Falling Kingdoms (Falling Kingdoms 1)

She was so tired that she retired to her chambers rather than go in search of Mira and Nic. There, however, she found that she only stared at the ceiling, unable to sleep.

If she’d found the exiled Watcher, everything would be different. She would very possibly have the means now to return Emilia’s health and vitality.

Perhaps it was only a legend. It pained her to even consider this.

All that had kept her optimism and belief going had been Eirene’s stories. They’d been so alive, so real. Eirene had given Cleo hope.

She’d all but forgotten the old woman these past days. The envelope with the name of the local tavern owner, to whom Cleo had planned to send her gifts of gratitude through, had gone untouched and unopened.

“Good fortune will find those with pure hearts, even when all seems lost.”

They were Eirene’s parting words to her. All certainly seemed lost right now. Trapped in a castle, with no idea when she’d be able to safely leave again. Her sister fading away before her very eyes.

Cleo swung her legs out of bed, determined to find the envelope. Even if she was unable to send anything yet, she could gather what she needed in her spare time. Lately, she had a great deal of spare time.

The small envelope sat on her dressing table, beneath a pile of unread books. She picked it up and broke the seal.

Instead of an address, she was surprised to find a note and two tiny brown pebbles inside.

The note read:

Princess, please accept my apologies that I couldn’t tell you the truth about myself. It is a secret that I’ve held for many years that no one knows, apart from legend, not even my granddaughter. A pure heart is worth more to me than gold. Yours is such a heart. Use these precious seeds to heal your sister so she can help lead Auranos toward a brighter future. —Eirene

held her sister’s thin hand gently. “What can I do to help you?”

Emilia settled back on her multitude of colorful pillows. On her nightstand was a large bouquet of flowers Cleo had picked in the castle courtyard, the closest she could get to being outside. It was in the direct center of the castle, a large patch of walled greenery with apple and peach trees and a beautifully groomed flower garden. Both sisters liked to take classes out there when the tutors were agreeable.

“Be strong, that’s all,” Emilia said. “And try to spend more time with your friends in this strange and confusing time, not only with me. I don’t mind being alone tonight.”

Even in her current strife, the future queen of Auranos kept a stiff upper lip, just as she’d always been trained. It was very nearly amusing how unlike the two sisters were despite less than three years separating them in age—Emilia so mature and Cleo the opposite.

Cleo twisted her finger through a lock of her hair. “I’ve been trying to avoid them. Aron’s now lurking in the shadows. I never know when he’s going to jump out at me.”

This made Emilia laugh. “You mean, he isn’t out waving a sword around and trying to protect his future wife?”

Cleo gave her a squeamish look. “Don’t even joke about something like that.”

“I’m sorry. I know you find no humor in this situation.”

“None at all.” Cleo sighed shakily. “But enough about Aron. My foremost worry is your well-being, sister. And as soon as this battle is over, which I hope will be very soon, I’ll send a guard to Paelsia as I promised I would.”

“To search for this Watcher with healing seeds to help save my life.”

“Yes, and don’t say it with such skepticism. You’re the one who gave me the idea in the first place. Before, I didn’t even believe in magic.”

“Now you do?”

“I do. With all my heart.”

Emilia shook her head. “There’s no magic that can save me now, Cleo. It would be best that you try to accept what’s meant to be.”

Cleo stiffened. “Never.”

Emilia laughed again, although it was a weak sound in her chest. “So you believe that you can fight destiny and win.”

“Without a doubt.” As long as Emilia breathed, there was still hope for a way to cure her.

Emilia squeezed her hands. “Go, find Mira and Nic.”