Page 111 of Where Darkness Falls

Aria screams and fights against Domhnall’s hold, but it’s no use as the creature’s claws bury themselves deeper within her skin. Emyr’s shadows quickly spiral out from his body, latching around her. Only when his hold is secure, and Aria can no longer wriggle free, does Domhnall release her.

“This evening, you’ll answer for your crimes,” the king says to Aria.

Aria spits in his face. “The Na Fìrèin will rise,” she yells, a malicious glint to her features. Turning her face to the crowd, she finds me once more and a weak smile crosses her lips. “Hail the Na Fìrèin! The chosen one’s reign shall prosper and bring an end to this darkness,” she yells. A chorus of boos erupt from the crowd, but Aria doesn’t waver, even as tears trail down her cheeks.

Wiping the spit from his skin, King Tiernan turns to Emyr. “Kill her,” he yells.

Emyr’s eyes meet mine for a split second, sadness and regret coursing through them. I try to offer an apologetic smile, because I know he doesn’t have a choice. “It’s okay,” I mouth. Emyr winces as he twists the shadows tighter around Aria’s body. Her screams of pain fill the skies, which the creatures delight in.

Anger burns heavily in my chest for him, for Aria, and all of Celestae, for being put under the reign of such wickedness.

“Maeva, don’t watch,” Virgil says quietly, but it’s too late as the loud crack of Aria’s neck reverberates around the garden. She no longer screams, and her body goes limp. The crowd cheers wildly as Emyr’s shadows uncoil from around her, dropping her body on the dais. Finally, King Tiernan’s ring and eyes dim.

“Now, my beastly companions,” Tiernan says, addressing the crowd. “It’s been some time since you’ve had a true feast. Enjoy!”

The orcs and minotaurs that were so calm moments ago are now in a frenzy as they push their way to the wooden dais.

“We need to get her out of here,” Virgil yells to Laisren and Riordan above the noise. I’m frozen as the Cadre pulls me away from the torment, throwing anyone that attempts to touch me across the garden. I know I should make it easier for them by moving my body, but my eyes won’t leave the broken High General, who’s looking at the ground before him—never meeting my gaze.

The once kind boy became the monster of his father’s dreams,Saoirse says sadly.The boy grew into a man believing he’s the demon his father forced him to become, leaving that once kind boy to be a distant memory.

Then, I’ll make sure he remembers,I cry,if it’s the very last thing I do.

A promise that I plan to keep until my last breath.

I don’t cryas we walk through the palace or even in the corridors. I don’t break when the Cadre leaves me in my chambers to rest. It’s only when I’m buried deep within the covers on the bed that I allow myself to mourn.

Every emotion continues to flow until I fall asleep, and the nightmares overtake me.

Monster.

Demon.

Abomination.

Wraith.

Murderer.

The words swirl in my mind as the warmth of the water curls around me. I submerge myself beneath, hoping to cleanse myself of the sin that I committed tonight. Yet, under the surface, the images of what he made me do dance across the churning water. Aria’s screams and declarations replay over and over again.

You should’ve saved her,my fears whisper.You could’ve resisted the pull of his commands, but you didn’t. You gave in like the coward you are.

I’m more than the demon he created,I reply, reemerging from the watery depths of the tub.

I wipe the droplets from my face as an image of Maeva’s tear-glazed eyes play out before me.

Can she trust me after what I’ve done?

I tried to resist the pull to obey Tiernan, but the more I attempted to delay, the stronger the pull became—feeling as if it would rip me apart. The noose is around my neck, and Tiernan controls the lever. As long as he’s in control, I’ll never be free.

I never wanted to be this.

I didn’t want to kill her, but what choice was I given?

I made her death as quick and painless as I could for Maeva’s sake, even though I know the king would’ve preferred my more brutal methods. I couldn’t subject her to that.

After Aria’s neck snapped, I couldn’t force myself to look into Maeva’s eyes. I wouldn’t have survived seeing the horror etched into her features again. Even though Maeva briefly knew this woman through her sister, it’s evident that Aria’s involvement with the Friotaíocht was shocking to her.

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