Page 75 of Where Darkness Falls

“We’re an hour from the palace,” Emyr says, pulling me from my thoughts.

A chill trails along my spine as I focus on my surroundings for the first time in several hours.

Holy Celestae, how long have I been daydreaming?I wonder.

The terrain looks different here in comparison to the southern part of the kingdom. Rolling hills, mountain ranges, and even the woods appear to be more dense. A shaky breath escapes me as I take in the ashen remains of a colossal structure on one of the blackened hillsides. An eerie feeling trails along my skin, warning me to be wary of this place, though I’m not sure why. There’s something foreboding here.

I worry my lip as I notice hundreds of houses lay within these ruins. Hundreds of lives and families once dwelt here, and now there’s onlythe carcasses of their remains. Even in its decaying state, I can see how resplendent this place once was. Compared to the structures in Delerauh and Aurelius, every house and building left amongst the ruins is grand.

What in all Celestae?—

Suddenly, a hammering pressure assaults the front of my skull. The pain is so unbearable that I want to scream. I raise a hand to my temple, swaying slightly, when my vision goes dark:

A burning house.

Screams echoing across the grounds.

A hand trying to reach for me.

“Run!” a voice commands. “RUN!”

“Maeva,” Emyr’s steady voice calls, pulling me away from my nightmare. “Are you alright?”

As suddenly as the throbbing began, it ceases. Something about this place must have triggered it.

So strange.

I’ve never experienced one while being awake.

Perhaps it’s the overwhelming exhaustion causing me to have such visions. It would also explain why my head was throbbing moments ago. Sleep deprivation can easily cause hallucinations.

“Rosey?” Emyr whispers. There’s such a tenderness in his voice. I swivel my head around and am met with his worried eyes.

“I’m sorry,” I say, forcing a smile. “I had a headache for a moment, but it’s gone now.”

“You must be exhausted from the journey,” he reasons. “Don’t worry–you’ll have time to rest before meeting the king.”

A tight smile crosses my lips as I face forward once more.

“What is this place?” I ask, pointing to the ruins. “It feels?—”

“Ominous?” Laisren interjects.

I nod.

“Yes. Do any of you know what happened here?” I ask.

Emyr’s body stiffens behind me, shifting uncomfortably. The others have gone rigid as well.

“Did I say something wrong?” I ask.

Emyr clears his throat. “N-No. You didn’t say anything wrong. It’s just complicated,” he says. “It’s difficult for me to speak about.”

My brows pinch together. “What do you mean?” I ask.

Emyr releases a sigh, looking out at the destruction. He seems haunted by this place. There’s so much regret and pain laden within his eyes, and it breaks my heart to see it. I grab ahold of his helmet, forcing his gaze back to my own.

“What happened here, Emyr?” I whisper.

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