Page 183 of Where Darkness Falls

Then, Saoirse, I relea-

My thought is stunted by the sight before me.

True fear, unlike anything I’ve ever felt, floods through me. The Cadre ceases their chattering as they come up behind me. Their bodies instantly tensing, straightening to their full heights. A guttural growl works its way out of Laisren’s throat.

Maeva, I need you to say it now!Saoirse bellows.

I don’t understand.

This wasn’t supposed to occur.

How-How did…

Maeva, release me!Saoirse cries.

But I’m frozen and unsure what I’m supposed to do now.

I bow my head. “Your Highness,” I say.

King Tiernan beams as he watches us, Domhnall ever present at his side as he inches closer. “Hello, my darling,” he coos. His amber eyes and onyx ring glow as his assessing eyes roam to the diadem in my hand. His nostrils flare as his smile stretches from ear to ear.

“You’ve done so well. Now hand over the Crógemma,”he says into my mind.

Maeva!Saoirse pleads.

All of this is wrong.

He shouldn’t be here.

Then, I remember the sound of cracking limbs and the silhouettes of a dark figure with red eyes in the woods. The Galrosans thought it to be creatures of the wood, but they were wrong.

I’m a fool.

The king and his Scythe trailed us this entire time, watching from the shadows, and I played right into their hands.

The king laughs softly, extending his hand. “My darling,” he sighs.

My throat bobs as I stumble back a step.

It feels as if time has slowed as sorrow floods my heart.

I can’t allow him to have this artifact… even if I die trying to stop him.

Saoirse,I whisper.I release you.

I plastera sugary smile on my face. “To what do we owe this pleasure, Your Highness?” I ask. “Was I misinformed that we were to bring the Crógemma to the palace? Surely, Your Excellency has better things to do with his time than meet us here.”

I hope to stall long enough for Saoirse to arrive, and whisk the Cadre to safety. She claims she’ll be here swiftly, but how she’ll manage to take all of them at once, I’m unsure. I just pray she isn’t too late to help.

The king’s jaw ticks, a smirk playing across his lips. “Yes, well,” he coos. “I was worried how you were faring, so I decided to meet you here instead. Nothing is more precious to me than you, my darling. Now, hand over the diadem, and I’ll fulfill our bargain.”

If I were a naïve woman, I’d believe him to be trustworthy because he presents himself as gracious. If I were a silly woman, I’d fall for his handsome face and silver tongue. However, I’m neither anaïve nor silly woman. The ruthlessness he hides is peeking through the cracks in his carefully laden facade, as an unsettling madness waits to be unleashed. I fear that the smallest bits of his cruelty I’ve witnessed are only a taste of what he’s truly capable of.

Apparently, my hesitation isn’t the response the king desires, as a dark presence caresses my mind once more.“Don’t make a scene, my prize. My patience grows weary.”

Removing his presence from my head, he flexes his fingers. “Hand it over, my darling,” he says again.

I tilt my head up as I straighten my spine. “I’ll make a deal with you,” I challenge. “Fulfill our bargain first. Then I’ll give this to you.”