Page 198 of Where Darkness Falls

“No!” I yell. I call to my starlight, but only a small flicker emerges—having burned through my reserve. I’m about to charge forward when a horrendous roar bellows across the sky.

Get down, Na Fíréin,Saoirse screams.

I fall flat on my face just as the searing blast of fire radiates from Saoirse, drawing a sharp line between the king and his Scythe, and the Cadre and me. I glance up to find Saoirse’s luminescent silver and gold scales hovering above me. One of her scales is roughly the size of my entire body. Her paws land with a resounding thud, causing the ground to quake beneath her touch. She’s just as magnificent now as she is in my memories. Then, she roars ferociously, and the ground rumbles as if the earth were to split open into a chasm. “You can’t have her, Demon King,” she snarls. Her voice causes me to flinch from its magnitude.

Saoirse’s long neck leans down, staring at me, hiding beneath her legs.

Hello, my dear,she beams.

I release a strangled sob.Saoirse,I sniffle.You came.

I’ll always come when you call,she answers.

Her piercing eyes watch me as I walk out from beneath her abdomen. Her three horns curl high upon her brow as her glistening goldenwings extend from her back. Her lipless mouth curls into a grin. Saoirse lowers her head until she’s eye level with me.Climb on! The flames won’t hold them for long,she cries.

My gaze shifts between her back and the ground, as I fear the height. Seeing my hesitation, Saoirse chuckles.You won’t fall to your death, my dear. Your brother had a saddle made for you. Now, climb up before I gather you in my claws.

I hurriedly climb over her scales, being careful not to scratch the Crógemma, since I’m unsure of its abilities. When I reach the curve of her back where her wings meet, there’s a saddle sitting squarely along her shoulder blades. It’s the most beautiful saddle I’ve ever seen, made of gold and emeralds. As I straddle it, I grip onto the horn tightly, securing my feet in the stirrups.

“Let’s go!” I shout.

What about the Cadre, my dear?Saoirse asks into my mind.

As I look down at the three unconscious soldiers, a vengeful part of me desires to leave them to rot in the hands of their king. However, I vowed to help them start over. Despite everything, I care deeply for the Cadre, even if their devotion to me was potentially all a farce. Though I know I can’t allow them to walk free, I refuse to leave them to die in Tiernan’s hands.

They come with us. I won’t leave them behind,I reply.

Yes, Na Fíréin,she answers. Once I’m secure, her glorious wings expand outward as she levitates. I clench tightly on the saddle horn as she scoops up the unconscious Galrosans in her front paws before rocketing toward the sky.

We rise through the air at such high speeds. My skin feels as though it could peel off at any moment. I feel free as the wind rushes through my hair, kissing my cheeks. As I look down to the ground below, I see an angry king shaking his fist, his shadows rolling from his body.He’ll never stop looking for you,Saoirse warns.

No,I reply.But next time, I won’t be the one left in the dark.

Saoirse roars her approval, then soars higher until the ground and the wicked king are no longer visible.

So, who are we going to see?I ask after several moments.

The words that come from my beloved dragon cause my heart to soar.

The Crowned Prince of Malvoria, Cahir.

Everything’s coming together,just as I planned.

Well, all except for that snafu with that lunatic, Fearghal. If he hadn’t blundered the attempt of her rescue with his own bloodlust, perhaps my sister never would’ve gone to the Abyss. However, I trust that the misstep on my part is all part of Siorai’s plan for her to awaken once more. So, yes, everything is gorgeously coming together.

Saoirse is released from her bindings. Maeva’s memories have probably returned to her by now. Plus, now that she knows how that imbecile High General deceived her, it’ll be so much easier to be rid of him.

Even when we were children, she loved him deeply. He was spineless even then, with his love of music and writing instead of choosing to train in the arenas with me. Whatever Maeva wanted, he did… that was, until his cowardice got the better of him with his dastardly father. In truth, I’d hoped that when Maeva and Emyr reunited, she would’ve held on to the hatred of the Galrosans, even without her memories. Apparently, I did my job too well, as she fell for his tricks once more. It was nauseating to watch her from afar, fawning over him again.

A cruel smile curls over my lips.

How splendid it’ll be when she’s the one that rips out his heart this time.

Blood for blood.

A soul for a soul.

For too long, we’ve hidden in the dark, lurking in the shadows amongst our enemies. Now, the army I’ve built is growing stronger by the day, and the news that their beloved Na Fíréin—their princess—is returning will be met with such revelry. Our light in the darkness has returned and will lead us to victory.