Read Online Wilde's Meadow (Darkness Falls #3) by Krystal Wade - Free Book Online
Authors: Krystal Wade
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his mouth hang open. “Is that Rhoswen and … and … why would … ?”
Vanora . The tall redhead hides behind Rhoswen, allowing the wounded Ground Dweller to act as a shield between her and the tairb.
“Hey, Perth, your lover is here.” Flanna cackles. “She has not changed much.”
Perth narrows his eyes. “We were children, Flanna.”
“By the looks of it, she still is a child.” She waggles her finger in the direction of the cowering Vanora. “May I step in, Arland? I would really enjoy showing that traitorous—what is the word you used again, Brit?”
“Bitch.”
“Right. I would really enjoy showing that traitorous—”
“ Flanna .” Arland releases my hand and steps in front of his cousin, arms crossed over his chest. “She acted out of love.”
“She acted like one of them. She spit in our faces, Arland. Vanora is as good as Perth’s father.”
Taking Flanna by the arm, Arland yanks her toward Perth. “Apologize.”
Defiance lines her upturned chin. “What would I apologize to him for?”
“ He saved all of our lives at Willow Falls. He kept secrets and stood up to the very man you hate. He does not deserve to be embarrassed by your childish behavior. I have threatened you once, and if you make me do it again, I will send you back. Emotions will get you killed out here. Now apologize.”
Perth slumps his shoulders and sighs. “No apology necessary. Vanora is no better than my father. If you send anyone back to Willow Falls, I would prefer it be her and not Flanna.”
A wide grin spreads across Flanna’s pale cheeks. “See. Glad to know Perth finally sees the light.”
“Yeah. I see the light, and not much else.” His gaze lingers on me for a moment, stealing the breath from my lungs.
Arland and I meet eyes, and I’m pretty sure I don’t have to explain what Perth means. I was his first kiss, his first glimpse at adult love—not the kind of innocent feelings he experienced with Vanora when they were children. I also crushed him with the amount of rejection I tossed his way.
He knew my heart lies with Arland when we arrived at Willow Falls, but that doesn’t mean Perth didn’t enjoy the act or wish for some of it to be real.
Cheers erupt around us. Soldiers raise their weapons over their head, shaking bows, daggers, or swords.
“Victory,” a man cries, slapping the bloody back of another.
“Behave,” Arland whispers to Flanna, then he turns and faces our army, arms spread at his sides. “Well done, but we must leave here at once. Brice, Saidear, and Gavin, lead our people wisely. Do not let your guard down. Do not leave anyone behind. If someone is injured, protect them. If someone dies, bury them. If you are outnumbered, find a way to outsmart the daemons. This war is almost over. Encardia will be free from Darkness, and you will be free to enjoy life as it once was.”
Soldiers form groups as assigned earlier and step behind their assigned leader. Kent and Muriel stand beside me and Arland. Many unfamiliar people join the children. Rhoswen hobbles toward us, followed by Vanora.
Perth blanches.
“Not happy to see me, Perth?” she whispers, passing us by.
He leans in close to my ear. “And I thought Arland and I were getting along. Funny he should put her here.”
“Keep your senses keen, and if you need help, send a message through your Communicator,” Arland says.
Brice, Gavin, and Saidear place a fist over their heart and nod.
“Till we meet again.”
Kent and Muriel lead the horses to us, then everyone in our group mounts and heads back toward the Crossing Caves.
Chapter Seven
“Well, here we are again.” Brit slides from her horse then props her hands on her hips, gawking at the cliff face.
Whispers circulate through the group of soldiers. The Crossing Caves must be well known. Not everyone lived in The Meadows, but given Perth’s mother’s tragic death, everyone has heard stories. Places like this usually wind up at the top of rumor
Vanora . The tall redhead hides behind Rhoswen, allowing the wounded Ground Dweller to act as a shield between her and the tairb.
“Hey, Perth, your lover is here.” Flanna cackles. “She has not changed much.”
Perth narrows his eyes. “We were children, Flanna.”
“By the looks of it, she still is a child.” She waggles her finger in the direction of the cowering Vanora. “May I step in, Arland? I would really enjoy showing that traitorous—what is the word you used again, Brit?”
“Bitch.”
“Right. I would really enjoy showing that traitorous—”
“ Flanna .” Arland releases my hand and steps in front of his cousin, arms crossed over his chest. “She acted out of love.”
“She acted like one of them. She spit in our faces, Arland. Vanora is as good as Perth’s father.”
Taking Flanna by the arm, Arland yanks her toward Perth. “Apologize.”
Defiance lines her upturned chin. “What would I apologize to him for?”
“ He saved all of our lives at Willow Falls. He kept secrets and stood up to the very man you hate. He does not deserve to be embarrassed by your childish behavior. I have threatened you once, and if you make me do it again, I will send you back. Emotions will get you killed out here. Now apologize.”
Perth slumps his shoulders and sighs. “No apology necessary. Vanora is no better than my father. If you send anyone back to Willow Falls, I would prefer it be her and not Flanna.”
A wide grin spreads across Flanna’s pale cheeks. “See. Glad to know Perth finally sees the light.”
“Yeah. I see the light, and not much else.” His gaze lingers on me for a moment, stealing the breath from my lungs.
Arland and I meet eyes, and I’m pretty sure I don’t have to explain what Perth means. I was his first kiss, his first glimpse at adult love—not the kind of innocent feelings he experienced with Vanora when they were children. I also crushed him with the amount of rejection I tossed his way.
He knew my heart lies with Arland when we arrived at Willow Falls, but that doesn’t mean Perth didn’t enjoy the act or wish for some of it to be real.
Cheers erupt around us. Soldiers raise their weapons over their head, shaking bows, daggers, or swords.
“Victory,” a man cries, slapping the bloody back of another.
“Behave,” Arland whispers to Flanna, then he turns and faces our army, arms spread at his sides. “Well done, but we must leave here at once. Brice, Saidear, and Gavin, lead our people wisely. Do not let your guard down. Do not leave anyone behind. If someone is injured, protect them. If someone dies, bury them. If you are outnumbered, find a way to outsmart the daemons. This war is almost over. Encardia will be free from Darkness, and you will be free to enjoy life as it once was.”
Soldiers form groups as assigned earlier and step behind their assigned leader. Kent and Muriel stand beside me and Arland. Many unfamiliar people join the children. Rhoswen hobbles toward us, followed by Vanora.
Perth blanches.
“Not happy to see me, Perth?” she whispers, passing us by.
He leans in close to my ear. “And I thought Arland and I were getting along. Funny he should put her here.”
“Keep your senses keen, and if you need help, send a message through your Communicator,” Arland says.
Brice, Gavin, and Saidear place a fist over their heart and nod.
“Till we meet again.”
Kent and Muriel lead the horses to us, then everyone in our group mounts and heads back toward the Crossing Caves.
Chapter Seven
“Well, here we are again.” Brit slides from her horse then props her hands on her hips, gawking at the cliff face.
Whispers circulate through the group of soldiers. The Crossing Caves must be well known. Not everyone lived in The Meadows, but given Perth’s mother’s tragic death, everyone has heard stories. Places like this usually wind up at the top of rumor
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