Page 109 of Where Darkness Falls

No one can deny she’s a great beauty, yet something tells me that there’s more to her than what the king currently desires anyone to know. I just wonder what it could possibly have been that stole the king’s attention to seal her fate?

Tiernan softly tilts my chin up. “Look at me, my darling,” he commands. His crown glistens under the glow of the stringed candles, each black diamond sparkles as his head moves closer to my own. The hairs on the nape of my neck stand to attention with every inch he closes between us. “There you are. Now, isn’t that so much better?” His lips brush against the shell of my ear as his fingertips tighten around mine. “You must do better to not show your open disdain for me, my darling,” he whispers. “One might think you loathe me, and we can’t have that now, can we?”

I swallow hard. “No, Your Majesty,” I whisper.

Then, just as quickly as he’d invaded my space, he stands to his full height once more, seemingly satisfied with my answer. He guides us in graceful pirouettes through the throngs of the other couples dancing. To anyone around us, we look as if we’re enjoying one another’s company. However, they don’t realize I’m biting my tongue so hard that the sharp tang of blood is all I can taste. It’s the only way I’m able to keep myself from informing everyone what a horrible ruler he truly is. Instead, I play into the act he desires for me: adoring and attentive. Even if I’d rather be anywhere else than in his arms.

“Are you enjoying the ball?” he asks.

“Yes, my king,” I reply. “It’s quite the experience.”

He winks, appeased by my answer. “It’s all for you, my darling. This is a celebration to commemorate the special gift that you possess,” hesays as his eyes travel down to the Dragon’s Flame. “I rather enjoy spoiling you.”

Bile rises in my throat as I fight the urge to cover my mouth with my hand.

Why is every bloody person in this kingdom so obsessed with my pendant?

Yes, the god blessed me with it to find the Na Fìrèin, but it’s not as if I can conjure the god’s chosen before me. I’m just an amnesiac that doesn’t even remember where the blasted thing came from, or why Siorai chose me for such a holy task. More curiously, why is the king so interested in the Na Fíréin?

Surely, the king doesn’t seek redemption for his atrocities, so what other reason could he have to desire to find the god’s chosen. No, whatever he desires must be sinister, which only allows that pool of dread to settle even more into my very bones. There’s more to this that I don’t understand yet, and I hope I figure it out before whatever he has planned takes effect.

I force a tight smile. “How kind you are, indeed, Your Highness,” I reply.

As the song concludes, I try to pull away, but he keeps me held tightly against him. Leaning down, he kisses my cheek and whispers, “I hope you enjoy my surprise.”

Then he releases me, leaving me gawking after him, confused and speechless.

Whatever it is,it can’t be good.

The king grins maliciously as he stands on the makeshift dais, holding up his hands, signaling for the revelers to be silent.

“What’s going on?” Laisren asks as the Cadre and Emyr come to stand around me.

“He said it’s a surprise,” I murmur.

“For who?” Riordan asks.

“This isn’t typically a tradition for these events,” Emyr says.

I release a shuddering breath. “He said it’s for me,” I reply.

Emyr’s silhouette grows larger beside me, if that is even possible.

He truly is quite possessive, isn’t he?I murmur.

Only because he cares for your safety,Saoirse replies.

Then theking’s dulcet voice carries over the expanse, interrupting our conversation. “Thank you all for joining the Masquerade of Shadows this evening,” he yells. “This celebration is in honor of a very special guest, my darling, Maeva Cale—the one prophesied to bring forth the reign of the Na Fìrèin.”

The crowd erupts in applause, as the king extends a hand in my direction. The air suddenly feels colder than it has this entire evening, and dread settles into my stomach.

“I don’t like this, Emyr,” Virgil says.

“Neither do I,” he replies.

“In honor of Maeva joining our court,” the king continues, “I’ve arranged a gift for her and for all of you, my beloved supporters.”

The crowd erupts into shouts, roars, and wails of excitement. The king’s face twists into something akin to amusement, but it’s distorted by the wicked gleam in his eyes.

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