The Reign of Darkness

by Britney Jackson

Kara tilted her face closer, her lips brushing Rose’s. “But I am a warrior.”

  “I know,” Rose whispered, her breath mingling with Kara’s, “it’s part of you. Your strength, your ferocity, your willingness to fight for others… It’s a part of you that I love. But you’re also the person I love. And the person I…chose.”

  A grateful smile pulled at Kara’s lips. “I’ll never get used to hearing that.”

  Rose smiled back—hesitantly. “Tell me the truth. Let’s do this together.”

  Kara’s smile faded. “I’m sorry,” she said—just as Rose knew she would. “You deserve better. You deserve someone who won’t fuck things up, like I will.”

  Rose dropped her hand. She looked down, unable to meet Kara’s gaze, and then, she turned around, once again, leaning against Kara. “You think so?”

  Kara pushed Rose’s thick, red hair aside, so that she could kiss the side of Rose’s head. “I’d understand if you,” she said, her voice pained, “ended this.”

  Just the suggestion cut Rose deeply. She hid it, though—behind a playful smile. She tilted her head back, meeting Kara’s glistening, icy blue eyes. “But then, who would I cuddle with at night, in a hidden kingdom, full of ancient vampires?”

  Kara chuckled at the very specific hypothetical question. “I’m sure you’d find someone.” She leaned in to whisper, “But they wouldn’t be as good as me.”

  Rose shivered, as Kara’s breath tickled her ear. “Good thing you’re good at cuddling, then,” Rose teased. She closed her eyes and sank deeper beneath the blanket, deeper into Kara’s arms. Warmth flooded her chest, cushioning the pain. “For the record, Erik didn’t tell me what you’re hiding.” She traced Kara’s fingers with her own. “Also, for the record, I’m not going to stop searching for answers.”

  Kara rested her head against Rose’s shoulder, pressing a light, gentle kiss there. “I wish you wouldn’t do that,” she sighed. “But I’m trying to understand.”

  “I wish you wouldn’t lie,” Rose told her, “but I’m trying to understand.”

  Kara smiled at Rose’s response. “It sounds like we’re at an impasse.”

  “Yes,” Rose said with a sleepy smile, “but a very cuddly impasse.”

  —

  They awoke to a harsh knock at the door.

  It took Rose a moment to realize they’d fallen asleep on the couch—and that she needed to disentangle her legs from Kara’s legs, before trying to stand.

  Kara watched Rose nearly fall—twice—before setting the blankets aside. “I’ll get it,” she said, as she pulled her legs back toward her and then climbed off of the couch. She ran her hand through her disheveled, blue and black hair, before opening the door. She leaned tiredly against the doorframe. “Well, hello, Colina.”

  Rose sat up straight, watching Colina’s slight form in the doorway.

  Colina resembled Princess Myrinne, yes, but her bright countenance and sheepish smile usually set her apart. That sheepish smile was gone now, though, and her pale blue eyes were narrowed. She looked almost identical to her cousin, now. “I thought I’d warn you. Princess Myrinne will want to see you at nightfall.”

  “Oh, Colina,” Kara scolded, one eyebrow lifted, “what have you done?”

  “I told her everything,” Colina confessed. “She knows what I told Elise.”

  Kara crossed her arms, but her lips tilted into a wolfish smile. “Bad girl.”

  Frustration flashed in Colina’s pale blue eyes. “I don’t like being used.”

  Rose scrambled to her feet, joining Kara at the door. Guilt twisted at her brows, as Colina immediately fell to her knees. “Don’t do that. Don’t bow,” she sighed. “Especially not when I owe you an apology. Colina, we’re so, so sorry.”

  “With all due respect, my Eklektos,” Colina said, “your warrior isn’t.”

  Rose glanced at Kara. Colina couldn’t see it, of course, because Kara was an expert at hiding her emotions, but there was a hint of guilt in Kara’s light blue eyes. “Regardless,” Rose sighed, turning to Colina, “I feel terrible, and I’m sorry.”

  Colina’s cheeks reddened. “I can’t accept an apology from the Eklektos.”

  “I understand,” Rose said sadly. “I don’t deserve your forgiveness.”

  Colina looked up, frowning. “That’s…not what I meant,” she muttered. “I just meant…you’re the Eklektos. I would never be angry with the Eklektos!”

  Rose rolled her eyes. “Oh, for goodness sakes.”

  “Thanks for the warning,” Kara said, as she closed the door.

  Rose blinked at the closed door. She turned to Kara with a scowl. “You can’t close the door in her face after what we did,” she hissed. “It’s just…wrong.”

  “I did,” Kara corrected. “I did this. Not you. You’re beating yourself up over something that Elise and I did—something that you tried to talk me out of.”

  “I can’t help it,” Rose said, shrugging her shoulders. “It wasn’t right.”

  “I do a lot of terrible things,” Kara reminded her. “It’s part of my job.”

  “I know,” Rose sighed, “but that doesn’t stop me from feeling terrible.”

  Kara watched her for a moment, as if she were thinking about something. “She said Princess Uptight will want to see us at nightfall,” she said, as she stepped away from the doorframe. She grabbed her jacket. “I’ll be back before then.”

  Rose’s brows furrowed. “Where are you going?”

  Kara shrugged on the thin, leather jacket. “To make things right.”

  “Wait. Seriously?” Rose said, as she followed Kara into the hall. Colina was nowhere in sight. She reached out, grasping Kara’s hands to stop her. “Why?”

  Kara turned to her, and the guilt that twisted at her face was suddenly so visible that Rose almost gasped. “I can’t have you feeling remorse for what I did,” she sighed. She stepped closer and brushed a strand of red hair out of Rose’s face. “I don’t like seeing you in pain, love.” She smiled sadly. “Yet, I keep causing it.”

  “I don’t see it that way,” Rose told her. “Kara, you don’t have to do this.”

  “I know I don’t,” Kara said with a smirk, “and I normally wouldn’t. So, don’t think I’m changing or anything.” She winked. “Special circumstances only.”

  “I don’t know,” Rose teased. “It kind of seems like you’re not that evil.”

  “What?” Kara said. She grinned. “Shut up before someone hears you.”

  —

  Kara wasn’t back by nightfall, but Colina was.

  Rose blinked, as she opened her door to find two women making out in the hall. She recognized the one who faced away from the door, first—with those familiar, blonde curls cascading down her back. “Elise?” she said. Her gaze shifted to the woman in Elise’s arms, noting her petite figure and blonde hair. “Colina?”

  The two separated. “Hello, Rose,” Elise giggled. “Mind if we come in?”

  Rose stepped out of their way. She smiled curiously at their joined hands, as they stepped past her. Colina hesitated next to Rose, her knees bending slightly, as if she were about to bow, but Elise held her hand tightly, keeping her upright.

  “We talked about this, remember?” Elise said with a smile. “No bowing.”

  Colina blushed. “Are you sure the Eklektos is okay with that?”

  With a stunned laugh, Rose said, “Yeah! Yeah, I’m more than okay.”

  Colina’s pale blue gaze shifted toward her. “Thank you, my Eklektos.”

  Rose frowned. “For what? Not asking you to bow? Because that’s just…”

  “No,” Colina interrupted. She smiled shyly. “I like bowing, actually.”

  Rose’s frown deepened. “To each their own, I guess,” she muttered.

  Colina laughed. “I meant: for this,” she said, holding up her hand, which was wrapped around Elise’s. She smiled at the puzzled look on Rose’s face. “Your warrior chased me down after I left. She gave me this speech about ho
w she never apologizes for who she is or how she operates, but…just this once, she would.”

  Rose smiled—because she could totally imagine Kara giving that speech. “But why are you thanking me,” she asked, still confused, “for Kara’s apology?”

  “Because she said that she was only doing it for her, er…” Colina paused, clearing her throat. “I mean no disrespect, my Eklektos. I’m quoting her directly.”

  Rose raised an eyebrow at that ominous opening.

  “She said she was only doing it for her amazing, sexy lover,” Colina said.

  “Oh. Wow,” Rose said, trying not to laugh. “She pulled out all the vulgar words for that, didn’t she?” Her smile softened. “So, how did Kara’s apology lead to you two making out in the hall?” She glanced at Elise. “Also, where is Kara?”

  “Kara brought Colina to my room,” Elise explained, “so we could have an honest conversation—without Kara’s influence. I actually like Colina. A lot.”

  Colina blushed. “And I’m fine with a casual relationship—if it’s honest.”

  Rose smiled in surprise. “It sounds like you two have it all worked out.”

  “Afterward, Kara left to find Princess Myrinne,” Elise said, “but that was over an hour ago.” Her brows furrowed. “You haven’t seen her since then?”

  Rose shook her head. “She left here about three hours ago.”

  At that moment, the door burst open, startling all three of them.

  Rose turned, expecting to find a homicidal princess in her doorway, but it was just Erik. He rushed over to Elise and Colina, his brows creased with worry.

  “The princess is on her way,” he whispered to Colina. “You should go.”

  Colina let go of Elise’s hand and nodded. “Right. She definitely wouldn’t approve,” she mumbled, flashing an apologetic smile at Elise. “See you at dawn?”

  “Dawn,” Elise agreed, blowing her a kiss. “I’ll come to your room.”

  Colina blushed and turned toward Rose. She performed a quick bow—despite their discussion about her not doing that—and rushed out of the room.

  “She asked me to warn her,” Erik explained, when Rose glanced his way.

  He’d warned her, just in time, too—because just a few minutes later, the princess appeared in Rose’s doorway. She wore a blue, silk gown that looked more formal than her usual robes, and she wore the largest, fanciest crown she owned.

  Rose flashed a sassy smile. “You’re a bit underdressed, don’t you think?” she teased. “Yelling at people in their bedrooms is a black tie affair, you know.”

  Not only did Princess Myrinne not laugh, but somehow, impossibly, she looked even angrier. She entered the room—with Ligeia trailing closely behind.

  Kara came in behind them, as well—but at a more relaxed pace. She slid in beside Rose, resting her hand on Rose’s lower back. “Sorry I’m late,” she said softly. She pressed her lips to Rose’s ear and whispered, “I’ll apologize for it later.”

  Rose blushed—even though she was the only one who knew Kara meant anything other than an actual apology. “You said sorry. That’s literally an apology.”

  Kara didn’t argue. She just chuckled. With her palm against Rose’s back, she led Rose over to the couch. The constant physical contact had Rose’s blood bond reacting in all kinds of ways, but somehow, Kara looked as relaxed as ever.

  Kara collapsed on the couch, next to Rose, while the others found other places to sit or stand. She leaned back, draping her arm around Rose’s shoulder.

  “Thank you,” Rose whispered in Kara’s ear, “for apologizing to Colina.”

  Kara’s lips curved at the edges. “She’s always snitching on me, isn’t she?”

  Rose pressed a kiss against Kara’s cheek and then returned her attention to Princess Myrinne. Kara’s smile faltered when Rose’s mouth brushed her cheek, and then, it grew exponentially. She waited until Rose looked away to look at her.

  Kara stared at Rose, while everyone else was distracted, her piercing, blue eyes burning with affection. She wondered if Rose even knew how sweet her lips felt against Kara’s skin, if Rose even knew the way her touch soothed Kara’s soul.

  How could she tell Rose the truth—when it could mean losing…that?

  “Don’t worry,” Princess Myrinne said with an icy glare. “I’ve gotten most of the yelling out of my system already.” She directed a meaningful look at Kara.

  Kara’s piercing, blue gaze shifted toward the princess, and her lips tilted into a smirk. “And I’ve gotten most of the throwing-knives-at-you out of mine,” she said. She slid her fingers beneath her shirt and pulled out another throwing knife. “Oh, wait. I have one left.” She grinned, twirling the knife between her fingers.

  The princess’s eyes narrowed dangerously. “Don’t even think about it.”

  Rose glanced back and forth between them. “What exactly did we miss?”

  “A lot of fun,” Kara said, causing Princess Myrinne to redden with rage.

  While Kara seemed to enjoy the princess’s anger, Erik looked absolutely terrified. “I’d like to just point out,” Erik interjected, “that since I’m the only man in the room, I’m obviously not part of this lesbian drama and should be spared.”

  Rose stared blankly at him. “Seriously, Erik?”

  “Sorry. Bisexual and lesbian drama,” Erik said, as if that was the problem.

  “Such an adorable coward,” Elise sighed, patting his arm sympathetically.

  Apparently, adorable overrode coward in Erik’s mind—because he smiled.

  From the look on the princess’s face, Rose figured it was safe to assume that Erik’s plea for mercy had done nothing. “Using my servant to spy on me was dishonorable,” Princess Myrinne said. “You should be ashamed of yourselves.”

  “We’re not,” Kara assured her.

  “Is it more or less dishonorable when you have spies—but keep all of the information to yourself?” Rose said, her voice laced with sarcasm. “Specifically, information about a war that involves people we care about?” Her eyes narrowed.

  Princess Myrinne’s countenance faltered. “My Eklektos,” she said softly, “I have things under control. I would’ve come to you when it was time for war.”

  “The war started weeks ago!” Rose argued. “How is it not time for war?”

  “The Eklektos shouldn’t be bothered for every battle,” the princess said.

  Rose scowled at her patronizing tone. “Excuse me?” she said—catching the princess by surprise. “I am Rose Foster—not the Eklektos—and I care about every person on this planet.” Red flashed within her eyes. “I’m already bothered.”

  Kara glanced at Ligeia, noticing that slight, almost unnoticeable smile on her face. Ligeia might’ve been devoted to her princess, but she was still a warrior.

  She admired Rose for the same reason Kara did—the same reason Kara swore fealty to Rose, the same reason Kara started to fall for her that first night…

  Because Rose was as strong as she was soft—and she wasn’t one to hide.

  “You are the Eklektos, whether you want to be or not,” Princess Myrinne said between clenched teeth, “and if the Eklektos dies too soon, we’re doomed.”

  Erik straightened, his brows furrowing. “Whoa, back up. What?”

  “I’m with him—for once,” Rose said with a frown. “What does it matter, if I die? Telekinesis might be useful sometimes, but it’s not going to win the war.”

  Ligeia scrunched up her face in confusion. “Telekinesis?” she whispered.

  Kara watched her curiously—but no one else seemed to have noticed.

  Princess Myrinne used far more caution when choosing her next words. “There are things about your…power, my Eklektos, that you don’t understand.”

  Rose’s gaze darted toward Kara. “Only because everyone lies to me.”

  Kara turned her head slowly, blinking, as she met Rose’s bright blue gaze.

  Princess Myrinne paused for a moment, glancing back
and forth between them. She wanted to think they were fighting about something, but it didn’t seem to have driven too much of a wedge between them—considering the way Rose’s body leaned into Kara’s…or the way Kara’s arm rested around Rose’s shoulders.

  How was it that even when these two were at odds with each other, they still looked inseparable? The princess huffed in frustration. “I serve the will of the Eklektos before anything else. If you want the newspapers, you can have them.”

  Rose looked at her. “I mean, I don’t want to keep them or anything,” she muttered, frowning, “but I think everyone in this room would like to see them.”

  Erik and Elise nodded, while Kara watched the princess expectantly.

  Princess Myrinne nodded to Ligeia—apparently giving her permission to show them. Ligeia reached into a leather bag, attached to her armor, and grabbed several folded newspapers. She stepped past Kara and handed them all to Rose.

  Rose frowned and passed the newspapers to her friends—until everyone in the room had one or two to look over. Then, she glanced down at the one she held in her hands. A stunned breath fell from her lips. Pictures of destruction and war littered the front page—which bore the headline: “The War against Darkness.”

  Rose should’ve known the humans would turn this into a Good vs. Evil scenario. How else could they convince everyone that genocide was the answer?

  Kara flipped through her newspaper with an almost bored expression—her eyebrows lifted, her mouth relaxed. “Humans are so fucking predictable.”

  “I feel like I’ve seen this before,” Erik grumbled. “Oh, yeah. I have.”

  Elise glanced at him, lifting an eyebrow at his snarky remark. “Nazis?”

  Erik held up the newspaper for them, showing them the headline on his paper, which showed the President of the United States with a Commander from the Assassins of Light. “They didn’t just infiltrate the government,” he said with a wide-eyed look. “They are the government. The Assassins of Light are in control.”

  “They declared war on us,” Kara scoffed. “Of course they’re in control.”

  Rose leaned forward, squinting at the newspaper in Erik’s hand. “What’s her name?” she asked with a frown. “I feel like I’ve seen her somewhere before.”