Page 197 of Prince of Darkness and Deceit

“I do.” His irises gleam silver, then dim. “Humans are programmed for survival. And no matter what you do or say, they will not willingly believe the men they have trusted with their lives would betray them.”

Her hands curl into fists.

I tense. The air tastes metallic, charged.

“And before you say it,”—Rian holds up a hand, interrupting Ferria’s impending retort—“you do not have proof, Ferria Stonebloom. You have your word against theirs. And I do not need to remind you how little the majority of Verdanthian citizens value females or their opinions.”

Unease curdles in my gut when sparks of Ferria’s power pepper her flesh. But after several deep breaths while she holds Rian’s stare, she finally relaxes her fingers.

“Fine.” Her head falls forward. “You’re right.”

Sympathy ghosts across Rian’s face. “If it is any consolation, I wish I weren’t.”

After another exhale, Ferria lifts her gaze. “So, what now? Are you going to tell your king what happened here? Will all our neighbors suffer for the crimes of a few evil men?”

A shadow unfurls at Rian’s back, thick and restless. “No. We will not be reporting this failed rebellion to the king.”

My brows rise.

Ferria stiffens. “Really?”

“Yes.” A tendril of shadow slithers over his shoulder and down his arm, flowing to his twitching hand. “We have a more pressing mission. We cannot afford the time it would take to return to Eranthia to share the news.”

The appreciation that had been building inside me bursts like a pricked bubble.

Of course.

They aren’t protecting innocent lives. They’re protecting their own schedule. Why would I expect anything else?

Because they saved your life.

Because they needed me to save their prince, I correct myself.

Now that my purpose is served, I’m disposable. Just like every human south of the Veil.

The sting of that truth sinks deep, thorn-sharp, and I’m so tangled in it I nearly miss the argument erupting beside me.

“Absolutely not!” Ferria lurches to her feet, defiance blazing. “Elara and I are staying together.”

I blink at her, then Rian. He hasn’t moved, hasn’t even shifted his expression. Calm, collected, carved from stone. While my sister looks ready to set the entire tent on fire.

Her face flushes, skin pulled taut with fury, sparks dancing between her trembling fingers. Jaxon watches her like a hawk, assessing, waiting for the chance to strike. Darius’s lips part in something close to awe.

But Rian? He doesn’t flinch. Doesn’t fear her power. He stands as if fire itself couldn’t scorch him.

“That is not an option,” he says coolly.

“Of course it’s an option,” Ferria snaps, flames licking up her arms. “You have no say over where Elara and I go. She saved your friend. Her business with you is finished. We will leave Verdanthia together, and you can’t stop us.”

My pulse spikes. The Fae want to separate us? Why?

The answer comes when Rian finally looks at me. My stomach flips traitorously as the memory of that almost-kiss in the alley presses in. I grit my teeth and shove it away.

“Elara has a deal to fulfill,” he says.

My back straightens. What?

“What in the hells are you talking about?” Ferria snarls.