Page 24 of Blooms of Darkness

“Rumors are spreading every time a carriage returns to the stables from long journeys,” Corbin said gruffly. “Issues at the borders are getting worse, and we know the trouble isn’t contained to just the outskirts of Brookmere now,” he continued. “Besides seeing these dark ones with our own eyes from the meeting in Eomer Forest and the drop, the villages requesting help are getting closer to Ellevail. We’ve already received another letter requesting aid since Storm’s came to us.”

Closing my eyes, I attempted to regain the inner peace gleaned from my garden before my cadre arrived.

Leif cleared his throat. “Kade had you more riled than I’ve ever seen, Your Highness.”

I glared, daring him to say anything further. When he held his hands up, conceding, I settled with a shrug. “He disrespected my father the entire fight. You know how I feel about cocky men in general.”

“It’s not safe to let your emotions get to you in a fight,” Ian remarked. “Especially during a battle where we could easily be overpowered.”

A lecture brewed in his eyes. We stared at each other until one of the others coughed, deliberately in a blatant attempt to distract us.

“We’ll need to be careful in the coming weeks, make sure we aren’t being followed, be more cautious when we’re together,” Ian said. “For the time being, since we had two outsiders learn so much about us, vigilance is key.”

He was right. The fact Kade and Storm found us at all should be concerning. The number of times they’d done it now—even worse.

“What about the other request that came in?” I asked Corbin.

“The request is simple,” Corbin began. “Leif and I could handle it by ourselves with no issue. No need for multiple meetings. Just need a few bales of hay and starter plants their Earth Fae can enhance and grow.”

“Well, that’s a bit of good news,” I said, relieved.

“You two take care of the new request. Quietly,” Ian commanded, sighing deeply. “About Storm and Kade’s drop next week…” He trailed off, seemingly to halt this discussion altogether.

Silence fell amongst us. I shifted my gaze between my three companions. “Is there something wrong with the plan?” I asked. Each of the men seemed fidgety, rocking back and forth, and refusing to make eye contact. It set my nerves on edge.

“You have come so far in your training, Your Highness,” Corbin lauded. “You wield your weapon well, and during the fight yesterday, you were focused and powerful.”

Corbin, who barely paid anyone notice, had me suspicious, complimenting me out of nowhere. Something twitched inside of me, a deep-rooted discomfort about myself and my abilities.

“Because of you,” Leif added, “our people are finding aid, when before, they felt unheard.”

“Stop it,” I said. “What is this about?”

“You can’t come on anymore drops.” The words tumbled out of Ian’s mouth, as if he couldn't hold it in any longer.

A sinister inner voice, which had been with me throughout my life, hissed in glee, giving itself a sense of validation.

“Excuse me?”

Unworthy. Weak. Nothing.

“This has nothing to do with what you’re capable of,” Ian continued. “And everything to do with a threat we don’t know enough about.”

“A threat I’ve helped with twice now, just like you.”

“Lana…” Leif took a step forward.

I hated knowing a part of me understood this decision.

“Stop,” I said. “I am the princess. My word is the one you will obey. There is nothing I should demand of you without facing it myself.”

Ian’s gaze filled with a sort of remorse I hadn’t seen in years.

In a whisper, he said, “As your personal guard, I forbid it.”

My jaw clenched.

“There is one heir to the entire kingdom, Lan. One,” he continued, his voice firmer the longer he scolded me. “Until we understand what this infection, or insanity, or dark magic is, I will not risk the heir to the throne’s life.”

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