Read Online Gathering Darkness by Morgan Rhodes - Free Book Online

hydrangeas; the apple, pear, and olive trees. It smelled like life itself out here—sweet and vibrant.
    After a moment, however, the sweetness faded and was replaced by a more unpleasant scent. Not yet offensive, but somewhat . . . wrong. Perhaps it was only Magnus’s imagination.
    But he thought he smelled the acrid scent of something stolen. Much like everything the king claimed as his.
    â€œOh, it’s beautiful,” Amara gushed. “I only wish that it was closer to the palace.”
    As stunning as the villa was, the king didn’t choose it for its beauty. He wanted to keep the Kraeshians at a safe distance.
    â€œTransportation will be provided for you and your guards so you can visit as often as you wish. You and your brother are welcome at any time.”
    Amara was much more welcome than Ashur, in Magnus’s opinion. Despite his father’s suspicions about the prince’s motives, Ashur’s questions had blindsided Magnus. They had pulled him back to that deadly battle against the rebels and Jonas Agallon himself. He remembered the strange fire, and the beautiful Watcher who’d perished in a flash of light at Xanthus’s hands, but not before she’d told Magnus how to help Lucia:
    â€œThere is a ring that was forged in the Sanctuary from the purest magic to help the original sorceress control the Kindred and her own
elementia
. This ring is closer that you might expect.”
    Perhaps she had only been playing with him, distracting him to allow Jonas the chance to escape.
    And now to hear rumors of a being of fire roaming the countryside . . .
    â€œYour grace.” Amara touched his arm. “Are you still with me?”
    Magnus tried to push the cobwebs from his head and focus on the girl before him. “Apologies. I don’t mean to be rude. I was just thinking of your brother. He’s very curious about local legends.”
    She groaned. “He’s going on about the Kindred again, isn’t he? It’s been a hobby of his for years, learning all about magic. I’ve always thought it was a waste of valuable time.” She raised an eyebrow. “Unless, of course, it turns out to be true.”
    â€œI hope he’s not too disappointed when his quest turns up nothing but rocks and dirt.”
    â€œAs most quests do.” She laughed, gently placing her hand on his arm as they strolled. “I find you very interesting. I see why Cleo is so taken with you.”
    He stopped in his tracks. “You think she is?”
    â€œOf course. To be married to such a strong and handsome prince . . .” She cast a sidelong look at him through her thick black lashes. “I can’t help but envy her.”
    Magnus wasn’t accustomed to the way Amara flirted. He’d found that some girls showed interest by keeping their distance, giggling with their friends as he passed by in the palace halls. He’d encountered a handful of others who had been bold and fearless in their approaches, hoping to gain his attention. But most girls would simply cast fearful glances at him, assuming he was as cruel and cold as his father.
    He couldn’t help but be slightly intrigued by the sly look in Amara’s eyes. She played at being coy, but she was just the opposite.
    â€œAre you not betrothed yet?” he asked as they continued along a garden path flanked by flowers and manicured foliage. A brown rabbit hopped across in front of them, seemingly unconcerned by their presence.
    â€œNo. I’ve asked to wait until I find someone to my liking. No one in my family has ever waited as long as I have to wed. Well, no one except Ashur.”
    â€œHe’s not been betrothed?”
    â€œHe has. Three times. Each engagement ended for the same reason: He eventually decided he wasn’t interested enough in any of the girls to spend the rest of his life with them.” She shook her head, clearly amused by her