Page 112 of Captive of Secrets and Storms

I blink, and I’m outside the door to my room. Darius leads me inside, guiding me toward the bed.

A hazy thought takes root. A sharp warning tries to override it, but the hum of alcohol buzzes, drowning it out.

My fingers curl around Darius’s toga’s straps, vaguely acknowledging they’re black like Rian’s, before I shove all thoughts of the Shadow Prince out of my head and tug.

The Fae teeters forward before rocking back on his heels.

“Elara?” Worried eyes trail over my face. “Are you all right?”

“I will be.” My power flows through my veins, warming my limbs.

Or maybe that’s the alcohol? Whatever it is, it gives me the strength to drag him forward, and we both collapse on the bed.

Darius’s arms lock out to keep from crushing me. “What in The Mother’s name are you doing?”

“Kiss me,” I demand.

Even through the haze of alcohol, the horror on his face penetrates my fogged senses.

“Are you mad? How much did you drink?”

“Enough to know what I want.” I pull him forward. “You called me your mate. Don’t you want to kiss me?”

Color drains from his face. “Fuck, Elara. I was just messing around.”

The words roll off me without leaving a mark.

“Good. That’s better. Then kiss me, no strings attached.”

“Damn it. I didn’t realize how much of a lightweight you are. Rian is going to lose his shit.”

“Don’t,” I hiss even as my heart races. “Don’t mention his name.”

He sighs. “You’re both so bloody stubborn. It’s annoying to watch.”

I don’t care to ask what that means. “Kiss me, Darius. Please.”

He shakes his head, no hesitation in his rejection. “No can do, sweet Elara. I have no interest in dying.”

I pout.

A thought rolls off my tongue before I can think twice. “Is it because of Petra?”

Every muscle in Darius’s body grows rigid.

His features harden, and his dark eyes flare. “What did you just say?”

Shit.

A pulse ricochets through my head, telling me to shut up, but the alcohol in my system dulls the warning.

“Petra.”

Darius shoves away from the mattress, reeling back until he hits the wall on the other side of the room.

I sit up and blink when my head spins.

Darius’s wild eyes meet mine. “How do you know about Petra?”