Page 3 of Blooms of Darkness

Without it, perish from the kingdom's blight.

Chapter 1

The night’s shadowy darkness brushed against my sweat-slicked skin like an old friend.

Perhaps it was, seeing as there weren’t many Fae who could claim its title. At the rate I trusted others, perhaps the shadows of night could have an oh-so-honored spot on the short list of those I called friends.

I tilted my head back, rolling my neck. The thatched roofed homes on the outskirts of the city were a reminder I neared the crowded edge of town. I leaned against the alleyway wall while trying not to choke on the scent of stale beer permeating the air. The stench only increased the closer I drew to my destination.

Murmuring voices sounded, and a young couple strolled by my hiding place, none the wiser of my presence. I continued toward the end of the city limits, my soft-soled shoes silent against the cobblestone streets.

The stone wall protecting the city loomed ahead of me. Once there, I could move faster, not having to worry about slinking around guards to get to the meeting point. Guards were everywhere in this city, even outside the palace. Supposedly, they were throughout Ellevail for my benefit, but kept me cagedinstead, since I was prohibited from leaving the palace grounds without an escort.

My stomach churned, acid creeping up my throat, and I paused to quash down the unease. Sneaking out wasn’t something new. Wandering the streets in the dark while I moved unknown in the night, brought me comfort and a sense of freedom. But tonight seemed different.

The message I’d received for this meeting varied from those I generally entertained. Likely because it arrived from outside my normal channels and the network I’d so carefully built.

Somewhere behind me, a whisper of fluttering wings beat twice and the hairs on the back of my neck rose. I waited, stilling my entire body, except for my rapid heartbeat, which wouldn’t cooperate. This time when I paused, I grasped the hilt of my dagger. Inching closer to the wall and pulling my hood farther forward to hide my too-fair skin and recognizable, unique rose gold-tinged hair, I waited.

Two breaths.

Three breaths.

With a heavy step, the shadow following me made itself known, as a pebble skittered across the cobblestone path. I twisted, grabbing the arm of my stalker, my dagger leant gently on his throat.

“I told you I didn’t want you coming tonight,” I hissed against the man’s ear, his coarse stubble bristling against my skin.

Ian Stronholm’s laugh quieted as I held my blade against his neck. “Lana, you do know that’s a real dagger. While I’d love a scar to show off to the ladies, I don’t want to deal with blood on my shirt, or telling Lucinda I soiled it again when she only just cleaned it.”

Despite being a few inches shorter than Ian’s six-foot-tall frame, I held my ground. Lowering my blade, I shoved him forward. I didn’t care if he’d been my friend for over twentyyears, I hated my request being ignored.Loathedit. “I said I didn’t need you this time.”

“And if you think I’d let you meet with a stranger, who knew how to contact us outside of Corbin and Leif, you don’t know me at all.” Ian brushed the collar of his black tunic back into place and cocked an eyebrow at me. “Besides, you’re the damn crown princess, Lana, who is forbidden from leaving the palace grounds. Sneaking out alone at night is a poor choice and one I care not to explain to the king.” A teasing smirk pulled at his lips.

The wind playfully swirled a few loose strands of blond hair, which escaped the band he used to pull it back. He studied me, knowing he had struck a nerve and daring me to bite back with another retort.

I crossed my arms, furious at him for putting himself in danger alongside me, but also glad for his company despite its dangers. I wanted—no, needed, to take this meeting alone to prove to myself that I could. A way to prove to myself I was capable of accomplishing something on my own. Capable of more than simply wearing a tiara and being the princess in our world of gifted Fae. But perhaps the desperation to feel anything other than stifled and kept in a cage made me a bit short-sighted.

“The message was addressed to the Hidden Henchman, not Princess Dresden,” I huffed as a bit of my rage dissipated.

Ian leaned in closer, backing me against the wall, as he attempted to rein in the anger in his voice. “There are two people who we thought knew how to get messages to the Hidden Henchman —Corbin and Leif. Knowing a mystery message appeared outside of our network, and to the castle no less, is worrisome. Even if they don’t know you’re the princess, they know the Hidden Henchman can be found inside its walls.”

I stepped around his large body, but not before shoving my shoulder into his stupidly hard chest. He was right. Damn him, he usually was.

“Fine. However, they learned of the Hidden Henchman, their letter said they needed aid for their village. It doesn’t seem nefarious. Yet.”

“Yet,” he agreed. A knowing silence passed between us before we pressed on.

Side by side, we slipped into a familiar pattern. As we trekked forward, Ian motioned when to move, slow down, or halt with various hand signals we’d developed over the years. After skirting through the last few cobblestone streets, we finally approached the ancient stone wall built to protect the city of Ellevail. A wall reinforced not only with magic, but with layers of rock and sand over the past two decades, as rumors of evil and darkness spread from our border towns.

Almost by second nature, Ian and I clung to the shadows, as we observed two armed guards march past. Right on time, as always. Neither of us moved immediately, waiting a few beats after the sound of their boots receded from the cobblestones before we continued toward our exit.

“Here we go.” Ian winked and ran across the back alleyway. Carefully, he lifted the grate, leading to a small tunnel outside the palace walls. We’d discovered the loosened grate years ago and never said a word about it to the guards or groundskeepers. He signaled to me as soon as he deemed it safe to move.

One quick slip through the narrow entryway and along the damp tunnel, and suddenly, I stood in another world.

Being on this side of the wall never ceased to amaze me. The starry expanse of the open sky, no longer strangled by the too-close-together stone buildings and walls of the city, stole my breath with its beauty. The earth-rich scent of the air, and the whispering sound of wind through the trees and grasses, complemented by noises of insects and animals, were nature’s serenade. Although the city and palace of Ellevail were beautiful in their own right, the surrounding stone walls meant to protectits citizens left me claustrophobic and suffocated. I so rarely had an opportunity to leave, so I savored these quick moments of freedom.

Out here, all of nature’s magic freely roamed and played. Out here, nature displayed its gifts, reminding us of the source where Fae power originated.

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