Gathering Darkness (Falling Kingdoms 3)

“You were told correctly.”

Timotheus shook his head. “Don’t do this. We can talk. We can work this out. I know Melenia’s filled your head with all sorts of plans and promises, but—”

“This has nothing to do with her.” Alexius’s throat hurt from all the lies he’d had to tell since aligning with Melenia. Abandoning the only home he’d ever known was difficult enough, no matter if it was as much a prison as it was a paradise. But having someone who cared enough to try to stop him made everything worse. “I can’t stay here. I’ve fallen in love with a mortal. My place is by her side.”

Timotheus’s fingertips bit into his shoulder. “There’s another answer.”

“I’ve thought long and hard, and this is the only way.”

“You can never return. You won’t be able to take hawk form once you leave here. You will forfeit your immortality. If you die out there, it’s the end for you. You’re giving up everything.”

He looked into Timotheus’s eyes. This was his friend, the one he knew he could tell all his secrets to without being judged. They had so much history together, but Melenia had forced an immovable wedge between them.

The merest thought of defying her command caused Alexius so much pain he couldn’t function, couldn’t think. Melenia’s obedience spell had sunk its claws deep into his throat and wouldn’t let go.

“I’m sorry.” Alexius embraced him for the briefest of moments, ignoring the sting of tears in his eyes. “Farewell, my friend.”

Timotheus didn’t say another word. With his eyes on the elder, who watched him now with a bleak and solemn expression, Alexius shifted to hawk form one last time. He flapped his wings and took flight, heading toward the ancient stone portal that would grant him entrance into the mortal world.

• • •

Before Alexius could find the princess, he first had to take care of a task in Paelsia.

The Imperial Road stretching from Auranos to Limeros was now complete, but Xanthus had remained behind at the last deserted work camp to ensure that the magic in the stones would hold.

This was where Alexius had found the exiled Watcher, crouched at the side of his road, the Forbidden Mountains looming like unfriendly giants behind him.

Alexius approached, unsteady on his newly mortal legs. He knew they were the same legs he’d always had, but now—walking on Mytican soil and knowing he, too, was mortal—they felt different. Weak.

“Alexius,” Xanthus said, a grin lifting the corner of his mouth. “Melenia told me to expect you. It’s good to see you again after all this time.”

“Hard to believe it’s been twenty years.” Alexius scanned the tall man from head to foot. Once eternally youthful, Xanthus had aged during his time here, but his bronze colored hair and copper-colored eyes were still as bright as they ever were.

“Yes.” Xanthus reached for his hand and shook it firmly. “Though it doesn’t feel that long. Welcome to your new home. You’ll like the mortal world. Come, I’ll prepare something for us to eat.” He turned to go, motioning to Alexius to follow, but the younger Watcher didn’t budge.

“I know what you did to Phaedra.”

Xanthus stopped in his tracks.

“She loved you. She missed you all this time. She thought you were lost to her forever. I can only imagine how betrayed she must have felt.”

Xanthus turned with hard eyes to meet Alexius’s. “It had to be done.”

“Because Melenia ordered it.”

“Phaedra was a complication.”

“She was my friend. And your sister.”

Xanthus’s brows drew together. “I had no choice. Melenia commanded it, and I obeyed. But I promise you, she didn’t suffer.”

“Perhaps she didn’t.” Alexius drew out the dagger he had hidden beneath his cloak. “But you will.”

As her gift to him, Melenia had told Alexius what Xanthus had done, and had allowed him this brief opportunity for vengeance.

“You don’t need to do this!” Xanthus ducked and dodged the blade.

“Wrong. I do. Now that the road is complete, you too are a complication. This is also an order from Melenia, but it’s a punishment you deserve.”