Page 94 of Where Darkness Falls

I neither grasp what Saoirse is telling me about the king, nor do I understand how the king is able to compel me. Either way, I know in my gut that he can’t have my pendant.

Even if I were to give it to him, would it not burn his flesh like it had with the captain?

However, if it doesn’t burn him on contact, what does he plan to do with it?

I barely understand what the pendant is capable of.

“Maeva. Darling,” Tiernan’s voice coaxes me from my thoughts. “The burden you carry is grave indeed. Why don’t you allow me to hold on to it until you’re strong enough to wield such power? You don’t have to carry this alone, my darling.”

The tug toward him pulls at my mind again, begging me to comply. My insides roil as the desire to obey overwhelms me, but I won’t cower before his wickedness. However, I know I need to play my part well, so I don’t end up the victim of hisor his wife’s rage.

I back away from the throne dais a few more feet before dropping into a curtsy.

“I can’t give you the pendant, my king,” I say. “The last person to touch it had their hand severely burned from the contact.” I raise my eyes to him with all the sincerity I can muster. “Surely, you understand why I wouldn’t desire to harm the noble hands of our illustrious king?”

The lie slips so easily off my tongue.

King Tiernan’s eyebrows are practically in his hairline. Apparently, this isn’t how he envisioned our meeting. For a moment, the darkness behind his careful facade of beauty slips. His shoulders expand as he clenches his jaw, as I smile almost sweetly at him.

“Youdareto defy a direct order of the king?” bellows Orla’s maniacal voice. There’s a madness in her eyes that is—in fact—the most terrifying thing I’ve ever witnessed. Her left eye twitches as her face slowly reddens. She stands abruptly, stalking off the dais…

Toward me.

An amused smirk plays along the king’s lips as he watches his queen stomp toward me.

“N-No, my queen,” I say, stumbling back. “I just wouldn’t wish any harm to?—”

Her hand connects with my face with a loud crack. I grip my stinging cheek, backing away from the crazed queen. I’ve never seen bloodshed glisten in someone’s eyes as violently as it does through hers.

“Give it to me,” she shouts.

“I-I already told?—”

Smack!

Anger stirs within me as I stumble back once more.

“I should order the soldiers to feed you to the Abyss for your defiance,” she seethes.

Release me,Saoirse growls, which distracts me for a moment.

Orla rears her arm back to swing again, but this time it isn’t her palm that connects with my face, but her fist.

I’m thrown to the floor, sliding a few feet away—a trickle of blood seeping from my busted lip. Though the wound is sealing, it isn’t quick enough for the queen not to see. Her hysterical laughter fills the expanse—thrilled at the sight of my blood.

“Your Highness,” I call out. “Please, make her stop.”

The king watches me with greater intensity. “And ruin all the fun, my darling?” he croons.

His statement is the final straw to snap the small thread of restraint I held. Now, the anger, the hatred, and the raw power of the starlight blinds me as it all comes rushing to the forefront. It’s like a part of myself that I’ve kept trapped in a coffin within my mind is unlocked—free at last.

Release me,Saoirse demands again.

No!I say, the pendant glowing around my neck.She’s mine.

The queen’s mouth falls open, and her eyes bulge as my pendant illuminates the space. Despite her reaction, she isn’t deterred in her assaults. Yelling, she lunges for me, but I throw my left hand out, allowing the starlight to twirl around her, binding her where she stands. The warm hum of my ability thrums through me as it seeks retribution for the attack. It coils tighter and tighter around the queen until she can no longer move her limbs. Her lavender eyes swim with an almost water-like movement, but whatever she’s attempting to do doesn’t work as they return to their normal sheen. There’s genuine fear across her face as she tries to wriggle out of my starlight’s grasp.

I smirk, using my ability to levitate her—pulling her mere inches from my face. The mad queen searches for an answer within my gaze that I’m sure she won’t find.

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