Page 179 of Where Darkness Falls

“You know why we’re here, Serpent,” Emyr scoffs.

The Basilisk’s hood fans out from its body. “Alwayssss sssuch a pleasssure, High General, but you musssst hold your tongue. We’re in my domain after all, and I have what you ssseek,” it hisses.

“So you possess the Crógemma?” I scoff. “Why didn’t you give it to me in Delerauh, then? Why force me to come here?”

The Basilisk turns its large beady eyes on me. A sinister grin forms along its lipless mouth. “Becaussse,” it hisses, “you mussst releasssse it with your blood.”

Shadows snake down my arms.“Over my dead body,” I growl.

The warning before entering this hellhole was that the cost of power is blood, and if this Crógemma can only be accessed with her blood, then perhaps it’s capable of more than Tiernan originally led us to believe. Or what if he never actually wanted the gem, but merely to kill us all—including Maeva?

The Basilisk tilts its head, regarding me. “That can be arranged,” it hisses.

Maeva places a hand on my chest, shooting us both a withering look. “No!” Maeva scolds. “There shall be no killing today.”

“I’d make it quick, Rosey,” I bite out.

“I need that gem, Emyr. It’s important,” sheretorts.

I scoff. “Important for what, exactly? You never told me about the deal you made with Tiernan. Perhaps now you’ll finally enlighten me. Otherwise, I won’t let you do this,” I snarl.

Maeva turns away from me, burying her face in her palms. “It’s not that easy,” she murmurs.

I spin her around, removing her hands from her face. “No, it really is, Maeva. Just tell me the truth. What did he promise you?” I scold.

“MY FAMILY!” she cries, shoving me. She wipes a single tear from her cheek, as she sighs, “It’ll bring back my family.”

I’m both stunned and devastated that she believed this lie. “That’s impossible,” I answer solemnly.

“Tiernan promised me he can make it happen if I help him find the Na Fíréin, and to do that, I have to retrieve the Crógemma. After this I’m free, Emyr,” she replies, as if she’s trying to convince herself it’s the truth. “I’ll have my family, and I can go home.”

I run a hand through my hair, sighing deeply. “Maeva, he’s never going to let you go,” I murmur. “If you give him your blood tied to that gem, you’ll be his… forever.”

Her jaw clenches as she shoves me once more. “Why do you care, Emyr?” she snarls. “At least he’s never hidden the fact that he finds me valuable.”

“You don’t underst?—”

“What don’t I understand?” she snaps. “I understand that you push me away because it’s easier for you. I comprehend that you believe that you’re undeserving, even when I tell you that you are worthy of my affection. I understand that being near me scares you, and for the life of me, I can’t figure out why.”

“It’s because I love you,” I blurt out.

Maeva’s mouth parts slightly, lowering her raised palms to her sides. Her demeanor shifts as she regards me.

“You love me?” she asks.

I nod my head. “I’ve loved you since—” the words catch in my throat. The words I want to say… need to say… butcan’t.

“Emyr,” she sighs. “I love you too.”

“I know,” I whisper hoarsely. “That’s exactly why I can’t be with you. You’ll only be reminded of pain with me, and I can’t bear the thought of you resenting me. I’m not a good man, Maeva. You deserve more than I could ever be, and I hope one day that you’ll find someone who is—even if it kills me. I just beg of you to not force me to watch you becomehis, because from the beginning, you’ve always been mine. The thought of another having any part of you makes me ill. Yet, I refuse to be selfish and keep you here when you’re meant for so much more. So, I’m pleading with you to choose another path, even if I never see you again. Regardless of where you go from here, I’ll never love another. You’re it for me, my Rosey.”

Maeva cups my face in her hands, kissing me softly. As my tears run through her fingers, she wipes them away with ease. I wrap my arms around her tightly as she melts into me. My Rosey will always be my safe haven, even if I can never be hers. “I could never love another, Emyr,” she whispers. “As I’ve already told you, my heart is yours—come what may. I’ll never leave your side or abandon you. Not even my deal with the king can sway my feelings for you.”

I grimace, the mention of the king reminds me of what she’s expected to do. I lean in close, my mouth brushing against her ear. “He’s going to betray you, Maeva,” I warn.

“I know,” she whispers. “Which is why we’re going to run far away, hiding the Crógemma until we can study it further and see why he needs it so desperately.”

I smirk. My Rosey continues to surprise me. “What about your family?” I argue. “You’ve missed them so much.”

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