Page 75

I’m going to kill Virgil slowly and painfully.

“Maeva!” I yell as Danté gallops quickly through the woods.

Virgil took watch shortly after I laid Maeva down in her spot beside me.

I assumed he’d be up to the task. However, he fell asleep while something (or someone) snuck into the cave and stole Maeva in the twilight hours.

I want to kick myself for sleeping so soundly that I never heard the intruder.

The exhaustion of this journey has blinded me from thinking rationally.

When I woke up and didn’t see Maeva, everything in me ceased to function.

The only thing left behind was a small piece of a cloth hat, reminding me of the Pookas—the elves’ less popular, slightly more obnoxious and carnivorous cousins.

The only clue as to the direction they went was a muddy trail of something—or someone—being dragged.

The thought of one of those insolent pests hauling her through the woods makes my blood simmer.

The Pooka villages aren’t far from here, and they love nothing more than mischief and terrorizing travelers for sport.

Even if they haven’t harmed her, I’ll make sure their heads are no longer attached to their bodies once I find them. Then I’ll kill Virgil slowly for his incompetence.

Or I could send him back to the Nightmare Palace, my more rational side reasons.

He hasn’t been acting like himself as of late—constantly sneaking around or running errands that he claims are for the kingdom.

However, in the last few months, he’s changed—become paranoid even.

Maybe all the stress is weighing on him.

Either way, he failed to protect her, and for that, he’ll be punished greatly.

“Maeva!” I holler.

The other Cadre echo the same, calling for our lost jewel.

The lighter color of the mist signals that morning is quickly approaching.

The woods are passing by in a blur as I continue following the trail that’s becoming harder to see.

Every moment that I don’t hear her voice or see her is another minute that trepidation overwhelms me.

“Everyone stop!” Laisren yells.

We all halt, looking to my second commander, who’s searching frantically in every direction. “Did any of you hear that scream?” he asks. All of us are silent for one moment… then two…

Suddenly, a blood-curdling scream pierces the sky, followed by an unmistakable roar of the Eitcham. My heart lurches, praying to Siorai that it isn’t Maeva. The scream sounds close.

“It could be a trick,” Virgil reasons.

“If she’s hurt,” I growl, “I’ll feed you to the Eitcham myself.

” Kicking my heel into Danté’s side, I follow the horrific sound.

“Maeva!” I yell frantically, pushing Danté to go faster.

My shadows curl around my hands as I follow the direction of the scream.

By the volume, I know we must be getting closer.

Hold on, Rosey. Please .

Then I see her, covered in dirt and mud, slumped against the base of a tree. She’s so still, and I can’t tell if she’s breathing from here. Surely, she hears the thundering of the horses’ hooves, yet she isn’t moving.

Why isn’t she moving?

“Rosey!” I scream with all the force of my lungs.

She jumps up, startled, and I sigh in relief when she runs toward us. “Emyr!” she calls out.

Before Danté can fully halt, I jump from his back just in time to gather her into my waiting arms. I shudder as I burrow my face in her hair, inhaling the scent of her.

She’s okay.

“About bloody time you brutes showed up,” she tearfully laughs, pushing out of my embrace.

“I’m so sorry, Maeva. It’s my fault for not ensuring that Virgil was rested well enough to keep watch,” I say apologetically.

“He’ll be punished for his negligence in keeping you safe.

” Maeva stiffens, a somber look crossing her face.

She opens her mouth, as if to say something, but then closes it just as quickly.

“Rosey?” I ask, hoping I haven’t upset her.

If the idea of punishing her friend worries her this much, I’ll spare him— for now.

“Virgil was on watch when I was taken?” she asks.

I tilt my head. “Yes?” I reply. “I found him sleeping outside the entrance to the cave after the rest of us woke up and realized you were missing.” Maeva nods, chewing on her lip in contemplation.

There’s something she isn’t telling me. Her body language is too rigid and nervous. “What is it, Rosey?” I ask.

“Well,” she begins, but stops once she notices the others. approaching. She twiddles her fingers anxiously. I grab her hands, blocking the others from view.

“You can tell me what’s bothering you,” I say.

“It’s probably nothing,” she whispers, leaning closer. “However, Fearghal, the creature that took me, said that only three of you were there. He claims the three of you were sleeping like infants. How could there have only been three of you present when I was taken, but four when you woke up?”

I stare at her in utter disbelief. “Are you certain that’s what this Fearghal said?” I whisper. She nods emphatically, which causes my nostrils to flare. “What did this Fearghal look like?”

Then, she tells me in detail of his pimpled and wart-ridden face, as well as all the other features that directly confirm he’s a Pooka.

She tells me of his deal with another man seeking to purchase her, as well as how she tried to get away but was almost eaten by him in the process until the Eitcham came to rescue her.

I grind my teeth together, processing all that she’s said.

Three.

Only three.

Why would one of my cadre sneak away in the night?

Maeva says that perhaps the Pooka was mistaken and didn’t count accurately, but from my encounters with Pookas, one thing for certain is that they’re expert mathematicians.

Which is why they’re often employed by the crowns when looking into business investments in order to establish the monetary value of such deals.

Despite their eccentricities, they’re accurate.

So if it claims to only see three, besides Maeva, then there were only three.

However, which one of my respected Cadre— my brothers —are keeping secrets from me?

Laisren never leaves my side.

Riordan can’t even hide a gift for another person as a secret, plus he’s a terrible liar. I would know immediately if he were hiding something.

Unfortunately, the only one left comes to mind:

Virgil has been sneaking out of the palace late at night.

Virgil disappears for days on assignments that he claims Tiernan ordered him to carry out.

Virgil has secluded himself from the rest of us ever since he met Maeva .

Virgil has never allowed anyone close, but has welcomed her in with open arms.

The point to really drive the final nail in the coffin… Virgil claims he never left his post, and just simply fell asleep.

My anger coils within me as the rest of the Cadre dismounts their horses, rushing to dote on Maeva. However, my rage blinds me as my shadows shoot from my hands, pinning Virgil to the nearby tree. He squirms against my hold, calling forth his own shadows, which mine bat away easily.

Maeva pulls on my arm. “Emyr, what are you doing?” Maeva asks. I shake her off as my shadows twist like a noose around Virgil’s neck.

Virgil’s features redden as he reaches for my shadows. “What in bloody Celestae is wrong with you?” Virgil chokes out.

“Emyr, that’s enough,” Laisren shouts.

“Not until he tells me where he really was when Maeva was taken,” I growl.

“What are you talking about, mate?” Riordan asks.

“The Pooka that took Maeva claims there were only three of us in the cave when he arrived. He never claims to have seen you, and we both know Pookas are great mathematicians. So simple addition wouldn’t be a hard feat for the bloke. So, let’s hear it. Where were you?” I seethe.

Virgil doesn’t bat an eye as he answers.

“I’m sorry. I left when I heard something nearby in the woods.

When I returned from my investigation, I did see strange marks along the ground, but the mist was so thick, I thought I was seeing things.

I didn’t look inside to make sure she was alright, and that’s my mistake.

Emyr, I promise on the Eternal that I’d never betray her… ever.”

I allow my shadows to tighten just a smidge as I study him intensely.

As he gasps for air, I realize I should kill him for omitting information this morning—punish him for allowing Maeva to be taken in the first place.

I don’t have any proof that he’s lying, as I’ve found no deception in his words.

Yet, there is something that he’s hiding, and whatever it is will come to light eventually .

“Emyr,” Maeva says, placating. When I don’t release him, she places a hand on my arm.

I turn my head to find her face fear-ridden, and I see the pain that I’m causing her by harming him.

My seething anger slowly dissipates, not because I feel guilty for what I’ve done to Virgil, but because I’ve made her fear me.

“He answered your question truthfully. Now release him,” she coos softly.

“You’ve punished him enough. I don’t want to lose him, too. ”

Reluctantly, I pull my shadows back, dropping Virgil to the ground.

I kiss the top of her head, then walk over to the sputtering man on the ground.

I squat in front of him, and he glares at me as hidden anger lingers beneath the surface.

“Your punishment should’ve been death, yet Maeva asked for mercy on your behalf.

I’ll be watching you closely, Fourth Commander.

Whatever you’re hiding, I’ll find out eventually.

Don’t try to cross me, or I’ll kill you, even if it breaks her heart,” I murmur, my tone promising violence if he is to challenge my orders.

I turn to walk back toward the group when Virgil speaks my worst fear aloud.

“You’ll never be worthy of her, Emyr,” he taunts.

I glance back to find him smirking as he rises from the ground.

“Once she finds out who you really are, she’ll run and hide from you.

You’ll never have her—not fully,” he continues.

My fists tighten at my sides, which only encourages him.

“What a shame it is to be so close to winning the affection of a woman worthy of Eternity, yet you continue to be what you’ve always been. ”

“Meaning?” I snarl through gritted teeth.

Virgil’s smirk widens, as he leans in, placing a hand on my shoulder.

“Meaning that you’ll always be the son of a Demon King, and she’ll always be more.

When the day finally comes that you push her away for good, I’ll be there to pick up the pieces.

Regardless of how much she loves you, she’ll always need me to protect her,” he whispers.

I shrug his hand off my shoulder. “Well, she may feel like she needs you, but as you said, she loves me, and isn’t love the thing that conquers all?” I sneer.

“Perhaps,” Virgil scoffs. He pushes past me, but I catch his arm .

“She’ll never love you the way she loves me,” I whisper. “We’re connected in a way that you’ll never understand.”

“Oh, I can assure you we’ll never be romantically involved, but make no mistake that I do love her and will do whatever it takes to protect her—even if it means allowing you to break her heart,” he sneers. “And you will break her heart.”

I finally release him, allowing him to rejoin the others. Maeva runs to meet him, hugging him tightly—which he reciprocates. He spins her around to where he now faces me, offering a sardonic smile and a wink. My heart lurches slightly at their interaction because he’s right.

She may love me, but some part of her will always feel kinship with him.

He might believe me to be a demon’s son, but he’s the predator hiding amongst the sheep, biding his time to strike.

The only question is when will he strike?

One thing I know for certain is that if he thinks I’ll ever let Maeva go without a fight, then he better prepare an army for war.

Rosey is mine, and not even the creatures of the Abyss will keep her from me.