Page 45 of The Light Falls
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Meri’s asleepwhen I arrive. Silky platinum hair fanned out across the pillow, framing her delectable face. Pink lips begging for a kiss. The perfect picture is ruined by the small line between her brows. Something is disturbing her sleep.
The tiny cami and shorts set she’s wearing is driving me to distraction, which isn’t a good thing right now. There’s a lot of planning to do, and my brain is spinning. I need to figure out how to stop this potential coup before it turns into war. Hooking the sheet with my finger, I slowly pull it over her, allowing myself a few stolen moments to drink in the sight of her.
A small grouping of flowers on her hip catches my eyes. They look like white daisies. Very sweet and completely unlike her. I wonder where she got it. Once she’s covered, I can’t help but yawn and look longingly at the other side of the bed. My lips curve in a wry smile as I think of her reaction.
Walking over to the small velvet couch by the balcony, I sit and prop my feet on the short table in front of it. Maybe I can rest for a few minutes. I don’t have to worry about security, the wards here are similar to the ones in my home. Another yawn escapes.
Bright sun pierces my closed eyes. I’ve got to stop falling asleep in my office. Yawning, I stretch and force them open.
Meri’s beautiful turquoise eyes are staring at me intently. “In all these years, I’ve never seen you sleeping. That’s kind of odd, isn’t it? You’ve seen me asleep countless times, including last night. Is it because you don’t sleep much or just not around me?”
Groaning, I hold up a hand. “Can I get a coffee and wake up before I answer?”
She places a mug in my hand. “Here, take mine. I’ve got to go to training in an hour, and I don’t want to throw up.”
Interesting. I haven’t had time to look into the guard, but with everything I discovered yesterday, he’s the least of my concerns. “Do you think he’s a good teacher?”
She bites her lip. “I’m not sure there’s anything good about him. Is he effective? Yes.” Leaning back against the other side of the couch, she slides her toes under my leg like she’s done a thousand times. “My feet are cold. What did you find out about Kaius?”
Sensing her reluctance to talk about her training, I move on to bigger topics. “Can you ask the guard at the door to get Kaius and Rivan? We need to talk.”
Meri scrambles off the couch and walks over to the door. After making the request, she comes back and sits with her arms looped around her knees. “It’s bad, isn’t it? You always have this fierce look of determination on your face when things are going sideways.”
I sometimes forget how observant she is around me. “It’s not good, but Camon’s slip-up with Kaius gave us a huge advantage. We have to figure out how to move forward.”
Rivan walks in and sits down on the chair beside Meri, who suddenly has a scarf on her head. He looks her up and down. “Feeling better today?”
My eyes dart between the two of them. “What happened yesterday?”
Meri rolls her eyes at my tone. “I let the past get into my head at training. It shook me up.” When I continue to stare at her, she leans in close to explain. “It reminded me of The Pit.” A tiny shudder racks her petite frame. “Rivan helped me get my equilibrium back.”
My eyes meet Rivan’s over her head, and he gives me a slight nod to indicate she’s okay.
“I see. I’m glad he was here for you. Maybe this training will help you figure out how to move forward from the past and be a badass.”
“I’m counting on it,” she states firmly. Her voice is full of conviction, something I haven’t heard from her in a long time.
Kaius rushes in. “What did you find out?”
Whispering an incantation, I seal the room. “Camon mentioned Brina in your conversation, so I figured I’d take a look into her background. I took a few men and went to her hometown of Seva,” I begin. “As you know, she’s Water Fae. Comes from a wealthy Lesser Fae family. We found her family’s house. Kavi and I went in to look around and get a better feel of who she was and her relationship with Kaius.”
Meri frowns. “Why didn’t you just ask Kaius?” She glances from me to him. “What’s going on?”
“Let’s just say… he isn’t Kaius and leave it at that for now,” I suggest to her. “He’s in disguise.”
She gives me a disgruntled look. “You and your secrets. Fine. Continue.”
“A little magic led us underground to the person Camon mentioned… Fisk.” I pause and look at each of them. “The Lesser Fae are preparing for war.”
“Fisk?” Rivan asks hoarsely. “Are you sure?”
I narrow my eyes. “You know him, don’t you? Spill.”
“Fisk was my father’s best friend and unofficial leader of the Water Fae. When he refused to join the Fire Fae Rebellion, it caused a huge rift between them. I can’t believe he’s now planning his own coup,” he says, his mouth twisted in disgust. “My father thought that if they had joined us, we would have won.”
Meri reaches out and loops her pinkie around his. He calms a little, which is good, because he’s going to hate what I tell him next.
