Gathering Darkness

“What can I say? I’m a private guy. But if you have concerns, Lys,” Felix said, “I’m happy to answer any questions you have. Or you can continue to talk about me like I’m not even here.”

Lysandra pursed her lips, giving him a sour look. “Fine. To start, where do you come from?”

Felix smirked. “Everywhere and nowhere, sweetheart.”

“See?” She shot a glance at Jonas. “He’s cagey and dodgy. Smarmy, too.”

Felix’s smirk vanished. “Smarmy?”

“He saved my life,” Jonas countered. “And yours as well.”

“Fine. But we have no idea where he came from or what really motivated him to join you.”

“Hey,” Felix said. “Still sitting right here.”

“Well, what’s your story, Felix?” Even though Felix had proven himself trustworthy to Jonas time and again, he had to admit he was curious to know more about him. “Seriously. Share a little of it tonight.”

“My story? Extremely handsome. Renowned troublemaker. Entertaining and delightful to be around. Apparently, a bit smarmy. What more do you need to know?”

Just then Bruno appeared with a drink for Lysandra. “Here you go, honey. Some nice wine for a nice young girl.”

Lysandra stared into her glass with distaste. “You two boys get ale and I get wine. I don’t even like wine.”

Jonas was still looking at Felix, who studied him back just as intently. The subject had been raised, and Felix had given vague answers to direct questions. Now he wanted more than ever to know everything

“I need to know your story, Felix,” Jonas said. “Tell me something real. You’re not much older than I am. How did you get into this kind of life? Where is your family? Friends?”

“Honestly? You want to know where my friends are?” The last glimmer of humor had faded from Felix’s eyes. “They’re at this very table right now. Every last one of them.” He swallowed a mouthful of ale before continuing. “Pathetic, I know. But I’ve never had friends. Wasn’t raised that way.”

Lysandra frowned. “And what about your family?”

“Dead,” he said, not looking at her. “My parents and brothers were killed by a pack of thieves and assassins employed by a very important, very dangerous man. They broke into our villa when I was six. On a whim, they spared my life. Raised me as one of their own. Taught me how to steal, fight, kill, and how to use those skills to make money for the man in charge.” He paused and gave Jonas a tense look. “And they taught me how to collect reward money for capturing Paelsian rebel leaders and alleged murderers.”

Jonas’s mouth went dry. “So that’s how you found me.”

He nodded. “I’m a great tracker. I could find anybody, anywhere. But no, I never planned to collect that reward. If I had, you’d be dead by now.”

It clearly caused Felix great pain to relate all this. These were the kinds of memories most people chose to repress.

“So where are the people who raised you now?” Jonas asked. “And this employer of yours?”

“Your guess is as good as mine. I ran away last year. Been on my own ever since, looking for work. Looking for trouble.” Finally his smile returned, curling up the edge of his mouth. “I have a talent for finding it without searching too hard.”

“I don’t doubt it for a moment,” Lysandra said, her careful eyes still on him.

“Was that enough information for one night?” Felix asked. “Did you enjoy that walk down my own personal memory lane?”

Lysandra was quiet a moment. “It’s enough for now.”

“Good.”

“I still don’t like you.”

“Alas, the feeling’s not entirely mutual.” Felix’s grin widened. “You’re a bit too cute to earn my total dislike, despite you being a pain in my arse. But don’t worry, I won’t try anything. I know Jonas wants you all for himself.”

Jonas choked and sputtered halfway through a sip of his drink. “What?”

Felix shrugged. “You’re in love with her.”

In love with Lys? He glanced at her out of the corner of his eye. “No, I’m not.”

“We nearly killed ourselves busting her out of that palace square. You were just upstairs tucking her into bed and singing her lullabies. And you’ve defended her to your last breath to keep her in this trio. Please. I’m not blind, friend.”

Lysandra laughed, a low chuckle in the back of her throat. “Sorry to break it to you, Felix, but Jonas isn’t in love with me. He’s too busy being in love with Princess Cleo.”

Felix blinked. “As in, her royal highness, Princess Cleo, wife of Prince Magnus? She whom you met in that temple cloaked by shadows and mystery? The princess you kidnapped—what was it, three times?”

“Twice.” Jonas glared at Lysandra for even bringing up the subject.

She looked at him innocently. “Problem?”

“I’m not in love with the princess.”

“Why not?” Felix laughed, then drained the rest of his ale. “Half of Auranos is. Why wouldn’t you want to kneel before the golden princess’s skirts and beg for her attention like the rest of us?”

“I’m not sure I can picture Jonas kneeling,” Lysandra said, raising an eyebrow.

Jonas couldn’t keep the grin off his face at this sudden, and rather unwelcome, change of subject. “For the right girl I just might. However, there’s nothing to discuss when it comes to Princess Cleo. She’s a princess, and I’m a . . . whatever I am.”