Page 61 of Prince of Darkness and Deceit

I tear my gaze away from the unsettling scene. “Should we get going? It’s late.”

I force myself not to fidget under his lingering scrutiny.

Finally, he nods, and his tone adopts his usual easy-going cadence. “Of course.”

He turns toward the trees, and I follow.

As we step into the looming darkness of the Forbidden Forest, branches swallowing the firelight behind us, a strange relief washes over me, followed by an incredible realization.

I’d rather face the monsters that haunt these woods than stay one more second in that camp. And that admission scares me more than anything.

Because tomorrow, I’ll be right back there.

I don’t have a choice…not unless I want to sacrifice everything and everyone I’ve ever loved.

12

Anxiety grips my chest, and the suffocating emotion heightens with each step I take while trailing after Jaxon as we weave through the Forbidden Forest.

The typically chatty Fae has fallen silent, which is almost as ominous as the unnatural spectacle I witnessed back in the clearing. I duck under the naked branches of a dead tree, my thoughts spinning.

Those soldiers appeared out of thin air. I’m sure of it. Which begs the question: how?

“Shadowbound Fae don’t have elemental power. Our magic comes from our shadows.”

I chew the inside of my cheek, replaying Rian’s words, looking for any clue to explain what happened.

I’ve never heard the phrase “Shadowbound” before. Verdanthians refer to our northern overlords simply as Shadow Fae. Shadowbound makes them seem like prisoners to their magic, not masters who wield it with devastating precision.

Dry leaves crunch under my feet as we move past the gnarled tree.

Does the Fae’s swirling, dark magic somehow enable them to transport from one location to another at their command? Or did that camp of soldiers use some other mysterious ability to appear in that clearing undetected? Or is it possible I was simply too distracted speaking with Rian to hear them return?

No. Absolutely not.

Well…you were preoccupied checking out his golden chest…

I dismiss my inner voice with a silent hiss, but blood rushes into my cheeks nevertheless.

Finding Rian attractive is nothing to be ashamed of. His kind were designed by the Old Gods to be captivating. It would be strange if I weren’t drawn in by his strong jaw and smoldering eyes, or his intense stare and muscular torso⁠—

“Here we are.” Jaxon’s voice cracks through the silence like lightning.

I jolt back and yelp when my heel strikes a jagged rock.

He reaches out to steady me.

“I’m fine.” I jump back before he touches me, shifting weight to my other leg, hiding my wince. “Totally fine.”

The unkempt path leading to town is a foot away.

I hobble forward. “Thanks for walking with me. I’m good on my own from here.”

“You’re welcome.” He lowers his arm, eyes following me with a frown. “Sleep well. We shall see you tomorrow.”

I wave a hand his way without meeting his gaze. “Yeah. See you tomorrow.”

I limp my way out of the Forbidden Forest. I make it five feet before I glance back. Jaxon’s gone, and I release a shuddering breath. I’ll need to do better at controlling my unease around the Fae.