Page 191 of Prince of Darkness and Deceit

The undeniable sense that I just fucked up grips me fiercely as my eyes flick up and meet Draven’s infuriated glare. His fangs are bared in a sneer. His strong hands reach for my throat.

Just before his fingers close around me—BOOM!

The dagger explodes. A force like thunder slams into me, hurling me backward.

I’m suspended in midair, weightless and dizzy. A bolt of white-hot light snakes from the dagger in Darius’s chest, latching onto me like a tether. Every nerve in my body hums. For a heartbeat, we are connected, two lives bound by impossible magic.

Then—the tether snaps.

Shadows rush at me from all sides, black and suffocating. My mind reels, drawn into a vortex that twists my body and soul like a hurricane. I scream, but the sound is swallowed by the void.

Darkness falls.

I wake in a cold, empty room. One I don’t recognize. The dark-gray stones are unfamiliar. Wet. I raise my hand to rub my aching head when the rattle of metal halts my movement.

I press my lips into a grim line. Glittering black shackles are clamped around my wrists. Of course.

I’m in a dungeon.

The king sent me here.

I sit on my haunches and curse the events that led to this.

How am I going to get out?

Draven and the others will come for me. Of that, there’s no doubt. But what will it cost? No price I want them to pay. But it won’t be up to me. Those stubborn idiots are my brothers in all the ways that matter. They will do whatever it takes to free me. He will do whatever it takes.

And that’s exactly what I’m afraid of.

Metal groans, and the door to my left swings open. I don my practiced indifferent expression—the one I learned from watching Rian. That bastard is an expert at hiding his emotions.

But when the petite female steps through the door, I can’t conceal my surprise. Even under the cover of the violet cloak on her shoulders, I’d know her anywhere.

The smell of wildflowers in bloom along the western cliffs fills my nostrils.

“Petra?”

“Hello, Darius.” Tightness pulls at her greeting as she lowers her hood, and her eyes dart to the unseen corridor, telling me we’re not alone. “How are you feeling?”

“Confused as fuck.” I duck my head to try and catch her eye, but she tucks her chin to her chest. “Why won’t you look at me?”

She sucks in a tiny, sharp breath, then meets my stare. Her beauty takes my breath away, as it always does.

In a musical voice that has sent countless young men sprawling at her feet, she says, “The king is displeased with you.”

“Good, then I’m doing something right.”

“Darius,” she snaps, though humor flickers in the reprimand. I see it in the twist of her lips before she presses them together. “This is serious. He’s really angry this time.”

“Excellent. It’s about time my uncle abandons his grand hopes for me.” I lean against the wall behind me, propping a knee and resting my elbow on it. “Now, tell me what his latest punishment will be and then get his dogs to release me.”

“Darius…” She says my name again, only this time, her voice wavers. “You must stop this. All of you. He is the king. He knows everything.”

“No one knows everything,” I counter even as unease crawls up my spine.

If King Marek did…we’d all be dead already.

“You’re stubborn fools. All of you.” She drops her gaze, and her hands shake as she reaches into her cloak. “And he won’t let it slide any longer.”