Page 199 of Where Darkness Falls

I’ve waited patiently for too long to seek vengeance for our parents’ deaths, and now I’ll have my justice.

A knock echoes on the door of the strategy room. “Your Highness,” Gawain calls. “Saoirse approaches with your sister and the Cadre in tow.”

I clap my hands together. “That’s excellent news!”

How delicious this moment will be.

My sister will finally look at me and remember who I am, and I’ll finally kill the man that brought us so much pain. I hope she’s able to recognize her brother underneath the deformities. I had to change so much of my appearance to not be detected by the king’s soldiers, especially by the Cadre. Long gone is the handsome prince that I was, but I’ve learned not to cringe at my new appearance. This version of myself is resilient, strong, and perhaps a bit cruel. I release a sigh, knowing that life will soon be wrenched from Emyreus’s body, and perhaps I’ll kill his friends while I’m at it.

I straighten my royal tunic, placing my father’s restored white mantle across my shoulders. My sister always loved this one when we were children. I hope it’ll soften the shock of seeing me once again. After all, ten years is such a long time to not know one’s own brother.

The day I left her in Aurelius shattered my heart, but I knew that in order to keep her safe, I had to. She developed a whole newpersonality from her amnesia, helping her to blend in with the everyday villagers. She played her part as well as I’ve played mine. I’ve become a confident leader, even though I’ve been lonely. Only my sister truly understands the turmoil of the life we left, and the life we hope to bring to all that reside in Celestae.

Saoirse roars from above, signaling her descent.

“Let’s go see my sister,” I say to no one in particular.

I’m met with the dimming sky as I step out of the tent. In the middle of the ancient, abandoned village is Maeva, slowly climbing down Saoirse’s left shoulder. The High General and what remains of Cadre have already been tied up by a few of my men. Fortunately, they’re now awake, so they won’t miss this glorious reunion of the Malvorian heirs. It shall be the last one they ever witness.

Squaring my shoulders, I hold my head high as I walk through the camp toward my beloved sister. My soldiers stop and salute as I pass by. As I draw near, Laisren curses under his breath, causing Emyr and Riordan to glance up. As I predicted, their mouths flop open, and they can’t tear away their gazes. As they should. They—in all of their glory—always overlooked me, never truly sparing me a second glance.

How lovely it is to see that I duped even the most brilliant of Tiernan’s men.

“Introducing His Royal Highness, Prince Cahir,” Gawain calls out in that annoyingly high-pitched voice of his. Truthfully, I’ve always had half a mind to cut out his tongue so I’d never have to hear it again. However, I suppose that would be unkind, considering how supportive he and his friends have been of my rebellion, so I’ll allow him to be… for now.

Maeva’s body is tense as she spins around quickly to face me. She doesn’t move a muscle as she watches me, her mouth falling open. I smile brightly. “Hello, sister,” I say. “Have you missed me?” Her gaze lingers on my dual eyes as disbelief lights her features. Then, her eyes trail to our father’s mantle. Warm tears spill over her cheeks, and I seethe wheels in her mind turning as she slowly pieces together all the little clues that I left for her over the last few months.

She rubs her eyes. “I-It’s impossible,” she murmurs.

I close the distance between us, grabbing her hands in mine. “I promise you it’s not,” I whisper. “I’m right here, as I always promised that I would be.”

She releases a sorrowful laugh as her arms wrap tightly around me. Her body vibrates from her sobs. I softly stroke her hair, reminding her that she’s safe now. No longer will she have to carry this burden alone, and no longer will the darkness fall. The light is beckoning to be released, and finally the star has returned.

“I’ve missed you, Virgil,” she cries.

“Welcome home, Little Star.”

To Be Continued…