The Inner Circle | A Midnight Quartet

Chapter 18 | Darcy Edison

PREPARE YOURSELVES!!!

Princess Irena was assassinated. For being a spy. Darcy wants to cease to exist. She is done mourning. She is done crying. She is done with all of it. This is simply too much. As much as she wishes it wasn't true, it is impossible to refute the facts. Irena was dead because she was a spy. Someone who betrays their own country doesn't just suddenly die. It was planned. And she was gone.

Darcy is sitting in the library, thinking back on their plan. It's not going to work. Someone is going to get hurt. She inhales sharply, bringing her hand to her mouth, chewing at her nails. This is a disaster. But what could she say? She could never refuse to bring justice to Irena's death. It would look too suspicious-

The door of the library slowly creeks open, drawing her from her thoughts.

Carmen settles down next to her. "Are you alright?" He asks.

She smiles weakly, "Yes." He doesn't look convinced. She laughs a little. "Really I am. Just a little... distracted, I guess. How did your check-up go?"

He smiles and scoots closer, resting a comforting hand on her back. She stiffens, disliking the immediate flutter of her stomach at his touch.

"Good, she said I am healing fast. Barely hurts anymore." His words come out slowly, as if his mind is elsewhere.

She releases a breath. It isn't infected. It will heal. He is going to be okay.

He brings a hand up to her face, gently pushing aside a strand of hair. Her skin pricks at the sensation. She catches a glimpse of the harsh wound at his neck.

"Hey," She lightly runs her thumb across the gash. "We match." She had meant it to be a joke, but her tone implied otherwise.

"That, we do." He murmurs as he reaches up to run his own thumb down her neck. Her heart leaps, pounding hard in her chest, leaving her feeling breathless. She glances up at him from beneath her lashes. His lips quirk to the side, almost smiling, but his eyes seem to cloud with emotion. He swallows and drops his hand from her neck.

His voice is low as he says, "Listen. I don't know what's going to happen tomorrow, but I want you to know that- that" His fists tighten in his lap. "Well I want you to know that I've always-" Oh no. Not now. Not here.

Ice cold fear grips her and she abruptly stands up. Her legs shake and she nearly collapses. "Y-you know, Aspen and Miles a-are probably going to be back any second." She starts to move away, but feels him grab her hand.

"Darcy, wait."

She turns to look back at him.

"I love you."

Before she has time to process the words, he is pulling her towards him, pressing his lips to hers. She gasps and brings her hands around his neck. He slips a hand across her back, pressing her closer. His other hand reaches up to gently caress the back of her neck.

No. This is wrong. She can't do this to him.

She pulls herself away, tears starting to sting at her eyes. He searches her face with a kindness she doesn't deserve. She burrows her head into the crook of his neck, breathing in his scent of tree bark and orange rinds. Hiding like she always does.

He strokes a hand down her hair, his voice soft as he says, "What's wrong, love?"

That word. He should not be calling me that. Guilt grabs at her and she pries herself away for what is most likely the last time. He will not feel the same after this.

"Carmen. I- I can't."

She watches as his heart seems to crumble. Her stubborn chin begins trembling.

"I'm in love with you, Darcy." He says, his voice slightly cracking.