Page 71 of Prince of Darkness and Deceit

Rian and Jaxon shift in front of me, growling in perfect, primal unison. I barely register the protective gesture before the sharp crack of a chair toppling over snaps through the air, followed by the sound of a scuffle.

Lev’s voice rises, but I can’t make out what he says before Captain Steelvice bursts through the chaos, shoving a dazed man aside.

Then he’s here, face-to-face with the Fae, weapon raised.

“What are you doing here?” he snaps.

I suck in a sharp breath. This man must have a death wish to speak to the males in front of me that way. But then I realize…he’s not glaring at the Fae.

No. He’s looking at…me.

I gape at the high-ranking soldier, wondering what in Velmira’s name I could have done to warrant such a greeting.

Shadows jump off Jaxon’s back and slither along the warped floorboard.

He steps forward. “Is there a problem?”

Beside him, Rian is still as the Gods’ statues flanking the entrance of their holy temple. Not even his shadows move. They’re frozen. Hard. Stoic. Waiting.

Steelvice’s eyes flick to the Fae. His scowl remains, but his throat bobs as he swallows. “Not with you, my lord.”

Good to know the safety of Verdanthia isn’t in the hands of a complete idiot.

Then his hate-filled glare returns to me. “But you should not be here.”

My brows knit, the crease deepening as I lock my gaze on him.

“What is the meaning of this?” Lev shoves through the crowd gathered less than a foot away, the drunk men eager to witness whatever is about to unfold.

Blyne reaches for Lev’s arm, but Lev rips out of his grip and stomps forward until he’s at Steelvice’s side. “What is going on, Steelvice?”

“I do not answer to you, soldier.” The captain sneers.

Lev stiffens, his eyes darting to mine, before he rolls back his shoulders. “The Elders abandoned the curfew.”

My eyes widen. Why in the heavens would they do that?

“Elara breaks no laws being out this late,” he finishes, chest puffed out with authority.

“Wrong.” The captain waves his sword in a small circle toward me. “Our laws forbid unwed women to linger outside their homes past the moon cresting in the sky.”

My jaw drops. Seriously?

I don’t realize I said the word out loud until Lev and Jaxon both look at me. Rian doesn’t move an inch, his glare locked on Steelvice.

“Yes, seriously,” the captain hisses. “Now, get out of here.”

The other women in the crowd wear equally shocked expressions. In the corner, I see Dian quietly nudging Gayla toward the door.

“Is this how you let someone speak to your woman?” Jaxon growls at Lev.

I bristle even as blood rushes to my face.

Lev’s eyes narrow. “With all due respect, my lord, this is not your business.”

Jaxon snorts. “Worthy men defend their women.”

“I do not need anyone to defend me,” I snap, equally infuriated and embarrassed by this situation.