Gathering Darkness (Falling Kingdoms #3)(99)

Magnus dabbed the corner of his mouth with his napkin. “Delightful, as always.”

“Still unbetrothed?”

His lips thinned. “You could say that.”

True. Elopements did not require a betrothal.

Cleo tried another mouthful of the disgusting kaana, forcing herself to swallow it down.

“My son, Bernardo, remains unmarried, believe it or not,” she said with a bright smile. “I will never give up on my dream of joining our families through marriage.”

“Nor will I, Lady Sophia.”

This woman amused Cleo deeply. She seemed completely oblivious to everything and everyone around her, yet entirely genuine in her comments and questions. Cleo needed more Lady Sophias in her life.

The woman’s expression then shifted as if a cloud had crossed her inner sunlight. “I want to offer my deepest condolences for your mother’s passing, your highness. Queen Althea was a dear friend for many years and, I know, a wonderful and devoted mother to you and Princess Lucia.”

Magnus nodded stiffly, focusing entirely on his plate. “Thank you for your kind words. She was certainly a special woman.”

Cleo watched him from across the table. Mention of the queen had brought a flicker of grief to his eyes, but it was restrained, just like everything else about him.

She still believed it had to have been the king who’d given Aron the order to kill the queen. Did Magnus believe that too? And, if so, had he confronted his father about this? If he had, nothing had resulted from it. She imagined only more lies had left the king’s lips to divert Magnus’s suspicions..

The king lied to get what he wanted, to anyone and everyone.

Cleo only lied to protect herself and those she cared about. And she’d continue to do so when needed, without shame or remorse.

Whatever it took to survive this. Her fight wasn’t over yet. Far from it.

? ? ?

“I certainly hope it’s not too unpleasant,” Lady Sophia said as she accompanied Cleo and Magnus to their bedchamber. The woman’s finely lined face was finally starting to show signs of worry, and she patted her salt-and-pepper hair nervously at the doorway. “If I’d known you were coming, I could have made much more suitable preparations.”

“No, it’s perfect.” Cleo grasped Lady Sophia’s hands and squeezed. “Thank you for your wonderful hospitality.”

“Any time, princess. Any time at all!” Lady Sophia beamed brightly. “Good night.”

“Good night.”

She closed the door, leaving them alone.

“This is absolutely ridiculous,” Magnus grumbled. “We shouldn’t even be here. We’re wasting precious time.”

“It’s snowing,” Cleo reminded him.

He glanced toward the window. “It’s always snowing in Limeros.”

“We’ll find Lucia tomorrow morning. Besides, I’m sure she and Alexius have also taken shelter for the night.”

“Yes, much gratitude for the reminder that my sister is somewhere alone with him.”

Was this jealousy? Or pure concern for her safety? Cleo wasn’t entirely sure.

“It’s getting late. Wouldn’t want to stand in the way of your beauty rest.” Magnus swept a glance across the room, stopping at the canopied bed. “The floor is all yours.”

She was sure Lady Sophia wouldn’t think that deciding who got the bed was something a newly married couple would have to discuss, yet it most certainly would be an issue tonight.

When Cleo didn’t reply, Magnus frowned. “No cutting comeback, princess? I’m disappointed.”

Squabbling wouldn’t do either of them any good right now and it only wasted time. “What happens tomorrow?” she asked.

“It’s simple. We find Lucia. We stop her from making the horrible mistake of marrying Alexius or helping him claim the crystal in any way. And then I will kill him.”

She stared at him. Was that his solution to every problem? “That’s a bit rash, don’t you think?”

“Is it? He’s using her; he has been all this time. It’s one thing we agree on.”

“That doesn’t mean he deserves to die.”

“We’ll have to disagree on that. No surprise there.”

He was being deeply unpleasant this evening, more so than usual, which was saying a lot. “What about the crystal?”

“I won’t be leaving Limeros without it.”

“You.”

“Yes, me. What?” He cocked his head. “Did you think I’d give it to you as a gift? It’s mine. It’s always been mine.”

“And your father’s, you mean.”

“No. Not his.” Magnus went to the window and peered outside. “It seems that Lady Sophia was mistaken. The clouds are passing, the snow is stopping. And there’s a full moon on the rise. That’ll help light our way when we head out for the temple tonight. Lady Sophia will have to deal with my rude disregard for her hospitality as best she can.”

Suddenly Cleo realized that she and Magnus were finally alone with no one listening in. Total privacy.

It was time to get to the truth of matters.

“Why did you do it?” Cleo asked, her stomach in knots, and not only because of the meal she’d forced down to be polite.