Gathering Darkness (Falling Kingdoms 3)

Her heart swelled and the darkness that had risen within her, all the fear and despair she’d felt, was washed away in the moment of tenderness.

“I love you,” he whispered. “No matter what happens, please don’t ever doubt that.”

When he kissed her again, the horrible memories of the spell and the nightmare swirled away and vanished into smoke.

• • •

Two days passed without incident. Lucia kept the secret of her clandestine awakening spell to herself, but she decided she would soon be ready to swallow her pride and share it. She would accept Alexius’s anger at her foolhardy decision to forge ahead without his guidance and protection.

Today’s lessons included more magic stealing. Alexius had insisted on it, despite her protests.

“We’re wasting time,” she said. “We need to find an excuse to leave the palace and claim the other crystals. We can’t wait any longer. Why don’t you seem more concerned? Someone might steal them as well!”

He regarded her with patience. “I was concerned, princess. But then, last night, Melenia visited my dreams. I told her of our progress, about what happened at the temple. I suggested that she send hawk scouts to watch over the other locations.”

“And what did she say?”

“She said that she already had.” At Lucia’s gasp, he smiled.

“So hawks have been watching them.”

“It’s what we Watchers do.”

Lucia worked this possibility over in her mind before she spoke again. “Does this mean she knows who has the earth crystal?”

He nodded.

“Who?” she prompted when he didn’t readily tell her.

“Jonas Agallon.”

Her eyes widened, immediately recognizing the name. “The rebel leader.”

Alexius watched her evenly. “You are a sorceress, princess, with vast magic at your fingertips. What has been stolen can and will be stolen back. This is why I’m not overly concerned. And you shouldn’t be, either.”

“But Jonas could use the crystal—”

“First he’d have to figure out how,” he cut her off. “And trust me, princess. It’s not that simple.”

Trust me.

She did trust him, she had to admit. Despite his horribly annoying tendency to hold back information he thought would upset her, she’d come to trust Alexius with of all her heart and soul.

“But who could have told Jonas where to go and what to do?” she said, half to herself, half to Alexius.

“Is the answer to that question really that difficult?” he replied. “Only three of us were there for the awakening spell, princess.”

Before she could reply to this stomach-churning statement, Cronus came to the door to escort Alexius to his daily meeting with the king. He was earlier than usual, but no wonder the king needed him so urgently; the palace was a swarm of activity today as it readied itself for the wedding of a Limerian girl from a noble family. Her father, Lord Gareth—one of the king’s most trusted advisors and friends—had requested the honor of King Gaius’s presence at the ceremony. Though not normally one to consent to such frivolous requests, the king had decided the wedding would be an excellent excuse to hold a large feast and had issued orders to organize it swiftly.

Ever since moving to Auranos and taking his seat upon his new golden throne, her father seemed to jump at any chance to hold celebrations. She wasn’t sure if it was all for show, a way to further intoxicate his new subjects, or if he actually enjoyed such events.

Alexius bid her farewell, leaving Lucia to pace her chambers, her head spinning with everything he’d just told her. Suddenly there was a knock at the door, and she opened it to reveal Cleo.

“Am I interrupting?” Cleo asked.

For a moment, Lucia couldn’t find her voice. Cleo now visited her daily, ready to draw her into talks about boys, about life in general. She was only interested in frivolous discussions and long walks in the courtyard and through the palace corridors. For days after Cleo had given her the generous gift of the ring, Lucia had been fully open to this. She was happy and deeply relieved to finally have a close friend she could trust with her secrets.

Now she wasn’t sure what to think.