Page 132 of Prince of Darkness and Deceit

Nothing about magic, or that Fae book, is obvious.

“The passages speak of magic fed by life. By brightness.”

Something sharp bites into the sole of my slipper. I shift my weight. Rian’s grip tightens, steadying me, pulling me closer until his shadows skim my bodice. My stomach twists.

His head dips, his lips too near my ear. “You were saying?”

I can’t fight off the tremor that ripples through me. “Th-that doesn’t sound like shadow magic.”

“Indeed?”

“It was referred to as a light gift.”

“Hm.”

“Is that…” I pause to lick my dry lips, then lean back to hold his stare, pretending like I’m not feeling everything I’m feeling when his magic continues to brush along my torso. “Is that what my magic is? A light gift?”

Shadows pulse then thicken around us. Still, the surrounding revelers don’t seem to notice.

“What makes you think that?” he asks.

“Instinct for one.” I clutch his arm as he guides us around a couple pressed indecently close. The circlets on their wrists reveal they, too, are married. “And your reaction is another.”

He doesn’t look away, though the tension lining his face sharpens. “There were those who once wielded light magic not unlike what you’ve read in that text.”

“So…light magic is elemental magic.” I remember him saying human magic is elemental.

“No.” His tone is clipped. “But they are alike.”

I purse my lips. “What about fire?”

“What about it?”

“It’s elemental. But also light. Like Ferria’s—” The words choke off, my eyes widening.

Shit.

Rian levels me with a pointed look. “Did you truly believe I wasn’t aware of Ferria’s power?”

No. But I never admitted it. And I won’t now.

I seal my lips, refusing to say more.

He exhales, exasperated. Even so, his face is unfairly striking. “Don’t you trust me by now?”

I choke on a half laugh. “It’s hard to trust someone who holds the fate of everyone I love in his hands.”

His grip tightens, just slightly. “Fair enough.”

His chin lifts as his gaze sweeps the crowd.

I do the same.

The dancing has softened from bouncing and spinning into swaying. Ferria and Anton are nowhere in sight.

“Why are you like this with me?” I ask before I can stop myself, eyes focused on the faded banner hanging from the windowsill to my right.

His stare heats my cheeks. “What way?”