Gathering Darkness (Falling Kingdoms 3)

She turned and stepped over Petros’s body, not looking back at Lucia on her way out of the bakery.

Lucia let her go but stood at the doorway and watched the princess until she disappeared from view. Amara knew what Lucia was capable of. She would be wise to keep such knowledge to herself.

Lucia glanced down at the dead boy’s face, feeling nothing in her heart but relief. Finally, she left the shop. By now, the streets had cleared and she found herself nearly alone in the city.

In the distance she saw the golden spires of the palace, and she turned down one crooked lane after another in an attempt to head toward it. The city was a maze—much like the halls of the palace itself. One could easily get hopelessly off course if one wasn’t careful.

And even though she could see her destination, she knew she was lost and alone here. No one understood her. She couldn’t trust anyone—not even her family.

A sob caught in her chest as an unexpected, overwhelming wave of sadness swept over her. She was on the verge of tears when she turned the next corner.

And there he was. Standing in the middle of the cobblestoned road, as if he’d been waiting for her to arrive.

“You’re a dream,” she whispered. “I’m dreaming right now.”

Alexius’s silver eyes met hers and he smiled. “Not this time.”

But it had to be. This couldn’t be real. “You’re not here.”

“I’m not?” He looked down at himself, holding out his hands and inspecting them back and front. “Are you sure about that?”

The road lined with lush green trees, the sparkling stones that paved the walkways, the storefronts glittering under the sun . . . they all fell away and Lucia saw nothing—nothing but him. Only Alexius.

He approached, and she took one shaky step backward.

His brows drew together and he raked a hand through his bronze-colored hair. “I thought you’d be happy to see me.”

“But . . . how is this possible?” The words piled one on top of one another in their hurry to get out. “I’d all but convinced myself that you were a figment of my imagination. But you said we’d see each other again. That you’d find me.”

“And here I am.” He took her by her arms and drew her close. She was so dumbstruck by the sight of him that it didn’t occur to her for a moment to summon her magic, which had quickly become a natural instinct when she was startled or afraid. “I’m sorry it took so long, but I came as soon as I could.”

But this didn’t make any sense! “Watchers can’t take mortal form in Mytica. You should be a hawk. I’ve been searching for hawks all this time!”

Alexius grew serious. “We can take mortal form here if we exile ourselves.”

She actually stopped breathing for a moment.

He nodded, registering her shock. “I’ve left the Sanctuary permanently. That’s what took me so long. It’s rare to leave that realm voluntarily, believe me. One must be very certain that he wants to embrace the life of a mortal.”

He’d given up his immortality, could never return to his true home. “But why would you do such a thing?”

“You really don’t know?”

She shook her head.

He leaned closer and whispered to her, “Because I’m in love with you.” He grinned in response to her stunned expression. “Yes, princess. I’m here because there’s no other place I want to be than by your side. Now, shall we make our way to the palace?”

All she could do was stare. The explosions, the rebel escape, the confrontation between Amara and the arsonist, and now . . . now Alexius was confessing his love for her.

It was barely midday!

“The palace . . .” She grappled to find words. “Oh, yes, let’s march into the palace and introduce you to my father as my new suitor—an exiled Watcher from the Sanctuary who visited my dreams when I was asleep for months.” She nervously scanned the clear sky, her gaze drawn toward the slightest glimpse of the golden spire. “He’ll begin planning the wedding immediately. No, more likely he’ll have you thrown into the dungeon!”

The smile remained fixed on Alexius’s handsome face. “Let me handle your father, princess.”

That smile quickly eased its way into her heart.

This was real.