Gathering Darkness (Falling Kingdoms 3)

“Magnus has been of no use to me at all,” Amara said, crossly. “Pity. I had plans for him, but now they’ll have to change. He either knows nothing, or he’s unwilling to share even a sliver of information.”

“That sounds like the prince,” Nic admitted.

“Tell us more, Nic. Tell us everything you know about the search for the Kindred.” Amara sat down next to him, took his hands in hers, and stared into his eyes. “The king is as much our enemy as he is yours. He fears our father. Join with us and we will offer absolute protection to both you and Cleo.”

He’d already come halfway. He may as well continue.

After another healthy sip from the goblet, he took a deep breath and quickly related everything he knew, everything Cleo had told him—about the awakened crystals, about the blood magic ritual needed to claim them. When he was done, he felt purged of darkness.

“So Cleo doesn’t have one in her possession yet,” Amara said.

“No, not yet.”

“I see.” She appeared to ponder this as a servant approached and whispered into her ear. “Yes, very good. Go ahead and send him out here.”

“Please, your grace,” Nic spoke again to Ashur. “I urge you to leave this villa immediately.”

“You worry too much,” Ashur replied with a smile.

“And it seems as if you don’t worry at all.”

“I simply choose my worries very carefully.”

A flash of red caught Nic’s eye. He turned to see who had now emerged onto the patio, and, jumping up to his feet, he knocked over his goblet and spilled the rest of his cider across the tabletop.

Burrus, his enemy, stood before him.

“What are you doing here?” Nic demanded. “You’re supposed to be in the dungeon.”

“Not anymore,” the thug replied.

A thought hit Nic like a sucker punch. “You’re the prisoner who escaped, who killed Cronus. Aren’t you?”

Burrus snorted. “Hardly. I was freed yesterday. Milo is still inside and he can rot there as far as I’m concerned. Now shut up, maggot. I didn’t come here for you.” He glanced at the princess. “I have information.”

“Very good,” she said with a nod. “Tell us.”

Nic watched with shock as a slow and unpleasant realization had begun to set in.

The Kraeshians had more than one Limerian guard in their pocket.

“Late this afternoon, Prince Magnus and Princess Cleiona were spotted boarding a ship bound for Limeros, following on the heels of Princess Lucia, who has eloped with her tutor.”

“Limeros?” Ashur said.

“Yes. They left in great haste. I know this much: Princess Cleo was charged with treason and imprisoned earlier today. She was to be executed. And yet she’s now boarded a ship while being very much alive.”

Nic’s world ground to a halt. “What do you mean, she was to be executed?”

“Did I stutter? Are you stupid? Oh, wait. I already know you are.” Burrus rolled his eyes. “Princess Amara, don’t bother trying to coax information out of this useless idiot. I’ll tell you everything you need to know. For the right price, of course.”

“Of course.” Amara smiled at him and reached forward to pat his arm. “And I’m grateful for that. What else do you know?”

“Nothing at this time, princess.”

“So all who hunt the Kindred, apart from the king himself, have picked up and left for Limeros. Coincidental, don’t you think?” She glanced at Ashur.

“I don’t think it’s coincidental at all,” he replied.