Gathering Darkness (Falling Kingdoms 3)

“Why didn’t you let Princess Amara kill me?” he asked.

“You can’t die.” Ashur looked at him as if this were a crazy suggestion. “I won’t allow it. I told you that you’re important to me. That wasn’t a lie, Nic.”

He searched Ashur’s face for deceit, but found only sincerity. “How can I ever believe anything you say again?”

“Give me a chance and I’ll prove I’m worthy of forgiveness. I have a plan to stop Amara, to show her that what she’s doing is wrong. It’ll work. She trusts me.”

“Trust seems to be a common problem with you.”

Another smile played at Ashur’s lips, but faded in an instant. “I know I broke a bridge between us that we’d only started to build, and I regret that most of all.”

Nic stayed silent now, afraid to talk. Talking made him vulnerable. It made him stupid. Especially with the prince, for some reason.

“I’ll get you something to eat and drink. You need it.” The prince got up from his chair, pausing for a moment at the door. He looked over his shoulder. “You should know that I never planned to kiss you that night. I only meant to talk to you. That was all.”

Nic shook his head. “I don’t know what to say to that.”

“Something about you called to me—your sadness, your vulnerability—and I made a foolish decision. For days afterward, I was certain I’d disgusted you.”

Nic had been confused. Uncertain, absolutely.

But he hadn’t been disgusted.

Ashur met his eyes. “When this is over, I will ask your forgiveness. I won’t ask now; I know it’s too soon. But I promise I won’t let you down again.”

Words failed Nic, until finally he managed, “And what should I do in the meantime? Pretend I’m still asleep?”

“No. Amara’s no fool. She’ll know you’re awake. But stay quiet and don’t draw attention to yourself. I’ll visit you again to let you know my plan.”

“All right.”

Ashur paused. “I want to ask you something else when this is over, too.”

“What?”

Ashur’s smile returned. “You’ll have to wait and see.”

“Is it important?”

“Very.” He left the room and closed the door behind him.

An unexpected twist of hope took hold of Nic’s chest. “Then I guess I’ll wait and see.”

CHAPTER 34

CLEO

LIMEROS

Nic had the crystal. It was real. One component of the legendary Kindred was here, within Cleo’s reach, and it was every bit as beautiful as she’d always imagined it would be.

“What’s this, Ashur?” Amara’s tone was even, but her expression had turned as icy as the frozen shards scattered around the temple.

“I’ve never been interested in violence, sister,” he said. “Except when absolutely necessary. That’s where you’re more like our father than I’ll ever be. If he knew that even that single crystal existed, he’d crush this kingdom to dust to find it, and he’d kill everyone here who stood in his way. I didn’t realize how much you have in common with him until now.”

They were working together—Nic and Ashur. The thought was sweet relief itself to Cleo, just when she had thought all was lost. She spared a glance at Magnus to find him focused on the confrontation, his fists clenched at his sides.

Amara looked mad enough to spit. “I’ve killed no one who didn’t directly oppose or threaten us. But I don’t understand. How did Nic get here before us? He was tied up!”