Page 204 of Prince of Darkness and Deceit

Rolling my shoulders back, I walk over and place my boot in his palms, ignoring how the shoe serves as another reminder of the Fae’s deceptive kindness.

With much less grace than Ferria displayed, I fumble my way onto the horse. My cheeks warm, and I keep my head down as Jaxon walks to his horse and climbs on top. Then he grabs his reins and urges his horse forward.

My mare follows.

“Ready?” Rian’s deep voice floats through the air.

When no one responds, I surmise he’s speaking to me, but I grit my teeth and keep my eyes on the mare’s smooth, straight mane.

A sigh reaches my ears, then he says, “Let’s go. We’re losing daylight.”

His stallion whinnies as he tugs on his reins, turning him around so they face the Forbidden Forest. The absence of his powerful stare is a weight off my shoulders. I finally lift my eyes.

Darius clicks his tongue and turns his steed, but not before shooting me a wink that makes my stomach tighten and the burn in my cheeks grow hotter.

I still don’t have an explanation for his mate comment, and I’m not sure I want one. Nothing he says will be anything I want to hear. But given the fact that the only reason I’m here is to treat his curse, I can’t avoid him forever.

A groan passes my lips. Gods help me, I need to cure him soon.

Draven’s steed trots after his prince without so much as looking my way. Jaxon and I follow.

The forest is quiet as we wind through the gnarled, ominous trees. Rian and Darius ride at the front, leading the riderless horses pulling the wagon. Draven’s horse trots behind the supplies with Jaxon and me not too far behind.

When we approach a tight copse of trees, I wonder how the broad wagon is going to make it through.

Rian lifts a hand, and shadows fly from his palm, casting the dozens of trees before us in darkness. Then, with a pulse of power, the trees just…disappear.

My blood runs cold.

No one speaks as we move through the newly cleared space while my heart races at the formidable display of power.

“There’s no need to look so frightened,” Jaxon says, disrupting the silence that settled over me like an uncomfortable wool blanket. “You are safe with us.”

“Safe?” I snort before I can think better of it. “With you?”

His features shutter, and he pinches his lips together.

I think he’s going to let the conversation drop, but seconds later, he mutters, “We are not your enemies, Elara.”

“No, you’re my captors,” I retort, channeling my inner Ferria even while my hands tremble where they grip the reins. “Which is pretty much the same thing.”

He frowns. “It’s not like that⁠—”

“There you bastards are!” The shout crashes through the trees.

I jolt, breath catching, but freeze when none of the Fae tense for battle.

A heartbeat later, Silas bursts from the tree line, chest heaving, grin wild. “Take that, Draven! I told you I’d catch up before nightfall.”

Draven doesn’t even blink. “Still an hour slower than I would have been.”

Silas scoffs and reins his horse up beside him. “Mother save you, Draven. No one likes a sore loser. Pay up.”

With a grunt, Draven fishes a coin pouch from beneath his cloak and tosses it over.

Silas snatches it midair, smirking at the muttered insult that follows. Something about pretty boys and their mothers.

“Tell me you at least brought better supplies,” Rian calls over his shoulder, voice clipped.