[Fineon’s POV]I sat in bed, staring at the roof, as lines of light finally began to race across it. After tossing and turning for most of the night, I gave up on sleep entirely and let my thoughts begin to slowly drown me.After agreeing to help track the man that crashed Fallon’s welcome back party, I had intended to head back to Grishan, but the big brute and Gale had insisted that I stay here to get as much rest as I could so that I was in full form.Deciding it wouldn’t do any harm, I agreed, but little did I know that the guest quarters were so damn close to Fallon’s room. I could feel her presence through all the damn walls, and that alone kept me up as both desire and guilt crashed into me.With each sudden urge to go find her came the realization that I shouldn’t push it, especially since our relationship was currently so rocky.Looking at it now, I was realizing that maybe what I had felt all along for Gale wasn’t love, but rather an obsession that belonged to a young child

[Fallon’s POV]Later, I stand beside dad and watch as Gavin ushered at least a dozen soldiers towards us. All wore the same looks of determination, and their auras radiated nothing more than anticipation for what was possibly to come within the next few days, weeks, or even months, depending on just how serious a situation we found ourselves in.Once they were all lined up in front of us, Dad began to move, leaving Cyrus and I to watch from our spots.Slowly, he paced, taking in each and every one, taking them in as if they were some type of scientific specimens waiting to be experimented on.I wasn’t sure what he was trying to find, but in the end, I guess he didn't, because he took his place between Cyrus and me once more."Are these your best, Gavin?" He inquires, his gaze fixed on his best lieutenant. "You aren’t holding out on me, correct?""Only the best of the best can accompany the princess and prince." Gavin assures, sending waves of annoyance through me.Who the hell was he

[Fineon’s POV]I found myself standing in Fire Roses Morgue the next morning as the big brute and one of his men rolled out the already decaying body of the one who had been possessed during Fallon's welcome home party.Both men wore looks of anger as they stared at the man in front of me."Poor bastard." The big brute grumbled. "But why does he look like this?"As he spoke, his eyes came to rest on me."The results of being possessed by so much darkness." I explained, taking in the man's gray skin and hollowed-out cheeks and eyes. "They feed off their host."In the past, I had helped Donald deal with similar issues, but this was by far the worst case I had encountered."Why did you want to see him?" The big brute’s man asks, drawing my attention to himself.When I finished my confession with Gale the day before, I asked the big brute to see the man in front of me now. Although he seemed slightly confused about my request, he didn’t argue and granted me permission."The essence of the

[Fallon’s POV]"C-cheer?" I repeat, my heart kicking into overdrive. "How?"At my words, a slow smile began to spread across Fineon’s handsome face, lighting his eyes up and making him seem so much younger and carefree."Does that mean you’ll allow me to?"Nodding, I wait as he continues to stare down at me with that dazzling smile of his. Goddess, he truly was handsome."Why not."I don’t know exactly what I expected to happen next, but it wasn’t for him to suddenly release me, sending waves of disappointment through me.Dammit, I needed to get my shit together. I was supposed to be resisting him!Trying to pretend that everything was alright, I watch as Fineon looks around the area, stopping here and there to pick up rocks. Once he has collected enough, he turns to me and holds them out for me to examine."Are you going to throw those at me?" I ask, raising a brow. "Or…"Instead of responding, he throws one up in the air and then another. Before long, all five are moving together as

[Fineon’s POV]The next morning, I stand alone, examining the mountain range that we will soon be approaching. Some would say that it was a fool's errand given the conditions there, but if our enemy and his men managed to survive, then I was certain that we would manage to survive as well. All we really needed to do was find how they survived and then mimic their actions.Feeling my determination begin to build, I lift my head and sniff the air, taking in the scent of moisture while my eyes take in the dark clouds that hang around our destination. It looked like things would be even more treacherous soon, so the sooner we got to moving the better. Mother Nature was attempting to keep us at bay, or was it something more sinister? I didn't know, and frankly, I didn't give two shits either way."Nasty sight, isn’t it?" Ramone murmurs, suddenly appearing beside me. "Nasty and cold.""You didn’t have to come.""And miss out on the fun?"Rolling my eyes, I tore my gaze away from the mountai