Page 13 of Prince of Darkness and Deceit

Before that day, the Elders claimed Verdanthia was untouched by the war, that we were too far south to be worth the Fae’s trouble. Our men conscripted to fight in the Shadow Wars never made it past Cardovia. Their greatest foes were the beasts in the middle of the continent—beasts who were furious at having their homeland invaded.

But everything changed the day a Fae rode into town on a midnight-black stallion, demanding an audience with our leaders. From that moment on, every soul in Verdanthia became tangled in the Fae’s treacherous web—our fate inextricably tied to their whim. All for blasted astlerium.

Now I sit shoulder to shoulder with my neighbors, the meeting hall packed tight as we all bristle with anticipation. The cross breeze from the open windows lining either side of the room does little to clear the air, ripe with sweat and dread.

No one knows why the Fae would come to Verdanthia. We've given them no reason to. We’ve done everything they’ve asked.

But that doesn’t matter. They’re coming. And a gut-deep certainty coils within me. Life in Verdanthia is about to become even more burdened by our monstrous overlords, and there’s nothing anyone can do about it.

Beside me, Ferria wipes a bead of sweat from her temple, staring blankly ahead. After the scout announced he saw Fae in the forest, Ferria and I packed up our wares alongside the rest of our neighbors. Then she returned to the smithy, claiming she had work to finish.

Maybe that’s true, but knowing my twin, she needed something to distract herself from the terrifying news and what it could mean for the town. And for us.

I lower my gaze to my aching hands. I spent the afternoon elbow-deep in dirt, tending to herbs that didn’t need tending, pretending as if the ground beneath my feet didn’t hum with the danger my sister and I had always known was possible—yet managed to avoid for twenty-four years.

Looks like the Gods have decided we’ve run out of luck.

“Elara.”

I blink and look up. Lev shuffles down the row, patting the shoulders of those he passes, earning tight but genuine smiles in return.

He eases down beside me on the bench. His arm slips around my back, warm and grounding, and he presses a kiss to my temple.

“How are you holding up?” he asks.

“Fine,” I lie. “You?”

Lev stormed off with the young scout to speak to the Elders the moment he’d finished talking. From the dark circles under his eyes, I’d guess he spent the majority of his day stressing about what’s to come, just like the rest of us.

“Good.” His smile strains. “I’m sorry the market shut down today, but the Elders have already decided it will reopen tomorrow.”

Around us, murmurs rise, hopeful and relieved. Lev’s words travel faster than wildfire during the dry season.

I shoot him a pointed look. He grins for real this time and presses another kiss to my temple. Strategic bastard.

“Anton!” Ferria lifts a hand in the air.

Her apprentice spots us, his gaze flicking to Ferria first, like always. He’s filthy. Soot-smeared and tired-eyed. Just like my sister.

“You still stringing that poor bastard along, Ferria?” Lev teases over my head.

Ferria’s gaze cuts to him. “Excuse me?”

I jab Lev with my elbow. He continues to look at my sister, unblinking.

“Kinless.” He tips his head to the man making his way to our bench. “Have you decided whether or not you’re interested in him? Or are you worried he’ll stop working with you if you reject him?”

“Don’t call him that.” Her green eyes flash crimson.

My pulse spikes, not because of the color, but because of the chance someone else sees.

I glance left and right. The crowd continues to buzz with Lev’s market news. No one saw. And no one notices the tension snapping between my sister and lover like a stretched wire.

Thank the Gods.

“What?” Lev blinks. “I was just asking.”

Ferria’s nostrils flare.