Gathering Darkness (Falling Kingdoms 3)

“Auranian boys learning battle skills. For what purpose?” Lucia asked, skeptical. “To mount a rebellion against my father?”

Cleo laughed lightly and Lucia eyed her, uncertain what had been so funny. “No, believe me, this is just for fun. I’ve known boys like these all my life. Beyond little tournaments to draw the attentions of pretty girls, they aren’t interested in battle. Besides, if the king saw this as a threat, I have no doubt he’d put a stop to it.”

This was true. And Lucia had to admit, the display before her was certainly . . . entertaining.

Still, even now, amidst the sunshine and greenery and handsome young men, Lucia felt the darkness of her magic stirring within her. It was always with her, ever present, but when she was with Cleo it didn’t torment her as much as it did when she was alone.

should learn to be more respectful.

“It’s an honor, your highness,” Ada, the freckled one, said, curtsying again. “I hope we haven’t offended you.”

“Not at all,” Lucia replied.

That was a lie, of course. No matter how much her father believed he had these people under his thumb, she knew they wouldn’t easily forget what had happened. And it was not known by many, but Lucia had played a crucial role in the takeover. She had used her elementia to break through the magical warding on the palace doors she and Cleo had just walked through.

That moment had changed everything.

Would she have done as her father asked if she could have predicted the results?

If she hadn’t, her father would surely have been defeated. He and Magnus would undoubtedly have been killed. She would have lost so much.

Yes, she thought. She would do it again if she had to, if it meant saving the people she loved.

And, frankly, girls such as Cleo’s friends were lucky to be alive. They should be thanking her.

“It was wonderful seeing you all,” Cleo said hurriedly, clearly just as eager as Lucia was to end this little gathering. “Hopefully I’ll see you again soon.”

The girls murmured farewells as Cleo and Lucia walked past them. Lucia kept her proud stare on their wary glances until they each looked away, lowering their eyes to the ground.

That’s better.

“Apologies if they seemed rude,” Cleo said. “They’re just a small part of the group I used to socialize with. Perhaps they’re confused and hurt because they haven’t received an invitation to the palace in so long.”

Nor will they ever again, Lucia thought. “Are you very close with them?”

“Can we ever really have friends outside the palace we can truly trust?”

No. They couldn’t. Lucia hadn’t had many female friends in Limeros, as her father had kept her sheltered from petty socializing. Instead, she formed bonds with her tutors, as well as a few potential suitors from noble families she’d met at banquets and formal events. And, of course, Magnus.

A lump formed in Lucia’s throat. She used to consider Magnus not only her older brother, but her dearest friend. The cold way he treated her now pained her deeply.

But she couldn’t love him the way he wanted her to. And everything she’d done or said since his confession had only damaged their relationship more.

“Lucia?” Cleo squeezed her arm. “It feels like you’re a thousand miles away. Are you feeling all right?”

Somehow the princess’s touch helped chase the darkness away. “I’m fine. The heat, though. It’s rather oppressive, isn’t it?”

“It is quite warm today. Let’s stop for a while.” Cleo smiled. “I know the perfect place to rest.”

She led the way down a narrow cobblestone street filled with shops, then turned along an alley. It led them away from the business area and toward a tree-lined clearing. The grassy field was the size of the palace courtyard, at least a hundred paces in diameter, around which were arranged benches shaded by tall, leafy trees.

“My friends and I used to come here often,” Cleo explained. “Quite excellent entertainment, I must say.”

All around the clearing, at least two dozen handsome young men practiced swordsmanship with wooden blades. Roped off to the side was another area where they wrestled hand to hand. Most were laughing, their faces dirty, as they flexed their muscles and darted around one another.

“They’re not wearing shirts,” Lucia observed with surprise.

Cleo grinned at her. “No, they aren’t.”