Page 77 of The Light Falls
I breathe in deeply, imprinting the smells surrounding us. Rivan smells of sun and earth, which pairs perfectly with the nearby honeysuckle and the damp grass. Everything reminds me of the best summer day. The only thing that would make this more perfect is a kiss.
In a husky voice, he tells me he needs to do the rune before we lose the light. “What do you want it for and where?”
“Clarity,” I state firmly. “On the palm of my hand. I want to be able to look at it and remind myself of what’s important.” I think back to the other one. “You can decorate it however you want.”
He eases up and gathers his tools from the backpack. Sitting back down beside me, he picks up my hand and places it palm up on his thigh.
While he works, I think about all the things I’m going to have to face soon. Not just the decision to free Rivan, but the Fire Fae land and the rights for the Lesser Fae. The Water Fae army that nobody knows is even forming. I think about Madoc and the revenge I see glittering in his eyes. I think about Solandis and Kaius and the fact that they’re going to need to leave soon, preferably before Kaius’ current form changes. I’ve already decided what I’m going to do about Lorn, although I still have to tell him. Cormal remains an open question mark, but if what he says is true, we’re stuck with each other. I need clarity for all of it.
His black and red hair falls onto his forehead, and I brush it back. “Thank you.”
Gold eyes meet mine with a fierceness I haven’t seen in him. “The only time I feel anything is around you. Even at night, I dream of kissing you until the fire rises up and consumes us. I know it will never happen, but the image refuses to leave me. So, I have to believe it’s a possibility. Until then, I refuse to say goodbye.” A tear rolls down his cheek as he lays my hand in my lap.
On my palm is a tiny red flame with a heart in it. The rune for clarity lies in the center of the heart. I smile and swallow the huge lump in my throat.
“It’s perfect. Thank you.” I lift the same hand and run my thumb over his lips. “No goodbyes. Take me back. It’s time for you to start a new journey.”
CHAPTERTHIRTY-ONE
MERI
Cormal is gone when I return. No note. I’m glad, though. If I saw him right now, I’d probably start crying about Rivan and be useless for the rest of the day. I stop by to see Solandis, but she’s not allowing anyone but Kaius in her room.
Returning to my room, I text Lady Tanith and ask her to send a note to Faris.
Callyx stops by on his way out to hunt down another lead. “I’ll be back in a day or two. Watch over Solandis. I’ve never seen her like this… It’s as if all the fight has gone out of her.” He spears his finger through his thick blond hair.
I promise to stay close and hug him tightly.
Faris gives him a wide berth in the hallway. With a smug smile on his face, he stops in front of me. “I didn’t think you would come around, but I’m glad you did.”
“Walk in the garden with me? I have something to tell you,” I inform him, ignoring his told-you-so comment.
Galen and Garren follow us out the palace doors. Once we get outside, they drop back a little to allow us some privacy.
“I’m not sure if you’re aware, but Lady Estrella was arrested today.”
He eyes me with a disapproving frown. “I heard. For trying to steal weapons to defend her land against the Fire Fae. It’s despicable that you would allow a member of our aristocracy to be treated with such disrespect.”
“Enough,” I interject, already tired of his rhetoric. “There are some things that are going to come out in the council meeting tomorrow. I didn’t want you to hear about your father’s death in front of everyone.”
Puzzled, he stops walking. “I know how my father died.”
“Actually, you know the lie you were told.” I give him a sympathetic look. “Your father received information that Basilus gave King Arles’ coordinates to Nyssa, who hired dark Fae to kill her parents so she could take the crown. Estrella’s father, Lord Carlen, killed your dad when he confronted him with evidence of Lord Basilus’ treason.”
I continue. “The reason he killed him is because he was also a traitor. Estrella overheard their conversation. Lord Basilus and his entire keep was destroyed by the Fire Fae that night. In a panic, Carlen tried to flee, but Estrella killed him. Then she dumped your father and hers on the doorstep of the Fire Fae.” I hold up a finger. “Stop. You don’t have to believe me. Go ask Estrella herself. Or listen to the interrogation.”
Disbelief wars with politeness on his face. “I… Thank you for telling me. I guess this means you aren’t voting for my proposal to deny the Fire Fae their land?”
“Did you know your father was working with King Arles before the war to turn the land over to the Fire Fae? Him, Basilus, and Carlen. Too bad he was the only true patriot and believer in those talks. Besides King Arles, of course. It’s a shame he died fighting for a cause you don’t believe in supporting,” I say, slipping past him. “He probably had to fight Nyssa pretty hard to add the land clause to the treaty. Such a shame his work is all for nothing. I think his life is worth more than the death he received at the hands of a traitor. I’ll see you tomorrow, Faris.” I leave him standing in the middle of the garden with the sun setting behind him.
Walking through the halls, I ignore Galen and Garren’s repeated requests to go back to the room. I need to walk, and this is my only option. The garden at night has too many memories of the man I’m trying to let go. Murmurs come from the many closed doors I see along the way. I wonder how many of the aristocratic Fae live here like Estrella did when she was younger? Do most of them long for a home, or do they like living in a palace with servants to wait on them hand and foot?
The alarm goes off, and I stop, knowing Galen and Garren are going to force me to go back to my room. “You don’t have to say it. I’m going—”
The twins are lying face down on the ground in a pool of blood.
Confused, I look around and find the dark Fae king standing at the end of the hall.
