Page 201 of Prince of Darkness and Deceit

Jaxon lingers, remorse in his eyes.

Ferria notices.

“Get out,” she snarls.

With a sigh, Jaxon follows his friends.

Once we’re alone, Ferria’s face crumples, her eyes shining with fear I’ve never seen before. The sight tears something inside me, and I collapse into her arms.

We cling to each other, sobbing, weeping for all we’ve lost and all we have left to lose.

Because Velmira knows, no matter how much I wish otherwise, this is only the beginning.

And only she and her fellow Gods know how this will end.

40

The sun rises cruel and golden, spilling light across the bloodless clearing, as if to mock what lies ahead.

The Gods should split the sky with lightning. A storm that mirrors the turmoil in my heart should soak the world around me. I’d take anything but this indifferent brightness. This fake peace.

Ferria’s hand brushes mine. We stand outside the opulent tent, watching Anton, who lingers on the other side of the clearing. I meet my twin’s gaze and slip my hand into hers, squeezing tight, a whisper of last night’s vows.

We’d sworn, through bleary eyes and stifled tears, that this wasn’t the end. That no matter what the Fae demand of us, we would find our way to each other. We’d leave this continent and find a better life.

We even joked about finding Lochvara, the mythical land where human magic is said to have originated. Rumors say clans still roam those plains.

By the time the sun began to crest over the trees, casting light onto the tent, most of my sadness had been replaced with determination.

Determination to destroy the curse in Darius’s chest. Determination to reunite with Ferria. Determination to start a new life, away from Verdanthia and Fae. A life where I can be myself. A gifted healer who is blessed with magic.

The dream of no longer hiding who I am and what I can do carries all my hopes and gives me the strength to walk with Ferria toward Anton.

He holds two reins in one hand, wearing a black tunic and trousers with matching knee-length boots. A traveling cloak hangs over his shoulder. A brown satchel sits at his feet.

Anton is a copy of the other Fae we’ve come to know. I understand he used magic to conceal his nature, but I still kick myself for being ignorant that a Fae lived among us for years without us knowing.

He watches our approach, apprehension in every line of his face as he surveys my sister. He’s nervous. He should be. Ferria is going to make him pay for his deception. I don’t know how, but it's sure to be creative.

“Where’s Juniper?” Ferria asks, stopping a foot away, crossing her arms as she scans the empty area around Anton.

He was supposed to retrieve her so she could join Ferria on her upcoming journey.

He shifts his weight between his dark boots. “She said she’s going to stay in Verdanthia.”

“What?” Ferria and I shout at the same time.

Anton winces, swiftly picks up the satchel from the ground, and extends his arm. “She asked me to give this to you.”

Ferria leans forward to snatch it before settling back at my side. She opens the bag, and we both peer inside.

The familiar spines of the Fae text and the diary greet me. Relief flows throughout my entire body. I don’t know how Juniper got her hands on the Fae book, but I am thankful that the knowledge within isn’t lost in the hands of General Ironheart.

Poking out between the books is a folded piece of parchment. Ferria slips the paper free and unfolds it, holding it where we both can read.

My beloved daughters,

The day has come when Verdanthia is no longer safe for you. I knew it was inevitable, but I must admit, I lament the loss of your presence.