Page 171 of Prince of Darkness and Deceit

Seconds later, the blood flow slows to a trickle.

With a sharp inhale, Dian’s eyes widen, catching on mine with dawning awareness. “How…how did you do that?”

I’m too wrung out to spin a lie. “You don’t want to know.”

Something shifts in his gaze. Then he nods. “Thank you.”

“Of course.” I lean back on my heels and rise to my feet. “You should eat and drink as soon as you can. You lost a lot of blood.”

He nods again, then licks his lips, his eyes narrowed with indecision before he blurts, “Lev has gone to the forest.”

My blood ices. “I don’t care what he does.”

“You don’t understand.” His voice rasps with urgency. “He and the army went after the Fae. They mean to capture the Shadow Prince.”

Silas snarls, shadows curling like snakes around his hands. “Fools. They’ll deserve their slaughter.”

“No.” Dian looks only at me now, desperation carved into his face. “Elara, you have to stop them.”

“Me?” I scoff. “Lev won’t listen to me.”

“Lev won’t.” His eyes burn into mine. “But he will.”

My throat tightens. I’m shaking my head before I even realize it. “You don’t understand. My deal with the Fae is over. They owe me nothing.”

“We both know that’s not true.” His voice frays as he slumps back against the wall. “Please. If you don’t stop them, every soldier will die. And then…who will protect Verdanthia?”

Rolf…Jocelyn…

The faces of all the women and children I’ve treated over the years flash across my mind, along with terrifying claws and talons.

If all the fighting men in Verdanthia are dead, the monsters will find no resistance when they slink out of the forest to feast. Every innocent soul in town will be torn to shreds.

Gods save me… I’m really going to do this.

I turn to Anton, the weight of my choice cinching like a noose around my throat. “Can you get me a horse?”

His lips twitch with something that almost looks like pride. Or is it victory?

He inclines his head. “Absolutely.”

And just like that, I choose a side…and seal my fate.

33

Horses are death machines.

Nothing could have prepared me for the sheer terror of riding one of the magnificent creatures. Every time I watched Lev atop Giles—one hand on the reins, the other lifted in a carefree wave—I had no idea how terrifying it actually is.

I clutch Moonlight’s reins until my knuckles turn white as we gallop away from the stables. Anton said she was docile, too old for battle, which is why the soldiers left her behind. But every jolt of her powerful muscles up my spine reminds me how easy it would be for her to toss me off.

The wind rips at my hair as she hurtles forward. My stomach lurches with each bounding stride. Few Verdanthians roam the streets, but those who do gape as we thunder past.

The leather squeaks from the tightness of my grip.

How many of my neighbors knew I was in that cell? How many knew what was happening to me?

If I could meet their eyes without falling off the saddle, would I find guilt? Remorse?