Page 120 of Prince of Darkness and Deceit

He nods once, not surprised.

Of course not.

“How?” I ask.

“Use that pretty head of yours.” He leans closer, his breath a soft caress against my lips. “You’re clever enough to figure it out.”

Gods…

Is he… Is he going to kiss me?

Shadows writhe restlessly across my arms. My magic pulses hot and urgent in my core, momentarily overshadowing my fatigue.

Olyra, help me… Do I want him to kiss me?

My fingers curl tighter in his tunic. His dark eyes flash silver once more, then they darken.

A gnawing hunger sears away all reason, shoving aside the part of me that knows this is reckless.

A lock of hair slips across his brow as his head dips toward me. My heart kicks against my ribs. I tug him closer.

His lips hover so near I taste the spice of his breath.

I lift my chin.

“Elara!”

The voice cleaves through the lust-filled haze like cold steel.

My breath stutters, and I tear my hands free of Rian’s tunic and shove at his chest.

He doesn’t budge…until he chooses to, leaning back with slow, deliberate control. His eyes remain locked with mine, as dark as midnight, while he lowers his arm and takes a single step away.

Lev races around the corner, uniform filthy, hair standing on end. Relief ignites in his wild eyes the moment they find me.

“Elara! Thank the Gods.” He storms forward and yanks me into his arms. “I’ve been looking everywhere for you!”

One hand cradles the back of my head, pressing my face into the crook of his neck. I exhale slowly, sliding my hands to rest on his waist.

Boots crunch behind him. A glance reveals they belong to General Ironheart.

The leader appears as disheveled as his son, yet his expression is composed as he sizes up the Fae before him. Three soldiers stand behind him, wary and tense.

Lev tightens his hold. “Someone said you ran into a burning house. Are you hurt? How did you get out?”

Someone saw?

Why didn’t they come to help?

“She jumped,” Rian states.

Lev jerks back, blinking at the Fae, then gapes at me. “You jumped?”

More like fell…

I press my lips together and nod.

His handsome face twists, and his jaw clenches. “Are you insane? Do you wish to meet Velmira before your time? Why would you run into a fire?”