Gathering Darkness (Falling Kingdoms 3)

CHAPTER 22

MAGNUS

AURANOS

Alexius. The name Lucia had whispered like a prayer as she’d slept for weeks.

Alexius. The Watcher who’d preyed upon Lucia in her dreams when she’d been unconscious and defenseless.

Alexius. Now here with the king’s full permission, and officially appointed as Lucia’s private tutor. They’d barely left Lucia’s chambers since he’d arrived here a week ago.

The boy was a problem and a threat. But no one seemed to believe this except Magnus. He’d taken it upon himself to keep an eye on the Watcher and make sure he behaved himself.

Today, the king had given permission for Alexius, Lucia, and her new friend Cleo to leave the palace on a journey to a festival in a nearby village.

Magnus was not surprised that he hadn’t been invited to join them. But that didn’t stop him from going anyway, following them on horseback at a discreet distance.

It was no secret that he didn’t trust Alexius—or Cleo, for that matter. Lucia was a fool to trust either of them, even in the company of guards.

He followed their carriage for hours, until finally it came to a stop. Magnus directed his horse into the shelter of the forest line so he could watch unseen as the three stepped out into the sunshine. Lucia said something to a guard, and then headed off with the Watcher and the other princess into the forest. The guards didn’t follow.

How odd.

Magnus waited until they’d disappeared before he approached the guard Lucia had consulted, who stiffened at the sight of him.

“Your highness,” he said, his voice strained.

“What’s this?” Magnus asked. “Where are they going?”

“Princess Lucia requested that we stop here, then asked us to stay behind and wait as they go for a—a stroll.”

“A stroll.”

“Yes, your highness. She was adamant that we give them privacy and said they’d return when they were done—”

“Strolling,” Magnus finished. “Yes, of course.”

“If you want us to go after them . . .”

“No, don’t bother. I’ll go. Stay right where you are.”

He left his horse with the guards and strode into the forest, following a trail of trampled grass and broken twigs. With every step he took he became more suspicious of the nature of his sister’s day trip. Especially when accompanied by the likes of Alexius and Cleo, both of whom had dubious motives for spending time with the young sorceress.

He hastened his pursuit. He needed to learn the truth.

It didn’t take long for him to draw in on Lucia’s party. They were conversing, but the words were indistinct, so he decided to get closer. Then, suddenly, all fell silent.

Curiously silent.

What exactly is going on here?

He stopped and listened carefully.

“You! Come out!” It was Lucia. “Whoever you are, you’re fearless enough to follow us, so show your face and prove you’re no coward.”

His adopted sister sounded particularly fierce today. Perhaps this was the influence of the company she’d begun to keep.

Magnus was no coward. He was ready to confront them about where they were strolling off to in the middle of nowhere, so far away from their supposed destination.