Gathering Darkness Read Online Free Page A

he couldn’t see the pale golden color of Cleo’s hair anywhere in the crowd.
    â€œI’m sure she’s very happy to have her new husband back by her side after such a long time apart,” Amara said.
    â€œIt wasn’t all that long.”
Quite frankly, not nearly long enough
,
he thought.
    â€œEven a single day apart is far too long for two young people in love,” Ashur said.
    The wine Magnus had drunk nearly rose in his throat. “What a delightful sentiment, Prince Ashur. I had no idea you were a romantic.”
    â€œAshur is the most sought-after bachelor in all of Kraeshia.” Princess Amara hooked her arm through her brother’s. “He’s refused several potential brides. Father fears he’ll never settle down.”
    â€œWhat can I say?” Ashur replied. “True love has yet to find me, and I’ll settle for nothing less.”
    â€œWhich makes you that much more desirable. Even here, you’ve easily managed to capture every woman’s attention.”
    â€œLucky me.”
    â€œIf you’ll excuse us,” King Gaius interjected, “I must have a word alone with my son. Please, enjoy the rest of the banquet.”
    â€œMuch gratitude, your highness,” Amara replied. Touching Magnus’s arm, she said, “I hope to see you again soon.”
    Magnus smiled and, despite the girl’s unquestionable beauty and grace, the gesture felt so false it was actually painful. “I insist that you do.”
    As Magnus followed the king out of the crowded room, several guests tried to catch his attention, offering greetings and congratulating him on his victory in Paelsia, where he thwarted the rebels from halting the construction of the Imperial Road.
    Magnus then noticed the sharp glare of Nicolo Cassian, the young palace guard stationed by the great hall doors.
    â€œDid you keep her warm for me while I was away?” Magnus said to him in passing, feeling the first flicker of pleasure all day as Nic’s expression grew more hateful, his face turning so red it almost matched his hair.
    Nic would really have to learn to control his emotions if he wanted to stay out of trouble.
    The foolish boy was in love with Cleo. And, as far as Magnus knew or cared, Cleo felt the same toward him. Yet he sincerely doubted that Cleo’s eye could be caught by a lowly guard, even one she considered a friend.
    The king took him to the throne room, a grand hall with high ceilings and chiseled marble steps that led to an enormous and ornate golden throne studded with rubies and sapphires. The Auranian tapestries and banners that had previously hung above the throne had been discarded for those of Limeros, but the room had otherwise remained just as it was when King Corvin Bellos ruled this affluent kingdom.
    The king’s guards stood just outside the heavy doors, leaving them alone in the cavernous room.
    Magnus regarded his father in silence, willing himself to stay calm. He didn’t want to speak first for fear he’d say something he’d regret.
    â€œWe have a problem, you and I,” the king said as he took a seat upon the throne.
    A breath caught in Magnus’s chest. “What do you mean?”
    â€œThe Kraeshians.” The king’s expression soured, his features turning sharp and unpleasant in an instant. “Those little fools think I don’t know why they’re here. But I do.”
    This was not what Magnus had anticipated. “And why are they here?”
    â€œThey’re here on behalf of their emperor father, who hungers for more power and destroys everything in his path to get it.”
    â€œIs that so? And what do you propose to do about it?”
    â€œI will let nothing disrupt my plans. And if those two spies find out how close I am to seizing my treasure, I know they’ll try to steal it.”
    Worry and doubt flooded his father’s eyes. Magnus had never before seen such weakness in