Page 88 of Where Darkness Falls

Emyr’s liquid amber eyes are cut into slits as he gapes at me. I offer him the brightest smile I can muster. “Well, High General,” I tease, swaying slightly. “Do I meet your standards?”

Yet, he doesn’t laugh or tease me as I’d hoped he would. There isn’t even a hint of amusement in his eyes.

“Have you not received enough compliments for one day?” Emyr growls. “Or does your ego need to hear once more that you’re lovely?”

Ice runs through me as my features return to cold indifference.

I knew he said that things would be different here, but why’s he being cruel to me now?

No one other than the Cadre and Tilly are here.

This is the most beautiful dress I’ve ever worn, so howdarehe try to ruin this moment for me? I straighten my shoulders, refusing to give him the satisfaction of knowing how deeply his words cut me.

“No,” I deadpan. “You have enough of an inflated ego for everyone in this room.”

Riordan sucks in a sharp breath.

I don’t wait for Emyr to respond before I turn my gaze to Laisren. “I assume that the king is ready for me to join him?” I ask.

Laisren shifts uncomfortably as he glances between us. “He is indeed,” he replies. “The High General, Riordan, and myself are to escort you to the throne room for an audience with King Tiernan and Queen Orla.”

I didn’t even know the king had a queen. The stories whispered in the village only ever spoke of a mad king with a demon as his counsel. If there is a queen, is she as cruel as her counterpart?

I grab the sides of my skirt, hoping to hide my trembling hands with the action.

As I’m rethinking this entire encounter, something Laisren said clicks in my mind.

He never said Virgil would accompany us.

I look to the Galrosan that I trust the most in this room. Virgil won’t meet my eyes as he looks down at his boots. “Are you not coming with us, Virgil?” I ask.

He looks up then, reaching for my hand and lightly squeezing it. “I have a few errands that I must see to,” he replies. “Don’t worry, Maeva. I’ll be back before the Masquerade of Shadows tomorrow.”

My brow furrows. “What’s the Masquerade of Shadows?” I ask.

“A ball, in honor of you joining us in King Tiernan’s court,” Emyr says. “As the king’s newest prize, he desires to parade you around in front of his constituents.”

Everything twists tighter in my gut.

Not only do I have to interact with the king and queen, but now the entire court in the Palace of Nightmares.

Will they be different species, much like the staff that keeps the palace functioning?

Will they all be Galrosan with their shadow abilities?

What will they expect of me?

I think I might pass out or throw up—or both!

Though my heart is racing at the thoughts swirling around in my head, I try my best to appear calm to the soldiers. “When was I going to be made aware of such an event?” I inquire.

“When it was necessary for you to know,” Emyr snaps. “The king would have informed you in a few minutes, but apparently my fourth commander is impatient.”

Virgil’s eye glows a golden amber as a small growl rumbles in his throat, but he doesn’t move from his place at my side. “I assumed you would have already info?—”

“Your assumption was incorrect,” Emyr interrupts.

The tension in the air is so thick. Instinctively, I squeeze Virgil’s hand—the contact seems to ease him, and his glowing iris dims. “He isn’t worth it,” I whisper to my friend.