Page 97 of Where Darkness Falls

“That’ssssss none of your conccccccern, girl,” Domhnall bites out.

“Now, now, Domhnall,” King Tiernan coos. “She merely asked a question.” He returns his gaze to me before continuing. “It has endless possibilities. If you agree to this venture, I shall reward you beyond your wildest dreams.”

A dangerous quest to Celestae knows where on a hairbrained theory that I’m the only one to retrieve it?

What did the staff slip into the king’s tea today?

This request is absurd, even to my ears.

“And if I refuse your wager, my king?” I ask.

His nostrils flare. “That would be unwise,” he seethes.

Before I can open my mouth to speak, Domhnall rests a claw on the king’s shoulder. “Perhapssss ssshe requiressss time to contemplate, Ssssssire. Let’s make it through the ball and speak of thisssss again later. Sssssshe might be more willing to lissssten afterwardsssss,” he says, shooting a glare at me.

The king’s furrowed brow smooths instantly. “Indeed. After all, she’s the guest of honor. It would be such a pity for her to be locked in the dungeons during such a celebration.” His tone is full of warning.

Tiernan flicks a hand, and the throne room doors fly open, allowing Laisren, Riordan, and Emyr to join us. They quickly march in, taking positions around me.

“We’ll speak again the morning after the ball,” the king announces. “Until then, you’re free to roam the grounds as long as you have one of the cadre with you. Do consider what I’ve said, my darling.”

With a wave of his hand, he dismisses us. My feet can’t carry me away quickly enough.

Remember what I said,Tiernan’s voice whispers in my head.

I turn toward the dais, and the king offers a small wave.

Did he…

Did hejust speak to me?

I turn quickly, descending the stairs as hastily as my feet will carry me in this gown.

Perhaps it’s just my imagination because that is yet another ability the king of Zulgalros shouldn’t be able to possess.

Yet, if he does…

What does that mean for Zulgalros and Malvoria—or worse, for Celestae?

What could the Crógemma allow him to wield or destroy?

It’s my fate to awaken the Na Fìrèin, who will usher in a new era of freedom, yet this doesn’t feel like an honor…

It feels like a prison adorned in beautiful packaging.

One thing is certain: I’ll never escape my fate.

I’m goingto kill him.

One day, I’m going to end him slowly, and I’ll relish every moment. The throne room is enchanted, so no one outside of the doors can overhear the conversations within its walls. It just hadn’t occurred to me until today how messy some of those conversations could be.

I shouldn’t have left her alone.

When I entered the throne room and saw Maeva’s pale face with a fading bruise along one cheek and dried blood on her mouth, I wanted to strangle whoever was the source. Her dress was in such disarray that my gut twisted into knots.

How dare he allow this!

I thought he wouldn’t permit anyone to harm her, given how precious her ability is to him, but apparently he hadother plans.

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