Page 43 of Prince of Darkness and Deceit

Before I can finish, he leans in, wraps a hand around my back, and pulls me into his chest before kissing me soundly. A few people in the crowd chuckle, and I can’t help the faint, wry smile tugging at my lips.

He draws back and shoots me a mischievous grin.

Then he takes my hand and rests it in the crook of his elbow. “I insist.”

I bite the inside of my cheek and dip my head, not willing to give the staring crowd more gossip to spread.

We move through the market. People continue to nearly fall over themselves to get out of my way, but while they avoid meeting my gaze, they nod and smile at Lev.

He returns the silent greetings, lifting a hand at the tailor sweeping the steps of his shop, dipping his chin at a fellow soldier who is off duty—one I suspect was part of the entourage who greeted me by the forest last night.

My shoulders fall the moment we leave the crowded square.

Lev asks, “What’s wrong?”

I narrow my eyes. “Are you serious?”

He blinks. “What?”

“I know you saw the way everyone was staring at me.”

“That’s because you’re the most beautiful girl in town.”

I scowl and pull my arm away.

Lev huffs a laugh and places his hand on mine, holding it against his arm. “Okay. Okay. Sorry. I was trying to lighten your mood.”

“I don’t need you to lighten my mood.”

His smile falters.

Another wave of guilt rolls through me.

“Sorry.” I sigh, rubbing my tired eyes. “It’s been a rough day.”

“I can only imagine…” He stares at the side of my face, and then his gaze dips to my healer’s satchel, confirmation of where I’ve been.

He knows I can’t tell him anything about the Fae, but that doesn’t quell his curiosity. I can see it in the way his gaze lingers, sharp and probing—he wants to glean information from me. Unfortunately, the burning necklace embedded under my skin won’t allow it.

Even now, a whisper of heat brushes against my throat, a silent warning. A reminder to keep my lips shut. I lower my hand, brushing my fingers along my neck, feeling the faint, maddening pulse of magic beneath my skin.

Earlier, in between my futile attempts to wake Darius, I stared at my reflection in the gilded looking glass perched on the washbasin in the opulent tent. I had hoped to see some evidence of the magical gag the tanned Fae—Rian—had placed on me.

But nothing looked different. The same smooth skin marred by a tiny freckle at the side of my throat reflected back at me. Until I tried to speak of the clearing.

A thin, scorching-hot black line had encircled the base of my neck, and the beautiful yet terrifying symbol Rian had crafted with his shadows glowed red just above my sternum. Between that and the faded shadows still coiling around my arms, I am too marked by the Fae for my liking.

But there’s nothing I can do, not until I figure out a way to help them. Which seems impossible after today’s failure.

“Hey.” Lev tugs me closer. His free hand rests on top of mine. “Where did your mind go?”

I lean into his side and lie, “Nowhere important.”

His muscles tense, but he doesn't press. He withdraws the arm I’m holding and wraps it around my shoulder, a silent reassurance.

The aged wooden buildings thin out the farther away from the square we move.

My hand rests against Lev’s side. When he places a gentle kiss on my forehead, my heart squeezes. Lev is a loyal friend. A supportive companion. A selfless lover.