Gathering Darkness (Falling Kingdoms 3)

“I was concerned.”

“Concerned.” She spoke as if the word tasted rotten. “Believe me, I’m well aware that Cleo likely harbors deep resentment toward me. Although, it would be difficult for her to hold more resentment for anyone than she does for you.”

Such harsh words might have made him flinch if he wasn’t already well aware of the truth in them. “This conversation is not nearly as cordial as I’d intended. Why so hostile today, Lucia?”

Her expression was a bit pinched, but Magnus wasn’t sure if it was entirely directed at him.

“You avoid me for days, like I’m carrying a disease, and you think I’m being hostile?”

“Apologies, sister,” he hissed the word, “but I was under the impression you wanted to make me forget . . . how did you put it? My unwelcome thoughts?”

Her expression stiffened. “You weren’t meant to hear that.”

His wedding day held more bad memories than a rebel attack, an earthquake, and bridal daggers combined. That day had also confirmed Lucia’s continued disgust with his unbrotherly feelings toward her.

Magnus willed himself to stay calm. His confrontation with Cleo had disturbed him more than he wanted to admit to himself.

The rose Lucia held had turned brown and brittle in seconds. Was that earth magic? Or was it the slow, dry heat of fire that had so quickly stolen its beauty?

Perhaps he wasn’t the only one trying to stay calm.

Only a year ago, Lucia had come running to Magnus, her arms laden with storybooks. Such fantastical, entertaining reading material wasn’t usually permitted in the Limerian library, which was meant to contain only educational texts, essays, and facts.

They’d spent an afternoon poring over the books and had found a tale about a secret magical gateway in northern Limeros, which allowed access to worlds apart from this one, but only if the traveler prepared for the possibility they might never return.

“Would you want to go through the gateway?” she’d asked him.

“I don’t know.” He had considered it carefully before answering. “Go somewhere far from here where everything’s fresh and new and full of possibility? I might. As long as you came with me.”

“I could never leave my home,” she’d replied with a laugh. “What a silly thought!”

She didn’t realize it, but her words had wounded him deeply. When the day was over he’d taken the book with him, torn out the pages that contained the story about the gateway, and burned each one, watching the parchment curl and blacken before his eyes.

Torn, burned, and forgotten—this was what should always be done with useless fantasies.

“All I wanted to say to you today is . . . be careful with Cleo,” Magnus said. “She’s very deceptive.”

“Aren’t we all when we need to be?” Lucia said with a slight smile. “If there’s nothing else, Magnus, I have other things to do.”

A voice nearby caught Magnus’s attention before he could respond. Not that he knew what else to say to her. “Your highness.” It was Cronus. “The king summons you.”

Clearly Lucia didn’t want his guidance—or company—anymore. She wished only for him to leave her alone.

Very well. Wish granted.

“Good day, Lucia.” Magnus turned on his heels and followed Cronus along the path back to the palace. On the way, he passed Cleo, heading toward the flower garden.

“My sister is waiting for you,” he said.

“Glad to hear it,” she replied.

She sounded so lighthearted and carefree; it was as if they’d never had their discussion earlier. Was she really so certain he wouldn’t tell his father everything she’d said? Everything she’d overheard? “Be careful, princess.”

“I always am.”

“Always? Or starting today?”

The glare she sent him over her shoulder was so fierce it very nearly amused him.