Page 184 of Where Darkness Falls

The king lowers his hand as I twirl the crimson-laden diadem in my fingers.

Domhnall appears inches from my face. “You ssstupid girl,” he hisses. “He issss your king, and you will obey.”

King Tiernan snaps his fingers to silence the creature. “It’s alright, Domhnall,” he says. His eyes bore into mine in challenge. “She doesn’t trust me, but we must fix that immediately. Perhaps she’s listening to too many voices as of late.” My heart drops as his lips spread into a dazzling smile. “We should remedy that.”

In the blink of an eye, Domhnall disappears, reemerging before me with Laisren and Riordan in tow. Domhnall holds two black knives against each of their throats. They swallow heavily as thin rivulets of blood drip down.

“No!” I yell.

I lurch forward only for Emyr to hold me back. “Don’t, Rosey,” he whispers.

Your Highness, I beg you not to hurt them,” I plead.

The king laughs, walking around two of his most esteemed commanders, grimacing at them as if they’re trash. “Oh my exquisite darling, I won’t harm them as long as you follow my instructions carefully. Give me the Crógemma, and I’ll spare them ,” he croons. “I’ll even bring back your family, as weoriginally agreed.”

Emyr spins me to face him. “Maeva, don’t,” he warns. “There’s something that I need to te—” His face slowly turns every shade of red as he struggles to speak. He takes a deep breath, trying again. “There’s something that you must kno?—”

The veins in his neck protrude as his face reddens once more. Gripping his chest, he lowers himself to the ground—opening and closing his mouth as he gasps for air.

I grab his face, searching for the source of pain. “Emyr,” I murmur. “Emyr, what’s wrong?”

As he opens his mouth, his body violently shakes. His fingers dig into the snow as his face now morphs into a purplish hue.

My chin quivers as I attempt to comfort him. I’ve never seen him like this, and it frightens me.

What is possibly happ?—

I gaze over my shoulder at the king, who’s smirking. Though his eyes aren’t glowing, I reason that he’s somehow harming him telepathically. “Stop,” I snarl. “You’re hurting him.” Tiernan shakes his head, which only stirs my roiling anger. I bare my teeth at the king as I growl, “You’d harm your only son?”

The king laughs sardonically. “What’s happening to him isn’t of my doing, my darling,” he sneers. “He’s brought this on himself.” The king slowly walks toward his son who’s writhing on the ground. Tiernan bites the corner of his lip as he shakes his head—disappointment briefly crossing his face as he leans down. “Even after all these years,” he whispers to Emyr, “you continue to prove where your true loyalties lie.”

I blink rapidly. “What are you talking about?” I scoff.

The king smiles as he stands to his full height once more. “Ask him,” he replies.

“Emyr,” I say. “What’s he talking about?”

Emyr opens his mouth, but the same nonverbal response comes out as hecries in pain.

I throw my hands in the air. “Will someone kindly explain what’s happening to him?” I shout. My patience is wearing thin from the riddles and half answers. I can’t stand seeing Emyr in such torment.

Tiernan sighs, dusting imaginary lint from the mantle on his shoulders. “If you must know,” Tiernan replies, “he’s fighting the oath he made to me ten years ago.”

My brow furrows as I glance between the two Galrosans. “What does that have to do with me?” I ask.

Tiernan rolls his eyes. “Honestly, Maevriana,” he whines. “I thought you’d at least figure it out by now, or somewhat remember us. It appears that your brother did a better job than we thought at hiding your memories from you.”

My breath catches in my throat, as my heart stops. I wipe my sweaty palms on my leather, as if that would rid me of the wariness I feel.

What in the bloody Celestae is he talking about?

I had a brother?

He hid my memories?

Why would he do that?

But also, he said he hoped I’d remember “us.” Is Emyr a part of that “us?”