laisren grumbles under his breath.