Page 190 of Captive of Secrets and Storms

A midnight-black gown hugs her curvaceous figure, allowing her to blend in among the Shadow Fae.

Rian tilts his head as Iris leans in.

Her chest presses into his arm, and her lips brush his earlobe as she whispers something in his ear.

A screech tries to claw up my throat.

Mine.

I can’t tell where the possessive thought comes from—the darkness binding me to my deal with Rian or my own magic.

But it doesn’t matter.

I struggle to control the liquid fire coursing through my muscles and bones, weaving its way to the surface, desperate to be unleashed and punish Iris for her bold touch.

Get it together, Elara!

I tear my gaze away and tighten my hold on Leto’s hand, locking eyes with Darius.

The heat cools in my veins.

Darius’s gray pallor has worsened, exaggerated by the charcoal clothing he wears. The curse is destroying his body, but he doesn’t look worried.

The Fae’s eyes dart between me and the prince, irises twinkling, and he shoots me a knowing smirk.

I press my lips together to hide my scowl and force my attention back to the dais.

Rian’s stare burns into the side of my face, but I don’t look his way again.

A loud clap pierces my ears.

“Now.” Augustus lowers his hands, brown eyes gleaming. “Let us begin.”

A swish of fabric draws my gaze to the right.

A server wearing a simple, solid blue gown glides to our row in front of the dais. She carries a gleaming silver serving tray in her hands. Six shot glasses are filled to the brim. The pale-pink liquid barely shifts with her graceful steps.

She stops in front of Hali and her partner.

With a huff, Hali reaches out and retrieves two glasses. She hands one to her friend. He mutters something into her ear that earns a flicker of a smile. The two clink their glasses together and then pour the contents down their throats in one swallow.

Applause breaks out from the crowd.

A tingle of warning ripples down my spine.

The servant approaches us next.

Leto releases my hand and takes two glasses from the tray. “Thank you.”

The servant ducks her head and blushes. Her steps to Gerald are a little less graceful.

“For you.” Leto holds out the glass.

I take it. My fingers press against the ridges carved into the thick crystal. “What is it?”

“Something to take the edge off.” His grin is more like a grimace. “Don’t worry. It’ll be fine.”

Nothing about this situation is fine.