Page 32 of A Court of Darkness and Dragons

Ferrula moved ahead with the confidence of someone who had made peace with shadows a long time ago, her dagger spinning lightly in her hand. “If she’s down here, she’s either desperate or she knows something we don’t,” she muttered.

“Or both,” I replied, my voice hushed. My magic prickled against the stone, searching for any trace of a glamour, a ward, or her.

The sound of dripping water echoed ahead, the tunnel opening into a broader archway that would eventually lead to the pool chamber. Every step forward felt heavier, as if the darkness itself were watching.

And somewhere deep inside, Kaelith’s voice rumbled. Stay alert. She could be anywhere.

Our footsteps echoed across the damp stone as Ferrula and I moved through the last bend of the tunnel. The air here was heavier, laced with the metallic tang of magic from the pool chamber ahead.

As we stepped into the open space, the sight waiting for us made my magic coil tight.

Inderia.

She stood near the water’s edge, her reflection rippling in the blue glow. At the sound of our arrival, she whirled, her silk skirts flaring.

“What are you doing here?” she demanded, the icy edge in her tone poorly masking the flicker of surprise in her eyes.

I didn’t stop walking until I was a few paces away. “We’d ask you that question,” I said, voice steady, “but we already know you’re a traitor.”

Her hand rose to her chest, feigning outrage so quickly it was almost laughable. “How dare you! Theron will have your head once he returns.”

Ferrula snorted. “Spare us the theatrics.”

I stepped forward. “Theron survived your attack. He’s the one who told us you poisoned him.”

Inderia’s lips curved slowly, her eyes shifting into something dangerous. “Is that so?” Her tone dripped with false innocence for all of two heartbeats before she let it fall away entirely.

“Actually,” she said, her smile widening, “I’m glad the ruse is over. It’s exhausting having to pretend to be powerless and depend on the men who fawn over me.”

The torchlight danced over her face, and in that moment, I saw the mask she’d been wearing for years, the one built of charm and feigned devotion, fall away completely.

And what was left… was nothing but ambition honed into a blade.

I kept my eyes locked on Inderia, my voice steady despite the heat building in my chest.

“Why did you betray your own people?”

Her smile vanished, replaced by a wicked snarl. “My own family practically sold me to the crown,” she spat. “A diplomatic marriage to secure our standing… and for money.”

“Welcome to the club,” I muttered.

She let out a cold, humorless laugh. “You are nothing more than a filthy commoner. I never wanted Zander, but him choosing you over me? Pathetic. And proof of his poor breeding.”

Ferrula’s hand twitched toward her dagger, but I stepped forward. “You wanted power. It was as simple as that.”

“I want immortality,” Inderia hissed, her eyes glittering with madness. “Power isn’t enough. I deserve everything.”

“You deserve the end of a blade,” Ferrula growled, her voice low and dangerous.

I put my hand firmly on Ferrula’s shoulder, keeping her back. “Tell us how you poisoned the pool.”

Inderia lifted one elegant shoulder in a careless shrug. “I simply added a compound my fae contact gave me. I used the pool to boost my own powers and conducted the spell my mentor provided. Then, I used that essence to create the poison that weakened the king… and then Dorian.”

My blood ran cold. “You cast a dark spell to keep him weak?”

Her smile returned, cruel and certain. “I cast a spell so Severeth could feed off them. She is my benefactor, after all.”

“You idiot!” I snapped, my voice echoing in the chamber. The sound of my own fury seemed to hang in the air.