Gathering Darkness (Falling Kingdoms 3)

o;From King Gaius, who hopes you’re enjoying this villa,” the servant said. Amara nodded and waved her away.

“King Gaius,” Amara repeated the name as she brushed her hand over the beautiful orchids. “How kind of him, don’t you think, brother?”

“Very kind,” Ashur said dryly.

“He banishes us to a forgettable location outside the palace walls, then sends flowers as a sign of friendship. Does he think we’ll be wooed by this paltry offering?”

“I’m not quite sure what that man is thinking.” Ashur paused. “Perhaps our friend Nicolo might know.”

Nic straightened his back, which only made his ribs hurt more. “Believe me, I’m just a lowly palace guard. You might want to talk to Cronus if you want some inside information. He’s quite chatty.”

His description of the silently intimidating captain of the guards earned him a smile from the prince and a quizzical look from the princess. Perhaps she didn’t understand his sarcasm.

Nic wanted to speak with Ashur alone, but Amara was making that impossible.

Ashur leaned closer. “How are you feeling? Did they do any permanent damage?”

Being near the prince, remembering what had happened in that alleyway, was much more difficult than he’d anticipated. “I’ll heal.”

“You look very pale.”

“That’s how I always look.”

“You look fine to me, otherwise,” Ashur said, raising an eyebrow. “Happily, bruises fade and I’m sure you’ll be good as new before too long.”

Nic shifted uncomfortably in his seat. “I hope you’re right.”

“I know you’re already well acquainted with my brother,” Amara said.

Nic wasn’t sure how he should respond to her statement. “We’ve spoken before.”

She studied him with open interest. “Ashur believes your relationship with Princess Cleiona makes you quite valuable.”

“Oh?”

“She sent you here today to speak with us, didn’t she?”

He gaped at her. “Excuse me?”

“It’s an educated guess. Please correct me if I’m mistaken. There’s no other reason for you to venture all this way, is there?”

He cleared his throat and sipped some peach juice to compose himself. “If that’s what you believe, what reason would she have for sending me?”

“So you can assess whether we’re friend or foe,” Amara said simply. “And she chose you because she trusts no one else.”

Nic glanced at Ashur.

The prince’s lips quirked up at Nic’s stunned expression. “My sister’s educated guesses are legendary in Kraeshia. She’s almost always right.”

“The princess should know that we are worthy of her trust,” Amara continued, as if she hadn’t just directly stated what Nic had been trying to be extremely delicate about. “We are happy to offer our friendship to Cleo, but she needs to be willing to help us in return.”

Nic drained the rest of his drink in a single gulp. No reason to deny anything. Now he had to gather as much information as he could. “What do you want?”

“What we want,” Ashur said, “is the Kindred. My father has finally accepted there might be a treasure here worth claiming for Kraeshia. But he’s a man of brute force rather than delicate finesse. Many will die if he and his armada come here to challenge King Gaius. I’d rather prevent all of that, if possible.”

From Ashur’s description, Emperor Cortas was every bit as fearsome as his public reputation, and every bit as ruthless as King Gaius. A shiver shot down Nic’s spine. “You think Cleo knows how to find the Kindred?”

“Yes,” Amara said, smiling.