Page 49 of The Light Falls
Another yawn. Stress is zapping my energy. When I looked at the map earlier, everything felt so imminent and terrifying. Nothing made sense. I haven’t even been queen for a month. What do I know about strategy and war? Zilch. Zero. Thankfully, Cormal knows more than most, and I know that regardless of what happens between us, he will stand by me. For a criminal king, he has a high degree of integrity and a fierce need to protect his friends.
Stepping out of the portal, I’m startled to see Lorn, Allandra, and Faris. “Oh. Hello. I didn’t realize others would be joining us.”
Allandra tucks her hand into Faris’ arm. “Lord Faris came over to talk to Lorn about the council meeting tomorrow. I insisted he join us. Three’s a crowd, but four is a double date.” She giggles and squeezes his arm.
For the first time since I met the weasel, Faris looks uncomfortable. “Queen Merindah.”
I flick my eyes to Lorn and notice a tic in his jaw. “Shall we?”
He narrows his eyes on Allandra. “Why don’t you two go ahead? We’ll catch up.”
A tiny line appears between her brow, but Allandra slowly agrees. “Come along, Faris.” She quickly maneuvers him to her side and down the path.
Watching Lorn glare at the two of them, I place a hand on his arm. “Is everything okay? I’m not a huge fan of Faris myself, but I don’t think he’s interested in Allandra.”
Lorn stiffens, then releases a sigh. He bends to place a kiss on my cheek. “You smell delicious, and you look utterly divine.” The sensual smell of his cologne wraps around me, along with his arm.
Subtly inhaling, I lick my lips and say, “Thank you, and I loved the candy. It was delicious, but I hate to tell you, it wasn’t near as good as the petit chocolate cake.”
He laughs. “The cake is a bit otherworldly. Maybe I can bribe some more out of the baker since you love it so much.”
I blush. “No, don’t. Please.”
Intrigued, he eyes me. “I want to. I enjoy giving you presents.” He offers me his elegantly clad arm. “Shall we?”
Standing on my tiptoes, I reach up and kiss him lightly on the lips. “Thank you.” I take his arm, and we catch up to Allandra and Faris.
The plants are more interesting than I thought, or maybe it’s the company. Some glow in the dark, others bloom only at night. One releases a perfume when it’s dark to attract its dinner. Lorn explains that this is called a moon garden, and he really wants to add one to his rooftop.
Allandra flirts heavily with Faris all night. Every time she laughs, she looks back at Lorn, but he’s too busy explaining the plants to me.
We finally reach the end of the walkway. “This exhibit was wonderful. Thank you for asking me. I brought something for you this time. Here.”
He opens the small box and looks at the smoke chocolate. I explain the story behind the candy and urge him to try it and let me know what he thinks. Then, I hand Allandra a small bag. “Here’s a candy for you and the sunglasses. They looked better on you.”
Her smile is brilliant. “I hope you can forgive me? It was an honest mistake. Although you are right, they look fabulous on me.”
All four of us stand there awkwardly looking at each other for a second. I dip my head at Faris.See, I can be polite.Faris bows at me, then excuses himself.
Lorn squeezes my hand. “I’ll text you later. Thank you for listening to me talk incessantly all night about the plants.”
Disappointed our night is ending so soon, I squeeze his hand. “I had a wonderful time, Lorn, and look forward to seeing you again. Maybe we can make it just the two of us next time.”
Guards surround me as we walk over to the portal. When I look back, Lorn and Allandra are having a fierce argument. She abruptly throws my gift on the ground. Lorn bends down to pick it up, but she stomps on it, then walks away. Lorn heads in the opposite direction. I motion for Galen to go back and pick up the gift on the ground. Maybe it’s time Lorn and I had a chat.
CHAPTERTWENTY
MERI
Cormal was gone when I returned last night and hasn’t been back. So was the map. It’s not unusual, but with everything going on, I don’t like it. He’s not invincible, no matter what he likes to believe.
I take a sip of the dark brew in my hand and contemplate whether I should drink any more. With the council meeting later this afternoon, training will start earlier today. It’s all I can do to keep the toast down during our sessions. Maybe just one more sip.
My bedroom door slams and Solandis storms out onto the balcony. “Did you know?” Nearby plants wither and die from the anger and magic she’s leaking.
“Did I know what?”
Sparks light up the concrete around me. “Did you know he was Vargas?”
