Page 145 of Prince of Darkness and Deceit

My mouth falls open.

It can’t be.

Can it?

The midnight-blue tent with the selmary rose embroidery floods my mind. Plush rugs…polished cutlery…every bit of finery surrounding Darius that seemed so out of place with a traveling squad now makes chilling sense.

Gods, help me… No wonder Rian and the others are so concerned with healing Darius. He’s their prince.

“I see in your expression that I’m right.” Triumph flares in Fief’s manic stare. “Now, tell me what I want to know, and I’ll reconsider my plans to beat the information out of you.”

My throat clogs with fear, but I snap my jaw closed and shake my head once. “I don’t know anything about the Shadow Prince.”

I refuse to tell this man anything.

A familiar voice calls out, “You’re lying.”

Chains rattle as I jerk back, and disbelief burns my throat as Dian steps out from around the shadowed corner leading to the dimly lit corridor.

“Dian?” I croak. “What…what are you doing here?”

“What I must.” Lev’s cousin steps to Fief’s side.

He tries to look composed, but the flash of discomfort at my disheveled state betrays him, even in the dim light.

My chin trembles. “I can’t believe this.”

“Believe it,” Fief snaps. “Now, tell us about the prince. Is it true he can read minds? Has he been spying on Verdanthia? Does he know about the weapons? Our plans?”

Even through my confusion, I fight to keep relief from my face. They don’t know Darius is the prince.

Good.

Let them think it’s one of the conscious, formidable Fae.

“I have no idea what you’re talking about,” I reply, resting my hands loosely in my lap.

“You’re lying,” Dian insists.

“I’m not.” I force my voice to remain even, unwilling to show weakness in front of the man who is not who I thought he was. “I know nothing about the Shadow Prince.”

“Please, Elara.” Dian’s stoic facade cracks. “Don’t make this difficult. I don’t want you to get hurt.”

“Who’s going to hurt me?” My gaze snaps to Fief.

He cracks his knuckles with a gleeful smile and says, “Several of us are willing to abuse a pretty face if it means learning our enemy’s secrets.”

I scoff, fixing my attention on Dian. “Really? You’d let this happen? What would Lev say?”

It’s risky to mention Lev given how things ended between us last night. But I’m hopeful Dian doesn’t know about my falling out with his cousin, that my relationship with Lev will make him pause what he’s planning to do.

“Lev would understand.”

“Now who’s the liar?” I scowl. “Don’t do this, Dian. The Fae didn’t do anything wrong. I’ve completed my deal with them. They’re leaving Verdanthia alone, just like they promised.”

“They’re leaving?” His eyes widen. His head snaps toward the corridor before turning back to me. “When?”

I frown. “I don’t know.”