Wilde's Meadow (Darkness Falls #3) Read Online Free PDF Page A

expansive dark hole in the middle. A cave. Arland brought me to a cave. Why? Does he want to die? Does he want my visions to come true? We’ve only been traveling for a few hours; there’s no need for us to rest.
    Sensing my tensed muscles, Mirain stops.
    “You’ve got to be kidding, Arland.” Brit tugs on the reins of her reddish-brown mare, slowing her progress. “Weren’t you paying attention when we wrote the details from Kate’s visions? How could you expect us to stop here?”
    Perth snorts and shakes his head, sliding from his horse. “She had you leave the communications room so she could recount the details from the dream about the cave. Even I had to leave the room, because she feared I would tell you if I knew.”
    I look between them as they banter around me, waiting for Flanna to chime in with some witty remark, waiting for Arland or even Cadman to put Perth in his place, waiting for something. I’m too shocked to speak.
    Arland draws Bowen to a standstill, squares his shoulders, then narrows his eyes and focuses on Perth. “We are not resting here, Brit, merely waiting.”
    He clenches his fists and marches toward my love, sparking a rage in the pit of my stomach—we’re supposed to be beyond fighting.
    Perth growls. “Tell me, Arland, what is the difference? Do you want to get us killed? Do you want your bhean chéile to end this war alone ?”
    No one moves. The moon has long since disappeared from over our heads. Silence blankets the forest, making this argument that much louder.
    Meeting eyes with Perth, I take a deep breath. “Stop.”
    I sound calmer than I am. We might as well light a beacon and announce to Dughbal and all his daemons that we’re right here and available for a fight.
    “We need to trust each other. We’ve only just begun this and already we’re at each other’s throats.” I turn my gaze to Arland. “What are we waiting for?”
    Arland smiles, holding his attention on Perth. “Your army.”
    I press my hand to my chest, my heart fluttering wildly. “ What … ?”
    Arland climbs from Bowen, passes the reins to Flanna, then stands beside me. He offers me his hand, his face void of the playful emotion he showed just a second ago. “You saw Dufaigh’s eyes. Everyone else’s changed, but not his.”
    “I did.” I remember the milky-white appearance the cruel Ground Dweller’s eyes had before we left. He said I revealed his faults to him, revealed a future scarier than he could imagine, yet when it was time for us to leave, chills are what he gave me.
    “I know Griandor wanted everyone to be united, and here we all stand, but something tells me Perth’s father is still playing games. In good conscience, I could not allow soldiers to stay under his command while we may need their aid.”
    Taking hold of Arland, I allow him to help me from Mirain. I turn and pat my horse’s brilliant white shoulder, and she sighs.
    “Is that what your father meant about your message?” I whisper, looking into his emerald eyes.
    He flashes a lopsided grin. “Yes. I am surprised that question did not come sooner.”
    “You promised you’d tell me. I didn’t doubt that, but I don’t think any of them understand.” I point with my thumb toward the others.
    Flanna is atop her horse, picking bark off a nearby oak tree with the tip of her sword. Brit props her fists on her hips, scowling at Arland. Perth and Cadman watch Flanna. She puts the broken bits from the trunk of the tree in a satchel attached to her saddle.
    “What is she doing?” I ask, walking toward her to get a better view.
    Arland tugs my hand, holding me with him. “She—”
    “I am gathering healing agents. If additional soldiers are coming to fight, we need more first aid,” she says, her voice high-pitched, shaky … urgent. Flanna spins on her heel, narrowing her eyes. “Why did you keep this bit to yourself, Arland?”
    He shrugs. “Part of my prophecy I never understood until the Ground Dwellers