Edge of Darkness ~ A Darkness & Light Novel Book Three by K. L. Schwengel

the edge? He will never admit it, but as much as once you desired the Goddess, he desires Darkness."
    Donovan shook his head. "I think you will find you are mistaken."
    "Truly? Tell me, Prince, is he not a ruthless man? Cold? Hard?"
    "Honorable, loyal, just, fair." Donovan's lip curled. "Yes. All these things."
    The priestess studied him a moment, then threw her head back and laughed. "You despise him more than the Goddess. He is everything you wish to be."
    His sneer deepened. "He is nothing I wish to be."
    "Strengths can be weaknesses, Dark Prince."
    "Even so, a madman will do you little good."
    "He will not be mad for long. I will incapacitate him. You will see him brought to me by whatever means you choose."
    "Why not go and claim him yourself?"
    She gave him a wide-eyed, almost childlike, grin. "What's the fun in having power and position if not to make others do your bidding?"
    "Why me?"
    "You know him. You can predict his moves." She shrugged. "If that does not suffice, call it a test of loyalty. I will free you, return your power to you, you will bring the Sciath na Duinne to me."
    She hiked up her skirts and straddled Donovan, lowering herself onto his lap. He settled his hands on her hips, his body responding to the intimacy more strongly than he liked. The dark, enticing scent of her filled his nostrils, more intoxicating than the strongest drink. He pulled her closer, and she came willingly.
    "You will see." She dragged her fingers through the grimy tangles of his hair, and knotted them together behind his skull to tip his head back. "It is far better for you to be at my side than to stand against me. A hundred allies would not be enough to defeat me."
    Donovan caught her lips, giving in to the base desire spiking through him. His mother once thought him worthy of sitting at the Goddess's feet. Standing beside the priestess bore little difference in his mind. He had not been given power to use it in the service of others, but to rule others and, one way or another, he would see his ambitions met. If that meant abasing himself with carnal acts, so be it. No worthy prize came without cost.

CHAPTER THIRTEEN
     
    A steady, icy rain pelted the shutters in the study of the north tower. Even though Ciara had pulled the heavy tapestries closed as well, the chill seemed intent on working its way into the room. Her sleep the night before had been fitful, fraught with dreams she couldn't remember, that left her feeling unsettled for no reason she could name. She tried to push them aside, busying herself with packing and repacking a small travel bag. Ariadne had told her they would need to travel light and fast if the time came.
    No, she corrected herself. When the time came. She definitely said 'when', not 'if'.
    So Ciara packed an extra pair of loose britches, a spare tunic, and a woolen smock. She made sure she had her healer's kit as well, which meant a trip to the kitchens to replenish those herbs she found herself short on. It turned out the castle cook had no use for healing herbs, and when she asked where she might find some, he merely shrugged and suggested either the barrack's infirmary or Nisair's Healing House, then went back to hacking a large piece of meat into more manageable chunks.
    A hasty trip across the yard, bundled in a thick cloak, took her to the vacant barrack's infirmary. She hunted around until she found their meager supply stores, only to find them in even sadder shape than her own. That left the Healing House as her only option, but when she asked one of her guards to take her there, he insisted they check with Commander Garek first.
    "I'm sorry, lass," Garek said when they finally tracked him down in the armory. "Lady Ariadne said you're not to leave the castle grounds. Best not to rile the Council any more than it already is. If you like, you can make me a list of what you need and I'll send one of the pages to fetch it for you."
    Ciara frowned but thanked him and made her list, adding on extra