Gathering Darkness (Falling Kingdoms 3)

Magnus tried to push the cobwebs from his head and focus on the girl before him. “Apologies. I don’t mean to be rude. I was just thinking of your brother. He’s very curious about local legends.”

She groaned. “He’s going on about the Kindred again, isn’t he? It’s been a hobby of his for years, learning all about magic. I’ve always thought it was a waste of valuable time.” She raised an eyebrow. “Unless, of course, it turns out to be true.”

“I hope he’s not too disappointed when his quest turns up nothing but rocks and dirt.”

“As most quests do.” She laughed, gently placing her hand on his arm as they strolled. “I find you very interesting. I see why Cleo is so taken with you.”

He stopped in his tracks. “You think she is?”

“Of course. To be married to such a strong and handsome prince . . .” She cast a sidelong look at him through her thick black lashes. “I can’t help but envy her.”

Magnus wasn’t accustomed to the way Amara flirted. He’d found that some girls showed interest by keeping their distance, giggling with their friends as he passed by in the palace halls. He’d encountered a handful of others who had been bold and fearless in their approaches, hoping to gain his attention. But most girls would simply cast fearful glances at him, assuming he was as cruel and cold as his father.

He couldn’t help but be slightly intrigued by the sly look in Amara’s eyes. She played at being coy, but she was just the opposite.

“Are you not betrothed yet?” he asked as they continued along a garden path flanked by flowers and manicured foliage. A brown rabbit hopped across in front of them, seemingly unconcerned by their presence.

“No. I’ve asked to wait until I find someone to my liking. No one in my family has ever waited as long as I have to wed. Well, no one except Ashur.”

“He’s not been betrothed?”

“He has. Three times. Each engagement ended for the same reason: He eventually decided he wasn’t interested enough in any of the girls to spend the rest of his life with them.” She shook her head, clearly amused by her brother’s romantic antics. “He is the youngest son, so my father has allowed him the kind of freedom he never would have allowed my older brothers.”

As firstborn and heir, Magnus never expected to be given such freedom, even if he’d been born to a different father. It was impossible even to imagine what it would be like to lead such an unsupervised life. “Perhaps it’s best to wait for the right person rather than agree to an arranged marriage, if one has the choice.”

“Do you really believe that?”

“I believe only in duty and loyalty to the throne.” And that throne would be his one day soon.

Amara turned to him, boldly placing her hand flat upon his chest. He looked down with surprise but didn’t step away. “Do you believe in the idea that two people could feel such instant attraction the moment they first meet that it’s impossible to ignore? That something intangible happens that binds them together—like they’re soul mates?”

Most girls liked to muse about such silly, irrelevant things as love at first sight and hearts ablaze with passion. Quite honestly, Magnus could not think of a single subject he was less interested in exploring, even with a girl as beautiful as Amara.

“I suppose it’s possible,” he lied. “But I don’t—”

Before he could finish, Amara pulled his face to hers and kissed him. It happened so quickly that if she’d had a knife, she could have slain him right where he stood without a fight.

Her lips were soft yet demanding, and she smelled of jasmine and peach blossoms.

Finally, she drew back from him, her gaze now fixed on the ground. “Apologies. I couldn’t help myself.”

He grappled for a response. “Don’t apologize.”

“I’d hate for Cleo to find out.” She furrowed her brow slightly. “I’d hoped she and I could become good friends. The last thing I’d want to do is to make her jealous.”

As if that were even possible. “Let’s not speak of it again.”

“Not unless you want to speak of this again.” She paused. “I must admit, I would welcome that conversation.”

She was surprising in so many ways, the bold and unexpected kiss being only the most recent. He wasn’t sure what to make of her—was she a princess out for fun and scandal, or was she more ambitious and strategic? Whichever it was, it did feel as if a game had begun between them, and Amara had made the first move.

Amara turned to her handmaiden. “Let’s go back inside and ensure the trunks are being placed in the correct rooms, shall we?”

The handmaiden curtsyed. “Yes, princess.”

Magnus watched the two girls walk back to the villa. Just before they passed the threshold, out came Prince Ashur, making his way down the garden pathway with a smug look on his face.

“My sister is quite a handful, isn’t she?” he said.