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

changed. However, as I said, I do not believe Leader Dufaigh changed much. After everyone witnessed Kate’s visions come to life, he had to concede to a different path. If not, he would have appeared as we all know him to be: hateful. But he seemed too eager with his help … am I correct, Flanna? Is that not why you chose to make Kate’s armor, because you did not trust him?”
    A few pieces of bark fall from her hands, landing in a pile of dead leaves. I have no idea how those little pieces of wood will heal anyone … .
    Flanna jumps from Luatha, then collects the dropped bits of oak. “I never trusted him—sorry, Kate. I believe the only reason he allowed us to leave is because he is under the impression if you and Kate save the world, he might have a chance to take control of Encardia.”
    Perth gasps. He wants so much for his father to be normal, to be good, and this conversation must be shredding him on the inside.
    Flanna stands, softening her expression to that of a mother cleaning the skinned knee of her child. “I apologize, Perth, but were you not upset when he did not see you off? He arranged everything for us to leave; he even had a large party gather for us. We were supposed to be united, but he did not join in while we walked toward the perimeter. Did his actions not seem odd to you?”
    Perth looks toward me, glances at my fingers laced with Arland’s—making my heart sink to my stomach—slumps his shoulders, then nods. “Of course they seemed odd. I prayed he would change, but I am not naïve; I know he is still the same.”
    Cadman rides his horse in a circle around us, squaring his shoulders, the corners of his mouth revealing the faintest of smiles. “Perth’s father did what he felt he must, sir. We have not endured our last battle with Leader Dufaigh, but our people are united as Griandor wished for them to be. The spell over most of the Ground Dwellers has been broken; however, Dufaigh has the power to replace it with something much worse, which is why your father granted your request for the soldiers—all of the soldiers—to meet us here.”
    Flanna mutters something and hacks at the tree like someone chopping weeds with a machete.
    Arland stiffens, but nothing about his appearance reflects the tension I know he’s feeling. The tension from being lied to by everyone close to him. “And what more of our lives do you know, Cadman? From my father’s farewell, it would seem you know much more than you have ever let on. I appreciate you being in good service to my family”—he tugs my hand—”all of my family, but you have been under my charge for how long? How did you keep up the lie all these years?” Arland shakes his head and holds up his left hand, waving it from side to side. “No, do not answer that. You are a great soldier; you did what you must.”
    Cadman draws his horse to a stop, then looks down at Arland with his deep-set, big blue eyes. “We all do what we must to ensure no one strays from the path of Light, to protect Encardia, to protect you and Katriona.”
    Arland meets the gaze of his loyal soldier. “Before we left Willow Falls, my father said he would see what he could do for my request, but here, you know for sure soldiers will come. When will they arrive?”
    “Shh,” Cadman says, placing his index finger over his full lips. “Listen, and you will hear their approach.”
    Flanna drops her sword and turns to her left, facing the dark forest, eyes wild, mouth pressed into a thin line. Brit and Perth tiptoe over to where Arland and I stand, and we all suck in a sharp breath.
    Nothing. I hear nothing. Shaking my head, I turn to Cadman. “What are we supposed to he—?”
    “Listen.” He points toward the trees.
    I close my eyes, willing my ears to hear what Cadman insists I already should. The faint sounds of everyone breathing, of Brit shifting her weight from foot to foot, of Perth rubbing his palms together, of Flanna shoving more bark into her bag, and of