Page 183 of Prince of Darkness and Deceit

Lev’s lips form a hard line.

His eyes shift to me, and remorse finally reveals itself. “I’m sorry.”

A shadow cracks across his face, snapping his head sideways.

“I said,” Rian hisses, molten eyes blazing, “tell. Her.”

Lev’s body quakes as he rasps, “The Fae never requested we mine astlerium. The Elders lied.”

The words splinter through me, followed swiftly by denial.

“But the Aella eagles…” I mutter, remembering how many times the majestic birds soared across the skies, bringing with them the king’s latest demands.

“I don’t know what messages they brought.” Lev shakes his head, a fresh red mark blooming on his cheek. “But it was never an order for astlerium.”

I…I don’t understand.

Ferria has told me how difficult astlerium is to work with. Steel and iron are easier to obtain and mold. Why would the Elders condemn countless men and boys for the metal if it wasn’t to ensure our town’s protection from the Shadow King?

“Then what was it for?” Ferria’s voice rises as her hands start to tremble. “Why have I spent my adult life refining astlerium if it wasn’t to be sent to the Fae?”

Lev presses his lips together.

“These fools believed astlerium could be forged into weapons to condemn Fae souls to meet The Mother.” Draven’s voice cuts through the air, sudden and cold.

He steps from a ripple in the shadows, as if he’s been there all along.

He strides toward Lev and spits on the ground in front of his hunched form before adding, “They thought they could create an armory to defeat us in an upcoming war.”

My stomach drops.

Draven sneers. “But they were wrong.”

Lev bows his head, staring at the trampled ground beneath him.

Ferria’s face hardens. “Bastards.”

The truth sears into me that our lives—hers, especially—have been one colossal deception.

She’s worked herself to the brink of exhaustion more nights than I can count. Ferria believed what she was doing helped protect Verdanthia. It was all a lie. And the desolate rage in her eyes tells me she’s well aware of that fact.

“Yes, well…” Jaxon clears his throat. “Perhaps we can pause this discussion until⁠—”

Draven cuts him off, twisting the knife of betrayal deeper. “Anton tells me you left your lover to your men’s fists. If it weren’t for her powers, she’d be⁠—”

“WHAT?” Rian’s roar rips through the air.

The wall of shadows trembles, and those pulsing around his body whip into a frenzy until one lashes out and wraps around Lev’s neck.

Ferria yanks me to her side. We clutch each other as the shadow drags Lev into the air. His feet kick, and the ropes around his wrists are gone, freeing his hands to claw hopelessly at his throat.

“Rian, no!” Jaxon shouts. “Control yourself.”

The vortex around Rian picks up speed.

His blazing eyes are locked on Lev. “You beat Elara.”

Lev gasps. “N-no.”