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

look at anyone right now, they might find out just how frustrated I am by how childish they acted, especially Cadman, so I keep my eyes forward. If Ground Dweller magic can cause us to act that way just by standing around for a few minutes, I’m scared to think of what Dufaigh will do while we’re gone, and I’m scared to pass through the Crossing Caves.
    The gentle sounds of hooves sinking into the earth come from ahead. I glance up and find Perth slowly riding his horse. I know he wasn’t hoping to greet the others, but did he plan to run away?
    I urge Mirain to move faster. She obliges, picking up her pace until we catch up with Perth. A large branch scratches my leg through my leather pants, but I ignore the pain. It’s nothing compared to what I’ve already been through.
    “Hey, Perth. You okay?”
    He glances over his shoulder, eyes flitting away before they meet mine. “Why did you follow me?”
    “Because you’re my friend.”
    “You sure about that?” Perth snorts. “Being near me at Willow Falls was painful for you, kissing me set you on fire—not in a good way—my father is still feared—”
    “I don’t fear you ,” I say, keeping my voice firm, controlled. Perth deserves kindness; he’s been through as much as any of us. “And I am sorry if I came across as snotty at Willow Falls. I was under a lot of pressure, but it’s no excuse for not treating you fairly.”
    Flanna chokes. “Did I hear Kate say she treated Perth unfairly ? He is as sneaky as his father, Arland. He clearly has feelings for your wife .”
    “Maybe we aren’t far enough away from the Crossing Caves. Flanna is still acting bitchy,” Brit mutters.
    “ Bitchy ? Have I ever told you how much I like your sister, Kate?”
    “Flanna, enough .” Arland’s voice resonates through the forest, sending a couple animals scampering through the underbrush. “Have you all forgotten we are in the middle of a war?”
    “Have you?” Flanna retorts, voice lowering to a whisper.
    “I will send you back, cousin. Would you prefer to spend your days underground with Leader Dufaigh, or would you prefer to fight with your friends and family? You promised you were over Lann. Now act as a responsible Leader should.” Arland digs his heels into Bowen, riding closer to Perth and me. “I apologize, Perth. You protected Katriona even while I could not, and for that, I will forever be in your debt. My cousin—no, no one should treat you as anything less than you are: an honorable man.”
    Arland once asked Perth what he stands to gain from helping us. Perth responded with honor, friends, and maybe even a family who loves him. What Arland just said, what he did , makes me proud of them both. Two people who hated one another to the core, who stand to gain the world if the other fails, are now closer to being friends than I ever imagined they would be.
    Perth’s jaw falls slack, but he quickly closes his mouth and smiles. “Thank you.”
    Glancing back, I glare at Flanna, Cadman, and Brit.
    “Don’t you dare give me that look,” my sister says, wagging a finger at me. “I defended him.”
    “Do I need to scold you, too, Kate?” Arland stares ahead, eyes intent, shoulders squared.
    I slow down, dropping away from Perth to ride next to Arland. “ Scold me?”
    He turns. His chiseled features soften, revealing a hint of amusement in his eyes. “For provoking the hecklers. We are exposed here, and we travel by horseback.”
    Arland points into the dark distance. “The additional soldiers will create only more of a problem for us. More noise. More arguing… . If we as Leaders cannot control our behavior, how can we expect anyone to?”
    He’s right, and that only makes me more concerned to pass through the Crossing Caves. “Are we all going to The Meadows?”
    Arland keeps his gaze on me, searching. “You are concerned about the caves.”
    “Are my thoughts that loud?”
    He chuckles. “I do not need to read your thoughts to know how