Page 118 of Prince of Darkness and Deceit

I don’t question why.

Please… My eyes shutter closed, and I picture my power as a skittish kitten, tucked in a dark corner, scared to come into the light. I’m sorry I hurt you earlier... I won’t do it again.

The magic blinks—stretches. Creeps forward.

Thank you for protecting me…

Sweat rolls down the back of my neck, mixing with the blood seeping from my wounds. Dizziness hits me once more, but Rian’s arm around me is steady. Patient. He won’t let me fall.

I breathe through the pain and confusion and continue to coax the magic to the surface. I promise you can rest after this. I won’t ask any more of you tonight.

A stuttered sensation emanates from my chest. Tingles from Rian’s touch spread through my body. The marks along my forearms slither. Then it’s as if my power releases a heavy, relaxed sigh before it surges.

I suck in a sharp breath as warmth flows from my chest to my back where the beast’s claws gouged my flesh.

Rian’s shadows reluctantly draw away, and I grimace at the first lick of heat as power threads into the wounds.

I clamp my teeth together. Healing magic sears through the torn flesh, bursting at the surface. Sharp tugs and stings claw along my skin as my body stitches back together.

“What in The Mother…” Draven’s voice is hushed, rough with disbelief.

My eyes snap open.

The formidable Fae’s mask has cracked. The glow of my magic splashes across his face as he stares at my back, throwing his awe into stark relief. For once, his hard, immovable features falter.

“You never said that⁠—”

“Not now,” Rian cuts in with a harsh snap.

His grip cinches around me.

Draven’s jaw locks, but his stare doesn’t waver. He looks at me as though he’s never seen me before.

My light sputters.

Did Rian not tell Draven about my power?

No…that doesn’t make sense.

Jaxon was at the forge. He saw my power. Surely both males wouldn’t keep the information from the third member of their trio.

Is he just surprised by the extent of my power? Of its capability?

“Keep going, Elara,” Rian orders, low and unyielding, interrupting my muddled thoughts. “Heal yourself.”

My gaze flicks between the two Fae, searching for answers I won’t find, but then my magic surges, demanding my focus. I squeeze my eyes shut and force my breathing to steady.

Light flares behind my eyelids, hot and pure. The stinging dulls, ebbing with each pull of power.

Smoke empties from my lungs in a ragged cough, and then, for the first time since the fire, a clean breath fills me. Relief shudders through my chest.

When I open my eyes, silver ones are waiting.

Rian’s exhale is soft. “Better?”

My nod is small, my voice frayed. “Better.”

I glance at the arm still banded around me. Rian’s fingers flex, but he doesn’t let go.