Page 134 of Blooms of Darkness

“Nervous to have both of us so close? The ideas are exciting.” I knew it was the wrong thing to say, but I couldn't help myself, trying to relieve the tension.

I could practically see the smoke coming from her ears. “Never. Again.”

I dismounted from the stallion and left him with the stable boy to be fed and watered, while Storm did the same. I offered Lana my hand to help her down, but she jumped off by herself. She appeared wary as she surveyed her surroundings. Ian had taught her well.

Storm entered the rundown inn first, and we followed, my shadows leading Lana, since I knew if I touched her, she’d just struggle further. William, the old innkeeper, sat watch from his normal spot behind the bar, empty, save for one lone traveler passed out on a table.

We were halfway across the room, when she turned toward William and started yelling, “Please, help me! My name is Princess Illiana Dresden. I’ve been kidnapped by these men! They killed the King of Brookmere!”

The old Fae was unfazed, his lips drawn in a tight line, and he bowed his head once as we passed him.

“Food in our rooms, William. When you can.”

A grunt was all I got in reply.

I had to force Lana up the stairs, but eventually, we made it to the top.

She whirled on me. “This is treason, and I’ll never forgive you for this.”

“Yes, you keep reminding me, Little Rebel,” I grumbled before pressing a hand to her back and shoving her up the last few stairs and into our room.

Chapter 39

LANA

The beef stew tasted surprisingly good, even if I could only stomach a few meager bites before laying back down.

I curled up in a ball on the bed, listening to soft snores coming from the couch where Storm managed to fall asleep almost immediately after downing his dinner. Kade sat on the floor in front of the fire, staring at its crackling embers, his back facing me.

It was a good thing he wasn’t looking at me, although I knew he felt the daggers boring into the back of his head.

I had trusted this man with everything.

How could I have been so wrong?

The man I had trusted with my body, and nearly with my heart, killed my father. Tears silently fell as I thought of the life fading from his eyes. The way he’d smiled at me even as he lay dying, trying to convince me I was something worthy.

“Was any of it real?” I whispered, wiping the tears away. “Or was this all a plot to kill my father and ascend the throne?”

Kade glanced over his shoulder. “You seem to have your mind made up already, Little Rebel. I’m not sure there’s anything I can say with the grief so fresh that will change it.”

“Stop calling me that,” I hissed. I hated that name now. I hated how much my heart broke hearing it fall from his lips.

“I would have chosen you, you know. If you had won. You didn’t need to kill him.” A small sob escaped into the pillow. The last thing I wanted to do was wake up Storm and have another arrogant man to deal with. One who would surely back Kade in whatever excuses he gave me for his actions. If he even bothered to give any at all.

Kade sighed and slowly stood up, stretching his back. A crack of his bones cut the silence. He reached into his pocket and handed me a piece of parchment. “Your father asked me to give you this.”

I snatched the paper from him. The parchment shook in my hand as I examined it. The envelope remained sealed with my father’s crest, unbroken.

“I don't know what it says, and despite what you may be thinking, I didn’t magic it open and read its contents. Whatever is in it is meant solely for you. We will be leaving just after first light tomorrow morning. I suggest you sleep.” Looking me over once more, Kade retreated and lay down by the fire.

Carefully, I lifted the seal, preserving the wax, now one of the only things I had left of my father.

My Dearest Illiana,

If you are reading this, then things have gone terribly wrong. There is much I need to tell you. Please believe everything your mother and I have done has been for you, to protect you, and to raise you to be the Queen of Brookmere.

When you came to us as such a small child, we knew we would love you with our entire heart and treat you like you were our very own. But we didn’t have the honor of birthing you.

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