Page 185 of Where Darkness Falls

Tiernan pinches the bridge of his nose, sighing heavily. “Oh, for Celestae’s sake, darling,” Tiernan groans. Then, he grabs my wrist, pulling me to my feet as he drags me away from Emyr. “Honestly, must I doeverythingmyself?”

Emyr reaches a trembling hand toward us. “N-No,” Emyr chokes out. “D-Don’t, F-Father… p-please.” Emyr’s hand lowers to the ground as his body seizes once more.

The king grimaces, licking his teeth. “It’s quite humorous to me how I’m ‘Father’ only when it suits you, General,” Tiernan sneers. “The sooner this is over, the better, and we don’t have to pretend anymore.”

Tiernan turns over my palms, rubbing circles in their centers. “Don’t worry, my darling,” he croons, reinforcing his hold on my wrist. “Thishorrid affair will be over soon.” Glancing over his shoulder, he calls out, “Domhnall, a blade, if you please.”

Domhnall appears beside the king, holding one of the knives. In one quick slash, he slices open my palm. I scream in agony as dark blood slips down my fingers onto the stark white snow beneath. Then, the Scythe vanishes only to reemerge behind the two commanders that he’s bound in rope. Riordan and Laisren shout, attempting to squirm out of Domhnall’s bindings. Tiernan’s ring glows as he waves it at the two commanders. “Sleep,” he commands. Riordan and Laisren lie still in the snow, their torsos slowly rising and falling with their breaths.

My chest hurts as hot tears sting my cold cheeks.“What did you do?” I inquire.

Ignoring me, Tiernan tucks his gelid hand beneath the hemline of my tunic, wrapping his fingers around the golden chain, freeing the pendant from its hiding place. Tiernan’s ring glows as a dizzying sensation sweeps across my body.

I want to run—to flee—but my legs won’t move. They tremble like leaves, threatening to buckle at any moment.

A small sob escapes me as his hand hovers over my chest where the Dragon’s Flame rests. His mouth quirks up on one side as his glowing eyes become slits. “Quite clever of your mother and father to ward it so that only you may touch it,” he marvels, moving his hands up to caress my face. His mouth is just inches from mine as he whispers, “However, your precocious brother was foolish to hide your memories within it.”

My face is hot as I jerk my head back; however, he’s much stronger than me as his hands tighten to the point of bruising. A small yelp escapes my lips as my body trembles from his touch.

I need to get away.

What he’s saying is nonsensical.

Saoirse was wrong. I’m not strong enough to endure this.

Tiernan shushes me, as if I’m an insolent child. “Don’t worry, Maevriana,” he chastises, stroking my cheek. “This will hurt, but only for a moment.”

Then, he places my bloody palm against the Dragon’s Flame pendant, holding me still as severe pain burrows deep into my flesh. I shriek as agony crashes through me in wave after nauseating wave. My starlight erupts from the Dragon’s Flame in horrifying rivulets that wind around me. It feels like fire scorching my veins, and I desperately wish to claw it out. “Stop! Please, I beg you!” I shout.

However, the king is transfixed, watching my blood mix with iridescent light spanning across my torso. He pushes my hand harder against my chest, causing me to wail in my suffering.

“Only after what’s been hidden is revealed,” Tiernan chants above my screams, “will the Na Fíréin awaken and be unveiled.”

Maevriana! I’m coming! Just hold on!Saoirse bellows.

She sounds so far away… and I feel so… tired…

Then, everything goes black.

Twenty Years Earlier…

“Cahir, stop pulling my hair,”I whine, pushing away my dastardly older brother. Cahir smirks, like the cheeky devil he is, as his one blue eye and one amber eye glisten with mischief. His crown is crooked atop his head, as he untucks his royal attire for this very important meeting. As I turn around to ignore him, he tugs on a strand of my hair once more. “I’m going to tell Papa and Mama if you don’t stop,” I growl.

“Cahir,” our beautiful mother warns from the doorway. “Stop vexing your sister.” Mama’s dark emerald dress compliments her beautiful red hair and amber eyes. She’s as lovely as she is kind, and I wish I was more like her. My temper constantly gets me into trouble—a trait I inherited from my father.

“She started it when she kicked me,” Cahir whines.

“Only after you pushed me,” I protest.

A boisterous laugh echoes from behind Mama. “Now, now, children,” our father says. “Listen to your mother.”

Papa is so handsome, with cropped, wavy strawberry-blonde hair and dark blue eyes, complementing the magnificent blue tunic that he’s adorned with my favorite white-fur mantle with gold trimming. His beard is trimmed neatly, making his features even more attractive. His golden crown sits high on his head, allowing the emeralds to dazzle brightly in the sunshine.

I run over to him. “Papa,” I squeal. His harmonious laughter fills the room as he swings me up into his arms in the tightest hug. In my eyes, Papa is the greatest king and father to ever live. I hope to love someone just as magnificent as him one day.

A knock sounds from the entryway. “King Elias, Queen Riona,” an attendant calls out. “The Galrosan King and his family just arrived.”

Papa smiles, sitting my feet back on the ground. “Wonderful,” my father bellows. He holds my hand in his strong grip. “Let’s not keep our guests waiting.”