Page 203 of Prince of Darkness and Deceit

Off to the side, their maker stands before the collapsed black fabric of his smaller tent. Shadows curl lazily around Rian’s boots as he watches the emotionless soldiers work.

Ferria’s throat clears. “Are you sure you know what you’re doing with that one?”

I glance at her. Her pointed look twists my heart. I bite the inside of my cheek, unwilling to answer.

After a beat, she sighs. “Fine. Just…be careful. And don’t make any more deals.”

A humorless huff escapes me. “Trust me, I won’t.”

Dark markings slither across my arms in smug defiance. I refuse to look at them. I once thought they were beautiful. Now all I see are the ghosts of my shredded flesh.

“Ferria…” Anton’s voice is soft but heavy with insistence. “We have to go.”

Moisture glimmers in her eyes as she clasps my hands. “I love you, Lara.”

A tear slides down my cheek. “I love you, too.”

With one last squeeze, she releases my hands and turns away.

Anton hands her a set of reins and begins to explain how to mount the horse, when Ferria plants her boot in the stirrup and swings into the saddle in one fluid motion, her red braid whipping over her shoulder. His jaw drops.

Despite myself, a small laugh bubbles up. Ferria’s never ridden before, but she’s watched soldiers all her life. With her strength and agility, of course she makes mounting the majestic creature look effortless.

Anton recovers quickly, securing her saddle bags before mounting his own horse.

I hug myself, my arms aching with the need to pull Ferria back down, to keep her with me. My nose burns and my throat tightens as I watch as my twin—my other half—rides into the Forbidden Forest with her apprentice at her side.

Just before the trees claim her, she twists in the saddle. She raises a hand, and the fractured light cutting through the canopy glistens on her damp cheeks.

I raise a hand back.

Then she’s gone.

And it feels as though something vital has been torn from my chest, leaving me hollow. As though my very heart has been split in two.

I don’t know how long I stand there, staring at the tree line. My thoughts twist darker with every passing heartbeat, darting from one imagined danger to the next, each ending grimmer than the last. The tears dried some time ago, leaving the skin on my cheeks tight and salt-stained.

The determination I summoned last night with Ferria at my side has drained from my veins, along with all other emotions. I’m numb. Resigned. I’ll pull myself together soon. I always do. But for now…I relish the lack of feeling. The lack of sadness and pain.

“Elara?”

Slowly, I meet Jaxon’s wary eyes.

He looks over his shoulder then back to me. “It’s time to go.”

A glance reveals the entire camp is packed up and stacked on the wagon. Darius, Draven, and Rian sit atop midnight-black steeds. Two smaller, but no less stunning horses, stand nearby. The reins of one are tied to the saddle of the other. No shadow soldiers are in sight.

My leg muscles protest the thought of riding my own horse, but I keep it to myself. I don’t think I’ll be able to hold myself together if I have to ride with one of the Fae.

Without a word, I walk past Jaxon. He picks up his pace and stays at my side. We join the others.

Rian’s eyes burn the side of my face, but I keep my gaze forward.

I stop in front of the horses. Their eyes are dark gray, but not the smoky gray I’ve come to associate with Rian’s shadow puppets.

I take a deep breath. Rian’s power is incredible. Scary, but incredible. It’s a shame he uses it to hold me accountable to the deal I made in haste. Because now I hate it. I hate him. I want nothing to do with the Fae and their evil magic.

Jaxon moves to the mare whose bridle is attached to the other horse and squats, cupping his hands together.