Gathering Darkness (Falling Kingdoms #3)(97)

“Did I stutter? Are you stupid? Oh, wait. I already know you are.” Burrus rolled his eyes. “Princess Amara, don’t bother trying to coax information out of this useless idiot. I’ll tell you everything you need to know. For the right price, of course.”

“Of course.” Amara smiled at him and reached forward to pat his arm. “And I’m grateful for that. What else do you know?”

“Nothing at this time, princess.”

“So all who hunt the Kindred, apart from the king himself, have picked up and left for Limeros. Coincidental, don’t you think?” She glanced at Ashur.

“I don’t think it’s coincidental at all,” he replied.

“Apologies,” Burrus said, “but did you say ‘the Kindred’? As in, the legendary treasure of the Watchers?”

“Guard!” Amara called out. A moment later, the guard from the entrance appeared at the archway.

“Your highness,” he said.

“We’re done with our friend Burrus here. He knows far too much; I can’t let him leave. Take him away and kill him, as quietly as possible.”

Burrus inhaled sharply. “Wh-what? Your grace, I’ve done everything you’ve asked of me.”

“And you’ve been very helpful. But now we’re done.”

Two more guards appeared to help remove Burrus from the patio as Nic looked on, stunned.

He hated Burrus to his last breath, but he never would have expected this.

Nic realized that Amara was studying him as if she were considering painting his portrait. “Tell me, brother,” she said. “Has he been of any use to you?”

“Some,” Ashur replied. “Although not nearly as much as I’d hoped.”

His tone was strangely cold, confusing Nic deeply. “What’s going on?” he asked.

Amara stood and squeezed Nic’s shoulder. “I know it must be difficult to realize that things aren’t always as you believe them to be. And I know my brother can be devastatingly charming. He could make a wild boar fall in love with him if he put his mind to it. You were hardly any challenge for him at all. Was it that first forbidden kiss that sealed your destiny? Did it make you dream of sharing more?” She cast an amused look toward Ashur as Nic just gritted his teeth in silence. “So what now? Shall we kill him, too?”

Nic was about to leap up from the table when he felt the cold pressure of sharp steel at his throat and Amara yanked him back against her.

Cleo would be so disappointed in him. He’d betrayed her in an attempt to save her by sharing information with these two. This was all his fault.

“No. He can still be of use to us.” Ashur dragged his chair closer to Nic’s. “If you’re right about Cleo and the others, we will need something on hand to convince her to help us, won’t we?”

“Yes,” she said after a moment. “I suppose you have a point.”

Ashur reached into the pocket of his surcoat and pulled out a small glass vial. “I happen to have this on hand, just in case.”

Amara laughed lightly. “My brother, prepared for anything.”

The prince righted Nic’s toppled goblet and refilled it with cider, then flicked the stopper off the vial and poured in the contents. “This is a sleeping potion. It’s very powerful, but completely tasteless. Drink it now, please.”

Nic stared at him, his disbelief at this betrayal rendering him numb. Of course, Prince Ashur had been manipulating him all along. He’d started his game that night in the tavern, planning to slowly plant more seeds over time. Ashur had given him just enough, the smallest taste, proving himself to be an expert at this particular sport.

“Drink, Nic,” Ashur said, his tone even. “Or my sister will cut your throat.”

Trembling with anger and the ache of disappointment, Nic picked up the goblet, tipped it back, and drained it in three gulps.

I’m so sorry, Cleo.

“Good.” Ashur nodded as Nic’s world began to dim. “Now, let’s proceed, shall we?”





CHAPTER 29


CLEO

LIMEROS



Cleo didn’t have enough time to find Nic and tell him what was happening before she fled the palace.

The thought that he’d have no idea whether she was alive or dead pained her. She prayed that he’d stay safe. She had to hold on to her knowledge that Nic was as smart as he was loyal, that he’d find a way to survive until they saw each other again.

Unaccompanied by guards who might notify the king of their unscheduled plans, the prince and princess quickly journeyed to the docks at King’s Harbor. After pressing some gold into a dockworker’s hand, Magnus learned that Lucia and Alexius had been there hours earlier, and that they’d boarded a ship bound for Limeros.

It was the confirmation they needed.

More gold secured another ship for them, set to sail along the eastern shore toward the northern kingdom of Mytica in pursuit.

The captain of the ship had recognized Magnus immediately. The prince confided in him that he and Cleo were chasing after Lucia to stop her from eloping with her tutor, and that it had to be kept secret.

Again and again throughout the trip Cleo tried to corner Magnus for a private conversation about what happened in the dungeon, but despite their small ship, he managed to avoid her at every turn.