Page 162 of Prince of Darkness and Deceit

The Fae has been a calm teacher. Patient. His shuttered, unreadable expression almost reminds me of Rian, except there’s no enticing aura luring me to him anytime I meet his stare.

“Why don’t you use your magic to get out of here?” I ask, too hopeful for a simple solution to my massive problem.

“Because that is not part of the mission,” he says, then clears his throat. “And I couldn’t leave…even if I wanted to.”

“Why not?”

“It doesn’t matter.” He rises to his feet and stretches his arms above his head. Like all Fae, he’s muscular, though the lack of sunlight has made his tan skin look a little wan. “Besides, my brothers will come for me.”

“Are you certain?” Juniper asks, shrewd as ever.

“Unreservedly.” He drops his arms and meets our disbelieving stares. “We’ve done this song and dance in five villages since crossing the Veil, and they’ve never let me down before.”

My lungs seize.

“What in the Gods’ names were you doing tricking five human villages?” Juniper snaps.

Even for her, it’s too bold to speak to a Fae male this way.

“That is for my prince to explain.”

My heart hammers, dousing my veins with dread and foreboding. “So it’s true… The Shadow Prince travels with your retinue.”

Darkness flows over the whites of Silas’s eyes. Danger and violence line every inch of his fierce features. “You will do well to keep that information to yourself, or I cannot speak of what retribution Draven will exact on his prince’s behalf.”

Draven’s concern about Darius, concealed with ire, plays in my mind.

His devotion to a friend would be admirable, but to a prince? It’s no doubt expected.

I hold Silas’s gaze, worried I’ve crossed a line. He blinks, and a mask falls over his features once more.

His lips curl into an odd sort of smile. “You know…I hadn’t considered this before, but the human Gods must be smiling down upon me and my brethren’s plans.”

I shift my legs close, wrap my arms over my knees, and hold tight. “Why would you say that?”

“Verdanthia. It’s the sixth town we’ve searched. Six.” He pauses for emphasis, his smile growing. “Lucky number six, like the six Gods you believe give a shit about human fate.”

I bristle at the disrespect. I’m not a temple maiden, but even I know better than to scorn the deities who shape our lives.

Juniper scoffs. “What about this situation do you find lucky?”

Silas’s shadows flicker over his face.

When they clear, he stares at me and says, “You.”

I scowl. “What do you⁠—”

“Swords!”

The cry is muffled, but there is no mistaking the shouted word traveling through the door.

Juniper grabs my hand and tugs. I rise on shaking legs, and my heart billows with affection when she nudges me back so she stands between me and whatever is coming from the other side of that door.

From the moment my parents left this earth, Juniper has protected me and Ferria. She is the best woman I know, and Olyra help me, I will not allow her to come to harm for my sake.

“Stop!”

“Do not⁠—”